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NPower Awarded a $4 Million Grant from Department of Labor to Increase Reach and Impact of its Tech Fundamentals Training Program

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NEW YORK, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NPower, a leading, national tech training nonprofit focused on increasing economic mobility for young people and military-connected individuals through tech jobs, has been awarded a $4 million Apprenticeship Building America, Round 2 (ABA2) grant from the US Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

The grant will support NPower in expanding its existing program to tech train an additional 8,656 low-income and unemployed young adults (ages 18-26), veterans and other military-connected individuals, through its Tech Fundamentals program. To date, NPower has supported over 10,000 students in 13 cities in receiving tech training in IT, cyber, software engineering, AI fundamentals and other vital tech skills.

Over the next four years, the grant will support NPower in bolstering partnerships with apprenticeship intermediaries and minority-serving institutions to increase the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds participating in its Tech Fundamentals training program, a strategy that helps move students from unemployment and underemployment to prosperity by launching careers in tech.

Specifically, with the support of the new grant, Tech Fundamentals students will receive:

Stackable certifications – Students have an opportunity to complete CompTIA ITF+, CompTIA A+, Google IT Support and Google Project Management Certificates.Wraparound social services – By utilizing a trauma-informed framework, NPower will be able to meet students where they are at, both personally and professionally, to best support them in their training.Job or Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) placement assistance – NPower aims to have 85 percent of graduates be placed in an RAP, enrolled in post-secondary or credential-based education or hired directly into a full-time job in tech within six months of graduation.

“As the tech sector continues to expand and evolve into areas such as AI, and with cyber workers and software engineers in high demand, we’re ensuring our students have the skills, training and support to participate in these dynamic, high-growth opportunities,” said Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO, NPower. “We’re honored that the US Dept. of Labor has recognized NPower’s work and impact in helping non-pedigreed, underrepresented individuals and military-connected individuals receive IT skills, the foundational training they’ll need to step into entry level tech jobs, and to add additional skills for a range of middle-income, in-demand areas, such as cybersecurity.”

NPower is one of 52 grantees across the country recognized by the current administration as part of the Investing in America agenda, with a goal of rebuilding the middle class and increasing opportunity for underrepresented populations to enter in-demand occupations and careers that offer family-supporting wages. The Department of Labor has invested over $244 million to help modernize, diversify and expand registered apprenticeships in growing U.S. industries, such as tech.

To learn more about NPower’s Tech Fundamentals program, visit: https://www.npower.org/apply/tech-fundamentals/

About NPower
NPower is a national nonprofit that provides free tech training, support services, and job placement assistance to young adults, military-connected individuals, and women from under-resourced communities. Since their founding in 2000, they’ve offered tech fundamentals and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 students in 13 cities. NPower’s unique approach combines rigorous training, and trauma-informed support services, addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. Their strength is seeing students of non-traditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. The organization empowers students to drive change in their own lives and communities. As NPower expands to serve 15,000 students annually by 2030, they’re ensuring they create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us. To learn more about NPower, visit http://www.npower.org.

Contact:
Hillary Ovalle
hillary.ovalle@finnpartners.com 

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SOURCE NPower

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Nanalysis Announces Board Transition and Appointment of Three New Directors

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CALGARY, AB, May 1, 2026 /CNW/ – Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (the “Company”, TSXV: NSCI, FRA: 1N1), a leader in portable NMR spectrometers and MRI technology for industrial and research applications, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Ladd, Werner Maas, and Steve Feick to its Board of Directors effective May 1, 2026.

Mr. Ladd is an experienced technology executive and former Chief Executive Officer of NovAtel Inc., a Nasdaq-listed GPS technology company acquired by Hexagon AB. He has a track record of scaling global technology businesses and brings extensive experience in capital markets, corporate governance, and strategic execution within advanced technology companies. He currently serves on the following boards: Takemetoit Inc., AgriRobot, Litus Inc., and is an advisor at Tall Grass Ventures. Mr. Ladd earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in engineering and is a member of Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society.

Dr. Maas is a senior executive in the analytical instrumentation sector, having previously served as President of Bruker BioSpin Corporation and currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Lab Automation. He brings deep expertise in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies, as well as global sales, marketing, and commercialization of scientific instrumentation. Dr. Maas holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Radboud University in The Netherlands, as well as several executive management designations from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Mr. Feick is President of Manvest Inc., part of the Mancal Group. He has a track record of developing and growing a portfolio of investments in agriculture, finance, supply chain, infrastructure technology, energy efficiency, and data analytics. As a former entrepreneur, he ensures that his operational and investor experience elevates the growth of the portfolio. He is an experienced investor and brings expertise in capital allocation, governance, and long-term strategic planning across private and public market investments. Mr. Feick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University.

In connection with these appointments, Martin Burian and Jennifer Stubbs will be stepping down from the Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2026. The Company thanks Mr. Burian and Ms. Stubbs for their contributions and service and wishes them continued success in their future endeavours.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Martin and Jennifer for their contributions to Nanalysis and dedicated service to the Company and wish them continued success in their future endeavours.” said Sean Krakiwsky, Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased to welcome Jonathan, Werner, and Steve. Their collective experience across instrumentation, global commercialization, and capital allocation will support the Company as we focus on scaling our core NMR platform and executing on our services growth strategy.”

About Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (TSXV: NSCI, OTCQX: NSCIF, FRA: 1N1)

Nanalysis Scientific Corp. develops and manufactures portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers used worldwide in pharma, biotech, energy, food, materials, and security industries, as well as in academic and government labs. The Company also operates a growing services division that maintains both its own products and third-party imaging equipment, anchored by a $160 million long-term contract with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to maintain security scanners at more than 80 Canadian airports.

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements and Legal Disclaimer

This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “anticipates”, “plan”, “continue”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed”, “positioned” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE Nanalysis Scientific Corp.

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PCIS Emerges as Leading Risk and Claims Provider in Mid-Atlantic with Three Major Wins

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SEPTA, City of Baltimore, and Maryland Department of Transportation MTA adopt ClaimsVISION to modernize risk and claims operations

NEW YORK, May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — PCIS, a leading provider of Risk & Claims Management Information System (RMIS), today announced a series of new and expanded client engagements across the Mid-Atlantic region, further solidifying its position as a trusted partner for transit agencies and public sector organizations.

“The biggest barrier to innovation in the public sector isn’t a lack of tools—it’s the weight of legacy data environments that were never built for real-time intelligence. You can’t layer AI on top of fragmented, batch-driven systems and expect results.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has selected PCIS ClaimsVISION RMIS to enhance its risk management capabilities and support more efficient claims oversight. The City of Baltimore has chosen ClaimsVISION Claims and RMIS to modernize its claims administration and enterprise risk management operations. In addition, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) has entered into a new five-year agreement with PCIS, extending a long-standing partnership and continuing its use of the ClaimsVISION platform.

These engagements reflect a broader trend among public entities seeking modern, configurable platforms to improve visibility, streamline workflows, and strengthen compliance across increasingly complex risk environments.

“The biggest barrier to innovation in the public sector isn’t a lack of tools—it’s the weight of legacy data environments that were never built for real-time intelligence. You can’t layer AI on top of fragmented, batch-driven systems and expect results. Organizations like SEPTA and Baltimore are rethinking the foundation—moving toward continuous, streaming data models that actually enable AI to deliver value”, said Michael Loizou, CSO of PCIS.

Across these implementations, PCIS will deliver a unified platform designed to:

Centralize claims and risk data for improved decision-makingEnhance BI and intelligent analytics capabilitiesStreamline workflows and reduce manual processesSupport regulatory compliance and audit readinessEnable scalable, configurable solutions tailored to public sector needs

The continued expansion of PCIS within the Mid-Atlantic region underscores the company’s growing presence among transit agencies and public entities seeking proven, purpose-built risk and claims management solutions.

Media Contact

Helene Quinn, PCIS, 1 2124051625, hquinn@pcisvision.com, www.pcisvision.com

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SOURCE PCIS

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Private Equity’s AI Moment: The Greatest Value Lever in Decades — and the Hardest to Pull

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The following article is authored by Neil Dhar, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting Americas

ARMONK, N.Y., May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Next week at Think 2026, we’ll outline the forces shaping the Enterprise AI Race, forces that apply with particular urgency to private equity. The organizations gaining ground today are not the ones betting on a single model. They are the ones redesigning how their businesses operate, building hybrid architectures that give them control, and deploying AI in ways that orchestrate value that compounds over time. 

The private equity industry understands this better than most. The days of pilots and promises are over, and the demand for hard proof (a.k.a. ROI) has begun. Is your revenue accelerating? Can you drive efficiency and profitability at the same time? What does long-term growth look like? These are the questions sitting across the table at every board meeting and investment committee, and the pressure is only intensifying.  

This pressure has forced major PE firms to move aggressively to formalize their AI strategies, including exploring joint ventures with leading LLM companies. They’re making a calculated bet on AI as the most powerful value‑creation lever the industry has seen in its history, and they recognize that the window to move is now. 

The logic is unmistakable. PE firms don’t run single businesses, they run portfolios. Which means AI playbooks that work don’t just transform one company; they compound across ten, twenty, fifty, hundreds. A workflow reinvented once becomes a repeatable asset. A governance framework built once becomes portfolio infrastructure. That multiplier effect is native to how PE creates value, and it’s what makes the intersection of private equity and enterprise AI one of the most consequential arenas in business right now. 

The bet is a no-brainer. Execution is where it gets hard.  

Here’s what we know to be true: competitive advantage won’t come from betting on a single LLM. It will come from building AI tailored to your business, shifting to a hybrid strategy that combines custom models, foundation models, and smaller specialized models, all grounded in an architecture that connects your data, your workflows, and your intelligence. In private equity, where the same playbook has to work across an entire portfolio, that distinction isn’t academic. It’s the difference between value that compounds and value that stalls. 

We know this because we lived it. We turned our own operations into the proving ground, analyzing nearly 400 operational workflows and deploying AI solutions across more than 100 so far, coupled with AI governance and enablement.

The result was $4.5B in productivity gains from AI, hybrid cloud, automation and consulting expertise, and proof of what works.

We then took that proof and productized those validated workflows into IBM Enterprise Advantage, a first-of-its-kind asset-based consulting service that enables clients to build and operate their own tailored internal AI platform at scale.

With digital workers, prebuilt tools, and native governance, clients have a headstart rather than a blank slate. And because it’s multi-model, they retain the freedom to shift as technology evolves. For private equity, that flexibility determines whether a company is an asset or a liability at exit. 

We’re bringing this same approach to private equity-backed companies, where the defining question is what changed and can you prove it.

A major U.S. telecommunications provider is deploying digital workers and prebuilt AI tools from Enterprise Advantage to accelerate the migration of more than 150 critical applications, delivering measurable savings within two quarters.Working with a leading insurance administrator, IBM is using agentic AI to overhaul end-to-end claims processing, a function where a single claim can involve dozens of tightly regulated steps across multiple systems. AI agents now read and structure claim documents, perform compliance checks, assess eligibility, and route cases automatically, resulting in faster cycle times, fewer bottlenecks, and an operating model built to scale. 

What private equity does here will ripple far beyond its own portfolios. When PE-backed companies deploy production-ready AI across the business, they reset competitive expectations for entire industries, forcing every competitor to respond. That is the Enterprise AI Race playing out in real time.

The choices made today will define portfolio performance for the next decade. Move too slowly and you’re handing the advantage to every competitor who didn’t. Move without discipline and you’re betting the portfolio on a foundation that hasn’t been proven. The firms that win will be the ones who understood that distinction early enough to do something about it.

About IBM 

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media contact: 

IBM
Lily O’Brien
lilyobrien@ibm.com

SOURCE IBM

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