Nvidia will launch its new graphics Tarjet series in 2025. In 3DJuegos we tested the RTX 5090, its most powerful product with the new Blackwell architecture and DLSS4, to accompany our unboxing.
MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – On Sunday, January 19, the internationally acclaimed piano virtuoso Lang Lang, alongside the Macao Orchestra, captivated audiences at the Galaxy International Convention Center (“GICC”), one of Asia’s most iconic and advanced MICE destinations, with a grand symphony of romantic classical music. Lang Lang carefully curated pivotal works from his artistic journey and 2025 tour, presenting masterpieces by Chopin and Rachmaninov through both solo and concerto performances. The nearly two-hour sold-out performance concluded with Lang Lang’s heartfelt encore of “Jasmine Flower”.
Lang Lang Returns to Asia with a Stunning Reinterpretation of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 After a Decade.
Presented under the banner of “Galaxy Music Gala: Lang Lang and Macao Orchestra”, the event was organized by Galaxy Macau™, with the Bank of China (Hong Kong) as the preferred credit card partner. It kicked off with Shostakovich’s “Festival Overture” performed by the Macao Orchestra under the baton of the esteemed conductor Lio Kuokman. Following this vibrant introduction, Lang Lang delivered a mesmerizing solo performance of Chopin’s 12 pieces of “Mazurkas”, with expressive technique and enchanting style, Lang Lang brought to life Chopin’s vibrant, Polish folk-inspired music, evoking the joy and rhythm of a traditional village dance. The Macao Orchestra then presented Mascagni’s Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana”, showcasing their exceptional performance skills under Lio’s direction. The tense and abrupt melodies held the audience in suspense, touching the hearts of every listener.
Lang Lang performed a solo recital of 12 Chopin’s “Mazurkas,” which was extremely infectious and enchanting.
The evening reached its peak with Lang Lang’s extraordinary collaboration with the Macao Orchestra on Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No.2”, enveloping the audience in an atmosphere of profound romance and passion. Lang Lang’s seamless partnership with the orchestra allowed the audience to experience a rich and complex emotional journey through the music, culminating in a breathtaking climax. Many concertgoers, including aspiring young musicians accompanied by their parents, left the venue inspired, with one attendee remarking that the experience lingered in their heart long after the final notes faded.
Lang Lang, together with the Macao Orchestra, jointly performed Rachmaninov’s “Piano Concerto No. 2,” pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
In a heartfelt moment, Lang Lang shared his long-standing passion for Rachmaninov, revealing that this was his first performance of the concerto in Asia in nearly a decade. His fresh interpretation, imbued with new insights and emotional resonance, was a special dedication to the audience in Macau. Notably, this concert marked Lang Lang’s first formal collaboration with conductor Lio Kuokman, a rising star in classical music. Chasing back for his connection to Macau, which began with his first solo recital in 2003, Lang Lang praised the city’s growing cultural vibrancy, particularly with its increasing presence of international orchestras, making it a hub for the high-standard performances. Reflecting on his debut at the GICC, Lang Lang described the experience as particularly special. In such a spacious venue, the sound was focused and immersive, allowing him to feel the collective breath of the audience during his performance.
Witnessed by Mr. Francis Lui, Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Lang Lang stamped his handprint and gifted it to Galaxy Macau, marking the perfect conclusion to the entire performance itinerary.
As one of the Phase 3 projects at Galaxy Macau, GICC features a world-class event venue, continuing to be a beacon of first-rate arts, sports, and exhibition events from 2023. The “Galaxy Music Gala: Lang Lang and Macao Orchestra” not only enriched Macau’s cultural tapestry but also reinforced the city’s reputation as a “City of Performing Arts,” delivering an unforgettable performance to its audience.
Tons of music fans came in admiration, and numerous young musicians came with their parents to experience the works of the master up close.
Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ABOUT GALAXY MACAU INTEGRATED RESORT
Galaxy Macau™, The World-class Luxury Integrated Resort delivers the “Most Spectacular Entertainment and Leisure Destination in the World”. Developed at an investment of HK$43 billion, the property covers 1.1 million-square-meter of unique entertainment and leisure attractions that are unlike anything else in Macau. Eight award-winning world-class luxury hotels provide close to 5,000 rooms, suites and villas. They include Banyan Tree Macau, Galaxy Hotel™, Hotel Okura Macau, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, Broadway Hotel, Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Andaz Macau. Unique to Galaxy Macau, the 75,000-square-meter Grand Resort Deck features the world’s longest Skytop Adventure Rapids at 575-meters, the largest Skytop Wave Pool with waves up to 1.5-meters high and 150-meters pristine white sand beach. Two five-star spas from Banyan Tree Spa Macau and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Macau help guests relax and rejuvenate.
As the dining destination in Asia, Galaxy Macau offers a wide variety of gastronomic delights, exquisite experiences and ingredients of the finest quality with over 120 dining options from Michelin dining to authentic delicacies.
Embark on a delightful and rewarding journey at Galaxy Promenade, the one-stop shopping destination boasting some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. Be the first to get the latest limited-edition items; explore fascinating pop-ups by coveted labels and revel in fabulous shopping rewards and privileges. Our VIPs are entitled to a highly-curated experience with dedicated personal shoppers at guests’ service, and be invited to exclusive luxury brand events. A different caliber of privileges and rewards also await. Discover the joys of fashion and stand at the forefront of style and sophistication—Galaxy Promenade has everything guests need to stay ahead of the style game.
Galaxy Cinemas takes immersive movie experiences to the next level with the latest audio-visual technology, ultra-luxurious facilities and bespoke services; CHINA ROUGE, one-of-a-kind deluxe lounge that evokes the glitz and glamor of Shanghai’s golden era with entertainment in luxury and style; and Foot Hub presents the traditional art of reflexology to make you feel more relaxed and revitalized. For Authentic Macau Flavors & Vibrant Asian Experiences, Broadway Macau – just a 90-second walk via a bridge from Galaxy Macau, has over 35 Authentic Macau & Asian Flavors at its Broadway Food Street. The 2,500-seat Broadway Theatre plays host to world-class entertainers and a diverse array of cultural events.
Meeting, incentive and banquet groups are also well looked after with a portfolio of unique venues in Galaxy Macau and a professional service staff. Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC) is the latest addition to the Group’s ever-expanding integrated resort precinct and will usher in a new era for the MICE industry in Macau. GICC is a world- class event venue featuring 40,000-square-meter of total flexible MICE, and a 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena – the largest indoor arena in Macau.
SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – CommerceDotCom (CDC) is proud to collaborate with researchers from the College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), in their research to develop an innovative hydrogen-powered urban concept vehicle. Earlier today, a formal signing collaboration ceremony was held with the College of Engineering to initiate this partnership, marking a significant milestone in empowering the engineering field.
Hafidz Bin Ahmad Zehnun, VP of Corporate Planning & Communication, at CDC (center), with the UiTM team and their hydrogen-powered vehicle at the flag-off in UiTM Shah Alam for Shell Eco-Marathon 2025 in Doha, Qatar
This collaboration builds upon a strong legacy of success. In 2014, CDC partnered with UiTM’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering on the Eco-Planet team, which secured first place in the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Urban Concept category at the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia in Manila, Philippines. That same year, UiTM’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering, under the Eco-Sprint team, emerged as champions by securing first place in the Prototype category, further solidifying UiTM’s reputation for excellence in green innovation on an international stage.
Ten years later, in 2024, the research collaboration has come full circle. Led by senior lecturer Ts. Dr. Mohamad Farid Misnan, postgraduate student Syed Mohd Harussani and UiTM research team, with over a decade of experience in the Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM), is embarking on an exciting new chapter. The team’s latest innovation in fuel cell technology, an urban concept electric vehicle named the UITM-CDC H2 Truck, is set to redefine efficiency and sustainability in the Urban Concept category at SEM 2025, scheduled to take place from February 8–12 in Doha, Qatar. With this renewed partnership, CDC is proud to support UiTM in innovating research the UITM-CDC H2 Truck and showcasing their expertise on the global stage at SEM 2025.
According to Ts. Dr. Mohamad Farid Bin Misnan, “SEM 2025 is more than just a competition; it’s a platform for showcasing the complete research quadruple helix model and the potential of sustainable technology. Our participation not only reinforces UiTM’s reputation for innovation but also highlights our local Malaysia’s capability to lead advancements in green technology.
CommerceDotCom: Championing Sustainable Innovation CDC’s involvement underscores its dedication to fostering environmentally friendly technologies and driving meaningful progress in clean energy. By supporting the development of the UITM-CDC H2 Truck, CDC aligns with initiatives that prioritise innovation, sustainability, and future-ready solutions.
“CommerceDotCom is proud to support UiTM’s research efforts to bring Malaysia’s engineering talent to the global stage,” said Hafidz Ahmad Zehnun, Vice President of Corporate Division. “Collaborations like this reflect the importance of industry-academia partnerships in creating a greener future.”
This project exemplifies the power of partnerships between academia, industry, and future engineers. As a strategic collaborator, CDC, alongside Myrenergy Sdn Bhd and Racing Boy, provides the resources and expertise needed to refine the UITM-CDC H2 Truck’s design and performance capabilities. With the support of committed partners like CDC, this initiative highlights how collaboration can inspire future generations of engineers and innovators while driving meaningful change.
Revolutionising Sustainable Transportation The UITM-CDC H2 Truck is a groundbreaking hydrogen-powered vehicle designed to operate entirely on clean hydrogen energy, eliminating harmful emissions. Tailored to diverse applications, such as logistics, deliveries, and community services, the truck reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports sustainable business practices.
With its lightweight build, optimised aerodynamics, and zero-emission operation, the UITM-CDC H2 Truck paves the way for cleaner cities and a healthier environment for future generations, showcasing the potential of hydrogen technology in sustainable transportation. Hashtag: #commercedotcom #Innovation #Technologies #UiTM #SustainableTransportation #ShellEcoMarathon2025
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Commerce Dot Com Sdn Bhd
Established in 1999 as a procurement solutions provider, Commerce Dot Com Sdn. Bhd. (CDC), has established itself as among the leading procurement solutions providers in Malaysia and has a well-earned reputation for providing exceptional services through its innovative solutions. In 2024, CDC proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of excellence and commitment to advancing procurement practices in Malaysia.
As the premier procurement leader, CDC remains dedicated to upholding integrity, transparency, and efficiency in all its operations. Additionally, CDC distinguishes itself by offering comprehensive service training, ensuring that clients not only receive top-quality products but also benefit from ongoing support to maximise their utilisation.
For any enquires on trainings please contact +603 7985 7777. For more info, please visit www.commercedc.com.my.
About UITM-CDC H2 EV RESEARCH TEAM
The UITM-CDC H2 EV Research Team is led by Ts. Dr. Mohamad Farid Misnan. The team comprises members from the School of Electrical Engineering, the School of Mechanical Engineering, and the School of Chemical Engineering. Their research aims to develop an innovative hydrogen-powered urban concept vehicle, showcasing the complete research quadruple helix model and the potential of sustainable technology.
Their mission is to design and build energy-efficient vehicles that demonstrate the potential of sustainable transportation while inspiring the next generation of engineers with a strong focus on innovation.
The UITM-CDC H2 EV Research Team also supports student activities through the student club, which includes two main teams: Eco Planet and Eco Sprint. These teams are designed to provide a comprehensive skill set for engineering students, fostering practical experience and innovative thinking.
SURABAYA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Liverpool FC continues to strengthen its international presence in Asia with the official opening of its second retail store in Indonesia.
LFC legend Emile Heskey led the official opening of the club’s new official retail store in Surabaya and hosted a meet & greet with fans on Saturday 18th January. He also spent time with the Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club- BigReds -afterwards at a live screening of LFC’s Premier League fixture with Brentford.
Located in the nation’s second-most populated city within Pakuwon Mall, the new store launch follows the club’s successful debut store opening in Jakarta in July 2024 at Pondok Indah Mall 2.
The launch event included a host of activities aimed at “inspiring belief” and fostering a sense of belonging amongst LFC fans, including a visit from the club’s official mascot, Mighty Red.
Mighty Red arrived after a brief stop in Jakarta where he hosted a community event alongside the Inspiration Factory Foundation (IFF) for underprivileged children.
The new Surabaya retail store, which was identified as a key location in collaboration with the club’s official retail partner, PT Kanmo Weston Retailindo, will echo the innovative design concept of the club’s flagship store in Liverpool’s city centre at Liverpool ONE showcasing the rich architectural history of Liverpool.
Fans visiting the new store can explore the full range of replica kits, exclusive Liverpool FC fashion and accessories, as well as unique souvenirs.
Lee Dwerryhouse, senior vice president of merchandising at Liverpool FC, said: “We have over 28 million LFC followers in Indonesia, and it’s great to bring our LFC brand closer to our supporters so they can feel a part of the club. This latest store opening extends our portfolio in Asia and underscores our ambitious plans to grow our international presence in key markets.”
Manoj Bharwani, co-founder and managing director of Kanmo Group: “Following the successful opening of the first Liverpool FC Store in Jakarta last year, we have been delighted by the overwhelming enthusiasm and positive response from the club’s loyal fans in Indonesia.
“Building on this momentum, we are excited to further expand Liverpool FC’s presence in Indonesia with our new store in Pakuwon Mall, Surabaya. We are confident that this initiative will deepen the bond between the club and its passionate fanbase in the region. We would like to thank Liverpool FC Retail team for trusting Kanmo Group for this expansion.”
This Surabaya opening brings Liverpool FC’s total number of retail locations to 18 globally, with an additional store planned for 2025 in Denmark, reflecting the club’s commitment to connecting with its passionate fan base around the world.
Rajbir Chopra, sales director, Weston Corporation added: ” The past few months have been incredibly exciting for us with the successful opening of our store in Jakarta. With the opening of our second LFC store in Surabaya, we are confident that this momentum will only continue, helping us to strengthen our connection with the fans in Indonesia.
“We are committed to building a long-term relationship with LFC’s Indonesia fanbase and offering more coveted merchandise from their favourite club!” Hashtag: #LFC
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Liverpool Football Club
Founded in 1892, Liverpool FC is one of the world’s most historic and famous football clubs, having won 19 League Titles, including the Premier League, eight FA Cups, ten League Cups, six European Cups, three UEFA Cups, four European Super Cups, 16 Charity Shields, two Women’s Super League titles and one Women’s Championship.
As a socially responsible Club, Liverpool FC is proud of the work it does via the award-winning The Red Way, its ongoing commitment to creating a better future for its people, its planet and its communities. This includes efforts to improve club-wide sustainability, enhance Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all areas, and create life changing opportunities for children and young people in Merseyside and beyond thanks to its official charity, LFC Foundation.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – In December 2024, Malaysia suffered devastating floods that affected 10 states and left more than 147,000 without roofs over their heads. Among the areas affected by the disaster, Kelantan was the hardest-hit state, with at least 93,000 people fleeing their flooded homes and seeking refuge.
To help the flood victims of Kelantan live through these trying times, Octa broker joined forces with its local partner, Azeehan. Octa sponsored the provision of basic necessities, including food, drinking water, hygiene amenities, towels, pillows, blankets, and house cleaning tools. By distributing these emergency kits, the broker aimed to support flood victims in their hour of need and make it a little bit easier for them to come back to normal life when the water subsided.
‘After a natural disaster such as this, thousands of people are driven from their homes. Sometimes, they lack even the most basic means to sustain themselves. This is why we really appreciate Octa supporting the local communities of Kelantan. This charity effort will be a great help to our displaced members in enduring the floods,‘ Azeehan commended.
Octa hopes that the New Year will bring benevolent weather to Malaysia, making it possible for the people of affected communities to return to their homes as soon as possible.
Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charity and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) (“the “Company” or “Hang Lung”) announced that it has successfully signed a five-year HK$10 billion loan facilities (“the Facilities”) with a consortium of more than 10 international, Chinese and local banks. The Facilities received an encouraging response from the banking community, demonstrating strong confidence in Hang Lung’s long-term prospects.
Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties (fourth from the left), and Mr. Kenneth Chiu, Chief Financial Officer of Hang Lung Properties (fifth from the left), with bank representatives (from left to right: United Overseas Bank Limited, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and DBS Bank Ltd.) at the closing ceremony of Hang Lung’s five-year syndicated loan facilities
The proceeds from the Facilities will be used to refinance part of the Company’s debt and provide additional working capital to support the Company’s business development.
Mr. Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hang Lung Properties, said, “The strong demand of the Facilities underscores Hang Lung’s solid credit profile and the market’s trust on our business model. We are committed to utilizing the funds from the Facilities effectively to fuel sustainable business growth. We sincerely appreciate the robust endorsement from the banking sector.”
Mr. Kenneth Chiu, Chief Financial Officer of Hang Lung Properties, said, “Securing this strategic financing will strengthen our financial position, and empower us to implement disciplined capital management while pursuing growth. Furthermore, it will strengthen our banking relationships, bolstering our financial resilience in an evolving market.”
Hang Lung’s five-year syndicated loan facilities received an encouraging response from a consortium of more than 10 international, Chinese and local banks
The Facilities are backed by: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited DBS Bank Ltd. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited United Overseas Bank Limited Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch The Bank of East Asia Limited China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch Hua Xia Bank Co., Limited Hong Kong Branch Chong Hing Bank Limited Hang Seng Bank Limited First Commercial Bank Ltd. Hashtag: #HangLungProperties
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hang Lung Properties
Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and the nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is also recognized for leading the way in enhancing sustainability initiatives in the real estate industry, all the while pursuing sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.
Recognized for Advancing Growth Strategy & Technological Innovation
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Azbil Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code: 6845) announced that it has won Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Best Practices Company of the Year Award in the Southeast Asia smart building solutions industry, marking its third consecutive year of recognition. Frost & Sullivan’s Company of the Year Award, its top honor, recognizes Azbil for exemplifying visionary innovation, market-leading performance, and exceptional customer care. This accolade is based on an independent evaluation of two key criteria types: Visionary Innovation & Performance and Customer Impact. Azbil excels in many of the criteria in the smart building solutions space.
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth strategy consulting firm, presents Azbil with this award for demonstrating excellence in growth strategy and implementation. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the company’s resulting leadership in customer value and market penetration.
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.
Previously, Azbil received these awards from Frost & Sullivan:
2022 and 2023 Southeast Asia Company of the Year Award, Smart Buildings Solutions
2020 and 2021 Southeast Asia Customer Value Leadership Award, Building Automation Systems
Azbil was commended for its commitment to exceeding customer expectations, solidifying its leadership in enhancing building safety, comfort, and energy optimization through advanced automation technology. The company’s expansion strategy is focused on three growth fields —new automation, environment and energy, and life cycle solutions—which enables it to address global challenges and create long-term value. Azbil’s innovative use of AI, IoT, and cloud systems in smart building solutions, coupled with its strong focus on R&D and strategic collaborations, continues to drive innovation.
“Azbil’s success as a pioneer in the smart building solutions industry stems from its ability to adapt to global challenges, leverage its deep expertise in automation, and focus on delivering innovative and comprehensive solutions. By continuously evolving its business model and addressing the needs of a changing world, Azbil remains at the forefront of the industry,” said Mr. Anirudh Bhaskaran, Industry Principal, Energy & Environment, Frost & Sullivan.
“We are honored to receive the esteemed award from Frost & Sullivan. This achievement is a testament to Azbil’s commitment to addressing evolving challenges and opportunities with visionary strategies, smart building automation technologies, and industry-leading best practices to deliver excellence across the value chain. We share this achievement with our employees, customers, and partners, whose collective efforts drive our success. Moving forward, we remain steadfast in advancing industry growth and strengthening our position as a global top value creator for innovative, human-centered solutions,” said Mr. Kazuyasu Hamada, Managing Corporate Executive and President of Building Systems Company, Azbil Corporation.
Guided by the Group philosophy of “human-centered automation,” Azbil continues to provide products and solutions that contribute “in series” to creating a sustainable society.
Hashtag: #azbil
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Azbil Corporation
Azbil Corporation formerly known as Yamatake Corporation, is a leading company in building and industrial automation, using its measurement and control technologies to provide customers with high value-added solutions to make their operations more efficient and sustainable. Founded in 1906, Azbil serves customers across the globe in a broad range of industries and aims to contribute to people’s safety, comfort, and fulfilment, and global environmental preservation. At the end of March 2024, Azbil employed about 10,000 people worldwide and generated ¥290.9 billion in revenue.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Sandbox VR, the world’s premier destination for premium location-based virtual reality experiences, expects continued robust growth in its global franchise program in the coming years. To accelerate its growth in North America and Europe, the company has recently raised a US$6.8 million convertible note led by funds managed by Gobi Partners, who has supported the company in multiple rounds of financing.
With over 100k players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.
The company topped 1.4 million tickets sold in 2024. An average Sandbox VR location in the US achieved US$1.7 million in annual revenue.
With a predominant presence in the US and Western Europe, Sandbox VR has grown the number of lifetime franchise operators 3x in 2024 alone, from 8 to 25 total operators. With this momentum, the company plans to operate 200 locations before the end of 2027.
Other notable investors in this round include Abacus Ventures Growth Fund, which has invested over US $1 million, and Hyphen Capital.
Robust Expansion Through Franchise Program
With over 100k players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.
Sandbox VR’s franchise program launched in 2019 for international markets and opened up for the US territories since April 2024. Franchising has been instrumental in making Sandbox VR the fastest-growing location-based VR startup globally, and this momentum signals continued rapid growth, the company said. Its first franchise opened in Singapore in 2019.
“We are passionate about creating the future of entertainment and giving people the opportunity to step into a whole new reality. After opening corporate-owned locations and seeing millions of players gear up to enter our immersive virtual reality experiences, work together toward a common goal, and create connections while being active and having fun, we were excited to expand our presence further,” said Steve Zhao, Founder and CEO of Sandbox VR.
“We knew franchising was a key component of scaling and that it was critical that we work with the right partners, operators who share our passion and believe in our vision. Today, we are thrilled to be working with esteemed franchise partners across the globe and look forward to collaborating with additional partners as our franchise program continues to flourish.”
Chibo Tang, Managing Partner at Gobi Partners, expressed confidence in Sandbox VR’s trajectory, “As a serial backer of Sandbox VR, we have witnessed the company’s remarkable evolution from pioneering immersive entertainment to becoming a global leader in location-based virtual reality. Their focus on global expansion, franchise scalability, proprietary VR technology, and innovative IP development sets them apart in the industry. We are proud to lead this latest round of funding and continue supporting Sandbox VR in its mission to redefine entertainment and create unparalleled experiences for players worldwide.”
Franchise Partners Remain Key to Success with Growth Opportunity in Asia
Asia remains a key market for Sandbox VR, with its strong corporate presence in Hong Kong and Singapore, and corporate-owned locations in Hong Kong, Macau and Shanghai.
Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle conglomerate in the Middle East, partnered with Sandbox VR to bring virtual reality innovation to the region. Apparel Group has over 85 brands and over 2,200 stores across 14 countries. This collaboration will begin with 25 locations in the Middle East.
Sandbox VR’s UK and Ireland franchise partners, VR Entertainment Group, is proof of the strength of the Sandbox VR franchise program.They have launched three UK locations, two in London and one in Birmingham, and plan to open additional locations across the UK and Ireland. In London alone, VR Entertainment Group has seen a 16.8% increase in guests year-to-date and projects their 2024 revenue to top $5 million.
Sandbox VR is working with two franchise partners in Germany, NextLevel Erlebnisse GmbH and Royal Casino DGS GmbH. The former signed an agreement to open three locations in 2022. The success of their first locations led NextLevel Erlebnisse GmbH to expand their agreement in 2023 to 12 locations across West Germany by mid-2026. Franchise partner Royal Casino DGS GmbH executed an ambitious 12-unit deal to open locations across Northern and Eastern Germany by the end of 2026 after reading an article about Sandbox VR. Their first two locations, in Hamburg and Berlin, opened in 2024. With six locations currently open and many more to come, Germany is Sandbox VR’s largest international market.
What Sandbox VR is offering
Sandbox VR is creating the world’s most immersive full-body VR platform and experiences using proprietary, patented technology that combines full-body motion capture and high-quality haptics to provide unprecedented realism and complete immersion that’s not possible with home VR or other location-based VR platforms.
As of January 2025, Sandbox VR offers nine exclusive games, including original and branded experiences, such as Squid Game Virtuals, created in collaboration with Netflix. They are all developed by in-house AAA gaming studios in Hong Kong and Vancouver, led by game industry veterans and are specifically designed for groups to play as social experiences. Teams of up to six freely roam and explore virtual worlds together while relying on each other to succeed and to experience being the stars of their own action movie.
The list of Sandbox VR immersive entertainment experiences
The newest Sandbox VR experience and second partnership with Netflix, Rebel Moon: The Descent allows you to enter the thrilling sci-fi franchise that’s taken the world by storm.
The latest installment of VR’s most iconic zombie series, Deadwood PHOBIA takes players into a derelict medical facility crawling with unprecedented, mind-bending horrors.
Compete against your crew in several pulse-pounding (yet more approachable, but just as thrilling) mini-games inspired by the #1 Netflix series. Play again and again to experience and master all-new games and challenges.
Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire – Images available HERE
Journey through a world of fantasy and explore a ruined fortress, an underground river, a haunted tomb and the dragon’s tower as you become Seekers of the Shard.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Sandbox VR
Sandbox VR is the world’s premier destination for premium, location-based virtual reality games. The company has created the world’s most immersive full-body VR platform and boasts exclusive games, including original and branded experiences, such as Squid Game Virtuals, created in collaboration with Netflix. Now operating in 54 locations and attracting over 100k players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.
The company has been recognised as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies and is the 129th fastest-growing company in America on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list. Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco, California with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company has raised over US$60 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, and Craft. Individual investors include Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant and Will Smith.
About Gobi Partners
Gobi Partners is an Asia-focused venture capital firm with US$1.6 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, the firm supports entrepreneurs from the early to growth stages and focuses on emerging and underserved markets.
Founded in 2002, Gobi has raised 21 funds and invested in over 380 startups, with 62 operating in the Circular Economy. Gobi has grown to 15 locations across key markets in Bangkok, Beijing, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Manila, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore and Tianjin.
As a Participant in the United Nations Global Compact, Gobi Partners is committed to aligning strategies and operations with universal human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption principles to ensure long-term value creation and sustainability across its portfolio. The firm launched its third Sustainability Report in June 2024.
For more information about Gobi Partners, please visit https://gobi.vc
Birthdays top the occasion for both gift-giving and gift-receiving while natural diamond jewellery remains the most wanted gifts.
HONG KONG – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – For most of us, a new year brings fresh opportunities, yearly goals, and professional and personal aspirations. Stepping into 2025, a recent survey by NielsenIQ (NIQ) reveals consumers in the city are eager to pamper themselves and their loved ones with meaningful gifts in the year ahead. Over 90% of respondents intend to purchase a gift while 80% indicate they will purchase natural diamond jewellery. The findings show that birthdays are the top occasions to receive gifts and give gifts. In terms of the choice of gifts, 77% of respondents (out of 87% who expect to receive any gifts) wish to receive natural diamond jewellery as a gift.
Stepping into 2025, a recent gifting survey by NielsenIQ (NIQ) reveals over 90% of respondents intend to purchase a gift while 80% indicate they will purchase natural diamond jewellery.
Conducted with over 1,300 respondents through an online questionnaire, the survey delves into local gifting preferences. The findings confirm that gifting is a cherished tradition, creating memorable experiences during significant occasions, such as birthdays (58%), anniversaries (40%), Valentine’s Day (31%), and Christmas (31%). Notably, most respondents (89%) emphasize that natural diamonds are essential for jewellery, whether as gifts or for personal enjoyment. 93% of consumers plan to purchase gifts for upcoming occasions in the coming 12 months, with 87% looking forward to receiving gifts as well. Interestingly, while partners and spouses remain the primary recipients of gifts (50%), a growing number of respondents (55%) are embracing self-gifting.
When it comes to preferred gifts, sparkling jewellery stands out. 67% of respondents cited jewellery as one of their top three gifting preferences, with 34% selecting it as their top choice. This is followed by travel (22%), fashion, accessories, and bags (20%), and electronics (14%). The allure of jewellery is even stronger among those wish to receive gifts, with 44% choosing it, surpassing travel (19%) and fashion, accessories, and bags (16%).
Among the types of jewellery desired, preferences range from rings and necklaces to earrings and bracelets. When selecting their ideal natural diamonds, respondents prioritize several key criteria. The classic 4Cs (carat, colour, clarity and cut) are the top considerations for 72% of consumers, followed by price 53% and certification 49%. Design and origin also play significant roles, with 46% and 31% of respondents considering these factors, respectively.
The reasons for choosing natural diamonds reflect their intrinsic values. 85% consider natural diamonds to be “precious, rare, and naturally formed through time and nature,” while 84% view them as “one-of-a-kind.” Additionally, 80% appreciate that their value is sustained due to their rarity.
40% respondents indicate their main source of information about natural diamonds is social media. Regarding the purchase mode for diamond jewellery, 89% of respondents will do research before making a purchase decision. Yet 81% will make the purchase in a physical store. This indicates a combination of online and offline research, and offline buying behaviour among consumers. 65% agree that the research information obtained so far is sufficient. As far as gifting is concerned, it is clear that natural diamonds remain a top choice for consumers looking to celebrate and create lasting memories.
The consumer survey, conducted by NIQ from October 29 to November 1, 2024, involved a total of 1,316 participants aged 18-54 through various online channels. Among the respondents, 20% were male and 80% were female, with the majority (76%) being married, engaged, or in a relationship. Commissioned by De Beers Group, NIQ managed the design and data analysis of the survey.
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo-American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has unveiled an expanded suite of large language models and AI development tools, upgraded infrastructure offerings, and new support programs for global developers at its annual developer summit today. These advancements aim to empower developers worldwide to build innovative AI applications more cost-effectively and drive a thriving global generative AI community.
“Alibaba Cloud is committed to delivering real value to global developers through cutting-edge AI models, enhanced cloud infrastructure, and accessible support programs,” said Dongliang Guo, Vice President of International Business, Head of International Products and Solutions, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. “Together, we aim to spark more AI-driven innovations, benefiting startups, enterprises, and industries altogether across the globe.”
More Foundation Models and Development Tools for Developers The latest Qwen models, Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary large language model family, including Qwen2.5 series with sizes ranging from 7billion to 72billion parameters, are now accessible via APIs on its generative AI development platform, Model Studio, for global developers to use. Additionally, multimodal AI models including vision understanding models such as Qwen-VL series, visual generation model Wanx2.1 (also known as Tongyi Wanxiang), and audio language model Qwen-Audio are also available for developers to access.
Developers can also leverage Tongyi Lingma, Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary AI coding assistant powered by the Qwen 2.5-coder model. The AI Programmer offers features such as code completion and optimization, debugging assistance, code snippet search and batch unit test generation. It provides developers with an efficient and seamless coding experience, significantly enhancing productivity and creativity.
In addition to a broader range of models, a slew of new AI development tools is also accessible by global developers on Model Studio. These tools include Workflow, which breaks down complex tasks into subtasks to enhance workflow control, and Agent, which supports multi-agent collaboration for planning and execution tasks. Other tools such as RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), which helps enhance the accuracy and reliability of generative AI models with external sources; Batch Reasoning, which generates responses simultaneously with multiple prompt inputs; AutoEval (Automated Model Evaluation), as well as model deployment and application observability services will be available by end of this month.
Upgraded Infrastructure for AI Development In order to provide robust computing to facilitate AI and other critical workloads, Alibaba Cloud revealed that its 9th Generation Enterprise Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instance will be available in global markets starting April this year. The latest generation of ECS instances has notable performance enhancements compared to its previous iteration, including a 20% increase in computing efficiency. Additionally, by accelerating networks through eRDMA (elastic Remote Direct Memory Access), its performance in supporting high-performance computing, search recommendations, and Redis databases can be further improved by up to 50%.
The cloud pioneer has also announced its innovative Alibaba Cloud Container Compute Service (ACS) is now available for international customers starting from January 2025. Designed for simplified and optimized workload deployment using container technology, the ACS integrates container services with underlying cloud computing resources, significantly reducing costs and technical complexity and enabling developers to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.
New GenAI Program to Spark Creativity To foster innovation, Alibaba Cloud introduced the Alibaba Cloud GenAI Empowerment Program, a dedicated support program for global developers and startups leveraging its Qwen models to build generative AI applications. Participants in the program can gain support including free cloud credits, training workshops, invitation to tech shows and demo days, as well as product co-marketing opportunities. This program is designed to help developers and startups accelerate their generative AI projects while connecting with a broader ecosystem of innovators.
Global Developers and Customers Leveraging Qwen for Cutting-Edge Applications Axcxept, a Japanese company specializing in AI products such as voice assistants, has developed an open-source, lightweight AI model called EZO based on Qwen 2.5 LLM. The EZO model outperforms state-of-the-art (SOTA) models in areas such as coding, information extraction, math, reasoning, roleplay, and writing in Japanese. With low latency and robust performance, EZO is tailored to serve industries such as healthcare and public institutions in Japan, ensuring secure and efficient AI applications.
“Qwen 2.5 has significantly enhanced its ability to process Japanese, giving it a competitive edge over other models. With Axcxept’s proprietary training process, we have developed a Japanese LLM that delivers unmatched accuracy,” said Kazuya Hodatsu, CEO of Axcxept Inc.
OxValue.AI, a deep-tech venture from the University of Oxford, uses Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen-based multimodal AI models for AI-driven company valuation services. By processing and analyzing text and audio data related to financing, R&D, and operations, OxValue achieves precise and cost-efficient valuation assessments tailored to corporate clients.
“Processing diverse data sources is essential for our valuation services. With the support of Alibaba Cloud’s AI models, we’ve significantly improved the quality and efficiency of this process. By collaborating with Alibaba Cloud, we’re able to deliver greater value to our corporate clients,” said Professor Xiaolan Fu, Founder of OxValue.AI. Hashtag: #AlibabaCloud
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