Latest news with #NACO
National Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Hotel Communication Network Named One of Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025
Article content Keiretsu Forum Canada recognizes the world leader in AI Concierge powered hotel room tablets as a company most likely to achieve 'unicorn' status Article content OTTAWA, Ontario — Hotel Communication Network (HCN), the world leader in AI Concierge powered guestroom tablets, has been named one of Canada's Top 20 Moonshot Ventures™ of 2025, an exclusive honor presented by the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), a Government of Canada agency established to encourage innovation and support capital raising for pre IPO companies. Article content Article content The announcement follows a closed-door showcase at the NACO Summit where Canada's most promising early-stage companies were unveiled to an elite audience of investors and innovation leaders. Selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, the Moonshot represents the country's boldest, most visionary ventures in sectors spanning AI, cleantech, healthtech, space, and more. HCN was nominated by Keiretsu Forum Canada, recognizing its pioneering work in revolutionizing hotel communications and enhancing the digital guest journey. Article content Leveraging advances in AI technologies, HCN developed the first human-looking AI Concierge persona capable of addressing guests individually with full voice integration and providing voice-activated access to all guest services during their stay at HCN partner hotels. To make this technological achievement even more compelling, HCN's new ad-supported revenue model makes the entire platform highly subsidized with a possible revenue share for hotels. Article content 'Being selected as one of Canada's Moonshot Ventures is a major milestone for HCN,' said Kevin Bidner, Founder and CEO of Hotel Communication Network. 'This recognition from NACO and its national network underscores our commitment to transforming the hospitality experience through cutting-edge, guest-focused technology.' Article content The Top 20 Moonshots were chosen from more than 100 nominations submitted by NACO member organizations—including Canada's top angel groups, accelerators, and incubators. From this curated pool, 23 companies were selected to present on the Moonshots Stage™ at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa during the NACO Summit 2025. The showcase offered each founder a TED-style platform to tell their story to a handpicked audience of angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate leaders. Article content 'These founders represent the bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and global ambition within Canada's innovation economy,' said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO, in a prepared statement. 'We are proud to spotlight companies like HCN that are not only driving technological advancement but redefining what's possible in their industries.' Article content 'We're proud to have HCN in our portfolio. With strong backing from highly sophisticated investors spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, the company has built impressive momentum, positioning it to become a truly global player,' said Ozan Isinak, President of Keiretsu Forum Canada. With over $190 million collectively raised by this year's Moonshot cohort, the companies represent a cross-section of Canada's emerging innovation economy. Ventures hail from across the country, with HCN proudly representing Ontario's contribution to global travel and hospitality innovation. Article content 'We are honored that Keiretsu Forum Canada — part of the world's largest angel investor network — believes so strongly in HCN,' Bidner said. 'We are grateful that they recommended us to NACO as 'the most likely to achieve unicorn status' in the travel and media sector.' Article content Hotel Communication Network (HCN) is the hospitality industry's leading provider of in-room guest engagement and monetization platforms. Following its acquisition of Crave Interactive, HCN now operates the largest global network of smart hotel tablets and mobile solutions, seamlessly integrating guest services, hotel operations, and contextual media delivery. The combined platform delivers personalized digital concierge services, revenue-generating programmatic advertising, and strategic brand activations at scale. HCN supports major hotel brands across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, offering a turnkey solution that enhances the guest experience while unlocking new revenue streams for hotel operators. For more information, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Media Contact: Article content Barb Worcester Article content Article content Article content
Borneo Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak, Netherlands explore strategic partnership for proposed New Kuching International Airport
Lee (ninth right) and other members of the delegation in a photocall after the meeting. KUCHING (July 3): Sarawak and the Netherlands are exploring broader areas of collaboration in airport design, operations, and sustainable aviation practices, particularly in relation to the proposed New Kuching International Airport (NKIA). Both parties engaged in meaningful discussions on the future of Sarawak's aviation sector during a meeting today, with a particular focus on the NKIA project. The meeting also formally introduced Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), recently appointed as the Lead Consultant for the NKIA feasibility study. The Dutch delegation, led by the Netherlands' Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Jacques Werner, included representatives from the Dutch aviation industry. They paid a courtesy visit to Sarawak Transport Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, at his office. The feasibility study, conducted in partnership with local consultant Jurutera Jasa (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, is expected to be completed within nine months. It will cover critical components including site evaluation, airspace analysis, demand forecasting, environmental and social impact assessments, economic and financial analysis, preliminary concept planning, and regulatory compliance. Lee warmly welcomed the Dutch delegation and expressed appreciation for the Netherlands' continued involvement in Sarawak's infrastructure development, especially in the aviation sector. 'The development of a new international airport is crucial to supporting Sarawak's long-term economic growth and enhancing regional connectivity. 'We are pleased to work with experienced international partners such as NACO to ensure this project is guided by global standards and best practices,' he said in a statement after the meeting. The visit also marks a strengthening of bilateral ties between Sarawak and the Netherlands, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in advancing the state's aerospace development and related industries. With over 75 years of experience, NACO has delivered more than 700 airport projects worldwide, including major international hubs such as Changi (Singapore), Incheon (South Korea), Hamad (Qatar), Frankfurt (Germany), and Amsterdam Schiphol (Netherlands). NACO's extensive expertise in airport planning, engineering, and operations positions it as a strategic partner in realising Sarawak's aviation ambitions.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
AIDS control employees association writes to NACO seeking salary raise and welfare benefits
The Tamil Nadu AIDS Control All Employees Welfare Association has urged the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to provide annual salary raise, include all eligible employees under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scheme and extend Ayushman Bharat health coverage to all employees working under various components under the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS). In a letter to the Director General of NACO, the association raised the long-standing issue of lack of salary enhancement and absence of essential employee welfare benefits. 'It is disheartening to inform you that for the past several years, the employees engaged in different programme components under TANSACS have not received annual increment or financial allowances. Despite their dedicated contribution to the implementation and success of various interventions under the National AIDS Control Programme, these employees continue to work under stagnant remuneration structures, with no provision of inflation-based adjustments, incentives, or allowances,' the association said in the letter. Many employees were not covered under basic social security schemes such as EPF or health benefit schemes such as Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The association urged NACO to consider providing annual salary raise through a structured mechanism for annual increments or to introduce cost-of-living adjustments to ensure fair and sustained compensation to all employees. All eligible employees should be included under EPF scheme to provide financial security and retirement benefits. Extend Ayushman Bharat health coverage to all employees working under various TANSACS components, ensuring access to quality healthcare, the association's president M. Jayanthi and general secretary M. Cheralathan urged NACO in the letter. The association hoped that necessary steps to address the welfare and rights of the workforce would be initiated.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
A new HIV drug promises 99.9% protection. But it's making Indian health activists wary; Why?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lenacapavir, a new injectable drug that claims to offer 99.9% protection against HIV. But concerns are being raised in India over its affordability and accessibility, particularly through the public healthcare system. The injection costs around ₹24 lakh ($28,218) for two doses administered six months apart. Lenacapavir belongs to the class of HIV prevention drugs known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, India's National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has not included PrEP in its public programmes so far. "Our govt distributes condoms to break HIV transmission, it provides antiretroviral therapy drugs to prevent parent-to-child transmission of HIV, but it hasn't ever given PrEP to youngsters who are likely to indulge in high-risk behaviour," said health activist Ganesh Acharya. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hanoi: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo He added that NACO had made it mandatory for its counselling centres to provide information on PrEP a couple of years ago. He also expressed concern that 75% of the 88% people diagnosed with HIV in Mumbai in 2023–24 were from the 15–49 age group. PrEP, however, remains available only in the private sector. Experts call for government action, tiered pricing PrEP has existed for over a decade and is widely used in developed countries. In India, public health discussions around PrEP only began recently. Live Events A doctor from a government hospital said, "They set up a committee, then a white paper was brought out that served as a backgrounder for guidelines that were drawn up last year. However, there has been no development since." Dr Ishwar Gilada of the People's Health Organisation (India) said, "The govt should distribute PrEP to check the spread of the disease, which has only been increasing in recent years. The total number of HIV-positive people in India increased from 2.2 million to 2.5 million in a few years." According to him, sexually transmitted infections have been rising in Mumbai. "A recent survey in Mumbai among men who have sex with men found that 60% of them were positive for the human papilloma virus. While gonorrhoea and chlamydia vanished 25 years ago, their numbers are shooting up," he said. He suggested a three-tier pricing structure: full price for those who can afford it, subsidised pricing for some, and free access for those unable to pay. NACO officials were not available for comment. India has also not approved HIV self-testing kits. "We have self-testing kits for pregnancy, diabetes, and Covid, but policymakers fear about the mental health of people after a positive result in self-testing HIV kits," said Dr Gilada. A senior doctor suggested that similar fears may be behind the delay in rolling out PrEP publicly, as officials worry it might encourage risky behaviour. Hope for lower-cost versions as UNAIDS urges price drop Bala from Bombay Gay called lenacapavir a "monumental milestone forward in HIV treatment and prevention," but added that the current price point makes it inaccessible in India. "So, we have to wait and see if prices will come down over time," he said. Dr Gilada expressed hope that Indian manufacturers licensed by Gilead Sciences might eventually offer the injection at less than $100 per year. "India can do it," he said. UNAIDS, in a recent statement, urged Gilead Lifesciences to reduce the price of the new drug to improve global access.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drug offers 99.9% HIV shield, but Indians will have to wait
Mumbai: A new drug promising 99.9% protection against HIV received approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) a few days ago, but the city's HIV rights activists are sceptical about its practical impact in India. The main concern stems from the new injectable drug lenacapavir's substantial cost of Rs 24 lakh ($28,218) per person for two injections taken six months apart. Also, NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) has not fully embraced PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medications, the category to which lenacapavir belongs. "Our govt distributes condoms to break HIV transmission, it provides antiretroviral therapy drugs to prevent parent-to-child transmission of HIV, but it hasn't ever given PrEP to youngsters who are likely to indulge in high-risk behaviour," said health activist Ganesh Acharya. A couple of years ago, NACO made it mandatory for its counselling centres to disburse information on PrEP. He is alarmed because 75% of the 88% diagnosed with HIV in Mumbai between 2023-24 were in the 15-49 age group that is classified as young. PrEP is available for those seeking treatment in the private sector. PrEP, as a method to prevent HIV transmission before a risky exposure, has been around for almost 12 years. It was widely accepted in developed countries, but India's public health machinery never mentioned it until a few years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "They set up a committee, then a white paper was brought out that served as a backgrounder for guidelines that were drawn up last year. However, there has been no development since," said a doctor with a public hospital. Dr Ishwar Gilada of the People's Health Organisation (India) said PrEP is the lesser evil compared to HIV transmission. "The govt should distribute PrEP to check the spread of the disease, which has only been increasing in recent years. The total number of HIV-positive people in India increased from 2.2 million to 2.5 million in a few years," he added. The problem is more pronounced in Mumbai, he said, where the number of people with sexually transmitted diseases has been rising. "A recent survey in Mumbai among men who have sex with men found that 60% of them were positive for the human papilloma virus. While gonorrhoea and chlamydia vanished 25 years ago, their numbers are shooting up," said Dr Gilada. PrEP would be the solution, according to him. The govt could adopt a three-tier payment system for PrEP: Charge full cost from those who can afford it, subsidy for some, and free for those who cannot afford medications. Despite efforts, NACO officials were not available for comment. PrEP is not the only HIV-related policy that the govt hasn't acted on. Self-testing HIV kits, for instance, are not allowed in India. "We have self-testing kits for pregnancy, diabetes, and Covid, but policymakers fear about the mental health of people after a positive result in self-testing HIV kits," said Dr Gilada. The same logic is possibly behind the delay with introducing PrEP in the public health system, said a senior doctor, as a section of public health officials fear that giving PrEP would seem like a licence for risky behaviour. However, there is hope that lenacapavir would be available in India sooner rather than later. Bala of Bombay Gay said lenacapavir is a "monumental milestone forward in HIV treatment and prevention," but its pricing makes it inaccessible to Indian patients. "So, we have to wait and see if prices will come down over time," he added. Dr Gilada is positive Indian generic pharma companies licensed by Gilead Sciences can bring lenacapavir injections at below $100 per annum cost and may be rolled out soon. "India can do it," he said. In a statement released a couple of days ago, UNAIDS urged Gilead Lifesciences to drop the price of the new HIV prevention shot.
