日期: 2026 年 6 月 3 日

HONG KONG, Jun 3, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Suzhou Calmcar Electronics Technology Co., Limited (CalmCar) yesterday officially signed a strategic agreement to jointly establish the Physical AI Innovation Center. The Center is dedicated to advancing full-stack physical AI technologies, addressing fundamental bottlenecks in current AI, including an insufficient understanding of the laws of the physical world, limited reasoning capabilities, and a lack of reliable support for action and decision-making.The Center will build a new-generation physical AI technology foundation capable of understanding, predicting, reasoning, and decision-making, supporting strategic industries such as autonomous driving, robotics, and smart manufacturing, while helping position Hong Kong as a key strategic hub for national physical AI innovation.Multidimensional Research Directions: Full-Stack Layout from Chips to ApplicationsThe Center will pursue research covering chips and systems, foundational models and data, privacy protection and safety governance, as well as core application scenarios. By exploring and leveraging world models to build high-fidelity strategy validation and interactive reasoning capabilities, the Center aims to train AI in virtual environments before transferring capabilities to the real world-significantly improving AI‘s generalizability, interpretability, and reliability in complex and open environments, and building a long-term technical foundation for a wide range of intelligent applications.The Center’s ambition is to become a global strategic hub for physical AI innovation, leading the development of industry benchmarks and open-source platforms, and cultivating internationally competitive talent in physical AI.Based in Hong Kong, Serving the National “AI+” StrategyThe Center will actively serve the national “AI+” strategy, positioning itself with Hong Kong as its base, the Greater Bay Area as its hinterland, and the world as its stage. It strives to become a strategic highland for physical AI research in the Asia-Pacific region and an international hub for collaboration. The Center will establish end-to-end capabilities from fundamental research to industrial deployment, providing unified technical standards and common tools for the industry. Leveraging Hong Kong’s global connectivity and the Greater Bay Area’s comprehensive industrial supply chain, the Center will accelerate technology transfer and build a world-leading research and innovation center for physical intelligence.World-Class Academic LeadershipThe Center is led by Prof. GUO Song – Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences (EU), IEEE Fellow, and Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST – who serves as its director. Prof. Guo has long been engaged in distributed computing, edge AI, and multi-modal foundation models, dedicated to solving the challenges of generalization and reliability of AI in real-world physical environments.He is a recipient of the IEEE Edward J. McCluskey Technical Achievement Award, one of the highest honors in computer engineering, and is widely recognized as an international leader in the field. He also leads the Pervasive Intelligence Laboratory (PeiLAB), which has been based in Hong Kong for a decade and has produced substantial original achievements in physical world modeling, embodied reinforcement learning, and edge intelligent systems, providing a solid theoretical foundation for the Center’s research endeavors. Prof. Guo Song remarked: “Our pioneering ‘Physical Alignment’ technology upgrades generative video models into interactive world models, marking a shift in AI from ‘seeing the world’ to ‘acting on the world.’ By enabling infinite trial and error in virtual spaces, we provide a new paradigm for behavior prediction and safety planning in next-generation autonomous driving.” Prof. Zheng Weimin stated that physical AI will be a major strategic direction following general-purpose foundation models. He then presided over the handshake and group photo ceremony between the Strategic Advisory Committee and the Innovation Center, marking the field’s official entry into a new phase of industry-academia-research integration. He expressed hope that the Center will continue to make significant contribution to the national AI strategy.The Center has invited Prof. ZHENG Weimin—Senior Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 10th President of the China Computer Federation (CCF), and Professor at Tsinghua University—to chair its Strategic Committee. Prof. GUO Yike—Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) and the European Academy of Sciences (EU), and Provost of HKUST—serves as the University Advisor to the Center, providing strong support.Other Strategic Committee advisors include Prof. Xuemin (Sherman) SHEN—Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and Professor at the University of Waterloo; Dr. Bai-ning GUO—Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Microsoft Technical Fellow, Managing Deputy Director of Microsoft Research Asia, IEEE Fellow, and ACM Fellow; and Prof. David Atienza ALONSO — Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, IEEE Fellow, ACM Fellow, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at EPFL, and Associate Vice President for Centers and Platforms at EPFL.From Perception to Understanding: Driving the Evolution of Intelligent SystemsUnlike traditional AI that relies on massive data fitting, physical AI emphasizes a model’s ability to understand dynamic real-world laws and causal structures. Physical AI is driving intelligent systems beyond perception and recognition toward dynamic prediction, interactive reasoning, and autonomous decision-making grounded in physical consistency. As a key enabling technology, world models simulate and anticipate environmental dynamics, providing a foundation for policy learning and validation in complex scenarios while enhancing generalization and reliability in distributed settings.Leveraging the Physical AI Innovation Center, CalmCar—as a co-founder of the Center— will take the lead in applying these technologies to autonomous driving, enabling vehicles not only to perceive their surroundings but also to understand physical causality and anticipate the evolution of traffic scenarios, thereby advancing from perception to cognition.Looking ahead, the Center is committed to building partnerships with a broader range of industry partners, validating and refining physical AI technologies across diverse application scenarios, driving innovation in world model methodologies, and fostering the sustainable integration of physical AI technologies with the industrial ecosystem.Unveiling Ceremony: Witnessed by Leaders from Government, Academia, and IndustryThe unveiling ceremony brought together government leaders, leading academics, industry executives, and investment professionals. Representatives from HKUST and CalmCar’s founding team jointly unveiled the Center. Distinguished guests, including Mr. Duncan CHIU, Legislative Council Member (Technology & Innovation) of Hong Kong, and Mr. CHEN Xu, Executive Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Greater Bay Area Office, witnessed the launch of the initiative.As a core strategic partner in establishing the Center, Lion X Ventures has been deeply involved in its preparation and ecosystem building throughout the process. Leveraging its industry resources, cross-border reach, and capital expertise, Lion X Ventures provides comprehensive support for the Center’s operations and development, laying a solid foundation for its long-term growth.The high-caliber presence of leaders from government, academia, industry, and investment community, combined with the strategic support of top investment institutions, fully demonstrates the Center’s industry standing, resource depth, and strategic value. It also marks the official launch of a collaborative innovation ecosystem in the Greater Bay Area led by HKUST’s physical AI technologies. The HKUST-CalmCar Physical AI Innovation Center inauguration ceremony(From left to right: Ms. Diana WU, CEO of HSBC Hong Kong; Mr. Duncan CHIU, Legislative Council Member (Technology & Innovation) of Hong Kong; Mr. Terry TSANG, HKUST Court Member and Chairman of the Convocation, CEO of Madhead; Prof. ZHOU Xiaofang, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST; Prof. ZHENG Weimin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, former Chairman of the China Computer Federation, Professor at Tsinghua University; Mr. WANG Xi, Chairman and CEO of CalmCar; Prof. Guo Yike, Provost of HKUST; Prof. Tim CHENG, Vice-President for Research and Development of HKUST; Prof. Guo Song, Chair Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST and Director of the Physical AI Innovation Center; Mr. CHEN Xu, Executive Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Greater Bay Area Office; Mr. Daniel KWAN, Global Head of Mid-Capital and Equity Investment at OCBC; Ms. GUO Yanni, CEO of Lion X Ventures) Prof. Tim Cheng stated: “Physical intelligence will be a core force reshaping human society over the next decade. We have chosen this moment to fully commit to this direction—not merely to build a strong research organization, but to define a new research field from our own perspective. I believe that, years from now, when we look back on today, this will be remembered as an important moment in HKUST’s history.”The gathering of leaders from academia, industry, and investment underscores the significance and impact of this collaboration. The establishment of the Center is not only a milestone in university-industry collaboration but also a model for technology exchange and innovation between Shanghai and Hong Kong. The launch ceremony of the Industry-Research Alliance The launch ceremony of the Capital AllianceThe ceremony also marked the launch of the Industry-Research Alliance and the Capital Alliance, jointly initiated by HKUST, CalmCar, and other leading institutions. The inaugural industry partners include Tsinghua University, Microsoft Research Asia, 51WORLD (6651.HK), MetaX Integrated Circuits (688802.SH), Arm China, and Huixi Technology. Participating investment institutions include HSBC (0005.HK), Lion X Ventures, Dragonstone Capital, GPTX Investment, Delian Capital, G70 MFO, WeMove Capital, and Great Filter Venture.This marks the official launch of a collaborative innovation ecosystem spanning industry, academia, research, and application in the field of physical AI.The Industry-Research Alliance will focus on technology breakthroughs and scenario deployment, while the Capital Alliance will provide funding and commercialization pathways for leading technologies. In terms of talent development, both sides will build an industrial training system aligned with international standards, with CalmCar providing real-world engineering scenarios and hands-on opportunities, thereby nurturing a talent pipeline that spans basic research, technology development, and application deployment.The establishment of the Physical AI Innovation Center will further promote technology exchange and resource integration between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland in the most advanced frontier of physical AI. It aims to attract partners across the entire industrial chain and create an open, win-win ecosystem for the physical AI industry.About The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://www.hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, HKUST’s Computer Science discipline which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 11 Unicorns and 22 exits (IPO or M&A).About CalmCarSuzhou Calmcar Electronics Technology Co., Limited (CalmCar) was founded in 2016 and is a leading software-focused provider of L2-L2+ and L4 driving solutions in China. By 2024 installation volume, it ranks as the country’s second largest software-focused provider that offers both driving and parking solutions, and the first Chinese provider to deliver mass-production L2-L2+ solutions overseas. The company focuses on key autonomous driving technologies, offering driving, parking, and intelligent cockpit solutions with integrated driver monitoring systems (DMS), as well as L4 applications including robobuses, robotrucks, robotaxis, and robosweepers. CalmCar has partnered with over 30 vehicle manufacturers, including nine of China’s top ten automakers by sales in 2024. Its strategic investors include ZF, SAIC North America, SAIC Hengxu, BAIC Capital, China Unicom, Horizon Robotics, China TransInfo, SenseTime, Lion X Ventures, OCBC, and other leading industry players, providing solid support for innovation and global expansion.About Lion X VenturesLion X Ventures is a professional venture capital institution rooted in industry and focused on cross-border investment. It targets Southeast Asia’s digital economy and high-end manufacturing sectors. Riding on the trend of Chinese enterprises expanding into Southeast Asia, we deliver capital support, industrial resources and global landing solutions for high-potential startups and growth-stage companies.Founded in 2019, Lion Partners is the parent entity of Lion X Ventures. As a value investor dedicated to growth-oriented innovative enterprises, it is also a pioneer in joint investment across the digital economy and industrial ecosystem. We maintain a long-term focus on next-generation information technology, industrial digitalization, consumer tech and advanced manufacturing, while actively expanding our footprint in green technology and carbon neutrality.Backed by resources from leading financial groups in Southeast Asia, we adopt a co-management fund model partnered with industry leaders. With profound industrial insights, we empower portfolio companies and build a two-way interactive industrial ecosystem connecting China and Southeast Asia, ultimately achieving win-win outcomes for capital, industries and regional development. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

香港, 2026年6月3日 - (亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com) - 近日，香港科技大學（港科大）與蘇州天瞳威視電子科技股份有限公司（CalmCar）正式簽署戰略合作協議，共同成立港科大物理AI科創中心（以下簡稱「科創中心」）。該中心將聚焦物理 AI 全棧技術突破，面向當前AI對物理世界規律理解不足、推演能力有限、行動決策缺乏可靠支撐等核心瓶頸，構建具備理解、預測、推演與決策能力的新一代物理AI技術底座，支撐自動駕駛、機械人、智能製造等戰略性產業發展，助力香港成為國家物理AI創新的重要戰略支點。多維度研究方向：從芯片到應用的全棧佈局科創中心圍繞物理AI前沿研究方向和核心應用場景，覆蓋芯片與系統、基礎模型與數據、隱私保護與安全治理等，通過探索及利用世界模型構建高保真策略驗證與交互推演能力，讓AI能夠在虛擬環境中進行推演和學習，再將能力遷移到真實世界，從而顯著提升AI在複雜開放環境中的泛化性、可解釋性與系統可靠性，為廣泛的智能應用構建長期技術底座。中心的目標打造全球物理AI創新戰略樞紐，主導領域評測基準與開源平台，培養具有國際競爭力的物理AI人才。立足香港、服務國家「AI+」戰略科創中心將積極服務國家「AI+」戰略，以香港為立足點、粵港澳大灣區為腹地、全球為舞台，致力於成為亞太地區物理智能研究的戰略高地與國際合作樞紐。中心將構建從基礎研究到產業落地的端到端研究能力，為行業提供統一的技術標準和通用工具。同時，中心將依託香港的國際化優勢和大灣區完備的產業鏈資源，加速科技成果轉化，打造世界一流的物理智能研究創新中心。頂尖學術班底，築牢科研基石科創中心由加拿大工程院院士、歐洲科學院外籍院士、IEEE Fellow、港科大計算機科學及工程學系講座教授郭嵩教授出任主任，牽頭主持各項工作。郭嵩教授長期深耕分佈式計算、邊緣AI及多模態大模型領域，致力於攻克AI在真實物理環境中的泛化性與可靠性難題，曾獲計算機領域最高學術成就之一的IEEE Edward J. McCluskey技術成就獎，是該領域的國際領軍學者。其領銜的普適智能實驗室是扎根香港十年，已在物理世界建模、具身強化學習、邊緣智能系統優化等領域積累了大量原創性成果，為科創中心的技術攻關奠定了堅實的理論根基。 郭嵩教授指出：「我們首創的『物理對齊』技術，將生成式視頻模型升級為可交互的世界模型，標誌着AI從『看世界』邁向『動手改變世界』的新階段。通過虛擬空間無限試錯，我們為下一代自動駕駛的行為預測與安全規劃提供了全新範式。」 鄭緯民先生在致辭中定調：物理AI將是繼通用大模型之後的重要戰略方向。隨後，他主持了戰略諮詢委員會與科創中心的握手合影儀式，標誌着該領域正式邁入產學研融合新階段，寄望物理AI科創中心能夠持續為國家人工智能戰略貢獻重要力量。科創中心特邀中國工程院資深院士、中國計算機學會第十屆理事長、清華大學鄭緯民教授領銜戰略委员会，中國工程院外籍院士、英國皇家工程院院士、歐洲科學院院士、港科大首席副校長郭毅可教授作為中心的校方顧問，將為科創中心提供堅實支持；戰略委員會其他顧問成員還包括；中國工程院外籍院士、加拿大皇家科學院院士、加拿大工程院院士、滑鐵盧大學沈學民教授；加拿大皇家科學院院士、微軟技术院士、微軟亞洲研究院常務副院長、IEEE Fellow、ACM Fellow郭百寧博士；歐洲科學院院士、IEEE Fellow、ACM Fellow、洛桑聯邦理工學院（EPFL）協理副校長David ATIENZA ALONSO教授。從感知邁向理解，驅動智能系統進化相較於依賴海量數據擬合的傳統AI，物理AI更強調模型對真實世界動態規律與因果結構的理解。物理AI的發展，正推動智能系統從單純的感知識別，向融合物理一致性的動態預測、交互推理與自主決策演進。世界模型作為實現物理AI的重要技術路徑之一，通過構建環境的內部表徵並進行前瞻性推演，為複雜場景中的策略學習與驗證提供了仿真基礎，有望增強系統在分布式場景中的泛化能力與行為可靠性。依託該物理AI科創中心，共同發起方天瞳威視將率先在智能駕駛領域應用相關技術展開實踐，讓智駕系統不僅能看見環境，更能理解物理因果，對交通場景的演化趨勢進行想像，從而實現從感知向認知的持續演進。面向未來，科創中心將致力於與更多產業合作夥伴構建合作，在不同應用場景下實踐和驗證物理AI技術理念，推動世界模型的技術路徑創新，促進物理AI關鍵技術與產業生態的持續融合發展。 揭牌儀式：政產學研領袖共同見證本次科創中心揭牌儀式匯聚政界領導、學界權威、產業領軍代表與投資界精英，與港科大校方代表和天瞳威視創始團隊共同出席、攜手揭牌，香港特別行政區立法會（科技創新界）議員邱達根先生、廣州市大灣區辦常務副主任陳旭先生等重磅嘉賓親臨現場，全程見證科創中心揭幕。作為本次科創中心建設的核心戰略合作方，Lion X Ventures全程深度參與中心籌備與生態搭建，依托自身產業資源、跨境布局與資本優勢，為中心落地營運提供全方位支撐，築牢長遠發展根基。高規格的政產學研陣容，疊加頭部投資機構的戰略賦能，充分彰顯科創中心起步的行業高度、資源厚度與戰略價值，亦標誌着以港科大物理AI技術引領、多方協同聯動的創新產業生態體系，在大灣區正式啟航、全新啟程。港科大-天瞳威視「物理AI科創中心」正式揭牌（從左至右依次為：HSBC香港區行政總裁伍楊玉如女士，香港特別行政區立法會（科技創新界）議員邱達根先生，港科大校董會成員、評議會主席、Madhead行政總裁曾建中先生，港科大電腦科學及工程學系主任周曉方教授，中國工程院院士、中國電腦學會前理事長、清華大學教授鄭緯民教授，天瞳威視董事長兼CEO王曦先生，港科大首席副校長郭毅可教授，港科大副校長（研究及發展）鄭光廷教授，港科大電腦科學及工程學系講座教授、物理AI科創中心主任郭嵩教授，廣州市大灣區辦常務副主任陳旭先生，OCBC中層資本及股權投資部全球主管關昭博先生，Lion X Ventures CEO郭燕妮女士） 鄭光廷校長致辭：「物理智能將是未來十年重塑人類社會的核心力量。我們選擇在這個時刻全力投入這個方向，不只是為了建立一個好的研究組織，而是以我們的視角定義一個新科研領域。我相信，多年後回望今天，這將是科大歷史上一個重要的時刻。」學術界、產業界、投資界多方力量匯聚一堂，充分體現了此次合作的高度與影響力。科創中心的成立不僅是校企合作的里程碑，也成為滬港兩地科技交流創新的典範。「產研聯盟」亮燈現場 「資本聯盟」亮燈現場活動現場同時啟動了「產研聯盟」與「資本聯盟」，香港科技大學、天瞳威視以及其他頭部機構共同發起了兩個聯盟。第一批產研夥伴包括：清華大學、微軟亞洲研究院、51視界（6651.HK）、沐曦股份（688802.SH）、安謀科技、輝羲智能，本次參與的投資機構有：匯豐（0005.HK）、Lion X Ventures、龍石資本、GPTX簡坤資本、德聯資本、G70環球家族辦公室、微木控股、達武創投，这標誌著圍繞物理AI的產學研用協同創新生態正式啟航。產研聯盟將聚焦技術攻關與場景落地，資本聯盟則為領先的技術成果提供資金支持和商業化路徑。在人才培養層面，雙方將共建接軌國際標準的產業實訓體系，由天瞳威視提供真實工程場景與產業化實訓機會，推動形成從基礎研究、技術開發到場景應用的完整生態鏈所需人才的培養體系。本次港科大物理AI科創中心的成立，將進一步在全球最前沿的物理AI領域推動香港與內地的科技交流與資源整合，聯合吸引產業鏈上下游夥伴，打造開放共贏的物理AI產業新格局。關於香港科技大學香港科技大學（港科大）（https://www.hkust.edu.hk/）是國際知名的大學，致力推動創新教學、卓越研究及具影響力的知識轉移。港科大着重為學生提供全面及跨學科的教學，於《2026年 QS 亞洲大學排名》中排行第六，《泰晤士高等教育全球年輕大學排名榜2024》中排行第三，並在《泰晤士高等教育大學影響力排名2025》中全球排第19、全港第一。港科大共有11個學科入選《2026年QS世界大學學科排名》全球50強；此外，在《泰晤士高等教育世界大學學科排名2026》中，涵蓋人工智能及機器學習的「計算機科學」領域連續十年蟬聯全港第一。此外，港科大在全球大學就業能力排名中，一直位處全球首30名以內，反映畢業生極具競爭力。在研究及創業創新方面，逾八成的科大研究，於香港的大學教育資助委員會最新的「2020研究評審工作」被評為「國際卓越」或「世界領先」水平。截至2026年5月，港科大成員共創立了逾1,900間至今活躍的初創公司，當中包括11間獨角獸企業和22間成功退場的公司（上市集資或被併購）。關於天瞳威視蘇州天瞳威視電子科技股份有限公司（CalmCar）成立於2016年，是中國領先的以軟件為核心的L2-L2+級及L4級駕駛解決方案提供商。按2024年裝機量計，公司位居中國第二大同時提供行車與泊車解決方案的軟件核心供應商，並率先在海外市場實現L2-L2+級量產方案交付。公司專注於智能駕駛關鍵技術，產品涵蓋行車、泊車、整合駕駛員監測系統的智能座艙解決方案，以及Robobus、Robotruck、Robotaxi及Robosweeper等L4級應用場景，已與超過30 家整車廠展開合作，其中包括2024年中國銷量前十強車企中的9家。戰略投資者涵蓋采埃孚、上汽北美、上汽恒旭、北汽產投、中國聯通、地平線、千方科技、商湯科技、Lion X Ventures、華僑銀行等頭部產業資本，為技術創新與全球化拓展提供堅實支撐。關於Lion X VenturesLion X Ventures是一家立足產業、深耕跨境佈局的專業風險投資機構，聚焦東南亞數字經濟與高端製造賽道，緊抓中國企業出海東南亞的核心趨勢，為高潛力早期及成長階段企業提供資本、產業資源與全球化落地支持。Lion X Ventures隸屬的獅城資本成立於2019年，是專注成長型創新企業的價值型投資機構，亦是數字經濟與產業生態聯合投資的實踐者。機構長期聚焦新一代資訊科技、產業數位化、消費科技、先進製造，同時積極布局綠色科技與碳中和賽道。依托東南亞頂級金融集團資源，採用產業龍頭聯合管理基金模式開展投資，以深度產業視角賦能被投企業，構建中國—東南亞雙向聯動的產業生態，實現資本、產業與區域發展的多方共贏。 Copyright 2026 亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

OTTAWA, ON, June 3, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) ("Focus" or the "Company"), a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce that it has executed a non-repayable Contribution Agreement (the "Agreement") with Natural Resources Canada ("NRCan") under the Government of Canada's newly established First and Last Mile Fund ("FLMF"), formerly the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, securing up to $1,378,700 in non-dilutive federal funding (the "Funding") to advance critical transportation and energy infrastructure planning under the Project Titled Lac Knife Graphite Mine Access Road and Hydro Connection (the "Project") for the Company's flagship Lac Knife Graphite Project ("Lac Knife") in northeastern Quebec.The Funding will support engineering, environmental, permitting, community engagement and feasibility activities required to advance the planned all-season access road and Hydro-Quebec grid connection toward a construction-ready, shovel-ready stage. Once completed, these pre-development activities are expected to materially de-risk future infrastructure development and significantly advance Lac Knife's pathway toward future construction, development financing, strategic partnerships and operation.The Funding forms part of the Government of Canada's recently announced C$3.6 billion Critical Minerals Investment Package, unveiled at the 2026 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. A cornerstone of the package is the C$1.5 billion FLMF, established to advance enabling infrastructure that moves strategic critical mineral projects toward construction readiness while strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting Canada's economic, defence and national security objectives."We are honoured to receive this support from the Government of Canada, which recognizes the strategic importance of the Lac Knife project to the North American critical minerals supply chain," said Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Graphite. "As we advance toward permitting and development, this funding is a strong endorsement of Focus Graphite's role in helping build a secure domestic supply of high-grade graphite. We are also fortunate to have existing road and power infrastructure, providing a significant advantage as we move closer to production."Lac Knife hosts one of North America's highest-grade natural graphite deposits and represents a strategically important source of natural graphite for North American and allied supply chains. Natural graphite is a foundational material for lithium-ion batteries, advanced manufacturing, energy storage systems, and a growing range of defence and dual-use technologies, making secure domestic supply increasingly important to Canada and its allies."The objective is simple: advance Lac Knife, reduce risk and preserve shareholder capital," said Jason Latkowcer, Vice President of Corporate Development of Focus Graphite. "Around the world, governments and industry are moving quickly to secure critical mineral supply chains. We've heard that message directly from allies and strategic stakeholders. There isn't time to waste. This funding helps move Lac Knife from planning toward execution. Early technical work has already identified opportunities to improve access, and we expect further optimization as engineering and infrastructure planning advances. This is another tangible step toward building a strategic graphite asset for Canada and its allies."A key component of the program includes collaboration with Indigenous communities, including the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam ("ITUM"). The Project includes the establishment of joint technical and steering committees, Indigenous workforce participation initiatives, skills development programs, community consultation activities and support for Indigenous participation in the future development and operation of the planned infrastructure. These activities align with the objectives of the First and Last Mile Fund to advance Indigenous leadership, engagement and participation throughout the development of strategic critical mineral infrastructure."The development of Lac Knife is a perfect example of Canada's new mining era: a strategic project, developed to benefit local economies, sustainably, and in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, along with advancing Canada's role as a reliable global supplier of critical minerals," said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "By investing in the infrastructure and early work needed to advance this high-grade graphite project, we are reducing risk, accelerating development, and helping to build a secure, end-to-end supply chain-from mine to market. This is how we strengthen economic and supply chain security for decades to come."The infrastructure initiative is expected to deliver multiple long-term benefits to Canada and Quebec. The proposed access road will establish reliable year-round access to the Lac Knife site, while the future transmission connection will support the electrification of mining operations through Quebec's hydroelectric grid, reducing reliance on diesel-powered infrastructure and strengthening the sustainability, resilience and security of Canada's critical minerals supply chain. The planned infrastructure is expected to support future production, improve regional access and contribute to long-term economic development opportunities across Quebec's North Shore region.Federal Funding DetailsUnder the executed Agreement, NRCan will provide up to C$1,378,700 in non-repayable funding, representing approximately 50% of total eligible Project costs. Focus Graphite will contribute an equivalent amount toward the Project. The Agreement represents another important step in advancing Lac Knife and reinforces Canada's commitment to developing secure domestic critical mineral supply chains from extraction through processing and delivery into North American and allied markets.Funding will support the full work program outlined in the Agreement, including feasibility and engineering studies, environmental baseline work, geotechnical and LiDAR surveys, stakeholder engagement, regulatory and permitting activities and detailed infrastructure design. These activities are expected to culminate in finalized engineering plans, environmental assessments, community approvals and permit applications required to support future construction decisions.The Project is scheduled to continue through March 2028.About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc. Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.Our commitment to innovation ensures an eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/ X: https://x.com/focusgraphiteInvestors Contact: Dean Hanisch CEO, Focus Graphite Inc. dhanisch@focusgraphite.com +1 (613) 612-6060Jason LatkowcerVP Corporate Developmentjlatkowcer@focusgraphite.comCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things: the anticipated receipt and use of funding under the Contribution Agreement with Natural Resources Canada; the completion of the activities contemplated under the Lac Knife Graphite Mine Access Road and Hydro Connection Project; the advancement of the Lac Knife Graphite Project toward construction-ready and shovel-ready status; the completion of engineering, environmental, permitting, stakeholder engagement and feasibility activities; the anticipated benefits of the planned access road and Hydro-Québec grid connection; the Company's ability to secure required approvals, permits and community support; the timing and completion of the Project work program; the potential for future development financing, government funding, strategic partnerships and offtake arrangements; the future development, construction and operation of the Lac Knife Project; the role of Lac Knife in supporting domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains; and the Company's ability to pursue additional non-dilutive funding opportunities and execute its long-term development strategy.Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/299885 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com