Tag: partners

Floki Partners with Rice Robotics to Launch AI Companion Robot

Rice Robotics, a Hong Kong-based robotics startup, has announced the launch of an AI-powered companion robot, the Minibot M1, developed in partnership with Floki. The robot will operate on the decentralized RICE AI protocol and integrate features designed to support everyday tasks and foster emotional interaction with users.

“Rice Robotics Unveils Minibot M1, the Only Friend That Pays You in crypto to Hang Out”

The Minibot M1, branded in collaboration with Floki, will function as a personal assistant capable of managing household schedules, retrieving online information, and offering companionship through interactive features like music, storytelling, and conversational engagement. Users interacting with the robot will earn $RICE tokens in return, forming part of a data collection and training ecosystem for robotic intelligence.

The launch of the robot will be accompanied by the introduction of the $RICE token, which will serve as the utility token of the RICE AI protocol. The token will debut on TokenFi Launchpad, with staking opportunities available for holders of $TOKEN, the native token of TokenFi. Airdrops of $RICE will also be issued to holders and stakers of both $FLOKI and $TOKEN.

Rice Robotics has partnerships with several major corporations including SoftBank, Nvidia, Dubai Future Foundation, NTT Japan, and Mitsui Fudosan. Its robots are currently deployed in commercial delivery settings across Japan, including unmanned indoor delivery for 7-Eleven Japan and office services at SoftBank headquarters.

Floki’s involvement marks another step in its broader strategy to expand into tokenized AI and blockchain-enabled services. Through its sister project TokenFi, Floki aims to facilitate the tokenization of real-world assets and data, including AI-generated content and robotic learning models.

Earlier this year, Rice Robotics secured over $7 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Soul Capital, and Audacy Ventures. The company is working toward a decentralized data-sharing model where robots can autonomously exchange training data to improve performance without centralized oversight.

The AI robotics sector is currently valued at approximately $22 billion and is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, according to industry estimates.

SIRO AND VODAFONE ANNOUNCED AS CONNECTIVITY PARTNERS FOR CARRICKMACROSS CTEK2 ENTERPRISE HUB

SIRO and Vodafone have been announced as connectivity partners for Monaghan’s newest enterprise hub, CTEK2. The Carrickmacross enterprise hub was officially opened earlier this month by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D., with representatives from Monaghan County Council, Enterprising Monaghan, elected representatives and other key stakeholders all in attendance.

The CTEK2 Hub has now also joined the Gigabit Hub Initiative. The Initiative is a partnership between SIRO and Vodafone, which brings Gigabit Fibre Connectivity to remote working and digital hubs across Ireland. CTEK2 is joining a host of other successful Hubs across Ireland, such as Dundalk’s Creative Spark, Galway’s PorterShed and Skibbereen Ludgate Hub which have already benefitted from the Initiative. CTEK2 is the 24th Hub to join the Initiative.

The CTEK2 Hub can now provide businesses and tenants with high-speed, high-quality fibre connectivity, supported by SIRO’s 100% fibre network, which can provide speeds of up to 25 Gigabits,  future proofing the service for decades to come. This means that as the bandwidth and speed needs of Monaghan businesses grow in the years to come the CTEK2 Hub can continue to keep pace with their needs.

CTEK2 is already proving hugely popular with the Carrickmacross and wider Monaghan business community, with 11 tenants already availing of the 17 units onsite. The new hub compliments the existing CTEK1 building located next door, which has been open for several years. The new Hub is already supporting 50 jobs. Businesses using the Hub include a home care provider, an accountancy firm, an executive car rental company and physical therapist, among others. Overall, the 1,450-square-meter facility supports regional talent retention, provides a work base for former commuters, and attracts start-ups from Monaghan and surrounding counties.

Offering a range of office options, from hot desks to private spaces, CTEK2 is designed to meet the needs of various users, from solo entrepreneurs to established enterprises. Its extensive facilities, including ample parking and kitchen spaces, allowing tenants to work in a flexible, professional environment close to home. As CTEK2 continues to grow, it plans to host community events and offer further professional development opportunities, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for local business success and innovation.

SIRO is a leading full fibre broadband operator rolling out a 100% fibre broadband network across Ireland. Its network is already available in Carrickmacross and Monaghan town.

Monaghan County Council CEO Robert Burns stated:

“Supporting innovation and driving economic growth in the region are top priorities for Monaghan County Council. We are confident that the partnership between SIRO and Vodafone will significantly advance these goals. The Gigabit Hub Initiative, with its provision of high-speed connectivity, will foster the development of new businesses in the Carrickmacross area and promote sustainable job creation throughout the region.”

SIRO CEO John Keaney said:

“We’re pleased to partner with Monaghan County Council to bring Gigabit connectivity to CTEK2, a vital addition to Carrickmacross that supports local business growth and job creation. Through the Gigabit Hub Initiative, we are committed to empowering business communities across Ireland by providing the high-speed, reliable infrastructure they need to innovate, attract talent, and expand into new markets. CTEK2 is an excellent example of how world-class connectivity can drive regional economic growth, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the local community.”

Vodafone Ireland CEO Amanda Nelson commented: “Vodafone is pleased to partner with Enterprising Monaghan to provide 100% fibre broadband at their new Carrickmacross facility as part of our Gigabit Hub Initiative. This high-speed connectivity will serve as an asset for the facility’s thriving community of businesses, start-ups, and remote professionals, enabling them with the digital infrastructure essential for growth and success, both locally and beyond.”

 

Find out more about CTEK I & 2 at www.enterprisingmonaghan.ie

Find out more about SIRO at www.siro.ie

Solas Business Park Streamlines Operations with OSSM and NetSuite

 OSSM Cloud Solutions, an implementation and integration services provider for Oracle NetSuite solutions, today announces that Solas Business Park has selected NetSuite to improve business efficiency. With NetSuite, Solas Business Park will be able to leverage an integrated business management suite to achieve greater visibility across its business portfolio, streamline operations, and support future growth.

Solas Business Park is the HQ of three businesses in a suite of companies: FreeTV.ie, a retailer of satellite TV and products; The Garden Shop, Ireland’s largest online garden centre with over 100,000 registered customers; and Solas Eco Garden Centre, Ireland’s first Eco Garden Centre consisting of 5 acres of garden plants, shop, play area, restaurant and education centre.

The Group of companies has expanded to over 50 employees, and its portfolio of companies generated €7.4 million in revenue in 2022. Challenged by growing pains, Solas selected OSSM to help implement NetSuite to streamline its financial processes and operations and support its growth.

With the help of NetSuite, Solas can streamline its financial and operations management on a single cloud business system, allowing it to better adapt to change and growth, to drive innovation and remain competitive.

NetSuite will support Solas to improve data accuracy and save time by automating previously manual reporting, bookkeeping, planning, and analysis processes. Additionally, Solas will use NetSuite to automate its inventory management processes, optimise stock levels and demand planning, and help reduce the risk of inventory errors when fulfilling orders.

David Maher, founder of Solas Business Park, said: “There is lots to come in the Solas story as we continue to innovate and remain focused on sustainability, leisure, and audio-visual technology. As our business reached a critical growth stage, it became essential to streamline processes and ensure data accessibility. Supported by NetSuite and OSSM, we can continue to manage growth, enable employee productivity, reduce costs, and dedicate time to focus on innovation and customer service.”

Roger Gribbin, Sales Director, OSSM Cloud Solutions, said: “Solas is a great example of a new-economy business that has sustainability at its core. Its team has a clear vision of how to improve operational efficiency by automating business processes. With NetSuite, Solas can increase business visibility and make data informed decisions that support future growth. We’re excited to assist Solas on its NetSuite journey.”