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From Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi: Milken Institute’s 2026 Global Opportunity Index Portrays Resiliency and Encouraging Growth Trend in Emerging Southeast Asia

The 2026 Global Opportunity Index ranks Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines as Southeast Asia’s leading investment destinations

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Economies in Southeast Asia continue to display encouraging trends of calibrated growth amidst global headwinds, prompting renewed attention from global investors, according to the Milken Institute’s latest Global Opportunity Index 2026 report focusing on high-growth markets in emerging and developing Southeast Asia. The Global Opportunity Index (GOI) is an annual ranking published by the Milken Institute that evaluates the investment attractiveness of emerging and developing economies using 101 variables across five categories: Business Perception, Economic Fundamentals, Financial Services, Institutional Framework, and International Standards & Policy.

The newly published report uncovers notable trends in the region. Chief among others, the six growth markets in Southeast Asia has attracted 8.2 percent of total capital inflows to emerging and developing economies from 2021 to 2024. Foreign direct investment (FDI) accounts for more than 70 percent of total inflows to the region, underscoring the region’s growing importance as a destination for global capital. High-performing countries like Malaysia score exceptionally well in nearly every category listed in the GOI, while Indonesia, the largest economy in the group, has seen a dramatic improvement in its financial sector, rising from 78th to 38th in Financial Services since 2022. The Philippines ranks 6th globally in Economic Performance, supported by strong post-pandemic growth, though governance and regulatory challenges continue to weigh on its overall standing. Vietnam achieved an impressive 7.1 percent growth in real GDP, the fastest among the group in 2024. The country ranks 2nd in Economic Performance and 14th in Financial Size and Conditions, reflecting strong growth alongside a rapidly deepening financial sector. Meanwhile, Cambodia and Laos lag behind their regional peers, facing persistent institutional weaknesses that constrain their investment environments.

“Southeast Asia’s growth story remains compelling, but investors are becoming increasingly selective. We are seeing a continued shift in global capital toward high-growth emerging markets, and Southeast Asia is a key beneficiary of that trend. Countries that can maintain macroeconomic stability while deepening their financial systems and strengthening governance will be best placed to attract long-term investment,” said Matthew Aleshire, director of Geo-Economics at the Milken Institute and one of the authors of the report.

Key findings from the Milken Institute’s 2026 Global Opportunity Index:

  • Malaysia ranks highest in the region and 23rd globally, anchored by strong institutions and robust economic fundamentals. It ranks 17th in Financial Services and 18th in Business Perception globally.  
  • Vietnam ranks second in the region and 39th globally, placing 2nd in Economic Performance and 14th in Financial Size and Conditions, reflecting strong economic growth and financial sector development.
  • Indonesia, the region’s largest economy, has made significant gains in Financial Services, rising from 78th place globally in 2022 to 38th place, driven by expanded financial access (28th).
  • The Philippines combines strong growth prospects (5.7 percent projected GDP growth in 2026) with more uneven investment conditions, performing well in Economic Performance (6th), while lagging in Business Perception (56th) and Institutional Framework (59th) globally, highlighting governance and regulatory challenges that may constrain longer-term investment prospects for the country.
  • While not included in the group due to its status as a developed economy, Singapore consistently ranks among the top 20 most attractive countries to investors on the GOI, placing 7th in this year’s ranking. The country stands out in Financial Services, placing 3rd in Financial Size and Conditions and 11th in Financial Access, and performs strongly in Business Perception and International Standards and Policy, ranking 4th in both categories.

How the Global Opportunity Index Evaluates Countries:
To create the index, the Milken Institute evaluates investment opportunities using 101 variables organized into five categories and 14 subcategories. The five major categories are Business Perception, Economic Fundamentals, Financial Services, Institutional Framework, and International Standards & Policy. The variables within these categories measure a broad range of angles of a country’s investment potential, including economic openness and performance, business constraints, and workforce talent and diversity. Data sources include the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, and Transparency International.

The 2026 GOI also incorporates updated indicators to reflect the evolving drivers of investment trends, including data from the World Bank’s Business Ready project, and expands the GOI’s coverage of the digital economy to capture both the quality and extent of countries’ digital infrastructure and technology adoption.

Access the full 2026 Global Opportunity Index report at milkeninstitute.org

About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on accelerating measurable progress on the path to a meaningful life. With a focus on financial, physical, mental, and environmental health, we bring together the best ideas and innovative resourcing to develop blueprints for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next. For more information, visit www.milkeninstitute.org.

CamScanner Launches AI-Powered Tax Documentation Workflow to Help Taxpayers Navigate Complex 2025-2026 Filing Season

NEW YORK, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025-2026 tax season arrives with heightened stakes. The IRS enforces stricter compliance with elevated penalties for filing errors. New provisions under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” introduce opportunities—and complexity—with four key deductions: enhanced senior deductions (up to $6,000), tax-free tips (up to $25,000), tax-free overtime (up to $12,500), and car loan interest deductions (up to $10,000).

CamScanner organizes your tax documents and provides AI-powered tools to simplify tax season
CamScanner organizes your tax documents and provides AI-powered tools to simplify tax season

Accessing these benefits requires meticulous record-keeping and precise form completion. Misreporting triggers IRS Automated Underreporter (AUR) cross-checks against W-2 and 1099 data, resulting in CP2000 notices and penalties. As tax policies evolve, filing is no longer form-based—it depends on accurate, well-organized documentation and long-term retention.

CamScanner, a scanner app trusted by 300 million users, introduces AI-powered workflow designed to transform tax preparation from paperwork burden into accurate, streamlined process.

Tax documents face constant challenges: thermal receipts fade within months, mobile photos capture shadows and distortion, and scattered files create retrieval difficulties. CamScanner’s AI-powered scanning automatically removes shadows, corrects perspective distortion, and enhances text clarity—even improving faded thermal receipts. Users can merge documents into organized PDFs, create folders, add tags, and maintain audit-ready archives accessible throughout the year.

Emerging deductions demand precise documentation of income sources such as tips, overtime pay, and vehicle-related expenses. CamScanner’s OCR technology extracts text and numbers from scanned W-2s, 1099s, and 1098-Ts, allowing users to quickly locate critical fields like Box 1 and reduce manual entry errors that trigger IRS scrutiny or delay refunds.

Beyond document processing, CamScanner’s CS AI serves as an intelligent tax assistant. Users can ask questions to interpret complex IRS policies, get explanations of confusing form fields, and receive help calculating totals from scanned documents—bridging the gap between raw paperwork and accurate filing.

“For many taxpayers, the challenge is no longer just filling out forms—it’s managing the accuracy and completeness of documents behind them,” said a CamScanner spokesperson. “We aim to help users turn fragmented paperwork into structured, reliable digital records, so they can file with confidence and clarity.”

For freelancers, gig workers, students, and first-time filers navigating this complex landscape, CamScanner provides documentation accuracy to maximize eligible deductions and maintain compliance. As tax filing becomes documentation-driven, CamScanner enables individuals to manage crucial paperwork with accuracy, organization, and confidence.

Singlomics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase I Clinical Trial of DXP-106 (IL-1RAP mAb) in China

BEIJING, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Singlomics Biopharmaceuticals, an innovative clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics for oncology, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase I clinical trial of DXP-106, a potential best-in-class IL-1RAP monoclonal antibody, in China.

DXP-106 has previously received Investigational New Drug (IND) approvals from both the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The ongoing first-in-human Phase I study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and preliminary anti-tumor activity of DXP-106 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

“Dosing of the first patient in our Phase I trial represents a key milestone as we advance DXP-106 into clinical development globally,” said Dr. Qian Shi, Chief Executive Officer of Singlomics. “IL-1RAP is a compelling target in oncology and immune-related diseases. DXP-106 is designed to function through both directly killing tumor cells by ADCC, and inhibit MDSCs  in tumor microenvironment via inhibition of multiple IL-1 superfamily signaling pathways. It has demonstrated strong anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies. We look forward to generating initial clinical data and exploring potential global partnering opportunities to accelerate development.”

DXP-106 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a differentiated epitope on IL-1RAP domain 2, enabling simultaneous blockade of IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36 signaling pathways. This multi-pathway inhibition approach may provide broader anti-tumor activity and improved therapeutic benefit.

IL-1RAP is broadly expressed across tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, and plays a central role in tumor progression, immune evasion, and chronic inflammation. Elevated IL-1 pathway signaling has been associated with poor clinical outcomes across multiple cancer types, supporting IL-1RAP as a promising therapeutic target.

Singlomics is advancing a differentiated pipeline of antibody therapeutics leveraging its proprietary single-cell sequencing and AI-enabled antibody engineering platform. The Company is actively seeking global partnerships for selected programs.

About DXP-106: IL-1RAP mAb

DXP-106 is a humanized IL-1RAP monoclonal antibody targeting a unique epitope on domain 2 of IL-1RAP, enabling inhibition of three key IL-1 superfamily signaling pathways. In preclinical in vitro and in vivo tumor models, DXP-106 demonstrated robust anti-tumor activity and favorable developability, supporting its potential as a best-in-class therapeutic.

About Singlomics Biopharmaceuticals

Singlomics Biopharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on discovering and developing innovative antibody therapeutics for oncology, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. The Company has built an integrated platform combining single B cell discovery, deep mutational scanning (DMS), and AI-driven antibody engineering to enable rapid and high-quality antibody development. Singlomics has completed a Series B financing and is advancing multiple programs toward clinical development.

For more information, please visit www.singlomics.com.

Contact Information:

Liping Zhang
Sr. Director, Business Development and Operations
Phone: (86) 10 80765087
Email: liping.zhang@singlomics.com

SAIHEAT Upgrades Its Nuclear Energy Business Strategy, Emerging as a Core Provider of Integrated Design Software Solutions for Large LWR and SMR

SINGAPORE, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SAIHEAT Limited (“SAIHEAT” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SAIH) announced a strategic upgrade of its nuclear energy business, marking a pivotal shift from its original focus on small modular reactor (SMR) R&D to the integrated design software sector for nuclear power and SMR. The Company has solidified a dual-core operational model of Software Agency + Reactor Design and Analysis Solution Consulting, and officially positioned itself as a professional integrated supplier of design software and technical solutions for the overseas nuclear power and SMR sectors – a milestone that elevates the Company’s nuclear energy business to a new stage of strategic development.

The Company has established in-depth strategic partnerships with leading technical enterprises in the nuclear industry and has obtained full authorization for the functional application of nuclear energy design software and professional technical consulting capabilities from its partners, successfully building a closed-loop service system integrating software agency and technical consulting that covers the entire design process of nuclear power and SMR projects. To date, the Company has established formal business connections with several core entities in the nuclear power and SMR fields, laying a solid market foundation for the commercialization of its new business portfolio and the delivery of on-demand services to clients.

Backed by its strategic partnership ecosystem and end-to-end service capabilities, SAIHEAT’s nuclear energy business now covers all application scenarios of SMR and large nuclear power plants, with a clear focus on providing software agency and customized design consulting services across six core business segments to deliver targeted integrated solutions for nuclear energy design:

  1. Full-process technical services for reactor physics and nuclear design, providing core technical support for the R&D and design of large Light Water Reactor (LWR) nuclear power and SMR reactor types;
  2. Professional consulting services for reactor thermal-hydraulic analysis and thermal safety, supporting the safe and stable operation of thermal systems in nuclear facilities through data-driven and scenario-based analysis;
  3. Comprehensive nuclear safety analysis services, with a key focus on containment accident risk analysis and other critical links related to nuclear facility safety assessment;
  4. Specialized technical services for Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA), building a full-life cycle safety evaluation system for nuclear facilities to meet industry regulatory and operational requirements;
  5. Software agency and technical consulting for nuclear power plant system simulation and full-spectrum simulators, providing technical support for nuclear power plant operation optimization and professional personnel training, as well as for educational purposes; and
  6. Radiation protection and shielding analysis, covering core technical needs of radiation safety in nuclear projects.

This upgrade of SAIHEAT’s nuclear energy business marks a strategic pivot to advance its footprint in clean energy and scale up value-added supporting services for high-end equipment manufacturing in the nuclear sector. SAIHEAT is targeting market leadership as an integrated supplier of nuclear energy design software, with a focused commitment to enhancing our core technical capabilities and service delivery systems. The Company’s long-term objective is to build a full-stack service capability as a professional provider of integrated design solutions for nuclear power and SMR projects, delivering end-to-end software and technical consulting services tailored to the industry’s practical operational needs. Looking ahead, anchored by this refined business positioning, SAIHEAT will expand its service coverage across the nuclear energy design value chain, leverage its strategic partnership ecosystem and proven integrated service expertise to deliver customized, end-to-end software and technical consulting solutions to large LWR and SMR clients, and drive the safe, efficient and intelligent advancement of the nuclear energy industry through actionable, solution-oriented services.

About SAIHEAT

SAIHEAT (NASDAQ: SAIH) is a global distributed computing power operator. By leveraging a modular computing power system, SAIHEAT helps energy owners address the issues of local energy consumption and efficient resource utilization. Through its proprietary inference optimization technologies, SAIHEAT delivers high-quality, low-latency, and secure inference services, empowering users to deploy models into real-world applications faster in the AI era.

For more information on SAIHEAT, please visit: https://www.saiheat.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “targets”, “optimistic”, “confident that”, “continue to”, “predict”, “intend”, “aim”, “will” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning SAIHEAT’s operations, financial performance, and condition are based on current expectations, beliefs and assumptions which are subject to change at any time. SAIHEAT cautions that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors such as government and stock exchange regulations, competition, political, economic, and social conditions around the world including those discussed in SAIHEAT’s Form 20-F under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Results of Operations” and “Business Overview” and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date it is made and SAIHEAT specifically disclaims any obligation to maintain or update the forward-looking information, whether of the nature contained in this release or otherwise, in the future.

Media Contact:
pr@saiheat.com

Investor Relations Contact:
ir@saiheat.com

The Knoble and Feedzai Warn of Rising Opportunities for Human Trafficking and Scams Ahead of World Cup 2026

New detection resource equips financial institutions to identify and stop human trafficking and scams associated with World Cup events

NEW YORK and LISBON, Portugal, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As millions of fans prepare to travel, spend, and engage online during the 2026 FIFA World Cup—spanning 16 venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—The Knoble and Feedzai are providing a tool to empower and guide financial institutions to detect human trafficking and scams activity targeting their customers and systems.

In a new guide, Human Trafficking & Scam Detection Guide: World Cup 2026, The Knoble, a nonprofit network that brings together financial institutions, law enforcement, and industry practitioners to combat human trafficking and financial exploitation, with support from Feedzai, a global technology company that helps banks detect and prevent financial crime, outline how criminals exploit large-scale events, from fake ticket sales and rental scams to human trafficking. The guide also details how financial institutions can detect, prevent, and respond to these threats, with additional guidance on how institutions can support and protect customers.

While these crimes occur year-round, major events can aggregate and localize both scam activity and enforcement efforts. Around this year’s Super Bowl, coordinated anti-trafficking operations led to nearly 30 arrests and the identification of more than 70 victims. At the same time, financial institutions have reported increases of up to 80% in scam incidents surrounding major event ticket releases, as demand and urgency peak.

“Major events like the World Cup bring people together, but they also create urgency, excitement, and distraction, which scammers and criminal networks exploit,” said Ian Mitchell, Founder of The Knoble. “The goal of this guide is to raise awareness of what’s happening behind the scenes and how financial institutions play an important role in detecting these crimes.”

Scams Are Just the Starting Point

While many consumers are familiar with ticket fraud and travel scams, the guide highlights a more complex reality: these schemes often connect to broader forms of human exploitation.

Criminal networks use scams not only to steal money, but also to move funds quickly across accounts or recruit individuals into activities such as money mule schemes, where victims unknowingly transfer illicit funds. In more severe cases, financial patterns tied to travel, lodging, and payments can signal human trafficking operations.

This convergence of fraud and exploitation underscores the need for a more integrated approach to detection and prevention. The guide is designed to support real-time detection and investigations, helping financial institutions identify suspicious activity, share intelligence, and work with law enforcement to disrupt criminal networks.

“Financial safety is human safety,” said Nuno Sebastião, CEO and Co-Founder of Feedzai. “By analyzing the patterns of how money moves and understanding signals of criminal activity and exploitation, the better the chances are that we can prevent real harm from being done.”

The Critical Role of Banks and Credit Unions

Financial institutions can see patterns across accounts, payment types, and geographies—giving them a unique ability to detect suspicious activity. According to the guide, red flags may include:

  • Unusual spikes in peer-to-peer payments or first-time transfers
  • Clusters of hotel bookings and late-night ATM withdrawals
  • Accounts rapidly receiving and moving funds with little personal spending
  • Multiple accounts linked by shared contact details or devices

By connecting signals across systems, banks can identify coordinated activity that would otherwise go unnoticed, making them a critical line of defense against both scams and exploitation.

The guide underscores that prevention also depends on awareness. Many scams tied to major events rely on urgency—limited ticket availability, last-minute travel deals, or “exclusive” access offers.

Drawing on these insights, consumers should be cautious of common red flags, including requests for payment via peer-to-peer apps from unknown individuals, deals that seem unusually urgent or underpriced, first-time requests to send money or purchase cryptocurrency, and messages impersonating travel providers, event organizers, or officials. While financial institutions are strengthening detection, informed consumers remain a critical line of defense.

A Shared Responsibility to Protect Trust

At a broader level, the guide reinforces the reality that financial crime is a coordinated, global problem that requires collaboration among financial institutions, law enforcement, and industry networks.

Today, many organizations still operate with fragmented visibility, making it harder to detect coordinated criminal activity. Efforts like this guide aim to close those gaps, equipping institutions with shared intelligence and practical guidance to act earlier and more effectively.

Feedzai’s work with financial institutions focuses on helping them detect these risks in real time, connecting data across channels to identify patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed and, ultimately, protecting both consumers and the financial system.

“Trust is what keeps the financial system moving,” added Sebastião. “Protecting people from scams and exploitation is fundamental to maintaining that trust.”

The Human Trafficking & Scam Detection Guide: World Cup 2026 and all supporting resources are available in The Knoble Member Center. Membership is free to access the guide: https://theknoble.com/join-the-fight.

About The Knoble

Founded in 2019 by Ian Mitchell, we are a non-profit network of Financial Institutions, law enforcement, financial services, and NGOs passionate about fighting Human Crime—scams, human trafficking, child exploitation, and elder financial exploitation. Through thought-leadership projects and industry-leading initiatives, we are a network of professionals dedicated to making a difference. Join the fight today at The Knoble.com, and receive free access to The Knoble Network Member Center, where like-minded professionals join to connect and participate in roundtables, forums, and more. Reach out to dave@theknoble.com if your organization is interested in becoming a corporate member or sponsoring an initiative.

About Feedzai

Feedzai powers trust in global finance. We protect people and payments using AI-native solutions to detect and prevent financial crime, fraud, and money laundering in real time, so money moves safely. Every year, the world’s leading banks, payment networks, and acquirers use Feedzai’s technology to safeguard more than one billion consumers and $9 trillion in payment volume.

Learn more at feedzai.com.

Media Contact:
Inkhouse for Feedzai
feedzai@inkhouse.com

 

Cisco Research: Industrial AI Moves into Physical Operations, Readiness Gaps Determine Scale

News Summary

  • Two‑thirds of industrial organizations have moved to active AI deployments in live operational environments.
  • Network readiness and security posture are cited as the primary factors shaping how quickly and safely organizations scale AI across connected assets, machines, and sites.
  • Strong IT/OT collaboration correlates with greater confidence in scaling AI, more stable network infrastructure, and stronger emphasis on cybersecurity.

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced the release of its latest annual industrial research report, the State of Industrial AI Report, examining how critical infrastructure like factories, utilities, and transportation systems are accelerating their direct deployments of AI. The report provides a data‑driven view into how industrial organizations are adopting AI, the challenges they face as AI moves into live operations, and the opportunities created as AI becomes embedded in physical systems, infrastructure, and workflows.

The double-blind global study surveyed more than 1,000 operational technology (OT) decision‑makers across 19 countries and 21 industrial sectors. The findings show that AI is now delivering measurable operational benefits in use cases such as process automation, automated quality inspection, predictive maintenance, logistics, and energy forecasting. However, many organizations are increasingly constrained by readiness gaps in networking infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT/OT operating models as AI shifts into real‑time, production‑grade use in physical environments.

“Industrial AI is moving from experimentation into production, where AI systems sense, reason, and act in the real world,” said Vikas Butaney, SVP/GM of Secure Routing and Industrial IoT at Cisco. “At this stage, success is no longer determined by models alone, but by whether networks, security, and teams are ready to support AI at the edge, in motion, and at scale. The research shows that organizations confident in scaling AI are those treating infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT/OT collaboration as foundational, not optional.”

Key Takeaways from the State of Industrial AI Report
The survey shows industrial AI has moved from a future consideration to active deployment, with 61% of organizations now using AI in live industrial operations where performance, reliability, and security have direct physical consequences, and 20% reporting scaled, mature deployments. Across manufacturing, transportation, and utilities, AI is powering machine vision, robotics, mobility, and safety‑critical operations. Most organizations plan to increase AI spending (83%), and nearly nine in ten expect meaningful outcomes within the next two years (87%). Yet as adoption accelerates, many are struggling to sustain and expand deployments, with readiness across network infrastructure, security, and skills increasingly determining whether AI can scale consistently across core physical environments.

  • Infrastructure readiness is emerging as a primary determinant of scale. As AI becomes embedded in machines, sensors, vision systems, and autonomous operations, organizations face rising demands for reliable connectivity, wireless mobility, predictable latency, edge compute, and power, making network readiness a gating factor for physical AI deployments.
    • 97% expect AI workloads to impact their industrial network requirements
    • 51% of organizations expect AI workloads to increase connectivity and reliability requirements in their industrial networks
    • 96% say wireless networking is essential to enabling AI
  • Cybersecurity is shaping both the pace and confidence of AI adoption. As AI expands connectivity and data flows across industrial environments, security remains the top barrier to scale. At the same time, organizations increasingly view AI as part of the solution, with a majority expecting AI to strengthen monitoring, detection, and operational resilience.
    • 98% say cybersecurity is foundational for AI-ready infrastructure
    • 40% cite cybersecurity as the biggest obstacle to scaling AI
    • 85% expect AI to improve their cybersecurity posture
  • IT/OT collaboration is proving critical to operationalizing AI at scale. Organizations with closer collaboration between IT and operational teams report greater confidence in expanding AI, more stable networks supporting physical operations, and a stronger emphasis on cybersecurity as a baseline requirement, underscoring the need to build the skills required for scalable AI adoption.
    • 57% report some level of IT/OT collaboration
    • 43% report limited or no collaboration
    • 47% of organizations with limited IT/OT collaboration cite network instability as a top operational challenge to scale AI

Background:

  • The State of Industrial AI Report is based on data from a global survey of more than 1,000 operational technology decision‑makers, conducted by Cisco in association with Sapio Research.
  • Survey respondents were from 19 countries and across 21 industry sectors, representing a range of industries including manufacturing, transportation/logistics, energy/utilities and more.
  • The report aggregates findings from decision-makers at companies with annual revenues of more than $100 million.

Additional Resources:

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word ‘partner’ does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. 

Disclaimer: Many of the products and features mentioned are still in development and will be made available as they are finalized, subject to ongoing evolution in development and innovation. The timeline for their release is subject to change. 

Vonage Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2025 Asia-Pacific Communications Platform-as-a-Service Company of the Year Recognition

Vonage is recognized for its market leadership in omnichannel communications, trusted brand experiences, and deep vertical expertise.

SAN ANTONIO, April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce that Vonage, part of Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), has been named the 2025 Asia-Pacific Company of the Year in the communications platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) industry for its outstanding achievements in agility, operational efficiency, revenue growth, competitive differentiation, and stability. This recognition highlights Vonage’s consistent leadership in driving measurable outcomes, strengthening its market position, and delivering customer-centric innovation in an evolving competitive landscape.

Through an innovative technology portfolio, Vonage offers a versatile suite of solutions that includes Network APIs, CPaaS, CCaaS, and UCaaS software. This portfolio allows enterprises to transform their digital operations across diverse industries, markets and regions. With an industry-leading, comprehensive suite of communications and network APIs, Vonage is helping enterprises and developers unlock the full potential of 5G networks securely, reliably, and at scale. As part of Ericsson, Vonage bridges telco and tech, giving global developers access to previously untapped programmable network features through APIs, with the ability to embed network capabilities and intelligence with just a few lines of code. With their network powered solutions, Vonage is enabling enterprise businesses to embed identity verification, robust fraud detection, and quality on demand (QoD) directly into applications and workflows, driving efficiency and trust in an increasingly connected digital world.

“Vonage’s leading technology portfolio serves as a strategic advantage, enabling enterprise digital transformation and a go-to-market strategy anchored on its innovative APIs,” said Sherrel Sonia Roche, Associate Director, Customer Experience Research at Frost & Sullivan. “With these intuitive, AI-enabled APIs, Vonage enables secure, context-aware customer interactions anytime, anywhere, helping enterprises deepen engagement, elevate experience, and drive loyalty and long-term value.”

Vonage is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences by streamlining service delivery, enabling self-service through advanced portals, and maintaining high levels of service availability – meeting the needs of its expanding global customer base, with a focus on localized support which have been key to delivering long-term value across diverse regional markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific.

“This award highlights our commitment to turning the potential of network powered solutions into real and measurable value for enterprises in the APAC region and around the world,” said Christophe Van de Weyer, President and Head of Business Unit API for Vonage. “By combining deep expertise in Communications APIs and Network APIs, we’re enabling developers and businesses to embed programmable capabilities like voice, video and messaging, as well as network insights for verification and fraud detection to create safe and engaging digital experiences.”

Frost & Sullivan commends Vonage for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, execution, and market responsiveness. The company’s vision, innovation pipeline, and customer-first culture are shaping the future of CPaaS, driving tangible results at scale.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Company of the Year Recognition to a company that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. The honor recognizes forward-thinking organizations that are reshaping their industries through innovation and growth excellence.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.
Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact

Camila Tinajero
E: camila.tinajero@frost.com

About Vonage

Vonage, a part of Ericsson, creates technology that empowers enterprises and equips developers to lead in the next era of digital transformation. Its AI-powered platforms and tools enable new value creation and innovative customer experiences across mobile networks and the cloud.

The company’s technology portfolio includes Network APIs, CPaaS, CCaaS, and UCaaS solutions. Trusted by enterprises across industries and embraced by developers around the world, Vonage is committed to reimagining every digital interaction.

Vonage is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and operates within Ericsson Group Business Area Global Communications Platform (BGCP). For more information visit www.vonage.com and follow @Vonage.

Copyright © 2026 Vonage. All rights reserved. VONAGE®, the V logo, and other Vonage marks are registered trademarks of Vonage or its affiliates in the United States and other countries.

Press Contact:
press@vonage.com

Mesirow Expands Asia-Pacific Presence with Appointment of Mr. Manabu Ogi and Mr. Katsuya Fukushima to Lead New Tokyo Office

  • Mesirow appoints Mr. Manabu Ogi as Managing Director and Head of Japan, Capital Formation and Currency Solutions.
  • Mesirow appoints Mr. Katsuya Fukushima as Managing Director and Head of Sales, Japan.
  • New Tokyo office expands the firm’s ability to serve Japanese institutional investors across private equity, alternative credit, direct real estate, and currency solutions.

CHICAGO and TOKYO, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mesirow, an independent, employee‑owned financial services firm, today announced the expansion of its Asia‑Pacific footprint with the opening of its Tokyo office and the appointments of Mr. Manabu Ogi and Mr. Katsuya Fukushima, two highly respected executives in Japan’s institutional investment community.

Mesirow Expands Asia-Pacific Presence with Appointment of Mr. Manabu Ogi and Mr. Katsuya Fukushima to Lead New Tokyo Office | L to R: David Schrock, Manabu Ogi, Katsuya Fukushima
Mesirow Expands Asia-Pacific Presence with Appointment of Mr. Manabu Ogi and Mr. Katsuya Fukushima to Lead New Tokyo Office | L to R: David Schrock, Manabu Ogi, Katsuya Fukushima

In their new roles, Mr. Ogi and Mr. Fukushima will lead Mesirow’s efforts to serve Japanese institutional investors and consultants across the firm’s growing suite of Private Capital and Currency Solutions. Their appointments further accelerate Mesirow’s long‑term commitment to delivering differentiated alternative investment capabilities to clients across the region.

“Japan represents one of the world’s most sophisticated institutional investment markets, and establishing a local presence is a meaningful milestone for our global platform,” said David Schrock, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Mesirow Capital Formation and Currency Solutions. “Mr. Ogi and Mr. Fukushima are highly respected leaders with deep relationships and a shared commitment to client service. Their experience and integrity will enable us to build long‑term partnerships in Japan and deliver the differentiated alternative investment capabilities that Mesirow is known for.”

About Mr. Manabu Ogi
Mr. Ogi, Managing Director and Head of Japan, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in alternative investments. Before joining Mesirow, he served as an advisor at Daiwa JPI Alternative Investments, and previously held senior roles at Mitsui & Co. Alternative Investments, including Board Member and Chief Product Officer, where he led Investment Management, Product Management, Sales, and Marketing. Earlier in his career, he led Client Service and Marketing at Man Group’s FRM in Tokyo. Mr. Ogi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Kwansei Gakuin University.

About Mr. Katsuya Fukushima
Mr. Fukushima, Managing Director and Head of Sales, Japan, joins Mesirow following a distinguished career leading institutional sales and marketing in Japan’s alternative investment sector. Most recently, he served as Executive Director at Mitsui & Co. Alternative Investments, heading the firm’s Sales and Marketing Department. He previously held senior roles at Man Group Japan, UBS (Capital Introduction, New York and Tokyo), and Merrill Lynch Japan, and began his career as a Proprietary Equity Trader at Daiwa Securities. Mr. Fukushima earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Structural Mechanics from Chiba University.

Strengthening Mesirow’s commitment to Japan and the AsiaPacific region
The addition of the Tokyo office and these two senior leaders reflects Mesirow’s ongoing strategic plan to deepen its global relationships and better support institutional investors in Japan. Mesirow’s Capital Formation and Currency Solutions team partners with clients to provide access to alternative investment strategies—across Private Equity, Alternative Credit, Institutional Real Estate Direct, and Currency.1

Mesirow’s Private Capital2 and Currency businesses have $224.9 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.3 Learn more at mesirow.com/capital-formation-currency-solutions

About Mesirow 
Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Private Capital & Currency, Capital Markets & Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities and our culture.

Mesirow has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business multiple times and is one of Barron’s Top 100 RIA firms. To learn more, visit mesirow.com, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to Spark, our quarterly newsletter.

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Michael Herley | +1.203.308.1409

Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. The Mesirow name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc., © 2026, Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Investment management services provided through Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., Mesirow Institutional Investment Management, Inc. and Mesirow Financial Private Equity Advisors, Inc., all SEC-registered investment advisor, a CFTC registered commodity trading advisors and member of the NFA, or Mesirow Financial International UK, Ltd. (“MFIUK”), authorized and regulated by the FCA, depending on the jurisdiction.

Award recognition disclosures: mesirow.com/award-recognition-disclosures

1. Mesirow is in the process of obtaining the necessary licenses from the Financial Services Agency. 2. Private Capital businesses are Mesirow Alternative Credit, Mesirow Private Equity, and Institutional Real Estate Direct. 3. Alternative Credit assets under management are as of 12.31.2025 and include regulatory assets under management (gross asset value plus unfunded commitments). Some assets under advisement (“AUA”) are on a 45-to-90-day lag due to time needed to confirm away assets. | Private Equity assets under management are as of 9.30.2025 and are calculated by adding uncalled commitments and net asset value as of a period end. The most recent data is preliminary and estimated. | Real Estate assets under management are as of 12.31.2025 and include regulatory assets under management (gross asset value plus unfunded commitments). | Currency assets under management includes AUM associated with (i) active and passive currency risk management products $214.27 billion, (ii) non-fx overlay strategies such as equitization and beta overlays $1.09 billion, and (iii) alpha strategies $1.76 billion. In all such cases, AUM is calculated based on notional value of currency investments. Additionally, AUM for alpha strategies is adjusted because clients can select a volatility target (generally between 2% and 12% annualized), which is normalized to 2% in order to create a consistent depiction of alpha strategy AUM. This results in a “scaled” AUM, which is higher than the actual aggregate notional value of all alpha strategy portfolios if clients have selected a volatility target higher than 2%. As of 12.31.2025, the “unscaled” AUM for alpha strategies was $409.57 million.

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