Newsroom

Black Banx Group today announced its full-year financial and operational results for the year ended 31 December 2025, highlighting record revenue and profitability, continued operational efficiency gains, and a year-end customer base just short of 100 million clients.

Financial Performance Overview — Key Financial Metrics

• Revenue: $14.2 billion in FY 2024; $17.1 billion in FY 2025 (+20.4% YoY)
• Profit before tax (PBT): $4.9 billion in FY 2024; $6.5 billion in FY 2025 (+32.6% YoY)
• Cost-to-income ratio: 65.5% in FY 2024; 62.0% in FY 2025 (down 350 basis points)
• Year-end clients: 78.1 million in FY 2024; 99.9 million in FY 2025 (+28% YoY)
• Employees: 8,212 in FY 2024; 10,081 in FY 2025 (+23% YoY)

The improvement in the cost/income ratio reflects operating leverage, automation, and disciplined cost management, with profit growth materially outpacing revenue growth.

Full-Year 2025 Highlights

• Revenue: USD 17.1 billion
• Profit before tax: USD 6.5 billion
• Global client base: 99,998,982 customers
• Employees: more than 10,000 globally
• Client reach: services provided in over 180 countries

While the Group narrowly missed its internal target of reaching 100 million customers by year-end — falling short by 1,018 clients — Black Banx significantly exceeded expectations on revenue and profitability, reinforcing the scalability and resilience of its digital banking platform.

Quarterly Momentum in 2025

• Q1 2025: Revenue USD 4.3 billion, PBT USD 1.6 billion
• Q1–Q3 2025: Revenue USD 12.7 billion, PBT USD 4.7 billion 
• Q4 2025: Revenue USD 4.4 billion, PBT USD 1.8 billion

The consistent quarterly performance underpinned full-year revenue of USD 17.1 billion and profit before tax of USD 6.5 billion.

Management Commentary

“The comparison with 2024 clearly demonstrates the transformation underway at Black Banx,” said Michael Gastauer, Group CEO. “In just one year, we increased revenues by over 20%, profits by over 32%, and reduced our cost/ income ratio by more than three percentage points — all while scaling our client base to almost 100 million globally.”

“Our 2025 results confirm the financial strength and scalability of the Black Banx platform,” said Daniel Dumitrascu, Group CFO. “With USD 17.1 billion in revenue and USD 6.5 billion in profit before tax, we enter 2026 from a position of strength. Our focus remains on disciplined growth, further margin expansion, and sustaining a low cost/income ratio as we continue to scale globally.”

Quantified Outlook for 2026

Based on its current run-rate, operational scale, and expansion plans, Black Banx provides the following management outlook for 2026:

• Clients: 125–130 million by year-end
• Revenue: USD 20–22 billion
• Profit before tax: USD 8.0–8.5 billion
• Cost / Income Ratio: low 60% range

Growth is expected to be driven by continued client acquisition, increased transaction volumes, higher monetisation per customer, and further efficiency gains from automation and technology investments.

About Black Banx Group

Black Banx Group is a leading global fintech, serving over 78 million customers across more than 180 countries. With over 8,700 employees and offices on four continents, we deliver secure and all-inclusive digital banking services to individuals, businesses, and institutions worldwide. Black Banx is committed to innovation, financial accessibility, and seamless cross border financial solutions. For more information, visit www.blackbanx.com.

Media Contact

Black Banx Media Relations
mediateam@blackbanx.com

At the Indonesia Economic Summit 2026 the summit, the announcement of the establishment of the B57+ Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters was made, marking a significant milestone in the B57+ Business Leaders Initiative.

Launched under the auspices of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), the initiative is a leading private sector-led strategic program aimed at promoting economic integration among Islamic countries and strengthening their connection to the global economy.

Abdullah Saleh Kamel, President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) and President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, underscored the strategic importance of the new Asia-Pacific branch. He described it as a pivotal step in expanding the initiative and transforming economic partnerships from coordination frameworks into actionable projects with direct developmental impact.

Kamel explained that the B57+ initiative was created to address a longstanding gap in trade and investment among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Despite a combined population exceeding two billion and vast natural and financial resources, intra-OIC trade currently accounts for only 20-22% of total trade.

He attributed this gap to structural challenges, including divergent regulatory frameworks, fragmented private sector representation, and limited sustainable channels for communication between policymakers and business communities. B57+ seeks to overcome these challenges by establishing a structured and enduring platform for public-private partnerships.

Kamel emphasized that the initiative serves as a bridge between government policies and the practical investment and operational needs of the private sector, translating economic cooperation frameworks into tangible results such as expanded trade, increased cross-border investment, job creation, and shared prosperity.

The B57+ initiative is an inclusive global economic platform extending beyond OIC member states to encompass countries with significant Muslim populations, international centers for Islamic finance and trade, and global institutions aligned with the principles of Islamic economics. The “+” symbol reflects this comprehensive vision, emphasizing the creation of an interconnected economic network that fosters integration among emerging markets while moving beyond short-term interests and geopolitical polarization.

He noted that the initiative marks a qualitative shift in the private sector’s role in the Islamic world, transitioning from mere capitalization on opportunities to actively shaping impact, thereby reinforcing the Islamic economy’s position as a major driver of global growth.

Looking ahead, B57+ is expected to provide a practical framework for harmonizing common economic policies, encouraging cross-border investment, and converting economic agreements into tangible projects, ultimately enhancing the Islamic economy’s presence and influence within the global economic system.

The world is standing at a decisive economic and moral crossroads, as rapid geopolitical and economic shifts reveal deep vulnerabilities in the prevailing global economic order, said Kamel.

Addressing the opening session of the summit, Kamel added that increasing fragmentation of the international system and the dominance of power-based interests have undermined justice, development, and human values, creating an urgent need for a more balanced and inclusive economic model.

He noted that the current global economic framework has proven incapable of delivering sustainable growth or ensuring equitable access to opportunities, attributing this failure to the growing separation between economic policies and ethical principles.

Kamel observed that the global economic discourse prevailing in major international forums no longer inspires confidence, instead reflecting a harsh reality marked by weakened regulatory frameworks, erosion of justice, and the dominance of profit-maximization and hegemonic logic over considerations of humanity, society, and environmental sustainability.

He stressed that these challenges impose a dual responsibility on business leaders in the Global South and developing economies to take the initiative in shaping a new economic framework founded on the principle of rights and obligations, rather than short-term profit-and-loss calculations.

Kamel emphasized that sustainable economic systems cannot exist without a clear moral framework, noting that investment, trade, and finance should function as tools to advance societal welfare. He warned that detaching economics from values has contributed to the erosion of trust, the fragmentation of communities, and increasing environmental harm.

He pointed out that the Islamic world possesses a longstanding civilizational legacy founded on strong ethical and value-based economic principles, which historically enabled it to contribute to the development of resilient and human-centered economic models. He said the opportunity remains for the Islamic world to reclaim this role and actively participate in shaping a more stable and just global economic future.

Highlighting the role of the private sector, Kamel said, it is capable of leading development pathways through effective partnerships with the public sector, provided there is political commitment, enabling legislation, and institutional frameworks capable of translating strategic visions into measurable outcomes.

In this regard, he commended the economic reforms being implemented in several countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that Saudi Vision 2030 has offered a practical and forward-looking model for redefining the relationship between the state and the economy. Kamel said the Vision has strengthened the private sector’s role through comprehensive regulatory reforms, major infrastructure investments, and accelerated digital transformation.

Kamel added that the Kingdom’s continued economic liberalization and institutional modernization reflect a broader international shift toward empowering the private sector as a key driver of sustainable growth, employment generation, and economic resilience.

The Indonesia Economic Summit 2026 is being held at a critical juncture for the global economy, underscoring the importance of dialogue platforms that bring together policymakers, private sector leaders, and research institutions to reexamine growth models, enhance cross-border cooperation, align public policy with market dynamics, and reinforce the private sector’s role in advancing development.

SoulGen today announces that its groundbreaking 2.0 platform has established new industry benchmarks for image-to-video AI generation. By combining revolutionary facial consistency technology with industry-leading motion accuracy and color reproduction, SoulGen 2.0 positions itself as the definitive solution for professional content creators across entertainment, marketing, social media, and digital storytelling.

Why Image-to-Video AI Matters Now

The digital content creation industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by artificial intelligence advances. Recent studies indicate that 41.7% of AI content platforms now enable video generation capabilities — yet most struggle with fundamental technical challenges:

• Facial distortions during movement
• Color inconsistencies across frames
• Unnatural, robotic motion

SoulGen 2.0 directly addresses these industry-wide limitations through comprehensive technical innovations that deliver professional-grade results.

Who benefits from SoulGen 2.0?

SoulGen 2.0 serves diverse creative applications across multiple industries:

Film and Animation

• Pre-visualization
• Character studies
• Concept development

Digital Marketing

• Dynamic social media content
• Product demonstrations
• Brand storytelling

Gaming

• Character animation references
• Cutscene prototyping

Education

• Interactive learning materials
• Historical recreations

Social Media

• Engaging video content
• Content creation for influencers and creators

Core Technology Breakthroughs

1. Unmatched Facial Identity Consistency

The challenge: Facial consistency is the most critical quality metric for character-driven content generation. Traditional AI video generators struggle to maintain facial features when subjects move or change angles.

The solution: SoulGen 2.0 achieves an industry-leading ID consistency score of 0.96, dramatically outperforming competing solutions:

• SoulGen 2.0: ID Consistency Score of 0.96
• Hunyuan: ID Consistency Score of 0.73
• PixVerse: ID Consistency Score of 0.71

This achievement stems from two proprietary technologies working in concert:

• Dynamic Feature Disentanglement (DFD): Separates identity features from pose and motion features
• Deep Facial Fusion (DFF): Ensures facial characteristics remain stable across all camera angles

The result: Videos where subjects maintain perfect facial recognition across the entire sequence — regardless of movement complexity.

2. Revolutionary Human Motion Precision

The challenge: Body distortions and unnatural movements have plagued earlier image-to-video AI generators, requiring costly retakes and manual corrections.

The solution: SoulGen 2.0 delivers transformative improvements in human motion accuracy:

• MPJPE (Mean Per Joint Position Error): 42.3 mm, representing a 38.2% reduction
• PCK@150mm (Keypoint Accuracy): 96.8%, indicating anatomically correct movements
• Precision Gain: Each joint positioned with 2.6 cm or greater accuracy

The result: Natural, accurate body movements without awkward distortions — enabling creators to generate professional content directly without extensive post-processing.

3. Industry-Leading Color Reproduction

The challenge: Color shifts between reference images and generated videos previously required extensive post-processing corrections.

The solution: SoulGen 2.0 delivers a ΔE2000 score of 1.27 — a 73.7% improvement from previous generation technology.

Why this matters: A ΔE2000 score below 2.0 means color differences are imperceptible to the human eye. Content creators can now rely on generated videos to maintain faithful color matching to reference images, ensuring:

• Consistent skin tones
• Accurate lighting reproduction
• Stable environmental details throughout video sequences

4. Superior Texture and Detail Preservation

The challenge: AI-generated content often suffers from smoothing and detail loss, requiring additional polishing for commercial use.

The solution: SoulGen 2.0 approaches the excellence benchmark across all texture quality metrics:

• SSIM (Structural Similarity Index): 0.947, approaching the 0.95 excellence benchmark
• LPIPS (Perceptual Similarity): 0.096, reflecting a 56% improvement
• PSNR (Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio): 41.8 dB, showing a 28.2% increase

The result: Professional-grade outputs suitable for commercial deployment — without additional polishing.

5. Enhanced Motion Naturalness

The challenge: Robotic, jittery movements break viewer immersion and reduce content quality.

The solution: The Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) score decreases from 8.45 to 2.73 — a 67.7% reduction that positions SoulGen 2.0 among industry-leading AI video generation solutions.

What FID measures: How closely generated content resembles real-world video distributions. Lower scores = more natural, fluid movements.

6. Advanced Semantic Understanding

The challenge: Misalignment between text prompts and visual outputs leads to time-consuming iterative refinement.

The solution: CLIP Score rises 18.5% to 0.891, reflecting significantly stronger alignment between text prompts and visual outputs.

The result: More intuitive creative control — the AI accurately interprets text prompts and reference images on first attempts, reducing iteration cycles.

Comprehensive Generation Capabilities

SoulGen 2.0 provides multiple pathways for content creation:

• Image-to-video: Upload any image to generate a fully animated 6-second video with perfect identity consistency (23% performance gain)
• Text-to-video: Create complete videos from descriptive text prompts (17% performance gain)
• Video extension: Extend existing sequences while maintaining quality consistency (19% performance gain)

Production-Ready Performance at a Glance

• Visual quality (FVD): 0.96–0.98, delivering broadcast-grade visual fidelity
• Cross-modal identity consistency: 0.88, ensuring character identity is maintained across generation modes
• Scene generation quality: 0.92, producing coherent and realistic environments
• Generation speed: ~1 minute per video, approximately 4× faster than competing platforms

Complete Technical Comparison: SoulGen 1.0 vs 2.0

• MPJPE (mm): Improved from 68.5 to 42.3 (38.2% reduction), resulting in natural body movements without distortions
• PCK@150mm (%): Increased from 87.3 to 96.8 (10.9% gain), meaning nearly all body parts are positioned correctly
• ΔE2000: Reduced from 4.82 to 1.27 (73.7% reduction), delivering near-perfect color accuracy
• SSIM: Improved from 0.823 to 0.947 (15.1% increase), ensuring fine details remain sharp and clear
• PSNR (dB): Increased from 32.6 to 41.8 (28.2% gain), achieving broadcast-quality sharpness
• LPIPS: Reduced from 0.218 to 0.096 (56.0% reduction), producing visuals that feel realistic and perceptually authentic
• FID: Improved from 8.45 to 2.73 (67.7% reduction), resulting in natural, smooth motion
• CLIP score: Increased from 0.752 to 0.891 (18.5% gain), enabling more accurate text prompt interpretation

What Content Creators Are Saying

Professional users have validated SoulGen 2.0's technical capabilities through real-world applications:

"The motion quality of the video generator is quite impressive. The frames move so fluidly that it will make you feel like you are viewing a real-life situation." — Marcus Lopez, digital content creator

"SoulGen's AI video maker has me hooked! I began with a simple video to photo AI project and the results that I got were astounding — zero distortion in the video and cinema quality for AI-generated movies. As an AI video creator, this was easily one of the most impressive tools I've encountered." — Kayla Ray, content creator

How SoulGen 2.0 Solves Industry-Wide Challenges

The content AI generation industry faces persistent technical challenges that limit quality and productivity. Facial consistency problems remain particularly problematic — many image-to-video systems experience significant drops in facial resemblance when subjects move or change perspectives.

SoulGen 2.0's Architectural Advantage:

While competing solutions often rely on single images for output — leading to consistency challenges as videos progress — SoulGen 2.0's advanced identity encoding separates identity features from motion features, maintaining perfect facial consistency throughout entire sequences.

Pricing: Professional-Grade Technology Made Accessible

• Annual subscription: $7.58 per month
• Monthly plan: $12.99 per month

This pricing structure enables both individual creators and production teams to leverage professional-grade capabilities without prohibitive investment.

The Future of Digital Content Creation

As the entertainment and digital media industries undergo AI-driven transformation, SoulGen 2.0 establishes the technical foundation for next-generation content creation.

What SoulGen 2.0 Delivers:

• Unprecedented facial consistency (0.96 ID score)
• Revolutionary motion accuracy (38.2% improvement)
• Industry-leading color reproduction (ΔE2000: 1.27)
• Superior texture preservation (SSIM: 0.947)
• 4x faster generation speed

For content creators seeking cutting-edge image-to-video AI capabilities across film, marketing, social media, gaming, and educational applications, SoulGen 2.0 represents not merely current state-of-the-art technology — but a glimpse into the future of professional digital content creation.

Availability

SoulGen 2.0 is now available to all users at SoulGen.net.

About SoulGen AI

SoulGen AI is an industrial AI company specializing in AI character image and video generation technology. Founded with the mission to make cutting-edge AI accessible to everyone, SoulGen AI has served over 300 million users worldwide, establishing itself as a leader in the AI-driven content creation space. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that empower creators and entertainment professionals to produce high-quality, realistic content with unprecedented speed and precision. Through continuous technological innovation and proprietary algorithms, SoulGen AI is redefining what's possible in AI-powered content generation. For more information, visit SoulGen.net.

Media Contact

Shawn Banks
Marketing Manager, Wave Dance Intellengic
business_shawnbanks@soulgen.ai

Moreira Team | MortgageRight, a leading Georgia-based mortgage lender, announces the launch of its innovative Upfront Approval Guarantee, a new program designed to provide homebuyers with a fully underwritten loan commitment before they even make an offer on a property. This groundbreaking guarantee aims to eliminate uncertainty in the mortgage process, making offers as strong as cash bids and helping clients navigate competitive real estate markets with confidence.

The Upfront Approval Guarantee goes beyond traditional pre-approvals by verifying all financial details — including income, assets, debts, and creditworthiness — through a comprehensive underwriting review. This results in a rock-solid commitment that assures sellers of the buyer's financing viability, subject only to property-specific conditions such as appraisals, inspections, and title work. Eligible buyers can waive financing contingencies, close in as little as 10 days, and enjoy extended validity of up to 120 days, far surpassing the typical 60-day window for standard approvals.

Streamlining the Path to Homeownership

In today's fast-paced housing market, where multiple offers are common, the Upfront Approval Guarantee gives clients a decisive advantage. The process begins with a secure online application and submission of documentation like bank statements, tax returns, and proof of income. A dedicated underwriting team then conducts a full review to identify and resolve any potential issues upfront, delivering a formal guarantee that outlines exact purchasing power, including affordable price ranges, closing costs, and monthly payments. This not only boosts the competitiveness of the offer, but also ensures a smoother, faster closing by handling the bulk of the work before the home search intensifies.

"Buyers deserve a mortgage experience that's transparent, efficient, and free from last-minute surprises," said Alvaro Moreira, founder and leader of Moreira Team | MortgageRight. "Our Upfront Approval Guarantee is a game-changer, putting clients in the driver's seat with the assurance they need to compete like cash buyers and secure their dream homes without delays."

The program is ideal for buyers in high-demand areas, those seeking quick closings, or anyone looking to stand out without the resources for all-cash offers. Interested clients can get started with a free quote — no credit check or commitments required — via the company's website or by scheduling an appointment.

About Moreira Team | MortgageRight

Moreira Team | MortgageRight is a Georgia-based mortgage lender with over 20 years of experience, specializing in home purchase loans and refinance solutions across Atlanta, the Southeast, and nationwide. Led by Alvaro Moreira, the team offers a range of programs including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, and Renovation (203,000) loans, leveraging technology for automated verifications, competitive rates from over 28 lenders, and faster closings. Committed to transparency, expert guidance, and client-focused service, Moreira Team | MortgageRight has helped thousands achieve homeownership with lower rates, no hidden fees, and a personalized approach that treats every client like family. For more information, visit moreirateam.com.

Media Contact

Alvaro Moreira
Moreira Team | MortgageRight
al@moreirateam.com
+1 404-238-7888

Moreira Team | MortgageRight, a leading mortgage brokerage committed to making homeownership more accessible and competitive, is announcing the launch of its innovative Upfront Approval Guarantee program — a game-changing financing solution designed to give homebuyers a significant edge in today’s fast-paced real estate market.

In an environment where housing inventory remains tight and multiple competing offers are the norm, buyers frequently face the challenge of proving their financing strength to sellers. The Upfront Approval Guarantee rises above the traditional pre-approval model by providing a fully underwritten loan commitment before buyers make an offer — giving sellers the confidence traditionally reserved for all-cash offers.

“Our market demands more than surface-level pre-approvals,” said Alvaro Moreira, founder and licensed mortgage advisor of Moreira Team | MortgageRight. “With the Upfront Approval Guarantee, we’re verifying income, assets, credit, and debt upfront so our clients walk into negotiations with unparalleled confidence and credibility. This isn’t just an advantage — it’s a strategic game changer for buyers looking to compete with the strongest offers on the market.”

Program Highlights and Benefits

The Upfront Approval Guarantee offers homebuyers several key advantages that distinguish it from traditional pre-approval processes:

• Verified financing strength: Unlike standard pre-approvals, which are often based on preliminary data, the Guarantee involves a comprehensive underwriting review of financials, giving sellers assurance that financing is solid and reliable.
• Comparable to cash offers: Buyers can make offers that carry near-cash credibility, and in many cases waive financing contingencies, making their bids more attractive to sellers.
• Faster, smoother closings: With most underwriting steps completed in advance, qualified buyers can often close in as little as 10 days, significantly faster than the industry standard.
• Extended validity: The Guarantee typically remains valid for up to 120 days, giving buyers extended runway to find their ideal home without needing new approvals.
• Greater buyer confidence: Knowing exactly what financing is available — including price range, closing costs, and payments — enables buyers to shop and negotiate more assertively.

This enhanced approval process addresses the common pain points that derail home purchases and equips buyers with verified documentation that resonates with sellers and listing agents alike.

Industry Praise: Why This Matters to Agents and Buyers

“When our buyers come to the table with a fully underwritten approval in hand, it changes everything,” said Ryan Lewis, owner/realtor of Ryan Lewis & Associates. “Sellers and listing agents instantly see strength in their offer, and we’ve seen firsthand how that makes securing homes in competitive situations not just possible — but probable.”

As homebuyers strive to stand out in bidding wars and multiple-offer scenarios, the Upfront Approval Guarantee arms them with credibility typically reserved for all-cash purchasers — leveling the playing field.

About Moreira Team | MortgageRight

Moreira Team | MortgageRight is a trusted mortgage brokerage based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to delivering transparent, client-focused financing solutions and exceptional customer service. With over a decade of experience helping homebuyers navigate the mortgage process, the team offers tailored loan options, streamlined systems, and strategic financial tools designed to simplify homeownership. Known for innovation in the mortgage space and commitment to client success, Moreira Team continues to lead with forward-thinking products like the Upfront Approval Guarantee. For more information or to begin your eligibility process with the Upfront Approval Guarantee, visit moreirateam.com or contact Moreira Team | MortgageRight directly at moreirateam.com/press.

Media Contact

Alvaro Moreira
Moreira Team | MortgageRight
al@moreirateam.com
+1 404-238-7888

As Turkey’s medical tourism sector prepares for a record-breaking 2026, the hair restoration sector braces for the “spring surge,” a strategic biological window for international patients.

Industry-awarded Dr. Serkan Aygin has announced available clinical slots for April and May, as Turkey is projected to host over two million health tourists by the end of 2026. Central to this demand spike is the formal launch of the 2026 Hair Restoration Protocol by the Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic.

The Spring Surge: Biological, Behavioral, and Climatic Alignment

The traditional spring surge is increasingly driven by sophisticated data regarding graft survival and recovery climates. Medical research indicates that April and May offer an optimal "Goldilocks zone" for follicular recovery. For international patients, this timing is about maximizing the metabolic success of the procedure:

• Temperate Recovery Climate: With average Istanbul temperatures between 13°C and 20°C, patients avoid the extreme perspiration of summer, which can elevate infection risks (folliculitis) and compromise graft anchor rates.
• Reduced UV Exposure: Lower UV intensity during these months protects sensitive newly-transplanted follicles from sunburn and tissue damage, which are primary causes of delayed healing in summer months.
• Hormonal Upswing: Biological studies suggest that spring aligns with a regenerative phase in the human hair cycle, where elevated levels of growth factors like IGF-1 can promote healthier follicular metabolism and faster onset of visible growth.
• Social and Aesthetic Timing: A procedure in April or May allows for the critical three-month "shock loss" phase to pass before the summer social season, ensuring early-stage growth is visible by July or August.

Strategic Capacity in a Maturing Market

As Turkey evolves from a budget destination into what analysts call the "Silicon Valley of Hair Restoration," the availability of slots at elite clinics during high season is becoming increasingly rare. In this environment, the Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic — backed by 30 years of clinical authority — has announced limited availability for the peak spring period, positioning itself to meet global demand for its newly formalized 2026 Hair Restoration Protocol.

"High-Yield" Outcomes: Dr. Serkan Aygin’s 2026 Protocol

The Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic, led by the recipient of Best Hair Transplant Surgeon award at the European Awards in Medicine 2019, is utilizing this peak season to deploy its most advanced clinical framework to date. Following a multi-year audit of 2,500 cases, the clinic reported graft survival rates reaching up to 98% in specific cohorts — a significant departure from industry averages which typically fluctuate between 75% and 95%.

The protocol integrates a suite of bio-integrated surgical steps:

• Integrated 3D Robotic Mapping: Utilizing German-engineered ARTAS systems to evaluate donor hair caliber and bulb depth, reportedly reducing follicular damage by 15% compared to manual methods.
• Sapphire FUE and DHI Hybrid Systems: The clinic combines the precision of Sapphire blades for micro-channels with DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) using specialized Choi pens. This dual approach allows for millimetre-perfect control over the angle, direction, and depth of each graft.
• Ischemic Time Reduction: The exclusive use of Sapphire FUE and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) also minimizes "out-of-body" time for follicles.
• Regenerative Signaling: The inclusion of Exosome Therapy and Stem Cell Hair Transplants as standard procedural steps. These treatments provide biological "instructions" to the scalp, stimulating mitochondrial energy and reducing the downtime typically associated with surgical trauma.
• Metabolic Support: The use of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to stimulate mitochondrial energy, helping grafts overcome "surgical shock."

About Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic

Founded by Dr. Serkan Aygin, a global authority with 30 years of experience and an estimated 100,000 successful procedures, the clinic serves as a center of excellence in Istanbul. Attracting patients from over 140 countries, the clinic is a pioneer in FUE Sapphire, DHI, and bio-technological hair treatments. For more information, visit www.drserkanaygin.com. 

Media Contact

Yunus Marangoz
yunus.marangoz@dokuclinic.com

Advertisers are under pressure to deliver more with less. Agentic workflows promise efficiency, but buyers need proof that AI-driven decisioning improves measurable performance in live programmatic transactions. This collaboration makes that connection real.

Chalice AI, the platform-independent AI media decisioning company, and PubMatic (Nasdaq: PUBM), the leading AI-powered ad tech company delivering digital advertising performance, are working together to advance interoperability across emerging agentic frameworks.

PubMatic is the first independent ad tech company to connect Model Context Protocol (MCP) infrastructure with a custom bidding agent developed within the IAB Tech Lab’s Agentic Real Time Framework (ARTF), demonstrating how agent-driven decisioning and programmatic execution work together. The integration creates a standards-based bridge between agent-driven decision systems and transaction-level programmatic execution, enabling AI agents to operate directly within real-time media workflows.

The integration is powered by PubMatic’s AgenticOS, its operating system for agentic execution embedded directly into programmatic infrastructure. AgenticOS coordinates native PubMatic agents across discovery, activation, optimization, and troubleshooting, while providing an open environment where external intelligence, like Chalice’s AI decisioning, can operate with the exact same workflows. Human operators define objectives and guardrails, while AgenticOS continuously executes and optimizes across live programmatic transactions.

“Agentic systems cannot scale in isolation,” said Adam Heimlich, CEO of Chalice AI. “Interoperability between decision layers and execution infrastructure is what turns automation into accountable performance. This work with PubMatic reflects a shared commitment to building infrastructure that can support agent-driven execution at scale.”

As advertisers and agencies move from AI experimentation to operational deployment, seamless interaction between planning, optimization, and live supply becomes essential. By linking MCP and ARTF, the Chalice AI and PubMatic integration enables buyers to apply coordinated decisioning directly to live programmatic inventory and transactions with greater transparency and stronger performance alignment across the ecosystem.

“Buyers want more control over how decisions are made programmatically, without adding complexity or slowing execution,” said Kyle Dozeman, Chief Revenue Officer of PubMatic. This partnership with Chalice allows buyers and agencies to apply custom AI decisioning directly within PubMatic’s agentic workflows, combining Chalice’s intelligence with our native agents to drive faster activation, more precise optimization, and better outcomes across the open internet.” 

As the industry shifts from automation to autonomy, standards-based interoperability will define which systems scale responsibly across the open internet.

About Chalice AI

Chalice AI is the leading AI platform for advertising growth. Advertisers’ custom models can be deployed in all major DSPs/SSPs, as well as Meta and YouTube. In 2024, Chalice pioneered the first containerized bidding agent in an SSP, enabling advertisers to optimize supply around their goals — bringing quality, context, and performance together in a single buying strategy. For more information, visit www.chalice.ai.

About PubMatic

PubMatic (Nasdaq: PUBM) is the leading AI-powered ad tech company delivering digital advertising performance. Through an intelligent, unified platform that connects buyers, publishers, data partners, and commerce media networks, PubMatic delivers superior performance with greater transparency, control, and efficiency.

Since 2006, PubMatic has pioneered every major advance in programmatic advertising, from enabling the first OpenRTB transactions to embedding AI-driven optimization and privacy-focused innovation across its platform. With omnichannel scale, proven reliability, and a track record of continuous innovation, PubMatic is building a more intelligent, profitable, and sustainable open internet. Built to Connect. Powered to Perform.

To learn more, visit pubmatic.com.

Media Contact

Hollis Guerra
hollis@purposenorthamerica.com

Inventor Thomas H. Hillery has been awarded a patent for an electric vehicle battery power monitoring and management system. This announcement coincides with recognition from Marquis Who’s Who, acknowledging Hillery’s work in developing products focused on safety, comfort and efficiency. Across his inventions, his work emphasizes practical design and usability.

Rethinking How Electric Vehicles Are Powered

Most recently, Hillery has developed and patented a practical power monitoring and management system for electric vehicles (U.S. Patents 11,962,028 B2 and 12,394,851 B2). Rather than attempting to accelerate charging time, which can place additional strain on battery systems, Hillery took a different approach.

“The fastest I’ve ever heard anybody pull into a charging station and get enough charge is 20 minutes,” said Hillery. “I figured that what we have to do is find a quick and efficient way to replace the batteries — pop out depleted batteries and put in newly charged batteries.”

Hillery introduced a modular battery-power design to facilitate sequential battery usage, allowing for individual battery modules to be replaced as needed. Rather than defaulting to the large, heavy batteries favored by current designs, Hillery’s patents use several smaller batteries. This reduces the size and weight of each module, making replacement more manageable.

From Everyday Comfort to Life-Saving Design

Before pivoting to electric vehicles, Hillery focused on everyday comfort. One project in this space involved mobile phones, after he recognized that a modern smartphone’s hard, rectangular shape was uncomfortable in the back pocket. His solution was a flexible telephone that conformed to the body’s contours rather than opposing them. Hillery’s concept earned recognition from notable technology leaders, including Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak on video-sharing website Cameo.

As a member of the National Fire Protection Association, Hillery also has a unique perspective on fire safety. Observing that ceiling-mounted smoke detectors can be difficult to monitor and maintain, especially at the recommended monthly intervals, he saw the need for change. Hillery introduced patents for devices that place controls and power access points at Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant heights, intended to improve accessibility and maintenance of home safety systems.

A Commitment to Collaboration and Impact

Hillery attributes his work to a disciplined approach to problem-solving and an interest in applying established principles to modern design challenges. This perspective has allowed him to develop patented solutions across multiple fields, from electric vehicles to fire safety.

Progress, Hillery said, is supported through collaboration. As such, his focus remains on developing technology designed for practical use and broader applicability.

“I’m trying to get useful products out into the marketplace so that people can use them and benefit from their designs," said Hillery.

In addition to his work as an inventor, Hillery recognizes academic achievement by presenting the Paul F. Hillery Scholar Athlete Award (Hillery Award®) to the top student in the Rindge School of Technical Arts at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School each year.

About Thomas H. Hillery

Thomas H. Hillery is an inventor with more than 20 years of experience creating patented technologies across electric vehicles, consumer electronics and fire safety systems. His work centers on practical design solutions that prioritize usability, accessibility and system maintenance.

Media Contact

Thomas Hillery
tom.hillery@yahoo.com

ATOM Group has formalized its entry into the United States entertainment and digital content market through a strategic joint venture with Rogelio Archilla, professionally known as Don Perry.

The parties have signed a term sheet to establish ATOM Distribution, a U.S.-incorporated business unit designed to promote, commercialize, and distribute talent-driven content and media assets. The venture represents a significant milestone in ATOM Group’s broader international growth strategy.

ATOM Distribution will be formed as a Delaware entity, with ATOM Group holding majority ownership and operational control. Governance will be overseen by a four-member Board of Directors, providing structured oversight while enabling efficient execution. A management incentive pool has also been established to support future leadership hires and long-term growth.

The new entity has been designed to address the increasing convergence between talent, digital platforms, and monetization. Rather than replicating traditional agency or studio models, ATOM Distribution will operate as a focused commercial channel that aligns curated talent networks with scalable distribution infrastructure.

ATOM Group will contribute its platform infrastructure, technology, and operational execution through its ecosystems, including JGGL and Arteki. These platforms integrate content creation, management, distribution, and monetization within a single framework.

Don Perry will provide exclusive access to his talent roster, creative projects, and international business network, supporting deal origination and commercial development. With decades of experience across the U.S. and global entertainment industries, Perry brings a reputation for discretion and long-standing relationships at senior levels of the industry.

According to Dmitry Saksonov, founding partner at ATOM Group, ATOM Distribution represents a wide range of the group’s media and content production initiatives. He emphasized that the combination of platform technology and an established talent network is designed to create long-term value in the U.S. market.

Perry described the partnership as a structured alignment built on transparency and execution. He noted that ATOM Group’s operational depth and platform capabilities provide the foundation needed to bring talent-driven projects to market efficiently.

Initial operations will focus on the United States, with the framework allowing for potential expansion into additional international markets. The final structure and operations of the joint venture remain subject to definitive agreements.

Jordan Budd, who supports Don Perry across strategic initiatives and deal execution, contributed to the successful facilitation of the partnership and will continue to provide operational coordination.

The launch of ATOM Distribution underscores ATOM Group’s intention to build durable, platform-driven businesses that integrate talent, technology, and governance as core components of long-term growth.

About JIGGL

JIGGL is a next-generation social networking company built to make real-world connections easier, smarter, and more intentional. Designed for a mobile-first generation, JIGGL bridges the gap between digital discovery and real human interaction by helping people connect based on proximity, context, and shared intent. At its core, JIGGL is focused on authentic connection. Whether users are looking to expand their social circle, meet like-minded individuals, or discover people nearby in real time, the platform removes friction from the way people meet and interact in modern life. Unlike traditional social networks that prioritise vanity metrics and passive scrolling, JIGGL is built around presence, relevance, and timing. The platform emphasises meaningful interactions over noise, encouraging users to engage when it actually matters, not endlessly consume content. JIGGL is positioned at the intersection of social technology, location intelligence, and community building, offering a fresh alternative to outdated social models. Its design philosophy centres on simplicity, privacy, and user control, ensuring that connections feel natural rather than forced. As social behaviour continues to evolve, JIGGL aims to become the go-to infrastructure for real-world social discovery — powering a new era where technology enhances human connection instead of replacing it. For more information, visit jggl.ai.

Media Contact

Valeriya Maslova
valeriiamslv@gmail.com

George Alifragis, senior vice president and head of Operating Network and Ecosystem at Metropolitan Partners Group, is joining the Inc. Leadership Forum, a distinguished and invitation-only community curated by Inc., the leading business media brand and playbook for entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our economy. The exclusive group is reserved for founders, CEOs, and the C-suite of companies that have earned recognition in Inc. award programs, such as the Inc. 5000, Inc. Female Founders, Inc. Regionals, and Inc. Best Workplaces, along with other select high-profile executives.

Inc. Leadership Forum brings together a collective of the most dynamic visionaries in business. Members gain access to invitation-only live events, experiences, high-level masterminds, and information-packed virtual sessions and networking designed to facilitate growth, collaboration, and personal development. Through its platform, Inc. amplifies members’ voices across industries by publishing their thought-leadership expertise on Inc.com.

"Joining Inc. Leadership Forum represents an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow operators and innovators who are reshaping American business," said Alifragis. "Throughout my career, I've built on the principle that high-growth businesses drive the most meaningful innovation and economic impact when empowered by intentionally designed ecosystems. This community embodies that entrepreneurial spirit, and I look forward to contributing to and learning from this exceptional group of leaders.”

Alifragis brings nearly two decades of experience in business transformation, strategic partnerships, and innovation-driven leadership across high tech, telecommunications, and financial services. He has held senior and C-suite leadership roles at Bell/BCE Inc., Altima Telecom, and Sryas. At Metropolitan Partners Group, a New York-based private investment firm, George serves as senior vice president and head of Operating Network and Ecosystem (ONE). In this role, he is transforming how growth capital is approached by integrating operational expertise and ecosystem development across the investment lifecycle. ONE is a curated, purpose-built ecosystem designed to convert industry knowledge into competitive advantage. By combining sector expertise with operational excellence, ONE enables the firm and its portfolio companies to navigate challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and accelerate sustainable growth.

“We’re thrilled to bring together this exclusive group of executives who deeply understand the rewards and challenges of running some of the fastest-growing companies in America. By staying connected to their peers and to Inc. — the only publication wholly devoted to their success — they can jointly prosper,” said Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc.

For more information on Inc. Leadership Forum, please visit inc.com/LeadershipForum.

About Metropolitan Partners Group

Founded in 2008, Metropolitan Partners Group is a New York-based private investment firm. Metropolitan provides non-controlling growth capital to non-sponsored, entrepreneur-led businesses predominantly across the U.S., designed to preserve ownership, honor the management team's vision, and accelerate scale, while delivering value and downside protection to its investors. To learn more, visit www.metpg.com.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.'s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, digital, print, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

RepeatMD announced that its newly launched AI agents, Adonis and Aria, generated more than $5 million in treatment sales for aesthetic and wellness practices within a 30-day period, highlighting the growing role of AI-driven commerce in the industry.

Adonis and Aria are agentic AI solutions embedded directly within the RepeatMD platform. Trained on each practice’s specific treatments, packages, and products, the AI agents engage with patients in real time, answer questions, recommend services, and complete purchases without staff involvement. Operating around the clock, the agents enable practices to capture revenue opportunities beyond traditional business hours.

“We recently launched Adonis and Aria as fully trained AI agents inside our app, and in their first 30 days they generated about $5 million in sales for practices,” said Phil Sitter, founder and CEO of RepeatMD.

Since launch, the AI agents have driven a wide range of transaction sizes across RepeatMD’s client base, from smaller individual purchases to higher-value treatment sales. This performance demonstrates the agents’ ability to support diverse practice models and patient needs.

“Adonis and Aria are completing transactions at every level, from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, by guiding patients through aesthetic and wellness treatments in real time,” Sitter said.

Beyond revenue growth, the AI agents are designed to reduce operational burden for practice owners and staff by managing patient inquiries and sales conversations autonomously. Patients are engaging with the agents at all hours, often outside of normal business operations, allowing practices to convert interest into purchases without additional staffing.

“What makes this different is that practices are reclaiming time while patients are having meaningful, one-on-one conversations about treatments whenever it’s convenient for them, whether that’s late at night or early in the morning,” Sitter said.

RepeatMD currently supports more than 4,000 aesthetic and wellness practices with technology focused on patient engagement, automated commerce, and revenue optimization. The launch of Adonis and Aria represents the company’s continued expansion into AI-powered solutions designed to help practices scale efficiently while meeting modern consumer expectations.

In addition to its AI-driven product releases, RepeatMD will host a virtual membership masterclass on January 28 at 3:00 p.m. ET featuring Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. The event is designed for aesthetic and wellness practices selling memberships who may be feeling stuck or seeking new strategies to grow recurring revenue. Register for the membership masterclass at:  info.repeatmd.com/2026-membership-masterclass

About RepeatMD

RepeatMD is a Medcommerce™ platform transforming how aesthetic and wellness practices grow revenue through automated patient engagement, ecommerce, loyalty tools, and AI-driven sales solutions. Serving thousands of practices and millions of patients, RepeatMD empowers providers with tools that increase revenue while reducing operational burden. For more information, visit repeatmd.com.

Media Contact

RepeatMD Press Inquiries
info@repeatmd.com

Dr. George Waring successfully performed the first FDA-approved implantation in the United States of the BVI FineVision® HP Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) earlier today, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of presbyopia-correcting cataract surgery.

The BVI FineVision HP Trifocal IOL is designed to provide patients with high-quality vision at near, intermediate, and distance ranges, offering a full range of vision with reduced dependence on glasses following cataract surgery. Its FDA approval represents a major step forward in expanding advanced vision correction options for U.S. patients.

“This is an exciting moment for both surgeons and patients,” said Dr. George Waring, medical director of Waring Vision Institute. “The availability of the BVI FineVision HP Trifocal IOL in the United States allows us to offer an innovative, clinically proven technology that has the potential to significantly enhance visual outcomes and patient satisfaction.”

The lens features a trifocal optical design engineered to optimize light distribution and visual quality across all distances.

“This milestone underscores our commitment to innovation and to bringing the latest FDA-approved technologies to our patients,” Dr. Waring added.

The first implantation signals the beginning of broader U.S. availability of the BVI FineVision HP Trifocal IOL and highlights the ongoing evolution of premium cataract and refractive lens surgery.

About Waring Vision Institute

Waring Vision Institute, located in Charleston, South Carolina, is a premier destination for innovative and luxurious eye care. Led by a world-class surgeon, Dr. George O. Waring IV, the Institute specializes in the latest advancements in laser vision correction, cataract surgery, and a wide range of other ophthalmic services. With a commitment to personalized care and advanced technology, Waring Vision Institute delivers an unparalleled experience for every patient. For more information, visit www.waringvision.com.

Media Contact

Jessica Stubing
jstubing@waringvision.com

Oberheiden P.C. is pleased to announce that the firm’s whistleblower lawyers are now accepting qui tam cases nationwide. The qui tam provisions of the federal False Claims Act allow whistleblowers to help the government prosecute companies and individuals for fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). Whistleblowers can initiate qui tam cases under the False Claims Act involving FWA in all federal contracts, grants, and programs, and the False Claims Act provides protections and financial rewards to eligible individuals.

According to the firm’s founding attorney, Nick Oberheiden, PhD, “By expanding our qui tam practice nationwide, we hope to be able to work with whistleblowers across the country who have information about fraud perpetrated against the United States government. Fraud under federal contracts, grants, and programs can take many forms, and qui tam whistleblowers can expose all forms under the False Claims Act.”

Dr. Oberheiden continues, “Our team is well-equipped to represent whistleblowers, who are also referred to as qui tam relators, in these cases. Each qui tam attorney at our firm has extensive experience, and some of our attorneys previously prosecuted False Claims Act violations at the U.S. Department of Justice.”

Procurement fraud, billing fraud, and other means of submitting “false or fraudulent claims” to the federal government are all common, says Dr. Oberheiden. “Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers can file qui tam lawsuits involving any means of improperly obtaining government funds. While intentional fraud is required to substantiate criminal charges, intent is not required to establish a civil False Claims Act violation.”

Oberheiden P.C. is accepting cases involving both intentional and inadvertent violations, and Dr. Oberheiden emphasizes that prospective whistleblowers do not need to be certain whether a violation was intentional. “In fact,” he says, “we encourage individuals to come forward even if they aren’t sure that they have evidence of fraud against the government. Most prospective whistleblowers aren’t completely sure whether they are eligible to file, and, as whistleblower lawyers, our first job is to help ensure that our clients are making informed decisions.”

Whistleblowers who file qui tam lawsuits are entitled to confidentiality under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act also prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers if they disclose their identities. “In the vast majority of cases, whistleblowers’ identities will remain unknown — as long as whistleblowers do not disclose their identities themselves,” says Dr. Oberheiden. “But, just in case, the False Claims Act includes anti-retaliation provisions as well.”

“While many whistleblowers are simply motivated by a desire to do the right thing, in addition to providing whistleblower protections, the False Claims Act also provides for whistleblower rewards in appropriate cases.” Dr. Oberheiden continues, “If a qui tam lawsuit leads to a successful enforcement action, a qui tam relator is generally entitled to between 15% and 30% of the amount the government recovers.”

Since its enactment, the False Claims Act has helped the federal government recover billions of dollars in taxpayer funds lost to fraudulent practices. This includes defense contractor fraud, fraud under other government contracts, healthcare fraud (including Medicare and Medicaid fraud), and fraud under federal programs like the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). According to Dr. Oberheiden, once a whistleblower files a lawsuit on the government’s behalf, if the investigation uncovers evidence of fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice can pursue civil or criminal enforcement, depending on the nature of the fraud.

Oberheiden P.C. is currently scheduling free initial consultations with prospective False Claims Act whistleblowers. “If you have, or think you may have, information about fraud perpetrated against the U.S. government, we want to hear from you,” says Dr. Oberheiden. “Our attorneys can help you make an informed decision about whether to file a qui tam lawsuit — and, if you decide to move forward, our attorneys will file your lawsuit in federal district court and then work with the U.S. Department of Justice on your behalf.”

Dr. Oberheiden says the firm is handling all qui tam lawsuits on a contingency-fee basis. He says the firm’s clients will not have to pay any legal fees or costs out of pocket, and the firm’s legal fees, if any, will be calculated as a percentage of a client’s whistleblower award if their case is successful.

About Oberheiden P.C.

Oberheiden P.C. is a nationally practicing law firm with a focus on white-collar, national security, company audits, and federal litigation cases. Clients from 48 states have hired our team of former Justice Department prosecutors, former federal agents, and veteran litigation attorneys to protect their reputation, financial safety, and freedom. For more information, visit federal-lawyer.com.

Disclaimer

Oberheiden P.C. is a whistleblower law firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with a nationwide network of senior attorneys and consultants. The firm’s whistleblower lawyers are available to assist clients throughout the United States with exposing fraud, waste, abuse, and other violations of federal law. 

Media Contact

Nick Oberheiden
Founding Attorney, Oberheiden P.C.
nick@federal-lawyer.com
+1 888-680-1745

Development in conversational artificial intelligence has led to the emergence of AI companionship systems, commonly referred to as AI girlfriend chat platforms. These systems combine large language models, adaptive memory layers, and user-centric product design to enable sustained, emotionally aware dialogue. From a technical perspective, they represent an evolution from task-oriented chatbots toward relationship-oriented conversational software.

Unlike traditional assistants, AI girlfriend apps like Dream Companion are designed to support emotionally rich interactions that mimic aspects of human relationships. Users can form long-term bonds with their virtual companions, engaging in personal conversations, emotional support, and role-based interactions.

Modern systems allow users to create their own digital companions by customizing appearance, personality, and communication style. This level of personalization enables users to design characters that align with their preferences and emotional needs. Customization typically includes selecting visual traits, behavioral patterns (such as playful, shy, or confident), and conversational tone. Platforms like Dream Companion offer extensive character creation tools and emphasize on privacy and encryption to protect user data.

Within this evolving ecosystem, leading platforms are increasingly evaluated based on emotional realism, personalization depth, and long-term interaction quality.

A Model for Context-Aware Interaction

Dream Companion has gained attention for its focus on persistent conversational memory and adaptive interaction logic. Its architecture demonstrates how AI girlfriend apps can move beyond short, fragmented exchanges by maintaining context across multiple sessions.

This continuity aligns with current research in human-computer interaction, where sustained context improves user trust and emotional engagement. Dream Companion enables users to choose from pre-built characters or create their own, adjusting visual style, personality, and emotional traits. This flexibility allows each companion to deliver tailored emotional support and companionship.

Technical Evaluation Framework

AI girlfriend chat platforms can be assessed using established criteria from software engineering and conversational AI research:

• Conversational Context Handling: The ability to preserve topic continuity, emotional tone, and logical coherence over extended conversations. Natural language processing serves as the system’s core, generating context-aware responses in real time.
• Memory and Personalization: Mechanisms for storing user preferences, interaction history, and behavioral signals. Emotional intelligence plays a key role, enabling the system to adapt its tone and pacing based on user mood and previous interactions.
• Adaptive Dialogue Design: Dynamic adjustment of language style and conversational strategy in response to user input. Natural pacing and emotional sensitivity are essential for sustained engagement.
• System Performance and User Experience: Stability, response latency, and interface clarity strongly influence immersion. Features such as voice interaction and real-time feedback enhance realism.
• Interaction Modalities: Users may interact through text, voice, or multimedia formats. Some platforms support avatar animations, voice calls, and visual content generation to create a more lifelike experience.
• Access Architecture: Differences between free access tiers and subscription models, typically balancing usage limits, memory depth, and personalization features.
• Safety and Predictability: Implementation of moderation systems and behavioral guardrails to ensure consistent, responsible AI behavior.

Observations on the Ecosystem of AI Girlfriends Apps

Most free AI girlfriend chat platforms rely on similar foundational language models. However, user experience varies significantly depending on how memory and personalization layers are implemented.

Systems that restrict conversational state to single sessions often deliver engaging but fragmented experiences. In contrast, platforms with persistent memory support long-term interaction patterns associated with higher engagement and emotional coherence.

Dream Companion exemplifies this approach by structuring conversations around continuity rather than isolated exchanges. This requires additional orchestration between the language model, memory storage, and dialogue management layers, increasing system complexity but enabling more adaptive behavior.

Other platforms allow users to create multiple companions, each with unique personalities and storylines. These companions can display humor, empathy, and emotional responsiveness, enriching long-term engagement.

Free Access and Product Design

User interest in free access reflects demand for low-barrier experimentation. Most platforms implement tiered access models, where free versions offer limited interaction volume and reduced memory persistence. Advanced personalization and long-term context retention are typically reserved for paid tiers.

From a systems perspective, this structure balances computational cost, moderation requirements, and safety while allowing broad user access.

Broader Technical and Societal Context

AI girlfriend apps operate at the intersection of affective computing, digital well-being, and ethical AI design. Their ability to simulate emotionally responsive dialogue highlights the importance of transparency, privacy protection, and predictable behavior.

Some independent research organizations have raised concerns regarding data collection practices in consumer AI applications. As a result, privacy safeguards and encryption are becoming key differentiators among platforms.

Many users report that AI companions provide a non-judgmental space to explore emotions, personal interests, and creative roleplay scenarios. Features often include storytelling, fantasy interaction, and mood-responsive dialogue, enabling emotionally resonant experiences.

However, experts also caution about potential risks. The always-available nature of AI companions and the absence of social friction may contribute to dependency or social withdrawal for vulnerable individuals. Responsible design and clear user boundaries remain critical.

Conclusion

The AI girlfriend category illustrates a broader shift in conversational AI toward adaptive, long-term interaction systems. While many platforms share similar underlying technologies, meaningful differences emerge in memory architecture, personalization depth, and interaction design.

Platforms such as Dream Companion demonstrate how these technical choices directly influence user experience and emotional engagement. As language models and infrastructure continue to evolve, AI girlfriend platforms will remain an important case study in responsible deployment of emotionally responsive artificial intelligence.

About Dream Companion

Dream Companion is a New York-based company providing a digital platform designed to help adults explore, understand, and engage with their dreams. Our offerings include dream journaling, interpretation, and creative reflection experiences that blend psychology, storytelling, and technology to turn dreams into meaningful insights. We focus on highly personalized, immersive AI companionship that listens, adapts, and responds with natural-feeling interaction and emotional support. Learn more at www.dreamcompanion.io.

Media Contact

Dream Companion
info@mydreamcompanion.com

Smile Hair Clinic, the first hair transplant clinic accredited with the prestigious A-Rated TEMOS International Healthcare Accreditation, has successfully completed another important milestone in advancing professional education in hair transplantation.

Following its official authorization as a training center, Smile Hair Clinic delivered the Certified Hair Transplant Practitioner Program, a professional training initiative designed for medical doctors seeking advanced expertise in modern hair transplantation techniques.

The program was conducted with official approval from the Turkish Ministry of Health and included both theoretical and practical training components. The first edition of this distinguished program was successfully completed between October 20 and November 14.

Bringing together scientific knowledge, ethical standards, and operational excellence, the training was guided by Smile Hair Clinic’s expertise and its True™ Philosophy. Participants received structured instruction in modern techniques, patient safety, and clinical best practices through a curriculum supported by experienced clinical teams.

A Commitment to Education and Excellence

With its focus on innovation and the True Philosophy, Smile Hair Clinic has long invested not only in patient care but also in professional development. This program reflects the clinic’s dedication to preparing skilled professionals who can contribute to the future of hair restoration and medical tourism.

Training operations at the Smile Hair Clinic Training Center were carried out through a structured educational framework, overseen by appointed managers and supported by multidisciplinary clinical staff.

Leadership Commentary

“Receiving TEMOS A-Rated accreditation is both an honor and a responsibility. Through this program, we are sharing our knowledge while helping to train future experts who will uphold the highest ethical and technical standards,” said Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan, FUE Europe Member since 2020 and co-founder of Smile Hair Clinic.

“Education is essential for both the industry and patient outcomes. With this program, we provide a structured training approach focused on scientific methodology, correct techniques, and patient safety. Our mission is to train specialists who will become trusted references in Turkey and internationally,” added Dr. Gökay Bilgin, co-founder of Smile Hair Clinic.

Strengthening Global Leadership

The successful completion of the first Certified Hair Transplant Practitioner Program marks a significant step in Smile Hair Clinic’s mission to unite clinical excellence with structured education. By combining hands-on training with academic standards, Smile Hair Clinic continues to contribute to the development of qualified professionals in hair restoration.

Beyond transforming lives through patient care, the clinic is now actively supporting the next generation of practitioners who will help raise the standards of excellence in hair transplantation in Turkey and worldwide, guided by precision, ethics, and the True Philosophy.

About Smile Hair Clinic

Founded by Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan and Dr. Gökay Bilgin, Smile Hair Clinic is a globally recognized leader in hair transplantation. Based in Istanbul, the clinic is the first and only hair transplant clinic in the world to receive the prestigious TEMOS International Healthcare Accreditation (A-Rated). It is known for its surgeon-led protocols, natural-looking results, transparent pricing, and all-inclusive packages that make hair transplantation accessible for patients from across the globe. With thousands of successful operations and patients from over 160 countries, Smile Hair Clinic continues to redefine excellence in modern hair restoration. For more information, visit www.smilehairclinic.com.

Media Contact

Berk Elmas
Marketing Director, Smile Hair Clinic
berk.elmas@smilehairclinic.com
+90 549 149 24 00

Smile Hair Clinic, one of the most renowned hair transplant clinics in the world recognized for its patient-centered approach and medical innovation, has successfully concluded the Smile Hair Clinic x Coderspace Hackathon. The initiative is designed to support young talent and contribute to the future of digital health technologies.

Positioned at the intersection of healthcare and technology, the hackathon focused on mobile application development and AI-powered video production, encouraging participants to create digital solutions that enhance the patient journey and redefine healthcare communication through artificial intelligence. The projects reflected Smile Hair Clinic’s long-term vision of combining clinical excellence with innovation-driven healthcare solutions.

405 Applications from Emerging Digital Health Talent

The hackathon attracted a total of 405 applications, including 265 teams in the Mobile Application Development category and 140 teams in the AI-Powered Video Production category, highlighting strong interest in healthcare-focused technology and AI innovation.

Following an initial evaluation, 103 teams (70 mobile, 33 video) advanced to an intensive online development phase held between November 7-18. At the end of this process, seven mobile and five video teams qualified for the final stage to present their projects to the jury.

Grand Final Held at Boğaziçi University

The grand final presentations and award ceremony took place on November 14 at Boğaziçi University, bringing together young innovators, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders. The Smile Hair Clinic jury panel evaluated each project based on predefined criteria, selecting the top three teams in both categories.

Winning teams were awarded PlayStation, MacBook, and AirPods prizes, presented by members of the Smile Hair Clinic Board of Directors.

Winning Teams

Mobile Application Development:

• Boolean Hooligans – Mehmetcan Bozkuş, Arda Toprak
• AppForge – Yasin Furkan Abasız, Harun Korkmaz
• Hackstreetboys – Ömer Kıraç, Abdullah Özbay, Mustafa Tolgahan Usta

AI-Powered Video Production:

• Medici – Yavuz Kaklıkkaya, Elif İşler
• HairGenius – İrem Dilşat Köse, Burak Talha Memiş
• Design In Box – Emre Akdoğan, Muhammed Kurtar

All finalist teams delivered inspiring projects, ranging from user-focused mobile health applications to AI-driven video concepts offering new perspectives on patient education and healthcare communication.

Statements from the Founders

“At Smile Hair Clinic, we believe the future of healthcare will be shaped by the integration of medical excellence and digital innovation. As we continue moving forward with our vision to be the best hair transplant clinic in the world, this hackathon created a meaningful platform for young talent to rethink the patient experience through technology,” added Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan, FUE Europe Member since 2020 and co-founder of Smile Hair Clinic.

“Supporting young talent and innovative thinking is central to our long-term vision. The projects developed during this hackathon showed how technology, when guided by empathy and purpose, can drive real transformation in healthcare and medical tourism,” added Dr. Gökay Bilgin, co-founder of Smile Hair Clinic.

Why Vision and Innovation Define Leading Healthcare Clinics

Being recognized as one of the top hair transplant clinics in the world today goes beyond clinical outcomes alone. It reflects a commitment to vision, responsibility, and continuous improvement. The most trusted healthcare brands invest in innovation, prioritize patient safety and experience, and actively support education and emerging talent.

Smile Hair Clinic’s hackathon exemplifies this forward-looking approach strengthening digital health solutions, empowering future innovators, and contributing to the evolution of patient-centered care.

Investing in the Future of Health Technologies

Through the Smile Hair Clinic x Coderspace Hackathon, Smile Hair Clinic once again demonstrated its dedication not only to hair transplant excellence but also to advancing healthcare innovation, supporting young talent, and shaping the future of health technologies.

About Smile Hair Clinic

Founded by Dr. Mehmet Erdoğan and Dr. Gökay Bilgin, Smile Hair Clinic is a globally recognized leader in hair transplantation. Based in Istanbul, the clinic is the first and only hair transplant clinic in the world to receive the prestigious TEMOS International Healthcare Accreditation (A-Rated). It is known for its surgeon-led protocols, natural-looking results, transparent pricing, and all-inclusive packages that make hair transplantation accessible for patients from across the globe. With thousands of successful operations and patients from over 160 countries, Smile Hair Clinic continues to redefine excellence in modern hair restoration. For more information, visit www.smilehairclinic.com.

Media Contact

Berk Elmas
Marketing Director, Smile Hair Clinic
berk.elmas@smilehairclinic.com
+90 549 149 24 00

FixMold Miami has formally launched a dedicated Marine Mold Division, designed specifically to address mold issues unique to boats and yachts operating in South Florida’s marine environment. The new division introduces specialized remediation protocols, marine-calibrated technology, and treatment systems developed exclusively for vessels exposed to constant humidity, salt air, condensation, and limited below-deck ventilation.

The launch builds on years of hands-on experience servicing marine clients across South Florida. For years, FixMold Miami has serviced mold challenges aboard more than 50 to 100 boats and yachts annually throughout marinas in Miami Beach, Fisher Island, Key Biscayne, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles, and Fort Lauderdale.

Mold remains one of the most persistent problems faced by boat and yacht owners in the region. Unlike homes, vessels are surrounded by water at all times, creating continuous exposure to moisture, salt air, and condensation that accelerates mold growth and complicates remediation efforts.

FixMold Miami’s Official Marine Division Built Specifically for Boats and Yachts

FixMold’s Marine Mold Division was developed to address these conditions directly.

Rather than modifying residential remediation methods, the company created vessel-specific marine mold remediation services that account for confined spaces, curved surfaces, sensitive marine materials, and constant moisture exposure.

With firsthand experience remediating over 100 vessels per year, the FixMold Miami team understands how mold behaves differently below deck and why lasting results require a specialized approach.

Core elements of the marine division include:

• Marine-specific remediation protocols tailored for yachts and boats
• One-year minimum mold-free warranty on treated areas
• Eco-safe, zero-VOC solutions suitable for occupied vessels
• Targeted moisture diagnostics designed for confined marine environments
• HVAC duct and mold cleaning adapted for marine air handling systems
• State-certified technicians trained in confined-space remediation
• Optional FaceTime assessments for guidance while vessels are docked or offshore

Professional Equipment Designed for Marine Environments

The newly launched Marine Mold Division uses professional-grade tools:

• Electrostatic sprayers designed for boats and yachts for uniform coverage across curved and vertical surfaces
• Hydroxyl generators with maximizers to neutralize airborne contaminants and odors
• HEPA 700 air scrubbers for continuous particulate filtration during treatment
• Thermo foggers and C150 Vector Fog systems used with Benefect Decon 30
• HEPA vacuum systems designed for boats and yachts for detailed extraction from surfaces and HVAC components
• Zefon Bio Pump air samplers with tripods for pre- and post-remediation testing
• .35-mil polyethylene containment sheeting to prevent cross-contamination

Certified Marine Mold Specialists Serving South Florida Marinas

FixMold’s Marine Mold Division operates under certifications and training aligned with:

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
• Indoor Air Quality Association
• National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors
• National Association of Mold Professionals
• National Association of Environmental Mold Remediators and Inspectors

“Boats are a completely different environment,” said a senior FixMold marine specialist. “They sit in water every day, they trap humidity, and the airflow below deck is limited. If remediation isn’t designed specifically for that, mold just keeps coming back. This division was created because boats need a different approach, much, much different compared to a residential one.”

About Fix Mold Miami

FixMold LLC, a firm offering the most advanced air duct cleaning and mold removal services, is located in Miami and operates in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and the Florida Keys. It's a family-run business that offers multifold services, including mold remediation, water damage restoration, HVAC duct cleaning, air quality improvement, odor removal, and general contracting. The company is certified, licensed, bonded, and insured and is recognized as South Florida’s top-rated restoration provider with more than 600 five-star reviews and an A+ rating from the BBB. For more information, visit fixmold.com, or follow FixMold on Facebook or Instagram.

XDC Network has secured a custody integration with BitGo, the digital asset infrastructure company, in a move that directly addresses institutional barriers to enterprise blockchain adoption. The integration enables regulated custody for XDC tokens and USDC on XDC Network, providing the infrastructure that corporates, exchanges, and financial institutions require before deploying capital on-chain.

Institutional participants, including corporates, exchanges, and financial service providers—can now utilize BitGo's Multi-Party Computation (MPC) wallet technology through its regulated custodian entity, BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association, that now supports XDC chain operations, giving enterprises access to institutional-grade security and regulatory compliance frameworks. 

"BitGo’s custody is infrastructure that unlocks real enterprise deployment," said Amitava Mandal, Director XDC Tech US, Inc. "Trade finance and payment platforms can't operate on blockchain without regulated custody. This integration removes that blocker and positions XDC Network for institutional capital flows that weren't previously possible."

XDC Network’s architecture, designed for trade finance, tokenized assets, and cross-border payments, complements BitGo’s security-first approach, ensuring regulated, compliant, and scalable digital asset management for institutional use.

The integration positions XDC Network competitively as enterprises actively evaluate blockchain alternatives to legacy payment infrastructure plagued by slow settlement, high costs, and limited transparency. With BitGo’s regulated custody,, major exchanges and institutional asset managers can now onboard XDC with the same custody standards required for traditional financial assets.

About XDC Network

XDC Network is a leading hybrid blockchain designed to revolutionize global trade finance and enterprise solutions. Built for scalability, interoperability, and compliance with ISO 20022 standards, XDC Network enables efficient, secure, and low-cost transactions, bridging traditional and decentralized finance. With a capacity for 2,000 transactions per second and a focus on real-world asset tokenization, XDC empowers businesses and communities worldwide to participate in the digital economy. The network has global partnerships with governments as well as financial institutions like Fidelity via Archax, VERT Capital, Deutsche Telekom, SBI Holdings Japan, among others industry leaders. For more information, visit xdc.org.

About BitGo

BitGo (NYSE: BTGO) is the digital asset infrastructure company delivering custody, wallets, staking, trading, financing, stablecoins, and settlement services from regulated cold storage. Since 2013, BitGo has focused on accelerating the transition of the financial system to a digital asset economy. BitGo maintains a global presence and multiple regulated entities, including BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association, a federally chartered digital asset bank. Today, BitGo serves thousands of institutions, including many of the industry's top brands, financial institutions, exchanges, and platforms, and millions of investors worldwide. For more information, visit www.bitgo.com.

Media Contact

Rachna Baruah
rachna@xinfin.org

Bcon Global has launched a non-custodial crypto payment gateway that allows businesses to accept crypto payments directly to their own wallets. The platform enables companies to pay with cryptocurrency and receive payments crypto on-chain without taking custody of funds or providing third-party access, allowing companies to maintain full control over their payment flows. Designed as payment infrastructure rather than a custodial service, Bcon supports businesses seeking direct, blockchain-native settlement without reliance on banks or traditional payment processors.

Non-Custodial Crypto Payment Infrastructure

Bcon Global operates as a true non custodial gateway and crypto payment system. The platform does not store user funds, private keys, or balances. To accept cryptocurrency payments, merchants only need to connect a public wallet address. Every crypto payment is sent directly on-chain to the merchant’s wallet.

This architecture removes intermediaries from the payment crypto process and reduces the risk of freezes, delays, or external restrictions. Businesses retain full ownership of their funds while accepting cryptocurrency globally.

Accept Crypto Payments on Websites and Applications

The gateway allows companies to accept crypto payments on websites, SaaS platforms, and custom applications. Businesses can accept cryptocurrencies using hot wallets, cold storage, or hardware wallets.

Customers can pay in cryptocurrency using widely adopted wallets such as MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Ledger, Trezor, Exodus, and Electrum. This approach simplifies how to accept crypto payments while maintaining compatibility with existing wallet infrastructure.

Crypto Payment API and Payment Automation

Bcon Global provides a scalable crypto payment API and crypto payments API for developers and businesses. The API supports invoice creation, payment tracking, balance verification, and on-chain confirmations.

Invoices can be issued in fiat currency, while the system automatically calculates the cryptocurrency payment amount using real-time exchange rates. Webhooks notify merchants about payment status updates, enabling seamless crypto integration with internal systems, accounting tools, and digital services.

The platform also supports crypto payment links and cryptocurrency links for payment, allowing businesses to request payments via email, messengers, or invoices.

E-commerce and CMS Integrations

Bcon Global offers a crypto payment plugin for ecommerce platforms, enabling fast deployment without complex development. Available integrations include:

• WordPress crypto payment plugin
• Cryptocurrency plugins for Opencart

Merchants can also accept crypto on WHMCS and Shopify using crypto payment integrations. These tools allow businesses to start accepting cryptocurrency payments with minimal setup.

For advanced use cases, developers can build custom payment flows using the crypto payment gateway API.

Multi-Blockchain and Stablecoin Support

Bcon Global supports payments crypto across multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana, and TRON. Stablecoin transactions are supported for USDT, USDC, USDS, and TUSD.

All cryptocurrency payment transactions are transparent and verifiable through public blockchain explorers, ensuring on-chain proof and auditability.

Pricing Model

The platform applies a flat 1% fee only to transactions processed through the API. Payments sent directly to the merchant wallet outside the system are not affected. There are no setup fees, monthly subscriptions, or minimum transaction volumes.

This pricing structure allows businesses to scale their crypto payment solution without hidden costs.

Use Cases and Availability

Bcon Global is designed for businesses, freelancers, and developers looking to accept crypto payment and accept cryptocurrency payments globally. Common use cases include e-commerce, subscription services, digital products, marketplaces, and peer-to-peer payments.

The service is available worldwide and supports international transactions without traditional banking infrastructure.

About Bcon Global

Bcon Global is a non-custodial crypto payment gateway that enables direct on-chain cryptocurrency payments to user-controlled wallets. The platform provides infrastructure for accepting crypto payments without intermediaries, custody, or identity verification. For more information, visit bcon.global or on X, Facebook, or Telegram.

Disclaimer

Bcon Global provides non-custodial payment infrastructure and does not take custody of customer funds. Businesses are responsible for complying with applicable legal, tax, and regulatory obligations when using the platform.

Media Contact

Kevin Palmer
info@bcon.global

In response to growing complexity in automotive maintenance and tighter enforcement against counterfeit components, SparesUSA today announced the launch of its new platform designed to help drivers and repair shops identify verified replacement parts aligned with manufacturer standards. The platform is built to reduce guesswork by matching components to specific vehicle requirements, helping shops and drivers avoid costly errors tied to incompatible parts.

The launch comes as spare parts sourcing undergoes significant change in 2026. Regulatory pressure, expanding right-to-repair policies, and increased scrutiny of counterfeit components have altered how drivers and workshops locate OEM-matched vehicle parts that meet original vehicle specification, particularly in the luxury and performance segment.

Component Failure and System-Wide Impact

Brake assemblies, suspension components, electrical connectors, cooling systems, and control units depend on coordinated performance. Failure or degradation in one component can disrupt overall operation, trigger diagnostic warnings, or place additional strain on surrounding systems. Replacing worn or damaged parts with spare components — such as brake pads, belts, body panels, mirrors, suspension elements, and electronic modules — that match factory specifications helps restore balance and maintain expected performance. Timely replacement allows vehicles to remain in service without requiring premature system-wide repairs.

For brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Maserati, compatibility is especially critical. These vehicles depend on tightly integrated mechanical and software-driven systems. Parts that fall outside design tolerances may reduce braking response, alter steering behavior, disrupt calibration, or accelerate wear across connected components.

Cost Efficiency and Regulatory Outlook

Cost control remains a central consideration in vehicle maintenance. Replacing individual components instead of entire systems reduces both labor time and expense. As online marketplaces play a larger role in parts distribution, verification and compatibility assurance have become primary concerns for professional workshops and individual owners alike.

Industry observers expect spare parts sourcing to remain a defining issue as vehicle systems grow more complex and regulatory oversight increases. Platforms that emphasize accurate matching and verified access are likely to play an expanding role in vehicle maintenance throughout a vehicle’s service life.

Global Access and Verified Matching

As these shifts accelerate, spare parts have drawn heightened attention across the automotive aftermarket. Difficulties in access to both available and compatible spare parts affects repair timelines, vehicle safety, system performance, and long-term value.

SparesUSA provides access to verified spare parts across key categories, including body components, suspension systems, brakes and wheels, cooling assemblies, and electrical systems. By matching components to specific vehicle requirements, the platform supports accurate sourcing and reduces the risk of incompatible replacements.

The platform also offers worldwide shipping, expanding access for vehicle owners and service providers affected by regional supply constraints. Faster access to verified parts shortens repair cycles and helps vehicles return to service without extended downtime.

About Spares USA

SparesUSA is an online platform that helps drivers and repair shops source verified spare parts for luxury and performance vehicles. The company provides access to compatible components across key vehicle systems with worldwide shipping options. SparesUSA supports accurate repairs, system reliability, and long-term vehicle performance by prioritizing parts that meet original manufacturer specifications. For more information, visit sparesusa.net.

Media Contact

Frands Pihl
fw@sparesusa.net