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PR Newswire

CrossFund Raises Additional $1.5M in Funding at a $47M Valuation, Establishes Itself as Leading Investment Gateway to the Emerging World

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Fintech startup, CrossFund, has raised its fourth funding round in two years from family offices in MENA and Asia, BlockBase Ventures, UI Investments, Australian Gulf Capital, BXB Capital, and strategic angels. Founded in 2021 by Ben Cardarelli and Davide Cali, the company has quickly become the equity financing tool of choice for startups in SEA and EMEA with over $40M raised across 80 investments, 15,000 accredited investors, and its first exit to a NASDAQ-listed company. It has also become recognized as a platform for governments to foster innovation and attract FDI through hi-tech startups.

“Having spent nearly 10 years in Asia, we quickly built a strong base of investors and startups here,” says Ben. “These markets we’re in – like Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Philippines – have large populations, a young, tech-savvy workforce, low labor costs, and an emerging middle class. Our vision has always been to invest early in founders and give people access to valuable startup equity in the economies of the future.”

Ho Chi Minh has become CrossFund‘s strategic base, with the team gaining exclusive access to the most promising startups in Vietnam and SEA. The chance to own equity in international startups with as little as US$5,000, no carry, limited fees, and mentor founders is a value proposition that has resonated with investors.

CrossFund‘s portfolio has grown over 400% in two years and includes an exit, with Edugo’s acquisition. CrossFund‘s portfolio includes high-performers like Clever (APAC), Vulcan (Vietnam), Lipa Later (Kenya), Styched (India), beU (Ethiopia), and Swag Kicks (Pakistan), some of which are raising Series B and backed by leading investors like SOSV, Goodwater, VECTR, i2i, YOLO, YCombinator, and Techstars.

CrossFund‘s success is largely attributed to its use of AI in the vetting, fundraising process, and its Web3 integrations. CrossFund is able to leverage data to rapidly match investors with startups based on sector, stage, geography, areas of expertise, and other granular factors.

“Venture capital is very conservative and traditionally low tech. My background spans over 25 years in IT and I started working with AI in 2002. Our vision was always to leverage technology to disrupt the industry.” says Davide. “The convergence of fundraising with hi-tech is what allows us to scale quickly across different emerging markets.”

With US giants like AngelList, OurCrowd, Republic, and StartEngine having grown into unicorns, backed by VCs like Tiger, SoftBank, and Valor, CrossFund sees similar growth potential in large, emerging markets. US incumbents crave international expansion and are gazing East, seen in Republic’s acquisition of Seedrs and StartEngine’s acquisition of SeedInvest.

“We believe in the rise of Asia and MENA as beacons of innovation,” begins Ben. “Singapore, HK, UAE, and KSA are powerful investment hubs for us. We are leading this vast transition of wealth towards the emerging world and are only at the beginning with what we can accomplish.”

PR Newswire

Tata Communications completes acquisition of Kaleyra, a leading global CPaaS platform player

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NEW YORK and MUMBAI, India, Oct. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler, today announces completion of the acquisition of Kaleyra, Inc. (NYSE: KLR).

On 28th June 2023, Tata Communications had entered into a definitive agreement with Kaleyra, Inc. to acquire it through Tata Communications Limited. The transaction has now been completed upon receipt of the approval by Kaleyra’s stockholders, necessary regulatory approvals, and fulfilment of other customary closing conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, Tata Communications Limited has paid an aggregate consideration of approximately $100 million in cash and assumed all of Kaleyra’s outstanding debt. With this, Kaleyra, Inc. and its subsidiaries have now become wholly owned subsidiaries of Tata Communications Limited.

The combination of Tata Communications customer engagement solutions and Kaleyra’s stronghold in technology, engineering and research & development will drive growth of global enterprises, powered by hyper-personalised and intelligent customer interactions.

“In today’s hyperconnected world, customer success and loyalty are pivotal to enterprise growth across industries and geographies,” said A.S. Lakshminarayanan, MD and CEO, Tata Communications. “We at Tata Communications are committed to revolutionise how businesses engage with customers, leveraging a digital fabric to harness data insights for delivering seamless, secure, smart and impactful customer interactions. We’re thrilled to welcome Kaleyra in this journey, as together we pave the way for the future of customer experience!”

Mysore Madhusudhan, Executive Vice President, Collaboration and Connected Solutions, Tata Communications added, “In this digital age, businesses require multi-channel customer engagement solutions built for intuitive, intelligent and automated interactions. Together, Tata Communications and Kaleyra form a powerful combination, poised to shape the customer engagement platforms of tomorrow.”

Mauro Carobene, Head of Customer Interaction Suite, Tata Communications, commented, “Together Kaleyra and Tata Communications stand on the brink of a new era, powered by the world-class communications capabilities of Kaleyra.io platform and a determination to drive the future of communications via our intelligent suite of customer interaction solutions. Our joint aspirations are massive, not only in terms of growth, but also in expanding our portfolio that drives value for our customers.”

Dr. Avi Katz, Founding Managing Partner of GigCapital Global said: “As the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kaleyra since inception in November 2019 by way of combination with GigCapital1, Inc., I am delighted to see this outcome for the Kaleyra team and its stakeholders. This acquisition reflects a global recognition of the leadership of Kaleyra in the CPaaS industry, fruits of hard work of the entire Kalyera team for the last four years and excellent relationship with Tata Communications.”        

About Kaleyra

Kaleyra, Inc. (NYSE: KLR) (NYSE American: KLR WS) is a global group providing mobile communication services to financial institutions, e-commerce players, OTTs, so

ftware companies, logistic enablers, healthcare providers, retailers, and other large organizations worldwide. Through its proprietary platform and robust APIs, Kaleyra manages multi-channel integrated communication services, consisting of messaging, rich messaging and instant messaging, video, push notifications, e-mail, voice services, and chatbots.

Kaleyra’s technology makes it possible to safely and securely manage billions of messages monthly with over 1600 operator connections in 190+ countries, including all tier-1 US carrier.

About Tata Communications  

A part of the Tata Group, Tata Communications (NSE: TATACOMM; BSE: 500483) is a global digital ecosystem enabler powering today’s fast-growing digital economy in more than 190 countries and territories. Leading with trust, it enables digital transformation of enterprises globally with collaboration and connected solutions, core and next gen connectivity, cloud hosting and security solutions and media services. 300 of the Fortune 500 companies are its customers and the company connects businesses to 80% of the world’s cloud giants. For more information, please visit www.tatacommunications.com

Kaleyra’s Statutory Information

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, its omnichannel and other product and global customer developments, its expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects or strategies regarding the business plans of Kaleyra, Inc.’s (“Kaleyra”) management team. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Kaleyra in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and their potential effects on Kaleyra as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Kaleyra will be those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the mix of services utilized by Kaleyra’s customers and such customers’ needs for these services, including any variability by geography, market acceptance of new service offerings, the ability of Kaleyra to expand what it does for existing customers as well as to add new customers, that Kaleyra will have sufficient capital to operate as anticipated, and the impact that geopolitical and macroeconomic factors such as the war in Ukraine, may have on Kaleyra’s operations, the demand for Kaleyra’s products, global supply chains and economic activity in general. Additional risk factors that that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) the ability of Kaleyra and Tata Communications to timely and successfully achieve the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction; (ii) significant transaction costs associated with the proposed transaction; (iii) potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction; (iv) the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction will harm Kaleyra’s business, including current plans and operations; (v) the ability of Kaleyra to retain and hire key personnel; (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (vii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments affecting Kaleyra’s business; (viii) general economic and market developments and conditions; (ix) the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes under which Kaleyra operates; and (x) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the merger that could affect Kaleyra’s financial performance. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions being made prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Tata Communications Statutory Information

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

Certain words and statements in this release concerning Tata Communications and its prospects, and other statements, including those relating to Tata Communications’ expected financial position, business strategy, the future development of Tata Communications’ operations, and the general economy in India, are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including financial, regulatory and environmental, as well as those relating to industry growth and trend projections, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tata Communications, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to increase the volume of traffic on Tata Communications’ network; failure to develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; failure to successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; failure to stabilize or reduce the rate of price compression on certain of the company’s communications services; failure to integrate strategic acquisitions and changes in government policies or regulations of India and, in particular, changes relating to the administration of Tata Communications’ industry; and, in general, the economic, business and credit conditions in India. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, many of which are not in Tata Communications’ control, include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Tata Communications Limited’s Annual Reports. 

The Annual Reports of Tata Communications Limited are available at www.tatacommunications.com. Tata Communications is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements.

© 2023 Tata Communications Ltd. All rights reserved.

TATA COMMUNICATIONS and TATA are trademarks or registered trademarks of Tata Sons Private Limited in India and certain countries.

PR Newswire

Veefin Solutions Ltd., Tagit announce strategic partnership to transform corporate banking and supply chain financing

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Veefin Solutions Ltd., a global leader in Supply Chain Finance solutions, and Singapore based Tagit, a leading digital banking solutions provider has announced a strategic partnership. Under the alliance, Tagit and Veefin will combine their industry-leading technologies to develop cutting-edge solutions that cater to the evolving needs of corporate clients and supply chain stakeholders. This partnership seeks to accelerate digital transformation, streamline financial processes, and optimize working capital management for SMEs and corporate customers of banks.

Raja Debnath, Managing Director, Veefin Solutions Ltd. said, “Our partnership with Tagit will enable us to offer banks with state-of-the-art digital lending solutions. With both platforms combined, we will now be able to offer an end-to-end solution that will allow banks and financial institutions to manage their digital lending and banking needs seamlessly.”

Sandeep Bagaria, CEO, Tagit said, “Tagit is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive range of solutions to empower banks in serving their corporate clientele. The partnership between Tagit and Veefin represents a significant step in expanding Tagit’s portfolio of offerings available to our valued clients.”

Key benefits of the partnership include:

  • Digitization and Automation: By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the partnership will drive digitization and automation of financial processes, leading to increased operational efficiency and reduced administrative burden for businesses.
  • Working Capital Optimization: Businesses will gain access to innovative working capital management tools, allowing them to optimize cash flow, unlock liquidity, and improve financial stability.
  • Global Reach and Expansion: The combined global presence will open new markets and enable banks around the world to benefit from state-of-the-art financial solutions.
  • Enhanced Risk Management Capabilities: By leveraging the expertise of both companies, banks will be better equipped to assess credit risks, monitor supply chain transactions, and make more informed lending decisions, ultimately reducing potential financial risks.
  • Seamless Integration and Scalability: The joint solutions will be designed to seamlessly integrate with existing banking systems and processes, ensuring a smooth transition for banks as they adopt the new technologies. Moreover, the solutions will be scalable, allowing banks to expand their offerings and cater to a growing customer base without significant infrastructure overhauls.

For more information, please visit: https://www.veefin.com/

Source: Veefin Solutions Ltd.

PR Newswire

BEA Victorious at the 11th Global Brand Awards

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Bank’s consistent pursuit of the best stands out in the industry

LONDON, Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Bank of East Asia, Limited (‘BEA’) has taken home three Hong Kong awards at the prestigious 2023 Global Brand Awards. It won Best Personal Banking Brand, Best New Digital Banking Product (BEA GOAL), and Best Banking Product (Virtual Card) on the back of its commitment to customer service and innovation, evidenced by its exceptional banking experiences, cutting-edge digital solutions, and pioneering virtual card offerings. This remarkable achievement solidifies the bank’s leadership in the industry, setting new standards for customer-centric services and ground-breaking innovations.

Mr. Jay Reddy, Director of Global Brands Magazine, commented, “BEA’s remarkable achievement, underlining its commitment to innovation and customer service excellence, deserves special recognition. In an industry where many banks hesitate to embrace change, BEA stands out for its unwavering pursuit of excellence, which clearly reflects in its well-deserved win of three prestigious awards. I extend my best wishes to the bank for its future endeavors and hope it continues to lead the way in the banking industry.”

Mr Raymond Ng, BEA’s Deputy Head of Personal Banking Division, said, “The Awards recognise the team’s tremendous effort in putting the customer experience at the forefront. Our digital all-in-one BEA GOAL account was a manifestation of the Group’s strategic development to nurture a new generation of tech-savvy customers. It provides access to customised wealth management solutions and diversified retail banking services anytime, anywhere, at their fingertips. We are committed to building positive long-term relationships and developing innovative products and services to meet evolving needs of our customers.”

About The Bank of East Asia, Limited

Incorporated in Hong Kong in 1918, The Bank of East Asia, Limited (‘BEA’) is a leading Hong-Kong-based financial services group listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, with total consolidated assets of HK$872.1 billion (US$111.3 billion) as of 30th June, 2023.

BEA provides a comprehensive range of corporate banking, personal banking, wealth management and investment services to customers through an extensive network of about 130 outlets covering Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Macau, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For more information, please visit: http://www.hkbea.com/

About Global Brands Magazine (England)

Global Brands Magazine (GBM) is a UK-based magazine at the forefront of news, views and opinions on ‘best in class’ brands that are shaping the future of their industry.

About the Global Brand Awards

The Global Brand Awards honour brands for their excellence in performance, and rewards companies for the quality of their services. The Awards highlight the accomplishments of organisations that have performed remarkably well in their respective industries. We are excited to announce the highly anticipated awards ceremony which will take place at The Athenee Hotel located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, in May 2024.

To nominate for the Global Brand Awards 2023, click on this link:

https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/

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PR Newswire

Dongying’s State Grid Leads the Charge in Sustainable Energy, Setting New Standards in Hekou District’s Low-Carbon Evolution

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DONGYING, China, Sept. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The recent advancements of State Grid Dongying Power Supply Company in renewable energy infrastructure development have taken the spotlight in a CCTV+ video segment.

In its latest green energy push, the state-owned power supplier has set ambitious renewable energy targets for the saline-alkali regions of the Yellow River Delta. Their holistic approach spans a spectrum of initiatives, from eco-friendly industrial energy parks and innovative aquaculture systems to efficient energy chains and circular farming methodologies.

Central to their strategic roadmap is their involvement in aquaponics, the creation of zero-carbon energy stations, and a pivotal role in the Yellow River Basin Science and Technology Yard—a hub bridging knowledge and practice to foster technological innovation and exchange.

Furthermore, the firm is investing in a big data platform that seamlessly melds intelligent agricultural techniques with optimized energy consumption, all while integrating state-of-the-art charging systems for electric farm machinery.

These concerted efforts underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to driving a clean, low-carbon energy shift and fostering rural revitalization.

Tangy Solar’s 500 MW fishery-photovoltaic initiative stands out as a flagship project. Nestled in Dongying’s northernmost Hekou District, the region is a hotspot for renewable energy resources. Boasting a 214-kilometer (133-mile) coastline facing north along the Bohai Sea and covering a vast expanse of 65,000 acres of saline mudflats, Hekou is geographically blessed. With its year-round steady winds and an impressive average of 2,715 sunshine hours, it’s a prime location for such an ambitious endeavor.

Tangy Solar's 500 MW fishery-photovoltaic complementary project in Hekou District's Blue Economic Development Zone, Dongying.
Tangy Solar’s 500 MW fishery-photovoltaic complementary project in Hekou District’s Blue Economic Development Zone, Dongying.

“This project isn’t just about using resources wisely—it’s about maximizing the benefits. When you stack it up against regular sea farming, we’re looking at returns that are over 30 times higher,” remarked Chen Qi, the project’s maintenance overseer. Qi exuded confidence in the project’s future valuation.

Ding Yufeng and Hu Zhiyong, maintenance specialists from the State Grid Dongying Power Supply Company, recently conducted an on-site inspection of the power station's operations.
Ding Yufeng and Hu Zhiyong, maintenance specialists from the State Grid Dongying Power Supply Company, recently conducted an on-site inspection of the power station’s operations.

For years, the State Grid Dongying Power Supply Company has strengthened its commitment to environmental stewardship. Standing firmly behind grid-connected renewable energy and the seamless transmission of clean power, the company has invested significantly in research and development. Their focus on low-carbon technologies, from the inception of grid construction to its daily operations, sets a noteworthy standard.

This dedication has established a balance between green grid development and ecological conservation, laying the groundwork for a greener China. Indeed, the pathway to a sustainable future is lined with eco-conscious, low-carbon strategies. As of August 2023, Dongying’s renewable energy capacity has reached an impressive 5.945 gigawatts (GW), clinching the fifth spot in the Shandong province rankings.

As the city’s renewable sector continues its ascent, it plays a crucial role in advancing China’s dual-carbon objectives. Dongying’s unwavering focus on clean energy and environmental preservation remains a beacon of its commitment.


PR Newswire

Cicada Innovations appoints Dr Katherine Woodthorpe as Chair, progressing diversity in STEM and deep tech

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SYDNEY, Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Australia’s flagship deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations has appointed Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE FAICD as its new Chair, resulting in one of Australia’s flagship and longest-standing deep tech institutions now being helmed by two women for the first time in 23 years.

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe & Sally-Ann Williams
Dr Katherine Woodthorpe & Sally-Ann Williams

Dr Woodthorpe will replace outgoing Chair, Andrew Rothery, who occupied the role for almost 8 years alongside CEO Sally-Ann Williams. Mr Rothery will now dedicate his valuable skills and experience to his extensive portfolio of board and committee roles.

Dr. Woodthorpe brings 30+ years’ experience commercialising technologies across a broad range of critical industries, including environmental and climate science, renewable energy, and healthcare.

She is a serial Chair, non-executive director (NED), CEO, director, and President, and recently became the first woman elected as President of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE).

Notable former board roles include the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, Sirtex Ltd, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Antarctic Science Foundation, the Commonwealth Government’s National Climate Science Advisory Committee which developed the “Climate Science for Australia’s Future” report, Natural Hazards Research Australia, and Fishburners.

She still retains NED roles at the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, RACE for 2030 CRC, AnteoTec Ltd, and Bioplatforms Australia.

Dr Woodthorpe played a key advisory role in creating the home of Cicada Innovations, formerly named the Australian Technology Park or “ATP”, and now known as the South Eveleigh precinct. She was also on the advisory board of Cicada Innovations even before it was named ATP Innovations.

Her appointment demonstrates the strength, capabilities, and critical role women can and must play in deep tech and STEM which, according to Cicada Innovations, will be critical to Australia achieving its full potential in commercialising the critical technologies that will create the industries of tomorrow.

Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations, said: “Having a female trailblazer join Cicada’s board with the sheer breadth and depth of experience Katherine brings is a strong signal to everyone that there is a critical role for women to play in leadership in this crucial sector.

“Katherine understands the architecture, leadership and advocacy needed at a national level to facilitate growth in complex economies founded on science and engineering businesses. I believe she will help to elevate Cicada Innovation’s role not just nationally but also internationally.

“We need more women and people from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM and deep tech, because their skills, capabilities, experience, and different ways of thinking drive better decision-making and outcomes. Creating visibility around this also helps to remove the stereotypes and artificial barriers that tell the world there isn’t a place or role for women in STEM. This is patently untrue. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is needed.”     

Dr. Katherine Woodthorpe, incoming Chair of Cicada Innovations, said: “Australia is still struggling to find enough scientists and engineers to ensure we hold our place in an increasingly tech-orientated future. If we don’t encourage half the population to view STEM as a fulfilling career – and then create an environment where this is actually the case – then we are wasting half of our nation’s brain power.

“As the adage goes, you can’t be what you don’t see. In this context, the more normalised and uncontroversial we make it for women to occupy senior roles in STEM, the more girls and young women will see that there are genuine career opportunities awaiting them too.

“I look forward to the day when no one actually notices that there are two women at the helm of deep tech because it has become commonplace, a fact of life. As we strive towards this, I look forward to working with Sally-Ann to enable more deep tech entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential, while cementing Cicada Innovations as the leading deep tech incubator in the region.”

Andrew Rothery, outgoing Chair of Cicada Innovations, said: “Women have been under-represented in so many areas of business and public life, and we are all the poorer for it. We have to remedy this, if we are to achieve our full potential as a nation.

“I wholeheartedly welcome Dr Woodthorpe to Cicada Innovations. She brings significant experience and skills to the board table. I am confident that she will help elevate Cicada Innovations to another level of impact in the deep tech commercialistion space.

“In my time here, I have had the privilege of working with two exceptional CEOs, Petra Andrèn and Sally-Ann Williams. Both of these extraordinary women have excelled in their role of advancing the interests of deep tech commercialisation in Australia. It’s difficult to speak about deep tech commercialisation in Australia without referring to Cicada Innovations in the same sentence. If there is a place for women to be championed and encouraged into deep tech and STEM more generally, it’s undoubtedly in this organisation.”

According to The state of STEM gender equity in 2023 report, women make up only 37 percent of enrolments in university STEM courses, hold just 15 percent of STEM-qualified jobs, and earn 17 percent less than men in STEM fields overall.

Women also occupy just 23 percent of senior management roles in STEM, however this figure drops to a concerning 8 percent in the C-suite.

Cicada Innovations (www.cicadainnovations.com) is the home of deep tech in Australia. Founded in Sydney, Cicada Innovations has a 23-year track record of developing deep tech ventures that tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. Cicada’s national incubators, commercialisation training, and community brings together the entrepreneurs, scientists, business leaders, and policymakers to solve complex challenges with deep tech like the future of human health, food security and the climate crisis.       

Since its inception more than two decades ago, Cicada has seen an unprecedented $1.3 billion in exits from six deep tech ventures, and has helped over 300 companies raise more than $1.8 billion in funding. It has twice been named the ‘Top Incubator in the World’ by the International Business Innovation Association and has delivered commercialisation training to thousands working in the science and technology sectors.

PR Newswire

2023 Global Business and Law Conference held in Beijing

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BEIJING, Sept. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The 2023 Global Business and Law Conference was held in Beijing on the evening of September 22. At the opening ceremony, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, and WTO Deputy Director-General Zhang Xiangchen delivered video messages. Wang Binying, WIPO Deputy Director-General; Shoichi Okuyama, President of the AIPPI; and Marcelo Vazquez-Bermudez, First Vice-President of the International Law Commission (ILC), delivered speeches at the venue.

Ren Hongbin, CCPIT President, presided over the opening ceremony and issued Beijing Declaration of the Global Business and Law Conference on behalf of participants. The Declaration features: safeguarding the multilateral trading system and advancing the global governance reform; strengthening the role of the rule of law and stimulating enterprise innovation; deepening international exchanges on rule of law and fostering global business cooperation; improving international economic and trade rules and optimizing business environment; gathering global forces to achieve common prosperity.

At the main forum, Tao Kaiyuan, Vice President of the Supreme People’s Court; Zhang Mingqi, Vice President and Secretary-General of China Law Society; Wu Pengyi, Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Law and Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; John Denton, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (video), and Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, former Hong Kong Justice Secretary, delivered keynote speeches. Yu Jianlong, Vice President of CCPIT, presided over the forum. Huang Jin, President of the Chinese Society of International Law; Stephan Wernicke, Chief Legal Officer of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce; Sheng Leiming, Vice President of All China Lawyers Association; Zhang Jinwei, Vice President of Alibaba Group; and C.M. Chan, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, entered into discussions around the theme to promote the construction of an open world economy.

Approximately 500 people attended offline, including representatives of international organizations such as the WTO, the WIPO, the ILC, and the AIPPI, representatives of government departments of Canada, Germany, Singapore, representatives of envoys in China, Chinese and foreign legal service organizations, business associations, and enterprises, and local and industry trade promotion associations. Representatives from over 30 countries, including Egypt, Thailand, India, Japan, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Britian, France, Belgium, Italy, and the U.S., attended online.

Three parallel forums themed “strengthening law-based protection for innovative development”, “leveraging rule of law to foster business cooperation” and “improving international rule of law and leading the change of the times” will be held on September 23.

PR Newswire

Monport Laser Expands After-Sales Technical Support for Laser Engraving Machines

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Prepare to experience a laser engraving journey like never before as Monport Laser announces the expansion of its robust after-sales technical support services. With an unwavering dedication to exceeding customer expectations, Monport is now seeking skilled technical professionals from all corners of the United States. Join forces with the industry leader as Monport Laser redefines excellence in the laser engraving realm.

In today’s fast-paced world, technical support service is crucial for customers to keep up with their businesses’ growth. Monport Laser has built its reputation on its outstanding technical support services for laser engraving machines across the industry. The company believes that every customer deserves exceptional service and the highest level of technical support.

Monport Laser is committed to expanding its technical support services to provide customers with even more comprehensive support. The company is seeking technical support professionals from all over the United States with expertise in troubleshooting and customer service. Monport Laser wants to work with highly skilled technical professionals to build a strong national network of technical support that can offer more localized, region-specific services to customers. Monport will cooperate with these technical support personnel in different depths according to their professionalism, and full-time and part-time intentions. Experts who are proficient in the field of CO2 laser engraving and experts who are proficient in fiber laser are of course mainly responsible for different fields.

As part of this plan, Monport Laser has invested in the recruitment of well-trained and experienced professionals to form a team for after-sales technical support services. This team will work closely with customers on a regional level to solve technical problems and other concerns directly. With a more localized approach, Monport Laser aims to establish a more flexible support system for its customers.

Furthermore, Monport Laser encourages technical support professionals with a passion for laser technology and a mission to contribute to the laser industry to join their team. The company offers competitive packages and benefits for qualified technicians and ensures a career roadmap for growth and development within the company.

“We are excited to grow our after-sales technical support team and collaborate with all talented technical professionals who share our passion for laser technology,” said Charlie Smith, Manager for Monport Laser. “Our mission is to provide personalized and on-demand technical support services to our customers, and we believe that with a strong regional team, we can deliver even more exceptional services that exceed expectations.”

Monport Laser encourages all interested parties to submit a resume and application through their website. As Monport Laser finds more talents to join their team, they are confident in their ability to provide invaluable support to growing the laser engraving industry and serve customers on a more localized and individual level.

Stay tuned as Monport Laser continues its quest to push the boundaries of innovation, providing cutting-edge technology alongside an unbeatable customer experience. With Monport Laser at the forefront, the possibilities in the laser engraving industry are boundless, promising a future filled with stunning creations, seamless operations, and unmatched satisfaction for customers across the United States and beyond.

Join Monport Laser and Enjoy the Magic of Laser!

Company: Monport Laser

Contact email: official@monportlaser.com 

Pre-sales Phone: (+1)332-251-1208 

Monport Laser Website: https://monportlaser.com/ 

Monport Address: Monport Tech Inc. 300 LENORA ST 878, SEATTLE, WA, 98121-2411, UNITED STATES

PR Newswire

Tech innovator, Dalibor Ivkovic, announces new Salestrekker 2.0 as the mortgage industry’s first single lending, origination and CRM platform

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SYDNEY, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Salestrekker 2.0 has announced Australia’s first combined lending, origination and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. The new features, flexibility, and functionality deliver unprecedented workflow and marketing automation to help brokers diversify from mortgages to new asset financing in a single platform – and without the need for external IT support.

According to Salestrekker founder and CEO, Dalibor Ivkovic: “The new Salestrekker 2.0 is a powerful tool to help finance brokers protect their market share and help fend off fintechs who are intent on eroding their margins.”

He outlined: “With bank-grade security, mobile origination capabilities and an enterprise solution for aggregators and subgroups, Salestrekker 2.0 delivers a single lending and origination and CRM platform that will change Australia’s lending landscape forever.”

Designed to provide better results in the future

Since its launch in 2015, Salestrekker has built a reputation as the most popular CRM solution for Australian mortgage brokers. Salestrekker 2.0 has been fully re-developed to help finance brokers stay ahead of industry trends. With supercharged automation, Quick tools, and deal scenarios, Salestrekker 2.0 can also be used on any device.

“Salestrekker 2.0 innovation is all about exceptional task functionality within a highly automated end-to-end solution. There is nothing else like it on the market. It’s easier than ever for a finance broker to diversify from mortgages to new asset financing,” Dalibor outlined.

Finance brokers can streamline an end-to-end sales process, lock in clients faster and improve revenue. It’s also a win-win for aggregators who can benefit from higher sales volumes.

Addressing new opportunities in a mobile world

Salestrekker 2.0 is differentiating itself with its powerful decision service to help brokers write loans and identify new opportunities from their existing client book and leads.

“Salestrekker 2.0 moves beyond a CRM platform that produces compliance documents, recommendations and lodgements. It now automates the client relationship beyond mortgages to highly lucrative personal and asset finance arrangements, delivering more competitive choices for everyday Australians and industry participants,” Dalibor explained.

He concluded: “Salestrekker 2.0 is Australia’s first truly mobile origination platform, letting brokers originate loans from any device, including smart phones and tablets.”

Salestrekker 2.0 comes with class-leading, bank-grade data security – plus a new user management system that allows business owners to secure access to relevant platform sections for their employees, contractors and referral partners.

Salestrekker 2.0 is available from 1 January 2024.

About Salestrekker

Salestrekker is a lending, origination and CRM platform designed to organise, collaborate, connect and automate the customer journey. From initially organising leads to automated workflows for reminders and documentation, Salestrekker has been re-developed in 2023 to deliver a unique experience for aggregators, finance brokers and customers. www.salestrekker.com  

For further information please contact Cathryn van der Walt 0402 327 633 | Cathryn@12worlds.com 

PR Newswire

HUAWEI eKit Joins Hands with Distribution Partners to Explore Unlimited Opportunities in the SME Market

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — During HUAWEI CONNECT 2023, Huawei held a distribution business session titled “HUAWEI eKit, Digitalization for Success”, outlined its approach to the distribution business: focus on distribution partners (DPs), stay subcontractor-centred, and help global DPs to keep developing the SME market through continuous innovation and competitive products & services. In addition, Huawei launched 17 new distribution products for domains such as campus networks and data storage, providing comprehensive solutions for SMEs.

HUAWEI eKit, a sub-brand designed for the distribution business under Huawei, strives to better serve the digital needs of SMEs, help DPs develop their businesses, and expand opportunities in the SME market.

Wei Xianbin, Director of Huawei Enterprise BG Distribution MKT & Product Sales Dept, explained that HUAWEI eKit has established a complete DP system and maintained a healthy market. By marketable distribution products and IT tools, HUAWEI eKit can assist gold and elite DPs in serving lower-level installers and meet the business needs of countless SMEs, it has carried out distribution business in 41 countries and regions outside of China, and 125 partners have registered as gold DPs.

Products outside China
Products outside China

HUAWEI eKit is dedicated to developing distribution products that are easy to buy, sell, install, maintain, learn, and use for various business scenarios in the SME market. It has developed a wide range of products, including intelligent collaboration, wired and wireless networks, IP + optical access networks, storage, and IT platforms. During the first half of 2023, HUAWEI eKit had launched 31 products. At the session, HUAWEI eKit launched another 17, which includes the eKitEngine S220 and S310 series, L2 and L3 switches that support full 10GE uplink and Perpetual PoE; eKitEngine AP160, a wall plate AP that is 8 mm thin and supports the unique DVFS technology; and other new products that support SAN/NAS hybrid storage. By the end of the year, HUAWEI eKit will have more than 50 distribution products, which can be rearranged into solutions for over 30 typical scenarios.

In the future, HUAWEI eKit will continue to design marketable products that are easy to use, create a stable channel system, build a healthy market. HUAWEI eKit will help DPs develop subcontractors and installers. Together with partners, Huawei will drive the development of the SME market.

For more information, please visit https://ekit.huawei.com/#/ekit/home?countryCode=Global&lang=en   

Contact
hwebgcomms@huawei.com