HONG KONG, Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organized by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (“IEA”) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (“CCIDA”), the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme held its 7th edition’s Kick-Off Ceremony today at the United Centre in Admiralty, announcing the 39 selected local design companies for the 7th DLAB Support Scheme. These companies span a wide range of creative sectors and represent the new generation of Hong Kong’s design talent. Through the scheme, they will receive training, professional consultancy, and business matching opportunities to further expand their brand licensing potential.

The organiser is honoured to have Miss. Yvonne IP Man Yee, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, as the Guest of Honour and to give a speech. She was joined by Mr. Zacharias CHENG, President of IEA, Ms. Cherrie CHONG, former President of IEA, Mr Cyril CHEUNG, Vice President of IEA and Ellen MOK, General Secretary of IEA, to officiate at the launch ceremony. Guests and representatives from the 39 selected companies gathered for a group photo, marking a vibrant and celebratory moment. The event also featured a keynote sharing by Mr. Samuel CHOY, General Manager of Bliss Concept Ltd, who explored the latest trends in design licensing. In addition, the alumni of previous DLAB cohorts shared their success stories, offering valuable inspiration and practical insights to this year’s participants.

Since the 1st edition, DLAB has successfully supported over 300 local design companies, driving the development of Hong Kong’s design licensing industry. The scheme provides professional training in marketing, brand building, and business operations, along with professional consultancy and business matching services, helping enterprises seize licensing opportunities and expand into the Chinese Mainland and international markets.

For its 7th edition this year, the scheme offers two application categories:

• Category 1: Companies established for no more than 6 years (between November 6, 2019, and November 5, 2025), primarily engaged in design or licensing, with IP launched for no more than 6 years. Applicants must have full ownership of the IP rights of the creative content, such as original character designs, pattern designs, illustrations, etc.
• Category 2: Companies established for 6 to 12 years (between November 6, 2013 and November 5, 2025), with IP launched for no more than 6 years. Applicants must have full ownership of the IP rights of the creative content, such as original character designs, pattern designs, illustrations, etc.

Selected companies will have their participation in the late-January 2026 Greater Bay Area Study Mission fully subsidised, strengthening ties with Mainland enterprises and exploring the market potential. In addition, they will also enjoy a preferential booth at a special rate of HK$4,000 for first-time DLAB participants and HK$6,000 for returning companies – to showcase at the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026, held from April 27 to 29, 2026. They will present their creative achievements alongside over 600 international and local IPs, further enhancing Hong Kong design’s global visibility.

Mr. Zacharias CHENG, President of IEA, stated at the launch ceremony, “DLAB has now reached its seventh edition, witnessing the continuous growth of Hong Kong’s design industry. This year, for the first time, we are proud to announce the 39 selected companies, representing a new generation of creative power. Through training, exchange opportunities, and exhibition platforms, we hope these brands will go further, connect seamlessly with international markets, and showcase Hong Kong’s spirit of originality to a

broader global stage”.

For more details of the 7th DLAB, please visit www.dlabhk.com.

About Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA)

Innovative Entrepreneur Association is a non-profit making organisation, with the aim to foster the spirit of “Innovative Entrepreneurship” in Hong Kong, the Mainland and all over the world. With the cooperation with the government and other organisations, IEA helps the start-up companies acquire more experience and strategies in order to enhance their competitiveness. IEA always strives to promote Hong Kong as world-leading “Creative and Entrepreneurial Capital”.

Website: http://www.iea.org.hk.

DLAB Logo

There are four letters in the logo of DLAB, “D” stands for Design, “L” stands of Licensing, “A” is And while “B” is the short form of “Business”.

About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA)

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA’s strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Website: https://www.ccidahk.gov.hk. 

Event Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S2jERf8jv-FJRhcWxeJf1HIOP6JMTFCo?usp=drive_link

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fresh from its highly acclaimed debut at CES 2026, Guide outdoor will showcase ApexVision at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas (January 20–23) at Booth #40516. As a premier event for the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry, SHOT Show brings together professionals to explore technologies shaping the year ahead. ApexVision marks a major step forward in ultra-clarity thermal imaging, and its tailored hunting optics are set to attract serious hunters and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the show.

ApexVision marks a significant advancement in thermal imaging performance through the deep integration of hardware and software. It combines the advanced ApexCore S1 infrared detector, the high-performance Nexus 1.0 processing platform, and the AI-powered Hyper-light 2.0 algorithm, together deliver exceptional image detail, superior contrast and edge enhancement, noise suppression, and lag-free visuals — even at high magnification or on fast-moving targets.

At SHOT Show 2026, ApexVision will be demonstrated across a lineup of thermal optics at Guide Outdoor booth:

• The TU1260MS multi-spectral scope, powered by the latest ApexVision technology, delivers ultra-clarity and precision. It provides smooth, ghost-free motion, high-fidelity imaging, and razor-sharp detail even at long distance. The TU1260MS utilizes a 1280×1024 thermal sensor and a 1920×1080 low-light CMOS sensor, NETD≤15mK, 60mm objective lens, and 1500m laser rangefinder. The TU1260MS, a tailored hunting companion, enables megapixel-level clarity and precise shooting for both day and night hunting.
• Other popular ApexVision-powered optics will also be on display for hands-on demonstrations, including thermal and night vision devices, thermal imaging scopes, clip-ons, as well as monoculars and binoculars.

“ApexVision is not just an upgrade, it marks the arrive of the Ultra-Clarity Era in thermal imaging.” Said Hank Huang, CEO of Guide outdoor, “The innovation represents years of our dedication to delivering decisive, actionable thermal intelligence, empowering serious hunters to see more clearly, react faster, and operate with greater confidence. We invite everyone at SHOT Show to stop by and see the difference firsthand.”

Attendees are encouraged to visit Guide outdoor Booth #40516, Venetian level 1, for hands-on testing and live previews of ApexVision-powered hunting optics.

Guide outdoor is keen to explore global partnership and collaboration opportunities. Learn more at www.guideoutdoor.com or contact enquiry@guideoutdoor.com.

TOKYO, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sakai Clinic 62 (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Founder & Medical Director: Mari Sakai) announces that Dr. Mari Sakai held a dialogue with Mr. Peter Nobel, Chairman of the Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST), to discuss the international promotion of sustainability within the medical field.

The Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) is an international foundation established by members of the Nobel family, dedicated to advancing sustainability by bridging scientific research and real-world implementation. During this dialogue, insights from regenerative medicine—including telomere injections and infusions developed by Dr. Sakai—were exchanged alongside NST’s global sustainability philosophy. The discussion revealed strong alignment between both parties and highlighted significant potential for future collaboration.

Dr. Sakai has long advocated that realizing the sustainability of both the human mind and body through regenerative medicine is a critical mission of modern healthcare. Through this dialogue, she further reinforced the importance of communicating the concept of medical sustainability to the international community.

Following the discussion, Dr. Sakai commented:

“This dialogue reaffirmed my strong sense of mission to present the value of medical sustainability to the world and to advance initiatives that safeguard the health and well-being of future generations. As Sakai Clinic 62, we are committed to acting as a pioneer in medical sustainability and will continue to promote these efforts in collaboration with domestic and international networks.”

Sakai Clinic 62 will continue to integrate a global perspective into its initiatives, striving to advance medical sustainability and contribute to the extension of healthy life expectancy and the sustainability of society through regenerative medicine.

Contact Information
8F TOP HILLS GARDEN Dogenzaka,
2-11-6 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Tel: +81-3-6455-1813
Email: info@sakai-clinic62.jp 
Website: https://www.sakai-clinic62.jp/

What to Watch after OpenAI’s Ad-testing and Google’s UCP Launch for Agentic Commerce Integration?

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The race to commercialize AI has reached a pivotal moment. While the industry tracks OpenAI’s move into consumer ad-testing and Google’s strategic launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) last week, the shift toward autonomous commerce transaction models is quickly becoming a dominant market theme. Today, Deeplumen, an AI technology company focused on infrastructure for the next generation of commerce, announced the release of its UCP SDK for Java. This open-source initiative follows Google’s launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to establish a “common language” for agentic commerce. By supporting native discovery and direct checkout across Google’s AI experiences, UCP helps brands capture user intent at the source. Deeplumen’s Java implementation provides an enterprise-ready agentic commerce path for brands to adopt UCP without rebuilding existing systems.

From Persuading Humans to Informing Agents

The launch of UCP for Java reflects a shift in how commerce experiences are discovered and executed. For decades, marketing has primarily focused on influencing human decision-making through emotional storytelling. As AI agents take on a larger role in shopping workflows, however, the primary consumer is no longer a human browsing a screen, but an AI agent making data-driven decisions based on structured and verifiable product and transaction data.

“Traditional marketing is about optimizing for ‘perception.’ AI agents optimize for parameters,” said Joy Wu, COO at Deeplumen. “In the M2AI (Marketing to AI) era, the goal isn’t to create ‘brand illusions,’ but to provide high-fidelity, structured data that allows AI agents to discover, verify, and execute transactions seamlessly. We aren’t just building tools; we are building a protocol for the future of trade.”

Why Java: Bridging the Enterprise Gap

While many AI development workflows are built in Python, a significant share of global e-commerce infrastructure runs on Java, including systems that power ERP, massive retail platforms, and order management. Deeplumen’s UCP SDK for Java ensures that any brand can integrate with the AI ecosystem without rebuilding their entire tech stack.

• Structured Identity: Helping brands define their products in a way that AI agents can interpret accurately.
• Seamless Integration: A plug-and-play library for Java environments to support agentic commerce.
• Transaction Readiness: Moving beyond simple search to full-loop transaction fulfillment within AI interfaces.

The M2AI Vision: Building the Infrastructure of Agentic Commerce

Deeplumen’s work on UCP for Java is part of a broader focus on M2AI infrastructure, helping brands compete on clarity, availability, and reliability. The company believes that as shopping becomes more agent-driven, the quality of structured commerce data will increasingly influence which products are purchased.

The Deeplumen UCP for Java is the first step in a broader roadmap to build the decentralized protocols and infrastructure required for AI-to-AI commerce. Deeplumen is helping brands position themselves as the first choice for the AI Buyers of tomorrow.

Availability

Deeplumen’s Google UCP SDK for Java is now available:

• Official Website: https://deeplumen.io
• Open Source on GitHub: github.com/Open-Commerce-Protocol

Deeplumen is continuously expanding its ecosystem with a suite of upcoming products that will power the future of autonomous commerce.

About Deeplumen

Deeplumen is an AI-first technology company focused on the intersection of AI agents and global commerce. As the pioneers of the M2AI (Marketing to AI) framework, Deeplumen builds the protocols, infrastructure, and connectors that allow brands to thrive in an era where machines represent the consumer.

Media Contact:

Deeplumen
ucp@deeplumen.io 

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bebop (get.bebop.ai),  an AI-native and powered platform that delivers verified, high-intent opportunities to growth-focused businesses, announced the addition of Ready-to-Sell Leads to its product suite today. This new capability leverages groundbreaking prospecting technology and redefines what qualifies as a lead.

The new offering, powered by a proprietary algorithm, a sophisticated blend of LLMs, and specialized data sources, uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a completely new class of lead.

Each opportunity is quadruple-vetted for accuracy and intent. Leads also come with a customized playbook outlining the exact sales angles to take, likely objections, key messaging cues, and more.

“Ready-to-Sell Leads gives customers fully qualified, intent-rich, deeply in market opportunities — all ready to close, so that sales teams can focus their efforts where it matters most,” said Gianpiero Policicchio, CEO of Bebop. “Sales teams tell us they spend too much time qualifying and researching leads instead of selling. This helps to raise the standards for what sellers should be expecting form lead generation and removes the guesswork when it comes to closing.”

Ready-to-Sell Leads joins a growing suite of AI tools designed to support every stage of the sales process. The Bebop App provides instant prospect research and personalized playbooks. Ready-to-Sell Leads delivers qualified, high-intent opportunities straight to a CRM or email. Bebop Insights offers large-scale access to real-time B2B data for teams that need deep market visibility.

You can learn more about Ready-to-Sell Leads by visiting get.bebop.ai/bebop-ready-to-sell-leads

About Bebop
Bebop, part of Blackpearl Group (NZX:BPG, ASX:BPG), is an AI sales platform that helps revenue teams reduce research time and improve lead quality. Its product suite includes the Bebop App for instant prospect research, Ready-to-Sell Leads for qualified high-intent opportunities, and Bebop Insights for large-scale B2B data.

Learn more at get.bebop.ai

About Blackpearl Group
Blackpearl Group (NZX:BPG, ASX:BPG) is a market-leading data technology company that pioneers AI-driven sales and marketing solutions for the US market.

Specifically engineered for small-medium-sized businesses (SMEs), BPG consistently delivers exceptional value to its customers. Our mantra is simple: “Creating Motivating Opportunities.”

Founded in 2012, BPG is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and Phoenix, Arizona.

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 19, D.M.G officially announced the launch of the overseas chapter of its artist GAI Zhou Yan’s GAI EVOLUTION 2026 WORLD TOUR. As one of the co-organizers of this tour, TME live will join forces to bring the most powerful voice in Chinese rap to sweep across the globe once again after a seven-year hiatus!

The tour kicks off in Singapore on March 7. Ticket presale begins at 11:00 AM on January 26 (local time and Beijing time), with official sales starting at 11:00 AM on January 30 (local time and Beijing time). Ticketing platforms for the Singapore stop include SISTIC, MAISEAT, Damai, and Ctrip. The performance will be held at Resorts World Ballroom at Resorts World Sentosa. The Singapore debut will feature a special standing zone, allowing fans to experience the sonic bombardment at the closest distance, resonate in sync with the stage, and push the interactive proximity to its absolute limit. Subsequently, the GAI EVOLUTION WORLD TOUR will make its way to Las Vegas, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, and other cities.

GAI’s live music performances have earned exceptional acclaim for their commanding stage presence, extraordinary infectious energy, formidable vocal prowess, and emotionally charged talking segments—described by fans as “the blazing passion and shock etched in DNA.” Before embarking on this global journey, GAI EVOLUTION has already completed an epic evolution from “pioneer” to “definer” on Chinese soil, establishing a series of insurmountable industry benchmarks. Between 2024 and 2025, from ten sold-out performances at ten-thousand-capacity gymnasiums to the successful staging of Chinese rap’s first stadium 360-degree stage concert—with all tickets snapped up within seconds of release—GAI EVOLUTION made history, officially ushering Chinese rap into the “Stadium Era.”

Igniting Overseas — Restoring the Purest Hip-Hop Essence

The highly anticipated GAI EVOLUTION 2026 WORLD TOUR – Overseas Chapter will revive the purest Hip-Hop essence, returning to its primal restlessness and passion. From stunning audiovisual experiences to zero-distance immersive energy, audiences will not merely “watch” a performance but fully submerge themselves in the musical universe GAI has constructed—a realm where “jianghu” (Chinese chivalrous world) chivalry meets worldly warmth, where pulse-pounding rhythms collide with lyrics that strike straight to the heart. From the moment the opening notes ring out to every second before the curtain falls, the audience will be enveloped in GAI’s powerful aura and sound pressure, embarking on an immersive “jianghu” journey that resonates from the senses to the soul, and feeling the most thunderous sonic waves of Chinese rap on the world stage.

GAI’s entire body of work over the years will be fully unveiled at the concerts, with classic tracks, explosive anthems, and tear-jerking ballads taking turns to captivate the audience. The setlist encompasses hit songs from multiple legendary albums including Yan, Douhong, Underlying Logic, and G-BLOCK Mixtape: “Kong Cheng Ji (Empty City Strategy)”, “Chongqing Hun (Chongqing Spirit)”, “Yi Bai Ling Ba (One Hundred and Eight)”, and “Cang Hai Yi Sheng Xiao (A Laugh in the Sea of Chaos)” awaken nostalgia; “Lan Hua Cao (Orchid Grass)”, “Chao Tian Men (Chaotianmen)”, and “Wei Yuan Gu Shi (Weiyuan Story)” stir deep emotions; while “Qi”, “Gu Xiang, Feng (Hometown Hunan, Wind)”, and “Bai Ge (White Pigeon)”—created and performed on Singer 2025—will be presented live. Within the powerful energy field of GAI EVOLUTION, experience up close the evolutionary trajectory of GAI’s journey and his unchanging sincerity and passion. This embodies the cultural confidence of the Chinese people, using GAI’s distinctive style to showcase the infinite possibilities of Chinese rap to the world.

Going Global — Unveiling the Infinite Possibilities of Chinese Rap

After years of meticulous preparation and profound accumulation, the 2026 world tour of GAI EVOLUTION is committed to reconstructing the commercial value and cultural influence of Chinese rap abroad. GAI will bring the “New Chinese-style Rap” aesthetic system—fully validated domestically and rooted in Chinese cultural DNA—to break through geographical and cultural boundaries, leaving a distinct Chinese mark on the global map of popular culture. This not only signifies the expansion of GAI’s personal musical stage but, more importantly, a pivotal moment for Chinese rap to showcase its highest standards to the world.

GAI Zhou Yan’s GAI EVOLUTION 2026 WORLD TOUR – Overseas Chapter is about to kick off in full swing!

WUHU, China, Jan. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In December 2025, global traffic data analytics company INRIX released its 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard, providing an in-depth analysis of traffic data from over 900 cities across 36 countries. The report shows that traffic congestion has worsened in more than half of these cities compared to the previous year, making it a persistent challenge for major urban areas. Building on these insights, the LEPAS flagship model LEPAS L8 leverages advanced intelligent technologies and robust hybrid systems to deliver an Elegant Driving solution. Even in congested conditions, it reduces driver stress and allows them to navigate complex traffic with elegance and composure.

Frequent stop-and-go traffic during peak hours can quickly lead to driver fatigue. The LEPAS L8’s intelligent driver assistance system effectively alleviates this burden. With full-speed-range ACC and ICA activated, the vehicle can follow traffic from standstill up to 180 km/h, maintaining lane centering and smooth stop-and-go operation. This significantly reduces repetitive driver inputs, making congested commuting more efficient and less tiring.

During the evening rush hour, stop-and-go traffic increases the demands on driver attention. The LEPAS L8’s 360° panoramic view and chassis visualization system clearly displays surrounding blind spots on the central screen, enabling effortless low-speed maneuvering and precise lane changes. Combined with smooth power delivery and a quiet cabin, the system further enhances comfort and driving confidence in congested urban conditions.

For weekend short trips, unexpected highway congestion can easily disrupt plans, while frequent stopping and starting can diminish the driving experience. With a comprehensive driving range of over 1,300 kilometers, the LEPAS L8 eliminates the need for constant energy planning and removes range anxiety. Its dedicated hybrid transmission, featuring a 97.6% transmission efficiency, ensures smooth and refined low-speed driving, avoiding the jolts that often undermine travel comfort in congested scenarios.

Behind this calm and composed performance in traffic lies robust technical capability. The LEPAS L8 is equipped with Chery Group’s Super Hybrid System, featuring an industry-leading 44.5% thermal efficiency and fuel consumption as low as 4.2 L/100 km in charge-sustaining mode. Together, these technologies form the competitive advantage of the LEPAS L8 in congested driving scenarios—transforming every journey into the Elegant Driving experience.

LEPAS aims to bring Elegant Driving to more users worldwide, empowering drivers to stay composed in complex urban traffic.