Connect with us

Technology

Climate Solutions Prize unveils 2026 winners

Published

on

Under the theme Innovation in Motion, the Festival brought together leading voices in climate, policy and innovation across seven tracks, with more than $1.5 million in prizes.

MONTREAL, June 12, 2026 /CNW/ – The fourth edition of the Climate Solutions Prize Festival came to a close on the evening of June 9 at the Marché Bonsecours. The event drew 1,500 people to Montreal on June 8 and 9 for two days of talks, panel discussions and pitch events bringing together innovators, investors, industry leaders and policymakers from more than 20 countries and 5 continents. The winners of the four 2026 prizes were revealed at the closing ceremony.

“Climate innovation will not be led by slogans, but by builders. Our finalists are proof of that: their solutions do not ask the market to make a sacrifice. They win because they are faster, cleaner and profitable. Thank you to each of them for bringing that ambition to our stage, and my warmest congratulations to Treetack, TerraFixing, Tydra Labs, Local Energy, BeNat, the National Research Council of Canada and Hyperion, the University of Toronto in collaboration with Xatoms, Pirouz Kian and Sanjay Dube. The real race today is no longer about invention, but about the speed of deployment, and this week, we proved that we can lead it,” said Galith Levy, CEO and co-founder of the Climate Solutions Prize.

From a high-level kickoff to a Shark Tank style finale

Pascale Déry, Quebec’s Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, officially launched the event, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accelerating the ecological transition through innovation. She was followed by Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montreal, who underscored the city’s key role as an international hub for research and innovation in the service of climate action, as well as the importance of cities on the front lines of environmental challenges.

The program brought together leading voices, including Sage Lenier, climate educator and founder of Sustainable & Just Future, and Bruce Friedrich, founder and CEO of the Good Food Institute. The Honourable Jean Charest, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and former Premier of Quebec, spoke with Henry Stern, Senator for the State of California. Their conversation, both clear-eyed and committed, explored a central question: how can democratic institutions respond to the climate emergency in a way that meets today’s challenges? They pointed to the Quebec-California carbon market partnership as an example of how to build sustainable and resilient economies.

The event concluded with a Shark Tank-style pitch competition, where the finalist companies for the Climate Tech Trailblazer Prize defended their solutions before a jury of investors and industry leaders, ahead of the announcement of the winning company at the closing ceremony.

The 2026 winners:

Climate Tech Trailblazer Prize (Canada & Quebec)

Treetack $100,000TerraFixing $100,000Audience choice: Tydra Labs, $25,000

Breakthrough Research Prize

First place : National Research Council of Canada and Hyperion, $250,000Second place : University of Toronto in collaboration with Xatoms, $150,000

Climate Startup Equity Prize, powered by Cycle Momentum – Pre-Seed

BeNat, $150,000

Climate Startup Equity Prize, powered by Cycle Momentum – Seed

Local Energy, $250,000

Student Entrepreneur Innovation Prize

First place : Pirouz Kian, University of Calgary – NanoStrip, $100,000Second place: Sanjay Dube, Memorial University of Newfoundland, $80,000

The Climate Solutions Prize in numbers

The 2026 edition welcomed 1,500 participants, with a 30% increase in prize applications over last year. It featured seven tracks, including three new ones (Nature and Biotechnologies, Resource Technologies, and Energy and Power). Since 2020, the Climate Solutions Prize has awarded more than $12 million in prizes, and its winners have unlocked more than $111 million in follow-on capital.

About the Climate Solutions Prize

Climate Solutions Prize is a climate innovation platform that arms startups and researchers with the funding, global visibility and strategic connections they need to move from proof-of-concept to real-world deployment. It connects climate technology innovators directly with the investors, industry partners, policymakers and decision-makers who can accelerate their path to market. Since 2020, the platform has awarded more than $12 million in prizes, and its winners have unlocked more than $111 million in follow-on capital.

Learn more: climatesolutionsprize.com

SOURCE Climate Solutions Prize

Continue Reading

Technology

TCL CSOT to Explore the Future of Displays in the AI Era at DTC 2026

Published

on

By

WUHAN, China, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The TCL CSOT Global Display Tech-Ecosystem Conference 2026 (DTC 2026) will take place in Wuhan, China, on November 13. Under the theme “TRUE VISION, AI IN MOTION,” this year’s conference will present TCL CSOT’s latest advances in Inkjet Printing OLED (IJP OLED), APEX display technologies, AI applications, and next-generation display solutions.

Displaying the Future in the AI Era
As AI accelerates change across digital content and intelligent devices, the ability to deliver rich colors and fine details while meeting the needs of different usage scenarios is becoming essential for translating display technology into experiences users can see and feel.

At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will examine how AI is reshaping content creation, device form factors, and human-machine interaction, offering a closer look at how these shifts are expanding the role of displays in future intelligent experiences.

IJP OLED Moves toward Large-Scale Commercialization
Following more than a decade of research and development, TCL CSOT’s IJP OLED technology is advancing from technical validation toward large-scale production, marking a critical stage in its commercialization. Its expanding applications from medical displays into IT and consumer products demonstrate the growing potential of IJP OLED across monitors and future intelligent devices, attracting increasing attention throughout the display value chain.

At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will share further updates on its IJP OLED development and continued exploration of the technology. As a major highlight of the conference, these advances will offer a closer look at the potential path for the development of next-generation display technologies.

APEX Platform Innovations Bring the Future of Display to Life
At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will bring together a broad lineup of APEX platform innovations, highlighting advances in display experience, visual health, sustainability, and form-factor innovation. By connecting technology development with real-world applications, the showcase will translate the value of a “great display” into tangible experiences. From picture quality and viewing comfort to new product forms and use cases, the exhibits will offer industry partners and guests a clearer view of the diverse possibilities shaping the future of displays.

Industry Leaders to Exchange Perspectives on the Future of Displays
Beyond its technology and product showcases, DTC 2026 will bring together industry leaders and cross-sector thinkers to explore the future of displays. Jun Zhao, Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT; Xiaolin Yan, CTO of TCL Technology and TCL CSOT; and science writer and Wenjin Book Award Winner Weigang Wan are expected to join the conference.

Their discussions will examine how AI is reshaping display standards, human-machine interaction, product development, and user experience. By bringing together perspectives from technology, content, and applications, DTC 2026 aims to present an integrated view of the forces shaping the future of displays and foster closer collaboration across the display ecosystem. More highlights from DTC 2026 will be announced soon.

SOURCE TCL CSOT

Continue Reading

Technology

Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in the UK

Published

on

By

LONDON, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces four of many new Club Offers for Club Members in the UK.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

£420PP—DELUXE TUSCANY BREAK WITH DINNER & COOKING CLASS
Hotel Villa Il Patriarca sits in extensive grounds, surrounded by mature pine and cypress trees. This offer includes three nights in a Junior Suite, a 6-course dining experience at Michelin-listed I Salotti, a cooking class with the chef, and wine tasting. We have negotiated savings of £373 per couple in spring and summer.
  £200PP—2 NIGHTS AT NEW CORNWALL HOTEL
Travelzoo Club Members are invited to be the first guests at this new hotel when it opens in January. Elysium St Mawes in the Cornish village of St Mawes has been completely redesigned. We have negotiated savings of 50% on regular rates. Includes two nights, champagne, cream tea, and a session in the thermal spa.
  £199PP—FRENCH RIVIERA WITH FLIGHTS
Winter in Cannes means fewer crowds, golden light, and mild weather. This special rate is just for us Club Members—three nights at the Juliana Hotel Cannes in a balcony room, a stone’s throw from the famous Boulevard de la Croisette. Includes return flights.
  £99PP—TOP WEST END SHOW WITH DINNER
“Miss Saigon” returns to the West End for the first time since 2016. Tickets usually cost £99 per person but, with this offer, we also get a 2-course meal and drink at Gaucho Piccadilly before the show.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travellers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Media Contact: 
Cat Jordan – London
+44 77 7678 1525
cjordan@travelzoo.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/club-offers-for-travel-enthusiasts-in-the-uk-302932597.html

SOURCE Travelzoo

Continue Reading

Technology

Dynamic Pricing Raises New Questions for Forwarders Evaluating Automated Freight Quoting

Published

on

By

As freight forwarders adopt AI freight quoting software, Aircon founder Chris Condon says buyers should measure more than response speed. He urges teams evaluating freight quote automation software to count total operator time, including review and correction, and to check how quotes hold up when shipment details change.

LEWISVILLE, Texas, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As more freight forwarders adopt AI freight quoting software to keep pace with shifting rates, a practical question is emerging: how much of the time saved is later spent checking and fixing what the software produces? Chris Condon, founder and CEO of Aircon, says buyers evaluating freight quote automation software should look at dynamic pricing alongside the work required to turn a supplier’s rate into a customer commitment. His comments follow G2’s 2026 AI Agents Report, updated October 14, which examines the operating costs of reviewing and correcting automated work.

“A higher rate can still be the right choice if it supports the required service,” Condon said. “What matters is knowing what the price includes, which conditions apply and what still has to be confirmed before the customer relies on the answer.”

“Think about a hotel when a major concert comes to town,” Condon said. “Demand goes up, there are only so many rooms, and prices can rise. Freight responds to supply and demand too. The forwarder’s job is to work out whether the available price and service meet the customer’s need.”

Freight pricing reflects more than demand. Costs, contract terms, and shipment requirements all shape the final number. A changing rate tells the forwarder something about one particular option… building a customer offer still requires checking service conditions, outstanding confirmations, and the forwarder’s own commercial rules.

That verification step is where automated freight quoting is put to the test. Condon refers to it as decision assurance: organizing the inputs and evidence behind a proposed commitment, flagging open questions, and keeping a record of the decision, while the forwarder retains judgment and the customer relationship.

“A higher rate can still be the right choice if it supports the required service,” Condon said. “What matters is knowing what the price includes, which conditions apply and what still has to be confirmed before the customer relies on the answer.”

G2’s report draws on a July survey of 1,019 business technology decisionmakers across industries. Forty-five percent of respondents said oversight and rework consume more than a quarter of their expected productivity gains. The findings are self-reported and cover enterprise AI adoption broadly; the report is not specific to freight.

For teams comparing freight quoting software for forwarders, Condon suggests looking beyond response speed. He recommends measuring total operator time, including review and correction, and asking how any freight quote management software handles changes to shipment details…and whether a second operator can understand the conditions behind an earlier quote.

“The practical standard is to give the team time back and keep the judgment behind the customer commitment clear,” Condon said.

About Aircon:

Aircon provides decision-assurance software for freight forwarders, supporting the review that takes place before a quote becomes a customer commitment. It preserves inputs, evidence, and decision state within the forwarder’s existing workflow, while the forwarder retains the customer relationship and commercial judgment.

Media Contact

Chris Condon, Aircon, 1 (855) 750-4560, ccondon@aircon.ai, https://www.aircon.ai

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/dynamic-pricing-raises-new-questions-for-forwarders-evaluating-automated-freight-quoting-302931757.html

SOURCE Aircon

Continue Reading

Trending