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Chattanooga to Host Tennessee Quantum Hackathon

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Applications Open for 36-Hour Innovation Challenge Exploring Quantum Opportunities in the Energy Sector

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Applications are now open for the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon hosted by The Company Lab (CO.LAB) in partnership with the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC) and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). The 36-hour innovation challenge will take place November 13–15 in Chattanooga.

College students from a range of disciplines will work in teams to explore how quantum technologies could help address complex challenges facing the electric power sector.

According to the McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor 2026, quantum computing could create as much as $150 billion in value for the global electric power sector by 2035. With Tennessee’s strengths in energy, quantum research, quantum infrastructure, advanced computing, and entrepreneurship, organizers see an opportunity to engage emerging talent in exploring how the state’s energy sector could help realize some of that potential.

The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon brings together partners from across Tennessee’s growing quantum ecosystem, including higher education, research institutions, utilities and quantum technology companies. Organizations including UTC, EPB, Tennessee Valley Authority, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) and Quantinuum (NASDAQ:QNT) are helping shape the experience by contributing expertise, perspectives and opportunities for participants to engage with the people advancing quantum technologies across the state.

“Innovation accelerates when people with different perspectives tackle the same challenge,” said Tasia Malakasis, CEO of The Company Lab. “The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon brings students, researchers, and industry leaders together around a real opportunity for Tennessee.”

Throughout the weekend, participants will work on challenge statements inspired by opportunities in the electric power sector while engaging with researchers, entrepreneurs, utility leaders and quantum technology experts. Partners are expected to contribute in a variety of ways, from helping shape challenge statements and sharing technical expertise to mentoring teams, evaluating final presentations and supporting participants as they explore quantum technologies.

Participants will build and test their solutions using qBraid, a cloud-based quantum development platform that provides a common environment for programming, simulation and access to quantum computing resources. The platform allows participants to experiment with quantum software development tools and, where available, quantum hardware while receiving guidance from technical experts throughout the competition.

“The Tennessee Quantum Hackathon creates another point of connection within work that is already happening across our state,” said Charlie Brock, CEO of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative. “Researchers, entrepreneurs, utilities, universities and quantum companies each bring different strengths to Tennessee’s quantum future. This event creates an opportunity for participants to learn alongside those organizations, contribute fresh ideas and experience firsthand what collaboration looks like in a rapidly growing field.”

Previous experience with quantum computing is not required. Organizers are recruiting participants studying computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, energy, business, entrepreneurship, marketing and other disciplines that contribute to solving complex problems.

The event builds on growing collaboration across Tennessee’s quantum community and is funded in part by a $1.33 million National Science Foundation planning grant awarded to UTC to develop a blueprint for a QuantumGrid Innovation Hub. CQC, CO.LAB and EPB are partners in the effort, which is exploring how quantum technologies could contribute to a more secure and resilient electric power grid.

Applications are now being accepted from participants registering independently or as part of a team.

Visit the Tennessee Quantum Hackathon webpage to learn more or apply.

About The Company Lab

The Company Lab (CO.LAB) is a place-based entrepreneurial support organization accelerating startups in Chattanooga’s industries of strength: energy, mobility, and quantum. By connecting founders with the region’s world-class infrastructure, real-world testbeds, industry expertise, capital, and corporate partners, CO.LAB helps startups validate and scale emerging technologies while advancing corporate innovation priorities. Through this work, CO.LAB strengthens the regional economy and positions Chattanooga as a national hub for commercializing the technologies shaping our future.

About Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative

The Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a robust quantum ecosystem in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, and beyond. By leveraging quantum resources and mobilizing diverse partnerships for the benefit of the region’s people, businesses, and communities, the CQC aims to drive workforce development, economic growth, and technology advancement in the quantum sector. For more information about the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, visit www.ChattanoogaQuantum.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chattanooga-to-host-tennessee-quantum-hackathon-302835474.html

SOURCE Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative

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RedPocket Mobile Launches Summer Promotion Offering a Full Year of Wireless for $180 — on Your Choice of Network

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No intro rates. No step-ups. Three networks. One flat price.

LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RedPocket Mobile today launched its summer promotion, among other offers, giving customers access to a full year of 5G service for $180, with the unique ability to choose from any of the nation’s three major networks. The offer requires no port-in, no rebate processing, and applies an instant discount at checkout.

The promotion runs across three plan tiers:

Annual Plus: $180/year (or $15/month) — 25% off MSRP, equivalent to three months freeAnnual Essentials: $80/year — the company’s lowest annual price point and equivalent to four months freeMonthly plans: 50% off the first month — Plus for $10, Premium for $15

All plans include the option to keep an existing number and device. Plans renew at full MSRP.

Customers purchasing during the promotion period are also eligible for a $150 rebate on current generation iPhone models.

“Our customers have trusted us for twenty years to keep wireless simple and honest, and our Summer Savings Event is built on that same principle,” says Alex Salas, National Sales Director. “At a time when major carriers have raised prices on legacy plans customers believed were protected, our annual pricing offers a fixed alternative. Our annual plans (which start at just $80/year during this Summer Savings Event) save customers $500 to $780 (or more!) annually against a typical single-line major carrier rate.”

Three Networks. One Price.

About RedPocket Mobile

RedPocket Mobile is your New Ultimate Cell Carrier, offering premium wireless service on all three major 5G networks. With plans starting at just $10 and top-rated customer care, RedPocket gives customers the freedom to choose reliable wireless service without overpaying. RedPocket is not a corporate carrier or a discount carrier — we’re your next wireless carrier

Media Contact: Alex Salas National Sales Director, Client Relations alex.salas@redpocket.com 562-644-3864

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redpocket-mobile-launches-summer-promotion-offering-a-full-year-of-wireless-for-180–on-your-choice-of-network-302835643.html

SOURCE RedPocket Mobile

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From Points and Rewards to Real Engagement: How Loyalty Programs Are Transforming

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Through a new partnership with Hang, Island Fin Poké Co.’s loyalty app introduces challenges, games and interactive play for a reimagined user experience

ORLANDO, Fla., July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As restaurants face growing pressure to create memorable guest experiences, Hawaiian lifestyle-inspired franchise Island Fin Poké Co. is launching a new loyalty program that transforms one-time transactions into an ongoing guest experience. Powered by Hang and designed to go beyond the traditional “earn points, redeem rewards” model, the platform introduces challenges and exclusive perks that create a more interactive experience both inside and outside the restaurant.

The new loyalty program transforms one-time transactions into an ongoing guest experience.

Island Fin’s new app introduces gamified features that allow guests to engage with the brand in a fun way, enriching the user experience and fostering lasting loyalty. Members can participate in interactive mini-games and rotating monthly challenges, known as Quests, earning rewards for completing activities and visiting their local Island Fin.

“We’ve always believed that a great guest experience goes beyond serving great food,” said Mark Setterington, founder and CEO of Island Fin Poké Co. “The new loyalty app allows us to extend that experience beyond our restaurant walls by giving guests unique ways to interact with our brand and earn rewards between visits. It’s another way we’re creating memorable experiences for our Ohana.”

Among the app’s standout features are the Mystery Boxes, which reward guests with prizes based on visits, referrals or qualifying purchases. Mystery Boxes are available for a limited time before disappearing, adding elements of excitement and exclusivity with every box. Rewards vary by tier, from smaller perks like a free topping or fountain drink to heftier discounts, or even a complimentary poké bowl, creating an engaging loyalty experience that encourages repeat visits.

“Successful loyalty programs start with brands that have authentic relationships with their guests, and Island Fin has built exactly that, which is why they’re an ideal fit for Hang’s platform,” said Chad Fox, Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Hang. “We’re excited to bring a new level of engagement to their loyalty program while helping guests discover even more ways to connect with the brand.”

For nearly 10 years, Island Fin has been providing an island-inspired experience to its Ohana, serving nutritious boat-to-bowl proteins, crisp vegetables and flavorful house-made sauces. The new loyalty program reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to creating memorable guest experiences both inside its restaurants and beyond.

The Island Fin Poké Co. app is available now for download on the App Store and Google Play.

For more information on Island Fin’s partnership with Hang or to explore their diverse menu, visit IslandFinPoke.com.

About Island Fin Poké Co.
Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual concept known for its Hawaiian-style build-your-own poké bowls. From farm-to-fork, the brand uses the freshest ingredients to bring traditional flavors from the islands to local communities nationwide. Founded in 2017, Island Fin Poké Co. has 15 locations open, with numerous others in various stages of development. Island Fin Poké Co. was ranked #29 on the 2023 Top New & Emerging Franchises list by Entrepreneur Magazine, listed in Fast Casual’s 2023 Top Movers & Shakers list, and recognized as a Top 100 Game Changer for 2022 by Franchise Dictionary Magazine. For more information, or if interested in joining the brand’s Ohana, please visit IslandFinPoke.com.

About Hang
Hang is the AI-native loyalty and personalized marketing platform built for restaurants. Hang replaces the legacy stack of loyalty, Offers, CDP, and CRM tools with one product — a single data model and AI engine that engages each customer 1:1 and drives them back. Learn more at hang.com.

Contact:
Karla Nafarrate
Vice President of Public Relations
InnoVision Marketing Group
PR@InnoVisionMarketingGroup.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-points-and-rewards-to-real-engagement-how-loyalty-programs-are-transforming-302835653.html

SOURCE Island Fin Poké Co.

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Corgi Insurance Appoints Andrew Hefty as Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Corgi Insurance, the AI-native, full-stack insurance carrier for startups, today announced the appointment of Andrew Hefty as Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs.

Hefty brings nearly three decades of legal experience spanning military service, private practice, and the federal government. Hefty comes to Corgi after more than a decade with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement, where he served as both an Investigative Attorney and Senior Trial Attorney representing the SEC in federal court actions involving complex fraud, deceptive securities offerings, and insider trading. Prior to that, Hefty spent nearly 15 years in private practice, most recently as a partner at an international law firm, representing large organizations in significant litigated matters across various business sectors. He began his legal career in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

As Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Hefty will lead Corgi’s compliance and regulatory strategy as the company continues expanding across new products and markets. He will also oversee compliance programs, manage relationships with regulators and external counsel, and advise the executive team and Board of Directors on strategic regulatory matters and compliance initiatives supporting Corgi’s continued growth.

“The future of insurance belongs to companies that can innovate quickly without compromising on trust,” said Nico Laqua, Co-Founder and CEO of Corgi Insurance. “Andrew has spent his career at the intersection of law, regulation, and enforcement—from private practice to the SEC. As we continue building an AI-native insurance carrier, his experience will help us move quickly while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and regulatory integrity.”

Hefty said he was drawn to Corgi’s vision of modernizing one of the world’s most regulated industries.

“I’ve spent my career on both sides of the regulatory relationship — fifteen years in private practice helping organizations navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges, and a decade at the SEC on the enforcement side, seeing firsthand what regulators expect and what happens when individuals and companies get it wrong,” said Andrew Hefty. “Corgi is building insurance differently, combining technology with a strong commitment to compliance and governance. I’m excited to build a program that supports innovation while earning the trust of customers, regulators, and partners.”

The appointment further strengthens Corgi’s leadership team as the company continues investing in the regulatory, operational, and technological infrastructure needed to build the next generation of insurance.

About Corgi

Corgi is an AI-native full-stack insurance carrier built for startups and other high-growth companies. By combining proprietary underwriting technology, in-house claims handling, and modern insurance infrastructure with decades of insurance expertise, Corgi helps businesses secure coverage faster and manage risk more effectively as they scale. 

Media Contact:

Erika Lee
erika@corgi.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corgi-insurance-appoints-andrew-hefty-as-head-of-compliance-and-regulatory-affairs-302835569.html

SOURCE Corgi

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