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Business Wire India

Finish, Reckitt’s No.1 auto-dishwashing^# detergent brand worldwide, has announced Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana as its brand ambassador, launching a new campaign built around the idea of “The Right Way to Dishwash”. Through its new campaign, Finish showcases the cleaning performance of Finish Ultimate Plus tablets with Bosch dishwashers on tough cooking stains, while addressing misconceptions among dormant dishwasher users and uninitiated audiences sitting on the fence due to existing certain pre-dispositions around the effectiveness of dishwashers.

 

Finish’s new campaign featuring Ayushmann brings relatability to the category in an entertaining way, while highlighting the powerful combination of Finish Ultimate Plus dishwasher tablets and Bosch dishwashers that can tackle tough cooking stains without the need for pre-rinsing. In the film, Ayushmann Khurrana accepts a challenge – if Finish tablets and a Bosch dishwasher can clean tough cooking stains, he will become Finish’s brand ambassador and promote the product; if they don’t, he gets a big fat cheque for doing nothing. When the powerful combination successfully cleans the toughest stains, Ayushmann loses the challenge and sets out to residential societies to demonstrate how the Finish and Bosch combination can tackle even the most stubborn cooking stains².

 

Indian cooking is known for its rich flavours, but also for the stubborn stains it leaves behind, from burnt-on^II residues to heavy grease. This has led many consumers to believe that dishwashers may not be powerful enough for Indian kitchens, prompting them to pre-rinse utensils before loading them into the machine and making the process seem more time-consuming and less convenient.

 

Addressing this concern, Finish Ultimate Plus tablets deliver powerful cleaning through three Power Chambers^, designed to tackle burnt-on stains^||, remove greasy residues and leave utensils with a shine. Designed to work effectively without pre-rinsing, Finish complements Bosch’s 70-degree hot water wash*, helping tackle stubborn cooking residues and making automatic dishwashing both effective and convenient for Indian households.

 

Speaking about the campaign, Ayushmann Khurrana said, “I only recently discovered that there’s no need to pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Do you wash your clothes before sending them for dry cleaning? No, right? That analogy just blew my mind. I wasn’t aware of the effectiveness of the Finish + Bosch combination until I experienced it during the making of this campaign. It’s been great partnering with Finish to show how something as simple as the right dishwasher tablet can make everyday kitchen clean-up so much easier.”

 

Commenting on the launch, Gautam Rishi, Marketing Director, Hygiene, Reckitt – South Asia, said, “Indian cooking often leaves behind tough stains, which has led many to doubt whether dishwashers can meet the needs of our kitchens. But consumer habits are changing, and people are seeking smarter, more convenient solutions. As India’s leading automatic dishwashing detergent brand, Finish delivers powerful, reliable cleaning that fits seamlessly into modern lifestyles without the need for pre-rinsing. We are excited to have Ayushmann Khurrana onboard as the brand ambassador for Finish, and through our partnership with Bosch, we bring a powerful and dependable solution for Indian consumers.”

 

Nitin Pradhan, Group Executive Creative Director, Creative Head – Delhi, Leo Burnett, further added: “Finish Ultimate Plus, is one of the most advanced dishwashing innovations for Indian households. With Ayushmann Khurrana on board, we’ve added an interesting tonality and a common-man connect to the campaign, ensuring that everyone who has a dishwasher or a bias against it sits up and takes notice.”

 

With this campaign, Finish aims to encourage Indian consumers to embrace the right way to dishwash, trusting their dishwashers to tackle tough stains without pre-rinsing and making the shift from traditional handwashing to smarter, more efficient automatic dishwashing solutions.

 

TVC Link: https://youtu.be/PirTDPivun4?si=mkTzJBk5pejxhElL

 

Disclaimers:

 

#Finish brand is #1 global value sales in the Dishwashing category (Source: NielsenIQ RMS Data 2024).

2Tested under lab conditions on representative stains and dishes.

IITackles burnt stains.

^Tested under lab conditions on selected food stains & dishes.

*The ‘Intensive Kadhai Programme’ of Bosch Dishwasher with its 70°C hot water cleans all the greasy and oily residue of kadhai, chhani, etc.

Business Wire India

IKS Health, a global leader in care enablement solutions across the patient journey, is proud to announce the launch of its AI-driven revenue cycle management (RCM) audit-ready coding engine that delivers up to 95% coding accuracy while reducing denials. With the average denial rate for U.S. claims at 12%, the IKS Health autonomous coding engine, now integrated with Epic and available in the Epic Connection Hub, combines AI-driven code assignment with expert human review to deliver accurate, audit-ready codes from chart to claim.

By using structured and coding-ready clinical documentation, IKS Health AI and rule-based logic smartly analyzes patient charts and suggests CPT, ICD, and E/M codes, providing a confidence score on every code. Human coders review low-confidence codes, while AI-approved codes flow through rules and payer validation. Accuracy is ensured through a pre-bill review layer, revenue rules check, compliance validation, and payor propensity analysis. IKS Health’s autonomous coding engine accepts charts from any source and is inherently audit ready with justification reports citing specific charted clinical evidence.

“Our AI-driven autonomous coding engine is frictionless and allows clinicians to be clinicians while keeping administrative and financial operations flowing and on track,” said Mayank Pant, Executive Vice President, Product Management. “We’ve created a sophisticated autonomous coding engine with human expertise that preactively overcomes denials and other claims issues, giving healthcare organizations much needed sustainability. Every code is scored, validated, and backed by clear justification for compliant, clean claims with shared accountability for results.”

 

The IKS Health autonomous coding engine is vendor agnostic and integrates with IKS Health’s Scribble Now ambient AI scribe solution, creating an agentic AI–powered workflow from chart to code to revenue that unlocks exponential value. IKS Health autonomous coding creates audit-ready claims with:

• Up to 95% coding accuracy
• 100% audit trail on every claim
• More than 80% of charts automatically coded

“Our new autonomous coding workflow is a key part of our full RCM platform, and is a total win for accuracy and reimbursement,” said Sachin K. Gupta, Founder and Global CEO of IKS Health. “Using AI-driven technology combined with human expertise removes unnecessary burdens from clinicians while strengthening the administrative and financial aspects of healthcare organizations, enabling them to operate more effectively and deliver better care to the patients they serve.”

 

Epic is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation.

Business Wire India

• CEEW, one of Asia’s leading think tanks, will host the South Asian hub of the Global Heat Health Information Network, in collaboration with partners SFC, NRDC, BRAC JPGSPH and UNESCAP, and in tandem with IITM and IMD.
• The Hub is an initiative of the Global Heat Health Information Network, led by the WHO-WMO Climate and Health Joint Programme.

 

Across South Asia, summer temperatures are already rising, and the science confirms what communities have already experienced for years. The past 11 years of record-breaking global temperatures are collectively the hottest humanity has ever measured, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s recent flagship report. This is why today, on World Health Day, a consortium of leading research, policy, and development organisations launched a new South Asia Hub of the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN). Funded by Wellcome, the new Regional Hub is being hosted in New Delhi by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

 

Together, the five coordinating partners—CEEW, the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health (BRAC JPGSPH), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)—will unify actors across government, academia, private enterprise, and civil society to improve shared learning and inform policy change.

 

The Hub will work in tandem with the South Asia Climate and Health Desk at the Indian Institute for Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to ensure heat early warnings and heat science are used to generate impactful solutions for communities.
 

Serving as the region’s platform for knowledge exchange and good practice, the Hub will connect local actors to inform policy, implement practical interventions, and reduce heat risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

 

Turning heat science into health action

 

Asia is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, and between 1990 and 2021, it accounted for more than half of all global heat-related deaths. South Asia bears the sharpest edge of the heat crisis: nearly 90 per cent of its population is projected to face extreme heat exposure by 2030. Yet, regional policy and response coordination often remain fragmented, and most national systems or structures still lack health-triggered warnings.

 

In India alone, 57 per cent of Indian districts—home to nearly three-quarters of the population—already face high to very high heat risk, according to CEEW research, with rising night-time temperatures and increasing humidity compounding heat stress, reducing the body’s ability to recover, and placing additional strain on health systems. Bangladesh has seen ‘felt temperatures’ climb by 4.5°C in the last four decades. Even Nepal and Bhutan, both high-altitude Himalayan countries, now regularly record temperatures surpassing 40°C.

 

Starting operations in April 2026, the South Asia GHHIN Hub will work with regional and national partners to deliver tangible benefits for families, workers, schools, hospitals, and city officials by enabling clearer alerts, safer work hours, timely cooling actions, and strengthened policy advice for better-prepared health services. The Hub will focus on, among others:

 

• Building a regional network of institutions, practitioners, and policymakers across South Asia — connecting climate, health, and urban planning sectors to share and build skills, foster knowledge exchange, peer learning, and coordinated heat action to safeguard health.
• Translating science into policy, working with local and regional governments to move from data to decisions through pilot projects, and pre- and post-heat season briefings and information for actionable preparedness action for governments and communities.
• Strengthening heat-health early warning systems by working with regional climate centres to close the gap between meteorological forecasting and public health response.
• Documenting and scaling what works — collecting lessons from local partners, contributing to cross-regional best practice synthesis, and ensuring South Asia’s frontline experience feeds into global knowledge platforms.

 

Over the next few years, the Hub aims to bring together more than 60 institutions, train over 500 professionals, and strengthen heat action plans across South Asia.

 

The South Asia Heat and Health Hub will be chaired by Dr Vishwas Chitale, Fellow, CEEW, who has led pioneering work on district-level heat risk assessments and heat action planning in India.

 

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said: “Extreme heat is not a seasonal hazard; it is a systemic risk to public health, economic productivity, and infrastructure across South Asia. What makes heat particularly dangerous is that it cuts across sectors — climate, health, labour, and urban development — yet responses often remain fragmented. At CEEW, we have been building the data, analytics, and policy partnerships needed to understand heat risk at a granular level, and we are honoured to host the South Asia Hub for the Global Heat Health Information Network to bring that evidence together with regional collaboration. By convening governments, researchers, and practitioners across South Asia, we hope to turn heat science into coordinated heat action that protects the most vulnerable.”

 

Alejandro Saez Reale, Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) Coordinator, said: “The launch of the South Asia Hub is a milestone for the expansion of GHHIN’s global network. Some of the world’s most heat-exposed cities and communities are in this region — and access to the best available science, tools, and peer knowledge is essential to protect people’s lives. This Hub creates the architecture for that exchange, linking actors and institutions across South Asia to a growing global community of practitioners and policymakers – many of them coming together at the upcoming Global Heat and Cooling Forum in New Delhi later this month – working to make heat a visible, actionable priority.”

 

Dr Joy Shumake-Guillemot, WHO-WMO Climate and Health Joint Programme, said: “Climate change is driving more intense and more frequent heat – with dramatic consequences for our environment and health. We have the tools to respond – through heat action plans, early warning systems, and cross-sectoral sharing – but these tools only work if institutions are connected and pulling in the same direction – which is exactly what the South Asia Hub and its partners have set out to do.”

 

Dr Catharina Cora Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for South East Asia, said: “Extreme heat is one of the most urgent public health risks of our time, yet it often remains invisible in policy and planning. Strengthening the link between science and public health action is essential. This Hub reflects the spirit of World Health Day, standing with science to protect lives.”

 

Dipa Singh Bagai, Country Director, NRDC India, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), said: “Extreme heat is no longer a distant climate threat—it is a present and growing danger to lives, livelihoods, and economic stability across South Asia. NRDC’s experience in India has shown that well-designed Heat Action Plans—grounded in science, early warning systems, and community partnerships—can save lives. The launch of the South Asia Heat and Health Hub is an important step toward scaling these proven solutions across the region. By strengthening collaboration amongst South Asia’s climate adaptation and public health leaders, this partnership will help the region move from reactive responses to proactive, coordinated action that protects the most vulnerable communities.”

 

Dr Bhargav Krishna, Convenor, Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), said: “Extreme heat is already a public health emergency with projections indicating increasingly more frequent and intense heatwaves in coming years. India has shown leadership in managing the fallout of heat in recent years, but building systems that chart a path to long-term heat resilience is essential if we are to forestall the harmful effects of heat on health, livelihoods, and economic productivity. This hub aims to bring together cutting-edge epidemiology with thoughtful analysis of institutions, governance mechanisms, and policies that can foster equitable and evidence-based management of current and future heat in India and South Asia.”

 

Mr. Kiyoung Ko, Director, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), said: “Extreme heat is a regional, cross-border risk. By bringing countries together, the Hub can strengthen cooperation, align policies, and integrate heat into broader disaster risk and climate resilience frameworks across Asia-Pacific.”

 

Dr Farzana Misha, Associate Professor and Lead, Climate Change, Environment and Health Hub, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (BRAC JPGSPH), said: “Extreme heat is not a future risk; it is already here. Unlike cyclones or floods, it is less visible, and therefore often underestimated, yet its impacts are far-reaching. It directly affects human health while placing sustained pressure on health systems and disrupting food and water security. In South Asia, one of the most climate-vulnerable and least-prepared regions, this challenge is particularly urgent. The GHHIN South Asia hub is an important step toward bringing together regional knowledge, shared experiences, and collective action to better respond to this growing threat.”

 

As heat risks intensify across South Asia, the Hub marks a shift from fragmented responses to coordinated, regional-level science-led heat-centered action. Serving as the region’s anchor for knowledge exchange, policy innovation, and capacity building, it will foster a robust, interconnected ecosystem of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, strengthening regional collaboration for evidence-based, equitable solutions that reach the most vulnerable.

Business Wire India

 

Riskified, a leader in ecommerce fraud and risk intelligence, today announced a partnership with Outpayce from Amadeus. This partnership boosts Outpayce’s trusted travel payment platform with Riskified’s AI-powered fraud prevention suite and Chargeback Guarantee model, creating a game-changing solution for airlines worldwide. The landscape of airline payments is evolving, and we’re proud to share a major milestone that will reshape the way airlines approach fraud management.

 

Outpayce from Amadeus is a global travel payments orchestrator and specialized fintech enabler, empowering airlines and travel merchants to streamline complex payment processes, optimize costs, and enhance customer experiences. Purpose-built for the travel industry, Outpayce delivers innovation, flexibility, and seamless integration within the Amadeus ecosystem, supporting secure, efficient, and scalable payment operations across the entire traveler journey.

 

 

With Riskified integrating into Outpayce’s ecosystem, carriers all over the world can benefit from AI-decisioning and a risk management solution that creates revenue predictability through guaranteed defined approval rates, while significantly reducing complexity and the cost of fraud. With this new partnership, Riskified becomes the first chargeback guarantee solution in Outpayce’s ecosystem, elevating its value to airlines across the globe.

 

 

“Our innovation-first collaboration with Riskified is a major step forward in helping airlines combat fraud more effectively,” said Vasken Tokatlian, VP Partnerships at Outpayce from Amadeus. “By integrating Riskified into Outpayce’s ecosystem we are expanding the choice available to airlines worldwide—equipping them with additional tools to reduce fraud losses, lower operational costs, and seamless, secure payment experiences.”

 

 

“By partnering with Outpayce from Amadeus, we are giving airlines the confidence to grow their business, secure in the knowledge that every transaction is protected from fraud,” said Max Meister Admoni, Global Head of Partnerships at Riskified.

 

 

A major Asia-Pacific international airline will be the first merchant to go live with the integration in 2026. This launch paves the way for successful implementation with other merchants looking to enhance the traveler experience with advanced AI capabilities.

 

 

This partnership delivers value to airlines executing on growth strategies and with variable risk profiles. For carriers in high-risk areas, where chargeback volumes often create significant financial and administrative challenges, Riskified’s technology offers a way to reduce fraud losses, streamline operations, and expand confidently into new territories. Meanwhile, every airline stands to benefit from the highest accuracy in fraud detection, an intelligent, adaptive checkout flow that maximizes bookings, a reduction in manual reviews, and peace of mind that comes with Riskified’s Chargeback Guarantee protection.

 

 

High ticket values, frequent card-not-present transactions, and the attractiveness of travel bookings to fraudsters create a perfect storm for elevated fraud and chargeback rates. And fraudsters continue to find creative and sophisticated ways to exploit gaps in airline policies and processes. One Riskified analysis found that flight bookings over the past year were +14% riskier than the previous year.

 

 

This is where the collaboration between Riskified and Outpayce provides a much-needed solution for the industry. Together, they offer a sophisticated, technology-driven approach to tackling fraud and chargebacks, addressing these challenges head-on.

 

 

• Advanced fraud prevention: Using state-of-the-art machine learning and AI technology, Riskified delivers precise fraud detection with faster, more accurate decision-making that surpasses traditional, rules-based systems.
• Guaranteed chargeback protection: Riskified provides Chargeback Guarantee services, eliminating the financial risk for airlines as stated in What is a chargeback guarantee? – Riskified.
• Sector expertise: Together, Outpayce and Riskified’s global merchant network offer a strong concentration of travel-related transactions from airlines, OTAs, transportation providers, tour and event operators, and more, giving unprecedented intelligence into the identities of travelers purchasing flights and fraud detection accuracy.
• Improved operational efficiency: By automating fraud detection and reducing reliance on manual reviews, Riskified helps airlines focus on higher-value tasks while saving valuable time and resources.

 

 

At a time where booking patterns and payment preferences are frequently changing, Riskified and Outpayce enable businesses to stay agile while keeping fraud under control. Interested in joining the growing list of airlines transforming their fraud prevention approach? Speak with one of our experts at Riskified or Outpayce from Amadeus.

 

About Riskified
Riskified (NYSE:RSKD) empowers businesses to unleash ecommerce growth by outsmarting risk. Many of the world’s biggest brands and publicly traded companies selling online rely on Riskified for guaranteed protection against chargebacks, to fight fraud and policy abuse at scale, and to improve customer retention. Developed and managed by the largest team of ecommerce risk analysts, data scientists, and researchers, Riskified’s AI-powered fraud and risk intelligence platform analyzes the individual behind each interaction to provide real-time decisions and robust identity-based insights. Learn more at riskified.com.

 

 

About Amadeus
Amadeus makes the experience of travel better for everyone, everywhere by inspiring innovation, partnerships and responsibility to people, places and planet. Our technology powers the travel and tourism industry. Inspiring more open ways of working. More connected ways of thinking, centered around the traveler. Our open platform connects the global travel and hospitality ecosystem. From startups to big industry players and governments too. Together, transforming how travel works. We are working to make travel a force for social and environmental good. A collective responsibility to protect and improve the people and places we visit, ensuring travel continues to make positive contribution to our world. We apply innovation to meet new needs, to solve real challenges. Our truly diverse global workforce, made up of 150 nationalities, is passionate about travel and technology. We are an IBEX 35 company, listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under AMS.MC. We have also been recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the last 13 years. Amadeus. It’s how travel works better.

 

 

Learn more about Amadeus at www.amadeus.com

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331782202/en/

 

Business Wire India

IQM Finland Oy, a global leader in deployed on-premises, full-stack superconducting quantum computers (“IQM”, “IQM Quantum Computers” or the “Company”), and Real Asset Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (Nasdaq: RAAQ) (“RAAQ”), today announced the confidential submission of the draft registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by IQM with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) relating to their proposed business combination.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407372076/en/

 

 

 

The submission of the Registration Statement marks an important milestone toward the completion of the proposed business combination, which will result in IQM becoming a publicly traded company.

 

The business combination remains subject to approval by RAAQ shareholders, the Registration Statement being declared effective by the SEC, and other customary closing conditions. The business combination is expected to close in mid-2026.

 

 

IQM operates a vertically integrated business model, boasting a unique combination of proprietary infrastructure from its own chip design tool and software developer platform to a quantum chip fab, assembly line and data centre, allowing the company to accelerate its innovation cycles, deliver best-in-class quantum computing to its customers and enabling the quantum ecosystem to grow.

 

 

About IQM Quantum Computers

 

 

IQM Finland Oy (“IQM”, “IQM Quantum Computers”, “Company”) is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, delivering full-stack quantum systems and cloud platform access to research institutions, universities, high-performance computing centres, and national laboratories worldwide. IQM’s on-premises deployment model gives customers direct ownership and control of their quantum infrastructure. Founded in 2018, headquartered in Finland, IQM has over 350 employees. IQM operates across Europe, Asia, and North America and has announced its plans to become the first publicly listed European quantum company on a major U.S. stock exchange and considering dual listing on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

 

 

Additional Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It

 

 

In connection with the proposed business combination between IQM and RAAQ, IQM has confidentially submitted and intends to publicly file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement of RAAQ and a preliminary prospectus of IQM. After the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, RAAQ will mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination to its shareholders as of a record date to be established for voting at the extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”). The Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, will contain important information about the proposed business combination and the other matters to be voted upon at the Extraordinary General Meeting. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters. RAAQ and IQM may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed business combination. RAAQ’s shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the Registration Statement, including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, the amendments thereto and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed in connection with the proposed business combination, as these materials will contain important information about RAAQ, IQM and the proposed business combination. Shareholders of RAAQ may obtain copies of the Registration Statement, including the preliminary or definitive proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, and the other documents filed or that will be filed by RAAQ and IQM with the SEC, once available, without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

 

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable non-U.S. securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by IQM and its management, and RAAQ and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. These statements include: the successful consummation and potential benefits of the proposed business combination and expectations related to its terms and timing; the stock exchanges on which the securities of IQM are expected to trade; IQM’s ability to commercialize its hardware and software; the expectation that IQM is building the infrastructure that allows quantum ecosystems to grow; and the potential for IQM to increase in value.

 

 

These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of IQM and RAAQ.

 

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause the actual results of IQM proposed business combination, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: that IQM is pursuing an emerging technology, which faces significant technical challenges and may not achieve commercialization or market acceptance; IQM’s historical net losses and limited operating history; IQM’s expectations regarding future financial performance, capital requirements and unit economics; IQM’s use and reporting of business and operational metrics; IQM’s competitive landscape; IQM’s dependence on members of its senior management and its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the potential need for additional future financing; IQM’s concentration of revenue in contracts with government or state-funded entities; IQM’s ability to manage growth and expand its operations; potential future acquisitions or investments in companies, products, services or technologies; IQM’s reliance on strategic partners and other third parties; IQM’s ability to maintain, protect and defend its intellectual property rights; risks associated with privacy, data protection or cybersecurity incidents and related regulations; the use, rate of adoption and regulation of artificial intelligence and machine learning; uncertainty or changes with respect to laws and regulations; uncertainty or changes with respect to taxes, trade conditions and the macroeconomic environment; IQM’s ability to maintain internal control over financial reporting and operate a public company; the possibility that required shareholder and regulatory approvals for the proposed business combination are delayed or are not obtained, which could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed business combination; the risk that shareholders of RAAQ could elect to have their shares redeemed, leaving the combined company with insufficient cash to execute its business plans; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings or government investigations that may be commenced against IQM or RAAQ; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination; the ability of IQM to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the proposed business combination or in the future; and other factors described in RAAQ’s and IQM’s filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, including that none of the risks identified above materialize; that there are no unforeseen changes to economic and market conditions, and that no significant events occur outside the ordinary course of business. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact such forward-looking statements can be found in filings made and to be made by IQM and RAAQ with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” If any of these risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements reflect the expectations, plans and forecasts of IQM’s and RAAQ’s management as of the date of this communication; subsequent events and developments may cause their assessments to change. While IQM and RAAQ may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon these statements.

 

 

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this communication, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. An investment in RAAQ is not an investment in any of RAAQ’s founders’ or sponsors’ past investments, companies, or affiliated funds. The historical results of those investments are not indicative of future performance of RAAQ, which may differ materially from the performance of RAAQ’s founders’ or sponsors’ past investments.

 

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

 

RAAQ, IQM and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from RAAQ’s shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of RAAQ’s shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination will be set forth in the Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, when it is filed with the SEC. You can find more information about RAAQ’s directors and executive officers in RAAQ’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2026, and in the subsequent filings made by RAAQ with the SEC. Shareholders, potential investors, and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources described above.

 

 

No Offer or Solicitation

 

 

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction, including any European Economic Area member state or the United Kingdom. This communication is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities described herein in the United States or any other jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exemptions therefrom. Any potential dual listing of IQM’s ordinary shares on the Helsinki Stock Exchange referred to in this communication would be made by means of a prospectus as set out in the EU Prospectus Regulation. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407372076/en/

 

Business Wire India

NIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today shared new results from Reckitt’s use of NIQ BASES AI Screener, demonstrating how AI-powered insights and synthetic data are transforming innovation speed and effectiveness. The case study highlights how Reckitt has accelerated concept development while improving performance outcomes—bringing more relevant products to market, faster.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407069246/en/

 

 

 

As companies face growing pressure to innovate quickly in an increasingly complex consumer landscape, traditional research and development cycles can slow decision-making. Reckitt’s adoption of AI-powered screening reflects a broader shift toward predictive, data-driven innovation—where teams can test, refine, and optimize ideas before investing in physical development.

 

Key Results from Reckitt’s Use of NIQ BASES AI Screener:

 

 

• 70% faster insight generation, reducing timelines from weeks to hours
• 2–3x higher concept performance compared with prior human-developed benchmarks
• Up to 65% reduction in research timelines and 50% lower research costs
• 75% fewer physical prototypes required, accelerating speed to market
• Synthetic personas based on NIQ’s proprietary consumer behavioral data and validated against human-tested concepts, enabling more reliable and regularly refreshed predictions

 

“AI is helping us do what we’ve always wanted—to learn early, fail fast, and optimize quickly,” said Dr. Elaine Rodrigo, Chief Insights & Analytics Officer at Reckitt. “The quality of what we get from NIQ BASES—especially the precision in how they build their synthetic data panel—gives us confidence that we’re basing decisions on real consumer behavior.”

 

Reckitt has embedded NIQ’s AI solutions across the early stages of its innovation process—from insights generation to concept creation and validation— supported by a large‑scale data foundation spanning multiple categories and markets. This approach enables teams to design more consumer-centric solutions while moving at significantly greater speed.

 

 

“NIQ BASES AI Screener supports teams to evaluate, screen, and optimize early ideas or concepts before proceeding to research & development. By leveraging synthetic respondents created from validated human panel data, the solution delivers predictive accuracy grounded in real consumer behavior—helping teams identify winning ideas and refine them earlier in the development cycle.”

 

 

“The companies winning today are those that can turn consumer understanding into action, faster,” said Curtis Miller, President of Enterprise and Activation Solutions at NIQ. “By combining leading data scale and granularity with advanced AI models, we’re helping clients move from ideas to decision-ready innovation with greater speed and confidence.”

 

 

This case study reflects NIQ’s broader focus on embedding AI into its core solutions—helping companies move beyond insight generation to decision systems that enable faster, smarter innovation at scale. Find out more on how AI accelerates NIQ’s The Full View.

 

 

FAQs

 

 

What is BASES AI Screener?

 

 

BASES AI Screener is an AI‑powered solution that helps teams evaluate and prioritize innovation ideas early in the development process. It uses synthetic consumer responses trained on NIQ’s proprietary consumer purchase data to deliver fast, reliable insight that supports confident decision‑making at scale.

 

 

Who can use BASES AI Screener?

 

 

BASES AI Screener is a self-service solution, designed for organizations looking to scale innovation faster and more efficiently, particularly those managing large idea pipelines.

 

 

What are the key features?

 

 

BASES AI Screener helps teams screen more ideas earlier, ground decisions in real purchase behavior, shorten insight timelines to minutes versus days without sacrificing quality, and focus investment on the highest‑potential ideas.

 

 

Is it available globally?

 

 

BASES AI Screener is currently available in select markets and categories, with expansion ongoing.

 

 

How did BASES AI Screener impact Reckitt’s innovation speed?

 

 

At Reckitt, BASES AI Screener reduced insight timelines by 70%, allowing teams to learn and iterate much faster. By identifying winning ideas earlier, Reckitt improved both speed‑to‑market and confidence in innovation decisions, while raising concept quality early in development. Read more here.

 

 

About NIQ

 

 

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.

 

 

With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.

 

 

For more information, please visit www.niq.com.

 

 

Forward Looking Statement:

 

 

This press release on NIQ BASES AI Screener, may contain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market trends, and industry developments. These statements reflect current expectations and projections based on available data, historical patterns, and various assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “plan,” “look ahead,” “indicates”, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future outcomes and are subject to inherent uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. While we strive to base our insights on reliable data and sound methodologies, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law.

 

 

© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

NIQ-GENERAL

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407069246/en/

 

Business Wire India

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany commemorates World Health Day 2026 in partnership with First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, with a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to improving and revolutionizing healthcare access across Africa, Asia and beyond through their Scholarships and Capacity Building Program.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation, shared, “At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to transforming the patient care landscape and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions across Africa, Asia, and beyond. For the past 14 years, we have marked World Health Day every day through our ongoing efforts to build healthcare capacity in underserved communities.

I am proud to share that we have provided more than 2,600 scholarships for young healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Through these scholarships, many of our Merck Foundation alumni are becoming the first-ever specialists in their respective fields in their countries, including Namibia, Liberia, The Gambia, Burundi, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Guinea, Ethiopia, Congo, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe, among others.”

“This is truly history in the making, and we are proud to be a part of Africa’s legacy by empowering a new generation of healthcare specialists who will serve generations to come,” added Dr. Kelej.

As you all know, the lack of financial resources is not the only challenge facing Africa. A far more pressing issue is the scarcity of trained healthcare providers capable of effectively preventing, diagnosing, and managing diseases.

This sweeping shortage of medical and healthcare personnel has been one of the most critical barriers to access to quality healthcare across the continent.

As per the WHO 2021 report, the African region has 24% of the world’s disease burden, whereas there are only 2.9 healthcare workers per 1000 capita. This gap has a profound impact on health outcomes.

Therefore, the Merck Foundation scholarships are highly significant, as they provide doctors with specialized training, helping to bridge healthcare gaps and improve patient care in underserved communities.

Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African and Asian First Ladies and local partners such as Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities.

Merck Foundation also actively empowers women and youth in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence.

 

Dr. Kelej shared, “This theme of World Health Day 2026,“Together for health. Stand with science,” aligns perfectly with our program that trains healthcare providers and empowers women and youth in STEM.“

 

Merck Foundation CEO also announced the Call for Applications for 2026 Scholarships.

 

“I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for the 2026 Scholarships for young healthcare providers with special focus on women medical graduates. These include on-site fellowship programs, clinical training programs and online one-year diploma & two-year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and the Ministry of Health of each country,” shared Dr Rasha Kelej.

 

To Apply for In-campus Scholarships in Fertility, Oncology, Diabetes and other specialties:

https://merck-foundation.com/scholarships-online-application-form-In-Campus-Specialties

To Apply for Online Scholarships, visit:

https://merck-foundation.com/apply-now-for-online-scholarships-or-in-campus-scholarships

The selection for each scholarship will be based on request by First Lady Office, Ministry of Health and/or Medical Society with the aim to fill the gaps of public healthcare system in each country.

The selection will be based on eligibility criteria fulfillment of each training Institute and Foundation, scholarship availability and fund availability.

 

Click the link below to Download Merck Foundation App

 

https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection

 

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard

 

Facebook: Merck Foundation
X: @MerckFoundation
YouTube: MerckFoundation
Instagram: Merck Foundation
Threads: Merck Foundation
Flickr: Merck Foundation
Website: www.merckfoundation.com

Business Wire India

Today, Budweiser is celebrating 40 years as the Official Beer Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ with the launch of the largest limited-edition collectible pack ever – the Budweiser® FIFA World Cup™ Anniversary Pack* – bringing to life 11 bold design tributes to every tournament since 1986, and the centerpiece of a new nostalgia driven global platform.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407304059/en/

 

 

 

Throughout history, Budweiser has played an important role in some of football’s most unforgettable celebrations, from last-minute goals to trophy lifts seen around the world. These moments of “Budstalgia” [Budweiser + nostalgia] are the inspiration for the brand’s newest platform, brought to life through a new collectible design, a global film titled “The Big Drop,” distinctive out-of-home creative, and an era-inspired digital hub.

 

“For 40 years, Budweiser has been part of the moments that bring fans together – on the pitch, in the stands, and everywhere the game is watched by consumers of legal drinking age,” said Richard Oppy, Global President, Premium Company at AB InBev. “With this global platform, we are celebrating that shared history in a way that feels as relevant today as it did in 1986 – connecting generations of fans through the passion, energy, and rituals that make the FIFA World Cup so special, while building excitement for what’s still to come.”

 

 

Budweiser Unveils Limited-Edition Collectible Pack

 

 

To kick off the football celebration, Budweiser is launching its most ambitious collectible pack to date: the Budweiser® FIFA World Cup™ Anniversary Pack* – a curated set of 11 aluminum bottles and cans honoring the past 10 World Cups and the upcoming 2026 tournament. Starting with Mexico 1986 and ending with FIFA World Cup™ 2026, each design draws from the visual identity and cultural elements of past tournaments, unlocking some of the game’s most memorable moments for fans around the world.

 

 

More than a collector’s item, each bottle features a QR code that unlocks exclusive digital content tied to its era – connecting fans to their favorite teams of the past along with immersive experiences, and thousands of prizes that vary by location. Designed in partnership with branding agency JKR, the limited-edition pack will roll out in key non-US markets, including Brazil, China, and select European countries, beginning this month.

 

 

“The Big Drop” Brings 40 Years of Big Football Memories to Life

 

 

To amplify the occasion, Budweiser is debuting a new global hero film, “The Big Drop,” set to the emblematic anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone. The film, developed in partnership with creative agency Africa, follows larger-than-life Budweiser bottles as they journey across landscapes and continents – passing through mountains, deserts, and grasslands – before arriving at the stadiums that have hosted the FIFA World Cup™ over the past four decades.

 

 

Reimagined as oversized ice buckets, these legendary venues become the stage for the next chapter of celebration – bringing the limited-edition Budweiser bottles to life in a new way through stunning visual effects. The film will roll out globally across digital and social channels.

 

 

“Proudly on the Pitch” Celebrates Budweiser’s Football Legacy

 

 

Since 1986, Budweiser and its pitch-side billboards have been the backdrop for some of the most notable FIFA World Cup™ moments. Now, the brand is bringing that legacy to the forefront with “Proudly on the Pitch,” a global out-of-home campaign built from iconic archival FIFA imagery.

 

 

The series features numerous images from past tournaments, seamlessly stitching together the evolution of Budweiser’s unmistakable red logo while highlighting the brand’s consistent presence in football culture. Rolling out across multiple continents, the campaign invites fans to rediscover the moments that defined generations of the game.

 

 

Fans of legal drinking age can visit www.budstalgia.com to explore the Budweiser® FIFA World Cup™ Anniversary Pack* and relive four decades of football through exclusive content and experiences.

 

 

*not available in the United States

 

 

About Budweiser

 

 

Budweiser is a globally iconic lager born from a bold vision. In 1876, founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States’ first truly national beer brand – brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Today, Budweiser is recognized as the world’s second most valuable beer brand in Kantar’s BrandZ global 2025 rankings, enjoyed in more than 80 countries and brewed with the same unwavering commitment to quality and consistency. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp beer with layers of premium American hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including “kraeusening” for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character.

 

 

About AB InBev

 

 

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Beer is the drink for moderation, and for over a century, AB InBev has championed responsible drinking. We are committed to providing our consumers with balanced choices to enjoy on any occasion. We also invest in marketing that aims to reinforce positive behaviors, and we work with communities, customers, and partners to promote responsible consumption through evidence-based initiatives.

 

 

Our diverse portfolio of well over 400 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona®, Stella Artois® and Michelob Ultra®; multi-country brands Beck’s®, Hoegaarden® and Leffe®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 137 000 colleagues based in more than 40 countries worldwide. For 2025, AB InBev’s reported revenue was 59.3 billion USD (excluding JVs and associates).

 

 

About FIFA

 

 

FIFA exists to govern football and to develop the game around the world. Since 2016, the organisation has been fast evolving into a body that can more effectively serve the game for the benefit of the entire world. As a not-for-profit organisation, FIFA – which organises the FIFA World Cup™, FIFA Women’s World Cup™, and FIFA Club World Cup™, among many other international competitions – reinvests its revenues into a wide range of football development programmes, providing funds, infrastructure and know-how to its member associations. FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 can be explored here. This year, FIFA will organise the biggest standalone sporting event ever – the FIFA World Cup 2026™. 48 teams will play 104 matches across 16 stadiums in three host countries throughout the game-changing tournament, with over 6 million fans in attendance.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407304059/en/

 

Business Wire India

UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has acquired Intecrowd LLC (Intecrowd), a globally recognized boutique Workday Partner specializing in strategic deployments and full lifecycle support for Workday solutions. This strategic move will improve UST’s ability to meet the needs of its global client base while also expanding its portfolio in the dynamic Workday ecosystem. Acquiring Intecrowd strengthens UST’s position in the Workday market and enhances its ability to deliver innovative, AI-powered solutions at scale.

 

As part of UST’s strategy to expand its enterprise application capabilities and deliver its SaaS++ value proposition to Global 2000 customers, the acquisition of Intecrowd significantly strengthens the company’s Workday services. Intecrowd’s proven, Workday-certified implementation expertise complements UST’s global scale to enable faster deployments, continuous optimization, and more measurable outcomes. The two companies will accelerate time-to-value by combining implementation excellence with AI-ready data foundations, intelligent automation, and AI-driven solutions, which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their service delivery to clients.

 

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Lake Worth, Florida, USA, Intecrowd, with over 250 employees in the US, India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Germany, and the UK, is a globally respected leader in Workday services. Its exclusive focus on Workday has earned the company a reputation for excellence, reinforced by strong client retention and a consistent track record of delivering high-quality outcomes.

 

As a full-service Workday partner, Intecrowd provides end-to-end capabilities across Workday Human Capital Management (HCM), Workday Financial Management, and Workday Extend. Intecrowd is also one of the first Workday partners authorized to build applications using Workday Extend. The company has twice won the Workday Hackathon for its development of advanced solutions. Intecrowd earned a Responsible AI Badge for its AI Translation Generator app and was recently named 2026 Workday Partner of the Year for AI Excellence. Intecrowd further enhances customer outcomes through AI-driven deployment accelerators, advanced analytics, and proprietary built on Workday apps that reduce implementation time and cost while unlocking actionable insights.

 

“The acquisition of Intecrowd aligns with UST’s inorganic growth strategy to build depth in key service offerings. Strengthening our Workday capabilities supports our focus on domain‑led AI solutions and innovation across our service lines. By bringing this expertise into UST’s global operating model, we are creating a scalable platform that supports efficient growth and long‑term value creation,” said Vijay Padmanabhan, Chief Financial Officer, UST.

 

“Intecrowd’s unwavering dedication to excellent service for the Workday platform has made it a leader in this critical ecosystem. The integration of Intecrowd into our Business Application portfolio is strategically aligned with Workday’s accelerating market momentum and its forward-looking innovation, especially in the area of artificial intelligence. This acquisition empowers UST to better meet global client needs in an ever-evolving technology landscape,” said Kailash Attal, Chief Solutions Officer, UST.

 

“We are delighted to join UST. By combining UST’s scale and AI leadership with Intecrowd’s deep expertise in Workday, we are creating one of the world’s leading Workday partners. As Workday continues to lead in enterprise AI, we are well-positioned to accelerate AI adoption to drive HR and finance gains across our global customer base,” said Don McDougal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Intecrowd.

 

Clearsight Advisors acted as the financial advisor to Intecrowd LLC.

 

Workday © and the Workday logo are trademarks of Workday, Inc. All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Business Wire India

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) today signed a USD 15 million development loan agreement with the Republic of Palau, marking the Fund’s first-ever development partnership in the Pacific island nation.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260406306007/en/

 

 

 

The agreement was signed by H.E. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of SFD, and H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau during a ceremony in Palau’s capital, Ngerulmud.

 

The USD 15 million development loan will be channeled through the National Development Bank of Palau. Designed to empower the local economy, the financing will support projects spearheaded by Palauan developers, businesses, and entrepreneurs. By aligning with Palau’s national priorities, the funds will catalyze high-impact initiatives and foster sustainable, grassroots economic growth.

 

 

This agreement reflects SFD’s continued commitment to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), having supported development projects across 18 island nations in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Through its financing, SFD contributes to strengthening economic resilience, expanding access to essential services, and enabling sustainable development in developing economies.

 

 

H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, stated the deep appreciation for the assistance. He noted: “This agreement is about building a stronger Palauan economy by channeling this financing through our National Development Bank so that Palauan developers, businesses, and entrepreneurs can lead new projects that create jobs, unlock investment, and keep more value here at home. At the same time, by prioritizing affordable, climate-resilient housing, we are strengthening our communities, giving our young people more reasons to build their future in Palau, and laying a more resilient economic foundation for generations to come.”

 

 

H.E. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of SFD, stated: “We are proud to launch our first collaboration with the Republic of Palau. By expanding access to vital funding, we aim to uplift local entrepreneurs and help secure a resilient future for the Palauan people. This agreement embodies our broader mission to foster prosperity across island nations.”

 

 

Since its establishment in 1974, SFD has supported developing countries through concessional financing, contributing to sustainable social and economic growth worldwide.

 

 

About the Saudi Fund for Development:

 

 

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) is a government institution that provides concessional development loans, to finance projects and programs in developing countries.

 

 

Since its establishment in 1974, SFD has financed more than 800 projects and programs in over 100 countries, with a total value exceeding USD 22 billion. These projects span sectors including transportation and communications, social infrastructure, agriculture, energy, industry and mining, among others. These projects contribute to generating socio-economic growth and improving the living standards of disadvantaged communities in countries most in need. SFD’s activities are guided by international development principles and support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Fund also works to strengthen development cooperation through partnerships with regional and international organizations.

 

 

*Source: AETOSWire

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260406306007/en/