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FourthWave Selects 14 Women Startup Founders for 2026 Accelerator Cohort

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FourthWave, a leading non-profit accelerator for women-led tech businesses, today announced the selection of 14 U.S. women founders for its 2026 accelerator program. The 16-week program provides founders with one-on-one mentorship, leadership development, and fundraising preparation. Now in its eighth year, FourthWave has mentored 90 female founders, with alumni companies going on to raise more than $180 million in venture funding. The alumni have also won notable awards including Nala Membrane’s being selected as a top 17 semi- finalist in Water Desalinization for the 2026 Global X Prize Awards to be announced later this year and ExpertIEP winner of the National Black Ambition Award.

Program alumni include 90 founders from high potential tech companies, who have collectively raised over $180 million in venture funding

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — FourthWave, a leading non-profit accelerator for women-led tech businesses, today announced the selection of 14 U.S. women founders for its 2026 accelerator program. The 16-week program provides founders with one-on-one mentorship, leadership development, and fundraising preparation. The 2026 FourthWave Cohort will be formally introduced during the 2026 FourthWave Accelerator Launch Dinner on August 6, 2026.

“In the age of AI, we can’t afford to build this ecosystem without women’s experience and perspective shaping it equally.” Cheryl Beninga, FourthWave Co-Founder

Now in its eighth year, FourthWave has mentored 90 female founders, with alumni companies going on to raise more than $180 million in venture funding. The alumni have also won notable awards including Nala Membrane’s being selected as a top 17 semi- finalist in Water Desalinization for the 2026 Global X Prize Awards to be announced later this year and ExpertIEP winner of the National Black Ambition Award.

“Typically, women receive only about a quarter of the funding they ask for, compared to roughly half for male-led companies. We envision a world where women founders raise the same amount as men. In the age of AI, we can’t afford to build this ecosystem without women’s experience and perspective shaping it equally,” said Cheryl Beninga, Co-Founder of FourthWave.

2026 Fourthwave Accelerator Cohort Raises the Bar

The 2026 cohort consists of women founders from across the United States and represents a diverse range of industries including health and life sciences, AI and enterprise tools, sustainability and agriculture technology, and new consumer solutions.

The leaders and startups selected for FourthWave’s 2026 accelerator program are:

Julie Case of Cadents, a company that has developed an AI-native Lifecycle Risk Intelligence platform for IT infrastructure. Based in Los Altos, California.Yijie Li of FlashCut, a startup that has developed an AI video editing assistant for professional video editors. Based in Sunnyvale, California.Rachel Burton of Inoculai, a company building a biocatalyst platform to convert challenging waste streams into energy and biobased chemicals. Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.Karin Eisinger of SyzOnc, a company developing next generation treatments for solid tumor patients. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Emma Skoog of Krokos Bio, a company building a biomanufacturing platform for high-value botanical ingredients using a novel approach to plant cell culture. Based in Davis, California.Tracy Jackson of My HR Confidant, a workplace communication, reporting, and case management platform designed to help organizations identify, address, and resolve workplace concerns. Based in Sacramento, California.Amy Brown of Rollgevity, a wellness technology company building an intelligent automated recovery platform focused on myofascial health, lymphatic function, circulation, mobility, recovery, and healthy aging. Based in Sacramento, CaliforniaSusan Siravo of Siravo Media, a communication technology and advisory firm that bridges the gap between executive expertise and public authority. Based in Sacramento, California.Maryam Tebyani and Breanna Baltaxe-Admony of Stork Labs Medical, a company that makes emergency childbirth safer through the use of its operative vaginal delivery OVD device. Based in Santa Cruz and Sacramento, CaliforniaChristelle Mombo-Zigah and Isi Idemudia of StyleMyCrown, a company that provides an AI-powered virtual hair try-on platform that serves Black-owned/minority-owned hair salons and their clients. Based in San Jose, California.Anupriya Ramraj and Avanti Ramraj of Vaultzy, a company building an AI agent that helps users manage documents, deadlines, benefits, and major life decisions. Based in San Francisco, California.

FourthWave Alumni Awards

On August 6th, FourthWave will present its inaugural Alumni Awards during its FourthWave Accelerator Launch Dinner. Together, these awards celebrate the belief that entrepreneurial success is measured not only by business achievement, but also by the positive impact founders have on others and the stronger, more inclusive innovation ecosystem they help create.

The Rising Tide Award 2026 recipient is Janine Yancey, Founder and CEO of Emtrain. Yancey has made an extraordinary impact by mentoring others, building community, and creating opportunities that lift the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem. A member of FourthWave’s inaugural 2017 cohort, Janine has generously mentored women entrepreneurs while building a category-leading company dedicated to creating healthier, more inclusive workplace cultures.The 2026 Catalyst Award recipient is Diana Gamzina, Founder and CEO of Elve Speed. A member of FourthWave’s 2023 cohort, Gamzina is advancing next-generation space communications through pioneering power amplifier technology and exemplifies the bold innovation the Catalyst Award celebrates.The 2026 Phoenix Award recipient is Carolyn Peer, Founder and CEO of Humaxa. A member of FourthWave’s 2020 cohort, Peer has demonstrated remarkable resilience and leadership while building an AI company serving the automotive industry, embodying the perseverance and renewal at the heart of the Phoenix Award.

To learn more about FourthWave and future accelerator opportunities, visit www.fourthwave.io.

About FourthWave

FourthWave is a non-profit accelerator for women-led technology businesses founded in 2017, led by Nancy Perlman and Cheryl Beninga. Headquartered in Sacramento – the fifth best city in the U.S. for women entrepreneurs according to SmartAsset. FourthWave formed a strategic partnership with the Carlsen Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Sacramento State in 2020. The FourthWave accelerator program provides founders with mentorship, leadership development and preparation for funding.

Media Contact

Nancy L Perlman, FourthWave, 1 310-429-3654, nancy@fourthwave.io, fourthwave.io

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SOURCE FourthWave

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DAXIO Sets Three-Year Public-Market Pathway Towards a $1 Billion Valuation

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Founder-owned trade show and commercial-technology company combines 12 specialist US events, proprietary DealConnect technology, $35.7 million in annual commercial capacity and a high-margin AI-powered operating model

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — DAXIO today set out its three-year pathway towards a public-market listing and a $1 billion enterprise valuation.

“With 12 specialist events, proprietary DealConnect technology and $35.7 million in annual commercial capacity, DAXIO has a defined three-year pathway to a $1 billion valuation and public-market listing.” — Dawn Barclay-Ross, Founder and Chief Executive, DAXIO

Founded and wholly owned by international trade show organizer Dawn Barclay-Ross, DAXIO has established a portfolio of 12 specialist US events supported by proprietary DealConnect technology, qualified Hosted Buyer programmes and a portfolio-wide AI operating system.

The portfolio contains approximately $35.7 million in maximum annual commercial inventory capacity: $32.2 million in stand inventory and $3.54 million in sponsorship, advertising and Thought Leadership opportunities.

At 35%, 60% and 85% inventory realization, annual portfolio revenues are approximately $12.5 million, $21.4 million and $30.4 million respectively.

DAXIO’s current cost model indicates the potential for portfolio contribution margins above 90% at scale, reflecting its AI-powered infrastructure, centralized technology and capital-efficient operating structure.

“The next billion-dollar exhibition business will not resemble the last generation of exhibition groups,” said Barclay-Ross, Founder and Chief Executive of DAXIO.

“It will combine deep industry expertise with proprietary technology, intelligent automation and disciplined commercial execution. It will be faster, leaner and more accountable for the business value created at every event. That is DAXIO.”

Twelve events. One scalable commercial platform.

DAXIO’s 2027 portfolio comprises InfraBuild, PowerXpo, EnerWasteXpo, AgriTechXpo, BioGenomic Health Expo, Advanced Medical Device Show, NextGen MedTech Xpo, InsureCap, SmartMfg, AerospaceXpo, DefenseXpo and TalentTech.

Together, the events establish DAXIO across infrastructure, energy, environmental services, agriculture, healthcare, medical technology, insurance, manufacturing, aerospace, defense and workforce technology.

The portfolio has capacity for up to 5,856 stand-equivalent positions across the full commercially deployable event footprint.

Its multi-sector structure creates diversified revenue opportunities through stand sales, sponsorship, advertising, Thought Leadership, commercial partnerships and technology.

DealConnect moves the model beyond networking

DAXIO’s principal technology asset is DealConnect, created by Barclay-Ross to move business-event matchmaking beyond profile-swiping, unqualified introductions and chance encounters.

DealConnect assesses more than 500 data points across capability, compliance and financial dimensions to identify stronger-fit commercial opportunities during DAXIO events.

It operates alongside DAXIO’s qualified Hosted Buyer programmes. Approved buyers with purchasing responsibility and confirmed budgets may receive flights and hotel accommodation in return for agreeing to attend scheduled meetings with exhibitors during the event.

“Attendance is not the commercial outcome,” Barclay-Ross said. “The outcome is whether the right organizations meet, whether the opportunity is credible and whether that conversation can progress into business. DealConnect is designed around that standard.”

A three-year pathway to public markets

DAXIO’s public-market pathway is structured around five measurable drivers:

Converting revenue across the existing 12-event portfolioExtending the portfolio into further specialist and international marketsEstablishing recurring commercial revenues through DealConnectPreserving high margins through AI-powered executionAchieving institutional standards of governance, reporting and financial control 

Barclay-Ross has applied 25 years of international trade show and business-development experience to create an integrated exhibitions and commercial-technology company without the inherited cost base of a conventional exhibition group.

DAXIO is wholly founder-owned and independent of private-equity ownership, institutional exhibition groups and external corporate control.

“The first 12 events give DAXIO significant commercial scale. DealConnect creates proprietary technology value. Our AI operating system provides the execution capacity to operate across multiple specialist markets while protecting margin,” Barclay-Ross said.

“The pathway is already defined: convert the existing inventory, extend the portfolio, establish recurring technology income and enter the public markets as a high-growth exhibitions and commercial-technology company.

“The platform exists. The commercial capacity is quantified. The margin model is compelling. The route is repeatable. DAXIO’s pathway to a $1 billion valuation is underway.”

Strategic capital window closes September 25

DAXIO’s current $200,000 strategic-capital participation window closes on Friday, September 25, 2026.

The capital will be deployed directly into revenue-generating activity across the existing portfolio, including exhibitor and sponsor acquisition, qualified-buyer development, commercial marketing, technology deployment and sales execution.

The current financing provides a time-limited opportunity for eligible investors to participate at the beginning of DAXIO’s three-year public-market pathway.

Confidential company and investment information is available to eligible investors and professional advisers directly from DAXIO.

About DAXIO

DAXIO is a founder-owned, independent trade show and commercial-technology company headquartered in Florida.

Its portfolio comprises 12 specialist US business events supported by proprietary DealConnect technology, qualified Hosted Buyer programmes and an AI-powered operating infrastructure.

DAXIO is executing a three-year pathway towards a $1 billion enterprise valuation and public-market listing.

Media and investor enquiries

Dawn Barclay-Ross
Founder and Chief Executive
DAXIO
dawn@infrabuildXpo.com
+1 561 785 3120

Media Contact

Dawn Barclay-Ross, Capital Connect International Events Inc dba DAXIO, 1 5617853120, dawn@capitalconnectevents.com, https://www.infrabuildxpo.com/

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SOURCE Capital Connect International Events Inc dba DAXIO

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OpenCV Introduces Enterprise Support for Companies Building Products with Computer Vision

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Three service tiers offer long-term maintenance, OpenCV-certified binaries and direct engineering support. OpenCV remains free and open source.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OpenCV today announced OpenCV Enterprise, a paid maintenance and engineering offering for organizations that depend on OpenCV in their products. The program brings together support for established deployments, priority help with production issues and ongoing engineering collaboration through three tiers: OpenCV Enterprise LTS, OpenCV Enterprise Premier and OpenCV Enterprise Partnership.

Organizations can explore the tiers and register at opencv.org/enterprise.

OpenCV Enterprise is a maintenance and engineering offering for organizations that depend on OpenCV in their products.

OpenCV Enterprise builds on OpenCV’s existing engineering collaborations with companies including Qualcomm Technologies and Arm. These efforts include strengthening native OpenCV support for Windows on Snapdragon through builds, automated testing and optimization, and improving performance on Arm-based platforms through integrations such as Arm KleidiCV. The Enterprise offering brings this platform engineering experience to organizations maintaining their own OpenCV-based products.

For companies building industrial inspection systems, medical imaging applications, robotics and embedded devices, maintaining a computer vision library is an ongoing engineering responsibility. An upgrade can require extensive integration and regression testing. Staying on an older version means continuing to assess security issues, maintain builds and resolve defects. OpenCV Enterprise helps companies manage that work within an agreed support scope and product lifecycle.

“Companies need to support the products their customers already use while continuing to develop what comes next,” said Dr. Satya Mallick, CEO of OpenCV. “OpenCV Enterprise gives those teams a direct engineering relationship with OpenCV, with clear responsibilities for maintenance, testing and support. The library remains free and open source.”

Three tiers for different product needs

OpenCV Enterprise LTS — US$150,000 per year. For teams maintaining a stable OpenCV integration over a defined product lifecycle. LTS includes applicable security backports, covered severe-defect remediation, agreed regression testing, a named service owner and 10 engineering days annually. It helps companies keep established products supported while planning upgrades around their own release schedules.OpenCV Enterprise Premier — US$250,000 per year. For teams that need priority engineering support when OpenCV issues affect production or delay releases. Premier builds on LTS with a named technical lead, product-specific qualification, monthly technical reviews and 30 engineering days annually. It gives engineering teams a clear escalation path and additional capacity to address deployment-specific problems.OpenCV Enterprise Partnership — from US$400,000 per year. For organizations requiring continuing engineering collaboration across custom forks, platforms and hardware generations. Partnership builds on Premier with 60 reserved engineering days annually, an agreed development backlog and quarterly roadmap planning. Work can include optimization, fork maintenance, test integration and scoped migration or porting. 

Every delivered Enterprise binary will be certified by OpenCV

Certification ties each supplied binary to its source, build configuration and qualification results. Deliverables include signed builds, source and patches, a software bill of materials, test results, change notes and a release certificate for the supported configurations.

For companies maintaining private OpenCV forks, the service can also address gaps in automated testing and ongoing maintenance. An internal fork may not have the breadth of build-and-test coverage available through OpenCV’s continuous integration infrastructure. Enterprise qualification defines the configurations and regression checks needed for the customer’s deployment; it does not imply testing on every hardware platform.

OpenCV certification applies to the supplied software and agreed configurations. Customers retain responsibility for final product validation and any required regulatory or functional-safety approvals.
The tiers use three-year agreements billed annually. Initial qualification is priced separately, and support for older releases or private forks begins with a supportability assessment. Covered components, configurations, service windows and maintenance commitments are defined in the agreement.

Organizations can explore the tiers and register at opencv.org/enterprise. Registration creates no purchase commitment. OpenCV Enterprise is an optional paid service; OpenCV remains free and open source.

About OpenCV

OpenCV is an open-source library for computer vision, image processing and AI. It is operated by the Open Source Vision Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the beneficial use of computer vision through open collaboration and freely available software. Learn more at opencv.org.

Media contact

Phil Nelson 
Director of Content & Creative, OpenCV 
phil@opencv.org

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SOURCE OpenCV

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NICB Announces Leadership Transition

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OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing, and prosecuting insurance crime and fraud, announces that David Glawe will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer in October after six years of service leading the nonprofit organization.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to thank David for his six years of service to NICB and his commitment to its important mission,” said Nick Seminara, Chairman of the NICB Board of Governors. “We appreciate his contributions to the organization and wish him well as he prepares for his next chapter.”

Glawe reflected on his time with NICB and the organization’s mission:

“It has been a privilege to serve NICB and to work alongside such a talented and committed team. I have tremendous respect for the work they do every day and for the mission we share—bringing together the insurance industry, law enforcement, and our many partners to fight insurance fraud and crime and protect the public.

I am proud of what we have accomplished together over the past six years and grateful for the dedication, expertise, and commitment I have seen throughout the organization.”

Glawe will work with the Board and NICB leadership team through his departure to support an orderly transition. The Board will announce its leadership transition plans at the appropriate time.

NICB remains focused on its mission and on continuing to strengthen its capabilities and partnerships in the fight against insurance crime and fraud.,

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. To learn more, visit NICB.org.

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SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

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