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VNET Announces Certain Updates Regarding the Refinancing of the Founder’s Personal Loan

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BEIJING, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VNET Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VNET) (“VNET” or the “Company”), a leading carrier- and cloud-neutral internet data center services provider in China, today announced the refinancing of the margin loan facility provided by Bold Ally (Cayman) Limited (the “Bold Ally Loan”) to Mr. Josh Sheng Chen (“Mr. Chen”), Founder, Co-Chairperson and interim Chief Executive Officer of VNET. The Bold Ally Loan was procured by Mr. Chen in or around August 2021 to finance his purchase of 17,140,898 Class A ordinary shares from another significant shareholder at the time, and was secured by the ordinary shares beneficially owned by Mr. Chen in the Company.

With reference to the Amendment No. 8 to the Schedule 13D filing dated July 8, 2024 filed by Mr. Chen (the “Schedule 13D Amendment”), Mr. Chen and various entities wholly owned by him (the “Corporate Obligors”) have settled all of their obligations under the Bold Ally Loan. The settlement was funded using proceeds generated from the issuance of a promissory note (the “Note”) to Shining Rich Holdings Limited and the existing cash reserves of Mr. Chen.  

As a result of the settlement of the Bold Ally Loan, the collateral for the Bold Ally Loan has been released in full pursuant to a deed of undertaking as disclosed in the Schedule 13D Amendment, and Mr. Chen has restored his beneficial ownership interest in 33,628,926 Class A ordinary shares of the Company, the ownership of which was previously transferred to Bold Ally (Cayman) Limited.

The Note is secured by 68,373,133 Class A ordinary shares and 27,757,992 Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned by Mr. Chen and the Corporate Obligors, representing in the aggregate approximately 6.00% of the issued and outstanding share capital and 18.41% of the total voting power in the Company as of the date of the Schedule 13D Amendment.

Mr. Chen and the Corporate Obligors have also made various undertakings with respect to the shares of the Company. These undertakings include procuring the Company not to issue or grant, in any financial year, equity securities (including rights to acquire shares) representing 5% or more of the total issued and outstanding capital of the Company (on a fully-diluted basis) to any person, including Mr. Chen and the Corporate Obligors themselves, subject to exceptions. Details of such undertakings are set forth in the Schedule 13D Amendment.

Considering the voting power owned by Mr. Chen, his veto rights over certain corporate actions through his beneficial ownership of 60,000 class C ordinary shares and his executive powers as co-Chairperson and interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Chen holds significant power to direct or influence the management and policies of the Company as a controlling person.

About VNET

VNET Group, Inc. is a leading carrier- and cloud-neutral internet data center services provider in China. VNET provides hosting and related services, including IDC services, cloud services, and business VPN services to improve the reliability, security, and speed of its customers’ internet infrastructure. Customers may locate their servers and equipment in VNET’s data centers and connect to China’s internet backbone. VNET operates in more than 30 cities throughout China, servicing a diversified and loyal base of over 7,500 hosting and related enterprise customers that span numerous industries ranging from internet companies to government entities and blue-chip enterprises to small- to mid-sized enterprises.

Safe Harbor Statement 

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “target,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement as well as VNET’s strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. VNET may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations on the future performance of VNET, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: VNET’s goals and strategies; VNET’s liquidity conditions; VNET’s expansion plans; the expected growth of the data center services market; expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, VNET’s services; VNET’s expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers; VNET’s plans to invest in research and development to enhance its solution and service offerings; and general economic and business conditions in the regions where VNET provides solutions and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in VNET’s reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and VNET undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact:

Xinyuan Liu
Tel: +86 10 8456 2121
Email: ir@vnet.com 

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SOURCE VNET Group, Inc.

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TiTE x IHT 2026: The Definitive Hub for Taiwan’s Hardware Manufacturing Excellence

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TAICHUNG, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When sourcing from Taiwan, location is the ultimate strategic advantage. Don’t be misled by smaller, general trade shows held in city centers like Taipei. To truly connect with the source, you must go where the products are born. TiTE x IHT (Oct 20-22, 2026) in Taichung is the undisputed largest and most vital hardware industrial expo on the island. Hosted directly in the heart of Taiwan’s precision manufacturing cluster, this event features 1,000+ booths and 500+ top-tier manufacturers, offering a scale and industrial depth that no other exhibition can replicate.

Why Global Buyers Choose the Taichung Source Over Urban Trade Shows:

The Revolutionary “Exhibition as Factory” Model: Taichung is the global epicenter for hardware, home to 70% of Taiwan’s industry output. Our unique location enables the “30-Minute Sourcing Circle.” This allows you to verify high-end samples on the show floor in the morning and audit world-class production lines by the afternoon. By eliminating the travel gap between the booth and the factory, we reduce traditional procurement cycles from weeks to hours, providing unmatched transparency for R&D, capacity assessment, and quality control.ESG & CBAM Compliance for Western Markets: As the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and global ESG mandates reshape trade, our exhibitors are already ahead of the curve. Discover CBAM-ready solutions and green manufacturing processes specifically designed to meet the strict sustainability requirements of the European and American markets. We provide more than just tools; we provide carbon-footprint-managed resilience for your brand.AI-Driven Smart Manufacturing: Address global labor shortages and rising costs with Taiwan’s latest innovations. The 2026 expo focuses on “AI Empowerment,” showcasing collaborative robotics, automated digital inspection, and data-driven supply chain management. These technologies ensure lead-time stability and high-precision consistency for premium global brand owners.Direct Sourcing & Global Matchmaking: Skip the middlemen and trading agencies. Our “Global Buyer Day” offers exclusive, pre-arranged matchmaking with the actual OEMs/ODMs. This is the primary decision-making platform for major distributors seeking resilient, direct-to-factory partnerships that guarantee the best pricing and priority production slots.

Experience the synergy of smart manufacturing and global trade. Stop at the source—where the world’s hardware is actually built. Secure your competitive edge in the true heart of the industry.

【TiTE x IHT】

Date: October 20-22, 2026Venue: TICEC, Taichung, TaiwanRegister Now: https://accu.ps/g8MZ1SHousing Subsidy: https://forms.gle/34VHVxSrEw7g8GxDAOfficial Website: https://www.hardwareexpotw.com

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SOURCE TiTE x IHT

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KIST Accelerates U.S. Expansion of Quantum Deep-Tech Startups Through SelectUSA 2026

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SEOUL, South Korea, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) President Oh Sang-rok announced that it will participate in the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 as part of a Korean delegation, together with quantum technology startups supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under the Deeptech Project (DIPS).

The initiative, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), is part of the government’s “Deeptech Incubator Project for Startups” (DIPS) initiative, which aims to nurture globally competitive deep-tech ventures.

KIST, which serves as the lead institution for the quantum technology sector under the program, said it will oversee the global commercialization efforts of participating firms. In particular, the “Global Bridge Program,” jointly developed with the U.S. Embassy in Korea in September 2025, is an official program designed to generate tangible overseas expansion outcomes by linking investment attraction with local market entry through diplomatic channels.

Organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the SelectUSA Investment Summit is the largest investment promotion event in the US, connecting international startups with venture capital firms, corporate investors and state-level economic development agencies.

It serves as an execution-oriented platform that extends to investment, corporate establishment, site selection, and tax incentives, and is considered a key entry gateway for deep-tech companies, including those in quantum technology.

KIST said participation in the summit is particularly significant for deep-tech sectors such as quantum technology, where access to the US innovation ecosystem is seen as key to growth.

The program is conducted in two stages. From April 30 to May 1, companies took part in a spin-off program hosted by the State of Maryland, which included visits to research institutions and tours of the regional quantum technology ecosystem.

During this period, the delegation also conducted localized activities with the Maryland state government and its economic development agencies, focusing on investment attraction, corporate collaboration, and joint R&D. In addition, on May 5, the delegation held discussions with U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary William Kimmitt on potential areas of cooperation.

The delegation will also meet officials from Fairfax County Government to explore collaboration and investment opportunities.

The main summit, currently ongoing from May 3 to May 6, features exhibitions, pitching sessions and meetings with US state representatives, with participating firms expected to engage in discussions on investment and market entry.

The delegation is structured to encompass the entire quantum industry rather than a single technology domain.

The Korean delegation comprises five startups, alongside Kyung Hee University Department of Future Science & Technology Commercialization Policy and Entrepreneurship, with approximately 20 participants forming an integrated ecosystem that combines research institutes, academia, and startups, enabling a full-cycle support system from technology validation to commercialization and global expansion.

One of the firms, OptiQ-Labs, was selected for an official pitching session on May 4, where it presented its laser-based optical modules designed for ion-trap quantum computing systems.

This highly competitive program selects only around 100 companies from more than 20,000 applicants worldwide. If selected as the winner of the pitching session, the company will receive follow-up meetings with U.S. state governments and economic development agencies, access to global investor networks, support for local entity establishment, and connections to site selection and tax incentive programs.

Other participating companies include QUAD, which develops single-photon detection technology; SLEEX, focused on underwater sensing; Elixir (StatUp AI), which works on quantum-classical hybrid algorithms for healthcare; and SQK (QMEDIC), specializing in physics-based imaging solutions.

KIST Project Director, Kang Sunjoon, said, “This program represents a critical milestone for Korean quantum startups to directly connect with global investors and industry ecosystems. Via the DIPS program, we are actively promoting the global commercialization of quantum technologies.”

Through its participation in SelectUSA, KIST has established a package-type global expansion model that integrates technology validation, investment attraction, and U.S. market entry.

The summit serves as a turning point for South Korea’s quantum sector, enabling startups to move into the next phase of validation, investment, and overseas expansion.

For more information, visit https://eng.kist.re.kr/.

About KIST 

KIST was established in 1966 as the first government-funded research institute in South Korea. KIST now strives to solve national and social challenges and secure growth engines through leading and innovative research.

About Participating Quantum Startups

QUAD, led by Chief Executive Officer, Oh Byung-doo, develops quantum sensing technologies based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), offering high sensitivity and precision with applications spanning quantum communication, quantum computing, semiconductor inspection, and defense.

SLEEX is developing an advanced perception technology that combines quantum LiDAR and electric field sensing to overcome limitations of existing underwater sensors, particularly by eliminating blind zones within the 0–2 meter range, with strong potential in autonomous navigation, maritime security, and defense, with Lee Jeho at the helm as Chief Executive Officer.  (https://www.thesleex.com)

Elixir, headed by Chief Executive Officer Jang Jung-kwon, develops a drug discovery and biomarker analysis platform based on quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, targeting the precision medicine market through the integration of bioinformatics and quantum machine learning. (statupai.com)

SQK develops medical imaging AI based on quantum-physics constraints, addressing the hallucination issues of conventional AI by ensuring physical consistency in CT and MRI reconstruction. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Kim Yoon-hak, SQK is improving reliability and reducing the need for re-scans in clinical settings. (www.sqkcloud.com)

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SOURCE The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)

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Former Visa Asia Pacific Executive David Tay Joins YeahPay as Global Vice President

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SINGAPORE, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YeahPay, the international payment brand under YEAHKA (9923.HK), has appointed David Tay, a former senior executive at Visa Asia Pacific, as Global Vice President, tasking him with overseeing the strategic direction and product ecosystem development of YEAHKA’s overseas payment business. The appointment comes as global digital trade enters a new phase defined by ecosystem integration, with payment infrastructure undergoing a generational shift in acceleration.

David Tay, a Singaporean national, is a rising leader in the payments industry. During his career at Visa, David played a key role in driving business growth across multiple Southeast Asian markets, demonstrating early promise in commercial insight and innovation. He subsequently moved into Visa’s Innovation division, where he rose to serve as Head of Innovation, leading Visa Pacific’s product innovation and new business.

In that capacity, David led the commercialization of cutting-edge payment paradigms including Visa Flex Credential and Pay by Palm. He was also involved in the evaluation and governance of strategic partners across the region, accumulating deep expertise in collaborating with banks, fintechs, and large-scale enterprise merchants.

David’s track record spans the full go-to-market lifecycle, from concept to pilot to scale, as well as deep capabilities in cross-institutional partnerships and ecosystem development. His appointment comes at an inflection point for YEAHKA’s international expansion. According to YEAHKA’s 2025 annual report, its overseas business delivered full-year Gross Payment Volume (GPV) surpassing RMB 5 billion, representing a 323.3% year-on-year surge from RMB 1.1 billion in 2024.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/former-visa-asia-pacific-executive-david-tay-joins-yeahpay-as-global-vice-president-302763652.html

SOURCE Yeahka

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