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ECARX and TPK to Co-Develop ORCA LiDAR Platform, an all-new LiDAR platform for global markets

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Advertorial Desk
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  • The partnership combines ECARX’s system integration capabilities with TPK’s optical manufacturing expertise.
  • Production slated for 2028 at TPK’s Thailand facility.

LONDON, May 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECARX Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ECX) and TPK Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: TPK) (TPK) have signed a binding memorandum of business cooperation on the joint development of LiDAR technologies for global markets, marking ECARX’s formal entry into the LiDAR sector.

Under the agreement, the parties will co-develop the ORCA LiDAR platform, a proprietary sensor system engineered to meet stringent global regulatory and functional safety standards.

Mass production is scheduled to kick off in 2028, with manufacturing to be conducted at TPK’s advanced production facility in Thailand, supporting efficient global supply chain delivery.

The collaboration will start with joint system design and ultimately leverage each company’s core strengths:

  • ECARX will lead system integration, sensor fusion, and global commercialization, drawing on its established relationships with international vehicle OEMs and robotaxi operators.
  • TPK will contribute expertise in optical design, engineering, and high volume manufacturing of precision components.

The new LiDAR platform will enable seamless hardware–software coordination, low latency perception, and robust performance for next generation ADAS and AI enabled autonomous driving systems. The development of the ORCA LiDAR platform aims to serve global mass market use including by vehicle OEMs and robotaxi fleets, supporting both premium passenger cars and scalable autonomous mobility services.

Ziyu Shen, Founder and CEO of ECARX said:

“Today’s partnership with TPK is a key milestone that rounds out ECARX’s full-stack automotive intelligence ecosystem. This new LiDAR platform combines our system integration prowess with TPK’s world-class optical engineering and manufacturing strength. By building proprietary LiDAR technology in-house, we can enhance our end-to-end perception capabilities and deliver more competitive, reliable solutions to global OEMs and Robotaxi partners worldwide.”

ABOUT ECARX

ECARX (Nasdaq: ECX), headquartered in London, is a leading global automotive intelligence company. ECARX provides the intelligent brain that powers the next generation of software-defined and AI defined vehicles. The company delivers end-to-end, full-stack solutions spanning advanced system-on-chip hardware, high-performance central computing platforms, intelligent cockpit technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, cloud connectivity and physical AI, alongside bespoke vehicle software and intelligent operating systems.

As automakers transition to software-first and AI-first vehicle architectures, ECARX empowers automakers to streamline integration, reduce systemic complexity and optimize long-term cost efficiency. ECARX’s proven technology is deployed across over 11 million vehicles worldwide, and is currently partnered with 18 global automakers and 28 vehicle brands to shape the future of automotive intelligence.

Founded in 2017 and listed on Nasdaq in 2022, ECARX operates from 13 major international locations across Europe, the Americas and Asia, with a global team of over 1,400 employees. For more information please refer to ECARX Investor Relations website.

ABOUT TPK HOLDINGS

TPK Holding Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “TPK”) is a world-renowned leading manufacturer in touch technology, founded in 2003 and listed in Taiwan in 2010 with stock code TPK-KY (3673). TPK has 10 manufacturing bases, and has branches and offices worldwide, such as in South Korea, USA, Germany, amongst others. TPK serves globally recognized customers in the consumer electronics and new energy automotive sectors, with business operations extending across dozens of countries and regions.

TPK is the market leader in the field of touch display. We can provide customers with a one-stop solution for touch technology applications ranging from 1 inch to 110 inches, helping them significantly shorten product development cycles and adapt to the rapid changes in the electronics industry. Touch products are widely used in smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, car cabin displays, smartwatches (wristbands), smart conference (education) tablets, smart fitness equipment, vending machines, self-service ordering machines, etc., Our technology covers a wide variety of market segments, such as consumer electronics, commercial offices, retail terminals, transportation, medical equipment, industrial control equipment, sports and health, smart homes and other fields.

With more than 20 years of advanced manufacturing experience with international customers, TPK is accelerating industrial transformation, committing to provide global customers with customized, integrated manufacturing solutions at scale. We have already begun to lay the foundation in fields such as automotive electronics, charging facilities, additive manufacturing, and testing services, committed to becoming an advanced manufacturing solution provider.

For more information please refer to: https://www.tpk.com/en/ 

International Cave Diving Experts Join Xaysomboun Rescue Mission as Two Villagers Remain Trapped

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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Five cave diving specialists from Thailand, France, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia on a plane heading to Xaysomboun to support rescue operations for the seven villagers trapped inside a cave in Long Chaeng district on 29 May 2026. (Photo by Thailand Rescue Diver)

International cave diving specialists from several countries are joining rescue efforts in Xaysomboun as the high-risk operation inside a flooded cave system in Long Chaeng district intensifies to find the last two villagers.

Xaysomboun provincial authorities requested approval from Lao immigration for six foreign rescue specialists and their technical diving equipment to enter the country, amid challenging underwater conditions, narrow passages, and ongoing rainfall.

Lee Kian Lie, a cave and mine diving specialist from Malaysia known for expertise in navigating narrow underwater passages, arrived at the rescue site on 28 May.

Several more specialists from Australia, Indonesia, France, Japan, and Thailand are expected to arrive on 29 May.

They are bringing along advanced rescue equipment, including underwater lighting systems, oxygen tanks, navigation tools, cameras, and diving gear designed for confined cave passages.

The notice said the international rescue team is an emergency crew prepared for possible worsening flooding conditions inside the cave and rising water levels caused by incoming rainfall.

Rescue teams on site have completed pumping water from the cave and are now waiting for water to dry up before continuing the operation.

Rescue Efforts Intensify

The rescue operation has now entered its ninth day.

On 27 May, Lao and Thai rescue teams confirmed that five villagers had been found alive inside the flooded cave system after days underground. The survivors were reported to be exhausted and hungry but in stable condition, while rescue teams continue searching for the remaining two villagers.

Thai rescue team leader Kengkat Bongkawong said on his facebook account that cave sketches based on information provided by survivors indicate that reaching the remaining two trapped villagers will be significantly more difficult. Divers may need to descend an additional 30 meters through even narrower underwater passages while checking multiple branching chambers along the route.

He added that the increasingly dangerous conditions were one of the main reasons authorities requested additional professional cave diving specialists from several countries to reinforce the mission.

Gravity Game Unite (GGU) Successfully Concludes OBT for PC MMORPG “Ragnarok Zero: Global”

By
Advertorial Desk
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  • Verified overall gameplay quality, including stable server environment during the OBT period
  • Positive user feedback on 7-language support, leveling system, and high-quality localization. User meetup planned for July

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Gravity Game Unite (GGU), the Malaysian subsidiary of global gaming company Gravity, announced on May 29 that it has successfully concluded the Open Beta Test (OBT) for its PC MMORPG, Ragnarok Zero: Global.

Ragnarok Zero: Global OBT Successfully Concluded
Ragnarok Zero: Global OBT Successfully Concluded

GGU conducted the OBT for Ragnarok Zero: Global from May 20 to 28, Malaysia Time, targeting users in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Through this OBT, the company verified overall gameplay quality, including server stability and optimization.

Ragnarok Zero: Global modernly recreates the classic charm of the original Ragnarok Online, while differentiating itself with a new storyline expanded from the existing universe, as well as changes to its growth structure and overall game progression. The game also provides a more comfortable play environment through upgraded UI/UX, auto-combat features, improved movement convenience, and expanded camera functions.

Users who participated in the OBT responded positively overall, particularly praising the leveling system and localization quality. To support smooth gameplay for global users, GGU provided support for seven languages. In addition, players who participated in the OBT page attendance event received 20,000 Free Kafra Points once per day. Exclusive benefits available only during the OBT, including limited titles and limited costume items, were also provided to further encourage participation. User feedback collected through the OBT survey will be reflected in future tests.

Ahead of the official launch, GGU plans to hold a Ragnarok Zero: Global user meetup in July to communicate directly with players. In particular, at the time of official launch, the game plans to introduce a global server across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania, marking the first PC-based Ragnarok IP title to do so. This is expected to help activate cross-regional user communities. In addition, GGU plans to introduce a UGC (User-generated Content) system that allows users to participate in creating in-game content.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all users from Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania who participated in the OBT,” said Harry Choi, President of Gravity Game Unite. “We plan to actively reflect the feedback received during this test into the game. We ask for your continued interest and support for Ragnarok Zero: Global until its official launch.”

Meanwhile, GGU is currently holding pre-registration for Ragnarok Zero: Global. Players who pre-register will receive special in-game rewards after launch. More details can be found on the pre-registration page:
https://roz.mygnjoy.com/en/event/prereservation?media=pr4

Stay Connected

Players can follow the official Ragnarok Zero: Global channels for the latest news and updates.

Join OBT: https://roz.mygnjoy.com/en/event/obt
Pre-Register: https://roz.mygnjoy.com/event/prereservation?media=pr4
Discord: https://discord.gg/bFg77WjcHT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ragnarokzeroglobal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragnarokzeroglobal/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RagnarokZeroGlobal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ragnarokzeroglobal

About Gravity Game Unite SDN. BHD.

Gravity Game Unite SDN. BHD. (GGU) is a global publishing and service subsidiary of Gravity Co., Ltd., headquartered in Malaysia. The company focuses on delivering Ragnarok titles and operating global game services for players worldwide through publishing, operations, and community engagement.

About Gravity Co., Ltd.

Founded in April 2000 and listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (GRVY), Gravity Co., Ltd. is a global game company headquartered in Korea. Best known for its flagship MMORPG Ragnarok Online, Gravity continues to expand its portfolio with online and mobile games enjoyed by millions of players worldwide.

/C O R R E C T I O N — SEMIFIVE/

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Advertorial Desk
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In the news release, SEMIFIVE and ICY Tech Achieve Successful Tape-out of 8nm eMRAM-Based Edge AI SoC, Targeting First Commercialization in Asia, issued 07-May-2026 by SEMIFIVE over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows:

SEMIFIVE and ICY Tech Achieve Successful Tape-out of 8nm eMRAM-Based Edge AI SoC, Targeting First Commercialization in Asia

Enabling on-device inference with up to 2 billion (2B) parameters, accelerating expansion into ultra-low-power edge AI markets such as AI PCs and humanoid robots

SEOUL, South Korea, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SEMIFIVE, a leading global provider of custom AI semiconductor (ASIC) solutions, and ICY Tech, a Chinese AI semiconductor company, today announced the successful tape-out of next-generation Edge AI SoC jointly developed utilizing Samsung Foundry’s 8nm (8LPU) embedded Magnetic Random Access Memory (eMRAM) technology. This marks a significant milestone toward the first commercial deployment of 8nm eMRAM technology in Asia.

This collaboration represents SEMIFIVE’s first ASIC design project leveraging eMRAM technology. By integrating eMRAM into an Edge AI accelerator, the company aims to reinforce  its technical leadership in the ultra-low-power, high-performance inference market.

Compared to SRAM, eMRAM features a smaller bit cell, enabling higher data density within the same area. Unlike DRAM, it does not require periodic refresh operations, significantly reducing power consumption. With its non-volatile characteristics that retain data even when power is removed, eMRAM is widely regarded as a “universal memory” particularly well-suited for environments with constraints on power and area, such as edge devices.

Originating from the Applied Magnetism Center of the School of Physics at Peking University, ICY Tech brings deep insight and extensive experience in magnetism and spintronics for AI inference scenarios. Additionally, the company possesses globally leading, uniquely patented accelerator designs for high-bandwidth readout and in-situ matrix-vector multiplication (GEMV).

SEMIFIVE is a key Design Solution Partner (DSP) in the Samsung Foundry SAFE™ ecosystem and a global AI ASIC specialist with a proven track record of successfully delivering advanced custom semiconductor projects ranging from AI/HPC to Edge AI. The company provides comprehensive engineering services from spec consulting to mass production, serving a broad range of customers including fabless companies, service providers, and system OEMs.

For this project, SEMIFIVE provided comprehensive ASIC design services and transformed, ICY Tech’s novel architecture into production-ready silicon. By integrating ICY Tech’s Processing Near Memory (PNM) technology with SEMIFIVE’s proprietary SoC design platform, the two companies developed an optimized architecture capable of high-speed, on-device inference for models with up to 2B parameters in edge environments. This enables operation— without any network connectivity. At the 2B-parameter scale, practical AI tasks such as text summarization, translation, and conversational inference become feasible on-device, a capability that has been challenging to achieve with conventional SRAM-based edge AI chips due to physical limitations in die area and power.

This architecture is designed for edge devices operating in offline environments, including AI PCs, private AI agents, and humanoid robots. Target applications encompass robotics (physical AI), automotive semiconductors (such as autonomous driving and digital cockpits), and smart devices.

“This collaboration is a highly challenging project to bring a spintronics-based AI inference architecture into silicon using Samsung Foundry’s 8nm (8LPU) process. By fully integrating the non-volatile and ultra-low-power characteristics of eMRAM into AI accelerators, we believe this will set a new milestone for edge AI semiconductors,” said Yves Zhu, CEO of ICY Tech. “With SEMIFIVE’s proven comprehensive ASIC design capabilities, ICY Tech’s accelerator architecture design expertise, and Samsung Foundry’s advanced node technology, we are confident this project will establish a new standard for performance and power efficiency that surpasses the limitations of existing architectures in the global AI inference market.”

“In the AI era, semiconductors are rapidly shifting from off-the-shelf components to custom-built solutions tailored to specific needs. As the Edge AI market expands, the architectures requested by customers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and diverse,” said Brandon Cho, CEO and co-founder of SEMIFIVE. “As ASIC design involving next-generation memories like eMRAM gains momentum, the role of a specialized partner managing the entire process becomes vital. As a key partner in the Samsung Foundry SAFE™ ecosystem, SEMIFIVE has successfully executed numerous AI, HPC, and Edge AI projects. Through our partnership with ICY Tech, we are proud to expand our portfolio into cutting-edge memory-based ASIC design.”

MRAM/eMRAM

Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) is a next-generation memory technology that utilizes Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) elements. It combines the non-volatile characteristics of NAND Flash, retaining data even when power is removed, with high-speed performance comparable to DRAM. With write speeds over 1,000 times faster than flash memory and significantly lower power consumption, MRAM is emerging as a core technology for AI semiconductors and low-power edge devices. In particular, embedded MRAM (eMRAM) refers to MRAM technology integrated directly into system semiconductors such as SoCs and MCUs. It is widely regarded as a next-generation on-chip memory solution to replace conventional embedded Flash (eFlash).

Unlike traditional DRAM, MRAM is a type of resistive memory. While DRAM is based on electrical charge storage, MRAM relies on the resistance changes within the MTJ unit cell. DRAM has achieved significant advancements in density, bandwidth, and power efficiency. However, it requires continuous refresh operations to retain data, consuming standby power even when not actively in use. In contrast, MRAM can preserve data for extended periods without refreshing operations. For this reason, it is gaining attention as a “universal memory” with the potential to fundamentally transform current computing architectures.

About SEMIFIVE

SEMIFIVE Inc. (KOSDAQ: 490470) is a pioneer of platform based SoC design, working with customers to implement innovative ideas into custom silicon in the most efficient way. Our SoC platforms offer a powerful springboard for new chip designs and leverage configurable domain-specific architectures and pre-validated key IP pools. We offer comprehensive spec-to-system capabilities with end-to-end solutions so that custom SoCs can be realized faster, with reduced cost and risks for key applications such as data center or AI-enabled IoT. With a strong partnership with Samsung Foundry as a leading SAFE™ DSP partner, as well as the larger ecosystem, SEMIFIVE provides a one-stop shop solution for any SoC design needs. For more information, please visit www.semifive.com.

About ICY Tech

ICY Technology is a specialized chip R&D company dedicated to redefining conventional computing through physics-native computing and magnetic computing. Incubated at the Applied Magnetism Center of Peking University, the company combines full-stack strengths in magnetism, spintronics, device engineering, IC design, and algorithm-hardware co-optimization to bring MRAM-based weight-stationary architectures and ultra-high-bandwidth readout schemes into system-level deployment for AI inference. It has developed the SpinPU®-E family of “magnetic logic computing” products for high-bandwidth AI inference, as well as the SpinPU®-M family of “magnetic probabilistic computing” products for quantum-inspired classical computing. Compared with traditional SRAM- and DRAM-based approaches, ICY Technology aims to fundamentally break the limits of edge-side large-model deployment in area, energy efficiency, and cost through higher density, lower static power, and much stronger on-chip bandwidth, building core technological barriers for robotics and edge intelligent hardware. Since its establishment in 2023, the company has completed four rounds of market-driven financing and has led or played a principal role in two major provincial- and ministerial-level R&D programs focused on high-bandwidth magnetic computing. ICY Technology is headquartered in Beijing, with an R&D center in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and a testing center in Weihai.

From Marketing to Transactions: Fynix AI Shop Aims to Reshape Merchant Operations Across Southeast Asia

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Advertorial Desk
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AI agents are integrating into the day-to-day operations of merchants across Southeast Asia.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – Fushi Technology, a subsidiary of Yeahka (9923.HK), has launched Fynix AI Shop, an AI agent product that sets itself apart from conventional marketing tools and customer service platforms. Rather than serving as a standalone utility, the product is designed to take an active role across multiple stages of the merchant workflow — from product content generation and customer interaction to product recommendations, payment processing, and membership management.

Beyond automating product listings, Fynix AI Shop can generate personalized recommendations based on user behaviour and consolidate transaction data through its integrated payment and CRM systems, enabling more effective repeat-purchase conversion. In a word, the platform functions as an AI “claw”, one that refines itself with every customer interaction.

Industry observers say the launch reflects a broader shift: AI is no longer merely a tool, but increasingly an operational actor embedded in the commercial process.

For much of the past several years, large language models have been deployed primarily in supporting roles — drafting copy, streamlining customer service, and processing data. Their value has been largely about efficiency. But as the concept of AI agents gains traction, the technology is developing the capacity to execute tasks directly, and is gradually finding its way into the core operational chains of businesses.

Southeast Asia is emerging as a key proving ground for this shift.

The region’s small and medium-sized merchants have been digitalizing at a rapid pace in recent years. Point-of-sale systems, membership tools, social media marketing platforms, and digital payment services have all seen widespread adoption. Yet this progress has come with a catch: separate systems have led to fragmented operations.

Many merchants still manage inventory through Excel spreadsheets, communicate with customers via WhatsApp, and connect to separate payment gateways to complete transactions. Customer acquisition, marketing, payments, and membership management remain largely siloed, with operational efficiency heavily dependent on manual effort.

The prevailing view in the industry is that most Southeast Asian merchants have achieved “tool digitalization” — the adoption of individual digital instruments — without yet reaching what might be called “operational digitalization,” where those tools work in concert to drive business outcomes.

Fynix AI Shop is squarely aimed at that gap.

Unlike traditional SaaS providers that address specific pain points in isolation, Fynix AI Shop positions itself as a unified operating hub. The core proposition is that AI can consolidate customer acquisition, marketing, transactions, and customer relationship management into a single system — reducing the cost and complexity of managing multiple platforms.

The broader momentum behind AI agents is hard to ignore. Salesforce has introduced Agentforce, while Sierra AI has attracted significant investor attention. Across the enterprise software sector, valuations of 30 to 60 times annual recurring revenue (ARR) have become common benchmarks for AI agent companies — a reflection of the market’s conviction in the long-term commercial value of what some are calling “AI employees.” The fundamental distinction from traditional software lies in AI agents’ ability not just to support tasks, but to carry them out directly.

Where Fushi Technology diverges from its Western counterparts — which have largely focused on workplace productivity and collaboration — is in its emphasis on real transactional scenarios. The company is attempting to embed AI into the consumer journey and payment flow, creating a closed loop that runs from customer conversation through product recommendation to completed purchase.

That is, in part, what makes Southeast Asia an attractive opportunity. Digital maturity remains uneven across the region, with many small and medium-sized businesses operating in a state of partial digitalization. The market is also comparatively fragmented, with no single dominant platform infrastructure having emerged. Against that backdrop, demand for integrated operating systems is on the rise.

Payments, notably, are becoming a critical differentiator in the AI agent race.

As the underlying capabilities of large language models converge, competition in the sector is shifting away from model performance toward real-world transactional scenarios and data feedback loops. When an AI can not only execute marketing but also process payments, every customer interaction becomes a potential source of new data.

Some analysts argue that the future of AI agent competition will hinge less on model capability than on proximity to actual commercial transactions. If that assessment holds, Southeast Asia is shaping up to be one of the most important testing grounds for the industry.

Hashtag: #FushiTechnology

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

SOCO® to Showcase Soil Hydrogel Solutions for Horticulture and Turf Management at Hort Connections 2026

By
Advertorial Desk
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ADELAIDE, Australia, May 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As climate variability, drought pressure, and water scarcity continue to challenge agricultural productivity across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, Qingdao SOCO New Material Co., Ltd. (“SOCO®“), a global provider of soil hydrogel technologies, will participate in Hort Connections 2026, one of Australia’s leading horticulture and fresh produce industry events. The exhibition will take place from June 1-4, 2026, at the Adelaide Convention Centre in Australia,where SOCO will present its latest water-saving hydrogel technologies and localized agricultural solutions at Booth 141.


At the event, SOCO® will highlight two major application scenarios tailored for the horticulture market:

  • Soil hydrogel solutions for horticulture and flower cultivation
  • Advanced moisture-retention solutions for turf and landscaping management

Designed for drought-prone and water-restricted environments, SOCO® Soil hydrogel technologies help improve soil water retention, reduce irrigation frequency, enhance root-zone moisture management, and improve transplant survival rates under challenging climate conditions. Our products are capable of absorbing and retaining large volumes of water and gradually releasing moisture back into the soil as needed by plants. The solutions are widely used in horticulture, landscaping, nurseries, turf management, fruit tree planting, and ecological greening projects.

“Australia is one of the most important strategic markets for sustainable horticulture and smart water management technologies,” said a regional market representative from SOCO®. “As water conservation becomes increasingly critical for the future of agriculture and landscaping, we believe advanced soil hydrogel technologies will play a key role in improving water-use efficiency, plant resilience, and long-term sustainability.”

During Hort Connections 2026, SOCO’s local sales representatives, agricultural technical specialists, and international business team will meet with growers, distributors, landscape contractors, and industry partners to discuss localized application strategies and integrated agricultural water-management solutions.

Beyond standalone hydrogel products, SOCO® also provides integrated application support and technical consultation services, helping customers optimize product dosage, soil integration methods, irrigation compatibility, and crop-specific application programs.

Agricultural experts increasingly recognize that improving soil water retention capacity and root-zone efficiency will become essential components of climate-resilient agriculture in the coming decades. Through continuous innovation in polymer technology and sustainable agricultural materials, SOCO® aims to support growers and horticultural professionals in building more efficient and environmentally responsible production systems.

Visitors attending Hort Connections 2026 are invited to connect with SOCO® at Stand 141 to explore the company’s latest new hydrogel technologies and sustainable horticultural solutions.

In recent years, SOCO® has continued expanding its global agricultural business footprint by providing customized hydrogel solutions for customers across America, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. The company focuses on helping agricultural producers reduce water consumption, improve fertilizer utilization efficiency, and increase crop performance in drought-stressed environments.

For more information, please visit: www.socopolymer.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: @SOCO SOIL HYDROGEL

Payment Options Japan Becomes Official Partner of Yokohama Football Club

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Advertorial Desk
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TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – Payment Options K.K. and Yokohama Football Club (Yokohama FC) are pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement. Through this collaboration, Payment Options K.K. has become official partners of Yokohama FC for the Meiji Yasuda J.League 100 Year Vision League and the 2026/27 season.

Payment Options Japan Becomes Official Partner of Yokohama Football Club

Payment Options K.K. is an international financial technology company providing secure, reliable digital payment solutions designed to support merchants in an increasingly connected economy. With strong emphases on risk management, compliance, operational integrity, and customer experience, the company is committed to delivering trusted, accessible payment solutions tailored to business needs in Japan and across the region.

Through this partnership, Payment Options K.K. and Yokohama FC will work closely to explore opportunities in fintech and football, and support Yokohama FC’s continued innovation and growth both on and off the pitch.

“We are deeply honoured to be an official partner of Yokohama FC, and showcasing the unique spirit of Yokohama,” said Yuka Kawamukai, Country Manager, Japan. “This partnership reflects our shared values of commitment and growth, and we look forward to exploring meaningful collaboration opportunities while supporting Yokohama FC’s continued growth and success.”

“Even in difficult situations, Yokohama FC has always continued to carve its own path forward, and that spirit resonates deeply with Payment Options’ determination to forge its own path in the Japanese market,” said Daijiro Katahara, President of Yokohama FC. “Together with Payment Options, we hope to build a strong partnership where we can share the journey of our respective challenges, inspire each other, and grow together.”

Looking ahead, this collaboration will strengthen supportive relationships between financial technology and sport creating positive, meaningful impact within the respective communities.

Both parties have expressed mutual interest in exploring further opportunities and sustaining long-term value for fans, merchants, and communities in Japan and beyond. Payment Options K.K. and Yokohama FC look forward to an impactful and successful partnership throughout the 2026/2027 season.
Hashtag: #PaymentOptions





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Payment Options K.K.

Payment Options K.K. is an international financial technology company providing secure, innovative payment solutions designed to support merchants of all sizes. With strong emphasis on risk management, compliance, operational reliability and customer experience, the company delivers trusted, regulated payment solutions aligned with the evolving digital payments landscape.

About Yokohama Football Club

Yokohama FC is a professional football club based in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1998, the club joined the Japan Professional Football League in 2001. Its home stadium is NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium. Yokohama FC aims for recognition as an essential presence within the local Yokohama community — a source of enjoyment, emotional support, pride, and city symbol. By closely connecting with the community and listening to local residents’ voices, the club is committed to addressing regional challenges while delivering joy and inspiring people through sports. Under the “community-based engagement” philosophy, Yokohama FC strives to contribute to and promote local community development through sports.

Qiming Venture Partners Managing Partner Alex Zhou Named to 2026 Forbes Midas List

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Advertorial Desk
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SHANGHAI, May 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Forbes has released its 2026 Midas List, the definitive ranking of the world’s top venture capital investors. Alex Zhou, Managing Partner at Qiming Venture Partners, debuts at No. 80, recognizing his track record as a leading China-based investor focused on technology and artificial intelligence.

Known as the “Oscars of venture capital,” the Midas List is the most prestigious benchmark in global venture capital. The 2026 list marks its 25th anniversary, with intensified competition across the industry. Surging valuations for frontier companies including SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic have brought 25 new entrants to this year’s ranking.

Alex Zhou joined Qiming Venture Partners in 2014 and was promoted to Managing Partner in May 2024. He brings over 20 years of combined operational, entrepreneurial and investment experience, with a long-term focus on frontier technologies. He is one of the most active investors backing transformative AI and robotics startups globally.

Alex Zhou has delivered strong exit momentum in 2026. In the first five months of the year, four of his portfolio companies — Biren Technology, Zhipu AI, Axera Semiconductor and Viewtrix Technology — have completed public listings.

Alex Zhou adopts a pragmatic “half-step ahead” investment approach for tech and AI. Within his core areas of expertise, he identifies early industry inflection points and builds positions ahead of mainstream trends, avoiding speculative market hype. This forward-looking strategy has enabled him to capture outsized returns amid major technological paradigm shifts.

In late 2019, when China’s domestic GPU ecosystem remained immature and AI computing power was yet to gain widespread market recognition, Alex Zhou invested in Biren Technology at its founding. He led the company’s seed round and continued to support subsequent financings, helping the firm grow into the first Hong Kong-listed GPU company.

Alex Zhou made another early, high-impact bet on foundational AI in early 2022. At the time, large language models were still an emerging technology, and few investors recognized their commercial potential. His investment in Zhipu AI supported the development of the company’s first-generation GLM model, laying the foundation for its core technology development.

Alex Zhou’s early-stage focus also extends to embodied intelligence. He backed UBTECH Robotics eleven years ago and, in the current wave of embodied AI development, has led investments in a new batch of full-stack robotics companies integrating models and hardware, including TARS, Dexmal, GalaxyBot and ACE Robotics.

Founded in 2006, Qiming Venture Partners manages 11 USD funds and seven RMB funds, with $9.5 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on two core pillars — technology and healthcare — forming a stable dual-driven investment strategy.

Qiming Venture Partners has maintained a long-term AI investment layout for over a decade. Starting with deep learning-focused investments in 2013, the firm has deployed more than RMB 12 billion into over 100 AI projects across the full industrial value chain, establishing itself as one of the most active and influential AI investors in China and Asia. The firm’s investment roadmap follows technological evolution across LLMs, multimodal AI and embodied intelligence, rather than short-term market trends.

In healthcare, Qiming Venture Partners is one of China’s earliest institutional investors dedicated to the sector. Over the past two decades, its healthcare team has invested in nearly 200 companies covering innovative pharmaceuticals, innovative medical devices, AI healthcare applications and other related areas. Its continuous investment has driven innovation in China’s life sciences industry and delivered practical clinical value globally.

Qiming Venture Partners’ technology and healthcare practices complement and empower one another. The firm’s healthcare industry expertise supports its judgments on AI+ healthcare applications opportunities, while its frontier tech insights help identify disruptive technology-driven healthcare startups. This cross-sector synergy forms Qiming Venture Partners’ key institutional advantage.

Qiming Venture Partners’ recurring recognition on the Midas List across technology, healthcare and AI reflects its long-built institutional capabilities: consistent focus on core sectors, proactive early deployment, and full-cycle investment expertise covering early to growth-stage companies.

Across both core verticals, Qiming Venture Partners executes systematic layout years before market consensus emerges, partnering with founders for long-term growth and achieving steady exit results. 

“For the next two decades, AI will stand as the most certain investment opportunity in China’s venture landscape,” said Duane Kuang, Founding Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners. The firm’s healthy cycle of fundraising, investment, portfolio management and exits continues to validate this long-term judgment.

About Qiming Venture Partners

Qiming Venture Partners was founded in 2006. Currently, Qiming Venture Partners manages eleven US Dollar funds and seven RMB funds with $9.5 billion in capital raised. Since our establishment, we have invested in outstanding companies in the Technology and Healthcare industries at the early and growth stages.

Since our debut, we have backed over 580 fast-growing and innovative companies. Over 210 of our portfolio companies have achieved exits through IPOs at the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX, Shanghai Stock Exchange, or Shenzhen Stock Exchange, or through M&A or other means. There are also over 80 portfolio companies that have achieved unicorn or super unicorn status.

Many of our portfolio companies are today’s most influential firms in their respective sectors, including Xiaomi, Meituan, Bilibili, Zhihu, Roborock, Hesai Technology, UBTech, WeRide, HyperStrong, Insta360, Unisound, Biren Technology, Z.ai, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, Tigermed, Zai Lab, CanSino Biologics, Schrödinger, APT Medical, Sanyou Medical, AmoyDx, SinocellTech, Insilico Medicine,  AusperBio, Yuanxin Technology, Medilink Therapeutics, LaNova Medicines, StepFun, among many others.

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