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California SBDC Names Verizon Corporate Small Business Champion of the Year

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has named Verizon its Corporate Small Business Champion of the Year, recognizing the company’s significant efforts to strengthen small businesses and expand economic opportunity across California and the nation.

Through the Small Business Digital Ready program, Verizon has provided entrepreneurs with free access to expert training, digital tools, mentorship, and grant opportunities that help small businesses broaden capabilities and strengthen operations. The California SBDC Network has partnered with Verizon to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state with these resources.

“By helping small businesses succeed and thrive, we are investing directly in local economies, particularly in key states like California,” said Jim Gowen, Senior Vice President, New Revenue Generation and Chief Sustainability Officer at Verizon. “We’re proud to provide small businesses with the tools and resources to grow, the information and support to enhance disaster resilience, and the guidance to become a supplier for large companies like Verizon.”

In addition to programmatic support, Verizon has made a substantial financial commitment to small businesses through its supplier diversity efforts. The company pledged $5 billion in supplier diversity and procurement spending nationwide, including $500 million in California, creating meaningful pathways for small businesses to participate in major corporate supply chains and grow within them.

The California SBDC Network is working alongside Verizon to help identify qualified businesses, support them through the bidding process, and ensure they are prepared to successfully fulfill contracts, further extending the impact of those efforts.

“What sets Verizon apart is the depth of its investment in small businesses. They aren’t just providing resources—they’re helping businesses move into larger markets and compete at a higher level,” said Kristin Johnson, Executive Director of Norcal SBDC. “Through our work together, we’re seeing more businesses grow with greater confidence.”

Verizon was recognized during the May 13th California Salute to Small Business event held in Sacramento, a statewide gathering of legislators, small business leaders, and partners.

About the California SBDC Network

The California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools and guidance needed to succeed. Through no-cost one-on-one advising, training and resources, the SBDC helps businesses launch, grow, and thrive across California.

For more information, visit: https://www.californiasbdc.org/

For information about SBDC’s federal funding, please visit: norcalsbdc.org/disclosures

Media Contact: samantha@norcalsbdc.org

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Kigen Automotive eSIM first to achieve GSMA eSA certification, bringing latest SGP.32 security to connected vehicle OEMs for long-life fleets

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With the industry’s first eSA-certified eSIMs supporting the latest SGP.32 v1.3, Kigen delivers automotive-grade security, giving OEMs a common architecture for developing connected fleets – plus an implementation and tools to prepare for PQC readiness

CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Kigen, a global leader in eSIM and iSIM technology, has achieved GSMA eUICC Security Assurance (eSA) certification for its new Automotive eSIMs, the industry’s first eSA-certified eSIM supporting SGP.32 v1.3, GSMA’s latest IoT eSIM (eUICC) specification. The certification combines Kigen’s eSIM OS with Infineon’s TEGRION™ SLI22 automotive security controller, giving connected-vehicle OEMs and Tier-1s a secure, standards-current platform built for fleets that must stay secure for a decade-plus.

As cars and two-wheeled vehicles rapidly transition to highly intelligent, regulated, and software-defined mobility assets, the new Kigen Automotive eSIM is certified across the TEGRION™ SLx22 chip family, creating a three-product portfolio spanning Automotive (SLI22), Consumer (SLC22, supporting latest SGP.22 v2.7), and Industrial IoT (SLM22, supporting SGP.32 v1.3). All three share the same OS and hardware platform, development tools, and management stack, helping automotive manufacturers use the same security platform across infotainment, telematics, and headless vehicle systems. This reduces fragmentation, speeds development, and makes it easier for the same OEM to expand across multiple connected cars, passenger transport, and industrial vehicle fleets.

Kigen’s implementation supports SGP.32 v1.3 enhancements, published in May 2026, including direct and indirect profile downloads, digital activation codes, and emergency profile handling relevant to connected vehicles. Early visibility into the latest enhancements to eSIM standards reduces the risk of architectural obsolescence for OEMs and operators, allowing architectures qualified today to remain relevant over long program timelines.

Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is increasingly important for connected vehicles, where long service lives make hardware replacement impractical. Although PQC is not yet part of the GSMA specifications, Kigen can support OEMs having implemented hybrid key encapsulation that combines classical and quantum-safe algorithms on the same platform. OEMs can test end-to-end PQC-resistant communications using Kigen’s C-SDK development suite and test eSIM samples to prepare for long-term security against emerging quantum threats.

The certification builds on Kigen’s established eSA-certified IoT eSIMs and Consumer eSIMs that introduced eSIM OS secure updates for compliance to EU Cybersecurity Resilience Act (EU CRA), certified six months prior.

“Vehicles are becoming long-lived software platforms, so their connectivity trust anchor must remain secure and manageable long after production,” said Vincent Korstanje, CEO, Kigen. “Kigen’s new eSA-certified Automotive eSIMs give car manufacturers a secure path from factory provisioning to global fleet operation while preserving freedom to evolve connectivity throughout the vehicle lifetime. Given the market maturity of our eIM, the time to achieve this certification demonstrates the deep collaboration of Kigen’s product, engineering, certification, and operations teams with technology and ecosystem partners.”

“Kigen has played a key role in shaping the evolution of eSIM for IoT, including through Dr Saïd Gharout’s leadership of the GSMA eSIM Technical Working Group,” said Gloria Trujillo, eSIM Technical Director, GSMA. “This latest achievement, with the industry’s first eSA-certified eSIMs supporting SGP.32 v1.3, is an important step in translating GSMA eSIM IoT specifications into secure, interoperable technology for the next generation of connected IoT and vehicle fleets.”

“Congratulations to Kigen on the industry’s first GSMA eSA certification to the latest SGP.32 enhanced specifications for automotive eSIMs,” said Katherine Diao, Head of IoT and Automotive Industry, China Mobile International. “China Mobile International is pleased to partner with Kigen to introduce SGP.32-based security solutions to Chinese automakers, supporting global deployment, CRA-aligned processes, and reliable connectivity for vehicles designed for long service life.”

Kigen’s full eSIM stack assurance spans GSMA SAS-UP (manufacturing) and SAS-SM (subscription management) certification, plus hosted Kigen eIM remote management. Kigen Automotive eSIMs interoperate with 20+ network providers that are ready for digital activation, with 60+ “Secure with Kigen” IoT modules, and are supported by global connectivity partnerships, including China Mobile International, helping OEMs simplify deployment across international vehicle markets. Kigen will join GSMA interoperability testing in October with its certified IoT eSIMs and eIM solution.

Kigen Automotive eSIMs will be available for OEM sampling in the ETSI MFF2 package from October 2026. Request samples and the Kigen IoT eSIM Starter Kit at https://kigen.com/contact/ 

About Kigen

Kigen is the forerunner in GSMA-certified eSIM and Remote SIM Provisioning security solutions, empowering networks and manufacturers, including top 10% in industrial critical sectors, to scale cellular IoT and achieve compliance for new cybersecurity mandates. Our award-winning eSIM technology delivers intelligence on the SIM, supporting AI-era network functionality, with proven interoperability across leading chipsets and modules for faster time to market. Backed by Arm, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and SBI Group, Kigen is consistently recognized for innovation and earned a spot on the coveted The Sunday Times 100Tech – UK’s fastest growing private tech companies list. Learn more at https://kigen.com/

 

 

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AsiaPay Pilot Launches Voice Pay for merchants in Asia

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An AI-Powered UI for Smarter Convenient Payments

HONG KONG, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AsiaPay, a leading digital payment service and technology provider in Asia, today announced the pilot launch of Voice Pay, an AI-powered voice payment experience that lets consumers speak into their mobile device and instruct payment using their preferred payment method — from digital wallets to cards. Voice Pay brings secure, hands-free checkout to everyday commerce, making payments faster, more accessible and more intuitive for consumers while helping merchants increase conversions and reduce friction.

With Voice Pay, customers can confirm purchases through natural speech on their mobile phone or other supported device. Behind the scenes, AsiaPay connects the voice instruction to the customer’s chosen payment method, while its intelligent payment engine manages authentication, routing, fraud protection and processing.

With the voice payments market set to nearly double from $10.9 billion in 2025 to $22.7 billion by 2030, and 81% of consumers already using voice technology weekly, early adopters are recovering 35% of abandoned carts via AI voice agents. As the payments industry shifts from static rules to adaptive AI, AsiaPay is embedding further intelligence into fraud scoring and routing.

“The way consumers shop is changing – and so is the way payments are processed behind the scenes,” said Joseph Chan, CEO of AsiaPay. “With Voice Pay, we are giving merchants a voice front-end to an AI-powered payment interface that reduces friction for customers and improves economics for businesses. In an industry where payment networks and PSPs are racing to embed AI into their infrastructure and service, Voice Pay is AsiaPay’s answer paving the way for agentic commerce.”

AsiaPay Voice Pay is built for immediate use. Existing AsiaPay merchants can unlock this new user experience instantly with Zero-Code Enablement—requiring no development effort or system changes. For new merchants, the API-based gateway integration ensures smooth deployment across leading eCommerce platforms, supporting multi-wallet compatibility including Apple Pay, Google Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, and Octopus and others in Asia, with built-in biometric and tokenized security.

About AsiaPay

Founded in 2000, AsiaPay, a premier digital payment service and technology solution provider, strives to bring advanced, secure, integrated, and cost-effective electronic payment processing solutions and services to banks, corporations, and e-Businesses in the worldwide market, covering an array of prevailing international credit card, debit card, prepaid card, net banking, wallets, BNPL and QR code payment.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, AsiaPay also offers its professional advanced digital payment service and solution consultancy, and quality local service support from its 17 offices across the Asia Pacific region including Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and India.

For more information, please visit www.asiapay.com.

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Co-op Live Sets the Stage for Connected Operations with Oracle Cloud Applications

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Oracle Simphony Cloud POS and NetSuite helping the UK’s largest arena streamline food and beverage service and financial operations

AUSTIN, Texas and MANCHESTER, England, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Co-op Live, one of the world’s most advanced live entertainment venues, is using Oracle Cloud applications to support its mission to change the way business is done within the music, sports, and live entertainment industry. By using Oracle Simphony Cloud Point of Sale (POS) and Oracle NetSuite, Co-op Live is bringing together food and beverage operations with financial management to help optimise inventory, simplify business processes, and support continued growth.

“Co-op Live was designed to be one of the world’s most advanced live entertainment venues, and that requires best-in-class technology behind every aspect of the fan experience,” said Guy Dunstan, senior vice president and general manager, Co-op Live. “Oracle plays a vital role in supporting our operations. By connecting our venue and finance data, our teams have better visibility across the business, helping us make more informed decisions while delivering fast, efficient, and reliable service at every event.”

Developed and operated by Oak View Group, Co-op Live has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s leading live entertainment venues, welcoming millions of fans and hosting performances by artists including Harry Styles, Paul McCartney, and Billie Eilish. Delivering exceptional fan experiences at scale requires processing high volumes of food and beverage transactions while maintaining tight control over inventory and profitability. Co-op Live selected Oracle Simphony and NetSuite to unify hospitality and finance operations, helping teams work more efficiently, optimise inventory, and delight fans.

Oracle Simphony unifies ordering, payments, and operational data across Co-op Live’s bars, concessions, premium event spaces, and self-service kiosks, providing teams with timely insight into sales performance, product demand, and venue operations. By bringing together operational information with the financial management capabilities in NetSuite, Co-op Live can simplify financial reconciliation and improve budgeting and forecasting, giving finance and operations teams a shared view of business performance. Together, Oracle Simphony and NetSuite are giving Co-op Live the intelligence needed to respond more quickly to changing demand and deliver exceptional fan experiences.

“Live entertainment venues need to serve thousands of guests during short, intense periods while maintaining the speed, quality, and convenience fans expect,” said Kevin Kimber, senior vice president and general manager, UK and Ireland, Oracle. “By bringing food and beverage operations and financial management together with Oracle Simphony and NetSuite, Co-op Live can improve efficiency, inventory management, and decision-making to further enhance the experience for fans.”

About Co-op Live:
Co-op Live is the UK’s newest premier venue located on the Etihad Campus in the heart of Manchester. The 23,500-capacity arena features over 120 nights a year of unique entertainment, emerging as the largest arena in the UK, a testament to the unrivalled partnership between Oak View Group (OVG), City Football Group (CFG), Harry Styles, and Co-op. Distinguished as a world-class, planet-friendly venue deeply rooted in the local community, Co-op Live is one of the world’s most sustainable and socially responsible venues delivering on Co-op’s vision of a fairer world within the entertainment industry. With an impressive array of food and drink concessions, including bars, premium restaurants, lounges, and club spaces, Co-op Live sets the standard for live entertainment in the music industry today. Venue excellence extends to the innovative ‘Smart Bowl’ design with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art acoustics, crafted to offer an intimate and immersive sensory experience for all patrons. Visit cooplive.com, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and TikTok.

About Oak View Group:
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

About Oracle Restaurants
Oracle Restaurants helps ambitious food and beverage providers transact in new ways, place their guests at the center of every business decision, and deliver exceptional dining experiences. Powered by Oracle Simphony Cloud, an open and extensible digital transaction platform for unified restaurant commerce, our solutions enable operators to inform and automate operations, streamline payments, and personalize both staff and guest interactions. From quick service to fine dining, restaurants around the world trust Oracle to drive efficiency, scale seamlessly, and innovate for the future. Learn more at Oracle Restaurants.

About Oracle NetSuite
For more than 25 years, Oracle NetSuite has helped organizations of all sizes reach their goals faster and more efficiently. NetSuite provides an integrated business system with embedded AI that delivers powerful financial management, supply chain, customer experience, and HR capabilities. Relied on by more than 44,000 customers in 220 countries and dependent territories, NetSuite is the #1 AI cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company–ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

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