Latest news with #Further
Forbes
05-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Lululemon Releases Split Shift Running Shoe With ‘Responsive' Feel
Lululemon's footwear category has a new silhouette. That silhouette, the Split Shift, comes with a fresh underfoot foam. The Aug. 5 launch of the Split Shift running shoe features the brand's new proprietary ShiftFoam cushioning, meant to provide a responsive, springy feel, as tested during the brand's six-day ultramarathon in 2024. George Robusti, Lululemon vice president of footwear design, tells me the ShfitFoam is the brand's lightest and most responsive. The proprietary blend is designed to return more energy to the runner than the foam used in the brand's popular Beyondfeel shoe. 'We were impressed with the athletes' responses,' he says about the 2,880 miles run during Further, a six-day ultramarathon. 'This foam offered more of a springy and energized feeling. And their real-world validation was essential in refining the underfoot experience for the final product.' Lululemon's footwear category continues to grow since the original launch in 2022. Now the brand has its Beyondfeel running shoe, a Wildfeel trail runner that launched earlier this year, the trainer styles of Chargefeel and Strongfeel and the Cityverse casual shoe. Building on the running lineup was a natural evolution. 'We saw an opportunity to expand our running assortment with a shoe that delivers a different type of experience, one that's light, energetic and springy, and gives runners more options to choose from,' Robusti says. 'Split Shift is built for runners who want a little more pop in their stride, whether they're heading out for an easy run or looking to pick up the pace. It brings a new feel state to the mix and complements the smoother, more relaxed ride of the Beyondfeel.' To differentiate between the foam used in the Beyondfeel, Lululemon introduced the new foam on a rocker-style footbed to encourage heel-to-toe transition. Robusti says the shape helps 'gently roll the runner forward, supporting a smooth transition.' The mesh upper is meant to improve airflow while providing structure, and the gusseted tongue is designed for fit and feel. 'Together,' he says, 'these elements help create that effortless, energized sensation that defines the Split Shift.' Robusti says choosing between the Lululemon lineup for runners comes down to feel. 'Split Shift is for the runner who wants that energized, more responsive ride,' he says, 'someone looking for a shoe they can take on everyday runs but also turn to when picking up the pace for moderate or tempo efforts. Beyondfeel is all about smoothness and ease. It's a more relaxed ride, perfect for recovery days or when you just want to get out and log steady miles.' MORE: Lululemon's Growth In Tennis: A Collaboration With Leylah Fernandez Lululemon started in shoes with women's-specific models by creating different lasts and performance attributes for female runners. Creating a lineup with men's-specific lasts and attributes was added to the mix later. While there are similarities in how Lululemon builds both the men's and women's shoes, it's not the exact same across models and each has its own design intent. The Split Shift features differing lasts for each—the men's size 9 is 9.1 ounces with a 7mm heel-to-toe drop, while the women's size 8 is 7.8 ounces with the same 7mm heel-to-doe drop—and each features flex grooves in the outsole for designed to mirror either a male's natural foot strike or a female's foot strike. The women's model also includes additional arch reinforcements. Lululemon isn't taking anything off the table for future expansion of the running lineup, with Robusti saying they are constantly looking at how to solve athletic and lifestyle footwear needs. 'This can range,' he says, 'from refining and evolving our existing models or introducing completely new solutions.'
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Further Launches AI-for-Homebuying Platform
AI assistant helps consumers plan & navigate the process WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AI for homebuying startup Further has publicly launched its free AI-powered platform for homebuyers, including its custom AI assistant, Homebuyer AI. The platform leverages best-in-class AI, real-time data, and convenient tooling to help everyday consumers navigate their homebuying journeys. "Buying a home is one of life's biggest purchases, but whether it's your first home or your fifth, the sheer number of data points to consider and decisions to make can be overwhelming," said Kevin Bennett, CEO and cofounder of Further. "We built Further to solve the problems and annoyances that we experienced in the homebuying process. That's why we're excited to offer a solution: a platform and embedded AI assistant that helps consumers explore preferences, dig into the numbers, and approach homebuying with confidence." Comprehensive, Personalized Planning The platform is designed to help buyers no matter where they are in their journey, from the earliest planning stages to the final checklist hurdles. The AI assistant, Homebuyer AI, allows users to get real-time, actionable answers and insights on everything from general questions about how mortgages work, to highly specific scenarios based on their unique situation. They can use it to narrow down their home or neighborhood preferences, learn the ins and outs of homebuying, explore different purchasing and financial scenarios, and feel informed and prepared as they work with agents and other professionals through the process. As you use it, the platform learns your unique needs and interests over time to provide richer insights and guidance. In addition to answering all of their questions, the platform also guides homebuyers through creating a personalized Homebuyer Plan, which factors in their unique preferences and financial situation to help them understand how they can best achieve their homebuying goals. This allows users to hone in on what their priorities are, gain a clearer understanding of their preferences, options, and timelines, compare multiple scenarios, and build personalized action plans. Both features work together for a seamless, intuitive user experience. The AI assistant allows users to save their chats and info, as well as add this information into their existing plans, so their personalized roadmaps are always up to date with their latest thinking and decisions. Proprietary, Real-time AI Further's data-rich AI assistant is purpose-built to the needs of homebuyers, leveraging the conversational convenience of leading large language models (LLMs) combined with real-estate specific intelligence. This includes a variety of both quantitative and qualitative real-time data inputs on housing, markets, neighborhoods, and financials, for high-accuracy answers. "Homebuyer AI turns millions of fragmented data points into a single, personalized game plan - so buyers spend less time buried in spreadsheets and more time planning for life in their new home," said Chris Baker, cofounder and Chief Operating Officer at Further, who led the production of the AI assistant. "Today's launch is just the beginning; we're continuously weaving in new data and smarter modeling so guidance gets sharper and more personalized with every conversation." Together, Further's novel AI assistant and personalized planning capabilities give consumers actionable tools and insights to navigate their homebuying journey with confidence. The platform is now free for the general public to use at About FurtherFurther is the AI-for-homebuying platform helping people plan and prepare for life's biggest purchase. Founded in 2024 by financial executives and real estate professionals, the company is backed by leading venture capital investors as well as business and technology leaders. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Further Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Leader Live
24-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Education Secretary announces £40 million for crisis-hit Dundee University
Jenny Gilruth said the money has been agreed 'in principle' and will be given out over a two-year academic period. She said the Scottish Government had used a special power to order the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which usually issues cash independently, to give the award directly to Dundee, due to the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the university. 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' she said in a statement to Holyrood. The minister said the cash would come with conditions and that it would only be released once a sustainable, long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university. It comes after a scathing report into the university's handling of its financial crisis led to the resignations of three senior members of the institution, including its interim principal. The report by the SFC found that university bosses, and its governing body, repeatedly failed to identify the crisis and take action, describing problems facing it as 'self-inflicted'. The Scottish Government had already funded a £22 million bailout of the institution, which is struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole. Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, Ms Gilruth said she would focus on ensuring the university 'emerges from this crisis stronger than ever'. She said: 'I can confirm that the Scottish Government will provide funding in principle of up to £40 million over two academic years or three financial years via the Scottish Funding Council to support the University of Dundee.' The Education Secretary said that while funding decisions on universities are usually a matter for the SFC, the Scottish Government had to directly step in, given the scale of the crisis at Dundee. She said: 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response. 'Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support. 'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005. 'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.' Ms Gilruth told MSPs the £40 million fund was 'not about rewarding failure'. She said: 'This is about responding to an unprecedented and unique situation which threatens much of what we hold dear in our university sector.' She added: 'The Scottish Government is determined to do everything that we can to secure a positive future for Dundee University that must be achieved through delivery of a sustainable long-term recovery plan, which will see public financial support work alongside commercial and private investment to ultimately see reliance on extraordinary public funding ending.' Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long. 'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward. 'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently. 'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top. 'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
South Wales Guardian
24-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Education Secretary announces £40 million for crisis-hit Dundee University
Jenny Gilruth said the money has been agreed 'in principle' and will be given out over a two-year academic period. She said the Scottish Government had used a special power to order the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which usually issues cash independently, to give the award directly to Dundee, due to the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the university. 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' she said in a statement to Holyrood. The minister said the cash would come with conditions and that it would only be released once a sustainable, long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university. It comes after a scathing report into the university's handling of its financial crisis led to the resignations of three senior members of the institution, including its interim principal. The report by the SFC found that university bosses, and its governing body, repeatedly failed to identify the crisis and take action, describing problems facing it as 'self-inflicted'. The Scottish Government had already funded a £22 million bailout of the institution, which is struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole. Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, Ms Gilruth said she would focus on ensuring the university 'emerges from this crisis stronger than ever'. She said: 'I can confirm that the Scottish Government will provide funding in principle of up to £40 million over two academic years or three financial years via the Scottish Funding Council to support the University of Dundee.' The Education Secretary said that while funding decisions on universities are usually a matter for the SFC, the Scottish Government had to directly step in, given the scale of the crisis at Dundee. She said: 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response. 'Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support. 'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005. 'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.' Ms Gilruth told MSPs the £40 million fund was 'not about rewarding failure'. She said: 'This is about responding to an unprecedented and unique situation which threatens much of what we hold dear in our university sector.' She added: 'The Scottish Government is determined to do everything that we can to secure a positive future for Dundee University that must be achieved through delivery of a sustainable long-term recovery plan, which will see public financial support work alongside commercial and private investment to ultimately see reliance on extraordinary public funding ending.' Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long. 'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward. 'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently. 'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top. 'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
Rhyl Journal
24-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Education Secretary announces £40 million for crisis-hit Dundee University
Jenny Gilruth said the money has been agreed 'in principle' and will be given out over a two-year academic period. She said the Scottish Government had used a special power to order the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which usually issues cash independently, to give the award directly to Dundee, due to the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the university. 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response,' she said in a statement to Holyrood. The minister said the cash would come with conditions and that it would only be released once a sustainable, long-term recovery plan is put in place by the university. It comes after a scathing report into the university's handling of its financial crisis led to the resignations of three senior members of the institution, including its interim principal. The report by the SFC found that university bosses, and its governing body, repeatedly failed to identify the crisis and take action, describing problems facing it as 'self-inflicted'. The Scottish Government had already funded a £22 million bailout of the institution, which is struggling to deal with a £35 million financial black hole. Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, Ms Gilruth said she would focus on ensuring the university 'emerges from this crisis stronger than ever'. She said: 'I can confirm that the Scottish Government will provide funding in principle of up to £40 million over two academic years or three financial years via the Scottish Funding Council to support the University of Dundee.' The Education Secretary said that while funding decisions on universities are usually a matter for the SFC, the Scottish Government had to directly step in, given the scale of the crisis at Dundee. She said: 'This is a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances which require a unique and unprecedented response. 'Where there has been the appearance of financial mismanagement at an institution, Scottish ministers are obliged to consider whether it is necessary or expedient to issue a direction to the SFC about the provision of financial support. 'Subject to the public value tests I have set out today, Scottish ministers consider it is both necessary and expedient for a direction to be issued to the SFC under Section 25 of the Further and Higher Education Scotland Act 2005. 'The use of this power is unprecedented and has been made necessary by the exceptional circumstances at the university.' Ms Gilruth told MSPs the £40 million fund was 'not about rewarding failure'. She said: 'This is about responding to an unprecedented and unique situation which threatens much of what we hold dear in our university sector.' She added: 'The Scottish Government is determined to do everything that we can to secure a positive future for Dundee University that must be achieved through delivery of a sustainable long-term recovery plan, which will see public financial support work alongside commercial and private investment to ultimately see reliance on extraordinary public funding ending.' Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: 'While the priority must be ensuring Dundee University gets on the road to recovery, it is hard to accept that we should just draw a line under the financial vandalism that went on for far too long. 'Those responsible for that gross mismanagement have rightly fallen on their sword but we must now see SNP ministers robustly scrutinise how the university will bring their finances into a sustainable position going forward. 'Staff and students remain deeply concerned about the precarious position the university finds itself in and will be worried that there appears to be no sign of a Plan B currently. 'There was clearly something rotten with the culture that was allowed to fester within Dundee University and that came from the very top. 'Too many of Scotland's universities are in an unsustainable position currently, yet we are still to see SNP ministers or university bosses address this crisis with the leadership that is required.'
