DAVIDSON, N.C., March 27, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane® – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, has launched “Cool Air, Hot Takes,” a new podcast designed to equip Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professionals with the knowledge and insights they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. Produced by Trane, the podcast explores the latest trends, innovations, and challenges shaping the future of building climate control.

As buildings increasingly prioritize energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and occupant well-being, the role of HVAC has never been more critical. The “Cool Air, Hot Takes” podcast will provide a valuable platform through which HVAC professionals can stay informed about these evolving trends, connect with industry leaders, and gain practical knowledge to implement sustainable solutions in their projects.

Hosted by HVAC industry veterans Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry who combined have more than 30 years of industry experience, “Cool Air, Hot Takes” delivers a unique blend of in-depth industry insights, unfiltered opinions, and expert interviews, all with a touch of humor. Listeners can expect to hear discussions on topics ranging from sustainable HVAC solutions and the integration of smart building technologies to the growing demand for improved indoor air quality and best practices for installation and maintenance.

“Navigating the rapidly evolving HVAC landscape can be challenging,” explains Charlie Jelen, co-host of “Cool Air, Hot Takes” and Sustainable Systems Sales Leader, Trane Technologies. “Dan and I are bringing our passion for the industry and a bit of humor to the table, making it easier and more enjoyable for professionals to stay informed and engaged.”

The first episode, titled “How Venture Capital is Shaping the Future of HVAC,” features an interview with Jon Horne of the Idea Fund, which was established to invest in seed and early-stage startup companies. The episode explores how venture capital is shaping the HVAC industry and why now is one of the most disruptive times the industry has seen in decades.

Listen to “Cool Air, Hot Takes” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts and on our website. New episodes will be released bi-weekly.

About Trane
Trane – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments through a broad portfolio of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and controls, services, parts and supply. For more information, please visit www.trane.com or www.tranetechnologies.com.

All trademarks referenced are the trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2025 Trane. All Rights Reserved.

At Manifest Vegas, the logistics industry came together to unite around a central theme: resilience. In today’s climate of geopolitical, regulatory, and economic uncertainty, companies are not simply optimizing their supply chains – they’re fundamentally realigning them.

A recent article in Supply Chain Strategy, titled “Resilience and Regionalised Logistics: A Closer Look at the Next Generation of Supply Chains,” captured key insights from logistics leaders at the event. Among the dominant themes were resilience, regionalization, and digital integration – critical pillars shaping the future of global trade.

DP World was proud to contribute to the conversation, offering perspectives on the strategic realignments businesses must undertake to navigate the complexities of 2025. Highlights include:

  • Trade Policy Volatility: Cross-border logistics are becoming increasingly complex due to new tariffs and evolving regulations in the U.S., China, Mexico, and Canada. Instability in North American trade policy – particularly under a renewed Trump administration – is raising compliance costs and forcing companies to reassess their international strategies.
  • The Rise of Nearshoring: Countries such as Mexico, Poland, and Vietnam are emerging as key regional hubs, as nearshoring gains traction in response to shifting trade dynamics. Notably, the U.S. import share from China has declined from 21.6% in 2017 to just 15% in 2025.
  • DP World’s Strategic Response: As part of our commitment to supply chain resilience, DP World is investing in freight networks and contract logistics services, enabling our partners to build faster, more adaptable, and cost-efficient supply chains.
  • Challenges of Nearshoring: While nearshoring offers clear benefits, it also brings new challenges—ranging from regulatory hurdles to infrastructure gaps and labor cost fluctuations. Overcoming these requires strong supplier partnerships, digital integration, and regional warehousing strategies.

These shifts aren’t simply reactions to tariffs or political instability – they’re part of a broader transformation aimed at improving lead times, reducing costs, and mitigating risk. And while geography plays a role, this evolution is ultimately about creating smarter, more agile, and resilient supply chains.

As we look ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of strategic supply chain realignment. At DP World, we’re proud to help lead this transformation and support our partners in navigating what’s next.

Read the full article in Supply Chain Strategy to dive deeper into the conversation. 

  • Customers can earn up to $141 in annual bill credits for enrolling select appliances in the EnergyWise® Home program
  • Additional benefits include helping maintain steady rates for all customers and preserving Florida’s natural resources

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 27, 2025 /3BL/ – With the summer months and sweltering temperatures quickly approaching, Duke Energy Florida is highlighting EnergyWise Home, a voluntary program that rewards customers with up to $141 in annual bill credits for enrolling select appliances – central air conditioning units, electric water heaters and/or pool pumps – and allowing the company to temporarily cycle those appliances off during periods of high electricity demand.

Participation in the EnergyWise Home program helps maintain steady rates for all Duke Energy Florida customers, while also preserving the state’s natural resources. By reducing the strain on the electric system during times of peak energy usage, the company can avoid purchasing power on the open market, which tends to be more expensive, and using older, less efficient power plants that are costlier to operate. Additionally, it delays the need to build new power plants and transmission lines.

“The EnergyWise Home program is one of the many tools we have in our energy efficiency toolbox,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “It’s an easy, effective way for our customers to lower their electric bills and help meet their communities’ – and Florida’s – considerable energy needs.”

Duke Energy Florida uses a small device, installed at no charge to the customer, to cycle off appliances enrolled in EnergyWise Home. Most events occur on weekdays, rather than weekends or holidays, and start with electric water heaters and pool pumps, which can be cycled off for up to five hours. Central air conditioning units are the last to be cycled off – up to 16.5 minutes every 30 minutes – and are rarely impacted.

Currently, approximately 430,000 Duke Energy Florida customers across the state participate in the EnergyWise Home program. They receive credits prorated according to their electricity usage; however, credits are issued any time their usage exceeds 600 kilowatt-hours, even when no interruptions are experienced.

To learn more about EnergyWise Home and/or enroll in the program, please click here and/or call 888.282.9757.

For a range of energy efficiency measures and tips that can also help lower electricity bills, please visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Aly Raschid 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853 
X: @DE_AlyRaschid

View original content here.

The following is an excerpt from our FY24 Purpose Report, celebrating 40 years of impact at Cisco. Data and metrics are reflective of Cisco’s fiscal year 2024, ending on July 31, 2024.

Today, connectivity is no longer a form of aid; instead, it’s often necessary to even receive aid. Beneficiary registration, digital cash, relief benefits, and social service applications all require secure connectivity— and Cisco helps deliver this essential need.

Cisco Crisis Response (CCR) is a leader in the private sector in responding to humanitarian challenges and works directly with government agencies, humanitarian and emergency response organizations, and those affected by crises.

CCR’s support includes on-the-ground connectivity, collaboration solutions, and security solutions for both communities and support agencies. In addition, we provide training to help build preparedness, response capabilities, and long-term resilience to NGOs supporting crisis-affected communities. CCR also offers cash and technology donations to humanitarian nonprofit partners, as well as pro bono consulting on network design and emergency connectivity solutions.

Spotlight On: Powering Communications on the Ground 

Cisco’s Network Emergency Responsible Vehicles (NERVs) provide fast and secure communications when existing communications may be disrupted or degraded. Offered free of charge, onboard NERV features include: fully redundant Cisco Meraki networking components for mission-critical communications; hyperconverged Cisco UCS compute cluster; Cisco Industrial IoT solutions for monitoring and control of vehicle systems; and a high capacity, rechargeable, hybrid power system that powers mission workloads and improves readiness, deployment longevity, and sustainability.

In fiscal 2024, CCR introduced new features to help reach, power, and connect even more communities in need. This includes Line-of-Sight 2.0 kits—comprised of Cisco’s Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul products—which extend the reach of the NERV to remote networks beyond the limitations of WiFi or when wired networks are not feasible. We also incorporated a Starlink High-Performance solution to add to the suite of backhaul options.

Take a virtual reality tour of the NERV and learn more about the set-up and features.

Here are a few examples of how our Cisco Crisis Response supported communities around the world in FY24: 

Combatting Homelessness

In 2018, Cisco committed US$50 million in grant funding over five years—the largest corporate donation of its kind at the time—to address homelessness in Santa Clara County, California. We have far exceeded our original commitment and geographic scope— investing US$130 million to address housing and homelessness globally. This includes US$22 million in product donations to homeless service organizations and supportive housing developments around the world. In Santa Clara County, Cisco’s flexible, private funding has leveraged over US$1.5 billion in public funding to create 3,500 homes, and our homelessness prevention efforts with Destination: Home have prevented 7,200 households from becoming homeless.

Learn more about Cisco’s efforts to address homelessness.

Responding to Wildfires in Maui 

In August 2023, wildfires broke out in Hawaii, prompting evacuations and causing widespread damage. The lack of connectivity left many unable to use credit or debit cards, access ATMs, or pay for essential items like gas, food, and medication. CCR mobilized to restore critical Internet, wireless, and phone connectivity for government agencies and nonprofits. We also launched an employee donation-matching disaster campaign that raised US$360,000 to support the American Red Cross, Americares, the Maui Food Bank, and World Central Kitchen.

Protecting Against Hackers 

Many nonprofits and NGOs lack enterprise-grade cybersecurity, giving bad actors the opportunity to either disrupt rescue operations or steal personal, financial, or government data. CCR and NetHope work together to boost nonprofits’ cybersecurity capabilities and provide the technology, cooperation, and expertise that will thwart hackers, even during vulnerable crisis situations. In addition to the world-class security that is built into every product, Cisco provides innovative mobile networking kits that are highly effective— and secure—in crisis situations. We also use AI to analyze network activity for malicious patterns that allow our response partners to identify and neutralize threats faster, minimizing risk and protecting vulnerable populations’ data.

Read the full FY24 Purpose Report

To learn more about the progress we’re making to Power an Inclusive Future for All, visit our Cisco Purpose Reporting Hub.

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LINCOLN, Neb. March 27, 2025 /3BL/ – Arbor Day Carbon, a subsidiary of the Arbor Day Foundation, has been honored with ACR’s 2025 Commitment to Quality Award in recognition of its work in the voluntary carbon market.

“We believe the voluntary carbon market can have potentially planet-shaping impact, and fostering trust in the market is crucial to its success. That’s why our team sets the bar high for our standard of quality, ensuring all of our forestry carbon credit projects are designed and implemented with integrity,” said Chris Tointon, president of Arbor Day Carbon. “We are honored by this recognition of our work and we’re eager to continue playing a leading role in the market’s march toward greater quality and transparency.”

With 50 years of trees on its side, Arbor Day Carbon has a deep understanding of how to use trees to create tangible benefits for critical ecosystems and the people that steward them. As a team of market experts, Arbor Day Carbon has developed a rigorous vetting process to assess project developers and identify potential benefits and risks of project designs.

Arbor Day Carbon has retired more forestry carbon credits than any other nonprofit on the ACR, with over 1.6 million credits in all. The team has helped to plant and protect millions of trees in a range of locations, including the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley. In addition to the over 1.6 million ACR forestry carbon credits retired by Arbor Day Carbon, the organization has also transacted over 6.4 million more forestry carbon credits on leading global standards Verra, Plan Vivo, and Climate Action Reserve.

ACR is an internationally recognized carbon crediting program and has celebrated climate leaders at its annual Climate Impact Awards for more than 15 years. Arbor Day Carbon was awarded alongside Earth System Scientist Carlos Nobre, Duke University, Grupo Perú, and the Ministry of Environment of Perú.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

###

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 26, 2025 /3BL/ – DP World, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has successfully delivered three new railcars for the Santo Domingo Metro expansion, reinforcing its position as a key logistics partner in the Dominican Republic’s infrastructure transformation. This milestone marks another step forward in the modernization of public transport, enhancing urban mobility for millions of residents.

The newly delivered Metropolis 9000 Series 6 railcars, manufactured by Alstom in Spain, will boost the subway’s capacity to six cars, effectively doubling passenger capacity and helping to alleviate congestion in one of the Caribbean’s busiest transit networks. The railcars arrived at DP World’s terminal at Caucedo in Boca Chica before being transported to OPRET workshops for assembly. To date, 16 subway trains — comprising 48 railcars — have been delivered, with a total of 72 scheduled to arrive as part of the government-led initiative to expand and enhance public transport. 

Handling these railcars required specialized logistics expertise due to their significant size and volume. DP World’s facilities at the Port of Caucedo – equipped with modern cranes and a deepwater berth –are designed to accommodate a wide range of cargo types. The port handles 150,000 tons of bulk and project cargo every year, alongside a container handling capacity of up to 2.5 million TEUs. Last year, DP World successfully managed the delivery of four monorail cars from its terminal at London Gateway in the UK to Santiago, Dominican Republic, demonstrating its expertise in handling complex infrastructure shipments. 

Manuel Martinez, CEO of DP World in the Dominican Republic, said: “DP World’s advanced logistics capabilities make us the premier gateway for specialized cargo in the Dominican Republic. The successful handling and delivery of the Santo Domingo Metro cars demonstrates our ability to manage complex, high-value shipments — capabilities unmatched by any other port in the country. Our world-class infrastructure and global reach enable us to facilitate transformative projects that drive economic growth and enhance connectivity, further solidifying the Dominican Republic’s position as a regional leader in logistics and trade.”

Beyond supporting critical infrastructure projects, DP World’s advanced infrastructure and logistics capabilities are helping position the Dominican Republic as a strategic gateway for trade across the Americas. The company’s ability to handle specialized cargo reinforces its position as the leading logistics partner in the region. By managing high-value shipments, DP World supports the Dominican Republic’s increasing demand for complex logistics solutions, strengthening the country’s competitive edge.

“We are deeply committed to the development of the Dominican Republic and to initiatives that position the country as a prime destination for nearshoring investments,” Martinez added. “Every day, we leverage our logistics expertise to ensure that specialized cargo such as these railcars can seamlessly reach our shores. By drawing on our global capabilities, we not only contribute to the modernization of urban transport but also reinforce the Dominican Republic’s role as a strategic hub for trade, investment, and economic growth.”

Visit dpworld.com to learn more. 

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications
M: (+1) 704-605-6159
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World 

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 100,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

In the Americas, DP World operates with a team of over 16,000 people across 12 countries, driving excellence through a robust network of 14 ports and terminals and more than 40 warehouses. By harnessing our global reach and local expertise, we simplify logistics, enhance operational performance, and redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in global trade.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW.

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2025 /3BL/ – Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) today announced it executed a contract with Organic Energy Solutions (OES) to procure renewable natural gas (RNG) converted from organic waste and inject it into SoCalGas’ pipeline system. The contract is the first approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) under Senate Bill (SB) 1440 which sets specific RNG procurement targets for the state’s natural gas utilities. The RNG will be sourced from a project located in the city of San Bernardino and is an important step toward achieving California’s goal to reduce methane emissions from agriculture and waste while advancing energy decarbonization in the state.

SB 1440 is recognized as the nation’s first renewable gas standard and led the CPUC to set goals for the procurement of RNG, also known as biomethane, which is made from the organic waste of wastewater treatment plants, dairies, landfills, agricultural practices and forestry residues. Depending on its source, RNG can be carbon negative, meaning it captures more greenhouse gases than it emits. SoCalGas aims to replace approximately 12% of the traditional natural gas it delivers to residential and small business customers with RNG by 2030, pursuant to the targets that have been established under SB 1440 by the CPUC. The new RNG standard is expected to help the state achieve its goal to reduce methane emissions by 40% by 2030.

“As the first RNG procurement project under California’s renewable gas standard, this contract represents an important milestone for the RNG industry and SoCalGas as we work together to advance California’s energy goals,” said Elsa Valay-Paz, vice president of gas acquisition at SoCalGas. “By converting waste that would otherwise end up in landfills into usable energy, this project is intended to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and help California reach its climate goals.”

“At OES, we are proud to unite with SoCalGas on this groundbreaking renewable natural gas project, which marks a significant step forward in California’s transition to cleaner energy. By converting organic waste into a valuable energy resource, we aim to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create a more sustainable and resilient energy future,” said Brian Hume, senior vice president of operations for BioStar Renewables, owner of OES. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation in waste-to-energy solutions and our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable California.”

OES, a company specializing in biomass processing and fuel production, will collect organic waste – a source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) – from local industrial and food waste, and process it in an anaerobic digester which speeds up natural decomposition. Methane emissions from the decomposition process are captured and converted into RNG, which will then be injected into the SoCalGas pipeline system. The project is expected to begin supplying RNG to SoCalGas’ system in the second half of 2026. Organic waste in landfills contributes to approximately 20% of California’s methane emissions. Once operational, OES estimates the project will prevent approximately 15,300 tons of GHGs from entering the atmosphere each year, which is the equivalent to the energy usage of 2,984 homes per year or 1.7 million gallons of consumed gasoline.

RNG is already helping reduce emissions from trucks and buses, contributing to cleaner air. In 2019, SoCalGas began replacing traditional compressed natural gas with RNG at its fueling stations to help reduce GHGs. Since 2020, the RNG supplied at SoCalGas’ 37 fueling stations has been classified as carbon negative by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). SoCalGas continues to advance its efforts to decarbonize the fuel it transports, delivering approximately 5% RNG to customers since 2023.

“SoCalGas’ progress toward RNG procurement targets established under California’s SB 1440 will be watched closely by counterparts and policymakers in other U.S. states, with the potential for agreements like these to create a powerful precedent for lasting energy system change,” said Sam Wade, vice president of public policy for RNG Coalition. “RNG is an innovative climate solution that converts methane emissions from organic waste into a low-carbon replacement for fossil fuels, making it a cleaner fit for long-term decarbonization plans at the utility level.”

SoCalGas’ RNG initiatives support California’s clean air and climate goals, including the CARB Scoping Plan, which projects RNG will play a vital role in reducing GHGs and decarbonizing industrial buildings and processes, as well as the transportation sector. The California Integrated Energy Policy Report also found that RNG can significantly reduce GHGs and pollutant emissions compared to conventional diesel trucks.

For more information on SoCalGas’ RNG initiatives, visit socalgas.com/sustainability/renewable-natural-gas.

To learn more about OES and BioStar Renewables, visit BioStarRenewables.com.

As a purpose-driven organization, Elanco employees are focused on its customers and ensuring their work adds value to society, showcasing their commitment to improve the health of animals, people, and the planet. With a goal to secure 20,000 volunteer hours in 2024, Elanco employees went above and beyond, securing 26,067 volunteer hours, volunteering at 330+ unique organizations with a value of $872,900 to nonprofits.

It’s these efforts that led to the first-ever BEYOND Awards, recognizing the exceptional contributions of Global Cause Ambassadors within the Elanco Global Cause Network, Elanco introduced its first-ever BEYOND Awards. These ambassadors are individuals who dedicate their time and effort to organizing, planning, and leading volunteer activities, fostering a culture of giving back amongst Elanco employees worldwide. The awards celebrate those who go above and beyond in creating meaningful volunteer and giving opportunities for their colleagues, acting as both organizers and cheerleaders for positive community impact.

2025 BEYOND Award Winners

  • Global Cause Ambassador of the Year: Peggy Chen | Peggy has a strong track record of leading and supporting Elanco’s giving and volunteering efforts. She led the Global Day of Purpose (GDOP) in 2023 and 2024, co-led it in 2022 and 2021, and championed numerous other volunteer opportunities. Since 2020, she has volunteered for over 240 hours and has made generous personal contributions to non-profits of her choice.
  • Global Cause Partner of the Year: Hiltrud Dornieden | Hiltrud has been instrumental in driving GDOP activities at the Elanco Basel site in 2024, organizing diverse initiatives like blood drives, food bank donations, animal shelter volunteering, forest clean-ups, and the “Donate Your Meal” program. Her consistent efforts to promote GDOP, including proactive communication and diverse activity options, have fostered a strong GDOP spirit amongst colleagues, resulting in record participation.
  • Global Cause Partner of the Year: Stefan Pekrul | Stefan’s organization of various events, including trash collections, charity runs, blood drives, pet food collections, and support for breast cancer patients, has positively impacted the community and fostered a more engaged workforce. His dedication has resulted in tangible benefits such as cleaner beaches, healthier animals in local shelters, and increased colleague participation. Colleagues praise Stefan’s drive, helpfulness, and hands-on approach, highlighting his significant contributions to Elanco’s community engagement efforts.

Originally published on March 7, 2025 on LinkedIn

Throughout Black History Month, our teams embraced the spirit of the month with shared meals, storytelling, and meaningful conversations about Black excellence in food, hospitality, and beyond.

Here are just a few moments from sites across the country, including New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, Metro NY, our headquarters in Houston! A huge thank you to our Catalyst Colleague Resource Group members and even more local teams across the nation for making these celebrations so impactful.

Swipe through to see how we came together!

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

 For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

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Originally published by Arizona State University News

By Sandy Keaton Leander

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering college athletes beyond their playing careers, Arizona State University and GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) teamed up to launch the first-of-its-kind Student-Athlete Venture Studio.

The program helps student-athletes navigate the rapidly changing landscape of name, image and likeness licensing by providing them with the tools, mentorship and resources to develop, launch and grow business ventures.

Initiated and designed by the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU, GoDaddy and Sun Devil Athletics, this collaboration combines ASU’s entrepreneurial resources with GoDaddy’s digital expertise to help student-athletes build their brands.

“The Student-Athlete Venture Studio enables collegiate athletes to become entrepreneurs and provides a proactive approach to navigating NIL successfully,” said Jeff Kunowski, associate director of innovation programs at Edson E+I Institute. “By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across ASU and leveraging sport as a platform, we are helping athletes develop ventures and lifelong skills to help them excel beyond their careers as college athletes.”

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2021, student-athletes have been navigating what is a relatively new entrepreneurial landscape. College athletes can now benefit financially from their name, image and likeness with no penalty from the NCAA, but figuring out how to do so can be complicated and time-consuming.

As part of this program, student-athletes will benefit from in-person and online educational content, opportunities to compete for grant funding, and a collaborative working space at Mountain America Stadium, a significant location due to its proximity to Sun Devil Athletics administration, facilities and the athletes themselves. This convenient location allows athletes to easily schedule and drop in for hands-on mentoring sessions. Dedicated workstations and conference rooms provide a professional environment where they can actively develop their ventures.

GoDaddy helped found the initiative through its global social impact program, Empower by GoDaddy, and will provide more than 650 student-athletes with free access to digital branding tools, including GoDaddy Airo, the company’s AI-powered solution for developing an online presence in minutes. These resources, consisting of more than $1 million in combined cash and in-kind support to be distributed to students in 2025, allow athletes to establish a professional online presence, launch ventures quickly and easily scale their ideas.

“We’re thrilled to combine the business-building power of GoDaddy Airo with the drive and immense potential of these enterprising student-athletes, ” said Jared Sine, chief strategy and legal officer at GoDaddy. “According to our research, 50% of Gen Z aspire to become entrepreneurs, and through Empower by GoDaddy, we’re accelerating this journey for these young innovators by providing them with the tools they need to bring their business dreams to life off the field.”

The program’s inspiration came from a collaboration between Kunowski and Kate Fitzgerald, a former ASU women’s beach volleyball player and founder of VBAmerica, a volleyball lifestyle clothing brand.

“NIL regulations and ASU’s innovative resources allowed me to launch VBAmerica and build opportunities for life after sport,” Fitzgerald said. “As student athletic council president, I saw a need to help other athletes access these same resources: launching businesses, securing grants and building networks. The Student-Athlete Venture Studio embodies this mission, empowering athletes to thrive through NIL and entrepreneurship.”

Athletes in the program will pitch their venture ideas for seed funding during a Demo Day each academic year.

About The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU
The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU is a high-impact, driver and supporter of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at ASU, in greater Phoenix, and nationally. We are a network of people, support systems, collaborative resources and tools for students, leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators in the community. We are nimble by design, scale rapidly, and are continually building our abilities to be the conduit that provides support to you where and when you need it.

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

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