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ISS National Lab Launches Orbital Edge Accelerator Program to Propel Startups Into the Growing Space Economy

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CIRI, E2MC, and Stellar Ventures will invest in six startups for projects leveraging the ISS National Lab

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory is taking a giant leap in fostering new space innovators with the launch of the Orbital Edge Accelerator program. This bold initiative is designed to integrate cutting-edge startups and investment partners into the rapidly expanding space economy. Through the accelerator, six pioneering startups will be selected to receive an investment of up to $500,000 each—which is being provided by global investors Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), E2MC, and Stellar Ventures—along with mentorship and the opportunity to launch an ISS National Lab-sponsored investigation. By bridging the gap between early-stage companies and space-based innovation, the Orbital Edge Accelerator program aims to unlock discoveries that can benefit humanity and drive new commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. 

Engaging the startup community is a strategic priority for the ISS National Lab. Having access to the unique space environment allows entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of science and technology, develop novel products, and build new businesses. Over the years, dozens of startups have been awarded flight opportunities through the ISS National Lab to advance R&D in diverse areas, from communications and remote sensing to advanced materials and biotechnology. The impact of conducting research through the ISS National Lab is notable, as startups awarded flight projects have cumulatively raised nearly $2.4 billion in funding postflight, demonstrating the value of space-based R&D in accelerating commercialization. With the launch of the Orbital Edge Accelerator, the ISS National Lab aims to build on this momentum and fuel the next wave of innovators that will shape the future space economy. 

To deliver the accelerator program, the ISS National Lab is working with TechConnect, which has more than 25 years of expertise connecting innovators with high-value commercialization opportunities. In the coming months, representatives from the ISS National Lab, CIRI, E2MC, Stellar Ventures, and TechConnect will meet with interested startups at conferences and networking sessions to highlight the accelerator and discuss how space-based R&D can lead to innovation not possible on Earth. Additionally, AWS will serve as corporate partner for the Orbital Edge Accelerator program, providing their extensive expertise and reach toward scouting and mentoring the inaugural cohort of startups.

TechConnect will host an informational webinar on April 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EDT providing additional details on the scope of this opportunity and the advantages of utilizing the orbiting laboratory. To register, please visit the webinar registration page. TechConnect will also host two office hours for potential respondents to ask questions about the accelerator program. Learn more about these opportunities on the accelerator webpage.

Startups interested in the Orbital Edge Accelerator program will need to submit an application by 8:00 p.m. EDT on May 19, 2025. Once the application window closes, the ISS National Lab and investment partners will evaluate each submission and select up to 20 finalists to pitch in a virtual setting. From there, reviewers will invite six startups to join the Orbital Edge Accelerator cohort. Each startup will receive a $500,000 investment and the opportunity to submit an official proposal to utilize the ISS National Lab in a future spaceflight mission. 

The six selected startups will be joining attendees at the 14th annual ISS Research and Development Conference in Seattle July 28-31, 2025. To learn more about the accelerator program, networking events, and application process, visit the Orbital Edge Accelerator webpage.

Download an image for this release: Orbital Edge Accelerator

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.

About CIRI:
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) is a dynamic and forward-focused Alaska Native regional corporation, recognized as one of 12 land-based corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Since its incorporation on June 8, 1972, CIRI has expanded beyond its Southcentral Alaska roots—where its regional boundaries align with the traditional Dena’ina homeland—to become a global enterprise. Today, CIRI operates in 45 states and seven countries, driving growth, innovation, and opportunity for its more than 9,500 Shareholders who reside in Alaska and around the world. 

About E2MC:
E2MC (Earth-to-Mars Capital) is a pioneering venture capital firm dedicated to advancing the space economy by financing early-stage space-related startups globally. Our leadership team not only has a combined over 100 years’ of space experience, but is also comprised of former entrepreneurs, and has extensive institutional investment experience. We leverage our specialized expertise and extensive global network to provide tangible support for our portfolio companies (over 20 so far). E2MC’s mission, “From Earth into Space, for Earth,” underscores our dedication to paving the way for humanity’s expansion into space, and to harnessing space technology for global advancement and development. We are based in Arlington, VA.

About Stellar Ventures:
Stellar Ventures is a woman-led venture capital firm founded by aerospace industry leader Celeste Ford to back the next generation of space entrepreneurs. The firm invests in early-stage, mission-driven space technology companies and brings unmatched technical depth and industry connections to help founders build the world-changing businesses of tomorrow.

About TechConnect:
With 25+ years of experience connecting emerging technologies with unique funding and partnership opportunities, TechConnect boasts the most robust research and innovation network in the world, coupled with the nation’s largest funder of innovation through its parent company, Advanced Technology International. It employs a broad scope of tools to deliver top technologies, including open innovation programs, conferences, and accelerators. Each year, TechConnect scouts, vets, and connects thousands of emerging technologies with corporate, investment, municipal, and national defense clients techconnect.org.

Media Contact:            

Patrick O’Neill 

904-806-0035

PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org  

 

International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory
Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®)

1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 • 321.253.5101 • www.ISSNationalLab.org

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SOURCE International Space Station National Lab

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SSC SECURITY SERVICES CORP. ANNOUNCES SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT

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REGINA, SK, July 22, 2026 /CNW/ — SSC Security Services Corp. (TSXV: SECU) (US: SECUF) (“SSC” or the “Company”) today announced the voting results from its special meeting of holders (the “Shareholders”) of common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company held today (the “Meeting”) in connection with the previously announced plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act, 2021 (Saskatchewan) (the “Arrangement”), pursuant to which Universal Protection Service, LP (the “Parent”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, 102236724 Saskatchewan Ltd. (the “Purchaser”, and together with the Parent, “Allied Universal”), will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Shares for $4.4075 per Share in cash, and pursuant to which certain officers and directors of the Company (the “Management Purchasers”) will purchase the Company’s legacy assets and cyber security business in a management buy-out transaction (the “MBO” and collectively with the Arrangement, the “Transaction”).

The Arrangement requires (i) the approval of 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Shareholders (including the Management Purchasers) present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting and (ii) the approval of a simple majority (more than 50%) of the votes cast by Shareholders present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, other than the Management Purchasers and any other person required to be excluded from such vote for the purpose of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (the “Minority Shareholders”). At the Meeting, the resolution approving the Arrangement was approved by (i) 99.99% of the votes cast by Shareholders, and (ii) 99.97% of the votes cast by the Minority Shareholders.

Remaining Conditions to Completion of the Arrangement

Completion of the Transaction remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions that are set out in the arrangement agreement entered into between the Company and Allied Universal on May 26, 2026 (the “Arrangement Agreement”), including receipt of final court approval and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. SSC intends to seek a final order (the “Final Order”) of the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan to approve the Arrangement at a hearing to be held on July 27, 2026.

Subject to obtaining the Final Order and the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions in the Arrangement Agreement, the Transaction is anticipated to close on July 31, 2026.

About SSC

SSC Security Services Corp. is Canada’s largest publicly traded security company. SSC acts as a public holding company investing in physical, electronic and cyber security businesses. The Company has one wholly-owned operating subsidiary: Logixx Security Inc., which provides physical, electronic and cyber security services to primarily commercial, industrial and public sector clients. The Company’s clients include federal and provincial governments, Crown corporations, and many high-profile corporate and public sector clients such as hospitals, airports, utility companies and police forces.

Forward Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the future results, future performance, intentions, objectives, plans and expectations of the Company. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risks, uncertainties affecting SSC, including risks regarding economic factors and the equity markets generally and many other factors beyond the control of SSC. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to: the anticipated timing of the Transaction; receipt of required court and stock exchange approvals; satisfaction of closing conditions; and the anticipated effective date of the Arrangement. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: failure to obtain court or stock exchange approvals; failure to satisfy closing conditions; failure of the parties to complete the Transaction for any reason, including termination of the Arrangement Agreement; legal challenges to the Arrangement; and risks and uncertainties discussed in SSC’s disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the views of SSC as of any date after the date of this Release. Although SSC has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this Release are made as of the date of this Release and SSC does not undertake to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE SSC Security Services Corp.

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GMI Cloud Announces Strategic Compute Collaboration With NVIDIA

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The collaboration advances GMI Cloud’s selective partnership strategy and supports its next phase of AI infrastructure growth

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GMI Cloud, a leading AI-native cloud provider delivering high-performance GPU infrastructure and inference services, today announced a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA as part of its selective approach to building long-term compute partnerships.

In support of this strategy, GMI Cloud has committed $500 million in CapEx to expand its compute capabilities and serve growing customer demand. The commitment represents a significant investment in the company’s next phase of infrastructure development.

GMI Cloud has also secured nine-figure contracts with a leading U.S. frontier AI enterprise, providing a strong commercial foundation for its continued growth.

GMI Cloud is pursuing a selective partnership model centered on a limited number of strategic relationships. The collaboration builds on GMI Cloud’s continued partnership with NVIDIA and brings together long-term compute planning with contracted customer demand.

GMI Cloud is among the earliest cloud providers to adopt this new compute partnership model, marking an important step in the company’s expansion and partnership strategy.

The $500 million CapEx commitment, nine-figure customer contracts, and selective partnership strategy establish the foundation for GMI Cloud’s next stage of growth. The company is set to continue this trajectory as it expands its compute capabilities and supports the evolving needs of frontier AI customers. For more information, visit www.gmicloud.ai.

About GMI Cloud
GMI Cloud is an AI-native cloud infrastructure company powering the next generation of AI applications. The company provides high-performance GPU infrastructure, Model-as-a-Service, dedicated endpoints, and AI workload deployment solutions for developers and enterprises building production AI systems. GMI Cloud helps teams move from experimentation to production with scalable compute, flexible infrastructure, and an ecosystem built for modern AI builders. For more information visit gmicloud.ai.

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SOURCE GMI Cloud

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ROKFORM Launches Rugged Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra

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Complete foldable protection with six-foot drop rating, MAGMAX ™ magnetic grip, and RokLock ® twist-lock mounting

IRVINE, Calif., July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ROKFORM today launched its Rugged Case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Built with a slim, two-piece shell design — not just a backplate — the Rugged Case delivers six-foot drop protection, full hinge coverage, and secure RokLock® mounting across both foldable models.

“Users get the full ROKFORM experience with the Rugged Case, including incredible drop protection, RokLock® mounting, and MAGMAX™ magnetic strength, all in a design built specifically around the unique needs of a foldable device,” said Jeff Whitten, ROKFORM CEO.

The two-piece shell locks together to protect the outer screen, back, and spine of the Galaxy Z Fold8. In addition, the case is engineered to guard one of the most critical and vulnerable components on foldable phones — the hinge — from drops and impacts with full hinge coverage. The case exceeds military-grade drop protection standards from six feet, with a dual-layer build and reinforced corners designed to absorb real-world impact.

ROKFORM’s patented RokLock® twist-lock system delivers rock-solid, wobble-free connection to ROKFORM’s full ecosystem of car, bike, and motorcycle mounts. Combined with MAGMAX™ magnets, which deliver 3x more holding strength over standard MagSafe® magnets, users get an ultra-secure magnetic grip for mounting and use with other accessories.

The case is compatible with ROKFORM wireless chargers and compatible wireless charging accessories.

The Rugged Case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra retails for $79.99 and will be available August 5, 2026 at rokform.com.

About ROKFORM:
Founded in 2010, ROKFORM’s small but dedicated team has bootstrapped its way to becoming a leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative consumer electronics products. It is based in Irvine, California. With nearly 20 patents, ROKFORM remains a leader in the premium active lifestyle consumer electronics niche, with innovative designs to protect and enhance the world’s mobile devices. Products are designed and shipped directly from California headquarters, and customers can visit ROKFORM’s showroom to experience them. Learn more at rokform.com.

Contact:
Haley Lush
775-204-7975
419258@email4pr.com

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SOURCE ROKFORM

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