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Pair Eyewear Ranks No. 7 on Inc. Magazine’s List of the Northeast Region’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

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Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 Regionals: Northeast list had an average growth rate of 155.84 percent.

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Inc. Magazine today revealed Pair Eyewear, the first direct-to-consumer customizable eyewear brand that is completely reimagining the eyewear industry, is No. 7 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Northeast List, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Northeast private companies. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Northeast economy’s most dynamic segment–its independent small businesses.

“We are honored to be recognized by Inc. as one of this year’s most successful and fastest-growing companies in the Northeast,” said Nathan Kondamuri, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Pair Eyewear. “As we continue to grow the business and expand our footprint through strategic brick-and-mortar partnerships and an ever-evolving catalog of licensing partnerships, we are proud to continue to transform the eyewear industry one pair at a time,” added Sophia Edelstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Pair Eyewear.

The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Northeast region. Between 2020 and 2022, these 198 private companies had an average growth rate of 155.84 percent; by 2023, they’d also added 14,560 jobs and $15.7 billion to the region’s economy.

“The honorees in our Inc. 5000 network are the Who’s Who of private companies. They’re energizing regional economies as they engineer the future of their industries. Learn who they are and what they do — they’ll be impacting things for a while,” said Eric Hagerman, Special Projects Editor at Inc. Media.

Pair Eyewear was co-founded in 2019 by Nathan Kondamuri and Sophia Edelstein who met as undergraduate students at Stanford University. Through an expanding selection of patented styles including limited edition drops and licensed designs, Pair is creating a new way for adults and kids to experience and buy glasses. Customizable looks include some of the largest licensing deals with Disney, Marvel, DC, NHL, MLB, Marvel, Harry Potter, Sesame Street, The NBA, Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and more. Since inception, the brand has developed a family of patents around customizable technology, further pushing innovation in an outdated industry. Additional patents are expected in 2024.

Due to the highly interactive nature of Pair’s products, the Base Frame and Top Frame duo have become popular on social media, especially TikTok, where the brand has garnered a cult-like following, obtaining hundreds of millions of views with its hashtag #WearPair. TikTok alone drives over 25% of the brand’s total sales and millions in revenue.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Northeast, including company profiles, can be found at inc.com/Northeast. Additionally, Sophia Edelstein’s As Told To profile with Inc. on the topic of growth is now live.

For more information about Pair Eyewear please visit www.paireyewear.com.

About Pair Eyewear:

Pair Eyewear, the first direct-to-consumer customizable eyewear brand reimagining the consumer experience for individuals with glasses, allows adults and children alike to quickly and easily change the look of their glasses–  anytime, anywhere. Pair Eyewear provides the world’s first patented customizable glasses with an engaging digital experience for just $60 per pair, including prescription lenses. Pair Eyewear was the first company to invent fashionable “switchable” top frames that attach to a base pair of glasses and is recognized for its technology to bring affordable personalization and creativity to the market. The brand’s large and expanding selection of 1,000-plus customizable Top Frames includes limited edition monthly drops and licensed designs from brands such as DC, NHL, MLB, Marvel, Harry Potter, Sesame Street, The NBA, Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and more for optical glasses, sunglasses and blue light glasses, all available in both prescription and non-prescription models. For more information please visit www.paireyewear.com or @PairEyewear on Instagram and TikTok.

Contact
WLDFLWR PR
Catherine Cuello-Fuente
catherine@wildflowerpr.co

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SOURCE Pair Eyewear

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Caylent Launches Dedicated Anthropic Practice to Lead Enterprise AI Transformation

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Caylent’s Anthropic Consulting & Engineering (ACE) practice delivers the expertise, governance, and operating models enterprises need to move Claude into production at scale

IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Caylent, an AI-First AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, today announced the launch of Anthropic Consulting & Engineering (ACE), a dedicated practice and new business unit built exclusively around Anthropic’s Claude platform. Founding the practice as a charter member of Anthropic’s Claude Partner Network, Caylent positions itself as a services partner at the intersection of Anthropic and Amazon Web Services (AWS), offering customers the expertise to take them from first-touch Claude Enterprise adoption through full agentic transformation.

THE DELIVERY GAP HOLDING ENTERPRISE AI BACK
Enterprise demand for Claude Enterprise and agentic AI implementation has accelerated at a pace few services partners are resourced to match. Claude Enterprise is now the single most-requested technology across Caylent’s AWS customer base, and with more than 500 AI workloads built and deployed on Amazon Bedrock, Claude Enterprise implementations are now driving more token consumption than 98% of those workloads combined. As enterprises scale agentic AI across more teams, more systems, and more mission-critical workflows; many are looking for experienced partners to help them move faster — applying proven delivery patterns, governance frameworks, and operating models to accelerate what’s already working. ACE was purpose-built to meet that demand and help enterprises realize the full value of Claude Enterprise at scale.

“The enterprise is at an inflection point. Anthropic has earned the right to define what agentic development means for the next decade, and Caylent has the experience to serve customers at the intersection of Anthropic and AWS,” Jason Cutler, SVP of Anthropic Consulting and Engineering at Caylent. “ACE is a focused business unit with its own operating model, its own talent profiles, and its own way of delivering outcomes. We’re all in.”

FROM FIRST WORKSHOP TO FULL AGENTIC SDLC TRANSFORMATION
ACE serves Caylent’s customers at every stage of building and scaling with Claude, delivering structured outcomes across two tracks. Whether an organization is embedding Claude Code across an engineering team for the first time or building production-grade AI products at scale, ACE provides a clear, supported path from first engagement to full transformation:

Agentic SDLC: Enabling engineering organizations to embed Claude Code end-to-end across the software development lifecycle (SDLC). The entry point is the Agentic SDLC Catalyst, a structured workshop that gives engineering teams direct, hands-on experience with Claude Code inside their own environment. Catalyst engagements are the doorway to larger operating model design, governance frameworks, and full SDLC transformation programs.Applied AI: A Forward-Deployed Engineer (FDE) model supporting Anthropic customers building Claude-powered products and solutions. FDE teams work directly inside client codebases and architecture decisions, delivering production-grade AI systems, evaluation frameworks, and outcome packages for ISVs transitioning from SaaS to agentic architectures.

“Caylent’s decision to stand up a dedicated practice and invest at this level reflects the kind of conviction we look for in partners: deep technical credibility, a clear enterprise delivery model, and real skin in the game,” said Phil Samenuk, Head of Partnerships at Anthropic. “Enterprises adopting Claude and building agentic systems benefit from partners who can match the pace of the technology, and ACE is built to do exactly that.”

A NEW OPERATING MODEL FOR AGENTIC DELIVERY
ACE was built with an operating model calibrated to how agentic work actually flows rather than how traditional consulting engagements are structured. Engagements run on outcome-based pricing and fixed-fee terms where measurement is feasible. Resources work across multiple engagements simultaneously, matching the cadence of agentic delivery. Advanced enablement patterns developed within the practice flow back to Caylent’s broader organization, compounding returns across the customer base and accelerating adoption at every tier.

SERVICES DELIVERY AT THE INTERSECTION OF ANTHROPIC AND AWS
The launch of ACE comes as Amazon and Anthropic deepen their strategic collaboration. As part of the expanded partnership, AWS customers will soon be able to access Anthropic’s full native Claude Platform directly from within AWS — using existing AWS accounts, access controls, and billing with no additional credentials or contracts required. For Caylent, this convergence creates a significant opportunity: as the premier services partner operating natively across both ecosystems, ACE is purpose-built to help enterprises navigate the expanding agentic space.

For enterprises deploying Claude on AWS, scaling it across the business takes more than choosing a model. AWS customers also rely on AWS-native security, governance, and integration infrastructure to run it at enterprise scale — capabilities that demand deep experience in both ecosystems simultaneously. Caylent’s combination of AWS Premier Tier credentials and a dedicated Anthropic practice creates a delivery advantage that streamlines execution and accelerates time-to-value across the full agentic stack.

About Caylent

Since 2015, Caylent has grown alongside organizations modernizing on AWS. Now, it is the operating partner they trust to build, run, and evolve intelligent systems at scale. As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, dedicated Anthropic partner, and AWS Managed Services Provider, with 10 Partner of the Year Awards including GenAI, Migration, and Security Consulting Partner of the Year in 2025, Caylent combines deep AWS expertise, proprietary IP, and an agentic delivery system to move organizations from ideas to impact, faster. www.caylent.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caylent-launches-dedicated-anthropic-practice-to-lead-enterprise-ai-transformation-302755874.html

SOURCE Caylent

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ASCENDIUN FAMILY OF COMPANIES — BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA, STELLARUS, AND ALTAIS — WILL REDUCE DIRECT EMISSIONS BY 42%

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Sustainability targets validated by global, gold-standard Science Based Targets initiative reflect Blue Shield’s commitment to healthcare affordability and the health of Californians

OAKLAND, Calif., April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascendiun and its Family of Companies — Blue Shield of California, Stellarus, and Altais — today announced a commitment to reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their operations by 42% by 2030.

In parallel, the Family of Companies will engage their supplier network with the goal that by that same year, 52% of their suppliers will have also established science-based targets to address emissions.

“Pollution and escalating environmental events such as wildfires and flooding are harmful to the health of our communities and add an estimated $820 billion to U.S. healthcare costs each year,” said Paul Markovich, president and CEO at Ascendiun. “Today’s announcement is another example of how we are building a healthcare system that’s worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable for everyone.”

These near-term sustainability targets have been formally validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the globally recognized, gold standard for science-backed environmental targets. The commitment will span all entities across the Ascendiun Family of Companies.

Turning science into action

Blue Shield is among a small number of health plans worldwide to commit to the SBTi effort and to have obtained SBTi validation for its near-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The commitment reflects Blue Shield’s efforts to protect health, lower costs, and improve health outcomes for its 6 million members across California.

Using 2024 as a baseline, the Ascendiun Family of Companies has committed to the following near-term science-based emissions reduction targets by 2030:

A 42% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions include those generated directly by operations, as well as energy use.52% of suppliers — measured by emissions impact — will have science‑based targets in place. This includes areas such as purchased goods, services, and upstream transportation and distribution (scope 3 emissions).

Validated targets can be found on the SBTi database.

“As a healthcare organization, we see firsthand how pollution and environmental disasters affect people’s health and drive up healthcare costs, especially for communities that are already most at risk,” said Mike Stuart, president and CEO at Blue Shield of California. “Healthier environments lead to healthier people. That’s why we’ve taken responsibility for our own footprint, and routinely look for opportunities to work with organizations that are equally committed to a healthier future for our members and communities.”

The SBTi validation builds on Blue Shield of California’s long‑standing, broader strategy to advance health by addressing environmental factors that shape affordability, outcomes, and community resilience.

To learn more about Blue Shield of California’s action to build healthier communities, see our recent Mission Report.

To learn more about Blue Shield’s parent company Ascendiun, visit ascendiun.com

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 6,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Ascendiun
Ascendiun is a nonprofit and ultimate parent company of Blue Shield of California, Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, Altais and Stellarus. The Ascendiun family of companies are dedicated to advancing better health outcomes, making care more affordable, and addressing the unique needs of diverse communities. For more news about Ascendiun, please visit www.ascendiun.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact: Mark Seelig
Blue Shield of California
415-607-2359
media@blueshieldca.com

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SOURCE Blue Shield of California

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Bloxley Partners with Equals Money | Railsr to Power European Financial Infrastructure

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AI-Driven Neobank Selects Equals Money As Strategic Partner To Power Multi-Currency Capabilities And Cross-Border Payment Solutions Infrastructure

WILMINGTON, Del., April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bloxley, the AI-driven hybrid neobank transforming financial services for Gen Z and Millennials, today announced a strategic partnership with Equals Money | Railsr, an FCA-regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and Payments Institution (PI).

Equals Money | Railsr will power Bloxley’s European financial infrastructure, enabling seamless cross-border banking capabilities through its embedded finance and payments solutions.

The partnership leverages Equals Money’s 18+ years of regulated payments expertise serving over 50,000 businesses, with a robust infrastructure spanning payments in 38+ currencies.

Bloxley combines streamlined account setup and real-time spending visibility with innovative @BloxID handles that replace traditional account numbers, enabling instant peer-to-peer transfers and simplified payment requests. The platform is expanding throughout 2026 with low-cost international transfers and transparent cross-border payments designed for globally connected digital natives.

Through the partnership, Bloxley will integrate Equals Money’s multi-currency account capabilities, international payment rails, and enterprise-grade security features into its platform, creating reliable, compliant, modern payment experiences for its customers.

“We built Bloxley on the belief that everyone deserves wings for their money. Financial empowerment shouldn’t be complicated or reserved for the few,” said Leon Fischer-Brocks, Bloxley Co-Founder & CEO. “Partnering with Equals Money gives us access to infrastructure that’s powered major global brands while maintaining the agility we need as an AI-first platform. Their multi-currency expertise complements our vision perfectly as we prepare to launch in the US and expand internationally.”

The integration supports Bloxley’s core mission to simplify everyday finances through thoughtful technology. Following its recent €2.5M seed funding round at a $25M valuation, Bloxley is positioning itself as a new category of financial services—one that combines premium functionality with elegant simplicity. The Equals Money partnership directly enables several of Bloxley’s differentiated features, including support for multiple currencies within a single account and seamless international money movement.

“We’re excited to support Bloxley’s vision for the next generation of money movement,” said Ian Strafford-Taylor, CEO of Equals Money. “Their commitment to putting people first and making financial services genuinely empowering aligns with our own mission to deliver embedded payments capabilities with premium customer support. Bloxley is the perfect example of our specialist support for businesses that operate internationally and manage payments at scale.”

“Traditional banking infrastructure was built for a different era,” added Imanuel, Co-Founder and President of Bloxley. “By partnering with forward-thinking infrastructure providers like Equals Money, we’re able to cut through decades of legacy systems and deliver experiences our members actually want, whether that’s managing multiple currencies effortlessly or moving money internationally without friction. This partnership is fundamental to our ability to serve the borderless, digital-first generation we’re building for.”

This partnership represents a crucial infrastructure milestone for Bloxley as it scales toward its public launch. The addition of Equals Money’s European payment capabilities positions Bloxley to support its members’ increasingly global financial lives from day one.

Equals Money brings proven enterprise-grade capabilities including safeguarded and segregated accounts, dual-authorization payment approvals, 365-day customer support, and long-standing relationships across tier-one global banking and payment networks. The company has earned trust from major global brands including Dr Martens, Burger King, and Caffè Nero, demonstrating the institutional-quality infrastructure now powering Bloxley’s consumer-focused platform.

With initial support for four countries at launch, and plans for continued international expansion, Bloxley is architecting a truly borderless banking experience. The Equals Money partnership provides the technical foundation to make that vision real while maintaining the security, compliance, and reliability of modern money demands.

Disclaimer: Bloxley is currently in pre-launch. Certain features, including AI-enabled functionality, multi-currency capabilities, and international payment services, are under development and are not yet available to users. References to future products or services reflect Bloxley’s current plans and intentions and are subject to change, regulatory requirements, and partner availability.

About Bloxley

Bloxley is an AI-driven hybrid neobank transforming financial services for Gen Z and Millennials. Founded in 2022 by Leon Fischer-Brocks and Imanuel Kaiser, Bloxley combines premium functionality with thoughtful simplicity through innovative features including @BloxID money usernames, multi-currency support, stablecoin integration, and planned AI-powered capabilities like voice-to-action banking and real-time budget coaching. Following a €2.5M seed round at a $25M valuation, Bloxley is preparing for a 2026 launch in the US market with initial support for four countries. Learn more at www.bloxley.com.

About Equals Money

Equals Money | Railsr is an FCA-regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and Payment Institution (PI) in the UK and leading provider of multi-currency accounts, international payments, and business spending solutions. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive money movement solution that empowers businesses and brands to embed financial services into their customer journeys, enhance operational efficiency and make spend management seamless and straightforward. These services are backed by cutting-edge technology, expert support and rigorous compliance solutions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloxley-partners-with-equals-money–railsr-to-power-european-financial-infrastructure-302755271.html

SOURCE Bloxley US Inc.

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