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XtraMaker Launches M1 Series on Kickstarter: The World’s First 5-in-1 Smart Desktop DTF Studio Built for Creators

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global DIY smart tool brand XtraMaker launched the M1 Series on Kickstarter at 9:00 AM PDT, August 4.


As the World’s First 5-in-1 Smart Desktop DTF Studio, it fully automates all five DTF essential steps, printing, powdering, drying, curing, and purification, the M1 Series integrates the entire workflow into a single, compact unit. Built for Etsy sellers, apparel designers, and small studios, XtraMaker eliminates manual labor and tedious maintenance with professional print quality. With one-touch automation, creators can now deliver premium-quality custom apparel effortlessly.

Exclusive Kickstarter Launch Offers

To reward early backers, XtraMaker is offering limited-time launch perks on Kickstarter:

  • Super Early Bird Pricing: Access the lowest prices of the XtraMaker M1 series, featuring limited-quantity discounts:
    • XtraMaker M1: Save 54% on MSRP
    • XtraMaker M1 Pro: Save 50% on MSRP
    • XtraMaker M1 & M1 Pro Bundle: Save 51% on MSRP
  • 1-Year Warranty: All Kickstarter backers receive a 1-year warranty, priority shipping, and 1-on-1 technical support.

The Complete Studio Lineup: Printers & Heat Presses

From precision printing to final heat application, choose the ideal hardware setup engineered for any workspace and application:

  • XtraMaker M1 (A4 Print Size) | Compact & Versatile
    • Highlights: Ultra-compact footprint designed for home studios and personal makers.
    • Best For: Small transfers, chest logos, hats, canvas bags, and custom t-shirts.
  • XtraMaker M1 Pro (A3 Print Size) | Maximum Capacity
    • Highlights: Larger print width engineered for growing apparel brands and print shops.
    • Best For: High-margin large prints, hoodie backs, and jackets.
  • Heat Press | Semi-Automatic Flatbed
    • Highlights: Hands-free, semi-automatic operation with auto-countdown and popup for consistent heating without constant monitoring.
    • Best For: T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and everyday flat garment orders.
  • Cap Press | Curved Surface Specialist
    • Highlights: Semi-automatic mechanism with dedicated clamping designed specifically for curved surfaces.
    • Best For: Hats, caps.
  • Heat Press Mini | Compact & Handheld
    • Highlights: Lightweight design (0.96 kg) for targeted detail work and hard-to-reach areas.
    • Best For: Sleeves, collars, pockets, and quick touch-ups.

Core Features: Complex Tech Made Simple

1. 5-in-1 Fully Automated Workflow

  • Technology: Integrates printing, powdering, shaking, curing, and air purification into one automated process.
  • Value: Zero learning curve. Replaces messy manual work with a clean, fully automated setup that prints in minutes.

2. G7-Certified Color & Multi-Resolution Modes

  • Technology: G7-certified color system with smooth gradients and crisp details, featuring 3 adjustable resolution modes.
  • Value: Premium output, flexible speed. Deliver high-value, color-accurate orders, or switch modes to speed up print runs.

3. All-Fabric & Multi-Material Transfer

  • Technology: Transfers effortlessly onto cotton, denim, polyester, leather, blends, and cardboard packaging.
  • Value: Beyond fabrics. Say goodbye to material limits and take on a wider range of custom orders.

4. Smart Auto-Maintenance System

  • Technology: Zero-ink-waste white ink circulation during daily care. During power outages, the built-in UPS battery provides up to 1 month of backup power to keep white ink stirring and channels filled with moisturizing liquid to prevent clogs.
  • Value: No clogs, lower costs. Keeps printheads protected even during extended holidays or power loss—saving time and money.

About XtraMaker

Backed by parent company EAI Tech (YDLIDAR) and a decade of hardware expertise from former Huawei engineers, XtraMaker delivers industrial-grade, affordable desktop DTF printing solutions for modern creators and small businesses.

Start Your Business Today

Leave the complexity to tech, keep the simplicity for creativity. With limited Super Early Bird discounts offering up to 54% off, this is the best time to claim super early bird pricing before limited reward tiers sell out.

Order Now on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1914891948/xtramaker-m1-your-5-in-1-smart-dtf-print-to-profit-partner?ref=9xxxry


Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Appoints Inaugural Museum Director

ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi today announced the appointment of Dr. Valerie Hillings as the inaugural Director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Appoints Inaugural Museum Director
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Appoints Inaugural Museum Director

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a cornerstone of Saadiyat Cultural District, one of the world’s greatest concentrations of cultural institutions. Alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, it affirms Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision.

As Director, Dr. Hillings will bring this vision to life leading the museum’s strategic direction, overseeing its inaugural exhibitions and programmes, and establishing an institution that is rooted in Abu Dhabi and connected to the world, one that connects cultures, inspires people and celebrates art from the 1960s to the present.

Dr. Hillings brings deep familiarity with Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to the role. From 2009 to 2018, she served as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s Curator and Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project, working closely with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi on the collection strategy and acquisitions, pre-opening programming and the Frank Gehry-designed building. Earlier, she spent five years on the Guggenheim’s curatorial staff in New York.

Since 2018, Dr. Hillings has served as Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, where she led the reimagination of its permanent collection galleries, added some 400 works to the collection and oversaw a doubling of annual attendance to 1.2 million visitors. She holds a PhD and MA in Art History and Archaeology from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and an AB in Art History from Duke University, with a specialisation in modern and contemporary art.

Dr. Valerie Hillings said: “I am honoured to return to Abu Dhabi to complete the once-in-a-lifetime journey of founding and opening Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a museum developed in the United Arab Emirates by colleagues from both the region and around the world. I look forward to welcoming local and global audiences to the magnificent Frank Gehry-designed building and inviting them to explore points of interconnection and unique stories through the lens of art from the 1960s to our time.”

Through Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s collection, exhibitions, commissions, research and public programmes, the museum will foster dialogue across cultures and generations while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global centre for artistic innovation, creative production and cultural exchange. Housing 30 galleries across 11,600 square metres of interior exhibition space, alongside 23,000 square metres of outdoor exhibition areas, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will provide one of the world’s most significant platforms for modern and contemporary art upon its opening.

NOTE TO EDITORS

GUGGENHEIM ABU DHABI IS NOW LIVE on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

REGISTER YOUR DETAILS TO RECEIVE FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS

www.guggenheimabudhabi.ae

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dctabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae and abudhabiculture.ae

AuctuCel launches AuctuPrime to reduce biological variability in cell therapy manufacturing

Chemically defined medium removes animal serum and human platelet supplements as Malaysia and Singapore strengthen advanced therapy capabilities


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 August 2026 –Singapore is estimated to record approximately 19,290 new cancer cases in 2024, underscoring the growing demand for advanced treatment options and the manufacturing systems needed to produce them consistently. As cell therapies move from research towards clinical use, the reliability of every raw material used in production becomes increasingly important.

AuctuCel Pte Ltd, a Singapore biotechnology company specialising in AI-powered bioprocess technologies, today announced the launch of AuctuPrime, a next-generation chemically defined cell culture medium developed in collaboration with Sperikon. The formulation is designed to remove dependence on both animal serum and donor-derived human platelet supplements during cell therapy manufacturing.

The launch comes as both markets continue to deepen their advanced therapy ecosystems. The Singapore Economic Development Board reported that the country saw a fourfold increase in locally incorporated biotechnology companies since 2015. In Malaysia, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency issued updated cell and gene therapy product guidance in September 2025, including revised Good Manufacturing Practice requirements. As more research moves towards clinical translation, the reliability and traceability of manufacturing inputs are receiving greater attention.

A less visible bottleneck in cell therapy

Cell therapies are advancing across cancer, autoimmune disease and regenerative medicine, but manufacturing remains one of the major barriers to wider clinical and commercial adoption. Many conventional culture processes still use animal serum or platelet-derived supplements from human donors. These biological materials can vary between batches and may introduce additional sourcing, testing and documentation requirements.

AuctuPrime replaces these supplements with a fully chemically defined formulation. By giving researchers and manufacturers clearer control over what enters the process, it is intended to provide a more reproducible foundation for scale-up from laboratory research to clinical and commercial manufacturing.

The formulation is designed to support:

* Elimination of animal serum and human platelet supplements

* Reduced batch-to-batch variability in the culture process

* Lower dependence on donor-derived biological raw materials

* Greater supply chain resilience through chemically defined inputs

* More consistent scale-up and technology transfer across manufacturing stages

* A xeno-free approach for regenerative medicine and cell therapy workflowsWhy the manufacturing medium matters to patients

“Culture medium is not the therapy itself, but it can influence how reliably cells are produced. By removing animal serum and human platelet supplements, AuctuPrime gives researchers and manufacturers greater control over the process, helping to reduce variability and prepare for larger-scale production.” said Dr Zach Pang, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of AuctuCel.

Supporting Singapore’s advanced therapy ecosystem

Singapore is strengthening its position as a regional hub for advanced therapies, supported by its universities, hospitals, research institutions and biotechnology companies. These organisations are building capabilities that connect early-stage research with regulated manufacturing and future clinical applications. Chemically defined media can support this progress by reducing reliance on variable biological inputs and enabling processes to be reproduced more consistently across local research and manufacturing facilities.

“Singapore’s continued progress in regenerative medicine will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs, but also on the ability to manufacture therapies safely, consistently and at scale. AuctuPrime represents an important step towards building a more reproducible manufacturing platform and can support local research and industry teams as they prepare for future clinical and commercial demand,” said Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Chief Executive Officer of AuctuCel.

For the wider region, stronger manufacturing foundations also matter for healthcare resilience. Cell therapies are complex products with demanding quality requirements, and the ability to manufacture them consistently will shape how quickly promising research can progress towards clinical use.

“The future of regenerative medicine depends not only on scientific breakthroughs, but on our ability to manufacture these therapies safely, consistently and at scale,” said Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Chief Executive Officer of AuctuCel. “AuctuPrime is an important step towards a more reproducible manufacturing platform. By removing dependence on animal serum and human platelet supplements, we hope to help researchers and manufacturers build processes that are better prepared for future clinical and commercial demand.”

Regional collaboration behind the launch

AuctuPrime was developed through a collaboration between AuctuCel and Sperikon, combining AuctuCel’s bioprocess and culture media expertise with Sperikon’s experience in regenerative medicine and cell therapy development.

Behind every cell therapy breakthrough is a production process that must work repeatedly, not only once. Improving that process is one of the practical steps needed to bring the next generation of therapies closer to the patients who may benefit from them.

Notes to editors

A chemically defined medium is a formulation in which the components and their concentrations are known and controlled. In this context, xeno-free means the formulation does not rely on animal-derived materials. AuctuPrime is a manufacturing input used during cell culture and is not itself a cell therapy product.

Hashtag: #AuctuCel

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

About AuctuCel

AuctuCel is a Singapore-based biotechnology company spun out of A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute. The company develops AI-powered bioprocess technologies and ready-to-use culture media solutions that help biotechnology and cell therapy companies improve manufacturing consistency, productivity and scalability. By combining advanced modelling, scientific expertise and bioprocess innovation, AuctuCel supports the translation of research into commercially viable biomanufacturing. The company has active operations and partnerships across Singapore, Malaysia and the wider Asian region.

About Sperikon

Sperikon is a biotechnology company focused on regenerative medicine, cell culture technologies and translational research. The company works with academic institutions and industry partners to develop scalable solutions that support the clinical and commercial adoption of advanced cell therapies. Through its collaboration with AuctuCel, Sperikon contributes to the development of next-generation chemically defined manufacturing platforms.

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YY Group Acquires 95% Stake in Profitable Singapore-Incorporated Distributor

Bolt-on acquisition expected to contribute to Group revenue and net income in the first full quarter following completion

SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YY Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ: YYGH) (“YY Group” or the “Company”), an AI-enabled workforce management platform and integrated facility management (IFM) provider operating across Asia and beyond, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a 95% interest in Xtreme Solutions Pte. Ltd., an established Singapore-incorporated distributor (the “Target”) for a total consideration of 4.5 million Singapore Dollars (“S$”) (approximately US$3.5 million), payable through a combination of S$0.9 million in cash and Class A ordinary shares of the Company with an aggregate value of S$3.6 million, which will be subject to a 12-month lock-up period (the “Acquisition”).

Based on unaudited and unreviewed financial statements prepared in accordance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (“SFRS”), the Target generated revenue of approximately S$6.0 million (approximately US$4.7 million), with a net profit of approximately S$600,000 (approximately US$0.47 million) in its financial year ended March 31, 2026. The Acquisition is expected to be accretive to the Company’s revenue and net profit in the first full quarter following completion.

YY Group believes the Target has grown into an established and profitable Singapore-incorporated distribution business, primarily through traditional sales channels and word-of-mouth referrals, while its digital sales channel remains underdeveloped and represents a significant growth opportunity. YY Group, through its digital marketing and technology subsidiary, MediaPlus Venture Group Pte. Ltd., expects to bring capabilities that the Target has not previously had access to: e-commerce and web development, digital marketing, and performance analytics. YY Group intends to modernize the Target’s digital storefront, inventory visibility, and customer acquisition channels, boosting the visibility and efficiency of a business already operating profitably. Additionally, the Target’s operational footprint is expected to provide a new, captive deployment environment for YY Group’s core YY Circle manpower outsourcing services, by creating ongoing demand for manpower to support the Target’s operations.

YY Group also plans to expand the Target’s business into overseas markets where YY Group already has an operating presence. YY Group intends to promote the Target’s products through the YY Circle platform, which has more than 500,000 members, creating additional cross-selling, customer acquisition, and regional distribution opportunities across YY Group’s ecosystem.

“Our approach to acquisition is straightforward: look for profitable, well-run businesses where we can add value without diverting attention from our core platform,” said Mike Fu, Chief Executive Officer of YY Group. “The Target fits that profile exactly: a strong operator with a loyal customer base that will generate cash immediately while offering an opportunity for digitalization-driven growth. We will continue to selectively pursue acquisitions of established, profitable businesses, apply our technology and marketing infrastructure, and grow revenue without disrupting what already works.”

The Target’s existing management team will continue to lead the business under a service agreement, preserving supplier relationships, product expertise, and customer trust built over its operating history. The Target will retain its current brand and store presence.

About YY Group Holding

YY Group Holding Limited (Nasdaq: YYGH) is an AI-enabled workforce management platform and integrated facility management (IFM) provider, headquartered in Singapore and operating across Asia and beyond. The Company’s intelligent workforce solutions platform, YY Circle, helps clients across hospitality, food and beverage, retail, and other service sectors predict, plan, and optimize workforce deployment. In YY Group’s IFM business, its 24IFM software platform and comprehensive IFM subsidiary portfolio support clients across hospitality, transportation, banking, retail, and mixed-use facilities.

As both business lines scale, the Company is systematically embedding AI and automation capabilities – progressing from intelligent decision support toward increasingly autonomous workforce management – to improve service quality, reduce deployment costs, and drive long-term margin expansion. Listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, YY Group is committed to infrastructure innovation, measurable client outcomes, and long-term value creation.

Exchange Rate Information

Translations of amounts from Singapore dollars into U.S. dollars in this press release are solely for the convenience of the reader and were calculated at a rate of S$1.00 to US$0.7801, being the exchange rate on August 3, 2026. No representation is made that the Singapore dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or at any other rate.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the YY Group Holding Limited’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) growth of the hospitality market across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and other markets in which the Company operates, (ii) capital and credit market volatility, (iii) local and global economic conditions, (iv) our anticipated growth strategies, (v) governmental approvals and regulations, (vi) our ability to successfully develop, deploy, and commercialize our AI-powered and automation products and capabilities, including through strategic partnerships, and (vii) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and YY Group Holding Limited undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Contact
Jason Zhi Yong Phua, Chief Financial Officer
YY Group
enquiries@yygroupholding.com

TECHTRONIC INDUSTRIES DELIVERS STRONG FIRST HALF PERFORMANCE

GROWING SALES TO US$8.3 BILLION, NET PROFIT INCREASED TO US$738 MILLION

HONG KONG, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (“TTI” or the “Group”) (stock code: HK: 0669, ADR symbol: TTNDY), a global cordless power tool, outdoor power equipment and floorcare & cleaning company, is pleased to announce its results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2026. The Group delivered record first half results in 2026, with revenue growing 5.9% to US$8.3 billion. Its two leading brands, MILWAUKEE and RYOBI, both delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2026, growing at a combined 8.2% underlying growth rate in local currency.

  • TTI delivered record first half results in 2026, with revenue growing 5.9% to US$8.3 billion and net profit increasing 17.5% to US$738 million. 
  • Our global MILWAUKEE business grew 10.5% on an underlying basis in local currency, after adjusting for the planned 2025 timing impact related to the MILWAUKEE Americas ERP system conversion.
  • RYOBI, the #1 global consumer cordless tool and outdoor products brand, grew 1.7% in local currency to US$1.9 billion in the first half of 2026. 
  • EBIT margin expanded 86 basis points to a record high 9.9%, up from 9.1% in the first half of 2025. More importantly, we are well positioned to meet or exceed our internal target of 10.0% EBIT margin by 2027.
  • We delivered US$753 million of free cash flow in the first half of 2026 and we are on track for another strong free cash flow performance in the second half. 
  • The Company commenced its US$500 million automatic share repurchase plan following authorization and approval in June 2026. 

 

Financial Performance Highlights for H1 2026

2026

US$’

million

2025

US$’

million

Changes

Revenue

8,292

7,833

+5.9 %

Gross profit margin

42.9 %

40.3 %

+258 bps

EBIT

822

709

+15.9 %

Profit attributable to Owners of the Company

738

628

+17.5 %

Basic Earnings per share (US cents)

40.50

34.37

+17.8 %

Free Cash Flow

753

468

+285 m

Interim dividend per share (approx. US cents)

19.31

16.09

+20.0 %

Gross margin expanded 258 basis points to a record 42.9% in the first half of 2026. The 2026 gross margin expansion of 163 basis points was driven from the annualization of our tariff-mitigation efforts such as optimizing production, productivity gains, and supplier partnerships. EBIT grew 15.9% to US$822 million, while EBIT margin increased 86 basis points to 9.9%. Net Profit increased 17.5% to US$738 million due to lower net finance costs, and earnings per share rose 17.8% to US40.50 cents. Working capital as a percentage of sales improved 11 basis points from last year to 16.6%. TTI generated US$753 million in positive Free Cash Flow in the first six months of 2026, ending the period in a US$1.066 billion net cash position. In June 2026, TTI commenced its automatic share repurchase plan of up to US$500 million over the next 18 months. Through the end of July, it has repurchased US$42 million of stock pursuant to the plan.

The Group’s reportable segment structure is changed from the previous business segments of “Power Equipment” and “Floorcare and Cleaning” to the newly defined segments of “Professional” and “Consumer”. The Professional segment delivered sales of US$5.9 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of 9.7% in reported currency. The Consumer segment delivered sales of US$2.4 billion in the first half of 2026, a decrease of 2.5%.

The Directors have resolved to declare an interim dividend of HK150.00 cents (approximately US19.31 cents) (2025: HK125.00 cents (approximately US16.09 cents)) per share for the six-month period ended

June 30, 2026. The interim dividend will be paid to shareholders listed on the register of members of the Company on September 4, 2026. It is expected that the interim dividend will be paid on or about September 18, 2026.

Mr. Horst Pudwill, Executive Chairman of TTI, said, “With the best people and strongest culture, deepest relationships with the core trades and customers, the most robust product roadmap, and the healthiest balance sheet in TTI’s history, we are poised to continue leading the industry in the years to come.”

Mr. Steven P. Richman, CEO of TTI, commented, “After delivering a 9.9% EBIT margin in the first six months of 2026, we have an increased level of confidence in our ability to meet or exceed our internal target of 10.0% EBIT margin by 2027 with further upside in 2028 and beyond. TTI is poised to deliver another outstanding year in 2026.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements or uses certain forward-looking terminologies which are based on the current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of TTI about the businesses and the markets in which the Group operates and reflect TTI’s views as of the date of this announcement. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to market risk, uncertainties and factors beyond the control of TTI. Therefore, actual outcomes and returns may differ materially from the assumptions made and the statements contained in this announcement.

About TTI

Techtronic Industries Company Limited (“TTI” or the “Company”), founded in 1985 by German entrepreneur Horst Julius Pudwill, is a world leader in cordless technology. As a pioneer in Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, Floorcare and Cleaning Products, TTI serves professional, industrial, Do It Yourself (DIY), and consumer markets worldwide. With more than 47,000 employees globally, the company’s relentless focus on innovation and strategic growth has established its leading position in the industries it serves.

MILWAUKEE is at the forefront of TTI’s professional tool portfolio. With global research and development headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, the historic MILWAUKEE brand is renowned for driving innovation, safety, and jobsite productivity worldwide. The RYOBI brand, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, remains the top choice for DIYers and continues to set the standard in DIY tool innovation. TTI’s diverse brand portfolio also includes trusted brands like AEG, EMPIRE, HOMELITE, and leading floorcare names HOOVER, ORECK, VAX, and DIRT DEVIL.

TTI’s international recognition and renowned brand portfolio are supported by a strong ownership structure that underscores the company’s global reach and stability. The Pudwill family remains the company’s largest shareholder, with the remaining ownership held largely by institutional investors at North American and European-owned firms. TTI is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index, operating globally with a strong commitment to environmental, social, and corporate governance standards. For more information, visit www.ttigroup.com.

All trademarks listed other than AEG and RYOBI are owned by the Group. AEG is a registered trademark of AB Electrolux (publ.) and is used under license. RYOBI is a registered trademark of Ryobi Limited and is used under license.

Lockton Introduces Lockton SAGE: The Industry’s First Unified Enterprise Intelligence Platform

Purpose-built to bring the full power of Lockton’s proprietary data, advanced analytics, AI-enabled capabilities, and specialized expertise to client decisions, at scale 

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lockton, the world’s largest privately held insurance brokerage and risk management firm, today announced the expanded availability of Lockton SAGE, its enterprise intelligence platform purpose-built to bring the full power of Lockton’s proprietary data, advanced analytics, AI-enabled capabilities, and specialized expertise to client decisions. 

First introduced within Lockton Re, Lockton SAGE is now being extended across the firm’s US broader business with capabilities spanning Risk Solutions, People Solutions, and Reinsurance.  

As organizations navigate increasingly complex workforce, financial, and risk decisions, many are challenged by disconnected data, siloed insights, and a growing wave of standalone AI tools that fail to deliver the full picture. 

“No firm is better positioned to lead clients into the age of AI than Lockton, but technology alone is never the advantage; real impact comes from combining powerful intelligence with exceptional people,” said Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO of Lockton. “Our data, technology, and expertise were built together over time, not bolted on through acquisition, so they work as one, and we built Lockton SAGE to make our advisors better; giving them the insight to deliver a smarter, more personal way for clients to navigate risk and reach stronger outcomes. The firms that lead the next decade will be the ones that pair great technology with great people, and that is exactly where we are focused.” 

Lockton SAGE was built to bring it all together. 

Lockton SAGE uses AI-enabled capabilities to surface the patterns, priorities, and recommendations that matter most to each client’s business.

From Data to Decision — at Speed 

Lockton SAGE connects policies, quotes, claims, and exposures, applying AI-enabled analytics with human experience to provide clients with faster, smarter guidance when decisions matter most. By uncovering patterns, anticipating emerging risks, and delivering actionable recommendations earlier, the platform helps organizations mitigate issues before they grow, reducing costs today while creating greater financial and operational resilience for the future.  

What Clients Receive 

For clients, that means moving beyond a fixed insurance platform to a personalized operating environment – one that combines best-in-class services with an experience designed around their business, their priorities, and the metrics that matter most. 

Across every stage of the insurance lifecycle, Lockton SAGE translates connected intelligence into a deep understanding of the client business and risk profile, paired with insights specific to their goals and objectives — from the data that starts the process to the advisory that follows the placement:  

  • Richer data, lighter lift — Real-time collaboration and automated data capture replace manual information gathering, reducing the administrative burden of buying and managing coverage while building a more complete, higher-quality view of each client’s risk.
  • Deeperanalytics — Insights extend across all of a client’s exposures and move beyond generic benchmarking to customized, forward-looking views of that client’s specific risk profile.
  • Smarterstructuring — Clients gain more options for risk transfer and management, with real-time visibility into the financial tradeoffs of any program structure before decisions are finalized.
  • Optimizedplacement — All products, segments, and carriers are analyzed continuously, giving clients the strongest available understanding of the marketplace and the most effective coverage selections.
  • Moreadvisory — Platform-driven efficiency frees Lockton Associates to spend more time on strategic advisory work — backed by the marketplace relationships that matter most in advocating for clients.

Built for the Long Game 

 Lockton’s private ownership allows the firm to take the long-term view, investing deliberately in a flexible platform architecture that can continuously adopt leading AI models as they reshape how organizations evaluate risk. The result is a platform designed to keep innovating, adapting, and scaling alongside client needs — staying ahead of market demands, not reacting to them. 

“The market is full of tools, but clients need the right intelligence — connected, contextual, and built around how they actually make decisions. Lockton SAGE is our commitment to delivering exactly that. It’s not a single product. It’s the collective expertise of Lockton, working together to give every client greater confidence at every decision point.” 

— Claude Yoder, Chief Data, Analytics, and Digital Officer, Lockton 

Lockton SAGE creates a scalable foundation for continued innovation, expanding the value Lockton delivers across every client relationship. And because Lockton SAGE continues to develop new intelligence over time, it compounds in value as Lockton and its clients continue to grow, equipping Lockton Associates with the tools and insights needed to provide more informed and impactful guidance. For more information, visit LocktonSAGE.com.

About Lockton  

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes it better: independence. Lockton’s private ownership empowers nearly 15,000 Associates doing business in 180+ countries to focus solely on clients’ risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results.

Sharon AI Announces US$373m Five-Year AI Cloud Service Agreement

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sharon AI Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SHAZ) and its subsidiaries (“Sharon AI” or the “Company”), a leading Australian Neocloud, today announced that it has entered into a five-year cloud computing service agreement with a global artificial intelligence (“AI”) platform. The agreement has a total contract value of US$373 million over its five-year term.

Sharon AI (NASDAQ: SHAZ)
Sharon AI (NASDAQ: SHAZ)

Under the agreement, Sharon AI expects to deploy cloud computing solutions across its AI infrastructure in Australia. The Company expects revenue under the agreement to commence during the first quarter of 2027.

Following execution of this agreement, Sharon AI’s total AI Factory capacity remains at 132 megawatts (MW) but has now contracted a total of 120MW to end customers. The Company will upgrade from 62,000 to 64,000 NVIDIA GPUs across its AI Factory platform by mid-2027.

The initial deployment under this agreement is expected to utilize 2,048 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra B300 GPUs. Additional deployments may occur over the term of the agreement in accordance with customer requirements and the terms of the contract.

The agreement further supports Australia’s ambition to become a leading destination for AI infrastructure investment in the Asia-Pacific region. By deploying advanced AI compute capacity within Australia, Sharon AI is helping to expand the nation’s sovereign AI capability, enabling global AI platforms to access high-performance infrastructure while supporting the development of a broader domestic AI ecosystem.

As demand for AI infrastructure continues to accelerate, long-term customer commitments such as this contribute to investment in Australian digital infrastructure, strengthen the country’s position as a regional AI hub and create opportunities for Australian businesses, researchers and government organizations to access world-class AI compute closer to where it is needed.

James Manning, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sharon AI, said:
“This agreement represents an important milestone in the continued expansion of Sharon AI’s customer base and contracted AI infrastructure capacity. As organizations increasingly seek access to sovereign, high-performance AI compute, we remain focused on delivering scalable infrastructure that supports the evolving needs of AI platforms, enterprises and governments.

“We continue to see strong demand for AI infrastructure in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, and this agreement reflects our strategy of securing long-term customer commitments as we expand our AI Factory platform.”

About Sharon AI

Sharon AI (NASDAQ: SHAZ) is a leading Australian neocloud expanding access to artificial intelligence through trusted, secure and sovereign AI infrastructure. Through its AI Factory platform and colocation partners, Sharon AI enables organizations across Australia, New Zealand, and globally to confidently build, train and deploy AI at scale. For more information, visit www.sharonai.com.

Disclosure Information

Sharon AI primarily uses its Investor Relations page (https://sharonai.com/investors/) to disclose material non-public information and to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The Company also notes that, at times, it uses other communication mediums including, but not limited to, its X account (Sharon__ai) and/or LinkedIn account (Sharon-AI) to disseminate information about the Company and can be additional sources of information outside press releases, regulatory filings with the SEC and any other conference calls, webcasts, investor days, etc. that the company may hold.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are not historical facts, and which are not assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “project,” “strategy,” “plan,” “expect,” “goal,” “seek,” “future,” “likely” or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions or references to future periods. Forward-looking statements in this release include specific statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to express or implied statements regarding Sharon AI’s management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding:

  • Service and product offerings;
  • Receipt and use of proceeds;
  • The deployment of assets and expansion of network procurement;
  • Sharon AI’s ability to engage with additional potential customers;
  • Expansion of Sharon AI’s data center footprint and capacity; and
  • The strengthening of Sharon AI’s partner network.

In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others, all of the risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and other reports subsequently filed with the SEC. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Sharon AI does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Contacts 

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media@sharonai.com

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investors@sharonai.com