As we head into January 2026, the capital markets landscape is in a period of subtle but consequential transition, one that has real implications for the direction of private company financings, pre-public valuations, and the small-cap ecosystem that DealFlow Discovery Conference now reflects.

For years, microcap investing sat at the intersection of retail enthusiasm and institutional skepticism. The post-pandemic rally and a renewed appetite for growth sectors saw capital flow back into public small caps in 2023–2024, but by 2025 the narrative shifted:

The IPO Window Is Reopening, But Not in a Traditional Way

After a notable slowdown in exits in earlier quarters, IPO markets stabilized in 2025 with larger, more mature companies seeing successful listings. Regulatory and macro noise constrained the number of deals, but opportunities for truly transaction-ready firms are increasing, particularly for companies demonstrating robust economics and scale.

Looking ahead into 2026, major private companies, including tech innovators, are being positioned on watch lists for potential public offerings. Some forecasts suggest 200+ IPOs could materialize if market conditions hold.

For investors and dealmakers at DealFlow Discovery, this means private and pre-IPO tracks are not just an add-on, they’re a reflection of where actionable deal flow is emerging.

The Private Markets Aren’t Slowing, They’re Reshaping

Across the broader private capital landscape, fundraising and allocation behavior is changing:

• Limited partners and institutional allocators are signaling plans to increase allocations to private markets even as public market volatility persists, suggesting a strategic rebalancing rather than a retreat.
• Major financial institutions are actively expanding private market infrastructures, for example, through acquisitions of private shares platforms, to meet rising demand for pre-IPO exposure.
• Secondaries and private credit solutions are growing in importance, offering enhanced liquidity options for assets that once sat on the sidelines.

This context matters because what once was a “microcap niche” has morphed into a blended pipeline of early-stage growth, late-stage private opportunities, and specialized public issuers. DealFlow’s expanded tracks respond directly to this market evolution.

Investor Behavior Is Tactical, Not Siloed

Institutional players, including crossover funds and hedge groups historically focused on public equities, are increasing selective exposure to private opportunities where valuation discipline and growth potential align. Some have publicly characterized the IPO market as suboptimal for certain high-growth companies, reinforcing the desirability of extended private life cycles.

For capital allocators, this means conferences like DealFlow Discovery are less about broadcasting opportunity and more about curating it, where one-on-one dialogues and deep diligence conversations matter more than traditional pitch sessions.

Pre-IPO Access Is Becoming a Core Allocator Strategy

In the past, private company exposure was largely the domain of traditional venture capital and select institutions. Today, firms of all stripes, from private credit to family offices to crossover funds, are competing for pre-public stakes. Regulatory mechanisms like expanded secondary trading and evolving private placement structures (including tokenization in some corners of the market) are helping bridge the liquidity gap that once deterred broader investor participation.

The strategic takeaway? Pre-IPO is not a buzzword, it’s a defined segment of capital markets that is materializing into real deal pipelines. DealFlow’s inclusion of private and venture-backed tracks reflects this progression.

What This Means for DealFlow Discovery Attendees

DealFlow Discovery is no longer just a microcap show, it’s a capital markets forum aligned with key structural shifts:

• Investors seeking actionable pipelines beyond crowded public small caps, where valuations and growth vectors are differentiated.
• Companies preparing for liquidity transitions, whether through private placements, secondary solutions, or public entry.
• Market intermediaries looking for concentrated opportunities in sectors that remain undercovered but poised for expansion.

In this environment, the relationships formed, face-to-face, in track-specific dialogues, are where strategic market insights and real allocations emerge.

For an ecosystem increasingly defined by selective access and disciplined deployment, DealFlow Discovery becomes a microcosm of the broader private-to-public investment continuum, one that industry participants will be watching closely as 2026 unfolds.

For more information & to register, visit: https://ibn.fm/jne45

Disseminated on behalf of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF) and may include paid advertising.

• Canamera Energy Metals recently announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire a majority interest in a large uranium project in Wyoming
• The project is comprised of over 100 unpatented mining claims, which cover over 2,000 acres in the Great Divide Basin, an area known for producing uranium
• The company also recently staked claim for land in Colorado, near the Iron Hill deposit, which is home to one of the largest titanium and rare earth oxide deposits in the country

Canamera Energy Metals (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF), a rare earth and critical metals exploration company, recently announced (see the company’s news release dated December 8, 2025) that it had entered into an option agreement to acquire up to a 90% total interest in the Great Divide Basin uranium project in Wyoming.

The project comprises 104 unpatented mining claims that cover around 2,080 acres in the Great Divide Basin region in Wyoming, which is an area known for producing uranium. This acquisition is the company’s entry into the uranium exploration market in the USA.

Speaking about the acquisition, Canamera Energy Metals CEO, Brad Brodeur said, “The Great Divide Basin represents an attractive opportunity to expand our critical minerals focus into uranium” and added that “With historical drilling, roll-front mineralization and proximity to advanced-stage projects in the district, GDB provides a strong foundation for systematic exploration.” 

Under the option agreement, which is with Clean Nuclear Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Nexus Uranium Corp., Canamera may acquire up to 90% interest in the project according to a three-stage earn-in process.

The first stage, under which the company can earn a 51% stake includes:

• Issuing 500,000 common shares of Canamera to Nexus within five days of closing.
• Cash payment of $30,000 within five days of closing.
• Cash payment of $100,000 within 18 months.
• Exploration expenditures of $250,000 within 18 months.
• Additional exploration expenditures of $500,000 within two years.

Next, the second option, under which the company can earn an additional 20% more interest (for 71% total), includes:

• Issuing $250,000 worth of Canamera shares to Nexus.
• Making a cash payment of $75,000.
• Having additional exploration expenditures of $1,000,000 within three years.

Finally, for the company to earn the final 19% interest, bringing the total interest to 90%, Canamera needs to:

• Issue $250,000 worth of Canamera shares to Nexus.
• Make a cash payment of $75,000.
• Have additional exploration expenditures of $1,000,000 within four years.

In addition to this announcement and agreement, the company also recently staked a total of 85 unpatented lode mining claims covering 1,756 acres in Colorado. These claims are adjacent to the Iron Hill deposit, which hosts one of the largest titanium and rare earth oxide deposits in the USA.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this document has been reviewed and approved by Warren Robb, P.Geo. (British Columbia), Vice-President, Exploration of the Company and a “Qualified Person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101. [NTD: Warren to confirm review.]

About Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF)

Canamera Energy Metals Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on creating a diversified portfolio of opportunities from across the Americas. The company’s portfolio includes projects in the USA, Canada, and Brazil, and it targets areas with supportive regulatory frameworks, strong geological signatures, and underexplored terrains with meaningful indicators.

For more information, visit the company’s website at CanameraMetals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to EMETF are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/EMETF

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including statements regarding: the Company’s planned exploration activities on its projects; the anticipated timing and completion of the earn-in milestones under the Option Agreement; the Company’s ability to make required cash and share payments and incur required exploration expenditures; the geological prospectivity of its projects; and the Company’s exploration strategy.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions, estimates, and opinions of management at the date the statements are made and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These assumptions include, without limitation: the Company’s ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its exploration programs and option payments; favourable regulatory conditions; continued access to its projects; and general economic conditions.

Important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing; the inherently speculative nature of mineral exploration; title risks; environmental and permitting risks; and fluctuations in uranium prices. Additional risk factors affecting the Company can be found in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Disseminated on behalf of  Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) and may include paid advertising.

• Helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric surveys outlined structurally controlled zones favorable for critical rare earth element (“REE”) enrichment.
• Targets are supported by correlations between geophysics, geology, and lake sediment geochemistry.
• Results point to a phosphate-rich NYF-type REE system containing rare earths, thorium, uranium, and yttrium.
• The work comes amid tightening global REE supply and growing strategic interest in North American projects.

Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF), a Canadian mineral exploration company, has reported new exploration progress at its Atikokan Rare Earth Element (“REE”) property in northwestern Ontario, following the interpretation of a high-resolution helicopter-borne geophysical survey completed in late 2025. The results, announced January 12, 2026, identified multiple high-priority REE exploration targets across the property’s three main blocks, providing a clearer technical framework for the company’s next phase of work (https://ibn.fm/D8eaa).

The Atikokan property is one of several REE-focused assets held by Powermax, a mineral exploration company with projects in Ontario, British Columbia, and the United States. At Atikokan, the company optioned a large land package of 455 unpatented mining claims, and the latest survey was designed to improve target definition across this extensive area.

The helicopter-borne program included detailed magnetic and radiometric data collection, flown at 50-metre line spacing with a ground clearance of roughly 44 metres, with data being processed at a 25-metre grid resolution, allowing for relatively fine-scale interpretation of subsurface structures and alteration patterns. The survey and interpretation were completed by Geo Data Solutions Inc. and Shahab Tavakoli, P.Geo., a geospatial data scientist and geophysicist.

According to the company, the integrated analysis identified several structurally controlled REE targets characterized by favorable granitic and pegmatite host rocks, magnetic lows, and elevated thorium-to-potassium (“Th/K”) radiometric ratios. These Th/K ratios are commonly used as proxies for total rare earth elements (“TREE”), particularly in phosphate-rich REE systems.

One of the more significant findings was the strong spatial correlation between geophysical anomalies, mapped structural trends, and previously identified lake sediment TREE anomalies. This convergence of datasets strengthens the geological rationale for the identified targets and helps narrow the focus for future field programs.

Powermax described the overall geophysical and geochemical signature as consistent with a phosphate-rich NYF-type REE system. NYF systems, named for their enrichment in niobium (“Nb”), yttrium (“Y”), and fluorine (“F”), are known to host REEs along with associated elements such as thorium and uranium. These systems are typically linked to granitic intrusions and related pegmatites, features that are present across the Atikokan property.

The survey results were broken down by property block. In Block A, northwest- and north-trending structural corridors were mapped cutting through granitic phases of the White Otter Batholith. These corridors coincide with magnetic lows, elevated Th/K ratios, and anomalous lake sediment REE values, collectively defining priority targets along altered intrusive margins.

In Blocks B and C, northeast-trending structures crosscut the gneissic tonalite and granodioritic units of the Dashwa Gneiss Complex. Here, radiometric anomalies align with mapped granitic and pegmatitic intrusions, outlining metasomatic alteration zones developed along high-strain corridors and intrusive contacts. Powermax noted that these geological relationships are considered favorable for REE concentration.

Paul Gorman, CEO of Powermax, said the results mark a meaningful step forward in understanding the Atikokan project. He noted that integrating high-resolution geophysical data with regional geology and lake sediment geochemistry has allowed the company to prioritize specific structural corridors where conditions appear most favorable for REE enrichment. This, he added, should enable more focused and efficient follow-up exploration.

The geophysical interpretation builds on fieldwork already completed in 2025. During that program, Powermax carried out geological mapping, prospecting, ground-based radiometric surveys, and systematic soil, sediment, and rock sampling. A total of 426 samples, including quality assurance and quality control specimens, were collected and submitted to AGAT Laboratories for analysis. The company said it is awaiting assay results, which will be integrated with both historical data and the new geophysical interpretation to further refine targets.

The timing of the Atikokan results coincides with increasing attention on rare earth elements globally. REEs are critical inputs for electric vehicles, wind turbines, defense systems, and a wide range of advanced electronics. Global demand for REEs is projected to rise sharply over the next decade, driven largely by energy transition technologies. Estimates suggest demand could grow from about 59,000 tonnes in 2022 to roughly 176,000 tonnes by 2035, while supply may lag significantly.

At present, China dominates the REE supply chain, controlling a majority of global mining output and an even larger share of processing capacity. Export restrictions on certain rare earth materials have heightened concerns among Western governments and manufacturers, particularly in the United States. In response, U.S. and allied governments have begun directing funding toward domestic and allied supply chain development, including through mechanisms such as the Defense Production Act. Canadian companies are eligible to participate in some of these initiatives.

Exploration Target Cautionary Statement

The exploration targets discussed are conceptual, and there is currently not enough data to confirm a mineral resource. Further exploration may not yield successful results.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PowermaxMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWMXF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PWMXF

Disseminated on behalf of Numa Numa Resources Inc. and may include paid advertisements.

• In the shift away from fossil fuels, copper is not just another industrial metal; it is a foundational material.
• These accelerating demand trends come against a backdrop of constrained supply.
• According to Numa Numa, the Panguna Mine holds known copper reserves of approximately 5.3 million metric tons.

Copper is emerging as one of the silent champions of the global energy transition; its exceptional conductivity and versatility make it indispensable in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and modern grid infrastructure. Numa Numa Resources, focused on developing the Panguna Mine in Bougainville, sits at the nexus of this supply-driven transformation in a world racing toward decarbonization.

In the shift away from fossil fuels, copper is not just another industrial metal; it is a foundational material. Renewable energy systems such as wind turbines and solar arrays require substantially more copper per megawatt of installed capacity than conventional fossil fuel power plants because of their extensive use of electrical wiring, generators, transformers and grid connections. The World Resources Institute reports that renewable-based power systems can require multiple times more copper than fossil fuel–based generation due to their higher electrical intensity and distributed infrastructure demands. This disparity is especially pronounced in offshore wind, where BHP estimates copper usage can exceed five times that of gas-fired power plants on a per-megawatt basis, underscoring copper’s essential role in efficient clean power generation and transmission.

Electric vehicles further amplify copper demand. EVs use substantially more copper than internal combustion engine vehicles, with the metal integral to the motors, batteries and charging infrastructure that define electrified transport. Benchmark projections estimate that by 2030, copper demand tied to EV production could exceed 2.5 million tonnes annually, a dramatic increase from earlier years and a key signal of structural demand growth in the automotive sector.

Beyond vehicles and renewables, modernizing electricity grids to handle distributed energy resources and data center loads also drives copper’s strategic importance. Investments to expand and upgrade grid infrastructure worldwide are pouring billions into projects that require vast amounts of copper wiring and components. Reuters reported that global copper demand is rising faster than anticipated, fueled by investment in grid modernization alongside the clean-energy transition.

These accelerating demand trends come against a backdrop of constrained supply. Despite global copper production exceeding 22 million tonnes in 2024, demand is projected to continue rising through the decade and beyond, with some forecasts suggesting annual demand could approach or exceed 35 million tonnes by 2030. Research from industry sources indicates that meeting electrification and renewable deployment goals could require more copper mined over the next 30 years than throughout human history.

The crunch between supply and demand is already materializing in markets and prices. In late 2025, copper prices approached $12,000 per metric ton as tightening supplies collided with surging demand from not only traditional industrial uses but also artificial intelligence data centers, EV infrastructure and clean-energy systems. Analysts noted a growing deficit in refined copper supply, underscoring the strategic urgency of new production.

This intersection of surging demand and limited supply has propelled interest in new and existing mines that can bring significant copper resources online. One such project is the Panguna Mine on Bougainville Island in the South Pacific, where Numa Numa Resources is advancing development efforts. Historically one of the world’s largest copper and gold producers before its closure in 1989, Panguna now represents a substantial untapped copper resource in an era when new supply is sorely needed.

According to Numa Numa, the Panguna Mine holds known copper reserves of approximately 5.3 million metric tons. That figure represents roughly 5.3% of all currently identified copper reserves globally, placing Panguna in league with the copper endowments of entire countries. These reserves are substantial not only in absolute terms but also as a potential contributor to broadening the world’s supply base at a time when industry analysts argue for at least one new large-scale copper mine per year to keep pace with demand.

Numa Numa is actively working on reconstructing the Panguna Mine as well as exploring additional copper and gold prospects in the Mainoki and Karato regions of Bougainville. The company’s strategy includes securing exploration permits, rebuilding mine infrastructure and positioning itself to bring these resources into production. Panguna’s redevelopment is not merely a business initiative but also a contribution to global resource security at a moment when geopolitical interest in critical minerals is intensifying. Recent diplomatic engagement by international partners reflects the strategic value of resources such as copper in the broader context of energy and economic transitions.

The potential contribution of Panguna and similar projects to alleviating copper supply pressures is significant. As global economies accelerate decarbonization efforts, the demand for copper will only intensify, raising the stakes for developing new sources of this indispensable metal. Numa Numa Resources’ work in Bougainville represents both a response to this demand and a strategic opportunity to help supply the copper that will power the renewable grids, electric vehicles and infrastructure of the future.

For more information, visit www.NumaNumaResources.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Numa Numa are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NUMA

Disseminated on behalf of LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) and may include paid advertising.

• LaFleur Minerals receives coverage from Zacks Small Cap Research, increasing its market visibility and indicating fair market value at $1.04 as it prepares to launch gold production in renowned Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Quebec.
• With gold hitting new market records during the past year, LaFleur is uniquely situated among junior miners, owning the Beacon Gold Mill, which has an estimated replacement value exceeding $70 million after being acquired at bankruptcy sale for $1.2 million.
• The company also has 445 mineral claims and one mining lease on its nearby Swanson Gold Project, which spans more than 18,000 hectares (about 44,500 acres).

Gold near-term producer and explorer LaFleur Minerals (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) recently closed three financing drives for a total of $7.8 million to restart its gold production operations at wholly-owned Beacon Gold Mill located in the renowned Abitibi Gold Belt in Quebec, Canada’s largest gold producing region.

LaFleur’s Beacon Gold Mill is located along Route 117 in Val d’Or, Quebec, and its Swanson Gold Project is situated about 50 km to the north from there, ideal trucking distance to supply the mill with feed. The mill contains crushing, grinding, flotation, regrind, leaching and Merrill‑Crowe circuits capable of processing 750 metric tons of ore each day, while the gold project is building on data from historical drilling and a soon-available Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) to prepare for new exploration. 

LaFleur’s combination of near-term production potential, permitted infrastructure and potential for growth at scale has caught the industry’s attention and the company recently strengthened its public visibility through a report issued by market research agency Zacks SCR, indicating the company is currently priced well below its intrinsic value and growth potential, making it a compelling opportunity for new investors.

“The company is advancing confirmation drilling, a new resource estimate, and a Preliminary Economic Assessment, all of which will underpin a bulk sample permit,” the Zacks announcement states (https://ibn.fm/A8yqL). “With grades and recoveries that could generate more than $25 million in revenue from a 100,000-tonne sample, Swanson represents a credible path to cash flow.”

The recently closed oversubscribed and upsized financings are funding the company’s near-term value pivot and production milestone, with a hard dollar offering, Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (“LIFE”) offering and a tax flow-through eligible offering providing coverage for the modest costs (~$5 million) anticipated to restart the Beacon Gold Mill, which was acquired for just $1.2 million during the prior owner’s bankruptcy proceedings and remains in great operating condition.

The mill has an estimated asset replacement value of about $70 million, highlighting LaFleur’s asset-rich, capital-ready position. Beacon represents a potential secondary revenue stream opportunity for the company outside of processing ore from its wholly owned Swanson, as it can be used to contract for processing projects with other explorers in the region. Agnico Eagle, Eldorado Gold, and Probe Gold/Fresnillo are among some of the major operators in the nearby projects, highlighting the attractiveness of the jurisdiction and greenstone belt.

“Strategically, LaFleur sits adjacent to Fresnillo’s newly acquired Novador project, creating potential transaction value through consolidation or partnership,” the Zacks report adds.

The Swanson Gold Project includes 445 mineral claims and one mining lease, positioning it as a key district-scale gold exploration play. The project covers more than 33 kilometers of strike length with exploration potential and is one of the largest land and mineral packages in the Abitibi belt. 

LaFleur’s key positioning in the gold market coincides with a period of banner activity among investors, as the precious metal has repeatedly achieved new record prices well over the $4,500 per ounce mark during the past year and generated expectations that prices may continue to climb (https://ibn.fm/ahFvn).

For more information, visit the company’s website at LaFleurMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LFLRF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LFLRF

Qualified Person Statement:

All scientific and technical information contained in this article has been reviewed and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo. (OGQ), Exploration Manager and Technical Advisor of the company and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

• ParaZero recently advanced the deployment of its multi-layered Counter-UAS solutions for military and homeland security applications
• The company operates at the nexus of precision interception, autonomous aerospace systems, and defense innovation
• These updates underscore ParaZero’s mission to deliver scalable, low-collateral damage counter-drone defense systems for complex and urban environments

ParaZero Technologies (NASDAQ: PRZO) is taking a leading role in the evolution of the counter-drone defense industry, as security agencies and military forces globally explore reliable alternatives to tackling the increased threats from unmanned aerial systems. With core specialization in multi-layered Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (“Counter-UAS”) technologies, the company is positioning its products to handle the operational needs of homeland security operations, modern conflict zones, and the security of critical infrastructure (ibn.fm/i6pS0).

Recently, the company reported progress tied to its Counter-UAS initiatives, underscoring better engagement with security and defense stakeholders in addition to growing interest in its autonomous interception systems. These developments highlight ParaZero’s strategy of developing viable solutions for eliminating enemy drones with precision while reducing risks.

ParaZero, founded by aviation and defense technology professionals, has built its brand around autonomous systems capable of functioning in a contested airspace. ParaZero’s Counter-UAS solutions are designed to detect and intercept drones with a precision-based strategy, making them a better option.

This design philosophy aligns with evolving defense doctrines that emphasize precises response, operational safety, and mission flexibility. The company operates at the nexus of autonomous control systems, aerospace engineering, and defense innovation. ParaZero’s counter-drone platforms are created for multiple uses, ranging from homeland security missions and military operations to the safeguarding of critical assets like power facilities, airports, and government structures.

Beyond the company’s counter-drone interception, its broader technology foundation includes safety systems and precision delivery, showing ParaZero’s broad capacity in unmanned aerial solutions. This domain expertise makes it possible for the company to maximize its core capabilities, such as flight control and autonomous navigation across multiple defense sectors. The outcome is a tech ecosystem that will evolve alongside emerging threats and operational requirements.

In 2025, the company achieved some key milestones that strategically positioned its DropAir solution as a leading no-landing delivery platform. During the same year, the system progressed to Phase II development with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, following positive outcomes from Phase I, which focused on no real-life operational scenarios. The company attained commercial and regulatory momentum, receiving global marketing approval from the Israeli Defense Export Control Agency (“DECA”), giving it access to a broader international market.

The increased demand for improved Counter-UAS capabilities underscores a global reality where drones are increasingly used for disruption, surveillance, and direct attacks. Conventional air defense systems are not always ideal for small and agile threats in civilian-adjacent settings.

These updates highlight the company’s broader mission: to provide reliable, practical, and scalable counter-drone solutions that enhance security without escalating risk. With more government and defense organizations investing in better protection systems, ParaZero’s tech-driven strategy supports the evolution toward more effective defense systems.

For more information, visit the company website at www.ParaZero.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PRZO are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/PRZO

Disseminated on behalf of SPARC AI Inc. (CSE: SPAI) (OTCQB: SPAIF) and may include paid advertising.

• Target acquisition is evolving from passive detection toward real-time coordinate generation at the edge
• The shift reduces latency and enables autonomous decision-making across defense, security, and commercial systems
• SPARC AI’s software-based approach turns existing sensors into coordinate-producing platforms without new hardware

For decades, sensing technology has been built around detection rather than precision. Cameras see objects, radar identifies movement, and infrared systems register heat signatures. What these systems often lack is immediate spatial context. Detection alone does not answer the most critical operational question: where exactly is the object, right now, in three-dimensional space? As autonomous systems proliferate and decision cycles compress, that limitation has become increasingly costly.

The next phase of target acquisition addresses this gap directly. Instead of feeding raw sensor data back to centralized systems for interpretation, new architectures aim to generate precise coordinates at the point of sensing. This transition, from passive sensing to real-time coordinate generation, represents a foundational shift in how machines perceive and interact with their environment. It enables faster response times, reduces reliance on centralized infrastructure, and supports autonomous operation in environments where latency is unacceptable.

Why Coordinates Matter More Than Signals

Traditional sensing systems excel at collecting data but often depend on downstream processing to extract actionable intelligence. In military, security, and autonomous applications, that processing delay can be the difference between success and failure. Whether tracking a moving vehicle, guiding an unmanned aerial system, or securing critical infrastructure, operators increasingly require systems that deliver immediate spatial accuracy rather than delayed interpretation.

Real-time coordinate generation allows sensors not only to observe an object, but to define its location relative to the sensor, the terrain, and other assets instantly. This capability is foundational to modern targeting systems, autonomous navigation, and predictive tracking. It also reduces the need for expensive sensor fusion layers by embedding spatial intelligence directly into the sensing process.

The Limits of Hardware-First Solutions

Historically, improvements in target acquisition have relied on specialized hardware: more powerful radar arrays, higher-resolution cameras, or multi-sensor platforms. While effective, these approaches are capital-intensive and often constrained by size, weight, power, and integration complexity. Retrofitting existing platforms with new hardware can be costly and slow, particularly across large fleets or distributed systems.

As a result, attention has shifted toward software-defined solutions that enhance the capability of existing sensors. By applying advanced algorithms and spatial modeling at the software level, these systems aim to extract coordinate-level intelligence without replacing installed hardware. This approach aligns with broader trends toward edge computing, where processing occurs closer to the data source to minimize latency and bandwidth demands.

Where SPARC AI Fits In

SPARC AI (CSE: SPAI) (OTCQB: SPAIF) is developing technology positioned squarely within this transition. The company focuses on software-based systems designed to transform cameras, sensors, and even consumer-grade devices into real-time coordinate acquisition platforms. Rather than introducing new sensing hardware, SPARC AI’s approach centers on extracting spatial intelligence from existing inputs.

The company’s core technology built around spatial, predictive, approximation, and radial convolution methodologies, enables devices to determine the precise location of distant objects using visual or sensor data alone. According to the company, this allows fixed, mobile, airborne, or handheld devices to function as coordinate-generating systems rather than simple detection tools.

This distinction is critical. By converting detection into localization at the edge, SPARC AI’s software reduces the need for centralized processing and enables faster decision-making in dynamic environments. The technology is designed to operate across a range of platforms, from autonomous flight systems to portable devices, expanding its potential application set.

From Target Acquisition to Autonomy

Real-time coordinate generation is not an incremental improvement; it is an enabling technology for autonomy. Autonomous systems require continuous spatial awareness to navigate, avoid obstacles, and interact with moving targets. Without precise, real-time coordinates, autonomy remains constrained by reliance on external guidance or delayed processing.

SPARC AI has identified this requirement through its development of a Target Acquisition System software platform and an autonomous flight module. These systems are intended to support applications where immediate spatial accuracy is essential, including defense, security, and industrial automation. By embedding coordinate generation into the sensing layer, the company aims to support faster, more resilient autonomous operations.

A Software-Centric Bet on the Next Phase of Sensing

SPARC AI’s strategy reflects a broader industry recognition that sensing alone is no longer sufficient. As environments become more complex and operational timelines compress, systems must deliver location intelligence instantly, reliably, and without excessive infrastructure overhead.

The company’s focus on software-defined spatial intelligence positions it within this emerging shift. Its technology is designed to be hardware-agnostic, allowing integration with existing sensors rather than requiring bespoke platforms. This approach lowers barriers to adoption and aligns with procurement trends favoring modular, upgradeable systems.

The evolution from sensing to coordinates mirrors earlier transitions in computing, where raw data collection gave way to real-time analytics at the edge. In target acquisition, the stakes are higher, but the logic is similar: actionable intelligence must be generated where and when it is needed, not after the fact.

Whether SPARC AI can translate this position into sustained commercial adoption will depend on execution, integration partnerships, and validation across real-world deployments. What is clear, however, is that the industry’s direction is shifting. As sensors become coordinates, the companies enabling that transition stand to play an increasingly central role in the next generation of targeting and autonomous systems.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://sparcai.co.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPAIF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SPAIF

• LIXTE is developing a first-in-class therapy designed to enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments
• Its lead compound, LB-100, targets PP2A and is advancing through multiple clinical trials with a favorable safety profile
• The company is building a differentiated oncology pipeline supported by experienced leadership and scientific expertise

LIXTE Biotechnology (NASDAQ: LIXT) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company leading efforts in addressing some of the pressing challenges in cancer treatment. Instead of developing standalone cancer drugs, the company is adopting a different strategy aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness of existing immunotherapy and chemotherapy regimens through a novel biological target.

LIXTE’s platform is built on its proprietary LB-100 compound, a one-of-a-kind inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2A (“PP2A”). PP2A is a critical enzyme involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth regulation, DNA repair, and modulation of the immune response. Through the selective inhibition of PP2A, LB-100 is strategically designed to make cancer cells more treatable while also boosting the body’s immunity to tumors.

This strategic approach is important because resistance and limited efficacy are major impediments in oncology. Different cancers fail to respond adequately to immunotherapy. The company’s strategy is not aimed at replacing these therapies, but rather at improving them, making it possible for standard treatments to work for more patients. Clinical and preclinical research has shown that LB-100 can alter cancer cell DNA repair mechanisms, promoting cytokine production and increasing neoantigen formation, while also boosting T-cell proliferation, which potentially improves treatment outcomes when combined with existing therapies.

LB-100 has shown positive signs in its Phase 1 clinical trials and has been the subject of over 25 scientific publications documenting its anti-cancer activity across different cancer models. The compound leverages cost-effective manufacturing, convenient intravenous delivery, and Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”) production, helping its scalability as clinical development progresses. 

The company is also working on a growing clinical pipeline aimed at solid tumors with high unmet medical needs. Planned and ongoing research includes LB-100 in combination with chemotherapy for advanced tissue sarcoma, in addition to immunotherapy for metastatic microsatellite-stable (“MSS”) and ovarian clear cell carcinoma. 

Extending beyond pharmacology, LIXTE’s subsidiary Liora Technologies is advancing next-generation radiation delivery infrastructure to address another critical bottleneck in oncology care. While LB-100 is designed to improve how tumors respond to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, Liora’s technology focuses on enhancing the precision, accessibility, and cost-efficiency of radiation therapy itself, positioning LIXTE as a company improving cancer treatment effectiveness across multiple dimensions.

LiGHT is a first-of-its-kind, electronically controlled proton therapy platform built to meaningfully improve how radiation is delivered to tumors. Unlike traditional proton systems that depend on bulky gantries and mechanical energy degraders, LiGHT uses a compact linear accelerator (“LINAC”) that adjusts beam energy electronically and in real time – up to 200 times per second. This approach allows clinicians to deliver radiation with greater precision while reducing unnecessary exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

These indications represent areas where current treatment options are limited, and outcomes remain poor, highlighting the potential impact of LIXTE’s enhancer-based approach. The company is currently led by a management team with expertise in clinical operations, drug development, and capital markets, in addition to a Scientific Advisory Committee that includes globally renowned leaders in molecular medicine and oncology. The blend of operational experience and scientific leadership positions the company to leverage opportunities in the ecosystem.

With the rapid shift of oncology toward the combination of precision-based approaches and combination therapies, LIXTE Biotech’s focus on highlighting the power of already existing cancer treatments sets it apart. With a one-of-a-kind mechanism, proof-of-concept data, and a rapidly expanding clinical pipeline, the company is leading the change in how cancer therapies can become more effective, especially for patients faced with difficult diagnoses.

For more information, visit the company website at https://lixte.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LIXT are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/LIXT

• Neural input interfaces are emerging as a new control layer as traditional touchscreens reach ergonomic limits
• Wearable Devices’ Mudra technology enables touchless, intent-based control without invasive implants
• The platform targets consumer electronics, AI and AR glasses, robotics, and enterprise applications where hands-free input matters

For decades, human-machine interaction has been defined by increasingly refined touchscreens. From keyboards and mice to glass panels and gesture controls, the goal has been to make digital systems more intuitive and responsive. Yet as computing extends beyond phones and laptops into wearables, augmented reality, and robotics, touchscreens are beginning to show their limitations. Small screens, occluded displays, and hands-busy environments are driving demand for new input methods that are both natural and unobtrusive.

This shift has placed renewed focus on neural and bio-signal interfaces that allow users to control devices without physical contact. Rather than relying on cameras or voice commands, these systems interpret subtle physiological signals to translate human intent into digital action. The result is an intent-based control layer that operates quietly in the background, reducing friction while expanding where and how devices can be used.

From Touch to Intent-Based Control

Wearable Devices (NASDAQ: WLDS) is developing technology designed to address this transition. The company focuses on non-invasive neural input interfaces that enable users to control digital devices through subtle, touchless finger movements. Instead of requiring implants or bulky external hardware, its approach is built around wearable sensors that detect neuromuscular signals generated during natural hand and finger motion.

At the center of this strategy is the company’s Mudra technology platform. Mudra interprets these signals and converts them into control commands that can be used across a wide range of devices. The system is designed to function without visual tracking or audible cues, making it suitable for environments where discretion, speed, or limited screen access is important.

A Platform Approach to Input

Rather than targeting a single product category, Wearable Devices has positioned Mudra as a modular universal platform. The company offers Mudra development kits that allow developers and hardware manufacturers to integrate neural input into their own products. These kits support control of consumer electronics, smartwatches, smartphones, AR glasses, VR headsets, televisions, personal computers, drones, and robotic systems.

In addition to the development kits, the company offers IP licensing along with its sEMG sensors reference design, software operating system and algorithm package. This combination allows customers to embed neural input capabilities directly into their devices, tailoring performance and functionality to specific use cases. By focusing on both hardware and software components, Wearable Devices aims to reduce integration complexity while maintaining flexibility for partners.

Why Wearables and Spatial Computing Matter

The timing of this approach reflects broader changes in how computing is evolving. As augmented and virtual reality platforms mature, traditional input methods become increasingly impractical. Head-mounted displays and spatial interfaces require control systems that do not rely on constant visual attention or handheld controllers.

Similarly, in robotics operations, operators often need hands-free or low-latency input while maintaining situational awareness. Neural input systems that respond to micro-movements can offer faster response times and more intuitive control than joysticks or touchscreens.

Wearable Devices’ technology is designed to operate in these contexts, where the goal is not novelty but efficient. By translating intent directly into action, neural input reduces the cognitive and physical burden on users, an advantage that becomes more pronounced as systems grow more complex.

Recent Developments and Market Focus

The company has continued to highlight progress in refining its Mudra platform and expanding awareness of neural input as a practical interface solution. Recent communications emphasize applications across consumer, enterprise, and industrial markets, reflecting a strategy aimed at broad adoption rather than dependence on a single vertical.

Management has positioned Wearable Devices as an enabler serving as a direct extension of its finished product, focusing on partnerships and developer adoption. This approach mirrors earlier phases of touchscreen and voice-control adoption, where platform availability preceded widespread consumer integration.

Architecting the Neural Intent Layer

The generative AI revolution has fundamentally shifted the computing landscape, exposing a new critical bottleneck: human input latency. As AI models and agents become capable of processing information at exponential speeds, the defining challenge becomes the bandwidth of communication between the human mind and the machine. This urgency has triggered a quiet arms race, with major private ecosystem architects recently validating the sector through massive capital allocation in neural interface research.

Wearable Devices positions itself at the pragmatic forefront of this shift. While the market sees a surge in ambitious, invasive concepts, Wearable Devices’ emphasis on non-invasive, wrist-based form factors offers a scalable bridge to this new reality. By targeting subtle neuromuscular signals rather than requiring surgical implants, the company is engineering the infrastructure for the upcoming generation of neural interfaces, offering a practical path toward this imminent future.

As computing continues to migrate away from flat screens toward ambient and spatial environments, control methods will need to evolve accordingly. Wearable Devices’ strategy reflects a recognition that the next interface revolution may be less visible than past ones, defined not by what users touch, but by how seamlessly intent is translated into action allowing users to eventually communicate with AI at the speed of thought.

For more information, visit www.WearableDevices.co.il.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to WLDS are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/WLDS

Disseminated on behalf of Silvercorp Metals Inc. (NYSE-A/TSX: SVM) and includes paid advertisement.

• Silvercorp Metals is a Canadian company with producing mines in China and development projects in Ecuador
• Silvercorp is constructing the El Domo copper-gold mine in Ecuador, which is expected to begin production in 2027
• The company’s second Ecuadorean project, Condor gold, is supported by  a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) that highlights its potential for underground development
• Condor is expected to produce over 100 thousand ounces of gold a year over a 13-year mine life, at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,258/ounce net of by-product credits
• The PEA reports an after-tax net present value of $522 million, and an after-tax internal rate of return of 29% at a base case gold price of $2,600/ounce, increasing to $1.5 billion and 60%, respectively, at $4,300/ounce

Canadian precious metals producer Silvercorp Metals (NYSE American/TSX: SVM) has reported the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Condor project in Ecuador, highlighting the potential scale and economics of a low-cost underground gold operation. The company’s growth projects in Ecuador, including the El Domo copper-gold mine currently under construction (https://ibn.fm/fugAc), are funded by its strong balance sheet and cash flow from its mines in China, which recently reported one of their strongest quarterly performances (https://ibn.fm/Ff3L3).

Expansion into Ecuador represents an important new front for the company beyond their productive China camps. The new PEA results for Silvercorp’s Condor gold project in Ecuador estimates an after-tax net present value of $522 million and an after-tax internal rate of return of 29% at base case metal prices of $2,600 per ounce for gold, $31.00 per ounce for silver, $1.27 per pound for zinc, and $0.91 per pound for lead. That present value and rate of return rise to $1.56 billion and 61% when factoring near spot metal prices (https://ibn.fm/hmRcH).

The study outlines a 13 year underground operation at the Camp and Los Cuyes deposits, producing approximately 1.38 million ounces (oz) of payable gold, 5.27 million oz of payable silver, 95.66 million pounds (lbs) of payable zinc and 8.45 million lbs of payable lead, at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,258/oz net of by-products.

Initial capital cost is estimated at $291 million, reflecting several key advantages of Condor. These include mineralization at portal elevation, which allows direct access without the need for ramp development; steeply dipping, continuous mineralization with approximately one-third of mineralization located above the main haulage level; and fair-to-good rock conditions with a thin saprolite cover, which are suitable for longhole stoping.

Silvercorp will continue working toward a new environmental permit, which would allow underground development for exploration tunnels. The planned tunnels into two deposits will enable underground drilling to upgrade mineral resources and explore the on-strike and down-dip extension of the known mineralized zones in them, according to the company.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://silvercorpmetals.com/welcome.

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