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Climate Solutions Prize unveils 2026 winners

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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

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Purchasers of Standalone Storage Device or Computer for resale in the United States from January 2003, through May 2016, may be affected by a class action lawsuit

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SAN JOSE, Calif., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A class action antitrust lawsuit was filed on behalf of Reseller Plaintiffs and End-User Plaintiffs against Defendants TDK Corporation, Hutchinson Technology Inc., Magnecomp Precision Technology Public Co., Ltd., Magnecomp Corporation, and SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd. (together, “TDK Defendants”), and NHK Spring Co., Ltd., NHK International, NAT Peripheral (Dong Guan) Co., Ltd., NAT Peripheral (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., and NHK Spring (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (together, “NHK Defendants”). This Notice only applies to Reseller Plaintiffs. The Reseller Plaintiffs are Now Micro, Inc., Integrated Technical Systems, Inc. d/b/a Network One, It Worx, Inc., Stephen Arvay, and Michael Medeiros, (together, the “Reseller Plaintiffs”). The lawsuit alleges Defendants conspired to fix prices of suspension assemblies (“SAs”), a component contained in hard disk drives (“HDD”). SAs are a necessary component of HDDs and are found in products such as laptop and desktop computers, and computer servers. The Reseller Plaintiffs bought and resold HDDs that included SAs. Reseller Plaintiffs assert prices were higher as a result of the supracompetitive prices initially charged by Defendants to HDD manufacturers, who “passed on” those price increases to the Reseller Plaintiffs.

The Court “certified” a Reseller Class defined as: all persons or entities in the Indirect Purchaser States, except original equipment manufacturers, who, during the period from January 2003 through May 2016, purchased a Standalone Storage Device or Computer for resale, which included as a component part one or more SAs that were manufactured or sold by Defendants, any current or former subsidiary of Defendants, or any co-conspirator of Defendants, or who indirectly purchased a SA, for resale, that was manufactured or sold by Defendants, any current or former subsidiary of Defendants, or any co-conspirator of Defendants.

The Court has not decided who is right or wrong. There is no money available now, and no guarantee there will be. However, if you are a member of the Reseller Class described above, your legal rights are affected, and you have a choice to make now.

Class Members who want to keep the possibility of getting money or benefits from this lawsuit in the future do not need to do anything now. By doing nothing, they are staying in the Reseller Class and if the Reseller Plaintiffs obtain money or benefits in the future, they will be notified about how to get their share. Class Members who do nothing now will not be able to sue or continue to sue Defendants—as part of any other lawsuit—about the same legal claims in this lawsuit. Class Members will also be legally bound by the orders and judgments. If they do nothing now and there is a settlement or judgment in the future, they may not be allowed to exclude themselves from the lawsuit.

Class Members who want to sue Defendants on their own regarding the same legal claims in this lawsuit or already have their own lawsuit against Defendants regarding the same legal claims in this lawsuit and want to continue with it, need to ask to be excluded from the Reseller Class. Class Members who exclude or remove themselves from the Reseller Class— sometimes called “opting-out” of the class— they will not get any money or benefits from this lawsuit even if Reseller Plaintiffs win at trial or there is a settlement. However, those who opt-out may be able to sue or continue to sue Defendants on their own. Class Members who exclude themselves will not be legally bound by the Court’s judgments in this class action lawsuit. The deadline to opt-out is September 2, 2026.

Class Counsel will have to prove Reseller Plaintiffs’ legal claims at a trial. The trial has not been scheduled. During the trial, a Jury and the Judge will hear all of the evidence to help them reach a decision about whether Reseller Plaintiffs or Defendants are right about the legal claims in the lawsuit. There is no guarantee that Reseller Plaintiffs will win, or that they will get any money for the Reseller Class.

This Notice summarizes the lawsuit and the proceedings. To get additional information visit www.HDDSuspensionReseller.com or call 1-877-307-1874.

URL: www.HDDSuspensionReseller.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/purchasers-of-standalone-storage-device-or-computer-for-resale-in-the-united-states-from-january-2003-through-may-2016-may-be-affected-by-a-class-action-lawsuit-302799356.html

SOURCE United States District Court for the Northern District of California

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Grey Wind Capital Partners with Maher Services and F. G. Sullivan to Build a Leading New England Water Well Services Platform

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NORTH READING, Mass., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Grey Wind Capital has completed investments in Maher Services and F. G. Sullivan, creating a leading provider of water well services for utility, commercial, and industrial customers across New England.

Maher Services, whose partnership with Grey Wind closed in August 2025, serves as the platform; F. G. Sullivan joined on June 1, 2026. The company is headquartered in North Reading, Massachusetts, with a second location in Lancaster, and both businesses will keep their existing names.

The investments reflect Grey Wind’s strategy of consolidating New England’s fragmented water well services market into a more comprehensive, professionalized, and scalable offering. Co-CEOs Daniel Chase and Laurent Firlotte will lead the combined company.

“Maher Services and F. G. Sullivan are two highly respected names in New England water well services, and bringing them together gives our utility, commercial, and industrial customers a stronger, more capable partner,” said Daniel Chase, Co-CEO of Grey Wind Capital and Maher Services. “This is the foundation of the platform we set out to build.”

“The water well services market across New England remains highly fragmented, and our customers are looking for a provider that can deliver reliability and scale,” said Laurent Firlotte. “Partnering with the Maher and Sullivan teams allows us to do exactly that, and we see significant opportunity ahead.”

“Joining forces with Grey Wind Capital and now F. G. Sullivan allows us to invest in our people and expand what we can offer our customers,” said Peter Maher, President of Services at Maher Services. “I’m excited about what this next chapter means for our team and the clients we serve.”

About Maher Services

Maher Services, based in North Reading, Massachusetts, provides water well drilling, installation, maintenance, and repair services for utility, commercial, and industrial customers across New England. Visit maherserv.com.

About F. G. Sullivan

F. G. Sullivan, based in Lancaster, Massachusetts, serves utility, commercial, and industrial water well customers across New England and is known for quality and long-standing customer relationships. Visit fgsullivandrill.com.

About Grey Wind Capital

Grey Wind Capital is a holding company that acquires and operates leading water well and water infrastructure services businesses, partnering with founder-owned companies to provide capital, operational leadership, and strategic resources for long-term growth. Visit greywindcapital.com.

Media Contact

chase@greywindcapital.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grey-wind-capital-partners-with-maher-services-and-f-g-sullivan-to-build-a-leading-new-england-water-well-services-platform-302799380.html

SOURCE Grey Wind Capital

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Rockford Fosgate Introduces New PUNCH® PRO Speakers

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Aggressive Output. Rugged Reliability. The new series is purpose-built for SPL competition vehicles and performance-focused builds where maximum output matters most.

TEMPE, Ariz., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rockford Fosgate, the leader in high-performance audio systems, is proud to announce the new PUNCH PRO Speaker Series, engineered to be the loudest speakers in the PUNCH lineup. Purpose-built for SPL competition vehicles, high-volume street performance, and performance-focused builds, the new PUNCH PRO Series delivers aggressive output, rugged reliability, and the unmistakable PUNCH sound.

Designed for listeners who demand extreme output without sacrificing durability or clarity, PUNCH PRO speakers combine high-efficiency components, oversized motor structures, and ultra-durable materials to deliver relentless volume under demanding conditions. With midrange drivers and tweeters engineered specifically for high-output environments, the series gives installers and enthusiasts the power, output, and dependability needed to take serious builds to the next level.

“Punch Pro brings pro audio efficiency and SPL capability into a dedicated automotive architecture. By utilizing Punch-platform frames, we achieved a true ‘Engineered Fit’ for direct integration without modification. And with a new compact bullet tweeter option, we’ve made it easier than ever to deliver pro-level output into tighter vehicle spaces” said Wayne Connolly, Vice President of Product Development.

Performance-driven from the inside out, PUNCH PRO speakers feature precision-engineered phase plugs that help project high-frequency detail with accuracy, allowing music to stay clear and focused even at elevated volume. Oversized motor structures improve efficiency and support extended playtime, while a 75-watt RMS and 150-watt peak power rating gives the series the strength to keep up when the system is pushed hard.

Built to perform like a true workhorse, every component and material in the PUNCH PRO Series was selected for strength and long-term reliability. Reinforced polymer baskets, high-density cones, and reinforced tweeter diaphragms help deliver class-leading construction designed to withstand the demands of competition-level output and aggressive everyday performance.

The series is also engineered for demanding environments. UV-resistant materials in the cone, surround, and frame help protect against prolonged sun exposure, while treated paper cones, durable surrounds, and fatigue-resistant spiders are designed to maintain performance over time. For enhanced control and system tuning, the PUNCH PRO platform also includes an external crossover engineered for high-output applications. The precision external low-pass crossover provides accurate signal control for seamless integration of dual midrange drivers and a tweeter while preserving sonic integrity under high-power conditions. Selectable tweeter attenuation at 0 dB, –3 dB, and –6 dB allows installers to fine-tune high-frequency output for optimal tonal balance across a wide range of system configurations.

Inside the crossover, optimized midrange filtering uses laminated steel-core inductors for low-loss, high-current handling and smooth, controlled midrange response. Ceramic resistors, aluminum heatsinks, and a vented chassis work together to efficiently dissipate heat, helping maintain consistent performance during extended, high-output listening sessions.

The PUNCH PRO Speaker Series is designed for competition-level output, aggressive everyday performance, and systems that need to play loud and hold up under pressure. Available in multiple sizes and configurations, PUNCH PRO brings aggressive output, rugged durability, and the unmistakable PUNCH sound to performance-focused builds.

For more information visit: rockfordfosgate.com or visit an authorized dealer.

About Rockford Fosgate
Setting the standard for excellence in the audio industry, Rockford Corporation markets high-performance audio systems under the brand Rockford Fosgate® for the mobile, marine, motorsport, and motorcycle audio aftermarket and OEM market. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Rockford Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Patrick Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: PATK).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rockford-fosgate-introduces-new-punch-pro-speakers-302799298.html

SOURCE Rockford Fosgate

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