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As investors continue scanning the small-cap landscape for high-upside opportunities, a select group of stocks under $1 is drawing renewed market attention across semiconductors, media, environmental services, biotechnology, and education technology. With volatility creating opportunity in the micro-cap space, these companies are emerging as speculative names to watch.

Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) is positioning itself within the evolving digital media and streaming ecosystem. The company operates across content production, licensing, and its Kartoon Channel! streaming platform, while maintaining ownership of valuable intellectual property assets including the Stan Lee Universe. As larger media companies pursue scalable content libraries and recurring revenue models, smaller studios with established distribution platforms are increasingly being viewed as strategic assets. In a consolidating media landscape, TOON represents a sub-$1 stock tied to streaming growth, children’s programming, and IP monetization themes.

Peraso Inc. (NASDAQ: PRSO) is a specialized semiconductor company focused on 60GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless technology. Its chipsets enable ultra-fast, low-latency communications for applications including 5G fixed wireless access, defense systems, secure communications, autonomous platforms, robotics, and high-density data networks. As demand accelerates for high-speed wireless data offload and next-generation connectivity infrastructure, mmWave solutions are gaining traction. With semiconductor momentum returning broadly to the market, PRSO stands out as a speculative sub-$1 connectivity play aligned with AI-driven infrastructure and defense-related communications.

RenX Enterprises Corp. (NASDAQ: RENX) is a technology-driven environmental processing and sustainable materials company producing value-added compost, engineered soils, and specialty growing media for agricultural, commercial, and consumer markets. The company recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zimmer Equipment, secured a new hauling services contract with a Florida waste transfer operator, expanding its operational footprint and recurring revenue potential. As sustainability and waste-to-value initiatives gain institutional focus, RENX provides exposure to environmental processing and circular economy trends.

Quince Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: QNCX) is a late-stage biotechnology company dedicated to unlocking the power of a patient’s own biology to treat rare diseases. Companies at this stage often attract increased investor attention as they approach clinical milestones, regulatory discussions, and potential partnership opportunities. In a biotech sector showing signs of renewed capital rotation, QNCX represents a rare-disease-focused micro-cap to monitor for pipeline-driven catalysts.

Classover Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: KIDZ) operates in the online education and digital learning space. The company recently announced board approval of a $2 million share repurchase program, authorizing the repurchase of shares in the open market. Share buyback programs at the micro-cap level can signal management confidence and support float reduction strategies. With digital education, remote learning, and AI-assisted tutoring remaining long-term structural themes, KIDZ offers exposure to evolving education technology markets.

While stocks under $1 carry elevated volatility and risk, they can also provide significant upside when sector momentum, operational progress, and market awareness align. As investors position for emerging themes heading into 2026 — including semiconductor infrastructure, streaming content monetization, environmental sustainability, rare disease biotech, and digital education — PRSO, TOON, RENX, QNCX, and KIDZ are names gaining increased visibility in the micro-cap arena.