AirAsia bags second consecutive ‘Top Influential Brand’ win in Singapore
AirAsia was once again named the Top Influential Brand in the Airline category at the 2026 Asia CEO Summit & Awards Ceremony organised by Influential Brands, marking the airline’s second consecutive win in the category. Photo Caption: (Middle) Shahidah Musa, Senior Manager, Marketing of AirAsia in Singapore accepted the Top Influential Brand award in the Airline category last night at the 2026 Asia CEO Summit & Awards Ceremony. The award continues to recognise AirAsia’s position as the largest foreign low-cost carrier in terms of market share in Singapore and reflects its continued commitment to delivering affordable, accessible and high-quality travel experiences for guests across the region. The Top Influential Brand award, presented annually by Influential Brands during the Asia CEO Summit & Awards Ceremony, honours companies that have significantly shaped consumer preferences and industry benchmarks. The award recognises brands that demonstrate strong brand equity, innovation and sustained customer engagement across a range of sectors.
Record-Breaking March Sales: Upcoming Auto China & CHERY International Business Summit Accelerates Our Shift into a New Phase as a Global High-Tech Automotive Enterprise
Update on Previous Disclosure:Sale of Interests in Onshore Oil and Gas Assets in the Sultanate of Oman
FEATURED NEWS
- April 8, 2026Blockchain
CertiK Introduces AI Auditor with 88.6% Hit Rate and Low-Noise Intelligence
CertiK , the largest Web3 security services provider, announced the release of its AI Auditor alongside a suite of open-source integrations for AI coding agents, marking a significant expansion of its AI-native security strategy. Originally built as an internal tool to serve CertiK's own expert auditors, the system is now available to the public after more than six months of rigorous real-world application. In evaluations against 35 real-world Web3 security incidents from 2026, AI Auditor achieved an 88.6% cumulative exact hit rate, all while being engineered specifically to deliver high detection with exceptionally low noise. The launch reflects a broader shift toward embedding real-time security intelligence directly into developer and institutional workflows, enabling more proactive and scalable risk management across Web3 ecosystems. As AI agents become standard tools, CertiK is shifting security from a separate step to an integrated, always-on layer. Developers and researchers can now access blockchain security insights within their existing environments, reducing friction and improving response times to emerging threats. "The question is no longer simply whether AI can find vulnerabilities, but whether it can genuinely help development teams surface the security issues worth addressing, earlier," said Ronghui Gu, Co-founder of CertiK. "By filtering out endless false positives, our AI Auditor delivers high-signal, actionable clarity—turning security from a traditional bottleneck into a seamless accelerator for Web3 teams." At the core of this low-noise capability is an advanced AI system driven by a Multi-Stage Validator. It begins with the MultiScanner framework, which runs specialized scanners in parallel to maximize detection coverage without relying on a single model. To prevent the alert fatigue common in standard AI tools, these raw findings are then processed by CertiK's proprietary Multi-Stage Validator. This validator performs multi-round deduplication and evaluates each alert for semantic validity and exploitability, explicitly suppressing irrelevant alerts to ensure developers only see what matters. Another key differentiator is CertiK’s continuously updated Knowledge Base, which encodes real-world exploits, audit findings, and emerging attack patterns into structured data. This allows AI Auditor to incorporate current threat intelligence at inference time, rather than relying solely on static training. AI Auditor is designed to complement human expertise. It handles baseline detection, pre-audit triage, and continuous monitoring without creating redundant work, allowing security professionals to focus on complex vulnerabilities and protocol-level risks. Its modular design enables customization based on a project’s language, architecture, and risk profile, making it applicable across DeFi and institutional use cases. This release is an early step in CertiK’s broader AI roadmap, with additional capabilities in development to further integrate security into developer tools, compliance workflows, and institutional monitoring systems. About CertiK CertiK is the largest Web3 security services provider, utilizing industry-leading formal verification technology to protect and monitor blockchain protocols and smart contracts. Founded in December 2017 by professors from Yale University and Columbia University, CertiK applies cutting-edge innovations from academia to enterprise, enabling mission-critical applications to scale with safety and correctness. One of the fastest-growing and most trusted companies in blockchain security, CertiK is a true market leader. To date, CertiK has worked with more than 5,000 enterprise clients, secured over $600 billion worth of digital assets, and detected more than 180,000 vulnerabilities in blockchain code. Its clients include industry-leading projects such as Binance, Ethereum Foundation, BNB Chain, Aptos, Ripple, Sandbox, Polygon, and TON. Since its inception, CertiK has secured investments from 12 top-tier funds, including Sequoia, Coatue, Goldman Sachs, Shunwei Capital and Insight Partners, with a valuation of more than $2 billion. Follow X , LinkedIn , Telegram and Discord for the latest news and announcements. Contact Elisa Yiting Xu [email protected]
- April 8, 2026Business
Wondergate Expands Cross-Border Payment Capabilities to Support Global Business Transactions
Wondergate, a fintech company specializing in cross-border payment infrastructure, today announced continued advancements in its global payment capabilities aimed at supporting businesses operating across international markets. As cross-border commerce continues to expand, businesses face ongoing challenges related to transaction speed, currency management, and regulatory compliance. Wondergate’s platform is designed to address these challenges by providing integrated financial tools that support global payment processing and operational efficiency. The company’s service framework includes global acquiring and local collection capabilities, enabling businesses to accept payments in multiple currencies across more than 200 countries and territories. In addition, Wondergate provides multi-currency accounts that allow businesses to manage funds across major global currencies, supporting improved financial visibility and operational flexibility. Wondergate also offers virtual and physical payment card solutions designed for business expenses and supplier transactions. These tools are integrated with real-time tracking features and configurable controls to support financial management across international operations. To support system integration, the company provides API-based infrastructure that enables businesses to connect payment functionality with existing enterprise systems, including accounting and operational platforms. This approach allows for workflow automation and more streamlined transaction processes. Regulatory compliance remains a core component of Wondergate’s operations. The company operates within established financial frameworks in multiple jurisdictions and applies risk management protocols, including transaction monitoring and data protection measures, to support secure payment processing. Wondergate has also incorporated data-driven technologies into its platform to enhance transaction efficiency and risk assessment. These developments reflect broader industry trends toward automation and optimization in financial services. The company serves a range of business segments, including e-commerce merchants, international enterprises, and service-based organizations that require cross-border payment capabilities. Its solutions are structured to support varying operational needs across different markets. Looking ahead, Wondergate plans to expand its service availability in additional regions, including Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company is also developing additional features focused on transaction tracking and financial workflow integration to support evolving business requirements. About Wondergate Wondergate is a fintech company focused on providing cross-border payment solutions for businesses operating in global markets. Its services include payment acquiring, multi-currency account management, card issuance, and API-based financial integration. The company supports businesses in managing international transactions through secure and scalable infrastructure.
- April 8, 2026Technology
SDS Manager Introduces AI-Driven Solutions to Streamline Chemical Compliance and SDS Authoring Workflows
SDS Manager, a provider of chemical safety and compliance solutions, has expanded its focus on artificial intelligence–driven technologies to help global manufacturers modernize the creation and management of safety data sheets (SDS). As regulatory requirements continue to evolve across international frameworks such as GHS, OSHA Hazard Communication Standards, and EU CLP regulations, manufacturers are facing increasing pressure to maintain accurate, consistent, and up-to-date chemical safety documentation. For many organizations, this process remains heavily manual, relying on spreadsheets, fragmented systems, and repetitive document updates. SDS Manager is addressing these challenges by advancing automated SDS creation capabilities that transform structured chemical data into compliant documentation. This approach allows compliance teams to reduce manual effort while maintaining alignment with regulatory standards. Addressing Complexity in Chemical Compliance Manufacturers managing large product portfolios often need to update hundreds or thousands of SDS documents when formulations change or regulations are revised. Traditional methods require manual review and editing, increasing the risk of inconsistencies and delays. SDS Manager’s solutions apply structured regulatory logic to streamline this process, enabling faster document generation and reducing dependency on manual workflows. By automating classification and formatting, organizations can improve both efficiency and accuracy in compliance operations. Enhancing Consistency Across Global Operations Maintaining consistency across SDS documentation is a key challenge for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. Variations in classification, language, and regulatory interpretation can lead to discrepancies that impact compliance. Through its AI-supported SDS authoring tools , SDS Manager enables organizations to standardize documentation across product lines and regions. This helps ensure that hazard information, safety instructions, and regulatory references remain aligned across all documents. Supporting Digital Transformation in Manufacturing The adoption of AI in compliance workflows reflects a broader trend in industrial digital transformation. While AI has gained widespread attention in consumer-facing applications, its role in specialized, data-intensive processes is becoming increasingly significant. By integrating automation into SDS authoring, manufacturers can shift focus from repetitive documentation tasks to higher-value activities such as regulatory strategy, risk management, and product development. Improving Efficiency and Compliance Readiness Automated SDS solutions offer measurable benefits for compliance teams, including: Faster document generation and updates Reduced manual workload Improved consistency across documentation Enhanced ability to respond to regulatory changes These capabilities are particularly valuable in industries where regulatory requirements are complex and continuously evolving. A Forward-Looking Approach to Compliance As global supply chains expand and regulatory expectations increase, manufacturers are seeking scalable solutions that simplify compliance without compromising accuracy. SDS Manager’s AI-driven approach supports this need by providing tools that align with modern operational demands. By leveraging automation and intelligent systems, the company aims to help organizations maintain reliable chemical safety documentation while adapting to an increasingly complex regulatory environment. About SDS Manager SDS Manager provides end-to-end software solutions for chemical safety, compliance, and SDS management. Designed for organizations operating in highly regulated industries, the platform combines AI-powered SDS authoring with centralized SDS management, helping teams streamline documentation, ensure global regulatory compliance, and maintain accurate, audit-ready safety data.
- April 8, 2026Education
Dawes Arboretum Celebrates 100 Years of Environmental Stewardship and Living History
The Dawes Arboretum, a historic living tree museum located in Ohio, is approaching its 100-year milestone, marking nearly a century of conservation, education, and environmental stewardship rooted in its founding vision. Established in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes , the Arboretum was created with a long-term purpose: to cultivate a space where trees serve not only as natural elements but as living records of time, care, and ecological understanding. From its earliest days, the founders envisioned a landscape shaped by intention rather than control, where natural contours were preserved, and planting decisions reflected both beauty and educational value. Today, Dawes Arboretum stands as a dynamic environment where visitors can experience the gradual evolution of a thoughtfully maintained landscape. Unlike traditional museums, the Arboretum offers a living collection that continues to grow, adapt, and reflect changing approaches to conservation. A Legacy Rooted in Vision and Stewardship The founding philosophy of Beman and Bertie Dawes centered on the belief that trees represent more than visual appeal—they are part of a broader ecological and historical narrative. Their approach emphasized patience, long-term planning, and a deep respect for the land. Additional insights into their early vision and lasting impact can be explored through historical accounts of Beman and Bertie Dawes, which highlight how their efforts contributed to the Arboretum’s enduring legacy. Over the decades, this vision has guided the development of the Arboretum into a space where preservation and growth coexist. Mature trees reflect decades of stewardship, while newer plantings demonstrate evolving knowledge of sustainability and ecological resilience. A Living Museum Experience The Arboretum functions as an open-air museum, offering visitors an immersive experience that cannot be confined within traditional structures. Pathways, bridges, and expansive landscapes invite exploration, encouraging individuals to engage with nature at their own pace. Rather than focusing on a single focal point, the Arboretum promotes observation and reflection. Visitors are encouraged to notice subtle changes in the environment, from the way trees grow toward light to the differences between historic and newly established plantings. This approach reinforces the idea that conservation is an ongoing process, shaped by continuous care and attention. Connecting Past, Present, and Future As the Arboretum nears its centennial, it serves as both a reflection of past efforts and a commitment to future generations. The trees that define the landscape today are the result of decisions made decades ago, illustrating how long-term stewardship contributes to lasting impact. In an era of rapid development and environmental change, the Arboretum provides a space where growth is intentional and measured. Its continued focus on preservation, education, and sustainability ensures that it remains a relevant and meaningful resource for years to come. Continuing the Mission Looking ahead, the Dawes Arboretum remains dedicated to expanding its efforts in conservation and public engagement. By maintaining its founding principles while adapting to modern environmental challenges, the Arboretum continues to create opportunities for learning, reflection, and connection with the natural world. As it approaches its 100th anniversary, the Arboretum stands as a testament to the enduring value of patience, stewardship, and thoughtful care—demonstrating that meaningful growth, both ecological and cultural, takes time. About Dawes Arboretum The Dawes Arboretum is a living tree museum dedicated to conservation, education, and environmental stewardship. Founded in 1929, it continues to provide a space where visitors can explore the relationship between people, nature, and time through carefully cultivated landscapes.
- April 8, 2026Business
Slickorps Ventures and PT. Otto Media Grup Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement, Jointly Establishing a New Starting Point for the Financial Digital Ecosystem in Southeast Asia
On March 25, Miller Acosta, Chief Operating Officer of Slickorps Ventures, visited Jakarta, Indonesia, officially commencing a tour of PT. Otto Media Grup headquarters. Edwin Kertanagara, CEO of PT. Otto Media Grup, led the core team in welcoming the visitors and held a signing ceremony for the strategic cooperation agreement between the two parties. This visit marks the substantial advancement of the integration and cooperation between AI and fintech technologies. Miller Acosta stated that this visit is an important starting point for long-term cooperation between the two parties, focusing on the Slickorps App market and operational promotion. Over the past few months, Slickorps Ventures and PT. Otto Media Grup have developed a clear understanding of business structures and development directions of each other through multiple rounds of online communication, and this face-to-face interaction will further enhance cooperation efficiency. Miller also noted that Indonesia has significant advantages in terms of population size, internet penetration rate, and proportion of young users, which is one of the key reasons global tech companies continue to invest in Southeast Asia. In the subsequent internal meeting, both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on future cooperation directions. Edwin Kertanagara, CEO of PT. Otto Media Grup, said that PT. Otto Media Grup started with digital marketing and has now built an AI content and global distribution network, forming a complete content ecosystem that demonstrates continuous growth and innovation capabilities in the rapidly changing Southeast Asian market. Both parties believe that this cooperation has a clear complementary logic. Slickorps Ventures has long focused on AI technology, quantitative trading, and fintech infrastructure, while PT. Otto Media Grup concentrates on content ecosystem, brand communication, and local market operations. Edwin remarked: “When technology and content combine, the ultimate goal is to create value for society. We are not just engaging in a simple cooperation, but building a complete digital ecosystem.” At the signing ceremony, both parties formally exchanged cooperation documents and shook hands to confirm the partnership. Edwin stated that the completion of this cooperation agreement will bring abundant business and talent development opportunities to Indonesia and Southeast Asia in fields such as media, fintech, and AI innovation. “Today is just a starting point. In the coming years, we will jointly promote business development and create more influential achievements.” The significance of this cooperation lies not only in resource integration but also in the formation of a new development model. Slickorps Ventures is driving upgrades in trading and asset management through AI technology, while PT. Otto Media Grup leverages its creator network and content ecosystem to establish communication and brand marketing capabilities in the Southeast Asian market. The combination of both parties means that a complete closed loop from technical capability to market expression is taking shape, providing a new practical sample and numerous high-tech opportunities for the collaborative development of the digital ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
- April 8, 2026Business
Powerhouse Consulting Announces New Framework and Industry Report to Address the $1 Trillion Sales-Marketing Alignment Gap
U.S. businesses are losing an estimated $1 trillion annually due to persistent misalignment between sales and marketing teams, according to multiple industry analyses including Harvard Business Review and industry research . This massive revenue leak equivalent to more than 10% of annual revenue for many B2B companies stems from departmental silos that waste marketing budgets, extend sales cycles, lower win rates, and erode overall performance. New data underscores the scale of the problem. Only 8% of companies report strong alignment between sales and marketing, while 53% experience critical hand-off failures where marketing-generated leads receive follow-up from less than 35% of engaged prospects. Misaligned organizations see revenue decline by an average of 4% per year , while aligned competitors achieve 20–32% year-over-year growth . Additional impacts include 38% higher win rates and 27% faster revenue growth for aligned teams, according to industry benchmarks cited in HubSpot-aligned analyses and 2025–2026 B2B studies (Aberdeen Group / SiriusDecisions) Into this costly “no man’s land” steps Bola Aremu , founder and CEO of Powerhouse Consulting LLC . Drawing on more than 20 years of cross-functional experience spanning aviation, revenue management, business development, international sales, marketing strategy, and airline launches, Aremu is addressing the alignment gap that silently drains billions from organizations. Aremu’s insight was forged in high-stakes operational environments where misalignment between departments can ground entire initiatives. She describes the space between sales, marketing, and leadership as a “fourth-dimension purgatory” an invisible limbo where good strategies and talented people fail to connect. “Marketing is not a support function but a strategic driver that can accelerate organizational performance when properly integrated with sales and leadership,” Aremu stated. Her experience and research has identified that practical, empathy-driven collaboration is far more effective than traditional top-down mandates. She works directly with leadership teams to detect early warning signs of misalignment, such as conflicting metrics, siloed C-suites, and operational disconnects that slow progress. She emphasizes the need for humility, setting aside ego, and genuinely understanding the perspectives of both sales and marketing teams. “Everyone wants to win,” Aremu notes. “The challenge is framing alignment as a shared goal rather than a contest between functions.” Aremu begins her work with teams by asking a simple but revealing question: “How can we?” This approach, she finds, helps surface hidden barriers and root causes through open, unbiased listening. Looking ahead, Bola Aremu will be publishing her proprietary findings in an upcoming white paper and industry report that explores what she defines as the “revenue black hole” between sales and marketing. Drawing on cross-sector analysis, executive interviews, and performance data, the report will quantify how misalignment silently drains pipeline value, distorts forecasting, and erodes growth at scale. It will also introduce a structured framework for diagnosing and closing these gaps, positioning alignment not as an operational fix, but as a critical strategic lever for revenue acceleration in modern business. Her insights are grounded in more than 20 years of cross-functional experience across aviation, including roles at United Airlines, Boeing, and Oakland International Airport, as well as revenue management, MRO, and airline launches. That unique perspective began at age six and a half during her first solo flight from Chicago to London, which sparked a lifelong focus on bridging divides and seeing the full operational picture. Organizations she has worked with are seeing faster execution, reduced internal friction, higher conversion rates, and more consistent revenue performance, even in complex, regulated industries. “True alignment is more than shared KPIs, it is emotional and operational alchemy that turns individual efforts into collective triumph,” Aremu explains. In an era of AI-driven efficiency and distributed teams, she argues that the human bridge between functions remains the most powerful competitive advantage. About Powerhouse Consulting LLC Powerhouse Consulting LLC, founded by Bola Aremu, provides advisory services to leadership teams focused on aligning sales, marketing, and executive functions to drive sustainable revenue growth.
- April 8, 2026Technology
Artifact Launches Omni to Transform Accounting Workflows With AI
Artifact ( https://www.getartifact.com/ ) today announced the launch of Omni, an AI-powered workflow orchestration platform designed to address a critical bottleneck in the global accounting industry: fragmented workflows across disconnected systems. Founded by former racecar driver turned AI engineer Ariel Harmoko and Carter Springall, Artifact is taking a contrarian approach to a $600 billion industry that has long focused on improving individual tools rather than the workflows connecting them. “For years, the industry has focused on building better tools,” said Harmoko. “But accounting doesn’t have a tool problem — it has a workflow problem.” Modern accounting firms rely on a growing stack of software, including ERPs, payroll systems, and client-specific platforms. While each promises efficiency, the workflows between them are often manual, stitched together with spreadsheets, workarounds, and institutional knowledge. As firms scale, this fragmentation increases operational drag, limiting efficiency and capacity. Artifact’s solution is Omni, a platform that sits on top of existing systems and orchestrates the workflows connecting them. Rather than replacing software, Omni transforms fragmented processes into automated, auditable systems. Users can describe workflows in plain English and convert them into cross-system automations. Firms can also turn internal processes into reusable templates, enabling consistent delivery across clients without rebuilding workflows from scratch. Over time, Omni improves as corrections feed back into its AI models, reducing manual intervention with each cycle. The launch comes as accounting firms face mounting pressure from a global talent shortage and rising demand for higher-value services like Client Advisory. Many professionals remain tied up in manual operational work, limiting their ability to focus on advisory roles. Artifact aims to relieve this pressure by automating the connective layer between systems, allowing firms to scale without increasing headcount. Early adopters report strong results, including up to 7× return on investment within the first year, alongside meaningful gains in efficiency and team capacity. The company raised a seed round in 2025 led by Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun, with participation from Motive Partners and Angel Invest, as well as operators from leading AI and software companies. “In racing, everything is a system,” Harmoko added. “If something breaks, you feel it immediately. Accounting has the same problem - it’s just been hidden for longer.” With Omni, Artifact is betting that the next generation of accounting firms will be defined not by the tools they use, but by how seamlessly their systems work together.
- April 8, 2026Technology
Matt Cretzman Launches the Shopify Model for Expert Knowledge — Skill Refinery Turns Expertise Into a Subscription Business Delivered Through AI
Skill Refinery, the AI knowledge platform founded by Matt Cretzman, today announced the full availability of Creator Storefronts — a self-serve publishing system that lets any expert, author, or coach turn their methodology into a subscription product delivered through the AI tools their subscribers already use. The model works like Shopify for the knowledge economy: the expert brings the IP, Skill Refinery provides the infrastructure and the distribution channel, and subscribers pay the expert’s chosen price for access. No course to build, no podcast to launch, no audience required to start earning. A New Revenue Model for Expert Knowledge The global coaching and professional development market exceeds $15 billion, yet most experts earn from their knowledge in exactly two ways: one-on-one time or a product someone purchases once and rarely revisits. Neither model scales without the expert being personally present. Skill Refinery introduces a third model. Experts upload their books, courses, or recorded frameworks. The platform’s extraction engine converts that content into structured skill cards — discrete, reusable methodologies that AI can apply to a subscriber’s specific situation in real time. Those skills are then published to the expert’s Creator Storefront, where subscribers pay a monthly fee — set by the expert between $49 and $149 per month — for full access. The expert earns 50% of every subscription, every month, with no cap. Every expert also publishes free skill cards as a discovery layer — any AI user can access them at no cost, experience the expert’s methodology firsthand, and subscribe for the full library when they’re ready. The Shopify Parallel Before Shopify, selling online required building a store from scratch. After Shopify, a merchant needed only a product. Skill Refinery is the same shift for knowledge: before, experts needed a platform, an audience, a production team, and a customer acquisition strategy. Now they need methodology. The platform handles extraction, publishing, payment processing, MCP delivery, and distribution across every major AI tool. Subscribers never leave their AI environment — skills from a Skill Refinery storefront activate automatically inside Claude, ChatGPT, or Microsoft Copilot when a subscriber asks a relevant question. The expert’s frameworks adapt to the subscriber’s specific situation: their deal, their team, their industry. It is not a course to complete. It is a coaching relationship that runs 24 hours a day, without the expert on the call. How Creator Storefronts Work Experts set up a storefront in minutes. The extraction engine processes books, course transcripts, or recorded content and surfaces 30 to 80 skill cards per book. Experts can also build new skills conversationally — working through a guided process inside Claude or ChatGPT to articulate a framework they’ve never written down — and publish those skills directly to their storefront. Once live, a storefront operates independently. Subscribers receive an MCP key and connect to their preferred AI tool in under two minutes. Every conversation that activates a skill is an instance of the expert’s methodology at work — at scale, without their time. “Every expert I’ve ever worked with has the same problem: they can only be in one room at a time. Their best thinking, their actual frameworks, their hard-won methodology — it’s locked to their calendar. Skill Refinery breaks that constraint. Your expertise runs in your subscribers’ AI tools while you sleep. That’s a fundamentally different kind of leverage than a course or a book.” — Matt Cretzman, Founder & CEO, Skill Refinery The platform’s first published expert, Tony Jeary — known as The RESULTS Guy, with 125+ published books and a 40+ year career coaching Fortune 500 presidents — launched his RESULTS Faster methodology on Skill Refinery and now has skills live and accessible across Claude, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot. Creator Storefronts are free to set up with unlimited extractions at no cost. Skill Refinery earns only when experts earn — through revenue share on subscriptions. Experts can get started at skillrefinery.ai. About Matt Cretzman Matt Cretzman is the Founder and CEO of Skill Refinery and the founder of Stormbreaker Digital, an AI agent systems agency serving B2B companies across manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. He has founded nine companies across AI agent systems, legal technology, EdTech, and B2B SaaS. He is the co-author of The LinkedIn Advantage with Tony Jeary. More information is available at mattcretzman.com. Skill Refinery is live at skillrefinery.ai.
- April 8, 2026Business
NEVERLAB Hits New Milestone with North China Debut and Strategic Upgrade
On April 3, 2026, trend-driven lifestyle fast-fashion innovator NEVERLAB opened its first North China store at Longfor Tianjin Meijiang Paradise Walk and simultaneously held its Brand Strategy Upgrade Conference. Following its overseas debut in Kuala Lumpur in February and a strategic partnership with embodied intelligence leader MagicLab in March, this milestone signals NEVERLAB’s transition from “single-store validation” to global-scale expansion. North China Debut Sparks Buzz with Emotional Retail Concept The Tianjin store drew over 15,000 visitors on opening day, quickly emerging as a trending hotspot in the Meijiang Paradise Walk shopping district. This strong footfall reflects the successful implementation of NEVERLAB’s “emotional + experiential” marketing strategy. Activities such as inviting influencer as “One-Day-Limited Store Manager” along with interactive experiences and fan photo sessions, helped build emotional connections and amplify social engagement. The store design breaks conventional lifestyle fast-fashion norms, blending dopamine-inducing colors with creamy textures, high-saturation zones in green, pink, and yellow, and immersive spaces that are “shoppable, playable, sharable, and soothing.” This resonates with young consumers’ aesthetic preferences and experiential expectations. NEVERLAB’s product strategy continues to follow the “N+IP+AI” model, spanning AI toys, plush toys, fragrances, accessories, and lifestyle products to create a diversified, high-repurchase portfolio. Key areas include proprietary IP zones featuring popular characters like the PAWPAW Family, global IP collaborations catering to diverse tastes, and emotional wellness zones combining scent, touch, and visual elements to meet the core needs of young consumers for emotional relief and companionship. As the brand’s strategic foothold in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Tianjin store not only fills a gap in North China but also introduces a new “trendy fast-fashion × emotional retail × AI technology” consumption experience, setting a benchmark for emotional retail in the region. Strategic Upgrade Targets Global Growth with MagicLab Partnership Alongside the store opening, the Brand Strategy Upgrade Conference showcased immersive elements such as Tianjin’s intangible cultural heritage dough sculpture DIY workshops, fostering interactive engagement between guests, the brand, and local culture. The conference outlined NEVERLAB’s global expansion roadmap, AI product matrix upgrades, and worldwide store targets, marking a new phase of scalable growth. NEVERLAB’s President Max Zhang noted that the market has shifted from material to emotional consumption, with the hundred-billion-dollar emotional economy poised for explosive growth. Leveraging its “N+IP+AI” strategy, NEVERLAB plans to expand globally in 2026, combining high-repurchase lifestyle products, globally recognized IPs, and AI-driven toys to create a differentiated technology moat. Pricing strategies and product assortments are designed to balance traffic, profitability, and brand image for sustainable growth. AI toys were highlighted as a core component of the upgrade. NEVERLAB formalized a strategic partnership with MagicLab, featuring interactive demonstrations including the Spring Festival Gala robot panda, signaling comprehensive collaboration on AI toy development and intelligent offline experience upgrades. The brand will continue to expand AI-powered products, including AI pets and companion robots, building a complete emotional companionship technology ecosystem to support its global stores. Robust Infrastructure Supports Rapid Expansion NEVERLAB’s core team brings experience in global retail expansion, supply chain management, and prime location operations. Its lightweight joint-venture model ensures rapid rollout in North China. Currently, NEVERLAB has signed distributors in 12 countries and has over 40 stores pending opening in China, including Hebei’s Hengshui and Shijiazhuang, which are set to launch in late April. Dual Growth Engine: Global Expansion and Domestic Deepening The Tianjin store’s success reflects the brand’s steady global strategy execution. According to iiMedia Research, China’s emotional economy reached over USD 320B in 2024 and is expected to surpass USD 625B by 2029. NEVERLAB’s product positioning aligns precisely with this high-growth market. Globally, the Kuala Lumpur store generated over USD 110,000 in its first month, further validating the scalability of the brand’s overseas model. NEVERLAB has secured partnerships in more than 30 countries, including the U.S., Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The recent Poland signing marks its entry into Europe, confirming its global expansion. Domestically, over 100 stores have been signed across key provinces in China, with the Tianjin store serving as the North China benchmark for rapid replication across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Global client contracts have surpassed USD 15 million, with leading investment institutions actively backing the brand, providing strong backing for its global strategic goals. From its South China debut in Guangzhou to its overseas launch in Kuala Lumpur and further regional deepening in North China with Tianjin, NEVERLAB has achieved a full strategic leap—from domestic entry to global expansion and regional scale-up—within just six months. Opening day footfall, clear global targets, and AI collaboration with MagicLab together illustrate the brand’s rapid growth trajectory. As a pioneer in trend-driven lifestyle fast fashion and emotional retail, NEVERLAB leverages “value + emotional impact” as its core engine, “N+IP+AI” as a product moat, and standardized global expansion as its path. With the Tianjin benchmark ready for national replication and global rollout, NEVERLAB is set to lead the integration of emotional consumption and tech-enabled retail, continuing to capture the hundred-billion-dollar emotional economy and writing a new chapter in the globalization of Chinese consumer brands.
- April 8, 2026Business
Dating Industry Insights Reveals Major Compliance Gaps as Online Safety Act CSEA Deadline Approaches.
Independent analysis of dating app compliance readiness finds significant gaps in child sexual exploitation and abuse reporting systems — with Ofcom’s April 7 deadline now just 10 days away and penalties of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover for non-compliance. On April 7, 2026, every dating platform operating in the United Kingdom must comply with the Online Safety Act’s child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) reporting requirements — or face enforcement action from Ofcom. Platforms that fail to implement adequate systems for detecting, reporting and removing CSEA content face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is higher. Senior executives face potential criminal liability for persistent non-compliance. Today, DatingIndustryInsights.com/reports (DII) publishes an independent compliance readiness assessment of major dating platforms operating in the UK market. The findings suggest an industry that has known this deadline was coming for over two years and has still not adequately prepared. “The Online Safety Act received Royal Assent in October 2023,” says DII’s co-founder. “That gave the industry more than two years to build the systems Ofcom now requires. Our analysis suggests that most platforms have treated CSEA compliance as a last-minute checkbox rather than the fundamental duty of care it represents.” Ofcom’s CSEA Reporting Requirements Ofcom’s CSEA reporting framework requires dating platforms to implement proactive detection technology for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), maintain rapid reporting channels to the National Crime Agency, preserve evidence for law enforcement, and publish transparency data on CSEA incidents and enforcement actions. Platforms must also demonstrate that their age verification systems are robust enough to prevent minors from accessing adult dating services. The requirements apply to every user-to-user service operating in the UK with a significant number of UK users — capturing every major dating app from Tinder and Bumble to Feeld, Grindr, Hinge and smaller niche platforms. There is no exemption based on company size, jurisdiction of incorporation, or business model. The Readiness Gap DII’s analysis, based on published compliance statements, product updates, and regulatory filings, identifies three tiers of readiness among major dating platforms. The largest operators — Match Group (Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid) and Bumble — have publicly committed to age verification rollouts and CSEA detection tools, though the depth and rigour of implementation varies significantly. Mid-tier platforms have announced policy changes but provided limited evidence of technical implementation. Smaller operators and niche platforms appear least prepared, with several showing no public evidence of compliance infrastructure. Research published by the Childlight Global Child Safety Institute at the University of Edinburgh found that two thirds of men who have sexually offended against children used dating platforms, and one in five used them daily. Child sex offenders were found to be nearly four times more likely to use dating sites than non-offenders. “These aren’t theoretical risks. The academic evidence shows that dating platforms are actively used by sex offenders to access victims. April 7 is the date the law says that is no longer acceptable without consequences.” Age Verification: Necessary but Not Sufficient Several platforms have introduced age verification measures ahead of the deadline. Tinder began piloting ID-based age verification in select UK markets in late 2025. Bumble implemented selfie-based age estimation technology. Grindr introduced document verification for flagged users. DII’s analysis notes that age verification alone addresses only one vector of child exploitation risk. Ofcom’s own research found that 16% of 13–17-year-olds in the UK had used a dating app, despite every major platform requiring users to be at least 18. Age verification closes the front door, but CSEA reporting requirements exist because exploitation also occurs through grooming of young adults, image-based abuse, and the circulation of existing CSAM through messaging features. Enforcement and Financial Exposure Ofcom has signalled that enforcement will be phased but firm. Platforms demonstrating good-faith compliance efforts may receive guidance and remediation windows. Those that have made no meaningful progress face immediate investigation. The regulator has the power to issue confirmation decisions, impose financial penalties, and in extreme cases seek court orders requiring ISPs to block non-compliant services in the UK. The financial stakes are unprecedented. Match Group reported global revenue of $3.19 billion in 2024 — meaning a 10% penalty could theoretically reach $319 million. Bumble’s global revenue of $1.07 billion puts its maximum exposure at $107 million. “The financial exposure alone should have made this the industry’s number one priority for the last two years. The fact that compliance readiness remains patchy tells you everything about how this industry has historically prioritised user safety. April 7 is the moment that changes.” Data sources: All statistics cited in this release are sourced from Ofcom, the Online Safety Act 2023, the University of Edinburgh’s Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, Match Group and Bumble SEC filings, and published platform compliance statements. Full citations are available in the DII investigation at DatingIndustryInsights.com/reports. Read the full report and all DII analysis www.DatingIndustryInsights.com/reports About DatingIndustryInsights.com: DII is an independent B2B intelligence platform covering the global online dating industry. It publishes original research, financial analysis, regulatory tracking and investigative reporting with no advertising from the companies it covers. DII is a Fortitude Publishing property.
- April 8, 2026Land & Property
Commentary on URA tender closing at Kallang Close
In contrast to the robust participation witnessed for the recent GLS site at Dover Drive two weeks ago, the tender for the residential site at Kallang Close (470 units) saw muted interest from developers, receiving just 4 bids (below expectations) but a top bid price of $1,415 psf ppr (within expectations). At 4 bids, this is the lowest number of bids submitted for a private GLS plot in 2026 so far, below the 5 bids received for preceding tenders at Tanjong Rhu Road , Lentor Central (4) and Dairy Farm Walk (2). This more subdued bidding could be indicative of developer selectiveness amid heightened economic uncertainty and risks of higher construction costs from supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, especially for sites that do not tick all the boxes of: palatable size of under 500 units, near city centre, near MRT, schools and amenities and surrounded by potential million-dollar HDB upgraders. The tender for Kallang Close (470 units) saw a subdued response from developers, receiving 4 bids below expectations but a top bid price of $1,415 psf ppr within expectations. The top bid was submitted by a joint venture between Frasers Property and Mitsubishi Estate, outbidding the second-placed CDL’s $1,405 psf ppr by a narrow 0.7% and the third highest bidder, a joint venture between Hong Leong Holdings and Mitsui Fudosan Co.’s $1,301 psf ppr by 8.7%. Wing Tai Holdings and Metro Holdings placed the lowest bid of $1,242 psf ppr, 13.9% lower. The price gap between the top and last bidder of less than 15% shows some consensus on the site. Kallang Close is the first of a cluster of residential plots to be released along the Kallang River waterfront, which has been earmarked by the URA under its 2025 Masterplan as an Identity Corridor, with plans to enhance the area with lush green and blue recreational spaces to support amenities and active uses for the public. There is no recent GLS comparable in the immediate vicinity of the site. However, in the broader Kallang Planning Area, Dorset Road (428 units) received 9 bids, the highest number of bids for an RCR site in 2025 was awarded in Oct 2025 to a consortium between UOL Group, Singapore Land Group, and Kheng Leong Co. for $1,338 psf ppr. Another plot of comparable size with waterfront views albeit in a more prestigious precinct is Tanjong Rhu Road (525 units) which drew 5 bids was awarded in Feb 2026 to a CDL and Who Hup joint venture for $1,455 psf ppr. Today’s site at Kallang Close boasts many attractive locational attributes, such as: Walking distance to two MRT stations — 300-400 metres to Kallang MRT on the East-West line, and 600-700 metres to Bendemeer MRT on the Downtown line Waterfront views facing the Kallang River to the east Potential pent-up demand from upgraders at nearby Geylang Bahru, Upper Boon Keng and Bendemeer HDB estates especially since the last new launch in the area, Kallang Riverside (212 units) was more than a decade ago in 2014 Walking distance to amenities at Aperia Mall and the Upper Boon Keng HDB estate City fringe location, and well-connected to major roads and expressways such as Kallang Road, Kallang Bahru, the Central Expressway (CTE) and the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) However, the site’s primary drawback is the absence of a primary school within a 1km radius, though reputable options like Hong Wen and Geylang Methodist are located within 1 – 2km. Furthermore, the area remains largely untested in recent years with only two existing freehold projects nearby, and the proximity to industrial estates may detract from its residential appeal. Existing freehold projects The Riverine by the Park (96 units) and Kallang Riverside (212 units) are smaller and recorded low transaction activity in 2025 with median prices of $2,035 psf and $2,436 psf respectively. The nearest 99-year projects albeit closer to Lavender MRT include Citylights (600 units) and Southbank (197 units) which transacted at median prices of $1,952 and 1,920 psf respectively. Nearby comparables Source: CBRE Research, realis, data downloaded as of 6 Apr 2026. As the maiden project along the Kallang River Identity Corridor, the joint developers could benefit from a first mover advantage in the area. With a top bid price of $1,415 psf ppr, we expect the future project could look to launch at an average price of $2,700 – 2,800 psf. About CBRE Group, Inc. CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm and a premier provider of critical infrastructure services. The company has more than 155,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage servicing, valuations); Building Operations & Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space & experience, critical infrastructure); Project Management (program management, project management, cost consulting); Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit our website at www.cbre.com .
- April 8, 2026Business
Tim Draper to Keynote Investment Crowdfunding Week
Kingscrowd announced Tim Draper will deliver the keynote address opening Investment Crowdfunding Week 2026 on April 13. The billionaire venture capitalist behind early bets on Skype, Tesla, Baidu, and Bitcoin has spent his career getting ahead of structural shifts in how capital moves. Now in its second year, Investment Crowdfunding Week runs April 13–15. The free, virtual event brings together founders, investors, and industry operators for three days of live company pitches, investor education sessions, and founder programming. This year's theme is Raise the Bar, focusing on the realities of raising and deploying capital in private markets today. "Honestly, getting Tim Draper to open ICW is a major win for our industry. He's one of the few people who's been vocal about this space before it was obvious. His perspective on where private markets are heading is exactly what our audience needs to hear," said Chris Lustrino, Founder and CEO of Kingscrowd. 20 companies, each vetted and rated by Kingscrowd's analyst team, will pitch live across the three days, representing sectors including Climate Tech, MedTech, AI/SaaS, CPG, Pharma, AgTech, and Construction. Pitches are organized into five groups, with audience voting determining which company from each group advances to a Championship Pitch Round on Wednesday, April 15. The winner receives $5,000 toward their raise. Beyond the pitches, ICW 2026 features two tracks of programming. The investor track covers due diligence and deal evaluation, exchange listings as a private markets asset class, and a fireside chat with Scott Kitun of GigaStar on the creator economy as an emerging alternative asset class. The founder track covers digital marketing for crowdfunding campaigns with Jason Fishman of Digital Niche Agency, capital stack strategy with The Capital Department, compliance and legal foundations with CrowdCheck, and exchange listing strategy for founders thinking beyond their initial raise. Registration is free at https://kingscrowd.com/event/icw-2026/ . About Kingscrowd Kingscrowd is a data and research platform focused on private market investing, with deep coverage of Regulation CF, Regulation A, and online private capital formation. The company aggregates investment data from more than 120 platforms and provides proprietary ratings, analytics, and research used by retail investors, institutional investors, universities, and regulatory organizations. To date, Kingscrowd has tracked more than 11,000 crowdfunding raises representing nearly $5 billion in total capital raised. More information is available at www.kingscrowd.com . Media Contact Sarah Hardwick, Kingscrowd, [email protected] , 760-815-9233 Notes to Editors ICW 2026 pitch schedule: Group A — Monday, April 13, 3:00 PM ET: Qnetic, Surge AI, Rejuvenate Bio, Harmony Group B — Monday, April 13, 5:00 PM ET: Neopenda, Solsten AI, RISE Group C — Tuesday, April 14, 3:00 PM ET: Airthium, Namecoach Group D — Tuesday, April 14, 5:00 PM ET: Koios, Green Coffee Company, Emission Free Generators, Hylio Group E — Wednesday, April 15, 3:00 PM ET: Nuudi, HEVO, Future Cardia, Azure Printed Homes
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