Archives May 2026

Vista-Backed Amtech Software Opens Bengaluru Innovation Hub, Betting on Indian Talent to Power Global AI-Powered Packaging Technology

Business Wire India

 

Amtech Software, the leading provider of ERP, MES and CRM solutions for the packaging and labels industry, today announced the opening of its new technology and innovation hub in Bengaluru, India. This strategic investment reinforces Amtech’s commitment to providing practical AI, cloud, and integrated technology to the global packaging and labels industry.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518623463/en/

 

 

Chuck Schneider, CEO, and Vinod Kumar, Chief People & Culture Officer and India MD, Amtech Software; Subramanian Krishnan, SVP, Vista Equity Partners; and Amita Goyal, Partner, Zinnov, inaugurating the Amtech Software India office.

Chuck Schneider, CEO, and Vinod Kumar, Chief People & Culture Officer and India MD, Amtech Software; Subramanian Krishnan, SVP, Vista Equity Partners; and Amita Goyal, Partner, Zinnov, inaugurating the Amtech Software India office.

 

 

Backed by Vista Equity Partners and serving more than 1,250 manufacturing plants worldwide, Amtech is making India an important part of its long-term growth strategy as a center of product ownership and innovation. The Bengaluru hub will house Engineering, Product, Customer Operations, Revenue Operations, and other key corporate functions.

 

Amtech has ambitious hiring plans for the Bengaluru hub, with rapid team growth expected over the next one year. This is not a small presence; it is a meaningful, multi-functional center being built to scale and serve global customers. Beyond functional hiring, the Bengaluru hub will also serve as the permanent home for a growing number of global roles with worldwide scope and responsibility, based in India.

 

 

Within the next two to three years, the company aims to evolve the India team into a strategic global center, with increasing ownership of global initiatives across its flagship platforms EnCore, Label Traxx and Axiom.

 

 

Bengaluru-based teams will work on cloud-ready, API-driven architecture, AI-augmented product features, advanced manufacturing analytics, and the MES and CRM capabilities that sit at the heart of Amtech’s platform. With access to global product teams and direct involvement in enterprise-grade software, the Bengaluru team will shape technology that underpins the supply chains behind corrugated packaging, folding carton, and label manufacturing across North America, Europe, and Latin America.

 

 

Chuck Schneider, CEO of Amtech Software, said: “As we expand our presence in India, we are building more than teams. We are building a culture that consistently shows up to give our customers what they need every day. This is an important step in strengthening how we innovate, collaborate, and deliver value globally, while staying connected to what matters most to our customers.”

 

 

Vinod Kumar, Chief People & Culture Officer and Managing Director, India, Amtech Software, said: “Bengaluru is one of the world’s most dynamic technology ecosystems, and launching our office here is a defining moment for Amtech — not just as a business milestone, but as a statement about how we grow. We believe the strongest companies are built by people who feel genuine ownership over their work. At Amtech India, our engineers own products, drive roadmaps, and make decisions that impact customers globally. This is the environment we’re committed to building — one where people do the most meaningful work of their careers, and where the Amtech legacy grows through the strength of its people.”

 

 

Amtech is hiring across Engineering, Product, Customer Operations, Revenue Operations, and other key corporate functions. Prospective candidates can learn more and explore open roles at www.amtechsoftware.com.

 

 

About Amtech Software

 

 

Amtech Software is the leading purpose-built provider of ERP, MES, and CRM software solutions for the global packaging and labels industry. Leading the journey for continuous innovation with cloud and practical AI solutions, Amtech helps corrugated packaging, folding carton, flexible packaging and label manufacturers around the world securely streamline plant operations from order entry to job execution and final delivery. Founded over 40 years ago, Amtech supports over 1,250 plants worldwide with a presence in North America, Latin America and Europe. For more information, visit www.amtechsoftware.com.

 

 

To learn more about Amtech Software and career opportunities at the Bengaluru Innovation Hub, visit www.amtechsoftware.com and follow Amtech Software India on LinkedIn.

 

 

 

 

 

Ministry of Ayush Issues Public Health Advisory on Heatwave, Urges Preventive Measures

New Delhi, May 19 (BNP): The Ministry of Ayush has issued a public health advisory in response to rising temperatures and heatwave conditions across several parts of the country, urging citizens to take necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The advisory outlines key preventive measures such as maintaining adequate hydration, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours, and limiting strenuous outdoor activities. Citizens have been advised to wear light, breathable clothing, consume sufficient fluids, and adopt simple lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

News In Pics

Emphasising India’s traditional systems of wellness, the Ministry has also recommended incorporating Ayurvedic practices, seasonal dietary habits, and cooling foods into daily routines to help the body adapt to extreme heat conditions. The advisory encourages the use of natural cooling methods along with balanced nutrition to maintain overall health and immunity during the summer season.

In addition to preventive guidance, the Ministry has highlighted basic emergency response steps for heat-related illnesses, including immediate cooling of the body, rehydration, and seeking timely medical assistance in severe cases.

The advisory is aimed at increasing public awareness and strengthening preparedness as several regions continue to face intense heatwave conditions, with special focus on protecting vulnerable groups such as children, elderly persons, and outdoor workers.

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) Hosts its 25th Convocation

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) Hosts its 25th Convocation

Ahmedabad, May 19: Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, a ‘Centre of Excellence’ recognised by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, hosted its 25th convocation of academic programmes on May 18, 2026, at its Ahmedabad campus. The event was graced by chief guest Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Ladakh. Also present on the occasion were Shri Rakesh Sharma, President – EDII and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank Limited; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII; and esteemed members of the EDII Governing Board including Shri Gopal Jha, Chief General Manager (SME & Supply Change Finance), State Bank of India, Mumbai; Dr. Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), Pune; Shri Rajesh Gandhi, Managing Director, Vadilal Industries Ltd., Ahmedabad and Dr. O. P. Goel, Advisor to CEO, National Skill Development Corporation, New Delhi.

98 students and scholars were conferred with diplomas and graduating certificates, at the 25th convocation, across academic programmes. This year’s graduating batch represents 76 Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Entrepreneurship (PGDM – E) students, 8 Post Graduate Diploma in Management-Innovation Entrepreneurship & Venture Development (PGDM-IEV) students, 11 Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Online (PGDM-Online) students and 3 Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) students.

While 38 students of PGDM-E have finalised their 5 year Perspective Growth Plan, 46 students of PGDM-E and PGDM-IEV programme have prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR). Students have also secured grant sanctions from the student start-up innovation policy. Some of the business identified domains include: Plastic Waste Recycling Plant, AI Platforms, Child Mental Health, Landscaping & Horticulture Solutions, Pet Health Tech Ecosystem and Manufacturing of Biodegradable Paper Bottles.

Encouraging the students, Chief Guest Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the Union Territory of Ladakh, said, “Reaching significant milestones often creates the illusion that our education is complete. But this is not true. Learning is a lifelong, perpetual journey. To thrive in an ever-evolving world, one must maintain the curiosity, the eagerness to learn something new, and evolve as a better professional. The world around you, would always demand you to remain a student, and a scholar in pursuit of knowledge. This thirst of knowledge, will help you strengthen your abilities, and make you ready, for facing the ever-changing world of today. So, to the graduates, I would say, become great entrepreneurs, play ethically, as that is the greatest service, you can do to yourself, and the country. Set your goals, work tirelessly to achieve them, and dedicate yourself to the service of the nation and the mankind.”

Addressing the students, Shri Rakesh Sharma, President – EDII and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank Limited, said, “Innovation remains the cornerstone of entrepreneurship. While EDII alumni have exemplified this spirit, I urge, the graduating students, to remain lifelong learners- to question assumptions, explore alternatives and approach challenges with creativity and purpose. In a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, adaptability is no longer optional – it is essential. However, let me reiterate a true entrepreneur is never discouraged by roadblocks. On the contrary, challenges must strengthen your resolve and sharpen your focus. With resilience, determination and courage, you must confront obstacles and move forward.”

Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, shared, “Over the past more than four decades, we have witnessed a palpable upsurge in the spirit of entrepreneurship. Today, amidst all the policies and development models, entrepreneurship has a crucial role to play. The start-up wave is impressing upon our youth to adopt entrepreneurship as a career. I am also happy to state that the significance of training and mentorship to create entrepreneurs has got established like never before. The society today acknowledges the power of knowledge, skills and determination in the growth of an enterprise and an entrepreneur.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.

Moore Nanotechnology Systems (Nanotech) Will Be Acquired by Shibaura Machine Group to Form a New Ultra-Precision Machine Tool Organization

Business Wire India

MOORE NANOTECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS (“Nanotech”), today announced that it is being acquired by an affiliate of SHIBAURA MACHINE CO., LTD., an industrial machine-tool manufacturer headquartered in Japan.

 

Founded nearly 30 years ago by Len Chaloux and Newman Marsilius III as a standalone subsidiary of the Moore Tool Company, Inc., Nanotech has become a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art ultra-precision machine tools and associated processes for the production of advanced optical and reflective components.

 

 

“As the world’s markets continue to develop, finding the right strategic partnerships is essential,” said Mark Boomgarden, President and CEO of Nanotech. “Partnering with Shibaura allows us to combine the true competencies of both organizations under one management team – affording both companies the ability to scale resources and invest on a global stage like never before.”

 

 

Co-owner Newman Marsilius IV shared, “Moore Nanotechnology Systems grew to a point where partnering with an industry leader, like Shibaura, was strategically aligned with our board’s vision. This was a purposeful decision to secure the long-term success and legacy of what we have all built together over the last 3-decades.” Newman continued, “Through our combined resources, Nanotech will continue to accelerate its next round of technology and product development, serving our many customers around the world.”

 

 

Shibaura Machine is a publicly-traded company based in Japan. As a well-known and respected leader in the precision-technology space, they have a deep commitment to culture, innovation and quality. Sakamoto Shigetomo, President of Shibaura Machine, shared “The acquisition of Nanotech will create a more competitive company in the global ultra-precision industry. This is about combining the complementary strengths of our core businesses to provide cutting-edge products and technologies to our customers.” By joining Shibaura, Nanotech gains access to greater resources, scale and long-term investments to accelerate its growth – reaching more customers and creating new opportunities for its employees.

 

 

The transaction is expected to close within a few months, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of certain other conditions.

 

 

Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor and DLA Piper served as legal counsel to Nanotech. TrueNorth Capital Partners served as exclusive financial advisor and Covington & Burling and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune as legal counsel to Shibaura. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

 

About Shibaura Machine Group

 

 

SHIBAURA MACHINE CO., LTD. is an industrial machine manufacturer founded in 1938 as a machine tool manufacturer. They have continued to provide a wide variety of products in response to the changing eras, and is currently developing its business in 3 segments, with molding machines as its mainstay. Metal & Plastics Industrial Machine business unit has injection molding machines, die casting machines, and extrusion machines; Machine Tools business unit has machine tools and high-precision machine tools; and Control Systems business unit has engineering solutions, industrial robots and electronic control systems.

 

 

About Moore Nanotechnology Systems

 

 

Moore Nanotechnology Systems was founded in Keene, NH in 1997 as a stand-alone subsidiary of the Moore Tool Company. They are a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art ultra-precision machine tools and associated processes (single point diamond turning, micro-milling, micro-grinding and glass press molding) for the production of advanced optical components in consumer electronics, defense, aerospace, lighting, medical and automotive sectors. They maintain an installed base of over 1,000 ultra-precision machining systems in more than 30 countries around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

First Guests Arrive at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island from 20 May, as Red Sea Global Launches First JV Resort

Business Wire India

Red Sea Global (RSG), the regenerative tourism developer, has reached a major milestone as Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island welcomes first guests from 20 May, marking the first joint venture-developed resort within its portfolio to enter the market.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518349628/en/

 

 

An aerial view of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at Shura Island, set along the shoreline with clear views of the Red Sea.

An aerial view of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at Shura Island, set along the shoreline with clear views of the Red Sea.

 

Developed in partnership with Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), the launch represents a shared milestone for both organizations and marks a new phase in RSG’s development model, highlighting the growing role of institutional and private sector partnerships in scaling Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism sector.

 

“With Four Seasons preparing to welcome guests, we are significantly scaling the capacity and offering of The Red Sea destination in time for one of the busiest travel periods in our calendar,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global.

 

 

“Launching reservations for the first joint venture-developed resort in our portfolio is also an important commercial milestone for RSG, demonstrating the value of strategic partnerships, the strength of our investment proposition and reflecting growing market confidence in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.”

 

 

The SAR 2.6 billion resort was developed through a 50-50 joint venture between RSG and KHC, with SAR 2 billion ($522 million) debt financing provided by Riyad Bank.

 

 

Sarmad Zok, CEO at Kingdom Hotel Investments, a subsidiary of KHC, said: “Kingdom Holding Company’s investment in Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island reflects our continued commitment to deploying long-term capital into hospitality and tourism assets in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. Alongside Red Sea Global, this landmark development demonstrates the strength of the destination proposition and the growing international appeal of Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism market.”

 

 

Greg Djerejian, Group Head of Investments and Group Chief Legal Officer at Red Sea Global, added: “The successful delivery of this resort sends a strong signal to the market about the quality of opportunities emerging across RSG’s portfolio and our ability to convert investor interest into operating assets, while reinforcing our reputation as a developer that delivers.”

 

 

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island presents a serene sanctuary at the secluded eastern tip of the island, blending regenerative luxury, anticipatory service, and experiences for the entire family. The resort is surrounded by crystal-clear waters on three sides and features 149 accommodations and 31 Resort Residences that open fully to the outdoors. Guests can enjoy a selection of dining options ranging from all day dining and plant forward specialties at Sea Green, Levantine cuisine at Al Forn, to al fresco Italian fare at Spiaggia Restaurant and Pool. For adventure seekers, a variety of water sports await, while younger guests can enjoy curated children’s and teens’ programs.

 

 

The resort operates in line with RSG’s regenerative tourism principles, powered entirely by renewable energy and supported by advanced water and waste management systems designed to minimize environmental impact while contributing to long-term conservation goals.

 

 

The achievement comes as RSG expands hospitality and flight capacity at The Red Sea following occupancy levels reaching 82% during the final 10 days of Ramadan, with demand expected to accelerate further ahead of Eid Al-Adha. To support increased demand, RSG is adding 32 additional flights to Red Sea International Airport (RSI) during the holiday period.

 

 

The Red Sea currently has 11 hotels open, with six additional resorts scheduled to open on Shura Island in the coming months.

 

 

About Red Sea Global

 

 

Red Sea Global (RSG – www.redseaglobal.com) is a vertically integrated real estate developer with a diverse portfolio across tourism, residential, experiences, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and services. This includes the luxury regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea, which began welcoming guests in 2023, and AMAALA, which remains on track to welcome first guests this year.

 

 

A third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat opened in 2024. RSG has also been entrusted with refurbishment works at Al Wajh Airport, focused on upgrading the existing terminal and infrastructure, and building a new international terminal.

 

 

RSG is a PIF company and a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to diversify its economy. Across its growing portfolio of destinations, subsidiaries, and businesses, RSG seeks to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment.

 

 

About The Red Sea

 

 

The Red Sea is a pioneering destination on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, inviting guests to experience a place of extraordinary natural beauty across more than 28,000 km² and an archipelago of 90+ pristine islands framed by desert and mountains. Open since 2023, The Red Sea welcomes guests to a growing collection of world-class resorts operated by world-renowned hotel brands and Red Sea Global. Shura Island, the heart of the destination, began welcoming guests in 2025 and is currently home to five open resorts with a total of 11 resorts planned for the island. The island is set to be fully live in 2026. Signature experiences also include high-adrenaline water and land sports to cultural and nature-based adventures, delivered by destination activity brands WAMA (over-water), Galaxea (underwater), and Akun (inland).

 

 

Red Sea International Airport (RSI) offers a seamless arrival experience, with its design inspired by the desert, oasis, and sea. Within three hours’ flying time for 250 million people and eight hours for 85% of the world, RSI currently connects via regular flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, Milan, and Dubai, with additional regional and international routes launching soon.

 

 

Developed by Red Sea Global (RSG), a multi-project developer advancing responsible, regenerative tourism while actively strengthening its environment, culture, and community, we limited our development to accommodate no more than 1 million visitors a year at The Red Sea and 500,000 at AMAALA to protect the delicate ecosystems. The destination is powered by 100% renewable energy, targeting a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040.

 

 

About Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island

 

 

As the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts currently manages 136 properties in 47 countries. Accepting reservations as of May 20, 2026, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island offers a vacation experience of unlimited variety, and the highly personalized, anticipatory service that Four Seasons guests expect and value around the world. For more information on Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island, visit our website at: https://www.fourseasons.com/redseashuraisland/. For news, please visit our Press Room at: https://press.fourseasons.com/redseashuraisland/.

 

 

 

 

 

Dust raises USD40M to make AI multiplayer inside the enterprise

Series B round with Abstract and Sequoia to scale its multiplayer AI platform for human-agent collaboration. The company now serves more than 3,000 organizations, with 51,000 monthly active users, zero churn in 2025, and 300,000 agents deployed across the platform.

San Francisco, CA – May 19; Most companies have adopted AI, but they haven’t become meaningfully more intelligent as organizations. One person prompts an assistant, gets an answer, and the context disappears into a private chat window. The result is real productivity at the individual level, with very little compounding across teams. Dust, the multiplayer agentic AI system, was built to change that by making AI collaborative, shared, and operational across an entire company.

The company today announced a $40 million Series B with Abstract and Sequoia, with participation from Snowflake Ventures and Datadog. With this round, Dust has raised over $60 million in total funding. 

Why this matters now

Most organizations are stuck in what Dust calls single-player AI. Every employee has their own assistant with its own context and its own outputs. A sales rep researches an account, then the solutions engineer starts from scratch the next day. Marketing drafts a one-pager, then enablement recreates a battlecard with different inputs. The effort repeats, knowledge fragments, and gains don’t compound.

Dust argues that most AI tools used by enterprises reinforce this pattern. Foundation model workspaces and copilots are powerful, but they’re primarily designed around one individual’s workflows and context. Enterprise search tools retrieve information, but don’t take action. The outcome is more activity and more AI usage at the individual user-level, but not an intentionally designed system that compounds AI into shared leverage.

“This is a century-defining transformation, and we’re only in year three,” said Gabriel Hubert, Co-Founder and CEO of Dust. “What will transform the way we work isn’t the next best model or assistant. It’s going to be a completely new type of system that gives humans and agents shared, governed access to the same information and capabilities so that they become true collaborators, working with the same context, notifications, artifacts, and goals to compound organizational impact. This is what we call multiplayer AI, and this is what we’re building at Dust.”

What Dust is building

Dust is the multiplayer AI system for human-agent collaboration. It gives business teams a platform to build, deploy, and manage AI agents that collaborate across an organization, connected to company knowledge, integrated with the tools teams already use, and governed with enterprise-grade controls.

At the center of Dust is a collaborative surface where people and agents work together across shared context, tools, conversations, tasks, and goals. Agents can analyze, transform, and generate files — including documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and interactive data visualizations — and take action across connected systems through Dust’s context layer, which combines semantic search across company knowledge with integrations to more than 100 data sources and business tools. Built-in memory and feedback loops help agents improve over time by learning from team preferences, usage patterns, and feedback, while proactively recommending improvements.

Dust is designed for enterprise deployment, with granular permissions, cost and usage monitoring, audit trails, and agent analytics. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified, GDPR compliant, supports EU and US data residency, and does not train models on customer data, as contractually guaranteed by major model providers.

Dust runs primarily on its own product and is defining an emerging identity inside high-growth companies: AI Operators. These are the people closest to the work, inside functions like Ops, Support, Marketing, and Sales, who build and run AI systems for their teams, rewiring how work gets done from inside the business.

Traction and customer outcomes

Dust is used by more than 3,000 organizations globally, from high-growth AI-native companies to established enterprises. Monthly active adoption is consistently above 90%, with weekly active usage above 70% across customers, signaling that Dust has become embedded in how teams work. More than 300,000 agents have been deployed across the platform. In 2025, Dust saw significant customer expansion and acquisition, reaching 240% NRR with zero churn.

“Dust quickly became the platform our team runs on,” said Stevie Case, CRO at Vanta. “900 people across sales, customer success, and revenue operations save thousands of hours a week on tasks like business review prep, outbound prospecting, and forecasting. They saved this time not because it was mandated, but because the agents were built by the people closest to the work. Dust enabled the whole team to collaborate in building agents that deliver measurable value, realizing the compounding effect I’ve been waiting for AI to achieve.”

At Clay, Dust serves as foundational knowledge infrastructure for the rapidly growing GTM team, enabling the team to grow 4x without a proportional increase in enablement headcount. Profound uses Dust as the source of truth for customer intelligence and post-sales, compressing new hire ramp time from months to days. At Persona, teams across 11 departments have deployed over 300 Dust agents to condense cross-functional workflows like sales RFPs from days to minutes. Doctolib has made Dust central to its company-wide AI strategy, giving 3,000 employees smoother access to corporate information and enabling the decommissioning of legacy intranet tools. 

The origin 

Dust was founded by Gabriel Hubert and Stanislas Polu, who have been building together since meeting at Stanford in 2007. They previously co-founded TOTEMS, a data analytics company acquired by Stripe in 2014, and spent five years at Stripe scaling products and teams. Polu later joined OpenAI as a research engineer on Greg Brockman’s team, co-authoring papers on AI reasoning with Ilya Sutskever. Hubert became Chief Product Officer at Alan.

In September 2022, Polu left OpenAI with a conviction that became Dust’s founding thesis: the models were already powerful enough to be economically transformative, but were under-deployed because the product layer was missing. Dust incorporated in February 2023 to build that horizontal layer on top of frontier models and company knowledge, with a model-agnostic approach that avoids vendor lock-in.

“We’re in the early innings of a massive shift in how organizations use AI,” said Konstantine Buhler, Partner at Sequoia. “Most enterprise AI today is single-player: one person, one prompt, no compounding. Dust is building the multiplayer system, where agents and humans share context and work together across the entire company. Zero churn and 70% weekly active usage tell you this isn’t experimental anymore. This is how enterprises will actually operate.”

“Most AI platforms are stuck in single-player mode: one person, one chatbot, one task,” said Ramtin Naimi, General Partner at Abstract. “Dust is multiplayer. AI Operators inside companies like Datadog and 1Password don’t just use Dust; they build agents that collaborate across teams, learn from every interaction, and rewire how the entire company works. That’s a new operating model and category. That’s why we participated in this round.”

What’s next

Dust plans to use this round to push three frontiers at once: agents that learn and improve automatically as they’re used, collaboration primitives that make humans and agents equal co-contributors with bidirectional access to  shared projects, tools, and context, and infrastructure that makes governance and orchestration predictable at enterprise scale. The bet is that the next phase of enterprise AI won’t be won by who has the best single assistant. It’ll be won by who turns AI into shared, compounding capability across the entire org.

 

Belkin Advances Towards Carbon Neutrality in Scope 3 Emissions

Business Wire India

Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, published its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting key achievements and reaffirming its commitment to corporate responsibility. Having achieved carbon neutrality in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in 2025, the company continues to advance toward scope 3 carbon neutrality through enhanced life cycle assessment capabilities and improved supplier and logistics data collection. In 2025, Belkin calculated 131 product carbon footprints across its portfolio, surpassed 21.6 million PCR products sold, and has achieved a 95% reduction in single-use plastic packaging since 2019, reflecting continued progress in carbon reduction and responsible product design.

 

“As we continue to make progress against our sustainability goals, we are taking deliberate steps to reduce our impact,” said Steven Malony, CEO of Belkin. “Over the past year, we expanded the use of post-consumer recycled materials, further reduced single-use plastic packaging, and strengthened how we measure emissions across our portfolio. Just as importantly, we are increasing transparency and strengthening governance as we build toward a more responsible future.”

 

 

In the last 12 months, on its journey to carbon neutrality in all scopes by 2030 and in line with its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Belkin achieved:

 

 

Climate action (UN Goal 13)

 

 

  • Carbon neutrality in direct and purchased emissions (scopes 1 and 2)
  • 3,200 metric tons of CO2e reduced in 2025 for Belkin products 1

 

 

Responsible consumption and production (UN Goal 12)

 

  • 95% reduction in single use plastic packaging
  • 640 metric tons of virgin plastic saved from 21.6 millionPCR products sold
  • 1,072 metric tons cumulative plastic savings since 2019 (this is the equivalent of 53.6M water bottles saved2)
  • Funding the responsible recycling of:
    • 29,241 metric tons of electrical and electronic devices
    • 11,928 metric tons of packaging
    • 2,029 metric tons of batteries

 

 

Made with recycled materials

 

Belkin continues to make progress in reducing the environmental impact of its products and packaging. Since introducing its transition to 72–75% post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, the company has increased that figure to up to 90% Global Recycling Standard-certified PCR in select products sold in plastic-free packaging.

 

 

Best practice initiatives

 

 

Belkin is proud to announce several important milestones in its journey towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

 

 

These include the expansion of its battery recycling programme through its voluntary participation in B-cycle, Australia’s leading battery recycling initiative, and the expansion of its UK packaging recycling programme to now include household packaging.

 

 

Belkin has also been recognised by the US EPA Green Power Partnership programme and earned a Beyond Best Practice performance rating from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). This rating reflects the significant progress Belkin has made in advancing packaging sustainability and reinforces the company’s continued commitment to responsible packaging design and material choices.

 

 

This progress was further recognised with the Hon Hai Circular Economy Silver Award, underscoring Belkin’s momentum towards a more circular future.

 

 

Together, these milestones highlight Belkin’s ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact across its operations and packaging portfolio. As the company continues to invest in circular design principles and more responsible product development, Belkin remains focused on advancing its goal of achieving carbon neutrality across scope 3 by 2030.

 

 

For more information on Belkin’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.belkin.com/company/sustainability/

 

 

About Belkin

 

 

Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology.

 

 

____________________

1

Based on PC and PC/ABS plastic blend averaged at 5 metric tons of CO2e per tonne of plastic

2

Estimated 20g per water bottle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belkin Advances Towards Carbon Neutrality in Scope 3 Emissions

Business Wire India

Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for 40 years, published its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting key achievements and reaffirming its commitment to corporate responsibility. Having achieved carbon neutrality in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in 2025, the company continues to advance toward scope 3 carbon neutrality through enhanced life cycle assessment capabilities and improved supplier and logistics data collection. In 2025, Belkin calculated 131 product carbon footprints across its portfolio, surpassed 21.6 million PCR products sold, and has achieved a 95% reduction in single-use plastic packaging since 2019, reflecting continued progress in carbon reduction and responsible product design.

 

“As we continue to make progress against our sustainability goals, we are taking deliberate steps to reduce our impact,” said Steven Malony, CEO of Belkin. “Over the past year, we expanded the use of post-consumer recycled materials, further reduced single-use plastic packaging, and strengthened how we measure emissions across our portfolio. Just as importantly, we are increasing transparency and strengthening governance as we build toward a more responsible future.”

 

 

In the last 12 months, on its journey to carbon neutrality in all scopes by 2030 and in line with its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Belkin achieved:

 

 

Climate action (UN Goal 13)

 

 

  • Carbon neutrality in direct and purchased emissions (scopes 1 and 2)
  • 3,200 metric tons of CO2e reduced in 2025 for Belkin products 1

 

 

Responsible consumption and production (UN Goal 12)

 

  • 95% reduction in single use plastic packaging
  • 640 metric tons of virgin plastic saved from 21.6 millionPCR products sold
  • 1,072 metric tons cumulative plastic savings since 2019 (this is the equivalent of 53.6M water bottles saved2)
  • Funding the responsible recycling of:
    • 29,241 metric tons of electrical and electronic devices
    • 11,928 metric tons of packaging
    • 2,029 metric tons of batteries

 

 

Made with recycled materials

 

Belkin continues to make progress in reducing the environmental impact of its products and packaging. Since introducing its transition to 72–75% post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, the company has increased that figure to up to 90% Global Recycling Standard-certified PCR in select products sold in plastic-free packaging.

 

 

Best practice initiatives

 

 

Belkin is proud to announce several important milestones in its journey towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

 

 

These include the expansion of its battery recycling programme through its voluntary participation in B-cycle, Australia’s leading battery recycling initiative, and the expansion of its UK packaging recycling programme to now include household packaging.

 

 

Belkin has also been recognised by the US EPA Green Power Partnership programme and earned a Beyond Best Practice performance rating from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). This rating reflects the significant progress Belkin has made in advancing packaging sustainability and reinforces the company’s continued commitment to responsible packaging design and material choices.

 

 

This progress was further recognised with the Hon Hai Circular Economy Silver Award, underscoring Belkin’s momentum towards a more circular future.

 

 

Together, these milestones highlight Belkin’s ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact across its operations and packaging portfolio. As the company continues to invest in circular design principles and more responsible product development, Belkin remains focused on advancing its goal of achieving carbon neutrality across scope 3 by 2030.

 

 

For more information on Belkin’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.belkin.com/company/sustainability/

 

 

About Belkin

 

 

Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology.

 

 

____________________

1

Based on PC and PC/ABS plastic blend averaged at 5 metric tons of CO2e per tonne of plastic

2

Estimated 20g per water bottle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omdia: Southeast Asia smartphone market shipments decline 9% in 1Q26, as vendors prioritize profitability over share

Business Wire India

Latest research from Omdia shows that Southeast Asia’s smartphone market declined 9% year-on-year in 1Q26, with shipments totaling 21.6 million units. However, the standout metric was average selling price (ASP) rather than volume: the ASP reached a record high of $349 in 1Q26, up 19% year-on-year, as memory cost inflation reset device pricing across the region. The divergence between volume and value is a clear signal that the region’s vendor landscape is undergoing a structural repricing: brands are prioritizing ASP growth and margin protection over unit shipment growth, with several accepting significant volume losses in exchange for healthier per-device economics. As DRAM and NAND costs continue to rise into 2026, the region’s structurally price-sensitive consumer demand base is facing growing affordability pressure, with more than 60% of SEA smartphones priced below $200.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518564646/en/

 

 

Southeast Asia smartphone market shipment, 1Q22 to 1Q26

Southeast Asia smartphone market shipment, 1Q22 to 1Q26

 

Vendor Rankings and Market Share Adjustments

 

  • Samsung led the region with 4.6 million units and a 21% share, up 4% year-on-year, driven by a combination of a strong S26 launch and A-series volume drivers.
  • OPPO ranked second with 4.2 million units, declining 17% amid operational corrections due to its combination with realme.
  • Xiaomi placed third with 3.7 million units shipped, down 12% year-on-year, as portfolio-wide price hikes reduced channel appetite and constrained wallet allocation.
  • TRANSSION ranked fourth with 3.4 million units, down 10%, with its competitively priced Infinix and TECNO models continuing to support strong positions in Indonesia and the Philippines.
  • vivo completed the top five with 2.1 million units, down 27%, as the brand shifted focus toward profitability by pulling back from the affordable entry-level segment that typically anchors volume share.
  • Apple ranked sixth at 1.8 million units, broadly flat year-on-year, with the strong performance of the iPhone 17 series exhibiting notably less price discounting than its predecessor at the equivalent stage.
  • HONOR was the standout performer among tracked vendors, growing 28% year-on-year to 1.2 million units, with shipment growth in six of eight SEA markets despite regional decline.

 

Strategic Shifts Drive The Volume and Value Divergence

 

“The defining story of 1Q26 is ASPs reached an all-time high while volumes declined — and the two trends are closely linked. Memory cost inflation has raised device bill of materials (BoM) across the board, particularly in the entry and mid tiers where DRAM and NAND account for a larger share of total component cost. In response, vendors have raised prices and, importantly, managed supply more tightly to prevent channels from reverting to legacy discount levels.

 

 

For a region where the sub-$200 segment still account for the majority of volume, this creates a difficult balancing act: vendors must either pass through costs on to consumers, absorb margin compression, or reduce specifications and risk volume erosion. Each option carry trade-offs,” said Omdia Research Manager, Le Xuan Chiew.

 

 

The volume–value divergence remained the defining market dynamic of 1Q26. Southeast Asia smartphone shipments declined 9% year on year (YoY), yet market value grew 8%, indicating that growth was driven primarily by repricing rather than structural demand expansion. Despite softer volumes, vivo and OPPO recorded the strongest ASP growth among major vendors at 28% and 26% respectively, reflecting a strategic shift away from low-margin entry-level shipments toward a more profitability-focused strategy. In contrast, HONOR and Samsung used the period to accelerate market share gains through continued investment in brand building and channel expansion.

 

 

This trend is also becoming increasingly visible in product strategy. In Malaysia, for example, Xiaomi raised the price of the Redmi Note 15 4G to RM799 from RM699 for the previous Redmi Note 14 4G, effectively increasing the entry price of its Note series. Meanwhile, the 5G variant maintained its RM899 price point but shipped with lower RAM and storage specifications, highlighting the brand’s focus on preserving margins amid rising component costs. At the premium end, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ also launched with a higher memory configuration, with the 12GB/512GB variant priced at RM1,899 compared with RM1,599 previously. Overall, this reflects a broader industry trend of vendors adjusting memory configurations and selectively raising prices to steer consumers toward higher-value variants, allowing brands to partially offset rising component costs without passing the full increase directly to end users.

 

 

In Singapore, HONOR’s rise to third place for the first time — supported by strong retail execution and momentum in its mid-range portfolio, particularly the X9d — highlights how targeted execution can still deliver share gains in selective mature markets. Looking ahead to 2H 2026, the key question is whether volume-led strategies remain sustainable as BoM costs continue to rise.

 

 

Country-level Performance Shows Mixed Results

 

 

“The country-level picture was more mixed than the regional headline suggests. Indonesia, the region’s largest market at 7.2 million units, recorded the steepest absolute decline, falling 17% year-on-year as elevated channel inventory from 4Q25 continued to normalize and consumers remained cautious amid persistent price pressure. The weakness was further exacerbated by a softer-than-expected Ramadan season and recent retail price increases, both of which weighed on replacement demand. Given Indonesia’s strategic importance to most Android vendors, the market slowdown had an outsized impact on their overall regional performance.

 

 

Thailand remained relatively resilient, posting 2% growth, supported by Samsung’s stronger positioning in the premium and upper mid-range segments, which helped offset continued softness in entry-level demand. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Malaysia declined 12% and 19% respectively, driven by a severe shipment contraction of more than 30% in the sub-$200 price segment,” said Omdia Senior Analyst, Sheng Win Chow.

 

 

Market Outlook and Future Risks

 

 

The overstocking and subsidy-driven volume strategies that defined Southeast Asia’s smartphone market in past years have now reversed. Sales channels across several key price segments are becoming increasingly understocked, enabling vendors to enforce stricter pricing discipline and even raise prices on several models already in the market. Omdia expects pricing and supply volatility to persist in the near term as vendors navigate supply shortages and weigh the demand impact of price increases.

 

 

Southeast Asia’s smartphone shipments and annual growth
Omdia Smartphone Market Pulse: 1Q26

Vendor

1Q26
shipments
(million)

1Q26
market share

1Q25
shipments
(million)

1Q25
market share

Annual
growth

Samsung

4.6

21%

4.4

19%

+4%

OPPO

4.2

20%

5.1

21%

-17%

Xiaomi

3.7

17%

4.2

18%

-12%

TRANSSION

3.4

16%

3.7

16%

-10%

vivo

2.1

9%

2.8

12%

-27%

Others

3.7

17%

3.5

15%

+7%

Total

21.6

100%

23.7

100%

-9%

 

 

 

Note: Xiaomi estimates include sub-brand POCO, and OPPO includes realme but excludes OnePlus. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Source: Omdia Smartphone Horizon Service (sell-in shipments), May 2026

 

 

ABOUT OMDIA

 

Omdia, part of TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets grounded in real conversations with industry leaders and hundreds of thousands of data points, makes our market intelligence our clients’ strategic advantage. From R&D to ROI, we identify the greatest opportunities and move the industry forward.

 

 

 

 

 

Omdia: Southeast Asia smartphone market shipments decline 9% in 1Q26, as vendors prioritize profitability over share

Business Wire India

Latest research from Omdia shows that Southeast Asia’s smartphone market declined 9% year-on-year in 1Q26, with shipments totaling 21.6 million units. However, the standout metric was average selling price (ASP) rather than volume: the ASP reached a record high of $349 in 1Q26, up 19% year-on-year, as memory cost inflation reset device pricing across the region. The divergence between volume and value is a clear signal that the region’s vendor landscape is undergoing a structural repricing: brands are prioritizing ASP growth and margin protection over unit shipment growth, with several accepting significant volume losses in exchange for healthier per-device economics. As DRAM and NAND costs continue to rise into 2026, the region’s structurally price-sensitive consumer demand base is facing growing affordability pressure, with more than 60% of SEA smartphones priced below $200.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518564646/en/

 

 

Southeast Asia smartphone market shipment, 1Q22 to 1Q26

Southeast Asia smartphone market shipment, 1Q22 to 1Q26

 

Vendor Rankings and Market Share Adjustments

 

  • Samsung led the region with 4.6 million units and a 21% share, up 4% year-on-year, driven by a combination of a strong S26 launch and A-series volume drivers.
  • OPPO ranked second with 4.2 million units, declining 17% amid operational corrections due to its combination with realme.
  • Xiaomi placed third with 3.7 million units shipped, down 12% year-on-year, as portfolio-wide price hikes reduced channel appetite and constrained wallet allocation.
  • TRANSSION ranked fourth with 3.4 million units, down 10%, with its competitively priced Infinix and TECNO models continuing to support strong positions in Indonesia and the Philippines.
  • vivo completed the top five with 2.1 million units, down 27%, as the brand shifted focus toward profitability by pulling back from the affordable entry-level segment that typically anchors volume share.
  • Apple ranked sixth at 1.8 million units, broadly flat year-on-year, with the strong performance of the iPhone 17 series exhibiting notably less price discounting than its predecessor at the equivalent stage.
  • HONOR was the standout performer among tracked vendors, growing 28% year-on-year to 1.2 million units, with shipment growth in six of eight SEA markets despite regional decline.

 

Strategic Shifts Drive The Volume and Value Divergence

 

“The defining story of 1Q26 is ASPs reached an all-time high while volumes declined — and the two trends are closely linked. Memory cost inflation has raised device bill of materials (BoM) across the board, particularly in the entry and mid tiers where DRAM and NAND account for a larger share of total component cost. In response, vendors have raised prices and, importantly, managed supply more tightly to prevent channels from reverting to legacy discount levels.

 

 

For a region where the sub-$200 segment still account for the majority of volume, this creates a difficult balancing act: vendors must either pass through costs on to consumers, absorb margin compression, or reduce specifications and risk volume erosion. Each option carry trade-offs,” said Omdia Research Manager, Le Xuan Chiew.

 

 

The volume–value divergence remained the defining market dynamic of 1Q26. Southeast Asia smartphone shipments declined 9% year on year (YoY), yet market value grew 8%, indicating that growth was driven primarily by repricing rather than structural demand expansion. Despite softer volumes, vivo and OPPO recorded the strongest ASP growth among major vendors at 28% and 26% respectively, reflecting a strategic shift away from low-margin entry-level shipments toward a more profitability-focused strategy. In contrast, HONOR and Samsung used the period to accelerate market share gains through continued investment in brand building and channel expansion.

 

 

This trend is also becoming increasingly visible in product strategy. In Malaysia, for example, Xiaomi raised the price of the Redmi Note 15 4G to RM799 from RM699 for the previous Redmi Note 14 4G, effectively increasing the entry price of its Note series. Meanwhile, the 5G variant maintained its RM899 price point but shipped with lower RAM and storage specifications, highlighting the brand’s focus on preserving margins amid rising component costs. At the premium end, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ also launched with a higher memory configuration, with the 12GB/512GB variant priced at RM1,899 compared with RM1,599 previously. Overall, this reflects a broader industry trend of vendors adjusting memory configurations and selectively raising prices to steer consumers toward higher-value variants, allowing brands to partially offset rising component costs without passing the full increase directly to end users.

 

 

In Singapore, HONOR’s rise to third place for the first time — supported by strong retail execution and momentum in its mid-range portfolio, particularly the X9d — highlights how targeted execution can still deliver share gains in selective mature markets. Looking ahead to 2H 2026, the key question is whether volume-led strategies remain sustainable as BoM costs continue to rise.

 

 

Country-level Performance Shows Mixed Results

 

 

“The country-level picture was more mixed than the regional headline suggests. Indonesia, the region’s largest market at 7.2 million units, recorded the steepest absolute decline, falling 17% year-on-year as elevated channel inventory from 4Q25 continued to normalize and consumers remained cautious amid persistent price pressure. The weakness was further exacerbated by a softer-than-expected Ramadan season and recent retail price increases, both of which weighed on replacement demand. Given Indonesia’s strategic importance to most Android vendors, the market slowdown had an outsized impact on their overall regional performance.

 

 

Thailand remained relatively resilient, posting 2% growth, supported by Samsung’s stronger positioning in the premium and upper mid-range segments, which helped offset continued softness in entry-level demand. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Malaysia declined 12% and 19% respectively, driven by a severe shipment contraction of more than 30% in the sub-$200 price segment,” said Omdia Senior Analyst, Sheng Win Chow.

 

 

Market Outlook and Future Risks

 

 

The overstocking and subsidy-driven volume strategies that defined Southeast Asia’s smartphone market in past years have now reversed. Sales channels across several key price segments are becoming increasingly understocked, enabling vendors to enforce stricter pricing discipline and even raise prices on several models already in the market. Omdia expects pricing and supply volatility to persist in the near term as vendors navigate supply shortages and weigh the demand impact of price increases.

 

 

Southeast Asia’s smartphone shipments and annual growth
Omdia Smartphone Market Pulse: 1Q26

Vendor

1Q26
shipments
(million)

1Q26
market share

1Q25
shipments
(million)

1Q25
market share

Annual
growth

Samsung

4.6

21%

4.4

19%

+4%

OPPO

4.2

20%

5.1

21%

-17%

Xiaomi

3.7

17%

4.2

18%

-12%

TRANSSION

3.4

16%

3.7

16%

-10%

vivo

2.1

9%

2.8

12%

-27%

Others

3.7

17%

3.5

15%

+7%

Total

21.6

100%

23.7

100%

-9%

 

 

 

Note: Xiaomi estimates include sub-brand POCO, and OPPO includes realme but excludes OnePlus. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Source: Omdia Smartphone Horizon Service (sell-in shipments), May 2026

 

 

ABOUT OMDIA

 

Omdia, part of TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets grounded in real conversations with industry leaders and hundreds of thousands of data points, makes our market intelligence our clients’ strategic advantage. From R&D to ROI, we identify the greatest opportunities and move the industry forward.