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Expand North Star Brings Attention to Future of Creativity and Spirit of Innovation on Final Day

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–  The UAE transforms into a global hub for startups, future unicorns, and investors, as Expand North Star concludes its 9th edition with record-breaking international participation

–  The world’s largest startup and investment event shed light on the Impact of AI on the Future of Creativity, Money, Blockchain and our Planet

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Expand North Star 2024, the world’s largest startup and investment event, concluded yesterday, breaking records in international participation and cementing the UAE’s position as the global nexus for technological innovation. The four-day major event attracted 1,800 startups, 1,200 investors managing assets exceeding $1 trillion, 59 unicorns, and thousands of visitors from over 100 countries, transforming Dubai Harbour into a bustling hub of cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking ideas.

Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the powerhouse showcase reached the mark of 13,000 concierge-arranged meetings and 88% of startups participating for the first time, offering unrivaled networking opportunities.

Global Innovators Shine at Expand North Star

Expand North Star 2024 became a global innovation hub, bringing startups from all corners of the world, from Europe, Asia, Africa, and as far as Latin America, as they showcased next-gen technologies—from AI and quantum computing to sustainable transport and digital health solutions.

Debuting at the event, Austria’s CycloTech GmbH introduced CycloRotors, a sustainable, electrically powered propulsion system for air mobility vehicles, promising unmatched maneuverability.

German-based Clockin offered small businesses a simple digitalisation tool for managing time tracking, employee data, and product management. Fabian Ebbert, CSO, Clockin, said: “Our tech is best for companies with deskless workforce of about 50 employees and provides solutions like time tracking, employee management, and job cost management. We came to ENS to understand if there is a need for our product in the UAE, and it seems like ample small companies haven’t digitalised their processes yet. So, if things work out well with our new partners, we will expand here.”

From South Korea, EYL Inc. presented its Quantum Random Number Generation chip, strengthening IoT security by generating powerful encryption keys. Meanwhile, Physio showcased an AI-powered device for predicting and managing neurodegenerative diseases.

UAE’s Wamda AI wowed with its Sharp Vision camera system, mirroring human vision and extending operational range by up to 100 times, revolutionising industries like security and smart cities.

AI Sparks Interesting Conversations on Human Creativity at Marketing Mania

As AI reshapes media and marketing, big questions loom about the future of human creativity. One of the panels highlighted how consumers must discern quality with an exponential growth in content creators and AI expected to disrupt the industry.

Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder & Executive Chairman of S4 Capital plc, UK, took it further and said: “Media planning and buying business will turn upside down. There are almost 250,000 people in the big firms who will not have jobs in the next three years for two reasons: Their tasks are relatively inefficient, and the second is a lack of transparency.” He closed with a compelling takeaway: “Learn three languages- Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, and Code.”

This year also saw the debut of Sonar+D Creative Summit, set up in partnership with Sonar, which brought in a host of technological proposals in an exhibition space.

Prominent speakers across the show discussed the future of creativity. Among those that took to the stage were, Neil Patel, Co-founder, NP Digital, USA; Mayank Yadav, Director of Product, Reddit, USA; Andrea Faroppa, Head, Sonar+D, Spain; and Prashant Saran, Director -Operations, Amazon, UAE.

GITEX GLOBAL Paves Way for the Evolution of Deep Tech

Fully aligned with GITEX GLOBAL, Expand North Star placed deep tech at the heart of its discussions. Thomas Debass, Chief Partnership Officer at the US State Department was among the speakers who emphasises the importance of deep tech. He said: “This platform is a public-private partnership in action. The Government of Dubai is hosting the world, and what impresses me most is Dubai‘s vision for the future. This is where the Museum of the Future exists—not just as a symbol but as a challenge to think about what’s next. Deep tech feels like the distant future, yet GITEX is making it happen now, even expanding into Morocco.”

Tech Transfer 3.0: Bridging Innovation and Real Innovation

Powered by Deep Tech MENA and GIE (Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship), Expand North Star also launched Tech Transfer 3.0, a platform bringing together research institutes and scientists to turn breakthrough innovations into tangible products. Attendees had the chance to get up close with cutting-edge prototypes and demos from leading institutions like Johns Hopkins University, Virginia Tech, MIT, IE, and Georgia Tech. These showcased AI based concepts and STEM research initiatives, fueling the transformation to real world applications.

Spectacular Finale: Holo by Eric Prydz

As Expand North Star 2024 now concluded, the tech fever continues with GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and startup event, which is running until Friday. Swedish DJ Eric Prydz will take the stage at Expo City Arena on 18 October for the grand finale, debuting his spectacular HOLO show in Dubai. This immersive audio-visual experience will blend Prydz’s iconic beats with eye-catching 3D hologram, closing out a week of celebrating technology. 

Follow Expand North Star on Social Media: Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hashtag: #ExpandNorthStar

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):

A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to the region’s leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region’s growth story. Since its inauguration, DWTC has hosted over 6,000 events, with an estimated economic output of AED 248 billion, attracting over 38 million business visitors to Dubai.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2533509/ExpandNorthStar_9th_Edition.jpg

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Forbes Names TCL One of the World’s Top Companies for Women in 2025

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SHENZHEN, China, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL, a leading global technology company, announced its inclusion in Forbes’ 2025 list of the World’s Top Companies for Women, recognizing its success in building an inclusive culture and championing women in the workplace.

To compile the list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey approximately 120,000 women working for multinational corporations in more than 36 countries. Each company’s score aggregates survey responses with a “public opinion score” that quantifies women’s gender perceptions of different companies, as well as data on women in executive and board positions. The list ranks 400 corporations with a significant global presence across at least two continents.

In addition to career advancement, TCL offers family-friendly benefits such as mother and baby rooms, extended paid maternity leave and childbirth allowances, along with women’s healthcare services including cancer screening and psychological counseling.

“Women’s empowerment is a core component of TCL’s globalization and sustainability strategy, linking our technological innovation with social development,” said Wei Xue, Vice President & Chief of the ESG Office at TCL Technology Group Corporation, and Chairperson of TCL Charity Foundation. “Our inclusion on Forbes’ list is a tribute to TCL’s long-term commitment to empowering women in the workplace and supporting their career development. We are honored to be included and proud of our track record of creating opportunity for all people.”

TCL operates in more than 160 countries and regions, engaging with local communities and respecting local cultural norms to empower women in the workplace. The company maintains its commitment to diversity and inclusion by assessing Environmental, Social and Governance indicators in its global subsidiaries and using this data to inform its employment policies.

TCL Extends Female Empowerment Mission Beyond the Workplace

Since 2018, TCL has partnered with FIBA, the world’s governing body for basketball, to promote female participation in the sport. The company has supported numerous global events and will continue its involvement with the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany in September and the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. 

Through the Huameng Foundation, a philanthropic initiative established by TCL’s founders, the company funds female-focused programs that have enabled nearly 1,000 young women from underprivileged families to complete high school and tertiary studies. The Foundation uses technology to advance its charitable causes, supporting community development in China and elsewhere.

In addition, TCL’s dynamic and long-running #TCLforHer campaign leverages technology, sports and education to empower young women and nurture their ambitions through a variety of community initiatives. The campaign shares stories of trailblazers who challenge assumptions and tear down boundaries, inspiring women everywhere to boldly defy stereotypes and fulfill their potential. 

#TCLforHer has received numerous international marketing honors for its storytelling prowess. In January 2025, it won a prestigious Silver Telly Award—a major prize in the global documentary and TV brand film sector—for its 2024 marketing campaign, which centers around two brand films produced by a predominantly female team. 

TCL’s inclusion on the Forbes list of the World’s Top Companies for Women marks an important milestone, affirming the company’s leadership in female empowerment and commitment to breaking the glass ceiling for women worldwide.

About TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL—short for “The Creative Life”—embodies creativity in every aspect of life. As a leading technology brand, TCL is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions—including TVs, smartphones, audio products, smart home devices, display technologies, and clean energy—that enhance customer experiences through two independent entities—TCL Industries and TCL Technology.

With 47 R&D centers and 40 manufacturing bases globally, TCL operates in over 160 countries and regions, cementing its position as a globally competitive smart technology brand. To further inspire greatness, TCL has become an official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances category.

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BIT Supports Pawpathon 2026 as Title Sponsor, Championing Community Inclusion and Second Chances

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SINGAPORE, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BIT participated as the Title Sponsor of Pawpathon 2026, a community initiative organised by HUG Community Services in collaboration with the Yellow Ribbon Project, held at Mandai Wildlife West.

The event brought together families, community partners, volunteers, beneficiaries, and members of the public for a morning focused on inclusion, encouragement, and community support. The programme featured a charity walk, therapy dog interactions, community performances, and appreciation activities recognising donors and partners supporting rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

Guest of Honour Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development, and Ms Elysa Chen, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, joined organisers, sponsors, and participants in supporting the event.

As part of the sponsor appreciation segment following the community walk, Mr John Ge, CEO of BIT, shared a short address reflecting on the importance of community support, inclusion, and showing up for one another.

“Pawpathon is more than just a walk. It is a community coming together for a common purpose,” said Mr Ge. “Second chances do not happen on their own – they require support, encouragement, and inclusion from the people around us. We are grateful to be part of such a meaningful initiative alongside the wider community.”

As a Singapore-headquartered company, BIT believes in contributing meaningfully to the communities it operates in through initiatives that promote inclusion, trust, and social cohesion.

BIT extends its appreciation to HUG Community Services, the Yellow Ribbon Project, volunteers, partners, and all participants who contributed to making Pawpathon 2026 a meaningful community event.

About BIT

BIT (formerly Matrixport) is a Singapore-headquartered global digital asset financial infrastructure and services group focused on building long-term financial infrastructure for modern investors. Built on integrity and trust, BIT bridges traditional finance and digital assets through disciplined governance, advanced technology and regulatory compliance.

 

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Worldline and EcoFlow announce strategic partnership to power seamless global payments

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Clean energy leader to deliver a smooth checkout experience and accelerate growth across Europe and international markets

PARIS and DÜSSELDORF, Germany, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Worldline, a European leader in payment services, and EcoFlow, a leading provider of smart home energy storage solutions, today announced a strategic partnership to enhance EcoFlow’s global payment infrastructure and accelerate its expansion across the US, UK, Europe and new international markets. EcoFlow has selected Worldline’s Global Collect platform to unify its global payment operations, enable local acquiring and deliver a seamless, reliable checkout experience for customers worldwide.

As EcoFlow enters its next phase of growth, marked by increasing transaction volumes and expanding customer demand, a high-performance payment system has become critical to ensuring a consistent user experience across regions.

Through this partnership, Worldline’s local acquiring capabilities across geographies will enable EcoFlow to boost authorisation rates, reduce cross-border payment friction and meet local compliance requirements with ease — ensuring customers enjoy a trusted and frictionless checkout experience regardless of their location.

As EcoFlow prepares for its next wave of expansion, Worldline will extend its local acquiring footprint into APAC, Latin America and additional regions as transaction volumes scale. Worldline’s advanced network tokenisation technology will further improve authorisation performance and significantly reduce false declines — an essential advantage for high-value clean energy products, where reliability and trust are key to the purchasing decision.

Stijn Gasthuys, Head of Global Commerce at Worldline, said: “As EcoFlow expands into new markets, they need a payments partner combining global execution with local expertise to deliver reliable, high‑performance payment experiences worldwide. At Worldline Global Collect, our ability to support complex international growth, together with our strong European coverage, made the difference.”

Yidan Yuan, Head of Europe at EcoFlow, added: “Delivering a seamless and reliable customer experience is at the core of everything we do. As our global business continues to grow, we need a payment infrastructure that can scale with us while maintaining high performance across markets. Our partnership with Worldline allows us to strengthen payment reliability, improve authorisation rates and ultimately provide a smoother experience for our customers worldwide.”

By investing in a more advanced and localized payment ecosystem, EcoFlow reinforces its commitment to customer-centric innovation, ensuring that as its clean energy solutions reach more users globally, the purchasing experience remains as intuitive, secure and efficient as the products themselves.

ABOUT WORLDLINE

Worldline [Euronext: WLN] is Europe’s leading operator of critical infrastructure and payment services. With a presence across the entire value chain, the Group offers its customers unique expertise in processing and securing their payments, thereby promoting their growth. Worldline is leveraging its 2030 strategic plan and its technological innovation capabilities to build the European reference payment partner for merchants and financial institutions. With over 1.2 million customers, Worldline achieved €4bn in revenue in 2025. worldline.com

Worldline’s corporate purpose (“raison d’être”) is to design and operate leading digital payment and transactional solutions that enable sustainable economic growth and reinforce trust and security in our societies. Worldline makes them environmentally friendly, widely accessible, and supports social transformation.

ABOUT ECOFLOW

EcoFlow is a global pioneer in eco-friendly energy solutions, driving the transition toward smarter, cleaner, and more independent power. Founded in 2017, EcoFlow is No. 1 in smart home energy storage solutions, empowering millions of users to take control of their energy at home and beyond. With operational headquarters in Seattle, Düsseldorf, Irvine, Tokyo and Birmingham, and a business and data center in Singapore, EcoFlow operates as a global ecosystem spanning research, operations, and manufacturing. Its innovative technologies serve over 5 million users across 140 markets and redefine how the world takes control of its energy. ecoflow.com

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