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reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Pursuant to the requirements
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duly authorized.
WISeKey Appoints Gwenael Rouy-Poirier as Chief
Financial Officer of WISeSat, its Satellite Connectivity Subsidiary
Geneva, Switzerland, February
10, 2026 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey” or the “Company”) (SIX: WIHN, Nasdaq: WKEY),
a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announced the appointment of Gwenael
Rouy-Poirier as Chief Financial Officer of its subsidiary WISeSat.Space Corp. (“WISeSat”) specialized in space-technology
and secure satellite communications for IoT applications, effective February 2, 2026.
Of note, in November 2025, WISeSat
announced a Business Combination Agreement with Columbus Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: COLA), a Cayman Islands–based public SPAC, paving
the way for WISeSat to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
In his role, Mr. Rouy-Poirier
will lead WISeSat’s finance, strategy and capital-markets activities as the business enters its next phase of growth as a secure
satellite communications platform focused on IoT, defense and critical infrastructure applications. He will play a central role in strengthening
financial governance, driving execution discipline, and enhancing investor readiness, while advancing value-creation initiatives that
support WISeSat’s long-term ambition to scale its satellite-based secure connectivity services globally.
Mr. Rouy-Poirier brings over 25
years of international finance and operational leadership experience across aerospace, defense, industrial technology and advanced manufacturing,
spanning both listed and private-equity-owned environments. He has held senior Group and divisional CFO roles at global industrial leaders
including GKN Aerospace, Honeywell and Danaher, and has led complex transformation, restructuring, M&A and capital-markets initiatives
across Europe, North America and Asia.
Mr. Rouy-Poirier currently serves
as a board member and audit committee member of Coda Octopus Group (Nasdaq: CODA), a listed defense technology group, and sits on the
Advisory Board of Bridgology, a Swiss-based infrastructure SaaS scale-up. Most recently, he has advised industrial and technology businesses
on strategic finance, value creation and transaction execution. He brings deep experience in governance, investor communication and scaling
finance organizations in regulated and capital-intensive environments, capabilities directly relevant to WISeSat’s positioning at
the intersection of space, defense and critical infrastructure.
Mr. Rouy-Poirier holds a Master’s
degree from EDHEC Business School, a French Baccalauréat in Mathematics and Science, and is a qualified private pilot.
Mr. Rouy-Poirier commented: “I
am delighted to join WISeSat at this important stage of its evolution, as it prepares for its planned listing on the Nasdaq. Secure satellite
connectivity is becoming a critical enabler for defense, IoT and sovereign infrastructure, and WISeSat occupies a unique position within
the WISeKey ecosystem. I look forward to working with the team to strengthen financial discipline, support growth and ensure WISeSat is
well positioned to meet the expectations of U.S. public-market investors, while delivering long-term value for stakeholders.”
Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO
of WISeKey, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Gwenael as CFO of WISeSat at a pivotal moment in its development. His extensive
experience as a senior finance leader in complex, technology-driven and highly regulated industries bring exactly the rigor, credibility
and execution focus required, as WISeSat scales its operations and engages with the capital markets. Gwenael will be a key partner to
the management team as we build a robust and financially disciplined satellite platform.”
John O’Hara, CFO of WISeKey,
noted, “Gwenael joins us as CFO of WISeSat at an important time for the satellite communications industry, as demand for resilient,
high-performance connectivity continues to accelerate. Gwenael’s depth of financial leadership and experience supporting capital-intensive,
technology-driven businesses will be instrumental as we scale our capabilities and invest in our growth. I look forward to working closely
with him as WISeSat prepares for the next phase of becoming a public company.”
About WISeSat.Space
WISeSat.Space AG is pioneering a transformative
approach to IoT connectivity and climate change monitoring through its innovative satellite constellation. By providing cost-effective,
secure, and global IoT connectivity, WISeSat is enabling a wide range of applications that support environmental monitoring, disaster
management, and sustainable practices. The integration of satellite data with advanced climate models holds great promise for enhancing
our understanding of climate change and developing effective strategies to combat its impacts. As the world continues to grapple with
the challenges of climate change, initiatives like WISeSat’s IoT satellite constellation are essential for creating a more resilient
and sustainable future.
About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”,
SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based
holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries
include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which
specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which
focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on
trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized
physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.
Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s
mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate
into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI,
and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the
Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive
equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification
for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and
people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and
its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results,
financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this
communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer
to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of
the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa's predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA.
Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained
herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
Press and Investor Contacts
WISeKey International Holding Ltd
Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
Chairman & CEO
Tel: +41 22 594 3000
info@wisekey.com |
WISeKey Investor Relations (US)
The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
Tel: +1 212 836-9611
lcati@theequitygroup.com
|