Partnership brings commercial and personal lines together in a unified offering for agents, insurers and embedded partners across the U.S., Europe and Asia

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bold Penguin, the Digital Broker for commercial insurance, announced a global strategic partnership with bolttech, the global insurtech operating in 39 countries across four continents. Together, the companies will build a joint commercial and personal lines offering for agents, insurers and embedded partners in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

The partnership combines complementary strengths. Bold Penguin brings its Digital Exchange for commercial lines, which intelligently matches risks to best-fit markets from submission ingestion through real-time quote and digital bind. It also brings the DeX ai intelligence layer and an integrated commercial carrier network. bolttech adds leadership in embedded distribution, AI-enabled workflows and global access to insurance and protection services across personal and commercial lines. Together, the partnership lets each company accelerate its roadmap while giving customers the connections and capabilities of both platforms.

For Bold Penguin's U.S. customers, the partnership adds access to bolttech's personal lines solutions through a single interface, alongside the commercial tools they already use.

"Our partners work with us because we're committed to their success, and we build software to help them grow intelligently in commercial insurance," said Peter Settel, President and CEO of Bold Penguin. "This partnership extends that commitment. Our U.S. customers will be able to offer bolttech's personal lines solutions through the same single interface they use with Bold Penguin today. That gives them more ways to protect the businesses, and the dreamers, risk-takers and creators behind them, that power the economy. As we grow globally together, our partners gain new reach backed by the innovation and trusted execution they count on from us."

"Bold Penguin is the leading commercial insurance distribution platform," said Rob Schimek, Group Chief Executive Officer of bolttech. "Their submission automation, AI-powered underwriting workflows and commercial orchestration platform complement our technology capabilities, personal lines expertise, and insurance ecosystem globally. Together, we can deliver a more seamless, connected insurance experience for distribution partners and customers around the world."

About Bold Penguin

Bold Penguin is the risk exchange for commercial insurance, the place where insureds and the markets who will cover them transact. DeX ai, Bold Penguin's intelligence layer, sits in the middle, filling the gaps in submissions and routing them to the markets most likely to bind. Brokers and carriers build on top of this infrastructure. Submissions that took days clear in minutes.

About bolttech

bolttech is a global insurtech with a mission to build the world's leading, technology-enabled ecosystem for protection and insurance. bolttech serves customers in 39 markets across Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa.

With a full suite of digital and data-driven capabilities, bolttech powers connections between insurers, distributors, and customers to make it easier and more efficient to buy and sell insurance and protection products.

For more information, please visit www.bolttech.io.

For more information about bolttech in North America (bolt), visit https://boltinc.com/

Media contact

Claire Fiorelli

Social Media & Agency Operations Manager, Bold Penguin

[email protected]

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Diversis Capital LLC ("Diversis"), a Los Angeles-based software and technology services-focused private equity firm, today announced that it has acquired majority ownership of Tideworks Technology® Inc. ("Tideworks") from Carrix, Inc. which is majority owned by Blackstone Infrastructure Partners. Tideworks is a full-service provider of comprehensive terminal operating system (TOS) solutions for marine and intermodal rail terminal operations worldwide, serving more than 130 facilities across the globe. This transaction represents a significant milestone for Diversis as it continues to expand its portfolio of market-leading vertical software businesses.

Founded in 1999 as the technology division of Carrix, Inc., Tideworks has grown into a global software brand with deep expertise in cargo transportation operations. The company's product suite – including its flagship Mainsail 10 TOS, Intermodal PRO, and a suite of planning and execution tools – powers terminal operators across North America, Europe, and Latin America. With over 300,000 logistics professionals relying on Tideworks' solutions daily, the company occupies a mission-critical position in the global port and intermodal infrastructure ecosystem.

Diversis plans to invest in accelerating Tideworks' product innovation, expanding its go-to-market capabilities, and deepening its relationships across its global terminal operator and intermodal rail customer bases. The firm intends to leverage its operational expertise and software-focused value creation playbook to support Tideworks' next phase of growth as a standalone, independent business.

Uffe Ostergaard, Chief Executive Officer of Carrix, said, "Since its founding, Tideworks has been an integral part of Carrix, and we are proud of the exceptional product and team that has been built over the past 25 years. As Tideworks enters this next chapter, it was important to us to find a partner with deep software experience to work closely with the Tideworks leadership team to further enhance the platform and expand its product capabilities. We believe Diversis is the right partner with the experience and collaborative approach to help Tideworks continue delivering the quality, innovation, and service that its customers rely on."

Subbu Bhat, President of Tideworks Technology, said, "This is an exciting new chapter for Tideworks and our customers. As an independent software company backed by Diversis, we are well-positioned to accelerate our product roadmap, expand our global footprint, and continue delivering the innovation and service that terminal operators around the world depend on. Our mission remains the same: partnering with our customers to optimize global logistics with integrity, efficiency, and flexibility. We are grateful for the support of Carrix throughout this journey and look forward to what lies ahead."

Kevin Ma, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Diversis Capital, said, "We have been looking for the right vertical software business in the port and logistics technology space for some time, and Tideworks is exactly the type of company we love to partner with – a true market leader with a mission-critical product, a loyal and growing customer base, and a highly talented management team. Subbu and the entire Tideworks team have built something truly special, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support their continued growth. We intend to invest meaningfully in the platform, the team, and the product to ensure Tideworks remains the gold standard for terminal operating systems globally."

About Tideworks Technology

Tideworks Technology® Inc. is a full-service provider of comprehensive terminal operating system solutions for growing marine and intermodal rail terminal operations worldwide. Launched in 1999 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Tideworks helps more than 130 facilities run their operations more efficiently and profitably. From optimized equipment utilization to faster turn times, Tideworks works at every step of terminal operations to maximize productivity and customer service. For more information, please visit www.tideworks.com.

About Diversis Capital, L.P.

Founded in 2013, Diversis is a software and technology focused private equity fund that invests in lower middle-market companies, targeting situations where it can add unique value in helping a company reach the next level. With a collaborative approach to investing, its Operating Partners work alongside management teams to help build successful organizations positioned for long-term growth.

About Carrix, Inc.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Carrix is one of the world's leading independent marine and intermodal terminal operators, with operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, and in Vietnam. Since its founding in 1949, Carrix has continued to grow, while always remaining focused on its customers' interests.

Media Contact:

Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

[email protected]

914-834-4334

SOURCE Diversis Capital

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SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is investigating potential violations of United States federal securities laws involving Suja Life, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUJA).

If you have any information that could assist in the Suja Life investigation or if you are a Suja Life investor who suffered a loss and would like to learn more, you can provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-suja-life-inc-investigation-suja.html

You can also contact Robbins Geller attorneys Ken Dolitsky or Michael Albert by calling 800/851-7783 or via e-mail at [email protected].

THE COMPANY: Suja Life engages in the production and selling of organic and cold-pressed juices and wellness shots. On May 7, 2026, Suja Life conducted its initial public offering, raising net proceeds of more than $170 million by selling 8,888,889 shares at $21.

THE REVELATION: On August 4, 2026, Suja Life reported second quarter 2026 financial results, adjusting full year 2026 net sales guidance down to $360 to $369 million "reflecting near-term softness concentrated in the grocery channel." On this news, the price of Suja Life stock fell more than 46%.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder rights litigation. Our Firm ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report, recovering more than $916 million for investors in 2025. This marks our fourth #1 ranking in the past five years. And in those five years alone, Robbins Geller recovered $8.4 billion for investors – $3.4 billion more than any other law firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

          Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

          Michael Albert

          Ken Dolitsky

          655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

          800/851-7783

          [email protected] 

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

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Guest Messaging delivers informed answers to guests while giving hotel teams a single, AI-powered inbox. Automations let hotel teams build the loyalty moments for deeper personalization

AMSTERDAM, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mews, the operating system for hospitality, has launched Guest Messaging and Automations, two native features that address the same underlying problem from opposite ends: too much of a hotel's attention goes to repetitive work, not leaving enough time to spend time with guests.

One in three guest messages goes unanswered because they land across six or seven inboxes no one can watch at once. Guests who do get a reply wait eight hours on average. Guest Messaging brings every channel into one thread, tied to the guest's profile and reservation. A guest can text from the airport, switch to WhatsApp on arrival, then message through the guest portal, and staff see one conversation, not three.

Mews AI, trained on the property's own data, answers 80% of routine questions instantly: pool hours, parking, late checkout, breakfast. That frees staff for what needs a human touch: the guest at the desk, the complicated request. And because Mews AI sees the whole guest profile (room status, billing, special requests), it never asks guests for details the PMS already holds.

Matt Marrs, Operator at Llano Real Estate Group, added: "Guest messaging has been a game changer for us. We can broadcast a message to everyone checking in or checking out on a given day - like letting guests know the pool's closed for maintenance - instead of reaching out one by one. And because the AI is trained on our own answers, it automatically handles common questions like pool hours, so we're not spending time typing out the same replies over and over."

Automations close the other half of the gap: creating the loyalty moments that too often depend on having the right person on shift – a returning guest, a birthday, a newly reached loyalty tier, a VIP who always gets the corner room. While most hospitality automation focuses on revenue (upsells, dynamic pricing, paid upgrades), Mews enables hotels to automate the moments that make guests want to come back.

A rule is set once, in a no-code workflow engine, and Mews runs it every shift with no memory required. At selected Strawberry properties, up to 60% of upgrades for Gold & Platinum guests were automated. Paired with Guest Messaging, an arriving guest automatically receives a personalized welcome message with their door access PIN the moment they check in. Mews Automations will continue to expand, giving properties the flexibility to design operational workflows to suit their business.

Together, the two features change what the job looks like on both ends of the property. Front desk staff spend less time triaging inboxes, and more time doing the part of hospitality that needs a person. GMs and IT managers spend less time hoping the right thing happens and more time building the rules that guarantee it.

"I built a fully automated room check workflow without a single hour of engineering time," said Maurits Bots, Hotel ICT Specialist at WestCord. "For a hotel our size, that's the difference between a task that gets forgotten and one that simply gets done – consistently, every week."

"Your front desk team isn't slow, they're drowning," said Joel Ndreu, VP Product & Engineering at Mews. "Checking multiple inboxes when they should be looking up from the screen isn't what hospitality is about. Guest Messaging is about giving them that time back, and Automations means the things that make a guest feel remembered happen automatically, without anyone having to be the one who remembers. No missed birthday, no upgrade forgotten, no opportunity lost because the right person wasn't on shift."

Guest Messaging launches with support for SMS, WhatsApp, Booking.com, Expedia and the Mews Guest Portal. The automations behind it are already working: during the Beta alone, 47,000 automations ran across Mews.

About Mews

Mews is the operating system for hospitality, unifying workflows across revenue, operations and the guest journey so teams can automate the mundane and focus on memorable guest experiences. The Mews platform spans PMS, POS, RMS, Housekeeping and Payments, helping hoteliers move from property management to profit management. Powering 15,000 customers across 85 countries, the company was named Best PMS (2024, 2025, 2026), Best POS (2026) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech for six years running by Hotel Tech Report.

Media contact: [email protected]

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Gauth Launches Unlimited Digital Canvas, Gives Students One Continuous Whiteboard to Visualize, Explore and Understand Complex Topics

New interactive whiteboard lets students and Gauth's AI Tutor work through lessons together on one continuous canvas, replacing traditional slides and chat-based learning

SINGAPORE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gauth, the all-in-one study platform, today announced the launch of Unlimited Digital Canvas, a new whiteboard feature inside Gauth AI Course that works like a real tutor sitting next to a student. Instead of slides and separate chat messages, students and the AI Tutor now share one big board, writing and visually working through problems together in the same space. The update, now live across both history and math libraries, is the biggest change to how AI Course lessons are built and navigated since the product launched in July.

Gauth AI Course currently offers history and math subject libraries built around interactive, visual learning, and the Unlimited Digital Canvas expands what these libraries can do. For Premium Courses, the canvas brings complex subjects like Math, Physics, Biology, Geography, and Computer Science to life through continuous 3D simulations and animations. For learner-generated courses, students can turn a personal topic or uploaded document into an interactive lesson with synced narration, board notes, and embedded Quick Checks.

Unlimited Digital Canvas is designed to mirror how students actually think through a topic. Chapters expand side-by-side in real time as narration plays, so students can see how an early step connects to a later one across one continuous map, rather than flipping between isolated slides. Smooth pan-and-zoom features let a student move fluidly between the big picture and a single detail, and every session picks up exactly where they left off.

For subjects where flat diagrams fall short, the canvas becomes a dynamic visual engine with its continuous 3D flythroughs, real-time simulations, and animated walkthroughs that help bridge the gap between an abstract rule and how it actually behaves in the real world. For example, instead of showing students three separate diagrams explaining how a tornado forms, Unlimited Digital Canvas can walk them through the process in one continuous 3D visualization, showing how temperature, wind and air pressure interact and eventually create a rotating storm.

When a concept doesn't land, students can pause and ask the AI Tutor a question at any point. The AI Tutor writes its explanation directly onto the board beneath the student's current step, keeping its reasoning visible right where the student is working.

"We didn't design Unlimited Digital Canvas around the shape of a textbook page, we designed it around the shape of a student's thought process," commented Alan Wang, Gauth CTO. "Learning isn't linear and with this canvas, students can finally move through a topic by zooming into a single detail or panning out to see the whole concept, picking up exactly where they left off, with the AI Tutor working in tandem so as a student works through a problem, the tutor can see exactly where their thinking is and step in at that exact point."

The update includes features to support learning without limits.

- 3-Minute Mastery: Bite-sized courses that break down complex topics fast.

- Real Tutor Feel: Recreates the flow of a real 1-on-1 tutor session right on an endless whiteboard.

- Zero-Friction: Eliminates the steep costs, scheduling hassles, and social anxiety of traditional tutoring.

- Dynamic & Intuitive: Interactive spatial visuals and real-time AI guidance build a live mind map of the full topic, allowing you to zoom in on specific details without ever losing sight of the bigger picture.

The Unlimited Digital Canvas restores a student's exact position and zoom level when they reopen a session and allows full lessons to be exported as a landscape PDF or shared via link. Contextual element-level Q&A, animation, and 3D assets for personalized lessons are planned for a future release. The Unlimited Digital Canvas is available now within Gauth AI Course.

About Gauth

Gauth is an industry-leading all-in-one AI study platform. Purpose-built for education, Gauth provides deep conceptual understanding and connects users with expert resources to solve complex academic challenges. For more information, please visit Gauth's official website and its TikTok.

Media Contact

[email protected] 

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Powered by Starkey AI, Featuring revolutionary G4 Neuro Processor, Quad DNN Architecture, and a Complete Hearing Technology Family

- World's first DNN Dual Compressor addresses the delicate balance between improving hearing performance while minimizing distorted sound quality eliminates the traditional tradeoff between speech clarity and sound quality

- Breakthrough Quad DNN Architecture delivers faster, more natural hearing through four AI systems working together in real time

- Expanded product family includes Auracast™ compatibility, Sleep Quality Tracking, and premium AI performance across more styles

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Starkey today announces Omega AI+, its most advanced hearing technology family ever. Powered by Starkey's proprietary Quad DNN Architecture and revolutionary G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, Omega AI+ introduces the world's first DNN Dual Compressor, all-new feedback management system, expanded AI-powered performance across more products, and adds new wellness and connectivity capabilities, including industry-only Sleep Quality Tracking.

At the core of Omega AI+ is Starkey's G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, with neural network intelligence built directly into the silicon. Featuring Starkey's proprietary, breakthrough Quad DNN Architecture, Omega AI+ uses four specialized deep neural networks that work in concert to analyze, interpret, and optimize sound in real time. Inspired by how multiple neural systems in the human brain process information, the architecture enables faster, more natural hearing while maintaining exceptional power efficiency.

"Omega AI+ reflects where Starkey is taking hearing technology—and our vision for what it can become," said Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey. "We are not simply building better hearing aids. We are creating intelligent technology that understands, adapts, and responds more like the human brain itself. By bringing together our most advanced AI, exceptional sound quality, seamless connectivity, and health and wellness technology, Omega AI+ moves hearing technology beyond better hearing—helping people connect more naturally, live more confidently, and experience more of life."

"The human brain relies on multiple neural systems working together to make sense of the world of sound," said Achin Bhowmik, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering at Starkey. "Omega AI+ applies that same principle through our proprietary brain-inspired Quad DNN Architecture, where four specialized deep neural networks continuously work together to optimize speech understanding, environmental awareness, sound quality, and listening comfort. The result is faster, more intelligent, and more natural hearing."

AI Performance Redefined

At the center of Omega AI+ is Starkey's proprietary Quad DNN Architecture, where four specialized deep neural networks continuously analyze and optimize listening experiences in real time.

One of the architecture's breakthrough innovations is the world's first DNN Dual Compressor. Traditional hearing technology has long required a tradeoff between speech intelligibility and sound quality. Omega AI+ eliminates that compromise by intelligently determining when to optimize for speech clarity and when to preserve natural sound quality, creating a smoother and more natural listening experience.

Powered by the G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, Omega AI+ processes sound up to 2.7 times faster than leading hearing aids that market DNN processing capabilities. The platform also introduces enhanced Edge Mode technology, which can remain active continuously to provide ongoing AI-driven optimization without requiring manual activation.

Bringing Advanced AI to More Patients

Omega AI+ extends Starkey's most advanced AI technologies across a broader range of hearing solutions. Custom rechargeable products now feature Starkey's proprietary DNN 360 technology, designed to improve speech intelligibility, enhance spatial awareness, and reduce listening effort.

The Omega AI+ family also expands to include custom non-wireless devices with Automatic Edge Mode, bringing dynamic environmental adaptation and premium AI-powered performance to Starkey's smallest custom hearing aids.

Omega AI+ also supports Auracast™ broadcast audio, enabling wearers to access compatible public and personal audio broadcasts while staying connected to conversations, entertainment, and important information.

Wellness Beyond Better Hearing

Omega AI+ continues Starkey's leadership in combining hearing technology with wellness innovation. Industry-first, new Sleep Quality Tracking provides nightly sleep scores and insights into sleep cycles and body position using onboard sensors, further extending the role of hearing technology beyond hearing health.

By combining a groundbreaking Quad DNN Architecture, the world's first DNN Dual Compressor, advanced wellness capabilities, and seamless connectivity, Omega AI+ establishes a new benchmark for intelligent hearing technology and reinforces Starkey's vision of helping people hear better, connect more fully, and live healthier lives.

About Starkey

Starkey is a leading global innovator in hearing technology and AI-powered hearing aids, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Since its founding by Bill Austin in 1967 and led today by Brandon Sawalich, Starkey has driven breakthroughs in unmatched sound clarity and machine learning and intelligent hearing technology. As the only American-owned hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey employs over 5,000 professionals across 29 facilities, delivering advanced hearing solutions to customers in 100+ markets worldwide. Explore our smart hearing devices and connected technologies at www.starkey.com.

SOURCE Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

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McKool Smith Named 2026 IP "Litigation Department of the Year" by Texas Lawyer

DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- McKool Smith has been named Intellectual Property "Litigation Department of the Year" at the 2026 Texas Legal Awards, presented by Texas Lawyer. The Texas Legal Awards honor the attorneys and law firms making a lasting impact on the Texas legal landscape, from groundbreaking case wins to innovative legal strategies. Winners were celebrated at the awards ceremony on September 30 in Dallas.

The firm recognition reflects a track record of success in high-stakes IP disputes. In the Eastern District of Texas, Austin Principal Steve Pollinger, as lead counsel, along with Marshall Principal Jennifer Truelove, won a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility against Samsung on wireless charging patents that was held in full at final judgment. Jennifer also served as co-lead trial counsel on a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung on OLED display patents. At the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the firm's campaign for Nokia against Hisense ended in a global license resolving the dispute in every jurisdiction.

The department's recent results also include a stretch of significant trial wins for Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial in the Eastern District of Texas, defeating $436 million in claimed damages. The jury found no infringement, invalidated all nine asserted claims, and held that the plaintiffs had breached their own FRAND obligations. That verdict followed back-to-back 2025 defense wins Warren co-led against Daingean Technologies, also in the Eastern District, cutting a $245 million demand against T-Mobile to $2 million and then winning a verdict of no infringement for AT&T. On the plaintiff side, Warren secured an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia that Amazon infringed five of seven asserted patents, and Nokia reached a settlement with Amazon shortly thereafter.

With more than 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America's leading trial firms. The firm has secured 18 nine-figure jury verdicts and 16 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal "Top 100 Verdicts" than any other law firm. McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense matters.

SOURCE McKool Smith

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New location will bring signature fundraiser to an adventure destination in Sheridan

SHERIDAN, Ind., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Special Olympics Indiana is bringing its 2027 Polar Plunge season showcase to a new location, moving the signature fundraising event from Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis to SKYLAKE Adventures, a new adventure park in Sheridan.

The move marks an exciting new chapter for the Polar Plunge, which has become one of Special Olympics Indiana's most popular and recognizable fundraisers. The bucket-list experience will continue to challenge Hoosiers to brave the cold and raise funds to support athletes with intellectual disabilities while offering participants a new setting for a day of fun, celebration and community.

"Polar Plunge is about so much more than getting into cold water. It is about people coming together, challenging themselves and showing their commitment to our athletes," said Jeff Mohler, president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana. "Eagle Creek Park has been a wonderful partner for so many years. We are excited to take that experience to SKYLAKE Adventures and introduce our plungers to a new venue that gives us even more opportunities to celebrate what makes Polar Plunge so special."

SKYLAKE Adventures opened in June 2026 just north of Westfield's Grand Park Sports Campus. The destination's first phase included a six-acre manmade lagoon, white-sand beaches, floating obstacle courses, water slides and other outdoor attractions. For its new winter adventures, activities will include a large snow tubing hill, ice skating, a three-story ropes course and holiday activities.

The new venue provides a distinctive backdrop for the season-ending celebration while preserving the traditions that have made Polar Plunge a favorite among participants, including costumes, teams, fundraising challenges and, of course, the opportunity to take the plunge for Special Olympics Indiana. Ramp access to the water will create opportunities for individuals who use wheelchairs to participate.

"Special Olympics Indiana is an incredible organization, and the Polar Plunge has become such an iconic tradition in communities across our state," said Sean "Mouse" Howard, co-founder of SKYLAKE Adventures. "We couldn't be more excited to welcome the athletes, families, volunteers, supporters and plungers to our beautiful new park. We built this place around adventure, bringing people together and creating experiences they'll remember, so this partnership feels like a natural fit. We're honored that Special Olympics Indiana has chosen SKYLAKE Adventures for such a meaningful event, and we can't wait to jump in alongside them."

The 2027 Polar Plunge season will feature more than 20 events across Indiana from January through March, welcoming individuals, families, businesses, schools, law enforcement agencies and community groups. In 2026, more than 3,000 Hoosiers participated and raised more than $1 million for Special Olympics Indiana.

The two-day event at SKYLAKE Adventures will include a school plunge on Friday and a community plunge on Saturday. Nearly 1,000 individuals registered for those two plunges in 2026.

Funds raised through Polar Plunge help Special Olympics Indiana provide year-round sports training and competition, as well as health, leadership and other programs for more than 20,000 Hoosiers with intellectual disabilities.

Additional details about the 2027 Polar Plunge season, including the complete schedule, registration information and season showcase details, will be announced soon.

For more information, visit PolarPlungeIN.org or soindiana.org.

About Special Olympics Indiana

Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is part of the global Special Olympics movement, created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. Its vision is an inclusive world, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

About SKYLAKE Adventures

SKYLAKE Adventures is a year-round outdoor adventure destination in Sheridan, Indiana, just north of Westfield. Opened in June 2026, SKYLAKE gives guests the freedom to build their own experience, from relaxing on white-sand beaches and enjoying water attractions in the summer to climbing, exploring and taking on new adventures throughout the year. During the winter season, SKYLAKE transforms with snow tubing, ice skating and a festive holiday atmosphere featuring lights, firepits, seasonal treats and more. Whether guests come for adventure, relaxation or time together, SKYLAKE Adventures offers something new to experience in every season. For more information, visit www.skylakeindiana.com.

SOURCE SKYLAKE Adventures

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YPO Iowa Launches Inaugural Innovation Challenge to Showcase Iowa's Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Statewide pitch competition will award $20,000 in prize funding and connect emerging founders with Iowa business leaders

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Iowa chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) announced the inaugural YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge, a statewide entrepreneurship competition designed to accelerate innovation, elevate emerging founders, and strengthen Iowa's startup ecosystem. The event will take place Wednesday, January 27, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holmes Murphy, located at 7000 Vista Drive in West Des Moines.

The one-day challenge will bring together promising collegiate entrepreneurs and Iowa startup founders for a live pitch competition, providing participants with access to business leaders, investors, mentors, and growth opportunities. Eight finalists will be selected to compete across two tracks: Collegiate Entrepreneurs and Iowa Startup Founders.

"Iowa has no shortage of bold ideas or talented entrepreneurs. The YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge is designed to connect those founders with experienced leaders, practical insight, and resources that can help turn promising ideas into thriving Iowa businesses," said Dan Keough, YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge Day Co- Chair, Holmes Murphy Chairman & CEO, and Co-CEO for BrokerTech Ventures. "When we invest in innovators here at home, we strengthen communities and help build the future of our state."

Applications will open October 1, 2026. Eligible applicants include current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at any Iowa college or university, as well as early-stage companies and founders headquartered and operating in Iowa.

Participants will compete for $20,000 in total prize funding. In the Iowa Startup Founders track, first place will receive $9,000 and second place will receive $4,000. In the Collegiate Entrepreneurs track, first place will receive $5,000 and second place will receive $2,000.

Finalists will present their ventures directly to YPO Iowa members and gain exposure across Iowa's business and innovation communities. The YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge is seeking applicants in fintech, insurtech, manufacturing technology, agtech, and general technology.

Featured speakers include Dan Houston, retired Chairman, President and CEO of Principal Financial Group; Sean McMurray, Startup Founder and Entrepreneur; Jon Shanahan, Founder, President and CEO of Businessolver; and Kyle McMahon, Founder and CEO of Tractor Zoom. The event is chaired by Dan Keough and Brent Cobb, CEO of World Class Industries.

The YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge is supported by Holmes Murphy, World Class Industries, Grace Technologies, Kendall Hunt, and Shift Interactive.

About YPO Iowa

YPO Iowa is the Iowa chapter of YPO, a global leadership community of chief executives. Through peer learning, leadership development, and shared experiences, YPO Iowa connects business leaders committed to growing as leaders and creating positive impact in their companies and communities.

Learn More

Applications open October 1, 2026. Visit YPO Iowa Innovation Challenge for eligibility, application, and event information.

Media Contact

Susan Hatten

Chief Marketing Officer, Holmes Murphy

Chief Operating Officer, BrokerTech Ventures

[email protected]

515-441-2318

SOURCE YPO Iowa

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NTAP provides additional Medicare reimbursement to hospitals using PearlMatrix, the first and only bone growth accelerator demonstrating superior lumbar fusion speed

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerapedics Inc., a commercial-stage musculoskeletal company dedicated to redefining the path to bone repair, today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) status for PearlMatrix® P-15 Peptide Enhanced Bone Graft, a Class III drug-device combination product for skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. PearlMatrix NTAP status is effective October 1, 2026.

The NTAP designation provides supplemental reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare facilities that utilize novel technologies that represent significant clinical advances. PearlMatrix was granted NTAP status under CMS' alternative NTAP pathway which recognizes the transformative nature of products that have received U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device designation. Inclusion in the NTAP program highlights the potential to address a critical need for patients requiring faster fusion products backed by strong clinical evidence.

"With the NTAP approval, financial barriers for hospitals may be lowered, allowing more patients access to PearlMatrix," said Valeska Schroeder, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Cerapedics. "This supports our commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions that improve patient outcomes. Our P-15 drug-device products are supported by extensive human clinical evidence, including the long-standing proven safety and efficacy of i-FACTOR in the cervical spine. With PearlMatrix, we have a new formulation designed for the lumbar spine that is supported by an unprecedented clinical trial demonstrating superiority in fusion speed versus local autograft."

PearlMatrix is the first and only bone growth accelerator proven to substantially increase lumbar fusion speed. In a Level 1, pivotal premarket approval (PMA) study conducted under Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), it demonstrated superior results across all patients, including approximately 60% high-risk patients (nicotine users, BMI≥30, and/or type 2 diabetes). The study showed more than twice as many patients achieved fusion at six months compared to those receiving local autograft alone, with substantially higher fusion rates sustained at 12 and 24 months in both overall and high-risk patient populations.

The NTAP program applies to eligible Medicare beneficiaries receiving inpatient care at hospitals paid under the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). For qualifying inpatient cases involving PearlMatrix, NTAP approval allows for up to 65% reimbursement of the additional cost associated with the technology. This approval can help support patient access to innovative medical technologies during the early stages of adoption and can also influence commercial insurers as they consider recent technology like PearlMatrix.

About PearlMatrix® P-15 Peptide Enhanced Bone Graft

PearlMatrix P-15 Peptide Enhanced Bone Graft is the first and only bone growth accelerator proven to accelerate lumbar fusion with demonstrated statistically superior fusion speed. P-15 Peptide, the active component of PearlMatrix, provides a distinct and proven mechanism of action to attach and activate osteogenic cells to accelerate new bone formation. P-15 Peptide is a 15-amino-acid sequence found naturally in Type-1 collagen, the predominant protein in bone. It serves a crucial role in the bone regeneration process as a powerful cell attachment factor. Cerapedics' pharmaceutically manufactured P-15 Peptide is bound onto calcium phosphate particles, creating a P-15-enhanced scaffold that provides an abundance of attachment sites for osteogenic (bone-forming) cells. Cell attachment activates pathways that release cell-signaling growth factors and allows bone growth through natural cellular processes.

Indications for use

PearlMatrix® Bone Graft is indicated for intervertebral body fusion of the spine in skeletally mature patients. PearlMatrix® Bone Graft is intended to be used in conjunction with a PEEK, titanium alloy, or PEEK/titanium interbody fusion device and supplemental internal spinal fixation systems cleared by the FDA for use in the lumbosacral spine. The system is to be used in patients who have had at least six months of non-operative treatment. PearlMatrix® Bone Graft is intended for use at one level in the lumbar spine (L2-S1) for the treatment of degenerative disc disease (DDD) with up to Grade I spondylolisthesis. DDD is defined as back and/or radicular pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history, physical exam, and radiographic studies.

The following open or minimally invasive surgical approaches may be used with PearlMatrix Bone Graft:

- ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion)

- TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion)

- PLIF (posterior lumbar interbody fusion)

- OLIF/ATP (oblique lumbar interbody fusion/anterior to psoas)

- LLIF (lateral lumbar interbody fusion)

PearlMatrix should not be used in situations where there is an absence of load-bearing structural support at the graft site, sensitivity to components or the product, active infection at the operative site, or operative site subject to excessive impact or stress.

Care should be exercised in treating individuals with preexisting conditions that may affect the success of the surgical procedure such as individuals with bleeding disorders of any etiology, long-term steroidal therapy, immunosuppressive therapy or high dosage radiation therapy. The effect of PearlMatrix on pregnant or nursing patients has not been evaluated. PearlMatrix in a TLIF procedure was associated with a higher rate of secondary surgical interventions compared to local autograft.

PearlMatrix should only be used by physicians who are experienced with procedures using anterior, lateral, oblique, posterior or transforaminal lumber interbody fusion approaches and in surgical procedures where it can be adequately contained at the bony void or defect.

To learn more about PearlMatrix, its indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential adverse events, visit our website at www.cerapedics.com or refer to the PearlMatrix Instructions for Use for complete safety and risk information.

About Cerapedics

Cerapedics is a commercial-stage musculoskeletal company that is dedicated to redefining the path to bone repair by healing bones faster and at higher rates, so all patients can get back to living their fullest lives. Bone grafts, including Cerapedics' products, are used in over four million annual spine, orthopedics, trauma, and interventional procedures worldwide. Cerapedics has two drug-device products approved by the FDA and powered by Cerapedics' proprietary P-15 Osteogenic Cell Binding Peptide: PearlMatrix® Bone Graft for all major lumbar interbody surgical approaches and i-FACTOR® Bone Graft for single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in the cervical spine. Cerapedics is headquartered in Westminster, CO.

For more information, visit us at www.cerapedics.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media contact: FleishmanHillard 

[email protected] 

SOURCE Cerapedics Inc.

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