日期: 2026 年 5 月 19 日

Vaiz introduces agile project management tools as teams leave Jira for simpler alternatives

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Limassol, Cyprus – May 19, 2026 – (SeaPRwire) – Vaiz, the Limassol-based maker of a unified workspace for tasks and documents, is putting its agile project management tools in front of teams that have adopted agile in principle but find themselves buried in the ceremony that comes with it. Seventy-four percent of organizations now run on agile or hybrid agile approaches, according to Digital.ai’s 18th State of Agile Report — but adoption and effectiveness are two different things. In 2026, the question is no longer whether agile matters. It is whether the tools teams use to run it are helping them ship faster or just making the process more visible. The ceremony problem Most agile tools were designed to manage agile processes: sprint boards, story point estimation, velocity charts, burndown reports, retrospective templates. The tools are thorough. They are also, for many small and mid-sized teams, exhausting. Configuring Jira to run a ten-person team requires the kind of admin investment that makes sense for a fifty-person engineering org. Running Scrum ceremonies across three different tools — a sprint board in one place, specs in another, retrospective notes in a third — means teams spend their energy on coordination instead of delivery. Vaiz ships with a ready-to-use Scrum template that covers the full sprint rhythm out of the box: nine columns including a dedicated Ceremonies lane for planning, standups, reviews, and retrospectives, plus a Sprint Results area to keep outcomes visible across cycles. WIP limits on active stages prevent overload. Sprint Number, Estimated Time, and Logged Time fields let teams track capacity and spot the gap between planning and reality — without over-engineering the process. Engineering task categories cover Frontend, Backend, API, DevOps, UI/UX, and more. No admin required to get started. Teams comparing the two platforms directly can see a full breakdown at vaiz.com/compare. Why agile teams are choosing Vaiz Every task in Vaiz contains a native document editor capable of holding user stories, acceptance criteria, technical specs, and decision logs directly alongside the work. When a developer picks up a sprint item, the context is already there — no Confluence tab, no “where did we put that spec” in Slack. GitHub and GitLab integrations pull requests, branches, merge requests, and commits onto the task itself, so sprint traceability happens without manual status updates. The built-in AI assistant turns sprint goals into task breakdowns, drafts plans from briefs, and compresses long comment threads into action items the team can actually act on. For engineering teams working with AI-assisted development, Vaiz exposes a native MCP endpoint that lets Claude, Cursor, and other compatible assistants read and write directly into the workspace — no manual copy-paste between tools. Development pace Vaiz is on version 2.84 with regular releases since 2025, recently moving to a two-week release cycle. Releases in 2026 have delivered an improved UI, Slack integration, Cursor IDE support, and calendar integration. An iOS app is coming soon in Q2 2026. Switching and pricing Teams moving over from another tool can transfer boards, tasks, and history through Vaiz’s Migration Center, which currently handles Jira, Asana, Trello, YouTrack, Linear, and Notion in one click — with ClickUp, Monday, and Wrike on the way. The platform is free for teams of up to 10 users, with no credit card required. Paid plans are $5 per user per month for Pro and $9 per user per month for Premium. An on-premises Enterprise edition is available for organizations with data residency requirements. Every paid plan includes a 30-day free trial, and startups receive a 50% discount. More information is available at vaiz.com. About Vaiz Founded in 2024 and based in Limassol, Cyprus, Vaiz Ltd builds a cloud-based work management platform that brings task boards, documents, and automation into a single workspace. The product is used by cross-functional teams at startups, game studios, product companies, agencies, and growing businesses, and holds a 4.8/5 average rating across G2, Trustpilot, Crozdesk, and SoftwareSuggest. Media Contact Brand: Vaiz Contact: Mike Burton Email: marketing@vaiz.com

SMBC Group, Fujitsu and SoftBank agree on alliance to build Japan-made platform for sustainable healthcare

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Tokyo and Kawasaki, Japan, May 19, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMBC Group), Fujitsu Limited (Fujitsu), and SoftBank Corp. (SoftBank) today announced they entered into a basic agreement regarding a business alliance (the Alliance) in the health and medical fields with the objective of ensuring the continued sustainability of Japan’s healthcare system, which is based on universal health insurance. The agreement, concluded on May 18, will see the three companies build a Japan-developed healthcare platform aimed at achieving sustainable healthcare, contributing to the extension of healthy life expectancy of citizens, optimizing the management of healthcare institutions, and curbing national healthcare costs.Under the Alliance, the companies will establish a data platform that enables the secure and appropriate management and utilization of medical data held within healthcare information systems, based on individual consent. In addition, by combining this medical data with personal health data that is controlled by individuals themselves—also linked and managed based on individual consent—they will develop app-based AI agents that act as personalized health partners tailored to each individual.The data platform and related apps will be built within Japan-based data centers as Japan-developed healthcare infrastructure. Through this initiative, the companies aim to realize a secure and integrated framework that supports the entire patient journey—from daily health management to medical consultations, ongoing treatment, and post-treatment follow-up. Ultimately, this will enhance support for improving individual health outcomes, promoting behavioral change, and enabling more advanced assessments of disease risks.Furthermore, through this Alliance, the companies will create new businesses that contribute to streamlining costs caused by duplicate testing and prescriptions, disease aggravation due to interrupted treatment, and the progression of preventable illnesses and frailty. By promoting the optimization of healthcare delivery, they aim to help curb future healthcare cost increases on the scale of approximately 5 trillion yen, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable healthcare.BackgroundIn Japan, the population aged 65 and older has already reached approximately 30% of the total population, and medical and long-term care needs are expected to continue rising as the population ages further. As a result, the roles required of healthcare providers are becoming increasingly advanced and complex, including emergency care, home-based care, and the ongoing management of chronic conditions. To ensure that all can continue to access appropriate medical care when needed, both now and in the future, it is essential to extend healthy life expectancy through health promotion and preventive measures, while also establishing systems that enable the more effective use of limited healthcare resources. To realize such a framework, it is effective to continuously capture health information, including data from daily life, and leverage it to help prevent the progression of diseases and other conditions. This requires the effective integration of medical data, personal health data, and AI.However, at present, medical data standardization remains a work in progress, and personal health data is fragmented across different services, limiting the ability to effectively link medical and health data. Additionally, as the use of AI infrastructure located outside Japan expands, concerns have been raised regarding the handling of highly sensitive health and medical data. These issues are important from the perspectives of Japan’s data sovereignty and economic security.To address these challenges, it is essential to promote the standardization and interoperability of medical data at scale while establishing an environment in which various services handling personal health data can interconnect. Such an environment must enable the secure and appropriate utilization of data, with data sovereignty duly ensured.Initiatives Under the AllianceThe three companies will develop a data platform for the safe and appropriate management and utilization of medical data, along with a user app for individuals to effectively manage and utilize their health data, thereby building a domestically developed healthcare foundation.Within the data platform, data will be linked and referenced as necessary based on individual consent and in compliance with relevant laws and guidelines. Standardization and structuring of data will be promoted to enable interoperability with healthcare providers and private sector entities. This will support advanced data utilization for advanced clinical practice, innovative research and development, and operational improvements in healthcare institutions, as well as the delivery of healthcare services leveraging AI and data. Furthermore, with an eye towards future integration with public infrastructure such as the Nationwide Healthcare Information Platform and My Number Portal, the companies aim to establish an expandable framework aligned with the government’s healthcare digital transformation (DX) policies.In addition, by providing user app-based AI agents that support everything from daily health management to medical consultations and ongoing care, the companies will offer comprehensive support for individual health. The medical and health data required for this support will be obtained with individual consent within the user app and utilized within the scope of that consent. Furthermore, through collaboration with healthcare providers and local governments, they aim to create an environment where diverse services can be accessed through a single application.Through these initiatives, the companies will promote the development of a secure environment in which data can be used with confidence, while striving to balance improved healthcare quality and access with the streamlining of healthcare costs. They will also explore the creation of new healthcare services integrated with areas such as general life, public services, and payments, and support employee well-being through proactive corporate health management initiatives.Roles of Each CompanySMBC Group will be responsible for promoting widespread adoption of services based on this Alliance and enhancing value through the integration of healthcare and financial services. For the former, it will leverage digital touchpoints such as “Olive.” The Group has already begun offering “Olive Healthcare” based on its partnership with SoftBank in March 2026 and will further expand and develop this service. For the latter, in addition to promoting post-payment services at medical institutions, it aims to create services that provide both financial and health-related security and peace of mind.Fujitsu will lead the development and management of the data platform, the creation of AI for healthcare institutions, and the development of next-generation computing resources and platforms necessary for innovative drug discovery and development activities using medical data. Fujitsu will leverage its top market share in medical data in Japan[ＨＬ1.1], as well as its healthcare-focused large language models from the “Takane” LLM lineup, its “Healthy Living Platform” for healthcare data utilization under the “Uvance” business model to solve societal issues, and its expertise in data governance, security, and sovereign cloud technologies that ensure data sovereignty.SoftBank will lead the development and provision of domestically operated user apps leveraging sovereign cloud infrastructure and homegrown LLMs. It will utilize its extensive user base, including the “PayPay” ecosystem, “LINE,” and “Yahoo! JAPAN,” as well as its expertise in supporting health promotion for individuals, businesses, and municipalities in the healthcare sector. Through collaboration with healthcare providers and local governments, it aims to build highly convenient apps that enable users to access a wide range of services in one place.SMBC Group, Fujitsu, and SoftBank will leverage their respective customer touchpoints to expand the use of the Japan-developed healthcare infrastructure to a scale of 60 million users, while aiming for adoption by 4,000 medical institutions. Through these efforts, the three companies will support the health of the population, assist the management of healthcare institutions, and contribute to the appropriate curbing of Japan’s healthcare costs. In doing so, they aim to further enhance the sustainability of Japan’s high-quality and widely accessible healthcare system.[1] LLM Takane: A large language model jointly developed by Fujitsu and Cohere Inc.Press Conference MaterialsHeld on May 18, 2026Presentation Materials: Fujitsu LimitedAbout SMBC GroupSMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 150 offices and 120,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and ADRs on the New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 100,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.5 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsuAbout SoftBank Corp.Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is aiming to activate the potential of AI across its businesses and drive implementation in line with its “Activate AI for Society” growth strategy. While further growing its telecom business, SoftBank is expanding its AI computing infrastructure and AI and Cloud service businesses with the aim of becoming a provider of Next-generation Social Infrastructure. To learn more, please visit https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/Press ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic, Investor and Analyst Relations DivisionInquiries Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Anson Resources Engineering Study Confirms Green River as a Future Low-Cost Producer

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Highlights:First Quartile Cost PositioningStudy delivered low operating cost leadership, C1 OPEX estimate US$3,837/t LCECapital Cost/ton comparatively low, installed capacity estimate USD56,800/t LCEPositions Green River in the lowest quartile of the global peer OPEX comparisonMultiple Cost AdvantagesBrine reservoir pressure at 4,500 -5,500psi, reducing operating costsProprietary chemical-free iron removal, reducing operating costsHigh-quality brine chemistry, low impurity levels, reducing operating costsExisting nearby utility infrastructure, including power, water, rail, road and gas, reducing capital costsOptimized Technology Selection ProcessMultiple DLE technologies evaluated on financial returns, recovery and scalability basisClear Pathway to DevelopmentMaterial Project De-Risking, permitting and approvals largely completeDefinitive Feasibility Study commenced, project advancing toward Final Investment Decision (FID)NEWPORT BEACH, CA, May 19, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Anson Resources Limited (ASX:ASN) ("Anson Resources" or the "Company") through its 100% owned subsidiary Blackstone Minerals NV LLC is pleased announce the completion of a Front-End Planning Stage 1 (FEP-1) Scoping Study (the Study) , also referred to as a Pre-feasibility Study (PFS) completed for its Green River Lithium Project in Utah, USA, prepared by globally recognized engineering firm Burns & McDonnell based in Houston, Texas, USA. Key assumptions and estimated financial results are provided in Figure 1.First supply of battery grade lithium carbonate, fully finished onsite, is targeted for 2029. The Project has a 20-year mine life with initial capital requirement of approximately $568 million with operating cost of $3,837 per tonne, a base-case $1,373 million pre-tax NPV and 4.44 years payback. Anson has a definitive offtake agreement with Korea's LG Energy Solution for 40% of the annual production, see ASX announcement 24 September 2025.Benchmark Lithium Forecast Report Q1 2026 Base Case and Upside Case with representative forecast prices for the years 2029 and 2040. The full prices series is in Figure 1. Benchmark forecast price for 2040, the last year forecast, is assumed to remain unchanged through to 2048 2. Post-tax cash flows incorporate U.S. Federal and Utah State taxes and the applicable SITLA royalty, calculated on a variable sliding scale linked to realised lithium prices. The financial model and post-tax metrics exclude the potential benefit of Inflation Reduction Act production tax credits, grants and any other federal or state incentives currently available to critical minerals projects in the United States.The study builds on prior engineering studies and provides updated CAPEX and OPEX estimates, process design, and development pathways for a phase I 10,000tpa lithium carbonate (LCE) operation based on Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology.Market Conditions ForecastThe technical and economic assessment (+/- 50%) was calculated utilizing the base and upside cases for lithium carbonate price from Benchmark Minerals Lithium Forecast Q1 2026 as shown in Figure 1. Benchmark's forecast the lithium prices up to year 2040, this study assumes that forecast price for 2040 remains static through to 2048.Capital Expenditure EstimateThe capital cost estimate developed as part of the study reflects a comprehensive assessment of the core processing and supporting infrastructure required for the Project. This includes brine pretreatment facilities, the process plant incorporating DLE, purification and lithium carbonate refining circuits, as well as utilities and associated infrastructure. Site infrastructure such as buildings, stormwater management systems and electrical installations have been incorporated, together with offsite components including well pads, brine pipelines, utility interconnections, raw water supply and access roads. The estimate also includes construction indirect costs and a contingency allowance of 25%, appropriate for a conceptual level assessment, see Table 2.Consistent with a Scoping Study, certain elements have been excluded or only partially included at this stage. These include full wellfield development costs, financing costs including interest during construction, and broader corporate costs and insurance. In addition, allowances for commissioning, start-up and training, downstream logistics beyond the project boundary, and applicable taxes and royalties have not been fully incorporated. Owner's costs are excluded, which includes preliminary allowances for process media and resin, certain engineering components, and enabling infrastructure such as a natural gas connection and power system upgrades required to support the Project.Operating Cost EstimateOperating cost estimates have been developed based on the conceptual process design and an initial mass balance, incorporating assumptions for reagent consumption, energy and water usage, and fixed costs. These estimates are preliminary in nature and will be refined as the process design advances and vendor quotations are obtained, which may result in variations to the current cost profile. A break down of the estimated operating cost from the Scoping Study is provided in Figure 2.Peer ComparisonOPEX and CAPEX The Green River Lithium Project C1 Opex is positioned in the first quartile of the cost curve making it the most cost competitive project in North America. Capex per tonne of installed capacity is lower than any comparable project in North America. The Scoping Study confirms that the Green River Lithium Project is positioned within the lowest cost quartile globally, underpinned by a combination of structural and technical advantages. These include access to established infrastructure, the high quality of the underlying brine resource, lower estraction cost due to the pressure that pushes the brine towards surface and an optimised processing approach. In addition, the integration of Anson's proprietary iron removal technology provides a further competitive edge, enhancing overall process efficiency and reducing operating costs, see Figures 3, 4 & 5.Sensitivity AnalysisA sensitivity analysis was undertaken to assess the impact of key financial and operating variables on the Project's Base Case pre-tax NPV. The analysis tested changes of +/-20% to capital expenditure, operating expenditure and lithium carbonate price, see Figure 6. The results demonstrate that the Project is most sensitive to lithium carbonate pricing, reflecting the strong leverage of project returns to realised product prices. A +/-20% movement in lithium carbonate price results in an approximate +/-US$460 million movement in pre-tax NPV, representing approximately 34% variance from the Base Case pre-tax NPV. The Project is comparatively less sensitive to capital and operating costs. A +/-20% movement in either capital expenditure or operating expenditure results in an approximate +/-US$110 million movement in pretax NPV, representing approximately 8% variance from the Base Case. The sensitivity analysis indicates that while disciplined capital and operating cost control remain important, the Project's financial outcomes are principally driven by lithium carbonate pricing. This is consistent with the strong operating margin implied by the Project's low estimated C1 operating cost of US$3,837/t LCE and Base Case pre-tax NPV of US$1,373 million.Scoping Study OverviewThe PFS was undertaken to establish a clear and disciplined framework for the development of the Green River Lithium Project. The study focused on the preparation of AACE Class 5 capital and operating cost estimates, alongside optimisation of the process design and overall flowsheet configuration. In parallel, it identified the key cost drivers and development risks associated with the Project, providing a robust technical and economic foundation to support investment decision-making and progression toward a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). The outcomes of the study confirm that the Green River Project is underpinned by several inherent advantages. These include access to established infrastructure, such as power, gas and transport networks, and a high-quality lithium brine resource. The Project design incorporates a modular Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) processing configuration, allowing for scalability and operational flexibility. Burns & McDonnell's PFS included site and plot plan, provisional mass balance and capital costs estimates and utilities, chemicals, media and fixed costs for Anson to estimate Opex. ISBL costs are based on the preliminary engineering and cost information provided by the licensors (+/-30% accuracy). The resources estimate was prepared by Apex. Lithium pricing data is sourced from Benchmark Minerals. Financial analysis including NPV and scenario analysis was completed by the CompanyManagement CommentaryBruce Richardson, CEO of Anson Resources, commented: "The completion of the Scoping Study marks a significant milestone for the Green River Lithium Project. The study confirms our strategy of developing a low-cost lithium operation with a capital profile that compares favourably with global peers. This supports the adage "Grade is King but in brine Purity is Supreme!" As the lithium market evolves, investment decisions are increasingly driven by returns rather than sentiment. The Green River Lithium Project is strongly positioned in this environment, supported by competitive economics, advanced engineering, and a clear pathway to development. With the Definitive Feasibility Study now underway, we are progressing toward Final Investment Decision and remain focused on delivering a world-class lithium project in Utah."See Full Release HereFor further information please contact:Bruce RichardsonExecutive Chairman and CEOWill MazeHead of Investor RelationsE: Info@AnsonResources.com E: Investors@AnsonResources.comPh: +61 7 3132 7990 Ph: +61 7 3132 7990www.AnsonResources.comSOURCE: Anson Resources Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

‘Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026’: Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between global and Asian film markets

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Cannes, France, May 18, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - “Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026”, jointly organised by the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is held at the Cannes Film Festival from 12 to 23 May.Exhibitions, industry seminars, business matching meetings, project pitching sessions and networking activities are organised to promote cross-regional co-production opportunities while underscoring Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and a regional intellectual property (IP) trading hub. It also showcases the strength and creative diversity of Hong Kong’s film industry to the global screen community.“Hong Kong Night” enhances international industry exchangeAs a highlight of “Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026”, “Hong Kong Night” was held on 16 May at Majestic Beach in Cannes, bringing together around 600 international film professionals, including producers, distributors, investors and film promotion organisations. The event connected these global industry players with Hong Kong exhibitors, emerging producers, and Hong Kong actors Carlos Chan and Natalie Hsu, as well as winning teams of the FDC’s Content Development Scheme for Streaming Platforms, creating valuable opportunities for international exchange and discussions on collaboration.The Hong Kong Pavilion: industry strengths help expand global collaborationThe Hong Kong Pavilion is staged at the Marché du Film, featuring a strong line-up of Hong Kong film production and distribution companies, including Edko Films, Emperor Motion Pictures, Entertaining Power, Media Asia Film, and One Cool Film. Other participating Hong Kong film companies include Fortune Star Media, Golden Network Asia, Mandarin Motion Pictures, and Blast Films.Exhibitors feature a range of latest and upcoming productions, including Edko Films’ Cold War 1994; the Chinese film Under Current, the top opening box office title of 2025; Entertaining Power’s The Fruitless Tree; Media Asia Film’s Twilight of the Warriors: The Final Chapter; and One Cool Film’s crime action film The Trier of Fact. These feature film projects have attracted producers, investors and distributors from different countries and regions, facilitating in-depth discussions on Hong Kong cinema’s latest creative trends, production strengths and international co-operation opportunities.Anna Cheung, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “By co-organising ‘Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026’ once again with the CSTB, FDC and CCIDA during the Cannes Film Festival, the HKTDC  helps the Hong Kong industry follow up on projects discussed at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) held in March, and brings Hong Kong original works to overseas markets. We also support international screen productions in entering the Asian market via Hong Kong, reinforcing the city’s role as a vital bridge connecting Asian and the global markets.”Participating companies said the Hong Kong Pavilion provides a highly effective platform for meetings with international buyers. Many participants received enquiries and collaboration invitations and say that “Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026” significantly raises the profile of Hong Kong cinema internationally, making it a key gateway for market expansion.Grace Chan, Head of Distribution at Entertaining Power Co. Limited said, "I bring the family-drama-themed title ‘The Fruitless Tree’. It is very important for me to meet every programmer from different film festivals. This is a really good bridge for us to come here and present a movie to everyone in the market especially film festival programmers."Vanessa Lo, Vice President of Sales and Distribution at Media Asia, said: “Media Asia joined the Hong Kong Pavilion at this year’s Cannes market to seek partners for ‘Twilight of the Warriors: The Final Chapter’, and successfully established partnerships with buyers from multiple territories including France, Germany, Singapore and Vietnam, many of whom had previously collaborated on ‘Walled In’.” Mark Shaw, Director of Shaw Organisation, and Hang Trinh, Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Media, said: “The success of the ‘Twilight of the Warriors’ franchise stems from its strong cast, distinctly Hong Kong storytelling, and continued global demand for Hong Kong action cinema.”Exploring Asian film markets and seizing global opportunitiesA series of industry seminars and exchange activities were also organised during the event. At the seminar titled “Capital Flows & Co-Production Opportunities in Hong Kong, Asia and Beyond”, speakers shared insight into funding trends and co-production opportunities in Hong Kong and Asian film markets. Another seminar, “Hong Kong Power: The ground-breaking AI ecosystem building cinema, technology and research”, featured representatives from Mei Ah Entertainment and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, who discussed the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in film creation, production workflows and talent development. The session also explored how Hong Kong can foster cross-regional and cross-sector collaborations by integrating industry, academia and research, alongside the rapid advancement of AI technologies.The newly introduced “Spotlight on Hong Kong: Pitching Session” starred five emerging Hong Kong producers and their latest film projects. Award-winning teams of the FDC’s Content Development Scheme for Streaming Platforms also participated, with three winning producers — Kingman Cho, Li Ling Long and Tsang Tsui Shan — sharing updates on their projects. These sessions facilitated in-depth exchanges between the Hong Kong delegation and producers from different countries and regions on creative visions, production experience and collaboration models, with the aim of nurturing the next generation of Hong Kong film talent and enhancing their competitiveness in the international market.“Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026” also introduced its first-ever business matching meetings, connecting the Hong Kong delegation with overseas producer delegations led by international organisations. Participating international organisations included returning partners from Producers Connect @ FILMART 2026, such as Cinecittà from Italy, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), ICEX Spain Trade and Investment and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), as well as new partners including Telefilm Canada, CNC (France), Cinema do Brasil, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH from Germany, and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund. These meetings have deepened long-term collaboration between Hong Kong and international institutions, while promoting co-production and partnership opportunities between filmmakers worldwide and Hong Kong.Photo download: https://bit.ly/3Puddnp“Hong Kong Night” brought together around 600 filmmakers, investors, distributors, and industry representatives from around the world, and featured the attendance of actors Carlos Chan (far left) and Natalie Hsu (second left)Under Hong Kong Cinema @ CANNES 2026, a Hong Kong Pavilion was set up, attracting a wide range of Hong Kong film production and distribution companies to showcase their latest and upcoming productions, while exploring collaboration opportunities with the global film and television industryVanessa Lo, Vice President of Sales and Distribution at Media Asia, and Hang Trinh, Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Media, collaborated once again for the distribution of ‘Twilight of the Warriors: The Final Chapter’The seminar “Capital Flows & Co-Production Opportunities in Hong Kong, Asia and Beyond” examined capital trends and co-production opportunities in the Hong Kong and Asian film markets  The seminar “Hong Kong Power: The groundbreaking AI Ecosystem building cinema, technology and research” featured representatives from Mei Ah Entertainment and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, who shared insight into the application and future development of artificial intelligence (AI) in film creation, production processes, and talent development   The “Spotlight on Hong Kong: Pitching Session” highlighted five featured Hong Kong producers and their latest film projects, and announced the winning teams of the Content Development Scheme for Streaming Platforms previously launched by the Hong Kong Film Development CouncilMedia enquiriesHKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272  Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

宇樹科技、雲深處IPO進程提速 首程控股（697.HK）機器人投資進入價值驗證期

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香港, 2026年5月19日 - (亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com) - 隨著機器人產業鏈企業IPO進程加快，首程控股（697.HK）前期圍繞具身智能和機器人賽道的投資佈局，正進入資本市場定價與產業價值驗證的新階段。5月18日，上交所信息顯示，宇樹科技首次公開發行股票申請已進入審核程序；與此同時，杭州雲深處科技股份有限公司科創板IPO材料披露的經營數據，也進一步釋放出機器人產業商業化提速的信號。招股說明書顯示，雲深處2025年度營業收入為3.4億元，較2024年的1.03億元明顯增長；最近三年累計研發投入佔累計營業收入的比例為31.52%；2025年歸母淨利潤為2868.4萬元，而2024年仍為淨虧損1329.99萬元，已實現扭虧。上述數據表明，部分機器人企業正從技術研發和場景探索階段，逐步進入收入放量與盈利改善階段。對首程控股而言，宇樹科技、雲深處等頭部機器人企業IPO進程推進，意味著其前期在具身智能和機器人賽道的產業投資，正從一級市場佈局進入資本市場定價和價值驗證階段。公開信息顯示，首程控股通過管理的產業基金，在泛機器人產業鏈累計投資金額已超過20億元，覆蓋20餘家企業，包括宇樹科技、松延動力、銀河通用、雲深處、加速進化、星海圖等項目。隨著相關企業陸續遞表或進入審核階段，收入規模、研發強度、盈利拐點和產業化能力開始被量化，首程控股所持相關資產的價值錨也隨之更加清晰。綜合來看，宇樹科技IPO獲受理、雲深處經營數據改善，為首程控股機器人產業投資提供了更清晰的階段性驗證。隨著被投企業陸續進入資本市場審核和經營兌現階段，首程控股在機器人產業鏈的佈局價值有望進一步顯現，並在投資收益、場景協同和產業運營等方面形成持續增量。 Copyright 2026 亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Unitree Robotics and DEEP Robotics Accelerate IPO Progress; Shoucheng Holdings’ Robotics Investments Enter a Value Validation Phase

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HONG KONG, May 19, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - As IPO activity among robotics industry chain companies accelerates, Shoucheng Holdings (697.HK)’s earlier investment layout around embodied intelligence and the robotics sector is entering a new stage of capital-market pricing and industrial value validation. On May 18, information from the Shanghai Stock Exchange showed that Unitree Robotics’ application for an initial public offering has entered the review process. Meanwhile, operating data disclosed in the STAR Market IPO materials of Hangzhou Yunshenchu Technology Co., Ltd. (DEEP Robotics) further signaled an acceleration in the commercialization of the robotics industry.According to the prospectus, DEEP Robotics recorded revenue of RMB340 million in 2025, representing significant growth from RMB103 million in 2024. Its cumulative research and development investment over the past three years accounted for 31.52% of cumulative revenue over the same period. In 2025, net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB28.684 million, compared with a net loss of RMB13.30 million in 2024, marking a return to profitability. These figures indicate that some robotics companies are gradually moving from technology research and development and use-case exploration toward revenue expansion and profit improvement.For Shoucheng Holdings, the IPO progress of leading robotics companies such as Unitree Robotics and DEEP Robotics means that its earlier industrial investments in embodied intelligence and robotics are moving from primary-market deployment into the stage of capital-market pricing and value validation. Public information shows that, through the industrial funds it manages, Shoucheng Holdings has invested more than RMB2 billion cumulatively across the broader robotics industry chain, covering more than 20 companies, including Unitree Robotics, Noetix Robotics, Galbot, DEEP Robotics, Booster Robotics and Galaxea. As related companies file for listing or enter the review process, revenue scale, R&D intensity, profit inflection points and industrialization capabilities are beginning to be quantified, making the valuation benchmarks for Shoucheng Holdings’ relevant assets clearer.Overall, the acceptance of Unitree Robotics’ IPO application and the improvement in DEEP Robotics’ operating data provide clearer phased validation for Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics industry investments. As investee companies successively enter the stages of capital-market review and operating delivery, the value of Shoucheng Holdings’ robotics industry chain layout is expected to become more apparent and generate sustained incremental contributions in investment returns, cross-scenario synergies and industrial operation capabilities. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Shoucheng Holdings (697.HK): Robotics Investments Near Monetization Window as Dividends and Buybacks Strengthen Shareholder Returns

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HONG KONG, May 19, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Shoucheng Holdings (697.HK)'s first-quarter operating data presented a relatively clear business picture: its core operating base remained resilient, shareholder returns continued to increase, and robotics investment and real-world deployment advanced in parallel. The company's core operating performance improved, while the digital and intelligent upgrade of its parking business, the development of its robotics ecosystem, and the realization of investment gains are becoming key priorities for the year.Based on first-quarter data, Shoucheng Holdings recorded revenue of approximately HKD327 million in the first quarter of 2026, with profit attributable to shareholders of approximately HKD79 million, representing year-on-year growth of about 18%. This indicates that the company's core operating performance continued to improve.Robotics investment is one of the important sources of future profit flexibility for Shoucheng Holdings. The company's investment portfolio already covers a number of leading companies, including Unitree Robotics, DEEP Robotics, Galbot, TowardPi Medical and others. As some portfolio companies gradually move toward listing, Shoucheng Holdings' robotics investment portfolio is also transitioning from industrial deployment to earnings realization. Kang Yu, the company secretary of Shoucheng Holdings, said that if consolidated fund investment projects complete a new round of financing in the second half of the year, related fair value changes or investment gains are expected to provide incremental contribution to the bottom line.In addition to investment, Shoucheng Holdings is also advancing the development of commercialization scenarios for robotics. Taozhu New Creation Bureau has opened six stores, covering core business districts and transportation hubs in Beijing, as its offline retail network takes shape at an accelerated pace. Online, the Wall Breaker Project has become the top-ranked humanoid robot livestreaming channel across major platforms, with cumulative views exceeding 50 million and two appearances on Douyin's trending list. Market participants noted that these initiatives show the company's attempt to build a consumer-facing gateway for product display, sales, immersive experience and content reach. For the robotics industry, after technological breakthroughs, real-world scenarios, sales channels and user feedback will become important support for commercialization.The parking business remains the operating foundation of Shoucheng Holdings. In recent years, the company has continued to promote growth in its parking business and improve asset efficiency through digital and intelligent operations. With the development of new forms of transportation such as Robotaxi services, unmanned delivery vehicles and autonomous-driving shuttles, the functional boundaries of parking scenarios are also expanding, extending from traditional parking fees to integrated functions such as EV charging, fleet dispatching, maintenance and servicing, parking and data connectivity.On this basis, Shoucheng Holdings is accelerating its Robotaxi strategic deployment and reconstructing traditional parking facilities into operational hubs for autonomous vehicles. Under this model, parking facilities are no longer merely vehicle storage spaces, but also take on infrastructure functions such as intelligent dispatching, automatic charging, outsourced maintenance services and data interaction. As autonomous-driving operation scenarios continue to expand, parking assets are expected to extend from traditional operating scenarios to infrastructure nodes for intelligent transportation.In terms of shareholder returns, the board of Shoucheng Holdings has decided to distribute a special dividend of approximately HKD470 million. Based on last year's dividend of approximately HKD310 million and the company's market capitalization of HKD13.52 billion at the close on May 15, the annual dividend yield is estimated at approximately 5.77%. Share buybacks are also an important measure for the company to strengthen shareholder returns. Since the beginning of 2026, Shoucheng Holdings has repurchased approximately HKD262 million worth of shares, with buybacks conducted on almost every trading day. The special dividend highlights the company's cash flow capability and willingness to distribute dividends, while share repurchases reflect its view of the current valuation level. Together, the two measures have helped the company form a clearer shareholder return framework.Overall, Shoucheng Holdings is advancing its business layout around three main lines: its operating foundation, shareholder returns and industrial investment. Parking assets and asset management operations provide a cash flow base; dividends and buybacks enhance capital returns; and robotics investment, Taozhu New Creation Bureau and Robotaxi-related deployment open up new room for growth. As portfolio companies advance their IPO processes, offline scenarios continue to expand and the digital and intelligent upgrade of the parking business progresses, the company's business structure is expected to be further optimized, while asset operation efficiency and industrial synergy capabilities should continue to improve. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

首程控股（697.HK）機器人投資即將進入兌現窗口 分紅回購強化股東回報

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香港, 2026年5月19日 - (亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com) - 首程控股（697.HK）一季度經營數據呈現出較清晰的業務主線：經營基本盤保持韌性，股東回報力度持續提升，機器人投資與場景落地同步推進。公司核心經營表現有所改善，停車業務數智化升級、機器人生態建設及投資收益兌現，正成為全年業務推進的重點方向。從一季度數據看，首程控股2026年一季度收入約3.27億港元，歸母溢利約0.79億港元，同比增長約18%，顯示公司核心經營表現仍保持改善態勢。機器人投資是首程控股後續利潤彈性的重要來源之一。公司投資版圖已覆蓋宇樹科技、雲深處、銀河通用、圖湃醫療等多家頭部企業。隨著部分企業陸續進入上市推進階段，首程控股的機器人投資組合也進入從產業布局向收益兌現過渡的階段。首程控股公司董秘康雨表示，若併表基金投資項目在下半年完成新一輪融資，相關公允價值變動或投資收益有望對利潤端形成增量貢獻。除投資外，首程控股也在推進機器人商業化場景建設。陶朱新造局已開業六家門店，覆蓋北京核心商圈及交通樞紐，線下零售網絡加速成型；線上方面，破壁人計劃躋身全網第一人形機器人直播間，累計播放量突破5000萬，並兩度登上抖音熱榜。市場人士指出，上述動作顯示，公司正在嘗試建立面向消費者的展示、銷售、體驗和內容傳播入口。對於機器人產業而言，技術突破之後，真實場景、銷售渠道和用戶反饋，將成為商業化落地的重要支撐。停車業務仍是首程控股的經營基本盤。近年來，公司持續推動停車業務增長，並通過數智化運營提升資產效率。隨著Robotaxi、無人配送車、自動駕駛接駁等新型交通形態發展，停車場景的功能邊界也在拓展，由傳統停車收費逐步延伸至補能、調度、維保、停放和數據連接等複合功能。在此基礎上，首程控股正加速推進Robotaxi戰略布局，將傳統停車場重構為「無人駕駛母港」。在這一模式下，停車場不再只是車輛停放空間，而是進一步承擔智能調度、自動充電、維保託管及數據交互等基礎設施功能。隨著無人駕駛運營場景逐步拓展，停車資產有望從傳統運營場景，延伸至智能交通基礎設施節點。股東回報方面，首程控股本期董事會決定派發特別股息約4.7億港元。若按照去年業績分紅約3.1億港元測算，並以5月15日收盤對應市值135.2億港元為基礎，年度派息率約為5.77%。回購同樣是公司強化股東回報的重要動作。2026年以來，首程控股已累計回購金額約2.62億港元，幾乎每個交易日均有回購。特別股息強調現金流能力和分紅意願，股份回購則體現公司對當前估值水平的態度，二者結合，使公司形成了更清晰的資本回報框架。綜合來看，首程控股正圍繞經營基本盤、股東回報和產業投資三條主線推進業務布局。停車資產與資產管理業務提供現金流基礎，分紅與回購增強資本回報，機器人投資、陶朱新造局及Robotaxi相關布局則打開新的增長空間。隨著被投企業IPO進程推進、線下場景持續擴展以及停車業務數智化升級，公司業務結構有望進一步優化，資產運營效率和產業協同能力也將繼續提升。 Copyright 2026 亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com