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Plug and Play Launches Accelerator Program in Albania to Empower Entrepreneurs

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TIRANA, Albania, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Plug and Play, a leading global innovation platform with over 60 locations worldwide, announces today the launch of a new program in Tirana, Albania. With the support of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, in collaboration with Municipality of Tirana, Pyramid of Tirana, and sponsored by IDEMIA Smart Identity (ISI), this initiative is set to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across Albania. As part of the program, Plug and Play will host an annual, early-stage, industry-agnostic accelerator program in Albania, as well as a Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning (GOAL) program in Silicon Valley, providing opportunities for local startups.

The new accelerator program empowers young entrepreneurs in Albania to achieve their entrepreneurial goals, significantly advancing the country’s startup ecosystem and enhancing the broader entrepreneurial landscape across the Balkans.

“The launch of this accelerator program is a testament to Albania’s growing role in the global entrepreneurial landscape,” said Michael D. Granoff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF). “At AADF, we have always believed in the potential of Albanian talent to innovate and drive impactful change. By partnering with Plug and Play, we are ensuring that Albanian startups not only gain access to local resources but also a global network that will help them scale and thrive in the international market. This is an important moment for Albania’s startup ecosystem, and we are proud to support initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and innovation in this country.”

The accelerator program offers entrepreneurs the chance to work closely with expert mentors, gain access to corporate partners, and participate in specialized industry events and workshops. With Plug and Play’s global network, startups will benefit from international exposure and vital connections. Throughout the program in Albania, participants will receive comprehensive guidance on crucial elements of startup success, including pitch development, business growth strategies, networking, and building relationships with investors and corporate relations.

In addition to the local accelerator, the top 10 most promising startups from each batch will have the opportunity to join the GOAL program in Silicon Valley. This 10-week immersive experience at Plug and Play’s headquarters will allow them to scale their products on a global stage, accessing Silicon Valley’s renowned ecosystem of technology partners, corporate collaborators, and investors.

“This is a momentous occasion for Albania and for Plug and Play,” said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. “We are committed to bringing the best of our global network to Tirana, providing Albanian startups with the resources, mentorship, and connections they need to thrive on the world stage. Albania has incredible talent and potential, and we’re here to help unlock that.”

The program has also gained strong support from the Albanian government, which recognizes the importance of accelerator programs in driving economic growth and fostering innovation.

“This accelerator program marks a new chapter in Albania’s journey towards becoming a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Balkans,” said Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Albania. “We are excited to partner with Plug and Play and AADF to offer Albanian startups the opportunity to connect with global mentors, investors, and industry leaders. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering economic growth through innovation, and we believe it will serve as a catalyst for both local and regional development, empowering young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful businesses.”

This partnership represents a significant step forward for Albania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By leveraging the combined resources and expertise of Plug and Play, AADF, and the Albanian government, the program will offer startups the support needed to scale effectively and position Albania as a key player in the regional business and technology landscape.

To learn more about the initiative, contact us today: press@pnptc.com.

About Plug and Play:
Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we’re present in 60+ locations across 5 continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/. 

About AADF
The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) is committed to supporting Albania’s sustainable development. Established in 2009 with the support of USAID and the U.S. government, AADF operates as a non-profit organization focused on driving impactful change.

Through strategic investments in education, leadership, technology, entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, and eco-tourism, AADF creates opportunities that empower communities across Albania. From revitalizing historic landmarks to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, AADF is dedicated to advancing Albania’s social and economic progress and empowering its future leaders.

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press@pnptc.com

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Creality K3 Now Available at $849, Making Multi-Color 3D Printing More Practical

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November 3, 2026

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Creality’s four-nozzle flagship moves from pre-order to official U.S. availability, bringing faster color changes and greater creative flexibility to everyday 3D printing.

HOUSTON, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Creality today announced the official U.S. availability of the K3, its latest flagship K Series 3D printer, starting at $849. Following its pre-order debut in October, the K3 is now available for purchase, with shipments of the first pre-orders having begun on November 2.

Recognized as an IFA Innovation Awards 2026 Honoree, the K3 introduces a four-nozzle system designed to make multi-color printing faster, less wasteful, and more practical for everyday creative projects.

Making Multi-Color Printing Easier and Faster

From detailed figures and personalized gifts to decorative pieces and functional designs, color can make a significant difference in how a 3D-printed project comes together. Conventional multi-color printing often comes with a setback: more colors mean more time spent switching filaments and more material discarded along the way.

The K3 takes a different approach. Its KliTek™ four-nozzle system keeps different filaments ready in independent channels, allowing the printer to switch between nozzles in approximately 5 seconds while reducing the repeated purging required by conventional single-nozzle systems.

In Creality’s internal testing, this approach shortened total print times by up to 80% and reduced material waste by up to 85% compared with conventional single-nozzle multi-color workflows.

For makers, this means less time and filament spent on color changes, whether creating a personalized gift, a detailed display piece, or a batch of matching designs.

More Room for More Creative Possibilities

Beyond multi-color printing, the K3 is designed to grow with makers as their projects become more ambitious.

With optional accessories, its four-nozzle architecture supports different nozzle sizes within a single print, allowing users to combine finer surface details with more efficient internal structures. This gives makers greater flexibility to balance appearance, precision, and printing time without having to choose a single nozzle size for an entire project.

The K3 also offers an expandable path into multi-material printing. An optional top cover enables the use of engineering materials, while a dedicated TPU Kit expands compatibility to softer flexible filaments and soluble support materials. These options open up possibilities for projects that combine different material properties or require more complex structures.

U.S. Availability and Launch Offer

The Creality K3 is now available in the United States, starting at $849. Shipments of the first pre-orders began on November 2.

To celebrate the official launch, customers purchasing the K3 through November 30 will receive four complimentary rolls of Hyper PLA filament. Orders placed through Creality’s official online store during the promotional period also qualify for free shipping.

European availability is expected in December 2026.

For more information or to purchase, visit the Creality K3 official product page.

Performance figures are based on Creality’s internal testing. Actual results may vary depending on materials, models, and printing conditions. Advanced multi-material and mixed-nozzle capabilities require optional accessories sold separately.

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SOURCE Creality

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Epic Seven’s New Server “Foundry” Goes Live to Celebrate Official Steam Launch

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November 3, 2026

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Official Steam Launch on Oct 29, Long-term positive synergy anticipated from a new influx of players and improved accessibilityNew server “Foundry” launches with various events to help players settle in quicklySpecial Side Story “Secret Rabbit Hole” Available From Oct 29 to Dec 10

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On Tuesday the 3rd, Smilegate announced that its mobile turn-based strategic RPG “Epic Seven,” developed by Super Creative, has officially launched on Steam on the 29th and also opened a new server, “Foundry”.

The Steam launch is part of a platform expansion reflecting the needs of global players. With Epic Seven now available on Steam, the world’s largest gaming platform, long-term positive synergy is expected from a new influx of players and improved accessibility. Furthermore, the Steam server introduces exclusive new features, such as controller support.

The new “Foundry” server, launched alongside the Steam service, can be accessed not only through Steam but also via the STOVE PC Client and mobile devices. For players starting Epic Seven for the first time, the new server will operate with independent matchmaking for PvP content for a limited time.

Additionally, various events will be held on the new server to help players settle in quickly. A Settlement Support Buff Event, which began on the 29th, provides various effects to accelerate Hero and account growth, along with daily free Hero summons. There will also be bountiful rewards provided, including various Equipment, growth materials, and Hero Skins, when players log in or play through content.

Global player response has also been highly positive, with over 100,000 players participating in the Steam Wishlist Event that began in August.

Meanwhile, Epic Seven will release a Special Side Story, “Secret Rabbit Hole,” from October 29 to December 10. The greatest Bunny detective, Bunny Girl Great Detective Moro, alongside her sidekick, Alencia, will investigate various incidents to stop a plot detected during a victory celebration party, uncovering the hidden truth behind the case along the way. Players can earn three pieces of Level 88 Equipment by progressing through the story and will receive a special Pet upon collecting all three new Bunny Girl characters and two skins. Additional rewards, such as Charms and Emojis, can also be earned through the concurrent “Trusty Sidekick Alencia’s Case Files” and “Lucky Board Party!” events.

For more information on Epic Seven, visit the official community and the official YouTube channel.

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SOURCE Smilegate

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Benzinga Expands Support for AI-Powered Financial Innovation Through Growing Data Ecosystem

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November 3, 2026

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DETROIT, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Benzinga, a leading provider of real-time financial news and market intelligence, today highlighted its continued commitment to supporting the rapidly growing ecosystem of AI-powered financial applications, with tradeInsightAI among the latest platforms leveraging Benzinga content to enhance market intelligence and decision-making.

As artificial intelligence reshapes how investors, analysts, and institutions consume information, demand for trusted, real-time financial data continues to grow. Through its APIs and data licensing solutions, Benzinga provides the news, corporate communications, and market intelligence that power a growing range of AI-driven products and workflows across the financial industry.

The relationship with tradeInsightAI reflects a broader trend of AI-native companies incorporating high-quality financial data into their platforms to generate insights, identify market-moving developments, and help users navigate increasingly complex information environments. By integrating Benzinga’s real-time financial news and corporate communications content, tradeInsightAI is further strengthening its AI-powered analysis capabilities and expanding the intelligence available to its users.

Benzinga’s data ecosystem supports a wide variety of AI use cases, including market research, event detection, workflow automation, portfolio intelligence, sentiment analysis, and real-time decision support. By delivering structured, machine-readable content through flexible APIs and licensing solutions, Benzinga enables developers, financial institutions, and technology providers to build innovative applications on a foundation of trusted market intelligence.

“AI is rapidly transforming financial markets, and we’re seeing incredible innovation from companies building the next generation of investment and intelligence tools,” said Emily Goldvekht, Account Manager at Benzinga. “tradeInsightAI is a great example of how firms are using AI to turn complex market information into actionable insights. At Benzinga, we’re proud to provide the real-time data and content that help power these emerging technologies.”

“tradeInsightAI replaces endless financial market dashboards and fragmented data feeds with pure inference, a single intelligence layer for real-time market clarity,” said Al Vinjamur, Founder and CEO of tradeInsightAI. “By combining Benzinga’s premium reporting with our domain-aware AI and quantitative pipelines, we turn information overload into edge. With upcoming pilots at some of the world’s largest banks and hedge funds, we’re defining the future of market intelligence.”

As financial institutions continue exploring artificial intelligence to improve research, analysis, and decision-making, Benzinga remains focused on delivering the trusted market intelligence that helps power the next generation of financial technology. Through its expanding network of AI-driven customers and partners, the company is helping accelerate innovation across the broader financial ecosystem.

About Benzinga

Benzinga is a leading financial media and data technology company that empowers investors with high-quality, real-time market intelligence. Through its news platform, APIs, and data products, Benzinga provides traders, financial institutions, and fintech platforms with the insights they need to make smarter investment decisions. From breaking news and analyst ratings to corporate events and alternative datasets, Benzinga’s tools help market participants stay ahead of the information that drives price movement.

To learn more, visit www.benzinga.com/apis/.

About tradeInsightAI

tradeInsightAI is a real time AI-powered financial intelligence platform that triangulates high-resolution market data, news, and alternative datasets to deliver total situational awareness for traders. Founded by a known ex-quantitative portfolio manager at one of the largest hedge funds in the world, market microstructure and AI engineers, the company’s mission is to clarify the deluge of financial information by bridging the gap between fragmented market noise and actionable understanding. tradeInsightAI’s Agentic Market Inference Engine (AMIE) unifies auction dynamics, market structure, news, social media chatter, prediction markets, filings and more through a full-stack AI engine built from the ground up to detect market shifts.

To learn more, visit https://tradeinsight.ai.

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SOURCE Benzinga

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