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IOT Data Hackathon 2025, Sparkling Innovation through Real-World Data, Technology and Cross-Sector Collaboration

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HONG KONG, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Organised by GS1 Hong Kong, co-organised by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and supported by the Digital Policy Office, the IOT Data Hackathon 2025 successfully concluded its final competition on 22-23 March 2025.

Themed “Smart Business” and “Smart Living”, the IOT Data Hackathon 2025 brought together enterprises, tech talent, and academic elites to tackle real-world business challenges through cross-sector collaboration and data-driven innovation. This year’s Hackathon garnered even greater enthusiasm than last year, attracting over 90 teams from local tertiary institutions, start-ups, and business sectors. After a rigorous screening process, 24 outstanding teams advanced to the final round, competing head-to-head on 23 March, the Final Pitch Day. 

Key Highlights

1. Fostering a Cross-Sector Ecosystem, Cultivating Talent through Practical Experience
A standout feature of the IOT Data Hackathon was its success in driving cross-sector collaboration. Six leading corporations — including Airport Authority Hong Kong, AS Watson Industries, CUHK Medical Centre, HKT, Maxim’s Caterers, and Swire Coca-Cola — provided real life business challenges and relevant datasets. Tech partners, Alibaba Cloud, AWS and Esri China (Hong Kong), offered technology platforms, tools and application support, enabling participating teams to develop commercially viable and innovative solutions by leveraging the provided datasets, open data and advanced technologies. 

2. Judges Applaud Data-Driven Innovation 
A panel of 12 distinguished judges highly praised the participants for their exceptional performance, highlighting their ability to combine data and technology while aligning with ESG trends. The judges emphasised the Hackathon’s role in unlocking the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making. The panel looks forward to the continued promotion of such collaborative models, which not only accelerate the growth of Hong Kong’s tech ecosystem, but also cultivate a new generation of talent to meet future opportunities and challenges.

3. Comprehensive Pre-hackathon Training with Top-tier Resource Support
To equip participants with practical skills, the organiser hosted 7 professional training workshops from Jan to Mar, covering hot topics such as IoT technology, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, data standards, cybersecurity, design thinking, data storytelling, pitching skills, and ESG strategies, etc. Additionally, GS1 HK invited 24 expert mentors from various fields to guide the participating teams, while Check Point Software Technologies provided one-on-one consultations to help teams integrate robust cybersecurity measures and data protection into their solutions.

The Data-driven Era: Cultivating Future Tech Talent

As artificial intelligence and data analytics become increasingly integral to businesses, mastering data application skills has become a critical asset for future talent. This Hackathon provided participants with an invaluable platform for practical experience and learning, stimulating creativity through competition and fostering a deeper connection between data-driven thinking and business needs. The participating teams demonstrated remarkable prowess in data integration and innovative thinking, and proposed diverse solutions to real corporate challenges. 

Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 HK, emphasised: “IoT data is the cornerstone of a smart economy. By connecting young talent directly with industry pain points, this Hackathon fuels Hong Kong’s digital transformation and drives momentum for the city’s innovation journey.” 

Award Ceremony: Winners to be Announced at the InnoEX 2025 

The award ceremony will take place on April 13, 2025, at InnoEX 2025, where the winning teams and their innovative solutions will be unveiled. All sectors are invited to witness this celebration of data, technology, and creativity! 

Award Ceremony Details:

Date: 13 April 2025, SundayTime: 10:45am to 12:00nnVenue: The Stage, Hall 3C, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)Event: IOT Data Hackathon 2025 Award Ceremony (held within the InnoEX 2025)

For more information about the IOT Data Hackathon 2025, please visit www.gs1hk.org/iotdatahackathon.

About GS1 Hong Kong

Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK) is the local chapter of GS1®, a not-for-profit, global organisation that brings industry stakeholders together to develop standards-based solutions to address the challenges of data exchange. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1® has more than 115 national chapters serving 150 economies globally.

GS1 HK aims to empower industry’s digital transformation by enabling businesses to improve efficiency, safety, authenticity and sustainability through platforms, solutions and services based on our global standards. GS1 HK is dedicated to building a collaborative IoT ecosystem in Hong Kong to promote the development of ICT, serving as a bridge between ICT solution providers, users, government and other stakeholders, realising the community’s vision to become a smart city.

GS1 HK currently supports over 8,000 corporate members from various sectors including retail & consumer packaged goods, healthcare, food & beverage and food services, apparel & footwear, transport & logistics, among others.

For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org

For high-resolution photo, please download via this link.

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SOURCE GS1 Hong Kong

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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