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Maryland Businesses Celebrate New Investments, Partnerships, and Innovation

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BALTIMORE, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland’s branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state’s economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

Maryland’s leading businesses are starting the year on a high note, carrying over the exciting momentum built throughout 2024,” said Senior Advisor to the Governor Kevin Anderson. “The successes we celebrate today span various industries, yet they all combine to tell the story of a state that’s charging forward economically, and crucially, leaving no one behind.”

Cloudforce, based in National Harbor, had a remarkable close to 2024, showcasing innovation, community engagement, and industry leadership. The company hosted its third Cloud + AI Meetup, fostering professional connections, with plans to continue into 2025. Cloudforce also led competitive promptathons, with tech enthusiasts generating creative prompts for AI models to respond to. The contents were held at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland and welcomed participants from Employ Prince George’s KEYS Program for immersive workshops at their Maryland headquarters. Cloudforce wrapped up several Azure Days events in partnership with Microsoft to connect with higher education leaders in Raleigh, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale. Cloudforce also joined Microsoft’s Co-Innovation Labs in Redmond, working collaboratively with Generative AI SMEs on further development of their Azure AI platform, nebulaONE®. The company released a case study on how the UCLA Anderson School of Management leverages nebulaONE® to transform the student experience for their MBAs. Cloudforce celebrated its third workplace recognition of the year with the prestigious Great Place to Work® Certification. Other highlights included surpassing 20,000 LinkedIn followers and showcasing annual accomplishments in their 2024 Year in Review.

Fulton Bank, a subsidiary of Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: FULT), and Baltimore Community Lending announced a new program to provide early-stage financing to entrepreneurs. To support the program, Fulton Forward Foundation, an independent, private nonprofit foundation funded by Fulton Bank, has provided a $250,000 grant to Baltimore Community Lending, a community development financial institution in Baltimore. The grant will provide early-stage funding to entrepreneurs with limited financing options. Investment grants of $10,000 will be made to each business approved by a grant committee established by Baltimore Community Lending. Grant recipients also will receive business advisory services from Baltimore Community Lending and will work with a Diverse Business Banking Advocate from Fulton Bank to monitor progress and provide assistance. Diverse Business Banking Advocates receive special training to enable them to support the growth and success of diverse business owners.

Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. the primary operator and developer of properties in Downtown Columbia, announced that Polymedco, a New York-based medical clinical diagnostics company, signed a 3,000-square-foot lease at 10500 Little Patuxent Parkway in Downtown Columbia. This lease will incorporate Polymedco as part of Howard Hughes’ recently renovated Merriweather Row. This is the firm’s first location outside of New York and will serve as its commercial headquarters, highlighting the appeal of Downtown Columbia and its location between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Howard Hughes was represented by Rich Thomas, Matt Melnick and Pat Crilley of Cushman and Wakefield in the transaction.

SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, recently announced two exciting new partnerships with the University of Maryland. SECU is now an official partner of the One Maryland Collective, the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective that allows student-athletes to engage with charitable causes and participate in business engagements, building their brands and representing their school without the concern of additional expenses. SECU is also an official partner of the University of Maryland Alumni Association (UMDAA), providing more than 422,000 alums with financial tools, educational resources and exclusive benefits created to support their financial wellness throughout all stages of life. Learn more at secumd.org.

St. John Properties, Inc., a Baltimore-based full-service commercial real estate development and management company, secured leases with The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics for two spaces at Annapolis Technology Park, a 29-acre business community in Annapolis for a combined 15,600 square feet of space. Michael Tait of St. John Properties represented the landlord in both lease transactions. “We continue to see strong demand for high quality office product throughout the Annapolis area. Our direct-entry buildings at Annapolis Technology Park work really well for medical users, providing ample surface parking, the ability for tenants to control their environment 24/7, and easy access to Route 50 and I-97,” stated Matt Lenihan, Executive Vice President, Leasing for St. John Properties. “These two new leases will bring our 745,000 square foot Annapolis portfolio to 97% leased.”

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, recently hosted the highly anticipated 2024 Entrepreneur Expo, welcoming over 1,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, legislators, and other attendees. The event featured a fireside chat between Troy LeMaile Stovall and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, unveiled an engaging animation video showcasing the Cyber Maryland program, celebrated the inaugural recipients of the Equitech Growth Fund, and introduced the first five investments through the Concept Capital initiative. As always, the innovation hub continues to uplift Maryland-based startup companies through its vast resources and investment funds; recent investments include Sybal, NextStep Robotics, and more. Learn more about TEDCO at www.tedcomd.com.

T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm and a leader in retirement, celebrates its recognition on local, national, and global scales as an exemplary workplace. Recent accolades from Newsweek, Pensions & Investments, Energage, and The Baltimore Sun affirm T. Rowe Price’s enduring commitment to a people-first culture shaped by trust and collaboration. Read the full announcement here.

United Therapeutics Corporation (UT), a public benefit corporation based in Silver Spring, announced in November the world’s first transplant of a UT-produced xenokidney, UKidney™, into a living person. UT’s efforts to provide organs and organ alternatives for all who need them include a field of work called xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation is transplanting non-human cells, tissues, or organs, to treat human medical conditions, and UT’s xeno organs are derived from gene-edited pigs. See this ABC News piece for details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDv-J4cL8Z4. Beyond amazing science, UT is an active supporter of local communities. UT hosted the WorkSource Montgomery job fair, where 27 employers interacted with hundreds of job seekers.

About Maryland Marketing Partnership
The Maryland Marketing Partnership, founded in statute as the Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation, develops branding strategy for the state, markets the state’s assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.

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SOURCE Maryland Marketing Partnership

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Lianlian DigiTech Returns to Money20/20 Asia to Expand Partnerships, Share Industry Trends, and Explore AI-Enabled Global Financial Infrastructure

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BANGKOK, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lianlian DigiTech, a leading global provider of digital payment services, was once again invited to participate in Money20/20 Asia, one of the world’s most influential fintech gatherings, held in Bangkok, Thailand from April 21 to 23. At the event, the company presented its latest developments in cross-border payment infrastructure, technology innovation, and ecosystem collaboration, offering a comprehensive view of its work enhancing global cross-border payment capabilities.

During the conference, Lianlian DigiTech announced a strategic partnership with UK-based fintech company USI Money to further strengthen its global cross-border payment network, delivering more efficient and reliable fund flows for merchants worldwide. Shen Enguang, Co-President of Lianlian DigiTech; Mark Ma, Head of Global Banking Partnership at LianLian Global; and Bryan Jiang, General Manager Hong Kong of LianLian Global, attended the event and engaged with representatives from international financial institutions. They shared perspectives on fintech trends and global payment innovation, offering industry insight into the continued evolution of a more integrated and interoperable cross-border payments ecosystem.

Building a Borderless Payment Network with Global Partners Including USI Money

At the event, Lianlian DigiTech formalized a strategic collaboration with London-headquartered USI Money to further develop its global payment infrastructure.

The partnership will focus on cross-border remittance and foreign exchange services, combining both companies’ technological capabilities and resources to deliver a one-stop payment and collection solution for global businesses. The offering is built to be efficient, secure, and cost-effective, improving overall fund flow efficiency and streamlining foreign exchange execution.

Syed Bukhari, Group Chief Business and Operating Officer at USI Money, said: “Our partnership with Lianlian will strengthen our remittance capabilities, creating greater value for our customers through broader network coverage and improved transaction performance.”

Bryan Jiang, General Manager Hong Kong of LianLian Global, said: “By leveraging the complementary strengths of our ecosystem partners in technology and compliance, Lianlian will continue to scale its global payment network and improve transaction efficiency. We remain committed to enhancing financial connectivity across global financial markets and delivering more efficient and reliable cross-border payment solutions for our customers.”

Founded in 2009 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2024 (2598.HK), Lianlian DigiTech is a China-based, globally focused digital payment company with increasingly integrated AI capabilities across its platform. Guided by its mission of “Connecting the world, Empowering global commerce,” the company focuses on developing a trusted and scalable financial infrastructure. As of the end of 2025, Lianlian DigiTech has built a cross-border payment network covering more than 100 countries and regions, serving over 10.4 million customers worldwide.

USI Money is a foreign exchange and international remittance service provider offering tailored cross-border financial solutions for businesses and individuals. With competitive real-time exchange rates and efficient execution as its core strengths, the company delivers fast, secure, and reliable global fund transfers.

In addition, Lianlian DigiTech co-hosted a networking session with Unlimit during the event, providing a forum for industry dialogue. The session brought together a broad group of fintech partners to explore collaborative models and help foster a more connected ecosystem.

Industry Roundtables: Unlocking Layered Collaboration in AI-Driven Cross-Border Payments and Advancing Financial Inclusion in Emerging Markets

At the same time, Mark Ma and Bryan Jiang were invited to the themed roundtable discussions, where they shared insights drawn from industry practice and outlined new approaches to aligning fintech innovation with the global financial system.

At the roundtable on “Fintech and Banks,” Mark Ma noted that the global payment system is rapidly shifting from isolated capabilities to a layered, collaborative model. Banks continue to serve as the foundational infrastructure, responsible for clearing networks and liquidity management. Fintech firms like Lianlian, meanwhile, build on top of this foundation to deliver application-layer services for businesses, transforming complex cross-border payment channels into more accessible solutions that support a wider range of practical business scenarios. He also emphasized fintech’s growing role in compliance and value creation. By embedding risk controls and verification processes into technology workflows, fintech companies can act as compliance intermediaries, improving efficiency while filtering risk and enabling banks to operate more effectively at scale. Meanwhile, insights derived from transaction data and business flows allow for more precise evaluation of small and medium-sized businesses, shifting capital allocation from experience-based decisions to data-driven approaches and improving access to financial services.

At the roundtable titled “Different Worlds, Shared Challenges: Bridging Emerging Markets,” Bryan Jiang pointed out that the core of financial inclusion is shifting from scale of coverage to practical usability in everyday financial activity. The ability to serve underserved segments such as small and micro merchants and overseas workers in a sustained and reliable manner ultimately depends on continuous improvements in product design and operational capabilities. Using emerging markets as an example, Jiang explained that small and medium-sized businesses in these regions often face challenges such as difficult account setup, complex cross-border collections, high foreign exchange costs, and multi-layered tax requirements. Many existing solutions still follow traditional business-focused models, resulting in cumbersome KYB processes and lengthy review cycles that are misaligned with the asset-light, high-frequency, fast-turnover nature of these businesses. In response, Lianlian has lowered barriers to fund flows by offering local collection accounts, optimizing foreign exchange mechanisms, and improving settlement efficiency. The company has also restructured account architecture, streamlined review processes, and enhanced fund visibility, creating a more seamless and intuitive user experience that better aligns financial services with its clients’ business operations and day-to-day activities.

As digital technologies increasingly integrate with the real economy, innovations in AI and blockchain are reshaping the foundations of global financial services. Lianlian DigiTech has long invested in AI capabilities, global compliance, and the growth of its international service network. Its broad licensing coverage, regulatory track record, localized service capabilities, and technical reliability have earned the trust of regulators, customers, and partners worldwide.

Looking ahead, Lianlian DigiTech will continue to build on its cross-border expertise and compliance experience to further develop its AI capabilities and deepen collaboration with global partners. The company aims to extend its role beyond payment network services into more integrated financial infrastructure solutions. Lianlian DigiTech remains committed to serving as a trusted platform for global financial transactions in an increasingly digital environment, enabling businesses and individuals worldwide to access faster, more efficient, and more seamless cross-border financial services.

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SOURCE LianLian Global

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The Building & Furniture Category Highlights Sustainable and Human‑Centric Design at the 139th Canton Fair

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GUANGZHOU, China, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Phase 2 of the 139th Canton Fair has seen the Building & Furniture category emphasize green Infrastructure and human-centric design.

A major highlight of the building and decorative materials section is the introduction of photovoltaic marble-textured cladding. This innovative surfacing material bridges the gap between high-end aesthetics and renewable energy. Unlike traditional solar panels that rely on glass, this non-opaque cladding uses precise microscopic structures to guide light to internal PV cells.

This technology offers 60% higher efficiency than traditional transparent solar systems while reducing carbon emissions by over 50%. Its ability to reproduce stone, wood, or brick‑like 3D textures allows architects to integrate power generation into a wide range of building styles without the industrial appearance of traditional solar panels.

Indoor environments are also becoming smarter and safer. Manufacturers are showcasing high-efficiency antibacterial surfacing, utilizing visible light catalysis to provide 24-hour protection against mold and bacteria. These advanced decorative papers and panels are becoming the new standard for high-end interior decoration, prioritizing long-term hygiene in residential and commercial spaces.

The sanitary ware sector is increasingly focused on the aging global population and those with limited mobility. A standout innovation is the electric lift-and-rotate shower chair. Designed for the dry-wet separation bathroom layout, it allows users to sit in a dry area and be safely rotated and lifted into the shower via remote control. This waterproof, low-voltage system provides dignity and independence for the elderly while reducing the physical strain on caregivers.

Hygiene and ease of maintenance have also seen a breakthrough with wall-mounted toilets. By moving the lid connection to the tank wall and adopting a mortise‑and‑tenon structure, the design eliminates the hard‑to‑clean areas where bacteria typically accumulate. Many of these units also incorporate ergonomic grab bars directly into the frame, blending safety with a minimalist aesthetic.

In the sports and leisure industry, the shift toward sustainability is seen in non-infill synthetic turf. This next-generation football grass eliminates the need for rubber granules or sand, providing a natural touch and superior shock absorption while significantly reducing maintenance costs and microplastic pollution.

All these innovations demonstrate how the Building & Furniture sector is advancing toward greener materials, smarter functionality, and more human‑centered design, setting new benchmarks for the future of living spaces.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

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Nexteer’s Global First Steer-by-Wire Goes into Production

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BEIJING, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nexteer Automotive helped a leading Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer bring the world’s first production passenger vehicle with a full drive‑by‑wire chassis to market. The vehicle features Nexteer’s steer‑by‑wire (SbW) system as a key enabler.

The SbW featured in this vehicle marks Nexteer’s first SbW system in mass production, representing a major step forward for the technology — moving from development and validation to full-scale production. Certified in late 2025, this system achieved the world’s first ASIL D functional safety approval from DAkkS (German Accreditation Body) through close collaboration with the OEM. This certification reflects global top-tier performance in fault diagnosis, redundancy, and safety monitoring. Key features include:

Multi-layered redundancy design: Dual controllers, dual power supplies, multiple communication links, and dual actuation paths — achieving redundancy at system, hardware, and software levels. This ensures that in the event of a single fault, the backup path takes over within milliseconds with no loss of steering function.Full‑scenario functional safety mechanism: Multi‑level monitoring and fault handling strategies covering sensors, controllers, actuators, and communication links.Variable steering ratio: Automatically adjusts steering angle and effort based on vehicle speed and driving mode, balancing agility and comfort.Intuitive road‑feel simulation technology: Software‑defined steering feedback delivers a more responsive and precise driving experience, adaptable to a wide range of driving scenarios.Open interface for autonomous driving: As a key actuation layer for ADAS and autonomous driving systems, it provides real‑time, precise control capabilities, supporting the development of intelligent transportation systems.

Steer-by-Wire: Electronic Signals Replace Mechanical Links, Flexible Configurations for Diverse Needs

By decoupling the mechanical link between the hand wheel and the road wheels, steer-by-wire replaces conventional mechanical connections with electronic signals and actuators — and is quickly becoming a foundational technology for next-generation intelligent chassis and autonomous driving platforms. As a motion control technology company with 120 years of engineering heritage, Nexteer offers a flexible, off-the-shelf portfolio of steering feel simulators and road wheel actuators. This modular approach allows us to meet the diverse needs of different vehicle models and driving scenarios efficiently and cost-effectively.

From Steering to Braking: Expanding Full-Stack Motion Control Capabilities

Building on its deep expertise in steering systems, Nexteer has expanded into braking with its Brake-by-Wire solution, the Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB). EMB has completed full development and rigorous validation and is ready for mass production. Together with SbW, Brake-by-Wire (EMB), Rear-Wheel Steering, and the MotionIQ™ Software Suite make up Nexteer’s broader Motion-by-Wire™ portfolio.

With Nexteer, OEMs get more than steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire components: they get a complete, proven, production-ready and cost-effective drive-by-wire chassis motion control solution that’s shaping the future of the software-defined chassis and enabling faster development, lower costs and safter, smarter and more exciting driving experiences.

During Auto China 2026, we cordially invite you to visit Nexteer at Booth W1B03, Hall W1, China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi) in Beijing, to experience firsthand the breakthrough innovations of steer-by-wire and Motion-by-Wire™ technologies.

ABOUT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE

Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports Motion-by-Wire™ chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire. Celebrating 120 years of automotive innovation in 2026, Nexteer builds on a strong legacy of engineering excellence while continuing to shape the future of mobility. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for global and domestic OEMs around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Xiaomi, ChangAn, Li Auto, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. www.nexteer.com  

Links to Nexteer Media Center

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