• PROTEQTâ„¢ North American Launch: Comprehensive market strategy combining institutional and consumer channels
• Exclusive Canadian Distribution: Rick Shultz appointed as exclusive distributor for PROTEQTâ„¢ across Canada
• Proven Distribution Infrastructure: Partnership leverages extensive network across Canadian hockey ecosystem

HITIQ Limited (ASX: HIQ) is pleased to announce the launch of its PROTEQTâ„¢ market strategy for North America through the appointment of Rick Shultz as exclusive distributor for PROTEQTâ„¢ instrumented mouthguards across Canada, with non-exclusive rights for the United States market. This partnership delivers immediate access to Canadian hockey through a network of long-term relationships that Rick and his associates have at all levels of hockey in Canada. The Canadian distribution model enables PROTEQTâ„¢ to serve the entire hockey ecosystem through both institutional and consumer channels. The partnership launches with commercial momentum through the distributor's initial founding order, reflecting strong confidence in PROTEQTâ„¢'s market potential and establishing immediate revenue generation from the Canadian territory. A pilot programme is being deployed at elite-level hockey, demonstrating PROTEQTâ„¢'s capabilities in competitive environments. Canada's hockey market presents substantial opportunity with over 607,000 registered ice hockey players and a strong safety culture with increasing focus on concussion prevention.

With production underway for 2025 and capacity planning for up to 100,000 units in 2026, HITIQ is positioned to support distributor growth across Canada and North America.

The Canadian distribution partnership advances HITIQ's global expansion strategy by establishing North American presence in a strategic market with immediate commercial traction, launching a dual-channel distribution model, and validating a distribution framework that leverages existing sales networks for rapid market access.