Highlights

  • Zimi signed an exclusive three-year distribution agreement with Directed Electronics Australia covering retail and direct sales channels.
  • Directed's network spans more than 10,000 retail outlets across Australia and New Zealand, with launches planned for 2027.
  • Customer receipts reached A$240,000 in the Sep-2026 quarter, while net operating cash outflow totalled A$714,000.
  • An A$835,000 FY26 R&D tax incentive refund received in October lifted pro forma cash to about A$1.18 million.

A retail pathway for its next generation of connected home devices now sits at the centre of the Zimi Ltd (ASX:ZMM) story. The Australian smart electrical device developer signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Directed Electronics Australia on 23 September 2026, giving its Matter-enabled range access to more than 10,000 retail outlets across Australia and New Zealand once products launch in 2027.

The deal arrived alongside a board refresh and a tight cash position heading into the annual general meeting.

Directed Agreement Opens Retail and Direct Channels

Under the agreement, Directed Electronics Australia, part of the Directed Group of Companies, becomes the exclusive distributor of Zimi's next-generation Matter products for retail, direct-to-consumer and direct-to-business sales in Australia and New Zealand. The initial term runs for three years, with an option to extend for a further two years.

Zimi said Directed's retail network includes chains such as Bunnings, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Noel Leeming and Officeworks. The company's existing wholesale agreement with GSM Electrical (Australia) continues to serve the electrical trade and wholesale channels.

Matter is a connectivity standard backed by Amazon, Apple, Google and Samsung, and Zimi has built its product strategy around it.

September Quarter Shows Thin Cash Runway Before R&D Refund

In its Sep-2026 quarter update, Zimi reported invoiced Revenue of A$289,000 including GST, customer receipts of A$240,000 and orders on hand of A$532,000. Net operating cash outflow was A$714,000, with staff costs of A$544,000 the largest item.

The company completed the second Tranche of its Placement on 15 July 2026, issuing about 204.5 million shares at A$0.004 to raise roughly A$818,000 before costs. Combined with the first tranche, the raising totalled about A$1.56 million before costs.

Cash at 30 September 2026 stood at A$344,000, equal to 0.48 quarters of funding on the Appendix 4C measure. On 16 October 2026, Zimi received an A$835,000 R&D tax incentive refund for FY26, lifting pro forma cash to about A$1.18 million. The board said it is evaluating options, including a further Capital raising, and may reduce discretionary spending if required.

New Chair and AGM Agenda

Simon Gennari joined as Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair on 7 October 2026, following Simon Beissel's departure on 30 June 2026. Gennari leads the M&A and Capital Markets practice at Findex. Two-thirds of his A$75,000 annual fee is to be paid in shares, subject to Shareholder approval.

The hybrid AGM on 27 November 2026 will consider director elections, ratification of supplier shares, a renewed employee incentive plan and an additional 10% placement capacity.

What Comes Next for the Matter Range

The next-generation range is in certification testing and pre-production, with pre-production samples manufactured during the quarter and a Zimi Matter app for iOS and Android in development. Management expects cash flows and the financial position to improve progressively as the range launches in 2027 and distribution sales begin, though timing remains subject to certification and launch execution.

Shares were unchanged at A$0.004 on 2 November 2026, giving a Market Capitalisation of about A$4.6 million, and were down 50% over 12 months.