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Blue Alliance Announces Strategic Investment from Prairie Capital

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Revolutionizing the MSP Landscape: Our Innovative Platform Breaks Through Consolidation Clutter, Gaining Momentum

CINCINNATI, Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Alliance, a fast-growing, operator-led MSP collective, announced today that it has completed a growth recapitalization transaction with Prairie Capital, a proven firm in scaling companies across a wide array of industries. Prairie Capital’s investment will enable Blue Alliance to accelerate its growth strategy and offer more MSP owners an alternative to the standard agreement, as well as the opportunity to be part of a strong, supportive community focused on scaling and shared success.

For Nick Recker, founding partner and CEO of Blue Alliance, the fundamental synergies of the two companies felt like a partnership right from the start. “Freedom drives entrepreneurs like me. We designed the Blue Alliance model to offer MSPs owners continued freedom throughout our partnership, and Prairie’s business model resembles ours in that way.” Blue Alliance will continue to operate independently within the Prairie portfolio.

“We hand-selected Prairie as our investment partner because the two companies share many of the same philosophies for growing businesses,” added Recker. These shared philosophies include protecting the company’s brand, stakeholders, and relationships; leveraging best practices and building scalable platforms; embracing an entrepreneurial mindset; encouraging autonomy and focusing strategic investment in operational areas to unlock incremental value and growth. 

Blue Alliance is the fourth company founded by Nick Recker, and it was inspired by his experience and passion running the Cincinnati-based MSP, Path Forward IT, a company he founded in 2002 that specializes in providing concierge IT services to healthcare practices. The global interruption to business in 2020 exposed vulnerabilities, especially for founder-business owners. “I recognized that banding together would make us stronger. That sentiment became the vision to create a platform for MSP owners that fosters collaboration, sharing resources, buying power and expertise.” 

Today, Blue Alliance is redefining the MSP landscape by translating the founders’ experiences as MSP owners into a collaborative ecosystem where elite MSPs can thrive and grow, but it’s an increasingly crowded market.

“Consolidation is flooding the MSP industry. Regardless of whether it’s called a roll-up or a platform, most consolidations are transaction-based,” said Patrick Jensen, Partner, Prairie Capital. Blue Alliance is built on the understanding that for MSP owners, it’s not merely a transaction; it’s their life’s work and legacy. “Blue Alliance stands out for its empathetic approach and deeper integration model, making it a compelling alternative to traditional acquisition platforms.” 

“Our mission is to champion the independent MSP,” says Shaun Sexton, founding partner of Blue Alliance. “We set out to create an option for MSP owners like us who were ready to partner and take their business to the next level but hesitate because they don’t want the company they built to be dismantled, to lose its soul,” Sexton added. “Our approach is about collaboration, not control. We know the collective is only as strong as the sum of its parts. That’s why our mission is to amplify all the good things about a member MSP company, not change them.”

“What we’ve built at Blue Alliance is different from the other MSP platforms. For us, it’s personal. We’ve been where they are, we speak their language,” says Recker. “With Prairie on our team, we’ll be able to move faster, offering freedom to more MSP owners.”

ABOUT BLUE ALLIANCE
Blue Alliance is a fast-growing, operator-led MSP collective that offers a different option for MSP owners looking to invest in their future and unlock the full potential of their business. Built on first-hand entrepreneurial experience and insights, Blue Alliance invests in and nurtures a community where the best MSPs can unite and grow without losing their identity. For more information, visit bluealliance.com.

ABOUT PRAIRIE CAPITAL
Founded in Chicago in 1997, Prairie Capital is a private equity fund with a long and successful track record of scaling growth-oriented, lower middle market companies in partnership with talented founders and management teams. Since inception, Prairie has invested over $1 billion in 100+ platform companies. Prairie makes control equity investments in founder-owned companies that require company-building investments to evolve into scalable platforms capable of sustaining accelerated growth. Prairie targets companies that participate in growing subsectors within business services, consumer, education, healthcare, industrial, and technology. More information about Prairie can be found at www.prairie-capital.com.

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The Second “FROM ZIQUEJIE TERRACES TO THE WORLD” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference Held

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LOUDI, China, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 12, the opening ceremony and keynote speeches of the Second “FROM ZIQUEJIE TERRACES TO THE WORLD” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference were presented in Xinhua County, Loudi City, Hunan Province. Over 200 guests, including representatives from international organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), diplomats from terrace-cultivating countries like France and Peru, and domestic and international experts from the agriculture, culture, and tourism sectors, gathered to discuss key issues including the protection of global agricultural cultural heritage and the development of the green agricultural economy. Together, they explored ways to preserve and promote farming culture, showcasing Hunan’s unique approach to agricultural heritage protection and innovation, while contributing China’s solutions for the safeguarding of global agricultural cultural heritage.

During the opening ceremony, the Consensus on the Integrated Development of Terraces in Agriculture, Culture, and Tourism was released. The document promotes the understanding of the value of terraces, the protection of terrace ecosystems, the preservation of farming culture, the active promotion of agriculture, culture, and tourism integration, enhanced international exchange and cooperation, and the innovation of development models. The aim is to promote the effective protection and sustainable development of terraces globally, deepen the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, build distinctive terrace-based industrial chains, enhance the overall competitiveness of terrace regions, and achieve ecological, economic, and social benefits for all.

Terraced fields exemplify the harmonious coexistence of human ingenuity and nature. They carry rich agricultural traditions and historical memories, and their value in preserving biodiversity, ensuring food security, and promoting regional economic development is immeasurable. The Ziquejie Terraces, recognized as both a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, are the product of the collective labor of the Miao, Yao, Dong, Han, and other ethnic groups throughout history. These terraces are a historical testament to the merging of mountain hunting cultures with rice farming cultures.

Looking ahead, Loudi City will further strengthen the protection of agricultural cultural heritage, promote cultural inheritance, and foster the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. Through these efforts, it aims to provide concrete examples of “authentic protection, living use, and industrial integration” for the world.

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HUAWEI Innovative Product Launch Unveils Next-Gen Wearables Experience and Seamless Productivity with Tablets

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BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 19, at the HUAWEI Innovative Product Launch event in Barcelona, Spain, Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) unveiled several highly anticipated products, with ‘Fashion Forward’ approach for wearables, including the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, HUAWEI WATCH D2 and HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Green. The launch also announced the popular HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and HUAWEI MatePad 12 X tablets, together delivering a new generation of wearable experiences, and upgraded technologies for enhanced productivity and seamless connectivity with brand new tablets.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series: Leading the Fashion Edge

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series is among the first Huawei smartwatches to introduce the HUAWEI TruSense System, an integrated health and fitness tracking feature that comes with an upgraded sensor and improved algorithms – producing results that are faster, more accurate, and more comprehensive.

Featuring the distinct Sharp-Edged Design and available in a total of 12 different models and in Pro or Standard edition, HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 series is design to lead the Fashion Edge, with the Pro edition made with aerospace grade titanium alloy and nanocrystal ceramic, bringing higher levels of durability.

With the HUAWEI TruSense System, it enables Huawei’s brand new Emotional Wellbeing Assistant, achieving an upgrade in health management to include not just physiological but also psychological management.

The new smartwatch brings new Pro-Level sports features. For golfers and divers, HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro brings Golf Course mode with the inclusion of over 15,000 global golf courses maps as well as Free Diving mode, offering a more comprehensive on-wrist tracker for their sports activities. HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro also comes professional features for Trail Run, such as support for segmentation navigation function, as well as a 10-metre contour map.

The smartwatch offers exceptional battery life, with up to 14 days of usage on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 46mm and GT 5 Pro 46mm, and up to 7 days on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 41mm and GT 5 Pro 42mm.

HUAWEI Wearable Product Ambassadors: Pamela Reif and Sir Mo Farah

HUAWEI Wearable Product Ambassadors Sir Mo Farah and Pamela Reif made an appearance, with Sir Mo Farah sharing his expertise on running and advanced sports techniques, while Pamela Reif focused on watch design and app courses, showcasing the ‘Light Up Your Rings’ experience.

Pamela Reif expressed her admiration for the new watch stating: “The HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro is more than a smartwatch; it’s a style icon that really gives me a Fashion Edge. In addition, Huawei has made some really impressive enhancements to the activity tracking. Join me and Light Up Your Rings every day!”

Sir Mo Farah echoed the sentiment, adding: ” As a runner I care about small details to give me a competitive edge; the enhanced Sunflower GNSS is an absolute gamechanger, while the all new Running Form analysis feature can give any runner insights into how to shave seconds off their personal best.”

HUAWEI WATCH D2: World’s First Smartwatch with Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Certified by NMPA and MDR

The launch of the HUAWEI WATCH D2 introduced a ground-breaking innovation as world’s first wrist-based, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device to be certified by NMPA and MDR. This marks a significant step forward in wearable technology, embodying Huawei’s commitment to “Health Forward”.

The watch delivers 24-hour accurate blood pressure measurement, and features the HUAWEI TruSense System for faster and more accurate results.

In terms of blood pressure technology, Huawei already innovated for over nine years, having a long-term partnership with global hypertension experts, including Professor George S. Stergiou, President Elect International Society of Hypertension, and Professor Wang Jiguang, President of the Chinese Hypertension League and so on.

The HUAWEI WATCH D2 features a light and slim design, incorporating an ultra-narrow mechanical airbag and a 1.82-inch large screen. It is only about 1/5 the width and 1/25 the volume of traditional upper-arm electronic blood pressure monitors, making it easy to take blood pressure measurements no matter where you are.

In addition, with a single tap, users can measure up to 9 body indicators and generate a Health Glance report.

HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate green edition: Explore Without Limits

An update to last year’s release, HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate introduces the new Advanced Golf Course Features and the enhanced Expedition Mode, along with a new green edition that combines paradigm-shifting technologies and cutting-edge craftsmanship, embodying the “Adventure Forward” spirit and built for the adventurous at heart.

The new green edition brings an exclusive dual-colour nano-tech ceramic bezel, which requires a more complex manufacturing process to deliver a beautiful white-green colour duo to match the aesthetics.

The all-new advanced Golf Course Mode offers precise analytics and insights for enthusiasts, plays-like distance, shot distance, AI Caddie, and more. As long as a new expedition Route Import feature that integrates with the HUAWEI Health app, allowing users to import routes.

Huawei is dedicated to helping consumers cultivate healthy lifestyle and exercise habits through the global continuation of the “Light Up Your Rings” campaign. By leveraging the Activity Rings and Medal Rewards system, the campaign offers an engaging experience that helps individuals to live a healthier life.

In addition, Huawei’s wearables are always designed to be available for both Android and iOS smartphones, to make its latest health technology innovations and sports tracking features accessible to an even wider audience.

HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch: Creation of Beauty

The newest flagship tablet, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch, is designed to deliver the ultimate user experience focused on creativity and productivity.

Equipped with an innovative Tandem OLED PaperMatte Display, HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch delivers an impressive maximum brightness of 2000nits for an authentic viewing experience. Advanced anti-sparkle and nanoscale anti-glare etching technologies ensure a premium, paper-like visual experience.

It comes with the HUAWEI Glide Keyboard, featuring a 2-in-1 stylus and keyboard storage and charging design.

To inspire creativity, the tablet’s GoPaint App offers a wide range of digital creation tools, including the ground-breaking Splatter brushes and Fluid brushes. The FangTian Painting Engine 2.0 supports 8K ultra-large canvas, providing professional-grade tools for artistic expression.

HUAWEI MatePad 12 X: Style Meets Creativity and Productivity

HUAWEI MatePad 12 X is a lightweight flagship model, designed for the younger generation. It boosts productivity, allowing trendsetting users to pursue their dreams while delivering an enjoyable experience.

The new tablet innovate Shimmery Pearlescent Sheen, resulting in a metallic white with colour-changing effects based on lighting. The all-metal device body with integrated seamless design making it stylish and durable.

HUAWEI MatePad 12 X PaperMatte Edition features an Ultra-bright PaperMatte Display, offering superior quality in viewing, writing, and touch, making it ideal for reading and creative work.

On September 19, 2024, Huawei officially launched the GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity themed “Creative By Nature”. From the kickoff day to December 31, 2024, painting enthusiasts around the world can share their unique digital art works on HUAWEI Community platform.

HUAWEI Reaffirms Commitment to Innovation, Fashion, and Creativity

Alex Huang, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei Consumer BG, emphasises the brand’s global impact and commitment to innovation. Highlighting Huawei’s commitment to blend cutting-edge technology, fashion, and creativity, into the products, seamlessly integrating them into consumers’ daily lives, the brand continues to inspire consumers through campaigns such as Light Up Your Rings initiative and GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity.

“We aim to bring innovative products that offer consumers a unique blend of fashion and creativity,” said Alex. “By inspiring our users, Huawei strives to create a more connected and heartwarming world where technology enhances daily living and brings people closer together.”

For more information on the price and availability, please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/en/wearables/
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/tablets/?ic_medium=hwdc&ic_source=corp_header_consumer 

 

 

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Applications Open for Startup Lithuania Accelerator Program powered by Plug and Play

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VILNIUS, Lithuania, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Startup Lithuania has officially launched the third open call for applications for the Startup Lithuania Accelerator, powered by Plug and Play. The application period is now open and will run until November 1, 2024.

The Startup Lithuania Accelerator powered by Plug and Play consists of five accelerator batches over three years, including an annual Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning program (GOAL) in Silicon Valley. The program is designed to provide startups with immediate access to a global experience and an expansive international network.

“24 startups have successfully participated in the first two batches of the Startup Lithuania Accelerator, showcasing the tremendous potential of Lithuanian startups. For example, AQ22 developed cutting-edge AI assistants to optimize human work and earned a spot in the prestigious GOAL program in Silicon Valley. Similarly, Boop and Kloosive secured significant investments. These successes demonstrate how the accelerator transforms local innovators into global competitors,” said Karolis Žemaitis, Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation.

The program offers a range of benefits to participating startups. These include mentorship from industry experts, pitch polishing workshops, office hours with the Plug and Play team, and an Expo Day, where startups can present their innovative products or services to diverse potential investors and corporations from international markets.

Following the application period, the Plug and Play team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all applicants, presenting the top candidates to the Plug and Play Investment Committee for final selection. The selected startups will be announced at the Launch Event, held in Vilnius, Lithuania. All applicants will be informed of the selection outcomes, and selected startups will receive detailed information on the onboarding process, including incorporation under Lithuanian regulations.

Plug and Play provides extensive resources and support to entrepreneurs, serving as a bridge to key startup hubs, including Silicon Valley. The top participants from each batch are invited to join the Global Overseas Acceleration & Learning program at Plug and Play’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, California.

“For any early-stage tech startup looking to scale globally, the Startup Lithuania Accelerator powered by Plug and Play is a golden opportunity,” said Povilas Žinys, director of Plug and Play Lithuania.

Participants from previous batches have highlighted how the program accelerated the growth of their companies, increasing access to key corporate customers and investors.

“The mentoring sessions provided a solid foundation for developing robust strategies to scale the business,” Deividas Celencevičius, CEO of Boop, whose startup won first place in the pitch competition of the Expo Day in June 2024, said.

“The opportunity to connect with the right entities – whether partners, investors, or fellow startups – has opened up avenues we had not anticipated. The sense of community within the batch has fostered a culture of mutual support and shared success,” Viktorija Ramanauskaitė, CEO of Kloosive, another participant startup from the first batch, added.

During the application period, the program will host an online information session to address any questions potential participants may have. Details of this session will be announced on Startup Lithuania’s social media channels.

For more information on the application process, please visit the program page.

About Startup Lithuania:

Startup Lithuania is a national startup ecosystem facilitator in Lithuania. Their goal is to grow a mature startup ecosystem and make Lithuania a startup hub for the Baltic and Nordic regions.

About Plug and Play:

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we’re present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we’ve invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/ 

Press Contact:

press@pnptc.com

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