CONCORD, Calif., May 1, 2026 — The North Star Capital Fund LLC (the “Fund”) is pleased to report another quarter of strong performance and clear confirmation of its standing as a successful, disciplined and financially sound construction lending fund, which has shown consistent returns during economic ups and downs.

The Fund delivered a 9.15% APR return for Q1 2026, achieving its target return of 8–10% APR and building on the strong results of prior quarters. Members who have reinvested or “rolled over” all distributions since inception continue to benefit from a 13%+ average APR net return, reflecting the power of compounding.

John W. Simonse, Fund Manager, commented: “Exceeding 9% in Q1 of 2026 is a reflection of the opportunities this market is presenting, that can be obtained, to patient, well-capitalized private lenders. We have remained selective and conservative, and the results continue to speak for themselves.”

The Fund also reports a robust loan pipeline entering Q2 2026, with multiple loans in various stages of origination and several successful loan payoffs during the first quarter. These payoffs validate the Fund’s underwriting discipline and its ability to deliver on its core promise to investors: capital preservation, consistent income in the 8-10% APR range, and transparency.

The broader economic environment continues to support the Fund’s lending strategy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 178,000 in March 2026, and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. This labor market resilience directly supports the housing demand and buyer confidence that underpin the Fund’s real estate-backed loan portfolio.

The California Association of Realtors projects 274,400 home sales in 2026, up 2% from last year, with a projected statewide median home price of $905,000, a new record. Low rates in California will keep homes selling and bodes well for experienced private construction lenders and borrowers as traditional banks pull back from residential construction lending.

As the North Star Capital Fund LLC’s Manager, Mr. Simonse also wants to bring to light the retraction of the false and misleading statements made by Pacific Private Money’s restructuring officer, Bill Brinkman, regarding the Fund. Although those statements have since been formally retracted, not everyone is aware of Brinkman’s retraction which is as follows:

“I want to clarify the relationship between Pacific Private Money and North Star Capital Group and North Star Capital Fund. In question #B-5 of the February 11 question and answer document that was shared with the investors, the statement that PPM has an interest in North Star Capital Fund is incorrect. Instead, Pacific Private Money holds a 20% interest in North Star Capital Group, not in North Star Capital Fund. Pacific Private Money never had any significant management role with respect to either of the North Star Capital entities.

In addition, EXHIBIT A included in the February 11 question and answer document includes an organizational entity chart that accurately notes that PPM holds a 20% interest in North Star Capital Group. However, the schematic is inaccurate to the extent it suggests that the North Star entities are a member of the PPM group of companies. The North Star entities have been separately managed since inception in 2020 and are not part of the PPM group of companies. The North Star entities are completely different companies with separate employees and management and, other than the 20% interest in North Star Capital Group, mentioned above, are not associated with the PPM group of companies.”

Mr. Simonse wants to state clearly on behalf of the Fund and its current and prospective investors,

“In regards to the North Star Capital Fund LLC:

• The Fund is not, nor has it ever been owned or managed by Pacific Private Money.
• The Fund has always been financially sound, well-capitalized, with strong leadership.
• The Fund is not under investigation, regulatory scrutiny, and has no legal issues.

We have built this fund over many years on a foundation of integrity, hard work and transparency. We will always address misinformation directly and promptly because our investors deserve nothing less.”

With a strong loan pipeline and continued outperformance settling into Q2 2026, North Star Capital Fund LLC is well-positioned to build on this momentum. The Fund remains open for investment.

For questions relating to NSCF please contact Amanda Joseph at 925-603-0433.

SOURCE The North Star Capital Fund LLC

CHIȘINĂU, Moldavie, 1er mai 2026 — Le Startup Moldova Summit 2026 a mis en évidence la position croissante de la Moldavie en tant que destination des startups pour le capital, le talent et l’accès au marché de l’UE, rassemblant plus de 2 000 participants, 150 startups, 60 conférenciers et investisseurs internationaux à Chișinău pour la plus grande édition de l’événement phare des startups du pays à ce jour.

Organisé par Startup Moldova, le sommet a vu l’annonce de nouveaux partenariats internationaux avec Unicorn Factory Lisbon, le Ukrainian Startup Fund et SeedBlink, renforçant ainsi les liens de la Moldavie avec les programmes d’accélération, réseaux d’investisseurs providentiels et opportunités d’innovation internationales européens.

Lors de l’ouverture officielle, Olga Melniciuc, PDG de Startup Moldova, a souligné les progrès rapides de l’écosystème :

« L’écosystème de la Moldavie s’est développé pour atteindre plus de 300 entreprises, avec une croissance de 20 % d’une année sur l’autre. Rien qu’en 2025, les startups ont généré plus de 60 millions de dollars de recettes, créé plus de 1 500 emplois et attiré plus de 17 millions de dollars d’investissements, ce qui démontre que les startups sont en train de devenir un véritable moteur de la croissance économique du pays. Le thème du sommet – ” Né en Moldavie. Construit pour le monde. ” – reflète l’ambition de nos fondateurs, qui créent des entreprises conçues pour être compétitives au niveau mondial dès le premier jour ».

Les partenariats stratégiques annoncés lors du sommet permettront d’étendre la connectivité de la Moldavie en matière de création d’entreprises. Grâce aux protocoles signés, Unicorn Factory Lisbon et Startup Moldova aideront les startups moldaves à accéder aux programmes d’accélération internationaux et aux opportunités de développement sur les marchés de l’UE.

Le partenariat entre le Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), Startup Moldova et le Ukrainian Startup Fund facilitera la coopération internationale, l’accès au financement et l’intégration dans le paysage européen de l’innovation.

SeedBlink et Startup Moldova ont annoncé le lancement de la plateforme de crowdinvesting permettant aux startups moldaves de lever des fonds au moyen de tours d’investissement syndiqué et d’entrer en contact avec des réseaux européens d’investisseurs providentiels.

Sergiu Rabii, directeur du programme Innovate Moldova, financé par la Suède et le Royaume-Uni, a souligné l’importance de ces collaborations :

« Ces partenariats montrent que l’écosystème des startups de Moldavie est de plus en plus connecté et pertinent au niveau international. En améliorant l’accès aux capitaux, à l’expertise et aux marchés, la Suède et le Royaume-Uni aident les fondateurs moldaves à se développer plus rapidement et à créer des entreprises au potentiel mondial. »

L’environnement commercial plus général de la Moldavie devient également plus attrayant pour les entreprises technologiques et les fondateurs. Le MITP offre une taxe forfaitaire de 7 % pour les activités informatiques et numériques répondant aux critères requis. Le pays fait progresser les cadres du nomadisme numérique et du travail à distance, prépare un fonds de fonds pour élargir l’accès au capital-risque et au capital-actions, et développe le Moldova HiTech Park en tant que future plateforme pour les industries de la deeptech, de la R&D et des technologies de pointe. Les investissements dans le commerce sans contact, la gouvernance électronique et l’infrastructure publique numérique, y compris l’application gouvernementale EVO, simplifient les services publics et commerciaux.

La délégation de l’Union européenne à Chișinău a réitéré son soutien au renforcement de l’écosystème d’innovation de la Moldavie et à sa connexion aux opportunités européennes. Julien Schmitt, directeur du programme EU4Innovation East, a indiqué :

« Le Startup Moldova Summit 2026 reflète les progrès continus de l’écosystème entrepreneurial de la Moldavie. Pour la deuxième année consécutive, l’Union européenne, par l’intermédiaire de EU4Innovation East, est fière de soutenir cette plateforme qui met en relation les fondateurs, les investisseurs et les marchés internationaux. À mesure que le nombre de startups augmente en Moldavie, le besoin de structures de soutien plus solides et d’accès au capital se fait également sentir ».

Le sommet a également vu 42 startups présenter leurs produits dans la Startup Alley, ainsi que la finale nationale du concours de pitching de la Startup World Cup. Dix startups se sont présentées devant un jury composé d’investisseurs internationaux. Prompted AI est sorti vainqueur et représentera la Moldavie lors de la finale mondiale à San Francisco, pour le prix d’un million de dollars. LyricFluent et Argus AI ont obtenu les deuxième et troisième places.

Le Startup Moldova Summit 2026 s’est conclu sur un message clair : la Moldavie est en train de devenir une destination de choix pour les investissements dans les startups et l’innovation mondiale, en offrant aux fondateurs un meilleur accès aux capitaux, à l’expertise et aux marchés, tout en proposant aux partenaires internationaux un écosystème d’innovation en plein développement, à proximité de l’Union européenne.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2970070/Startup_Moldova_Summit_2024_Photo.jpg

ZUG, Switzerland, May 1, 2026 — Oberland Biotech GmbH, a biotechnology and nutritional food company operating internationally, today announced the successful completion of a CHF 2.5 million seed funding round through a convertible instrument.

The round was supported by 999 Family Office Pte. Ltd, acting under the supervision of its lead investor.

Oberland Biotech focuses on the trade, sale, and export of nutritional supplements and food products across Switzerland and international markets. The company also engages in strategic collaborations, establishes subsidiaries and branches globally, and participates in projects within the food, nutrition, and biotechnology sectors.

This new financing will enable Oberland Biotech to further accelerate its development across key strategic areas, including product development, international expansion, recruitment, and marketing and sales growth.

Strategic Expansion

The company intends to strengthen its global presence, with a particular focus on the United States and Asian markets, while continuing to build scalable operations in the broader international biotechnology and nutrition ecosystem.

Leadership Commentary

“This funding marks an important milestone for Oberland Biotech as we accelerate our mission to develop and scale innovative solutions in the food and biotechnology sector. With the support of our investor, we are well positioned to expand internationally and strengthen our product pipeline,” said Phillip Josef Jancer, CEO and Founder of Oberland Biotech GmbH.

“I would also like to sincerely thank the entire team at 999 Family Office Pte. Ltd, and in particular Mr. Raghun Kataria, their CFO, for their trust, support, and guidance throughout this process.”

About Oberland Biotech GmbH
Oberland Biotech GmbH is a biotechnology and food-focused company engaged in the trade, sale, and export of nutritional supplements and food products internationally. The company develops and participates in projects within the food, nutrition, and biotechnology sectors and maintains a flexible structure to support long-term global growth.

Oberland Biotech Contact:
[email protected] | www.oberlandbiotech.com

About 999 Family Office Pte. Ltd
999 Family Office Pte. Ltd is an investment family office active in supporting innovative companies across multiple sectors.

999 Family Office Contact: 
[email protected] | www.999-familyoffice.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2961018/Oberland_Biotech_Logo.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2965506/999_Family_Office_Logo.jpg

Media contact:
Phillip Josef Jancer
CEO & Founder
[email protected]

SOURCE Oberland Biotech GmbH

CHIȘINĂU, Moldawien, 1. Mai 2026 — Der Startup Moldova Summit 2026 unterstrich Moldawiens wachsende Bedeutung als Standort für Start-ups, der Kapital, Talente und Zugang zum EU-Markt bietet. Über 2.000 Teilnehmer, 150 Start-ups, 60 Referenten und internationale Investoren kamen nach Chișinău, um an der bislang größten Ausgabe der landesweit führenden Start-up-Veranstaltung teilzunehmen.

Der von Startup Moldova,organisierte Summit kündigte neue internationale Partnerschaften mit Unicorn Factory Lisbon, dem Ukrainian Startup Fund und SeedBlink an, wodurch Moldawiens Verbindungen zu europäischen Accelerator-Programmen, Angel-Investoren-Netzwerken und grenzüberschreitenden Innovationsmöglichkeiten gestärkt werden.

Bei der offiziellen Eröffnung hob Olga Melniciuc, CEO von Startup Moldova, die rasanten Fortschritte des Ökosystems hervor:

„Moldawiens Ökosystem ist auf über 300 Unternehmen angewachsen und wächst Jahr für Jahr um 20 %. Allein 2025 erzielten Start-ups einen Umsatz von über 60 Millionen US-Dollar, schufen über 1.500 Arbeitsplätze und zogen Investitionen in Höhe von über 17 Millionen US-Dollar an, was zeigt, dass Start-ups zu einem echten Motor des Wirtschaftswachstums des Landes werden. Das Thema des Summits – ‚Born in Moldova. Built for the World.’ – spiegelt den Ehrgeiz unserer Gründer wider, die Unternehmen aufbauen, die von Anfang an darauf ausgelegt sind, im globalen Wettbewerb zu bestehen.”

Die während des Summits angekündigten strategischen Partnerschaften werden die Vernetzung moldauischer Startups erweitern. Durch unterzeichnete Vereinbarungen werden Unicorn Factory Lisbon und Startup Moldova moldauische Startups dabei unterstützen, Zugang zu internationalen Accelerator-Programmen zu erhalten und ihre Geschäftsmöglichkeiten auf den EU-Märkten auszubauen.

Die Partnerschaft zwischen dem Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), Startup Moldova und dem Ukrainian Startup Fund wird die grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit, den Zugang zu Finanzmitteln und die Integration in die europäische Innovationslandschaft erleichtern.

SeedBlink und Startup Moldova kündigten den Start der Crowdinvesting-Plattform an, die es moldauischen Start-ups ermöglicht, Kapital durch syndizierte Investitionsrunden zu beschaffen und sich mit europäischen Angel-Investoren-Netzwerken zu vernetzen.

Sergiu Rabii, Direktor des Programms Innovate Moldova, das von Schweden und dem Vereinigten Königreich finanziert wird, betonte die Bedeutung dieser Kooperationen:

„Diese Partnerschaften zeigen, dass Moldawiens Startup-Ökosystem immer vernetzter und international relevanter wird. Durch die Verbesserung des Zugangs zu Kapital, Fachwissen und Märkten helfen Schweden und das Vereinigte Königreich moldawischen Gründern, schneller zu skalieren und Unternehmen mit globalem Potenzial aufzubauen.”

Auch das allgemeine Geschäftsumfeld Moldawiens wird für Technologieunternehmen und Gründer immer attraktiver. Das MITP bietet eine Pauschalsteuer von 7 % für förderfähige IT- und digitale Aktivitäten. Das Land treibt Rahmenbedingungen für digitale Nomaden und Remote-Arbeit voran, bereitet einen Dachfonds vor, um den Zugang zu Risikokapital und Eigenkapital zu erweitern, und entwickelt den Moldova HiTech Park als zukünftige Plattform für Deeptech-, F&E- und Spitzentechnologiebranchen. Investitionen in kontaktlose Geschäftsabläufe, E-Governance und digitale öffentliche Infrastruktur, einschließlich der Regierungs-App EVO, vereinfachen öffentliche und unternehmensorientierte Dienstleistungen.

Die Delegation der Europäischen Union in Chișinău bekräftigte ihre Unterstützung für die Stärkung des moldauischen Innovationsökosystems und dessen Anbindung an europäische Möglichkeiten. Julien Schmitt, Direktor des Programms EU4Innovation East, erklärte:

„Der Startup Moldova Summit 2026 spiegelt den anhaltenden Fortschritt des moldauischen unternehmerischen Ökosystems wider. Zum zweiten Mal in Folge ist die Europäische Union stolz darauf, über EU4Innovation East diese Plattform zu unterstützen, die Gründer, Investoren und internationale Märkte miteinander verbindet. Mit der wachsenden Zahl von Start-ups in Moldawien steigt auch der Bedarf an stärkeren Unterstützungsstrukturen und Zugang zu Kapital.”

Im Rahmen des Summits fand auch eine „Startup Alley” statt, bei der 42 Start-ups ihre Produkte vorstellten, sowie das nationale Finale des Pitch-Wettbewerbs „Startup World Cup”. Zehn Start-ups präsentierten sich vor einer Jury aus internationalen Investoren. Prompted AI gewann und wird Moldawien beim Global Final in San Francisco vertreten, wo es um den Preis in Höhe von 1 Million US-Dollar geht. LyricFluent und Argus AI sicherten sich den zweiten und dritten Platz.

Der Startup Moldova Summit 2026 endete mit einer klaren Botschaft: Moldawien entwickelt sich zu einem bedeutenden Standort für Start-up-Investitionen und globale Innovation, der Gründern einen verbesserten Zugang zu Kapital, Fachwissen und Märkten bietet und internationalen Partnern gleichzeitig ein sich schnell entwickelndes Innovationsökosystem in der Nähe der Europäischen Union bietet.

Foto – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2970070/Startup_Moldova_Summit_2024_Photo.jpg

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 30, 2026 — Following a pivotal 2025 investment from CoreWeave and AMD, CHAI AI has maintained an unstoppable growth trajectory, surpassing $80 million ARR at the close of Q1 2026, propelling the company to an estimated $2.4 billion valuation.

“Millions of people use our social AI platform every day, and our continued growth is a direct reflection of our incredible talent,” said William Beauchamp, founder of CHAI AI. “I moved the company from the UK to Palo Alto in 2022 because it is where I can find talented engineers. Our growth is driven by fast iteration cycles and the hard work of the engineers.”

What is the mission of CHAI AI? People want to create their own AI and share it with others, and they want to discover and interact with AI built by people they follow. Just as social media platforms emerged when video creation and consumption became ubiquitous, social AI platforms are now emerging to meet an equivalent wave of consumer demand for generative AI creation, sharing, and interaction.

What is the growth rate and traction? In the last three consecutive years, CHAI AI has sustained a 3x growth rate with ARR crossing $80 million by the end of Q1 2026 and a projection to surpass $200 million.

What is the valuation of CHAI AI? CHAI AI is estimated to have a valuation of $2.4 billion as of Q1 2026, based on $80 million in ARR and its sustained growth rate.

Who are the major investors in CHAI AI? AMD and CoreWeave are the primary, strategic investors in CHAI AI, bringing its total investment to date to over $55 million.

What is the culture like at CHAI AI? Our fast-growing company is supported by a talented engineering team that thrives on fast iteration cycles and takes on the most challenging problems in the field. CHAI AI operates with a high-bar, high-reward culture where engineers own entire product segments end-to-end, from prototyping to production.

What is the compensation? CHAI AI competes with top-paying companies such as Jane Street, OpenAI, Meta, and Citadel. We pay 100% cash salaries and are known for generous compensation offers, with the option to trade a portion of cash for stock options. The founding team’s background is in quantitative trading, and they have maintained a compensation philosophy consistent with that culture.

How do promotions and performance reviews work? Performance is reviewed on a daily basis, and engineers are expected to work hard and drive impact. At the beginning of each year, there is a performance-based salary increase.

What is the management structure? The structure is flat, with a team of 15 to 20 engineers.

What are the typical working hours? Engineers at CHAI AI typically work from 9 AM to 5 PM during weekdays, as well as Saturday morning.

Is there vacation or PTO? CHAI AI does not have a set number of vacation days on the calendar, but we respect that employees need time to recharge. In practice, most engineers take around 20 days off per year.

Is the role fully in-person in Palo Alto, hybrid, or remote-friendly? All CHAI employees are expected to work in person in Palo Alto. As a startup that moves fast, we want to ensure the team stays in sync.

What’s the onboarding experience like for new engineers? New hires follow a structured 3-month onboarding plan. Each new hire is paired with an experienced hire and ramped up quickly. You will be assigned high-impact tasks from day one, with clear evaluation metrics and direct mentorship from peers.

Press Contact:
CHAI AI Press
+1 (626) 594-8966

SOURCE Chai AI

ABU DHABI, VAE, 30. April 2026 — Die Hashed Global Management Limited (HGML), ein Unternehmen der globalen Risikokapitalgruppe Hashed („die Gruppe”, „Hashed”), hat von der Finanzaufsichtsbehörde (FSRA) des ADGM, dem internationalen Finanzzentrum von Abu Dhabi, eine Finanzdienstleistungsgenehmigung (FSP) erhalten.

Mit dieser Genehmigung ist HGML berechtigt, regulierte Finanztätigkeiten in oder von dem ADGM aus auszuüben, darunter die Beratung zu Investitionen oder Krediten, die Vermittlung von Investitionsgeschäften, die Vermögensverwaltung sowie die Verwaltung von Organismen für gemeinsame Anlagen.

Anerkennung des ADGM für ihren fortschrittlichen Regulierungsrahmen in den Bereichen Fintech, digitale Vermögenswerte und neue Finanztechnologien. Auf dieser Grundlage plant die Gruppe, ADGM als offiziellen Standort für ihre institutionellen Aktivitäten in der gesamten VAE-/GCC-Region zu etablieren und so die Verbindungen zwischen ihrem globalen Kapitalnetzwerk und lokalen institutionellen Anlegern zu stärken.

Über das ADGM plant Hashed, seine Rolle als strategische Brücke zwischen den VAE/GCC und Innovationsnetzwerken mit Ankerpunkten in Korea und Asien zu stärken. Das Unternehmen wird die Investitionsvernetzung vertiefen, grenzüberschreitende Partnerschaften ausbauen und die langfristige Zusammenarbeit zwischen regionalem Kapital und global vernetzten Gründern und Ökosystemen fördern.

Simon Kim, CEO von Hashed, erklärte: „Abu Dhabi ist eine Stadt an der Spitze der globalen digitalen Finanzinfrastruktur. Die Gründung einer offiziellen Geschäftsgrundlage im Rahmen des Regulierungsrahmens des ADGM spiegelt das Engagement von Hashed wider, in dieser Region langfristig ein vertrauensbasiertes Geschäft aufzubauen.”

Seokwon Hong, Licensed Director und Senior Executive Officer bei HGML, fügte hinzu: „Diese Genehmigung legt den Grundstein für die Zusammenarbeit von HGML mit institutionellen Investoren aus dem Nahen Osten in einem regulierten Umfeld. Durch unsere Partnerschaft mit dem ADGM werden wir gemeinsam daran arbeiten, sowohl die Politik als auch den Markt mitzugestalten.”

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer bei ADGM, sagte: „Wir gratulieren HGML zum Erhalt der FSP-Zulassung. Dieser Meilenstein unterstreicht die wachsende Dynamik, die wir beobachten, da führende Unternehmen ADGM und Abu Dhabi wählen, um ihre regionalen Aktivitäten aufzubauen und zu skalieren. ADGM setzt sich weiterhin dafür ein, ein vertrauenswürdiges, zukunftsorientiertes regulatorisches Umfeld und ein Ökosystem von Weltklasse zu bieten, das Innovationen fördert, die grenzüberschreitende Vernetzung stärkt und langfristiges Wachstum ermöglicht.”

Hashed veranstaltete gemeinsam mit ADGM während der Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 den „Web3 Leaders Roundtable”, dessen Schwerpunkt auf der Konvergenz von KI und blockchainbasierter Finanzinfrastruktur lag. Die Diskussionen umfassten die Rolle der Blockchain als KI-native Infrastruktur, die durch Tokenisierung vorangetriebenen Transformationen sowie regulatorische Überlegungen für institutionelle Anleger. Zu den Teilnehmern gehörten ADIA, DTCC, Franklin Templeton, BlackRock, Circle, Consensys und die Solana Foundation; die Ergebnisse der Diskussion wurden in Form eines Policy-Berichts veröffentlicht.

Leading private lender also completes second securitization in six months, underscoring platform scale and capital markets momentum

IRVINE, Calif., April 30, 2026 — Archwest Capital (“Archwest”), a leading private lender to residential real estate investors nationwide, backed by Bain Capital, today announced the continued expansion of its leadership team with senior executives from the business-purpose lending space. Archwest also recently surpassed $2.5 billion in funding and closed its second residential transition loan (“RTL”) securitization in six months.

Leadership Expansion to Support Continued Growth

As part of its 2026 growth strategy, Archwest has strengthened key leadership functions across operations, underwriting, and sales with the additions of Rankin Blair as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), Nick Lambert as Senior Vice President (“SVP”) of Underwriting, and Dan Federico as Executive Vice President (“EVP”) of Sales.

These leadership additions reflect Archwest’s continued investment in the infrastructure, talent, and operating discipline needed to support national growth, deepen client relationships, and scale its platform with consistency.

“Archwest is building a durable, institutionally scaled platform designed to serve professional real estate investors with speed, certainty, and consistency,” said Shawn Miller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Archwest. “Rankin, Nick, and Dan each bring meaningful leadership experience in business-purpose lending and real estate finance. Together, they strengthen our ability to scale thoughtfully, execute consistently, and deliver an exceptional experience to our clients and capital partners.”

Blair joined Archwest earlier as COO, where he leads the company’s core operational functions, including Processing, Underwriting & Credit, Loan Administration, and Technology. He brings more than a decade of experience building and leading high-performing organizations in business-purpose lending. Prior to joining Archwest, he spent 12 years at Lima One Capital, where he advanced through progressively senior leadership roles and ultimately served as COO. Blair also served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Captain.

Lambert joined Archwest in February as SVP of Underwriting. He brings more than 13 years of real estate experience spanning brokerage, acquisitions, construction, and credit. Prior to joining Archwest, he spent nearly five years at Genesis Capital, where he progressed from Construction Underwriting Analyst to Vice President of Underwriting. He is also a U.S. Army veteran whose decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

Archwest also recently added Federico as EVP of Sales. Federico brings nearly a decade of experience in real estate finance and lending, with expertise across originations, sales operations, underwriting, and capital markets. Before joining Archwest, he served as SVP of Sales at Anchor Loans and previously spent more than six years at CoreVest Finance, where he most recently served as SVP and Head of Sales Operations.

Platform Scale and Capital Markets Momentum

The expansion of Archwest’s leadership team comes alongside continued momentum across the business. On March 26, 2026, the company successfully closed its second RTL securitization in six months, a $275 million transaction, further demonstrating the scale and consistency of the Archwest platform.

The transaction mirrors the structure of Archwest’s 2025-RTL1 deal in late October, featuring a two-year revolving period that allows for reinvestment of payoffs into new collateral. The securitization generated strong investor demand across the capital stack, achieving an average of 2.4x oversubscription, with the A1 tranche nearly 5.0x oversubscribed.

“Closing our second securitization in six months and surpassing $2.5 billion in funding marks an important milestone for Archwest,” said Kieran Brady, Chief Financial Officer. “These achievements reflect the strength of our origination platform, the confidence of our capital partners, and the disciplined team we are building across the organization.”

About Archwest Capital
Archwest Capital is a leading private lender to residential real estate investors nationwide. The company provides business-purpose financing solutions across a diversified suite of products, including ground-up construction, fix-and-flip, bridge, and DSCR rental loan programs. Backed by Bain Capital, Archwest is known for its speed, transparency, and certainty of execution and is a trusted capital partner to thousands of experienced investors, builders, and developers nationwide.

Media Contact
Tuan Pham, CMO
Archwest Capital
[email protected]

SOURCE Archwest Capital

Launching exclusively at Whole Foods Market, the two-Michelin-starred London restaurant brings a new era of premium Indian cuisine to American kitchens

NEW YORK and LONDON, April 30, 2026 — Gymkhana Fine Foods, the premium Indian food brand born from London’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Gymkhana, announces its national U.S. launch, debuting exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide and online. The launch coincides with the close of an $8.5 million Series A funding round led by CAVU Consumer Partners, building on its partnership with the brand since its 2024 seed round, and arriving just months after the debut of its first U.S. Gymkhana restaurant in Las Vegas.

Co-founded by Gulrez Arora and JKS Restaurants, the team behind Gymkhana, one of London’s most celebrated restaurants, Gymkhana Fine Foods brings high-quality Indian cooking into the home through a range of simmer sauces and marinades rooted in the restaurant’s signature dishes. Developed in the Gymkhana restaurant kitchen, the collection uses the same ingredients, time-honored techniques and uncompromising approach that have defined the restaurant’s global reputation.

“Gymkhana restaurant has proved that Indian cuisine belongs at the highest level of global dining,” said Gulrez Singh Arora, CEO and Co-Founder of Gymkhana Fine Foods. “Now we’re bringing that magic into every kitchen. This isn’t just a product launch, it’s the beginning of Indian food’s premium moment in America, and Whole Foods is exactly where that story should start.”

The U.S. launch of Gymkhana Fine Foods features a curated lineup of Gymkhana’s best-selling simmer sauces and marinades, including Butter Masala, Goan Coconut Curry, Korma, Tikka Masala and Madras Simmer Sauces, alongside Classic Tandoori BBQ, Green Tikka and Roasted Garlic & Chili Marinades. Each product is designed to deliver a restaurant-quality meal at home in under 30 minutes with the simple addition of a single protein or vegetable.

“Gymkhana Fine Foods is a natural extension of the mission we set out with thirteen years ago when we opened Gymkhana in London. Each sauce, marinade and chutney has been created to deliver the same bold, authentic flavors found in our restaurants” says Karam Sethi, Co-Founder and Culinary and Creative Director of JKS Restaurants. “As we expand into the U.S., from our first restaurant in Las Vegas in 2025 to the launch of Gymkhana Fine Foods across the country, our aim remains the same: to offer Indian cuisine in its purest form, whether you’re cooking in your own kitchen or dining with us.”

Gymkhana Fine Foods first launched in the UK in 2023, where it quickly established itself as a breakout brand within the category, driven by a strategic partnership with Whole Foods Market UK and key national retailers. Even at an early stage, the brand is driving outsized impact within the Indian category, reigniting growth and outperforming both branded and private label competitors. According to Nielsen data, Gymkhana Fine Foods is the primary growth driver across total ambient sauce brands in the UK over the past 26 weeks, ahead of Heinz, Mutti and other major players. As of today, Gymkhana Fine Foods is now stocked in over 1,000 doors across Whole Foods Market UK, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and other leading retailers.

The U.S. debut positions the brand at the forefront of Indian cuisine’s evolution in America. While Indian food is one of the fastest-growing global cuisines, with more than $5 billion in at-home consumption across the U.S. and UK, the American retail landscape has historically lacked a premium, restaurant-credentialed offering.

“The best brands solve problems, and for too long,the at-home Indian category hasn’t reflected the depth and quality of the cuisine itself,” said Jared Jacobs, Managing Partner at CAVU Consumer Partners. “Gymkhana changes that, bringing restaurant-caliber Indian flavor into the modern home. We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership and support their ambition to build an iconic global Indian food brand.”

As part of the round, CAVU’s Rohan Oza and Jared Jacobs will continue to serve on Gymkhana Fine Foods’ Board of Directors.

“Gymkhana is bringing true restaurant-quality Indian cooking into the home in a way that feels both premium and accessible,” said Rohan Oza, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at CAVU Consumer Partners. “It’s exactly the kind of bold, flavor-forward, protein-rich offering consumers are gravitating toward today.”

Gymkhana Fine Foods products are available now at Whole Foods Market locations nationwide and online at gymkhanafinefoods.com, retailing at $8-10. For more information, follow @gymkhanafinefoods on social media or visit their website.

ABOUT GYMKHANA FINE FOODS
Gymkhana Fine Foods was born from Gymkhana, the celebrated Indian restaurant in London’s Mayfair that has held a Michelin star continuously since 2014 and was awarded its second star in 2024. The restaurant, part of JKS Restaurants, is known for its bold, meticulously crafted approach to Indian cuisine and has become one of London’s most sought-after dining destinations. Gymkhana Fine Foods brings that same culinary standard from the restaurant to the home kitchen, with a range of simmer sauces and marinades developed by the world-famous kitchen team. The brand launched in the UK in 2024 and has quickly established itself as the fastest-growing premium Indian brand in UK grocery, driving genuine category expansion with approximately 70% incremental sales in accounts where listed for a full year.

ABOUT JKS RESTAURANTS
JKS Restaurants is a globally recognised UK-based hospitality group, celebrated for its creativity, innovation and commitment to excellence. Founded in 2008 by siblings Jyotin Sethi, Karam Sethi and Sunaina Sethi, JKS has shaped the dining landscape with a portfolio of 30 restaurants across the UK, U.S. and Middle East, which includes brands created by the Sethis as well as those they partner and invest in.

The group holds 8 Michelin Stars and 6 Michelin Bib Gourmands across its portfolio of Indian Restaurants (Trishna, Gymkhana & 42, Brigadiers and Ambassadors Clubhouse), Fine Casual Restaurants (Berenjak, Hoppers, Plaza Khao Gaeng and Speedboat Bar) and Chef-Led Restaurants (BiBi, Sabor, Legado and Kitchen Table). Currently JKS is embarking on continued international expansion, focusing on North America and the Middle East.

For more information, visit www.jksrestaurants.com | @jks_restaurants

ABOUT CAVU CONSUMER PARTNERS
CAVU Consumer Partners invests in high-growth, iconic consumer brands with a mission to democratize healthy living for all humans and their families. CAVU was founded in 2015 by brand builder and ABC Shark Tank guest judge Rohan Oza and former hedge fund veteran Brett Thomas. CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) is a pilot term that is used to describe the best possible flying conditions. Using their deep brand-building, operational and financial expertise, CAVU strives to create the best possible conditions for their partners, enabling talented, passionate entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams. CAVU has backed leading consumer brands including Poppi, Bai, ONE Brands, Vital Proteins, Once Upon a Farm, Waterloo, Whoop, The Farmer’s Dog, Thrive Market, Beekeeper’s Naturals, Good Culture, and many others. For more information, please visit https://www.cavuconsumer.com/.

ABOUT GULREZ SINGH ARORA
Gulrez Singh Arora is the CEO and Co-Founder of Gymkhana Fine Foods, the premium Indian food brand bringing the flavors of London’s two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana restaurant from Mayfair to kitchens worldwide.

Gulrez grew up in New Delhi and spent over a decade at Mars, Inc. building innovation programs across three continents before deciding it was time to build something of his own. The idea for Gymkhana Fine Foods took hold when a meeting with JKS Restaurants CEO Jyotin Sethi revealed a shared ambition: translate one of London’s most celebrated restaurant kitchens into a product that could bring that same depth of Indian flavor into anyone’s home.

Under his leadership, Gymkhana Fine Foods has secured backing from CAVU Consumer Partners, the firm behind Poppi, Beyond Meat, and Vital Proteins, launched across major UK retailers, and is now arriving in the U.S. with a national launch at Whole Foods Market. Today, Gulrez lives in London with his wife and young daughter.

SOURCE Gymkhana Fine Foods

Startup Moldova Summit 2026 destaca el auge de Moldavia como puerta de entrada para empresas emergentes a los mercados europeos

CHIȘINĂU, Moldavia, 30 de abril de 2026 — Startup Moldova Summit 2026 puso de manifiesto la creciente posición de Moldavia como destino para empresas emergentes, atrayendo capital, talento y acceso al mercado de la UE, y reunió a más de 2.000 participantes, 150 empresas emergentes, 60 ponentes e inversores internacionales en Chisináu para la mayor edición hasta la fecha del evento insignia del país para empresas emergentes.

Organizada por Startup Moldova, la Cumbre anunció nuevas alianzas internacionales con Unicorn Factory Lisbon, el Ukrainian Startup Fund y SeedBlink, fortaleciendo los vínculos de Moldavia con programas de aceleración europeos, redes de inversores ángeles y oportunidades de innovación transfronteriza.

En la inauguración oficial, Olga Melniciuc, consejera delegada de Startup Moldova, destacó el rápido progreso del ecosistema:

“El ecosistema de Moldavia ha crecido hasta superar las 300 empresas, con un crecimiento anual del 20 %. Solo en 2025, las empresas emergentes generaron más de 60 millones de dólares en ingresos, crearon más de 1.500 empleos y atrajeron más de 17 millones de dólares en inversión, lo que demuestra que las empresas emergentes se están convirtiendo en un verdadero motor del crecimiento económico del país. El lema de la Cumbre —”Nacido en Moldavia. Construido para el mundo”— refleja la ambición de nuestros fundadores, que están creando empresas diseñadas para competir globalmente desde el primer día”.

Las alianzas estratégicas anunciadas durante la Cumbre ampliarán la conectividad de las empresas emergentes moldavas. Mediante la firma de memorandos, Unicorn Factory Lisbon y Startup Moldova apoyarán a las empresas emergentes moldavas para que accedan a programas de aceleración internacionales y oportunidades de escalamiento en los mercados de la UE.

La colaboración entre Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), Startup Moldova y el Ukrainian Startup Fund facilitará la cooperación transfronteriza, el acceso a financiación y la integración en el panorama de la innovación europea.

SeedBlink y Startup Moldova anunciaron el lanzamiento de la plataforma de inversión colectiva que permite a las empresas emergentes moldavas captar capital mediante rondas de inversión sindicadas y conectar con redes europeas de inversores ángeles.

Sergiu Rabii, director del Innovate Moldova Programme , financiado por Suecia y el Reino Unido, destacó la importancia de estas colaboraciones:

“Estas alianzas demuestran que el ecosistema de empresas emergentes de Moldavia está cada vez más conectado y tiene mayor relevancia internacional. Al mejorar el acceso a capital, experiencia y mercados, Suecia y el Reino Unido ayudan a los emprendedores moldavos a crecer más rápido y a construir empresas con potencial global”.

El entorno empresarial de Moldavia en general también se está volviendo más atractivo para las empresas y emprendedores tecnológicos. MITP ofrece un impuesto fijo del 7 % para las actividades digitales y de TI que cumplan los requisitos. El país está impulsando marcos para el trabajo remoto y el trabajo nómada digital, preparando un Fondo de Fondos para ampliar el acceso a capital de riesgo y de inversión, y desarrollando el Moldova HiTech Park como plataforma futura para las industrias de tecnología avanzada, I+D y tecnologías de vanguardia. Las inversiones en negocios sin contacto, gobierno electrónico e infraestructura pública digital, incluida la aplicación gubernamental EVO, están simplificando los servicios públicos y empresariales.

La Delegación de la Unión Europea en Chisináu reiteró su apoyo al fortalecimiento del ecosistema de innovación de Moldavia y su conexión con las oportunidades europeas. Julien Schmitt, director del programa EU4Innovation East, señaló:

“Startup Moldova Summit 2026 refleja el continuo progreso del ecosistema emprendedor moldavo. Por segundo año consecutivo, la Unión Europea, a través de EU4Innovation East, se enorgullece de apoyar esta plataforma que conecta a fundadores, inversores y mercados internacionales. A medida que crece el número de empresas emergentes en Moldavia, también aumenta la necesidad de estructuras de apoyo más sólidas y un mayor acceso al capital”.

La Cumbre también incluyó un espacio para startups donde 42 empresas emergentes presentaron sus productos, y la final nacional del concurso de presentación de proyectos Startup World Cup. Diez empresas emergentes presentaron sus proyectos ante un jurado compuesto por inversores internacionales. Prompted AI resultó ganadora y representará a Moldavia en la final mundial en San Francisco, donde competirá por el premio de 1 millón de dólares. LyricFluent y Argus AI obtuvieron el segundo y tercer lugar, respectivamente.

Startup Moldova Summit 2026 concluyó con un mensaje claro: Moldavia se está convirtiendo en un destino destacado para la inversión en empresas emergentes e innovación global, brindando a los fundadores un mejor acceso a capital, experiencia y mercados, a la vez que ofrece a los socios internacionales un ecosistema de innovación en rápido desarrollo cerca de la Unión Europea.

Foto – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2970070/Startup_Moldova_Summit_2024_Photo.jpg