At Cemex Ventures, through our exclusive acceleration program, Leaplab, we are shaping the next generation of startups, empowering businesses to expand and grow. This third edition featured an open call, bringing in high-potential solutions and top-tier mentors to join the new cohort. After a huge number of applications and months of evaluation, we can finally say—a new chapter begins!   

Let’s welcome Leaplab’s latest cohort: six extraordinary startups from four countries tackling global strategic challenges and unlocking business opportunities with their groundbreaking solutions: EarthTrack, Emidat, FuelHub, Guidewheel, Optocycle, and Sodex. 

If you want to learn more, dive into this 5-minute read as we break down the key points from Leaplab’s 3rd edition!  

A Closer Look at the Acceleration Program 

The 3^rd edition of Leaplab will feature six startups working intensively for 16 weeks on real-scale pilots, deploying their solutions in close to 40 sites impacting all Cemex business lines:  

• Cement 

• Ready-Mix 

• Aggregates 

• Urbanization Solutions 

The new Leaplab cohort will receive support from the expertise of approximately 80 specialists, both from Cemex and external partners. These experts will play a crucial role in offering piloting guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help startups refine and scale their solutions. Upon successfully completing the program, the startups and their Cemex pilot teams will showcase their results and key learnings to Cemex Executive Committee in the Demo Day 2025 – an event that represents a prime opportunity for startups to demonstrate their ability to create value and forge strategic collaborations with Cemex. 

Major highlight: Graduates of the Cemex Ventures Leaplab Program have the potential opportunity to secure Commercial Agreements with one or more Cemex business units. Moreover, if there are positive pilot results and scalability potential, it could open the door to investment considerations from Cemex Ventures. 

Say Hello to the New Cohort 

• EarthTrack (Singapore) has developed a solution that connects with the client’s existing enterprise resource planning (ERP), unlocking automation and capacity, and empowering workers by putting technology directly into their hands, transforming digital warehousing processes. The Singapore-based startup will run its pilot with Cemex in Mexico, within the Cement business line.
• Emidat (Germany) has created a tool that enables AI-powered generation and verification of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), making environmental impact assessments faster and more cost-effective for building material manufacturers. Emidat will conduct its pilot with Cemex in Germany and the UK, within all business lines. 
• FuelHub (United States) is a managed service provider that delivers optimized solutions for diesel procurement, payment terms, inventory management, and support invoice reconciliation. The American startup will carry out its pilot with Cemex in the US within the Cement, Concrete, and Aggregates business lines. 
• Guidewheel (United States) provides AI-powered FactoryOps solutions that optimize productivity, predict maintenance needs, and enhance energy efficiency through real-time operational insights. Guidewheel will execute its pilot with Cemex in the United States within the Cement business line. 
• Optocycle (Germany) combines next-generation optical sensor technology in real-time with advanced AI to transform construction demolition waste into sustainable building materials through its characterization. The German startup will develop its pilot with Cemex in Germany and France within the Urbanization Solutions business line. 
• Sodex: (Austria) automates surveying through laser scanners and camera technology installed directly on heavy mobile equipment. Sodex will run its pilot with Cemex in the US and UK within the Cement and Aggregates business lines.   

Why Join Cemex Ventures Leaplab?

Piloting, testing, and scaling a startup demands significant resources and time, with even greater challenges in a capital-intensive industry like construction. Cemex Ventures Leaplab tackles these obstacles by connecting high-potential startups with Cemex’s extensive expertise and infrastructure, accelerating their growth path. 

Here’s why Leaplab is the right opportunity for your innovative company: 

• Access to Cemex’s global network and connection with a world leader in sustainable building solutions. 

• Full-scale pilot to demonstrate impact in real-world environments. 

• Growth supported by insights and tailored mentorship from top industry and business experts. 

• Partnership opportunities for long-term collaboration with Cemex & Cemex Ventures. 

Leaplab is much more than an accelerator—it’s the ultimate platform to grow and shape the future together. Big things are happening as each participant takes their #Leap, and we can’t wait to share their progress. Stay tuned for what’s next!  

Press Release

Cemex Ventures Drives Construction Innovation with the 3rd Leaplab Edition  

Madrid, April 9, 2025. Cemex Ventures, Cemex’s corporate venture capital and open innovation unit, launches the third edition of Leaplab, its intensive acceleration program designed for startups with the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. This year, six startups from four countries will join the cohort, bringing disruptive solutions addressing strategic challenges and unlocking business opportunities. 

Leaplab offers startups the unique opportunity to connect and closely collaborate with Cemex global operations for this 16-week program. In addition to running a real-scale pilot, during this period, the selected companies will receive personalized mentorship from 80 industry experts and business advisors from Cemex and beyond who will enhance their solutions and support them to scale.  

This edition’s startups have developed promising value propositions deeply connected to sustainability, operations efficiency and productivity. “The construction industry is at a turning point where technological innovation plays a crucial role, and at Cemex, we are determined to face this by betting on the talent of these startups,” says Karla Arrambide, Cemex Ventures Leaplab Manager. “Leaplab is a program that drives the sector’s transformation by connecting high-potential startups with Cemex’s experience and resources.”  

Throughout the program, the startups will work closely with Cemex pilot teams, validating their technologies in Cemex sites across all business lines, presenting results at the program’s conclusion, and sharing key learnings with the Cemex Executive Committee. The Demo Day event represents a unique opportunity for startups to showcase their capacity to generate value and establish strategic collaborations with Cemex.  

Participation in Leaplab not only offers startups an exceptional platform to scale their businesses. Upon successful graduation, these companies have the potential to sign commercial agreements with various Cemex business units, opening doors to long-term collaboration. Furthermore, Cemex Ventures can also consider strategic investments in those that demonstrate positive results and a high potential for scalability, thus consolidating their growth, expansion, and inclusion in the current market.  

Without further ado, we are proud to formally announce the extraordinary startups that will make up the Leaplab 2025 Cohort.  

• EarthTrack (Singapore)  

• Emidat (Germany)  

• FuelHub (US)  

• Guidewheel (US)  

• Optocycle (Germany)  

• Sodex (Austria)  

About Cemex Ventures  

Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through solutions that consider sustainability. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com  

About Cemex  

Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com  

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Cemex Ventures BV is an indirect subsidiary of Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. Except as the context otherwise may require, references in this press release to “Cemex,” ”we,” ”us,” ”our,” refer to Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) and its consolidated subsidiaries. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Cemex intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect Cemex’s current expectations and projections about future events based on Cemex’s knowledge of present facts and circumstances and assumptions about future events, as well as Cemex’s current plans based on such facts and circumstances, unless otherwise indicated. These statements necessarily involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Cemex’s expectations, including, among others, risks, uncertainties, and assumptions discussed in Cemex’s most recent annual report and detailed from time to time in Cemex’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores), which factors are incorporated herein by reference, which if materialized could ultimately lead to Cemex’s expectations, expected results, and/or the investment and projects referred herein not producing the expected benefits and/or results. Cemex assumes that the startups referenced in the list referred to in this press release have the rights to their corresponding projects. Cemex is not responsible for any ownership or rights issues that any startup may have with respect to their corresponding project. Forward-looking statements should not be considered guarantees of future performance, nor the results or developments are indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These factors may be revised or supplemented, and the information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice, but Cemex is not under, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update or correct this press release or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. Any or all of Cemex’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate. Accordingly, undue reliance on forward-looking statements should not be placed, as such forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The content of this press release is for informational purposes only, and you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Cemex is not responsible for any third-party information referenced in this press release. 

There is currently no single globally recognized or accepted, consistent, and comparable set of definitions or standards (legal, regulatory, or otherwise) of, nor widespread cross-market consensus i) as to what constitutes, a ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or having equivalent-labeled activity, product, or asset; or ii) as to what precise attributes are required for a particular activity, product, or asset to be defined as ‘green’, ‘social,’ or ‘sustainable’ or such other equivalent label; or iii) as to climate and sustainable funding and financing activities and their classification and reporting. Therefore, there is little certainty, and no assurance or representation is given that such activities and/or reporting of those activities will meet any present or future expectations or requirements for describing or classifying funding and financing activities as ‘green’, ‘social’, or ‘sustainable’ or attributing similar labels. We expect policies, regulatory requirements, standards, and definitions to be developed and continuously evolve over time. 

Getting into the next-gen startups that have made their big leap at Cemex! Last April 10^th the scene was set for one of the most crucial stages of the 2023 edition of Cemex Ventures’ Leaplab Acceleration Program, at the Demo Day event. At this virtual gathering, the 5 extraordinary startups that make up this year’s cohort presented the results of their innovative projects to Cemex’s Executive Committee. 

What is a Demo Day? 

Demo Days are important milestones in startup acceleration programs, offering startups the opportunity to pitch their solutions, pilots & advancements made throughout the course of the program.  

In the case of Leaplab,  Demo Day is held once the cohort successfully completes the 14-week acceleration program. Following this point, the cohort is offered the unique opportunity to showcase their pilot results to Cemex’s Executive Committee, known as the “ExCo”. 

Demo Day with Leaplab’s 2023 cohort 

Over 14 weeks, Cemex’s Operations and Leaplab’s 5 startups – Introid, Mixteresting, Movener, Verusen, & Waterplan – worked closely together to test their solutions in real-scale pilots across nearly 100 Cemex sites in 11 countries. These collaborative efforts targeted strategic challenges within Cemex’s business lines: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates & Urbanization Solutions, and its supply chain. 

Demo Day gathered major players from: 

• Cemex Executive Committee 
• Cemex Ventures Leaplab’s management team 
• Cemex Operations’ pilot leaders 
• Startup founders & C-Suite team 

Key insights from the ExCo 

Following their pitches, the startups delved into pertinent discussions with the ExCo, receiving invaluable feedback. Their insights honed in on scalability challenges, data security, the competitive landscape, value generation for Cemex, and more:    

Insights from Fernando González, CEO at Cemex: 

Fernando emphasized the importance of open innovation schemes in driving continuous business evolution. Initiatives like Leaplab provide a direct pathway to capture new opportunities and future-proof Cemex’s existing processes. He underscored the need for ongoing adaptation and incorporation of innovative practices to ensure the company remains dynamic and responsive in a rapidly changing business landscape.  

“This is an opportunity to directly appreciate how we are continuously evolving our business in terms of the many opportunities that are out there that we can capture through open innovation schemes like this one. And to ensure that through time we continue adapting, incorporating, and modernizing the different processes we have in our business.” – Fernando González, CEO at Cemex 

Finally, Fernando stressed the importance of embracing change for the success of the company, highlighting how implementing new transformative processes gives him confidence that the team is building the Cemex of tomorrow.   

Insights from Luis Hernández, Executive VP of Digital & Organization Development at Cemex:   

Luis highlighted the critical role of empathy alongside technical expertise in the entrepreneurs aiming to achieve successful collaboration with Cemex. He expressed optimism about the level of compromise witnessed between startups and Cemex operations, recognizing it as a positive indicator for their joint efforts. 

Insights from Gonzalo Galindo, Head of Cemex Ventures: 

Gonzalo shared that in the 1^st & 2^nd editions, the Leaplab team has identified 100 pain points from Cemex’s global operations to explore potential opportunities where startups can make a meaningful impact.  

“It’s a very synergistic approach to have Cemex expertise with the startups´ solutions going together and trying to come up with a better value proposition.” – Gonzalo Galindo, Head of Cemex Ventures 

To address these challenges, Leaplab evaluated 300+ startups and successfully connected 10 high-potential startups from 8 different countries with these identified pain points. Over the past two years, 10 pilots have been conducted across 105 Cemex sites in 15 countries.  

Cemex Ventures Leaplab is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and is motivated by the collaborative efforts to shape the future of Cemex. Next steps involve conducting a deeper analysis of the startups’ solutions and performing a more comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of integrating them into the company. 

The Cemex Ventures team is thankful for all the contributors who made the Leaplab Program possible! 

Be the next revolutionary startup for Leaplab’s 3^rd Edition cohort! 

If you are seeking to propel your startup in the construction industry, Cemex Ventures Leaplab can offer you a golden opportunity focused on business development, tech and product, ESG approach, & strategic networking.  

At Cemex’s exclusive acceleration program, we are searching for high-potential startups that tackle the critical challenges in the construction sector. Will your startup be the next leader in the industry? Contact us here to be considered for the program’s 3^rd edition! 

We’re breaking boundaries with our innovative Leaplab startups! This year, Cemex’s exclusive acceleration program was selected and invited to attend Startup Grind Global 2024 as a delegation in the heart of technological innovation, Silicon Valley, California.  

What is Connection Day?   

Connection Day is the final step in Cemex Ventures Leaplab’s program, where the cohort gets the opportunity to expand their strategic connections in a world-class event within the entrepreneurial ecosystem & took place at the Startup Grind Global Conference 2024 on April 23^rd & 24^th. 

The exclusive event drew in investors and around 150 startups from over 30 countries. Among them, all 5 startups from Leaplab’s 2^nd edition cohort showcased their solutions to potential clients and eager investors, marking a golden opportunity provided by our Leaplab accelerator.  

The participation of these startups in the Leaplab program has marked a before and after in their trajectory. The journey through Cemex Ventures’ acceleration program increased their opportunities to connect with other relevant players in the sector and exponentially raised the chances of scaling their solution. 

Here are the high-potential Leaplab startup solutions that were highlighted: 

• Introid: (Mexico) Has created innovative solutions in AI & computer vision to enhance safety and efficiency across sectors including industry 4.0, mobility, retail, security, and smart cities.  
• Mixteresting: (Austria) Has designed a software tool that uses mathematics & AI to digitally simulate the mixing process and suggest optimized concrete mixtures. This results in less time for developing new concrete mixtures at lower cost and CO₂ footprint.  
• Movener: (Chile) Has developed & patented the “E-Power”, an electric technology system that converts diesel engine trucks into hybrid units, reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. 
• Verusen: (United States) Has created an AI platform that assists global enterprises in their MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) inventory management. 
• Waterplan: (United States) Has developed an all-in-one climate platform to measure, respond to, and report on organizations’ evolving water risks to accelerate the transition to a Water-Secure World. 

The 2023 cohort relished 3 action-packed days, featuring pitches, one-to-one meetings with investors, roundtables, founder education workshops, and networking with potential clients. Keep reading to see more! 

Startup Grind Global Conference 2024 

The Summit 

Pre-event: Learning and connecting 

Leaplab startups got the opportunity to participate in the Accelerate Summit, an exclusive event for Global’s exhibiting startups and investors. Activities included talks, round-tables, workshops on founder education, and networking opportunities. The highlight of the day was a fireside chat with Spenser Skates, Amplitude’s CEO & Co-Founder, where he provided relevant insights on building a US$1.4bn software giant from seed stage to IPO (Initial Public Offering).  

The Conference 

Day 1: Pitching and exhibiting 

On the first day of the conference, Introid, Mixteresting, Movener, Verusen, and Waterplan displayed their exhibition stands and brought their technology-based value propositions to the forefront of investors and potential partners’ minds with their 1-minute pitches. Check them out here! 

Introid – René Padilla (Co-Founder & CEO) 

Mixteresting – Florian Spinkler (Co-Founder & Head of Development) 

Movener – Héctor Novoa (Head of Design) 

Verusen – Scott Matthews (CEO) 

Waterplan – Augusto Cordero (VP of Operations & Strategy) 

Day 2: Networking with investors 

Great things stem from strong connections! The startups focused on multiplying their networking efforts and expanding their knowledge by meeting with potential investors and attending educational sessions and talks. Notable discussions included: 

• “Striking a balance: Revenue and Venture Funding for Startups” by Sangeeta Chakraborty, Chief Revenue Officer of Miro & Michael McBride, General Partner of Google Ventures. This discussion centered on the challenge of balancing revenue generation with a strategic utilization of venture capital. Sangeeta explored how startups can achieve equilibrium by focusing on operational profitability through strong unit economics while using VC funding strategically to accelerate growth, all without becoming overly dependent on external capital.  
• “Building Tomorrow: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Technology, and the Economy” by Garry Tan President, CEO of Partner Y Combinator & Derek Andersen CEO and Co-Founder of Startup Grind. Tan discussed the vital role that startups play in driving future innovations and economic expansion, emphasizing the significance of community and highlighting the transformative impact of technology, especially AI, in enhancing human well-being. 

Leaplab Testimonials 

Don’t just take our word for it, this is what Leaplab’s amazing 2^nd edition cohort had to say: 

“Startup Grind Global 2024 has been incredible. We have taken full advantage of both investor meetings and the possibility of getting in contact with many startups that share the same desires and growth expectations as us.” – Héctor Novoa, Head of Design at Movener 

“We met lots of business connections, lots of potential partnerships, different startups, and met some very interesting investors. We scheduled some meetings with them… overall a great experience.” – Florian Spinkler, Co-Founder & Head of Development at Mixteresting 

“I really enjoyed Startup Grind Global. Especially if you are an entrepreneur, I think it’s an amazing experience. I have enjoyed a lot the exposure and getting to network with all these amazing entrepreneurs, investors, and venture capital representatives.” – René Padilla, Co-Founder & CEO at Introid 

“Cemex Ventures is committed to shaping the entrepreneurial landscape and fostering strategic connections within the open innovation ecosystem. I’m enthusiastic about the value captured by the Leaplab’s 2^nd edition cohort in this event as they forged stronger ties with the Silicon Valley vibrant community.” – Karla Arrambide, Cemex Ventures Manager

Join the upcoming 3^rd Edition of Leaplab!  

At Cemex Ventures Leaplab, Cemex’s exclusive acceleration program, we’re seeking high-potential startups that address strategic challenges in the construction industry. 

By joining the program, you can participate in real-scale pilots across Cemex’s global operations, receive qualified solution validation and mentoring from experts in the industry, expand your network, and be able to connect with Cemex post-program as either a supplier or partner. 

Leave us your contact to be considered for the program’s 3^rd edition! 

What’s happening in the Leaplab accelerator program?

Curious about the latest happenings from the 2^nd edition of Leaplab, Cemex Ventures’ exclusive startup accelerator launched in November 2023? Here is the inside scoop on what’s happening as this year’s startups take their #Leap!

Taking a brief look back, Cemex Ventures Leaplab was established to create connections between Cemex’s global operations and high-potential startups. The 2023 Leaplab cohort is comprised of 5 promising startups: Introid (Mexico), Mixteresting (Austria), Movener (Chile), Verusen & Waterplan (United States). These companies specialize in pivotal areas such as industry 4.0, electromobility, decarbonization, and water security. They are deploying their solutions, through real-scale pilots, throughout 14 weeks at nearly 100 Cemex sites in 11 countries.

So, let’s catch up on the latest updates from the 2023 cohort!

Program overview: 2023

The 2023 program is supported by a team of over 80 internal and external Master Speakers, Mentors, and Pilot Leaders who are actively contributing to the startup cohort’s success.

Master talks

Leaplab’s accelerator program boasts an unmatched lineup of expert Master Speakers who specialize in construction, disruptive business models, and technology. Distinguished speakers at the helm lead discussions on crucial startup topics such as Talent Management, Business Strategy, Fundraising, and Scaling. These global specialists contribute their wisdom and expertise not only from Cemex but also from other internationally acclaimed organizations like Bayer and Whirlpool.  These master talks were specifically designed to provide startups with strategic insights that shape their business and value proposition.

Additionally, the 2023 edition Master Speakers bring invaluable perspectives from leading venture capital firms such as Cemex Ventures, Zacua Ventures, and Puente Ventures, along with lessons learned from successful startups like DroneDeploy and Carbon Upcycling, companies in our investment portfolio.

Mentoring sessions

Leaplab Mentors engage in personalized one-on-one sessions with the aim of creating a secure and supportive environment where each startup can freely inquire and receive guidance for optimizing their businesses. They offer insights on a range of relevant topics, including:

• Product & technology roadmap: Mentors offer guidance on market trends, potential challenges, and best practices in product and technology management. Their objective is to assist startups in redefining their product vision, establishing achievable goals, allocating resources efficiently, and navigating the technical aspects of their business. This guidance aims to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness in the market.
• User interface & experience (UI/UX): This mentoring session is designed to provide guidance and elevate the design aspects of each startup’s product or service. Leaplab mentors assess the existing UI/UX strategy, analyze user feedback, and provide constructive insights for areas of improvement. Additionally, they assist startups in aligning design choices with their target audiences, enhancing usability, and crafting a more engaging and intuitive user experience.
• Customer centricity: Mentors offer insights and strategies to assist startups in comprehending their target audience, collecting customer feedback, and refining their products or services based on customer input.
• Business strategy & development: Through collaborative discussions and feedback, cohort startups acquire a profound understanding of their business landscape and are equipped with the knowledge and tools essential for refining their strategies, fostering growth, and navigating the complexities of their key markets.
• Pitching practice: Startups collaborate closely with mentors who offer valuable feedback and guidance on crafting a compelling and concise pitch. This process aims to capture attention, convey the uniqueness of their business, and ultimately enhance their prospects of securing funding and support.

Pilot leaders

Cemex’s experienced specialists with in-depth knowledge of the construction industry, play a pivotal role in guiding and supporting the testing process. They facilitate the acceleration journey for entrepreneurs within the program, fostering cross-experimentation and co-creation with startups directly at Cemex sites. Leveraging their expertise, these leaders validate and refine the cutting-edge solutions presented by startups in real-scale pilots.

Status: Real-scale pilots

Pilots are at the core of our exclusive Leaplab accelerator, where our startup cohort gets access to Cemex’s global infrastructure, network, and assets to test their solutions in a real-world setting.

Pilot briefings

Below is an overview of each pilot in the ongoing startups from Leaplab’s program:

Introid: The objective of this pilot is to conduct comprehensive testing of Introid’s AI-based solution across various use cases, including identification of safety risks and productivity.

Mixteresting: The startup’s solution is being tested to assess its capability for efficient, cost-effective, and low-CO2 concrete mix designs.

Movener: This pilot’s goal is to validate Movener’s E-Power system’s reliability and effectiveness in reducing trucks’ diesel consumption through their hybrid conversion.

Verusen: The pilot objective is to evaluate the tool’s capabilities for automatic inventory replenishment parameterization and standardization of product naming.

Waterplan: Our testing effort aims to assess the advantages of Waterplan’s platform for effective monitoring and reporting of water risk.

What comes next?

Demo Day: The final phase of the program involves each of the 5 startups coming together with Cemex pilot leaders and presenting their results and lessons learned from the testing period to Cemex’s CEO and Executive Committee.

Connection Day: In-person event dedicated to facilitating strategic connections and relevant interactions for the startups in the program.

Stay tuned because very soon we will announce exciting news about the pilot outcomes of the 2023 cohort, and we don’t want you to miss it! Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.