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Plug and Play and Alibaba.com Team Up on CoCreate Pitch 2026

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Plug and Play will lead sourcing, selection, and program delivery for the global entrepreneurship competition, which awards more than $1M across finals in Los Angeles and London

LOS ANGELES and LONDON, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Plug and Play, the leading innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies, has partnered with Alibaba.com on CoCreate Pitch 2026. The competition sits at the center of the CoCreate Summit and will culminate in live finals in Los Angeles on Sept. 9–10, 2026, and London on Nov. 19–20, 2026, alongside three newly launched Asia-Pacific regional competitions.

Launched in the U.S and Europe in 2025, CoCreate Pitch returns for 2026 as an artificial intelligence (AI) product innovation competition. The relaunch reflects what Alibaba.com describes as a broader shift in global trade from business-to-business (B2B) to agent-to-agent (A2A) commerce.

That shift is powered by Accio Alibaba.com’s enterprise AI agent, which helps entrepreneurs source, launch, and scale a business with a fraction of the traditional operational overhead. Applicants can register for CoCreate Pitch through Accio, which now includes a dedicated CoCreate Pitch Agent that turns early-stage concepts into structured pitch proposals and actionable plans.

“CoCreate Pitch has always been about giving entrepreneurs a real stage and real resources,” said Liz Wang, global head of commercial strategy at Alibaba.com. “AI is changing how businesses are built and scaled, and tools like Accio, are a testament to that. With Plug and Play’s two decades of experience identifying and nurturing startups worldwide, this year’s competition goes further than ever, pairing AI with hands-on mentorship and direct access to capital, so founders can focus on what matters — building something the world needs.”

As the competition’s end-to-end partner, Plug and Play will lead sourcing, selection, and program delivery for CoCreate Pitch 2026. It will tap its network of corporate partners, venture capital firms, and mentors to recruit entrepreneurs, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

Backed by nearly two decades of scouting and mentoring entrepreneurs worldwide, Plug and Play will identify the strongest finalists and prepare them for the live finals with pitch training, fundraising guidance, and direct access to its global network of mentors, venture capital firms, and corporate partners.

“Plug and Play was built on a simple belief — extraordinary entrepreneurs can come from anywhere,” said Seena Amidi, EMEA managing director at Plug and Play. “That belief is why we’re partnering with Alibaba.com on CoCreate Pitch, the centerpiece of the CoCreate Summit. Our mission has always been to find the people others might overlook, give them a chance, and invest up to $1M so that one great idea, at the intersection of AI and global commerce, can become the next great company.”

CoCreate Pitch 2026 spans three competition tracks:

General SMEs Track — for established small and medium businesses ready to scale.0-to-1 Startup Track — for founders turning a raw idea into a real product, using Accio Work to move from concept to execution.Student Track — open to current students building and pitching the products of the future.

The Los Angeles and London finals will each feature 20 finalists competing live at CoCreate, judged by a panel of industry leaders and investors. In each final, first, second, and third place will receive $200,000, $100,000, and $50,000, respectively, while the remaining 17 finalists will each receive $10,000 — bringing the combined prize pool across both finals to more than $1M. Prize details for the new Asia-Pacific regional round will be announced separately.

Applications for CoCreate Pitch 2026 are open at alibabacocreate.com.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we’re present in 60+ locations across 25+ industries. We offer corporate innovation programs, helping our partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also run startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit Plug and Play.

About Alibaba.com

Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers, and place orders online fast and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

Plug and Play Press Contact

Alba Brotons

Communications & Events Associate

press@pnptc.com

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The First Cartridge-Free Smart Waterless Diffuser Is Here. What Would You Fill It With?

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November 14, 2026

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Lephrone set out to solve a frustration for customers who want smart control over their home fragrance and the freedom to choose their own oils. The H300 is the first waterless diffuser to combine cartridge-free refills, Wi-Fi app control, smart home integration, and an in-app fragrance oil library with scanning and personal notes. Customers can use their favorite compatible oils, create their own blends, and use the app to set a scenting schedule and track how much oil is left.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — “There are thousands of fragrance oils out there, so why lock yourself into just one brand?” said a Lephrone developer.

“Lephrone took the best of the diffuser world and left the worst behind.”

We wanted to make a device for people who need a ritual to unwind and want more control over their surroundings. There’s a whole world of sensory experiences out there, and our goal was to bring the way you manage scent at home into the digital world.

With the H300 lephrone diffuser, we kept what we liked about smart cartridge-based diffusers: Wi-Fi connectivity, lephrone app, voice control, and the ability to recognize oils and track how much is left. We made sure it supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. We also did away with what frustrated us most: never-ending subscriptions, cartridges that run out too quickly, and limits on which oils you can use. With the H300, you get to choose the oils you want and create blends you love.

We also added support for multiple users and multiple diffusers, so everyone in the household can control the devices and set schedules. The H300 can run even when it’s offline.

We’re releasing our own fragrances, too. In the app, you can scan them into your personal fragrance library and write down how a scent made you feel, whether you liked it, and what others at home thought of it. That matters because after trying a few oils, it’s easy to forget which one you loved most or which one everyone else kept asking for.

We’re rolling this out to more Lephrone models next. Stay tuned.

Media Contact

Elina, Lephrone, 1 6463844148, info@lephrone.com, Lephrone

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HONGQI EHS4 Set for Global Debut in Venice: Eastern Elegance Arrives in Europe

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November 14, 2026

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VENICE, Italy, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HONGQI, one of China’s leading automotive marques, will introduce its all-new all-electric SUV, HONGQI EHS4, to the European market. Making its global debut in Venice, Italy, on 16 November 2026, the EHS4 marks another milestone in the brand’s international expansion.

68 Years of Heritage: A Distinctive Expression of Modern Luxury
Founded in 1958, HONGQI has spent 68 years building its automotive heritage through independent innovation, engineering excellence, and craftsmanship. Guided by a longstanding commitment to quality and safety, the brand continues to bring its distinctive heritage to a global audience.

With its Munich Advanced Design Centre, HONGQI combines global design perspectives with its rich Eastern heritage. Guided by a European Neoclassical Design Philosophy, the EHS4 brings together Eastern design influences and global aesthetics. Developed around European consumer needs, it represents HONGQI’s first model tailored specifically for Europe.

HONGQI EHS4: A New Choice for All-Electric Mobility
Bringing together Eastern and Western design aesthetics, HONGQI EHS4 balances distinctive styling, driving comfort and everyday practicality. Its Celadon Paint draws inspiration from the refined beauty of traditional Longquan celadon, while the Eyes of Infinite Allure lighting design creates a distinctive visual identity. Inside, the Crystal Control Knob adds an elegant touch to the cabin.

With a driving range of up to 470 kilometres and fast-charging capability of approximately 20 minutes, the EHS4 is designed for convenient everyday electric mobility. Its 87.4% space utilization makes intelligent use of interior space, enhancing passenger comfort and practicality.

Safety and quality remain central to its development. Equipped with seven airbags and intelligent driver-assistance technologies, the EHS4 draws on FAW’s more than 70 years of automotive manufacturing expertise to deliver advanced technology, refined driving quality, and dependable vehicle performance.

Venice: A New Chapter in Europe
On 16 November 2026, HONGQI EHS4 will make its global debut at the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia in Venice. The event will bring together European dealers, media representatives, and industry guests to witness an important milestone in HONGQI’s European journey.

A distinctive expression of Eastern elegance, now coming to Europe.

SOURCE HONGQI

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EFICYENT to Join Banks and Fintech Companies at Singapore FinTech Festival 2026

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November 14, 2026

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DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — EFICYENT, a cross-border payment platform, is going to attend the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2026, which is going to be one of the world’s largest gatherings of the global financial and technology ecosystem.  It will take place between November 18 – 20, 2026, at Singapore. This event will converge policymakers, financial institutions, fintech companies, and investors to discuss the developments that are going to shape the future of fintech.

As financial institutions are desperately discovering new technologies, evolving payment infrastructure, and better ways to move money across borders, SFF 2026 is going to be an ideal platform for industry collaboration and knowledge exchange. The event will explore key forces transforming the financial system, including technology, geoeconomics, capital, talent, and policy, developing opportunities for businesses to engage with global industry leaders and explore emerging possibilities.

By participating in this event, EFICYENT is looking forward to connecting with other fintech companies, banks, financial institutions, and peer industry stakeholders to share their ideas, discover potential collaborations, and hold a conversation on the growing demand for efficient global payment infrastructure. Also, the company’s presence will provide an opportunity to demonstrate how its capabilities can assist businesses navigating increasingly interconnected financial markets.

Ahead of the participation, Aravinth Ramesh, CTO at EFICYENT, said:

“As financial services entered a chapter where businesses expect something beyond the ability to transfer money. They need payment platforms that offer speed, transparency, flexibility, and access to global markets. So I think events like SFF create a better opportunity to know in which direction the industry is moving, to share our perspectives with industry leaders, and explore partnerships that drive meaningful progress.”

Balasubramanyam K, CEO at EFICYENT, added:

“The future of fintech will be shaped by how effectively technology, financial institutions and payment networks work together. And this SFF event is going to remain an excellent opportunity to connect with industry leaders, better understand emerging requirements, and discover new approaches to making cross-border payments more accessible and efficient.”

About EFICYENT

EFICYENT is a global cross-border payments and financial infrastructure platform that concentrates on enabling seamless international money transfers.

They focus on simplifying international transactions and advancing digital finance. EFICYENT is committed to supporting a seamless and interconnected global payments ecosystem.

Media Contact: 
EFICYENT
Dubai, UAE
Website: https://eficyent.com/ 
Email: support@eficyent.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eficyent/

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