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Strategic acquisition establishes an immediate, localized footprint in Japan, advancing Energy Vault’s global own & operate strategy in a high-growth, underpenetrated market

Transaction includes onboarding of a proven local Japanese development team and 350 MW of advanced-stage projects targeted to reach Notice to Proceed (NTP) in H2 2027, with Commercial Operation Dates (COD) expected in mid-2028

Acquisition brings total MWs for Energy Vault’s owned assets acquired, under construction and in operation to over 1 GW across all asset classes and geographies, expected to yield over $180M+ in annual recurring EBITDA run rate ahead of previous guidance

Westlake Village, CA, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) (“Energy Vault” or the “Company”), a global leader in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage and AI compute infrastructure solutions, today announced its formal entry into the Japanese market through a binding agreement to acquire a pipeline of BESS projects from a leading domestic energy storage developer. The transaction includes the integration of an established team of local energy experts and the acquisition of a high-quality, 850 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) development portfolio, positioning Energy Vault to capitalize on one of the fastest growing and structurally-advantaged energy storage markets among developed economies.

The acquired portfolio consists of 350 MW of advanced-stage BESS projects targeted to commence construction in H2 2027 and reach commercial operations beginning in H2 2028. The portfolio also includes 500 MW of early-stage BESS projects, providing a robust, multi-year growth pipeline that positions Energy Vault for long-term leadership in the Japanese energy storage market.

This acquisition establishes Energy Vault’s immediate presence in Japan, directly capitalizing on a uniquely attractive market driven by increasing grid constraints, rapid renewable penetration, and a projected 50%+ CAGR in BESS capacity. A critical component of this entry strategy is the onboarding of the local development team into Energy Vault, securing invaluable on-the-ground expertise in Japanese land rights, complex permitting, and utility interconnections. By combining this local development savvy and execution capability with our global integration, supply chain and asset ownership expertise, Energy Vault is uniquely positioned to support Japan’s 2050 carbon-neutral goals while delivering diversified returns across the country’s highly attractive wholesale arbitrage, capacity, and balancing markets.

“Entering the Japanese market is a key component of our high growth markets expansion strategy and represents one of the most compelling energy storage growth opportunities globally,” said Robert Piconi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Vault. “This acquisition provides us with a foundational leadership position in Japan with advanced stage, attractive storage IPP projects coupled with critical local execution capabilities necessary to deliver at the highest performance levels within the Japanese BESS market. By combining our proprietary VaultOS™ energy management software and global supply chain with a proven local team, we are uniquely positioned to accelerate the deployment of the flexible capacity that the Japanese grid urgently requires. Furthermore, we expect to leverage our new solutions in the high-growth AI Compute segments to further compound growth opportunities within the market to enhance delivery of predictable, high-margin, long-term revenue streams ahead of our previously stated growth targets.”

The Japanese energy market is undergoing a fundamental structural shift toward “revenue stacking,” where BESS assets are increasingly required to generate diversified yields from wholesale arbitrage, capacity markets, and critical balancing services to ensure system stability. To meet these specific market dynamics, which demand exceptionally high energy density and stringent safety profiles, Energy Vault intends to leverage its technology-agnostic approach. This includes deploying its B-VAULT™ AC Technology Platform and integrating alternative chemistries, building upon the Company’s recently announced partnership with Peak Energy to commercialize next-generation sodium-ion battery technology.

“Despite being a highly developed economy, Japan’s energy storage market remains significantly underpenetrated and is now entering a period of accelerated growth driven by renewable expansion and structural grid constraints. Importantly, storage demand in Japan is not tied to load growth, but to the increasing need for flexibility, resilience, and system stability—creating a powerful, long-duration growth tailwind for our broad portfolio of solutions,” added Piconi.

Energy Vault’s platform creates a fully integrated value chain spanning the complete infrastructure lifecycle, from initial development through long-term operations, enabling the Company to generate stable, recurring cash flows from owned assets. By self-performing critical functions including engineering, procurement, construction, and ongoing service agreements, Energy Vault produces diversified revenue streams while maintaining strategic flexibility to deploy capital where it delivers optimal returns.

Energy Vault’s active global portfolio of owned assets now encompasses over 1 GW of critical energy and AI digital compute infrastructure in operation or under construction, including newly announced expansions in “powered land” and “powered shell” modular data centers in the US market. These assets announced to date are expected to yield over $180M+ in annual, recurring EBITDA streams once fully constructed and operational in the next 12-36 months, well ahead of our previously stated guidance.

About Energy Vault
Energy Vault® develops, deploys and operates utility-scale energy storage solutions designed to transform the world’s approach to sustainable energy storage. The Company’s comprehensive offerings include proprietary battery, gravity and green hydrogen energy storage technologies supporting a variety of customer use cases delivering safe and reliable energy system dispatching and optimization. Each storage solution is supported by the Company’s technology-agnostic energy management system software and integration platform. Unique to the industry, Energy Vault’s innovative technology portfolio delivers customized short, long and multi-day/ultra-long duration energy storage solutions to help utilities, independent power producers, and large industrial energy users significantly reduce levelized energy costs while maintaining power reliability. Since 2024, Energy Vault has executed an “Own & Operate” asset management strategy developed to generate predictable, recurring and high margin tolling revenue streams, positioning the Company for continued growth in the rapidly evolving energy storage asset infrastructure market. Please visit www.energyvault.com for more information.

Sonoma County, CA, 9th April 2026, ZEXPRWIRE — Sonoma Manufactured Homes, a locally owned leader in high-quality prefabricated housing, is proud to highlight its innovative approach to improving indoor air quality and moisture control in modern modular homes. With over 50 years of high-end construction experience, the company continues to deliver forward-thinking solutions that address one of the most common yet overlooked challenges in energy-efficient housing: humidity management.

Modular homes are widely recognized for their speed, efficiency, and affordability. However, their tightly constructed designs—built to maximize energy efficiency—can inadvertently trap moisture without proper ventilation. This can lead to condensation on windows and walls, mold and mildew growth, and increased strain on HVAC systems.

To combat these issues, Sonoma Manufactured Homes specializes in built-in dehumidification systems tailored specifically for compact and efficient living environments. These systems are designed to seamlessly integrate into modern home layouts while delivering powerful moisture control.

“Our goal is to not only build beautiful, high-quality homes but also ensure they perform exceptionally well over time,” said a company representative. “Effective moisture management is essential for protecting both the structure of the home and the health of the people living in it.”

At the forefront of their offerings is the IW25, a tankless, tamperproof, gravity-drained wall-mounted dehumidifier capable of covering up to 1,500 square feet. This flagship product is ideal for modular and prefab homes, student and senior housing, as well as hospitality and multifamily applications. Its compact, maintenance-friendly design makes it a practical solution for modern housing needs.

In addition, the company recently introduced the HWD45, a horizontal dehumidifier engineered for installation above doors, cabinets, or within crawlspaces. This flexible design is particularly beneficial in layouts where traditional wall or floor space is limited, ensuring that effective moisture control is never compromised.

These advanced systems not only help prevent costly structural damage but also contribute to improved indoor air quality and overall comfort. By reducing excess humidity, homeowners can experience fewer maintenance issues, lower energy costs, and a healthier living environment. This proactive approach also minimizes the likelihood of callbacks related to moisture concerns, making it an efficient solution for both homeowners and developers.

“Better air, better living—our integrated dehumidification solutions protect homes from the inside out,” added a company representative. “It’s a simple upgrade that makes a lasting difference.”

Beyond product innovation, Sonoma Manufactured Homes provides a full-service experience—from design and permitting to delivery and installation. Clients can choose from a wide variety of floor plans or collaborate with the team to create a fully customized home tailored to their needs. The company proudly serves Sonoma County and surrounding areas, offering expert guidance every step of the way.

As demand for efficient housing solutions continues to grow, Sonoma Manufactured Homes remains committed to enhancing comfort, durability, and long-term value for homeowners through smart design and advanced technology.

About Sonoma Manufactured Homes
Sonoma Manufactured Homes designs, builds, and installs high-end park-model prefabricated homes throughout Sonoma County and nearby regions. Locally owned and operated, the company combines decades of construction expertise with a customer-first approach to deliver exceptional housing solutions.

Contact Information
Website: Sonoma Manufactured Homes

The 700-square-meter destination at Amagertorv features a dedicated performance section alongside the Company’s innovative lifestyle and comfort technologies

Copenhagen, Denmark, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Expanding on its retail store network throughout Denmark, Skechers brings its revolutionary performance and lifestyle comfort technologies to Copenhagen with the city’s first Skechers flagship destination. Located in the heart of Amagertorv, the 700-square-meter store showcases the brand’s extensive offering of award-winning product worn by leading athletes around the globe, as well as its renowned innovations like Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins^® and popular styles for all walks of life.

“Skechers has experienced strong growth in the Nordics, particularly in Denmark. We have established a solid footprint across the region with 32 stores in the country, and our high-profile Copenhagen store has arrived at the right place and time to escalate our presence,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Offering physical galleries where customers can walk in, explore and experience our product firsthand has transformed every part of our brand—from our immersive World of Sports experiences to lifestyle and performance destinations. This all-encompassing flagship store joins our most prominent Skechers destinations around the globe—presenting Nordic consumers with the innovations, comfort, convenience and value that have made Skechers one of Europe’s fastest-growing names in footwear.”

“Our exceptional flagship retail space and Amagertorv’s high-traffic destination make it the perfect setting to connect our signature Comfort That Performs with locals and visitors from around the world,” added Peter Jørgensen, country manager of Skechers Nordics. “Amagertorv provides a premium space with maximum visibility alongside strong international and Danish brands where we can showcase the full breadth of our universe and offer a footwear experience beyond the ordinary.”

A re-imagination of mid-century design illuminated by state-of-the-art digital LED screens, Copenhagen-inspired graphics and even a giant Skechers Slip-ins^® shoe, the modern space showcases the brand’s popular lifestyle footwear collections for every age and activity: from athleisure, fashion, casual and work styles for men and women to a dedicated section for children’s product. The store’s Skechers Performance area offers a gallery of the brand’s innovations, where athletes and enthusiasts can experience the brand’s extensive offering for running, football, golf, court/padel, basketball, and outdoor footwear.

Skechers collections are enhanced with the Company’s comfort innovations and game-changing performance technologies—including its Skechers Hyper Burst Pro^™ Technology, Skechers Performance FitKnit^® Technology, Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins^® Technology, Skechers Glide-Step^® Technology, Skechers Arch Fit^® Technology, Skechers Max Cushioning^® Technology and Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam^® Technology. Shoppers will also enjoy a unique Skechers apparel and accessories range that will be new to Denmark.

The global roster of elite pros competing in Skechers footwear now includes Denmark football player Matt O’Riley along with Anthony Elanga, Harry Kane, Mohammed Kudus, Romeo Lavia and Barış Alper Yılmaz; basketball stars Joel Embiid, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jackie Young, Rickea Jackson, and Kiki Iriafen; and golfers Brooke Henderson, Matt Fitzpatrick, Bernhard Langer and Max Greyserman.

The new location at Amagertorv 11, 1160 København K joins four Skechers concept stores in Copenhagen, as well as 27 locations across Denmark. Consumers can also shop at approximately 5,300 Skechers retail stores, online at skechers.dk, and at department stores and footwear retailers around the world.

About Sports Connection ApS and SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc.

Sports Connection ApS is a subsidiary of Skechers U.S.A., Inc., The Comfort Technology Company^® based in Southern California. Skechers designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company’s collections are available in 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through skechers.com and approximately 5,300 Skechers retail stores. A Fortune 500^® company, Skechers manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

First dedicated Europe-India investment forum, hosted by FINMA-regulated SwissGlobal Private Wealth AG, brings together European allocators and Indian fund managers representing over €1 trillion in AUM. Mumbai edition planned for October 2026.

Zurich, Switzerland, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — On 12 March, approximately 60 C-suite decision-makers including European family offices, private banks, institutional allocators, and Indian GPs and fund managers collectively representing over €1 trillion in assets under management gathered at the Park Hyatt Zürich for the inaugural Europe India Investment Summit (EIIS) — the first institutional-grade forum dedicated to the Europe-India cross-border investment corridor to be hosted on European soil.

“European allocators seeking India exposure need more than introductions — they need a trusted platform and partners who understand both the opportunity and the complexity,” said Vishal Sawhney, Founder & CEO of SwissGlobal Private Wealth AG, and Curator of EIIS. “SwissGlobal, as a FINMA regulated Swiss institution and member of the Swiss Association of Asset Managers was uniquely positioned to build this platform with the rigour and credibility that institutional investors expect.”

The summit arrives at a pivotal moment. The EU-India Free Trade Agreement, concluded on 27 January 2026 and described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the “mother of all deals,” follows the EFTA-India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA, in force since October 2025) and the UK-India FTA (signed July 2025).

Together, India, the EU, EFTA states, and the UK represent approximately a quarter of both the world’s population and GDP. EIIS was conceived to translate this macro momentum into institutional-level action connecting the allocators who want India exposure with the fund managers who can deliver it.

“The inaugural EIIS Summit in Zurich marks an important step in building a new axis of trust between European capital and Indian investment opportunities. What stood out was the clear focus on tangible outcomes and long-term partnerships, rather than just dialogue,” added Patricia Falco Beccalli, Founding Partner at Falco Global Partners.

The programme was designed around the questions European allocators are actually asking. Discussions ranged from India’s regulatory complexity and capital market depth to the hard realities of VC exit timelines and India’s business climate — questions that rarely get honest answers at conventional industry gatherings. Sessions ran well beyond their scheduled time as participants challenged speakers and each other with sharp, candid debate on both the opportunities and the risks.

Mr. Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) outlined why capital markets will define the next phase of the Europe-India partnership beyond trade agreements.

Associate Professor Kate Sullivan de Estrada of the University of Oxford provided a macro geopolitical context with a depth of India expertise rarely found on European platforms.

“Ambitious yet grounded — a thinker’s summit in the best sense,” said Kate Sullivan de Estrada. “The EIIS brought together sharp minds, real-world experience, and a strong emphasis on human connection.”

Speakers from EIIS sponsors – Himanshu Singh (Country head – Germany, ICICI Bank), Milapsinh Jadeja (Founder & MD, iRoller Capital), and Marc Schiedermeier (Managing Director, Capital formation Europe, EAAA Alternatives) presented investment theses spanning public markets, venture capital, and alternatives.

A panel of active LPs and VC-GPs, moderated by Siddhartha Ahluwalia of Neon Fund, debated what is working and what is not in the Indian innovation ecosystem.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the founders of the EIIS for convening such a focused and high-quality gathering of investors, business leaders, and policymakers,” said Himesh Patel, Founder & CEO of Sync Neural Genesis AG. “This convergence of policy, capital, and innovation creates a uniquely attractive environment for global investors seeking to participate in India’s next phase of development.”

Building on the momentum from the inaugural event, EIIS has announced plans for its second flagship edition in Mumbai, October 2026 — opening the corridor in both directions by bringing European allocators to India for on-the-ground market access and engagement with Indian allocators and family offices seeking European co-investment opportunities.

Between flagship editions, EIIS will host private, invitation-only gatherings connecting allocators, GPs, and fund managers across the corridor year-round.

About EIIS

The Europe India Investment Summit is an invitation-only institutional forum connecting capital allocators and investment managers between Europe and India across private equity, venture capital, public markets, and alternative assets.

Inaugural edition: Park Hyatt Zürich, 12 March 2026.

Second edition: Mumbai, October 2026 (planned).

EIIS for Summit enquiries:

Vasu Srinivasan, Founder – Via Indica & Curator – EIIS

vasu@viaindica.com

https://swissglobalag.com/europe-india-investment-summit/

NorthStar Insights for Media enquiries

Arth Malani, Founder & CEO

ceo@northstar-insights.com

https://www.northstar-insights.com

New Mexico, USA, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Entrepreneur and developer Sujay Thakur is expanding his business portfolio with plans to launch a technology-driven property management company alongside a home healthcare venture, signalling a long-term strategy focused on innovation, care, and scalable systems.

The new healthcare initiative will begin in the home care space, with a future goal of developing a life sciences and longevity-focused engineering centre. Technology will play a central role, from patient monitoring to operational efficiency.

“We are at a point where technology can improve both quality of life and quality of care,” Thakur said. “The goal is to start with home healthcare and build towards something much larger — where science, data, and care come together.”

The U.S. home healthcare market is projected to exceed $200 billion by 2030, driven by an ageing population and increased demand for in-home services. At the same time, property management is undergoing transformation through automation, data analytics, and smart building systems.

Bringing Technology to Traditional Industries

Thakur’s approach is rooted in combining established industries with emerging tools. His planned property management company will focus on efficiency, transparency, and tenant experience, leveraging modern platforms to streamline operations.

“In both real estate and healthcare, there’s an opportunity to remove friction,” he said. “Better systems lead to better outcomes — whether that’s for tenants or patients.”

His interest in artificial intelligence, currently studied through Harvard’s D³ Institute, continues to influence his strategy. “AI is not just a trend. It’s a tool that can improve decision-making, personalise services, and scale solutions.”

A Long-Term Vision for Longevity and Innovation

The long-term ambition goes beyond immediate business growth. Thakur envisions a future where healthcare, engineering, and data intersect.

“Longevity science is evolving quickly,” he said. “If we can build a centre that focuses on both care and innovation, we can contribute to something meaningful and lasting.”

Call to Action: Preparing for the Future of Care and Living

Thakur encourages individuals to think proactively about how technology is shaping everyday life:

• Stay informed about new healthcare technologies

• Adopt tools that improve daily efficiency and wellbeing

• Support businesses that prioritise innovation and care

• Invest time in learning about emerging industries like AI

“You don’t have to build a company to benefit from innovation,” Thakur added. “But you do need to stay aware of how the world is changing.”

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Sujay Thakur

Sujay Thakur is an entrepreneur and CEO of Raj Holdings and Thakur Enterprises. With a background in global finance and over 1.5 million square feet of real estate development, he focuses on building businesses that integrate technology, education, and long-term value creation.

Chicago, IL, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Educational Awakening Center (EAC Seminars), a platform dedicated to self-awareness, mindset, and personal transformation, continues to expand its educational footprint through a combination of structured seminars and an evolving digital content strategy. Led by CEO Ariya Malek, the organization is focused on helping individuals better understand the underlying patterns that influence their thinking, behavior, and decision-making.

At a time when the personal development industry is saturated with motivational messaging, Educational Awakening Center has taken a different approach. Its programs emphasize clarity and depth rather than surface-level inspiration. The goal is to guide individuals toward identifying the root causes of challenges, allowing them to make more informed and intentional decisions in both their personal and professional lives.

Ariya Malek’s leadership has played a central role in shaping this direction. Through his work, he has consistently emphasized the importance of self-awareness as a foundational skill. Rather than offering quick fixes, his framework encourages individuals to examine how their internal patterns shape external outcomes. This perspective has resonated with a growing audience seeking more structured and practical approaches to personal growth. “Many people are looking for more than motivation,” said Malek. “They want to understand why they think and act the way they do. When individuals gain that clarity, they are better equipped to navigate challenges and create meaningful change.”

Educational Awakening Center delivers this philosophy through a range of learning formats. Its seminars are designed to provide structured, immersive experiences that allow participants to explore key concepts in depth. These sessions focus on helping individuals recognize recurring behavioral patterns and develop a clearer understanding of their decision-making processes.

In parallel, EAC has built a strong presence across digital platforms, where it shares insights in accessible formats. The organization actively publishes content on Substack and X, adapting long-form thought leadership into concise, digestible posts for a broader audience. This approach allows EAC to maintain consistency in its messaging while meeting audiences where they are.

A significant portion of this content is derived from Malek’s contributions to Forbes Councils, where he writes about self-awareness, human behavior, and intentional growth. By repurposing these articles, Educational Awakening Center is able to extend the reach of its ideas while ensuring that its content remains grounded in well-developed frameworks.

The organization also maintains an active presence on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where it shares educational insights and engages with its community. This multi-channel strategy reflects a broader understanding of how modern audiences consume information. By presenting ideas in both long-form and short-form formats, EAC is able to connect with individuals at different stages of their personal development journey.

As interest in personal growth continues to rise, Educational Awakening Center is positioning itself as a resource for individuals seeking depth and clarity. The organization’s focus on structured learning experiences sets it apart from more generalized approaches, offering participants tools they can apply beyond the seminar environment.

Looking ahead, EAC plans to continue expanding its educational offerings while refining its digital content strategy. The goal is to create a cohesive ecosystem where individuals can access insights, participate in structured learning, and apply new perspectives in their daily lives. “Our focus is on helping individuals think more clearly about themselves and their decisions,” Malek added. “When people understand the patterns shaping their lives, they gain the ability to change them.”

With a growing audience and a clear emphasis on practical understanding, Educational Awakening Center is steadily building a platform that aligns with the evolving expectations of the personal development space. By combining structured education with accessible digital content, EAC continues to support individuals in developing greater self-awareness and making more intentional choices.

About Educational Awakening Center (EAC Seminars)
Educational Awakening Center is a platform focused on self-awareness, mindset, and personal transformation. Through seminars, written content, and digital platforms, EAC provides structured learning experiences designed to help individuals better understand the patterns that influence their thinking and behavior. Led by CEO Ariya Malek, the organization is committed to delivering clear, practical insights that empower individuals to make more informed and intentional decisions. To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariyamalek7  

Nashville, TN, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Families gathered in joyful celebration this past weekend at the annual Edgehill Community Easter Egg Hunt, held at the historic William Edmondson Homesite and Gardens. Among the participants was The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, which brought its message of common-sense values and positive living to the heart of the neighborhood event.

Children raced across the grounds in search of colorful eggs while parents and community members connected in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Volunteers from The Way to Happiness Association distributed free booklets and shared simple yet powerful principles aimed at strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

The event took place at a location deeply rooted in Nashville’s cultural and artistic heritage. The William Edmondson Homesite and Gardens honors William Edmondson, the first African American artist to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Edmondson, a self-taught sculptor, transformed discarded limestone into striking works of art that gained national recognition. Today, his homesite stands as a preserved landmark and cultural treasure, symbolizing creativity, resilience, and the rich history of the Edgehill community.

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee is the local chapter of The Way to Happiness Foundation International, which was formed to promote a non-religious moral code based on universal principles that anyone can apply to improve their lives. At the heart of the foundation’s work is The Way to Happiness, written by L. Ron Hubbard. The book outlines 21 precepts, such as “Help Take Care of the Planet” and “Try to Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You,” offering practical guidance for living with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

Since its release, The Way to Happiness has been distributed in more than 100 languages and millions of copies worldwide, helping individuals from all walks of life embrace positive values and build stronger communities.

“Our goal is to uplift and support neighborhoods by sharing simple tools that encourage kindness, responsibility, and respect,” said a representative of The Way to Happiness Association. “Events like the Edgehill Easter Egg Hunt are a beautiful example of community spirit in action.”

As laughter echoed through the gardens and children proudly displayed their Easter treasures, the event served as a reminder that even the smallest acts—sharing, helping, and celebrating together—can create lasting happiness.

Sydney, Australia, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Australian web infrastructure company Sitecove has developed a new AI inference optimisation architecture, the Sitecove HyperCache Inference Protocol (SHIP), designed to significantly improve how large language models are served in production.

Originally built during internal performance work, SHIP takes a system-level approach to inference — optimising memory handling, cache behaviour, scheduling, and token generation as a unified system rather than isolated components.

In early real-world tests, SHIP achieved up to a 91% reduction in GPU usage and speed improvements of up to 12×, alongside gains in memory efficiency and cost per token.

Rethinking the Inference Stack

Most AI inference optimisation focuses on individual layers such as model compression or cache tuning. SHIP instead reworks the entire inference lifecycle, introducing a multi-layered architecture that compounds efficiency gains across memory, compute, and throughput — key constraints in large-scale AI deployment.

Built Outside the AI Establishment

SHIP was developed by a team known for web infrastructure rather than AI research.

“This came out of solving real constraints in our own systems,” said founder Adam Kerr.

“We weren’t trying to reinvent AI — just make it faster and more efficient. The results exceeded expectations, including reducing cost per million tokens from $49 to $4.”

Why It Matters

As AI scales, infrastructure — not models — is becoming the primary bottleneck. Improvements in memory utilisation, throughput, and cost per inference directly impact operating costs, with even small gains delivering significant savings at scale.

What‘s Next

Efficiency is emerging as a defining challenge in AI as GPU demand continues to outpace supply. SHIP reflects a broader trend of impactful innovation coming from smaller, systems-focused teams.

About Sitecove

Sitecove is an Australian web infrastructure company focused on hosting and performance optimisation for small to medium businesses. Founded in 2022 by Adam Kerr.

 

SOURCE Sitecove

First production-ready open standard for global AI agent interoperability

San Francisco, CA, 9th April 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — The A2A (Agent-to-Agent) Protocol project, hosted by the Linux Foundation, today announced major adoption milestones at its one-year mark, with more than 150 organizations supporting the standard, deep integration across Google, Microsoft and AWS platforms, and active production deployments across multiple industries.

In less than a year, A2A has moved from initial release to a production-ready open standard for seamless agent-to-agent communication. Vertical adoption spans supply chain, financial services, insurance, and IT operations, where organizations use A2A to coordinate autonomous systems across tools, vendors, and environments.

This rapid uptake reflects a broader shift toward agent-based architectures. As software systems operate more independently, coordination becomes the bottleneck. A2A removes that bottleneck by providing a common semantic model and version negotiation that standardize how agents discover, communicate, and transact with each other, without being locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem.

“AI agents are only as useful as their ability to collaborate, and the adoption of A2A by more than 150 organizations underscores the widespread enthusiasm for an open, interoperable protocol,” said Rao Surapaneni, Vice President and General Manager of Business Applications Platform, Google Cloud. “This momentum has quickly moved the project into production-ready use, allowing disparate AI systems to work together across environments and avoid the siloed, custom-built connections that often keep them from scaling.”

Updates and Adoption
A2A’s momentum accelerated with the release of version 1.0, its first stable specification. The update introduced multi-protocol support, enterprise-grade multi-tenancy, modernized security flows, and a defined migration path for early adopters, removing key barriers to production deployment. Features include Signed Agent Cards for cryptographic identity verification and a web-aligned architecture that supports familiar security and load-balancing patterns for high-scale reliability. Additionally, diverse agents built on various platforms, like LangGraph or CrewAI, are now able to work together, delegate sub-tasks, and coordinate complex workflows without sharing internal memory.

Cloud providers have reinforced that momentum by embedding A2A directly into their platforms. Microsoft integrated A2A into Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio and AWS added support through Amazon Bedrock AgentCore Runtime. These integrations position A2A as a default standard for building agent-based systems in the cloud.

The protocol has also expanded beyond communication into economic coordination. The introduction of the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) enables secure, agent-driven transactions, with more than 60 organizations across payments and financial services already supporting the initiative. Additionally, UCP is fully compatible with AP2 via its AP2 mandates extension, enabling it to capture strong cryptographic evidence of the user’s consent to purchase.This extends A2A into high-trust, regulated environments where transactional integrity is required.

Ecosystem Scale
Since April 2025, the number of supporting organizations has grown from more than 50 to over 150 — including AWS, Cisco, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow. The core repository has surpassed 22,000 GitHub stars, and the SDK ecosystem has expanded from a single Python implementation to five production-ready languages, including JavaScript, Java, Go, and .NET.

At the standards level, A2A is complementary to the Model Context Protocol (MCP), another Linux Foundation project. A2A defines how agents communicate and coordinate with each other across organizational boundaries, while MCP defines how agents connect to internal tools and data sources. Together, they form a foundational layer for interoperable, multi-agent systems that work across different technology stacks without requiring a single-platform approach.

Looking ahead, the A2A roadmap includes an interoperability specification, consolidation of efforts for registry and expanded testing and tooling, security and deployment best practices.

With a stable specification, embedded cloud support, and growing enterprise use, A2A is shifting from early adoption to becoming a core component of modern AI and distributed system architecture.

To learn more about the A2A Protocol:

• Visit a2a-protocol.org
• Review the technical specification
• Check out the project’s progress and codebase on GitHub
• Enroll in the new DeepLearning.AI short course, A2A: The Agent2Agent Protocol
• Dive into the Tutorials and Samples or consult the SDK Reference to begin developing with the production-ready standard

Supporting Quotes

“I began working on agentic AI at the end of 2024, when it was already clear that multi‑agent systems would only scale if discovery and communication were treated as first‑class problems. At Cisco, that led us to create AGNTCY and contribute it to the Linux Foundation to help shape an open foundation for agent collaboration. When A2A was later contributed by Google, the community came together around a shared vision. In less than a year, we’ve seen several generations of agentic technology evolve at unprecedented speed, and A2A has emerged as the syntactic layer that makes agent‑to‑agent communication reliable and interoperable. What’s most exciting is that this is just the beginning — there is enormous opportunity ahead to build richer semantics and interaction models that can turn an Internet of Agents into a planet‑scale reality.”

– Luca Muscariello, Distinguished Engineer, Cisco

“A2A provides the secure foundation for personal, team, and domain-specific agents to work together seamlessly across any platform. This protocol has established the foundations needed to move fragmented prototypes into a production-ready ecosystem where agents can safely coordinate and transact at scale.”

– Todd Segal, Distinguished Engineer, Google

“For AI agents to be effective in enterprise environments, they need to operate seamlessly across organisational and platform boundaries. The momentum behind A2A underscores the importance of open, interoperable standards for enabling multi‑agent collaboration. Microsoft looks forward to continued collaboration with the Linux Foundation community to help advance A2A and support an open agent ecosystem.”

– Darrel Miller, Partner API Architect, Microsoft

About the A2A Protocol
The Agent-to-Agent (A2A) Protocol is an open standard that enables AI agents to discover, communicate, and transact with each other across different frameworks, vendors, and platforms. Originally developed by Google, the project is now hosted by the Linux Foundation. For more information, visit a2a-protocol.org.

About the Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is the world’s leading home for collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Linux Foundation projects, including Linux, Kubernetes, Model Context Protocol (MCP), OpenChain, OpenSearch, OpenSSF, OpenStack, PyTorch, Ray, RISC-V, SPDX and Zephyr, provide the foundation for global infrastructure. The Linux Foundation is focused on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of the Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

 

SOURCE The Linux Foundation

Campaign urges marketers to reconsider the broader impact of the tools they use

Newark, DE, April 8, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Social Champ has launched #SociallySecure, a campaign aimed at prompting marketers, agencies, and brands to examine the ethical implications of the social media management tools they rely on every day.

The initiative follows recent industry developments in which a widely used social media management platform entered into contracts with a U.S. government enforcement agency, providing access to AI-powered social listening capabilities.

While such tools are commonly used by marketing teams to understand audiences and improve communication, their application in other contexts has raised new questions about accountability, transparency, and the broader impact of technology.

#SociallySecure is designed to bring those questions into the open.

“This is a conversation the industry has avoided for a long time. We spend our time helping brands build trust with communities. It’s worth asking what happens when the same tools are used in ways that may undermine that trust.” — Sameer Ahmed Khan, Founder & CEO, Social Champ

Reframing Tool Choice as a Values Decision

At its core, the campaign challenges a long-standing assumption in the industry, that social media management platforms are neutral tools.

These platforms aggregate data, track sentiment, and analyze behavior across millions of users. While these capabilities are essential for modern marketing, they also raise important questions about how that data is used, and who ultimately benefits from it.

#SociallySecure encourages marketers to view platform selection not just as a functional or financial decision, but as a reflection of their values.

To support those looking to make an immediate change, Social Champ is also offering a limited-time migration initiative, providing three additional months free for users switching from other platforms. The offer is designed to reduce the friction for professionals whose budgets or contracts are tied to tools they no longer feel aligned with.

“The tools we choose are not just operational decisions, they are value statements. Marketers have more influence than they realize in shaping the standards of the industry.” — Sameer Ahmed Khan, Founder & CEO, Social Champ

Creating Space for Industry Dialogue

Rather than focusing solely on product differentiation, the campaign creates space for discussion around responsible technology use.

It invites marketers and agencies to publicly engage with questions such as:

• What responsibilities do technology providers have beyond their direct customers?
• Where should companies draw the line on how their tools are used?
• Can ethical positioning become a meaningful differentiator in SaaS?

At the same time, creators and marketing professionals have joined the conversation across multiple platforms, sharing reactions, perspectives, and personal experiences related to ethical technology and tool choice.

Together, these contributions are shaping a broader industry dialogue, one that has, until now, remained largely fragmented.

A Shift in Industry Expectations

#SociallySecure reflects a wider shift in how technology companies are evaluated.

Beyond features and pricing, there is increasing scrutiny around data practices, partnerships, and the downstream impact of software products. For marketers,  whose role centers on building trust, these considerations are becoming harder to ignore.

By addressing the issue directly, Social Champ is positioning ethical accountability as part of the competitive landscape, rather than an afterthought.

About Social Champ

Social Champ is a social media management platform serving marketers, agencies, and businesses worldwide. The platform supports multiple social networks, offers centralized engagement tools, and provides team collaboration features designed for growing organizations.

The company maintains a public commitment to ethical business practices, including a stance against contracting with government surveillance or enforcement agencies.

Learn more: https://www.socialchamp.com/socially-secure-alternative/

 

Checkout the Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zsaJufbESW8

Website: socialchamp.com/socially-secure-alternative