September 21, 2023

AKWEL: CURRENT OPERATING INCOME OF €30.2M FOR THE HY 2023

Thursday 21 September 2023

CURRENT OPERATING INCOME OF €30.2M
FOR THE HY 2023

AKWEL (FR0000053027, AKW), the automotive and HGV equipment and systems manufacturer, published its 2023 half-yearly results.

Consolidated data – in € millions	30.06.2023	30.06.2022	Var.
Revenue	533.2	491.0	+8.6%
EBITDA	49.0	42.3	+15.8%
Current operating income	30.2	17.7	+70.6%
Current operating margin	*5.7%*	3.6%	+2.1 pts
Operating income	30.0	17.2	+74.4%
Financial income	(2.5)	(10.0)	+77.0%
Net result (group share)	19.2	1.9	–
Net margin	*3.6%*	0.4%	+3.2 pts

Continued growth in business volumes, combined with better control of costs and sales prices, have led to a return to a more significant level of profitability. Pressures on costs remain high, however, particularly on the wage bill.

Gross operating surplus was up by 15.8% to €49.0m, and current operating income rose by 70.6% to €30.2m. With a financial income of -€2.5m and a tax expense representing €8.5m, the net income Group share stood at €19.2m for the half-year.

The investments stand at €22.9m and the change in WCR was €32.1m, to finance the increase in activity. The Group’s net cash position, including debts on lease obligations, at 30 June 2023 was €91.5m.

The performances recorded in the first half of the year and better control of costs and sales prices make it possible to forecast an increase in operating profitability over the entire year.

The Group announces the appointment of Benoit Coutier to the position of Chief Financial Officer on October 1, 2023. A plastics engineer in transformation process engineering with a Masters from ESSEC specialising in International Business Strategy and Engineering, Benoit Coutier has worked in the family company since 2003. He held the positions of Cost Controller (2003-2004), External Growth Analysis Manager (2005-2009), Director of the Brazilian subsidiary (2010-2015) and Legal Vice President from 2015. He has also been a member of the Management Board since 2013.

An independent, family-owned group listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange, AKWEL is an automotive and HGV equipment and systems manufacturer specialising in fluid management, mechanisms and structural components for electric vehicles. The Group achieves this by relying on state-of-the-art industrial and technological expertise in applying and processing materials (plastics, rubber, metal) and mechatronic integration.

Operating in 21 countries across every continent, AKWEL employs 9,500 people worldwide.

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2023-09-21_AKWEL_RES-HY_2023_EN_Short

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000840589

September 21, 2023

UCSF QBI, University College London, and Mount Sinai Identify Shared Molecular Mechanisms Across SARS-CoV-2 Variants that Allow Virus to Thrive Despite Vaccination

– Findings show viral proteins outside of Spike across Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants are responsible for innate immune suppression and escape from human immune system barriers

– Elucidation of common evolutionary thread provides key biologic target against future COVID-19 variants and other pandemics

SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a study published online in CELL today, scientists at UCSF QBI, University College London and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reported breakthrough findings on convergent evolutionary mechanisms shared by COVID-19 variants, allowing them to overcome both adaptive and innate immune system barriers. In the paper titled, SARS-CoV-2 Variants Evolve Convergent Strategies to Remodel the Host Response, scientists carried out an unprecedented, systematic comparative study using the most infectious COVID-19 variants, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron to identify specific viral mutations responsible for hijacking a common host pathway, thereby leading to increased transmissibility, infectivity and survival. Specifically, they discovered a convergence in potent suppression of interferon-stimulated genes through several viral proteins, including Orf6 and Orf9b, which serve as innate immune antagonist proteins capable of blocking innate host immune response.

The study, led by the laboratories of Nevan Krogan, Ph.D., Director of the Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) at the School of Pharmacy at UC San Francisco, Senior Investigator at Gladstone Institutes, was a collaborative effort that involved 16 institutions in six countries, including University College London (UCL) in London, England (Greg Towers and Clare Jolly) and Icahn Mount Sinai (Adolfo Garcia-Sastre and Lisa Miorin) among others.

Separately yesterday, Dr. Krogan received special recognition as the recipient of the first-ever “Discovery | Innovation | Health Prize” from Research!America for his “trailblazing efforts to address future pandemic threats” and acknowledgement of his approach to building global collaborations in advance of future health threats as a preemptive strategy to protect human life, health, and opportunity. The award, which included a $200,000 prize, is intended to provide support for his vision for progress against pandemic threats.

“Unfortunately, we continue to see new mutations and strains of SARS-CoV-2 despite innovations in new vaccines,” said Dr. Krogan, who founded the QBI Coronavirus Research Group (QCRG). “We evaluated each of the viral variants in isolation and discovered that there was a common mechanism involving several viral proteins, including Orf6 and Orf9b, that potently suppresses innate immunity. This finding is consistent with our investigation of early SARS-CoV-2 variants where certain viral proteins were highly expressed in infected cells which helped the virus infect our cells. With our additional research across SARS-CoV-2 variants, we now see this as a crucial finding that, if targeted effectively, could be turned into a significant vulnerability for this virus, which also has important implications for management of future pandemics.”

In a second paper titled “Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Orf6 and its variant polymorphisms on host responses and viral pathogenesis” also published today in Cell Host & Microbe, the researchers further detailed the role of Orf6 in subverting important pathways involved in the host antiviral response.

“In this study we found that Orf6 is a major SARS-CoV-2 innate immune antagonist by selectively interfering with nucleocytoplasmic trafficking through direct interactions with the nuclear pore complex,” said Lisa Miorin, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Microbiology at Mount Sinai. “We show that the absence of ORF6, or the introduction of ORF6 loss-of-function mutations, significantly influences the host antiviral responses resulting in SARS-CoV-2 attenuation in animal models.”

Adolfo García-Sastre, PhD, Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Microbiology and Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine and Director of the Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute at Mount Sinai added, “These observations provide a potential new way to address viral pandemics by targeting a common pathway that the virus uses for infectivity, a different approach from vaccines that are created to target mutated Spike proteins within individual variants. By investigating the variant’s ability to suppress the host immune response we have uncovered what appears to be a mechanism that viruses use that can be exploited.”

Mehdi Bouhaddou, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) who contributed to the research during his prior post-doctoral fellowship at UCSF commented, “Similar to treatment regimens for HIV, we believe the future approach to managing pandemics will require a drug combination cocktail. Here, this could include a combination of vaccines and antiviral innovations to target the virus. Specifically, combination therapy approaches to target the adaptive immune response (e.g., vaccines, antibody treatments) and another inhibiting viral innate immune antagonist proteins (e.g., Orf6 and Orf9b) or activating the innate immune response, could be the most effective. Perhaps with this approach, we may be able to get ahead of viruses before they reach pandemic levels.”

To understand the effect of viral mutations on viral replication and cellular responses, the researchers systematically studied the five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern during infection in human airway epithelial cells. Their analysis pinpointed cellular pathways that are similarly modulated across variants during infection and represent putative targets for pan-coronavirus antivirals. They observed most of the variants improve their ability to inhibit the host innate immune response, which likely contributed to variant dominance by improving transmission. They reason this reflects a strong selection imposed by the human innate immune system on the virus, whose ancestor likely adapted to evade innate immunity in a non-human species. The researchers concluded that a major force in shaping SARS-CoV-2 virus-host adaptations is related to evasion of innate and adaptive responses, a finding that has also been shown in research evasion of innate immune responses in HIV.

About QBI: The Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) is a University of California organized research unit reporting through the UCSF School of Pharmacy. QBI fosters collaborations across the biomedical and the physical sciences, seeking quantitative methods to address pressing problems in biology and biomedicine. Motivated by problems of human disease, QBI is committed to investigating fundamental biological mechanisms, because ultimately solutions to many diseases have been revealed by unexpected discoveries in the basic sciences. Learn more at qbi.ucsf.edu.

About UCSF: The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. UCSF Health, which serves as UCSF’s primary academic medical center, includes top-ranked specialty hospitals and other clinical programs, and has affiliations throughout the Bay Area. Learn more at ucsf.edu or see our Fact Sheet.

About the Mount Sinai Health System: Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.

Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 7,400 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report‘s® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report‘s® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2023-2024.

About Gladstone Institutes: Gladstone Institutes is an independent, nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science and technology to overcome disease. Established in 1979, it is located in the epicenter of biomedical and technological innovation, in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. Gladstone has created a research model that disrupts how science is done, funds big ideas, and attracts the brightest minds.

Authorship and funding: This work was funded by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, both part of the National Institutes of Health; the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; the Center for Research for Influenza Pathogenesis; the Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; the Centers of Excellence for Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France); F. Hoffmann-LaRoche AG; Vir Biotechnology, Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies (CIBSS), European Research Council (ERC) and QCRG philanthropic donors. Shokat is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. A complete list of authors and full funding information is available in the bioRxiv paper.

About UCL – London’s Global University

UCL is a diverse community with the freedom to challenge and think differently. Our community of more than 41,500 students from 150 countries and over 12,500 staff pursues academic excellence, breaks boundaries and makes a positive impact on real world problems. We are consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world and are one of only a handful of institutions rated as having the strongest academic reputation and the broadest research impact. We have a progressive and integrated approach to our teaching and research – championing innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary working. We teach our students how to think, not what to think, and see them as partners, collaborators and contributors. For almost 200 years, we are proud to have opened higher education to students from a wide range of backgrounds and to change the way we create and share knowledge. We were the first in England to welcome women to university education and that courageous attitude and disruptive spirit is still alive today.

We are UCL.

Find out how UCL is helping lead the global fight against COVID-19 www.ucl.ac.uk/covid-19-research

Media Contacts

UCSF QBI	UCSF
Sylvia Wheeler, Wheelhouse LSA	Kristen Bole, UCSF Office of Communications
swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com	kristen.bole@ucsf.edu
	415-317-3781

Aljanae Reynolds, Wheelhouse LSA
areynolds@wheelhouselsa.com

Mount Sinai	Mount Sinai
Elizabeth Dowling, Director of Media Relations	Karin Eskenazi, Senior Media Specialist
newsmedia@mssm.edu	newsmedia@mssm.edu

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8926488

September 21, 2023

LambdaTest Unveils Comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy Promoting Inclusivity and Equality for All

LambdaTest reinforces its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the launch of its DEI Policy

San Francisco , Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LambdaTest, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform launches its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy, reaffirming the company’s commitment to fostering workplace diversity, equality, and inclusion.

LambdaTest recognizes that a diverse and inclusive workplace leads to increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. The DEI Policy promotes equality for all employees, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

“Our DEI policy is a pledge to our belief in creating an environment where every individual, regardless of their background, culture, identity, or ability, feels valued, respected, and empowered,” said Chandini Chopra, Director of Human Resources at LambdaTest. “We believe that diversity is more than just having a diverse population; it seeks to create an inclusive culture in which everyone belongs.”

The DEI Policy addresses the following areas:

Diversity and Inclusion: LambdaTest actively fosters diversity in its staff, ensuring that recruitment processes are free of prejudice and discrimination. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) will be constituted to assist LGBTQ+ employees as well as people with disabilities.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is expressly prohibited under the policy. In addition, LambdaTest will give gender-neutral facilities and parental leave to all employees.
Disability Inclusivity: The organization has dedicated itself to making physical and digital environments accessible to people with disabilities, in addition to providing reasonable workplace amenities as well as open communication.
Training and Education: LambdaTest is providing DEI training to all employees to foster understanding and support among its employees.
Continuous Improvement: LambdaTest acknowledges that setting up an inclusive workplace is a continuous effort and commits to reviewing and assessing its DEI policies and procedures regularly.
People Leader Responsibilities: Our people leaders play a vital part in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) across our business. They provide precedent by incorporating DEI principles via their conduct and choices. Furthermore, they actively promote DEI programs by participating in training and events and encouraging employees to do the same. Another significant aspect is the fact that leaders nurture diversity, open communication, and resolve disagreements or biases to ensure that every team member feels valued and acknowledged.

In addition to the DEI Policy, LambdaTest has introduced a comprehensive Dignity at Work & in Communication/ Anti-Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination Policy to uphold respectful and inclusive communication within and outside the workplace.

For more information on LambdaTest’s DEI Policy, please visit – https://www.lambdatest.com/life-at-lambdatest/

About LambdaTest
LambdaTest is an intelligent and omnichannel enterprise execution environment that helps businesses drastically reduce time to market through Just in Time Test Orchestration (JITTO), ensuring quality releases and accelerated digital transformation. Over 10,000+ enterprise customers and 2+ million users across 130+ countries rely on LambdaTest for their testing needs.

● Browser & App Testing Cloud allows users to run both manual and automated tests of web and mobile apps across 3000+ different browsers, real devices, and operating system environments.

● HyperExecute helps customers run and orchestrate test grids in the cloud for any framework and programming language at blazing-fast speeds to cut down on quality test time, helping developers build software faster.

For more information, please visit, https://lambdatest.com

LambdaTest press office: press@lambdatest.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8926284

September 21, 2023

Global Fishing Watch and Palau Enter Partnership to Enhance Transparency in Fisheries Sector

Momentum builds in Pacific as Palau joins progressive countries committed to publicly sharing vessel tracking data

NEW YORK, U.S., Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Fishing Watch welcomes a new partnership with Palau that aims to strengthen sustainable fisheries management and promote transparency as a principle of ocean governance.

The agreement, which was signed between Global Fishing Watch and Palau’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, establishes a collaborative framework for publicly sharing the country’s vessel tracking data, which is aggregated and shared through the Fisheries Information Management System. The memorandum of understanding also reinforces the two parties’ commitment to the development of robust ocean governance policies—a longstanding priority for the Pacific island nation.

Announced this week at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the partnership marks a cooperative effort that will enable joint work and demonstrate the various ways the fisheries sector can embrace open data to enhance management decisions and increase transparency across the seafood supply chain.

“By making our vessel tracking data publicly available on the Global Fishing Watch map, we hope to increase transparency and accountability of fishing activities in our waters,” said the Honorable Steven Victor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment, Palau. “This can drive sustainability of our resources and contribute to reducing illegal activities in our ocean.”

“Palau has consistently demonstrated leadership in marine conservation and fisheries management,” said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch. “This partnership underscores our mutual commitment to combating illegal fishing while also signaling transparency as a powerful tool in driving responsible fishing practices. We hope other countries will follow their lead.”

Palau and Global Fishing Watch share a common interest in safeguarding marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable fisheries and resource management. Under their partnership, Global Fishing Watch will provide analytical support based on the examination of vessel behaviors, fleet patterns, and trends associated with port inspections, licensing and enforcement efforts. This information exchange can help inform the country’s ongoing development of its national fisheries policy and marine spatial plans, and will also strengthen its regional and international influence in support of ocean governance initiatives.

With an exclusive economic zone spanning over 232,000 square miles (600,000 square kilometers), Palau is committed to robust management of its industrial and small-scale fisheries—compliance is the cornerstone for the country’s long lasting economic benefits derived from its marine resources. The Pacific is home to the planet’s most productive tuna fisheries, producing over half of the global tuna catch, estimated to be worth about $26 billion each year. Thanks to continued leadership from national governments and regional institutions, all of the major tuna stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean are currently considered to be sustainably fished. Palau’s commitment to further enhancing fisheries transparency will support continued efforts to highlight and maintain the successes of the region.

As a member of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, and the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Palau has also been a leading voice on ocean protections. In 2022, Palau hosted the 7th Our Ocean Conference, bringing global attention to various marine issues, including the ocean-climate crisis, small-scale fisheries, and illegal fishing, which accounts for over $300 million worth of tuna in the Pacific region alone. The event led to 410 commitments worth over $16 billion USD, setting a positive example for the global community.

Palau joins Papua New Guinea and the Republic of the Marshall Islands who have committed to making their vessel tracking data publicly available via Global Fishing Watch’s map. With continued support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Global Fishing Watch remains committed to advancing transparency as a principle of ocean governance and working with countries from around the world to make its technology and analytical tools available to advance policy decisions.

Global Fishing Watch is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. By creating and publicly sharing map visualizations, data and analysis tools, we aim to enable scientific research and transform the way our ocean is managed. We believe human activity at sea should be public knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean for the common good of all. www.globalfishingwatch.org

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Palau strengthens fisheries management and promotes transparency as a principle of ocean governance

Kimberly Vosburgh
Global Fishing Watch
5185902979
KIMBERLY@GLOBALFISHINGWATCH.ORG

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8926446

September 21, 2023

Duck Creek Technologies Announces Winners of Its Inaugural 2023 Duck Creek Technologies Partner of the Year Awards

Systems Integrator Partners Accenture, Aggne and Coforge; Solution Partners Copart, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Quadient, and Smart Communications and Consulting Partner Penguin Tech are each recognized for meaningful technology innovations to the insurance industry during Duck Creek’s Partner Summit ’23

BOSTON, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, announces today the winners for the company’s inaugural 2023 Duck Creek Technologies Partner of the Year Awards during its annual Partner Summit ’23, held in Orlando, Florida, September 20-21, 2023. Receiving Duck Creek’s 2023 Partner of the Year Awards were Systems Integrator Partners Accenture, Aggne and Coforge; Solution Partners Copart, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Smart Communications, and Quadient; and consulting partner Penguin Tech.

The SaaS (software-as-a-service) leader dedicated time during their event to recognize the incredible accomplishments of their solution partners, systems integrators and consulting partners worldwide. The Duck Creek Technologies Partner of the Year Awards were created to acknowledge the power of partnerships and celebrate significant joint achievements across the insurance ecosystem. Engraved glass awards were handed to the eight winners for achieving the highest level of excellence as a partner to Duck Creek and for having a vision to advance their business while reimagining the future of insurance.

Accenture was recognized as System Integrator Partner of the Year for excelling in joint go-to-market activities, delivering Duck Creek solutions to customers across the globe, and consistently exceeding delivery adherence standards. Accenture has achieved the highest number of completed implementations across Duck Creek solutions and maintains its position as a significant influence for global customer upsells.

Aggne was recognized as Americas Value Creation Partner of the Year for successful collaboration with Duck Creek sales teams to differentiate and win new business and development of accelerators to ensure successful migration of customers to Duck Creek OnDemand (DCOD).

Coforge was recognized as International Value Creation Partner of the Year for providing exceptional delivery of packaged services to customers, realizing faster time to value from Duck Creek. Coforge successfully deployed prepackaged Duck Creek OnDemand solutions using accelerators and best practices in record time.

Copart was recognized as Operational Efficiency Solution Partner of the Year for its integration with Duck Creek. It improves operational efficiency for our mutual customers, enabling them to make intelligent insurance decisions and quickly meet policyholders’ needs. Copart has been a valued go-to-market partner for Duck Creek in the top 10 auto insurer market and provides an industry-leading auto salvage service central to Duck Creek’s automotive claims strategy. Its robust integration with Duck Creek provides a demonstrable example of simultaneously improving operational efficiency and customer experience.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions was recognized as Speed-to-Market Solution Partner of the Year for its integrations with Duck Creek, significantly impacting our mutual customers’ speed to market. LexisNexis Risk Solutions has been a partner of Duck Creek for fourteen years. It offers ten pre-built integrations for its industry-leading solutions. Its integrations are more consistently adopted than others, resulting in quicker implementation time and cost savings for our mutual customers.

Quadient was recognized as Personalized Experiences Solution Partner of the Year for providing a compelling solution integration to better personalize the policyholder experience. Quadient is a leader in customer communications management with integrations available for Duck Creek Policy and Claims. Quadient engaged closely with Duck Creek during 2023 in various co-marketing activities around these integrations, resulting in multiple new sales opportunities for both parties.

Smart Communications was recognized as International Solution Partner of the Year for significantly contributing globally to Duck Creek’s business. Smart Communications is a recognized global leader in customer communications management. In 2023, their team stood out by collaborating extensively with Duck Creek’s team to develop key demonstration integrations jointly and sponsored our first annual customer summit for our APAC region.

Penguin Tech was recognized as Consulting Partner of the Year for making significant contributions to the value of the Duck Creek ecosystem. The Penguin Tech team has over 40 years of combined Duck Creek experience and accelerated the growth of the Duck Creek ecosystem by developing many integrations on behalf of our Solution Partners. These integrations with market leaders have created compelling sales demonstrations and extended the Duck Creek value proposition.

“We are thrilled by the valuable partnerships we’ve formed and our capacity to engage collaboratively with distinguished companies such as Accenture, Aggne, Coforge, Copart, LexisNexis, Quadient, Smart Communications, and Penguin Tech. Together, we are reshaping the landscape of innovation in the insurance industry as we continue delivering top-tier cloud-based solutions paired with exceptional services,” said Mike Jackowski, CEO, Duck Creek Technologies. “It is a privilege to recognize these achievements and commemorate the accomplishments of our partners at our Partner Summit ’23, with an audience comprising hundreds of fellow ecosystem members.”

For more information about these award-winning Duck Creek partners, visit https://www.duckcreek.com/partner/ and these partner websites:

Systems Integrator award winners:

Accenture

Aggne

Coforge

Solution Partner award winners:

Copart

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Quadient

Smart Communications

Consulting Partner award winner:

Penguin Tech

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contacts:
Carley Bunch
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8925918

September 21, 2023

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issues a statement on measures taken in response to provocations by the Armenian armed forces illegally stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that on September 19, the Armenian Armed Forces stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan resorted to a number of military provocations and large-scale terrorist attacks.

She added, “As a result of the explosion of landmines planted by Armenian sabotage groups on the Ahmadbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha road with the aim of terrorizing people, civilians and soldiers from the internal forces of the Ministry of the Interior were killed and wounded.” Moreover, units of the Azerbaijani army came under fire with mortars and small arms. As a result, two soldiers of the Azerbaijani army were injured.”

She continued: Azerbaijani army units revealed the fortification of positions and units that the Armenian Armed Forces raised to a high level of combat readiness.

She noted that limited-scale anti-terrorism measures have been launched in the region to prevent possible large-scale provocations by the Armenian Armed Forces located in the Karabakh Economic Region, and to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Tripartite Statement, as well as the disarmament and withdrawal of units of the Armed Forces of Armenia from the territory of Azerbaijan, and the neutralization of its military infrastructure. , ensuring the safety of the peaceful civilian and military population participating in the restoration and construction work carried out in the region and restoring the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Source: International Islamic News Agency

September 21, 2023

Indiana to Showcase Entrepreneurial Ecosystem as Host of Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025

IEDC to host entrepreneurs, industry leaders from around the world to experience Indiana, Hoosier innovation

Indianapolis, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) today announced that Indiana will host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) for the first time in 2025, welcoming entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and startup ecosystem builders from around the world to Indiana and its capital city. Indianapolis will be the second U.S. location to host the annual convention since its inaugural event in 2009.

“Indiana has a strong and storied history with entrepreneurship at the center, and we are thrilled to showcase our state and our innovative ecosystem during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in 2025,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “With the help of Hoosier entrepreneurs, Indiana’s economy is thriving – pushing forward new innovations, attracting top talent, and creating countless opportunities for current and future residents to prosper. Hosting this global convention is a testament to our state’s commitment, past and future, to cultivating a vibrant ecosystem that supports dreamers, innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.”

Event organizers announced Indiana’s selection today onstage at GEC 2023 in Melbourne, Australia, previewing the 2025 event that will be held June 1-5, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center and passing the torch to planners in Indianapolis representing the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), key ecosystem partners and Indiana-based entrepreneurs. This year’s event, being held Sept. 19-22, is expected to draw roughly 2,500 attendees from nearly 200 countries.

The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is hosted in a different rising entrepreneurial city each year, presenting four days of actionable intelligence, collaboration and collective action. Its goal is to bring together thousands of voices to participate in creating one inclusive global ecosystem by networking, learning and sharing. Since its inception in 2009 at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, GEC has created opportunities for founders to share new business models and connect with mentors and investors, and has hosted notable thought leaders challenging the status quo, policymakers focus on incentivizing entrepreneurs and removing barriers to growth, and academics exploring new ways of working and new sources of data.

“We are thrilled to bring the Global Entrepreneurship Congress back to the United States for the first time since it started,” said Jonathan Ortmans, founder and president of GEN. “Indiana is home to thriving, resilient and collaborative communities driven by creative and innovative entrepreneurs who are transforming our world.”

GEC Indiana will serve as a unique opportunity for Hoosier founders and entrepreneurs to connect with global resources, while providing a platform to showcase Indiana innovation and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Indiana was named the No. 1 state to start a business by Forbes and has been recognized as a top 40 global emerging destination for entrepreneurship by GEN and its partners at Startup Genome, while Indianapolis has been named the No. 3 city in the Midwest for startups for the second year in a row. In June, the IEDC launched ConnectIND, a digital portal available in 11 languages that is designed to increase support for entrepreneurs and founders, powering Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Visit Indy is proud to partner with the state of Indiana to host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, a sought-after conference bringing in thought leaders while also showcasing our city’s thriving small business economy,” said Chris Gahl, executive vice president & chief marketing officer with Visit Indy. “Indy’s entire tourism industry stands ready to welcome GEC’s global visitors to Indy, a city built to host conventions with unmatched hospitality.”

Indianapolis is a well-known host city for major global events, with accolades including being named USA Today’s no. 1 Convention City in the U.S. and Best Airport in North America for 12 years straight. In 2022, Indianapolis hosted more than 500 conventions and major events, drawing more than 30 million visitors while generating more than $5.8 billion in economic impact to the state. Indianapolis also serves as host to the IEDC’s Indiana Global Economic Summit, first held in 2022 and slated again to occur in May 2024.

For more information about the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, please visit genglobal.org.

About Global Entrepreneurship Network
The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates projects and programs in 200 countries to make it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business. By fostering deeper cross border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organizations, GEN works to fuel healthier start and scale ecosystems that create more jobs, educate individuals, accelerate innovation and strengthen economic growth. For more information, visit www.genglobal.org.

About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.

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Indiana Economic Development logo

Erin Sweitzer
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
317-296-2556
ESweitzer@iedc.IN.gov

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8925937

September 21, 2023

Intesa Sanpaolo: Circular Economy in Locatelli’s Photos at Gallerie d’Italia in Turin

TURIN, Italy, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A mine in Norway turned into a data centre, harnessing the coolness of the underground and sea waters; a nuclear reactor transformed into an amusement park; Ligurian basil cultivated underwater. These are some of the stories showcased in the exhibition ‘Luca Locatelli: The Circle’, which will open its doors to the public on September 21 at the Gallerie d’Italia of Intesa Sanpaolo in Turin. The exhibition, scheduled to run until February 18 and curated by Elisa Medde, guides the audience through 18 stories in 10 European countries (6 stories are set in Italy), documented by Locatelli during his journey into the circular economy in Europe.

Supporting the photographer in his work is Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Fondazione Cariplo, with specialised support from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. “We must take responsibility for the planet,” emphasised the president of the Board of Directors of Intesa Sanpaolo, Gian Maria Gros-Pietro. “I was deeply struck by the urgency with which we must respond to the situation. In half a century,” he continued, “we have reduced the planet’s biodiversity by more than half. This change, which has occurred in 50 years versus the estimated 3.5 billion years since life has existed on the planet, when compared to a 24-hour day, is equivalent to little more than a thousandth of a second. This gives us an idea of the extreme urgency to change the way we are impacting the planet.” According to Gros-Pietro, Intesa Sanpaolo “shares the responsibility of guiding the European economy towards a positive and sustainable evolution.” To achieve this, there needs to be a “shift from linear production models, which turn resources into products and then into waste, to circular economy models that ensure the recoverability of materials and resources. However, this requires changing the scientific principles on which products are based, altering their design, and all production cycles, which requires substantial investments that must be socially sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate this need, and for us, art is a very important tool to this end.”

Locatelli, who won the World Press Photo in 2020, travelled across Europe for two years, looking for innovative circular economy projects. ‘The Circle’, he explained, “is an exhibition that embraces the culture of change and circularity, which is the most suitable cultural approach to restore balance with our planet’s natural resources.”

For more information:
Press Office LaPresse – ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/048d9a35-6238-4801-a3d8-5f53e50f0df3

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66700b3e-7d9b-4b76-bc31-f8719bee056a

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8926247

September 21, 2023

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank selects nCino to transform its business banking

Bank accelerates transformation agenda by implementing nCino’s single platform solution to streamline processes, improve efficiency and deliver a frictionless experience for customers and employees

SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — nCino, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCNO), a pioneer in cloud banking for the global financial services industry, today announced that Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, a leading Australian bank, has selected nCino to enhance and simplify their business banking operations. This decision was part of the bank’s broader strategy to reduce complexity in its operations, deliver the best experience for their customers and employees, and accelerate growth.

nCino is a cloud-based, purpose-built banking platform that will help Bendigo and Adelaide Bank achieve their digital transformation goals by automating processes, facilitating the Bank’s ability to enhance compliance, and empowering its bankers. By introducing nCino into their operations, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank will leverage intelligent automation, streamline processes, deliver a faster time to decision and enable their bankers to devote more time on building relationships with customers.

“We are pleased to partner with nCino as we step up our efforts to simplify our business,” said Adam Rowse, Chief Customer Success Officer for Business Bank & Agribusiness at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. “Our goal is to deliver our customers and staff with best-in-class user experience and to streamline our operations so that we can move at pace while delivering sustainable growth.”

“We are a partner of choice for progressive banks globally, with a proven track record of helping them scale efficiently, improve customer experience, and innovate at speed,” said Mark Bernhardi, Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand at nCino. “We are very excited to partner with the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank team on their current transformation journey towards streamlining processes and creating a frictionless experience for their customers and staff.”

About nCino
nCino (NASDAQ: NCNO) is the worldwide leader in cloud banking. Through its single software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, nCino helps financial institutions serving corporate and commercial, small business, consumer, and mortgage customers modernize and more effectively onboard clients, make loans, manage the loan lifecycle, and open accounts. Transforming how financial institutions operate through innovation, reputation and speed, nCino is partnered with more than 1,850 financial services providers globally. For more information, visit www.ncino.com.

About Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is Australia’s better big bank, with more than 7,000 staff helping our over 2 million customers to achieve their financial goals. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s vision is to be Australia’s bank of choice, by feeding into the prosperity of customers and their communities.

Media Contacts
For nCino
press@ncino.com
or
ncino@honner.com.au

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” or “continues” or similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon nCino’s historical performance and its current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are not a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent nCino’s expectations as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change and, except as may be required by law, nCino does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially including, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to the market adoption of our solution and privacy and data security matters. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect nCino’s business and financial results are included in reports filed by nCino with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available on our web site at www.ncino.com or the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov). Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in other filings nCino makes with the SEC from time to time.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8924734

September 21, 2023

Roadzen Inc. to Begin Trading on Nasdaq After Successful Closing of its Business Combination

Roadzen, Inc. and Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. closed their business combination on September 20, 2023.
Roadzen will start trading on Nasdaq tomorrow under the tickers “RDZN” and “RDZNW” for its ordinary shares and warrants, respectively.
Roadzen’s mission is to transform the insurance experience for drivers around the world by giving them lower premiums, on-road safety and seamless claims processing.
Roadzen has built a pioneering technology platform that uses telematics, computer vision and artificial intelligence (“AI”) to transform the insurance value chain – across underwriting, distribution and claims – called the Roadzen “Insurance as a Service” (“IaaS”) platform.
The transaction is expected to accelerate Roadzen’s investment in its sales and growth initiatives, and its technology, to allow it to pursue its growth as well as other strategic M&A opportunities.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Roadzen Inc. (Nasdaq: RDZN, RDZNW), a global insurance technology company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced AI, announced today that it has completed its previously announced business combination with Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, which was approved at the extraordinary general meeting of Vahanna shareholders on August 25, 2023. The combined company has been renamed Roadzen Inc., and its shares and warrants are expected to commence trading on Nasdaq tomorrow under the symbols “RDZN” and “RDZNW,” respectively.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Roadzen’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rohan Malhotra, said, “Going public is a pivotal moment in Roadzen’s journey, yet it’s merely one milestone in our mission to deliver simpler, smarter and safer insurance to drivers globally. We’re incredibly excited about the transformative potential of AI in reshaping the $800 billion auto insurance market and are going to be unwavering in our focus to build Roadzen as the leader at the intersection of AI, mobility and insurance.”

Vinode Ramgopal, Chairman of Vahanna’s sponsor, Vahanna LLC, added, “Roadzen is truly one of the rare insuretech platforms leveraging applied AI, telematics and computer vision to revolutionize the legacy auto insurance industry, which is plagued by rising costs and soaring premiums. In today’s inflationary environment, better underwriting and claims processing, coupled with lowering costs for insurers and ultimately consumers, provide a significant runway for Roadzen’s growth in the years ahead.”

The combined company will continue to be led by Rohan Malhotra and the current Roadzen management team. The Company will be supported by a highly experienced board with extensive technology and capital markets experience.

The Company will ring the closing bell at Nasdaq in New York City on September 22nd, 2023, to celebrate the commencement of trading.

ABOUT ROADZEN

Roadzen is a leading insurance technology company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced AI. Thousands of clients – from some of the world’s leading insurers, fleets and carmakers to small fleets, brokers and insurance agents – use Roadzen’s technology to build new products, sell insurance, process claims and improve road safety. Roadzen’s pioneering work in telematics and computer vision has earned recognition as a top AI innovator by publications such as Forbes and Financial Express. Roadzen has 400 employees across its global offices in the U.S., India, U.K. and France.

For materials and information, visit https://www.roadzen.io/.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements, estimates, targets and projections in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Roadzen’s future financial or operating performance. For example, statements regarding anticipated growth in the industry in which Roadzen operates and anticipated growth in demand for Roadzen’s services, projections of Roadzen’s future financial results and other metrics, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the proposed business combination and the timing of the completion of the proposed business combination are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “pro forma”, “may”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “project”, “strive”, “budget”, “forecast”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Roadzen and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Roadzen or others following the Business Combination (ii) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards following the consummation of the Business Combination; (iii) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of Roadzen as a result of the consummation of the Business Combination; (iv) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, the ability of the combined company to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, labor unions and other organizations that have a role in the business of Roadzen and the ability of the combined company to retain its management and key employees; (v) costs related to the Business Combination; (vi) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including those affecting the industries in which the combined company will operate; (vii) the possibility that Roadzen may be adversely affected by other economic, business, regulatory, and/or competitive factors; (viii) Roadzen’s estimates of expenses and profitability; (ix) the evolution of the markets in which Roadzen competes; (x) the ability of Roadzen to implement its strategic initiatives and continue to innovate its existing offerings; (xi) the ability of Roadzen to satisfy regulatory requirements; (xii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Roadzen’s business; and (xiii) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Vahanna’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed on April 27, 2023), and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the definitive proxy statement delivered to Vahanna’s shareholders and related registration statement on Form S-4, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents to be filed with the SEC by Roadzen.

Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Roadzen does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Investor Contacts:
Roadzen: Raghav Kansal (raghav@roadzen.io)
ICR: Michael Bowen & Dhruv Chopra (RoadzenIR@ICRinc.com)

Media Contacts:
Roadzen: Sanya Soni (sanya@roadzen.io)
ICR: Edmond Lococo (RoadzenPR@ICRinc.com)

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8925760