Outstanding Contributions by Sector Specialist Drive AQ’s Success and Continued Growth

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AQ Technology Partners (“AQ”), the leading middle market investment bank focused on M&A, recapitalizations, and growth capital for software and software-enabled businesses, announced today that Zack Buzzatto has been promoted to Managing Director.

Zack’s decade of experience as an investment banker includes more than 20 closed deals representing billions of enterprise value. As a Director at AQ since 2022, Zack has developed a track record of execution excellence driving superior outcomes for AQ clients and proven his ability to be a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors and CEOs of growing mid-market software companies.

Zack’s focused work over the past eight years of his career in the automotive software sector has established him as a thought leader and ecosystem expert, including intimate knowledge of core sub-sectors such as DMS/ERP, CRM, Customer Engagement, Finance and Insurance, Fixed Operations, and Compliance for franchise, independent, and specialty vehicle dealers. Since joining AQ, Zack has expanded his coverage of the automotive ecosystem and extended his sector specialization to the supply chain, fleet, and mobility ecosystems, where his expertise differentiates him (and AQ) from the generalist advisor landscape.

“Over the years and across transactions, Zack’s approach has consistently been one of collaboration and long-term partnership.” said Aaron Kleinhandler, Better Car People’s Chief Executive Officer. “His vertical focus allows him to bring a level of expertise which has proven invaluable to my organization.”

“Zack’s influence and contributions to AQ have been evident since he joined the firm in 2022, and we are excited to recognize his achievements and impact as a top strategic advisor across the automotive and supply chain sectors,” said Matt Sachse, AQ Managing Partner. “It is this sort of sector expertise, results-focus and commitment to our clients that drives AQ’s success and reputation in the market, and we look forward to watching Zack continue to accelerate AQ’s momentum in the years to come.”

About AQ Technology Partners

AQ Technology Partners is a leading middle market investment bank focused on M&A, recapitalizations, and growth capital for software and software-enabled businesses. We bring senior relationships and access, differentiated sector expertise, and best-in-class process strategy and execution to enable our clients to identify, navigate and maximize their strategic alternatives.

Media Contact

Matt Sachse, AQ Technology Partners, 1 650-609-3100, media@aqtpartners.com, www.aqtpartners.com

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SOURCE AQ Technology Partners

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) secured an impressive seven awards at the 2025 Edison Awards™ with its cutting-edge technological innovations. Out of 140 winners, ITRI garnered three golds, three silvers, and one bronze, holding the highest total by an Asia-based organization this year. This also marks the highest number of wins by the Institute in a single year and extends its winning streak at the Edison Awards™ to nine consecutive years, placing it alongside industry giants like Dow and DuPont.

“ITRI, in a lot of ways, is so consistent in innovating and bringing new products to market. You continue to create to make people’s lives better. You’re very good about looking at recyclability and breaking down different solutions that ultimately allow for new products to be made. The fact that you’ve got seven winners this year is a testament to your hard work.” said Frank Bonafilia, Executive Director of the Edison Awards. He also noted that he was impressed by ITRI’s innovations such as NaPoGlass, which filters wastewater using recycled LCD glass; the Dual-Phase Hydrogel, which speeds up post-surgical healing; and the Adaptive Cold Energy Management System, which cuts refrigeration energy use by up to 20%.

“We are proud to announce ITRI’s remarkable achievement at the Edison Awards this year, securing seven out of Taiwan’s 18 awards,” stated ITRI President Edwin Liu. “Our winning technologies span three critical sectors: AI, sustainability, and biomedical technology. In AI, we have cybersecurity gatekeeper Janus, EV fleet charging solution Fleetchargo, Smart Aqua Leak Finder, and Adaptive Cold Energy Management System. In sustainability, our NaPoGlass removes heavy metal from wastewater, and Low-Carbon Laser H-Beam Welding optimizes construction material production. In biomedical innovation, Dual-Phase Hydrogel accelerates post-surgical recovery. We are proud to see these advancements enter the market, underscoring our commitment to driving commercialization,” he added.

ITRI’s Winning Innovations:

Gold Winners

The Smart Aqua Leak Finder is a portable device that utilizes AI-driven acoustic technology and GPS mapping to detect underground pipe water leaks in three seconds with 98% accuracy. By minimizing repair time and water loss, it offers an innovative solution to overcome global water scarcity.

NaPoGlass is a nanoporous composite made from waste LCD glass. It can adsorb metal ions and filters wastewater without leaving metal sediment. This innovation enables water recycling, and after multiple uses, it can be repurposed into products such as humidity-regulating tiles, deodorizing insoles, and antibacterial keyboards.

The Dual-Phase Hydrogel is an injectable biomaterial that coagulates at body temperature, preventing post-operative adhesions and enabling accelerated cell growth to facilitate faster recovery. Its unique gel formation extends the therapeutic effects of wound-healing factors for up to 30 days, significantly outperforming traditional hydrogels that are quickly broken down by the body.

Silver Winners

Janus: AI-Driven Cybersecurity Gatekeeper is on-site AI automation solution that protects enterprises from cyberattacks, reducing costs and assess security risks without IT specialists. Leveraging patented technology, Janus translates complex network logs into clear, actionable behavioral rules, continuously refining them in real time and safeguarding against evolving threats.

Fleetchargo, co-developed by ITRI, eTreego, and NeoPower Technologies, is a smart EV fleet charging solution that optimizes energy management and scheduling with adaptive current technology and AI analysis. It reduces grid load by 50%, extends battery life by 20%, boosts e-bus fleet operation efficiency, prevents charging accidents, and supports urban electrification and sustainability.

ITRI and Taiwan Mask Corporation’s Low-Carbon Laser H-Beam Welding revolutionizes the manufacture of steel structures for the building industry by achieving full penetration welds, energy-saving and lower CO2 emissions. Through digital twins, intelligent weld-path tracking, precision positioning and auto-loading and -unloading, it reduces labor needs, shortens lead times, and eliminates post-treatment, increasing production capacity of H-beams fivefold at a third of the cost.

Bronze Winner

The Adaptive Cold Energy Management System optimizes energy use in commercial sites like wholesale stores and supermarkets. By leveraging deep reinforcement learning (DRL), it adapts to environmental conditions to enhance energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption by 15% to 20%. The system also helps stabilize the power grid by adjusting refrigeration equipment power and enabling pre-cooling during demand response events.

Visit here to see the complete 2025 winner list.

About ITRI
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Germany, Japan, and Thailand in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

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SOURCE Industrial Technology Research Institute

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 4, 2025 /CNW/ – Today, goeasy Ltd. (TSX: GSY), one of Canada’s leading consumer lenders focused on delivering a full suite of financial services to Canadians with near to non-prime credit, is pleased to announce that it has been named to this year’s Best Workplaces™ in Canada list for the second straight year.

goeasy’s more than 2,500 employees are the driving force behind the company’s success and its award-winning culture. Earning a spot on the 2025 Best Workplaces™ in Canada list highlights goeasy’s ongoing investment in an employee-centric, inclusive, and high-performance culture. The company achieved a record-high employee engagement score of 85% in 2024, which reflects a culture where employees feel valued and supported to grow their careers, with 88% of employees believing that everyone at goeasy can succeed to their full potential. From omnipresent career development opportunities to leadership training to market-leading wellness resources, goeasy is committed to creating a workplace where employees feel inspired, invested in, and able to reach their full potential.

“At goeasy, our people are the heart of everything we do—and this recognition is a reflection of the culture we’ve built together over the past 24 years,” said David Ingram, Executive Chairman of goeasy. “We’ve always believed that when you invest in your people, they take care of your customers, and success will follow. We’re proud to offer meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a culture rooted in respect and purpose. This recognition affirms our commitment to evolving with our people’s needs and continuing to build a workplace where everyone can thrive.”

goeasy is proud to be named one of 50 organizations recognized for delivering an outstanding employee experience for all—a recognition made even more meaningful because it’s based on direct feedback from employees. The award is determined by the Great Place to Work® Trust Index™ survey, which assesses the consistency and quality of the workplace experience across all teams and roles. It measures key factors like trust in leadership, camaraderie, and pride in the organization, while also evaluating how those experiences differ across demographic groups—highlighting truly inclusive and equitable workplaces.

Organizations with over 1,000 employees, like goeasy, are also required to complete the Culture Audit™ questionnaire—an in-depth evaluation of the company’s culture, values, and employee programs. Based on those results, goeasy was also named Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with the Most Trusted Executive Teams earlier this year.

“The competition to achieve the designation of Best Workplaces in Canada is fierce, with over 900 companies competing. The only way to be recognized is to invest in an exceptional employee experience, and have this focus permeate every part of the organization.” Nancy Fonseca, SVP Client Services.

About goeasy

goeasy Ltd. is a Canadian company, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, that provides non-prime leasing and lending services through its easyhome, easyfinancial and LendCare brands. Supported by over 2,500 employees, the Company offers a wide variety of financial products and services including unsecured and secured instalment loans, merchant financing through a variety of verticals and lease-to-own merchandise. Customers can transact seamlessly through an omnichannel model that includes online and mobile platforms, over 400 locations across Canada, and point-of-sale financing offered in the retail, powersports, automotive, home improvement and healthcare verticals, through over 10,800 merchant partners across Canada. Throughout the Company’s history, it has acquired and organically served over 1.5 million Canadians and originated over $16.0 billion in loans.

Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, goeasy is the proud recipient of several awards in recognition of its exceptional culture and continued business growth including 2024 Best Workplaces™ in Financial Services & Insurance, Waterstone Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, placing on the 2024 Report on Business ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies, ranking on the TSX30, Greater Toronto Top Employers Award and has been certified as a Great Place to Work®. The Company is represented by a diverse group of team members from over 70 nationalities who believe strongly in giving back to communities in which it operates. To date, goeasy has raised and donated over $6.3 million to support its long-standing partnerships with BGC Canada and many other local charities.

goeasy Ltd.’s common shares are listed on the TSX under the trading symbol “GSY”.

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work® is the global leader in defining and recognizing high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. With a mission to improve society by helping companies transform their workplace environments, they provide benchmarks, frameworks, and expertise for creating and maintaining exceptional cultures. The Best Workplaces™ in Canada list is part of the world’s largest annual workplace study, representing the voices of 11 million employees across more than 50 countries. The winners are chosen exclusively based on employee input—there’s only one way to make this list: your employees must put you there.

Media Contact:

Madeleine Löwenborg-Frick
Vice President, Communications & Public Relations
goeasy Ltd.
MFrick@goeasy.com | 416-435-5130

SOURCE goeasy Ltd