Category: Press Releases

MINNEAPOLIS and NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Värde Partners, a leading global alternative investment firm, announced it has raised nearly $1.5 billion for asset-based lending opportunities through The Värde Asset Lending Fund II and related accounts and co-investments. The firm received support from a global base of institutional investors.

Through its established lending platforms and relationships, Värde originates loans and provides financing solutions for consumers, businesses, and lenders. The firm invests in lending strategies across a range of industries, including specialty finance (auto, equipment, and personal loans), commercial real estate (CRE), and technology.

“We are grateful for the strong support from new and longtime investors. Unfolding in front of us is one of the most compelling credit investment environments since the Global Financial Crisis, and we look forward to building on our track record of delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investors. The surge in demand for non-bank financing – an acceleration of a more than decade-long trend – underscores the need for private credit and magnifies already significant lending opportunities,” said Brad Bauer, Partner & Co-Chief Investment Officer.

Värde’s approach to sourcing and structuring investments with strong downside protection is honed by 30 years of experience originating credit backed by a range of assets.

“The growing demand for asset-based lending solutions and strategies aligns with our strengths and the global platform we have built over many years – a platform that provides insight into the credit and financing needs of millions of consumers and tens of thousands of businesses. Värde brings an experienced and well-connected team to the table as we structure customized solutions for strong borrowers in underserved parts of the market,” said Aneek Mamik, Partner & Global Head of Financial Services & Diversified Private Credit.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for CRE lending as the market addresses a significant amount of maturities against a backdrop of higher interest rates and reduced bank balance sheets. We believe this attractive supply/demand dynamic for lenders combined with our platform, which has originated $6.5 billion of CRE loans since 2017 and integrates our longstanding partnership with a leading loan service provider, positions us exceptionally well in this market,” said Jim Dunbar, Partner & Head of Real Estate Lending.

Värde’s latest Värde Views, Private Credit Opportunities in the Wake of Tighter U.S. Banking Regulations, discusses these opportunities in more detail.

About Värde Partners

Värde Partners is a leading global alternative investment firm specializing in credit and credit-related assets. Founded in 1993, the firm has invested more than $95 billion across the credit quality and liquidity spectrum in both public and private markets. Värde currently manages $13 billion in assets with teams in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific focused on Corporate & Traded Credit, Real Estate, and Financial Services & Diversified Private Credit. For more information, please visit www.varde.com.

Media contact

Värde Partners Communications and Public Affairs

communications@varde.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8930076

MONACO, Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovation and sustainability. These are the key elements of the projects presented at the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous. The two-day event, organized by Monaco Marina Management (M3), experts in development, management and promotion of marinas and yacht clubs, at the Yacht Club de Monaco, enables financiers, policymakers and innovators to get together and be put in contact with the whole marina ecosystem against a backdrop of sustainable tourism.

“We created this event to bring together all the structures and young people who propose technological innovations that can be applied in the smart marinas of the future and in yacht clubs,” says Marco Casellini, CEO of M3. At the end of the event, the International Smart & Sustainable Marina Awards were given for three categories, Startup & Scaleup, Marina and Architects. The Startup Award was won by ‘Nereid Water’ with a sustainable seawater desalination system that works with solar energy and does not release brine into the ocean. “We inaugurated our first plant near Toulon and a few days later we received this award. It means a lot to us because it is the consecration of all the work we have been carrying out for almost 15 years,” says the CEO of the Swiss company, Huy Ton That. For the scaleup section, the prize went to Omniflow, a company that deals with finding smart solutions for cities. “We have created a smart IoT lamp post that is powered by wind and solar energy. A series of other applications can be installed inside it such as security cameras, wifi and artificial intelligence,” explains Pedro Ruao, founder and CEO, adding that he is “very happy” to receive the award.

Karpaz Gate Marina won the prize for the marinas. Located in Northern Cyprus with its 300 berths, it has a beach club and a technical centre. “We have seen here – underlines managing director Liza Singer – a high level of competition, with very capable and established marinas and we are very proud to have won. We inaugurated our marina 11 years ago and it was immediately created as a sustainable and smart marina because it is located in a remote and underdeveloped area, in an area that is not politically recognized, therefore, with the aim of making the global yachting community aware of a new destination.” Limassol Marina, in Southern Cyprus, tied for second place. “We are very happy to have been awarded. Because we built this project from the ground up with a completely blank canvas, we were able to integrate the latest technology and best practice into the project and, in terms of operation, we continue to invest in latest technology to really show what can be done in marinas in terms of sustainable development,” says managing director Tom Lord.

In the architecture section, the Paris-based Fresh Architectures studio won the hearts of the jury. “In our project – explains Ulisse Gnesda, one of the founders of the studio – there are two main themes: the first that we safeguarded a part of the existing building, which seemed important to us and the other of recovering rainwater and gray water. The project interprets these two themes: the protection of the existing building and we have inverted umbrellas that recover the water.”

The event was attended by 50 startups and scaleups and 20 marinas and architects from 26 countries. The famous French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte chaired over the jury that decided among the numerous proposals.

For more information:
Press Office LaPresse – ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60311e1b-c83c-4172-845b-9b499d02a2a3

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f1b5173-2f27-4985-ba33-52e2f4477124

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8930337

Study Commissioned by AGF Investments shows full integration is projected in the next five years

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Sustainable investing continues to gain widespread acceptance among institutional investors and full integration is projected to surge in the next five years, according to a new study conducted by Coalition Greenwich and commissioned by AGF Investments.

Results from the Coalition Greenwich Emerging Trends in Sustainable Investing Best Practices and Wildcards for Institutions Study shows nine out of 10 institutional investors in North America and Europe expect to be investing sustainably or working toward the goal of introducing sustainable investment practices into their portfolios within the next five years. In fact, implementing sustainable investing across portfolios with full integration is projected to grow to three times today’s level in five years.

“It is important to hear directly from institutional investors, and those in North America and Europe are clearly indicating that their interest in sustainable investing continues to grow,” said Karrie Van Belle, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, AGF Investments. “At AGF Investments, it is a priority to take what institutional investors have told us and ensure our investment capabilities and products continue to evolve to address their desired outcomes in key areas like supporting energy transition.”

The study explored the priority themes most often targeted by asset owners through thematic approaches showing that asset owners are focusing on energy transition, water services and climate adaptation. In fact, the energy transition at 34% is the area most targeted by assets owners through thematic funds. At the same time, participants from endowments and foundations, cited a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as the top reason to increase their sustainable strategies.

The study also found that institutional investors are looking to integrate sustainability across asset classes. However, the motivation behind adopting sustainable investing practices differs with North American investors focused on improving risk-adjusted returns, and European investors focused on creating positive impact.

“The Coalition Greenwich study also shows some common trends and best practices are beginning to emerge that may make it easier for institutional investors of all types to confidently adopt sustainable investment strategies,” added Van Belle.

The trend toward full integration is picking up steam. Looking ahead five years, 63% of European institutions predict that sustainability will be integrated across their entire portfolio and in North America, 55% of institutions expect sustainability to be fully integrated within five years. Click here to view the full survey findings.

Methodology

From March through April 2023, Coalition Greenwich conducted 143 telephone and online interviews targeting corporate pensions, public pensions, and endowments and foundations based in North America and Europe to examine overall trends of investor intelligence on key aspects of sustainable investing and identify differing perspectives and approaches within it.

About AGF

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three distinct business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Private Capital and AGF Private Wealth.

AGF brings a disciplined approach focused on providing an exceptional client experience and incorporating sound responsible and sustainable practices across its businesses. The firm’s collective investment solutions, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With over $42 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 800,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

About AGF Investments

AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). The term AGF Investments may refer to one or more of these subsidiaries or to all of them jointly. This term is used for convenience and does not precisely describe any of the separate companies, each of which manages its own affairs.

Media Contact

Amanda Marchment
Director, Corporate Communications
416-865-4160
amanda.marchment@agf.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8929963

LONDON, Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (“Gorilla”) (NASDAQ: GRRR), a global provider of Smart Country AI, IoT technologies, and Cybersecurity, today announced a strategic partnership with GST Egypt, a leading solutions provider of Industrial Automation. They bring with them over 20 years of experience and success in the Egyptian and Middle Eastern markets, particularly in the field of securing data, automatic control, industrial computers, embedded systems, industrial network supplies, and control units and providing smart and integrated solutions for information technology, industrial computer systems, and command-control systems.

Gorilla has consistently been at the forefront of pioneering innovative solutions that effectively empower governments to adapt to the ever-evolving security landscape. The Smart Government Security Convergence solution improves decision-making, enables proactive threat detection, and expedites responses to emerging risks. Through the collaborative partnership between Gorilla and GST, the deployment of this groundbreaking solution is poised to attain unparalleled levels of success.

“Through our strategic partnership with GST, we hope to take another leap forward in our mission to empower governments and enterprises with cutting-edge integrated industrial solutions,” said Jay Chandan, Chairman and CEO of Gorilla Technology. “Together with GST’s unparalleled expertise and our dedication, we are poised to pioneer a new era of industrial efficiency, bringing advanced automation, cloud computing, and transformative technologies to the MENA region. The partnership shows that our commitment to realizing secure distributed connectivity has never been stronger.”

Key features of Gorilla’s integrated network appliances include:

1. Seamless Connectivity: These appliances facilitate seamless connectivity by providing a secure and efficient bridge between branches and the core network, eliminating connectivity bottlenecks.
2. Enhanced Security: Security is paramount in government operations, and these appliances come equipped with state-of-the-art security protocols to safeguard sensitive data and communications.
3. Scalability: As government requirements evolve, so too must their network infrastructure. The integrated appliances are highly scalable, ensuring they adapt to changing requirements.
4. Cost-Efficiency: These appliances offer significant cost savings over time by reducing downtime and minimizing maintenance costs.

“Gorilla Technology brings 20-plus years of creating innovative solutions for governments and enterprises across many sectors, and their mission aligns with our own,” said Lotfy El-Zentahy, CEO of GST Egypt. “It was only natural that Gorilla and GST would partner together, and we look forward to collaborating with their team of experts to further expand into MENA and provide powerful AI-enabled secure edge appliances needed to offer groundbreaking solutions that transform how enterprises achieve greater economic output and success.”

About Gorilla Technology Group Inc.

“Empowering Your Tomorrow”

Gorilla, headquartered in London U.K., is a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology. Gorilla provides a wide range of solutions, including, Smart City, Network, Video, Security Convergence and IoT across select verticals of Government & Public Services, Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Education.

The Company’s vision is to empower a connected tomorrow through innovative and transformative technologies. Gorilla envisions a world where seamless connectivity transcends boundaries, enriching lives, industries, and societies.

Gorilla’s commitment is to lead the way in pioneering cutting-edge solutions that bridge gaps, foster collaboration and inspire progress. By relentlessly pushing the boundaries of technology, the Company aims to create an ecosystem where individuals, businesses and communities thrive in an era of digital empowerment.

Through continuous innovation, ethical practices and a steadfast dedication to quality, Gorilla strives to shape a future where every interaction, transaction, and experience is enhanced by the power of technology.

For more information, go to Gorilla-Technology.com.

About GST Egypt

For over 20 years, GST has established itself as a leading solution provider of industrial automation for industry-leading companies in Egypt and North Africa. The company’s success can be attributed to its strong focus on the industrial automation market, a key strategic area for the organization.

In addition to industrial automation, GST also specializes in meeting interconnect product needs for military, aerospace, aviation, medical, energy, industrial, oil & gas, transportation, telecommunications, automotive markets, and industrial and telecom market segments in Egypt & North Africa Regions.

For more information, go to www.gstegypt.com.

Media Contact:
Jeff Fox
The Blueshirt Group for Gorilla
+1 (415) 828-8298
jeff@blueshirtgroup.com

Investor Relations Contacts:
Gary Dvorchak
The Blueshirt Group for Gorilla
+1 (323) 240-5796
gary@blueshirtgroup.com

Scott McCabe
The Blueshirt Group for Gorilla
+1 (917) 434-3275
scott@blueshirtgroup.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8929763

Uptick in Microsoft Teams adoption among Freshservice customers helps businesses of all sizes speed up employee service management with the AI-enabled integration

SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ: FRSH) announced a significant increase in Microsoft Teams usage by Freshservice^® customers to improve the employee experience through more efficient AI-powered virtual agent support. Microsoft Teams adoption among Freshservice customers has seen an average increase of 42% over the past three years. As a result, businesses using Freshservice are now able to amplify productivity for more than 250,000 users.

The generative-AI-powered Virtual Agent within Freshservice, an IT service management (ITSM) solution, along with Microsoft Teams’ ServiceBot, gives employees round-the-clock support and can facilitate rapid resolution of their needs within Microsoft Teams. The integrated solution also enables IT and other business teams to deflect tickets that helps save clicks and streamline work. In a July 2023 study commissioned by Freshworks, Forrester estimated a mid-sized company could save $2.1 million in three years by improving user productivity with the Freshservice Virtual Agent.

“Microsoft Teams has rapidly grown as the hub for collaboration,” said Srini Raghavan, VP of Microsoft Teams Ecosystem. “Through our work with companies like Freshworks that share our vision for AI, we aim to enable teams across multiple channels to solve employee issues swiftly, ultimately saving money and driving efficiency with next-generation AI for customers of all sizes.”

Using Freshservice, which is built natively on the Freshworks Neo platform, with Microsoft Teams, companies of all sizes can increase user productivity. Using AI-powered virtual agents, they can improve collaboration across business teams during critical incidents, and enhance the employee experience with faster resolution to allow for:

• Automated conversational support that boosts employee experience with faster resolution. Automation eliminates the constraints of working hours, giving employees access to conversational support from virtual agents within Microsoft Teams to speed up issue resolution whenever they need it.
• Increase agent productivity through AI-powered virtual agents. Freddy AI-powered Freshservice virtual agents empower business departments to focus on high-value tasks, allowing the virtual agent to handle common and mundane issues that often bog down humans. Agents can more quickly handle ticket updates and approvals.
• Improve collaboration during critical incidents. Freshservice notifies on-call agents directly in Microsoft Teams. IT operations teams can swiftly communicate to resolve major incidents, maximizing service availability and minimizing downtime all without leaving a single app.

Customers like A&E Networks and Haynes International are using Microsoft Teams with Freshservice to improve employee service management. Haynes International, a US-based materials manufacturer, increased business user productivity by 50% since using Freshservice integrated with Microsoft Teams.

Lyle Snyder, Senior Support Analyst at Haynes International said, “Traditional support channels for employees typically have complicated portals, which slow down support and are no longer acceptable for the modern workforce. The Freshworks and Microsoft Teams’ integration helps us deliver a simple and modern employee experience, all on one platform. We’ve already seen impressive productivity increases and expect both apps to scale with our evolving business and employee needs.”

The Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England, was able to decrease its average resolution time by 67% with the Freshservice virtual agent integrated with Microsoft Teams. “Our goal was to move away from employees emailing the service desk, and instead use Teams as a channel,” said Karen Spray, IT Service Support Manager at Office for Students. “Adopting the Freshservice Virtual Agent was easy, and the technical rollout took us about 10 minutes. Easy access to the Virtual Agent within Microsoft Teams made it all the more convenient and helped our employees solve many issues on their own thanks to powerful self-service features.”

“Our collaboration with Microsoft is a terrific example of our commitment to giving customers powerful yet easy-to-use tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced workplace. We’ve been pioneering AI for customer and employee support since we launched Freddy AI in 2018, and Microsoft Teams helps put that directly into the employee’s collaboration channel of choice. Together we’re helping customers deliver exceptional employee experience across business teams,” said Prakash Ramamurthy, Chief Product Officer at Freshworks.

For more information on Freshservice with Microsoft Teams, visit the Freshworks website.

About Freshworks

Freshworks Inc., (NASDAQ: FRSH) creates AI-boosted business software anyone can use. Purpose-built for IT, customer support, and sales and marketing teams, our AI-boosted products are designed to let everyone work more efficiently and deliver more value for immediate business impact. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Freshworks operates around the world to serve more than 65,000 customers, including American Express, Blue Nile, Bridgestone, Databricks, Fila, Klarna, and OfficeMax. For the freshest company news, visit www.freshworks.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

© 2023 Freshworks Inc. All Rights Reserved. Freshworks and its associated logo is a trademark of Freshworks Inc. All other company, brand and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third party of Freshworks Inc. or any aspect of this press release.

Media Contact:
Erika Howard
PR@freshworks.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8930304