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Wormhole Foundation Collaborates with Succinct to Build Ethereum ZK Light Client and Accelerate ZK Development

Wormhole Foundation

Wormhole Foundation is collaborating with the team at Succinct to build an Ethereum ZK Light Client as part of an ongoing effort to further decentralize message verification within the Wormhole platform. Wormhole ZK is being leveraged by developers to minimize trust in the Wormhole platform, improve cross-chain composability, and increase network security. You can read more about the vision of Wormhole ZK in the recently announced ZK roadmap. Meet Succinct Succinct is building core ZK infrastructure, including a decentralized proving network and an open-source zkVM called SP1, so that any developer can build blockchain applications and infrastructure secured by cryptographic truth, not trust. Succinct’s network is a base layer that simplifies the complexities associated with using ZKPs by unifying the entire developer experience into one unified protocol for the entire ZK stack. This protocol streamlines the ZKP development process, providing a standardized interface to seamlessly integrate the latest proof systems and custom hardware for production use in ZKP-based applications. This approach not only accelerates development but also ensures cost-effective and reliable proof generation. Succinct also just this week released the Succinct Processor 1 (SP1), a 100% open-source zkVM that verifies the execution of arbitrary Rust (or any LLVM-compiled language) programs. SP1 targets an order of magnitude performance improvement vs. existing zkVMs—its alpha release is up to 28x faster for certain programs and competitive with circuit-based approaches. You can learn more here. How are Wormhole contributors and Succinct working together? Currently, the Wormhole platform relies on the Wormhole Guardians to verify all multichain messages being sent through the network. The recent advances in zero-knowledge proofs make it feasible to upgrade the security of the protocol by augmenting the Guardian network with cryptographic truth in the form of a ZK light client. The Wormhole contributors are building an Ethereum ZK light client to secure all messages from Ethereum to other EVM chains as part of a recent push on integration of zero-knowledge proofs into the Wormhole platform. The Succinct team is contributing to the Wormhole ecosystem to improve the performance of the Ethereum ZK Light Client and deploy it to production with the Succinct Platform. The Succinct team’s primitives in this GitHub repo provide SOTA STARKs for proving hash functions like SHA256 and signature schemes. SHA256 is a large bottleneck in an Ethereum ZK Light Client, so integrating these accelerators is critical to getting performance to be practical. The Succinct team’s STARK -> SNARK wrapper ( GitHub ) compresses the STARK proofs generated by plonky2 and makes them compatible with Ethereum and other EVM chains, making verification costs significantly cheaper. The Succinct Platform provides easy-to-use hosted proof generation for the Wormhole ZK Light Client proofs, making it easy for Wormhole contributors to deploy the ZK circuits to production seamlessly. By building with Succinct’s tooling, engineers working on Wormhole replaced months of wrangling custom infrastructure for ZKP generation with a seamless production deployment using Succinct’s platform and unified interfaces. With Succinct, the Wormhole ecosystem was able to accelerate its ZK timeline and utilize the latest innovations in ZKPs with ease. In summary, the Wormhole Foundation, in collaboration with Succinct, is developing an Ethereum ZK Light Client to enhance the trust minimization and security of the Wormhole platform. This collaboration leverages Succinct's expertise in decentralized proving networks and its protocol to optimize zero-knowledge proofs. This initiative aims to reduce trust, improve cross-chain composability, and enhance network security using ZKPs to significantly accelerate the Wormhole ZK development roadmap. About Wormhole Foundation The Wormhole Foundation is the steward of Wormhole - the world’s first generalized messaging protocol. Their mission is to empower passionate people in the research and development of blockchain interoperability technologies.Through grants, research, and ecosystem programs, they seek to enable teams to build secure, open-source, and decentralized products within the Wormhole ecosystem. Contact Details Ditto PR Wahaj Khan +1 630-935-7684 wahaj@dittopr.co

February 15, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Proactive Group Holdings Joins Forces with Sevva AI in UK Government-Backed AI Sustainability Initiative

Proactive Group Holdings

Proactive Group Holdings Inc. (“Proactive”), the AI-powered digital stakeholder engagement firm, is pleased to announce its participation in an artificial intelligence pilot consortium backed by the UK government. This initiative, led by Sevva AI, a leading provider of generative AI automation for enterprise, is focused on the acceleration of trustworthy AI tools aimed at meeting critical sustainability goals and improving green revenue targets. Launched earlier this month and expected to extend into 2025, the collaboration will see the introduction of AI tools as early as April. The innovative technology promises to provide corporations and investors with sophisticated AI tools to manage the complex landscape of ESG investing mandates. The selection of Proactive as a project member follows Sevva AI's receipt of a £500,000 grant from Innovate UK, the UK Government Innovation agency that backs projects that enhance economic growth and productivity. The grant will partially fund the development of Generative AI tools aimed at sustainability assessment, with Sevva AI providing the other half of the required project funding. Emanuela Vartolomei, Sevva founder and Chief Executive, said: “Proactive was chosen for this project for being an early adopter of AI, demonstrating a keen interest in leveraging technology to enhance its sustainability footprint. If you have ambition to go beyond your peer group, you need a boost from AI.” Ian Mclelland, Chief Executive of Proactive, added: “We are delighted to be part of this ground-breaking project. It aligns perfectly with our internal efforts and the launch of our NewsifAI™ platform, our suite of writing and editing tools which has streamlined our news production process. We look forward to working alongside the Sevva team.” On February 5, Proactive unveiled the integration of artificial intelligence within its operations, marking a significant increase in content production capabilities for its financial news platform, Proactive Investors. This strategic advancement is centered around the development and deployment of bespoke generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) within its proprietary NewsifAI™ editorial platform. About Proactive At Proactive, our mission is to provide best-in-class AI-powered digital solutions to companies across the globe seeking to improve engagement with their stakeholders. Our products deliver media support, corporate websites, engagement analytics, and shareholder tools for publicly listed issuers. Our purpose is to help companies improve their communication and engagement with their shareholders, stakeholders, and the broader investment community. Proactive provides solutions to almost 2,000 companies in Australia, Canada, UK, and the USA. For more information, click here. About Sevva AI www.sevva.ai is a leading provider of NLP and generative AI automation for tier-1 financial institutions and corporations. Sevva provides enterprise-grade automation of key workflows including research, investment and lending processes, sustainability and corporate reporting, regulatory alignment and investor relations. Sevva AI brings to organizations the unique opportunity to explore, test, and integrate AI Agents, Co-Pilots, and Chatbots into their workflows with ease. Contact Details Craig Ribton, Corporate Development Director +44 20 7989 0813 investors@proactiveinvestors.com Company Website https://www.proactive.inc

February 15, 2024 10:12 AM Eastern Standard Time

N6 Powered by KRMA Announces Acquisition of West of Fairfax

N6 Powered by KRMA

N6 Powered by KRMA (N6KRMA), an AI-powered digital marketing and communications agency, today announced its acquisition of boutique digital marketing agency West of Fairfax. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, West of Fairfax specializes in bespoke approaches to digital marketing reinforced by over a decade of experience partnering with global clients, including Selena Gomez, Bliss, Cincoro, COOLA, Dee Ocleppo, and more. The company provides a boutique, tailored experience for its clientele that achieves goals by establishing strong brand identities through collaborative partnership. Through the acquisition, West of Fairfax will continue to offer its thoughtful strategy and innovative storytelling approach while elevating the company to new heights. Founded six years ago by Courtney Lopez, Ryan Good, and Ray Lee, West of Fairfax began with its deep roots in social media. Today, the company is led by founder, Chief Executive Officer Courtney Lopez, and her all-female-powered team. West of Fairfax offers content creation, platform management, platform strategy, influencer programming, paid advertising, customized analytics & reporting, and more. With the added strategic support and merged resources of the N6KRMA team, Lopez aims to provide expert and expanded client services while creating unprecedented growth opportunities for the world-class West of Fairfax team. "We are thrilled to take this next step with N6 Powered by KRMA," says Courtney Lopez, Founder of West of Fairfax. "I always knew that we’d need a strategic partner to take the next step as an agency, and after many conversations and much consideration, the perfect fit came to us through N6KRMA; a partner that shares the same vision and standard of excellence for both clients and team members. This collaboration opens doors to many new and exciting possibilities with our expanded resources and a much wider offering of services. It also allows for a new level of care and possibility for the incredible women on our team, of whom I am very proud. The future feels very bright.” The acquisition reflects N6 Powered by KRMA’s commitment to creating a fully integrated offering for clients that combines public relations expertise, technology, cutting-edge digital marketing, and creative strategies. Launched in August 2023, N6KRMA was formed by merging leading AI-enabled marketing technology company KRMA with world-class public relations and marketing firms N6A and Studios. N6 Powered by KRMA brings together the best minds, clients, and capabilities to redefine marketing and public relations as many move into an increasingly data-centric marketplace. Morgan Harris, CEO of North Sixth Group, the parent company of N6 Powered by KRMA, shares Lopez’s excitement for the future: "I am truly excited by our partnership with West of Fairfax. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for N6KRMA, and together, we are poised to shape the future of our industry and deliver unparalleled services to our clients." To learn more about N6 Powered by KRMA and West of Fairfax, please visit N6KRMA.com and Westof.co. About West of Fairfax West of Fairfax promotes a personal, individualized experience that achieves your goals while establishing a strong brand identity and positive brand association. Thoughtful strategy and innovative storytelling are reinforced by more than a decade of experience partnering with global clients. About N6 Powered by KRMA At N6 Powered by KRMA, the ultimate marketing powerhouse comes to life through the seamless integration of public relations, AI, and an exceptional creative team. With unmatched expertise and proprietary AI technology, N6 Powered by KRMA empowers leading global brands to achieve remarkable marketing outcomes. By harmonizing the analytical brilliance of AI with the artistry of public relations and creative campaigns, N6 Powered by KRMA offers solutions that ensure clients thrive in the ever-evolving data-oriented marketing landscape. N6 Powered by KRMA was formed by merging leading AI-enabled marketing technology company KRMA with world-class public relations and marketing firms N6A and Studios. N6 Powered by KRMA is wholly owned and operated by North Sixth Group, a family office operating company with interests in media, marketing, technology, and sports and entertainment businesses. Contact Details N6 Powered by KRMA Jacky Agudelo jacky.agudelo@n6krma.com

February 15, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Nextdoor Helps Share Kindness in Your Neighborhood

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Ks0CSHf9e3Y Everyone loves a random act of kindness – from a stranger paying for your coffee or giving you a seat on the bus– these little spontaneous actions make a big impact. Small and spontaneous gestures matter even more than we may think. Too many times we forget the impact that simple gestures can make –this is exactly why National Random Acts of Kindness Day is being celebrated – to encourage everyone to spread kindness. Nextdoor wants you to know that it’s not just about spreading kindness, this winter season you should not be shy about making an ‘ask for’ kindness too; often, if you ask a neighbor for help shoveling snow, or cleaning storm drain - they’ll step in and help. Simply giving recognition to someone is another great way to brighten their day. Nextdoor has a new product feature called #ThankANeighbor, that provides a thoughtful prompt to celebrate the displays of kindness you see in your neighborhood. You can read more about it here: https://blog.nextdoor.com/2023/11/03/nextdoor-thank-a-neighbor/ On February 6th, Caty Kobe, Nextdoor US Market Lead, conducted a nationwide media tour to discuss National Random Acts of Kindness Day and these topics: · Provide neighbors with tips about how to celebrate kindness in their neighborhoods, · Advise viewers that 'asks for' kindness are often welcomed by neighbors, particularly during winter weather events. · Highlight new features on Nextdoor that help neighbors recognize and honor one another. To connect with your neighbors on Nextdoor.com, download the app on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or visit nextdoor.com Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 14, 2024 12:09 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Seeing Machines highlights strong cash position; says it's on track to achieve revenue targets

Seeing Machines Ltd

Seeing Machines Ltd CEO Paul McGlone joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with a comprehensive update on the company’s performance for the first half of 2024. McGlone highlighted a strong financial position with over US$22 million in cash, alongside receivables and inventory totaling an additional US$31 million, positioning the company well for future profitability and breakeven. He emphasised the absence of a need for additional funding, thanks to a projected increase in high-margin software royalties from the automotive sector, which are expected to significantly boost cash flow. McGlone also shared optimism about achieving consensus revenue targets, noting a historical trend of stronger performance in the second half of the financial year. Despite a dip in automotive volumes in the recent quarter, McGlone pointed to the early stages of royalty growth and external economic factors as reasons for variability, maintaining confidence in long-term growth targets. Looking ahead, McGlone anticipates an uptick in cars featuring Seeing Machines’ technology, driven by increasing market demand for semi-autonomous driving features and regulatory requirements. The company’s focus on high-margin royalty revenues within the automotive business is expected to underpin growth and profitability, with significant revenue projections for financial year 2026 based on already secured business. Additionally, Seeing Machines is making strides in the aftermarket sector, with a promising product launch at the Geotab Connect event in Las Vegas. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

February 14, 2024 02:39 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Light Science Technologies sees more opportunities as it expands into new markets

Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC

Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC CEO Simon Deacon joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion to discuss a £130,000 order secured by its UK Circuits and Electronics Solutions Limited (UKC) business in the sports and entertainment sector. This initial order has the potential to grow into an annual £1 million contract, reflecting the company's strategy to broaden its customer base and secure larger contracts. Light Science Technologies is also focusing on improving gross margins and streamlining processes through capital investment. In the pest control sector, UKC has achieved orders worth £1.4 million this financial year, contributing to a forward order book exceeding £4 million. This success underscores the company's positive outlook and its intention to continue expanding in both new and existing markets. Additionally, the company is eyeing significant growth in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) sector, engaging in a European roadshow to meet potential clients. Light Science Technologies aims to establish a global network of distributors to sell its products, including sensors, control systems, and software lighting, essential for enclosed environment agriculture. This focus on food security and vertical farming highlights the company's commitment to innovation and growth across diverse sectors. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

February 14, 2024 02:33 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

DealMaker Appoints Jonathan Stidd as New Chief Marketing Officer

Dealmaker

DealMaker, a trailblazer in online capital raising solutions, is thrilled to announce the promotion of Jonathan Stidd to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Jonathan, a leader in digital marketing, steps into his new role to steer DealMaker through its next phase of growth and innovation. " Jonathan's track record of raising over $600 million for issuers digitally has defined this industry. " said Rebecca Kacaba, CEO & Co-Founder of DealMaker. " He leads with vision and drive. His expertise, innovation and strong character are exactly what DealMaker needs to lead the charge into a new era of online capital raising. " As CMO, Jonathan aims to position DealMaker as the definitive brand for capital raising in the digital age. His strategies are poised to leverage DealMaker's sophisticated suite of primary issuance and shareholder management solutions, which have already processed over $2B in transactions and over 1M investments. His vision to empower brands and founders with streamlined capital-raising solutions is a driving force for cutting-edge industry techniques. Jonathan is no stranger to the DealMaker family, having led Reach, the in-house digital marketing agency acquired by DealMaker in 2022. His journey to this point is marked by a series of entrepreneurial successes and a deep-seated passion for digital marketing and growth strategy. Jonathan co-founded Ridge Growth Agency in 2017, quickly establishing it as a powerhouse in digital marketing for equity crowdfunding. Under his leadership, Ridge Growth Agency propelled its clients to achieve hundreds of millions of dollars in financing, culminating in its acquisition by DealMaker. " Joining DealMaker has been a highlight in my career. I'm excited to leverage my experience to further innovate our marketing strategies and help more founders realize their dreams, " said Jonathan Stidd. " DealMaker is at the forefront of online capital raising, and I am thrilled to be part of a team that is not only setting but exceeding industry standards. " Under Jonathan's leadership, DealMaker is set to enhance its market presence and continue its trajectory of success, making capital raising accessible and efficient for issuers and organizations worldwide. For more information about DealMaker and its services, visit dealmaker.tech. About DealMaker DealMaker is making online capital raising mainstream with a sophisticated suite of primary issuance and shareholder management solutions, including investor ranking algorithms and data analytics tools. Its mission is to put brands and founders in control, running streamlined, successful capital raises in one centralized platform for investors globally. The company has offices in Toronto, Canada; Austin, Texas; and Tampa, Florida. Visit DealMaker.tech for more information. Contact Details Natasha Jose natasha.jose@dealmaker.tech Company Website https://www.dealmaker.tech/

February 13, 2024 02:35 PM Eastern Standard Time

Apple Shareholder: Company’s Actions on Human Rights Don’t Match Its Words

NLPC

Ahead of Apple Inc. ’s annual meeting on February 28, National Legal and Policy Center is highlighting a report it has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that explains how the iPhone maker’s claims about its respect for human rights fall far short of its real-world engagements and operations. NLPC, a shareholder in Apple, is sponsoring a proposal (No. 8 on Page 97 of the company’s proxy statement ) that asks the company to explain why its actions fail repeatedly to match its statements and policies regarding human rights, especially considering its ongoing pandering to the government of China. The SEC filing builds on the case made in the proposal, with extensive evidence of Apple’s concern for cheap labor and enormous profits, at the expense of the people who buy and make its products under the brutal communist regime. “Over the past ten years, various shareholders have brought at least six different proposals at Apple annual meetings because of its weaknesses when it comes to protecting human rights,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “Why does the Board of Directors have to keep addressing this issue? Because they only pay lip service to it, while their Chinese government business partners constantly violate standards of respect and decency. The U.S. State Department actually calls it genocide.” NLPC’s proposal and SEC filing note the following examples where Apple fails to follow its own proclamations regarding human rights, rendering them empty: Apple removed the New York Times ’s apps from the App Store in China in 2017, and removed apps including HKmap.live and Quartz from its offerings, during the protests in Hong Kong in 2019; The company severely restricted use of its AirDrop wireless filesharing feature on users’ iPhones during protests against Chairman Xi Jinping’s “zero COVID” policies in late 2022; The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice said in January 2024 that it had cracked Apple’s encryption and was able to track senders. According to The Epoch Times, “That allows local police to find ‘several suspects’ who use the iPhone feature to transmit files containing what authorities have referred to as ‘inappropriate remarks,’ according to the agency;” According to Reuters, “Apple has started requiring new apps to show proof of a Chinese government license before their release on its China App Store, joining local rivals that had adopted the policy years earlier to meet tightening state regulations.” Perhaps most telling, the tech giant lobbied against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act when it was up for consideration in Congress. “Apple wants to avoid this embarrassing issue so badly, that the Board asked the SEC to prevent our proposal from being heard by our fellow shareholders, by claiming that they were already addressing the issue,” Chesser added. “Fortunately – even under a presidential administration cozy with both Big Tech and China – the SEC staff followed the facts instead of political bias, and decided to allow our proposal at the annual meeting. “We look forward to explaining to our fellow shareholders why Apple’s carelessness over human rights presents fiduciary and reputational risks to the company.” ### 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

February 13, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

PathAI Announces Exclusive Collaboration with Roche Tissue Diagnostics to Advance AI-enabled Interpretation for Companion Diagnostics

PathAI

PathAI, Inc., a leading AI-powered precision pathology company, today announced an expanded and exclusive relationship with Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) that will bring AI-enabled interpretation to companion diagnostics. Building upon the success of their initial partnership announced in October of 2021, this expanded collaboration will provide an integrated and streamlined solution for biopharma sponsors looking to develop AI-enabled companion diagnostics. Under this agreement, PathAI will exclusively work with Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) to develop AI-enabled digital pathology algorithms in the companion diagnostics space. RTD will work exclusively with PathAI for a pre-specified term as the sole external algorithm development company for AI-powered companion diagnostics, while retaining the ability to continue to develop its own algorithms for companion diagnostics. PathAI will retain the ability to freely develop algorithms outside of companion diagnostics. RTD and PathAI will create an integrated CDx assay, plus algorithm development process, to provide biopharma sponsors a seamless solution for AI-enabled companion diagnostics. With the increasing investment in immuno-oncology (IO) and now antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), the need for diagnostic tools that are optimized for patient selection will be critical for development, regulatory, and commercial success. "This collaboration with Roche is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing the field of digital pathology and AI-enabled diagnostics for both drug development and clinical care,” said Dr. Andy Beck, CEO and Co-Founder of PathAI. “High medical value diagnostic products with seamless integration into the laboratory workflow will accelerate the transition to digital pathology as the standard to aid clinicians in diagnosis and biomarker characterization." These co-developed, AI-enabled assays will be commercialized globally through Roche’s navify® Digital Pathology platform. PathAI will continue to distribute its AISight ® Image Management System (IMS), and its broad portfolio of algorithmic products. “As the market leader in companion diagnostics, we strive to continuously bring new innovations in personalized healthcare,” said Jill German, Head of Roche Tissue Diagnostics. “This collaboration with PathAI will allow us to accelerate our ability to meet the demand from biopharma companies looking to develop AI-enabled companion diagnostics, and provide them with a powerful end-to-end solution in the pursuit of precision therapeutics.” To learn more about this partnership, contact PathAI ( BD@PathAI.com ) to organize a meeting. About PathAI, Inc.: PathAI is a recognized leader in the biopharma partnering space, uniquely combining AI-powered pathology solutions with end-to-end central pathology and histology services. The company supports biopharma partners in executing clinical trials where pathology-based endpoints, biomarker classification, and/or superior histology quality are critical to successfully gauging therapeutic efficacy, accelerating drug development for complex diseases. PathAI has already supported multiple Phase 2 clinical trials in NASH, IBD, and breast cancer, as well as oncology neoadjuvant trials, and is now expanding into larger scale global Phase 3 studies, as well as additional indications. PathAI provides a fully integrated approach to clinical trials, enabling pharma partners to leverage the power of AI without the heavy lift of implementation. This helps reduce the impact of challenges associated with clinical trials, including unreliable turnaround times, variable histology, stain or scan/digitization quality, and challenging assessment of histological endpoints. The lab offers all major immunohistochemistry staining platforms, with flexible workflows across different scanners, stains, and biopsy types, which improves the quality of clinical trials. Services include access to PathAI’s extensive network of over 500 US Board Certified pathologists to perform high quality reading with rapid turnaround time in a cost-effective manner, plus seamless integration of PathAI's advanced AI-solutions to ensure high-quality, reproducible results with every scan. PathAI is headquartered in Boston, MA, and manages a CAP/CLIA-certified diagnostics clinical laboratory (formerly known as Poplar Healthcare) – one of the country’s largest anatomic pathology labs – in Memphis, TN. For more information, please visit www.pathai.com. Contact Details SVM Public Relations and Marketing Communications Maggie Naples +1 401-490-9700 pathai@svmpr.com Company Website https://www.pathai.com/

February 13, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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