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B4B Challenge 2025-26 Award Presentation Ceremony

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Carbon Tech and Virtual Tech powered by AI: A New Force in Green Innovation
Virtual Technology Revolution: A New Era of Digital Experience

HONG KONG, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The renowned local innovation and technology competition, the “B4B Challenge” (B4B), has reached its 10th edition, marking a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s Big Data and AI innovation ecosystem. The organiser, B4B Limited, held the Award Presentation Ceremony on 15 April at the Hong Kong International Innovation and Technology Expo (InnoEX), announcing the results of this year’s competition. Themed around “Tech for ESG,” highlighting the vital role that technology plays in promoting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, this edition established two innovation pillars: “Carbon Tech powered by AI” and “Virtual Tech powered by AI”, encouraging participating teams to explore the cross-industry application potential of AI in sustainable real estate development and immersive digital experiences.

This year’s Award Ceremony received strong recognition from the Government of the HKSAR and the innovation and technology sectors. Mr. Daniel Cheung, JP, Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy Office (DPO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, was the Guest of Honour, joining other government representatives, industry leaders, supporting organisations and participating teams to celebrate B4B’s decade of innovative achievements.

The ceremony received wide-ranging support, including:

Guest of Honour:
• Mr Daniel Cheung, JP, Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, HKSAR Government

Sharing Guests:
• Mr Francois Lee, Founder and Director of B4B
• Prof Herbert Chia, JP, Honorary Chairman and Principal Mentor of B4B
• Dr Toa Charm, Principal Advisor of B4B

Guests (partial list, in no particular order):
• Ms Cari Wu, Acting Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Digital Policy Office, HKSAR Government
• Mr Tony Wong, JP, Former Commissioner for Digital Policy, HKSAR Government
• Ir Stephen Lau, JP, Personal Data Privacy Advisor of B4B
• Ms Vivian Chan, Associate Director, Exhibitions and Digital Business, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Speaking at the Award Ceremony, Mr. Daniel Cheung, JP, Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy of the HKSAR Government, said: “The Challenge, as in previous years, provides a platform for participants to showcase their creativity and capabilities. One of the themes of this year’s Challenge is carbon reduction technologies in real estate and smart construction, which aligns with the development of smart building and the nurturing of a modernised construction industry chain as set out in the country’s Report on the Work of the Government. Another theme focuses on virtual technologies, with artificial intelligence as the driving element. This echoes the mention of ‘AI+’ for three consecutive years in the country’s Report on the Work of the Government with aims to expand the application of AI across a wide range of industries. It is hoped that the solutions put forward by participants will be implemented, thereby promoting the wider adoption of carbon reduction and virtual technologies across different sectors. “

Mr Francois Lee, Founder and Director of B4B, Dr Toa Charm, Principal Advisor of B4B and Prof Herbert Chia, JP, Honorary Chairman and Principal Mentor of B4B, delivered the following remarks in their opening speech: Stepping into its 10th anniversary, the most heartwarming part of the B4B Big Data Business Application Challenge is not just the competition itself, but seeing the massive alumni community that has been built up over these ten years. Today, everyone has gathered once again to witness how B4B has grown from a competition into a full ecosystem. It continues to uphold its original mission of driving innovation through data and AI, and is now ready to step into the next decade hand in hand.

Two Innovation Pillars: AI Innovation Across Industry Boundaries
Themed around “Tech for ESG,” highlighting the vital role that technology plays in promoting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, this edition established two innovation pillars, encouraging participating teams to use AI technology to transcend traditional industry boundaries. A breakthrough was achieved this year — the competition was fully opened to cross-industry participation, no longer confined to real estate applications. Teams were encouraged to take a broader perspective in exploring the cross-industry application potential of AI in immersive digital experiences, helping them widen their market vision and explore AI’s cross-sector potential. Whether it is AI transforming real estate, AI short film creation, virtual human interaction, immersive experiences, or innovative media tools — if the solution addresses pain points in the virtual technology market, it qualifies as the type of innovation the competition seeks.

Pillar 1: Carbon Tech powered by AI – Reshaping the Real Estate Value Chain
The competition continues to explore how technology can empower the real estate value chain to achieve greater sustainability, covering five key areas: B4B Challenge continues to explore how the real estate value chain—encompassing new building materials, energy management, design and planning, construction and demolition, and facility management – can become more sustainable through technology. 

The organiser emphasizes that real estate extends far beyond buildings and bricks – it is closely connected to our daily lives, while one might associate real estate primarily with buildings and bricks, the property sector is intricately linked to a wide range of industries and daily activities, from workplaces and retail shopping outlets to transportation stations and, of course, our homes.

Accordingly, participating teams are encouraged to broadly explore cross-industry applications, extending carbon technology solutions to wider application scenarios to create greater impact.

Pillar 2: Virtual Tech powered by AI – Breaking Through Immersive Experience Bottlenecks
Virtual technology faces several key challenges, including hardware limitations, affordability, and user comfort. The need for powerful computing systems and the risk of motion sickness continue to restrict widespread adoption. Data-related obstacles also persist, such as the requirement for high-resolution 3D models, detailed textures, and authentic datasets to create truly immersive experiences. Additional hurdles include real-time data transmission, voiceover matching, AI-driven editing, dubbing with accurate lip sync, and efficient processing. Overcoming these challenges is essential to making virtual technology more accessible, user-friendly, and cost-effective. Advancements such as improved hardware, cost reductions, enhanced comfort features, and effective solutions for motion sickness can significantly boost adoption. Similarly, better curation and processing of data, improved real-time transmission capabilities, and expanded availability of high-quality datasets will unlock greater growth and potential for virtual technology across various industries. Furthermore, smarter user interfaces and progress in the areas mentioned above could be dramatically enhanced by the latest AI technologies.

A Decade of Cultivation: Building a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem
Since its founding in 2016, B4B Challenge has been dedicated to promoting Big Data technology and intelligent technology innovation, fostering a healthy and sustainable data ecosystem. The 10th edition — the “B4B Challenge 2025-26 Award Ceremony” — was held at the Hong Kong International Innovation and Technology Expo (InnoEX), with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) serving as the venue partner. A concurrent four-day “B4B Pavilion” exhibition (13–16 April) was held alongside the ceremony, inviting this year’s participating teams to showcase their latest technology solutions to the public.

Over the past decade, B4B Challenge has attracted numerous outstanding teams since its launch in 2016, many of whom have gone on to achieve remarkable results after the competition. The following are two representative teams of two particularly standout:

Linksoul – Since participating in the B4B Challenge, Linksoul has, under the recommendation of the competition, quickly secured multiple prestigious awards in a short period of time, including the Best Smart Mobility Award in the “Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge”, the Jingrui Science and Technology Award, and several honors at the China Mobile Maker Marathon. The company is currently collaborating with the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Transport Department, and the Automotive Technology R&D Centre to apply for the Smart Traffic Fund to develop an AI-powered smart transportation platform. At the same time, Linksoul is working with Everbright Centre, Langyi Plaza, and China Overseas Group to promote the large-scale implementation of AI Butler and AI Agent solutions in major building complexes.

MOVA – The Best Solution Award winner of B4B Challenge 2023-24, has successively received the Hong Kong Fintech Impetus Awards and Gold Award – PropTech at the International Financial Technology. Founded in 2021, the company launched an AI-driven integrated real estate matching and search platform well before generative AI became mainstream in the market. It employs Federated Learning technology, enabling AI models to learn from data distributed across different stakeholders without compromising data compliance or commercial confidentiality. In 2024, MOVA successfully sold its first-generation AI matching platform to a U.S. private equity fund, completing an international exit. By the end of 2025, the company relaunched its business with a brand-new voice AI pre-screening platform. This platform uses near-human voice technology to automatically handle initial real estate inquiries and holds strong potential for cross-industry expansion into sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education.

Award Winners

Award Category

Winning Team

Best Presentation Award

LifeSparrow Solutions

Best Solution Award

Leaflot Technology

Best ESG Award 2026
(in no particular order)

Nifty Corner CompanyOh My Ink TechnologyPathexSentri TechnologyDrawMotion AI AcademyMUSES AICanpanion GroupafterNATUREYUNI TECHESGalatorYunix – MungerMind AITobot SolutionCliimacircuitVizzleA+B Productions

 

For more details about the B4B Challenge, please visit the official website: www.b4bchallenge.com 

About B4B Challenge
B4B Challenge is an annual contest organised by B4B Limited, a Hong Kong social enterprise that aims to promote the development of a healthy and sustainable ecosystem for Big Data and intelligent technology innovation and to match young talents and enterprises with an intensive accelerator programme.

Through education, competition, and exchange, the programme seeks to raise public awareness in Hong Kong of the value and impact of Big Data and AI, and to improve the adoption and acceptance of Big Data and AI innovations. Beyond Hong Kong, the competition’s reach extends across Hong Kong and other regions. B4B stands for “Big Data For Business” — as the name suggests, the programme aims to collect outstanding local proposals based on the practical needs of local enterprises, attracting more Hong Kong businesses to adopt Big Data and AI solutions and maintaining their competitiveness in the international market.

The B4B Challenge 2025-26 is the 10th annual edition since its inception in 2016. The programme continues to expand, with its core team comprising Founder and Director Mr Francois Lee, Honorary Chairman and Principal Mentor Prof Herbert Chia, JP, and Principal Advisor Dr Toa Charm.

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SOURCE B4B Limited

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As AI Speeds Up Marketing, Louisville’s RedTag Bets on Strategy

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Independent agency unveils new brand and website, and co-hosts Louisville’s PROOF AI Workshop

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RedTag, an independent Louisville-based marketing agency, this month unveiled new positioning, marking its evolution from a digital performance agency into a strategy-first marketing partner. The move comes as AI makes execution faster than ever, and RedTag is betting that strategy, not speed, is what will set businesses apart. Clients can now choose from outcome-based programs that best fit their marketing needs. 

“Clients don’t come to us needing more tactics. They come to us needing a path,” said Russ Renbarger, founder and CEO of RedTag. “Our new brand says out loud what our work has shown for years: We start with strategy and build everything on that foundation.”

RedTag built its reputation on high-performing paid digital campaigns. Over the years, the agency expanded into strategy, creative, video production and website development, giving clients one partner for the full scope of their marketing. Most recently, a team of automation specialists has integrated AI across the agency to speed up production and analysis, guided by an internal AI policy that keeps people accountable for quality. The time AI saves goes back into strategy: knowing what to say, who to say it to and why.

“Our best client relationships have always been partnerships, where we’re in the room when the big decisions get made,” said Alison Conway, chief client officer at RedTag. “This evolution is about bringing that strategic partnership to every client.”

On Oct. 14, RedTag co-hosted the PROOF AI Workshop with Slingshot, Vsimple and Advanced Business Solutions. The hands-on event gave Louisville business leaders practical experience applying AI to their own work. RedTag led the event’s AI in Marketing and Branding track, with four sessions ranging from AI search optimization to a playbook for adopting AI across an organization.

“AI can produce hundreds of ads in an afternoon, but it can’t tell you which one your brand actually needs and why,” Renbarger said. “The faster the tools get, the more valuable human-led strategy becomes.”

RedTag was named the agency of record for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2025. Its client list includes PGA of America, Castle & Key Distillery, Bourbon Barrel Foods, ShopCaterpillar and American Beverage Marketers. Since 2023, RedTag’s work has received two Emmy Awards and more than 35 ADDY and AIGA awards. The agency is a four-time Louisville Business First Fast 50 honoree and was named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Kentucky.

To learn more about its outcome-based programs, visit RedTag Programs

About RedTag

RedTag is an independent, strategy-first marketing agency based in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 2008, the agency starts every engagement by understanding the goal before recommending tactics. With a foundation rooted in discovery, RedTag delivers full-scale marketing campaigns built around each client’s business goals. RedTag serves organizations across hospitality, sports, agriculture, government, retail and consumer packaged goods. Learn more at redtag.agency.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-ai-speeds-up-marketing-louisvilles-redtag-bets-on-strategy-302911869.html

SOURCE RED TAG LLC

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The National Association of Mortgage Brokers Announces its Launch of MORE, New Mortgage Education and Professional Development Platform

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NAMB MORE brings training, credentials, professional development and daily mortgage market information together in one place

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) the first and only national volunteer-led and membership-driven organization representing the interests of mortgage brokers and home buyers since 1973, today announced the launch of NAMB MORE(Mortgage Originator Resources and Education), a new learning and professional development platform designed to give mortgage professionals the education, resources and information they need to grow throughout their careers.

MORE officially launches today during NAMB National 2026, being held October 16–19 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The platform is designed as a long-term resource for mortgage professionals at every career stage, bringing training, credentials, professional development and timely industry information together in one place.

Mortgage professionals can learn more and access the platform at nambhasmore.org. Access to MORE will be free through NAMB Focus, January 7–9, 2027. Users must have a NAMB member profile to access the learning management system.

“NAMB MORE represents a significant investment in the future of mortgage professionals and the continued advancement of our industry,” said Michael Farrell, President of NAMB. “We wanted to create more than a collection of courses; we wanted to build a resource that professionals can turn to throughout their careers. NAMB MORE delivers valuable education, professional development and practical information members can apply to their businesses daily. ‘NAMB has MORE’ is a mantra the entire organization embraces, reflecting our commitment to providing the industry with innovative tools that support professional growth, strengthen advocacy and help foster our members’ success. “MORE was developed with the mortgage industry in mind, with NAMB and subject-matter experts contributing to the platform’s educational content.”

The platform is designed to support mortgage professionals from their first year in the business through experienced production, management and leadership roles. Educational resources span foundational mortgage knowledge, loan origination, mortgage programs and products, business growth, sales and marketing, borrower experience, professional development and more.

The MORE course library includes content across core categories such as:

Business Strategy & GrowthLoan OriginationMortgage FoundationsMortgage Programs & ProductsProfessional Development & Workplace SkillsSales, Marketing & Borrower ExperienceGeneral

Additional learning resources and credentials are designed to help mortgage professionals continue developing their skills as their careers evolve.

A key component of the new platform is the MORE Daily Dashboard, which serves as the home screen members see when they log into MORE. Rather than requiring members to visit the platform only when completing a course or pursuing a credential, the Daily Dashboard is designed to give mortgage professionals a reason to return every day.

The Daily Dashboard currently features:

Mortgage Rate Alert Widget: Provides information about the factors affecting mortgage rates and refreshes at least hourly.Upcoming Events: Highlights NAMB events and opportunities so members can stay connected to the association and industry.Daily Access to MORE: Provides a central starting point for accessing education, professional development and other resources.

“The Daily Dashboard is an important part of what makes MORE different,” added Farrell. “We want MORE to become part of a mortgage professional’s daily routine. Whether someone is checking the latest rate information, looking for an upcoming NAMB event or continuing their professional education, MORE puts useful resources in one place.”

About NAMB: The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has been the only national volunteer-led and membership-driven organization representing the interests of mortgage professionals and homebuyers since 1973. NAMB provides mortgage professionals with advocacy, education, and rigorous certification programs to recognize members with the highest levels of professional knowledge and education. NAMB’s active lobbying and advocacy efforts focus on national and state issues, protecting the interests of its members and borrowers. As the leading national trade association for the mortgage industry, NAMB is affiliated with state associations throughout the country and represents the interests of more than 546,800 licensed and registered Mortgage Loan Originators and 49,100 licensed Mortgage Broker and Mortgage Lender businesses throughout the U.S. www.namb.org

Media Contact

Joshua Steinfeld, Steinfeld Consulting, 1 339-225-1581, steinfeldconsulting@gmail.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-national-association-of-mortgage-brokers-announces-its-launch-of-more-new-mortgage-education-and-professional-development-platform-302910967.html

SOURCE The National Association of Mortgage Brokers

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The United States Golf Association Selects Gupta Media as Paid Media Agency of Record

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The appointment comes as the USGA looks to continue to strengthen brand equity and increase awareness and engagement with golfers nationwide

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The USGA, the non-profit governing body of golf in the United States, has named Gupta Media its paid media agency of record following a competitive pitch process that began in February. Gupta Media will lead paid media strategy, planning, buying and reporting in support of the USGA’s Championship ticketing and broader commercial initiatives, while helping grow brand equity, awareness and engagement across the organization. Its work will span key USGA priorities, including golf’s official Handicap Index® and GHIN app; the Rules of Golf and the USGA’s governance of the game; Membership; and initiatives that advance golf through sustainability, research and innovation, and greater access and inclusion. The relationship expands beyond media execution to include audience strategy, first-party data integration, measurement and optimization.

“Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

The relationship comes at an important moment for the USGA, with the organization focused on continuing to expand its reach and deepening brand affinity across the ever-growing, diverse golf community. Gupta Media will help drive ticket sales for some of the sport’s biggest events, including the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the 2027 U.S. Women’s Open at Inverness Club, the 2028 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club and the 2028 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club. The agency will also support the USGA in creating greater awareness and brand recognition for its corporate Partners through co-branded content and paid media.

Golf has an enormous network of people who love the game, creating a growing opportunity to build a deeper, more direct relationship between golfers and the organization. That challenge is exactly what Gupta Media is built to strategically address — from growing membership and promoting ticket sales for major live events to reaching new audiences and understanding customer lifetime value. By bringing together audience insights, first-party data and media performance, Gupta Media will help the USGA create more relevant, effective marketing that drives measurable business results while strengthening its connection with the next generation of golfers.

“We were looking for an agency that could bring a deep understanding of our audiences, a genuine enthusiasm for our mission and the strategic expertise to work with us through this next phase of golf’s growth,” said Lynn LaRocca, USGA’s Managing Director of Brand & Marketing. “Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

“There’s a personal element to this partnership that makes it especially rewarding. My golf journey began 30 years ago when I first visited Pebble Beach as a teenager, long before I could imagine actually playing on the course,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder, Gupta Media. “To now have the opportunity to connect that lifelong passion for the game with the work we’ve spent years building and fine-tuning our agency to do feels like kismet. We’re eager to bring our proficiency to an organization that plays a leading role in the great game.”

The relationship brings together Gupta Media’s deep experience in sports marketing with its data-driven approach to audience strategy, media and creative. The agency has developed a specialized set of tools and processes to address data and analytics challenges of sports and live events, including TallyTickets.com, its proprietary ticketing analytics platform that helps teams understand sales trends, forecast demand and make more informed marketing and media decisions. Gupta Media’s experience spans sports, entertainment, premium events, and pop culture, giving the agency a comprehensive understanding of the audience models and fan behaviors that shape the industry.

About the USGA:

The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability.

About Gupta Media:

Gupta Media, a certified Minority Business Enterprise, is a strategic consultancy at the intersection of creative strategy, digital media, advanced analytics, and performance marketing. We drive growth for professional sports franchises, global tech leaders, DTC brands, major music labels, and other high-profile organizations by building intelligent media plans, best-in-class reporting tools, and custom enterprise technology. Founded 25 years ago by Cornell grad Gogi Gupta, the agency is known for developing new methods of maximizing advertising efficiency in a digital-first world. Harvard Business School’s case study on Gupta Media was taught to all incoming students for three years and is still taught around the globe.

Media Contact

Carly Carioli, Gupta Media, 1 617-682-3733, ccarioli@guptamedia.com, guptamedia.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-united-states-golf-association-selects-gupta-media-as-paid-media-agency-of-record-302911621.html

SOURCE Gupta Media

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