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North Texas Innovation Alliance Members and Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners Announce SCEWC Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge

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Pitching Challenge to Reward Companies with United States Pilot and Funding Opportunities

DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA), a 501(c)3 regional consortium of over 40 municipalities, agencies, corporations and academic institutions across North Texas working to create the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country, has announced an international pitch event, named the Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge, to be held at this year’s Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona alongside partner Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners and Texas cities Frisco, McKinney and Fort Worth. This pitch competition will select five startups to compete to win piloting and funding opportunities in the United States.

“Our goal in creating this pitch competition is to foster international innovation across smart cities,” said NTXIA Executive Director Jennifer Sanders. “We are very fortunate to have strong cross-sector and cross-regional collaborations with organizations across the U.S. This pitch competition represents the opportunity for these companies to interact with some of the U.S.’ leading minds in this space, and the opportunity to pilot their technology and receive funding to help achieve their goals of developing their technology and potentially entering the U.S. market. We are very excited to see the innovations these international companies bring!”

The 2024 Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge is focusing the problem statements on the future of transportation, sustainability and VRUs. Companies interested in participating in the pitch event will need to ensure their solutions address these key challenge areas, with a solution focus on the following:

Traffic congestion mitigationCurbside managementAutonomous delivery systemsPedestrian safetyHeat island mitigationEnergy and water efficiency and resiliencyCrowd management at large events from a public safety and visitor experience lens

Companies will also need to ensure their technology is ready to be deployed for testing and development in real-world smart city environments.

“With the World Cup coming to the U.S. and Frisco serving as a host city, with the 2028 Olympics returning to the U.S. soon after that, we are looking to the international startup and smart city communities to bring forward their innovations to help us prepare for what is to come,” said Gloria Salinas, Vice President of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation. “The winners of this pitch competition will have the unique opportunity to help various parts of the U.S. prepare for these global events and aid various municipalities and organizations to ensure the best technologies will benefit all residents and visitors of our cities. Frisco and North Texas are looking forward to seeing how we can integrate these solutions into our city and the region.”

Finalists will be given passes to the SCEWC in Barcelona, where the final pitch will take place. Winners of the competition will be rewarded with travel, pilot and funding. Prizes include:

Curiosity Lab will commit $15,000.00 towards a pilot, one year of office space at its Innovation Center and access to a global partner network for additional market support.Frisco and McKinney, Texas will provide travel and accommodations to the U.S. in Texas and Georgia for senior leadership, up to $10,000.00. This includes airfare, hotel, ground transportation, food and office/co-working space in McKinney and Curiosity Lab for the initial visit.NTXIA, Frisco and McKinney, Texas and Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners will create a curated itinerary of high-level meetings with decision makers in city departments to explore pilot implementation.Winners will also be introduced to high-level individuals at Plug and Play, University of North Texas, the Dallas College system, major healthcare institutions in Texas like Baylor Scott & White Health, Fortune 500 corporations, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Chambers of Commerce and major sporting and entertainment venues in Texas.Winners will receive global exposure through various media channels.One-of-a-Kind Texas swag and bragging rights.

“We offer a very unique real-world environment for companies of all sizes to test their technologies,” said Curiosity Lab Executive Director Brandon Branham. “Our smart city ecosystem allows international companies to have a soft-landing pad in the U.S. to continue to develop their technologies and to, when ready, enter the U.S. market. We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible pitch competition and to be helping support these international startups in their mission to improve our everyday lives with their various technologies.”

Submissions for the pitch competition open on September 23. Five finalists will be selected by the Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge committee to pitch in person at SCEWC on Wednesday, November 6 in the USA Pavilion. Each company will have 10 minutes for their pitch, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the judges. Once all presentations and Q&A sessions are final, the judges will deliberate for 10 minutes and will then announce the winner. The Challenge is also supported by Marketplace.city with its Clearbox Source market intelligence product which will promote the opportunity, accept applications and compile vendor submissions.

“North Texas is growing at an incredible rate and having innovation to continue to foster growth in our technology sectors is a huge economic driver for us,” said Michael Kowski, President & CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation. “Our hope in supporting this pitch competition and these innovators is to help companies flourish in a new market and to provide the connections and testing requirements needed to see them succeed. This will help foster North Texas’ smart city ecosystem and showcase how we can harness the power of innovation to create diverse and resilient communities.”

Find out more about the Smart Cities Global Pitching Challenge and the form to submit your application here.

ABOUT THE NORTH TEXAS INNOVATION ALLIANCE
The North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA) is a 501(c)3 consortium of key cross-sector stakeholders working to develop and implement a smart region strategy for North Texas. The NTXIA is building the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country – bringing together government entities on all levels, transit agencies, utilities/infrastructure, public safety, educational institutions and some of the world’s top technology developers in the private sector to pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. The organization’s mission is to break down silos and drive the collaborative use of data, technology and community to address the most pressing topics and create solutions that will improve quality of life, drive inclusive economic development and promote resource efficiency. For more information, please visit www.NTXIA.org, or follow LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners
Curiosity Lab is a 5G-enabled intelligent mobility and smart city living laboratory located in the southeastern United States near Atlanta, Georgia. Designed as a proving ground for IoT, mobility and smart city emerging technologies, the centerpiece of the lab is a three-mile autonomous vehicle lane leveraging cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technologies. Additional infrastructure includes intelligent traffic cameras and traffic signals, smart streetlights, the country’s first “IoT Central Control Room” implemented in a city and a 25,000 square foot technology incubator. Owned and operated by the City of Peachtree Corners, Curiosity Lab is one of North America’s only real-world testing environments and is available for use free of charge. Additional information can be found at www.curiositylabptc.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-texas-innovation-alliance-members-and-curiosity-lab-at-peachtree-corners-announce-scewc-smart-cities-global-startup-challenge-302254696.html

SOURCE North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA)

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Cash or Card? New Upgraded Points Survey Reveals How Travelers Pay Abroad

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October 28, 2026

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AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new Upgraded Points survey of 1,500 recent international travelers, including 1,000 Americans, finds that travelers use a mix of cash and cards abroad, but exchange rates, fees, and declined transactions can complicate purchases.

“Spending money should be the easy part of a trip abroad,” said Ryan Smith, Director of News at Upgraded Points. “But exchange rates, fees, and payment options can complicate even the simplest purchase. We wanted to learn how travelers prepare, where their plans run into trouble, and what they do when convenience and the best exchange rate move in different directions.”

Study Methodology

Upgraded Points surveyed 1,500 adults who had traveled internationally within the past 12 months, including 1,000 U.S. adults and 500 adults from other countries. Respondents answered questions about payment methods, cash habits, credit card use, airport currency exchanges, and their confidence navigating exchange rates. The results were compared to show how Americans’ payment habits differ from those of other international travelers.

Payment Planning Often Starts Months Before a Trip

Nearly one-third (32%) begin planning how they’ll pay abroad three to six months before departure. U.S. travelers are more likely than non-U.S. travelers to start earlier, with 20% beginning more than six months ahead, compared with 12% of non-U.S. travelers.

Travelers’ Confidence in Exchange Rates Varies

Just 35% of respondents said they feel very confident understanding exchange rates abroad. Confidence also varied by age and gender:

44% of men feel very confident, compared with 26% of women.28% of Gen Z travelers feel very confident, compared with 40% of Gen X travelers and 37% of Baby Boomers.

Cash and Cards Remain Popular Abroad

Cash in the local currency and physical credit cards were nearly tied as the payment methods travelers most often use abroad. Mobile wallets were more popular among younger travelers:

71% use cash in the local currency.69% use a physical credit card.44% use a mobile wallet, including 56% of Gen Z travelers and 22% of travelers age 61 and older.35% use a physical debit card.

Most Travelers Carry Local Currency

More than 8 in 10 travelers (81%) carry cash in the destination’s currency, often for situations where cards may not be accepted:

64% use it at street vendors, markets, or small businesses.55% use it for tips and other customary cash payments.53% carry it for emergencies.

Travelers generally avoid carrying a large amount at once. About 44% exchange enough cash for several days, while 26% exchange enough for the full trip.

Familiar Card Brands Lead Among U.S. Travelers

Among U.S. respondents, Visa was the most commonly used card network, while Chase and Capital One were the most commonly used issuers:

Visa: 24%Chase: 21%Capital One: 19%American Express: 15%

Fees and Declined Cards Can Complicate Purchases

Among all respondents, travelers most often said their bank or card company contacted them about a purchase made abroad. Other issues increased the cost of a purchase or prevented it from going through:

38% were contacted by their bank or card company about a purchase.34% paid more than expected because of the exchange rate.29% were charged an unexpected foreign transaction fee.26% had a card declined.

Find the full study here.

About Upgraded Points LLC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at www.UpgradedPoints.com.

Media Contact:
Alex Miller, Founder
1-214-646-8866
425187@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cash-or-card-new-upgraded-points-survey-reveals-how-travelers-pay-abroad-302922010.html

SOURCE Upgraded Points

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ESI supplying solar array components to missile defense programs

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October 28, 2026

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SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ESI Motion Inc. is proud to announce that it is supplying the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) to Lockheed Martin for its work on the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) programs.

Under the agreement, ESI Motion’s SADE technology will support SDA as the PWSA is developed.

Defending our nation in space is more important than ever. The Space Development Agency’s PWSA programs provide the military with a network of satellites with secure communication, missile tracking and space-based support to make sure our troops have the latest and greatest technology.

The SADE consists of our Space-rated, flight heritage, SuperNova and Pulsar motor controllers. These motion controllers ensure all mission parameters are fulfilled, with high-reliable technology. 

ESI Motion Inc., U.S. Company, is a trusted supplier and partner, supporting mission operations for space, military and industrial customers around the world for over 20 years. Please visit our website; www.esimotion.com

Mitchell Haerterich, mhaerterich@esimotion.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/esi-supplying-solar-array-components-to-missile-defense-programs-302922454.html

SOURCE ESI Motion

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Envoy AI Launches “Boss of Machines” Program to Develop the Next Generation of Freight Leaders

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October 28, 2026

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New AI Operations Lab will provide college students with hands-on experience in freight technology, operational transformation, and a $2,500 scholarship.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Envoy AI, the AI Native platform behind logistics autonomous agent system and execution layer Ellie, today announced the launch of Boss of Machines: AI Operations Lab, a new internship and scholarship program designed to prepare the next generation of logistics professionals for an industry increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital labor.

The people starting their careers in freight now are going to spend a lot of their day managing agents. Somebody has to be the boss of those machines. We named the program after that job because it’s the one brokerages are going to be hiring for.

The program was introduced by Envoy AI CEO Robby Nathan during his fireside chat at FreightWaves’ F3: Future of Freight Festival on October 27.

“Freight has always been a people business, and that isn’t changing,” said Robby Nathan, Envoy AI CEO. “What is changing is how the work gets done. We want students to understand that shift firsthand. There’s a big difference between learning about AI in a classroom and seeing what it takes to put it to work in a real operation. Our goal is to give them that experience and help prepare them to become the leaders this industry will need.”

Launching in spring 2027, the three-month program will select two college juniors or seniors for an immersive experience working directly with Envoy AI’s product, engineering, and operations teams. Participants will gain firsthand exposure to how AI technology is developed, implemented, and used to solve real operational challenges across the freight industry.

Preparing Students for a Changing Industry

As freight companies adopt AI to automate routine work, improve productivity, and scale operations, the skills future logistics leaders need are evolving.

The Boss of Machines program bridges the gap between classroom education and the practical experience needed to lead technology-enabled operations.

Students will participate in four areas of learning:

Building AI for Operations: Understanding how AI agents are developed and applied to freight workflows.Deploying Digital Labor: Learning how new technology is integrated into existing systems, implemented with customers, and adopted by operational teams.Measuring Operational Performance: Exploring the role of analytics, productivity, and return on investment in evaluating technology initiatives.Leading Modern Freight Operations: Developing an understanding of how people and AI agents work together to manage and execute freight operations.

Investing in the Next Generation

The initiative reflects Envoy AI’s commitment to developing talent and giving students meaningful exposure to the technology and operational practices shaping the future of transportation.

“About 75% of the freight in our live accounts is already booked through Ellie, and that changes the job a new hire walks into,” said Nathan. “The people starting their careers in freight now are going to spend a lot of their day managing agents. That takes someone who can tell when a rate doesn’t make sense for the lane, and who’ll catch a carrier about to fall off before the shipper ever hears about it. Somebody has to be the boss of those machines. We named the program after that job because it’s the one brokerages are going to be hiring for.”

Throughout the program, students will work alongside experienced industry professionals, gaining exposure to product development, customer implementations, operational workflows, and the business decisions involved in deploying AI at scale.

Upon successful completion of the three-month program, each participant will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their fall 2027 studies.

Applications and Program Timeline

The inaugural Boss of Machines: AI Operations Lab will welcome two students for the spring 2027 semester.

The program is open to college juniors and seniors interested in logistics, supply chain management, technology, engineering, business operations, and related fields.

Applicants will be asked to share their interests, relevant experience, and perspectives on how technology can improve freight operations.

Envoy AI will announce selected participants in January 2027, ahead of the spring program kickoff.

Additional program details and application information will be available through Envoy AI’s website.

About Envoy AI

Envoy AI develops AI-powered digital labor solutions for freight and logistics operations. Through its AI workforce, Ellie, the company helps logistics teams automate operational workflows, improve productivity, and execute freight processes across existing transportation systems. Envoy AI helps transportation organizations scale operations through practical AI applications.

Media Contact

Michelle McBride, Envoy AI, 1 972-821-2012, michelle@tryenvoy.ai, tryenvoy.ai

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/envoy-ai-launches-boss-of-machines-program-to-develop-the-next-generation-of-freight-leaders-302922133.html

SOURCE Envoy AI

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