Category: Technology

  • Front Office 360 Launches NIL & Cap Platform for Collegiate Athletics, Built by Pro Sports Industry Veterans

    Developed with NFL front office expertise, Front Office 360 brings structure, valuation, and cap strategy tools to collegiate NIL and revenue-share
    management

    NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Front Office 360, powered by RockDaisy, is a cap management software platform purpose-built for collegiate athletic programs, bringing professional front office structure and discipline to the rapidly evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and revenue-share landscape—across all sports.

    Led by longtime NFL executive Cliff Stein, Front Office 360 applies proven professional cap and contract management practices to college athletics at a time when institutions are being asked to manage athlete compensation with increasing complexity and accountability. During his 22 years with the Chicago Bears, Stein served as salary cap manager and contract negotiator, overseeing more than $3 billion in player contracts. While advising multiple Power Four universities on NIL and revenue-share strategies, Stein identified a growing gap: athletic departments were being asked to operate more like professional front offices without the tools or infrastructure to manage budgets, valuations and negotiations efficiently.

    Front Office 360 is currently in use by multiple Power 4 conference programs and is available to athletic departments seeking professional-grade tools to manage athlete compensation responsibly in the evolving collegiate landscape.

    “The new NIL and revenue-share landscape involves athlete valuation, contract administration and negotiations that have never been a part of college athletics,” said Stein. “Using the professional sports front office model, Front Office 360 was built to bring structure, discipline and clarity to that process.”

    Sports law attorney Matt Kelly, who has worked closely with collegiate athletic departments for more than 12 years, played an instrumental role in shaping the platform’s vision. “Institutional NIL payments have fundamentally changed the decision-making environment for athletic departments,” said Kelly. “Schools must now balance competitive pressures with budget, compliance and long-term planning. Front Office 360 provides a framework for consistency, transparency and accountability.”

    To bring Front Office 360 to life, Stein partnered with RockDaisy, LLC, led by Chris Tanck and Elvis Pereymer. Tanck and Pereymer spent more than 17 years at the National Football League, where they helped design and build the league’s Football Information System (FIS)—the salary cap and contract reporting database used by all 32 NFL teams. “We’ve spent years building the systems professional front offices rely on every day,” said Tanck. “Front Office 360 applies that same technical foundation to college athletics, helping programs move beyond spreadsheets into a modern, scalable cap and contract management platform.”

    With institutional dollars now being committed directly to student-athletes, athletic departments are being asked to manage compensation across all sports with increasing discipline and accountability.

    Industry Adoption

    “In anticipation of the House settlement, it was critical that we identify an innovative solution to oversee cap management and athlete compensation across all sports. Front Office 360, combined with the industry expertise behind the platform, allowed us to quickly build cap models, assess athlete value based on evaluation, and position ourselves effectively for retention and transfer portal decision-making.” – Marcus Sedberry, GM for Wisconsin Football

    “As we navigated the NIL landscape, we began adopting practices from the professional sports model. Front Office 360, along with the industry expertise behind the platform, helped us create a cap management strategy that allows player evaluation to drive valuation and provides a framework for measuring the return on investment of each contract.” – Jordan Sorrells, GM of Football, Clemson University

    “We reviewed the vendor landscape and quickly concluded that Front Office 360 provides the tools necessary to manage and oversee revenue-share and NIL compensation across all sports. The platform offers the structure and visibility needed to support informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving environment.” – Mitchell Moorer, Michigan State University

    “As a former NFL head coach, I have firsthand experience with how professional teams manage the salary cap. Front Office 360 delivers not only the tools required for effective cap management, but also the industry expertise necessary to apply those tools at a high level.” – Ron Rivera, GM of California Football

    Key Features in Phase 1
    • Allocate: Budget allocations across sports
    • Valuation: Evaluation-driven compensation
    • Build: Profiles and cap modeling
    • Negotiate: Contract workflows
    • Cash Flow: Real-time

    Built by industry professionals, Front Office 360 reflects real-world collegiate front office workflows and was recently featured in Sports Business Journal. Learn more at FrontOffice360.com.

    Cliff Stein
    Front Office 360
    negotiationwhisperer@gmail.com
    Visit us on social media:
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  • Lucky Pikinini Builds Growing Steam Catalog of Story-Driven Action Games, Led by New 2026 Release

    LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Independent PC game developer Lucky Tlhalerwa, known publicly as Lucky Pikinini, is pleased to announce its expansion of a multi-year catalog of story-driven action titles released for worldwide audiences on Steam. Since beginning game development in 2017, the developer has published six games and remains focused on creating large-scale action experiences designed for players who value narrative progression, varied mechanics, and long-term updates.

    Recently, the developer’s latest release, IMS Intelligence Corp, launched worldwide on January 26, 2026. Positioned as a large-scale third-person and first-person storytelling action game for Microsoft Windows PC, the title reflects a long development arc intended to deliver a more expansive experience within the broader Super Incursion / IMS universe. The project also reinforces a franchise-building approach, with multiple installments designed to expand characters, lore, and gameplay systems over time.

    According to developers, the key theme across Lucky Pikinini’s work is a commitment to single-player storytelling at a time when much of the market leans heavily toward multiplayer-first design. Rather than narrowing the experience to one combat style, the developer emphasizes layered gameplay that allows players to approach fights in different ways. Certain titles combine multiple mechanics, such as ranged combat, melee options, explosive tools, crafting systems, and hand-to-hand techniques, so encounters can play out with meaningful variety based on player choice.

    Furthermore, the catalog also includes survival gameplay alongside story-driven content. With survival modes less commonly treated as core features in many recent action releases, Lucky Pikinini positions this format as an additional pillar of replayability, giving players alternative challenges beyond the main narrative arc.

    “Story-driven action games still matter, especially when players can experiment with different mechanics and strategies instead of being pushed into one repetitive loop,” says Lucky Pikinini. “My goal is to keep raising quality with each release, such as better graphics, stronger gameplay, fewer bugs, and storytelling that feels worth the time – all while continuing to support games with updates after launch.”

    In addition to game development, the creator is also a comic artist and has published six comic books, with several game concepts described as adaptations of original comic worlds into playable PC experiences. Looking ahead, the developer plans to continue expanding existing franchises while introducing new ones. One upcoming franchise concept, the Earth Lightning Force series, is described as a story-driven action saga centered on a super-powered soldier named Cadmiss McCurdy, with a first release targeted for a late 2026 or early 2027 window.

    Lucky Pikinini’s games have collectively sold more than 30,000 copies, and the catalog is expected to continue growing as new installments and franchises are introduced.

    For more information, or to download, please visit https://store.steampowered.com/app/4268120/Lucky_Pikinini__IMS_Intelligence_Corp/.

    About Lucky Pikinini

    Lucky Pikinini is an independent PC game developer and comic creator known for story-driven action titles released on Steam. Active since 2017, the developer has published six games and focuses on large-scale single-player experiences that combine multiple gameplay mechanics, survival elements, and ongoing post-launch updates to support long-term player experience.

    Grayson Mitchell
    Titan Media Distribution Agency
    Kozackleague@gmail.com

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  • Censinet to Announce Findings from The 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study, and New AI Products at ViVE 26

    Research explores cybersecurity maturity, AI governance, shadow AI, agentic adoption, rural health systems, and AI risk ownership across the health industry.

    The Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study continues to be one of the key tools available to healthcare organizations navigating an increasingly complex threat landscape.”
    — John Riggi, National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, the AHA

    BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Censinet, the leading provider of healthcare risk management solutions, will announce at ViVE 2026 findings from The 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study, the industry’s most comprehensive peer benchmarking initiative, as well as expanded AI governance and risk management products designed to close critical gaps in AI inventory, oversight, and accountability across the health sector. Censinet executives and customers will be available at Booth #920 in South Hall, February 22–25 at ViVE 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA, to discuss the 2026 Benchmarking Study and deliver live demonstrations of all new products. In addition, Censinet will present key findings from the 2026 Benchmarking Study live on Tuesday, February 24, from 1:35–1:55 PM PST in Data Innovation, Theatre C.

    “Healthcare has built the governance scaffolding for AI, but this year’s Benchmarking Study reveals that the operational muscle, including inventory and asset management, detection methods, and clear accountability, is not keeping pace with adoption,” said Ed Gaudet, CEO and Founder of Censinet. “With 64% of healthcare organizations already experimenting with or actively deploying agentic AI, and only 30% maintaining an enterprise-wide AI inventory, the gap between AI ambition and AI governance is widening. Censinet is committed to helping the industry close that gap with solutions that move organizations from structure to execution.”

    The 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study

    Roelf Kuitse, Senior Director of Customer Experience and Success at Censinet, will be joined by special guest Brian Sterud, VP and CIO at Faith Regional Health Services, to present findings and insights from the 2026 Benchmarking Study on Tuesday, February 24, from 1:35–1:55 PM PST in Data Innovation, Theatre C.

    “Rural health systems face the same cyber threats and the same pressure to adopt AI as the largest health systems in the country—but we don’t have the same budgets or the same bench depth,” said Brian Sterud, VP and CIO at Faith Regional Health Services. “The Benchmarking Study gives organizations like Faith Regional something we can’t build on our own: a clear picture of where we stand relative to our peers and a roadmap for where we need to invest. This year’s findings on the AI governance gap are a wake-up call—not just for rural systems, but for the entire industry. If we’re going to adopt AI responsibly, we need the kind of peer-driven insights this study delivers to help us prioritize with confidence, not just react to the next headline.”

    With a range of healthcare organizations participating in the 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study, this year’s findings expand upon the comprehensive set of benchmarks established in the landmark 2023, 2024, and 2025 studies with enterprise assessments and peer benchmarks for the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (CSF 2.0), the Healthcare and Public Health Cybersecurity Performance Goals (HPH CPGs), and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF). Like previous years, the 2026 Study also includes benchmarks for the 405(d) Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) as well as key organizational and cybersecurity program metrics. The 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study is delivered in partnership with American Hospital Association (AHA), Censinet, Health-ISAC, Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC), the Scottsdale Institute (SI), and The University of Texas at Austin.

    This year’s study surfaces critical insights across cybersecurity maturity and AI governance readiness, including:

    • Healthcare cybersecurity maturity remains strongest in response but weaker in prevention. Organizations have strengthened their ability to respond to cybersecurity incidents, but foundational preventative practices, governance, asset management, and supply chain preparedness, continue to lag behind.
    • AI governance committees are widespread, but formal controls are not. While 70% of organizations have established AI governance committees, only 30% maintain an enterprise-wide AI inventory. Governance structures exist, but operational execution is trailing.
    • The shadow AI problem is escalating. Over half of organizations have no documented methodology for detecting when vendors embed AI capabilities into existing products, creating a growing blind spot that committees and approval gates alone cannot address.
    • Agentic AI adoption is accelerating ahead of governance. 64% of organizations are either experimenting with or actively using agentic AI in production, with only 8% drawing a hard line against it. Among organizations reporting that AI adoption is moving faster than desired, more than half cite better formal governance procedures as their top need.
    • Organizations developing AI in-house are better positioned to manage AI risk. Organizations that develop AI systems, train models, or integrate AI technologies through APIs show significantly higher coverage in the Map and Measure functions of the NIST AI RMF, likely because AI development and integration activities require deeper engagement with model evaluation, validation, and risk measurement.
    • Rural-only health systems face a significant governance gap. Rural-only organizations match their peers on NIST CSF fundamentals but are twice as likely to have no AI governance at all, underscoring the need for scalable, community-driven approaches to AI risk management.
    • AI risk ownership remains fragmented. More than one in three organizations (38%) either share AI risk responsibility across multiple groups without clear escalation paths or have not clearly defined ownership at all, a structural gap that will become more acute as AI deployments scale.

    “The Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study continues to be one of the key tools available to healthcare organizations navigating an increasingly complex threat landscape,” said John Riggi, National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, American Hospital Association. “As AI adoption accelerates across the sector, this year’s findings make it clear that cybersecurity and AI governance are no longer separate disciplines. Criminal and nation-state-supported cyberattacks continue to target healthcare’s critical infrastructure, and the rapid integration of AI. Without adequate oversight, rapid adoption of AI may introduce new vectors of risk to patient safety and care delivery. The Benchmarking Study equips hospitals and health systems with the peer-driven insights they need to strengthen both their cyber resilience and their AI governance posture. To defend one is to defend all.”

    “The Scottsdale Institute is proud to support the 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study, which addresses one of the most pressing challenges our member health systems face today: the intersection of cybersecurity and AI governance,” said Janet Guptill, President and CEO of the Scottsdale Institute. “Our members are on the front lines of adopting AI to improve care delivery, but this year’s findings reinforce that adoption without governance creates real risk. Peer benchmarking gives healthcare leaders—from CISOs to CEOs to board members—the trusted insights and community collaboration they need to move from aspiration to execution. Cybersecurity and AI governance are no longer just technical challenges; they are strategic imperatives that require senior leadership engagement across the enterprise.”

    New AI Product Announcements

    At ViVE 2026, Censinet will announce further details of the Company’s expanded AI governance and risk management capabilities, including new products designed to help healthcare organizations build and maintain enterprise-wide AI inventories, operationalize AI governance frameworks, and establish clear accountability for AI risk across clinical, technical, and operational domains. Censinet will showcase live demonstrations of these innovations at Booth #920 in South Hall throughout the show. Healthcare organizations interested in learning more about the 2026 Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study or Censinet portfolio of products should visit Booth #920 at ViVE 2026 or contact info@censinet.com.

    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.

    # # #

    Rita Labrado
    Censinet
    email us here

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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Openforce Integrates with Key Software Systems and Dispatch Science, Leading TMS Providers

    Integrations with Key Software Systems and Dispatch Science unify independent contractor onboarding, compliance, insurance, dispatch, and payments.

    SCOTTSDALE, AZ, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Openforce, the leading compliance and workforce management platform for commercial relationships between contracting companies and their 1099 independent contractors, today announced new strategic integrations with Transportation Management System (TMS) providers Key Software Systems and Dispatch Science.

    The integrations create a connected, end-to-end workflow that links independent contractor onboarding, compliance, insurance, settlement, and deductions directly with transportation operations. Contracting companies can move faster from contractor approval to dispatch while reducing compliance risk, manual work, and operational friction.

    “These integrations deliver immediate, tangible value to mutual clients by eliminating the costly historical gaps between compliance and operations,” said Wendy Greenland, CEO of Openforce. “These integrations allow transportation and logistics companies to achieve operational excellence and 1099 compliance. Our TMS integration strategy allows each system to do what it does best; the TMS manages execution, while Openforce handles the complexity of compliance, insurance, and payments. Together, we’re enabling transportation businesses to scale 1099 programs quickly, confidently, and compliantly.”

    As transportation organizations increasingly rely on independent contractors to meet demand, fragmented systems and manual processes have become a barrier to scale. Openforce’s TMS integrations ensure only approved; compliant independent contractors flow directly into operational systems, eliminating manual handoffs, improving data accuracy, and accelerating productivity.

    “We couldn’t be more excited about announcing our partnership with Openforce,” said Charlie Pisciotta, President of Key Software Systems. “The integration between our platforms allows customers to eliminate manual processes, reduce compliance risks, and accelerate contractor onboarding while maintaining full operational visibility; and that’s just the start. Openforce has been a phenomenal partner, and they share our vision of empowering logistics providers through automation and innovation.”

    “At Dispatch Science, our cloud‑native TMS is built to shape the next era of logistics, not just keep pace with it,” commented Arthur Axelrad, CEO & Co-Founder, Dispatch Science. “Partnering with Openforce accelerates that mission by uniting two powerful platforms to eliminate friction, elevate compliance, and unlock truly scalable contractor operations. This integration isn’t just an improvement; it’s a catalyst for the future of intelligent, connected delivery ecosystems.”

    Openforce serves as the system of record for 1099 onboarding, compliance, insurance, and payments, while TMS partners support dispatch, routing, and execution. Once a contractor is approved in Openforce, their status is automatically synchronized with the TMS, enabling seamless progression from onboarding to dispatch.

    For mutual clients, the impact is measurable: independent contractor time-to-productivity drops from weeks to days, compliance visibility moves to real-time monitoring, and the administrative burden that previously consumed management attention is automated. The result is a scalable foundation for growth without added complexity, while minimizing misclassification risk and settlement errors. This will deliver a smoother, more transparent independent contractor experience.

    As independent contractor networks continue to expand across transportation and logistics, Openforce’s growing TMS partner ecosystem reflects the industry’s shift toward integrated platforms that unify compliance, operations, and payments, supporting long-term, compliant scale.

    About Openforce
    Openforce® is the leading compliance and workforce management software and payments processing platform for managing the commercial relationships between contracting companies, vendors who provide workforce labor, and independent contractors (ICs). Its cloud- based software is a vital tool that empowers contracting companies to operate with confidence by addressing compliance risks and lowering operational costs through AI-powered onboarding, insurance enablement, contracting, and settlement processing (including vendor invoicing and deduction management) technology. In addition, Openforce provides customized insurance solutions tailored to ICs and critical business tools that ICs need to manage their small businesses and increase their profits. Openforce also serves the Insurtech market with its innovative insurance policy administration software solution tailored to IC insureds that minimizes carrier losses and increases profits for insurers, brokers, and agents. Openforce is a portfolio company of Boston-based private equity firm Riverside Partners.

    About Key Software Systems
    Key Software Systems provides performance-driven Delivery Management and Optimization software for final mile carriers, drivers, shippers, 3PLs. Its comprehensive platform is designed to automate operations, optimize driver performance, and strengthen brand visibility through a robust set of tools that connect every stakeholder across the delivery lifecycle. By streamlining workflows and enhancing real-time execution, Key Software Systems enables logistics organizations to operate more efficiently, scale with confidence, and deliver exceptional service.

    About Dispatch Science
    Dispatch Science is a cloud-native transportation management system, purpose-built for last-mile shippers, couriers, and delivery businesses. Powered by cutting-edge AI and intelligent algorithms, the platform puts route optimization and driver performance at the heart of operations—driving faster deliveries, reducing costs, and maximizing fleet efficiency. From seamless order entry to automated billing, with real-time visibility, Dispatch Science transforms every step of delivery workflows, enabling logistics businesses to scale smarter, serve customers better, and stay ahead of the competition.

    Jaimie E Kowalski
    Openforce
    jaimie.kowalski@oforce.com
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  • ProPlaintiff Named Finalist for 2026 AZ Inno Fire Awards

    AI-native legal technology platform recognized among Arizona’s most promising startups during AZ Tech Week

    This recognition validates our mission to empower personal injury law firms with AI-native technology that actually works. We built ProPlaintiff to be a force multiplier.”
    — Jason Turnquist (Co-Founder)

    PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES, February 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — ProPlaintiff, an AI-native legal technology platform revolutionizing personal injury case management, has been selected as a finalist for the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2026 AZ Inno Fire Awards presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

    The Fire Awards recognize Arizona’s most innovative and high-growth startups, celebrating the entrepreneurs and companies driving the state’s thriving technology ecosystem.

    The award ceremony will take place on April 8, 2026, at the Phoenix Art Museum in downtown Phoenix, held in conjunction with AZ Tech Week.

    “The Fire Awards are the premier awards program for AZ Inno, the statewide online publication that is the go-to source for information about fast-track startups,” according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

    Being named a finalist places ProPlaintiff among the most promising technology companies contributing to Arizona’s reputation as a national hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

    ProPlaintiff is transforming personal injury law through intelligent automation. The platform enables law firms to automate case management, draft demand letters, build medical chronologies, analyze evidence, generate legal documents, and consult with an AI paralegal—all from one intuitive, AI-native platform. The result: an 80% increase in law firm efficiency while maintaining complete attorney oversight and control.

    “This recognition validates our mission to empower personal injury law firms with AI-native technology that actually works. We built ProPlaintiff to be a force multiplier,” said ProPlaintiff co-founder, Jason Turnquist.

    ProPlaintiff has already achieved significant milestones, including winning the Arizona Innovation Challenge as well as securing a strategic partnership with attorney Bob Goldwater as an angel investor and advisor. The platform’s AI-native architecture—built from the ground up with artificial intelligence at its core—sets it apart in the legal technology landscape.

    About ProPlaintiff

    ProPlaintiff is a purpose-built case management platform designed specifically for personal injury law firms. The platform automates repetitive tasks, including case intake, demand letter drafting, medical chronology creation, evidence analysis, and legal document generation.

    About AZ Inno

    AZ Inno is the leading online publication covering Arizona’s startup and technology ecosystem. As part of the American City Business Journals network, AZ Inno delivers daily news, insights, and analysis about fast-track startups, emerging entrepreneurs, and the innovation economy across Arizona. The Fire Awards recognize the state’s most promising startups and entrepreneurial leaders.

    Davis Page
    ProPlaintiff.ai
    +1 888-221-6509
    davis@proplaintiff.ai
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