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Empowering Entrepreneurs: FLAsia 2024 to Ignite Franchising & Licensing Opportunities Across Asia

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SINGAPORE, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The countdown has begun for Franchising and Licensing Asia (FLAsia) 2024 – one of the region’s most anticipated trade events for franchising and licensing. Organised by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) and Constellar, FLAsia 2024 will take place at Sands Expo & Convention Centre from September 12 to 14. The trade event offers unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to connect with leading brands looking to expand across the rapidly growing Asia Pacific consumer market.

Asia’s Gen Z Driving Future Consumption Demand and Retail Trends

As Asia continues to be a key driver of global economic growth, its increasingly affluent millennials, Gen Z consumers and the burgeoning middle class are shaping global consumption patterns and driving demand for quality services and products across various sectors. These include beauty and wellness, education, food and beverages, and technology – which are leading exhibitor profiles at FLAsia 2024.

Gen Zs will account for 23.2 percent of the global population and spending an estimated US$12 trillion by 2030, becoming the highest consumer spending class in many regions. Much of the total spending by this population will also be from non-Western countries[1]. This makes Asia one of the most lucrative regions with vast opportunities for homegrown and global brands to expand beyond their familiar markets and target Gen Zs through franchising & licensing, therefore increasing their potential as lucrative business models in Asia[2].

Franchising & Licensing Boosts Business Stability and Wealth Growth 

The United States of America is home to about 33.2 million small businesses, with only 2.4 percent (or over 806K) are franchises. While in Asia, China leads the Asian franchise market with over 4,000 franchise brands and 500,000 franchise outlets. Southeast Asia also hosts over 4,500 franchise systems with more than 160,000 franchisee firms. Coupled with a robust surge in franchising within India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, Asia now contributes to over 30 percent of all franchised businesses worldwide, establishing itself as a lucrative market for franchising undergirded by robust growth potential[3].

Against this backdrop, franchising & licensing is also becoming a viable and accessible option for financially-savvy younger generations seeking to monetise and grow their accumulated wealth as business owners[4]. An increasingly attractive alternative pathway to entrepreneurship, franchising & licensing significantly reduces risk and enhances the potential for a successful and rewarding career as a business owner.

Franchising & licensing offer more business stability and growth, while leveraging on the established master brand recognition, multiplier brand impact from wider marketing efforts, as well as training and comprehensive support offered across the business journey. Additionally, the benefits include enabling franchisees and licensees to be part of businesses and brands that resonate with their ambitions, aspirations and ethics.

“As the springboard to the vast Asian consumer market, Singapore is a strategic market and launchpad for master franchisors and aspiring entrepreneurs. The city’s pro-business environment and stability offer a favourable climate for regional growth. FLAsia 2024 aims to be the essential platform for knowledge exchange and business networking for franchisors and franchisees to explore exciting partnerships,” said Mr Dickson Low, President of the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore).

FLAsia 2024 Highlights

FLAsia 2024 expects to feature over 300 franchise brands and licensable characters by 150 exhibitors, including international franchises from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam, enabling FLAsia 2024 as the most international franchising show in the region[5].

Extensive Best Practices and Franchise Journeys Sharing at FLAsia 2024 Conference, Workshop and Fresh! Brands Showcase: Focusing on strengthening resilience in the franchising business, this year’s conference and workshop delves into dynamic discussions, hands-on workshops and insightful case studies to empower franchisors and franchisees with strategies and solutions to address and overcome challenges. Emerging brands with innovative F&B concepts and cutting-edge tech solutions can also pitch their brands at the Fresh! Brands Showcase. These sessions include:Panel Discussion on the advantages of investing in franchises, and the benefits and rewards as a franchisee, with Anytime Fitness Singapore and Philippines, Fun Learners’ School, Ryan’s Grocery and 7-Eleven;Roundtable Discussions on the ins-and-outs of franchising in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, hosted by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) and helmed by in-market experts at each roundtable; Workshops that empower aspiring and prospective franchisees at every stage of the franchising journey: From understanding investment profiles to identify suitable franchises for acquisitions, franchise recruitment and relationship management, as well as conflict management strategies and communication techniques for franchisees and franchisors.Unparalleled Insights and Opportunities for Character Licensing: Bandai Namco will be showcasing its licensable characters – Pac Man and Tamagotchi, for which the licenses can be acquired. Licensees can then design and create co-branded merchandise and products for retail sale. As an agent for character licensors, XM Studios seeks to connect licensors and licensees to explore partnership opportunities. To further empower and equip attendees for this unique adventure, XM Studios and FT Consulting will be helming a panel discussion at the FLA 2024 conference to explore innovative licensing models and strategic brand collaborations that will unlock growth potential for merchandise and product licensing[6].Direct Access to Franchisors Onsite: FLAsia 2024 provides direct access to new and established brands in key sectors experiencing higher consumer demand from Asia; namely beauty & wellness, education, food & beverage, health and retail. The franchise brands seeking potential franchisees beyond their home countries include Appzgate, Dian Xiao Er, EAT Pizza, Figaro Coffee, Grains & Co, Greendot, Hawker Chan, Lee Wee & Brothers, Moon Eat Mountain Shawarma, Shen Mo Education Group, The GearBox (by MK Group) and more.

For F & B brands, attendees can also get more familiar with the brand experience and actual product, enabling them to make better informed decisions when considering franchising intent.

For the latest information on FLAsia 2024, connect on Linkedin and Facebook. To register, visit the FLAsia website.

For media enquiries and interview requests, contact the Constellar Communications team at comms@constellar.co.

About Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)

FLA (Singapore), one of the founding members of the World Franchise Council, was established in 1993 with the mission to nurture and develop Singapore’s franchising industry. An essential component of Singapore’s knowledge-based economy, FLA (Singapore) promotes and facilitates the use of franchising, licensing and branding as a growth strategy for Singapore enterprises, thus contributing to turning Singapore as a regional franchise and license hub. Through its partnership with Singapore government agencies and international franchise and license bodies, FLA (Singapore) also assists its members in their international development programmes. With an active growing membership of close to 150 companies, representing more than 250 strong brands, FLA (Singapore) is led and managed by a dedicated team of advisors, committee members and a full-time secretariat with the goal of supporting Singapore companies to expand internationally. https://www.flasingapore.org/

About Constellar

Constellar is Asia’s preferred partner for convening businesses, curating ideas and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth and global impact. Based in Singapore with a regional footprint in China and Malaysia, we curate and develop influential trade and consumer events for key industries, connecting global marketplaces in sectors such as fintech, industrial transformation and ESG. We also manage the Singapore EXPO, Singapore’s largest purpose-built venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE). Our vision is to be a global leader made in Asia, activating impactful networks to enable cross-industry collaboration and innovation through our holistic portfolio of intellectual properties (IP) in the MICE industry. Visit Constellar.co for more information.

[1] These observations were made in a 2024 market research report by NielsonIQ and World Data Lab on the Gen Z population, which also noted that only 44 percent of Gen Z’s total spending will come from Western countries (North America and the EU).

[2] Among these observations include franchise tea chains Nayuki, Hey Tea and Mixue Bingcheng expanding into Southeast Asia; 40-year-old Thai fast-food chicken franchise Five Star‘s aim for 11,500 outlets across 10 countries by 2024; Australian doughnut chain Lukumades (with franchises in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and UAE) recently opening its first franchise outlet in Singapore; US bakery chain Sprinkles entering South Korea and expanding to Singapore and Malaysia; Kusto Group planning to expand restaurant chain Wendy’s presence in Central Asia, with 55 outlets across Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan by 2030; and  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts identifying Singapore as a key strategic market and opening Wyndham Singapore (previously The Peninsula Excelsior Singapore) to introduce the Wyndham brand in Asia.

[3] Franchising.com reported that the franchising landscape in Asia has experienced a robust surge in recent years, establishing the Asia-Pacific region as the global leader in the franchise market. Some observations include India holding the position of the third-largest market after United States and China, with over 4,600 active franchisers and nearly 200,000 outlets operated by almost 1.7 lakh franchisees; Japan as a major player in the Asian franchising scene, boasting over 1,500 franchise brands and 240,000 franchise outlets; South Korea experiencing a remarkable 50% increase in franchise brands since 2010 and Taiwan witnessing a notable 20% growth in franchise brands since 2010. 

[4] Entrepreneur.com and Forbes in recent years observed that franchising is a feasible way for investors to diversify their investment portfolios and build generational wealth with the right strategies and when matched with the right franchise(s). Entrepreneur.com also further featured working couple Nadine and James Middleton becoming successful entrepreneurs and achieving generational wealth through franchising. 

[5] Franchising & Licensing Asia 2023 showcased franchises and licensable characters from over 105 exhibitors and 5 country pavilions, as well as offered first-hand insights into the business from 46 experts at the FLA Conference, Workshop and Fresh! Brands Showcase. The event attracted over 6,500 attendees and facilitated over 300 business meetings and hosted tours.

[6] FT Consulting provides franchising, branding and Intellectual Property strategies and services to Southeast Asian enterprises; while XM Studios is an award-winning producer of hand-painted luxury art collectibles of characters by DC Comics, Marvel, Transformers, and more.

 

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SOURCE Constellar

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DCCM Acquires Dynamic Solutions, LLC Expanding Water Resources Expertise

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DCCM has acquired Dynamic Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm recognized for advanced water resources, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling. Dynamic Solutions expands DCCM’s technical capabilities in water and environmental modeling to better serve complex infrastructure and water-related client needs. Dynamic Solutions, founded in 1996 and offering services including watershed/hydrology studies, sediment transport, water quality, and ecological modeling, will continue operating with its existing leadership and team.

HOUSTON, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DCCM, a national provider of design, consulting, and program and construction management professional services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dynamic Solutions, LLC, a specialized consulting firm known for advanced water resources, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling.

“This acquisition expands DCCM’s technical capabilities in advanced water and environmental modeling while strengthening our ability to serve clients facing complex infrastructure and water-related challenges,” said James F. (Jim) Thompson, PE, Chairman and CEO of DCCM.

Founded in 1996, Dynamic Solutions is nationally recognized for its expertise in hydraulic and hydrodynamic modeling, watershed and hydrology studies, sediment transport, water quality, and ecological modeling. The firm supports clients across federal, state, and local markets, as well as select technical advisory engagements, delivering analytical solutions for complex water and environmental challenges.

Dynamic Solutions operates from offices in Knoxville, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Columbus, Mississippi; and Hamilton, Ohio, supporting projects nationwide.

“This acquisition expands DCCM’s technical capabilities in advanced water and environmental modeling while strengthening our ability to serve clients facing complex infrastructure and water-related challenges,” said James F. (Jim) Thompson, PE, Chairman and CEO of DCCM. “Dynamic Solutions brings a depth of expertise and a reputation for technical excellence that aligns well with our long-term growth strategy.”

Dynamic Solutions will continue to operate with its existing leadership and team, maintaining its specialized service offerings and longstanding client relationships.

“Joining DCCM allows us to build on the outstanding work our team is known for while gaining access to broader resources and a national platform,” said Julie Wallen of Dynamic Solutions. “We look forward to continuing to deliver the same high level of service to our clients as part of the DCCM organization.”

About Dynamic Solutions, LLC

Dynamic Solutions, LLC is a consulting firm specializing in hydraulic and hydrodynamic modeling, watershed and hydrology studies, sediment transport, water quality, and ecological modeling. Founded in 1996, the firm serves public sector and institutional clients across the United States.

About DCCM

DCCM is a provider of design, consulting, and program and construction management professional services focused on infrastructure across the public and private sectors. Through a national platform, DCCM serves a diverse range of end markets.

DCCM is a portfolio company of Court Square Capital Partners.

For more information, please visit www.dccm.com.

Media Contact

Jessica Steglich, DCCM, 1 7138749162, marketing@dccm.com, dccm.com

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Modine to Participate in Upcoming Oppenheimer Virtual Conference on May 5, 2026

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RACINE, Wis., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Modine (NYSE: MOD), a diversified global leader in thermal management technology and solutions, announced today that it will participate in the Oppenheimer 21st Annual Industrial Growth Conference on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Neil D. Brinker, Modine President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael B. (Mick) Lucareli, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a virtual fireside chat during the conference on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time (12:30 p.m. Central Time).

Live webcasts of the event will be available in the Investor Relations section of Modine’s website www.modine.com. Recordings of the events will be available for 365 days following the webcast.

About Modine
For more than 100 years, Modine has solved the toughest thermal management challenges for mission-critical applications. Our purpose of Engineering a Cleaner, Healthier World™ means we are always evolving our portfolio of technologies to provide the latest heating, cooling, and ventilation solutions. Through the hard work of more than 11,000 employees worldwide, our Climate Solutions, Data Centers, and Performance Technologies segments advance our purpose with systems that improve air quality, reduce energy and water consumption, lower harmful emissions, and enable the transition to a more sustainable future. Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin (U.S.), with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Modine, visit modine.com.

Investor Contact
Kathleen Powers
(262) 636-1687
kathleen.t.powers@modine.com

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Blaize and Winmate Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Bring AI to Rugged Systems for Defense and Critical Infrastructure

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Joint solutions combine Blaize’s energy-efficient and industrial-grade AI chips with Winmate’s rugged platforms – including drones, handhelds, vehicle-mounted units, and embedded edge devices used by defense, border security, maritime, and healthcare operators.

TAIPEI and EL DORADO HILLS, Calif., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Blaize Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: BZAI, Nasdaq: BZAIW) (“Blaize,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), and Winmate Inc., a publicly traded company in Taiwan, today announced they have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”) with an intent to close approximately $15 million in business during the first year. The two companies will integrate Blaize’s AI chips into Winmate’s rugged systems, including drones, handhelds, vehicle-mounted units, and embedded devices that have to keep working in the field, often in places where regular hardware can’t survive.

The companies expect the Agreement to be the start of a much larger, multi-year relationship.

Why this partnership matters

Most AI today runs in large data centers rather than at the edge, where decisions must be made in real time. This model is often impractical for soldiers at remote posts, Coast Guard crew at sea, or medics in field clinics. They often don’t have a reliable network connection, and even when they do, they can’t afford to wait for an application to respond from halfway across the globe.

That’s the gap Blaize and Winmate intend to address through this partnership. Blaize’s chips were designed to industrial grade specifications and run AI directly on the device, with no cloud dependency. Winmate’s systems are purpose-built to perform in extreme environments, including heat, cold, dust, vibration, and rough handling. Together, they deliver real-time AI capabilities exactly where it’s needed, whether in drones, field units, the patrol vehicles, or diagnostic devices.

A fast-growing market

Demand for on-device AI is accelerating. According to BCC Research[1], the global edge AI market is projected to grow from $11.8 billion in 2025 to $56.8 billion by 2030, a 36.9% compound annual growth rate. Defense agencies, governments, hospitals, ports, and critical infrastructure operators all demand AI that can run securely on their equipment, without sending sensitive data over public networks.

From the leaders

“Our customers can’t wait, and they often can’t rely on the cloud. They need AI that runs where the work happens. Winmate makes some of the most capable rugged systems in the industry, and our chips are designed to run AI inside exactly those kinds of devices. This partnership turns a years-long vision into a practical, deployable answer for defense and critical infrastructure operators,” said Dinakar Munagala, CEO of Blaize, Inc.

“Our platforms are deployed on naval vessels, in border outposts, on industrial sites, and in disaster zones – environments where most hardware fails. With Blaize, we can now deliver those same systems with on-device AI built in, giving customers real-time intelligence wherever they operate,” said Ken Lu, Chairman and CEO of Winmate Inc.

Target applications

Border security and surveillance: Real-time threat detection and perimeter monitoringMobile command and control: On-site intelligence and situational awareness for field teamsDrones and unmanned systems: Autonomous navigation and mission execution for UAVs and ground vehiclesCritical infrastructure: Continuous monitoring and predictive analytics for power, ports, and transportationMaritime domain awareness: Vessel tracking and anomaly detection at seaField healthcare: Portable diagnostics and decision support in remote and disaster environments

Deal at a glance

First-year revenue: the parties intend to work in good faith to close approximately $15 million in business, expected to scale meaningfully in subsequent yearsTerm: Three-year initial term, with automatic renewalNext steps: Joint engineering, sales, and marketing execution to bring integrated systems to market, with additional opportunities to be added through follow-on programs

[1] BCC Research, “Global Edge AI Market,” October 2025

About Blaize, Inc.

Blaize delivers a programmable AI platform, purpose-built for AI inference workloads in real-world environments. Its Hybrid AI architecture combines the Blaize GSP (Graph Streaming Processor) with GPU-based infrastructure, enabling AI inference workloads to run across edge, cloud, and data center. Blaize solutions support computer vision, multimodal AI, and sensor-driven applications across smart cities, industrial automation, telecommunications, retail, logistics, and defense. Blaize is headquartered in El Dorado Hills, California, with a global presence across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Visit www.blaize.com or follow us on LinkedIn @blaizeinc.

About Winmate Inc.

Winmate Inc. is a publicly traded global leader in rugged computing systems, delivering industrial-grade platforms – including handhelds, tablets, vehicle-mounted units, panel PCs, and embedded modules – for demanding environments across defense, transportation, energy, healthcare, and industrial markets.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Blaize, including expectations and scope of customer contracts, including the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Winmate, the potential value and the timing of revenue pursuant to such contracts, preliminary estimates of results of operations and guidance on results for future periods, the industry in which Blaize operates, market opportunities, and product offerings. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “target,” “seek” or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 24, 2026, and other documents filed by Blaize from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Blaize assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Blaize does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

Blaize Contact

press@blaize.com
www.blaize.com 

Investors

ir@blaize.com
www.blaize.com 

Winmate Inc.

Liu, Chih-Yuan
Tel: +886-2-8511-0288
Email: spokesman1@winmate.com.tw
https://www.winmate.com/ 

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