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Artificial Intelligence

PunkPoll Unveils Censorship-Resistant Voting and Survey Platform Powered by Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Mina Protocol

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As part of its Open Beta launch, PunkPoll is integrating with the popular Korean-based messenger app KakaoTalk, reaching more than 150 million users with Mina’s succinct ZK blockchain
GENEVA, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Mina Foundation, the organization serving the Mina Protocol, has partnered with PunkPoll, an online voting and survey platform that today announces the launch of its Open Beta. The PunkPoll voting system allows for anonymous responses and protects personal privacy through a zero-knowledge-native design verified on Mina Protocol.

As part of its Open Beta launch, PunkPoll is integrating with KakaoTalk, a popular Korean-based messenger app with more than 150 million users worldwide. This integration is made possible by Mina’s recursive zero-knowledge proof technology, which allows for its succinct 22KB blockchain to be embedded in users’ smartphones and day-to-day devices.
Joon Kim, a board member of the Mina Foundation, said of the partnership, “The holy grail of blockchain is finding killer use cases. PunkPoll, through its Open Beta, is positioned to showcase not only ZK-voting for real-world users, guaranteeing privacy and security, but decentralized identity verification through social graphing. We believe that PunkPoll not only highlights the potential of Mina’s technology but stands as a beacon for the blockchain industry as a whole. Mina Foundation is excited for what else is to come through this partnership.”
Mina Protocol uses zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) that allow one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement. Leveraging Mina’s ZK offerings for developers, PunkPoll minimizes the risks of sensitive data disclosure while upholding polling transparency and verifying the uniqueness of users’ identities.
PunkPoll’s platform supports a wide range of voting and survey use cases and user preferences. Among these features, PunkPoll offers social graphing — a novel voter authentication method where friends verify each others’ identities, rather than relying on personal documents and centralized certification authorities. This approach enables identity verification based on human relationships and is a key part of PunkPoll’s decentralized registration process.
Peter Baek, the CEO of PunkPoll added, “The aim of PunkPoll’s service is to enhance the transparency of voting processes and ensure the integrity of voting results, all while protecting the privacy of voters. By utilizing recursive zero-knowledge proofs on Mina’s performant Hodori Net, and soon, on mainnet, we simplify the voting verification process and enhance the scalability of the system. We believe the combination of these cutting-edge technologies effectively solves the problems that occur in existing voting systems.”
PunkPoll launches its Open Beta service on the Mina Hodori Net, featuring an anonymized ‘News-Based Public Opinion Poll’ system based on its zk-Voting infrastructure. For more information, please visit: https://www.punkpoll.io/.
Joon Kim, board member of the Mina Foundation, is available for comment
About Mina Protocol Mina Protocol is a next-gen zero knowledge (ZK) blockchain. Rather than apply brute computing force, Mina uses advanced cryptography and recursive zk-SNARKs to design an entire blockchain that is fixed at 22KB, the size of a couple tweets. Lightweight and accessible, Mina enables efficient implementation and easy programmability of zero knowledge smart contracts (zkApps). With Mina’s enhanced privacy features and off-chain execution model, developers can build novel applications that bridge the real world and crypto—bringing us closer to the secure, democratic future we all deserve.
About Mina Foundation:The Mina Foundation serves the Mina Protocol. The Foundation supports the protocol and its community by issuing grants to third parties that make significant contributions, fostering community growth, and championing Mina in the wider world. Mina Foundation board members include former Executive Director at ZCash Foundation Josh Cincinnati, Harvard Business School Finance Professor, and Coinbase Advisory board member Marco Di Maggio, Head of Product at OP Labs Tess Rinearson, Mina Foundation General Counsel Joon Kim, and former O(1) Labs CEO Evan Shapiro.
About PunkPoll:PunkPoll is a decentralized voting and public opinion polling platform, aiming to innovatively transform political participation in the digital age. This platform is designed to address several limitations and vulnerabilities of traditional voting systems, such as the potential for manipulation, lack of transparency, and privacy issues. PunkPoll employs the latest decentralized technologies, including Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) based blockchain and NFTs, to provide a secure and transparent voting system, as well as anonymized surveys and public opinion polling, enabling users to directly participate in substantial decision-making processes.
This system uses a decentralized registration method, allowing users to become PunkPoll citizens (panel members) through social graph authentication via messenger. This facilitates user participation in the mechanisms of direct democracy, with the goal of creating a user-friendly platform that is easily accessible from anywhere in the world.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/punkpoll-unveils-censorship-resistant-voting-and-survey-platform-powered-by-zero-knowledge-proofs-and-mina-protocol-302043743.html

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Artificial Intelligence

APIX and RBI Join Forces to Drive Financial Innovation Through HaRBInger 2024 Hackathon

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SINGAPORE, June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — APIX, the leading global collaborative innovation platform for financial institutions and fintechs across over 90 countries, today announced its partnership with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to host the prestigious HaRBInger 2024 hackathon. This landmark collaboration aims to bring together the brightest minds from around the world to develop cutting-edge solutions that enhance the security and inclusivity of the financial ecosystem.

Under the overarching themes of Combatting Fraud and Financial Inclusion for the Differently-abled, the hackathon challenges participants to tackle four critical problem statements focused on real-time fraud detection, ensuring transaction anonymity, identifying mule accounts, and empowering the visually impaired in financial transactions.
“At APIX Platform, we are thrilled and proud to once again partner with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for HaRBInger,” shares Umang Moondra, CEO of APIX. “Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has led from the front in driving innovation in the financial services sector, and HaBRInger 2024’s focus on critical challenges related to fostering security, integrity, transparency, trust and inclusivity in digital transactions, is a testament to the leadership role that they play.”
As a trusted platform utilised by major banks and regulators worldwide, APIX is uniquely positioned to empower innovators and accelerate their journey toward bringing innovative ideas to life. Leveraging innovative technologies such as AI/ML, APIs, Data Analytics, and more, HaRBInger 2024 participants will have the opportunity to create solutions that drive meaningful change and leave a lasting impact on the financial services industry.
The hackathon welcomes individuals, teams, and enterprises from diverse backgrounds and geographies to participate, offering a platform to showcase their skills on a global stage. With exciting prizes up for grabs, including INR 40,00,000 (~USD 48,000) for the winner in each problem statement category and a special prize of INR 20,00,000 (~USD 24,000) for the best all-woman team, the opportunities are substantial.
Registration for HaRBInger 2024 started on June 7, 2024, and will unfold in four exciting phases on the APIX Platform: screening of entries, shortlisting for solution development, solution development with mentoring and support, and the selection of winners.
Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate with like-minded innovators, gain exposure to industry leaders, and shape the future of finance on the APIX Platform.
For media inquiries or additional details about HaRBInger 2024, please contact [email protected].
For more information and to register now, visit HaRBInger 2024 at: https://hackolosseum.apixplatform.com/h1/harbinger2024
About APIX:
APIX is a collaborative innovation platform for fintechs and innovators across 90+ countries, empowering Financial Institutions to accelerate their innovation journey. 
Major banks, insurers, and regulators in the world use APIX to rapidly discover, test, and evaluate solutions by running comprehensive innovation programs, which include innovation challenges and hackathons. 
Ideas are everywhere. Bring the best to the table with APIX. Collaborate to innovate today at www.apixplatform.com.  
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Maxterial Raises nearly $8 Million in Series A Funding

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Reinforces Position as a Disruptive Force in Material Science Innovation

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Maxterial, a technology company dedicated to pioneering advancements in material science including the commercialization of advanced coatings, has announced the successful closure of its Series A funding round, raising nearly $8 million. This milestone underscores Maxterial’s rising influence in disruptive material science technologies and its commitment to reshaping traditional industry norms with dynamic and environmentally responsible solutions.
Led by CEO Dr. Mehdi Kargar and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Amy Haghdoost, Maxterial has pioneered material science advancements for nearly a decade. The company’s lean approach to reaching the product-growth fit stage has garnered widespread acclaim, attracting a range of customers and influential investors, including Peter Thiel’s Breakout Labs, Pierre Omidyar’s UP2398, and corporate innovation leaders like Saint-Gobain and Anglo American.
The Series A funding round, led by Helios Climate Ventures, with participation from global corporation QEMETICA (formerly Ciech), solidifies Maxterial’s position as a leader in climate-conscious innovation. This capital enables Maxterial to accelerate its R&D efforts, including large-scale trials, expand its products, and scale operations in North America and Europe.
“We are thrilled to have secured nearly $11 million to date in equity financing, which reflects the confidence investors have in our vision, our unique go-to-market strategies, and the transformative potential of our technology,” said Dr. Mehdi Kargar, CEO of Maxterial. “This scalable platform fits many markets in urgent need of dynamic, sustainable solutions. Series A funding enables us to drive transformational growth across multiple industries.”
Maxterial replaces environmentally harmful and energy-inefficient processes using Hexavalent Hard Chrome (H-Chrome) with a superior solution that is safe, environmentally friendly, and cost effective at a time when material science startups have struggled to attract investment. The company breaks those cycles by delivering unique synergies that integrate the needs of investors, customers, supply chains, and industry experts with a product and service model that delivers exceptional performance, accelerates change and mitigates risk.
Maxterial has already gained significant initial traction. Ongoing trials in Europe and North America are attracting early adopters eager for cutting-edge solutions. By prioritizing sustainability, performance, and scalability, Maxterial can protect against wear, heat, and corrosion, reduce carbon footprint, and eliminate toxic materials like hexavalent chromium.
“We set out to create a company that delivers exceptional technology and exceptional returns,” notes Dr. Kargar. “As we accelerate our implementation, we want to share our insights and expertise with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors interested in driving positive change.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Carmen FerrignoChief Marketing Officer, MaxterialPhone: 215.287.3658Email: [email protected]
About Maxterial:Maxterial is a Bay Area technology company dedicated to pioneering advancements in material science, including the commercialization of advanced coatings. Founded in 2015, Maxterial leverages an eco-systemic lean tech approach to develop innovative solutions that protect against wear, heat, and corrosion while reducing carbon footprint and eliminating toxic materials from industrial processes. Maxterial is committed to driving responsible transformation in the material science industry through thought leadership, innovation, and collaboration that inspires others to embrace responsible innovation.
To learn more, visit Maxterial.com
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Altair Named a Leader in the June 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms

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Altair recognized in the report’s Leaders’ Quadrant for Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute
TROY, Mich., June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Altair (Nasdaq: ALTR), a global leader in computational intelligence, today announced that it has been positioned by Gartner as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms for its offering, Altair® RapidMiner®. The evaluation was based on specific criteria that analyzed the company’s overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute.

According to the report, “Leaders in this market have a mature, refined, and targeted company and platform strategy that incorporates and leverages generative AI (GenAI) to drive their customers’ business value. They see opportunities for leveraging GenAI that other providers may not see or have made significant investments above and beyond standard offerings. They have the capability to innovate at a speed that outperforms other vendors. In addition, they can clearly articulate how they provide value to the multiple types of personas involved in the process of building data science and machine learning models.” 
“We believe being named as a Leader in this latest report validates what we have known for years: Altair has one of the market’s most unique, most comprehensive offerings for data analytics and machine learning,” said James R. Scapa, founder and chief executive officer, Altair. “For us, this placement is also a testament to our unmatched vision, which has defined us since our inception. We are pioneers that define what it means to be at the forefront of technological innovation and computational intelligence. I am incredibly proud of where Altair stands today, and I look forward to the strides we continue to make each day.”
Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players. The research enables you to get the most from market analysis in alignment with your unique business and technology needs.
View a complimentary copy of the Magic Quadrant report to learn more about Altair’s strengths and cautions, among other provider offerings, at https://web.altair.com/gartner-magic-quadrant-for-data-science-and-machine-learning-platforms-2024.
Gartner Disclaimer
Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms, Afraz Jaffri, Aura Popa, Peter Krensky, Jim Hare, Raghvender Bhati, Maryam Hassanlou, Tong Zhang, 17 June 2024.
GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About Altair
Altair is a global leader in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair enables organizations across all industries to compete more effectively and drive smarter decisions in an increasingly connected world – all while creating a greener, more sustainable future. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.
Media contacts
Altair Corporate                                           
Altair Investor Relations
Bridget Hagan                                             
Stephen Palmtag
+1.216.769.2658                                         
+1.669.328.9111
[email protected]                       
[email protected]
Altair Europe/The Middle East/Africa
Charlotte Hartmann
+49 7031 6208 0
[email protected]
 
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