24 FCrail™ fuel cell modules will power 12 Mireo Plus H trains, Romania's first hydrogen fleet and the platform's largest deployment to date.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLDP) today announced an order for 24 x FCrail™ 200 kW fuel cell modules from Siemens Mobility GmbH ("Siemens Mobility"; www.mobility.siemens.com), a leader in rail automation and electrification.

The order, totaling 4.8 MW, is expected to power 12 Mireo Plus H hydrogen passenger trains for Romania's Railway Reform Authority (ARF). This represents the largest commercial deployment of the Mireo Plus H platform to date, the first outside of Germany, as well as the first fleet of Mireo trains in Eastern Europe. Fuel cell engine deliveries are scheduled for 2027 and 2028, with the fleet expected to enter passenger service in 2029.

This order deepens the long-standing collaboration between Ballard and Siemens Mobility, building on a multi-year supply commitment established in 2022. As Siemens Mobility expands its hydrogen rail fleet, this new order leverages the proven success of earlier Mireo Plus H deployments in Germany, reflecting the trusted performance and reliability of Ballard's fuel cell technology in the demanding rail sector.

"We are grateful for our partnership with Siemens Mobility and their passionate commitment to expanding zero-emission rail technology across Europe. Together, we are innovating and delivering clean transport solutions that are leading the industry. This order is the largest deployment of the Mireo Plus H fleet and we are proud to work side by side with Siemens Mobility to deliver the future - today." Marty Neese, CEO, Ballard Power Systems

"With this order, we will introduce our proven and trusted Mireo trains as well as hydrogen- powered rail transport to Eastern Europe. The 12 Mireo Plus H trains will make up Romania's first hydrogen-powered train fleet, based on our reliable Mireo platform and the successful deployment of this technology in Germany," said Thomas Graetz, Head of Regional and Commuter Rail at Siemens Mobility.

Trains powered by Ballard fuel cells offer safe and reliable zero-emission operations, including long range, fast refueling and flexible operation across a wide variety of routes and environmental conditions, acting as a 1:1 replacement of diesel engines on non-electrified rail lines.

About Ballard

Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) is a global leader in zero-emission hydrogen energy solutions and an integrated Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) provider. Together, with its wholly owned subsidiary, GeoPura Ltd., Ballard delivers turnkey, vertically integrated hydrogen ecosystem solutions spanning hydrogen production, logistics, refuelling, zero-emission fuel cell engines, and stationary Hydrogen Power Units.

Ballard powers critical off-grid, stationary applications - including construction, events, film sets, healthcare, defense, temporary power infrastructure, and supplies fuel cell engines for heavy-duty mobility applications such as bus, rail, and marine. With an EaaS model, combined with cutting-edge technology across the hydrogen value chain, Ballard decarbonizes mission-critical operations worldwide. To learn more about Ballard, visit www.ballard.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements concerning anticipated product and service attributes, product deliveries, and deployments. These forward-looking statements reflect Ballard's current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's assumptions relating to its financial forecasts and expectations regarding its product development efforts, manufacturing capacity, and market demand.

These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause Ballard's actual results to be materially different, including general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on Ballard's forward-looking statements and Ballard assumes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as required under applicable legislation.

Further Information

Sumit Kundu – Investor Relations, +1.604.360.3517 or [email protected]

SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.

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Telstra expands Aura Network to strengthen Australia's east-west digital corridor

New Perth-Sydney route adds high-capacity connectivity and resilience as cloud, AI and international data flows drive demand across Australia

LONDON, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Telstra has launched the Perth-Sydney route of its Aura Network, expanding its next-generation fibre network and strengthening connectivity between Western Australia, the eastern states and international markets.

The new route is the longest route in the network and strengthens Australia's east-west digital corridor, connecting major cloud, data centre and business hubs of Australia's eastern states to Perth, connecting into the western global subsea cable networks. The Aura Network provides organisations with greater capacity and route diversity to move data across the country and connect with international markets.

Steven Worrall, CEO, Telstra Digital Infrastructure, said: "Western Australia is home to some of the world's most geographically distributed and technology-intensive industries, from remote operations centres to increasingly automated mining and industrial operations.

"As these industries become increasingly data-driven, the connectivity linking them to customers, partners, cloud and compute is becoming just as important as the technology deployed on the ground.

"The Perth-Sydney route adds another high-capacity pathway between Australia's west and east, helping businesses move data more reliably across the country and strengthening the connections between WA's growing digital economy and global markets.

"Western Australia is increasingly emerging as a strategic digital and defence hub in the Indo-Pacific, which makes this investment in low-latency, resilient new infrastructure even more strategic."

The launch comes as new Oxford Economics research, Australia's Western Gateway: WA's Digital Opportunity, commissioned by Telstra, finds Western Australia's digital economy could grow from $16.8 billion in FY25 to approximately $89.1 billion by FY40 under an accelerated digital adoption scenario. The report highlights high-capacity connectivity as a key enabler of growth across industries including mining, defence, and professional and financial services, while reinforcing WA's role as a connection point between Australia and international markets.

The Perth-Sydney route forms part of Telstra's broader $1.8 billion investment in Australia's digital infrastructure. Together with Aura's other routes, it strengthens connectivity between Australia's major cities, data centres, cloud regions and international gateways.

Expanding Aura's national network

The activation of the Aura Network's Perth-Sydney route marks another milestone in the network, with 9,000km built of a planned 14,000km and active routes across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. It is designed to provide up to 35 times more fibre capacity per path and greater resilience than conventional fibre routes.

The network is already supporting demand from cloud, AI and digital infrastructure providers, with organisations including Microsoft and Google securing capacity on the Aura Network to help meet growing connectivity requirements.

Built with two separate fibre pathways, one for express traffic and another with "on" and "off" ramps to support connectivity to regional Australia, the network gives customers flexibility in how they access capacity. Organisations can purchase access to a dedicated part of the network, customise and scale capacity as needed, or use a fully managed service.

Steven Worrall said: "Cloud, AI and data centres are changing where and how data is generated, processed and consumed. Resilient connections between Australia's major digital hubs will be increasingly important as that demand grows.

"The Perth-Sydney route adds another high-capacity pathway across the country, helping businesses connect Australia's west and east and the global digital networks they increasingly depend on."

About Telstra Digital Infrastructure

Telstra Digital Infrastructure is Telstra's integrated digital infrastructure business, delivering end-to-end digital infrastructure solutions across Australia and international markets. Through an extensive portfolio of fibre, duct, subsea cable, data centre, tower, satellite infrastructure and engineering services, we provide the connectivity, platforms and services that underpin business growth, digital transformation and the evolving demands of the AI economy.

Combining deep technical expertise, decades of operational experience and a long history of supporting customers across Australia, Asia-Pacific and beyond, we connect businesses, markets and communities through secure, reliable and high-performance digital infrastructure. 

Report methodology

WA's digital economy comprises the core digital sector, which covers technology industries that produce and deliver digital goods and services, and digitally enabled activity, which captures the contribution of digital technology embedded in the factors of production used across other industries. The accelerated scenario illustrates the additional economic opportunity available if WA increases its digital intensity and closes part of the gap with Australia's leading digital economies. Econometric modelling shows that increased fibre capacity has the potential to increase Gross State Product and job creation by enabling Telstra's customers to lift output and productivity through greater adoption of cloud computing, AI, and other digital technologies. The construction and operations impact follows a standard Input-Output framework widely used for assessing the economic footprint of businesses, industries and projects.

SOURCE Telstra Digital Infrastructure

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AGON Unveils OC1050Hz Gaming Monitor Delivering Millisecond Fluidity

AGP257FT combines an overclocked to 1050Hz refresh rate, 0.1ms MPRT response time, Oxide panel, NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible performance and advanced eye-comfort technologies for next-generation competitive gaming.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AGON, the world's No.1 gaming monitor brand for seven consecutive years according to 2025 IDC reports, today announces the upcoming AGP257FT. Designed for professional competitors and performance-driven gamers, this groundbreaking esports monitor takes responsiveness and motion clarity to a new level.

The AGP257FT incorporates proprietary ultra-high-refresh-rate gaming LCD technology. Its native Oxide panel combines fast-response liquid-crystal materials with integrated GIA circuit design to support a OC1050Hz refresh rate at 1920 × 1080 resolution.

This advanced panel architecture enables faster pixel driving and overcomes the slower voltage-response limitations of conventional LCD panels. The result is smoother motion, lower frame delay and more immediate visual feedback. Combined with an ultra-fast 0.1ms MPRT, rapid movements, flick shots and fast-changing scenes appear sharper and clearer during high-speed action.

Extreme Motion Clarity and Advanced Eye Comfort for Extended Play

Motion Blur Reduction Plus (MBR+) minimizes perceived blur during rapid movement for sharper object definition. NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible technology synchronizes the display's refresh rate with compatible GPU output to reduce screen tearing and stuttering while maintaining responsive gameplay. VESA DisplayHDR™ 400 support brings greater brightness and visual impact in compatible games without compromising competitive performance.

The AGP257FT's hardware-based Low Blue Light solution reduces harmful shortwave blue light at the backlight source while preserving natural colors without the yellow tint caused by software filters. Its TÜV Rheinland-certified Circular Polarization technology, verified at over 50% circularity, produces light that more closely resembles natural sunlight, helping reduce glare, visual harshness and eye fatigue without compromising display performance.

A New Benchmark for Esports Displays

Combining OC1050Hz performance, 0.1ms MPRT, a Fast IPS Technology, MBR+, NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible support and advanced Circular Polarization technologies, the AGP257FT establishes a new benchmark for extreme-speed gaming with enhanced visual comfort.

About AOC

Founded in 1967, AOC is a globally leading monitor and IT accessories brand and a subsidiary of TPV Technology Limited, one of the world's largest display manufacturers. AOC delivers innovative, ergonomic and environmentally conscious solutions for professional and personal applications.

AGON, AOC's gaming sub-brand, offers high-performance gaming monitors and accessories for core gamers, competitive players and esports professionals.

Brief Spec:

SOURCE AGON by AOC

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Project Eleven Launches Strongpoint for Post-Quantum Custody with Zcash Foundation as Initial Development Partner

Zcash Foundation joins Project Eleven to shape institutional custody infrastructure for the post-quantum and AI era as more than $1 trillion in digital assets remain at risk of attack by sufficiently powerful quantum computers.

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Project Eleven, the post-quantum security company for digital assets, today introduced Strongpoint, its flagship custody platform built for navigating the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Zcash Foundation joins Project Eleven as an initial development partner, helping shape Strongpoint's institutional custody architecture.

Strongpoint is designed to give institutions a consistent control layer for securing and managing digital assets as networks change the cryptographic standards underneath them. Rather than rebuilding key-management, transaction approval, and audit infrastructure for each new signature scheme or network migration, institutions can maintain a common set of security controls while the underlying cryptography evolves.

"Institutional digital asset custody was built for a world where the cryptography underneath it rarely changed," said Alex Pruden, CEO of Project Eleven. "Quantum computing is upending that model. If every network adopts a different solution, institutions could be forced to rebuild their security infrastructure again and again. Strongpoint is built around crypto-agility, so the cryptography can change without the infrastructure changing with it."

"Institutions holding shielded ZEC need custody infrastructure that respects Zcash's privacy model today and can adapt as cryptographic standards change," said Alex Bornstein, Executive Director of Zcash Foundation. "Project Eleven is building Strongpoint with the crypto-agility and technical foundation needed to support those requirements over time, helping strengthen custody infrastructure for the broader ecosystem."

Zcash Foundation Joins as an Initial Development Partner

Zcash Foundation joins as an initial development partner for Strongpoint, bringing its expertise in privacy-preserving cryptography and protocol engineering to Strongpoint's institutional custody architecture. Zcash's privacy-preserving design introduces sophisticated key-management and transaction requirements, making it a valuable environment for developing custody infrastructure capable of supporting evolving cryptographic standards.

The collaboration will help inform how Strongpoint handles network-specific requirements while maintaining a consistent institutional control framework across assets and cryptographic schemes.

Post-Quantum Migrations Are Taking Different Paths

The digital asset industry's post-quantum transition is becoming a coordination challenge. Among the networks represented by the 20 largest assets in CoinGecko's Layer 1 (L1) category by market capitalization, Project Eleven found that only 10 have published a network-specific technical proposal, roadmap or implementation path for migrating transaction or account authentication to post-quantum cryptography.

Those approaches span at least six proposed post-quantum signature schemes and vary significantly in how they address account migration, key rotation and legacy-asset recovery. Even where technical roadmaps exist, operational readiness remains uneven, leaving institutions to navigate different standards and requirements across networks.

For institutions operating across multiple networks, that fragmentation means accommodating different cryptographic standards and migration requirements without losing a consistent security model. Strongpoint is designed to provide that common operating layer while allowing the cryptography beneath it to change independently.

Early Access and Deployment

Project Eleven targets production deployment in Q4 2026 and is working with a limited group of development partners ahead of general availability. Additional development partners and supported networks will be announced. Institutions interested in early access can request more information at projecteleven.com/strongpoint.

Founded in 2024 by Alex Pruden and Conor Deegan, Project Eleven raised a $20 million Series A led by Castle Island Ventures in January 2026, bringing its total funding to $26 million. The company recently acquired Riva Labs, a specialized engineering firm with deep expertise in post-quantum signatures, wallet infrastructure and blockchain cryptography, expanding Project Eleven's in-house research and protocol-engineering capabilities.

Methodology: Project Eleven reviewed the 20 largest assets in CoinGecko's Layer 1 (L1) category by market capitalization on September 25, 2026. A network was counted only where an official network organization, foundation, core development team or recognized protocol-improvement process had published a network-specific technical proposal, roadmap or implementation path for migrating transaction or account authentication to post-quantum cryptography. General research programs, statements of intent and post-quantum work that did not specify such a migration path were not counted. Draft technical proposals were included and do not imply network approval or adoption.

Alex Pruden and Conor Deegan are available for interview.

About Project Eleven

Project Eleven builds resilient infrastructure and tooling for the post-quantum era. The company develops scalable solutions that strengthen security across a rapidly evolving quantum threat landscape. With deep expertise in cryptography, blockchain, and financial systems, Project Eleven bridges advanced post-quantum research with real-world implementations that prepare the digital asset ecosystem for the future. For more information, visit www.projecteleven.com.

About Zcash Foundation

Zcash Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, builds financial privacy infrastructure for the public good, primarily serving users of the Zcash protocol and blockchain. With expertise in cryptography, protocol engineering, and open-source development, Zcash Foundation works to sustain and improve open financial networks that allow anyone to protect their own privacy, on their own terms. For more information, visit zfnd.org.

Media Contacts

Aubrey Strobel / Elena Nisonoff, Halcyon Communications

[email protected] 

SOURCE Project Eleven

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Amorepacific Presents AI-Powered Future Beauty Research at IFSCC Congress 2026

- Research on skin aging prediction, digital sensory quantification, and AI-based consumer insights recognized among the congress's top presentations

- AI and data-driven approaches open new possibilities in skin science and consumer understanding

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific presented its latest skin science and consumer research powered by AI and digital technologies at the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, the world's largest cosmetics science conference.

Bringing together leading cosmetics scientists from around the world, this year's IFSCC Congress was held in Perth, Australia, from September 28 to October 1 under the theme "Solving the Sustainable Beauty Equation." Through nine studies spanning skin aging prediction, digital sensory quantification, and global consumer research, Amorepacific demonstrated how beauty research is evolving toward prediction, quantification, and data-driven consumer understanding.

Researcher Eun-Jeong Choi of Amorepacific R&I Center presented "Skin Aging in the Era of Global Boiling: Deep Learning-Guided Transcriptomic Signatures of Heat-Accelerated Aging." Building on over 20 years of research on the effects of heat on the skin and heat-induced aging, the study integrated transcriptomic analysis with deep learning technologies. The research enabled prediction of skin aging progression and ingredient efficacy, identified ingredients that help restore age-related skin damage, and confirmed their benefits in addressing age-related skin changes. The findings establish a foundation for skin longevity research, enabling more precise prediction of skin responses to environmental change. The study was named one of the Top 10 Podium Fundamental Research Award honorees.

Researcher Jeong Yu Lee of Amorepacific R&I Center presented "Electroluminescent Visualization of Skin Hydrodynamics for Digital Sensory Quantification." The study introduced a technology that visualizes moisture distribution and movement on the skin in real time during product application, while measuring subtle electrical changes to quantify interactions between the skin and formulations. The results showed a strong correlation with consumer sensory evaluations, demonstrating the potential to objectively assess product experiences by translating skin phenomena into measurable data. The study was selected as one of the Top 10 Podium Applied Research Award honorees.

Researcher Jinseob Shin of Amorepacific's Americas R&I Center presented "AI-Based Consumer Research on Barrier-Repair Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin." The study compared dermocosmetic products among consumers in Brazil and Mexico, using AI-based video interview analysis to examine user experiences and preference drivers for sensitive-skin moisturizers. Fast absorption, lightweight texture, and skin barrier benefits were identified as key drivers of consumer preference, demonstrating a new approach to consumer research that combines AI-powered analysis of real consumer experiences with expressed perceptions.

Brian Byung-Fhy Suh, CTO and Head of Amorepacific R&I Center, said, "Amorepacific sought to demonstrate new possibilities in skin science by integrating AI and digital technologies. In our commitment to Holistic Longevity solutions that support healthy skin over time and across changing environmental conditions, we will continue advancing the research in prediction, quantification, and data-driven consumer understanding through hybrid technologies that combine our skin science expertise with AI and digital innovation."

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sultan of Afar Ahmed Alimirah is calling for support for the United Nations and African Union's call for de-escalation and talks to promote peace in the Ethiopian homeland of the Afar. A statement entitled "This is Not Our War" details the plight of the Afar people, one of the most disadvantaged and economically neglected ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It calls for an end to conflict in the area.

"Afars have repeatedly paid the price for wars we did not start," the statement said. "Today, as fighting once again enters the Afar Region, our people face yet another catastrophe: homes abandoned, livestock lost, lives cut short, and another generation scarred by war."

As the war wages around them, the Afar have suffered displacement, restricted access to emergency assistance, and severed communication. Last year, 11 Afar in Siyaru, a remote village near the Ethiopia-Djibouti border, were killed by a Djiboutian drone strike which they claim targeted rebel terrorists from the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (Frud). Investigations revealed that the strike hit just over the Ethiopian border in civilian territory, killing women, children, and the elderly in a community already struggling to survive. Ahmed Alimirah, was the only voice condemning the strikes.

Now, the Afar occupy land in the Addis Ababa to Djibouti corridor, which moves more than 95 percent of the country's trade by volume. The region's importance has now turned the Afar homeland into a proxy battlefield.

The Sultanate will initiate talks with the United Nations and African Union to de-escalate the conflict through dialogue.

"The Afars have defended their homeland throughout history and sacrificed in defense of Ethiopia long before today's governments, political parties, and armed movements existed," the statement says. "This war must be resolved through dialogue. We support the United Nations' and the African Union's call for immediate de-escalation and talks. The path of peace through genuine dialogue and respect for Ethiopia's sovereignty must be pursued."

To read the statement, "This is Not Our War," click here. For more information on the humanitarian crisis in the Afar region, contact [email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT:

Abdullah Alimirah

SOURCE Sultan of Afar

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Great River Greening, GF, and the Minnesota Twins Continue Multi-Year Initiative to Restore Water Ecosystems and Build Resilient Communities

Partners expand their restoration efforts to 31 acres of forest at Wood Lake Nature Center

APPLE VALLEY, Minn., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In year two of their partnership, Great River Greening, GF, and the Minnesota Twins are taking their volunteer efforts to Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, MN to preserve critical wildlife land and improve water quality for years to come. Together, they will plant native wildflowers and restore the native understory, which has become consumed by buckthorn, leaving water qualities at risk.

The three organizations announced their multi-year partnership last year with a common goal to protect Minnesota's most vital resource: water. They've identified high-impact sites across the Twin Cities metro in need of restoration that will help promote a healthier community for future generations.

Great River Greening, GF (home of the Uponor brand), and the Minnesota Twins are united by a shared commitment to sustainability, healthy water ecosystems, and thriving communities. By bringing together their expertise in environmental restoration, sustainable water solutions, and community engagement, the partners are creating meaningful opportunities to restore Minnesota's natural resources and the communities that rely on them.

"The scale of environmental challenges facing our communities requires strong partnerships and shared action," said Kateri Routh, Executive Director at Great River Greening. "We are grateful to work alongside GF and the Minnesota Twins to restore critical habitat, improve water quality, and inspire stewardship throughout the Twin Cities. By combining our strengths, we can create lasting benefits for Minnesota's natural resources and the people who depend on them."

The work began last October at Creekside Park in Carver County as volunteers from each organization gathered as well as the Mayor of Carver, Courtney Johnson. Volunteers worked in groups to stabilize eroding streambanks to reduce pollution flowing into the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. In total, 153 shrubs were planted along the riverbank, which also prevents flooding. They even installed fencing around the shrubs to protect them from wildlife.

"Seeing this partnership come to life at Creekside Park set the tone for the work we're looking to accomplish throughout the duration of this partnership," said John Reutter, president of GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. "As the global leader in Flow Solutions, GF takes immense pride in protecting these critical resources and it's even more impactful joining forces with Great River Greening and the Minnesota Twins."

Now, the teams look forward to making a difference on Oct. 7 at Wood Lake Nature Center, a 150-acre natural area with three miles of trails and boardwalk used for wildlife observation and environmental education. Volunteers will focus on a 31-acre area to plant forbs (flowering plants) into a moist prairie, which is severely lacking in forb diversity. This will help offset the eroding buckthorn, which crowds out native shrubs, posing a threat to the forest's native layer.

"Sustainability is a hallmark of Target Field, and we know true environmental stewardship means taking action where it's needed most," said Nancy O'Brien, Minnesota Twins Senior Vice President, Community Engagement. "Protecting Minnesota's lakes and rivers is essential to our state's vitality. We're proud to partner with Great River Greening and GF to serve the communities we share. Together, our efforts will deliver lasting benefits for future generations."

To learn more about this healthy waters initiative, visit greatrivergreening.com.

About the Partners

Great River Greening

Great River Greening is a Minnesota-based nonprofit leading community-driven conservation efforts to restore land, protect water, and grow climate resilience. Through hands-on education and restoration projects, Greening empowers people to connect with and care for the natural spaces in their communities. To learn more, visit www.greatrivergreening.org.

GF

With a rich history in industrial innovation since 1802, GF is reshaping the future of Flow Solutions by delivering Excellence in Flow through mission-critical products and solutions that enable the safe and sustainable transport of water and other fluids for Buildings, Industry and Infrastructure. Headquartered in Switzerland, GF employs around 13'300 professionals across 46 countries. In 2025, GF's Flow Solutions business generated sales of CHF 3 billion. GF is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information, visit www.georgfischer.com.

#ExcellenceInFlow

About the Minnesota Twins

At the Minnesota Twins, we are driven by a singular purpose – to up the game, on the field and off. Unwavering in our commitment to deliver championships and be a force for good, our innovative and incredibly talented team is creating new ways to win, to uplift and to unite. We are proud to be Minnesota's baseball team. We believe in our power to create positive change. We are setting the standard for a modern sports and entertainment brand that shapes a better tomorrow for all. We invite you to earn more at twins.com.

Media Contacts:

Great River Greening

Kateri Roith, Executive Director

[email protected]

612.834.4881

GF Building Flow Solutions Americas

Courtney Hieb

Corporate Communications Manager

[email protected] 

612.816.0592

Minnesota Twins

Matt Hodson

Director, Business Communications

[email protected]

612.801.2808

SOURCE GF Building Flow Solutions

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In the news release, BERTRAM CAPITAL COMPLETES INVESTMENT IN PERCOPO COATINGS, issued 06-Oct-2026 by Bertram Capital over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

BERTRAM CAPITAL COMPLETES INVESTMENT IN PERCOPO COATINGS

Extends Firm's Trade Services Platform

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bertram Capital ("Bertram") announced today its investment in Percopo Coatings Company, LLC ("PCC" or the "Company"), a leading provider of coatings and restoration services for commercial, industrial, and institutional structures across the Southeastern United States. PCC represents the fifth platform investment in Bertram's Ignite fund. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PCC was founded in 2003 by Mike and Victoria Percopo and is headquartered in Longwood, FL. The Company has built a reputation among general contractors, developers, and facility owners for quality and speed to self-perform across multiple trades, eliminating the need for clients to manage multiple contractors.

"We are proud to partner with Bertram to accelerate our next phase of growth and continue building on more than two decades of expertise, craftsmanship, and client relationships," said Mike Percopo, Founder and CEO of PCC. "The team at Bertram demonstrated a clear understanding of our business, our people, and the standards we hold ourselves to. With the added digital capabilities of Bertram Labs, we believe we can further strengthen our operations and better serve our clients across the South."

PCC delivers painting, coatings and restoration solutions for commercial, institutional, hospitality, aviation, education, and government customers, with recognized project work spanning airports, resorts, theme parks, schools, and federal buildings.

"As backers of several scaled platforms across the trades, we appreciate the deep industry knowledge, relationships, entrepreneurial spirit, and grit required to operate a successful business in these categories," said Zack Bassi, Vice President at Bertram Capital. "Mike and Victoria have worked tirelessly to establish PCC as a household name in painting and specialty coatings with discerning GCs, developers and facility managers. We look forward to supporting PCC's next phase of growth with the assistance of Bertram Labs, our in-house technology team."

Bertram would like to recognize the teams at Cook M&A, led by Arnis Kins, and Ashurst Perkins Coie, led by Blake Schell, for their efforts in making this partnership possible. PCC is actively pursuing acquisition and partnership opportunities that expand the Company's geographic footprint and bring additional high-quality operators into the platform. Interested business owners may contact our partnerships team directly at [email protected].

Percopo Coatings Company, LLC

Founded in 2003 and based in Longwood, FL, Percopo Coatings Company (PCC) specializes in interior and exterior painting, coatings, waterproofing, seamless flooring, sandblasting, fireproofing/intumescent coatings, and restoration services for industrial, commercial, and institutional structures. PCC is trusted by clients including major airports, resort and hospitality operators, school districts, and federal agencies across the Southeastern United States. For more information, visit www.pccusa.com.

About Bertram Capital

Bertram Capital is a private equity firm targeting investments in lower middle-market companies. Since its inception in 2006, the firm has raised over $4.0 billion in capital commitments. In addition to providing strategic growth capital, Bertram Capital seeks to leverage proprietary processes and services, Bertram High-5℠ and Bertram Labs, to empower its portfolio companies to unlock their full potential.

Bertram High-5℠ is an operationally focused value-creation strategy that includes management augmentation, operational initiatives, complementary acquisitions, sales and marketing improvements, and technology integration. The cornerstone of this strategy is Bertram Labs, its in-house technology team, which drives growth through digital marketing, e-commerce, big data and analytics, application development, and platform optimization.

Bertram Capital V focuses on control investments in business services, consumer, and industrial sectors with EBITDA above $7.5 million. Bertram Ignite I focuses on both control and non-control investments in similar sectors, with a minimum EBITDA of $3 million.

For more information, visit www.bcap.com.

Media Contact

David Hellier

[email protected]

Correction: An earlier version of this release required an email address update. 

SOURCE Bertram Capital

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With modern Global PAYplus, BDO is enabling cost efficient modernization, greater automation, and more innovative and flexible payment services for customers

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global leader in financial services software, today announced that BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) has enhanced its payments infrastructure with Finastra's modern Global PAYplus (GPP), reinforcing the bank's ability to support growing transaction volumes, strengthen operational resilience, and advance interoperability across the payments ecosystem.

As a leading universal bank in the Philippines, BDO serves retail, commercial, and institutional clients across a broad range of banking and financial services. The bank also supports correspondent banking and fintech partners with payment distribution capabilities into the Philippine market.

The deployment of GPP's high-value and mass-payments capabilities provides a scalable foundation for current and future payment requirements. BDO currently utilizes the platform for Swift and inbound PESONet processing and is the largest commercial bank in the Philippines leveraging GPP.

With GPP, the bank benefits from greater automation, flexible rule-based payment processing, and improved operational efficiency, while gaining the agility to support evolving industry standards such as ISO 20022 and connect to new domestic and cross-border payment networks as they emerge.

"Payments are a critical enabler of commerce and economic activity, making resilient and scalable infrastructure increasingly important," said Carlo B. Nazareno, head of Cash Management Services at BDO. "By enhancing our payments architecture with Finastra's Global PAYplus, we have strengthened our ability to support growing transaction volumes, improve operational efficiency, and adapt to evolving market requirements. This provides a strong foundation for delivering a seamless client experience today while supporting future innovation across the payments ecosystem."

"Banks around the world are under growing pressure to deliver payment experiences that are immediate, reliable, and tailored to increasingly diverse customer needs," said Radha Suvarna, Chief Product Officer of Payments at Finastra. "By bringing high-value and mass-payments processing together on Global PAYplus, BDO is reducing complexity while creating a more flexible foundation for innovation. We are proud to support the bank as it advances its payments capabilities and expands the services it can provide to customers. Our partnership demonstrates both the international capabilities of our solution, as well as our commitment to supporting banks with complex requirements, including multiple clearing systems and nuanced corporate client needs."

This approach reflects a broader shift in the industry toward unified, AI-enabled payment hubs that consolidate and orchestrate multiple rails. It also reflects the importance of cloud-native, API-enabled architecture, ISO 20022 support, and intelligent operations as important foundations for payments innovation, operational efficiency, and faster time to market.

To learn more visit: Finastra's Global PAYplus solution | Finastra.

About Finastra

Finastra provides the mission-critical software that powers thousands of financial institutions in more than 100 countries - including many of the world's leading banks. Its technology helps financial institutions move money as well as extend and service loans that financial services businesses and consumers rely on every day. Backed by Vista Equity Partners, Finastra combines deep financial services expertise with secure, reliable, and scalable technology to help customers modernize operations, accelerate innovation, and grow their businesses in a rapidly evolving industry.

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About BDO

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail services such as loan and deposit products, treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, thrift banking and microfinance, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, life insurance, property & casualty insurance brokerage, cash cards, credit cards, and online and non-online stock brokerage services. BDO has the country's largest distribution network, with over 2,000 consolidated operating branches and more than 7,900 teller machines nationwide. It also has 13 international offices (including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore) in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.

SOURCE Finastra

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GET ENGAGED JOINS SAMY, CREATING A POWERFUL GLOBAL PLATFORM AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOCIAL, CREATORS, ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE

Partnership combines Get Engaged's deep U.S. relationships and culture-driven expertise with SAMY's global social-first scale and data, strategy and creative capabilities.

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Get Engaged, a leading U.S. social-first agency specializing in creators, talent, entertainment and culture, today announced that it is joining SAMY, a global independent social-first agency. The combination brings together two social specialists to create one of the largest independent social-first influencer/creator agencies in the world, expanding the capabilities both organizations can offer brands globally.

For Get Engaged clients, the combination provides access to greater global reach and international activation capabilities, complemented by deeper social-first expertise across data and insights, strategy, creative, content production, social commerce, and product and technology development. At the same time, Get Engaged will retain its founders, leadership, culture, client-first approach and hands-on service model.

Alex Dermer, CEO of Get Engaged said, "We built Get Engaged to help brands connect with culture in ways that move their businesses forward. Joining SAMY gives us the global reach, technology and talent to take that vision further. What excites me most is our shared ambition for where this industry is going and the role we can play in shaping it. As I step into the CEO role of Get Engaged, I'm proud of what we've built and energized by what this partnership makes possible for our clients and our team."

"The next era of marketing will belong to brands that create moments people want to be part of. We see a huge opportunity to bring brands, creators and talent together in ways that go well beyond a single campaign. With SAMY, we can take bigger swings and turn bold ideas into experiences and partnerships that reach audiences around the world." - Cam Fordham (Co-Founder)

Juan Andres Elhazaz, CEO of SAMY said, Joining forces with Get Engaged consolidates SAMY as an independent, global leader in social and creator marketing. Having established a proven track record as a leader in Europe and Latin America scaling our U.S. footprint was one of SAMY's primary growth objectives and Get Engaged is the ideal partner to lead that expansion. We now bring our data and insight- driven Influencer and Social capabilities, powered by tech and AI, to maximize strategy and creative output, allowing leading brands to resonate authentically with today's audiences.

Founded in 2016 by Alex Dermer, Cam Fordham and Ben Hiott, Get Engaged drives culture with the power of influence and cross-platform orchestration, building genuine connections between celebrities, creators and brands through engaging content. The company has grown to more than 120 employees across Atlanta, New York, Nashville and Los Angeles, serving clients including Sephora, Raising Cane's, DoorDash, Live Nation, NBCUniversal, EA Games, Sazerac, Universal Music Group, and Perplexity.

SAMY is a global, social-first agency that builds brand relevance by seamlessly integrating intelligence, creativity, and technology. Headquartered in Madrid, the agency operates with over 1,200 specialists across 20 offices and 55 markets worldwide, driving high-impact campaigns for leading global brands including L'Oréal, Barilla, The North Face, Diageo, Microsoft, Red Bull, Grindr and Unilever.

"Get Engaged has been a valued partner of Raising Cane's since 2018 and has helped the Brand reach new audiences in fun and engaging ways that feel authentic and genuine to both the Brand and our Customers," said Raising Cane's owner and founder Todd Graves. "The team at GE is collaborative, resourceful, and skilled at helping identify opportunities for Brands to capitalize on cultural moments and maintain that momentum through fresh ideas and industry-leading insight."

The partnership also expands opportunities for Get Engaged's existing clients, who will gain access to SAMY's global organization and the ability to activate campaigns across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Get Engaged will anchor SAMY's operations in the United States, with its founders, leadership and teams continuing to lead the business and its client relationships.

Beyond combining services, the combination will result in one of the largest independent social-first marketing organizations globally, built around how modern audiences discover and engage with brands across creators, entertainment and social ecosystems.

For employees, the combination creates new opportunities to collaborate internationally, work alongside a larger network of specialists, operate across additional markets and participate in building the next phase of a growing global organization.

"We've spent years developing a deep understanding of what captures attention, what people choose to share, and what makes content move across the internet. Joining SAMY gives us the global infrastructure, resources, and reach to build on that expertise at a much greater scale, helping more clients earn a meaningful place in the conversations shaping culture." Ben Hiott (Co-founder, Get Engaged)

The combined business will also benefit from the proprietary technology and AI-powered tools already in use across SAMY, as well as further developments to be brought to market together, enabling greater speed, intelligence and scale for clients. By pairing this technology with Get Engaged's access to talent and creators, cultural understanding and local-market expertise, the two agencies will help brands participate meaningfully in culture rather than simply advertise around it.

Héctor Pérez, Deputy Managing Partner of Bridgepoint Europe said "This is another important milestone in SAMY's global growth journey, bringing together two highly complementary social first businesses and significantly strengthening the group's presence in the US. Together, SAMY and Get Engaged will create a leading social first agency globally, with the scale, capabilities and local expertise to support clients across markets. We are pleased to continue supporting the team as they deliver on that ambition."

The Raine Group served as exclusive financial advisor to Get Engaged.

About Get Engaged

Founded in 2016 by Alex Dermer, Cam Fordham and Ben Hiott, Get Engaged is a social-first marketing company operating at the intersection of brands, entertainment, creators, talent and culture. With more than 100 employees and offices in Atlanta, New York, Nashville and Los Angeles, the company's capabilities include campaign ideation, social media management, influencer marketing, celebrity partnerships, content production and paid media. Get Engaged works with leading brands, platforms, labels, studios, creators and talent.

About SAMY

SAMY is a global social-first marketing organization with approximately 1,200 employees and operations across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The company brings together social-first strategy, technology, research and market intelligence, content and production, creator marketing and international operating infrastructure to help brands connect with audiences globally and execute effectively in local markets.

SOURCE Get Engaged

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