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CALPIA’s Entry to Employment Network Paves the Way to Employment for Incarcerated Individuals

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First-of-its-Kind Network Connects Employers to Individuals Before Leaving Prison

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time, incarcerated individuals are able to connect with employers and secure job offers before leaving prison through the Entry to Employment (E2E) network. The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), in partnership with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), is offering the web-based employment network through contract provider Geographic Solutions.

“The Entry to Employment network is a game changer when it comes to successful reentry for incarcerated individuals,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson. “CALPIA wants individuals to have a career before they return to their communities and this first-of-its-kind network is definitely helping in the process.”

The E2E network opens the door for incarcerated individuals to access EDD’s second-chance employer list and job offerings through CalJOBS, in addition to other popular employment websites. The E2E Network also allows the private business sector to access a more qualified and trained workforce in a market that frequently struggles to find qualified employees.

“It all starts with a meaningful job!” emphasized Rusty Bechtold, CALPIA’s Assistant General Manager over Workforce Development. “Current and future employers use technology and web-based recruitment tools to hire new employees. Individuals who leave prison find it difficult to get a job with limited exposure to job search technology. The E2E Network provides that valuable guidance on how to get a job in the modern world and allows incarcerated individuals to take that experience with them.”

CALPIA’s Workforce Development Coordinators help incarcerated individuals at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) prisons with their résumé and pre-employment preparations. Once an individual is on the network, they can search for jobs that match their skills and qualifications. E2E displays positive employer matches and provides the functionality for incarcerated individuals to apply for available opportunities.

Douglas Woodall was the first applicant who was hired using the E2E network while incarcerated at California State Prison, Solano. Mr. Woodall was hired by a leading manufacturing company in mid-April and is extremely grateful.

“The E2E system helped me land a job,” said Woodall. “I was able to build a professional résumé and get an early start applying for jobs in prison which was beneficial in the job hunt.”

Individuals who have approximately 180 days left on their sentence and who are part of CALPIA’s job training programs can participate in the secure job-seeking network.

“EDD is excited to be part of this collaborative program to help those soon-to-be released adjust successfully to reentry with the help of a good job,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “We are committed to improving California’s economic growth while meeting the evolving needs of employers, workers, and job seekers.”

The E2E network started at California State Prison, Solano and has now expanded to Central California Women’s Facility, Valley State Prison, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, and Avenal State Prison. The goal is to have the E2E network available at every prison in California.

“We are honored to partner with CALPIA to help close the skills gap and increase job placement for those leaving prison,” said Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “Our E2E software solution will provide incarcerated individuals with the necessary tools and resources needed to help them find employment and thrive outside of prison, from one integrated online platform.”

It is expected that 600-800 individuals will go through the E2E program per year.

“I am thrilled to see how the E2E network secures career opportunities for people about to leave prison,” added Davidson. “CALPIA is all about second chances and now we are seeing individuals in our programs find true success with employment before returning home.”

About Geographic Solutions
Geographic Solutions is the nation’s leading provider of software solutions for public sector workforce development and benefits including unemployment insurance, economic development, human services, corrections, labor market information, education and vocational rehabilitation. The company has developed state-of-the-art systems for employment and workforce development agencies for more than 40 states and U.S. territories. Geographic Solutions’ software is currently being utilized by over 1,200 American Job Centers to serve more than 204 million individuals—reaching over 75% of the job seekers and employers in the country. For more information, visit https://www.geographicsolutions.com.

About CALPIA
CALPIA provides real-world job training to incarcerated individuals so they can succeed when returning to their communities. The self-funded state entity provides job skills to approximately 5,700 individuals in CDCR prisons. CALPIA reduces recidivism and increases public safety. The organization’s goal is to ensure incarcerated individuals have career opportunities when they leave prison in hopes they never return. CALPIA graduates earn industry accredited certifications and time off their sentences. Each individual applies to be in the program and CALPIA has countless success stories. A recent University of California, Irvine recidivism study found that CALPIA participants have a 15% return to custody rate after three years, which means 85% of all CALPIA participants do not return to prison. The lower recidivism rate saves the State millions of dollars of incarceration costs each year.

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SOURCE Geographic Solutions, Inc.

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Rently Secures $3M Pre-Series A Investment Led by Orange Bloom to Revolutionise the Asian Rental Market

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SINGAPORE, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Rently, a Singapore-based prop-tech platform that lets tenants rent deposit-free while paying landlords on time every month, has closed a US$3 million Pre-Series A led by impact investor Orange BloomHustle Fund, Woh Hup, Feedback Ventures, and 5i Ventures re-upped in the round, which values Rently at US$43 million.

Following this success, Rently is now targeting the close of its Series A funding round by the end of the year, positioning itself to further expand its market footprint and accelerate product development.

Rently: Redefining the Asian Rental Market

Founded in 2022, Rently is now establishing in the UAE and will enter Hong Kong this year. The long-term rental market across Asia is worth more than US$250 billion annually and largely still relies on security deposits and manual processes. Rently is transforming the industry through technology and innovative solutions such as:

Zero deposits, zero friction – Tenants subscribe to Rently Care and move in without locking up two months’ cash.Guaranteed income – Rently Pay ensures landlords receive the full rent on the due date, even if a tenant pays late or defaults.Fully managed – The Rently app covers listings process, contracts, maintenance and insurance in one seamless platform.

Nikesh Kshirsagar, Co-Founder of Orange Bloom, said, “Rently isn’t just another tech startup, it has a deep understanding of future lifestyle trends, strategic corporate partnerships, and a world-class tech platform that simplifies the rental process for users. Orange Bloom firmly believes that Rently is positioned to reshape the rental market, creating efficiencies while integrating responsible, sustainable housing solutions. The co-founders, Dominic, Siebren, Tarik, Emeric, and Kutlay, have done an excellent job assembling a talented, forward-thinking team where innovation thrives. We look forward to being part of Rently’s exciting journey ahead.”

Fund Allocation and Growth Plans

With the proceeds from the Pre-Series A round, Rently plans to accelerate its expansion strategy by scaling Rently Pay across its existing markets, ensuring more landlords benefit from guaranteed, on-time rental income. The company will also localise its platform to support market entry into Hong Kong and two additional Asian cities. To support this development, Rently is also doubling the size of its product and data teams to ensure the platform can scale efficiently.

Dominic Schacher, Co-Founder of Rently, expressed his enthusiasm for the next phase of growth, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Orange Bloom as our strategic partner. Their investment and expertise will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and expanding our product offerings. Together, we will continue revolutionising the rental market, making it more efficient, transparent, and accessible for everyone.”

Existing investor 5i Ventures also reaffirmed its support for Rently’s development. Dieter Schlosser, General Partner of 5i Ventures, Board Member, and Key Investor in Rently, shared his perspective on the round’s success. “The oversubscription of this round is a proof point of the trajectory Rently, and the leadership team have demonstrated. We are very excited to have the new investors on board. The first data points from our geographic expansion to the UAE clearly show the portability of the business model and the scalability of the platform,” said Schlosser, who previously served as CEO of SoftwareONE.

Orange Bloom’s Role and Strategic Partnership

The partnership between Rently and Orange Bloom highlights the influence of impact-driven investment in reshaping industries and demonstrates how strategic investments can drive systemic change in traditional sectors. Orange Bloom’s entry into the proptech and fintech spaces through its investment in Rently reinforces its ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable-focused business models. The collaboration aligns closely with Orange Bloom’s Sustainability Fund, which has been active since 2022 and has backed numerous projects focused on sustainability and social impact. Through initiatives like the Sustainability Fund and future investments, Orange Bloom aims to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs who are shaping a more equitable and sustainable world.

To learn more about Rently’s innovative rental solutions or partnership opportunities, please visit www.rently.sg.

About Rently

Rently Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based fintech startup dedicated to transforming the property rental market. Offering deposit-free rental options through its Rently Care subscription and providing integrated property management services via the Rently app, the platform ensures that property listings are accessible, flexible, and secure. Designed to connect potential tenants with landlords, agents, and enterprises in a seamless and effective way, Rently is committed to making the renting process more transparent, safe, and efficient. Rently is a subsidiary of REFIN Group Limited.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/rently-secures-3m-pre-series-a-investment-led-by-orange-bloom-to-revolutionise-the-asian-rental-market-302454935.html

SOURCE Rently

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Startek® wins CII-CWL Award for Gender Parity in Business

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– Recognized for advancing workplace gender equality through inclusive policies and people-first practices

MUMBAI, India, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Startek®, a digital-first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, has been honored with the prestigious CII – Centre on Women Leadership (CWL) Award for Gender Parity in Business. This recognition underscores the Startek commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, with a sharp focus on gender equality as a driver of organizational excellence.

“At Startek, we view inclusion as a competitive advantage that fuels innovation and resilience,” said SM Gupta, Global Chief People Officer, Startek. “This recognition from CII and CWL reflects how embedding gender parity into business strategy strengthens our ability to lead in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.”

The evaluation process for this accolade was both rigorous and comprehensive. It encompassed a four-stage assessment that began with an in-depth submission detailing the company’s people-centric practices. This was followed by focus group discussions with returning mothers and mid-level women managers, offering valuable insight into lived experiences. Key informant interviews added further depth, before a final review by an expert jury panel.

Winning this award highlights Startek’s continued leadership in shaping inclusive workplaces where equitable access to career growth, flexible work models, and intentional leadership development programs form the backbone of its DEI framework.

About CII-CWL Awards:
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Centre on Women Leadership (CWL)—a joint initiative supported by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—presents this award to organizations driving transformative change in gender balance across corporate India.

About Startek
Startek® is a global leader in customer experience management, delivering comprehensive digital transformation and CX solutions. With over 35 years of expertise, Startek empowers businesses across diverse industries to create memorable, personalized customer interactions. Operating in 12 countries with a team of 38,000 associates, Startek is committed to connecting brands with their customers through innovation, empathy, and operational excellence.
To learn more, visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn@Startek.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/startek-wins-cii-cwl-award-for-gender-parity-in-business-302454882.html

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FalconX and Standard Chartered Announce Strategic Partnership

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SINGAPORE, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FalconX, the leading institutional digital asset prime broker, today announces a strategic partnership with Standard Chartered, a leading international cross-border banking group. In the first phase of the partnership, Standard Chartered will provide a comprehensive suite of banking services to FalconX globally, further strengthening the platform’s offerings for institutional clients. The engagement will expand to include a broader range of offerings and mutual opportunities.

Through this collaboration, FalconX will initially integrate Standard Chartered’s banking infrastructure and access to an extensive range of currency pairs, enhancing the speed, scale, and reliability of cross-border settlement for its institutional client base. This continues FalconX’s efforts to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets with enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Matt Long, General Manager, APAC & Middle East at FalconX, commented: “We are pleased to partner with Standard Chartered, one of the most forward-thinking global banks in digital asset adoption. At FalconX, we support trading and financing for some of the world’s largest institutions in digital asset markets, and this relationship strengthens our ability to deliver robust banking and FX solutions to clients who rely on us to operate in crypto markets.”

As FalconX continues to grow its global footprint, the partnership is expected to expand beyond banking into additional products and services tailored to the evolving needs of FalconX’s and Standard Chartered’s institutional clients — including asset managers, hedge funds, token issuers, and payment platforms.

Luke Boland, Head of Fintech, ASEAN, South Asia & GCNA at Standard Chartered, added: “Our collaboration with FalconX underscores our commitment to advancing the digital asset ecosystem. As institutional demand for digital assets continues to grow, we’re proud to provide the banking infrastructure that enables firms like FalconX to deliver world-class trading and financing solutions to institutional clients.”

Notes to editors

FalconX

FalconX is a leading digital asset prime brokerage for the world’s top institutions. We provide comprehensive access to global digital asset liquidity and a full range of trading services. Our 24/7 dedicated team for account, operational and trading needs enables investors to navigate markets around the clock. FalconX Bravo, Inc., a FalconX affiliate, was the first CFTC-registered swap dealer focused on cryptocurrency derivatives.

‍The company is backed by investors including Accel, Adams Street Partners, Altimeter Capital, American Express Ventures, B Capital, GIC, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sapphire Ventures, Thoma Bravo, Tiger Global Management and Wellington Management.

FalconX has offices in Silicon Valley, New York, London, Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Singapore, and Valletta. For more information visit falconx.io or follow FalconX on X and LinkedIn.

Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/falconx-and-standard-chartered-announce-strategic-partnership-302454933.html

SOURCE FalconX

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