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“SOCIAL GOOD” STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS FROM UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH WIN PRESTIGIOUS $1 MILLION 2024 HULT PRIZE

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KORION HEALTH DEVELOPING AI-DRIVEN SCREENING TOOLS, EMPOWERING PATIENTS TO MONITOR HEALTHCARE FROM HOME

LONDON and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Hult Prize Foundation today held its Global Final and named the social impact startup Korion Health from University of Pittsburgh as the winner of the annual $1M USD Hult Prize.

Hult Prize awards Univ. of Pittsburgh’s Korion Health $1 million USD investment prize

Korion Health is developing a home health monitoring kit that empowers patients to better understand their own healthcare, working in conjunction with its hardware design partner, Hellbender, Inc., a Pennsylvania Social Benefit Corporation. The company’s flagship product is an electronic stethoscope that teaches users how to collect their own heart and lung sounds.

The annual Hult Prize competition challenges for-profit student entrepreneurs from around the world to create and launch businesses aimed at tackling the most pressing challenges they see in their communities. This year, the competition welcomed 200,000 participants and 40,000 entrepreneurs from approximately 113 countries and 2,000 international universities who put forward 9,400 startup ideas. Every startup must align with at least one U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and have a “triple bottom line” focus on people, planet, and profit. 

“Korion Health is the latest example of a social enterprise that will positively impact the world based on an innovative idea, hard work, and the ability to prove that it is possible to do well by doing good in business,” said Lori van Dam, CEO, Hult Prize. “The Hult Prize is honored to support Korion Health while raising awareness for the thousands of businesses that participated in this competition, all of which aim to do their part to help make the world better by solving our shared challenges.” 

Every year since 2010, the Hult Prize has posed a different challenge to competitors, with previous contests focused on healthcare, food insecurity, early childhood education, and sustainable fashion. This year, however, in recognition of the competition’s 15th anniversary, Hult Prize organizers expanded the competition to “unlimited” – welcoming all social impact ideas regardless of focus area.

Korion Health was chosen for the Prize over five other teams invited to London for the Global Finals, which included:

Bean Around (University College Dublin, Ireland): Bean Around produces “CoffChar,” a type of biochar, from recycled coffee grounds. The process produces clean, renewable energy as a byproduct.

HerLens (Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia): HerLens leverages artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy of cervical cancer screenings. The company’s app and device aim to improve early detection via increased screening accuracy and reduced misdiagnosis.

LothghaApp (Mansoura University, Egypt): LothghaApp provides app-based speech therapy services including access to virtual speech pathologists, learning materials, classes and support groups.

ProtonCraft (Indian Institute of Technology, India): ProtonCraft has developed proprietary technology focused on decarbonizing oil refineries by turning harmful refinery waste into an alternative energy source: hydrogen.

Xatoms (University of Toronto and Western University, Canada): Xatoms leverages quantum chemistry and AI to identify materials that purify water faster and cheaper. The company’s proprietary AI identifies and validates photocatalytic molecules that could neutralize water pollutants, before quantum chemistry is employed to design photocatalytic materials (in powder form) to neutralize the target pollutant.

The competition welcomed past Hult Prize winners, current partners, and influential leaders involved with sustainability and social impact investing to serve as judges, including Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers , LinHart Group Founder and Chairman Tsun-yan Shieh, BuuPass, Inc. CEO Wyclife Omondi (winner of the 2016 Hult Prize), and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center Vice-Chairperson Najla Al-Midfa.

The winner was announced with featured speaker, actor, startup founder, and environmentalist Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark on Game of Thrones. During an on-stage interview with van Dam, Williams highlighted her experience and lessons learned while launching Daisie, a digital platform that empowers creators to present their work, identify opportunities, and collaborate with others to develop and advance their careers. 

Hult Prize: Competition Overview

Hult Prize is among the largest student entrepreneurship competitions for social good – featuring 200,000 participants, 40,000 entrepreneurs, and 9,400 startups from 113 countries vying for a $1M investment from the Hult family, founders, owners and operators of EF Education First (EF), a leader in academic services, language learning, educational travel and cultural exchange. The competition started with on-campus programs at universities around the world in July 2023. 16 semi-finalists were chosen via online review and live events held in seven global cities, including Bangkok, Boston, Dubai, Lisbon, Monterrey, Mumbai, and Nairobi. Through August 2023, the semi-finalists worked with Hult Prize experts remotely to transform their ideas into investment-ready social ventures in advance of the Hult Prize Accelerator.

Korion Health and the semi-finalist cohort then gathered at the Hult Ashridge Campus a royal manor in Berkhamsted, UK for three weeks of intensive mentorship to prepare for the Finals. Hult Prize announced its six finalists one week before the Global Finals in London. 

“Congratulations to Korion Health and to all the outstanding participants who have showcased truly innovative startup ideas with the potential to change our shared future for the better,” added van Dam. “The social entrepreneurship movement is vibrant and growing. In the past several years, we’ve doubled the number of startups competing, while welcoming teams from nearly all of the world’s top 500 universities. As we look to the future, it gives me hope that our most pressing global challenges can be solved through social enterprise.” 

ABOUT HULT PRIZE

Hult Prize inspires student entrepreneurs to solve the world’s biggest challenges through innovative social enterprises with positive global impact. Through our year-long competition, over 200,000 young people in 113 countries work to create high-impact startups that address global challenges in alignment with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. The Hult Prize started at Hult International Business School, whose academic approach and commitment to experiential learning are embedded in how the competition works. 

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SOURCE Hult Prize Foundation

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Southern Oregon Software Company Earns National Recognition for Leadership in Real Estate Technology

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May 1, 2026

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Grants Pass-based Rentec Direct and Founder Nathan Miller awarded for self-funded
growth, innovation and industry leadership

GRANTS PASS, Ore., May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A Grants Pass software company built without outside investment is earning national recognition for placing Southern Oregon on the map as an unexpected technology hub. Rentec Direct and Founder and CEO Nathan Miller won three Stevie Awards® in the 2026 American Business Awards®, including Gold for Company of the Year and Gold for Best Entrepreneur, along with Bronze for Customer Service Department of the Year. This recognition marks Rentec Direct’s ninth consecutive year in the premier business awards program, highlighting a two-decade track record of sustained growth, customer-centric innovation and industry leadership.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in downtown Grants Pass, Rentec Direct has grown from a self-funded startup into one of the country’s leading property management software platforms, serving more than 400,000 users in all 50 states and internationally. The company’s growth has remained fully organic and independent, guided by customer-driven product innovation and a service-first philosophy that has helped it compete nationally while remaining rooted in Southern Oregon. 

“These awards are especially meaningful because it reflects what we’ve built from right here in Southern Oregon,” said Miller. “Our success comes from solving real problems for our customers—listening closely, building thoughtfully and earning trust through service. That approach has guided us from day one and continues to shape how we build and support our platform today. I’m incredibly proud of our team and the work they do every day to support our clients and continuously improve the platform they rely on.”

More than 3,700 nominations from individuals and organizations of all sizes across virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award® winners.

“Organizations across the United States continue to set a high standard for innovation and performance,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The breadth and quality of nominations submitted to the 2026 American Business Awards reflect a dynamic and competitive business environment, where organizations are finding new ways to drive growth, deliver value and make an impact.”

Winners will be honored at a June gala ceremony in New York City. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2026 Stevie winners are available at ABA.StevieAwards.com.

About Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct provides industry-leading property management software and tenant screening solutions for real estate professionals across the small, mid and large property management segments. Key features include online rent payments, a mobile app and tenant portal, vacancy listing syndication, and robust accounting tools. Founded in 2007, Rentec Direct is the largest software platform serving both landlords and property managers, with more five-star reviews than any other property management software. A nine-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, Rentec Direct was also named Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2026 American Business Awards® and recognized among the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses. www.rentecdirect.com

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes, as well as the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding workplace performance worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com.

Supporting sponsors of the 2026 American Business Awards include Golden Hour Veterinary Telemedicine, Melissa Sones Consulting, Persistent and SoftPro.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southern-oregon-software-company-earns-national-recognition-for-leadership-in-real-estate-technology-302760407.html

SOURCE Rentec Direct

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aiEDU Launches 2026 Community Catalyst Program to Broaden Access to AI Readiness in Rural and Indigenous Communities

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May 1, 2026

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The new grant opportunity will award up to $50,000 to eligible school districts, educational service agencies, charter organizations, and nonprofits.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The AI Education Project (aiEDU) is pleased to announce the third cycle of its 2026 Community Catalyst Program, a national grant opportunity designed to help build meaningful AI literacy through educator capacity, with a particular focus on supporting organizations serving rural communities and Indigenous communities.

The program will provide $25,000 grants and $50,000 grants to school districts, educational service agencies, charter organizations, and nonprofit organizations working to prepare educators and students for the realities of AI in teaching and learning. Applications opened May 1, 2026 and Letters of Intent are due May 21. Final awards will be announced on July 3, 2026.

“AI-readiness is strongest when communities of every size and geography help shape it from the start,” said Emma Doggett Neergaard, Chief Programs Officer at aiEDU. “Our Community Catalyst Program is intentionally designed to help rural and Indigenous communities lead this work in ways that reflect their students, their educators, and their future.”

In 2025, the Community Catalyst Program extended this work across the U.S., supporting 21 organizations, reaching more than 4,100 Indigenous and rural educators — a 71 percent increase over 2024 — and impacting more than 213,000 Indigenous and rural students, nearly ten times the number reached the previous year, through locally led AI-readiness initiatives. The program also delivered 64 in-person events in Indigenous and rural communities — more than five times the number held in 2024 — while expanding trainings, strategic advising, and professional learning across 17 states.

Last year, the program’s grantees themselves represented 10 states, with grantee-funded work ranging from Tribal-led AI sovereignty efforts to multi-district rural educator training models that equipped educators and families to engage with AI in ways that were locally relevant and culturally grounded. The 2026 program will build on this momentum by expanding opportunities for even more communities.

“As schools across the country navigate how to prepare students for an AI-driven future, meaningful progress depends on ensuring every community has a seat at the table,” said aiEDU’s CEO, Alex Kotran.

Funded projects may include:

Multi-session professional developmentProfessional learning communitiesTrain-the-trainer modelsInstructional coaching networksDistrictwide AI implementation planning

The 12-month grants will begin in summer 2026, with participating organizations selecting one or more support pathways from aiEDU, including:

Teacher Professional DevelopmentDistrict Leadership Capacity BuildingClassroom IntegrationCurricular Integration

For application details and submission information, visit aiedu.org/2026-catalyst.

About aiEDU 

The AI Education Project (aiEDU) is a nonprofit working to define, deliver, and catalyze AI readiness in K–12 education so every student is prepared to live, work, and lead in a world shaped by AI. Through high-quality curriculum, educator training, and systems partnerships, aiEDU has reached 48,000 educators and impacted 2.8 million students nationwide. The result: teachers who feel confident and capable, school systems that are better prepared for the future, and students who graduate with the AI competencies needed to thrive in an AI-driven world. Learn more at aiedu.org. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aiedu-launches-2026-community-catalyst-program-to-broaden-access-to-ai-readiness-in-rural-and-indigenous-communities-302760411.html

SOURCE aiEDU

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Royal Visit to Front Royal: Randolph-Macon Academy Shines at Block Party for King Charles III and Queen Camilla

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May 1, 2026

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A one-of-a-kind celebration of music, leadership, tradition, and transatlantic friendship spotlights the next generation of American leaders

FRONT ROYAL, Va., May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), Virginia’s premier college-preparatory boarding and day school for students in grades 8–12, delivered a superb parade performance at Thursday’s “Royal Block Party” in honor of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the Virginia leg of their State Visit to the United States this week.

Hosted by the Town of Front Royal, set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this celebration welcomed the Royal couple to an unprecedented event filled with local citizens, community leaders, and distinguished guests, for an unforgettable scene of pageantry, patriotism, and performance in the heart of Front Royal.

The Royal Block Party featured a combined ceremonial and musical presentation led by the renowned Randolph-Macon Academy Marching Band, joined by the Academy’s Color Guard and Regimental Staff. In a stirring display of community spirit, student musicians from Skyline High School and Warren County High School also performed, creating a powerful showcase of talent, discipline, and community pride.

“Randolph-Macon Academy stands at the intersection of history, leadership, and opportunity. To welcome Their Majesties in a setting that celebrates service, scholarship, and young people rising to meet the future is both a privilege and a moment of enormous significance for our Academy, our town, and our region.  This event showed the world what Yellow Jackets mean by ‘the Power of Rise’!”, said R-MA Board Chair Lucy Hooper.

R-MA cadets performing for the Royal couple spoke powerfully of the unique experience.  The Academy’s Regimental Commander, Cadet Colonel Rania Husted ’26, said, “I feel incredibly honored that R-MA was included in such a historic event. More than anything, I feel proud of my fellow cadets. Their hard work and dedication were evident in our performance, and I hope we made our Front Royal community proud as well.”

The Regimental Sergeant Major, Bijou Kebbay ’27, observed, “Everyone was nervous, I mean it was the king and queen of the United Kingdom, of course they were. But it was so beautiful to see how everyone came together to support each other and make sure everyone shined.”

Founded in 1892, Randolph-Macon Academy has developed young people of character, purpose, and ambition for more than 130 years. Located on a 135-acre campus in the Shenandoah Valley, R-MA offers a distinctive educational experience where structure meets opportunity, and tradition fuels transformation.

For families seeking more than a conventional high school experience, Randolph-Macon Academy offers something increasingly rare: a clear path to a life of meaning and purpose.

R-MA combines the personal attention of a small independent school with the ambition of a world-class preparatory institution. Students benefit from small classes, highly engaged faculty, competitive athletics, an extensive rotary and fixed wing aviation curriculum, STEM and robotics programs, leadership development, and one of the nation’s most respected college and service academy preparatory environments.

The Academy’s outcomes speak for themselves:

100% college acceptance for each of the past 19 yearsMore than $15 million in scholarships earned by the Class of 202515 – 20 U.S. Service Academy appointments in each of the past five yearsA nationally recognized Falcon Scholar Program with exceptional U.S. Air Force Academy placement, with the highest USAFA Falcon Scholar graduation rate in the nationBoarding and day options for students in grades 8–12 and post-graduates

In an era when families are searching for schools that do more than educate—that build resilience, cultivate leadership, and prepare students for consequential lives—Randolph-Macon Academy offers a compelling answer. As Front Royal welcomed royalty, Randolph-Macon Academy continued to do what it has done for thirteen decades: stand tall, lead proudly, and inspire the Rise within.

For additional details, visit Randolph-Macon Academy at www.rma.edu.

About Randolph-Macon Academy

Randolph-Macon Academy is a coeducational college-preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 8–12 and PG, in Front Royal, Virginia. Founded in 1892, the Academy is known for its distinctive combination of academic rigor, leadership development, character formation, and exceptional college and service academy outcomes.

Media Contact:
Director of Enrollment Management
Randolph-Macon Academy
200 Academy Drive
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
(540) 636-5484
media@rma.edu
www.rma.edu

 

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