Three Steward Partners leaders – spanning CEO, compliance and M&A – named finalists for national industry honors

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Steward Partners, a full-service, employee-owned, independent financial services firm, today announced that three of its executives were named finalists in the 2026 Wealth Management Industry Awards, spanning leadership, compliance and M&A. The recognition underscores how deep the firm's bench runs at the top, with distinct disciplines all drawing national attention in the same award cycle. The Steward Partners executives recognized include:

- Jim Gold, CEO of the Year (AUM Higher Than $25 Billion)

- Rob Guldner, CCO of the Year

- Scott Danner, M&A Leader of the Year

"This recognition reflects the caliber of leadership we've built at every level of this firm," said Jim Gold, CEO of Steward Partners. "Whether it's the discipline our compliance team brings, the growth our advisors are driving, or the strategic thinking behind our M&A work, this is a team performing at the highest level—and having that recognized on a national stage means a great deal to all of us."

The Wealth Management Industry Awards, popularly known as the Wealthies, are presented annually to recognize the year's best business initiatives that advance the industry, empower financial advisors, and help wealth management firms deliver the best possible client outcomes. Firms submit business initiatives either introduced or enhanced during the previous 18 months, which are reviewed by a panel of independent judges with required industry expertise, evaluating each submission's innovation, scope, and impact. This year, a record 1,392 nominations were submitted by more than 500 unique companies, with only a third of submissions selected as finalists.

View the full list of 2026 Industry Awards finalists and winners from Wealth Management.

Since its launch in 2013, Steward Partners has solidified its place as one of the industry's fastest-growing and most influential RIA firms. The firm was recently recognized with a #10 ranking on the 2026 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list. Additionally, Steward Partners was named a 2026 Excellence Awardee for RIA of the Year and Broker-Dealer of the Year by InvestmentNews, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering an exceptional advisor and client experience across every dimension of its platform. Several Steward Partners advisors and teams were also honored on Forbes | SHOOK's 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams lists, underscoring the quality of client service delivered across the platform.

About Steward Partners

Representing some of the U.S.'s top advisors, Steward Partners is a full-service, employee-owned, independent financial services firm that offers wealth management solutions for families, businesses, and multigenerational investors. Established in 2013, the firm fosters a positive, transparent culture of camaraderie and excellence that has fueled its substantial growth in a highly competitive industry. With its commitment to exceptional client service and forward-thinking partnerships, the firm was ranked as the #10 RIA in the country in Barron's Top 100 RIAs for the year 2026. Offering services such as comprehensive wealth planning, private banking, institutional consulting, and business solutions, the firm was responsible for over $57 billion in client assets as of September 2026.

To learn more about Steward Partners, visit www.stewardpartners.com.

Media Contact:

Zach Allegretti

JConnelly

[email protected]

973-850-7341

About Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms

2020 – 2023 Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. Participation in this ranking is by invitation only and limited to firms that meet the minimum eligibility requirements. About 200 firms were nominated, with 100 being ranked. Participating firms were evaluated and ranked on a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data, including: assets overseen by the firm, revenue generated by the firm, level of technology spending, number of clients, size of staff, diversity across staff, and placement of a succession plan. The ranking may not be representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of the advisor's future performance. Neither Steward Partners nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Barron's is not affiliated with Steward Partners.

2024 - 2025 - Source: Barrons.com. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. Participation in this ranking is by invitation only and limited to firms that meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Barron's selected firms that manage 2% or more of the total assets of all ranking applicants. This year, that creates a threshold of $70 billion in assets. Participating firms were evaluated and ranked on a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data, including: assets overseen by the firm, revenue generated by the firm, level of technology spending, number of clients, size of staff, diversity across staff, and placement of a succession plan. The ranking may not be representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of the advisor's future performance. Neither Steward Partners nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Barron's is not affiliated with Steward Partners.

2026 - Source: Barrons.com. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. The Barron's 2026 Top 100 RIA Firms ranking was published in September 2026 and was based on information for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2026. Eligible firms completed a survey containing more than 100 questions about their practices, and Barron's verified submitted information using regulatory databases. Barron's applied a ranking formula consisting of three primary categories: assets, revenue, and quality of practice. The formula includes multiple quantitative and qualitative factors, such as asset type, growth, client retention, technology spending, succession planning, team diversity, charitable and philanthropic activities, and compliance records. Steward Partners was ranked among the non-Mega RIA firms. The ranking may not be representative of any individual client's experience, does not constitute an endorsement of Steward Partners or its Financial Advisors, and is not indicative of future performance. No fee was paid for participation, consideration, or inclusion in the ranking. Steward Partners may pay licensing, advertising, publication, reprint, or promotional fees associated with publicizing the ranking. Barron's is not affiliated with Steward Partners.

About Financial Advisor Magazine's Top RIA Discretionary and Non-Discretionary AUM Rankings

2026 - The Financial Advisor Magazine 2026 RIA Ranking recognizes independent registered investment advisory firms that demonstrate growth, scale, and consistent service delivery across a range of metrics. Rankings are based on year-end data collected through a voluntary survey, focusing on firm size, service offerings, and operational trends. Key indicators include increases in discretionary and nondiscretionary assets under management, client relationships, and assets under advisement not captured on a firm's ADV. Additional factors such as staffing levels, multi-custodial capabilities, and business model evolution also inform the ranking. Neither Steward Partners, its affiliates, nor its Wealth Managers pays a fee to Financial Advisor Magazine in exchange for the rating. The ranking is based on data from 12/31/2024 to 12/31/2025. The ranking was announced July 10, 2026. 

Barron's Top 1,500 Financial Advisors: State-by-state

2026 – Award announced on 3/20/2026, Source: Barrons.com - State-by-State as identified by Barron's magazine, using quantitative and qualitative criteria. The rankings are based on data provided by over 7,000 of the nation's most productive financial advisors. Advisors ranked in the Top 1,500 Financial Advisors list are measured by the growth of the advisors' practices and their client retention. Barron's also considers a wide range of qualitative factors, including the advisors' experience; their advanced degrees and industry designations; the size, shape, and diversity of their teams; their charitable and philanthropic work; and, of course, their compliance records. Investment performance is not a criterion. The rating may not be representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of the financial advisor's future performance. Neither Steward Partners nor its Wealth Managers pays a fee to Barron's in exchange for the rating. The ranking was based on data as of October 2025. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. 

About Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors

2026 – Source: Forbes.com - Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC — Data as of 6/2025. Ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client impact, industry experience, review of best practices and compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK's research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Neither Steward Partners nor its Wealth Managers pay a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking.

Collaboration brings together ABK Biomedical, COR Development, Coil Construction and the University of Missouri and MU Research Reactor to advance innovative liver cancer treatment technology

ASHLAND, Mo., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ABK Biomedical Inc. marked another significant milestone in its growth in Mid-Missouri with a construction kickoff celebration for its future commercial manufacturing facility at Cartwright Business Park in Ashland.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe joined leaders from ABK Biomedical, COR Development, Coil Construction, the University of Missouri and the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR®), along with state and local officials and community leaders, to celebrate the beginning of construction and the transformation of the facility into the future home of ABK Biomedical's U.S. commercial manufacturing operations.

"We're proud to welcome ABK Biomedical to Missouri, as this project brings high-tech jobs and a medical technology manufacturing facility with the potential to serve patients around the world," said Governor Mike Kehoe. "This investment represents what is possible when education, healthcare, research, and community leaders come together around a shared purpose. Missouri is proud to invest in the skilled workforce and infrastructure that advanced manufacturing requires, and we know this Ashland facility will be an incredible partner in the continued growth of the mid-Missouri region."

"This is an incredible day in the history of ABK," said Mike Mangano, President and CEO of ABK Biomedical. "This facility is an important part of our long-term plan to manufacture Eye90 microspheres® at commercial scale, bringing necessary treatments to countless liver cancer patients. Our relationship with the University of Missouri, MURR and the greater Columbia community dates back nearly a decade. We are grateful to our partners COR Development, Coil Construction and the University of Missouri/MURR for working with ABK to bring world class medtech manufacturing to mid-Missouri. We also appreciate Governor Kehoe, who recognizes the importance of innovation leading to new jobs and opportunities in the community."

The construction kickoff follows ABK Biomedical's April announcement that it selected Ashland, Missouri, for its long-term commercial-scale manufacturing facility. The planned GMP facility will be designed for commercial-scale production of Eye90 microspheres. The Ashland site is near MURR, ABK's primary irradiation partner for Eye90 microspheres.

"This milestone represents what can happen when medical innovation and local development and construction expertise come together," said David Coil, President of Coil Construction and co-founding partner of COR Development. "We're proud to partner with ABK Biomedical on a facility designed for its specialized manufacturing needs and to contribute to the continued growth of the mid-Missouri area."

Eye90 microspheres is a clinical-stage yttrium-90 radioembolization device being developed for the treatment of liver cancer. The project is expected to create high-tech jobs in the mid-Missouri area. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027 with plans to be commissioned in 2028.

The new Ashland facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone of ABK Biomedical's future global supply chain as the company advances Eye90 microspheres toward potential commercialization.

About ABK Biomedical

ABK Biomedical researches, develops and commercializes medical device therapies intended to improve treatment outcomes for patients with benign and malignant hypervascular tumors. Eye90 microspheres are investigational and are not approved for use outside authorized clinical trials.

SOURCE ABK Biomedical Inc.

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Recognition highlights successful AI agent deployments — with Constructor's conversational agents driving better shopping experiences and measurable results for ecommerce retailers worldwide

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Constructor, the product discovery platform for the agentic era, has been honored in the MACH Alliance's 2026 MACH Impact Awards. A winner in the "Agentic Achievement" category, Constructor was recognized for successful AI agent deployments across ecommerce environments, helping retailers worldwide improve shopping experiences and drive meaningful business results.

The MACH Alliance is the global industry body for open, composable and connected enterprise technology — the foundation and framework for the agentic era. Its annual MACH Impact Awards celebrate real-world technology deployments, innovative solutions and industry changemakers driving measurable outcomes.

"The conversation around agentic AI has moved on from what's possible to what's actually working," said Jason Cottrell, president of the MACH Alliance. "This year's winners have taken agents out of the pilot phase and into production, with results they can measure. And they've done it by building on open, composable foundations."

Putting Agentic AI to Work Across Ecommerce

Amid strong retailer demand and demonstrated results from Constructor's AI agents, Constructor has seen rapid adoption of its agentic technology — with the number of companies deploying its conversational AI agents increasing 900% over the past year.

Constructor's composable, API-first architecture enables its agents to work across retailers' existing technology stacks and connect with the data, content and services they need. In addition, its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server exposes Constructor's commerce intelligence through a standard interface that any agent can call, whether it runs on the retailer's own site or outside it.

Constructor's agentic portfolio spans shopper-facing, agent-facing and merchant-facing applications, including:

- AI Shopping Agent (ASA): helping shoppers with broad, complex or exploratory shopping needs, using conversational AI to understand their goals and guide them to the right products.

- AI Product Insights Agent (PIA): acting as a virtual product expert on product detail pages, where PIA answers shoppers' questions, suggests helpful prompts and provides personalized guidance — so shoppers can evaluate products and make decisions with confidence.

- Merchant Intelligence Agent (MIA): enabling ecommerce teams to ask questions in plain language about product-discovery performance — with MIA investigating what's happening and why, recommending ways to improve results, and automating time-consuming merchandising work.

- Discovery MCP: bringing Constructor's personalized product discovery into external AI answer engines such as ChatGPT. Through protocols such as UCP, compatible agents can find and connect to the retailer's Discovery MCP Server — getting ranked, optimized product results to use in shopper recommendations instead of fetching raw catalog data. Further, this also allows new agents, plugins and apps (e.g., ChatGPT apps) to be built on top of the discovery, ranking and personalization Constructor already provides.

The MACH Impact Award recognized high-impact results retailers have achieved with Constructor's agentic technology. Across different customer deployments, results included: a 57% reduction in support requests; shoppers converting at more than double the rate of those using standard search; and 52% higher add-to-cart rates and 56% higher purchase rates among shoppers using a Constructor agent.

"AI agents are moving quickly beyond experimentation and becoming a meaningful part of how people shop and how ecommerce teams work," said Eli Finkelshteyn, CEO and co-founder of Constructor. "But for us, the goal isn't to introduce new agentic capabilities for the sake of it. They need to be practical, powerful and easy to use — and, most importantly, make experiences better. As we bring agentic discovery across more of the shopper journey, that principle will continue to guide how we build. We're honored to have the MACH Alliance recognize the impact retailers are achieving with our technologies."

Constructor's Agentic AI 'Rolling Thunder' Continues

The award adds to a growing list of accolades for Constructor's work in agentic commerce. Within the last year, Constructor has:

- Earned a MACH Alliance Agent Ready Award, a separate MACH Alliance program recognizing agentic solutions deployed in production and independently reviewed for real-world interoperability.

- Been named to The Agentic List 2026, honoring "the top 120 agentic AI companies shaping the future."

- Been honored for the best use of AI in retail and ecommerce in both the Champions in AI Awards and the Global AI Awards.

In addition, Constructor was recognized as a sample vendor for agentic commerce in the Gartner Hype Cycle™ for Agentic AI, 2026.1 This year, Constructor was also named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Search and Product Discovery — placing furthest in Vision and highest in Execution among all vendors evaluated.2

For more information about how Constructor is helping retailers deliver personalized, high-performing agentic shopping experiences, please visit constructor.com.

1 Gartner, Hype Cycle for Agentic AI, 2026, Rajesh Kandaswamy, Leinar Ramos, Gary Olliffe, Tom Coshow, Pieter den Hamer, Erick Brethenoux, April 22, 2026.

2 Gartner, Inc., Magic Quadrant for Search and Product Discovery, Mike Lowndes, Sandy Shen, Aditya Vasudevan, Noam Dorros, June 22, 2026.

Disclaimer

Gartner, Magic Quadrant and Hype Cycle are trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or 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 Constructor

Constructor is the AI-driven search and product discovery platform that scales, learns, and adapts to how shoppers actually buy. Its central reasoning engine uses reinforcement learning to improve with every shopper interaction—delivering the right product to the right person in the right context at the right time. By learning directly from real shopper behavior across a company's own properties, Constructor continuously drives stronger performance across the metrics that matter most. Purpose-built for ecommerce, Constructor generates consistent $10M+ lifts for leading brands such as Sephora, Petco, The Very Group, home24, Grove Collaborative and Fisheries Supply. Learn more at constructor.com.

SOURCE Constructor

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Long-term software partnership expands deployment of STRATIA® and VIW across next-generation combat vehicle programs

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Parry Labs today announced that it has signed a five-year Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) for its STRATIA® and VIW software platforms. The agreement marks a significant expansion of the companies' strategic relationship and reinforces Parry Labs' role as a trusted software partner supporting the modernization of U.S. Army ground combat systems.

The enterprise agreement builds on Parry Labs' successful support of the worldwide combat vehicle fleet and modernization programs, transitioning the relationship from individual program engagements to a long-term enterprise software partnership. By standardizing on STRATIA and VIW, General Dynamics Land Systems will continue leveraging Parry Labs' modular, open architecture software to accelerate development, integration, and deployment across mission-critical vehicle platforms.

As the Army modernizes, software has become a decisive enabler of future combat capability. The platform must rapidly integrate advanced technologies while maintaining a secure, modular, and continuously upgradable software architecture aligned with Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA) and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles. Achieving these objectives requires robust cybersecurity, resilient network architectures, and software designed to support mixed-criticality environments throughout development, integration, and operational deployment.

Parry Labs addresses these challenges by delivering mission-critical computer software configuration items (CSCIs), software integration, and engineering expertise spanning cybersecurity, systems and software architecture, and network design. Through STRATIA and VIW, the company enables accelerated software development while supporting GCIA compliance, FACE™ Technical Standard conformance, and seamless integration across evolving vehicle architectures. This approach enables General Dynamics Land Systems to rapidly prototype, integrate, and field new technologies while preserving the flexibility and interoperability essential to modern combat systems.

"This agreement represents an important milestone for Parry Labs," said Don Claussen, CEO of Parry Labs. "A five-year enterprise commitment reflects the confidence GDLS has in both our technology and our team's ability to consistently deliver on complex defense programs. We're proud to support their mission with software designed to enable faster innovation, strengthen cyber resilience, and accelerate delivery of next-generation capabilities to the warfighter."

"We design our combat vehicles to rapidly integrate new digital capabilities," said Jeff Massimilla, Vice President of Engineering, Design and Technology at General Dynamics Land Systems. "Parry Labs' STRATIA and VIW platforms provide a powerful, open and cyber-resilient software foundation that aligns with GCIA and MOSA principles and helps ensure warfighters receive modernized, mission-ready systems faster. This is what it means to deliver the power to win."

The award underscores a broader shift across the defense industry toward enterprise software strategies that prioritize open systems, reusable capabilities, and long-term digital modernization. Rather than procuring software on a program-by-program basis, enterprise agreements provide greater continuity, accelerate capability delivery, and establish a foundation for future innovation.

The contract strengthens Parry Labs' position as a leading provider of mission software and digital infrastructure for defense platforms while creating new opportunities to expand enterprise software adoption across additional Department of War modernization initiatives.

About Parry Labs

Parry Labs is a defense technology company delivering open, modular software and precision hardware that enables the U.S. military and its allies to modernize, connect, and deploy new capabilities with speed and impact. Through the unification of autonomy, AI, and command and control, Parry Labs builds integrated, mission-ready platforms built for the fight, designed to move faster, adapt smarter, and deliver advantage where it matters most. For more information, visit www.parrylabs.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Parry Labs LLC

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Rigel") (Nasdaq: RIGL) today announced that it has granted awards pursuant to the Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Inducement Plan, approved by the Compensation Committee of Rigel's Board of Directors and granted as an inducement material to employees entering into employment with Rigel, in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Specifically, Rigel granted 35,275 restricted stock units to 18 non-executive employees vesting over four years with 25% of the grant vesting each year.

About Rigel

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering, developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. Founded in 1996, Rigel is based in South San Francisco, California. For more information on Rigel, its marketed products and pipeline of potential products, please visit www.rigel.com.

Contact for Investors & Media

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

650.624.1232

ir@rigel.com

SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Apotheke Mixology Introduces Its Award-Winning Cocktail Apothecary to Miami Beach Behind an Unmarked Door on Washington Avenue at Moxy South Beach

The botanical-infused lounge brings its Original Formulas to Miami, where human connection and mixology lead

MIAMI, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Apotheke South Beach, a botanical-infused cocktail concept designed for seekers and the inquisitive mind, officially debuts on October 16 in Miami Beach's Art Deco District, behind an unmarked entrance on Washington Avenue at Moxy South Beach. The opening marks the latest chapter for Apotheke Mixology. The brand began in 2008 behind an unmarked oak door on New York City's Doyers Street. Following the original location, Apotheke Los Angeles opened in 2018, followed by Apotheke NoMad New York City in 2022. Named for the old-world apothecary and rooted in the belief that plants are medicine, Apotheke Mixology brings its Original Formulas to South Beach for the first time. More than a bar, Apotheke is a cocktail apothecary, where high-proof spirits are used to extract what's needed from botanicals, invoking the same practice that helped inspire modern medicinal mixology.

Behind an unmarked door on Washington Avenue, Apotheke South Beach is discreetly accessed from the street rather than through the hotel. Apotheke complements the property's diverse culinary lineup, including newly opened Naked Tomato by Chef Eyal Shani, a modern Israeli restaurant rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and ingredient-driven cooking, and Serena, a rooftop oasis serving Latin fusion specialties. Apotheke South Beach reveals a botanical-infused cocktail lounge built for those who prefer to explore what others may overlook. Apotheke South Beach invites guests to step off the beaten path and into a different kind of nightlife experience, one where human connection and mixology take center stage, alongside live music and surprising DJ selections that create a rhythm all their own. The result is a space designed for conversation and discovery, offering something distinctly different from the usual South Beach scene.

At the center of the experience is Apotheke South Beach's Original Formula List, a collection of cocktails built around plants and botanicals to explore flavor, extraction and feeling. Curated by Apotheke's Mixology Director, Nicolas O'Connor, the Formula List features nine all-new Original Formulas crafted exclusively for the Washington Avenue location, including Novia Del Sol, Write It Off, Dry Until Vitae, Dawn Patrol, Bait & Switch, Bilongo, Will-O'-The-Wisp, Ears to You, and Collins Cure. These exclusive offerings are complemented by rotating Historic Formulas from Apotheke's New York and Los Angeles locations.

"Apotheke doesn't just garnish with plants like an afterthought," said Nicolas O'Connor, Mixology Director at Apotheke. "We build the drink in collaboration with them. That celebration of flora and life is what we're so excited to bring to South Beach."

The Formulas are organized by the feeling they are designed to evoke, with categories including Health & Beauty, Stimulants, Painkillers, Aphrodisiacs, Euphoric Enhancers and Stress Relievers, offering something for every mood.

Health & Beauty includes Novia Del Sol, made with vodka infused with Calendula, coconut and California Orange Cordial, tamarind, turmeric, Meyer Lemon, and a splash of club soda. Painkillers include Write It Off, a blend of bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, date nectar, tamarind, matcha bitters, and candied almond, while the Stimulants feature Dawn Patrol, combining dark-aged rum, ube, dark roast coffee, condensed coconut milk, cardamom, burnt cinnamon, and a sprig of mint. For something more indulgent, Aphrodisiacs include Bilongo, featuring dark-aged rum, açai, pistachio cream, lime, goji berry, perilla, maca root, sea salt, and Dubai Chocolate Bitters. Additional categories include Euphoric Enhancers and Stress Relievers, with the full Formula List offering an extensive mix of spirits, organic produce, herbs, botanicals, and other ingredients.

Apotheke was co-founded by siblings Heather Tierney and the late Christopher Tierney. Christopher, an artist-entrepreneur, designed and conceptualized the Apotheke brand and its distinctive visual language. Apotheke South Beach is inspired by Christopher Tierney's work and carries forward the spirit, aesthetic, and immersive experience he envisioned for the brand. The venue is being completed by his longtime Apotheke partners and friends, so guests in South Beach can experience the vision he created for Apotheke.

Beyond the intricate cocktail blends, Apotheke's interiors have become an integral part of the brand's identity. Each Apotheke location is an extension of the natural world, interpreted through its unique sense of play. Apotheke Chinatown was recognized by Architectural Digest as "one of the best speakeasies in America." The Los Angeles location was named "The Most Stylish Bar" by Time Out Los Angeles and received the German Design Award for Best Interior Architecture, while Apotheke NoMad was named Americas Winner for Club & Bar Design in 2023 by the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID).

Apotheke South Beach is designed to become a ritual, open daily from 6:30 p.m. until late, with walk-ins welcome as capacity allows. Reservation details will be announced soon. For more information, visit apothekemixology.com and follow @apothekesouthbeach on Instagram. Images are available here; please credit Apotheke Mixology and Max Milla.

Media Contacts

Apotheke South Beach

PURPLE PR | [email protected]

SOURCE Apotheke South Beach

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6K ADDITIVE EXECUTES FINAL US$27.4 MILLION EXIM LOAN AGREEMENT

US$27.4 Million EXIM Financing Supports Expansion of U.S. Manufacturing Capacity for Aerospace, Defense, and Advanced Industrial Applications

Highlights

- 6K Additive Inc. has executed a final loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the United States ("EXIM") for a US$27.4 million secured financing facility ("EXIM Loan").

- The EXIM Loan is intended to support the ongoing expansion of the Company's U.S. manufacturing capacity for critical materials used across aerospace, defense, space, energy and advanced manufacturing applications.

- The EXIM Loan has a term of 6 years and is available for drawdown through June 30, 2028. The loan has an initial 12-month period of interest-only payments, followed by amortizing principal over the remaining five years.

- The loan carries a fixed Commercial Interest Reference Rate ("CIRR"), to be determined five business days before the first disbursement (current published rate = 5.38%)

BURGETTSTOWN, Pa., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

6K Additive Inc. (ASX: 6KA) ("6K Additive" or the "Company"), a leader in the domestic production of premium metal powders and critical materials, announces that it, has executed the final loan agreement with the Export- Import Bank of the United States ("EXIM") for a US$27.4 million financing facility (the "EXIM Loan") to support the expansion of its domestic manufacturing capacity in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. The company previously announced EXIM Board approval for this loan on December 4, 2025 pending fully executed loan documentation.

Proceeds of this loan are immediately available to reimburse the company on ongoing purchases of equipment and infrastructure related to the previously announced expansion of the Burgettstown facility to support increased nickel, titanium and refractory powder production.

Approved under the "Make More in America Initiative" ("MMIA") and in coordination with the U.S. Department of War's (DoW) Defense Production Act Title III initiative, the financing is intended to enable 6K Additive to accelerate investments in production infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities at its Pennsylvania site. The EXIM Loan will support 6K Additive in its ongoing expansion project for the construction of four new buildings and the acquisition of further advanced manufacturing equipment to meet the growing demand for domestically produced critical materials used in aerospace, defense, space, energy, and advanced manufacturing applications.

6K Additive CEO, Frank Roberts commented:

"Finalizing this agreement with EXIM marks an important milestone for 6K Additive and reinforces the strategic importance of expanding domestic production of the critical materials essential to America's defense and advanced manufacturing industries. This investment directly supports the Make More in America Initiative and provides 6K Additive with the funding required to execute our planned capacity expansion while preserving our existing capital to support continued growth. We greatly appreciate EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic's leadership and support in bringing this agreement to completion."

Manufacturing Expansion

The agreement marks an important milestone in the Company's strategy to strengthen secure, resilient U.S. supply chains by assisting the Company to expand its production of high-performance materials, including titanium, tungsten, C-103, nickel alloys, and other advanced metal powders manufactured using 6K Additive's UniMelt® technology.

The Company's UniMelt® process enables the production of premium metal powders from qualified domestic feedstocks while meeting the stringent quality, traceability, and DFARS (U.S. DoW procurement regulations) compliance requirements of aerospace and defense customers.

Key Terms of the EXIM Facility

Under the final loan agreement, EXIM will provide 6K Additive Inc. with a financing facility of up to US$27.4 million. The loan has a six-year term and is available for drawdown through June 30, 2028. The facility will carry a fixed Commercial Interest Reference Rate (CIRR), to be determined five business days prior to the first disbursement, with the currently published CIRR at 5.38%.

The facility consists of up to US$25.2 million of financing for eligible project costs, together with up to $2.2 million to finance the related EXIM exposure fee of 8.9% on all disbursements for an all in annual borrowing cost of approximately 6.86% at current published rates. The facility also includes a 0.5% per annum commitment fee on undrawn and uncancelled commitments over the drawdown period.

As demand continues to grow for secure domestic sources of critical materials, 6K Additive is expanding its manufacturing footprint to support the production of materials that are essential to next-generation defense systems, commercial aerospace, advanced energy technologies, and industrial applications.

The EXIM financing is an important step in advancing 6K Additive's long-term growth strategy and supports its plans to expand U.S. manufacturing capabilities for critical materials.

EXIM's Make More in America Initiative (MMIA)

The EXIM Loan was originally approved in December of 2025 under EXIM's Make More in America initiative, which is designed to revitalize domestic manufacturing in the United States whilst securing supply chains for critical industries like defense and aerospace. The approval of the EXIM Loan was the first deal of its kind, conducted in coordination with the United States Department of War's Defense Production Act Title III initiative and also the largest loan under the MMIA to support advanced materials and manufacturing.

This announcement has been approved by the Board of Directors.

About 6K Additive

6K Additive, Inc. (ASX:6KA) is a US-based manufacturer and trusted supplier of premium metal powders for additive manufacturing and alloy additions for the aluminum melt industry, all made from sustainable sources. Headquartered in Burgettstown, PA, the Company's manufacturing process produces the highest quality metal powders that are truly spherical, void of porosity and satellites with better unit economics than competing technologies. 6K Additive utilizes proprietary UniMelt® microwave plasma system to produce the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of metal powder including a variety of Nickel, Titanium, Copper, and refractory powders that include, Tungsten, Rhenium, Niobium/C-103 and Tantalum. 6K Additive leverages feedstock such as certified turnings, millings, used additive powder, support material and failed builds that provide customers sustainable, domestically sourced metal powder.

Visit us at www.6KAdditive.com.

About EXIM:

As the United States government's official export credit agency, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) supports American jobs by facilitating US exports. As an independent agency, EXIM plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, securing critical supply chains, and ensuring American businesses are given a fighting chance. To achieve this mission, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. Learn more at www.exim.gov

SOURCE 6K Additive

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Nasdaq Fund Secondaries, LODAS Markets Complete First Interval Fund Auction with Harrison Street Private Wealth

91% of Harrison Street Real Estate Fund (VCMIX) shares offered were sold to secondary buyers;

Harrison Street Real Assets Fund (VCRRX) auction expected to launch October 2

MISSION, Kan., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LODAS Markets, together with Nasdaq Private Market's (NPM) Nasdaq Fund Secondaries (NFS) business, and Harrison Street Private Wealth ("Harrison Street"), a division of Harrison Street Asset Management, today announced the successful close of their inaugural interval fund auction.

The auction, completed September 23rd in shares of the Harrison Street Real Estate Fund (VCMIX), is believed to be among the industry's first intra-period auctions for interval fund shares. All purchasers were non-affiliated secondary buyers and the process was completed as designed across its three-week window, demonstrating a market-driven path to liquidity that complements the interval fund structure.

Auction highlights include:

- 91% of all shares offered were sold. This includes shares from sellers who set an asking price above the price where the auction ultimately cleared.

- Nearly 99% of shares with an asking price at or below the clearing price were sold at the seller's asking price or better.

- 41% of the shares sold received a better price than requested. Those sellers offered to sell at a 20% discount to net asset value (NAV) and instead sold at a 15% discount.

- Demand outpaced supply. Buyer bids exceeded seller asks, signaling investor appetite.

Building on the success of the first auction, a second auction, for Harrison Street Real Assets Fund (VCRRX) is expected to launch October 2, 2026. The collaboration aims to create a scalable foundation for alternative liquidity options across a broad range of interval funds and other semi-liquid investment vehicles.

Semi-liquid fund net assets approached $600 billion at the end of March 2026, up more than 120% from the end of 2022, according to Morningstar's "The State of Semiliquid Funds 2026" report (June 16, 2026), driven by advisor and investor demand for private credit, real estate and other private market strategies. As the market has grown, so has the need for liquidity tools that work in evolving market conditions.

Interval funds allow investors to access private markets and other alternative strategies through a registered investment structure. While these funds offer periodic opportunities for repurchases, investors and financial advisors have limited options when liquidity needs arise outside scheduled repurchase windows. The collaboration among NFS, Harrison Street, and LODAS Markets, first announced on August 24, 2026, was designed to address this gap through a periodic auction process that gives investors greater liquidity flexibility while complementing the existing interval fund structure. The auction sits alongside the traditional repurchase program, giving investors an additional, market-based option that is designed not to come at the expense of long-term shareholders.

Additional Transaction Details:

- Harrison Street was the first investment manager to authorize transfers of interval fund interests through this environment with LODAS acting as broker for the transactions and providing the technology for trading, clearing, and settlement, as well as access to its investor network. The auction was conducted through NFS and the Alternative Trading System (ATS) operated by its affiliate, NFSTX, LLC.

- Sellers and buyers each chose from a set of preset discounts to NAV, and all trades executed at a single clearing price, so every participant received the same transparent price. Because the auction moves shares directly from investors who want to sell to investors who want to own, no fund assets were sold to meet these trades. The fund did not have to sell property or draw on its liquidity, and shareholders who stayed invested were not affected by these trades.

- All trades in the auction have settled. Cash proceeds have been returned to sellers' original custodial accounts, and tax reporting will be provided to participating sellers as required.

LODAS Markets CEO Brian King:

"We're pleased with the success of this innovative auction, both from a technical and price discovery perspective. Approximately 41% of the shares sold received price improvement and the technology infrastructure operated as designed, matching and settling nearly every eligible sell order. We look forward to additional auctions in the near future to provide investors another path to liquidity."

Harrison Street Private Wealth division CEO Mark Quam:

"We're pleased to see the success of the recent auction process, which we believe will lead to broader industry conviction and investment in interval funds. Investors can have varying investment horizons, and the recent auction provides investors in our interval funds with an additional voluntary option to manage their liquidity needs while preserving fund-level capital to optimize portfolio management for long-term shareholders."

NPM Chief Operating Officer Andrew Kroculick:

"Our first auction shows what a transparent, well-designed process can deliver for interval fund shareholders. Executing more than 90% of the shares offered, with meaningful price improvement for a significant portion of the shares sold, validates the auction mechanics and the demand for liquidity options that work alongside scheduled repurchases. We're excited to build on this result as we bring the model to additional funds."

The auction is the first completed under NPM's ownership of NFS. NPM acquired NFS from Nasdaq in September 2026, extending NPM's platform to serve investors in private company shares and private fund interests.

ABOUT LODAS MARKETS

LODAS Markets is a vertically integrated technology company transforming alternative investments through its SEC-registered secondary market and transfer agent platforms, LODAS Securities and LODAS Transfer. Built for financial advisors, individual investors, and institutions, LODAS provides seamless trading, transfer, and settlement via fully automated, connected systems that support the entire investment lifecycle from capital raise to fund management to exit, delivering liquidity, transparency, and operational efficiency across private markets.

For more information, visit lodasmarkets.com.

ABOUT HARRISON STREET PRIVATE WEALTH

Harrison Street Private Wealth, a division of global investment firm Harrison Street Asset Management, manages investment strategies focused on real assets, including real estate, infrastructure, farmland and timberland. Since its founding, HSPW has been dedicated to providing institutional-quality alternative investment solutions to financial advisors and their clients, with a focus on delivering diversification, income, and long-term growth potential. The firm has built a strong track record of working with leading institutional partners to develop innovative investment opportunities tailored for the private wealth market.

For more information, visit: harrisonstpw.com.

ABOUT NASDAQ FUND SECONDARIES

Nasdaq Fund Secondaries, an affiliate of Nasdaq Private Market, LLC, provides technology and liquidity solutions for participants in the private secondaries markets. Its purpose-built platform helps general partners, limited partners, and their advisors manage and execute liquidity transactions through structured workflows designed to support greater transparency, efficiency, and scalability.

For more information, visit nasdaqprivatemarket.com/fund-secondaries/.

CONTACTS

LODAS Markets

Randy Williams

917-213-5980

[email protected] 

Harrison Street Private Wealth

For media inquiries:

Doug Allen, Ellie Johnson

Dukas Linden Public Relations

646-722-6530

[email protected]

For other inquiries:

877-200-1878

[email protected] 

Nasdaq Private Market

Samantha Tortora

[email protected] 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Information set forth in this release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. NPM cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will", "would", "expects", "aims", "look forward", and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to operation of auctions and broker activities. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NPM's control. NPM undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Please read these important legal notices and disclosures

The information contained herein is provided for informational and educational purposes only. None of the information provided represents an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any security, nor does it constitute an offer to provide legal, tax, financial or investment advice or service, nor does it constitute a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any investment product or security. Investing in private markets is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You must be prepared to withstand a total loss of your investment. The results of this auction are not indicative of the results of any future auction. Future auctions may clear at different prices, including at greater discounts to NAV, and there is no assurance that shares offered in any auction will be sold. You are strongly encouraged to complete your own independent due diligence before investing in private markets, including obtaining additional information, opinions, financial projections, and legal or other investment advice.

Emboline Announces First U.S. Commercial Use of the Emboliner® Embolic Protection System

Milestone marks the beginning of U.S. commercialization following FDA 510(k) clearance

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Emboline, Inc., a medical technology company developing next-generation embolic protection technology, today announced the first commercial use of its Emboliner® Embolic Protection System. The system was used on October 1, 2026 during two transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures performed by Tamim Nazif, MD, Co-Director of the Structural Heart and Valve Center at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Co-Principal Investigator of the PROTECT H2H study.

The Emboliner is designed to provide full-body embolic protection by capturing and removing debris generated during transcatheter structural heart procedures and is currently indicated for use during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The system received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance in September 2026.

"Completing the first commercial Emboliner procedures in the U.S. represents a defining milestone for Emboline and, more importantly, brings a new embolic protection option to physicians and their patients," said Scott Russell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Emboline. "We are grateful to Dr. Nazif and the entire New York-Presbyterian/Columbia team for their leadership and collaboration as we begin the commercial introduction of the Emboliner in the United States. I am also incredibly proud of our highly motivated Emboline team, whose efforts enabled our first commercial case within three weeks of 510(k) clearance."

"Stroke and embolic debris remain concerns during TAVR, and there remains an unmet clinical need for more comprehensive and effective embolic protection for our patients," said Dr. Nazif. "We gained considerable experience with the Emboliner through our leadership of the PROTECT H2H clinical trial, and we are extremely excited to be able to offer this technology to a broader range of our patients now that it is commercially available."

The company is commencing a controlled U.S. commercial launch focused initially on leading structural heart centers.

About Emboline

Emboline, Inc. is a privately held medical technology company based in Santa Cruz, California, focused on developing technologies designed to reduce embolic complications during transcatheter cardiovascular procedures.

The company's lead product, the Emboliner® Embolic Protection System, is designed to provide full cerebral and systemic embolic protection by capturing and removing debris that may be released during transcatheter interventions and could otherwise travel to the brain and other vital organs. Emboline's technologies are derived from intellectual property invented by serial medical device entrepreneur Amir Belson, MD, founder of NeoGuide Systems, Vascular Pathways, ZipLine Medical, Venocare, Radiaction, Modular Surgical, and Follisave.

For more information, visit emboline.com.

Media & Investor Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Emboline, Inc.

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As LG's web-based gaming library triples to over 1,000 titles, driving strong year-over-year growth in gaming usage, the globally popular game makes its TV debut with exclusive features.

News Summary:

- The globally popular game 8 Ball Pool is launching on LG Smart TVs, bringing 1:1 multiplayer mode to the TV screen. Players can also enjoy exclusive gameplay features optimized for intuitive control with the LG Magic Remote.

- LG's web-based gaming library has grown to more than 1,000 free-to-play titles, fueling significant year-over-year increases in gaming usage, hours played and user sessions, while further advancing high-quality free gaming on the big screen.

- On LG's 100-inch screens, players can enjoy a life-size 8-ball pool experience at home, with special events such as tournaments bringing new excitement to connected TV screens.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) announced a partnership with digital games leader Miniclip to launch the global hit mobile game 8 Ball Pool on LG Smart TVs, marking its first availability on the big screen. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the most downloaded mobile pool game, with more than 1 billion downloads worldwide, 8 Ball Pool will be available free-to-play on LG Smart TVs and monitors running webOS 6.0 and above in 165 countries, starting this week.

Bringing 8 Ball Pool to TV Screens

For its big-screen at-home debut, 8 Ball Pool has been optimized for the webOS platform with a dynamic user interface, allowing players to aim, adjust power and shoot with intuitive precision using the LG Magic Remote. The game also offers optional in-game items for purchase, adding opportunities for fun and personalization.

Recognizing the TV's unique role as the centerpiece of living room entertainment, LG and Miniclip are introducing the all-new Couch Play Mode, an exclusive feature for this release. This specialized mode adds 1-on-1 multiplayer gameplay, allowing two users to compete head-to-head on the same screen and bringing family and friends together for shared, competitive fun from the comfort of the sofa. To celebrate the launch, LG and Miniclip are offering exclusive items specially designed for LG TV users.

The game can be accessed via LG Apps or the LG Gaming Portal. In the Gaming Portal, users can also collect special rewards, such as badges in My Page, by completing tasks.

Advancing High-Quality Free Gaming to TV Screens

The launch of 8 Ball Pool further reinforces LG's continued momentum in TV gaming, bringing one of the most recognizable casual gaming experiences to the connected TV screen. With high-quality graphics, intuitive gameplay and free access, the title is expected to help drive stronger engagement across LG's gaming platform and support the continued evolution of CTV gaming into a more mainstream entertainment experience.

LG has tripled the number of web-based gaming titles available across its platform over the last two years1, expanding its library to more than 1,000 free-to-play games. This expanded library has contributed to stronger user engagement, with overall gaming usage increasing by 67 percent year over year2. Total hours played grew by 71 percent, while individual gaming sessions rose by 50 percent, underscoring the growing role of LG Smart TVs as an entertainment and gaming destination.

Delivering a Life-Size Experience at Home

On LG's screens over 100 inches, including LG's latest QNED evo and Micro RGB TVs, 8 Ball Pool comes to life at real-world scale3, creating an immersive at-home experience that players can enjoy with just a remote controller.

"Through this partnership, LG continues to expand its free premium gaming ecosystem on the webOS platform," said Chris Jo, head of the webOS Platform Business Center at the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. "With new hit titles customized for big-screen players, LG is transforming the traditional TV into an interactive hub for home entertainment."

LG remains committed to enhancing LG Gaming Portal with compelling, new titles and convenient features, enabling users to enjoy the excitement of big-screen gaming directly on LG Smart TVs and Smart Monitors. To learn more, visit LG.com.

1 Based on internal data for Jan 2024 ~ May 2026.

2.Based on internal data for June 2025 ~ June 2026.

3 Real-life size measurements based on 7-foot ball pool

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a smart life solutions company with annual global revenues of more than $60 billion. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com.  For more news and stories about LG products and innovations, please visit the LG USA Newsroom at www.lg.com/us/newsroom.

About webOS platform

The webOS platform has powered LG TVs for over a decade, earning acclaim for its user-friendly interface that allows for easy navigation and customization. With a growing ecosystem of global partners and audience-centric content delivered via services such as free ad-supported streaming TV LG Channels, LG Gallery+, LG Gaming Portal, LG Sports Portal and more, webOS is set to drive LG's future growth across multiple devices and out-of-home experiences. For more news on webOS for entertainment, visit www.LG.com/global/newsroom/.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA

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