Intellistake Highlights NanoAi's Collaboration With Global Defense Helmet Leader Gentex Corporation

RAILINK® License Places NanoAi Inside the Gentex Ops-Core® Ecosystem Powering the Next Generation Connected Soldier Systems; a Market Projected to Reach US$18.9 Billion by 2034 ^[1]

Highlights

• RAILINK System In Hand, Integration Work Beginning: NanoAi has taken physical possession of Gentex's full Ops-Core® RAILINK® Power and Data ARC Rail System and has commenced hands-on development work. Over the coming months, NanoAi intends to work directly alongside Gentex's engineering team to integrate its sensing technology into the RAILINK platform, advancing toward a connected, threat-detection-enabled headborne system.
• Multi-Billion Dollar Markets: Third-party estimates place the global soldier systems market at approximately US$12.2 billion in 2025, projected to reach US$18.9 billion by 2034 (Fortune Business Insights) ^[1]; military augmented reality at US$1.7 billion in 2025, projected to reach US$6.8 billion by 2034 (The Insight Partners) ^[4]; and AI and analytics in defense at US$13.95 billion in 2026, projected to reach US$23.5 billion by 2030. ^[5]
• First Detailed Look at the Gentex Collaboration: Today's release gives investors the first in-depth view of NanoAi's licensed development collaboration with Gentex, a defense technology leader with more than 130 years of history serving U.S. and allied forces. ^[2]
• Inside an Elite Ecosystem: NanoAi is a licensed development collaborator within Gentex Corporation's Ops-Core® RAILINK® ecosystem, which includes established defense technology companies and accessory providers such as SureFire®, Princeton Tec™, CORE Survival®, MOHOC and Advanced Materials and Devices (AMAD). ^[3]
• The Helmet Is Becoming a Platform: The Company believes the military helmet is undergoing the most significant transformation in its history; from passive protection into a connected, AI-enabled computing and sensing platform; and that NanoAi is positioned to supply one of that platform's most critical new capabilities.
• Detecting What No Human Sense Can Perceive: NanoAi's proprietary sensing technology is designed to detect explosives, ammunition and narcotics at standoff distances; in real time and without physical contact; across wearable, helmet-mounted, drone, robotic, vehicle and fixed platforms.
• Transaction: Upon completion of the proposed acquisition, NanoAi would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Intellistake. Completion remains subject to the conditions described in the Company's August 4, 2026 news release.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTCQB: ISTKF) (FSE: E41) ("Intellistake" or the "Company"), today unveiled a detailed look at the licensed development collaboration between NanoAi Technologies Inc. ("NanoAi"), the subject of the Company's previously announced proposed acquisition, and Gentex Corporation ("Gentex"), a global leader in advanced headborne protection and situational awareness solutions, whose Ops-Core^® platforms are among the most widely recognized in modern defense.

Gentex Corporation: More Than a Century of Expertise in Headborne Systems 

Gentex Corporation has spent more than 130 years developing the most advanced products and solutions for elite defense, law enforcement and security forces around the world, with operations across the United States, Europe and Australia. Through its Ops-Core^® brand, Gentex develops advanced lightweight headborne systems that protect the operator while serving as the integration point for mission-critical technologies. When the most demanding users in the world add technology to their headborne system, Gentex platforms are the top choice. ^[2]

The RAILINK Ecosystem: Power and Data at the Edge of the Fight

Modern helmets increasingly carry cameras, night-vision systems, communications equipment, displays and sensors; devices that have historically demanded their own batteries, cables and interfaces for each piece of equipment, adding significant weight and complexity. Gentex's RAILINK^® Power and Data ARC Rail System solves this challenge by integrating power and data directly into the helmet's accessory rail, allowing compatible devices to share power and communicate through a single headborne platform. The architecture was designed and tested with extensive U.S. military user input. ^[6]

NanoAi's license provides the technical framework to develop its sensing technology for integration with RAILINK-equipped platforms, placing NanoAi inside an ecosystem of established defense technology collaborators and giving it a defined pathway onto one of the industry's most respected headborne architectures. ^[3]

NanoAi has taken physical possession of Gentex's full RAILINK system for hands-on development work, marking a significant step forward in the collaboration. Over the coming months, NanoAi intends to work directly alongside Gentex's engineering team to integrate its sensing technology into the RAILINK platform, advancing toward a fully connected, threat-detection-enabled headborne system.

From Protection to Platform

Intellistake believes the military helmet is undergoing the most significant transformation in its history. For a century, the helmet had one job: protect the soldier's head. Today it is evolving into a connected node on the battlefield network; sensing, computing and communicating in real time. In the Company's view, the value of the headborne platform will increasingly be defined not by what it blocks, but by what it sees, hears, processes and shares.

NanoAi: Giving the Platform a New Sense - Olfaction at Nanoscale

NanoAi's proprietary sensing technology is designed to detect explosives, ammunition and narcotics at standoff distances; identifying threats that cannot be seen, in real time, without physical contact. Development is directed at wearable, helmet-mounted, drone, robotic, vehicle and fixed platforms, incorporating artificial intelligence, sensor networking and geolocation capabilities intended to stream actionable threat information to operators and command teams the moment it is detected.

The Company believes the proposed acquisition would secure NanoAi at the stage that matters most: license in hand, ahead of commercialization, while the architecture of the connected soldier is still being defined. NanoAi's technology is in active development and has not yet been commercially deployed; early positioning that, in Intellistake's view, is the opportunity itself.

Sensing Plus Intelligence: The Intellistake Thesis

Defense platforms are protected by formidable barriers to entry; qualification cycles, institutional trust and demanding operational requirements. NanoAi's licensed collaboration provides an established position inside one of the industry's most respected ecosystems. Intellistake brings the other half of the equation: production deployments of AI-agent systems. Sensors generate data; intelligence software turns data into decisions.

The Company believes this combination of sensing hardware and AI software has applications across headborne, drone, robotic, vehicle and fixed platforms; and represents a differentiated entry point into AI-enabled defense.

Jason Dussault, Chief Executive Officer of Intellistake, commented:

"When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, the world saw a better phone. What it was actually seeing was the moment a single-purpose device became a platform; and entire industries were rebuilt on top of it. We believe the military helmet is at that same inflection point today: evolving from protective equipment into a connected computing and sensing platform, with Gentex's RAILINK ecosystem foundational to that shift. NanoAi brings to that platform a capability we believe will help define the next decade of soldier systems; detecting explosives, ammunition and narcotics at standoff distances, in real time. Combined with Intellistake's AI agents and data infrastructure, our ambition is to help build the sensing and intelligence layer of the connected battlefield."

Craig Micklich, Chief Executive Officer of NanoAi Technologies, commented:

"For more than a century, the helmet's job was to protect the soldier's head. Its next job is to extend the soldier's senses. Gentex's RAILINK architecture turns the helmet into a connected platform, and NanoAi's mission is to give that platform a new sense; olfaction at nanoscale, detecting threats no human sense can perceive, in real time, without physical contact. With Gentex's ecosystem and Intellistake's artificial intelligence capabilities behind us, we believe we can accelerate a new generation of connected threat-detection systems. We are excited about where this collaboration is headed. Over the coming months, we intend to work closely with the Gentex team toward full integration of NanoAi's sensing technology within the RAILINK ecosystem, bringing advanced threat detection directly into the next generation of connected soldier systems."

Market Context

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global soldier systems market was valued at approximately US$12.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach approximately US$18.9 billion by 2034. ^[1] The Insight Partners estimates the global military augmented reality market at approximately US$1.7 billion in 2025, projected to reach approximately US$6.8 billion by 2034. ^[4] Third-party estimates cited in the Company's August 4, 2026 news release place the AI and analytics in defense market at approximately US$13.95 billion in 2026, projected to reach approximately US$23.5 billion by 2030. ^[5] These figures are third-party industry estimates provided for context only and should not be interpreted as forecasts of Intellistake or NanoAi revenue.

Transaction Status

The proposed acquisition of NanoAi was announced on August 4, 2026. Upon completion, NanoAi would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Intellistake while continuing to hold its existing license and development relationship with Gentex. Completion remains subject to the conditions described in the Company's August 4, 2026 news release, and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed on the terms currently contemplated, or at all.

Sources

^[1] Fortune Business Insights, "Soldier System Market Size, Share, Forecast, 2026-2034." https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/soldier-system-market-108136

^[2] Gentex Corporation, "About Us." https://www.gentexcorp.com/about-us/

^[3] Gentex Corporation, "Gentex Corporation Announces Agreements With New Partners for Ops-Core® RAILINK® Power and Data ARC Rail System," June 16, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250616164951/en/

^[4] The Insight Partners, "Military Augmented Reality Market Trends & Opportunities 2034." https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/military-augmented-reality-market 

^[5]https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/6215080/artificial-intelligence-analytics-in-defence

^[6] Gentex Corporation, "Ops-Core RAILINK® Power and Data ARC Rails." https://shop.gentexcorp.com/ops-core-railink-power-and-data-arc-rails/

About Gentex Corporation

Part of Gentex Corporation's portfolio for defense, emergency response, and security forces, the focus and dedication of the company's Ops-Core brand is protecting elite forces. The modular, scalable, open-architecture design of Ops-Core products allows for seamless integration and true system level performance.

To find out more, visit: www.gentexcorp.com 

About NanoAi Technologies

NanoAi Technologies is a defense technology company developing a proprietary standoff sensing platform capable of detecting explosives, ammunition and narcotics across wearable, drone, robotic, vehicle and fixed-mount deployments. Combined with artificial intelligence, swarming capabilities and real-time geolocation, each sensor delivers results simultaneously to operators in the field and the task force.

To find out more about NanoAi Technologies, please visit: www.nanoaitechnologies.com  

About Intellistake

Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTCQB: ISTKF) (FSE: E41) is an AI infrastructure and technology company developing AI agents, enterprise software and data infrastructure designed to turn real-world information into actionable intelligence, including its Austen AI platform and production AI-agent deployments. The proposed acquisition of NanoAi is intended to expand the Company's technology platform into AI-enabled defense, advanced sensing, autonomous systems and connected soldier technology.

For additional information, visit www.intellistake.com 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, all statements regarding the proposed acquisition of NanoAi and its anticipated benefits; NanoAi's technology and development activities, including the anticipated integration of NanoAi's sensing technology with RAILINK-equipped platforms and the anticipated nature, extent and timing of development work with Gentex; potential applications of NanoAi's sensing platform; the anticipated evolution of headborne and soldier systems; anticipated market opportunities; the Company's artificial intelligence capabilities; and the potential benefits of combining Intellistake's artificial intelligence infrastructure with NanoAi's sensing technology.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "would", or "might" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain assumptions regarding, among other things, the Company will continue to have access to financing until it achieves profitability; the Company and NanoAi satisfy all conditions necessary to close the proposed transaction; the maintenance in good standing of NanoAi's license and development collaborator status with Gentex; the parties' ability to develop, test, integrate and commercialize their respective technologies; the continued development and adoption of AI-enabled defense systems; the ability to establish and maintain customer, development and strategic relationships; the technology and blockchain industries in which the Company intends to focus its business in will grow at the rate and in the manner expected; the ability to attract qualified personnel; the success of market initiatives and the ability to grow brand awareness; the ability to distribute Company's services; the Company creates strategies to mitigate risks associated with cryptocurrency price fluctuations; the Company remains compliant with all applicable laws and securities regulations and applicable licensing requirements; the Company engages and collaborates with local experts, as necessary, to address jurisdiction-specific matters and ensures compliance with foreign regulations to avoid penalties; the Company addresses any potential cybersecurity threats promptly and effectively; the ability of the Company to develop its technology, acquire customers and have revenue; the ability to successfully deploy the new business strategy as a result of the change of business. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, they may be incorrect.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable as of the date of this news release, including: the completion of the proposed acquisition and the satisfaction of applicable closing conditions; the availability of financing on acceptable terms; the maintenance in good standing of NanoAi's license and development collaborator status with Gentex; the parties' ability to develop, test, integrate and commercialize their respective technologies; the continued development and adoption of AI-enabled defense systems; the ability to establish and maintain customer, development and strategic relationships; the ability to obtain any required regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to protect and commercialize its intellectual property; and general economic, market and industry conditions.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to general business, economic and social uncertainties; failure of the Company and NanoAi to satisfy all conditions necessary to close the proposed transaction; failure to raise the capital necessary to fund its operations; failure of NanoAi's technology will achieve the performance characteristics contemplated, successfully complete development, testing or integration with RAILINK-equipped platforms; failure to achieve commercial adoption or generate revenue; inability to create strategies to mitigate the risks associated with cryptocurrency price fluctuations; the costs of regulation in the digital asset industries increase to the extent that the Company is no longer generating sufficient returns for shareholders; failure to promptly and effectively address cybersecurity threats; insufficient resources to maintain its operations on a competitive basis; and the actual costs, timing and future plans differs expectations; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; the inherent risks involved in the cryptocurrency and general securities markets; the Company may not be able to profitably liquidate its current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on the Company's operations; the Company's success may depend on the continued involvement of key personnel, including advisors, whose involvement cannot be guaranteed; institutional adoption of decentralized AI infrastructure remains uncertain and may not occur at the pace or scale anticipated; evolving regulatory frameworks, including those related to AI (such as Canada's proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act) and prediction markets, may impose additional compliance burdens or restrict certain business activities; valuation figures are based on publicly available market data and internal assessments at the time of the referenced transactions and may not reflect current or future valuations; the volatility of digital currency prices; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; failure to attract qualified personnel, labour disputes; and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update forward-looking information.

Market size and growth figures referenced in this news release are third-party industry estimates provided for contextual purposes only. Such estimates may differ materially depending on market definition, methodology, geographic scope and forecast assumptions, and should not be interpreted as forecasts of Intellistake's or NanoAi's future revenues, market share or financial performance. Statements attributed to Gentex or other third parties are based on publicly available materials, and the Company has not independently verified such information.

SOURCE Intellistake Technologies Corp.

Company Contact: Alice Cherrington, VP of Communications, [email protected], [phone]