Intellistake CEO Jason Dussault and NanoAi Founder Craig Micklich attended the U.S. Army's largest annual meeting with industry, where defense leadership outlined modernization priorities aligned with NanoAi's developing standoff detection technology.

Highlights

• Major Defense Industry Gathering: Intellistake CEO Jason Dussault and NanoAi Founder, Chairman and CEO Craig Micklich met with prospective defense customers at AUSA 2026, October 12–14, in Washington, D.C. The event featured more than 750 exhibits, including Anduril, Lockheed Martin, RTX, Palantir and Gentex Corporation.
   
• NanoAi's Standoff Detection Platform: 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.
   
• Gentex RAILINK® Development Collaboration: NanoAi is a licensed development collaborator within Gentex Corporation's Ops-Core® RAILINK® ecosystem. As announced October 13, 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.
   
• First Explosive Laboratory Result: On October 15, NanoAi reported that its sensor registered Targeted Explosive Threat 001 at a 10ft standoff in 0.80 seconds, without physical contact, during controlled laboratory testing. The test was recorded on video.
   
• Proposed Acquisition: Intellistake's previously announced C$17 million proposed acquisition of NanoAi remains subject to closing conditions.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTCQB: ISTKF) (FSE: E41) ("Intellistake" or the "Company"), today announced that Chief Executive Officer Jason Dussault and Craig Micklich, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of acquisition target NanoAi Technologies ("NanoAi"), attended the Association of the United States Army ("AUSA") 2026 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C., October 12–14, where they met with prospective defense customers.

The three-day event brought together U.S. Army leadership, defense contractors and emerging technology companies, with more than 750 exhibits, including Anduril, Lockheed Martin, RTX, Palantir and Gentex Corporation.^1,5

The event provided an opportunity to engage prospective defense customers as Army leadership emphasized faster technology deployment, expanding autonomous systems and improved soldier protection, priorities relevant to NanoAi's developing technology.

U.S. Army Emphasizes Speed, Autonomy and Soldier Protection

At AUSA 2026, Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle emphasized reducing bureaucratic obstacles and accelerating the delivery of technology to frontline soldiers, calling for acquisition processes to move at the speed of business rather than traditional government timelines.²

Autonomous warfare was another focus. AUSA's program included a special session addressing Project Agincourt, an initiative concerning autonomous warfare capabilities across the joint force.³

In remarks reported by AUSA ahead of the event, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army's acting Chief of Staff, discussed the expansion of unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities and the limitations of equipment an individual soldier can carry.⁴

These priorities underscore the potential relevance of standoff threat detection, unmanned platforms and technologies designed to improve situational awareness without adding unnecessary burden to military personnel.

NanoAi's Standoff Detection Technology and Gentex Collaboration

NanoAi is a nanotechnology and artificial intelligence company that is developing a proprietary standoff detection platform for defense, with further applications in law enforcement, border security and critical infrastructure.

NanoAi's proprietary standoff detection technology is designed to detect explosives, ammunition and narcotics in real time and without physical contact, across wearable, helmet-mounted, drone, robotic, vehicle and fixed platforms.

For military personnel, the intended advantage is standoff threat detection without requiring a soldier or operator to physically approach or handle an unknown threat.

NanoAi is a licensed development collaborator within Gentex Corporation's Ops-Core® RAILINK® ecosystem. 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.⁶

As announced October 13, 2026, 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 (read more).

Gentex exhibited the RAILINK system at AUSA 2026. NanoAi's sensing technology is not yet integrated with the system.

From Laboratory Development to Defense Industry Engagement

Since Intellistake announced its proposed acquisition on August 4, 2026, NanoAi has established its Dallas-Richardson Op Center in Texas, assembled its technology leadership team, commenced laboratory testing on October 8 and begun hands-on RAILINK development work.

On October 15, NanoAi reported its first explosive detection result. Following a 30-second clean-air baseline, its sensor registered Targeted Explosive Threat 001 at a 10ft standoff in 0.80 seconds, without physical contact, during controlled laboratory testing.

Watch the laboratory test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIJezZGDUYQ

The result was obtained against a single targeted explosive and represents the first reported result from NanoAi's current testing program. Further testing and integration work remain necessary, and the technology has not yet been commercially deployed.

The meetings at AUSA provided an opportunity to introduce this development progress to prospective defense customers.

Jason Dussault, Chief Executive Officer of Intellistake, commented:

"We attended AUSA to engage directly with prospective defense customers and understand the requirements shaping the next generation of military technology. The Army's priorities around speed, autonomy and soldier protection align closely with what NanoAi is developing.

With the Dallas-Richardson facility operational, the first reported explosive detection result and hands-on Gentex RAILINK development work underway, NanoAi has made meaningful progress since we announced the proposed acquisition. AUSA provided an opportunity to bring that progress directly to prospective customers."

Craig Micklich, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NanoAi Technologies, commented:

"During my service as a Navy SEAL, identifying a potential threat could mean putting someone close enough to investigate it. NanoAi is developing standoff detection technology to change that, without requiring a soldier to physically approach the threat. AUSA gave us an opportunity to discuss this capability directly with prospective defense customers. Those conversations are important as we continue testing and developing the technology."

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 Association of the United States Army, 2026 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition. https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/index.cfm

² Association of the United States Army, "Telle: Army Focused on Speeding Tech to Front Lines," October 12, 2026. https://www.ausa.org/news/telle-army-focused-speeding-tech-front-lines

³ Association of the United States Army, "AUSA Adds Special Event to Annual Meeting Schedule," October 2026. https://www.ausa.org/news/ausa-adds-special-event-annual-meeting-schedule

⁴ Association of the United States Army, "Course of Action: LaNeve Advocates for 'Disciplined, Lethal, Relentless' Soldiers," October 6, 2026. https://www.ausa.org/articles/course-action-laneve-advocates-disciplined-lethal-relentless-soldiers

⁵ Association of the United States Army, AUSA 2026 Exhibitor List. https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/exhibitor_exhibitor_list.cfm

⁶ 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/ 

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. 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; the potential benefits of combining Intellistake's artificial intelligence infrastructure with NanoAi's sensing technology; and the expected results of the NanoAi testing.

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 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.