22 C
Vientiane
Thursday, October 23, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1260

YäRKEN Raises Funds from 1982 Ventures to Expand AI-Driven IT Financial Management Across North American Enterprise Clients

NEW YORK, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — YäRKEN, the first AI native IT Financial Management (ITFM) platform for enterprise clients has announced a fundraising round led by 1982 Ventures. This funding will enable YäRKEN to further develop its AI capabilities and scale its customer base across North America.

The ITFM market is projected to grow at 12.7% per annum and hit US$14 billion (according to Business Research Insights, forecast period 2025-2033). This growth is driven by CIOs’ increasing need for solutions to effectively manage and forecast complex cloud and on-premises investments as well as managing software licences and usage across multiple business units. Yarken’s AI-native approach reduces implementation times, delivers average cost reductions of 15-25%, and significantly reduces ongoing maintenance hours by up to 50%.

Yarken was founded by seasoned entrepreneurs Ravi Kuppan (CEO) and Vaibhav Kulkarni (CTO), after the successful sale of their enterprise software company Tarantula Global to Constellation Software. Kuppan said, “Our years delivering software to large global enterprises showed us CIOs are struggling to manage sprawling IT infrastructure costs with legacy solutions and spreadsheets that are inflexible, slow to deploy, and expensive to maintain. We knew how to solve this by leveraging AI.”

Ravi Kuppan, Yarken CEO stated, “Yarken’s native AI can ingest and analyze data from any IT system, regardless of format. This means whether you’re tracking cloud spending, software licenses, or hardware assets, our clients gain comprehensive, actionable cost insights months faster than our competitors.” He added, “Yarken’s platform provides comprehensive audit trails and cost transparency, helping enterprises maintain compliance and enhance IT governance.”

Yarken, which was recently included in Gartner’s 2025 Market Guide for ITFM as an established offering, has been rapidly expanding in the United States and Canada.  US based Maryville Consulting, recognized for its expertise in Technology Business Management, will now offer Yarken’s platform to its extensive portfolio of enterprise clients, giving them streamlined access to Yarken’s powerful analytics and cost management tools.

“Yarken’s light TBM approach and ease of use help us provide innovative solutions to the North American market. By integrating Yarken’s platform into our service offerings, we can help clients gain deeper insights into IT spend and drive more strategic decision-making.” said Quinn Abraham, VP of TBM / FinOps at Maryville Consulting.

“Many CIOs are faced with the competing mandates of reducing costs while continuing to invest in new systems. Yarken’s AI-native platform gives CIOs full visibility on their tech spend, with integrated forecasting and benchmarking that produce actionable insights, including rapid IT planning capabilities, allowing for proactive budget adjustments that the business can collaborate on. The solution pays for itself,” said James Kim, Operating Partner of 1982 Ventures and former Managing Director at Accenture. He added, “Yarken is the only platform that integrates all areas of IT financial management and cloud operations with native AI, allowing enterprise clients to achieve faster time to value.”

Scott Krivokopich, Founding Managing Partner at 1982 Ventures, stated, “We are excited to support founders like Ravi and Vaibhav, who have a proven track record of building and exiting successful enterprise software companies. Our investment in Yarken fits perfectly within our strategy of backing companies that are leveraging AI to transform financial services and enterprise operations. Yarken’s innovative approach to IT financial management, powered by native AI, is precisely the kind of disruption we believe will reshape the industry.”

The funding will fuel Yarken’s next phase of growth. Specifically, the company plans to aggressively expand its customer base across North America, further develop its AI capabilities and scale operational capacity to support this growth. Building on the success of global SI partnerships.  Yarken is also exploring more strategic partners with key industry players to broaden its market reach and further enhance its service offerings.

Kuppan added, “We’re just getting started.  This investment enables us to deliver even more value to our customers and partners as we redefine how enterprises manage IT spend.”

About Yarken:

YäRKEN is a leading AI-native IT Financial Management (ITFM) solution provider recognized for its innovative approach and featured in Gartner’s Market Guide for ITFM 2025. Yarken enables businesses to gain complete visibility into their IT spend, optimize costs, and make strategic decisions through AI-driven insights, forecasting, and benchmarking. Yarken’s platform simplifies ITFM, providing faster implementation, enterprise-grade scalability, and robust analytics.

For more information, visit: www.yarken.com 

RuggON Showcases AI-Driven Rugged Fleet Solutions at WasteExpo 2025, Empowering Smarter & Greener Waste Management

LAS VEGAS, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RuggON, a subsidiary of Ubiqconn Technology and a leading provider of rugged mobile computing solutions, is proud to announce its participation at WasteExpo 2025, North America’s premier waste and recycling event. At Booth #879, RuggON will unveil its next-generation AI-powered vehicle mount computers and fleet solutions tailored for waste management operators seeking to digitize, optimize, and decarbonize their operations.

RuggON Showcases AI-Driven Rugged Fleet Solutions at WasteExpo 2025, Empowering Smarter & Greener Waste Management
RuggON Showcases AI-Driven Rugged Fleet Solutions at WasteExpo 2025, Empowering Smarter & Greener Waste Management

Amid growing global demand for sustainability in urban infrastructure, RuggON’s ruggedized solutions provide waste fleets with real-time vehicle diagnostics, intelligent route planning, and proactive maintenance capabilities. Through seamless integration with CAN bus and SAE J1939 standards, these vehicle mount computers enable instant access to operational data and AI-assisted safety alerts, such as blind spot detection and driver monitoring — reducing risks on the road and boosting driver accountability.

Built for the toughest environments, RuggON’s vehicle-mounted platforms meet military-grade standards for shock and vibration resistance, ensuring performance in the most demanding waste collection conditions. With LEOs, 5G, 4G/LTE, and WiFi connectivity onboard, waste fleet operators can transmit and receive critical data across systems with speed and reliability, facilitating decisions that reduce downtime, lower emissions, and extend vehicle life cycles.

“We’re excited to demonstrate how our rugged solutions empower the waste industry to embrace digital transformation while staying aligned with sustainability goals,” said Tim Tsai, North America CEO of Ubiqconn. “Our technologies are not just built for durability — they’re built for a cleaner future.”

RuggON is proud to be driving innovation in waste management. By empowering frontline operators with reliable, AI-powered solutions, we’re not just supporting cleaner cities—we’re helping build a smarter, more sustainable future.

About RuggON

RuggON Corp., a subsidiary of Ubiqconn Technology, is a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computing solutions. Combining Ubiqconn’s advanced technology to drive innovation and expand in the Mobile Industrial (IioT) market, RuggON leverages decades of expertise to improve mobile productivity in harsh environments. A committed engineering team delivers devices of exceptional value and quality that enhance user experience. The company understands the diverse demands of industries to provide tailored, efficient solutions. RuggON is dedicated to higher standards for customer satisfaction and prides itself on offering endless possibilities to meet tomorrow’s needs. For more information, visit http://www.ruggon.com or follow us on LinkedIn

Zindi Supports Cassava Technologies with 85 K Zindians to showcase African AI innovation


DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 May 2025 – Zindi, the leading professional network for data scientists and AI developers in emerging markets, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, to deliver artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaas) across the African continent.

This partnership represents a significant step in accelerating digital transformation in Africa and will see the two organisations collaborate on several initiatives. These include using Cassava’s GPUaaS capabilities for Zindi’s AI solution development and identifying opportunities for both organisations to leverage one another’s platforms and ecosystems.

As Africa’s pioneering data science competition platform, Zindi collaborates with companies, non-profit organisations, and government institutions to develop, curate, and prepare data-driven challenges. This partnership underscores their mutual commitment to nurturing AI talent and innovation throughout the continent.

Zindi CEO and Co-Founder, Celina Lee states:

“Zindi is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Cassava Technologies to strengthen African datasets and address local problems with locally developed solutions. Using Cassava’s GPU capabilities, which are essential for handling the large and complex computations that AI and machine learning models require, and collaborating on the launch of a competition specifically aimed at nurturing Africa’s AI talent will not only expose entrepreneurs and innovative solutions; it will help build new skills and create employment opportunities,”

With the signing of this MOU, Cassava and Zindi are set to make significant inroads in Africa’s AI landscape. The partnership supports Cassava’s objective of providing world-class digital solutions and advancing responsible AI adoption, innovation, and growth in Africa. This follows its recent announcement of its plans to build Africa’s first AI factory and the 2024 launch of Cassava’s AI business.

Hashtag: #Zindi

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

About Zindi

Zindi is also present in the Caribbean. Join Saturday May 10th 2025 Barbados hackathon

Zindi is the first uniquely African data science competition platform. Zindi hosts an entire data science ecosystem of scientists, engineers, academics, companies, NGOs, governments and institutions focused on solving Africa’s most pressing problems. Zindi works with companies, non-profit organizations, and government institutions to develop, curate, and prepare data-driven challenges. Solutions are ranked automatically by the accuracy achieved. Whether you are testing the data science waters for the first time or trying to crack a persistent business problem with data, Zindi helps organizations push their creative boundaries at an affordable cost. For data scientists, from newbies to rock stars, Zindi is a place to access African datasets and solve African problems. Data scientists will find all the tools they need on Zindi to compete, share ideas, hone their skills, build their professional profiles, find career opportunities, and have fun!

Nisun International Signs $50 Million Corn Supply Agreement with Sichuan Yingdafeng Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.

The Company Forecasts Strong Growth in 2025 Driven by Supply Chain and KFC Franchise Expansion

SHANGHAI, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd (“Nisun International” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: NISN), a technology-driven organization focused on transforming supply chain and agricultural logistics, today announced the signing of a USD $50 million corn supply agreement with Sichuan Yingdafeng Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yingdafeng”).

Under the agreement, Yingdafeng will supply high-quality yellow corn over a 12-month period. All shipments will comply with national food safety and quality standards, supporting Nisun International’s expanding role in China’s agricultural supply chain.

“This agreement enhances our sourcing capabilities and reflects our commitment to building a resilient and efficient agricultural supply chain,” said Mr. Xin Liu, CEO of Nisun International.

In support of long-term shareholder value, Nisun International will continue executing its existing stock repurchase plan, reflecting the management team’s confidence in the Company’s performance and its belief that the current share price undervalues the business. The buyback strategy is designed to strategically deploy capital while reinforcing investor confidence.

“We remain focused on delivering consistent growth and maximizing shareholder returns,” added Mr. Liu. “Our business fundamentals are strong, and our strategic initiatives are aligned for long-term value creation.”

About Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd

Nisun International Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd (NASDAQ: NISN) is a technology-driven, integrated supply chain solutions provider focused on transforming the corporate finance industry. Leveraging its industry experience, Nisun International is dedicated to providing professional supply chain solutions to Chinese and foreign enterprises and financial institutions. Through its subsidiaries, Nisun International provides users with professional solutions for technology supply chain management, technology asset routing, and digital transformation of tech and finance institutions, enabling the industry to strengthen and grow. At the same time, Nisun International continues to deepen the field of industry segmentation through industrial and financial integration. Focusing on industry-finance linkages, Nisun International aims to serve the upstream and downstream of the industrial supply chain while also assisting with supply-side sub-sector reform. For more information, please visit http://ir.nisun-international.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains information about Nisun International ‘s view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with its ability to raise additional funding, its ability to maintain and grow its business, variability of operating results, its ability to maintain and enhance its brand, its development and introduction of new products and services, the successful integration of acquired companies, technologies and assets into its portfolio of products and services, marketing and other business development initiatives, competition in the industry, general government regulation, economic conditions, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract, hire and retain personnel who possess the technical skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements of its clients, and its ability to protect its intellectual property. Nisun International encourages you to review other factors that may affect its future results in Nisun International ‘s registration statement and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nisun International assumes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

NetEase Cloud Music x Soundcharts: Bringing China’s streaming trends to the global industry

HANGZHOU, China, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NetEase Cloud Music, one of China’s leading music streaming platforms with over 206 million Monthly Active Users (MAUs), is making China’s streaming charts more accessible to the global music industry through a new partnership with Soundcharts. This collaboration provides structured access to NetEase Cloud Music rankings from China, offering global professionals valuable insights into one of the world’s most dynamic music markets.

Expanding Access to China’s Music Trends

Through this partnership, Soundcharts users can track three NetEase Cloud Music charts:

  • Hot China Songs – Updated weekly
  • Hot International Songs (in China) – Updated weekly
  • New International Songs (in China) – Updated daily

With this new data, artists, managers, and labels worldwide can monitor music trends in China more closely and identify emerging opportunities for growth and engagement.

China’s Gen Z: Redefining Music Discovery

China’s Gen Z audience is increasingly influential in shaping music trends. Their behavior is characterized by:

  • Digital-native engagement — Deeply immersed in online communities and music discovery.
  • Active trend creation — Actively driving and amplifying new trends through sharing and interaction.
  • Community-based discovery — Prioritizing emerging artists and niche genres over traditional mainstream channels.

These behaviors create a dynamic ecosystem where independent and international artists can find new audiences and achieve unexpected chart success.

Helping Global Artists Build Presence in China

NetEase Cloud Music has supported the growth of international artists in China, with artists like bbno$ and JORDANN gaining significant traction among Chinese listeners. This provides a platform for greater visibility and audience connection. However, many artists have faced challenges in tracking their performance across the Chinese market.

According to NetEase Cloud Music’s official statement, this partnership with Soundcharts provides greater transparency into China’s vibrant music scene and provides artists and labels worldwide with new tools to better understand, engage with, and expand their reach among Chinese music fans.

A New Gateway to China’s Streaming Market

By integrating NetEase Cloud Music’s chart updates into Soundcharts, this initiative enables global music professionals to:

  • Track international song performance in China through structured, real-time data.
  • Understand how music trends are evolving among China’s Gen Z audiences.
  • Make better-informed decisions about promotion, marketing, and audience development in China.

With this partnership, NetEase Cloud Music strengthens the bridge between China’s digital music landscape and the global music industry, creating new opportunities for collaboration, discovery, and growth.

Lightstorm Completes Integration of RTI Cables’ assets to Strengthen Data Center Connectivity in Asia, Australia, and the US

SINGAPORE, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lightstorm, a leading provider of digital network infrastructure connectivity solutions headquartered in Singapore, announces the successful integration of the assets acquired from RTI Cables, further enhancing its global subsea and terrestrial network. With over 75 Tbps of capacity, connectivity across 25+ data centers, and coverage in 7 key marketsTokyo, Sydney, Brisbane, Guam, Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Singapore—Lightstorm is redefining the high-performance data center connectivity platform for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprises.

These 21,000 km of subsea cable systems form the backbone of a high-capacity, low-latency infrastructure that enables seamless interconnectivity for global enterprises. The network offers industry-leading latency performance, with the fastest Tokyo-to-Sydney route spanning 9,700 km at just 97 milliseconds, and the most versatile Australia-to-US path via Guam and Hawaii covering 14,500 km in 109 milliseconds. Additionally, through a strategic partner network, this expansion includes the only direct Singapore-to-US route bypassing the South China Sea, ensuring enhanced security and resilience for global enterprises.

“The demand for high-speed, low-latency, and scalable connectivity solutions has never been greater. With the integration of RTI Cables, we are elevating our capabilities to support the next phase of digital transformation for global AI, cloud and enterprise players,” said Amajit Gupta, Group CEO & MD, Lightstorm. “This move is not just about expanding our reach—it’s about redefining the standards of connectivity for hyperscalers, enterprises, and OTTs looking for agile, intelligent, and high-capacity solutions across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.”

By integrating these subsea assets into its platform, Lightstorm now provides connectivity to 250+ data centers (including 120+ on-net locations) across 14 countries (7 on-net) and has deployed 1,500 Tbps of capacity across its terrestrial and subsea network. This expanded footprint delivers unparalleled reliability, performance, and reach, positioning Lightstorm to power the next era of AI adoption, cloud growth, and digital enterprise expansion in an increasingly connected world.

About Lightstorm 

Lightstorm is a pioneer in providing cutting-edge digital network infrastructure solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. Lightstorm cater to the dynamic needs of Hyperscalers, cloud-native companies, and large enterprises through our innovative network solutions. Our mission is to empower businesses with resilient, secure, and scalable connectivity, ensuring seamless integration and interoperability across various cloud and data centre environments.

For media queries, please contact lightstorm@preciouscomms.com 

Amazon’s Mother’s Day Big Sale Is On — Here Are the Korean Beauty Deals You Can’t Miss

From lash-boosting serums to air-fit sunscreens,
these skincare steals are the perfect gift for Mom—or a little treat for yourself.

SEOUL, South Korea, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mother’s Day is coming in hot, and Amazon’s got the perfect excuse to stock up on gifts—or indulge in a little skincare splurge. From now through May 11, you can shop the Mother’s Day Big Sale, packed with editor-loved, TikTok-viral Korean beauty deals up to 35% off. Whether you’re hunting for something Mom will love or adding a few new goodies to your top shelf, now’s the time to grab them before they’re gone.

Amazon's Mother’s Day Big Sale Is On — Here Are the Korean Beauty Deals You Can’t Miss
Amazon’s Mother’s Day Big Sale Is On — Here Are the Korean Beauty Deals You Can’t Miss

ELEVA Korea Co.,Ltd, a specialized beauty & personal care marketing agency for U.S. moms, rounded up the most worth-it picks—from a juicy lip oil that delivers a natural flush to a red ginseng skincare set so potent and luxurious, it feels like a spa day in a bottle. Scroll on for your next skincare obsession (and maybe your mom’s).

  1. NOONI Appleberry Lip Oil
    Now 20% Off

    Say goodbye to dry lips. This TikTok viral Korean vegan lip oil hydrates and leaves behind a juicy, long-lasting color stain. It’s the perfect on-the-go essential for that effortless “just-bitten” look.

  2. BENTON HONEST Eyelash Serum
    Now 30% Off   

    Longer, fuller lashes in just two weeks? Sign us up. This best-selling eyelash serum is a favorite among Korea’s top beauty YouTubers, praised for its gentle formula and visible results. It’s the perfect gift for any beauty lover who wants a little extra flutter without the hassle of extensions.”

    1) BENTON Honest Black Eyelash Serum – Now 35% Off
    2) BENTON Guava 70 Skin Toner Face Mask Pad –
    Now 35% Off

  3. DONGINBI Red Ginseng Daily Defense Special Set
    Now 35% Off

    Red ginseng skincare, but make it luxury. This potent essence and serum set from Donginbi is a beloved gift set for its powerful revitalizing effects—just a few drops a day leave skin feeling smoother, firmer, and more resilient. Plus, once you get used to the premium earthy ginseng scent, you’ll fall in love with how grounded it makes your routine feel.

  4. SOME BY MI V10 Hyal Air Fit Sunscreen
    Now 30% Off

    Looking for a centella sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast and works as a natural makeup base? This bestseller checks all the boxes. With a SPF 50 vitamin-rich formula and a feather-light texture, this Korean sunscreen delivers a glowy, healthy finish that’s perfect for “no-makeup makeup” days.

 

OneRoyal Partners with Football Legend Diego Forlán as Brand Ambassador

Global broker OneRoyal announces an exciting partnership with Diego Forlán, one of football’s most respected figures, as its official brand ambassador.

MANILA, Philippines, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OneRoyal, a leading financial trading company providing online investment solutions, has teamed up with Uruguayan football icon Diego Forlán to enhance its global brand presence. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for OneRoyal as it aligns with one of football’s most celebrated players, known for his skill, leadership, and commitment to excellence.

Diego Forlan
Diego Forlan

Diego Forlán, a former striker renowned for his stunning performances on the international stage, has had a distinguished career spanning top clubs such as Manchester United, Villarreal, and Atlético Madrid. As a two-time winner of the European Golden Boot and the Best Player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Forlán embodies dedication, resilience, and success. Values that strongly resonate with OneRoyal’s mission to empower traders worldwide.

“I am thrilled to join forces with OneRoyal, a company that stands for ambition and excellence,” said Diego Forlán. “Just as in football, where strategy and skill determine success, the financial markets require knowledge and precision. I look forward to inspiring traders to make informed decisions and reach their financial goals with OneRoyal.”

Through this partnership, Forlán will play a key role in OneRoyal’s global marketing campaigns, appearing in various promotional materials, digital content, global expos, and brand initiatives aimed at educating and engaging traders worldwide. His influence will further solidify OneRoyal’s presence in the competitive trading industry, connecting sports fans and investors alike.

“OneRoyal is honored to welcome football royalty, Diego Forlán to our family,” said Rayan Al-Annan, CEO of OneRoyal. “His commitment to excellence, discipline, and success reflects our approach to financial trading. We believe this collaboration will inspire our global community of traders to strive for greatness, just as Forlán did in his athletic career.”

As a brand ambassador, Forlán will also engage with OneRoyal’s global audience through exclusive content, educational initiatives, and appearances at key industry events. This partnership underscores OneRoyal’s dedication to empowering traders with the tools, insights, and inspiration needed to navigate financial markets effectively.

About OneRoyal

OneRoyal is a premier financial trading platform that provides investors with seamless access to global markets through innovative trading solutions. With a commitment to transparency, security, and excellence, OneRoyal offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, and CFDs, ensuring that both novice and experienced traders can maximize their investment potential.

Established with the vision of democratizing access to financial markets, OneRoyal continues to expand its global footprint while delivering cutting-edge technology, expert market analysis, and superior customer service.

For more information about OneRoyal and its partnership with Diego Forlán, visit www.oneroyal.com.

Risk Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Financial markets involve risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and seek professional advice before making investment decisions.

Risk Warning: High-risk investments may lead to total capital loss.