Gradiant Announces Series E Financing at $2 Billion Valuation to Accelerate Expansion in AI, Semiconductors, and Industrial Water Infrastructure

Business Wire India

Gradiant today announced the close of Series E financing, valuing the company at $2 billion. The financing was led by Safar Partners and Hostplus Superannuation Fund, with participation from ClearVision Ventures and other global investors.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518135237/en/

 

 

 

The financing will support Gradiant’s continued global expansion, including strategic acquisitions, accelerated research and development, and investments in operational scale and IPO readiness. The announcement comes amid unprecedented commercial momentum for Gradiant, fueled by rapid growth in AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and other mission-critical industries that require advanced water solutions.

 

Gradiant is experiencing its largest backlog and strongest pipeline in company history, with significant growth across data centers, semiconductor fabs, and power, while the company’s business across food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, mining, and energy remains strong. As AI infrastructure scales at record speed, water has emerged as one of the critical constraints to its growth, reliability, and sustainability.

 

 

Gradiant’s proprietary technologies, powered by its digital AI platform, enable customers in the world’s essential industries to secure water sourcing, maximize water reuse, minimize wastewater discharge, and reduce energy consumption across some of world’s most water-intensive operations. Over the last few years, Gradiant has emerged as one of the fastest-growing companies in the history of the water industry, driven by its differentiated technology stack, vertically integrated execution model, and unconventional leadership.

 

 

“AI is re-making the global economy, but behind every chip and every data center lies massive and growing water demand,” said Anurag Bajpayee, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Gradiant. “Gradiant sits at the center of this transformation. We solve the world’s most important water challenges and enable essential industries to grow reliably and sustainably. This new financing gives us more firepower to expand faster, double down on our R&D, and continue building the defining water company of the AI era.”

 

 

“The convergence of AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing growth, industrial sustainability, and water scarcity is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said David Elia, CEO of Hostplus Superannuation Fund. “We are excited to support Gradiant through its next phase of growth, building upon its deep technological leadership, proven execution capability, and strong market momentum.”

 

 

“Gradiant is the only water company with truly differentiated technology, operating profitably and at scale, serving some of the world’s largest and most essential companies,” said Nader Motamedy, Managing Partner at Safar Partners. “We are proud to partner with Gradiant as it emerges as one of the world’s most important industrial technology companies.”

 

 

About Gradiant

 

 

Gradiant is a different kind of water company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end water and wastewater solutions powered by top minds in water, the company serves the world’s essential industries, including semiconductors, datacenters, renewable energy, food & beverage, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining and critical minerals. Founded at MIT and headquartered in Boston, Gradiant has developed one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of differentiated technologies which reduce water usage and wastewater discharge, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. Learn more at www.gradiant.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Gradiant Announces Series E Financing at $2 Billion Valuation to Accelerate Expansion in AI, Semiconductors, and Industrial Water Infrastructure

Business Wire India

Gradiant today announced the close of Series E financing, valuing the company at $2 billion. The financing was led by Safar Partners and Hostplus Superannuation Fund, with participation from ClearVision Ventures and other global investors.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518135237/en/

 

 

 

The financing will support Gradiant’s continued global expansion, including strategic acquisitions, accelerated research and development, and investments in operational scale and IPO readiness. The announcement comes amid unprecedented commercial momentum for Gradiant, fueled by rapid growth in AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and other mission-critical industries that require advanced water solutions.

 

Gradiant is experiencing its largest backlog and strongest pipeline in company history, with significant growth across data centers, semiconductor fabs, and power, while the company’s business across food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, mining, and energy remains strong. As AI infrastructure scales at record speed, water has emerged as one of the critical constraints to its growth, reliability, and sustainability.

 

 

Gradiant’s proprietary technologies, powered by its digital AI platform, enable customers in the world’s essential industries to secure water sourcing, maximize water reuse, minimize wastewater discharge, and reduce energy consumption across some of world’s most water-intensive operations. Over the last few years, Gradiant has emerged as one of the fastest-growing companies in the history of the water industry, driven by its differentiated technology stack, vertically integrated execution model, and unconventional leadership.

 

 

“AI is re-making the global economy, but behind every chip and every data center lies massive and growing water demand,” said Anurag Bajpayee, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Gradiant. “Gradiant sits at the center of this transformation. We solve the world’s most important water challenges and enable essential industries to grow reliably and sustainably. This new financing gives us more firepower to expand faster, double down on our R&D, and continue building the defining water company of the AI era.”

 

 

“The convergence of AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing growth, industrial sustainability, and water scarcity is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said David Elia, CEO of Hostplus Superannuation Fund. “We are excited to support Gradiant through its next phase of growth, building upon its deep technological leadership, proven execution capability, and strong market momentum.”

 

 

“Gradiant is the only water company with truly differentiated technology, operating profitably and at scale, serving some of the world’s largest and most essential companies,” said Nader Motamedy, Managing Partner at Safar Partners. “We are proud to partner with Gradiant as it emerges as one of the world’s most important industrial technology companies.”

 

 

About Gradiant

 

 

Gradiant is a different kind of water company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end water and wastewater solutions powered by top minds in water, the company serves the world’s essential industries, including semiconductors, datacenters, renewable energy, food & beverage, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining and critical minerals. Founded at MIT and headquartered in Boston, Gradiant has developed one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of differentiated technologies which reduce water usage and wastewater discharge, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. Learn more at www.gradiant.com.

 

 

 

 

 

FurtherAI Appoints Tom Bradley to Lead UK and EU Expansion

Business Wire India

 

FurtherAI, the AI platform purpose-built for insurance, today announced the appointment of Tom Bradley to lead its UK and EU operations. This marks a significant step in FurtherAI’s international expansion, as the company moves to establish a local presence in one of the world’s most important insurance markets.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518611218/en/

 

 

FurtherAI Appoints Tom Bradley to lead UK & EU expansion

FurtherAI Appoints Tom Bradley to lead UK & EU expansion

 

 

FurtherAI is already working with leading partners in the UK, and Tom’s appointment will allow the company to deepen those relationships, build a local team, and serve the rapidly growing demand from carriers, MGAs, and brokers across the Lloyd’s market and the wider region.

 

A market moving fast on AI

 

 

The Lloyd’s market and the broader UK and European insurance ecosystem are adopting AI at a pace few would have predicted even twelve months ago. From submission gateways to policy audits to claims, operators across the value chain are looking for AI that handles the realities of insurance work: messy broker submissions, slip variations, bespoke wordings, and the workflows that sit between core systems.

 

 

FurtherAI’s platform is already powering this shift across the US, working with carriers and MGAs including Accelerant, Upland, and Novacore. The company partners with 3 of the top 5 brokers and 4 of the top 10 carriers in the US market. With Tom on board, FurtherAI is positioned to bring that same depth to UK and EU operators.

 

 

About Tom Bradley

 

 

Tom joins FurtherAI from Azur Technology, where he led US commercial operations and helped MGAs and carriers navigate technology transformation. Earlier in his career, he supported the launch of multiple MGAs across the US and UK, building deep relationships across the global specialty insurance market. He is known in the program business community for his judgement and his track record of delivering for the operators he works with.

 

 

He now returns to London to build and lead FurtherAI’s expansion across the UK and EU.

 

 

A quote from Aman Gour, Co-founder and CEO of FurtherAI

 

 

“Tom has spent his career helping insurance businesses actually use technology to grow, and he knows this market on both sides of the Atlantic. There is no one I would rather have leading our UK and EU expansion. I have known him for over a year, and the timing of his move back to London was almost too good to be true.”

 

 

A quote from Tom Bradley

 

 

“The London Market and the broader UK/EU space is moving fast on AI, and in an increasingly global insurance landscape where carriers, MGAs, and brokers operate across the US and Europe, the timing is right and there is a real need for a sustainable solution. I am looking forward to bringing FurtherAI’s platform and reputation to these markets, while staying closely connected to the partnerships we have built in the US.

 

 

Aman and I have known each other for a while, and we quickly found we are kindred spirits, sharing a passion for this industry, its relationship-driven culture, and the complexity that makes P&C insurance unlike anything else. That connection made joining FurtherAI feel like a natural next step.

 

 

What drew me to FurtherAI is their exclusive focus on insurance, and a track record of genuine dedication to getting it right. The culture Aman and Sashank have built is one I want to be part of, and my focus will be on bringing that same partnership-first approach to carriers, MGAs, and brokers across the UK and Europe.”

 

 

About FurtherAI

 

 

FurtherAI is the AI platform for insurance. Backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator, the company recently closed a $25M Series A and works with 25+ enterprise clients across carriers, MGAs, and brokers, including 3 of the top 5 brokers and 4 of the top 10 carriers. FurtherAI’s platform powers submissions processing, underwriting and policy audits, SOV mapping, claims processing, and guideline checking. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and is now expanding into the UK and EU.

 

 

For more information, visit [furtherai.com].

 

 

 

 

 

HistoSonics Receives Landmark TFDA Approval in Taiwan, Accelerating Global Expansion

Business Wire India

HistoSonics, the developer of the Edison® Histotripsy System and novel histotripsy therapy platform, today announced it has received approval from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) for the Edison® System, representing a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion efforts and continued growth across Asia.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518694013/en/

 

 

HistoSonics Edison® Histotripsy System

HistoSonics Edison® Histotripsy System

 

Taiwan is widely recognized as one of the most advanced and strategically important medical device markets in the region, known for its rigorous regulatory standards and highly innovative physician community. The TFDA approval process included a detailed review of the company’s clinical and regulatory submission package and concluded with unanimous agreement from committee members.

 

The approval further reinforces the growing clinical and regulatory momentum behind histotripsy, a non-invasive, non-thermal focused ultrasound technology designed to mechanically liquefy and destroy targeted tissue and tumors without the need for surgery or radiation.

 

 

“This approval is an important milestone for HistoSonics, and the advancement of histotripsy throughout Asia,” said Mike Blue, Chairman and CEO, HistoSonics. “Receiving TFDA approval underscores the strength of our clinical evidence, the rigor of our regulatory work, and the growing confidence in histotripsy as a transformative non-invasive therapy platform.”

 

 

HistoSonics has established a strong clinical presence in Taiwan through National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), the company’s first installation site in the country. While awaiting TFDA approval, physicians at NTUH treated patients under research protocols and achieved one of the fastest rates of clinical adoption for histotripsy globally.

 

 

“Our early clinical experience with histotripsy has been very encouraging, not only for liver tumors but also for exploring future applications in other difficult-to-treat diseases. Receiving TFDA approval is an important milestone for Taiwan and for Asia. We are excited to continue contributing to the clinical development and adoption of histotripsy in the region,” said Kai-Wen HUANG, Professor of surgical oncology at National Taiwan University Hospital.

 

 

Under research protocols, physicians at NTUH have already treated a broad range of tumor types using histotripsy, including liver tumors, kidney tumors, pancreatic tumors, and sarcoma cases. Their early clinical experience continues to expand the understanding of the potential applications of histotripsy therapy across multiple organ systems.

 

 

“We are incredibly encouraged by the pioneering work being conducted by the physicians at National Taiwan University Hospital,” said Blue. “Their clinical leadership and commitment to advancing patient care continue to demonstrate the broad potential of histotripsy therapy and its future applications.”

 

 

With TFDA approval secured, HistoSonics plans to expand collaborations with leading physicians and institutions throughout Taiwan and Asia, with a focus on generating high-quality clinical evidence, advancing additional indications through clinical research, and developing advanced physician training and education programs throughout the region.

 

 

Currently, the Edison System is indicated for the non-invasive destruction of liver tumors, including unresectable liver tumors, using histotripsy, a non-thermal, mechanical process of focused ultrasound. The system continues to be evaluated for additional applications in kidney, pancreas, prostate, and other anatomical locations.

 

 

About HistoSonics

 

 

HistoSonics is a privately held medical device company developing a non-invasive platform and proprietary sonic beam therapy utilizing the science of histotripsy, a novel mechanism of action that uses focused ultrasound to mechanically destroy and liquefy unwanted tissue and tumors. The company is currently focused on commercializing their Edison System in the US and select global markets for liver treatment while expanding histotripsy applications into other organs like kidney, pancreas, prostate, and others. HistoSonics has offices in Ann Arbor, MI, Minneapolis, MN and Madison, WI. For more information on the Edison Histotripsy System please visit: www.histosonics.com. For patient-related information please visit: www.myhistotripsy.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Infobip Research Shows APAC Brands Leading in Channel Adoption, With 57% Using Agentic AI

Business Wire India

Global AI-first cloud communications platform Infobip’s 2026 Customer Experience (CX) Maturity Report reveals what separates brands that automate from brands that truly connect. The report shows that APAC brands are ahead in mobile-first engagement and AI-led automation, reflecting the region’s advanced messaging culture and high customer expectations.

 

Brands in India and Indonesia report 91% WhatsApp adoption, 60% in-app messaging usage, and 18% RCS adoption — 3x higher than other regions. Chatbot and agentic AI adoption are also the highest globally, underscoring how essential conversational experiences have become across the region. With the highest System Potential score of any region, enterprises in Indonesia and India have a clear opportunity to elevate CX maturity by better connecting customer data with the interactions already happening at scale.

 

With ever-increasing customer expectations, achieving CX maturity is the goal for major global brands. This hinges on how well brands can build experiences on mobile channels. There is a fundamental difference between a simple fraud alert on SMS and a two-way WhatsApp chat that allows customers to act immediately.

 

Globally, 96% of brands automate customer interactions in some way, but few are delivering a seamless experience. Only 58% of brands say their channels are fully in sync, and 60% have centralized storage of customer data. Looking closer, only 27% use an orchestration platform, and 50% of brands say their tools are fully API-ready. This means half of the brands struggle with connecting tools and data, and many do not use a unified platform to build truly seamless experiences.

 

This fragmentation is stifling AI adoption and optimization and prevents a seamless customer experience. While over half (53%) of brands use agentic AI in their customer journeys, growth is being held back by disconnected data and a lack of trust in the technology. Organizations cite user trust (71%), data privacy (64%), and tech stack integration (41%) as the primary barriers to deeper AI deployment.

 

CX Maturity looks at what brands are automating now, how they are doing it, and the potential that already exists in their tech stack to streamline AI adoption and scale growth.

 

Ante Pamuković, Chief Revenue Officer at Infobip, commented: “Our CX Maturity report highlights a turning point for global brands this year. The race to adopt agentic AI is well underway, but CX Maturity will be the key differentiator between brands prepared to launch effective AI-powered journeys that last and the ones that will struggle with scaling their adoption. To move from basic automated responses to deep, seamless customer journeys, brands must overcome the dual barriers of fragmented systems and user trust.”

 

Elka Popova, VP of Connected Work from Frost & Sullivan, commented on the state of play in the market: “Agentic AI has redefined the CX landscape with capacity to reason, plan, and implement across workflows. The challenge has now shifted from exploring the technology’s potential to implementing it, requiring enterprises to adapt their systems and build customer trust.”

 

For more information and to view the full findings, download the CX Maturity Report here.

 

Understanding CX Maturity:

 

Infobip has ranked three sectors’ CX Maturity for their ability to deliver outstanding customer experiences with precision and consistency, by measuring three variables out of 100:

 

1. Journey: which parts of the customer journey are automated with communication and mobile solutions.

2. Sophistication: what tech and AI are used for automation and what features are enabled for each use case.

3. System potential: measures the API-ready infrastructure organizations have in place – the communication solutions, channels, and capabilities already available that can be activated to improve customer journeys.

Visa and Jason Sudeikis Turn the Simplest Goal in Football Into the Biggest Fan Moments at the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Business Wire India

At the FIFA World Cup 2026™, everything can change in a split second. A quick pass. A simple finish. A tap in goal. This summer, Visa (NYSE: V), the Worldwide Payment Technology Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, is turning those fleeting moments into something much bigger—launching Tap In, a bold new global campaign based on the belief that everything is a tap in with Visa.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518011231/en/

 

 

Built around one of football’s most recognizable finishes, Tap In takes the simplest touch in the game and turns it into a powerful metaphor for how Visa works: fast, seamless, and effortless in the moments that matter most. At the FIFA World Cup™, that idea moves beyond storytelling, unlocking opportunity in communities and connecting fans directly to the action as it unfolds live.

 

 

When Players Tap In, Fans Do Too

 

 

At the heart of the campaign, Visa brings the passion of football to life across all three host countries—delivering exclusive promotions, unforgettable moments, and once-in-a-lifetime prizes to cardholders. When the ball hits the back of the net, the moment doesn’t stop at the stadium—it travels instantly to fans’ screens.

 

 

Visa cardholders across the United States and Canada can register to enter Tap In to Score1, a Visa exclusive promotion that can make every match and every tap in goal mean something more. Fans canstay connected throughout the tournament for a chance to win daily, knowing the next tap in goal on the pitch could unlock even more prizes. From FIFA World Cup™ match tickets and a potential trip to the Final, to signed memorabilia and limited-edition merchandise, Tap In to Score turns match moments into shared celebration and opportunity.

 

 

With a simple, repeatable cadence that mirrors the flow of the tournament, Tap In to Score is designed to keep fans engaged beyond kickoff—making participation easy, intuitive, and woven into the rhythm of every matchday.

 

 

In Mexico, eligible Visa cardholders can register to enter Pásala Para Ganar2—a promotion offering fans the chance to win tickets to a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match just by registering their eligible cards. Winners will be randomly selected and notified in early June.

 

 

Jason Sudeikis Leads a Global Roster Built for the Moment

 

 

To bring Tap In to life, Visa has assembled a lineup that blends humor, cultural credibility, and football greatness. The campaign launches with a high impact hero film that captures the unpredictability, energy, and joy of the FIFA World Cup™—showing how a single tap can ripple far beyond the pitch.

 

 

Award winning actor Jason Sudeikis anchors the campaign, journeying through the U.S., Mexico and Canada, using his Visa card to make every step of his FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience easier—illustrating how Visa removes friction and unlocks fandom in real life.

 

 

He is joined in the Tap In campaign by some of the most exciting and iconic figures in the tournament today, including Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Christian Pulisic, Jorge Campos, and legendary announcer, Andrés Cantor.

 

 

Together, they celebrate a simple truth fans instantly recognize: the smallest touches can create the biggest moments.

 

 

“Football has this way of making even the smallest moment feel shared,” said Jason Sudeikis. “Tap In helps fans stay connected to that feeling—whether they’re on the pitch, in the stands, or at home.”

 

 

From Screens to Streets: Making the FIFA World Cup™ a Connected Experience

 

 

Tap In rolls out across broadcast, digital, social, creator partnerships, and live fan moments—meeting fans where football culture lives today. Tap In notifications, creator-led explainers, and immersive environments bring Tap In to life as an always-on FIFA World Cup™ experience.

 

 

Visa’s Tap In Studio activation at select stadiums and major host cities invites fans to step inside the campaign, blending football, art—from Visa’s first-ever global art collection—and culture, while unlocking an experience only Visa can deliver.

 

 

Tap In to Impact

 

 

Visa’s Tap In campaign is also taking the energy of the FIFA World Cup™ and turning it into economic impact that directly supports small businesses, creators and communities across host countries.

 

 

Through Tap In to Impact, Visa is committing $600,000 to three nonprofit partners across each host country: SCORE in the United States, Pro Mujer in Mexico, and Futurpreneur in Canada. These investments support the local business owners, mentors, and community-builders transforming a global tournament into lasting local impact, ensuring the excitement of the FIFA World Cup™ leaves a lasting legacy where it’s played.

 

 

Everything Is a Tap In With Visa

 

 

“Fans don’t just watch the FIFA World Cup™—they live it,” said Frank Cooper III, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa. “Tap In keeps them closer to every moment, turning the easiest goal in football into an invitation for fans everywhere to participate. One tap, and you’re in.”

 

 

To learn more about Visa’s Tap In to Score and how to register to enter for a chance to win match-triggered prizes, visit visa.com and follow Visa on social.

 

 

About Visa

 

 

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

 

 

1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be current Visa cardholder as of May 1, 2026, 50 U.S./D.C., PR, or CAN, 18+/age of maj. Match Ticket winners responsible for travel & accommodations. For CAN res. Skill test req’d. Ends July 20, 2026. Rules/Elig: https://tevnt.com/VisaFWC26Promo

 

 

2 Rules/Elig: https://tevnt.com/VisaFWC26Promo/mx/

 

 

 

 

 

Cushman & Wakefield India Wins Two Honours at the 2026 Asia Pacific Property Awards

Business Wire India

Cushman & Wakefield, one of the largest and fastest growing real estate services firms, has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the 2026 Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA), reaffirming its leadership position in India’s commercial real estate sector.

 

The firm received recognition in the following categories:

  • Best Property Agency / Consultancy – India category – Award Winner
  • Best Real Estate Agency Marketing – India – Five Star Rating

Held annually, the Asia Pacific Property Awards recognize outstanding achievement across the property and real estate industry, celebrating companies that demonstrate excellence in innovation, service, and delivery. This marks Cushman & Wakefield India’s sixth overall and fifth consecutive win at APPA, underscoring the firm’s continued strength in advisory, client service and market positioning.

 

Speaking on the wins, Anshul Jain, Chief Executive – India, SEA, MEA and APAC Office & Retail, Cushman & Wakefield, said, “These recognitions reflect the continued strength of our integrated platform, the breadth of expertise we bring across service lines and asset classes, and the trust clients continue to place in us across markets.

 

India’s real estate sector continues to evolve rapidly across asset classes, driven by infrastructure growth, institutionalisation, changing occupier expectations, and increasing investor interest. As one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets, it is creating demand for more strategic and insight-led partnerships that can support investment decisions, workplace transformation, capital deployment, and long-term value creation.

 

In this environment, the ability to bring together global expertise, market intelligence, integrated execution capabilities, and deep local understanding becomes increasingly important. These awards are also a reflection of the dedication, collaboration, and market-leading capabilities of our teams, who continue to deliver differentiated outcomes for clients every day.”

 

Awantika Mohanty, Head of Business Development Services India, Singapore & South-East Asia, Cushman & Wakefield, added, “This recognition reflects our commitment to putting clients at the centre of everything we do and to using marketing to stay top of mind with our clients while delivering meaningful insights that help unlock growth opportunities for both their business and ours.

 

At a time when data, insight and agility are reshaping the real estate landscape, our focus has been on helping clients make more informed decisions, unlock value and stay ahead in an ever-changing and often uncertain environment. This award is also a reflection of our team’s passion for innovation and our commitment to living the ‘Better never settles’ credo every day through creativity, collaboration and measurable impact.”

 

Established in 1993, the Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) is part of the global International Property Awards, which celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. The Awards are judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts who evaluate design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

 

NeuGenM Launches First-Ever LLM Advertising in India, South Asia & Southeast Asia Through Exclusive Thrad Network Partnership

Business Wire India

NeuGenM, the AI-native media and advertising platform, today announced the launch of LLM (Large Language Model) advertising across India, South Asia, and Southeast Asia — marking the first time brands in these markets can reach audiences directly within AI-powered conversational environments.

The launch is made possible through an exclusive regional partnership with the Thrad network, the leading infrastructure provider for LLM-native ad inventory. Together, NeuGenM and Thrad bring brands an entirely new advertising surface: AI conversations — where intent is highest and attention is undivided.

“Consumers are moving from search bars to prompt bars. They don’t browse ten blue links anymore — they ask AI for the answer. Brands that show up in that answer will win the next decade. With this exclusive partnership NeuGenM makes that possible for every advertiser in India, South Asia & SEA.”

— Ashish Thukral, Co-Founder & CEO

Our partners understand the region in a way no global player can replicate. This partnership gives brands across Asia direct access to the surface where consumer intent now lives.”

— Andrea Tortella, Co-Founder & CEO

LLM advertising fundamentally differs from traditional digital ad formats. Rather than banner placements or keyword bidding, brands appear as natural, AI-generated recommendations within conversational responses — delivering value at the exact moment a user is actively seeking information, guidance, or a solution.

Key highlights of the NeuGenM × Thrad LLM Ad offering:

  • First-of-its-kind regional access: Exclusive LLM ad inventory across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines
  • Context-first delivery: Ads surface only when contextually relevant to a user’s active query — zero forced impressions
  • Conversational format: Brand messages are delivered as natural-language recommendations, not disruptive creatives
  • Brand safety by design: Thrad’s inventory is curated, with full transparency and category-level controls
  • Performance measurement: NeuGenM provides first-in-market LLM ad attribution, tracking query-to-intent-to-conversion journeys

Early access is now open for brands and agencies across the region. NeuGenM will onboard a limited cohort of launch partners ahead of general availability.

Modon Partners With Montage Hotels & Resorts to Bring Ultra-Luxury Hospitality Brand to Egypt’s Ras El Hekma

Business Wire India

Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding and Montage Hotels & Resorts have announced Montage Ras El Hekma, which will introduce the first branded residences for purchase at Ras El Hekma on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. This is the first Montage resort in Egypt – supporting the emerging city’s growth as a global hub for leisure, business and tourism.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260517167234/en/

 

 

Modon partners with Montage Hotels & Resorts to bring ultra-luxury hospitality brand to Egypt’s Ras El Hekma (Photo: AETOSWire)

Modon partners with Montage Hotels & Resorts to bring ultra-luxury hospitality brand to Egypt’s Ras El Hekma (Photo: AETOSWire)

 

Montage Ras El Hekma will feature 200 guestrooms and suites, in addition to 96 Montage Residences, and will offer a curated mix of wellness and leisure amenities, including beachfront swimmable lagoons, a Spa Montage with 13 treatment rooms, and six dining venues, alongside retail and family-oriented experiences. Designed as the experiential core of the wider community, the resort will also feature event spaces, expansive outdoor lawns and terraces, and a dedicated Owners’ Clubhouse that complements the private residential setting.

 

At the heart of the Ras El Hekma development, the resort will create a hospitality-led living environment, blending private ownership with Montage’s signature approach to intuitive, understated luxury and a fully serviced lifestyle defined by ease, privacy and discretion. With no future phases planned for this collection, the residences represent a rare and highly exclusive ownership opportunity within a layered coastal setting that brings together 2.25 kilometres of shoreline, rolling fairways, an integrated marina and world-class hospitality experiences.

 

 

Bill O’Regan, Group CEO of Modon Holding, said: “Montage Hotels & Resorts are renowned for serving affluent travellers and homeowners, delivering an elevated guest experience and a commitment to refined living while remaining authentic to their surroundings. This ethos aligns closely with Modon’s vision for Ras El Hekma, where we are creating a distinctive Mediterranean destination defined by quality, experience and long-term value.”

 

 

Montage Residences Ras El Hekma comprise of a private collection of 96 branded villas positioned in Wadi Yemm, Ras El Hekma’s first precinct, designed to maximise space, light, privacy and seamless indoor-outdoor living. The three- to six-bedroom villas are oriented towards the sea, reinforcing a strong connection to the surrounding land and natural environment, with select homes offering dual views across the Mediterranean and a championship golf course.

 

 

Montage Ras El Hekma marks the international ultra-luxury brand’s debut in the country and the start of a broader partnership between Modon and Montage, with potential for further collaboration across Modon’s destinations. New properties will add to Montage Hotels & Resorts’ existing portfolio of six ultra-luxury resorts and residences across the United States and Mexico, as well as additional properties planned in the Bahamas, Punta Mita, and Valle de Guadalupe.

 

 

Alan J. Fuerstman, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Montage International, said: “Bringing the Montage brand to Egypt with Modon is a truly exciting milestone in our global journey. Ras El Hekma is a remarkable destination, where rich heritage and thoughtful design come together in a way that is redefining luxury along the Mediterranean coast. We are honoured to collaborate with Modon to bring this vision to life and to build on their outstanding reputation for creating vibrant communities and delivering world-class sporting and lifestyle experiences.”

 

 

Montage Ras El Hekma forms part of the USD 35 billion Ras El Hekma masterplan, a 170.8 million square metre development transforming Egypt’s Northern Coast into a next-generation city expected to attract investment of USD 110 billion by 2045. The resort and residences will be set within Wadi Yemm, the first of Ras El Hekma’s 17 planned precincts to move into active delivery. As the city’s first fully integrated coastal community, it represents the opening chapter of the broader masterplan vision.

 

 

Wadi Yemm will also feature a series of cultural landmarks that will help shape the identity of the wider city, including the Ras El Hekma Lighthouse and an amphitheatre designed to host up to 10,000 guests across an annual programme of cultural and entertainment events.

 

 

Ras El Hekma is designed for seamless access by road, sea, and air, placing it within four hours’ flight time of nearly half the world’s population. The destination will include a new international airport integrated with high-speed rail networks, major highways, and marinas, alongside a dedicated cruise terminal.

 

 

Spanning 44 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, Ras El Hekma will deliver a mix of leisure, hospitality and cultural offerings. At its core, the destination will feature a central business and financial district, supported by education, residential and mixed-use districts designed to sustain a vibrant year-round community.

 

 

Upon completion, Ras El Hekma is expected to contribute approximately USD 25 billion annually to Egypt’s GDP and create around 750,000 jobs, establishing it as one of the region’s largest urban development and investment projects.

 

 

For more information, prospective buyers can visit modon.com or call 800 MODON in the UAE, 7734 in Egypt, or +201122222734 for international enquiries.

 

 

For more information on Montage Ras El Hekma, please visit www.montage.com and follow @montagehotels and @montageraselhekma.

 

 

About Modon

 

 

Modon is an international holding company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). Modon is at the forefront of urban innovation, creating iconic designs and experiences that continually surpass expectations. From real estate to hospitality, asset and investment management, events, catering and tourism, and urban infrastructure, we are bringing cities to life through delivering long-term and sustainable value.

 

 

About Montage Hotels & Resorts

 

 

Montage Hotels & Resorts is the ultra-luxury hospitality management company founded by Alan J. Fuerstman. Designed to serve the affluent and discerning traveler and homeowner, the company features an artistic collection of distinctive hotels, resorts, and residences. Each Montage property offers comfortable elegance, a unique sense of place and spirit, impeccable hospitality and memorable culinary, spa and lifestyle experiences. The portfolio of hotels, resorts and residences includes: Montage Laguna Beach, Montage Deer Valley, Montage Palmetto Bluff, Montage Los Cabos, Montage Healdsburg, and Montage Big Sky. Future destinations include Montage Cay, Montage Punta Mita, Montage Valle de Guadalupe and Montage Ras El Hekma. Montage Hotels & Resorts is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information, follow @montagehotels or visit www.montage.com.

 

 

*Source: AETOSWire

 

 

 

 

 

TetraMem Announces 22nm Multi-Level RRAM Analog In-Memory Computing SoC Milestone

Business Wire India

TetraMem Inc., a Silicon Valley–based semiconductor company developing analog in-memory computing (IMC) solutions, today announced the successful tape-out, manufacturing, and initial silicon validation of its MLX200 platform, a 22nm multi-level RRAM-based analog IMC system-on-chip (SoC).

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260516556464/en/

 

 

Photograph of the MLX200 chip with a five-cent coin for size reference

Photograph of the MLX200 chip with a five-cent coin for size reference

 

The achievement marks a significant step toward the commercialization of analog computing architectures based on emerging non-volatile memory technologies, addressing the growing challenges of data movement, power consumption, and thermal constraints in modern AI systems.

 

 

As AI workloads continue to scale, system performance is increasingly constrained by the cost of moving data between memory and compute units. Analog in-memory computing offers a fundamentally different approach by performing computation directly within memory arrays, significantly reducing data movement and improving system-level efficiency. TetraMem’s MLX200 platform integrates multi-level RRAM arrays with mixed-signal compute engines to enable high-throughput vector-matrix operations within memory, while maintaining compatibility with advanced CMOS processes.

 

 

The multi-level RRAM technology demonstrated at the TSMC 22nm process provides key attributes required for practical deployment, including CMOS compatibility with minimal additional process complexity, low-voltage and low-current operation, strong retention and endurance characteristics, and high multi-level capability that supports improved memory and compute density. Early silicon results indicate consistent functionality across arrays, supporting the viability of this approach for both embedded non-volatile memory and compute-in-memory applications.

 

 

This milestone builds on TetraMem’s earlier work on the MX100 platform, fabricated on the TSMC 65nm CMOS process, where the company demonstrated multi-level RRAM devices with thousands of conductance levels (“Thousands of conductance levels in memristors integrated on CMOS,” Nature, March 2023), as well as high-precision analog computing capabilities (“Programming memristor arrays with arbitrarily high precision for analog computing,” Science, February 2024). These prior results established a strong scientific and engineering foundation for scaling the technology to more advanced nodes.

 

 

Since 2019, TetraMem has worked closely with the world leading semiconductor foundry to advance RRAM technology from early-stage research into manufacturable silicon. The progress achieved at 22nm reflects continued development in process integration, device uniformity, and system-level co-design.

 

 

The MLX200 and MLX201 platforms are designed to support power- and latency-sensitive edge AI applications, including voice and audio processing, wearable devices, IoT systems, and always-on sensing. Evaluated sampling is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, and multi-level RRAM memory IP is available for evaluation and potential licensing.

 

 

Dr. Glenn Ge, Co-founder and CEO of TetraMem, commented, “This milestone reflects years of close collaboration with our foundry partner TSMC and demonstrates the feasibility of bringing multi-level RRAM and analog in-memory computing from computing architecture breakthrough into advanced-node commercial silicon. We believe this approach provides a practical path to improving energy efficiency and scalability for next-generation AI systems.”

 

 

The successful realization of the MLX200 platform highlights the viability of multi-level RRAM-based analog computing on advanced semiconductor processes. TetraMem will continue to advance this technology to support emerging AI workloads with improved energy efficiency and system scalability.

 

 

About TetraMem

 

 

TetraMem is a Silicon Valley–based semiconductor company pioneering analog in-memory computing using multi-level RRAM technology. Its architecture integrates memory and compute to significantly reduce data movement and improve energy efficiency for AI workloads. With a strong foundation in device, circuit, and system co-design, TetraMem is advancing scalable solutions for edge AI and future high-performance computing, working closely with leading foundries and ecosystem partners to bring fundamental science breakthrough technologies into commercial variable volume production.