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Smilegate Makes Strategic Investment in Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures, Accelerating Its Growth in the Global Gaming Market

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Smilegate’s deep expertise in Asian markets coupled with Dan Houser and the Absurd Ventures team’s creative vision and blockbuster AAA game experience aims to create vast and sustainable global business opportunities

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Smilegate today announced that it has made a strategic investment and become a partner in Absurd Ventures, a U.S.-based media and entertainment company founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser. Absurd Ventures was launched by Houser, whose creative direction during his over twenty years at Rockstar Games drove the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, among others, to collectively sell more than 550 million units worldwide. Through this agreement, Smilegate will have the opportunity to partner on Absurd Ventures’ new IP.

Houser creatively oversaw globally successful IPs that are cultural cornerstones and rooted in immersive storytelling. As the creative director and lead writer of Rockstar’s biggest games, Houser conceived indelibly rich worldbuilding, captivating and sometimes heart-breaking stories, and created iconic characters like Tommy Vercetti, Arthur Morgan, Trevor Phillips and John Marston to name just a few. Houser’s team at Absurd Ventures includes key leaders and talent from his time at Rockstar Games as well as executive game development veterans who worked on Call of Duty, Pokemon Go! and many other AAA franchises. Absurd Ventures is currently at work building a bold new vision with diverse new IP universes across a wide array of mediums, including video games as well as live-action and animated TV and film, audio fiction podcasts, books, comic books and more. While Absurd Ventures’ video game projects are in early stages of development, they have in 2024 released a hit audio fiction series set in their science-fiction universe, A BETTER PARADISE, which debuted at #1 on Apple’s Fiction charts, and will be introducing their AMERICAN CAPER crime-fiction universe as an original comic book series in 2025. A third IP universe from Absurd Ventures will also be revealed soon.

Smilegate is the creator of the blockbuster franchises “CROSSFIRE”, “Lost Ark”, and “Epic Seven”, that are hugely beloved in the global market. “CROSSFIRE”, launched in 2007, is a first-person shooting game and is currently played in more than 80 countries worldwide by approximately 1 billion gamers. Smilegate’s flagship MMORPG “Lost Ark”, is played in 160 countries by 1..32M concurrent users. Smilegate is steadily solidifying its position as a ‘Global IP powerhouse’.

Smilegate and Absurd Ventures will each leverage the strength of the other into new and sustainable business opportunities. Smilegate will benefit from Houser and his team’s proven narrative, AAA game and business expertise in the Western market, while Absurd will benefit from Smilegate’s expertise in the Asian market. The two companies will pool each other’s strengths in areas such as online/live service, given Smilegate’s success with CROSSFIRE and Houser and his team’s experience overseeing the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto Online.

Dan Houser, Founder of Absurd Ventures, said, “This collaboration with Smilegate was borne from a mutual respect and a philosophical alignment with founder Kwon, and the great passion he and his team bring to making AAA games. We both want to build interesting worlds and new player experiences.” 

Joonho Sung, CEO of Smilegate, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the developers behind globally renowned series that have millions of fans worldwide. Together with Absurd Ventures, Smilegate aims to deliver games that players across the globe will love. This partnership marks a critical milestone in Smilegate’s journey toward becoming a global IP powerhouse.”

Smilegate was advised by DLA Piper and Absurd Ventures was advised by Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. with respect to the transaction.

About Smilegate: Smilegate is a global game development and publishing company headquartered in South Korea with regional offices in the United States, China, and Japan. Its flagship franchise ‘CROSSFIRE,’ is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history. It has more than 1 billion registered users to date in PC and mobile platforms and over 8 million concurrent players globally. Its latest project, ‘Lost Ark,’ is an MMORPG that was released in South Korea in 2018 and was launched in North America and Europe in February, 2021. Lost Ark recorded concurrent players on Steam with over 1.32M. Learn more by visiting Smilegate.com

About Absurd Ventures: Absurd Ventures is an entertainment company creating new IP across all mediums. Absurd Ventures’ original properties include the sci-fi thriller universe “A Better Paradise” and the crime fiction universe “American Caper,” whose characters, stories and lore are currently being produced and developed for video games, live-action and animated TV and film, fiction podcasts, books, comic books and more. The company has already launched a chart-topping audio fiction series set in the “A Better Paradise” universe and will be debuting an American Caper comics series in 2025. Founded by Dan Houser, Absurd Ventures is headquartered in Santa Monica, with additional studio offices in Marin, CA. 

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Sungrow Secures World’s First German Inertia Market “Passport” with VDE FNN Prototype Certificate

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MUNICH, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, achieved another global milestone in grid-forming technology. The company’s SC210HX series Power Conversion Systems (PCS) have obtained the VDE FNN Prototype Certificate issued by TÜV Rheinland of Germany, becoming the world’s first energy storage PCS to pass the full set of German medium- and high-voltage grid connection standards alongside grid-forming performance verification.

This breakthrough enables PowerTitan energy storage systems equipped with this SC210HX PCS series to shorten the grid connection timeline drastically, reduce project acceptance risks, accelerate access to Europe’s latest inertia market, and substantially boost the investment and financing competitiveness of energy storage projects.

Developed by VDE FNN, the organization responsible for Germany’s grid technology and operational standards, the certification framework sets comprehensive requirements for medium- and high-voltage grid integration. Widely recognized by European grid operators, developers, and financial institutions, it serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating the compliance, reliability, and grid-support capabilities of energy storage projects.

Powered by Sungrow self-developed Stem-Cell Grid-Forming Technology, energy storage systems equipped with the SC210CX series PCS deliver outstanding grid adaptability and stable grid support. The system can independently absorb or output active and reactive power to support full-scenario grid demands, including frequency regulation, voltage regulation, and backup power support. On weak grids with high penetration of renewable energy, the converter maintains voltage-source characteristics and rapidly outputs dynamic reactive current upon grid short-circuit faults. Furthermore, the system can establish a power grid without external synchronization, supporting black start and islanded operation to effectively resolve grid connection pain points for remote European energy storage plants and off-grid projects.

By successfully completing the stringent VDE FNN testing process, Sungrow has verified that its hardware reliability, proprietary control algorithms, and grid-forming performance fully meet Germany’s strictest mandatory grid standards. The certification represents authoritative recognition of Sungrow’s technical leadership in advanced energy storage and grid-support solutions.

Beyond its technical significance, this certification also delivers tangible commercial value for project developers. European market standards keep getting stricter, and leading investment institutions and lending banks use TÜV Rheinland VDE certification as a core metric for assessing project compliance and equipment reliability. This certification enables developers to significantly shorten grid-connection timelines, avoid project delays during acceptance and comply with Europe’s latest entry rules for inertia-based energy storage. Additionally, it strengthens the credibility, bankability, asset value, and financing prospects of energy storage projects.

Leveraging its full lineup of VDE-compliant grid-forming energy storage products, Sungrow will continue to deepen its expertise in Europe’s energy transition and deliver safer, more grid-friendly, high -yield energy storage solutions to global customers.

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Deka Lash Agoura Hills Launches “Wake Up Ready For Summer” Promotion

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Guests Can Receive 25% Off Any Full Set or Lash Lift for Pool Days, Vacations, and Low-Effort Summer Mornings

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Deka Lash, a premier lash and eyebrow studio in Agoura Hills, is helping clients simplify their summer beauty routine with its limited-time “Wake Up Ready For Summer” promotion. For a limited time, guests can receive 25% offany full set of lash extensions or lash lift, making it easier to enjoy polished, effortless lashes for vacations, pool days, special events, and busy summer mornings.

The summer promotion is designed for clients who want long-lasting beauty with less daily maintenance. Whether guests are interested in natural-looking eyelash extensions in Agoura Hills or professional lash lift and tint services, Deka Lash offers customized treatments tailored to each client’s eye shape, lash goals, and personal style.

“Summer is the perfect time to simplify your routine,” said David Schiff, Owner of Deka Lash Agoura Hills. “Our lash extensions and lash lift services help clients feel confident and put together from the moment they wake up, whether they’re heading to the pool, going on vacation, or managing a packed schedule.”

Deka Lash in Agoura Hills provides a variety of lash and brow services, including full set eyelash extensions, lash refills, lash lifts, lash tinting, brow lamination, brow tinting, and brow shaping. Each service is performed by trained Lash Artists who focus on precision, comfort, lash health, and long-lasting results.

The “Wake Up Ready For Summer” promotion applies to any full set of lash extensions or lash lift service at the Agoura Hills studio. Guests are encouraged to book early, as summer appointments may fill quickly.

Promotion Details

What: 25% off any full set of lash extensions or lash lift
Where: Deka Lash in Agoura Hills
When: Limited-time summer promotion
Best For: Pool days, vacations, events, and low-effort mornings

About Deka Lash Agoura Hills

Deka Lash Agoura Hills is a professional lash and eyebrow studio offering customized eyelash extensions, lash lifts, brow services, and aftercare products. Known for personalized service and high-quality results, the studio helps clients achieve beautiful, low-maintenance lashes and brows that fit their lifestyle.

For more information or to take advantage of the promotion, visit https://dekalash.com/find-a-studio/california/agoura-hills/.

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Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group Raises $40 Million to Scale Precision Manufacturing, Mission Systems and Deep-Tech Platforms

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Round led by Norwest and Skegen Asset Management, with participation from Indus Bridge Ventures, GJNX Ventures, and Ashish Kacholia, to accelerate global expansion and indigenous aerospace and defence technologies

HYDERABAD, India, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group (RVAG), a Hyderabad-headquartered precision manufacturing and deep-tech company serving the global aerospace, defence and energy sectors, today announced it has raised $40 million (approximately ₹400 crore) in its latest funding round. The round was led by Norwest and Skegen Asset Management, with participation from Indus Bridge Ventures, GJNX Ventures and noted investor Ashish Kacholia.

The capital will be used to expand manufacturing capacity across the Group’s facilities in India, the UK and the USA; accelerate development of its upcoming integrated manufacturing campus at Hardware Park near Hyderabad International Airport; and strengthen its Mission Systems and Deep-Tech & Autonomous Systems businesses.

Over the past two decades, RVAG has evolved into a global manufacturing platform with more than 1,200 employees and over ten facilities across three countries. The Group manufactures precision aero-engine components and sub-assemblies for leading global OEMs, including GE Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, Honeywell, Boeing and Safran, while also serving global energy companies such as Baker Hughes, Halliburton, SLB and GE. It currently has an order book exceeding ₹2,500 crore.

The Group is among the few Indian companies offering end-to-end aerospace manufacturing under one roof, spanning design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and assembly. Its capabilities include CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, composites, electronics, software, gears, fasteners and NADCAP-approved special processes.

Beyond contract manufacturing, Raghu Vamsi has built strong indigenous capabilities through its Mission Systems and Deep-Tech verticals. The company develops propulsion systems, aircraft hydraulic components and subsystems for defence programmes, while its ARROBOT platform is advancing drone technologies and unmanned ground vehicles for India’s armed forces.

“This investment is a strong vote of confidence in what our team has built over the last two decades, a fully integrated, home-grown manufacturing platform that global aerospace, defence and energy leaders trust with mission-critical work. It allows us to scale capacity across our India, UK and USA operations; accelerate our Hardware Park campus and deepen our investments in Mission Systems and Autonomous Systems,” said Vamsi Vikas, Managing Director, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group.

“Our growth has always been guided by the values of our founder, Late Sri G. Thrimurthulu, who built this company on reliability, integrity and empathy toward every stakeholder we serve. This round strengthens our ability to invest in our people, our technology and our talent pipeline as we prepare for the next phase of scale,” added Siva Arvinth, CEO, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group.

“Raghu Vamsi has created a uniquely integrated manufacturing platform trusted by leading aerospace and energy OEMs for its technical depth and disciplined execution. We look forward to working with the team scales and unlocks the next phase of value creation,” said Shiv Chaudhary, Partner, Norwest.

“Raghu Vamsi’s breadth spanning precision manufacturing, mission systems and deep tech, sets it apart in India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem. We look forward to supporting the team through its next phase of growth,” said Navin Roy Vallabhneni, Skegen Asset Management.

The company has also established collaborations with premier institutions, including the IITs and IIITs, as well as research organisations such as ARCI and defence agencies, including ADA and DRDO, reinforcing its commitment to building globally competitive aerospace and defence technologies from India.

About Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group

Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group is a Hyderabad-based aerospace and defence manufacturing company with operations across India, the UK and the USA. The Group supplies precision-engineered components to leading global OEMs including GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell, Safran and Collins Aerospace, while expanding into mission systems and autonomous technologies.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/raghu-vamsi-aerospace-group-raises-40-million-to-scale-precision-manufacturing-mission-systems-and-deep-tech-platforms-302828048.html

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