(via TheNewswire)

Vancouver, British Columbia  — May 5, 2026 – TheNewswire — Plaid Technologies Inc. (CSE: STIF) (OTC: STIFF) (FRA: 5QX0) (“ Plaid ” or the “ Company”) today provided an update on its ongoing collaboration with Graphene Nano Works (“GNW”) to evaluate and advance a proprietary graphene-based coating technology designed to enhance the performance, survivability, and stealth characteristics of next-generation drone systems across aerial, marine, and ground domains.

As part of these ongoing efforts, the Company has recently delivered a batch of its high-quality graphene materials to Dr. Ian Flint, PhD, P.Eng., for testing and validation in coating applications relevant to drone systems. This work is intended to further assess performance characteristics and support the continued advancement of discussions regarding a potential joint venture between the parties.

The collaboration is focused on exploring the application of graphene-based coatings to improve key operational attributes, including:

• Thermal resistance and heat dissipation, with potential to reduce infrared visibility;  

• Enhanced durability under extreme environmental and operational conditions;  

• Radar absorption and reduced detectability;  

• Electromagnetic resilience for onboard system protection; and  

• Lightweight performance improvements to increase range and payload efficiency.  

The parties are currently engaged in technical evaluation and ongoing discussions regarding the potential structure of a joint venture aimed at accelerating development and commercialization. However, no definitive agreement has been reached at this time.

Plaid’s approach contemplates an initial focus on applying advanced coatings to existing drone platforms, enabling faster real-world validation and potential early-stage commercialization opportunities, while longer-term development may include integrated graphene-enhanced structures and systems.

The global drone and defense markets represent significant and growing opportunities, with increasing demand for materials that improve survivability, performance, and mission effectiveness across autonomous systems.

Dr. Ian Flint, who is leading the technical evaluation, brings over 30 years of experience in graphite and graphene technologies, including the development of coatings, composites, and scalable industrial processes.

The Company will continue to provide updates as technical validation progresses and as discussions regarding a potential joint venture evolve.

About the Company

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

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Guy Bourgeois"

Guy Bourgeois

Director & Chief Executive Officer

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the Company’s ongoing collaboration with Graphene Nano Works; the evaluation, testing and validation of the Company’s graphene materials and proprietary graphene-based coating technologies; the potential application of graphene-based coatings to drone systems across aerial, marine and ground domains; the potential performance benefits of graphene-based coatings, including improved thermal resistance, heat dissipation, reduced infrared visibility, enhanced durability, radar absorption, reduced detectability, electromagnetic resilience, lightweight performance improvements, increased range and payload efficiency; the advancement of discussions regarding a potential joint venture; the potential structure, timing, terms or completion of any joint venture; the Company’s development and commercialization plans; potential early-stage commercialization opportunities; the future development of integrated graphene-enhanced structures and systems; the size, growth and potential opportunities in the global drone and defense markets; and the Company’s intention to provide further updates as technical validation progresses and discussions evolve.

Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs as of the date of this news release. Such assumptions include, without limitation: that the Company’s collaboration with Graphene Nano Works will continue as currently anticipated; that the Company’s graphene materials will be suitable for testing, validation and potential use in coating applications relevant to drone systems; that Dr. Ian Flint and other technical consultants or collaborators will be able to complete testing and validation activities as contemplated; that the results of such testing and validation will support further development, commercialization or joint venture discussions; that graphene-based coatings may demonstrate the performance characteristics currently anticipated by the Company; that the parties will continue discussions regarding a potential joint venture; that any potential joint venture, if completed, would advance the Company’s business objectives; that the Company will be able to maintain relationships with technical advisors, collaborators, suppliers, contractors and other third parties; that required resources and funding will be available on acceptable terms; and that market, technical, competitive, regulatory and general economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the risk that the Company’s graphene materials may not perform as anticipated in coating applications; risks related to technical evaluation, testing, validation, product development, manufacturing feasibility, scale-up and commercialization; the risk that graphene-based coatings may not achieve the anticipated performance benefits, including improvements in thermal resistance, heat dissipation, durability, radar absorption, detectability, electromagnetic resilience, range, payload efficiency or other operational attributes; the risk that the collaboration with Graphene Nano Works may not continue or may not result in a definitive agreement or joint venture; the risk that any potential joint venture may not be completed on acceptable terms, or at all; the risk that commercial applications, customers, partnerships or revenue opportunities may not develop on the timelines anticipated, or at all; dependence on third-party technical advisors, consultants, collaborators, suppliers and strategic counterparties; risks relating to intellectual property, competitive technologies and market acceptance; financing risks; changes in market demand or competitive conditions, including in the drone, defense and advanced materials sectors; regulatory, export control, procurement and permitting requirements; and general business, economic, capital markets and industry conditions.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such assumptions or expectations will prove to be correct. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

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