Tag: PR Newswire

TEMPE, Ariz., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A $5 million gift from longtime Arizona State University supporter Annette Beus and her family will help fund scholarships for students in ASU’s new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, set to welcome its first class in fall 2026, pending accreditation.

The donation will support 72 students and be used to raise an additional $15 million, with the goal of reaching $20 million by July 2026. That total would fund scholarships for the first two student cohorts at the school, which is part of ASU Health.

The new medical school aims to train physician-engineers—doctors who combine medicine, engineering, and technology, including artificial intelligence and data science.

“As we launch a new kind of medical school, we are extremely grateful to Annette Beus for a gift that will directly support students and inspire others to invest in this vision,” said ASU President Michael Crow.

Annette Beus and her late husband, Leo, have long supported ASU. Their philanthropy has significantly shaped the university. In 2014, their gift helped create the Beus Center for Law and Society, home to the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. In 2019, they donated $10 million to establish the Beus Compact X-ray Free Electron Laser Lab in the Biodesign Institute, which houses the world’s first CXFEL. They also founded the Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations in 2022 to study the early universe.

“We as a family have always supported education for young people,” Annette Beus said. “Of all the donations we’ve made, scholarships have my heart.”

Beus believes the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering can drive innovation and improve health outcomes locally and globally.

Founding dean Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby called the scholarships transformative: “This gift removes the barrier of tuition and empowers the best and brightest to become physician-engineers who will transform health care through technology.”

This gift is part of ASU’s Changing Futures campaign, which focuses on expanding access to education, advancing health, promoting sustainability, and supporting innovation through philanthropic partnerships.

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SOURCE Arizona State University

Selected Startups to Pitch at EarthX’s 9^th Annual E-Capital Summit for $15,000 non-dilutive cash prize. Ocean Exchange Returns to Earthx2025 to Host Blue Economy Pitch Showcase.

DALLAS, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EarthX has announced the ten semi-finalists for the 2025 EarthX Climate Tech Prize, selected from more than 200 global applicants. These early-stage startup companies span industry sectors including heavy industry/manufacturing, energy, agtech/food, and the circular economy — and will compete for a $15,000 non-dilutive cash prize and the opportunity to pitch before leading global investment, industry, and innovation leaders at the 9^th Annual EarthX E-Capital Summit taking place Tuesday, April 22 through Thursday, April 24^th in Dallas, Texas.

The 2025 EarthX Climate Tech Prize, powered by Climate Solutions Prize in Montreal, is awarded annually to early-stage ventures with less than $250,000 in revenue and under $500,000 in dilutive funding. Semi-finalists were selected by EarthX and innovation leaders from Austin Technology Incubator, Capital Factory, Greentown Labs, and Unreasonable Group. Last year’s winner was En Solucion, co-founded by Alex Athey, a Texas-based agtech company that produces chemical-free food sanitation. Winners from previous years include an agtech business in Kenya, a materials science business in New York, and an industrial innovator in Texas.

This year’s Semi-Finals will feature 3-minute lightning pitches on Wednesday, April 23 on the E-Capital Summit Investment Forum Stage, with audience members voting live to determine which 3–4 companies will advance to the Finals on Thursday, April 24 at 1:30 p.m. on The TV Stage at Earthx2025.

2025 EarthX Climate Tech Prize Semi-Finalists Include:

• Aeon Blue (Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada) – Produces sustainable eFuels by combining hydrogen generation with direct air capture of CO₂ in a single clean-tech process.
• EnnoFlow Technologies (Austin, TX, USA) – Merges edge AI with energy infrastructure to create automated, flexible, and efficient virtual power networks.
• HighGround Ranch Developers (Plano, TX, USA) – Funds and connects regenerative ranches with tech platforms to scale climate-friendly agriculture.
• OptiCloud (Jackson, WY, USA) – Optimizes digital infrastructure with AI tools that reduce cloud waste, energy use, and operational costs.
• Mithril Minerals (Austin, TX, USA) – Develops advanced robotics for low-cost extraction of critical minerals from ocean polymetallic nodules.
• Petra Power (Solon, OH, USA) – Develops compact, fuel-flexible solid oxide fuel cells that deliver high-efficiency, zero-emission electricity for vehicles.
• PowerBox Technology (Champaign, IL, USA) – Provides integrated solar and storage systems that ensure uninterrupted industrial power and lower energy expenses.
• ResonanceX (Santiago de Chile, Chile) – Designs resonant electromagnetic circuits for carbon-free power generation.
• Venki Energy (Silver Spring, MD, USA) – Creates removable rooftop solar racking to enable a subscription-based solar model and expand rooftop access.
• Zero Electric (Austin, TX, USA) – Repurposes EV batteries into storage systems to support fast EV charging and enhance grid resiliency.

“EarthX is proud to platform and support early-stage sustainability-focused innovators,” said Vikram Agrawal, Senior Director of EarthxCapital, who helps EarthX curate the event. “These entrepreneurs aren’t just imagining a cleaner, more sustainable future — they’re building it with breakthrough technologies that tackle real-world challenges across energy, industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. We need more leaders like them who are developing pragmatic solutions that benefit industry, our people, and our planet.”

Ocean Exchange Blue Economy Pitch Showcase Returns to Earthx2025
For the second year, EarthX is proud to host the Ocean Exchange Pitch Competition, held as part of the “Brave New Ocean” conference at EarthX 2025. Building on the success and best practices of the E-Capital Summit, Ocean Exchange will spotlight seven cutting-edge blue economy startups working at the intersection of data science, clean water, and ocean intelligence.

Startups participating in the Ocean Exchange Pitch Showcase include:

• Actea: Applies machine learning to ocean climate modeling to provide insights into the future of ocean climate that will enable long term investment.
• Atdepth: Provides advanced ocean assessment tools, including their Ocean Digital Twin (ODT) Ari, which enables real-time, high-resolution simulations of ocean processes that maximize operational efficiency and value for maritime industries.
• Ceretune: Their biodegradable, self-buoyant fabric supports seed-based plant growth on water, converting excess ocean phosphorus and nitrogen into biomass to combat nutrient pollution.
• Fathom Science: Provides ultra-high-resolution ocean, wave, and weather analytics to enhance safety and efficiency for maritime industries, including ports, shipping, and offshore platforms.
• Nucleic Sensing Systems: Develops autonomous, field-deployable monitoring tools, such as the “Tracker,” which continuously analyze environmental DNA and RNA to provide real-time data on biological activity, aiding in the detection and mitigation of pathogens and invasive species in aquaculture and other environments.
• Onvector: Develops a technology that destroys per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using its proprietary Plasma Vortex innovation, which breaks down PFAS molecules into measurable, harmless components and addresses contamination in groundwater, soil, landfill leachate, and industrial wastewater.
• Salient Predictions: Salient Predictions leverages ocean and land-surface data, combined with machine learning and climate expertise, to deliver highly accurate subseasonal-to-seasonal weather forecasts ranging from 2 to 52 weeks in advance.

The Ocean Exchange pitch event will take place on Thursday, April 24, during the Brave New Ocean program, which focuses on accelerating ocean enterprise and sustainability innovation. The winner of the competition will be awarded a $25,000 grant to help accelerate their commercialization.

“We’re excited to partner again with EarthX to help spotlight the incredible entrepreneurs who are driving tangible progress on protecting our oceans and untapping the blue economy,” says Millicent Pitts, CEO of Ocean Exchange. “The blue economy represents one of the greatest opportunities of our time—not just for coastal resilience and marine conservation, but for sustainable innovation that fuels economic growth and community prosperity.”

About the E-Capital Summit
The invitation-only EarthX E-Capital Summit convenes investors, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, policymakers, dealmakers, and others in the investment and innovation ecosystem to accelerate industry innovation and investment in clean technologies and resilience. Over the past eight years, innovators who have participated in the EarthX E-Capital Summit have gone one to raise over $5 billion in collective funding. The Summit includes a complementary Family Office Summit which convenes a global group of high net-worth investors, industrialists, and philanthropists interested in exploring investment, innovation, and philanthropic opportunities in environmental sustainability and conservation.

Notable 2025 E-Capital Summit Speakers Include:

• Christopher Miller, Former Acting Secretary, United States Department of Defense
• Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder of Tiger 21
• Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, US Navy, former Acting Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
• Jack Selby, Managing Director, Thiel Capital
• Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer at Large; Founder, Mission Blue
• Bobby Tudor, CEO Artemis Energy Partners; Retired Founder and CEO of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
• Pablo Vegas, President & CEO, ERCOT
• Pat Wood, CEO, Hunt Energy Network and former Chairman of the Texas PUC and US FERC
• General David Petraeus, Partner and Chairman of KKR Global Institute and former Director, US Central Intelligence Agency
• Sid Miller, Commissioner, Texas Department of Agriculture

For more on EarthX and the full EarthX2025 agenda, which will take place from April 21-25 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX, visit www.EarthX.org. To apply to attend the E-Capital Summit, visit https://earthx.org/conferences/e-capital-summit/. To learn more about Ocean Exchange, visit www.oceanexchange.org.

ABOUT EARTHX
EarthX is a global environmental non-profit founded to inform, inspire, and drive impact towards securing a sustainable future for the planet. We apply an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, creating events, media, education, and public advocacy initiatives to galvanize awareness and action around key ecological and economic challenges. EarthX was founded in 2010 as Earth Day Dallas in an effort to increase environmental awareness in the local community. From 2010 to 2023, EarthX convened EarthX EXPO, the world’s largest green gathering in the days surrounding Earth Day in April. EarthX’s conferences and events convene governments, business and NGO leaders and a diverse array of attendees to cut across industry and political silos to bridge perspectives, leverage expertise, and foster multi-partisan collaboration that drives progress toward environmental solutions.

About Ocean Exchange
Ocean Exchange is a global ecosystem whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the sustainable blue economy. A 501c3, Ocean Exchange fulfills this mission through a rigorous, multi-level program that includes annual monetary awards, promoting registered Solutions Inspiring Action across multiple communication channels, and facilitating access to the global network comprising its Board of Directors, Delegates, Solutions Review Team, Executive Team and other experts from around the world. Its award finalists have raised $3.1 billion in investment, IPO and exit transactions. Ocean Exchange’s mission is funded largely by private donations including those from Royal Caribbean, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, Oceankind, Marine Research Hub of South Florida, Angus Littlejohn, Jr. Family, Apollo Opportunity Foundation, and other business and family philanthropic entities who share the passion for healthy oceans.

About Climate Solutions Prize
The Climate Solutions Prize is a unique initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in climate technology by incentivizing researchers and startups to develop groundbreaking technological solutions. The Climate Solutions Prize rewards the developers of the highest-potential projects with financial support, mentorship and collaboration they need to bring their solutions to market. Each year, winners of the Climate Solutions Prize are announced at the Climate Solutions Prize Festival. The Festival offers not only a platform for showcasing competitors’ innovations, but also a unique opportunity for networking and collaboration among all the key players in the climate technology ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, government officials and industry leaders.

E-Capital Summit Innovation Partners
Activate Boston, AREI, ARPA-E, BRITE Energy Innovators, C10 Labs, Cleantech Leaders Roundtable, Cleantech Open, Cleantech San Diego, CleanTX, Cleveland Water Alliance, Climate – KIC, CSU Strata, Current, Energy Tech Nexus, Federal Labs Consortium, Gener8tor, Halliburton Labs, Impact Hub, Innovation Crossroads, Leaders on Purpose, LightWorks, Marine Research Hub, MaRS Discovery District, Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator, MassChallenge, New Energy Nexus, New Ventures, North Texas Innovation Alliance, NYU Urban Future Lab, Ocean Exchange, SeaAhead, Seaworthy Collective, SMU Hunt Institute for Social Entrepreneurship, Texas Venture Alliance, The Water Council, US India Chamber of Commerce, USGBC.

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SOURCE EarthX

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The American Water Works Association (AWWA) today expressed strong support for new legislation that would create a collaborative approach to cybersecurity in the water sector.

The Water Risk and Resilience Organization (WRRO) Establishment Act (H.R. 2594), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 2, authorizes an independent, non-federal organization to lead the development of cybersecurity requirements in the water sector, supported by oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“This bill represents exactly the kind of thoughtful collaboration we need to address a very serious threat to our nation’s water systems,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “The best and most efficient way to protect water operations and customer information is to leverage the knowledge of cybersecurity experts and utility leaders, while assuring strong federal oversight.”

“As cybersecurity threats continue to grow, this legislation recognizes the unique challenges facing the water sector and gives professionals with relevant expertise a seat at the table when developing cyber requirements,” LaFrance added. “Reliable water service is critical in protecting public health, promoting economic success, and supporting national security.”

Nearly 200 AWWA members visited with members of Congress last week to support the WRRO Establishment Act and elevate other critical water issues during the annual AWWA Water Matters Fly-In.

AWWA has advocated for a collaborative approach to cybersecurity for several years, emphasizing the vast differences in size, capacity, and resources among utilities across the country. A one-size-fits-all approach to cybersecurity would be a challenge for many water systems, especially those serving small and rural communities. The WRRO’s collaborative structure ensures that water professionals can contribute their technical knowledge and utility expertise to the discussion and development of cybersecurity requirements.

“AWWA is grateful for the visionary leadership of Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) that led to the introduction of this legislation,” LaFrance said. “We look forward to working with Rep. Crawford and many other leaders in Congress to advance the bill.”

Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/awwa-supports-introduction-of-collaborative-cybersecurity-legislation-302427848.html

SOURCE American Water Works Association

BORDENTOWN, N.J., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TIGRIS Aquatic Services, LLC (TIGRIS), a leading provider of aquatic management and environmental services, announced today that it has acquired LakePro, Inc., a respected aquatic services company based in Swartz Creek, Michigan.

The acquisition marks TIGRIS’s entry into the Michigan market, enhancing its reach across the Midwest. LakePro also furthers TIGRIS’s mission to cultivate beautiful, safe and compliant water environments for their customers fostering healthy communities and prosperous businesses.

Founded in 2001 by Paul and Christina Dominick, LakePro has provided science-based aquatic vegetation control, water quality management, and lake consulting services to clients throughout Michigan and Northern Indiana. The company has earned a strong reputation for technical expertise and customer care, making it a strategic fit with TIGRIS’s growing network.

“The addition of LakePro strengthens our presence in the Midwest and brings decades of trusted local experience into the TIGRIS family,” said David Pullins, CEO of TIGRIS Aquatic Services. “We’re excited to welcome their talented team and to build on their legacy while delivering expanded capabilities and resources to clients across the region.”

“Joining TIGRIS is a great move for our team and our clients,” said Paul Dominick, former owner of LakePro. “We’ve always focused on science-driven, client-centered service—and TIGRIS shares those same values. With their backing, we’re excited for what comes next for our team.”

The LakePro acquisition is part of TIGRIS’s continued strategy to expand its national presence through the integration of like-minded, high-quality aquatic service providers. TIGRIS now operates in over a dozen states and remains focused on delivering scalable, sustainable solutions for waterway management and ecological stewardship.

About TIGRIS Aquatic Services, LLC
TIGRIS Aquatic Services LLC, a portfolio company of Plexus Capital, LLC, is the premier provider of sustainable stormwater management services to residential, commercial and municipal markets throughout the United States. Offering a wide range of services from locations across the country, TIGRIS is the single source provider for inspection, consultation, routine maintenance, testing, installation and repair of stormwater conveyance systems. Thousands of clients across the country—from homeowners and lake associations to PGA golf courses, municipalities and Fortune 500 corporations—rely on TIGRIS to maintain the performance, beauty and compliance of their ponds, lakes, wetlands and stormwater systems.

About LakePro, Inc.
Founded in 2001 and based in Swartz Creek, Michigan, LakePro, Inc. specialized in the management of lakes, ponds, and other freshwater systems across Michigan and Northern Indiana. With a science-first approach and a commitment to client service, LakePro offered aquatic vegetation control, water quality monitoring, and lake consulting services for over two decades. The company built a reputation for reliability, environmental stewardship, and technical excellence in freshwater management.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tigris-aquatic-services-llc-acquires-lakepro-inc-expanding-footprint-into-michigan-302427820.html

SOURCE TIGRIS

LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In response to the current Administration’s decisions that will create significant funding gaps for many vital domestic HIV programs, ETAF is launching a competitive emergency grant cycle to provide financial resources to organizations in need.

This new initiative will be aimed at ensuring that critical, wrap-around health services for HIV treatment & prevention and programs focused on Transgender communities can continue to operate into the near future.

The application process for this emergency grant cycle opens on April 16, 2025 and will remain open until May 31, 2025. During this period, organizations that have the following direct-service programs are encouraged to apply:

• Transgender HIV Services & Wellness Support: Transgender people are disproportionately at risk of acquiring HIV and falling out of treatment due to socioeconomic, mental health, and stigma-related issues. Programs supporting HIV treatment, prevention, and holistic services to support the transgender community will be prioritized.
• Women & Youth Wrap-Around Health Services: Women and youth, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, are disproportionately impacted and face unique barriers to accessing HIV prevention and treatment. Programs providing housing assistance, crisis support, case management & care coordination, workforce development, and other essential care services tailored for individuals at risk of or living with HIV will be prioritized.

“We recognize that many nonprofit organizations and initiatives rely heavily on government funding, and we are committed to helping them navigate these unforeseen challenges. Many HIV-service organizations will face unexpected financial hurdles due to the recent policy changes, and it is crucial that we respond swiftly,” said Cathy Brown, Executive Director, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

The main purpose of this emergency grant cycle is to provide the necessary support to those organizations that are making a difference in our most vulnerable communities, ensuring that essential services remain available to those who need them most. The grant application process is designed to be straightforward and accessible. Interested organizations are encouraged to read ETAF’s grant policy here and submit a proposal through ETAF’s application portal here.

For more information about the emergency grant cycle and how to apply, please visit ETAF.org or contact us at admin@etaf.org.

About The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF)

Working tirelessly on the AIDS crisis throughout the 1980s, Elizabeth Taylor established The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1991 to carry out her vision for an AIDS-free world. ETAF works to provide the direct care needed for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Emphasizing Elizabeth’s voice, commitment and concentration on marginalized communities, ETAF in partnership with Gilead Sciences, Inc. works to modernize the criminal laws and penalties that affect people living with HIV. ETAF’s programs have also expanded to ensure that HIV prevention education and access to treatment is available through domestic and international initiatives.

For more information, visit ETAF.org or contact Jake Arman, ETAF at jarman@etaf.org.

Request for Proposals

Summary

• 501©(3) Direct-service organizations based and operating in the United States
• In support of funding gaps due to loss of federal funding for programs supporting HIV-services and/or prevention services
• Funds may not be used for lobbying or regranting to 501©(4) entities

Award Terms

• Funds must be used within 12 months of being received
• Mid-year and End of year reports will be required

To Apply

All proposals must be submitted through ETAF’s grant portal linked here:

https://apply.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/

All proposals must be submitted by May 31, 2025 6:00pm PT. Contact admin@etaf.org for any questions or technical assistance.

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SOURCE The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

National Charity Ride Offers Platform for Riders from Around the Country to Raise Funds and Support Families of Fallen or Disabled U.S. Military Service Members & First Responders

In its Second Year, Indian Motorcycle Sets a New Fundraising Goal of $250,000

Indian Motorcycle to Giveaway Brand-New, Sport Chief RT to Top Fundraiser, Additional Product & Prizes Offered for Various Levels of Donations

MINNEAPOLIS, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, is proud to announce the return of its Folds of Honor national charity ride, benefitting families of fallen or disabled U.S. military service members and first responders. On September 20, 2025, riders around the country can join a ride at their local Indian Motorcycle dealership. Riders can donate or register now at the Indian Motorcycle IMRG National Charity webpage.

Building on the success from last year, the 2025 charity ride aims to support even more families of military personnel and first responders. In 2024, Indian Motorcycle demonstrated the generosity and dedication of its owners’ community, as the program eclipsed its goal of $50,000 and raised $114,000 for Folds of Honor. This year, Indian Motorcycle has set its sights even higher, setting an ambitious goal of $250,000 to further amplify the impact of its charitable mission. 

“The incredible response from our riders and supporters last year proved just how much this cause means to our community,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “We are building on that momentum to make an even greater impact in our second year. This event is not just about the ride – it’s a powerful tribute to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect us, and a testament to our community’s unwavering support.”

Every donation, big or small, drives the mission to support families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. To amplify fundraising efforts, Indian Motorcycle will auction a custom Sport Chief RT, donating all the proceeds raised to Folds of Honor. As an added incentive, donors can earn exclusive rewards, including a brand-new, 2025 Indian Sport Chief RT for the top fundraiser and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the auction for the runner-up.

“We are incredibly grateful to Indian Motorcycle and the dedicated riders who support our mission,” said Lt Col Dan Rooney, Founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “By participating in our second charity ride and contributing to these fundraising efforts, riders are making a profound commitment to honoring our nation’s heroes and providing life-changing educational opportunities for their families.”

For nearly 20 years, Folds of Honor has provided educational support to the families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 educational scholarships totaling approximately $290 million in educational impact.

The Folds of Honor charity ride serves as one of many events featuring the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG). With approximately 137 chapters and 7,500 riders from around the country, IMRG hosts hundreds of rides and events each year for members and general motorcycle riders alike. To learn more, visit the IMRG webpage.

Registration and donations are now available at the IMRG National Charity webpage. For more information, please visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram.

ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.

ABOUT FOLDS OF HONOR
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

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SOURCE Indian Motorcycle

SHENZHEN, China, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Covation Biomaterials LLC (“CovationBio^®“), a biomaterials company with advanced technology in the bio-based materials industry, proudly announces its newest innovation, CovationBio^® bioPTMEG, the advanced, sustainable polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), delivering high performance with significantly lower environmental impact.

BioPTMEG is a bio-based alternative to petroleum-based PTMEG, helping customers reduce their reliance on non-renewable materials and maintain the durability and resilience expected in high performance applications such as spandex, polyurethanes and thermoplastic elastomers.

A few of the superior sustainability benefits offered by CovationBio^® bioPTMEG include: 

• a substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-based incumbents;
• a product that is 100% bio-based and obtained from annually renewable resources;
• the use of feedstock such as corncobs which do not compete with primary food sources;
• a reduced reliance on non-renewable fossil fuel use.
• Drop-in performance to allow downstream to switch to bio-based raw material without major process change

Mr. Feifeng You, Chairman of CovationBio, stated: “As a force of nature, CovationBio’s vision is to build a sustainable, decarbonized materials industry. To this end, we’re proud to launch CovationBio^® bioPTMEG. It uses carbon absorbed by plants from the atmosphere for material creation, improving the quality of life. We’re scaling up production to cut carbon footprints. This is our responsibility to future generations. Through continuous innovation and cooperation, we aim to build a sustainable and regenerative materials industry. We invite all stakeholders to join us in creating a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous world.”

“This drop-in replacement can be seamlessly integrated into existing manufacturing processes and does not require extensive, or even any, product development,” he added

The construction of a plant in Jiangsu Province, Qidong is expected to be mechanically complete toward the end of 2025. Commercial production should begin in the first quarter of 2026.

Those attending Chinaplas may visit the CovationBio^® booth at Hall 20, Booth H21 from April 15-18, 2025.
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Transformation, Collaboration, Sustainability,” the team will highlight how CovationBio^® bioPTMEG can integrate into customer materials and advance sustainability strategies.

On April 14^th 2025, the Global Marketing Director for C4 Platform Dr. Mosha Zhao and the Global Technology Director of CovationBio Dr. Dan Slanac will make the first official introduction to CovationBio^® bioPTMEG on the Media Day of Chinaplas 2025 to share the global sustainability commitment of CovationBio and the impact of this new technology. For those interested in learning more, please visit bioPTMEG@covationbio.com.

Disclaimer: The statements regarding product‘s life cycle analysis (LCA) and product performances above are based on tests by CovationBio and True North, an authoritative third party in the US. As the relevant data involves trade secrets, it will only be provided upon legal request in administrative or judicial proceedings. We appreciate your understanding.

About CovationBio^®

Founded in 2022, in Newark, Delaware, Covation Biomaterials LLC is a biomaterials company with advanced technology in the bio-based materials industry, offering a product portfolio of high-performance, sustainable solutions.

The company builds on its rich DuPont legacy of groundbreaking scientific innovation and continues to deliver novel solutions at scale across multiple industries, including apparel, carpeting, cosmetics, food, and packaging. Through product lines such as Sorona^®, Susterra^® and Zemea^®, the mission of Covation Biomaterials is to deliver building blocks that will enable customers to provide bio-based products accessible to everyone. Covation, Covation Biomaterials, Sorona, Susterra, and Zemea are trademarks of Covation Biomaterials™ or its affiliates. For more information about Covation Biomaterials, please visit CovationBio.com and follow on WeChat, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

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SOURCE Covation Biomaterials

NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Corporate DEI initiatives are facing growing scrutiny from policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders. This heightened criticism is bearing out in the 2025 proxy season, with a significant rise in shareholder proposals seeking to counter, limit, or rollback DEI efforts.

By early April, 13 anti-DEI proposals have already been filed at US public companies. That’s nearly as many proposals as were filed in all of 2024. Additionally, these anti-DEI proposals account for a bigger share of all DEI-related proposals: In 2024, anti-DEI proposals represented 23% of all DEI proposals. So far in 2025, the anti-DEI share has jumped to 40%.

“Anti-DEI shareholder proposals have been steadily rising over the past few years, despite receiving minimal support. Usually, the main goal of these proposals isn’t to get them passed, but for proponents to exert influence, amplify opposition, and generate media attention,” said Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board ESG Center and coauthor of the report.

These insights come from a new report by The Conference Board, produced in collaboration with ESGAUGE, Russell Reynolds Associates, and The Rutgers Center for Corporate Governance. Findings are based on shareholder proposals submitted at Russell 3000 companies, with data as recent as April 1, 2025.

Additional insights include:

1—Volume of Shareholder Proposals

Anti-DEI Proposals
Proposals against DEI initiatives surged in recent years—and will likely reach record levels in 2025.

• 2024 proxy season recap: From 2021 to 2024, the number of anti-DEI proposals filed annually grew from 1 to 17. They went from representing only 1% of all DEI proposals to 23%.
• 2025 proxy season outlook: As of April 1, 13 proposals have been filed. They account for around 40% of all DEI proposals filed so far in 2025.

Pro-DEI Proposals
Shareholder proposals promoting or advancing DEI initiatives peaked in 2021.

• 2024 proxy season recap: From 2021 to 2024, the number of pro-DEI proposals filed annually plummeted from 102 to 57.
• 2025 proxy season outlook: As of April 1, 18 pro-DEI proposals have been filed.

2—Support Levels for Shareholder Proposals

Anti-DEI Proposals
Despite growing public attention around anti-DEI proposals, they continue to receive minimal support.

• 2024 proxy season recap: Support for such proposals was less than 2% on average in 2024.
• 2025 proxy season outlook: As of April 1, support for proposals voted on ranged from 0.8% to 2.3%.

Pro-DEI Proposals
Support for proposals in favor of corporate DEI initiatives has dropped in recent years.

• 2024 proxy season recap: From 2021 to 2024, support for such proposals fell from 36% to 22%.
• 2025 proxy season outlook: This trend is expected to continue in 2025 and reflects a broader decline in support for environmental and social proposals.

3—Key Themes of Shareholder Proposals

Anti-DEI Proposals
The most common themes include legal and financial risks and DEI metrics in executive pay.

• Legal and financial risks of DEI: Requests for audits on whether DEI programs create legal liability by discriminating based on race or gender, exposing companies to reverse discrimination lawsuits.
• Executive compensation and DEI: Proposals call for removing DEI-related performance metrics from executive pay structures, arguing that such goals introduce bias.
• Reconsider or abolish DEI programs: Proposals seeking to scale back or eliminate DEI programs, policies, and departments, questioning their necessity, effectiveness, or legality. These have grown quickly in 2025.
• “Viewpoint diversity” and ideological neutrality: Requests to include political ideology and viewpoint as protected characteristics in EEO policies to prevent ideological bias or exclusion.

Pro-DEI Proposals
The most common themes include enhanced reporting, board diversity policies & pay gap disclosure.

• Enhanced DEI reporting and metrics: Proposals seeking greater transparency in corporate DEI efforts, including disclosures on diversity in hiring, retention, and promotion, to advance inclusion efforts.
• Board and executive diversity policies: Calls for commitments to include diverse candidates in board director appointments and senior executive hiring.
• Pay gap disclosure: Proposals requesting disclosure of median and adjusted pay gaps by gender and race, citing links to recruitment, retention, and corporate reputation.

Commentary:
“Just a few years ago, companies and proponents were more willing to engage on DEI proposals. Today, reaching agreements poses a bigger challenge—particularly as some proponents’ requests have become more prescriptive or disruptive,” said Ariane Marchis-Mouren, Senior Researcher at The Conference Board and coauthor of the report.

“Shareholder support for DEI proposals has been dropping over the past few years. This is partly because boards are generally more diverse and disclosures have improved, but also due to the perception of greater risk associated with diversity commitments. As a result, both negotiated withdrawals and majority approvals are becoming rarer,” said Richard Fields, head of the Board Effectiveness Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates.

“Institutional investors have largely resisted anti-DEI proposals, viewing them as inconsistent with established corporate governance principles and the interests of shareholders. Most companies have echoed this stance, recommending votes against these measures. Notably, the proposals tend to come from a small set of ideologically driven activists rather than broad investor coalitions—limiting their legitimacy and broader appeal,” said Matteo Gatti, Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School.

“This proxy season presents especially big challenges for companies as they face multiple DEI-related proposals from opposing perspectives, underscoring the complexity of balancing investor expectations, regulatory scrutiny, and corporate commitments,” said Umesh Chandra Tiwari, Executive Director of ESGAUGE.

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org 

About ESGAUGE
ESGAUGE is a data mining and analytics firm uniquely designed for the corporate practitioner and the professional service firm seeking customized information on US public companies. It focuses on disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices such as executive and director compensation, board practices, CEO and NEO profiles, proxy voting and shareholder activism, and CSR/sustainability disclosure. Our clients include business corporations, asset management firms, compensation consultants, law firms, accounting and audit firms, and investment companies. We also partner on research projects with think tanks, academic institutions, and the media. www.esgauge.com

About Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory firm. Our 500+ consultants in 47 offices work with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. We help our clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today’s challenges and anticipate the digital, economic, sustainability, and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment. From helping boards with their structure, culture, and effectiveness to identifying, assessing and defining the best leadership for organizations, our teams bring their decades of expertise to help clients address their most complex leadership issues. We exist to improve the way the world is led. www.russellreynolds.com

About the Rutgers Center for Corporate Law and Governance
The Rutgers Center for Corporate Law and Governance is a project of the Rutgers University School of Law, located in Camden and Newark, New Jersey. The Center is an interdisciplinary forum for research, analysis, and discussion of current issues in corporate law and governance. The Center serves as a resource for students, faculty, alumni, and the business and nonprofit communities. Its objectives are to identify and promote best corporate law and governance practices and law reform, and to build bridges between Rutgers Law School, the business and nonprofit communities, government officials, and other Rutgers University units. For more information, visit https://cclg.rutgers.edu/

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SOURCE The Conference Board

HYDERABAD, India and DALLAS, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cyient, a global Intelligent Engineering solutions company, has been awarded a strategic contract to support Green H Bodø in the development and execution of its hydrogen production and distribution facility at Langstranda in Bodø, Norway. The project is part of a joint venture between GreenH and Luxcara.

GreenH is a Norwegian company that develops infrastructure for the production and distribution of green hydrogen from renewable energy. Luxcara is an independent asset manager based in Hamburg, Germany, focused on fostering renewable energy projects in Europe.

The Bodø project represents a major step in advancing Norway’s renewable energy ambitions, focusing on delivering green hydrogen to the maritime sector and heavy transport industries. The hydrogen facility will supply green hydrogen fuel under a long-term agreement with Torghatten Nord AS, fuelling the Vestfjorden ferries – a cornerstone project in Norway’s green energy transformation for the maritime sector. As civil construction began in the fall of 2024, this partnership marks a significant milestone in delivering an innovative and sustainable energy solution.

Cyient’s scope of work includes providing comprehensive owner’s engineering and detailed plant engineering services. Cyient will leverage its extensive experience in green and renewable energy engineering including green hydrogen towards optimizing project delivery and enhancing efficiency through the lifecycle of this momentous project.

Speaking on the collaboration, Espen Lied, COO, GreenH, said, “We are excited to collaborate with Cyient to bring our hydrogen vision to life in Bodø. With Cyient’s expertise, we’ll complete the detailed engineering of our hydrogen plant and provide the basis for procurement, construction, and installation of our first facility for production and direct bunkering of green hydrogen.”

“Green or clean hydrogen is a game-changer in the world’s energy transition to sustainable fuels, and it is considered an efficient energy carrier. We are extremely proud and happy to have received our large order for the engineering delivery of the world’s first-of-its-kind green hydrogen production for maritime transport. Based on our strong track record of implementing efficient and cost-effective balance of plant design on all projects that we have executed, we are confident that we can assist GreenH and Luxcara to make this prestigious hydrogen project a great success,” said, Espen Berg, Managing Director, Cyient Norway.

About Cyient
Cyient (Estd: 1991, NSE: CYIENT) delivers intelligent engineering solutions across products, plants, and networks for over 300 global customers, including 30% of the top 100 global innovators. As a company, Cyient is committed to designing a culturally inclusive, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable tomorrow together with our stakeholders.

For more information, please visit www.cyient.com
Follow news about the company at @Cyient

About Green H 
GreenH is a Norwegian company that develops infrastructure for the production and distribution of green hydrogen from renewable energy. The company is engaged in projects aimed at building, owning and operating hydrogen production facilities for the maritime sector, transport and industry. The company will establish a network of hubs for hydrogen production, located as close as possible to the end users. This will result in reduced transport costs, and reduced CO2 emissions both during production, transport and use. GreenH is co-owning the GreenH Bodø project together with investor Luxcara and is managing the project execution.

About Luxcara 
Luxcara is an independent asset manager offering equity and debt investment opportunities to international, institutional investors in the global clean energy infrastructure market. The Hamburg-based company acquires, structures, finances and operates clean infrastructure projects with a long-term, buy-build-operate approach for the clean energy transition. Luxcara’s longstanding focus on unsubsidized markets has made the company one of Europe’s most prominent investors in projects with long-term power purchase agreements. The company’s portfolio includes clean energy infrastructure across Europe. Its track record, dating back to 2009, makes Luxcara one of the continent’s most experienced asset managers for clean energy investments.

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SOURCE Cyient

– Americans Say Kindness is Their New Self-Care: Crispy Green’s New Survey Reveals Feel-Good Trends from Moms Nationwide –

FAIRFIELD, N.J., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As the nation battles digital burnout and everyday stress, a surprising new survey from Crispy Green^®, the maker of the leading freeze-dried fruit snack Crispy Fruit™, reveals a powerful emotional trend: Kindness has become the go-to mood booster for American families.

The national Mood & Kindness Check-In, conducted with 600 moms across the U.S., found that 65.4% of respondents say being kind significantly boosts their mood, while 90.2% of moms actively teach their kids to practice kindness.

Moms are on a mission to raise a kinder generation. Tired of screen time, shifting norms, and everyday stress chipping away at empathy, they’re putting emotional wellness first—through authentic connections, not quick fixes. The message is clear: kindness starts at home, and these moms aren’t waiting around for change—they’re making it happen.

Surprise Stats That Show Kindness is King:

• 65.4% say kindness “helps a lot” in improving mood. Another 33.5% say it helps “somewhat.”
• 90.2% of moms teach their kids to be kind and share.
• 52.3% say watching a good movie or reading a book helps lift their mood.
• Only 15.7% unplugged from social media to reset emotionally.
• 11.3% turn to volunteering to lift their spirits.
• 40.2% report that simply treating themselves works wonders.

“Small acts of kindness spark oxytocin and serotonin—the brain’s feel-good chemicals,” says Dr. Nicole Avena, neuroscientist, health expert, and author of the book Sugarless: A 7-Step Plan to Uncover Hidden Sugars, Curb Your Cravings, and Conquer Your Addiction

Read more about the Science-backed benefits of kindness.

How Are Moms Really Feeling?

Despite the emphasis on kindness and connection, the current mood among moms is mixed. While there’s a strong emphasis on kindness and connection, many are still navigating a swirl of complex emotions. The top 5 drivers of a positive mood include: a solid daily routine, good health, seasonal changes (hello, sunshine!), a supportive person in their life, and keeping up with an exercise routine. Even with these mood boosters in place, the emotional landscape for moms remains nuanced and ever-changing:

• 40.3% reported feeling content and at peace.
• But 26.8% felt uneasy or skeptical.
• And 24.7% admitted to feeling frustrated or angry.

This emotional split underscores the growing need for intentional well-being practices grounded in connection, not perfection.

Join the #SunnySideofSnacking Movement

As part of its Sunny Side of Snacking campaign, Crispy Green hopes to inspire people to do one kind thing each day—and share it with others.

“Through small, meaningful actions, we can create ripple effects of positivity,” says Angela Liu, Founder and CEO of Crispy Green. “Kindness is free, but the impact is priceless. Even a simple gesture—like sharing a healthy snack, such as Crispy Fruit—with someone can be a powerful way to spread kindness and promote well-being for both the giver and the receiver.”

Flex your kindness muscles and snack happy while you’re at it. Head over to Crispy Green’s Sunny Side of Snacking resource page to grab your Kindness Calendar, explore 50 Fun Ways to Spread Kindness, and take our Kindness Quiz to find out which Crispy Fruit flavor you are on the kindness scale! Let’s make kindness deliciously contagious.

About Crispy Green^®
Crispy Green^® has provided families with healthy snacks to fuel their active lifestyles for more than 20 years and is committed to Using Food as a Force for Good^®. Crispy Green^® delivers 100% pure fruit Crispy Fruit^™ as a grab-and-go snack that satisfies and energizes without sacrificing taste while adding more fruit to their diet.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Fairfield, N.J., Crispy Fruit^™ is the top-selling freeze-dried fruit snack in the U.S. The category-leading Crispy Fruit^™ line of 100% pure, freeze-dried fruit is made from only the finest, non-GMO fruits with no added sugar (*not a reduced calorie food).

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SOURCE Crispy Green