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Constructor Wins MACH Impact Award for ‘Agentic Achievement’

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Recognition highlights successful AI agent deployments — with Constructor’s conversational agents driving better shopping experiences and measurable results for ecommerce retailers worldwide

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Constructor, the product discovery platform for the agentic era, has been honored in the MACH Alliance’s 2026 MACH Impact Awards. A winner in the “Agentic Achievement” category, Constructor was recognized for successful AI agent deployments across ecommerce environments, helping retailers worldwide improve shopping experiences and drive meaningful business results.

The MACH Alliance is the global industry body for open, composable and connected enterprise technology — the foundation and framework for the agentic era. Its annual MACH Impact Awards celebrate real-world technology deployments, innovative solutions and industry changemakers driving measurable outcomes.

“The conversation around agentic AI has moved on from what’s possible to what’s actually working,” said Jason Cottrell, president of the MACH Alliance. “This year’s winners have taken agents out of the pilot phase and into production, with results they can measure. And they’ve done it by building on open, composable foundations.”

Putting Agentic AI to Work Across Ecommerce

Amid strong retailer demand and demonstrated results from Constructor’s AI agents, Constructor has seen rapid adoption of its agentic technology — with the number of companies deploying its conversational AI agents increasing 900% over the past year.

Constructor’s composable, API-first architecture enables its agents to work across retailers’ existing technology stacks and connect with the data, content and services they need. In addition, its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server exposes Constructor’s commerce intelligence through a standard interface that any agent can call, whether it runs on the retailer’s own site or outside it.

Constructor’s agentic portfolio spans shopper-facing, agent-facing and merchant-facing applications, including:

AI Shopping Agent (ASA): helping shoppers with broad, complex or exploratory shopping needs, using conversational AI to understand their goals and guide them to the right products.AI Product Insights Agent (PIA): acting as a virtual product expert on product detail pages, where PIA answers shoppers’ questions, suggests helpful prompts and provides personalized guidance — so shoppers can evaluate products and make decisions with confidence.Merchant Intelligence Agent (MIA): enabling ecommerce teams to ask questions in plain language about product-discovery performance — with MIA investigating what’s happening and why, recommending ways to improve results, and automating time-consuming merchandising work.Discovery MCP: bringing Constructor’s personalized product discovery into external AI answer engines such as ChatGPT. Through protocols such as UCP, compatible agents can find and connect to the retailer’s Discovery MCP Server — getting ranked, optimized product results to use in shopper recommendations instead of fetching raw catalog data. Further, this also allows new agents, plugins and apps (e.g., ChatGPT apps) to be built on top of the discovery, ranking and personalization Constructor already provides.

The MACH Impact Award recognized high-impact results retailers have achieved with Constructor’s agentic technology. Across different customer deployments, results included: a 57% reduction in support requests; shoppers converting at more than double the rate of those using standard search; and 52% higher add-to-cart rates and 56% higher purchase rates among shoppers using a Constructor agent.

“AI agents are moving quickly beyond experimentation and becoming a meaningful part of how people shop and how ecommerce teams work,” said Eli Finkelshteyn, CEO and co-founder of Constructor. “But for us, the goal isn’t to introduce new agentic capabilities for the sake of it. They need to be practical, powerful and easy to use — and, most importantly, make experiences better. As we bring agentic discovery across more of the shopper journey, that principle will continue to guide how we build. We’re honored to have the MACH Alliance recognize the impact retailers are achieving with our technologies.”

Constructor’s Agentic AI ‘Rolling Thunder’ Continues

The award adds to a growing list of accolades for Constructor’s work in agentic commerce. Within the last year, Constructor has:

Earned a MACH Alliance Agent Ready Award, a separate MACH Alliance program recognizing agentic solutions deployed in production and independently reviewed for real-world interoperability.Been named to The Agentic List 2026, honoring “the top 120 agentic AI companies shaping the future.”Been honored for the best use of AI in retail and ecommerce in both the Champions in AI Awards and the Global AI Awards.

In addition, Constructor was recognized as a sample vendor for agentic commerce in the Gartner Hype Cycle™ for Agentic AI, 2026.1 This year, Constructor was also named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Search and Product Discovery — placing furthest in Vision and highest in Execution among all vendors evaluated.2

For more information about how Constructor is helping retailers deliver personalized, high-performing agentic shopping experiences, please visit constructor.com.

1 Gartner, Hype Cycle for Agentic AI, 2026, Rajesh Kandaswamy, Leinar Ramos, Gary Olliffe, Tom Coshow, Pieter den Hamer, Erick Brethenoux, April 22, 2026.

2 Gartner, Inc., Magic Quadrant for Search and Product Discovery, Mike Lowndes, Sandy Shen, Aditya Vasudevan, Noam Dorros, June 22, 2026.

Disclaimer

Gartner, Magic Quadrant and Hype Cycle are trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

Gartner does not endorse any company, vendor, product or service depicted in its publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s business and technology insights organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this publication, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Constructor

Constructor is the AI-driven search and product discovery platform that scales, learns, and adapts to how shoppers actually buy. Its central reasoning engine uses reinforcement learning to improve with every shopper interaction—delivering the right product to the right person in the right context at the right time. By learning directly from real shopper behavior across a company’s own properties, Constructor continuously drives stronger performance across the metrics that matter most. Purpose-built for ecommerce, Constructor generates consistent $10M+ lifts for leading brands such as Sephora, Petco, The Very Group, home24, Grove Collaborative and Fisheries Supply. Learn more at constructor.com.

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SOURCE Constructor

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Tin Leg Introduces New General Manager to Lead The Next Phase of Growth

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Squaremouth, the leading travel insurance marketplace, has hired Jennifer Spindler as General Manager of their leading travel insurance brand, Tin Leg.

Spindler brings more than 25 years of insurance industry leadership, with expertise in building and launching new insurance products and driving strategic growth. Before joining Tin Leg, she served as the Chief Product Officer at Specialty Program Group (SPG), the parent company of Squaremouth and Tin Leg. She also previously held leadership positions at Lemonade, PURE Insurance, Chubb, and AIG.

As General Manager, Spindler will lead Tin Leg’s product development and distribution strategy.

“Jennifer has an impressive background in the insurance industry, and a proven ability to turn customer and market needs into products and growth opportunities,” shares Rupa Mehta, CEO of Squaremouth. “Tin Leg’s strong reputation is built on keeping travelers at the forefront of everything we do, and Jennifer will help us continue to build on that foundation as we move into the brand’s next chapter.”

“I’m excited to join Tin Leg at this stage of the brand’s growth,” shares Spindler. “Tin Leg has an impressive foundation, and I look forward to building on it by identifying new opportunities through product development and additional distribution channels in order to provide comprehensive travel protection to more travelers.”

Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the experts behind Squaremouth, drawing on more than 20 years of marketplace experience to create a product focused on comprehensive coverage, competitive value, and an easier experience for travelers.

Since launching, Tin Leg has helped over 400,000 travelers protect their travel investments and continues to demonstrate significant growth and ongoing evolution.

Known for award-winning customer service, 24/7 emergency support, and its dedicated claims team, Tin Leg holds some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any insurance provider on Squaremouth.com.

Learn more about Tin Leg and its travel insurance product portfolio at tinleg.com.

About Tin Leg
Since 2014, Tin Leg has provided affordable travel insurance built on over 20 years of marketplace expertise from its parent company, Squaremouth. A four-time 2026 U.S. News Award winner, Tin Leg offers tailored plans for any trip type, backed by reputable underwriters including Berkshire Hathaway, Starr, and Spinnaker.

Contact
Lauren McCormick
Manager of PR at Tin Leg & Squaremouth
press@tinleg.com

 

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SOURCE Tin Leg

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abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund VCC Announces Normal Course Issuer Bid

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TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ — abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund VCC (TSX: FAP) (UEN: T21VC0235H) (the “Company”), a closed-end investment company trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”), announced today that the TSX has accepted notice of its intention to make a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”), through which the Company will make open market purchases of its ordinary shares on the TSX, other designated exchanges and/or other Canadian alternative trading systems.  During the bid, which will commence on October 15, 2026 and end no later than October 14, 2027, the Company may purchase up to 1,664,763 ordinary shares, which is 5% of the total of the Company’s 33,295,277 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of October 6, 2026. Repurchases made under the NCIB during any 30-day period will not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The actual number of ordinary shares purchased, the time of the purchases and the prices at which the shares will be bought will depend upon future market conditions. The Company will cancel shares purchased under the bid. 

The Company has also entered into an automatic repurchase plan (“ARP”) with its broker, in order to facilitate repurchases of its ordinary shares. Under the Company’s ARP, the broker may repurchase ordinary shares under the NCIB at times when the Company would ordinarily not be permitted to repurchase its securities due to regulatory restrictions and customary self-imposed black-out periods. Purchases will be made by the broker based on the purchasing parameters agreed upon by the Company and the broker and in accordance with the rules of the TSX, applicable securities laws and the terms of the ARP. Outside of the Company’s self-imposed blackout periods, ordinary shares may also be purchased under the NCIB at the discretion of the Company.

The Company’s directors believe that from time to time the purchase of ordinary shares of the Company may be a worthwhile investment for the Company that should benefit continuing shareholders.  The Company’s directors believe that normal course issuer bid purchases of ordinary shares for cancellation may reduce the discount that may exist between the market price of the shares and the Company’s net asset value per share.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s existing annual redemption feature remains unchanged and is not affected by the implementation of the NCIB.

Under the Company’s existing annual redemption program, shareholders have the opportunity to redeem up to 100% of their shares if the applicable Trading Discount Percentage for the 12-month period ending on the last Business Day of December exceeds 12.0%. The annual redemption feature and the NCIB serve distinct purposes and will operate independently. The NCIB provides the Company with the ability to repurchase shares in the open market for cancellation when the Board and management determine that such purchases are in the best interests of the Company and its continuing shareholders, including when shares trade at a discount to net asset value. The NCIB does not modify, limit, suspend, or replace any shareholder rights under the annual redemption program.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The market price of a fund’s shares is determined by supply and demand and may be greater than (a “premium”) or less than (a “discount”) the fund’s net asset value (NAV). A fund’s investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and investors may receive more or less than their original investment upon the sale of shares. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The trading price of a closed-end fund’s shares may be influenced by various factors, including market conditions, investor sentiment, and other external forces, and is not directly controlled by the fund, its Board of Directors, or its investment adviser. As a result, shares may trade at a premium to or discount from NAV at any given time. A premium to NAV may not be sustained, and a discount to NAV may increase or decrease over time. Investors should consider these risks when purchasing or selling closed-end fund shares.

Shareholders whose fund shares trade at a premium to NAV and who participate in the fund’s dividend reinvestment plan should be aware that distributions may be reinvested at prices above NAV, which may adversely affect investment results.

About Aberdeen Investments

Aberdeen Investments and Aberdeen Investments Global are the registered marketing names in Canada for abrdn Canada Limited, and abrdn Investments Luxembourg S.A. abrdn Canada Limited (“abrdn”) is registered as a Portfolio Manager and Exempt Market Dealer in all provinces and territories of Canada as well as an Investment Fund Manager in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Aberdeen Investments is among the world’s largest asset managers, with decades of experience overseeing closed-end funds dating back to the 1980s. As of June 30, 2026, the firm had approximately $527 billion in assets under management. Closed-end funds represent a core component of Aberdeen Investments’ client franchise in both the U.S. and global markets. Aberdeen and its affiliates currently manage 28 closed-end funds – 17 available in the U.S. and 11 outside the U.S. – totaling $28.3 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026.

For Shareholders Holding Shares Directly with the Fund (Non-Brokerage Accounts):
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
1-800-992-6341
Investor Center

For Shareholders Holding Shares Through a Brokerage Account:
Please contact your financial advisor, broker, or the brokerage firm through which your shares are held.

abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund VCC | Aberdeen

SOURCE abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund VCC

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CfC St. Moritz Returns in January 2027 with Canton Network Co-Founder Yuval Rooz; Binance Co-Founder CZ; Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson; and DRW CEO Don Wilson Among Headline Speakers

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The application-only conference will bring together 250 investors, industry leaders and decision-makers at Suvretta House from January 13–15, 2027

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CfC St. Moritz, the highly curated digital assets conference for investors and decision-makers, will return to the Swiss Alps from January 13-15, 2027, convening 250 leaders from across digital assets, traditional finance, technology, investment and policy.

Held at the iconic Suvretta House in St. Moritz, the conference returns as the convergence of digital assets and traditional finance accelerates and as institutional adoption, tokenization and AI reshape global markets. CfC St. Moritz is known for providing an intimate setting for the C-level leaders shaping the future of the financial system to exchange perspectives, forge partnerships and explore the trends defining its next chapter. With strict participant selection criteria and high demand for conference tickets, just 12% of applicants secure a seat.

The speaker lineup for the CfC St. Moritz 2027 so far includes:

Ambre Soubiran, Co-Founder and CEO at KaikoAnthony Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner at SkyBridge CapitalBrett Tejpaul, Co-CEO of Coinbase InstitutionalCarlos Domingo, Co-Founder and CEO at SecuritizeCarolyn Weinberg, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at BNYCatherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at BinanceCharles Cascarilla, CEO and Co-Founder of PaxosChangpeng “CZ” Zhao, Co-Founder and former CEO at BinanceDon Wilson, Founder and CEO at DRWFred Thiel, Chairman and CEO at MARA HoldingsJenny Johnson, President and CEO at Franklin TempletonKay Swinburne, Baroness Swinburne, Member of the House of Lords of the UKMathias Imbach, Co-Founder and Group CEO of SygnumMichael Blaugrund, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)Nag Bharatula, Founder & Senior Portfolio Manager of G-20 GroupPeter Kerstens, Adviser at the European CommissionWai Lum Kwok, Senior Executive Director at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Animoca BrandsYuval Rooz, Co-Founder and CEO at Digital Asset; Co-Founder of Canton Network

The 2027 edition marks a new chapter for the conference, with Canton Network joining as main partner following three years of involvement with CfC St. Moritz. The expanded partnership reflects the organizations’ shared focus on connecting traditional and digital finance and advancing the real-world adoption of blockchain technology.

Yuval Rooz, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Asset and Co-Founder of the Canton Network, said: “Having attended CfC St. Moritz for several years, I’ve seen firsthand what makes this gathering unique. It brings together leaders from traditional finance, digital assets, technology and policy at a time when these worlds are becoming increasingly interconnected. That closely reflects what we are building at Canton: infrastructure that enables markets and institutions to connect and operate across a more integrated financial system. We’re proud to deepen our longstanding relationship with CfC St. Moritz as main partner and look forward to returning in January.”

Nicolo Stöhr, CEO of CfC St. Moritz, said: “Our ambition has always been to create an environment where industry leaders can have meaningful conversations and build lasting relationships. As traditional finance and digital assets continue to converge, bringing these different perspectives together has never been more relevant, and many of the conversations we have been having for years are becoming real strategic decisions for institutions, investors and policymakers. We’re looking forward to welcoming an exceptional group back to St. Moritz in 2027 and creating the space for the discussions that will shape the year ahead.”

For 2027, CfC St. Moritz will further strengthen the conference environment by introducing the Suvretta House Rules, establishing confidentiality as the default across conference sessions and conversations. The decision to introduce new confidentiality guidelines is intended to encourage even more open and candid exchange in a now truly private environment.

Ahead of the main conference, the CfC St. Moritz Pre-Opening will return on January 11–12, 2027. The two-day program brings participants together before the formal agenda begins through a series of curated outdoor activities and informal gatherings across the Engadin Valley, creating additional opportunities to build relationships away from the conference stage.

Applications to attend CfC St. Moritz 2027 will open on October 14, 2026. Further details on the 2027 agenda, speakers and partners will be announced in the coming months.

About the CfC St. Moritz

The CfC St. Moritz is an intimate circle of hand-picked opinion leaders and investors in the private and unique setting of the Swiss Alps. The annual application-only conference fosters a culture of genuine connection and deliberately admits a maximum of only 250 international UHNWI, family offices, funds, and institutional investors, uniting the traditional finance sector and the crypto industry. Founded in 2017, CfC St. Moritz has since held nine in-person conferences in St. Moritz, one in Half Moon Bay, California, two virtual conferences during the pandemic, and several smaller events.

www.cfc-stmoritz.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

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