Bundesverband kostenloser Wochenzeitungen e.V. (BVDA)

BVDA-Tagung 2026: Durchblick-Preis 2026 vergeben

Wiebke Möhring: Lokaler Journalismus sorgt für Integration in der Gemeinde

David Schraven: Der Einsatz von KI führt zum "Raubmordkopier-Effekt"

Essen/Berlin (ots)

Tomas Cabanis, Stefan Seitz, Roderich Trapp und Jörn Koldehoff sind die Gewinner des vom Bundesverband kostenloser Wochenzeitungen (BVDA) ausgeschriebenen und mit 5.000 Euro dotierten Durchblick-Preises 2026. Die Jury würdigte damit das von der Wuppertaler Rundschau zur richtungsweisenden Oberbürgermeister-Stichwahl zwischen Miriam Scherff (SPD) und Matthias Nocke (CDU) organisierte, zweistündige "OB-Duell" mit Publikum. Das Projekt zeige, wie Lokalmedien politische Auseinandersetzungen begleiten und den direkten Austausch zwischen Kandidierenden und Bürgerschaft ermöglichen können.

Platz zwei (3.000 Euro) ging anlässlich der BVDA-Jahrestagung heute in Essen an die Rheinischen Anzeigenblätter nach Köln. Mit der Serie "80 Jahre Kriegsende" erinnerten Lars Kindermann und weitere Kolleginnen und Kollegen an die Kriegsereignisse im Frühjahr 1945, als die alliierten Streitkräfte auf ihrem Weg nach Köln durch das heutige Verbreitungsgebiet im Rhein-Erft-Kreis vorrückten.

Dafür sprachen sie mit Stadtarchivaren, kommunalen Geschichtsvereinen und Lokalhistorikern. So machten sie ein bedeutendes Kapitel der Geschichte anhand lokaler Schauplätze und persönlicher Perspektiven für die Leserinnen und Leser greifbar.

Den mit 2.000 Euro dotierten dritten Platz sprach die Jury Miriam Dabitsch (FUNKE Anzeigenblätter in NRW) zu. Mit ihrem Beitrag "Vier Jahre im Todesbunker von Volmarstein" habe sie sich einem schwierigen Thema gewidmet, das viele andere lieber ausblenden würden, würdigte die Jury. Dabitsch erzählt in ihrem Beitrag die Geschichte von Thomas Frauendienst, der in einem Heim schweres Leid erfahren hat.

Der BVDA vergibt bereits zum 21. Mal den Durchblick-Medienpreis für herausragende publizistische Leistungen der Anzeigenblattverlage. 2026 wurde die Würdigung neu ausgerichtet und stellt die publizistische Qualität und gesellschaftliche Relevanz kostenloser Wochenzeitungen eindeutig in den Mittelpunkt. Neu ist auch die Dotierung der Auszeichnungen, die dank des Sponsors HAIBERG möglich wurde.

BVDA-Ehrenpräsident Alexander Lenders sagt dazu: "Damit rücken wir die publizistische Qualität und die gesellschaftliche Relevanz unserer kostenlosen Wochenzeitungen noch stärker in den Fokus. Zugleich setzen wir ein klares Signal an Öffentlichkeit, Politik und Werbewirtschaft: Unsere Medien leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zu Information, Orientierung und gesellschaftlichem Zusammenhalt."

Wiebke Möhring: In "Nachrichtenwüsten" sinkt die Leistungsfähigkeit der Zivilgesellschaft - oder warum Lokaljournalismus wichtig ist

Beim Durchblick-Preis des BVDA werden unter anderem Engagement und journalistischer Content für die lokale Community geehrt. Um lokalen Journalismus ging es zuvor auch schon in einem Expertenvortrag von Prof. Dr. Wiebke Möhring. Die Medienwissenschaftlerin von der TU Dortmund zeigte auf, dass lokale Nachrichten ein wichtiges Bedürfnis nach sozialer Orientierung vor Ort erfüllen und helfen, gesellschaftliche Komplexität zu reduzieren.

Untersuchungen zufolge interessiere mehr als 80 % der Menschen an lokalen Nachrichten aus der Gegend interessiert sei, davon 48 % "äußerst und sehr". Auffällig sei, dass das Interesse an lokaler Information mit zunehmendem Lebensalter wachse. Unter typischen Nachrichten-Themen wie Politik, Internationales, Umwelt/Klimawandel, Kriminalität/Sicherheit oder Wissenschaft/Technologie sei das Lokale mit insgesamt 59 % Interesse führend.

"Die Nutzung lokaler Nachrichten hängt positiv mit erlebter sozialer Integration zusammen und mit zivilgesellschaftlicher Aktivität - zum Beispiel der Mitgliedschaft in Vereinen oder Teilnahme an lokalen Initiativen", erklärte Möhring. Lokale Nachrichten seien zudem die wichtigste Informationsquelle über kommunale Politik, und öffentliches Handeln von Amtsträgern. Damit leiste Lokaljournalismus durch Transparenz und Kontrolle einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur Demokratie in der Gemeinde.

Was geschieht, wenn lokale Presse fehlt, verdeutlichte Möhring anhand wissenschaftlicher Studien: In Gebieten ohne Lokalzeitungen und kostenlose Wochenzeitungen sinkt die Qualität ortsbezogener Informationen; Gemeinsinn und Zugehörigkeit werden geschwächt; Gesetzesverstöße und Korruption nehmen zu und die Qualität politischer Arbeit leidet. Kurz: In "Nachrichtenwüsten" sinkt die Leistungsfähigkeit der Zivilgesellschaft.

David Schraven: Der Einsatz von KI führt zum "Raubmordkopier-Effekt"

Vor dem unbedachten Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) warnte David Schraven (Correctiv). Seine These: Die traditionellen Medien werden durch Social Media zunehmend abhängig - und sie werden von ihrem Publikum immer stärker abgeschnitten. Mit dem Versprechen, eine "immer noch tollere Reichweite zu kriegen, hat man uns dazu gebracht, dass wir enorm viel Geld in soziale Medien investieren", und zwar ohne, dass Geld zurückfließe. "Früher wurden wir 'raubkopiert' von den sozialen Medien, zugegeben mit unserer Mithilfe. Heute werden wir 'raubmordkopiert'", kritisiert Schraven.

Er macht deutlich, dass wir "nicht viele Wege haben, wie wir unser Publikum noch erreichen können". So sei es bisher theoretisch möglich gewesen, das Publikum über die Telefonnummer zu erreichen. Nun schafften die Sozialmedienbetreiber über ihre Messengerdienste die Telefonnummern ab und ersetzten diese durch Nutzernamen. Damit gehe der direkte Kontakt verloren.

Ganz ähnlich sehe es bei Geschäftsmodellen aus, die über Newsletter funktionieren, "also den zweiten Kontaktpunkt, den wir zu unserem Publikum haben, die E-Mail-Adresse. Jetzt macht die KI aus den Newslettern Zusammenfassungen und verhindert damit, dass wir unsere Information direkt an unsere Nutzer bringen können." Der Effekt: sinkende Öffnungsraten und damit weniger Erlöse.

"Das letzte, womit wir arbeiten können, sind die Postadressen der Haushalte. Die kann uns keiner nehmen", ermutigt Schraven zugleich. Damit habe die Branche "enorme Chancen". Statt den Betreibern der großen Plattformen "noch mehr Geld in den Rachen zu werfen" und zu versuchen, sich in deren "Algorithmen einzusliden", sollten die Medien ihre Kernfunktion erfüllen: Erlebnisse und Gemeinschaft für die Medien vor Ort schaffen. Schravens Überzeugung: "Wenn wir relevante Themen auf interessante Art und Weise für ein Publikum erlebbar machen, passieren Dinge."

Fotos von der Preisverleihung stehen hier zur Verfügung (Fotocredit: BVDA / Bernd Brundert).

Pressekontakt:

Sebastian Schaeffer

Geschäftsführer im BDZV für den

Bereich Kostenlose Wochenzeitungen

Tel.: 030/726298-2824

Mail: presse@bvda.de

Original-Content von: Bundesverband kostenloser Wochenzeitungen e.V. (BVDA), übermittelt durch news aktuell

Diana Ulis and Admire Capital Expand Portfolio Across Miami and South Florida

MIAMI, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Admire Capital, the South Florida development firm led by Founder and CEO Diana Ulis, now has projects in four of the region's most distinctive neighborhoods: a single-family residence in Coconut Grove, a commercial and retail property in Wynwood, a waterfront home on Miami Beach's Sunset Island I and a branded condominium in Fort Lauderdale. Each project is designed around the character of the neighborhood it sits in.

Diana Ulis's projects span different neighborhoods, property types, and scales, but they share an attention to location and design. Rather than applying a single formula to every development, Admire Capital's portfolio shows how a project can take cues from the community around it.

"I've never believed in copy-and-paste development," Diana Ulis tells Cambridge Global. "Every neighborhood already has a personality. Our job is to listen to it and take it into account from the start as we build our vision."

That approach comes through in Villa Verdant, a 10,800-square-foot single-family residence in Coconut Grove. Listed by Admire Capital as a project designed by Carl Levin & Spectrum, the home pairs refined interior design with what the firm calls a relaxed, modern Grove sensibility, with open-concept interiors that flow into the surrounding tropical landscape. That landscape has deep roots. Coconut Grove was established in 1873, before the City of Miami existed, and its streets are known for a thick tree canopy that the Coconut Grove Neighborhood Conservation District works to protect.

"A great site tells you as much about what not to build as what to build," Diana Ulis says. "In the Grove, you don't fight the tree canopy. You design the house around it."

Admire Capital's Wynwood project, a 17,160-square-foot commercial/retail development, represents the commercial side of the portfolio. According to the firm, the property sits within Wynwood's core pedestrian district, at the intersection of the neighborhood's high-density main access corridor. Once Miami's garment and warehouse district, Wynwood began to change in 2009 with the opening of Wynwood Walls, indeed to draw people onto its streets on foot. Today it is Miami's best-known arts district, where murals and galleries share the blocks with craft breweries, independent boutiques, restaurants and co-working spaces.

In Miami Beach, Sunset Island I is a 6,300-square-foot single-family home, listed by Admire Capital as a residential project with a tropical-modern design centered on timeless architecture and indoor-outdoor living. Sunset Island I is the northernmost of the four man-made Sunset Islands in Biscayne Bay, which were platted in 1925 at the height of the Florida land boom. It is reached by a guarded bridge off North Bay Road at 29th Street, one of the island crossings built between 1927 and 1929, which it shares with Sunset Island II. The result is a private, low-density residential enclave just minutes from Lincoln Road and South Beach.

In Fort Lauderdale, a city nicknamed the Venice of America for its 165 miles of inland waterways, Admire Capital is developing The Ritz-Carlton Residences Fort Lauderdale Beach. The boutique project will place 83 residences across two 13-story towers on a 1.5-acre site at 551 Bayshore Drive, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. It's designed by Garcia Stromberg, with interiors by Dan Fink Studio, and residents will receive The Ritz-Carlton's branded residential services.

Diana Ulis brought wellness consultant Amber Berger, who originated the concept of Invisible Wellness, onto the project during the design phase. She worked with Garcia Stromberg to orient both towers for natural light, coastal airflow and water views. This project also paid close attention to the building materials for what they emit, and treated acoustics, air quality, lighting and spatial flow as a single integrated system.

"I wanted wellbeing built into the foundation itself," Diana Ulis says, "through the design, the environment of the building, the way the space connects you to the water."

Taken together, these projects offer a picture of a developer thoughtfully working across some of South Florida's most distinctive communities. As Miami and the surrounding region continue to attract residents, businesses and investment, the developers shaping the area's next generation of properties will have an increasingly visible role in defining how those communities evolve.

Diana Ulis and Admire Capital's portfolio is continuing to build on an already formidable portfolio, and its variety points to a broader ambition: creating properties that feel specific to their surroundings while maintaining a consistent focus on design, experience and long-term value. In a market known for constant reinvention, that may prove to be one of the most important qualities a developer can bring to the table.

"Thoughtfulness shows up in the smallest decisions: where a window faces, which trees stay, how a building meets the water," Diana Ulis says. "When every one of those choices is made for a specific place, the project could only exist where it is."

CONTACT:

Andrew Mitchell

[email protected]

SOURCE Admire Capital

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YUZAWA SNOW LINK, Connecting Three Ski Resorts, to Open for the 2026-2027 Winter Season on December 26

NIIGATA, Japan, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Located in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, the ski area offers 45 courses, hot springs, local sake, and regional cuisine, just 71 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen.

YUZAWA SNOW LINK, connecting Yuzawa Kogen, GALA Yuzawa, and Ishiuchi Maruyama in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, will open for the 2026â2027 winter season on Saturday, December 26, 2026.

Official website: https://www.yuzawasnowlink.com/winter/en/

The three resorts offer ski courses for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. Visitors can also enjoy snow-covered mountain scenery, historic hot springs, locally produced sake, and regional cuisine featuring Niigata-grown rice and other local ingredients.

1. Easy Access from Tokyo by Shinkansen

Yuzawa is an accessible winter destination from Tokyo. GALA Yuzawa Station can be reached in as little as 71 minutes by the Joetsu Shinkansen, making the area suitable for both day trips and overnight stays. Visitors can combine skiing or snowboarding with sightseeing in the surrounding area.

2. Three Resorts Offering Varied Courses and Scenery

YUZAWA SNOW LINK connects Yuzawa Kogen, GALA Yuzawa, and Ishiuchi Maruyama. Each resort offers its own mountain scenery and courses with varying levels of difficulty, providing options for visitors with different interests and skiing or snowboarding experience.

Beyond winter sports, visitors can enjoy the region's snow-covered mountain landscapes.

3. Hot Springs and Local Cuisine Beyond the Slopes

Yuzawa is home to a historic hot spring district where visitors can relax before or after a day on the slopes. The area also offers regional cuisine prepared with Niigata-grown rice and local ingredients, as well as locally produced sake.

Whether visiting for a day or staying longer, travelers can combine skiing and snowboarding with hot springs, dining, and sightseeing for a well-rounded winter getaway.

About YUZAWA SNOW LINK

YUZAWA SNOW LINK connects three ski resorts: Yuzawa Kogen, GALA Yuzawa, and Ishiuchi Maruyama. For operating schedules, lift tickets, and information on connections between the resorts, please visit their official websites.

Official Websites

Yuzawa Kogen Ski Resort: https://www.yuzawakogen.com/

GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort: https://gala.co.jp/  

Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort: https://ishiuchi.or.jp/en/winter/

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NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The USTA and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a five-year renewal of their longstanding and trailblazing partnership that will see IBM serve as the Official AI and Cloud Partner of the US Open through 2031. The renewal comes following the 2026 US Open which saw record engagement for its IBM-powered digital platforms, reaching more than 270 million total engagements across USOpen.org and the US Open app combined.

"For 35 years, IBM and the USTA have worked together to redefine how technology can bring fans closer to the game," said Kameryn Stanhouse, Vice President, Sports and Entertainment Partnerships, IBM. "This renewal builds on that legacy, bringing IBM technology to the next generation of the US Open fan experience. It's also a powerful example of what's possible when organizations turn complex data into meaningful experiences that create more value for their audiences."

From the launch of USOpen.org in 1995 to the introduction of the mobile app in 2009, and this year's debut of Live Updates, Key Moments, and Serve Quality, IBM and the USTA have collaborated for more than three decades, today delivering a world-class platform that provides unparalleled, first-of-its-kind fan experiences through hybrid cloud and AI technologies.

"Our partnership with IBM has produced decades of groundbreaking innovation for the US Open and for our fans," said Brian Ryerson, Senior Director, Digital Strategy, USTA. "Every year we utilize cutting-edge technology to not only push the boundaries of digital engagement but to provide our fans the most useful and interesting ways to connect with our sport. We're grateful for everything our partnership with IBM has produced and I'm very excited to see where our work goes over the next five years."

The digital results were part of a record-setting year for the US Open. More than 1.2 million fans attended across all three weeks, including more than 300,000 during Fan Week. The USTA reported that the US Open's owned and operated social channels generated more than 3.9 billion interactions, including engagements and video views, up 26 percent over 2025. ESPN's coverage across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC achieved its best viewership since 2022, with the women's and men's singles championships combining to average 3 million viewers. Worldwide, the US Open also amassed a record 374 million global broadcast viewer hours in 2026.

About the USTA

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, along with approximately 100 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media contacts:

Paul Pettas

IBM

[email protected]

Pat Mitsch

USTA

[email protected]

SOURCE IBM

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AMSTERDAM, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BAE Systems (LON: BA) is expanding its Horizon Solutions⢠Aftermarket Services and Support product line to meet the airline industry's growing need for aircraft availability and fleet support. The new offerings, announced at MRO Europe, introduce enhanced technical expertise and cost-saving support solutions for commercial airlines.

"BAE Systems is committed to helping airlines extend the life, reliability and performance of their fleets," said Andrea Davis, director of services and support at BAE Systems. "These enhanced offerings combine original equipment manufacturerâquality overhauls, proactive component upgrades and simplified tradeâin services to help customers lower life-cycle costs and keep their aircraft ready to fly."

The new updates include:

- Tailored overhaul services that refresh or replace equipment to maintain peak performance

- Expanded trade-in options to swap old units for new versions, reducing aircraft downtime

- Fixed-cost subscription programs to make maintenance costs more predictable

The new solutions build on the initial launch of the Horizon Solutions line last year, providing airlines with more flexibility to meet their evolving operational needs.

BAE Systems provides lifecycle support solutions for commercial aviation customers from entry into service through midlife upgrades and beyond, providing engineering, maintenance and repair services for more than 600 operators and 33,000 aircraft worldwide.

For more information, please contact:

Shelley Walcott, BAE Systems

Mobile: 603-508-9107

[email protected]

www.baesystems.com/en-us

@BAESystemsInc 

SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.

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LEWISVILLE, Texas, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP), through its Temperature Control Division and flagship Four Seasons® brand, has introduced a comprehensive line of A/C condensers engineered to meet OE performance specifications across a broad range of foreign name plate and domestic vehicles.

The new line provides market leading coverage for domestic and import vehicles and is backed by more than 100 years of experience serving the automotive aftermarket. Engineered to OE dimensional fit and thermal performance specifications, Four Seasons A/C condensers deliver the quality and reliability professional technicians expect while helping distributors and repair facilities simplify inventory management.

Each condenser is manufactured as a direct-fit replacement with OE-style construction and cooling capacity to support proper system performance and efficient installation. Units include the required sealing components for a complete, leak-free installation and are packaged to protect critical heat-exchanger fins and connections during shipping and handling.

With the addition of A/C condensers, customers can source complete A/C system repair solutions from a single, trusted supplier. The Four Seasons climate control portfolio includes new and remanufactured compressors, evaporators, accumulators, receiver driers, expansion devices, hoses and repair kits.

"Adding premium A/C condensers to the Four Seasons portfolio reinforces our commitment to providing complete thermal management solutions for professional installers," said Jack Ramsey, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Standard Motor Products. "With OE-engineered performance, extensive application coverage and a full range of HVAC components from a single source, we are helping distribution partners reduce complexity and giving technicians confidence in every repair."

About Standard Motor Products:

Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE: SMP) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts for our customers in the automotive aftermarket. For over a century, we've been dedicated to engineering top-performing replacement parts for vehicles worldwide. From cutting-edge sensors and precision Gasoline Direct Injectors to advanced climate control systems, our commitment to research and precision manufacturing ensures every part inside our box performs flawlessly and lasts. Visit www.smpcorp.com for more information.

SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc.

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LONDON, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sciensus has appointed James Tugendhat OBE as Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare and complex service organisations.

James was most recently Group CEO of HC-One, the UK's largest care home operator. His previous leadership roles include senior positions at Bupa, including as CEO of Health Dialog, a pioneering US health analytics and chronic disease management company. He also served, for seven years, as a non-executive director of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

He takes over for Gordon Cox, who led the business as interim CEO during the Board's search for a new CEO, and who continues as Chief Operating Officer and as a member of key company boards.

Peter Nicklin, Chairman, Sciensus, said: "We're delighted to welcome James to Sciensus. He understands what it takes to run a regulated, people-centred healthcare business, and he brings extensive experience of the wider healthcare sector. On behalf of the Board, I also want to thank Gordon for his leadership and contributions over the last few months."

James Tugendhat, CEO, Sciensus, said: "Sciensus plays a vital role in helping patients access specialist medicines and care, including treatments that can be delivered in their own homes. I'm looking forward to working with colleagues across the business, understanding their experiences and building on the deep expertise already in place to support patients, healthcare providers and our biotech and pharmaceutical partners."

About Sciensus

Sciensus connects the people, infrastructure, care and evidence that help specialist medicines deliver their full value. For more than 30 years, Sciensus has worked with the NHS to provide specialist clinical nursing and patient support in patients' homes across cancer, rare disease and chronic conditions, caring for more than 300,000 patients each year across 180+ NHS trusts in the UK. Across Europe, Sciensus provides commercialisation expertise and operational infrastructure to help global pharmaceutical and biotech companies bring medicines to patients in multiple markets. Through the care it delivers, Sciensus also generates real-world evidence that helps demonstrate the value of treatments and improve future care.

Media contacts

Julie Reid

[email protected]

SOURCE Sciensus

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New and expanded relationships with key clinical partners will assist members to live healthier lives

CANTON, Mass., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Point32Health company, today announced new partnerships, as well as expanded relationships with clinical and well-being companies, aimed at simplifying care, while assisting members in their health care journeys.

"Employers and consumers are looking for health care solutions that are easier to understand, more affordable and more connected to how people access care today," said Jake Biscoglio, president of commercial markets & specialty. "These new and expanded relationships will provide increased access to preventive and musculoskeletal care, pain management, as well as caregiver support. We are committed to providing coverage that focuses on the whole-person and evolving our offerings around the specific needs of the members and customers we serve."

The new programs and expanded offerings include:

Hinge Health

Harvard Pilgrim recently partnered with Hinge Health, a digital musculoskeletal (MSK) care program that combines personalized exercise therapy with support from a care team of physical therapists and health coaches. The program is designed to help members prevent injury, manage MSK pain, improve mobility, support rehabilitation before or after surgery, and more. The program is of no additional cost to members and features 24/7 access to accommodate member schedules, technology-enabled guidance to support proper form, movement analysis to measure progress, care assistance with connection to in-person care as needed, and real-time feedback on exercises and adherence. Since its launch in July, more than 2,000 members have enrolled in the Hinge Health program.

Doctor On Demand

Harvard Pilgrim is expanding its relationship with Doctor On Demand by Included Health to add a new virtual primary care benefit for members beginning January 1, 2027. Harvard Pilgrim members already have 24/7 access to Doctor On Demand for urgent care and behavioral health. With virtual primary care, members can establish an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider (PCP), and get support for routine care, preventive screenings, common conditions, prescription needs, and chronic condition management from wherever they are. Care is delivered through secure video, phone, or chat, and virtual PCPs can coordinate in-person services, such as lab work, referrals, or exams, when needed.

Wellthy

Harvard Pilgrim also partners with Wellthy to help members manage the many responsibilities that come with caring for themselves and their loved ones, even when the person receiving care is not covered by their health plan. Through Wellthy's Care Concierge service, members have access to personalized, hands-on support for the practical, logistical and emotional aspects of caregiving including areas such as finding senior housing options and coordinating daily caregiving responsibilities to planning for end-of-life decisions. Harvard Pilgrim recently expanded its relationship with Wellthy to include preparing for unexpected events such as natural disasters and navigating the care needs of family pets.

The new and expanded collaborations are part of a larger suite of offerings available to Harvard Pilgrim members, including Ovia Health, a digital health platform focused on women's and family health, and Meru Health, an online mental health program for teenagers and adults. Harvard Pilgrim's Healthy Weight program from NationsNutrition assists members looking to lose weight, consume more nutrient-rich foods, help prevent or manage conditions like high blood pressure, and helps members feel better and more energetic. As part of its wellness programming, employers can also take advantage of Lifestyle Spending Accounts from Health Equity which offer employees additional ways to seek reimbursement for other (wellness) services and activities further complementing these programs from Harvard Pilgrim.

"What differentiates Harvard Pilgrim is not only the breadth of our portfolio, but the way we partner with customers and support our members," said Deanne Wherry, vice president, product strategy & innovation. "We are focused on delivering competitive solutions, responsive service and practical support that helps employers succeed while assisting members in accessing the care and guidance they need."

Product availability, effective dates, eligibility requirements, benefits and service features may vary by market, employer group, funding arrangement and/or plan design.

About Point32Health

Point32Health, the parent company of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, is a leading nonprofit health and well-being organization dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable health care. Serving nearly 2 million members, our purpose is to guide and empower healthier lives.

Kathleen Makela, [email protected]

SOURCE Point32Health

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Massachusetts founders developing climate and energy technologies will receive $50,000 in non-dilutive funding and six months of hands-on support to advance from idea to prototype

SOMERVILLE, Mass., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications are now open for the second year of Greentown Labs Boston's First Valley Fellowship, a six-month program supporting early-stage climate and energy founders in Massachusetts as they advance their technologies from proof of concept to first prototype.

Building on a successful inaugural year of the program, year two of the Fellowship will deepen its support for early-stage founders with $50,000 stipends for selected Fellows, funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The program is also supported by the Barr Foundation.

The transition from proof of concept to a validated prototype is one of the most challenging phases for early-stage technical founders. Often referred to as the "First Valley of Death," this stage requires founders to reduce technology risk, validate market demand, and prepare for fundraising while still securing the funding, prototyping space, and go-to-market support needed to move forward.

Since 2011, Greentown has specialized in helping startups navigate the "Second Valley of Death": the capital-intensive transition from working prototype to first commercial pilot and early revenue. This support helps startups scale hardware, secure capital, build partnerships, and grow their teams.

Massachusetts is home to one of the strongest early-stage innovation ecosystems in the world. University commercialization programs, research fellowships, and early-stage accelerators help researchers develop breakthrough technologies, build entrepreneurial skills, and launch companies. The First Valley Fellowship is designed to complement that work, serving as a bridge between these labs and Greentown: a place where founders can physically build their prototypes alongside experienced peers and connect with Greentown's network of industry partners and investors.

The inaugural cohort, which kicked off in May 2026, brought together six founders from five startups: CemCycle, Evidion Energy, Solas Capture, Aelun, and Thalon Materials. Over six months, Fellows received more than 60 hours of mentoring to refine their business models and engage potential customers. Four of the five Fellows surveyed reported greater readiness to fundraise, and three of the five startups have since joined Greentown as full members, including Evidion Energy, which completed its university spin-out.

"Since starting the Fellowship, we've refined our direction and are now preparing to fundraise," said Trent Weiss, CTO of Evidion Energy. "We've completed extensive customer discovery, built our techno-economic and financial models, and refined our pitch, and access to Greentown's resources and network was invaluable along the way. We would not be in the position we're in today without this program."

"Early-stage founders need access to a place to build and a community of entrepreneurs who have navigated these challenges before," said Georgina Campbell Flatter, CEO of Greentown. "The First Valley Fellowship provides both, building on the strong foundation that universities and early-stage programs across Massachusetts have established. We are grateful to MassCEC and the Barr Foundation for helping us extend this support to more founders in year two."

In year two, selected startups will receive $50,000 in non-dilutive funding, including a $25,000 living stipend and $25,000 in R&D support, along with six months of no-cost membership and workspace at Greentown Boston for up to two co-founders. Fellows will gain access to more than $1 million in in-kind resources, including free and discounted software, legal services, business support, and access to specialized facilities. Each Fellow will be matched with dedicated mentors in areas such as go-to-market strategy, customer discovery, technical development, finance, legal/IP, and product design. Greentown also provides investor readiness and fundraising support, with connections to equity and non-dilutive capital. There is no cost to apply or participate, and Greentown does not take equity.

"Massachusetts has some of the brightest minds and is exceptionally good at generating breakthrough climatetech ideas, which is why programs like the First Valley Fellowship are critical in turning that research into lasting companies," said Dr. Jennifer Le Blond, managing director of emerging climatetech at Mass Clean Energy Center. "Through this partnership with Greentown, our state is providing the essential early support they need to move their technologies towards the market."

The Fellowship is open to pre-seed or pre-funding startups at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2â4 that have raised $1 million or less and plan to fundraise in the next 6â12 months. Fellows must reside in Massachusetts and operate their research or business activities in the state for the duration of the program. Eligible technologies address a challenge across the world's foundational systemsâEnergy & Power; Manufacturing & Processing; Infrastructure & Construction; Transportation & Logistics; or Food, Water, & Land. Priority is given to founders who plan to engage in person at Greentown Boston nearly every week. Graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, solo founders, and early-stage teams are encouraged to apply.

"We are excited to support the First Valley Fellowship to help the region's entrepreneurs advance climate solutions," said Kathryn Wright, senior program officer for clean energy at the Barr Foundation.

Applications are due by February 19, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The Fellowship runs from May through October 2027 at Greentown Boston in Somerville, Mass. Learn more and apply at greentown.org/first-valley-fellowship.

About Greentown

Greentown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping climate entrepreneurs build faster. As the world's largest climatetech and energy startup incubator network, Greentown Labs provides startups mission-critical access to labs, equipment, customers, capital, talent, community, and resources to accelerate their growth and impact. Greentown Go, its open-innovation programs, inject momentum and scale into startup-corporate collaborations to propel new technologies to market faster. Greentown is home to more than 300 startups and has supported more than 700 since its founding in 2011; these startups, with a survival rate of 88 percent, have collectively created more than 16,600 jobs and raised more than $15B in funding. For more information, visit greentown.org or follow Greentown on LinkedIn.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

The Mass Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, increase affordability, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded $990 million in programs and investmentsâ¯and attractedâ¯$3 billion in private and public funds.

About the Barr Foundation

The Barr Foundation's mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Based in Boston, Barr was founded in 1997 and works in partnership throughout New England with community leaders, nonprofits, and other foundations to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and equip all high school students to discover and actualize their unbounded potential. Barr is one of the largest charitable foundations in New England, with a 2026 grantmaking budget of $130 million. Learn more at barrfoundation.org.

Greentown Media Contact

Mark Lancaster

Head of Marketing and Technology

[email protected]

SOURCE Greentown Labs

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Wisconsin maker of on-site nitrogen generators more than doubles production capacity, opens a dedicated Training Center and adds up to nine jobs

OCONOMOWOC, Wis., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Systems, a North American maker of on-site nitrogen generation and compressed air systems, is moving its headquarters and production from Waukesha, Wis., to a 100,000-square-foot facility at 5701 Frontier Road, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. The new site is three times the footprint of the company's current corporate office and production space.

The move comes as more manufacturers, food packagers and brewers look to produce industrial gas on-site rather than rely on delivered cylinders and bulk tanks. Liberty Systems has delivered more than 5,000 systems that let customers make their own nitrogen from compressed air.

The expansion includes:

- Production capacity more than doubled, from three production bays to seven

- A dedicated Training Center on-site for customers, partners and service technicians

- Up to nine new jobs: three production hires plus four to six assemblers and technicians, growing a workforce of 80

- A 5.48-acre site with 23,500 square feet of office space and eight loading docks

"Our customers and partners are growing, and they need a supplier that can grow with them," said Steve Albrecht, President of Liberty Systems. "Tripling our footprint and more than doubling our production capacity means shorter lead times, more engineering and assembly resources, and room to keep building in Wisconsin. This move is about being ready for the demand we see coming and serving the people who depend on us every day."

The new headquarters also expands Liberty Systems' service organization. The on-site Training Center will give customers, OEM partners and Liberty's own technicians hands-on time with equipment before it reaches the field.

"Service is what earns the next order, so we're investing in it directly," said Joe Firnrohr, Co-Founder of Liberty Systems. "A dedicated Training Center lets us train our technicians, our partners' service teams and our customers on the same equipment they'll run. And by adding four to six assemblers and technicians, we're building the bench to support every system we deliver, wherever it's installed."

Liberty Systems expects to complete the move by the end of October 2026. The company's systems serve laser cutting, food packaging, heat treating, brewing, 3D printing, and oil and gas applications across North America. To explore the full product line and see what's next for the company, visit the newly redesigned LSN2.com.

About Liberty Systems

Liberty Systems designs and builds on-site nitrogen generators and clean, dry compressed air systems that turn the air inside a plant into a reliable, on-demand nitrogen supply, freeing manufacturers from the cost and uncertainty of delivered gas. Founded in 2004 and certified to ISO 9001:2015, Liberty Systems has delivered more than 5,000 systems across North America, each engineered to the customer's exact flow, pressure and purity requirements. Its products, including Nitro Force, Nitro Force Lite, Air Force, BrewN2 and Filter Star, are designed and assembled in the USA and serve laser cutting, food packaging, heat treating, brewing, 3D printing, and oil and gas. Liberty Systems is headquartered in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Learn more at LSN2.com.

Lukas Jaglowski, Marketing Director, Liberty Systems, [email protected], 262-912-0850

SOURCE Liberty Systems

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