BTQ to bring post-quantum security to MoonPay Korea's full-stack on-chain infrastructure for Korean won stablecoins, from issuance to last-mile delivery, connected to MoonPay's global payments network

- Post-quantum security across the full stack: BTQ will serve as MoonPay Korea's security partner, helping prepare its Korean won stablecoin infrastructure for quantum-related threats across issuance support, distribution, wallets, settlement, and last-mile delivery to users and merchants.

- Joint roadmap and Korean banking proof of concept: The companies will develop a phased post-quantum security roadmap and conduct a proof of concept with Korean banking institutions, testing BTQ's Quantum Secure Stablecoin Network (QSSN) for quantum-safe transaction signing and key management.

- Connectivity to MoonPay's global network: MoonPay Korea's infrastructure links Korean won-backed stablecoins to a network serving more than 35 million customers in approximately 180 countries and more than 1,500 enterprise clients, supporting global distribution, cross-border settlement, and wallet access.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BTQ Technologies Corp. ("BTQ" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: BTQ) (CBOE CA: BTQ), a global technology company building the trust infrastructure for the quantum era, has announced a strategic partnership with MoonPay Korea, part of MoonPay Inc. ("MoonPay"), the leading global crypto payments network. Under the partnership, BTQ will serve as the security partner for MoonPay Korea's stablecoin infrastructure in Korea, with a focus on post-quantum cryptography ("PQC").

MoonPay Korea is building full-stack on-chain infrastructure for Korea's emerging won-backed stablecoin market, covering issuance support, distribution, wallet access, settlement, and currency conversion through to last-mile delivery to users and merchants. BTQ's role is to secure that stack against current and future threats, including the risk that quantum computing poses to the cryptography protecting digital assets.

The partnership brings BTQ into one of the most innovative infrastructure efforts in Korea's stablecoin market and connects it to a global network. MoonPay serves more than 35 million customers in approximately 180 countries and more than 1,500 enterprise clients. MoonPay Korea links Korean won-backed stablecoins to that network for distribution, cross-border settlement, and wallet access, so the infrastructure BTQ helps secure in Korea is designed to reach users and merchants worldwide.

The partnership scope includes:

- Quantum-transition roadmap. BTQ and MoonPay Korea will jointly develop a post-quantum security roadmap for MoonPay Korea's stablecoin infrastructure, covering a cryptographic inventory, risk prioritization, and a phased migration plan.

- QSSN proof of concept with Korean banks. Through MoonPay Korea, BTQ will run a proof of concept of its Quantum Secure Stablecoin Network ("QSSN") with Korean banking institutions, testing quantum-safe transaction signing and key management across the wallet and settlement infrastructure behind Korea's won-backed stablecoins.

- Security across the stack. The companies will work on post-quantum readiness across each layer of MoonPay Korea's infrastructure, from issuance and distribution to wallets and last-mile delivery.

- Collaboration with Korean financial institutions. BTQ will work alongside MoonPay Korea and its banking and institutional partners to support quantum-safe standards for Korea's won-backed stablecoin ecosystem.

"MoonPay's stablecoin capabilities span the full stack, from issuance support through settlement and distribution," said Bugeon Lee, Head of APAC at MoonPay. "MoonPay Korea is focused on delivering the last-mile services that allow Korean partners to put those capabilities to work. As our security partner, BTQ will help us develop a post-quantum security roadmap and evaluate how its technology can support the long-term resilience of that infrastructure."

"Stablecoin infrastructure in Korea is being built now, and security designed in from the start will last far longer than security retrofitted later," said Olivier Roussy Newton, Chief Executive Officer of BTQ Technologies. "MoonPay Korea is building one of the most complete stacks in the market, from issuance to last-mile delivery. Being its security partner puts BTQ's post-quantum technology directly into the infrastructure that won-backed stablecoins will run on."

Korea is advancing from bank-led stablecoin pilots toward domestic merchant adoption and cross-border settlement as its regulatory framework for won-backed stablecoins takes shape. MoonPay Korea supports the distribution, cross-border settlement, wallet access, and currency conversion infrastructure for this market. Woori Bank, Korea's oldest commercial bank, is the inaugural member of MoonPay Korea's KRW Stablecoin Consortium.

Stablecoins that carry a national currency, are held in self-custody wallets, and move across borders depend on cryptography for issuance permissions, key management, and transaction authority. Those systems need to remain secure well into the period when quantum computers are expected to threaten today's public-key cryptography. This makes post-quantum security a design requirement for Korea's stablecoin infrastructure, not a later upgrade.

Building on BTQ's stablecoin security footprint in Korea, the partnership extends BTQ's position in post-quantum security for Korea's digital asset infrastructure. BTQ previously announced that QSSN was selected as the core PQC security technology provider for a proof of concept with Finger Inc. and iM Bank. Developed on the Kaia mainnet, that project is South Korea's first bank-led Korean won stablecoin infrastructure incorporating post-quantum cryptography. BTQ has also entered into a commercial agreement with LINE NEXT and Kaia DLT Foundation to deploy QSSN across the Kaia ecosystem.

"Korea is setting the pace for regulated, bank-grade stablecoins, and the infrastructure decisions made now will define the market for years," said Youngsuk "Jeff" Choi, Chief Strategy Officer of BTQ Technologies. "MoonPay Korea is delivering the full stack, all the way to the last mile. It also connects Korea to MoonPay's global network. As its security partner, BTQ can make sure that stack is quantum-safe from the start. Combined with our work with Korean banks and fintechs, this puts QSSN at the center of how Korea's stablecoin infrastructure is secured."

Wallets, custody systems, and settlement networks rely on public-key cryptography to authorize transactions and protect keys. Sufficiently capable quantum computers are expected to break the elliptic-curve and RSA schemes those systems use today. For digital assets, the exposure is direct: a compromised signing key means a compromised asset.

QSSN is designed to bring post-quantum protection to transaction signing, key management, and settlement without disrupting existing user experiences or operational workflows. By working at the infrastructure layer, BTQ and MoonPay Korea aim to extend that protection to the issuers, banks, wallets, and merchants that connect to it.

About MoonPay

MoonPay is a global financial technology company that provides infrastructure for moving value across traditional and digital financial systems. Founded in 2019, MoonPay serves more than 35 million customers in 180 countries and more than 1,500 enterprise clients across crypto and fintech. Its products support payments, trading, commerce, stablecoin infrastructure, and other services that connect conventional payment networks with blockchain-based financial rails. MoonPay maintains regulatory licenses and authorizations in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States and the European Union. For more information, visit www.moonpay.com.

About BTQ

BTQ Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BTQ | Cboe CA: BTQ) is a quantum technology company focused on accelerating the transition from classical networks to the quantum internet. Backed by a broad patent portfolio and deep technical expertise, BTQ is developing a full-stack, neutral-atom quantum computing platform spanning hardware, middleware, and post-quantum security solutions for finance, telecommunications, logistics, life sciences, and defense.

Connect with BTQ: Website | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Olivier Roussy Newton

CEO, Chairman

For further information: E: [email protected] 

Bill Mitoulas

Investor Relations

T: +1.416.479.9547

E: [email protected] 

Neither Cboe Canada nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information.

Chicago Faucets invites industry professionals to explore emerging trends, evolving standards, and regulatory requirements shaping healthcare water management.

DES PLAINES, Ill., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As healthcare facilities face an increasingly complex environment of water management standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory expectations, industry professionals are looking for practical guidance to help navigate changing requirements and better protect patients, residents, and building occupants from waterborne pathogen risks.

To support that effort, Chicago Faucets is inviting healthcare, senior living, long-term care, facilities management, engineering, infection prevention, and environmental health professionals to attend The Evolving Healthcare Water Management Landscape, an educational webinar hosted by the American Society of Health Care Engineers (ASHE).

Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 12:00-1:00 CDT

Complimentary Registration: https://www.ashe.org/education-events/evolving-healthcare-water-management-landscape-webinar

The webinar will provide participants with a clearer understanding of the current healthcare water management environment, including standards, guidelines, and accreditation expectations from ASHRAE, CDC, The Joint Commission, DNV, and CMS. Attendees will also gain insight into emerging developments that may influence future water safety practices and compliance requirements. This program is designed to help professionals understand today's water management landscape, strengthen their knowledge of effective Water Management Programs, and gain practical insights they can apply within their facilities."

The session will explore a comprehensive, facility-wide approach to water management and cover key considerations for developing and maintaining effective Water Management Programs (WMPs). Topics will include risk assessments, documented procedures, ongoing program evaluation, and new approaches that support stronger compliance and water safety outcomes such as BAS connected point-of-use temperature monitoring and automated flushing of faucets and draining of showers. Attendees will also learn how coordinated efforts among Water Safety, Risk, Nursing, Facilities Management, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental, and Infection Control stakeholders can help organizations reduce risk and maintain effective programs.

Key Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how to:

- Understand current standards, guidelines, and accreditation expectations that influence healthcare water management practices.

- Develop and implement Water Management Programs with effective risk assessments, documented procedures, and ongoing evaluation.

- Recognize the importance of coordinated efforts across facility stakeholders to support compliance and reduce waterborne pathogen risks.

- Explore emerging developments and requirements that can help keep water safety programs effective, current, and compliant.

Featured Speakers

Shruti Dere

Associate Product Manager, Chicago Faucets

Shruti Dere supports product development at Chicago Faucets through market research, competitive analysis, and customer insights. Her work focuses on industry trends, connected water solutions, and evolving customer needs, helping develop practical solutions for today's commercial and healthcare facilities. Dere is also a member of BACnet International.

Spenser Johnson

Director of Water Safety, Chemstar WATER

Spenser Johnson leads Legionella compliance initiatives and the development of Water Management Programs at Chemstar WATER. During the past nine years, she has guided more than 100 facilities through risk assessments, regulatory compliance efforts, and strategies designed to mitigate waterborne pathogen risks. Johnson brings extensive expertise in healthcare water systems and evolving water safety requirements and returns following her participation in Chicago Faucets educational programming last year.

Who Should Attend

- Healthcare facility professionals

- Senior living and long-term care leaders

- Facilities and engineering teams

- Infection prevention professionals

- Environmental health and safety specialists

- Compliance and risk management professionals

- Water safety stakeholders responsible for protecting resident and occupant health

Webinar Information

The Evolving Healthcare Water Management Landscape

Healthcare facility professionals face an increasingly complex environment of water management standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory expectations. This educational Lunch & Learn session will help attendees better understand today's changing water management landscape and the practical considerations for maintaining effective Water Management Programs.

Register:

https://www.ashe.org/education-events/evolving-healthcare-water-management-landscape-webinar

Note: This Lunch & Learn program is not eligible for CEUs.

Chicago Faucets, a member of the Geberit Group, is a leading designer and manufacturer of commercial faucets, showers, fittings and connected water management solutions designed for reliability, safety and compliance in demanding environments. Since 1901, the company's products have been trusted by plumbing contractors, engineers, architects, and facility management professionals throughout North America. Chicago Faucets supports sustainable building and water conservation as a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an EPA WaterSense partner and a charter sponsor of the Alliance for Water Efficiency. The company is also a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) and BACnet International. For more information, visit www.chicagofaucets.com or call 800-566-2100.

Perrie Hayes, [email protected]

SOURCE The Chicago Faucet Company

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CINCINNATI, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Products Group ("PPG"), an Auxo Investment Partners portfolio company, announced today the acquisition of Monadnock Non-Wovens LLC ("MNW"), a Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of highly engineered meltblown nonwoven materials for filtration, acoustic, medical, and industrial applications.

The acquisition expands PPG's Engineered Textiles division and adds a new category of highly engineered materials to a portfolio that already spans paper, tubing, and woven products. Like PPG, MNW focuses on highly engineered, highly specified materials, developing sound-dampening, filtration, and other specialty nonwoven solutions that meet the exacting requirements of its customers.

Founded by the Verney family and family-owned ever since, MNW has spent more than 25 years manufacturing meltblown nonwoven media for filtration, automotive, healthcare, appliance, and consumer markets. The company designs and builds its own fiber production equipment and operates a number of meltblown and hydro-charging lines ranging in width from 70 to 94 inches. Its in-house applications development laboratory allows customers to take new products from pilot runs to full-scale production.

"We are thrilled to welcome Monadnock Non-Wovens to PPG," said Tom Moore, CEO of PPG. "PPG is built around highly technical, highly engineered materials, and MNW shares that same focus. It's also exactly the type of acquisition where PPG has been most successful: one where we can bring our capital and our operations, engineering, and commercial expertise to continue to improve the business by investing in equipment, expanding capabilities, and improving processes. Ultimately, that makes MNW an even better supplier to its customers: more responsive, more capable, and more competitive."

Given MNW's reputation with its customers and the legacy associated with the Monadnock name, MNW will continue to operate under its brand alongside the other brands within PPG. James Cree will continue to lead the business as President. "Innovation has always been at the heart of MNW. Our team is constantly looking for ways to create better materials that serve our customers' needs, whether that means better acoustic dampening or more effective filtration," said Cree. "In PPG, the Verney family and I found a partner that shares that culture of material innovation. With PPG's resources and expertise behind us, we'll be able to accelerate that work and bring even better solutions to our customers."

"We are pleased to welcome MNW to the PPG platform as a strategic addition that broadens PPG's range of highly engineered materials," said Jeff Helminski, Managing Partner of Auxo Investment Partners. "MNW's in-house equipment design, process expertise, and history of developing custom solutions alongside its customers make it a strong fit for PPG. We're honored to carry forward a business with deep family roots, and we look forward to supporting MNW's continued growth as part of the PPG family."

About Precision Products Group

Precision Products Group is a manufacturer of highly engineered materials for the electrical, medical, aerospace & defense, filtration, and industrial markets. Its portfolio of products includes spiral and convolute-wound paper products, spiral-wound and extruded plastic tubing, braided and other woven products, crepe paper, and meltblown nonwovens, among others. PPG's products are sold under various brands, including Paramount Tube, Breyden Products, Saylor Products, Euclid Medical Products, Cindus Corporation, and now Monadnock Non-Wovens.

For more information visit www.ppgintl.com.

About Auxo Investment Partners

Auxo Investment Partners is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based private investment firm that partners with owners and management teams of companies at transition points in their history. Auxo's flexible capital model allows for long-term, growth-oriented decision-making without artificial deadlines. The structure was specifically designed for family businesses facing a generational transition or management teams seeking a partner to fuel growth and achieve their full potential with a long-term investment approach. Auxo's unique philosophy aligns the interests of its companies, their employees, the communities in which they are located and its investors to achieve optimal outcomes for all. As our name reflects, we are not merely investors, but partners.

For more information, please visit www.auxopartners.com

Media Contact:

Kara Potter

616-292-1307

[email protected]

SOURCE Precision Products Group

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AirMatrix Receives Funding to Advance AI-Powered Airspace Intelligence

Research and development project will advance AirMatrix's ability to transform increasing volumes of fragmented sensor data into faster, clearer decision support for defence, public safety and critical infrastructure operators

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AirMatrix Inc. is pleased to announce that it is receiving advisory services and funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support a research and development project advancing AI-powered multi-sensor intelligence for low-altitude airspace security.This represents AirMatrix's largest NRC IRAP-supported project to date.

The project, which is supported through NRC IRAP's Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist) initiative, will accelerate AirMatrix's work addressing one of the most significant challenges facing modern airspace security: transforming large volumes of disconnected sensor data into a clear and actionable operational picture.

From More Sensors to Better Decisions

Defence, public safety and critical infrastructure operators increasingly rely on radar, radio-frequency detection, cameras and other technologies to monitor low-altitude airspace. While these systems can produce valuable information, they often operate independently, requiring operators to move between different interfaces and manually determine whether multiple detections relate to the same object.

In time-sensitive environments, detecting an object is not enough. Operators must understand what it is, determine whether it presents a concern and know where their attention is required.

AirMatrix's research and development project will accelerate ongoing work using artificial intelligence to enable different sensor systems to operate together more intelligently and efficiently. This includes automatically cueing imaging systems toward detected objects, correlating information across multiple sensor sources and using AI-assisted visual analysis to support object confirmation while maintaining human oversight.

"The next generation of airspace security will not be defined by whoever deploys the most sensors. It will be defined by who can make those systems work together — turning data into intelligence, and intelligence into action," said Bashir Khan, Co-Founder and CEO of AirMatrix. "Our goal is to give operators a clearer understanding of what is happening in their airspace so they can focus their attention and make informed decisions with greater speed and confidence."

Building the Intelligence Layer for Low-Altitude Airspace

The research forms part of AirMatrix's continuing development of Libra, its hardware-agnostic command and control platform for low-altitude airspace awareness and security.

Libra is designed to connect information from different sensor technologies within a common operational environment. Rather than requiring organizations to replace their existing systems or depend on a single hardware provider, Libra provides an intelligence layer that can bring those systems together into a unified operational picture.

Through this project, AirMatrix will advance research and development in multi-sensor correlation, automated sensor cueing, AI-assisted visual confirmation and detection-to-confirmation workflows. The objective is to reduce the burden of manually interpreting fragmented information and help operators move more efficiently from initial detection to a better-informed operational decision.

"No single sensor can provide the complete picture," Khan added. "The real opportunity is to combine their strengths and help the human operator understand what matters. That is the basis of the airspace intelligence layer we are building and deploying."

The project builds on AirMatrix's work supporting government, public safety and commercial airspace applications and advances the company's broader vision of providing the digital intelligence infrastructure needed to manage and secure increasingly complex low-altitude environments.

About AirMatrix

AirMatrix is a dual-use AI company providing government and critical infrastructure customers with a world-class command and control platform for sensor fusion and persistent airspace awareness.

AirMatrix technology has been deployed across government, public safety and commercial airspace applications.

SOURCE AirMatrix Inc

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New product sends shoppers their trade-in value by text, works the conversation, and books the appointment, day or night, from any trade-in CTA on a dealer's website

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- inride, the company behind Trade Agent AI, today announced Trade Agent Acquire, an AI agent that responds to every trade-in and value-my-car inquiry on a dealership's website within seconds. Trade Agent Acquire texts the shopper their trade-in value, answers questions, and books the appointment for the dealer's sales floor, 24 hours a day.

Dealers pay to drive shoppers to their websites, and trade-in tools turn that traffic into leads. But many of those leads arrive after hours or wait in a queue behind phone calls and showroom traffic. By the time someone follows up, the shopper has often lost interest or sold their vehicle somewhere else.

Trade Agent Acquire closes that gap. When a shopper values their trade on a dealer's website, the agent:

- Sends their trade-in value by text or email within seconds, using the number from the dealer's existing valuation tool, so the shopper hears back while they are still engaged.

- Works the conversation, answering questions, confirming vehicle condition, and handling objections.

- Books the trade-in appointment and hands it to the sales floor, synced to the dealer's CRM with the full conversation attached.

- Keeps following up with shoppers who are not ready yet, over days, weeks, and months.

Trade Agent Acquire works with any trade-in form or valuation widget already on a dealer's website, and with any CRM and DMS, so there is no new platform to adopt and nothing to rebuild. Stores can go live in a few days. It gives the sales team booked appointments instead of a backlog, so they can focus on closing.

Trade Agent Acquire runs on the same patent-pending core AI as Trade Agent AI, inride's outbound platform that works a dealer's customers in their DMS and is already proven at over 75 dealer rooftops since launching in February 2026. In early results from Trade Agent AI's integration with ACV's ClearCar in the DC market, 63% of trade-in leads engaged, 44% of conversations happened outside operating hours, and 52% of appointments resulted in an acquisition.

Availability: Trade Agent Acquire is available today to dealerships in the U.S. as a standalone product, and inride has already signed its first dealership customers. Dealers can learn more and book a demo at inride.ai/acquire.

Coming soon: Trade Agent Acquire is the latest in a growing family of inride AI agents for dealerships, all built on the same patent-pending core AI. Two more are already in beta:

- F&I Agent AI: finds owners whose vehicles have no service contract, or whose coverage is about to run out, and texts them protection options in real time for the vehicle's age, mileage, and eligibility.

- Service Agent AI: drives ownership loyalty, reaches owners at maintenance milestones, follows up on declined work and open recalls, and books the appointment in the scheduler the store already runs.

"Dealers don't have a traffic problem. They have a follow-up problem," said Nick Perdikis, CEO of inride. "A shopper who values their trade at 9:47 on a Sunday night is ready to talk right then. Trade Agent Acquire sends them their value and books the appointment in seconds, so the dealer who already paid for that lead is the first one the customer hears from."

About inride

inride AI is the AI company built for automotive retail. Its team combines deep dealership experience with AI product development to build autonomous products that help dealerships acquire more used inventory, book more appointments, and grow without adding headcount. inride's products include Trade Agent AI, which finds the past buyers in a dealer's DMS who are ready to trade and books the appointment, and Trade Agent Acquire, which works every trade-in lead on a dealer's website in seconds. Both run on inride's patent-pending core AI. Trade Agent AI is live at 75+ dealer rooftops, integrates with Tekion and the Fortellis marketplace, and is the first agentic AI platform approved for Ford's Tier III co-op program. inride is headquartered in Bethesda, MD. Learn more at inride.ai.

SOURCE inride

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Partnership builds on Assort's growing ophthalmology footprint, proprietary Nextech integration, and experience across hundreds of healthcare deployments to automate more patient access workflows.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Assort Health, the AI agents platform for the patient journey, and Nextech, a leading technology provider for specialty practices, today announced they will codevelop a joint AI agent offering for all Nextech customers, with deeper integration into Nextech's platform. The partnership builds on Assort's experience across hundreds of healthcare deployments, including 40% of the Fortune 20 healthcare enterprises, and expands access to AI agents already in growing use across ophthalmology practices.

In ophthalmology practices, Assort's AI agents work across complex patient access workflows that require far more than answering a phone call. A single patient request can depend on provider subspecialty, visit history, testing requirements, insurance, referral status, location, urgency, and clinical escalation rules.

Assort is built to handle exactly that kind of complexity. Unlike general-purpose AI platforms adapted for healthcare, it's built exclusively for healthcare organizations. That deployment experience has informed a growing library of tested workflows and operational best practices. It has also shaped Assort's proprietary Nextech integration, giving ophthalmology practices a head start on the complex scheduling rules and patient access workflows that would otherwise need to be built from scratch.

That depth is what's making ophthalmology an early proving ground for the next generation of healthcare AI, which will be measured by requests resolved, not conversations handled.

"You learn quickly in ophthalmology whether an AI agent can resolve a patient request or whether it books the wrong visit and leaves someone on staff to fix it the next morning," said Jon Wang, co-founder and co-CEO of Assort Health. "Patients rarely call knowing the exact appointment type, provider, testing sequence, or next steps they need. The technology has to understand the patient and the practice well enough to resolve the request, not just route it. We've spent years building that depth across specialty care. Partnering with Nextech lets us bring it to many more ophthalmology practices and keep expanding how much of the work our agents can complete inside the systems they run on."

Growing Momentum Across Ophthalmology

Assort has built its ophthalmology offering around the operational rules and edge cases that make eye care unusually complex, including testing-based follow-up, optical versus medical routing, retinal injection scheduling, cataract surgery coordination, urgent symptom escalation, after-hours access, and multi-location scheduling.

Across ophthalmology practices, where front-desk teams are stretched thin by high call volumes and layered scheduling rules, Assort is resolving patient requests that would otherwise land back on staff.

At DuPage Ophthalmology, a Nextech practice, Assort supports roughly 500 patient calls each week, navigating provider, location, and appointment-type rules. After seeing the impact during daytime operations, the practice expanded Assort into after-hours coverage.

"What matters is whether the technology works in the reality of an ophthalmology practice. Assort has helped us save more than 60% of call time while navigating the provider, location, and appointment rules our team manages every day," said Maureen O'Malley, practice administrator at DuPage Ophthalmology. "The results gave us the confidence to expand Assort into after-hours coverage."

A Shared Roadmap for Deeper Integration

Nextech has spent more than 25 years serving specialty practices and was named the 2026 Best in KLAS winner for Ambulatory Ophthalmology Solutions for the second consecutive year.

Assort's existing Nextech Practice+ integration supports core patient access workflows, including patient and appointment information, scheduling, and rescheduling. Built on experience from real ophthalmology deployments, the integration combines Nextech connectivity with specialty-specific workflow logic and implementation best practices. Through the new partnership, the companies will deepen that foundation with a shared API roadmap, enabling additional workflows and helping Nextech practices realize value faster.

"Specialty practices need AI that understands how they operate, not technology that forces them into generic workflows," said John Beck, chief strategy officer at Nextech. "Assort brings meaningful experience in patient access and ophthalmology workflows. Together, we see an opportunity to help practices reduce administrative burden while making it easier for patients to reach the right care."

"We've already built and deployed a deep integration with Nextech practices. What sets this partnership apart is what Assort brings to that foundation: we only build for healthcare, and we're live with hundreds of organizations, including 40% of the Fortune 20 healthcare enterprises. Every deployment strengthens our platform, workflows, and best practices. Nextech customers get more than an integration. They get a purpose-built ophthalmology platform and a team that knows how to adapt it quickly to the complexity of their practice," said Jeff Liu, co-founder and co-CEO of Assort Health.

From Answering Patients to Completing the Work

The Nextech relationship is the latest step in Assort's expansion from AI-powered phone access into a broader operating platform for the patient journey.

Assort's agents now support inbound and outbound scheduling, patient intake, referrals, after-hours coverage, medication requests, payments, and task management. The company recently launched Referrals, an AI agent designed to process and work referrals through scheduling rather than stopping after document intake.

Assort and Nextech will both be at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Wang will also participate in AAO's Industry Showcase on Sunday, Oct. 11.

To see Assort's ophthalmology AI in action, visit Assort Booth #3126 at AAO or visit assorthealth.com/nextech

About Assort Health

Assort Health is an AI agents platform for the patient journey, from scheduling and intake to referrals, forms, document processing, medication refills, and payments. It is built on more than 300 million specialty patient interactions, with models that update in real time to manage the operational complexity of healthcare. That foundation powers patient access across multi-site practices, multi-specialty groups, and health systems.

Customers see results including a 5% lift in appointment volume, a 115% increase in labor capacity, up to $4.3 million in revenue captured per 100 providers, 97% resolution rates, and 79% referral-to-appointment conversion. The platform integrates natively with leading EHR and practice management systems, including Epic and athenahealth, enabling deployment without disrupting existing clinical workflows. Provider groups and health systems turn to Assort when the complexity outgrows their existing tools. To learn more, visit assorthealth.com.

Media Contact

Kara Spak, 120/80 MKTG, [email protected] 

SOURCE Assort Health

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HSA Day begins with a Win Your Cart Sweepstakes, providing consumers an interactive way to discover what their HSA benefits cover—with a chance to win $500 in products

DALLAS, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As open enrollment season gets underway, Health-E Commerce®, the company behind HSA Store®, is staging its second annual HSA Day sale October 14-16, 2026, as part of the company's ongoing mission to help consumers make more informed decisions about their health care benefits. More than just a sale event, HSA Day has been designed to showcase popular product categories, unexpected finds, and a curated selection of telehealth services in an effort to educate consumers on the broad range of eligible healthcare products and services on which they can use their HSA funds.

In the leadup to HSA Day, from October 8 through October 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET, consumers can enter the Win Your Cart Sweepstakes by building a cart of $500 in eligible products for a chance to win it. The HSA Day sale takes place October 14–16 at 5:59 a.m. ET, offering 15% off sitewide on orders over $150. Combined, these HSA Day promotions help consumers realize the value of their HSA benefits ahead of open enrollment, through product exploration plus limited time savings at HSA Store®.

"Open enrollment is an important opportunity to think strategically and holistically about your healthcare expenses," said Itamar Romanini, Vice President and General Manager of HSA Store®. "An HSA can be a valuable part of both a short-term and long-term healthcare and financial strategy, but consumers need to understand how these accounts work, what expenses are eligible and how much they may want to contribute. Our goal is to make those decisions easier by providing practical education, tools and resources, plus 100% HSA eligible shopping throughout the year."

As employees compare their employers' benefits options this open enrollment season, HSA Store® offers resources that can help them better understand eligibility, estimate potential savings and plan for future healthcare expenses, including:

- HSA Resource Center: A centralized collection of educational information to help consumers understand how HSAs work, including contributions, eligible expenses and account strategies.

- The HSA Eligibility List®: A searchable resource that helps consumers identify products and services that may be eligible for HSA funds.

- HSA Expense Dashboard®: A digital tool that allows users to organize receipts and track HSA purchases, helping simplify expense management and recordkeeping. A digital tool that allows users to organize receipts and track HSA purchases, helping simplify expense management and recordkeeping.

- HSA 401(k) Maximizer®: A resource designed to help consumers explore strategies for using an HSA as part of a broader long-term savings strategy.

- HSA Tax Savings Calculator®: An interactive tool that allows consumers to estimate potential tax savings based on their HSA contributions.

- HSA Expense Tracker™ App: Automatically finds HSA eligible expenses for reimbursement from uploaded receipts and connected stores you shop.

What is an HSA? An HSA, or health savings account, is a tax-advantaged account that eligible consumers can enroll in through their employer-sponsored benefits program. Employees, employers or both can contribute to the account, generally on a pre-tax basis. For employees, this can reduce taxable income and help them pay for a wide range of qualified medical expenses. HSA-eligible expenses are determined by the Internal Revenue Service. Unlike FSAs, HSA funds roll over from year to year, meaning account holders do not lose unused funds at the end of the plan year. This flexibility makes HSA education and 100% eligible shopping essential for HSA account holders looking to maximize their health and financial wellness.

Win Your Cart: Official rules at https://hsastore.com/hsa-day-rules.html. Void where prohibited. Cart must be built (not purchased) by 10/13/26 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

HSA Day Sale: Offer ends 10/16/2026 at 5:59 a.m. ET. Use code HSADAY26 at checkout. Additional hard-marked savings may apply. See Terms for details.

For more information, visit HSA Store® or contact [email protected].

About Health-E Commerce®

Health-E Commerce® is the owner of the brands FSA Store® and HSA Store®, online stores that simplify pre-tax health spending for more than 70 million consumers enrolled in these accounts. Behind 100% guaranteed eligible products, vetted telehealth services, and the company's own Caring Mill® line of everyday health essentials at value pricing, these stores offer guesswork-free shopping, plus the tools and education account holders need to make the most of their funds. In 2026, the company introduced Patiently™, its fully owned virtual care experience, helping FSA and HSA participants get access to personalized prescription treatment by licensed providers. Beyond its consumer-facing brands, Health-E Commerce® works across the pre-tax health benefits landscape, maintaining a regularly updated Eligibility List®, building partnerships with third-party administrators, and advancing consumer advocacy.

SOURCE FSAstore.com

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METAvivor Shines a Light on Metastatic Breast Cancer and the Urgent Need for Research Through #LightUpMBC

More than 325 landmarks worldwide will illuminate October 13; watch #LightUpMBC Live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Metastatic breast cancer (MBC), also known as Stage 4 breast cancer, has no cure. Yet during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the realities of living with this disease can be overshadowed by messages about early detection and finishing treatment. On October 13, National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, METAvivor Research and Support is calling on the public to learn about MBC and help fund research through #LightUpMBC, a global campaign that turns awareness into action.

More than 325 landmarks across all 50 U.S. states, 20 countries and 195 cities will illuminate in teal, green and pink—the MBC awareness colors—to honor lives lost, support people living with the disease and raise funds for metastatic breast cancer research. The campaign's centerpiece, #LightUpMBC Live, will stream free that evening, bringing patient voices, scientific perspectives and musical performances to viewers around the world.

Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer

MBC occurs when breast cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, most commonly the bones, liver, lungs or brain. It remains breast cancer, even when it is found in another organ. Some people are diagnosed at Stage 4 from the outset; others develop metastatic disease months, years or even decades after treatment for earlier-stage breast cancer.

For people living with MBC, treatment is ongoing. Even when scans show no evidence of disease, that does not mean the cancer has been cured. Treatment aims to control the disease, extend life and preserve quality of life, but cancer can become resistant to therapies, requiring patients to change treatments. An estimated 42,670 people in the United States are expected to die from breast cancer in 2026—approximately 117 every day. Research is essential to developing more effective treatments and improving outcomes for people living with metastatic disease.

METAvivor exclusively funds Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer research, selecting projects through a rigorous scientific peer and patient advocate review process. Its mission is to help transform MBC from a terminal disease into a survivable condition with good quality of life.

"When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2013, I certainly didn't think I'd still be here 13 years later," said Dr. Kelly Shanahan, METAvivor Board President. "My hope and the hope of so many others lies in research, and METAvivor funded research is increasingly important these days. #LightUpMBC is the biggest contributor to this research, and is also a way to bring us together as a community."

A Global Movement of Light and Hope

Participating landmarks include One World Trade Center in New York City, Willis Tower in Chicago, Philadelphia City Hall, Niagara Falls on the Canada/U.S. border, Ness Bridge in Inverness, Scotland, Mactan-Cebu Airport in the Philippines and Portsmouth's Memorial Bridge in New Hampshire, the first landmark to light for MBC in 2017.

"My best friend and the inspiration behind this campaign, Jessica Moore, died of metastatic breast cancer at just 36," said Laura Inahara, #LightUpMBC Founder. "Jessica hoped to illuminate one local landmark. Today, her legacy helps families around the world shine a light for the people they love, teach patients with MBC how to advocate for themselves and has now raised over $2.7 mm for critical MBC research."

The public is invited to photograph participating landmarks and share photos publicly, tagging @LightUpMBC on their favorite social channel and using #LightUpMBC and #METAvivor to help raise awareness.

Watch #LightUpMBC Live: Meet the People Behind the Lights

#LightUpMBC Live will air Tuesday, October 13, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, hosted by creator Tami Eagle Bowling, who has been living with MBC for 11 years, and Broadway performer and breast cancer survivor Kara Lindsay. Viewers can watch free on the METAvivor YouTube channel and METAvivor Facebook Live, with streaming also available through LiveOne.

The program will feature patient stories shared live from illuminated landmarks, scientific perspectives on metastatic breast cancer research and musical performances from two-time Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, Tony Award nominee Dorian Harewood, internationally acclaimed actress Christina Bianco, singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski and legendary voiceover artist Tony Daniels.

One hundred percent of net proceeds from the #LightUpMBC campaign and live stream benefit METAvivor to fund metastatic breast cancer research. To view participating landmarks, find viewing links or donate, visit www.lightupmbc.org

About METAvivor

METAvivor Research and Support Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exclusively funds Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer research. Through a rigorous scientific peer and patient advocate review process, METAvivor awards grants to projects aimed at transforming MBC from a terminal disease into a survivable condition with good quality of life. Learn more at www.metavivor.org. Follow @METAvivor on Facebook and Instagram.

About #LightUpMBC and #LightUpMBC Live

#LightUpMBC is a global campaign that illuminates landmarks in teal, green and pink on October 13, National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, to honor lives lost, support people living with MBC and raise funds for research benefiting METAvivor. Its annual livestream, #LightUpMBC Live, brings together patient stories, musical performances and scientific perspectives to educate viewers and inspire action. Learn more at www.lightupmbc.org and follow @LightUpMBC on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

SOURCE METAvivor

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Prospera hosts event to recognize small businesses and milestone with community stakeholders

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospera held its annual entrepreneurship celebration, presented by OUC, at the Orlando Science Center. Under this year's theme, 35 Years Rooted in Impact, the event brought together entrepreneurs, community partners, and supporters to recognize three outstanding local businesses that have benefited from Prospera's services and celebrate the organization's 35th anniversary and its continued commitment to advancing business growth and community prosperity.

The following small business owners were recognized:

- Hernán Bedoya, owner of SOS Diesel Mechanical Services

- Marivict & Mario Silva, owners of 2M Graphics

- Elvis Torres, owner of Optimal Point Solutions

The program, led by Prospera Regional Vice President Katia Medina, brought together leaders from the public, private, financial, and community sectors to discuss the current small business landscape and the challenges facing entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them. Featured speakers included City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. During the program, Mayor Demings received a special recognition in appreciation of his eight years of service as Orange County Mayor and his longstanding support of Prospera's mission, dating back to before his mayoral tenure.

The program also featured a panel discussion exploring the current political, economic, and social climate, its impact on small businesses and community organizations, and opportunities for continued collaboration. Participants included:

- Elisha Gonzalez, senior vice president of community affairs for Florida at Truist and Prospera Board of Directors Executive Committee member (moderator)

- Maribel Gomez Cordero, Orange County District 4 Commissioner

- Laudi Campo, Florida state director at Hispanic Federation

- Yanet Herrero, owner & CEO of Kings Service Solutions and Prospera client

- Juan Amo, senior vice president and market executive for the East Central Florida Market at Bank of America

- Augusto Sanabria, president & CEO of Prospera

"We celebrate Hispanic entrepreneurs whose impact extends far beyond their businesses," said Clint Bullock, OUC General Manager & CEO. "At OUC, we're dedicated to supporting their journeys with energy and water solutions that save time and money, ensuring their success takes root and strengthens our community for generations."

In addition to presenting sponsor OUC, the event was supported by the following:

- Premier Sponsors: Duke Energy & Verizon

- Host Sponsors: Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Orlando Health, Orlando Magic, TD Bank, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Wells Fargo

- Champion Sponsors: Comcast NBC/Universal Telemundo Enterprises, Fairwinds, Hispanic Federation, Hispanic Insurance Specialists, KPMG, Northbridge University, Plaza del Sol, Suncoast Credit Union, TSG Financial Advisors Powered by Ameriprise Financial, and VyStar Credit Union

About Prospera

Prospera is an economic development, nonprofit organization that has specialized since 1991 in providing bilingual assistance to entrepreneurs who want to start, sustain, and grow their business. In the last five years alone, Prospera facilitated $56.8 million in loans for small business clients, trained more than 17,700 entrepreneurs, and helped consulting clients create or retain more than 17,600 jobs. Prospera currently serves Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. For more information, visit www.prosperausa.org. 

Media Contact: Katia Medina, (407) 920-4201, [email protected]

SOURCE Prospera

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Onboard programming, culinary moments and exclusive shore excursions explore the history and spirit of the golden age of travel on Pan Am's 100th anniversary

Key Highlights:

- Relive the glamour of Pan Am's golden age of travel through exclusive onboard experiences, including aviation historians and storytellers, reimagined Clipper Club programming and immersive presentations.

- Savor Pan Am-inspired culinary experiences featuring menus and cocktails inspired by dishes once served aboard Pan Am flights.

- Explore Pan Am's legendary routes ashore with excursions in destinations including Cartagena, Colón, Antigua and Trinidad, connecting guests to the people, places and aviation history that shaped one of the most iconic travel brands.

SEATTLE, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line is bringing the golden age of travel to life aboard its Pan Am 100th Anniversary Legendary Voyage, with a curated collection of onboard experiences and shore excursions designed to immerse guests in the history, glamour and spirit of Pan Am's iconic Clipper era. From Pan Am-inspired dining and expert guest speakers to the return of the legendary Clipper Club and exclusive tours, the cruise will weave the airline's history into the journey from ship to shore.

The 28-day cruise aboard Zuiderdam sails roundtrip from Miami, Florida, departing Oct. 30, 2027, retracing portions of Pan Am's historic routes through the Caribbean and Central America. Along the way, guests will have opportunities to experience destinations through the lens of Pan Am's legacy while discovering the culture, history and attractions that make each place special today.

"Pan Am helped redefine what it meant to travel, turning the journey into an experience filled with discovery, connection and a sense of occasion," said Paul Grigsby, vice president of itinerary planning and deployment for Holland America Line. "With this cruise, we're bringing that era to life while merging elements of Pan Am's storied history with Holland America Line's signature experiences, giving guests a chance to see how the legacies of two travel brands come together in ways that feel authentic to both, from the ship to the destinations along the way."

Exploring Pan Am's history 

On board, guests can delve deeper into the iconic airline's history through a series of special programs and presentations from Pan Am and aviation historians and experts. These experts will explore the people, aircraft and destinations that shaped the airline's story:

- Actor and storyteller Willie Aames will discuss Pan Am's pioneering spirit, from the people and innovations that helped build the world's first global airline to the extraordinary Pacific Clipper journey during World War II. Known globally for his starring roles in "Eight is Enough" and "Charles in Charge," Aames transitioned from his filmmaking roots into telling some of the great tales of our times.

- Linda Freire, chair and co-founder of the Pan Am Museum Foundation, will share an insider's perspective on Pan Am's people, culture and global legacy, drawing on her career as a flight attendant, recruiter, manager and aviation leader. From helping build Pan Am's workforce around the world to preserving its history today, Freire will offer firsthand stories about the airline's impact on employees, passengers and the evolution of international travel.

- Alaska-born Steve Gray, an international guest speaker and storyteller, will delve into Pan Am's golden age of travel, from the airline's luxurious Flying Clippers and pioneering routes through South America to the fascinating stories behind its enduring visual legacy. With a lifelong connection to flight and a family aviation heritage, Gray combines travel history, culture and firsthand adventure to capture the romance and history of Pan American World Airways.

- David Hinson, vice chairman of the Pan Am Museum Foundation, will explore the airline's service culture and enduring influence on global aviation. Drawing on his experience in flight attendant training, leadership development and customer service, Hinson will share stories from his years with Pan Am and discuss how the airline's commitment to excellence helped shape modern air travel.

- David Kliman, global hospitality and travel industry leader, will share firsthand stories from decades of flying Pan Am, drawing from his extensive collection of airline memorabilia and experiences as a longtime pilot and frequent Pan Am passenger. With more than four million airline miles logged, Kliman will offer a personal perspective on Pan Am's premium passenger experience and the evolution of global air travel.

The voyage also will recreate elements of the Clipper Club, Pan Am's exclusive network of private airport lounges that became synonymous with the airline's premium travel experience. The Clipper Club offered Pan Am passengers a dedicated space to relax, dine and socialize before and between flights. On board Zuiderdam, guests will encounter moments inspired by the original Clipper Club and get a taste of the welcoming atmosphere and hospitality that extended beyond the aircraft.

Pan Am-inspired culinary experiences

Pan Am's influence comes through in a selection of special menus inspired by dishes served during the airline's celebrated era of travel, giving guests a taste of the cuisine once associated with flying Pan Am.

Example dishes include Cocktail de Crevettes (jumbo shrimp, boiled egg, asparagus, Louis dressing); Cream of Tomato Soup; Broiled Filet Mignon Maître d'Hôtel with croquette potatoes and jardinière vegetables; Eggplant Cannelloni Parmigiano with asparagus risotto; Sole en Croûte (Filets of Dover sole with crabmeat filling, baked in puff pastry); and Soufflé Grand Marnier with crème anglaise.

A special cocktail menu is inspired by Pan Am's legacy, with each drink offering a reimagined take on the flavors and traditions associated with the airline. Examples include:

- The Pan Am Cocktail, paying tribute to Pan Am's pioneering history with light white rum, Campari, orgeat, lemon juice and egg white, topped with aromatic bitters.

- The Clipper Cocktail, which was served aboard flying boats and is made with Mount Gay Eclipse rum, Dolin Blanc and grenadine garnished with a lemon twist.

"We'll be marking 100 years of Pan Am at the start of this cruise, and I can't think of a better way for our biggest fans and new fans to celebrate," said Craig Carter, CEO, Pan Am Global Holdings. "Not only is the cruise itinerary reminiscent of our early days of the Flying Clippers, but the onboard experience we are creating with Holland America will bring to life a special time in the history of travel."

Shore excursions trace Pan Am's history

Several tours have been curated exclusively for the Pan Am cruise, connecting guests to the airline's history in the region while offering a deeper look at the destinations themselves. Designed around places and experiences that intersect with Pan Am's historic routes, the excursions explore local history, landmarks and cultural experiences.

Select Pan Am tours created for this cruise include:

- Cartagena, Colombia: "Pan Am's Golden Age: Cartagena's Jet Set" tour includes exploring in a fleet of classic roadsters, tasting local fare and learning about the city's reputation as a destination for world-class emeralds during the Pan Am era.

- Colón, Panama: Explore the Agua Clara Locks and Panama Canal Railway, connecting two landmarks to the transportation network that helped make travel through the region possible and Pan Am the top choice for discerning travelers.

- St. John's, Antigua: Follow in the footsteps of Pan Am navigators on a "High Point" tour to Shirley Heights, where sweeping views of the harbor offer a perspective similar to the one navigators used to guide their aircraft into port.

- Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago: On the "Pan Am's Caribbean: Wings of Trinidad" tour, explore Pan Am's pioneering role in Caribbean aviation at Chaguaramas, the former Pan Am flying boat base where the Clippers once landed. Visit the Chaguaramas Military History & Aerospace Museum, connecting Pan Am's Caribbean routes with the region's broader aviation history.

With Pan Am woven throughout the journey and Holland America Line's signature service and destination-focused approach at the heart of the voyage, each day offers another connection to the people and places that made this era of travel memorable.

For more information about Holland America Line or to book the Pan Am 100th Anniversary Legendary Voyage, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line 

Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn't just a tagline, it's a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. Holland America Line is part of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports & destinations worldwide. (NYSE: CCL).

About Pan American Global Holdings®

Pan American Global Holdings® is the parent company stewarding the revival of Pan Am® — the world's most iconic name in travel.