Empowering Business Value Through Design

HONG KONG, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Design Dialogues: Trends for Tomorrow, hosted by the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) and funded by the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, concluded with resounding success, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the global design community. Themed with “Empowering Business Value Through Design”, this highly anticipated event not only foster collaboration between Hong Kong’s professional services and international counterparts, elevate industry standards, and enhance global competitiveness through targeted publicity and knowledge exchange, but also served as a platform for forward-thinking discussions on the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of design across industries.

Held at sky100 on 25th April, 2025, the event featured an exciting lineup of speakers, thought leaders, and creative professionals who shared their insights, experiences, and visions for the future including Mr. Pavel Mrkus, Head curator of Signal Festival, Prof. Thomas Kvan, Dean, School of Design, Southern University of Science and Technology, Mr. Pradyumna Vyas, President-elect of World Design Organization, Mr. Tony Vergara, Founder of Tony Vergara and Mr. Norito Shinmura, Founder of garden inc. From cutting-edge design practices to sustainability and the integration of technology in creative processes, attendees explored a wide range of topics that are defining tomorrow’s design landscape.

Event Highlights

Inspiring Keynotes and Panel Discussions:

Esteemed speakers from across the globe led engaging sessions addressing the theme “Trends for Tomorrow.” Discussions delved into themes such as “Digital Future : Intersections of Art, Design and Advanced Technologies”, “Designing for Digital Transformation”, “Designing for a Sustainable Future : Global Perspectives and Local Applications”, “The Wisdom of Panamanian Stitching : Preserving Identity Through Craft” and “Preserving Craftsmanship in Modern Design : Techniques and Case Studies”, emerging design trends, the role of artificial intelligence in creative industries, and how designers can lead the charge in solving global challenges. Key discussions centered on how designers can contribute to a greener future by adopting eco-friendly solutions and innovative approaches.

Networking Opportunities:

The event provided a unique platform for professionals, students, and enthusiasts to connect, share ideas, and foster collaborations within Hong Kong’s vibrant design community and beyond.

A Vision for the Future

The Global Design Dialogues underscored the significance of design as a catalyst for change in an ever-evolving world. The event not only highlighted the latest trends but also inspired participants to think beyond traditional boundaries, encouraging them to address societal and environmental challenges with creativity and innovation.

For more information about the Hong Kong Designers Association, please visit https://www.hkda.hk/ 

For high res images of event, please download from google drive link below: https://bit.ly/3GwdWj9

About HKDA

Established in 1972, the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) was the first of its kind in Hong Kong and is a founding member of the Hong Kong Design Centre. Its core mission is to promote design’s public interest, cultivate young designers, and elevate the professional status of practising designers across sectors.

Our flagship programmes include of Global Design Awards, GDA (since 1975) – a well-recognised biennial awards that celebrate outstanding global designs; Hong Kong International Poster Triennial, HKIPT (since 2000) – a well-recognised annual awards that celebrate outstanding designs with Asian perspectives; Sponsorship for International Design Awards SIDA (since 2011) – A prestigious funding scheme for winners of international design awards.

With over a thousand individuals and corporations in its diverse membership base, HKDA offers a wide range of membership options for professionals, associates, affiliates, students, and corporations that cover six design disciplines: Graphics, Spatial, Product, Digital, Fashion, and Education. Prioritising design excellence, education, technology integration, sustainability, business support, diversity, and inclusivity, HKDA has established itself as a vital platform for its members, as well as designers, businesses, and organisations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Through its commitment to advancing these key areas, HKDA provides valuable resources, networking opportunities, and expert guidance to its members while also serving as a hub for innovation and collaboration in the design industry.

HKDA is committed to raising public awareness of the value and importance of design in society. It partners and collaborates with other design organisations and institutions worldwide, such as the International Council of Design (ico-D) and World Design Organization (WDO), to promote global design excellence, cultural diversity, and international design exchanges. By working with other design organisations on a global scale, HKDA aims to contribute to the development and advancement of the design industry, both locally and internationally.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Designers Association

With fresh funding round, the health tech pioneer continues to work toward managing the world’s blood pressure.

LONDON, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aktiia, a blood pressure intelligence platform, announces an oversubscribed $42 million (over CHF 34 million) Series B funding round, co-led by Earlybird Health and Wellington Partners, with new investors Kfund and naturalX Health Ventures, and participation from existing investors redalpine, Khosla Ventures, Molten Ventures, Translink Capital and Verve Ventures. The investment, which has brought the total financing to date above $100 million, will accelerate the company’s mission to manage the world’s blood pressure.

The latest investment builds on a period of significant momentum for the company during which it has achieved several major milestones, including securing CE marking for its innovative mobile phone camera blood pressure monitoring technology, securing regulatory approvals in Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia, achieving 76% compounded annual revenue growth, and completing a pivotal clinical trial ahead of its U.S. FDA application submission. This Series B funding will fuel continued product innovation, expansion into new markets and the build out of its blood pressure intelligence platform to support enterprise use cases.

Alongside this funding, Aktiia is introducing its new brand identity: Hilo – a rebrand which reflects the company’s global ambition to make cuffless, clinically validated blood pressure monitoring universally accessible and effortless. The transition to Hilo marks an important milestone in the company’s journey, aligning with its vision of healthier blood pressure for all, while continuing to deliver the trusted technology and reports that have been central to its platform.

With more than 120,000 devices sold, Hilo has already established itself as a stand-out in the health tech space. The company has developed a foundation Machine Learning model specifically designed for blood pressure. The model has been trained on tens of billions of optical signals from real-world users and further refined with hundreds of millions of calibration points, strengthening its position as the leader in the emerging cuffless blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) category.

Raghav “Rags” Gupta, CEO of Hilo, commented: 

“This funding round is a testament to the confidence our investors have in Hilo’s groundbreaking technology and our mission to manage the world’s blood pressure via more frequent, convenient and accurate measurements. With billions worldwide suffering from hypertension, only 20% of whom are in control of their blood pressure, the need for innovative, accessible blood pressure monitoring solutions has never been greater. Our rebrand to Hilo represents more than just a name change, it’s a commitment to empowering users around the world with smarter tools to optimise their health. We are grateful to early Aktiia customers for their support and to our investors, new and existing, for their faith.” 

Christoph Massner, Principal at Earlybird Health, who will join Hilo’s Board of Directors, commented: 

“Hilo stands at the intersection of medical-grade precision and consumer-centric accessibility. By building on a validated medical device platform and an intuitive, user-friendly design, they bridge the gap between clinical reliability and everyday usability. It’s a rare combination that empowers users to take meaningful control of their health with minimal effort. This is especially critical given the enormous medical need: uncontrolled high blood pressure remains one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide.”

Johannes Fischer, Managing Partner at Wellington Partners, commented: 

“We are excited to co-lead this financing and to be backing Hilo’s innovative technology, which provides groundbreaking advancements to the billions of people with elevated blood pressure today. We believe that real-time and continuous access to blood pressure information will change the way we think about the monitoring and management of one of the most common risk factors to human health.”

About Hilo

Aktiia, now trading under Hilo, was established in 2018 to transform how blood pressure is measured and therefore managed. By integrating advanced AI algorithms with extensive datasets, Hilo’s cuffless blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) products offer convenient, valuable reports to give both individuals and healthcare professionals a useful picture of their blood pressure. The company’s foundation model for blood pressure has been trained on billions of optical signals and hundreds of millions of readings across more than 120,000 users, underscoring its leadership in the CPBM category. The company’s multidisciplinary team, composed of experts with extensive experience in biomedical signal processing, has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed publications and holds more than 35 patents. Headquartered in Switzerland, Hilo continues to expand its global presence, transforming how blood pressure is understood and managed.

The Hilo system by itself is not intended to make diagnoses. Data should always be used in consultation with your healthcare provider.

Website: www.hilo.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2678061/Aktiia_Hilo_Transition.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2678060/Hilo_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Aktiia

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — UNIQ, known for its thoughtful design and purposeful innovation, proudly unveils the Lyden Series—a collection built for those who move with intention. Featuring a power bank, magnetic wallet, and passport holder, each piece blends precision craftsmanship with responsible materials for durability and practicality.

At the heart of the collection is premium vegan leather, offering refined craftsmanship with a lighter footprint. Each piece is designed for comfort, durability, and versatility—built for both urban and off-the-grid lifestyles.

Power, Wherever You Go
The Lexa 5000 Power Bank is designed for those who need reliable power on the go. Its sleek form factor fits effortlessly into your daily life, while high-speed charging technology ensures your devices are powered up whenever and wherever you need them. Made with vegan-friendly materials, it offers exceptional performance without compromise. The double-sided magnets allow effortless stacking and detaching—layer them up or swap them out for standalone use, creating a more seamless mobile workflow.

Minimalist Carry, Maximum Function
The Lyden Magnetic Wallet is the perfect companion for the modern minimalist. Designed with a strong magnetic hold and ultra-slim profile, it securely attaches to MagSafe-compatible iPhones, keeping your essential cards within reach. Its RFID-protected design ensures security, while the ultra-thin pull-tab allows quick access, and the magnetic closure keeps everything secure. Doubles as a hands-free kickstand for easy viewing on the go, offering a refined solution for everyday carry with both convenience and style.

Travel Smart, Travel Light
The Belmont Passport Holder refines your travel essentials with a sleek, compact design that’s as durable as it is smart. Built to withstand global journeys, it features protective lining, demagnetization-safe film, and RFID technology to keep your belongings secure. Thoughtfully placed slots store your passport, cards, and boarding passes without bulk. Plus, with a built-in tracker that syncs to Apple’s Find My app and wireless charging that lasts up to six months, you can travel lighter and smarter.

“The Lyden Series is our answer to the growing need for accessories that elevate your everyday essentials, with thoughtful design at the core,” says Andy Wong, Co-Founder and Managing Director at UNIQ. “Designed for those who value purpose and durability, these products support a mindful, functional lifestyle.”

The Lyden Series is now available at https://uniqbetterbydesign.com/pages/lyden-collective-better-for-the-conscious. For more details, follow us on Instagram @uniqbetterbydesign. 

About UNIQ

UNIQ, a Singapore-based brand, is driven by the belief that products should be both functional and purposeful. Specializing in tech accessories like iPhone cases, AirPods covers, and screen protectors, UNIQ enhances everyday experiences by seamlessly integrating with Apple users’ lifestyles. Expanding into carry accessories, the brand caters to diverse needs worldwide. With a strong presence across the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, UNIQ has earned the trust of over 150 million users globally, prioritizing quality and responsibility in every product.

Website: https://uniqbetterbydesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniqbetterbydesign
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniqbetterbydesign
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uniqbetterbydesign

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stK904vxhEI

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uniq-introduces-the-lyden-series-essentials-for-everyday-journeys-302442312.html