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Business Wire
06-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Final Call: CharmHealth Extends 2025 Innovation Challenge Deadline Amid Record Participation
PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CharmHealth, a leader in healthcare technology solutions for providers, today announced it has extended the deadline to submit proposals for the 2025 Innovation Challenge. The last chance for entrepreneurs, innovators, students, nonprofits and philanthropists to enter the Innovation Challenge and secure their chance to compete for the $10,000 grand prize is Aug.15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. PDT. We are thrilled at the response to this year's Innovation Challenge. With the addition of the Agentic AI category, we've seen a record number of submissions as applicants recognize the profound power of AI to solve some of healthcare's greatest challenges. Share Now in its fifth year, the CharmHealth Innovation Challenge seeks new ideas that will drive impact across the healthcare ecosystem. Applicants simply submit an entry with a slide deck of their pitch (download the pitch deck template here) and select their product/solution's focus area. Applications will be accepted for Mobile Health Apps, Healthcare Accessibility, Tech-led Innovations, Population Health, and Agentic AI. There is no cost to apply. 'We are thrilled at the response to this year's Innovation Challenge,' said Pramila Srinivasan, Ph.D., CEO of CharmHealth. 'With the addition of the new Agentic AI category, we've seen a record number of submissions, as applicants recognize the profound power of AI to solve some of healthcare's greatest challenges. We are also exceptionally pleased with the high level of engagement from participants in UC Berkeley's Health Engine accelerator, which shares many of CharmHealth's goals.' All Innovation Challenge submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges who will select 15 finalists. This group will then be invited to present their idea, product or service to investors, partners and more during a Pitch Day event at Charmalot 2025, CharmHealth's annual user conference, taking place Sept.19-21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Berkeley, California. CharmHealth will sponsor accommodations and meals for the shortlisted candidates attending the event. In addition to the chance to win cash prizes ($10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place, and $2,500 for third place in each of the six categories), finalists and participants will gain exclusive access to list their products and services on CharmHealthHub. This unique opportunity allows startups to: Showcase their solutions to a vast network of healthcare providers and organizations. Seamlessly integrate with CharmHealth's EHR and partner ecosystem for enhanced adoption. Gain visibility among investors, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers actively seeking innovative tools. Receive ongoing support and mentorship to refine and scale their offering. Don't miss your chance to enter the 2025 Innovation Challenge by submitting your application through the official Innovation Challenge website at For additional information, please visit the website or contact innovate@ About CharmHealth CharmHealth is a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions that empower healthcare organizations to deliver efficient, high-quality care. With a focus on interoperability, patient engagement, and streamlined workflows, CharmHealth offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare. For more information on CharmHealth, visit To get breaking news, follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook and @charmhealth. All brand names and solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Tags: CharmHealth, Charmalot, CharmHealth Innovation Challenge, healthcare, healthtech, healthcare technology, healthcare innovation, electronic health record, EHR, telehealth, AI, artificial intelligence, generative AI, agentic AI, patient engagement, patient assessment, digital health, healthcare providers, healthcare startups, healthcare investment, healthcare entrepreneurs
Irish Examiner
25-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
How innovation is transforming Ireland's gas network
'Innovation is embedded across our operations, from governance to how we manage and maintain the network,' says head of Network Services John Memery. 'But innovation is driven not just by technology, it's about leadership, processes and people on the ground.' Memery joined the organisation as an apprentice in 1982, shortly before the pipeline to bring natural gas from Cork to Dublin had been completed. Today, he leads a department of over 100 people across three core teams: service delivery (siteworks), operations support and emergency response. During his 43 years with the organisation, he has witnessed first-hand how Gas Networks Ireland has embraced innovation, from replacing cast iron pipes with polyethylene to the repurposing of the network for the future onboarding of green hydrogen. He has also seen some very significant changes in the way customers use gas. 'One of biggest things we did was the replacement of cast iron to polyethylene pipes,' he says. 'That was hugely significant. We had a lot of problems with cast iron pipes. For example, if there was ground movement during cold weather, there was no flexibility in the pipes, so they could break causing gas leaks. We had been doing some piecemeal work replacing the cast iron pipes with polyethylene, but that was just a few kilometres a year. In 2005, we adopted a new strategy to renew the entire network, and we gave ourselves five years to do it. We completed it on time and by 2010 we had all the cast iron pipes in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Dublin replaced. 'All of those callouts as a result of cast iron pipes ended,' he continues. 'We weren't digging up paths and roads repairing leaks any more and we now have one of the safest and most resilient gas networks in the whole of Europe. It also stands to our good for the integration of hydrogen on the network.' Gas Networks Ireland operates a structured, disciplined approach to innovation which is overseen by a cross-business Innovation Steering Group which includes external experts and dedicated teams focused on applying smart technologies to real-world challenges. Supported by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the organisation has established an innovation fund of €5.3 million comprising a strategic innovation fund (SIF) of €1.5 million with the remaining €3.8 million devoted to a network-based innovation fund (NBIF) aimed at furthering best practice in running gas networks. 'Through the SIF, Gas Networks Ireland is contributing €1.2 million to co-fund the €2.7 million Innovation Challenge in collaboration with Research Ireland, who are contributing the remaining €1.5 million,' says Memery. 'Research teams are being invited to develop breakthrough technologies in areas like renewable gas, energy system integration and artificial intelligence (AI) that will support Ireland's transition to a low-carbon energy future.' The challenge has two overarching themes. The Energy System Integration Challenge seeks to support the development of solutions to accelerate the optimisation and integration of the energy system in Ireland's transition to a low carbon economy. The Biomethane and Biohydrogen Challenge aims to support the development of solutions which improve the efficiency, efficacy and commercial viability of biomethane and biohydrogen production, including extraction and utilisation of byproducts. Innovation isn't just about big future ideas. It's about finding better ways to serve customers today and staying ready for tomorrow. Successful teams from eligible research bodies in Ireland will be awarded up to €200,000 and will work through a series of phases to develop their idea. An overall prize award of €1 million will be available to the team that demonstrates the highest potential for transformative impact. 'Overall, 30 projects have received funding from the NBIF,' says Memery. 'Eight projects have been completed and 22 are ongoing.' One of those 22 projects deals with high volume gas escapes (HVGE), he explains. When a pipeline is damaged, more often than not by third-party activity, it can result in a high-volume gas escape (HVGE), leading to an uncontrolled release of gas. The project is developing potential new tools to increase the efficiency with which these can be fixed and reducing the associated risks. The current method of sealing off a leak involves ground excavations and the application of special equipment to squeeze the pipe until the flow of gas stops. A new tool under investigation will involve placing a device into the damaged pipe which will expand due to the pressure of the gas and create a seal internally which will allow excavations to take place for a permanent repair. 'That would bring huge reputational, financial, environmental and safety benefits,' Memery adds. Another project is looking at alternatives to chromatography to analyse the composition and quality of the gas on the network. This is important because of the introduction of biomethane at present and hydrogen in the near future. The introduction of biomethane will also alter the calorific value of the gas being delivered to customers. Another project is seeking to develop sensors which can be placed in pipes to measure the different types and mixes of gas present at any given time. 'It is really important to know the calorific value for billing,' Memery notes. Satellite based monitoring of the gas transmission network is also being investigated. At present, monitoring the ground conditions above the network is done either by driving along the route in urban areas like Dublin or by flying over it using helicopters – both quite costly. The use of low earth orbit satellite imagery would both reduce costs and improve monitoring frequency, Memery notes. Communication with deaf and hard of hearing customers is also under investigation. 'This project explores how technology can be used to enable immediate contact with hard of hearing customers through text messages and so on if there is a potential gas escape,' he says. 'Innovation isn't just about big future ideas. It's about finding better ways to serve customers today and staying ready for tomorrow.' While constant innovation and transformation are hallmarks of Gas Networks Ireland, the organisation is not afraid to look to its past as it seeks to progress into the future. That includes the reintroduction of its apprenticeship programme some 10 years ago. 'We hadn't had an apprenticeship programme since 1982/3 when I joined,' says Memery. 'It's great to have them again. They have brought new energy to the business and almost all of them have stayed with us. We ensure that they get broad experience of the business, and we put them on emergency call outs once they qualify one week a month. That means they are on call 24 hours a day and have to be on site within an hour of receiving the call from the customer. That's blue light standard and we achieved 99.7 per cent performance against that last year with an average response time of 28 minutes for the 14,000 publicly reported gas escapes. Our highest priority is safety, and we are very proud of our performance in that regard.' Gasworks by John Kindness is located on Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin. Changes witnessed by Memery and his colleagues over the years have been immortalised on Dublin's Sir John Rogerson's Quay with the Gasworks sculpture by artist John Kindness. That heritage is very important to Memery who emphasises the critical role played by people in the continuing evolution and transformation of Ireland's gas network. 'Technology is essential but in the end it's people who respond, repair and reassure. We've modernised everything from our systems to our processes, but what matters most hasn't changed, showing up when people need us and doing the job right.' For more information, visit
Barnama
17-07-2025
- General
- Barnama
SWM Environment Recycling Campaign Targets 30 Tons Of Glass Bottles Via 60 Johor Schools
JOHOR BAHRU, July 17 (Bernama) -- SWM Environment Sdn Bhd and Yayasan Johor Corporation aim to collect 30 tonnes of glass bottles through 60 primary schools in Johor under the Cabaran Kaca Pun Boleh recycling campaign, which runs from this month until November. SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin said the campaign is meant to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of glass bottle recycling, sustainable waste management and biodiversity conservation. 'As part of the initiative, we've introduced the Creative Glass Bottle Recycling Video Competition and the STEM Innovation Challenge to boost participation among teachers, students, parents and the wider community.
National Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
HCL Group and UpLink Launch Fourth Global Aquapreneur Innovation Challenge to Boost Water Resilience
Article content DELHI, India & TIANJIN, China — Global conglomerate HCL Group and UpLink, early-stage innovation initiative of the World Economic Forum, have announced the fourth challenge of the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative, the Water Resilience Challenge. The announcement was made at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China. Applications are open until August 4, 2025, with winners to be announced in January 2026. The top 10 winners will receive a total financial award of CHF1.75 million divided amongst the innovators. For detailed information and eligibility criteria, visit: Important Dates to Note 25 June to 4 August 2025 Open for submissions August 2025 Review and selection process January 2026 Announcement of the winners The Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative is a 5-year, 15 million CHF collaboration between UpLink, HCL Group and the World Economic Forum's Food and Water team, to create a first-of-its-kind innovation ecosystem for freshwater. The Innovation Challenge aims to empower global change-makers pioneering groundbreaking technologies, strategies and approaches to conserve, manage and protect water resources. Article content The Water Resilience Challenge seeks scalable, pioneering solutions that enhance the resilience of water systems facing mounting pressures from climate change, pollution and increasing demand. Submissions are invited across three critical sectors: Article content Strengthening Infrastructure Resilience – Solutions to strengthen urban and rural water systems including drainage, enhancing their ability to withstand extreme weather (including extreme heat, droughts, floods and stormwater), addressing infrastructure gaps and vulnerabilities, and meeting growing demand. Rethinking Agri-food Water Use – Solutions to transform agricultural surface water and groundwater use through regenerative and nature-based approaches, improved irrigation practices, and innovations to conserve, reuse, and replenish water resources across food systems. Optimising Water in the Tech Sector and Energy Systems – Technologies to improve water efficiency and reduce water-related risks in industries such as AI data centres, semiconductor manufacturing, along with solutions that improve water-efficiency in energy generation and recover energy from wastewater. Article content , Article content Article content said, 'Through HCL's collaboration with the World Economic Forum and UpLink, we are helping build a global ecosystem for water innovation — one changemaker at a time. We focus on strategic support — enabling promising innovators to access global platforms, visibility, investors, policymakers, and peer networks. In just three years, 30 innovators supported through this initiative have raised over $90 million and saved over 12 billion litres of water. Our goal is to empower at least 50 such changemakers — and many more in the years ahead.' Article content John Dutton, Head of UpLink, World Economic Forum Article content , added, ' Article content UpLink and HCL Group's Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative recognizes that solving the water crisis demands a dynamic ecosystem to scale effective solutions. Together with the World Economic Forum's Food and Water Initiative, we are proud to launch the Water Resilience Challenge, calling on bold early-stage start-ups addressing the most urgent water needs of our time, from rising demands in the tech and agritech sectors to climate-driven infrastructure vulnerabilities. By supporting breakthrough innovators and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we're working together to build the water resilience every industry needs to thrive in a water-stressed world.' Article content 'Being part of the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative has been transformative. For a company at our stage, the credibility from HCL, UpLink, and the World Economic Forum has opened doors to high-level partners and investors we couldn't have reached otherwise, including HCL itself. The financial award and global recognition have positioned us for our next stage of growth, and we've joined a powerful community of innovators tackling the world's biggest water challenges,' Article content said Mansi Jain, Co-founder and CEO of DigitalPaani, a grantee from the previous cohort. Article content An official announcement regarding the launch of the Water Resilience Challenge will also be made on June 26 at the Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) Meeting at the ongoing London Climate Action Week organized by the World Economic Forum. Article content In response to the growing climate variability, groundwater depletion and water-intensive industrial demands, the Water Resilience Challenge seeks to catalyze a new generation of sustainable, scalable and equitable solutions. Selected participants will gain access to funding, mentorship, global visibility, and a powerful network of experts, investors and partners. Article content About HCL Article content Founded in 1976 as one of India's original IT garage start-ups, HCL Group is a pioneer of modern computing with many firsts to its credit, including the introduction of the 8-bit microprocessor-based computer in 1978 well before its global peers. Today, the HCL Group has a presence across varied sectors that include technology, healthcare and talent management solutions and comprises three companies – HCL Infosystems, HCLTech and HCL Healthcare. The enterprise generates annual revenues of over US$13.8 billion with 220,000 employees operating across 60 countries. For further information, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content On behalf of HCL: Article content Article content Alisha Bisherwal- Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
CharmHealth Innovation Challenge Returns With $10,000 Prize, Spotlights Agentic AI in Healthcare
PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CharmHealth, a leader in healthcare technology solutions for providers, today announced that its 2025 Innovation Challenge continues to accept proposals from innovators, entrepreneurs and developers. The annual competition seeks fresh ideas that drive impact across the healthcare ecosystem. 'The Innovation Challenge is an exceptional program that surfaces compelling solutions to some of healthcare's most pressing issues while offering a platform for passionate creators and builders to gain support for their work.' Share Proposals are being accepted in the following categories: Mobile Health Apps, Healthcare Accessibility, Tech-led Innovations, Population Health, and new this year, Agentic AI. Submissions will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. PDT on July 31, 2025. 'The Innovation Challenge is an exceptional program that surfaces compelling solutions to some of healthcare's most pressing issues while offering a platform for passionate creators and builders to gain support for their work,' said Pramila Srinivasan, Ph.D., CEO of CharmHealth. 'This year's class of applicants represents another stellar group, and we look forward to helping them make the connections that can transform not only their business but also the future of care.' For the 2025 Innovation Challenge, a group of 15 finalists will be selected. They will gain access to CharmVentures, CharmHealth's dedicated initiative focused on funding and supporting high-potential startups through mentorship, strategic guidance, and investment opportunities. With the ability to leverage insights from industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, finalists will be able to refine, test and scale their solutions more effectively. They will also unlock visibility through CharmHealthHub, the dynamic marketplace that connects innovative solutions with a broad network of healthcare providers and organizations. Finalists will present their ideas, products and services to investors, partners and healthcare professionals during a Pitch Day event at Charmalot 2025, CharmHealth's annual user conference, taking place Sept. 19-21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Berkeley, California. All Innovation Challenge entries will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges with expertise in healthcare technology and innovation. CharmHealth offers cash prizes for winners: $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place, and $2,500 for third place. Individuals, startups and organizations interested in participating can submit their proposals free of charge through the official Innovation Challenge website at For detailed information about the CharmHealth Innovation Challenge, including eligibility, submission guidelines, and key dates, visit the Challenge website or contact innovate@ About CharmHealth CharmHealth is a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions that empower healthcare organizations to deliver efficient, high-quality care. With a focus on interoperability, patient engagement, and streamlined workflows, CharmHealth offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare. For more information on CharmHealth, visit To get breaking news, follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook and @charmhealth. All brand names and solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Tags: CharmHealth, Charmalot, CharmHealth Innovation Challenge, healthcare, healthtech, healthcare technology, healthcare innovation, electronic health record, EHR, telehealth, AI, artificial intelligence, generative AI, agentic AI, patient engagement, patient assessment, digital health, healthcare providers, healthcare startups, healthcare investment
