Circle Group — Regulatory Filings 2024

Nov 26, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Magellan Circle joins innovative AI4COPSEC Pioneer Project for Maritime Surveillance and Environmental Crisis Response

Milan, November 26, 2024

CIRCLE S.p.A. ("CIRCLE" or the "Company") - an Innovative SME listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market, heading the Group specialized in the process analysis and the development of solutions for the digitalization of the port and intermodal logistics sectors, as well as in the international consultancy on Green Deal and energy transition topics – announces the participation of its subsidiary Magellan Circle in the AI4COPSEC project, a pioneering initiative, coordinated by Simula Research Laboratory, that aims to revolutionize maritime surveillance and environmental crisis response using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and satellite data. As part of this ambitious consortium, Magellan Circle will receive a grant of € 272,500 to support its expertise in science communication and outreach activities at a European level.

AI4COPSEC, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, integrates state-of-the-art AI solutions with data from the Copernicus satellite programme to address urgent environmental and security challenges. This project will apply advanced artificial intelligence to improve the detection of illegal maritime activities, optimise fuel spill response and support search and rescue (SAR) operations.

Magellan Circle's role in the project will be crucial in ensuring that the results and innovative solutions are communicated clearly and effectively, reaching policy makers, practitioners and the general public to raise awareness of the importance of these advanced technologies and the opportunities they offer to protect the environment and maritime safety.

Alexio Picco, Managing Director of Circle Group and President of Magellan Circle, commented: 'Magellan Circle is excited to participate in the AI4COPSEC project, in line with our "Connect 4 Agile Growth" business plan, which aims to support the Group's internationalization strategy and contribute to inclusive digital growth. Our commitment to promoting technological solutions for a safer and more secure maritime environment together with our expertise in dissemination will be instrumental in translating the technical results of the project into tangible outcomes, improving Europe's capabilities in maritime safety and environmental resilience.'

With this partnership, Magellan Circle reaffirms its commitment to promote impactful, EU-led innovations that address environmental and social security needs across Europe.

Simula is a research organization that conducts high-quality studies in the field of information and communication technologies. Simula's mission is to contribute to the welfare of society by solving relevant scientific problems, training the next generation of experts, and developing successful technology enterprises.

Founded in Genoa in 2012, Circle S.p.A. is the Innovative SME at the head of the CIRCLE Group, the Group specialising in the analysis and development of products for the innovation and digitalisation of the port and intermodal logistics sectors and in the international consultancy on topics concerning the Green Deal and energy transition.

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In addition to Circle, the Group includes the software houses Info.era, NEXT Freight (formerly 'Adele Project') and Cargo Start, acquired at the end of 2017, July 2019 and December 2022 respectively, the consulting companies Magellan Circle and Magellan Circle Italy, the NewCo NEXT Customs, as well as the subsidiary ACCUDIRE.

The synergies between the individual components of the CIRCLE Group have made it possible to expand the portfolio of solutions offered in the areas of IoT, Optimisation, Digital Twin, Big Data and Process Automation, and to strengthen the software products: Milos® - a suite aimed at all players in intermodal logistics such as inland terminals, port terminals, ports, MTOs and maritime agencies -, the Extended Port Community System, the Master SPED® and Milos® Global Supply Chain Visibility solutions, dedicated respectively to freight forwarding and logistics and to trade and industry, as well as Star Tracking®, an airport-to-airport tracking solution.

To complete the offer in the Supply Chain area, the so-called 'Federative Services' able to make the migration of customers towards a digital business model more efficient and offered in cloud mode.

Through Magellan Circle (with offices in Porto and Brussels) and Magellan Circle Italy, Circle operates in the field of advocacy at European Institutions, supporting Public Bodies and Companies by identifying their positioning at a European level (Strategic Communication and Advocacy) and funding opportunities (Eu Funding Accelerator), with a vertical focus on Green Deal and energy transition issues.

The acquisition of the 51% of shares of Cargo Start in December 2022, a company specialising in the development and sale of innovative technological products and services for air cargo, allowed Circle to strengthen its offering in a rapidly expanding segment that is strategic to the Connect 4 Agile Growth industrial path.

Circle leads the Log@Sea business network, which is instrumental in enhancing the offer of advanced Gate Automation solutions aimed at port and intermodal nodes.

In December 2023, Circle subscribed to a capital increase equal to 20% of the share capital of ACCUDIRE, an Innovative Startup from Veneto that provides a Collaborative Digital Platform capable of helping players along global Supply Chains in the exchange of information and in the management of document flows accompanying goods shipments, starting first and foremost with the e-CMR (or electronic waybill, part of an international standard and transposition law just approved by the Italian Parliament).

Finally, in February 2024 Circle established the NewCo NEXT Customs, dedicated to digital customs optimisation services and functional to the continuation of initiatives aimed at the harmonisation of customs processes, a highly strategic area for the evolution of the Connect 4 Agile Growth path.

Circle S.p.A. has been listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market of Borsa Italiana since October 26, 2018 (alphanumeric code: CIRC; ISIN code ordinary shares: IT. 0005344996).

For further information Circle S.p.A.

Registered office Via Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 26, 20124 Milano Operational headquarters Piazza Borgo Pila 40 (Torre A interno 46), 16129 Genova Investor Relations Mail: ir@circletouch.eu | Mobile: +39 348 3067877

Media Relations: Image Building Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11 20123 – Milano Email: circle@imagebuilding.it | Phone: +39 02 89011300

Euronext Growth Advisor: Integrae SIM S.p.A. Piazza Castello 24, 20121 Milano Email: info@integraesim.it | Phone: 02.80.50.61.60