Technology

More than 25 national and international partners join Connected Nation’s attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title to expand digital skills worldwide

Published

2 hours ago

August 25, 2026

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Connected Nation (CN) is proud to partner with lead collaborator AT&T and over 25 global organizations in a first-ever attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “longest internet literacy live stream,” aimed at expanding digital skills access worldwide.

In the United States alone, nearly 1 in 3 workers lack the foundational digital skills needed to succeed in today’s economy, according to the National Skills Coalition. Globally, billions of people who are online still lack the basic skills to use digital devices and services safely, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), making initiatives like this critical.

This event, “25 Hours. One Connected World,” will take place September 24-25, featuring 25 consecutive hours of live, expert-led digital skills training accessible globally as it follows the sun across six continents, starting in the United States, via live stream at bit.ly/CNWorldRecord beginning at 9 a.m. ET.

The world record attempt will feature hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and real-time engagement from live locations spanning Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, as well as across the United States. Participants can watch for free from home, work, or a host site. Though they span six continents and a wide range of specialties, each of CN’s partner organizations shares one goal: making digital skills accessible to advance economic and quality-of-life opportunities.

The following organizations will serve as digital skills trainers during the event, each hosting an hour-long segment focused on a variety of topics from “AI Self-Defense” to “Family Focused Technology Habits” and more: Human-I-T, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, Murray State University, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), The Hacking Games, LBJ Presidential Library, Compudopt, Common Sense Media, Digital Connect Initiative — Gila River Indian Community, Educating for Leadership, Tech Savvy Teens, Fizzics Education, Australian Virtual Astronaut, Aimers Foundation, Orissa State Volunteers and Social Workers Association, Tunisia Association for Educational Initiatives, Angaza Center, Harare Hub, Causas XXI, Fundación Tecnológicas Conectadas, and CN.

Interested participants are invited to browse the full schedule and find the sessions that are right for them at bit.ly/CNWorldRecord, or download it here.

“Attempting this world record is our way of putting a global spotlight on a problem hiding in plain sight,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN. “For 25 consecutive hours, we’re proving that closing the Digital Divide takes more than access. It takes people showing up to teach, and people showing up to learn. We’re especially grateful to AT&T, our Lead Collaborator, for helping make this event possible.

“We’re also grateful for the support of partners and sponsors, including Amazon; Hatfield Media; Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB); Asociación de Comunidades Unidas Tomando Acción Solidaria (ACUTAS); American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); Virtual Excursions Australia; and the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) that are helping us make a lasting impact in the communities they serve,” continued Ferree.

The Guinness World Records organization has provided specific parameters that must be met to achieve the world record title for “longest internet literacy live stream.” To qualify for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title, the live stream must run continuously for 25 hours with no pauses longer than one minute and maintain a minimum of 50 live viewers at all times.

“This is a chance for anyone, anywhere, to find five minutes or five hours that speak directly to them,” said Heather Gate, Executive Vice President, Digital Transformation, CN. “We are calling on individuals, families, and communities everywhere to be part of something historic. We want to inspire action, empower individuals, and demonstrate that digital skills can change lives in every community. Together, we can highlight both the urgency of digital empowerment and the incredible progress that is possible when we work side by side to lift up all people.”

To learn more or get involved, visit:

connectednation.org/25-hours-one-connected-world ORbit.ly/CNWorldRecord

To support the initiative through donations, visit:

https://givebutter.com/cn-25-hr-marathon-fundraising-boukf1

About Connected Nation: Marking its 25th anniversary in 2026, the U.S.-based national nonprofit’s mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at connectednation.org

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SOURCE Connected Nation

Technology

LeanDNA Launches Demand Scenario Modeling in APEX, Replacing Spreadsheet Guesswork With Real-Time Production Feasibility

Published

6 minutes ago

August 25, 2026

New capability lets production planners test demand changes against live supply and BOM data in minutes, without exporting ERP data or risking live system records.

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LeanDNA, a leading intelligent supply chain execution platform, today announced the general availability of Demand Scenario Modeling (DSM), a new capability within its APEX platform that lets production planners, buyers, and supply chain managers instantly test demand changes against real supply and Bill of Materials (BOM) data, without spreadsheets or system risk.

When forecasts shift, most production planners still turn to spreadsheets to find out whether production can support it: exporting ERP data, flattening multi-level BOMs, and reconciling supply just to answer one question — can we build this? The process is slow, error-prone, and disconnected from real-time system data, and it often produces false shortages that obscure the actual constraints.

Demand Scenario Modeling replaces that manual exercise with what-if analysis built directly into APEX. Production planners can model a demand change and immediately see which components truly constrain production, how many units can realistically be built, and where shortage risk increases, turning a process that has historically taken hours into a workflow measured in minutes.

Because DSM runs in a sandbox environment connected to live ERP and BOM data, planners can test and compare multiple scenarios, adjust quantities and dates, and recalculate instantly, without posting temporary plans or manipulating live records to get an answer. That combination of speed and system safety is central to how LeanDNA has built the capability.

“Production planners shouldn’t have to choose between speed and safety when they’re testing a demand change,” said Andy Ellenthal, CEO of LeanDNA. “Demand Scenario Modeling gives them both: an answer in minutes, grounded in the same supply and BOM data running their factory, without ever touching a live ERP record. It replaces guesswork with a repeatable way to say yes, no, or not yet with confidence.”

Demand Scenario Modeling is available now to APEX customers and is purpose-built for the tactical-to-mid-horizon planning window — roughly one to twelve months out — where production teams most often need to turn a demand question into a production commitment.

About LeanDNA

LeanDNA powers the world’s discrete manufacturing with a single source of truth for factory-first supply planning, materials management, and inventory optimization. APEX, the AI-powered expert execution platform from LeanDNA, transforms data into optimized decisions and action. LeanDNA empowers manufacturers in aerospace, HVAC,industrials, automotive, and medical to improve on-time delivery and working capital levels. Leading manufacturers including Caterpillar, Daikin Applied, Safran, and Siemens use APEX for supply chain orchestration to gain visibility into current and incoming materials, take action based on inventory criticality, collaborate in real time with suppliers, and track progress toward inventory optimization goals. Learn more at LeanDNA.com.

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SOURCE LeanDNA Inc

Technology

OppFi to Participate in September 2026 Conferences

Published

6 minutes ago

August 25, 2026

CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OppFi Inc. (NYSE: OPFI) (“OppFi” or the “Company”), a leading tech-enabled digital finance platform that works with banks to provide financial products and services for everyday Americans, today announced that management will participate in the following conferences in September 2026:

Oppenheimer Fintech Leaders Conference
Location: New York
Date: September 15, 2026

U.S. Bancorp | BTIG Consumer Finance Conference 2026
Location: Boston
Date: September 17, 2026

To schedule a meeting with OppFi, please reach out to your Oppenheimer or BTIG representatives.

About OppFi
OppFi (NYSE: OPFI) is a leading tech-enabled digital finance platform that works with banks to provide financial products and services for everyday Americans. Through a transparent and responsible platform, which includes financial inclusion and excellent customer experience, the Company supports consumers who are turned away by mainstream options to build better financial health. OppLoans by OppFi maintains a 4.4/5.0 star rating on Trustpilot with more than 5,400 reviews, making the Company one of the top consumer-rated financial platforms online. OppFi also holds a 35% equity interest in Bitty Holdings, LLC (“Bitty”), a credit access company that offers revenue-based financing and other working capital solutions to small businesses. For more information, please visit oppfi.com.

Investors:

investors@oppfi.com

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SOURCE OppFi

Technology

Zillow Group to present at Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference

Published

6 minutes ago

August 25, 2026

SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG), which is transforming the way people buy, sell, rent and finance homes, today announced Zillow Group will present at this year’s Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco.

Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Hofmann will participate in a fireside chat on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 10:50 a.m. PT / 1:50 p.m. ET.

Register and access the live webcast here. Live and recorded versions of the webcast will also be available under the Events & Presentations section on Zillow Group’s Investor Relations website.

About Zillow Group:

Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people.

As the most visited real estate app and website in the United States, Zillow connects hundreds of millions of consumers with innovative technology, trusted agents and loan officers, and seamless digital solutions. With industry-leading tools and resources, Zillow supercharges real estate professionals so they can grow their businesses and deliver exceptional client experiences. For renters and housing providers, Zillow offers not only a robust marketplace but a set of end-to-end products and services to streamline applications, leases, payments and more.

Zillow’s ecosystem spans the entire home journey — from dreaming and shopping to renting, buying, selling and financing.

Zillow Group’s affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans®, Zillow Rentals®, Zillow® New Construction, Trulia®, StreetEasy®, Out East®, HotPads®, Follow Up Boss®, ShowingTime®, dotloop® and Zillow® Closing.

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2026 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

(ZFIN)

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SOURCE Zillow Group, Inc.