Category: Business

  • Censinet Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance

    Validated via AICPA Trust Services Criteria, Censinet maintains rigorous controls for security, availability, and confidentiality across the Censinet RiskOps™.

    If we’re going to help our customers raise the bar on risk management and cybersecurity in healthcare, we must hold ourselves to those same rigorous standards.”
    — David Woska Ph.D., CISO of Censinet

    BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Censinet announced today the successful completion of its SOC 2® Type 2 examination for the Censinet RiskOps platform, its SaaS healthcare vendor risk management system.

    The SOC 2 Type 2 audit was conducted by A-LIGN, a leading provider of cybersecurity compliance trusted by more than 4,000 global organizations. As part of the examination, A-LIGN evaluated controls across key operational areas, including access management, system monitoring, change management, incident response, and vendor security practices.

    “Completing our SOC 2 Type 2 examination is a significant milestone for Censinet and a direct reflection of the standard we hold ourselves to as a company entrusted with the cybersecurity risk data of more than 200 healthcare organizations and 55,000 vendors and products,” said Ed Gaudet, CEO and Founder of Censinet. “Healthcare is one of the most targeted and highly regulated industries in the world. Our customers need to know that Censinet RiskOps, the platform they rely on to manage third-party and enterprise risk, AI governance, and cybersecurity benchmarking meets the highest operational security standards; this report provides that assurance.”

    Censinet’s cloud-based RiskOps platform serves a growing network of more than 50,000 vendors and products and enables healthcare organizations to assess, manage, and benchmark cybersecurity risk at scale. The SOC 2 Type 2 report supports the security, compliance, and risk management requirements that healthcare systems, health plans, and their partners depend on when evaluating technology vendors.

    “We ask healthcare organizations every day to trust us with some of their most sensitive risk and vendor data,” said David Woska, Ph.D., Chief Information Security Officer of Censinet. “Achieving SOC 2 Type 2 isn’t just a checkbox, but proof that we practice what we preach. If we’re going to help our customers raise the bar on risk management and cybersecurity in healthcare, we must hold ourselves to those same rigorous standards.”

    Established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SOC 2 audit is designed for organizations of any size, regardless of industry and scope, to ensure the personal assets of their potential and existing customers are protected. SOC 2 reports are recognized globally and affirm that a company’s infrastructure, software, people, data, policies, procedures, and operations have been formally reviewed.

    “Congratulations to Censinet for earning their SOC 2 attestation, which is a widely recognized signal of trust and security,” said Steve Simmons, COO of A-LIGN. “It’s great to work with organizations like Censinet who understand the value of expertise in driving an efficient audit and the importance of a high-quality final report.”

    This certification demonstrates Censinet’s continued commitment to compliance and provides customers with confidence that required safeguards are in place to protect their data.

    About Censinet

    Censinet®, based in Boston, MA, takes the risk out of healthcare with Censinet RiskOps™, the industry’s first and only cloud-based risk exchange of healthcare organizations working together to manage and mitigate cyber risk. Purpose-built for healthcare, Censinet RiskOps delivers total automation across all third-party and enterprise risk management workflows and best practices. Censinet transforms cyber risk management by leveraging network scale and efficiencies, providing actionable insight, and improving overall operational effectiveness while eliminating risks to patient safety, data, and care delivery. Censinet is an American Hospital Association (AHA) Preferred Cybersecurity Provider. Find out more about Censinet and its RiskOps platform at censinet.com.

    About A-LIGN

    A-LIGN is the leading provider of high-quality, efficient cybersecurity compliance programs. Combining experienced auditors and audit management technology, A-LIGN provides the widest breadth and depth of services including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI. A-LIGN is the number one issuer of SOC 2 and a leading HITRUST and FedRAMP assessor. To learn more, visit a-lign.com.


    # # #

    Rita Labrado
    Censinet
    rlabrado@censinet.com

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  • STMicroelectronics’ phase-shift control ICs squeeze more efficiency from resonant converters

    New controllers enhance no-load performance in power supplies and lighting drivers

    STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM)

    GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — STMicroelectronics has introduced the STNRG599A and STNRG599B controllers for resonant-converter topologies with innovative phase-shift control (PSC) that boosts power-supply no-load efficiency and delivers flicker-free deep dimming in lighting applications.

    The STNRG599A is optimized for power conversion, with built-in X-capacitor discharge circuitry for safety in adapters, chargers, TV power supplies, and industrial power supplies. The STNRG599B, without discharge circuitry, targets circuits such as lighting drivers. The controllers operate up to 750kHz maximum frequency, with a wide input-voltage range to handle applications from 90W to several hundred Watts.

    In each IC, two complementary outputs drive external high-side and low-side switches 180° out-of-phase, with zero-voltage switching across the full operating range. ST’s PSC technique regulates the output by directly controlling the phase shift between the half-bridge voltage and the resonant-tank current. This reduces the control loop’s sensitivity to LLC/LCC component tolerances, which stabilizes the burst-mode entry and exit thresholds, enhances dynamic behavior, and increases input-voltage ripple rejection.

    Both controllers integrate hard-switching prevention and anti-capacitive protection. In addition, overcurrent protection with delayed shutdown and automatic restart controlled by an external pin allow flexible management of short-term overcurrent events, persistent overloads, and output short-circuits. There is also non-latched DC brown-out/brown-in protection with programmable enable and disable thresholds, which prevents operation when the input voltage is outside the selected range.

    Using the associated EVLG599-250WLLC evaluation board, users can quickly explore how PSC improves performance and efficiency in AC/DC adapters, industrial DC/DC converters, and switched-mode power supplies. The board combines the STNRG599A with ST’s SRK2001A synchronous rectifier and MasterGaN1L power system-in-package, which contains two 150mΩ GaN FETs and an offline half-bridge driver. The ready-to-use heatsink-free converter has sub-1µA standby current and delivers up to 10A continuous output current within a 78mm x 54mm x 23mm outline.

    The STNRG599A and STNRG599B are in production now, in a SO16N package, priced from $0.61 for orders of 1000 pieces.

    The EVLG599-250WLLC is available from the eSTore or through distributors for $336.00.

    Please visit www.st.com/stnrg599 for more information.

    Alexander Jurman
    STMicroelectronics
    Alexander.Jurman@st.com

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  • iOT365 Launches the First Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence Platform, Defining a New Cybersecurity Category

    iOT365 introduces Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence, transforming cybersecurity operations into continuous governance and real-time cyber assurance.

    Cybersecurity is entering a governance era. Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence turns live security operations into continuous regulatory assurance and executive visibility.”
    — Alexander Tartakovsky, Founder & CEO, iOT365

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — iOT365 today announced the launch of Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence, a new cybersecurity platform category designed to transform live operational security telemetry into continuous regulatory assurance and executive cyber governance.

    As cyber regulation accelerates globally, organizations are moving beyond periodic audits toward real-time accountability. Frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NERC CIP, ISO/IEC 27001, IEC 62443, and evolving international regulatory mandates are shifting cybersecurity from a detection-focused discipline to a governance-driven operational function.

    iOT365 introduces what it describes as the industry’s first Cyber Compliance Operating System — an AI-driven platform that embeds compliance intelligence directly into live security operations.

    A New Phase of Cybersecurity
    For years, cybersecurity platforms prioritized alerts and incident response, while compliance remained manual, fragmented, and retrospective. Today, regulators and boards increasingly require continuous visibility into cyber posture, measurable control validation, and real-time governance insight.

    iOT365 addresses this shift by automatically mapping operational security telemetry to global regulatory frameworks, enabling organizations to operate in a state of continuous audit readiness.
    “Cybersecurity is entering an era defined by governance, not just detection,” said Alexander Tartakovsky, Founder & CEO of iOT365.

    “We believe Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence represents a new platform layer — where AI transforms cybersecurity operations into continuous regulatory assurance.”

    Introducing the Cyber Compliance Operating System
    The iOT365 platform integrates multiple cybersecurity functions into a unified operational architecture:
    • Network-based IDS visibility across IT and OT environments
    • Centralized SIEM-level telemetry correlation
    • AI-driven Virtual SOC automation
    • Autonomous continuous compliance reporting
    • Executive dashboards aligned with global regulatory frameworks
    Rather than generating static reports, the platform continuously produces structured regulatory intelligence from live security activity.

    Why the Market Is Shifting Now
    A convergence of global forces is accelerating demand for continuous cyber governance:
    • Expansion of enforceable cyber regulations across critical infrastructure and regulated industries
    • Increasing executive accountability for cyber risk posture
    • Rising operational costs associated with manual compliance workflows
    • The growing need for measurable, evidence-based cybersecurity assurance
    Traditional SIEM tools focus on events, while GRC platforms focus on documentation. iOT365 connects both domains into a single operational layer designed for continuous governance.

    Positioned at the Intersection of Security and Regulation
    The emergence of Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence spans several major cybersecurity markets:
    • Security analytics and SIEM
    • Managed SOC and MSSP services
    • Governance, Risk & Compliance platforms
    • Industrial and OT cybersecurity
    • Regulatory cyber assurance solutions
    As compliance becomes an operational requirement rather than an annual exercise, continuous automation is expected to reshape enterprise cybersecurity architectures.

    Scaling a New Category
    iOT365 is expanding globally through:
    • Strategic MSSP and integrator partnerships
    • Deployments across regulated enterprise and critical infrastructure environments
    • Growth across North American, European, and international regulatory markets
    • Continued development of AI-driven governance automation capabilities
    The company is engaging strategic investors aligned with its vision of establishing Autonomous Continuous Compliance Intelligence as a foundational cybersecurity category.

    About iOT365
    iOT365 is an AI-powered unified cybersecurity platform integrating IDS, SIEM, and Virtual SOC into a single architecture designed for autonomous continuous compliance and cyber governance. With global operations centered in New York, the company focuses on regulated industries and critical infrastructure seeking real-time regulatory assurance and operational resilience.

    Vyatcheslav Anisimov
    iOT365
    +1 3322804993
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn

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  • Advantary Services Group and Anchora Advisory Form Strategic Alliance to Fund Private Equity Deals

    Advantary will provide growth capital to support Anchora sourced opportunities; Anchora CEO Joe C. Lopez and COO Bobby Bray join Advantary as partners.

    We are excited to partner with Anchora and welcome Joe and Bobby to the Advantary team.”
    — Stephen Kuhn, founder of Advantary

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Advantary Services Group, a division of Advantary LLC (Advantary), and Anchora Advisory Group are pleased to announce a strategic alliance to source, evaluate, and support private market investment opportunities. Under the alliance, Advantary will provide growth capital to fund and support Anchora-sourced transactions. As part of the agreement, Anchora founder and CEO Joe C. Lopez and Anchora COO Bobby Bray will join Advantary as partners.

    The alliance combines Advantary’s investment and operational platform with Anchora’s market-entry expertise and track record helping companies expand internationally, particularly across Africa, the Middle East, and the Global South. The firms said the collaboration is intended to accelerate deal flow, expand access to growth capital for high-potential companies, and strengthen post-investment value creation through Advantary’s services capabilities.

    “Forming this strategic alliance opens a new chapter for Anchora and the businesses we serve,” said Joe C. Lopez, founder and CEO of Anchora and incoming partner at Advantary. “By pairing Anchora’s on-the-ground market insight and deal origination expertise with Advantary’s capital and operational depth, we can move faster on high-impact opportunities and deliver sustainable, measurable outcomes in regions that have historically had less access to long-term growth capital.”

    Stephen Kuhn, founder of Advantary, said the partnership advances the firm’s mission to deploy conscious, outcome-oriented capital into expanded opportunities.

    “We are excited to partner with Anchora and welcome Joe and Bobby to the Advantary team,” Kuhn said. “Anchora’s ability to guide companies into new markets and drive sustainable growth complements Advantary’s commitment to seek attractive, risk-adjusted outcomes through disciplined investing and hands-on operational support. Together, we expect to identify, and support, businesses poised for scalable, responsible growth.”

    The firms expect to immediately begin joint sourcing, due diligence, and investment activity immediately, prioritizing companies with scalable business models, strong management teams, and the potential for measurable social and economic impact.

    About Advantary

    Advantary, LLC is a global investment, and advisory services, firm grounded in conscious leadership principles. Advantary Capital Partners (ACP), its investment division, focuses on impact-oriented private market investments. Advantary Services Group (ASG) provides clients with deep operational expertise focused on profitable, and sustainable, growth across its practices, including corporate growth strategy, AI integration and readiness, interim CxO support, financing strategy, board governance, IP strategy, strategic capital solutions, and cross-border expansion. Together, ACP and ASG pair smart capital with hands-on support.

    About Anchora Advisory

    Anchora is a premier advisory firm that helps companies grow globally, raise capital, and enter new markets. With roots at the University of Oxford, Anchora brings a diverse team of seasoned business leaders and industry specialists. With a focus on growth, internationalization, and the innovative use of technology, Anchora is dedicated to guiding organizations toward success in emerging markets, particularly across Africa, the Middle East, and the Global South. For more information, visit AnchoraAdvisory.com.

    Important Notices

    This press release is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security. Any offer, or solicitation, will be made only pursuant to definitive offering documents, and in accordance with applicable law.

    Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed, or implied, by these statements. Neither Advantary nor Anchora undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    Jessica Parise
    8 Branding Group
    +1 858-248-0082
    email us here

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  • Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Emerges as Premier Destination for Big Island Wedding Officiant

    Iconic southern coastline sees surge in couples seeking dramatic volcanic backdrops for intimate ceremonies.

    Couples who choose Punaluʻu are making a deliberate decision to embrace an unscripted environment.”
    — Deanna DiMichele, founder and lead officiant of Kona Wedding Officiant

    KAILUA-KONA, HI, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, located along Hawaiʻi Island’s southern coast, has emerged as one of the most sought-after locations for intimate weddings and elopements in 2025, according to new booking data from Kona Wedding Officiant.

    The company reports a significant rise in couples choosing this iconic black sand shoreline for its dramatic scenery, natural beauty, and profound sense of place. Known for its jet-black volcanic sand, swaying palms, and resident honu (sea turtle) population, Punaluʻu offers a ceremony backdrop distinct from the island’s more frequented resort beaches.

    “Punaluʻu represents a significant shift in how couples are approaching destination weddings,” said Deanna DiMichele, founder and lead officiant of Kona Wedding Officiant. “Rather than selecting a location based only on convenience or photographic familiarity, couples are increasingly drawn to sites with genuine cultural and geological significance. The black sand coastline offers something irreplicable: a direct connection to the island’s volcanic origins and its living ecosystem.”

    The trend reflects broader shifts in destination wedding preferences identified in recent industry analysis. Travel data indicates that over 70% of Hawaii-bound travelers now actively seek sustainable and culturally immersive experiences, prioritizing meaningful connection over conventional tourism. Punaluʻu’s protected status as a county park and its significance to native Hawaiian culture align directly with this values-driven approach to celebration.

    However, marrying at Punaluʻu requires navigating considerations that do not apply to conventional resort venues. The beach is a public park operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with specific requirements regarding group size, equipment, and environmental impact. Ceremonies must remain small, leave no trace, and respect both wildlife and other beachgoers.

    “Couples who choose Punaluʻu are making a deliberate decision to embrace an unscripted environment,” DiMichele explained. “Unlike a private resort lawn where every variable can be controlled, a public shoreline requires flexibility and respect for both natural conditions and other visitors. Our role is to ensure couples are prepared for these variables so they can focus entirely on the moment itself.”

    Kona Wedding Officiant’s expertise includes securing the necessary permits, advising on optimal ceremony timing, and providing clients with location-specific guidance. Sunrise and early evening hours offer softer light and fewer crowds, while flexible scheduling accommodates Hawaii’s variable weather patterns. The company also counsels couples on practical considerations: uneven volcanic terrain requiring appropriate footwear, reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life, and lightweight cover options for sun or sudden rain.

    For photography, Punaluʻu presents distinct visual opportunities. The vibrancy of wedding attire against the black sand, combined with the natural framing of lava rock and palm trees, creates imagery that is immediately recognizable as uniquely Hawaiian.

    “The question we hear most frequently from couples has shifted,” DiMichele noted. “They used to ask which locations were most popular or most photographed. Now they ask which locations will make their ceremony feel grounded in this place. Punaluʻu answers that question definitively. It requires more preparation than the usual venues, but couples consistently report that the preparation was worthwhile.”

    Kona Wedding Officiant has been creating Big Island weddings since 2017, serving thousands of couples with customizable packages that include officiating, photography, videography, and coordination at the island’s most scenic locations. The company is known for its stress-free planning process, last-minute availability, and commitment to honoring Hawaii’s natural and cultural heritage.

    About Kona Wedding Officiant
    Kona Wedding Officiant is a locally owned and operated wedding service specializing in destination weddings and elopements across Hawaiʻi Island. Since 2017, the company has guided thousands of couples through the complexities of Big Island wedding planning, offering expert assistance with county permits, location selection, and ceremony coordination. Services include professional officiating, wedding photography, and full-service planning for intimate elopements, microweddings, and vow renewal ceremonies. The company’s approach emphasizes seamless execution and deep respect for Hawaii’s natural and cultural environment, allowing couples to focus entirely on the moment they came to experience.

    Deanna DiMichele
    Kona Wedding Officiant
    email us here

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  • PointGuard AI Launches AI Security Incident Tracker for Agentic Threats

    New public resource documents real-world AI, agentic, and MCP security incidents with structured risk scoring and expert analysis.

    There’s a lot of noise around AI security, but few resources that consistently track and compare incidents. We built this tracker to bring clarity and context to real-world AI threats.”
    — Pravin Kothari, CEO of PointGuard AI

    SAN JOSE, CA, CA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — PointGuard AI today announced the launch of its AI Security Incident Tracker, a public resource developed by the PointGuard AI Research Lab to monitor, document, and analyze major AI-related security incidents affecting enterprises, technology providers, and critical AI infrastructure.

    As AI adoption accelerates across enterprise applications, attackers are exploiting a rapidly expanding attack surface. Agentic AI, autonomous agents, and orchestration layers such as MCP are significantly increasing security exposure by introducing new tools, permissions, and dynamic execution paths.

    “There’s a lot of noise around AI security, but few resources that consistently track and compare incidents using a structured methodology,” said Pravin Kothari, CEO of PointGuard AI. “We built this tracker to bring clarity and context to real-world AI threats.”

    The PointGuard AI Research Lab collaborates with enterprise CISOs, security practitioners, industry experts, and technology partners to validate incidents and refine its methodology. The tracker focuses strictly on documented incidents and demonstrated vulnerabilities, supported by credible third-party sources such as NVD, MIT AI Risk Initiative, Cornell arXiv, GitHub, and the AI Incident Database.

    To date, the Lab has documented nearly 80 significant AI-related security incidents across 2025 and 2026, with more than half occurring in the first 90 days of 2026. Incidents span major platforms including OpenClaw/Moltbook, Anthropic Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, ServiceNow, and Salesforce.

    For each incident, there is analysis of what happened, how the breach unfolded, and mitigation guidance, with explainer videos for major cases. The tracker covers emerging risks including prompt injection, MCP and agentic vulnerabilities, AI coding and framework flaws, supply chain exposure, data leaks, credential theft, and model compromise.

    To enable consistent comparison, the Lab introduced the AI Security Severity Index (AISSI), a 0–10 scoring system based on weighted factors including Criticality, Propagation, Exploitability, Supply Chain, and Business Impact.

    “Agentic AI is rapidly expanding the attack surface,” said Kothari. “We designed this tool to help enterprises stay ahead of real incidents and protect their AI systems with confidence.”

    The PointGuard AI Research Lab welcomes suggestions for incidents to include and feedback on methodology. To explore the tracker, and subscribe for updates visit: https://www.pointguardai.com/ai-security-incident-tracker

    Willy Leichter
    PointGuard AI
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn
    YouTube

    Introducing the PointGuard AI Security Incident Tracker

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  • Shaping Wealth Taps Fintech Veteran Corey Westphal as CRO to Power AI Expansion in Wealth Management

    Wealthtech veteran to lead growth as firm expands from education company to embedded AI platform

    With Lydia, Shaping Wealth is solving the right problem at exactly the right time: guiding advisors to stay deeply human as AI reshapes the industry.”
    — Corey Westphal

    CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Shaping Wealth, the leading provider of behavioral science-based learning and engagement solutions for the wealth management industry, today announced the appointment of Corey Westphal as Chief Revenue Officer. Westphal joins as the company accelerates its strategic evolution from educational content provider to AI-native technology platform with the launch of Lydia, a behavioral intelligence engine that embeds real-time coaching directly into advisor workflows.

    Westphal brings 15 years of wealth management technology leadership to his role at Shaping Wealth. As founder of Mobile Assistant, he pioneered advisor-first workflow innovation, earning approved-vendor relationships with LPL Financial, Osaic, TIAA, and Truist Bank. He led his team in building CRM-embedded API integrations that helped teams capture and apply client meeting insights to strengthen client relationships.

    “With Lydia, Shaping Wealth is solving the right problem at exactly the right time: guiding advisors to stay deeply human as AI reshapes the industry,” said Westphal. “Real growth happens when a tool earns a place in the advisor’s workflow and strengthens the client relationship. Lydia does both.”

    Westphal is stepping into his new role as Shaping Wealth positions Lydia for rapid adoption across RIAs, broker-dealers, and fintech platforms. Lydia operates as a behavioral intelligence engine built on Shaping Wealth’s proprietary corpus of thousands of behavioral finance insights developed over a decade. The multi-agent platform leverages dozens of purpose-built workflows that support advisors through difficult client conversations, major financial decisions, team development, and advisor wellbeing.

    Early adoption continues to validate the demand for behavioral intelligence as a distinct layer in the advisor tech stack. The Lydia prototype already launched in Shaping Wealth’s Compass content platform has processed thousands of user inquiries, revealing the demand for practical coaching insights that help advisors improve client conversations and outcomes.

    “We’re building the behavioral intelligence layer of the modern advice stack,” said Brian Portnoy, CFA, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Shaping Wealth. “Corey understands that growth in this industry comes from earning a place in the advisor’s daily workflow. His leadership will be critical as we scale Lydia across institutions that recognize human-facing skills as their next competitive differentiator.”

    As CRO, Westphal will oversee revenue strategy, partnership development, and go-to-market execution as Shaping Wealth pursues integration opportunities with CRM platforms, financial planning software, and digital engagement tools. His experience building institutional partnerships and API-based integrations directly supports Shaping Wealth’s platform strategy, with more than a dozen fintech partnerships currently in development, including Conquest, Focal, YCharts, Seeds, Contio, Sherpas, Hamachi, Perscient, and Fundment.

    Shaping Wealth will showcase Lydia at Future Proof Citywide in March as part of the event’s highly selective AI Demo Drop presentation. The appearance marks the platform’s first major industry debut since launching its AI-powered capabilities and positions Shaping Wealth to capitalize on growing demand for tools that differentiate advisory firms in an increasingly commoditized market. As AI reshapes client expectations and operational efficiency, behavioral intelligence represents one of the few remaining areas where human advisors maintain defensible competitive advantage. Per Portnoy, “Lydia replaces no one and enhances everyone.”

    To learn more about Shaping Wealth and Lydia, visit www.shapingwealth.com.

    Amanda Larson
    Intention.ly for Shaping Wealth
    shapingwealth@growintentionally.com
    Visit us on social media:
    LinkedIn
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  • Hook Raises $10M Series A Funding Led By Khosla Ventures To Expand The Social Music Platform For Fan Creation

    Capital Accelerates Hook’s Open Platform For Licensed Fan-Made Remixes And Effortless Sharing Across Social Media And Streaming Platforms

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hook, the artist-first social platform for fan-powered music creation, announced it has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Khosla Ventures with participation from existing investors Point72 Ventures, Imaginary Ventures, and Waverley Capital, co-founded by former Warner Music Group CEO Edgar Bronfman, Jr. Existing investors across the music ecosystem include Kygo’s Palm Tree Crew, Three Six Zero, Avex, The Raine Group, and renowned musician and DJ KSHMR. The round brings Hook’s total funding to $16 million.

    Hook transforms music from something fans passively consume into something they actively shape. Using simple, AI-powered tools, fans can remix songs across genres and moods, creating original versions and sharing them to social media with one tap—allowing familiar songs to be reimagined in new contexts while helping new artists and creators break through.

    Since launching in 2025, Hook has taken an artist-first approach to fan creativity, working directly with rights holders to ensure artists retain ownership, control, and monetization. The platform has partnered with major artists and labels, including Universal Music Group, on campaigns which have generated over 250 million views across social platforms. Through partnerships with Downtown Music/FUGA, Too Lost, Primary Wave, and Avex, Hook has access to a growing catalog of more than 20 million licensed songs. In the last 12 months alone, Hook’s active users have increased by more than 45X. This trust across the music ecosystem has enabled Hook to operate as an open platform that integrates with TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and SoundCloud, while ensuring artists and copyright owners participate directly in the value created.

    “Hook was built on a simple idea: fans want to express themselves with the music they love, and artists deserve to stay in control of how their work is used,” said Gaurav Sharma, founder and CEO of Hook. “We’re building the social music platform where creativity can thrive, and where ownership and monetization remain artist-led from day one.”

    With this funding, Hook will focus on driving user growth by expanding how fans create, connect, and participate with music, while continuing to invest in its brand and platform. The company plans to advance its product and technology, including the launch of an Android app, new community-driven features, richer creation formats, and native video and recording capabilities. Hook will also deepen integrations and partnerships across the music ecosystem, extending its open platform while ensuring artists remain in control. Together, these efforts support Hook’s vision to become the central platform where fandom, creativity, and artist-led ownership converge in the next era of social music.

    “Hook is solving a hard problem at the center of modern music: enabling remixing and social distribution in a way that works for rights holders at scale,” said Samir Kaul, Khosla Ventures’ Founding Partner and Managing Director. “The team has built a platform that pairs a consumer-native experience with licensing, attribution, and reporting infrastructure that the ecosystem can rely on. We’re excited to lead this round and support Hook’s next phase of growth.”

    As Hook enters this next phase of growth, the company is strengthening its leadership team to support its expanding product and operational ambitions. Simmi Singh has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer & Chief Product Officer. Singh joined Hook in 2023 as Chief Product Officer, where she has led product, design, and engineering and oversaw the launch of Hook’s platform for consumers, creators, and rightsholders. In her expanded role, Singh will continue to oversee these areas while also leading the company’s growth and expansion. She previously led Strategy & Operations for Podcasts at Spotify and worked alongside Sharma at JioSaavn as Head of Strategy & Operations, bringing a deep understanding of both product execution and the global music ecosystem.

    About Hook
    Hook is a social music platform building the next generation of music discovery, fan expression, and creator growth. Backed by top-tier investors, Hook turns the songs people love into sounds they can play with, empowering fans and creators to easily and legally reimagine music through intuitive, ethically trained, AI-powered tools with zero learning curve. By partnering directly with artists and rights holders, Hook helps ensure music is discovered, shared and expressed in ways that respect and reward the people behind it. At Hook, music isn’t just consumed – it’s experienced, expressed and made personal. For more information, visit www.hookmusic.com.

    Jaime Rosenberg
    2b Entertainment
    +1 917-292-2490
    email us here

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  • CleanConnect.ai Earns NYSDEC Approval for LeakFinder™

    CleanConnect.ai’s LeakFinder™ approved by NY regulators for autonomous LDAR, following EPA’s approval

    LeakFinder empowers operators with real-time insights and verifiable data to streamline compliance and promote cleaner energy practices”
    — David Conley, CEO of CleanConnect.ai

    WINDSOR, CO, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — CleanConnect.ai’s LeakFinder™ system, a core element of the company’s Autonomous365™ operational AI suite, has received approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) as an alternative monitoring technology for Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs.

    This milestone follows CleanConnect.ai’s EPA approval on May 13, 2025, and represents a major step forward for the energy industry in New York, facilitating verifiable emissions intelligence and improved adherence to state environmental regulations.

    Advancing Methane Detection & Operational Efficiency
    LeakFinder™ delivers component-level leak detection via continuous Optical Gas Imaging (OGI), establishing a benchmark for emissions monitoring, autonomous operations, and certified energy attributes in one of the nation’s prominent oil and gas states.

    According to the NYSDEC approval letter: “New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has reviewed CleanConnect AI, Inc.’s application dated November 18, 2025, requesting the approval of the CleanConnect LeakFinder Periodic Screening Alternative Test Method as a proposed alternative leak detection technology for compliance with 6 NYCRR Part 203 Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Requirements. That application, along with the supplemental information provided, satisfied the requirements of the regulation and CleanConnect LeakFinder is approved as an alternative LDAR technique under 6 NYCRR Part 203-7.1(c).”

    “This NYSDEC approval underscores our commitment to empirical measurement in emissions management. Building on our EPA, CO, NM, and PA approvals, we’re excited to bring our continuous OGI solution to New York, offering operators live remote control, AI-driven integration, and certified data for enhanced energy trading.” ~Mark Smith, CSO of CleanConnect.ai

    Key Features of LeakFinder™:
    • Approved for use as an alternative monitoring method under NYSDEC regulations, aligned with the CleanConnect LeakFinder System Component-Level Periodic Screening Alternative Test Method (ATM)
    • Real-time alerts for component-level emission events within 10 minutes of detection and verification
    • Full integration with the Autonomous365™ suite (including gas leak detection, liquid leak detection, fire and smoke alerts, PPE compliance monitoring, tank-level telemetry)
    • Part of a comprehensive MMRV (Monitor, Measure, Report, Verify) system supporting multiple certifications (e.g., OGMP, MiQ, EO, ISCC, ISO 14067, etc.)
    • Integrated with ProMax 6 for real-time mass balance and emissions modeling
    • Implemented through a 3D digital twin for precise camera placement and elimination of blind spots
    • Proven in the field to reduce emissions-related call-outs by up to 90% and increase control room efficiency by 10x

    Achieving over 90% detection accuracy for methane leaks as low as 2 kg/hr at ranges up to 120 meters, LeakFinder™ stands as the most sophisticated and dependable component-level methane monitoring tool on the market, now customized for New York’s regulatory framework.

    Mark Smith
    Clean Connect AI Inc
    +1 714-321-9888
    email us here
    Visit us on social media:
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  • Telaeris and DDS Announce Partnership for Amadeus 8 Integration

    XPressEntry brings handheld access control, credential validation, and emergency mustering to the Amadeus 8 platform

    This integration allows organizations to extend their existing Amadeus 8 investment into the field, giving them additional tools to increase safety and security for facilities they already manage.”
    — Dave Carta, CEO Telaeris

    SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Telaeris, Inc., a leading provider of handheld solutions for Physical Access Control Systems (PACS), today announced a strategic partnership with DDS Ltd. to deliver a native integration between Telaeris’ XPressEntry platform and the Amadeus 8 access control and security management platform. This partnership extends the reach of access control beyond fixed readers, enabling organizations to securely validate credentials, verify identities, and account for personnel in the field using XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers, all while maintaining centralized control through Amadeus 8.

    Amadeus 8 is a state of the art, multi-site access control and security management platform designed to centralize credential management, alarm monitoring, and security operations within a single, intuitive interface. The system supports complex environments that require flexibility, scalability, and real-time visibility across facilities and operations. With the XPressEntry integration, Amadeus 8 customers can now mobilize handheld badge readers within their infrastructure to perform:

    • HANDHELD BADGE VERIFICATION – Validate permissions and authenticate identities on the go in locations where fixed readers are impractical, while maintaining real-time facility occupancy data.
    • EMERGENCY EVACUATION MUSTERING – Quickly account for personnel and visitors during real emergencies to improve evacuation response, employee safety, and OSHA or regulatory compliance.
    • CORPORATE EVENTS AND TRAINING – Use existing security credentials to manage access for meetings, training sessions, and corporate events, including the ability to deny access when required.
    • HANDHELD BIOMETRIC VERIFICATION – Enforce high-security workflows using biometric and multi-factor authentication to strengthen identity and permissions assurance in sensitive areas.
    • ENTRY AND EXIT TRACKING – Monitor movement in and out of facilities to maintain accurate occupancy records, improve accountability, and provide real-time visibility for security teams in the field.
    • ADDITIONAL USE CASES – Time and attendance, bus entry validation, guest and visitor tracking, remote parking enforcement, mobile user enrollment, capture surveys connected to the badge, confined space management, and more.

    “We are excited to partner with DDS and bring XPressEntry handheld badge and biometric readers into the Amadeus 8 ecosystem,” said Dr. David Carta, CEO Telaeris. “Security teams increasingly need the ability to verify badges and account for employee safety beyond using traditional access control readers. This integration allows organizations to extend their existing Amadeus 8 investment into the field, giving them additional tools to increase safety and security for facilities they already manage.”

    “The integration of the Amadeus 8 software with the XPressEntry handheld readers opens new strategic opportunities for DDS and Telearis, combining mobility, performance, and enhanced security to meet the growing needs of the market.” says Emmanuel Bitton, V.P. S&M at DDS.

    The partnership brings together DDS’ enterprise grade Amadeus 8 access control platform with Telaeris’ handheld and biometric readers, enabling secure access control and personnel accountability wherever fixed reader infrastructure is impractical. Together, the solutions deliver mobile first security operations without compromising the reliability, auditability, or compliance requirements of enterprise environments.

    To learn more, visit https://telaeris.com/ and https://dds-security.com/.

    About Telaeris

    Founded in 2005, Telaeris, Inc. is a US-based software company, specializing in safety and physical security solutions that safeguard people and business interests, enhance access control, and improve real-time facility monitoring. With a commitment to innovation, Telaeris collaborates with global companies to keep workplaces and facilities safe, secure, and connected. For more information, please visit https://telaeris.com/.

    About DDS Security

    DDS Ltd. delivers world class building security through a powerful fusion of advanced access control hardware, high performance software, and 40 years of engineering excellence—trusted to secure hundreds of thousands of doors across 45+ countries and all fields of activity. DDS solutions stand out for their unmatched reliability, global scalability, and user-friendly design, backed by multilingual expert support and continuous innovation through partnerships with leading technology providers. DDS adapts the power of modern security to your facility requirements. Organizations gain a full solution with cutting-edge hardware and the intuitive and powerful Amadeus 8 security platform. DDS offer is robust enough for high-risk, multisite environments yet simple enough for budget conscious single site installations—ensuring total protection, operational efficiency, and peace of mind, that match your current needs and future plans. For more information, please visit https://dds-security.com/

    Rainer Boelzle
    Telaeris, Inc.
    +1 858-627-9700
    email us here

    XPressEntry is the handheld solution for DDS | Amadeus 8 access control systems.

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