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National Grid Partners Driving Clean Energy Future with $24 Million in New Startup Investments

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Key Highlights

  • National Grid is a principal partner of the United Nations’ COP26 climate conference
  • National Grid Partners will host COP26 panel “Innovating our Way to Net-Zero”
  • New investments support National Grid goals of digitalization, decentralization, decarbonization
  • NextGrid Alliance convenes nearly half the world’s regulated energy utilities to boost innovation

One of the largest energy companies in the world, National Grid (LSE:NG) (NYSE: NGG) operates the electric and natural gas infrastructure that serves 80 million customers in Great Britain and the U.S. But even as it works to deliver cleaner, safer and more affordable energy today, the company is investing heavily in transformational technologies to help the planet achieve a net-zero energy future.

“Climate change,” states National Grid’s Responsible Business Charter, “is the defining challenge of this generation.” The company is a principal partner of the United Nations’ COP26 climate conference, which kicks off next week in Glasgow. Against that backdrop, National Grid Partners (NGP) today announced a new slate of investments in startups at the intersection of energy and emerging technology.

The utility industry’s first Silicon Valley-based corporate venture and innovation group has injected $24 million into six more companies whose technology can make power grids greener, more secure and more customer-friendly.

“As we mark our third anniversary, we’re proud to invest in companies that support National Grid’s goals of digitalization, decentralization and decarbonization,” said Lisa Lambert, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer of National Grid and the Founder and President of National Grid Partners.

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The new deals announced today include:

  • AptEdge of San Mateo, CA, which leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to help companies in the energy, technology and other industries transform their customer support operations.

  • Santa Clara, CA-based Cogniac, a provider of enterprise-class artificial intelligence image analysis to replace rote tasks with AI vision. Its technology reduces the cost of field engineering inspections for critical asset businesses such as utilities.

  • Finite State of Columbus, OH, which automates product security in connected devices and embedded systems for utilities and other critical infrastructure industries undergoing digital transformation.

  • Risilience, headquartered in Cambridge, UK, which helps companies plan and manage their transformation to net-zero emissions. The startup is an offshoot of the University of Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies.

  • Sync Computing, a startup in Cambridge, MA, spun out of MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory. It uses a groundbreaking optimization engine to help industries accelerate cloud computing, while also saving energy and reducing their carbon footprints.

  • TS Conductor, based in San Clemente, CA. Its technology replaces legacy materials in high-voltage electricity transmission lines with a next-generation conductor that doubles the lines’ capacity without the need to retrofit towers or other infrastructure.

Also today, existing portfolio company Dragos announced a $200 million funding round in which NGP participated as a returning investor. The Series D round is believed to be the largest ever for an operational technology (OT) cybersecurity company. NGP first invested in Dragos in 2018, when National Grid began using the company’s industrial threat intelligence service to monitor global threats to industrial control systems.

“All these investments show we’re dedicated to backing innovators all over the world and playing a vital part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lambert.

At COP26 next week in Glasgow, she will moderate a panel discussion with National Grid CEO John Pettigrew and the chief executives of Edison International and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on how corporate investments in startups can supercharge new clean-energy technologies.

By the Numbers

Since its launch in November 2018, National Grid Partners has

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  • put $290 million to work in 35 startups and four specialty investment funds;

  • led more than 60 percent of its startup investment rounds;

  • achieved four portfolio exits – most recently, this month’s IPO of Vancouver-based Copperleaf Technologies, which helps National Grid and other critical infrastructure companies ensure their capital spending generates the highest strategic value, including planning for net-zero.

And with a fresh funding allocation of $150 million that was announced earlier this year, NGP is poised to continue disrupting the status quo while collaborating with dozens of other global utility companies in the NextGrid Alliance. Nearly half the world’s regulated energy utilities have participated in NGA workshops in the past year to help advance innovation and accelerate the decarbonization transition. A new online community for Alliance members, at https://ngalliance.energy, will launch Nov. 5 in tandem with Lambert’s COP26 panel.

More than 70 percent of NGP’s portfolio companies have strategic engagements with National Grid to help transform our operations – such as San Jose, CA-based AiDash, which combines satellite data and artificial intelligence to protect critical infrastructure. After a successful deployment in our U.S. service territories to spot overgrown vegetation that can spark outages or fires, AiDash at COP26 will unveil an environmental stewardship product developed with National Grid and NGP’s Innovation team.

“We’re committed to building a smarter, more reliable energy future,” said Lambert, “and to supporting the technologies that will benefit the planet for generations.”

Artificial Intelligence

Asia Mobiliti Applauded by Frost & Sullivan for Powering Intelligent Urban Mobility and Offering Customer Value with Its MaaS Solutions

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Asia Mobiliti’s efficient, sustainable, and interconnected mobility solutions improve user experience, reduce congestion and environmental impact, and reshape urban spaces.
SAN ANTONIO, June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan recently researched the mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) industry and, based on its analysis, recognizes Asia Mobiliti with the 2024 Asia-Pacific (APAC) Customer Value Leadership Award. As a pioneering start-up, the company has dedicated itself to reshaping urban mobility by actively developing innovative data products. It specializes in designing, engineering, and operating a cutting-edge data platform aimed at powering intelligent urban mobility. The platform seamlessly connects fleet operators, transport providers, transit authorities, and end users through a data-driven approach. The company’s comprehensive suite of products and services include:

Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning powered digital city solutionsMaaS technologiesDemand-Responsive Transit systemsMobility data servicesAsia Mobiliti’s unique mobility platform integrates IoT and telematics with journey planning, enabling it to lead transport digitalization. The company catalyzes innovative data-driven and artificial intelligence solutions for the transit and mobility ecosystem, facilitating the widespread adoption of MaaS across emerging markets. Asia Mobiliti is at the forefront of revolutionizing intelligent urban mobility, offering diverse products and services. The company’s connected vehicle systems provide real-time tracking and monitoring capabilities for vehicles and fleets. These systems have analytics tools that optimize routes, enhance fuel efficiency, and improve fleet performance. Asia Mobiliti places a significant emphasis on mobility data services, utilizing the power of data to offer valuable insights for informed decision-making processes. Over the long term, it envisions reducing congestion, reducing environmental impact, and reshaping urban spaces while replacing spaces traditionally reserved for parking and traffic with more sustainable, natural living spaces.
Ming Lih Chan, industry principal for Frost & Sullivan’s mobility practice, observed, “Asia Mobiliti disrupts the traditional transportation system model and promotes the development of public travel needs. Its MaaS integrates multiple transportation modes and combines private and public modes of transport with demand-responsive services, which sustainably meets the different needs of the public.”
Asia Mobiliti’s Trek Rides and Trek App solutions represent a paradigm shift in urban mobility. Trek Rides, an on-demand transit service, efficiently fills the first-mile/last-mile gaps by merging the convenience of ride-hailing with the dedicated supply of public transport. This reduces traffic congestion, lowers travel costs, and facilitates the shift towards net-zero emission goals. Trek’s MaaS engine employs advanced algorithms for comprehensive multimodal journey planning, ensuring the seamless integration of various transportation modes. Additionally, Trek API facilitates integration with 3rd-party systems and super apps. Asia Mobiliti’s unique selling proposition lies in its compelling price/performance value within the highly competitive mobility services landscape, granting it a distinctive competitive edge in effectively addressing a broad spectrum of client needs.
“Asia Mobiliti underlines its supremacy in the MaaS sector through its strategic commitment to collaboration and customization. The company is a pivotal partner for governments, transit authorities, and large clients, offering a user-friendly platform backed by cutting-edge technology. Asia Mobiliti earns recognition as the best-in-class provider in the dynamic MaaS landscape for its operational efficiency, consistent revenue growth, and forward-looking expansion strategy,” added Norazah Bachok, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. As a cost-effective and innovative market player, the company solidifies its position by delivering exceptional client value.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in implementing strategies that proactively create value for customers with a focus on improving the return on the investment that customers make in its services or products. The award recognizes the company’s unique focus on augmenting the value that its customers receive, beyond simply good customer service, leading to improved customer retention and customer base expansion.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
About Frost & Sullivan
For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion.
Contact:
Tarini SinghP: +91 9953764546E: [email protected] 
About Asia MobilitiFounded in 2018 and based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Asia Mobiliti is an award-winning, Malaysia Digital status company providing a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform and digital city solutions designed and engineered for the developing world. We adopt a technology platform approach with a core software-defined engine that is capable of spawning innovative mobility solutions that encompass Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled advanced telematics, machine learning-based mobility-as-a-service technology, as well as a wide variety of transit technologies, such as demand-responsive transit, transport service analytics, condition monitoring for rail and road and account-based ticketing and payments.
For more information, visit asiamobiliti.com or email [email protected]
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More than 150,000 money laundering accounts detected in APAC

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Region sees 108% increase in voice scams as fraudsters continue shift to mobile
MELBOURNE, Australia and MUMBAI, India, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new financial crime report out today details how criminal organizations in the APAC region now outsource the laundering of money stolen via scams to international syndicates specializing in this cleaning. BioCatch identified and helped APAC banks shut down more than 150,000 money mule accounts in 2023 and estimates exponentially more such accounts in use across the region.

“Where there are scams, there are mules,” BioCatch Director of Global Fraud Intelligence Tom Peacock said. “Criminal organizations use these mule accounts as intermediate stops between the victim’s bank account and the final account from which they plan to withdraw their stolen money. The mules we’ve identified almost certainly represent a tiny fraction of those actively laundering money in the region, with more cropping up every day. Financial institutions in APAC and around the world must do more to identify these mules, hamper their ability to open new accounts, and identify those legitimate accounts money launderers succeed in turning from good to bad.”
In this latest edition of its Digital Banking Fraud Trends in APAC report, BioCatch – which identifies and prevents fraud and financial crime in real time by analyzing as many as 3,000 different physical behavior patterns (mouse movements and typing speed, for example) and cognitive signals (hesitation, segmented typing, etc.) in search of anomalies – points to mobile malware as the greatest threat to banks in Southeast Asia in 2024.
“Whether through SMS-mining or illegal loan apps, we’ve seen an explosion in Android-based malware in the region,” Peacock said. “Malware developers continue to innovate, circumventing bank and Google Play Store defenses to harvest what they need from mobile devices to access digital banking accounts and then transfer away the victim’s funds to a money mule.”
There is reason for hope in fighting fraud in APAC, however. In Australia, the number of reported scam cases grew by 13% in 2023, but scam losses declined by $90 million.
“Nine out of the 10 largest Australian banks employ BioCatch solutions to protect their customers from fraud and financial crime by analyzing the behavior of the user behind every online banking session,” BioCatch APAC Vice President Richard Booth said. “Already in 2024, we see massive progress: Money lost to fraud in the country declined by 48% in the first quarter of this year compared to Q1 of 2023. It’s difficult to reach any conclusion other than that BioCatch has left Australian digital-banking customers far safer from fraud than they were before.”
Other key findings:
No desktop or laptop needed: BioCatch found as much as 70% of all reported frauds in APAC originated from mobile apps in 2023, an increase of 17% from the year before.Scams are everywhere: Across the region, the number of reported voice scams increased by 108% in 2023.Australia bucking all trends: In addition to seeing fraud losses actually decline, the nation also saw fewer fraud cases involving malware or Remote Administration Tools (RATs) in 2023 than it did in 2022.Click here to access BioCatch’s complete 2024 Digital Banking Fraud Trends in APAC report.
About BioCatch:BioCatch stands at the forefront of digital fraud detection, pioneering behavioral biometric intelligence grounded in advanced cognitive science and machine learning. BioCatch analyzes thousands of user interactions to support a digital banking environment where identity, trust, and ease coexist. Today, more than 30 of the world’s largest 100 banks and 196 total financial institutions rely on BioCatch Connect™ to combat fraud, facilitate digital transformation, and grow customer relationships. BioCatch’s Client Innovation Board – an industry-led initiative featuring American Express, Barclays, Citi Ventures, HSBC, and National Australia Bank – collaborates to pioneer creative and innovative ways to leverage customer relationships for fraud prevention. With more than a decade of data analysis, 92 registered patents, and unmatched expertise, BioCatch continues to lead innovation to address future challenges. For more information, please visit www.biocatch.com.
Media contact:Jay [email protected]
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Puyi Fund, Managed by Highest Performances Holdings Inc., Surpasses RMB 24.0 Billion in Assets under Advice, Showing Promising Start to Strategic Transformation

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GUANGZHOU, China, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Highest Performances Holdings Inc. (“HPH” or the Group, NASDAQ: HPH), announces that its Puyi Fund’s assets under advice for its asset allocation services reached RMB 24.7 billion as of June 21, 2024, reflecting a remarkable year-on-year growth of 188%. This substantial increase in scale showcases significant growth for the fund.

This accomplishment is primarily attributed to the Puyi Fund’s service philosophy, “long-term commitment to clients and clients’ long-term benefits,” introduced in 2023, as well as the ongoing efforts of the Company in adjusting its product strategy and embracing digital transformation. On one hand, the Company implemented a comprehensive family wealth management account system, redirecting its flagship products towards fixed-income funds and fund portfolios to enhance clients’ perception of wealth acquisition. On the other hand, the Company has elevated its overall service standard through digital transformation, greatly improving the client’s investment experience.
Transforming Product Strategy to Maximize Client Returns
In relation to product strategy transformation, Puyi Fund offers investors a comprehensive solution for managing their family wealth through a scientific approach. This solution guides investors in allocating their investment assets across three types of accounts: Flexible Withdrawal Accounts, Stable Appreciation Accounts, and High-Yield Pursuit Accounts. By considering various market conditions and cycles, investors can make informed decisions on how to distribute their funds among these accounts through a scientific approach for achieving risk mitigation, consistent asset growth, and long-term sustainable investment returns.
Taking into account the prevailing market conditions in China, Puyi Fund advises investors to allocate 25% to 90% of their funds to Stable Appreciation Accounts, depending on their risk tolerance. These accounts primarily involve investing in fixed-income funds, providing investors with consistent and reliable expected returns. By employing the stable appreciation strategy, Puyi Fund aims to restore investors’ confidence in the market, leading to increased trust and recognition. Consequently, Puyi Fund has experienced a period of rapid growth and positive development.
An analysis of data from the Chinese mutual fund market highlights the alignment of Puyi Fund’s client-centric product strategy transformation with market demands. According to Wind data, the market value of the Chinese mutual fund market stood at RMB 25.45 trillion at the end of 2021. By the end of May 2024, this amount grew to RMB 29.09 trillion, representing an increase of RMB 3.64 trillion or 14.30%. The value of equity and hybrid funds, however, experienced a decline from RMB 8.54 trillion to RMB 6.34 trillion, marking a decrease of RMB 2.21 trillion. In contrast, bond funds and money market funds collectively witnessed a significant increase of RMB 5.69 trillion. These market trends suggest that Chinese fund investors are shifting their risk preferences towards lower-risk and higher-certainty assets. Puyi Fund’s strategic transformation is well-positioned to take advantage of this evolving trend.
Enhancing Digital Service Innovation with a Focus on Client Service
In its digital transformation efforts, Puyi Fund places a strong emphasis on “client-centricity” and “service excellence”. By harnessing the power of big data, algorithm mining, and the Sensor Intelligent System, Puyi Fund establishes personalized service scenarios tailored to the unique needs of thousands of individuals. Through meticulous operations that cover the full client lifecycle, Puyi Fund offers full-scope online transactions for both public and private fund clients, establishing a distinctive digital competitive advantage. As of June 2024, the year-to-date client retention rate for fund advisory services stands at 75%, significantly enhancing the likelihood of investment profitability and returns for clients. This success enables clients to truly appreciate the value of advisory services and the time invested in their investments.
Furthermore, Puyi Fund has made continuous advancements in its intelligent client service system, leveraging digital platforms to offer investors comprehensive and efficient services. As of June 2024, the intelligent client service has catered to the needs of approximately 250,000 investors, providing 7*24 services, with a problem resolution rate surpassing 90%. Moreover, Puyi Fund complements intelligent client service with human support, resulting in a client satisfaction rate of 99%. This approach guarantees that investors receive timely and effective assistance whenever required.
Optimizing Trust-Based Communication Channels with Clients
Puyi Fund’s capability to swiftly establish client trust is attributable to its distinctive offline service channels. Unlike other third-party fund sales institutions that heavily rely on online platforms, Puyi Fund provides face-to-face, one-on-one services through offline channels. This approach is especially valuable in navigating complex investment environments, effectively calming investor emotions, enabling them to stay composed and gain a proper understanding of products, ultimately making well-informed investment decisions. Since 2024, Puyi Fund’s research and advisory team has released 28 specialized research reports and organized 19 online client exchanges, along with 35 offline client events, in response to market dynamics and client needs. These initiatives have effectively addressed investors’ concerns and enhanced their confidence.
It is worth mentioning that Puyi Fund’s institutional business has experienced remarkable growth this year, particularly in attracting clients from prominent financial institutions including banks, wealth management subsidiaries, and insurance companies. To cater specifically to institutional investors, Puyi Fund has developed an intelligent over-the-counter fund trading system called “Web-based Institution Master system”. This system provides institutional investors with a wide range of product portfolios, a comprehensive investment research system, and personalized trading experiences. As a result, it comprehensively improves the service quality and efficiency for institutional clients.
As of June 21, Puyi Fund established partnerships with 117 mutual fund companies, including the top 20 fund managers in terms of size, providing access to nearly 11,000 public funds and implementing over 20 customized advisory strategies. In the private fund sector, Puyi Fund has selected over 30 fund managers from the entire market. Of these, 38% manage assets over RMB 10 billion, while 29% manage assets between RMB 5 billion and RMB 10 billion. This selection covers a wide range of mainstream strategy products in the market, catering to the allocation needs of various types of investors.
It is reported that Puyi Fund, an independent third-party fund sales institution holding a fund sales business license issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, operates as a subsidiary of Highest Performances Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: HPH). Embracing the concept of buyer advisor, Puyi Fund is dedicated to delivering comprehensive family financial asset allocation services to individual investors and diversified financial services to institutional investors through its financial technology service platform. With exceptional resource integration capabilities, professional research expertise, and high-quality client service, Puyi Fund strives to cultivate long-term partnerships with clients, catering to their personalized asset allocation needs in various scenarios while assisting a broader range of investors in achieving sustainable long-term returns. As of December 31, 2023, the accumulated assets under Puyi Fund’s allocation advisory services surpassed RMB 75.1 billion, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 128.8% from 2015 to 2023.
About Highest Performances Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: HPH)
HPH was founded in 2010 with the aim of becoming a top provider of smart home and enterprise services. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for families worldwide, focusing on two main driving forces: “technological intelligence” and “capital investments.”HPH has a global strategic perspective and identifies high-quality enterprises with global potential for investment and operations. Its areas of focus include asset allocation, education and study tours, cultural tours, sports events, healthcare and elderly care and family governance.
HPH currently holds controlling interests in two leading financial service providers in China, namely Fanhua Inc., a technology-driven platform, and Fanhua Puyi Fund Distribution Co., Ltd., an independent wealth management service provider.
Highest Performances Holdings Inc., formerly known as Puyi Inc., was renamed on March 13, 2024 to reflect its strategic transformation.

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