SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 January 2025 – Flint, the pioneering deep tech company developing a proprietary paper battery technology, has raised US$2 million in seed funding. This funding round, led by a global consortium of angel investors, will accelerate Flint’s efforts to bring high-performance, sustainable energy storage solutions to market.

“This funding milestone represents years of technical breakthroughs, and now, with real-world applications on the horizon, we are laser-focused on delivering our solutions to market,” said Mr. Carlo Charles, Founder and CEO of Flint, who has been recognized by the US State Department, the European Union, Google, TechCrunch, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Singapore government, and other esteemed institutions. “Our batteries are engineered to excel where traditional technologies fall short, and we believe they will transform industries that demand superior safety, sustainability, and flexibility.”

The funding supports commercial expansion, pilot production, and intellectual property development, positioning Flint to challenge legacy battery technologies like lithium-ion and lead-acid with cleaner, safer, and adaptive alternatives. The company is also set to roll out its first paid pilot project in the immediate future with an international customer in a diversified industry sector.

Key Highlights:

• US$2 million seed funding raised from private investors across nine countries and AI-driven VC firm Hatcher+.
• First commercial pilot project secured with a global enterprise, validating Flint’s market readiness.
• Stealth mode exit after intensive R&D and proprietary battery designs now ready for commercialization.
• Funds allocated toward pilot production, key hires, and intellectual property development.

Deep Tech Innovation: Rethinking Energy Storage

Flint’s cellulose-based paper batteries are engineered from the ground up to solve critical challenges in modern energy storage. These next-generation batteries are:

• Highly Sustainable: Using natural and non-toxic materials such as cellulose paper, zinc and manganese, Flint eliminates hazardous components used in conventional battery technologies and are fully compostable at the end of their lifecycle, making recycling easier and cheaper, minimizing electronic wastes, and reducing environmental impact.
• Inherently Safe: Explosion-proof, leak-proof, and immune to combustion risks, ensuring near-zero fire hazards even under extreme conditions.
• Flexible and Durable: Flexible and designed to maintain functionality even when punctured, bent, or damaged, allowing new form factors for various applications.
• Cost-Efficient: Leveraging low-cost input materials and scalable production processes, Flint addresses pricing concerns that have traditionally hindered the adoption of sustainable technologies.
• Scalable for Rapid Adoption: Seamlessly integrates into existing manufacturing infrastructure, lowering barriers to industrial adoption and allowing for quick scaling.

These innovations represent a fundamental shift in energy storage, laying the groundwork for smarter, safer, and more environmentally sustainable batteries. Flint’s core technology addresses both anode and cathode breakthroughs, with proprietary electrolytes and separators enhancing performance, stability, and safety under extreme conditions.

Furthermore, Flint’s proprietary innovations not only address sustainability challenges but also remove the traditional “green premium” — the higher cost often associated with environmentally friendly products. For standard battery types and applications, Flint’s inexpensive input materials and efficient production processes enable competitively priced solutions. These solutions not only match the performance of conventional batteries but also provide a “green discount”: a more sustainable product at a lower price.

Strong Market Traction with High-Value Customers

With a global energy storage market valued at US$500 billion by 2030, Flint is strategically positioned to disrupt the industry. The company’s first paid pilot project with a diversified international enterprise validates its value proposition and underscores early market traction. Flint has already attracted interest from more than 20 companies across sectors, including:

• Defense and Security
• Energy Storage Systems
• Critical Power Supply
• Consumer Electronics
• Space Applications
• Electric Vehicles (EVs)

“These discussions highlight a growing appetite for next-generation energy solutions,” said Mr. Carlo Charles. “Our cost-effectiveness is key to driving adoption at scale. We’re not just offering a sustainable option; we’re offering a better, safer, and more affordable alternative to unsustainable batteries.”

“A lower production cost is at the core of creating demand, scaling quickly, and increasing adoption rates while ensuring profitability,” said Mr. Jeremy Wee, Co-Founder of Flint. “We are no longer confined to the lab — our commercial pilots are already demonstrating the tangible impact of our innovations in real-world applications.”

Investor Confidence and Funding Roadmap

The US$2 million seed funding round which closed in October was driven by private angel investors from France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. It also saw participation from Hatcher+, a venture capital firm recognized for leveraging machine learning and AI-driven insights to identify high-potential ventures. The capital infusion will be deployed to:

• Scale pilot production capabilities
• Secure intellectual properties to safeguard proprietary technologies
• Build a world-class team of engineers and scientists
• Drive commercialization efforts with pilot customers

“This announcement marks a major milestone for us as a company, and we are very humbled by the support from our investors, who, like us, believe in a better and greener future,” said Mr. Carlo Charles.

This funding builds on Flint’s national and international recognition from TechCrunch, the Techblazer Awards, the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES), and accelerator programs by Shell and OPPO, along with grants from the Singapore government — further validating the company’s breakthrough potential.

Upcoming CES 2025 Global Launch

Flint will also showcase its prototypes and products at CES 2025 in Las Vegas from January 7th–10th, presenting to global tech leaders and strategic partners. CES is labelled the most powerful tech event in the world with more than 130,000 attendees expected.

At the end of 2023, Flint made its debut on the global stage of TechCrunch’s flagship event in San Francisco, standing out as the only company from Asia among just 20 start-ups selected worldwide out of a total of more than 3,200. Building on that momentum, Flint is now ready to leverage CES 2025 as a strategic launchpad for accelerated international expansion.

Shaping the Future of Sustainable Technology

“At Flint, we aim to do more than build better batteries — we’re changing the way the world envisions energy storage,” said Carlo Charles. “By positioning ourselves at the intersection of advanced technology and sustainability, we’re addressing the climate crisis head-on. Our paper battery technology isn’t just about better performance; it’s about creating a safer, greener standard that industries can rely on. This is the future of energy, and we’re proud to be leading the way.”

Our goal is simple: to create batteries that work great and are better for the planet,” added Mr. Jeremy Wee. “We’re not just solving today’s problems — we’re preparing for tomorrow and setting new standards for what’s possible in sustainability.”
Hashtag: #Flint #FlintPaperBattery #GreenEnergy #DeepTech #SustainableInnovation #CleanTech #FutureOfEnergy #PaperBattery #EnergyStorage #StartupFunding #SeedFunding #TechInvestment #GlobalInnovation #ClimateTech #CES2025 #TechCrunchDisrupt #MadeByFlint #TechLeaders

https://www.madebyflint.co/
www.madebyflint.co.

Future of IMG Ingenieurtechnik und Maschinenbau GmbH secured at the site

– Picture is available at AP –

ROSTOCK / GRÜNHEIDE – Newsaktuell – 2 January 2025 – Rescue for jobs at Rostock-based IMG Ingenieurtechnik und Maschinenbau GmbH (IMG). Zachert Ingenieurtechnik und Maschinenbau GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zachert Private Equity GmbH (ZPE), will take over the long-established mechanical engineering company when the contracts are signed on 31 December 2024. The takeover secures the Rostock site and over 75 per cent of jobs. The signing is still subject to the approval of the creditors’ committee in January. All parties involved have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Securing jobs – preserving the future

The Rostock-based mechanical engineering company is a global supplier of complex systems and production lines for the shipbuilding and offshore industries. The company filed for insolvency at the end of October 2024. The contract signed at the turn of the year means that IMG can restart in 2025. Investor Olaf Zachert and the ZPE team specialise in the restructuring and further development of medium-sized companies. “Our aim is to preserve IMG’s tradition and expertise. It is important to us to preserve the jobs and the plant at this location as far as possible. Our priority now is the further expansion and reorganisation of production. We will work closely with the management, the works council and the workforce to achieve this,” says Olaf Zachert, founder and Managing Director of Zachert Private Equity

The negotiations were conducted by IMG’s insolvency administrator Ulrich Rosenkranz from the law firm BRRS Hamburg and the commercial law firm Seitz on behalf of the purchaser. Once the contract has been signed, Mr Rosenkranz will handle the existing orders, while the team led by investor Olaf Zachert will reorganise the company and secure the majority of jobs. The basis for this will be the acquisition concept of Zachert Private Equity. “We will work with and for the majority of employees and trainees to find a quick and promising solution. IMG’s long-standing and potential customers will continue to be supplied in the usual quality and we look forward to working with them,” says Olaf Zachert.

IMG Rostock remains

ZPE has already demonstrated its expertise in mechanical engineering with the takeover of the former Bühler AG plant in Döbeln (Saxony) in May 2024. The company now operates under the name Döbelner Anlagen- und Maschinenbau GmbH (DAMB). “We were able to secure all jobs here and have gained a lot of experience in mechanical and plant engineering. We now need to organise the targeted further development and strategic partnerships between the two plants at the respective locations,” explains investor Olaf Zachert. The expertise of the two production facilities will be pooled in future, the product portfolio expanded and further developed for promising markets. Sophisticated systems and production lines from Rostock will continue to be produced for IMG customers in the future.

Image material for download:

http://datas.weichertmehner.com/IMG.zip

Use for media free of charge

Photo credits: IMG/ZPE

Possibility for interviews

Dear media representatives,

We are available for interviews on site

Discussion partner: Olaf Zachert, Investor Zachert Private Equity GmbH (ZPE),

Tuesday, 7 January 2025, from 12 noon

Address: Ingenieurtechnik & Maschinenbau GmbH, Industriestrasse 8, 18069 Rostock

For organisational reasons we would appreciate a short registration ([email protected] ), thank you very much.

Contact for media:

Ulf Mehner / Robert Weichert (Communication ZPE),
Phone +49 172 8935317 / +49 151 41 92 46 64, [email protected]

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ZPE:

Zachert Private Equity GmbH (ZPE) is a restructuring expert with many years of experience in investing in mostly traditional medium-sized companies in often complex situations of upheaval. The primary objectives are to preserve jobs and strengthen the respective business model. To this end, the company often develops buy-and-build strategies. The founder and managing partner of the company, based in Grünheide, is Olaf Zachert.

http://zachert-pe.com

About IMG Rostock:

IMG Ingenieurtechnik und Maschinenbau GmbH is a leading company in the development, planning and manufacture of complex systems and production lines. Based in Rostock, IMG is one of the world’s leading providers and suppliers of systems and machine parts for the shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, aviation, steel construction and wind energy industries. The product range includes shipyard and factory planning, machining centres and transport and handling systems. For decades, IMG has stood for technologies and the highest quality “Made in Germany”

https://www.img-tech.de

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 January 2025- The 2025 Taipei New Year’s Party has come to a glorious successful conclusion. Not only did the main stage at Citizen Square present the strongest lineup and most exclusive performer cast at any New Year’s event in Taiwan, but as with last year the wonderful performances on the four Diversity Stages again received rave reviews. For the midnight countdown and spectacular six-minute fireworks extravaganza over Taipei 101 that followed, Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an linked hands with four outstanding Taiwanese athletes, 2024 Paris Olympics badminton gold medalist Wang Chi-lin and boxing gold medalist Lin Yu-ting along with Premier12 baseball gold medalists Lee Kai-wei and Chen Kuan-wei from the Wei Chuan Dragons. They were joined by mascots Strong and Bravo the Bear. More than 222,000 people came together online and offline to take part in the countdown to 2025.

The theme of the 2025 Taipei New Year’s Party was “Move,” says the Department of Information and Tourism (DOIT), Taipei City Government. People in large numbers came to enjoy the shows at the four large Diversity Stages, and the main stage had a powerful super-cast of performers consisting of more than 15 groupings taking the stage in relay, stirring up the heat at the venue to an ever higher temperature. The opening ceremony saw baseball’s famed Dragon Beauties cheerleading squad and DJ RayRay team up with an exuberantly lively performance, the 14 dragon ladies lighting up the scene with their dynamic dance moves. The popular Papun Band performed a suite of their classic tunes, including I Only Wish the Most Mediocre Life, and collaborated with TRASH for the first time to present Yong Yuan Bu Hui Tou (“Never Look Back“). Continuing on its own, TRASH then brought more boiling rock energy to the stage with such hits as Heavyhearted Loser and LOVE.

In addition, Golden Melody queen Penny Tai touched the hearts of everyone in the audience with her soulful tunes, including What If We Still Stay Together and The Love You Want. Karencici and J.Sheon took turns on stage, and the two also combined to perform Hard to Say. The unique musical style of Faith Yang in Stars and other melodies brought passionate applause, and Sam Lee performed his classic love songs Hands Off and Devotion Love, one and all in the audience singing along in unison, enraptured. The group Cosmos People served up a riveting set pulsating with electric energy, delivering Ocean, Let’s Go Running Together, and other hits. HRC BEAST CREW SHADOW, the champion dance group of the city’s 2024 Metro Street Dance Competition, Olympic national breakdance athlete Sun Chen, and the City4 dance group also won acclaim from the audience with their scintillating dance routines

At the celebration’s mid-point a big specially planned surprise was unveiled, bringing delight and amazement to the audience, with singer YELLOW first conducting a video chat with Rozette, a popular Canadian vocal teacher, and then Rozette making a surprise appearance on the stage and the duo singing Shallow. Next, the Korean girl group Apink provided an exclusive Taipei performance, including Mr. Chu and LUV, of a number of their popular tracks, their charming repertoire inspiring ongoing audience screaming and shouting. Heavyweight headliner ENERGY, returning this year, performed Let Go, Friday Night, and other classics, which not only awakened classic memories but also ignited the party atmosphere to the highest temperature!

For the countdown to midnight, Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an joined hands with four outstanding Taiwanese athletes, 2024 Paris Olympics badminton gold medalist Wang Chi-lin and boxing gold medalist Lin Yu-ting along with Premier12 baseball gold medalists Lee Kai-wei and Chen Kuan-wei from the Wei Chuan Dragons, with mascots Strong and Bravo the Bear also joining in. Mayor Chiang announced delivered a speech wishing everyone a Happy New Year, embracing the spirit of 2025 with “Everything is wonderful” Together with both online and offline audiences, he counted down to welcome the arrival of the new year.

The two much anticipated post-fireworks heavyweight finale performers were set to take the stage in turn, bringing the party atmosphere to repeated new climaxes. Gigi Leung recreated her performance of the opening song for her Taipei Arena concert last year, Spaghetti, creating a sense of boundless imagination and New Year hope, and followed this with tunes such as Coward that sketched out memories and evoked the good times of the past for all in attendance. The hot group 831 then hit the stage, powering out heart-thumping titles including East Side and Cheers!, the perfect conclusion for the 2025 Taipei New Year’s Party.

DOIT specially points out that this year’s gala once again demonstrated the cross-unit cooperation and execution capabilities of the Taipei City Government team, including Department of Health(DOH)、Taipei Metro Corporation(TMC)、Department of Transportation(DOT)、Police Department(PD)、Department of Environmental Protection(DEP)、Department of Social Welfare(DSW)、Fire Department(FD)、Department of Information and Tourism(DOIT), with manpower of 7,500 mobilized to ensure the smooth staging of the event, strengthening traffic dispersion and on-site order and maintenance, garbage removal and environmental restoration in peripheral areas, etc. This enabled full crowd dispersal to be completed before

2:10 o’clock in the morning after the New Year’s Party activities, and the systematic restoration of the original order and appearance of the city.

Hashtag: #TVBS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.