It guides private equity investors on how to align their strategy, management, transparency and governance practices, to achieve their decarbonisation goals.

SINGAPORE, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fullerton Fund Management (Fullerton) has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop a Sustainability Management Framework to guide private equity climate investing in Asia, using UNDP's SDG Impact Standards as a foundation. The framework offers private equity companies a roadmap to adopting practices that can help to accelerate their net zero goals.

In Asia, the environmental and commercial case for climate investments is compelling, with the addressable market size for green businesses in Asia targeted to reach over US$4 trillion by 2030^[1]. Governments have made strong commitments to decarbonise their economies, and around $53.5 trillion of investments between 2020-2060 is required to meet the net-zero targets already announced^[2]. There are significant investment opportunities ahead and private equity can play a pivotal role alongside public spending in bridging the funding gap.

Private equity investors are well-positioned to exert greater influence on portfolio companies over climate and sustainability issues. However, disclosure standards in the region are uneven and corporate disclosures remain lacking, particularly in emerging Asia. This poses challenges for climate investors who are looking to assess the material environmental issues, and their implications, for their investments.

The Sustainability Management Framework guides private equity investors on how to integrate sustainability considerations and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) into their strategy, management, transparency and governance practices, to achieve their decarbonisation goals. Through the framework, climate investors can conduct a critical evaluation of the various possible investment practices and decide on the unique set of practices which aligns best to their investment mandates and stakeholders' requirements.

"As an investor of private capital in Asia, we recognise that sustainability issues have considerable implications for a company's investment value, particularly for private equity, which has a long investment horizon. With the launch of this Sustainability Management Framework with support from the UNDP, we are committed to integrating sustainability considerations in our private equity climate investments. More importantly, we hope to share this framework and insights from real-world case studies with our peers, to enable them to evaluate the relevant sustainability aspects required to optimise decarbonisation in the region," said Huck Khim Tan, Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Head of Alternatives at Fullerton Fund Management.

"The private sector has a significant role to play in accelerating Asia's decarbonisation, including in collaboration with and alongside efforts from actors in the public and multilateral domains. Recognising this, we are delighted to collaborate with Fullerton Fund Management to develop this Sustainability Management Framework, leveraging the UNDP's SDG Impact Standards for private equity funds. This framework is useful for climate investors who are looking to align their internal practices and decision-making to achieve their decarbonisation goals," said Haoliang Xu, UN Under Secretary General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

####

About Fullerton Fund Management

Fullerton Fund Management Company Ltd ("Fullerton") is an active investment specialist, focused on optimising investment outcomes and enhancing investor experience.

We help clients, including government entities, sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, insurance companies, private wealth and retail, from the region and beyond, to achieve their investment objectives through our suite of solutions. Our expertise encompasses equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternatives and treasury management, across public and private markets.

As an active manager, we place strong emphasis on performance, risk management and investment insights. Incorporated in 2003, Fullerton is headquartered in Singapore, and has associated offices in Shanghai, Jakarta and Brunei. Fullerton is part of a multi-asset management group, Seviora, a holding company established by Temasek. Income Insurance, one of Singapore's leading insurers, is a minority shareholder of Fullerton.

For more information, please visit www.fullertonfund.com

About United Nations Development Programme ("UNDP"):

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP's work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP

About UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub:

The UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH) brings together UNDP's financial expertise to harness public and private capital for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- supporting governments, investors and businesses in reaching climate, social impact and sustainability targets. Its work drives systemic change towards a sustainable financial architecture that benefits people and the planet. SDG Impact is a global flagship initiative of SFH, established to accelerate private sector investment and activity towards sustainability and achievement of the SDGs by making it easier for businesses and investors to embed impact into their internal management and decision-making practices, as well as direct capital to where it can make the most difference to people and planet.

Find out more about its integrated services that ensure all finance is sustainable, at sdgfinance.undp.org or follow @UNDP_SDGFinance

BEIJING, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent business confidence survey released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China reveals confidence in the prospects of China-Germany economic and trade cooperation. Among the 566 member companies surveyed, 91 percent expressed their intentions to continue their operations in China, and more than half said they plan to increase investments in the Chinese market.

Last year, several major German companies, including Siemens, Mercedes-Benz, BASF, Volkswagen and BMW, continued to increase investment in China, further highlighting their confidence in the Chinese market.

"Cooperation between China and Germany benefits not just the two sides but also the world at large," Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday during a meeting with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, who is on a three-day official visit to China.

The more instability in the world, the greater the need for the two sides to strengthen the resilience and vitality of their relations, Xi said, calling for joint efforts to keep to the overall direction of cooperation and development in growing bilateral ties.

China-Germany cooperation not 'risk' but opportunity

Scholz visited Sino-German joint venture Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. and experienced the assembly of hydrogen fuel cell power modules, as well as German company Covestro's Asia-Pacific innovation center, during a trip to China's Chongqing and Shanghai.

"I was impressed by the close and sound cooperation between German and Chinese businesses," he told Xi.

Economic and trade cooperation has always played a vital role in China-Germany ties. Germany is paying more attention to expanding cooperation with China in the field of innovation, particularly in new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Through efforts, China has become a hub for the innovation of NEVs, attracting German automobile companies to further expand their investment in China.

A new joint venture set up by Mercedes-Benz Group China Ltd. and BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. has been registered in Beijing. Volkswagen Group China announced on April 11 that it will invest 2.5 billion euros (about $2.68 billion) in the expansion of its innovation hub in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, to increase its pace of innovation in China.

Mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is not a "risk," but a guarantee for a stable bilateral relationship and an opportunity for the future, Xi told Scholz.

Noting that both China and Germany are countries built on industries and both support free trade and economic globalization, Xi said it is important for the two countries to stay vigilant against the rise of protectionism, adopt an objective and dialectical view on the issue of production capacity through a market and global perspective and based on the laws of economics, and devote more efforts to the discussion on cooperation.

Solid, sustained progress of bilateral ties

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of an all-round strategic partnership between the two countries.

The consolidation and development of their relations carries significance that goes beyond the bilateral scope and has a major impact on the Eurasian continent and the entire world, Xi noted.

Bilateral trade volume stood at 253.1 billion euros in 2023, during which China maintained its position as Germany's leading trading partner for the eighth consecutive year.

Last June, the two countries held the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation, agreeing to more cooperation in the fields of climate change response, innovation, advanced manufacturing and vocational education.

The two sides held the third China-Germany high-level financial dialogue in Frankfurt last October, reaching 25 cooperation consensuses. On April 11, 2024, the China-Germany Dialogue Forum on Financial Cooperation was held in Beijing, aiming to deepen financial cooperation to bring more mutually beneficial outcomes.

"As long as the two sides uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while reserving differences, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, and pursue win-win cooperation, China-Germany relations will continue to enjoy solid and sustained progress," Xi said.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-04-16/China-Germany-eye-more-resilience-and-vitality-in-ties-1sQJZm3g8da/p.html 

• Asia's first and largest independent digital wealth advisor is reinventing how investors can invest, monitor, and manage investments via a zero subscription fee and non-commissions-based advisory service. Endowus clients can easily invest in a curated list of Best-in-Class funds and goal-oriented portfolios across passive and active public markets, private equity, private credit, and hedge funds.
• Endowus clients can now enjoy an enhanced digital-and-in-person investing experience through the top-rated Endowus app, and also access to a team of client advisors who are not incentivised to maximise fees through churning portfolios or recommending high-commission products. Endowus is the first in Hong Kong to offer a 100% Cashback of all Trailer Fee Commissions back to its clients, which keeps it independent in its advice to clients.
• The full-service launch also includes the release of the Endowus Flagship Portfolios^[1] comprising strategies from global leading fund managers Amundi, BlackRock, Dimensional, and PIMCO. The bestselling portfolio includes funds at institutionally low fees, previously unavailable to retail investors in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Endowus, Asia's largest and Hong Kong's first independent, conflict-free digital wealth advisor, today announced the full-service launch of its wealth management platform, as the result of its continued investment in its technology to better serve the needs of Hong Kong investors. This announcement was made at the Endowus Investment Summit, the firm's flagship Hong Kong event showcasing a comprehensive agenda featuring industry leaders such as Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, John Studzinski CBE, Managing Director & Vice Chairman of PIMCO, Helen Zhu, Managing Director & CIO of NF Trinity, and Joel Kim, CEO Asia ex Japan of Dimensional Fund Advisors.

Endowus' mission is to provide individuals, family offices, charities and endowments with evidence-based advice, access and execution to globally best-in-class funds across public markets, private markets and hedge funds, at a fair, transparent fee. The full-service launch empowers Hong Kong-based investors with better choices, curated advice and control over their wealth.

Endowus' unique fee-only business model removes all commissions traditionally paid to banks and private banks and returns them to the client as cash back. This effectively reduces the cost of investment and enhances the returns by the same amount. This alignment with the client's best interests establishes a strategic focus on only ensuring client suitability and client success. This is unlike most traditional and digital players in the industry that impose high subscription or transaction fees, which may create the incentive to churn investments. Furthermore, trailer commissions from investment product providers may also create a conflict of interest whereby financial advisors may recommend high commission products to their clients.

Endowus' conflict-free business model mirrors that of developed markets such as Australia, the UK, Switzerland, parts of the European Union, and the US, where regulations have already banned such commissions. Endowus aims to proliferate the model in Hong Kong SAR and Singapore, where it has crossed US$5 billion in group assets. 

This launch includes the release of an enhanced, full-feature bilingual version of a top-rated Endowus app that empowers clients to seamlessly invest towards their life goals. The app experience has been optimised to allow all investors to access custom-built portfolios after gaining an understanding of their unique goal-based needs, and also for experienced investors who prefer to invest directly in single funds or build their own multi-funds portfolios through Endowus Fund Smart, an independent mutual funds platform.

Investors can also look forward to the Hong Kong launch of the Endowus Flagship Portfolios, currently the most popular portfolio of choice in Singapore. The Portfolios have been expertly-curated with globally diversified funds, with different options to suit one's individual risk tolerance level and investment horizon.

Gregory Van, co-founder & CEO of Endowus, said, "Our full-service launch in Hong Kong is a testament to Endowus' commitment to meeting the sophisticated needs of Hong Kong investors through continuous innovation. Through our proprietary investment technology, we are not only able to enhance the digital wealth management experience, but also democratise access to investment opportunities that were previously out of reach for many. We are deeply committed to the Hong Kong market, and are excited to empower our clients here to invest better, and on their own terms."

The New Endowus Flagship Portfolios - One-Stop Access to Truly Diversified Multi-Manager, Multi-Asset Class Target Risk Portfolios

The new Flagship Portfolios are designed to be a one-stop solution for clients seeking diversified and optimised risk-adjusted returns. Available from May 2024, these portfolios are constructed with different compositions of equity and fixed income according to an investor's risk profile, with building blocks of mutual funds from leading global fund managers , Amundi, BlackRock, Dimensional Fund Advisors, and PIMCO.

The new Flagship Portfolios are discretionary portfolios, and are managed by the Endowus Investment Office, a twelve-person regional team with strong institutional backgrounds, who focuses on the curation of best-in-class building block funds, optimised portfolio construction, and ongoing performance monitoring. The fund managers Endowus has selected are some of the largest global experts with decades of history of investment management expertise, and are known for their track records in demonstrating consistent investment returns over the long term. Apart from the Flagship portfolios, the Endowus Investment Office continues to leverage its extensive experience across public and private market investing, family offices, and wealth management, to perform all the heavy lifting needed, freeing clients from the need to monitor the markets constantly.

For the first time in Hong Kong, funds by Dimensional, a renowned US-headquartered fund manager with US$719 billion in assets under management globally as of 31 March 2024, will be a part of individual Endowus client portfolios. Dimensional funds have traditionally only been accessible to institutional investors in Hong Kong, or through a select number of financial advisors for ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Joel Kim, CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors for Asia ex Japan, emphasised, "For more than 40 years, Dimensional has sought to provide investors with evidence-based, diversified low-cost investment strategies. We believe that firms like Endowus play a crucial role in broadening access to such investment strategies and we share their belief in the potential for Hong Kong to embrace a model of wealth management that prioritises clients."

"Dimensional's investment process reflects years of innovation and refinement, and this has historically translated into better returns for investors. Our commitment to research, rigour, and the pursuit of truth has helped transform the industry toward more transparent, data-driven solutions for investors. That commitment continues to propel Dimensional and firms like Endowus forward today."

Enhanced App Experience with New In-app Private Markets & Hedge Funds Investment Opportunities

The enhanced Endowus app unveils many new capabilities for professional investors in Hong Kong, including instant access to investments in semi-liquid and liquid private equity or private credit funds and hedge funds at lower minimums in a seamless experience.

Endowus has taken another step forward in improving access to some of the most sophisticated and previously difficult-to-access asset classes and investment solutions for individual investors. This empowers self-directed professional investors to invest directly in hedge funds offerings managed by firms such as Millennium, Point72, and Balyasny. Endowus' private market shelf includes private equity and credit funds from Carlyle, EQT, KKR, and Partners Group, many of which are traditionally reserved for high-net-worth individuals with substantial assets under management, available only through relationship managers or financial advisors in priority and private banking segments.

Leveraging technology, Endowus is levelling the playing field by making investments in private markets and hedge funds directly accessible to Hong Kong's affluent. Clients who prefer a human touch to complement their digital wealth experience can reach out to Endowus' client advisory team, many of whom have decades of experience at leading global institutions such as Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Mercer, Morningstar, and UBS.

Samuel Rhee, co-founder and chairman of Endowus, said, "At Endowus, we have built a unique digital wealth platform that is both 'deep-tech' and 'deep-fin'. We solve complex problems such as access to private markets and hedge funds, or the introduction of first-in-class pension solutions by leveraging technology. This allows our clients across the whole spectrum from retail to professionals, from individual small investors to large family offices, to benefit from the advancements made by Endowus in the three pillars of investment success — advice, access and cost. Our unique hybrid client advisory marries the best of human expertise and digital-first solutions, designed to meet the unique needs and aspirations of our clients, ensuring they have the best tools and insights to achieve their financial goals."

Specifically tailored for the Hong Kong market, the rollout of Endowus' full-feature digital wealth app also introduces a suite of functionalities designed for retail investors to navigate their investment journey with ease. Highlights of the enhanced app include intuitive goal-based investing, 'Collections' of curated funds, instant investment top-ups using eDDA (Electronic Direct Debit Authorisation), a seamless transfer of fund holdings into Endowus accounts for greater fee savings, a dual-language interface in English and Traditional Chinese, and more. In the coming quarters, Endowus will also be progressively launching other highly-sought-after features including the ability to invest in multiple currency funds, automatic currency conversion, financial literacy content in-app, and personalised "next best actions" based on the unique needs of our clients, enabling them to make smarter and better investment decisions on the Endowus platform.

Industry-First 100% Alignment to Clients' Best Interests and Life Goals

As Hong Kong's first truly independent digital wealth manager, Endowus is committed to ensuring investors not only have access to world-class investment solutions, through a world-class digital wealth experience — but they also benefit from low-cost, fair, and transparent pricing that allows them to keep more of their investment returns and achieve their goals.

Steffanie Yuen, head of Hong Kong of Endowus said, "With every new product launch, Endowus will continue to champion its fee-only, non-commission-based model for wealth management services. The firm does not receive any sales commissions and provides an industry-first 100% Cashback on Trailer Commissions to its clients. This allows Endowus to remain independent and conflict-free when serving in its clients' best interest as their trusted fiduciary advisor. This means all decisions on the portfolios are solely driven by the investment merits of an underlying fund, rather than any external influences."

The firm's business approach is deeply rooted in aligning with clients' life goals, offering a variety of curated portfolios tailored to meet specific wealth and life objectives. In addition to the new Flagship Portfolios, Endowus also currently offers the CashUp and IncomeUp Portfolios focused on cash management and passive income needs respectively, thoughtfully designed to cater to varying financial needs across different life stages.

About Endowus

Endowus is Asia's leading independent digital wealth platform. With entities licensed by Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Endowus is the first digital advisor in the region to span personal savings, private wealth and public pension (CPF & SRS in Singapore), helping investors grow their money with expert advice and access to institutional financial solutions at low and fair fees, through a personalised digital wealth experience.

Founded in 2017, Endowus has raised a total of US$95 million in funding from investors including UBS Next, Citi Ventures, MUFG Innovation Partners, EDBI, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Prosus Ventures, Samsung Ventures, SBVA, Singtel Innov8, and Z Venture Capital. Other investors include some of the largest Family Offices in Asia, as well as the founders and employees of Endowus.

Endowus' leadership and growth have been recognised by the industry and it has attained numerous awards including, Singapore's Best Digital Wealth Management (Asia Asset Management's Best of the Best Awards 2024), Singapore's Best Digital Upgrade for enhancements made on the Endowus app (The Asset Triple A Digital Awards 2024), Singapore's Best Digital Wealth Management Experience (The Asset Triple A Digital Awards 2023), and Best WealthTech Solution 2023 (Asian Private Banker 9th Technology Awards). Endowus is also among the firms named in the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers 2023, LinkedIn Top Start-ups 2023 and Forbes' "100 to Watch" list for 2022.

The Endowus Group comprises Endowus' licensed companies in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as Hong Kong-based multi family office Carret Private. Endowus Group serves over a hundred thousand clients with content, advice and access. With group assets of over US$5 billion it is one of the largest independent wealth managers in Asia. From a combination of 100% trailer fees rebates as direct cashback to clients, savings from the access to institutional share class and exclusive funds, Endowus has created more than US$40 million in savings for its clients.

For more information, visit www.endowus.com/en-hk.

• Collaboration aims to develop scalable GMP-grade iPSC manufacturing processes and therapeutic candidates to facilitate research leading to translation of novel cellular immunotherapies.
• Launch of the joint labs builds on existing license, research collaboration and Memorandum of Understanding between SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR.

SINGAPORE, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SCG Cell Therapy (SCG) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) announced the launch joint laboratories for cellular immunotherapies. This collaboration, at a combined funding of close to S$30 million supported under Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE2025), aims to advance the development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to produce novel cell therapies that meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. The collaboration will also establish a talent development programme to train the next generation of experts in this field, in accordance with current GMP and regulatory requirements.

The research and application of new technologies are essential for addressing growing healthcare needs and maintaining long-term sustainability. However, turning laboratory innovations into practical clinical solutions poses significant challenges. These often involve developing manufacturing processes, validating analytical methods, and implementing automation and digitalisation to guarantee the stability and scalability of products.

The joint laboratories, established at SCG's GMP facility and A*STAR's research facility, leverage SCG's and A*STAR's proprietary technologies to develop scalable GMP-grade iPSC and therapeutic products. SCG contributes its specialised, automated cell therapy manufacturing technologies, while A*STAR brings its unique monoclonal antibody assets, iPSC banks, and expertise in process scaling and analytics.

This collaboration bridges the expertise between public sector research and development (R&D) and industry, consolidating resources from SCG Cell Therapy and A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) and Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) to advance innovative R&D towards GMP manufacturing. Additionally, it immerses researchers in the rigorously controlled GMP environment, facilitating the progression from research to clinical application.

"Cellular immunotherapies herald a new era of regenerative medicine, offering hope for patients with cancers and other serious illnesses. As a key player in T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapeutics, SCG has developed in-house cGMP manufacturing capabilities to supply high-quality cell therapy products to patients. Through this first-of-its-kind joint collaboration with A*STAR, we bring together A*STAR's advanced iPSC technology and bioprocessing capabilities with our expertise in GMP cell therapy manufacturing and clinical development, furthering our mission to provide affordable off-the-shelf cell therapy treatment options to patients", said Christy Ma, Chief Strategy Officer of SCG Cell Therapy. 

"The discovery of iPSCs has revolutionised regenerative medicine, offering the potential for standardised, off-the-shelf cell therapies. Through this collaboration with SCG Cell Therapy, we aim to accelerate the translation of iPSC research into clinically viable therapies and strengthen Singapore's position as a global leader in cell therapy innovation. By leveraging our complementary expertise and resources, the joint labs will not only advance iPSC technology for scalable, GMP-compliant cell therapy production but also serve as a platform for nurturing the next generation of talent in this transformative field," said Prof Koh Boon Tong, Executive Director, A*STAR's BTI.

About iPSC

Induced pluripotent stem cells (also known as iPS cells or iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cell that can be generated directly from adult cells. The iPSC technology was pioneered by Shinya Yamanaka's lab in Kyoto, Japan, who showed in 2006 that the introduction of four specific genes encoding transcription factors could convert adult cells into pluripotent stem cells. He was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize along with Sir John Gurdon "for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent". Pluripotent stem cells hold great promise in the field of regenerative medicine. Because they can propagate indefinitely, as well as give rise to every other cell type in the body (such as neurons, heart, pancreatic and liver cells), they represent a single source of cells that could be used to replace those lost to damage or disease.

About SCG Cell Therapy

SCG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on the development of novel immunotherapies in infections and its associated cancers. The company targets the most common cancer-causing infections: helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B, and develops a broad and unique pipeline against infections and to prevent and cure its associated cancers. Established and headquartered in Singapore, SCG combines regional advantages in Singapore, China and Germany, covering the entire value chain from innovative drug research and discovery, manufacturing, clinical development and commercialization. For more information about SCG, please visit us at www.scgcell.com.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg. 

Follow us on 

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok  

• The combined company will operate under Zevero brand
• 26 and 27-year-old founders secure multi-million-pound deal following rapid UK growth
• Zevero will expand its specialisms in high-emission food and beverage industry to new industries and geographies with a new global management team

LONDON, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zevero, a decarbonisation platform that empowers companies to reach a net zero future, announced it has been acquired by Singapore-based climate tech startup, LEVELUP. The multi-million-pound deal will see the two companies merge under the Zevero brand and expand operations across Asia, Europe and the U.S., fuelling Zevero's access to the global $15 billion* carbon accounting market.

Zevero's innovative software platform uses AI-driven carbon modelling, automated emissions calculations and real-time analytics to help companies within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry to accurately measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint across their entire supply chain. In bringing together these capabilities with LEVELUP's extensive agriculture industry expertise, the new combined offering will be a powerful tool in the global fight against climate change.

"In just three years, Zevero has proven its ability to provide full-stack carbon accounting to clients in over 13 countries," said Shigeo Taniuchi, incoming CEO of Zevero - previously of LEVELUP. "Combining Zevero's strong product foundations and UK market experience with our team's expertise across Asia will rapidly accelerate our shared mission to become the definitive carbon management solution for businesses worldwide."

Zevero was founded in 2020 by friends Ben Richardson and George Wade, then both just 23. The pair grew frustrated at how challenging it was for businesses to understand their carbon impact end-to-end. With increasing environmental-focused regulation at the time impacting more and more industries, Ben and George recognised a critical need to digitise the carbon accounting process and make it possible for businesses to see the full picture of their carbon impact throughout each stage of their supply chain. As, only through having this visibility, can businesses make any impactful changes to their operations.

A strong footing in the UK

Zevero initially made its name in the UK carbon accounting market, quickly acquiring customers in the food and beverage industry - such as Brixton Brewery and MOTH, amongst others. Rising consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products and services, increasing regulatory enforcement and consequent supply chain pressures are driving the need for accurate emissions data and credible decarbonisation strategies - both areas in which many companies currently lack the right resources, knowledge and tools.

"Climate change is the biggest threat facing society. For most companies, there are multiple challenges in their way." said Ben Richardson, Co-Founder of Zevero. "Despite pressure to act, they lack the capabilities to see the full impact of their products on the environment. Without that transparency, it's impossible to set realistic emission reduction targets and drive meaningful change."

"Traditionally, calculating corporate emissions has relied on spreadsheets and static PDFs. Zevero makes it easier and more accurate for companies to measure, reduce and report on their carbon emissions in real-time, not just once a year," said George Wade, Zevero's other Co-Founder. "Much has been said about brands greenwashing, but what we're hearing from these businesses is that they actively want to make drastic changes to clean up their supply chains - but up until now they haven't had the data to make those decisions confidently. Zevero has created a solution for that."

Through the acquisition, Ben and George will remain actively involved as Co-Founders - together with other Co-Founders, seasoned executive, Shigeo Taniuchi and serial entrepreneur, Yuya Kuratomi - and will be responsible for driving Zevero's product roadmap and growth initiatives. Zevero's diverse leadership team will integrate LEVELUP's extensive presence and network in Asia to accelerate the expansion and impact of Zevero.

Notes to Editors

*https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/carbon-accounting-software-market-107292

Media pack can be found here

Media Contacts

Mizuho Taniguchi: mizuho.taniguchi@zevero.earth 

About Zevero

Zevero is a leading carbon accounting and decarbonisation platform empowering companies towards a net zero future. Its full-stack software solution leverages AI, automated emissions calculations, supply chain data integrations and real-time analytics to accurately measure and reduce carbon footprints for companies across multiple industries. With an impressive track record of operating in 13 countries and 50 million kgCO2e under management, Zevero is headquartered in London with operations across the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. To learn more, visit https://www.zevero.earth/

About Co-Founders

• Benjamin Richardson is a Co-Founder of Zevero, a leading carbon accounting and decarbonisation platform that empowers companies to achieve a net zero future. Zevero's platform leverages AI to make it more efficient to measure and reduce its supply chain carbon emissions. Before Zevero, Ben started a carbon consultancy helping SMEs in the UK with carbon reporting and reduction.
• George Wade is a Co-Founder of Zevero, a leading carbon accounting and decarbonisation platform that empowers companies to achieve a net zero future. Zevero's platform leverages AI to make it more efficient to measure and reduce its supply chain carbon emissions. George started Zevero after working in a waste technology startup whilst studying at the University of Exeter. George also founded the positive climate newsletter, The Grumpy Optimist, in 2020, sharing positive climate news with over 4,000 people each week.
• Shigeo Taniuchi is a Co-Founder and CEO of LEVELUP Climate Tech and is the CEO of Zevero after the integration. Shigeo is the former CEO of a global life science company and a proven global business executive with more than 25 years of experience in various senior roles, including Head of Europe and China. Having studied at Judge Business School and CISL of the University of Cambridge, Shigeo is leveraging his business and academic expertise to lead the global expansion of Zevero and to continue its contribution to society.
• Yuya Kuratomi is a Co-Founder of Zevero. Yuya is an award-winning serial entrepreneur with a successful track record of launching a digital startup offering enterprise cyber security platform, which he divested at $173M to GMO Internet Group, one of the leading internet service providers in Japan. Since his relocation to Singapore in 2022, he has launched several startups, including LEVELUP Climate Tech.

BEIJING, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

The Digital Silk Road Development Forum of the World Internet Conference aims to build a platform for exchanges and cooperation among countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, promote the construction of network infrastructure, reduce the digital divide and create a better digital future, according to a senior WIC official.

"It is the first time that the WIC is holding a thematic forum centered on the Digital Silk Road, which combines the development of the digital economy with the Belt and Road Initiative," said Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the World Internet Conference.

By advancing the construction of the Digital Silk Road, Ren said China has deepened exchanges and cooperation with BRI economies in fields including digital infrastructure, digital technologies and digital market, promoted the digital transformation of related countries and regions, effectively narrowed the digital divide, and shared digital achievements.

Themed "Connectivity and Shared Prosperity", the WIC Digital Silk Road Development Forum on Tuesday in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, will focus on three topics — "Digital Connectivity and Cooperation in Building the Silk Road", "Silk Road E-commerce International Cooperation" and "Digital Villages and Sustainable Development".

Organizations and enterprises from nearly 50 countries and regions, including the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Intel, SAP, Nokia, Micron, ZTE and Alibaba have confirmed their participation in the forum.

The WIC held a member representative symposium on Monday. Cross-border e-commerce training classes and seminars on assessing the competitiveness of cross-border e-commerce will be launched to cultivate the relevant talent for BRI economies and provide practical experience for the innovative development of the cross-bolster e-commerce industry, Ren said.

China has made significant progress in the construction of the Digital Silk Road.

By end-2022, China had signed memorandums of understanding on building the Digital Silk Road with 17 countries, and on e-commerce cooperation with 30 countries, according to a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office.

Noting that the Silk Road e-commerce connects BRI economies and promotes economic development, Ren said the Digital Silk Road cross-border e-commerce workshop, which will officially kick off on Wednesday, is conducive to deepening exchanges and cooperation among China and other BRI economies, and building an exchange and mutual learning platform about the cross-border e-commerce industry.

Professionals and experts from the International Trade Center, the E-Commerce Business Alliance Expert Committee of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, comprehensive pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, universities and cross-border e-commerce enterprises will be invited to discuss the new opportunities, challenges and the best practical experience in the fast-developing sector during the workshop, Ren said.

He added that the forum is also expected to bolster the facilitation of cross-border e-commerce, promote data flows and sharing, as well as allow more countries and regions to share new development opportunities brought about by digital technologies.

China's cross-border e-commerce sector has become an important driving force for bolstering development of the nation's foreign trade, experts said.

Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that, based on preliminary calculations, the import and export scale of the country's cross-border e-commerce transactions reached 577.6 billion yuan ($79.8 billion) in the first quarter of this year, up 9.6 percent year-on-year.

TORONTO, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) today held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

At the meeting, all director nominees listed in the bank's management proxy circular dated February 7, 2024 were elected. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors are set out below.

Each of the following 13 nominees was elected as a director of Bank of Montreal:

Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held earlier today will be published shortly on www.bmo.com, and filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.  

About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.3 trillion as of January 31, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.

Internet: www.bmo.com                                Twitter: @BMOMedia

For News Media Inquiries: John Fenton, Toronto, john.fenton@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996; For Investor Relations Inquiries: Christine Viau, Head, Investor Relations, Toronto, christine.viau@bmo.com, (416) 867-6956, Bill Anderson, Director, Investor Relations, Toronto, Bill2.Anderson@bmo.com, (416) 867-7834

DUBAI, UAE, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a discussion among industry leaders at the Blockchain Life conference in Dubai, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou highlighted the readiness and sophistication of today's cryptocurrency exchanges (CEXs). Zhou co-founded Bybit in 2018 and today is one of the world's top three exchanges by volume.

During the conversation, Zhou elaborated on several aspects that underscore this era of crypto maturity. "From Bybit's perspective, this bull market so far has been driven by institutions … Since partnering with third-party custodians like Copper and Fireblocks, institutional capital flows increased 186% last year." Zhou pointed out that better infrastructure, and the approval of the Bitcoin spot ETFs, played a crucial role in supporting institutional entry into the crypto market.

Zhou oversaw meticulous upgrades to Bybit since the last crypto bull run in 2021, which has enabled institutional investors to deploy deeper pools of capital. "Bybit has a very fluid trading system where you can use any token to trade anything," Zhou said, speaking live on the main stage. "So Bybit's institutional clients have a lot of tools; they can do spread trades, arbitrage funding rates, and all kinds of sophisticated trading. Based on this, we can support new capital flows we haven't seen before in crypto."

The Bybit CEO also noted the evolution in service reliability amidst market volatility. "Our risk management and system resilience has been continuously improved," Zhou said. "Even during volatile markets, Bybit remains very steady," This stability is a testament to the sophisticated infrastructure, which supports both institutional and the exchange's 25 million retail investors.

Zhou noted that Bybit's retail clients can now access products that demystify sophisticated strategies. "We have a unique product called perpetual protect. It utilizes options contracts to safeguard perpetual positions from losses. Our advanced UTA (Unified Trading Account) design further empowers traders by giving them an edge in the market," he explained. This product simplifies derivatives and options, making complex financial instruments accessible and understandable to a broader audience.

As the crypto market matures, Bybit remains at the forefront, championing innovations that align with both market trends and regulatory standards. This readiness not only marks a significant milestone for Bybit but also highlights the overall advancement of the crypto exchange industry.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is one of the world's top three crypto exchanges by trading volume with 25 million users. Established in 2018, it offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press.

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

The project will explore how immutable and auditable record-of-data technology can be used to ensure trustworthiness in generative AI/ML applications

TORONTO, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seal Storage Technology, a leading provider of blockchain-based data storage, and Filecoin DeStor, a decentralized storage network, announced their collaboration with Cyber SMART on a pioneering AI research project to explore ways to improve AI data integrity. The project, Trustworthy Generative AI for Secure System Operation, is led by Cyber SMART, an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) funded by the National Science Foundation and industry members. 

Information and communications technology systems in governments and enterprises are becoming increasingly complex, linked to various systems such as cloud and IoT. LLMs like ChatGPT, a form of generative AI, are rapidly emerging as useful tools for efficiently building complex systems. However, relying on generative AI to build systems, such as requirement definition and design, may result in systems that cause unexpected damage and security risks. This research project establishes techniques to ensure secure operations in system construction using generative AI including the application of Seal's blockchain-based data storage to demonstrate how an immutable, auditable record of the data used in the design and development of secure systems further ensures trustworthiness when using generative AI and LLMs.

"Seal is proud to be part of this multi-disciplinary cyber research center accredited by the National Science Foundation working alongside researchers from Georgetown University, Virginia Tech, University of Notre Dame, and NEC," said Scott Doughman, CBO of Seal Storage Technology. "Data integrity is an essential design element of AI/ML systems, and that is powerfully enhanced through the use of a blockchain-based storage architecture."

Cyber SMART is renowned for its commitment to fostering innovative research and development at the intersection of cybersecurity, machine learning, and AI. "The center connects multidisciplinary academicians with industrial partners to address society's critical challenges in the domains of healthcare, communications, and finance, encouraging the translation of research into practical solutions," said Ophir Frieder, Cyber SMART Center Director.

"Cyber SMART's research will explore the potential of blockchain-based decentralized cloud storage to enhance the integrity and security of data in AI/ML systems. This exploration is pivotal for advancing technologies that ensure trustworthy and reliable data use in critical AI/ML applications," said Shin'ichiro Matsuo, Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University.

"Ensuring first-class data quality is a strategic imperative for any organization implementing generative AI," said Jennifer King, Co-founder and CEO, FilStor Inc. "We're excited about this research collaboration and the opportunity to explore how decentralized storage enhances data security and provenance."

Seal's involvement in this project is a testament to its commitment to advancing technological innovations and contributing to the field of AI data integrity. By collaborating with esteemed academic institutions and industry leaders, Seal aims to support secure, reliable, and ethical AI technologies.

About Seal Storage Technology
Seal Storage Technology is a blockchain-powered decentralized cloud storage platform that provides enterprise-grade, immutable, and compliant data storage. Seal serves enterprises, universities, and research institutes, using the highest data security and protection standards. Seal is SOC2 and HIPAA compliant. Data centers are enterprise-grade and powered by renewable energy. sealstorage.io |  X  | LinkedIn

About Cyber SMART
Cyber SMART is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry-University Collaborative Research Center (IUCRC). Initially established at Georgetown University in 2019 in response to industry demand for a new approach to cyber research and training; the Center's name, standing for Science, Management, Applications, Regulation, and Training, reflects a new holistic approach.

Cyber SMART has since expanded to include the University of Notre Dame.

About Filecoin DeStor
Filecoin DeStor, the world's largest decentralized storage network, enables users to store, request, and transfer data via a verifiable marketplace. DeStor's advanced technology provides a robust foundation to store the world's most valuable datasets. An alternative to costly cloud storage, DeStor offers efficiently priced and geographically decentralized storage, minimizing financial barriers and allowing users to take advantage of its unmatched network capabilities. DeStor is completely open source, enabling people from all over the world to participate. destor.com | LinkedIn | X

For media inquiries, please contact: Kelly Clark, Director of Communications,  Seal Storage Technology - kelly.clark@sealstorage.io