NCN_AsiaNet

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

01/04/2026

18/03/2026

Paulaner targets number one in China as F1 returns with a sharper, more commercial edge

AsiaNet 0201447

MELBOURNE & SHANGHAI, 18 March 2026/Medianet - AsiaNet / --

390-year-old German brewery reports 23.8% China growth and sets its sights on leading the market – backed by a new generation of Chinese consumers and a Formula 1 platform built for exactly this moment

SHANGHAI – Formula 1’s return to China is being framed as a comeback story. It is something far more interesting than that. The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix revealed a market re-engaging with a sharper, more commercial edge – and for German premium beer brand Paulaner, Official Supplier of the Audi Revolut F1 Team, the moment aligns precisely with its own ambitions. Paulaner recorded 23.8% growth in China in 2025 – its fastest-growing export market globally - as total group beverage sales rose 13.8% to 7.9 million hectolitres. Currently ranked third among international premium beer brands in China, the brand is targeting number one within two to three years.

“China is our fastest-growing market and one of the most exciting beer markets in the world. Audi’s goal is to become Formula 1 world champion. Ours is to reach the top in China. That is what we have in common.”
– Jörg Biebernick, CEO, Paulaner Brewery Group

What has changed is the audience. Chinese consumers engaging with Formula 1 are younger, digitally native and attuned to global sport as a lifestyle. Formula 1 is functioning exactly as designed: a global platform connecting brands with emerging audiences at scale. Paulaner’s presence - on Audi F1 team helmets and in paddock hospitality as the team’s exclusive drinks supplier - places it at the centre of a calendar spanning more than 20 markets, with Paulaner 0.0%, its non-alcoholic wheat beer, central to the partnership.

“China holds a special place in Paulaner’s global story. The growth we have seen here is not just a number – it reflects a genuine connection between Chinese consumers and what Paulaner represents: quality, heritage and the Bavarian way of life. Being in Shanghai, at the Formula 1, is exactly where Paulaner belongs.”
– Florian Schörghuber, CEO, Schörghuber Group, majority shareholder of Paulaner Brewery Group

Paulaner’s 23.8% growth is all the more significant given that China’s consumer market is only now fully re-emerging after years of COVID-related disruption, a testament to more than a decade of brand-building in the market and a signal of the scale of what lies ahead. Both CEOs travelled to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix - the race’s second year back after a five-year absence and met leading Chinese business and financial media as a signal of how central this market has become to Paulaner’s global strategy.
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About Paulaner Brewery Group

Founded in Munich in 1634, Paulaner has brewed to the German Purity Law for nearly four centuries. The Paulaner brand family exports to more than 80 countries and recorded total group sales of 7.9 million hectolitres in 2025. Paulaner is a founding member of the Oktoberfest tradition and Official Supplier of the Audi Revolut F1 Team in 2026.

About Schörghuber Group

Paulaner Brewery Group is part of the Schörghuber Group, one of Bavaria’s most established family-owned conglomerates, with interests spanning beverages, hospitality, and real estate. The Schörghuber family has held a majority shareholding in Paulaner since the 1990s.

Source: Four and Co Group on behalf of Paulaner

18/03/2026

Healthcare technology research company, KLAS Research, reports 100% of surveyed customers would buy Vectramind Health’s Firstpass platform again

AsiaNet 0201445

Dubai, UAE, Mar.18, 2026 /AgilityPr - AsiaNet / --

Vectramind Health today announced that its’ AI-native patient experience and engagement platform, Firstpass, has received strong validation in a newly released KLAS First Look report highlighting high levels of customer satisfaction and measurable improvements in patient engagement and operational efficiency.

The findings, published in the KLAS Research report ‘ Vectramind Firstpass Unified Patient Experience & Engagement Platform 2026’ , show that 100% of surveyed customers said they would buy Firstpass again and consider the platform part of their long-term plans. Healthcare organizations also reported increased patient engagement, improved patient flow, reduced no-show rates, and reduced waiting times.

The KLAS Research findings, which are based on a small sample of customers, also highlight strong customer confidence in Vectramind Health as a strategic partner, with customers citing the company’s integration expertise, responsiveness, and collaborative approach to supporting healthcare organizations.

Healthcare leaders interviewed by KLAS highlighted the partnership and expertise provided by Vectramind Health:

“Vectramind Health has a great sales team that is consistently engaged with us. They don't treat us as their customer; they treat us more as their partner. They are very engaged to see how we are consistently growing and seeing improvements” and “In terms of patient engagement, we have been able to improve our no-show rate without even integrating the system with our EHR. In terms of patients engaging with clinics and not just the call center, we have also seen an increase without EHR integration. Those were desired outcomes that we have been able to realize.” - Directors, interviewed by KLAS Research

Firstpass is an AI-native, unified patient experience and engagement platform designed to help healthcare organizations orchestrate the entire patient journey. By connecting communication, workflow orchestration, and real-time patient journey management across the care continuum, Firstpass enables providers to engage patients before, during, and after care while reducing administrative burden for staff and improving operational efficiency.

“Healthcare organizations everywhere are working to improve access, reduce operational friction, and deliver a better patient experience,” said Dr. Murali Krishna Vakalapudi, Founder and CEO of Vectramind Group. “The feedback reflected in this KLAS Research report is especially meaningful because it comes directly from healthcare leaders using Firstpass to transform patient engagement and operational workflows. Our mission is to help providers eliminate fragmented care journeys and make person-centered care operationally sustainable at scale.”

KLAS First Look reports provide early insights into emerging healthcare solutions based on direct feedback from customers who have implemented the technology. These reports offer healthcare leaders a transparent view of how solutions are performing in real-world environments.

Vectramind Health continues to expand adoption of the Firstpass platform among hospitals, health systems, and specialty healthcare organizations seeking to improve patient engagement while optimizing operational workflows and care delivery.

About Vectramind Health

Vectramind Health is a healthcare technology company focused on advancing patient access, engagement, and experience across the healthcare journey. Its’ unified platform, Firstpass, enables healthcare organizations to streamline patient access, reduce operational friction, and connect fragmented non-clinical workflows across the care continuum. By bringing together digital access, communication, and experience insights into a single operational platform, Vectramind Health helps providers create more seamless patient journeys and deliver scalable, person-centered care.

About KLAS Research

KLAS is a research and insights firm on a global mission to improve healthcare delivery by amplifying the provider's voice. Working with thousands of healthcare professionals and clinicians, KLAS gathers data and insights on software, services, and medical equipment to deliver timely reports, trends and statistical overviews. The research directly represents the provider voice and acts as a catalyst for improving vendor performance. Follow KLAS on Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more at klasresearch.com.

Media Contact
Vectramind Health
[email protected]

Source: Vectramind Health

05/03/2026

Applications Are Open for ClimateLaunchpad, the World’s Largest Green Business Ideas Competition

AsiaNet 0201437

SINGAPORE, March 4, 2026/AgilityPR-AsiaNet/ --

ClimateLaunchpad , the world's largest green business ideas competition by Climate KIC , has opened applications for its 2026 edition. Since 2014, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 ideas across 97 countries. This year, it is expanding its presence in Asia with Singapore hosting both the regional final and Global Grand Final for the first time. The competition is therefore partnering with regional partners Better Earth Ventures and TPC Group.

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“Strengthening ClimateLaunchpad’s presence in Asia marks a profound new chapter for this programme and for the climate innovation movement more broadly. Asia is where so much of the world’s climate and nature future will be shaped, through business leadership, public-private partnerships and long term strategic thinking. We look forward to supporting this momentum with new business ideas and innovation ecosystem collaborations across more than a dozen countries. This expansion opens space for deeper cross-cultural connections and for first-time founders to turn sparks of imagination into solutions that serve both people and planet.”

- Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of Climate KIC.

What is ClimateLaunchpad and how to join?

Since its launch in 2014, ClimateLaunchpad has become the most accessible pipeline for green innovation.

The curriculum is designed to turn ideas on the back of a napkin into battle-proof businesses. Participants move through several stages:

1.An initial mini-course to refine the concept.
2.An intensive multi-day Boot Camp led by expert trainers.
3.Targeted coaching to perfect value propositions and investor pitches.
4.National and regional finals, where teams pitch to expert juries and gain wider visibility.
5.A place at the Global Grand Final, with prizes and access to a global climate network.

In 2025, the programme received over 2,700 applications from 40 countries. The winning ventures gain prize money, investor connections, and access to a global cleantech network.

Applications are now open for the 2026 edition of ClimateLaunchpad . Climate innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world can apply here .

Partnering with regional players

This year, Climate KIC is partnering with Better Earth Ventures to host both ClimateLaunchpad Singapore and the Global Grand Final. Better Earth Ventures is a Singapore-based climate innovation platform supporting early-stage founders across Asia-Pacific. As the local delivery partner, they bring deep ecosystem relationships and hands-on experience running climate and agrifood innovation programmes, with a focus on turning promising ideas into scalable ventures. Their work is grounded in the belief that global change starts with local action, and that supporting entrepreneurs on the ground is key to building a resilient green economy.

“We are proud to host ClimateLaunchpad’s Regional and Global Grand Final in Singapore and to convene an international group of climate entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries. Climate solutions are emerging from every corner of the world, and bringing them together creates the kind of cross-border exchange and collaboration this moment demands. Our focus is to ensure early-stage founders have the structure, ecosystem access and support needed to move from idea to credible impact.”
- Rebecca Sharpe, Founder and CEO Better Earth Ventures

At the same time, the competition is entering a new chapter with Singapore-based TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) bringing a perspective rooted in interconnectedness. TPC is a fourth-generation family business ecosystem committed to advancing the well-being economy, with activities spanning global logistics, impact investment, education, and philanthropy.

This perspective recognises that climate, economy, culture and community do not operate separately. Addressing the climate crisis requires understanding how these systems overlap and designing solutions that reflect that reality.

This systems perspective also informs the work of NO.17 Foundation, part of the TPC ecosystem, which focuses on aligning capital, collaboration, and ex*****on so that climate innovation can move from promising ideas to scalable systems change.

“Climate innovation is ultimately a human endeavour before it is a technological one. The most powerful solutions often emerge from people closest to the realities of climate change. Platforms like ClimateLaunchpad help connect these founders with the networks, capital, and collaboration needed to turn local insight into solutions that can scale globally.”
- Luis Alvarado Martinez, CEO of No. 17 Foundation

The partner network

ClimateLaunchpad is supported by long-term partners like Bank of America and Irish Aid. Support from Bank of America strengthens the ecosystem from the earliest stages, giving visibility to solutions that can deliver real-world impact and reshape our economy. Meanwhile, Irish Aid empowers entrepreneurs in emerging markets, ensuring those on the front lines of climate change have the tools to build their own local solutions.

Application open: Climate innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world can apply here .

About Climate KIC

Climate KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community, creating climate-resilient communities and fighting climate breakdown by mobilising systems change in countries, regions, cities, and businesses. Together with partners across the globe, Climate KIC orchestrates solutions and facilitates learning to bridge the gap between climate commitments and current reality, driving faster and more ambitious action.

About Better Earth Ventures

Better Earth Ventures is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of transformative technologies and initiatives that mitigate climate change and promote sustainable living. Located in Singapore, we serve as a pivotal gateway to Asia-Pacific, with a strong regional network of commercial partners, investors and mentors to help growth-stage businesses scale sustainably across borders. Through collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we empower visionary entrepreneurs to drive tangible impact and pave the way for a resilient and thriving planet.

About TPC (Tsao Pao Chee)

TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) is a fourth-generation family business holding company headquartered in Singapore that is committed to empowering the well-being and happiness economy. TPC does this by supporting global connectivity and resilience through its supply chain and logistics activities, and well-being-focused activities aimed at fostering individual and collective growth.

TPC’s purpose-led well-being business ecosystem comprises IMC Industrial, OCTAVE, and multiple non-profit organisations, including OCTAVE Institute, NO.17 Foundation and Restore Nature Foundation, operating in unity to add value to life, with corporate offices in the People’s Republic of China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan. Find out more about TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) at tsaopaochee.com and on LinkedIn.

About NO.17 Foundation

NO.17 Foundation is the nexus of capital, consciousness, and collaboration in the Well-being Era – the philanthropic heart of TPC (Tsao Pao Chee). Rooted in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, NO.17 unites values-aligned funders, partners, and changemakers to catalyse systemic transformation. Through trust-based giving, regenerative coalitions, and strategic ecosystem building, we activate new forms of capital – financial, social, cultural, spiritual, institutional, ecological, and human – as a force for collective flourishing. Explore our movement to make philanthropy as a field of love for transformation at https://17foundation.org and on LinkedIn.

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

About Irish Aid

Irish Aid is the Government of Ireland’s international development cooperation programme. It works in more than 80 countries to reduce poverty, hunger and humanitarian need, often focusing on climate action, gender equality and strengthening governance. gov.ie

As part of Ireland’s foreign policy, Irish Aid supports inclusive development, helps communities adapt to climate change, and backs early-stage innovation in underserved regions. Its approach emphasises giving a voice, platform and opportunity to entrepreneurs worldwide — especially in regions hardest hit by climate risks.

Contact details:
Climate KIC
[email protected]

gov.ie is the official website of the Government of Ireland. It serves as a central hub for accessing public services and government information

26/11/2025

26/11/2025

Imec Strengthens Its Global Presence with New Regional Research & Development Hub in Qatar, Supported by Invest Qatar and QRDI

AsiaNet 0201260

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 25, 2025/Agility PR-AsiaNet/ --

New research facility, set to open in early 2026, will function as a central hub in the Gulf region for advanced compute architectures enabling AI, and deep-tech innovations for a sustainable society.

At this week’s Mobile World Congress Doha, imec – a global leader in nanoelectronics and digital innovation – unveiled its plans to launch a regional research & development hub in Qatar in early 2026. Supported by Invest Qatar, the country’s investment promotion agency, and the Qatar Research, Development & Innovation Council (QRDI), the centre will leverage Qatar’s state-of-the-art infrastructure to drive innovation and technology-led growth, while serving as a regional hub to expand imec’s footprint across the Gulf.

Motivated by the growing need for economic diversification, sustainability, and technological growth, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are increasingly articulating their ambitions in advanced semiconductor development.

At this week’s Mobile World Congress in Doha, imec signed an agreement with Invest Qatar and QRDI to establish a dedicated research & development hub in Qatar supported by the government of Qatar. The signing was witnessed by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Planning Council.

Located in Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), imec’s research & development facility will focus on accelerating the digital transformation and bringing IC-Link by imec’s chip design expertise to Qatar and the broader Middle East. The regional hub will support the creation of essential design tools – known as process design kits (PDKs) – for emerging technologies like silicon photonics, 3D integrated circuits, and silicon interposers. Additionally, it will explore innovative design workflows and the use of generative and agent-based AI in the development of custom chips (ASICs). Furthermore, imec will focus on developing advanced AI solutions to optimise infrastructure, and deep-tech innovations targeting applications for a sustainable society.

Next to R&D, imec will nurture semiconductor talent through development programmes, internships, and PhD initiatives in collaboration with universities, companies, and startups, across various industries. These efforts, which builds on imec’s proven model of open innovation, contribute to establishing a robust semiconductor talent pipeline in the region. Imec’s Qatar hub will start hiring immediately and aims to reach 100 employees by 2030. Roles will include site management, R&D, research engineering and support positions.

“After growing our footprint across Europe, the USA and Asia, we are proud to add another chapter to our internationalisation strategy with the launch of our Qatar hub. With this regional hub, we aim to contribute to the region’s growing momentum in semiconductor innovation and its broader shift toward a diversified, sustainable economy. As the region invests in advanced compute and energy technologies, and advanced chip design, we’re committed to supporting this transformation through deep tech expertise, regional talent development, and partnerships built on mutual respect and global collaboration,” said Luc Van den hove, imec’s President and CEO .

“This partnership with imec is a testament to the strength of Qatar’s investment ecosystem and world-class infrastructure in attracting global industry leaders. Ranked first in the region for foreign investment policy and equipped with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, Qatar is solidifying its position as a regional hub for advanced technologies and sustainable R&D investments. We look forward to supporting imec in deepening its footprint in Qatar and expanding in the region, while jointly accelerating our national innovation agenda and creating new opportunities for talent development and high-tech investment,” added Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar .

“Partnering with imec marks an important milestone in positioning Qatar as a hub for R&D-driven innovation and a trusted node in the global technology ecosystem. This collaboration will strengthen local capabilities in advanced computing and AI hardware, build world-class talent, and accelerate technology transfer across research and industry. In doing so, it lays the foundation for Qatar’s emerging AI and compute focus—a cornerstone of our future competitiveness and economic diversification, in line with the Third National Development Strategy,” Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari, Secretary-General, Qatar Research, Development & Innovation (QRDI) Council.

Imec strengthens its global presence with new regional research & development hub in Qatar

— ENDS —

About imec
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in advanced semiconductor technologies. Leveraging its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and the expertise of over 6,000 employees, imec drives innovation in semiconductor and system scaling, artificial intelligence, silicon photonics, connectivity, and sensing.

Imec’s advanced research powers breakthroughs across a wide range of industries, including computing, health, automotive, energy, infotainment, industry, agrifood, and security. Through IC-Link, imec guides companies through every step of the chip journey - from initial concept to full-scale manufacturing - delivering customized solutions tailored to meet the most advanced design and production needs.

Imec collaborates with global leaders across the semiconductor value chain, as well as with technology companies, start-ups, academia, and research institutions in Flanders and worldwide. Headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, imec has research facilities in Belgium, across Europe and the USA, and representation on three continents. In 2024, imec reported revenues of €1.034 billion.

For more information, visit www.imec-int.com

The imec group holds a global trademark portfolio, including word marks and combined figurative registered and unregistered trademarks, across national, regional, and international territories. Its lawful use requires prior written consent of IMEC in compliance with the IMEC branding guidelines, which may be updated periodically. The latest version is available upon written request.

Contact : Jade Liu, international press communications // T +32 16 28 16 93 // M +32 495 71 74 52 // [email protected]

About Invest Qatar
The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) is responsible for overseeing investment promotion activities, aimed at attracting foreign direct investment to Qatar. Established in 2019, Invest Qatar’s mission is to strengthen Qatar’s position as an ideal investment destination, while facilitating investments that foster economic diversification and development.

As the gateway to investment solutions, Invest Qatar connects investors to an integrated ecosystem of business and licensing platforms. The Agency partners with investors throughout their journey, from exploration and setup to expansion, ensuring their long-term growth by providing comprehensive insights into Qatar’s business landscape, sector-specific market knowledge and tailored investment facilitation.

For more information, please visit www.invest.qa
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Contact Information:
Invest Qatar Media Team, [email protected]

About QRDI Council
QRDI Council is a national entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto “locally empowered, globally connected”.

Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council’s commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity.

To delve deeper into QRDI Council's endeavors and vision, visit www.qrdi.org.qa

Image links:
Invest Qatar logo
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Imec strengthens its global presence with new regional research & development hub in Qatar
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Source: Invest Qatar

28/10/2025

20/10/2025

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