MCALLEN, TX, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- ContactPoint 360, is advancing an outcome-based model for enterprise customer experience that measures outsourced operations against business results such as retention, sales, revenue recovery, and customer satisfaction rather than relying mainly on cost-per-contact and staffing metrics.

The customer experience and business process outsourcing company says its programs have generated $16 million through upselling and cross-selling while reaching 107% of client CSAT goals across its accounts. ContactPoint 360 is using those results to support a broader model in which customer service teams are judged by the commercial value they protect or generate.

“Enterprise leaders are looking beyond traditional cost arbitrage and asking what their customer experience operations are actually producing for the business,” said Gary Batara, Head of Marketing at ContactPoint 360. “The conversation is moving toward retention, revenue performance, customer satisfaction, and measurable outcomes.”

Traditional outsourcing contracts have often focused on labor rates, average handling time, service levels, and cost per interaction. ContactPoint 360’s outcome-based CX model adds business measures that examine what happens after the interaction, including whether a customer stays, completes a purchase, accepts an upgrade, resolves an outstanding balance, or receives a resolution that reduces repeat contact.

The company applies that model across customer care, sales, collections, technical support, and other customer-facing programs.

ContactPoint 360 reports that its programs have produced measurable results in several areas. In one collections engagement, the company says its use of a machine-learning-powered accounts receivable platform, supported by human agents, helped reduce bad debt while supporting 24-hour automated payment processing. In a separate outbound program using voice AI and speech analytics, ContactPoint 360 reported higher sales per hour, fewer rejected transactions, and lower employee attrition.

Those examples form part of the company’s wider effort to connect customer experience spending with financial performance.

“Cost efficiency still matters, but it cannot be the only measure of a customer experience operation,” Batara said. “Our focus is helping clients connect service activity to outcomes they can measure across revenue, retention, and customer performance.”

ContactPoint 360’s flagship Omnichannel CX Management service supports that model across voice, chat, email, and social channels. The company uses AI-supported routing, real-time quality scoring, analytics, and performance monitoring to help direct interactions and maintain consistent service across customer touchpoints.

The company says its model depends on both technology and employee performance. ContactPoint 360 reports a 50% reduction in attrition across selected programs and uses a quality assurance model that scores customer interactions across channels rather than relying solely on limited samples.

Employee retention is treated as part of the operating model because experienced agents can build stronger product knowledge, improve consistency, and handle more complex customer situations. ContactPoint 360 links those employee measures with customer outcomes such as satisfaction, retention, and sales performance.

Its customer experience operations serve enterprise organizations across several sectors. Publicly identified clients include Tennis Channel, Flair Airlines, Auto Approve, and Achosa Home Warranty.

ContactPoint 360 supports clients through 12 global strategic centers and provides service in more than 31 languages. The global network allows the company to provide customer support across time zones while applying shared operating standards across markets.

For enterprise buyers, the outcome-based model changes how outsourcing performance can be evaluated. Traditional cost measures such as cost per contact and average handling time remain part of the scorecard, but ContactPoint 360 encourages clients to measure them alongside retention, sales conversion, customer satisfaction, recovered revenue, and other business results.

A customer interaction can therefore be assessed according to what it produces rather than only how quickly or cheaply it was handled. A support call may prevent a cancellation. A billing conversation may recover an outstanding balance. A customer inquiry may create an opportunity for an upgrade or additional service.

ContactPoint 360 says the model requires closer reporting between a provider and its clients. Companies need clear definitions for outcomes such as recovered revenue, retained customers, and sales generated through service interactions. Those measures can then be compared against operating costs and traditional contact center metrics.

The company is positioning outcome-based CX outsourcing as part of a broader move toward greater accountability in enterprise customer service. Rather than treating outsourced customer operations as a fixed expense to reduce, ContactPoint 360 is encouraging organizations to examine how those operations affect customer value and financial performance.

The company reports $100 million in revenue and 20% year-over-year growth, while supporting enterprise organizations across North America and other markets.

ContactPoint 360’s model places the focus on what customer experience operations produce for the business. For enterprise leaders, that means evaluating providers across a wider set of commercial and service measures instead of using cost reduction as the primary measure of success.

About ContactPoint 360

ContactPoint 360 is a global customer experience and business process outsourcing company founded in 2007. The company provides omnichannel customer care, technical support, sales outsourcing, collections, back-office services, multilingual support, workforce management, quality assurance, and AI-supported customer operations. ContactPoint 360 serves enterprise clients through 12 global strategic centers and supports customer interactions in more than 31 languages. For more information, visit contactpoint360.com.

Media Contact

Asad Mirza
pr@contactpoint360.com

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- South African sea salt company, Oryx Desert Salt, announced its expansion into U.S. Whole Foods Market stores amid growing consumer scrutiny over microplastics in traditional sea salt. Now in approximately 485 stores, the salt provider has held onto this listing for around five years as part of its expansion into over 23 countries. Consumers are paying more attention to pantry staples, and this attention applies to salt as publishers have documented potential contaminants in sea salt.

The Research: Plastic Salt?

Sea salt is created by evaporating salt water, leaving behind the salt once the water is gone. As a byproduct, what is in the water is then within the salt. This can include microplastics.

A 2015 study conducted at East China Normal University in Shanghai hypothesized there was a connection between microplastics and sea salt. The research tested 15 brands of sea salts, lake salts, and rock/well salts from supermarkets across China. The study concluded that sea salts contained more evidence of microplastics compared to other salts tested.

A different study published in 2018 provided further evidence of the relationship between microplastics and sea salt. Participants tested 39 salt brands from around the globe, including 28 sea salt brands from 16 countries on six continents. After testing, the report concluded that sea salts once again contained the highest quantity of microplastics.

Specifically, unrefined salts were linked to plastic content in rivers and microplastics in the surrounding seawater. The 2018 study was referenced by National Geographic in an article reporting that as much as 90% of table salt, as of 2018, contained microplastics.

What Makes Oryx Different

Oryx Desert Salt initially established its salt process with the intention of bringing a pure salt from an uncontaminated, pristine source to the market. Exactly because of that source, it also circumvented microplastic contamination in its salt. The company uses a 5,000-hectare pan from an underground brine aquifer in the Kalahari Desert to make this possible.

There, three subterranean streams are filtered through Dwyka rock formations and into the brine aquifer. It is fairly isolated, with the nearest town approximately 155 miles away.

The surface temperature of the desert can reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, leading the pumped brine to crystallize in around four weeks. Post-crystallization, the salt is packed with no bleaching, additives, or anti-caking agents.

The process and later expansion were all made possible by one woman in South Africa with a dream of bringing the ancient process to tables around the world.

About Oryx Desert Salt

Samantha Skyring founded Oryx Desert Salt in 2011, selling her home in Johannesburg to fund the company. In the beginning, Skyring bought 34 tonnes of Kalahari salt and hand-packed the earliest grinders from home, where she was raising her son as a single mom. Initially self-funded, she sold to farmers' markets, independent delis, health shops, and restaurants in South Africa. In 2013, what followed was 12 years of mentorship and investment by Evolve Capital — brothers Ian and Garth Solomon — also 5 years of support from Pape Funds, which supported Skyring in growing the business and building her vision. During the pandemic, the business lost 60% of its revenue. Instead of retreating, Skyring focused on acquiring Whole Foods Market as a retailer. Her efforts earned Oryx Desert Salt a national listing with Whole Foods in September of 2021. Since then, distribution has scaled. Oryx is available from other major retailers such as Amazon and World Market, and even supplies sachets to JetBlue and Amtrak passengers. Skyring was recognized with South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2024. Oryx Desert Salt remains founder-led and stays true to its original mission of being an alternative to conventional table salt and sea salt. For more information, visit oryxdesertsalt.com and follow on Instagram. 

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. References to third-party studies on microplastics in sea salt are for informational context only and do not constitute direct clinical testing or health guarantees regarding specific product outcomes.

Media Contact

Samantha Skyring
sam@oryxdesertsalt.com

NORFOLK, VA, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- VisualZen, Inc. today established VZOS.com as the public home for VZOS®, its orientation management platform for colleges and universities.

VZOS represents the continued evolution of VisualZen’s work alongside higher-education orientation professionals. Rather than assuming colleges and universities operate orientation through a common model, VZOS is designed around a reality VisualZen has encountered repeatedly through its work with institutions: orientation programs differ in how they organize people, processes, programming, responsibilities, and institutional systems.

“Orientation may look simple from the outside, but the professionals responsible for it know how much work happens behind the event,” said David Morales, founder and CEO of VisualZen. “Our job is not to tell an institution what its orientation model should be. Our job is to understand the model it has chosen and determine where technology can appropriately support the people operating it.”

VisualZen has worked with higher-education institutions and orientation professionals since 2001. That experience has exposed the company to a wide range of orientation operating models and responsibilities, including orientation registration and reservations, student preparation, personalized scheduling, pre-advising, check-in and attendance, family and supporter programs, student leader processes, communications, and coordination across campus offices and systems.

That breadth has shaped VZOS as an Orientation Management Platform rather than software built around a single orientation event or standardized institutional process.

An institution may use VZOS for a focused operational responsibility or across a broader portion of its orientation journey. The appropriate footprint depends on the institution’s model, existing technology environment, responsibilities, and decisions about where the platform should play a role.

“We’ve learned that the important question isn’t whether one system can do everything,” Morales said. “It’s what each institution needs its orientation operation to do, which systems should own which responsibilities, and how the people doing the work can be supported without forcing their program into somebody else’s model.”

VZOS continues the platform lineage of VisualZen’s longstanding VZO technology while providing a clearer identity for where that work is going. Institutions using VZO are not being asked to abandon the platform or adopt a predetermined new model. VZOS reflects the continued evolution of the platform and VisualZen’s orientation-focused work.

The new VZOS.com makes that identity public and provides a place for colleges and universities to understand the platform in the context of the work they already manage. It also includes Orientation Insights, a collection of useful writing for higher-education professionals examining operational responsibilities such as orientation registration, check-in and attendance, personalized scheduling, pre-advising, orientation leader applications and selection, parent and family programs, and how orientation software can fit different institutional models.

Those Insights draw from VisualZen’s ongoing learning alongside orientation professionals and are intended to make portions of that learning useful beyond the institutions directly working with VisualZen.

VZOS is available to colleges and universities evaluating how technology can support the orientation model they already operate or are intentionally evolving.

About VisualZen

VisualZen, Inc. is the company and steward behind VZOS®, an orientation management platform for colleges and universities. Since 2001, VisualZen has worked alongside higher-education professionals to support the operational work involved in orientation and incoming-student onboarding. VisualZen helps institutions use technology at the scale their orientation model requires, from focused operational needs to broader portions of the orientation journey. VisualZen is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. For more information, visit vzos.com.

Media Contact

David Morales
Founder and CEO, VisualZen
david.morales@visualzen.com
+1 855-676-3546

NEW YORK, NY, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Newbridge Marketing, the Lake Oswego, Oregon-based agency known for connecting brands to more than 10 million college students across 2,000+ campuses nationwide, announces strategic growth investment from Primetime, the sports and marketing platform owned by Balius Partners.

For 21 years, Newbridge has built its business on showing up where students actually are. That means campus tours and mobile activations, NIL athlete partnerships, student ambassador programs, and a dedicated collegiate media network, all built to put brands directly into the daily rhythm of campus life. The agency's experiential work extends into sampling events, pop-up retail, and grand-opening activations for national brands, backed by a track record that includes recognition for standout work with names like Stanley, Jack Link’s and The North Face.

The investment follows two other recent moves for the platform: a stake in BASE Sports Group, which connects national brands to youth sports facilities and events, and the acquisition of Boostr Digital Displays, a manufacturer of LED scoreboards and display systems used across scholastic sports. Together with Newbridge, the three businesses give Primetime a connected presence at every stage of a young person's life in sports and school, from the rec league to the quad.

"Newbridge is the exact kind of company we want to power the Primetime platform," said Chris Goulakos, founder and Managing Partner of Balius Partners, the private investment firm behind Primetime. "They've built real, trusted relationships on campuses across the country, with a creative process that connects with college consumers instead of talking at them. As AI reshapes so much of how brands try to reach people, we believe Newbridge's ability to create real, in-person moments makes them more valuable."

"Newbridge has a dual mission: make a positive impact in college students' lives, and create real joy through experience," said Steve Schubert, CEO and co-founder of Newbridge Marketing. "Primetime and Balius Partners bring the resources and long-term thinking that will help us grow while staying true to what makes Newbridge work. Just as importantly, they get our culture and how we operate. Over 21 years, we've built something we're proud of, and we couldn't be more excited about what's next with Chris and his team."

Newbridge's current leadership team will stay in place, continuing to run the business under the Newbridge name. They'll now be backed by a board with experience from CBS Sports, Chick-fil-A, Expedia, Fanatics, the NFL, Nielsen, Omnicom, Paramount, and Vizio, along with continued investment in talent, technology, and new capabilities from Primetime and Balius Partners.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Primetime

Primetime is a Balius Partners-owned sports and marketing platform focused on building an integrated ecosystem of businesses serving the youth, high school, college, and community sports and marketing landscape. Primetime partners with founder- and operator-led companies that help brands, schools, universities, venues, events, and local communities connect through sponsorship, media, display, experiential, and engagement solutions. Primetime’s platform includes BASE Sports Group, a national youth sports sponsorship sales agency, and Boostr, a provider of sports digital display solutions for schools and universities. For more information, visit primetimeholdco.com.

About Newbridge Marketing

Newbridge Marketing is an award-winning experiential and college marketing agency headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The agency specializes in integrated brand experiences that combine campus marketing, live activations and digital media to help brands connect authentically with Gen Z and college consumers. Newbridge has relationships across more than 2,000 college and university campuses and has produced over 1,000 marketing campaigns for leading national brands. The agency has been recognized by leading industry organizations for excellence in experiential and college marketing. For more information, visit newbridgemarketing.com.

About Balius Partners

Balius Partners is a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm that partners with owner-operators and management teams to support long-term growth. Balius provides strategic capital, operational perspective, and partnership-oriented support to businesses seeking to scale while preserving the entrepreneurial focus, customer relationships, and execution discipline that made them successful.

Media Contact

office@newbridgemg.com

BERLIN, Germany, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- bixdo, an optoelectronic beauty care technology brand, is exhibiting at Messe Berlin from September 4–8, 2026, in Hall 14, booth H14-101. Its presentation demonstrates how light- and energy-based care can become an intuitive, sustainable part of everyday home routines.

Smile Care Built Into Brushing

bixdo’s Glossonic Brush AIR centers on “whitening while brushing.” The device combines an integrated 460 nm visible blue light with light-guiding filaments to direct light toward the enamel surface. Paired with a non-peroxide PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid) toothpaste enriched with hydroxyapatite for enamel support, the system gently oxidizes surface stains during normal daily brushing without requiring separate strips or trays. bixdo describes the formula as gentle on enamel and suitable for sensitive teeth.

The Glossonic Brush AIR offers a slim, pen-style design with four brushing modes, providing a lightweight option for travel.

Complementing the toothbrush, the Pocket Water Flosser brings a compact, travel-ready approach to interdental cleaning.

Scalp Care Through Everyday Combing

bixdo’s scalp-care device combines dual-wavelength blue (470 nm) and red (655 nm) LED modules with transparent, light-guiding comb teeth. The comb teeth guide light to the scalp as users comb, bringing light-based care into a natural daily habit.

Facial Beauty Made for Real Life

For facial skincare, bixdo presents hands-free LED masks, full-coverage light-therapy panels, and compact handheld devices. Grounded in clinical testing, the brand integrates non-invasive energy modalities — including LED phototherapy, radiofrequency (RF), microcurrent, and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) — into ergonomic daily tools. Handheld devices support quick, targeted touch-ups, while hands-free masks allow users to read, rest, or work during treatment.

A Connected Home Beauty Ecosystem

bixdo’s ecosystem offers users flexible care without complex procedures: blue-light whitening while brushing, light-based scalp stimulation while combing, and targeted facial care that fits busy schedules. Familiar form factors and straightforward controls make advanced personal care easier to maintain over time.

More information is available at bixdo.com.

About bixdo

bixdo is an optoelectronic beauty care technology brand that translates light- and energy-based research into practical home devices. The company develops clinically evaluated solutions across oral hygiene, scalp care, and facial skincare designed to integrate seamlessly into daily personal care routines.

Disclaimer

bixdo products are cosmetic personal care devices intended solely for wellness and cosmetic enhancement. They are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any dental, dermatological, or medical condition. Individual results may vary. Consult a healthcare or dental professional prior to use if you have underlying medical conditions or sensitive skin/teeth.

Media Contact

Ningning Chen
marketing@bixdo.com

WASHINGTON, DC, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Lionfish Tech Advisors announced the publication of "The Call for a Digital Golden Dome," a policy and economic report outlining the urgent need for Operational Software Assurance, a newly defined cybersecurity category, across the United States Department of War and federal infrastructure. The report details the critical vulnerabilities inherent in memory-unsafe software, such as C and C++, which forms the foundation of modern weapon systems, power grids, and financial networks.

With a full rewrite of this legacy code estimated to cost up to $34.5 trillion, the analysis proposes Embedded Runtime Security as a practical, immediate alternative. This approach protects deployed, hard-to-patch software from exploitation at runtime, effectively immunizing national security assets without requiring source code changes or costly system recertifications.

The Escalating Threat to Memory-Unsafe Infrastructure

For decades, the United States has built its military and civilian infrastructure on software written for speed rather than security. The report highlights that memory-safety defects account for approximately 70% of serious vulnerabilities and 75% of zero-day exploits. The proliferation of artificial intelligence has drastically accelerated the discovery and exploitation of these flaws, outpacing the government’s ability to issue patches. Embedded, safety-critical systems often sit offline or air-gapped, turning traditional patch management into a liability that leaves mission-critical assets exposed to machine-speed adversaries.

The Digital Golden Dome Strategy

Lionfish Tech Advisors introduces the Digital Golden Dome, a policy framework centered on software memory protection. Rather than waiting for patches or attempting multi-decade rewrites that could cost up to $34.5 trillion, this discipline applies runtime exploit mitigation directly to compiled binaries and firmware. The technology continuously reshuffles a program’s memory layout, ensuring that an attacker's predictable exploit path fails instantly at runtime. Crucially, this mitigation deploys without altering source code or system behavior, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming recertifications across safety-critical systems.

Key highlights from the intelligence report include:

• Zero source-code changes: Applies runtime exploit mitigation directly to compiled binaries and firmware without requiring source code modifications or compiler updates.
• 98%+ attack-surface reduction: Reduces usable return-oriented programming (ROP) attack chains by greater than 98% on software carrying over 1.6 million candidate gadgets.
• Proven vulnerability neutralization: Field measurements demonstrate that runtime protection neutralizes 49% of overall fielded vulnerabilities and 77% of critical-severity vulnerabilities.
• Targeted threat coverage: Directly neutralizes memory-safety defects, which account for approximately 70% of serious vulnerabilities and 75% of zero-day exploits in compiled code.
• Broad defense fleet applicability: Mapped across more than 140 funded programs spanning 19 Department of War components, representing $87 billion in FY2026 procurement and $159.5 billion in the FY2027 budget request.

Economic Efficiency and Policy Action

Adopting Operational Software Assurance represents a massive efficiency gain for the federal budget. The report models that a 25% adoption rate across addressable defense and federal programs could yield approximately $1.4 billion in annual cost avoidance related to patching, sustainment, and recertification. Lionfish Tech Advisors urges the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of War to fund software memory protection as an enterprise standard. By leveraging existing acquisition pathways like Software Fast Track and the Iron Bank registry, the government can immediately modernize its defense posture.

"The United States must stop paying thirty to one hundred times over to rewrite what it can protect, and stop paying in perpetuity to patch what it can immunize," said Rob Smith, CEO of Lionfish Tech Advisors. "Artificial intelligence is finding flaws in our fielded systems faster than any human pipeline can fix them. Runtime protection is the only control that scales with this threat."

"The strategic shift underneath all of this is the move from detect-and-respond by default to prevent-by-default," said Brad LaPorte, former Gartner analyst and Lionfish advisor. "We are building a physical dome to intercept missiles, and our software deserves the exact same logic. Operational Software Assurance ensures that our mission-critical systems stay certified, available, and lethal, even when under sustained cyber attack."

About Lionfish Tech Advisors

Lionfish Tech Advisors is a global IT advisory firm specializing in competitive intelligence, buying decision recommendations, and market analysis. Powered by a team of former Gartner analysts, the firm leverages an AI-driven, human-verified architecture to deliver accurate, real-time insights for enterprise technology buyers and vendors. For more information, visit www.lionfishtechadvisors.com.

Media Contact

info@lionfishtechadvisors.com

LOS ANGELES, CA, September 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Keep Converting, the AI-native conversion optimization platform for e-commerce, today exited stealth with a $2 million pre-seed round led by Nuwa Capital and COTU Ventures, and disclosed an average 64% conversion-rate lift across active client deployments in the United States, Europe, and the Gulf.

E-commerce brands have spent a decade competing on traffic — SEO, paid ads, influencer reach — and AI-driven discovery is now reshaping where shoppers come from: ChatGPT answers product questions, Perplexity surfaces brands. The channel keeps changing, but one problem hasn't been solved: when a shopper finally lands on a product page, 98% leave without buying. Keep Converting was built to close that gap.

Keep Converting is an AI-powered platform that builds a fully personalized website experience for every individual visitor in real time. A shopper arriving from a ChatGPT recommendation for “the best running shoes for sore feet” sees a product page that leads with comfort, support, and runner reviews. A shopper arriving from a TikTok ad for the same brand sees an entirely different page — built around the moment, the creator, and the trend that brought them there. Same product, same brand, two different experiences — generated and served instantly, refined on every visit.

The platform has produced thousands of product page variants for brands across consumer electronics, home appliances, beauty, fragrance, lifestyle, and accessories. On a single product page, multiple AI-generated versions run side by side, with Keep Converting's closed-loop system continuously promoting the version most likely to convert and generating fresh variants as it learns. Keep Converting is pre-integrated with Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Zid, Salla, and other major commerce platforms — client setup takes approximately 10 minutes, and most brands see measurable conversion lift within two weeks of going live.

“Everyone says AI will kill the merchant website. We bet the opposite. Shoppers still want to visit the site, see the real product, and connect with it before they buy. So Keep Converting transforms every product page into the form that speaks to each shopper, and lets the site win the AI shift instead of just surviving it. We've now proven it works, and the next chapter is bringing it to every merchant,” said Mohammad El Mougi, founder and CEO of Keep Converting.

Mougi previously served as Chief Product Officer at Vezeeta, the leading health-tech platform in the Middle East, and earlier led marketing at Vodafone. Co-founder Manuel Prinz previously served as Head of Product at TikTok Shop US and on the product management team at Walmart.

“At TikTok Shop and Walmart, I watched the world's best commerce teams ship one personalization framework after another and still hit the same wall — a recommendation engine here, a banner test there, none of it touching the page itself,” said Prinz. “Keep Converting is the first platform that rebuilds the actual experience per shopper. That's the unlock.”

The $2 million pre-seed will fund onboarding the next wave of merchants and growing the engineering team behind the platform's cross-client intelligence — every visit anywhere on the network sharpens performance everywhere. Merchants interested in joining the next cohort can request access at keepconverting.ai.

Key Facts

• Company: Keep Converting
• Website: keepconverting.ai
• Founded: 2025
• Founders: Mohammad El Mougi (founder and CEO), Manuel Prinz (co-founder)
• Funding to date: $2 million pre-seed
• Lead investors: Nuwa Capital, COTU Ventures
• Product: AI-generated, per-visitor personalized product pages for e-commerce
• Average conversion-rate lift: 64% across active client deployments
• Pre-integrated platforms: Shopify, Zid, Salla, and other major commerce platforms
• Setup time: Approximately 10 minutes
• Pricing model: Pay-on-results and subscriptions
• Markets served: United States, Europe, Gulf region
• Verticals served: Consumer electronics, home appliances, beauty, fragrance, lifestyle, accessories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Keep Converting?

Keep Converting is an AI-native conversion optimization platform. It generates a fully personalized product page for every individual e-commerce visitor in real time, replacing one-size-fits-all product pages with experiences tailored to where each shopper came from and what they're looking for.

How does Keep Converting work?

Keep Converting runs multiple AI-generated versions of each product page side by side and uses a closed-loop system to continuously promote the version most likely to convert, while generating fresh variants as it learns. The platform is pre-integrated with Shopify, Zid, Salla, and other major commerce platforms, and merchants typically complete setup in about 10 minutes.

What results has Keep Converting delivered for merchants?

Across active client deployments in the United States, Europe, and the Gulf, Keep Converting delivers an average 64% conversion-rate lift, measured against each merchant's original conversion rate. Most brands see measurable conversion lift within two weeks of going live.

Who funded Keep Converting?

Keep Converting raised a $2 million pre-seed round, led by Nuwa Capital and COTU Ventures. The round funds merchant onboarding and engineering hiring for the platform's cross-client conversion intelligence.

How do merchants get started with Keep Converting?

Merchants can request access at keepconverting.ai or hello@keepconverting.ai. Keep Converting charges only on results or subscription — no upfront fees.

About Keep Converting

Keep Converting is an AI-native conversion optimization platform that builds a personalized website experience for every e-commerce visitor in real time. The platform delivers an average 64% conversion-rate lift, charges only on results or subscription bases, and is pre-integrated with all major e-commerce platforms — client setup takes approximately 10 minutes. Keep Converting serves a growing cohort of brands across the United States, Europe, and the Gulf. For more information, visit keepconverting.ai.

Media Contact

Manuel Prinz
Keep Converting
pr@keepconverting.ai

YEREVAN, Armenia, September 7, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Unibank has launched Armenia’s first hybrid investment offering, allowing investors to become shareholders and gain access to perpetual bonds carrying a 13.25% annual coupon for the first 36 months, after which rates adjust to government bond yield benchmarks.

The bank has issued AMD 3.9 billion in total valuation of ordinary shares at a placement price of AMD 390 per share. The minimum investment amount is AMD 1,014,000 (USD 2,733), reflecting the Bank's strategy of making share ownership accessible to a broad base of retail investors. Unibank's free float currently stands at 10.7%.

The hybrid investment solution combines the income generated by perpetual bonds with the long-term growth potential of equity. Since Unibank’s IPO in 2015 — the first public offering by a bank on the Armenia Stock Exchange (AMX) — its share price has increased by approximately 70%.

Shareholders have also benefited from steadily increasing dividends. The average dividend yield over the past three years exceeds 12%. Dividend distributions increased from AMD 4.1 billion based on the 2023 financial results to AMD 7.8 billion for 2024 and AMD 9.3 billion for 2025.

“We believe hybrid investment products will play a larger role in meeting investors’ demand by combining the predictable income of perpetual bonds with equity growth potential. The current share issuance marks our tenth placement since becoming a public company. Investors continue to trust us as they have seen tangible returns and a clear long-term strategy. We have consistently delivered a return on equity above 20%,” said Gagik Zakaryan, Chairman of the Board of Unibank. 

For 25 years, Unibank has earned the trust of its customers and investors through consistent financial performance and innovation. The bank reported net profit of AMD 9.8 billion for 2025 and AMD 4.5 billion for the first half of 2026. As of June 30, 2026, total assets exceeded AMD 419 billion, up 15% year-on-year, while the loan portfolio reached AMD 284 billion, an increase of 27% compared with the same period a year earlier.

Today, Unibank serves approximately 30% of Armenia’s bankable population and according to 2025 results, ranks among the country’s top five banks by POS lending volume and holds the leading position by the number of POS loans issued.

Digital transformation remains one of the bank’s key strategic priorities. Unibank was the first bank in Armenia to introduce an AI-powered credit-scoring platform, which now processes around 600,000 unsecured consumer loan applications annually. The bank is actively implementing new technologies such as biometric identification for digital onboarding and expanding online lending.

Moody’s also upgraded the outlook on Unibank’s B1 long-term deposit ratings to Positive from Stable. The ratings reflect the Bank’s strong asset quality, robust profitability and limited reliance on less-stable funding. 

"We remain committed to delivering sustainable growth, strengthening shareholder value, and expanding investment opportunities. Armenia’s capital market is entering a new stage of development, with growing demand for diversified investment solutions and broader participation by retail investors. We are seeing a clear shift in the way people manage their savings, as more individuals look beyond traditional deposits and view investing as an essential part of their financial planning. Our goal is to continue expanding the range of investment solutions available to investors by offering products that combine different sources of return with greater flexibility in managing risk," said Zakaryan.

The investment offering will remain open until September 9, 2026.

About Unibank

Unibank is one of Armenia’s leading technology-driven banks, committed to delivering innovative financial services that meet the evolving needs of its customers. It offers comprehensive retail and business banking services, along with Private Banking solutions tailored to high-value clients. To learn more, please visit www.unibank.am.

Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Dividend yield is calculated based on dividends paid over the past three years and does not guarantee future dividend payments or their amount. Dividend payments are subject to approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders of Unibank OJSC. Ordinary shares represent equity capital and are not insured. Funds raised through the issuance of the bank’s perpetual bonds are guaranteed by the Deposit Guarantee Fund in the amount and under the conditions established by the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Guaranteeing Compensation for Bank Deposits of Individuals”; however, perpetual bonds represent subordinated debt with unique capital and liquidity terms distinct from traditional bank deposits. The share prospectus was registered by Decision No. 1/210A of the Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia dated May 13, 2026. The program prospectus for perpetual bonds was registered by Decision No. 1/427A of the Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia dated November 26, 2025, while amendments to the program prospectus were registered by Decision No. 1/228A dated May 22, 2026, and Decision No. 1/282A dated June 29, 2026. Investors may obtain printed versions of the share and perpetual bond prospectuses, as well as accompanying documents, at Unibank’s Head Office and branches. Electronic versions are available on www.unibank.am.

Media Contact

lusine.khachatryan@unibank.am
+374 10 712222

BERLIN, Germany, September 6, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Smartphone accessory makers at IFA 2026 are broadening the role of the phone case, adding stands, magnetic attachments and grip features as consumers use their devices for filming, navigation and travel.

The shift reflects changing expectations in an established category. As phones increasingly serve as cameras, maps and communication tools away from fixed workspaces, consumers expect cases to support viewing, filming, navigation and mobile creation as well as absorb impact. At IFA, TORRAS presented the Q3 Air Pro as its response to the practical demands of travel, outdoor activity and content creation. The appearance marked the product’s first major international trade show showcase and reflected TORRAS’ wider effort to build an international presence around products developed for specific user scenarios.

Protection remains the starting point. TORRAS said the Q3 Air Pro’s sealed, Dual-layer Air Duet™ structure is designed to absorb and disperse the force of a drop. Alongside that protection, a ring built into the case rotates and locks at different angles, providing adjustable hands-free positioning without the need for a separate stand.

Ostand Shot is TORRAS’ concept for combining magnetic attachment with the rotating stand to support hands-free shooting and mobile creation. The magnetic mounting function allows the case to attach to compatible metal surfaces, while the stand helps users maintain the desired viewing or shooting angle. A traveller can keep a route in view without holding the phone, while a creator can frame a shot and record hands-free. By reducing the need to hold or repeatedly adjust the phone, the design is intended to give users greater flexibility while navigating, filming, or creating on the move. For TORRAS, the concept reflects a broader effort to develop products around the way people use technology across travel, outdoor activity and creative work.

TORRAS said the matte finish and textured sides were developed for outdoor handling in sweaty or dusty conditions. Within the Ostand range, the Q3 Air Pro addresses outdoor activity and mobile creation, while the lighter Q3 Air and entry-level Q3 Rugged extend the same protection-and-stand format to commuting, travel and routine daily use. TORRAS is using the Ostand format as a common platform that can be adapted to different levels of protection, mobility and everyday use.

TORRAS estimated that 1,500 people visited its stand during the five-day event, giving the company an opportunity to observe how international visitors responded to products designed for travel, outdoor activity and hands-free use.

For case makers, competition is expanding beyond drop protection to how easily a phone can be used in different settings. TORRAS is drawing on the way people film, navigate and communicate while moving, applying those observations to products for travel, sport, outdoor activity and creative work. The strategy gives TORRAS a way to compete beyond protective hardware by using familiar mobile accessories to reach consumers whose needs increasingly span mobility, hands-free use and content creation.

About TORRAS

Founded in 2012, TORRAS is an innovative consumer electronics brand dedicated to creating high-quality products and tech-driven lifestyle experiences. Its product portfolio spans mobile accessories, charging solutions, and smart lifestyle products designed to bring greater freedom and creativity to everyday life. TORRAS products and services have reached more than 100 million users across over 148 countries and regions. For more information, visit torraslife.com.

Media Contact

Claudia Peng
TORRAS Europe Regional Marketing Manager, Lechuang Tiancheng Technology (HK) Co., Limited
marketing@torras-eu.com

BERLIN, Germany, September 5, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The Xcanbot Mate X has been recognized in two categories at the IFA Innovation Awards 2026: Winner of Tech for Good & Accessibility, and Honoree in IFA NEXT & Emerging Tech. The awards were presented Sept. 4 at the IFA Innovation Stage.

The Mate X is a seated mobility robot for everyday life. It exists for a simple reason: for many people, getting around has quietly become the hardest part of the day.

The rider chooses a destination, and the Mate X drives there on its own. A fused sensor array of LiDAR, time-of-flight and camera vision monitors a full 360 degrees around the vehicle, tracking obstacles and pedestrians and adjusting course without the rider needing to touch the controls.

The category matters as much as the win. Tech for Good & Accessibility is not a horsepower category; it recognizes technology that widens who gets to use it. That is a precise description of the Mate X design brief: treat personal mobility as consumer technology — complete with the industrial design, interface and retail experience the phrase implies — instead of a clinical device dispensed through a medical channel.

"People in this market have spent years being handed equipment that looks clinical and feels clinical," said Zhanbin Li, founder and CEO of Xcanbot. "We set out to build the one they would choose for themselves. An award in this category, of all categories, tells us the idea landed."

Twelve sensors — an area-array LiDAR, dual line LiDARs, a time-of-flight sensor, six cameras and ultrasonic sensors — give the Mate X 360-degree awareness. An electric seat lift raises the rider up to 7 inches (18 centimeters), enough to reach a shelf or meet someone at eye level. It offers a range of up to 18 miles (30 kilometers) on a 453.6 Wh LFP battery, and the camera and LiDAR data used for navigation are processed directly on the device rather than uploaded.

The second recognition, Honoree status in IFA NEXT & Emerging Tech, places the Mate X on the show's list of products considered early signals of where consumer technology is heading.

Visitors can ride the Mate X and watch the autonomous mode in operation at Booth CCBB-154 until IFA closes Sept. 8. Media appointments can be booked through the contact below.

From Berlin, the Mate X moves to REHACARE International 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany (Sept. 23–26, Booth 1A57-3), marking its first appearance before European distributors and care professionals. A crowdfunding campaign is planned, with Europe as the first market; registration is open at launch.xcanbot.com.

Xcanbot exhibits at IFA Berlin 2026 (Booth CCBB-154) and REHACARE International 2026 (Booth 1A57-3).

About Shenzhen Xcanbot Co., Ltd.

Xcanbot is a consumer robotics company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Its machines are built around one idea: autonomous navigation applied to the parts of everyday life that cost people the most time and freedom.

The XcanMow Mix 2000 robot lawn mower navigates via LiDAR and camera vision without a perimeter wire, RTK antenna or base station. The Mate X seated mobility robot drives itself to a chosen destination while monitoring 360 degrees around the vehicle. Both run on XcanSense, the company’s in-house LiDAR-vision navigation system.

For more information, visit launch.xcanmow.com or launch.xcanbot.com.

Disclaimer

The Xcanbot Mate X is a consumer personal mobility device and is not classified or registered as a medical device or power wheelchair. Statements regarding its features have not been evaluated by health regulatory authorities. Individuals with severe mobility impairments or medical conditions should consult a qualified healthcare provider or occupational therapist to determine appropriate assistive technology needs.

Media Contact

Cici Si
Marketing Manager
sishi@xcanbot.net

BISMARCK, ND, September 4, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The American Kratom Association (AKA) today commended the North Dakota Legislative Assembly for passing House Bill 1628, legislation that bans dangerous synthetic kratom derivatives — including chemically manipulated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl products that have been fraudulently marketed as natural kratom — while preserving regulated adult access to natural kratom leaf products. The bill received final passage Friday morning at the close of the Legislature’s three-day special session, and Governor Kelly Armstrong announced that he will sign it.

The Legislature acted decisively on both fronts. The House of Representatives rejected Senate Bill 2408, which would have permanently banned all forms of kratom, in a 46-47 vote. Lawmakers then gave final approval to House Bill 1628, sponsored by Rep. Pat Heinert, which passed the House 86-6, was amended and passed unanimously by the Senate to incorporate the ban on synthetic kratom products, and cleared the House on final passage by a vote of 91-2.

The legislation recognizes the critical distinction between natural kratom leaf and chemically manipulated, semisynthetic, or highly concentrated products containing elevated levels of 7-OH. Those products are not natural kratom and should not be marketed to consumers as though they are.

"North Dakota lawmakers listened carefully to the concerns of consumers, public-health officials, and other stakeholders and chose a responsible path that targets the products creating the greatest risk," said Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the American Kratom Association. "The Legislature deserves significant credit for rejecting a blanket ban on natural kratom leaf and instead taking action against the chemically manipulated products that have too often been deceptively marketed under the kratom name."

In addition to banning synthetic and semisynthetic kratom derivatives, House Bill 1628 establishes important consumer protections, including a minimum purchase age of 21; truth-in-labeling requirements with a complete list of ingredients disclosing mitragynine and 7-OH content based on testing by an accredited laboratory approved by the Attorney General; a prohibition on packaging that imitates candy or is marketed in a way that appeals to a child; annual retailer licensing through the Attorney General’s Office; and criminal penalties for unlicensed sales.

Under the terms of the governor’s announcement, the sale of kratom products in North Dakota remains prohibited until administrative rules implementing House Bill 1628 are in place, at which point the August 3 executive order will be rescinded and compliant natural kratom leaf products may return to the marketplace under the new regulatory framework.

"Regulating natural kratom leaf products is a necessary first step toward ensuring that products sold to North Dakota consumers are safely formulated, properly tested, accurately labeled, and restricted to adults," Haddow said. "Responsible consumers deserve confidence that the product they purchase contains what its label says it contains and is not adulterated with dangerous synthetic compounds."

The AKA strongly supports aggressive enforcement against manufacturers and sellers that formulate, distribute, or market synthetic products as natural kratom. Such deceptive practices endanger consumers, undermine responsible businesses, and improperly associate natural kratom leaf with products that have been chemically manipulated to produce substantially different effects.

The AKA will continue working with the North Dakota Legislature, Governor Armstrong, the Attorney General’s Office, and other state officials on future actions to:

• Strengthen enforcement against dangerous synthetic and semisynthetic products.
• Ensure effective testing, manufacturing, and labeling standards.
• Prevent products from being marketed in ways that appeal to children.
• Establish practical compliance requirements for responsible manufacturers and retailers.
• Protect continued adult consumer access to compliant natural kratom leaf products.

"This legislation represents meaningful progress, but implementation and enforcement will determine its success," Haddow added. "The AKA is committed to helping North Dakota establish a durable regulatory framework that removes dangerous synthetic products from the marketplace while protecting responsible adult access to compliant natural kratom leaf."

The American Kratom Association thanks the North Dakota consumers who shared their experiences with lawmakers during the special session. Their testimony helped demonstrate that consumer protection and responsible access are compatible goals.

About American Kratom Association (AKA)

The American Kratom Association is a consumer advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the rights of Americans to safely use natural kratom products. The AKA supports federal and state enforcement actions targeting chemically manipulated 7-OH products and advocates for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act — including product testing, labeling standards, and age restrictions — in states across the country. For more information, visit americankratom.org and learn more at kratomanswers.org.

Disclaimer

The American Kratom Association (AKA) is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization. This press release is provided for informational and public policy purposes only. Information contained herein reflects the policy analysis of the issuing party regarding federal administrative actions and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Statements made regarding natural kratom have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Readers should consult qualified medical professionals before using any botanical products.

Media Contact

Mac Haddow
Senior Fellow on Public Policy
press@americankratom.org
+1 571-294-5978

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, September 4, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- AGIQUAD, a developer of embodied intelligence and quadruped robotics solutions, showcased its D1 Series quadruped robots at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, presenting solutions designed for complex operating environments across the Middle East, including desert and outdoor areas, industrial and energy facilities, and municipal operations.

LEAP 2026 brings together technology companies, investors, government representatives and industry leaders from around the world, with a focus on artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence, digital infrastructure and other emerging technologies. The event provides a platform for technology companies to explore opportunities in the region's smart city development, digital transformation and international industrial cooperation.

At the exhibition, AGIQUAD's quadruped robots performed live demonstrations of heavy-load carrying and self-righting capabilities following a rollover. The demonstrations underscored the robots' stability and robustness under complex operating conditions and severe external disturbances, demonstrating the platform's suitability for challenging tasks such as industrial inspection, security patrols, and desert operations.

With all-terrain mobility, advanced autonomous functions, and stable, durable performance in outdoor conditions, AGIQUAD attracted considerable attention from government and corporate representatives across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, international business visitors, and industry partners. On-site discussions focused on pilot project deployment, regional channel partnerships, and the joint development of localized solutions, laying the groundwork for AGIQUAD to deepen its presence in the Middle East and build a long-term international collaboration network.

In recent years, the Middle East has continued to accelerate the development of next-generation smart cities and smart energy, while demand has grown rapidly for intelligent solutions for outdoor patrol and inspection, operations in hazardous environments, and 24/7 unattended operations. High temperatures, windblown sand and dust, complex unpaved terrain, and large open operating areas mean that manual patrols and conventional inspection equipment offer only limited mobility and adaptability in these environments. These constraints have created an urgent need for intelligent equipment with high stability, durability, adaptability, and autonomous operation. Tailored to local operating conditions in the Middle East, the quadruped robot patrol and inspection solution that AGIQUAD showcased at LEAP 2026 offers four core strengths: strong environmental adaptability, all-terrain mobility, all-weather operation, and advanced autonomous features. It can operate reliably in extreme outdoor environments, including desert terrain, sustained high temperatures, uneven terrain and elevation changes, and complex, obstacle-filled terrain. It can independently perform standardized tasks such as autonomous patrol, intelligent obstacle avoidance, panoramic sensing, data collection, and automated inspection. The solution is applicable to a wide range of core scenarios across Gulf countries, including smart municipal operations and maintenance (O&M), security at energy facilities, industrial park inspections, public-space monitoring, and emergency reconnaissance and surveying. By automating repetitive, physically demanding and potentially hazardous tasks, the solution can help overseas industrial parks reduce operating costs, improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and advance digital transformation.

As a leading global innovator in embodied intelligence, AGIQUAD remains committed to advancing intelligent technologies and expanding internationally. Its participation in LEAP 2026 marks a further step in the company's expansion into the Middle East's technology and innovation market. AGIQUAD is expected to soon begin deploying quadruped robots for patrol and inspection with customers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other countries. Drawing on the technological strengths of its "AGIQUADLoco" All-Terrain Mobility Engine and "AGIQUADNav" Full-Domain Autonomous Navigation Engine, along with industry-specific quadruped robotics solutions tailored to complex overseas operating environments, AGIQUAD will respond rapidly to the Middle East's development needs in smart cities, smart energy, and intelligent security. The company will further advance the overseas deployment of quadruped robots and related ecosystem development, leveraging China's strength in scientific and technological innovation to support the intelligent upgrading of digital infrastructure worldwide.

Media Contact

media@agibot.com

BERLIN, Germany, September 4, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- XPPen, a global leader in digital art innovation, today unveiled the Magic Pro 13, its new Professional All-Scenario Drawing Pad, at IFA 2026 in Berlin (Booth H7.2b-120). Built on deep hardware-software integration, the Magic Pro 13 combines the portability of a standalone drawing pad with the professional capabilities of a full drawing display, enabling creators to move seamlessly from inspiration capture to professional creation anytime, anywhere.

First Look: A New Standard for Professional Mobile Creation

Designed for creators who demand professional-grade performance and creative freedom, the Magic Pro 13 is a true two-in-one: a portable drawing pad for capturing ideas anywhere, and a desktop-grade drawing display for finishing professional work. It runs Android 16 on a 3K, 120Hz display, paired with XPPen's new X4 Smart Chip Stylus for on-the-go creation and versatile entertainment. When connected to a PC with a single full-featured USB-C cable, it can seamlessly switch to Drawing Display Mode to meet studio-grade creative demands.

"We’re thrilled to bring the Magic Pro 13 to IFA 2026, the global stage where innovation meets real-world creativity," said Brian Huang, Marketing Director at XPPen. "By listening to creators, we saw a clear need for a more capable mobile creative experience — one that gives them greater freedom in mobile creation without compromising professional performance. With the Magic Pro 13, we’re turning that vision into reality and pushing the boundaries of what creators can do wherever inspiration strikes. It reflects XPPen's mission to lead innovation in mobile digital creation and empower artists with the next generation creative tools and experiences."

Unlike traditional, software-based connection methods, the Magic Pro 13 introduces the industry's leading hardware-level Drawing Display Mode in the digital drawing pad category. Using a dedicated hardware-level architecture that delivers ultra-low latency, native color output, and higher-bandwidth video transmission, it achieves uncompromised performance for detailed visuals, true-to-life colors, fluid strokes, and 16K ultra-sensitive pressure levels. By bridging mobile and desktop creation, the Magic Pro 13 allows creators to capture ideas away from the studio and continue refining them on a PC without switching to a separate device.

The Magic Pro 13 also boasts XPPen’s self-developed software ecosystem, designed to support creators throughout their creative workflow. Among its dedicated creative apps, Shelf serves as an inspiration library that automatically tags, organizes, and archives creative assets, making it easy for creators to search and revisit their ideas. Meanwhile, Canvas offers a simple, intuitive sketching experience with a focus on quickly capturing ideas without the complexity of traditional creative software.

With the integrated hardware and software ecosystem, the Magic Pro 13 frees creators from fixed workspaces and elevates mobile art creation to a new level, enabling truly all-scenario, end-to-end creative workflows. The Magic Pro 13 is expected to launch in October 2026, with more information to be announced closer to launch. IFA attendees can preview the device now at Booth H7.2b-120.

Diverse Portfolio: A Complete Ecosystem for Creative Workflows

Alongside the debut of the Magic Pro 13, XPPen is showcasing a diverse portfolio of creative tools at IFA 2026, underscoring its continued commitment to supporting creators across every stage of the creative journey. The lineup includes the Magic Note Pad, the next-gen 3-in-1 color note pad; the Artist Pro 27 (Gen 2), a flagship 4K drawing display with master-level color performance; the newly launched Artist Ultra 14, an OLED portable drawing display; and the Pilot Pro, XPPen's first-ever editing console designed to streamline editing workflows. Spanning professional drawing, mobile creation, and editing, XPPen's expanding creative ecosystem empowers creators with more versatile tools and greater freedom to explore, create, and turn ideas into finished work.

At the XPPen Booth, attendees are invited to explore these creative tools firsthand, engage in a series of interactive activities for a chance to win exclusive XPPen merchandise, and contribute to an on‑site Doodle Wall inspired by XPPen’s 21st‑anniversary theme, “DOODLE THE WORLD.” Featuring a collection of individual circles, the wall offers each participant a personal space to sketch and draw, with individual contributions coming together to create a shared visual display alongside fellow artists and visitors from around the world.

By inviting everyone to express their creativity freely, regardless of experience or artistic background, the Doodle Wall embodies the spirit of “DOODLE THE WORLD” — showing that art has no boundaries and creativity has no barriers. Whether through professional artwork, a simple doodle, or a quick sketch, everyone has their own way to create, and XPPen celebrates these diverse forms of artistic expression while respecting the freedom to create.

Driven by a vision to make professional‑grade creative tools more connected, flexible, and accessible, XPPen has steadily advanced digital art innovation for 21 years. From comprehensive drawing solutions across scenarios to industry events that connect community, XPPen remains dedicated to empowering creators—enabling them to capture inspiration, refine ideas, and realize their creative visions, wherever their path may lead.

About XPPen Technology Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2005, XPPen is a leading global brand in digital art innovation under Hanvon UGEE. XPPen focuses on the needs of consumers by integrating digital art products, content, and services, specifically targeting Gen-Z digital artists. XPPen currently operates in 163 countries and regions worldwide, boasting a fan base of over 1.5 million and serving more than ten million digital art creators. For the latest updates and information about XPPen products, please visit xp-pen.com.

Media Contact

globalpr-team@xp-pen.com

BERLIN, Germany, September 4, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- At IFA 2026 in Berlin, consumer electronics brands are placing greater emphasis on products that combine performance with more flexible everyday use, as mobile technology becomes increasingly integrated into the ways people pursue their interests, express themselves and experience everyday life. TORRAS is presenting its Q3 Air Pro at Hall 5.2, Booth 151, as part of that broader shift, using hands-on demonstrations to show how smartphone accessories are evolving beyond basic protection and becoming part of more adaptable technology lifestyles.

Making its first major international exhibition showcase at IFA, the Q3 Air Pro demonstrates how phone cases can support more everyday scenarios. Rather than presenting the case only as a protective product, TORRAS is using the Berlin event to demonstrate how engineering, materials and design can work together to improve how people carry, mount, view and film with their devices. The approach reflects a market in which consumers increasingly expect accessories to be durable, visually considered and useful across different settings.

At the TORRAS booth, visitors explored the “Free Your Hands to Create” concept through hands-on demonstrations of the Ostand lineup. The experience showed how the built-in magnetic stand can support hands-free viewing, quick filming, desk and travel placement, and other everyday scenarios. Through the “Ostand Shot” concept, TORRAS presented the magnetic stand not only as a structural feature, but also as a tool that helps people watch, capture and create with greater flexibility.

As the new flagship in the Ostand magnetic stand case lineup, the Q3 Air Pro centers on TORRAS’ AIR DUET™ Sealed Dual-Layer Airbag System. The system combines a clear outer airbag with an inner matte TPU structure to help intercept and disperse impact, offering a new approach to phone protection without adding unnecessary bulk. The case also integrates a 360-degree rotatable hidden kickstand and an 18N magnetic hold system, extending the protection-focused design into hands-free viewing, filming and everyday use.

At IFA, TORRAS connected this product approach with a broader vision for technology lifestyles: mobile accessories can provide protection while also giving people more flexible ways to view, mount, capture and create in everyday life. Through the Ostand concept, the brand is exploring how a built-in magnetic stand can become part of the way people use their phones across different interests and routines.

TORRAS said its development approach is informed by consumer demand for products that balance durability, design and practical use. The company has reached more than 100 million users across 148 regions, a scale it is using to expand from protective accessories into broader technology lifestyle categories. In the context of IFA, this broader strategy helps frame the company's effort to connect functional device protection with cultural and lifestyle use cases. 

About TORRAS

Founded in 2012, TORRAS is an innovative consumer electronics brand dedicated to creating high-quality products and tech-driven lifestyle experiences. Its product portfolio spans mobile accessories, charging solutions, and smart lifestyle products designed to bring greater freedom and creativity to everyday life. TORRAS products and services have reached more than 100 million users across over 148 countries and regions. For more information, visit torraslife.com.

Media Contact

Claudia Peng
TORRAS Europe Regional Marketing Manager, Lechuang Tiancheng Technology (HK) Co., Limited
marketing@torras-eu.com

NEW YORK, NY, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Bowery Clinic, a concierge-style telehealth clinic specializing in physician-led peptide and metabolic care, has expanded its Selank program for eligible patients in the United States. Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide that has drawn growing attention for its potential role in stress resilience, anxiety reduction, and cognitive performance. This expansion is part of the clinic's ongoing effort to help patients understand emerging peptide therapies before deciding, together with a licensed physician, whether a given protocol is appropriate for them.

What is Selank

Selank is a synthetic analog of tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory tetrapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg. Selank extends this tuftsin core with three additional amino acids — Pro-Gly-Pro — giving it the full sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP). This structure and Selank’s relationship to tuftsin are well documented in published scientific literature such as in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Selank was developed through Russian peptide-research programs involving institutions within the Russian Academy of Sciences. A 2022 peer-reviewed Russian review lists Selank among peptide products registered in the Russian Federation and classifies it as an anxiolytic.

In the United States, Selank is not FDA-approved for any indication. Its removal from the FDA's Category 2 list reflects a withdrawn bulk substance nomination and does not signal FDA clearance or approval for compounding.

How Researchers Believe It Works

Selank's proposed mechanisms involve several neurological and biochemical pathways, although much of the mechanistic evidence remains preclinical.

• GABAergic modulation: Preclinical research suggests Selank may influence GABAergic neurotransmission. Studies have reported changes in genes involved in GABA signaling and have proposed allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system as one possible mechanism behind its observed anxiolytic effects. Additional laboratory work has reported effects on GABA binding.
• Serotonin and enkephalin activity: Animal research has found changes in serotonin and other monoamine systems following Selank administration. Separate research has shown that Selank can inhibit enzymes responsible for degrading enkephalins, suggesting another potential pathway involved in its anxiolytic activity.
• BDNF expression: Researchers have also investigated Selank's relationship with brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. An intranasal animal study reported regulation of BDNF expression in the hippocampus, while subsequent preclinical research has continued to explore the relationship between Selank, BDNF, memory, and attention. 
• Immune signaling: Because Selank is derived from the tuftsin peptide structure, researchers have also examined possible immunomodulatory effects. A small human study investigated changes in immune parameters among patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders.

What the Research Shows — and What It Doesn't

The published evidence base for Selank consists largely of Russian preclinical research and a relatively small number of human studies, many of which were conducted in Russia and involved modest sample sizes.

One study involving 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder or neurasthenia compared Selank with medazepam and reported similar anxiolytic effects between the groups, with additional antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects reported for Selank. Another 60-patient study comparing Selank with phenazepam reported anxiolytic effects and mild nootropic effects in the Selank group. 

Additional research has evaluated Selank alongside phenazepam and reported reductions in several phenazepam-associated adverse effects, including sedation and attention and memory impairment. These findings are interesting but should not be interpreted as establishing Selank as equivalent to, safer than, or a replacement for FDA-approved anxiety treatments.

Bowery Clinic emphasizes that the existing findings have not been established through the type of large, multicenter clinical development program required for FDA approval. Long-term safety data and independently replicated studies in diverse populations remain limited. Patients should understand that Selank is a non-FDA-approved peptide in the U.S. and that decisions regarding its use require a candid discussion of the available evidence, its limitations, and the patient's individual medical history.

"Selank is a good example of an emerging peptide that has a compelling mechanism and growing clinical interest,” said Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke, Chief Medical Officer at Bowery Clinic. “Our approach is physician-led and highly individualized. We evaluate each patient’s medical history, current medications, symptoms, and goals to determine whether Selank may be appropriate for them. If it is, we focus on responsible prescribing, personalized protocols, and ongoing physician oversight throughout treatment.

Who Is Asking About Selank

The clinic reports that patient inquiries about Selank most often come from adults interested in stress and anxiety support, professionals and students exploring potential cognitive support, and existing peptide patients who want to understand how Selank may fit alongside other protocols.

Selank is also frequently discussed alongside Semax, another Russian-developed peptide with a distinct research profile. Physicians at Bowery Clinic can help patients understand the differences between the available evidence for the two peptides and whether either is appropriate for their individual goals.

Administration, Dosing, and Safety Considerations

Selank has been studied most notably through intranasal administration in human research, while other routes have also appeared in preclinical studies. Dosing and administration through Bowery Clinic are individualized by the prescribing physician based on the patient's medical history, treatment goals, tolerance, and response.

Available clinical studies have reported few acute side effects among small patient cohorts; however, comprehensive long-term safety, adverse event, and toxicity profiles have not been established in large-scale U.S. clinical trials for Selank. 

Because formal drug-interaction studies are limited, patients should disclose their use of benzodiazepines, antidepressants, stimulants, and other psychoactive medications to their physician before considering Selank. This is particularly important because experimental research suggests Selank may influence GABAergic and monoaminergic signaling.

Safety has also not been adequately established in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or pediatric populations. Bowery Clinic does not position Selank as a replacement for evidence-based treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, depression, or other psychiatric conditions. Patients with active psychiatric conditions requiring specialist management are referred to appropriate mental-health care.

Why Physician Oversight Matters

The growth of online peptide vendors selling "research chemicals" without prescriptions, quality testing, or medical guidance has become a significant patient-safety concern. Products sold this way may be mislabeled, underdosed, contaminated, or degraded, and users have no clinician to consult if something goes wrong.

Bowery Clinic's model is built to address that gap. Every patient is evaluated by a licensed physician before any peptide is prescribed. Prescriptions are filled by state-licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies adhering to applicable federal and state compounding regulations, and patients have continuing access to their care team throughout treatment for dose adjustments, side-effect management, and reassessment.

Where Bowery Clinic Provides Care

Bowery Clinic provides physician-guided peptide and metabolic care through telehealth to eligible patients in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Patients in these states can consult with a licensed clinician about Selank and other peptide therapies, where clinically appropriate and permitted under applicable state regulations.

About Bowery Clinic

Bowery Clinic is a physician-led, concierge-style telehealth clinic focused on evidence-informed peptide and metabolic medicine. The clinic offers personalized treatment plans in areas including metabolic health and weight management, recovery and tissue support, cognitive and stress resilience, longevity, and hormone optimization. Patients complete a streamlined online intake, meet with a licensed clinician via telehealth, and receive an individualized plan with ongoing, high-touch support from the clinic's medical team.

What distinguishes Bowery Clinic is its commitment to real medical oversight. The clinic is staffed by licensed physicians who review every patient's history, screen for contraindications and drug interactions, write every prescription, and remain available for follow-up care. Bowery Clinic does not sell unapproved research peptides directly to consumers, does not operate as a supplement retailer, and does not use automated or non-clinician prescribing. When a peptide is clinically appropriate, it is dispensed through state-licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies and shipped directly to the patient.

For more information, or to begin an intake, visit boweryclinic.com.

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Selank is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Statements regarding Selank's mechanisms and effects reflect published preclinical and early clinical research and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Individual results vary. Treatment is available only where a licensed physician determines it to be clinically appropriate following a medical evaluation. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.

Media Contact

Bowery Clinic
members@boweryclinic.com

LOS ANGELES, CA, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- 7-HOPE Alliance, a consumer protection non-profit dedicated to science and public education on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and kratom, today applauded the federal government’s 15-day extension of the public comment period while urging the regulators to reconsider altogether the proposed scheduling process, fully evaluate emerging science, scrutinize the underlying adverse-event data, and allow Congress time to consider a responsible regulatory framework before any Schedule I action moves forward.

The call comes as the September 10 deadline approaches for public comments on HHS’ Request for Information regarding the proposed temporary scheduling of 7-OH. HHS recently extended the comment period by 15 days following an extraordinary level of public participation, with more than 30,000 comments submitted to the federal docket and more than 65,000 people signing a Change.org petition in support of continued access to 7-OH.

For 7-HOPE Alliance, the extension was an important victory and evidence that sustained public engagement can make a difference. It also created something even more valuable: additional time for policymakers to hear from consumers, review emerging scientific evidence, and reconsider whether an accelerated Schedule I process is the appropriate response.

7-HOPE Alliance has been clear with federal regulators that claims that 7-OH presents an imminent threat are not consistent with the evidence. The temporary scheduling process is intended for circumstances involving that kind of immediate danger, yet the available data on 7-OH remains limited and does not establish the level of imminent public-health threat that would justify rushing toward Schedule I. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of Americans report relying on 7-OH and could face significant consequences if access is abruptly eliminated.

Emerging scientific research, including new data expected to be published in the near future, is beginning to provide a more complete picture of 7-OH’s safety profile and raises important questions about some of the assumptions underlying the proposed action. 7-HOPE Alliance urges HHS to reconsider the emergency scheduling, evaluate both the existing and emerging science, and carefully examine the full picture of any reported adverse events. 

Additionally, 7-HOPE believes that Congress should also have an opportunity to fully engage in this debate and consider whether a responsible regulatory framework can address legitimate public-health concerns while preserving access for adults. A decision with consequences this significant should allow the legislative process to play out and be based on the full scientific record, not an incomplete picture of the risks or a rush to judgment.

“This extension showed that thousands of Americans are paying attention and are deeply concerned about what Schedule I could mean for them and their families,” said Jackie Subeck, Executive Director of 7-HOPE Alliance. “The government now has an opportunity to listen to those voices, look carefully at the emerging science, and ask whether the evidence actually supports an emergency response. We believe the responsible course is to reconsider this rushed action, let the science develop, and allow policymakers to have the broader conversation this issue deserves.”

“We are not arguing against regulation. We have consistently supported responsible standards around manufacturing, testing, labeling, age restrictions, and consumer protection. But regulation and prohibition are not the same thing, and Schedule I should not become a substitute for the harder work of building thoughtful policy,” added Subeck.

7-HOPE Alliance has continued its nationwide advocacy campaign throughout the extended comment period, mobilizing consumers, advocates and stakeholders to submit comments, contact federal officials, and educate members of Congress about the potential consequences of scheduling 7-OH. With the September 10 deadline approaching, the organization is urging supporters to use the remaining days to strengthen the public record and make clear that science-based regulation, rather than prohibition, offers a more responsible path forward.

Advocates can learn how to submit comments, contact federal officials, and participate in the campaign at www.7hopealliance.org/federal.

About 7-HOPE Alliance

7-HOPE Alliance (7-Hydroxy Outreach for Public Education) is a non-profit consumer protection organization (501(c)(3)) dedicated to advancing public education, user support, and policy advocacy around 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a naturally occurring alkaloid in the kratom plant. Through a foundation of science, storytelling, and community, 7-HOPE empowers individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers with accurate, balanced information on 7-OH and its role in harm reduction, natural wellness, and safe, legal access to alternatives. The organization’s mission centers on four pillars: science, education, advocacy, and user support. By confronting misinformation, promoting responsible use, and providing uplifting real-life testimonials, 7-HOPE aims to ensure 7-OH remains available to the many individuals who find it to be a safe and effective harm reduction tool. For more information or to get involved, visit 7hopealliance.org.

Disclaimer

7-HOPE Alliance is an independent 501(c)(3) advocacy organization. The statements in this press release are intended strictly for educational, informational, and civic advocacy purposes regarding public administrative processes (HHS/DEA dockets). 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and kratom products have not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Nothing in this release should be construed as medical or legal advice, nor as an endorsement or encouragement of illegal substance use. Regulatory frameworks, state laws, and scheduling statuses regarding 7-OH and kratom are subject to rapid legislative and administrative change. Individuals should consult qualified legal and healthcare professionals regarding local laws and medical decisions.

Media Contact

media@7hopealliance.org

SILVER SPRING, MD, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- A former Montgomery County Public Schools student has filed a lawsuit (Case No. C-15-CV-26-003658) alleging that the Montgomery County Board of Education failed to protect him from former elementary school teacher Daniel J. Picca, despite repeated complaints, investigations, reprimands, and warnings concerning Picca’s conduct with male students. 

The lawsuit was filed June 17, 2026, in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Montgomery County by Andreozzi + Foote on behalf of Nicholas Moon. It names the Montgomery County Board of Education and Picca as defendants.

Moon attended Kemp Mill Elementary School as a child and between approximately April 2007 and June 2008 was entrusted to the supervision of Picca. The lawsuit alleges that Picca cultivated a “special relationship” with Moon, using Moon’s interest in professional wrestling to facilitate private, individualized interactions. According to the complaint, Picca frequently isolated Moon from other students and school personnel for one-on-one interactions that served no legitimate educational purpose.

Picca allegedly directed Moon to remove his shirt and flex his muscles, and engaged him in physical wrestling activities and holds that involved unnecessary and inappropriate physical contact. The complaint further alleges that Picca subjected the child to unwanted physical contact, including massages and touching of his shoulders, back, chest, and torso.

According to the lawsuit, this physical contact served no legitimate educational purpose and exceeded the boundaries of appropriate teacher-student interaction.

Documented 17-Year History of Complaints and Reprimands

Central to the lawsuit is the allegation that the Montgomery County Board of Education had been repeatedly warned about Picca’s pattern of inappropriate conduct with male students long before Moon became his student.

As reflected in the findings of the Maryland State Board of Education in Daniel Picca v. Montgomery County Board of Education (Case No. MSDE-BE-01-11-45289), school administrators had received complaints dating back to at least 1993 that Picca directed male students to remove their shirts, flex their muscles, sit on his lap, participate in wrestling activities, and engage in other inappropriate physical interactions with him.

In its opinion, the State Board described the events chronicled in Picca’s case as “shocking,” emphasizing that the conduct had occurred repeatedly over a period of 17 years. “From the first complaint in October 1993, seventeen years passed with patterns repeated and reprimands issued,” the State Board wrote. “Yet this teacher was transferred to different elementary schools and remained in the classroom. That should never ever have occurred.”

The State Board also noted that Picca’s personnel record was “filled with reprimands and directives” that he did not follow and observed that each reprimand appeared to have been treated in isolation without reference to previous directives. 

Picca had worked for Montgomery County Public Schools since 1985, first as an elementary school teacher at Candlewood Elementary School before transferring to Rachel Carson Elementary School in 1990. According to the Statement of the Case by an Administrative Law Judge, while at Rachel Carson, Picca engaged in misconduct involving male students that included having boys sit on his lap, directing them to remove their shirts, wrestling with them, photographing them, and feeling their muscles.

According to the lawsuit, school administrators, law enforcement authorities, Child Protective Services, Human Resources personnel, and other officials investigated concerns about Picca’s conduct. It further alleges that Picca received multiple written reprimands, directives, memoranda, and disciplinary actions over many years.

Despite those warnings, the lawsuit alleges, the Montgomery County Board of Education continued to employ Picca in positions that gave him direct access to children. The suit alleges that the Board knew or should have known that Picca posed a danger to students, based on earlier reports, and failed to exercise reasonable care to protect Moon.

“How was a teacher allowed to maintain access to children after years of complaints and warnings about his conduct with students?” Nathaniel Foote, partner at Andreozzi + Foote and an attorney for Moon, said. “The Maryland State Board of Education has itself questioned why Picca remained in classrooms for 17 years as patterns repeated and reprimands were issued. Our client deserved to be protected by the school system entrusted with his safety, and this lawsuit seeks accountability for its alleged failure to protect him.”

The lawsuit asserts claims against the Montgomery County Board of Education for negligent, grossly negligent, and reckless hiring, retention, and supervision, general negligence, and gross negligence and recklessness. It brings additional claims against Picca for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit was filed pursuant to Maryland’s Child Victims Act. Moon seeks damages for emotional distress, psychological injury, pain and suffering, and other damages he alleges resulted from Picca’s conduct and the Board’s alleged failures to protect him. Moon is represented by Nathaniel Foote and Kylie Tejera of Andreozzi + Foote.

About Andreozzi + Foote

Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families. For more information, visit victimscivilattorneys.com.

Disclaimer

This press release describes allegations made in a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Montgomery County (Case No. C-15-CV-26-003658). A complaint represents a set of allegations made by a plaintiff, and defendants are presumed not liable until proven otherwise in a court of law. The information contained herein is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of outcome.

Media Contact

Andreozzi + Foote
marias@vca.law
+1 717-807-5808

ASHLAND, OR, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- CU 2.0 has announced that founder Kirk Drake has contributed a chapter to "The Entrepreneurial Ascent: The Founders, Challenges, and Decisions That Built Remarkable Companies," published on August 21, 2026. The book brings together perspectives from 32 founders on the decisions, setbacks, and experiences involved in building their companies.

Drake’s chapter, “Your Team Cannot Execute a Secret Mission,” addresses how entrepreneurs communicate the purpose behind the work they assign. His contribution examines what can happen when founders provide employees with tasks, deadlines, and performance measures while keeping the larger outcome inside their own heads.

Drake founded CU 2.0, a consultancy that works with credit unions and financial technology companies on technology strategy, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. He is also the founder of Resistance Wine Company. The chapter draws on his experience developing businesses in two industries with different customers, operating models, and expectations.

The contribution begins with a distinction between a job and a mission. Drake characterizes a job as a description of what someone must do, while a mission communicates the result that the work is intended to support. He proposes that employees may struggle to anticipate problems, challenge assumptions, or improve an approach when they have not been told what the founder ultimately hopes to accomplish.

“The problem is usually not the person. It’s that we gave them a job when what we really needed to share was the secret mission behind the job,” Drake explains in the chapter.

That argument forms the central theme of his contribution to The Entrepreneurial Ascent. Drake considers why a founder may be dissatisfied even after an employee has completed an assignment according to the original instructions. In such cases, he suggests, the leader may have expected ownership and judgment without communicating the context those qualities require. 

The chapter also connects that leadership challenge with the changing nature of work. Drake observes that artificial intelligence is altering tools and responsibilities across industries, making it difficult for existing job descriptions to anticipate every future need. He does not offer a fixed prediction of how individual positions will change. Instead, he proposes that teams may respond more effectively when they understand the purpose behind their responsibilities alongside the work itself.

Several sections examine the founder’s role in creating that understanding. Drake discusses the vulnerability involved in explaining why an outcome matters personally, particularly when the leader does not have every answer. He also considers how founders can become decision-making bottlenecks when employees must return to them for every interpretation, adjustment, or correction.

Informal communication receives attention as well. The chapter notes that remote arrangements may work effectively when responsibilities and routines are stable. During periods of rapid growth, uncertainty, or organizational change, however, Drake believes spontaneous conversations can help teams uncover assumptions and connect immediate assignments with wider priorities. He presents this as a question of context rather than a rejection of remote work.

Drake extends the principle beyond employees to relationships with customers, investors, and partners. Within CU 2.0’s work, he identifies the wider purpose of technology adoption as helping credit unions continue serving their members as financial services change. At Resistance Wine Company, he connects the business with the memories people create around wine. These examples illustrate his view that an organization’s mission can give meaning to its operating mechanisms.

The chapter concludes with a direct recommendation for founders seeking greater participation from their teams. “If the work matters, tell people why. If the outcome is bigger than the task, say so. If you need partners rather than box-checkers, give them something real to partner with,” Drake emphasizes.

Media Contact

Kirk Drake
kdrake@cu-2.com

ISTANBUL, Türkiye, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Medical tourism provider Istanbul Care today announced its 2026 operational protocol for international hair restoration patients. Designed to replace opaque per-graft pricing models, the clinic’s updated offering integrates all-inclusive flat-rate pricing with standardized, doctor-led clinical assessment and long-term post-operative monitoring.

For 2026, fixed package pricing ranges from $1,990 to $2,490, encompassing surgical procedures, transfers, luxury accommodations, and structured digital follow-up:

• FUE Sapphire Package ($1,990): Implies microscopic channel opening utilizing bio-compatible sapphire blades to minimize tissue trauma and optimize graft density.
• Organic DHI Package ($2,290): Direct Hair Implantation utilizing specialized Choi Implanter Pens alongside proprietary scalp preparation to support graft viability.
• Gold DHI Ultra Package ($2,490): Specialized high-density implantation tailored for advanced hair loss patterns and multi-zone restoration.

Addressing Industry Transparency and Clinical Rigor

As Turkey continues to host hundreds of thousands of hair restoration patients annually, international consumers face challenges distinguishing comprehensive medical care from dynamic per-graft surcharges and hidden post-operative costs. Istanbul Care’s new model separates financial predictability from clinical planning, ensuring treatment methodologies are chosen based on medical suitability rather than cost brackets.

Integrated End-to-End Patient Pathway

The 2026 care pathway establishes a seamless sequence for overseas travel and recovery:

• Pre-travel Digital Assessment: Remote evaluation of high-resolution donor and recipient imagery, medical history review, and baseline graft estimation.
• In-Clinic Diagnostic Mapping: In-person trichoscopic scalp analysis, precise hairline design aligned with facial proportions, and final surgical plan sign-off.
• Procedure and Immediate Aftercare: Minimally invasive extraction and implantation, specialized post-op washing, and initial medication administration.
• Logistical and Language Support: Dedicated multilingual patient coordinators, private airport-hotel-clinic logistics, and 5-star hotel accommodations.
• 12-Month Remote Monitoring: Structured digital check-ins at key recovery milestones (1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months) to assess growth and graft retention.

About Istanbul Care

Istanbul Care combines cutting-edge healthcare services with professional patient support, making the entire journey smooth from consultation to recovery. Thanks to its internationally accredited facilities, skilled specialists, and strong reputation in medical tourism, Istanbul Care continues to be one of the most trusted destinations worldwide for successful and natural-looking hair restoration solutions. For more information, visit istanbul-care.com.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this press release is for informational and promotional purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual surgical outcomes, graft requirements, and candidate suitability vary based on individual physiology, hair loss severity, and clinical evaluation. Package details, pricing, and services are subject to change based on in-person diagnostic assessments. Readers should consult with a qualified, licensed healthcare professional before making any medical travel or surgical decisions.

Media Contact

Crabs Media
info@crabsmedia.com
+90 530 870 57 90

JERSEY CITY, NJ, September 3, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Shape Equity Partners, a boutique real estate development firm behind some of Hudson County’s most distinctive, and recent, residential projects, just announced the acquisition of 24 Bright Street, a historic three-unit property in Jersey City. 

The acquisition adds to Shape Equity’s growing Jersey City presence and underlines the firm’s interest in properties with unmistakable character and clear potential for improvement.

Located in one of Jersey City’s established residential neighborhoods, 24 Bright Street is expected to include restoration of the building’s facade, preservation of its distinctive street presence, and a rear expansion designed to support modern residential use. The property includes three residential units, including a large three-bedroom unit. Construction is anticipated to begin in Q3 2026.

“Jersey City has a limited number of properties that offer both historic character and a clear path for thoughtful improvement,” said Lorenzo Sargenti, founder of Shape Equity Partners. “With 24 Bright Street, our goal is to preserve what gives the building its identity while improving the way it functions for the people who will ultimately live there.”

A Different Approach to Multifamily Development

24 Bright Street joins Shape Equity Partners’ growing portfolio of boutique residential projects across Jersey City and Hoboken, including The Milano at 305 Third Street and The Chester at 46 Coles Street.

Rather than pursuing scale alone, Shape Equity focused on projects where design, construction decisions, and market positioning can directly shape the long-term value of the asset. The firm’s work centers on selective acquisitions, disciplined execution, and residential product quality in high-barrier-to-entry urban markets. 

“Jersey City continues to grow, but growth alone isn’t the full story,” Sargenti added. “The question is what kind of housing gets added to the market. We believe there is a real need for smaller-scale projects that are carefully designed, well-built, and connected to the neighborhoods around them.”

As demand continues across Hudson County for well-located residential products with access to transit, walkability, and neighborhood amenities, Shape Equity Partners plans to continue pursuing projects that add quality housing while respecting the context around them.

About Shape Equity

Shape Equity Partners is a boutique real estate development firm focused on multifamily residential properties in high-demand markets just outside major city centers. The firm combines proprietary market and regulatory research with a development approach informed by European construction standards to identify overlooked opportunities and deliver high-quality residential projects. Shape focuses on markets characterized by structural housing undersupply, favorable demographic trends and complex regulatory environments where local expertise can create a meaningful advantage. For more information, visit shapeequity.com.

Media Contact

Joshua Estes
Partner, Estes Media
joshua@estesmedia.com