Category: Startups

Erez Capital Makes Investment in Curio Converting Nuclear Waste into Sustainable Energy

Erez Capital, a rising star in the venture capital arena with a firm focus on disruptive technologies, is thrilled to announce a strategic investment of $100,000 in Curio, an avant-garde deeptech startup. Curio stands at the vanguard of nuclear technology innovation, pioneering the develop and commercialization cutting-edge technologies that are aimed at converting nuclear waste into safe and sustainable energy sources.

“Throughout Erez Capital’s journey, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with numerous startups. Among them, Curio shines as a company positioned to reshape the renewable technology landscape. Beyond mere concepts, Curio boasts an established patented process with a clear path to commercialization, led by a dedicated workforce, a distinguished board of experts, and visionary leadership. Together, they’re propelling the company toward unparalleled heights within this industry,” shared Michael Benezra, the Managing Director and Founder of Erez Capital.

Curio’s breakthrough hinges on its patented nuclear waste recycling technology NuCycle, which effectively addresses the longstanding challenges of the light-water reactor fuel cycle. The company has secured substantial investments, including vital support from the Department of Energy’s ARPAe program, as well as continued investments from Synergos Holdings (www.synergosholdings.com) – a distinguished deeptech accelerator based in New York, led by visionary founders Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz and Yehudah Moskowitz.

Under the adept leadership of President and CEO Ed McGinnis, a former Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and Acting Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Curio is ushering in a new era of nuclear recycling and energy transformation.

About Erez Capital:

Erez Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in Boston, investing in seed-stage startup companies at the forefront of digital transformation. For more information, visit https://ErezCapital.io.

About Curio

Curio is a leading deeptech startup dedicated to revolutionizing the energy landscape through its groundbreaking nuclear waste recycling technology NuCycle. By converting nuclear waste into secure and renewable energy resources, Curio is determined to shape a cleaner and more sustainable future. Guided by the expertise of President and CEO Ed McGinnis, a distinguished luminary in the field of nuclear energy, Curio is poised to redefine how we approach energy generation and waste management. For more information, visit https://curio.energy.

For media inquiries, please reach out to:
Michael Benezra
mbenezra@erezcapital.io

As International Revenue Soars to $650M with 45% from SEA; Chiratae Expands SEA Regional Advisory Board with the addition of Mr. Puneet Pushkarna

Chiratae Ventures, a leading venture capital firm, announces the appointment of Mr. Puneet Pushkarna to its esteemed Regional Advisory Board, reinforcing its commitment to the Southeast Asia (SEA) market.

The announcement comes soon after Chiratae’s significant milestone -its active portfolio companies surpass $650 million in revenue. Companies focusing on SEA or headquartered now contribute about 45% of the total international revenue across the company’s diverse portfolio. Companies such as Active.ai, Kristala.ai, and Lenskart have driven growth in the SEA market, with Lenskart’s strategic acquisition of Japan’s Own Days last year as a recent highlight.

Given the growing significance of SEA as an investor base and a burgeoning market, Chiratae Ventures has been active in the region, particularly in Singapore and Japan. The appointment of Puneet Pushkarna to the Regional Advisory Board reinforces Chiratae’s dedication to its growth and success in SEA. Puneet will provide strategic guidance to Chiratae’s international operations in this role.

Sudhir Sethi, Founder and Chairman of Chiratae Ventures, shared, “With a strong foothold in the SEA market and our portfolio companies, either focusing on the region or being headquartered there, contributing over 45% of the total revenue, we are thrilled to welcome Puneet Pushkarna to our Regional Advisory Board. Puneet’s addition further bolsters our already formidable Advisory Board, whose collective efforts have significantly established Chiratae as one of India’s premier venture capital funds. His exceptional expertise and diverse background will undoubtedly guide our ventures to even greater heights within the Asian market while fostering stronger connections with our esteemed investors.”

Puneet Pushkarna brings a wealth of experience, currently serving as a General Partner at Solmark, a prominent private equity fund based in Singapore. Throughout his career, Puneet has excelled in nurturing and scaling companies in the competitive global landscape. He previously held the position of President at Headstrong, driving transformative initiatives in the Capital Markets domain through cutting-edge digital technology services. Additionally, Puneet co-founded TechSpan, backed by the prestigious institution Goldman Sachs, where he successfully led business solutions consulting and design thinking ventures, earning recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in Silicon Valley.

Beyond his business acumen, Puneet is deeply involved in various Boards and Advisory Boards, including his role as Chairman of Core Committee, RIE2025, National Research Foundation, Singapore, Chairman Emeritus of TiE Singapore, and as a Board member of IIM Nagpur and Industry Advisory Board of SP Jain School of Management. Additionally, Puneet serves as a Catalyst at SMART (Singapore MIT Alliance for Research & Technology) and actively engages in philanthropic efforts, supporting initiatives such as the Indian Foundation for the Arts (IFA), the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS), and the South Asian Heart Society.

Puneet Pushkarna shared his excitement for the new role, adding, “I am honoured to join Chiratae Ventures and contribute to the growth of the platform they have built over close to two decades and its dynamic portfolio in Asia region. There are strong benefits for the Asian block to partner, invest and grow exponentially by understanding each other’s strengths and hope to bridge the gap. The Indian model of solving for population-scale problems using technology-led business models has relevance for the larger region and hoping to help Chiratae and its portfolio expand its regional footprint”

Anoop Menon, Principal-Investments who also leads Investor Relations in the East Asian region, says, “With the changing geo-political environment and India’s blistering economic growth, India has become a strong contender for increased investments and business partnership within Asia. Along with this, there is a strong need to contextualise the India narrative by a leader who has seen both sides closely, and Puneet helps us do that. Having him on our Advisory Board provides a valuable sounding board for our team and founders as we navigate the markets in Singapore, Japan, and other regions of Asia Pacific.”

Chiratae Ventures, recently announced the final close of its first Growth fund at $122 M, oversubscribed by 34% and is in the market for its next flagship Venture capital fund. It will continue looking to cement its presence in SEA and the larger Asian region, and Puneet will help strengthen the firm’s position as a leader in the Venture capital landscape.

About Chiratae Ventures:

Chiratae Ventures is a 16-year-old Indian technology venture capital fund advisor, having advised funds that collectively (across six funds) have $1.1 Bn AUM, 130+ investments, 48 exits, 8 Unicorns, 3 IPOs and a track record of having returned capital to LPs in each of the last 12 years. The funds advised by Chiratae Ventures have investments across sectors such as Consumer-Tech, SaaS, Fintech, and Healthtech and have been early backers of companies such as Bizongo, Fibe, FirstCry, Flipkart, Lenskart, Myntra, Pixis, PolicyBazaar and Uniphore, amongst many others.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Tanvi Dubey
Chiratae Ventures
+91-8792059986

Neha Chaturvedi
Adfactors PR
+65- 87098749

AWS Approves And Lists Verofax Martech Solution For Brands & Retail On Global Marketplace

Verofax, an award-winning Brand & Retail Martech service provider, achieved Full Technical Review (FTR) approval on Amazon Web Services (AWS) marketplace. Verofax services are now available for direct acquisition by retail and for global brands, leveraging the unparalleled capabilities of AWS.

Verofax specializes in brand-customer direct engagement by transforming products into powerful marketing tools. With patented technologies such as computer vision, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and product digitization, Verofax enables brands to seamlessly connect directly to customers and access real-time first-party customer data to offer personalized brand experiences. The result? brands are able to reduce their cost of customer acquisition, and increase promotional marketing ROI (conversion rate) and brand loyalty (NPS).

With the AWS FTR approval, Verofax’s advanced solutions have received the seal of validation and endorsement from AWS Solutions Architects. This recognition showcases Verofax’s commitment to delivering exceptional performance, security, and scalability for brands worldwide.

Verofax’s solutions go beyond traditional marketing. By assigning a unique web link to each product, Verofax’s technology becomes a powerful tool for product traceability and counterfeit management. This added advantage brings significant value to brands, safeguarding their reputation and enhancing customer loyalty in their offerings.

Brands that choose to work with Verofax benefit from a range of advantages. By leveraging Verofax’s solution, brands can circumvent traditional marketing channels and elevate customer acquisition rates by up to 60% while reducing costs of customer acquisition by an impressive 20-fold, when compared to online Ads. Verofax has successfully partnered with renowned Fortune 100 brands, including industry giants like Budweiser & Corona, to power global marketing campaigns and create frictionless direct-to-consumer experiences.

Rodrigo Cabaleiro, Global Director of Premium Brands, AB InBev said, “Verofax solution for interactive packaging improved acquisition and engagement during our FIFA World Cup promotion. By turning our products into a direct-to-consumer communication channel we observed higher ROI on promotional marketing and better data-driven decisions.”

Moreover, Verofax empowers brands with real-time consumer insights, enabling data-driven decision-making and personalized marketing strategies in real-time. By leveraging this invaluable data, brands can deliver exceptional customer experiences, build unwavering loyalty, and achieve unparalleled commercial success.

Verofax’s achievement of AWS Full Technical Review approval demonstrates its dedication to excellence and its ability to deliver top-tier software services. By partnering with Verofax, brands can unleash the full potential of their marketing efforts, accessing real-time consumer insights, driving customer engagement, and transforming their products into powerful marketing tools.

One of the key benefits of Verofax’s AWS FTR approval is the assurance it provides to brands seeking exceptional software services. The rigorous FTR process involved a comprehensive assessment of Verofax’s AWS infrastructure, architecture, and adherence to best practices. By achieving this status, Verofax demonstrates its ability to deliver superior solutions, ensuring optimal performance and security for its clients.

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved AWS Full Technical Review (FTR) status, which further solidifies Verofax’s position as a leading provider of martech solutions. Collaborating with AWS has been instrumental in our journey, and this approval underscores the exceptional capabilities and performance of our software services. Together with AWS, we look forward to delivering unparalleled benefits to our enterprise clients by increasing Marketing ROI, enhancing customer satisfaction, and turning operations data-driven in real-time. — Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax.

Experience the transformative power of Verofax’s solutions and join the ranks of global brands revolutionizing customer engagement. Discover why Verofax is the partner of choice for unlocking unparalleled marketing potential, achieving remarkable cost savings, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Pioneering Synergy of Innovation and Purpose: The Futurist Showcase at the Pierce School Penthouse Featuring Global Cannabis Holdings and Avi8ted Ventures

The stage is set for a symphony of innovation and purpose as the Futurist Showcase takes center stage August 18, at 7:15 p.m.

This exclusive event, a convergence of luminaries, will spotlight two trailblazing enterprises — Global Cannabis Holdings (GCH) (https://globalcannabisholdings.lu) and Avi8ted Ventures (https://avi8tedthoughts.com). These visionary companies are poised to reshape industries and redefine societal progress, all against the backdrop of the exquisite Pierce School Penthouse, a residence synonymous with entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking excellence.

The visionary forces behind the Futurist Showcase are entrepreneurs Charlton Woodyard II, CEO of Avi8ted Ventures, and Brock Pierce, the President of the Bitcoin Foundation, whose remarkable journey spans technology, real estate, and social impact. Pierce’s commitment to pioneering change and igniting community empowerment finds a fitting home in the profound ambiance of the Pierce School Penthouse. “Brock Pierce is an inspiration to any builder with his ability to make change happen across the world in every industry he touches. We are incredibly grateful that he has opened his home to us for this amazing opportunity to present our mission to the world,” said David Luftglass, Chairman, Global Cannabis Holdings.

An assembly of Washington, D.C.’s foremost leaders, policy architects, artistic trailblazers, investors, educators, and catalysts for change will grace the gathering. Hosted at the largest penthouse in the city, The Pierce School Penthouse, this event creates an unparalleled platform for collaborative engagement, fostering the coalescence of ideas and collective growth. The Showcase’s compelling mission, empowering individuals to champion change in their communities, resonates profoundly in the context of this prestigious locale.

In an era where innovation and purpose dictate the trajectory of tomorrow, the Futurist Showcase stands as a beacon of transformative potential. From the heights of the Pierce School Penthouse, a space resonating with entrepreneurial verve, this event catalyzes more than dialogue; it ignites a movement.

About Avi8ted Ventures

Avi8ted Ventures is a dynamic and innovative force at the intersection of real estate, technology, and culture. More than a social network, Avi8ted Ventures operates as an experimental ecosystem where the physical and digital realms merge, fostering a sustainable impact ecosystem. By harnessing the collective power of real estate, technology, and culture, Avi8ted Ventures initiates a global movement of change, driving innovation, collaboration, and social progress. As a platform where ideas materialize, pioneers unite, and the future takes shape, Avi8ted Ventures empowers individuals, transitions humans to beings, and facilitates transformative journeys of lasting impact.

About Global Cannabis Holdings (GCH)

Global Cannabis Holdings (GCH) began in Uruguay as a pioneering force in the international cannabis sector. With a groundbreaking tokenized portfolio of cannabis companies, GCH is redefining the future of this rapidly growing industry. GCH has obtained ownership in 38 companies across 6 countries, all wrapped up into one entity, offering a diversified approach to investing in cannabis. The holdings include everything from a six square kilometer production project in Uruguay, to the top distributor in Brazil, and the largest extraction group in California. With a visionary, forward looking approach, GCH is poised to catalyze change on a global scale by embracing the remarkable possibilities of cannabis. GCH recently underwent its public launch in the Luxembourg market via the STOKR platform, the first registered Security Token Exchange in the European Union. For more info on the launch please check out www.stokr.io/global-cannabis-holdings

For media inquiries, interviews, and additional information, please contact:
Avi8ted Ventures
Charlton Woodyard II
(202) 888-5326
Info@av8t.co

Ganjar Pranowo driving Indonesian SMEs in Going Global

Ganjar Pranowo, the Governor of Central Java, Indonesia, is committed to driving the development of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the region, to reach an international level. As of Q1 2023, SME export volume from Central Java had reached US$2.5 billion, resulting in a surplus of US$708 million for the province.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo is committed to the development of SMEs in the region, providing a learning platform ‘Hetero Space’ and funding ‘Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR-People Business Loan) Super Mikro.’ [Image: ANTARA]

During his two terms in office from 2013 to 2023, Ganjar facilitated the growth of SMEs through robust initiatives. One notable innovation was “Hetero Space,” a creative hub addressing the educational needs of SMEs, offering knowledge on aspects such as bookkeeping, packaging, branding, and even photography skills required for product promotion.

Currently, Central Java has 3 Hetero Spaces for the development of SMEs and as a platform for young people to showcase their creativity, located in Semarang, Solo, and Banyumas. Hetero Spaces in Central Java have involved thousands of members: 3,000 members who have joined, 13,000 Hetero Space visitors, 500 local communities, 300 programs, 1,000 events, 15,000 SMEs, 2,500 startups, 100 companies, and 250,000 people have all benefited.

“When they start learning about bookkeeping, packaging, branding, and even when they want to promote their products, they need to learn photography. That’s why we need a creative hub,” he mentioned during ‘Flexing Lokal’, held by Google Indonesia and YouTube.

After providing a learning platform for SMEs, Ganjar moved to the next level by offering access to funding – a common challenge faced by SMEs when planning to expand. He launched the “Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR-People Business Loan) Super Mikro,” providing access to capital with an interest rate of only 3% per year. Teaming up with Bank Jateng, this funding initiative assists SMEs in growing their businesses.

“Our task is to provide support. If the interest rate is at this level, it’s not feasible. So, we try to assist them by implementing some policies, such as reducing the interest rate,” Ganjar explained.

The decision to set the interest rate at 3% is the result of a lengthy process. Previously, the KUR interest rate was 12%, then 9%, and eventually, Central Java lowered it to 6%, surpassing the national KUR rate. Finally, Ganjar established the interest rate at only 3%.

These efforts led Central Java to become the largest distributor of KUR loans in Indonesia in 2022, with a loan distribution value of IDR 55.27 trillion (US$3.8 billion) in the previous year. “Thus, the role of the government is mainly to facilitate their growth,” Ganjar stated.

Thanks to Ganjar’s initiatives, SMEs in Central Java have now reached an international level. The best SME products, facilitated by Ganjar, have opportunities for export to Singapore, Japan, and even Europe. “For now, we’re running this, curating it, and those who qualify, who have a strong market both nationally and internationally, we assist,” Ganjar concluded.

Copyright (c) ANTARA 2023.

Indonesia’s first 8K uncompressed video conference inaugurates 100 Gbps network for education at UB-Universitas Brawijaya

Universitas Brawijaya (UB), the Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC) and Indonesia Research and Education Network (IDREN) held a ceremony at UB in Malang, East Java, to mark the operation of a 100 Gbps high-speed network for education in Indonesia on August 9.

Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC) and Indonesia Research and Education Network (IDREN) held a ceremony to mark the operation of a 100 Gbps high-speed network for education in Indonesia on August 9, 2023.

The ceremony also connected to a remote venue in Keio University, Japan, using an uncompressed 8K video conference, marking the first such ultra-high resolution video conference in Indonesia, and demonstrating the high capacity and low latency of the research and education network that spans across the Pacific.

Representatives of the three organizations, Prof. Widodo of UB, Prof. Jun Murai of ARENA-PAC, and Dr. Achmad Affandi of IDREN, attended the ceremony at UB. The ambassador of Republic Indonesia to Japan, HE Heri Akhmadi, and Vice President of Keio University, Prof. Eiji Okada, attended remotely from Japan. In the audience in both venues, students witnessed this memorable ceremony, delighting in the interaction.

Rector of UB Prof Widodo said the inauguration was a follow-up to MoU signed between the three organizations in 2022. Emphasizing that this network is all about collaboration, he said, “This network infrastructure is not only about data transfer, but also a channel to be able to collaborate, innovate faster and be ready to jump in the digital era which will be dedicated to education and research.”

Held at the Algoritma Auditorium, Faculty of Computer Science UB in Malang, East Java, Prof. Widodo said the network connects IDREN with UB as the gateway to Guam and Tokyo, as well as several other locations. In addition, the collaboration is also a big leap for Indonesia to be connected to the current global research and education network.

Prof. Jun Murai of ARENA-PAC in his keynote said, “We sent a message to global leaders that research and educational networks are important.” He emphasized the need to work together for the next stage of global internet from research and educational networks point of view, working with commercial internet service providers, technology, and application people for many scientific purposes such as high energy physics, medical, and astronomy.

He appreciates Indonesian universities and the IDREN mechanism, which he sees as unique in that universities work with internet service providers that commit to support IDREN.

About UB
Universitas Brawijaya (UB) was established by the President of the Republic of Indonesia on July 11, 1961. Today UB is one of the leading universities in Indonesia with more than 60,000 students in various vocational, bachelor, master, doctoral, professional, and medical specialist programs. Learn more at https://ub.ac.id.

About ARENA-PAC
The Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (ARENA-PAC) is a backbone network for research and education, established on an international submarine cable network constructed to expand the Internet in Asia Pacific. ARENA-PAC comprises several long-term 10 and 100Gbps IRU circuits between a central exchange point in Guam and sites in Tokyo, Philippines, and Indonesia. See www.arena-pac.net.

About IDREN
The Indonesian Research and Education Network (IDREN) is a dedicated network infrastructure that connects research and education institutions and communities in Indonesia. This network is dedicated to the necessary data communication connectivity to enable a community of researchers, academics, and developers to collaborate together. https://idren.id.

Written by A Malik Ibrahim; Editor: Fiqih Arfani; (c) ANTARA 2023.

Erez Capital Announces Additional Venture Partners

Erez Capital, an emerging venture capital fund investing in disruptive technologies, is thrilled to announce its addition of 40 Venture Partners to join the fund. These new partners will play an importanl role in the quickly developing artificial intelligence ecosystem – specifically in the proptech, medtech and fintech sectors.

“This fund and its investments will represent the consensus of experts, technology innovators, venture capital, private equity principals and investment bankers who have managed over $100 Billion, and executed over $700 Billion in M&A and licensing transactions,” said Michael Benezra, Managing Partner

Erez Capital Public Deck

As part of our commitment to pushing boundaries and driving transformation, Erez Capital has diligently sought out Venture Partners who share our vision and possess unique expertise in their respective fields. The addition of academic experts, research directors, private equity principals, venture capital partners, fund managers, CEO’s, attorney’s, investment bankers, startup founders, and experienced investors to our network significantly bolsters our capabilities, propelling us forward in achieving our ambitious goals.

VENTURE PARTNERS

Lawrence Lou,
Artificial Intelligence
Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB)

Mark Hammond
Director New Business TPM
Softbank

Arpit Garg
Investment Banking
Drake Star

Luqman O Lawal, MD
Vice President
Bright Health (NYSE: BHG)

Stefan Mitu
Venture Partner
VU Venture Partners , EY

Kyle Levy
VP of Finance
Phoenix Capital Partners

Jonathan Rich
CEO
Sophia Partners LLC

Darshan Honale
Venture Partner
Global Health Impact Fund

William Grenawitzke
Managing Partner
Bellows Capital Partners

Nicholas Kirk
Lead Investor
Vehiculum Capital

Nadine Samuels, PhD, CPA
Controller, Erez Capital
Assistant Professor of Accounting
SUNY – Canton

Akshit Kandi
Co-Founder
FareMD

Cathy Gent
CEO
Global Investment Corporation (GIC)

Barika Edwards
Partner
Curious Culture

Kayemba Mvula
Founder
Pivot LLC (New Orleans)

Robert Schultz
Adjunct Professor
Babson College

Dr. Anita Gupta
Chief Surgeon | City of New York
American Society of Anesthesiologists to U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Farouk Khailann
CEO Premium Africa Holdings. Strategic Advisor
The Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi for Strategic Alliances and Policies.

About Erez Capital

Erez Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in Boston, investing in seed-stage startup companies at the forefront of digital transformation.

Contact:
Noah Ente, Erez Capital
Noah@erezcapital.io

Source: Plato Data Intelligence https://Platodata.io

Society Pass Incorporated (“SoPa”) (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next-generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announced a strategic payments partnership with 2C2P, a global full-suite payments platform headquartered in Singapore, to drive e-commerce shopping in SEA. Through this partnership, Society Pass’s loyalty application would be able to offer 2C2P’s wide array of alternative payment options to customers based in the Philippines and Indonesia.

2C2P operates payment services in eight markets across Asia and supports over 250 payment options, from cards to cash to e-wallets. Over the years, 2C2P has established and nurtured an extensive network of partners globally, adhering to local and international regulatory compliance standards. The current network includes all major local and international credit cards, over 17 major digital wallets and QR payment platforms, and various alternative payment methods. 2C2P’s customers can use their preferred payment method via cards, digital wallets, or over-the-counter at over 400,000 locations in Asia. The extensive payment solutions meet the needs of businesses from diverse sectors, including airlines, insurance, marketplaces, retail, F&B, and hospitality.

Amidst the pandemic and its recovery, the adoption of digital payments in the region has accelerated while cash usage has continued to decline. Propelled by a surge in digital commerce and government incentives/initiatives, providers of domestic payments, mobile wallets, and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) operators, are all witnessing increased adoption by businesses. Forecasts suggest SEA’s digital economy is experiencing impressive growth rates from 2021 to 2026E and will outpace China, Europe, and the US. According to an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by 2C2P, SEA’s digital economy spending will rise by 121% by 2026, and digital payments will reach 92% of total digital economy payments by 2026, up from 80% in 2020.

Rokas Sidlauskas, Chief Marketing Officer of SoPa, commented, “We are excited to announce this strategic payments partnership with 2C2P as it enables Society Pass to offer more flexible and convenient methods to pay for goods and services within our ecosystem to our customers. By integrating leading Southeast Asia digital e-wallets such as AliPay (regional), Touch n’ Go (Malaysia), Momo (Vietnam) or GCash (Philippines) just to name a few into our ecosystem, Society Pass enables millions of customers to access our platforms, ranging from travel (NusaTrip), to e-commerce (Leflair.com), to telecoms (Gorilla Networks), and to digital advertising (Thoughtful Media Group). This is especially important considering that we operate in Southeast Asian markets, where unfortunately, over 75% of people are unbanked and do not possess debit or credit cards”.

Mr. Sidlauskas added, “In partnering with 2C2P, we automatically increase the potential customer-base within Southeast Asia by millions of potential users. We are excited by the prospect of adding value by offering our services to them”.

Rachelle Alexis Lim, Executive Director of 2C2P, said, “As we embark on this strategic partnership with Society Pass, we look forward to enhancing the payments experience of SOPA’s consumers across SEA. This collaboration with SoPa aligns perfectly with our mission to drive e-commerce growth in the region and globally, revolutionising how people transact and unlocking the potential of the digital economy for all”.

About 2C2P

2C2P is a full-suite payments platform helping the world’s leading enterprises securely accept and make payments through one point of integration. Its far-reaching network extends across online, mobile and offline channels including over 400,000 alternative payment locations, enabling enterprises to reach their customers or recipients anywhere. 2C2P also provides value-added services such as issuing, 3D Secure, bill payments and digital goods to meet every business need.

The company is headquartered in Singapore and operates globally. It is the preferred payments platform of tech giants, online marketplaces, retailers and other global enterprises.

For more information on 2C2P, please visit: https://2c2p.com/

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 650,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; VLeisure, Vietnam’s leading provider of hotel management and payment solutions; Gorilla Global, a Singapore-based, mobile network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; and Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:

Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or

Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or

Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC as well as anticipated sales growth in Indonesia and the growth of the Indonesian economy. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:

Rokas Sidlauskas

Chief Marketing Officer

rokas@thesocietypass.com

Daniel Gaefke to join Group Management Board as BayWa r.e. plans to triple capacity of wind and solar project development

BayWa r.e. is appointing Daniel Gaefke to its Group Management Board as the business continues to focus on the expansion of its global Wind and Solar Projects business. Currently Director of Projects APAC, Daniel will join CEO Matthias Taft, CFO Mihaela Seidl and COO Guenter Haug on the Board.

As the global renewable energy transition continues to accelerate, BayWa r.e. has set the goal of tripling the capacity of current wind and solar development by 2026 and building its Independent Power Producer (IPP) portfolio to 3 gigawatts (GW).

In support of realising these goals, Daniel will take responsibility for BayWa r.e.’s onshore Wind and Solar Projects businesses. He will also take responsibility for the company’s Energy Solutions business, which is helping corporations in their own energy transition.

Daniel joined BayWa r.e. in 2016 as Director of Projects APAC and has overseen BayWa r.e.’s successful growth throughout the APAC region, including market entries and expansion throughout Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan and Australia.

“BayWa r.e. has seen incredible growth, and it has been amazing to be part of our global success story. With the speed the renewable transition is progressing, our potential future growth is huge. This is all about securing a sustainable future and I’m extremely motivated to be working with my fellow Board members to drive forward the energy transition.”, comments Daniel Gaefke, Director of Projects APAC, BayWa r.e. AG.

Daniel will formally join the Board from 1st November 2023, and will focus on BayWa r.e.’s EMEA and APAC Projects businesses. The US Projects business will continue to be steered by CEO Matthias Taft, as part of ambitious growth plans for the US and wider region. Taft will also continue to take responsibility for BayWa r.e.’s growing offshore wind business as it builds on recent successes and further establishes itself in the market.

“We have set the goal of tripling the capacity of current global wind and solar projects we develop by 2026 and building our IPP portfolio to 3GW. Daniel’s appointment to the Board reflects his extensive market experience and expertise, which will further help to ensure these goals are realised”, adds Matthias Taft, CEO, BayWa r.e. AG.

“There can be no doubt that the impacts of climate change are being felt globally and while the renewable transition is moving at pace, it must move faster. This is a cause all of us at BayWa r.e. are deeply committed to and I’m extremely proud of the business we have built and driven by the mission ahead of us.”

BayWa r.e. AG (BayWa r.e.):
At BayWa r.e. we r.e.think energy – how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet.

We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 5.5 GW of energy online and manage over 10 GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business.

BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Operating 100% carbon neutral, we are also committed to our own sustainability journey.

Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a EUR27,1 billion global business, and Energy Infrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment.

Contact information:
Mark Cooper
Head of Global Communications
Tel: +49 89 383932 3611
E-mail: mark.cooper@baywa-re.com

PRecious Communications for BayWa r.e. APAC
Tel: +65 6303 0567
E-Mail: baywa-re@preciouscomms.com

Farouk Khailann Joins Erez Capital as Venture Partner

Farouk Khailann, CEO of Premium Africa Holdings, Managing Partner of Akon Lighting and Strategic Advisor to the UAE Royal Family Office, Joins Erez Capital as Venture Partner.

Farouk Khailann is an African Entrepreneur with a strong commitment to Africa’s economic growth. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Africa Holdings, Managing Partner for Akon Lighting, and a Strategic Advisor to the Royal Family of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) The Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi for Strategic Alliances and Policies.

The office was established by his Royal Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, a member of the ruling family of Sharjah & Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, focusing billions in investment capital in capital projects, manufacturing, trade, real estate, information technology, oil and financial services. At the same time, Farouk is the CEO of Premium Africa Holdings – an Africa focused investment holding company with assets and projects in Ghana, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone.

“Farouk is a global leader, entrepreneur and strategic advisor covering several innovation hubs including Ghana and in the United Arab Emirates among multiple other MENA nations. We are lucky to have his leadership and to help the fund expand its footprint into these growing and dynamic markets,” said Managing Partner and Founder of Erez Capital, Michael Benezra.

Farouk holds a number of international appointments. He is the Deputy Executive Director of the Global Chamber of Business Leaders, International Partner of the World Angel Business Investment Forum, Founding Director of the Global Wealth Council, Africa Ambassador of Asia CEO Community, Board member of World Innovation Alliance, Senior Advisor of Unimeier University (Italy) and Vice Chairman of African Institute of Small-Scale Mining. He works closely with the offices of five African presidents on various interventions geared towards the economic transformation of their respective countries.

About Erez Capital:

Erez Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm in Boston, investing in seed-stage startup companies at the forefront of digital transformation. For more information, visit https://ErezCapital.io.

Contact:
Noah Ente, Erez Capital
Noah@erezcapital.io

Global Energy Storage Solution Provider Dyness Completed Rounds of B and C Financing

Recently, Dyness Digital Energy Technology Co., Ltd, a global energy storage technology company, announced that it has completed rounds of B and C financing successively. Youshan Capital and a fund affiliated with CICC Capital are the lead investors, and several other well-known investment funds also participated, such as L Catterton. Founded in 2017, Dyness is committed to becoming a global leading energy storage technology company.

Dyness is one of the leading enterprises to develop global energy storage market, with a core team consisting of talents from leading companies in the industry, and over 90 international patents. Currently, it has successively launched energy storage products for all scenarios and gradually established a global sales, R&D, and production operation system. The company’s management team focuses on creating value for channels and partners in areas such as products, brand, operations, and services. Mr. Yang Liu, CEO of Dyness, stated that the company will continuously reduce the marginal cost of new energy, enrich its application scenarios, and ensure its safety and reliability through ongoing technological innovation and industrial optimization. The company will make unremitting efforts to contribute to achieving the dual carbon target, reducing global temperatures, and making a difference.

With its outstanding product definition capabilities and robust and efficient R&D system, Dyness has created a differentiated product matrix renowned for its stability in the residential and C&I energy storage fields. Under the guidance of the company’s global strategy and after years of unremitting efforts, the product matrix of Dyness has maintained steady growth in its core markets and has fully entered major regions worldwide. Through resolute and efficient execution, the company has established multiple milestones and achieved excellent results, earning high recognition from global markets and customers for the brand and products of Dyness.

Under the influence of multiple factors, the global energy structure has entered a transition period, and the unstable supply of the energy market has brought about drastic changes on the demand side. The renewable energy demand, especially solar energy storage, has seen a large-scale blowout. According to GGII, a renewable-energy research institute in China, the global residential storage installations will reach 100GWh in 2025, with a 5-year CAGR of over 90%. With years of in-depth layout, Dyness has been providing high-quality products and services for customers in many regions. Facing the changes in global energy production, scheduling and application, Dyness will also actively improve its product R&D capabilities and customer service capabilities to embrace the wave of digitalization and intelligence in the industry.

“With the financing completed in this stage, Dyness will further increase its investment in the R&D of new energy storage technologies and solutions, accelerate the expansion of its C&I energy storage product lines, ecological product lines, as well as the pace of the company’s global expansion and the deployment of all-scenario applications,” said Mr. Yang Liu, CEO of Dyness. “At the same time, the two rounds of financing will provide sufficient and solid financial support for the company’s organizational iteration and brand upgrading.”

Contact Information:
Xiao Han, Dyness
Mail: xiao.han@dyness-tech.com
Tel: +86 400 666 0655
Website: www.dyness-tech.com