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Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity Launches to Defend SBA 8(a) Program and Advocate for Economic Sovereignty

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CHEVY CHASE, Md., Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity (AIP), a new coalition committed to protecting economic opportunities for Tribal Nations and Indigenous enterprises, has officially launched. Formed in response to legislative proposals in Congress aimed at dismantling the U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) Program, the AIP seeks to safeguard this vital business development program that has long been a cornerstone of economic empowerment for small and disadvantaged businesses.

Recent legislative efforts in both the Senate and House of Representatives, under the guise of “ending racism in federal contracting,” threaten to eliminate set-asides within the SBA 8(a) Program. These proposed changes, along with ongoing litigation aimed at eroding small business participation in federal contracting, would have devastating consequences for indigenous businesses and communities that rely on these opportunities to thrive.

To counter these efforts, the Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity brings together advocates, Tribal leaders, and industry experts to ensure the continued success of the SBA 8(a) Program and to reinforce the trust relationship between the Federal government and indigenous communities.

“The SBA 8(a) Program is not just a tool for federal contracting—it is a lifeline for economic sovereignty, innovation, and growth for indigenous enterprises,” said Kevin J. Allis, President of Thunderbird Strategic and a key leader of the AIP. “This program empowers Tribal nations to advance their self-determination while delivering cost-effective, efficient solutions to federal agencies. We cannot afford to let this program be dismantled.”

Topline Priorities of the Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity:

Advocacy for the SBA 8(a) Program: AIP is dedicated to countering mischaracterizations of the program and highlighting its undeniable benefits to indigenous communities and the federal marketplace.Legislative Engagement: Members gain access to real-time updates on legislative developments and direct channels to policymakers, ensuring their voices are heard at critical junctures.Network Building: The AIP provides a powerful platform for Tribal leaders, small business advocates, and industry experts to collaborate and amplify their impact.Strategic Action: The coalition equips members with the tools to develop and implement targeted strategies to protect and advance the 8(a) Program.

The SBA 8(a) Program has been instrumental in enabling small businesses to provide innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency of federal agencies while fueling economic growth in communities nationwide. Dismantling this program would not only harm indigenous enterprises but also hinder the government’s ability to meet its mission objectives effectively.

A Call to Action

The Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity invites Tribal nations, business advocates, and allies to join this critical effort. By becoming a member of the AIP, participants gain a seat at the table in shaping the future of federal contracting and defending programs that uplift indigenous communities.

“The time to act is now,” said John Shoraka, a former SBA Associate Administrator, CEO of Strategic Growth Partners, and key leader of AIP. “Together, we can protect and strengthen this indispensable program, ensuring its transformative impact continues for generations to come.”

To learn more about the Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity and how to participate, please contact Jake Neilson at jake.neilson@strategicgrowthpartners.com.

About the Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity:

The Alliance for Indigenous Prosperity is a coalition of Tribal leaders, small business advocates, and industry experts committed to protecting and advancing the economic sovereignty of indigenous enterprises in federal contracting. Through advocacy, collaboration, and strategic action, the AIP aims to ensure the continued success and resilience of the SBA 8(a) Program as a vital tool for economic empowerment and self-determination.

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SOURCE Strategic Growth Partners

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Quote.com Announces New Senior Leadership Additions

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quote.com, a leading tech-enabled, omnichannel performance marketing organization, today announced the addition of two new executive team members to support the company’s continued growth and strategic expansion. Chase Nichols joins as Chief Marketing Officer and Ben Hochstetler as Senior Vice President of Marketing.

Quote.com announced the addition of two new executive team members, Chase Nichols and Ben Hochstetler.

The appointments strengthen Quote.com’s leadership team as the company continues to invest in execution, growth, and expanding its ability to help consumers access insurance solutions more easily and efficiently. “We are excited to welcome Chase and Ben to the Quote.com leadership team,” said Nick Stommes, Chief Executive Officer at Quote.com. “Both bring deep industry expertise, experienced execution capability, and a strong focus on operational excellence that will help accelerate our growth while improving how consumers access and compare insurance options. Their leadership will play a critical role at Quote.com as we continue scaling our platform and strengthening our partnerships.”

Chase Nichols joins Quote.com as Chief Marketing Officer; Chase is responsible for all performance marketing planning, organization, and execution, and is focused on driving efficient, measurable consumer touchpoints. With nearly two decades of experience in financial services and performance marketing environments, he brings a data-first approach to scaling growth while balancing brand development and direct-response marketing.

Ben Hochstetler joins as Senior Vice President of Marketing, leading digital marketing strategy and execution across Quote.com’s omnichannel performance marketing footprint. He brings more than 15 years of experience building and scaling performance marketing execution in highly competitive and regulated markets.

About Quote.com

Quote.com is a tech-enabled omnichannel performance marketing organization that delivers high-quality, mission-critical demand at scale to industry-leading partners. The company serves customers across multiple insurance verticals, including auto, home, life, and Medicare insurance. Quote.com provides significant value to consumers by providing an independent, third-party comparison-shopping experience.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quotecom-announces-new-senior-leadership-additions-302749492.html

SOURCE Quote.com

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Young Voices Across Oceans: Telling China’s Story Fiji Special Showcases GDI Achievements

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SHENZHEN, China, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI). Shenzhen Media Group’s “Telling China’s Story” program presents a special Fiji season, taking the perspective of young Chinese people to the Pacific island nation of Fiji. It documents the implementation of numerous cooperative projects which are smaller in scale but well-designed, showcasing the heartwarming stories and broad prospects of China and Fiji working together to promote common development and share the fruits of cooperation, vividly illustrating the practical achievements of the GDI.

 

The program will air from April 20th to 22nd, 2026. The first episode features Chinese actor Zhao Xiaotong, food blogger Yang Beichuan, and Wu Dongwei, a doctoral student at China Agricultural University, who visit the China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center in Nadi, Fiji, to explore how this “Happiness Juncao” from China has taken root and grown in the South Pacific island nation, benefiting people’s livelihoods.

This “Happiness Juncao” has yielded “win-win results” in Fiji, bringing tangible changes to local families. Internet technology engineer Ashmir not only gained a stable income by learning Juncao (a type of grass cultivation) to grow mushrooms, but also successfully paid off his car loan.

During this filming, a “Mushroom Team” of young Chinese people joined Ashmir in a Fijian market to promote mushroom dishes and introduce locals to various new ways to enjoy mushrooms. The humble mushroom became a bond of friendship across mountains and seas, conveying the warm sentiments of mutual understanding between the Chinese and Fijian people amidst the bustling market atmosphere.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/young-voices-across-oceans-telling-chinas-story-fiji-special-showcases-gdi-achievements-302750267.html

SOURCE Shenzhen Media Group

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Laminar Wins Gold 2026 Edison Award for Physical AI that Powers the Self-Driving Factory

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Top honor recognizes Laminar’s innovation and transformation in the CPG manufacturing industry

BOSTON, April 22, 2026 /CNW/ — Laminar, a physical AI solution helping the world’s leading manufacturers run more productive and sustainable factories, announced that it received a Gold 2026 Edison Award in the Manufacturing & Logistics category. The award recognizes Laminar for enabling food and beverage manufacturers to unlock new levels of productivity and sustainability through innovation – running faster production lines while cutting water, chemicals, and downtime.

“Laminar is leading the way CPG manufacturers implement physical AI on the factory floor with first-of-their-kind self-driving processes,” said Annie Lu, Laminar Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “Our patented spectral sensors and complete library of ML models enable a new, transformative approach to closed-loop automation, making the goal of the self-driving factory achievable today. We are honored the Edison Awards recognized our commitment to building a new category of technology and reshaping the future of manufacturing.”

Laminar’s physical AI transforms operations by enabling CPG manufacturers to transition from manual, timer-based operations to self-driving. Deployed across six continents for Coca-Cola, AB InBev, Danone, and Unilever, Laminar delivers measurable sustainability and profitability gains from the same investment. Laminar’s self-driving processes include:

Self-Driving Clean-in-PlaceSelf-Driving Product ChangeoverSelf-Driving Batch OptimizationSelf-Driving Quality ControlAnd more

The Edison Awards, established in 1987 and named in honor of inventor Thomas Edison, celebrates game-changing innovation across industries worldwide. Drawing a global community of innovators across 60+ countries, the Edison Awards elevate solutions that reimagine our future.

Recognition for Laminar’s Innovation

Headquartered at Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA – North America’s leading cleantech incubator – Laminar is a woman-founded startup backed by top-tier investors, including Greycroft, Construct Capital, 2048 Ventures, and Flybridge Capital.

Recognized for its innovation and impact, Laminar received AB InBev’s 2024 Cheers Award for outstanding startup partnership and was named Unilever’s 2023 Supplier Startup of the Year. Laminar’s solution is also deployed in World Economic Forum Lighthouse factories recognized for their leadership in cutting-edge technology.

About Laminar

Laminar’s physical AI helps the world’s leading manufacturers run self-driving factories with more sustainable, efficient operations. Our patented spectral sensors and complete library of ML models transform manual operations into self-driving processes that cut water, chemicals, and downtime in real-time. Deployed in factories across six continents and trusted by global leaders like AB InBev, Coca-Cola, and Unilever, Laminar is building a new category of physical AI that will power the future of process manufacturing. Learn more at runlaminar.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laminar-wins-gold-2026-edison-award-for-physical-ai-that-powers-the-self-driving-factory-302749392.html

SOURCE Laminar

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