BANGALORE, India, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vymo, the Sales Engagement Platform trusted by over 350,000 financial sales people globally, has launched CollectIQ, marking its formal entry into the debt collections space. Designed specifically for banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), the solution brings together AI-driven prioritization, automation, and integrated agent enablement to help institutions drive better recovery outcomes.
The move comes at a time when India’s financial sector is sharpening its focus on curbing non-performing assets (NPAs) and strengthening post-disbursal recovery efforts. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s Financial Stability Report, the GNPA ratio for scheduled commercial banks could rise from 2.7% in March 2024 to 3% by March 2026 under baseline scenarios — underscoring the need for proactive, data-led collection strategies.
“Collections teams have traditionally been underserved by technology, even though it plays a critical role in the health of a lender’s portfolio,” said Yamini Bhat, Co-founder and CEO of Vymo. “With CollectIQ, we are bringing automation, intelligence, and customer-centricity into collections — helping financial institutions recover smarter and more efficiently.”
CollectIQ acts as a single pane of glass for collections — bringing together case allocation, agent tracking, customer engagement, and integrated payment workflows into one intelligent system. It allocates accounts based on real-time inputs like agent proximity, performance history, and risk profiles. It provides live visibility into field activities through geo-verification and instant updates, and nudges agents toward the next-best action while enabling on-the-spot digital payments. The platform is fully integrated with lenders’ core systems such as LMS, CRM, and payment gateways, streamlining both operations and reporting.
By embedding intelligence and automation into everyday workflows, Vymo aims to help lenders not only recover more effectively but also do so in a way that enhances customer trust and regulatory compliance.
Vymo transforms how financial institutions manage sales and collections operations. Trusted by 350,000+ users across 70+ global enterprises — including AIA, HDFC Bank, Berkshire Hathaway, SMFG, Aditya Birla Capital and more. Vymo delivers AI-powered solutions that drive performance and operational excellence. Its human-centric, enterprise-grade platform ensures high adoption and measurable outcomes. Vymo has raised over $45M from Sequoia Capital, Emergence Capital, and Bertelsmann India Investments and is a winner of CB Insights’ Demo Day and Microsoft’s ‘AI for All’ awards.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia, and Loyalty Juggernaut, Inc. (LJI), an innovation leader in loyalty technology, announced today a strategic partnership to power Riyadh Air’s next-generation digital loyalty program, during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, UAE.
Displaying their commitment to a strategic alliance: James Mulroney, SVP of Client Engagement, Loyalty Juggernaut, and Kim Hardaker, Vice President of Customer Loyalty at Riyadh Air, present their signed agreement.
As Riyadh Air prepares to redefine travel experiences for a new era, the airline is building a loyalty program that is as modern, dynamic, and digitally native as the brand itself. Powered by Loyalty Juggernaut’s cloud-native GRAVTY® platform, Riyadh Air’s loyalty program will deliver a fully personalized, seamless, and rewarding experience for travelers worldwide.
“At Riyadh Air, we are committed to setting a new standard in customer experience,” said Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air. “Loyalty Juggernaut’s cutting-edge GRAVTY® platform allows us to create a digital-first loyalty program that matches the ambition, innovation, and scale of Riyadh Air. Together, we are shaping the future of travel loyalty.”
He added, “the program will feature real-time engagement, AI-driven personalization, expanded partnerships, dynamic earn and redemption opportunities, and a seamless mobile-first experience—redefining traditional loyalty for a new generation of travelers.”
Designed for scale and innovation, the GRAVTY® platform’s modular, API-first architecture ensures rapid deployment, future-proof scalability, and effortless integration with Riyadh Air’s broader digital ecosystem.
“We are honored to partner with Riyadh Air in this landmark initiative,” said Shyam Shah, CEO of Loyalty Juggernaut. “Our mission is to elevate loyalty into a strategic growth engine. GRAVTY®‘s nextgen capabilities will enable Riyadh Air to deliver extraordinary value to its guests and partners, setting a bold new benchmark in airline loyalty.”
The new loyalty program is expected to launch ahead of Riyadh Air’s inaugural flights and will be a core pillar of the airline’s broader customer engagement and growth strategy.
This partnership represents a shared vision: to build a loyalty experience that goes beyond points and miles—to create lasting emotional engagement with travelers at every touchpoint.
About Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new world-class airline, launched to connect the Kingdom to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Riyadh and backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air is committed to delivering an exceptional, technology-driven travel experience that reflects the future of aviation.
About Loyalty Juggernaut
Loyalty Juggernaut (LJI) is a leading B2B SaaS provider of next-generation loyalty and customer engagement solutions. LJI’s flagship GRAVTY® platform powers some of the world’s most innovative loyalty ecosystems, enabling enterprises to elevate loyalty into a measurable, strategic growth engine. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, LJI serves leading brands across industries, including airlines, retail, hospitality, and financial services.
SINGAPORE, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Planet Environmental Solutions and Imdaad are pleased to announce the signing of strategic teaming agreement aimed at advancing sustainability-led solutions across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement was signed by Mahmood Rasheed, Chief Operating Officer of Imdaad and Prashant Singh, CEO of Blue Planet. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in both organizations’ growth journeys in the region.
Empowering the UAE’s Green Goals Together
The partnership combines Blue Planet’s global leadership in sustainable environmental technologies and circular economy platforms with Imdaad’s extensive operational expertise in waste management and environmental services within the UAE. Together, the two companies will focus on delivering impactful, scalable solutions that align with the UAE’s circular economy agenda and environmental sustainability goals.
Under the agreement, the partnership will initially focus on the following core service areas:
Landfill Mining
Biogas Production
Tank Cleaning and Industrial Services
Disaster Recovery and Remediation
Complementary Environmental Services
“We are excited to join forces with Imdaad to build a robust platform that delivers innovative circular solutions addressing critical environmental challenges in the UAE,” said Prashant Singh, CEO of Blue Planet. “Through this alliance, we will leverage local expertise to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions aligned with the UAE’s sustainability ambitions.”
Mr. Mahmood Rasheed, Chief Operating Officer of Imdaad, commented:
“Our partnership with Blue Planet is a significant step in advancing Imdaad’s long-term vision of promoting enhanced environmental services, sustainability and a robust circular economy in the UAE. By combining our operational strengths with Blue Planet’s innovation-driven approach, we aim to create high-impact solutions that not only serve our clients but also contribute meaningfully to Dubai’s and the UAE’s sustainable development goals. “
About Blue Planet
Founded in 2017, Blue Planet is a Singapore-headquartered company pioneering regional sustainability through technology-driven and IP-based end-to-end solutions for waste management and upcycling. The company has successfully built an innovative technology- driven waste management platform, integrating solutions across various stages of the waste life cycle. Blue Planet is committed to advancing circular economy solutions and achieving its vision of zero waste to landfill.
Imdaad is a Dubai-based group of companies delivering integrated, sustainable facilities management and environmental services across the UAE and GCC. Renowned for its operational excellence and environmental commitment, Imdaad serves clients across multiple sectors with future-ready solutions.
The inaugural GCBC Accelerator will provide high-potential projects with access to expert advisory, networks, and resources to scale solutions that work to accelerate investment in the transition in EMDEs
SINGAPORE, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today at the Ecosperity Week 2025, Mary L. Schapiro, Chair of the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC), announced the launch of the GCBC Accelerator, a global initiative that will identify, celebrate, and support high potential capacity building projects that mobilize sustainable finance to help bridge the investment and capacity gap in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).
The Accelerator, open to organizations, partnerships, or programs dedicated to building capacity in or for EMDEs, presents an exciting new opportunity for applicants to showcase their efforts supporting the development of climate finance needed to scale the energy transition. Applicants will be able to enter across three distinct categories: mobilizing sustainable finance, building climate capabilities, and fostering innovation.
EMDEs, excluding China, face a nearly $2.5 trillion annual financing gap for sustainable development. Around half of this finance is expected to come from domestic resource mobilization, presenting a transformative opportunity for growth. Strengthening the capacity of financial institutions and professionals in local economies is a critical lever to unlock investment potential. Today, capacity building resources needed to scale the energy transition and sustainable development can often be fragmented, difficult to access, and unevenly targeted. The Accelerator seeks to address these barriers by spotlighting and supporting the world’s most innovative and impactful capacity building initiatives that help channel capital where it’s needed most.
Mary Schapiro, Chair of the Global Capacity Building Coalition and Vice Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) said, “Emerging markets and developing economies need access to the tools, resources, and support necessary to accelerate the clean energy transition. This Accelerator program is designed to identify and scale innovative efforts that support capacity-building, drive economic opportunity, and help build more resilient, sustainable economies. The GCBC is excited to elevate financial institutions, civil society organizations, and others that are engaging in this critical work.”
The GCBC will provide tailored support for selected Accelerator initiatives, including expert advisory, communications and marketing support, partnership facilitation, as well as practical and operational support for capacity building activities. The GCBC will announce selected applicants at New York Climate Week in September 2025. By recognizing these capacity building efforts within the climate finance ecosystem and supporting them to scale and replicate, the Accelerator aims to help organizations and individuals unlock opportunities and accelerate investment in the transition across EMDEs.
Full information on the Accelerator is available here. Applications close at 11:59 PM ET on July 4, 2025.
About the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) The Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) is an unprecedented global initiative. It brings together many of the world’s leading climate finance organizations to accelerate and scale climate and transition finance capacity building for financial institutions and finance professionals, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The Coalition is designed to enhance collaboration and respond to growing requests for capacity building support from financial institutions in EMDEs to meet the aims of the UN and the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG).
The GCBC was launched by the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg, alongside senior leaders of multilateral development banks, finance, and international organizations at COP28 in December 2023.
To express interest in joining the Global Capacity Building Coalition, or supporting its work in other ways, contact secretariat@capacity-building.org.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 May 2025 – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, is opening up new international opportunities by leading four Thai startups specializing in environmental technologies (Climate Tech/Green Tech) to participate in the Web Summit Qatar 2025 in its capital Doha. The event serves as a gateway for Thai innovation to enter the global market, bringing together startups, experts, and international investors to exchange insights and showcase cutting-edge solutions.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA)
This move comes amid booming global demand for green technology. The environmental tech sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 25% annually over the next ten years, underscoring a unique opportunity for Thailand to cultivate and launch a new generation of climate/green tech startups—potentially propelling them to unicorn status.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), noted that the global sustainability movement is gaining significant momentum. SMEs, startups, and industrial sectors worldwide are rapidly integrating technology to drive sustainable innovation. As a result, startups that develop solutions for environmental preservation and climate change mitigation are attracting increasing attention from both consumers and investors—domestically and abroad. The surging global appetite for these technologies reinforces their massive market potential, with projections suggesting a sustained average growth rate of 25% annually for the next decade.
Thai startups are well equipped with innovation capabilities comparable to their international counterparts. However, a lack of opportunities and readiness in structured business management has often hindered their full potential for expansion into global markets. As the nation’s designated Focal Conductor for innovation, the NIA is therefore committed to providing comprehensive support—including funding, opportunities, and knowledge development—to empower Thai startups to grow with greater strength and readiness for international expansion.
A particular focus is being placed on accelerating the development of startups in the fields of environmental technology and sustainability, with the ambition of nurturing more Thai unicorns—startups valued at over 1 billion US dollars—over the coming years. To achieve this, it is crucial to stimulate investment through collaborative efforts between the public sector, private enterprises, and academic institutions.
One key initiative towards this goal is the Unicorn Factory Thailand project, which aims to enhance the capabilities of promising startups and unlock new opportunities to propel them onto the global stage. The program will feature workshops targeted at startups in the Series A stage and beyond, covering vital areas such as building sustainable businesses, expanding investor and partner networks, strategies for international market entry, and gaining opportunities to pitch at leading global technology and innovation showcases.
Dr. Krithpaka further added that over the past year, the NIA successfully created new business opportunities and connected four growth-stage Thai startups, along with one winning student team from the Startup Thailand League 2024, to the global stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024—a leading global technology and startup conference and exhibition. During the event, the delegation also engaged in discussions with partner organizations supporting startup development in the United States. These engagements provided valuable exposure for Thai startups, enabling them to explore market expansion strategies and gain access to networks of investors, experts, and global business partners.
In 2025, the NIA remains committed to driving Thai startups towards international markets by continually building new business opportunities. This year, four promising Thai startups in the fields of Climate Tech and Green Tech have been selected for further internationalization efforts. These are:
1. Altotech.AI – developers of intelligent energy management systems;
2. ION ENERGY CORPORATION – a leading provider of residential solar energy solutions in Thailand, offering integrated energy management and payment platforms for PPA/EPC clients;
3. VEKIN (Thailand) – creators of the AI Carbon Editor tool, designed to analyze and manage carbon emissions for corporate and industrial sectors; and
4. MUI Robotics – developers of intelligent robotics and automation systems for applications in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture.
These four startups are showcasing their innovations, presenting business plans, and engaging directly with investors and international markets at Web Summit Qatar 2025, held in Doha, Qatar. As the Middle East’s largest technology and startup conference, the event brings together startups, investors, major corporations, public and private sector organizations, and technology leaders from across industries to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen the international startup ecosystem.
The summit expects more than 25,000 attendees, featuring 1,520 startup companies, 723 investors, and 167 partners from around the world. Notably, the Thai startups’ booths attracted strong interest from investors and businesses across multiple countries, resulting in numerous business discussions and information exchanges.
“The NIA aims to produce one to two new homegrown unicorns within the next three years, focusing on startups in the FoodTech and GreenTech sectors,” stated Dr Krithpaka. “These sectors have considerable market demand, particularly GreenTech, which is proving especially promising. Organizations of all sizes—from large corporations to SMEs—are actively seeking solutions to environmental challenges, spurred in part by the growing pressure of carbon taxes imposed on fossil fuel emissions. This has created significant demand for environmental innovations, providing fertile ground for the emergence of high-growth startups in this space.
Investment in environmental and sustainability-focused technologies continues to rise, both in Thailand and abroad. Thailand, in particular, offers a unique combination of factors that position its startups for global expansion: abundant space and resources, as well as real-world environmental challenges that make it an ideal sandbox environment for piloting environmental technologies. These technologies can be trialed across industries under the country’s Green Transformation framework—whether through the adoption of renewable energy, boosting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or mitigating pollution.
There is capital available—both from end-users and from investors—and there is strong momentum in the ecosystem. All of this makes Thailand a viable launchpad for unicorns.”
Mr Phattananat Wongwan, Chief Growth Officer (CGO) of MUI Robotics Co Ltd, stated that MUI Robotics’ technologies are already being widely adopted within Thai industries, thanks to their ability to address environmental concerns within industrial production processes. With the support of the NIA, MUI Robotics has been able to accelerate its growth and extend its reach into international markets. In particular, the opportunity to meet with investors and showcase their solutions at Web Summit Qatar 2025 has significantly raised the profile of Thai innovation and helped gain recognition from overseas investors.
“Our technologies go beyond solving local environmental challenges—they’re applicable to industrial problems on a global scale,” said Mr Phattananat. He emphasized that government support is key to enabling more startups to emerge and thrive. “If the government continues to champion and invest in the startup ecosystem, especially in the Climate Tech and Green Tech sectors, Thai startups will be well positioned for sustainable growth on the world stage.”
Mr Pamekitti Puktalae, Technical Product at AltoTech Global Co Ltd, remarked that many industries today are striving to position themselves as leaders in sustainability. This demand creates opportunities for startups developing environmental solutions—whether by creating carbon-neutral spaces or providing ESG-supporting tools—to step in and add real value.
He continued, “NIA’s support in enabling AltoTech, which integrates AI and IoT to address sustainability challenges, to showcase our capabilities at Web Summit Qatar 2025 has opened a crucial gateway for Thai startups to enter the global stage. A market like Qatar, which prioritizes sustainability and smart infrastructure, is an ideal fit. Participating in this event has not only allowed us to engage with global stakeholders and gain insights into international market demands, but also helped us fine-tune our solutions to align with diverse expectations and accelerate our global expansion.”
“Additionally,” he added, “this opportunity has significantly boosted the credibility of Thai entrepreneurs, which in turn has increased our visibility and appeal to both domestic and international investors.”
HONG KONG, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (“NetDragon” or the “Company”; Hong Kong Stock Code: 0777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce its participation in the 8th Digital China Summit, recently held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. As a participant for the eighth consecutive year, NetDragon showcased its latest advancements under its core strategies of “AI + Gaming” and “AI + Education.” By responding to the “Digital China” strategy, NetDragon continues to leverage AI to empower the gaming, cultural tourism, and education industries, contributing to the high-quality development of the digital economy.
At the summit, NetDragon demonstrated the integration of technology and culture through innovative digital cultural-tourism projects. Among the highlights was the “Fantasy Ride Wuyi•Nine-Bend Roaming” VR horse-riding simulator, which utilizes cutting-edge digital scanning, drone technology, 3D modeling, and Unreal Engine technology to recreate the iconic landscapes of Wuyi Mountain, including Nine-Bend Stream and Dawang Peak. This immersive VR experience allows visitors to explore the scenic beauty of the ancient Tea Route. This project is also part of the “Digital Shanhai: Reimagining Fujian Tourism through Games” initiative, co-launched with Xinhua News and Information Center and other partners, to promote Fujian’s tourism through gamification. Additionally, NetDragon introduced “Fubao,” an AI-powered digital character representing Fujian’s “Fu (Fortune)” culture. Fubao, along with the Company’s virtual CEO Tang Yu, made their debut as “AI tourism ambassadors,” engaging attendees in real-time Q&A about Fujian’s tourism attractions and unique culture. This demonstration underscores NetDragon’s expertise in AI-driven content generation and gamified interactive experiences, creating value through the synergy of gaming and cultural tourism.
In the education sector, NetDragon unveiled its vision for future learning with the intelligent education service institution EDA and the self-learning tool “Future Lab,” reinforcing its vision of a personalized, global learning ecosystem. EDA leverages advanced AI technologies to deliver customized learning experiences, spanning across the full spectrum of lifelong learning. “Future Lab,” as part of the EDA ecosystem, aims to provide immersive learning experiences for middle and high school students in subjects such as math, physics, and chemistry. NetDragon is also advancing the development of “interactive educational games” that prioritize learner-driven engagement and immersive learning, redefining traditional teaching methodologies, and enriching EDA with high-quality content.
In recent years, NetDragon has advanced its strategy of integrating education and industry by expanding its vocational education efforts internationally and nurturing eSports talent. During the summit, NetDragon co-hosted a China-Thailand collegiate eSports friendship match with Fuzhou Software Technology Vocational College (FSTVC), providing a platform for cultural exchange while demonstrating NetDragon’s innovative approach to exporting vocational education services. Through its industry-education integration model and joint programs, FSTVC is exploring new revenue streams. Notably, NetDragon’s vocational education project in Thailand was included in the “Thousand Sails Going Global” initiative in 2024, led by China’s Ministry of Commerce together with five other ministries, marking a significant milestone in the Company’s global industry-education integration efforts.
In collaboration with Rokid, NetDragon also showcased its AI + AR innovations at the summit. By integrating “Fubao” into Rokid’s AR glasses, attendees were able to explore virtual experiences of Wuyi Mountain, digital art galleries, and polar molecular structures. Rokid, a key strategic investment project of NetDragon, specializes in developing AR hardware and software ecosystems. NetDragon is building an “AI + AR” content ecosystem, leveraging AR applications across gaming, education, and tourism to create immersive digital experiences.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the “Digital China” initiative, NetDragon continues to expand its “Digital Smart+” innovation approach, promoting the integration of digital technologies across the economic, cultural, social, and ecological development. Looking ahead, NetDragon is committed to working with global partners in education, cultural tourism, and digital creativity to drive further growth in the digital economy and contribute to the development of new digital economic advantages.
About NetDragonWebsoft Holdings Limited
NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users, including previous establishments of China’s first online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China’s most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless.
Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved, Conquer Online and Under Oath. In the past 10 years, NetDragon has also achieved success with its online education business both domestically and globally, and its overseas education business entity, currently a U.S.-listed subsidiary named Mynd.ai, is a global leader in interactive technology and its award-winning interactive displays and software can be found in more than 1 million learning and training spaces across 126 countries.
GURUGRAM, India, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, is reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and rural development through its flagship tree plantation initiative. This program forms an integral part of the company’s broader mission to drive sustainable growth across India.
Sungrow Drives Environmental Action and Community Growth
Restoring Green Cover, Reviving Livelihoods
Since 2021, Sungrow India has collaborated with the Sankalp Taru Foundation to implement the Rural Livelihood Plantation Program, promoting sustainable agroforestry practices among underserved farming communities. Over the past four years, the initiative has resulted in the plantation of 7,462 trees across 16 Indian states, focusing on fruit-bearing species that enrich biodiversity while providing long-term income opportunities for farmers.
In FY2024–25, an additional 2,400 saplings were planted. These trees are projected to sequester over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂, generate more than 2,100 tonnes of oxygen, and produce approximately 50 tonnes of fruit annually, directly benefiting farming households. The program’s estimated economic impact exceeds INR 4 million, showcasing its dual benefit for the environment and rural livelihoods. “Our partnership with Sankalp Taru is a testament to how clean energy companies can drive ecological restoration while directly supporting rural communities,” said Sunil Badesra, Country Head of Sungrow India.
Empowering Education Through Clean Energy
In addition to its environmental efforts, Sungrow India is advancing access to education and clean energy through a series of impactful community programs:
This March, the company partnered with the Energy Swaraj Foundation to distribute 200 solar-powered study lamps to students in off-grid areas of rural Maharashtra, supporting uninterrupted evening study and eliminating dependence on kerosene lighting.
In collaboration with Enerbiz and the Asha Deep Foundation, Sungrow helped install a 20kW rooftop solar plant at a school for underprivileged children in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, reducing electricity costs and fostering awareness of renewable energy.
The company also hosted a solar masterclass at the TERI School of Advanced Studies in New Delhi, offering graduate students practical insights into solar plant design, inverter technology, and India’s clean energy transition.
Looking Ahead: Powering a Greener, Inclusive Future
“Our work goes beyond technology—it‘s about nurturing ecosystems, supporting livelihoods, and growing together with the communities we serve,” said Sunil Badesra. “We believe in a future where clean energy and shared prosperity go hand in hand, and we are proud to play our part in making that future a reality.”
With every tree planted, every student supported, and every village empowered, Sungrow India is lighting the path toward a greener, more inclusive India.
About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world’s No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world’s most bankable energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 180 countries, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com.
Multi-million-dollar, three-and-a-half-year programme to advance Singapore’s optoelectronics and photonics capabilities and semiconductor industry, which generated over S$133 billion in 2023 and accounts for approximately 7% of Singapore’s GDP
Bringing together over 20 Singapore and US-based researchers, this is the first time a programme will study the combination of three integral components: optics, optoelectronics and electronics
WISDOM supports Singapore’s Future of Microelectronics (FME) national initiative, and has key partnerships with leading research institutions including the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC)
The IRG’s research endeavours are expected to benefit industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, and space travel and sample collection – including applications in autonomous driving, augmented reality, robotics and high-speed data communication
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 May 2025 – Imagine creating 3D-sensing technologies so lightweight, compact and high-performance that they could take us to planets beyond Mars. The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) research enterprise in Singapore, has launched a new interdisciplinary research group (IRG) focused on developing next-generation 3D-sensing technologies for practical use across industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and healthcare, among others.
Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM)
Jointly led by faculty from MIT and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), the Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM) IRG will focus on developing ultra-thin, scalable sensing devices – systems that allow machines such as autonomous vehicles and robots to perceive depth, shape and spatial detail safely and with more versatility, much like human vision.
3-Dimensional (3D) sensing is essential for many modern applications, from autonomous vehicles and robotics to augmented reality and medical diagnostics. However, current systems still fall short of human-like perception capabilities, which pose limitations such as contextual unawareness and decision errors.
Today’s optical systems are also often bulky, expensive and difficult to mass-produce due to reliance on complex components and manual assembly. While new materials called optoelectronic metasurfaces — which are ultra-thin and can control light in powerful new ways — show great potential, it has been difficult so far to turn them into practical, widely used products, due to challenges in how these materials are combined with other technologies and manufactured at large scale.
To solve the challenges, WISDOM aims to develop compact solutions that are high performance, and enable optoelectronic metasurfaces to be manufactured using standard semiconductor processes and ready for mass-market adoption.
SMART WISDOM will be helmed by Co-Lead Principal Investigators Prof Juejun Hu, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, and Prof Tan Chuan-Seng, Professor of Electronic Engineering at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NTU Singapore.
“What makes me really excited about WISDOM is that we’re putting together pieces that haven’t been combined before – to benefit a ton of industries and use cases. For example, think how a super light and powerful LiDAR system could make trips to planets beyond Mars a reality. It’s like having a whole new set of eyes for exploration, and about making the seemingly impossible, possible,” said Prof Juejun Hu, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, WISDOM.
This multi-million, multi-year effort, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme, brings together leading experts across disciplines in photonics, materials science and semiconductor engineering to position Singapore at the forefront of global innovation in sensing technologies and advanced manufacturing.
World-first approach to pioneering 3D-sensing and next-generation applications WISDOM will capitalise on wafer-scale integration using standard silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes to revolutionise how meta-optical systems are produced. This is the first time a programme is put together to study the combination of these three separate elements: optical metasurfaces, optoelectronic devices with a focus on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs); and silicon CMOS electronics.
At the heart of WISDOM’s pioneering research is their world-first approach that integrates the three elements into a wafer-scale platform. This tri-element integration seeks to unlock entirely new functionalities in optical metasurface technology, enabling next-generation sensing systems with multi-modal illumination and detection, advanced displays with built-in high-speed communication, and biomedical devices with versatile light sources for diagnostics and therapeutics.
WISDOM’s work to bridge these complementary technologies will pioneer a new frontier in integrated optoelectronics, creating solutions that were previously unattainable with conventional approaches.
“The launch of WISDOM marks an exciting chapter in SMART’s and MIT’s long legacy in Singapore – bringing together the best in their fields from US, Singapore and the region for interdisciplinary research and collaboration to drive world-class research and innovation with commercial and societal impact for Singapore and beyond. The first-of-its-kind research will pioneer groundbreaking advancements for next-generation sensing systems, enabling transformative solutions across industries such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace and consumer electronics,” said Bruce Tidor, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Interim), SMART.
WISDOM’s inaugural project aims to develop a high-performance, metasurface-enabled LiDAR prototype, addressing key challenges in scalability, integration and performance. By combining metasurface optics, optoelectronic devices, and CMOS electronics on a single silicon substrate, WISDOM seeks to redefine the capabilities of LiDAR systems. This innovation promises to enhance detection accuracy, extend range and field-of-view, and reduce motion artifacts, with transformative implications for industries such as automotive, healthcare, robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Beyond improving safety in autonomous vehicles and navigation in drones, it also opens doors to revolutionary applications like glasses-free 3D displays and high-speed optical communication, laying the groundwork for smarter, more efficient technologies that will shape the future.
“WISDOM represents a paradigm shift in how meta-optical systems are integrated – from discrete assembly to wafer-scale packaging. Even at the research stage, we have a clear objective to bring our innovations to market and societal impact – enabling transformative sensing technologies for mass-market applications. WISDOM is designed to streamline manufacturing by eliminating costly and intricate die-to-die assembly, significantly improving throughput,” said MIT Prof Hu Juejun.
“By combining NTU’s two decades of expertise in electronics engineering and wafer packaging with MIT’s strengths in optical systems, we aim to create a new platform for large-scale manufacturing of optical metasurfaces using industry-standard CMOS processes. NTU is known for translating fundamental research into real-world technologies, and this collaboration builds on that strength. Ranked top in the world for Electrical and Electronic Engineering1, we are well-placed to deliver innovations that are both scalable and commercially viable, while also training the next generation of engineers to lead in areas like Augmented Reality, robotics and consumer technology,” said NTU Prof Tan Chuan-Seng.
As MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, SMART is dedicated to driving innovation that powers future industries and transforms global technological landscapes. WISDOM adds on to SMART’s continuing commitment to advancing cutting-edge and translational research in fields such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy and more. In addition to advancing scientific understanding, the IRG’s work is expected to contribute to intellectual property development, technology licensing, and the creation of Singapore research spin-offs and startups in related industries.
Hashtag: #SMART
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM)
WISDOM is an interdisciplinary research group (IRG) launched in April 2025 by SMART, MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore. WISDOM is the first research and industry endeavour to study and integrate optical metasurfaces, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs), and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics for industry and commercial application. By developing innovative 3D-sensing technologies that enhance system performance, scalability and cost efficiency, WISDOM aims to revolutionise optoelectronics and photonics, and address key challenges in semiconductor manufacturing and other key industries. These 3D-sensing technologies will deliver impactful advancements that drive progress in sensor innovation while fostering opportunities for commercial applications and societal benefits in Singapore and globally.
About Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) [新加坡-麻省理工学院科研中心]
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) is MIT’s Research Enterprise in Singapore, established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in partnership with the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) since 2007. SMART is the first entity in the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) developed by NRF. SMART serves as an intellectual and innovation hub for research interactions between MIT and Singapore. Cutting-edge research projects in areas of interest to both Singapore and MIT are undertaken at SMART. SMART currently comprises an Innovation Centre and five Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs): Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP), Mens, Manus and Machina (M3S), and Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM).
SMART research is funded by the National Research Foundation Singapore under the CREATE programme.