The European Patent Office (EPO) celebrates inventors whose work is helping address global challenges in healthcare, energy, food systems and digital technologiesThe awards were presented during the European Inventor Award 2026 ceremony in Berlin todayThe winners include inventors from China, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Sweden and the United KingdomGerman engineer Rainer Marquardt received the Lifetime Achievement distinction for developing the Modular Multilevel Converter, a breakthrough that transformed modern electricity transmissionWinners in the four categories are: Angeliki Triantafyllou (Industry); Sir Adrian Hill (Research); Franck Zal (SMEs); Xie Yinghao and Yu Haijun (Non-EPO Countries)The Popular Prize, determined by a public vote, was won by the Chinese inventors Xie Yinghao and Yu Haijun

MUNICH, July 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The European Patent Office (EPO) today announced the winners of the European Inventor Award 2026 during a ceremony in Berlin. The laureates were recognised for inventions that improve healthcare, support the energy transition, advance sustainable food production and promote the circular economy. The winners were selected by an independent international jury. 

The award winners

This year’s winners represent a diverse range of disciplines and countries. Their inventions address challenges ranging from malaria prevention and organ transplantation to renewable energy integration, battery recycling and sustainable food production.

Industry

Greek-Swedish food scientist Angeliki Triantafyllou received the award for developing a patented enzymatic process that improved the taste, texture and stability of oat-based drinks. Her innovation increased protein solubility while preserving protein structure, helping transform oat drinks from a niche product into a widely accepted dairy alternative. Find out more here.

Research

Irish-British scientist Sir Adrian Hill received the award for developing the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine. The vaccine achieved around 75–80% protection in clinical trials, exceeding the World Health Organization’s target for malaria vaccines, and was recommended by the WHO for widespread use in 2023. Find out more here.

Non-EPO Countries

Chinese inventors Xie Yinghao and Yu Haijun received the award for developing a battery recycling process that converts spent lithium-ion batteries into high-quality cathode materials. Their technology recovers critical raw materials while significantly reducing chemical consumption and carbon emissions. Find out more here.

SMEs

French biologist and entrepreneur Franck Zal received the award for developing a universal oxygen carrier derived from the marine lugworm. His technology helps preserve organs and tissues by delivering oxygen during storage and transport, and is already used in transplantation medicine.  Find out more here.

Lifetime Achievement

Professor Rainer Marquardt received the Lifetime Achievement distinction for developing the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), a breakthrough in power electronics that became the global standard for voltage-source-controlled high-voltage direct current transmission systems. His inventions opened the high-power range up to the gigawatt level for electronically controllable power conversion and are now used in modern electricity grids, offshore wind integration and long-distance power transmission.  Find out more here.

Popular Prize

Chosen by a combination of voting by the public and the jury, this year’s Popular Prize was awarded to Chinese inventors Xie Yinghao and Yu Haijun for developing a battery recycling process that converts spent lithium-ion batteries into high-quality cathode materials.

After receiving the highest number of votes cast, they were recognised for a technology that recovers critical raw materials while significantly reducing chemical consumption and carbon emissions.

This year’s award ceremony was held in Berlin and livestreamed to audiences around the world. You can stream the ceremony online here. Find more information about all the inventions’ impact, the technology and the inventors’ stories here.

About the European Inventor Award 

The European Inventor Award is one of Europe’s most prestigious innovation prizes. Launched by the EPO in 2006, the award honours individuals and teams, who have come up with solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time. The European Inventor Award jury consists of inventors who are all former finalists. To judge proposals, the independent panel draws on their wealth of technical, business, and intellectual property expertise. All inventors must have been granted a European patent for their invention. Read more here on the various categories, prizes, selection criteria and livestream ceremony held on 2 July in Berlin. 

About the EPO 

With 6,300 staff members, the European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague and Vienna, the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe. Through the EPO’s centralised patent granting procedure, inventors are able to obtain high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, covering a market of some 715 million people. The EPO is also the world’s leading authority in patent information and patent searching.

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SOURCE European Patent Office (EPO)

SKHL Builds on Direxion’s Leadership in Leveraged & Inverse Semiconductor ETFs

NEW YORK, July 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Direxion, a leading provider of ETFs for tactical traders, has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch the Direxion Daily SK Hynix Bull 2X ETF (SKHL). Once effective, SKHL will seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the daily performance of the SK hynix Inc.-sponsored American depositary receipt (Nasdaq: SKHY) (collectively, “SK hynix”). The Fund is expected to begin trading shortly after SK hynix’s ADR lists on Nasdaq, subject to SEC effectiveness.

SK hynix is set to begin trading on Nasdaq on July 10, 2026. Experts have reported it will be one of the largest ADR offerings in market history. The listing would open U.S. trading access to the world’s leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory, the stacked chips that sit beside AI accelerators and a primary reason SK hynix has become central to the AI data center supply chain. It is a lead memory supplier to Nvidia, including qualification on next-generation HBM4 for Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform.

“SK hynix sits at the center of the AI memory story, and few listings this year have been more anticipated,” said Mo Sparks, Chief Product Officer at Direxion. “SKHL will provide active traders a focused way to act on that conviction once the ADR is trading, and it is a natural extension of the semiconductor franchise we have built.”

SKHL would join a deep bench of Direxion semiconductor leveraged and inverse ETFs, from the firm’s flagship Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull and Bear 3X ETFs (SOXL and SOXS) to single-stock chip funds spanning Nvidia (NVDU and NVDD) and Micron (MUU and MUD). The planned Fund would add the world’s HBM leader to that toolkit, reinforcing Direxion’s standing as a leading issuer of single-stock ETFs in the U.S.

Fund Summary:

All Direxion Leveraged and Inverse ETFs are intended only for investors with an in-depth understanding of the risks associated with seeking leveraged investment results, and who plan to actively monitor and manage their positions. There is no guarantee these ETFs will meet their objective. Please visit the Direxion Leveraged and Inverse ETF Education Center, where you will find educational brochures, videos, and a self-paced online course to help you understand if Leveraged and Inverse ETFs – including Single Stock Daily LETFs – are right for you.

About Direxion:

Direxion equips investors driven by conviction with ETF solutions built for purpose and fine-tuned for precision. These solutions serve a broad spectrum of investors, whether executing short-term tactical trades or building longer-term portfolio allocations. Direxion’s reputation is founded on developing products that precisely express market perspectives and allow investors to manage their risk exposure. Founded in 1997, the company has approximately $85.4 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026. For more information, please visit www.direxion.com.

There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

For more information on all Direxion Shares ETFs, go to www.direxion.com, or call us at 866.301.9214.

An investor should carefully consider a Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Direxion Shares. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus call 866.476.7523 or visit our website at direxion.com. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

To read the Pre-Effective Prospectus, click here.

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Investing in the fund involves a high degree of risk. SK hynix recently commenced its initial public offering for its American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) shares and may experience heightened volatility. Unlike traditional ETFs, or even other leveraged and/or inverse ETFs, this leveraged single-stock ETF tracks the price of a single stock rather than an index, eliminating the benefits of diversification. Leveraged ETFs pursue daily leveraged investment objectives, which means they are riskier than alternatives which do not use leverage. They seek daily goals and should not be expected to track the underlying stock’s performance over periods longer than one day. They are not suitable for all investors and should be utilized only by investors who understand leverage risk and who actively manage their investments. The Fund will lose money if the underlying stock’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the underlying stock’s performance increases, over a period longer than a single day. Investing in the Fund is not equivalent to investing directly in SK hynix.

Direxion Shares Risks – An investment in the ETFs involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The ETFs are non-diversified and include risks associated with concentration that results from an ETF’s investments in a particular industry, sector or company, which can increase volatility. The leveraged and inverse ETFs utilize derivatives, such as futures contracts and swaps which are subject to market risks that may cause their price to fluctuate both intra-day and over time. The leveraged and inverse ETFs do not attempt to, and should not be expected to, provide returns which are a multiple of (or inverse of) the return of their respective index or underlying security for periods other than a single day. The leveraged and leveraged inverse ETFs may also be subject to leverage, correlation, daily compounding, market volatility and risks specific to an industry, sector or company. The ETFs are subject to certain risks, including imperfect index correlation and secondary market price variance, which may decrease performance. The ETFs may invest in a relatively small number of issuers and, as a result, be subject to greater risk of loss with respect to their portfolio securities than that of a fully diversified portfolio of securities. Due to the non-diversified nature of the ETFs, they may experience greater fluctuation in their net asset value as compared to other, more diversified investments. The non-leveraged ETFs may be appropriate for investors with a long-term investment time horizon, who primarily seek capital growth, and who are able to tolerate periods of prolonged price declines. Please read each ETF’s prospectus for a more complete description of the investment risks. There is no guarantee that an ETF will achieve its investment objective.

Account Director
Randi Cohen
Ditto Public Relations
direxion@dittopr.co

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SOURCE Direxion

PHILADELPHIA, July 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UrbanGeekz founder and CEO Kunbi Tinuoye recently joined WURD’s TechLifeSteph host Stephanie Humphrey for a wide-ranging conversation exploring artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, the future of digital media, and several recent stories published on UrbanGeekz.

During the interview, Humphrey invited Tinuoye to discuss the inspiration behind UrbanGeekz. The conversation also explored recent UrbanGeekz reporting on media entrepreneur Byron Allen’s proposed BuzzFeed deal, Calendly founder Tope Awotona’s path to building a billion-dollar company, and the growing wave of AI-first startups attracting investor attention.

Founded in 2015, UrbanGeekz was launched to address a gap in the media landscape. Drawing on her experience as a journalist at the BBC and later at theGrio, which at the time was part of NBC News, Tinuoye spotted a clear issue: media outlets often overlooked or underrepresented premium stories about technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation centered on Black and Latinx communities.

“While there was strong coverage of entertainment and lifestyle, there was very little focus on the innovators, entrepreneurs, founders, and technology leaders shaping the future,” said Tinuoye during the interview on Life and Tech With TechLifeSteph. “UrbanGeekz was built to inspire through representation,” she added. Its mission is to show what’s possible for underserved communities by highlighting success in technology, entrepreneurship, and the innovation economy.

More than a decade later, UrbanGeekz has established itself as a leading voice in multicultural technology journalism, spotlighting founders, investors, executives, and innovators who are often absent from mainstream coverage.

Navigating the Future of Media

A key focus of the discussion was the rapidly changing digital media landscape and the role of innovation in ensuring long-term sustainability.

Tinuoye pointed to media entrepreneur Byron Allen’s recent acquisition of a majority stake in BuzzFeed as an example of how media organizations are adapting to evolving audience behavior, artificial intelligence, and shifting monetization models.

The conversation explored how publishers are increasingly embracing video-first strategies, AI-powered content tools, and new distribution channels to remain competitive as algorithms and audience preferences continue to evolve.

“Media companies must continue innovating if they want to remain relevant,” Tinuoye noted. The industry is changing quickly, and organizations that embrace new technologies while maintaining quality journalism will be best positioned for success.

Lessons from Black Billionaire Founders

The interview also examined lessons from successful Black and Latinx entrepreneurs featured on UrbanGeekz.

Among those highlighted was Calendly founder Tope Awotona, whose journey illustrates an alternative path to startup success. Rather than pursuing rapid growth fueled by early venture capital, Awotona built a profitable business before raising significant outside investment, allowing him to maintain substantial ownership and control.

Tinuoye emphasized that many founders from underrepresented backgrounds often focus on long-term sustainability, wealth creation, and legacy-building rather than prioritizing short-term valuations.

“Many entrepreneurs are thinking beyond simply becoming the next unicorn,” she explained. They’re focused on creating generational wealth, maintaining ownership, and building businesses that can endure for decades.

AI’s Growing Impact on Entrepreneurship

Artificial intelligence was another major theme throughout the discussion.

Referencing a recent UrbanGeekz story about Yale students who secured $5.1 million in funding for the AI-powered social networking platform Series, Tinuoye highlighted the increasing importance of AI-first business models in attracting investor interest. The conversation explored how venture capital firms are actively seeking startups that integrate artificial intelligence into their core products and operations, rather than treating AI as an add-on feature.

Tinuoye also highlighted how transparency, building in public, and community engagement have helped Series build momentum and attract investor interest.

“The startup is gaining attention today and building in public,” she said.

Looking Ahead: UrbanGeekz 50 2026

The interview also provided insight into initiatives currently underway at UrbanGeekz. Among them is the upcoming UrbanGeekz 50, an annual flagship list that celebrates the most influential multicultural innovators in technology. Verticals include venture capital, entrepreneurship, and business leadership.

Inspired by prominent industry recognition listicles, the list spotlights individuals making significant contributions to innovation while helping increase visibility for underrepresented leaders across the global technology ecosystem. UrbanGeekz is also expanding its coverage of Pan-African markets, reflecting growing investor interest and entrepreneurial activity across the continent.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Throughout the conversation, one message remained constant: representation matters.

At its core, UrbanGeekz remains committed to its founding mission of inspiring innovators through storytelling. Through its website, newsletter, social media channels, and original reporting, the platform continues to showcase diverse leaders breaking barriers in technology, business, science, and entrepreneurship.

As the conversation concluded, Tinuoye and Humphrey emphasized the importance of representation and visibility in inspiring young people to pursue careers in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The segment was facilitated by a partnership with URL Media, a national network of multicultural publishers.

About UrbanGeekz

UrbanGeekz is an African American, Latinx, and multicultural digital news platform focused on technology, business, science, and entrepreneurship. The groundbreaking video-centric multimedia platform covers tech, startups, and business. Its mission is to make tech ‘cool’ and accessible while highlighting innovative careers and STEM-related fields as exciting and rewarding paths, especially for women and underrepresented groups.

About Life and Tech with TechLifeSteph

“Life and Tech with TechLifeSteph” is a weekly one-hour show on WURD Radio, broadcasting in the Philadelphia region on 900 AM and 96.1 FM, and streaming online, through radio apps, and on social platforms, including Facebook. The show explores technology topics designed to help audiences feel more empowered as they incorporate tech into their daily lives.

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SOURCE UrbanGeekz