Investment Highlights- Player at the Frontline of the Booming Cobot Industry- Robust Research and Development Capabilities Guided by a Long-termist Mindset- Proprietary Full-stack Technologies Covering All the Key Aspects in the Cobot Development Cycle- Comprehensive Product Matrix Catering to a Wide Array of Use Cases- Successful Commercialization Underscored by Global Footprint and Clientele- Visionary and Experienced Management TeamHONG KONG, Dec 13, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - SHENZHEN DOBOT CORP LTD (“DOBOT” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, collectively referred as the “Group”) has recently announced the details of the proposed listing of its shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“HKEx”) (the “Share Offer”).DOBOT plans to offer a total of 40,000,000 shares, subject to over-allotment option, comprising 2,000,000 Public Offer Shares and 38,000,000 Placing Shares, at an Offer Price range between HK$18.80 and HK$20.80 per Offer Share. The Public Offer opened at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 13 and close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday,December 18. The allotment results will be announced on Friday, December 20. Dealings in H shares on HKEx are expected to commence on Monday, December 23, under the stock code 2432.HK.Guotai Junan Capital Limited and ABCI Capital Limited are the Joint Sponsors. Joint Bookrunners are Guotai Junan Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, ABCI Capital Limited, China PA Securities (Hong Kong) Company Limited,Shenwan Hongyuan Securities (H.K.) Limited and TradeGo Markets Limited.Company OverviewDOBOT is one of leading companies that specializes in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of collaborative robots, or commonly known as“cobots.” DOBOT is a top 2 player in the global cobot industry and the No.1 player among all Chinese cobot companies, with a global market share of 13.0% as measured by shipment volume in 2023, according to the CIC Report. The global cobot industry is at a nascent stage of development, whose market size accounted for less than 2% of the global robot industry in terms of revenue in 2023. According to the same source, the Group ranked seventh in the global cobot industry with a global market share of 3.6% in terms of global revenue generated from cobots in 2023.The Group is focusing on industry innovation, particularly in cobot safety measures and AI capabilities, by introducing the flexible e-skin technology, SafeSkin, and launching AI-empowered cobots underpinned by its AI cobot empowering platform, X-Trainer. As of 6 December 2024, the Group offered a total of 27 cobot models in four series, catering to numerous use cases in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, STEAM education, scientific research settings and many more. During the Track Record Period, the Group sold a total of over 53,000 cobots globally.Business Model and Market OutlookCobots are robots with operational robotic arms intended for direct human-robot interaction or collaboration within a shared space or where humans and robots are operating in proximity. DOBOT is primarily engaged in the design,development, manufacturing and commercialization of cobots. Its cobot products are adopted by global customers for various use cases in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, STEAM education, scientific research settings and many more. All of the cobot products are designated Specialist Technology Products. The Group adopted a transaction[1] based model for the sales of the cobot products.The global cobot market size has grown significantly from US$466.6 million in 2019 to US$1,039.5 million in 2023,at a CAGR of 22.2%, and is expected to reach US$4,950.0 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 36.6% from 2023 to 2028.In particular, China is playing an increasingly important role in the global cobot market, with its share in the global cobot market projected to increase from 26.3% in 2023 to 37.2% in 2028, at a CAGR of 46.5% from 2023 to 2028.The proliferation of AI technologies is expected to further accelerate the adoption of cobots in more use cases. The Group believes DOBOT is well positioned to capture the substantial market opportunity.Financial HighlightsThe total revenue of the Group was approximately RMB174.3 million, RMB241.0 million, RMB286.7 million for FY2021, FY2022, FY2023, respectively, at a CAGR of 28.3% and increased by 9.6% from RMB109.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023 to RMB120.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Group’s export volume of cobots has consistently ranked first in China for six consecutive years, according to the CIC Report.The Group recorded gross profit of RMB88.1 million, RMB98.2 million, RMB124.8 million, and RMB52.8 million in 2021, 2022, 2023 and the six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The gross profit margin in 2021, 2022 and 2023 was 50.5%, 40.8%, 43.5% and 43.9%, significantly above the industry average. The outstanding margin profile is largely attributable to the global distribution network and an international clientele. In 2021, 2022, 2023 and the six months ended June 30, 2024, overseas markets contributed 48.1%, 58.1%, 59.1% and 61.4% of the total revenue, respectively. The cost advantages also stem from the proprietary development of key components and in-house design and development of key components as well as economies of scale as demands for the products continue to grow, coupled with the ongoing ramp-up of the production base in Rizhao, Shandong. Being a major port city, Rizhao’s proximity to the port significantly reduces transportation costs, facilitating efficient global export of the products. The favorable margin profile not only improves the financial performance but also affords us more flexibility in marketing strategy tailored to an increasingly competitive landscape.In 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Group had losses for the year of RMB41.8 million, RMB52.5 million and RMB103.3 million, respectively, and in the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2024, the Group had losses for the period of RMB51.7 million and RMB59.9 million, respectively. This mainly attributes to the fact that the Group is in the stage of expanding the Group’s business and operations in the rapidly growing cobot market and are continuously investing in research and development.Competitive StrengthsAs one of the leading companies in the cobot industry, the Group believes that its success is attributable to the following competitive strengths: Firstly, DOBOT is one of the leading players at the frontline of the booming cobot industry, which has been recognized by world-renowned customers for its outstanding technical capabilities and product strength, and has led to a number of advance technological innovations, especially in cobot safety measures and AI capabilities. At the same time, the Group adheres to the long-termist mindset and guides its product R&D, and the Group's research and development initiatives are geared towards sustainable growth and enduring impact. Leveraging its interdisciplinary research and development capabilities, the Group has become one of few in the global cobot industry, according to the CIC Report, that have developed proprietary full-stack technologies that cover all the key aspects in the cobot development cycle. In addition, the Group has a comprehensive product matrix catering to a wide array of use cases; More importantly, under the leadership of its experienced management team, the Group continues to expand its market share through the successful commercialization of its global business and customers.Growth StrategiesIn future, the Group pursues the following strategies to further grow the business: (1) continue to advance technology development, including further investing in the research and development of proprietary key components of cobots, investing in the research and development of AI technologies, further improving its motion control algorithms, and building a full-perception technology architecture to expand the perception and interaction capabilities of our cobots and continue to enhance the safety measures in human-robot collaboration to meet the requirements in various use cases; (2) continue to expand the Group’s product offering and ecosystem to maintain its competitive edge in comprehensive product offerings by further upgrading existing products and launching new products; (3) enhance production capabilities and capacity to streamline supply chain management by introducing advanced manufacturing technologies and equipment to the production lines; (4) further fortify the Group’s sales network to expand global reach. The Group plans to establish three overseas subsidiaries in Thailand, Mexico and United Arab Emirates to seize the business opportunities; and (5) selectively pursue strategic collaboration, investment and acquisition opportunities to integrate industry resources that may help the Group acquires new technologies, expand sales channels and tap into new industries where most of potential customers have their designated cobot integrators or suppliers.Mr. Liu Peichao, Founder, Controlling Shareholder, Chairman of the Group’s Board, executive Director and general manager of DOBOT concluded, “We are pleased to witness this significant milestone in the Group’s history.Through the Group’s listing on the Main Board of HKEx, we will tap into the international capital markets. This will not only broaden the Group’s capital and shareholder base, but will also provide us with capital to fund the Group’s expansion plan, which will finally strengthen the Group’s position in the industry and further enhance the Group’s competitive advantages, thereby driving the Group’s long-term development.”"Looking ahead, we are committed to further developing and consolidating the Group’s position in the collaborative robotics industry. The growth rate of the global collaborative robot industry will far exceed the growth rate of the traditional industrial robot industry. It is expected that the popularization of AI technology will further accelerate the adoption of cobots in more use cases. With considerable growth and the Group’s own full-stack technology, we look forward to capturing the global cobot market opportunity to maintain our leading position in the industry and create greater value for the shareholders."For further enquiries, please contact Bright Communications International Limited:Ms. Kung Mobile: (852) 46371627Email: ir@brightcommns.com Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Fosun Bolsters Core Business with Two Key Asset Privatizations

December 13, 2024

HONG KONG, Dec 13, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - On the evening of 10 December, Fosun Tourism Group (FTG) announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange its plan to repurchase shares at a price of HK$7.8 per share. This price represents a 111% premium over the closing price of the day before the last trading day. This privatization will raise FTG’s market value to HK$10.5 billion, and the announcement swiftly captured widespread attention.The market generally perceives this move as part of Fosun’s strategy to focus on its core businesses and consolidate resources to support its core industries with established advantages. In June, Fosun Pharma announced its plan to privatize its biopharmaceutical subsidiary, Shanghai Henlius, through a merger.Within a year, with two key subsidiaries announced for privatization, what strategy is Fosun pursuing? Analysts suggest that “These two subsidiaries are high-quality assets of Fosun, and their privatization reflects Fosun’s commitment to strengthening its focus on core businesses with established advantages. This move also indicates that Fosun has ample cash flow, enabling it to pursue sustainable growth and make flexible adjustments.”Recently, Fosun has been active in its core sectors, such as tourism and pharmaceuticals. The company recently co-organized a biopharmaceutical innovation forum and signed agreements with several high-profile institutions. It also shipped its independently-developed drug, HANQUYOU, to the U.S. and expanded Club Med into the Greater Bay Area. These actions demonstrate Fosun’s intention to focus on its core businesses, building momentum for high-quality growth.Focusing on asset-light operations to create long-term value through a “retreat to advance” strategy in the tourism sectorSince the trading halt of FTG on 27 November, speculation about its privatization has circulated widely in the market. The announcement on 10 December confirmed FTG’s privatization, with investors noting that the privatization is a win-win choice.According to public information, FTG has been a core subsidiary within Fosun’s Happiness business segment since its establishment. In the first half of 2024, it reported a business volume of RMB10.65 billion, with an adjusted EBITDA of RMB2.09 billion and a profit attributable to equity holders of the company of RMB320 million, reflecting a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2023, excluding the one-off gain on disposal of resorts.In recent years, FTG has faced challenges due to global macroeconomic environment, trends in the tourism industry, and the overall performance of the Hong Kong stock market. Since its listing, the company’s share price has not reflected its true value, and trading volumes have been low, limiting its financing capacity. The advantages of being a listed company have not been fully realized, while maintaining its listing status has incurred additional costs. Completing the privatization will not only resolve liquidity issues but also enhance strategic flexibility and focus on long-term sustainable development.As a flagship brand of FTG, Club Med has recently achieved a new breakthrough. On 29 November, Shenzhen, CITIC, and Fosun signed a cooperation framework agreement to launch Club Med at Jinsha Bay in Dapeng New District, a key area for tourism development in Shenzhen. This collaboration is viewed in the tourism industry as a powerful alliance, combining high-quality resources.Club Med Joyview, the product line set to debut in Jinsha Bay, is designed specifically for the Chinese market, focusing on urban short-distance vacations. It has already seen success in locations such as Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang and Heilongtan in Sichuan. Dapeng New District holds high hopes for the project, believing that the establishment of a Club Med resort in Jinsha Bay will “fill a gap in high-end family resorts in Shenzhen and enhance the international profile and tourism appeal of both Shenzhen and Dapeng New District.”Analysts noted that Fosun is increasingly strengthening its asset-light strategy in the tourism sector. By leveraging strong intellectual properties and operational capabilities, Fosun has been accelerating partnerships with local governments and state-owned enterprises to seize promising projects. In addition to launching Club Med in Jinsha Bay, the recent signing of the second phase of the Taicang Alps Resort and the launch of the ULTRAMED Hainan are also prime examples of this asset-light approach.“At first glance, Fosun’s move towards privatization may seem like a ‘retreat’. However, the clear strategic direction and the steady advancement of asset-light projects indicate that the company is actually ‘retreating to advance’. In an uncertain market cycle, this approach maximizes strategic flexibility, allowing a focus on long-term goals and sustainable development.”Strengthening the pharmaceutical sector and embracing integrated innovation with a global perspectiveIn addition to the tourism sector, pharmaceuticals continue to be a key pillar of Fosun’s business profile, with the company making significant strides in this area recently.On 2-3 December, Fosun co-organized the first “Greater Bay Area (GBA) Star” Biopharmaceutical Original Innovation Forum in Shenzhen. Just two weeks prior, it co-organized another forum themed on “Original Innovation” in Shanghai.By co-organizing two high-profile industry forums within a month, Fosun has demonstrated its leadership and influence in the biopharmaceutical field. Fosun also signed strategic cooperation agreements with Fudan University, Shanghai University, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Ruijin Hospital, among others, to jointly promote original innovation.Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun International, said at the forum, “Good innovation must start from demand. In the biopharmaceutical sector, this means putting ‘patients first’. Additionally, innovation should maintain a ‘global perspective’, always embracing an open mindset and adhering to a win-win cooperation.”While driving innovation in the industry, Fosun has also made important breakthroughs in broaden its global market reach. On 29 November, the first batch of HANQUYOU, a trastuzumab biosimilar independently developed and manufactured by Shanghai Henlius, was shipped to the U.S.HANQUYOU is the first China-developed monoclonal antibody biosimilar approved in China, the EU, and the U.S. To date, it has been approved in 50 countries and regions, benefiting over 220,000 HER2-positive breast and gastric cancer patients globally. According to Shanghai Henlius, approximately 6.5 million units of HANQUYOU have been shipped globally since its commercialization in 2020. In 2023 alone, HANQUYOU contributed over RMB2.7 billion in sales revenue.Industry expert believes that successfully entering the U.S. market will significantly enhance the growth trajectory of HANQUYOU and lay a solid foundation for the overseas expansion of Shanghai Henlius’ products. “The reasoning is simple: by breaking into the toughest market, the company gains confidence when approaching other countries and regions.”After more than a decade of development, Shanghai Henlius has built a diversified and robust product pipeline encompassing over 50 molecules, covering areas such as oncology, autoimmune diseases, and ophthalmology. Currently, 6 products have been approved for marketing in China, 3 have been approved for marketing in overseas markets, and 24 indications have received approval, and 4 applications have been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the EU. In addition to HANQUYOU, products such as HANSIZHUANG, HANLIKANG, HANDAYUAN, and HANBEITAI maintain leading positions in their respective markets.Notably, in June, Fosun Pharma announced its plans to privatize its subsidiary, Shanghai Henlius, through a merger. The proposed purchase price is HK$24.6 per share, representing a premium of 36.67% over the closing price on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on the undisturbed date, and a premium of 52.04% over the average closing price based on the daily closing prices of H Shares as quoted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for the 30 trading days immediately prior to and including the undisturbed date. The total cash consideration shall not exceed HK$5.407 billion. Following this announcement, Fosun Pharma’s share price surged significantly.The industry generally views this privatization as a way for Shanghai Henlius to implement its long-term strategy more flexibly, which will help avoid the pressures of market expectations and stock price volatility associated with being publicly listed. This move also allows for a fresh start, enabling the company to explore new development opportunities through asset restructuring and industry adjustments. Once privatized, Shanghai Henlius’ core capabilities and long-term value will be further realized, thereby enhancing Fosun’s competitive edge in the pharmaceutical sector.Strong financial position and ample cash flow recognized by domestic and international institutionsFrom a financial perspective, Fosun’s recent series of strategic moves reflects its solid financial standing and ample cash flow, enabling it to pursue various strategies, including privatization.As of 30 June 2024, the company’s cash, bank balances and term deposits reached RMB109.55 billion, representing an increase of approximately RMB17.1 billion since the end of 2023.Recently, S&P and securities firms such as CITIC, have released reports highly recognizing Fosun’s focus on its core businesses in the household consumption sector, its optimization of asset structure, and its successful U.S. dollar note issuance to broaden its funding channels. Several securities firms have assigned Fosun a “Buy” rating.S&P believes Fosun has adequate liquidity buffer to meet its debt maturities obligation over the next two years and expects Fosun to continue divesting its non-core assets, leading to a steady decline in its debt. Furthermore, as offshore subsidiaries reach maturity, Fosun International’s dividend receipts are expected to enhance significantly. Therefore, S&P maintained a “stable” rating outlook on Fosun International.CITIC Securities noted that since 2020, Fosun has focused on developing strategically core businesses with market leadership while optimizing its asset structure and financial position through the divestment of non-strategy and non-core assets. As the company deepens its global operations, enhances business synergies, and improves its technological innovation capabilities, it is poised to unlock long-term growth potential.Analysts expressed that with strong financial backing, Fosun is continuously enhancing its competitiveness by focusing on its core sectors and exploring new growth opportunities, thereby further releasing its long-term value. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

ACN Newswire

Xeleb Joins Miss Charm as Exclusive Web3 Partner to Revolutionize Voting and Judging with Decentralization

December 13, 2024

Xeleb debuts misscharm.io with Miss Charm 2024 on 21 December in Ho Chi Minh, marking the first-ever use of blockchain in a beauty pageant.Contestant-issued MEME coins allow fans to directly support their favorite beauty queens, with a portion of proceeds benefiting charitable causesXeleb plans a Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q1 2025, with listings already secured on global top 5 crypto exchanges.Miss Charm’s contestantsHO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM, Dec 13, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Xeleb, an online voting and judging platform for global talent contests has launched through an exclusive partnership with Miss Charm, an international beauty pageant. From global beauty pageants to song and model contests, Xeleb leverages decentralization and digital assets to reward fan participation and amplify audience interaction.Xeleb has launched with a mission to increase and monetize fan and viewer engagement for these contests. The global audience for talent contests is enormous, as evidenced by the 243 million total engagements for the 2024 Miss Universe live broadcast on Telemundo(1), and the 163 million viewers of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest(2). Xeleb taps into this unparalleled engagement potential by creating an ecosystem where fans can vote, judge, and earn rewards through a decentralized platform powered by blockchain technology.This year’s edition of the Miss Charm global finals will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on December 21, featuring contestants from 38 countries.Xeleb has developed misscharm.io as the official digital hub for Miss Charm fans. Fans can access two innovative features:Telegram Game Powered by TON: Fans can cast votes and judge contestants, earning rewards in return.Miss Charm MEME Coins: Fans can purchase unique MEME coins issued by contestants, allowing direct support for their favorite beauty queens. A portion of any gains from these coins will benefit charities chosen by the respective contestants.The Miss Charm advisory team includes key players from global franchises such as Miss World, Miss Universe, Elite Models, and Ford Models. They are joined by experts in regulated global crypto platforms and token listing strategies on major exchanges. CEO Paul Vinciano, former owner of Elite Models Vietnam and Miss Vietnam, and his team also operate one of Vietnam’s leading crypto technology development firms.Paul Vinciano, CEO of Xeleb said “Xeleb is set to revolutionize fan and audience engagement in global talent contests through our blockchain-powered, tokenized voting and judging platform. By integrating decentralization and digital assets, we are creating an ecosystem that not only enhances interactivity but also empowers fans to play an active role in the success of their favorite contestants.”Xeleb’s launch is backed by strategic seed investment from tech investor Calvin Cheng, a former Singapore Parliamentarian, and current Honorary Consul of Serbia in Singapore. Calvin was also Head of Elite Models Asia and owned the franchise for Ford Supermodel of the World Singapore, Malaysia and China. He is also currently Chairman & Founder at Paymonade, one of the largest European digital asset on-off ramps, which counts Binance as a major client. He is also the founder of AEUR, one of the world’s largest listed Euro-backed stable coins.In conjunction with this launch, Xeleb is excited to announce the completion of a major funding round led by HashKey Capital. Other prominent investors include Amber Group, MEXC Ventures, Foresight Ventures, and Mirana Ventures. Notably, MEXC Ventures is the investment arm of MEXC Crypto Exchange, Foresight Ventures represents the investment division of Bitget, and Mirana Ventures serves as the investment arm of Bybit.“The team combines both world-class track records in entertainment as well as digital assets. I am honored to invest in Xeleb alongside crypto investment titans like HashKey, Amber, Mirana, Foresight and MEXC,” said Calvin Cheng.Looking ahead, Xeleb plans a Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q1 2025, with listings already secured on global top 5 crypto exchanges.(1) https://tinyurl.com/y94pk5ht (2) https://tinyurl.com/yrn2u8r2 About XelebXeleb (xeleb.io) is a cutting-edge online voting and judging platform designed to revolutionize global talent contests by leveraging blockchain technology. Launched in partnership with Miss Charm on misscharm.io, Xeleb empowers fans to engage more deeply in their favorite contests while earning rewards.Xeleb is backed by an experienced team of industry experts, including veterans from global beauty franchises and regulated crypto platforms. Strategic investments from industry leaders such as HashKey Capital, Amber Group, and Calvin Cheng have further solidified Xeleb's position as a trailblazer in the intersection of entertainment and blockchain.About Miss CharmMiss Charm 2024 is a global-scale beauty pageant, which aims to search for the most exceptional female representatives from different countries all around the world, to appreciate their beauty as well as their cultures and educational backgrounds. The judging criteria for the pageant will involve beauty, physique, intellect as well as the ability to captivate the audience with the appeal.For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:Lee Ke Wei (Financial PR)(T) 6438-2990(E) kewei@financialpr.com.sg Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

ACN Newswire

Asia Video Industry Association Wraps Up 2024 Harnessing the Power of Advertising to Spur the Industry Forward

December 13, 2024

SINGAPORE, Dec 13, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Between December 4-6, the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) closed off 2024 with three days of high-level meetings and conferences, covering Piracy, Policy, the annual OTT Summit alongside the advertising Upfront Showcases from leading streamers and publishers and the Annual General Meeting. The conferences brought together over 300 international and regional industry executives.Piracy Over The Top hosted by General Manager of the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), Matthew Cheetham on 4thDecember saw a series of lively discussions with BBC Studios, beIN Sports, Meta, Malaysia’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (MDTCL), NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Premier League, and TikTok, revolving around content protection, piracy trends, enforcement solutions and exclusive insights into what to expect in 2025. Key takeaways from these discussions highlighted the urgency of deeper collaboration between government, industry and intermediaries to clamp down on bad actors.The annual AVIA Policy Roundtable held behind closed doors and under Chatham House Rules saw a very high number of regulators from all around the region engaged in conversation with industry about the challenges and opportunities both face.The AVIA OTT Summit on 5th December this year turned to the world of advertising highlighting transformative trends and actionable insights for advertisers and media owners across the region. Kicking off the first session, Dhivya T, Lead Analyst – Head of Content & Platform Insights, Media Partners Asia (MPA), emphasized the growing shift to Connected TV (CTV) as traditional TV viewership declines, driven by its personalized, measurable appeal. CTV penetration is surging across APAC, with Japan and Korea expected to reach 80-85% active household penetration, and emerging markets like Thailand and Indonesia exceeding 50%. While user-generated content (UGC) dominates mobile platforms like YouTube and TikTok in Southeast Asia, premium streaming options like SVOD and Freemium retain significant scale. The Premium AVOD market in APAC (excluding China) is forecasted to grow at a 25% CAGR to over USD 8 billion over the next five years, with BVOD and SVOD as key drivers. Dhivya concluded by highlighting the growing opportunities in the Premium AVOD category and the undeniable dominance of YouTube and TikTok in mobile engagement.Raj Parekh, VP & Head of Digital Sales, Mediacorp, emphasized the role of innovative and engaging ad formats in driving user engagement, a sentiment echoed by Kanika Manglik, Vice President-Investment Strategy at GroupM. Speaking on the trends to expect, Jason Barnes, Chief Revenue Officer APAC, PubMatic, highlighted ongoing market consolidation and the evolution of Connected TV (CTV) into a full-funnel solution. Kanika further noted the growing consumer preference for watching content on larger screens, underscoring the shift toward more immersive viewing experiences. Both, Anannya Paliwal, Regional Director - Digital Solutions, Omnicom Media Group Asia Pacific, and Sunil Naryani, President Partnerships & Product Solutions, dentsu APAC noted that the difference in production techniques between UGC and professional content may be narrowing, but the category and nature of content is likely to remain very distinct.AI remains as one of the key trends to expect in 2025 for Jonathan Smith, SVP Product Data & Tech, GroupM and Anson Tan, Country Head – Singapore, Viu. Jonathan emphasized how generative AI is lowering barriers for smaller companies to create impactful advertisements while Anson highlighted the importance of collaboration between brands and agencies. Both Anson and Jonathan encourage advertisers to embrace experimentation and collaboration with media partners. In the other panel, Megan Reichelt, Country Manager, South East Asia, Hong Kong & Taiwan, Integral Ad Science, also foresaw a lot of close collaboration between tech parties and publishers to give confidence to advertisers while Christine Lau, Director of Yield Management, Viu, was confident that shoppable ads and deeper e-commerce integrations is expected to gain traction.James Wildbore, SVP & GM Global Ad Sales, BBC Studios, underscored the importance of maintaining the trust of audiences through BBC Verify. As the industry is evolving with more consumers using smart TV, Jolene Sng, Head of Agency Development, Samsung Ads shared that around half of all smart TV shipments will be within APAC by 2027 and advertisers should understand their consumers to ensure effective ads on various platforms. The preference for large screen viewing experiences and the benefit of getting traditional TV advertising with a modern and cost-effective approach was once again mentioned by James Ross, CEO, Lightning International, and Bhuvnesh Kanwar, Vice President, Revenue and Head of FAST, KC Global Media. The push for standardized audience measurement metrics remains critical in the discussions around addressing the challenges in programmatic and measurements for Erin Williams, Sales Director, APAC, CNN and Yann Courqueux, VP Entertainment, StarHub Ltd.In the closing discussion with AVIA’s CEO, Louis Boswell, on expanding content overseas, Ed Love, Head of Samsung TV Plus ANZ & South East Asia, Samsung Ads, highlighted how FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) removes cost barriers, enabling efficient cross-market distribution. Having launched with 20 channels in the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand they are looking to aggressively grow this number and partnerships are key to this. Sharing insights into their plans over the next 12 months, Ed stressed that the focus will be on "local, local, and local", leveraging FAST’s lower market entry barriers to create a compelling linear offering.Running parallel to the OTT Summit, the Upfront Showcase spotlighted cutting-edge content and advertising opportunities from leading streaming and broadcasting publishers BBC Studios, iQIYI, Samsung Ads, StarHub and Viu. Attendees were treated to an exciting half day of insight and innovation.At the Annual General Meeting AVIA were pleased to announce the appointment of two newly elected Board members: Debra Richards, Director – APAC Content, Studio & Production Affairs – ANZ Public Policy, Netflix and Tim Harris, Vice President Transactional Sales and Emerging Media Asia Pacific, Sony Pictures Entertainment. AVIA also wishes to express its thanks to Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe, and Nick O’Donnell, former APAC Head of Public Policy of Netflix, for their contributions during their tenure.Also at the AGM, AVIA paid tribute to Matt McDonald, Senior VP and GM at Sony Pictures Television. He was presented with an award for distinguished service to the Asian video industry after many years of leading initiatives from ensuring channel frequencies were not affected when 5G services were rolled out to helping manage continuity of services throughout the pandemic, and especially in the first wave of lockdowns.Thanks to NBCUniversal and Netflix for their support for the Policy Roundtable. The OTT Summit was proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors Irdeto, Publica and TV5MONDE; and Silver Sponsors INVIDI, Magnite, PubMatic and ShemarooVisit our media gallery for photos from event.About the Asia Video Industry AssociationThe Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:Charmaine Kwan | Tan Teck Weecharmaine@avia.org | teckwee@avia.org www.avia.org | www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia|X: @AsiaVideoIA Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

ACN Newswire

Loop Industries Completes Convertible Preferred Financing With Reed Societe Generale Group and Sells First Technology License For An Infinite Loop Manufacturing Facility in Europe

December 13, 2024

REED SOCIETE GENERALE GROUP INVESTS €10 MILLION IN LOOP VIA A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITY AT A $4.75 CONVERSION PRICE.LOOP COMPLETES ITS INAUGURAL SALE OF AN INFINITE LOOP™ TECHNOLOGY LICENSE, GENERATING AN UPFRONT PAYMENT OF €10 MILLION.FORMATION OF A EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP TO DEPLOY INFINITE LOOP™ MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY.PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF THE INFINITE LOOP™ FACILITY IN INDIA AND FINANCE LOOP'S OPERATIONAL CASH REQUIREMENTS.LOOP MANAGEMENT TO HOLD UPDATE CALL AT 8:45 AM ET on December 13, 2024MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Dec 13, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Loop Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:LOOP) (the "Company," "Loop," "we," "us," or "our"), a clean technology company whose mission is to accelerate a circular plastics economy by manufacturing 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") plastic and textile-to-textile ("T2T") polyester fiber, has secured €10 million through a convertible preferred security financing with Reed Societe Generale Group, a European investment firm majority-owned by the bank Societe Generale. Additionally, as part of the Reed Societe Generale Group transaction, Loop has finalized the sale of its first Infinite Loop™ technology license, generating an initial €10 million payment, with additional milestone-based payments from Reed Societe Generale Group to follow.The Reed Societe Generale Group transaction marks a pivotal step in Loop's commercialization strategy, enabling the deployment of its patented recycling technology across Europe and supporting capital investment in cost-effective manufacturing regions, including its joint venture in India with strategic partner Ester Industries Ltd. Proceeds from the financing and licensing deal will fund the Indian project and Loop's operational cash flow needs.Key terms of the €10 million convertible preferred security include:13% PIK dividend rate5-year termConvertible to Loop common stock at $4.75 per share or redeemable in cashThe technology license will be granted to a European partnership owned 90% by Reed Societe Generale Group and 10% by Loop, which is being formed to develop Infinite Loop™ manufacturing facilities in Europe. Loop retains the right to increase its equity stake in the European manufacturing facility, as well as potential future facilities, to a maximum of 50% for each facility. The license is to build one Infinite Loop™ manufacturing facility in Europe. Future facilities under this partnership will require the purchase of additional technology licenses from Loop.The license sale underscores the commercial readiness of Loop's technology, validated by four years of successful operations at its Terrebonne facility, which supplies bottle-grade PET resin for consumer packaging and T2T polyester fiber to advance circular fashion for apparel brands. Loop is committed to expanding the reach of its proven solution to the plastic waste global issue by partnering with well-financed, reliable customers through technology licenses and engineering services. This strategy allows Loop to address global demand in regions where it does not plan to build facilities, driving further growth and value creation while focusing Loop's internal resources and capital on direct equity investments.With regulatory approval for Societe Generale's acquisition of a 75% stake in Reed Societe Generale Group finalized, it is positioned to deploy capital into this and other projects. The previous condition precedent to closing relating to government funding is no longer applicable, although Loop expects that such additional financing will be available when the Indian project is approved to begin construction. Funding for both the financing and the initial payment for the technology license is expected within seven business days following the incorporation of the European partnership company.Julien Touati, CEO of Reed Societe Generale Group, commented: "Reducing dependency on virgin plastics is a global challenge. We are proud to support the rollout of Loop's technology in Europe by becoming the majority shareholder of this European partnership. This strategic investment allows us to leverage Loop's unique expertise and strong relationships with world-class brands committed to decarbonizing their supply chains. It fits perfectly with our ambition to actively contribute to the industrialization of Europe's circular economy, significantly reduce pollution, and foster sustainable growth.""The sale of our first technology license is a transformative milestone, proving the scalability and market readiness of our Infinite Loop™ technology," said Daniel Solomita, CEO and Founder of Loop Industries. "Our financing agreement and partnership with Reed Societe Generale Group propels us into a new phase of growth - expanding into Europe with strategic precision while advancing our flagship Infinite Loop™ project in India. These strategic steps align with our long-term investment vision and underscore our commitment to innovation, scalability, and delivering exceptional value for our shareholders. I look forward to working closely with Julien and his team at Reed Societe Generale Group in leading the circular economy in plastic packaging and circular fashion in Europe."Corporate Update CallSenior Management of Loop will host a corporate update call, followed by a question-and-answer session, which can be accessed via the dial-in numbers below.Date: Friday, December 13, 2024Time: 8:45 am Eastern TimeParticipant joining details (by Telephone):United States (Local): +1 404 975 4839United States (Toll-Free): +1 833 470 1428Access Code: 625641ORRegistration Link: https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=2e808989&confId=75536- Avoid wait time - Bypass speaking with an operator to join the call- Receive a Calendar Invitation with call access details including your unique PINAbout Loop IndustriesLoop Industries is a technology company whose mission is to accelerate the world's shift toward sustainable PET plastic and polyester fiber and away from our dependence on fossil fuels. Loop Industries owns patented and proprietary technology that depolymerizes no and low-value waste PET plastic and polyester fiber, including plastic bottles and packaging, carpets and textiles of any color, transparency or condition and even ocean plastics that have been degraded by the sun and salt, to its base building blocks (monomers). The monomers are filtered, purified and polymerized to create virgin-quality Loop™ branded PET resin suitable for use in food-grade packaging and polyester fiber, thus enabling our customers to meet their sustainability objectives. Loop™ PET plastic and polyester fiber can be recycled infinitely without degradation of quality, successfully closing the plastic loop. Loop Industries is contributing to the global movement towards a circular economy by reducing plastic waste and recovering waste plastic for a sustainable future.Common shares of the Company are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "LOOP."For more information, please visit www.loopindustries.com. Follow Loop on Twitter: @loopindustries, Instagram: loopindustries, Facebook: Loop Industries and LinkedIn: Loop IndustriesForward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "should," "could," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or "continue," the negative of such terms or similar words. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about Loop's market opportunity, its growth strategies, plans and timelines for completing the €10 million convertible preferred stock financing and technology license sale, plans for use of expected proceeds, ability to improve and expand its capabilities and seek additional financing, and plans for future growth and future operations including expansion in Europe and advancing the joint venture in India. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Loop's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with among other things: (i) our ability to commercialize our technology and products, (ii) the status of our relationships with our partners, (iii) development and protection of our intellectual property and products, (iv) industry competition, (v) our need for and ability to obtain additional funding relative to our current and future financial commitments, (vi) our ability to continue as a going concern, (vii) engineering, contracting, and building our manufacturing facilities, (viii) our ability to scale, manufacture, and sell our products in order to generate revenues, (ix) our proposed business model and our ability to execute it, (x) our ability to obtain the necessary approvals or satisfy any closing conditions in respect of any of our proposed partnerships, (xi) our joint venture projects and our ability to recover certain expenditures in connection them, (xii) adverse effects on the Company's business and operations as a result of increased regulatory, media, or financial reporting scrutiny, practices, rumors, or otherwise, (xiii) public health issues, such as disease epidemics, which may lead to reduced access to capital markets, supply chain disruptions, and government-imposed business closures, (xiv) war, regional tensions, and economic or other conflicts that could impact market stability and our business; (xv) the effect of the continuing worldwide macroeconomic uncertainty and its impacts, including inflation, market volatility and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates, (xvi) the outcome of any Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") investigations or class action litigation filed against us, (xvii) our ability to hire and/or retain qualified employees and consultants, (xviii) other events or circumstances over which we have little or no control, and (xix) other factors discussed in Loop's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024 filed with the SEC and in Loop's subsequent filings with the SEC. More detailed information about Loop and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in Loop's filings with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Loop assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.For More Information:Investor Relations:Kevin C. O'Dowd, Investor RelationsLoop Industries, Inc.+1 617-755-4602kodowd@loopindustries.comMedia Inquiries:Andrea Kostiuk, VP Marketing & CommunicationsLoop Industries, Inc.+1 (450) 951-8555akostiuk@loopindustries.comSOURCE: Loop Industries Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

ACN Newswire

The Payment Cards Group Limited and Black Bear Merchant Services Limited Join Forces to Launch a New Brand ‘AbbyPay’

December 13, 2024

HONG KONG, Dec 12, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Payment Cards Group Limited (“PCG”), a cloud-native payment processor and acquirer, and Black Bear Merchant Services Limited (the holding company of BBMSL Limited “BBMSL”) are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic alliance to establish a new brand and group holding company, ABBY Pay&Tech Holdings Limited ("AbbyPay"). Under this new strategic alliance, AbbyPay will leverage PCG's market leading position as an acquirer with principal memberships in all major card schemes including Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, UnionPay, and JCB. The combined group will also leverage strong digital payment technology capabilities from PCG’s A3A, Asia’s first cloud-based payment processing and settlement platform, in servicing BBMSL's strong customer base. This strategic alliance will accelerate PCG’s expansion in market share by covering 50,000 local merchants in Hong Kong and other Asia Pacific regions with multiple brands to meet diverse market demands and empower local merchants through innovative payment technology.From left to right: Mr. Barry Mak, representative of AbbyPay, Mr. Peter Wu, Founder of PCG, Mr. Gerald Yu, Chief Executive Officer of BBMSL, Ms. EsterChow, Chief Financial Officer of BBMSL, and Ms. Beatrice Tai, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of PCG, jointly officiated the signing ceremony.Beatrice Tai, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of PCG, said, "This strategic alliance marks an important milestone for PCG in the field of payment solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. With the technological advantages of our A3A platform, combined with BBMSL's stong market coverage, AbbyPay will provide innovative, seamless payment and settlement solutions for micro merchants, SMEs, and enterprises, rapidly and efficiently tapping into new markets across various industries in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to AbbyPay expanding its business footprint and further consolidating the local payment industry, strengthening PCG's leading market position in the payment sector.”Gerald Yu, Chief Executive Officer of BBMSL, said, "This strategic alliance represents PCG's high recognition of BBMSL's years of effort and achievements in the Hong Kong market, reflecting our potential and confidence in working together. Since 2017, BBMSL has held a significant market share in the local SME merchant market and has gained widespread recognition and support in Hong Kong. These advantages will lay a solid foundation for AbbyPay’s development. I look forward to working with AbbyPay to fulfill BBMSL's mission, grow alongside SMEs, and hope this partnership creates even greater achievements."Introducing Asia's first cloud-based payment processing and settlement platform, A3A, in the Asia-Pacific Region to unleash the potential of digital paymentsAbbyPay will offer Asia's first cloud-based payment processing and settlement platform, A3A, across markets in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Through a single API, A3A offers direct end-to-end processing with major card schemes (such as Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, JCB, and UnionPay), e-wallet networks, and mobile payment platforms. Comparing to traditional payment processing platforms, A3A boasts competitive advantages such as low integration fee, speedy and easy integration, instant settlement, and real-time transaction data insights.Mr. Barry Mak, representative of AbbyPay, shared AbbyPay's vision.Barry Mak, representative of AbbyPay, said, "We have entered a new era of payment in the Asia Pacific market. AbbyPay is groundbreaking in Hong Kong's payment industry and will disrupt the entire sector, bringing unprecedented opportunities. PCG has strong technological capabilities, while BBMSL has a solid customer base and market recognition in the local market. I firmly believe that AbbyPay has unlimited potential in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, leading future payment trends while serving and creating value for all types of merchants, from large chain restaurants to SMEs and micro merchants."About Payment Cards Group (“PCG")Payment Cards Group (“PCG”) is an innovative and leading payment technology company with operations in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 2016, PCG has become an acquirer with principal memberships in all major card schemes and e-wallet networks. Its subsidiary, Yedpay, has firmly established itself as a payment acceptance business in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, A3A, another member of PCG, has developed a cloud-native payment processing platform that operates through RESTful APIs, significantly reducing costs and streamlining complex processes while providing users with real-time transaction data and insights. As an acquiring processor, PCG serves as the backbone infrastructure of the entire payment industry by its Asia’s 1st cloud-based processing and settlement platform. Rooted in Hong Kong with a global vison, PCG seeks to empower merchants with cutting-edge payment technology solutions and drive high-quality development in the global payment ecosystem. For more information, please visit PCG’s website: https://www.yedpay.com/en/For media enquiries, please contact:AJA (IR and Communications)Avy YuEmail: avy.yu@ajacapital.com.hkTel: (852) 9500 4443Eudice LawEmail: eudice.law@ajacapital.com.hkTel: (852) 9326 1113 Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

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