Category Archives: News

Bybit Names Sean Ballard as Head of Derivatives and Institutional Business Amid Continued Institutional Expansion

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Ballard as Head of Derivatives and Institutional Business. Ballard will play a central role in strengthening the exchange’s trading infrastructure, risk frameworks and institutional capabilities, with a broader remit spanning trading risk and exchange technology.

Ballard brings more than 25 years of experience in global financial markets, with deep expertise across derivatives, high-frequency trading, trading risk, market structure and exchange technology. He joins Bybit from Jump Trading, where he led the firm’s high-frequency futures trading business across the US,  EMEA, and LATAM, managing significant investment portfolios and working closely with exchanges and regulators globally on market structure, trading performance and infrastructure developments.

While at Jump Trading, Ballard was a senior trader on the Jump Crypto team managing trading initiatives on centralized exchanges and also leading the strategic partnership initiatives to support ecosystem growth.

At Bybit, Ballard will focus on advancing the institutional trading experience through robust market infrastructure, disciplined risk management and scalable product development. His cross-market background across traditional finance and digital assets brings a distinctive perspective to the evolution of institutional trading and the infrastructure required to support the next generation of global digital asset markets.

The appointment builds on Bybit’s continued investment in its derivatives and institutional trading business as digital assets increasingly converge with global financial markets.  Bybit Institutional has also expanded significantly over the past year, with additions of professional services including Bank Triparty arrangements, allowing institutions to manage counterparty risk through regulated custody while retaining full trading access, alongside a Market Maker Gateway that has cut round-trip latency for high-frequency and quant clients from 4ms to 1.5ms.

In the RWA (real-world asset) race, Bybit has also moved ahead of the curve with a diversity of tokenized real-world financial products through Bybit RWA Earn. Since July 2026, FUIDL by Finloop, an AAA-rated USD money market fund, has been available on Bybit as collateral for trading, unlocking access to Asia’s first end-to-end RWA ecosystem.

The appointment reinforces Bybit’s broader transformation into the New Financial Platform, a unified financial platform connecting crypto, traditional markets and real-world financial services. 

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-names-sean-ballard-as-head-of-derivatives-and-institutional-business-amid-continued-institutional-expansion-302867990.html

FP Markets: Global bond market alarm bells are ringing

LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global government bond yields have been thrust into the limelight, reaching levels not seen in decades. Unquestionably, these are the most important interest rates in the world, serving as the bedrock of the financial system. Almost every financial asset – either directly or indirectly – is derived from government yields. And right now, that bedrock is shifting.

When government bond yields surge and clock multi-year highs, the world sits up and pays attention. It raises fresh questions not only about their impact on governments, businesses, and consumers, but also on other key asset classes, such as stocks and currencies. 

This is not just a US story. The US 10-year Treasury yield has pushed above 4.8% – its highest level since late 2023 – while UK 10-year Gilt yields also reached levels not seen since 2008, and the 10-year Japanese JGB yield rose to its highest since 1996.

Underpinning rising yields is a combination of drivers, chief among them are persistent inflationary pressures fuelled by elevated energy prices; Brent crude is up more than 30% from July lows. Other factors include growing government budget deficits, rising ‘term premium’, and competition from technology companies issuing their own debt.

FP Markets Chief Market Analyst Aaron Hill commented: ‘I do not believe what we are witnessing is a one-off spike in the bond market. Instead, we may be observing a repricing of risk. Investors are demanding a higher return to hold longer-dated government debt as they are less confident inflation is under control and increasingly doubtful that fiscal deficits are sustainable at current levels. That has knock-on effects for everything’.

Markets are interconnected, meaning that a move higher in oil often impacts bonds and currencies, as well as gold. Investors at FP Markets can trade CFDs not only on government bonds, but on over 70 currency pairs, key stock indices, a range of commodities, and ETFs, all through world-class trading platforms.

About FP Markets:

FP Markets is a global, multi-regulated, award-winning broker established in Sydney, Australia in 2005. The broker offers 10,000+ CFD instruments across seven asset classes, available on industry-leading platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and cTrader.

FP Markets’ regulatory presence includes the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya.

For more information, visit www.fpmarkets.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fp-markets-global-bond-market-alarm-bells-are-ringing-302867893.html

Helfie AI Appoints John Rego as Chief Financial Officer

Veteran CFO with more than $10 billion raised across six public and private companies joins Helfie AI to lead financial strategy

MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Helfie AI (“Helfie”), an AI-powered preventative network transforming global healthcare by delivering personalised screening for all via mobile, today announced the appointment of John Rego as Chief Financial Officer.

John brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across a range of high-growth technology and communications companies and joins Helfie from Wide Open West (WOW), a US broadband provider (NYSE: WOW), where he served as CFO from 2020 until the company’s sale in 2026. Prior to WOW, he served as CFO of Telaria Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRA), an advertising technology company, and as CFO of Virgin Galactic and CFO of Vonage Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: VG). John has operated in businesses with global reach, raising over $10 billion in capital, and has closed more than two dozen M&A transactions.

George Tomeski, CEO, Helfie AI, said: “John’s track record speaks for itself. He has taken companies from startup to IPO, navigated major M&A transactions, built finance functions from the ground up, and operated at the highest levels of public market scrutiny. As Helfie enters its next phase of growth, John’s experience and discipline in the CFO seat gives us enormous confidence.”

John Rego, Chief Financial Officer, Helfie AI, said: “I am delighted to join Helfie AI at such an exciting phase of growth. Helfie AI is one of those rare businesses where the mission and the market opportunity are genuinely aligned. I am looking forward to leading the company in its mission to build a science-backed, AI-powered personalised preventative healthcare platform accessible to everyone in the world.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT HELFIE

Helfie AI is a global human health platform designed for early detection, proactive prevention, and optimised wellbeing for 8 billion+ humans. The platform is science-backed and AI-powered, providing a suite of 30+ easy, instant, and affordable health checks. Delivered via smartphone, it combines powerful medical insights with data ownership, universal access, and freedom of choice for the individual. Helfie AI works with governments and businesses worldwide to make preventative health accessible to everyone. 

More details at www.helfie.ai

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/helfie-ai-appoints-john-rego-as-chief-financial-officer-302864803.html

ST Engineering iDirect Demonstrates Multi-Waveform 5G NR-NTN User Equipment Pilot

INT3000 modem pilot marks next milestone in phased multi-waveform user equipment development

HERNDON, Va., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications, today demonstrated a pilot version of the INT3000, its multi-waveform 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) User Equipment (UE) modem, at the European Space Agency (ESA) 5G NTN Forum. The INT3000 is being developed to support both 5G NR NTN and DVB-S2X/MRC waveforms in a single device, enabling operators to deploy native 5G NR-NTN services while also supporting DVB and hybrid network architectures during migration and modernization.

The INT3000 modem pilot provided the ESA 5G NTN community a look at ST Engineering iDirect’s progress in advancing 5G NR-NTN UE, with the demonstration conducted over a satellite simulator. On the network side, the pilot connected through the Intuition ground system, which implements native 5G NR-NTN gNodeB capabilities.

“This pilot demonstration is another important step in our multi-waveform, multi-orbit user equipment roadmap,” said Shravan Gaddam, Vice President, CTO Office, ST Engineering iDirect. “The industry is moving toward standards-based 5G NTN connectivity, but at the same time, operators must support existing satellite networks. Our vision for the INT3000 is to bring these worlds together in a single user equipment, providing a practical path for operators to evolve their networks while leveraging existing investments.”

The INT3000 modem pilot provides the foundation for extending ST Engineering iDirect’s satellite networking capabilities into the broader 5G ecosystem, bringing together the technology, ecosystem partnerships and product framework required to support future interoperability between satellite and terrestrial communications networks.

As part of its broader 5G NTN strategy, ST Engineering iDirect is also advancing 5G NR waveform innovations designed to reduce reliance on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and satellite position data for timing and synchronization. These enhancements are intended to improve resiliency and operational flexibility across multi-orbit satellite environments while supporting the continued evolution of 5G NTN technologies.

Built on the cloud-native, multi-orbit Intuition ground system, the developments in the INT3000 modem pilot support the industry’s evolution toward globally interoperable 5G NTN satellite connectivity and future 6G networks.

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. With over 40 years of delivering innovation focused on solving satellite’s most critical economic and technology challenges we are committed to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded iDirect, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is a leader in key industries including mobility, broadcast and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information visit www.idirect.net.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/st-engineering-idirect-demonstrates-multi-waveform-5g-nr-ntn-user-equipment-pilot-302867731.html

EpiVax Launches AI-Enhanced Models for Immunogenicity Prediction

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EpiVax, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of AI-enabled enhancements to ISPRI™, its proprietary in silico platform for assessing the immunogenicity risk of biotherapeutics. The release introduces an updated JanusMatrix™ model, a refined tolerance-adjusted immunogenicity score, and an enhanced anti-drug antibody (ADA) prediction model designed to provide deeper insight into immunogenicity risk. 

For decades, EpiVax has pioneered computational immunology through the development of advanced in silico algorithms for evaluating biotherapeutic sequences. Foundational to this work are EpiMatrix^® and JanusMatrix™, which evaluate T cell epitope content and human cross-conservation to characterize sequence-derived immunogenicity risk and immune tolerance. ISPRI™ brings these tools together with other extensively validated methods to assess immunogenicity risk across candidate and impurity sequences. 

JanusMatrix™ 2.1

JanusMatrix™ 2.1 applies AI to improve the prediction of immune tolerance by weighting human epitope cross-conservation based on expression and prevalence data. The result is a more precise characterization of therapeutic epitopes and their tolerance profiles. 

JanusMatrix-Adjusted EpiMatrix Score

Building on JanusMatrix 2.1, EpiVax has introduced a new immunogenicity score designed to align more closely with clinical immunogenicity outcomes. The JanusMatrix-Adjusted EpiMatrix (JAX) score incorporates JanusMatrix tolerance potential directly into EpiMatrix scores, providing insight into intrinsic effector epitope density and a more biologically-informed assessment of sequence-derived immunogenicity risk across therapeutic modalities. 

ADA 2.2

EpiVax has also updated its ADA prediction model with the release of ADA 2.2. The enhanced model combines epitope-based measures with biophysical attributes and mode of action criteria to provide another assessment of antibody immunogenicity risk, trained specifically leveraging a diverse set of clinical monoclonal antibodies. ADA 2.2 demonstrates a stronger correlation between predicted and clinically observed immunogenicity, providing greater confidence in risk interpretation alongside the JAX score.

These newly available features further strengthen EpiVax’s best-in-class immunoinformatics capabilities, improving the relevance and predictive value of in silico immunogenicity risk assessments. The enhancements align closely with recent FDA initiatives advancing the adoption of human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), while helping sponsors identify immune liabilities, protect asset value, and de-risk development programs. 

About EpiVax

EpiVax partners with biologic developers to manage immunogenicity risk throughout the product lifecycle. Leveraging deep scientific expertise to apply industry-leading in silico analyses and in vitro approaches, insights from actionable data help our partners reduce uncertainty, mitigate risk, and use resources more efficiently while building regulatory-ready strategies for safer, more effective therapies. 

Media Contact:

Sarah Moniz, Director of Business Development & Marketing

smoniz@epivax.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/epivax-launches-ai-enhanced-models-for-immunogenicity-prediction-302867865.html

Hexaware Appoints Vivek Jetley as CEO Designate to Lead its Next Phase of AI-Led Growth

Vivek will assume the role of CEO of Hexaware on October 28, 2026, with a focus on accelerating growth and scaling Hexaware’s AI-led services model globally

MUMBAI, India, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hexaware Technologies (NSE: HEXT), an AI-first digital and IT services company, today announced the appointment of Vivek Jetley as CEO Designate. Vivek will join Hexaware and assume the role of CEO on October 28, 2026. The appointment comes at an important moment for Hexaware as the company enters its next phase of accelerated growth with AI reshaping enterprise technology services globally and creating new sources of client demand.

Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan (“Keech”) will step down as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors effective October 28, 2026. He has led Hexaware for 12 years and will remain with the Company as Senior Advisor to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Vivek is a seasoned business leader with more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of AI and data, enterprise transformation and strategy. He has a proven track record of scaling global businesses, leading large P&Ls and creating new growth engines during periods of technology disruption from data and cloud to GenAI. He brings deep experience in management consulting, analytics and data and AI-led transformation, delivering measurable business outcomes for large global and Fortune 500 enterprise clients. He joins Hexaware from EXL, where he currently serves as President and leads their Insurance, Healthcare and Life Sciences businesses. Prior to this role, he was the President and head of EXL analytics, building and leading industry-leading advanced analytics, AI services and enterprise data management capabilities for clients across verticals. Vivek joined EXL in 2006 through the acquisition of Inductis, a specialized analytics consulting firm where he was a partner. During two decades at EXL, Vivek held various leadership roles with responsibility for corporate strategy, strategic partnerships, innovation and has led several acquisitions.

“On behalf of Hexaware’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank Keech for his contributions to the Company over the past 12 years. He leaves a strong foundation for its next phase of accelerated growth. I am excited to welcome Vivek to Hexaware and see him take the company forward,” said Larry Quinlan, Non Executive Chairman, Hexaware.

“Hexaware has built a strong business, defined by deep domain expertise, trusted client relationships and a growing set of AI capabilities. Vivek brings a proven ability to scale businesses, deepen enterprise relationships and build Data and AI-led growth platforms. As a major shareholder in Hexaware, Carlyle is excited to support Vivek as he steps into this role, and thanks Keech for his contributions to Hexaware over the past 12 years,” said Sandra Horbach, Hexaware Board Member and Chair of Americas Corporate Private Equity at Carlyle.

“I am honored and excited to join Hexaware at such an important moment for the company and our industry. I want to recognize Keech for his leadership and the strong foundation he has helped build at Hexaware. We are at a defining moment for IT services, as AI adoption fundamentally changes how services are delivered, how capabilities are built and how enterprises create value. I see a tremendous opportunity not only to help our clients navigate this transformation, but also to shape Hexaware into a leading AI-led services company that will help define the next generation of our industry. I am excited to lead Hexaware into its next phase of growth and partner with our talented leadership team, colleagues and clients around the world to accelerate the company’s AI-led transformation and create meaningful business outcomes at scale,” said Vivek Jetley.

“It has been a privilege to lead Hexaware and work alongside some of the most talented colleagues, clients and partners in the industry. I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that the company is well positioned for continued success,” said Keech. “I look forward to supporting a smooth leadership transition in my role as Senior Advisor to the company.”

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Learn more about Hexaware at https://hexaware.com.

For details, please contact:

Pratishtha Kaura

Pratishtha.Kaura@edelmansmithfield.com 

+91 78383 50768

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/hexaware-appoints-vivek-jetley-as-ceo-designate-to-lead-its-next-phase-of-ai-led-growth-302867795.html

2026 Yidan Prize recognizes changemakers redefining education and care at the intersection of health, nutrition, and economics

HONG KONG, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Yidan Prize Foundation, a global philanthropic organization, announced the 2026 Yidan Prize laureates at a press conference in Hong Kong today, marking the prize’s tenth year of championing education changemakers worldwide. Chaired by OECD’s Director for Education and Skills, Andreas Schleicher, the independent Judging Committee has selected Professor Paul W. Glewwe as the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Research Laureate for breaking barriers to learning by shaping effective policies and interventions through rigorous research, unleashing the potential of children in vulnerable communities and unlocking a healthier, more prosperous future. The Committee has also selected Professor Susan P. Walker, Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr Susan M. Chang-Lopez as the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Development Laureates for developing an evidence-based, early childhood model that transforms children’s development and life trajectories in low-resource, displaced, and indigenous communities.

Laureates of each prize will each receive HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million), comprising a cash award of HK$15 million and an unrestricted project fund of HK$15 million to advance their work and expand their reach. Since 2017, the Yidan Prize Foundation has awarded a total of HK$600 million (approximately US$77 million) to 25 laureates, supporting their work in nearly 60 countries and regions.

“The work and collective impact of our laureates over the past decade have made the Yidan Prize a lighthouse to illuminate pathways forward in global education. Every laureate strengthens this commitment, brings transformative ideas, and expands the ways in which we shape the future of education,” said Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, Founder of the Yidan Prize.

The Yidan Prize recognizes changemakers whose work is future-oriented, innovative, transformative, and sustainable. Nominations for the 2027 Yidan Prize will open from 27 October 2026 until 2 March 2027.

Spotlighting what works and breaking down barriers to children’s learning at scale

Paul W. Glewwe, Regents Professor in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, is awarded the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Research for demonstrating how socioeconomic, health, and nutrition factors beyond traditional inputs in school settings shape children’s learning outcomes. He was instrumental in introducing literacy, numeracy, and abstract reasoning indicators of both children and parents into the World Bank’s household surveys, enabling policymakers to better understand the connection between poverty, inequality, and education. He also pioneered the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of education programs and policies, helping governments and development organizations direct resources toward approaches proven to improve learning. In addition, he was among the first economists to incorporate social-emotional skills into economic analyses of education and development. His innovative research across more than 15 developing countries has shaped education policy and practice around the world.

Dr Elizabeth M. King, Head, Judging Panel, Yidan Prize for Education Research, highlighted the significance of Paul’s work. She said, “Transforming education systems and outcomes happens when uncompromising scientific rigor is coupled with a fierce commitment to make a difference in people’s lives. For nearly 40 years, Paul Glewwe has provided that rigor. He has given governments the evidence they need to spend wisely, teachers the tools they need to instruct effectively, and millions of vulnerable children the opportunity to learn, thrive, and escape the trap of intergenerational poverty.”

Supporting parents and caregivers in the most critical years of children’s development

Professor Susan P. Walker, Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr Susan M. Chang-Lopez are recognized by the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Development for their evidence-based early childhood intervention Reach Up. They are Emeritus Professor of Nutrition of the Caribbean Institute for Health Research at The University of the West Indies; Emeritus Professor of International Child Health and Development at University College London; and Senior Lecturer of the Caribbean Institute for Health Research at The University of the West Indies, respectively. Beginning their research careers in health and nutrition, they discovered the critical role of early stimulation and quality interaction in children’s development and life trajectories. Building on this evidence, they developed practical solutions to expand caregivers’ capacity to provide stimulation from age 0 to 4. Using low-cost, culturally adaptable activities rooted in everyday routines, Reach Up supports caregivers in building their knowledge, skills, and confidence to talk, play, and respond in ways that nurture children’s cognitive development. Today, the program is implemented in over 21 countries across the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East through existing health, social protection, education, and humanitarian systems. Reach Up’s curriculum and materials are available for free and are continuously evaluated and adapted to improve the program’s effectiveness.

Dorothy K. Gordon, Head, Judging Panel, Yidan Prize for Education Development, applauded the laureates’ contribution to early childhood education. She said, “Reach Up equips children with better chances for an equal start in learning, education, and life. The laureates have demonstrated how lasting change can be achieved through a combination of evidence, partnership, and local leadership. The immense global impact of their work is linked to the quality and rigor of their pathbreaking multi-disciplinary research combined with a toolbox of well-designed interventions.”

Shaping the future of learning at the 2026 Yidan Prize Summit

The 2026 laureates will join three days of stimulating conversations at the Yidan Prize Summit in Hong Kong from 3 to 5 December 2026. Building on last year’s discussion on the future of education at a crossroads, the 2026 Yidan Prize Summit will spotlight a shift underway: seeing education not just as a place, but as a driving force for flourishing ecosystems grounded in human connection, creation, and deep learning in the age of AI. The 2026 Yidan Prize Awards Ceremony will take place on the final day, where the 2026 laureates will receive their prizes.

Note to editors

Download images of the 2026 Yidan Prize laureates and Yidan Prize judges here.

Read the full citation from Dr Elizabeth M. King, head of the Yidan Prize for Education Research judging panel.

Read the full citation from Dorothy K. Gordon, head of the Yidan Prize for Education Development judging panel.

About the Yidan Prize Foundation

The Yidan Prize is the world’s highest accolade in education, spotlighting innovators whose research and development work is transforming lives and societies. The Prize comprises two awards: the Yidan Prize for Education Research and the Yidan Prize for Education Development. Each award includes a gold medal, a total sum of HK$30 million — half of which is a cash award of HK$15 million, and another half is an unrestricted project fund of HK$15 million to help laureates advance their missions.

Established in 2016, the Yidan Prize Foundation works toward a better world through education. Anchored around its laureates, the foundation brings together a global community of changemakers — researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropists — who learn from one another, champion shared standards of excellence, help shape the field’s agenda, and accelerate change at scale.

For more information, visit yidanprize.org or contact media@yidanprize.org.

Find us @yidanprize on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2026-yidan-prize-recognizes-changemakers-redefining-education-and-care-at-the-intersection-of-health-nutrition-and-economics-302867751.html

SEMI and Silicon Catalyst Aim to Accelerate Global Semiconductor Innovation with Strategic Partnership

Memorandum of Understanding Signed at SEMICON Taiwan 2026 Expands Access to Global Startup Innovation and Industry Resources

TAIPEI, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SEMI, the global industry association connecting the electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, and Silicon Catalyst, the world’s only accelerator focused exclusively on semiconductor innovation, today announced a global strategic partnership designed to accelerate innovation and strengthen connections between semiconductor hardware startups, investors, manufacturers, and technology leaders worldwide. The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at SEMICON Taiwan 2026.

As the pace of technological advancement accelerates in the AI era, semiconductor companies increasingly require faster access to emerging technologies, new business models, and breakthrough innovations. Through this partnership, SEMI and Silicon Catalyst will create new opportunities for collaboration between established industry leaders and the next generation of semiconductor innovators.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the semiconductor landscape and increasing the speed at which innovation must move,” said Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI. “By partnering with Silicon Catalyst, we are creating a powerful global platform that connects semiconductor startups with the industry’s leading companies, investors, and manufacturing ecosystem. This initiative reflects SEMI’s commitment to helping our members identify emerging technologies faster and accelerate the innovation needed to transform tomorrow.”

The partnership will initially launch through activities in Taiwan, the Americas, and Europe, with plans to extend participation opportunities to SEMI members across all regions globally. Through SEMI’s global platform, members will gain access to Silicon Catalyst’s portfolio of startups and innovation ecosystem, while Silicon Catalyst companies will benefit from connections to SEMI’s worldwide network of member companies, investors, technology partners, and industry resources.

“This partnership brings together two organizations committed to advancing semiconductor innovation,” said Pete Rodriguez, CEO of Silicon Catalyst. “By combining Silicon Catalyst’s startup ecosystem with SEMI’s global industry network, we can help accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and established industry leaders alike.”

As part of the collaboration, Silicon Catalyst and SEMI will co-organize startup-focused programs and events at SEMICON exhibitions worldwide, including Startup Zones, venture and investor engagement programs, and technology showcase opportunities. These initiatives will begin at the SEMICON Taiwan 2026 Silicon Startups Zone and expand to other major SEMICON events, creating a global pathway for startup engagement across the semiconductor value chain.

“Taiwan has successfully demonstrated the value of connecting startups, investors, and industry leaders through SEMI’s ecosystem,” said Terry Tsao, Global Chief Marketing Officer and President of SEMI Taiwan. “This partnership builds on that foundation and creates a scalable model that can be deployed across the SEMI global network, enabling greater collaboration and innovation throughout the semiconductor industry.”

Key Takeaways on SEMI and Silicon Catalyst Startup Partnership

• Global strategic partnership designed to accelerate innovation in the AI era
• SEMI members gain access to Silicon Catalyst startups and innovation ecosystem
• Silicon Catalyst startups benefit from connections to SEMI’s worldwide network
• Manifested in startup-focused activities at SEMICON exhibitions worldwide

Founded in 2015, Silicon Catalyst is the only accelerator focused exclusively on semiconductor hardware companies and has engaged with more than 5,000 semiconductor startups worldwide, resulting in over 1,500 startups applying, while supporting over 150 portfolio companies admitted. Its ecosystem includes strategic relationships with leading semiconductor companies and technology providers across the global supply chain.

The partnership supports SEMI’s mission to advance the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain by fostering collaboration, accelerating innovation, and strengthening the global semiconductor ecosystem.

Silicon Catalyst Ventures Keynote at SEMICON Taiwan 2026

Shih-Wei Sun, Founding Managing Director of Silicon Catalyst Ventures and board member of Silicon Catalyst, will deliver the opening keynote address at SEMICON Taiwan, Venture Day, September 4^th. He encourages any local Taiwanese startups to apply to Silicon Catalyst and will be available after his keynote address to speak with any entrepreneurial teams interested in learning about the Silicon Catalyst Accelerator.

Dr. Sun has many decades of semiconductor industry experience, including his role as CEO of UMC and founder of Silicon Catalyst Ventures. His Venture Day presentation, entitled “Accelerating Semiconductor Startups Through a Global Innovation Ecosystem” will take place at the Grand Hilai Taipei (6F).

As part of SEMICON Taiwan 2026, SEMI Venture Day is a curated platform connecting innovative startups with corporate VCs, strategic investors, and semiconductor industry leaders to foster investment and collaboration.

About SEMI

SEMI^® is the global industry association connecting over 4,000 companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON^® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

About Silicon Catalyst – “It’s about what’s next”®

Silicon Catalyst is the world’s only accelerator focused exclusively on accelerating semiconductor hardware solutions, built on a comprehensive coalition of in-kind and strategic partners to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of development. With a world-class network of mentors to advise startups, Silicon Catalyst is helping new semiconductor companies address the challenges in moving from idea to realization. The Accelerator supplies startups with access to design tools, silicon devices, networking, and a path to funding, banking and marketing acumen to successfully launch and grow their companies’ novel technology solutions. Having established itself as the gold standard for semiconductor hardware startups, Silicon Catalyst’s unique model has been expanded on a global basis to Israel, the UK, the European Union, Australia, Japan and Malaysia, in conjunction with government-backed regional ChipStart programs.

The Silicon Catalyst Angels (SCA) was established in July 2019 as a separate organization to provide access to seed-stage and Series A funding for Silicon Catalyst Portfolio Companies. In February of 2024, Silicon Catalyst Ventures (SCV) was launched to fund early-stage startups accepted into the Accelerator’s two-year program. Silicon Catalyst Angels and Silicon Catalyst Ventures have already made over 100 investments in semiconductor hardware companies. More information is available at www.siliconcatalyst.com.

SEMI Contacts

Samer Bahou/SEMI

Phone: 1-408-943-7870

Email: sbahou@semi.org

Peyton Sun/SEMI Taiwan

Phone: 886-3-560-1777 ext. 209

Email: peytonsun@semi.org 

Silicon Catalyst LLC Contact

Richard Curtin, Managing Partner

Email: richard@siliconcatalyst.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/semi-and-silicon-catalyst-aim-to-accelerate-global-semiconductor-innovation-with-strategic-partnership-302867333.html

Graebel and Reside Unite to Simplify How Organizations Deploy and Support Talent

Backed by Westbridge Capital and supported by the Graebel family’s continued investment, the combination creates the foundation for a more connected workforce ecosystem that reduces complexity and improves experiences across work and life

DENVER, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Graebel Companies, Inc., a global leader in workforce mobility and managed services (“Graebel“), and Reside Worldwide Inc., a leading provider of short and extended stay accommodations (“Reside“), today announced they have combined under common ownership to create a more connected approach to workforce enablement.

Together, the companies are creating the foundation for a new model that helps organizations simplify complexity, improve employee experiences and support talent more effectively. This is enabled by ongoing support of the combined businesses from Westbridge Capital Ltd., one of Canada’s leading private equity firms (“Westbridge“), coupled with the Graebel family’s continued investment.

As employee journeys become more dynamic and complex, organizations are evolving how they support their people, but the systems, providers and technologies supporting those experiences remain fragmented. Together, Graebel and Reside bring complementary strengths that will change the way moves are managed for companies and their employees, better reflecting today’s workforce and workplace.

“Where people live has such an impact on their work experience and success, whether it’s for a longer-term relocation or temporary deployment for a short-term project,” said Ron Dunlap, who will serve as CEO of the combined companies. “Bringing Graebel and Reside together allows us to play a more meaningful role in the employee journey while extending the value we create for clients. It’s an important step toward simplifying complexity, reducing friction and helping organizations better support their people.” 

Clients can expect a sustained commitment to service excellence, relationship continuity and delivery against existing commitments, including the teams and contacts they work with today. Over time, they will also benefit from a more connected ecosystem that reduces fragmentation, strengthens coordination across the employee journey, and delivers long-term value while preserving supplier neutrality, choice and flexibility.

“Bringing Reside’s 3Sixty corporate housing marketplace platform together with Graebel’s technology and service platform will simplify a critical part of the employee journey, helping people settle in and succeed more quickly,” said Lee Curtis, co-founder of Reside. “This brings us closer to delivering the seamless, end-to-end experience employees increasingly expect.”

Westbridge will support continued innovation and help expand the value proposition beyond traditional relocation, helping organizations better support people wherever work happens. Together, Reside and Graebel are creating a foundation for the next phase of growth and a more integrated approach to supporting organizations and their employees. 

“Graebel has a unique vision for the future of managed moves and is leading the industry into a place of more connected support for companies and people, beyond traditional mobility,” said Mike Meekins, Westbridge’s President and CEO. “We’re looking forward to enabling that vision and to supporting this combination as the first step on that path, with additional opportunities on the horizon to reduce friction and improve experiences across the employee journey.”

“Transformation is in Graebel’s DNA and we’ve always sought change that will benefit our clients, their employees and the industry,” said Bill Graebel. “Our family is supportive of this continued evolution of the company and we’re looking forward to working with Graebel leadership, Reside and Westbridge to realize this vision.”

Graebel and Reside will both continue as operating entities. Ron Dunlap will serve as CEO of the combined companies, with Lee Curtis joining the leadership team. The integration process is already underway, with an emphasis on continuity and a continued commitment to client and employee experiences.

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor and sole arranger of financing to Westbridge and Reside in connection with the transaction, while K&L Gates LLP acted as legal counsel. Baird acted as exclusive financial advisor to Graebel, while Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP acted as legal counsel.

About Graebel

Graebel is a global workforce mobility and managed services provider, helping the world’s leading organizations create certainty in an increasingly complex world. Combining strategic advisory, intelligent technology and deep human expertise, Graebel transforms workforce complexity into confident decisions—enabling organizations to move talent with greater visibility, agility and control.

Founded in 1950, Graebel supports organizations across 190 countries through decades of mobility expertise, strong governance and a carefully curated global partner network. By connecting workforce strategy, mobility and technology into one integrated experience, Graebel helps organizations unlock opportunity for their business and the people behind it. To learn more, visit www.graebel.com.

About Reside

Headquartered in Seattle, WA, Reside is a global leader in alternative accommodations and workforce housing solutions, helping people feel at home no matter where they are. Through its portfolio of hospitality brands and proprietary 3Sixty technology platform, Reside delivers flexible, high-quality accommodations and seamless support for business travelers, relocating employees and extended-stay guests around the world. Reside provides access to more than 3.4 million professionally vetted and globally compliant accommodations across more than 60 countries, connecting clients with the right housing solutions to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Combining innovative technology, hospitality expertise and a global supply network, Reside simplifies the accommodations experience while delivering greater choice, visibility and confidence. In 2023, Reside announced a long-term strategic relationship with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to affiliate properties under the Reside, a Wyndham Residence brand. To learn more, visit www.staywithreside.com.

About Westbridge

Westbridge is a Canadian private equity firm. Westbridge focuses on private equity investments that by their nature have little correlation to publicly listed securities and may be used to diversify a portfolio and reduce overall portfolio risk and volatility. The firm structures transactions to maintain and ensure long-term alignment of interests, and partners with management teams to provide stability, support growth, and enhance operations through its access to capital markets and network of experienced professionals. To learn more, visit www.westbridgecapital.ca.

Media Contact:

Shannon Mueller

Linhart Public Relations

952-836-7903

smueller@linhartpr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/graebel-and-reside-unite-to-simplify-how-organizations-deploy-and-support-talent-302866986.html

Ocius Technology to Add Sonar Systems to Bluebottle Fleet: NYSE Content Update

NYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor.

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. 

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on September 2nd

• Ocius announces integration of sonar systems to Bluebottle Fleet.
  • ThayerMayhan and Thales Australia will provide the sonar technology.
  • Ocius CEO Robert Dane will join NYSE Live to discuss how its technology is providing new capabilities to clients.
• Medifast (NYSE: MED) launches the Medifast Metabolic Health Institute.
  • The company says it’s repositioning itself beyond weight loss to address larger metabolic health opportunities.
  • CEO Nick Johnson will join Taking Stock to discuss the firm’s biggest achievements as a publicly traded company.
• The major averages look to bounce back as investors navigate the Middle East.
  • The 10-year U.S. Treasury Yield hit its highest levels since 2023.
  • As of 8:00 AM ET, ICE Brent Crude is trading at about $94 a barrel.

Opening Bell

Hornbeck Offshore celebrates its next chapter of growth.

Closing Bell

Medifast (NYSE: MED) celebrates its 20^th anniversary of listing.

For market insights, IPO activity, and today’s opening bell, download the NYSE TV App and check out the NYSE YouTube: TV.NYSE.com and YouTube.com/@NYSEofficial

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ocius-technology-to-add-sonar-systems-to-bluebottle-fleet-nyse-content-update-302867715.html