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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2026

No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

STARDUST POWER INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		2800		99-3863616
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

15 E. Putnam Ave, Suite 378

Greenwich, CT 06830

(800) 742 3095

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Roshan Pujari

Chief Executive Officer

Stardust Power Inc.

15 E. Putnam Ave, Suite 378

Greenwich, CT 06830

(800) 742 3095

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Faith L. Charles

Thompson Hine LLP

300 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Tel: (212) 908-3905

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to registered additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒
Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

The registrant hereby amends this Registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, Dated February 12, 2026

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

STARDUST POWER INC.

2,000,000 Shares of Common Stock

This prospectus relates to the offer and resale of up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Stardust Power Inc. (the “Company” or “Stardust Power”) by B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC (the “Selling Stockholder” or “B. Riley Principal Capital II”). The Company may, in its discretion, elect to issue and sell Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder, from time to time after the date of this prospectus, pursuant to a Common Stock Purchase Agreement we entered into with the Selling Stockholder on February 12, 2026 (the “Purchase Agreement”). Such shares of Common Stock represent shares that we may, in our sole discretion, elect sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II, from time to time after the date of this prospectus, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

We are filing this registration statement on Form S-1, of which this prospectus forms a part, to fulfill our contractual obligations under the Purchase Agreement to provide for the resale by the Selling Stockholder of the Common Stock offered hereby. The registration of the Common Stock to which this prospectus relates does not require the Selling Stockholder to sell any of their shares of Common Stock.

We are not selling any securities under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock by the selling stockholder. However, we may receive up to $10 million aggregate gross proceeds (the “Aggregate Commitment Amount”) under the Purchase Agreement from sales of Common Stock we may elect to make to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement after the date of this prospectus. See “The Committed Equity Facility” for a description of the Purchase Agreement and “Selling Stockholder” for additional information regarding B. Riley Principal Capital II.

The Selling Stockholder may sell or otherwise dispose of all or a portion of the Common Stock being offered in this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)” for more information about how the Selling Stockholder may sell or otherwise dispose of the Common Stock being offered in this prospectus. The Selling Stockholder is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

We will pay the expenses incurred in registering under the Securities Act the offer and sale of the shares of Common Stock to which this prospectus relates by the selling stockholder, including legal and accounting fees. We have also engaged Seaport Global Securities LLC (“Seaport”), a registered broker-dealer and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) member, to act as a “qualified independent underwriter” in this offering, whose fees and expenses will be borne by the Selling Stockholder. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)” beginning on page 121.

Our Common Stock is currently traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol “SDST.” On February 10, 2026, the closing sale price of our Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq was $3.77.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, and a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. As such, we have elected to comply with reduced public company reporting requirements. This prospectus complies with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is an emerging growth company.

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest in our Common Stock.

On September 8, 2025, we effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split pursuant to which every ten shares of our issued and outstanding Common Stock were reclassified as one share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split had no impact on the par value of our Common Stock or the authorized number of shares of our Common Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus is adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of this prospectus, and under similar headings in any amendments or supplements to this prospectus before you make an investment decision.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Prospectus dated , 2026

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using the “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we and the Selling Stockholder may, from time to time, issue, offer and sell the securities offered by them described in this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any pricing supplement to this prospectus. We have not, and the Selling Stockholder has indicated that they have not, authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the offering that is different from, or in addition to, what is contained in this prospectus and any pricing supplement, the related registration statement or in any of the materials that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any pricing supplement. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this type, you should not rely on it. We are issuing, and the Selling Stockholder is offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, our securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

The Selling Stockholder and its permitted transferees may use this prospectus to sell securities from time to time through any means described in the section titled “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)”. More specific terms of any securities that the Selling Stockholder and its permitted transferees offer and sell may be provided in a prospectus supplement that describes, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering.

For investors outside of the United States: Neither we nor the Selling Stockholder have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of our securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

We may also provide a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to add information to, or update or change information contained in, this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified will be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus only as so modified, and any statement so superseded will be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus.

You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement together with the additional information to which we refer you in the section of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

TRADEMARKS

This document contains references to trademarks and service marks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Registration Statement may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the applicable licensor will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks and trade names. The Company does not intend its use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of the Company by, any other companies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		i
TRADEMARKS		i
FREQUENTLY USED TERMS		1
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		10
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY		11
THE OFFERING		14
RISK FACTORS		15
MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA		36
USE OF PROCEEDS		36
MARKET INFORMATION FOR SECURITIES AND DIVIDEND POLICY		37
THE COMMITTED EQUITY FACILITY		37
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION		46
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		53
BUSINESS		55
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		79
MANAGEMENT		99
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION		104
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS		108
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS		112
SELLING STOCKHOLDER		113
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED		114
SECURITIES ACT RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF SECURITIES		117
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS		118
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)		121
LEGAL MATTERS		123
EXPERTS		123
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		123
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		F-1

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

As used in this prospectus, unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise requires, references to:

“Additional Initial Investor Legal Fee Reimbursement” means $25,000, reimbursed prior to the Commencement Date, to the Selling Stockholder for the reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel incurred by the Selling Stockholder prior to the Commencement Date.

“Additional Investor Legal Fee Reimbursement Amount” means $5,000 per fiscal quarter the Company has agreed to reimburse The Selling Stockholder for the reasonable legal fees and disbursements of The Selling Stockholder’s legal counsel in connection with quarterly and annual bring-down due diligence investigations and related matters as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

“Aggregate Commitment Amount” means $10,000,000.

“Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement” means the amended and restated registration rights agreement, dated July 8, 2024, by and among GPAC II, the Sponsor and certain equity holders of Stardust Power.

“BIL” means the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” means the limit in which the Company may not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock to The Selling Stockholder under the Purchase Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder and its affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), and Rule 13d-3 thereunder), would result in the Selling Stockholder beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

“Business Combination” means the Transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.

“Business Combination Agreement” means the business combination agreement, dated as of November 21, 2023 (as further amended by the First Amendment and Second Amendment), by and among GPAC II, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and Stardust Power, as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time.

“Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company that became effective upon the Domestication.

“BRPI” means B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC.

“BRF” means B. Riley Financial, Inc.

“BRS” means B. Riley Securities, Inc.

“Cash Holdback” means the 10% of net sales made by us to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement that B. Riley Principal Capital II will withhold until such amount has reach the Prior Transaction Cash Holdback Amount, representing one-third (1/3) of the cash make-whole payment payable by the Company to B. Riley Principal Capital II in connection with the a prior equity line of credit between the Company and B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant the Prior Transaction and as set for the in the Prior Transaction Termination Letter Agreement.

“Cash Make-whole Payment” means $471,942.90.

“Certificate of Incorporation” means the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date.

“Commencement” means the initial satisfaction of each of the conditions to the Selling Stockholder’s purchase obligations set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

“Commencement Date” means the date on which the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC and all other conditions to the Selling Stockholder’s obligations to purchase Stardust Power Common Stock set forth in the Purchase Agreement have been initially satisfied.

“Commitment Fee” means an amount in cash equal to $100,000, which the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to B. Riley Principal Capital II, pursuant to the Prior Transaction Termination Agreement, if by September 30, 2026, the Company has failed to pay all or any portion of the Prior Transaction Cash Holdback Amount that the Company was obligated to pay to the B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Prior Transaction Termination Letter Agreement.

“Change in Control” means (i) a purchase, sale, exchange, merger, business combination or other transaction or series of related transactions in which substantially all of the GPAC II Common Stock is, directly or indirectly, converted into cash, securities or other property or non-cash consideration, (ii) a direct or indirect sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (regardless of the form of the transaction) in one transaction or a series of related transactions of a majority of the Surviving Company’s assets, as determined on a consolidated basis, to a third party or third parties acting as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) or (iii) any transaction or series of transactions that results, directly or indirectly, in the stockholders of the Surviving Company as of immediately prior to such transactions holding, in the aggregate, less than 50% of the voting equity interests of the Surviving Company (or any successor of the Surviving Company) immediately after the consummation thereof, in the case of each of clause (i), (ii) or (iii), whether by amalgamation, merger, consolidation, arrangement, tender offer, recapitalization, purchase, issuance, sale or transfer of equity interests or assets, or otherwise.

“Class A Ordinary Shares” means the Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of GPAC II.

“Class B Ordinary Shares” means the Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of GPAC II.

“Closing” means the closing of the Business Combination.

“Closing Date” means the date of the Closing or July 8, 2024.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Common Stock” means GPAC II Common Stock following the Closing.

“Company” means the post-combination company at Closing when GPAC II changed its name from “Global Partner Acquisition Corp II” to “Stardust Power Inc.”

“Convertible Equity Agreements” means, collectively, the Convertible Equity Agreement, dated April 24, 2024, by and between Stardust Power and American Investor Group Direct LLC (“AIGD”) for $2,000,000, the Convertible Equity Agreement, dated April 30, 2024 with an individual for $50,000, and the Convertible Equity Agreement, dated April 23, 2024 with an individual for $50,000, all of which automatically converted into 55,889 shares of the Common Stock immediately prior to the First Effective Time.

“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.

“DLLCA” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended.

“Equity Value” means enterprise value (a) plus cash as of the Measurement Time (b) minus Indebtedness of Stardust Power as of the Measurement Time (c) minus the Stardust Power Transaction Expenses.

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Cap” means the cap under the applicable Nasdaq rules, in which in no event may the Company issue to the Selling Stockholder under the Purchase Agreement more than 1,972,924 shares of Common Stock, which number of shares is equal to 19.99% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement.

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

“First Amendment” means Amendment No. 1 to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2024, by and among GPAC II, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and Stardust Power, as amended and supplemented from time to time.

“First Effective Time” means the time at which the First Merger became effective.

“First Merger” means the merger of First Merger Sub with and into Stardust Power, with Stardust Power being the surviving company and continuing as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of GPAC II.

“First Merger Sub” means Strike Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of GPAC II.

“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local, or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, arbitrator, arbitral body (public or private), court or tribunal.

“Governing Documents” means the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws.

“Government Official” means any official or employee of any directly or indirectly government-owned or controlled entity, and any officer or employee of a public international organization, as well as any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such entity or for or on behalf of any such public international organization.

“GPAC II” means Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, a Cayman Islands exempted company, prior to the consummation of the Domestication, and a Delaware corporation after the Domestication.

“GPAC II Common Stock” means, collectively, following the Domestication, the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of GPAC II.

“GPAC II Public Shareholders” means the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares that were sold in the initial public offering (whether they were purchased in the initial public offering or thereafter in the open market).

“GPAC II Shareholder” means a holder of Ordinary Shares.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations (whether or not contingent) consisting of (a) the outstanding principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on, and other payment obligations for, borrowed money, or payment obligations issued or incurred in substitution or exchange for payment obligations for borrowed money, (b) amounts owing as deferred purchase price for property or services, including “earnout” payments, (c) payment obligations evidenced by any promissory note, bond, debenture, mortgage or other debt instrument or debt security, (d) contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar facilities (in each case to the extent drawn), (e) payment obligations of a third party secured by (or for which the holder of such payment obligations has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on assets or properties of such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) obligations under capitalized leases, (g) obligations under any Financial Derivative/Hedging Arrangement, (h) any other indebtedness or obligation reflected or required to be reflected as indebtedness in a consolidated balance sheet, in accordance with GAAP, (i) all obligations for cash incentive, severance, deferred compensation or similar obligations in respect of any current or former employee or other individual service provider of Stardust Power (including the employer portion of any payroll social security, unemployment or similar taxes), accrued prior to the Closing Date, (j) liabilities, including accounts payable to trade creditors and accrued expenses or purchase commitments, or (k) guarantees, make-whole agreements, hold harmless agreements or other similar arrangements with respect to any amounts of a type described in clauses (a) through (j) above and (l) with respect to each of the foregoing, any interest, breakage costs, prepayment or redemption penalties or premiums, or other fees or obligations (including unreimbursed expenses or indemnification obligations for which a claim has been made), in each case for this clause (l), to the extent unpaid and accrued as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that Indebtedness will not include any amounts included as Transaction Expenses.

“Initial Investor Legal Fee Reimbursement Amount” means $25,000, reimbursed prior to the Closing, to the Selling Stockholder for the reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel incurred by the Selling Stockholder prior to Closing.

“Intraday Purchase” means any trading day that would qualify as a Purchase Date, whether or not a Market Open Purchase is effected on such Purchase Date, a specified number of shares of Common Stock.

“Intraday VWAP Minimum Price Threshold” means the applicable minimum price threshold specified by Stardust Power in the Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (or if no such minimum price threshold is specified by Stardust Power in the Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, the minimum price threshold for such Intraday VWAP Purchase will be equal to 75% of the closing sale price of Stardust Power Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the applicable Purchase Date).

“Intraday VWAP Purchase” means the purchase of Stardust Power Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder when either (i) Stardust Power does not wish to effect a VWAP Purchase on a trading day that it otherwise could have selected as a Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase (or Stardust Power fails to timely deliver to the Selling Stockholder a VWAP Purchase Notice for a VWAP Purchase on such trading day) or (ii) Stardust Power has timely delivered to the Selling Stockholder a VWAP Purchase Notice for a VWAP Purchase on a Purchase Date, and the VWAP Purchase Ending Time for such VWAP Purchase occurs prior to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time, on such Purchase Date, and in either case, Stardust Power exercises the right, to direct the Selling Stockholder to purchase, on such trading day (which may be the same Purchase Date as a VWAP Purchase, if Stardust Power has determined to effect a VWAP Purchase on such trading day), an amount of Common Stock up to the Maximum Intraday VWAP Purchase Amount at the Intraday VWAP Purchase Price.

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means the latest of (i) Selling Stockholder’s email acknowledgement of its receipt of an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, (ii) the VWAP Purchase Ending Time of a VWAP Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date (as applicable) and (iii) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the most recent Intraday VWAP Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date (as applicable).

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time” means the earliest to occur of (1) the official close of regular trading on Nasdaq, (2) such time that the total aggregate volume of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock traded on Nasdaq reaches the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum (as applicable) for such VWAP Purchase and (3) such time that the trading price of a share of Stardust Power Common Stock on Nasdaq falls below the Intraday VWAP Minimum Price Threshold (as applicable).

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice” means an irrevocable written purchase notice, after 10:00 a.m., Eastern time (and after the VWAP Purchase Ending Time, if Stardust Power has effected a VWAP Purchase on such Purchase Date, and after the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the most recent Intraday VWAP Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date, as applicable), and prior to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time, on such Purchase Date.

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage” means the percentage that shall be used for calculating the Intraday VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum and the Intraday Maximum VWAP Purchase Amount applicable to such Intraday VWAP Purchase, which shall not exceed 25%.

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Price” means the purchase price for an Intraday VWAP Purchase.

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Valuation Period” means the period for each Intraday VWAP Purchase, beginning at the Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time and ending at the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time.

“Intraday VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum” means the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by Stardust Power in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (giving effect to any adjustment as necessary to give effect to the applicable Maximum Intraday VWAP Purchase Amount limitation).

“IRA” means the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

“JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012.

“Legacy Stardust Power” means Stardust Power Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

“Limit Order Discontinue Election” means the first sale of Common Stock (unrelated to the Committed Equity Facility) at a price below the applicable VWAP Minimum Price Threshold specified by the Company in the VWAP Purchase Notice during the applicable VWAP Purchase Valuation Period will trigger the VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the VWAP Purchase Valuation Period for such VWAP Purchase.

“Limit Order Continue Election” means when such VWAP Purchase of Stardust Power Common Stock will not cause the VWAP Purchase Valuation Period for such VWAP Purchase to end, but rather shall be disregarded for purposes of determining whether the VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum is reached and for purposes of calculating the purchase price for such VWAP Purchase.

“Market Open Purchase” means a purchase of Common Stock in which the Company directs the Selling Stockholder to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock.

“Market Open Purchase Maximum Amount” means the lesser of: (i) 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) the Market Open Purchase Percentage, which the Company specifies in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice for such Market Open Purchase.

“Market Open Purchase Notice” means a written notice of a Market Open Purchase provided to the Selling Stockholder.

“Market Open Purchase Percentage” means a certain percentage (not to exceed 25.0%), which the Company will specify in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice (as defined below) for such Market Open Purchase, of the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of the Common Stock traded on Nasdaq during the applicable Market Open Purchase Valuation Period for such Market Open Purchase.

“Market Open Purchase Share Amount” means such specified number of shares to be purchased by the Selling Stockholder, adjusted as necessary to give effect to the applicable Market Open Purchase Maximum Amount as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

“Market Open Purchase Valuation Period” means the period beginning at the official open of the regular trading session on Nasdaq on the applicable Purchase Date for such Purchase, and ending at the earliest to occur of (i) 3:59 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date or such earlier time publicly announced by the trading market as the official close of the regular trading session on such Purchase Date, (ii) such time that the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on Nasdaq during such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period (calculated in accordance with the Purchase Agreement) reaches the applicable share volume maximum amount for such Market Open Purchase and (iii) if we further specify in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice for such Market Open Purchase that a “limit order discontinue election” shall apply to such Market Open Purchase, such time that the trading price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq during such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period (calculated in accordance with the Purchase Agreement) falls below the applicable minimum price threshold for such Market Open Purchase specified by us in the Market Open Purchase Notice for such Market Open Purchase, or if we do not specify a minimum price threshold in such Market Open Purchase Notice, a price equal to 75.0% of the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such purchase, less a fixed 3.0% discount to the VWAP for such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period (calculated in accordance with the

“Market Open Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means he applicable share volume maximum amount for a Market Open Purchase calculated by dividing (a) the applicable Market Open Purchase Share Amount for such Market Open Purchase, by (b) the Market Open Purchase Percentage we specified in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice for such Market Open Purchase.

“Maximum VWAP Purchase Amount” means such number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock equal to the lesser of (a) 1 million shares and (b) the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock actually traded on Nasdaq during the applicable VWAP Purchase Valuation Period, multiplied by the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by Stardust Power in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase (excluding the first and last regular way trade per above and, if a Limit Order Continue Election is made, excluding each transaction in the Common Stock in which the trading price of a share of Common Stock is below the applicable VWAP Minimum Price Threshold).

“Maximum Intraday VWAP Purchase Amount” means such number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock equal to the lesser of (a) 1 million shares and (b) the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock actually traded on Nasdaq during the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Valuation Period, multiplied by the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by Stardust Power in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (excluding the first and last regular way trade per above and, if a Limit Order Continue Election is made, excluding each transaction in Stardust Power Common Stock in which the trading price of a share of Common Stock is below the applicable Intraday VWAP Minimum Price Threshold).

“Measurement Time” means 12:01 a.m. New York time on the Closing Date.

“Merger Consideration” means the aggregate number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock equal to the Equity Value divided by (b) $10.00.

“Mergers” means the First Merger and the Second Merger.

“Minimum Price Threshold” means a price equal to 75.0% of the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such purchase.

“Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Capital Market.

“Nasdaq Commencement” means the beginning at the official open of the regular trading session on Nasdaq on the applicable Purchase Date.

“Non-Redemption Agreements” means those agreements between the Sponsor and several unaffiliated third parties, who were GPAC II Public Shareholders, pursuant to which such third parties agreed not to redeem (or to validly rescind any redemption requests on) an aggregate of 1,503,254 Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the 2024 Extension Amendment Proposal. In exchange for the foregoing commitments not to redeem such Class A Ordinary Shares, at Closing 127,777 shares (“Non-Redemption Shares”) of Common Stock were issued to such unaffiliated third parties for no consideration.

“Ordinary Shares” means, collectively, the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Class B Ordinary Shares.

“Per Share Consideration” means the number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock equal to the Merger Consideration divided by the number of shares of Stardust Power Fully-Diluted Shares.

“PIPE Investors” means a large institutional investor and two other investors that entered into PIPE Subscription Agreements.

“PIPE Subscription Agreements” means the subscription agreements entered into by and between GPAC II (at the time, and now Stardust Power) and the PIPE Investors on June 20, 2024.

“Prior Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement, dated October 7, 2024 by and between Stardust Power and the Selling Stockholder.

“Prior Transaction Cash Holdback Amount” means $157,314.30.

“Prior Transaction” means the equity line of credit between the Company and B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant a Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated of October 7, 2024, between the Company and B. Riley Principal Capital II.

“Prior Transaction Termination Letter Agreement” means the letter agreement, dated December 9, 2025, between the Company and the Investor, pursuant to which the Company is obligated to provide the Cash Holdback.

“Private Warrants” means warrants representing the right to purchase shares of Stardust Power Common Stock.

“Public Warrants” means our detachable redeemable warrants and our distributable redeemable warrants.

“Purchase Agreement” means the purchase agreement, dated February 12, 2026 by and between Stardust Power and the Selling Stockholder.

“Purchase Date” means any trading day selected by Stardust Power from and after the Commencement Date.

“QIU Fee Reimbursement” means the $50,000 in cash that B. Riley Principal Capital II will be reimbursed by the Company as consideration for Seaport.

“SAFEs” means, collectively, (i) the Simple Agreement of Future Equity (“SAFE”), dated August 15, 2023 (as amended on November 18, 2023 and as further amended and restated on April 24, 2024, the “August 2023 SAFE”), that provided $2,000,000 from AIGD, (ii) the SAFE, dated November 18, 2023, that provided $3,000,000 from AIGD (as amended and restated on April 24, 2024, the “November 2023 SAFE”), and (iii) a SAFE with an individual, dated February 23, 2024 (as amended on May 1, 2024, the “February 2024 SAFE”), that provided $200,000. Immediately prior to the First Effective Time, the SAFEs automatically converted into the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock equal to 138,393 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock immediately prior to Closing.

“SAFE Conversion” means the automatic conversion of the SAFEs into the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock equal to 138,393 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock immediately prior to the First Effective Time in accordance with the terms of the SAFEs.

“Seaport” means Seaport Global Securities LLC.

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Second Effective Time” means the time at which the Second Merger becomes effective.

“Second Amendment” means Amendment No. 2 to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2024, by and among GPAC II, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and Stardust Power, as amended and supplemented from time to time.

“Second Merger” means the merger of Stardust Power with and into Second Merger Sub, with Second Merger Sub being the Surviving Company and continuing as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of GPAC II.

“Second Merger Sub” means Strike Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct and wholly owned subsidiary of GPAC II.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Selling Stockholder” means B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC.

“SPAC” is one or more special purpose acquisition companies, including, when required by the context, Stardust Power.

“Sponsor” means Global Partner Sponsor II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the managers of which are Chandra R. Patel, Richard C. Davis and Jarett Goldman.

“Sponsor Earnout Shares” refers to the 1,000,000 shares of GPAC II Common Stock held by Sponsor that are subject to forfeiture pursuant to the Sponsor Letter Agreement.

“Sponsor Letter Agreement” means the agreement, dated November 21, 2023, as amended, by and among the Sponsor and the directors and officers of GPAC II, pursuant to which, among other things, the Sponsor agreed to, among other things, (a) vote, in their capacity as shareholders of GPAC II, in favor of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions, (b) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to its Ordinary Shares prior to Closing, (c) terminate certain lock-up provisions included in that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2021, as amended by that certain Letter Agreement Amendment, dated as of January 13, 2023, by and among Sponsor and GPAC II, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sponsor Letter Agreement, (d) fully vest 3,000,000 of its Class B Ordinary Shares immediately upon the Closing (and convert into GPAC II Common Stock), (e) subject 1,000,000 of its Class B Ordinary Shares to vesting (or forfeiture) on the basis of achieving (or failing to achieve) certain trading price thresholds following the Closing, (f) forfeit 3,500,000 of its Class B Ordinary Shares (reduced by any Non-Redemption Shares) for no consideration, and (g) waive any anti-dilution adjustment to the conversion ratio set forth in GPAC II’s governing documents or similar protection with respect to the GPAC II Common Stock.

“Sponsor Loan” means that certain Investment Agreement by and between GPAC II and Sponsor, dated as of January 13, 2023, together with any additional loans issued by Sponsor to GPAC II prior to closing of the Business Combination.

“Stardust Power” or “Stardust” means Stardust Power Inc., a Delaware corporation, and includes its wholly owned subsidiary, Stardust Power LLC, a Delaware corporation.

“Stardust Power Common Stock” means the common stock of Stardust Power, par value $0.0001 per share.

“Stardust Power Fully-Diluted Shares” means the sum of (without duplication) (a) the aggregate number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time, including without limitation any Stardust Power Restricted Stock whether vested or unvested, plus (b) the aggregate number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all vested and unvested Stardust Power Options as of immediately prior to the First Effective Time but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any unissued Stardust Power Options plus (c) the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock issuable upon the SAFE Conversion.

“Stardust Power Option” means an option to purchase Stardust Power Common Stock.

“Stardust Power Restricted Stock” means (a) shares of Stardust Power Common Stock acquired by the holder thereof pursuant to a “Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement” or (b) pursuant to an award under the Stardust 2023 Plan, including pursuant to an early exercise of a Stardust Power Option, and which shares of Stardust Power Common Stock remain unvested under the terms of the “Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement” or the “Stock Option Agreement - Early Exercise,” as applicable.

“Stardust 2023 Plan” means the Stardust Power’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan and each other plan that provides for the award, to any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor or other service provider of Stardust Power, of rights of any kind to receive equity securities of Stardust Power or benefits measured in whole or in part by reference to securities of Stardust Power.

“Stardust Power Transaction Expenses” means all Transaction Expenses of Stardust Power as of the Measurement Time.

“Stardust Power 2024 Equity Plan” means the Stardust Power 2024 Equity Plan, which became effective as of the Closing Date.

“Stockholder Agreement” means the agreement, dated July 8, 2024, by and among the Sponsor, Roshan Pujari and his affiliates, providing the Sponsor with the right to designate one nominee to the Stardust Power Inc. board of directors until the date upon which the Sponsor’s and it’s affiliates’ aggregate ownership interest of the issued and outstanding Common Stock decreases to one-half of their aggregate initial ownership interest as of the Closing.

“Transaction Expenses” means any fees, costs and expenses incurred or subject to reimbursement by the GPAC II and Stardust Power, whether accrued for or not, in each case in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and its ancillary agreements, including (a) any brokerage fees, commissions, finders’ fees or financial advisory fees, and, in each case, related costs and expenses, (b) any fees, costs and expenses of counsel, accountants or other advisors or service providers, (c) any fees, costs and expenses or payments of any of the Company related to any transaction bonus, discretionary bonus, change-of-control payment, retention or other compensatory payments or obligations made to any employee of the Company as a result of the execution of the Business Combination Agreement and its ancillary agreements or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including in combination with any other event (including the employer portion of any payroll, social security, unemployment or similar taxes) and (d) and solely with respect to GPAC II, (i) any extension expenses, (ii) any amounts owed pursuant to the Sponsor Loan and (iii) any operating or other ordinary course expenses from and after October 3, 2023.

“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing, including the Domestication and the Mergers.

“Threshold Price” means $1.00 or greater as of the closing sale price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq the trading day immediately prior to a Purchase Date.

“VWAP” means, for any specified period, the volume weighted average price of Stardust Power’s Common Stock on Nasdaq for such specified period, as reported by Bloomberg Financial LP using the AQR function (excluding, as applicable, (i) the above-referenced opening/first purchase transaction, (ii) the last sale transaction in the Common Stock during the primary trading session on Nasdaq on such Purchase Date and (iii) if a Limit Order Continue Election is made, each transaction in the Common Stock in which the trading price of a share of Common Stock is below the applicable VWAP Minimum Price Threshold or below the applicable Intraday VWAP Minimum Price Threshold (as applicable)).

“VWAP Minimum Price Threshold” means the applicable minimum price threshold specified by Stardust Power in the Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (or if no such minimum price threshold is specified by Stardust Power in the Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, the minimum price threshold for such Intraday VWAP Purchase will be equal to 75% of the closing sale price of the Stardust Power Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the applicable Purchase Date).

“VWAP Purchase” means the purchase of Stardust Power Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder on any trading day selected by Stardust Power from and after the Commencement Date, provided the closing sale price of the Stardust Power Common Stock on the immediately preceding trading day is not less than $1.00, in which Stardust Power directs the Selling Stockholder, by the delivery to the Selling Stockholder of a VWAP Purchase Notice to purchase on such Purchase Date, the VWAP Purchase Share Amount, at the applicable purchase price.

“VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means the time beginning at 9:30:01am, Eastern time on any applicable Purchase Date.

“VWAP Purchase Ending Time” means the earliest to occur of (1) the official close of regular trading on Nasdaq, (2) such time that the total aggregate volume of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock traded on Nasdaq reaches the applicable VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum (as applicable) for such VWAP Purchase and (3) such time that the trading price of a share of Stardust Power Common Stock on Nasdaq falls below the VWAP Minimum Price Threshold (as applicable).

“VWAP Purchase Notice” means an irrevocable written purchase notice, after 6:00 a.m., Eastern time, and prior to 9:00 a.m., Eastern time, on any Purchase Date.

“VWAP Purchase Percentage” means the percentage that shall be used for calculating the VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum and the Maximum VWAP Purchase Amount applicable to such VWAP Purchase, which shall not exceed 25%.

“VWAP Purchase Valuation Period” means the period for each VWAP Purchase, beginning at the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time and ending at the applicable VWAP Purchase Ending Time.

“VWAP Purchase Volume Maximum” means the VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be purchased by the Selling Stockholder, divided by (b) the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by Stardust Power in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase (giving effect to any adjustment as necessary to give effect to the applicable Maximum VWAP Purchase Amount limitation).

“VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means an amount of Stardust Power Common Stock, up to the applicable Maximum VWAP Purchase Amount, directed to be purchased by the Selling Stockholder by Stardust Power.

“Warrants” means the warrants representing the right to purchase shares of Common Stock following the Closing.

“2024 Extension Amendment Proposal” means the proposal presented at the 2024 Extension Meeting to extend the date by which GPAC II must complete its initial business combination from January 14, 2024 to a date no earlier than July 14, 2024.

“2024 Extension Meeting” means the extraordinary general meeting of GPAC II Shareholders held on January 9, 2024 to consider the 2024 Extension Amendment Proposal.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Stardust Power. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:

	●	the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to the Company;

	●	the substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern and the need to raise capital in the near term in order to maintain the Company’s operations;

	●	our failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination;

	●	our ability to maintain the listing of the Common Stock and the Public Warrants on the Nasdaq;

	●	our ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements and rules, and the risk that the Nasdaq may delist our Common Stock and Public Warrants, which could negatively affect our company, the price of our Common Stock and Public Warrants and our shareholders’ ability to sell our Common Stock and Public Warrants in the event we are unable to list our Common Stock and Public Warrants on another exchange;

	●	the Company’s ability to issue equity or equity-linked securities, to obtain debt financing, or refinance existing indebtedness on satisfactory terms, or otherwise raise financing in the future;

	●	the liquidity and trading of the Common Stock and the Public Warrants;

	●	members of the Company’s management team allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with the Company’s business;

	●	the Company’s future financial performance;

	●	the Company’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees, or directors;

	●	the Company’s ability to manage future growth;

	●	the Company’s ability to operate in the lithium industry;

	●	the Company’s ability to enter into and deliver products under offtake agreements;

	●	the Company’s ability to develop new products and services, bring them to market in a timely manner, and make enhancements to its business;

	●	the effects of competition on the Company’s business;

	●	market demand for and uses of lithium-based end products;

	●	changes in domestic and foreign business, financial, political, and legal conditions;

	●	future global, regional, or local economic and market conditions;

	●	the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations, and inquiries;

	●	the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations;

	●	the impact of material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control of financial reporting; and

	●	the Company’s other plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions described or referenced in this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents that the Company will file, from time to time with the SEC.

If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our assessments to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so except as otherwise required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our assessment as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.

These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, actual results or our performance of the Company may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and the information set forth in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Unless the context otherwise requires, we use the terms “Stardust Power,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this prospectus to refer to Stardust Power Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview

Stardust Power is a development stage American manufacturer of battery-grade lithium products designed to supply for energy storage across e-mobility, grid infrastructure, and data centers industry and help to secure America’s leadership in the energy transition. Stardust Power is a newly incorporated company, formed on March 16, 2023, which intends to construct a lithium refinery facility in the state of Oklahoma, in the United States (the “Facility”), with a projected capacity of producing up to 50,000 tons per annum (“tpa”) of battery grade lithium. Stardust Power is focused on the midstream refinery process, and currently, is not undertaking any exploration activities. Stardust Power has engaged advisors who have conducted various environmental and geotechnical/technical studies that are a prerequisite to establishing the Facility. Stardust Power seeks to establish a refinery serving as a hub to process multiple sources of lithium brine primarily from the United States to supply battery grade lithium carbonate to domestic battery manufacturers. Stardust Power intends to enter into letters of intent and memoranda of understanding to avail itself of brine feedstock supply. Stardust Power’s business strategy will depend on such agreements and its ability to source lithium brine.

Stardust Power has also engaged with established advisors with varied expertise in lithium refining, for the development of the refinery to oversee the construction of the Facility. As a newly incorporated entity, Stardust Power is dependent on the expertise of, and agreements with, its various consultants to execute its business strategy. Having been incorporated on March 16, 2023, Stardust Power has a limited history of operations. The Company has not generated any revenue and has a history of losses, that stood at approximately $64.5 million, for the period since its inception on March 16, 2023, to September 30, 2025. For more information, see the sections titled “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Corporate Information

We were originally known as Global Partner Acquisition Corp II. In connection with the consummation of the business combination on July 8, 2024, we changed our name from Global Partner Acquisition Corp II to Stardust Power Inc.

Our principal executive office is located at 15 E. Putnam Ave, Suite 378, Greenwich, CT 06830. Our corporate website address is www.stardust-power.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this prospectus. The website address is included as an inactive textual reference only. “Stardust Power” and our other registered and common law trade names, trademarks and service marks are property of Stardust Power Inc. This prospectus contains additional trade names, trademarks and service marks of others, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or ^TM symbols.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), and they may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in their periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may limit comparability of our financial statements with certain other public companies because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year (a) ending after the fifth anniversary of the closing of the initial public offering (i.e., December 31, 2027), (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th; and (ii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

The Committed Equity Facility.

On February 12, 2026, we entered into the Purchase Agreement and the related Registration Rights Agreement with the Selling Stockholder. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the Purchase Agreement, we have the right, in our sole discretion, to sell to the Selling Stockholder up to $10 million of shares of our Common Stock. In accordance with our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, we have filed the registration statement that includes this prospectus with the SEC to register under the Securities Act, the offer and resale by the Selling Stockholder of up to 2 million shares of Common Stock, comprised of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Shares”) that we may, in our sole discretion, elect to sell to the Selling Stockholder, from time to time pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Sales of Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any sales, are solely at the option of the Company. The Company is under no obligation to sell any securities to the Selling Stockholder under the Purchase Agreement.

Summary of Risk Factors

You should consider all of the information contained in this prospectus before investing in our securities which involves substantial risk. Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of this prospectus, that represent challenges that we face in connection with the successful implementation of our strategy and the growth of our business. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. Important factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

	●	It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares we sell under the Purchase Agreement to the Selling Stockholder, or the actual gross proceeds resulting from those sales.

	●	The sale of the shares of Common Stock acquired by the Selling Stockholder (or issued pursuant to other offerings), or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the price of our Common Stock to fall.

	●	Investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

	●	Management has broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds and may use the proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

	●	Our future performance is difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating history in the lithium industry.

	●	Our limited history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects and may increase the risks associated with your investment.

	●	Our management has identified conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

	●	We are a development stage company, and there is no guarantee that our development will result in the commercial production of lithium from brine sources.

	●	We face numerous risks related to exploration, construction, and extraction of brine by our suppliers.

	●	Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results and our revenue are likely to fluctuate significantly in future periods.

	●	Our long-term success will depend ultimately on our ability to generate revenues, achieve and maintain profitability, and develop positive cash flows from our battery-grade lithium production activities.

	●	Pipeline of lithium feedstock may prove to be non-viable, which could have material adverse impact on our business and operations.

	●	Logistics costs based on a hub and spoke refinery model may increase the price to where it is not economically viable.

	●	Even if we are successful in completing all initial phases and the first commercial production at our Facility and consistently produce battery-grade lithium on a commercial scale, we may not be successful in commencing and expanding commercial operations to support the growth of our business.

	●	Our ability to manage growth will have an impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

	●	Our products may not qualify for use for our intended customers.

	●	We might not be able to sell our products as intended.

	●	Delays and other obstacles may prevent the successful completion of our Facility.

	●	We depend on our ability to successfully access the capital and financial markets. Any inability to access the capital or financial markets may limit our ability to meet our liquidity needs and long-term commitments, fund our ongoing operations, execute our business plan or pursue investments that we may rely on for future growth.

	●	We may not be able to develop, maintain and grow strategic relationships, identify new strategic relationship opportunities or form strategic relationships, in the future.

	●	Lithium can be highly combustible, and if we have incidents, it could adversely impact us.

	●	The lithium brine industry includes well capitalized companies, and we may not have sufficient resources to compete against them.

	●	Low-cost producers could disrupt the market and be able to provide products cheaper than the Company.

	●	We may be unable to qualify for existing federal and state level grants and incentives and the grants and incentives may not be released to us as quickly or efficiently as we anticipate or at all.

	●	The development of non-lithium battery technologies could adversely affect us.

	●	Lithium prices are subject to unpredictable fluctuations.

	●	The development of our lithium refinery is highly dependent upon the currently projected demand for and uses of lithium-based end products.

	●	Our future growth and success are dependent upon consumers’ demand for electric vehicles in an automotive industry that is generally competitive, cyclical and volatile.

	●	We may be unable to successfully negotiate final, binding terms related to our current non-binding memoranda of understanding and letters of intent for supply and offtake agreements, which could harm our commercial prospects.

	●	An escalation of the current war in Ukraine, generalized conflict in Europe and the Middle East, or the emergence of conflict elsewhere, may adversely affect our business.

	●	Potential tariffs or a global trade war could increase the cost of products we rely upon, which could adversely impact the competitiveness of our business and our financial results.

	●	Climate change, legislation, regulation and policies may result in increased operating costs and otherwise affect our business, our industry and the global economy.

	●	We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in prior years. If we experience additional material weaknesses or other deficiencies in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial results, which could result in loss of investor confidence and adversely impact our stock price.

Recent Developments

Appointment of General Counsel

On January 26, 2026, the Company announced the appointment of Bruce Czachor as the Company’s General Counsel, effective January 26, 2026. In connection with his appointment, the Company entered into an Employment, Agreement with Mr. Czachor.

THE OFFERING

Issuer		Stardust Power Inc.

Selling Stockholder		B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC.

Shares of Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholder		2,000,000 shares of Common Stock that we may elect, in our sole discretion, to sell to the Selling Stockholder from time to time from and after the Commencement Date pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Purchase Price of Common Stock		The purchase price shall be equal to 97% of the VWAP for the period on the applicable purchase date, beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., Eastern time (or such later time publicly announced by Nasdaq as the official open of the primary trading session on Nasdaq), on such purchase date and ending at 3:59:00 p.m., Eastern time (or such earlier time publicly announced by Nasdaq as the official close of the primary trading session on Nasdaq), on such Purchase Date (excluding the first and last regular way trade as per above and, if a Limit Order Continue Election is made, excluding each transaction in the Common Stock in which the trading price of a share of Common Stock is below the applicable VWAP Minimum Price Threshold).

Use of Proceeds		We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of shares of common stock included in this prospectus by the Selling Stockholder. However, we may receive up to the Aggregate Commitment Amount in aggregate gross proceeds under the Purchase Agreement from sales of Common Stock that we may elect to make to the Selling Stockholder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, if any, from time to time in our sole discretion, from and after the Commencement Date. To the extent we sell Common Stock to the Selling Stockholder, we intend to use any proceeds therefrom for general corporate purposes, including making capital expenditures and funding working capital and future acquisitions and investments. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Conflict of Interest		B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC is an affiliate of B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member. BRS will act as an executing broker that will effectuate resales of our Common Stock that have been and may be acquired by B. Riley Principal Capital II from us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement to the public in this offering.

		Because B. Riley Principal Capital II will receive all the net proceeds from such resales of our Common Stock made to the public through BRS, BRS is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Consequently, this offering will be conducted in compliance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121, which requires that a “qualified independent underwriter,” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121, participate in the preparation of the registration statement that includes this prospectus and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect thereto. Accordingly, we have engaged Seaport to be the qualified independent underwriter in this offering and, in such capacity, participate in the preparation of the registration statement that includes this prospectus and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect thereto.

		B. Riley Principal Capital II has agreed to pay Seaport a cash fee of $50,000 as consideration for its services and to reimburse Seaport up to $5,000 for its expenses incurred in connection with acting as the qualified independent underwriter in this offering. Seaport will receive no other compensation for acting as the qualified independent underwriter in this offering. While we are not obligated to pay any such fees or expense reimbursement directly to Seaport, we are required to reimburse B. Riley Principal Capital II for such fee prior to the closing of the Purchase Agreement.

		In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BRS is not permitted to sell shares of our Common Stock in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest).”

Plan of Distribution		The Selling Stockholder may sell or otherwise dispose of all or a portion of the Common Stock being offered in this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest).”

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Common Stock in light of their personal investment circumstances.

Risk factors		Investing in our Common Stock involves risks. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read and consider the information set forth in “Risk Factors.”

Nasdaq ticker symbol		“SDST”

Additional Information		We file annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. This information is also available free of charge by contacting us at Stardust Power Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (800) 742-3095, or on our website at www.stardust-power.com/.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus and in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before deciding to invest in our securities. Although we have organized risks generally according to these categories in the discussion below, many of the risks may have ramifications in more than one category. These categories, therefore, should be viewed as a starting point for understanding the significant risks we face and not as a limitation on the potential impact of the matters discussed. If any of the events or developments described below were to occur, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could suffer materially, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business.

Risks Related to this Offering

It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares we will sell under the Purchase Agreement to B. Riley Principal Capital II, or the actual gross proceeds resulting from those sales.

On February 12, 2026, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with B. Riley Principal Capital II, pursuant to which B. Riley Principal Capital II has committed to purchase up to $10,000,000 of shares of our Common Stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under the Purchase Agreement may be sold by us to B. Riley Principal Capital II at our discretion from time to time for a period of up to 36 months (unless the Purchase Agreement is earlier terminated) beginning on the Commencement Date.

We generally have the right to control the timing and amount of any sales of our shares of Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement. Sales of our Common Stock, if any, to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement will depend upon market conditions and other factors to be determined by us. We may ultimately decide to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II all, some or none of the shares of our Common Stock that may be available for us to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Although the Purchase Agreement provides that we may sell up to an aggregate of $10,000,000 of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II, only 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock are being registered under the Securities Act for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus. If it becomes necessary for us to issue and sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement more than the 2,000,000 Purchase Shares being registered under the Securities Act for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus in order to receive aggregate gross proceeds equal to $10,000,000 under the Purchase Agreement, we must first (i) obtain stockholder approval to issue shares of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap under the Purchase Agreement in accordance with applicable Nasdaq rules and (ii) file with the SEC one or more additional registration statements to register under the Securities Act the resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II of any such additional shares of our Common Stock we wish to sell from time to time under the Purchase Agreement, which the SEC must declare effective, in each case before we may elect to sell any additional shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement. Any issuance and sale by us under the Purchase Agreement of a substantial amount of shares of Common Stock in addition to the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock being registered for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus could cause additional substantial dilution to our stockholders. The number of shares of Common Stock ultimately offered for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II through this prospectus is dependent upon the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, we elect to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement from and after the Commencement Date.

The sale of the shares of Common Stock acquired by the Selling Stockholder and/or other stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the price of our Common Stock to fall.

The Selling Stockholder can resell, under this prospectus, up to 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, comprised of shares that we may, in our sole discretion, elect to sell to the Selling Stockholder, from time to time from and after the Commencement Date pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. If all of the 2 million shares offered for resale by the Selling Stockholder under this prospectus were issued and outstanding as of the date hereof (without taking into account the 19.99% Exchange Cap limitation), such shares would represent approximately 20% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock and approximately 28% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of our Company, in each case as of February 10, 2026. After the Selling Stockholder has acquired the shares, the Selling Stockholder may resell all, some, or none of those shares at any time or from time to time in its discretion. Therefore, sales to the Selling Stockholder by us could result in substantial dilution to the interests of other holders of our Common Stock and/or by our other existing stockholders, or the perception that those sales might occur, could depress the market price of our shares of Common Stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect sales.

Investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices and may experience different levels of dilution.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold to B. Riley Principal Capital II. If and when we do elect to sell shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, after B. Riley Principal Capital II has acquired such shares, B. Riley Principal Capital II may resell all, some or none of such shares at any time or from time to time in its discretion and at different prices. As a result, investors who purchase shares from B. Riley Principal Capital II in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices for those shares, and so may experience different levels of dilution, and in some cases substantial dilution, and different outcomes in their investment results. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase from B. Riley Principal Capital II in this offering as a result of future sales made by us to B. Riley Principal Capital II at prices lower than the prices such investors paid for their shares in this offering. In addition, if we sell a substantial number of shares to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement, or if investors expect that we will do so, the actual sales of shares or the mere existence of our arrangement with B. Riley Principal Capital II may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect such sales.

Our management team will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from our sale of shares of Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II, if any, and you may not agree with how we use the proceeds and the proceeds may not be invested successfully.

Our management team will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from our sale of shares of Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II, if any, and we could use such proceeds for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of commencement of this offering. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management team with regard to the use of those net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that, pending their use, we may invest those net proceeds in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. The failure of our management team to use such funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our future performance is difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating history in the lithium industry.

We have had a limited operating history in the lithium industry, and we have not realized any revenues to date from the sale of lithium, and our operating cash flow needs have been financed through issuance of SAFE notes, debt and equity securities, and not through cash flows derived from our operations. As a result, we have little historical financial and operating information from our lithium business to help you evaluate our performance.

Our limited history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects and may increase the risks associated with your investment.

We incorporated on March 16, 2023, and have yet to construct our Facility and commence production. As a result, we have a limited operating history upon which to evaluate our business and future prospects, which subjects us to a number of risks and uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and predict future growth. Since our founding, and acquisition of land for the establishment of our Facility, we have made significant progress towards site due diligence, engineering and techno-economic analysis for assessing suitability of the land and location. The refinery designs, brine extraction and transportation process to our Facility, process configurations, and control system of the Facility are representative of an industrial-scale battery-grade lithium production facility. We have also undertaken and continue to undertake various environmental studies by industry experts. As we continue to develop our production Facility, we expect our operating losses and negative operating cash flows to grow until first commercial production and sales.

We may encounter risks and difficulties experienced by growing companies in rapidly developing and changing industries, including challenges related to achieving market acceptance of our products, competing against companies with greater financial and technical resources, competing against entrenched incumbent competitors that have long-standing relationships with our prospective customers in the battery-grade lithium market, recruiting and retaining qualified employees, and making use of our limited resources. We cannot ensure that we will be successful in addressing these and other challenges that we may face in the future, and our business may be adversely affected if we do not manage these risks appropriately. As a result, we may not attain sufficient revenue to achieve or maintain positive cash flow from operations or profitability in any given period, or at all.

Our management has identified conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses, have an accumulated deficit of approximately $64.59 million as of September 30, 2025, and negative operating cash flow of approximately $6.55 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Our management expects that operating losses and negative cash flows may continue to increase from the September 30, 2025, levels, particularly because we are not generating any revenue as yet and owing to additional costs towards capital expenditure and expenses related to the development of site preparation, engineering, feasibility studies, and investment in upstream companies and salaries of the senior team and professional expenses. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon management’s plan to raise additional capital from issuance of equity or receive additional borrowings to fund the Company’s operating and investing activities. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our plans described elsewhere in this prospectus or in attracting future debt, equity financings or strategic and collaborative ventures with third parties on acceptable terms, or if at all. If we are unable to raise adequate capital at favorable terms, the business, operations and financial results, and hence stock price of securities of the Company in the public markets may be adversely impacted, which could have a material adverse impact on your investment.

We are a development stage company, and there is no guarantee that our development will result in the commercial production of lithium from brine sources.

As a development stage company, we have yet to start the purification of lithium brine to produce battery-grade lithium and are not likely to generate revenue in our initial years of operations. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will ever realize any profits. Any profitability in the future from our business will be dependent upon an economic method of extracting the required brine by our partners, whether directly or as byproducts of the oil and gas industry, and from further exploration and development of other economic sources of brine. Further, we cannot assure you that any exploration and extraction programs conducted by our partners will result in profitable commercially viable extraction, purification and production operations. The exploration, extraction and purification of lithium brine, whether obtained from deposits or as byproducts of the oil and gas industry, involves a high degree of financial risk over a significant period of time, which may or may not be reduced or eliminated through a combination of careful evaluation, experience, and skilled management. While the discovery of additional lithium brine deposits may result in increasing and diversifying supply sources, there can be no assurances that costs associated with extraction and subsequent transportation to the Facility would be economical and efficient enough for profitable commercial production. Further, significant expenses may be required by our partners to construct processing facilities and to establish brine reserves.

We do not know with certainty that economically recoverable lithium exists on properties of our partners from who we seek to obtain brine. In addition, the quantity of any brine reserves may vary depending on input prices. Any material change in the quantity or grade of brine may affect the economic viability of our properties.

Subsequent to the entering into of commercial product and offtake agreements to sell battery-grade lithium, we may be required to import the input raw materials in order to meet demand. In that event, import expenses, levies by exporting governments, regulatory approvals, shipping and logistics arrangements and costs, could potentially make the production of battery-grade lithium at our facilities economically unviable. This could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations and cash flows.

We face numerous risks related to exploration, construction, and extraction of brine by our suppliers.

Our level of profitability, if any, in future years will depend to a great degree on lithium prices and whether we can purchase brine at a price that is economically feasible for us to produce battery-grade lithium. Exploration and development of lithium resources are highly speculative in nature, and it is impossible to ensure that any of our suppliers will establish reserves. Whether it will be economically feasible for our suppliers to extract lithium depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) particular attributes of the brine assets, such as chemical composition of lithium, presence of contaminants, temperature of the brine, physical and chemical conditions of the brine and extraction technology and proximity to infrastructure, among other factors; (ii) lithium prices; (iii) extraction, processing and, purification; (iv) logistics and transportation costs; (v) willingness of lenders and investors to provide capital, including project financing; (vi) labor costs and possible labor strikes; (vii) non-issuance or delays in the issuance of permits; (viii) electric vehicle supply and demand; and (ix) governmental regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting materials, grants, foreign exchange, environmental, health and safety, employment, transportation, and reclamation and closure obligations.

We are also subject to the risks normally encountered in the lithium industry, that may impact our suppliers which include, without limitation:

●	the discovery of unusual or unexpected geological formations;
●	accidental fires, floods, earthquakes, severe weather, seismic activity, or other natural disasters;
●	unplanned power outages and water shortages;
●	construction delays and higher than expected capital costs due to, among other things, supply chain disruptions, trade disputes and tariffs, higher transportation costs and inflation;
●	the ability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment, or labor;
●	shortages in materials or equipment and energy and electrical power supply interruptions or rationing;
●	environmental, health and safety regulations; and
●	other risks involved in the conduct of lithium exploration and operations.

The nature of these risks is such that liabilities could exceed any applicable insurance policy limits or could be excluded from coverage. There are also risks against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. The potential costs, which could be associated with any liabilities not covered by insurance or in excess of insurance coverage, or compliance with applicable laws and regulations may cause substantial delays and require significant capital outlays, adversely affecting our future earnings, competitive position, and potentially our financial viability.

Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results and our revenue are likely to fluctuate significantly in future periods.

Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from period to period. Our revenues, net income and results of operations may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors that are outside our control including, but not limited to, lack of sufficient working capital, equipment malfunction and breakdowns, inability to timely find spare machines or parts to fix the broken equipment, regulatory or licensing delays and severe weather phenomena.

Our long-term success will depend ultimately on our ability to generate revenues, achieve and maintain profitability, and develop positive cash flows from our battery-grade lithium production activities.

Our ability to acquire additional lithium brine from suppliers depends on our ability to generate revenues, achieve and maintain profitability, and generate positive cash flow from our operations. The economic viability of the Facility has many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to:

●	significant, prolonged decrease in the market price of lithium;
●	significantly higher than expected construction, extraction or refining costs;
●	significantly lower than expected lithium extraction and reduced supply of lithium brine;
●	significant delays, reductions, or stoppages in lithium extraction activities;
●	construction delays, procurement issues and workforce sourcing where our Facility is being set up;
●	significant shortages of adequate and skilled labor or a significant increase in labor costs;
●	difficulty in obtaining relevant permits or delays caused in obtaining such relevant permits;
●	more stringent regulatory or environmental, health or safety laws and regulations;
●	significant difficulty in marketing or selling battery-grade lithium;
●	negative community and political activism that may have an impact on the laws and regulations surrounding the industry in which we operate;
●	availability of credits, incentives and federal or state funding for refining and sale of battery-grade lithium and electric vehicles; and
●	general economic and political conditions, such as recessions, interest rates, inflation and acts of war or terrorism.

It is common for a new lithium refining operation to experience unexpected costs, problems, and delays during construction, commissioning and start-up. Most similar projects suffer delays during these periods due to numerous factors, including the factors listed above. Any of these factors could result in changes to capital and operating expenditures, economic returns or cash flow estimates of the project or have other negative impacts on our financial position. There is no assurance that our Facility will commence commercial production on schedule, or at all, or will result in profitable, viable operations. If we are unable to develop our Facility into a commercial operating facility, our business and financial condition will be materially adversely affected. Moreover, even if a feasibility study supports a commercially viable project, there are many additional factors that could impact the project’s development, including terms and availability of financing, cost overruns, litigation or administrative appeals concerning the project, delays in development, and any permitting changes, among other factors, and factors beyond our control such as adverse weather conditions.

Our future lithium refining and production activities may change as a result of any one or more of these risks and uncertainties. We cannot assure you that any of our activities will result in achieving and maintaining profitability and developing positive cash flows.

Pipeline of lithium feedstock may prove to be non-viable, which could have material adverse impact on our business and operations.

Through our strategic memorandums of understanding via non-binding contractual arrangements with leading global players we depend on them for supply and production of lithium brine, and if for some reason the memorandums of understanding do not culminate into binding agreements or do not yield desired economic results, it could adversely impact our business, operations and financial condition. For example, the results of the Phase I of Liberty Lithium project with QXR may prove to be economically unviable, or not an economically viable source of feedstock for the Company. Further, our arrangement with Prairie Lithium may also not create adequate feedstock. Sufficient supply and production of lithium brine may not be available at the onset of the production at the Facility. Additionally, upstream risks may prevent us from organizing enough feedstock supply to produce consistent lithium products, and the competitive landscape for lithium supply could become a detriment to the Company’s efforts. Changes in commodity prices may also limit upstream exploration and production. We cannot assure you that we will not be faced with adverse impacts should the execution of our strategy be impacted.

Logistics costs based on a hub and spoke refinery model may increase the price to where it is not economically viable.

Our business model is designed to have a central refinery where inputs are transported to the central location. This approach has a layer of transportation costs associated with it. While our management believes these costs can be limited through concentration and or crystallization, we cannot assure you that any adverse changes in transportation costs, transportation and logistics levies, changes in concentration and or crystallization process leading to increased costs, among others, would not increase costs substantially, reduce operating margins, or make our project unviable.

Even if we are successful in completing all initial phases and the first commercial production at our Facility and consistently produce battery-grade lithium on a commercial scale, we may not be successful in commencing and expanding commercial operations to support the growth of our business.

Our ability to achieve significant future revenue will depend in large part upon our ability to attract customers and enter into contracts on favorable terms. We expect that many of our customers will be large companies with extensive experience operating in the lithium markets. We lack significant commercial operating experience and may face difficulties in developing marketing expertise in these fields. Our business model relies upon our ability to successfully implement our first commercial production and commence and expand commercial operations. Furthermore, we also intend to successfully negotiate, structure and fulfill long-term supply agreements for lithium brine with suppliers.

Agreements with potential customers may initially only provide for the purchase of limited quantities from us. Our ability to increase our sales will depend in large part upon our ability to expand these existing customer relationships into long-term supply agreements. Establishing, maintaining and expanding relationships with customers in general can require substantial investment without any assurance from customers that they will place significant orders. In addition, many of our potential customers may be more experienced in these matters than we are, and we may fail to successfully negotiate these agreements in a timely manner or on favorable terms which, in turn, may force us to slow our production, dedicate additional resources to increasing our storage capacity and/or dedicate resources to sales in spot markets. Furthermore, should we become more dependent on spot market sales, our profitability will become increasingly vulnerable to short-term fluctuations in the price and demand for battery-grade lithium and competing substitutes.

Our ability to manage growth will have an impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Future growth may place strains on our financial, technical, operational, and administrative resources and cause us to rely more on project partners and independent contractors, thus, potentially adversely affecting our financial position and results of operations. Our ability to grow will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

●	our ability to develop existing prospects;

●	our ability to identify suppliers and enter into long-term supply agreements with suppliers;

●	our ability to maintain or enter into new relationships with project partners and independent contractors;

●	our ability to continue to retain and attract skilled personnel;

●	our access to capital;

●	the market price for lithium products; and

●	our ability to enter into agreements for the sale of lithium products.

Our products may not qualify for use for our intended customers.

Our battery-grade lithium products may not be suitable for our intended customers’ use for lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have strict requirements for the materials used in their manufacture as impurities can lead to poor charging performance including reduced vehicle range of operation, more frequent need to charge, problems with batteries starting at colder temperature and, in some extreme cases, to batteries catching on fire. A major issue with the current lithium conversion practice in the industry is reliable operation in producing high-quality lithium products. Although through our business arrangements and our process, we expect to produce battery-grade lithium products that meet purity requirements, we cannot assure you that we will be able to enter into business arrangements as we intend, that our processes will meet the stringent quality testing norms of our intended customers, and we will not be able to develop the market to sell our products, which will have an adverse impact on our revenue, operations and financial condition.

We might not be able to sell our products as intended.

As a result of evolving market dynamics, we may not be able to secure long-term buyers for our products for a variety of reasons, including: qualification, competitive pricing, logistical costs, future government policies and incentives, changes in demand from EV adoption, changes in demand due to changes in chemistry of batteries, or the synthesizing of battery metals, emergence of new engineering technologies or processes that could render existing processes obsolete, and alternatives to battery-grade lithium for the EV industry, among others. We cannot assure you that such events in the future may not occur, or how adversely they will impact our business, operations and financial position.

Delays and other obstacles may prevent the successful completion of our Facility.

Delays may stop or temporarily stop the development of our Facility. These delays could include but are not limited to, permitting delays and inability to obtain permits, construction delays, procurement issues, workforce sourcing, community activism, and political opposition. A significant delay in completion of our Facility could adversely affect our ability to finish development with changes in both capital expenditure and operating expenditure.

We depend on our ability to successfully access the capital and financial markets. Any inability to access the capital or financial markets may limit our ability to meet our liquidity needs and long-term commitments, fund our ongoing operations, execute our business plan or pursue investments that we may rely on for future growth.

Until commercial production is achieved from our planned projects, we will continue to incur operating and investing net cash outflows associated with including, but not limited to, undertaking exploration, extraction and production activities, and the development of our planned projects. As a result, we rely on access to various sources of funding including debt, private equity, the public and private debt and equity capital markets, as well as grants, as a source of funding for our capital and operating requirements. We require additional capital to meet our liquidity needs related to expenses for our various corporate activities, including the costs related to our status as a publicly traded company, funding for our ongoing operations, explore and define lithium brine extraction, and establish any future lithium operations. We cannot assure you that such additional funding will be available to us on satisfactory terms, or at all.

To finance our future ongoing operations, and future capital needs, we may require additional funds through the issuance of additional equity or debt securities. Depending on the type and terms of any financing we pursue, stockholders’ rights and the value of their investment in our Common Stock could be reduced. Any additional equity financing will dilute our existing shareholdings. If the issuance of new securities results in diminished rights to holders of our Common Stock, the market price of our Common Stock could be negatively impacted. New or additional debt financing, if available, may involve restrictions on financing and operating activities. In addition, if we issue secured debt securities, the holders of the debt would have a claim to our assets that would be prior to the rights of stockholders until the debt is paid. Interest on such debt securities would increase costs and would subject us to increased debt service obligations, could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations and hence negatively impact operating results.

If we are unable to obtain additional financing, as needed, at competitive terms, our ability to fund our current operations and implement our business plan and strategy will be adversely affected. These circumstances may require us to reduce the scope of our operations and scale back our exploration, extraction, refining and production plans. There is no guarantee that we will be able to secure any additional funding or be able to secure funding to provide us with sufficient funds to meet our objectives, which may adversely affect our business and financial position. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in a timely manner or in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Any failure to raise necessary funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, could severely restrict our liquidity as well as have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial performance.

We may not be able to develop, maintain and grow strategic relationships, identify new strategic relationship opportunities, or form strategic relationships, in the future.

We expect that our ability to establish, maintain, and manage strategic relationships, such as our non-binding agreements with suppliers, offtakers, technology partners and other related service/ancillary providers, will be important to the success of our business. We cannot guarantee that the companies with which we have developed or will develop strategic relationships will continue to devote the resources necessary to promote mutually beneficial business relationships in order to grow our business. If, for some reason, our partners choose to terminate our contracts with them, refuse to enter into contracts with us on commercially reasonable terms, or are unable to deliver on agreed terms, the refining of lithium brine, the construction of our Facility, the ability to produce market-acceptable battery-grade lithium, and our business operations would be materially adversely impacted. Further, some of our current arrangements are not exclusive, and some of our strategic partners may work with our competitors in the future. If we are unsuccessful in establishing or maintaining our relationships with key strategic partners, our overall growth could be impaired, and our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.

Lithium can be highly combustible and if we have incidents, it could adversely impact us.

Lithium in concentrated form could be highly combustible, if not produced, stored and transported using the appropriate protocols. It may cause violent combustion or explosion, on contact with heat or water. Pure lithium when finely dispersed, may ignite spontaneously on contact with air, under certain circumstances. Upon exposure to heat, toxic fumes are formed, and then it may decompose. The product can react violently with strong oxidants, acids and many other compounds (e.g. hydrocarbons, halogens, halons, concrete, sand and asbestos). This creates fire and explosion hazard. Lithium could also react with water, which may produce highly flammable hydrogen gas and corrosive fumes of lithium hydroxide. Transportation of lithium can be dangerous if not conducted using appropriate safety measures. The end products, such as lithium-ion battery, which is manufactured with our product, may be unstable and combustible. While we intend to follow protocol and safety measures, we cannot assure you that the lithium we produce will not combust. If it does, it could severely impact our operations, business, and revenue as well as increase our insurance claims and insurance premium, thereby impacting our profitability.

The lithium brine industry includes well capitalized companies, and we may not have sufficient resources to compete against them.

The direct lithium extraction (“DLE”) industry and lithium processing sector include established competitors possessing substantial capitalization and extensive resources. Accordingly, we may encounter challenges competing against these well-capitalized incumbents. These industry participants often benefit from significant financial reserves operational and distribution scale, which could potentially place us at a competitive disadvantage.

Low-cost producers could disrupt the market and be able to provide products cheaper than the Company.

Producers, especially in foreign jurisdictions including but not limited to China, Argentina, Chile, India and Australia, could use processes that might produce lower-cost lithium, which could impact the market in general, and adversely impact the sales of the Company, in particular. Other producers could forgo DLE technologies and use ponds or other mechanisms to extract lithium, which could have a lower cost basis. Further, other producers could operate in markets which may have less rigorous environmental, health, safety, and other regulatory compliance standards compared to our market. This could lead those producers to reduce costs substantially, that could make our pricing less competitive or even unviable. If such a scenario were to occur, it could have a material adverse impact on our revenue, profitability and cash flow.

We may be unable to qualify for existing federal and state level grants and incentives and the grants and incentives may not be released to us as quickly or efficiently as we anticipate or at all.

There are substantial grants, financing, and other incentives provided by various government organizations designed to facilitate American manufacturing of battery-grade lithium products, such as the those covered under the incentives through the IRA, the IR Act and BIL under the aegis of the Department of Energy LPO Loan Programs Office Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, Department of Defense, Defense Production Act, Department of Energy Grant, Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital, as well as the Investment Tax Credit and the 21st Century Quality Jobs Program by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, among others. While we expect to receive grants from the State of Oklahoma, we cannot assure you that such grants will be received in a timely manner in meaningful amounts, or at all, and we may not be eligible or qualify for federal grants. These and other future governmental incentives may be removed or no longer provided, due to changes in governmental policies or political attitudes towards such incentives which may change and limit the distribution of any such incentives. For example, the Company has been advised with respect to its grant application under the Defense Production Act that such application would be held, but currently there is no such funding available under the program. Additionally, in January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing an immediate pause on the disbursement of funds appropriated through the BIL/ Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the IRA and the IR Act. This pause on disbursements is subject to ongoing legal challenges. Furthermore, the IR Act and the IRA may be subject to attempts to amend or repeal, including through Congressional budget reconciliation. The full impact of these actions and next steps remains uncertain at this time. We cannot assure you that if the basis of certain incentives changes and the grants become non-available or are delayed, the same will not affect our ability to start our operations in a timely and cost-effective manner, leading to delays in commissioning, and could adversely impact our financing options, and hence adversely impact our ability to generate revenue and profitability.

We may in the future use hedging arrangements to mitigate certain risks, but the use of such derivative instruments could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

In the future, we may use interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk, especially on long-term offtake contracts with customers. In addition, we may use forward sales and other types of hedging contracts, including foreign currency hedges if we do expand into other countries. If we elect to enter into these types of hedging arrangements, our related assets could recognize financial losses on these arrangements as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying asset or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. If actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources are not available, the valuation of these contracts would involve judgment or the use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. If the values of these financial contracts change in a manner that we do not anticipate, or if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract, it could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may acquire or invest in additional companies, which may divert our management’s attention, result in additional dilution to our stockholders, and consume resources that are necessary to sustain our business.

Our business strategy may include in part acquiring other complementary technologies or businesses, or that provide us with downstream or upstream integration, or making minority investments in such businesses. We may also develop DEVELOP relationships with other businesses to expand our operations and to create service networks to support our production and delivery of battery-grade lithium. An acquisition, investment, or business relationship may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures, including those that we may pursue but do not conclude in an acquisition, investment, or business relationship. We may encounter difficulties assimilating or integrating the businesses, technologies, products, services, personnel, or operations of the acquired companies particularly if the key personnel of the acquired companies choose not to work for us. Acquisitions may also disrupt our business, divert our resources, and require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for the development of our business. Moreover, the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, investment, or business relationship may not be realized or we may be exposed to unknown liabilities.

Negotiating these transactions can be time consuming, difficult, and expensive. We may incur significant business development expenses, and management’s attention may be diverted from the operation of our existing business, during the discussion and negotiation period. Further, our ability to close these transactions may often be subject to approvals that are beyond our control. Consequently, these transactions, even if undertaken and announced, may not close. Even if we do successfully complete acquisitions or investments, we may not ultimately strengthen our competitive position or achieve our goals, and any acquisitions we complete could be viewed negatively by our customers, securities analysts, and investors.

To the extent we make only a minority equity interest in a company, we may lack affirmative control rights, which may diminish our ability to influence the company’s affairs in a manner intended to enhance the value of our investment in the company. We could incur losses if the majority stakeholders or the management of the company take risks or otherwise act in a manner that does not serve our interests. In addition, we could be subject to reputational harm if the company in which the investment is made makes business, financial or management decisions with which we do not agree. These circumstances could also lead to disputes and litigation with management or employees of the company in which the investment is made, or its other stockholders.

We are dependent upon key management employees.

The responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations and the strategic management of our business depends substantially on our senior management and key personnel. Loss of any such personnel may have an adverse effect on our performance . The success of our operations will depend upon numerous factors, many of which, in part, are beyond our control, including our ability to attract and retain additional key personnel in sales, marketing, engineering and technical support, and finance. Certain areas in which we operate are highly competitive and competition for qualified personnel is significant. We may be unable to hire suitable field personnel for our engineering and technical team or there may be periods where a particular position remains vacant while a suitable replacement is identified and appointed. We may not be successful in attracting and retaining the personnel required to grow and operate our business profitably.

Our success as a company producing battery-grade lithium and related products depends to a great extent on the capabilities of our partners for lithium extraction from brine and our ability to secure capital for the implementation of brine processing plants.

Our success as a producer of lithium and related products is dependent on our ability to develop and implement more efficient production capabilities based on mineral rich brine and implementation of DLE technologies. While having the potential to significantly increase the supply of lithium from brine projects, the technology for DLE is an emerging technology. A number of DLE technologies are emerging and being tested at scale, with only a handful of projects already in commercial construction. However, there remain challenges around scalability and water consumption/brine reinjection. We will need to continue to invest heavily to scale our manufacturing to ultimately produce sufficient amounts of battery-grade lithium. However, we cannot assure you that our future product research and development projects, if any, and financing efforts will be successful or be completed within the anticipated time frame or budget. There is no guarantee we will achieve anticipated sales targets or if we will be profitable. In addition, we cannot assure you that our existing or potential competitors will not develop technologies which are similar or superior to our technologies, or that result in products that are more competitively priced. As it is often difficult to project the time frame for developing new technologies and the duration of the market window for these technologies, there is a substantial risk that we may have to abandon a potential technology that is no longer commercially viable, even after we have invested significant resources in the development of such technology and our facilities. If we fail in our technology development or product launching efforts, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Volatility in the demand for lithium products or the development of alternative battery technologies that do not utilize lithium inputs may adversely affect the market for lithium.

The development of our Facility is dependent upon the currently projected demand for and uses of lithium-based end products. This includes lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (“EVs”), energy storage solutions and other large format batteries that currently have limited market share and whose projected adoption rates are not assured. To the extent that such markets do not develop in the manner contemplated by us or demand for such end products declines or do not grow as expected, then the long-term growth in the market for lithium products will be adversely affected, which would inhibit the potential for development of our Facility and would otherwise have a negative effect on our business and financial condition. For example, the past couple of years saw weaker than expected EV sales, which signals a decline in demand for one of the principal end products for lithium carbonate. In addition, as a commodity, lithium market demand is subject to the substitution effect in which end-users adopt an alternate commodity as a response to supply constraints or increases in market pricing. To the extent that these factors arise in the market for lithium, it could have a negative impact on overall prospects for growth of the lithium market and pricing, which in turn could have a negative effect on us. Further, although current batteries utilized in EV production rely on lithium compounds as a critical input, alternative materials and technologies are being researched with the goal of making batteries lighter, more efficient, faster charging and less expensive, and some of these technologies could be less reliant on lithium compounds. We cannot predict which new technologies may ultimately prove to be commercially viable and when, but any future battery technologies that use less or no lithium could materially and adversely impact our business and future results of operations.

Lithium prices are subject to unpredictable fluctuations which may adversely affect the results of our operations and our ability to successfully execute our business plan.

We expect to derive revenues, if any, from the production and sale of battery-grade lithium. The prices of lithium may fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international, economic, and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates, global or regional consumptive patterns, speculative activities, increased production due to new extraction developments and improved extraction and production methods and technological changes in the markets for the end products. The world’s largest suppliers of lithium are Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A (NYSE: SQM), Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. and Tianqi Group. Any attempt to suppress the price of lithium materials by such suppliers, or an increase in production by any supplier in excess of any increased demand, would have negative consequences on Stardust Power. The price of lithium materials may also be reduced by the discovery of new lithium deposits, which could not only increase the overall supply of lithium (causing downward pressure on its price) but could also draw new firms into the lithium refinery industry which would compete with Stardust Power. The effect of these factors on the prices of lithium and lithium byproducts, and therefore the economic viability of any of our exploration properties, cannot accurately be predicted. Further, if prices were to decline significantly, it could have significant adverse effects on our ability to source raw material, and hence impact our production volumes. Additionally, this could also have adverse impact, both on our selling price for battery-grade lithium, as well as volumes sold, and could adversely impact our revenue, gross margins and profitability.

Our future growth and success are dependent upon consumers’ demand for electric vehicles in an automotive industry that is generally competitive, cyclical and volatile.

If the market for electric vehicles in general does not develop as we expect, or develops more slowly than we expect, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be harmed. For example, on July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBBA”) into law. The OBBBA eliminates federal EV tax credits for vehicles purchased or leased after September 30, 2025. The EV tax credit plays a significant role in encouraging consumer adoption of EVs, which in turn drives demand for our lithium products. As a result, the termination of the EV tax credit is expected to reduce consumer purchasing power and slow the adoption of EVs. A decline in demand for EVs could negatively impact our sales, revenue growth, and profitability. The elimination of the EV tax credit may also lead to increased competition as competitors adjust their pricing and product offerings faster than us.

In addition, electric vehicles still constitute a small percentage of overall vehicle sales. As a result, the market for lithium products could be negatively affected by numerous factors, such as:

●	perceptions about electric vehicle features, quality, safety, performance, sustainability and cost;
●	perceptions about the limited range over which electric vehicles may be driven on a single battery charge, and access to charging facilities;
●	competition, including from other types of alternative fuel vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and high fuel-economy internal combustion engine vehicles;
●	volatility in the cost of oil, gasoline and energy;
●	government regulations and economic incentives and conditions; and
●	concerns about our future viability.

Sales of vehicles in the automotive industry tend to be cyclical in many markets, which may expose us to further volatility. We also cannot predict the duration or direction of current global trends or their sustained impact on consumer demand. Ultimately, we continue to monitor macroeconomic conditions to remain flexible and to optimize and evolve our business as appropriate and attempt to accurately project demand and infrastructure requirements globally and deploy our production, workforce and other resources accordingly. If we experience unfavorable global market conditions, or if we cannot or do not maintain operations at a scope that is commensurate with such conditions or are later required to or choose to suspend such operations again, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely impacted.

We may be unable to successfully negotiate final, binding terms related to our current non-binding memoranda of understanding and letters of intent for supply and offtake agreements, which could harm our commercial prospects.

From time-to-time, we agree to preliminary terms regarding offtake and supply agreements. We may be unable to negotiate final terms with these or other companies in a timely manner, or at all, and there is no guarantee that the terms of any final agreement will be the same or similar to those currently contemplated. Final terms may include less favorable pricing structures or volume commitments, more expensive delivery or purity requirements, reduced contract durations and other adverse changes. Delays in negotiating final contracts could slow our initial commercialization, and failure to agree to definitive terms for sales of sufficient volumes of lithium could prevent us from growing our business. To the extent that terms in our initial supply and distribution contracts may influence negotiations regarding future contracts, the failure to negotiate favorable final terms related to our current preliminary agreements could have an especially negative impact on our growth and profitability. Further, our prospective counterparties may cancel or delay entering into definitive agreements for a variety of reasons, some of which may be outside of our control. Additionally, we have not demonstrated that we can meet the production levels contemplated in our current non-binding supply agreements. If the construction and readiness of the Facility proceeds more slowly than we expect, or if we encounter difficulties in successfully completing the construction of the Facility, potential customers, including those with whom we have current letters of intent, may be less willing to negotiate definitive supply agreements, or demand terms less favorable to us, or even walk away, causing our performance to suffer. If we are unable to enter into such definitive agreements on a timely basis, our growth, revenue and results of operations may be negatively impacted.

We entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Sumitomo contemplating a long-term commercial offtake agreement described under the section titled “Business-Customers”. The parties are engaged in negotiations regarding key commercial points of the potential offtake agreement. The letter agreement provides a framework for a potential binding agreement between the Company and Sumitomo; however, many key terms have not been agreed to in principle. It is possible that we will not be able to agree to enter into a definitive agreement consistent with the above-described letter agreement, or at all.

Changes in technology or other developments could adversely affect demand for lithium compounds or result in preferences for substitute products.

Lithium and its derivatives are preferred raw materials for certain industrial applications, such as rechargeable batteries. For example, current and future high energy density batteries for use in electric vehicles rely on lithium compounds as a critical input. The pace of advancements in current battery technologies, development and adoption of new battery technologies that rely on inputs other than lithium compounds, or a delay in the development and adoption of future high nickel battery technologies that utilize lithium could significantly impact our prospects and future revenues. Many materials and technologies are being researched and developed with the goal of making batteries lighter, more efficient, faster charging, and less expensive, some of which could be less reliant on lithium or other lithium compounds. Some of these technologies, such as commercialized battery technologies that use no, or significantly less, lithium compounds, could be successful and could adversely affect demand for lithium batteries in personal electronics, electric and hybrid vehicles, and other applications. We cannot predict which new technologies may ultimately prove to be commercially viable and on what time horizon. In addition, alternatives to industrial applications dependent on lithium compounds may become more economically attractive as global commodity prices shift. Any of these events could adversely affect demand for and market prices of lithium, thereby resulting in a material adverse impact on the economic feasibility of extracting any mineralization we discover and reducing or eliminating any reserves we identify.

Our business and operations may be significantly disrupted upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event, information technology system failures or cyberattack.

Our business is dependent on proprietary technologies, processes and information that we have acquired, and expected to acquire, from our partners, much of which is, or will be, stored on our computer systems. We may in the future enter into agreements with third parties for hardware, software, telecommunications and other IT services in connection with our operations. Our operations depend, in part, on how well we and our vendors protect networks, equipment, IT systems and software against damage from a number of threats, including, but not limited to, cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, intentional damage and destruction, fire, power loss, hacking, computer viruses, vandalism, theft, malware, ransomware and phishing or other cyberattacks. Any of these and other events could result in IT system failures, delays, loss of data or information, liability to our partners or other third parties, a material disruption of our business or increases in capital expenses. Our operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment and IT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of vulnerabilities or failures.

Furthermore, the importance of such IT systems and networks and systems may increase if our employees work remotely, which may introduce more risks to our information technology systems and networks as such employees use network connections, computers, or devices that are outside our premises or networks. Additionally, if one of our service providers were to fail and we were unable to find a suitable replacement in a timely manner, we may be unable to properly administer our outsourced functions. If we cannot continue to retain these services provided by our vendors on acceptable terms, our access to necessary IT systems or services could be interrupted. Any security breach, interruption or failure of our IT systems, or those of our third party vendors, could impair our ability to operate our business, reduce our quality of services, increase costs, prompt litigation and other consumer claims, subject us to government enforcement actions (including investigations, fines, penalties, audits, or inspections), and damage our reputation, any of which could substantially harm our business, financial condition or the results of our operations.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. While we have implemented security resources to protect our data security and IT systems, such measures may not prevent such events, especially because the cyberattack techniques used change frequently and are often not recognized until launched, and because the full scope of a cyberattack may not be realized until an investigation has been completed, and cyberattacks can originate from a wide variety of sources and through a wide variety of methods. In addition, certain measures that could increase the security of our IT system take significant time and resources to deploy broadly, and such measures may not be deployed in a timely manner or be effective against an attack. The inability to implement, maintain and upgrade adequate safeguards could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Significant disruption to our IT systems, or those of our vendors, or breaches of data security could also have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to liabilities and losses that may not be covered by insurance.

Our employees and Facility will be subject to the hazards associated with producing battery-grade lithium. Operating hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, damage to, or destruction of, property, plant and equipment and the environment. We expect to maintain insurance coverage in amounts against the risks that we believe are consistent with industry practice and maintain a safety program. However, we could sustain losses for uninsurable or uninsured risks, or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. Events that result in significant personal injury or damage to our property or to property owned by third parties or other losses that are not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Insurance liabilities are difficult to assess and quantify due to unknown factors, including the severity of an injury, the determination of our liability in proportion to other parties, the number of incidents not reported and the effectiveness of our safety program. If we were to experience insurance claims or costs above our coverage limits or that are not covered by our insurance, we might be required to use working capital to satisfy these claims rather than to maintain or expand our operations. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information or alleged trade secrets of third parties or competitors or are in breach of noncompetition or non-solicitation agreements with our competitors or their former employers.

We may employ or otherwise engage personnel who were previously or are concurrently employed or engaged at research institutions or other clean technology companies, or consult various companies, including ones that could be construed as our competitors or potential competitors. Even though we have processes in place to prevent misappropriate of trade secrets or confidential information, we may be subject to claims that these personnel, or we, have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former or concurrent employers or clients they provide consultancy services to, which are rightfully owned by their former or concurrent employer, or their clients, as the case may be. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could adversely affect our operations, result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

Lawsuits may be filed against us and an adverse ruling in any such lawsuit may adversely affect our business, financial condition, or liquidity or the market price of our Common Stock.

We may become involved in, named as a party to, or be the subject of, various legal proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, tax proceedings, and legal actions relating to personal injuries, property damage, property taxes, land rights, the environment, and contract disputes.

The outcome of future legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and may be determined adversely to us and as a result, could have a material adverse impact on our assets, liabilities, business, financial condition, or results of operations. Even if we prevail in any such legal proceeding, the proceedings could be costly, time-consuming, and may divert the attention of management and key personnel from our business operations, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

An escalation of the current war in Ukraine, generalized conflict in Europe and the Middle East, or the emergence of conflict elsewhere, may adversely affect our business.

An escalation of the current war in Ukraine, generalized conflict in Europe and the Middle East, or the emergence of conflict elsewhere may adversely affect our business if the U.S. capital markets become risk averse for a prolonged period of time, and/or there is a general slowdown in the global economy.

Potential tariffs or a global trade war could increase the cost of products we rely upon, which could adversely impact the competitiveness of our business and our financial results.

If the U.S. administration or other countries impose additional tariffs, or raise the levels of existing tariffs, or trade restrictions are implemented by the United States or other countries, the cost of products manufactured in the United States and imported into other countries could increase, which in turn could adversely affect the demand for these products and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property or technology (including any later developed or acquired intellectual property or technology), our competitive position could be impaired and we may lose valuable assets, generate reduced revenue and incur costly litigation to protect our rights.

While we currently have not developed any intellectual property or technology, we may develop, license, or acquire intellectual property in the future that is valuable or material to our business. Our success may depend, in part, on our ability to obtain and maintain protection of such intellectual property in the U.S. and other countries, if we choose to operate in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. We may leverage intellectual property laws to protect such intellectual property (including our brands) and to prevent others from developing and commercializing products or processes that violate our intellectual property rights. However, these means may afford only limited protection and may not prevent our competitors from duplicating our intellectual property, prevent our competitors from gaining access to our proprietary information or technology, or permit us to gain or maintain a competitive advantage. Moreover, the steps we take to protect our intellectual property may be inadequate, and we may choose not to pursue or maintain protection for our intellectual property in the U.S. or foreign jurisdictions. We will not be able to protect our intellectual property if we are unable to enforce our rights or if we do not detect unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and such unauthorized uses may be difficult to detect. It may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy our technology (whether now or in the future developed, licensed, or acquired) and use information that we regard as proprietary to create technology, products, or services that compete with ours. Any of these scenarios may adversely affect the conduct of our business or our financial position.

We may depend on third-party licensors of technology to enforce and protect intellectual property rights that we may license, and such third parties may refuse to enforce and protect such intellectual property rights. Further, if we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights (such as initiating infringement lawsuit against a third party), the results of such proceedings, regardless of merit, are uncertain and our success cannot be assured. Even if we were to prevail, the proceedings could be burdensome and expensive. Any litigation that may be necessary in the future could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information or trade secrets, our business and competitive position may be harmed.

We do and may in the future rely upon unpatented trade secrets and know-how, whether belonging to us or our partners, to develop and maintain a competitive position. While we seek to protect such proprietary information, in part, through confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, collaborators, contractors, advisors, consultants and other third parties, we cannot guarantee that we have entered or will enter into such agreements with each party that has or may have had access to our trade secrets or proprietary information, or that these agreements will not be breached. We may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, we would have no right to prevent them from using that technology or information to compete with us. If any of our trade secrets, now or in the future, were to be disclosed to, or independently developed by, a competitor or other third party, our competitive position could be materially and adversely harmed.

We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and trade secrets by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems. While we have confidence in these measures, they may be breached or insufficient, and we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach or insufficiency.

We may now or in the future engage in business and technology collaborations with third-party partners that may result in the partner owning, or the parties jointly owning, certain intellectual property, which may be based on or derived from our or the partner’s proprietary information or existing intellectual property. If we do not have adequate rights to use such partner-owned proprietary information or intellectual property, we may be restricted from using it in our process, products, or services. If we and the partner jointly own any such intellectual property, the partner may have the ability to compete with our products and services, or we may be required to make royalty or similar payments to our partner for our use of such intellectual property.

We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our future intellectual property, particularly those that may be developed or invented by our employees, consultants or contractors.

We may be subject to claims that employees, collaborators, or other third parties have an ownership interest in our future intellectual property, or that of our licensors, including as an inventor or co-inventor. We may be subject to ownership or inventorship disputes in the future arising, for example, from conflicting obligations of consultants, contractors, or others who are involved in developing our intellectual property. Although it is our policy to require our employees and contractors who may be involved in the conception or development of potential intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, as may be required in the future, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that we regard as our own. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship or ownership. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, intellectual property, or be required to pay royalties for access to such intellectual property rights (which may not be commercially reasonable). Other owners may also be able to license such rights to other third parties, including our competitors. Such an outcome could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial condition. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets and our business may be adversely affected.

Our trademarks and trade names (whether registered or unregistered) may be challenged, infringed, circumvented, declared generic, or determined to be violating or infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition among potential partners and customers in our markets of interest. At times, competitors or other third parties may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement, or dilution claims brought by owners of other trademarks. We may also be required to pursue litigation to defend and protect our trademarks, which could be costly, may not ultimately be successful, and could be a distraction to management.

Opposition or cancellation proceedings may in the future be filed against our trademark applications and registrations (including our U.S. trademark application for “Stardust Power”), and our trademarks or trademark applications may not survive such proceedings. If we do not secure registrations for our trademarks, we may encounter more difficulty in enforcing them against third parties than we otherwise would, and may be more limited in our ability to operate under or use such trademarks.

We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their intellectual property rights, which could be costly, time-consuming and limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future.

We may become subject to claims that our conduct infringes upon the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of third parties. Defending against, or otherwise addressing, any such claims, whether they are with or without merit, could be time-consuming and expensive, and could divert our management’s attention away from the execution of our business plan. Moreover, any settlement or adverse judgment resulting from these claims could require us to pay substantial amounts or obtain a license to continue to use the disputed intellectual property, or otherwise restrict or prohibit our use of the intellectual property. We cannot guarantee that we would be able to: obtain from the third party asserting the claim a license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all; develop alternative technology on a timely basis, if at all; or obtain a license to use a suitable alternative technology. An adverse determination could also prevent us from licensing our technology to others. Infringement claims asserted against us may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory, Accounting and Tax Matters

Increased stakeholder focus on sustainability matters could adversely impact our business, reputation, and operating results.

In recent years, companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from a variety of stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, regulators, ratings agencies and lenders, related to their sustainability practices. If we do not adapt to or comply with stakeholder expectations and standards on sustainability matters as they continue to evolve, or if we are perceived to have not responded appropriately or quickly enough to growing concern for sustainability issues, regardless of whether there is a regulatory or legal requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and our business, financial condition and/or stock price could be materially and adversely affected. Additionally, our customers may be driven to purchase our products due to their own sustainability commitments, which may entail holding their suppliers - including us - to sustainability standards that go beyond compliance with laws and regulations and our ability to comply with such standards. Failure to maintain operations that align with such “beyond compliance” standards may cause potential customers to not do business with us or otherwise hurt demand for our products. These and other sustainability concerns could subject us to reputational damage and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Separately, various regulators have adopted, or are considering adopting, regulations on environmental marketing claims or the prevention of greenwashing more generally, including, but not limited to the use of “sustainable,” “eco-friendly,” “green,” “clean” or similar language in the marketing of products and services or the prevention of greenwashing more generally. Further, there has been increasing scrutiny on sustainability-related claims and frequency of allegations of “greenwashing” against companies making sustainability-related claims due to, among other things, allegations of incomplete, false or misleading disclosures, including with respect to the sustainable nature of their operations and products. Such greenwashing scrutiny and any related regulation may lead to increased compliance costs as well as heightened risk of litigation, reputational damage and enforcement risk.

We are and will be subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions, which may impose substantial compliance requirements and other obligations on our operations. Our operating costs could be significantly increased in order to comply with new or more stringent regulatory standards in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Our business is governed by, and will be governed by various foreign, federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and similar foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations and permits issued under these laws by foreign, federal, state and local environmental and health and safety regulatory agencies. These laws and regulations establish, among other things, criteria and standards for drinking water, for protection of the environment and the release, remediation, of hazardous substances and public health and safety. Pursuant to these laws, we may be required to obtain various permits and approvals from certain federal, state and local regulatory agencies for our operations. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations or permits, we could be subject to administrative or civil fines or penalties or other sanctions by regulators and to lawsuits, civil or criminal, seeking enforcement, injunctive relief and/or other damages. If we fail to comply with applicable laws, regulations or permits, our permits or approvals may be terminated or not renewed and/or we could be held liable for damages, injunctive relief and/or monetary fines or penalties. Moreover, governmental authorities and private parties may bring lawsuits based upon damage to property or injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health, and safety impacts of prior and current operations. These lawsuits could lead to the imposition of substantial fines, remediation costs, penalties and other civil and criminal sanctions, as well as reputational harm, including damage to our relationships with customers, suppliers, investors, governments or other stakeholders. Such laws, regulations, enforcement or private claims may have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Additionally, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment may require a current or previous owner or operator of real estate to investigate and remediate hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at or from the property. For example, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and state equivalents, certain broad categories of persons, including an owner or operator of a property, may become liable for the costs of investigation and remediation, impacts to human health and for damages to natural resources. These laws impose strict and joint and several liability without regard to fault or degree of contribution or whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release of such hazardous substances or whether the conduct giving rise to the release was legal at the time it occurred. We also may be subject to related claims by private parties, including employees, contractors or the general public, alleging property damage and personal injury due to exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from those properties. We may incur substantial costs or other damages associated with these obligations, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental laws and regulations are complex and may change from time to time, as may related interpretations and guidance. These laws and regulation, and the enforcement thereof, have tended to become more stringent over time. It is possible that new standards could be imposed, either more stringent or more lenient, that could result in higher operating expenses, the obsolescence of our products, or lead to an interruption or suspension of our operations and have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Compliance with health and safety laws and regulations can be complex, and noncompliance with these laws and regulations may result in potentially significant monetary damages and fines.

Our operations are and will be subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, including OSHA and comparable state statutes establishing requirements to protect the health and safety of workers. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency community right-to-know regulations under Title III of the federal Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act, and comparable state statutes, require maintenance of information about hazardous materials used or produced in operations and provision of this information to employees, state and local government authorities, and citizens. Other OSHA standards regulate specific worker safety aspects of our operations. Substantial fines and penalties can be imposed, and orders or injunctions limiting or prohibiting certain operations may be issued, in connection with any failure to comply with these laws and regulations.

Climate change legislation, regulation and policies may result in increased operating costs and otherwise affect our business, our industry and the global economy.

Climate change will potentially have wide ranging impacts, including potential impacts to our operations. In December 2015, the 21^st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change resulted in nearly 200 countries, including the United States, coming together to develop the Paris Agreement, which includes pledges to voluntarily limit and reduce future emissions. Additionally, at the 28^th Conference of the Parties, nearly 200 member countries, including the U.S., entered into an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels while accelerating action in this decade to achieve net zero by 2050. The agreement includes calls for actions towards achieving, at a global scale, a tripling of renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030, as well as accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power and, phase out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, among other measures. Most recently, at the 29th Conference of the Parties (“COP29”), 159 countries met and, among other things, agreed on rules to operationalize international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including a new Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism to trade UN-approved carbon credits. Additionally, participants at COP29 representing 159 countries met to review progress toward the goals of the Global Methane Pledge and the addition of nearly $500 million in new grant funding for methane abatement. However, in January 2025, President Trump issued executive orders directing the immediate notice to the United Nations of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and all other agreements made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. At the same time, various state and local governments have also publicly committed to furthering the goals of the Paris Agreement and many of these initiatives are expected to continue. These, and other proposed regulations could increase our current and future production costs and the costs of our customers, which could decrease demand for our products.

Changing laws and regulations and global and domestic policy developments have the potential to disrupt our business, the business of our suppliers and/or customers, or otherwise adversely impact our business’ financial condition. While we believe that many of these policies will be favorable for our lithium operations, there is no guarantee that such potential changes in laws, regulations, or policies will be favorable to our Company, to existing or future customers, or to large-scale economic, environmental, or geopolitical conditions.

The physical impacts of climate change, including adverse weather, may have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

Climate change may potentially have wide-ranging physical impacts, including significant weather conditions, such as increased severity and frequency of droughts, storms, floods, wildfires and other climatic events. If such significant weather conditions were to occur, they could disrupt or delay our operations, damage our facilities, adversely affect or delay demand for our products or cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for, or responding to, the effects of climatic events themselves, which may not be fully insured. In addition, the physical effects of climate change may generally result in increased prices for and reduced availability of relevant insurance coverage on the market. Any one of these factors has the potential to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow.

The reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for alternative energy technologies, or the failure to renew such subsidies and incentives, could reduce demand for our products, lead to a reduction in our revenues, and adversely impact our operating results and liquidity.

Near-term growth of alternative energy technologies is affected by the availability and size of government and economic incentives. Many of these government incentives expire, phase out over time, exhaust their allocated funding, or require renewal by the applicable authority. In addition, these incentive programs could be reduced or discontinued for other reasons. The IRA contains a number of tax incentive provisions, some of which we may utilize. However, in January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing an immediate pause on the disbursement of funds appropriated through the BIL, IRA, and announced efforts to remove government incentives for electric vehicles. This pause on disbursement is subject to ongoing legal challenges. The IRA may also be subject to efforts to amend or repeal, including through Congressional budget reconciliation. Any reduction, elimination, or discriminatory application of expiration of the government subsidies and economic incentives, or the failure to renew tax credit programs, governmental subsidies, or economic incentives, may result in the diminished economic competitiveness of our products to our customers or the availability of supply, and could materially and adversely affect the growth of alternative energy technologies, including our products, as well as our future operating results and liquidity.

Existing, and future changes to, federal, state and local regulations and policies, including permitting requirements applicable to us, and enactment of new regulations and policies, may adversely affect the market for environmental attributes generated by our operations.

The markets for environmental attributes are influenced by U.S. federal and state governmental regulations and policies. Our ability to generate revenue from sales of environmental attributes depends on our strict compliance with such federal and state programs, which are complex and can involve a significant degree of judgment. If the agencies that administer and enforce these programs disagree with our judgments, otherwise determine that we are not in compliance, conduct reviews of our activities or make changes to the programs, then our ability to generate or sell these credits could be temporarily restricted pending completion of reviews or as a penalty, permanently limited, or lost entirely, and we could also be subject to fines or other sanctions.

Compliance with data privacy regulations could require additional expenditures, and may have an adverse impact on the operating cashflows of the Company.

Our Chief Financial Officer is responsible for assessing, identifying and managing cyber security risks. He is supported by outside consulting services. The Chief Financial Officer, along with the third-party consultants, are informed of, and monitor, cybersecurity incidents. Employees of our Company receive training to minimize cybersecurity risks and attest to their understanding in the Code of Conduct which includes cybersecurity. The protocols are reviewed annually. Additional measures are taken, such as the use of two-factor authentication on our Company’s systems, and employed to further reduce threats. Despite the measures we take to assess, identify and manage cyber security risks, there can be no assurance that the various procedures and controls we use to mitigate these risks will be sufficient to prevent disruptions to our IT systems.

We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in prior years. If we experience additional material weaknesses or other deficiencies in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial results, which could result in loss of investor confidence and adversely impact our stock price.

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (as amended, the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), the Dodd-Frank Act and other applicable securities rules and regulations. In particular, we are subject to reporting obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that require us to include a management report on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Internal controls must be evaluated continuously and be properly designed and executed by a sufficient level of properly trained staff to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting. During the period from March 16, 2023 (inception) to December 31, 2023, management identified material weaknesses in the implementation of the COSO 13 Framework (which establishes an effective control environments), lack of segregation of duties and management oversight, and control surrounding maintenance of adequate repository of contracts, appropriate classifications of expenses and complex financial instruments.

Management implemented certain controls in fiscal year 2024 to remediate the material weakness. Management believes that the new procedures and controls provide an appropriate remediation of the material weaknesses that have been identified and these will strengthen the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. In the opinion of management, the revised control processes have been operating for a sufficient period of time and have been independently validated by management. We expect these systems and controls to involve significant expenditure and to may become more complex as our business grows. To effectively manage this complexity, we will need to continue to improve our operational, financial, and management controls, and our reporting systems and procedures. Our inability to successfully remediate any future material weaknesses or other deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in the implementation or operation of these controls, could harm our operating results and cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements, which could limit our liquidity and access to capital markets, adversely affect our business and investor confidence in our consolidated financial statements, and adversely impact our stock price.

Risks Related to Ownership of Securities and Operating as a Public Company

Upon our dissolution, our stockholders may not recoup all or any portion of their investment.

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the proceeds and/or our that remain after giving effect to such transaction, and the payment of all of our debts and liabilities will be distributed to the holders of Common Stock on a pro rata basis. There can be no assurance that we will have any assets to pay to the holders of Common Stock, or any amounts, upon such a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. In this event, our stockholders could lose some or all of their investment.

An active trading market for our Common Stock may never develop or be sustained, which may make it difficult to sell the shares of Common Stock you receive.

The price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly due to general market and economic conditions and forecasts, our general business condition and the release of our financial reports. An active trading market for our Common Stock may not develop or continue or, if developed, may not be sustained, which would make it difficult for stockholders to sell their shares of Common Stock at an attractive price (or at all). The market price of our Common Stock may decline below stockholders’ respective purchase prices, and they may not be able to sell their shares of Common Stock at or above those prices (or at all). Additionally, if our Common Stock is delisted from Nasdaq for any reason and is quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities that is not a national securities exchange, the liquidity and price of our Common Stock may be more limited than if we were quoted or listed on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange. Stockholders may be unable to sell Common Stock unless a market can be established or sustained.

We may be unable to satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, which could limit the ability of stockholders’ to effect transactions in our Common Stock or Public Warrants.

Our Common Stock and Public Warrants are currently traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbols “SDST” and “SDSTW” respectively. Therefore, we are required to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. Although our securities are listed on Nasdaq as of the date of this registration statement, we may be unable to maintain the listing of our securities in the future. If we fail to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements and as a result, Nasdaq delists our securities from its exchange, there could be significant material adverse consequences, including:

	●	limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

	●	reduced liquidity for our securities;

	●	a determination that our Common Stock are a “penny stock” which would require brokers trading in our Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;

	●	a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and

	●	a decreased ability to obtain capital or pursue acquisitions by issuing additional equity or convertible securities.

Delaware law and our Governing Documents contain certain provisions, including anti-takeover provisions, that limit the ability of stockholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws s and the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Common Stock, and therefore depress the trading price of our Common Stock. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to take certain actions, including electing directors who are not nominated by the current stockholders or taking other corporate actions, including effecting changes in our management. Among other things, the Governing Documents include provisions regarding:

●	the ability of the Company’s Board to issue shares of preferred stock, including “blank check” preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;
●	the Certificate of Incorporation prohibits cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
●	the limitation of the liability of, and the indemnification of, the Company directors and officers;
●	the ability of the Board to amend the Bylaws, which may allow the Board to take additional actions to prevent an unsolicited takeover and inhibit the ability of an acquirer to amend the Bylaws to facilitate an unsolicited takeover attempt;
●	advance notice procedures with which stockholders must comply to nominate candidates to the Board or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which could preclude stockholders from bringing matters before annual or extraordinary general meetings of stockholders and delay changes in the Board and may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company;
●	providing that the Board is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the Bylaws;
●	the removal of the directors of the Board by its stockholders with or without cause;
●	the ability of the Board to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the Board or the resignation, death, or removal of a director in certain circumstances;
●	the Certificate of Incorporation prohibits, subject to the rights of the holders of shares of preferred stock to act by written consent, any stockholders from taking any action by written consent; and
●	that certain provisions may be amended only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of the Company directors.

These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in the Board or management.

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forums for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law:

●	any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
●	any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty;
●	any action asserting a claim against us or any current or former director, officer or other employee arising under the DGCL, our Governing Documents;
●	any action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Governing Documents;
●	any action as to which DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and
●	any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal-affairs doctrine.

This provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid and several state trial courts have enforced such provisions and required that suits asserting Securities Act claims be filed in federal court, there is no guarantee that courts of appeal will affirm the enforceability of such provisions, and a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions. If a court were to find either exclusive forum provision in our Certificate of Incorporation, to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with litigating Securities Act claims in state court, or both state and federal court, which could seriously harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. These exclusive forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.

General Risk Factors

Significant inflation could adversely affect our business and financial results.

Although historically our operations have not been materially affected by inflation, the rate of current inflation and resulting pressures on our costs and pricing could adversely impact our business and financial results. Inflation can adversely affect us by increasing our operating costs, including our materials, freight, and labor costs. As interest rates rise to address inflation, such increases will also impact the base rates applicable credit arrangements we may enter into and will result in borrowed funds becoming more expensive to us over time; similar financing pressures from inflation also can have a negative impact on customers’ willingness to purchase our technologies and services in the same volumes and at the same rates as previously anticipated. In a highly inflationary environment, we may be unable to raise the prices of our technologies and services at or above the rate of inflation, which could reduce our profit margin

The Company’s business and operations could be negatively affected if it becomes subject to any securities litigation or stockholder activism, which could cause the Company to incur significant expense, hinder execution of business and growth strategy and impact its stock price.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Stockholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, has been increasing recently. Volatility in the stock price of the Common Stock or other reasons may in the future cause it to become the target of securities litigation or stockholder activism. Securities litigation and stockholder activism, including potential proxy contests, could result in substantial costs and divert management and the Board’s attention and resources from the Company’s business. Additionally, such securities litigation and stockholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to the Company’s future, adversely affect its relationships with service providers and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, the Company may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to any securities litigation and activist stockholder matters. Further, its stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any securities litigation and stockholder activism.

The price of the Company’s securities may be volatile.

The price of the Company’s securities may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including:

●	changes in the industry in which the Company operates;
●	the success of competitive services or technologies;
●	developments involving the Company’s competitors;
●	regulatory or legal developments in the United States and other countries;
●	developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights;
●	the recruitment or departure of key personnel;
●	actual or anticipated changes in estimates as to financial results, development timelines or recommendations by securities analysts;
●	variations in our financial results or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;
●	general economic, industry and market conditions, such as the effects of recessions, interest rates, inflation, international currency fluctuations, political instability and acts of war or terrorism; and the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section.

These market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of Common Stock regardless of the operating performance of the Company.

In addition, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have frequently been the subject of securities class action and stockholder derivative litigation. We could be the target of such litigation in the future. Class action and derivative lawsuits, whether successful or not, could result in substantial costs, damage or settlement awards and a diversion of our management’s resources and attention from running our business, which could materially harm our reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

The Company currently intends to retain its future earnings, if any, to finance the further development and expansion of its business and does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and future agreements and financing instruments, business prospects and such other factors as the Board deems relevant. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in Common Stock unless you sell Common Stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.

The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company.” The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make the Common Stock less attractive to investors.

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under SEC rules. As an emerging growth company, we are permitted and plan to and do rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to: (1) an exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; (2) not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the consolidated financial statements; (3) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements in periodic reports, registration statements and proxy statements; and (4) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. As a result, the information we provide will be different than the information that is available with respect to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. If some investors find the Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the Common Stock and the market price of the Common Stock may be more volatile.

A small number of stockholders continue to have substantial control over Stardust Power, which may limit other stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and delay or prevent a third party from acquiring control over the Company.

The directors and executive officers of the Company, and beneficial owners that own 5% or more of its voting securities and their respective affiliates, beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 29% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock. Though the ownership percentage will be diluted if and to the extent the Company sells Common Stock, a small number of stockholders will still have a significant concentration of ownership and this may have a negative impact on the trading price for the Common Stock because investors often perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling stockholders. In addition, these stockholders will be able to exercise influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of the Company or its assets. This concentration of ownership could limit stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control, including a merger, consolidation, or other business combination or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control, even if that Change in Control would benefit the other stockholders.

Warrants may be exercised for Common Stock, which would increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in further dilution to our stockholders.

Outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock may be exercised by the holders of those warrants. To the extent such warrants are exercised, additional shares of Common Stock will be issued, which will result in further dilution to the holders of shares of Common Stock and increase the number of shares of Common Stock eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market or the fact that such warrants may be exercised could adversely affect the market price of shares of Common Stock.

If the Company’s operating and financial performance in any given period does not meet the guidance provided to the public or the expectations of investment analysts, the market price of the Common Stock may decline.

We may, but are not obligated to, provide public guidance on our expected operating and financial results for future periods. Any such guidance will consist of forward-looking statements, subject to the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus and in our other public filings and public statements. The ability to provide this public guidance, and the ability to accurately forecast our results of operations, could be negatively impacted by macroeconomic uncertainty and the current conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere abroad. Our actual results may not always be in line with or exceed any guidance we have provided, especially in times of unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions, such as the current global economic uncertainty being experienced and the current inflationary environment in the United States. If, in the future, our operating or financial results for a particular period do not meet any guidance provided or the expectations of investment analysts, or if we reduce our guidance for future periods, the market price of the Common Stock may decline as well. Even if we do issue public guidance, there can be no assurance that we will continue to do so in the future.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about the Company’s business or publish negative reports, the market price of the Common Stock could decline.

The trading market for the Common Stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us and our business. If regular publication of research reports ceases, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume of the Common Stock to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade the Common Stock or if reporting results do not meet their expectations, the market price of the Common Stock could decline.

We may issue additional shares of the Common Stock (including upon the exercise of warrants), which would increase the number of shares of Common Stock eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to the Company stockholders.

Outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock may be exercised by the holders of those warrants. There is no guarantee that the warrants will ever be in the money prior to their expiration, and, as such, the warrants may expire worthless.

The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock as a result of any of the aforementioned transactions may result in dilution to the then-existing holders of Common Stock and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. We cannot predict the ultimate value of the warrants. Sales of substantial numbers of shares issued upon the exercise of the warrants in the public market or the potential that such warrants may be exercised could also adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.

A sale of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock may cause the price of our Common Stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market could occur at any time. If our stockholders sell, or the market perceives that our stockholders intend to sell, substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public market, the market price of our Common Stock could decline significantly.

We cannot predict what effect, if any, sales of our shares in the public market or the availability of shares for sale will have on the market price of our Common Stock. However, future sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public market, including shares issued upon exercise of outstanding options or vesting and settlement of outstanding restricted stock units, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.

We also expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations. To raise capital, we may sell Common Stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our Common Stock.

The Company may issue additional shares of Common Stock or other equity securities without your approval, which would dilute your ownership interests and may depress the market price of the Common Stock.

Pursuant to the Stardust Power 2024 Equity Plan, we may issue an aggregate of up to the number of shares equal to ten percent (10%) of Common Stock, issued and outstanding at Closing, which amount will be subject to increase from time to time. We may also issue additional shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, potential financings, future acquisitions or repayment of outstanding indebtedness, without stockholder approval, in a number of circumstances.

The issuance of additional shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:

●	existing equity shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in the Company will decrease;
●	the rights of holders of Common Stock will be subordinated if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded Common Stock; and
●	existing equity shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in the Company will decrease.

The Company is a holding company and its only material assets are its interest in its subsidiaries, and it is accordingly dependent upon distributions made by its subsidiaries to pay taxes and pay dividends.

The Company is a holding company with no material assets other than the equity interests in our direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a result, we have no independent means of generating revenue or cash flow and our ability to pay taxes and pay dividends will depend on the financial results and cash flows of our subsidiaries and the distributions we receive from our subsidiaries. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of our subsidiaries for any reason could limit or impair such subsidiaries’ ability to pay such distributions. Additionally, if we need funds and our subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of any financing arrangements, or our subsidiaries are otherwise unable to provide such funds, our liquidity and financial condition could be adversely affected.

MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

This Registration Statement includes estimates regarding market and industry data and forecasts, which are based on publicly available information, industry publications and surveys, reports from government agencies, reports by market research firms or other independent sources and our own estimates based on our management’s knowledge of and experience in the market sectors in which we compete.

Certain information in the section of this Registration Statement entitled “Business” is derived from third party sources. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus.

Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included in this Registration Statement have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables or charts may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them, and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, as applicable, when aggregated may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder.

We may receive up to $10 million aggregate gross proceeds under the Purchase Agreement from any sales we make to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The net proceeds from sales, if any, under the Purchase Agreement, will depend on the frequency and prices at which we sell our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II after the date of this prospectus. See the section titled “The Committed Equity Facility” in this prospectus for more information.

We expect to use any proceeds that we receive under the Purchase Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses, and the respective amounts we may allocate to those uses, for any net proceeds we receive. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the use of these proceeds.

We have engaged Seaport, a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member, to act as a qualified independent underwriter in this offering and, in such capacity, participate in the preparation of the registration statement that includes this prospectus and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect thereto. B. Riley Principal Capital II has agreed to pay Seaport a cash fee of $50,000 as consideration for its services and an expense reimbursement of $5,000. While we are not obligated to pay any such fees or expense reimbursement directly to Seaport, we are required to reimburse B. Riley Principal Capital II for such fee prior to the closing of the Purchase Agreement. See the section titled “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)” in this prospectus for more information.

MARKET INFORMATION FOR SECURITIES AND DIVIDEND POLICY

Market Information

Our Common Stock and Warrants are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “SDST” and “SDSTW,” respectively.

On February 10, 2026, the Company had 9,869,558 shares of Common Stock outstanding that were held of record by approximately 68 holders. There are 1,043,080 shares of Common Stock underlying the outstanding Public Warrants, which are held of record by 31 holders.

Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on Ordinary Shares or Common Stock. We are not obligated to pay, and do not intend to pay, any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that for the foreseeable future we will retain all of our future earnings for use in the development of our business and for general corporate purposes. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board. Our payment of any dividends will be subject to the ability of our subsidiaries to generate earnings and cash flows and distribute them to us, as well as contractual and legal restrictions and other factors that our Board deems relevant. Our ability to declare and pay dividends to our shareholders is likewise subject to Delaware law (which may limit the amount of funds available for dividends). If, as a consequence of these various limitations and restrictions, we are unable to generate sufficient distributions from our business, we may not be able to make, or may be required to reduce or eliminate, the payment of future dividends, if any, on our Common Stock.

THE COMMITTED EQUITY FACILITY

On February 12, 2026, we entered into the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement with B. Riley Principal Capital II. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the Purchase Agreement, from and after the Commencement Date, we will have the right, in our sole discretion, to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II up to $10,000,000 of shares of our Common Stock, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Purchase Agreement, from time to time after the date of this prospectus and during the term of the Purchase Agreement. Sales of Common Stock by us to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any such sales, are solely at our option, and we are under no obligation to sell any securities to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement. In accordance with our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, we have filed the registration statement that includes this prospectus with the SEC to register under the Securities Act the resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II of up to 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, comprised of Purchase Shares that we may, in our sole discretion, elect to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II, from time to time from and after the Commencement Date pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

We do not have the right to commence any sales of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement until the Commencement Date, which is the date on which all of the conditions to B. Riley Principal Capital II’s purchase obligation set forth in the Purchase Agreement have initially been satisfied, none of which are in B. Riley Principal Capital II’s control, including that the registration statement that includes this prospectus shall have become or been declared effective by the SEC and the final form of this prospectus shall have been filed with the SEC. From and after the Commencement Date, we have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time at our sole discretion for a period of up to 36 months, unless the Purchase Agreement is earlier terminated, to direct B. Riley Principal Capital II to purchase up to a specified maximum amount of shares of Common Stock in one or more Market Open Purchases and Intraday Purchases as set forth in the Purchase Agreement, by timely delivering a written Market Open Purchase Notice for each Market Open Purchase, and timely delivering a written Intraday Purchase Notice for each Intraday Purchase, if any, to B. Riley Principal Capital II in accordance with the Purchase Agreement on any trading day we select as the Purchase Date therefor, so long as (i) the closing sale price of our Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to such Purchase Date is not less than the Threshold Price and (ii) all shares of Common Stock subject to all prior Market Open Purchases and all prior Intraday Purchases (as applicable) effected by us under the Purchase Agreement, including all prior purchases effected on the same Purchase Date, have been received by B. Riley Principal Capital II at such time and in the manner set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

From and after Commencement, the Company will control the timing and amount of any sales of Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II. Actual sales of shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by us from time to time, including, among other things, market conditions, the trading price of our Common Stock and determinations by us as to the appropriate sources of funding for our company and its operations.

Under the applicable Nasdaq rules, in no event may we issue to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement shares of Common Stock in excess of the 19.99% Exchange Cap, unless (i) we obtain stockholder approval to issue shares of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with applicable Nasdaq rules, or (ii) the average price per share paid by B. Riley Principal Capital II for all of the shares of Common Stock that we direct B. Riley Principal Capital II to purchase from us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, if any, equals or exceeds $3.73 per share (representing the lower of (a) the official closing price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq immediately preceding the execution of the Purchase Agreement and (b) the average official closing price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the execution of the Purchase Agreement), so that the Exchange Cap limitation will not apply to issuances and sales of Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Moreover, we may not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by B. Riley Principal Capital II and its affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 thereunder), would result in B. Riley Principal Capital II beneficially owning shares of Common Stock in excess of the 4.99% Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

The net proceeds to us from sales that we elect to make to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement, if any, will depend on the frequency and prices at which we sell shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II. We expect that any proceeds received by us from such sales to B. Riley Principal Capital II will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Neither we nor B. Riley Principal Capital II may assign or transfer our respective rights and obligations under the Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, and no provision of the Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement may be modified or waived by us or B. Riley Principal Capital II.

Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, B. Riley Principal Capital II will withhold the Cash Holdback, representing 10% of the net proceeds otherwise due to us from sales, until B. Riley Principal Capital II has received from the Cash Holdback a total aggregate amount in cash equal to the Prior Transaction Cash Holdback Amount of $157,314.30, representing one-third (1/3) of the Cash Make-Whole Payment payable by the Company to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Prior Transaction and the Prior Transaction Termination Letter Agreement.

In the event the Prior Transaction Cash Holdback Amount due to B. Riley Principal Capital II is not fully satisfied by September 30, 2026, either by way of the Cash Holdback or by way of cash payment by the Company, then the Commitment Fee of $100,000 in cash will become payable to B. Riley Principal Capital II at such time.

In addition, we have agreed to reimburse B. Riley Principal Capital II for the reasonable legal fees and disbursements of B. Riley Principal Capital II’s legal counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement in an amount equal to $50,000, as follows: (i) $25,000 of which as the Initial Investor Legal Fee Reimbursement Amount we paid prior to our execution of the Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement and (ii) $25,000 for the Additional Initial Investor Legal Fee Reimbursement Amount, as reimbursement for the reason able fees and disbursements of legal counsel incurred by B. Riley Principal Capital II prior to Closing. We have also agreed to reimburse B. Riley Principal Capital II up to $5,000 per fiscal quarter as the Additional Investor Legal Fee Reimbursement Amount for the reasonable legal fees and disbursements of B. Riley Principal Capital II’s legal counsel in connection with quarterly and annual bring-down due diligence investigations and related matters as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

The Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement contain customary representations, warranties, conditions and indemnification obligations of the parties. Copies of the agreements have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus and are available electronically on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Purchases of Common Stock Under the Purchase Agreement

Market Open Purchases

From and after the Commencement Date, we will have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time at our sole discretion for a period of up to 36 months, unless the Purchase Agreement is earlier terminated, beginning on the Commencement Date, to direct B. Riley Principal Capital II to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock, not to exceed the applicable Market Open Purchase Maximum Amount, in a Market Open Purchase under the Purchase Agreement, by timely delivering a written Market Open Purchase Notice to B. Riley Principal Capital II, prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on any trading day we select as the Purchase Date for such Market Open Purchase, so long as:

	●	the closing sale price of our Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to such Purchase Date is not less than the Threshold Price; and

	●	all shares of Common Stock subject to all prior Market Open Purchases and all prior Intraday Purchases effected by us under the Purchase Agreement have been received by B. Riley Principal Capital II prior to the time we deliver such Market Open Purchase Notice to B. Riley Principal Capital II.

The Purchase Maximum Amount applicable to such Market Open Purchase will be equal to the lesser of:

	●	1,000,000 shares of Common Stock; and

	●	the Market Open Purchase Percentage (as specified in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice for such Purchase) of the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of our Common Stock traded on Nasdaq during the applicable Market Open Purchase Valuation Period for such Market Open Purchase.

The actual number of shares of Common Stock that B. Riley Principal Capital II will be required to purchase in a Market Open Purchase, which we refer to as the Market Open Purchase Share Amount, will be equal to the number of shares that we specify in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice, subject to adjustment to the extent necessary to give effect to the applicable Market Open Purchase Maximum Amount and other applicable limitations set forth in the Purchase Agreement, including the Beneficial Ownership Limitation and, if then applicable, the Exchange Cap.

The per share purchase price that B. Riley Principal Capital II will be required to pay for the Market Open Purchase Share Amount in a Market Open Purchase effected by us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, if any, will be equal to the VWAP of our Common Stock for the applicable Market Open Purchase Valuation Period on the Purchase Date for such Market Open Purchase, less a fixed 3.0% discount to the VWAP for such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period. The Market Open Purchase Valuation Period for a Market Open Purchase is defined in the Purchase Agreement as the Nasdaq Commencement for such Market Open Purchase, and ending at the earliest to occur of:

	●	3:59 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date or such earlier time publicly announced by the trading market as the official close of the regular trading session on such Purchase Date;

	●	if we further specify in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice for such Market Open Purchase that a Limit Order Discontinue Election shall apply to such Market Open Purchase, such time that the trading price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq during such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period (calculated in accordance with the Purchase Agreement) falls below the applicable Minimum Price Threshold.

Under the Purchase Agreement, for purposes of calculating the volume of shares of Common Stock traded during a Market Open Purchase Valuation Period, including for purposes of determining whether the applicable Market Open Purchase Share Volume Maximum for a Market Open Purchase has been reached, for purposes of calculating the VWAP of our Common Stock for the applicable Market Open Purchase Valuation Period, and to the extent that we specify in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice that the Limit Order Discontinue Election will apply, the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period, shall be excluded: (x) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of the regular trading session on Nasdaq on the applicable Purchase Date for such Market Open Purchase, (y) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of the regular trading session on Nasdaq on the applicable Purchase Date for such Market Open Purchase, and (z) if we have specified in the applicable Market Open Purchase Notice for such Market Open Purchase that a Limit Order Continue Election, rather than a Limit Order Discontinue Election, shall apply to such Market Open Purchase, all purchases and sales of Common Stock on Nasdaq during such Market Open Purchase Valuation Period at a price per share that is less than the applicable Minimum Price Threshold for such Market Open Purchase.

Intraday Purchases

In addition to the Market Open Purchases described above, from and after the Commencement Date, we will also have the right, but not the obligation, subject to the continued satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, to direct B. Riley Principal Capital II to make Intraday Purchases (whether or not a Market Open Purchase is effected on such Purchase Date), not to exceed the applicable Intraday Purchase Maximum Amount, in an Intraday Purchase under the Purchase Agreement, by timely delivering a written Intraday Purchase Notice to B. Riley Principal Capital II, after 10:00 a.m., New York City time (and after the Market Open Purchase Valuation Period for any earlier Market Open Purchase and the Intraday Purchase Valuation Period for the most recent prior Intraday Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date if applicable, have ended), and prior to 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date, so long as:

	●	the closing sale price of our Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to such Purchase Date is not less than the Threshold Price; and

	●	all shares of Common Stock subject to all prior Market Open Purchases and all prior Intraday Purchases (as applicable) effected by us under the Purchase Agreement, including all prior purchases effected on the same Purchase Date as such applicable Intraday Purchase, have been received by B. Riley Principal Capital II in the manner set forth in the Purchase Agreement, prior to the time we deliver the Intraday Purchase Notice for such applicable Intraday Purchase to B. Riley Principal Capital II.

The Intraday Purchase Maximum Amount applicable to such Intraday Purchase will be equal to the lesser of:

	●	1,000,000 shares of Common Stock; and

	●	the Intraday Purchase Percentage (as specified by us in the applicable Intraday Purchase Notice for such Intraday Purchase) of the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of our Common Stock traded on Nasdaq during the applicable Intraday Purchase Valuation Period for such Intraday Purchase.

The actual number of shares of Common Stock that B. Riley Principal Capital II will be required to purchase in an Intraday Purchase, which we refer to as the Intraday Purchase Share Amount, will be equal to the number of shares that we specify in the applicable Intraday Purchase Notice, subject to adjustment to the extent necessary to give effect to the applicable Intraday Purchase Maximum Amount and other applicable limitations set forth in the Purchase

The per share purchase price that B. Riley Principal Capital II will be required to pay for the Intraday Purchase Share Amount in an Intraday Purchase effected by us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, if any, will be calculated in the same manner as in the case of a Market Open Purchase (including the same fixed percentage discounts to the applicable VWAP used to calculate the per share purchase price for a Market Open Purchase as described above), provided that the VWAP used to determine the purchase price for the Intraday Purchase Share Amount to be purchased in an Intraday Purchase will be equal to the VWAP for the applicable Intraday Purchase Valuation Period on the Purchase Date for such Intraday Purchase. The Intraday Purchase Valuation Period for an Intraday Purchase is defined in the Purchase Agreement as the period during the regular trading session on Nasdaq on such Purchase Date, beginning at the latest to occur of:

	●	such time of confirmation of B. Riley Principal Capital II’s receipt of the applicable Intraday Purchase Notice;

	●	such time that the Market Open Purchase Valuation Period for any prior Market Open Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date (if any) has ended; and

	●	such time that the Intraday Purchase Valuation Period for the most recent prior Intraday Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date (if any) has ended,

and ending at the earliest to occur of:

	●	3:59 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date or such earlier time publicly announced by the trading market as the official close of the regular trading session on such Purchase Date;

	●	such time that the total aggregate number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on Nasdaq during such Intraday Purchase Valuation Period reaches the applicable Intraday Purchase Share Volume Maximum for such Intraday Purchase, which will be determined by dividing (a) the applicable Intraday Purchase Share Amount for such Intraday Purchase, by (b) the Purchase Percentage we specified in the applicable Intraday Purchase Notice for determining the applicable Intraday Purchase Share Amount for such Intraday Purchase; and

	●	if we further specify Limit Order Discontinue Election in the applicable Intraday Purchase Notice for such Intraday Purchase, such time that the trading price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq during such Intraday Purchase Valuation Period (calculated in accordance with the Purchase Agreement) falls below the applicable Minimum Price Threshold.

As with Market Open Purchases, for purposes of calculating the volume of shares of Common Stock traded during an Intraday Purchase Valuation Period, including for purposes of determining whether the applicable Intraday Purchase Share Volume Maximum for an Intraday Purchase has been reached, for purposes of calculating the VWAP of our Common Stock for the applicable Intraday Purchase Valuation Period, the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such Intraday Purchase Valuation Period, are excluded: (x) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of the regular trading session on Nasdaq on the applicable Purchase Date for such Intraday Purchase, (y) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of the regular trading session on Nasdaq on the applicable Purchase Date for such Intraday Purchase, and (z) if we have specified in the applicable Intraday Purchase Notice for such Intraday Purchase that a Limit Order Continue Election, rather than a Limit Order Discontinue Election, shall apply to such Intraday Purchase, all purchases and sales of Common Stock on Nasdaq during such Intraday Purchase Valuation Period at a price per share that is less than the applicable Minimum Price Threshold for such Intraday Purchase.

We may, in our sole discretion, timely deliver multiple Intraday Purchase Notices to B. Riley Principal Capital II prior to 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on a single Purchase Date to effect multiple Intraday Purchases on such same Purchase Date, provided that the Market Open Purchase Valuation Period for any earlier Market Open Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date (as applicable) and the Intraday Purchase Valuation Period for the most recent prior Intraday Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date have ended prior to 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date, and so long as all shares of Common Stock subject to all prior Market Open Purchases and all prior Intraday Purchases (as applicable) effected by us under the Purchase Agreement, including all prior purchases effected on the same Purchase Date as such applicable Intraday Purchase, have been received by B. Riley Principal Capital II prior to the time we deliver to B. Riley Principal Capital II a new Intraday Purchase Notice to effect an additional Intraday Purchase on the same Purchase Date as an earlier Market Open Purchase (as applicable) and one or more earlier Intraday Purchases effected on such same Purchase Date.

The terms and limitations that will apply to each subsequent additional Intraday Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date will be the same as those applicable to any earlier Market Open Purchase (as applicable) and any earlier Intraday Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date as such subsequent additional Intraday Purchase, and the per share purchase price for the shares of Common Stock that we elect to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II in each subsequent additional Intraday Purchase effected on the same Purchase Date as an earlier Market Open Purchase (as applicable) and/or earlier Intraday Purchase(s) effected on such Purchase Date will be calculated in the same manner as in the case of such earlier Market Open Purchase (as applicable) and such earlier Intraday Purchase(s) effected on the same Purchase Date as such subsequent additional Intraday Purchase, with the exception that the Intraday Purchase Valuation Period for each subsequent additional Intraday Purchase will begin and end at different times (and may vary in duration) during the regular trading session on such Purchase Date, in each case as determined in accordance with the Purchase Agreement.

In the case of Market Open Purchases and Intraday Purchases effected by us under the Purchase Agreement, if any, all share and dollar amounts used in determining the purchase price per share of Common Stock to be purchased by B. Riley Principal Capital II in a Market Open Purchase or an Intraday Purchase (as applicable), or in determining the applicable maximum purchase share amounts or applicable volume or minimum price threshold in connection with any such Market Open Purchase or Intraday Purchase (as applicable), in each case, will be equitably adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction occurring during any period used to calculate such per share purchase price, maximum purchase share amounts or applicable volume or minimum price thresholds.

At or prior to 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Purchase Date for a Market Open Purchase and/or Intraday Purchase, B. Riley Principal Capital II will provide us with a written confirmation for such Market Open Purchase and/or Intraday Purchase, as applicable, setting forth the applicable purchase price (both on a per share basis and the total aggregate purchase price) to be paid by B. Riley Principal Capital II for the shares of Common Stock purchased by B. Riley Principal Capital II in such Market Open Purchase and/or Intraday Purchase, as applicable.

The payment for, against delivery of, shares of Common Stock purchased by B. Riley Principal Capital II in any Market Open Purchase or any Intraday Purchase under the Purchase Agreement will be fully settled on the trading day immediately following the applicable Purchase Date for such Market Open Purchase or such Intraday Purchase (as applicable), as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

Conditions Precedent to Commencement and Each Purchase

B. Riley Principal Capital II’s obligation to accept Market Open Purchase Notices and Intraday Purchase Notices that are timely delivered by us under the Purchase Agreement and to purchase shares of our Common Stock in Market Open Purchases and Intraday Purchases under the Purchase Agreement, are subject to (i) the initial satisfaction, at the Commencement, and (ii) the satisfaction, at the applicable “Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time” (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) on the applicable Purchase Date for each Market Open Purchase and Intraday Purchase after the Commencement Date, of the conditions precedent thereto set forth in the Purchase Agreement, all of which are entirely outside of B. Riley Principal Capital II’s control, which conditions including the following:

	●	the accuracy in all material respects of the representations and warranties of the Company included in the Purchase Agreement;

	●	the Company having performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Purchase Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company;

	●	the registration statement that includes this prospectus (and any one or more additional registration statements filed with the SEC that include shares of Common Stock that may be issued and sold by the Company to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement) having been declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC, and B. Riley Principal Capital II being able to utilize this prospectus (and the prospectus included in any one or more additional registration statements filed with the SEC under the Registration Rights Agreement) to resell all of the shares of Common Stock included in this prospectus (and included in any such additional prospectuses);

	●	the SEC shall not have issued any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement that includes this prospectus (or any one or more additional registration statements filed with the SEC that include shares of Common Stock that may be issued and sold by the Company to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement) or prohibiting or suspending the use of this prospectus (or the prospectus included in any one or more additional registration statements filed with the SEC under the Registration Rights Agreement), and the absence of any suspension of qualification or exemption from qualification of the Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction;

	●	FINRA shall not have provided an objection to, and shall have confirmed in writing that it has determined not to raise any objections with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of, the terms and arrangements of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement;

	●	there shall not have occurred any event and there shall not exist any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the registration statement that includes this prospectus (or in any one or more additional registration statements filed with the SEC that include shares of Common Stock that may be issued and sold by the Company to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement) untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements contained therein in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of this prospectus or the prospectus included in any one or more additional registration statements filed with the SEC under the Registration Rights Agreement, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading;

	●	this prospectus, in final form, shall have been filed with the SEC under the Securities Act prior to Commencement, and all reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act shall have been filed with the SEC;

	●	trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC or Nasdaq, the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on Nasdaq, shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market, as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement), and there shall be no suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by The Depository Trust Company with respect to the Common Stock;

	●	the Company shall have complied with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws, rules, regulations and ordinances in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement;

	●	the absence of any statute, regulation, order, decree, writ, ruling or injunction by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of or that would materially modify or delay any of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement;

	●	the absence of any action, suit or proceeding before any arbitrator or any court or governmental authority seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, or seeking material damages in connection with such transactions;

	●	all of the shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement shall have been approved for listing or quotation on Nasdaq (or if the Common Stock is not then listed on Nasdaq, then on any Eligible Market), subject only to notice of issuance;

	●	no condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall have occurred and be continuing;

	●	the absence of any bankruptcy proceeding against the Company commenced by a third party, and the Company shall not have commenced a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, consented to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary bankruptcy case, consented to the appointment of a custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property in any bankruptcy proceeding, or made a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; and

	●	the receipt by B. Riley Principal Capital II of the legal opinions and negative assurances, bring-down legal opinions and negative assurances, and audit comfort letters, in each case as required under the Purchase Agreement.

Termination of the Purchase Agreement

Unless earlier terminated as provided in the Purchase Agreement, the Purchase Agreement will terminate automatically on the earliest to occur of:

	●	the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the Commencement Date;

	●	the date on which B. Riley Principal Capital II shall have purchased shares of Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement for an aggregate gross purchase price equal to $2,000,000;

	●	the date on which the Common Stock shall have failed to be listed or quoted on Nasdaq or any other Eligible Market for a period of one trading day;

	●	the 30^th trading day after the date on which a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding involving our company has been commenced that is not discharged or dismissed prior to such 30^th trading day; and

	●	the date on which a bankruptcy custodian is appointed for all or substantially all of our property, or we make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors.

We have the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement at any time after Commencement, at no cost or penalty, upon 5 trading days’ prior written notice to B. Riley Principal Capital II. We and B. Riley Principal Capital II may also terminate the Purchase Agreement at any time by mutual written consent.

B. Riley Principal Capital II also has the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement upon 5 trading days’ prior written notice to us, but only upon the occurrence of certain events, including:

	●	the occurrence and continuation of a Material Adverse Effect (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement);

	●	the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction (as such term defined in the Purchase Agreement) involving our company;

	●	if any registration statement is not filed by the applicable Filing Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) or declared effective by the SEC by the applicable Effectiveness Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), or the Company is otherwise in breach or default in any material respect under any of the other provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, and, if such failure, breach or default is capable of being cured, such failure, breach or default is not cured within 10 trading days after notice of such failure, breach or default is delivered to us;

	●	if we are in breach or default in any material respect of any of our covenants and agreements in the Purchase Agreement or in the Registration Rights Agreement, and, if such breach or default is capable of being cured, such breach or default is not cured within 10 trading days after notice of such breach or default is delivered to us;

	●	the effectiveness of the registration statement that includes this prospectus or any additional registration statement we file with the SEC pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement lapses for any reason (including the issuance of a stop order by the SEC), or this prospectus or the prospectus included in any additional registration statement we file with the SEC pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement otherwise becomes unavailable to B. Riley Principal Capital II for the resale of all of the shares of Common Stock included therein, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of 20 consecutive trading days or for more than an aggregate of 60 trading days in any 365-day period, other than due to acts of B. Riley Principal Capital II; or

	●	trading in the Common Stock on Nasdaq (or if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, trading in the Common Stock on such Eligible Market) has been suspended for a period of five consecutive trading days.

No termination of the Purchase Agreement by us or by B. Riley Principal Capital II will become effective prior to the fifth trading day immediately following the date on which any pending Market Open Purchase and any pending Intraday Purchase has been fully settled in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, and no termination will affect any of our respective rights and obligations under the Purchase Agreement with respect to any pending Market Open Purchase, any pending Intraday Purchase, and any fees and disbursements of B. Riley Principal Capital II’s legal counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. Both we and B. Riley Principal Capital II have agreed to complete our respective obligations with respect to any such pending Market Open Purchase and any pending Intraday Purchase under the Purchase Agreement. Furthermore, no termination of the Purchase Agreement will affect the Registration Rights Agreement, which will survive any termination of the Purchase Agreement.

No Short-Selling or Hedging by B. Riley Principal Capital II

B. Riley Principal Capital II has agreed that none of B. Riley Principal Capital II, its sole member, any of their respective officers, or any entity managed or controlled by B. Riley Principal Capital II or its sole member will engage in or effect, directly or indirectly, for its own account or for the account of any other of such persons or entities, any short sales of the Common Stock or hedging transaction that establishes a net short position in the Common Stock during the term of the Purchase Agreement.

Prohibition on Variable Rate Transactions

We are limited in our ability to enter into specified “Variable Rate Transactions” (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) (a) during the period beginning on the trading day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase and ending on the trading day next following the date of full settlement thereof and the issuance to B. Riley Principal Capital II of all of the shares that are issuable to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to such VWAP Purchase and (b) during the period beginning on the trading day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for an Intraday VWAP Purchase and ending on the trading day next following the date of full settlement thereof and the issuance to B. Riley Principal Capital II of all of the shares that are issuable B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to such Intraday VWAP Purchase.

Effect of Sales of our Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement on our Stockholders

The 2,000,000 Purchase Shares being registered for resale in this offering may be issued and sold by us to B. Riley Principal Capital II from time to time at our discretion over a period of up to 36 months (unless the Purchase Agreement is earlier terminated), beginning on the Commencement Date. The resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II of a significant amount of shares of Common Stock registered for resale in this offering at any given time, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline and to be highly volatile. Sales of our Common Stock, if any, to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement will depend upon market conditions and other factors to be determined by us. We may ultimately decide to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II all, some or none of the shares of our Common Stock that may be available for us to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

If and when we do elect to sell shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, after B. Riley Principal Capital II has acquired such shares, B. Riley Principal Capital II may resell all, some or none of such shares at any time or from time to time in its discretion and at different prices. As a result, investors who purchase shares from B. Riley Principal Capital II in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices for those shares, and so may experience different levels of dilution, and in some cases substantial dilution, and different outcomes in their investment results. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase from B. Riley Principal Capital II in this offering as a result of future sales made by us to B. Riley Principal Capital II at prices lower than the prices such investors paid for their shares in this offering. In addition, if we sell a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement, or if investors expect that we will do so, the actual sales of shares or the mere existence of our arrangement with B. Riley Principal Capital II may make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect such sales.

Because the per share purchase price that B. Riley Principal Capital II will pay for Purchase Shares in any Market Open Purchase or Intraday Purchase that we may elect to effect pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will be determined by reference to the VWAP during the applicable Market Open Purchase Valuation Period or Intraday Purchase Valuation Period, respectively, on the applicable Purchase Date for such Market Open Purchase or Intraday Purchase (as the case may be), as of the date of this prospectus, we cannot determine the actual purchase price per share that B. Riley Principal Capital II will be required to pay for any Purchase Shares that we may elect to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement from and after Commencement and, therefore, we cannot be certain how many Purchase Shares, in the aggregate, we may issue and sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement from and after Commencement. As of February 10, 2026, there were 9,869,558 shares of our Common Stock outstanding, of which 7,027,360 shares were held by non-affiliates of our Company. If all of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under this prospectus were issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, such shares would represent approximately 20% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock and approximately 28% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of our company, in each case as of February 28, 2026.

Although the Purchase Agreement provides that we may sell up to $10,000,000 of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II, only 2,000,000 Purchase Shares are being registered under the Securities Act for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus. If we were to issue and sell all of such 2,000,000 Purchase Shares to B. Riley Principal Capital II at an assumed purchase price per share of $3.77, representing the closing sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq on February 10, 2026, we would only receive approximately $7,500,000 in aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of such Purchase Shares to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement. Depending on the market prices of our Common Stock on the Purchase Dates on which we elect to sell such Purchase Shares to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement, we may need to register under the Securities Act additional shares of our Common Stock for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II which, together with the 2,000,000 Purchase Shares included in this prospectus, will enable us to issue and sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock under the Purchase Agreement as will be necessary in order for us to receive aggregate proceeds equal to B. Riley Principal Capital II’s $10,000,000 maximum aggregate purchase commitment available to us under the Purchase Agreement.

If we elect to issue and sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II more than the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock being registered under the Securities Act for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus, which we have the right, but not the obligation, to do, we must first (i) obtain stockholder approval to issue shares of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap under the Purchase Agreement in accordance with applicable Nasdaq rules and (ii) file with the SEC one or more additional registration statements to register under the Securities Act for the offer and resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II of any such additional shares of our Common Stock we wish to sell from time to time under the Purchase Agreement, which the SEC must declare effective, in each case before we may elect to sell any additional shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement. Any issuance and sale by us under the Purchase Agreement of a substantial amount of shares of Common Stock in addition to the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock being registered for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus could cause additional substantial dilution to our stockholders.

The number of shares of Common Stock ultimately offered for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II through this prospectus is dependent upon the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, we elect to sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement from and after the Commencement Date. The issuance of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will not affect the rights or privileges of our existing stockholders, except that the economic and voting interests of each of our existing stockholders will be diluted. Although the number of shares of our Common Stock that our existing stockholders own will not decrease, the shares of our Common Stock owned by our existing stockholders will represent a smaller percentage of our total outstanding shares of our Common Stock after any such issuance.

The following table sets forth the amount of gross proceeds we would receive from B. Riley Principal Capital II from our sale of shares of Common Stock (which are being registered for resale by B. Riley Principal Capital II under the registration statement that includes this prospectus) to B. Riley Principal Capital II as Purchase Shares under the Purchase Agreement at varying purchase prices:

Assumed Average Purchase Price Per Share			Number of Registered Purchase Shares to be Issued at Assumed Average Purchase Price ⁽¹⁾		Percentage of Outstanding Shares After Giving Effect to the Issuance to B. Riley Principal Capital II⁽²⁾			Gross Proceeds from the Sale of Purchase Shares to B. Riley Principal Capital II Under the Purchase Agreement
$	3.27			2,000,000		17	%	$	6,540,000
$	3.77	⁽³⁾		2,000,000		17	%	$	7,540,000
$	4.27			2,000,000		17	%	$	8,540,000
$	4.77			2,000,000		17	%	$	9,540,000
$	5.27			1,897,533		16	%	$	10,000,000

(1)	Although the Purchase Agreement provides that we may sell up to $10,000,000 of our Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II, we are only registering 2,000,000 shares under the registration statement that includes this prospectus, comprised of the Purchase Shares, which may or may not cover all of the shares of Common Stock we ultimately sell to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement. We will not issue more than an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock (i.e., the Exchange Cap), unless (i) we obtain stockholder approval to issue shares of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with applicable Nasdaq rules, or (ii) the average price per share paid by B. Riley Principal Capital II for all of the shares of Common Stock that we direct B. Riley Principal Capital II to purchase from us pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, if any, equals or exceeds $3.57 per share (in which case the Exchange Cap limitation will not apply to issuances and sales of Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement). The number of shares to be issued as set forth in this column (i) does not give effect to the Exchange Cap and (ii) is without regard for the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

(2)	The denominator is based on 9,869,558 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 10, 2026, adjusted to include the issuance of the number of Purchase Shares set forth in the adjacent column that we would have sold to B. Riley Principal Capital II, assuming the average purchase price in the first column. The numerator is based on the number of Purchase Shares issuable under the Purchase Agreement (which are included in this prospectus) at the corresponding assumed average purchase price set forth in the first column.

(3)	The closing sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq on February 10, 2026.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this prospectus. In this section, the historical financial information presented for GPAC II is for Stardust Power Inc. (F/K/A Global Partner Acquisition Corp II) adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination, Material Events, and related transactions. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.”

GPAC II was a blank check company incorporated in November 2020 as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting an initial business combination. Stardust Power, which was incorporated on March 16, 2023, is a development stage lithium refinery, designed to foster energy independence in the United States. While Stardust Power has not earned any revenue yet, Stardust Power is in the process of developing a strategically central, vertically integrated lithium refinery capable of producing up to 50,000 tons per annum of battery- grade lithium.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements give effect to the Business Combination, and other events contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement as described in this prospectus. A pro forma balance sheet has not been presented since the business combination is already reflected in the audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, presented elsewhere in this document.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, combines the historical audited consolidated statement of operations of Stardust Power, from inception, March 16, 2023, to December 31, 2023, and the historical audited statement of operations of GPAC II for the year ended December 31, 2023, as if the Business Combination, and other events contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement had been consummated on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the earliest period presented. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, combines the historical unaudited consolidated statement of operations of Stardust Power for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the historical unaudited statement of operations of GPAC II for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as if the Business Combination, and other events contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement had been consummated on January 1, 2024, the beginning of the earliest period presented:

	●	the merger of Stardust Power with and into the Second Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of GPAC II, with Stardust Power surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of GPAC II;

	●	the conversion of 300,000 shares of GPAC II Class B Ordinary Shares into 300,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Combined Company Common Stock”), in connection with the Business Combination in accordance with terms of the Business Combination Agreement;

	●	the conversion of $5,200,000 of outstanding SAFE into 13,839 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock value prior to conversion and subsequent conversion into 63,692 shares of Combined Company Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination in accordance with the Per Share Exchange Amount as defined in the Business Combination Agreement;

	●	the conversion of $2,100,000 in cash into 5,589 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Convertible Equity Agreements and subsequent conversion into 25,721 shares of Combined Company Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination in accordance with the Per Share Exchange Amount as defined in the Business Combination Agreement; and

	●	the issuance of 107,754 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock in exchange for $10,075,000 of cash in accordance with the terms of the PIPE subscription agreement in connection with the Business Combination.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Closing of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the Combined Company.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with the following historical financial statements and the accompanying notes:

	●	audited historical financial statements of GPAC II as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 19, 2024;

	●	unaudited historical financial statements of GPAC II as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2024, included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14, 2024;

	●	audited historical consolidated financial statements of Stardust Power for the period from March 16, 2023 (inception) through December 31, 2023, included in the registration statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on May 8, 2024;

	●	audited historical financial statements of Stardust Power as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2025; and

	●	other information relating to GPAC II and Stardust Power included in the registration statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on May 8 2024, including the Business Combination Agreement and the description of certain terms thereof and the financial and operational condition of GPAC II and Stardust Power.

Description of the Business Combination

On November 21, 2023, the Company entered into the Business Combination Agreement with GPAC II, First Merger Sub, and Second Merger Sub.

On July 8, 2024, the Company completed the merger. GPAC II deregistered as a Cayman Islands exempted company and domesticated as a Delaware corporation. As per the Business Combination Agreement, First Merger Sub merged into the Company, with the Company being the surviving corporation. Following the First Merger, the Company merged into Second Merger Sub, with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity. Upon the merger, GPAC II was renamed as Stardust Power Inc. (the “Combined Company”), with the ticker symbol “SDST”.

As per the Business Combination Agreement:

	●	Each share of Stardust Power Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time converted into the right to receive the number of GPAC II common stock equal to the merger consideration divided by the number of shares of the Company fully-diluted stock.

	●	Each outstanding Stardust Power Option, whether vested or unvested, automatically converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of GPAC II common stock equal to the number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock subject to such Stardust Power Option immediately prior to the first effective time multiplied by the per share consideration.

	●	Each share of Stardust Power Restricted Stock outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time converted into a number of shares of GPAC II common stock equal to the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock subject to such Stardust Power restricted stock multiplied by the per share consideration.

	●	Additionally, GPAC II will issue five hundred thousand shares of GPAC II common stock to the holders of Stardust Power as additional merger consideration in the event that prior to the eighth (8th) anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination, the volume-weighted average price of GPAC II common stock is greater than or equal to $120.00 per share for a period of 20 trading days in any 30-trading day period or there is a change of control.

	●	Immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination, the SAFEs automatically converted into the 13,839 shares of Common Stock of Stardust Power.

	●	Immediately prior to the closing of the business combination, the convertible notes automatically converted into 5,589 shares of Common Stock of the Stardust Power.

	●	The Combined Company issued 107,754 shares of Combined Company Common Stock in exchange for $10,075,000 of cash in accordance with the terms of the Private Placement Agreement (PIPE) in connection with the Business Combination.

The Company’s basis of presentation within these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments as a result of the Business Combination closing. The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. Under this method of accounting, GPAC II was treated as the acquired company for financial statement reporting purposes.

GPAC II and Stardust Power entered into the Business Combination Agreement. On January 12, 2024, in connection with the Business Combination, GPAC II first filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-276510) (as amended, the “Combination Registration Statement”) containing a joint proxy statement/prospectus of GPAC II (such proxy statement/prospectus in definitive form, the “Definitive Proxy Statement”), which Combination Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 22, 2024, and GPAC commenced mailing the Definitive Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on May 22, 2024.

As contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the Closing of the Business Combination was consummated on July 8, 2024. GPAC II changed its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands and immediately domesticated as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”), at which point GPAC II changed its name to “Stardust Power Inc.”. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, First Merger Sub merged with and into Stardust Power, with Stardust Power being the surviving corporation (which is sometimes hereinafter referred to for the periods at and after the First Effective Time as the “Surviving Company”). Following the First Merger, the separate corporate existence of First Merger Sub ceased. The First Merger was consummated in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement and the DGCL and evidenced by a certificate of merger, with such First Merger being consummated upon filing of the First Certificate of Merger. Promptly following the First Merger and as a part of the same overall transaction as the First Merger, the Surviving Company was merged with and into Second Merger Sub, with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity (which is sometimes hereinafter referred to for the periods at and after the Second Effective Time as the “Surviving Entity”), at which time the separate corporate existence of the Surviving Company ceased. The Second Merger was consummated in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement, the DGCL and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and evidenced by a certificate of merger, with such Second Merger being consummated upon filing of the Second Certificate of Merger. The effects of this merger and Domestication have been reflected in the Transaction Accounting Adjustments (as defined below) below, specifically adjustments C and D.

Immediately prior to the Closing of the Business Combination, $5,200,000 of outstanding SAFE Notes and $2,100,000 in Convertible Equity Agreements were converted into 13,839 and 5,589 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock, respectively, prior to conversion and subsequent conversion into 63,691 and 25,721 shares of Combined Company Common Stock, respectively, in connection with the Business Combination in accordance with the Per Share Exchange Amount as defined in the Business Combination Agreement.

In addition, concurrent to the consummation of the Business Combination, the $10,075,000 of PIPE proceeds were converted into 107,754 shares of Stardust Power Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the PIPE subscription agreement.

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, each share of Stardust Power Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time other than any Cancelled Shares and Dissenting Shares, were converted into the right to receive the Per Share Consideration. The Merger Consideration means the aggregate number of GPAC II Common Stock equal to (i) $447.50 million (subject to certain adjustments as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, including with respect to certain transaction expenses and the cash and debt of Stardust Power) divided by (ii) $100.00. Company Fully-Diluted Stock means the sum of (without duplication) (x) the aggregate number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time, including without the Stardust Power Restricted Stock, plus (y) the aggregate number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock issuable upon exercise of all vested and unvested options of Stardust Power (“Stardust Power Options”) as of immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any unissued Stardust Power Options, plus (z) the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock issuable upon the SAFE Conversion (as defined therein). Based on the above definition, each share of Stardust Power’s common stock was converted into approximately 46.0 shares of Combined Company Common Stock. Additionally, each share of Stardust common stock will receive Earn Out Shares based on an exchange ratio of approximately 1:9 (the “Earn Out Exchange Amount”). The vesting of Earn Out Shares is contingent on the trading price of Combined Company Common Stock exceeding certain trading price thresholds, as further described below.

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, (i) each outstanding Stardust Power Option, was automatically converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock subject to such Stardust Power Option immediately prior to the First Effective Time multiplied by the Per Share Consideration at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price per share of Stardust Power Common Stock divided by the Per Share Consideration, subject to certain adjustments (the “Exchanged Company Option”) and (ii) each share of Stardust Power Restricted Stock outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time was converted into a number of shares of GPAC II Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Stardust Power Common Stock subject to such Stardust Power Restricted Stock multiplied by the Per Share Consideration (rounded down to the nearest whole share) (the “Exchanged Company Restricted Common Stock”). Except as provided in the Business Combination Agreement, the terms and conditions (including vesting and exercisability terms, as applicable) shall continue as were applicable to the corresponding former Stardust Power Option and Stardust Power Restricted Common Stock, as applicable, immediately prior to the First Effective Time.

Additionally, holders of Stardust options and holders of Stardust restricted stock units will have the right to receive Earn Out options and RSUs respectively, with the number of Earn Out options and RSUs determined by multiplying the number of Stardust options and restricted stock units, respectively by the Earn Out Exchange Amount.

On May 22, 2024, GPAC II filed the Definitive Proxy Statement for the solicitation of proxies in connection with a special meeting (the “Business Combination Meeting”) to approve the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination contemplated thereby. The Business Combination Meeting was held on June 27, 2024, whereby GPAC II’s stockholders approved the Business Combination Agreement and the consummation of the transactions to effectuate the Closing of the Business Combination. In connection with the vote to approve the Business Combination Agreement and the Business Combination contemplated thereby, the holders of 165,715 shares of GPAC II’s Class A Ordinary shares exercised their right to redeem the shares for cash at an aggregate redemption price of $18.8 million, calculated using the actual redemption price of approximately $113.80 per share.

The following summarizes the pro forma Combined Company’s voting Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing of the Business Combination:

	Shares		%
Stardust Power rollover equity ^(2)(3)(4)		4,441,889		91.10	%
Non-Redemption Shares		12,777		0.25	%
GPAC II public shareholders⁽⁵⁾		13,742		0.28	%
Sponsor⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾		300,000		6.16	%
PIPE		107,754		2.21	%

Total Shares Outstanding		4,876,162		100	%

(1)	The pro forma combined shares ownership outstanding immediately at the Closing of the Business Combination.

(2)	Includes nine shareholders, whose shares are not subject to lock-up or transfer restrictions.

(3)	Includes (i) 89,413 shares of GPAC II Common Stock issued in exchange for shares of Stardust Power Common Stock with the conversion of the SAFEs and Convertible Equity Agreements and (ii) 463,583 shares of GPAC II Common Stock issued in accordance with the Business Combination Agreement underlying the Exchanged Company Restricted Common Stock.

(4)	Excludes 500,000 Stardust Power Earnout Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement).

(5)	Excludes 4,990,786 Public Warrants that shall convert automatically, with 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Combined Company Common Stock.

(6)	Excludes 5,566,667 private placements warrants that shall convert automatically, with 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Combined Company Common Stock.

(7)	Excludes 100,000 Sponsor Earnout Shares. (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement)

Accounting Treatment of the Transaction

The Business Combination has been accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP because Stardust Power has been determined to be the accounting acquirer. Under this method of accounting, GPAC II, which is the legal acquirer, is treated as the accounting acquiree for financial reporting purposes and Stardust Power, which is the legal acquiree, is treated as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of Stardust Power has become the historical financial statements of the Post-Closing Company, and GPAC II’s assets, liabilities and results of operations has been consolidated with Stardust Power’s beginning on the Closing Date. For accounting purposes, the financial statements of the Combined Company represent a continuation of the financial statements of Stardust Power with the Business Combination being treated as the equivalent of Stardust Power issuing stock for the net assets of GPAC II, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of GPAC II have been stated at historical cost and no goodwill or other intangible assets have been recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination are presented as those of Stardust Power in future reports of the Combined Company.

Stardust Power was determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

	●	Stardust Power shareholders have the majority voting interest in the Combined Company immediately after the Business Combination;

	●	Stardust Power’s operations prior to the acquisition comprise the only ongoing operations of the Combined Company;

	●	Stardust Power’s senior management comprise the senior management of the Combined Company;

	●	The Combined Company assumed Stardust Power’s name; and

	●	Stardust Power’s headquarters became the Combined Company’s headquarters.

Other factors were considered but they would not change the preponderance of factors indicating that Stardust Power is the accounting acquirer.

Assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are described in the accompanying notes. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not purport to project the future operating results or financial position of the Combined Company following the completion of the Business Combination. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

				Stardust Power Inc.			Actual redemption
	Global Partner Acquisition Corp II			(Inception March 16, 2023 to December 31, 2023)			Transaction Accounting Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined

Revenue		-			-			-				-
General and administrative expenses		5,230,000			2,675,698			6,180,712		DD, FF		14,086,410
Gain from settlement and release of liabilities		(2,961,000	)		-			-				(2,961,000	)
Income (loss) from operations		(2,269,000	)		(2,675,698	)		(6,180,712	)			(11,125,410	)

Other income (expense):
Income from cash and investments held in the trust account		2,278,000			-			(2,278,000	)	AA		-
Write-off contingent warrants associated with shares redeemed		130,000			-			-				130,000
Change in fair value of warrant liability		-			-			(2,792,240	)	CC		(2,792,240	)
Change in fair value of SAFE instruments		-			(212,200	)		212,200		BB		-
Change in fair value of equity notes		-			18,556			-				18,556
SAFE note issuance costs		-			(466,302	)		-				(466,302	)
Other transaction adjustments		-			(450,113	)		2,564,355		EE		2,114,242
Depreciation		-			-			-				-
Interest expense		-			(7,828	)		-				(7,828	)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities		-			-			-				-
Total other income (expense)		2,408,000			(1,117,887	)		(2,293,685	)			(1,003,572	)
Net income (loss)		139,000			(3,793,585	)		(8,474,397	)			(12,128,982	)

Basic and diluted				$	(4.3	)
Net income per Class A ordinary share - basic and diluted	$	0.10
Net income per Class B ordinary share - basic and diluted	$	0.10
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted												4,169,490
Pro forma basic and diluted net (loss) per share											$	(2.9	)

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the year Ended December 31, 2024

							Actual redemption
	Global Partner Acquisition Corp II (Jan 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024)			Stardust Power Inc.			Transaction Accounting Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined

Revenue		-			-			-				-
General and administrative expenses		3,553,000			17,972,828			3,114,331		DD, FF		24,640,159
Settlement and release of liabilities		-			-			-				-
Income (loss) from operations		(3,553,000	)		(17,972,828	)		(3,114,331	)			(24,640,159	)

Other income (expense):
Income from cash and investments held in the trust account		488,000			-			(488,000	)	AA		-
Write-off contingent warrants associated with shares redeemed		-			-			-				-
Change in fair value of warrant liability		(1,569,000	)		(511,342	)		1,918,223		CC		(162,119	)
Change in fair value of SAFE instruments		-			(955,000	)		955,000		BB		-
Change in fair value of convertible notes		-			(471,400	)		471,400		BB		-
Change in fair value of equity investments		-			(322,134	)		-				(322,134	)
Change in fair value of sponsor earnout shares		-			4,076,200			528,000		GG		4,604,200
SAFE note issuance costs		-			-			-				-
Other transaction adjustments		-			-			2,564,355		EE		2,564,355
Interest income		-			10,838			-				10,838
Other income		-			21,970							21,970
Interest expense		-			(50,454	)		-				(50,454	)
Finance charges		-			(7,579,713	)		-				(7,579,713	)
Total other income (expense)		(1,081,000	)		(5,780,035	)		5,948,978				(913,057	)
Net income (loss)		(4,634,000	)		(23,753,863	)		2,834,647				(25,553,216	)

Basic and diluted				$	(5.5	)
Net income per Class A ordinary share - basic and diluted	$	(4.9	)
Net income per Class B ordinary share - basic and diluted	$	(4.9	)
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted												4,282,194
Pro forma basic and diluted net (loss) per share											$	(6.0	)

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Business Combination has been accounted as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, GPAC II, who is the legal acquirer, is treated as the accounting acquiree for financial reporting purposes and Stardust Power, which is the legal acquiree, is treated as the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses”. Release No. 33-10786 replaces existing pro forma adjustment criteria with simplified requirements to depict the accounting for the transaction (“Transaction Accounting Adjustments”) and the option to present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur (“Management Adjustments”). Management has elected not to present Management Adjustment’s and has only presented Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

The pro forma adjustments reflecting the completion of the business combination and related transactions are based on currently available information and assumptions and methodologies that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and it is possible the difference may be material. Management believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination and related transactions based on information available to management at the current time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes of GPAC II and Stardust Power thereto.

2.	Accounting Policies

Management is undertaking a comprehensive review of GPAC II’s and Stardust Power’s accounting policies. As a result of the review, management may identify differences between the accounting policies of the two entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of the Combined Company. Based on its initial analysis, management did not identify differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

3.	Transaction Accounting Adjustments

Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2023

AA.	Reflects the elimination of interest income related to the GPAC II trust account, as the trust account is closed on closing of the Business Combination.

BB.	Reflects the adjustment to the fair valuation impact of SAFE notes, as it has been converted on closing of the Business Combination.

CC.	Reflects the adjustment for revaluation of 10,430,800 Public and Private Placement Warrants presented in GPAC II historical financial statements.

DD.	Reflects the issuance of the number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock, as consideration for the NRAs agreeing not to redeem or to reverse any redemption demands previously submitted in connection with the 2024 Extension Amendment Proposal, that will convert into an aggregate of 12,777 of the Combined Company at a fair value of $100.00 per share after the Closing as if the Business Combination is considered effective on January 1, 2023 for a total expense of $1,277,770. The shares are fully vested, nonforfeitable equity instruments upon issuance to NRA Stockholders and in connection with the January NRA that included no further obligation after entering into the NRA. Stardust Power recognized the issuance of the Combined Company Common Stock as general & administrative expense in accordance with ASC 718-10.

EE.	Reflects the adjustment for forgiveness of related party notes.

FF.	Reflects additional transaction costs of $4.9 million incurred by GPAC II.

Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.

AA.	Reflects the elimination of interest income related to the GPAC II trust account, as the trust account is closed as of the Closing of the Business Combination.

BB.	Reflects the adjustment to the fair valuation impact of SAFE and convertible notes, as it has been converted upon the Closing the Business Combination.

CC.	Reflects the adjustment for revaluation of 10,430,800 Public and private placement warrants presented in GPAC II historical financial statements.

DD	Reflects the issuance of the number of shares of Combined Company Common Stock, as consideration for the NRAs agreeing not to redeem or to reverse any redemption demands previously submitted in connection with the 2024 Extension Amendment Proposal, that will convert into an aggregate of 12,777 of the Combined Company at a fair value of $10.00 per share after the Closing as if the Business Combination is considered effective on January 1, 2023 for a total expense of $1,277,770. The shares are fully vested, nonforfeitable equity instruments upon issuance to NRA Stockholders and in connection with the January NRA that included no further obligation after entering into the NRA. Stardust Power recognized the issuance of the Combined Company Common Stock as general & administrative expense in accordance with ASC 718-10.

EE.	Reflects the adjustment for forgiveness of related party notes.

FF.	Reflects additional transaction costs of $1.8 million incurred by GPAC.

GG.	Reflects the adjustment for revaluation of sponsor earnout shares.

4.	Loss per Share

The table below illustrates the net loss per share attributable to common stockholders calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2023. As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issuable in connection with the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared for the year ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024:

	From March 16, 2023 (Inception) to December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024

Pro forma net loss	$	(12,128,982	)	$	(25,553,216	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding		4,169,490			4,282,194
Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(2.9	)	$	(6.0	)
Pro forma weighted-average shares calculation, basic and diluted:
Stardust Power rollover equity⁽¹⁾		3,735,216			3,847,919
Non-Redemption Shares		12,777			12,777
GPAC II Public shareholders		13,742			13,742
PIPE Investors		107,754			107,754
Sponsor		300,000			300,000
		4,169,490			4,282,194

The following outstanding shares of the Combined Company were excluded from the computation of pro forma diluted net loss per share because including them would have had an antidilutive effect for the year ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024:

	From March 16, 2023 (Inception) to December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2024
Public Warrants		486,413		486,413
Private Placement Warrants		556,667		556,667
Stardust Power earnout shares		500,000		500,000
Excluded Stardust Power rollover equity		376,569		376,569
Sponsor earnout shares		100,000		100,000
Other Shareholders		15,000		15,000

		2,034,649		2,034,649

⁽¹⁾

Stardust Power rollover equity adjusted for 376,569 unvested shares, which relates to early exercised shares, which although considered an issued share and considered as part of the shares issued to Stardust shareholders, is not considered as an issued share for EPS computation purposes under ASC 260-10 and hence excluded from the calculation.

BUSINESS

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Stardust Power” refer to Stardust Power Inc. and its subsidiaries. Some of the information contained in this section or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our principal executive offices are located at 15 E. Putnam Ave, Suite 378, Greenwich, CT, and our main telephone number at that location is (800) 742-3095.

Company Overview and History

Stardust Power, formed on March 16, 2023, is developing a lithium refinery at our Facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma, with planned capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery grade lithium carbonate (“ BGLC”) once fully operational. On March 16, 2023, Roshan Pujari, the sole director and a controlling member of Stardust Power LLC, transferred his ownership in Stardust Power LLC to Legacy Stardust Power, in exchange for nominal consideration. Prior to and following the acquisition, Roshan Pujari controlled both Stardust Power LLC and Legacy Stardust Power. The Company’s predecessor entity, Stardust Power LLC, did not have any assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses or cash flows from its inception on December 5, 2022, through March 16, 2023. On March 16, 2023, Stardust Power Inc. was organized in the State of Delaware and all the ownership interests of Stardust Power LLC were transferred to Stardust Power Inc. At the closing of the Business Combination, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Business Combination between GPAC II, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub and Legacy Stardust Power was consummated after which Stardust Power emerged as the surviving company. The name of GPAC II was subsequently changed to Stardust Power Inc. As a development stage company, Stardust Power’s strategy is to advance its project through site acquisition and readiness, source feedstock, and obtain commitment for the offtake of its BGLC.

Stardust Power’s mission is to secure U.S. energy leadership for national security through the production of battery grade lithium carbonate, with sustainability built into each step of its process.

Stardust Power’s battery-grade lithium carbonate refinery is being designed and developed to foster energy independence for the United States. The Company seeks to become a sustainable, cost-effective supplier of BGLC for energy storage across energy storage systems, e-mobility, grid infrastructure, and data centers. The Facility will be optimized for multiple inputs of lithium chloride feedstocks. Upon completion of the Facility, Stardust Power expects to secure multiple sources of feedstock from various lithium producers, with the Facility becoming one of the largest lithium refineries in North America. Stardust Power has and intends to enter into letters of intent and memoranda of understanding to avail itself of lithium brine feedstock supply. Stardust Power’s business strategy will depend on such agreements and its ability to source lithium chloride.

Stardust Power expects to source lithium feedstock from various suppliers and may make investments upstream to secure additional feedstock. However, there is uncertainty related to whether and how much economically recoverable lithium exists at such resources and as such the possibility exists that these efforts may not yield desired economic results. For more information on associated risks, please see “Risk Factors - We face numerous risks related to exploration, construction, and extraction of brine by our suppliers.” The Company plans to sell its products to and for the benefit of battery manufacturers, the United States’ defense industrial base, and Western original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The Company is not currently producing or selling any BGLC.

Some of the key driving factors for potential growth of the lithium refining industry are the anticipated increasing demand for battery-grade lithium products, fueled largely by the anticipated demand and production of energy storage systems, handheld electronics and EVs. We anticipate Western automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers to increasingly seek domestic supply sources. The demand for battery-grade lithium is rapidly diversifying beyond electric vehicles, driven by significant growth in data centers, energy storage systems (ESS), and military applications. The accelerating deployment of hyperscale data centers, driven by AI workloads and global digitalization, requires robust, high-density battery backup systems to ensure uninterrupted operations, while the global transition to renewable energy is fueling ESS installations that rely heavily on lithium-based chemistries for grid stability and energy arbitrage. In parallel, defense and aerospace sectors are expanding their use of advanced lithium-ion technologies for mobile power, unmanned systems, and tactical energy storage, creating additional strategic demand. These sectors now represent a growing share of lithium consumption, underscoring a broader, multi-sector reliance on secure and scalable battery-grade lithium supply chains.

We believe this has led to increasing demand for the critical minerals used in battery cells, such as lithium, driven by strong governmental incentives for American manufacturing and an evolving geopolitical climate that is creating a national security priority for the United States’ market. For more information on the demand of EVs and battery-grade lithium, please see “Current United States Lithium Refinery Landscape-EV Market Driving Demand for Lithium” below. Stardust Power’s market is the United States’ domestic demand market, which has been estimated in terms of lithium carbonate equivalent to be over 200,000 tons by 2030, and to approximately 470,000 tons by the mid-2030¹. For more information, please see the graph in “United States Market - Lithium Battery Landscape” below.

In February 2023, the Company (through its fully owned subsidiary, Stardust Power LLC) received an illustrative incentive analysis for up to $257 million in performance-based incentives, based on Stardust Power meeting certain criteria, from the State of Oklahoma (covering Phase 1 and 2) and potential federal incentives analysis, which may also include federal grants. For more information on the incentives and milestones required to be achieved in order to receive such incentives, please see “State Incentives” below.

On January 10, 2024, Stardust Power and the City of Muskogee entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“the PSA”) to purchase the site in Southside Industrial Park, Muskogee, Oklahoma in Port Muskogee for a total of $1,662,030. On December 16, 2024, the Company completed the purchase and acquired title to the land.

¹Fastmarkets “Lithium 10-year forecast report”, dated November 2025

Lithium Industry

Competition and Industry Overview

The global market for lithium is being driven primarily by the development and manufacturing of cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries. Cathode material capacity and production is currently concentrated in Asia, particularly China, Japan and Korea.

In the coming years, significant cathode material production capacity is expected to come online in Europe and North America while capacity and production in China, Japan, Korea also increases. The market for lithium compounds faces barriers to entry, including access to an adequate and stable supply of lithium feedstock, the need to produce sufficient quality and quantity, technical expertise and development lead time.

China’s Dominance in Lithium-ion Batteries and the Need for Domestic Sources in the United States

Lithium-ion batteries have become the rechargeable battery of choice in cell phones, computers, electric vehicles, and large scale electric stationary storage systems. Global production capacity of lithium-ion batteries was approximately 2.5 terawatt-hours (“TWh”) per year at the end of 2025 and is forecasted to grow to approximately 5 TWh in 2036, led by China, which is projected to account for more than half the market share². This is supported by regulatory and consumer-driven tailwinds increasing demand for power-consumption through higher performance applications. This, in turn, is driving the need for resilient and geographically diverse sources of battery metals and precursor materials, including lithium.

The battery supply chain can be separated into three segments:

	●	upstream (mining and extraction of raw materials);
	●	midstream (processing of raw materials into battery-grade components); and
	●	downstream (cell and pack manufacturing, as well as end-of-life recycling and reuse)³.

The supply chains for the critical minerals in these batteries differ in terms of the geography of raw material production, although a few countries produce the majority of supply for each critical mineral. Arguably the most important choice is the selection of cathode material, as cathodes are over half of the cost of a battery cell and largely determine crucial battery characteristics such as energy density and charging speed.⁴

China’s mined production is forecasted to increase to 905,650 tons of LCE in 2035, rising at a CAGR of 8% from 408,100 tons of LCE in 2025. ⁵

Chemical refiners source battery-grade materials from suppliers to manufacture into cell components, including cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and separators. The majority of global refining capacity is currently located in Asia.⁶

² https://www.altenergymag.com/news/2025/11/20/global-lithium-ion-battery-capacity-to-reach-54-twh-by-2036-but-gigafactory-growth-cools-according-to-idtechex/46385/#:~:text=The%20top%206%20players%20account%20for%20more,Lithium%2DIon%20batteries%20was%20more%20than%202500%20GWh.

³ “Electric vehicle battery chemistry affects supply chain disruption vulnerabilities”. Anthony L. Cheng, Erica R. H. Fuchs, Valerie J. Karplus and Jeremy J. Michalek. Accessed at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10923860/.

⁴ Id.

⁵ Fastmarkets “Lithium 10-year forecast report”, dated November 2025

⁶ Visual Capitalist. “China’s Dominance in Battery Manufacturing”, dated January 19, 2023. Available at: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/chinas-dominance-in-battery-manufacturing/.

Cell manufacturers source cell components and assemble those components into modules and packs, which are then sold to OEMs. Cell manufacturing is currently concentrated in China, with the country accounting for over 85% of global production capacity, as of 2024, and estimated at 67% in 2030.⁷

Each segment of the lithium-ion battery supply chain has seen disparate quantities of investment, with those variations further pronounced with specific geographies. While there is significant cell manufacturing and OEM manufacturing capacity in the United States, a minority of global battery materials, particularly as they relate to EVs, are sourced from inside the United States resulting in a severe domestic capacity imbalance for processing such materials.⁸ This risk in the security, and cost of supply has resulted in numerous issues for industries reliant on lithium-ion batteries and has the potential to setback the adoption of EVs and renewable energy storage. As a result, Stardust Power intends to focus its business strategy on the United States’ domestic refining BGLC utilizing federal and state government incentives, in addition to public and private market investments.

Current United States Lithium Refinery Landscape

The United States lithium refinery landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant developments underway to bolster domestic capabilities in lithium production, crucial for battery-grade materials used in EVs and other technologies. Here is an overview of notable projects and how Stardust Power aligns:

	1.	Stardust Power intends to build one of the largest battery-grade lithium refineries in North America. The Facility is expected to produce up to 50,000 metric tpa once fully operational.
	2.	Tesla has commenced operations at its new lithium refining factory in Texas. The site, located outside of Corpus Christi, is the first large-scale refinery for battery-grade lithium in the U.S., and the first industrial deployment of an acid-free lithium refining route.⁹
	3.	ExxonMobil is building a lithium processing facility in Arkansas, establishing a refinery expected to support the production of over 1 million EVs by 2030.¹⁰
	4.	Ioneer Ltd has announced it is advancing the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada, with plans to significantly contribute to the United States lithium supply.¹¹
	5.	Lithium Americas has announced that the Thacker Pass project by Lithium Americas in Humboldt County, Nevada, is targeting a substantial lithium carbonate production capacity. They have announced that the mechanical completion of Phase 1 production is targeted for 2027.¹²
	6.	Standard Lithium has announced that its South West Arkansas Project plans for initial annual capacity of 22,500 tons of battery-quality lithium carbonate, with first production expected in 2028¹³.

Competitive Landscape and New Market Entrants

The United States lithium refining sector is seeing increased activity, partly driven by government policies such as grant programs and financings and the Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivizes domestic production. New players like Stardust Power are entering the market, positioning themselves through strategic initiatives such as mergers and joint ventures to fund their development. Existing firms like Albemarle are expanding their operations to capitalize on the growing demand for lithium, driven by the EV market expansion.

⁷ https://www.electrive.com/2025/06/03/iea-report-dimensions-and-trends-of-the-global-battery-market/#:~:text=Cell%20production:%20installed%20capacity%20at,producers%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20report%20states.

⁸ Congressional Research Service. Critical Minerals in Electric Vehicle Batteries, dated August 29, 2022 (Report No. R47227). Retrieved from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47227.

⁹ https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-first-us-lithium-refinery-texas/

¹⁰ https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/exxon-aims-make-key-lithium-technology-decision-by-year-end-2024-02-15/

#:~:text=The%20company%20last%20fall%20announced,electric%20vehicle%20(EV)%20batteries

¹¹ https://www.ioneer.com/rhyolite-ridge-project/about-rhyolite-ridge/

¹² https://lithiumamericas.com/news/news-details/2024/Lithium-Americas-Provides-a-Thacker-Pass-Construction-Plan-Update/

default.aspx#:~:text=PROJECT%20TIMELINE,full%20capacity%20production%20in%202028

¹³ https://www.standardlithium.com/news/smackover-lithium-receives-key-final-integration-approval-from-the-arkansas-oil-and-gas-com

Stardust Power’s Position Relative to Competitors

Stardust Power is positioning itself as a key player in the domestic supply chain for lithium, a critical material for battery production. Lithium refining capacity is a key bottleneck in the supply chain that needs to be addressed to establish a resilient critical minerals US supply chain. By seeking to establish one of the largest refineries of its kind in the United States, Stardust Power aims to enhance its competitive edge and market visibility. Its strategic location in Oklahoma, provides a centralized hub by which we intend to leverage existing multi-modal transportation infrastructure, aligning logistically with upstream sources of feedstock and downstream customers.

Unlike the hard rock or clay lithium refineries of the other United States players in the industry, the Company’s central refinery is being designed to be optimized for multiple lithium chloride inputs derived from brine. By utilizing a “hub and spoke” refinery model, the Company believes it can scale production more efficiently through sourcing feedstock from different sources in the Americas that are rapidly developing across the region. This provides a competitive advantage of minimizing the dependence on a single supply source and establishing an attractive long-term refining infrastructure to support the development of regional upstream capacity.

Future Outlook

The United States lithium demand is expected to continued robust growth, with continued investments and expansions, given the continuing political support towards onshoring of critical mineral production in United States. The entry of new players like Stardust Power indicates a dynamic shift towards increasing domestic production capabilities and addressing significant bottlenecks in the domestic supply chain. This trend is underway as the demand for lithium-ion batteries escalates and the United States seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign critical minerals.

In summary, the United States lithium refinery sector is critical and on a robust growth trajectory, with significant investments from both new entrants like Stardust Power and established players. This expansion is crucial for supporting the broader energy transition and EV market growth in the United States.

Overall Market Opportunity

The lithium market is expected to grow significantly through 2030 as a result of growth in the energy storage segment (‘ESS”) and the electrification of cars and trucks. The LCE demand from ESS is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13%, reaching 862,000 tons of LCE in 2035 from 250,000 tons of LCE in 2025. But from 2030, the rise of alternative chemistries used by ESS providers, such as sodium-ion, would cause a slight easing in the growth of lithium demand. ¹⁴ Due to the strict rules that internal combustion engine automakers must adhere to in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles, the automotive application market is estimated to increase significantly over the course of the projection period. This has led to the increased focus on EVs by automakers, which in turn is expected to increase demand for lithium and related goods. A typical EV battery would require about 850 grams of BGLC per kilowatt-hours (“kWh”)¹⁵, and each EV has an average battery capacity of 65 kWh. Hence, an average EV will require approximately 55 kg of BGLC¹⁶. Given that its refinery will be able to produce up to 50,000 metric tpa of BGLC, Stardust Power estimates they will be able to supply approximately 1 million EVs which is estimated to contribute to approximately 8% of the United States’ EV market by 2035, which is estimated at 12.2 million EVs.¹⁷

Furthermore, the growing lithium-ion battery market is expected to benefit from the continued advancement of DLE technologies, further described below, which may enhance the industry’s ability to respond promptly to rising demand.

In light of the Company’s objective to emerge as a significant supplier of BGLC within the United States, it is estimated that a portion of the global lithium market constitutes the Company’s total addressable market (“TAM”).

¹⁴ Fastmarkets “Lithium 10-year forecast report”, dated November 2025

¹⁵ International Renewable Energy Agency. “Lithium is critical to the energy transition. IRENA” dated 2022. Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Technical-Papers/IRENA_Critical_Materials_Lithium_2022.pdf

¹⁶ https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025/electric-vehicle-batteries

¹⁷ https://www.eei.org/en/news/news/all/eei-projects-78-million-evs-will-be-on-us-roads-in-2035

Additionally, the substantiation for this belief stems from market analysis and industry trends indicating the growing demand for BGLC, particularly within the context of the expanding EV market and advancements in energy storage solutions. Given the pivotal role of BGLC in powering EVs and supporting renewable energy integration, the projected growth trajectory of the lithium product market substantiates the Company’s focus on this segment as its TAM. Furthermore, the Company’s strategic positioning and expected operational capabilities aimed at servicing the United States’ market reinforce the viability of targeting this segment within the broader global lithium market. Additionally, the market impact of the Facility may be assessed from the demand side by calculating the units of EVs that can be supplied by the plant which is approximately 1 million EV’s.

Global near-term passenger EV sales and EV share of new passenger-vehicle sales by market

EV Market Driving Demand for Lithium

According to BloombergNEF’s 2025 Electric Vehicle Outlook (“BNEF EV 2025”), under the Economic Transition Scenario (“ETS”) ¹⁸, EVs are expected to reach 56% of global passenger vehicle sales by 2035 and 70% by 2040. Despite rapid EV adoption, only 40% of the global passenger-vehicle fleet is electric by 2040 under the ETS. The fleet electrifies faster than that in several countries, like the Nordics (72%), China (69%), or the UK (66%), but some of the biggest car markets, like the US and Japan, are much lower.

¹⁸ BloombergNEF. “Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025”, dated 2025. Available at: https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/#overview

Beginning in 2024 and continuing thereafter, fuel-economy and carbon-dioxide emissions regulations applicable to commercial vehicles, together with the environmental and decarbonization commitments of an increasing number of corporate fleet operators, are expected to support continued growth in electric commercial vehicle adoption. Under BloombergNEF’s Economic Transition Scenario, electrification is projected to expand beyond passenger vehicles into commercial vans, trucks and buses, with light-duty commercial vehicles adopting more rapidly due to favorable total cost of ownership relative to diesel alternatives. BloombergNEF estimates that electric vans will account for more than one-third of global new van sales by 2030, while battery-electric trucks are expected to approach approximately 15% of global new sales by that time, with adoption continuing to increase thereafter. Electric bus adoption is also advancing globally, supported by government policy measures, with more than half of city bus sales in Europe now electric and Europe largely on track to meet the European Union’s target of 100% zero-emission city bus sales by 2035¹⁹

Lithium Market Current Dynamics

The global lithium market has recently experienced substantial price fluctuations. Spot prices peaked at over $80,000 per ton in December 2022 but had since declined to just over $10,000 per ton as of March 2025, with a slight rebound to approximately $23,093 per ton in January 30, 2026²⁰. This downturn, attributed to oversupply and softened demand, raises concerns for industries reliant on lithium-ion batteries, such as EVs, renewable energy storage, consumer electronics and refineries. The decline may have implications for the industry and for Stardust Power.

Despite price declines, long-term demand for lithium is expected to remain supported by continued growth in global energy demand, including increased adoption of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. While near-term pricing remains subject to uncertainty due to excess supply, market participants generally expect supply-demand conditions to rebalance over time as demand growth absorbs surplus capacity; however, the timing and magnitude of any recovery remain uncertain and subject to macroeconomic conditions, policy developments, technological change and future supply responses.

As per Fastmarkets Q4 2025 Lithium 10-year Forecast Supply/demand report, deficit is delayed to 2029. 2027 and 2028 years are now forecast to move to a surplus of 18,000 tons in 2027 and 14,000 tons in 2028. Overall forecast lithium demand has increased by roughly 32,000 tons of LCE for 2027 and 26,000 tons of LCE for 2028. The report increased expectations for demand from the ESS market. This is a result of China continuing to support widespread ESS deployment via policy, as well as increased demand from the US market due to the expected adoption ESS by AI data centers. The model continues to project significant supply shortfalls from 2030, which grow over time. The expectation of significantly higher prices in the next decade is likely to incentivize new supply, which should help mitigate these shortfalls.

¹⁹ BloombergNEF. “Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025” dated 2025. Available at: https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/#overview

²⁰ Lithium - Price - Chart - Historical Data - News

Future Lithium Supply

Currently, much of the lithium mining is situated in Australia and Latin America followed by China. An announced pipeline of projects will likely introduce new players and geographies to the lithium-mining map. Fastmarket report estimates that global lithium salts output will reach to 1.48 million tons of LCE in 2025, which includes 1.07 million tons of carbonate, 390,000 tons (LCE basis) of hydroxide and 30,000 tons (LCE basis) of other salts.²¹

While forecasted demand and supply indicates a balanced industry for the short term, there is a potential need to galvanize new capacity by 2030. Additional lithium sources required to bridge the supply gap are predicted to come from different types of lithium sources. The three lithium sources, which will create the greatest opportunity for Stardust Power’s feedstock are from (i) Oilfield brines (ii) salt flats (iii) produced water and (iv) geothermal brines.

	1	Oilfield Brines – Oilfield brines are highly saline fluid occurring naturally in subsurface petroleum reservoirs, typically co-produced with hydrocarbons, and composed predominantly of dissolved inorganic salts, metals, dissolved gases, and organic compounds.

	2	Salt Flats - Salt flats, also known as salt pans or saltpans, are vast expanses of land covered with salt and other minerals left behind by the evaporation of water. These flats often contain lithium-rich brine beneath their surface layers. By implementing DLE technology, lithium can be efficiently extracted from the brine beneath salt flats.

	3	Produced Water - Produced water, a residual from oil and gas extraction, is commonly viewed as waste. However,produced water holds potential with its mineral content, notably lithium. Its reservoirs are promising for extraction. DLE is able isolate and concentrate lithium ions from produced water in order to extract the lithium.

	4	Geothermal Brine - Geothermal brine refers to the hot water that naturally occurs beneath the Earth’s surface, typically in areas with volcanic activity or high levels of geothermal heat. It contains dissolved minerals and salts, including lithium. DLE methods aim to selectively extract lithium from geothermal brine efficiently.

²¹ Fastmarkets “Lithium 10-year forecast report”, dated November 2025

The Domestic Market in the United States

Lithium-Battery Landscape

Current and projected demand is dominated by EVs, but lithium-ion batteries also are ubiquitous in consumer electronics, critical defense applications, and in stationary storage for the electric grid. We believe EVs have changed the domestic economy in irreversible ways. With the increasing electrification of the United States’ transportation sector, growth in employment associated with EVs has already been demonstrated. In the United States, EV sales have increased in recent years, and remain influenced by policy developments, infrastructure availability and consumer cost considerations. Over the long term, electric vehicles are expected to represent an increasing share of new passenger vehicle sales in the United States, and the pace of adoption will continue to evolve alongside regulatory and market conditions. Capturing this market is key for the future viability of the United States auto industry, which historically has contributed 5.5% of the total United States’ gross domestic product.

In addition to EV, BloombergNEF projects rapid growth in stationary energy storage deployment to support grid reliability, renewable energy integration and peak-load management. Participation in this growing lithium-based battery market requires a robust domestic supply chain spanning upstream raw materials, midstream refining and downstream battery manufacturing. Establishing such supply chains is viewed as strategically important to reduce reliance on imports, mitigate geopolitical risk and support domestic manufacturing. Stardust Power intends to participate in this evolving market through the development of its lithium refining operations, positioning the Company within the midstream segment of the battery supply chain.

Lithium US Carbonate supply-demand balance

As per Fastmarket report, US demand rose from 60kt LCE in 2022 to 109 kt LCE in 2024. In 2025, LCE demand from the EV and ESS market rose to 139 kt LCE. The majority of this gain in demand forecast to come from the ESS market with a lower uptake in EVs expected as a result of the removal of consumer subsidies. The 30D consumer tax credit ended on September 2025 is expected to lead to low EV lithium demand growth in the US in 2026.²²

Post-2026 Fast markets expects to see strong demand growth to return to the US market. Over the coming 10 years, US lithium demand is forecast to rise at a 21% CAGR reaching 883 kt LCE by 2035. Demand from the EV sector is forecast to rise to 680 kt LCE with ESS demand rising to 203 kt LCE. Fastmarkets estimates that US lithium carbonate demand in 2025 reached around 100,00 tonnes. In their estimation, demand is expected to grow with the current domestic imbalance only growing through 2035. Even with all operating plants and brine/mine projects under development, it will be impossible to satisfy the domestic demand and will require imports from closer countries like Canada, Argentina, and, Brazil. This imbalance exhibits the timely entrance of the Stardust refinery to support domestic lithium production capacity.²³

Current and Future Market Structures

Market Trends and Opportunities

Currently, the United States’ market for lithium-ion batteries, or alternative rechargeable battery chemistries, can be delineated into the commercial and the national defense markets. While these markets are distinct in their end-use applications and requirements, they are alike in their need for innovation and research and development. Successful domestic production and reliable supply chains in both markets will be key for the United States’ economic competitiveness and security.

United States’ Economic Posture

Energy Storage Systems

The LCE demand from ESS is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13%, reaching 862,000 tons of LCE in 2035 from 250,000 tons of LCE in 2025. But from 2030, we believe the rise of alternative chemistries used by ESS providers, such as sodium-ion, will cause a slight easing in the growth of lithium demand. ²⁴

Electric vehicles

Bloomberg forecasts continued growth in U.S. electric vehicle sales through the late 2020s, and rapid expansion of lithium-ion based stationary storage to support grid reliability and renewable energy intergration.²⁵ Industry forecasts indicate that projected U.S. battery manufacturing capacity additions may lag expected demand growth, resulting in continued reliance on imported batteries, components and materials.²⁶. The reliance could increase supply chain vulnerability and strategic exposure for the transportation, utility, and other infrastructure sectors ²⁷.

The US passenger EV adoption growth has moderated as EV policies and support are being rolled back. Bloomberg forecasts Passenger electric car sales in the US rise from 1.6 million in 2025 to 4.1 million in 2030.²⁸

National Security Posture

The increasing demand for lithium products and their importance to advanced technologies and energy infrastructure highlights the national security urgency of the current domestic import dependence. In October 2024, China banned the export of lithium batteries to U.S. drone producers, including producers of military drones, and without any alternative, those domestic producers were forced to begin rationing batteries and tempering sales to Ukraine.²⁹ The defense industrial base requires reliable and secure advanced energy storage technologies for many of its most sensitive technologies, including drones. This means domestic BGLC production is vital for not only commercial competitiveness but national security.

On President Trump’s first day of his second term in office, on January 20, 2025, his administration published an executive order proclaiming a national state of energy emergency. Within the executive order, the White House defined critical minerals as “energy”, then explicitly referenced the importance of refining stating that “insufficient energy production, transportation, refining, and generation constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to our Nation’s economy, national security, and foreign policy.”³⁰

²² Fastmarkets BFS: In-depth Lithium Market Review dated December 2025

²³ Id²⁴ Fastmarkets “Lithium 10-year forecast report”, dated November 2025

²⁵Bloomberg NEF “Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025” dated 2025. Available at: https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/#overview

²⁶ Fastmarkets “Lithium 10-year forecast report”, dated November 2025

²⁷ Bloomberg NEF “Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025” dated 2025. Available at: https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/#overview

²⁸ Bloomberg NEF “Electric Vehicle Outlook 2025” dated 2025. Available at: https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-transport/electric-vehicle-outlook/#overview

²⁹https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-chinas-uav-supply-chain-restrictions-weaken-ukraines-negotiating-power

³⁰ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/declaring-a-national-energy-emergency/

Lithium Technologies

Direct Lithium Extraction

DLE is a concentrating technology that will occur near the lithium source and may precede the lithium refining process. DLE technologies aim to efficiently concentrate lithium brines found in naturally occurring salt flats, geothermal reservoirs, oilfield brines and produced water. Use of DLE technology can replace the need for traditional evaporation ponds. There are various forms of DLE technology, including adsorption-based, ion-exchange, membrane-separation, or solvent-extraction. Use of DLE, when compared to traditional evaporation ponds for brine, may offer several advantages such as reducing the environmental footprint, shortening production timelines, increasing lithium recovery rates, minimizing freshwater usage, and enhancing product purity. Currently, only adsorption-based

DLE has been implemented at commercial scale (in Argentina and China). Scaling up DLE technologies may significantly improve upstream lithium production efficiency, lower operating costs, and improve sustainability. Stardust Power will evaluate DLE technologies and will continue to evaluate prospective partners in the space.

Incentives Through the IRA and BIL

The IRA enacted in August 2022 has several provisions intended to stimulate domestic demand for EVs and motivate producers to shift their battery supply chain to North America. The legislation introduced 45X tax credits equaling 10% of the cost to produce critical minerals such as lithium and are phased out beginning in 2030. The legislation also adds requirements related to vehicle assembly, battery component manufacturing and critical mineral sourcing designed to promote domestic and allied supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources of battery materials. Given China’s preeminent position in the battery supply chain currently, the IRA is intended to influence investment and siting decisions across the battery supply chain, including lithium processing and refining.

Additionally, the DOE has committed $3 billion to bolster the domestic EV supply chain in alignment with the BIL. In August of 2025, DOE announced additional funding opportunities totaling nearly $1 billion to advance and scale mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across critical mineral supply chains. These were issued in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order Unleashing American Energy. The funding opportunities include a Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator and an additional Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program. Despite increased mining efforts, it is projected that the United States will still rely on imports for lithium production in the next five to ten years. The BIL intends to incentivize sourcing of critical minerals from countries with U.S. free trade agreements. Within the BIL, the federal government aims to allocate approximately $370 billion over the next decade to facilitate the clean-energy transition.

Giga Factories in the United States

The global gigafactory market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 24% to 26% through 2028, driven by the increasing adoption of EVs renewable energy storage systems, and the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions .³¹ Competition for gigafactory investments is intensifying, with global capacity projected to expand tenfold by 2030. This is mostly due to Giga factories’ ability to produce batteries at GWh levels; a 1 GWh factory can produce enough batteries for 17,000 automobiles.

Given that global capacity is expected to expand by ten times from its 2020 level by 2030, competition for gigafactory investment is expected to intensify at a significant rate.³²

³¹ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/battery-gigafactory-market-230821048.html

³² EV Markets Reports. “US Gigafactories: Powering the Electric Vehicle Revolution.” Available at: https://evmarketsreports.com/us-gigafactories-powering-the-electric-vehicle-revolution/.

Our Strategy

Stardust Power looks to become a leading producer of BGLC in the United States. Our approach is to establish a large central refinery, optimized for multiple inputs of lithium chloride feedstock. Sustainability is a core focus at every level of operations, from how feedstock is sourced to the use of electrical energy at the refinery. Our design minimize air emissions and water usage.

Developments in the domestic market impact the Company in the following ways:

1.	Market Demand: With the growth in demand for EVs and energy infrastructure, we look to position the Company to serve the broad set of battery and advanced technology manufacturers supporting this expanding ecosystem.
2.	Supply Chain Stability: Bolstered by support from the federal government, domestic supply chains will continue to trend towards domestic resiliency.
3.	Regulatory Environment: Efforts to streamline permitting, reduce regulatory hurdles, and provide financial support for infrastructure development, all provide continued evidence of prioritizing domestic lithium production.

	The key components of Stardust Power’s business strategy are as follows:

1.	Reduce Technology Risk: The Company seeks to mitigate technology risk within its refinery process. The Company’s design utilizes commercially proven technologies. This approach aims to minimize risks associated with technology adoption.
2.	Engage Specialized Partners: The Company has engaged two specialized engineering firms with extensive track records in lithium. Hatch Ltd. provided a preliminary readiness assessment (“Readiness Assessment”) and an FEL-1 scoping study. Primero Group provided FEL-3 engineering services and budgetary estimates.
3.	Feedstock Flexibility: The Company anticipates sourcing feedstock for its refinery from multiple suppliers. Moreover, the Company seeks to vertically integrate its supply chain through investments, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. By implementing a “hub and spoke” model, we aim to efficiently aggregate lithium feedstock supplies, enhancing scalability and resiliency.

The Site

Purchase and Sale Agreement

On January 10, 2024, Stardust Power and the City of Muskogee entered into the PSA to purchase the site in Southside Industrial Park, Muskogee, Oklahoma in Port Muskogee for a total of $1,662,030.

On December 16, 2024, the Company completed the purchase and acquired title to the land. Stardust Power and the City of Muskogee further entered into a Development Agreement which calls for the Company to (i) commence the construction of the Facilities within 12 months from January 10, 2024, and (ii) diligently proceed to completion without unreasonable delays, but subject to construction delays and interruptions due to occurrences of Force Majeure, as defined in the PSA. Commencement of construction is to include the development of plans and specification for the Facilities and the start of earth works for the Facility.

The PSA further calls for the City of Muskogee to aid Stardust Power in its development of its lithium refinery by using commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate discussions between the Company and the Muskogee City-County Port Authority (the “Authority”) regarding the Company’s procurement of such agreements with the Authority as may be appropriate regarding the use of the Port Muskogee, which may include, without limitation barge, rail storage and truck capabilities to access and transport goods and supplies to and from the site and Port Muskogee.

Also, Port Muskogee will assist the Company with the exploration of incentives, grants and other funding opportunities to improve access to the property, with a focus on the following specific improvements and the goal that they may be completed prior to the estimated completion of the Facility: (i) upgrading and improving West 53rd Street to provide a second entrance to the site, and (ii) extending rail service to the site.

The Company believes that the secured site at Southside Industrial Park within the Port Muskogee, and Oklahoma in general, is an ideal location for its Facility. The geographic location of Oklahoma is advantageous from a supply and offtake perspective. Oklahoma is a legacy energy producer and has favorable industrial regulations. Port Muskogee has been designated by the United States’ Customs and Border Protection as a Foreign Trade Zone, which reduces costs and increases potential operating income, providing port industries a competitive advantage in meeting global supply chain demands. Port Muskogee is dedicated to investing in its community and announced a $58 million investment in infrastructure improvements in January 2023.³³ Stardust Power anticipates these improvements could increase its operational efficiency, improve resiliency to weather events, and support continuous growth with increased multi-modal throughout the terminal area.

The Company believes, Port Muskogee has robust workforce and education systems in place. Within 60 miles of the City, there are 24 post-secondary institutions (including four post-secondary institutions within Muskogee County) more than 2,140 post- secondary programs offered, and over 14,377 post-secondary courses annually. The Muskogee Center for Workforce Excellence focuses on manufacturing by deploying resources, leveraging existing programs, and aligning with local and regional employment demand. The state has a highly skilled workforce in the oil and gas engineering sector that can be trained for lithium refinery operations.

The site has access to the largest inland waterway system in America, a strong interstate highway network, and significant rail lines. The City of Muskogee has begun the process of creating a tax increment financing district (“TIF”) to complete infrastructure improvements including a rail line to the west of the property and West 53rd Street to the north up to industrial access grade creating an Industrial Truck Corridor from State Highway 64 to State Highway 69. The proposed multimillion dollar TIF was designed for the benefit of the Company.

Site Due Diligence

Extensive site due diligence, including: a critical issues analysis (“CIA”), a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (“ESA”), a Geotechnical Study, Cultural Survey, Logistics Study, and a readiness assessment, has been conducted.

Critical Issues Analysis

On behalf of Stardust Power, certain legal counsel and ENERCON Services Inc. conducted a CIA of land cover, water resources, biological resources, protected lands, and a review of regulatory and permitting considerations for a proposed lithium refinery in the Project Area. The Cultural Resource Project Area consists of a 0.6-km buffer surrounding the Project Area, (originally the proposed 81 acres, from which the 66 acres was carved out). This CIA provides a broad, yet comprehensive overview of the key environmental resources identified during preliminary project planning and includes a review of publicly available background information, regulatory constraints, and risks. The CIA further provides guidance for the mitigation of potential risks to each resource before project implementation.

³³ Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “Port Muskogee Investing in Infrastructure, Launches New Brand.” Available at: https://www.okcommerce.gov/port-muskogee-investing-in-infrastructure-launches-new-brand/.

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment

ENERCON was retained to perform a Phase I ESA of the Project Area during September and October of 2023. This assessment has revealed no evidence of Recognized Environmental Conditions (“RECs”), Controlled RECs, Historical RECs, or Vapor Encroachment Conditions in connection with the Project Area.

On the SW Muskogee, OK Quadrangle Map (USGS 2018), creeks and ponds are mapped on the subject property. During site reconnaissance, ENERCON observed dry creeks located near the northwestern and southeastern corners of the subject property. ENERCON reviewed the online National Wetland Inventory mapper for additional information regarding the on-site surface waters. No significant data gaps were encountered.

The Company excluded the wetland risk areas from the Purchase and Sale Agreement, which resulted in the purchase of 66 acres of land by the Company. See “The Site - Purchase and Sale Agreement.”

Cultural and Historical Assessment

On October 25, 2024, the Oklahoma Archeological Survey issued a finding that no archaeological sites were identified in the project area and No Historic Properties Affected. The overall opinion was then deferred to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). On October 24, 2024, the SHPO directed any request be submitted through the responsible federal agency as appropriate. As of January 26, 2026, there is no nexus at the project site with federal jurisdiction and the project remains at the state level.

Geotechnical Study

On February 19, 2024, ENERCON delivered a report in support of the construction of the proposed lithium processing plant. The report concluded that physiographic, topographic, hydrologic, soil, and subsurface structural conditions are suitable for the construction of a lithium processing plant within the Project Area in Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

Readiness Assessment

The site was evaluated as part of the Readiness Assessment performed by Hatch, which was completed on October 11, 2023. Hatch also conducted a scoping study, completed on April 17, 2024, where Hatch reviewed the Site from a business and technical perspective, including using multi-nodular logistics. Following a preliminary review, the presently held view is:

●	Muskogee site has approximately 66 acres available, after the carveout of creeks.
●	Stardust Power has identified key permitting requirements.
●	Lack of process water discharge simplifies permitting.

This early-stage view is based on incomplete information now available, as well as numerous assumptions and considerations, and is subject to change.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Substation Feasibility

On January 31, 2024, Stardust Power and Oklahoma Gas & Electric entered into an Electric Service Will Serve Agreement (the “OG&E Agreement”) in which OG&E has agreed to sell Stardust Power electricity at the site contingent upon OG&E performing engineering and design services, including procurement of materials and/or equipment, to determine the costs of providing electricity at the site. These costs shall be paid by Stardust Power through a Minimum Bill Agreement, which shall be entered into at a future date. Currently, construction power is available to take the project to the next phase. In May 2025, Stardust Power and OG&E executed an addendum to the OG&E agreement increasing the available power up to 40 megawatts, with expansion possible for phase 2. The OG&E Agreement will be reviewed and renegotiated if necessary.

The term of the OG&E Agreement is effective until the execution of the definitive Minimum Bill Agreement.

Value Chain

Stardust Power is establishing its business to deliver value with a strong focus on the midstream refinement process and an intention to minimize risk in its business model by partnering with experts across the value chain. The Company seeks to be a diversified player, with upstream and downstream integration in the future, in partnership with their industry partners.

Supply Feedstock

The central refinery is being designed to be optimized for multiple lithium chloride inputs. By utilizing a “hub and spoke” refinery model, the Company believes it can scale production more efficiently through sourcing lithium chloride feedstock from different sources. This limits risk of dependence on a single type of feedstock. It also differentiates Stardust Power from other lithium refineries which are in the process of being constructed in the United States. The Company’s strategy is to source supply from multiple sources which may include feedstock from (i) oilfield brines (ii) salt flats, (iii) geothermal brines, and (iv) produced water.

In the ordinary course of business, Stardust Power has is negotiating non-binding letters of intent in order to secure feedstock.

Prairie Letter of Intent

On October 20, 2025, the Company entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Prairie Lithium Limited (“Prairie”), an Australia-based company, for the supply of 6,000 metric tons per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent in the form of lithium chloride. The lithium chloride is sourced from the Prairie Lithium Project in Saskatchewan, Canada and will be used as feedstock at Stardust Power’s lithium processing facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The initial contract term would span 6 years starting from the date on which first commercial shipment is received by the Company, with the option for the Company to renew for two additional six year terms.

Mandrake Letter of Intent

On October 31, 2025, the Company entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Mandrake Resources Limited (“Mandrake”), an Australia-based company, for the supply of 7,500 metric tons per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent in the form of lithium chloride. The initial contract term would span 12 years starting from the date on which first commercial shipment is received by the Company, with the option for the Company to renew for an additional six-year term.

Usha Resources Letter of Intent

On March 15, 2024, Stardust Power and Usha Resources entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (the “Jackpot LOI”), except for certain binding terms such as those relating to the exclusivity period until June 30, 2025, as extended, to acquire an interest in Usha Resources’ lithium brine project, situated in the United States. Usha Resources is an established lithium developer with multiple projects in development. The Jackpot Lake Lithium Brine Project is a flagship asset of Usha Resources and is a lithium brine asset located in the United States, comprising of 8,714 acres of property. The project is currently engaged in its maiden drill program. The Jackpot LOI provides Stardust Power with the exclusive option to agree to acquire up to 90% of the interests held by Usha Resources in the Jackpot Lake project, based on an indicative earn-in schedule. As part of a definitive agreement, Stardust Power would be required to invest into the development of the Jackpot Lake project.

At this stage, we do not know how much financing this project will require, or whether such financing will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Furthermore, we cannot predict with certainty when these projects will begin production, if ever.

QXR Letter of Intent

On October 10, 2023, Stardust Power entered into a non-binding (except for the confidentiality provision) letter of intent with QX Resources Limited (“QXR”) to negotiate an agreement to work together collaboratively and in good faith to assess the lithium brines contained in the Liberty Lithium project (the “Liberty Project”). At this stage, we do not know how much financing this project will require, or whether such financing will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Furthermore, we cannot predict with certainty when these projects will begin production, if ever.

In connection with entering the non-binding letter of intent, the parties have memorialized their intent to evaluate options to potentially supply Stardust Power with lithium brine products from the Liberty Project at their own costs and evaluate options to determine if there is an economically feasible process to produce lithium products from the Liberty Project to potentially supply Stardust Power with a limited volume of such products. In connection with the entering into of this letter of intent, Stardust Power made an initial equity investment of $200,000 in QXR. This letter of intent has since lapsed as per its terms.

Technology and Engineering

Hatch Contract

Stardust Power worked with leading engineering firms to advance its project from general concept to FEL-1 status.

Hatch, an engineering, procurement and construction management firm in the lithium industry was engaged to provide a readiness assessment and a scoping study, (FEL-1), to attempt to minimize technology risks.

Hatch was engaged by the Company to conduct a preliminary readiness assessment covering:

●	project risk assessment;
●	artistic site renderings;
●	site review
●	financial model assumption review; and
●	equipment procurement timelines.

In this assessment, Hatch performed a DLE output simulation of water samples using adsorption technology to simulate feedstock composition, identified expected ranges of impurities, lithium recovery, and options to process the feedstock, assessed transportation options and expected ranges of costs at high level, and provided high level financial model inputs for CAPEX and OPEX based on benchmarks only. Hatch completed the front-end loading, (FEL-1), also known as a scoping study as of April 17, 2024.

To date, Hatch has not transferred any intellectual property to Stardust Power. There is no royalty that is owned and due to be paid to Hatch.

Engineering Agreement and FEL-3 Project Development with Primero

On August 4, 2024, the Company entered into an engineering agreement with Primero (the “Primero Agreement”) pursuant to which Primero agreed to provide certain engineering, design and consultancy professional services, including engagement with major equipment suppliers and constructors, and to provide a FEL-3 report of the Company’s Facility at Southside Industrial Park, Muskogee, Oklahoma in Port Muskogee. The total amount due pursuant to the Primero Agreement, is approximately $4.9 million, in the aggregate, subject to customary potential adjustments.

FID (Final Investment Decision) Reporting:

Primero has prepared a comprehensive FEL-3 report that encapsulates the results of one (1) year of technical, financial, and risk analysis. This report is pivotal for the Company to make informed decisions regarding project viability, as well as assist the Company in obtaining project finance for the Facility.

Independent Engineering review with B&V

On April 10, 2025, the Company entered into an independent engineering review agreement with Black & Veatch Management Consulting LLC, (the “B&V”) pursuant to which B&V agreed to conduct a rigorous Independent Engineering Red Flag Report (the “IE Report”) assessing the Company’s plans to construct a 50,000 metric-ton-per-annum (“mtpa”) battery-grade lithium carbonate facility starting with a Phase 1 of 25,000 mtpa. B&V prepared a comprehensive IE report that validated that the Company’s project design is based on proven lithium processing systems, with modifications that allow it to handle a wider range of feedstocks and still recover lithium efficiently. The review found the technology risk to be low, reflecting the similarity of the design to established operations worldwide.

Exclusive Concentration Technology License

On February 7, 2025, (the “License Agreement Effective Date”), the Company executed an exclusive license agreement with KMX (the “License Agreement”).

Under the terms of the License Agreement, KMX agreed to irrevocably license to the Company the use of KMX’s vacuum membrane distillation technology (“VMD Technology”) and associated processes and systems (including units incorporating the VMD Technology (“KMX VMD Units”)) for the purpose of the Company’s use of the technology in its planned refining and upstream operations. Among other obligations set forth in the License Agreement, third parties shall be required to exclusively purchase all KMX VMD Units for the specific use of lithium concentration within the jurisdictions of the exclusive license, from Stardust Power during the term of the License Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth therein. The License Agreement grants Stardust Power the exclusive right to sub license, use, market, sell and operate KMX’s VMD Technology across the United States, Canada and select international markets.

The Company agreed to pay KMX a royalty comprised of 500,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Royalty Shares”). The securities were issued by the Company pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as a transaction not involving a public offering.

The License Agreement shall have a term beginning the License Agreement Effective Date until either of the following dates as determined by the stock price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market 240 days following the License Agreement Effective Date: (i) in the event the Actual Royalty Amount is less than $2,000,000, the second anniversary of the License Agreement Effective Date; (ii) in the event the Actual Royalty Amount is equal to or greater than $2,000,000 but less than $8,000,000, the fifth anniversary of the License Agreement Effective Date; or (iii) in the event the Actual Royalty Amount is equal to $8,000,000 or more, the seventh anniversary of the License Agreement Effective Date. The Company can renew the term of the License Agreement at its sole option upon the expiration of the initial term for an additional five years if the Company acquires three or more KMX VMD Units during the initial term. The “Actual Royalty Amount”, as defined in the License Agreement, is determined by the sum of the value of the Royalty Shares remaining unsold by KMX on the date that is 240 days following the License Agreement Effective Date, plus the gross proceeds from any sales of the Royalty Shares prior to such date.

The Company agreed to provide certain registration rights to KMX with respect to the Royalty Shares, including piggyback rights, subject to the execution of a definitive agreement by the parties. KMX agreed not to sell any Royalty Shares until the earlier to occur of (i) effectiveness of a registration statement covering the Royalty Shares or (ii) the expiration of the relevant holding period pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act, and in any event, only in amounts of an aggregate of 62,500 Royalty Shares total during each 30-day period, with the first such period beginning on the earlier to occur of (i) or (ii) above.

Refinery

Stardust Power is developing a large central refinery in a phased approach. The first phase is the construction of an up to 25,000 metric tpa production line. The second phase is to add a second production line of up to 25,000 metric tpa to create a total capacity of up to 50,000 metric tpa.

An innovation of Stardust Power’s planned refinery will be the ability for the Facility to refine different sources of lithium chloride inputs. The Facility is being designed to accept lithium chloride, of a chemical composition within an approved range. It is Stardust Power’s intention that the Facility will be able to dilute, re-pulp and blend feedstock as necessary, to produce a consistent feedstock. Stardust Power’s strategy is to differentiate itself by treating for a broader set of contaminants. Consequently, by conducting a more involved purification process, the Company plans to be able to blend different sources of feedstock. Furthermore, an advantage of third part use of DLE technology is the ability to remove certain contaminants upstream prior to the feedstock reaching the Facility, if needed, allowing for more optionality for feedstock characteristics. The Facility’s planned chemical process is a mature, proven and well understood process which has been deployed substantially in South America. The Company’s flowsheet, detailed below, is expected to result in the production of solid BGLC (approximately 99.5%-99.9%) from aqueous lithium chloride feedstock.

The rendering concept of the Facility’s site plan below includes the main plant, feedstock warehouse, feedstock tanks, intermediate feedstock containers, reagents warehouse, unloading station, acid tank, consumables warehouse, product warehouse, generators, utilities, water tank, dilution tank, calcium and magnesium residue disposal, ZLD water system, carbon dioxide storage tank, solvent extraction, administrative building and parking area.

Phased Approach

The Company intends to take a phased approach to setting up its Facility and expansion. Thereafter, it intends to emerge as a leading supplier of BGLC in the United States. The total cost of the refinery, which includes all direct and indirect costs and contingencies needed to engineer and build the refinery Phase I, has been estimated at approximately $500 million and includes a conservative contingency amount typical of FEL 3 studies. The final capex numbers will be updated during detailed engineering.

In Phase 1, the Company seeks to build its first production line of up to 25,000 metric tpa capacity. Phase 1 also includes building essential infrastructure for the site such as storage facilities, road networks, and certain additional infrastructure that will be shared by the Facility’s first and second production lines (“Train 1” and “Train 2”, respectively).

In Phase 1, Train 1 and common infrastructure, will consist of detailed engineering and procuring critical and non-critical equipment.

Phase 1 (Train 1 and common infrastructure)

In Phase I, Stardust Power will partner with engineering, procurement and construction firms, for the development of up to 25,000 metric tons of BGLC in annual production capacity. The majority of the activities will focus immediately on-site development earthworks, infrastructure, buildings, and utilities, better enabling Stardust Power to effectively mobilize contractors to a well-prepared site. The Company expects that Train 1 and Common Infrastructure will be engineered and constructed in line with standard construction timeline. The total cost for Phase 1 has been estimated preliminarily at an Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (“AACE”) Class 5 Level. The timeline and cost are based on numerous variables and assumptions.

Phase 2 (Train 2)

In Phase 2, Stardust Power plans to expand and set up an additional production line with a capacity of 25,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium to its Facility for a total production capacity of up to 50,000 metric tpa. The completion of construction and mechanical installation of Phase 2 may be completed in a similar timeframe as Phase 1, after completion and commissioning of Train 1. The total refinery cost of Train 2 has been estimated preliminarily at an AACE Class 5 level. By building an additional production line, mirroring the Train 1 design, the Company plans to maximize the continuity of design and construction from Train 1, into the design and construction of Train 2. The timeline and cost of Phase 2 are based on numerous variables and assumptions and are early phase estimates only and are likely to change.

Sustainable Operations

Lithium Chloride Feedstock

Unlike typical hard rock ore mining, Stardust Power may source lithium chloride feedstock for its Facility from (i) oilfield brines (ii) lithium salt flats, (iii) geothermal brines, and (iv) produced water. Lithium chloride production can reduce environmental impact as compared to hard rock mining which typically requires invasive land use which can severely impact the land. Additionally, the use of hard rock sources increases carbon emission due to the high degree of exothermic reactions needed for conversion. This is because, hard rock lithium mining involves extracting lithium from rocks that contain the mineral. This is typically done through open-pit mining, which can involve blasting and excavating large amounts of rock. The process is energy-intensive and can result in significant amounts of waste rock and tailings, which can contain harmful chemicals and metals. Additionally, hard rock mining can require large amounts of water. This could be an issue in regions where water resources are already scarce. It is estimated that 60% of the total global mined lithium supply comes from using this method. Conversely, lithium can also be extracted from brine sources, which involves extracting lithium from underground brine pools. These can be found in areas such as salt flats and dry lakebeds, where water has evaporated over time, leaving behind mineral deposits. The brine can be pumped to the surface and then processed to extract the lithium. This typically requires less water and produces less waste than hard rock mining. In terms of the carbon footprint of each method, Benchmark Minerals has stated that “in almost every metric, lithium chemicals from hard rock sources are more environmentally damaging than those from brine sources,” and that “processing hard rock is a much more energy-intensive process than brine.”

Stardust Power has a supplier code of conduct to monitor the sources of feedstock to provide for high environmental standards. Although DLE technology is emerging, Stardust Power believes that the experience and expertise of its partners will enable it to leverage the upstream benefits of the DLE technologies advantageously, while at the same time lowering risks that could emerge due to the newness of the technology.

Emissions

Stardust Power’s refining Facility’s planned carbonation process to manufacture BGLC is a chemical conversion process. This process does not use large exothermic reactions, making Stardust Power’s Facility cleaner and safer than a typical oil and gas refinery. There are no kiln or smokestacks at our Facility.

Power

The Company is committed to using the local grid which largely uses sustainable sources of power accessible in Oklahoma, including solar, wind power and natural gas.

Byproducts

The main byproducts from the plant are largely salt, which is closely comparable to road salt, calcium, magnesium, among others. These are non-toxic and non-hazardous materials that can be sold, repurposed, or safely disposed of. Our conversion process does not create hazardous materials.

Zero-Liquid Discharge

The Facility will be engineered for a zero-liquid-discharge system that removes the need for wastewater ponds for depleted brine. Liquid byproducts will be purified and recycled for reuse in the Facility or evaporated. This minimizes discharge into the public sewer system or the surrounding ecosystem and conserves water.

Social Aspects

Stardust Power believes that community outreach is important for social engagement to build strong relationships with local communities, be available in providing explanations to local administrative bodies about various aspects of the project in case of queries, address potential concerns regarding potential impact as well as highlight potential benefits of setting up the Facility. This is expected to include providing educational opportunities for local elementary and high school students in the Hillsdale and Muskogee public school districts.

In terms of financing of the refinery project, Stardust Power plans to finance its project cost through a mix of debt, equity as well as grants. Below is a summary of some of the potential financial instruments:

Financing

Equity:

●	On July 8, 2024, the Company consummated the transactions contemplated by the PIPE Subscription Agreements with the PIPE Investors pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to purchase a total of 107,7541 shares of Common Stock in a private placement at a price of $93.5 per share, for an aggregate commitment amount of $10,075,000.

●	On October 7, 2024, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a related Registration Rights Agreement with B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, as the selling stockholder. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company will have the right, in its sole discretion, to sell up to $50,000,000 of newly issued shares of Common Stock to B. Riley Principal Capital II, subject to certain conditions and limitations contained in the Purchase Agreement, from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement. Sales of Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any sales, are solely at the option of the Company. The Company is under no obligation to sell any securities to B. Riley Principal Capital II under the Purchase Agreement.

●	On December 31, 2024, the Company entered into binding term sheets with certain investors pursuant to which the Company has agreed to sell, and the Investors have agreed to purchase, Company securities for an aggregate amount of $550,000 (the “Private Placement”). The proceeds of the Private Placement are expected to be used by the Company for capital expenditures, working capital and general corporate purposes. The Investors have agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to issue and sell, up to $550,000 in shares of Company common stock, par value $0.0001 per share at a price equal to 95% of the closing bid price of the common stock on the last trading day prior to the closing date for the Private Placement. In addition, each Investor will receive warrants representing the right, exercisable within five years of the closing date, to purchase up to 50% of the shares of common stock purchased by such Investor in the Private Placement, with each 10 warrants exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $115.00 (the “Warrants”).

●	On January 27, 2025, the Company consummated a public offering of an aggregate of (i) 479,200 shares of common stock and (ii) common stock purchase warrants to purchase up to 479,200 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock and associated warrant to purchase one share of common stock was sold at a combined public offering price of $12.00. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $5.75 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. Further, on March 16, 2025, pursuant to a Warrant Inducement Letter (the “Inducement Letter”), the investor agreed to exercise, for cash, the Common Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 479,200 shares of common stock at the exercise price of $6.20 per share in exchange for the Company’s agreement to issue to the investor a new common stock purchase warrant, to purchase up to 958,400 shares of common stock (the “Inducement Warrants,” and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Inducement Warrants, the “Inducement Warrant Shares”).

●	On June 18, 2025, the Company consummated a public offering of 2,150,000 shares of Common Stock at a public offering price of $2.00 per share, generating aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $4,300,000 before underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. The offering was conducted pursuant to a firm commitment underwriting agreement entered into with the underwriters, on June 17, 2025. In connection with the offering, the Company granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 322,500 shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. On June 25, 2025, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option, purchasing an additional 110,000 shares at the same public offering price, resulting in additional gross proceeds of approximately $220,000. After giving effect to the partial exercise of the over-allotment option, the aggregate gross proceeds from the offering increased to approximately $4,520,000, before deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses.

Debt:

●	On December 23, 2025, Stardust Power Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Lind Global Asset Management XIII LLC (“Lind”). Under the SPA, upon closing (which occurred on December 23, 2025), the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million in exchange for issuance to Lind of a Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the amount of $4.8 million (the “Note”) and a Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the “Warrant”), for the purchase of approximately 411,245 shares (the “Warrant Shares”). The SPA contains customary representations and warranties by the Company and, additional closings are subject to additional closing conditions detailed in the transaction documents.

●	In December 2024, the Company entered into a binding term sheet (“Term Sheet”) with Endurance Antarctica Partners II, LLC (“Endurance”) a related party, providing for a loan (the “Loan”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,750,000, bearing interest at a rate of 15% per year, and maturing in March 2025 (the “Maturity Date”). The Term Sheet contained customary representations and warranties and customary events of default. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, 550,000 shares of Company’s Common Stock, owned by Roshan Pujari, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, were pledged as collateral. In addition, the Company has agreed to issue to Endurance $3,500,000 in Common Stock as an Equity Kicker, with the price of each share being determined based on terms per the earlier to occur of (i) the consummation of a private placement offering of Company securities (in which case such issuance shall be on no less favorable terms than the terms of such private placement) and (ii) the Maturity/ Repayment Date, provided that the minimum number of shares of Common Stock shall be no less than 50,000 shares. In addition, Endurance will receive warrants representing the right, exercisable within five years of the closing date, up to 50% of Common Stock issued as Equity Kicker, with each 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00 in accordance with the Private Placement terms. The Company has fully repaid the principal amount, the accrued interest and issued the equity shares and warrants to Endurance.

●	In December 2024, the Company entered into binding term sheets (“Term Sheets”) with several lenders including DRE Chicago, LLC, a related party (collectively, the “Lenders”), providing for loans (the “Loans”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,800,000, bearing interest at a rate of 15% per year, and maturing in March 2025 (the “Maturity Date”). The proceeds of the Loans are expected to be used by the Company for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Term Sheets contained customary representations and warranties and customary events of default. Pursuant to the Term Sheets, an aggregate of approximately 340,000 shares of Company’s Common Stock, owned by Roshan Pujari, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, were pledged as collateral. In addition, the Company has agreed to issue to the Lenders an aggregate of $2,700,000 in common stock as an Equity Kicker, with the price of each share being determined based on terms per the earlier to occur of (i) the consummation of a private placement offering of Company securities (in which case such issuance shall be on no less favorable terms than the terms of such private placement) and (ii) the Maturity/ Repayment Date, provided that the minimum number of shares of Common Stock issued to the Lenders shall be no less than an aggregate of 36,000 shares. In addition, the Lenders will receive warrants representing the right, exercisable within five years of the closing date, up to 50% of Common Stock issued as Equity Kicker, with each 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00 in accordance with the Private Placement terms. The Company has fully repaid the principal amount, the accrued interest and issued the equity shares and warrants to the Lenders.

●	We expect a portion of the financing of the lithium refinery to come through debt financing. We have no binding commitments from any person to provide financing at this time, and we are not certain whether the financing will be available to us as needed on acceptable terms, or at all. For more information, please refer to the subsections “Promissory notes”, “Insurance fund borrowing”, and “Short-term loans” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Sources of Liquidity and Going Concern”.

Incentives:

●	Stardust Power has received an illustrative incentives package for up to $257 million of incentives from the State of Oklahoma, subject to meeting milestones, to offset the refinery’s costs, and other conditions. For more information, please refer to “-State Incentives”.

Governmental Incentives and Initiatives

Federal Government Incentives and initiatives

The management team believes that Stardust Power may benefit from substantial grants, financing, and other incentives provided by various government organizations designed to facilitate American manufacturing of battery-grade lithium products. These incentives include but are not limited to the following:

●	Department of Energy Office of Energy Dominance, Energy Dominance Financing Program (EDFP): The EDFP powered by the Working Families Tax Cut is a core pillar to the Administration’s strategy to help win the global AI race by increasing the nation’s energy supply through new eligibility for clean coal and oil and gas power-generated projects, securing critical mineral supply chains, and reinvigorating the nuclear industry. The EDFP can also finance critical materials projects and secure America’s critical minerals supply chain, reflecting the important applications of critical minerals and materials across the energy sector.

●	Department of Defense, Defense Production Act: The Defense Production Act’s Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity Funding Opportunity Announcement FA8650-19-S-5010 is a government initiative aimed at enhancing domestic production capabilities critical to national defense, including critical minerals. It provides financial support to eligible entities to bolster manufacturing of strategic materials, components, and technologies essential for defense applications and those applications deemed to be a national security threat to the United States.

●	Department of Energy Grant: The Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains issued a Notice of Intent to issue up to $500 million to expand U.S. critical mineral and materials processing and derivative battery manufacturing and recycling. The proposed funding opportunity supports demonstration and/or commercial facilities processing, recycling, or utilizing for manufacturing critical materials which may include traditional battery minerals such as lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, aluminum, as well as other minerals that are contained within commercially available batteries, such as rare earth elements. An award requires a cost-share of at least 50% by the recipient.

●	Department of Energy, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program: The CMM Accelerator Program released funding opportunities up to $50 million to promote technology maturation that can unlock capital investments and facilitate domestic commercialization. The proposed funding announcement addresses several areas of interest, including processes in the rare-earth magnet supply chain; processes to refine and alloy gallium, gallium nitride, germanium, and silicon carbide for use in semiconductors; cost-competitive technologies for direct lithium extraction and separation; and critical-material separation technologies that allow for the co-production of useful products from byproducts and scrap.

●	Department of Defense Office of Strategic Capital (“OSC”): Broadly, the OSC will do two things as part of its partnered capital strategy for critical technologies. First, it will identify and prioritize promising critical technology areas for the Department of Defense. Second, it will fund investments in those critical technology areas, including supply chain technologies not always supported through direct procurement. To accomplish this, the OSC will partner with private capital providers and other federal agencies to employ investment vehicles that have proven successful in other United States government contexts.³⁴

³⁴ U.S. Department of Defense. “Secretary of Defense Establishes Office of Strategic Capital.” Available at: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3233377/secretary-of-defense-establishes-office-of-strategic-capital/.

State Incentives

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce provides a robust incentive package including 5% cash rebates on payroll for all new jobs created for 10 years through the Quality Jobs Program, and an Investment Tax Credit (“ITC”). The Facility falls in an Oklahoma Opportunity Zone which is defined as an economically distressed area based on declining population, lower than average per capita income, and higher than average poverty rates. Manufacturers who invest a minimum of $50,000 in depreciable property in Oklahoma Opportunity Zones receive double the investment tax credit equating to 2% of depreciable property invested for 5 years. In addition to the Quality Jobs Program and ITC, the state provides a 5-year property tax exemption and a sales tax exemption on machinery, goods, and electricity used during the manufacturing process. Below is a table setting forth the different state incentives which may be applicable to Stardust Power:

Oklahoma State Incentive Program	Total Potential Amount of State Incentive	Metrics Stardust Power Needs for Applicability
21st Century Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program	$100,332,936 based on $99,562,000 in annual payroll over 10 years	●	Meet an average wage of $120,071

Or		●	Create at least 10 new jobs in Oklahoma in 3 years

		●	Offer basic health insurance

Oklahoma State Incentive Program	Total Potential Amount of State Incentive	Metrics Stardust Power Needs for Applicability
Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program	$50,166,468 based on $99,562,000 in annual payroll over 10 years	●	Meet an average wage of 110% of the average county wage ($54,732 in 2023)

		●	Create $2.5 million in new annual payrolls in Oklahoma in 3 years

		●	Offer basic health insurance

Oklahoma State Incentive Program	Total Potential Amount of State Incentive	Metrics Stardust Power Needs for Applicability
Combined with Investment/New Jobs tax credit	$76,000,000 based on a total investment of $800,000 in depreciable property	●	Minimum investment of $50,000 in Oklahoma

		●	The credit doubles if the investment exceeds $40 million investment or takes place in an enterprise zone (both of which Stardust Power plans to meet)

5-Year Property Tax Exemption	$42,451,539	●	Invest at least $500,000 in construction, acquisition, or expansion; and

		●	Meet an average payroll requirement listed in the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program

Freeport (Inventory) Tax Exemption	$10,166,545	●	Exemption on goods that come from outside the state and leave the state held for assembly, storage, manufacturing, processing, or fabricating moved through the Port Muskogee within 9 months

Sales Tax Exemption on Machinery and Equipment	$18,040,500	●	Includes tangible personal property used in the development of the Facility and the refining

Sales Tax Exemption on Goods and Energy Consumed in Manufacturing	$85,998,588	●	Includes all fuel and electric power used in the development of the Facility and the refining

The Company has engaged the services of industry experts to assist the Company in applying for government grants, such as those in Oklahoma, in an optimal and efficient manner. The Company plans to submit applications for grants under the Department of Defense, Defense Production Act and the Department of Energy Grant for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 40207(b) Battery Materials Processing and 40207(c) Battery Manufacturing Grants as they become available. The Company has been advised with respect to its grant application under the Defense Production Act that such application would be held, but currently there is no such funding available under the program.

Intellectual Property

Stardust Power does not own or license any intellectual property which we consider to be material. The Company has applied for registration of its trademarks, bearing application No. 97927512 for Trademark/Service Mark Application for the United States on May 9, 2023.

As its business grows, the Company may in the future develop or acquire intellectual property that may be valuable or material to the business.

Customers

Since Stardust Power has not commenced production, it has no existing customers. The Company has received non-binding letters of intent from industry participants but does not have any definitive offtake agreements with potential customers.

On January 28, 2025, the Company entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Sumitomo, contemplating a long-term commercial offtake agreement, pursuant to which Sumitomo would agree to acquire 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate per year from the Company’s first line of production, with the potential to increase to 25,000 metric tons based on mutual agreement. The initial contract term would span 10 years starting from the date of the first qualification of the Company’s lithium carbonate for sale to any of Sumitomo’s customers, with an option for Sumitomo to renew for an additional five years under mutually agreed terms, provided written notice is given to the Company at least twelve months prior to the end of the initial term.

Competitive Strengths

As an early stage company, Stardust Power seeks to execute their mission of becoming a leading producer of BGLC, by relying on the collective experience of its management team. The management team expects to execute, explore and evaluate opportunities for generating revenues and increasing their access to supply properties, and assets, as well as all potential funding options. Some opportunities for growth could be in the form of (i) strategic partnerships, (ii) off-take agreements, (iii) diversification of supply, (iv) acquisitions of companies and technologies, and (v) participation in related commercial development activities.

As an early-stage company, Stardust Power’s material decisions executed by its management are central to the development of the Company’s long-term goals and success. Additionally, as a pre-revenue company, Stardust Power’s access to financing and ability to obtain financing would be central to its success. The Company notes that it has not yet commenced operations at the refinery and, accordingly, it has not yet produced any lithium products.

The Company intends to build its competitive strengths and continue to develop and execute its strategy in the following manner:

●	Experienced management team: the team has decades of technical expertise and experience across global mining consulting firms, and manufacturers, specializing in lithium-ion technology for electric vehicles, hydrocarbon energy company, as well as successful capital raising and running profitable ventures, across multiple geographies;

●	Refinery optimized for multiple inputs: the process of creating a matrix of multiple sources of feedstock and processing in the refinery reduces risk and costs, and is an important and significant industry differentiator;

●	Speed to market: optimized refining process, locational advantage, and subsequently, a vertically an integrated structure is expected to hasten time to market and ability to generate revenue faster;

●	Use of brine feedstock: use of brine feedstock will provide alternative sources to mined lithium deposits, for the production of BGLC for domestic market use, and hence potentially have independence from importing raw material, which would have a favorable impact on lowering cost and faster time to market;

●	Limited technology risk: use of existing and proven technologies and partnerships with global experts for mid-stream operations in refinery operations, which is expected to minimize technical risks in the value chain, resulting in reduced uncertainties and cost controls, and reduce risks of the emerging DLE technology by partnering with players who have contributed to the advancement of DLE projects; and

●	American manufacturing: ability to manufacture and contribute to lithium sourcing and manufacturing independence for domestic consumption in the United States market, leading to job creation, particularly in economically depressed regions, once in production.

Competition and Market Barriers

Competition

Lithium currently has many end uses, including ceramics and glass, batteries, greases, air treatment and pharmaceuticals. However, it is the battery industry that is expected to predominantly drive future demand growth for lithium. This is expected to come from several areas: (i) the continued growth of small format batteries for cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and hand-held power tools, (ii) the transportation industry’s electrification of automobiles, buses, delivery vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and boats using lithium-ion battery technology, and (iii) large format batteries for utility grid-scale storage.

A small number of companies dominate the production and refining of end-use lithium products such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide and are often situated in China, such as Tianqi Lithium. These companies have an established presence, higher degree of financial resources, existing strategic partnerships, and existing experienced workforces. Stardust Power will compete with these companies on attracting human capital, securing supply of feedstock, and in selling its products. Accordingly, the price of Stardust Power’s planned products may be affected by factors beyond our control, including fluctuations in the market prices for lithium, supplies of lithium, demand for lithium, and mining activities of our competitors.

Government Regulations

Development activities for our Facility are subject to extensive laws and regulations, which are overseen and enforced by federal, state, and local authorities. These applicable laws govern development, construction, production, various taxes, labor standards, occupational health and safety, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, and other matters. Various permits from government authorities will be required for construction and manufacturing operations, and we cannot be assured such permits will be received. Environmental, health and safety laws and regulations may also, among other things:

●	require notice to stakeholders of proposed and ongoing exploration, drilling, environmental studies, mining, or production activities;

●	require the installation of pollution control equipment;

●	restrict the types, quantities and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with, lithium manufacturing, or other production activities;

●	limit or prohibit drilling, mining, lithium manufacturing or other production activities on lands located within wetlands, areas inhabited by endangered species and other protected areas, or otherwise restrict or prohibit activities that could impact the environment, including water resources; or

●	require preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.

Compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations may impose substantial costs on us, subject us to significant potential liabilities, and have an adverse effect on our capital expenditures, results of operations, or competitive position. Violations and liabilities with respect to these laws and regulations could result in significant administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, remedial clean-ups, natural resource damages, permit modifications and/or revocations, operational interruptions and/or shutdowns, and other liabilities, as well as reputational harm, including damage to our relationships with customers, suppliers, investors, governments or other stakeholders. The costs of remedying such conditions may be significant, and remediation obligations could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Federal, state, and local legislative authorities frequently revise environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and any changes in these regulations, or the interpretations thereof, could require us to expend significant resources to comply with new laws or regulations or changes to current requirements and could have a material adverse impact on our business operations.

Permits

Certain federal, state, and local permits are required for the project. State permitting focuses on air emissions, wastewater, and stormwater permits. Federal permitting focuses on possible cultural, biological, and natural resources and threatened/endangered species impacts. The key permitting agency for the project at the state level is the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (the “DEQ”). Stardust Power has received from the DEQ the general permit for stormwater discharges from Construction Activities, approval of its stormwater pollution prevention plan and air quality construction permit (“Air Permit”). Under current design plans, Stardust Power does not require a waste water permit for the facility since no waste water will be discharged.

Environmental, Social and Governance

We believe lithium will continue to play an important role in the transition to a lower carbon future and the fight against climate change. Likewise, we believe that meeting the growing demand for lithium compounds must be balanced with considerations for responsible refining across the spectrum of ESG issues and concerns. Our core values reflect this commitment to sustainability. We believe that operating in a safe, ethical, socially conscious and sustainable manner is important for our business.

As such, we intend to continue to integrate ESG and sustainability considerations into our business, operations and investment decisions.

Environmental

Brines: Focusing on brines, which have a smaller carbon footprint than open pit mining hard rock sources provides for a smaller environmental impact.

Sustainable Power: We intend to source the energy to power our refinery from sustainable sources of power, including solar and wind power available from the state of Oklahoma.

ZLD technology: We are engineering our Facility based on ZLD technologies which do not produce liquid discharge as a result of our conversion process.

Social

As Stardust Power recruits employees for its projects, we intend to focus hiring efforts on hiring workers from local communities near our project areas.

Governance

Stardust Power is committed to transparency, and corporate governance best-practices, and has the following corporate governance policies and guidelines in place:

	●	Privacy Policy;
	●	Open Reporting Policy (Whistleblower Policy);
	●	Code of Conduct and Cyber Security Agreement;
	●	Supplier Code of Conduct;
	●	Vendor Risk Assessment Program;
	●	Cybersecurity Policy;
	●	Community Benefits Plan;
	●	Clawback Policy;
	●	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics;
	●	Compliance Reporting Policy;
	●	Corporate Governance Guidelines;
	●	Insider Trading Policy;
	●	Regulation FD Policy; and
	●	Related Party Transactions Policy.

Legal Proceedings

We are subject to certain routine legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as demands and claims that arise in the normal course of our businfess. The ultimate outcome of any litigation is often uncertain and unfavorable outcomes could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. We make a provision for a liability relating to legal matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These provisions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impact of negotiations, estimated settlements, legal rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter.

On July 7, 2025, a complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, captioned H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC v. Stardust Power, Inc., Case No: 654037/2025. The complaint names the Company as defendant, alleging, among other things, that the Company breached an engagement agreement with the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, payment of all purported unpaid sums due under such engagement agreement. On September 19, 2025, the Company filed its answer in response to the complaint, in which it denied all liability and asserted several affirmative defenses. The Company plans to vigorously defend against the lawsuit and the action will proceed next to the discovery stage and for further proceedings.

Websites

The Company maintains one active website, www.stardust-power.com, which serves as its corporate website and contains information about the Company and its business. The information included on Stardust Power’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or in any other report or document filed with the SEC, and any reference to such website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

Corporate Information

Stardust Power Inc. is a Delaware “C” corporation. Our registered office is located at 251 Little Falls Dr, Wilmington, DE 19808, and our corporate mailing address is 15 E. Putnam Ave, Suite 378, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Our mailing address for our Oklahoma office is at 6608 N. Western Ave Suite 466, Nichols Hills OK, 73116.

Our telephone number is (800) 742-3095. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. The registered office of our subsidiary is located at 251 Little Falls Dr, Wilmington, DE 19808.

We have an office in Oklahoma, which is located at 9112 N. Kelley Ave, Suite C, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73131, covering 1,493 square feet, which has been assigned to the Company by VIKASA Capital Partners LLC (“VCP”), an affiliate of the Company, on March 16, 2023. The lease for the same is on a short-term basis.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” should be read in conjunction with the “Business” section and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine ended September 30, 2025, and 2024, our financial statements as of the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, and other information included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this prospectus. Additionally, our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”, “Stardust” or “Stardust Power” refer to Stardust Power Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries at or after the consummation of the business combination (the “Business Combination”). Terms otherwise not defined herein, have the meaning given to such terms in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain Defined Terms” beginning on page iii thereof, and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference.

Company Overview and History

On December 5, 2022, Stardust Power LLC was organized as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware. On March 16, 2023, Stardust Power Operating Inc. (f/k/a Stardust Power Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, “Legacy Stardust Power”) was organized as a corporation in the State of Delaware with operations commencing on March 16, 2023. The ownership interests of Stardust Power LLC were subsequently transferred to Stardust Power Inc. On July 8, 2024, former Stardust Power Inc. was renamed Stardust Power Operating Inc.

Stardust Power is a U.S.-based development stage battery grade lithium manufacturer designed to foster clean energy independence for America. The Company is in the process of creating capacity to manufacture battery grade lithium carbonate for the electric vehicle (“EV”) and Energy Storage Systems (“ESS”) markets, by developing a large-scale lithium refinery in the United States. Stardust Power seeks to become a sustainable, cost-effective supplier of battery grade lithium carbonate, by its innovative approach in the development of a large central refinery optimized for multiple inputs of lithium brine inputs (the “Facility”) in Oklahoma.

Stardust Power intends to source lithium chloride feedstock from various suppliers and may make investments upstream to secure additional feedstock. We seek to sell our products to EV manufacturers as our primary market, with potential applications in other areas such as battery manufacturers, the U.S. military, and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

Some of the key driving factors are the demand for battery grade lithium products, fueled largely by the demand and production of electric vehicles and automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers seeking domestic supply options, leading to demand for minerals used in battery cells, such as lithium, governmental incentives for American manufacturing and evolving geopolitical climate that is creating a national security priority for the U.S. market.

In February 2023, Stardust Power LLC received an illustrative incentive analysis for up to $257 million in performance-based incentives from the State of Oklahoma and potential federal incentives, which also contained potential for further eligible federal grants. The state incentives were based on initial job creation, equipment procurement, training and recruitment incentives, property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions, and capital expenditure projections submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in the first quarter of 2023 and could be subject to changes as the Company would progress in setting up the Facility and commercial production of battery grade lithium in the future. These incentives may change based on the actual financial metrics of the Company in the future, which may be lower or higher.

Stardust Power believes that it is well poised to address these opportunities by emerging as a leading, fully integrated domestic lithium supplier, and contribute to restoring American energy independence, thereby bridging the gap in the domestic supply of battery grade lithium products.

Recent Developments

Recent financing activity

On December 31, 2024, the Company entered into binding term sheets with certain investors to issue up to $550,000 in shares of Common Stock at a price equal to 95% of the closing bid price of the Common Stock on the last trading day prior to the closing date for the Private Placement. In addition, each Investor will receive warrants representing the right, exercisable within five years of the closing date, to purchase up to 50% of the shares of Common Stock purchased by such Investor in the Private Placement, with each 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00. On April 24, 2025, the Company issued 12,850 shares of Common Stock and 64,251 Warrants to the investors.

On January 27, 2025, the Company consummated a public offering of 479,200 shares of Common Stock and accompanying warrants to purchase up to 479,200 shares of Common Stock at a public offering price of $12.00 per share and warrant with an exercise price of $13.00 generating aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $5,750,400 before offering expenses.

On March 16, 2025, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “Inducement Letter”) with a warrant holder (the “Exercising Holder”) providing for the immediate cash exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase 479,200 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a reduced exercise price of $6.20 per share, generating aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2,971,040 before related expenses. In connection with such exercise, the Company issued new common stock purchase warrants (the “Inducement Warrants”) to purchase up to 958,400 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.00 per share, subject to shareholder approval and Nasdaq rules.

On June 18, 2025, the Company consummated a public offering of 2,150,000 shares of Common Stock at a public offering price of $2.00 per share, generating aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $4,300,000 before offering expenses. On June 25, 2025, the Company consummated the partial exercise of over allotment of the public offering, of 110,000 shares of Common Stock at a public offering price of $2.00 per share, generating additional aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $220,000 before offering expenses

On October 30, 2025, the Company entered into a Warrant Exchange Agreement with the Investor. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Investor agreed to irrevocably exchange all of its warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, originally issued on March 16, 2025, representing the right to purchase an aggregate of 958,400 shares of Common Stock, for newly issued shares of common stock at an exchange ratio of 1.31 Warrant Shares for 1 share of Common Stock, resulting in the issuance to the Investor of 730,689 shares of Common Stock at closing.

On December 23, 2025, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Lind Global Asset Management XIII LLC (“Lind”). Upon simultaneous closing, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million in exchange for issuance to Lind of a Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the amount of $4.8 million and a Common Stock Purchase Warrant, for the purchase of approximately 411,245 shares.

Recent Supply agreements

On October 20, 2025, the Company entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Prairie Lithium Limited (“Prairie”), an Australia-based company, for the supply of 6,000 metric tons per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent in the form of lithium chloride. The initial contract term would span 6 years starting from the date on which first commercial shipment is received by the Company, with the option for the Company to renew for two additional six-year terms.

Engineering Agreement

On August 4, 2024, the Company entered into an engineering agreement (the “Primero Agreement”) with Primero USA, Inc. (“Primero”) pursuant to which Primero agreed to provide certain engineering, design and consultancy professional services, including to assist in procurement of major equipment, engage relevant third parties for construction and provide a Front End Loading-3 (“FEL-3”) report of the Company’s Lithium Facility at Southside Industrial Park in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The total amount due pursuant to the Primero Agreement, assuming full performance, is approximately $4.7 million, in the aggregate, subject to customary potential adjustments.

In August 2025, the Company announced the successful completion of the FEL-3 report. The report delivered an advanced design with key optimizations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen overall project economics. According to the FEL-3 report, Phase 1 is planned at 25,000 metric tons per annum (mtpa) of battery-grade lithium, with estimated capital expenditures of approximately $500 million, at a 90% probability of achievement. This figure includes owner’s cost, contingency, and escalation. Construction is expected to take approximately 24 months from the start of major work to mechanical completion.

Investment in IRIS Metals Limited

In December 2024 Stardust Power subscribed to and purchased 10,000,000 ordinary shares (approximately 6% of the total equity) of IRIS Metals Limited (“IRIS Metals”), an Australian limited company whose ordinary shares are listed on the Australian securities exchange (“ASX”) for $1,600,000. This investment in the ordinary shares if IRIS Metals allows the Company to explore strategic partnership with, or investment in, IRIS Metals, including without limitation, a commercial off take arrangement for battery grade lithium production, financing or other investments in IRIS Metals or its affiliates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, management determined that a strategic investment in IRIS Metals was no longer viable. As a result, the Company sold all its investment in IRIS Metals for total proceeds of $570,255. The Company recognized a loss on sale of investments of $84,626 and $179,805 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively. The carrying amount of the shares sold was $750,060. Following the sale, the Company no longer holds any investment in IRIS Metals as of September 30, 2025.

Offtake and licensing agreements

On January 28, 2025, the Company entered into a non-binding letter agreement with Sumitomo Corporations of America (“Sumitomo”), contemplating a long-term commercial offtake agreement, pursuant to which Sumitomo would agree to acquire 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate per year from the Company’s first line of production, with the potential to increase to 25,000 metric tons based on mutual agreement. The initial contract term would span 10 years starting from the date of the first qualification of the Company’s lithium carbonate for sale to any of Sumitomo’s customers, with an option for Sumitomo to renew for an additional five years under mutually agreed terms, provided written notice is given to the Company at least twelve months prior to the end of the initial term.

On February 7, 2025 (the “Effective Date”), the Company executed an exclusive license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with KMX. Under the terms of the License Agreement, KMX agreed to irrevocably license to the Company the use of KMX’s VMD Technology and associated processes and systems (including the KMX VMD Units) for the purpose of the Company’s use of the technology in its refining and upstream operations. Among other obligations set forth in the License Agreement, the Company shall be required to exclusively purchase all KMX VMD Units from KMX during the term of the License Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth therein. The License Agreement grants the Company the exclusive right to sub license, use, market, sell and operate KMX’s VMD Technology across the United States, Canada and select international markets. The Company agreed to pay KMX a royalty comprised of 50,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Royalty Shares”). The securities are being offered and sold by the Company pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as a transaction not involving a public offering. As on the Effective Date of the License Agreement, the Company received the contractual right to access and purchase KMX VMD Units. On April 24, 2025 the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock to KMX, with a corresponding debit recorded as other long-term asset, until the license meets the recognition criteria for an intangible asset.

Short-term loans

In December 2024, the Company entered into a binding term sheet (“Term Sheet”) with Endurance Antarctica Partners II, LLC (“Endurance”) a related party, providing for a loan (the “Loan”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,750,000, bearing interest at a rate of 15% per year, and maturing in March 2025 (the “Maturity Date”). The Term Sheet contained customary representations and warranties and customary events of default. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, 550,000 shares of Company’s Common Stock, owned by Roshan Pujari, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, were pledged as collateral. In addition, the Company has agreed to issue to Endurance $3,500,000 in Common Stock as an Equity Kicker, with the price of each share being determined based on terms per the earlier to occur of (i) the consummation of a private placement offering of Company securities (in which case such issuance shall be on no less favorable terms than the terms of such private placement) and (ii) the Maturity/ Repayment Date, provided that the minimum number of shares of Common Stock shall be no less than 50,000 shares. In addition, Endurance will receive warrants representing the right, exercisable within five years of the closing date, up to 50% of Common Stock issued as Equity Kicker, with each 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00 in accordance with the Private Placement terms. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company has fully repaid the principal amount, the accrued interest and issued the equity shares and warrants to Endurance.

In December 2024, the Company entered into binding term sheets (“Term Sheets”) with several lenders including DRE Chicago, LLC, a related party (collectively, the “Lenders”), providing for loans (the “Loans”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1,800,000, bearing interest at a rate of 15% per year, and maturing in March 2025 (the “Maturity Date”). The proceeds of the Loans are expected to be used by the Company for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Term Sheets contained customary representations and warranties and customary events of default. Pursuant to the Term Sheets, an aggregate of approximately 340,000 shares of Company’s Common Stock, owned by Roshan Pujari, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, were pledged as collateral. In addition, the Company has agreed to issue to the Lenders an aggregate of $2,700,000 in common stock as an Equity Kicker, with the price of each share being determined based on terms per the earlier to occur of (i) the consummation of a private placement offering of Company securities (in which case such issuance shall be on no less favorable terms than the terms of such private placement) and (ii) the Maturity/ Repayment Date, provided that the minimum number of shares of Common Stock issued to the Lenders shall be no less than an aggregate of 36,000 shares. In addition, the Lenders will receive warrants representing the right, exercisable within five years of the closing date, up to 50% of Common Stock issued as Equity Kicker, with each 10 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $115.00 in accordance with the Private Placement terms. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company has fully repaid the principal amount, the accrued interest and issued the equity shares and warrants to the Lenders.

Notices from Nasdaq

On March 18, 2025, the Company received a notice (the “MVPHS Notice”) from the Nasdaq that the Company was not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(C), as the Company’s market value of publicly held shares closed below $15,000,000 for the previous 30 consecutive business days. On September 26, 2025, the Company received notice from Nasdaq that the Company has regained compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(C).

On March 19, 2025, the Company received a subsequent notice (the “Minimum Bid Price Notice”) from the Nasdaq that the Company was not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1), as the minimum bid price of the Company’s Common Stock closed below $1.00 per share for the previous 30 consecutive business days. On September 26, 2025, the Company received notice from Nasdaq that the Company has regained compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).

On April 3, 2025, the Company received a subsequent notice (the “MVLS Notice”) from the Nasdaq that the Company was not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A), as the market value of the Company’s listed securities fell under $50 million for the previous 30 consecutive business days. On October 1, 2025, the Company received a delisting notice from the Nasdaq due to failure to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A). On October 8, 2025, the Company requested a hearing before a Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) to appeal the delisting determination. Subsequently, pursuant to an application made by the Company to transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market and based on market value of Company listed securities being above $35 million for a sustained period of time, on October 27, 2025, the Company received notice from the Nasdaq that the application for the transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market has been approved and consequently the above mentioned non-compliance has been cured.

Reverse Stock Split

On September 3, 2025, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate a 1-for-10 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company’s stockholders previously approved the Reverse Stock Split at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on June 9, 2025 and granted the board of directors the authority to determine the exact split ratio and when to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split became effective on September 8, 2025, and the Common Stock begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on a Reverse Stock Split-adjusted basis on September 8, 2025 at market open. The Reverse Stock Split did not decrease the number of authorized shares of Common Stock and preferred stock or otherwise affect the par value of the Common Stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split and any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split were rounded down to the nearest whole share. Stockholders who were otherwise entitled to receive fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split were paid cash in lieu thereof. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, shares of Common Stock, outstanding warrants, stock options, and restricted stock units were proportionately decreased (and the respective per share value and exercise prices, if applicable, were proportionately increased) (see Note 2, Basis of Presentation and summary of significant accounting policies in the notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus).

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

We believe that our performance and future success depend on a number of factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including competition from other lithium carbonate producers, changes to existing federal and state level incentive framework, changes in regulations, and other factors discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and this prospectus. We believe the factors described below are key to our success.

Commencing Commercial Operations

The Company is a development stage company, and has purchased the site in Southside Industrial Park, Muskogee, Oklahoma. We have completed a number of required site assessments and technical studies, including the critical issue analysis, Phase I ESA, geotechnical study, FEL-1 study and FEL-3 study. Additional studies may be required as the project progresses.

The project required evaluation for certain federal, state, and local permits. State permitting focuses on air emissions, wastewater, and stormwater permits. Federal permitting focuses on possible cultural, biological, and natural resources and threatened/endangered species impacts. The Company has submitted the required air emissions permit application to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and received notification that such permit is declared administratively complete and is now under technical review. The Company does not require a wastewater permit for the facility since no wastewater will be discharged and has received its stormwater permit during the year.

Stardust Power is developing a large central refinery in a phased approach. The first phase is the construction of a production line with up to 25,000 metric tons per annum (“tpa”). The second phase is to add a second production line with up to 25,000 tpa, to create a total capacity of up to 50,000 tpa.

A technological innovation of Stardust Power’s planned refinery is the ability for the Facility to refine different sources of lithium chloride inputs derived from lithium brines. The Facility is being designed to accept lithium chloride, of a certain approved chemical composition. It is Stardust Power’s intention that the Facility will be able to dilute and pre-treat feedstock as necessary, to ensure that various lithium feedstock can be blended, in order to produce a consistent feedstock. Stardust Power’s strategy is to differentiate itself by screening for a broader set of contaminants, in comparison to other lithium refineries.

Partnership Ecosystem

Our success will depend on whether we can execute and expand our ecosystem of commercial arrangements with additional suppliers of brine and executing agreements with them at favorable terms. The availability of lithium chloride for the purpose of extracting lithium is still in a nascent stage and we would require access to multiple sources as we start commercial production and grow our business. Our management team frequently evaluates current and future sources of supplies for reliability of supply and geographic locations for logistics and cost efficiency. We would also have to maintain technology arrangements with existing strategic affiliations on whose patented and proprietary processes we depend on, as well as forge new technology affiliations as exploration, extraction and purification processes evolve, to obtain raw materials required to manufacture high-quality lithium suitable for consumption by the EV industry, and other potential usages. These affiliations will enable us to refine and sell battery grade lithium at competitive prices, which in turn helps secure the growth and profitability of our business operations in the long term.

Adequate Capital Raise

The success of our refinery’s activities relating to producing battery grade lithium from lithium chloride and the success of our ability to obtain relevant permits in a timely manner require significant capital investment and financing to fund the initial investment in all aspects of setting up the operations, and may subsequently be impacted by our operating losses, competition from substitute products and services from larger companies, protection of proprietary technology of our strategic partners, and dependence on key individuals.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that the Company is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not earned any revenue and has been operating at a loss since inception. The Company has an accumulated deficit and stockholders’ deficit. We believe that the cash on hand and additional investments available through issuance of new Common Stock will be inadequate to satisfy the Company’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. As a development stage company, Stardust Power needs to raise additional capital to realize its business objectives. Our long-term success and ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to successfully raise additional capital or financing, or successfully enter into strategic partnerships. Until commercial production is achieved from our planned operations, we will continue to incur operating and investing net cash outflows associated with, among other things, maintaining and acquiring exploration properties and undertaking ongoing exploration activities.

Limited Operating History

We have a limited operating history and there is limited historical financial information upon which to base an evaluation of our performance. Our business and financial condition must be considered in light of the uncertainties, risks, expenses, and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stages of operation.

Key Business Metrics, Non-GAAP Measure

Since we have yet to start the construction of our Facility and associated commercial production, we do not have financial information on key business metrics. However, based on our experience and industry knowledge, we expect the following would be key business metrics:

●	*Raw Material Cost/ton*: This includes the input cost of lithium chloride for the plant. As this may be obtained from various sources, the weighted average cost will be calculated to arrive at the raw material cost per ton and reflects the Company’s ability to procure high-quality raw materials at an appropriate price. The weighted average method also helps in calculating the gross margin on a per-ton basis. The technology implemented and the efficiency of the operations are also reflected on the gross margin per ton.

●	*Selling Price/ton*: This multiple is driven by the demand and supply of the lithium price as well as the efficient operations of the plant. The computation of the selling price may be based on the output sold per long-term contract, which is expected to have a floor and a cap, as well as the spot price on the date of placing a purchase order by the customer, with the Company and the customer sharing the difference between the floor and spot price.

●	*Capex/ton*: This reflects the Capex incurred on a per-ton basis. It includes both direct and indirect costs. It also has contingency costs built in for any impact on Capex, to account for unforeseen events. The key is to optimize plant efficiency in long-term operations with the appropriate technology and set-up.

●	*Opex/ton*: This includes the ongoing expenses incurred from the day-to-day running of the operations. It helps in measuring how much profit a company makes on a dollar of sales after paying for variable costs of production, such as wages and raw materials, but before paying interest or tax. The lower multiple reflects the efficient functioning of the management.

●	*Capacity Utilization*: This measures how much output a plant is producing, compared to its maximum potential output, which is dependent on two key factors: (a) design capacity, which impacts the operational efficiency of the plant, and (b) the plant’s downtime for its maintenance. Timely maintenance is also the key to running any efficient operations.

Further, since we are yet to generate revenue, non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA and EBITDA margins, cannot be captured currently, but will be stated once we have commenced commercial production and selling of battery grade lithium to our intended customers.

Business and Macroeconomic Conditions

Our business and financial condition has been, and we believe will continue to be, impacted by adverse and uncertain macroeconomic conditions and events, including higher inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain and logistics challenges, banking crises, and fluctuations or volatility in capital markets.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We have not generated any revenue to date. We expect to generate a significant portion of our future revenue from the sale of battery grade lithium primarily to the EV market. We expect that we will enter into long-term contracts (typically 10 years), driven by industry dynamics of the EV industry, with a pricing structure at cap and ceiling, and sharing of variable price between customers and the Company.

Cost of Goods Sold

We have not sourced any raw material to date. We expect to source brine from lithium producing suppliers including the oil and gas industry as a byproduct of their exploration and extraction processes. We are in the process of negotiating with multiple suppliers for brine feedstock, including producers from the oil and gas industry. The length, tenure and pricing of these contracts will depend largely on the type of supply and is expected to vary from supplier to supplier.

Expenses

General and administrative

General and administrative expense consists of costs to maintain our daily operations and administer the business that are not directly attributable to generating revenue or cost of goods or raw material. These consist primarily of consulting services (including advisory services for organization setup and administrative related services from contractors, consultants), professional services such as accounting advisory, statutory auditor fees, technical consultants, and business consulting, as well as personnel related expenses (including stock based compensation), legal and book-keeping services, insurance expenses (including director and officer’s insurance), investor relations activities and marketing expenses. We expect our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars over time as we continue to invest in initially setting up our Facility, hire additional employees, and subsequently invest in the growth of our business and incur costs associated with being a publicly traded company with respect to compliance with the regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Other Income (Expenses)

Interest income

Interest income is comprised of interest earned on promissory notes. During the year 2024, the Company issued promissory notes of $176,000 and $316,000 to IGX Minerals LLC and IG Lithium LLC respectively. These notes carry an interest rate of 6% with maturity date of February 28, 2025, and July 1, 2025, respectively. The Company is actively negotiating the terms for repayment of the promissory note issued and is evaluating multiple options including a possible strategic investment.

Interest expense

Interest expense is comprised of interest payable on the insurance funding loans and short-term loans.

The Company entered into a financing agreement of $407,500 for the purchase of an insurance policy with AFCO Insurance Premium Finance in August 2025. The Company made a downpayment of $70,256, which was applied to the loan amount at the time of the loan agreement. The debt is payable in monthly instalments of $35,125 each for 10 months. Payments include a stated interest rate of 7.5% and are secured against a lien on the insurance policy.

The Company entered into a financing agreement of $510,000 for the purchase of a director and officer’s insurance policy with AFCO Insurance Premium Finance in 2024. The Company made a downpayment of $44,162, which was applied to the loan amount at the time of the loan agreement. The debt is payable in monthly instalments of $44,162 per month for 11 months. Payments include a stated interest rate of 8.46% and are secured against a lien on the insurance policy.

The Company issued a Term Sheet to Endurance in the aggregate principal amount of $1,750,000, bearing interest at a rate of 15% per year, and maturing in March 2025.

The Company issued Term Sheets to several lenders, providing for loans in the aggregate principal amount of $1,800,000, bearing interest at a rate of 15% per year, and maturing in March 2025.

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 included interest on a Legacy Stardust Power financing agreement of $80,800 for the purchase of an insurance policy with First Insurance Funding. Payments include a stated interest rate of 8.25% and are secured against a lien on the insurance policy. The debt was fully paid off as of September 30, 2025.

Finance charges

Finance charges includes the change in fair value of the Company’s make-whole provision related to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement determined based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the costs incurred on sale of common stock pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.

Change in fair value of investment in equity securities

Change in fair value of investment in equity securities relates to movements in fair value of investment in equity securities of strategic investments such as the investment in QXR and IRIS Metals, that need to be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for each reporting period, based on readily available quoted prices for such investment.

Change in fair value of SAFE notes and convertible notes

Change in fair value of SAFE notes and convertible notes relates to movements in fair value of SAFE notes and convertible notes that have been classified as liability instruments in the financial statements, which need to be recorded in the statement of operations for each reporting period, based on third party valuations carried out at period end. Upon consummation of the Business Combination on July 8, 2024, the SAFE notes and convertible notes were converted into common stock of the Company and hence the balance is $Nil in the unaudited condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024.

Change in fair value of sponsor earnout shares

Change in fair value of sponsor earnout shares relates to movements in fair value of earnout shares issued to the Sponsor which have been classified as liability instruments in the financial statements, that need to be recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for each reporting period, based on third party valuations carried out at period end.

Change in fair value of warrant liability

Change in fair value of warrant liability relates to movements in fair value of Public Warrants and Private Warrants which have been classified as liability instruments in the financial statements, that need to be recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for each reporting period, based on fair value at period end.

Provision for income taxes

We are constituted as a Delaware corporation and are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes based on enacted rates, as adjusted for allowable credits, deductions, uncertain tax positions, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax law.

Loss on sale of investments in equity securities

Loss on sale of investment in equity securities relates to realized loss on sale of investment in equity securities of IRIS Metals. The sale was made in response to evolving market conditions and liquidity needs.

Loss on write off promissory notes and deposit

Loss on write off promissory notes and deposit relates to write-off of a promissory note and deposit made in connection with a previously contemplated strategic partnership with IGX and Usha Resources. The likelihood of entering into definitive agreements with them had diminished significantly during the quarter and based on an updated assessment these amounts were deemed uncollectible.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our unaudited condensed statements of operations information for the period indicated:

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2025			September 30, 2024			Changes			September 30, 2025			September 30, 2024			Changes
Revenue		-			-			-			-			-			-

General and administrative expenses		3,825,671			8,980,965			(5,155,294	)		12,610,666			11,483,389			1,127,277
Operating Loss		(3,825,671	)		(8,980,965	)		5,155,294			(12,610,666	)		(11,483,389	)		(1,127,277	)
Other income (expenses)																	-
Interest income		4			3,397			(3,393	)		12,014			3,397			8,617
Interest expense		(11,290	)		(8,558	)		(2,732	)		(177,222	)		(10,637	)		(166,585	)
Finance charge		(54,752	)		-			(54,752	)		(273,871	)		-			(273,871	)
Change in fair value of earnout shares		-			1,636,100			(1,636,100	)		528,000			1,636,100			(1,108,100	)
Change in fair value of warrant liability		(511,109	)		(2,753,964	)		2,242,855			1,660,583			(2,753,964	)		4,414,547
Change in fair value of investment in equity securities		27,680			11,678			16,002			(700,454	)		(150,994	)		(549,460	)
Change in fair value of convertible equity		-			-			-			-			(471,400	)		471,400
Change in fair value of SAFE notes		-			-			-			-			(955,000	)		955,000
Loss on write off of promissory note and deposit		-			-			-			(232,481	)		-			(232,481	)
Loss on sale of investment un equity securities		(84,626	)		-			(84,626	)		(179,805	)		-			(179,805	)
Total other expenses		(634,093	)		(1,111,347	)		477,254			636,764			(2,702,498	)		3,339,262

Net Loss		(4,459,764	)		(10,092,312	)		5,632,548			(11,973,902	)		(14,185,887	)		2,211,985

Revenues

We have not earned any revenue since inception.

Cost of Goods Sold

We did not manufacture any products, and hence did not incur any direct costs related to production or carrying inventory, since inception.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily attributable to fees for professional and consulting fees, mainly comprising marketing advisory services and other consulting, legal services and advisory services with respect to the Company’s organization, fees for strategic investments evaluation and employee related compensation expenses representing base salary, benefits and stock based compensation expense. The details of these expenses are as follows:

	Three months ended							Nine months ended
	September 30, 2025		September 30, 2024		Changes			September 30, 2025		September 30, 2024		Changes
Payroll and related taxes		2,938,743		6,654,718		(3,715,975	)		9,702,403		7,727,767		1,974,636
Professional and consulting fees		366,559		1,393,753		(1,027,194	)		704,116		2,238,744		(1,534,628	)
Legal fees		222,953		384,270		(161,317	)		702,615		581,835		120,780
Insurance		122,721		166,724		(44,003	)		414,177		220,713		193,464
Other		174,695		381,500		(206,805	)		1,087,355		714,330		373,025
Total		3,825,671		8,980,965		(5,155,294	)		12,610,666		11,483,389		1,127,277

For the three months ended September 30, 2025, general and administrative expenses decreased compared to the three months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower employee-related costs, including a reduction in stock-based compensation expense. The prior year was higher due to catch up stock-based compensation expense recognized related to the consummation of the business combination. In addition, professional and consulting fees, as well as other administrative expenses, were lower in the current period compared to the prior year due to incremental costs incurred in connection with the business combination.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, general and administrative expenses increased compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by higher employee-related costs due to additional headcount, as well as increased legal, insurance, and other administrative expenses associated with the Company’s expanded operations. These increases were partially offset by lower professional and consulting fees, primarily reflecting a reduction in stock-based compensation expense for consultant due to forfeitures during the period.

Other Income (Expenses)

Interest income

For the three months ended September 30, 2025, interest income decreased by $3,393, compared to the prior year, primarily driven by interest earned on promissory notes issued during August 2024 which matured on July 1, 2025.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, interest income increased by $8,617, compared to prior year primarily attributable to interest earned in the current year for promissory notes issued during August 2024.

Interest expense

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, interest expenses increased by $2,732 and $166,585 respectively, compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to interest expense incurred on the financing agreement related to directors and officers and other insurance policies and finance agreements for short-term loans with various lenders during December 2024.

Finance charges

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, finance charges increased by $54,752 and $273,871, respectively, primarily due to the change in fair value of the Company’s make-whole provision related to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement. The Company did not have any such expense in the prior year.

Change in fair value of investment in equity securities

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, the fair value of investment in equity securities increased by $16,002 and decreased by $549,460, compared to the prior year, respectively, primarily due to fluctuations in the fair value of investments in QXR and IRIS Metals, based on readily available quoted market prices for these investments.

Change in fair value of SAFE notes

Stardust Power Inc. S-1