Fintech PR
Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Holds Symposium on “Homeland of Mobility 5.0 – Leading Society to the Next Generation”
NAGOYA, Japan, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Central Japan Startup Ecosystem held a symposium and panel discussion under the theme, “Homeland of Mobility 5.0 – Leading Society to the Next Generation” at NAGOYA INNOVATOR’S GARAGE, a dynamic facility where entrepreneurs and enterprises come together to create new ideas, businesses and industries.
Thanks to Central Japan’s longstanding focus on ‘Monozukuri’, which focuses on the pride, skill, and pursuit of excellence through innovation and improvement, the region is leveraging this to create a manufacturing integrated ecosystem with mobility at its core.
The symposium was a hybrid event focusing on Central Japan’s commitment to being the “Homeland of Mobility 5.0 – Leading Society to the Next Generation.” This was followed by a panel discussion, where suggestions and perspectives on how Central Japan can fulfill the role of “Homeland of Mobility 5.0 – Leading Society to the Next Generation” were shared with the audience and how it will play a powerful role in encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs and startups to further develop and succeed. The event successfully introduced what Central Japan is doing in the rapidly evolving field of mobility and was an excellent platform opportunity to discuss the future of mobility in this region.
Event Highlights
The event opened with a speech by Shuichi Hirano from JETRO Nagoya (Director-General for Chubu, Chief Director, JETRO Nagoya). JETRO Nagoya and JETRO Hamamatsu have been carrying out projects to promote the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem overseas and one of their pillars is regional branding. For instance, an exchange with foreign media was held in December 2023 with five startups based in Central Japan. The event effectively communicated the strength of the Central Japan Ecosystem to overseas media and successfully achieved coverage in key media.
Toshio Sumi (Director, Economic Affairs Bureau Startup Support Office, Innovation Department, Nagoya City Economic Affairs Bureau) provided an overview of Central Japan, its history of innovation and manufacturing, and initiatives from the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem. Its mission is to be the Homeland of Mobility 5.0, making a positive impact on society by bringing the future of mobility to our doorsteps and is actively encouraging like-minded entrepreneurs and startups to the area. He also introduced two unicorn startups working towards Mobility 5.0 – Tier IV which is focused on autonomous driving and SkyDrive Inc. which is developing flying cars and will be featured in the upcoming Osaka World Expo 2025.
This was followed by a presentation by Katsuya Kawaji (Director, Startup Promotion Division, Industry Department, Hamamatsu City) who provided an overview of the startup ecosystem in Hamamatsu City, which has long held a strategic location for transportation, logistics, and culture in Japan. It is leveraging these assets, including its concentration of companies, mainly in the manufacturing industry, and has been developing various actions to “co-create” innovation and ecosystems with various stakeholders, including companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, both within and outside the region.
Mobility Designer Kazuhiko Makimura made a key note speech about the “Revolution Mobility 5.0 and Transportation Re-Design.” New mobility services rapidly accelerated during the pandemic, and his speech examined the current situation and future prospects for transportation that builds communities in the age of carbon neutrality. A key takeaway was to not only think of mobility as simply a movement, but as a service. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a concept offering a more integrated approach to urban mobility as a service, creating an environment where this movement can be done easy, through various modes of transportation and requires ease of connectivity. In an era where the value of mobility is changing, the possibilities of MaaS and automated driving will expand the shape of cities and the nature of society.
Panel Discussion Highlights
The event was followed by a panel discussion, “Homeland of Mobility 5.0 – Leading Society to the Next Generation” moderated by Naohiro Nishiguchi. Panelists shared their suggestions and perspectives on how Central Japan can fulfill the role of “Homeland of Mobility 5.0 – Leading Society to the Next Generation” that will play a powerful role in encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs and startups to further develop and succeed. Some key takeaways include the following:
When discussing what is Homeland of Mobility 5.0, Akira Odoi (General Manager, Innovation Promotion Department, Value Creation Division of the Central Japan Economic Federation) explained what this concept means to Central Japan Ecosystem and said, “Central Japan will be a hub for mobility change.” There are numerous companies including Toyota and its group companies – industries in aerospace, machinery, manufacturing products concentrated here, making us the industrial center of Japan. We can create a unique ecosystem by combining our strength in these areas of manufacturing and technology with startups to create open innovation and further this region as the Homeland of Mobility 5.0, while providing a range of mobility services that support society in the next ten years and beyond.
Mr. Nishiguchi commented that entrepreneurship is not just making a startup, it is also about the awareness that a change needs to be made and highlighted a point from Mr. Sumi’s earlier presentation that “We don’t have Mobility 5.0 yet. We are going to make it. We have problems and we are going to make something that solves them. That is what entrepreneurship is.”
Regarding the startup ecosystem framework and its strengths, Hans Greimel, an automobile journalist, provided an international perspective. Japan’s startups can be seen in a similar way to Toyota – reliable and safe, but this takes more time understandably, less risk taking and conservative, and this translates into the foreign perception of startup culture in Japan – not at the same pace, but at the same time, Hans said, “I would say there are big benefits – the focus on technology and reliability. Startups in Japan are not here today, gone tomorrow, but are more practical and pragmatic and with a long term view, which means they are more reliable in the long term.” The Chubu region startups are focused on mobility. He said, “If we think of Japan as an ecosystem, we should think about Central Japan as the incubator for mobility startups here thanks to the strength of Japanese motor and aerospace companies, along with their suppliers- it is an amazing concentration of this kind of engineering talent and a huge resource that should be utilized.”
From a female entrepreneur perspective, Kyoko Yokota has been providing support to female entrepreneurs for more than 20 years, and the number is steadily increasing. She felt that this was an exciting moment for Chubu region and for up and coming female entrepreneurs and researchers working in mobility. “I feel the enthusiasm of Central Japan through this event, and believe it is important for Central Japan to lead the efforts of each region for Japan as a whole,” she commented.
The completion of the Maglev train in the next few years will bring a trip between Tokyo and Nagoya to around 40 minutes and that will show the region’s strength in mobility. Though this region is rich in internationally recognized companies and have been world leaders for decades, there are some weaknesses that were addressed. Though many global companies are based in Central Japan, they tend to look beyond their borders. Sometimes it would help if these companies looked at their doorstep and in their own backyard. Some of the panelists mentioned that startups in this region need more support and there needs to be greater cross fertilization with these global companies. It was also stressed that startups in the region need to foster a global mindset, ensuring that English materials and a website are available. It is also important to raise the international profile of Central Japan and highlight strengths of this region, so events such as this are vital.
Each panelist offered a unique perspective because each comes from different areas of expertise.
This discussion was an excellent opportunity for all participants to deepen their understanding of the future of mobility and Central Japan’s role in it
Keynote speech/Panelist:
Kazuhiko MAKIMURA
Kazuhiko Makimura is a Mobility designer with a PhD in Engineering from the University of Tokyo. He is also a guest Professor at the University of Tsukuba and Kobe University as well as a part-time lecturer at Nanzan University. He is actively engaged in urban/transportation think tanks as a specialist in developing visions of mobility for the future.
Moderator:
Naohiro NISHIGUCHI
Naohiro Nishiguchi is a serial entrepreneur and holds many roles including Managing Director of Global Entrepreneurship Network Japan, President of Startup Genome Japan K.K., Professor at Sophia University. He is also a Certified Innovation Management Professional by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE).
Panelists:
Hans GREIMEL
Hans Greimel is an award-winning American business journalist and book author who covers Asian automakers as the Asia Editor at Automotive News. He attended Carlos Ghosn’s first press conference in Beirut, Lebanon after his escape from Japan in January 2020. Greimel’s coverage led to the book Collision Course: Carlos Ghosn and the Culture Wars that Upended an Auto Empire, published by Harvard Business Review Press in 2021.
Kyoko YOKOTA
Kyoko Yokota is Chief Executive Officer of Colabolabo Co., Ltd, Tokyo. In 2006, Kyoko Yokota started Colabolabo which provides business support for female entrepreneurs. It also manages website, “Women Presidents.net“, where a database of female entrepreneurs is made available to whoever is interested in their businesses. Yokota was selected as one of Forbes Japan’s “10 Japanese Women Who Will Create the Future! She has served as a member of the JST Startup Ecosystem Formation Support Committee and other committees in the fields of gender equality and local government.
Akira ODOI
Akira Odoi is the General Manager, Innovation Promotion Department, Value Creation Division of the Central Japan Economic Federation. Before taking this position, he worked for the Marubeni Corporation. Since taking the post, he has actively been engaging in activities that contribute to the economic development of the Chubu region, such as stimulating innovation and promoting start-ups.
Background on Central Japan
Located in the Chubu region, also known as Central Japan – right in the middle of Japan’s main island, Honshu, this region is proud of playing a vital role in the history of Japan’s manufacturing craftsmanship. It was where Toyota first began, and as a tech pioneer, it is now the home to a wide range of sectors such as automobiles, photonics, and aerospace, using advanced, cutting-edge technologies.
Central Japan continues to invite entrepreneurs and capitalists from all corners of the world to facilitate state‐of‐the‐art open innovation by infusing new ideas with local craftsmanship. And as a result, take part in playing a crucial role in paving the path towards the Homeland of Mobility 5.0 –the future of mobility.
Central Japan Startup Ecosystem provides everything a startup needs – from highly trained workers in many specialized fields to opportunities to conduct feasibility studies with leading companies in various industries including the mobility sector. There are also accelerator programs, financial support systems, innovative university seeds, and collaborative partnerships with ecosystems outside of Japan and also attract a wide range of entrepreneurs to this region.
About the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem
In July 2020, Aichi prefecture, Nagoya City and Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka-prefecture became one of the four regional Startup Ecosystem Global Base Cities groups designated nationwide by the Japanese Cabinet Office.
There are 371 startups in Central Japan, of which 150 are university-launched. An estimated 18,615 billion yen (as of July 2022) of funds have been raised, in addition to accelerator programs, financial support systems, and innovative university seeds.
Collaborative partnerships with Station F, INSEAD, BLOCK71, Paris &Co, Bpifrance, Venture Café, Plug and Play, Israel Innovation Authority, Tsinghua University, China Medical University, National University of Singapore, the University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, North Carolina State University, University of Nebraska and the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad attract a diverse range of entrepreneurs to the region.
For more information, please visit https://central-startup.jp/en/
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2352145/Central_Japan_Startup_Ecosystem_Panel_Discussion.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/central-japan-startup-ecosystem-holds-symposium-on-homeland-of-mobility-5-0—leading-society-to-the-next-generation-302076839.html
Fintech PR
Redefining Financial Frontiers: Nucleus Software Celebrates 30 Years with Synapse 2024 in Singapore
SINGAPORE, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The thriving India–Singapore partnership in banking and technology reached a new milestone as Nucleus Software celebrated 30 years of transformative innovation at Synapse 2024, held in Singapore. The event underscored the company’s role in redefining financial services across Southeast Asia (SEA) and the globe, bringing together leaders in finance and technology to explore a shared vision for the future of banking.
Synapse 2024 celebrated 30 years of Nucleus Software’s leadership in driving transformative change across Singapore and Southeast Asia’s financial ecosystem. The event also shone a spotlight on the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), an initiative supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to champion responsible technology adoption. The event highlighted the deepening synergies between India and Singapore, driven by their shared commitment to innovation, cross-border collaboration, and financial inclusion. As the financial services sector undergoes rapid evolution with advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital banking, these partnerships are setting the stage for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive global ecosystem.
Vishnu R. Dusad, Co-founder and Managing Director of Nucleus Software, reflected on the milestone: “For over 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of aligning our journey with Singapore’s ascent as a global financial powerhouse. Back in 1994, when we chose to go East instead of West, it was a bold and emotional decision—guided by our belief in Singapore as a hub for innovation and collaboration. We saw then what remains true today: Singapore is at the heart of the global financial landscape, a place where new ideas take root, and partnerships thrive.”
The event brought together a distinguished array of participants, highlighting the transformative potential of India–Singapore collaboration. Mr. Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS Group and the Guest of Honor, set the tone for the event with his opening remarks, emphasizing the transformative role of big tech in reimagining scalable, customer-centric financial services in the digital age.
Following his address, key speakers enriched the discussions with their insights. Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Group CEO-Designate of The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), underlined the importance of fostering responsible technology adoption and building inclusive financial ecosystems. Mr. Vinod Rai, globally respected public policy expert, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore, and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, shared his perspectives on governance and policy frameworks in financial systems. Mr. S.M. Acharya, Chairman of Nucleus Software and former Defence Secretary of India, offered a visionary outlook on leveraging technology to modernize and secure banking frameworks. Finally, Mr. Pieter Franken, Co-founder and Director of GFTN (Japan), a global FinTech pioneer and deep tech innovator, discussed the future of decentralized finance and its implications for the financial sector.
The event showcased the transformative role of technology in global financial systems, emphasizing innovations that set benchmarks for scalability and inclusivity. Panelists discussed the importance of localized solutions, the challenges of cross-border integration, and leveraging dual business models to optimize capital and foster public participation. The dialogue highlighted the need for common standards, unified frameworks like APIs, and collaborative efforts to accelerate financial inclusion and drive global connectivity in the digital age.
For 30 years, Nucleus Software has consistently introduced advanced lending and banking solutions that support financial institutions’ evolving needs in Singapore and South East Asia. Driven by lean development methodologies like Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CICD), Nucleus Software continues to push boundaries in efficient, flexible, and secure financial technology.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565374/Synapse_2024.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565373/Nucleus_Software_Logo.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/redefining-financial-frontiers-nucleus-software-celebrates-30-years-with-synapse-2024-in-singapore-302314485.html
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Royal Canadian Mint (the “Mint”) announces its financial results for the third quarter of 2024 that provide insight into its activities, the markets influencing its businesses and its expectations for the next 12 months.
“As the markets continue to change, the Mint is proving its ability to seize on new opportunities thanks to its diversified structure and flexible business strategy” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint.
The financial results should be read in conjunction with the Mint’s annual report available at www.mint.ca . All monetary amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Financial and Operational Highlights
- The financial results for the third quarter of 2024 were ahead of target and higher than 2023 levels. Higher gold market pricing and foreign circulation volumes combined with lower fixed costs were the main drivers for the quarter over quarter increase. These increases were partially offset by lower than expected bullion volumes from the continued soft demand in the global bullion market. The Mint expects to meet its financial goals for 2024, as set out in its 2024-2028 Corporate Plan, the Mint’s Leadership team continues to actively monitor its status.
- Consolidated revenue decreased to $252.7 million in 2024 (2023 – $360.6 million).
Revenue from the Precious Metals business decreased to $217.6 million in 2024
(2023 – $328.4 million):- Gold bullion volumes decreased 38% quarter over quarter to 106.1 thousand ounces (2023 – 170.1 thousand ounces) while silver bullion volumes decreased 20% to 2.7 million ounces (2023 – 3.4 million ounces).
- Gold and silver market prices increased quarter over quarter by 27% and 23%, respectively.
- Sales of numismatic products decreased 12% quarter over quarter mainly due to the high demand in 2023 for the Queen Elizabeth II’s Reign products.
- Revenue from the Circulation business increased to $35.1 million in 2024
(2023 – $32.2 million):- Revenue from the Foreign Circulation business increased 77% quarter over quarter, a reflection of higher volumes produced and shipped in 2024 as compared to 2023.
- Revenue from Canadian coin circulation products and services decreased 12% quarter over quarter as fewer coins were required to replenish inventories, combined with lower program fees in accordance with the memorandum of understanding with the Department of Finance.
- Overall, operating expenses decreased 27% quarter over quarter to $28.3 million (2023 – $36.0 million) mainly due to planned reductions in consulting and workforce expenses.
Consolidated results and financial performance
(in millions)
|
13 weeks ended |
39 weeks ended |
|||||||||||
|
Change |
Change |
|||||||||||
|
September |
September |
$ |
% |
September |
September 30, 2023 |
$ |
% |
|||||
|
Revenue |
$ |
252.7 |
$ 360.6 |
(107.9) |
(30) |
$ 861.2 |
$ 1,841.8 |
(980.6) |
(53) |
|||
|
Profit (loss) for the period |
$ |
5.7 |
$ (5.8) |
11.5 |
(198) |
$ 24.1 |
$ 15.0 |
9.1 |
61 |
|||
|
Profit (loss) before |
$ |
1.4 |
$ (8.7) |
10.1 |
(116) |
$ 12.3 |
$ 23.4 |
(11.1) |
(47) |
|||
|
Profit (loss) before |
0.6 % |
(2.4) % |
1.4 % |
1.3 % |
||||||||
|
(1) Profit (loss) before income tax and other items is a non-GAAP financial measure. A reconciliation from profit for the period to profit before income tax and other items is included on page 13 of the Mint’s 2024 Third Quarter Report. |
|
(2) Profit (loss) before income tax and other items margin is a non-GAAP financial measure and its calculation is based on profit before income tax and other items. |
|
As at |
||||||||||
|
September 28, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||
|
Cash |
$ |
58.4 |
$ |
59.8 |
(1.4) |
(2) |
||||
|
Inventories |
$ |
71.5 |
$ |
68.8 |
2.7 |
4 |
||||
|
Capital assets |
$ |
174.2 |
$ |
173.0 |
1.2 |
1 |
||||
|
Total assets |
$ |
376.8 |
$ |
380.4 |
(3.6) |
(1) |
||||
|
Working capital |
$ |
99.2 |
$ |
97.8 |
1.4 |
1 |
||||
As part of its enterprise risk management program, the Mint continues to actively monitor its global supply chain and logistics networks in support of its continued operations. Despite its best efforts, the Mint expects changes in the macro-economic environment and other external events around the globe to continue to impact its performance in 2024. The Mint continues to mitigate potential risks as they arise through its enterprise risk management process.
To read more of the Mint’s Third Quarter Report for 2024, please visit www.mint.ca.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Mint is one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, producing award-winning collector coins, market-leading bullion products, as well as Canada’s prestigious military and civilian honours. As an established London and COMEX Good Delivery refiner, the Mint also offers a full spectrum of best-in-class gold and silver refining services. As an organization that strives to take better care of the environment, to cultivate safe and inclusive workplaces and to make a positive impact on the communities where it operates, the Mint integrates environmental, social and governance practices in every aspect of its operations.
For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This Earnings Release contains non-GAAP financial measures that are clearly denoted where presented. Non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other corporations reporting under IFRS.
This Earnings Release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s expectations regarding the Mint’s objectives, plans, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “plans”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, “estimates”, “intends”, and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not facts, but only estimates regarding expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities (assumptions). While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on available information, they may prove to be incorrect. These estimates of future results are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what the Mint expects. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties set forth in the Risks to Performance section of the Management Discussion and Analysis in the Mint’s 2023 annual report, as well as in Note 9 – Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management to the Mint’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. The forward-looking statements included in this Earnings Release are made only as of November 20, 2024 and the Mint does not undertake to publicly update these statements to reflect new information, future events or changes in circumstances or for any other reason after this date.
For more information, please contact: Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Tel: (613) 884-6370, [email protected]
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/royal-canadian-mint-reports-profits-and-performance-for-q3-2024-302314428.html
Fintech PR
OIVE and ViniPortugal celebrate closing of joint campaign that reached 100 million consumers
MADRID and PORTO, Portugal, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — For three years, A Shared Passion showed European consumers the quality and unparalleled versatility of Iberian wines. The program reached over 100 million consumers with advertising in airports, train stations, press trips, digital content, and other actions with opinion leaders.
The wine interprofessionals of Spain (OIVE) and Portugal (ViniPortugal) celebrated the closing of their ambitious joint campaign A Shared Passion with flagship events in Madrid and Porto. The closing event in Spain took place in Madrid’s iconic Calle Alcalá, while in Portugal, the World of Wine (WOW) in Porto was the perfect setting to present the achievements of the international collaboration. Both ceremonies were very well received by the press and the wine sector, highlighting the impact of the promotional actions that reached more than 79.2 million travelers in key transport infrastructures.
The campaign included 22 study trips, taking 150 specialized journalists to explore the world of wine in both countries and generating publications that reached nearly 15 million European consumers.
On social media, the A Shared Passion profile on Instagram exceeded 15,000 followers, consolidating its presence in the digital sphere. In addition, exclusive activities such as workshops and VIP dinners contributed significantly to this initiative’s global impact.
The final events were honored by the presence of opinion leaders, such as Masters of Wine Pedro Ballesteros and Dirceu Vianna Júnior, who moderated round tables with the presidents of OIVE, Fernando Ezquerro, and ViniPortugal, Frederico Falcão. The conference concluded with masterclasses that highlighted Spain and Portugal’s extraordinary oenological diversity, reinforcing the relevance of the sector in the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of both countries.
With funding from the European Union, A Shared Passion highlighted not only the quality and authenticity of Iberian wines but also their strategic role in the sustainable development of numerous municipalities. This initiative underlines the passion with which Spanish and Portuguese wines are made, reflecting their rich traditions and commitment to the future.
For more information: www.asharedpassion.com
Video: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2565600/ViniPortugal_and_OIVE.mp4
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/oive-and-viniportugal-celebrate-closing-of-joint-campaign-that-reached-100-million-consumers-302314339.html
-
Fintech PR7 days agoSustainable Infrastructure Holding Company (“SISCO”) Q3FY24 revenue (excluding accounting construction revenue) increases by 23.8% to 341.8 million
-
Fintech2 days agoFintech Pulse: Industry Updates, Innovations, and Strategic Moves
-
Fintech1 day agoFintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations
-
Fintech PR7 days agoLaunch of Al Faisal Al Baladi Holding
-
Fintech PR3 days agoROLLER Releases 2025 Attractions Industry Benchmark Report, Unveiling Key Trends and Revenue Strategies
-
Fintech PR2 days agoTAILG Represents the Industry at COP29, Advancing South-South Cooperation with Low-Carbon Solutions
-
Fintech4 days agoFintech Pulse: Navigating Expansion, Innovation, and Sustainability
-
Fintech3 days agoFintech Pulse: Milestones, Partnerships, and Transformations in Fintech