Latest news with #Enko
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Perak school regains crown at Japan street fest
Machida (bottom row, in grey) and Wong (in red jacket) posing with winners GenTari SSeMP (left) and runner-up Enko (right) after the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025 at the Esplanade, George Town.— Photos: LIM BENG TATT and JEREMY TAN/The Star AT the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025, a 70-member troupe from Sekolah Seni Malaysia Perak reclaimed the National Yosakoi Championship crown after just five days of preparation. The troupe, GenTari SSeMP, edged out rivals and defending champions Enko from Kedah's SM Sultan Abdul Halim by just a few points. Clad in white, red and gold outfits and wielding small wooden clappers, the 13 to 16-year-olds had put on a lively display at the Esplanade in George Town. The troupe members erupted in joy when they were declared the overall winners – regaining the title they last held in 2023. 'We're ecstatic. This was totally unexpected as we only had a few days to rehearse due to the students' busy schedules. 'Our teamwork was what made the difference,' said teacher and choreographer Syaffiq Hambali. Another Kedah team, Hokori from SM Sains Kubang Pasu, were third. a local team putting on a show at the parade. Fourth and fifth went to two Perak teams – Semesti Hikari from SM Sains Teluk Intan and Musashi Soran from SM Sains Bagan Datoh. GenTari also bagged the Best Costume award while Hokori took home the Best Flag Waving accolade. In the Junior Category, Penang groups almost made a clean sweep of the top five. Kagayaku from SMK Seri Nibong was the best of those aged 12 and below. Teams from D'Monte Kindergarten, Prince of Wales Island International School and Stonyhurst International School Penang were second, third and fifth respectively, with only Kaisho from SMK Putrajaya Presint 11 (1) breaking the monopoly. The parade's 10th edition featured a record 30 teams. Each took turns delivering their routines in front of the historic Town Hall and City Hall. Participants add creative touches by incorporating local fabric and reinterpreting traditional outfits. Unlike most traditional dances, Yosakoi allows and even encourages freedom in choreography, costume and music. This results in energetic performances that blend tradition with modern flair, which in turn creates a joyful and celebratory atmosphere for festival-goers. Consul-General of Japan in Penang Shinya Machida praised participants for creatively incorporating local elements into their routines. 'It's heart-warming to see how Malaysians have embraced Japanese culture and even enriched it in their own ways. 'You could feel the energy of everyone involved. 'I would also like to thank the state for allowing the event to be held in one of the best venues in George Town,' Machida said. The parade was organised by Pink Hibiscus Club in collaboration with Penang Island City Council (MBPP) with support from the state government. This year also featured the first Penang International Yosakoi Awards, which saw golds going to Enko and GenTari in the Malaysian segment. Visiting Japanese professional troupes Softbank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo and Ioriya Tokiwa from Nagoya also received golds under the international segment. (Back row from left) Pink Hibiscus Club president Emi Yamazaki, Wong and Machida posing with representatives of teams who received Penang International Yosakoi Awards. Softbank Yosakoi team leader Masato Ohmori said he was impressed by the enthusiasm and talent shown by local participants, considering their young ages. Ioriya Tokiwa assistant team leader Akihiro Minimura said the event also showed how Yosakoi could bring people from all walks of life together. 'When we dance, our ages and differences don't matter. 'We all become one and move in harmony. 'The passion showed by local spectators gave us energy and made us feel appreciated,' Minimura added. Recently crowned Miss Yosakoi Penang 2025 Rian Yamazaki and last year's winner Jessie Lim also made their rounds to pose for photos with visitors. Japanese children carrying a Mikoshi (portable shrine) for the customary water blessing ceremony at the start of Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025 For Yamazaki, being the event's ambassador was extra special as she had been part of the organising team working behind the scenes for many years. State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the event epitomised the enduring friendship between Penang and Japan. 'Events like these are not just cultural exchanges but bridges of understanding that help us see the world from each other's eyes. 'They remind us that while we may speak different languages, we share common values.' The night ended with a Japan Idol Concert and a fireworks display.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Enko Capital welcomes commitment from IFC to new Impact Credit Fund
LONDON, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enko Capital ('Enko'), an African-focused asset management firm managing debt, private debt, equity and private equity investments across Africa, has welcomed commitment from International Finance Corporation ('IFC') to its new Impact Credit Fund ('EICF'). The commitment has been confirmed by IFC with the planned equity investment in the fund being up to the lower of US$25 million or 20% of total Limited Partner (LP) commitment to EICF. The project is being processed under IFC's Debt Funds Project (DFP) Investment Framework. EICF is Enko's first private credit vehicle. It has a target LP commitment size of US$150 million, targeting US$80 million at first close, expected to take place in Q3 2025. EICF's objective is to invest in a diversified portfolio of USD denominated senior secured and unsecured debt to mid-sized corporates in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa. EICF will seek to invest in SDG-aligned, ESG focused and gender-oriented businesses, while generating commercial returns and utilising guarantees, insurance wraps and collateral to hedge downside credit risks. Alain Nkontchou, Managing Partner of Enko, said, 'We are delighted to have received this invaluable support from IFC for our debut private credit fund. The fund will provide critical growth capital for mid-market SMEs on the continent and will deliver both positive social impact and compelling risk-adjusted returns. This growth capital can help address the massive funding gap which businesses on the continent face while driving sustainable development.' About Enko: Enko Capital ('Enko'), is an African-focused asset management firm managing debt, private debt, equity and private equity investments across Africa. Enko offers deep knowledge of the continent combined with best-in-class investment expertise. Enko was founded in 2008 by Alain and Cyrille Nkontchou, and has over $1bn in assets under management. Contact:
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Enko Capital welcomes commitment from IFC to new Impact Credit Fund
LONDON, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enko Capital ('Enko'), an African-focused asset management firm managing debt, private debt, equity and private equity investments across Africa, has welcomed commitment from International Finance Corporation ('IFC') to its new Impact Credit Fund ('EICF'). The commitment has been confirmed by IFC with the planned equity investment in the fund being up to the lower of US$25 million or 20% of total Limited Partner (LP) commitment to EICF. The project is being processed under IFC's Debt Funds Project (DFP) Investment Framework. EICF is Enko's first private credit vehicle. It has a target LP commitment size of US$150 million, targeting US$80 million at first close, expected to take place in Q3 2025. EICF's objective is to invest in a diversified portfolio of USD denominated senior secured and unsecured debt to mid-sized corporates in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa. EICF will seek to invest in SDG-aligned, ESG focused and gender-oriented businesses, while generating commercial returns and utilising guarantees, insurance wraps and collateral to hedge downside credit risks. Alain Nkontchou, Managing Partner of Enko, said, 'We are delighted to have received this invaluable support from IFC for our debut private credit fund. The fund will provide critical growth capital for mid-market SMEs on the continent and will deliver both positive social impact and compelling risk-adjusted returns. This growth capital can help address the massive funding gap which businesses on the continent face while driving sustainable development.' About Enko: Enko Capital ('Enko'), is an African-focused asset management firm managing debt, private debt, equity and private equity investments across Africa. Enko offers deep knowledge of the continent combined with best-in-class investment expertise. Enko was founded in 2008 by Alain and Cyrille Nkontchou, and has over $1bn in assets under management. Contact: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Enko Chem Reports Breakthrough Field Trial Success for Next-Generation Graminicide Portfolio
MYSTIC, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Enko Chem, Inc., a leading AgTech company developing breakthrough, sustainable crop protection products, today announced results from its latest European field trials of product candidates from a novel graminicide portfolio developed to tackle the growing threat of herbicide-resistant weeds in cereal crops. These trials specifically revealed exceptional control of blackgrass in winter wheat paired with outstanding crop safety. Earlier trials in other regions of the world have already shown success against a range of other problematic grass weeds. As stricter environmental and safety standards reduce the availability of conventional herbicides, growers face fewer options for managing persistent weeds that significantly reduce crop yields. Enko's next generation graminicides are safe and sustainable potential replacements for older products that address the evolving needs of both growers and regulators. The European field trials were conducted across the United Kingdom and France, where herbicide-resistant blackgrass is known to cause crop yield losses of up to 70% in severe cases. Enko's innovative chemistry demonstrated superior performance compared to existing commercial standards. Prior to Europe, Enko's North American spring trials demonstrated efficacy against other problematic warm-season grasses including crabgrass, giant foxtail, and goosegrass, while Australian tests addressed the growing threat of resistant annual ryegrass. The European results build upon this foundation of success across diverse geographies and weed species. 'Our product candidates integrate seamlessly into existing cereal crop systems and deliver industry-leading control of resistant grass species,' says Tony Klemm, CEO of Enko. 'Growers urgently need new, effective, and environmentally responsible chemistry. This graminicide portfolio is proof that a smarter discovery model delivers solutions – addressing key challenges like blackgrass resistance while advancing safe, sustainable agriculture.' With development efforts reaching key benchmarks, Enko is actively collaborating with multiple industry partners to accelerate the global commercialization of its products. For more information about Enko and its pipeline of crop protection solutions, visit About Enko® Enko (Enko Chem Inc.) designs safe and sustainable solutions to farmers' biggest crop threats today, from pest resistance to new diseases. By applying the latest drug discovery and development approaches from pharma to plants, Enko is bringing an innovation model to agriculture and meeting farmers' evolving needs. Founded in 2017, and led by a team of proven scientists, entrepreneurs, and agriculture industry veterans, Enko is backed by investors including the Gates Foundation, Anterra Capital, DYDK Capital, Nufarm, Novalis LifeSciences, Germin8 Ventures, TO Ventures Food, and Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund. Enko is headquartered in Mystic, Connecticut, USA. For more information, visit Enko's Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forecasts, projections, goals, plans, and other forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on Enko's assumptions, estimates, outlook, and other judgments made in light of information available at the time of preparation of such statements and involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, plans, goals, and other statements may not be realized as described, and actual financial results, success/failure or progress of development, and other projections may differ materially from those presented herein. The forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Enko's control and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Enko does not intend to update any forward-looking statements appearing herein in the event of changing circumstances or otherwise, and such statements are current only as of the date they are made. ©Enko Chem, Inc., 62 Maritime Drive, Mystic, CT 06355 USA
