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Sicona lands $45M ARENA grant to open battery materials production facility in Wollongong

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SYDNEY, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Australian battery technology company Sicona Battery Technologies has secured $45 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to build and operate its first commercial-scale silicon-carbon battery anode material production facility in the Illawarra region.

As part of this, Sicona and BlueScope Steel Limited have entered into an exclusivity agreement to assess the potential development of the facility within BlueScope’s Port Kembla precinct.

The new facility will scale production of Sicona’s advanced silicon-carbon battery anode material, SiCx®, to produce up to 230 tonnes per annum for advanced customer qualification and commercial sales.

The SiCx® technology improves lithium ion battery performance by increasing energy density by over 20 percent and enabling charging speeds over 40 percent faster than conventional graphite.

It is also compatible with existing lithium-ion battery production lines, giving Sicona a clearer pathway to customer qualification, offtake agreements, and commercial-scale supply with global battery and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The ARENA grant will be delivered under the Australian Government’s Battery Breakthrough Initiative, which supports the growth of domestic battery manufacturing capability and strengthens Australia’s position in the global battery supply chain.

It marks a major validation point for Sicona as it moves from technology development into commercial scale-up, with its materials also being developed for applications across AI data centres, power tools, defence, robotics, and other high-performance battery markets in addition to electric vehicles.

The capital injection will help Sicona meet its ambition to build sovereign battery materials manufacturing capability in Australia, while proving the country can compete in higher-value global battery supply chains.

Christiaan Jordaan, Founder and CEO of Sicona Battery Technologies, said: “ARENA’s support is a major endorsement of Sicona’s technology, our team, and Australia’s ability to build globally relevant battery materials manufacturing capability.

“Battery-powered industries need higher performance at lower cost. Our silicon-carbon anode technology is designed to deliver faster charging, greater energy density and a scalable pathway into existing lithium-ion battery supply chains.

“While EVs remain a major opportunity, some of the fastest-growing demand is coming from AI data centres, robotics, drones and power tools. These applications need high energy and power density today, and SiCx® is designed to help meet that demand. The Wollongong facility will allow us to validate our process at commercial scale, deliver SiCx® to customers, and accelerate our entry to multiple markets.

“It also shows Australia can do more than export unprocessed critical minerals. We can manufacture advanced materials, create skilled jobs, and compete in the high-value battery supply chains that will power the global energy transition.”

Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA, said: “Sicona is developing the kind of next-generation battery technology that can help Australia move further up the global battery supply chain.

“Improving battery performance is critical to accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles and supporting the transition to a net zero economy.

“Sicona’s technology has the potential to deliver faster charging, longer driving range and lower-cost batteries. The technology has undergone independent testing and is already being evaluated by global battery manufacturers and electric vehicle companies, highlighting its strong commercial potential.

“By supporting Sicona’s Wollongong facility, ARENA is helping build the domestic manufacturing capability Australia needs to turn battery innovation into commercial supply.”

The development of the Wollongong facility is expected to create up to 36 skilled manufacturing jobs and support workforce development, training, and local industry partnerships.

It follows a May 2025 licensing and strategic partnership with Himadri in India, including an AU$17.5 million follow on investment, and comes as Sicona is also planning a 6,500 tonne per annum commercial facility, with longer-term expansion potential to 26,500 tonnes per annum.

Sicona Battery Technologies (www.siconabattery.com) is an Australian battery technology company improving lithium-ion battery performance through silicon-carbon anode technology designed to increase energy density and improve charge and discharge rate. Its SiCx® technology is designed for compatibility with existing battery manufacturing lines, supporting battery manufacturers and supply chain partners seeking higher-performance anode materials for electric vehicles, defence, power tools, and other lithium-ion battery applications.

Contact: 
Sicona Battery Technologies
media@siconabattery.com

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SOURCE Sicona Battery Technologies

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BC.GAME Showcases Its Crypto-First iGaming Ecosystem at iGB L!VE 2026

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BELIZE CITY, Belize, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BC.GAME arrives at iGB L!VE 2026 with a focus on how crypto-first operators are reshaping the player experience across casino, sportsbook and platform engagement.

As operators look for stronger retention, faster payments and more flexible product journeys, BC.GAME has continued to build around a model that connects entertainment, crypto utility and user participation within one ecosystem. The platform brings together casino games, sportsbook, crypto payments, BC Originals and reward-led engagement mechanics designed for a player base that expects speed, transparency and variety.

A key part of this ecosystem is BC Engine, BC.GAME’s platform mechanism built around $BC. Rather than treating rewards as a standalone campaign feature, BC Engine links player activity, staking participation and platform-related reward distribution. With ecosystem contributors including BC Originals, BETBY and Croco Gaming, the mechanism is designed to connect platform growth with long-term user participation.

At iGB L!VE, BC.GAME will showcase how this crypto-native structure supports a broader iGaming experience, from low-friction deposits and withdrawals to sportsbook activity, casino content and new engagement layers such as prediction-led experiences. The focus is not on a single product launch, but on a more connected platform model built for players who move across multiple formats, markets and moments of play.

For BC.GAME, iGB L!VE offers an opportunity to meet partners, suppliers, affiliates and media as the industry continues to move towards more personalised, scalable and commercially resilient player experiences.

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SOURCE BC.GAME

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SHERPA TUTORS LAUNCHES SEN TUTORING DIVISION AS NUMBER OF SEN PUPILS REACHES RECORD 1.8 MILLION

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1,300 SEN Teaching Specialists to Support Growing Demand for Online Tutoring

MARLOW, England, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sherpa Tutors, one of the UK’s leading online tutoring platforms, announces the launch of its dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) Tutoring Division, created to help SEN pupils build confidence and a positive relationship with learning.

Sherpa’s SEN tutoring division gives parents access to more than 1,300 SEN and neurodiversity teaching specialists, including experienced teachers trained to support pupils with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety and other complex learning and emotional needs.

The launch comes as demand for SEN support accelerates. In June 2026, the Department for Education reported that more than 1.8 million children in England are registered as SEN or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place, representing a 5.2% increase on 2025.

While schools and colleges work incredibly hard to meet growing demand, many are overwhelmed, leaving some pupils struggling to get the support they need. 

Specialist SEN tutoring enables pupils to receive one-on-one support from experienced tutors and teachers who understand the teaching techniques needed to nurture their potential. 

Neurodivergent learners often process information differently, making personalised teaching programmes particularly important. Autistic learners may benefit from consistent routines, while pupils with ADHD often respond best to shorter, interactive activities.

“Our SEN tutors are highly knowledgeable and skilled, with an instinctive appreciation for the most effective learning techniques based on the needs of each pupil,” said Angela Winters, Head of Engagement at Sherpa Tutors. “Many pupils are battling severe anxiety. In these cases, tutors focus on gradually building confidence both academically and socially, helping them develop a resilience toolkit to better manage challenges.”

“The most effective learning experience begins with the right support and the right tutor. With 59% of Sherpa’s tutors experienced in SEN teaching, we can identify the right tutor to help every pupil build confidence and progress at a pace that’s right for them.”

Sherpa Tutors holds a 4.7 Trustpilot rating and a 4.8 Google rating and prides itself on exceptional customer service and high-quality tutors, 46% of which are qualified teachers, and 16% are qualified examiners.

Sherpa’s new SEN tutoring division aims to help more children access the support they need to build a positive and confident relationship with learning.

For more information, visit www.sherpa-online.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sherpa-tutors-launches-sen-tutoring-division-as-number-of-sen-pupils-reaches-record-1-8-million-302813031.html

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High Templar Tech Announces Final Results of Modified Dutch Auction Tender Offer

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XIAMEN, China, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — High Templar Tech Limited (the “Company,” “High Templar” or “we”) (NYSE: HTT), announced today the final results of its “modified Dutch Auction” tender offer to purchase up to 39 million American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) of the Company, each representing one Class A ordinary share, par value US$0.0001 per share, which expired at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on June 24, 2026.

Based on the final count by Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the depositary for the tender offer (the “Depositary”), a total of 45,999,926 ADSs of the Company were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or below the purchase price of US$3.20 per ADS, including 387,477 ADSs that were tendered by notice of guaranteed delivery.

The Company has accepted for purchase a total of 39,999,926 ADSs that were tendered in the tender offer at a purchase price of US$3.20 per ADS, for an aggregate cost of US$127,999,763.20, excluding fees and expenses relating to the tender offer. Included in the 39,999,926 ADSs that the Company accepted for purchase are 999,926 ADSs that the Company elected to purchase pursuant to its right to purchase up to an additional 2% of its outstanding ADSs. Due to the oversubscription of the tender offer, the Company accepted the ADSs on a pro rata basis, except for tenders of “odd lots,” which were accepted in full, and conditional tenders that were automatically regarded as withdrawn because the condition of the tender has not been met, and has been informed by the Depositary that the final proration factor for the tender offer is approximately 88.8%. The total of 39,999,926 ADSs that the Company has accepted for purchase represents approximately 42.8% of the total number of ADSs outstanding as of June 25, 2026.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as dealer manager for the tender offer and D.F. King & Co., Inc. acted as information agent for the tender offer. Shareholders who have questions or would like additional information about the tender offer may contact D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (888) 644-5854, toll at (646) 989-1649 or email at htt@dfking.com; banks and brokers may call Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at (212) 250-5600.

About High Templar Tech Limited

High Templar is exploring innovative business opportunities globally to satisfy clients’ demand by leveraging its technology know-how and financial service capabilities.

For more information, please visit https://ir.hightemplar.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the expectation of its collection efficiency and delinquency, contain forward-looking statements. High Templar may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to security holders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about High Templar’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: High Templar’s goal and strategies; High Templar’s expansion plans; High Templar’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; High Templar’s expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products; High Templar’s expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers, business partners and other parties it collaborates with; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in High Templar’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and High Templar does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:
High Templar Tech Limited
Tel: +86-592-317-2318
E-mail: ir@hightemplar.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/high-templar-tech-announces-final-results-of-modified-dutch-auction-tender-offer-302812952.html

SOURCE High Templar Tech Limited

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