- New multi-phase patient engagement initiative will explore how AI-powered CT analysis can help people living with pulmonary fibrosis better understand their disease and support shared treatment decisions

OXFORD, England and CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brainomix, a leading medtech company specializing in AI-powered imaging tools for lung disease and stroke, today announced a new partnership with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) to bring the voices of patients and caregivers into exploring how AI-powered imaging could support the care of people living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and other fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILD).

The partnership will focus on understanding patients' perspectives when e-Lung quantitative CT analysis is incorporated into clinicians' assessment workflow. The research will explore how access to objective quantitative CT metrics could enhance clinicians' understanding of changes in disease over time, while examining how these insights are experienced and understood by patients. The initiative will also explore how these imaging insights could support more informed conversations between patients and their healthcare teams, including discussions around treatment decisions.

Brainomix 360 e-Lung is an FDA-cleared, CE-marked AI-powered image analysis tool that provides automatic quantifications and visualizations of radiographic features in lung CT scans. Clinicians can use these outputs to aid in their diagnostic assessment of lung diseases.

With its deep connection to the PF and ILD community and extensive expertise in patient education, research and care, the PFF is uniquely positioned to help guide this initiative. The Foundation will draw on its patient and caregiver community and its understanding of both the clinical and lived experience of pulmonary fibrosis, helping ensure patient perspectives remain central to the programme. Through its Care Center Network, the PFF also connects medical centers with expertise in diagnosing and treating fibrotic lung diseases and in patient-oriented research.

The programme is part of PROGRESS-PPF, a broader research initiative between Brainomix and Boehringer Ingelheim, exploring the potential of quantitative CT imaging tools to provide objective metrics that support clinicians in their assessment of disease progression in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The new collaboration with the PFF builds on that work by bringing the patient perspectives to the forefront, exploring how these imaging insights can support meaningful conversations between patients and clinicians.

"Patients are at the heart of everything we are trying to achieve with e-Lung," said Dr. Michalis Papadakis, CEO and Co-Founder of Brainomix. "While our technology can provide new imaging tools for lung disease, we need to understand how those tools inform clinical understanding and how that information is communicated to and understood by the people living with the disease. Our partnership with the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation will help us listen directly to patients and caregivers and explore how AI-powered imaging tools can support greater understanding, communication and shared decision-making."

The partnership will explore what patients want to know about their disease, how they respond to visual and quantitative outputs, and where e-Lung may provide the greatest value across their care. It will also explore how clinician imaging-derived insights could support conversations with patients about whether to start, continue or change treatment, particularly when changes in disease may not be evident from symptoms alone.

"People living with pulmonary fibrosis and their caregivers bring an essential perspective to the development of new approaches to understanding and managing this disease," said Scott Staszak, President and CEO of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. "The PFF is deeply connected to the PF and ILD community and has a long-standing commitment to advancing research, education and care. We are pleased to partner with Brainomix to bring that patient voice and expertise into exploring how AI-powered quantitative imaging tools can be used in care. By listening directly to the community, we can better understand what information patients find valuable and how it can support conversations with their healthcare teams."

The partnership reflects Brainomix and PFF's shared commitment to further advancing a patient-centred approach to pulmonary fibrosis care, where new technologies are developed and evaluated with a clear understanding of the needs, experiences and priorities of the people they are intended to serve.

About Brainomix

Brainomix is a global pioneer in AI-powered medical imaging, transforming medical images into actionable insights to enable more precise treatment decisions in stroke and lung disease. Founded as a spinout from the University of Oxford, Brainomix brings AI-powered precision medicine into clinical practice across more than 20 countries. Its flagship Brainomix 360 Stroke platform supports acute stroke assessment throughout the patient pathway and has been shown to expand patient access to life- and disability-saving stroke treatments. Brainomix 360 e-Lung is an FDA-cleared, CE-marked AI-powered imaging software platform that automatically identifies and quantifies features on CT lung scans using a configured clinical workflow. Quantification of CT features can enable clinicians to more easily identify visual changes over multiple timepoints.

To learn more about Brainomix and its technology visit www.brainomix.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.

About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is committed to accelerating research, empowering our community, and transforming care so that everyone with pulmonary fibrosis can live a better life. Our ultimate goal is to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis. The PFF has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and is an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance. The Foundation has met all of the requirements of the National Health Council Standards of Excellence Certification Program® and has earned the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733)

Contacts

Brainomix

Jeff Wyrtzen, Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

T +44 (0)1865 582730

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

Dorothy Coyle

[email protected] 

T +1 773-332-6201

Media Enquiries

USA

Jordyn Temperato

LifeSci Communications

[email protected] 

UK & Europe Media Enquiries

Sue Charles 

Charles Consultants

[email protected]  

SOURCE Brainomix

Share this article

MetroPlusHealth Earns 4-Star Medicare Rating for Second Consecutive Year

Consecutive 4-Star ratings reflect sustained quality, member experience, and health outcomes for New Yorkers

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MetroPlusHealth, New York City's high-quality, affordable health plan, announced today that its Medicare Advantage plans have earned an overall 4-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the second consecutive year. This achievement highlights MetroPlusHealth's continued commitment to high-quality care, member experience, and better health outcomes for New Yorkers. The rating applies to MetroPlusHealth's Medicare Advantage plans, including the MetroPlus Advantage Plan (HMO D-SNP), MetroPlus Platinum Plan (HMO), and MetroPlus UltraCare (HMO D-SNP).

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. For the 2027 Medicare Star Ratings, MetroPlusHealth earned 4 Stars for Part C and 4.5 Stars for Part D prescription drug coverage, building on its 4-Star Medicare Advantage rating for 2026. The consecutive results reflect consistent performance across areas critical to members, including quality of care, medication management, member experience, and health plan operations. The 2027 Star Ratings Program is primarily based on data collected during 2025–2026.

"Earning a 4-Star Medicare Advantage rating for the second consecutive year reflects meaningful, sustained progress," said Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. "This recognition speaks to the dedication of MetroPlusHealth's teams and providers across New York City and our commitment to improving health outcomes, removing barriers to care, and delivering the high-quality care and support our members deserve."

The Medicare Star Ratings program evaluates Medicare Advantage plans across a broad range of quality and performance measures and helps beneficiaries compare plans when making coverage decisions. Among its 2027 results, MetroPlusHealth earned strong ratings across measures of clinical care, medication management, and member experience.

Together, these results reflect MetroPlusHealth's focus on improving health outcomes while delivering dependable, responsive service and support for members. The achievement reflects a company-wide focus on quality spanning clinical care, pharmacy, customer service, operations, care management, and member engagement. Teams across MetroPlusHealth work together to address barriers to care, connect members with needed resources, and continually improve the member experience.

"This continued 4-Star performance reflects the work happening every day across our clinical teams, the broader organization, and our provider network to strengthen quality and improve health outcomes," said Dr. Sanjiv Shah, Chief Medical Officer of MetroPlusHealth. "Whether we are helping members manage chronic conditions, stay on their medications, or make informed decisions about their health and care, our focus is on providing the support they need to live healthier lives."

MetroPlusHealth offers one of the most competitive Medicare benefit packages available, combining comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage with supplemental benefits, personalized support, and care coordination designed to help members manage their health and get the most from their coverage. Its MetroPlus Advantage Plan (HMO D-SNP) includes $3,120 annually in Flex Card benefits, 50 one-way rides to and from medical appointments, and $2,000 per year toward hearing aids, providing additional resources to support members' health, independence, and overall well-being.

Beyond its comprehensive benefits, MetroPlusHealth's Medicare Advantage plans are strengthened by MetroPlusHealth's deep integration with NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation's largest municipal health care system. This relationship supports coordinated care and broad access to providers across all five boroughs, while helping MetroPlusHealth deliver services tailored to New York City's diverse and multilingual communities.

MetroPlusHealth Plan, Inc. offers HMO and HMO D-SNP plans with contracts with Medicare and the New York State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in MetroPlus Health Plan, Inc. depends on contract renewal. For more information, please visit the MetroPlusHealth Medicare Plan webpage.

H0423_MKT27_4020_M

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Dominguez; [email protected]

About MetroPlusHealth

MetroPlusHealth is a wholly owned subsidiary of NYC Health + Hospitals. For more than 40 years, MetroPlusHealth has provided access to affordable, quality health care to the people of New York City. It is a leader in addressing social determinants of health and the only New York State plan to dedicate resources specifically to ensuring members have access to food, housing, and transportation. MetroPlusHealth serves nearly 700,000 members across New York City and its impressive network includes more than 34,000 providers and more than 40 hospitals and urgent care centers, including NYC Health + Hospitals, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, CityMD, Montefiore, LabCorp, Lenox Hill Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Hospital for Special Surgery, and more. For more information about MetroPlusHealth, please visit https://metroplus.org/.

SOURCE MetroPlusHealth

Share this article

Opening on Florida's Atlantic coast brings the Company's Florida dispensary count to 79 and 189 nationwide

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer cannabis products, today announced the opening of a new Florida dispensary: Curaleaf Wellington, located at 2495 S State Road 7, Suite 101, Wellington, FL 33414. The new store increases the Company's Florida footprint to 79 dispensaries and its nationwide total to 189 stores.

Located in Palm Beach County, Curaleaf Wellington sits on State Road 7 in the Wellington Green commercial district, near The Mall at Wellington Green and the Forest Hill Boulevard intersection, putting it within easy reach of patients in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Greenacres, and Lake Worth. Home to more than 61,000 residents, the Village of Wellington is best known as a world-class equestrian destination. Each winter, Wellington International hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival, the largest and longest-running horse show in the world, while the village's 9,000-acre Equestrian Preserve protects the polo fields, show grounds, and more than 100 miles of public bridle trails that define daily life there. That identity carries into the store itself, where a custom mural features locally inspired artwork celebrating the community and its equestrian heritage. The store will offer a wide range of products, including Curaleaf's Florida-exclusive Reef flower, Dark Heart ultra-premium flower, FIND flower, Anthem pre-rolls, and the Select Briq 2 all-in-one vape.

"Florida is one of the most important medical cannabis markets in the country, and its patient community keeps growing," said Boris Jordan, Chairman and CEO of Curaleaf. "Every new store we open is a commitment to grow alongside that community. With Wellington, we're bringing reliable care and high-quality products closer to home for more patients across Palm Beach County."

A grand opening celebration will take place at Curaleaf Wellington on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, beginning at 9:00 A.M. ET both days. The celebration will feature special promotions, giveaways, and in-store activations. Promotional offers include a spend-and-get pre-roll offer, a free eighth for the first 25 patients with a qualifying medical card each day, and a free 0.5g Curaleaf 510 cartridge with a qualifying purchase.

Curaleaf Wellington will operate Monday through Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. ET, and Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. ET. For more information about Curaleaf's Florida dispensaries, products, and patient resources, please visit https://curaleaf.com/dispensary/florida.

About Curaleaf Holdings

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, FIND, Dark Heart, and Anthem, provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. Curaleaf International is powered by a strong presence in all stages of the supply chain. Its unique distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This media advisory contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward–looking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "proposed", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the opening of a dispensary in Wellington, Florida. Such forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the company with respect to the matter described in this news release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and uncertainties is discussed in the Company's Form 8-K dated August 5, 2026 together with the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, attached as exhibits thereto, as well as the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, each of which documents have been filed on the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov/edgar and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Investor Contact:

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Camilo Lyon, Chief Investment Officer

[email protected]

Media Contact:

MATTIO Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Share this article

Acquisition strengthens Flex's Cloud and Power Infrastructure portfolio with differentiated grid-forming and power conversion technology

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of EPC Power, a leading provider of intelligent power conversion solutions for data center and grid applications.

EPC Power is now part of Flex's Cloud and Power Infrastructure segment, expanding the company's capabilities across power, cooling and compute to address growing demand for higher-density AI infrastructure and next-generation 800V data center power architectures.

"We are pleased to welcome the EPC Power team to Flex," said Revathi Advaithi, Chief Executive Officer of Flex. "EPC Power adds differentiated power conversion and grid-forming technology to our capabilities across power, cooling and compute. Together, we can help customers address the growing power demands of AI infrastructure with more efficient, resilient and integrated solutions."

EPC Power combines proprietary hardware, software and controls with U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing. With more than 15 GW deployed, its technology supports grid stabilization and backup power, and its platform is engineered to support next generation 800V data center power architectures.

Flex plans to separate its Cloud and Power Infrastructure segment into an independent publicly traded company, Axiom Solutions International, Inc., in the first calendar quarter of 2027.

About Flex

Flex (Reg. No. 199002645H) is the manufacturing partner of choice that helps leading brands design, build, and manage products that improve the world. With a global footprint spanning 30 countries, Flex delivers advanced manufacturing and supply chain solutions, innovative products and technology, and lifecycle services that support customers from concept to scale. In the AI era, Flex is helping customers accelerate data center deployment by solving power, heat, and scale challenges through cutting-edge power and cooling technology and scalable IT infrastructure solutions. For information about Flex's intent to spin off its Cloud and Power Infrastructure portfolio, visit: https://flex.com/transaction-resources.

Contacts

Flex Investors & Analysts

Michelle Simmons

Senior Vice President, Global Investor Relations and Public Relations

(669) 242-6332

[email protected]

Flex Media & Press

[email protected] 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "will," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the planned spin-off of our cloud and power infrastructure business into an independent, publicly traded company; the expected timing of the spin-off and the ability to complete the spin-off; the anticipated benefits of the spin-off, including enhanced strategic focus, financial flexibility, and value creation for shareholders; the expected tax-free treatment of the spin-off for U.S. federal income tax purposes; the expected future performance of each company following completion of the spin-off; management changes and leadership of each company; and statements about business strategies, growth opportunities, market position, and financial outlook for each company. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and assumptions involving risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties related to the proposed spin-off include, but are not limited to: uncertainties as to whether the spin-off will be completed and the timing thereof; the possibility that various conditions to the completion of the spin-off may not be satisfied or waived; the possibility that the spin-off will not qualify for the expected tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes; the risk that the spin-off may be more difficult, time-consuming, or costly than expected, including the impact on Flex Ltd.'s ("Flex") resources, systems, procedures, and controls; the possibility that the strategic, operational, and financial benefits of the spin-off may not be achieved or may take longer to achieve than expected; the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required legal, regulatory or other approvals necessary to complete the spin-off; disruption from the spin-off, including potential adverse effects on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, and other business partners; competitive responses to the announcement or completion of the spin-off; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations; the possibility of disputes, litigation, or unanticipated costs in connection with the spin-off; uncertainty regarding the financial performance of either company following the spin-off; negative effects of the announcement or pendency of the spin-off on the market price of Flex's securities and/or on Flex's financial performance; the ability to achieve anticipated capital structures, credit ratings, and financing in connection with the spin-off; the ability to retain key personnel; impacts of geopolitical conflicts; and any changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions. Additional information concerning risks relating to our business is described under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and Flex assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Important Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed spin-off, Flex has filed relevant materials with the SEC, including, among other filings, a proxy statement on Schedule 14A on October 5, 2026. The proxy statement has been mailed or otherwise disseminated to shareholders of Flex seeking their approval of the spin-off-related proposals. In addition, a registration statement on Form 10 (the "Form 10") has been filed with the SEC by Axiom Solutions International, Inc. ("Axiom") with respect to its common stock. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement and Form 10 or any other document that may be filed with the SEC by Flex or Axiom. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, THE FORM 10 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED OR WILL BE FILED BY EACH OF FLEX AND AXIOM WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED SPIN-OFF (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FLEX, AXIOM, THE PROPOSED SPIN-OFF AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors are able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and Form 10 and other relevant documents (when they become available) that have been or will be filed by each of Flex and Axiom with the SEC on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Investors also are able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other relevant documents filed by Flex with the SEC from the investor relations page on Flex's website at investors.flex.com.

SOURCE Flex

Share this article

PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mighty Distributing is pleased to announce the addition of a new franchise through an agreement with McDonald Automotive, a leading dealership group serving the Denver metropolitan area.

McDonald Automotive operates 13 dealerships representing a diverse portfolio of automotive brands, including Audi, Genesis, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Polestar, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. The new franchise will operate as Coxall, LLC dba McDonald Mighty, utilizing existing warehouse facilities located at the group's Audi dealership in Parker, Colorado.

With a long-standing presence and strong relationships throughout the Denver market, McDonald Automotive is well positioned to leverage the Mighty business model to improve operational efficiency, strengthen supply-chain control and create an additional profit center across its organization.

Upon launch, McDonald Mighty will become Mighty's 29th franchise integrated with a multi-location dealership group, further expanding Mighty's growing presence within the automotive dealership segment.

"McDonald Automotive is exactly the kind of organization that demonstrates the strength of Mighty's Internal Distribution Franchise model," said Josh D'Agostino of Mighty Auto Parts. "Their scale, reputation, and commitment to operational performance make them a great fit for our System. We're proud to welcome McDonald Mighty and look forward to helping their team create greater efficiency, stronger supply-chain control, and long-term growth across their dealership group."

"We're excited to be part of a forward-thinking model that positions our dealerships for continued growth and long-term success," said Chris Coxall of McDonald Automotive. "This partnership gives us greater control over our parts supply, creates efficiencies across our dealerships, and provides another opportunity to build long-term value within our business. Mighty's experience, support and commitment to the automotive industry made this a natural fit for McDonald Automotive."

The addition of McDonald Mighty reflects Mighty Auto Parts' continued strategy of partnering with dealership groups seeking greater efficiency, profitability and control through internal parts distribution.

About Mighty Distributing System of America

Mighty Auto Parts, a division of Mighty Distributing System of America, is headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA. For more than 60 years, we've supported a network of 100 franchised distributors across 44 U.S. states and five international markets. Mighty partners exclusively with automotive professionals, providing unparalleled local service, expert inventory management, and comprehensive training. Our broad range of OE-quality underhood and undercar parts, chemical products, lubricants, and shop supplies continues to attract independent repair shops, quick lubes, tire centers, and new car dealerships nationwide and internationally. Learn more at www.mightyautoparts.com.

Follow Mighty Auto Parts online:

Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ashley Druica Shaw

[email protected]

770-448-3900

Mighty Distributing System of America

SOURCE Mighty Distributing System

Share this article

Bright Crowns, the first daily wellness practice made for Black children, delivers a five-minute morning routine backed by decades of research to help them walk into any room certain of who they are and ready to reach for more.

ATLANTA, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Crowns, the first daily wellness practice built specifically for Black children, is now available on the Apple App Store. Its five-minute morning routine is designed to build resilience, identity and confidence before children walk out the door.

Breath, affirmation, and the example of inspiring Black figures, past and present, move together as one. Their courage, brilliance, and resolve are reflected back as strengths the child already carries. It's a complete wellness session, made to strengthen a child from the inside out. Throughout those five minutes, a child settles, remembers who they are and where they come from, and leaves steadier and grounded in their own worth. The arc is deliberate: Breathe. Belong. Become.

It doesn't end with the morning. Bright Crowns moves with a child from morning to night: boosting confidence before a test or a game, settling a big feeling the moment it rises, winding down at night with sleep stories from the African diaspora, and closing the week with a reflection a parent reads aloud to their child, to set the tone for the days ahead. Children earn crowns drawn from real African kingdoms, an inheritance rather than a reward. The point isn't making a child feel better for five minutes; it's giving them tools that compound: steadiness, identity and resilience they carry long after the session ends, and the belief that a brighter future is theirs to reach.

Husband-and-wife team David and Tia Harley, Atlanta parents of two young kids, built Bright Crowns for their own children after searching a $2.1 trillion wellness industry and finding only generic apps: polished and useful, but spoken in voices and settings that never felt like home, and asking a Black child to set part of themselves aside just to belong there. The couple each brought more than two decades of professional experience to a labor of love. David is an award-winning creative director who has led multicultural brand campaigns; Tia led business development and partnerships at Google after a marketing career at AT&T. They used Bright Crowns with their own children every morning for more than a year before sharing it with other families. Over that year, they watched their children grow: quicker to recover from tough moments, more willing to try hard things, holding their heads higher. And it showed up where parents care about it most: at school, where their kids became more engaged and their grades improved.

The approach draws on decades of research. A landmark study in the journal Science found that a brief, culturally grounded practice measurably narrowed the racial achievement gap for Black students, without any change to the school itself. Research has since identified ethnic-racial identity as a key protective factor for Black youth mental health in the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, and a meta-analysis of 76 mindfulness programs for young people found significant improvements in stress, attention, emotional regulation and academic engagement.

"We can't always lighten the load our children carry," said co-founder and CEO Tia Harley. "But we can help make them strong enough to carry it, with their heads held high."

"Our children are already brilliant," added co-founder and chief product officer David Harley. "We don't teach them to survive. We teach them they were born to thrive. Their crowns are already on. We just help them remember."

Bright Crowns is available now on the Apple App Store with a free seven-day trial. Families who join by Dec. 31 lock in the Founding Family rate of $69.99 for the first year; one subscription covers every child in the home. Learn more at https://hellobrightcrowns.com.

About Bright Crowns

Bright Crowns is a five-minute daily wellness practice built for Black children, and the first daily practice of its kind, available now on the Apple App Store. Founded by husband-and-wife team David and Tia Harley, who built it for their own children first, it's grounded in decades of research on identity, mindfulness and resilience. Bright Crowns helps Black children feel steady in themselves, certain of who they are, and ready to show the world what they're made of. Learn more at https://hellobrightcrowns.com.

Digital Press Kit:https://hellobrightcrowns.com/press

SOURCE Bright Crowns LLC

Share this article

FF EAI Robotics Ecosystem Signs Definitive Agreements to Combine FFAI's Full Robotics Business at About $200 Million and $2.246 Per Share, an Approximate 50 Percent Premium; Becoming the First U.S.-Listed Humanoid and Bionic EAI Robotics Pure Play

- FF EAI Robotics Ecosystem Inc. (NASDAQ: FFR) (formerly AIxCrypto Holdings, Inc. and AIXC) and Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ: FFAI) ("FFAI") signed definitive agreements on October 12, 2026, for FFR to acquire FFAI's robotics assets and business in an all-stock transaction. The parties agreed on a valuation of approximately $200 million for FFAI's robotics business and approximately $60 million for FFR on a fully diluted basis. All closings are expected to be completed by the end of October 2026.

- FFR will issue shares to FFAI at $2.246 per share, representing a premium of approximately 50% to FFR's closing price of $1.50 on the signing date of October 12, 2026 and approximately 55% to closing price of $1.45 on October 13, 2026.

- The transaction was approved by the respective Board special committees comprising disinterested independent directors of FFAI and FFR, and is supported by a fairness opinion issued by the independent financial advisor engaged by the FFR special committees.

- FFR has secured its first round of PIPE financing of up to $10 million. The financing is priced at market, with no discount or no warrants, and low associated financing costs. To support investor interests, FFR limited this round's financing to no more than $10 million to meet its current funding needs while reducing unnecessary equity dilution. Upon closing of the acquisition transaction and PIPE financing, on an as-converted, fully diluted basis, FFAI will hold approximately 65.7% of FFR, with all newly issued shares received in this transaction subject to an 18-month lockup, management and employees approximately 18.2%, PIPE investors approximately 5.5%, and other FFR stockholders approximately 10.7%. PIPE investors may not sell their shares within six months or before the resale registration statement becomes effective. FFAI, management and employees, and PIPE investors will collectively hold approximately 89.3%. Excluding these holdings, the freely tradable public float will consist of approximately 13 million shares, representing approximately 10.7% of the total.

- FFR will become the first U.S.-listed pure-play "Four-Core Full-Stack AI" humanoid and bionic EAI robotics ecosystem company, targeting a top-three overall ranking in the EAI robotics industry over the next five years. As the first U.S. company to deliver both humanoid and bionic robots, FF is turning its first-mover advantage into a competitive advantage, drawing on its "Four-Core Full-Stack AI" Ecosystem, EAI technology strengths, and "One Brain, Multiple Forms; Multiple Forms, Multiple Capabilities" approach to build a leading U.S. Physical AI and robotics ecosystem platform. The four cores, EAI Brain and Developer Platform, EAI Devices, Industry Productivity Solutions, and EAI Data Factory, will accelerate deployment across education and research, security and inspection, industrial and logistics, and commercial applications and services. The "Built in USA" Acceleration Program will translate these technology and ecosystem capabilities into U.S.-based R&D, compliance, supply chain, manufacturing, delivery, and service capabilities, creating a self-evolving flywheel of real-world deployment, data collection, EAI Brain model refinement, and updates to real-world deployments.

- In less than a year, FFAI's EAI robotics business has made progress exceeding expectations. The Company has completed Phase One of the "Built in USA" Acceleration Program and is advancing the "One-Brain Multi-Form Multi-Capability" FF EAI Robot World 2.0. FFAI has launched 24 products across three robot forms and begun customer deliveries. Its "Four-Core Full-Stack AI" Ecosystem is taking shape. By the end of September, cumulative EAI Device sales and shipments reached 817 units. In the second quarter, the average gross margin on FFAI's robotics products exceeded 30%, and cumulative revenue was approximately $1.52 million.

- Under FFAI's robotics business plan, unaudited revenue for 2026 is projected to reach approximately $7 million, with a gross margin of 10%; revenue for 2027 is projected to reach approximately $45 million, with a gross margin of 30.5%. Cumulative revenue from 2026 through 2030 is projected to reach approximately $1.98 billion, with gross margin increasing annually to 54% in 2030 and cumulative EAI Device sales from 2026 to 2030 exceeding 130,000 units. Drawing on seven unique advantages, including its EAI technology strengths across "Four-Core Full-Stack AI" and its asset-light operating model, FFR aims to achieve positive operating cash flow no later than the third quarter of 2028, with cumulative financing requirements of no more than $150 million.

- FFR's governance framework will draw on the governance arrangements between FF Global Partners LLC and FFAI to support leadership continuity, strategic oversight, and long-term execution, with the aim of making the Company one of the most valuable EAI companies in the Physical AI era.

- Through the merger and independent listing, FFR will sharpen its focus on Physical AI and EAI robotics, accelerate commercialization at scale, improve capital efficiency and financial transparency, and unlock value, with the goal of maximizing stockholder value as soon as possible.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FF EAI Robotics Ecosystem Inc. ("FFR" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FFR) today announced that it has signed definitive agreements with FFAI for FFR to acquire FFAI's full robotics ecosystem business at an agreed valuation of approximately $200 million.

The transaction advances the parties' previously announced transaction process to the definitive agreement stage. Its structure has been simplified to facilitate execution and closing. Following closing, FFR will become the first U.S.-listed pure-play "Four-Core Full-Stack AI" humanoid and bionic EAI robotics ecosystem company, with the goal of maintaining a top-three overall ranking in the EAI robotics industry over the next five years.

Share Issuance at $2.246 per Share, a Premium to Market Price, to Reduce Acquisition Dilution and Maximize Stockholder Value

Under the definitive agreements, the parties agreed on a valuation of approximately $200 million for FFAI's robotics business and approximately $60 million for FFR on a fully diluted basis. The agreed transaction values reflect the parties' mutual recognition of the strategic value of their respective businesses and are not based solely on prevailing market prices.

The definitive agreements advance the transaction from the previously announced non-binding term sheet to a signed contractual framework. The special stock dividend mechanism contemplated in the earlier term sheet is not part of the definitive transaction. Its removal simplifies the transaction structure and is intended to support efficient execution and closing.

The parties' agreed valuation of approximately $60 million for FFR(previously AIxCrypto Holdings, Inc.) reflects its Nasdaq-listed platform, existing shareholder base and trading infrastructure, relatively simple balance sheet and capitalization structure, existing RoboShare business, and financial assets, including cash, cash equivalents, note receivables and certain investments, including investments in FFAI. FFR's existing RoboShare platform also offers potential synergies with the acquired robotics business across sales, leasing, deployment and recurring services. Following the transaction, FFR will emerge as a Nasdaq-listed company with an established shareholder base, a relatively simple balance sheet, minimal debt, and no outstanding convertible notes, providing the robotics business with a direct access to U.S. capital markets.

Loeb & Loeb LLP serves as legal counsel to the FFR special committee. Advanture Capital Solutions LLC is acting as independent financial advisor to FFR special committee and has rendered a fairness opinion in connection with the acquisition transaction. Pryor Cashman serves as legal counsel to FFAI.

FFR Has Secured Up to $10 Million in PIPE Financing with No Discount

FFR has secured up to $10 million in its first-round of PIPE financing. The financing is priced at market, with no discount or no warrants, and low associated financing costs, and is structured to minimize equity dilution. To best support investor interests, FFR limited the offering to approximately $10 million to meet its current funding needs while reducing unnecessary equity dilution.

Upon closing, on an as-converted, fully diluted basis, FFAI will hold approximately 65.7% of FFR, with all newly issued shares received in this transaction subject to an 18-month lockup. Management and employees will hold approximately 18.2%, PIPE investors approximately 5.5%, and other FFR stockholders approximately 10.7%. PIPE investors may not sell their shares within six months or before the resale registration statement becomes effective. FFAI, management and employees, and PIPE investors will collectively hold approximately 89.3%. Excluding these holdings, the freely tradable public float will consist of approximately 13 million shares, representing approximately 10.7% of the total.

These estimates are subject to confirmation and may change based on the final transaction capitalization and PIPE terms.

The financing will further strengthen FFR's capital base and provide resources to advance its "Four-Core Full-Stack AI" strategy, supporting product R&D, commercialization, and scaled deployment of the robotics ecosystem.

Upon completion of the financing, the Company will have additional resources for business development, R&D investment, and market expansion.

New white-label configuration lets financial institutions embed earned wage access directly in their own apps, without balance-sheet risk or new underwriting

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Branch, a leading provider of embedded financial services for workforces, today announced that it has launched its Flex earned wage access (EWA) model built specifically for banks and credit unions. The new white-label configuration lets financial institutions embed earned wage access directly inside their own banking apps, under their own brand, while Branch funds advances and oversees compliance.

The move builds on the Flex model Branch introduced earlier this year, which made embedded EWA faster and lighter to deploy for employers. That same lightweight approach now comes to financial institutions, giving banks and credit unions a way to offer earned wage access without the multi-year timelines typical of core banking projects.

Earned wage access has become a powerful driver of deposit retention. Branch data shows an EWA depositor stays more engaged than a typical depositor, through stickier deposits and higher card activity. For financial institutions, the offering gives relief to customers searching for solutions that would give them access to earned wages sooner. Neobanks and digital-first challengers have used EWA to win primary deposit relationships. Flex EWA gives institutions a way to compete for new customers, deepen the relationships they've already built, and generate non-interest income.

"Earned wage access has become a baseline expectation for today's workforce, and increasingly people expect it from the institutions they already bank with," said Atif Siddiqi, founder and CEO of Branch. "Extending Flex EWA to banks and credit unions lets them meet that demand under their own brand, reinforce the relationships they've already earned, and compete for the deposits that make those relationships valuable. All without taking on balance-sheet risk or standing up new underwriting."

One embedded solution

Configurable to a financial institution's platform and policies, Flex EWA lives inside its existing banking experience and app, so customers see the bank or credit union's brand. The Branch engine handles integrations, calculations, disbursement, and repayment through an API-first, bank-grade compliant integration. Because Branch funds every advance, institutions take on no balance-sheet risk and need no new underwriting. Depositors can choose when to receive their pay, either through an instant transfer* to their existing debit card for a small fee or standard delivery at no cost.

Flex EWA for financial institutions is designed to go live quickly. Branch handles funding, compliance, and integrations, drawing on a number of employer payroll connections out of the box. An institution can launch quickly through a 60-day sprint spanning technical integration, testing and certification, and go-live.

The financial institution configuration joins Branch's Core and Flex EWA models, giving companies, platforms, and now banks and credit unions a range of ways to deliver earned wage access through a single system rather than stitching together point solutions. Beyond earned wage access, Branch supports paycard and direct deposit, cashless tips and mileage, 1099 contractor payouts, W-2 employee payments, and embedded finance, so partners can start with one use case and add others as needs grow.

Flex EWA is available now to banks and credit unions. To learn more about Flex EWA for Financial Institutions, visit: https://branchapp.com/industry/financial-institutions.

About Branch

Branch is a leading provider of embedded financial services for workforces. Bringing together program management, technology, and compliance, Branch builds and maintains the systems required for businesses and platforms to offer faster access to pay and engaging financial experiences that help Americans earn, spend, and grow. Branch's award-winning infrastructure is embedded within many of the nation's leading companies and platforms across hospitality, staffing, healthcare, logistics, marketplaces, vertical software, and financial institutions. To learn more about Branch, visit https://www.branchapp.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Adrianne Ho

Branch

[email protected]

*Most instant transfers are usually completed within 30 minutes but may be delayed by service disruptions or connection issues.

Branch is not a bank. It acts as a technology service provider and program manager for Lead Bank, Member FDIC, which provides the banking services—including money transmission—necessary for Branch to deliver its services, including EWA.

SOURCE Branch

Share this article

Property-level risk intelligence is helping carriers grow in markets others have pulled back from, with approvals spanning major property perils in 44 States

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ZestyAI, the Risk Decision Platform for the property and casualty insurance industry, today announced that its risk models have surpassed 500 regulatory approvals across 317 carrier rate and rule filings as its regulatory footprint has expanded to 44 states. The approvals span perils responsible for the vast majority of U.S. property losses, including wildfire, severe storm, hail, non-weather fire, and non-weather water.

The milestone comes as insurers and regulators work to maintain coverage availability in markets increasingly affected by weather volatility. By assessing individual properties rather than broader geographic averages, ZestyAI's models can recognize mitigation, align price more closely with risk, and give carriers and regulators greater visibility into how that risk is assessed.

Each approval represents a state Department of Insurance reviewing a ZestyAI model within a carrier filing and accepting its use in rating or underwriting. The approvals span personal and commercial property lines and reflect both new adoption and carriers expanding ZestyAI models into additional states, perils, and programs.

They include the first AI model approved as part of a carrier rate filing for wildfire in California, where property-specific intelligence has since supported new capacity in a market where homeowners have faced constrained options. More than half of the top 100 U.S. P&C insurers now rely on ZestyAI across underwriting, rating, reinsurance, and regulatory strategy.

"Five hundred approvals represent the industry deciding, one rate filing at a time, that AI belongs in how insurance risk is underwritten, priced, and reinsured," said Kumar Dhuvur, Founder and Chief Product Officer at ZestyAI. "We built these models to be examined. Every score can be explained, every input can be traced, and a homeowner's mitigation shows up in the result. That is what regulators expect from AI in insurance, and it is what we deliver."

ZestyAI works alongside regulators as the standards for AI in insurance take shape. The company participates in National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) proceedings and has presented to regulators on how AI models are built, validated, and explained. It works directly with state departments of insurance as their expectations for fairness, transparency, and consumer protection evolve, and it files its models proactively through its in-house rating and advisory organizations so regulators review them before any carrier puts them to work.

Every ZestyAI risk score can be traced to the property characteristics behind it, including mitigation actions taken by the policyholder. That gives the insurance value chain a consistent view of risk: the same intelligence a carrier uses to price a policy can be understood by the regulator reviewing the filing and the reinsurer evaluating the portfolio.

About ZestyAI

ZestyAI is the Risk Decision Platform for the insurance industry. Trusted by Property & Casualty carriers, reinsurers, brokers, and regulators across the United States and Europe, ZestyAI helps insurers make better decisions faster and with greater confidence. The platform unifies property-level data, predictive AI models, and agentic AI automation to transform how insurers see, price, and manage risk.

Validated by climate science and historical loss data, ZestyAI's models cover major perils including wildfire, severe convective storm, non-weather fire, and non-weather water. ZestyAI brings trusted AI to critical insurance decisions, helping the industry operate with greater speed, accuracy, and resilience.

SOURCE ZestyAI

Share this article

RAV3N Radar delivers decision-ready narrative intelligence insights from day one, with zero

learning curve and zero overhead, delivered where you work, directly to Slack

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackbird.AI, the leader in protecting organizations and executives from disinformation-based narrative attacks that cause financial, operational, reputational, and physical harm, announced today that it has expanded its agentic narrative intelligence product portfolio with the launch of 'RAV3N Radar.'

RAV3N Radar provides continuous, automated early warning of narrative threats and opportunities across the entire digital landscape—24/7 monitoring, landscape insights, threat actors, velocity signals, topics, and escalation detection—turning what it finds into easy-to-understand, decision-ready intelligence delivered directly into Slack. RAV3N Radar is powered by Blackbird.AI's groundbreaking, context-aware narrative intelligence agent, RAV3N Agent.

"AI has radically accelerated narrative attacks against organizations. Our customers want real-time, actionable narrative intelligence with full context, where they work. RAV3N Radar helps teams identify who's targeting their organization and executives to coordinate better triaging and response," said Wasim Khaled, CEO and Co-founder of Blackbird.AI. "Drawing on our work with leading brands and national security organizations, we're bringing narrative intelligence into the agentic enterprise starting with Slack for its best-in-class Agentforce ecosystem. More integrations and our rapidly advancing actioning capabilities will unite people, agents, and intelligence in the flow of work to counter growing threats."

With RAV3N Radar, organizations control exactly how real-time, actionable narrative intelligence reaches them: what to monitor, who receives it, when it's sent, and where it's delivered. Each brief/real-time alert documents:

- The narrative - what's being claimed, how it's framed

- The network spread - which platforms it is on and how fast it is moving

- The actors and communities - Who is spreading it and which audiences it is reaching

- The tactics - evidence of coordinated or artificial amplification, where the data supports it

- What changed - which narratives are new, growing, or fading since the last brief

- Supporting context and evidence - links to the source posts, with direct quotes

"At Vantor, we've found RAV3N Radar valuable for bringing media activity, sentiment, and emerging narrative threats into our daily situational awareness," said Norm Laudermilch, Chief Information Security Officer at Vantor. "Its concise summaries help us connect narrative intelligence with traditional cyber threat intelligence and look for signals that could provide earlier warning of cyber attacks. It's become a useful part of how we monitor a fast-changing information environment."

The size and scale of harmful narrative attack campaigns continue to grow exponentially. "By 2028, Gartner predicts enterprise spending on battling misinformation and disinformation will surpass $30 billion, cannibalizing 10% of marketing and cybersecurity budgets to combat a multifront threat."

What makes Blackbird.AI RAV3N Radar unique

- Zero learning curve. No new platform to master, and easy setup to get value on day one.

- Fast time to insight. Actionable, decision-ready narrative intelligence starts flowing immediately after onboarding, not after a lengthy implementation

- Built for every team, at every maturity level. Whether you're standing up narrative intelligence for the first time or supplementing an existing security operations team or comms function, RAV3N Radar fits in seamlessly

- Quick Actions, right in the channel. Kick off context-aware responses directly from Slack, including deep dives, disinformation contextual checks, or a request to Blackbird.AI's RAV3N Watch Intelligence team for a full analyst report from subject matter experts.

- Direct access. RAV3N Agent access in Slack lets you use natural language queries to explore alerts, insights, and threats further, and receive recommendations for next steps.

- Meets you where you work. Delivers easy-to-understand, decision-ready intelligence directly to Slack or email.

- A natural next step. When something warrants deeper investigation, escalate directly to Blackbird.AI's Constellation Narrative Intelligence Platform or request a Blackbird.AI RAV3N Watch Intelligence analyst report — without switching tools

- Operates alongside your agents. Blackbird.AI's MCP protocol enhances what your team already uses.

The World Economic Forum named narrative attacks a top global threat, and they now move at machine speed," said Naushad UzZaman, CTO and Co-founder of Blackbird.AI. "Our answer is agents that do the research and deep analysis so people can make informed and actionable decisions to significantly reduce risk. RAV3N Radar runs continuously, investigates follow-up questions on demand, and works alongside the other agents a team already uses in Slack."

Narrative attacks now target leadership teams, global brands, and national security organizations. A recent example includes foreign nation-states targeting the data center industry, as seen in this Blackbird.AI RAV3N team report, 'How Hostile Foreign State-Aligned Networks Amplify America's Data Center Backlash.'

To see how RAV3N Radar works firsthand, request a demonstration here.

Gartner® has positioned Blackbird.AI as a Market Shaper in 'The Emerging Market Quadrant for Narrative Intelligence – Startup Vendors as of June 2026.' The company placed highest for Potential to Execute and furthest to the right for Potential for Market Disruption. A RAV3N blog summarizing the Gartner report is available here.

Gartner recently published a report titled "AI Vendor Race: Blackbird.AI Is the Company to Beat for Disinformation Narrative Intelligence." In the report, Gartner states that "Blackbird.AI's strong brand, defining thought leadership, industry-first feature expansion, and key partnerships make it the frontrunner in the disinformation narrative intelligence AI race."

Source: Gartner Report, "Emerging Market Quadrant for Narrative Intelligence," 26 June 2026: By Alfredo Ramirez IV, Apeksha Kaushik, Akif Khan, Amber Boyes, and David Senf.

Source: Gartner®, Press Release, 21 October 2025, "Gartner Predicts Enterprise Spending on Battling Misinformation and Disinformation Will Surpass $30 Billion by 2028."

Source: Gartner®, AI Vendor Race: Blackbird.AI Is the Company to Beat for Disinformation Narrative Intelligence, Alfredo Ramirez IV et al., 8 December 2025

GARTNER is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any company, vendor, product, or service depicted in its publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's business and technology insights organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this publication, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Blackbird.AI

BLACKBIRD.AI protects executives and organizations from narrative-based disinformation attacks that cause financial, operational, reputational, and physical harm. Our AI-driven Narrative Intelligence Platform identifies key narratives that impact your executives, organization, and industry; the influence behind them; the networks they touch; the anomalous behavior that scales them; and the cohorts and communities that connect them. This information enables organizations to proactively assess narrative threats as they scale and become harmful, thereby improving strategic decision-making. A diverse team of AI experts, threat intelligence analysts, and national security professionals founded Blackbird.AI to defend information integrity and fight a new class of narrative threats. To learn more, visit Blackbird.AI.

Media Contact:

Daniel Patterson

[email protected]

SOURCE Blackbird.AI

Share this article