SINGAPORE and AMSTERDAM, Aug. 13, 2026 — SWI Capital Holding Ltd (Euronext Amsterdam: SWICH, (“SWI Group”) the listed investment group, today confirms the strategic shift that has reshaped its business strategy over the past year: over 80% of the Group’s capital is now allocated to a transatlantic digital-infrastructure platform exceeding 4 GW, with ambitions to increase share to 90%.

• SWI Group confirms the completion of its pre-announced acquisition of a controlling stake of over 70% in Genesis Digital Assets (GDA), to be renamed SWI Digital
• Digital infrastructure now accounts for more than 80% of SWI Group’s capital allocation with the intention to increase this to above 90% over time
• SWI Group to develop its own HPC and GPU-as-a-service platform – Polarise partnership transforming into financial collaboration
• SWI Group expects to deliver double-digit growth in 2026

Under the leadership of co-founders Max-Hervé George and Jaume Sabater, SWI Group became a listed investment group that deploys its own balance sheet across high-growth private market opportunities, alongside its established asset management activities. The Group is accelerating the growth of its own capital investment activity with most of the focus on data centers and AI infrastructure, and expects to deliver double-digit balance sheet growth in 2026.

SWI DIGITAL

With the assistance of Morgan Stanley & Co LLC, acting as exclusive financial advisor for the acquisition, SWI Group has secured, through acquisitions and restructuring, a controlling stake of over 70% in GDA, which will be renamed SWI Digital and will be the Group’s US focused digital infrastructure platform.

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVING VALUE CREATION

SWI Group has strategically focused its capital allocation on digital infrastructure, investing consistently in the sector over the past five years to build a European and US portfolio with a combined power capacity in excess of 4 GW. As of today, more than 80% of SWI Group’s capital is allocated to digital infrastructure, with the intention to increase this to above 90% over time. SWI Group’s digital infrastructure investments are anchored by two platforms:

• AiOnX – SWI’s European AI-infrastructure platform, developing a portfolio of hyperscale, AI-ready data-center campuses across Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain and Italy, with one site already secured by a leading hyperscale tenant.
• SWI Digital (GDA) – SWI’s US-focused digital-infrastructure group with an energised and grid-connected land bank, providing SWI with a scaled foothold in the world’s largest and fastest-growing market for AI and high-performance-computing capacity.

FROM LAND AND POWER TO COMPUTE: HPC AND GPU-AS-A-SERVICE

Beyond the ownership of land, power and data-center capacity, SWI Group is moving up the value chain into AI compute. The Group will leverage on its own highly experienced team and balance sheet depth to develop in-house its proprietary AI-cloud platform designed to deliver GPU-accelerated compute to enterprises, research institutions and AI developers.

Combining AiOnX’s and GDA’s energised sites with the Group’s HPC layer gives SWI a vertically integrated digital-infrastructure stack, allowing the Group to capture value at each layer of the AI-infrastructure chain.

POLARISE TRANSACTION

In relation to the partnership with Polarise announced earlier this year, SWI determined to not pursue completion of this transaction as it was envisaged.

Rather than purchasing a majority ownership in Polarise, SWI Group will be providing financing to assist Polarise founders to reorganize the corporate structure and development, while the two entities will remain separated and move their own distinct ways.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES BEYOND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Beyond digital infrastructure, SWI Group continues to host a diversified set of investments with distinct return drivers. These include:

• European industrial and logistics real estate through investment grade, Singapore Stock Exchange-listed SERT,
• US multifamily residential through Varia US, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange,
• an emerging conviction in culture, sport and entertainment, sectors where SWI Group identifies attractive investment opportunities ahead of institutional consensus;
• an opportunistic, asset-class-agnostic strategy, investing in opportunities the Group identifies across a range of markets, including distressed situations and financial assets.

Max-Hervé George, co-founder and CEO of SWI Group declared: “Our transformation into a listed investment group gave us the balance-sheet firepower and the agility to back the trends we believe will define the next decade. Digital infrastructure sits at the heart of that conviction, and the creation of SWI Digital is a defining step for the Group.”

Jaume Sabater, co-founder of SWI Group and Chief Executive Officer of Stoneweg, added: “Listing on Euronext Amsterdam has allowed us to focus on investing our own balance sheet with discipline and conviction. It positions the Group to capture value at pace and at scale. Completing our controlling stake in GDA is the clearest demonstration of this strategy to date.”

This press release contains inside information within the meaning contemplated by the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014.

ABOUT SWI GROUP

SWI Group (SWI Capital Holding Ltd) is a global investment group specializing in private markets, listed on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker SWICH. Formed through the merger of Icona and Stoneweg, the Group deploys its own capital across digital infrastructure, real estate and other private-market opportunities, combining an entrepreneurial approach with institutional discipline. For more information, visit www.swi.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding SWI Group’s strategy, portfolio allocation, the planned rebranding of GDA as SWI Digital. Such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied. In particular, there can be no assurance that any transaction, restructuring or listing referred to herein will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or within the timeframe indicated. SWI Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. This release is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of an offer or solicitation to purchase, subscribe for or sell any securities. 

Milestone-based capital plan is designed to support near-term commercialization and the next stage of PointsKash’s national rollout

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 13, 2026 — PointsKash, Inc. (“PointsKash”), a financial technology, payments, loyalty rewards and digital commerce company, today announced an expanded strategic capital commitment of up to $100 million from Hawk Capital Investors, LLC structured to support the Company through two critical stages of its national commercialization and growth strategy.

The expanded commitment reflects a longer-term investment relationship between PointsKash and Hawk Capital. The first phase provides for up to $35 million of capital through October 30, 2026 to support immediate commercialization priorities. A second phase provides for up to an additional $65 million of growth capital from February through April 30, 2027, subject to PointsKash achieving agreed operating, commercial and deployment milestones and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

PointsKash intends to use the initial capital to advance the refurbishment and deployment of approximately 2,100 company-owned KashPoint financial services kiosks, support technology and platform integrations, expand merchant activation, advance PK Pay, strengthen working capital and operating reserves, and prepare the infrastructure required for broader national deployment.

The second phase is intended to provide additional acceleration capital as PointsKash moves from initial commercialization into scaled national deployment. The Company expects this stage to support expanded kiosk production and installations, merchant implementation, field operations, platform integration, consumer activation and the working capital required to execute across a growing enterprise merchant network.

Building a Long-Term Anchor Investment Relationship

The expanded framework follows recent discussions in which Hawk Capital had been evaluating a more limited near-term capital need. As PointsKash refined its deployment schedule and the capital required to execute its broader strategy, the Company and Hawk developed a pathway that could allow Hawk to serve as a principal anchor investor through both the commercialization and national rollout stages.

PointsKash believes the timing is particularly important as the Company advances multiple enterprise relationships, prepares its owned kiosk estate for deployment, expands its merchant distribution opportunities and continues development of a financial commerce ecosystem designed to connect cash, payments, loyalty value, digital assets and mobile financial services.

The Company has previously announced a strategic relationship with BitCorp, Inc. providing access to more than 100,000 potential enterprise commercial merchant chain locations nationwide. PointsKash is also advancing direct enterprise merchant relationships across convenience retail, hospitality and other high-traffic categories as it prepares for broader deployment of its KashPoint and PK Pay platforms.

“This is about much more than funding a near-term capital requirement,” said Michael Herron, Chief Executive Officer of PointsKash. “We are building the infrastructure for a national financial commerce platform, and that requires a capital partner that understands both the scale of the opportunity and the importance of executing in stages. Hawk has the opportunity to become a meaningful long-term anchor investor as we move from commercialization into national rollout.”

Herron added, “We believe the financial industry is entering a period of profound change as traditional banking, digital payments, loyalty value and digital currency increasingly converge. PointsKash is building a bridge between those worlds through a combination of physical access points, mobile technology and merchant distribution. We are excited about the road ahead and the role this capital relationship can play in helping us execute that vision.”

Hawk Capital Supports a Milestone-Driven Growth Strategy

Hawk Capital Investors has indicated its support for a milestone-driven investment approach that aligns additional capital with PointsKash’s execution progress and evolving national deployment requirements.

“PointsKash has continued to expand the scope of its opportunity since our initial discussions,” said Michael Frantz of Hawk Capital Investors. “The combination of owned infrastructure, enterprise merchant access, an integrated physical and mobile platform, and management’s broader vision for financial commerce creates the potential for a significant national opportunity. We are pleased to support a structure that gives PointsKash the ability to execute its immediate priorities while also creating a pathway for additional growth capital as key milestones are achieved.”

Frantz added, “The staged approach is intended to align capital with execution. As PointsKash advances merchant agreements, deployments and platform commercialization, the second phase provides a framework to support the next level of growth without losing momentum during a critical period of national expansion.”

Positioned for the Next Generation of Financial Commerce

PointsKash is developing an integrated financial commerce ecosystem built around KashPoint Pro, KashPoint Lite and KashPoint Express solutions together with PK Pay. The platform is designed to provide consumers with broader access to everyday financial services while helping merchants participate in an increasingly digital, mobile and loyalty-driven economy.

Through its physical and digital platforms, PointsKash intends to create a flexible bridge between traditional financial services and emerging digital currency ecosystems. Management believes that combining nationwide merchant distribution, accessible financial-service endpoints, mobile payments, loyalty conversion and digital asset capabilities can position PointsKash to help lead the next stage of financial commerce in the United States.

About PointsKash, Inc.

PointsKash is a financial technology, payments, loyalty rewards and digital commerce company focused on transforming how consumers access, manage, convert and spend financial value. Through its integrated ecosystem of KashPoint financial services solutions, the forthcoming PK Pay mobile platform, merchant solutions, payment technologies, loyalty rewards programs and digital commerce tools, PointsKash is building a more connected and accessible financial marketplace for consumers and merchants.

For more information, visit: https://PointsKash.com 

About Hawk Capital Investors, LLC

Hawk Capital Investors is a private investment and advisory firm focused on strategic investments, growth capital and long-term value creation. The firm works with growth-stage and emerging companies to provide capital, strategic guidance and support for market expansion.

Media Contact

PointsKash, Inc.
Investor Relations
[email protected] 
www.pointskash.com 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events, business plans, financing activities, growth initiatives, merchant relationships, deployment plans, platform commercialization, anticipated investment transactions and future operating results. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties, milestone achievement, definitive documentation, closing conditions, financing availability, regulatory requirements, partner readiness and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. There can be no assurance that any contemplated financing, deployment, partnership, commercial agreement or other transaction will be completed on the timing or terms described, or at all.

SOURCE PointsKash Inc.

• Commitment marks the inaugural deployment of Almanac’s Horizon vehicle, established in partnership with Australian Retirement Trust
• Accelerates AmCap’s grocery-anchored and necessity retail acquisition strategy across major U.S. metropolitan markets
• Almanac will also make an investment directly into the AmCap operating business in addition to its capital commitment

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2026 — Almanac Realty Investors (“Almanac”), the private real estate arm of Neuberger, a global investment manager, has committed $250 million of growth capital to Stamford, Connecticut-based AmCap Ventures (“AmCap”), a privately-held, vertically-integrated real estate company founded in 1979. The commitment marks the inaugural deployment of Almanac’s Horizon Fund (“Horizon”), a $1 billion investment vehicle established in partnership with Australian Retirement Trust (“ART”).

The growth capital will be used with the goal of accelerating AmCap’s proven strategy of acquiring grocery-anchored and necessity retail shopping centers across top-tier U.S. metropolitan markets, in particular densely populated submarkets supported by compelling population demographics and high barriers to entry. Concurrent with the closing, the firm will transition to operating as “ACX”, marking the next chapter of a platform built over more than four decades.

“We are pleased to partner with Almanac and ART on the inaugural Horizon investment. Their conviction in necessity retail mirrors our own, and we see significant opportunity to expand our footprint in the dense, supply-constrained markets that have defined our firm since 1979,” said Jake Bisenius, AmCap CEO.

Concurrently with the closing of the partnership, AmCap acquired a portfolio of eight open-air retail assets totaling approximately 771,000 square feet across California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Iowa, and Kansas. The portfolio is anchored by leading regional and national grocers including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s and WinCo Foods. The acquisition will further AmCap’s geographic expansion initiatives into high-growth Western and Sun Belt markets. The acquisition brings AmCap’s owned and operated portfolio to 32 institutional-quality retail properties totaling approximately 5.0 million square feet across major US market regions.

“AmCap is a seasoned, operationally driven real estate platform with a demonstrated track record of acquiring and operating retail assets across high-growth U.S. markets. Under the leadership of Jake Bisenius and team, the company is well-positioned to execute on an attractive pipeline of acquisitions where hands-on management and leasing capabilities will drive outsized risk-adjusted returns” said Justin Hakimian, Managing Director at Almanac.

The investment was deployed through Almanac’s Horizon Fund (“Horizon”), a $1 billion investment vehicle established by Almanac in partnership with Australian Retirement Trust (“ART”). This transaction represents Horizon’s inaugural capital commitment.

“We welcome this investment in AmCap, a specialist US retail real estate operating platform with an established track record in grocery-anchored and necessity-based retail. This investment provides ART members with exposure to a sector supported by resilient consumer demand, limited new supply and experienced local operating capability, and reflects our long-term strategy of partnering with experienced operators in sectors with strong underlying fundamentals” said Michael Weaver, General Manager – Mid Risk Assets, Australian Retirement Trust.

Horizon was established as a fund-of-one to target U.S. real estate operating companies within the core and core-plus risk-return profile — a strategy distinct from Almanac’s value-add closed-end fund series and reflecting Almanac’s long-held conviction that lower-leveraged, stabilized operating platforms with embedded management teams offer a compelling and differentiated return profile for institutional capital. For Australian Retirement Trust, Horizon represents the fund’s first dedicated strategy focused solely on real estate operating companies, deepening ART’s allocation to the sector as the fund pursues a longer-term target of 25% of its real estate portfolio invested in operating company structures. The selection of AmCap as Horizon’s first portfolio company reflects Almanac’s conviction in necessity retail as a structurally resilient asset class, and in AmCap’s vertically integrated platform as an institutionally mature operator with a demonstrable track record of acquiring and repositioning grocery-anchored assets across supply-constrained, high-barrier U.S. markets.

About AmCap
Founded in 1979, AmCap is a vertically integrated private equity real estate firm headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with an additional office in Denver, Colorado. The firm focuses exclusively on the acquisition and management of grocery-anchored and necessity retail centers in top 100 U.S. MSAs, targeting assets anchored by the dominant regional grocer in high-income, dense, high-barrier-to-entry markets. AmCap’s vertically integrated platform encompasses acquisition, leasing, asset management, property management, and disposition capabilities in-house, with an executive team averaging nearly 20 years of tenure. AmCap.com Today, AmCap manages more than $1 billion of gross assets across approximately 5.0 million square feet in 24 states, with approximately $3 billion of core, core-plus, and value-add grocery-anchored transactions closed since inception.

About Almanac Realty Investors
Almanac Realty Investors, a business unit of Neuberger, is a leading provider of growth capital to private and public real estate companies. Originally founded in 1981 under the name Rothschild Realty, Almanac Realty Investors partners with established owner-operators in all sectors of the real estate market to accelerate company growth and has committed more than $8.8 billion in capital to 55 real estate companies, both private and public, throughout North America. For more information, visit www.almanacrealty.com.

About Neuberger
Neuberger is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with approximately 3,000 employees across 26 countries. The firm manages $613 billion of equities, fixed income, private markets, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. The firm is proud to be recognized for its commitment to its two constituents, clients and employees. Again this past year, we were named Best Asset Manager for Institutional Investors in the US (Crisil Coalition Greenwich) and the #1 Best Place to Work in Money Management (Pensions & Investments, firms with more than 1,000 employees). Neuberger has no corporate parent or unaffiliated external shareholders. Visit www.nb.com for more information, including www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for information on awards. Data as of June 30, 2026.

About Australian Retirement Trust
Australian Retirement Trust is one of Australia’s largest super funds. More than 2.4 million Australians trust us to take care of over $370 billion of their retirement savings. We’re here to help our members retire well with confidence, focused on strong long-term investment returns, lower fees and providing information and access to advice our members need to manage their super and retirement.

This is general advice and information only. It’s not based on your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Think about your personal circumstances and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination at art.com.au/pds before you make any decision about our products. And if you’re still not sure, talk with a financial adviser.

This information and all products are issued by Australian Retirement Trust Pty Ltd ABN 88 010 720 840, AFSL 228975, trustee of Australian Retirement Trust ABN 60 905 115 063 (‘the Fund’ or ‘ART’).

Media Contacts

Neuberger: [email protected] 

All Neuberger figures are as of March 31, 2026, unless otherwise noted, and are subject to change without notice. The firm data, including employees and assets under management, reflect the collective data of the various affiliated investment advisors who are subsidiaries of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. The company history/timeline includes the history of all the company’s subsidiaries, including predecessor companies and acquisitions.

This material is issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications to learn about each company and the legal restrictions. The name “Neuberger” and logo are service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC.

© 2026 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Neuberger Berman

The FSWPG delegation, led by senior mining and energy executives, met with Tanzanian government representatives, local partners, mining stakeholders and workers during its latest visit to the country. The meetings are part of FSWPG’s broader strategy to establish long-term partnerships supporting Tanzania’s natural-resource development while creating investment, employment and infrastructure opportunities. 

$25 Million Capital Raise — Investor Call to Action

FSWPG is inviting qualified institutional investors, strategic investors, family offices, mining and energy companies, infrastructure funds and other long-term capital partners to participate in its targeted $25 million initial capital raise. The capital will support the advancement of FSWPG’s Tanzania strategic mineral portfolio, including gold, rare earth elements, cobalt, tantalite and lithium, as well as project development, technical evaluation, mining operations, infrastructure and processing initiatives.

Investors and strategic partners interested in participating in Tanzania’s growing critical-minerals and natural-resources sector are encouraged to contact FSWPG to discuss investment opportunities, strategic partnerships and project-level participation. FSWPG welcomes qualified parties seeking exposure to long-term resource development and value-added opportunities in Tanzania and the broader East African market. Please contact our Team at https://www.falconeswp.com/blank-2

The initial capital is intended to establish the foundation for FSWPG’s broader Tanzania investment platform and accelerate the development of qualified projects through rigorous technical, financial, regulatory and commercial due diligence. The capital will also support the advancement of strategic partnerships and position qualifying projects for larger-scale institutional and project financing.

 Tanzania Strategic Mineral Portfolio:

• Gold: 36,600 kg
• Rare Earth Elements: 1.2 million metric tons (MT)
• Cobalt: 25,000 MT
• Tantalite: 20,000 MT
• Lithium: 20,000 kg

This data comes from the Tanzanian Government Ministry of Minerals Survey.

Supporting Tanzania’s Economic and Energy Resilience

FSWPG’s strategy is designed to align international private capital with Tanzania’s national development priorities. The company intends to work with Tanzanian stakeholders to advance responsible mineral development, strengthen domestic and international supply chains, support energy resilience and attract additional institutional and strategic investment.

The company believes Tanzania has the potential to become an increasingly important regional platform for critical minerals, energy development and industrial investment in East Africa.

“Tanzania represents an important strategic opportunity for long-term investment, economic development and partnership,” said Hussein Kandoro, CEO of Falcone Tanzania Mining Holding Ltd. “Our objective is not simply to develop mineral assets. We want to build sustainable partnerships that create jobs, strengthen local capabilities, attract international capital and contribute meaningfully to Tanzania’s economic and energy resilience.”

Building Long-Term Strategic Partnerships

FSWPG is also evaluating opportunities to develop downstream processing and value-added capabilities that could allow Tanzania to capture a greater portion of the economic value generated by its natural resources.

The company’s broader international strategy includes potential cooperation with investors and industrial partners from the United States, Asia and the Middle East, creating opportunities for technology transfer, financing, processing, infrastructure development and international market access.

“We are calling on serious investors, strategic partners and international institutions to engage with us,” said Michael Falcone, Chairman of Falcone Sovereign Wealth Partnership Group. “Our vision is to build partnerships that go beyond extracting resources. We want to help develop productive assets, infrastructure, energy capacity and industrial value chains that can generate lasting economic benefits for Tanzania and its people.”

FSWPG emphasized that all investment opportunities remain subject to appropriate legal, regulatory, technical, environmental, financial and commercial due diligence.

About Falcone Sovereign Wealth Partnership Group

Falcone Sovereign Wealth Partnership Group Inc. (FSWPG) is an international investment and strategic partnership organization focused on natural resources, energy, infrastructure, technology and economic-development opportunities.

Through its investment platforms and operating partners, FSWPG seeks to connect institutional and strategic capital with projects capable of supporting long-term economic growth, resource security, infrastructure development and international investment partnerships.

www.falconeswp.com

SOURCE Falcone Sovereign Wealth Partnership Group Inc.

Leading mechanical contractor with 60-year history joins Optimum Energy platform

BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 12, 2026 — Optimum Energy Co., a Bernhard Capital Partners (“Bernhard”) portfolio company and global holistic infrastructure solutions provider, today announced the acquisition of Hussung Mechanical Contractors and HMC Service Company, a full-service mechanical infrastructure services firm for healthcare systems, universities, manufacturers, and mission-critical facilities for over 60 years.

The acquisition combines two highly complementary organizations with deep expertise serving complex, mission-critical facilities. Through Hussung’s mechanical contracting and field service capabilities and Optimum Energy’s engineering, central utility infrastructure, operations, and performance optimization expertise, the platform is positioned to deliver more comprehensive infrastructure solutions while strengthening its presence in attractive end markets.

“Hussung has built exactly the kind of organization we want to grow alongside,” said Lisa Roy, CEO and President at Optimum Energy. “Their technical depth, their culture of accountability, and the reputation they have earned over 60 years are real and rare. We are adding a team that makes the entire platform stronger.”

“This acquisition reflects the strategy behind how we build platforms,” said Jonathan de Lauréal, Managing Director at Bernhard. “We identify and bring together market-leading businesses whose expertise, customer relationships, and technical capabilities create end-to-end offerings with greater scale and reach. Optimum Energy and Hussung are a strong example of this strategy. Together, they form a more complete infrastructure platform that can serve customers across the full facility lifecycle while expanding service capabilities and creating a foundation for long-term growth.”

Optimum Energy is a global leader in holistic infrastructure solutions, delivering integrated services across the full facility lifecycle for mission-critical facilities. From engineering, design, and construction through central utility plant development, ongoing operations and maintenance, and long-term performance optimization, Optimum Energy serves healthcare systems, universities, and manufacturers at scale. Its proprietary AI technology draws on 20 years of central plant performance data, and its dedicated Remote Services team monitors and optimizes facility systems continuously across its global portfolio.

The addition of HMC’s mechanical contracting and field service expertise expands Optimum Energy’s in-house execution capability and strengthens its ability to self-perform across every phase of the infrastructure lifecycle. For customers seeking access to this full platform without upfront capital, Optimum Energy’s Energy-as-a-Service model provides flexible, off-balance sheet financing structures.

“My grandfather and his brother started this company with a straightforward promise: do quality work, act with integrity, and take care of the customer,” said David C. Hussung, CEO of Hussung Mechanical Contractors/HMC Service Company. “Six decades later, that promise is still the reason customers call us and the reason people build careers here. This partnership gives HMC the platform to grow faster and smarter without changing the foundation that made this company worth building in the first place.”

Stephens Inc. served as financial advisor and Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP served as legal counsel to Hussung Mechanical Contractors and HMC Service Company. Fishman Haygood LLP served as legal counsel to Optimum Energy and Bernhard. 

About Bernhard Capital Partners

Bernhard Capital Partners is a private markets investment firm focused on building market-leading infrastructure services and asset platforms across essential sectors. With more than $6 billion in assets under management, the firm invests in complex, expansive and often regulated markets characterized by durable demand. Bernhard applies a disciplined, thematic investment strategy, paired with deep sector expertise and operational experience, to enhance performance, scale platforms and support long-term growth. Bernhard’s specialized approach is designed to perform across market cycles, delivering consistent outcomes for investors, partners and communities served across the portfolio. For more information, visit bernhardcapital.com.

About Optimum Energy Co.

Optimum Energy Co. is a global holistic infrastructure solutions company serving mission-critical facilities across healthcare, higher education, and advanced manufacturing. The company delivers integrated infrastructure services spanning the full facility lifecycle: engineering, design, construction, central utility plant development and modernization, mechanical and energy systems, ongoing O&M and asset management, and mechanical contracting and field services through HMC. Built on 20 years of central plant performance data, proprietary AI technology, and a dedicated Remote Services team that monitors and optimizes facility systems continuously across its global portfolio, Optimum Energy delivers sustained performance improvements that no traditional O&M provider can match. Its Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model enables clients to access this full platform through flexible, off-balance sheet financing structures, accelerating cost savings and performance goals without upfront capital commitment. For more information, visit www.optimumenergyco.com.

About Hussung Mechanical Contractors and HMC Service Company

Hussung Mechanical Contractors / HMC Service Company is a 4th generation family-owned and operated mechanical contractor and service company specializing in the design, installation, and service of HVAC, plumbing, medical gas, and piping systems for healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and mission-critical facilities, as well as other commercial and industrial sectors. The companies have been serving these industries in Kentucky and Indiana since 1966, delivering high-quality and innovative solutions for complex and challenging projects. Its objectives are to build long-term relationships with their clients, based on trust, respect, and collaboration. There is a commitment to providing the best value for clients, by delivering projects on time, on budget, and with the highest standards of quality and safety.

Media Contacts

Prosek Partners for Bernhard Capital Partners
[email protected]

SOURCE Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 12, 2026 — The Virginia Retirement System’s trust fund grew to $135.2 billion in market value as of June 30, 2026, following a 12.1% investment return, net of fees, for the fiscal year. The return exceeded the fund’s long-term assumed rate of return of 6.75%.

This year’s return continues to build on a decade of growth, with the fund’s market value increasing by approximately 10.1% over the last year.

The fund’s total performance met or exceeded board-established custom benchmarks over the five and 10-year periods and was just short of the benchmarks for the one- and three-year periods. However, the three- five- and 10-year returns exceeded VRS’ actuarial assumed rate of return. Investment earnings remain the largest source of retirement benefit funding, supporting approximately two-thirds of benefit payments.

“Managing a retirement trust fund requires a long-term commitment to responsible stewardship,” said Susan T. Gooden, Ph.D., chair of the VRS Board of Trustees. “Over the years, VRS has benefited from an experienced investment team that carefully manages the fund while remaining focused on its responsibility to members and retirees.”

In the past decade, VRS’ investment team has generated an additional $6 billion compared with a passive, indexed investment approach, Dr. Gooden said. “That added value strengthens the trust fund and helps maximize every dollar entrusted to us.”

Andrew Junkin, VRS’ chief investment officer, said this year’s results reflect an investment strategy rooted in diversification with a disciplined approach to risk management.

“Results are built over years, not quarters,” Junkin said. “Our team stays focused on the long term, balancing risk and opportunity as markets change. By combining broad diversification with active decision-making, we’ve added value across market cycles while positioning the fund to meet its obligations for decades to come.”

FY 2026 Performance by Asset Class

Major asset classes within VRS’ portfolio performed as follows:

• Public equity program returned 23.8%
• Private equity program returned 5.2%
• Real assets program returned 6.7%
• Credit strategies program returned 8.3%
• Diversifying strategies returned 7.1%
• Private investment partnerships returned 9.7%
• Fixed income program returned 5.3%

Watch VRS CIO Andrew Junkin break down this year’s return.

For more information about VRS’ investment strategy, visit varetire.org/investments.

About VRS

The Virginia Retirement System, an independent state agency based in Richmond, delivers retirement and other benefits to covered Virginia public sector employees. VRS ranks as the 15th largest public or private pension fund in the U.S. and the 36th largest in the world, serving more than 861,000 active and inactive members, retirees and beneficiaries. Members include public school teachers, political subdivision employees (cities, towns, special authorities and commissions), state agency employees, public college and university personnel, state police, Virginia law officers and the judiciary. Approximately 864 employers participate in VRS.

SOURCE Virginia Retirement System

DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 12, 2026 — A cross border team from global law firm Greenberg Traurig represented Moove, the global mobility company building the operating layer for autonomous mobility, on its US$250 million Series C funding round.

The financing round was led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s Growth Fund, and Ion Pacific, valuing Moove at US$2.1 billion. The round also included participation from BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Capital, and The Raptor Group, alongside existing investors including BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton, Uber, Left Lane, Square Associates, The Latest Ventures, and the Ontario Power Generation Pension Plan. The transaction marks a significant milestone in Moove’s growth and further strengthens its position as a leading global infrastructure platform for autonomous mobility.

The funding will support the expansion of Moove’s autonomous vehicle business, including autonomous fleet ownership and robotics-first depot infrastructure, as well as future growth initiatives and new market launches globally.

Moove is a global mobility company building the operating layer for autonomous mobility. The company finances, owns, and operates productive mobility assets for leading mobility platforms across manned and autonomous transportation. Moove operates across 13 countries and 29 cities, with approximately 42,000 vehicles and more than 3,300 employees worldwide.

The team from Greenberg Traurig’s Dubai office was led by Head of the UAE Corporate Practice Shareholder Chadi Salloum and Corporate Shareholder Krishen Patel and by Corporate Shareholder Cees v. Oevelen from Greenberg Traurig’s Amsterdam office. The team was supported by Senior Associate Maquina Lame, and Associates Abdulla Al Hashili, Justin Hool and Gabe Wijnja.

“From the outset, the GT team understood both the legal complexity and the commercial priorities of the transaction. They managed a challenging multi-jurisdictional process involving numerous counterparties with professionalism and efficiency. We valued having advisers who were not only technically capable, but who were commercially driven and were genuinely invested in getting the deal over the line. Their support was instrumental in helping us complete the most significant financing in Moove’s journey to date,” said Stavros Panayi, chief legal officer, Moove.

Greenberg Traurig launched in the Middle East in 2023 with offices in Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm has been growing steadily in the region, and planting key roots in the industries and business sectors most active in the Middle East, including real estate, infrastructure and transportation, energy and natural resources, hospitality, finance and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, private credit, sports and entertainment — including venue, talent, entertainment, licensing, and other needs — capital markets, and arbitrations and disputes.

Greenberg Traurig’s Riyadh office is operated by Greenberg Traurig through Greenberg Traurig Khalid Al-Thebity Law Firm. Greenberg Traurig’s Dubai office is operated by Greenberg Traurig Limited. Greenberg Traurig’s Abu Dhabi office is a branch of Greenberg Traurig, P.A.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has approximately 3,000 attorneys across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm’s broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI “Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm” by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com.

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP

More than 750 backers support DESLOC’s low-light self-charging solar smart lock, making it the highest-funded smart lock project on Kickstarter since 2023 based on publicly available campaign data

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 12, 2026 — DESLOC, a global smart lock brand, announced that its V150 Plus self-charging solar smart lock has completed its Kickstarter campaign, raising more than $500,000 from 755 backers.

The campaign reached its initial funding goal within one hour and surpassed $100,000 within 12 hours. By the end of the campaign, the V150 Plus had raised more than 50 times its original funding goal.

The milestone also reflects a growing shift in homeowner priorities. As smart locks add more features, battery life and charging frequency are becoming increasingly important considerations. More homeowners are looking for worry-free smart lock experiences with less charging hassle and less day-to-day maintenance, the exact pain point the V150 Plus was designed to address.

More Than $500,000 Raised for a More Worry-Free Smart Lock Experience

Smart locks today offer more features than ever, from facial and fingerprint recognition to remote access and app control. But these added capabilities also increase power consumption.

For homeowners, battery life is more than a technical specification. A smart lock is something they rely on every day, and frequent charging or battery replacement can quickly become an inconvenience.

DESLOC developed the V150 Plus around that everyday concern.

The lock combines a perovskite low-light energy-harvesting panel, a 10,000mAh battery and an intelligent power management system. Together, these technologies allow the lock to collect energy from ambient light and use it to help support everyday operation.

The V150 Plus also features 3D facial recognition, curved fingerprint recognition, built-in Wi-Fi, door-status detection and app-based remote management. The goal is to provide convenient keyless access while reducing the amount of attention users need to give to battery maintenance.

Built for Long Endurance, Verified by TÜV Rheinland

The V150 Plus has also received TÜV Rheinland Long-Endurance Certification, providing independent third-party validation of its energy management and long-endurance capabilities.

The certification was conducted in accordance with TÜV Rheinland’s 2 PfG 3330 specification.

Rather than simply testing whether the solar panel can generate electricity, the certification looks at a more practical question: Can the energy collected from ambient light meaningfully support the lock’s everyday operation?

TÜV Rheinland evaluated the V150 Plus across a range of functions, including standby power consumption, facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, remote control and daily unlocking.

Under the specified test conditions, including challenging low-light environments, the V150 Plus was able to continuously harvest ambient light and replenish its battery, helping maintain a balance between energy generation and everyday power consumption.

For consumers, the benefit is straightforward: the solar panel is not simply an added feature. It is designed to contribute meaningful power to the lock’s daily operation, helping reduce manual charging and ease the battery anxiety often associated with feature-rich smart locks.

TÜV Rheinland also evaluated environmental factors relevant to real-world front-door use, including dust and water protection, temperature and humidity changes, temperature cycling, and indoor-outdoor temperature differences.

Market Demand Meets Independent Technical Validation

The Kickstarter campaign reflects strong consumer demand for the V150 Plus, while TÜV Rheinland’s certification provides independent technical validation of its long-endurance performance.

The V150 Plus campaign suggests that meaningful smart lock innovation does not always mean adding more features. It can also mean making the technology people already use more reliable, longer-lasting and easier to live with.

More than $500,000 in crowdfunding represents strong consumer support for that direction. TÜV Rheinland’s certification adds an independent technical assessment of the V150 Plus’ long-endurance capabilities.

Together, the two milestones reinforce DESLOC’s focus on solving practical user needs and creating smart home products that require less day-to-day maintenance.

The DESLOC V150 Plus is moving toward its next stage of availability, and pre-orders for the DESLOC V150 Plus are now live.

For product updates, availability and pre-order details, visit desloc.com.

About DESLOC

DESLOC is a global smart lock brand focused on making trusted home security simpler, smarter, and more accessible. Backed by parent company DESMAN, one of Asia’s leading smart lock manufacturers with 17 years of industry experience and nearly 10 million family users worldwide, DESLOC combines proven biometric technologies, advanced security algorithms, and rigorous product testing to deliver reliable smart access solutions for modern homes.

With more than 400 industry patents, DESLOC develops smart locks designed for everyday families, homeowners, and smart home users who want strong security, keyless convenience, and long-lasting performance in an easy-to-use package.

SOURCE DESLOC

Experienced digital health executive Kelly Benning joins as CEO and Co-Founder

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 12, 2026 — Suvi Health announced today the launch of their Ambient AI Care Coordination Platform to bring clarity, compassion and continuity to patients’ hospital stays. The company was created by the 1842 Fund by Alloy Partners, and is presently in active collaboration with Mayo Clinic and the University of Notre Dame.

As hospitals nationwide face sustained pressure from staffing shortages, delayed discharges and increasing patient demand, Suvi Health aims to improve care delivery at critical transition points in the patient journey. Suvi Health’s ambient AI is designed to capture context, reduce friction and translate complex medical conversations into shared understanding.

By supporting recovery and discharge at the bedside and beyond, Suvi Health was founded to help care teams focus on what they do best: caring for people, not documentation, while ensuring patients and families feel heard, informed and supported during one of life’s most vulnerable experiences. Artificial intelligence is intended to augment and support clinical decision-making, not replace the expertise, judgment, and accountability of healthcare professionals.

“At its core, Suvi Health’s core principles are about fostering trust and  understanding at moments when they matter most,” said Kelly Benning, CEO and co-founder of Suvi Health. “When healthcare teams are stretched thin and families are overwhelmed, we believe technology should step in, quietly, to listen, support and help everyone move forward together toward healing and home.”

“Healthcare doesn’t need more technology competing for clinicians’ attention, it needs systems that quietly remove friction and help people stay connected during some of the most complex moments of care,” said Shawn Albert, CTO and co-founder. “We built Suvi Health’s ambient AI platform to work quietly in the background so care teams can focus less on coordination and more on patients and families.”

Suvi Health was launched by the 1842 Fund and Alloy Partners, collaborating with Mayo Clinic on co-development, design collaboration and as a first pilot site. Collaboration with researchers from Notre Dame and clinicians from Mayo Clinic Florida provided Suvi Health with the clinical insight and foundational research applied toward tackling complex healthcare delivery and AI challenges.

“At Notre Dame, our mission calls us to find solutions that support the most vulnerable, and that includes the upholding of human dignity in our healthcare system,” said Jeffrey F. Rhoads, the John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research and professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering at Notre Dame. “This partnership between Suvi Health and the 1842 Fund offers a powerful tool for facilitating effective, patient-centered care, one that turns bedside conversations into a clear plan patients and families can actually understand and act on.”

“Suvi is a great example of the opportunities we seek to address through our unique ‘research co-creation’ approach,” said Mike Joslin, partner at the 1842 Fund. “Efforts like these are built around combining academic research, clinical expertise from the industry and our venture studio playbook to drive real-world impact.”

To learn more about Suvi Health, visit suvi.health.

About Suvi Health
Suvi Health is an Ambient AI Care Coordination Platform to bring clarity, compassion and continuity to patients’ hospital stays. Suvi Health’s platform creates a trusted, secure layer of support that listens with empathy to conversations between patients, families and the entire care team. Working invisibly in the background, Suvi Health bridges the gap between complex medical discussions and true understanding by aligning nurses, physicians and caregivers. Suvi Health was built by 1842 Fund and Alloy Partners in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and the University of Notre Dame. For more information, visit suvi.health.

About the 1842 Fund
The 1842 Fund invests in mission-driven, advantaged startups aligned to the strategic framework of the University of Notre Dame. In addition to investing in faculty, researcher and student startups emerging from campus, the 1842 Fund funds new startups launched from the 1842 Studio, a venture studio that co-creates de novo startups alongside university researchers and industry partners. The 1842 Fund and Studio are managed by Alloy Partners and focus on building and funding ventures that address important societal challenges tied to the mission of the University of Notre Dame. For more information, visit www.1842fund.com.

About Alloy Partners
Alloy Partners is a venture builder that co-creates advantaged startups and venture studios with corporations. Alloy Partners works with partners through their journey from defining a venture strategy to systematically conceiving, launching, investing in and scaling a portfolio of venture-backed startups. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Indianapolis, the Alloy Partners portfolio includes over 40 companies and seven venture studios started in partnership with leading organizations, including Elanco, Huntington Bank, Eli Lilly, Capital One, Catalyst by Wellstar, Warner Bros. Discovery, University of Notre Dame and more. For more information, visit www.AlloyPartners.com.

About the University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is the leading global Catholic research university, providing a distinctive voice in higher education. Rigorously intellectual, boldly moral in orientation and firmly embracing a service ethos, Notre Dame is rated among the top institutions of higher learning in the United States and is a member of the Association of American Universities. Founded in 1842 and located adjacent to South Bend, Indiana, the University advances human understanding through research, scholarship, education and creative endeavor to be a powerful force for good in the world. For more information, visit nd.edu.

Mayo Clinic has a financial interest in the technology referenced in this press release. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.

Media Contact:
Jen Carroll
PANBlast for Alloy Partners
[email protected]

Erin Fennessy
Notre Dame Research
[email protected] 

SOURCE Alloy Partners