Nati Harpaz appointed CEO of Dotz Nano
Former Catch CEO Nati Harpaz will lead Dotz Nano as it moves towards commercial deployment.
An Israeli-founded nanotechnology company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange has appointed a new chief executive as it moves closer to commercial deployment of a carbon capture technology it says could help heavy industry reduce emissions at scale.
Dotz Nano Limited named Nati Harpaz as CEO effective June 1, with outgoing CEO Sharon Malka transitioning to the board as a non-executive director after three years leading the company.
Harpaz is best known in Australia as the former CEO of online retailer Catch, which he led for four years before its sale to Wesfarmers. He has since invested in a number of technology start-ups and is himself an existing Dotz shareholder who participated in a $3.3 million placement the company completed alongside the leadership announcement.
The appointment comes as Dotz advances what it calls its DotzEarth platform – a nanomaterial-based sorbent technology engineered for direct air capture and point-source CO₂ mitigation.
The company says the material can make carbon capture economically viable for industrial operators, a longstanding barrier to broader adoption of the technology.
Dotz says it has received validation from more than 15 independent industrial end-users, secured a first commercial purchase order from Volkswagen Innovation, and signed memoranda of understanding with CarbonCapture Inc and German filtration company Hengst SE.
Harpaz said he was joining the company at a pivotal moment. “The technology is proven, the team is excellent, the commercial pipeline is real, and the opportunity is significant,” he said.
“My focus will be on translating that position into commercial outcomes and delivering value for our customers and shareholders.”
He said the dual promise of environmental and commercial returns was central to his decision to take the role. “Helping industries reduce emissions while simultaneously building long-term shareholder value is a compelling opportunity.”
Harpaz’s confidence in the company’s prospects was reflected in his decision to invest further during the placement.
“As an existing shareholder who has also invested further in this current round, I believe deeply in Dotz’s future,” he said.
“Having direct skin in the game ensures my interests are completely aligned with our shareholders as we execute this next critical phase of growth.”
Malka, who will remain on the board, said the company had achieved meaningful endorsement from leading industrial players during his tenure and was “genuinely on the cusp of commercialisation”.
“I am proud of what this team has built. I look forward to contribute as a non-executive director, and I have every confidence in Nati who brings experience and drive for this next stage,” he said.
Chairman Bernie Brookes said Harpaz brought “exactly the commercial experience, skills and energy that are directly relevant to where Dotz is headed.”
Dotz is headquartered in Israel and trades on the ASX under the code DTZ.