Technology

STAAR Surgical™ and Lucy Bronze, MBE See Eye to Eye on Vision Correction

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2024

Women’s football star benefits on and off the pitch from EVO ICL™ vision correction procedure

LONDON, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® lenses (EVO ICL™) for myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia, is proud to announce a collaboration with women’s international football player Lucy Bronze, MBE. She’s gained global recognition as a “serial winner” and has now chosen a winning strategy by selecting STAAR Surgical to improve her vision with leading vision correction procedure: EVO ICL.

Bronze has won five Champions League titles and has been one of her country’s strongest performers since her senior team debut in 2013. Since then, she’s won every domestic football honor in her country during spells with several teams, and she has also lived abroad to play for clubs in other countries. In addition, Bronze was named the 2018/19 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2020.

“I’ve won the Euros and five champions leagues, but I always had that worry on the pitch that my contact lenses might fall out, and mid-game, it has actually happened. Not to mention the dry eyes, uncomfortable lens fits and daily hassles,” said Bronze. “I realised I needed to tackle my vision. EVO ICL has been a procedure that changed my life completely, and my biggest regret is literally the fact that I didn’t do it sooner.”

EVO ICL is great for patients who are tired of the hassles of glasses and contacts and want to upgrade their vision with a quick, easy, and long-term vision correction solution. The EVO ICL procedure is a same-day surgery, so patients are typically back to their usual routines without delay.

Tom Frinzi, President and CEO of STAAR Surgical, states, “Lucy Bronze is a champion on the football pitch, and we are proud to have her as the newest champion of EVO ICL. STAAR’s innovative EVO ICL procedure has changed her eyesight, her game, and her life.”

EVO ICL is a clinically proven implantable lens that treats patients with mild to severe shortsightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism. With EVO ICL, the natural lens remains intact. A small, soft, biocompatible lens, EVO ICL is positioned inside the eye, between the iris (coloured part of the eye) and the natural lens. The procedure is usually completed in 20-30 minutes and does not induce dry eye syndrome. 1,2

EVO ICL has been approved, marketed, and successfully implanted by ophthalmologists in countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and the rest of the world. According to a STAAR patient survey, 99.4% of patients would have the EVO ICL procedure again.3 Over 3,000,000 ICLs have been distributed globally.

For more information about EVO Implantable Collamer Lenses, please visit https://evoicl.com.

References:

Zhang H, Deng Y, Ma K, Yin H, Tang J. Analysis on the changes of objective indicators of dry eye after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation surgery. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Jul;262(7):2321-2328. Naves J.S, Carracedo G, Cacho-Babillo I, Diadenosine nucleotid measurements as dry-eye score in patients after LASIK and ICL surgery. Presented at American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012.Packer M. The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: review of the literature. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018: 12: 2427–2438.

About STAAR Surgical

STAAR, which has been dedicated solely to ophthalmic surgery for over 40 years, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets implantable lenses for the eye. These lenses are intended to provide visual freedom for patients, lessening or eliminating the reliance on glasses or contact lenses. All these lenses are foldable, which permits the surgeon to insert them through a small incision. STAAR’s lens used in refractive surgery is called an Implantable Collamer® Lens or “ICL,” which includes the EVO ICL™ product line. More than 3,000,000 ICLs have been sold to date and STAAR markets these lenses in over 75 countries. To learn more about the ICL go to: www.evoicl.com. Headquartered in Lake Forest, CA, the company operates manufacturing and packaging facilities in Aliso Viejo, CA, Monrovia, CA and Nidau, Switzerland. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.staar.com.

Important Safety Information for EVO/EVO+ ICL

Implantation of the EVO/EVO+ ICL is a surgical procedure, and as such, carries potentially serious risks. The EVO/EVO+ ICL is designed for the correction/reduction of up to -20 diopters (D) of nearsightedness with up to 6 D of astigmatism for patients who are 21 to 60 years of age. Before considering EVO/EVO+ ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about the procedure, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery. For additional information with potential benefits, risks and complications please visit DiscoverICL.com.

Media Contact
5W Public Relations
EVO@5wpr.com

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Technology

TestGrid Wins ‘Best Use of AI’ at India Digital Enabler Awards 2026, Powered by Entrepreneur India

Published

20 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Recognition from one of India’s most prominent technology award platforms underscores a systems-first approach to enterprise AI — focused on control, reliability, and cost predictability

SURAT, India, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TestGrid has been named the winner of the ‘Best Use of AI’ category at the India Digital Enabler Awards (IDEA) 2026, organized by Entrepreneur India and held at Sheraton Grand, Bengaluru.

The award, judged by a panel including representatives from NITI Aayog, the Department of Science and Technology (Government of India), and IvyCap Ventures, highlights applied innovation across digital technology, enterprise systems, and artificial intelligence.

This result places TestGrid among IDEA honorees such as Reliance Foundation, Swiggy, Zepto, Groww, and Tata Teleservices—organizations known for translating technology into measurable enterprise impact.

TestGrid was selected for its approach to embedding AI within software testing—not as a standalone capability, but as part of a structured system built on real-device infrastructure, automation, and controlled execution environments.

As enterprise adoption of AI accelerates, organizations are increasingly encountering challenges around unpredictable, usage-based costs and limited execution control.

At the core of TestGrid’s approach is CoTester, its AI testing agent designed to operate within the software development lifecycle.

CoTester learns from product requirements, generates test scenarios, and executes them across real device and browser environments—while maintaining human oversight, traceability, and execution discipline.

Rather than replacing existing systems, CoTester operates as an integrated layer within TestGrid’s platform, where infrastructure, automation, and intelligence work together to deliver predictable outcomes at scale.

“AI in testing is only useful when it operates within systems that teams can trust,” said Harry Rao, Founder & CEO of TestGrid. “Our focus has been on building a foundation where intelligence is controlled, execution is consistent, and costs remain predictable. This validates the approach we’ve taken.”

This outcome comes at a time when enterprises are re-evaluating AI adoption models, particularly as token-based and usage-driven pricing introduces cost variability at scale. Testing environments—already fragmented across tools and workflows—become harder to manage when intelligence is introduced without system-level control.

TestGrid addresses this by consolidating testing infrastructure, automation, and AI into a single platform. This enables teams to execute tests on real devices, integrate with frameworks such as Selenium, Appium, and Cypress, and apply AI-driven capabilities without introducing operational unpredictability.

Following this milestone, TestGrid will continue expanding its AI capabilities within enterprise environments, with a focus on structured adoption, workforce enablement, and deeper integration into software delivery workflows.

To schedule a demo or explore TestGrid’s testing platform, visit testgrid.io.

About TestGrid

TestGrid is a leading provider of enterprise-grade testing infrastructure and automation solutions, trusted by the top Fortune 100. From infrastructure to software delivery intelligence, TestGrid empowers organizations to deliver high-quality software faster with cost-effective, scalable testing across web and mobile platforms.

Media Contact
Harry Rao
Founder & CEO, TestGrid
harry@testgrid.io

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Technology

NX China Pursues Industry-academia Collaboration at Beijing Wuzi University

Published

20 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

– Fostering Next Generation of Logistics Professionals through Endowed Lectures, Scholarship Awards, and Tree-planting Activities –

TOKYO, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nippon Express (China) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “NX China”), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., presented its 18th endowed lecture and conducted a scholarship award ceremony at Beijing Wuzi University on Thursday, March 26.

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Founded in 1980, Beijing Wuzi University (hereinafter “BWU”) is an institution of higher learning specializing in logistics and distribution, and about 8,000 students are currently enrolled in its nine undergraduate faculties and 28 departments. One of these faculties, the School of Logistics established in 2006, ranks among China‘s best in its field and offers well-equipped educational facilities and an outstanding research environment.

NX China signed a letter of intent on strategic cooperation with BWU in 2012 and has since established “NX Scholarships,” presented endowed lectures, organized “NX International Logistics Classes,” and engaged in efforts of various formats designed to continually deepen industry-academia collaboration. Endeavoring to bring its long-standing cooperative relationship with BWU still closer, NX China has further introduced a comprehensive human resource development program titled the “Nippon Express Series.”

In the 18th endowed lecture, Business Division General Manager Zuo Jingcheng from NX China‘s Management Strategy Headquarters delivered a presentation on “NX China‘s Organizational Structure and Digital Transformation/Innovation” that introduced students to practical aspects of the logistics industry and cutting-edge initiatives. At the scholarship award ceremony that followed, certificates were presented to the ten recipients for the 2026 academic year. Their achievements to date were commended and they were encouraged to contribute to both industrial and social development by showcasing their talents on the global logistics stage in the future. This year‘s scholarship recipients also participated in a new initiative: planting six cherry trees in an on-campus tree-planting activity. Having these next-generation leaders take part in the tree planting proved a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation while helping green the campus.

The NX Group will continue actively engaging in social contribution activities in the East Asia Region to foster talent capable of excelling in the logistics industry.

About the NX Group: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P317xr3Z9BzmG15Uqfv2iaVmWmhlmsqS/view?usp=drive_link

NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/

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SOURCE NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

Technology

KuCoin Launches KuCard on Mastercard’s Global Network in Australia, Advancing Real-World Crypto Payments

Published

20 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

First KuCard rollout in Australia brings seamless crypto payments to millions of Mastercard merchants.

SYDNEY, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform, today announced the launch of direct crypto payments via Mastercard’s global network for eligible users in Australia, enabling users to make everyday purchases using crypto wherever Mastercard is accepted. Through a partnership with Immersve, a principal member of the Mastercard network, the solution allows users to make crypto-backed purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted, including via Apple Pay and Google Pay—advancing KuCoin’s commitment to trust-first infrastructure and the real-world utility of digital assets.

Through the integration, USDC can be used to fund everyday spending in real time at the point of sale. At launch, the service supports 37 USDC trading pairs, enabling eligible users to pay with supported digital assets. At checkout, digital assets are converted to fiat currency for settlement through Mastercard’s global payment network—so users can pay with a familiar card experience without manually pre-converting funds ahead of time.

The launch reflects KuCoin’s broader trust-first strategy—strengthening security, transparency and compliance while expanding practical, real-world crypto usage. KuCoin continues to invest in resilient infrastructure for users and partners, focused on reinforcing confidence in the digital-asset ecosystem through security and accountability initiatives.

BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin, said: “Making digital assets useful in the real world requires trusted infrastructure—secure rails, clear compliance standards, and user-first protections. This launch brings Mastercard acceptance to our users in Australia, builds on our AUSTRAC DCE registration, reflecting KuCoin’s commitment to responsible innovation and the everyday utility of crypto as it integrates into global finance. This solution empowers our users to spend their assets easily, securely, and globally—wherever Mastercard is accepted.”

James Pinch, Australian Managing Director of KuCoin, added: “Australia is a fast-moving market for digital asset adoption. For everyday users, utility is the turning point. KuCard helps connect digital assets to real commerce through a familiar Mastercard payment experience—supporting broader adoption while reinforcing the importance of security, governance, and responsible innovation.”

“Collaborating with well-known and trusted brands like Mastercard and KuCoin is a major step toward mainstream adoption of digital assets for everyday purchases,” said Jerome Faury, CEO of Immersve. “Immersve is building the bridges between web3 and traditional finance on a global scale that enable individuals to spend crypto everywhere Mastercard is accepted. It’s a game-changer for everyone.”

Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Digital Commercialization of Mastercard, added: “The partnership with KuCoin and Immersve is another example of Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to responsible innovation in the Web3 space. By enabling the spending of digital assets at scale in a safe, secure, and compliant way, we’re helping digital assets become truly usable in everyday life.”

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certifications. In recent years, we have built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com

About Immersve

Immersve is a principal member of the Mastercard network. Its issuing-as-a-service platform supports both centralised and decentralised payment experiences. Exchanges, web3 wallets and DeFi protocols can easily integrate with Immersve’s APIs and smart contracts to transact everywhere Mastercard is accepted, with no bank or fiat involved. Immersve is a regulated entity.

For more information go to www.immersve.com.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
www.mastercard.com

Axis One Markets Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Immersve Pty Ltd (ACN 658 192 057, AFSL No. 545925) and is authorised to provide certain financial services in respect of ‘KuCard’ on Immersve’s behalf, limited to the scope of its Corporate Authorised Representative agreement with Immersve Pty Ltd. ‘KuCard’ is issued or provided by Immersve Pty Ltd, and it is solely responsible for the issuance of that product, including all associated disclosures and obligations under its Australian financial services licence. Immersve Pty Ltd is not responsible for any financial products or services issued by Echuca Trading Pty Ltd. Before acquiring or using any such financial product or service, you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (“PDS”), Financial Services Guide (“FSG”), Target Market Determination (“TMD”), and any other disclosure documents issued by Immersve Pty Ltd.

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