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EQT raises Asia Pacific’s largest private equity fund, closing BPEA IX at USD 15.6 billion in total commitments

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EQT BPEA IX oversubscribed; closes at USD 15.6 billion in total commitmentsBPEA IX is the largest Asia Pacific-dedicated private equity fund raised to date, with USD 14.9 billion in fee-generating assets under managementRobust investor demand serves as a testament to EQT’s Asia platform, reflecting the proven success and sustained momentum following EQT’s combination with Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA)The Fund invests in leading companies across Asia Pacific benefitting from long-term structural growth trends, building on EQT’s nearly three decades of regional presence and established value creation track record

STOCKHOLM, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EQT is pleased to announce the final close of BPEA Private Equity Fund IX (the “Fund” or “BPEA IX”) reaching its hard cap with USD 15.6 billion in total commitments, including USD 14.9 billion in fee-generating assets under management. The Fund was oversubscribed, driven by strong demand from a globally diversified investor base.

BPEA IX is the largest-ever Asia Pacific-dedicated private equity fund raised to date.1 This milestone was achieved against a backdrop of record-low regional fundraising, with capital raised for Asian funds falling to a 12-year low in 2025 after four consecutive years of decline.2 As the market increasingly bifurcates, investors are consolidating capital with scaled, global platforms that offer a proven track record of success – a trend that reinforces the strength of EQT’s expanded footprint in Asia, the collective capabilities of EQT’s integrated franchise, and its ability to deliver consistently strong returns across cycles and almost 30 years of investing in Asia.

BPEA IX saw strong participation from both existing and new investors, attracting over 75 new investors, including more than 45 from across EQT’s broader investment platform. This highlights the continued expansion of EQT’s global investor base and its ability to mobilize capital across strategies, and serves as a clear validation of EQT and BPEA’s merger four years on.

Commitments were globally diversified, with capital broadly balanced across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with all regions increasing allocations from the prior vintage. Pension funds and sovereign wealth funds were leading contributors, underscoring sustained support from long-term institutional investors. 

Jean Eric Salata, Chairperson of EQT Asia, said, “The closing of BPEA IX is a defining milestone that reflects the depth, strength, and investment performance of our platform over nearly three decades, bringing together the history of BPEA and EQT in Asia. We are proud to have built an organization with the capability and reach to navigate complex cycles and drive significant transformation in our portfolio companies. In a highly competitive and selective fundraising market, our ability to deliver consistent realizations was a differentiator for our investors. We are deeply grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us; their support is a testament to the hard work of our team members and our long-term commitment to Asia Pacific.”

The successful fundraise demonstrates continued conviction in EQT’s Asia strategy and its “local-with-locals” model, with teams embedded in the region’s key markets. Refined over multiple economic cycles, this approach was further institutionalized by the 2022 combination of BPEA and EQT. The integration created a scaled, global franchise that today pairs BPEA’s deep regional roots with EQT’s global sector capabilities, extensive Industrial Advisor network, and operational resources.

Today, EQT’s Private Capital Asia platform provides investors with access across the full investment spectrum – from large-cap and mid-market to growth strategies. This regional presence is supported by dedicated teams in Japan, India, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Greater China and Australia. EQT also manages one of the largest co-investment platforms in Asia, providing investors with additional opportunities to scale exposure and enhance returns.

Hari Gopalakrishnan and Nicholas Macksey, Deputy Co-Heads of Private Capital Asia at EQT, said, “The opportunity in Asia today has shifted from chasing growth to leading profound structural transformation. As the region evolves – redefining global supply chains and scaling digital champions – it has created a more complex investment landscape. In this environment, where performance is defined by earnings growth and active ownership, our value-creation capabilities are clear differentiators. With BPEA IX, we remain committed to backing market leaders and building resilient, global-scale businesses. This focus on future-proofing companies remains central to how we deliver consistent performance over time.”

BPEA IX will focus on control investments in leading companies across high-conviction sectors including technology, healthcare, industrial technology, services, and technology services. The Fund targets businesses with resilient fundamentals where EQT can drive operational improvement to accelerate expansion and long-term enterprise-building.

EQT Private Capital Asia was established in 1997 and has deployed USD 30 billion in over 160 transactions. EQT’s Private Capital Asia portfolio today includes investments in approximately 65 companies in 10 countries, employing more than 270,000 people.

BPEA IX is currently 5-10 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication), based on the actual fund size.

Source: Preqin, based on total fund commitments (April 2026)Source: Bain & Company, Asia-Pacific Private Equity Report 2026 (March, 2026)

Contact:
Olof Svensson, Head of Shareholder Relations, +46 72 989 09 15
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

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Hyundai Motor Group Accelerates Autonomous Driving Innovation with AI-Powered Data Flywheel

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Hyundai Motor Group hosts “HMG Autonomous Driving Media Day”, outlining its roadmap for the next era of autonomous driving; first showcase of Level 2++ technologyDual-Track strategy accelerates Level 2+ production through NVIDIA collaboration while internalizing key autonomous driving technologies through proprietary Atria AI
…NVIDIA solutions-based Level 2+ production targeted for the H1 2028 and Level 2++ in H2 2028, followed by Atria AI-powered Level 2++ vehicles in H2 2029
…Progressive sensor standardization across Hyundai Motor, Kia, 42dot and Motional brings together autonomous driving capabilities across the GroupData Flywheel strategy establishes a virtuous cycle of data collection, training, validation and deployment to continuously advance AI capabilities
…Expands the Group’s data ecosystem by leveraging its annual sales of 7 million vehicles and Data Union framework, while implementing a data-centric development framework based on hard example mining, continuous training and SER
…Real-world Level 4 pilot to launch in Gwangju by year-end in partnership with Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to secure large-scale validation data42dot shares Vision-Language-Action (VLA)-based autonomous driving technology that integrates visual information and language-based reasoning to guide driving decisions
…VLA research focuses on addressing edge cases, while parallel development of end-to-end (E2E) autonomy and VLA models enhances technical stability and scalability
…VLA model validation currently underway, with on-road testing and the full development process scheduled to run through early next yearNew Atria AI urban driving videos — an executive ride-along, one-take footage, and edge-case handling — are live on the Group’s YouTube channel

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) announced that it has put its Data Flywheel into full operation, marking a new phase in its autonomous driving technology strategy. The system creates a virtuous cycle of data collection, AI training, validation and deployment to secure a competitive advantage through accelerated learning and technology development.

During the Group’s “HMG Autonomous Driving Media Day” at 42dot headquarters in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, the Group presented its autonomous driving development strategy, technology roadmap, key achievements and implementation plans. The presentation underscored the Group’s strategic positioning in the global autonomous driving technology competition and detailed how integrated data and AI systems form the foundation for next-generation vehicle technology.

At the event, the Group identified the Data Flywheel as a key element of its autonomous driving competitiveness and shared the operational framework and execution strategy that transforms large-scale real-world driving data into continuous technology improvements.

42dot also introduced key technologies and the development progress for the Group’s proprietary autonomous driving artificial intelligence, Atria AI, while outlining the background and future plans for its Vision-Language-Action (VLA) technology development initiative.

In line with the event, the Group unveiled footage of an Atria AI-equipped SDV Testbed navigating complex urban traffic without driver intervention. Operating at a Level 2++ capability, the autonomous driving system showcased in the footage illustrates how the Data Flywheel is enabling a continuous cycle of learning, validation and performance improvement. The footage is available on the Group’s official YouTube channel.

“Autonomous driving competition is no longer about comparing specific features. Competitiveness is determined by how much data you secure, how quickly you learn and how effectively you can reflect those results in actual products and services. At its core, autonomous driving competitiveness comes down to having systems that enable continuous, rapid learning. Hyundai Motor Group will develop autonomous driving technology that customers can trust, based on a virtuous cycle of data, AI and validation. Our goal is to ensure the safety and quality levels customers can trust while we learn and improve rapidly.” – Minwoo Park, President and Head of Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division at Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of 42dot

About Hyundai Motor Group

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Newsroom, Genesis Newsroom

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group

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Allstream Energy Partners Nominated in Multiple Categories for Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators

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Nomination Categories for Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in AI & Automation, Advertising, Marketing & PR

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Allstream Energy Partners has been nominated in multiple categories for Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators program, recognizing organizations redefining their industries through innovation, leadership, and emerging technologies.

The company received nominations in six categories:

Best Workplaces for Innovators North AmericaAI, Automation and Machine Learning ExcellenceAdvertising, Marketing and PRSmall & Mighty CompaniesInnovative Leader of the Year: Efrain Garcia, Founder and CEOInnovative Team of the Year

The nominations recognize Allstream’s investment in proprietary AI-driven marketing technologies, digital publishing solutions, and workflows designed to change how energy companies build visibility, authority, and customer engagement.

Where Oil and Gas Digital Marketing Meets Publishing

Allstream Energy Partners has developed an agency-plus-publisher model combining digital marketing, content creation, industry communications, media publishing, executive networking, and business development.

As artificial intelligence changes how buyers discover suppliers, manufacturers, engineering firms, service companies, and technology providers, Allstream helps clients position themselves to be recommended—not simply found.

Its integrated capabilities include AI marketing strategy, AI-optimized website development, SEO for Oil and Gas, Answer Engine Optimization, Generative Engine Optimization, AI search visibility, content marketing, industry publishing, public relations, social media, paid search, email marketing, event promotion, podcasting, branding, and digital advertising.

Innovation Built for Energy

Unlike a general marketing agency, Allstream was built specifically for oil and gas, energy, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and industrial markets. Each founder brings 27 years of experience supporting sales, business development, capital projects, technical services, industrial marketing, and digital strategy.

This experience gives Allstream an understanding of how technical buyers evaluate suppliers, how projects move through the market, and how engineering, procurement, operations, and executive teams consume information.

The company continues investing in proprietary methodologies that combine industry knowledge, journalism, publishing, AI optimization, communications, and business development strategy. As AI becomes an important starting point for supplier research and vendor discovery, Allstream helps organizations evolve beyond traditional SEO.

“Marketing has fundamentally changed,” said Efrain Garcia, Founder and CEO of Allstream Energy Partners. “Our team recognized early that AI would transform how buyers discover companies, evaluate expertise, and make purchasing decisions. These nominations reflect our commitment to innovation and our mission to help the energy industry succeed in an AI-first world.”

About Allstream Energy Partners

Allstream Energy Partners is a Houston-based, AI-powered marketing and media company serving the energy and industrial supply chain. Through SEO, GEO, AEO, AI-optimized websites, publishing, strategic communications, networking events, and business partnerships, Allstream helps Oil and Gas companies strengthen their brands, improve visibility across search engines and AI platforms, and generate qualified business opportunities.
Visit www.AllstreamEP.com

Media Contact:
Efrain Garcia
efrain@allstreamep.com
8324963004

Photo(s):
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Press release distributed by PRLog

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Krelva Accepted Into the HBS Foundry Bootcamp at Harvard Business School

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Foster Britton spent four years learning to trade. Jerry Klamm grew a website to $100,000 a month in high school. Their bootstrapped, pre-launch company, Krelva, joins the new program in October and opens Krelva Meet, small live rooms where day traders trade the market together at their respective skill levels.

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Krelva, a bootstrapped, pre-launch Buffalo company built for futures day traders, has been accepted into the HBS Foundry Bootcamp at Harvard Business School, a new online program for founders working toward their first check. Foster Britton started trading in 10th grade, at 15, before settling on futures trading. Jerry Klamm, 19, built Geometry Spot at 16, grew it to more than 175 million pageviews and $100,000 a month in revenue before he finished high school, and left the University at Buffalo to run Krelva full time.

“Krelva Meet is the room I wish I had at 15.” Foster Britton, co-founder, Krelva

Krelva exists because of how hard Britton’s first four years were. Trading is highly complex, the internet is full of people teaching it, and most of what a beginner finds is confusing, contradictory, or sold by someone with something to sell. The question is never whether there is enough information. It is where to start and who to listen to.

“I started trading in 10th grade, in forex before anything else, and it took me four years to get it right,” Britton said. “It was not that the charts were hard. It was that there is so much online, most of it is confusing, and there is no way to know where to start or who to listen to.”

Today Krelva has two things. The first is a free beginner course that shows people where to start; it teaches the basics without promising anyone a payday. The second is Krelva Meet, which opens in October at $50 a month with a 14-day free trial: a new way to trade Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 futures, not alone and not in a crowd of strangers, but in a small live room with people at your own verified level.

Krelva Meet started with a frustration anyone who has spent time in a trading Discord will recognize. People post their results, and some of those results are real. Screenshots are easy to fake, a few prop firms now issue verified payout cards, and none of it tells a beginner whether the person answering their question is actually where they say they are. So the beginner guesses, and the loudest voice usually wins.

Krelva Meet checks. Every trader has a level that Krelva verifies before they enter a room, and the company is building direct brokerage verification so the check happens automatically. Rooms are built from traders at the same level. Someone who has never passed a prop firm evaluation sits with others who have not either. Pass one, and you move up to rooms with traders who have passed. Get paid out, and you move up again. Alongside the rooms, Krelva is launching a rating: simple, earned over time, and moved by how you answer questions during the session rather than by what you claim. Rooms are not a signal service and tell no one what to buy or sell. They are about the process: reading the market before the open, talking it through with people at your level, and finding out afterward where and why you were right or wrong.

Krelva does not claim to make anyone a better trader faster. It is trying to give people a place to start.

“Krelva Meet is the room I wish I had at 15,” Britton said.

The HBS Foundry Bootcamp at Harvard Business School has drawn attention since its launch for its $699 price and its format, which from Krelva’s understanding pairs weekly live sessions with HBS faculty and guests with AI versions of those same professors, built to push back on weak ideas.

“I’m interested in this new program at Harvard Business School. I think using AI tools to learn is the future, but I’m curious to see how Harvard does it and if it actually works,” Klamm said. “I like that it says the AI professors are built to challenge weak ideas, so I’m going to push it to the limit and see how it performs compared to a real professor.”

The waitlist for Krelva Meet is open now at https://krelva.com.

“Most traders look at the chart at 9:30 every morning by themselves. There are thousands of other traders just like you,” Klamm said. “Why would you trade alone if you could trade with a group you trust? That is the whole idea.”

About Krelva

Krelva is a Buffalo, New York company built for futures day traders. Its free beginner course, built by co-founder Foster Britton, teaches the basics of trading. Its paid product, Krelva Meet, puts traders in small live rooms with other traders at the same verified level to trade Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 futures together, for $50 a month with a 14-day free trial. Krelva was founded in 2026 by Jerry Klamm and Foster Britton. Learn more at https://krelva.com.

Media Contact

Jerry Klamm, Krelva, 1 716-261-7634, info@krelva.com, https://krelva.com/

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