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Emergent Raises Series C at $1.5 Billion Valuation, Becomes Unicorn in a Year of Launch

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Rapid global adoption fuels fivefold valuation growth, taking total funding to $230 million as users build over 12 million applications on the platform

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and BANGALORE, India, July 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Emergent, the fast-growing AI software creation platform that enables founders and business owners to build full-stack, production-ready web and mobile applications, today announced a $130 million Series C funding. The round was led by Creaegis, with MNI Ventures – Claypond Capital and Sentinel Global as co-lead investors, and participation from Khosla Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Lightspeed, and Y Combinator.

The latest round values Emergent at $1.5 billion, increasing its valuation fivefold in just four months and making it a unicorn in a year after its public launch. The milestone places Emergent among the fastest-scaling AI companies globally, driven by the rising adoption of AI-powered software creation among entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-technical builders.

Since launch, more than 12 million applications have been built on Emergent by users globally, including many entrepreneurs and small business owners with no technical background. The platform has seen particularly strong adoption across the United States and Europe, while rapidly expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, South America and the broader Americas.

Speaking on the funding announcement, Mukund Jha, Co-founder and CEO, Emergent said, “The real impact of the AI revolution will be a complete democratization of who gets to build what software, where they get to build it, and how much it costs. It’s about making software development accessible to the people closest to the problem, regardless of their technical knowledge. With a platform like Emergent, the people who have great ideas and deep domain expertise can now build and run the software their business needs to succeed at a fraction of the cost.”

Emergent is addressing one of the biggest barriers in technology creation: access to engineering talent. While businesses increasingly need custom software to operate and scale, traditional development remains expensive, time-intensive and dependent on specialized skills. Emergent changes this by allowing users to build CRMs, ERPs, marketplaces, mobile applications, internal tools, customer-facing products and operational systems through autonomous AI agents.

“We built Emergent for the non-technical entrepreneur and the small business owner, with 70% of our users having no prior coding experience,” Jha adds. “We give these users a new path beyond generic SaaS, slow and expensive dev shops, lightweight prototype tools, or waiting for technical talent to which they may never have access.”

“Small businesses today have a historic moment to build, automate, and operate using autonomous platforms and address their disadvantages in the previous era,” said Prakash Parthasarathy, Managing Partner, Creaegis. “Emergent is enabling every entrepreneur and business to embrace this change with production-grade software and automation.”

Emergent is building a future where software development moves closer to the people who understand the problem, the business, and the market. By removing technical barriers, the company aims to enable entrepreneurs, businesses and non-technical founders to create custom software faster and bring ideas to life without traditional limitations.

Emergent is available at http://emergent.ai 

About Emergent:

Emergent is the fast-growing AI software platform that enables founders and business owners to create full-stack, production-ready applications using autonomous AI agents. Emergent’s vision is to enable ambitious people to move at the speed of their thought — to build faster, go bigger, and be unblocked from technical limitations. Launched in 2025, Emergent is backed by Creaegis, MNI Ventures – Claypond Capital, Khosla Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Lightspeed, Sentinel Global, Y Combinator, Prosus, Together, and Google’s AI Futures Fund. Its mission is to democratize who gets to build software and bring new ideas to life.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Moes Art | Naresh Bhandari, naresh@moes-art.com / + 91 9844467342

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/3006563/Emergent_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/emergent-raises-series-c-at-1-5-billion-valuation-becomes-unicorn-in-a-year-of-launch-302828608.html

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Agoda Unveils 2026 Return Visitor Ranking: Tokyo Is Asia’s Most Revisited City

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its latest Repeat Visitor Ranking, highlighting the top 10 destinations across Asia that keep travelers coming back for more. Based on bookings made during the first half of the year, Agoda reveals that Tokyo has claimed the top spot for the first time, overtaking Bangkok. Rounding out the top five are Bali—ranking third place for the first time—followed by Seoul and Osaka. Da Nang, Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, Taipei, and Johor Bahru complete the top 10 list.

Some destinations have a way of calling travelers back for more. The chance to discover new attractions, revisit fond favorites, or simply enjoy the familiar surroundings keeps travelers booking again and again. Agoda’s data shows that these beloved places often attract repeat visits, with some travelers returning multiple times in just the first half of the year.

Tokyo’s rise to number one reflects its unique ability to offer something new with each visit, from seasonal spectacles like cherry blossoms to hidden neighborhoods and an unmatched culinary scene. Bangkok, ranking second, continues to captivate with its unparalleled wellness experiences, world-class dining, and cultural landmarks. Bali’s climb to third place underscores the island’s magnetic appeal with its irresistible beaches, spiritual retreats, and lush landscapes that enchant travelers time and again.

This year’s ranking also reveals the rising appeal of Japan and Vietnam as increasingly popular places people love to revisit. Beyond Tokyo’s ascent to the top, Fukuoka has entered the top 10 for the first time at number eight, signaling travelers’ desire to explore beyond Japan’s traditional tourist hubs to experience Fukuoka’s renowned ramen culture and laid-back atmosphere. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Da Nang has climbed two spots to sixth place, with its stunning beaches, proximity to UNESCO sites like Hoi An, and excellent value drawing visitors back repeatedly.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda, shared, “Asia is home to so many destinations that are worth revisiting, and what we’re seeing is that travelers are building relationships with their favorite cities. The shift with Tokyo’s rise to number one and destinations like Fukuoka and Da Nang gaining ground show that travelers are finding new reasons to return, whether it’s seasonal attractions, undiscovered neighborhoods, or simply great food. At Agoda, we’re here to make those return trips easy and rewarding.”

For travelers looking to revisit their favorite destinations or discover new ones, Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in a single booking. Visit the website at www.Agoda.com or download the mobile app for the best deals.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/agoda-unveils-2026-return-visitor-ranking-tokyo-is-asias-most-revisited-city-302887498.html

SOURCE Agoda

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FDIC Appoints Sunwest Bank as Nano Banc’s Acquiring Institution

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IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sunwest Bank has acquired Nano Banc of Irvine, California in an FDIC-assisted acquisition. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) accepted receivership of Nano Banc from the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), which closed Nano Banc on Friday, September 25th. The FDIC subsequently entered into an agreement with Sunwest Bank, under which Sunwest agreed to acquire substantially all the deposits and a portion of assets of Nano Banc. The assumed deposits total approximately $605 million and assumed loans total $227 million.

Nano Banc customers will have immediate access to their deposits. Over the weekend, they can access their deposits by writing checks, using ATMs or through their debit cards. Checks drawn on Nano Banc will continue to be processed. All loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual. The former Nano Banc will reopen as Sunwest Bank on Monday, September 28th.

“We are honored to once again to be selected by the FDIC as the acquiring institution of an FDIC-assisted acquisition, marking the sixth time Sunwest Bank has completed such a transaction,” said Carson Lappetito, President and CEO of Sunwest Bank. “This opportunity reflects the financial strength, disciplined management, and stability that have defined Sunwest Bank for more than five decades. We are excited to welcome Nano Banc’s customers to Sunwest and show them the high-touch service, advanced technology and sophistication we offer to our clients.”

Customers with questions should contact the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-314-1744 or visit the FDIC Website at FDIC.GOV. This phone number will be operational this evening until 8:00 p.m., Pacific Time (PT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., PT; Sunday from noon to 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., PT; Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., PT, and thereafter, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., PT. 

About Sunwest Bank

Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank is a privately held commercial bank with over $5.0 billion in assets. With a growing presence throughout the United States, Sunwest is headquartered in Sandy, Utah, with offices across California, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and Florida. The bank partners with businesses,

individuals, and entrepreneurs nationwide to deliver leading banking services including technology forward treasury management, commercial and real estate lending products, and corporate financial solutions.

With a strong capital position and a commitment to innovation, Sunwest Bank continues to challenge traditional banking models through forward-thinking initiatives designed to support its clients’ growth and long-term success. Sunwest Bank operates with a Fortress Balance Sheet, long-term outlook, and has an impeccable track record of supporting their clients through all economic cycles.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fdic-appoints-sunwest-bank-as-nano-bancs-acquiring-institution-302890681.html

SOURCE Sunwest Bank

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FOTILE Showcases Next-Generation Kitchen Innovations at IDS Vancouver 2026

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FreshBake™ Range and JQG7515 Range Hood highlight FOTILE’s approach to cleaner, smarter and more user-centered cooking

  VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 25, 2026 /CNW/ — FOTILE is showcasing its latest kitchen appliance innovations at IDS Vancouver 2026, highlighting how new technologies can address real challenges in today’s kitchens while creating cleaner, smarter and more intuitive cooking experiences.

Now on display at Booth 906 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, FOTILE’s IDS showcase is led by two of its latest innovations: the FreshBake™ Electric Range and the JQG7515 next-generation inclined range hood.

The FreshBake™ Range addresses an often-overlooked aspect of everyday cooking: indoor air quality. Cooking can generate smoke, odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particulate matter. FOTILE’s FreshBake™ Technology integrates advanced PCF filtration and multi-stage purification into the appliance to help reduce cooking pollutants at the source and minimize lingering odors.

By bringing air purification closer to where cooking pollutants are generated, FreshBake introduces a new perspective on range design — expanding the role of a cooking appliance beyond food preparation to consider the overall kitchen environment and everyday well-being.

Also featured at IDS is the JQG7515, the latest evolution of FOTILE’s signature inclined range hood platform. Combining powerful smoke and grease capture with intelligent controls, the JQG7515 demonstrates how kitchen ventilation is becoming increasingly connected to the broader cooking experience.

Features including gesture control, app connectivity and appliance synchronization allow users to interact with ventilation more naturally, while helping transform the range hood from a standalone appliance into an integrated part of the smart kitchen.

Together, FreshBake and JQG7515 reflect FOTILE’s approach to innovation: identifying practical challenges in everyday cooking and applying engineering, intelligent technology and human-centered design to create meaningful improvements for users.

Throughout IDS Vancouver 2026, attendees can experience FOTILE’s latest innovations through live cooking demonstrations and product displays featuring the FreshBake™ Electric Range, JQG7515 inclined range hood, ChefCubii countertop combi oven and other kitchen solutions. The showcase highlights how FOTILE combines cooking, ventilation and intelligent technology to create a cleaner, smarter and more intuitive kitchen experience.

SOURCE FOTILE APPLIANCES CANADA LTD.

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