Optimism, Opportunity Unite Women Owned Businesses at Dell India 2012 Event - Marketwatch

NEW DELHI, May 31, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Tweet this: India-based women entrepreneurs expect 90 percent business growth in next 5 years according to new Dell study #DWEN http://dell.to/LgoEDm

According to a new study commissioned by Dell, the ideal country to be in if you're a woman starting a business in 2012 could well be India, the location of its upcoming Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) event taking place in New Delhi, June 17-19, 2012.

At the event, Dell will be releasing the results of its Women's Global Entrepreneurship Study, examining indicators of business confidence among women entrepreneurs in different countries, along with their motivations, financing options and sources of support.

Early results show tremendous optimism on the part of women entrepreneurs in India. When asked about expectations for business growth, women entrepreneurs in India anticipate an average of 90 percent growth over the next five years. When you consider that India has a projected GDP growth rate of 8.2 percent in 2011-2012, according to the Indian Economic Outlook Report, women entrepreneurs in India have good reason to be feeling bullish.

Previous DWEN events in Shanghai (2010) and Rio de Janeiro (2011) brought together female global entrepreneurs to share best practices, build business opportunities and celebrate female influence in the global economy. Together, DWEN members and Dell chose India for this exclusive event because of its role as one of the largest emerging markets, as well as its influence on the world of technology.

Host Moira Forbes, publisher of Forbes Woman, will lead the two-day event around the theme "Innovation through Collaboration." The agenda is structured as an exchange of ideas between female founders, CEOs, innovative leaders, business icons, experts and thought leaders who run businesses in top markets. With speakers representing Canada, the United States, Brazil, China, Japan, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, the Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network will address topics such as doing business in India, social entrepreneurship and strategic giving, sustainability, customer engagement, social media strategy, going global, and more. Speakers include:

-- Susan Feldman, Co-founder and Chief Merchandising Officer, One Kings Lane

-- Carley Roney, Co-founder and Editor in Chief, XO Group, Inc.

-- Lola Ogunnaike, Today Show Contributor

-- Martina Sandrock, General Manager, Iglo GmbH

-- Jane Silber, CEO, Canonical

-- Carolyn S. Miles, President and CEO, Save the Children

-- Shoba Purushothaman, Founder, Training Ventures Ltd. & Founder, The NewsMarket

-- Aishwarya and Amruda Nair of The Leela Group

-- Kay Koplovitz, Chairman & CEO, Koplovitz & Co., Chairman, Springboard Enterprises

-- Frederique Clavel, President, Federation Pionnieres

-- Tara Hunt, CEO and Co-founder, Buyosphere

-- Sarah Prevette, Founder, Sprouter and BetaKit

-- Danae Ringelmann, Co-founder, IndieGoGo

-- Ameera Shah, Managing Director and CEO, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.

-- Lakshmi Pratury, Host and Curator, The INK Conference

-- Michele Caminos, Managing Vice President, Gartner

-- Terri McCullough, Executive Director, Tory Burch Foundation

"Women are playing increasingly important roles in leadership and we're seeing some of the most exciting global growth coming from female-led companies," said Forbes. "I recently traveled to Asia for the inaugural Forbes Forum: Asia's Power Business Women and saw first-hand how the region's female business leaders and entrepreneurs are changing the face of business and India is at the forefront of this phenomenon."

Dell Women's Global Entrepreneurship Study, Key Findings:

The agenda for the event will be supported by data uncovered as part of the Dell Women's Global Entrepreneurship Study, which highlights positive growth trends for female entrepreneurs in India including:

-- Business is Booming: 71 percent of female entrepreneurs in India say their business is very successful, and eight in 10 female entrepreneurs in India say they are hiring.

-- Opportunity for Technology: 74 percent of female entrepreneurs in India say their technology needs are getting more complex.

-- Don't Quit Your Day Job: 90 percent of female entrepreneurs in India started their business while maintaining their day job.

-- Positive Social Impact is Important: 85 percent of female entrepreneurs in India believe it is very important that their business has a positive social impact.

"Dell recognizes how critical entrepreneurs are to global economic recovery and job creation and our commitment to their growth goes well beyond the products and solutions we sell," Karen Quintos, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Dell Inc. "The Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network celebrates the unique perspective and approach that women bring to business--and reinforces the role of technology in enabling these women to reach new markets, expand their companies and provide value to their customers."

Women leaders are invited to join in the conversation and share who and what inspires and motivates them as entrepreneurs and leaders via the Women Powering Business Network group on LinkedIn.

DWEN is supported by Endeavor, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Winning Women and the Kauffman Foundation. Content about the event can be found on Twitter via @DellBizWomen and by following #dwen.

About Dell

As the visionary outcome of a true entrepreneur, Dell /quotes/zigman/27952/quotes/nls/dell DELL -0.79% is committed to help power the success of entrepreneurs by developing technology solutions that help their businesses increase productivity and grow. Through the Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network, Dell supports and nurtures the community of female entrepreneurs by helping provide access to knowledge, networks, and capital. Learn more at www.dell.com/women .

Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

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SOURCE: Dell Inc.

Dell Inc. Kara Krautter, 512-724-0928 Kara_Krautter@Dell.com or WPP Team Dell Jillian Fisher, 415-336-8641 Jillian.Fisher@WPPTeamDell.com

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ACT-IAC Announces A New, Revamped Focus for the 32nd Annual MOC - Marketwatch

FAIRFAX, Va., May 01, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) today announced the agenda for the 32nd annual Management of Change (MOC) 2012. MOC 2012 will bring together more than 500 government and industry information technology managers and rising professionals for an education and training event that will be more technology-driven and interactive than in previous years. With the changing environment surrounding the government IT community, MOC 2012 will look to keynote speaker and noted futurist Nick Bilton to discuss ways IT professionals can adapt. Set for June 3-5, MOC will be at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Md.

"Times have changed in government IT, and our education and training must change as well," said Maria Horton, MOC industry chairperson. "This year's MOC will be the next logical step in the evolution of this event. We set out to be more inclusive in order to attract a greater audience. We hope to provide a forum for young, up-and-coming change agents to discuss solutions to the most complicated, critical technical issues facing the federal community today, with a focus on bringing new ideas to the forefront."

The event will feature several "unconference" sessions that will promote a greater degree of interactivity and open communication between government and industry, which will allow more voices to be heard while discussing the hard topics. MOC will give attendees an opportunity to network with peers, share best practices, earn continuing education credits and be equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex IT acquisition environment.

"We're really looking to get straight to the heart of the issue on topics such as security and mobility," said Angela Miller, MOC government chairperson. "Part of that is having an interactive education event where we can focus much more on promoting the public-private partnership for which ACT-IAC is so well known. It's more critical than ever that we stay on top of these issues."

This year's MOC will also feature an Innovative Technology Expo. As part of an effort to provide advice and information about IT beyond 2012, the Innovative Technology Expo will showcase solutions that may only now be in a pilot or beta version test within government. These technologies might also only be in the commercial sectors, supporting new methods or new processes. The primary goal of the Technology Expo is to identify and bring new technologies to government and industry.

Bilton, the lead technology writer for the New York Times Bits blog, will be the keynote speaker, and the education and training event will feature three tracks:

-- "Linked" In -- This track will focus on the mobile and social nature of communication and how that affects business. The track will consist of sessions on mobile identity management, the inherent risks of conducting business over social media and the implications of constant connection.

-- The Consumerization of Federal Mobility -- Focusing on the implications of an increasingly mobile federal workforce, this track will feature sessions on the return-on-investment of mobile device life cycle management, sharing the quick wins of mobile strategies and mobile applications.

-- Cloud Connections -- With the increased usage of cloud technology pervasive throughout the federal marketplace, this track will include sessions on the differences of digital natives' needs, the coordinates of the cloud and operationalizing FedRAMP.

For more information, or to register for the event, please visit: http://www.actgov.org/events/managementofchange .

For sponsorship information, please contact Judy Fry at (703) 208-4800 ext. 205 or at jfry@actgov.org.

About ACT-IAC -- Advancing Government Through Education, Collaboration and Action

ACT-IAC has been recognized as the premier government IT community's public-private partnership and is an example of how government and industry work together. We are a nonprofit educational organization created to advance government in serving the public through the effective application of IT resources. Our education, training, programming and collaboration opportunities enhance and advance the government IT profession. ACT-IAC's objective, vendor and technology-neutral, and ethical forum allow government and industry to collaborate and improve government through technology. Headquartered in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, ACT-IAC also has chapters in Pacific region (based in San Diego) and the Rocky Mountain region (based in Denver).

Learn more about our organization and how to become a member at www.actgov.org or call (703) 208-4800.

SOURCE: American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC)

Sage Communications Duyen "Jen" Truong, 703-584-5645 dtruong@aboutsage.com

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Small Business Assistance Center Joins Neustar to Support Economic Recovery in America - Marketwatch

STERLING, Va., Apr 10, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Company Launches ‘Dream Big’ Contest, Winners to Receive Over $12k in Resources

Second subhead of release should read: ...Winners to Receive Over $12k in Resources (sted ...Winners to Receive Over $35K in Resources). Fourth sentence of "DREAM BIG CONTEST" graph should read: -- in total, a $12,000 value. (sted -- in total, a $35,000 value.)

The corrected release reads:

NEUSTAR KICK-STARTS ‘.US’ CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO SPARK SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION FOR BUSINESSES IN THE UNITED STATES

Small Business Assistance Center Joins Neustar to Support Economic Recovery in America

Company Launches ‘Dream Big’ Contest, Winners to Receive Over $12k in Resources

Neustar, Inc. /quotes/zigman/373855/quotes/nls/nsr NSR +0.52% a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information and analysis to the Internet, telecommunications, entertainment, advertising and marketing industries, today announced its campaign to “Kick-start America”. Now, companies of all sizes, whether locally-based or doing business in the United States, have a new opportunity to engage in a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, demonstrate their local presence and gain a competitive advantage with “America’s Address.” The .US top-level domain is the best way for small businesses to get online -- fast -- in a way that proudly promotes their local presence.

“Half of all small businesses fail within their first five years of operation,” said Jeremy Carigg, regional director, the Small Business Assistance Center (SBAC.US). “Driving awareness in those first years of business is critical, and companies need to find marketing methods that make an immediate impact. The .US domain is an easy and cost-effective way to get your local business seen and heard on the Internet now, not later.”

“The .US domain is central to our identity,” said Luke Palder, CEO, Proofreadingservices.US. “What our company offers is uniquely American and it’s important that our clients and potential clients understand that as easily as possible. The .US domain helps us accomplish that.”

Using the .US extension, ProofreadingServices.US, a top-tier proofreading service headquartered in the Financial District of San Francisco, has risen to being the #1 search result on Google® and Bing® for the phrase ‘proofreading services’.

“At Neustar, we’re committed to helping grow the economy, one small business at a time,” said Alex Berry, senior vice president, Enterprise Services, Neustar. “The strength of the .US community is a testament to this commitment, and it’s been heartening to see so many companies embrace their local roots. No matter what business you’re in, the .US domain is the perfect way to show your company’s true colors on the Internet.”

“Having an accessible, online presence is a must for today’s small businesses,” said NSBA Vice President of Public Affairs Molly Brogan. “Partnering with Neustar on the new .US campaign is one way we can make it easier to connect our small-business members with their customers.”

.US ADVANTAGES:

-- Community -- .US is more than just a domain -- it’s a growing movement. By registering for a .US extension, companies send a message that they believe in the power of local business.

-- Memorability -- Companies have a better opportunity to get the name of choice versus traditional options and they get a powerful, easily recalled domain name associated with a growing brand.

-- Searchability -- Because search engines rank websites with .US extensions higher in the U.S., entrepreneurs have a powerful tool to help potential customers find their sites.

-- Discoverability -- With .US, companies add a new dimension to their business or organization to let customers know they’re out there.

-- Manageability -- .US provides resources and tools to make putting up a website and promoting it easy.

DREAM BIG CONTEST

Neustar is currently accepting submissions for its “Dream Big” ( http://www.kickstartamerica.us ) contest, a competition for companies to kick-start their online businesses. To enter, companies (whether .US or otherwise) must submit their business story and information via LINK. Two lucky winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., May 20-24, 2012, to spend two full days at National Small Business Week. Additionally, winners will receive a complete website design from a top firm, as well as a local advertising campaign customized specifically for their businesses -- in total, a $12,000 value. To learn more about the “Dream Big” contest, visit http://www.kickstartamerica.us .

About Neustar, Inc.

Neustar, Inc., /quotes/zigman/373855/quotes/nls/nsr NSR +0.52% is a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information and analysis to the Internet, telecommunications, entertainment, advertising and marketing industries throughout the world. Neustar applies its advanced, secure technologies in routing, addressing and authentication to its customers’ data to help them identify new revenue opportunities and network efficiencies, and institute cybersecurity and fraud protection measures. More information is available at www.neustar.biz .

SOURCE: Neustar, Inc.

Neustar Susan Wade, 571-434-5307 Susan.Wade@neustar.biz

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Benefit Administrators Say TriZetto’s ‘Flexible Solutions’ Support Growth, New Lines of Business, Response to Healthcare Reform - Marketwatch

DENVER, Apr 11, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Third-party administrator (TPA) clients of The TriZetto Group, Inc., today lauded the company’s “flexible solutions,” noting that they have helped their businesses grow and pursue new opportunities.

“Our company once provided only self-funded benefits administration services for employer groups,” recalled Larry Dust, chief executive officer of Key Benefit Administrators (KBA), an Indianapolis-based TPA with some 200,000 members. “Today, fewer than half our members are served by self-funded health plans. TriZetto’s flexible QicLink™ enterprise core administration system has accommodated the evolution of our business model.”

KBA, a longstanding TriZetto client, provides claims administration services for a dozen healthcare payers that offer fully insured plans, in addition to supporting the traditional self-funded plan model. Many of these fully insured plans provide limited medical benefits, accident, cancer and other supplemental coverage.

“These plan designs aren’t cookie-cutter; they present special challenges and could require lots of manual touches,” Dust said. “But not with TriZetto’s benefits administration solution. Its stable, scalable platform streamlines the administration of traditional and alternative plan designs.”

In 2002, Dust developed the American Health Data Institute (AHDI), a population health management (PHM) solution for the benefits administrator market. The nation’s largest database of a consistently applied PHM methodology, AHDI has helped more than 98 percent of its employer customers keep the cost of care below the rate of inflation in medical trend.

The solution is available to TriZetto’s TPA clients through the company’s Premier Partnership Program™, a suite of optimally priced vendor tools and services pre-integrated with TriZetto’s core administration platform.

Dust believes TPAs that use TriZetto’s integrated benefits administration and PHM solution are poised for success under healthcare reform. Steve Rasnick, president of TriZetto client Self Insured Plans LLC, couldn’t agree more and founded Accountable Care Administration LLC to pursue an especially promising, post-reform opportunity.

“Accountable care organizations (ACOs) present a great opportunity for TPAs,” said Rasnick. “Those ACOs which meet quality-of-care targets and save money for their clients will retain a portion of the savings. That’s a significant incentive for participating providers and for self-funded employer groups, which pay only for claims they actually incur. Uniquely, TriZetto has the integrated solution to help improve population health, control claim costs and administer self-funded benefits under the ACO model of care delivery in the Medicare, Medicaid and commercial markets.”

Rasnick also sees an opportunity for benefit administrators in health-benefit exchanges and in their precursor, co-ops. Co-ops, he explained, are “mini-exchanges” for which the federal government has set aside some $3 billion in funding. About 30 entities so far have filed to create co-ops.

Rasnick said TriZetto’s enterprise administration solution is flexible enough to support TPAs in serving both the co-op and exchange markets. “I’ll put it this way: Over the years, I founded 19 TPAs serving as many as a million lives and paying billions in claims, and I licensed TriZetto’s solution for them all. I never had to walk away from a prospect because TriZetto’s platform was unable to support our administration of their plan.”

Naples, Fla.-based Self Insured Plans has found great value in TriZetto’s business management services, as well. For five years the company has used TriZetto’s trained examiners and other expert staff to administer claims and customer service. “Ten years ago, a TPA’s value prop was in how well and fast it paid claims,” said Rasnick. “Today, our value is in population health management and cost control through risk management. TriZetto’s enabled us to redirect our resources to these priorities and points of differentiation without compromising high service levels.”

”While we’re delighted to work with our many new TPA clients, TriZetto’s also very proud to have served a number of benefit administrators for decades,” said Rob Scavo, regional market president at TriZetto. “Larry’s and Steve’s organizations have been valued partners for more than a quarter century. Over the years, they’ve been extremely nimble in positioning and repositioning for success, and through their drive, innovation and success, they’ve made us better, as well.”

TriZetto serves 107 benefit administrators. These TPAs administer the underlying self-funded medical and dental claims of nearly 6 million member lives and often provide additional offerings, including reinsurance, voluntary benefits, COBRA, short- and long-term disability, fully insured products, consumer-driven plans, long-term care and Medicare supplement. TriZetto’s Premier Partnership Program is an exclusive offering that leverages the company's industry-leading QicLink claims administration platform, and its largest single source of self-funded employer membership, to generate attractive pricing, packaging and QicLink system integration from key businesses. These businesses provide TriZetto’s TPA clients with information systems and services -- such as AHDI and a national proprietary network -- that can improve efficiency, competitive advantage and management of plan risk.

About TriZetto

TriZetto provides world-class information technology and service solutions that help payers and providers work more efficiently and collaborate to deliver better health. TriZetto solutions touch over half the U.S. insured population and reach more than 100,000 care providers. TriZetto helps healthcare organizations achieve compliance; enhance administrative efficiency; improve the cost, quality and delivery of care; and compete to win in an emerging retail market. Payer solutions include benefits administration, care management, network management and portal platforms, as well as consulting, application management and business management services. Provider solutions include real-time eligibility assurance and claims editing and revenue cycle management technology and services that help providers get paid quickly and accurately.

For more information, visit www.trizetto.com .

SOURCE: TriZetto

The TriZetto Group Loren Finkelstein, 303-542-2460 loren.finkelstein@trizetto.com or Schwartz MSL Boston Davida Dinerman/Nicole Solera, 781-684-0770 trizetto@schwartzmsl.com

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German Investments in Printed Electronics Bearing Fruit - Marketwatch

BERLIN, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Germany is investing EUR 410 million in printed electronics research between 2012 and 2015. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research recently extended its Photonics Research Germany program. Efforts to commercialize new technologies are also taking off. Just last month, Heliatek opened a new factory for the production of organic thin-film solar panels.

"Printed electronics is generating research results and drawing investors to Germany. Generous R&D programs and private sector investments make Germany a top location for innovative companies," states Max Milbredt, printed electronics expert at Germany Trade & Invest.

Germany Trade & Invest experts will be at this year's Printed Electronics Europe/Photovoltaics Europe, taking place on April 3-4 in Berlin, to share the latest opportunities in Europe's largest market.

The Photonics Research Germany program supports new developments in printed and organic electronics. The program focuses on organic photovoltaics and OLED lighting. In both fields, Germany is already a global technology leader.

"We offer more than R&D. Germany is the largest market in Europe, making it a natural location for companies looking to commercialize and distribute innovative products across the entire continent," continues Milbredt.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

Germany Trade & Invest Andreas Bilfinger Email: andreas.bilfinger@gtai.com T: +49(0)30200099-173 F: +49(0)30200099-511

http://www.gtai.com http://twitter.com/gtai_com http://youtube.com/gtai http://www.linkedin.com/company/germany-trade-&-invest

SOURCE Germany Trade and Invest

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DePaul Industries, Albertina Kerr Centers & Others Join Forces to Secure Competitive Employment Opportunities for People with Significant Disabilities - Marketwatch

PORTLAND, Ore., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Focusing on integrated solutions for competitive employment, four nonprofit organizations in the Portland metro area will drive employment growth for people with developmental disabilities in the region's large businesses via the highly successful Project SEARCH program.

A new partnership has been formed to expand the nationally-acclaimed Project SEARCH program in the Portland metro area. DePaul Industries, Albertina Kerr Centers, Port City Development Center, and Bethesda Lutheran Communities will combine resources to work together with large local businesses to improve employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Project SEARCH is a national workforce development program designed to simultaneously serve businesses and people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities through an innovative career development approach. Participants are hired directly by large businesses and, working side-by-side with non-disabled colleagues, are supported by an on-site Project SEARCH job coach who acts as a single point of contact for training and accommodation. In this setting, participants have shown to decrease turnover rates and increase morale. DePaul Industries began spearheading the program in Oregon and has established successful partnerships with The Standard, Providence Health & Services, and Oregon Health & Science University.

"I am very excited about The Project SEARCH Partnership," states Erin Riehle, Co-Founder of Project SEARCH at the Cincinnati, OH Children's Hospital in 1996, "As I believe that this will enable the organizations involved to take the next step in the growth and development of the program. I am very appreciative of DePaul Industries' efforts in spearheading Project SEARCH and in establishing relationships with some of the most prestigious businesses in the area."

The collaboration is an ideal methodology for Oregon's 'Employment First' initiative, requiring that employment in integrated work settings be the priority option for adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. The Partnership's primary focus, however, is on the business solutions that Project SEARCH provides--reducing turnover, stabilizing departments, and leveraging a dedicated, qualified workforce.

"The Project SEARCH Partnership will result in fulfilling, integrated jobs for people with developmental disabilities," says Dave Shaffer, President & CEO of DePaul Industries. "In turn, these jobs will produce positive business results--as they already have shown in our current sites. We are determined to do more."

About DePaul Industries:

Since 1971, DePaul Industries has focused on its vision of changing the landscape of employment of people with disabilities while growing into the Northwest's most comprehensive outsourcing specialist. DePaul helps people with disabilities to have the opportunity to work through a self-sustaining business model that generates more than 97% of revenue through the operation of three core businesses: food packaging & contract manufacturing, temporary staffing services, and security services. To date, DePaul has trained or employed in excess of 15,000 people with disabilities and paid wages and benefits of more than $200 million. For more information about DePaul Industries, visit depaulindustries.com.

About Albertina Kerr Centers:

Every day Albertina Kerr helps children, families and adults living with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, empowering them to lead fuller, self-determined lives. A private non-profit organization founded in Portland in 1907, Kerr utilizes more than 91 cents of every dollar on programs and services for Oregonians. For more information about Albertina Kerr, call 503.239.8101 or visit AlbertinaKerr.org.

About Port City Development Center:

Since 1978, Port City Development Center has been providing employment, job training and support services for people with developmental disabilities in the Portland metro community. Its production, art and farming, job development, community volunteers, fabric arts, silk-screening, woodworking, custodial and other programs provide meaningful work, skills building and community integrations opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on Port City Development Center, visit portcitydevelopment.org.

About Bethesda Lutheran Communities:

Bethesda Lutheran Communities provides resources to educate friends, families, congregations and other service providers about developmental disabilities. For more information on Bethesda Lutheran Communities, visit bethesdalutherancommunities.org.

SOURCE DePaul Industries

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China's Smart Cities Offer $153 Billion Opportunity - Marketwatch

BOSTON, Mar 20, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- China’s build-out of “smart cities” is significantly smaller than suggested by the hype, but still represents a $153 billion opportunity across 54 projects, mostly in the southern and eastern provinces, according to a Lux Research report. Among the 54 “real” projects, 35 are scoped at city level -- in some of the country’s largest and most crowded cities, including Beijing and Shanghai -- and account for $76.2 billion, nearly half the total investment. Seventeen projects are at the sub-city level and two at the city cluster level.

“The big winners from this investment activity in the next five years will be telecommunications providers and infrastructure suppliers with the best market channels in the Yangtze Delta and Pearl Delta,” said Jerrold Wang Lux Research Analyst and one of the lead authors of the report titled, “Intelligent Navigation of China's Smart Cities.”

“For prospective foreign participants in China’s smart city growth, opportunities still exist,” added Zhuo Zhang, another lead author. “However, care is needed to navigate China’s increasing sensitivity about information security while still leveraging the ability to introduce advanced technologies and systems integration experience.”

Lux researchers assessed real on-the- ground realities through a detailed project-by-project analysis, supplemented by extensive interviews with government officials, state-owned enterprises, academics, and technology providers. Among their conclusions:

-- Telecom will be the biggest beneficiary. The bulk of the spending on smart cities will be on telecommunications because of the need to build robust infrastructure to support the proliferation of data transmission. From 2011 to 2015, Lux Research estimates the investment on data transmission at $96 billion, or more than 60% of the total investment.

-- Sub-city projects have the most reliable stakeholders. City cluster projects have the highest average project investment but are hindered by the weak ability of lower tier cities to manage large projects. In contrast, sub-city projects are, on average, more investment intensive because of the leading cities’ higher GDP and the resulting stronger ability to make large investments.

-- Foreign companies’ future unclear. Foreign IT companies like Ericsson, IBM and Cisco have enjoyed early access to China’s market but their future is cloudy due to expected Chinese demand for reciprocity and government concerns about information security. There is no definitive threshold that could preclude foreign companies but the barriers will get higher with the rise of the big three telecoms and entities such as CASIC, Digital China and State Grid.

“Intelligent Navigation of China's Smart Cities” is part of the Lux China Innovation Intelligence service. For more information on how Lux Research can help your organization make strategic technology decisions, see www.luxresearchinc.com .

About Lux Research

Lux Research provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.

SOURCE: Lux Research

Lux Research, Inc. Carole Jacques, 617-502-5314 carole.jacques@luxresearchinc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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Opportunity for China courts in war of words - Marketwatch

By Katherine Wilhelm

BEIJING ( Caixin Online ) — The battle between a Chinese novelist and fraud-busting journalist has done more than entertain the public. It has triggered a lively and healthy debate about the acceptable boundaries of free speech in a modern society.

The case has also highlighted a number of gaps in China’s defamation law regime, illustrating the pressing need for the Supreme People’s Court to issue more clear and complete rules to protect free speech in the interests of cultural and economic development.

Although under China’s civil law system, judges issuing decisions in individual cases cannot make law as they do in the United States, the Supreme People’s Court has been the main lawmaker in the defamation area and it probably will retain that role for some time.

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The Tort Liability Law that was enacted by the National People’s Congress in 2010 mentions the right of reputation among other protected rights but does not define it, nor does it provide guidance about how to distinguish legitimate criticism from defamation.

The only guidance on those points has come from the Supreme People’s Court in its 1993 and 1998 judicial explanations about the right of reputation. Unfortunately, these explanations are also far from detailed enough. This has left judges to feel their own way when they hear cases. Some judges have allowed more room for “fair comment” regarding issues of public concern than others. A few have even adopted the famous New York Times Co. v. Sullivan concept of setting a different standard for defamation when the plaintiff is a public figure, although so far none of the cases in which the public figure concept has been adopted have involved government officials.

But these efforts to allow more breathing room for citizens to express themselves have been sporadic and inconsistent, lacking a clear legal foundation. China’s incomplete defamation law fails to meet the needs of a society in which weibo allow anyone with a computer to share his ideas — instantly and perhaps without much thought — with millions of others. The technology threshold for free speech is lower than ever, but where is the legal threshold?

Public-radio program "This American Life" has retracted an episode that had been critical of Apple's manufacturing practices in China, saying that it contained "significant fabrications." Photo: AP

The Internet debate over the past month about the Han Han-Fang Zhouzi case has raised many important questions. How much room should members of the public have to air their opinions about the writings of a famous author who lives in the public eye?

If those opinions are not just idiosyncratic judgments about whether the writings are good or bad, but conclusions about an underlying, unproven fact (who actually wrote Han Han’s books and essays), how should the law separate statements of opinion from statements about facts? Who should bear the burden of proof: Should Han Han have to prove that he wrote his books or should Fang Zhouzi have to prove he didn’t? If Fang Zhouzi reasoned logically from correct facts but ended up with the wrong conclusion, how should the law treat his statements?

In the United States, where the free exchange of ideas is believed to help drive social and economic development, the courts have worked out rules for deciding those questions. Ever since the New York Times case in 1964, public figures have been expected to be more tolerant of criticism than private figures. This is because they have voluntarily entered the public arena, derive benefits from their public roles and have ample opportunity to present their own side in any debate.

Not every famous person is a public figure, but people who have deliberately put themselves into the public eye are often deemed public figures. Public figures can win libel battles, but it is harder because they have the burden of proving with “clear and convincing evidence” (more than just a “preponderance of evidence”) that the disputed statement is false. They also must prove that the speaker either knew or recklessly ignored warning signals that the statement was false. That is the meaning of “actual malice,” which often is misunderstood to be a description of the mindset of the speaker. In fact, the law is not really interested in the speaker’s intent; it only asks how much care he took to make sure that his facts were correct.

Another American rule that would likely come into play in the Han-Fang case is the distinction between statements of fact and statements of opinion. This follows directly from the definition of libel as a false statement that harms a person. If a statement is true, even if it causes harm, it is not libelous. (It may, however, be an invasion of privacy.)

Logically, if a statement is entirely a matter of opinion that cannot be proven true or false — for example, “apples taste better than oranges” — it cannot be libelous. As the U.S. Supreme Court has said: “Under the First Amendment, there is no such thing as a false idea. However pernicious an opinion may seem, we depend for its correction not on the conscience of judges and juries, but on the competition of other ideas.”

McDonald's Corp. and Carrefour SA apologized to Chinese consumers after a state-owned television station accused the fast-food giant of selling products past their sell-by windows. The quick apology highlights the pressures foreign companies can face in China, as well as rising food-safety worries there. (Video: REUTERS/Photo: Bobby Yip)

Many statements of opinion actually infer a set of unstated facts. Such statements are called “mixed opinions,” and the law may treat them as libelous if the facts on which the opinions are based turn out to be false. An example used by the U.S. Supreme Court is the statement: “In my opinion, John Jones is a liar.”

This statement implies some underlying assumed set of facts, some background story that led the speaker to conclude that John Jones has lied at least once in his life.

According to the U.S. Supreme Court, “Even if the speaker states the facts upon which he bases his opinion, if those facts are either incorrect or incomplete, or if his assessment of them is erroneous, the statement may still imply a false assertion of fact.” In other words, the statement that “in my opinion, John Jones is a liar” might be libelous if the speaker misheard what John Jones said. If the factual foundation of the opinion is erroneous, the opinion is vulnerable to a libel claim.

On the other hand, in some U.S. states, if the speaker fully states the factual basis for his opinion, then even if it turns out that his facts are wrong, the speaker is not liable for libel. In Massachusetts, for example, the state Supreme Judicial Court has said that it protects expressions of opinion based on disclosed facts “because we trust that the recipients of such opinions will reject ideas which he or she finds unwarranted by the disclosed information.”

In general, American courts presume that reasonable readers are able to filter a certain amount of name-calling, hyperbole and speculation in return for the many benefits that flow from a lively marketplace of ideas.

These American rules are obviously just one way to address these issues. Some societies place considerable weight on personal “honor” and punish public speculation about wrongdoing unless it can be irrefutably proven. The downside is that it can be much more difficult to correct wrongdoing because no one dares to say anything.

Millions of supporters of Han Han and of Fang Zhouzi are waiting to see how a Shanghai court will analyze the complex issues in that case. This litigation has the potential to be not only a vehicle for dispensing justice between the parties, but an opportunity for China’s judiciary to take a new look at the libel law and improve it in the light of the demands of an increasingly free-speaking modern society.

Read this article on Caixin Online.

The author is director of the Beijing office of the China Law Center at Yale Law School.

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VIASPACE Provides Giant King(TM) Grass Business Update: Part Two--Asia - Marketwatch

IRVINE, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- VIASPACE Inc. /quotes/zigman/382884 VSPC -1.23% , and its subsidiary VIASPACE Green Energy Inc. /quotes/zigman/583847 VGREF 0.00% today provided a business update on recent bioenergy and pellet activities and opportunities in Asia for its proprietary dedicated energy crop Giant King(TM) Grass. On March 7, 2012, the company issued a similar update on Europe and the Americas.

CEO Dr. Carl Kukkonen reports "Asia represents a large potential market for Giant King Grass based bioenergy projects. On the pellet side --China has restricted the use of coal in small boilers and this has led to a new Chinese domestic demand for pellets. Additionally, a new law in Korea requires the use of biomass for electricity generation and this is leading to a market for pellets. Korean utilities and fuel traders are actively seeking sources of biomass pellets, and are co-investing in pellet projects. Southern China and Southeast Asia have ideal climates to grow Giant King Grass, and the transportation distances to customers in Asia are much shorter than distances to customers in Europe. This leads to very favorable economics for pellet projects. European pellet buyers are also active in soliciting pellet supply from Southeast Asia. VIASPACE is pursuing several pellet opportunities in Asia."

Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines are actively promoting biomass power plants for electricity generation through government initiatives and feed in tariffs. A feed in tariff is a commitment from the government electrical grid to purchase biomass electricity at a specific price for a specified period of time. A feed in tariff is essentially a government guarantee to buy the electricity and this guarantee can be used to obtain equity and debt financing for the project.

Kukkonen traveled to Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar in February where he met with current and potential partners for biomass electric power plants in these countries. Representatives from the Philippines and Malaysia flew to California in December to meet with us. In February, Kukkonen also met with representatives of Seema Energy who are developing a 90 MW biomass power plant in Thailand to be fueled by Giant King Grass. Kukkonen also met with Owl Energy, the power consulting company that conducted the feasibility study and developed the Request for Proposals for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) for the Seema Energy project in Thailand. Kukkonen met with one of the EPC firms to brief them on Giant King Grass as a dedicated energy crop.

Kukkonen continued, "In Bangkok, I met with our power plant partner DP CleanTech to discuss the range of potential projects around the world utilizing their exclusive boiler technology with Giant King Grass. DP CleanTech has built 27 biomass power plants over the last six years. Their expertise is in high-temperature high-pressure power plants using straws such as Giant King Grass as fuel."

"I also went to Myanmar (also known as Burma) to explore future business opportunities. The US currently has sanctions against Myanmar, but things are changing quickly. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Myanmar in December and Senators John McCain and Mitch McConnell have recently traveled to Myanmar. Pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is running for Parliament in the April 1 elections. The US has restored diplomatic relations with Myanmar and President Obama spoke well of Burma in his State of the Union address. If things continue to go forward, the sanctions will likely be removed and Myanmar will represent a significant business opportunity. After being closed for 50 years, Myanmar is anticipating very rapid development and electricity is an important part of their plan."

Finally, Kukkonen was invited to make a presentation at the 2nd Biomass & Pellets Update Asia Conference held in Bangkok on February 17, 2012. Other speakers were from Poyry Management Consulting of Finland and Singapore, Vyncke Energietechniek of Belgium, and pellet equipment manufacturers--Kahl from Germany, CPM from the US, Prodesa from Spain, and Muyang from China. Dr. Kukkonen's presentation "Giant King Grass for Bioenergy and Pellets" is available on the VIASPACE website at www.VIASPACE.com .

About VIASPACE Inc.

VIASPACE is a clean energy company providing products and technology for renewable and alternative energy that reduce or eliminate dependence on fossil and high-pollutant energy sources. Through its majority-owned subsidiary VIASPACE Green Energy Inc., the Company grows Giant King Grass as a low-carbon fuel for electricity generating power plants, for energy pellets, as a feedstock bio methane production and cellulosic biofuels, and for other low-carbon, renewable energy products. For more information, please go to www.VIASPACE.com or contact Dr. Jan Vandersande, Director of Communications, at 800-517-8050 or IR@VIASPACE.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Information in this news release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, risks outlined in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as well as general economic and business conditions; the ability to acquire and develop specific products and technologies; changes in consumer and business demand for the Company's products; competition from larger companies; changes in demand for alternative and clean energy; risks associated with international transactions; risks related to technological change; and other factors over which VIASPACE has little or no control.

SOURCE VIASPACE Inc.

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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Turner Construction Company Named A Top 50 Organization for Multicultural Business Opportunities - Marketwatch

SAN DIEGO, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- For the third consecutive year, Turner Construction Company is honored to be named one of DiversityBusiness.com's Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities. This list recognizes American organizations that provide the most and best business opportunities for companies owned by women and minorities.

The organizations that appear on DiversityBusiness.com's list are selected through an online survey of more than 1,250,000 woman and minority-owned businesses across many market sectors. The chosen organizations distinguish themselves by establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with diverse suppliers and subcontractors. Turner Construction Company has awarded more than 52,000 contracts, with a total value of more than $18 billion, to minority and woman-owned businesses since 1979. Last year alone, Turner Construction Company awarded more than $1 billion in contracts to minority and woman-owned businesses.

Shawn Rosenberger, Vice President and General Manager of Turner Construction Company, San Diego, said, "Providing opportunities for minority and woman-owned business enterprises is one of the cornerstones of our corporate culture. In fact, for each year of the past six years, we have awarded more than $1 billion in contracts to minority and woman-owned subcontractors nationwide."

Turner Construction Company's support for minority and woman-owned businesses is achieved through a number of means, including offering the Turner School of Construction Management. This program seeks to improve the economic viability of minority and woman-owned businesses by enhancing their managerial, technical, and administrative skills. Since 2005, Turner's San Diego office has had over 500 graduates from the Turner School of Construction Management. In 2011, Turner Construction Company held three sessions in San Diego, in partnership with local agencies, community members, and associations.

Turner Construction Company's Community Affairs Director, Vera Howell, states, "Our involvement with small businesses in the construction community is an integral part of our business. Small business subcontractors who participate on Turner jobs will understand that we manage partnerships for growth and not failure."

Turner Construction Company is the leading general builder in the U.S., ranking first or second in all major segments of the building construction field. For more information, visit www.turnerconstruction.com .

Media Contact: Beth BingerBCIMobile: (619) 987-6658beth.binger@BCIpr.com

SOURCE Turner Construction Company

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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Yelp soars, Facebook a better opportunity - Marketwatch

Nigam Arora is an engineer, nuclear physicist, author, and entrepreneur and the founder of two Inc. 500 fastest growing companies. He is also the developer of the ZYX Change Method to profit from change by investing. The premise is that most money is made by predicting change before the crowd. Arora is the chief investment officer at The Arora Report and the editor of four newsletters that track the ZYX Change Method. Nigam can be reached at Nigam@TheAroraReport.com.

/conga/trading-deck/bios/arora_nigam.html 174410 The trading deck is powered by By Nigam Arora

Yelp /quotes/zigman/9021597/quotes/nls/yelp YELP +61.32% , an online review site that publicizes itself as connecting “people with great local businesses,” is soaring in a 1999-style move on its first day of trading, but I believe there are better opportunities in this space.

Yelp’s mainstay is restaurant reviews, with the shopping category, mostly of local businesses, right behind. The company has three revenue streams: advertising, local subscriptions and daily deals.

Yelp’s IPO was marketed in the range of $12 to $14. Last night, the stock was priced at $15, higher than expected. It started trading about an hour after the market open, opening at $22 and, as of this writing, is at $24.65, up almost 65%.

Yelp offered 7.1 million shares and at $15 per share raised $106.5 million. At the current trading price, the company is valued at about $1.5 billion.

This is an expensive stock considering revenue in 2011 was only $83.3 million. The company lost $16.7 million last year. However, the market is excited about the potential for fast growth; revenue in 2011 was 74.6% higher than the prior year.

Yelp claims it attracts 66 million unique visitors a month. The company also claims that it generated revenue from 24,000 businesses.

But there is no arguing it is in an extremely competitive space. Based on our analysis using the ZYX Change Method , Google Places from Google /quotes/zigman/93888/quotes/nls/goog GOOG -0.29% has a better model for local businesses. Of course, implementation by Google on top of the base model leaves much to be desired. But Google has the money and intellectual capacity to catch up.

In addition, an important arrow in Google's quiver is Zagat, a very popular restaurant review service that provides ratings on a 30-point scale. Ratings include food, cost and service. In 2011, Google bought the company for $151 million.

Other competitors include Open Table /quotes/zigman/113163/quotes/nls/open OPEN -0.88% , which is also well situated to compete with Yelp, and in the daily-deal business, Groupon /quotes/zigman/7212269/quotes/nls/grpn GRPN -1.49% and Living Social.

Investors who were able to get Yelp in the IPO may consider taking profits on Yelp and work toward getting shares of Facebook /quotes/zigman/8607696 FB 0.00% .

Yelp can be easily replaced, but Facebook cannot be recreated.

In our opinion, investors with serious interest in this space may consider selling Groupon, Yelp and Angie's List /quotes/zigman/7312483/quotes/nls/angi ANGI -2.85% . The companies we feel are the strongest and potential buys are Renren /quotes/zigman/5001751/quotes/nls/renn RENN +6.20% , GSV Capital /quotes/zigman/5327596/quotes/nls/gsvc GSVC +1.16% , Sina Corporation /quotes/zigman/82699/quotes/nls/sina SINA +8.26% , Zynga /quotes/zigman/7720406/quotes/nls/znga ZNGA +1.59%  and Facebook /quotes/zigman/8607696 FB 0.00% .

These shares can be highly volatile. It is critical that investors properly time their buys and sells using a proven method with a track record of generating profits in the technology sector.

Disclosure: Nigam Arora, his hedge fund and subscribers to the ZYX Buy Change Alert are long RENN and GSVC.

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Diversified Global Holdings Group Initiates Investor Relations Program - Marketwatch

ORLANDO, Fla., Mar 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Diversified Global Holdings Group Inc. /quotes/zigman/7142118 DGHG +28.79% announced today that it has engaged Bibicoff + MacInnis, Inc., a full service investor relations and strategic planning firm, to increase investment community awareness of the Company. Bibicoff + MacInnis will initially concentrate on developing and implementing communications strategies and programs specifically targeting the retail brokerage, institutional and investment banking communities.

Harvey Bibicoff, President and CEO of Bibicoff + MacInnis, stated, "Some of the reasons we find DGHG an interesting investment opportunity are its rapid growth since inception, its strong asset base, the depth & breadth of management's relationships, and the vast opportunities created by the robust commercial growth in Russia."

Through its subsidiaries, Diversified Global Holdings operates in three principal business segments -construction, real estate development and business consulting - primarily in Russia.

Wall Street's Growing Interest in Russia

-- Morgan Stanley recently committed the first $1billion to purchase a mall in Moscow from a $4 billion real estate fund;

-- Marriot, Schlumberger, Ikea, and Pepsi are examples of recent business activity in Russia;

-- J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc., and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. executives have all met with the Russian President to discuss ways to support the growing American investment interest;

-- Russian economy grew by over 4% last year;

-- Russia's national debt is approximately 8% of GDP (compared with 105 % for the U.S.);

-- Retail sales are rising; U.S. exports to Russia grew 11% in 2010 to nearly $6 billion.

Bibicoff continued, "Since its inception in 2009, Diversified Global Holdings has built itself into a meaningful construction and real estate development company (with multiple marquis projects) in Kazan, one of the most rapidly developing commercial centers in Russia. The Company already has the asset base and revenues to make it significant. We believe management has the expertise to direct and grow its existing businesses, the relationships to see many important growth opportunities in Russia, and the ability to capitalize on them."

Kazan, Russia's third capital which was rated the second best city for business by Forbes, has a $14 billion expansion budget. DGHG's latest Kazan project is a $30 million contract to complete construction of the Lily Stadium by the end of this year for the World Summer Universiade 2013 Games. Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympics and DGHG expects to be awarded a contract to construct the Kazan Universiade training village for 10,000+ athletes. The Company is actively focused on additional opportunities, including the FIFA World Cup games held in Russia in 2018.

U.S. Investments in Russia Are Becoming Increasingly Attractive

-- Its GDP has been growing at over 4% per year;

-- Major U.S. companies are actively doing business in Russia;

-- It is not a member of the EU and is not struggling with those debt issues;

-- Investments in Kazan grew 40% in 2011, with 80% of the funds invested in the construction of business and residential real estate.

Company Outlook and Milestones

Richard Lloyd, CEO of Diversified Global Holdings Group Inc., said, "We look to Bibicoff + MacInnis to support our increasing activities in the areas of investment banking and investor communications. Now is the right time to step up our efforts in these areas. We have completed a series of successful acquisitions and are now focused on securing the financing to monetize our largest real estate asset -- a $184 million property in Kazan. With a 2012 current backlog in excess of $35 million, we are confident that this year we will exceed 2011 revenues. We look forward to executing on the growing number of substantial new business opportunities before us."

About Diversified Global Holdings Group Inc.

Diversified Global Holdings Group Inc. is a rapidly growing holdings company with strong subsidiaries worldwide. The Company has proven M&A expertise and intends to maintain its focus in three core divisions (construction, real estate development and business consulting); while expanding its operations in these sectors through acquisitions primarily in emerging markets. For more information, visit diversifiedglobalholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on the Company's current expectations as to future events. However, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Diversified Global Holdings Group Inc.

Investor Relations Contact: Bibicoff + MacInnis, Inc. Terri MacInnis, Dir. of Investor Relations 818.379.8500 terri@bibimac.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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Dubai Launches an International Campaign Highlighting the Opportunities for Global Business - Marketwatch

DUBAI, February 28, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- 'Dubai means business', an international print and online campaign commissioned by Falcon and Associates, launched today. The campaign emphasizes Dubai's strategic key geographical location between east and west and showcases its success stories in trade, infrastructure and entrepreneurship through the use of impressive facts and figures that show that 'when you run the numbers, Dubai means business'.

This press release containing the associated video is available here:

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/newsindex.shtml?/cgi/news/release?id=349675

The campaign's narrative is told by key representatives from the private and public sectors who speak about the opportunities that exist for business, from SMEs to large multinationals, in Dubai.

The campaign will target key international markets where Dubai has existing and growing business and trade relationships extending from Australia and China in the east, through to India and the UK, and as far west as Brazil and the US. Short edits of the films will run on international online media such as Financial Times, The Economist, Wall Street Journal and other leading websites to effectively reach audiences in each of the target markets as well as locally in the UAE and regionally in the Middle East.

Regarding the launch, Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, commented "The campaign strongly demonstrates the energy, growth and opportunity that exist in Dubai. The UAE, and Dubai's, constant pursuit of excellence has solidified the leading global position it holds today. With half of the world's Fortune 500 companies having headquarters here, and 46% of the UAE economy comprising SMEs, Dubai is a global and enabling business hub strategically located between east and west, providing an ideal launching pad for companies of any size".

The campaign will run until June 2012 and will be supported with corresponding print and online banner ads. The films will be available to watch at http://vision.ae/business/numbers

About Falcon & Associates

Falcon and Associates FZ-LLC is an independent strategic advisory and implementation company that was established to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the vision of Dubai both nationally and internationally. Falcon delivers initiatives to help with the long-term strategic positioning of Dubai as part of the UAE, by partnering with businesses and government departments to deliver specific social, economic and trade-related goals.

SOURCE Falcon and Associates FZ-LLC

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund Declares its Quarterly Distribution of $0.16 Per Share - Marketwatch

WHEATON, Ill., Feb 09, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (the "Fund") /quotes/zigman/468577/quotes/nls/fgb FGB -0.83% today declared the Fund's regularly scheduled quarterly distribution payable on February 29, 2012 to shareholders of record on February 24, 2012. The ex-dividend date is expected to be February 22, 2012.

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (FGB): -------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution per share: $0.16 Distribution Rate (annualized) based on the February 8, 2012 NAV of 8.47 % $7.56: Distribution Rate (annualized) based on the February 8, 2012 closing 8.90 % market price of $7.19:

A portion of the distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2012 will be made after the end of 2012.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks to provide attractive total return. The Fund pursues these investment objectives by investing at least 80% of its managed assets in a portfolio of securities of specialty finance and other financial companies that the Fund's investment sub-advisor believes offer attractive opportunities for income and capital appreciation.

First Trust Advisors L.P., the Fund's investment advisor, along with its affiliate First Trust Portfolios L.P., are privately-held companies which provide a variety of investment services, including asset management, financial advisory services, and competitive municipal underwritings, with collective assets under management or supervision of approximately $51 billion as of January 31, 2012 through unit investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, mutual funds and separate managed accounts.

Confluence Investment Management LLC ("Confluence"), an SEC registered investment advisor, serves as the Fund's investment sub-advisor. The investment professionals at Confluence have over 80 years of aggregate portfolio management experience. Confluence provides portfolio management and advisory services to both institutional and individual clients. As of January 31, 2012 Confluence managed or supervised over $1.3 billion in assets.

Past performance is no assurance of future results. Investment return and market value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Principal Risk Factors: Investment in this Fund involves management risk; sub-advisor risk; value investing risk; income risk; specialty finance and other financial companies risks; common stock risk; preferred stock and trust preferred securities risk; convertible securities risk; fixed-income securities risk; lower grade and distressed securities risk; business development company risk; REIT, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities risks; infrastructure trust risk; income trust and master limited partnership risks; tax risks; non-U.S. securities risk; currency risk; liquidity risk; leverage risk; non-diversification risk; inflation/deflation risk; market discount from net asset value risk; and market disruption risk. The risks of investing in the Fund are spelled out in the prospectus, shareholder report and other regulatory filings.

The Fund's daily closing New York Stock Exchange price and net asset value per share as well as other information can be found at www.ftportfolios.com or by calling 1-800-988-5891.

SOURCE: First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund Press Inquiries: Jane Doyle, 630-765-8775 Analyst Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784 Broker Inquiries: Jeff Margolin, 630-915-6784

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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Students Design Virtual ID Badge to Combat Online Hackers - Marketwatch

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A student entrepreneurial team at the University of Utah believes it has come up with a winning business plan for a virtual ID badge that operates off of any mobile device. The team, calling itself EMRID Technologies, developed a product that could be used in place of other common electronic ID badges used by hospitals, defense companies or other firms where securing data is of the utmost importance.

"We essentially replaced traditional username and password authentication systems with a proprietary virtual ID badge," said Austin Aerts, CFO of EMRID Technologies, and accounting student at the David Eccles School of Business. "We knew we had this great idea, but entering Opportunity Quest really taught us the difference between a great idea and a great business plan."

Other EMRID team members were Emily Theisen, CEO of EMRID, and Ph.D. student David Kent of the U's College of Pharmacy, who is also a student at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.

EMRID's business plan recently bested 23 entries made by undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students in the business school's annual Opportunity Quest competition. More than 200 students, mentors, advisors and business team members gathered to contribute to the multi-round competition. Business plan submissions stemmed from the medical, chemical, technological, athletic, social, security and educational fields.

Numerous colleges across Utah host separate Opportunity Quest competitions. Top teams, like EMRID, advance to the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge at the U for a chance to win $40,000. EMRID hopes its technology is innovative enough to win the top prize.

"Employees constantly use personal mobile devices for professional activities, yet sensitive information must continue to be protected by company and governmental standards," Aerts said. "EMRID offers a simple -- yet elegant -- solution to this by turning mobile devices into virtual ID badges. In doing so, they don't need to enter a password that can be hacked and the device can facilitate professional use of personal devices while working within the constraints of current IT and security systems."

Dolly Holt, winner of the fall's techTITANS idea competition, won continued support for her ligament and tendon repair device by placing second in Opportunity Quest. IB-Tape, a sports medicine product team, placed third. TechTITANS, the first of the three competitions in the Utah Entrepreneur Series, precedes Opportunity Quest and the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. For the first time, green energy ideas can earn $100,000 through the Challenge by taking advantage of a new partnership between the Utah Entrepreneur Series and the University of Colorado Boulder.

The 24 entries in the U's Opportunity Quest underlined students' innovative mindset and entrepreneurial tendencies. Several entries emerged from the U's Lassonde Center and Technology Commercialization Office, while others utilized resources such as the Foundry and Student Entrepreneur Conference to develop their ideas. University students were provided access to mentors in the business community, whose expertise helped to refine ideas and give them real-world application.

"Because of my success within techTITANS and Opportunity Quest, I was recently contacted by a company regarding a potential partnership," says Holt.

Opportunity Quest is part of the U's Lassonde Entrepreneur Center, which provides a variety of business and entrepreneurship programs for undergraduates and graduates. The Lassonde Center is jointly managed by the David Eccles School of Business and the Technology Venture Development office.

Learn more about Opportunity Quest and related competitions at www.ues.utah.edu .

Winners of the University of Utah Opportunity Quest

-- First Place ($5,000): EMRID Technologies, University of Utah, Emily Theisen, Austin Aerts, David Kent. Replaces username/password authentication by turning mobile devices into ID badges.

-- Second Place ($3,000): Ligadon, University of Utah, Dolly Holt, Adam Eshenroder, Paul Charles Hogrebe. Medical device to improve ligament and tendon repair after injury.

-- Third Place ($2,000): IB-Tape, University of Utah and Westminster College, Parker Tyler, Jared Turley, Tyler Kjesbo, Camilla Fraschini. Sports medicine product.

SOURCE: University of Utah

University of Utah Tim Cosgrove, 801-573-0938 Director of Opportunity Quest, Utah Entrepreneur Series, MBA Candidate, David Eccles School of Business tim.cosgrove@utah.edu Patrick Metzger, 509-842-4251 Director of Marketing/PR, Utah Entrepreneur Series patrick.metzger@utah.edu Thad Kelling, 801-587-8811 Public Relations Specialist, Technology Venture Development thad.kelling@utah.edu or Method Communications Joshua Heath, 801-461-9794 joshua@methodcommunications.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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Citi and Enterprise Community Loan Fund Team up with Next Street on Growth Financing for Small Business - Marketwatch

NEW YORK, Feb 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Citi Community Capital and Enterprise Community Loan Fund announced today they are investing a combined $30 million in the new Next Street Opportunity Fund aimed at igniting small business growth and hiring in New York City and Boston. The investing partners view the new fund as a prototype for potential expansion and roll-out to other cities.

The initiative combines growth financing with the sophisticated expertise business owners need to expand in a tough environment. "Management expertise is as critical as capital in getting a company to the next level," says Next Street President Ronald L. Walker, II. "We're bringing a Fortune 500 skill-set to urban small business."

Next Street delivers financing and strategic advice to companies with annual revenues of $5 million to $60 million that are already significant employers in urban markets. The Opportunity Fund will support business owners in low- and moderate-income communities with strategic planning, organizational development and marketing services. Using the firm's advisory services is a requirement for access to the fund.

"We are proud to invest in the Next Street Opportunity Fund and show our deep commitment to supporting small businesses," said Vikram Pandit, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup. "Helping small companies grow and create jobs strengthens our communities and is critical to the economic recovery. Partnering with Enterprise, we hope the initiative can become a model and expand to cities across the country."

In September of 2011, Citi announced a commitment of $24 billion in lending over three years: $7 billion in 2011, $8 billion in 2012 and $9 billion in 2013. Citi selected Next Street for the firm's unique track record in helping small companies grow.

Data from the Boston-based research organization Initiative for a Competitive Inner City show that the most successful urban CEOs have powerful ties to their communities. Preserving local ownership and expanding job growth are objectives for the fund.

The local nature of the fund was one of many reasons Enterprise found the fund attractive. "Enterprise helps to create healthy, thriving communities," says Lori Chatman Enterprise Community Loan Fund President. "With the Next Street Opportunity Fund, we're looking forward to working with Citi and Next Street to provide greater access to employment opportunities and to increase investment in urban markets, both necessary components for successful neighborhoods."

Next Street serves as a strategic advisor to the business owner, much like a private equity firm would for their investees, but growth financing is in the form of a loan, rather than a majority stake of the company. This makes the Next Street model more attractive than private equity to family-owned firms.

Next Street founder Tim Ferguson describes the firm as a merchant bank for the urban enterprise. "We can make credit decisions based on a company's potential, not just its history, because we're inside the business working with the owner and her team helping them realize that potential."

Citi, Enterprise, and Next Street expect that growth capital will begin flowing to high-potential small companies this year.

About the Next Street Opportunity Fund

The new fund will provide loans up to $2 million to companies with annual revenues of $3 million to $60 million, operating in low- to moderate-income areas of the Boston and New York markets. Borrowers must have a strong management team and at least 5 to 7 years of successful operations. The fund will provide a mix of senior secured term loans and senior structured loans, with collateral and debt service coverage ratios based on both historical and projected financial performance. For details, including specific markets, visit www.nextstreet.com/opportunity_fund .

About Next Street

Next Street was founded in 2005 on the idea of providing growing companies in urban markets with the same level of expertise that investment banks, Madison Avenue, and the elite consultancies provide to Fortune 500 companies. Next Street portfolio companies now generate $600 million in annual revenues and employ over 4,000 people. Most are located in low-income areas. Two thirds are women- or minority-owned businesses. One third are nonprofit organizations. The firm has worked with over 100 small businesses to date. To learn more about the firm's clients, partners and capabilities, please visit www.nextstreet.com .

About Citi Community Capital

Citi Community Capital (CCC) is a premier financial partner with nationally recognized expertise in financing all types of affordable housing and community reinvestment projects. CCC's origination, structuring, asset and risk management staff across the country provides creative financing solutions designed to meet their clients' needs. CCC helps community development financial institutions, real estate developers, national intermediaries and nonprofit organizations achieve their goals through a broad, integrated platform of debt and equity offerings. Additional information may be found at www.citicommunitycapital.com .

About Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

About Enterprise

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 30 years, Enterprise has introduced neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested more than $11 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve nearly 300,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Visit www.EnterpriseCommunity.org and www.EnterpriseCommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.

SOURCE: Next Street

Next Street Michael Prichinello, 646-369-4044 mikep@modernmessage.com or Citi Scott Helfman, 212-816-9241 scott.helfman@citi.com or Enterprise Heather Raspberry, 410-772-2449 hraspberry@enterprisecommunity.org

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Revenues for U.S. Energy Service Companies to Reach $13 Billion by 2020, According to Pike Research - Marketwatch

BOULDER, Colo., Feb 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- While the energy service company (ESCO) industry has been active for approximately 30 years, it continues to evolve in response to business opportunities and economic trends. Today, newer service offerings, such as demand response and energy management software, enabled by intelligent metering and control systems that afford customers greater flexibility and control over their energy usage, are opening new opportunities for ESCOs. According to a new report from Pike Research, the ESCO market for energy efficiency project installations and services in the United States exceeded $5.1 billion in 2011. Driven by public policies that encourage a greater emphasis on energy efficiency to reduce costs and improve operations, this market is expected to continue to grow faster than the domestic economy and reach at least $13 billion in sales by 2020. Under a more aggressive scenario, the ESCO market could reach $16 billion by 2020, the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts.

"The full impact of recent federal stimulus funding has yet to be realized," says research analyst Brittany Gibson. "But the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has directed billions of dollars into energy efficiency projects at all levels of government and in all geographic regions of the nation, driving increased investment and accelerating innovation among ESCOs."

The ESCO market predominantly takes the form of direct contracting between providers of energy efficiency services and equipment and government agencies, public institutions, and commercial customers -- typically via performance-based contracts, wherein funding for individual projects is based on a promise of "guaranteed savings" to facility owners/managers. In particular, the federal sector's appetite for this energy service performance contract model is growing, helping give rise to a market structure dominated by a group of very large companies that specialize in these contracts. At the same time, project sizes are increasing as clients look for more comprehensive technologies and designs to address their energy consumption. Of particular significance for ESCOs is President Obama's 2009 executive order, which mandates that all federal agencies must achieve a 30% reduction in energy use by 2015.

Pike Research's report, "The U.S. Energy Service Company Market", describes the continuing evolution of the ESCO market, detailing drivers and barriers to deeper penetration of energy efficiency in the U.S. economy. The study focuses on the role that performance contracting is playing as a vehicle for financing efficiency projects for public entities that face budget and credit limitations, as well as the convergence of new technologies and service offerings into traditional energy conservation projects. Key industry players are profiled in depth and market forecasts extend through 2020. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm's website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company's research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.

SOURCE: Pike Research

Pike Research Richard Martin, +1 303-997-7609 press@pikeresearch.com

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Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. Announces Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders - Marketwatch

NEW YORK, Jan 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. /quotes/zigman/436372/quotes/nls/hio HIO -0.31% announced today the results of the votes cast at the Fund's annual meeting of shareholders held on January 27, 2012.

Paolo M. Cucchi and R. Jay Gerken were elected as Class II Directors of the Fund by shareholders of the Fund's common stock to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders in the year 2015 or thereafter when respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. is a diversified closed-end management investment company that is advised by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., and is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of the adviser.

Contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102 for more information or consult the Fund's web site at www.leggmason.com/cef .

All data and commentary provided in this press release are for informational purposes only. Legg Mason, Inc. and its affiliates do not engage in selling shares of the Fund.

SOURCE: Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. 1-888-777-0102 www.leggmason.com/cef

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