Technology

Oona Insurance Appoints Praveen Paladugu as Group Head of Agency Distribution, Strengthening Agent Networks and Accelerating Strategic Growth, across Indonesia and the Philippines

Published

1 year ago

December 5, 2024

Oona Insurance appointed Praveen Paladugu as Group Head of Agency Distribution.Praveen’s appointment aligns with the company’s goal of empowering agents to deliver exceptional service to customers.

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Oona Insurance, a leading digital general insurer in Southeast Asia, is delighted to announce the appointment of Praveen Paladugu as its new Group Head of Agency Distribution. With over two decades of leadership experience spanning multiple markets including Indonesia, Praveen’s addition underscores Oona’s unwavering commitment to fortifying its agency distribution strategy and driving sustainable growth.

In his new role at Oona, Praveen will oversee agency distribution channels across Indonesia and the Philippines, with a mandate to elevate agent performance, align distribution efforts with corporate objectives, and ensure agents are well-equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving insurance industry.

Praveen brings an exceptional track record of enhancing agency growth and performance in key markets, including India and Indonesia. In his most recent role as Chief of Distribution Strategy at FWD Insurance Indonesia, he spearheaded initiatives to expand distribution channels and strengthen the agency network. His distinguished career also includes leadership positions such as Chief Agency Officer at Zurich Topas Life and Head of Agency Distribution at AXA Financial, Indonesia, where he consistently delivered growth and operational excellence.

Empowering Agents Through Innovation

Praveen’s appointment complements Oona’s ongoing investment in technological innovation. Central to this effort is ‘Kahoona,’ Oona’s proprietary digital platform launched in Q4 last year in the Philippines, which has redefined the way agents operate by streamlining workflows and enhancing efficiency.

Key features of Kahoona include:

Real-time performance dashboards for productivity tracking.Streamlined sales management, offering quick product previews and detailed tracking.Advanced underwriting tools, such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and image-based risk assessment.Comprehensive product support for offerings like Travel, Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL for The Philippines market), and Motor Comprehensive insurance.

Since its introduction, Kahoona has received widespread acclaim for its ability to digitize the insurance process, offering agents a seamless and efficient user experience.

Leadership and Technology: A Winning Combination

These initiatives reflect Oona’s commitment to empowering agents with the tools and guidance needed to deliver unparalleled customer value.

“With Praveen at the helm of our agency distribution strategy, complemented by transformative tools like Kahoona, we are poised to redefine how insurance is distributed. This marks an exciting new chapter in Oona’s mission to empower agents and deliver exceptional value to customers.” stated Abhishek Bhatia, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oona Insurance.

A Vision for Sustainable Growth

As Oona continues to invest in its agents and cutting-edge technology, the company is well-positioned for significant growth in 2025 and beyond. By combining strategic leadership and digital innovation, Oona is set to lead the charge in a competitive and dynamic insurance landscape, shaping the future of general insurance distribution.

About Oona Insurance

Headquartered in Singapore, Oona Insurance is the leading digital general insurer in Southeast Asia, backed by global private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Established in 2022, Oona Insurance aims to become the general insurer of choice for both partners and customers through a buy-and-build strategy, leveraging the pillars of superior customer service, advanced technology and a well-established brand across Southeast Asia. The firm currently operates in two markets in the region: Indonesia and the Philippines.

In Indonesia, Oona operates through its licensed general insurance entity, PT Asuransi Bina Dana Arta, Tbk. Oona Indonesia, the new unified brand of this entity, offers quality products and services since early 2023, serving as a solid foundation for Oona Insurance’s expansion across Southeast Asia’s fast-growing insurance market.

Oona Indonesia is licensed and supervised by Indonesia Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan).

For more information on Oona Insurance, please visit: www.oona-insurance.com

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SOURCE Oona Insurance

Technology

1-800Accountant Launches Tax Savings Services Designed for 1099 Workers

Published

13 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

New offering helps independent contractors structure their business to reduce their tax burden from day one

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 1-800Accountant, the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses, announced the launch of a new service offering built specifically for 1099 workers and independent contractors. The service helps freelancers and self-employed professionals work with an accountant to select the right business setup for their income, with a focus on reducing taxes from the start.

Growth Is Outpacing Tax Readiness

Independent contractor work has grown significantly in recent years. 1-800Accountant’s client data shows sharp year-over-year growth across contractor-heavy industries, with Consulting up 17%, Construction up 10%, and Service-sector clients growing more than 200% compared to 2024. Despite this growth, many contractors continue to overpay their taxes because they operate without a formal business structure in place or the right tax election.

The gap is particularly visible in industries like Healthcare, Engineering, and Legal, where LLC adoption among 1-800Accountant clients sits at 81%, 72%, and 71%, respectively, well below the 90%-plus rates seen in higher-adoption industries like Construction and Real Estate. 1-800Accountant’s new business tax optimization service closes that gap by matching contractors with the right business type while ensuring their business is set up correctly before they file their first return.

“Independent contractors continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the American workforce, and they are also among the most underserved when it comes to strategic tax planning,” said Mike Savage, Founder and CEO of 1-800Accountant. “That lack of planning means that most 1099 workers don’t realize how much they’re leaving on the table. This service changes that. We’re giving contractors access to the same strategic advantages that established businesses have, ensuring the right business setup from the beginning.”

Tax Strategy Built In from Day One

These services walk clients through a structured process that includes accountant-recommended business types, registering with the appropriate state agencies, and coordinating with an accountant to ensure alignment between the structure and the client’s specific tax situation. 1-800Accountant integrates business setup for 1099 earners into a broader tax strategy tailored around each contractor’s income level, filing status, and long-term goals.

“What sets us apart is the tax strategy layer,” said Ryan Teeples, Chief of Strategy at 1-800Accountant. “What contractors and gig workers actually need are professionals to help them understand which tax setup makes the most sense for their income, their industry, and where they want their business to go. Then, we do the work to save on both their business and personal taxes. That’s what we’re delivering here.”

The service is available now to new and existing 1-800Accountant clients. Pricing starts at $19 per month (plus any government filing fees) and includes business setup evaluation, tax return preparation and filing, state registration, federal registration, simple-to-use AI bookkeeping software, and a consultation with a tax expert for onboarding and explanation of their individual tax situation.

About 1-800Accountant

1-800Accountant is the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses and independent contractors. With a team of credentialed accountants and tax professionals, 1-800Accountant provides bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, and advisory services to clients across all 50 states. The firm is committed to making professional accounting accessible and affordable for business owners at every stage.

Contact: Wyatt Johnson
Content Manager, 1-800Accountant
920-807-9159 | media@1800accountant.com

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SOURCE 1-800Accountant

Technology

9fin launches in APAC to expand global credit coverage

Published

13 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

With APAC playing a bigger role in increasingly complex global credit markets, 9fin brings the news, data and AI tools professionals need to navigate volatility

HONG KONG, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 9fin, the AI-native information platform for global debt markets, has formally launched in the Asia Pacific region, giving credit professionals access to cutting-edge news, data and analysis across private and public bonds and loans.

As the 9fin team continues to grow quickly across APAC from its initial base in Hong Kong, it is supporting firms locally by providing proprietary credit intelligence, comprehensive data, and AI-powered workflow tools, all within one unified platform.

The launch comes as the tussle between public and private markets intensifies in APAC, making it more important than ever for banks, asset managers, advisors, and law firms to have visibility across the full credit landscape. While bond issuance has dropped amid geopolitical disruption, private credit activity remains robust as borrowers seek alternative financing options.

By combining deal intelligence from local sources with its extensive global credit database and AI tools, the 9fin platform gives users a comprehensive view across fragmented markets. The APAC platform includes coverage of more than 1,800 issuers and 16,000 instruments, with issuance history dating back to 2003 following 9fin’s acquisition of Bond Radar, in March 2025.

9fin is already used by more than 300 institutions globally, including KKR, Apollo, BNP Paribas, and Kirkland & Ellis. The company’s APAC buildout — supported by its $170 million Series C fundraise in March 2026 — marks the next phase of its global expansion.

Steven Hunter, CEO and co-founder at 9fin, commented: “APAC is a complex region and is becoming even more so as private markets expand and geopolitical volatility increases. The region needs a faster, smarter platform covering the full picture across bonds, loans, private credit and distressed. That’s exactly what 9fin provides. With our full platform now live in APAC, we’re giving our users the clarity to make informed decisions, faster.”

9fin’s APAC launch follows its expansion across the US, Europe, and Latin America, with CEEMEA to follow.

About 9fin

9fin is the AI-native platform for global debt markets. Founded by former J.P. Morgan banker Steven Hunter and Deutsche Bank engineer Hussam EL-Sheikh, the company combines data, analytics, and AI-powered workflows in a single platform, helping clients work smarter and faster to outperform their peers.

The company is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Belfast and with teams across Latin America and Asia. For more information, visit 9fin.com.

Media contacts
Jessica Simpkin
jessica.simpkin@9fin.com
Shree Dhond/Katie Nerantzis
Dukas Linden Public Relations | 9fin@dlpr.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/9fin-launches-in-apac-to-expand-global-credit-coverage-302750649.html

Technology

Trimble First Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast

Published

13 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET to review its first quarter 2026 results. The call will be broadcast live on the web at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/544327873. Analysts who wish to dial into the call may do so by first registering at https://events.q4inc.com/analyst/544327873?pwd=s5ilhwSm. Upon registration, dial-in details will be sent via email to the registrant.

About Trimble

Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it is helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

FTRMB

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SOURCE Trimble