Smoltek Engages Former YAGEO CTO Philip Lessner as Senior Advisor to Board

Smoltek Nanotech Holding AB (publ) has engaged Dr. Philip Lessner, former Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of YAGEO Group, as Senior Advisor to the Board, Management and Technical Team, the company said in a news.cision.com announcement on October 20, 2026. The engagement focuses on Smoltek Semi and its ultra-thin capacitor technology.

Lessner's Advisory Role at Smoltek Semi

Lessner will advise in his own capacity rather than as a representative of YAGEO. His priorities include product strategy, customer requirements, qualification considerations and industrialization, and he will support the assessment of opportunities for industrial partnerships.

"Dr. Lessner combines deep knowledge of capacitor technology with practical experience of turning customer requirements into products and transferring technology into manufacturing. His contribution will help us sharpen our product priorities and strengthen the basis for customer adoption and industrial partnerships", said Oskar Säfström, Interim CEO of Smoltek.

Lessner said he has followed Smoltek's carbon nanofiber metal-insulator-metal (CNF-MIM) technology for several years and looks forward to continuing the collaboration. He said his focus will be on helping the team connect the technology's capabilities with customer requirements, product qualification and manufacturing considerations as it progresses towards commercial applications.

Lessner holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He has more than three decades of experience in electronic components and advanced materials, including 28 years at KEMET Electronics, which YAGEO Group acquired in 2020, where he held positions including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Scientist.

Smoltek's Funding and Patent Record

Smoltek conducted a rights issue of approximately SEK 60 million in June 2026 to accelerate commercialization in semiconductors and green hydrogen, with 85.5% secured via subscription commitments and a Mangold Fondkommission guarantee, according to akta.pro company records. The same records show the company was granted a European patent within the Interposer family in May 2026, securing CNF-MIM capacitor IP across the United States, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Europe, and that it holds 98 granted patents after that approval.

Earlier Leadership Changes at Smoltek

Smoltek appointed Gabriel Altby as Chief Financial and Operating Officer in September 2026, expanding his role from CFO to include operational processes, supply chain and patent portfolio management, news.cision.com reported. On August 27, 2026, Dagens industri reported that Magnus Andersson's interim role as acting chief executive officer ends when his consulting agreement expires on August 31, 2026. In April 2026, Gabriel Altby was appointed CFO effective April 14, replacing Pia Tegborg, who departed after seven years, according to akta.pro company records.

Smoltek's Production Timeline

Smoltek plans to begin volume production in 2026-2027 with a goal of positive cash flow from 2027, according to akta.pro company records. The company develops ultra-thin capacitors based on its proprietary CNF-MIM technology, designed to enable compact capacitors integrated close to semiconductor chips.