Aduro®, a provider of corporate wellness solutions that drive Human Performance, today announced it has partnered with Chipotle Mexican Grill to launch Chipotle's new wellness experience called Strive built on Aduro's proprietary technology. The platform supports mental health goals among restaurant managers, field leaders, and restaurant support center employees.

"On Mental Health Action Day, we applaud Chipotle for their commitment to the mental health and holistic well-being of their people," said Renee Petrie, Aduro Chief Product Officer. "It's so important to eliminate stigma around mental health issues in the workplace. Leveraging this virtual space to reinforce mental health goals and provide easy access to resources, expert coaching, and interactive content is evidence of Chipotle's inclusive and authentic culture of well-being for all employees."

Chipotle's Strive is powered by Aduro's proprietary wellness platform, which delivers personalized well-being experiences focused on six interrelated aspects of life:

Mindset & Resilience, Purpose & Contribution, Lifestyle & Health, Relationships & Community, Development & Growth, Money & Prosperity

"Chipotle understands that it's in everyone's best interest to provide intentional mental health support at work and as part of a holistic approach to well-being," said Dr. Darren White, Aduro CEO. "I am grateful that Chipotle is announcing Strive during Mental Health Awareness Month because they are an influential voice and much-admired brand. Their leadership on this topic will only build on the current momentum for reimagining the role that companies can and should play in the well-being of their employees and how good partnerships ensure all stakeholders have their needs met."

Mental Health Awareness Month (May) was started by Mental Health America (MHA) in 1949 to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Mental Health Action Day (Thursday, May 20, 2021) was created earlier this year by a coalition of nonprofits, leading brands, and cultural leaders to provide tools that help people turn awareness into action in their own communities.

About Aduro

Aduro is a leading provider of corporate wellness solutions that drive Human Performance — existing at the intersection of well-being and performance. We unlock human potential in the workplace by providing expert coaching, interactive content, meaningful incentives, and personalized insights in a fun, inspiring way. This ignites cultures, creates inclusivity and builds social connections that promote growth and flourishing for all people. When people flourish, organizations thrive.

For several years, Aduro has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America and 2021 6th Most Equitable Workplaces in Washington state by the Puget Sound Business Journal. In addition, the Aduro Human Performance Training Program is accredited by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA.) Aduro is here to help you Find Your Fire.

About Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 2,800 restaurants as of March 31, 2021, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. With over 97,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells, founder and former executive chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993.

Sky9 Capital portfolio company TuSimple is first autonomous trucking firm to IPO, listing on Nasdaq at $8.49 billion market capitalization

Sky9 Capital, a venture capital firm investing in Chinese start-ups, announces the flotation of its portfolio company TuSimple on the Nasdaq stock exchange today under the ticker symbol 'TSP' at a market capitalization of $8.49 billion. TuSimple is the global leader in autonomous trucking and is revolutionizing the $4 trillion global truck freight market. Founded in 2015, it has developed a fully integrated software and hardware solution enabling what is believed to be the world's most advanced Level 4 driver-out autonomous semi-truck technology.

Through its innovative technology, TuSimple is able to address some of the trucking industry's most significant challenges, such as a shortage of semi-truck drivers, accidents caused by human error, as well as reducing carbon footprint and helping the environment by providing a more fuel-efficient solution.

A reliable autonomous solution at scale will provide the most viable solution to guarantee freight capacity. Having provided services for the US Postal Service and global shipping firm UPS, TuSimple is geared up to be able to provide this solution universally.

Features of TuSimple's proprietary semi-truck specific technology include a 1,000-meter perception range, a 35-second planning horizon, high-definition maps with accuracy within five centimeters, and an integrated L4 autonomous semi-truck design comprising a fully redundant sensor suite and components.

The IPO of TuSimple occurs just two weeks after the $2.3bn Nasdaq listing of another Sky9 Capital portfolio company, Smart Share Global, which is a consumer tech business providing an innovative mobile device charging network across China under the brand Energy Monster.

Ron Cao, Sky9 Capital Founding Partner: "TuSimple is the most exciting autonomous driving company in the market today with its world-class L4 technology and a complete set of software and hardware solutions. We are delighted to have invested in this groundbreaking business and to partner with TuSimple's exceptional team. We are looking forward to watching the company's development as it continues to advance its technology platform."

About Sky9 Capital:

Sky9 Capital is a technology venture capital firm focused on investing in innovation and disruption in the China market. The partners of Sky9 Capital currently manage over $1.1 billion in AUM. Over the past decade, our team members have invested in companies that have grown into some of China's biggest technology names including: PinDuoDuo, Meituan/Dianping, Energy Monster, TuSimple, Innolight, FangDD, Finvolution, QingCloud, Jianpu Technology, 51World, FaceU/ByteDance, Full Truck Alliance, MetaApp, Tujia and others. For more information, please visit: sky9capital.com

Microsoft forecasts the Next Great Disruption as Hybrid Work

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) ("Microsoft") today announced the findings from its first annual Work Trend Index. Titled "The Next Great Disruption is Hybrid Work – Are We Ready?" the report uncovers seven hybrid work trends every business leader needs to know as we enter this new era of work. The report indicates that business leaders should resist the urge to see hybrid work as business as usual.

"The world is on the brink of a disruption as great as last year's sudden shift to remote work: the move to hybrid — a blended model where some employees return to the workplace and others continue to work from home," says Rosalind Quek, General Manager, Modern Workplace, Microsoft Asia. "Adapting to this new hybrid model will require rethinking of long-held assumptions. The choices you make today will impact your organization for years to come. It's a moment that requires clear vision and a growth mindset. These decisions will impact everything from how you shape culture, to how you attract and retain talent, to how you can better foster collaboration and innovation.".

The last year has fundamentally changed the nature of work and shows that we are on the cusp of workplace disruption. The study revealed the following trends among the workforce in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and Japan.

More likely to change professional paths: 47 percent of workers in Asia are likely to consider changing employers (versus the 41 percent global average) and 56 percent are likely to consider a career change (versus the 44 percent global average). In Japan, this number is much lower, with only 38% of workers likely to consider changing employers within the year.

More connected with co-workers: 35 percent of workers in Asia experienced decreased interactions with co-workers (versus the 40 percent global average).

More free to be their authentic selves: 55 percent of remote workers in Asia and 50 percent in Australia and New Zealand say they are more likely to be their authentic selves at work compared to last year (versus the 44 percent global average).

More productive but exhausted and stressed: While 63 percent of workers in Japan say their productivity levels have remained the same compared to last year (versus the 40 percent global average), 48 percent of workers are feeling exhausted (versus 39 percent global average) and 45 percent feeling stressed (versus the 42 percent global average).

More employers prioritize work-life balance: 61 percent of workers in Australia and New Zealand think that their employer cares about their work-life balance (versus the 50 percent global average).

People are more likely to move now they can work remotely: 50% of remote workers in Australia and New Zealand are likely to move to a new location because they can now work remotely (versus 46% globally).

To help organizations through the transition, the 2021 Work Trend Index outlines findings from a study of more than 30,000 people in 31 countries and analyses trillions of aggregate productivity and labor signals across Microsoft 365 and LinkedIn. It also includes perspectives from experts who have studied collaboration, social capital, and space design at work for decades.

Seven global hybrid work trends every business leader needs to know. One thing is abundantly clear: Microsoft is urging businesses to recognize that work is no longer bound to traditional notions of time and space when it comes to how, when, and where we work.

Flexible work is here to stay: 73 percent of workers surveyed want flexible remote work options to continue, while at the same time, 67 percent are craving more in-person time with their teams.

Leaders are out of touch with employees and need a wake-up call: Research shows that 61 percent of leaders say they are thriving right now – 23 percentage points higher than those without decision making power.

High productivity is masking an exhausted workforce: Fifty-four percent feel overworked. Thirty-nine percent feel exhausted. Australia and China were the only two countries where weekly meeting time didn't triple YOY.

Gen Z is at risk and will need to be re-energized: Sixty percent of this generation — those between the ages of 18 and 25 — say they are merely surviving or flat-out struggling.

Shrinking networks are endangering innovation: Aggregate trends across billions of Microsoft Teams meetings and Outlook emails show interactions with our broader networks diminished with the move to remote work

Authenticity will spur productivity and well-being: Coworkers leaned on each other in new ways to get through the last year. 1 in 6 (17 percent) has cried with a colleague, especially those in healthcare (23%), travel and tourism (21 percent), and education (20 percent).

Talent is everywhere in a hybrid work world: Nearly half (46 percent) of those surveyed are planning to move to a new location this year, indicating that people no longer have to leave their desk, house or community to expand their career opportunities.

WorkLab is a Microsoft digital publication devoted to illuminating the future of work, grounded in research and the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. By bringing together science-based insight and thoughtful, compelling stories on how work is changing, WorkLab's mission is to start larger conversations about the future of work and help customers in the process. microsoft.com/en-us/worklab

Agora, Inc. (NASDAQ: API) ("Agora" or the "Company"), a pioneer and leading platform for real-time engagement APIs, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Easemob, a leading provider of instant messaging APIs and customer engagement cloud services in China, in an all-cash transaction.

"We are empowering developers to bring real-time engagement to more and more online activities," said Tony Zhao, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Agora. "The primary ways for people to engage with others online are video, voice and messaging. We are the leader in video and voice, while Easemob is a leader in messaging. Easemob perfectly complements our product offerings and will accelerate the realization of our vision in making real-time engagement ubiquitous. We are thrilled to welcome Easemob to the Agora family." "Easemob is a company founded by developers and for developers," said Johnson Ma, Co-Founder and CEO of Easemob. "We have known Tony for a long time and are impressed by how persistently Agora has applied the same ‘developer first' philosophy. By joining forces, we believe that we will be able to provide developers with not only the most complete real-time engagement API portfolio on the market, but a truly seamless integration of video, voice and messaging to enable them to create unique user experiences with speed and agility." The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. There is no assurance that the transaction will be completed within the anticipated timeframe, or at all. Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this announcement.

Founded in 2013, Easemob (also known as "Huanxin") is a leading provider of Instant Messaging (IM) APIs and customer engagement cloud services in China. Easemob's IM APIs allows developers to easily embed instant messaging into any application and have consistently ranked as the top IM APIs based on mobile penetration rates in China. Easemob's customer engagement cloud is a Software-as-a-Service product enabling businesses to engage with their users and customers through chat, calls or chatbot.

Agora's mission is to make real-time engagement ubiquitous, allowing everyone to interact with anyone, in any application, anytime and anywhere. Agora's platform provides developers simple, flexible and powerful application programming interfaces, or APIs, to embed real-time video and voice engagement experiences into their applications.

This press release contains ‘‘forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding Agora's financial outlook, beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements include statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "project," "will" and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Among other things, the Financial Outlook in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Agora's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the final prospectus related to the IPO filed with the SEC on June 26, 2020. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Agora undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

more info at agora.io