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ATEL Ventures Says Supporting Hard Tech Founders is Key to a Sustainable Future

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– New paper calls for greater creativity in financing game-changing technologies – 

SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new paper published today argues that important advancements in health, telecommunication, mobility and other areas risk being hindered if visionary founders are not able to access the necessary funding for their ventures.

‘Debt as Catalyst – Making Hard Tech Less Hard’ is published by ATEL Ventures, Inc., a division of ATEL Capital Group and a provider of growth capital to startups across multiple sectors and life stages. The paper highlights the role of ‘hard tech’ ventures in solving many of the world’s most pressing challenges, with hard tech defined as “technology that requires big breakthroughs and has a high barrier of entry”. It argues that the success of these businesses has the potential to lead to major advances in global connectivity, health outcomes, transportation, food security, sustainability and other areas.

Dean Cash, the Chairman and CEO of ATEL Capital Group who along with ATEL’s COO Pari Choksi founded ATEL Ventures 25 years ago, says: “The startups with the most potential to have a lasting, beneficial impact on society are the very ones that struggle the most to get off the ground. Whether they are building satellites with the power to bring the world’s two billion unconnected citizens online, or developing new therapeutics to treat previously untreatable conditions, their work is both time- and capital-intensive; and many investors currently lack the appetite for that level of long-term risk.”

The State of Venture Debt
The March 2023 run on Silicon Valley Bank led to a sharp decline in the venture debt market, and while Deloitte and others predict a partial bounce back in 2024, much of the venture capital community remains wary of investments that may require them to underwrite venture debt.

Dean Cash has a different point of view: “We can’t afford not to back these businesses,” he says. “Historically, the most important innovations have rarely paid off over a short period, but they do pay off, and the rewards are much greater than merely financial.”

Hard Tech Founders Working to Solve the Hardest Problems 
The ‘Debt as Catalyst’ paper lays out some of the societal benefits to accrue from the success of hard tech ventures:

Global connectivity: Around one-third of the earth’s population, or 2.6 billion people, are without internet access and all of the associated benefits of access to education, information and commerce. Hard tech startups are developing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites with the power to enhance internet access and communication capabilities worldwide.

Healthcare advancements: Breakthroughs in medical devices and biotechnology that promise to revolutionize treatment protocols and patient care are being made by venture-backed startups as well as the major pharma companies.

Industrial sustainability: Startups are leading the way in developing new technologies aimed at improving the sustainability of large-scale industrial processes including in the high-carbon energy and construction sectors.

Food security and sustainability: Many startups are applying their innovative thinking to the agricultural sector. New technologies could enable the year-round cultivation of fresh produce in urban environments, reducing the environmental footprint of traditional farming methods while simultaneously increasing yields to feed a growing population.

Transportation and urban mobility: Hardware solutions developed by startups and powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) will enable vehicles to ‘talk’ to each other and the road infrastructure around them, improving both capacity and safety on roads.

Debt as Catalyst
ATEL’s Dean Cash makes the case for a more creative use of venture debt as part of the financing mix for capital-intensive startups at all stages. 

“While many founders are wary of taking on debt, venture debt can be a powerful means of accelerating growth or extending runway without diluting equity,” says Cash. “In some cases, it can make the difference between success and failure. It’s important that those of us involved in the financing of hard tech founders adopt the kind of visionary long-term thinking we look for in founders.”

‘Debt as Catalyst – Making Hard Tech Less Hard’ is available to download for free from: atelventures.com/catalyst.

About ATEL Ventures, Inc.
ATEL Ventures Inc., a division of ATEL Capital Group, is a leading provider of venture debt and equipment financing to emerging growth companies. The company is a primary source of non-dilutive capital across the landscape of venture capital investments. ATEL Ventures is industry- and stage-agnostic, having provided capital to companies in Information Technology, Life Sciences, Energy, Agriculture, Material Sciences, and Consumer Products and Services. For more information, visit atelventures.com or contact Steven Rea: srea@atel.com

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SOURCE ATEL Ventures

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COMPUTEX 2025: MiTAC Powers Sustainable AI Data Centers with New Server & Cooling Tech

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TAIPEI, May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At COMPUTEX 2025, MiTAC Computing Technology Corp., a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings Corp. (TWSE: 3706), unveiled its bold new vision: from hardware provider to full-solution AI and data center innovator. With future-ready solutions covering AI training and inference, high-performance computing (HPC), rack-level liquid cooling, GPU resource management, and real-time data mobility, MiTAC delivers an integrated platform for next-generation data centers.

Rick Hwang, President of MiTAC Computing, emphasized the company’s commitment to open innovation. By aligning with global tech partners and Open Compute Project (OCP) standards, MiTAC now delivers full-spectrum solutions—from server to rack—featuring advanced liquid cooling technology. This simplifies data center operations and improves computing performance and energy efficiency—all driving the vision of smarter, high-performance, and sustainable infrastructure.

“This marks our first appearance at COMPUTEX since the MiTAC brand integration,” Hwang noted. “We’re excited to bring customers a more open, flexible, and deeply integrated portfolio of solutions—reinforcing our role as a trusted partner for AI and data center innovation worldwide.”

Empowering AI with Sustainability and Real-World Solutions

MiTAC Computing is embracing the future of AI with the theme “Empowering Unlimited Possibilities: AI x Sustainability, spotlighting real-world application and introducing a suite of new solutions designed to enable smarter, greener, and more scalable AI ecosystems.

At COMPUTEX, MiTAC Computing displayed an impressive range of cutting-edge AI inference servers. The spotlight is on the MiTAC G4527G6 (MGX™ 4U), featuring eight latest-generation NVIDIA RTX PRO™ 6000 Blackwell server GPUs, the first-ever debut of the NVIDIA MGX™ PCIe Switch board with ConnectX®-8 SuperNIC, and dual Intel® Xeon® 6767P processors. Additionally, the MiTAC G8825Z5 (8U) is equipped with two AMD EPYC™ 9005 series processors and eight newly revealed AMD Instinct™ 350 series GPUs, designed specifically for generative AI, inference workloads, and large language model processing.

Introducing Full-Rack Liquid Cooling Solutions

MiTAC Computing also introduced its full-rack liquid cooling systems, featuring both Liquid-to-Air and Liquid-to-Liquid cooling options. Showcasing the latest in-row Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) from top-tier global partners, these systems deliver over 2000 kW of cooling power—engineered for intense thermal demands of AI and HPC workloads. Designed for easy integration and customization, these systems include MiTAC’s own monitoring software for optimized management.

Additionally, MiTAC also debuted its Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) multi-node HPC server, the MiTAC C2820Z5. Built for extreme high-performance computing, this server’s DLC system efficiently cools high-power CPUs and fits within ORv3 standard racks powered by 48VDC – delivering significant energy savings vs. traditional air-cooling technology.

Partnering with AMD for Next-Gen Performance

On May 21st, MiTAC Computing welcomed long-term partner Ted Marena, AMD GPU Market Development Director, who shared the latest trends in AI GPU development and product offerings between MiTAC and AMD. Ken Lin, Senior Vice President of Commercial Business at AMD Taiwan, remarked, “MiTAC and AMD have continuously launched high-performance server platforms integrating AMD EPYC™ processors with AMD Instinct™ GPUs. We are also actively developing the MI350 GPU series with liquid cooling systems to support even more demanding AI cluster workloads, fully addressing the modern data center’s need for both AI computing power and energy efficiency.”

Rick Hwang added that AI technology is rapidly accelerating. MiTAC is committed to enabling future AI applications with solutions that combine high performance, low power consumption, and intelligent management. By optimizing data center infrastructure, MiTAC aims to assist global customers in advancing efficient and sustainable development in key sectors such as AI, HPC, and cloud computing, promoting the widespread adoption of next-generation AI technologies.

Learn more: https://www.mitaccomputing.com/en/campaign/computex2025

About MiTAC Computing Technology Corp.

MiTAC Computing Technology Corp., a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings, delivers comprehensive, energy-efficient server solutions backed by industry expertise dating back to the 1990s. Specializing in AI, HPC, cloud, and edge computing, MiTAC Computing employs rigorous methods to ensure uncompromising quality not just at the barebone level but, more importantly, at the system and rack levels—where true performance and integration matter most. This commitment to quality at every level sets MiTAC Computing apart from others in the industry. The company provides tailored platforms for hyperscale data centers, HPC, and AI applications, guaranteeing optimal performance and scalability.

With a global presence and end-to-end capabilities—from R&D and manufacturing to global support—MiTAC Computing offers flexible, high-quality solutions designed to meet unique business needs. Leveraging the latest advancements in AI and liquid cooling, along with the recent integration of Intel DSG and TYAN server products, MiTAC Computing stands out for its innovation, efficiency, and reliability, empowering businesses to tackle future challenges.

Website: https://www.mitaccomputing.com/

 

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SOURCE MiTAC Computing Technology Corp.

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“Made-in-Shanghai” Blossoms in Umeda, Celebrating Creativity & Innovation

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OSAKA, Japan, May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As the Chinese solar term “Grain Buds” kicked in, a fashion summer breeze carried “Made-in-Shanghai“, an official five-day multi-format event, exhibition and forum series created by Shanghai, to Grand Green Osaka of Umeda, north of JR Osaka Station, the largest transportation hub and a super popular commercial destination in Japan.

This is not just a showcase of Shanghai’s fashion superpower, but an intimate encounter of Shanghai’s fashion ecosystem with local visitors. As FANG Wei, China’s Vice Consul General in Osaka remarked at the event’s grand opening on May 21st, “Made-in-Shanghai” took the ShanghaiOsaka ties to a new level through showcasing tech-savvy and Shanghai-style fashion, beauty and creative products to local and international visitors, while fostering business cooperation amidst the shift from “Made-in-China” to “Created-in-China“.

This overseas debut of Shanghai’s fashion and beauty parks and communities appeals greatly to Osaka’s business community. CREATER, a Shanghai-based property operator shared the experience of transforming the historic Yuyuan Road into a fashion and creative hub, featuring worldwide launches of products and a shining cluster of creative companies. Likewise, Fengxian District’s Oriental Beauty Valley, hailed as China’s beauty and cosmetic industry capital, stunned discerning Japanese consumers with leading Chinese beauty brands and innovation.

As an intimate encounter with Shanghai lifestyle, the Public Open Days attracted KOLs and Japanese consumers to a China market with fashion, home furnishings, beauty products, and even a tea-sake oriental tea house. Shanghai Chicmax exhibited its new products and introduced its Japanese R&D center and factory. Shanghai brand “nice rice” offered to consumers simple-lifestyle apparels. Hankyu Department Store opened “WINDow of EAST” pop-up stores with works from six Chinese young designers, curated by Shanghai Fashion Designers’ Association.

The event went deeper to a “Shanghai-Osaka Forum”, featuring a panel on “Evolution of Consumer Culture”, consisting of WWD China chief content officer, founders of Herbeast and RichandRare Jewellery, Confis’ senior partner and a journalist from WWD Japan. Another forum delved deep into sustainable urban renewal and green design, a common challenge for Shanghai and Osaka, featuring Dezeen’s China editor, famous Japanese architects, Aedas’s global design principal and UNS’s director.

The event is guided by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, hosted by Shanghai Commissions of Economy & Informatization and Commerce, and Administration for Market Regulation, and executed by Commission of Commerce in Changning District, Shanghai Design Week, Shanghai Fashion Designers’ Association and the Paper.

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SOURCE the Paper

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The Great Reset, the First Photorealistic AI Film Makes History at the Cannes Film Festival

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The film produced entirely with artificial intelligence positions Spanish filmmaker Daniel H. Torrado as a pioneer in a new era of cinema.

CANNES, France, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Following its screening at the European Film Market of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) last February, the apocalyptic sci-fi thriller ‘The Great Reset’ has been presented at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film. It is the first time that a feature film created with artificial intelligence (AI) has been presented at the world’s leading professional film market, where it has aroused significant interest among distributors and specialised media.

The work, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Daniel H. Torrado, is both a narrative and technological milestone and positions the Spanish filmmaker as a pioneer in a new era of cinema.

The innovative impact of ‘The Great Reset’ has been recognised by the prestigious specialist magazine The Hollywood Reporter, which dedicated in its special edition on the Cannes Film Festival an article entitled ‘Spain tests the waters of artificial intelligence’. The article highlights the pioneering role of the film and especially Torrado’s participation in the advances of artificial intelligence in the audiovisual field.

It is a production of the companies Virtual World Pictures and Canary Film Factory.

The project began in 2023 with the writing of the script. Over the last year, the AI workflow has been designed and optimised, including fine-tuning of the models, to ensure full control over the creativity of the material generated. Although the entire film was computer generated, and all sets and characters were created digitally, some scenes used actors as reference for acting and dubbing.

AI was involved in all stages of production and post-production, from image and animation generation to sound design, but always with human supervision.

“We are very proud to present The Great Reset at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film, a space where the most innovative ideas in contemporary cinema converge. It will undoubtedly be a key impulse to introduce the world to this story that explores not only the narrative potential of AI, but also its ability to transform the film industry,” said Torrado.

In the film, an artificial intelligence, created from the mind of an unscrupulous hacker, sets in motion an apocalyptic plan to destroy the world in order to save the only person he has ever loved: his daughter. Faced with the collapse of humanity and the echoes of a broken past, Emma embarks on a desperate race to save the world.

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1082697453/30033a63b9

Media Contact:
Jose Hernandez, Virtual World Pictures
***@virtualworldpictures.com
+34 604 96 44 72

Photos:
https://www.prlog.org/13076582

Press release distributed by PRLog

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SOURCE Virtual World Pictures

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