Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - As of Q2 2025, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.6 million, up from $0.9 million as of June 30, 2024 [31] - The company incurred a net loss of $3.7 million in Q2 2025, which was an increase of $1 million year-over-year [32] - The accumulated deficit increased to $60.1 million in Q2 2025 from $52.6 million in Q2 2024 [32] - Loss per share improved to $0.06 for Q2 2025 compared to $0.07 in the prior year quarter [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company remains pre-revenue, with significant operating losses due to ongoing capital expenditures and operational investments [31][32] - Net cash used in operating activities increased to $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $2.1 million in the prior year [33] - Net cash used in investing activities was $2.2 million for the same period, driven by initial capital investments for the refinery [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Lithium carbonate spot prices have stabilized, with a rebound of over 7% in July 2025, supported by tightening global supply expectations and stronger downstream investment [7] - The demand for lithium is driven by electric vehicles and energy storage systems, reinforcing long-term demand fundamentals [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become a leading US refiner of battery-grade lithium, addressing the gap in domestic refining capacity [10][11] - The strategic focus includes centralizing and converting multiple streams of lithium brine into high-purity products on US soil [10] - The company is advancing efforts to secure inputs from multiple lithium brine developers across North and South America [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The macro environment for lithium is strengthening, with the US prioritizing energy independence and domestic supply chain resilience [6] - Recent geopolitical developments, including export controls from China, are reshaping the global lithium landscape and increasing the urgency for domestic capabilities [12][13] - The company is optimistic about federal support for strategic lithium infrastructure, which is crucial as lithium demand accelerates [17] Other Important Information - The company successfully raised $4.52 million in gross proceeds through a public offering in June 2025, which was used to fund the FEL III engineering study [29] - The company is actively evaluating options to address NASDAQ compliance matters, including potential reverse stock splits [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact on brine supply availability for Phase One plant - Management acknowledged changes in the market, noting that while some projects have not advanced, there remain ample opportunities for upstream supply [38][40] Question: Conversations with the US government regarding financing - Management confirmed ongoing engagement with the government and applications for federal and state opportunities, expressing confidence in achieving material results [41][43] Question: Plans to address NASDAQ listing issues - The CFO indicated that there is about a month left to address the initial deficiency and mentioned the approval for a reverse stock split as one of the options [44][45]

Core Insights - Stardust Power Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ohio University to collaborate on advanced lithium extraction and refining technologies, particularly focusing on Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) [1][2][3] - The partnership aims to enhance research on domestic lithium processing innovations, with Stardust Power providing industry expertise and support [2][3] - This collaboration is expected to secure lithium brine feedstock for Stardust Power's lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is projected to produce up to 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium annually [3][5] Company Overview - Stardust Power is an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, committed to building resilient supply chains to bolster America's energy leadership [5] - The company is focused on sustainability throughout its processes and is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "SDST" [5] Strategic Goals - The partnership reflects a commitment to workforce development and educational excellence, aiming to cultivate the next generation of engineers and scientists in lithium extraction and advanced battery technologies [4] - The collaboration is positioned to support U.S. energy independence and meet the growing demand for domestic battery materials [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is currently pre-revenue and has an accumulated deficit of $56.4 million as of Q1 2025, compared to $52.6 million in FY 2024, indicating a significant increase in losses year-over-year [26] - The net loss for Q1 2025 was $3.8 million, which is $2.4 million higher than the previous year, driven primarily by increased general and administrative costs [26] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $1.6 million in Q1 2025 from $0.9 million at the end of FY 2024, reflecting improved liquidity [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has incurred substantial operating losses as it prepares for commercial production of battery-grade lithium, with operating expenses expected to rise as personnel are recruited [26] - Net cash used in operating activities totaled $2.9 million for the quarter, up from $0.9 million in the prior year, indicating increased investment in operations and hiring [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macro outlook for lithium remains strong, with global demand expected to more than double by 2030, driven by sectors such as electric vehicles and energy storage [4] - The evolving landscape of U.S. trade policies and tariffs has introduced volatility, but also highlights the strategic advantage of domestic operations for the company [6][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is advancing one of the largest lithium refineries in America, aimed at addressing the domestic refining capacity shortage and aligning with federal clean energy priorities [5] - The focus is on building a resilient supply chain for critical minerals, with efforts to engage with policymakers and align with national initiatives [10][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views current market conditions as a generational opportunity, emphasizing the importance of domestic lithium production amid geopolitical uncertainties [5][8] - The company is optimistic about the support from the U.S. government for critical minerals, which is expected to benefit its operations and align with national security goals [9][36] Other Important Information - The company has secured necessary permits for construction, including a general stormwater permit, and has confirmed that no industrial wastewater permit is required due to its closed-loop system [15][46] - A key service agreement has been executed with Oklahoma Gas and Electric to develop a dedicated electric substation, ensuring scalable power for the facility [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timeline for the final report of the engineering study - The company expects to release the final report of the engineering study within the current quarter [30][33] Question: Impact of federal support on green energy initiatives - Management believes that the prioritization of American mineral security under the new administration creates opportunities that may outweigh pressures on green energy initiatives [34][36] Question: Progress on securing feedstock for domestic supply - The company is well advanced in discussions regarding multiple supply opportunities for lithium feedstock, with a receptive market for domestic refining [44] Question: Outstanding permits needed before construction - The company has made substantial progress on permitting and is permitted to move forward with construction, having received necessary stormwater and minor air permits [45][46] Question: Increase in operating cash flow - The increase in operating cash flow is attributed to project development costs and operational cost increases related to going public and additional hires [51][52] Question: DLE equipment pilot facilities - The company has observed a ramp-up in upstream activity related to DLE technology and is using proven off-the-shelf technology for its midstream processing facility [56][58] Question: Sourcing of equipment and technology - The company is making efforts to source equipment domestically and has established guardrails to exclude equipment from foreign entities of concern, while some machinery may still be sourced from friendly jurisdictions [60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company incurred a net loss of $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million for the prior period [38] - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $900,000 as of December 31, 2024, from $1.3 million as of December 31, 2023 [37] - Loss per share was $0.55 for the current year compared to $0.09 for the prior period, driven primarily by higher general and administrative costs [39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is currently pre-revenue and has focused on raising capital and organizing operations, leading to significant operating losses [38] - Net cash used in operating activities totaled $9.7 million for the current fiscal year compared to $3 million for the prior period, driven by continued investment in operations and hiring [39] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global lithium market is experiencing fluctuations, with some experts forecasting a significant surge in prices around 2026 to 2027, aligning with the company's refinery timeline [5] - Demand for lithium is expected to remain strong, driven by applications beyond just the EV market, including energy storage systems and military applications [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be a North American source for refined lithium, focusing on domestic sourcing and refining capabilities to align with U.S. energy independence goals [8][10] - The company has secured a construction-ready site in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and is progressing with necessary permits to begin construction [13][14] - A strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corporation has been established, outlining a potential long-term supply deal for lithium carbonate [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term outlook for lithium, despite current pricing challenges, citing increasing demand across multiple sectors [5][6] - The company is maintaining close connections with policymakers to influence regulatory changes and cultivate strategic alliances [12] - Management reassured stakeholders that the fundamentals of the company remain strong despite recent stock price volatility [30] Other Important Information - The company raised a total of $4.1 million in capital during the quarter, including $3.55 million in debt and $550,000 in a PIPE offering [27] - The company has made significant investments in technology, including exclusive access to KMX's advanced vacuum membrane distillation technology [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the necessary factors needed to see a recovery in lithium pricing? - Management noted that while there is speculation about oversupply and price manipulation, demand for battery-grade lithium is expected to rebound significantly in 2026 and 2027 [48][49] Question: What does the recent development in EV markets mean for the U.S. EV market and domestically produced lithium? - Management indicated that improvements in infrastructure, such as charging systems, will support increased EV adoption and demand for lithium [51] Question: Are there any plans for additional test work with the KMX licensing agreement? - Management confirmed excitement about the KMX agreement and indicated plans for further test work and exploration of additional applications for the technology [56] Question: How will rising freight costs impact operational outlook? - Management explained that creating a North American ecosystem for raw materials and refining could lead to significant savings compared to competitors who transport goods to China [62] Question: Will the KMX technology be used exclusively for lithium brine production? - Management clarified that while the initial focus will be on upstream feedstock concentration, there are opportunities to use the technology across the refining process [68]