Author: Media OutReach Newswire

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Cyberport’s flagship annual event, the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 (DELF 2026), opened today at Cyberport. The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Under the theme “The Dreamatic Circus”, DELF 2026 explores how artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, and other innovations are transforming the cultural and creative industries while creating new opportunities for digital entertainment and smart living. Running for three days, the event features four themed experience zones: Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones, showcasing more than 35 technology exhibits and interactive experiences.

Highlights include the immersive art exhibition of Hong Kong animation IP Another World, AI-powered fashion innovations, combat robots, drone performances, screenings, workshops, and competitions, offering visitors first-hand experience of emerging technologies.

DELF 2026 brings together more than 60 industry leaders, creators, academics, experts, and investors from Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas. The programme includes keynote speeches and panel discussions on AI collaboration, intellectual property development, the creative economy, smart living, film, gaming, animation, and immersive technologies.

On the first day, Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding respectively with Alibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Hong Kong Shue Yan University. The partnerships will promote AI innovation, art-tech development, entrepreneurship, skills training, and talent cultivation, further strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, and research sectors.

Over the next two days, DELF 2026 will continue with eVTOL flight demonstrations, esports experiences, AI creative learning programmes, and showcases of AI-assisted animation and film projects. A special “Play to Earn” campaign will also allow visitors to complete missions, collect rewards, and win exclusive Another World merchandise.

For more information, visit: https://delf.cyberport.hk/tc/index

Please click here to download high-resolution press photos.

Hashtag: #DELF

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

AI Unlocks the Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries, Reshaping Digital Entertainment and Smart Living Experiences

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Cyberport’s annual flagship event, the “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026” (DELF 2026), opened today at Cyberport. The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Themed “The Dreamatic Circus“, this year’s forum focuses on how innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, are reshaping the cultural and creative industries, driving their transformation while unlocking new opportunities for the development of new quality productive forces. The three-day forum features four themed experience zones — Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones — presenting more than 35 innovative technology showcases, interactive experiences and programmes. Highlights include the immersive interactive art exhibition of Hong Kong original animation IP Another World, dynamic technology experiences by Nikopicto, combat robots by GJS Technology, the intelligent fashion platform developed by Genesis ONE using AI and 3D tools, and other attractions, enabling the public to experience first-hand the new possibilities that frontier technologies bring to entertainment, lifestyle and business applications. The event also includes AI interactive workshops, film screenings, drone performances and various competitions, creating a vibrant and engaging digital entertainment experience for participants.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said in his opening remarks, “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2026 explores how agentic AI is transforming the creative industry, positioning AI not as a replacement for human imagination, but as a collaborative partner that helps deliver creators’ dreams more boldly. Over the past year, the HKSAR Government has transitioned from AI strategy formulation to active execution, steering Hong Kong towards “industries for AI” and “AI for industries” through “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach” in AI development. AI is transforming the digital entertainment industry, and DELF has always been about celebrating Hong Kong’s creative spirit. With robust computing infrastructure, a supportive policy environment, and a thriving creative community, Hong Kong is well-positioned to lead the AI+ era of digital entertainment.”

Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “Under the theme ‘The Dreamatic Circus’, this year’s forum invites us to explore what becomes possible when human imagination is empowered by technology. AI is expanding what creators can imagine and produce. To better support technology companies and their innovative work, with the recent completion of Cyberport 5, we are thrilled to inject new energy into Hong Kong’s I&T industry. Combined with our AI Supercomputing Centre, this advanced infrastructure provides an world-class environment for technology development, industry collaboration and commercialization. DELF is not only about seeing what technology can do today. It is about imagining what we can create together tomorrow. I hope the forum inspires fresh thinking, leads to meaningful collaboration and helps turn more of Hong Kong’s creative ideas into innovations with lasting impact.”

DELF 2026 brings together more than 60 innovation and technology business leaders, content creators, academics, experts and investors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to discuss how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and other frontier innovations are advancing the cultural and creative industries into a new stage of development and transforming modern smart living experiences. Guest speakers include Ms Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency; Mr Samuel Lo, General Manager, NVIDIA AI Technology Center, Hong Kong and Macau; Mr Leo Tsou, Head of Infrastructure Solutions Group Specialty, Hong Kong, Macau & China South (Greater Bay Area), Dell Technologies; Mr Zhaobo Zhou, Head of Solution Sales, Huawei Cloud Hong Kong; Mr Joe Chang, Regional Director, BytePlus; Ms Monica Zhang, AI Games Program Lead, Tencent Institute of Games; Mr Samuel Lam, CEO, X Social Group; Ms Ankie de Hoon, Board Member, Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur; Dr Jeff Tang, Lecturer, Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Ms Polly Yeung, CEO, Gudo Inc., among other industry experts.

The forum will feature in-depth discussions on key topics such as AI collaboration, IP ecosystem development, the cultural and creative economy, and smart living, focusing on how AI can become an important collaborator for creators and enterprises, facilitate the industrialisation of local creativity and original IP, and expand broader market horizons. A series of keynote speeches and panel discussions will also examine the impact of AI and immersive technologies on film, television, gaming, animation and other cultural and creative sectors. Topics include “Good Game: Building Healthier Entertainment Communities and Creating Lasting Social and Economic Value” and “Boundless Realities, Intelligent Imaging: AI + XR Empowering the Future Film and Television Industry Ecosystem”. Speakers include Mr Kun Gao, Director of GGWP Inc.; Prof Mike Fischer, Professor of Interactive Media at the University of Southern California; Mr Jixuan Wang, Director of the Management Office of Xi’an XR Film Industry Base, Deputy General Manager of Xi’an Film Studio, Xiying Group; Dr Tony Wong, Hong Kong Comic Legend; President, Comics and Animation Federation who will explore how AI can promote the development of original IP and create new opportunities for the cultural and creative economy.

On the first day of the forum, Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding respectively withAlibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts andHong Kong Shue Yan University. Its collaboration with Alibaba Cloud will support start-ups and enhance digital skills through the AI-Builder Program, joint training, technical resources, investment, and exchange opportunities. Together with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Cyberport will promote art tech, AI innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development, while exploring the establishment of the Cyberport Academy × HKAPA Immersive Studio for the research, development, and showcase of art tech and immersive technology projects. In partnership with Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Cyberport will focus on AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies to encourage tertiary students to participate in project-based initiatives, company visits, internships, and employment opportunities, thereby strengthening innovation and technology talent development.

These strategic partnerships underscore the value of DELF 2026 as a key platform for advancing academiaindustryresearch collaboration, while highlighting Cyberport’s pivotal role in connecting crosssector resources and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading regional and international innovation and technology hub. The three Memoranda of Understanding were signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, with representatives from each partner organisation. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, together with delegates from partner institutions, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Following the opening of DELF 2026 today, a diverse range of exciting programmes, experiences and competitions will continue over the next two days, including eVTOL aircraft trial flight demonstrations, accessible gaming esports experiences, and senior esports and experience days, enabling participants of different ages and backgrounds to experience the vibrant world of digital entertainment. Members of the public can also join Cyberport Academy: DELF 2026 – AI Cultural and Creative Micro-Academy to learn creative skills such as art concept design and audio-visual production, and enjoy selected works from the Future Animation: 3rd AI-assisted animation production support scheme and the 2nd HKUST AI Film Festival Selected Projects, experiencing the new possibilities created by the convergence of digital entertainment and creative technology.

To encourage the public to further explore the world of digital entertainment, DELF 2026 has also launched a special “Play to Earn” campaign that combines gamified missions with rewards. Participants can collect stamps by visiting the four themed experience zones and completing designated missions, and redeem prizes along the way. Those who collect all stamps will have the opportunity to win limited-edition merchandise from the Hong Kong original animation IP Another World.

For details of the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 and the full speaker line-up, please visit: https://delf.cyberport.hk/tc/index.

Please click here to download high-resolution press photos.

Hashtag: #Cyberport #DELF2026 #DigitalEntertainment

https://www.cyberport.hk/en

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Hong Kong Cyberport

Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,400 companies, including 29 listed companies and 10 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 28 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.

Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 500 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.

Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.

For more information, please visit https://www.cyberport.hk/en.

Hashtag: #Aolani #AIInfrastructure #TokenFactory #Neocloud

https://www.aolanicloud.com/
https://linkedin.com/company/aolani-cloud

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Aolani

For more information, visit www.aolanicloud.com and follow @AolaniCloud on LinkedIn.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Shop the hottest deals with super-quick delivery via Instant or Same Day Delivery at Shopee’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day sale until 10 September. Dive into Shocking Sales with 50% off discounts, unlock RM9,900 worth of VIP vouchers, and get VIP early access to incredible deals as early as 6 September.

Here’s what to expect:

Turbocharge 9.9 Shopping with Buy Today, Get Today Delivery

Enjoy last-minute essentials from skincare to household supplies on the same day with Same Day Delivery for orders placed by 12 PM or Instant Delivery within 4 hours. Add bigger savings to the mix with extra delivery vouchers released throughout the campaign, including 80% off for certain timed drops between 8-9 September and RM9 off with no minimum spend.

Pocket 50% Off Deals with Shopee’s Lagi Murah: Shocking Sales

Don’t miss out on super deals with Shopee Lagi Murah: Shocking Sale 50% off. Malaysians can bring home the best bargains from customer favourite brands like Russell Taylors, L’Oréal, and Vinda now at half price.

Claim Bigger Rewards with Shopee VIP

Sign up for Shopee VIP and super-charge savings with VIP Vouchers Worth Up to RM9,900. Experience the VIP treatment with a power-packed line-up of rewards throughout the campaign:

• VIP Daily 30% Off Vouchers – Claim extra savings throughout the campaign with daily 30% Off voucher drops.
• VIP Exclusive Knockout Voucher – Get RM999 off starting at these exclusive timings
• VIP Exclusive RM9 Knockout Deals – Check out RM 9 offers from Dreame, Huggies, Medicube and more at these specific time drops

Subscribers also get early access to special vouchers offering up to 20% off starting from 6 September and RM7 off on AirAsia Rides. Sign up between 26 August and 9 September to claim a limited-time RM28 off sign voucher bonus, plus a 2-month free trial.

Catch Superstars on Shopee Live

Tune into Shopee’s Lagi Murah show, featuring 9.9 Brand Ambassadors Aisha Retno and Anggrek, for exciting livestream sessions filled with games, interactive segments, and exclusive price drops. Set a reminder and catch the action live on these dates:

• 12PM – 2PM, 1 September: Anggrek
• 12PM – 2PM, 9 September: Anggrek and Aisha Retno

Besides this, drop by Shopee Live from 9:30 PM – 11:30 PM on 9 September to catch another special appearance by Dato’ Aliff Syukri and Datin Shahida as they take over Shopee Mamak with more time-limited deals.

Shopee 9.9 Serves Up New Flavours with Pizza Hut Rasa Malaysia

For only RM9.90, savour one personal-sized pizza from Pizza Hut, plus a free side for a limited time only. Choose from their latest Rasa Malaysia flavours – Special Laksa Kari or Durian Brûlée and redeem on Shopee between 3–12 September, then claim in-app via Pizza Hut.

Hashtag: #Sale #Shopee

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Shopee

Shopee is the largest e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and is a leading e-commerce platform in Brazil. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the digital economy, with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a global technology company. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena, and Monee.

Challenger brand introduces autonomous, powered, completely mechanical cleaners built around a fundamentally different approach to hard-surface cleaning.

BERLIN, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – The vacuum cleaner has dominated hard-surface cleaning centuries. Today Hizero is bringing that era to an end.

At IFA 2026, challenger cleaning brand is unveiling a full portfolio of No-Suction™ hard-surface cleaners that clean without conventional suction, vacuum motors, or high-speed airflow.

Rather than making vacuum cleaners more powerful, Hizero is taking the opposite approach: removing the vacuum altogether.

The company’s patented No Suction Technology replaces conventional airflow-based cleaning with bionic materials, direct-contact cleaning, water absorption, and mechanical waste separation.

At IFA, Hizero is demonstrating how far the concept can go with two new products: GLIDE, a no-suction robot cleaner, and EAZY, a fully mechanical cleaner that requires no battery, charging, or electronic motor.

Together with Hizero’s existing hard-surface cleaning products, they represent the company’s ambition to establish No-Suction as a new category of cleaning.

The Vacuum Era Is Ending

For generations, the basic principle of floor cleaning has remained unchanged: use suction to lift, transport and collect dirt.

Even today’s wet-and-dry cleaners continue to rely on the same architecture, combining a powerful motor, high-speed airflow and a roller or wiping system.

Hizero challenges that assumption.

Its No-Suction approach is based on a simple proposition: hard surfaces can be cleaned without needing a vacuum.

At the heart of the system is Hizero’s proprietary bionic polymer Multi Roller. Rather than relying on suction to pull debris from the surface, the roller makes direct contact with the floor, capturing solid debris while absorbing liquid.

As it moves, the roller is continuously refreshed with clean water. An integrated scraper removes dirty water, while the cleaning system separates different types of waste.

The result is a fundamentally different cleaning architecture:

• No suction.
• No vacuum motor.
• No conventional exhaust airflow.

Instead, Hizero uses material science and mechanical engineering to do the work traditionally assigned to a vacuum motor.

No-Suction™ Goes Autonomous: Meet GLIDE

The Hizero GLIDE takes No-Suction technology to robot floor cleaning.

GLIDE combines app-directed navigation with Hizero’s No Suction Technology, allowing it to clean hard floors without relying on conventional vacuum suction.

Its polymer Multi Roller captures dry debris and absorbs liquid while being continuously rinsed during operation.

GLIDE also incorporates Triple Auto Waste Separation, which separates solid debris, liquid waste, and hair inside the machine.

That means the cleaning process is not simply about moving dirt into a container. The machine actively manages multiple waste streams as it cleans.

For consumers, GLIDE provides hard-floor cleaning with a smartphone tap.

For the appliance industry, its significance is more fundamental:

GLIDE is a robotic cleaner that eliminates the need for vacuuming.

No-Suction™ Without Power: Meet EAZY

At the opposite end of the technology spectrum is Hizero EAZY — demonstrating that No-Suction™ cleaning does not necessarily require any technology at all.

EAZY operates without a battery, charging system, or electronic motor.

A simple push-pull motion drives the cleaning process. A squeeze trigger dispenses clean water onto the polymer roller, which captures debris and absorbs liquid as it moves across the surface.

The internal mechanism separates solid waste from dirty water.

In a single continuous action, EAZY is designed to sweep, wash, and wipe hard surfaces.

• There is no motor to charge.
• No battery to replace.
• No vacuum to power.

Just mechanical cleaning.

The result is a remarkably simple approach with applications ranging from kitchens, patios and homes to commercial environments.

One Technology. A Growing No-Suction™ Ecosystem.

GLIDE and EAZY are not standalone experiments. The company’s portfolio now spans autonomous floor care, powered hard-surface cleaning, handheld applications, and purely mechanical cleaning.

Hizero’s bionic technology has also been evolved for applications beyond floors, including countertops, windows, mirrors, and other hard surfaces, with opportunities across residential, hospitality, and commercial environments.

Rather than competing to build the most powerful vacuum, Hizero is challenging the industry to consider whether a vacuum is even necessary.

Challenging the Cleaning Status Quo

“For more than a century, the industry has focused on making vacuum cleaning better,” said Sam Li, Founder and CEO of Hizero. “We decided to challenge the assumption behind it. What if you don’t need the vacuum at all? No-Suction™ is our answer. We believe hard-surface cleaning is ready for a fundamentally different approach.”

At IFA 2026, Hizero is inviting the appliance industry — and consumers — to look beyond suction.

Because the next generation of hard-surface cleaning may not be about more suction, more noisy power, or more complexity.

“We welcome people and businesses to a new future of no suction cleaning, which heralds the end of vacuuming as we know it,” says Sam Li.

Hashtag: #Hizero

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Rising Japanese boy group brings its high-energy live showcase to Singapore, Manila and Bangkok

Three-city Southeast Asia run follows growing global momentum, with tickets on sale from 31 August 2026

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Rising Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT is set to bring its rapidly growing global momentum to Southeast Asia with ONE OR EIGHT Special SHOW CASE 2026 in ASIA -V8-, a three-city showcase taking place in Singapore, Manila and Bangkok this October.

Following the group’s first-ever ONE OR EIGHT 1st LIVE TOUR -GATHER-, which took ONE OR EIGHT across North and South America, the upcoming showcase marks the group’s next major step in connecting directly with fans across Asia. The tour will kick off in Singapore on 21 October 2026 at Victoria Theatre, before heading to Manila on 23 October at Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, and conclude in Bangkok on 25 October at Lido Hall 2, Lido Connect.

Ticket sales will begin from 31 August 2026 onwards, with more details via oneoreight.sozolive.asia

One of Japan’s emerging global acts comes to Southeast Asia

ONE OR EIGHT comprises eight members — MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA and YUGA.

The group’s name is derived from the Japanese idiom “ichi ka bachi ka”, which expresses the idea of taking an all-or-nothing gamble. Together with their tagline “BET ON YOURSELF”, the name reflects the members’ determination to pursue their dreams, challenge boundaries and take their music to audiences around the world.

Since making their debut in August 2024, ONE OR EIGHT have quickly established themselves as one of Japan’s emerging global acts.

Their track “TOKYO DRIFT” generated more than 200,000 pieces of user-generated content on TikTok and over 300 million views, while also entering the Mediabase Top 40 and setting a record for the most chart entries by a Japanese boy group.

Their growing recognition has extended across Asia. ONE OR EIGHT received the Upcoming Dance & Vocal Group award at the MTV VMAJ 2025 in Japan and was named New Artist of the Year at the 2025 Music Awards organised by China’s NetEase. The group has also worked with internationally acclaimed creators including Ryan Tedder, David Stewart and Big Sean, further strengthening its ambitions to connect Japanese music with a global audience.

A NEW CHAPTER WITH “EN-GiNE”

Ahead of their Southeast Asia showcases, ONE OR EIGHT will release their first EP, “EN-GiNE”, on 16 September 2026. The title combines the Japanese word “EN” (縁), representing connection and fate, with “GENE”, symbolising the new driving force created through the relationships the members have developed with one another and with fans around the world. Following “YANKEE SQUAT”, the group recently released “INVINCIBLE”, the second single from the upcoming EP.

Dedicated to their fans, known as 1DERZ, “INVINCIBLE” carries the message that no journey is taken alone, celebrating the trust, gratitude and connection that have grown between ONE OR EIGHT and their supporters since their debut.

With Special SHOW CASE 2026 in ASIA -V8-, fans in Southeast Asia will now have the opportunity to experience that connection in person.

TOUR INFORMATION

SINGAPORE

Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Victoria Theatre
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 7:30 PM

Tickets

• VVIP Seated: SGD 138
• VIP Seated: SGD 108
• GA Seated: SGD 88

Tickets go on sale from 31 August 2026 at 12:00 PM Singapore Time via Ticketmaster Singapore.

MANILA

Friday, 23 October 2026
Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 8:00 PM

Tickets

• VVIP Standing: PHP 4,500
• VIP Standing: PHP 3,500
• GA Standing: PHP 2,500

Tickets go on sale from 31 August 2026 at 12:00 PM Manila Time via Ticketmaster Philippines.

BANGKOK

Sunday, 25 October 2026
Lido Hall 2, Lido Connect
Doors: 5:00 PM
Show: 6:00 PM

Tickets

• VVIP Standing: THB 3,000
• VIP Standing: THB 2,500
• GA Standing: THB 1,500

Tickets go on sale from 31 August 2026 at 11:00 AM Bangkok Time via SOZOLIVE Ticketing.

VVIP EXPERIENCE

Across all three cities, the top-tier VVIP package gives fans an opportunity to get even closer to ONE OR EIGHT, with benefits including:

• Best-view section closest to the stage
• 1-for-all photo session with ONE OR EIGHT
• Soundcheck access
• Signed poster
• Exclusive VVIP badge and lanyard
• Priority concert admission

VIP ticket holders will also receive a signed poster, VIP badge and lanyard, and priority admission.

Three cities. One special showcase. Southeast Asia, are you ready for ONE OR EIGHT?

For complete event, ticketing and entitlement information, visit oneoreight.sozolive.asia

Hashtag: #ONEOREIGHT #ONEOREIGHT_V8 #ONEOREIGHTAsia #SOZOLIVE

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

ABOUT SOZO

Established in 2009 and headquartered in Singapore, SOZO Pte Ltd, a KADOKAWA Group company, is a leading entertainment company connecting Japanese entertainment with audiences across Southeast Asia.

Through its flagship platform, Anime Festival Asia (AFA), SOZO pioneered the region’s Anime, Comics and Games scene and built one of Southeast Asia’s most recognised Japanese pop-culture event brands.

Beyond conventions, SOZO produces major live entertainment experiences for leading Japanese artists including Ado, Eve, RADWIMPS, YOASOBI and Yuuri. The company also provides merchandise production, retail and regional distribution solutions, creating powerful platforms for Japanese artists, creators and intellectual properties to reach and engage fans across the region.

Bringing Japanese Entertainment to the World.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Singapore’s fintech sector drew over US$499 million in investment across 53 deals in the first half of 2026, according to KPMG’s Pulse of Fintech H1’2026 report. This marks a drop from the roughly US$1.45 billion across 97 deals recorded in H1 2025. It also represents the most subdued first half the country saw in about close to a decade.

The moderation was uneven across the half. After a notably quiet first quarter of about US$88 million across 26 deals, activity rebounded to some US$411 million across 27 deals in the second quarter. That recovery rested almost entirely on a single US$320 million round for a cross-border payments platform in June, which alone accounted for close to two-thirds of Singapore’s total fintech investment for the half.

Anton Ruddenklau, Partner, Head of Financial Services, KPMG in Singapore said: “The headline number tells only part of the story. What we are seeing in Singapore mirrors the global market — investors are being far more selective, consolidating capital behind a small number of scaled, high-conviction platforms rather than funding behaviour we saw in prior years. A single deal carrying most of the half is a signal of that concentration. However, the fundamentals that make Singapore a strategic hub for fintech — a trusted regulatory environment, deep cross-border connectivity, and strength in payments and digital assets — remain intact, and these remain the stronghold areas where capital is still flowing.”

Investment clustered around three familiar verticals: payments, digital assets and cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. Most investments clustered towards earlier-stage companies building tokenisation, digital-asset and AI-enabled infrastructure, pointing to a market that is still forming at the foundations even as growth-stage funding thins.

Globally, the picture ran in the opposite direction on value. Fintech investment across venture capital, private equity and M&A rose from US$72.2 billion in H2’25 to US$103.1 billion in H1’26, putting the sector on pace for its strongest annual performance in four years. Deal volume, however, remained soft at just 2,100 deals globally in H1’26 against 2,500 in H2’25, as investors concentrated capital on large transactions centred on mature fintechs with well-proven business models. Singapore’s half was a local expression of that same dynamic, fewer deals, larger concentration, and a clear premium on proven models.

Figure 1: Singapore’s half-year fintech deal value and volume, H1 2019 – H1 2026

Source: KPMG Pulse of Fintech, PitchBook.

Figure 2: Singapore fintech investment by vertical, H1 2026

*Deals are frequently tagged to more than one vertical

Payments remains one of Singapore’s anchor verticals

Cross-border payments proved to be one of Singapore’s anchor verticals, although it was largely supported by a US$320 million deal in June. That single transaction accounted for nearly all of the US$332 million recorded across the three payments deals in the half. Two of the three deals belonging to the later stage even in a tighter funding climate reflects sustained investor appetite for scaled platforms that can move money across borders while managing compliance, currency conversion and settlement – capabilities that only grow more valuable as global trade and commerce fragment.

Digital assets and cryptocurrency continue to drive deal activity

Digital assets and cryptocurrency again accounted for the largest share of Singapore’s deal count, even if individual cheque sizes were relatively modest. The larger, later-stage names were built around regulated market infrastructure, including companies such as digital-asset services providers and crypto payments firms, while the seed and early-stage cohort skewed towards exchange, brokerage and cross-chain tooling platforms. With most capital concentrated at seed and early stage (15 of the 27 deals) rather than in large growth rounds, it signals continued confidence in Singapore as a base for regulated, institutional-grade digital-asset businesses, even as the sector’s weight in the market rests on young companies rather than proven, scaled platforms.

AI and machine learning stays central to the fintech thesis

Artificial intelligence and machine learning was the most active vertical of the half, featuring in 18 of Singapore’s 53 deals and US$365.9 million of disclosed value. The deals were split equally across early and late stage deals.

The later-stage deals clustered around applied software that embeds AI into established financial workflows, spanning cross-border payments, investment research, insurance and claims, credit-risk modelling and document processing. These are revenue-generating platforms using AI to improve productivity and margins rather than to build entirely new markets, which is why they continued to attract the larger capital even in a more selective climate, as investors are willing to pay up for proven models where AI deepens an existing commercial edge.

At seed and early stage, the profile shifts towards agentic software and infrastructure, including agentic execution platforms, agentic networks and cross-chain automation, alongside broader AI-and-crypto tooling. This could signal that investors are expecting that autonomous, AI-driven agents may become core infrastructure for how money moves and how financial decisions are executed.

2026 – Key Global highlights

• Global fintech investment has grown considerably over the past three six-month periods, rising from $50.5 billion in H1’25 to $72.2 billion in H2’25 to $103.1 billion in H1’26.
• Global deal volume fell from 2,500 deals in H2’25 to 2,100 in H1’26; this remains below historic norms, reflecting continued investor selectivity despite higher capital deployment.
• The Americas attracted over 80 percent of global fintech investment in H1’26 ($86.9 billion across 1,120 deals), of which the US accounted for $80.8 billion across 933 deals.
• Coming off a strong 2025 that saw $39.5 billion invested across 1,714 deals, the EMEA region saw $11.3 billion invested across 626 deals in H1’26 – on pace for a decade-low for both deal volume and value.
• Fintech investment in the ASPAC region remained muted, declining from $7.1 billion across 426 deals during H2’25 to $4.6 billion across 350 deals in H1’26.
• Global fintech M&A activity strengthened, with deal value increasing from $37.2 billion across 514 deals in H2’25 to $67.9 billion across 394 deals in H1’26
• Venture capital investment remained strong across the global fintech sector, led by the US which saw $16.8 billion in VC investment.
• At the sector level, payments led the way, attracting $44.2 billion in H1’26: well over 2025’s annual total, as a result of several large megadeals.
• AI-focused fintechs attract $21.4 billion across VC, PE, and M&A.

Hashtag: #KPMG

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About KPMG International

KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG is the brand under which the member firms of KPMG International Limited (“KPMG International”) operate and provide professional services. “KPMG” is used to refer to individual member firms within the KPMG organization or to one or more member firms collectively.

KPMG firms operate in 138 countries and territories with more than 276,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.

KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients. For more detail about our structure, please visit kpmg.com/governance.

Seven renowned chefs from across APAC to share why Lee Kum Kee is their top choice

HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Lee Kum Kee Sauce (“Lee Kum Kee”), the global leader in Asian sauces and condiments, announced the launch of a new integrated brand campaign, “Chosen by Top Chefs“, across the APAC region. Featuring seven renowned chefs from across Asia Pacific, the campaign spotlights how Lee Kum Kee is the topchoice across diverse cuisines and cooking styles.

The campaign highlights chefs who trust Lee Kum Kee’s ability to enhance flavours and deliver balance and consistency, bringing out the best in both everyday dishes and signature creations across cuisines in the Asia Pacific region.

“Chosen by Top Chefs” Brings Together Renowned Chefs

“Chosen by Top Chefs” underscores Lee Kum Kee’s longstanding commitment to quality and culinary excellence. By bringing together leading chefs from South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia, Indonesia, as well as Hong Kong, China, the campaign demonstrates how Lee Kum Kee supports them in crafting superb food for diners everywhere.

● South Korea:

Chefs Share Their “Go-To” Lee Kum Kee Sauces

In the Top Chefs Know Best. They Choose Lee Kum Kee campaign video, the chefs share why their professional choice matters. They highlight the quality and craftsmanship behind Lee Kum Kee – a legacy refined since 1888 – and how it enhances dishes from across the region.

The chefs also share how Lee Kum Kee sauces shape their own signature dishes, from classic interpretations to modern takes. The campaign features exclusive dishes featuring Premium Oyster Sauce, Supreme Authentic First Draw Soy Sauce, XO Sauce and more — elevating the brand by spotlighting Lee Kum Kee as the choice of top chefs.

“For 138 years, our ‘100-1=0’ philosophy has driven one standard: every detail matters. That commitment to quality and consistency is why chefs and home cooks across the world trust us. The ‘Chosen by Top Chefs’ campaign affirms that standard, bringing the region’s top chefs with home cooks in creating delicious moments every day,” said Vincent Wong, President – APAC of Lee Kum Kee Sauce.

The “Chosen by Top Chefs” campaign will roll out across APAC through brand-led storytelling, chef-driven content and social media competitions. Content includes videos, recipes and cooking demos will run across online and offline channels, from social platforms to instore displays.

“Top Chef Challenge” Inspires Home Cooking Creativity

The “Chosen by Top Chefs” campaign will be rolled out through APAC marketing channels, including brand-led storytelling and chef-driven content. Alongside the campaign, Lee Kum Kee will also run the “Top Chef Challenge”, a social media competition inviting home cooks to create dishes featuring a key ingredient and a Lee Kum Kee sauce chosen by the chefs.

For more information about the “Chosen by Top Chefs” programme, please follow Lee Kum Kee’s official social media pages including Facebook and Instagram.

Watch the “Chosen by Top Chefs” video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUxE_rliglM
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #ChosenbyTopChefs

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Lee Kum Kee Sauce

Lee Kum Kee Sauce is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee Sauce’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee Sauce’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.

Hashtag: #Aolani #AIInfrastructure #TokenFactory #Neocloud

https://www.aolanicloud.com/
https://linkedin.com/company/aolani-cloud

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Aolani

For more information, visit www.aolanicloud.com and follow @AolaniCloud on LinkedIn.

Close to 15,000 professionals join national AI capability effort within two months as employers build practical AI workforce capabilities

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Singapore’s ambition to build an accountancy profession fluent in artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining strong momentum, with more than 15,000 accountants and finance professionals enrolled in the ISCA AI Fluency Programme just two months after the launch. The strong early participation marks an important milestone in a broader national effort to build practical AI capabilities across the accountancy profession.

ISCA AI Fluency Programme is Singapore’s national AI learning initiative for the accountancy profession, aimed at building practical AI capabilities across the profession. It aims to equip 60,000 accountancy and corporate finance professionals over the next three years, representing approximately half of Singapore’s accountancy profession. It also develops professionals who combine professional judgement and technical expertise with practical AI capabilities that can be applied effectively and responsibly at work.

From AI awareness to workplace capability

As organisations invest in AI platforms and enterprise solutions, successful AI adoption depends not only on technology, but also on whether people have the skills and confidence to apply AI responsibly and effectively in their daily work.

The programme is designed to bridge this gap by helping professionals become AI fluent as it is built around more than 180 practical accounting and finance AI use cases spanning six professional roles, including audit, finance, tax, internal audit, governance and board reporting. It also contains over 600 practical learning activities, enabling professionals to explore how AI can be applied directly to their everyday work.

Participants learn how AI can be applied to practical workplace tasks, including financial analysis and reporting, preparing board and management materials, supporting audit planning and testing, and accelerating tax research and internal audit planning.

Strong early momentum across the profession

Participants include professionals at different career stages and in different workplace settings: from students preparing to enter the workforce and small firm practitioners to senior business leaders. To date, over 250 learners have earned their AI Fluency digital badge. Almost 80 learners have completed the full 30-hours of structured online learning, equivalent to around 10 days of instructor-led practical workshops and have been recognised as AI Champions. Early learner feedback has also been positive, with the programme receiving an average rating of 4.85 out of 5.

The strong early take-up reflects growing interest in building practical AI capabilities and recognition of their increasing relevance to accountants and finance professionals.

Employers are investing in AI capable workforces

The programme is also seeing encouraging support from employers, as organisations explore how AI learning can translate into practical workplace applications. Professionals from organisations including EY, Deloitte, DBS, SP Group and the Accountant-General’s Department (AGD), among others, are also participating in the programme, reflecting the breadth of interest and the growing relevance of AI fluency across the profession as Singapore’s workforce adapts to an increasingly AI-enabled economy.

The AGD has enrolled more than 400 officers in the AI Fluency programme, with plans to progressively extend the programme to some 4,000 public sector finance and internal audit officers across the Whole-of-Government.

The programme is also beginning to demonstrate measurable workplace impact. At Accredify, AI workflows have been developed to reduce time spent on selected finance and contract processing activities by an estimated 50 to 80 per cent, demonstrating how practical AI capability can translate into tangible business outcomes.

A profession united by lifelong learning

AI Fluency is bringing together professionals across generations. Among the programme’s earliest AI Champions is ISCA Distinguished Lifetime Member Mr Boon Swan Foo, who has completed the full 30-hour programme. His completion demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning.

Mr Boon said: “Throughout my career, I have seen our profession evolve with every major technological shift. AI is simply the next chapter. What impressed me about the programme is that it is not about replacing professional judgement. It is about strengthening it. Continuous learning has always been the hallmark of a trusted professional and AI Fluency is becoming an essential part of that journey.”

Expanding AI capabilities across the region

Building on the encouraging response in Singapore, ISCA is preparing Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese versions of the AI Fluency programme to support wider regional adoption. Discussions are also underway with professional accountancy organisations, accounting firms and corporates across ASEAN, with the ambition of sharing Singapore’s AI capability model more broadly across the region.

Within Singapore, ISCA is working towards its goal of upskilling 60,000 accountancy and corporate finance professionals over three years, while deepening adoption across organisations and supporting more learners in completing their AI Fluency journey.

The programme will also continue to evolve with new AI tools, emerging accountancy use cases and industry developments to ensure professionals remain current in an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “AI will not replace professional judgement. Its greatest value will come from professionals who can combine AI capabilities with their expertise and judgement to deliver better outcomes for clients, employers and society. The strong response to AI Fluency programme demonstrates that our profession is ready to embrace this next chapter as we work towards our ambition of building an AI-fluent accountancy profession in Singapore.”
Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AIFluency #AIBilingualism #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. Established in 1963, ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the designated entity by the Singapore Ministry of Finance to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore [CA (Singapore)] designation.

ISCA supports over 46,000 members across industries in Singapore and globally, with members in more than 40 countries. With a growing international presence, ISCA has 12 overseas chapters, 7 offices across 10 countries and a network of over 150 strategic partners, strengthening professional connections and opportunities across borders. ISCA is also a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network representing more than 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students across over 190 countries.

ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.