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UCI Pro Cycling Team, Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini Partners with Elitewheels for 2025

Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini (PRNewsfoto/Elitewheels)

PISTOIA, Italy, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Starting in January 2025, Elitewheels, a leading Chinese manufacturer of carbon fiber bicycle wheels, is excited to announce the commencement of its partnership with the UCI road cycling ProTeam, Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini.

Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini
Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini

“We are looking forward to partnering with Toscana Factory Team – Vini Fantini, who competes at the highest level of road cycling” said Tony Tong, CEO of Elitewheels.

Founded as an OEM in 2013 and established as a brand by 2015, Elitewheels has rapidly gained recognition within the cycling industry. They are also the official wheel partner of GCN, the largest cycling YouTube channel, boasting over three million subscribers.

When it comes to products, their focus is not only on innovation, but also on quality, reliability, and performance. They produce their own carbon fiber, rims, wheels, and wheel hubs in-house, saving significantly on costs that it passes on to its consumers. Cyclists can get pro-level wheelsets for a fraction of the price of those from other brands. Elitewheels’ carbon road, gravel, triathlon, and mountain bike wheels are among the lightest available, starting at just 1260 grams for the pair.

The ProTeam, Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini, competes in pro cycling’s most prestigious events, including the Giro d’Italia, which is one of the three Grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France. The team chose to cooperate with Elitewheels because of their dedication to making quality cycling products as well as to research and development.

Two of Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini’s most accomplished riders, Valerio Conti and Kristian Sbaragli, former World Tour race stage winners from the Vuelta Espana and the Giro d’Italia, tested the wheels to determine if they were up to the ProTeam’s standards.

“We can compare Elitewheels for sure with top brands at the moment, and we are looking forward to using it in the races,” said Conti after testing the wheels.

Sbaragli stated, “From the team’s perspective, we believe we can help the brand improve by giving feedback throughout the season.”

The team will provide useful feedback that will go towards the development of new wheelsets. In addition, they will be ridden in the ultimate proving ground, World Tour races.

Thai Cabinet Approves Controversial Casino Bill

Thai Cabinet Approves Controversial Casino Bill
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo credit: Stock Cake)

Bangkok, THA/AFP – Thailand’s cabinet approved a controversial bill on Monday to legalize gambling in designated “entertainment complexes” to boost tourism and create jobs.

Vantage Markets Wins “Best Range of Markets” Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vantage Markets has been honored with Best Range of Marketsaward for 2025 by Compare Forex Brokers, a leading authority in evaluating trading platforms. This accolade reflects Vantage’s commitment to offering an unparalleled range of tradable instruments, leverage options and suitability for diverse trading strategies while maintaining transparency, trust, and innovation.

Vantage Markets Wins "Best Range of Markets" Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025
Vantage Markets Wins “Best Range of Markets” Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025

Justin Grossbard, CEO and Head of Research at Compare Forex Brokers, commended Vantage for setting industry benchmarks, “Your commitment to providing a seamless trading experience, supported by innovative technology and a customer-focused approach, is truly commendable. Trust is at the heart of our industry, and Vantage Markets has continually set the benchmark for integrity and professionalism.”

The recognition celebrates Vantage’s dedication to offering a wide array of CFD markets, empowering traders with flexibility and choice.  This includes forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, and bonds CFDs, ensuring clients have access to diverse trading opportunities supported by cutting-edge tools and a robust platform.

Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy & Trading Officer at Vantage, expressed gratitude for the award, “Winning the ‘Best Range of Markets’ award from Compare Forex Brokers is a proud moment for us. It underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional trading experiences through innovation and trust. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the trust our clients place in us. We remain committed to pushing boundaries and providing our global community with unparalleled opportunities.”

As Vantage continues to evolve, the company is focused on maintaining its position as a leader in the trading industry by expanding its offerings, advancing technology, and fostering transparency.

For more information about Vantage Markets and its award-winning services, visit Vantage Markets.

About Vantage

Vantage Markets (or Vantage) is a multi-asset CFD broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) products, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 15 years of market experience, Vantage transcends the role of broker, providing a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user-friendly trading platform that empowers clients to seize trading opportunities. Download the Vantage App on App Store or Google Play.

trade smarter @vantage

RISK WARNING: CFD trading carries significant risks. You could lose more than your initial investment.

Thunes and Hyperwallet, a PayPal Service, Expand Payout Access for Merchants Across Asia-Pacific

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today welcomes Hyperwallet, a PayPal service for global payouts, as a Member of Thunes’ Direct Global Network. As part of this network, Hyperwallet customers can quickly and reliably send money in real-time to more than 450 million mobile wallets and bank accounts across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam[i].

According to a 2024 report by Deloitte on cross-border payments, the Asia Pacific region makes up nearly 70% of global digital wallet spend. With this new alliance, Hyperwallet can help its expansive global merchant base, including some of the world’s best-known ride-hailing super apps, marketplaces and social media platforms, offer customers their preferred method of access to funds.

Floris de Kort, CEO of Thunes, said: “Welcoming PayPal’s Hyperwallet into our Direct Global Network underscores our ability to provide powerful new capabilities to top-tier fintechs. With our extensive network that directly, transparently and dependably connects to over 7 billion bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide, combined with our SmartX Treasury System and our Fortress Compliance Platform, Thunes is uniquely positioned to support Hyperwallet to increase its reach in fast growing geographies to enhance its cross-border payment services.”

Payout preferences for consumers vary widely across the APAC region depending on banking penetration, the proliferation of real-time payment schemes and the usage of digital wallets in each market. Thunes recently released “From Cash to QR Codes: Unpacking Southeast Asia’s Diverse Payments Culture,” exploring the region’s evolving payment landscape and showcasing digital wallet payment adoption rates of over 30% in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia.

[i] To date, this is currently live in Korea, with additional markets to light up in 2025.

Media Contact: Sylvia McKaige 
EMAIL: sylvia.mckaige@salweengroup.com
Contact Number: +65 9476 2581

A New Chapter for Books: AI Revolution for Hong Kong Publishers

Harnessing AI to Revolutionize Hong Kong’s Publishing Industry: Innovation, Efficiency, and Global Reach

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making waves in Hong Kong’s publishing industry, ushering in a new era where technology and creativity merge to redefine editorial, publishing, marketing, and reader engagement. As the digital revolution continues to disrupt industries across the globe, Hong Kong stands at the forefront of this transformation, thanks to a thriving tech ecosystem in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and its position as a global cultural and business hub.

AI Transforming Hong Kong’s Publishing Industry

Hong Kong’s publishing industry is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and content delivery. A 2023 study by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) indicates that 41% of companies are utilizing AI, with 32% applying it across various functions, including marketing and customer service.

AI adoption is particularly beneficial for automating labor-intensive tasks such as proofreading, translation, illustration and social media marketing. AI-powered tools can significantly reduce the time required for these editorial processes, which is especially advantageous in Hong Kong’s bilingual environment, hence delivering savings for labor cost for publishers in a highly competitive landscape.

Additionally, AI tools are being employed to improve content creation and editing, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity. This technological integration enables publishers to meet the growing demand for faster turnaround times and personalized content.

These advancements underscore the pivotal role of AI in transforming Hong Kong’s publishing sector, aligning with the industry’s need for efficiency and innovation in a competitive global market.

2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference
2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference

Leading the Charge

A pivotal case in Hong Kong’s AI – driven publishing landscape is DCG Mirage, a subsidiary of the China tech giant DCG. At the 2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference, the company showcased its latest AI tool suite “WhatsBook”, which combines advanced AIGC tools for proofreading, audiobook, social media marketing, and KOL video production.

DCG has been actively exploring the application of AI in the publishing field. Last year, DCG launched a proprietary large language model (LLM) “BooksGPT” which supports a series of AIGC products to successfully empower content production and marketing for the publishing industry in China.

Shi Qiming, CEO of DCG, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on the publishing industry. “New productive forces, characterized by high technology, high efficiency, and high quality, are at the core of our innovation strategy. By leveraging AI, we aim to enhance operational efficiency and content delivery, enabling publishers to meet the growing demand for personalized and rapidly produced content.” he said.

The AI Proofreading service is a game-changer for the Hong Kong publishing industry, released by DCG at the 2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference, offers advanced capabilities for both traditional and simplified Chinese, as well as English, making it a world leader in AI proofreading services. It significantly reduces the time and effort required for proofreading, a traditionally labor-intensive task, by achieving a high accuracy rate of over 70% in detecting grammatical errors in both English and traditional and simplified Chinese texts.

The Key to Reader Engagement

AI is not only reshaping content production but also transforming how books are marketed and sold. In Hong Kong, where a tech-savvy and media-conscious public demands personalized recommendations, AI has become an indispensable tool in creating targeted marketing campaigns.

According to a 2024 survey by Nielsen Book, AI-driven recommendations account for approximately 35% of online book sales. Publishers are now using AI to analyze vast amounts of reader data, enabling them to customize content and promotional materials for specific audience segments.

The AI-driven short video service on WhatsBook allows users to create videos that resonate with audiences on social media platforms. With the rise of video content consumption on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, AI-generated book trailers and promotional videos have become powerful marketing tools.

Balancing Innovation with Ethical Challenges

While the potential of AI in publishing is undeniable, it also brings with it significant challenges. One of the key concerns voiced at the Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference was the ethical implications of AI-generated content. As AI tools become more advanced, there is growing concern about the authenticity of AI-created works and the potential for biased or inaccurate content interpretation.

Moreover, the rise of AI has raised questions about the job future of human editors and writers. AI may be able to automate many tasks, but can it truly replace the creative judgments and nuanced understanding that human professionals bring to the table? Industry experts, including Professor Hao Zhensheng of the China Editors Association, emphasized the importance of balancing AI efficiency with human creativity.

The Future of Publishing: Technology Meets Tradition

Despite these challenges, the future of AI in Hong Kong’s publishing industry looks bright. As AI tools continue to evolve and improve, publishers will be able to harness more powerful technologies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance reader experience. The integration of AI into publishing workflows is not just a passing trend but a fundamental shift that will shape the industry for years to come.

The next few years will likely see more widespread AI adoption across Hong Kong’s publishing sector, as companies explore new ways to combine technology and creativity. From content creation and marketing to reader engagement and distribution, AI will continue to reshape every aspect of the publishing process.

As Hong Kong moves forward to this AI-powered future, the city is poised to maintain its position as a key player in the global publishing industry, with cutting-edge technologies driving the next chapter of the publishing revolution.

Contact:
qi an
anqi@dcrays.cn

Sygnum Completes USD 58m Strategic Growth Round, AchievesUnicorn Status with 1bn valuation

ZURICH and SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global digital asset banking group Sygnum announces it has raised a total of USD 58 million in its oversubscribed Strategic Growth Round, giving it a post-money valuation of more than 1 billion.

  • Final close cornerstone investor Fulgur Ventures, a Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm, is joined by new and existing strategic and financial investors, as well as Sygnum team members
  • Banking group has USD >5 billion[i] in total client assets, with completed Strategic Growth Round bolstering its robust balance sheet and CET1 capital to support future growth
  • Proceeds to drive multi-region market entry, expand product portfolio with focus on Bitcoin-technology, enable strategic acquisitions and further strengthen organisational resilience

Fulgur Ventures, cornerstone investor[ii] in the final close of Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round, is a venture capital firm focusing on Bitcoin technologies, infrastructure and applications that drive Bitcoin adoption. Fulgur is joined by new and existing strategic and financial investors, as well as Sygnum team members again participating on equal terms. The Co-Founders, board and team members continue to hold Sygnum majority ownership.

Proceeds from the completed Strategic Growth Round will be put to work to drive Sygnum’s 2025 expanded EU/EEA market entry and to launch its regulated presence in Hong Kong. Sygnum also intends to use the funds to broaden its institutional infrastructure, expand its product portfolio with a focus on Bitcoin-technology, and enable opportunities for strategic acquisitions as the market develops. As the industry’s trend towards regulatory compliance gathers pace, additional investments will be made to further strengthen Sygnum’s organisational and operational resilience, compliance teams and state-of-the-art risk management.

A key driver of the oversubscribed Strategic Growth Round was Sygnum’s multi-year core business growth. 2024  revenues for all trading products, including crypto spot, derivatives, FX and traditional securities, surpassed the previous year’s total in Q3 for the second year running. Total annual trades in 2024 increased by more than 1,000% YoY, propelled by PostFinance and the 20+ banks on its B2B platform providing regulated crypto services to more than a third of the Swiss population.

Sygnum’s core business growth was matched by its industry-shaping product launches. In July 2024, Sygnum launched Sygnum Connect, a 24/7 multi-asset settlement network, with members at launch including digital asset exchange AsiaNext and prime broker Hidden Road. A few months earlier, Sygnum also opened up a second new platform, Sygnum Protect, exclusively to its global institutional client base. This platform enables them to continue trading on major crypto exchanges while holding their flexible choice of collateral in secure, bank-grade and bankruptcy-remote custody with Sygnum.

Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Co-Founder and Group CEO, comments that: “Sygnum reaching Unicorn status is a strong validation by the market of our business model, strategy and team. While it is an achievement we are very proud of, it won’t alter the values of integrity and humility, and the importance of displaying confidence without attitude at all times, which have acted as our true-north since day one. As Switzerland is currently losing ground to other jurisdictions as a preferred digital asset hub, it is also our obligation to highlight the need for Switzerland to not ignore the importance of continuous innovation in the financial sector and to continue to attract talent and capital to remain relevant in the long-term. In that way, Sygnum’s mission is only at the very beginning.”

Gerald Goh, Co-Founder and CEO APAC, says: “The successful completion of our Strategic Growth Round is proof of Sygnum’s strong and unique position as a leading regulated financial institution in the global digital asset industry. Offering trusted institutional infrastructure and regulated services for digital assets will continue to be the foundation for Sygnum’s future growth strategy.”

Oleg Mikhalsky, Partner of Fulgur Ventures, adds: Fulgur is a venture capital firm that continues to drive investment into the accelerating convergence of Bitcoin and institutional financial markets. Sygnum’s market-tested infrastructure, digital asset-native team and global ecosystem makes them the ideal partner to co-develop innovative Bitcoin-related financial products and technologies – as well as for future collaborations with other Fulgur portfolio companies. We are proud to be the cornerstone investor for the final close of Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round, which coincides with a potential inflection point for Bitcoin’s institutional adoption and regulatory clarity.”

In FY 2024, Sygnum achieved operational profitability and continued to grow its 2,000-strong institutional client base domiciled in over 70 countries, serviced through its regulated operations in Switzerland, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hub of Luxembourg and was recently registered in Liechtenstein.

About Sygnum

Sygnum is a global digital asset banking group, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. We empower professional and institutional investors, banks, corporates and DLT foundations to invest in digital assets with complete trust. Our team enables this through our institutional-grade security, expert personal service and portfolio of regulated digital asset banking, asset management, tokenization and B2B services.

In Switzerland, Sygnum holds a banking licence and has CMS and Major Payment Institution licences in Singapore. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hubs of Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg and is registered in Liechtenstein.

We believe that the future has heritage. Our crypto-native team of banking, investment and digital asset technology professionals are building a trusted gateway between the traditional and digital asset economies that we call Future Finance. To learn more about how Sygnum’s mission and values are shaping this digital asset ecosystem, please visit sygnum.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Disclaimer: The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. Sygnum expressly disclaims all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal, investment advice, recommendation, offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets.

About Fulgur Ventures

Fulgur Ventures was founded in 2019 as one of the first venture firms focused on startups in the Bitcoin and the Lightning Network ecosystems and today provides early stage, follow-on and growth capital for startups driving adoption of bitcoin and bitcoin scaling technologies, such as Lightning and Liquid networks in consumer and enterprise markets and financial institutions. For more information, please visit the Fulgur Ventures website.

[i] As at 31.12.24

[ii] Via a related investment entity

Sygnum Completes USD 58m Strategic Growth Round, AchievesUnicorn Status with 1bn valuation

ZURICH and SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global digital asset banking group Sygnum announces it has raised a total of USD 58 million in its oversubscribed Strategic Growth Round, giving it a post-money valuation of more than 1 billion.

  • Final close cornerstone investor Fulgur Ventures, a Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm, is joined by new and existing strategic and financial investors, as well as Sygnum team members
  • Banking group has USD >5 billion[i] in total client assets, with completed Strategic Growth Round bolstering its robust balance sheet and CET1 capital to support future growth
  • Proceeds to drive multi-region market entry, expand product portfolio with focus on Bitcoin-technology, enable strategic acquisitions and further strengthen organisational resilience

Fulgur Ventures, cornerstone investor[ii] in the final close of Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round, is a venture capital firm focusing on Bitcoin technologies, infrastructure and applications that drive Bitcoin adoption. Fulgur is joined by new and existing strategic and financial investors, as well as Sygnum team members again participating on equal terms. The Co-Founders, board and team members continue to hold Sygnum majority ownership.

Proceeds from the completed Strategic Growth Round will be put to work to drive Sygnum’s 2025 expanded EU/EEA market entry and to launch its regulated presence in Hong Kong. Sygnum also intends to use the funds to broaden its institutional infrastructure, expand its product portfolio with a focus on Bitcoin-technology, and enable opportunities for strategic acquisitions as the market develops. As the industry’s trend towards regulatory compliance gathers pace, additional investments will be made to further strengthen Sygnum’s organisational and operational resilience, compliance teams and state-of-the-art risk management.

A key driver of the oversubscribed Strategic Growth Round was Sygnum’s multi-year core business growth. 2024  revenues for all trading products, including crypto spot, derivatives, FX and traditional securities, surpassed the previous year’s total in Q3 for the second year running. Total annual trades in 2024 increased by more than 1,000% YoY, propelled by PostFinance and the 20+ banks on its B2B platform providing regulated crypto services to more than a third of the Swiss population.

Sygnum’s core business growth was matched by its industry-shaping product launches. In July 2024, Sygnum launched Sygnum Connect, a 24/7 multi-asset settlement network, with members at launch including digital asset exchange AsiaNext and prime broker Hidden Road. A few months earlier, Sygnum also opened up a second new platform, Sygnum Protect, exclusively to its global institutional client base. This platform enables them to continue trading on major crypto exchanges while holding their flexible choice of collateral in secure, bank-grade and bankruptcy-remote custody with Sygnum.

Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Co-Founder and Group CEO, comments that: “Sygnum reaching Unicorn status is a strong validation by the market of our business model, strategy and team. While it is an achievement we are very proud of, it won’t alter the values of integrity and humility, and the importance of displaying confidence without attitude at all times, which have acted as our true-north since day one. As Switzerland is currently losing ground to other jurisdictions as a preferred digital asset hub, it is also our obligation to highlight the need for Switzerland to not ignore the importance of continuous innovation in the financial sector and to continue to attract talent and capital to remain relevant in the long-term. In that way, Sygnum’s mission is only at the very beginning.”

Gerald Goh, Co-Founder and CEO APAC, says: “The successful completion of our Strategic Growth Round is proof of Sygnum’s strong and unique position as a leading regulated financial institution in the global digital asset industry. Offering trusted institutional infrastructure and regulated services for digital assets will continue to be the foundation for Sygnum’s future growth strategy.”

Oleg Mikhalsky, Partner of Fulgur Ventures, adds: Fulgur is a venture capital firm that continues to drive investment into the accelerating convergence of Bitcoin and institutional financial markets. Sygnum’s market-tested infrastructure, digital asset-native team and global ecosystem makes them the ideal partner to co-develop innovative Bitcoin-related financial products and technologies – as well as for future collaborations with other Fulgur portfolio companies. We are proud to be the cornerstone investor for the final close of Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round, which coincides with a potential inflection point for Bitcoin’s institutional adoption and regulatory clarity.”

In FY 2024, Sygnum achieved operational profitability and continued to grow its 2,000-strong institutional client base domiciled in over 70 countries, serviced through its regulated operations in Switzerland, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hub of Luxembourg and was recently registered in Liechtenstein.

About Sygnum

Sygnum is a global digital asset banking group, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. We empower professional and institutional investors, banks, corporates and DLT foundations to invest in digital assets with complete trust. Our team enables this through our institutional-grade security, expert personal service and portfolio of regulated digital asset banking, asset management, tokenization and B2B services.

In Switzerland, Sygnum holds a banking licence and has CMS and Major Payment Institution licences in Singapore. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hubs of Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg and is registered in Liechtenstein.

We believe that the future has heritage. Our crypto-native team of banking, investment and digital asset technology professionals are building a trusted gateway between the traditional and digital asset economies that we call Future Finance. To learn more about how Sygnum’s mission and values are shaping this digital asset ecosystem, please visit sygnum.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Disclaimer: The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. Sygnum expressly disclaims all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal, investment advice, recommendation, offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets.

About Fulgur Ventures

Fulgur Ventures was founded in 2019 as one of the first venture firms focused on startups in the Bitcoin and the Lightning Network ecosystems and today provides early stage, follow-on and growth capital for startups driving adoption of bitcoin and bitcoin scaling technologies, such as Lightning and Liquid networks in consumer and enterprise markets and financial institutions. For more information, please visit the Fulgur Ventures website.

[i] As at 31.12.24

[ii] Via a related investment entity

800 PRESCHOOL ARTWORKS ON UPCYCLING TO BE PART OF SINGAPORE ARTWEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME: MULBERRY LEARNING

  • Pre-schoolers From Mulberry Learning To Showcase Artworks That Express Their Dreams for a Better, More Sustainable Future In Week-Long Exhibition Called Transformations
  • Mulberry Learning’s Revamped Art Integration Curriculum To Offer Preschool Children More Opportunities to Use Art Intentionally

SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mulberry Learning, the first preschool in the world to be certified by The Institute for Habits of Mind, is proud to announce the showcase of the first-ever 800 art piece installation by preschool children in Singapore Art Week 2025. Aptly named Transformations, the exhibit will feature artworks that express the dreams of children for a better and more sustainable future. Over the last 3 months, Mulberry Learning pre-schoolers aged 3 to 6 were tasked with using recyclables to create models of what their future homes would look like. The resulting artworks provide a fresh perspective of the world from these young minds and offer a glimpse into the unbounded imaginations of children, and a hopeful reminder of our next generation’s potential to inspire change.

This showcase is the first of a series of art-centric programmes that Mulberry Learning will be embarking on as part of their revamped and enhanced Picasso KidzTM curriculum, an in-house art programme thoughtfully designed to provide a strong foundation in visual arts while nurturing essential 21st-century skills in children. Research has shown that art develops brain capacity and creativity in young children[1], providing platforms for self-expression while enhancing cognitive, social-emotional and multi-sensory skills. With data from over 20 years of teaching young children, Mulberry Learning’s curriculum team recognises the benefits of integrating art meaningfully and holistically into early learning programmes. While art may already be employed in the classrooms to enhance learning for some lessons, Mulberry Learning will be devising more art-centric syllabi across all of their pre-school curriculum, incorporating art into English, Chinese, Math and Science classes in a more systematic manner. Mulberry Learning’s new arts curriculum complements other core signature programmes like Habits of MindTM and Reggio-inspired Project InquiryTM to create a unique early learning experience that nurtures the Future Ready Child.

To spearhead this change will be Mulberry Learning’s new Curriculum and Training Manager in Art, Hamish Betts, who has over 30 years of experience as a professional artist. He will be working closely with the Mulberry Learning curriculum development team and teachers to segue art into existing programmes, to enhance early learning. “Art is truly a transformative form of education for young children. Art knows no boundaries and needs no verbal language skills for interaction and self-expression to occur. Mulberry Learning focuses on child-led expression instead of technical perfection, allowing children to fully expand their imagination,” says Hamish.

“Mulberry Learning has always been at the forefront of pushing boundaries for early learning and on top of the Habits of MindTM framework and Reggio-Emilia approaches, we are pleased to add yet another research-backed programme to our curriculum,” says Mr Peh Yi Han, Chief Operating Officer of Global Eduhub Pte Ltd, which helms the Mulberry Learning brand. “Training of teachers is a crucial part of a successful curriculum, and each teacher will undergo over 100 hours of training under Hamish in order to fully execute the art programme we have devised. Under the guidance of trained teachers, each child will be able to develop the skills of exploration, creativity, and self- expression, whilst picking up technical skills and fine motor skills– forming an excellent foundation for a child to navigate his/her world in the future.” For Singapore Art Week, Hamish worked tirelessly with the  12 participating centres to educate and train teachers on how to use art to inspire learning.

Transformations will be on exhibition from 20 to 26 January 2025 at VivoCity, Level 1, South East Boulevard, from 10am to 10pm daily. Admission is free. Mulberry Learning will also be conducting short art sessions for young children during the launch and throughout the exhibition. Sessions are open to the public on a walk-in basis, first-come-first-served, limited slots per session. Enquiries may be made in-person at the exhibition.

For more information on Transformations, visit www.artweek.sg/event-detail/transformations. For more information on Mulberry Learning, visit www.mulberrylearning.com.

+++

For details on Transformations, see Appendix A.
For details on Mulberry Learning’s Picasso KidzTM, refer to Appendix B.
For information on Mulberry Learning, refer to Appendix C.
For spokesperson biographies, refer to Appendix D.

Website:  www.mulberrylearning.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@mulberrylearningcentres
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mulberrylearning
Hashtags: #MulberryLearning

+++

About Mulberry Learning

Mulberry Learning is the first preschool network in the world to be certified by The Institute for Habits of Mind. Mulberry Learning started with the dream of nurturing a competent explorer, an imaginative thinker, a creative problem solver and the Future Ready Child. With 19 locations around Singapore, Mulberry Learning is recognised for its vibrant Reggio- inspired learning spaces, comprehensive bilingual programmes, holistic development outcomes, and strengths in character development via our proprietary Habits of MindTM framework. Globally, Mulberry Learning has centres in Australia, Panama, and the Philippines. For more information on Mulberry Learning, visit www.mulberrylearning.com.

About Global Eduhub

All around the world, over 10,000 children and their parents’ lives have been positively enriched through our innovative future-ready curriculum, passionate educators, and delivery of quality education. Established in 1995, Global EduHub is a leading private education group headquartered in Singapore with over 8 brands offering infant care, preschool, student care and enrichment programmes across 70 schools in multiple countries. Global EduHub has once again been recognised as a preferred employer in the education industry, proudly earning the Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2024 award at the annual HR Asia Awards, making us a two-time winner! In addition, we are honoured to receive accolades in the Most Caring Company and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion categories, reflecting our steadfast commitment to excellence, care, and inclusivity. For more information, visit www.global-eduhub.com.

+++

Issued for and on behalf of Mulberry Learning  by Affluence PR Pte Ltd.

APPENDIX A

TRANSFORMATIONS

Synopsis

Transformations is a heart-warming and imaginative exhibition featuring the collective creativity of 800 preschool students from Mulberry Learning. The children are tasked with upcycling everyday objects to create artworks that express their dreams for a better, more sustainable future. This installation is a testament to the power of young minds and their fresh perspective on the world around them.

Each student’s contribution forms a unique piece of a larger installation, showcasing over 800 individual art pieces that are connected by a common theme: transformation. Through this process, children learn the importance of sustainability, creativity, and environmental stewardship, as they turn ordinary items into extraordinary visions for the future. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the unbounded imagination of young children and serves as a hopeful reminder of the next generation’s potential to inspire change. Presented by Mulberry Learning and curated by Mun, this exhibition is a celebration of art, education, and sustainability.

Participating artists/curators:

Mun, Curator, Singapore
Elizabeth Wong, Artist, Singapore
Joshua Wong, Artist, Singapore
Van Wangye, Artist, Singapore
Bill Toh, Artist, Singapore
Aaron Foeste, Artist, USA
Hamish Betts, Artist, New Zealand
Alpana, Artist, India

For more information, visit www.artweek.sg/event-detail/transformations.

APPENDIX B

MULBERRY LEARNING PICASSO KIDZTM Mulberry Learning’s Unique Approach towards Arts Education

Picasso Kidz™ is the newly-revamped in-house art programme under the iExperience pillar of Mulberry Learning’s award-winnning “iDevelop-iExplore-iExperience-iLearn” framework, thoughtfully designed to provide a strong foundation in visual arts while nurturing essential 21st-century skills in children. The programme involves weekly art lessons, parent-engagement workshops, teacher training and community collaboration platforms. The lessons are designed to emphasize four key facets of arts education: Communication and Expression, Elements of Art, Areas of Art, and Universal Skills. By focusing on these areas, Picasso Kidz™ fosters creativity, intentionality, and autonomy in the art-creation process, ensuring that children’s art-making journey is as meaningful as the final product.

Unlike traditional approaches to art which focus on producing visually appealing outcomes, Picasso Kidz™ prioritises the creative process. The weekly lessons emphasise four key facets of arts education, namely Communication and Expression, Elements of Art, Areas of Art, and Universal Skills, allowing children to explore and appreciate art in diverse forms such as textiles, construction, collage, and printmaking, among others. The programme encourages children to experiment and take ownership of their work, building their confidence as independent creators. In the process, children also develop fine motor, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, which are critical for their future success.

To support the child’s learning, teachers at Mulberry Learning undergo over 100 hours of comprehensive training and are provided detailed lesson plans crafted by Art Curriculum & Training Manager Mr Hamish Betts. This ensures that children are guided effectively via a child-centric, open-ended philosophy towards exploration and expression. Furthermore, the programme includes a monthly parent engagement initiative, fostering a collaborative partnership between home and school. Parents gain insights into the philosophy behind process-driven art and are given opportunities to actively support their child’s creative journey, reinforcing the impact of the programme.

Picasso Kidz™ also aligns seamlessly with Mulberry Learning’s core signature programmes such as Habits of Mind™ (HOM), Reggio Emilia and its Literacy/Numeracy programmes, and helps to enhance these programmes through infusing art and creative expression. This first-of-its-kind art programme enables a holistic and innovative educational experience at Mulberry Learning, setting a new benchmark for preschool arts education—one that values individuality, celebrates the creative process, and cultivates lifelong skills for success, supporting Mulberry Learning’s mission to nurture The Future Ready Child.

APPENDIX C

MULBERRY LEARNING CURRICULUM AND METHODOLOGY

  • Habits of Mind™ curriculum: Mulberry Learning is the world’s first and only preschool network certified by the USA for the Habits of MindTM. The Habits of MindTM framework has been adopted by Singapore’s Ministry of Education to groom the top 1% of students under its Gifted Education Programme. Of the 16 habits, we have specially curated 12 habits that are mindfully infused into our curriculum, utilising teachable moments and daily routines.
  • Reggio Emilia-inspired learning: Mulberry Learning is the largest practitioner of the Reggio Emilia approach in Singapore, a globally renowned early childhood pedagogy, regarded by experts as the best way to truly ignite a child’s love for learning. Through our carefully designed learning corners, we aim to foster creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for discovery. Our 8 learning corners include: Light Atelier, Busy Baker, Imaginary Playscape, Discovery Cove, Reading Nook, Construction Piazza, Art Atelier, and Finger Gym.
  • Bilingual programmes: By age 6, children will have an impressive vocabulary of 4,500 words, have acquired over 2,000 Chinese words, mastered more than 40 Chinese idioms, and be able to recite 16 Chinese poems like Ming Ri Ge (明日歌).
  • Infant Care Programme: Mulberry Learning’s infant care programme stands out for its comprehensive curriculum framework, including signature programmes: Little ExplorerTM, Music StimulationTM, Muscle MasterTM, First TouchTM, and Colourful WorldTM, which enable infants to develop and learn through their own reflections and experiences. Many centres also have an infant spa where your infants get the privilege of spa sessions with bubbles, whirlpool jets, and soothing lights in speciallyimported spa pods.
  • Award-Winning Teachers: With over 250 hours of extensive training, Mulberry Learning’s teachers embody and impart our Reggio-Inspired Curriculum that supports child-centric learning.
  • Award-Winning Preschool: Mulberry Learning has over the years amassed many early education awards, accreditations and certifications such as:
    • The New Age Parents “Best Infant Care and Preschool Programme” Award 2024
    • HoneyKids “Singapore Preschool of the Year” Award 2024
    • Winner of the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (Established Brands), 2020 / 21
    • HoneyKids “Best Early Learning Program” (aged 0 – 6 years old) Award, 2021
    • Singapore’s Child “Best Holistic Curriculum” Award, 2019 to 2020
    • Kids World “Best Reggio Emilia Preschool”, 2017 to 2018
    • Young Parents “Best Holistic Learning Programme”, 2016 – 2019
    • Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK)
    • Healthy Preschool Accreditation (HPS)
    • World’s first and only preschool network certified by the USA for the Habits of MindTM

MULBERRY LEARNING CENTRES

CENTRAL

Braddell

1 Lor 2 Toa Payoh, #01-02/03/04, Singapore 319637

Cairnhill

1 Anthony Road, #02-06/07, Singapore 229944

Marymount

38 Jalan Pemimpin, #01-05/06 M38, Singapore 577178

NORTHEAST

Kovan

38 Poh Huat Crescent, Singapore 546871

Punggol

407 Northshore Drive, Northshore Plaza 1, #03-02, Singapore 820407

NORTH

Woodlands

21 Woodlands Close, #01-01/02/17 Primz BizHub, Singapore 737854

WEST

Bukti Batok

25 Bukit Batok Street 22, #03-01, Singapore 659591

Dover

1010 Dover Road, #01-02, #02-14, #02-15, Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild (SPGG), Singapore 139658

Fusionopolis

1 Fusionopolis Walk, #01-14/15/16 North Tower, Solaris, Singapore 138628

Jurong East

31 International Business Park, Creative Resource, #01-04/05, Singapore 609921

Namly

36 Namly Crescent, Singapore 267551

EAST

East Coast

440A Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 466497

Kallang

8 Stadium Walk, #02-05 Water Sports Centre, Singapore 397699

Tai Seng

10 Upper Aljunied Link, #01-01/02/03, Singapore 367904

SOUTH

Alexandra

12 Hoy Fatt Road, #02-01 Bryton House, Singapore 159506

Alexandra Technopark

438B Alexandra Road, Block B Alexandra Technopark #01-02, Singapore 119968

Clarke Quay

20 Upper Circular Road, #01-42 to 49, The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416

Shenton Way

6A Shenton Way, #03-01/04/04A/05 Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

Tanjong Pagar

5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-01, Singapore 082005

APPENDIX D

SPOKESPERSONS BIOGRAPHIES

Mr Peh Yi Han, Chief Operating Officer, Global EduHub

Yi Han is the Chief Operating Officer of Global Eduhub, the education group of which Mulberry Learning is a part of, along with 3 other preschool brands. In his role, he assists the CEO in driving strategic growth initiatives for the group, leading the group’s branding, business development and M&A functions. He also functions as the Chief Information Officer for the group, heading IT, cybersecurity, procurement and engineering teams. He has a wealth of work experience in the education and consumer services industry, leading corporate development, marketing, customer service and operational teams in various educational companies.

He was most recently the Director of The Learning Lab, Singapore’s largest tuition and enrichment brand in Singapore, and has also held managerial positions at the Singapore Economic Development Board in Singapore and Tokyo. A top student and a government scholar, he knows what it takes for students to succeed in today’s context.

He holds a Master of Science degree from Stanford University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.

Ms Mandy Goh, Head of R&D (Mulberry Learning and Little Green House), Global EduHub

Mandy Goh has over 18 years of work experience in early childhood education, having personally led the setting up and management of numerous Mulberry Learning preschools across Singapore, Australia and China. She is a strong advocate of child-centric learning for young children, and spearheads the Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum development initiatives for Mulberry Learning and the Literacy programmes for Little Green House.

She holds a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education (ECDA Scholarship) from Wheelock College and a Bachelor of Science (Economics) Management Studies from the University of London.

Mr Hamish Betts, Curriculum & Training Manager in Art, Global Eduhub

Mr Hamish Betts is a seasoned Art Educator and Consultant with over 30 years of experience in the field of art. Throughout his career, he has worked with organisations such as Inspired Arts and Zart Art, as well as consulted for numerous international schools in Singapore on both arts-specific initiatives and holistic curriculum development.

A passionate advocate for nurturing creativity, Mr Betts ran his own art school for 7 years, creating an enriching and inclusive space where learners thrived under his mentorship. His expertise spans designing innovative art programmes and inspiring artistic expression among students and educators alike. Mr Betts holds a Master’s Degree in Organisational Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Education, Elementary Education and Teaching, from The University of Auckland.

[1]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379575859_Artistic_Activities_and_Developing_Creative_Thinking_Skills_among_Children_in_Early_Childhood