Highlights

  • 1414 Degrees received firm commitments to raise $8.45 million before costs via a placement to sophisticated, professional and institutional investors, including cornerstone participation by Tribeca Investment Partners.
  • Funds will support battery testing programs with Ukrainian drone manufacturer Energia 2000 and European space company Orbit Boy, alongside the Aurora Energy Precinct data centre power strategy.
  • The Placement was completed at $0.10 per share, a 14% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average price and a 1.4% premium to the 5-day volume weighted average price.

 

1414 Degrees (ASX:14D) received firm commitments to raise $8.45 million before costs through a placement to sophisticated, professional and institutional investors, with Tribeca Investment Partners participating as a cornerstone investor. The raise comprised 84,570,435 fully paid ordinary shares at $0.10 each, together with one free attaching option for every two shares subscribed, exercisable at $0.18 and expiring four years from issue.

Settlement is expected on or around 1 July 2026, at which point 54,570,435 shares will be issued under the company's existing placement capacity and a further 30,000,000 shares under shareholder approval obtained at the company's extraordinary general meeting on 29 May 2026. Oakley Capital Partners acted as sole lead manager, receiving a 6% capital raising fee and broker options. The company is also considering, but has not yet committed to, an additional offer to existing shareholders.

Use of Funds: Drone, Defence and Space Programs

A significant portion of the raised capital is earmarked for advancing the company's SiNTL silicon anode battery technology through testing programs with two external partners. The first is Energia 2000, a Ukraine government-approved drone and UAV manufacturer that produces 72,000 drones annually, which will trial SiNTL-based batteries across its fleet under live battlefield conditions. The second is Orbit Boy, a European space launch company, which will test the batteries in satellite and rocket launch power systems, with potential extension into space-based laser defence applications.

1414 Degrees has stated that SiNTL's demonstrated ability to increase battery power density by at least 50% compared to traditional graphite anodes is intended to offer advantages for drone, UAV, aerospace and satellite applications where extended range, payload capacity and lifespan are priorities. The company is also targeting scale-up activities aimed at reaching 600 mAh/g performance and preparing for sample production with original equipment manufacturers and battery supply chain participants.

Aurora Energy Precinct and the Data Centre Opportunity

Beyond battery technology, funds will be directed toward the Aurora Energy Precinct in South Australia, a 16 square kilometre, Crown-sponsored site within the Upper Spencer Gulf Renewable Energy Zone. The precinct is designed to supply up to 900 megawatts of renewable energy and is positioned by the company to benefit from growing demand for data centre capacity in Australia, with the announcement noting that major hyperscalers and AI infrastructure providers, including Anthropic, have publicly signalled requirements for sites exceeding 500 megawatts in the country.

The company is currently in due diligence discussions with several data centre groups regarding potential investment in Aurora, and plans to progress its approved 140 MW / 280 MWh Battery Energy Storage System toward commercial outcomes, which may include development, divestment or other revenue-generating structures. Additional funds will support marketing of firmed renewable energy to data centres, mining operations and industrial users connected to the site's 275kV transmission line.

Broader Strategic Positioning

In comments accompanying the announcement, Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said the placement positions the company to convert its drone, space and data centre engagement into commercial outcomes, and that the recently appointed Advisory Board now has resources to evaluate further transactions across the defence, drone, satellite, aviation, robotics and autonomous vehicle sectors. The company noted that drone-dominated conflicts globally have generated industry interest in its energy solutions, while Aurora continues to attract interest from data centre proponents requiring large-scale, firmed renewable power.

The current raise follows an earlier $2.75 million raise completed in March 2026, bringing total capital raised in 2026 to $8.45 million from the most recent placement and a cumulative figure inclusive of the earlier round.

Conclusion

1414 Degrees has secured fresh capital to pursue a multi-pronged strategy spanning battery materials, defence-related testing programs and data centre infrastructure, with institutional backing from Tribeca Investment Partners among others. The raise was completed at a discount to the prior closing price but at a premium to recent volume-weighted average prices, reflecting the dilution associated with the new share and option issue. The company's near-term progress will likely be assessed against its ability to convert ongoing testing programs with Energia 2000 and Orbit Boy, along with data centre due diligence at Aurora, into firm commercial agreements.