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Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Fourth Edition of UAE AWE Concludes with Celebratory Ceremony – PRWire

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June 7, 2024

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Fourth Edition of UAE AWE Concludes with Celebratory Ceremony – PRWire

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) UAE 4.0, organized by the US Mission to the UAE and startAD, recently concluded with a closing ceremony at NYU Abu Dhabi. This initiative provides essential resources for women to launch and scale successful businesses.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Fourth UAE Edition of AWE Concludes with Celebration

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) UAE 4.0, a collaborative effort between the US Mission to the UAE and startAD, aims to empower enterprising women with the knowledge, networks, and access necessary to launch and grow successful businesses. This year’s program advanced 12 female-owned local businesses and culminated in a celebratory closing ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador to the UAE, Martina Strong.

Event Highlights

On June 06, 2024, startAD, the Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), along with the United States Mission to the UAE, hosted a closing ceremony for the fourth edition of the AWE UAE program. The ceremony, held at the NYUAD campus, also served as a pitch day, offering a multisensory experience for ecosystem partners to engage with the products and services of the participating businesses.

Program Success and Economic Impact

Over the past four years, businesses supported by AWE UAE have become integral to the local economy, generating USD 42 million in revenue, raising USD 9.2 million in funding, and creating 524 jobs. Given that the UAE’s SME sector makes up approximately 63.5 percent of the non-oil economy, with nearly half owned by women, AWE leverages this potential to drive economic growth. The program provides interactive workshops, personalized mentorship, and networking opportunities, equipping female founders with the skills and resources to scale their businesses.

This Year’s Cohort

The 12 businesses featured in this year’s cohort include:

Bookends: An online platform for affordable second-hand books.
IZI Health: An integrative preventive care platform offering high-tech solutions for health consultations and holistic wellness.
Baby Spa: Dubai’s first baby spa promoting physical and cognitive stimulation for infants.
Hooked: A seafood restaurant with a thriving community of international food enthusiasts.
Zahra’s Kitchen: A home-grown food concept offering responsibly sourced, homemade meals.
Winifred Mills: A fashion house and custom tailoring service based in Dubai.
Vanilla Rose: A cafe specializing in specialty coffee, desserts, and customized flowers.
High Street Resources: An executive talent company providing HR consulting services.
INSTAGLAM: A mobile app for on-demand beauty services.
DYStinct Learners: A center helping children overcome learning differences through tutoring and therapy.
Creams Desserts: A dessert shop inspired by Emirati flavors.
YALA Kombucha: A cafe offering Kombucha, a natural soda made from tea and herbs.

Leadership Insights

Daleya Uddin, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, praised the program’s global impact, noting that 74 percent of AWE graduates reported higher incomes, and 29 percent hired additional staff post-completion. The program has empowered women in 120 countries, helping them build resilience and adapt to economic challenges.

Hana Barakat, Senior Associate Director of startAD, expressed pride in the program’s success and its contribution to a competitive, knowledge-based economy in the UAE. The AWE program, established by the US State Department in 2019, has empowered 25,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide.

Future Initiatives

Building on the success of AWE UAE, the U.S. Mission to the UAE will host the first State Department MENA region Women’s Economic Empowerment (WE Empower) Summit from September 17-19, led by U.S. Ambassador Martina Strong. The summit will bring together policymakers, female founders, industry leaders, and media to discuss strategies for promoting women’s economic empowerment.

For more information about AWE UAE, visit startad.ae/awe.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Fourth Edition of UAE AWE Concludes with Celebratory Ceremony – PRWire

News

theconverser.com

-

June 7, 2024

0

PRWire:

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) UAE 4.0, organized by the US Mission to the UAE and startAD, recently concluded with a closing ceremony at NYU Abu Dhabi. This initiative provides essential resources for women to launch and scale successful businesses.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Fourth UAE Edition of AWE Concludes with Celebration

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) UAE 4.0, a collaborative effort between the US Mission to the UAE and startAD, aims to empower enterprising women with the knowledge, networks, and access necessary to launch and grow successful businesses. This year’s program advanced 12 female-owned local businesses and culminated in a celebratory closing ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador to the UAE, Martina Strong.

Event Highlights

On June 06, 2024, startAD, the Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), along with the United States Mission to the UAE, hosted a closing ceremony for the fourth edition of the AWE UAE program. The ceremony, held at the NYUAD campus, also served as a pitch day, offering a multisensory experience for ecosystem partners to engage with the products and services of the participating businesses.

Program Success and Economic Impact

Over the past four years, businesses supported by AWE UAE have become integral to the local economy, generating USD 42 million in revenue, raising USD 9.2 million in funding, and creating 524 jobs. Given that the UAE’s SME sector makes up approximately 63.5 percent of the non-oil economy, with nearly half owned by women, AWE leverages this potential to drive economic growth. The program provides interactive workshops, personalized mentorship, and networking opportunities, equipping female founders with the skills and resources to scale their businesses.

This Year’s Cohort

The 12 businesses featured in this year’s cohort include:

Bookends: An online platform for affordable second-hand books.
IZI Health: An integrative preventive care platform offering high-tech solutions for health consultations and holistic wellness.
Baby Spa: Dubai’s first baby spa promoting physical and cognitive stimulation for infants.
Hooked: A seafood restaurant with a thriving community of international food enthusiasts.
Zahra’s Kitchen: A home-grown food concept offering responsibly sourced, homemade meals.
Winifred Mills: A fashion house and custom tailoring service based in Dubai.
Vanilla Rose: A cafe specializing in specialty coffee, desserts, and customized flowers.
High Street Resources: An executive talent company providing HR consulting services.
INSTAGLAM: A mobile app for on-demand beauty services.
DYStinct Learners: A center helping children overcome learning differences through tutoring and therapy.
Creams Desserts: A dessert shop inspired by Emirati flavors.
YALA Kombucha: A cafe offering Kombucha, a natural soda made from tea and herbs.

Leadership Insights

Daleya Uddin, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, praised the program’s global impact, noting that 74 percent of AWE graduates reported higher incomes, and 29 percent hired additional staff post-completion. The program has empowered women in 120 countries, helping them build resilience and adapt to economic challenges.

Hana Barakat, Senior Associate Director of startAD, expressed pride in the program’s success and its contribution to a competitive, knowledge-based economy in the UAE. The AWE program, established by the US State Department in 2019, has empowered 25,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide.

Future Initiatives

Building on the success of AWE UAE, the U.S. Mission to the UAE will host the first State Department MENA region Women’s Economic Empowerment (WE Empower) Summit from September 17-19, led by U.S. Ambassador Martina Strong. The summit will bring together policymakers, female founders, industry leaders, and media to discuss strategies for promoting women’s economic empowerment.

For more information about AWE UAE, visit startad.ae/awe.

‘How Home Insurance Can Assist in Times of Disaster’

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June 7, 2024

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‘How Home Insurance Can Assist in Times of Disaster’

Home insurance is more than just a piece of paper; it serves as your safety net and financial lifeline during times of disaster. Understanding the intricacies of your policy is crucial to ensure that you are adequately covered when you need it most.

Firstly, it is essential to understand the fundamental workings of home insurance policies. Home insurance is designed to cover unexpected incidents such as break-ins, fires, or natural disasters, depending on the specific terms of your policy. There are two main types of policies to consider: ‘open perils’ and ‘named perils,’ each offering different levels of coverage. Additionally, you must decide between ‘actual cash value’ and ‘replacement cost’ coverage, which determine how much you will be reimbursed for damages.

Despite the complexities of home insurance, there are common misconceptions that can lead to confusion and potentially costly mistakes. For example, many mistakenly believe that the market value of their home is covered, when in reality, it is the cost to rebuild that is usually included. Additionally, standard policies may not cover all personal belongings or certain disasters like floods or earthquakes, necessitating additional coverage.

In the event of a disaster, your home insurance policy serves as a financial safety net, helping you recover from unexpected calamitous events. It can compensate you for losses incurred, assist in rebuilding and repairs, and provide additional living expenses coverage if your home becomes uninhabitable. Understanding the coverages included in a typical policy, such as structure coverage, personal belongings coverage, liability coverage, and additional living expenses coverage, is crucial for being prepared for disasters.

For homeowners in high-risk areas, exploring additional coverage options like flood insurance, earthquake insurance, or hurricane insurance can provide an extra layer of protection. These targeted policies address specific risks that may not be covered by standard policies. It is important to carefully evaluate the potential risks and costs associated with these extra coverages and consult with an insurance advisor to make informed decisions.

The claims process can seem daunting, but understanding the steps involved is essential for maximizing the benefits of your policy. Reporting the loss, documenting the damage, and being patient throughout the process are key components of filing a successful claim. Additionally, understanding the specifics of your policy’s rebuilding and replacement coverage is crucial for ensuring you are adequately protected.

In conclusion, home insurance is your financial safety net during disasters, providing you with the support you need to rebuild and recover. By understanding your policy, reviewing it regularly, and considering extra coverage for high-risk scenarios, you can ensure that you are prepared for the worst. Real-life stories of home insurance success highlight the importance of having comprehensive coverage tailored to your specific needs and geographic risks. So, take the necessary steps to protect your home and financial stability in times of crisis.

Choosing Between Groupage and LCL for Time-Critical Cargo: Balancing Speed and Savings

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June 7, 2024

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Choosing Between Groupage and LCL for Time-Critical Cargo: Balancing Speed and Savings

When it comes to shipping time-sensitive cargo, the delicate balance between speed and savings is essential to consider. Two common options that businesses often contemplate are groupage and Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping. Groupage, a cost-effective method, may slow down delivery times due to the need for cargo consolidation. On the other hand, opting for LCL might ensure faster delivery but at a slightly higher cost. The question then arises – what is the best way to navigate this trade-off?

In the realm of shipping logistics, understanding the difference between groupage and LCL international shipments is critical for optimizing time and cost efficiency. Groupage shipping, also known as LCL, allows you to transport smaller shipments without the necessity of filling an entire container. By sharing container space and costs with other shippers, groupage can be a cost-effective solution. However, careful planning and coordination are required to organize different shipments into one container, which can add complexity and potentially result in longer transit times.

On the other hand, LCL freight offers cost-effectiveness by sharing container space with other shippers, reducing shipping costs for smaller shipments. The flexibility of LCL allows for more frequent shipping if needed. However, the handling process in LCL can be complex, with goods being loaded and unloaded multiple times, potentially increasing the risk of damage and extending shipping times. Additionally, LCL shipping may be less predictable compared to full container load (FCL) shipping.

When evaluating time-sensitive cargo needs, it is crucial to carefully assess the nature of the cargo, its destination, and the required delivery timeline. Factors such as perishability, specific deadlines, and the destination’s proximity must be considered to determine the most effective shipping method.

In conducting a cost-benefit analysis between groupage and LCL, the financial implications and time efficiency of each method for specific shipping needs should be taken into account. While groupage offers cost savings by sharing container space, it may result in longer transit times. LCL, although potentially more costly, provides quicker transit times as cargo is not delayed by consolidation processes.

To make optimal shipping decisions, businesses should consider factors such as shipping volume, cargo fragility, destination, and service provider reliability. These considerations can guide businesses in choosing between groupage and LCL shipping based on their specific needs and circumstances.

In conclusion, navigating the waters of groupage and LCL shipping requires a careful assessment of cargo requirements to balance speed and cost-effectiveness. By analyzing cargo needs, weighing the pros and cons, and making informed decisions, businesses can ensure that their cargo reaches its destination efficiently and economically. In the world of shipping, time and savings go hand in hand – choose wisely to secure successful delivery of your goods.

What to Do After Being Accused of Identity Theft?

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June 7, 2024

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What to Do After Being Accused of Identity Theft?

Being accused of identity theft can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. It is crucial to seek help and guidance from a criminal defence lawyer who can assist you through the process and help you navigate the challenging situation.

Identity theft is a serious crime that involves one person using another individual’s personal information without their consent. This information can include names, dates of birth, and financial details. The consequences of identity theft can be severe, including community service, fines, imprisonment, and restitution to the victim.

Common identity theft crimes include impersonation on social media, accessing online services using someone else’s identity, and creating falsified documents. It is essential to seek legal representation if you are facing charges of identity theft. A criminal lawyer in Mississauga can provide you with expert legal advice and defense strategies to help you overcome the accusations.

If you find yourself charged with identity theft, it is crucial to remain calm and consult with a lawyer before speaking to the police. It is important not to discuss the case with anyone else, as even your statements can be used as evidence against you in court. With the help of a lawyer, you can gather relevant evidence to prove your innocence and navigate the legal process effectively.

In conclusion, consulting with a Mississauga criminal lawyer can provide you with the necessary legal counsel and representation to defend yourself against identity theft charges. By developing strategies based on evidence and circumstances, you can work towards a positive outcome in your case.

Sponge-like City Roofs Designed to Absorb Rainwater and Reduce Flooding in Urban Areas Everywhere

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June 7, 2024

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Sponge-like City Roofs Designed to Absorb Rainwater and Reduce Flooding in Urban Areas Everywhere

Amsterdam and various other cities are embracing a unique design concept known as a “sponge city,” which allows buildings to absorb rainwater. A project called Resilio is currently underway in Amsterdam, installing 100,000 square feet of climate-adaptive roofing on buildings, including social housing complexes. This innovative system takes green roofing a step further by creating blue-green roofing that has the ability to store excess water.

The way it works is by having a layer of plants, such as grasses, mosses, ferns, shrubs, herbs, and sedum, rooted in soil for support. These plants sit on top of a filter layer that separates them from crates storing the excess water, along with additional layers to keep the crates and plant roots separated from the roof itself. According to Kasper Spaan, a policy developer for Amsterdam’s public water company Waternet, these roofs essentially act as flat rain barrels on top of buildings.

The roofs are equipped with smart valves that can detect impending downpours and release excess water beforehand, allowing the roofs to absorb new rainfall. This process has been likened to the roof functioning like a sponge that can be wrung out as needed. In addition to cooling the buildings they are on, these roofs may potentially be used to grow crops in the future. Combining these innovative roofs with solar panel systems opens up even more possibilities for sustainable urban development.

Systems like these sponge-like roofs play a crucial role in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of a hotter future, as the plants absorb carbon dioxide and help reduce flooding during heavy rainfall. Other architectural advancements, such as greener concrete materials, innovative mirroring designs, and the use of earthen materials, are also contributing to similar improvements in buildings.

Spaan believes that this concept is not limited to Amsterdam but can be applied to many urban areas worldwide. This sustainable approach to urban infrastructure shows promise in addressing environmental concerns and improving the quality of life in cities.

For more updates on the latest innovations that are making a positive impact on our planet and our lives, sign up for our free newsletter.

Wooden Tents Featuring Doubly Curved, Bending-Active Vaults

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June 7, 2024

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Wooden Tents Featuring Doubly Curved, Bending-Active Vaults

Innovative self-assembling timber shells known as FLIM-FLAMS (Force-Lifted, Timber, Flat-Laminated Shells) have been designed by i/thee & Neal Lucas Hitch. These shells are created by radially cutting patterns from flat sheet materials, which are then laminated together and stretched upward to form quickly deployable wooden tents.

The process involves simulating the deformation of flat geometries cut with computationally optimized radial patterns when lifted from a central axis using advanced digital software. By cutting a flat radial pattern onto plywood panels, the flat sheet goods are transformed into large wooden springs that become doubly curved, bending-active vaults when raised from their center.

The FLIM-FLAMS procedure was developed at Cornell University’s Department of Design Technology in collaboration with The Soil Factory, a non-profit in Ithaca, New York that promotes innovative sustainable practices. Traditionally, achieving complex bending with timber components has been challenging due to the limitations in molding or casting wood compared to materials like steel, plastic, or concrete.

However, FLIM-FLAMS introduces a novel approach that utilizes computational tools to support hand-building processes, resulting in intricate timber shells that are flat-fabricated, quickly deployable, and waste-free.

To digitally create FLIM-FLAMS, a computational method codes undulating radial patterns that are then sliced into flat shapes using biological principles. These geometries are virtually replicated to mimic the self-assembly process. The cut design is etched into plywood sheets using a two-axis CNC mill, initiating the physical manufacturing process.

The plywood sheets are delivered to the site and laminated at the short ends to create a large flat sheet with a diameter of 15 feet. A hexagonal nut beneath the plywood is threaded up a central rod, allowing the plywood to self-assemble into its final vaulted shape when raised.

This innovative technique transforms wood, typically known for its stiff qualities, into a flexible membrane that can easily bend into complex shapes. By demonstrating how wood can be used to create multi-curving geometries with minimal material waste, the FLIM-FLAMS project showcases the integration of modern digital processes with traditional construction methods to produce more sustainable design solutions.

Overall, FLIM-FLAMS exemplifies the fusion of technological and analog procedures to create innovative and environmentally conscious architectural solutions.

Partnership to Enhance Online Business Payments and Cross-Channel Commerce

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June 7, 2024

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Partnership to Enhance Online Business Payments and Cross-Channel Commerce

Till Payments, a leading Australian all-in-one payment solutions provider and subsidiary of Nuvei, has announced a strategic partnership with BigCommerce, a renowned open SaaS ecommerce platform for both growing and established brands. This collaboration aims to enhance online business payments and cross-channel commerce for BigCommerce customers, providing them with a feature-rich eCommerce payment processing solution.

The partnership offers BigCommerce customers a seamless payment experience, bridging the gap between online and in-store transactions through a singular payment processing partner. This partnership is available globally, offering a complete set of transaction processing capabilities within the BigCommerce environment. With Till’s Online Checkout for BigCommerce, merchants can accept payments, pre-authorize transactions, manage refunds, utilize state-of-the-art 3DS2 technology, accept multiple currencies, and integrate an embedded checkout experience.

Moreover, BigCommerce merchants with a multi-channel retail strategy can benefit from Till’s comprehensive payment solutions to unify in-store and online payment services. This integration enables a seamless, efficient, and secure payment experience for merchants and their customers.

Some of the key benefits for merchants using Till’s industry-leading payments technology through the BigCommerce integration include bank-agnostic fast settlements with Same Day or Next Day funding, diverse payment options including Apple Pay, Google Pay, AliPay+, and PayPal, and the ability to centralize all payment channels with a single provider to gain insights on transactions and store performance through the powerful Till Portal. This partnership signifies a significant advancement in payment processing solutions for online businesses and cross-channel commerce.

‘New Sound Generating Model ‘Stable Audio Open’ Released by Stability AI’

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June 7, 2024

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‘New Sound Generating Model ‘Stable Audio Open’ Released by Stability AI’

Stability AI has introduced a new AI model called Stable Audio Open, designed for generating sounds and music. This model has been trained on royalty-free recordings from Free Sound and the Free Music Archive, and is capable of producing up to 47 seconds of audio based on text descriptions.

According to Stability AI, Stable Audio Open is an open-source model optimized for generating short audio samples, sound effects, and production elements using text prompts. This release is a significant milestone in opening up generative audio capabilities to empower sound designers, musicians, and creative communities.

With a training set of around 486,000 samples of royalty-free music and sound libraries, Stable Audio Open aims to provide a versatile tool for creating various audio elements based on a text input. Users can generate instrumentals, drum beats, ambient noise, and other audio production elements for use in videos, film, and television.

The tool is intended to be a valuable resource for sound designers, musicians, and creative professionals, allowing them to create high-quality audio from a simple text prompt. The royalty-free training of Stable Audio Open makes it particularly useful for creating sounds for music production and sound design.

Stability AI encourages users to download the Stable Audio Open model, explore its capabilities, and provide feedback. The company sees this as just the beginning for open and responsible audio generation capabilities, and looks forward to further research and development in collaboration with creative communities.

Stability AI also offers a commercial model of Stable Audio for producing full tracks with coherent musical structure up to three minutes in length. Stable Audio Open, on the other hand, is not optimized for full songs, melodies, or vocals. The company emphasizes responsible development and sees the open model as a glimpse into generative AI for sound design.

Massive Whale Causes Sudden Altcoin Drop on Chart

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June 7, 2024

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Massive Whale Causes Sudden Altcoin Drop on Chart

A significant whale made waves in the cryptocurrency market today, as Onchain data revealed a major impact on the price of an altcoin. Reportedly, within a span of two hours, this whale sold a staggering .08 million worth of UniSwap (UNI) tokens, resulting in a 4% drop in the UNI price. The effects of this sell-off were clearly visible on the UNI chart, showing a sharp decline in value.

This particular cryptocurrency whale had acquired the UNI tokens at an average price of .54, making a total purchase of .7 million. As of the latest data, the UNI price is now at .46, indicating the influence of the whale’s sell-off.

Despite offloading a significant portion of UNI tokens, the whale still holds 969,808 UNI tokens valued at .46 million. The profits derived from the recent sales amount to around 0 thousand. It’s worth noting that the whale holds these tokens across three different wallets.

In other news, Uniswap is set to implement a fee switch mechanism soon. This mechanism, which has garnered strong support from the community, aims to redirect some transaction fees on the platform to UNI token holders.

As always, it’s important to remember that this information is not intended as investment advice.