Technology

Plug and Play and Alibaba.com Team Up on CoCreate Pitch 2026

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2026

Plug and Play will lead sourcing, selection, and program delivery for the global entrepreneurship competition, which awards more than $1M across finals in Los Angeles and London

LOS ANGELES and LONDON, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Plug and Play, the leading innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies, has partnered with Alibaba.com on CoCreate Pitch 2026. The competition sits at the center of the CoCreate Summit and will culminate in live finals in Los Angeles on Sept. 9–10, 2026, and London on Nov. 19–20, 2026, alongside three newly launched Asia-Pacific regional competitions.

Launched in the U.S and Europe in 2025, CoCreate Pitch returns for 2026 as an artificial intelligence (AI) product innovation competition. The relaunch reflects what Alibaba.com describes as a broader shift in global trade from business-to-business (B2B) to agent-to-agent (A2A) commerce.

That shift is powered by Accio Alibaba.com’s enterprise AI agent, which helps entrepreneurs source, launch, and scale a business with a fraction of the traditional operational overhead. Applicants can register for CoCreate Pitch through Accio, which now includes a dedicated CoCreate Pitch Agent that turns early-stage concepts into structured pitch proposals and actionable plans.

“CoCreate Pitch has always been about giving entrepreneurs a real stage and real resources,” said Liz Wang, global head of commercial strategy at Alibaba.com. “AI is changing how businesses are built and scaled, and tools like Accio, are a testament to that. With Plug and Play’s two decades of experience identifying and nurturing startups worldwide, this year’s competition goes further than ever, pairing AI with hands-on mentorship and direct access to capital, so founders can focus on what matters — building something the world needs.”

As the competition’s end-to-end partner, Plug and Play will lead sourcing, selection, and program delivery for CoCreate Pitch 2026. It will tap its network of corporate partners, venture capital firms, and mentors to recruit entrepreneurs, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

Backed by nearly two decades of scouting and mentoring entrepreneurs worldwide, Plug and Play will identify the strongest finalists and prepare them for the live finals with pitch training, fundraising guidance, and direct access to its global network of mentors, venture capital firms, and corporate partners.

“Plug and Play was built on a simple belief — extraordinary entrepreneurs can come from anywhere,” said Seena Amidi, EMEA managing director at Plug and Play. “That belief is why we’re partnering with Alibaba.com on CoCreate Pitch, the centerpiece of the CoCreate Summit. Our mission has always been to find the people others might overlook, give them a chance, and invest up to $1M so that one great idea, at the intersection of AI and global commerce, can become the next great company.”

CoCreate Pitch 2026 spans three competition tracks:

General SMEs Track — for established small and medium businesses ready to scale.0-to-1 Startup Track — for founders turning a raw idea into a real product, using Accio Work to move from concept to execution.Student Track — open to current students building and pitching the products of the future.

The Los Angeles and London finals will each feature 20 finalists competing live at CoCreate, judged by a panel of industry leaders and investors. In each final, first, second, and third place will receive $200,000, $100,000, and $50,000, respectively, while the remaining 17 finalists will each receive $10,000 — bringing the combined prize pool across both finals to more than $1M. Prize details for the new Asia-Pacific regional round will be announced separately.

Applications for CoCreate Pitch 2026 are open at alibabacocreate.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 25+ industries. We offer corporate innovation programs, helping our partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also run startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit Plug and Play.

About Alibaba.com

Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers, and place orders online fast and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

Plug and Play Press Contact

Alba Brotons

Communications & Events Associate

press@pnptc.com

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SOURCE Plug and Play

Technology

CNT Foundations Introduces Free Foundation Estimate Programs for Homeowners in Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia

Published

38 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNT Foundations, a locally owned and operated foundation repair company serving South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, today launched free foundation estimates in Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia to help homeowners address issues early and avoid major repair costs.

Foundation problems often develop quietly, and early warning signs can be easy to miss. Cracks, uneven floors, and bowing walls may signal structural concerns that worsen if ignored, leading to headaches caused by disruptive, expensive restoration. Through these complimentary estimates, CNT Foundations provides professional evaluations by trained, certified technicians who use diagnostic technology to identify concerns before they escalate.

The inspection includes a thorough review of the home’s areas of concern, clear identification of existing or potential issues, and personalized recommendations. Homeowners also receive a plain-language report that explains what the team found and why it matters. Appointments are available on flexible schedules, and CNT’s 24/7 call center makes fielding basic inquiries and relaying booking information to the team straightforward at any hour.

CNT Foundations is known for honest assessments and permanent solutions backed by a lifetime warranty. If a foundation is structurally sound and a crack is cosmetic, the company says so. As a local business, CNT tailors solutions to the unique soils and building conditions in the Carolinas and Georgia, and the company proudly hires veterans who bring a mission-focused standard of service to every job. With over 25 years of experience, more than 10,000 completed projects, and a 99% client satisfaction rate, CNT Foundations has become a trusted resource for homeowners across the region.

“We believe in empowering homeowners with knowledge about their foundation’s condition,” said Lisa Wheeler, CNT Foundations. “Our free inspection program removes the barrier to getting expert guidance. Whether your foundation is perfectly sound or needs attention, you’ll get an honest, straightforward assessment, no pressure, no upselling.”

Homeowners interested in scheduling a free foundation inspection can contact CNT Foundations at (843) 577-7268 or visit https://yourfoundationexperts.com/. The company serves Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Augusta, Myrtle Beach, and surrounding areas throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

About CNT Foundations

CNT Foundations is a locally owned and operated foundation repair company dedicated to providing permanent solutions to structural issues affecting homes and commercial properties. Specializing in foundation repair, crawl space repair, concrete lifting, and basement waterproofing, CNT Foundations combines cutting-edge technology with expert craftsmanship. Every service is backed by a lifetime warranty, and the company maintains a 24/7 call center for customer convenience.

Media Contact

Name: Lisa WheelerEmail: 421226@email4pr.com Phone: (843) 577-7268

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SOURCE CNT Foundations

Technology

Jack Henry Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend

Published

38 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

MONETT, Mo., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: JKHY) today announced its Board of Directors maintained its quarterly cash dividend of $.61 per share. The cash dividend on its common stock, par value $.01 per share, is payable on September 23, 2026, to stockholders of record as of September 7, 2026. Jack Henry has paid consecutive quarterly dividends since 1991, and 2025 marked the 22nd consecutive year of an increasing dividend.

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.®
Jack Henry® (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For 50 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower more than 7,200 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at jackhenry.com.

Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” Any forward-looking statement made in this news release speaks only as of the date of the news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

Technology

Bird&Be Named Top Prenatal by Consumer Reports for the Second Time — One of Only Two Brands Who Passed Testing

Published

38 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

In new testing of 17 prenatal vitamins, Consumer Reports found that 15 did not match their labeled nutrient levels. Bird&Be’s Complete Prenatal Pack was ranked as one of the safest choices, and one of only two that met label claims.

TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Consumer Reports recognized Bird&Be as one of the safest and highest quality prenatal vitamins available. The independent nonprofit conducted rigorous testing of 17 over-the-counter prenatals for label accuracy and heavy metals and found that nearly all — 15 of 17 — failed to match levels of key nutrients than their labels claimed, including folic acid which is essential for fetal neural tube development. Bird&Be’s Complete Prenatal Pack was one of just two products that delivered nutrient levels that aligned with their labels, marking the second time Consumer Reports has named Bird&Be as one of its most-recommended prenatals.

What did Consumer Reports find?

15 of 17 prenatals tested had nutrient levels outside of label claims.Half of gummy prenatals contained less folate than labeled, a nutrient critical in early pregnancy.Bird&Be’s Complete Prenatal Pack matched labels across every nutrient tested.

Why does Bird&Be measure up?

Developed by fertility doctors and OB-GYNs with doctor-recommended nutrients for pregnancy, Bird&Be’s best-in-class formulations are made in GMP-certified facilities, lab-tested, licensed by Health Canada — a federal authority that assesses products for safety and quality — and Clean Label Project Certified to meet Prop 65 standards for heavy metals.

What should expecting parents look for in a prenatal?

Prenatal vitamins are a routine part of prenatal care, yet they’re highly un-regulated, so brands aren’t required to verify their contents before reaching shelves. Bird&Be sets a new standard of care, and Consumer Reports’ findings back up years of the brand’s third-party testing and position as one of the safest, most-trusted and recommended prenatals.

“Expecting parents deserve products they can trust. Bird&Be is committed to making supplements that are safe and effective, built on rigorous scientific standards. Consumer Reports identified a gap in oversight for our category, and its consistent recognition of Bird&Be confirms the commitment to high quality that we’ve made to our customers and healthcare providers since day one,” said Samantha Diamond, CEO and Co-Founder of Bird&Be.

Bird&Be is available at birdandbe.com, Amazon, and Ulta.

About Bird&Be

Bird&Be makes best-in-class prenatal products designed to help people take control of their reproductive health. Every formula is developed by fertility doctors and OB-GYNs and made to meet or exceed rigorous safety and quality standards.

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SOURCE Bird&Be