Five Tech Trailblazers alumni making news this week

The enterprise AI conversation is getting rather practical. Companies are dealing with where agents get their data, how to check vulnerable software and how to modernise the infrastructure underneath it all. Meanwhile, fintech is crossing borders and GPS-free navigation is attracting attention.

VAST Data and DigitalOcean give AI agents a better memory

28 October 2026

VAST Data, our 2020 Storage Trailblazers winner, has expanded its strategic partnership with DigitalOcean to bring the VAST AI Operating System into DigitalOcean’s AI-Native Cloud. Their Agent Data Services initiative aims to give AI applications and agents real-time access to governed data, reducing the need to assemble separate stores and pipelines. It’s another sign of storage becoming part of the operating environment for enterprise AI.

Source: https://www.storagenewsletter.com/2026/10/28/vast-data-and-digitalocean-expand-partnership-to-give-ai-agents-real-time-context/

Tech Trailblazers recognition: 2020 Storage Trailblazers winner.

Nutanix and NetApp offer another route away from VMware

27 October 2026

Nutanix has announced availability of Nutanix Cloud Platform with NetApp, combining Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure and the AHV hypervisor with NetApp ONTAP storage. For enterprises reconsidering their virtualisation estates, the integration offers another migration option while retaining familiar storage technology. For infrastructure teams dealing with licensing changes, choice matters.

Source: https://www.nutanix.com/blog/reclaiming-control-delivering-virtualization-freedom

Tech Trailblazers recognition: 2013 Cloud Trailblazers winner.

Alpaca signs agreement to expand access to Korean derivatives

28 October 2026

Alpaca has signed a memorandum of understanding with Eugene Investment & Futures to develop access to Korea Exchange-listed derivatives. The agreement, signed at Alpaca’s Lisbon Partner Summit, envisages an omnibus structure for institutional customers and brokerage partners, starting with Korean-listed options. It’s a planned expansion, not a completed launch, and builds on Alpaca’s existing Korean equities partnership.

Source: https://alpaca.markets/blog/alpaca-partners-with-eugene-investment-futures-to-expand-access-to-korean-derivatives/

Tech Trailblazers recognition: 2025 Financial Technology Trailblazers runner-up.

Snyk looks beyond PHP2Shell

28 October 2026

Snyk has published research examining the implications of two critical PHP remote-code-execution vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619. Its analysis looks at exploitation attempts, disclosure timing and where defenders should search for similar weaknesses. For development teams already facing long vulnerability backlogs, the research makes uncomfortable reading.

Source: https://snyk.io/blog/php2shell-where-next-one-will-show-up-first/

Tech Trailblazers recognition: 2018 Developer Trailblazers runner-up.

SandboxAQ makes the case for navigation without GPS

28 October 2026

A new Worth feature examines the world’s dependence on GPS and includes commentary from Luca Ferrara, who leads AQNav at SandboxAQ. AQNav uses magnetic-field information for positioning without satellite signals, an approach relevant when GPS is jammed, spoofed or unavailable. The wider implications stretch beyond aviation to critical infrastructure and precision timing.

Source: https://worth.com/gps-the-1-6-billion-a-day-utility-nobody-owns/

Tech Trailblazers recognition: 2024 AI Trailblazers winner.

Once a Trailblazer, always a Trailblazer

If you’re a previous winner or runner-up with news about funding, partnerships, customers, products or international expansion, email innovate@techtrailblazers.com for possible inclusion in a future Friday Alumni NewsFlash.

Could you help choose our 2026 Tech Trailblazers?

Entries are closed and judging is under way, with the shortlist expected at the end of November. We’re inviting CIOs, CISOs and other senior IT decision-makers worldwide to express interest in joining our Secret Judging Panel. Alongside our established judges and the voting public, these experienced buyers and technology leaders will help evaluate shortlisted companies.

https://forms.gle/SmqAAnq1ZQ1nLUwU9

Keep blazing those trails!

Rose Ross

Chief Trailblazer & Founder

Tech Trailblazers Awards