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Talos Extends Series B to $150M in Strategic Fundraise

$45M extension brings leading global institutions onto the cap table

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Talos, the premier provider of institutional digital asset infrastructure, technology and data supporting the full trading and portfolio management lifecycle, today announced a $45 million Series B extension, including new strategic investors Robinhood Markets, Sony Innovation Fund, IMC, QCP and Karatage, alongside returning investors a16z crypto, BNY and Fidelity Investments.

The fundraising round brings the company’s total amount raised in its Series B to $150 million. The post-money valuation will reach approximately $1.5 billion.

“We’re proud to have some of the world’s most respected institutions, most of them existing clients and partners, join us as investors,” said Anton Katz, CEO and Co-Founder of Talos. “We extended our Series B round to accommodate interest from strategic partners who recognize Talos’s role in providing core institutional infrastructure for digital assets. At a time when traditional asset classes are increasingly migrating to digital rails, these partners wanted to be more closely aligned with our growth. Together, we’re building the foundation for the next generation of financial markets.”

This strategic round brings together partners and investors whose portfolio companies are involved in digital assets, ranging from trading and custody to liquidity provision and infrastructure. 

“Talos’s flexibility and rapid adaptability allow us to deepen our liquidity and deliver even more advanced features to Robinhood Crypto customers,” said Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Crypto at Robinhood. “We’re happy to support their growth as they work to power the digital asset ecosystem.”

“Talos has built a comprehensive crypto platform from the ground up to address the complex needs of large financial institutions as they rapidly scale their businesses,” said Kazuhito Hadano, CEO, Sony Ventures Corporation. “At Sony Innovation Fund, we’ve been particularly impressed by the company’s evolution from order execution to a full front-, middle- and back-office solution, complemented by robust digital asset data and analytics. We’re excited to support Talos in this next phase of growth and help accelerate its continued expansion.”

A portion of the investment was settled using stablecoins, reflecting the growing use of blockchain-based payment rails in institutional transactions. Proceeds from the Series B extension will be used to expand product development across the Talos platform, from portfolio construction and risk management, to execution, treasury and settlement tools. In particular, Talos plans to expand its platform to support traditional asset classes as they migrate to become digital assets.

The fundraise follows a period of significant momentum for Talos, marked by the company roughly doubling revenues and number of clients each year for the past 2 years. Talos announced the launch of its RFQ platform with BlackRock’s traders on the Aladdin® platform, as well as the acquisitions of four best-in-class digital asset firms: Coin Metrics, Cloudwall, Skolem and D3X Systems, enhancing the company’s capabilities across data, risk management, DeFi infrastructure and portfolio engineering. 

Investors additionally commented:

“Talos’s focus on institutional requirements – performance, safety and reliability – positions it as a preferred gateway for institutions entering digital asset markets and aligns with IMC’s view of how the market will continue to evolve and mature.” – Jae Park, CFO Crypto, IMC

“Digital assets are no longer a standalone market – they’re becoming the rails for broader capital markets. Talos is building the infrastructure that allows institutions to trade, manage risk and allocate capital seamlessly across that transition.” – Darius Sit, Founder of QCP

“Anton and the Talos team have built an exceptional, institutional-grade platform that is the essential infrastructure for the evolving digital asset ecosystem. Their relentless focus on innovation, combined with best-in-class execution, positions Talos as the dominant leader as traditional finance migrates to digital rails. As a long-term believer in high-quality infrastructure and deep tech, Karatage is proud to invest and support their next phase of growth and contribute to building the foundation for the future of financial markets infrastructure.” – Marius Barnett, Co-Founder and CEO, Karatage

About Talos

Talos provides institutional-grade technology and data that supports the full digital asset investment lifecycle, including liquidity sourcing, price discovery, trading, settlement and portfolio management. Engineered by a team with unmatched experience building institutional trading, portfolio and data systems, the Talos platform connects institutions to key providers in the digital asset ecosystem – exchanges, OTC desks, prime brokers, lenders, custodians, and more – through a single interface. For additional information, visit www.talos.com.

Talos Disclaimer: Talos offers software-as-a-service products that provide connectivity tools for institutional clients. Talos does not provide clients with any pre-negotiated arrangements with liquidity providers or other parties. Clients are required to independently negotiate arrangements with liquidity providers and other parties bilaterally. Talos is not party to any of these arrangements. Services and venues may not be available in all jurisdictions.

Media contact:
media@talos.com

DORCO Wins 2025 GOOD DESIGN® Award; Global Traction Continues for the Flagship Razor

Following GOOD DESIGN® recognition, early sales momentum and consumer adoption underscore DORCO’s global flagship product  

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DORCO, South Korea’s leading shaving brand, today announced that its flagship razor DORCO SLEEK has received a 2025 GOOD DESIGN® Awards from Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, in the Personal Category for Global Flagship Razor Development. Following this recognition, SLEEK is gaining meaningful market traction across key markets, supported by strong sales performance and positive consumer response. This momentum highlights how DORCO’s design-led development approach is translating into real-world consumer adoption.

DORCO SLEEK, featuring a matte-metal handle and a multi-flex head for precise control.
DORCO SLEEK, featuring a matte-metal handle and a multi-flex head for precise control.

The GOOD DESIGN® Awards recognition reflects SLEEK’s focus on practical problem-solving through design, balancing refined aesthetics with everyday usability. These qualities are also reinforced by consumer feedback, with verified purchasers citing smooth glide, reduced skin irritation, and consistent shaving performance in everyday use.

Developed in collaboration with Prime Studio, SLEEK was created to elevate DORCO’s presence on the global stage by creating a flagship product built for the next generation. The process began with consumer persona research across Europe, Asia, and North America, which guided the overall design and CMF (Color, Material, Finish) decisions.

Building on these insights, the team defined three visual directions—”Crafted with Care,” “Simple Complexity,” and “Lightness of Touch”—which were translated into 2D-rendered concepts inspired by precise details from premium hand tools, exposed connector details, and the tactile qualities of different materials. Through numerous reviews with DORCO and testing against persona benchmarks, nine initial concepts were refined into three leading directions that ultimately shaped the final SLEEK razor.

SLEEK is designed to deliver a close, smooth shave while minimizing skin irritation.Built on DORCO’s newest blade engineering technology, key innovations include the Super Thin Blade, Thin Edge Blade technology, and patented coating technology for durability and consistent performance. For added comfort and control, SLEEK features a SmoothShield+ lubricating strip (made with Vitamin E and aloe), a Micro Rubber Fin Guard Bar, and multi-flex head engineered for stable skin contact and precision.

“SLEEK represents the pinnacle of our blade technology,” said the Head of Product Development Division at DORCO. “By combining Thin Edge Blade engineering with our patented coating, SLEEK delivers superior cutting performance and a shave that is both smooth and gentle.”

SLEEK is available across DORCO’s key growth markets, supported by tailored partnerships and campaigns. In the U.S., SLEEK launched in March 2025 on Amazon, supported by a brand collaboration with Evan Mock. In the UAE, following its June 2025 debut, the product expanded across both online and offline retail channels, achieving strong launch-month sales performance and a leading position in the system razor category.

Meanwhile, DORCO continues to invest in blade engineering and manufacturing capabilities, applying its technical expertise to develop grooming products focused on performance, comfort, and everyday usability.

Customer Testimonials

Verified purchase reviews highlight SLEEK’s smooth shaving performance, comfort, and overall quality, reinforcing its position as a high-performance razor designed for everyday use.

“The shave is incredibly smooth and close, with no tugging or irritation. The pivoting head adjusts naturally to facial contours, making areas like the jawline and chin much easier to shave.”

“The razor feels solid and well-balanced in the hand, even when wet — it feels premium and stable to hold.”

“It delivers a clean shave in a single pass, and the blades attach and detach easily.”

About DORCO

Founded in 1955, DORCO has been a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative razor products worldwide. We continue to push the boundaries of shaving technology. DORCO’s diverse range of razors combines cutting-edge blade innovation with ergonomic designs, delivering the smoothest, most comfortable shave on the market. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability, DORCO enriches the shaving experience for millions of customers across 100+ countries.

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. Awarded Contract to Manage Community-Based Club Activities at Monbetsu Municipal Junior High Schools in Hokkaido

Supporting the Shift of Club Activity Management from Schools to Local Communities Through the “Monbetsu Model”

TOKYO, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFS) (the “Company” or “Leifras”), a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement, announced today that it has been awarded a contract by Monbetsu City, Hokkaido to provide community-based club activity management and operation services (the “Contract”).

Pursuant to the Contract, the Company will operate and manage a community-based club in Monbetsu City starting April 2026.

Contract Overview

Client: Monbetsu City, Hokkaido
Contract Period: April 2026 – March 2029

Background

In Monbetsu City, the declining birthrate has led to shrinking participation in school club activities. Team sports, in particular, are facing disbandment due to a lack of members, reducing students’ options of extracurricular activities.

To address this situation, junior high schools in Monbetsu City are transitioning school club activities to a community-based model. Starting in the 2026 school year, community-based clubs are expected to replace school-based club activities.

For the past two years, Leifras has been involved in designing a system for community-based club activities in Monbetsu City and has established the “Monbetsu Model,” a community-based club activity model for sparsely populated areas.

Starting this year, Leifras plans to work with Monbetsu City to further develop the “Monbetsu Model” as a new club activity support project that will combine the management and implementation of community-based clubs.

By joining community-based clubs that bring together students from three municipal junior high schools in Monbetsu City, students are expected to be able to choose their favorite sports and activities from a wide range of club activities, offering opportunities for them to continue enjoying sports.

Mr. Kiyotaka Ito, the Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer of Leifras, commented, “We are honored to be awarded this contract by the Monbetsu City and to support the expansion of community-based club activities beginning in 2026. Leifras remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for junior high school students in Monbetsu City to connect with friends from other schools and enjoy sports, and to turn community-based club activities into new educational opportunities within Monbetsu City. Looking ahead, we also aim to accept students from neighboring cities and towns, and develop the community-based club into a core club.”

Growth and Achievements in the School Club Support Business

Leifras has been supporting school clubs since before the nationwide call for localization of club activities, and has earned the trust of local governments across Japan. The Company’s financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 also reflected the high demand for school club support, with social business sales increasing 36.4% year-on-year and the number of schools contracted for club activities increasing 53.2% year-on-year, demonstrating continued rapid growth.

Related key metrics for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 include:

  • Social business sales: JPY 2,358.6 million (+36.4% year-on-year)
  • Number of schools contracted for club activities: 360 schools (+53.2% year-on-year)

Selected Major Contracted Projects in Fiscal Year 2025

Leifras has seen an increase in large-scale projects, including multi-year contracts, primarily in urban areas and major municipalities. Notable examples include:

  • Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture (14 wards, including Chikusa and Showa): New athletic and cultural activity programs at Nagoya City elementary schools
  • Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture: Nagoya Club Activities Talent Bank Outsourcing Project
  • Minato Ward, Tokyo: Club activity coaching services
  • Suita City, Osaka Prefecture: Club activity management and operation services at Suita City junior high schools

About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Leifras is a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement. The Company primarily provides services related to the organization and operations of sports schools and sports events for children. As of December 31, 2024, Leifras was recognized as one of Japan’s largest operators of children’s sports schools in terms of both membership and facilities by Tokyo Shoko Research. The Company’s approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills, following the teaching principle “acknowledge, praise, encourage, and motivate.” The holistic approach that integrates physical and mental development sets Leifras apart in the industry. Building upon deep experience and know-how in sports education, Leifras also operates a robust social business sector, dispatching sports coaches to meet various community needs with the aim to promote physical health, social inclusion, and community well-being across different demographics. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.leifras.co.jp/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the registration statement and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

For more information, please contact:

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Department
Email: IR@leifras.co.jp

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

Building Accessible Over-Ear ANC Experiences: QCY’s Vision Reflected Through H3S

HONG KONG, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — QCY has introduced H3S, the latest update to its H3 over-ear headphone series, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to making advanced noise-canceling audio more accessible to everyday users. Building on the strengths of the H3 line—strong noise cancellation, immersive sound, and all-day comfort—the H3S brings meaningful improvements in ANC performance, audio tuning, endurance, and ergonomics, shaped around practical listening scenarios.

Over-ear active noise-canceling headsets are becoming an integral part of modern life. From daily commutes and remote work to study sessions and moments of leisure, expectations for audio products have evolved beyond functionality alone—toward experiences that blend seamlessly into everyday living. Guided by long-standing user insight and a consistent product philosophy, QCY has responded to this shift. H3S embodies that vision: an over-ear active noise-canceling headset designed for real-world use and built to fit naturally into daily life.

QCY H3S
QCY H3S

From Brand Philosophy to Product Experience

Within QCY’s growing lineup of over-ear noise-cancelling headsets, H3S is designed for everyday listening at its best. Rather than catering to niche enthusiasts, it focuses on what matters most—balanced performance, all-day comfort, and dependable noise cancellation, delivered with clarity and ease.

H3S is shaped by real-world use. Its active noise cancellation helps reduce distractions in daily environments—from commuting and shared offices to home workspaces—while its lightweight, comfortable design supports extended listening without fatigue. The experience isn’t about total isolation, but about creating a calmer, more focused sound space that feels natural throughout the day.

This philosophy reflects QCY’s long-standing approach to accessible audio. Guided by how people actually listen, the brand designs products that feel intuitive, reliable, and comfortable. H3S embodies this vision—thoughtfully engineered to fit seamlessly into everyday life.

Designing for How People Actually Listen

“For us, innovation isn’t about adding complexity for its own sake,” said a spokesperson for QCY. “H3S reflects our belief that good audio should feel natural, comfortable, and easy to integrate into everyday routines. We want users to put on their headphones and enjoy the experience, without having to think about the technology behind it.”

Since its introduction to global markets, H3S has played a key role in expanding QCY’s presence across North America, Latin America, and select regions in Asia. Engagement has centered on the product’s everyday strengths—long-term comfort, refined tuning, and practical value—underscoring the brand’s belief that well-considered design resonates far beyond niche audiences.

Viewed within QCY’s broader over-ear ANC strategy, H3S is not a momentary release, but a foundation. As hybrid work, mobile routines, and flexible lifestyles continue to redefine listening habits, QCY remains focused on building audio solutions that adapt quietly and seamlessly. In this context, H3S stands as both a product and a statement of the brand’s long-term direction in consumer audio.

A Long-Term View on Over-Ear ANC

Looking ahead, QCY will continue to invest in refining over-ear ANC experiences around real user scenarios. By focusing on relevance, comfort, and thoughtful design, the brand aims to build long-term trust with listeners worldwide. H3S marks an important step in that journey—demonstrating how brand philosophy and product experience can come together to support everyday listening on a global scale.

Learn more about QCY H3S here: https://www.qcy.com/products/qcy-h3s 

About QCY
QCY is a premier audio brand, established in 2009. As a global leader in wireless audio technology, QCY boasts over 200 technology research and development engineers and operates a comprehensive ecosystem integrating production, research and development, sales, and an audio testing laboratory. The brand’s distribution channels span across the globe. For more information about QCY and its brands and products, please visit qcy.com.

PR Contact
Violet, Public Relations Manager, QCY
pr@qcyearphone.com
Rice, Marketing Director, QCY
Rice@qcyearphone.com

Lorikeet Launches Coach: The First AI That Tells You Why Your Support Metrics Move – And Fixes the Problem

Coach evaluates 100% of support conversations, diagnoses performance issues, and implements fixes

SYDNEY, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lorikeet, the company that helps businesses create universal AI concierges for their customers, today announced the launch of Coach, an AI co-worker that partners with CX teams to help them understand their performance, diagnose why metrics changed, and automatically fix issues that arise.

Coach is your agent to improve customer experience performance. It reviews every ticket, whether handled by humans, AI, or both. It surfaces why performance is trending up or down, proposes fixes, and, with approval, implements them. For teams tired of manually reading through tickets to diagnose why CSAT dropped, Coach does the diagnostic work for you.

“Support ops teams are flying blind,” said Steve Hind, CEO of Lorikeet. “They can see aggregate metrics like CSAT, response times, or AI resolution rates, but often have to spend hours – often hours they don’t have – trying to understand root causes and what actions will improve performance.”

From Insight to Action
Most analytics tools stop at telling you there’s a problem. Coach closes the loop.

Coach is an agent you talk to, not a dashboard you check. Teams can ask questions in natural language, like “why did CSAT drop last week?” or “show me the worst-performing tickets on refunds,” and get answers directly. Coach connects into Slack, ChatGPT, and Claude, meeting ops teams where they already work.

“We’re building for a world where the agent is the interface,” said Hind. “Instead of clicking through reports, you ask questions. Instead of manually diagnosing issues, you review Coach’s analysis. The operations team’s job shifts from doing the work to directing it.”

How Lorikeet Coach Works
Coach helps set up your Lorikeet configuration. Conversationally explain what you need, and Coach can configure your customer-facing Lorikeet Concierge to interact with your customers, call tools, and execute tasks.

Coach evaluates every conversation against your quality standards, scores them on a customizable rubric, and tracks how performance varies by topic, agent, channel, and time. 100% coverage, not sampling.

Coach answers questions and makes the data accessible to anyone in your organization through Slack, ChatGPT, or Claude.

When Coach identifies a gap, it proposes a fix. For Lorikeet customers, it can test changes in simulation and deploy them with one click. Coach also generates realistic customer profiles and scenarios based on your ticket patterns so teams can run workflows dozens of times and fix issues before customers are affected.

Coach Deployed for Healthtech Support Insights
HotDoc, a healthcare platform used by over 13 million patients, partnered with Lorikeet for Coach’s automated QA and topic analysis capabilities.

“Our CX and Product teams needed deeper systematic support insights, but between inconsistent tagging and PII restrictions in Zendesk, we couldn’t deliver reliable analysis,” said Dan Marshall, CX Operations Lead at HotDoc. “Coach’s combination of automated QA and thematic analysis is solving both problems – this will help us track quality metrics while simultaneously surfacing the themes that matter to both our clinics and our patients.”

Built for Modern Support Operations
Coach was built for the reality most companies now face: a mix of human agents, AI agents, and hybrid workflows with no unified way to measure quality across all of them.

“Traditional QA was built for sampling a small percentage of human conversations,” said Hind. “But whether you’re scaling AI, managing a human team, or running both, you need complete coverage and consistent quality standards. Coach gives you one system for all of it and allows you to compare your human and AI support with the same tool.”

Aligned Incentives: Lorikeet’s Quality Guarantee
To further enhance Lorikeet’s resolution-based pricing, Lorikeet has committed to refunding charges for any tickets handled by its AI that fail review by Coach.

“We’re putting our money where our mouth is,” said Hind. “If our AI fails your quality standards, you shouldn’t pay for it. Coach makes that accountability possible.”

Availability
Coach is available to all Lorikeet customers across North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. It is also launched as a standalone product for companies using any customer support solution who want complete visibility into their conversation quality.

To learn more or request a demo, visit www.lorikeetcx.ai

About Lorikeet
Lorikeet builds AI customer concierges. Founded in Australia and backed by QED Investors, Blackbird, Square Peg, and Airtree, Lorikeet serves customers such as Airwallex, Taptap Send, and Eucalyptus across healthcare, fintech, and other regulated industries. Learn more at www.lorikeetcx.ai

Media Contact:
Tess Pawlisch
608-333-9788
lorikeet@needlepr.com

Over 80 Global, Nordic, Baltic and Arctic CEOs and Leaders of Industry, Finance, Technology and Science Meet in Stockholm to Launch The Origination Finance Studios

“New Nordics” Economy Becomes Center of Gravity for Global Platform to Accelerate European Productivity, Values-Based Good Growth and Business Cooperation

Stockholm Business Summit Follows Week of Davos Tumult that Catapults Nordic and Arctic Countries to Geopolitical Center Stage of Strategic Competition

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Over 80 global, Nordic, Baltic and Arctic community business leaders, regional academic, science and technology innovators gathered in Stockholm’ historic Grand Hotel, 28-29 January, days after Davos tumult over U.S.-European relations, Greenland and tariff tensions. Leading Nordic, Baltic and Fortune 500 business figures converged to launch The Origination Finance Studios, a global convening platform to expedite business and societal scale dialogue and solution sets. The Origination Finance Studios will be anchored in the ascendent Nordic-Baltic economic leadership space to accelerate new financial models and industry blueprints needed to re-engineer long-term healthy growth and prosperity – for the many rather than the few. Building upon Stockholm’s historic industrial and banking strengths and its status as Europe’s new “capital of capital” for the reinvigoration of European markets’ ($113 billion in fresh capital raised in the past five years alone), today’s Origination Finance Studio and future convenings will expand to strategic geographies especially in the Global South, with India first, among others.

Origination Finance Studio Stockholm Launches With "New Nordics" Global Campaign: Professor Phoebe Koundouri, Dr Osvald Bjelland, Risto Siilasmaa, H.E. Mikaela Kumlin-Granit, Bridget Fawcett, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, Henrik Henriksson and Professor Caroline Flammer
Origination Finance Studio Stockholm Launches With “New Nordics” Global Campaign: Professor Phoebe Koundouri, Dr Osvald Bjelland, Risto Siilasmaa, H.E. Mikaela Kumlin-Granit, Bridget Fawcett, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, Henrik Henriksson and Professor Caroline Flammer

Distinguished participants include Henrik Henriksson, CEO of Stegra, Sweden’s green steel scale-up, Hans Vestberg, Board Member of Blackrock and former Chair & CEO of Verizon, Jakob Stausholm, former CEO of Rio Tinto, Niclas Mårtensson, CEO, Stena Line Group, Annette Selmeier, Co-Founder, Effective Energy Invest GmbH, Risto Siilasmaa, Founder of F-Secure and former Chair and Interim CEO of Nokia, Tõnis Saar, Director of NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCoE), Line Gordon, Director of the Stockholm Resilience Center, Liza Jonson, CEO Swedbank Robur, and Bridget Fawcett, Global Head, Sustainability & Corporate Transitions Investment Banking at CITI.

Origination Founder, Dr Osvald Magne Bjelland, and the Origination team have drawn together many of the world’s most creative business minds, scientific, and industry thinkers. The Finance Studio approach emerges out of Bjelland’s #1 Amazon Bestseller Book, HOPE for Life on Our Planet: Inspiration for Seven Generations, a two-year undertaking to distill the insights of over 60 co-authors from business, scientific, environment, artistic and religious leaders from around the world including three Nobel Peace Laureates – two-time president of Costa Rica Óscar Arias Sánchez, Iran’s Narges Mohammadi, and Ukraine’s Oleksandra Matviichuk – and business luminaries, such as Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, Hans Vestberg, Blackrock Board Member and former Chair and CEO of Verizon, and Lord Browne of Madingley, Founder and Chairman of BeyondNetZero and former CEO of BP. Ambassador Jakob Kiefer, an Origination partner, will serve as the Stockholm Studio’s Director.

Stockholm programme speakers addressed four themes with the aim to secure specific implementable projects out of deliberations:

Origination Finance Studio summit leaders distilled current experiences and prescriptions:

At this critical juncture, green steel pioneer and CEO Henrik Henriksson reported from the frontline on how Stegra has been able to finance one of the largest industrial scale-up projects in the world. He shared both achievements and challenges with funding a multi-billion dollar company from scratch and an update on the progress that has been made to be able to deliver green steel at scale from Boden, Sweden. “Stegra is a purpose-built company which aims to accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries. It is also fundamentally an example of how capital can be structured to solve some of mankind’s common challenges,” said Henrik Henriksson, CEO of Stegra. 

“The concept of the NEW Nordics emerged in the process leading up to the Studio. This region combines historic stability with innovation and good growth. Collectively, this 35-million-strong area wields economic influence comparable to a major G20 country, ranking among the top 15 economies globally. In fact, Sweden alone had more stock listings than Germany, France, Spain combined for each year of the last decade. “If the rest of the EU performed like Sweden, we would not be talking about a competitiveness problem,” observed Dr Osvald Bjelland, Origination Founder and Chairman.

“Closing the technology gap is central to Europe’s resilience,” stated Risto Siilasmaa, Founder of F-Secure, former Chair and Interim CEO of Nokia, and Founder and Chair of WithSecure. “We need to map where critical capabilities are missing, quantify the investment required to fill those gaps, and deploy both public and private resources strategically. That is the core of ensuring the New Nordics and Europe can withstand systemic shocks and maintain competitiveness.”

“Energy transition projects must move from prototypes to full-scale deployment. Our job is to identify which technologies are ready, where financing bottlenecks exist, and how to structure investment to de-risk early-stage deployment at scale,” noted Christian Rynning- Tønnesen, Senior Partner and CEO of Aker-ICP Infrastructure and former CEO of Statkraft.

“Europe does not lack innovation; it lacks the capital and risk appetite to invest and scale projects at speed and over time. For long-term investors, the question is not willingness but coordination of capital and creating an EU Inc.,” asserted Sebastian Frisk, Partner and Head of EQT Growth.

“Planet and human-centric capitalism driven by sustainable interaction between nature, society, and the economy is a force for good serving generations to come. It’s a pathway to more and greater profits and returns for all stakeholders – humanity and nature,” prescribed Dr Phoebe Koundouri, Professor at University of Athens and Cambridge University and Member of the Nominating Committee for the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Stockholm Finance Studio Programme:
https://www.originationstudio.com

About ORIGINATION 
About THE ORIGINATION STUDIOS

NEXTBIOMEDICAL Secures Health Canada Approval for Nexsphere-F™ in Musculoskeletal Pain Embolization

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NEXTBIOMEDICAL CO., LTD. (KOSDAQ: 389650), an innovative medical device company based in South Korea, announced today that Nexsphere-F™, the company’s novel fast resorbable microsphere for musculoskeletal pain embolization has received approval from Health Canada.

Nexsphere-F™ is a fast resorbable microsphere designed for musculoskeletal pain embolization. It temporarily occludes abnormal blood vessels associated with osteoarthritis-related pain using resorbable microspheres, inducing necrosis of pain-generating nerve cells within 2 to 8 hours after the procedure and effectively reducing pain. Unlike permanent microspheres, Nexsphere-F™ is designed to naturally dissolve after embolization, significantly lowering the risk of post-procedural complications and supporting the growing clinical demand for osteoarthritis pain embolization.

In addition to Canadian approval, Nexsphere-F™ is currently the only resorbable embolic microsphere certified under CE-MDD for osteoarthritis pain embolization, and is commercialized in major European countries. At CIRSE 2025, the annual congress of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Dr. Florian Nima Fleckenstein (Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany) presented, “Using rapidly resorbable, gelatin-based microspheres(Nexsphere-F™) for knee osteoarthritis pain embolization resulted in significant improvements in pain and function, while demonstrating favorable safety compared to permanent microspheres or antibiotic-based compounds.” These findings were recently reported by Interventional News, a leading interventional radiology news.

Furthermore, a study published in Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (OJSM) highlighted the clinical efficacy and safety of Nexsphere-F™ for patients with patellar tendinopathy, a condition frequently seen in athletes. Additional clinical studies have reported its application in a wide range of musculoskeletal pain, including knee osteoarthritis, medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis.

The company is conducting multiple post-market clinical trials across several countries to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nexsphere-F™ for various indications, including osteoarthritis, patellar tendinopathy, elbow, wrist, plantar fasciitis, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Nexsphere-F™ previously received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and subsequently initiated a pivotal clinical trial for FDA approval, which is moving forward as planned. The study, named RESORB (Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating Genicular Artery Embolization Against Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Knee Injection for Osteoarthritic Knee Pain), is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial involving 126 patients with knee osteoarthritis across more than 10 U.S. clinical sites. The trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of genicular artery embolization (GAE) with Nexsphere-F™ compared to intra-articular corticosteroid injections, with patient enrollment targeted to be completed within the first half of this year.

The company is currently in discussions with leading global partners regarding global distribution rights and is focusing its resources on accelerating the ongoing U.S. regulatory clinical trial to support successful entry into the North American market.

Now Available: JSAUX Split EveryDay Case for Switch 2

Designed for daily convenience, the new series offers three modular configurations to match any lifestyle.

HONG KONG, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JSAUX, a leading gaming hardware brand, today announced the official launch of the Split EveryDay Case for Nintendo Switch 2. Designed to strike the perfect balance between portability and reliable protection, this new lineup provides a lightweight solution that seamlessly integrates into the daily lives of Switch 2 users.

Versatile Options for Every Scenario

The core innovation of the “Split EveryDay Case for Switch 2” lies in its modular, split-shell architecture. Built around an ultra-slim backplate, the case ensures the console can slide directly into the official charging dock without obstruction. From this foundation, players can choose between three distinct configurations:

  • Basic Version ($24.99): Includes the ultra-slim back shell and detachable grips. The grips now feature full soft-touch TPU coverage, enhancing durability while protecting the shoulder buttons from scratches.
  • Full Protection Version ($29.99): Adds a robust hard-shell front cover to the Basic kit. This shield offers complete impact resistance for the screen and Joy-Cons—ideal for active users needing extra security.
  • Travel Mode Version ($34.99): The flagship choice featuring a Flip-Style Magnetic Leather Cover. Functioning much like a premium tablet case, it offers elegant screen protection and instant access.

To ensure the best possible experience out of the box, JSAUX includes a complimentary foldable stand with every Split EveryDay Case, regardless of the version chosen.

Jsaux EveryDay Case for Switch 2
Jsaux EveryDay Case for Switch 2

Redefining On-the-Go Protection: The “Travel Mode” Experience

The Travel Mode edition introduces a refined way to carry the handheld.

  • Smart Protection: The magnetic cover securely shields the screen and Joy-Con joysticks from scratches inside a bag.
  • Instant Access: Simply flip it open to play. It transitions from commuting to gaming in seconds, offering a seamless experience.
  • Tabletop Mode: The cover doubles as a stand, allowing you to set up the console for hands-free gaming on flat surfaces.

Completing the Ecosystem: Rugged Utility vs. Lightweight Portability

This launch perfectly complements JSAUX’s existing lineup, offering a distinct choice alongside the award-winning ModCase (“Best of CES 2026” by GamesRadar+).

The ModCase for Switch 2 is built for ultimate security and versatility, offering robust 360° protection and a universal strap system across all kits, allowing players to attach power banks for extended gaming sessions.

The Split EveryDay Case for Switch 2 prioritizes seamless docking and daily convenience, tailored for commuters who value a slim profile and instant protection on the go.

Now, players can simply pick the protection that fits their lifestyle.

Coming Soon: The CES Crowd-Favorite “Joy-Con Energy Station for Switch”

Following its standout reception at CES 2026, JSAUX is also sharing an update on the highly anticipated Joy-Con Energy Station for Switch.

Praised for its unique aesthetic and utility on the show floor, this accessory ($21.99) delivers more than just power. It charges up to four Joy-Cons and one Pro Controller simultaneously, while also featuring 4K HDMI output for a complete docking experience.To ensure the best possible user experience, the team is taking additional time to fine-tune the final details. It is scheduled for release in late March or later.

ASSETS

Visual assets for JSAUX’s latest Switch 2 accessories can be found at this link.

CONTACT

For further information requests, feel free to contact us at marketing@jsaux.com. Also, you can reach out to a brand representative and follow the new product updates on social media!

ABOUT JSAUX

JSAUX, a pioneer brand in innovation and quality, boasts products that are best-sellers across over 100 countries and regions worldwide, serving more than 20 million consumers. Since 2016, multiple JSAUX product lines sold on Amazon have been designated as “#1 Best Sellers”, ranking first in several categories. This success has solidified JSAUX’s foothold in the electronics accessories market and has further established the brand as one of the top 100 Chinese brands on Amazon.

In 2022, JSAUX swiftly rose to become one of the most popular brands in gaming accessories, firmly establishing itself as the premier brand for Steam Deck accessories. The brand’s strong product innovation, superior quality, robust supply chain, and consumer-centric brand strategy have enabled it to continuously design and produce outstanding products over the past seven years. This accomplishment is the result of seamless coordination within our internal teams, spanning from research and development to product manufacturing and global marketing.