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Golden Gate Ventures MENA Secures Strategic Investment from Oman Investment Authority

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Golden Gate Ventures announced a strategic partnership with Oman Investment Authority (“OIA”) through its technology investment arm, Innovation Development Oman (“IDO”).

MUSCAT, Oman, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Golden Gate Ventures, a globally recognized early-stage investment firm, today announced a strategic partnership with Oman Investment Authority (“OIA”) through its technology investment arm, Innovation Development Oman (“IDO”). This landmark investment underscores OIA’s commitment to positioning Oman as a vital player in the MENA region’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. With Golden Gate Ventures’ track record of scaling startups across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, this partnership marks a pivotal moment in accelerating Oman’s startup ecosystem.

Oman’s backing signals a massive vote of confidence in our ability to cultivate a thriving venture capital ecosystem in the Gulf,” said Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures MENA.

A Major Catalyst for MENA’s Startup Economy

Golden Gate Ventures has invested in over 100 early- to mid-stage startups, backing companies that have redefined industries from fintech to deep tech. Golden Gate Ventures MENA aims to build a thriving pipeline of investable opportunities for local and global venture funds, cultivate the next generation of Omani founders, and create an ecosystem that bridges local ambition with global resources. The firm’s expansive network of corporate partners and investors, combined with its operational acumen, will serve the growth of Oman’s startup landscape.

Michael Lints and Hussain Abdulla, who led the efforts to launch the fund, emphasized that this partnership will drive high-impact investments into key sectors such as AI, deep tech, renewable energy, and health technology, fostering Oman’s next generation of startup leaders. Establishing a local office in Oman signifies the firm’s enduring commitment to driving growth, innovation, fostering talent, and championing Oman’s vision of becoming a regional hub for venture capital and technological progress. “Oman’s backing signals a massive vote of confidence in our ability to cultivate a thriving venture capital ecosystem in the Gulf,” said Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures MENA.

A Regional Shift in Venture Capital

With sovereign wealth funds across the Gulf rapidly increasing their exposure to venture capital, OIA’s move strengthens Oman’s position in the region’s innovation economy. The fund’s local presence will create a direct pipeline between Omani startups and international venture investors, providing founders with the backing they need to scale beyond the region.

OIA’s Vision for Strategic Growth

Ibrahim Al Eisri, CIO-Private Equity at Oman Investment Authority stated: “We are pleased to partner with Golden Gate Ventures MENA Fund I as part of our commitment to diversifying Oman’s investment portfolio, attracting FDI, and leveraging OIA’s investments to transfer international expertise to the Omani startup ecosystem. In addition, OIA aims to redirect its investments to Omani startups and support global projects that drive economic development and technological innovation to Oman and the region. This all embodies OIA’s commitment to delivering the Governments agendas and Oman Vision 2040″

Strengthening Strategic Ties

The partnership with OIA reinforces Oman’s ambition to participate at the forefront of GCC’s innovation landscape, aligning seamlessly with Golden Gate Ventures MENA’s strategic mission to deliver exceptional financial returns while championing sustainable development, pioneering innovation, and catalyzing economic growth. With OIA’s visionary backing, Golden Gate Ventures is poised to drive unparalleled value creation across its target sectors and redefine the region’s venture capital ecosystem.

About Oman Investment Authority (OIA)

Oman Investment Authority (OIA) is the sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman, tasked with managing the country’s investment portfolio across a diverse range of assets, including domestic and international investments. OIA is dedicated to supporting the diversification of Oman’s economy by investing in high-growth sectors and generating sustainable returns.

About Golden Gate Ventures

Golden Gate Ventures is a global, early-stage venture capital firm that empowers audacious founders across three continents. Founded in 2011, Golden Gate Ventures combines the knowledge and experience of Silicon Valley with the passion and experience in emerging startup ecosystems, establishing local roots with global reach. For over a decade, the firm’s role is not just to fund founders as investors but to nurture vibrant startup ecosystems with sustained growth. Golden Gate Ventures has invested in over 100 companies, with nine unicorns and 2 IPOs across its portfolio. Notable companies include AngelList, Stripe, Coda, Carro, Carousell, Xendit, and Multiplier. For more information, visit goldengate.vc.

Media Contact
Golden Gate Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, 974 66344083, press@goldengate.vc, www.goldengate.vc

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/golden-gate-ventures-mena-secures-strategic-investment-from-oman-investment-authority-302379984.html

SOURCE Golden Gate Ventures

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Achieve named to Az Business Magazine’s ’10 Best Places for Women to Work in Arizona’ for 2026

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Recognition highlights the company’s commitment to creating opportunities for women to grow and lead

SAN MATEO, Calif., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Achieve, the leader in digital personal finance, has been named among the 2026 10 Best Places for Women to Work in Arizona by Az Business Magazine. The annual recognition highlights organizations that create supportive environments where women can thrive professionally, advance into leadership roles and build meaningful careers.

The honor reflects Achieve’s ongoing investment in workplace programs that support employee growth, flexibility, leadership development and career advancement. Women serve in leadership roles across the organization and play a critical role in shaping the company’s culture, products and long-term success.

“Creating an environment where women can grow, lead and build rewarding careers is central to who we are as a company,” said Achieve Senior Vice President of Human Resources Heather Marcom. “We’re honored to be recognized among Arizona’s top workplaces for women and remain committed to fostering a culture where employees feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.”

Achieve maintains a major corporate presence in the Phoenix area, where hundreds of employees contribute to the company’s mission of helping people move from struggling to thriving financially. The company supports employees through leadership development opportunities, employee resource groups, mentorship and learning programs designed to help team members reach their professional goals.

The recognition adds to a growing list of workplace honors for Achieve. Earlier this year, the company was named among the Top 3 Best Workplaces for LGBTQ+ Employees by BestCompaniesAZ and was also recognized by AZ Big Media as one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies.

“Strong organizations are built by diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership,” said Marcom. “We’re proud of the talented women across Achieve who help drive our business forward every day and grateful for the impact they make on our employees, customers and communities.”

The 10 Best Places for Women to Work in Arizona list is determined through a public voting process conducted by AZ Big Media and published in Az Business magazine.

About Achieve

Achieve, THE digital personal finance company, helps everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a better financial future. Achieve pairs proprietary data and analytics with personalized support to offer personal loanshome equity loans, debt relief and debt consolidation, along with financial tips and education and free mobile apps: Achieve MoLO® (Money Left Over) and Achieve GOOD™ (Get Out Of Debt). Achieve is frequently recognized for providing top-rated customer experience and satisfaction by both consumers and leading personal finance review platforms and has 2,200 dedicated teammates across the country, with hubs in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

Achieve refers to the global organization and may denote one or more affiliates of Achieve Company, including Achieve.com, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #138464); Achieve Home Loans, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #1810501); Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977); Freedom Debt Relief (NMLS ID # 1248929); and Freedom Financial Asset Management (CRD #170229).

Contacts

Austin Kilgore
akilgore@achieve.com
214-908-5097

Elina Tarkazikis
etarkazikis@achieve.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/achieve-named-to-az-business-magazines-10-best-places-for-women-to-work-in-arizona-for-2026-302833720.html

SOURCE Achieve

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National Press Club Statement on the withdrawal of subpoenas targeting New York Times journalists

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WASHINGTON, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. released the following statement:

“The Justice Department’s decision to withdraw subpoenas targeting journalists at The New York Times is a welcome and necessary step to protect the public’s constitutional right to an independent press.

These subpoenas should never have been issued in the first place. Compelling journalists to reveal confidential sources sends a chilling message to those who seek to inform the public and threatens the very foundation of press freedom.

Every American should understand what is at stake when the government turns its investigative powers on journalists. It is not routine. It is an extraordinary intrusion that strikes at the heart of the First Amendment and your right to information about your government.

The greatest danger was not the subpoenas themselves, but the message they sent: That sources could be exposed, that whistleblowers should remain silent, and that the American people might know less about the actions of their own government.

A strong democracy depends on a press that can report freely, hold power to account, and inform the public without intimidation.

We urge continued vigilance to ensure that journalists can do their jobs without interference and that protections for source confidentiality are upheld consistently.”

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists and a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

Contact: Beth Francesco, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, media@press.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-press-club-statement-on-the-withdrawal-of-subpoenas-targeting-new-york-times-journalists-302833722.html

SOURCE National Press Club

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NCC Launches NCC Connect™ to Put Credit, Fraud, and Compliance Inside the CRM Dealers Already Use

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A powerful new solution that embeds credit access, fraud detection, and compliance directly into the dealership’s existing CRM — removing the system-switching that slows deals and exposes dealers to risk.

AUSTIN, Texas, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — NCC, a leading provider of credit and compliance solutions for automotive dealerships, today announced the launch of NCC Connect™, a powerful platform that runs credit, fraud, and compliance from inside the CRM a dealership already uses — without friction or duplicate entry.

“Dealers don’t need another system to log into,” said Brian Skutta, President and CEO of NCC. “They need the tools they already have to work better together. NCC Connect puts credit, fraud detection, and compliance right where the team already works — inside the CRM they use every day.”

“Dealers don’t need another system to log into,” said Brian Skutta, President and CEO of NCC. “They need the tools they already have to work better together. NCC Connect puts credit, fraud detection, and compliance right where the team already works — inside the CRM they use every day.”

As deals grow more complex and fraud more sophisticated, dealers are juggling more disconnected systems than ever — the CRM, the credit system, the compliance tools — switching between them on every transaction. Each switch breaks momentum, invites a skipped step, and slows the path to funding. NCC Connect meets this moment with a single, seamless solution that keeps the full credit, fraud, and compliance engine right where the team already works.

Why NCC Connect Matters Right Now

Dealers lose time and margin switching between the CRM, credit, and compliance systems on every dealAuto lending fraud continues to climb, with industry fraud exposure reaching a record $10.4 billion in 2025, according to Point Predictive’s 2026 Auto Lending Fraud Trends ReportState compliance is tightening, with laws like California’s SB 766 (CARS Act) taking effect October 1, 2026Every disconnected step is another chance for an error, a delay, or a deal that stalls before funding

These pressures are forcing dealers to consolidate, and NCC Connect delivers the edge.

Product Highlights:

Inside the CRM — Soft-pull and hard credit access from all three major bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — without leaving the workflowFraud & Identity Built In — Identity verification and synthetic fraud detection delivered within the credit pull, flagging Red Flag conditions before the deal moves to fundingCompliance on Autopilot — FCRA and FTC controls with automatic, audit-ready documentation stored in the deal record99.99% Uptime — The industry’s highest, so the platform is there when a deal is on the desk

NCC Connect runs soft-pull pre-qualifications and hard credit pulls from any bureau or score model without leaving the CRM, while customer data stays inside the existing CRM structure. Every credit, fraud, and compliance result is captured on the deal record — giving dealers a single, audit-ready source of truth and a faster, cleaner path to funding.

NCC Connect extends the same powerful, credit-first engine behind NCC’s Complete Credit™ platform into the CRM where dealers already work. For dealers, that means more approvals, stronger fraud protection, and faster funding, without changing how the team works.

Learn more about NCC Connect at https://nccdirect.com/ncc-connect/

About NCC:

With offices in Austin, TX, Bettendorf, IA, and Las Vegas, NV, NCC has been a trusted partner in credit-driven retailing for automotive dealerships for nearly three decades. We combine a powerful credit and compliance engine with a fully integrated Desking platform to drive maximum profitability. Our focus on innovation, user-friendly products, and dependable systems — supported by a dedicated account management team — has solidified our reputation as a leader in the industry. www.nccdirect.com

Media Contact

Holly Smith, NCC, 1 8285732722, hsmith@nccdirect.com, https://nccdirect.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ncc-launches-ncc-connect-to-put-credit-fraud-and-compliance-inside-the-crm-dealers-already-use-302832007.html

SOURCE NCC

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