Momentum grows for the Foundation as the GoFundMe co-founder and TL Foundation board chair joins civic leaders Buzz Woolley and Malin Burnham in supporting the organization’s evergreen philanthropic venture fund for San Diego 

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 20, 2026 — TL Foundation Board Chair Andy Ballester has donated $1 million to accelerate the foundation’s philanthropic venture fund, advancing the early vision and support of civic leaders Malin Burnham and Buzz Woolley. The gift reflects Ballester’s conviction that those who care about San Diego must play active roles in shaping its future.

San Diego has world-class founders, talent and research. For the region to grow and prosper, it needs local capital to translate that potential into companies, jobs and opportunity. TL Foundation was created to address this critical need.

TL Foundation’s fund empowers San Diego’s entrepreneurs to turn their best ideas into promising businesses that start, scale and stay here. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, TL combines philanthropy with venture investing, putting charitable dollars to work in San Diego and reinvesting returns to support more local founders. Their success strengthens the city’s economy and community today while delivering greater resilience over time.

This innovation and economic flywheel is why Ballester, Burnham and Woolley became early supporters of TL Foundation. They saw a uniquely powerful opportunity to significantly multiply their philanthropic impact for San Diego today and tomorrow.

Every dollar invested in TL goes to work immediately to help promising early stage San Diego startups. That gift’s impact grows in impact over time as TL’s investments generate returns, and the proceeds return to the foundation to back more local entrepreneurs.

TL’s flywheel is already well engaged in the community. The Foundation has invested in six outstanding San Diego companies: Condor Software, Looq, Papillon Therapeutics, Resolute Science, Proper Voltage and Welby Health.

Ballester, a technology entrepreneur, product leader and philanthropist, has spent his career helping people act on what they care about. As co-founder of GoFundMe, he helped create one of the world’s largest online fundraising platforms, empowering people and communities to raise billions of dollars for worthy causes. He also co-founded EyePop.ai, an AI Vision platform, and BQuest Foundation, which supports climate, sustainability and housing equity initiatives. 

Those experiences shaped a simple belief: When people are given a trusted, accessible way to help, they step forward.

“San Diego became America’s Finest City through the committed efforts of local leaders who saw its potential,” Ballester said. “If we want this community to continue to thrive, we must invest in it. TL Foundation is how we do that.”

“We are deeply grateful for Andy’s commitment to TL and inspired by his active leadership. Andy doesn’t just talk about our city’s challenges and opportunities. He backs his commitment with significant funding, time and expertise,” said Kris Lichter, CEO of TL Foundation. “We encourage all San Diegans to join us in building TL into the engine that keeps San Diego moving forward.  Every gift can make an impact today and an even bigger, exponential outcome tomorrow.”

Anyone who loves San Diego can be part of the TL Foundation. There is no minimum donation. TL accepts direct gifts, donor-advised fund grants and public or private stock donations.

Get involved by contacting the TL team at [email protected] and visiting https://SanDiegoTLF.org.

Media Contact:
Michele Moninger
858-450-9872
[email protected] 

SOURCE TL Foundation

The latest funding round supports joint projects in agtech, digital health, medical devices, quantum computing, space, and semiconductors, with total project investment expected to reach $20 million.

WASHINGTON D.C., Oct. 20, 2026 — In September 2026, the Board of Governors of the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation approved $7.4 million in conditional grants for seven joint R&D projects between U.S. and Israeli companies. Including private-sector investment, total investment in the projects is expected to reach $20 million.

The BIRD Foundation supports strategic collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies to jointly develop innovative products and technologies for global markets. In addition to providing conditional grants of up to $1.5 million per project, the Foundation helps companies identify suitable partners and build cross-border collaborations.

Projects submitted to BIRD are evaluated by BIRD staff and by expert reviewers appointed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and by the Israel Innovation Authority.

The seven newly approved projects bring the total number of BIRD-supported collaborations to more than 1,200 since the Foundation’s establishment in 1977. To date, BIRD has invested approximately $470 million in joint projects, helping generate more than $10 billion in direct and indirect revenue.

The newly approved projects are:

• Ibex Medical Analytics (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Proscia (Philadelphia, PA) will develop an AI-based precision oncology platform that automates biomarker scoring and integrates it into digital pathology workflows.
• NovaLink Space (Holon, Israel) and Ciena Corporation (Hanover, MD) will develop a compact, terabit-class satellite laser communication terminal that integrates NovaLink’s optical phased array (OPA) technology with Ciena’s coherent transceiver.
• Qarakal Quantum (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Quantum Elements (Westlake Village, CA) will develop a minimum viable product (MVP) that uses quantum computing to accurately map complex surface-catalysis reactions.
• RAAAM Memory Technologies (Petah Tikva, Israel) and GlobalFoundries (Malta, NY) will develop and qualify RAAAM’s GCRAM on-chip memory technology, which offers significant area and power reductions compared to SRAM technology, with no additional process steps or cost.
• SpotitEarly (Kibbutz Hamaapil, Israel) and Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia, PA) will develop, test, and validate an early cancer detection technology for multiple types of cancer that combines AI technology with dogs’ highly sensitive sense of smell.
• SeedX (Or Yehuda, Israel) and Illinois Foundation Seeds (Tolono, IL) will develop a high-precision seed-sorting solution for corn, sweet corn, and carrots based on SeedX’s proprietary AI-based sorting technology.
• CustoMED (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Myrava (Winston-Salem, NC) will develop an automated, in-hospital 3D-printing system for custom orthopedic tools, designed for use even in emergency surgeries.

Dr. Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Innovation Authority and Chief Scientist of Innovation at the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and co-chair of BIRD’s Board of Governors, said: “As the BIRD Foundation approaches its 50th anniversary, the technological partnership between Israel and the United States continues to demonstrate its strength as a driving force for breakthrough innovation. The projects selected this year are at the forefront of technologies that will shape humanity’s future: from quantum computing, space technologies, and semiconductors, which lay the foundation for the next technological revolutions, to AI-driven healthcare, cancer diagnostics, and precision agriculture, which can improve human health, food security, and quality of life. These are complex deep-tech fields with the potential to transform our world. For nearly five decades, the BIRD Foundation has enabled companies from both countries to combine expertise, share risks, and turn technological visions into tangible solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges.”

Mr. Mike Molnar, Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and co-chair of BIRD’s Board of Governors, said: “The Board faced a ‘high-quality problem’ in reviewing such an outstanding collection of proposals this cycle. The selected projects have outlined high-impact research and development plans for advancements in quantum algorithms, semiconductor design, satellite communications, and other critical and emerging technology areas. The BIRD Foundation is continuing its long-held tradition of promoting innovation through complementary partnerships. Beyond the provision of matching project funds, the Foundation’s daily work of facilitating cooperation between partners helps companies take nascent technologies to market. I join my colleagues in congratulating the selected companies and wishing them great success.”

Mr. Jaron Lotan, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, said: “In today’s global technology race, binational partnerships are a powerful driver of innovation and growth, and the partnership between Israel and the United States is among the most established and successful in the world. The BIRD Foundation is a unique platform for government-supported cooperation between the two countries, built on an equal partnership in which each side brings complementary capabilities, knowledge, and experience. Our role is to turn this collaboration into innovative technologies, commercial products, and jobs, while strengthening the competitiveness of both economies. We are pleased to announce the approval of seven new projects, each with significant potential to advance innovation and transform its respective market.”

The deadline for submitting Executive Summaries for the next BIRD funding cycle is November 23, 2026. Project approvals are expected in March 2027.

About the BIRD Foundation

The BIRD (Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation encourages and facilitates cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies across a wide range of technology sectors. In addition to providing conditional grants, the Foundation helps companies identify potential strategic partners.

The Foundation supports projects without taking any equity or intellectual property rights from the participating companies or the projects themselves. BIRD funding is repaid through royalties from sales of products developed with BIRD support. The Foundation provides funding of up to 50% of a project’s budget, up to $1.5 million per project, covering activities from R&D through the initial stages of sales and marketing.

Over nearly five decades of activity, the BIRD Foundation has played a central role in advancing U.S.-Israel technological cooperation, accelerating innovation, strengthening cross-border partnerships, and helping companies transform breakthrough technologies into commercially successful global products.

For further information, please contact Asaf Pozniak, +972-52-448-1981

SOURCE The BIRD Foundation

The company enters the market with $2 million in signed purchase orders amid growing demand for high-power microwave systems, directed energy, compact fusion, and next-generation propulsion.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20, 2026 — Stellios Technologies, an American high-energy power systems company developing high-power microwave, directed-energy, compact-fusion, and advanced-propulsion technologies, today emerged from stealth with an oversubscribed $5 million pre-seed financing. The round included participation from Shervin Pishevar’s Sofreh Capital, Wave Function Ventures, Cubit Capital, Mana Ventures, Atoms & Bits, Output Capital, Erik Bruckner, and other strategic investors.

“Stellios is on a mission to ensure that the United States dominates the next generation of high-energy power systems,” said Dr. Richard Starson, founder and CEO of Stellios Technologies. “The ability to generate, deliver, and harness extreme levels of power will be critical to American technological and military leadership in the 21st century. From counter-drone defense and directed energy to advanced propulsion, compact fusion, and grid-scale power, the future will belong to nations that lead in power systems. Now is the time to rebuild that capability in America, addressing urgent defense needs today while laying the foundation for compact fusion and entirely new propulsion systems for supersonic, hypersonic, and space flight.”

Oversubscribed Pre-Seed Round
Stellios secured $2 million in signed customer purchase orders before raising outside capital, and the round became oversubscribed and closed above its target within weeks. The company will use the funding to:

• Build and deliver its initial contracted high-power microwave systems
• Establish domestic R&D and pilot manufacturing facilities
• Expand its engineering and leadership teams
• Expand sales, support customer programs, and accelerate government business development
• Advance Stellios Genesis, the company’s AI-native engineering and digital-twin platform, alongside early compact-fusion pathfinder research

“At Cubit Capital, we look for founders with firsthand knowledge of a critical problem, the technical experience to address it, and early customer traction,” said Philip Carson, Partner at Cubit Capital. “Stellios brings all three. With signed customer purchase orders, ongoing defense customer discussions, and plans for US-based manufacturing, the company is building a commercially grounded business with the potential to strengthen American and allied defenses and lay the foundation for compact fusion power and advanced propulsion.”

“The United States pioneered high-power microwave technology, and we must lead its next generation,” said Dr. Edl Schamiloglu, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of New Mexico and advisor to Stellios. “Rebuilding this capability in America is critical to national security and industrial leadership. Stellios is combining advanced vacuum electronics, modern power systems, controls, and manufacturing to advance HPM today while laying the foundation for compact fusion power and fusion-powered propulsion.”

Company Overview
Stellios was founded in 2026 by Dr. Starson, a Caltech Ph.D., with a team experienced in plasma physics, high-power microwave systems, and aerospace. Dr. Starson previously co-founded Escape Dynamics, a microwave-powered space launch company where members of the Stellios team designed and operated a 100 kW-class gyrotron, a high-power microwave source.

Stellios is designing and building the core hardware behind high-power microwave systems, including the vacuum-electronic devices and the high-voltage power generation, conditioning, and control systems that drive them. By combining this hardware with modern power electronics, software-defined controls, and AI-native engineering, the company aims to make these systems smaller, faster to develop, and less expensive than legacy designs. Stellios is advancing two core technology platforms:

High-Power Microwave Systems for Counter-Drone Defense and Industrial Use
Stellios’ first commercial focus is developing MW-class high-power microwave systems for defense and industrial applications. In defense, these systems are designed for counter-electronics and counter-drone missions, where the proliferation of low-cost drones is driving demand for systems capable of engaging multiple targets rapidly and at a low cost per engagement. Industrial applications include geothermal drilling, advanced materials processing, and plasma heating for fusion research. Stellios designs and builds its systems in the United States to reduce dependence on constrained foreign and legacy supply chains and secure American leadership in HPM technology.

Compact Fusion for Energy and Propulsion
Stellios is also advancing a research program in compact aneutronic fusion. The program leverages many of the same core technologies and subsystems developed for Stellios’ HPM systems, including advanced power electronics, magnets, vacuum systems, cooling, controls, and AI-native engineering. The company aims to develop fusion systems compact enough to power remote military bases and industrial sites with minimal need for refueling, and ultimately to enable long-range supersonic and hypersonic flight and rapid travel throughout the solar system.

About Stellios Technologies
Stellios Technologies is an American high-energy power systems company developing high-power microwave, vacuum-electronic, directed-energy, and compact fusion technologies. Founded in 2026 by Dr. Richard Starson, Stellios is building klystrons, gyrotrons, and integrated power systems for defense and industrial applications while advancing Stellios Core, its compact aneutronic fusion program. The company’s mission is to secure American leadership in directed energy, fusion power, and advanced propulsion. For more information, visit https://www.stellios.io/ and follow the company on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE Stellios Technologies

PHOENIX, Oct. 20, 2026 — Trinity Capital Inc. (NYSE: TRIN) (the “Company”), a leading international alternative asset manager, today announced the commitment of $20 million in growth capital to ABM Respiratory Care (ABMRC), a medical technology company focused on developing and globally commercializing novel airway clearance and ventilation solutions.

ABMRC develops solutions for people with acute and chronic respiratory conditions. Its BiWaze^® platform, features technologies designed to support airway clearance, lung expansion, and secretion management across hospital and home care settings. The company also strives to advance connected care technologies to support patient engagement and provide care teams with greater visibility into respiratory therapy utilization.

“For patients with compromised respiratory systems, clearing the lungs and breathing comfortably takes real effort and the right technology. We believe ABM Respiratory Care builds that technology, and we are proud to support the team as they work to bring it to more patients around the world,” said Rob Lake, Senior Managing Director, Healthcare & Life Sciences at Trinity Capital.

The financing will help ABMRC accelerate commercial expansion, strengthen its global market presence, and support continued investment in product innovation, clinical research, and connected respiratory care technologies.

“This financing represents another significant milestone in ABM Respiratory Care’s growth and financial evolution,” said Greg Miller, Chief Executive Officer of ABM Respiratory Care. “Building on our current strong commercial momentum, our partnership with Trinity Capital strengthens our financial foundation and provides the capital and operating flexibility to accelerate strategic growth initiatives, expand our presence in existing and new markets, and bring our innovative respiratory care technologies to more patients and healthcare providers worldwide.”

About Trinity Capital Inc.
Trinity Capital Inc. (NYSE: TRIN) is an international alternative asset manager that seeks to deliver consistent returns for investors through access to private credit markets. Trinity Capital sources and structures investments in well-capitalized growth-oriented companies across five distinct lending verticals: Tech Lending, Equipment Finance, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Sponsor Finance, and Asset Based Lending. As a long-term, trusted partner for innovative companies seeking tailored debt solutions, Trinity Capital has deployed more than $6.2 billion across over 490 investments since inception in 2008 (as of June 30, 2026). Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Trinity Capital’s dedicated team is strategically located across the United States and Europe. For more information on Trinity Capital, please visit trinitycapital.com and stay connected to the latest activity via LinkedIn.

About ABM Respiratory Care
Founded in 2017, ABM Respiratory Care is dedicated to advancing patient care by developing intelligent, clinically differentiated respiratory care solutions to help people breathe better inside and outside the hospital. The company’s connected platform is designed to improve respiratory therapy by promoting deeper breathing, enhancing oxygen exchange, reducing aerosol emission exposure, and enabling communication for better disease management across all care settings. For more information, visit www.abmrc.com.

SOURCE Trinity Capital Inc.

The financing consists of a $900 million asset-based revolving credit facility and a $375 million first-in, last-out term loan (“FILO”) facility. Wells Fargo serves as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for both facilities, and Pathlight Capital serves as Term Loan Managing Agent for the FILO facility.

The new five-year financing replaces Belk’s existing ABL, FILO and securitization facilities. It provides the Company with a simplified capital structure and enhanced liquidity to support working capital needs, seasonal inventory investment and other general corporate purposes. The facilities are supported by a broad collateral base that includes inventory, receivables, real estate, equipment, intellectual property, and the Company’s industry leading private-label credit card program.

“This opportunistic financing represents an important milestone and reflects the continued strength in Belk’s business by providing us with the flexibility to continue investing in our business and serving our customers,” said Vince Phelan, Chief Financial Officer. “We appreciate the support, expertise and collaborative approach demonstrated by Wells Fargo, Pathlight Capital and the broader lender group throughout the transaction.”

Founded more than 138 years ago, Belk operates nearly 300 Belk, Belk Market, and Belk Outlet locations across 16 states and maintains a strong omnichannel presence through Belk.com and the Belk mobile app. The Company remains focused on providing its customers with localized merchandising, including an attractive mix of national and private brands, maintaining disciplined inventory management, and enabling convenient shopping experiences across its stores and digital channels.

“Wells Fargo is proud to expand its relationship with Belk and deliver a flexible financing solution supporting the Company’s long-term objectives,” said Keith Vercauteren, Division Manager and head of Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Retail Asset-Based Lending platform. “We look forward to supporting the Company in its next phase.”

“We are pleased to partner with Belk and Wells Fargo on this financing,” said Matt Williams, Managing Director at Pathlight Capital. “The transaction provides Belk with additional liquidity and flexibility as the Company continues to invest in its business and execute on its strategic priorities.”

About Belk
Charlotte-based Belk, Inc., a privately-owned department store, opened its first store in 1888, beginning a legacy of selling great products at great prices, treating customers like family, and giving back to the community. Today, Belk serves customers at nearly 300 Belk, Belk Market and Belk Outlet locations across 16 Southeastern states, and digitally through belk.com and the Belk mobile app. For 138 years, Belk has proudly put customers and community at the center of what they do, supporting local charities, organizations, and families when they need it most. For more information visit https://newsroom.belk.com/.

To shop, find your local store at https://www.belk.com/stores/, visit belk.com or download the Belk app in Google Play or Apple Store.

About Pathlight Capital
Pathlight Capital is a private credit investment manager dedicated to meeting the needs of companies that operate across a broad range of industries by providing asset-based loans secured on a first or second lien basis against tangible and intangible assets. Pathlight aims to provide creative financing solutions to allow management teams to access incremental liquidity for the purposes of funding working capital, debt refinancings, growth, acquisitions, dividends and turnaround strategies. For more information, please visit www.pathlightcapital.com.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.3 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 38 on Fortune’s 2026 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

This release may contain statements from an individual who may be supporting or recommending the activities of Pathlight Capital LP. Such individual has not been compensated directly or indirectly by Pathlight Capital LP for the use of his statements. The statements represent endorsement by that individual only and may not represent the experience of all counterparties.

SOURCE Pathlight Capital

Fund will invest across power, biofuels, and delivery and distribution to optimize critical energy assets

HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2026 — Ara Partners, a global investment firm dedicated to the energy and industrial transition, today announced that it reached final close on Ara Energy Fund I (the “Fund”), raising $2.5 billion for its strategy including $1.8 billion in fund commitments and over $700 million in associated co-investment.

The Fund, which was first launched in Q2 2025, held a first close in December of that year and has reached final close 10 months later at its hard-cap. In addition to the support from Ara’s existing investor base, the Fund expanded Ara’s LP network with a number of new institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and foundations across North America and Europe.

Ara launched Ara Energy in partnership with HF Capital to acquire, optimize and where economically accretive decarbonize energy assets along the conventional energy value chain. Many of the senior Ara Energy team, including Shameek Konar (Partner), James Chiu (Partner), David Sims (Managing Director), and Matthew Dunn (Principal) had worked together for several years prior to joining Ara.

Since joining they have built a substantial seed portfolio for the Fund that currently spans three sectors:

• Power: thermal generation assets across NYISO, ISO-NE, and PJM totaling approximately 3.0 gigawatts of capacity;
• Renewable Fuels: U.S. ethanol production assets totaling approximately 400 million gallons per year;
• Delivery and Distribution: JET, a retail fuel network of approximately 970 stations across Germany and Austria, held in partnership with Ara Infrastructure

“Global energy demand is rising and growing more complex, and meeting the demand requires assets that are optimized and positioned for the long term,” said Shameek Konar, Partner and Head of Ara Energy. “Ara Energy invests across three uncorrelated sectors, power, biofuels, and delivery and distribution. Our team brings operating and M&A experience to assets that will remain critical through the energy transition. This capital will allow us to increase grid capacity, strengthen energy security and resiliency, and extend the life of critical infrastructure.”

Threadmark acted as global placement agent and Davis Polk acted as legal counsel in the formation of Ara Energy Fund I.

About Ara Partners
Founded in 2017, Ara Partners is a global private equity and infrastructure firm focused on the energy and industrial transition. The firm invests in the middle market across three strategies: Private Equity, Infrastructure, and Energy. Ara scales commercially demonstrated decarbonization solutions, supports the businesses and infrastructure that enable their adoption, and reduces emissions at the source across the conventional energy value chain. As of June 30, 2026, Ara Partners had approximately $10.6 billion of assets under management.

For more information about Ara Partners, please visit www.arapartners.com.

About HF Capital
HF Capital, LLC invests capital on behalf of the Haslam family, based in Knoxville, Tennessee. This includes direct investments in operating companies as well as investment commitments to exceptional managers of liquid and illiquid investments across a spectrum of asset classes and geographies. James A. Haslam II, the family’s patriarch, founded Pilot Corporation in 1958.  In addition to its partnership with Ara, HF Capital is an investor in several traditional and renewable energy companies.

Media Contacts:
Jane Merkler, Ara Partners
[email protected] 

DIAPIN Therapeutics and Adelle Diagnostics win Gold at Rockefeller Center

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 — Jessica Reed, CEO, DIAPIN Therapeutics, and Maria Grazia Ruocco, CEO/Co-Founder, Adelle Diagnostics, won PRODUCT and CONCEPT Gold at the fifth annual Medical Innovation Olympics’ October 16 finale held at Rockefeller Center. Ruocco claimed a dramatic victory in the final two-minute statement.

All six finalists earned the opportunity to present in San Francisco on January 11–12, 2027, during J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

The October 1–16 competition featured 14 qualifying competitors from U.S., Italy, France, Greece, and Israel. United Nations officials and Republic of Georgia’s Consul General attended.

Under “Crystal Clear, Treatment Near,” the fifth annual Medical Innovation Olympics championed its mission: advancing access, quality, and continuity of care.

“We are celebrating what humans CAN do – their ambition, potential, talent, character, and achievement,” said Tim Mikhelashvili, PharmD, #MIO founder/host and CEO, Amedea Pharma.

MEDALISTS

PRODUCT: Gold — Jessica Reed, DIAPIN Therapeutics, DT678 antiplatelet development; Silver — Nathan Monty, EnamelPure, dental hygiene innovation; Bronze — Chris Sturm, Facet Dynamics, RESTORE artificial back joint (Investigational Use Only).

CONCEPT: Gold — Maria Grazia Ruocco, Adelle Diagnostics, precision neurology diagnostics; Silver — Jim Chen, Calaris Diagnostics, saliva-based liver fibrosis risk stratification; Bronze — David Larwood, MycaZED Therapeutics, Nikkomycin Z for life-threatening fungal disease.

KEYNOTES AND EXPERT DISCUSSIONS

Co-hosts Mikhelashvili and Shota Bagaturia, CEO, NewsOut!, welcomed:

Keynotes: Epigenetic restoration to reverse age-related diseases – Michael Ringel, COO, Life Biosciences; power of many voices in oncology – Kirk Shepard, CMO, PDS Biotechnology; cardiometabolic prevention, evidence, and access – Keith Ferdinand, Chair, Preventative Cardiology, Tulane University School of Medicine; Medical Affairs across drug development – Alex Palumbo, Founder/CEO, Medscion.

Building New Healthcare Champions with Sports Transparency and Competition: Chris Piedmonte, Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Neoterra Capital; Graham Long, CCO, Amedea Pharma; Charles Legg, COO, CureLab Oncology; Chris Cook, two-time Olympian/NHS UK Advisor, Wondrous; Mikhelashvili.

Redefining the Role of AI on Leadership, Talent, and Impact on Healthcare: Tala Fakhouri, Chief AI/Regulatory Officer, Parexel; Sourav (Neil) Banerjee, CEO/Founder, QMSintegrity; Joao Dias, Head, Global Scientific Affairs, Haemonetics; Venera Jordan, Founder/Principal, DigitalProductGuru; Mikhelashvili.

Why Stars Are Aligning Between Science and Advocacy to Extend Health Span and Longevity: Jerry McLaughlin, CEO, Life Biosciences; Francisco Leon, CEO, Tolerance Bio; John Hemming, CEO, Cirrostratus Exedra; Keith Comito, CEO, Lifespan Research Institute; Jonathan Ross, Director of Operations, Alliance for Longevity Initiatives.

From Innovation to Impact on Patient Outcomes: Rashad Massoud, Head, Global Health USA, IQVIA; Eric Griggs, International Health/Wellness Ambassador, U.S. Congress–Louisiana; Nino Mikaberidze, Co-Founder, MedVeritas Global; Mackenzie Howe, Co-Founder/CEO, Atheni.

Fireside chats: Access to medical innovation — Alan Gray, Partner, U.S. Market Access/Pricing, Alira Health; strategy and capital in private-stage biotechs — Stephen Mitchener, former CBO, Alpha-9 Oncology.

RECOGNITION AND PARTNERS

The Alliance for Longevity Initiatives.

“It’s not the steps you take but the footprints you leave that are critical,” Mikhelashvili said. “You are writing your own chapter in Medical Innovation.”

To view the full press release, including all 14 qualifying competitors, click here.

Media: Tim Mikhelashvili | [email protected] | (718) 865-6093

PEACCEL’s Frederic Cadet won the Innovation Sprint, Innovation with Hurdles, Innovation High Jump, Innovation Shot Put, and Most Active Innovator among Competitors awards.

John Hemming, and Denise McNerney, Partner, COO, Global Life Sciences Alliance, received Most Active Innovator honors among judges and attendees, respectively. Priyanka Yerandekar, Partner, Venture Forward Capital, expert judge won the $200 live healthcare trivia contest.

Sponsors: Amedea Pharma (Gold); Best Practices and NewsOut! (Silver); Alira Health (Bronze); PTP (Olympic Village sponsor).

Media partners: New to The Street; Wall St New York Magazine; Global Life Sciences Alliance; BLPN; New York BIO; Oncology Voice Network; Lifespan Research Institute; Alliance for Longevity Initiatives 

SOURCE Amedea Pharma, Inc.

CPA’s Seventh Prepay Transaction Brings Total Bond Program Savings to $519.1 Million for Communities Across Southern California

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19, 2026 — Clean Power Alliance (CPA), the nation’s leading green power provider and California’s largest community choice energy aggregator, today announced the successful closing of its seventh energy prepayment bond transaction, valued at $1.4 billion. The transaction will generate approximately $91.1 million in renewable energy cost savings during the bond’s initial 7-year period — an average of $12.7 million per year.

With this issuance, CPA has now completed $8.3 billion in prepay bond transactions, locking in total initial-period savings of $519.1 million. Across all seven prepay transactions, CPA’s average annual savings total approximately $65 million.

“CPA’s prepay strategy is an important tool for delivering on our commitment to provide clean, reliable and affordable energy,” said CPA Chief Executive Officer Ted Bardacke. “By building on the success of previous transactions, we’re able to secure substantial savings that reduce costs while advancing our mission to serve our communities with clean power options at competitive rates.”

How the bond program works 
CPA’s prepay bond program uses long-term financing to purchase renewable energy at a lower cost. As a not-for-profit government agency, CPA can issue tax-exempt bonds to prepay for energy from renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower, in exchange for significant discounts from energy suppliers—historically in the range of 8 percent to 12 percent. These savings are passed on to customers through lower, stable electricity rates. CPA also invests cost savings into customer programs, workforce development and skills training, and critical community energy infrastructure projects. The bond program is a key component of CPA’s strategy to provide competitively priced, reliable, clean energy while strengthening community resilience.

First prepay transaction with J.P. Morgan
This transaction marks CPA’s first prepay bond executed with J.P. Morgan serving as underwriter and with J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corporation acting as prepaid energy supplier, and it is the first electric prepay deal in the country to be completed with J.P. Morgan. The bonds received an investment-grade Aa3 rating from Moody’s and a ‘Green Bonds’ designation by Kestrel.

During the initial 7-year period of the bonds, CPA will receive approximately 1.14 million megawatt-hours of PCC1-eligible energy annually under the agreement. PCC1 is the highest-tier category of renewable energy in California.

“Reaching 8.3 billion in prepay transactions reflects the strength and scalability of this financing strategy,” said CPA Chief Financial Officer David McNeil. “This latest transaction achieves long-term energy cost savings through strategic financial partnerships, helping us maintain competitive rates while supporting a diverse portfolio of renewable energy resources.”

Supporting a diversified clean energy portfolio
Energy supplied through the transaction will be sourced from a portfolio of existing long-term power purchase agreements with a combined capacity of 440.8 megawatts (MW) of wind resources. These resources support CPA’s commitment to reliable, carbon-free energy while helping shield customers from market volatility.

Delivering long-term affordability 
The seventh prepay bond was issued pursuant to CPA’s November 2025 authorization by its board of directors, which allows for the completion of up to $4.5 billion of new prepay transactions by June 30, 2027. CPA will continue to evaluate opportunities that strengthen its financial position and advance its mission to deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to its customers.

About Clean Power Alliance
Clean Power Alliance is the locally operated, not-for-profit electricity provider serving 38 communities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. CPA is the fourth largest electricity provider in California and the number one green power provider in the United States. CPA provides clean renewable energy at competitive rates for approximately three million residents and businesses, along with innovative programs that promote resiliency, electrification and customer bill savings. CPA has an investment-grade credit rating of A from S&P Global Ratings.

View CPA’s annual impact report: Impact Report 

Learn more about CPA: www.cleanpoweralliance.org

Learn more about customer programs: cleanpoweralliance.org/programs 

Media Contact:
John Axtell
Clean Power Alliance
Senior Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
213-376-4850 Ext. 184

SOURCE Clean Power Alliance

New initiatives make local purchasing easier for schools while supporting Massachusetts agriculture, food manufacturers, and students

ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 — The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Food Distribution Program and Gold Star Foods today announced the launch of two new Massachusetts Local Food initiatives that will bring locally sourced and locally produced products to school meal programs across the Commonwealth.

The programs, available to participating schools beginning this October, represent an innovative approach to local procurement by simplifying purchasing and distribution on behalf of school districts while creating new market opportunities for Massachusetts farmers and food manufacturers.

Through the Massachusetts DESE Food Distribution Program, the state coordinated procurement and distribution services, helping schools access local products through a streamlined process that reduces administrative burden while strengthening connections between schools and Massachusetts food producers.

“Massachusetts is committed to creating innovative solutions that increase access to local foods in our school meal programs,” said Lucinda Ward, USDA Foods Distribution Coordinator, MA DESE “By coordinating procurement and distribution services at the state level, we are making it easier for schools to purchase local products while creating meaningful opportunities for Massachusetts businesses and agricultural producers.”

Bringing Massachusetts Agriculture to School Cafeterias
The first initiative features Ocean Spray^® Craisins^® produced from cranberries harvested in Massachusetts. The program connects one of the Commonwealth’s most iconic agricultural products directly to school meal programs, giving students an opportunity to enjoy foods sourced from their own state.

The second initiative partners with a Massachusetts-based manufacturer Commonwealth Kitchen to transform USDA Direct Delivery diced tomatoes into value-added products specifically designed for school meal programs. The program will offer both Marinara Sauce and Tikka Masala Sauce, creating new menu options for schools while adding value to USDA Foods through local processing.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how strategic partnerships can connect local agriculture, food manufacturing, distribution, and school nutrition programs in ways that benefit all stakeholders.

A New Model for Local Procurement
While school districts often cite procurement requirements, limited purchasing capacity, and supply chain challenges as barriers to local purchasing, the Massachusetts model addresses these challenges by leveraging the state’s Food Distribution Program to coordinate sourcing, procurement, and distribution activities.

This approach creates a seamless supply chain that:

• Increases access to local foods for schools
• Reduces administrative and procurement burdens on districts
• Supports Massachusetts farmers and food manufacturers
• Creates reliable demand for local businesses
• Expands menu opportunities for school nutrition programs
• Provides students with greater access to locally sourced foods

“Successful local procurement requires collaboration across the entire supply chain,” said Stephanie Ewing, Chief Governmental Officer for Gold Star Foods. “Massachusetts has developed a practical and scalable approach that connects schools, state agencies, manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural producers. The result is a program that makes local purchasing easier for schools while delivering meaningful economic benefits to Massachusetts businesses.”

Building Stronger Connections Between Schools and Local Food Systems
The new programs align with Massachusetts’ ongoing commitment to supporting local agriculture and strengthening farm-to-school initiatives throughout the Commonwealth.

By creating efficient pathways for local products to reach school cafeterias, the initiative demonstrates how public-private partnerships can help schools serve high-quality meals while supporting local economies and increasing student access to foods grown and produced close to home.

The Massachusetts DESE Food Distribution Program and Gold Star Foods anticipate continued collaboration with local suppliers and school nutrition professionals to identify additional opportunities for expanding local sourcing initiatives in the future.

For more information on Gold Star Foods, please visit www.GoldStarFoods.com.

Media Contacts
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jason Law
[email protected]
617-895-6556

Gold Star Foods
Stephanie Ewing
Chief Governmental Officer
[email protected]
530-295-7055

About the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Food Distribution Program
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Food Distribution Program supports school nutrition programs throughout the Commonwealth by administering USDA Foods and providing resources that help schools serve nutritious meals to students.

About Gold Star Foods
Gold Star Foods is a leading provider of food distribution and supply chain solutions serving school nutrition programs across the United States. Through partnerships with state agencies, school districts, manufacturers, and agricultural producers, Gold Star Foods helps connect schools with innovative, high-quality food solutions that support student success.

About Highview Capital, LLC
Highview Capital, LLC is a global private equity investment vehicle backed by a multi-billion dollar family office. The fund employs a flexible mandate and takes a long-term perspective on middle-market businesses at an inflection point. Since 2017, Highview has deployed equity capital across more than 40 deals in industries such as business services, manufacturing, and distribution. Highview takes pride in our ability to partner closely with founders and management teams over the long term. For more information, visit www.highviewcapital.com.

About A&M Capital
A&M Capital is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $6.0 billion in total commitments across its funds, vehicles and accounts. The firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by a strategic association with A&M Consulting, a leading global operationally focused advisory firm.

A&M Capital Partners is A&M Capital’s investment strategy focused on middle-market control transactions in North America, with total commitments of over $4.0 billion across three funds. AMCP partners with founders, families, corporates, and management teams, providing the capital and strategic and operational assistance that it believes are required to take businesses to the next level of success. AMCP invests across a range of sectors, including Business Services, Healthcare Services, Government Services, Industrial Services, Financial Services, Packaging & Distribution Services, and more. For more information, visit www.a-mcapital.com/

SOURCE Gold Star Foods