(via TheNewswire)

VANCOUVER, BC – June 19, 202 6 – TheNewswire - Plaid Technologies Inc. (CSE: STIF) (OTC: STIFF) (FRA: 5QX0) ( “Plaid” or the “Company” ), a Canadian advanced materials company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Paul Hughes as Interim Chief Executive Officer ( “Interim CEO” ), effective June 19, 2026 . Concurrently, Mr. Guy Bourgeois has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Bourgeois will continue to play a significant role in the Company's strategic direction in his capacity as Chairman.

Mr. Hughes is a serial entrepreneur and C-suite executive with over 25 years of experience building and scaling companies across deep tech, clean energy, industrial technology, and renewables. As founder of Shift Clean Energy, he grew the business from a two-person startup to a 97-person global organization, raising over $60 million in equity, securing Fortune 100 customers and 30+ strategic partnerships across 26 countries, and leading the business to a successful trade sale. He brings a proven track record of stabilizing and scaling technology businesses, including SaaS, Energy-as-a-Service, and mining and energy tech, with deep expertise in turnarounds, restructuring, and restoring enterprise value, and extensive board and governance experience as CEO and Chairman across Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, and the United States.

“ The Board is delighted to welcome Paul to Plaid Technologies. His exceptional depth of operational, financial, and governance experience makes him ideally suited to lead the Company through this important phase of its development, and we look forward to the leadership and momentum his appointment will bring ,” said Guy Bourgeois, Chairman of the Board.

Stock Options

In connection with Mr. Hughes's appointment, the Company has granted 100,000 stock options ( “Stock Options” ) pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated) (the “Plan”) at an exercise price of $0.35 per Common Share. The Stock Options will vest in full on the date that is ninety (90) calendar days following the grant date and will expire four (4) years from the grant date.

Restricted Share Units

The Company has also granted 2,500,000 restricted share units (the “RSUs” ) to Mr. Hughes pursuant to the Plan, expiring three (3) years from the grant date. The RSUs will vest in accordance with the following schedule:

(i)    500,000 RSUs on the date that is 6 months from the grant date;

(ii)   250,000 RSUs on the date that is 9 months from the grant date;

(iii)  500,000 RSUs on the date that is 12 months from the grant date;

(iv)  250,000 RSUs on the date that is 15 months from the grant date; and

(v)   1,000,000 RSUs on the date that is 18 months from the grant date.

The Stock Options and RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which has been adopted by the Board of Directors and is subject to ratification by shareholders of the Company at the Company's next annual general and special meeting, anticipated to be held in October 2026. The Stock Options and common shares issuable upon settlement of the RSUs will be subject to a four-month statutory hold period under applicable securities legislation from the date of grant.

About Plaid Technologies Inc.

Plaid Technologies Inc. is a Canadian advanced materials company focused on the development and commercialization of graphene-enhanced technologies, with applications across construction, energy, and industrial materials.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Guy Bourgeois"

Guy Bourgeois Director & Chairman

Telephone: 1-800-585-7517

Email: info@plaidtechnologiesinc.com

Website: https://www.plaidtechnologiesinc.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "budgets," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "projects," and similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the anticipated timing of the Company's next annual general meeting and ratification of the Plan; the expected benefits of Mr. Hughes's appointment to the Company; the Company's anticipated growth, strategic direction, and development; and statements regarding the vesting of the Stock Options and RSUs.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to management. The Company has made the following material assumptions in connection with the forward-looking information contained herein: that the Plan will be ratified by shareholders at the next annual general meeting; that CSE acceptance of the grants will be obtained; that Mr. Hughes will remain engaged with the Company through the applicable vesting periods; and that no material change in the Company's business, financial condition, or results of operations will occur that would affect the foregoing.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks related to the ability of the Company to obtain required shareholder and regulatory approvals; risks related to the Company's ability to execute on its strategic objectives; risks related to the retention of key personnel; general business, economic, and market risks; and other risks described in the Company's continuous disclosure filings available under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

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