Expansion brings dedicated college and career advisors to rural Oklahoma high schools

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in anticipation of the 2026 Heartland Summit, Heartland Forward announced the expansion of rootEd Alliance in Oklahoma. rootEd Alliance is a national nonprofit that places trained college and career advisors in rural high schools to work one-on-one with students, helping them build a plan for life after graduation, whether through a college degree, career credential, apprenticeships, military service or entering the workforce directly. To date, rootEd advisors have served more than 100,000 rural students nationwide including in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Alaska, Illinois, Idaho, and, as of this academic year, Oklahoma.

The model has shown strong results. Nationally, rootEd schools have seen a nearly 30% increase in students pursuing postsecondary education or career training and 54% fewer students pursuing low-skill, low wage jobs. rootEd schools also saw a 27% increase in completion of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

"Every student should graduate high school with a clear path forward, whether that means college, skills development or a meaningful career. rootEd Oklahoma will connect rural students to opportunities that strengthen Oklahoma's workforce and economy," said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. "As a native Oklahoman, I'm proud to help bring this proven model to communities across the state. We're grateful to the Inasmuch Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation for helping make this expansion possible."

"There's so much talent in rural communities, and we've seen the far-reaching impact that a dedicated career advisor can have on students, schools, and communities," said Noa Meyer, Board Chair of rootEd Alliance. "We are proud to grow our partnership with Heartland Forward to bring dedicated career advising to more rural students across Oklahoma and Arkansas, helping ensure they have the support they need to explore career options and take action to build their futures."

After leading a successful pilot program in Arkansas, Heartland Forward will serve as the program's implementation partner in the state of Oklahoma. Together, Heartland Forward and rootEd Alliance are placing advisors in select Oklahoma high schools for the 2026-27 school year. Planning is underway for rootEd Oklahoma to be in 10 high schools across 10 rural school districts, supporting more than 1,000 students across Oklahoma in the 2027-28 school year.

The Oklahoma expansion is made possible through the support of the Inasmuch Foundation and the George Kaiser Family Foundation alongside local district partners.

Inasmuch Foundation is supporting rootEd Oklahoma through Bedrock, a fund dedicated to supporting transformational initiatives across Oklahoma. "Bedrock exists to invest in bold ideas and create meaningful, long-term change across Oklahoma," said Robert J. Ross, President & CEO of Inasmuch Foundation. "rootEd Oklahoma will help rural students connect their education to real opportunities for jobs. This partnership will build a stronger workforce and more vibrant communities for generations to come."

"The rootEd model has proven effective in several places as a way of advancing opportunity for young people," said Ken Levit, Executive Director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. "We look forward to partnering with others in bringing strong one-on-one college and career advisors to more Oklahoma schools and to the students who will, as a result, chart a more prosperous future for themselves, their families and their communities."

To learn more about Heartland Forward's work implementing rootEd in Arkansas visit www.heartlandforward.org/rooted and read the latest rootEd Arkansas impact report here.

About Heartland Forward

Heartland Forward is a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank that turns ideas into action for states and local communities. Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, change the narrative about the middle of the country and generate $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. We do this through applied research, community-driven programs, policy and convenings—focusing on regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness.

About the Heartland Summit

The Heartland Summit was co-founded by Olivia and Tom Walton and Steuart Walton in 2018 to kick-start economic growth and help change the narrative about the middle of the country. The Summit is a forum for frank conversation about our shared challenges, creating positive action and strengthening connections.

About rootEd Alliance

Founded in 2018, rootEd Alliance is a national nonprofit that helps rural high school students achieve career success and strengthens America's skilled workforce. rootEd places dedicated career advisors in rural high schools to support students in defining and realizing their career goals, whether through a college degree, workforce credentials, apprenticeships, or military service, while partnering with communities, states, and employers to close talent gaps and drive rural economic prosperity. To date, rootEd advisors have served more than 100,000 rural students nationwide including in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Alaska, Illinois, and Idaho, and has partnered with more than 1,500 employers nationally. At the schools it serves, rootEd has led to nearly 30% more students pursuing college and career training.

rootEd Alliance is made possible by a group of philanthropists, convened by BDT & MSD Partners. For more information, please visit: https://rootEdAlliance.org.

SOURCE Heartland Forward

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Leaders from Parabilis Medicines, HawkEye 360 and Cerebras joined investors and leading clinicians at the firm's 2026 Celebration in Toronto

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty Degree Capital ("SDC"), a global, multi-stage venture capital firm investing across technology and healthcare, continued its strong portfolio momentum in 2026. Building on the firm's history of successful exits, five SDC portfolio companies have completed initial public offerings in 2026, including two record-setting offerings.

SpaceX, Parabilis Medicines, Cerebras, HawkEye 360 and Lime each began trading on U.S. exchanges between May and July. SpaceX's offering of approximately US$75 billion is the largest IPO in history, and Parabilis Medicines' US$770 million offering is the largest biotech IPO in history. GrubMarket has also filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"A public listing happens in a single day, but it rests on years of work that most people never see," said Robert Guo, President of Sixty Degree Capital. "This year's listings add to a record our founders have been building since the firm's earliest days. Each of these companies took on hard problems at the frontier of science and technology and executed with real discipline. We are proud to continue as their partner, and we remain focused on backing the companies that will define the decade ahead."

SDC marked this year's milestones at its 2026 Celebration, held on August 11 at the Donalda Club in Toronto. The evening convened founders, investors, scientists, clinicians and partners from across the firm's network, with a program that followed the path from scientific discovery to global scale.

Dr. Mathai Mammen, Chief Executive Officer of Parabilis Medicines, joined SDC Managing Director Dr. Cheryl Kuai in conversation on building biotechnology companies and translating breakthrough science into new medicines. John Serafini, Chief Executive Officer of HawkEye 360, and Nish Sinnadurai, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Canada Country Manager at Cerebras, spoke to the rise of space-based intelligence and the compute infrastructure behind the next generation of artificial intelligence, respectively.

The program closed with a panel on longevity and healthspan, moderated by Dr. Kenneth Grisé, Principal at SDC. Dr. Douglas Vaughan, Founding Director of the Potocsnak Longevity Institute and Chief Academic Officer of Northwestern Medicine, drew on decades of research into the biology of aging. Dr. Hubert Walinski, Chief Scientific Officer, Life Sciences at Portland Holdings, offered a pharmaceutical industry view, and James Mayer, Chief Operating Officer of CABHI and Partner at CABHI Ventures, spoke to innovation in aging and brain health.

This year's listings are the latest outcome of an approach that has guided SDC since its founding in 2018. Its investment approach rests on people, timing and sector expertise, applied by specialized teams of former founders, operators, PhDs, research scientists and investment professionals. That depth allows SDC to recognize potential early, evaluate complex opportunities with conviction and remain a steady partner as companies grow. As innovation across technology and healthcare accelerates, SDC continues to focus on partnering with the founders building what comes next.

About Sixty Degree Capital

Sixty Degree Capital is a global multi-stage venture capital firm based in Toronto. The firm invests in category-defining companies across technology and healthcare, primarily in the United States, with select investments globally. In technology, SDC invests across artificial intelligence, space, defence, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. In healthcare, SDC invests in pioneering biotechnology and healthcare technology companies that address significant unmet medical needs and have the potential to transform patient care. These investments are underpinned by deep scientific, technical and investment expertise across oncology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system disorders and healthcare technology. Its multidisciplinary team partners with exceptional founders from early growth through the public markets.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities or interests in any fund managed by Sixty Degree Capital.

SOURCE Sixty Degree Capital

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ISELIN, N.J., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- World Insurance Associates LLC ("World"), a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage, announced today that it acquired the business of American Insurance Agency ("American Insurance") of Hingham, MA on June 1, 2026. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

American Insurance, founded in 1991, is a trusted insurance agency serving a diverse range of industries. The agency has developed specialized expertise in sectors including, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, restaurants, real estate, auto services, energy, entertainment and amusement, special events, as well as skating and sports facilities. With decades of industry experience, American Insurance provides tailored insurance solutions designed to address the unique risks and coverage needs of each client, helping businesses protect their operations and achieve long-term success.

"We are experienced insurance professionals, and work with people every day to find the best insurance programs for their business needs," says James J. Farren, Owner, American Insurance Agency. "We are glad to be joining World and look forward to expanding the products and services we offer to our clients."

"I'd like to extend a warm welcome to American Insurance as they join the World family," says Rich Eknoian, Executive Chairman and Founder of World. "This acquisition builds World's presence in the greater Boston area. I know American Insurance's business will continue to grow as part of World."

Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel to World on the transaction. Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP provided legal counsel to American Insurance on the transaction. No other advisors, diligence firms, or legal counsel were disclosed.

About World Insurance Associates LLC

World Insurance Associates (World) is a leading brokerage and advisor dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized businesses across the U.S. and U.K. Headquartered in Iselin, N.J., World's comprehensive network of brokers and specialists empower business owners to make informed decisions to improve their risk management outcomes, modernize their benefits programs and help achieve their long-term financial goals. Using data-driven analytics, World's advisors innovate new products and solutions tailored to clients' needs across commercial and personal insurance and bonds, employee and executive benefits, wealth management and retirement plan services, private client services and payroll & HR solutions. For more information, please visit www.worldinsurance.com.

SOURCE WORLD INSURANCE ASSOCIATES LLC

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The Clorox Company Announces the Official Launch of Clorox Purell ProCare™

The new B2B-focused business, created through the combination of CloroxPro and GOJO, Makers of Purell, brings professional and healthcare customers unparalleled access to the most trusted health and hygiene solutions in the industry.

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clorox Company today announced the launch of Clorox Purell ProCare™, an industry-leading health and hygiene platform combining CloroxPro and GOJO, Makers of Purell, which Clorox acquired earlier this year. Clorox Purell ProCare's unified sales and service organization and network of leading distributors offer professional and healthcare customers convenient access to its broad portfolio of innovative solutions from trusted brands like Clorox, Purell, Pine-Sol, Glad and more.

Clorox Purell ProCare is headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with offices in Pleasanton, California, and Toronto, Ontario. Other locations include Ashland, Cuyahoga Falls, and Wooster, Ohio, and Alpharetta, Georgia.

"Over the last six months team members from CloroxPro, GOJO, and the broader Clorox Company have worked tirelessly to build something truly special," said Carey Jaros, President of Clorox Purell. "Our combined business will create tremendous value for customers and distributor partners through an expanded portfolio of market-leading solutions and unparalleled service and support. But just as important, our work is in pursuit of a powerful purpose – to save lives and make life better by championing a cleaner and healthier world. At a time when so many facilities are looking for efficient and effective ways to deliver a healthier clean to patients, patrons, employees, and guests, Clorox Purell ProCare's trusted brands, commitment to science-based innovation, and world-class supply chain set us apart."

Industry Leadership: 180 Years of Combined Hygiene Expertise

Clorox Purell ProCare has 180 years of experience keeping skin and surfaces clean and decreasing the spread of illness-causing germs. The business builds on a shared legacy of helping a large and diverse set of customers across industries improve outcomes, simplify operations, and create healthier environments through superior solutions, evidence-based programs, and highly integrated sales, service and support.

For more information, visit https://www.cloroxpurellprocare.com/ or follow Clorox Purell ProCare on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/cloroxpurellprocare/.

About Clorox Purell ProCare Clorox Purell ProCare is the professional arm of The Clorox Company, created in 2026, through the combination of GOJO, Makers of Purell, and CloroxPro. With 180 combined years of experience, Clorox Purell ProCare delivers innovative solutions to professional and healthcare customers around the world through its market-leading portfolio of skin and surface hygiene products and trusted brands including Clorox, Purell, Pine-Sol, GOJO and Glad. The business is headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with operations in California, Ohio, Georgia and outside the United States. Visit cloroxpurellprocare.com to learn more.

About The Clorox Company The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) champions people to be well and thrive every single day. Headquartered in Oakland, California since 1913, Clorox integrates sustainability into how it does business. Driven by consumer-centric innovation, the company is committed to delivering clearly superior experiences through its trusted brands including Brita®, Burt's Bees®, Clorox®, Fresh Step®, Glad®, Hidden Valley®, Kingsford®, Liquid-Plumr®, Pine-Sol® and Purell® as well as international brands such as Chux®, Clorinda® and Poett®. Visit thecloroxcompany.com to learn more. CLX-B

SOURCE The Clorox Company

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After 100,000 Copies, Hank Shaw Expands Buck, Buck, Moose for a New Generation of Deer Hunters

James Beard Award-winning author adds 30 recipes, modern cooking methods and a decade of new experience

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten years and more than 100,000 copies after Buck, Buck, Moose first helped change how American hunters cook venison, James Beard Award-winning author Hank Shaw has returned to the book with 30 new recipes and a decade's worth of new knowledge.

Buck, Buck, Moose: Recipes and Techniques for Cooking Venison is a total reboot of Shaw's 2016 book. The 336-page hardcover includes 125 recipes, approximately 200 color photographs and updated guidance for cooking deer, elk, moose, caribou, pronghorn and other antlered game.

"A decade ago, this was the best venison cookbook I knew how to write," Shaw said. "Ten years later, I've hunted more, cooked more, taught more people and answered thousands of questions. Venison cooking has changed, and it was time for Buck, Buck, Moose to change with it."

The original edition has received nearly 1,500 five-star reviews on Amazon. Kirkus Reviews praised the anniversary edition, writing, "The sheer breadth of practically applicable knowledge is dizzying."

The new edition reflects changes in how people cook at home. Shaw has added guidance throughout for sous vide machines, air fryers, electric pressure cookers and slow cookers. The charcuterie section has been expanded and modernized, chapters have been reorganized for easier use, and the index has been expanded.

New recipes range from Swedish "frost bump" venison, to British game pies, Mexican pacholas and Texas-style hot link sausages, along with more smoked venison dishes and weeknight casseroles.

The anniversary edition also deepens Shaw's emphasis on using the whole animal. When Buck, Buck, Moose first appeared, nose-to-tail cooking was only beginning to gain broad acceptance among American hunters. A decade later, more hunters are treating shanks, necks, shoulders and other working cuts as valuable ingredients rather than automatically sending them to the grinder.

"Hunters put too much work into bringing an animal home to reduce it to backstrap, burger and jerky," Shaw said. "The nose-to-tail approach has become much more mainstream over the past decade. This edition reflects how far wild-game cooking has come and gives readers more ways to make every part of the animal worth looking forward to."

The book offers instruction on handling, butchering, storing and cooking venison, with recipes ranging from simple camp and weeknight dishes to sausages, cured meats and special-occasion meals. It features a foreword by hunter and conservationist Randy Newberg and endorsements from Sean Sherman, Ree Drummond and Steven Rinella.

Buck, Buck, Moose carries a suggested retail price of $35 and is available wherever books are sold in the United States and Canada. Signed copies are available at huntgathercook.com. The book is distributed in the United States by SCB Distributors and is also available in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Shaw will support the release with book dinners, talks and appearances around the country this fall.

About Hank Shaw

Hank Shaw is a James Beard Award-winning author, chef, hunter and founder of Hunt Gather Cook. He writes about hunting, fishing, foraging and wild food at huntgathercook.com.

Media contact:

Hank Shaw

[email protected]

Review copies, interviews and high-resolution images are available upon request.

SOURCE Hunter Angler Gardener Cook

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Built on the site where TCL's journey began in 1981, the museum chronicles 45 years of innovation, transformation, and industrial progress while looking ahead to the brand's next chapter.

HUIZHOU, China, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL today marked its 45th anniversary with the Inauguration Ceremony of the TCL Industrial Museum in Huizhou, the city where TCL was founded in 1981. Built on the former factory site of TCL's predecessor, TTK, the museum chronicles TCL's evolution alongside the development of China's electronics industry.

"The TCL Industrial Museum is not only about preserving the journey behind us, but also about inspiring the journey ahead," said Li Dongsheng, Founder and Chairman of TCL. "Over the past 45 years, TCL has grown through entrepreneurship, transformation and innovation. As we enter a new chapter, we will carry forward the same boldness and commitment to create new possibilities for the future."

45 Years of Innovation and Transformation

Spanning more than 23,000 square meters, including over 9,000 square meters of exhibition space, the museum brings together over 3,000 curated pieces across six exhibition halls and a central atrium.

The collections cover key eras of technological development, with highlights including a 1920s Nipkow mechanical scanning disk, China's first television set, China's first commercial computer, and the world's first mass-produced printed OLED 4K display developed by TCL CSOT in 2024. The television gallery also features more than 100 vintage television sets from around the world.

Strategic Focus Powers Global Growth

Beyond preserving products and historical milestones, the museum shows how TCL has successfully adapted its business strategy over the years as industries, technologies, and markets have evolved. One of the most consequential turning points came in 2019.

In 2019, TCL completed a major restructuring that established TCL Technology and TCL Industries as two independently operated entities. With TCL Technology focusing on display and new energy businesses, and TCL Industries specializing in smart devices and services, the restructuring has enabled each business to strengthen its strategic focus and unlock greater growth potential. From 2019 to 2025, TCL Technology's revenue more than tripled from approximately US$8.4 billion to US$27 billion, while TCL Industries' revenue more than doubled from US$11.7 billion to approximately US$24.9 billion.

Alongside revenue growth, the restructuring has also strengthened TCL's position across its core businesses. TCL TV ranked No. 2 globally by shipment volume in 2025. According to Omdia, TCL CSOT ranked No. 2 globally in overall TV panel market share that year. In clean energy, TCL Zhonghuan is the world's largest producer of solar-grade silicon crystals and a key supplier in the global silicon wafer market. Beyond pure business performance, TCL's broader progress was also recognized in 2026, when it was named one of TIME's World's Best Companies.

The Next Chapter: Technology Leadership with Purpose

With the museum sharing the journey that brought TCL to where it is today, the brand is now looking to the future with a series of initiatives. As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, TCL is connecting people with technology through one of the world's most universal cultural platforms, while TCLArt, TCLforHer, TCLGreen, and TCLYoung are extending the brand's engagement across culture, society, and sustainability.

At 45, the boldness and commitment that have shaped TCL's story remain central to its future. TCL will continue advancing its technology, sustainable growth and global brand-building efforts, while strengthening its role as a responsible corporate citizen and trusted technology brand.

About TCL

Founded in 1981, TCL is dedicated to empowering smarter, healthier lifestyles through next-generation experiences. Operating through two independent entities, TCL Industries and TCL Technology, TCL delivers innovative solutions spanning TVs, smartphones, audio products, smart home devices, display technologies, and clean energy.

Today, with 50 R&D centers and 47 manufacturing bases globally, TCL operates in over 160 countries and regions, reinforcing its position as a globally competitive smart technology brand. To further inspire greatness, TCL has become an official Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in the Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances category.

SOURCE TCL Technology Group Corporation

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- World's first fully Software-Defined Medium Voltage architecture enables up to 3× faster ordering and manufacturing, up to 2× faster commissioning and zero-downtime upgrades

- RM AirSeT™ 38 Software Defined extends Schneider Electric's SF₆-free medium-voltage technology to 38 kV for high-density, scalable data center architectures

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, today unveiled new power solutions at YOTTA 2026 (September 28–30, Las Vegas) to accelerate AI-ready data center deployment and scaling. These solutions span medium-voltage distribution and high-density power infrastructure, allowing electrical systems to evolve at the same pace as the AI factories and digital services they support. At the center of the offering is the world's first fully Software-Defined Medium Voltage switchgear, now deployed in a live colocation data center with Equinix.

"The challenge facing data center operators today is not just keeping pace with AI growth, but building the resilient, efficient and scalable power infrastructure needed for an increasingly digital world," said Frédéric Godemel, Executive Vice President, Energy Management, Schneider Electric. "Schneider Electric's Software-Defined Medium Voltage architecture brings a new level of flexibility, standardization, and energy intelligence to electrical distribution, helping customers scale their operations more efficiently while preparing for future requirements. By combining software, connectivity, and sustainable innovation, we are enabling the next generation of resilient and efficient data centers."

Software-Defined Medium Voltage establishes a new category of power infrastructure

Building on its broader Software-Defined Energy vision, Schneider Electric is extending software-defined architecture to medium-voltage power infrastructure. The approach decouples system intelligence from physical hardware, creating a new model for designing, deploying and operating electrical infrastructure that can evolve at the same pace as the AI factories and digital services they support. 

Based on the comparison documented in Schneider Electric White Paper 303, the approach enables up to 3× faster ordering and manufacturing, up to 2× faster commissioning and onsite acceptance testing, compared with conventional engineered-to-order medium-voltage switchgear. It also reduces system complexity: in the 20-panel comparison, the software-defined configuration used 87% less control wiring, 91% fewer terminals and 85% less copper in that wiring, while providing digital connectivity and analytics for greater operational visibility.

Key elements of the Software-Defined MV architecture include:

- Standardized, configurable infrastructure: Replaces highly customized, engineered-to-order systems with modular hardware that can be standardized and deployed more quickly.

- Software-enabled functionality: Shifts capabilities from hardware into software, allowing customers to add new features and performance improvements without physical modifications.

- Digital-first deployment: Standardized modules, automated testing, and intuitive interfaces help streamline ordering, manufacturing, commissioning, and onsite acceptance.

- Lifecycle flexibility: Over-the-air updates enable system upgrades without hardware replacement or operational downtime, while software-enabled capabilities support ongoing optimization and AI-powered predictive maintenance through EcoCare Services.

The Software-Defined MV approach has been deployed in live operation through a pilot with Equinix in a colocation data center environment.

Pilot programs continue through 2027, with broader availability to follow in 2028. To learn more, visit the Software-Defined MV switchgear page or read the Software-Defined MV white paper. To receive product and availability updates, register your interest.

RM AirSeT 38 Software Defined extends SF₆-free MV gas-insulated switchgear to 38 kV

Schneider Electric also announced RM AirSeT™ 38 Software Defined, part of its proven AirSeT™ platform of SF₆-free secondary medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). RM AirSeT 38 extends the platform from 24 kV to 38 kV and is designed specifically for next-generation AI data centers.

As AI, high-performance computing and large-scale digital infrastructure drive rising power densities, many operators are planning 36/38 kV MV architectures to support higher power capacity, simplified MV backbone design, and scalable campus deployment. RM AirSeT 38 meets that need, giving hyperscalers and colocation providers greater flexibility as they modernize their electrical distribution strategies.

RM AirSeT 38 is designed to support high-density, scalable deployments through:

- SF₆-free technology: Uses pressurized pure air insulation and vacuum interruption technology instead of SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride, a potent greenhouse gas), fluorinated gases, or proprietary gas mixtures.

- Compact GIS design: Supports space-constrained, high-density installations while enabling standardized, repeatable MV architecture across data center deployments.

- Software-defined capabilities: A standardized digital architecture designed to simplify configuration, accelerate commissioning and support lifecycle evolution.

- Operational visibility: Digital monitoring and sensing options provide visibility into system performance, configurable to each customer's cybersecurity requirements.

Order intake is planned to begin in 2027, with first deliveries expected in 2028. To receive updates on RM AirSeT 38, register your interest.

Galaxy VXL brings high-density UPS power to AI-ready data centers

Schneider Electric also highlighted Galaxy VXL, its latest high-density, modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for next-generation AI-ready data centers and large-scale digital infrastructure. Built for the power demands of AI workloads, Galaxy VXL combines industry-leading power density, operational efficiency, and resiliency in an ultra-compact footprint. 

As AI deployments drive higher rack densities and more dynamic load profiles, data center operators need power infrastructure that responds quickly to fluctuating demand while maximizing white space. Galaxy VXL helps customers maintain reliable, high-quality power delivery for scalable growth and continuity in AI and high-performance computing environments.

Key benefits include:

- Industry-leading power density: Delivers up to 1.25 MW in a single frame while using up to 70% less space than predecessor systems, helping customers maximize IT capacity and floor space.

- Optimized efficiency and sustainability: Galaxy VXL is designed to drive energy-efficient operations, lowering total cost of ownership, and support long-term sustainability initiatives – delivering a 31% reduction in lifecycle CO₂ emissions compared with its predecessor.

- Validated for AI workloads: Designed for the dynamic power profiles associated with AI clusters and high-density compute environments, helping ensure power quality, resilience, and availability.

- Scalable, service-friendly architecture: Schneider Electric's third-party verified Live Swap technology lets operators add, upgrade, or replace power modules without planned downtime, supporting future expansion while maintaining uptime.

- Digital-first operations: Integrated EcoStruxure™ monitoring and digital services provide visibility, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle optimization across critical power infrastructure.

Availability

Galaxy VXL is available globally and supports both Lithium-ion and VRLA battery technologies, providing customers with flexible energy storage options to meet their resiliency, performance, and sustainability requirements. For more information, visit the Galaxy VXL product page.

Schneider Electric at Yotta

Schneider Electric is a Yotta-level sponsor of the event, the highest sponsorship tier. Schneider Electric executives will speak on the following panels:

- Software-Defined Energy: The Next Era of Digital Infrastructure

- Sept. 29 at 10:10 a.m.: Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division, Schneider Electric, alongside Greg Metcalf, Senior Director, Global Design, Equinix

- Energy Transformation Keynote

- Sept. 29 at 10:30 a.m.: Jim Simonelli, SVP & CTO Data Center Segment, Schneider Electric

- Building the AI Power Plant: The Technologies Behind Bring Your Own Power

- Sept. 29 at 11:40 a.m.: Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division, Schneider Electric, alongside Devin Dilley, President & Chief Product Officer, EPC Power Corp. and David Bell, VP of Data Center and Microgrid Development, Volta Grid

- From Grid Constraints to AI Growth: The New Blueprint for Energy and Digital Infrastructure (Energy Transformation Lunch, limited seating)

- Sept. 29 at 12:30–2 p.m.: Moderated by Jim Simonelli, SVP & CTO Data Center Segment, Schneider Electric, with Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division, Schneider Electric; Mark McComiskey, CEO, AVAIO Digital; Kassy Hart, Aero Data Centers & H2 Commercialization Leader, GE Vernova; and Aaron Norris, Director, Procurement, Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Additional Schneider Electric executives onsite and available for interviews include:

- Melton Chang, Executive Vice President, Power Systems Division

- Jim Simonelli, SVP & CTO Data Center Segment

At Booth #701, Schneider Electric will run a full IT pod demonstration on its Smart Spatial digital twin platform, spanning build, operate and maintain:

- Build: Software-Defined MV switchgear, Galaxy VXL UPS, NetShelter power racks and power shelves, Motivair chilled door, Motivair in-rack CDU and CDU50, iLine track busway and an 800 VDC sidecar.

- Operate: EcoStruxure Foresight, AVEVA Unified Operations Center and EcoStruxure IT DCIM software.

- Maintain: EcoCare for Data Centers and EcoConsult.

DENVER, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "This National Manufacturing Week, EverPeak is proud to recognize the light manufacturers and machine shops that turn raw materials into the goods our communities depend on every day. These businesses are the backbone of American industry for their precision, resilience, and behind-the-scenes steadiness that keep supply chains moving.

At EverPeak, we know that running a manufacturing operation brings real complexity, and we exist to make workers' comp coverage easy, affordable, and predictable.

To every machine shop and light manufacturer we're proud to protect: thank you for building the things that build everything else."

About EverPeak® Insurance

EverPeak Insurance is a workers' compensation insurance solution offering comprehensive coverage and market-leading service for businesses across the United States. With an approach to care based on Pinnacol Assurance's 100+ years of industry-leading underwriting, claims and risk management experience, we cover the hardest-working businesses because we work hard, too. EverPeak Insurance offers skilled protection for businesses with the toughest risks and partners with insurance agents who strive to offer the best protection to those businesses that need it most. Learn more at everpeak.com.

Media Contact:

Liz Johnson Director, Public Relations, EverPeak Insurance 720.939.7238 (mobile) [email protected]

SOURCE EverPeak Insurance

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets™, the Smart Shopping Cart Market is estimated to be USD 0.59 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 1.65 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 18.7%.

Browse 200 market data Tables and 45 Figures spread through 250 Pages and in-depth TOC on 'Smart Shopping Cart Market - Global Forecast to 2032'

Smart Shopping Cart Market Size & Forecast:

- Market Size Available for Years: 2025–2032

- 2025 Market Size: USD 0.33 billion

- 2026 Market Size: USD 0.59 billion

- 2032 Projected Market Size: USD 1.65 billion

- CAGR (2026–2032): 18.7%

Smart Shopping Cart Market Trends & Insights:

- The market is gaining traction as retailers increasingly adopt smart carts to automate checkout, improve shopping convenience, and strengthen digital engagement within physical stores.

- By application area, the supermarkets segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 19.4%.

- By mode of sale, the distributor segment is projected to grow the fastest from 2026 to 2032.

- North America accounted for a 42.4% share in 2026.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1868637

Smart shopping carts are increasingly being adopted as retailers seek to bridge digital and physical shopping experiences within stores. Traditional shopping carts provide limited opportunities for retailers to interact with customers once they enter a store, whereas connected carts can provide digital assistance throughout the shopping journey. Shoppers can access product information, receive relevant offers, locate products, and manage purchases through the cart itself. Retailers can also connect smart carts with loyalty programs, POS systems, and digital payment platforms to create a more integrated shopping experience. The growing use of computer vision, sensor technologies, and embedded computing is improving these carts' ability to recognize products and respond to customer interactions in real time. As retailers invest in omnichannel strategies, smart carts are becoming an important in-store technology for connecting customer engagement, digital services, and transaction capabilities.

The supermarkets segment is expected to have the fastest growth during the forecast period.

Supermarkets are expected to witness the fastest growth in the Smart Shopping Cart Market due to the increasing need to make high-frequency grocery shopping more convenient and digitally enabled. Grocery purchases often involve multiple product categories and frequent repeat visits, creating opportunities for smart carts to simplify shopping and provide relevant assistance during the trip. Features such as digital shopping lists, product location guidance, basket monitoring, and personalized offers can help shoppers navigate stores more efficiently. Retailers can also use these capabilities to promote complementary products and strengthen loyalty engagement during routine shopping trips. The growing adoption of smart cart solutions by grocery retailers in North America and other developed markets is further supporting segment growth. As supermarkets increasingly combine physical stores with digital loyalty and e-commerce ecosystems, smart carts can provide a direct technology layer for extending these digital services into the store.

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Fully integrated cart segment is expected to have the largest market size.

Fully integrated smart carts are expected to account for the largest market size during the forecast period. These purpose-built carts incorporate cameras, sensors, computing systems, displays, and payment capabilities into a single platform, allowing retailers to deploy multiple smart shopping functions through one device. Their integrated architecture provides greater control over hardware and software performance and enables retailers to deliver a consistent shopping experience across stores. Fully integrated carts are particularly suitable for large grocery chains and retailers undertaking broader store modernization initiatives, where standardized technology can be deployed across multiple locations. Solutions such as Caper Carts and Amazon Dash Cart show the growing use of purpose-built carts that combine product recognition, transaction processing, and customer engagement. Although fully integrated carts require greater upfront investment than retrofit solutions, their ability to support multiple applications within a single platform makes them attractive to retailers seeking a comprehensive smart shopping solution. The increasing integration of checkout, loyalty, promotions, and digital assistance is expected to support continued demand for fully integrated carts.

Asia Pacific to register highest growth rate during forecast period.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth in the Smart Shopping Cart Market, supported by the rapid modernization of retail infrastructure and increasing adoption of technology-enabled shopping formats. Retailers across countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India are increasingly investing in digital solutions to improve the in-store experience and differentiate their formats from traditional retail outlets. The region's strong e-commerce ecosystem is also encouraging retailers to bring digital capabilities such as personalized recommendations, mobile payments, and loyalty engagement into physical stores. In addition, local technology developers and electronics manufacturers support the development of smart carts that can adapt to regional payment systems and store formats. Smart cart deployments in supermarkets and large-format stores are expected to increase as retailers experiment with automated checkout, digital merchandising, and connected shopping experiences. The expansion of modern grocery retail and increasing investment in retail technology across emerging Asian markets is expected to create significant opportunities for smart shopping cart providers in the region.

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Top Companies in Smart Shopping Cart Market:

The Top Companies in Smart Shopping Cart Market are Amazon (US), Caper (US), Veeve (US), Shopic (Israel), SuperHii (China), Tracxpoint (Israel), Cust2Mate (Israel), Shekel (Israel), Faytech (US), KBST (Germany), MetroClick (US), Retail AI (Japan), Pentland Firth Software (Germany), VasyERP (India), Smapca (India), SwiftForce (India), KwikKart (US), ZeroQs (Poland), Shopreme (Austria), and Trollee (Hong Kong).

Smart Shopping Cart Market - Investment & funding + Merger & Acquisition

Investment Funding Context

The Smart Shopping Cart Market is attracting investment as retailers and technology providers modernize physical stores with AI-powered checkout, computer vision, and connected shopping technologies. Investment activity is increasingly focused on product recognition, autonomous checkout, retrofit solutions, retail media, and integration with payment and loyalty platforms. The funding landscape includes both standalone smart cart companies and larger retail technology platforms expanding into connected in-store solutions. For instance, Shopic raised USD 35 million in Series B funding in 2022, bringing its total funding to about USD 56 million, and used the investment to expand its AI-enabled smart cart solution across global grocery markets. Instacart has also invested in smart cart capabilities through its acquisition of Caper AI, integrating smart carts and checkout technologies into its broader retailer technology platform. More recently, A2Z Cust2Mate has secured large commercial orders for its smart cart platform, including a USD 55 million order from Yochananof in 2025 and a USD 50 million, five-year agreement with Carrefour Israel in 2026. These developments indicate that investment is increasingly moving from early-stage technology development toward large-scale commercial deployment and recurring revenue models.

Revenue Shift Context

The Smart Shopping Cart Market is gradually shifting from a hardware-led revenue model toward recurring technology and digital-service revenues. Traditional smart cart deployments primarily generate revenue through cart and associated hardware sales, with additional income from installation, maintenance, and technical support. However, vendors are increasingly introducing subscription and per-cart models that combine hardware with software, analytics, maintenance, and continuous feature updates. A2Z Cust2Mate, for example, is moving toward multiyear subscription arrangements in which retailers pay upfront and recurring fees for carts, software, maintenance, and support. At the same time, smart carts are becoming platforms for retail media, personalized promotions, data analytics, and third-party digital services, creating additional revenue streams for vendors and retailers. Cust2Mate's agreements demonstrate this transition, with contracts incorporating monthly per-cart charges, advertising, data services, and revenue-sharing arrangements. This shift is expected to improve revenue visibility for vendors, reduce dependence on one-time hardware sales, and increase the long-term commercial value of deployed smart cart fleets.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions in the Smart Shopping Cart Market have focused primarily on bringing smart cart technology into broader retail technology ecosystems rather than consolidating standalone cart manufacturers. A notable transaction was Instacart's acquisition of Caper AI in October 2021, which brought Caper's AI-powered smart carts and smart checkout technology into Instacart's retailer enablement platform. The transaction allowed Instacart to combine Caper's in-store technology with its existing ecommerce, fulfillment, loyalty, and retail technology capabilities.

Colombia Earthquake Refocuses Attention on L.A.'s Non-Ductile Concrete Risk

Alpha Structural's Kyle Tourjé says owners of older concrete buildings need to understand how their structures are likely to perform in a major earthquake before determining retrofit scope, cost, and timing.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than a decade after Los Angeles adopted its mandatory retrofit program for certain non-ductile concrete buildings, fewer than 15% of affected properties had submitted retrofit plans, according to research published in Earthquake Spectra in July 2026. Researchers found financing was perceived as the greatest barrier, alongside technical, relocation, and governance challenges.

The finding now sits against the backdrop of a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia in August. A United Nations Development Programme assessment reported that more than 225,000 structures were affected and estimated $13.28 billion in direct physical damage. The scale of the damage offers an example of what can happen when unprepared structures are exposed to severe shaking.

"One of the biggest misconceptions is that more reinforcing steel automatically means better earthquake performance," said Kyle Tourjé, Executive Vice President of Alpha Structural, a California structural engineering and construction firm specializing in foundation repair, seismic retrofitting, and complex structural upgrades. "A building can contain significant amounts of reinforcing steel and still perform poorly."

Older Concrete Buildings Can Fail Under Strong Shaking

A non-ductile concrete building is a reinforced-concrete structure that lacks the seismic detailing needed to deform and dissipate earthquake energy without brittle failure. A ductile structure, by contrast, is designed to flex and absorb strong shaking while maintaining the integrity of critical structural components.

Older concrete buildings may have deficiencies because of horizontal or vertical irregularities in the structural system. They may also have insufficient resilience in concrete elements and connections, including columns, beam-column joints, reinforcement patterns, column and beam confinement, and diaphragms. Tourjé said engineers may also find insufficient lap-splice lengths, where sections of reinforcing steel overlap, or wider spacing of ties and stirrups within columns and beams. "In some older buildings, those components were not designed to handle the intense, cyclic nature of forces we now account for in seismic design," Tourjé said.

Los Angeles Drew a Line at 1977

Los Angeles' retrofit program applies to certain concrete buildings constructed under permit applications submitted before January 13, 1977. The date reflects a period before major seismic-code improvements changed how reinforced-concrete buildings were detailed for earthquake performance.

That does not mean every building from that era will perform poorly. A review may begin with original drawings to understand the structural system, reinforcement patterns, and applicable code at the time of construction. Engineers may then need field investigation because "plans rarely tell the whole story," Tourjé said. "Site investigations, material testing, reinforcement mapping, and selective exploratory work may be needed to understand the structure that is actually there today."

Defining the Retrofit Before the Cost

Non-ductile concrete retrofits can be more complex than programs aimed at a single, well-defined building weakness. A soft-story retrofit, for example, may focus primarily on strengthening one vulnerable level. An older concrete building may require engineers to evaluate how multiple systems and components behave together.

Depending on the deficiencies identified, strengthening may include work on columns, beams, diaphragms, connections, new shear walls, steel bracing, steel/concrete moment frames, or strengthening of other critical structural elements.

The scope does not always require an all-at-once approach. Tourjé said some projects may allow improvements to be prioritized or phased based on the severity of deficiencies, occupancy constraints, available financing, and the owner's broader project goals. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety also points property owners to Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, financing as one option for eligible seismic retrofit improvements.

"Owners cannot make informed financial commitments until they understand which deficiencies exist and which solutions are likely to deliver the greatest risk reduction," Tourjé said.

Evaluation Comes Before the Earthquake

Delaying an evaluation can leave owners making structural, financial, and construction decisions under far greater pressure after a damaging event. "Once a potential seismic vulnerability is identified, the most important next step is developing a clear engineering understanding of existing conditions," Tourjé said. "That process helps owners determine the actual level of risk, the scope of potential strengthening, and the options available before a major earthquake forces those decisions."

Meeting compliance requirements, Tourjé emphasized, does not eliminate the structural vulnerability that may already exist. "A deadline is a regulatory milestone. Structural risk is a life-safety issue."

About Alpha Structural, Inc.

When he saw geological challenges trigger catastrophic building collapses, Dave Tourje, founder of Alpha Structural, Inc., immersed himself in construction repairs and mitigation facing the iconic hillside homes and buildings throughout Los Angeles in the 1980s. He recognized a lack of skilled tradesmen and the need for repairs or upgrades to be engineered and constructed successfully. Today, Alpha Structural is Southern California's premier structural repair and engineering firm. With more than 30 years of experience in foundation repair, hillside stabilization, and seismic retrofitting with challenges of earthquakes, wildfires and landslides, Alpha Structural distinguishes itself by being dual-licensed and authorized by the State of California to both engineer and build in-house—an integration that eliminates miscommunication and cost overruns seen when engineering and construction are handled separately. Alpha Structural is trusted by homeowners, municipalities, and commercial partners alike. For more information visit Alpha Structural.

References:

- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. (n.d.). Non-ductile concrete retrofit owner guide. City of Los Angeles. dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/non-ductile-concrete-retrofit-owner-guide.pdf

- Rhoades, K. R., Liel, A. B., & Dashti, S. (2026). Perceived enablers and barriers of the Los Angeles non-ductile concrete seismic retrofit ordinance. Earthquake Spectra, 42(3), e70100. doi.org/10.1002/esp4.70100

- United Nations Development Programme. (2026, August 28). RAPIDA assessment of Colombia earthquake estimates USD 13.2 billion (COP 42.1 trillion) in structural damage and generated 16.9 million cubic metres of debris. undp.org/latin-america/press-releases/rapida-assessment-colombia-earthquake-estimates-usd-132-billion-cop-421-trillion-structural-damage-and-generated-169

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SOURCE Alpha Structural

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