Dotz Nano Raises A$3.3M with Incoming CEO Investing Over A$1M

Leadership Shift as Dotz Nano Eyes Commercial Scale-Up

Dotz Nano Limited (ASX:DTZ) is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Nati Harpaz as CEO, effective 31 May 2026. Harpaz, a seasoned executive known for scaling technology businesses, steps in as outgoing CEO Sharon Malka steps down for personal reasons after three years at the helm. Malka will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director, ensuring continuity of leadership and expertise.

Harapz’s arrival coincides with a critical phase for Dotz, which is transitioning from technical validation to commercial validation of its proprietary DotzEarth carbon capture sorbent technology. The company has already secured validation from over 15 industrial end-users, including a first commercial purchase order from Volkswagen Innovation, and strategic memorandums of understanding with CarbonCapture Inc. and Hengst SE. This leadership change aims to harness Harpaz’s commercial acumen to accelerate Dotz’s market penetration and revenue growth.

Capital Raise Backing Growth and Operational Expansion

Supporting this leadership transition is a A$3.3 million private placement to institutional and sophisticated investors, priced at 4 cents per share with free attaching options exercisable at 7 cents. Notably, incoming CEO Harpaz has personally invested over A$1 million in the raise, aligning his financial interests closely with shareholders. The capital injection is earmarked for scaling production, pilot deployments, customer engagement, and working capital needs, as well as potential restructuring or repayment of existing convertible notes.

The placement reflects strong investor confidence in Dotz’s commercial trajectory, following a series of funding rounds and operational milestones. Earlier this year, the company achieved kilogram-scale production of its carbon capture sorbents and secured a A$3.2 million funding package to accelerate commercialization efforts. This latest raise builds on that momentum, positioning Dotz to capitalize on growing demand for economically viable carbon capture solutions in industrial markets.

Board Reshuffle to Support Next Growth Phase

Alongside the CEO change, Dotz has refreshed its Board composition. Sharon Malka transitions to a Non-Executive Director role, preserving his institutional knowledge. Meanwhile, Kerry Harpaz, spouse of the incoming CEO, has resigned to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest. Mitchell Board has also stepped down as part of a mutual decision to streamline governance. The Board now presents a focused group to back Harpaz’s commercial ambitions.

Chairman Bernie Brookes AM expressed confidence in the new leadership, highlighting the seamless succession plan and the strong foundations laid by Malka. Harpaz’s prior experience as CEO of Catch, leading it through to acquisition by Wesfarmers, along with his recent deep-tech investments, equips him well to drive Dotz’s next phase of growth.

Options and Shareholder Approval Details

The placement includes 82.1 million new shares and an equal number of free options exercisable at 7 cents, expiring two years post-issue. Related party participation, including from Harpaz-associated entities, totals A$0.3 million and will require shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for July 2026. Until then, these related party securities remain unissued.

Settlement of the placement shares is expected on 21 May 2026, with trading commencing shortly after. The issue price represents a modest discount to the recent closing price but a premium to the 15- and 30-day volume weighted average prices, reflecting a balanced pricing approach to attract capital while respecting market conditions.

Dotz’s ongoing efforts to ramp up production and commercial deployments follow earlier achievements including a kilogram-scale production milestone and securing its first commercial order. These operational advances underpin the company’s confidence in its technology and market positioning as it transitions to revenue generation.