Elsa Keita Joins META as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Partnerships & Innovation

Rhea-AI Summary

Meta Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: MMAT) announced the appointment of Elsa Keïta as Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Partnerships & Innovation. Keïta brings over 12 years of experience from Airbus, where she led strategic partnerships and raised over $1 billion in funding. Her expertise in managing complex operations and partnership development is expected to enhance META's growth strategy. The company aims to accelerate its commercialization efforts in smart materials, addressing industry needs globally.

Positive

• Appointment of Elsa Keïta is expected to strengthen META's corporate strategy and partnerships.
• Keïta's background includes raising over $1 billion in funding, suggesting strong financial acumen.
• Her experience in managing strategic partnerships could lead to potential collaborations and growth opportunities.

Negative

• None.

HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / December 1, 2021 / Meta Materials Inc. (the "Company" or "META®") (NASDAQ:MMAT, FSE:MMAT) a developer of high-performance functional materials and nanocomposites, today announced that Ms. Elsa Keïta has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Partnerships & Innovation. As a member of the META executive leadership team, she will be responsible for the Company's corporate strategy, and she will support and lead key strategic initiatives and partnerships.

Ms. Keïta joins META after twelve years with Airbus, where she served as VP Head of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, Chief Innovation Officer Deputy, and Senior Director Business Development. She has led various forms of strategic partnerships including M&A and joint ventures in the field of aviation services. She established 15 strategic partnerships with deep tech start-ups in smart material & nanocomposites, 3D printing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence for knowledge extraction, design optimization and quality nonconformity. Ms. Keïta was honored with the "Rising Star Award" by Global Corporate Venturing in 2016 and has successfully raised over $1 billion in funding through debt, asset finance and equity in the transportation industry.

"With extensive experience leading deep-tech startup open innovation programs that have global reach and impact, we are confident that Elsa will bring new insights and ideas that will amplify the work we do and enable us to forge additional strong OEM and Tier 1 partnerships," said George Palikaras, President and CEO. "She joins META at an exciting time to support strategic planning and corporate growth. Her extensive experience in managing complex operations and building strategic roadmaps at large OEM and Tier 1 corporations will be extremely valuable along with her deep passion for helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into lucrative businesses."

"Elsa is a proven finance and corporate strategy leader with an amazing array and depth of experience both in and beyond the aerospace industry," said Ken Rice, CFO and EVP. "As we are preparing for the commercialization of our innovative late-stage assets and entering another critical phase for the Company, Elsa's rich corporate strategy and finance expertise along with deep management insight make her a great addition to our team."

"With a stellar leadership team and an inspiring vision, META is in a unique position to accelerate the delivery of its innovative smart material products to meet unmet industry needs around the world. Joining META at this value inflection point is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I look forward to working with the executive team to help the Company continue its growth to a global smart materials company," said Ms. Keïta.

Prior to Airbus, Ms. Keïta held several positions in banking and finance, including Sales Finance Director with ATR, Customer Relationship Director with MUFG Corporate Banking, Structured Finance Manager with Alstom Corporate & Structured Finance, and Project Manager with JP Morgan Chase Structured Finance & Private Equity. Ms. Keïta holds a Masters in Banking and Finance from Toulouse Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

About Meta Materials Inc.

META® delivers previously unachievable performance, across a range of applications, by inventing, designing, developing, and manufacturing sustainable, highly functional materials. Our extensive technology platform enables leading global brands to deliver breakthrough products to their customers in consumer electronics, 5G communications, health and wellness, aerospace, automotive, and clean energy. Our nano-optic technology provides anti-counterfeiting security features for government documents and currencies and authentication for brands. Our achievements have been widely recognized, including being named a Lux Research Innovator of the Year in 2021. Learn more at www.metamaterial.com.

Forward Looking Information

This press release includes forward-looking information or statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the Company, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the business strategies, product development, expansion plans and operational activities of the Company . Often but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "pursuing", "potential", "predicts", "projects", "seeks", "plans", "expect", "intends", "anticipated", "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of the management of the Company and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, the capabilities of our facilities and the expansion thereof, research and development projects of the Company, the market potential of the products of the Company , the market position of the Company, the scalability of the Company's production ability, capacity for new customer engagements, material selection programs timeframes, the ability to reduce production costs, enhance metamaterials manufacturing capabilities and extend market reach into new applications and industries, the ability to accelerate commercialization plans, the possibility of new customer contracts, the continued engagement of our employees, the technology industry, market strategic and operational activities, and management's ability to manage and to operate the business. More details about these and other risks that may impact the Company's businesses are described under the heading "Forward-Looking Information" and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 15, 2021, in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021, and in subsequent filings made by Meta Materials with the SEC, which are available on SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Media Inquiries

Rob Stone
Vice President, Corporate Development and Communications
Meta Materials Inc.

media@metamaterial.com

Investor Contact

Mark Komonoski
Senior Vice President
Integrous Communications
Phone: 1-877-255-8483
Email: ir@metamaterial.com

SOURCE: Meta Materials Inc.

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FAQ

Who is Elsa Keïta?

Elsa Keïta is the newly appointed Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Partnerships & Innovation at Meta Materials Inc.

What previous experience does Elsa Keïta have?

Before joining Meta Materials, Elsa Keïta spent over 12 years at Airbus, leading strategic partnerships and business development.

How will Elsa Keïta impact Meta Materials (MMAT)?

Her expertise in corporate strategy and partnerships is expected to enhance META's growth and commercialization of smart materials.

What is the significance of Elsa Keïta's appointment for shareholders of MMAT?

Her leadership may enable META to forge new partnerships and accelerate product commercialization, potentially benefiting shareholders.