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Top Black Friday Travel Deals: Start Planning Your Next Vacation with Norwegian Cruise Line

YourUpdateTV

With Black Friday deals already kicking off, now is the best time to get a jump start on your vacation planning for 2025. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) just launched its Black Friday promotion, offering travelers 50% off all cruises plus NCL’s new ‘More At SeaTM’ package, which includes unlimited open bar, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi powered by Starlink’s high-speed internet access, so time spent on the ship is just as exciting as exploring bucket-list destinations. Recently, Travel Expert and Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, Colleen McDaniel, teamed up with Norwegian Cruise Line and D S Simon Media on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss Black Friday travel deals, top destinations for 2025 and why you should consider a cruise for your next vacation. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/MT8wcwu8HHg Cruising continues to provide the best value for your vacation dollar, offering accommodations, meals, and entertainment all included in one package. With the ability wake up in a new destination nearly every day, along with the convenience of only needing to unpack once, NCL offers guests the opportunity to see more, do more, and enjoy more while sailing to 450 destinations around the globe. The onboard experience, which includes exclusive industry-leading attractions like the only racetracks at sea, is enhanced by NCL’s new ‘More At SeaTM’ package, which provides over $2,000* of even more added value with newly enhanced offerings including a new beverage package that features 45% more beverage brands across all categories, with over 100 specialty cocktails to choose from; the ability to dine in more specialty restaurants; faster Wi-Fi powered by Starlink with more minutes available to all guests in the stateroom; shore excursion credits and free airfare for the second guest along with third and fourth guests sail free on select sailings. From Europe’s iconic cities to Alaska’s awe-inspiring landscapes, NCL has endless options for guests to experience more of what they love on their vacation. In 2025, NCL will have 11 ships sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Greek Isles, offering an average of 10 hours in each port, and providing guests with a more immersive European vacation. Next summer, NCL’s Alaska season will also feature a variety of ships and itineraries, delivering guests more choices of embarkation ports, accommodation categories and onboard activities for everyone. With NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, debuting in 2025, travelers can experience groundbreaking attractions like the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide. Plus, with 17 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, luxurious spa offerings and immersive entertainment, there is something for everyone. For those looking for a last-minute holiday escape, NCL also offers fantastic deals on shorter voyages, including Caribbean cruises from New Orleans and shorter three- to five-day Bahamas sailings from Miami. These itineraries provide the perfect opportunity for travelers to warm up this winter with a quick tropical getaway. For more information or to book your next cruise, visit NCL.com. # # # * More At Sea package value amount varies per sailing. The $2,000 value is based on a 7-day cruise. About Colleen McDaniel Colleen McDaniel is Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, the world’s largest online cruise resource. She considers cruising to be a true passion, having traveled the world by water – from Alaska, the Caribbean and Hawaii, to Europe’s rivers, Antarctica and Africa – on ships of all shapes and sizes. She’s regularly quoted as a cruise expert in media outlets across the country, including outlets like The Associated Press, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX Business, CNBC, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Skift. Cruise Critic is the world’s largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers -- from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 50M+ opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community. Cruise Critic is a subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Inc. About Norwegian Cruise Line As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 57 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the opportunity to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, the company offers guests to ‘Experience More at Sea’ by providing them with more to see, more to do and more to enjoy on their vacation. Its fleet of 19 contemporary ships sail to 400 of the world's most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, club balcony suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company's ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 20, 2024 10:14 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Duke Robotics Announces Commercial Launch of IC Drone for High-Voltage Insulator Washing Services

UAS Drone Corp.

Duke Robotics Corp. (OTCQB: DUKR) (formerly known as UAS Drone Corp, OTCQB: USDR) (the “Company” or “Duke Robotics”), a leader in advanced robotics technology and autonomous drone solutions, is pleased to announce the successful completion of the development and official launch of its innovative IC Drone, a first-of-its-kind system for washing high-voltage electric insulators. Following an extensive development phase and successful pilot testing, the IC Drone is now fully operational with the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) and positioned for deployment with other utility providers worldwide. The IC Drone’s advanced technology provides utility companies with a safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable solution for maintaining high-voltage electric infrastructure than the currently available methods. This state-of-the-art, drone-enabled system replaces traditional methods that rely on large, resource-intensive tanker trucks or helicopters, achieving significant water savings and operational cost reductions per insulator or electric pole. Key Features and Benefits of the IC Drone: Enhanced Safety and Precision: Enables high-voltage insulator cleaning with minimal personnel risk and greater precision compared to traditional methods. Environmental Sustainability: Reduces water usage significantly, supporting sustainability initiatives within utility maintenance. Cost-Effective Operations: Cuts operational costs by tens of percent per insulator and simplifies access to remote or difficult-to-reach infrastructure. Yossef Balucka, Chief Executive Officer of Duke Robotics, commented, “The launch of our IC Drone marks an important milestone in our journey to revolutionize utility maintenance. By offering a safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly solution, we believe the IC Drone will create substantial value for utility providers around the world. We look forward to bringing this groundbreaking technology to market and helping companies optimize their operations while prioritizing environmental stewardship.” This IC Drone launch exemplifies Duke Robotics' commitment to leveraging robotics technology to drive innovation across civilian and utility sectors, complementing its existing solutions for military applications. About Duke Robotics Corp. Duke Robotics Corp. (formerly known as UAS Drone Corp) is a forward-thinking company focused on bringing advanced stabilization and autonomous solutions to both military and civilian sectors. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Duke Robotics Ltd., the company developed TIKAD, an advanced robotic system that enables remote, real-time, and accurate firing of lightweight firearms and weaponry via an unmanned aerial platform (UAV) designed to meet the growing demand for tech solutions in modern warfare. Duke Robotics Ltd. Also developed the IC Drone, a first-of-its-kind robotic, drone-enabled system for cleaning electric utility insulators. The unique system, based on the Company's advanced intellectual property and know-how, integrates algorithms, autonomous systems, and robotic technologies used in mission-critical applications. For more information about Duke Robotics Corp (Previously UAS Drone Corp) please visit www.dukeroboticsys.com or view documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "future" and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and information currently available to us. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the benefits of its IC Drone technology, the potential for global expansion of our IC Drone services, the anticipated demand from utility providers, and the potential future growth of our commercial offerings. Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks related to the successful market adoption of the IC Drone, continued development and refinement of our technology, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and competition from technological advances. For additional information on these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact Details Duke Robotics Corp. Yossef Balucka, CEO invest@dukeroboticsys.com ARX | Capital Markets Advisors North American Equities Desk DUKE@arxadvisory.com

November 11, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Grab A Meal At A Lounge With 24/7 Security While Your EV Charges – Getaway Space Plans To Redefine EV Charging

Benzinga

By Josh Enomoto, Benzinga While the future of transportation may well be electric, it’s important to keep in mind that without adequate public infrastructure, the underlying innovation won’t get very far. That’s where the solution provided by Getaway Space – a specialist in the electric-vehicle charging ecosystem – comes into play. Getaway offers a fresh rethink regarding next-generation mobility with a focus on addressing the key pain points dogging broader EV integration. Even better, early bird proponents have a chance to invest in the company through StartEngine. StartEngine enables everyday people to acquire shares in startups and early-stage enterprises. In effect, the platform facilitates a path for non-accredited investors to participate in equity crowdfunding campaigns. Fundamentally, the appeal is that retail investors can secure their stake in a promising company well before an initial public offering (IPO). Given the accelerating growth of EVs, Getaway is positioned in an intriguing industry for many. According to data provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly one in five vehicles sold last year was electric. Nominally, EV unit sales almost reached the 14 million mark, with 95% of these transactions materializing in China, Europe and the U.S. Subsequently, the total number of registered electric-powered vehicles stood at 40 million worldwide. The growth rate also offers insight into the pace of adoption. In 2022, EVs accounted for 14% of vehicle sales, compared to a mere 2% five years earlier in 2018. To put it simply, consumers globally are voting for electrification with their wallets. However, the transition to EVs has also led to buyer’s remorse for some, with drivers suddenly encountering significant friction that they didn’t envision earlier. But where the EV industry sees headwinds, Getaway sees opportunity. Getaway Space Offers A New EV Lounge Experience A lack of EV charging infrastructure has also been a key experience – and pain point – of the great EV rollout. While more consumers than ever are making the transition to electric mobility, many are also returning to the traditional paradigm. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, 46% of current EV owners in the U.S. plan to switch back to internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicles. One of the frustrations tied to EV ownership is satisfaction with public charging availability. While drivers do report that satisfaction ratings have improved slightly, however, the lack of robust progress in this field presents a viable business opportunity for Getaway Space as it seeks to address driver pain points. Although much of the frontline attention is paid to EV sales, retention will likely be the critical metric moving forward. Here, the EV charging infrastructure currently available is largely inadequate to meet rising and evolving consumer demands. Fundamentally, one of the biggest concerns, if not the biggest issue, within the context of EV charging infrastructure is the lack of availability. With availability, it’s not just about the number of charging stations, although that is undoubtedly a key factor. It’s also about the net output or lack thereof. If a charging system is broken or otherwise non-functional to the driver, the solution might as well be non-existent. In fact, The Wall Street Journal reported that approximately 27% of fast chargers in the Los Angeles area were malfunctioning. Another catch-all challenge tied to public infrastructure is inconvenience and safety concerns. The rising popularity of EVs combined with common charging issues can create logjams at popular charging stations. Other facilities may be located in less secure neighborhoods or environments, presenting obvious risks. Finally, not everyone enjoys access to home-charging solutions. According to the Department of Energy, 63% of all housing units in the U.S. have a garage or carport. By logical deduction, that leaves 37% of housing units without such accommodations, yielding a large opportunity gap for Getaway Space to fill. Breaking Down The Getaway Difference Getaway seeks to address the charging infrastructure problem through a targeted focus on numbers and consumer needs. By first targeting Commerce, California – a major transportation hub near Downtown Los Angeles – the company can immediately make a positive impact. From there, management will work to broaden out, making EV integration a more realistic goal. However, that’s just the start. A key distinguishing factor about Getaway Space is that it marries creature comforts with the latest technologies. Even the fastest charging system will take at least 15 minutes to charge a vehicle to 80% capacity, if not longer. Getaway responds to this downtime with its partnership with Urth Caffé. A European-style coffeehouse based in Los Angeles since 1989, Urth offers grab-and-go organic meals along with coffee. Combined with high-speed Wi-Fi, spotless restrooms and 24/7 security, drivers can enjoy their own rejuvenation session before hitting the road. In other words, Getaway will meet consumers where they are, thus reducing the frustrations associated with public charging. With the company’s user-friendly app-based reservation system, customers can even secure their spots in advance. Payments can also be completed through the app, and the company’s stations have dedicated on-site staff to help with any concerns at all, from charging to payment. What’s more, when customers visit a Getaway Space, they will be assured of receiving what they came for: electrons. Engaging ex- Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) engineers, the startup firm will ensure that the design and maintenance of the charging systems will feature minimal disruptions. In fact, Getaway aims for near 100% uptime. While an ambitious goal, if achieved, the convenience alone would distinguish the company from its competitors, which include ChargePoint Holdings Inc (NYSE: CHPT) and EVgo Inc (NASDAQ: EVGO). Moreover, Getaway’s 30 DC Fast Chargers on-site, wide amenities and coffeehouse partnership would contrast conspicuously with both ChargePoint’s and EVgo’s limited facility-based services. Getaway is also focused on building key partnerships with a focus on sustainability to help support its growth, and the company counts CleanTech Alliance and Sustain Southern California (Sustain SoCal) as partners, among others. Lastly, Getaway has also attracted institutional interest. Specifically, the company is projected to receive $1 million in non-dilutive funding from a local utility company under a rebate program for DC Fast Charging. Should it be awarded, the company can utilize the fund to cover part of the installation costs of its charging stations without negatively impacting ownership. Powering The Future: A Game-Changing Solution For EV Charging Challenges? Getaway Space could be uniquely positioned to transform the EV charging experience by blending high-quality infrastructure with a customer-first approach. As the demand for EVs continues to rise, the industry faces critical gaps in charging accessibility, reliability and convenience. By partnering with established brands like Urth Caffé, engaging former Tesla engineers to ensure near 100% uptime and incorporating on-site comforts and 24/7 security, Getaway offers a robust solution tailored for EV drivers. Interested early investors have a chance to get in on the ground floor of this opportunity. With the EV industry seeking retention and not just conversion, Getaway potentially stands at an exciting juncture. Interested market participants can visit the company’s crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. Featured photo by Paul Brennan by Pixabay. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 08, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed Technology Validated as First Sustainability-Embedded Trait

ZeaKal

ZeaKal today announced that PhotoSeed ™ has been validated as the first sustainability-embedded trait technology for agriculture. PhotoSeed enhances photosynthetic capacity, increasing soybean oil by 15% and protein by one point without compromising yield or requiring additional inputs. The technology is projected to expand the volume of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production by approximately one billion additional gallons on existing U.S. soybean acreage. Foxley, LLC conducted an independent analysis of PhotoSeed’s impact on the carbon intensity (CI) score of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from soybean oil according to multiple global standards and programs. The data is also being reviewed by SCS Global Services, a leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification. The modelling shows that PhotoSeed can reduce SAF CI scores by up to 4.6 points (grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule). This comes as U.S. farmers seek new ways to compete in the global commodity market. Soybeans, the primary source of oil and protein for food and fuel, currently occupies 87.5 million acres in the U.S. PhotoSeed soy can create an additional 13 million acres’ worth of oil production while improving protein content in the meal co-product for animal feed. Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal, said, “At a time when the cost and scale for renewable fuels production still falls short of petrochemicals, we can leverage plant genetics to capture carbon and expand the volume of global oil production without needing new land or infrastructure. ZeaKal’s genetics and agricultural partnerships offer the energy industry economically feasible feedstocks with improved CI features in the production of SAF and other renewable fuels.” Potential PhotoSeed Oil Volume Flies Past Global Decarbonization Targets Recent bipartisan legislative efforts bolster the U.S. government’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, which aims to produce three billion gallons of SAF annually and reduce emissions by five percent by 2030. The Farm to Fly Act, introduced in January 2024 by a group of bipartisan senators, seeks to accelerate SAF production by clarifying SAF eligibility within USDA Bio-Energy Programs, promoting collaboration across USDA agencies, establishing a common SAF definition, and codifying greenhouse gas measurement standards aligned with Treasury Department and IRS guidance. PhotoSeed can be the catalyst to achieve these goals efficiently and cost-effectively for farmers and buyers alike. Gordon Denny, Board Advisor for ZeaKal, said, “PhotoSeed offers a win-win-win for growers, energy, and agriculture and puts the food vs fuel debate to rest. As key contributors to our national security and economy, American farmers can differentiate from global commodity markets while qualifying for CI tax incentives and value-added pricing for their crops. With these incentives, why would anyone grow another soybean?” Over the past several years, ZeaKal has built a harmonized supply chain for PhotoSeed soy, which includes Gro Alliance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Perdue AgriBusiness. The collaboration enables improved oil and protein production with improved sustainability features for the food and agriculture industry. With growing demand from energy, the initial three-million-acre East Coast footprint is an attractive source for low CI feedstock. PhotoSeed soybeans will be available for the 2026 growing season. PhotoSeed’s verification as a technology pathway for reducing CI also opens opportunities across the company’s other crop programs. For ZeaKal’s key crop programs, the company forecasts that the global volume of SAF production could expand to 7.5 billion gallons per year. For more information about ZeaKal and PhotoSeed technology, or to become part of the NewType model, visit zeakal.com. About ZeaKal At ZeaKal, we are building a value driven “NewType” of agriculture to harmonize the needs of farmers, consumers, and our planet. Our flagship plant trait technology, PhotoSeed™, helps crops capture more carbon and sunlight, leading to healthier, nutrient-rich food, feed, and fuel grown on a smaller environmental footprint. We go beyond science to make affordable nutrition more sustainable, with marketable differentiation for growers. Discover how we are transforming carbon to nutrition: zeakal.com or @zeakal on Twitter (X). # # # At ZeaKal, we are building a value driven “NewType” of agriculture to harmonize the needs of farmers, consumers, and our planet. Our flagship plant trait technology, PhotoSeed™, helps crops capture more carbon and sunlight, leading to healthier, nutrient-rich food and feed grown on a smaller environmental footprint. We go beyond science to make affordable nutrition more sustainable, with marketable differentiation for growers. Discover how we are transforming carbon to nutrition: zeakal.com or @zeakal on Twitter. Contact Details AgTech PR for ZeaKal Jennifer Goldston jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.zeakal.com

October 30, 2024 08:30 AM Central Daylight Time

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From Inking Multiple Deals To Record Revenue Growth, U Power Had A Busy First Half Of 2024

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga U Power Limited (NASDAQ: UCAR), the Chinese EV power solution company making a name for itself thanks to its advanced UOTTA technology, shared a financial update for the first half of 2024, with revenue growing 595.7% year-over-year to RMB13.2 million. U Power attributes that growth to increased usage from existing and new customers as the economy in China continues to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. U Power’s UOTTA technology enables consumers and fleet operators to replace dead EV batteries with fully charged ones in under five minutes. The company also offers companies a battery-swapping ecosystem from building the infrastructure to managing it. “We've been successful in transforming our vehicle sourcing business to provide EV battery power solutions in China,” said Jia Li, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of U Power. “We believe that this shift has enhanced our competitiveness, and we expect it to expand our future revenue growth potential." Revenue Shifts To Product Sales Of the RMB13.2 million in revenue U Power earned during the first half of 2024, 93.9% came from product sales. In the year-ago first half, U Power had no product revenue. U Power said that positive change was thanks to the improving economy, which enabled it to sell more battery stations. Meanwhile, sourcing services revenue of RMB0.1 million was down 0.6% year-over-year. However, U Power confirmed that was because the company focused more on its charging and swapping-related products. Meanwhile, battery-swapping services revenue of RMB0.7 million was up year-over-year from RMB0.5 million, driven by the deployment of U Power’s second battery-swapping station, which went live in March 2023 and remains operational. As of March 2023, U Power had a vehicle sourcing network of about 100 wholesalers and 30 dealers across China’s lower-tier cities. Last year it sold and delivered six battery-swapping stations to four customers. All told it has already sold eleven battery-swapping stations. "Our financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2024 demonstrate our commitment to responsible financial management while simultaneously making strategic investments for our future growth,” said Bingyi Zhao, Chief Financial Officer of U Power. “Our R&D expenses decreased as we have successfully completed several key projects, and we remain committed to innovation and have strategically allocated resources to new and high-potential research initiatives. Our improved credit management practices have yielded positive results, as we generated an expected gain on credit of RMB0.5 million in the first half, compared to a loss in the same period last year.” U Power ended the first half with RMB40.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from RMB36.2 million at the end of 2023. Deal Making On Display In addition to reporting record revenue in the first six months of the year, U Power inked deals that give it inroads into other geographies. Take its deal with Velo Labs Technology Ltd., the global fintech company for starters. In August, the two entered into a memorandum of understanding to establish a battery infrastructure investment ecosystem in Thailand. The idea is to create a battery bank asset and fund trading platform based on Velo’s blockchain technology. Through the platform, U Power and Velo Labs hope to attract external funding to promote the large-scale development of the battery bank industry. A battery bank is a collection of batteries that are connected and store energy together. The collaboration’s idea is to create battery bank stations for EVs around the country where drivers quickly swap out dead batteries for new ones. The trading platform would integrate battery assets from various UOTTA battery bank scenarios, including batteries for four-wheel and two-wheel electric vehicles, batteries from various battery swap stations and batteries used in energy storage projects. Prior to that deal, U Power signed a memorandum of understanding with Pattaya AI Terminal Co., Ltd. to jointly drive the strategic development of green logistics and electric vehicle infrastructure in Thailand. Another key deal for U Power is its deal with UNEX, which was also inked during the first half of the year. Through the partnership, the two will provide battery-swapping vehicles and swapping station services to Associação Nacional dos Transportes Rodoviários em Automóveis Ligeiros (ANTRAL). ANTRAL is an association of companies in Portugal, representing public passenger road transport companies operating light vehicles designated as taxis. Through their collaboration, UNEX and ANTRAL aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 2030, in line with the European Union's decarbonization targets and Portugal’s regulatory requirements for taxi vehicles. “We believe we are well-positioned with the necessary working capital and strong foundation to support our growth plans, including the launch of operations in multiple international markets, and we are confident in the current financial state of the business,” said Zhao. Featured photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 30, 2024 08:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Avenue Z Launches New Public Affairs Practice to Help Clients Navigate Complexities of Modern Advocacy

Avenue Z

Avenue Z, a media and technology company, today announced the launch of its Public Affairs Group, a multidisciplinary, strategic practice designed to shape client outcomes in public and private advocacy, shareholder activism and ESG, philanthropy and civil society, and regulatory environments. In response to the growing power and control from big media companies and tech companies, Avenue Z’s new Public Affairs Group leverages a blend of communications, media, creative, and technology to affect meaningful change. The company’s approach supports clients to achieve consensus and desired outcomes by connecting highly targeted content to the right audiences at the right time, building trust. “The way the public is gaining information and forming perspectives has changed, and organizations need to engage their audiences across all channels in new ways,” said Nneka Etoniru, Avenue Z’s EVP of Global Brand Strategy and lead of the new Public Affairs Group. “Our solutions are uniquely positioned to help clients achieve lasting influence by guiding them through critical moments, enhancing their public image, and accomplishing their goals.” “Making a quantifiable impact in public affairs, akin to brand marketing or reputation management, requires both human and technology-informed approach,” said Jeffrey Herzog, Avenue Z founder and CEO. “Our strength lies in blending storytelling, media, and data to create influential connections across channels - from the Wall Street Journal to TikTok." Avenue Z’s Public Affairs practice is tailored to serve a diverse range of clients, including: Private Sector: Helping corporations gain consensus among decision-makers and standard bearers, secure contracts and public-private partnerships, and win necessary approval. Public Sector: Assisting municipal, state, and federal agencies with raising awareness, launching public health initiatives, combatting electoral misinformation, and developing educational campaigns across demographics. High-Profile Public Figures: Assisting in navigating public opinion, counter-influencing harassment campaigns, managing crises, and curating strategically engaging online conversations to protect their reputation. Charities and Philanthropies: Supporting non-profits in raising funds, advancing agendas, enhancing prestige, and navigating challenges to maximize organizational impact. Trade Organizations and Industry Groups: Helping industry-specific organizations advocate for their members' interests, inform external audiences on policy impact, and shape public perception of their industry. Along with the practice launch, Avenue Z has released an insightful trends report, offering a deep dive into the latest shifts shaping public policy and communication, helping organizations stay ahead of the curve. Public Affairs Trend Report 2024: Shaping Perception and Driving Outcomes in High-Stakes Environments covers trends impacting key sectors from healthcare to fintech, venture capital, emerging tech, manufacturing, and more. Read the full report, here. Avenue Z’s ability to lead high-stakes special situations is built on a foundation of expertise lasting more than 25 years. The company’s heritage dates back to 1998, when digital visionary and entrepreneur Jeffrey Herzog pioneered search engine marketing and later, sold iCrossing, his first digital media company, to Hearst Magazines for $450 million. Avenue Z is a media and technology company breaking traditional boundaries between marketing, advertising and PR to increase client revenue and elevate their reputation. From the Wall Street Journal to TikTok, PR to social and search, we create narratives that drive commerce, connections, and conversion, across all channels. With experts, tech and teams based in New York, Orlando, Miami and global reach - we drive influence. Visit www.avenuez.com Contact Details Avenue Z Rachael Zahn +1 407-637-2833 press@avenuez.com Company Website https://www.avenuez.com/

October 30, 2024 07:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Aeva Technologies Inks Multi-Year Deal With The Indoor Lab, Growing Its Commercial Momentum And Increasing Revenue Potential

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga In what is further evidence of the growing adoption of Aeva Technologies Inc.'s (NYSE: AEVA) differentiated technology, the maker of advanced FMCW 4D LiDAR sensors inked a multi-year sensor supply deal with The Indoor Lab, a LiDAR perception and analytics solutions company. Indoor Lab operates a LiDAR analytics platform used to improve safety, security and operational efficiency for major U.S. airports, mass transit railways, agriculture, smart infrastructure at theme parks and other large venues across the U.S. and for cities at a broader level, as well. The multi-year agreement marks the first industrial customer production win for Atlas, Aeva’s next-generation 4D LiDAR. Notably, sensor shipments are beginning this month and planned to ramp up in 2025 to support multiple projects at scale, the companies reported. Importantly, this deal can provide increasing near-term revenue opportunity for Aeva ahead of its production launch with Daimler Truck, as well as complement its other production programs such as the one with Nikon and May Mobility. Initially, The Indoor Lab will integrate Aeva’s 4D LiDAR at some of the nation’s largest and most heavy-traffic airports including John F. Kennedy International Airport’s New Terminal One and San Francisco International Airport. The Indoor Lab also plans to use Aeva’s sensors for yet to be disclosed integrations in agriculture and in smart infrastructure at theme parks, cities and other large venues across the U.S. “We have evaluated nearly all time-of-flight 3D LiDAR technologies on the market today and selected Aeva because we see significant advantages in its 4D LiDAR technology,” said Patrick Blattner, founder and CEO of The Indoor Lab. Why Is Aeva Winning In The Market? Aeva’s advanced LiDAR technology uses a low-power continuous laser beam to measure range and velocity at the same time, which it says unlocks new levels of perception by instantaneously discriminating between moving and non-moving points and knowing the precise velocity of objects in motion. The company’s LiDAR technology integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module, which enables a small and scalable solution that the company says opens the door for a variety of automation applications. Under the terms of the deal, Aeva 4D LiDAR will be integrated into The Indoor Lab’s Overwatch Perception Platform, a component of its Enterprise Analytics Suite for Critical Infrastructure. That platform provides data for round-the-clock AI-powered analytics to monitor and manage indoor and outdoor environments. “Aeva is the first to commercialize 4D LiDAR for production at scale and its technology brings crucial advantages to our analytics platform including the addition of instant velocity data and the inherent immunity to sunlight interference,” said Patrick Blattner, founder and CEO of The Indoor Lab. “By selecting Aeva, we have future-proofed our perception analytics platform for critical infrastructure throughout the U.S. and will be able to provide the most comprehensive and advanced solutions for our customers at scale.” Going Beyond The Automotive Market The deal with The Indoor Lab builds on Aeva’s expansion into the industrial and security markets. In late July, Aeva was selected by a top U.S. National Security Organization to help protect critical energy infrastructure sites across the United States. Aeva’s sensors are expected to be the primary detection sensors to protect sensitive locations in various facilities from intrusions, such as water entries and exits and perimeter fences. Aeva says this national defense security organization selected Aeva 4D LiDAR after evaluating multiple sensing technologies, including 3D time-of-flight LiDAR. “Aeva is seeing significant momentum in the market following recent wins in automotive and industrial including our recent selection by a top national defense security organization,” said James Byun, managing director of business development at Aeva. “This key production win with The Indoor Lab solidifies Aeva’s position in the industrial market as the go-to lidar supplier of choice when performance and scalability matter.” It looks like the momentum isn’t ending there for the company. Aeva is also working towards an upcoming launch by the end of 2024 for its industrial metrology and manufacturing automation program with Nikon – the global manufacturer and supplier of metrology and inspection equipment for the industrial automation and metrology markets. Aeva is producing sensors for Nikon industrial machines to inspect objects on manufacturing assembly lines for microscopic defects that can be smaller than the width of a human hair. From protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure to helping large-scale organizations improve manufacturing, safety and efficiency, Aeva is showing how its unique technology is applicable across a diverse range of markets, including automotive, industrial automation, manufacturing and security. With the LiDAR market poised to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% between now and 2030, the company is working hard, making deals and delivering its products to position itself in a leading role in that market growth starting now and through the coming years. Learn more about Aeva Technologies Inc. by checking out its investors deck here. Featured photo by Rocker Sta on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 29, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ohio Pension Funds Sue Boeing and Former Chairman Over Plane Failures

NLPC

Why is former Boeing Chairman Larry Kellner – who led the company’s governance oversight during last year’s infamous Alaska Airlines door plug blowout – now head of the safety committee on ExxonMobil’s board of directors? That’s what a shareholder in both companies – National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) – is asking. And now two pension funds for the State of Ohio are demanding answers from Boeing and its board members (both current and former) about the devaluation of their investment. Attorney General Dave Yost announced Tuesday that he is suing the board of directors for the Washington, DC-based jet manufacturer, “seeking accountability for a pattern of safety and compliance failures that have harmed the company and its investors.” Yost is representing the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio in the litigation, and accuses Boeing board members of breaching their fiduciary duties by failing to properly oversee the company. The lawsuit alleges the members knew “about the ongoing unsafe practices but even today fail to address them, choosing instead to prioritize profits over safety and regulatory compliance.” Among the defendants singled out by Yost is former Boeing chairman Kellner, who departed from the company under a cloud earlier this year, following the Alaska Airlines incident and other safety failures, in what CNN described as “a complete decapitation” of leadership. Among the allegations pointed out in the Ohio lawsuit about Kellner was that he: served on the board’s Aerospace Safety Committee since 2019; solicited votes from shareholders with other directors who “issued materially false or misleading statements with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard for their truth” in both 2023 and 2024; with other directors, “knowingly or with reckless disregard made false or misleading statements of material fact and omitted material information concerning the safety of Boeing’s airplane manufacturing…”; was opposed by proxy advisor Glass Lewis for re-election to the board in 2021 and 2022, “given his role as Audit Committee Chair during the [737] MAX Crashes” in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Yost summarizes the lawsuit against Boeing directors, including Kellner, by alleging they issued “false or misleading” statements “with knowing intent to deceive, manipulate, or defraud.” Yet today Kellner enjoys a soft landing on the board of directors for ExxonMobil, where he chairs the oil giant’s Environment, Safety and Public Policy Committee, with millions of dollars in stock awards and remuneration. This is after Boeing on Wednesday reported a third-quarter loss of more than $6 billion in the wake of the financial, reputational and litigation disaster left behind in the wake of Kellner’s failed leadership. “In the part of his career and experience which is supposed to highlight the majority of his credentials to serve in his current role on ExxonMobil’s board, Larry Kellner has been an unmitigated disaster,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project, an investor in both Boeing and ExxonMobil. “Exxon is not without safety and environmental failures in its history that have cost lives, injuries and destruction. How can it say with a straight face that Mr. Kellner is the best person to oversee the company’s environment and safety policies and practices?” Earlier this year in advance of ExxonMobil’s annual meeting, NLPC filed a proxy memo with the Securities and Exchange Commission, detailing Kellner’s shortcomings for the director role and asking fellow shareholders to oppose his candidacy for the board. NLPC also released a short video in May that highlighted Boeing’s mishaps under Kellner’s leadership. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

October 24, 2024 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Reservoir Unveils the First On-Farm Robotics Incubators

Hawk Tower / The Reservoir

Today at FIRA USA 2024, the Reservoir announced the first-ever on-farm robotics incubators, Reservoir Farms, set to open in the Central and Salinas Valleys in early 2025. This pioneering initiative significantly shifts how agricultural technology innovates through real-world testing environments, world-class resources, and critical industry partnerships. California agriculture faces critical challenges, including labor availability and cost, import competition, increased regulation, water scarcity, and climate-related challenges, including extreme weather. These challenges have spurred significant advancements in agricultural precision, automation, mechanization, and robotics in recent years. Despite advancements, early-stage agtech projects lack critical ecosystem support, like connecting directly with growers, testing and validating their solutions, and accessing dedicated shop space and farmland. These gaps hinder capital efficiency and the development of critical solutions that meet the agricultural sector's needs. Initial projects at the incubators will focus on early-stage agricultural innovations in automation and robotics, including rovers and drones, that accelerate the development of breakthrough solutions to the opportunities and imperatives faced by California farms producing high-value specialty crops, such as labor shortages, profitability, and adopting climate-smart technologies. Western Growers Association, a key advocate for advancing agricultural innovation, will provide financial and operational support as an anchor partner. Anchor educational partners like UC ANR, Hartnell College, and Merced College will play a crucial role in innovation and workforce development, preparing the next generation of agricultural researchers, professionals, and innovators to drive the future of farming in California. HawkTower, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups developing breakthrough innovations for California’s environmental and industrial imperatives, is also an anchor partner. “The launch of Reservoir Farms is a critical step forward in ensuring the future resilience of California’s agriculture and across the Central Coast and Central Valley,” said Danny Bernstein, CEO of the Reservoir and Managing Partner of HawkTower. “By placing incubators directly on the farm, we enable innovators to test, iterate, and scale solutions in real-world conditions as a more immediate path to advance farming communities.” A New Model to Incubate AgTech Innovation The idea for Reservoir Farms emerged from extensive industry research and consultations with over 50 organizations in the specialty crop sector. Key insights uncovered critical gaps in startups' access to real-world testing environments, shop space, and direct relationships with growers—factors severely hindered capital efficiency and posed a formidable barrier to innovation. “Our goal is to eliminate the friction points that have historically slowed down the development of new agtech solutions,” said Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Western Growers Association. “Reservoir Farms offers a new model, where startups can work side-by-side with growers to test their technologies, iterate in a low-stakes environment, and build scalable solutions to improve agriculture's operations.” Supports Thriving Agtech Ecosystem and Job Creation The Reservoir Farms initiative also reflects a broad-based collaboration between key educational institutions, industry players, and local communities to ensure the next generation of agricultural professionals is equipped with the skills needed to support the region’s growing agtech sector. Supporting partners include Central Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA), Digital NEST, Farmhand Ventures, Merced County Farm Bureau, Milano Technical Group, Monterey Bay DART (Drone Automation & Robotics Technology), Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Monterey County Farm Bureau, Tesserakt Ventures, and The Vine. “As robotics and automation become more integral to California agriculture, it’s essential to have facilities like Reservoir Farms embedded within the farming community,” said Gabriel Youtsey, Chief Innovation Officer at UC ANR. “By bridging the gap between lab-based research and real-world application and accelerating tech transfer, Reservoir Farms can help build the workforce and technology needed to address the critical challenges on the farm, from labor shortages to climate change.” A Focus on Specialized Services and Real-World Testing in California's Agricultural Heartland Reservoir Farms will open its first two locations in Salinas Valley and Merced in the first quarter of 2025. Participants can lease testing fields and shop space without the burden of multi-year leases, giving them the flexibility needed to scale. The incubators will offer fully equipped R&D workshops, secure storage for expensive equipment, and customized, pre-planted specialty crop fields for testing. These facilities will be complemented by Reservoir Farms’ co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and a robust demo day schedule designed to connect startups with growers, investors, and other key stakeholders. In addition, the Western Growers Association’s validation process will provide startups with a quantitative “scorecard” that offers crucial metrics on scalability, efficacy, and financial viability. This validation, combined with UC ANR’s field testing, will help startups refine their products and receive a critical stamp of approval that builds trust with growers and ensures a smoother path to commercialization. About the Reservoir: The Reservoir is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building tech incubators for California’s future. Founded in 2024, the Reservoir creates spaces where startups, researchers, organizations, and corporations can develop and test innovations beyond Silicon Valley, focusing on rural areas like the Central and Salinas Valleys. The Reservoir drives economic growth, workforce development, and environmental resilience across California’s agricultural heartlands. Learn more at www.thersvr.org. Contact Details AgTech PR for The Reservoir Jennifer Goldston jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.thersvr.org/

October 23, 2024 09:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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