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Paddle launches expanded AI Launchpad to help ambitious AI founders accelerate growth

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  • Following the success of the inaugural 2023 program, Paddle’s 2024 AI Launchpad will help 50 promising AI founders accelerate the growth of their businesses.
  • Successful applicants will gain access to an exclusive community of AI founders and experts, the chance to win $20k, and a host of other benefits from Paddle partners.
  • Founderpath has allocated $10 million in funding for selected AI Launchpad participants.
  • Applications open today, 12th March, and will close on Sunday 14th April.

LONDON, March 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Paddle, the payments infrastructure provider, today opens applications for its second AI Launchpad, a 6-week program aimed at empowering ambitious software founders to build, launch and scale their AI-powered business ideas. Participants in the expanded 2024 program will gain access to tailored guidance and practical insights from industry experts and will have the chance to win a $20k cash prize from Paddle for the best offering, as judged by a panel of experts.

 

Ever more businesses are turning to AI to boost revenues, with Paddle’s latest SaaS Benchmarks Report finding that 46% of software companies added AI to their product in the last year. However, building an AI-powered tool is not the same as building a successful, sustainable AI business. Through its AI Launchpad program, Paddle is offering 50 innovative, ready-to-scale, AI-focused companies the support they need to accelerate their growth and effectively monetize their AI products.

AI Launchpad 2023: Helping founders unlock growth

Paddle AI Launchpad was founded in 2023, with a panel of judges selecting Virtual Staging AI, a platform that allows real estate professionals to sell properties faster by using AI to digitally furnish images of empty rooms, as the winner of the inaugural program.

After participating in the Launchpad and receiving tailored advice and mentorship from Paddle and a range of industry experts, Virtual Staging AI decided to switch its payment strategies, with remarkable results. The company has since seen revenue increase 10x, from a monthly revenue of $20,000 to $200,000. Other members of the 2023 cohort also saw a significant positive impact on the revenue and scalability of their businesses thanks to the expert insights and go-to-market strategies provided on the program.

Other Launchpaddler growth stats:

  • In February 2024, Launchpad finalist SiteGPT hit its first $100k revenue month
  • Aibo experienced 60% day-over-day growth in active users during the 6-week program
  • Riju launched on Product Hunt, with 100+ upvotes in its first 24 hours
  • Bulby and Jotverse converted their first ever paying customers during the 6-week program

Michael Bonacina, Founder and CEO of 2023 AI Launchpad winner Virtual Staging AI, said: “What really stood out to us about Paddle’s AI Launchpad program was the access to a dedicated community of generative AI founders. This is because you’re all grappling with the same challenges – how to build a model, how to compete with the likes of OpenAI, how to acquire customers for a new solution – and so it was interesting to hear how others were thinking about those problems.

“We launched back in March 2023, and when we applied to Paddle AI Launchpad in August we had $20k in monthly revenue. By the end of the program, in November, we had $200k in monthly revenue, because we implemented a lot of the things we’d worked on, such as implementing annual plans, we got a lot more customers, improved the product, enhanced the checkout experience, and now we have a product that really speaks to our customers.”

AI Launchpad 2024: Bigger and better

Following the success of the 2023 program, Paddle has doubled the number of places on the program from 25 to 50. Participants will also now have exclusive access to the “Launchpaddlers” community – a hub for Launchpad alumni to network and share resources. Through this community, AI founders will be supported with data, advice, and tailored content, and will also have access to experts in their sector.

This will be spearheaded by Karthik Puvvada, Paddle’s new Founder Relations Manager, who has built founder-facing education and community programs for dozens of startups, who said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Paddle to work directly with founders and build leadership communities. I can’t wait to work with the team on taking Paddle’s AI Launchpad to the next level and help SaaS founders remove the invisible barriers that get in the way of growing.”

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Founderpath, a $150m fund for SaaS founders, will again allocate $10 million in funding for selected participants who successfully complete Paddle’s programs, providing additional opportunities and resources to further fuel their growth and success. Other partners and contributors for AI Launchpad will include SaaStock, AWS Activate, Google Cloud, PartnerStack, GoodFit, saaslaunch.io, Gilion (formerly ArK Kapital), Enablix, saas.group, SquareOne, and Element Communications.

Additional key elements and benefits of the AI Launchpad program will include:

  • Expert mentorship: Participants will receive personalised, technical guidance from industry experts at Paddle, based on its decade-plus of experience scaling software and AI businesses through effective pricing and payment strategies.
  • Cash Prize: The program will culminate with a cash prize of $20,000 for one founder. This substantial financial boost will catapult the development and market reach of the winning startup.
  • Additional benefits from partners: Participants will receive new perks from Paddle’s partners, including $350k in credit from Google Cloud, $20k in credit from AWS Activate, and free tickets to Founder community events by Code.talks and SaaStock. Fast-tracked entries into SaaStock’s startup competition will also be reserved for select Launchpad finalists.

Christian Owens, Founder and Executive Chairman of Paddle, said: “At Paddle, our goal has always been to help software sellers grow their businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible. We started the AI Launchpad to help a new generation of software founders that are building in one of the world’s fastest-moving categories. We were blown away by the ambition and innovation shown by our first cohort of AI founders so we’re thrilled to be expanding the program for a second year. After seeing the impact the Launchpad had on participants in 2023, we’re excited to grow this community and help more AI founders achieve faster growth and build healthy and sustainable businesses for the long-term.”

Applications for the AI Launchpad will be open from 12th March to 14th April 2024, with the program beginning in May. For more information on how to apply for AI Launchpad, including terms and conditions, please visit www.paddle.com/ai-launchpad.

 

About Paddle
Paddle, the payments infrastructure provider for software companies, powers hyper-scale growth across acquisition, renewals and expansion. With Paddle, companies are finally able to transform their payments infrastructure into a strategic growth lever to respond faster and more precisely to every growth opportunity. Paddle has 300 employees serving over 3500 software sellers in 245 countries and territories globally. Backed by investors including KKR, FTV Capital, Kindred, Notion, and 83North, Paddle aims to define the next wave of B2B SaaS leaders. Visit www.paddle.com or www.twitter.com/PaddleHQ for more information

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ADFW Unveils Full Agenda for 2024 Edition, One of the Most Impactful Financial Gatherings of the Year

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) has unveiled a compelling agenda for this year’s event that will take place from 9th to 12th December 2024. ADFW 2024 – ADGM’s flagship event with ADQ as its headline partner – is one of the most anticipated financial gatherings this year, with a lineup of industry-shaping events, influential speakers, and strategic forums that will explore the theme of ‘Welcome to the Capital of Capital.’

 

 

This third edition is in keeping with ADFW’s tradition of convening some of the most renowned global financial leaders, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to address and analyse topics such as economic, human, cultural, environmental and technological capital, that make Abu Dhabi the ‘Capital of Capital’. The agenda for 2024 includes over 60 main and side events, more than 350 thematic sessions and approximately 600+ speakers. The event expects a gathering of over 20,000 attendees from around the world, representing over USD 30 trillion in managed assets.

Commenting on ADFW’s exceptional agenda, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and ADDED said, “Abu Dhabi Finance Week has firmly established itself as a global platform that attracts the most influential professionals in the finance industry from across the world. This year’s agenda for ADFW is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international financial hub, where innovation and collaboration drive progress for the Falcon Economy. ADFW continues to create unparalleled opportunities for meaningful dialogue, shaping strategies that strengthen resilience and growth in today’s evolving economic landscape, welcoming them to the ‘Capital of Capital’.”

Key forums, including the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, Asset Abu Dhabi, RESOLVE 2024, Fintech Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will return this year. New events for 2024 include the UBS Investment Forum, the China UAE Investment Summit with HSBC, the Islamic Finance Summit, the Spear’s Private Wealth Summit, and the Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Showcase.

Day 1: Opening Ceremony and Abu Dhabi Economic Forum
The official opening ceremony is on 9th December in the presence of esteemed members of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, heads of leading global investment and financial firms and other VIPs from the financial industry.

Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, a high-level leadership gathering, will feature in-depth discussions on the current state of and prospects for the Falcon Economy. It will bring together senior members of the Abu Dhabi government and prominent figures from the private sector, representing key industries. Speakers include the CEOs of Blackrock, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Citigroup, BNY, Lunate, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Aldar. ADEF Private Leadership Forum, Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum, the UBS Investor Forum and the prestigious ADFW Gala Dinner are a few of the major sub-events scheduled for the day. 

Day 2: Asset Abu Dhabi and RESOLVE
The second day starts with Asset Abu Dhabi in association with ADCB, Mubadala and PGIM Global Asset Management. Bringing together asset allocators, asset managers, investment bankers, venture capitalists, private equities, family offices and other institutional investors, collectively managing over USD 30 trillion in assets, the event will see industry titans such as Ray Dalio, Robert Smith – Founder, Chairman & CEO at Vista Equity Partners, Aron Landy – CEO at Brevan Howard, and Bill Huffman – CEO at Nuveen take to the stage.

RESOLVE will also be held on this day, in collaboration with the Judicial Department. Under the theme ‘Resilience’, the event is set to host impactful conversations among key stakeholders from the global dispute resolution community and leaders from government, industry, and academia.

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Day 3: Fintech Abu Dhabi and Global Financial Regulators Summit
Fintech Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s largest fintech festival, will spotlight innovations in AI, digital security, and blockchain technology. Breakout events like Blockchain Abu Dhabi, RISK 4.0 Forum, Islamic Finance Summit and the AI Abu Dhabi Forum will showcase the transformative potential of emerging technologies. Leading voices, including Jeremy Allaire – CEO and Founder of Circle, Richard Teng – CEO of Binance, and Caroline Pham – U.S. CFTC Commissioner, will discuss the evolving landscape of financial technology.  

The Global Financial Regulator Summit also returns as a closed-door gathering of international senior regulatory bodies and representatives from the MENA region, the European Union, the UK, Asia and the USA to discuss the approach to the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of AI.

Day 4: ADSFF
Exactly one year after hosting its last edition at COP28, the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will be held on the concluding day of ADFW to conduct discussions on sustainable finance, impact investing, and net-zero commitments. It will bring together impactful voices like H.E. Carme Artigas Brugal, Co-Chair of the AI Advisory Body at the United Nations, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Jonathan Dean of AXA IM and H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of Alterra underscoring Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability and green finance.

Curated side events include ‘Women in Finance’ and the ADFW Venture Park.

For more information on the agenda please visit What’s Happening in ADFW | Agenda – Abu Dhabi Finance Week 

Register for Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2024 at Get your ticket – Abu Dhabi Finance Week

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Comviva appoints Raja Mansukhani to accelerate growth and transformation

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NEW DELHI, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Comviva, a global leader in digital transformation solutions, specializing in customer experience management, data monetization, and mobile financial services, today announced the appointment of Raja Mansukhani as its Chief Strategy, Technology, and Transformation Officer. In this key role, Raja will drive the execution of strategic initiatives that are central to Comviva’s transformation and the realization of its ambitious Comviva 2.0 vision.

Raja brings over two decades of leadership experience across IT, telecommunications, fintech, and digital platforms. He has led organizations through large-scale business and operational transformations, market expansions, and the launch of innovative products and technologies in diverse global markets. Prior to joining Comviva, Raja was the CEO of a Digital Platforms company within the Axiata Group.

Welcoming Raja to the Comviva leadership team, Rajesh Chandiramani, Chief Executive Officer at Comviva, said, “We are thrilled to have Raja on board during this transformative phase for Comviva. His deep industry knowledge and proven ability to drive growth and innovation align perfectly with our vision for Comviva 2.0. Raja’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping our strategic direction and technology roadmap, as we continue to deliver cutting-edge digital solutions for our customers worldwide.”

Raja Mansukhani shared his enthusiasm about joining the Comviva team, stating, “I am honored to be part of Comviva, a company renowned for its pioneering solutions and steadfast commitment to a customer-centric approach. As the industry undergoes rapid transformation, this is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic initiatives alongside a talented team that will unlock new opportunities and accelerate Comviva’s growth while delivering differentiation and significant value creation for our customers. As a team, we will drive innovation, foster value-driven transformation, and work towards achieving the bold objectives of Comviva 2.0.”

With Raja’s appointment, Comviva reaffirms its commitment to delivering innovative, customer-first solutions while accelerating its transformation efforts to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

As part of its strategic growth, Comviva is enhancing its capabilities in digital commerce, data monetization, and customer experience solutions. By focusing on partnerships with technology leaders and hyperscalers, and advancing operational excellence across MarTech, FinTech, DigiTech, and RevTech, Comviva is positioning itself as a catalyst for innovation. These initiatives align with the company’s vision to lead the digital transformation journey, empowering businesses to unlock new revenue streams and deliver exceptional customer value.

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LONGi and IUCN jointly release the Initiative of Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation with Photovoltaic

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XI’AN, China, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — From November 11th to 22nd, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change took place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. LONGi, in conjunction with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), released the “Initiative of Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation with Photovoltaic”. LONGi’s Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Zhang Haimeng, IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis, and Ant Group Director of Sustainable Development Wang Xiaoying attended and witnessed the event.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report highlighting that climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution are the three major global environmental challenges. As a leading global solar energy company, LONGi recognizes that innovation and development of renewable energy technologies such as solar power are not only crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also vital for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. After releasing Climate Action White Papers at COP conference for three consecutive years starting in 2021, LONGi, in collaboration with IUCN at COP29 this year, has taken corporate climate action to a new level by integrating it with biodiversity conservation efforts.

The initiative includes calls for companies to develop and implement climate and biodiversity protection measures in accordance with international multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and global standards, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It also encourages following global best practices to ensure that all activities meet global climate and biodiversity protection requirements, adopting environmentally friendly methods in the design, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the proportion of clean energy use. The initiative advocates for companies to establish a corporate culture for biodiversity conservation and to promote international cooperation, sharing, and dissemination of global best practices through partnerships.

IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis stated in his speech that LONGi, as a leading company in the photovoltaic industry, is actively responding to the IUCN’s guidelines on the biodiversity impact of solar energy projects by releasing this initiative. We believe that the initiative can inspire broader industry and societal actions and will encourage more companies and organizations to participate in the development and application of renewable energy while also taking measures to mitigate their impact on the natural environment.

As biodiversity becomes an increasingly global concern, LONGi has been continuously focusing on how to use photovoltaic technology to promote biodiversity conservation since the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which began in Kunming, Yunnan in 2021, and has actively put this into practice. During the COP28 conference, LONGi announced its “Zero-Carbon Life Plan for Pandas”, donating a distributed photovoltaic power station to the Qinling Giant Panda Conservation and Breeding Research Base in Foping, adopting a Qinling giant panda for life, and providing photovoltaic products and off-grid technology to support wildlife monitoring equipment in the protected area. Earlier, in 2022, LONGi donated photovoltaic modules to the Acquila Wildlife Conservation Base in South Africa, which not only provided daily electricity for the reserve but also clean water sources for wildlife, giving Acquila more possibilities for sustainable ecological operations.

In Duyun City, Guizhou Province, China, a 500kW “Solar +Tea Complementary Project” was established using LONGi photovoltaic products, exploring the application scenarios of photovoltaic technology in traditional tea gardens; the “Solar +Tea Complementary Project” model was also replicated in Pu’er City, Yunnan Province. In the world-famous Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, two photovoltaic power stations of 336kW and 338kW were built, with LONGi’s products helping arid areas achieve green ecological development with “generating electricity on the panels, planting under the panels, and breeding between the panels.”

Zhang Haimeng pointed out that as a leading global nature conservation organization, IUCN possesses extensive professional knowledge, a broad international network, and successful experiences on a global scale. This collaboration between LONGi and IUCN to release the biodiversity conservation initiative further refines and accelerates LONGi’s biodiversity practices. Through joint actions with IUCN, LONGi expects to more effectively promote global partners, policymakers, and the public’s understanding of the importance of biodiversity conservation, and to learn from excellent biodiversity protection projects such as Ant Group’s “Ant Forest,” actively taking effective measures to address global ecological challenges together. At the same time, as a leading global provider of green energy solutions, the photovoltaic technology and solutions that LONGi possesses can provide effective support for IUCN’s conservation actions.

“All things grow, and life is continuous. We call on humanity to join hands in protecting the Earth’s biodiversity and achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. This is not just an initiative, but a call to action, looking forward to everyone contributing to the protection of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecological balance,” said Zhang Haimeng.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

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Under its mission of ‘making the best of solar energy to build a green world’, LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com

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