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HK Tech 300 Expo showcases hundreds of CityUHK incubated start-up innovations and achievements

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HONG KONG, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) held the HK Tech 300 Expo, a large-scale innovation and entrepreneurship exhibition, from 23 to 24 May 2025 at the University campus. The two-day event brought together about 300 start-ups incubated by CityUHK with more than 60 roadshows, demonstrating how the University’s world-class research achievements and innovative ideas translate into practical applications that foster positive social changes.  

Together with the Expo Opening Ceremony today (23 May 2025), CityUHK held the Launch Ceremony of the HK Tech 300 International Start-up Competition (HK Tech 300 International Competition), further expanding its innovation footprint onto the global stage.

Presiding over the ceremony were Professor Sun Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Mr Michael Ngai, Council Chairman of CityUHK, Mr Charles Chin Ying-on, Treasurer of CityUHK, and Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK.

Also attending the ceremony were Mr Chaturont Chaiyakam, Consul-General of Thailand in the HKSAR, Mrs Le Duc Hanh, Consul-General of Vietnam in the HKSAR, and representatives from the governments and partner organisations of 12 mainland cities.

Professor Sun praised CityUHK‘s efforts in supporting young talent and nurturing start-ups. “CityUHK and HK Tech 300 play a crucial role in creating a vibrant ecosystem that fosters cross-disciplinary, cross-sector and cross-industry collaboration.  We must work together to support our young entrepreneurs, providing them with necessary resources, mentorship and opportunities to enhance their ideas into impactful solutions, further bolstering the development of Hong Kong as an international I&T hub.”

In his welcome speech, Mr Ngai said the Expo marks a significant milestone in the University’s journey to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. “CityUHK is dedicated to fostering a diverse environment for young talent, leveraging the robust support of the mainland, the University’s base in Hong Kong and global connectivity to equip our next generation to become future leaders with a global vision,” he said. 

“Innovation is the beacon of future development,” said Professor Boey in his vote of thanks. “The remarkable achievements of HK Tech 300 and the start-ups are closely linked to the extensive support from, and collaboration among, the Government, industry, the University and investors. CityUHK will continue to provide a world-class platform, empowering the growth of our young talent and deep-tech start-ups.”

Since its launch in 2021, HK Tech 300, CityUHK’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, has incubated over 900 start-ups, more than 200 of which have received up to HK$1M each in angel funding. Beyond financial support and patent resources, HK Tech 300 offers extensive assistance, including business matching and co-investment opportunities, leveraging the expertise of over 250 mentors from diverse industries, alongside partnerships with more than 100 public and private institutions.

The HK Tech 300 Expo showcases nearly 300 start-ups incubated by CityUHK, offering a range of innovative solutions in the fields of Biotech & Health, ICT & AI, Advanced tech & ESG, and Fintech. The expo also features remarkable teams recognised under the Government’s “Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+)”, as well as business proposals from the inaugural graduates of the MSc in Venture Creation programme at the CityUHK Academy of Innovation.  

CityUHK expanded the reach of HK Tech 300 to include the national region in 2022 and the Southeast Asian region in 2023. The introduction of the HK Tech 300 International Competition will foster further cross-border collaboration to address pressing global challenges.

The HK Tech 300 International Competition will be held in partnership with 11 universities and five local partners, including business chambers and incubators from nine countries and cities: Brunei, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and Hong Kong SAR, numerous of universities’ Vice-Chancellors and representatives attended the competition launch ceremony. The competition aims to attract aspiring talent and start-ups to Hong Kong and the mainland, leveraging the city’s unique advantages and resources. It also empowers our local start-ups to reach the international stage and promote the University’s technology transfer, fostering closer ties between the I&E ecosystem in Hong Kong and the rest of the world.

In addition to strategic partners, co-investors and supporting organisations from overseas and Mainland China, the event attracted legislative councillors, community leaders and school principals to witness the achievements of the start-ups. More than 60 innovation start-ups and research teams are participating in the Expo roadshows, fostering fruitful exchanges of innovation and business ideas. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/hk-tech-300-expo-showcases-hundreds-of-cityuhk-incubated-start-up-innovations-and-achievements-302464199.html

SOURCE City University of Hong Kong

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The Discovery Point Difference: Choosing Center-Based VPK vs. Public School Programs

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TAMPA, Fla., June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Parents of preschoolers now have many options in early childhood education. These may include half or full day private programs like church preschool or in childcare centers. When a child turns four, there are additional options including state funded PreK or a Voluntary Preschool Program (VPK) paid for with school vouchers.

State-funded programs are traditionally housed in childcare centers, but there are an increasing number of classrooms being offered at local public schools. How do parents know which option is best for their child?

At Discovery Point, children are not simply preparing for kindergarten; they are building a strong foundation in an environment intentionally designed just for them.

What Is Florida VPK?

Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program provides free educational opportunities for eligible four-year-olds before they enter kindergarten. The goal of VPK is to help children develop the academic, social, emotional, and physical skills needed for future school success. Families can use their Florida VPK voucher at approved childcare centers, private preschools, and certain public-school programs.

As parents compare their options, it’s important to look beyond cost and convenience to evaluate the quality of the learning environment, teacher qualifications, safety procedures, and overall educational experience.

Why Families Choose Discovery Point Centers for VPK

Discovery Point’s Proprietary curriculum and in-center design is created for preschool aged children:

Caring, nurturing teachers specifically trained in Early Childhood Education.A secure campus designed for young children, with controlled access, structured supervision, and safety procedures focused exclusively on the needs of preschoolers.A social-emotional environment where children can learn, grow, and build friendships alongside peers their own age, without exposure to the influences, behaviors, and challenges that naturally come with sharing a campus with children as old as 12 years old.Classrooms filled with developmentally appropriate materials, toys, and learning experiences designed specifically for four- and five-year-olds.Child-sized restrooms, sinks, furniture, and learning environments that promote confidence, independence, and success.Age-appropriate playgrounds designed to meet preschool developmental needs and ASTM safety standards.Regular oversight through inspections by the Florida Department of Children and Families, along with Discovery Point’s own Quality Assurance Team, ensuring high standards for health, safety, and educational excellence.A warm, family-focused environment where children are known, valued, and encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically.Enrichment opportunities and experiences that go beyond what many traditional school settings can offer, helping children develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.A proven curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten success through hands-on learning experiences that build early literacy, math, science, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Elementary schools simply aren’t designed for little minds and little bodies.

Research continues to show that high-quality early childhood education can have lasting benefits for academic achievement and social-emotional development. For this reason, Discovery Point encourages families to carefully evaluate all preschool options and visit potential programs before making a decision.

For Florida VPK options with Discovery Point, visit https://www.discoverypoint.com/centers/ to find a location near you and schedule a tour. Discovery Point has been a leader in childcare and early education since 1988. 

Media Contact:
Briyanna Purifoye
bpurifoye@discoverypoint.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-discovery-point-difference-choosing-center-based-vpk-vs-public-school-programs-302800561.html

SOURCE Discovery Point Franchising, Inc

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Whimstay Launches Same-Day Booking, Bringing Hotel-Style Spontaneity to Vacation Rentals

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Travelers can now book select vacation rentals up to four hours before check-in, closing a gap that kept the category out of reach for last-minute bookers

SAN FRANCISCO, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Whimstay, the vacation rental platform built for last-minute travel, today announced that it now accepts same-day bookings on select properties. For participating homes, travelers can reserve a stay up to four hours before check-in, a capability long associated with hotels but rarely available in vacation rentals.

For years, the vacation rental industry stayed out of reach for same-day bookers. Long lead times, manual host approvals, and the operational complexity of turning over a home on short notice meant travelers who needed a place tonight defaulted to hotels. Whimstay’s same-day booking changes that for participating properties, giving spontaneous travelers, last-minute planners, and anyone whose plans shifted at the eleventh hour access to full homes instead of a single room.

The launch builds on Whimstay’s focus on last-minute inventory and competitive pricing. When a host opts a property into same-day booking, they are often motivated to fill an open calendar, which means travelers find space and value where they previously found neither.

Making four-hour bookings possible meant solving the trust problem that comes with speed. Whimstay built sophisticated fraud prevention into the same-day flow, screening transactions in real time so that faster bookings do not mean riskier ones for hosts or travelers.

“Same-day booking has been the standard in hotels for decades, and there was no good reason vacation rentals couldn’t offer the same thing,” said Ben Jamshahi, CEO at Whimstay. “We built the infrastructure to make it fast, safe, and reliable. Now a traveler can decide at noon and check into a full home by evening.”

Same-day booking is available now on participating Whimstay properties. To find a last-minute stay, visit whimstay.com.

About Whimstay
Whimstay is a vacation rental platform specializing in last-minute bookings and competitive pricing, connecting travelers with available homes when they need them most.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whimstay-launches-same-day-booking-bringing-hotel-style-spontaneity-to-vacation-rentals-302800563.html

SOURCE Whimstay

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Kelley Drye Relocates San Diego Office to Del Mar

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New Location Supports Client Engagement and the Firm’s Continued Growth in California

SAN DIEGO, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kelley Drye & Warren LLP has relocated its San Diego office from La Jolla to a new Del Mar location at 12481 High Bluff Drive, reinforcing the firm’s continued investment in California and enhancing its ability to serve clients across the state.

The new 5,000‑square‑foot office is designed as a flexible hub for client engagement and collaboration. It features a state‑of‑the‑art conference center to support client meetings and industry programming, along with shared amenities that encourage informal connection among teams and clients. Centrally located within San Diego’s business and legal community, the Del Mar office provides room for continued growth while strengthening the firm’s local presence.

“California is a critical market for our clients,” said Kelley Drye Managing Partner Dana Rosenfeld. “Our new office allows us to collaborate more closely with clients while supporting the integrated, statewide platform we are building across California.”

The San Diego relocation builds on Kelley Drye’s recent expansion in California, including the opening of its San Francisco office and the addition of privacy partner Kate Black in San Francisco and litigation partner Tom Rybarczyk in Los Angeles. Together, these investments strengthen the firm’s ability to serve clients seamlessly throughout the state.

Lawyers in Kelley Drye’s San Diego office advise clients nationwide on environmental, international trade, and litigation matters. The office is led by partners Rebecca Durrant, Andrew Homer, and Kristine Pirnia, who will continue to build the firm’s presence and deepen client relationships in the region.

“This move gives us a stronger platform for client meetings, industry programs, and engagement with the San Diego business community,” said partner Andrew Homer. “As the firm continues to grow in California, we remain focused on attracting top talent and delivering the high level of service and collaboration our clients expect.”

The San Diego office move follows Kelley Drye’s recent relocations in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Connecticut. Together, these milestones underscore the firm’s long‑term commitment to its people, clients, and communities, and its focus on providing exceptional legal counsel in fast‑evolving markets.

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is a powerhouse law firm with more than 190 years of practice. With over 300 attorneys and professionals across nine offices, it offers tenacious courtroom advocacy, strategic problem‑solving, and savvy deal‑making across litigation, regulatory, trade, real estate, bankruptcy, and corporate matters. Kelley Drye represents a diverse client base, serving Fortune 500 companies, emerging businesses, and government entities across technology, finance, healthcare, defense, real estate, and manufacturing. Kelley Drye is committed to delivering practical advice, creative solutions, and exceptional value through enduring client relationships. For more information, visit www.kelleydrye.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kelley-drye-relocates-san-diego-office-to-del-mar-302800434.html

SOURCE Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

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