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Kulicke & Soffa Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: KLIC) (“Kulicke & Soffa,” “K&S,” “our,” or the “Company”), today announced financial results of its first fiscal quarter ended December 28, 2024. The Company reported first quarter net revenue of $166.1 million, net income of $81.6 million, representing EPS of $1.51 per fully diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $20.2 million, representing non-GAAP EPS of $0.37 per fully diluted share.

Quarterly Results – U.S. GAAP

Fiscal Q1 2025

Change vs.

Fiscal Q1 2024

Change vs.

Fiscal Q4 2024

Net Revenue

$166.1 million

down 3%

down 8.4%

Gross Margin

52.4 %

up 570 bps

up 410 bps

Income from Operations

$86.6 million

up 5018.1%

up 3122.4%

Operating Margin

52.2 %

up 5120 bps

up 5070 bps

Net Income

$81.6 million

up 778.5%

up 573.8%

Net Margin

49.1 %

up 4370 bps

up 4240 bps

EPS – Diluted

$1.51

up 843.8%

up 586.4%

 

Quarterly Results – Non-GAAP

Fiscal Q1 2025

Change vs.

Fiscal Q1 2024

Change vs.

Fiscal Q4 2024

Income from Operations

$18.9 million

up 73.2%

up 48.8%

Operating Margin

11.4 %

up 500 bps

up 440 bps

Net Income

$20.2 million

up 19.1%

up 9.2%

Net Margin

12.2 %

up 230 bps

up 200 bps

EPS – Diluted

$0.37

up 23.3%

up 8.8%

A reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted results is provided in the financial tables included at the end of this press release. See also the “Use of non-GAAP Financial Results” section of this press release.

 

Fusen Chen, Kulicke & Soffa’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “As we anticipate core-market demand to gradually improve, we remain focused on delivering new systems and features within the Ball, Wedge, and Advanced Solutions segments. Over the coming quarters, we also expect ongoing market adoption of our unique Fluxless Thermo-Compression (FTC), Vertical Fan-Out (VFO), and emerging battery assembly solutions.”

Next-generation memory and logic applications, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing and connected devices, are demanding new forms of semiconductor packaging. The Company’s leading advanced packaging solutions – including FTC and VFO – are well positioned to directly support these emerging industry requirements over the long-term.

First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Highlights

Net revenue of $166.1 million.Gross margin of 52.4%.Net income of $81.6 million or $1.51 per share; non-GAAP net income of $20.2 million or $0.37 per fully diluted share.GAAP cash flow from operations of $18.9 million; Adjusted free cash flow of $8.7 million.Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $538.3 million as of December 28, 2024.The Company repurchased a total of 0.8 million shares of common stock at a cost of $36.9 million.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Outlook

K&S currently expects net revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 ending March 29, 2025 to be approximately $165 million +/- $10 million, GAAP diluted EPS to be approximately $0.03 +/- 10%, and non-GAAP diluted EPS to be approximately $0.19 +/- 10%.

A reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP financial outlook is provided in the financial tables included at the end of this press release.

Earnings Conference Webcast

A webcast to discuss these results will be held on February 5, 2025, beginning at 8:00 am EST. The live webcast link, supplemental earnings presentation, and archived webcast will be available at investor.kns.com. To access the audio-only portion of the live webcast, parties may call +1-877-407-8037, or internationally, +1-201-689-8037.

An audio-only replay of the webcast will also be available approximately one hour after the completion of the live call by calling +1-877-660-6853, or internationally, +1-201-612-7415 and referencing access code 13750873.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results

In addition to U.S. GAAP (“GAAP”) results, this press release also contains the following non-GAAP financial results: income from operations, operating margin, net income, net margin, net income per fully diluted share and adjusted free cash flow. The Company’s non-GAAP results exclude amortization related to intangible assets acquired through business combinations, costs associated with restructuring and severance, equity-based compensation, acquisition and integration costs, impairment relating to assets acquired through business combinations, long-lived asset impairment relating to business cessation or disposal, impairment relating to equity investments, income tax expense/benefit arising from discrete tax items triggered by acquisition, disposal of business (both via a sale or an abandonment), restructuring and significant changes in tax laws, gain/loss on disposal of business, as well as tax benefits or expenses associated with the foregoing non-GAAP items. The non-GAAP adjustments may or may not be infrequent or nonrecurring in nature, but are a result of periodic or non-core operating activities. These non-GAAP measures are consistent with the way management analyzes and assesses the Company’s operating results. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures enhance investors’ understanding of the Company’s underlying operational performance, as well as their ability to compare the Company’s period-to-period financial results and the Company’s overall performance to that of its competitors.

Management uses both GAAP metrics as well as these non-GAAP metrics to evaluate the Company’s operating and financial results. Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in the Company’s industry, as other companies in the industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses that may have a material impact on the Company’s reported financial results. The presentation of non-GAAP items is meant to supplement, but not substitute for, GAAP financial measures or information. The Company believes the presentation of non-GAAP results in combination with GAAP results provides better transparency to the investment community when analyzing business trends, providing meaningful comparisons with prior period performance and enhancing investors’ ability to view the Company’s results from management’s perspective. A reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure discussed in this press release is contained in the financial tables at the end of this press release.

About Kulicke & Soffa

Founded in 1951, Kulicke & Soffa specializes in developing cutting-edge semiconductor and electronics assembly solutions enabling a smart and more sustainable future. Our ever-growing range of products and services supports growth and facilitates technology transitions across large-scale markets, such as advanced display, automotive, communications, compute, consumer, data storage, energy storage and industrial.

Caution Concerning Results, Forward-Looking Statements and Certain Risks Related to our Business

In addition to historical statements, this press release contains statements relating to future events and our future results. These statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and future expectations concerning our business, including the importance and competitiveness of our advanced display products and other emerging technology transitions, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from our expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to, the persistent macroeconomic headwinds on our business, actual or potential inflationary pressures, interest rate and risk premium adjustments, falling customer sentiment, or economic recession caused directly or indirectly by geopolitical tensions, our ability to develop, manufacture and gain market acceptance of new products, our ability to operate our business in accordance with our business plan and the other factors listed or discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, filed on November 14, 2024, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.    
Joseph Elgindy    
Finance    
P: +1-215-784-7518

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share and employee data)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

December 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

Net revenue

$          166,124

$           171,189

Cost of sales

79,040

91,293

Gross profit

87,084

79,896

Operating expenses (income):

Selling, general and administrative

36,539

40,046

Research and development

37,808

36,810

Amortization of intangible assets

1,246

1,347

Gain relating to cessation of business

(75,987)

Restructuring

829

Total operating expenses

435

78,203

Income from operations

86,649

1,693

Other income (expense):

Interest income

6,352

9,899

Interest expense

(27)

(22)

Income before income taxes

92,974

11,570

Income tax expense

11,332

2,277

Net income

$            81,642

$               9,293

Net income per share:

Basic

$                1.52

$                0.16

Diluted

$                1.51

$                0.16

Cash dividends declared per share

$              0.205

$                0.20

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

53,791

56,650

Diluted

54,212

57,023

 

Three months ended

Supplemental financial data:

December 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

Depreciation and amortization

$              5,013

$              7,985

Capital expenditures

2,111

3,533

Equity-based compensation expense:

Cost of sales

383

359

Selling, general and administrative

3,739

5,680

Research and development

2,019

1,818

Total equity-based compensation expense

$              6,141

$              7,857

 

As of

December 28, 2024

December 30, 2023

Number of employees

2,702

2,981

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

As of

December 28, 2024

September 28, 2024

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$               278,325

$                 227,147

Short-term investments

260,000

350,000

Accounts and other receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $49 and $49, respectively

247,858

193,909

Inventories, net

185,060

177,736

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

42,646

46,161

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

1,013,889

994,953

Property, plant and equipment, net

62,467

64,823

Operating right-of-use assets

34,967

35,923

Goodwill

88,411

89,748

Intangible assets, net

22,802

25,239

Deferred tax assets

17,953

17,900

Equity investments

3,385

3,143

Other assets

7,571

8,433

TOTAL ASSETS

$             1,251,445

$              1,240,162

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable

48,974

58,847

Operating lease liabilities

7,048

7,718

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

77,073

90,802

Income taxes payable

36,056

26,427

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

169,151

183,794

Deferred tax liabilities

34,657

34,594

Income taxes payable

31,546

31,352

Operating lease liabilities

30,526

33,245

Other liabilities

12,821

13,168

TOTAL LIABILITIES

278,701

296,153

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common stock, no par value

597,901

596,703

Treasury stock, at cost

(914,241)

(881,830)

Retained earnings

1,313,213

1,242,558

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(24,129)

(13,422)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$               972,744

$                 944,009

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$             1,251,445

$              1,240,162

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

December 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities

$              18,902

$               (7,331)

Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities

82,039

(60,541)

Net cash used in financing activities

(48,452)

(38,124)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(1,311)

1,254

Changes in cash and cash equivalents

51,178

(104,742)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

227,147

529,402

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$            278,325

$            424,660

Short-term investments

260,000

285,000

Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

$            538,325

$            709,660

 

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP 

to Non-GAAP Income from Operations and Operating Margin

(In thousands, except percentages)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

December 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

September 28,
2024

Net revenue

$         166,124

$          171,189

181,319

U.S. GAAP income from operations

86,649

1,693

2,689

U.S. GAAP operating margin

52.2 %

1.0 %

1.5 %

Pre-tax non-GAAP items:

Amortization related to intangible assets

1,246

1,347

1,266

Restructuring

829

2,294

Equity-based compensation

6,141

7,857

6,439

Gain relating to cessation of business

(75,987)

Non-GAAP income from operations

$           18,878

$            10,897

$            12,688

Non-GAAP operating margin

11.4 %

6.4 %

7.0 %

 

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Margin and

U.S. GAAP net income per share to Non-GAAP net income per share

(In thousands, except percentages and per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

December 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

September 28,
2024

Net revenue

$         166,124

$         171,189

$             181,319

U.S. GAAP net income

81,642

9,293

12,117

U.S. GAAP net margin

49.1 %

5.4 %

6.7 %

Non-GAAP adjustments:

Amortization related to intangible assets

1,246

1,347

1,266

Restructuring

829

2,294

Equity-based compensation

6,141

7,857

6,439

Gain relating to cessation of business

(75,987)

Income tax benefit – US one-time transition tax

(6,461)

Net income tax expense/(benefit) on non-GAAP items

6,349

(1,516)

2,866

Total non-GAAP adjustments

$          (61,422)

$             7,688

$                6,404

Non-GAAP net income

$           20,220

$           16,981

$               18,521

Non-GAAP net margin

12.2 %

9.9 %

10.2 %

U.S. GAAP net income per share:

Basic

1.52

0.16

0.22

Diluted(a)

1.51

0.16

0.22

Non-GAAP adjustments per share:(b)

Basic

(1.14)

0.14

0.12

Diluted

(1.14)

0.14

0.12

Non-GAAP net income per share:

Basic

0.38

0.30

0.34

Diluted(c)

0.37

0.30

0.34

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

53,791

56,650

54,368

Diluted

54,212

57,023

54,871

(a)

GAAP diluted net earnings per share reflects any dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock, but that effect is excluded when calculating GAAP diluted net loss per share because it would be anti-dilutive.

(b)

Non-GAAP adjustments per share include amortization related to intangible assets acquired through business combinations, costs associated with restructuring and severance, equity-based compensation expenses, gain relating to disposal or cessation of business, income tax benefit arising from discrete tax items, and income tax effects associated with the foregoing non-GAAP items.

(c)

Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share reflects any dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock.

 

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Cash provided by Operating Activities

to Non-GAAP Adjusted Free Cash Flow

(In thousands, except percentages)

(unaudited)

Three months ended

December 28,
2024

December 30,
2023

September 28,
2024

U.S. GAAP net cash provided by / (used in) by
operating activities

$              18,902

$               (7,331)

$            31,619

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(10,202)

(4,426)

(2,468)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and
equipment

27

Non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow

8,700

(11,757)

29,178

 

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Outlook

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Second quarter of fiscal 2025 ending March 29, 2025

GAAP Outlook

Adjustments

Non-GAAP Outlook

Net revenue

$165 million

+/- $10 million

$165 million

+/- $10 million

Operating expenses

$79.3 million

+/- 2%

$8.8 million B,C,D

$70.5 million

+/- 2%

Diluted EPS(1)

$0.03

+/- 10%

$0.16 A, B, C, D, E

$0.19

+/- 10%

Non-GAAP Adjustments

A. Equity-based compensation – Cost of sales

0.4

B. Equity-based compensation – Selling, general and administrative and Research and development

6.9

C. Amortization related to intangible assets

1.4

D. Restructuring expenses

0.5

E. Net income tax effect of the above items

(0.6)

(1) GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS based on approximately 53.7 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

The tables above reconcile our GAAP to non-GAAP guidance based on the current outlook. The guidance does not incorporate the impact of any potential business combinations, divestitures, restructuring activities, strategic investments and other significant transactions. The timing and impact of such items are dependent on future events that may be uncertain or outside of our control.

 

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SOURCE Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.

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QC Ware Announces 5th Q2B Tokyo Conference Focused on the Roadmap to Quantum Value in Asia and Beyond, Quemix to Co-host and Sponsor

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QC Ware hosts the 5th Q2B conference in Tokyo to connect the Asian and global quantum technology landscape and bring together quantum industry experts across computing, AI, telecommunications, sensing, finance, automotive, chemicals, and more.

TOKYO, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — QC Ware, a leading provider of industry-disrupting quantum technology, quantum-inspired machine learning, and quantum chemistry simulation solutions, today announced the 2026 Q2B Tokyo Conference (Q2B26) taking place June 4-5, 2026.

As the Q2B26 Tokyo Co-host and Platinum Sponsor, Quemix will contribute to discussions and demonstrations aimed at accelerating the adoption of quantum technologies in various industries, spanning pharmaceutical, biotech, finance, automotive, logistics, and artificial intelligence. “Quemix is proud to once again serve as a co-organizer for Q2B Tokyo, a venue that brings together the most significant global advancements in quantum technology. Our sessions will dive deep into these trends, offering a closer look at a variety of practical use cases implemented on real quantum devices.

We look forward to sharing our latest progress as we drive the practical realization of quantum computing. Please join us at Q2B to witness these breakthroughs in person.” said Quemix CEO and President, Yu-ichiro Matsushita. “A key highlight will be Quemix’s presentation of six industrial use cases, demonstrating tangible progress in real-world quantum applications across the automotive and materials industries.”

The conference, being held at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, will dive deep into all major quantum technologies and themes: computing, sensing, communications, security, error correction, quantum AI, HPC integration, and more. Attendees can expect to see featured keynotes, industry case studies, and discussions led by experts at the forefront of quantum R&D from some of the world’s leading businesses and institutions across government, academia, and industry.

“Our team at QC Ware is really excited to see all of you at the 5th annual Q2B Tokyo conference! Quantum advantage is getting closer every day, and at this event you will be getting practical updates on progress by many of the leading QC hardware and software developers. If you are working in an enterprise that will be impacted by AI and quantum computing, then attending this event is a must!” said QC Ware CEO, Matt Johnson. “The quantum ecosystems of Japan and Asia are incredibly dynamic and exciting, and the work undertaken to directly and indirectly create that environment cannot be overstated.”

Through keynotes, business seminars, breakout sessions, technical workshops, and panel discussions, attendees at Q2B Tokyo will learn about the latest hardware and software breakthroughs as well as applications in optimization, chemistry simulations, pharmaceutical and materials discovery, error correction, and quantum AI. Additionally, the conference features several panels and sessions from field practitioners, end users, and experts across industries. Notable speakers include:

Kazuya Masu – Director, AIST – G-QuATTaro Shimada – Chair of the Board, Quantum Strategic Industry Alliance for Revolution (Q-STAR) and CEO, ToshibaMitsuhisa Sato – Division Director of Quantum-HPC Hybrid Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational ScienceMitsunobu Koshiba – Co founder, Cdots LLCShuntaro Takeda – Associate Professor, The University of TokyoYu-ichiro Matsushita – CEO, QuemixCarmen Palacios-Berraquero – Founder and CEO, Nu QuantumThom Murray – VP Quantum Technology Evangelism, D-Wave SystemsDr. Michael J. Biercuk – CEO and Founder, Q-CTRLShunsuke Okada – Chair of Executive Committee, Q-STARMatt Terabe – Chief of Quantum Technology, Deloitte TohmatsuSameh Yamany – Chief Technology Officer, VIAVI SolutionsAsif Sinai – Co-founder and CEO, QedmaTatsuo Nakamura – CEO & President & Founder, VALUENEX, Inc.Pouya Dianat – Chief Revenue Officer, Quantum Computing Inc.Yuval Boger – Chief Commercial Officer, QuEra Computing inc.Joseph Spencer – Director, GQI

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the exhibit floor with vendors showcasing their latest advancements in quantum technologies, featuring: Quemix, Classiq, Denso, Quantinuum, SQAI, QuEra Computing, Qedma, Quantum Machines, IonQ, Fujitsu, JHPC RIKEN Softbank, Quantum Computing Inc, IQM, Q-CTRL, D-Wave Quantum, Quanmatic, Toyota Tsusho, Lquom, Norma, Alpine Quantum Technologies, Q-STAR, Qunova Computing and more.

Find the agenda, featured speakers, sponsors, and register to attend Q2B26 Tokyo here.

About QC Ware

QC Ware is a quantum and classical computing SaaS company focused on delivering enterprise value through cutting-edge computational technology. The company develops enterprise-grade applications that run on state-of-the-art classical computing hardware and algorithms targeting near-term quantum hardware. Its flagship product, Promethium, is an advanced molecular discovery platform that leverages quantum chemistry to accelerate research across pharmaceutical, materials science, and chemical industries. With specialization in machine learning and chemistry simulation applications, the team bridges the gap between theoretical quantum computing and practical business solutions. Composed of some of the industry’s foremost experts, QC Ware is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with a European subsidiary in Paris. The company also organizes Q2B, a global series of conferences for industry, practitioner, and academic quantum computing communities. Learn more at www.qcware.com.

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SOURCE QC Ware Corp.

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8 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys to Speak at eMerge Americas Conference

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MIAMI, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eight attorneys from Greenberg Traurig, P.A. will speak at the 2026 eMerge Americas conference, considered the premier global technology event, April 23-24 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

In addition to serving as an event sponsor, Greenberg Traurig is a founding partner of eMerge Americas and has played a central role in the conference’s development since its inception. Early planning discussions hosted at the firm’s Miami office helped spark the creation of eMerge Americas, laying the groundwork for what has become a premier global technology conference. Today, the annual event connects business leaders, government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discover the newest technologies fueling future innovation.

“Miami has emerged as one of the world’s premier tech hubs, attracting global talent and capital at an unprecedented pace,” said Jaret L. Davis, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office, a senior vice president of the firm, and general counsel for eMerge Americas. “As a founding partner of eMerge Americas, Greenberg Traurig’s attorneys are at the forefront of that transformation and are proud to share the eMerge Americas stage with the innovators and leaders building the future of technology both locally and globally.”

For over a decade, Davis has helped lead Greenberg Traurig’s work as a critical player guiding deals and investments in the technology industry. He routinely represents technology companies, including publicly traded clients with an aggregate market capitalization exceeding $100 billion, and several of Miami’s largest unicorn companies.

The following is a list of Greenberg Traurig speakers at the event and their corresponding panels:

Kieran Dwyer, Minneapolis Corporate shareholderDate and time: April 23, 3:15-3:45 p.m.Location: eMerge AI + DEEP TECH StagePanel: AI-Native Law: Securing and Governing Autonomous Systems at ScaleDescription: Explore what it means to operate in an artificial intelligence-native environment, how accountability is defined when systems act independently, and what it takes to secure and govern AI at scale.Jaret L. Davis, Miami co-managing shareholder and Corporate shareholderDate and time: April 24, 3-3:45 p.m.Location: Main StagePanel: Talent as National Infrastructure: Building the Workforce Powering America’s Innovation EconomyDescription: Dive into how education systems, economic development strategy, and private-sector innovation are aligning to build the workforce powering America’s innovation economy.Matthew Squires, Salt Lake City Corporate and Latin America shareholderDate and time: April 24, 1-1:30 p.m.Location: eMerge AI + DEEP TECH StagePanel: Investing Through Disruption: Venture Capital in the AI Acceleration EraDescription: From agentic AI and developer tooling to infrastructure and emerging platforms, the conversation will focus on areas where sustainable value is forming, how to separate momentum from substance, and what founders should understand about how capital is being deployed today.

Additionally, Greenberg Traurig attorneys will be presenting on a variety of topics at the firm’s booth, located at #517 in the eMerge AI Pavilion (view the full map):

Kieran Dwyer and Joshua B. Forman, Miami Corporate shareholderDate and time: April 23, 10-10:30 a.m.Topic: Inside the AI Boom:  Explore the trends driving data center development, training, and AI deployment.Alan N. Sutin, Miami Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice chair and Global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice senior chairDate and time: April 23, 11-11:30 a.m.Topic: Managing Risk When Licensing AI and Other Rapidly Evolving TechnologiesJohn D. Owens, III, Miami Corporate shareholderDate and time: April 23, 1:30-2 p.m.Topic: The Mainstreaming of Secondaries: The Role of Secondaries in the Venture Capital Market in 2026Shomari B. Wade, Washington, D.C., Government Contracts shareholderDate and time: April 23, 2:30-3 p.m.Topic: Navigating the New Era of Federal Acquisition: Policy Changes and Industry ImpactsErika Cabo, Miami Corporate of counsel  Date and time: April 24, 10:30-11 a.m.Topic: Tokenization: Where the Real Opportunities Are — From Stablecoins to SecuritiesKieran DwyerDate and time: April 24, 11:30 a.m.-noonTopic: Five Questions Board Members Should be Asking About AI (and That CEOs Should be Ready to Answer)Date and time: April 24, 12:30-1 p.m.Topic: Effective AI Governance as an AI Accelerator – enabling teams to move faster within defined guardrails. 

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has approximately 3,100 lawyers across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm’s broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI “Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm” by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com.

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Rockefeller Foundation Accelerates U.S. Economic Solutions at “Big Bets for America: Baltimore”

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More than 250 U.S. leaders from across philanthropy, policy, the private sector, and nonprofits to surface and scale bold solutions to the country’s most pressing economic challenges.

BALTIMORE, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Rockefeller Foundation today hosted Big Bets for America: Baltimore, bringing together more than 250 leaders spanning policy, philanthropic, private, and non-profit sectors in Baltimore to surface, accelerate, and scale ambitious solutions to the country’s most pressing challenges. With a Steering Committee—consisting of Abell Foundation, Baltimore Community Foundation, Baltimore Homecoming, Greater Baltimore Committee, and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation—and strategic partners Greater Washington Partnership, Baltimore Development Corporation, and Johns Hopkins University, the Foundation and event participants, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, announced new initiatives and innovative collaborations to create economic pathways and advance opportunities for communities across the State of Maryland and nationwide. In Baltimore, The Rockefeller Foundation also launched a $100 million commitment to connect America’s workers to good jobs and its next class of U.S. Big Bets Fellows.

“For 250 years, America’s promise has been that hard work leads to a stable, dignified life,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “Today, too many communities have been left so far behind that this promise feels out of reach. With the commitments announced today, The Rockefeller Foundation is betting on the resilience of the American worker and the ingenuity of our communities — and building the infrastructure to help that bet pay off at national scale.”

Big Bets for America is a national series of convenings that brings together leaders from across the United States to accelerate economic growth, energize action, and move communities forward. The Baltimore event builds on momentum from the series’ inaugural gathering in Oklahoma City in November 2025.

Major announcements from Big Bets for America: Baltimore include:

The Rockefeller Foundation Commits $100 Million to Connect America’s Workers to Good Jobs. The Rockefeller Foundation launched a new three-year, $100 million commitment to help communities across the country connect more people to good jobs and adapt to rapid economic and technological change. The strategy aims to benefit 10 to 20 million people across approximately 250 of America’s most distressed communities, help enable the creation of roughly 1.6 million additional good jobs nationally, and leverage aligned capital in partnership with employers and public, private, and philanthropic funders. The strategy focuses on sectors with the strongest job growth outlook: healthcare and the care economy, energy transition, food systems, and AI-enabled industries.
 The Rockefeller Foundation to Increase Support for Invest in Our Future. As part of The Rockefeller Foundation’s commitment to advancing good jobs and building stronger, more inclusive workforce systems, The Foundation expects to provide over the next three years an additional $12 million to Invest in Our Future, a pooled fund supported by RF Catalytic Capital, Inc., that mobilizes clean energy opportunities to drive economic opportunity, including jobs, in communities nationwide. Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has worked with aligned funders to unlock hundreds of millions of philanthropic dollars for clean energy deployment and has shown that combining philanthropic capital, policy implementation, and strong cross-sector partnerships can rapidly scale impact and turn clean energy investments into real economic opportunities at the state and local levels.
 Governor Wes Moore Announces $1.5 Million in Philanthropic Awards to ENOUGH Communities. Governor Wes Moore highlighted the distribution of $1.5 million in philanthropic funding awards from the Sherman Family Foundation, the Bainum Family Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation to strengthen education and child care access in nine ENOUGH communities – Maryland jurisdictions with high concentrations of childhood poverty. The funding will support nine ENOUGH communities as they launch and sustain programs to strengthen education and child care, including through such efforts as reducing chronic absenteeism through safe transportation options to school and developing afterschool programs to boost literacy rates.
 The Rockefeller Foundation Announces Second Class of U.S. Big Bets Fellows. The Rockefeller Foundation named 10 bold innovators to its 2026 class of U.S. Big Bets Fellows — working in California, Central Appalachia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Building on the inaugural 2025 class, this year’s fellows are working to expand workforce pathways and unlock capital for underserved communities. Over the course of the four-month fellowship, The Rockefeller Foundation will provide fellows with tailored programming, peer networking, and professional development to sharpen their approaches and scale their impact. 
 The Engine Introduces the Tough Tech Map. The Engine launched the Tough Tech Map, a public interactive directory connecting Tough Tech startups to sector- and geography-specific infrastructure — from national labs to test beds and fellowships to incubators. Developed in partnership with the broader ecosystem, the map aims to centralize resources startups in climate, health, advanced compute, and other Tough Tech sectors need to scale. Learn more at www.ToughTechMap.xyz.
 LACI Expands City Climate Innovation Challenge to Baltimore & 15 Other US Cities. The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) announced a new cohort of cities for its City Climate Innovation Challenge, which includes Baltimore City and 15 others. The Challenge helps cities identify climate innovations and cleantech entrepreneurs, pilots the selected solutions, provides technical assistance, and scales what works to better improve lives and livelihoods in urban areas. Baltimore’s inclusion signals growing momentum for the program as it scales LACI’s unique model of public-private climate collaboration to cities across the country.
 The Clean Fight Announces Expansion of its National Deployment Grant Fund. The Clean Fight announced that its National Deployment Grant Fund, an initiative that uses targeted catalytic grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to accelerate the adoption of proven clean energy solutions in homes, schools, and communities across America – prioritizing vulnerable and underserved communities – has received $1 million from The Rockefeller Foundation toward its $10 million goal. The Fund’s model is built on the idea that funding the right “first” project unlocks many more: each grant is structured to generate the evidence, financing model, or de-risked use case that allows other communities to follow without ongoing subsidy. In New York, The Clean Fight has supported 70 companies and 22 deployment projects with $5.4 million in catalytic grants, generating over 5,000 follow-on deployments statewide and nearly 1,000 jobs. The Rockefeller Foundation’s contribution is helping take The Clean Fight’s model national, with learnings shared broadly through open-source reference designs, implementation guides, and national convenings. 
 Big Bets for America Series to Go to Cleveland. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and The Rockefeller Foundation announced that the next Big Bets for America convening will take place in Cleveland on June 9. More details about that agenda will be provided in the coming weeks.

What participants at Big Bets for America: Baltimore are saying:

Governor of Maryland Wes Moore: “When I committed to an unprecedented attack on child poverty in Maryland, I knew we needed more than just government on board. That’s why I’m grateful to our philanthropic partners who are stepping up alongside us to make bets on solutions no government can tackle alone. Today we’re taking another step forward on a truly collaborative approach that brings together government, philanthropy, and the private sector to set the standard for what real, structural progress looks like, and making Maryland a model for the nation.”
 Mayor of Baltimore Brandon Scott: “Baltimore was proud to host this gathering of public and private sector partners committed to equitable, community-driven economic growth. Especially in areas that have historically faced intentional disinvestment—like many neighborhoods in Charm City—we have to be just as intentional with the ways we work to create opportunity today. I’m grateful that The Rockefeller Foundation shares that focus, and look forward to working together on many of the partnerships announced during this convening.” 
 Mayor of Cleveland Justin Bibb: “Cleveland is investing in its people, its neighborhoods, and its future – and it’s working. The moment is here to bet on our city, to connect residents to opportunity, and to unlock investment at scale. We’re ready to show the country what inclusive growth looks like in action.” 
 Kate Frucher, CEO, The Clean Fight: “This is the moment to make sure proven clean energy solutions – ones that improve lives right now and build resilience for decades to come – don’t sit on the sidelines. Supporting the right first project doesn’t just benefit one community, it creates a powerful slipstream for everyone who comes after. That’s exactly what our Deployment Grant Fund is built to do – using the disproportionate impact that strategically placed, small-dollar grant funding can have.” 
 Emily Knight, The Engine: “We built the Tough Tech Map to open up access to the infrastructure founders need to scale, not just in major hubs, but everywhere. It serves as connective tissue, helping startups leverage shared Tough-Tech-specific resources so they can stay capital efficient while turning breakthrough ideas into real-world impact.”
 Matt Petersen, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator: “LACI’s City Climate Innovation Challenge was created to help local governments pilot and scale the best cleantech solutions that improve air quality, create jobs, and grow the economy. Thanks to the support of the Rockefeller Foundation and others, we are excited to launch our next cohort of 16 cities across the U.S, including Baltimore, to increase access to reliable and affordable EV charging for every neighborhood, including apartment dwellers and underserved communities.”
 Derrick Adams, Charm City Cultural Cultivation: “I’ve seen how different cities have transformed their communities into these types of communities where people can thrive. We’re really going into an entrepreneurial culture right now where there’s not going to be a lot of big industry in the way it used to be. We see it through the younger generations, the way they are mapping out their future…if you want to look at the way the economy is moving…people want to be in community, but we need to figure out how this community can advance.”
 Torrey Smith, Philanthropist, two-time Super Bowl Champion: “The reality is there are so many more people doing way bigger and better things with less. And that’s why it’s important when you are the Baltimore Orioles or the Baltimore Ravens: You have the opportunity to uplift people by using your platform and providing them with opportunities.”
 Kevin Plank, Under Armour: “Across the country, leaders are rethinking where they invest, where they grow, and where they place long-term confidence because capital is moving. Talent is mobile and cities are either stepping forward or falling further behind. But Baltimore has everything it needs to compete. …What is needed now isn’t more consensus; it’s shared conviction followed by action.”

About The Rockefeller Foundation
Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

About The Engine
The Engine is a nonprofit incubator and accelerator dedicated to supporting early stage Tough Tech companies by providing the infrastructure, programs, and ecosystem support they need to thrive. Tough Tech is transformational technology rooted in breakthrough science and engineering, aimed at solving the world’s most pressing challenges. These companies are capital-intensive, highly regulated, and technically complex, requiring specialized infrastructure, patient support, and a resilient path from lab to market. Learn more at www.engine.xyz

About Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation through scaling cleantech startups, transforming markets through catalytic partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy, and sustainable cities, like the Transportation Electrification Partnership, and enhancing communities through green jobs workforce training, pilots and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP) in 2011, LACI is recognized as one of the top 10 innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. LACI has helped 506 portfolio companies raise over $1 billion in funding, generated $344 million in revenue, and created 2,626 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a long term economic impact of more than $733 million.

About The Clean Fight
The Clean Fight is a not-for-profit dedicated to accelerating the adoption of climate solutions for 100% of the population – moving them into communities faster, more affordably, and at scale. Through catalytic grants, deployment programs, and prize competitions, The Clean Fight designs and delivers adoption models that turn one-off projects into first-of-many. The Clean Fight is supported by NYSERDA, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and leading philanthropic partners. Learn more at thecleanfight.com.

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