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iClever Joins Forces with Renowned Audiologist Kellsie Busho to Champion Children’s Hearing Health on World Hearing Day 2026

NEWARK, N.J., March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As digital learning and personal audio devices become central to childhood, experts warn of rising risks of preventable hearing damage. Marking World Hearing Day, iClever, the No.1 selling kids’ headphone brand in the U.S. online market, today announced a strategic collaboration with Kellsie Busho, Au.D., CCC-A, who serves as a compensated Chief Hearing Safety Advisor to iClever.

iClever Joins Forces with Renowned Audiologist Kellsie Busho to Champion Children’s Hearing Health on World Hearing Day 2026
iClever Joins Forces with Renowned Audiologist Kellsie Busho to Champion Children’s Hearing Health on World Hearing Day 2026

With the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over one billion young people are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between advanced audio technology and clinical expertise by providing science-based guidance and safe listening solutions for families nationwide.

Expertise Meets Parenting Reality

Dr. Kellsie Busho, Director of Clinical Programs for Audiology, brings both clinical expertise and personal experience. ” As an audiologist and a mother, I understand the long-term impact of noise and the challenges of managing screen time and volume,” said Dr. Busho. “I partnered with iClever because they prioritize the physiological needs of growing ears. Their commitment to the 85dB safety limit and ergonomic design gives parents the peace of mind they deserve.”

Empowering Parents Through Education

Through this partnership, iClever and Dr. Busho will launch a series of educational initiatives for modern families, addressing common concerns such as managing volume creep in noisy environments and recognizing early signs of listening fatigue in children.

Leading with SafeSound Technology

At the core of iClever’s industry leadership is its proprietary SafeSound system, which regulates sound output across the full frequency spectrum within 74–85 dBA in compliance with EU EN50332 standards and WHO guidelines. The system also incorporates targeted protection in the critical 3–6 kHz range and integrates Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology to help reduce the need for higher volumes in noisy environments.

“Our mission has always been to protect the joy of sound for the next generation,” said Sam, SVP of iClever. “By bringing Dr. Busho’s clinical expertise into our product development and community outreach, we are reinforcing our position as the gold standard in hearing safety.”

Commitment to Community

iClever has also donated over 14,900 headphones to more than 2,400 schools across the U.S., supporting safer and more focused learning environments.

For more information on children’s hearing safety from hearing experts, please visit: https://iclever.com/pages/hearing-experts.

 

Rwanda unseats India as top destination for investment in 2026 Baseline Profitability Index

NEW YORK, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rwanda has taken the top spot in the latest edition of the Baseline Profitability Index (BPI), a unique measure of countries’ attractiveness for direct investment. The BPI is published annually by Dr. Daniel Altman, economist and author of the High Yield Economics newsletter.

India, Malaysia, Botswana, and Qatar rounded out the BPI’s top five – as in 2025 – and the United Arab Emirates entered the index in sixth place. The biggest gainers were Nigeria (from 91st to 65th), Bulgaria (from 53rd to 36th), and Croatia (from 43rd to 28th). Losing the most ground were Senegal (from 30th to 72nd), Bangladesh (from 42nd to 70th), and Kenya (from 44th to 68th).

The BPI is a benchmark for foreign direct investment that accounts for the share of proceeds likely to return to the investor’s country of origin. With a five-year time horizon, the BPI considers factors like security, property rights, corruption, and exchange rates for more than 100 countries. The BPI is the only index to combine these factors and convey a country’s overall attractiveness for investment.

Top 20 Countries By Overall BPI Score (rounded):

Rank

Country

BPI

Rank

Country

BPI

1

Rwanda

1.27

11

Vietnam

1.16

2

India

1.26

12

Malta

1.14

3

Malaysia

1.24

13

Czechia

1.14

4

Botswana

1.22

14

Mauritius

1.13

5

Qatar

1.21

15

Lithuania

1.13

6

UAE

1.21

16

Armenia

1.12

7

Georgia

1.19

17

Oman

1.12

8

Singapore

1.18

18

Korea

1.12

9

Philippines

1.18

19

Poland

1.12

10

Indonesia

1.17

20

New Zealand

1.11

For a complete list, please visit the BPI website at baselineprofitabilityindex.com.

About Daniel Altman: Dr. Daniel Altman (PhD, Harvard) is an economist and bestselling author who has advised multinational corporations, investment firms, and government entities across four continents. His insights are regularly featured by media including The New York Times and CNN. His High Yield Economics newsletter on LinkedIn has more than 3,700 subscribers. His personal website is danielaltman.com.

Note for Editors: Daniel Altman is available for interviews in English and Spanish. Interactive charts and the complete BPI dataset are available on the BPI website. For inquiries, please email info@baselineprofitabilityindex.com

From Devices to Experiences: TECNO Advances Its AIoT Ecosystem with OneLeap Interconnection Solution and Newly Launched Devices

BARCELONA, Spain, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, the AI-driven innovative technology brand, today announced an upgrade to its AIoT ecosystem at MWC. Central to this upgrade is TECNO OneLeap, a unified interconnection platform designed to integrate devices and enhance cross-device collaboration, alongside three new AIoT products: the TECNO MEGAPAD 2 AI tablet, Watch GT 1S flagship smartwatch, and FreeHear 2 open-ear audio buds. Together, they reflect TECNO’s approach to enhancing user experience across every dimension, from software optimization to continuous product evolution, paving the way for a better connected and more intelligent future.

TECNO OneLeap: A Unified Interconnection Solution for Smarter Ecosystem

The newly launched TECNO OneLeap serves as the central connectivity and collaboration solution across TECNO’s AIoT ecosystem. Designed to simplify device connection and unified management across mobile phones, tablets, PCs, and other smart devices, it brings device discovery, connection, management, and cross-device interaction into a single, smooth experience.

OneLeap
OneLeap

Unlike traditional multi-device solutions that require repeated setup, account logins, or complicated operations, TECNO OneLeap enables devices to be discovered automatically and connected with a single drag or tap. It brings device connection and control into one unified interface, enabling seamless task and service transitions across devices with minimal disruption.

As the core upgrade, TECNO OneLeap enables simultaneous three-device collaboration across smartphones, tablets, and PCs, significantly simplifying device connection, collaboration, file transfer, and cross-device workflows. Trusted devices can connect automatically. With Keyboard and Mouse Sharing, users can move naturally across three screens using a single input setup. A unified clipboard allows instant text and file sharing across devices, while images from smartphones can be copied and pasted directly into documents on tablets or laptops. Together, these capabilities help users stay focused and productive in multi-screen scenarios.

This upgrade also introduces more flexible connection options tailored to practical needs. Smartphones can mirror to laptops while tablets simultaneously function as extended PC displays, enabling true three-screen collaboration. In Phone Widescreen Extension mode optimized for the tablet’s screen ratio, smartphone and tablet activities remain independent, allowing users to multitask freely without disrupting.

Beyond productivity, TECNO OneLeap extends capabilities into daily life. When paired with TECNO audio devices, it enables real-time, face-to-face translation across more than 160 languages, delivering instant voice playback through earbuds while saving translated transcripts on the phone for later reference, ideal for travel, meetings, and cross-language communication.

At MWC 2026, TECNO demonstrated how OneLeap is shaping a smarter, more connected future, while also unveiling three new devices that turn the upgrades into tangible, hands-on experiences.

TECNO MEGAPAD 2: An All-Round Tablet with AI Capabilities

Positioned as a mid-range, all-round AI tablet powered by HiOS, TECNO MEGAPAD 2 is designed for entertainment, education, and shared family use. Featuring an 11-inch 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate and TÜV Low Blue Light certification, TECNO MEGAPAD 2 delivers clear visuals and eye comfort for extended study, reading, and entertainment. All of this is housed within a 6.6mm ultra-slim body, making it easy to carry on the go.

MAGEPAD 2 KV
MAGEPAD 2 KV

TECNO MEGAPAD 2 integrates multiple AI capabilities. In Education, AI Problem Solving encourages independent learning while helping parents to guide. AI Translation supports real-time translation in up to 140 languages, embedded across images, calls, videos and meetings. For daily tasks, AI-powered document summary and writing refinement boost productivity for casual browsing and light study.

As part of the TECNO OneLeap ecosystem, it connects seamlessly with TECNO smartphones and PCs, enabling file sharing and screen extension for a smooth and intuitive cross-device experience.

TECNO Watch GT 1S: Precision, Health, and Reliability for Active Lifestyles

As the flagship model in the TECNO Watch lineup, TECNO Watch GT 1S combines precision tracking, health monitoring, and AI Watch Face. Powered by dual-band L1 + L5 high-precision GPS and advanced motion sensors, it delivers stable tracking across urban and remote environments. Comprehensive health monitoring—including heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, and sleep—supports daily well-being, while up to 15 days of battery life and 5ATM water resistance ensure dependable use across work, fitness, and outdoor activities. AI watch faces can be created via image-to-image or text-to-image AI customization to match your daily style.

TECNO FreeHear 2: Open-Ear Design for Everyday Comfort

TECNO FreeHear 2 offers open-ear listening that balances comfort with immersive sound. Weighing just 5.4g per earbud, its ergonomic C-bridge clip design ensures a secure, natural fit for all-day wear. The 10.8mm dual-magnetic dynamic driver delivers rich, spatial audio. With up to 46 hours of total battery life and fast charging that delivers over 1 hour of playback in just 5 min, TECNO FreeHear 2 fits seamlessly into active, on-the-move lifestyles.

AIoT New Products
AIoT New Products

An Ecosystem That Evolves with Everyday Life

Beyond the tablet, smartwatch, and earphones unveiled at MWC 2026, TECNO also showcased its broader AIoT portfolio, including smartphones, MEGABOOK laptops, and other smart devices, further reinforcing its vision of building an intelligent, seamless, and inspiring digital lifestyle across devices. Anchored by TECNO OneLeap, TECNO’s AIoT ecosystem is designed to connect multiple devices through a shared interaction platform that simplifies users’ working, learning, and daily life.

Looking ahead, TECNO will continue to make AI more practical and human-centric, enabling technology to better understand users and address real-world needs. Powered by ongoing advances in TECNO AI capabilities, the brand is committed to delivering more connected, innovative, and convenient multi-device experiences—shaping a future where technology works seamlessly in the background to empower users every day.

Availability

The TECNO MEGAPAD 2, Watch GT 1S, and FreeHear 2 will be available in selected global markets during Q1–Q2 2026, with availability varying by region. Pricing and regional specifications will be announced locally at launch.

STRADVISION Accelerates China Momentum, Strengthening Its Position as a Preferred Perception Partner for Global-Ready Programs

–  SVNet adoption expands across China-led programs as OEMs and Tier 1s scale next-generation ADAS for global platforms

SEOUL, South Korea and SHANGHAI, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STRADVISION, a leading global provider of AI-based vision perception technology, today shared a major milestone in its China growth strategy, driven by expanding mass production adoption and deepening collaboration across the region’s OEM, Tier 1, and SoC ecosystem.

China has become one of the world’s most dynamic proving grounds for software-defined vehicles, with programs moving rapidly from development to production and increasingly designed for multi-market deployment. STRADVISION’s SVNet is gaining traction in this environment as a lightweight, adaptable perception stack that enables advanced driver assistance capabilities while meeting aggressive cost, performance, and integration requirements.

This regional momentum is supported by STRADVISION’s growing ecosystem alignment with leading AI compute partners in China. Through its collaboration with Axera and the Axera M57 series platform, STRADVISION is helping customers accelerate production readiness with a tightly optimized hardware-software solution designed for scalable ADAS implementations. The combined offering targets a high-value cost-performance profile, enabling OEMs and Tier 1s to deploy next-generation perception at the price points required for volume platforms.

STRADVISION’s progress in China reflects a broader industry shift: as Chinese OEMs and suppliers expand their footprint internationally, they are prioritizing perception solutions that can be tuned efficiently across vehicle lines, sensor configurations, and regulatory environments. STRADVISION is increasingly being selected for its ability to deliver production-grade performance while maintaining the flexibility and efficiency needed to support global platform strategies.

China is a strategic growth engine for STRADVISION, not only because of its scale, but because of how quickly the market is setting the pace for production execution,” said Philip Vidal, CBO of STRADVISION. “We are building durable momentum in the region by delivering proven perception performance, faster integration cycles, and a partnership model that helps our customers move confidently from development into mass production.”

About STRADVISION 

Founded in 2014, STRADVISION is an automotive industry pioneer in artificial intelligence-based vision perception technology for vehicles. The company is accelerating the advent of fully autonomous vehicles by making Autonomous Driving and ADAS features available at a fraction of the market cost compared with competitors. STRADVISION’s SVNet is being deployed on various vehicle models in partnership with OEMs; can power ADAS and autonomous vehicles worldwide; and is serviced by over 300 employees in Seoul, San Jose, Detroit, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Dusseldorf. STRADVISION has been honored with Frost & Sullivan’s 2022 Global Technology Innovation Leadership Award, the Gold Award at the 2022 and 2021 AutoSens Awards for Best-in-Class Software for Perception Systems, the 2020 Autonomous Vehicle Technology ACES Award in Autonomy (software category), and 2025 Top SME Innovator by CLEPA for Breakthrough AI 3D Perception Network Technology. In addition, STRADVISION and its software have achieved TISAX’s AL3 standard for information security management, as well as being certified to the ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and ISO 26262 for Automotive Functional Safety. 

www.stradvision.com

MWC 2026 | Fibocom Unveils AI ECR Solution, Ushering in a New Era of Smart Retail

BARCELONA, Spain, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At MWC 2026, Fibocom introduced its next-generation AI Electronic Cash Register (ECR) solution for automated and smart retail scenarios.

AI ECR
AI ECR

Powered by MediaTeks high-performance Genio 520/720 IoT platform, the solution offers exceptional scalability and supports on-device large model integration, enabling global retailers to deliver smarter, faster, and more immersive retail experiences.

Core Hardware Power: High-Performance Edge AI Computing

Built on an advanced 6nm octa-core processor, the AI ECR provides strong edge AI computing for both traditional and intelligent retail operations.

Equipped with 2× Cortex-A78 (@2.2GHz) and 6× Cortex-A55 (@2.0GHz) cores plus an NPU 850 delivering up to 10 TOPS, it supports local large language models for voice interaction, inventory forecasting, and visual recognition minimizing cloud reliance while ensuring faster response and data privacy.

Immersive Visual & Seamless Connectivity

The platform supports a 15.6-inch 2K display with 2D/3D acceleration and can drive 4K/5K ultra-HD screens, ideal for digital signage.

To meet diverse retail needs, it integrates dual-camera input (MIPI CSI + USB) for facial payment and behavior analysis, plus multiple I/O ports (USB-A/C, HDMI, RJ45, RJ12, audio) for peripherals.

Built-in Wi-Fi 6 (1×1) and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure high-speed, stable wireless connections.

Powered by Android 15: Secure and Future-Ready

Among the first to run Android 15, the solution provides an open, secure ecosystem with enhanced multitasking, memory management, and system-level protectionensuring smooth, long-term performance for industrial and consumer-grade applications.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Fibocom, leveraging the MediaTek Genio platform to deliver powerful edge AI performance with on-device large model support, said CK Wang, Vice President and General Manager of MediaTek IoT. This solution demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing smart retail and helping businesses become more competitive and efficient.

Ralph Zhao, General Manager of Mobile Computing Solutions BU at Fibocom, stated:

As the retail industry accelerates toward automation and intelligence, edge AI computing has become the key to improving user experience. Fibocoms new AI ECR solution represents a breakthrough in hardware design and enables large-model applications at the point of sale with 10 TOPS of processing power empowering partners to build more competitive and intelligent retail solutions.

Industrial organizations overestimate remote access security, new global report finds

“The State of Industrial Remote Access 2026” reveals rising vendor risk, visibility gaps, and accelerating shift toward unified OT access platforms

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Industrial organizations worldwide are entering 2026 with growing confidence in their remote access security posture — but new research commissioned by Secomea shows that confidence often exceeds operational reality.

According to The State of Industrial Remote Access 2026 industry report[1], based on a global survey of 400 senior leaders across manufacturing and critical infrastructure, most organizations rate their session visibility and regulatory readiness as “good.” However, deeper analysis reveals significant structural gaps in vendor oversight, credential hygiene, and auditability.

The report identifies a widening “confidence-to-evidence gap” in industrial cybersecurity: while compliance confidence rises quickly at moderate levels of visibility, full vendor session auditability remains uncommon.

 

The State of Industrial Remote Access 2026
The State of Industrial Remote Access 2026

 

Key Findings

Vendor access is the primary risk multiplier

As vendor ecosystems expand, incident likelihood rises sharply. Organizations managing 21–100 external vendors report the highest exposure levels. Risk concentrates where vendor session visibility is partial and credential reviews are infrequent.

Vendor-related risk, the report concludes, is not primarily driven by vendor behavior — but by how organizations structure and govern vendor access.

Partial vendor visibility is the global norm

Only 43% of organizations report full audit trails of vendor sessions. The majority operate with partial visibility, creating compliance and forensic blind spots.

Absence of vendor visibility correlates with universal incident exposure.

Zero trust adoption delivers measurable impact

Zero Trust depth shows a clear stepwise relationship with:

  • Higher session visibility
  • Improved vendor auditability
  • Faster enablement speeds
  • Reduced incident volatility

Organizations implementing all five core Zero Trust principles reach visibility levels not achieved through tooling alone.

Governance and IT/OT alignment predict outcomes

Nearly 70% of organizations now operate under shared IT/OT governance models — the structure most consistently associated with balanced security, operational speed, and auditability.

Where alignment weakens, vendor-related incident exposure nearly triples.

Tool fragmentation erodes control

Most organizations rely on multiple parallel access tools — VPNs, OEM utilities, PAM solutions, and emerging OT-dedicated platforms.

Session visibility declines measurably as tool stack complexity increases. Organizations using three or more remote access tools report lower visibility and higher friction than those operating consolidated environments.

Consolidation momentum is accelerating

The data shows a clear market shift toward identity-centric, unified OT remote access platforms.

Compared to non-users, organizations using OT-dedicated platforms report:

  • Higher average session visibility
  • Stronger full audit trail rates
  • Lower incident exposure
  • Faster vendor enablement
  • Stronger IT/OT alignment

The report concludes that consolidation is not about replacing every legacy tool, but about governing access through a single operational control layer.

A structural shift, not a tactical upgrade

Remote access has evolved from a convenience tool to a strategic control surface for industrial operations.

As regulatory pressure intensifies and vendor ecosystems expand, the industry is converging toward:

  • Federated vendor control models
  • Shared IT/OT governance
  • Identity-based access enforcement
  • Time-bound, session-based permissions
  • Unified auditability

The report describes this transition as a move from fragmented, reactive access to standardized, secure, policy-driven remote operations.

About the report

The State of Industrial Remote Access 2026 is based on a global survey of 400 OT, IT, compliance, and executive leaders across manufacturing and critical infrastructure sectors. The study examines architectural patterns, governance models, vendor access practices, Zero Trust adoption, regulatory alignment, and operational performance indicators.

About Secomea

Secomea is a Secure Remote Access (SRA) solution purpose-built for industrial networks and OT equipment. Over 8,000 customers worldwide rely on Secomea to manage secure remote access to their machines, prevent downtime, and strengthen cybersecurity across their global operations. For more than 15 years, Secomea has supported manufacturers and machine builders with a simple, scalable solution that bridges IT/OT requirements and provides the visibility, compliance, and control required to defend the factory floor.

1. https://secomea.com/guides/the-state-of-industrial-remote-access/.

 

Session visibility by tool category
Session visibility by tool category

 

Reported incident rate by tool stack complexity
Reported incident rate by tool stack complexity

 

Vendor session visibility by tool
Vendor session visibility by tool

 

Reported incident rate by vendor count
Reported incident rate by vendor count

 

Zero trust adoption and incident rate
Zero trust adoption and incident rate

 

 

As an AI-Native Phone Pioneer, nubia Reshapes the Paradigm of Human-Device Interaction at MWC Barcelona 2026

  • nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant is the true AI-native phone that brings an autopilot experience to the AI phone
  • AI Pet iMoochi redefines emotional companionship with lifelike interactions, a furry, cloud-soft design and evolving personalities

BARCELONA, Spain, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ZTE Corporation, a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, showcased its expanded portfolio of AI devices designed for a new era of interaction at MWC Barcelona 2026. Taking center stage were two groundbreaking innovations: nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant, which saw a limited launch in the Chinese market in December, and AI Pet iMoochi. These two devices represent a major leap forward for ZTE’s “AI for All” strategy, driving the evolution of personal smart devices and accelerating the advancement of a Full-Scenario AI Ecosystem.

ZTE AI New Species Event at MWC Barcelona 2026
ZTE AI New Species Event at MWC Barcelona 2026

As An “AI-Native Phone Pioneer”, nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant Defines A True “Autopilot” Experience

As an AI-Native Phone Pioneer, nubia is leading cutting-edge AI technology innovation and commercial adoption with its “Innovation + Action” approach. By deeply integrating AI across hardware, software, and its wider ecosystem, nubia is reshaping the paradigm of human-device interaction, working to transform AI from a mere tool into an agentic, symbiotic partner that understands and grows with you. nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant is the true AI-native phone that brings an “autopilot” experience to the AI phone powered by its OS-level Agent capabilities.

nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant is the outcome of an in-depth collaboration between Doubao and nubia at the OS level, capable of understanding and executing complex user commands in natural language, enabling cross-application task execution. This marks a paradigm shift from “users operating their phones” to “AI autonomously handling tasks for them”. By seamlessly executing multi-step workflows, it delivers a highly natural and intuitive interaction. Whether booking a restaurant or comparing prices across platforms, a single voice command is all it takes. The phone then autonomously navigates necessary apps to handle the entire process from searching, comparing, booking and mapping the route.

nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant is built on a solid hardware foundation to support its advanced AI capabilities. It is powered by Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform, coupled with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensuring smooth AI computing and multitasking.

Designed to collaboratively refine AI experiences with developers and tech enthusiasts, nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant saw a limited launch in the Chinese market on December 1, 2025.

The New AI Species iMoochi Redefines Emotional Companionship

Designed to be a warm, understanding emotional companion. iMoochi features a furry, cloud-soft texture and soulful eyes. Its true magic lies in its rich, multi-modal interactions. Moving past mechanical dialogue, iMoochi utilizes a unique “iMoochi language” and distinctive “milky coos” to deliver a natural, comforting interactive experience. Through gentle haptic feedback and tactile sensors, a simple pat on the head or prolonged caressing results in loving nuzzling, joyful coos, and delighted tail wags. Operating on its own lifelike rhythm, iMoochi lives in its “own little world”, it yawns when sleepy, feels hunger, senses temperature changes, and even reacts to the feeling of weightlessness when playfully tossed in the air.

iMoochi is perfect for users seeking stress relief, particularly young urban professionals, animal lovers unable to keep real pets, or families looking for a shared interactive bond. A dedicated companion app deepens this friendship by allowing users to name their iMoochi, check its mood, and read its personal diary, making the companionship feel valued. The iMoochi family features five distinct members: Hopami, Mimiu, Cynomi, Mogogo and Morin.

Whether reshaping human-device interaction with nubia M153 with Doubao AI Assistant, or defining a new category with AI Pet iMoochi, ZTE’s lineup at MWC 2026 brings its “AI for All” strategy to life.

For more information, please visit the ZTE booth (3F30, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via) at MWC Barcelona 2026 or explore: https://www.zte.com.cn/global/about/exhibition/mwc26.html

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
ZTE Corporation
Communications
Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn

GFL Sports & Entertainment, Inc. Launches as Publicly Traded MMA League, Introducing a New Ownership Model for Athletes and Fans

GFL Partners with DealMaker to Launch $5 Million Equity Raise and Announces Senior Leadership and Advisory Appointments

LAS VEGAS, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GFL Sports & Entertainment, Inc. (OTC: GFLE) today announced its public market launch and unveiled the next phase of development for the Global Fight League (GFL), a new professional MMA organization built on a shared-ownership model. Through a collaboration with DealMaker, a registered broker-dealer and investor platform, GFL is opening a public equity raise of up to $5 million, creating a transparent structure designed to align athletes, fans, and partners through participation in the league’s long-term growth.

As a publicly traded company, GFL is introducing a model that expands access to ownership beyond traditional private capital. At a time when institutional investors are acquiring stakes in professional sports franchises and leagues, GFL is structuring participation to allow a broader base of stakeholders — including athletes and fans — to invest in a global sports property.

GFLE Executive Chairman Vince Hesser said, “The sports industry has evolved into one of the most valuable investment sectors in the world, yet public access to ownership has been limited. The Global Fight League is building a transparent structure that aligns performance, participation, and long-term value creation across athletes, fans, and investors.”

Hesser is a seasoned executive and private investor with more than $2 billion in transactions across sports, media, real estate, and international business, including leadership roles spanning more than 100 MMA events.

GFLE has entered into an alliance with DealMaker to provide the regulatory, technical, and investor-engagement infrastructure required to support a public capital raise, compliance, and investor relations. Trusted by organizations such as the Green Bay Packers, DealMaker has raised more than $2.3 billion in capital across more than 900 offerings and is accelerating a new model of community-driven sports investment.

GFLE also announced that Jeffrey Pollack has joined the organization as Senior Advisor to help guide the GFL’s strategy, governance, and growth.

“GFL opens ownership to fans and athletes from the start,” said Pollack. “The massive influx of institutional capital into sports reflects a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for investors around the world. We believe the athletes and audience that power the industry also deserve access to ownership in the value they help create.”

Pollack brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience driving innovation and growth at the league and team level. He was President and CEO of the XFL, and has held senior positions across the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, Professional Bull Riders, and World Series of Poker.

Pollack is assembling GFL’s Business Advisory Council, which initially includes: Kevin LeGrett, former President of iHeart Sports and West Coast Division President at iHeartMedia; Basil DeVito, a veteran sports and television executive with senior leadership experience across the WWE, XFL, Breeders’ Cup, and NBA; Laura Gentile, former ESPN Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer and founder of espnW; Bruce Smith, founder of Hydrow and CEO of Sensor Bio; and Gareb Shamus, founder of Comic Con and co-founder of the International Fight League.

GFL is founded on a vision developed by Darren Owen, a longtime MMA executive, promoter, and producer. As Commissioner of the Global Fight League, Owen’s primary focus will be competition, event production, and athlete relations.

Owen has started to establish the league’s Athlete Performance & Wellness Council, bringing together elite fighters and trusted industry voices to help guide standards for the athlete experience. The council includes Tyron Woodley, Benson Henderson, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Cat Zingano, Héctor Lombard, Jessica Aguilar, legendary broadcaster Mike Goldberg, MMA athlete-relations icon Burt Watson, and Dr. Jen Welter, a leader in athlete psychology and mental wellness.

“GFL was built to put athletes first on fight night and throughout their entire career,” said Owen. “From performance and wellness to preparation, recovery, and long-term financial planning, our commitment is to support and respect fighters as people and professionals.”

As part of its formal launch, GFL also announced that Scott Parker has been named the league’s Chief Marketing Officer. Parker is a marketing leader with senior experience at PepsiCo, Disney/ESPN, TuneIn, and the XFL, including the launch of the SEC Network and the College Football Playoff.

GFL is building toward a 2026 debut season, with additional details to be announced as the equity raise progresses over the next four to six months. The league plans to launch with four teams in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and London, featuring a unified team structure in which men and women compete side by side as part of the same organization.

Forward-Looking Statements Notice
This press release includes statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” and, as such, is subject to the following forward-looking notice disclaimer: Certain information posted in this press release contains “forward-looking information”, including “future-oriented financial information” and “financial outlook”, under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Reserve your shares at: https://invest.mmagfl.com

About DealMaker
Headquartered in New York City, DealMaker is a leading fintech platform powering the future of capital raising. With more than $2.3 billion raised across 1,000+ offerings, DealMaker provides companies with end-to-end infrastructure to acquire, convert, and engage investors through compliant digital securities offerings. For more information, visit https://dealmaker.tech.

DealMaker Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer, and member of FINRA | SIPC, located at 30 East 23rd Street, 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10010, is the Intermediary for this offering and is not an affiliate of or connected with the Issuer.  Please check our background on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

DealMaker Securities LLC does not make investment recommendations.

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DealMaker Securities LLC is NOT soliciting this investment or making any recommendations by collecting, reviewing, and processing an Investor’s documentation for this investment.

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DealMaker Securities LLC is NOT vetting or approving the information provided by the Issuer or the Issuer itself.

Media Contact: Joe Favorito, Global Fight League, PR@mmagfl.com, 917-566-8345