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Justin Sun Showcases Premier Art Collection at Giacometti's 'Le Nez' Exhibition in Paris

APENFT

Singapore / October 17, 2023 / - On October 7, the exhibition of Giacometti's Le Nez (The Nose), co-sponsored by TRON DAO and APENFT Foundation, was unveiled in Paris, France. Justin Sun, founder of TRON, graced the occasion with his edition of this masterpiece, capturing the attention of the industry. This exhibition brings together, for the very first time, all editions of Le Nez by Alberto Giacometti, a Swiss surrealist artist of immense national significance. In addition to Sun's collection, the exhibition also encompasses three plaster editions and a virtual representation of the bronze sculpture edition, accompanied by all its drawings and archives from the Giacometti Foundation and the Center Pompidou. Industry professionals in attendance affirmed that this exhibition showcases the profound influence of Le Nez on contemporary art. They also praised the timeless vigor of Giacometti, a pivotal sculptor of the 20th century. And the presence of Justin Sun, a leader in the Web3 realm, made this event even more special. Meanwhile, the partnership between the Giacometti Foundation, TRON DAO, and APENFT is a groundbreaking cooperation in the art industry that signifies the fusion between digital and traditional art. Justin Sun's 'Le Nez' Collection Makes its Physical Debut, Elevating Digital Art's Rise to Prominence During the event, the 1964 version of Le Nez from Justin Sun's personal collection, one of the highlights of the event, made its on-site debut. This artwork was acquired by Sun at the 2021 Sotheby's New York Fall Auction for $78.4 million and was then donated to the APENFT Foundation. Some industry experts argue that while the artwork was previously showcased in metaverse galleries and other similar platforms, its physical display in this exhibition provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for art enthusiasts. It brings top-tier artworks closer to the general public, allowing them to closely observe this exceptional piece, appreciate its distinctive artistic allure, and find inspiration from it. Regarding the debut of this top-tier collection, Sun expressed his immense honor in a tweet, he eagerly anticipates the future possibilities that blockchain technology could bring to art. In a collaborative video with a Tik Tok influencer, Cai Luoli, Sun showcased this collection while giving her a tour of his private art gallery. As a dedicated proponent and innovator in the realm of art, especially digital art, Sun has made substantial investments in acquiring artwork pieces from globally celebrated artists, both traditional and digital, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Alberto Giacometti, Beeple, and Pak. Sun has also donated several famous pieces from his collection, including Femme nue couchée au collier and OCEAN FRONT to the APENFT Foundation to support the growth of digital art. The Giacometti Foundation commended Sun's endeavors, viewing them as a testament to his commitment as a blockchain, digital, and VR pioneer. His efforts bridge the gap between virtual and physical realms while fostering the growth of both contemporary digital art and modern artistic works. TRON DAO Partners with APENFT to Curate an exciting Event, Bridging Web3 with Traditional Art TRON DAO and APENFT, partners of this exhibition, have always been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of digital art. With a sponsorship of $1 million, TRON DAO will continue its partnership with the Giacometti Foundation, along with APENFT, to fund artwork research and grow relevant projects. Sun once predicted that 50% of the world's top 100 artists and artworks would be recorded as NFTs in the following decade, during which blockchain technology would build a bridge to merge traditional art with emerging technologies. The APENFT Foundation was founded for this very purpose. APENFT has sponsored an assortment of art summits held by Christie's New York and the likes, making itself the first-ever art foundation that collects artworks across different industries while offering a gateway for traditional art enthusiasts to enter the NFT world. TRON is also committed to promoting the adoption of blockchain technology within the art world. The TRC-721 standard for on-chain NFTs charges lower transaction fees whilst processing transactions at a higher speed. Its standardized guidelines and interfaces for NFT creation, issuance, and transactions make it a preferred choice for developers and users. This event is another landmark in TRON's collaboration with top-notch art institutions, manifesting the integration between Web3 and art. It opens a wealth of opportunities for artists and collectors, providing transparent, secure, and far-reaching avenues to trade and share art. The opening of the Le Nez exhibition celebrates the advent of a new era in art, in which the union of digital and traditional art creates new values for both the Web3 and art industries. The display of Justin Sun's collection adds more color to the event, and with TRON and APENFT's ongoing collaboration with the Giacometti Foundation, it will continue to energize the art sector with new possibilities. About APENFT Marketplace APENFT Marketplace is an NFT trading platform native to the TRON blockchain, launched by the APENFT Foundation, with additional support from the world’s largest distributed storage system BitTorrent File System (BTFS). It provides a range of NFT-related services, including NFT minting, trading, and creation. By converting more artworks as NFTs and bringing more GameFi projects on the blockchain, APENFT Marketplace not only makes art unique and eternal but also boosts transparency in the exchange and transmission. With higher speed and zero transaction fees, APENFT Marketplace helps boost a more diverse ecosystem and a stronger community. The APENFT utility token ($NFT) is the official governance token issued by the APENFT Foundation. It is a decentralized digital asset that is backed by TRC-20 protocols, and serves as proof of rights on APENFT. With the designation of TRON as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, $NFT has been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country effective on October 7th, 2022. Currently, $NFT is traded on over 27 CEXs and DEXs including OKX, HTX, KuCoin, Bybit, Uniswap, PancakeSwap, and SunSwap. Learn more about APENFT at their: Website: https://apenft.io/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/apenftorg Telegram: https://t.me/apenftEN Discord: https://discord.gg/Hq8GETYTrD Media Contact Lorna He contact@apenft.io About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of October 2023, it has over 190.42 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 6.56 billion total transactions, and over $15.99 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government’s endorsement to issue Dominica Coin (“DMC”), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica’s global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum Media Contact Hayward Wong press@tron.network Contact Details Lorna He contact@apenft.io

October 17, 2023 01:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Contract Management Associations Join Forces to Globally Elevate Profession

National Contract Management Association

Today, the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and World Commerce and Contracting (WorldCC), the world's foremost authorities in the field of contract management, proudly announce a groundbreaking joint venture. This partnership is set to revolutionize the profession around the world. Contract management is the bedrock of successful business and social outcomes, underpinning transactions that drive economies and society forward. Recognizing the paramount importance of this profession, WorldCC and NCMA are uniting to advance a common and worldwide understanding of both public and commercial contracting practices. One of the core pillars of this joint venture is the commitment to consensus-based updates. At its heart, this collaboration aims to continually refine and expand the application of the Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™). By harnessing their collective expertise, they intend to adapt the CMS™ to accurately reflect the ever-evolving landscape of contract management in today's intricate global context and drive the growing adoption of the CMS™ for academic recognition of contract management. In addition to CMS™, this partnership will provide a wealth of guidance resources that are invaluable to professionals in the field. These resources will focus on the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the realm of contract management. This initiative is poised to empower practitioners by unlocking the full potential of AI, leading to enhanced efficiency, precision, and innovative practices. Sally Guyer, WorldCC's Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the venture. "Our shared vision is to elevate the profession of contract management and ensure that it remains at the forefront of industry practices. By unifying our efforts, we can deliver cutting-edge guidance and resources that will empower professionals worldwide." NCMA's Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Conrad, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone partnership, stating, "This joint venture marks a new era for contract management professionals. Together, we'll elevate CMS™ globally, setting a new standard for excellence and creating a common contracting language." The announcement was made at WorldCC's Americas Summit in Dallas TX. Further details will be discussed at NCMA's Government Contract Management Symposium November 6th and 7th in Bethesda, MD. For media inquiries, please contact: Holly DeHesa, NCMA Director of Marketing and Communications holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Kate Hodgins, WorldCC Head of Marketing media@worldcc.com The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), a nonprofit professional society founded in 1959, is an important resource in the field of contract management. With nearly 20,000 members, NCMA is dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice and profession through education, certification, and networking opportunities. NCMA serves through an open exchange of ideas in neutral forums of buyers and sellers. Visit www.ncmahq.org to learn more. About WorldCC World Commerce & Contracting is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its global members achieve high-performing and trusted trading relationships. With 75,000 members from over 20,000 organizations across 180 countries, the association welcomes everyone with an interest in better contracting: business leaders, practitioners, experts, and newcomers. It is independent, provocative, and disciplined existing for its members, the contracting community and society at large. Visit worldcc.com to learn more. Contact Details NCMA Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

October 17, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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New Advertiser Perceptions Research Finds Data Standards Increase ROI by 30% or More

Claravine

Advertiser Perceptions, the leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence to the complex and dynamic media, advertising, and ad tech industries, conducted research examining how US brand marketers and agencies are approaching and perceiving data standardization. The research uncovers key findings around the importance of data standardization across measurement and attribution, privacy compliance, productivity, managing campaign ROI, ad creative development, brand safety, generative AI and consumer experience. Their results found that marketing and advertising agency professionals acknowledge that data standards are essential. A large majority – 91% – agree that applying data standards practices is a must in order to move forward in a privacy-centric way. Advertisers that have data standards in place see average ROI increases of 30% or more across tactics, including privacy compliance (32%), productivity (32%), managing ROI (31%) and brand safety (30%). Eighty-six percent agree that without data standards, their organizations will fall behind competitors or lose market share over time. The bottom line is that a majority of advertisers have yet to master the ability to target and measure the impacts of leveraging rich audience and creative data. Privacy Ecosystem Evolving Those currently using data standards have successfully employed privacy-forward methods for data sharing and analysis in greater numbers vs. their counterparts. The research shows that gaining control over data standards is a must to mitigate risk and remain competitive in today’s quickly evolving regulatory environment. More specifically: Advertisers that have data standards in place are significantly more likely to be using data clean rooms and rely on APIs to share advertiser segment data and ad creative assets, whereas those exploring still lean more heavily on less privacy-minded methods, such as email. Among the two-thirds who use data clean rooms, the overwhelming majority agree that clean rooms are the standard for privacy-compliant data matching. Those utilizing data standardization are more confident in the execution of coherent audience definition, ad creative and measurement strategies and their tiebacks to ROI. Push for Generative AI With advertisers estimating one in every four ads result in ad creatives being served to the incorrect consumer, there is a huge upside in gaining greater visibility into ad creative production, storage and utilization. Specifically, advertisers estimate ROI would increase 29% if they were to be able to serve ad creatives to the correct consumer every time. And if they were to be able to fully attribute campaign performance back to specific ad creatives, ROI would increase by 30%. With two in five already using artificial intelligence (AI) for ad creative development and another one in two considering its use, organizations’ acknowledge that properly tagging and tracking ad creative is increasing in complexity and is critical to measuring and improving performance. Yet, today, only a minority (21%) feel very confident in their ability to keep track of and tag AI-generated creative assets. Importance of Brand Safety & Trust Lack of knowledge as to where creative assets are running also exposes companies to brand safety issues. Ops teams implementing data standards reported the ability to identify where ad creatives were served and whether ads ran next to unsafe brand content much faster than their counterparts. They also estimate a greater ROI from serving the right ads to the right consumer 100% of the time vs. their counterparts. Eighteen percent of US advertisers believe that ads running next to unsafe content can result in significant cost impacts to their business and revenue. And those who have already implemented data standardization believe the cost impacts are significantly greater. For the majority, identifying unsafe ad placements takes time: Roughly half of advertisers said it takes up to a day to identify that ads have run next to unsuitable content. Three in four say that limited reporting or data provided to them via media partners at the ad creative level is a top challenge, as is the fact that attribution models aren’t set up to provide insights at the creative level. “Our research indicates that data standards sit at the very core of many of the industry’s top challenges, including measurement and attribution, privacy compliance, generative AI usage and brand safety,” said Lauren Fisher, GM of Business Intelligence at Advertiser Perceptions. “The greater the understanding an organization has with regard to where its data and creatives are housed, who has access and where they are shared, the greater its ability to manage critical areas of marketing, which ultimately leads to revenue gains for businesses.” Methodology Advertiser Perceptions, surveyed 140 US advertisers in September 2023 to understand their current and future practices with regard to data standards strategies. To qualify for the study, respondents had to be spending $50M annually on digital advertising and involved in decision-making for digital advertising. The study surveyed a mix of respondents across strategic teams, operations and data analytics teams. Agency respondents comprised 30% of respondents, while marketers accounted for 70%. The research was commissioned by Claravine, which helps to standardize taxonomies, naming conventions, and metadata across all digital experiences at the source of data creation. The full report can be downloaded here. “Our industry is constantly evolving, and the pace of change is having big impacts on marketing teams and businesses. Right now there are several topline challenges including an uncertain regulatory environment, a push for generative AI and ongoing concerns with brand safety,” Verl Allen, CEO of Claravine said. “This research proves marketers and agencies understand data standardization is a necessary organizational priority that touches nearly every team, role and system in a company’s marketing efforts. Focusing on data standards at the beginning is a practice that takes time and care, but once implemented it can lead to significant ROI gains.” About Advertiser Perceptions Advertiser Perceptions is the leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence to the complex and dynamic media, advertising, and ad tech industries. Our curated, proprietary Ad PROS™ Network and deep relationships with the largest advertisers provide clients with an unbiased view of the market, their brand, and the competition. Our experts provide timely and actionable guidance enabling clients to improve their products and services, strengthen their brands, and drive more revenue. About Claravine Claravine is a pioneer in Data Integrity for the global enterprise. We empower a proactive approach to marketing measurement by activating data standards across people and technology, bridging the silos that limit speed and decisions. That’s why nearly a quarter of the Fortune 100 use our platform, The Data Standards Cloud, to define, apply and connect standards across their ecosystem for faster decisions, greater agility, and increased ROI. www.claravine.com Contact Details Kite Hill PR Maggie Stasko maggie@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.claravine.com/

October 17, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Agora Data’s Matt Burke Named to 40 Under 40

Agora Data, Inc.

Agora Data, Inc., a fintech company transforming automotive financing for U.S. car dealerships by offering abundant, low-cost capital with precision loan performance data and analytics, has announced Matt Burke, COO of Agora Data, has been named to the “40 Under 40:Industry” list by Auto Remarketing. The accolade recognizes current and next-generation leaders of the used car business who are making significant contributions to the industry and their respective companies. Honorees are highlighted in the October issue of Auto Remarketing and recognized on November 9th at Used Car Week in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Westin Kierland. “Matt stands out as an exceptional dynamo in the auto finance industry. He’s a true visionary who comprehends the intricacies and has the potential to revolutionize an entire industry,” said Bill Zadeits, President of Cherokee Media Group. “He possesses an unyielding drive, a penchant for innovative thinking, remarkable intelligence, and a genuine concern for people. It’s rare to witness someone so young exhibit such a remarkable combination of qualities. We are excited to celebrate Matt as one of the youngest members in this prestigious group of 40 Under 40 talented individuals.” As a member of Agora’s leadership team, Matt is helping to revolutionize non-prime auto finance by offering affordable financing and data-driven analytics to auto dealers. Agora also enables any dealer to become a finance company and compete with larger retailers. In December 2020, Agora Data made auto industry history by completing the first-ever crowdsourced non-prime auto securitization. This milestone achievement provides auto dealers direct access to ample capital with favorable terms, enabling lower loan interest rates to help fuel their business. Matt has more than ten years of experience in auto finance, serving as the COO of Agora Data and the CEO of Center Street Finance. His responsibilities on the National Auto Finance (NAF) board as this year’s Treasurer underscore his exceptional contributions and dedication for the industry. Matt earned his BBS in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management from Texas Christian University. About Agora Data, Inc. Agora Data, Inc. is an automotive industry fintech revolutionizing financing for car dealers and finance companies. Car dealerships can secure affordable capital to build their own non-prime captive finance company, obtain actionable loan performance data to improve their lending portfolios and use a wide range of solutions to grow their business safely. Powered by patent pending artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology, car dealers can access real-time data analytics and planning resources to help optimize the performance of their portfolios. Agora Data made history by closing the first-ever crowdsourced non-prime auto securitization in 2020 and continues to bring groundbreaking financing solutions to an underserved market. For more information, visit www.agoradata.com or contact us at 1-877-592-4672. Contact Details Shelly Vandeven media@agoradata.com Company Website https://agoradata.com/

October 17, 2023 08:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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As Whales Shift From Top Coins Like Bitcoin and Cardano, are Emerging Cryptos Like NUGX The Future?

RoundHouse Media

The beauty of crypto is not only in its opportunities but also in how fast markets shift. Bitcoin, meme coins, and even decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens can, at one point, post triple-digit gains only for them to crash a few weeks later. This has been observed in memes like BALD and PEPE; even top altcoins are not immune. Ahead of the expected bull run in 2024, many crypto whales are shifting away from established, high market cap projects like Bitcoin and Cardano and are building strategies around emerging projects like NuggetRush (NUGX), a community-led play-to-earn platform that aims to contribute positively to artisanal miners in developing countries. The Bitcoin and Cardano Era For years, Bitcoin has been the best crypto for beginners and a flagship project, the "gold standard" against which all altcoins are gauged. Its pioneering role and approval by regulators, including the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has made it the go-to asset for investors, especially big players and institutions, looking for stability and long-term growth. On the other hand, Cardano has gained a reputation for its commitment to sustainability, scalability, and innovation, as seen in its steady development from Byron to the current Basho phase. Thus far, ADA, Cardano’s native currency, is one of the top crypto coins by market cap. The Shift Towards Emerging Cryptos Despite Bitcoin's dominance and Cardano's ambition of building a high throughput Ethereum alternative, there is a clear paradigm shift in crypto, especially by discerning whales. As their strategy shows, they are actively diversifying their crypto portfolios and looking for the best altcoins to invest in; of which NuggetRush has been a standout. In their assessment, NuggetRush offers a unique value proposition with untapped potential that can translate to a high return on investments (ROI) beyond what high market cap projects can offer. Visit NuggetRush Presale Why The Shift To NuggetRush? Unlike legacy chains like Bitcoin, NuggetRush is heavily pro-community and building heavily, improving from the mistakes of earlier play-to-earn (P2E) and meme coin projects. NuggetRush is deploying on Ethereum, the pioneer smart contracts platform known for its ultra-high level of engagement. This gives it an edge because of the possibility of gaining value-seeking users instantaneously. The platform also guarantees opportunities for investors, and all this is in an environment that is transparent, secure, and smart contracts-driven. Specifically for gamers, NuggetRush aims to provide an immersive gameplay experience that readily rewards players with valuable in-game assets, improving artisanal miners' livelihood in underdeveloped countries. The platform combines fun, skills, and rewards for an all captivating experience for users desirous of the P2E and meme coin experience. Beyond the fun and opportunities, investors are considering NUGX because of its current lower entry barriers and is considered as a top crypto to invest in in 2023. Presently, top coins like Bitcoin are pricey and many investors can find it challenging to be whales, amassing substantial holdings. Emerging altcoins like NUGX allow users to be holders at more accessible and affordable entry points. Because of this, there is a real chance that early adopters who get in early, diversifying with high-growth NUGX, can reap big profits as the project evolves, gaining traction in crypto, especially ahead of the highly anticipated bull run. Visit NuggetRush Presale Are Emerging Cryptos Like NUGX the Future? While the shift towards NuggetRush and emerging but high-potential coins is undeniable, whether they represent the future of digital assets remains uncertain. History shows that the crypto market is highly volatile and speculative, and not all emerging projects will succeed. Accordingly, smart investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging. Even so, it's essential to remember that the success of established megaliths like Bitcoin and Cardano was also uncertain. Overall, the crypto market thrives on innovation, and it is highly likely that NuggetRush, considering its value propositions and ambition, may perform even better than Bitcoin or Cardano. Conclusion The crypto scene is fast-moving and transforming various industries. Amid this positive disruption, whales are diversifying away from Bitcoin and Cardano and examining upcoming and potentially high-growth crypto coins like NuggetRush, whose native token, NUGX, may explode in the next bull run riding on the P2E and meme coins wave. Visit NuggetRush Presale Contact Details NuggetRush Team media@nuggetrush.io

October 17, 2023 06:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HKSTP’s Biggest Ever Elevator Pitch Competition 2024 Hits Four World Cities to Bring Global Innovators to Hong Kong and Springboard to Mainland China and Asia Success

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 17 October 2023 - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is kicking off its eighth and biggest ever global Elevator Pitch Competition 2024 (EPiC 2024), by inviting leading tech startups around the world to join the four-city global contest and will have the excellent opportunity for up to US$5 million investment from HKSTP Corporate Venture Fund ("CVF"). Hong Kong's leading startup pitch competition also offers a total of US$240,000 in cash prizes, unrivalled business matching and funding opportunities, plus the ideal springboard to huge market opportunities in Mainland China, across Asia and beyond. HKSTP is partnering again with world-leading accelerator Plug and Play to help take EPiC on this major global expansion. From January to March 2024, four regional EPiC semi-finals will be hosted in Silicon Valley, Stuttgart, Singapore and Hong Kong, culminating with the grand finale in Hong Kong on 26 April 2024. Mid-to-late-stage tech ventures from around the world are invited to compete in the regional contests to join the list of 72 semi-finalists. The selected semi-finalists will come to Hong Kong to make their live 60-second pitch in front of judges while riding up the elevator at the iconic sky100 venue atop Hong Kong's tallest building, International Commerce Centre. All applicants of EPiC 2024 will have an opportunity to seek investment from CVF up to US$5 million. External corporations also have the option to co-invest, which further raises the potential final funding opportunity. Additionally, 72 semi-finalists will enjoy benefits from the HKSTP value-added services for six months, even after the competition. These include business matching, investment referral, exclusive membership of a city-wide and cross-industry virtual lab (STP Platform), access to co-working space as well as an extensive talent pool by reaching out to Hong Kong's renowned universities, five of them being ranked in the world's top 100 according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. Organised by HKSTP, EPiC 2024 is one of the global's most anticipated startup event and is now open for applications across three competition tracks – FinTech, PropTech and MobilityTech - from 17 October 2023 through to 31 December 2023. The finale will take place on 26 April 2024 at the sky100 venue, International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, recreating a genuine elevator pitch experience for all participants. Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: "The global growth of the EPiC pitching contest is proof of Hong Kong as a leading international I&T hub to top-tier global startups who seek critical support on their growth journey, connections with entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners, plus access to Hong Kong's biggest innovation and technology ecosystem. Hong Kong is the international hub of the China's Greater Bay Area (GBA) and at the heart of Asia, while the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster is ranked second in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)'s latest Global Innovation Index, making the city the ideal springboard to the surging investment and market potential of Mainland China, Asia and beyond." EPiC is HKSTP's annual flagship startup event, taking place in Hong Kong and gathering global entrepreneurs, technologists, investors, corporate partners and ecosystem leaders to help the brightest innovators to commercialise their ideas to success in Mainland China, across Asia and beyond. The success of EPiC 2023, which attracted a record 600 plus contestants and 55 economies, made it the city's most international pitch contest ever. The day-long event generated 150 businesses startup-corporate partnership opportunities and countless investment leads, with four of the EPiC 2023 finalist ventures currently close to becoming full-fledged companies landing at Science Park. Who can apply to join EPiC 2024: Tech startups that are less than 10 years old as of 30 April 2023 Ideas should focus on one of the THREE technology tracks: FinTech, PropTech and MobilityTech Applications will close on 31 December 2023 at 23:59 (GMT+8). Please visit https://epic.hkstp.org/ for more information on EPiC 2024. List of awards and prizes About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has for over 20 years committed to building up Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub to propel success for local and global pioneers today and tomorrow. HKSTP has established a thriving I&T ecosystem that supported over 10 unicorns and Hong Kong's leading R&D hub with over 13,000 research professionals and over 1,400 technology companies focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies. Established in 2001, we attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation and technology for entrepreneurs on their journey of growth. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three InnoParks are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong. The goal is sectors like advanced manufacturing, electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined for a new generation of industry. Through our infrastructure, services, expertise, and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish innovation and technology as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong, while reinforcing Hong Kong's international I&T hub status as a launchpad for growth at the heart of the GBA innovation powerhouse. More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org. Contact Details Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Fiona Cheuk +852 2629 0155 fiona.cheuk@hkstp.org

October 17, 2023 05:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HTX and Poloniex Launch Poloniex P2P to Build an Open and Diverse Crypto Market

HTX

Singapore — October 13, 2023 — HTX announced the launch of Poloniex P2P trading service in a strategic cooperation with Poloniex to build an open and diverse crypto market with access to more than 20 cryptocurrencies. This cooperation enhances the digital asset trading experience, making it more convenient and secure for millions of global users. It represents a significant step forward in HTX's journey as a leading global cryptocurrency platform. Users can now engage in trading on Poloniex P2P, with a chance to partake in a prize pool of 10,000 USDT and even stand a chance at winning an iPhone 14 Pro in the Lucky Draw. P2P trading is a peer-to-peer market that allows users to buy and sell digital assets directly without an intermediary. Poloniex P2P empowers users to engage in zero-fee, secure, and swift digital assets trading, including BTC and USDT, by opting to be an advertiser or a counterparty. Advertisers are individuals who publish, buy or sell advertisements on the platform, while counterparties can choose to purchase cryptocurrencies from or sell them to the advertisers. In terms of trading experience, Poloniex P2P stands out for its exceptional user-friendliness, facilitating rapid crypto transactions with ease. Furthermore, it places a strong emphasis on the security and protection of both buyers and sellers, safeguarding trades as well as mitigating fraud risks. The platform classifies advertisers into three tiers: Thumbs Up merchants, Verified merchants, and Trusted merchants, allowing users to choose based on their preferences. Additionally, this P2P trading platform employs custodian services to ensure the safety of digital or fiat assets during trading until each trade is confirmed. In case of any dissatisfaction during the trade, a professional and responsive customer service team is available to mediate and resolve any disputes promptly. As two prominent players in the industry, HTX, formerly one of the top 3 exchanges, boasts extensive industry expertise and technological capabilities, and Poloniex, a veteran exchange over multiple market cycles, has always been committed to offering stable, secure, and efficient cryptocurrency trading services, garnering a large base of loyal users. This collaboration signifies a mutually advantageous partnership, where both parties contribute resources and leverage their respective strengths to overcome barriers and cultivate an inclusive and diverse cryptocurrency market. HTX expressed, "This cooperation further strengthens the relationship between HTX and Poloniex. We remain committed to exploring innovative solutions for digital asset trading, aligning with the ever-evolving market demands." According to a spokesperson at Poloniex, "With the synergy of our technological prowess and industry experience, we are continuously optimizing Poloniex P2P, aiming to offer users a safer and more efficient trading experience, thereby advancing the development and widespread acceptance of the digital assets market." Looking ahead, HTX is poised to strengthen its partnership with Poloniex, exploring additional collaborative opportunities. Together, they are dedicated to shaping an open and inclusive cryptocurrency market, with an emphasis on long-term industry value. Their shared objective is to provide users worldwide with a more secure and convenient trading experience. Additionally, HTX aims to work with more industry players while adhering to regulations worldwide, exploring diverse technological integration possibilities, and advancing its development as a top global entry point to Web3. About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a crypto exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, wallets, research, investment, incubation and other areas. HTX serves millions of users worldwide, with a business presence covering over 160 countries and regions across five continents. Its three development strategies - "global development, technology drives development, and technology for good" underpin its commitment to providing comprehensive services and values to global cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/

October 16, 2023 01:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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VTS Recognized on Commercial Observer’s Annual Power Proptech List For Second Consecutive Year

VTS

VTS, the commercial real estate industry’s only technology platform that unifies owners, operators, brokers, and tenants to capitalize on opportunities revealed in every square foot of their properties, today announced that Commercial Observer has recognized CEO Nick Romito and Chief Technology Officer Swaroopa Penikelapati in it’s second annual Power Proptech List. This is Romito’s second year being featured on the list and the first for Penikelapati. “For over a decade, VTS has been at the forefront of the Proptech space, pioneering innovative solutions that have transformed how the real estate industry operates and providing our customers with technologies to improve the way they operate and do business. It’s an honor to be featured in Commercial Observer’s Power Proptech list for the second year in a row alongside other prominent executives who are driving innovation in real estate,” said Romito. “We see this recognition as a testament to our influence in the industry and are excited to continue scaling as we head into 2024.” Under Romito and Penikelapati’s leadership, VTS has continued to set the bar for innovation within the commercial real estate industry and has been a driving force in the company’s growth over the past year. Following the acquisitions of Rise Buildings and Lane Technologies in 2021 and a CBRE-led Series E fundraise in 2022, VTS announced the launch of VTS Activate, the company’s revolutionary tenant experience platform that enables CRE owners and operators to create a fully integrated office experience, in May of this year. VTS continues to be a trusted source for industry data, with its quarterly VTS Office Demand Index (VODI) and annual Global Landlord Report. The company has also made strategic additions to its leadership team to meet growing demand and platform expansion through the appointments of Sachin Shah as its first Chief Customer Officer in August and Penikelapati as Chief Technology Officer in November 2022. "I’m thrilled to be included in the Commercial Observer Power Proptech List following my appointment as VTS’ Chief Technology Officer last year,” said Penikelapati. “As a minority woman in a male-dominated industry like real estate, I’m proud to be represented on this list through contributing to meaningful outcomes for our customer base and the industry at large. I look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what our platform can deliver.” Commercial Observer’s annual Power Proptech List is a compilation of the most influential individuals in the rapidly evolving world of Proptech. In a field that continues to undergo significant transformation, this list recognizes executives and companies that shape the industry and possess the resilience and innovation necessary to thrive in changing times. VTS is the commercial real estate industry’s only technology company that unifies owners, operators, brokers, and tenants in a single platform to capitalize on opportunities revealed in every square foot of their properties. In 2013, VTS revolutionized the commercial real estate industry’s leasing operations with what is now VTS Lease. Today, the VTS Platform is the largest first-party data source in the industry, transforming how strategic decisions are made and executed by CRE professionals across the globe. With the VTS Platform, consisting of VTS Lease, VTS Activate, VTS Data, and VTS Market, every business stakeholder in commercial real estate is given real-time market information and workflow tools to do their job with unparalleled speed and intelligence. VTS is the global leader, with more than 60% of Class A office space in the U.S., and 12 billion square feet of office, retail, and industrial space is managed through our platform worldwide. VTS’ user base includes over 45,000 CRE professionals and industry-leading customers such as Blackstone, Brookfield Properties, LaSalle Investment Management, Hines, BXP, Oxford Properties, JLL, and CBRE. To learn more about VTS, and to see our open roles, visit www.vts.com. Contact Details Marino PR Sofia Chevez +1 646-912-5354 schevez@marinopr.com Company Website https://www.vts.com/

October 16, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AI startup Leucine nets $7M to level up Pharma manufacturing compliance to keep pace with drug innovation

Leucine

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is the lynchpin to getting drug innovation to people. While compliance protocols are key to ensuring the smooth operation of the industry, they are beset by processes that are not fit for purpose and are hindering their ability to deliver life-saving drugs faster. Suffocated by paper-based records and legacy systems, the large-scale manufacturing of drugs is being hampered. It’s little wonder that a staggering 2 out of 3 FDA warnings are for non-compliance related to procedures not being followed appropriately, unclear work instructions of methods, failure to review equipment usage logs, and lack of shared procedures between Quality Assurance and production departments. These matters are often missed and go unnoticed because of the conventional paper-based systems in the pharmaceutical industry. Helping to make pharmaceutical manufacturing compliant, safer, and faster, tech startup Leucine is today announcing a $7M series A funding round led by Ecolab Inc., a strategic investor, to scale its Compliance Cloud platform globally. This round also saw participation from all existing investors, including Pravega Ventures, Axilor Ventures, Techstars, and angels. Vivek Gera, founder, and CEO of Leucine, commented: “Paper-based manufacturing records are the industry's achilles' heel, fueling not only regulatory nightmares but also ballooning production costs and inefficiencies. The legacy solutions are no better, with their extremely long implementation cycles and rigid, siloed applications that leave manufacturers in a lurch.” Leucine's Compliance Cloud serves as a digital twin of the pharma manufacturing shop floor, bringing real-time performance monitoring, compliance management, and actionable insights to the table. For pharma manufacturers, leveraging data can mean the difference between a successful batch and a costly recall. What differentiates Leucine from some of the legacy digitization tools is its AI-driven capabilities designed not only to digitize pharma manufacturing workflows faster but also to provide proactive insights that enable pharma companies to stay compliant and produce faster and in a cost-effective manner. Leucine's platform can be implemented in 8 weeks. This speed of implementation becomes possible because of the proprietary AI-enabled digital process builder based on Large Language Models (LLMs) that rapidly digitizes paper SOPs into execution-ready digital formats. "Our models are trained on a wealth of pharma data, which allows the platform to create custom workflows enriched with GxP compliance measures, enabling us to deliver unparalleled value at breakneck speed," added Vivek Gera. A batch execution procedure is the single most important document in pharma manufacturing. This rapid digitization capability reduces the digitization cycle of a batch record from 6-8 months to 3-5 days. Leucine is currently deployed at over 30 companies in over 300 pharma manufacturing facilities across 10 countries, including the US, India, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, and others. The company is today also announcing the beta launch of Leucine10x, a groundbreaking AI framework designed to serve as a co-pilot in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Leucine10x will revolutionize how decision-making is done in pharma manufacturing, enabling Production and Quality Assurance teams to achieve their organization goals with ease and confidence. Built on proprietary LLM technology, Leucine10x offers an army of AI co-pilots that perform highly specialized tasks such as digitizing paper-based SOPs, creating a digital twin of the shop floor, collaborating with Production Managers in creating dynamic production plans, thus ensuring on-time batch delivery. Most significant is their ability to speed up Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of deviations in the manufacturing process by quickly analyzing data, including text-based records, logs, and even staff interview transcripts, to identify potential issues or patterns that might not be readily apparent. Mustaq Singh Bijral, Co-founder and CPO of Leucine, said: "We're excited to share that Leucine10x is already operational in select customer facilities under a trusted tester agreement. The response has been incredibly positive, and due to high demand, we're currently enrolling new customers through a waitlist". The funding round will support Leucine in refining its AI capabilities and making its AI Co-pilot a trusted partner to the production and quality managers on the shop floor and in expanding its reach to more facilities and customers. “Vivek and Mustaq have been relentless in their mission to make pharma manufacturing safer. This latest funding round will enable Leucine to bring the power of LLMs and associated technologies to make significant advances in pharma manufacturing. We couldn’t be happier to support them in this quest” said Rohit Jain, Co-founder and Partner at Pravega Ventures. Pravega Ventures also invested in the Seed round of Leucine. Vivek Gera remarked: "We're just scratching the surface; our vision is to leverage AI and technology to bring safe medicine to patients across the world” About Leucine Leucine is at the forefront of digitizing pharmaceutical manufacturing, leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies to bring unprecedented efficiency and compliance to the shop floor. Our innovative solutions, from Batch Planning to Batch Release, aim to modernize traditional procedures, replacing paper-based records with a seamless, digital-first approach. Trusted by industry leaders, Leucine not only streamlines the manufacturing process but also delivers actionable insights through its AI-driven analytics dashboard, empowering pharma companies to produce safer and more effective medicines. Leucine is headquartered in New Jersey, United States. For more information, visit https://www.leucine.io/ About Pravega Ventures Pravega Ventures is an early stage Venture Capital fund that partners with passionate founders, who are leveraging technology to either disrupt existing markets or create new ones. Contact Details Leucine Sampada Bhootna +91 81458 07848 sampada.bhootna@leucinetech.com Company Website https://www.leucine.io/

October 16, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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