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Gov. Moore Launches $1 Billion “Capital of Quantum” Initiative Anchored by UMD

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Strategic Partnership Aims to Cement State and Greater-D.C. Region as a World-leading Hub for Quantum Science and Innovation

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Governor Wes Moore today joined University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines and IonQ President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Chapman to announce the “Capital of Quantum” Initiative – a landmark public-private partnership that will catalyze $1 billion in investments to position Maryland as a global leader in quantum information science and technology. The initiative was announced during an event highlighting the Governor’s economic growth agenda for the 2025 Legislative Session and hosted at IonQ, a leading quantum computing and networking firm partially founded on UMD research and headquartered in the university’s Discovery District.

“Quantum has the potential to transform every part of our economy and society, from national security to health care,” said Gov. Moore. “With extraordinary assets and partnerships, Maryland can—and should—lead in this new emerging sector, and we are moving forward with a clear strategy to make that vision a reality. Together, we will make Maryland the quantum capital of the world.”

This strategic partnership between the State of Maryland, the University of Maryland and private and federal partners, aims to unlock more than $1 billion in investments — a combination of state funds, matching federal grants, private sector investments and philanthropic contributions — over the next five years. It will firmly establish the greater D.C. region, anchored by the University of Maryland, as one of the world’s top quantum epicenters.

Recognizing Maryland’s unique assets and strategic advantages to grow the state’s quantum science and technology sector, Gov. Moore last month signed an executive order that identified quantum computing as an industry that the Moore-Miller Administration will be prioritizing through state investment and support. 

Gov. Moore’s FY 2026 budget submission includes $27.5 million as the state’s initial investment toward the Capital of Quantum initiative, which is expected to spur more than $200 million in University of Maryland and partner investments to support academic, technical, workforce and ecosystem support. The Moore-Miller Administration has also committed continued funding for the construction of Zupnik Hall, a new $244 million state-of-the-art facility that includes more than $58 million in private investments and $185.4 million from the state, that will feature quantum labs on the University of Maryland campus. With additional funding over the next several years from the state, federal agencies, private sector partners and other sources, state and university leaders are driving toward a $1 billion investment. 

“We are deeply grateful to Gov. Moore for his visionary investment in building a brighter future for Maryland’s economy,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “He recognizes the immense potential of quantum technology and the possibilities we can explore if we work together to position our region as the global Capital of Quantum. We look forward to collaborating with the Governor’s office and regional partners to ensure that this investment yields lasting benefits for all Marylanders.”

With the launch of the Capital of Quantum Initiative, the University of Maryland will move forward with plans to:

Recruit top quantum scientists and engineers from around the world to join the ranks of 200+ UMD quantum faculty – one of the largest concentrations in the world – to usher in a new wave of discovery and innovation.Expand access to the National Quantum Laboratory (QLab), a unique UMD partnership with IonQ that provides students, researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world with hands-on access to quantum computers and scientists.Hire highly skilled test and evaluation experts to support quantum-focused projects and construct a new building for UMD’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security, one of only 15 designated Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) around the nation and the only UARC dedicated to intelligence and security.Create additional facilities to house an expanded Quantum Startup Foundry, a business accelerator based in UMD’s Discovery District that provides resources and support for entrepreneurs and startups bringing quantum technologies to market.Launch education, outreach and training initiatives to include high school quantum curriculum, masters and certificate programs and workforce retraining opportunities.

Subject to the Governor’s budget being approved, IonQ, an anchor partner in the initiative, will grow its corporate headquarters into a 100,000 square feet facility with data center, laboratories, and office space within UMD’s Discovery District. IonQ also intends to double its corporate headquarters workforce to at least 250 people in the Maryland region over the next five years. Today’s announcement, once approved by the legislature, is expected to create high paying and skilled jobs in diverse fields such as construction, software and hardware engineering, operations, applied physics, networking and more.

“Investing in quantum computing is investing in Maryland’s future,” said Peter Chapman, President and CEO of IonQ. “Through Governor Moore’s strategic economic development initiative and proposed investment in quantum, he is not only supporting cutting-edge research and innovation but fostering economic growth and job creation in the state. The Governor’s commitment is a testament to his vision for the pivotal role that quantum science will play in the state’s economic development and technological leadership. This investment will also enhance our collaboration with the University of Maryland to solidify the region as a global leader in quantum innovation.”

Quantum and the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland is home to one of the world’s largest cohorts of quantum scientists and engineers, built on decades of foundational research and deep partnerships with government labs, agencies and industry. As understanding of the quantum universe expands, UMD fosters new tools to grow the state of Maryland’s and the nation’s economies and solve society’s biggest challenges.

Quantum technologies harness fundamental properties of nature to open new frontiers in computing power, precision sensing, secure communications and more. They hold promise for a wide range of breakthroughs, such as accelerating the design of new chemicals and materials, revolutionizing data encryption and creating advanced medical diagnostic tools. According to a 2024 analysis by McKinsey & Company, quantum technology is expected to generate up to $2 trillion in value for businesses by 2035. 

UMD’s vibrant quantum business ecosystem includes IonQ, a leading quantum computing firm headquartered in UMD’s Discovery District; a growing roster of firms in other quantum subfields; and a university-run business accelerator, the Quantum Startup Foundry. Fueled by graduates of our quantum academic programs, the university is sparking an industry that could one day become a major high-tech sector centered in the state of Maryland.

Learn more at quantum.umd.edu. 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gov-moore-launches-1-billion-capital-of-quantum-initiative-anchored-by-umd-302351003.html

SOURCE University of Maryland

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FORMER SGX CIO & CTO TINKU GUPTA APPOINTED VICE CHAIRMAN OF WISSEN TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE

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Appointment strengthens Wissen’s Singapore leadership and growth ambitions, building on its expanding client relationships and engineering-led technology capabilities.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wissen Technology, a global technology services and solutions company, is strengthening its Singapore presence through a delivery-led approach built on deep engineering expertise, a product-engineering mindset and a focus on solving complex business problems. Building on early client wins with strategic clients, the company has appointed Tinku Gupta, former CIO and CTO of SGX Group, as Vice Chairman of Wissen Technology Singapore, strengthening its leadership as it expands its regional ambitions.

Wissen’s approach centres on combining engineering excellence with business understanding to help enterprises modernise critical technology platforms, accelerate innovation and deliver measurable outcomes. Its growing client base in Singapore reflects the relevance of this approach across businesses seeking reliable, scalable and future-ready technology solutions.

Ms. Gupta brings more than 30 years of experience across technology, financial market infrastructure, business operations and cybersecurity.  During her career at SGX, she held leadership roles across business, technology, and operations – most recently serving as CIO and CTO. In her technology roles, she oversaw major modernisation initiatives while sustaining the resilience of mission-critical trading and clearing infrastructure. Earlier, as Business Head of Market Data & Access, she was responsible for growing the business through the development and launch of strategic products and services.

Commenting on the appointment, Raghu Pareddy, Founder & CEO, Wissen Technology, said, “At Wissen, we believe strong engineering must begin with a clear understanding of the business problem and the outcomes that matter to the client. Our growing presence in Singapore, including early engagements with leading enterprises across financial services and other sectors, reflects the confidence clients place in our engineering and delivery capabilities.”

“As Vice Chairman, Tinku will support Wissen Technology Singapore’s growth and client engagement strategy. She brings an important additional dimension to our leadership – technology expertise combined with the perspective of having led major delivery initiatives within a leading financial market infrastructure institution. Her experience will help us strengthen the connection between what clients need and what we engineer and deliver, as we build our next phase of growth in Singapore.” adds Raghu

Ms. Tinku Gupta, Vice Chairman, Wissen Technology Singapore, said, “Having spent much of my career on the enterprise side, I understand that technology decisions are ultimately judged by the business outcomes they deliver. Engineering excellence is essential, but it must go hand in hand with an understanding of the client’s priorities, operating realities and long-term ambitions. Wissen’s product-engineering mindset and delivery-led approach resonate strongly with this belief. I look forward to bringing that perspective to the team, strengthening our client relationships and contributing to Wissen’s continued growth in Singapore.”

Tinku Gupta holds a Master’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering with First Class Honours and has completed the AI Senior Executive programme at the National University of Singapore and a Professional Certificate in Coaching from Singapore Management University.

About Wissen Technology

Wissen Technology is a global technology services and solutions provider that combines strategy, design and engineering to help enterprises achieve digital transformation at scale. Founded in the United States in 2000, the company has expanded its global footprint across India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, the UAE, Singapore and Canada.

With more than two decades of expertise, Wissen has delivered over US$1 billion worth of projects and serves more than 20 Fortune 500 companies across banking and financial services, telecom, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and energy.

For more information, visit https://www.wissen.com/ for further updates, visit LinkedIn profile: https://in.linkedin.com/company/wissen-technology 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/former-sgx-cio–cto-tinku-gupta-appointed-vice-chairman-of-wissen-technology-singapore-302931142.html

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Chocolate Finance Brings New Spare Cash Management Experience to Hong Kong

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Enjoy 3.8% p.a. Daily Returns on First HK$100k — A new place for your spare cash with no lock-ins, no minimums, no hoops.

HONG KONG, Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore-born fintech Chocolate Finance has brought an innovative spare cash management experience to everyone in the city. Built on its signature “Happy Money” philosophy and the simple belief that “when your money is happy, you are happy too”, Chocolate Finance arrives in Hong Kong committed to offering a radically simple, transparent, and flexible alternative for managing spare cash.

Currently managing over HK$10 billion in assets and trusted by over 130,000 users, Chocolate Finance has officially expanded this proven and trusted financial solution from Singapore into Hong Kong SAR and also the UAE, allowing more people to experience the joy of daily returns on their idle cash.

Letting Your Spare Cash Work Hard For You Every Day

Unlike traditional financial products that often require locking up funds or large minimum amounts, Chocolate Finance is a simple, flexible place for spare cash, regardless of the amount. The platform delivers a way for busy Hong Kongers to see returns daily and move money freely:

Happy Returns: Enjoy 3.8% p.a. return on your first HK$100,000, and 3.5% p.a. on the next HK$200,000. Returns on the first HK$300,000 are supported by the Chocolate Advantage Programme — if the underlying portfolio’s actual return falls below these stated rates, Chocolate Finance will make up the difference, so users can enjoy the stated returns (*Subject to Programme Terms & Conditions) (Programme valid until 30th June 2027, or until total AUM reaches HK$1 billion, whichever is earlier).Daily Returns: The moment you put money into your Chocolate Finance account, you’ll start earning returns the very next day, and then see your returns – Every. Single. Day.No Lock-ins, Instant Withdrawal: Take your money out anytime. Withdrawals of HK$50,000 or less per day are usually instant under normal circumstances. Zero penalties, zero handling fees.No Minimums: Start with as little as HK$100. Regardless of the amount, you can begin your financial journey right away.Easy sign-up within minutes: Opening an account is easy with seamless identity verification support via “iAM Smart”.

A Proven Track Record of Financial Revolution

Headquartered in Singapore, Chocolate Finance was founded by visionary entrepreneur Walter de Oude. Leveraging his experience in founding Singlife and successfully revolutionizing the insurance industry, Walter is taking it a step further by simplifying finance for everyone. Built on the belief that people deserve a better place for their cash, Chocolate Finance is designed to make your spare cash work harder for you. With the attractive daily returns, the Chocolate Finance platform puts financial power back into the hands of the people. Currently in Singapore, the platform manages over HK$10 billion (SGD $1.6 billion+) in assets and is trusted by over 130,000 users. With its official expansion into Hong Kong, Chocolate Finance introduces this proven financial solution to the local market.

Walter de Oude, Founder and Global CEO of Chocolate Finance, shared: “Finance should feel good. We envision a world where people feel joyful, confident, and empowered by their money. Everyone deserves a better place for their cash, which is why we created Chocolate Finance — to build a simple, beautiful financial alternative that makes everyday life better. As we expand from Singapore to Hong Kong, our commitment has remained the same. We are here to reshape how people view and manage their money, turning idle cash into ‘happy money’ with radical simplicity and clarity. In a world of complexity, we’re focused on making financial happiness feel simple, consistent, and genuinely within reach.”

Tim Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Chocolate Finance Hong Kong, added: “Hong Kong is a global financial hub with no shortage of savings and investment products. However, we saw a gap between what these traditional products offer and what people in Hong Kong actually want today – simplicity, transparency, and a bit of joy when managing their money. Chocolate Finance’s signature daily returns and Happy Money philosophy was designed to fill this gap, and so far the response from our early users has been phenomenal. We’re excited to keep rolling out our platform all across Hong Kong, to help make every day a little richer for all of us.”

Peace of Mind: Security & SFC-Regulated Infrastructure

While the user experience is built for joy, the infrastructure is built for security and strict compliance:

SFC Licensed: Chocolate Finance HK Ltd is  licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission (CE No. BSF252) for Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities), and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities.Independent Bank Trust Accounts: User funds are safeguarded in segregated trust accounts with official bank custody partner Standard Chartered Bank, ensuring strict separation from company funds.Global Asset Management Partners: The Chocolate Managed Account invests in SFC-authorised, investment-grade short-term bond and fixed-income funds from established global asset managers, currently including Amundi, Invesco, and Aberdeen.Account Security: To keep your money and data safe, Chocolate Finance employs institutional-grade multi-layered security measures — including two-factor authentication (2FA), real-time transaction monitoring, and regular independent audits.

Account Opening Process

Users can simply download the Chocolate Finance app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and complete the account registration in just a few minutes to start their  “Happy Money” journey. Account opening is subject to identity verification and approval. 

About Chocolate Finance

Founded by visionary entrepreneur Walter de Oude, Chocolate Finance is a Singapore-born fintech built around one simple belief: when your money is happy, you’re happy too.

Already trusted by over 130,000 customers with more than SGD $1.6 billion+ in balances, Chocolate Finance provides a better place for your spare cash. No hoops & complex rules, no lock-ins and no minimum balances. Just daily happy returns, and the freedom to access your money whenever you need it. Make life richer.

The platform is operated by Chocolate Finance HK Ltd, licensed under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571) to carry out Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities), and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities (CE No. BSF252).

*Chocolate Finance opens an individual discretionary account for each client, and the above returns are supported by the “Chocolate Advantage Programme” (“Programme”). All client funds will be used for fund investment purposes, and the fund portfolio returns may be higher or lower than the above returns. When portfolio returns exceed the specified returns, Chocolate Finance will charge a management fee. If Chocolate Finance suspends or terminates the “Programme”, returns will depend on the actual performance of the investment portfolio, and returns on the first HK$300,000 invested may be lower than the above returns. Clients will be notified in advance if Chocolate Finance modifies, suspends, or terminates the Programme.

Chocolate Finance is a brand name of Chocolate Finance HK Limited (CE No. BSF252), regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to carry out Type 1, Type 4, and Type 9 regulated activities.

The above returns are currently supported by the promotional activity “Chocolate Advantage Programme”, valid only during the programme period, and do not constitute any guarantee of returns or principal. Chocolate Finance opens an individual discretionary account for each client, and all client funds are invested in funds. Portfolio performance may be higher or lower than the specified returns. When performance exceeds specified returns, Chocolate Finance will charge a management fee calculated based on the net asset value of the discretionary account, capped at 2% p.a., with no subscription or redemption fees.

Under the “Instant Withdrawal Programme”, withdrawals within HK$50,000 per day generally arrive instantly, valid only during the programme period. Withdrawals exceeding HK$50,000 per day generally arrive within 3 business days. If you have recently added funds, executed multiple transactions in a short period, or if portfolio rebalancing is underway, withdrawals may take up to 7 business days to reach your account.

The programme period for the “Chocolate Advantage Programme” and “Instant Withdrawal Programme” runs from now until 30 June 2027, or until the total Assets Under Management (AUM) in Chocolate Managed Accounts reaches HK$1 billion – whichever is earlier. Chocolate reserves the right to suspend or terminate the “Chocolate Advantage Programme” and “Instant Withdrawal Programme” at any time, including but not limited to instances of abnormal market volatility, excessive usage, high withdrawal amounts, foreign exchange restrictions, or other force majeure events. Clients will be notified in advance if Chocolate Finance modifies, suspends, or terminates the programmes.

When Chocolate Finance suspends or terminates the “Chocolate Advantage Programme”, returns will be calculated based on the actual performance of the underlying funds. Returns on the first HK$100,000 invested may be lower than 3.8% p.a., and returns on subsequent amounts may be lower than 3.5% p.a. When Chocolate Finance suspends or terminates the “Instant Withdrawal Programme”, withdrawals will generally arrive within 3 business days.

Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This material does not constitute any investment advice, nor an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or investment products. All investments involve risks, including the risk of losing the entire investment amount. Such activities may not be suitable for all individuals. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. For details, please visit the official website chocolatefinance.com/hk.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/chocolate-finance-brings-new-spare-cash-management-experience-to-hong-kong-302930798.html

SOURCE Chocolate Finance

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The Next Frontier: Consciousness & UAP: $100,000 Research Prize Winner Announced

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The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) has announced the winner of the 2026 Linda G. O’Bryant Noetic Sciences Research Prize, a $100,000 award that will fund a study of consciousness-associated Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP, formerly known as UFOs).

NOVATO, Calif., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The winning study, selected from more than 80 qualifying proposals, comes from a multidisciplinary team of six. Peter Skafish, PhD, a sociocultural anthropologist and Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Sol Foundation, leads the team as Principal Investigator. Brian Lord, PhD, a cognitive neuroscientist and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona, serves as Co-Principal Investigator, and David Dominguez Hooper, engineer and Founder and CEO of ELDAEON Inc., is Co-Investigator. Collaborators are Damon Abraham, PhD (experimental psychologist, Entangled Labs); Jacob Haqq-Misra, PhD (astrobiologist, Blue Marble Space); and Garry Nolan, PhD (immunologist, Stanford University School of Medicine). For the first time in the prize’s four-year history, a single team will receive the full $100,000.

“IONS proved itself to be over the horizon of even heterodox thinking in their decision to fund a scientific inquiry not only into UAP but also into one of the most enigmatic questions the phenomena raise: what is their relationship to human consciousness?”–Peter Skafish

The team will organize a group of experienced practitioners to apply meditation and conscious intention to invite contact with UAP at a remote site in the American Southwest. Practitioners’ experiences will be recorded alongside physiological measures and instrumental records of the sky and the physical environment. Using preregistered methodology, the study will analyze the data to test whether deliberate contact practice generates changes in reported experiences and in independently recorded events in the sky and environment. De-identified data and methods will be shared openly, and null results will be released on the same schedule as positive ones.

According to IONS leadership, this year’s prize was created to bring UAP into open, consciousness-inclusive science, and to carry forward a question with profound implications for humanity that its founder, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, pursued for decades: whether consciousness and contact are connected.

“The Sol Foundation couldn’t be more happy to receive the recognition of IONS for our research,” said Peter Skafish. “IONS proved itself to be over the horizon of even heterodox thinking in their decision to fund a scientific inquiry not only into UAP but also into one of the most enigmatic questions the phenomena raise: what is their relationship to human consciousness?”

This year, distinguished external experts, including Daniel P. Sheehan, Jessica Utts, Adam Curry, Sean Esbjörn-Hargens, Richard Dolan, and J.J. Hurtak, joined members of the IONS science team on the judging panel, chaired by Arnaud Delorme. The panel’s selection was then ratified by the IONS Board of Directors.

IONS researchers will collaborate with the winning team on the study, which is expected to begin in December and run for one year, with results to be shared in 2028. The winning team was announced on October 30 during a live event, which can be watched here.

More About IONS & the Linda G. O’Bryant Noetic Sciences Research Prize

The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) is a nonprofit scientific research center whose mission is to reveal the interconnected nature of reality through scientific exploration and personal discovery. Founded in 1973 by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, IONS investigates consciousness, interconnectedness, and extended human capacities to help foster a more compassionate and thriving world. The Linda G. O’Bryant Noetic Sciences Research Prize, now in its fourth year, is funded through an endowment created by Linda G. O’Bryant, member of the IONS Board of Directors, and overseen by the Board. To arrange an interview with Peter Skafish or IONS leadership, contact communications@noetic.org. More details about the prize and winners can be found here.

Media Contact

Leslie G. Lovejoy, Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), 1 707-775-3500, communications@noetic.org, www.noetic.org

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-next-frontier-consciousness–uap-100-000-research-prize-winner-announced-302930915.html

SOURCE Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)

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