24, Mar 2026
Gobind Sugar Mill, Aira Achieves Highest-Ever Sugarcane Crushing Lakhimpur Aira, Uttar Pradesh
Mar 24: Gobind Sugar Mill, Aira Unit of Zuari Industries Limited (ZIL), has achieved its highest–ever sugarcane crushing of more than 150 lakh quintals in the current season, surpassing its previous record of 149.32 lakh quintals set in the 2022–23 season. This milestone reflects the collective effort and strong partnership between farmers, employees, government officials, and other stakeholders associated with the unit.
Mr. Alok Saxena, Executive Director & Unit Head, SPE Division, Zuari Industries, said: “This achievement reflects the collective effort and strong partnership between our farmers, employees, government officials, and all stakeholders. Our farmers have been at the heart of this achievement. Their trust, resilience, and cooperation, especially during challenging periods, have played a key role in helping us recover and move forward with strength. We deeply appreciate their patience and unwavering support.”
Regular guidance from the Group’s leadership and effective financial support have remained key drivers in this growth journey. At the operational level, teams at the plant have worked closely to enhance productivity and efficiency. Focused efforts to improve sugarcane yield through farmer training programmes, knowledge-sharing sessions with subject experts, demonstration plots, promotion of mechanisation, and timely supply of quality seeds and agricultural inputs have delivered encouraging results. The company remains committed to further strengthening these initiatives in the coming seasons to ensure sustained growth and higher returns for farmers. This achievement marks not only a new record for the unit but also a shared success for all stakeholders involved. The company looks forward to building on this momentum in the future.
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- By Neel Achary
24, Mar 2026
AEM and ASE Enter Strategic Partnership to Accelerate AI and HPC Test Innovation
ASE subsidiary to subscribe for S$12 million of new AEM shares
Singapore and Taipei, Mar 24 - AEM Holdings Ltd. (“AEM” or “the Group”), a global leader in test innovation, announced a strategic partnership with ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 3711, NYSE: ASX) (“ASE”), the leading provider of semiconductor assembly, testing and materials (“ATM”) services and the provider of electronic manufacturing (“EMS”) services. The collaboration brings together AEM’s proprietary test technologies with ASE’s world-class manufacturing scale to deliver disruptive test solutions tailored for the rapidly expanding Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and High-Performance Computing (“HPC”) markets.
Aligned with the strategic partnership, AEM will raise approximately S$12 million in gross proceeds through a private placement of 3,350,000 million ordinary shares to a wholly owned subsidiary of ASE, representing 1.06% of AEM’s issued share capital as at 21 March 2026, at an issue price of S$3.591 per share. ASE, through said subsidiary, will also receive a total of 28,111,856 million free detachable warrants, divided equally into two exercisable tranches, with each tranche subject to certain ASE-attributable revenue-related conditions. Each warrant is exercisable into one ordinary share, with the Tranche 1 exercise price set at 103% of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of AEM’s shares for the full market day on which the subscription agreement is signed, and the Tranche 2 exercise price set at 105% ofsuch VWAP. If fully exercised, the warrants would result in an additional 8.935% of the current issued share capital. The transaction remains subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the Singapore Exchange for the listing and quotation of the new shares.
Proceeds from the private placement will support AEM’s continued expansion in Taiwan and the joint integration of AEM’s test technologies, including highly parallel test architectures and advanced thermal management capabilities, into ASE’s manufacturing and test environments. The funds will also be used to advance AEM’s product roadmap, enhance its system offerings, and accelerate joint go to market initiatives aimed at supporting next generation AI and HPC applications.
The strategic partnership also supports ISE Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASE, as it expands AI and HPC processor development capabilities to address early-stage testing, validation, and characterization requirements. These efforts focus on heterogeneous integration architectures, including multi-chiplet and advanced system-in-package designs as well as optical interconnect technologies critical to next-generation compute platforms. ASE’s ATM portfolio further strengthens these initiatives with high-volume advanced packaging and test capabilities, enabling production-scale deployment as global demand continues to accelerate.
Ken Hsiang, Chief Executive Officer of ISE Labs, stated: “As compute architectures grow more complex and time-to-production continues to compress, test has become a critical enabler of performance, reliability, and manufacturability for next-generation AI and HPC systems. By combining ISE’s advanced characterization and production-readiness capabilities with AEM’s scalable, high-parallel test technologies and system-level engineering strengths, this strategic partnership enables rapid transition from validation to ASE’s high-volume deployment while addressing the increasing complexity of advanced compute testing.”
Samer Kabbani, Chief Executive Officer of AEM, commented, “This partnership represents an important step in AEM’s strategy to work closely with industry leaders to advance the state of AI and HPC testing. ASE’s forward-looking approach and global scale make them an ideal partner as test requirements continue to intensify across advanced compute platforms. By combining our respective strengths, we aim to develop and deploy next-generation test solutions that help customers improve performance, scalability, and time-to-market.”
24, Mar 2026
IndiGo Appoints Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer
Mar 24: The Board of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) today approved and announced the appointment of Mr. Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer.
In this role, Mr. Singh will lead the Company’s long-term strategic planning function and drive enterprise-wide transformation initiatives focused on accelerating growth, enhancing operational
efficiency and strengthening competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving global aviation landscape. He will partner closely with the leadership team on cross-functional priorities designed to improve agility, elevate customer experience and deliver sustainable shareholder value.
Mr. Singh brings over three decades of aviation industry experience spanning Strategy, Planning, Operations and Commercial functions. He has a proven track record of leading complex operational and cultural transformation, driving rapid growth and managing large-scale expansion programmes.
More recently, Mr. Singh served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Air India Express, where he played a pivotal role in the airline’s transformation, delivering operational
improvements and driving rapid growth. He has previously held senior leadership positions, including in the Strategy domain, at Air India and Oman Air.
Welcoming Mr. Aloke Singh, IndiGo’s Managing Director Rahul Bhatia said, “Aloke brings an
exceptional blend of strategic vision and operational depth. His comprehensive understanding of the aviation ecosystem will be invaluable as we build a more agile, resilient and future-ready organisation, and accelerate our next phase of growth. For now, Aloke will report to me. Once the next CEO assumes office, he will transition to reporting to the new Chief Executive.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Aloke Singh said “I am delighted to join IndiGo at such a pivotal moment for the airline and for Indian aviation broadly. Having redefined India’s domestic and short- haul international aviation landscape, IndiGo is taking its ambitions global. I look forward to working with colleagues across the organisation to sharpen our strategic direction, double down on operational excellence and deepen and broaden our markets.”
24, Mar 2026
Rosatomflot provided assistance in the evacuation of the sailor
Moscow, 23rd March 2026, A search and rescue air ambulance helicopter evacuated a seriously ill sailor from the Arktika-2 motor vessel aboard the universal nuclear icebreaker Ural in the Kara Sea. On March 16, near Mys Zhelaniya, the vessel received a signal that there was a seriously ill sailor on board. Together with the Dikson Marine Rescue Coordination Center, a decision was made to transport the patient aboard the nuclear-powered vessel to the nearest helicopter landing point. The sailor is currently receiving qualified medical care in the hospital
“ The patient was placed in the medical unit on board the universal nuclear icebreaker Ural. The ship’s doctor and paramedic provided the necessary assistance to the sailor before evacuation. Captain Viktor Suryadov’s crew quickly transported the patient to the helicopter’s landing point. The nuclear-powered icebreaker covered the 215-mile journey in 15 hours at an average speed of 13.9 knots. Because all universal nuclear icebreakers of Project 22220 are equipped with a certified landing pad, the helicopter was able to quickly evacuate the patient,” said, Yakov Antonov, General Director of FSUE AtomFlot.
24, Mar 2026
CMS COP15 World’s Nations Gather in Brazil to Agree on Actions Amid New Findings that More Migratory Species of Animals Are Facing Extinction
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Campo Grande, Brazil, March 24 — The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) opens here on Monday March 23 as a new reports reveals that almost half (49%) of all CMS-listed species have decreasing population trends, and nearly one in four are global threatened with extinction. Launched days before the summit, the State of the World’s Migratory Species: Interim Report (2026) paints a stark picture of animals under pressure from a combination of overexploitation and habitat destruction, as well as pollution, climate change and invasive species. Over participants are expected, including delegates from among the 133 countries that are Parties to the treaty, scientists, indigenous peoples and local communities, and conservation organizations. The meeting is taking place at the gateway to the Pantanal – the Earth’s largest tropical wetland, increasingly under threat from drought, wildfire and land-use change. “It is a great honor for Brazil to host COP15. Holding this event in Campo Grande, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is a strategic choice. We are at the gateway to the Pantanal—the world’s largest tropical wetland. This region uniquely symbolizes the natural wealth of South America and the interdependence among countries whose fauna and flora cross borders. The Convention on Migratory Species reminds us of a simple yet powerful message: migration is natural,” said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. The stakes could not be higher The UN wildlife conservation meeting carries particular resonance in Brazil, home to more biodiversity than any nation on Earth. On Sunday, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil convened a High-Level Segment with President Santiago Peña Palacios of Paraguay, minister of foreign affairs of Bolivia, leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme, and the heads of the world’s major biodiversity environmental agreements — the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands among them — signaling that migratory species have moved firmly onto the political agenda as part of global efforts to tackle biodiversity loss. “Paraguay is convinced that protecting migratory species is not only an environmental task but also a development one. Ensuring the stability of natural systems guarantees the stability of our people, acknowledging the human right to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature,” said President Santiago Peña of Paraguay. “The conservation of migratory species challenges humanity’s ability to cooperate in the face of a simple fact: life on Earth is interdependent. At this moment in history, this is not merely a scientific observation — it is an ethical and political imperative that demands responses commensurate with the multiple crises we face: climate, ecological, and global governance,” said Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. “The theme of COP15, ‘Connecting Nature to Sustain Life,’ has never been more important. Migratory animals — from elephants, big cats, raptors, freshwater fish, sea turtles, whales, waterbirds, and even butterflies — are not just wildlife spectacles. They are the planet’s circulatory system, driving pollination, seed dispersal, carbon storage, pest control and nutrient cycling across entire continents. When their corridors break down, ecosystems follow,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. What’s on the table Across more than 100 agenda items, negotiators will grapple with threats that mirror the full breadth of the impacts of human activities on nature: illegal and unsustainable hunting or capturing of species, bycatch, habitat destruction and fragmentation, deep-sea mining, light, noise and chemical pollution, impacts from infrastructure, and the accelerating disruption of climate change. Negotiators will consider proposals to include 42 additional species under the treaty, including iconic animals such as the snowy owl, the great hammerhead shark and the striped hyena. “COP15 in Brazil – the world’s most biodiverse country – represents a significant milestone for advancing international collaboration on the conservation of migratory species and more broadly on reversing biodiversity loss. The 2024 State of the World’s Migratory Species report and the 2026 Interim Report provide invaluable information on the conservation status of migratory species, the major threats, and the actions needed to address such threats. The main drivers of declines remain unchanged – habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change, and pollution. We know what needs to be done, and Parties here in Campo Grande have the opportunity to adopt measures to ensure the long-term survival of migratory wildlife and healthy ecosystems for future generations,” said Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary. What happens next Plenary and working group negotiations run through the week. Listing proposals, concerted actions, resolutions and decisions, which will shape conservation policy and species protections for years to come, will be considered for adoption on Sunday, 29 March 2026. Throughout the week, special events will include the unveiling of a major scientific study on migratory freshwater fish (Global Assessment of Migratory Freshwater Fishes), and the introduction of the Americas Flyways Atlas, a groundbreaking new online platform developed by CMS and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology highlighting vital corridors and stopover sites for migratory birds. A new CMS effort to address the serious threat of illegal and unsustainable taking – the Global Initiative on Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) will also be launched at COP15 to help governments, experts and local communities to ensure that any taking of migratory species is legal, sustainable and safe – and achieve their commitment under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Initiative focuses on domestic use, which may pose a significantly greater risk than international trade. On the evening of 23 March, the Migratory Species Champion Night will recognize CMS Parties for outstanding contributions to protecting wildlife on the move. At a glance: CMS and COP15 The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of CMS, which meets every 3 years to review progress, add new species under the Treaty, and strengthen actions to address conservation needs as well as continuing or emerging threats. Strong science underpins the COP’s agenda, ensuring that policy discussions reflect the best available evidence on threats, population trends and effective response measures.
COP15 opening press conference Monday, March 23, 2026, at the COP15 venue in Campo Grande. Scheduled for 1:45 pm AMT / 5:45 pm GMT, The event will be livestreamed via the CMS Youtube Channel COP15 Playlist and will feature the presentation of the State of the World’s Migratory Species: Interim Report 2026. Key speakers include
The press conference will provide an overview of the week’s agenda, major scientific findings, and anticipated negotiations and outcomes. |
24, Mar 2026
Global survey reveals clean restrooms are now essential to winning repeat customers
MetrixLab research shows 100% agree dirty restrooms reflect poorly on the establishment, with the #1 contributing factor to dirty restrooms being paper towel mess.
EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. –In the post-pandemic world, restroom cleanliness has become a critical part of the customer experience, especially in restaurants and other high-traffic facilities. A clean restroom reinforces confidence in an establishment, while a dirty one can quickly impact repeat business.
Excel Dryer, Inc., a leader in touchless hand drying technology, partnered with global market research firm MetrixLab to conduct an unprecedented international study, Post-Pandemic Perceptions of Commercial Restrooms. The survey gathered insights from more than 4,000 participants across the United States, Europe and Asia, including restaurant owners, facility managers, architects, design professionals and consumers.
The results revealed three universal truths across all demographics and regions:
- Cleanliness and hygiene are the number one concern in commercial restrooms
- 100% agree that a dirty restroom reflects poorly on an establishment
- #1 contributors to a dirty restroom are paper towels on the floor and overflowing trash cans
- 80% of respondents said they would not, or might not, return to a restaurant with a dirty restroom.
“Restrooms are a direct extension of the guest experience,” said William Gagnon, executive vice president and COO of Excel Dryer. “A dirty restroom experience directly affects a business’s bottom line and works against customer retention. XLERATOR hand drying solutions are the simple answer to what’s been identified as the #1 contributing factor: paper towels.”
Facility managers and restaurant owners reported increased restroom usage, stronger demand for touchless features and greater awareness of how restroom conditions affect customer loyalty. All agreed that compared to paper towels, touchless hand dryers are more hygienic, lower maintenance and more cost-effective over time.
With 75% of U.S. consumers now washing their hands up to 10 times per day, restrooms must keep up with higher expectations and heavier traffic. Excel Dryer continues to support restaurants and facilities with high-efficiency hand dryers featuring adjustable controls, improved motor technology for longer life and optional electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA®) filtration for added hygienic protection.
24, Mar 2026
D-Link A/NZ Launches DUF-E01 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
New premium docking station delivers 8K DisplayPort, 4K HDMI, 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 and up to 60W laptop charging engineered for professionals who demand more from their desk setup
SYDNEY, 24 March 2026 – D-Link Australia and New Zealand today announced the launch of the DUF-E01, a 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station designed to transform any Thunderbolt 4-equipped laptop into a fully featured workstation. Combining ultra-fast data transfer, multi-display output, gigabit networking, and high-wattage laptop charging into a single aluminium device, the DUF-E01 is built for professionals, content creators and power users who need uncompromising performance at their desk.
Modern professionals increasingly rely on multiple displays, high-speed peripherals, and stable network connections to do their best work. Yet the move toward thinner, port-limited laptops has left many users juggling cables and adapters. The DUF-E01 solves this with a single Thunderbolt 4 connection that instantly expands a compatible laptop to 14 ports, with no drivers required on most modern operating systems.
“The DUF-E01 is designed for people who use their laptop as a primary computer and need it to punch well above its weight the moment it hits the desk,” said Graeme Reardon, Managing Director of D-Link Australia and New Zealand. “One cable in, and you have 14 ports, three screens, gigabit networking and your laptop is charging. That’s the kind of seamless experience professionals expect from a premium docking station.”
Key Features at a Glance
- Ultra-Fast Thunderbolt 4 Connectivity: Up to 40Gbps data transfer via a single TB4 port.
- Triple Display Support: Drive three screens simultaneously via HDMI 2.1 (4K), DisplayPort 1.4 (8K) and Thunderbolt 4.
- Up to 60W Laptop Charging: Power Delivery through the TB4 port keeps your laptop charged while you work.
- Gigabit Ethernet: Dedicated RJ-45 port for fast, stable wired network access.
- SD and MicroSD Card Slots: SD 4.0 standard, supporting cards up to 2TB each.
- Centralised Port Control: One power button switches all ports on or off simultaneously.
- Integrated 3.5mm Combo Audio: Single jack for headphone output and microphone input.
- Premium Aluminium Construction: Detachable magnetic base and aluminium alloy casing for superior heat management.
Feature Details
Thunderbolt 4: The Backbone of the DUF-E01
The DUF-E01 is built around a single Thunderbolt 4 upstream port that handles data, video, power and device communication simultaneously at up to 40Gbps. That bandwidth is four times faster than USB 3.2 Gen 2, giving professionals the headroom needed for NVMe drives, video capture cards and high-speed audio interfaces without bottlenecks under load. The TB4 port also supports daisy-chaining of additional Thunderbolt devices.
Triple Display Support: A Bigger Canvas for Your Work
The DUF-E01 drives up to three independent screens at once. DisplayPort 1.4 supports up to 8K at 30Hz or 4K at 120Hz, suited to high-resolution creative work. HDMI 2.1 delivers 4K at 60Hz for mainstream professional monitors, and the Thunderbolt 4 port adds a third video output. Users can configure any combination of extended or mirrored modes across all three displays.
60W Power Delivery: One Less Cable on Your Desk
The DUF-E01 delivers up to 60W of Power Delivery through the Thunderbolt 4 upstream port, covering most business ultrabooks and consumer laptops at full charge speed while in use. One cable provides displays, peripherals, network, audio and charging simultaneously, making docking and undocking as simple as connecting or removing a single cable.
Gigabit Ethernet: Wired Reliability in a Wireless World
The dedicated RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet port delivers up to 1,000Mbps on compatible networks, offering the consistent latency and predictable bandwidth that Wi-Fi cannot always guarantee in busy offices or shared workspaces. For professionals on regular video calls or working with large files, a stable wired connection removes a common source of unpredictable performance.
Dual Card Slots: Instant Access for Creators
Both the full-size SD and microSD slots operate at SD 4.0 specification, with transfer speeds up to 985MB/s and support for cards up to 2TB. Photographers and videographers get direct, high-speed access to card media without a separate reader, handling high-bitrate video files and large RAW image sets quickly and conveniently.
Build Quality and Thermal Management
The aluminium alloy casing acts as a passive heatsink, drawing heat away from internal components during sustained workloads without requiring fans. The detachable base allows the dock to sit flat or stand vertically to suit any desk setup, and the premium construction is designed for years of daily professional use.
Compatibility and Requirements
The DUF-E01 requires a host device with a Thunderbolt 4 port. While the USB-C connector is physically compatible with many devices, full functionality including multi-display output, 40Gbps transfer speeds and Power Delivery requires Thunderbolt 4 certification. Compatible with macOS and Windows operating systems that support Thunderbolt 4.
Availability
The DUF-E01 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with 8K Display Port and 4K HDMI port is available now from www.dlink.com.au, www.dlink.co.nz and all authorised D-Link resellers and partners in Australia and New Zealand for AU$599.95 (RRP) and NZ$699.99 (RRP).
24, Mar 2026
Global CFP Professional Community Reaches Over 236,000 as Profession Advances Worldwide
DENVER, COLO – 24 March 2026 – The global community of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals continued its upward trajectory in 2025, closing the year with 236,300 CFP professionals across 29 territories. This represents a net increase of 5,652 CFP professionals over the previous year and a global year-over-year growth rate of 2.5%.
Since 2004, when Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) was founded, the number of CFP professionals worldwide has continued to grow each year, reflecting the global commitment to rigorous professional standards and the value that competent, ethical financial planners bring to consumers and markets.
“The strength of the global CFP professional community reflects a worldwide commitment to excellence in financial planning,” said FPSB CEO Dante De Gori, CFP. “As more professionals pursue CFP certification and more consumers seek objective, client-first advice, we’re seeing global standards strengthen public trust and confidence in the profession.”
Building a Younger, More Diverse Global Profession
As the profession grows, its demographic profile is also evolving. In 2025, the CFP certification continued to attract a new generation of financial planners:
- 62.1% of those who achieved CFP certification in 2025 were under the age of 40
- 37.9% of those who achieved CFP certification in 2025 were female
These trends highlight the increasing appeal of CFP certification among younger and more diverse talent entering the profession.
“It’s encouraging to see younger professionals and women choosing to pursue CFP certification,” added De Gori. “A diverse, next generation community of CFP professionals is essential to meeting the evolving needs of clients around the world. The momentum we’re seeing today will shape the future of the profession for decades to come.”
More than 32,500 candidates sat for CFP certification exams around the world in 2025, reflecting strong interest in pursuing the credential that upholds professionalism in the practice of financial planning.
Across FPSB’s global network representing more than 500,000 financial planning professionals, nearly half hold the CFP certification, underscoring the certification’s standing as the global symbol of excellence in financial planning.
“In territories like Hong Kong, where there is one CFP professional for every 1,679 adults*, we’re seeing how markets with strong certification adoption can meaningfully expand access to competent and ethical advice,” noted De Gori.
2025 Highlights
The United States and Japan recorded the largest absolute gains in the number of CFP certification holders in 2025, with net increases of 4,436 and 805, respectively.
Five territories achieved double digit growth rates in their CFP professional populations:
- Italy: 79.2%
- Chinese Taipei: 23.3%
- Brunei: 21.4%
- Malaysia: 10.5%
- Thailand: 10.1%
The five territories with the highest number of CFP professionals were:
- United States: 107,529
- People’s Republic of China: 32,599
- Japan: 27,786
- Canada: 17,446
- Brazil: 11,425
Other notable milestones:
- Chinese Taipei exceeded 4,000 CFP professionals
- Italy surpassed 100 CFP professionals, significant progress after launching CFP certification in that market in 2023
- San Marino became FPSB’s 29th territory, strengthening the global footprint of the CFP professional community
For more information on the global CFP professional community as of year-end 2025, view FPSB’s infographic.
23, Mar 2026
WCS Backs Urgent Protections for Giant Otter at Wildlife Summit in Brazil
23, Mar 2026
Bridge Conference Partners with Jukebox Ventures on £1m Startup Accelerator
Jukebox Ventures will host an accelerator programme worth up to £1m for music and tech startups and offering investment in the most exciting new projects via funding, marketing and launch strategy.
The international B2B gathering connecting leaders across music, entertainment and technology returns to the Adriatic coast in Croatia on 27th-29th May for its highly anticipated second edition.
Building on the resounding success of its debut in Croatia, this year’s edition will see Jukebox Ventures curate the music tech strand of the programme and host an accelerator session offering the chance to secure funding up to £1m for exciting new projects. Successful applications for the programme will get 50% discounted tickets for attending the conference.
Hosted at the exclusive Petram Resort and Residences, the conference provides a distinctive and intimate setting where executives, entrepreneurs, artists and investors can explore the evolving relationship between music, technology and culture. With 80% of last year’s attendees holding executive-level roles, including CEOs, directors and senior decision makers from leading European agencies, promoters and festivals, Bridge has already established itself as a unique addition to the global music industry calendar, combining high-level conversations, curated networking and world-class Istrian hospitality.
World-Class speakers across music, technology & entertainment
Bridge 2026 will once again bring together an exceptional lineup of speakers, executives and innovators from across the global music, entertainment and technology landscape, with a carefully curated programme exploring the future of music through the intersection of technology, AI, investment, artist development and the rapidly evolving relationship between culture and digital innovation.
Confirmed speakers include industry leaders such as Maria May (Head of Electronic, Creative Artists Agency), Steve Hogan (Agent & Partner, WME), Greg Parmley (Managing Director, International Live Music Conference), Holger Jan Schmidt (General Secretary, YOUROPE), Fruzsina Szép (Festival Director, SUPERBLOOM and Lollapalooza Berlin), Sara Bazian (Strategic Partnerships Manager, YouTube Music), Ivan Milivojev (Co-Founder, EXIT Festival) and others, with many more speakers set to be announced soon.
Dušan Kovačević, co-founder of EXIT Festival, whose long-standing work at the intersection of music, culture and social impact helped inspire the creation of Bridge as a platform for forward-thinking industry dialogue, says, “Bridge was born from the idea that the future of music will be built at the intersection of creativity, technology and human connection. With Jukebox Ventures joining us this year, we are creating a space where bold ideas, industry leadership and real investment can come together to help shape what comes next. Because for real business success, even the best ideas need direct access to the right people, and that is exactly what Bridge is designed to provide.”
Jukebox Ventures to host accelerator programme for emerging tech startups
Bridge 2026 will also host a startup accelerator programme in partnership with Jukebox Ventures, an investment platform that is all about face-to-face meetings and making real connections. As part of the initiative, selected early-stage startups working across music, technology and entertainment will have the opportunity to present their ideas directly to investors and industry leaders attending the conference. Successful participants will receive investment support alongside mentorship from members of the Jukebox Ventures network and other industry figures present at the event.
Alex Jukes, founder of Jukebox Ventures says, “At Jukebox Ventures, we believe the next wave of innovation in music and entertainment will come from founders who have traditionally been shut out of the room. Bridge is exactly the kind of platform that changes that, and we believe the best way to achieve it is through close contact, in-person meetings and building real world relationships. By bringing together the brightest minds in the industry with a genuine commitment to backing overlooked talent, we are not just investing in startups, we are investing in the future of the entire sector. We couldn’t be more excited to be part of this.”
Further speakers and programme details will be announced in the coming weeks. A full schedule, including panel discussions, keynote sessions, and the Jukebox Ventures pitch competition, will be published at bridgeconference.net.
