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HiConf Seoul 2024 successfully wraps up, sparks up discussions for future of food tech and international partnerships

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Global food tech experts gathered to share innovative ideas, discuss market insights, and explore development potentialAbu Dhabi-based investment firm HITI partners with Dongwha Pharmaceutical to manufacture and distribute cognitive enhancement ingredients in the Middle EastHITI joins Korea Food Tech Council to reinforce support for Korean market’s global expansion

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The HiConf Organization Committee announced at HiConf that HiConf Seoul 2024 successfully wrapped up in Seoul, Korea. HiConf 2024, the first of its kind in Korea, was designed to serve as a platform for cutting-edge food tech innovations with the goal of establishing a more sustainable food system.

This year’s event was attended by global pioneers and leaders in food tech, including Governor Kim Gwan-young of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, Professor Ki-won Lee, Chairman of the Korean Food Tech Council, CJ CheilJedang CTO Dr. Gregory Yep and Shinsegae Food CEO Alex Song, and filled with robust discussions on the latest and up-and-coming innovations, market outlook, and new opportunities in the global food tech industry.

40 high caliber speakers from all over the world gave insightful presentations to attending industry professionals on topics such as the Global Perspective on Bioeconomy; Transforming Health with Sweet Proteins; Probiotics that Improve Cognitive Function and many more. The event also highlighted South Korea’s growing role as a food tech leader, leveraging its strong expertise in science and AI to drive advancements in sustainable food solutions. In addition, HiConf 2024 opened its stages to five food tech startups from around the world to pitch to potential Korean and international investors.

“HiConf brings together the brightest minds from around the world to share big ideas, overcome challenges, and build new opportunities together. There is no better place than South Korea, with its strong expertise in food technologies, to exchange scientific and business best practices,” said Raymund Scheffler, Chairman of the Organization Committee of HiConf.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based food tech investment firm HITI and Korean pharmaceutical manufacturer Dongwha Pharm signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the manufacturing and distribution of innovative biological functional ingestible ingredients. This MoU will set the stage for both companies to cooperate in delivering functional ingredients aimed at improving human cognitive abilities and ensuring healthy longevity in the Middle East and beyond.

Additionally, HITI joined the Korea Food Tech Council (KFTC), a pioneering collaboration between academia, industry, and government to advance the food technology sector in Korea. The council, which was co-founded by Professor Lee Ki-won of the Food Tech Department at Seoul National University in 2022, seeks to build a sustainable and innovative ecosystem that addresses global food challenges. Through this membership, HITI aims to support technological research within the Korean food tech industry and promote collaboration among young entrepreneurs.

“We are pleased to welcome HITI as a partner in our efforts to solve the pressing food issues facing humanity while building viable business models,” said Professor Lee Ki-won, Co-Founder and Chairman of KFTC, and added that “HITI’s global expertise will be a valuable asset in creating a healthier future.”

The first-ever HiConf took place in Dubai in February 2024, with over 500 executives from international biotech, plant-based, and cultured-food businesses, as well as investors and food brands, in attendance. The next HiConf will also be held in Abu Dhabi in February 2025.

About HiConf

HiConf is a global platform for cutting-edge alternative protein technologies and food tech innovations with the goal of establishing a more sustainable food system. Driving both economic growth and sustainable development in the food tech industry, HiConf is a hub for groundbreaking discussions with global leaders and pioneers in the food tech industry. For more information on HiConf, please visit https://www.hiconf.ae/.

About Healthy Innovations Technology Investment (HITI)

HITI is an Abu Dhabi-based investment fund dedicated to advancing future technologies that contribute to creating a healthier world for the global population. The company’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that sustainable innovations are essential to addressing our planet’s challenges. For more information on HiTi, please visit https://www.hiti.ae/.

Media Inquiries:

Edelman Korea
Kiyoon Kay, Kiyoon.Kay@edelman.com
Christine Lee, Christine.Lee@edelman.com
Yunhae Na, Yunhae.Na@edelman.com

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SOURCE HiConf Seoul 2024

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XLCS Partners advises Concurrent Utility Services on sale to UniTek Global Services

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent Utility Services LLC on its acquisition by UniTek Global Services, Inc., a portfolio company of New Mountain Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: NMFC) and its affiliates, and BTG Pactual Strategic Capital.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Concurrent is a licensed general and electrical contractor providing infrastructure development and maintenance services to electric utilities, telecom providers, and land developers throughout the Southeast United States. The company’s capabilities span overhead and underground utility construction, professional telecom services, emergency service restoration, in-building networks, environmental services, and data center development. Backed by a safety-first culture and an experienced workforce, Concurrent has built a strong regional platform and a reputation for quality across the markets it serves.

UniTek is a leading digital infrastructure services provider supporting the expansion of fiber and data center connectivity across the U.S. and Canada. With over 600 employees and 60 locations, UniTek delivers a full suite of infrastructure services. The acquisition of Concurrent accelerates UniTek’s Power Services Division, which launched in July 2025 to broaden the company’s maintenance, repair, upgrade, and new infrastructure development services for the power sector. Concurrent’s established Southeast footprint and power capabilities directly complement UniTek’s existing broadband and data center infrastructure platform, positioning the combined company to capitalize on growing demand for resilient, modernized power infrastructure. Concurrent will continue to operate under its established brand, maintaining uninterrupted service for its customers.

“Selling Concurrent was one of the biggest decisions of my career, and Anthony, Jay, and the XLCS team guided us through every step with professionalism and genuine care for our people,” said Steve Sarno, CEO of Concurrent. “They stayed fully engaged throughout, gave us honest and thoughtful advice, kept our best interests front and center, and delivered an outcome that exceeded our expectations. I would recommend them without hesitation to any owner considering a transaction.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent, and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner, and Jay Cremer, Vice President. The transaction was completed on July 1, 2026.

About XLCS Partners, Inc.

XLCS Partners is a leading global investment banking firm providing M&A advisory services. Visit www.xlcspartners.com for more information.

Media Contact: 
Kendra Span 
kspan@xlcspartners.com
615-379-7783

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SOURCE XLCS Partners, Inc.

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XLCS Partners advises Concurrent Utility Services on sale to UniTek Global Services

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent Utility Services LLC on its acquisition by UniTek Global Services, Inc., a portfolio company of New Mountain Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: NMFC) and its affiliates, and BTG Pactual Strategic Capital.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Concurrent is a licensed general and electrical contractor providing infrastructure development and maintenance services to electric utilities, telecom providers, and land developers throughout the Southeast United States. The company’s capabilities span overhead and underground utility construction, professional telecom services, emergency service restoration, in-building networks, environmental services, and data center development. Backed by a safety-first culture and an experienced workforce, Concurrent has built a strong regional platform and a reputation for quality across the markets it serves.

UniTek is a leading digital infrastructure services provider supporting the expansion of fiber and data center connectivity across the U.S. and Canada. With over 600 employees and 60 locations, UniTek delivers a full suite of infrastructure services. The acquisition of Concurrent accelerates UniTek’s Power Services Division, which launched in July 2025 to broaden the company’s maintenance, repair, upgrade, and new infrastructure development services for the power sector. Concurrent’s established Southeast footprint and power capabilities directly complement UniTek’s existing broadband and data center infrastructure platform, positioning the combined company to capitalize on growing demand for resilient, modernized power infrastructure. Concurrent will continue to operate under its established brand, maintaining uninterrupted service for its customers.

“Selling Concurrent was one of the biggest decisions of my career, and Anthony, Jay, and the XLCS team guided us through every step with professionalism and genuine care for our people,” said Steve Sarno, CEO of Concurrent. “They stayed fully engaged throughout, gave us honest and thoughtful advice, kept our best interests front and center, and delivered an outcome that exceeded our expectations. I would recommend them without hesitation to any owner considering a transaction.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent, and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner, and Jay Cremer, Vice President. The transaction was completed on July 1, 2026.

About XLCS Partners, Inc.

XLCS Partners is a leading global investment banking firm providing M&A advisory services. Visit www.xlcspartners.com for more information.

Media Contact: 
Kendra Span 
kspan@xlcspartners.com
615-379-7783

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xlcs-partners-advises-concurrent-utility-services-on-sale-to-unitek-global-services-302833542.html

SOURCE XLCS Partners, Inc.

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Fathom Applauds Introduction of the FRONTIER Act, the First Federal Blueprint for Independent AI Verification

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Reps. Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) introduce a bill to build a competitive marketplace of independent verifiers for frontier AI models.

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fathom welcomes the introduction of the FRONTIER Act, the most complete federal framework yet for independent, third-party verification of frontier AI. The legislation is built to earn public trust as AI technology continues to accelerate. As frontier systems begin to take autonomous action in the world, the gap between what these models can do and our ability to keep them in check is widening. FRONTIER is the starting point to close that gap.

“AI governance keeps running into the same wall. The technology is hard to measure and it moves faster than any law can keep up with,” said Andrew Freedman, Co-Founder and CEO of Fathom. “Trying to write the perfect rules and freezing them in place won’t work. What will work is a competitive market of independent verifiers who are accountable for real-world outcomes and who the government can actually count on. The FRONTIER Act shows we can move fast and still get this right.”

The bill gets the fundamentals correct. It sets one public standard – the adequate mitigation of catastrophic risk – and holds both the AI companies and their independent verifiers accountable to it. FRONTIER does not freeze a single testing method into statute. Instead, it licenses competing verification organizations, allows them to sharpen their methods, and gives the government the power to revoke a license when a verifier’s work does not hold up in the field. That is how you build a system that keeps pace with the science instead of falling behind it.

Fathom thanks Reps. Trahan and Obernolte for their leadership, and for their courage in releasing a discussion draft, inviting scrutiny, and incorporating substantive improvements from across the field. One priority improvement as the bill advances: giving the government a fuller range of tools to act upstream – for pushing companies to close identified gaps in risk mitigation early, rather than only once a catastrophe is imminent. We are committed to working with these sponsors, committees of jurisdiction, and Congressional leadership to continue refining the bill in the weeks and months ahead.

About Fathom
Fathom is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to build a governance architecture that helps society navigate the transition to a world with AI by fostering trust, safety, and innovation. Fathom has developed and championed the independent verification model for AI and works with policymakers across the country to put it into practice. Learn more at http://fathom.org.

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SOURCE Fathom AI Inc.

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