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Novum Studio Secures New Funding to Launch Ahoy Project, an AI-Native Enterprise Transformation Platform, Building on Its 20-Million-User Gen Z App Frog

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Novum Studio
  • Novum Studio has raised a new round of funding to launch Ahoy Project, its enterprise AI solution, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.
  • Ahoy Project is positioned as the infrastructure for AI-native enterprise transformation – an AI-native communication platform serving as the underlying system, delivered as an end-to-end tailored solution.
  • The launch expands the company beyond Frog, its Gen Z consumer social app that has reached 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe.
  • Novum Studio said it is applying lessons from operating high-frequency social platforms at scale to workplace communication and knowledge systems.

NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – Novum Studio, the company behind Frog – a Gen Z social app often described as a “new-generation Snapchat” – said it has raised a new round of funding and will use the proceeds to launch Ahoy Project, an AI-native enterprise communication and collaboration platform, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.

The Novum Studio team at London Tech Week 2025.

Unlike conventional workplace software, Ahoy Project will not be sold as a standalone software subscription, the company said. Novum Studio provides the infrastructure and a full tailored solution for enterprises undergoing AI-native transformation, with the communication platform serving as the underlying system on which that transformation is built.

Founded as a consumer social company, Novum Studio has reached more than 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe. Frog gained traction among younger users through spontaneous, real-time sharing designed around authenticity and low-pressure interaction. The company said its experience building large-scale social “spaces” – where millions of people communicate, form groups and coordinate in real time — directly informs its approach to enterprise collaboration.

The new funding will support the launch and international expansion of the enterprise business as artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations communicate, collaborate and operate, the company said.

Novum Studio was founded by Anna Danyi, who graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2018 and began her career in consulting and technology. Before founding Novum Studio, she built multiple consumer applications and exited through an acquisition. In 2025, Forbes China recognized her among the Top 100 most influential global Chinese figures in AI digital products area.

“We spent years understanding how millions of users communicate online,” Anna Danyi said. “In the AI era, communication itself is becoming intelligent. We believe the next generation of platforms will not only connect people — they will understand workflows, collaboration and organizational behavior.”

From Consumer Social to Enterprise AI

Modern organizations face growing challenges as critical knowledge, decisions and workflows become fragmented across chats, meetings and disconnected tools, the company said. Ahoy Project addresses this as a conversation-driven, AI-native collaboration layer: it captures context from day-to-day communication to build a searchable enterprise knowledge base and support workflow coordination.

Core capabilities include conversation-based knowledge organization, AI-assisted collaboration and workflow support integrated directly into team communication. Because the platform sits at the layer where work is discussed and decided, it can serve as the foundation for a broader AI-native operating model – with Novum Studio designing and delivering the surrounding transformation solution for each enterprise client.

Ahoy (Popeye AI) turns everyday team conversations into a searchable enterprise knowledge base.

A New Direction for Social Technology

Novum Studio said its expansion reflects a broader shift across the technology industry. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram defined how content was distributed and consumed in the mobile social era; as AI becomes embedded in digital products, the company believes the next stage will center less on feeds and more on intelligent systems that understand communication and coordination.

“We are no longer just building products where people post content,” Anna Danyi said. “We are building systems that understand how humans communicate and operate together.”
 

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Century Group Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Partner, Showcasing Regional Offshore Expansion

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The Nigerian FPSO operator will highlight its fleet capabilities, regional expansion plans and investment partnerships at African Energy Week 2026

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 10, 2026/APO Group/ –Century Group has been confirmed as an Energy Infrastructure and FPSO Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town, reflecting its growing footprint as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous offshore operators. The company’s participation underscores its expanding operational capacity, fleet strength and role in driving local content and infrastructure solutions across Africa.
 




 

Century Group’s operational strategy is evolving beyond traditional service provision toward asset ownership, infrastructure management and regional expansion. In October 2025, the company confirmed it is in ongoing discussions with South African partners about potential oil and gas infrastructure projects, highlighting its interest in deploying FPSO and midstream solutions into new regional markets.

This partnership highlights how African-led solutions are increasingly shaping the continent’s energy landscape

At AEW 2026, Century Group will showcase how indigenous operators can support offshore production stability, build local capacity and forge strategic investment partnerships. Its asset portfolio and regional collaborations reflect Nigeria’s evolving offshore landscape, where local operators are increasingly ensuring production continuity, reducing bottlenecks and connecting domestic output to export markets – capabilities central to discussions at AEW’s upstream and infrastructure sessions.

“At AEW 2026, Century Group will showcase not only its fleet capabilities but also its strategic vision for offshore infrastructure development,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “This partnership highlights how African-led solutions are increasingly shaping the continent’s energy landscape and how indigenous operators can bridge technical execution with regional growth opportunities.”

The company’s broader engagement in continental energy dialogues further underscores its strategic outlook. Century Group executives have advocated for deeper Africa‑Gulf partnerships, identifying Africa’s youthful demographics and growing energy demand as opportunities for joint investment and capability development in global energy markets.

These developments align with a wider shift in Nigeria’s energy ecosystem, where local capacity and policy reforms are boosting indigenous participation, enhancing competitiveness and unlocking private capital. Century Group’s trajectory – from managing FPSO/FSO infrastructure to cross-border expansion and strategic partnerships – reinforces its value as an FPSO partner for AEW and as a leader in Africa’s offshore energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

 




 

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ES-KO Secures Five-Year Catering & Facilities Management Contract Renewal with TotalEnergies EP Congo

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The contract renewal has generated strong momentum, reinforcing alignment, confidence, and renewed energy as ES-KO moves forward into this next chapter alongside TotalEnergies EP Congo

POINTE-NOIRE, Congo (Republic of the), April 10, 2026/APO Group/ –In mid-March, ES-KO (www.ES-KO.com) marked an important milestone in Congo with the renewal of its catering and housekeeping contract with TotalEnergies EP Congo for an additional five years. Awarded following a full tendering process, the renewal affirms ES-KO’s competitiveness, reliability, and operational excellence.
 




 
Download Brochure: https://apo-opa.co/4spz8K0

During the on-site visit, Beatrice Falsetti, ES-KO Operations Manager, and Olivier Guigon, ES-KO Congo General Manager, met with TotalEnergies EP Congo representatives to officially launch this new phase of collaboration. Discussions focused on future priorities, including continuous operational improvement, service quality, and initiatives to further strengthen coordination across sites.

The visit also included a trip offshore to Likouf, one of TotalEnergies EP Congo’s key production sites. Located 75 km off the coast of the Republic of Congo, Likouf is a massive floating production unit (FPU), roughly the size of two football fields and weighing around 80,000 tonnes. Operating 24/7, it is a fully self-contained industrial and living environment.

Likouf is also notable for being the first fully electric FPU, designed to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. Its “all-electric” system provides the power required for operations while minimizing gas combustion, supporting more sustainable offshore production.

Operating in such a remote and high-tech environment presents unique logistical and operational challenges—from complex supply chain coordination to maintaining consistent service standards at sea. Personnel typically live on the platform for rotations of up to one month, making daily life onboard highly structured and repetitive. In this context, ES-KO’s catering and facilities management services play a key role in supporting well-being and morale, bringing comfort, variety, and moments of relief that help break the routine.

Back onshore, ES-KO management gathered at the office to share the news with in-house teams and personally congratulate them on their efforts and contribution to this achievement. The contract renewal has generated strong momentum, reinforcing alignment, confidence, and renewed energy as ES-KO moves forward into this next chapter alongside TotalEnergies EP Congo.

Earlier in February, ES-KO was awarded an HSSE Trophy by TotalEnergies EP Congo in recognition of its strong 2025 performance in health, safety, security, and environmental practices.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ES-KO.

 




 

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Ascott expands in Nairobi with new Citadines signing, reinforcing the city’s position as a regional hub

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The signing reinforces Ascott’s commitment to expanding in high-potential urban markets and builds on its existing footprint in Kenya, where it currently operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with additional properties in the pipeline

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 11, 2026/APO Group/ –The Ascott Limited (www.DiscoverASR.com), the wholly owned lodging business unit of Capital and Investment (CLI), has announced the signing of Citadines Westview Nairobi, a 160-key hotel located in the capital’s established Kilimani district. The new property will complement the existing 162-key Somerset Westview Nairobi serviced apartments, forming a strategic dual-brand offering that enhances Ascott’s ability to serve both short- and extended-stay demand across a broader range of traveller segments. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028, Citadines Westview Nairobi is designed to cater to a growing mix of both corporate and leisure travellers as well as the meeting and conferences demand.

 




  

 

Reinforcing Nairobi’s Role as a Regional Business Hub
Nairobi continues to strengthen its position as a key regional business and investment hub, supported by growing corporate activity, infrastructure development and increasing international connectivity. This is driving sustained demand for high-quality, flexible accommodation that caters to both short-term and extended stays. The signing reinforces Ascott’s commitment to expanding in high-potential urban markets and builds on its existing footprint in Kenya, where it currently operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with additional properties in the pipeline.

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand

Part of Ascott’s Broader Africa Growth Strategy
The Nairobi signing forms part of Ascott’s broader expansion across Africa, where the company has secured 10 signings over the past year. Once fully operational, these will expand its portfolio from two properties today to 23 properties with over 2,800 units across 10 cities in eight countries by 2028. In addition to Kenya, Ascott is growing its presence in key markets including Morocco, Nigeria and Ethiopia, where two properties are slated to open in Addis Ababa’s Bole district, further strengthening its footprint in East Africa.

Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director for Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, The Ascott Limited, said:
“Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand. This signing reinforces our commitment to the Kenyan market and reflects our focus on expanding in cities where we see sustained demand from both business and leisure travellers. We are honoured to further strengthen our partnership with Britam on this development, bringing together strong institutional investment and Ascott’s global operating expertise. By introducing Citadines alongside Somerset, we are able to offer a broader range of accommodation options that cater to different guest segments, while maintaining the quality and flexibility that define our brands.”

Ambrose Dabani – CEO & Principal Officer Britam Holdings PLC, said: “This investment reflects our long-term confidence in Nairobi as a key economic and commercial hub in the region. We are focused on high-quality, resilient assets that deliver sustainable value over time. Partnering with Ascott allows us to combine strong real estate fundamentals with an experienced global operator, ensuring the development is well positioned to meet evolving demand for professionally managed accommodation in the market.”

Designed for Modern Urban Living
Citadines Westview Nairobi will offer a mix of well-balanced hotel rooms, studios and one-bedroom apartments, supported by a comprehensive range of amenities including food and beverage outlets, meeting and conferencing facilities, a swimming pool, and a fully equipped gymnasium. The F&B offering will complement the Somerset Westview Nairobi’s Jabu rooftop bar and La Mascotte restaurant, contributing to a more vibrant and integrated lifestyle destination within the development. Strategically located  adjacent to Somerset Westview Nairobi in the prime Kilimani district, the property offers seamless access to Nairobi’s key business hubs and lifestyle destinations, providing guests with the flexibility and convenience for a comfortable stay, whether travelling for business or leisure, on short or extended stays.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Ascott Limited.

 

 




 

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