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First Phase of Athlete365 Business Accelerator Programme Is Launched with Support from Alibaba.com

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Olympian and successful entrepreneur Tony Parker, as Alibaba.com’s global brand ambassador, teaches Masterclass for aspiring entrepreneurs

GENEVA, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in collaboration with Alibaba.com, has officially launched the first phase of the fourth edition of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme, which aims to empower current and former elite athletes to transfer their skills into successful business ventures. Alibaba.com is the first worldwide Olympic and Paralympic e-Commerce Services partner to support this initiative.

The Athlete365 Business Accelerator is a unique business incubator designed to empower current and former elite athletes from all backgrounds with the skills to build and manage their own businesses. In support of the programme’s latest edition, Alibaba.com will provide participating athletes with educational tools, mentoring services and funding.

This year’s edition has attracted applications from several hundred athletes from around the world. Just over a third (38%) are from Europe, 20% are from Africa, 17% from North America, 13% from APAC, and 12% from South America. More than half (55%) of these athletes represented their country at the Olympics in the past, whilst 46% are still competing and would like to become an entrepreneur at the same time.

In terms of their entrepreneurial ambitions, 56% of applicants already have a business idea, whilst 17% have made a first prototype of their business solution. More than one in ten (12%) already have a business which generates stable revenues.

The fourth edition of the programme, which will launch in multiple phases, will build participants’ knowledge of business-critical areas and the fundamentals of e-commerce and global trade, including global sourcing and business-to-business (B2B) export through digital marketplaces. Participants will also acquire knowledge of Alibaba.com’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools, which are transforming how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) source products and connect with suppliers globally. Using the AI tools, buyers can search for products using a combination of videos, images and words and communicate naturally and intuitively with suppliers in their own language. This makes the sourcing process more straightforward and efficient, turning their product vision into a reality.

The programme this year will commence on 3 December with an open-access masterclass by Alibaba.com’s global brand ambassador Tony Parker, a two-time Olympian and successful entrepreneur, which will be open to anyone interested in hearing about his journey from a world-class athlete to a successful entrepreneur. This will be followed by a series of online lessons and virtual bootcamps, starting on 9 December, and one-to-one mentoring with experts from Alibaba.com, aimed at equipping athletes with the knowledge of developing an idea and business model as well as e-commerce fundamentals.

Alibaba.com data reveals that nearly two-thirds (63%) of former athletes struggle to find a new career after sports. By participating in the programme, Alibaba.com partners with the IOC to support athletes during and after their sports careers, creating opportunities for them to transition into entrepreneurship and leverage their skills to achieve success beyond the field.

Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services, added: “Our Worldwide Olympic Partners play a vital role in supporting athletes at every stage of their journey. Through initiatives like the Athlete365 Business Accelerator, we are harnessing the expertise and resources of Partners like Alibaba.com to empower athletes with skills and opportunities that extend beyond their sporting careers. This programme reflects the shared commitment of the IOC and its Partners to help athletes succeed, both on and off the field of play.”

Kuo Zhang, President, Alibaba.com, said: “Successful athletes and entrepreneurs share similar characteristics. Both have unrivalled grit and determination, a willingness to succeed, and an appetite to take risks. However, after their sporting successes, athletes often struggle to find their feet with a new career. At Alibaba.com, we want to make a transition into the world of e-commerce and entrepreneurship easy and are proud to participate in the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme by providing practical tools and guidance on how to take part in global trade.”

For more information, see https://olympics.com/athlete365/offers/business-accelerator/become-an-entrepreneur-with-the-athlete365-business-accelerator

Athlete365 is the official community for elite Athletes and Olympians which provides support through relevant advice, tools and services.

About Alibaba.com

Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

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SOURCE Alibaba.com

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EX3 Accelerates APAC Expansion with Malaysia Growth Milestone and SAP Partnership

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LONDON and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EX3 today announced a significant milestone in its Asia-Pacific (APAC) growth journey, marked by continued expansion in Malaysia, a newly formalised SAP partnership, and further investment in regional leadership.

As part of its broader APAC growth strategy, EX3 has strengthened its presence in Malaysia, with headcount increasing to 21 employees—an addition of four new team members in the last six months alone, with additional two expected by end of May 2026. This growth reflects sustained demand for EX3’s expertise in delivering end-to-end HR and payroll transformation programmes across the region.

In parallel, EX3 has been officially inducted as an SAP Partner in Malaysia, with a dedicated focus on Human Capital Management (HCM) and Payroll. This milestone represents a strategic step forward, reinforcing EX3’s capability to deliver enhanced value to clients through deeper alignment with SAP technologies and innovation.

The SAP partnership is central to EX3’s regional ambitions, enabling the organisation to scale its delivery and sales capabilities across Malaysia and the wider APAC market. By combining SAP’s leading cloud solutions with EX3’s agile, AI-powered delivery approach, the company is well-positioned to support organisations navigating complex HR and payroll transformations.

Sam Garwood, Chief Revenue Officer at EX3, commented:
“Our SAP partnership represents a key enabler for our go-to-market strategy across APAC. With Malaysia at the centre of our regional operations, we are building a scalable, high-impact GTM engine that allows us to bring EX3’s full capabilities to market with greater speed and precision. This positions us strongly to capture growing demand for HR and payroll transformation across the region.”

Looking ahead, EX3 will continue to invest in its regional leadership team, including the upcoming appointment of a new Head of Sales for APAC. This role will be instrumental in driving continued growth, strengthening client relationships, and expanding EX3’s footprint across key markets.

Jas Rai, CEO of EX3, added:
“EX3 is on a strong global growth trajectory, and our expansion in APAC is a critical part of that journey. Malaysia plays a pivotal role in enabling that growth—both as a centre of delivery excellence and as a strategic hub for the region. As we continue to scale, our investment in Malaysia will help us accelerate our broader ambitions and deliver even greater value to clients globally.”

About EX3

EX3 is a global provider of end-to-end SAP Payroll and HR transformation, combining strategic advisory with outcome-based support and managed services to streamline global operations for organizations worldwide. With offices in the UK, Malaysia, and India, EX3 delivers modern, scalable, and innovative solutions that help clients transform how they manage HR and payroll operations.

https://www.weareex3.com/ 

Media Contact:
Sach Dhanjal
Senior Marketing Manager, EX3
sach.dhanjal@weareex3.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2957617/EX3_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ex3-accelerates-apac-expansion-with-malaysia-growth-milestone-and-sap-partnership-302745004.html

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EX3 Accelerates APAC Expansion with Malaysia Growth Milestone and SAP Partnership

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LONDON and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EX3 today announced a significant milestone in its Asia-Pacific (APAC) growth journey, marked by continued expansion in Malaysia, a newly formalised SAP partnership, and further investment in regional leadership.

As part of its broader APAC growth strategy, EX3 has strengthened its presence in Malaysia, with headcount increasing to 21 employees—an addition of four new team members in the last six months alone, with additional two expected by end of May 2026. This growth reflects sustained demand for EX3’s expertise in delivering end-to-end HR and payroll transformation programmes across the region.

In parallel, EX3 has been officially inducted as an SAP Partner in Malaysia, with a dedicated focus on Human Capital Management (HCM) and Payroll. This milestone represents a strategic step forward, reinforcing EX3’s capability to deliver enhanced value to clients through deeper alignment with SAP technologies and innovation.

The SAP partnership is central to EX3’s regional ambitions, enabling the organisation to scale its delivery and sales capabilities across Malaysia and the wider APAC market. By combining SAP’s leading cloud solutions with EX3’s agile, AI-powered delivery approach, the company is well-positioned to support organisations navigating complex HR and payroll transformations.

Sam Garwood, Chief Revenue Officer at EX3, commented:
“Our SAP partnership represents a key enabler for our go-to-market strategy across APAC. With Malaysia at the centre of our regional operations, we are building a scalable, high-impact GTM engine that allows us to bring EX3’s full capabilities to market with greater speed and precision. This positions us strongly to capture growing demand for HR and payroll transformation across the region.”

Looking ahead, EX3 will continue to invest in its regional leadership team, including the upcoming appointment of a new Head of Sales for APAC. This role will be instrumental in driving continued growth, strengthening client relationships, and expanding EX3’s footprint across key markets.

Jas Rai, CEO of EX3, added:
“EX3 is on a strong global growth trajectory, and our expansion in APAC is a critical part of that journey. Malaysia plays a pivotal role in enabling that growth—both as a centre of delivery excellence and as a strategic hub for the region. As we continue to scale, our investment in Malaysia will help us accelerate our broader ambitions and deliver even greater value to clients globally.”

About EX3

EX3 is a global provider of end-to-end SAP Payroll and HR transformation, combining strategic advisory with outcome-based support and managed services to streamline global operations for organizations worldwide. With offices in the UK, Malaysia, and India, EX3 delivers modern, scalable, and innovative solutions that help clients transform how they manage HR and payroll operations.

https://www.weareex3.com/ 

Media Contact:
Sach Dhanjal
Senior Marketing Manager, EX3
sach.dhanjal@weareex3.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2957617/EX3_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ex3-accelerates-apac-expansion-with-malaysia-growth-milestone-and-sap-partnership-302745004.html

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World Micro Tees Up for Angel Flight Soars on May 13, 2026

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ROSWELL, Ga., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To support the critical need for specialized medical care requiring distant travel, World Micro is proud to announce its participation as an Angelic Hole Sponsor for the 2026 Atlanta Tournament of Angels. This annual charity golf tournament directly benefits Angel Flight Soars, a nonprofit organization based out of Peachtree Dekalb Airport in Chamblee, GA.

Angel Flight Soars provides free air transportation for individuals in need of medical care or other critical services. By coordinating volunteer pilots and donated flight resources, the organization helps remove transportation barriers, ensuring patients can access life-saving treatments, specialized care, and humanitarian support.

To secure a sponsorship or learn more about participation in this impactful event, visit Tournament of Angels

“As an Angelic Hole Sponsor for the 2026 Atlanta Tournament of Angels, World Micro is proud to stand behind Angel Flight Soars, a local nonprofit in our community, and support their mission of providing essential, free air transportation for individuals who must travel far from home for specialized medical care,” said Lauren Brown, Director of Business Development.

Supporting Critical Medical Air Transportation

The 2026 Atlanta Tournament of Angels brings together community members and organizations to contribute to a vital cause. Every shot taken during the tournament helps provide essential air transportation for patients requiring specialized medical care far from their homes. This support ensures that geographical distance does not hinder access to critical treatments.

Event Details and Community Impact

The 2026 Atlanta Tournament of Angels will take place on May 13, 2026, at the Chateau Elan Golf Club. As an Angelic Hole Sponsor, World Micro underscores the profound impact of community support for services like those provided by Angel Flight Soars. The tournament offers a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to contribute to a cause that provides essential medical air transportation, ensuring patients can access critical care regardless of distance. 

About World Micro

World Micro is a global distributor specializing in electronic components and supply chain solutions for military, aerospace, industrial, and high-reliability applications. With a focus on speed, service, and dependable fulfillment, World Micro supports customers worldwide with responsive sourcing, logistics expertise, and value-added distribution services.

Learn more at www.worldmicro.com.

For pricing and inquiries, please contact World Micro at:
Email: info@worldmicro.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-micro-tees-up-for-angel-flight-soars-on-may-13-2026-302748030.html

SOURCE World Micro

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