MILAN, Italy, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano and Cortina, more than 600 volunteers with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World traveled across Italy to educate athletes, tourists and residents about the harmful effects of drugs and provide materials aimed at prevention.

A Drug-Free World volunteer gives Truth About Drugs booklets to a torchbearer during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

At the Milano Olympic Village, volunteers presented Truth About Drugs educational materials to 143 athletes and staff members. Those introduced to the campaign represented 37 countries, including Italy, Brazil, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand and the Czech Republic, and signed a pledge to stay drug-free.

After receiving a Truth About Drugs booklet, a Belgian speed skater emphasized the importance of education in prevention efforts: “The most important part is knowledge and how bad it could be for your body. The most important part is just knowing what happens because I think it’s still not fully known, especially for the kids.” He added, “We should all be drug-free, especially in sports where it’s definitely dangerous to take drugs.”

Beyond the Olympic Village, volunteers distributed more than two million Truth About Drugs booklets throughout Italy. The materials were also placed in more than 12,000 shops, making them available to customers as well as tourists and local residents.

Volunteers reported strong public interest in the campaign. In Milano, one volunteer group was approached by a woman who asked for a display stand after learning about the materials. According to the volunteers, she said there were about 100 families in her apartment building and that she would distribute the booklets herself.

In Brescia, a volunteer described similar enthusiasm from local businesses: “The owner said he had already received one booklet display recently but had run out because he himself was putting one in each customer’s bag with their meat.” Volunteers said they encountered comparable responses in many cities along their route.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nongovernmental drug education and prevention organization. Through its international network of volunteers, millions of educational booklets and prevention materials have been distributed in more than 190 countries. Supported by the Church of Scientology, these materials are provided free of charge to individuals and groups seeking to address drug abuse through education and prevention.

For more information, visit www.drugfreeworld.org.

 

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SOURCE Foundation for a Drug-Free World

MILAN, Italy, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano and Cortina, more than 600 volunteers with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World traveled across Italy to educate athletes, tourists and residents about the harmful effects of drugs and provide materials aimed at prevention.

A Drug-Free World volunteer gives Truth About Drugs booklets to a torchbearer during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

At the Milano Olympic Village, volunteers presented Truth About Drugs educational materials to 143 athletes and staff members. Those introduced to the campaign represented 37 countries, including Italy, Brazil, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand and the Czech Republic, and signed a pledge to stay drug-free.

After receiving a Truth About Drugs booklet, a Belgian speed skater emphasized the importance of education in prevention efforts: “The most important part is knowledge and how bad it could be for your body. The most important part is just knowing what happens because I think it’s still not fully known, especially for the kids.” He added, “We should all be drug-free, especially in sports where it’s definitely dangerous to take drugs.”

Beyond the Olympic Village, volunteers distributed more than two million Truth About Drugs booklets throughout Italy. The materials were also placed in more than 12,000 shops, making them available to customers as well as tourists and local residents.

Volunteers reported strong public interest in the campaign. In Milano, one volunteer group was approached by a woman who asked for a display stand after learning about the materials. According to the volunteers, she said there were about 100 families in her apartment building and that she would distribute the booklets herself.

In Brescia, a volunteer described similar enthusiasm from local businesses: “The owner said he had already received one booklet display recently but had run out because he himself was putting one in each customer’s bag with their meat.” Volunteers said they encountered comparable responses in many cities along their route.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nongovernmental drug education and prevention organization. Through its international network of volunteers, millions of educational booklets and prevention materials have been distributed in more than 190 countries. Supported by the Church of Scientology, these materials are provided free of charge to individuals and groups seeking to address drug abuse through education and prevention.

For more information, visit www.drugfreeworld.org.

 

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SOURCE Foundation for a Drug-Free World

CANCUN, Mexico, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 2nd, Sense Adventure celebrated 26 years of providing a profound sensory experience to Sunset World Group members and guests in Tres Ríos Natural Park. This experience invites an authentic reconnection where each participant awakens their intuition, explores new sensations, and finds a space of tranquility in contact with nature.

Throughout these years, Sense Adventure has constantly evolved, renewing its offering to provide an increasingly enriching experience. On this journey, participants explore the environment blindfolded, allowing touch, smell, taste, and hearing to become their guides. The sound of seeds, the coolness of water, the warmth of fire, the aroma of flowers, and the texture of rocks transform into a language that connects deeply with emotions.

More than just an activity, Sense Adventure is a journey of self-discovery that invites acceptance and adaptation, strengthening the connection with nature, the group, and oneself. In this carefully designed environment within Tres Ríos Natural Park—surrounded by jungle, cenotes, rivers, and diverse flora and fauna—every moment fosters a sense of harmony, well-being, and inner balance.

Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tres Ríos Natural Park and its attractions are situated on 132 hectares of well-preserved tropical rainforest, where three freshwater rivers flow, ten cenotes emerge, and more than 90 animal and 120 plant species thrive. As one of the Riviera Maya’s privately owned natural treasures, Tres Ríos operates under strict environmental regulations, following a sustainable tourism model that governs all development within the property.

Sunset World Group is a Mexican family business founded by some of the pioneers of Cancun who helped turn it into the most sought-after tourist destination worldwide. Sunset World Group has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a sincere passion for environmental conservation, which is why it implemented an Energy Efficiency Program by substituting supply technologies in its six hotels in Cancun and The Riviera Maya. In addition, all Sunset World hotels are supplied with clean and renewable energy produced at Mexican wind farms and geothermal plants, which has considerably reduced the company’s carbon footprint. The activity and gastronomy programs in all six hotels are updated and expanded constantly for the enjoyment of all family members, since Sunset World Group always focuses on providing the best vacation experiences for its members and guests.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sense-adventure-celebrates-26-years-of-offering-sunset-world-group-members-and-guests-a-sensory-immersion-experience-in-tres-rios-natural-park-302734080.html

SOURCE Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences

CANCUN, Mexico, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 2nd, Sense Adventure celebrated 26 years of providing a profound sensory experience to Sunset World Group members and guests in Tres Ríos Natural Park. This experience invites an authentic reconnection where each participant awakens their intuition, explores new sensations, and finds a space of tranquility in contact with nature.

Throughout these years, Sense Adventure has constantly evolved, renewing its offering to provide an increasingly enriching experience. On this journey, participants explore the environment blindfolded, allowing touch, smell, taste, and hearing to become their guides. The sound of seeds, the coolness of water, the warmth of fire, the aroma of flowers, and the texture of rocks transform into a language that connects deeply with emotions.

More than just an activity, Sense Adventure is a journey of self-discovery that invites acceptance and adaptation, strengthening the connection with nature, the group, and oneself. In this carefully designed environment within Tres Ríos Natural Park—surrounded by jungle, cenotes, rivers, and diverse flora and fauna—every moment fosters a sense of harmony, well-being, and inner balance.

Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tres Ríos Natural Park and its attractions are situated on 132 hectares of well-preserved tropical rainforest, where three freshwater rivers flow, ten cenotes emerge, and more than 90 animal and 120 plant species thrive. As one of the Riviera Maya’s privately owned natural treasures, Tres Ríos operates under strict environmental regulations, following a sustainable tourism model that governs all development within the property.

Sunset World Group is a Mexican family business founded by some of the pioneers of Cancun who helped turn it into the most sought-after tourist destination worldwide. Sunset World Group has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a sincere passion for environmental conservation, which is why it implemented an Energy Efficiency Program by substituting supply technologies in its six hotels in Cancun and The Riviera Maya. In addition, all Sunset World hotels are supplied with clean and renewable energy produced at Mexican wind farms and geothermal plants, which has considerably reduced the company’s carbon footprint. The activity and gastronomy programs in all six hotels are updated and expanded constantly for the enjoyment of all family members, since Sunset World Group always focuses on providing the best vacation experiences for its members and guests.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sense-adventure-celebrates-26-years-of-offering-sunset-world-group-members-and-guests-a-sensory-immersion-experience-in-tres-rios-natural-park-302734080.html

SOURCE Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences

CANCUN, Mexico, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 2nd, Sense Adventure celebrated 26 years of providing a profound sensory experience to Sunset World Group members and guests in Tres Ríos Natural Park. This experience invites an authentic reconnection where each participant awakens their intuition, explores new sensations, and finds a space of tranquility in contact with nature.

Throughout these years, Sense Adventure has constantly evolved, renewing its offering to provide an increasingly enriching experience. On this journey, participants explore the environment blindfolded, allowing touch, smell, taste, and hearing to become their guides. The sound of seeds, the coolness of water, the warmth of fire, the aroma of flowers, and the texture of rocks transform into a language that connects deeply with emotions.

More than just an activity, Sense Adventure is a journey of self-discovery that invites acceptance and adaptation, strengthening the connection with nature, the group, and oneself. In this carefully designed environment within Tres Ríos Natural Park—surrounded by jungle, cenotes, rivers, and diverse flora and fauna—every moment fosters a sense of harmony, well-being, and inner balance.

Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tres Ríos Natural Park and its attractions are situated on 132 hectares of well-preserved tropical rainforest, where three freshwater rivers flow, ten cenotes emerge, and more than 90 animal and 120 plant species thrive. As one of the Riviera Maya’s privately owned natural treasures, Tres Ríos operates under strict environmental regulations, following a sustainable tourism model that governs all development within the property.

Sunset World Group is a Mexican family business founded by some of the pioneers of Cancun who helped turn it into the most sought-after tourist destination worldwide. Sunset World Group has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a sincere passion for environmental conservation, which is why it implemented an Energy Efficiency Program by substituting supply technologies in its six hotels in Cancun and The Riviera Maya. In addition, all Sunset World hotels are supplied with clean and renewable energy produced at Mexican wind farms and geothermal plants, which has considerably reduced the company’s carbon footprint. The activity and gastronomy programs in all six hotels are updated and expanded constantly for the enjoyment of all family members, since Sunset World Group always focuses on providing the best vacation experiences for its members and guests.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sense-adventure-celebrates-26-years-of-offering-sunset-world-group-members-and-guests-a-sensory-immersion-experience-in-tres-rios-natural-park-302734080.html

SOURCE Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences

CANCUN, Mexico, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On April 2nd, Sense Adventure celebrated 26 years of providing a profound sensory experience to Sunset World Group members and guests in Tres Ríos Natural Park. This experience invites an authentic reconnection where each participant awakens their intuition, explores new sensations, and finds a space of tranquility in contact with nature.

Throughout these years, Sense Adventure has constantly evolved, renewing its offering to provide an increasingly enriching experience. On this journey, participants explore the environment blindfolded, allowing touch, smell, taste, and hearing to become their guides. The sound of seeds, the coolness of water, the warmth of fire, the aroma of flowers, and the texture of rocks transform into a language that connects deeply with emotions.

More than just an activity, Sense Adventure is a journey of self-discovery that invites acceptance and adaptation, strengthening the connection with nature, the group, and oneself. In this carefully designed environment within Tres Ríos Natural Park—surrounded by jungle, cenotes, rivers, and diverse flora and fauna—every moment fosters a sense of harmony, well-being, and inner balance.

Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tres Ríos Natural Park and its attractions are situated on 132 hectares of well-preserved tropical rainforest, where three freshwater rivers flow, ten cenotes emerge, and more than 90 animal and 120 plant species thrive. As one of the Riviera Maya’s privately owned natural treasures, Tres Ríos operates under strict environmental regulations, following a sustainable tourism model that governs all development within the property.

Sunset World Group is a Mexican family business founded by some of the pioneers of Cancun who helped turn it into the most sought-after tourist destination worldwide. Sunset World Group has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a sincere passion for environmental conservation, which is why it implemented an Energy Efficiency Program by substituting supply technologies in its six hotels in Cancun and The Riviera Maya. In addition, all Sunset World hotels are supplied with clean and renewable energy produced at Mexican wind farms and geothermal plants, which has considerably reduced the company’s carbon footprint. The activity and gastronomy programs in all six hotels are updated and expanded constantly for the enjoyment of all family members, since Sunset World Group always focuses on providing the best vacation experiences for its members and guests.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sense-adventure-celebrates-26-years-of-offering-sunset-world-group-members-and-guests-a-sensory-immersion-experience-in-tres-rios-natural-park-302734080.html

SOURCE Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences

by Kim Allman | Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

Gen Blog|Community

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate the long history of women’s social, economic and cultural progress while recognizing the work still ahead — including in the digital world.

Technology has opened new doors for connection, learning and opportunity. Yet it has also introduced new risks. According to UN Women, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls is on the rise, with studies showing that as many as 58% have experienced forms of digital abuse, including hacking, stalking, and online harassment.

At Gen, we believe the internet should be safe for everyone. That belief drives our partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), a global movement reaching millions of girls and young women.

Together with WAGGGS, Norton, part of the Gen family of brands, codeveloped Surf Smart, a nonformal education program that has reached more than 850,000 girls and young women worldwide with digital safety resources to date. In early 2026, WAGGGS launched the next evolution of this work: Advocacy for Generation Digital.

Moving From Education to Action

Advocacy for Generation Digital builds on Surf Smart 2.0 and helps girls and young women transform knowledge into leadership. The curriculum supports participants as they identify digital issues that matter most to them, strengthen research and communication skills and design advocacy campaigns that promote safer and more inclusive online spaces.

The program offers learning pathways for elementary, middle and high school students and can be adapted to local contexts. It is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. WAGGGS also provides advocacy grants to Member Organizations, helping bring youth-led projects to life in communities around the world.

The impact of youth advocacy is already clear. In 2023 and 2024, young women in 10 countries launched campaigns addressing digital inclusion and online safety. Some organized public panels. Others engaged local media. Sophia Nabbale and Ronah Akatukunda from Uganda presented at the United Nations Civil Society Conference 2024 in Nairobi, highlighting the intergenerational digital divide and the fight against online violence.

“Gen and WAGGGS share a vision for digital life,” said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. “We believe the internet can be place where young people learn, connect and express themselves safely. Advocacy for Generation Digital is another step toward bringing that vision to life, empowering girls and young women to shape digital spaces that reflect their needs and aspirations.”

Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven World

Our partnership continues to evolve with technology. In 2025, Surf Smart 2.0 was updated to include new modules on artificial intelligence. Participants explore how AI shows up in their daily lives, from chatbots to content recommendations, and learn how to set responsible boundaries with emerging tools.

Throughout 2026, Gen and WAGGGS are also amplifying the voices of program participants — sharing firsthand accounts from Smart Surfers and Advocacy Champions about what they’ve learned and how they are leading change in their communities.

Digital Freedom depends on more than protection. It requires participation, confidence and leadership. By investing in youth-led advocacy, we are helping ensure the next generation is not only prepared to navigate the digital world safely — but ready to shape it.

To learn more about how Gen supports digital education and training around the world, explore our latest Social Impact Report. 

 

These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. 

Where gratitude takes the stage

HEALDSBURG, Calif. and HONOLULU, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — After the sold-out success of the inaugural Gracianna Concert Series event, Gracianna Winery and Rick Bartalini Presents are proud to announce that legendary music group Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the best-selling artists of all time and longtime Hawaiʻi favorites will be performing on June 13, 2026 in Honolulu. The Gracianna Concert Series is an exclusive program that pairs world-class entertainment with the warmth, hospitality, and meaning of the Gracianna experience.

With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, nine GRAMMY® Awards, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and recognition from the Kennedy Center Honors, Earth, Wind & Fire have built one of the most enduring catalogs in popular music. From “Let’s Groove” and “September” to “Reasons,” their music continues to bring people together across generations.

Concert Details
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 – ONE NIGHT ONLY
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

A special online-only Hawaiʻi resident presale begins Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM HST. Tickets go on sale to the mainland on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM HST.

Gracianna Medallion Club® members can reach out to their ticket concierge here now:
https://gracianna.com/the-gracianna-concert-series-in-hawaii/

“This series is about more than entertainment – it is about connection,” said Rick Bartalini, CEO of Rick Bartalini Presents. “Earth, Wind & Fire have such a deep and lasting relationship with Hawaiʻi, and this show is a chance to bring people together for one of those unforgettable nights that stays with you. With the Gracianna Concert Series, we are pairing iconic artists with a sense of hospitality, gratitude and celebration that feels very natural in the islands.”

As communities across Hawaiʻi continue recovering from recent flooding, a portion of the concert proceeds will be donated to support local relief efforts and affected ʻohana.

Elevated Experiences Only for Gracianna Medallion Club® Members

The Gracianna Concert Series introduces opportunities available exclusively to Gracianna Medallion Club® Members:

  • Premium Seat Packages – special access to seat selection managed by our ticket concierge.
  • Winemaker Dinners & Receptions – intimate, curated gatherings hosted by Gracianna Winery before select shows, pairing Gracianna wines with Hawaiian-influenced cuisine. (Coming soon.)
  • Exclusive ‘Alohilani Resort Hospitality Experiences – special partnership rates with
    ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, where modern luxury meets the beauty of Waikīkī,
    combining overnight stays for luxury getaway experiences.

“At Gracianna, we’ve always believed the best moments are the ones people share,” said Lisa Amador, Partner at Gracianna Winery. “The Gracianna Concert Series lets us bring together music, hospitality, and gratitude in a way that feels both elevated and deeply personal.”

Amador added, “Earth, Wind & Fire bring joy the moment they take the stage. Their music is celebratory, timeless, and full of heart – exactly the kind of experience we want this series to create in Hawaiʻi.”

Earth, Wind & Fire share a long and special history with Hawaiʻi, with performances in the islands dating back to 1975, including appearances at the iconic Diamond Head Crater and multiple sold-out shows at Blaisdell Arena. Over the decades, they have become deeply beloved in Hawaiʻi, with a rare connection to local audiences that has endured across generations.

With Rick Bartalini Presents’ legacy of iconic concerts and Gracianna Winery’s ethos of gratitude, the Gracianna Concert Series continues to set a new benchmark for upscale entertainment in the islands.

ABOUT GRACIANNA WINERY
The Amador Family of Sonoma County are the owners of the resilient, award-winning Gracianna Winery, is the official wine of being grateful on the Miracle Mile of Westside Road in Healdsburg, CA. Gracianna wines are for those with something to be grateful for.

ABOUT RICK BARTALINI PRESENTS
Concert industry veteran Rick Bartalini has produced landmark performances for nearly three decades with artists including Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire, Journey, and Janet Jackson. His shows are known for meticulous production and have become a hallmark of excellence in Hawaiʻi and beyond, bringing hundreds of thousands of fans together for extraordinary nights.

Media Contact:

Lisa Amador

707-292-6522

411548@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Gracianna Winery/Rick Bartalini Presents

Read the full report from GoDaddy’s Small Business Research Lab
Newsletter originally published on GoDaddy LinkedIn

Subscribe Today for Quarterly Insights That Power Small Business Growth.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, GoDaddy’s Participation Index rose year-over-year, capturing renewed growth in digital small business activity nationally. Historically, increases in the index have been associated with stronger payroll employment growth and declines in unemployment within three to four quarters.

We’ve always known small businesses are the backbone of the economy. What’s new is evidence that small business formation, especially the rise of digital entrepreneurship, may also help anticipate where parts of the economy are headed.

The report, “What Small Businesses Tell Us About The Economy That Wall Street Can’t,” analyzes national data from 1990–2025 and incorporates real-time digital entrepreneurship data from GoDaddy. It finds that while stock market returns are statistically linked to economic outcomes, those relationships are relatively modest. By comparison, small business formation shows a stronger relationship with GDP growth, payroll employment, and unemployment — and often appears earlier in the data.

What Small Businesses Tell Us infographic
 

“This report is an important contribution to how we understand the real economy because it shines a spotlight on where Main Street employers and their employees live and work.

By pairing decades of macroeconomic data with GoDaddy’s real-time view of digital entrepreneurs, these data show what our local chamber of commerce partners see every day: small businesses are one of the most direct and timely signals of economic health in communities across America.”

– Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Read the full article and paper

Microbusiness Data Hub: Latest Updates Now Live

Our Data Hub is refreshed through Q4/December 2025 across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. The update includes:

  • Monthly microbusiness density trends
  • The latest U.S. Microbusiness Activity Index
  • Global e-commerce sector rankings by country

Below, you’ll also find the top five e-commerce industries by country:

infographic

To take a look at the newest findings and see what’s shifting: Download the full dataset

In the News

United States

The Real Reason Entrepreneurship Is Booming Right Now – Inc.

Meet The Small Business Savant Mixing Art And Commerce – Forbes

United Kingdom

A Pint Down The Pub Inspired Me To Make A Life Changing Decision – Mirror

  • New research reveals that nearly one in five Brits have come up with a business idea while at the pub, with many turning those casual conversations into real ventures. Younger generations are especially likely to translate social moments into entrepreneurial action, reinforcing the role of community spaces as informal startup incubators. https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/a-pint-down-pub-inspired-36716262

How The [TV Show] Traitors Has Inspired A Surge In Small Businesses In The Scottish Highlands – This Is Money

TOKYO, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JERA Co., Inc. today announced that its U.S. subsidiary, JERA Americas Inc., has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of California, Berkeley, the top-ranked public research university in the United States, to establish a framework for collaboration in the fields of education, culture, and science.

The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening international collaboration and accelerating open innovation in the energy sector across the JERA Group. By combining JERA’s global energy value chain expertise, including technology, knowledge and international network, with UC Berkeley’s world-leading research capabilities and strong talent base on the U.S. West Coast, the partnership aims to co-create next-generation technologies, talent, and business initiatives that will shape the future of energy systems.

The collaboration will be advanced by JERA Ventures, JERA’s corporate venture capital arm, working closely with relevant JERA Group functions. Serving as a strategic implementation hub, JERA Ventures will connect internal and external innovation ecosystems to translate research excellence into tangible societal value.

For UC Berkeley, the collaboration will be led by the Institute for Business Innovation (IBI) at the UC Berkeley Haas School for Business. IBI’s mission focuses on research, teaching, and programs exploring aspects of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.

Under the MOU, JERA and the Institute for Business Innovation will explore collaboration in key areas including:

  1. Commercialization and real-world implementation of startups and technologies developed by UC Berkeley.
  2. Joint research in areas such as decarbonization, digital technologies, robotics and physical AI.
  3. Support for UC Berkeley’s education and research programs incorporating JERA Group’s initiatives and green transformation (GX) challenges.
  4. Exploration of internship and career development opportunities to cultivate future leaders in energy and GX fields.

“The energy world is undergoing a profound transformation as technology, talent and industry evolve simultaneously,” said Takeshi Kodama, Head of JERA Ventures and Managing Partner. “Through this collaboration with UC Berkeley, we aim not only to participate in this transformation, but to help drive it. As an implementation hub connecting knowledge, talent and capital within and beyond JERA Group, JERA Ventures will work closely with UC Berkeley to build platforms that translate research and innovation into real-world impact that creates societal value.”

“Innovation in the energy industry is rapidly advancing, driven by both an increased need for power and the challenge of transforming to cleaner, more sustainable generation,” said Chris Bush, executive director of the Institute for Business Innovation at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. “JERA’s commitment to helping lead the energy transition and investing in research and technology makes it a great partner for campus. We’re looking forward to engaging with JERA Ventures to put research and concept into practice and commercialize technologies ranging from new battery approaches to novel computing applications for the energy sector.”

“JERA’s assets, reach and long-term vision make it a compelling partner for UC Berkeley researchers, students and innovators who are looking to make a difference at scale,” added Jon Metzler, Continuing Lecturer at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and Director at Haas IBI.  “We look forward to collaborating with JERA across the field of physical AI, digital technologies, and decarbonization.”

JERA’s mission is to provide cutting-edge solutions to the world’s energy issues. By addressing challenges such as climate change, resource constraints, and energy security, JERA aims to deliver cleaner energy solutions that are stable and affordable. Through JERA Ventures, the company will continue collaborating with partners who share a strong sense of social responsibility and an innovative mindset, challenging conventional thinking to identify transformative solutions that go beyond existing paradigms.

About JERA
JERA is a global energy leader and Japan’s largest power generation company focused on providing cutting-edge solutions to the world’s energy issues. Established in 2015, the company produces one-third of Japan’s electricity and is one of the largest LNG buyers in the world. JERA has global reach and strength throughout the energy supply chain, including participation in upstream gas exploration and production, LNG projects, fuel procurement and transportation, and power generation globally. In support of a responsible energy transition, JERA aims to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses by 2050.

About JERA Ventures
JERA Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the JERA Group, with a strategic investment capacity of USD 300 million. In addition to investing in startups with cutting-edge technologies and innovative business concepts, JERA Ventures actively collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders across industry, government, and academia that form the startup ecosystem. Through these activities, JERA Ventures aims to drive open innovation in the energy sector.

About UC Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley was founded in 1868 and is the oldest member of the University of California educational system. With 74 Nobel laureates, it is consistently ranked as the number one public university in the world. The UC Berkeley Haas School of Business was founded in 1898 and is the oldest business school at a public university in the United States. The Institute for Business Innovation at Berkeley Haas disseminates pioneering research on innovation, trains students to be entrepreneurial leaders, and facilitates innovation in the startup and corporate domains.

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SOURCE JERA Americas, Inc