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Google Ventures Backs Bounti for Autonomous AI for Sales, Leading $16 Million in Funding

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bounti, a pioneer in autonomous AI products, came out of stealth and announced today it has secured $16 million in seed funding led by Google Ventures, with participation from Floodgate, Bloomberg Beta, Haystack, Octave Ventures, and MS&AD. Additionally, the company announced that Silicon Valley veteran Lew Cirne, founder of New Relic – acquired by Francisco Partners and TPG for $6.5 billion in November 2023 – is its first independent board member.

“We’re going to fix something that is broken about sales and customer engagement today,” said Matt Cooley, Bounti co-founder. The explosion of AI products has eroded personalization and human connection, and if you’re paying attention, you can tell that customers are exhausted with outreach that doesn’t connect to their needs.

“At Bounti, we’re creating technology that empowers sales, marketing, and customer success teams to focus on meaningful human work, and this investment shows that our vision is one that the industry believes in. Let’s create AI-powered tools that enhance our people, not replace them.”

Founded by Cooley and fellow Silicon Valley veteran Ashar Rizqi, Bounti introduces the world’s first full-stack, full-funnel agentic AI teammate platform, designed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of sales, marketing, and customer success teams. Bounti frees sales teams from non-revenue generating work, allowing them to connect personally, bringing back the authenticity and effectiveness in customer relationships.

“Turning human-led services into AI-augmented software is the future of how businesses can use AI effectively,” Rizqi said. “We are far away from AGI, and the problems in using AI to make sales autonomous are sophisticated and require deep expertise that comes from real, trained humans. With a Bounti engagement, you get paired with cutting-edge software and a highly trained professional in the latest sales methodologies to accelerate your revenue goals – focusing on outcomes and not just software usage. We will use our funding to invest aggressively in expanding capabilities across both the software platform and human-in-the-loop services component.”

Unlike traditional AI tools, Bounti’s first teammate, specializing in prospecting, delivers capabilities that automate research and personalization work at blazing speed and large scale. This significantly reduces the time spent on mundane tasks and allows sales teams to focus on the customer.

The Bounti teammate takes a research-first approach, in which the details of a prospect company drive the outreach. Within ten minutes, you can have 500+ companies thoroughly researched for you, with buyers identified and personalized emails generated.Unlike others in this space, Bounti does not simply automate the mass delivery of emails with a firm belief that humans must be involved.Within 5 minutes the AI teammate researches hundreds of companies for just 1 sales rep, finding thousands of buyers while keeping information fresh via a streaming LLM architecture.Highly personalized outreach options rooted in up-to-the-minute research are served up to the rep in seconds.Besides this AI augmentation model, customers can choose to hand off the entire prospecting function to Bounti to run with highly trained sales professionals.

“Bounti is an incredible time saver,” said Bernie Kassar, Bounti customer and founder and CEO of Latitude 39 (former CCO of Xactly). “We couldn’t enable people fast enough or expect our sales team to produce this level of insight in days, let alone minutes. Bounti allows for intelligent conversations to happen much faster by removing the mundane work that bogs everyone down. You only get one chance to make a first impression.”

Google Ventures, leaders of the round, were impressed by Bounti’s AI-powered vision: “We spent several years getting to know the Bounti founding team, and Ashar Rizqi and Matt Cooley truly stood out. Their blend of profound technical expertise and go-to-market leadership is unmatched,” said Sangeen Zeb, General Partner at Google Ventures. “We’ve been impressed by Bounti’s rapid development of a strong enterprise customer pipeline and the delivery of tangible value at the application layer. We share Bounti’s vision that AI will transform knowledge work as we know it, and we’re excited to support the team as they bring real AI-driven value to go-to-market teams.”

About Bounti

Bounti is dedicated to transforming go-to-market through innovative AI products. Their platform boosts sales team productivity by automating repetitive tasks, enabling more personalized and effective customer interactions. Founded by AI and sales experts, Bounti is supported by a strong network of investors, advisors, and partners committed to revolutionizing the future of sales.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2502982/Matt_and_Ashar.jpg

 

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SOURCE Bounti AI

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Hyundai Motor Group Announces 2024 Second Half Key Executive Appointments

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Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive DivisionJosé Muñoz appointed as CEO of Hyundai Motor CompanySung Kim appointed as President of Hyundai Motor CompanyJun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation; and Kyoo Bok Lee is promoted to President of Hyundai GlovisAppointment of new CEOs for the Group’s affiliates, including Cheol Seung Baek, Hyundai Transys; Joon Dong Oh, Hyundai KEFICO; Hanwoo Lee, Hyundai E&C; Woo Jeong Joo, Hyundai Engineering

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced key executive appointments for the year 2024 as part of its aims to solidify sustainable growth and better prepare for uncertainties in the global business environment.

This appointment reflects its commitment to a performance-based approach that aligns with outstanding achievements. By consolidating the Group’s core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions, the Group aims to strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate our future transformation.

Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division, effective Jan. 1st, 2025, to further strengthen the future competitiveness of the Group’s mobility business.

Looking ahead, Chang will oversee the entire value chain, including product planning, supply chain management manufacturing, and quality assessment. He will optimize business operations across the automotive business while securing internal synergies and building foundational systems for cost and quality innovation to ensure sustainable future competitiveness.

José Muñoz is appointed President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company to advance global management framework and solidify customer-focused mobility innovation through diverse powertrain offerings, including electric, hybrid, ICE and hydrogen technologies, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As a result, Muñoz is appointed as the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor – identified as the ideal fit to further enhance the company’s performance thanks to his merit-based management philosophy and his commitment to recruiting top global talent. Going forward, he is expected to enhance the company’s global management systems and further elevate its stature as a leading global brand.

Sung Kim is appointed as President of Hyundai Motor Company to manage the business effectively through global economic uncertainties, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As part of his appointment to enhance the company’s Think Tank capabilities and better navigate various geopolitical challenges, Kim will oversee global external affairs, analyze and research domestic and international policy trends, and lead communications and PR initiatives. He will focus on increasing synergies across the company’s intelligence functions, strengthening external networking and advancing global protocol capabilities.

Jun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation from Head of Domestic Production Division and Chief Safety Officer (CSO). Kyoo Bok Lee, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, is promoted to President.

To strengthen sustainable management and accelerate business transformation, the Group has appointed Cheol Seung Baek as CEO of Hyundai Transys and Joon Dong Oh as CEO of Hyundai KEFICO.

To address challenges in the construction industry and accelerate fundamental improvements, the Group has appointed Hanwoo Lee as CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (Hyundai E&C) and Woo Jeong Joo as CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd.

* Editor’s note: Appointment of all CEOs referenced are subject to approval by the relevant Group affiliate’s Board of Directors

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at:

http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Media Center.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group

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GreenPower Provides Business Update and Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

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Shareholder Call Scheduled for November 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (Nasdaq: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower” and the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today reported its second quarter fiscal year 2025 results and provided an update on its manufacturing operations.

“GreenPower spent the quarter advancing the school bus production process at its West Virginia facility by setting up an oversized paint booth and establishing production stations to increase throughput in order to meet customer orders and demands,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “The increase in production coupled with manufacturing process improvements is expected to result in higher gross profit margins and cost reductions on a per unit basis as throughput improves.”

Riley said that the Company has been systematically increasing its production workforce to provide for its growing production. “Putting the workforce in place and validating the manufacturing process is key to our efficiency, and production growth which is expected to drive cost savings on a per unit basis. With these in place, GreenPower will be able to attain its longer-term manufacturing goal of producing 20 school buses per month,” he said, noting that steady, measured growth, a foundation of GreenPower’s model, is critical for maintaining quality throughout the production process.

“The growth in production complements GreenPower’s sales strategy of focusing on states where there are money and mandates for electric school buses,” added Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower. “While we continue to manufacture and sell EV school buses for current orders and contracts under both state and federal programs, the future is more focused on states that have put policies and plans in place to provide a cleaner, healthier ride for students through the deployment of electric school buses. States like California and New York, and regions like the Southwest.”

During the second quarter of GreenPower’s fiscal year 2025, the manufacturing process was exhibited when the Company produced the first Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school bus for the 37 BEAST order from the state of West Virginia from its South Charleston plant, which was delivered at the beginning of our current quarter.  That was the second BEAST produced in the facility following the production of the Kanawha County bus purchased directly by the school district outside of the state order. Additional deliveries to fulfill the state order are planned to take place in the third and fourth quarters.

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights:

Generated revenues of $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 78% over the previous quarter.Delivered 11 BEAST Type D all-electric school buses, six EV Star Cargo and EV Star Cargo Plus and five EV Star Passenger Vans.Deferred revenue increased to $10.4 million, including the current portion of $7.5 million, which is expected to be realized over the next year.At the end of the quarter GreenPower had working capital of $10.1 million including inventory of $31.7 million consisting of $9.3 million of finished goods, $18.6 million of work-in-process and $3.8 million of parts and components.Received order for school buses under EPA’s Clean School Bus Program from the RWC Group for Arizona.

In October the Company completed an underwritten offering of 3,000,000 common shares raising gross proceeds of $3 million. The net proceeds from this offering are intended for the production of all-electric vehicles, including BEAST school buses and EV Star commercial vehicles, product development, with the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes.  

For additional information on the results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2024 review the interim financial statements and related reports posted on GreenPower’s website as well as on www.sedar.com or filed on EDGAR.

Shareholder Call Information

Date: Friday November 15, 2024 
Time: 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST

Participant dial-in: (US) 1-844-739-3982 (Canada); 1-866-605-3852; (International) 1-412-317-5718. Ask to be joined into the GreenPower Motor Company Inc. conference call.

Webcast Link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=pVZ0NwpL

Replay: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (Canada) 1-855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088
Replay access code: 4413647

For further information contact:

Fraser Atkinson, CEO
(604) 220-8048

Brendan Riley, President
(510) 910-3377

Michael Sieffert, CFO
(604) 563-4144

About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis.  GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower’s business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower’s operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “upon”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com) could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All amounts in U.S. dollars. ©2024 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE GreenPower Motor Company

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Announcing the Launch of “JPxData Portal (beta version)”, a Portal Site Comprehensively Covering Data Provided by JPX Group, etc.

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TOKYO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc., a leading global provider of Japan’s financial market data, promptly began provision of “JPxData Portal (beta version)” (hereinafter referred to as “Website”), a portal site that comprehensively introduces data provided by Japan Exchange Group, Japan Exchange Group companies and partner companies (hereinafter referred to as “JPX Group, etc.”), as of August 2024.

What is JPxData Portal?
JPX Group, etc. currently provide over 200 types of data, which are used by a wide range of users, including investors, brokerage firms, and listed companies. However, JPXI received feedback that it is difficult for users to search through due to the overwhelmingly large amount of data and know what kind of data can be used for what. This feedback led us to the launch of Website providing users with easy access to data they seek and showing how to use the data.

“JPxData Portal” is named after “a data portal site of JPX Group, etc.” and “a place where “Japan (JP)” and “data(Data)” are combined” with the letter “x.” JPXI will aim to develop Website further to make it an easy-to-use site, where any data on the Japanese market are accessible in the future.

Click here for JPxData Portal (beta version): https://clientportal.jpx.co.jp/ClientPortalEN/s/

JPxData Portal Main Features
Product List

Users can search over 200 types of data by using simple keywords such as “stock price,” “derivatives,” “margin trading,” and “ESG.”Users can check the frequency and timing of updates, the period of historical data available, file formats (PDF, CSV, Excel, etc.), and if such data are provided via an API.For some data, sample data and articles on how to use them are also provided.

Use cases

Users can find articles introducing how to use data, including examples of analysis using the data, and the differences among similar data such as stock price data and issue master data with comparison of them.Users can discover related data from an article about data users initially searched for.

Company search

Users can check basic information, timely disclosure information, filing information, corporate governance, and other information about each issue.In addition to company names and codes, users can also search by using keywords such as “cloud” and “digital transformation” based on generative AI technology.The current list of listed issues is available for free download.

Disclosure search

Users can search TDnet disclosures published for the past one year*.
* The latest one is for two business days prior.Users can leverage browser machine translation easily for financial statements and other information disclosed in HTML format. An article on how to use browser’s machine translation features and detailed usage notes is also provided.English tags are attached to Japanese documents to facilitate primary extraction of information so that users easily search for information in English.

Useful links

Users can check a list of useful websites related to the securities market*.
* Currently, only websites managed by JPX Group or related companies are available.)

About JPX Market Innovation & Research
JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc. (JPXI) was established as a subsidiary of Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (TOKYO:8697) in 2022. It consolidates JPX Group’s data/index services and system-related services, and leads further business enhancement of JPX Group by leveraging IT technologies and new business partnerships.

Contact
Frontier Development Department,
JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc.
E-mail: inf_dev@jpx.co.jp
Inquiry form: https://clientportal.jpx.co.jp/ClientPortalEN/s/InquiryFormEn

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/announcing-the-launch-of-jpxdata-portal-beta-version-a-portal-site-comprehensively-covering-data-provided-by-jpx-group-etc-302306517.html

SOURCE JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc.

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