Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SOW GOOD INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| 2034 |
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(
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Claudia Goldfarb
Chief Executive Officer
1440 N. Union Bower Road
Irving, Texas 75061
(214) 623-6055
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
| Drew M. Valentine, Esq. | John J. Slater Latham & Watkins LLP 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 (212) 906-1675 |
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS DECLARED 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 register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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(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 ☐ | | Smaller reporting 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 the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement 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 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 13, 2024
SOW GOOD INC.
Shares
Common Stock
This is a public offering of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“common stock”) of Sow Good Inc. We are offering shares of our common stock.
Currently, our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace maintained by OTC Markets, Inc. (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “SOWG.” On , the last reported sale price of our common stock was $ per share. It is currently estimated that the public offering price per share of common stock will be between $ and $ , and the number of shares offered hereby is based upon an assumed offering price of $ , the midpoint of such estimated price range.
Currently, there is a very limited market for our common stock. We have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SOWG.” There is no assurance that, if our listing is successful, an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained.
We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and have elected to take advantage of certain scaled disclosure available to smaller reporting companies. This prospectus is intended to comply with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is a smaller reporting company. See “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company.”
Investing in our common stock involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 for factors you should consider before investing in our common stock.
Neither the 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.
| Per Share | Total | |||||||
| Public offering price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | $ | ||||||
| (1) | We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page 104 of this prospectus for additional information regarding underwriting compensation. |
We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock from us to cover over-allotments.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock against payment on or about , 2024.
Roth Capital Partners
The date of this prospectus is , 2024.
| MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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| MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK |
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Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any related free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor any of the underwriters take responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of shares of common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus may have changed since that date.
For investors outside the United States: We have not, and the underwriters have not, done anything that would permit this offering or the possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for 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 the shares of common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. See “Underwriting.”
Sow Good Inc., the registrant whose name appears on the cover of this registration statement, is a Nevada corporation. Prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement, Sow Good Inc. will convert into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion as described in the section captioned “Corporate Conversion” of the accompanying prospectus. Except as disclosed in the prospectus, the historical consolidated financial statements and selected historical consolidated financial data and other financial information included in this registration statement do not give effect to the Corporate Conversion. Shares of the common stock of Sow Good Inc. are being offered by the prospectus included in this registration statement.
As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “Sow Good,” and similar references refer to Sow Good Inc., together with its subsidiaries.
TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES
This prospectus includes our trademarks, service marks and trade names, including but not limited to Sow Good, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws. This prospectus also contains trademarks, trade names, and service marks of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names, and service marks referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ®, ™, or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, trade names, and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade names, or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.
Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning the industries and markets in which we operate and competitive position is based on information from independent industry and research studies and reports, other third-party sources, and management estimates. This information involves many assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates and information. Although we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any third-party information, we believe the information in this prospectus concerning the industries and markets in which we operate and competitive positions is reliable. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information released by independent industry analysts and other third-party sources, as well as data from our internal research, and are based on assumptions made by us upon reviewing such data, and our experience in, and knowledge of, such industries and markets, which we believe to be reasonable. In addition, projections, assumptions, and estimates of the future performance of the industries and markets in which we operate and our future performance are necessarily subject to uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
This prospectus contains “non-GAAP financial measures” that are financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Specifically, we make use of the non-GAAP financial measure “Adjusted EBITDA.” Adjusted EBITDA has been presented in this prospectus as a supplemental measure of financial performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP.
For a discussion of the use of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see “Prospectus Summary—Summary Condensed Financial and Other Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “Sow Good,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Sow Good Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
Sow Good is a trailblazing U.S.-based freeze dried candy and snack manufacturer dedicated to providing consumers with innovative and explosively flavorful freeze dried treats. Sow Good has harnessed the power of our proprietary freeze drying technology and product-specialized manufacturing facility to transform traditional candy into a novel and exciting everyday confectionaries subcategory that we call freeze dried candy. We began commercializing our freeze dried candy products in the first quarter of 2023, and as of December 31, 2023, we have fourteen stock keeping units (“SKUs”) in our Sow Good Candy line of treats and four SKUs in our Sow Good Crunch Cream line. We sell our treats across retail, wholesale distributors, and online e-commerce channels, which comprise 63%, 34%, and 2% of our sales through the third quarter of 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our treats are offered for sale in over 5,857 brick-and-mortar retail outlets in the United States, Canada, and Israel. The rapid demand growth for our delectable treats since their retail debut in March 2023 highlights our consumers’ excitement for our novel and explosively flavorful treats that “satisfy your sweet tooth in fewer bites.”
We have custom-built a 20,945 square foot freeze drying facility in Irving, Texas, as well as co-manufacturing arrangements in China and Colombia, that together allow us to freeze dry fourteen million units per year to our demanding quality and safety specifications. Freeze drying removes up to 99% of moisture from a product in its frozen state by applying a small amount of heat in an extremely low air pressure, near outer space-like environment, through the use of massive vacuum chambers, resulting in moisture being removed from the product at the speed of sound. This process of removing moisture from the product, which can take up to twenty-four hours, concentrates its flavor, creating a “hyper dried, hyper crunchy, and hyper flavorful” treat. Our commitment to providing the most flavorful and crunchy treats extends into the product packaging process, where our 194 employees dedicated to hand-packaging, as of December 31, 2023, put our treats through our hand-packed precision packaging process in vigilantly managed low humidity conditions to protect our treats from reintroduction to moisture.
We have built four bespoke freeze driers using proprietary technology tailored specifically to our products, creating a truly state-of-the-art facility in Irving, Texas. We are in the process of fabricating and operationalizing two additional freeze driers, which we anticipate will come online in our Irving, Texas facility in the second quarter of 2024. In addition, due to strong customer demand, we have entered into co-manufacturing arrangements with third-party manufacturers whose freeze drying facilities meet our exacting production, sanitation and allergen control requirements, as well as our food quality and safety standards. Currently, all of our products manufactured by third-parties are shipped to our facilities in Texas for packaging. However, we are in the process of opening a facility in Monterrey, Mexico which will receive and package all of our treats made by co-manufacturers, and eventually house additional internal freeze driers for further increased capacity, alongside office space for certain of our corporate and marketing functions.
We believe in building a company that creates good experiences for our customers and growth for our investors and employees through our core pillars: (i) innovation—creating novel products that delight our consumers; (ii) scalability—building strong business and manufacturing foundations to support rapid growth and accelerated retail launches; (iii) manufacturing excellence—harnessing our executive team’s manufacturing expertise and continuously refining our processes to maximize efficiencies and reduce energy intake and waste, effectively lowering our costs, increasing margins, and improving our sustainability practices; (iv) meaningful employment opportunities—providing developmental opportunities for our communities by cultivating a growth-oriented and opportunity-rich workplace for our employees, top to bottom, and increasing our employee headcount sevenfold since March 2023; and (v) food quality standards—achieving superior product outcomes by using humidity control throughout our entire facilities, and methodical hand-packed precision packaging process of our treats, which takes additional time and expense when compared to an automated system, but ensures optimal flavor and texture, and maximum protection of product integrity, thereby minimizing customer product return rates.
Sow Good is led by co-founders Claudia and Ira Goldfarb, who have over a decade of manufacturing experience with an extensive freeze drying background, dedication to job creation, and proven track record of identifying and growing niche trends into everyday categories. Under their leadership, our revenues have grown from $428.1 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2022 to approximately $6.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, with approximately $5.0 million of that being recorded in the three-month period ended September 30, 2023. For the period ended September 30, 2023 our Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $(0.3) million compared to approximately $(3.5) million for the period ended September 30, 2022. See “Prospectus Summary—Summary Condensed Financial and Other Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the nearest comparable GAAP metric.
Our Market Opportunity
We believe the candy category is stagnant, repetitive, and in need of revitalization to reengage and captivate consumers seeking innovative ways to satisfy their sweet cravings. We see our market opportunity as existing at the intersection of two burgeoning categories: freeze dried candy and non-chocolate confections. According to the National Confectioners Association (“NCA”), the non-chocolate confections market grew 13.8% in sales in 2022, exceeding $10 billion, and according to Grand View Research is forecasted to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030. We believe the nascent freeze dried candy market is poised for exponential growth given increasing consumer preferences for novel and distinctive candy products. According to the NCA, approximately 61% of shoppers occasionally or frequently seek out products they have never purchased before. Given our exceptional performance in retail launches, surging customer demand, and increasing production capacity, we are confident that we can catapult freeze dried candy from a trendy spark on social media to a stable, top-performing consumer confectionary category in retail.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we are well-positioned competitively to become the leader in the rapidly developing freeze dried candy market due to our distinctive branding, manufacturing expertise, ability to innovate, and advantage of being an early mover in the category.
A Distinctive and Trusted Brand Name
We believe we have a distinctive brand that consumers trust and helps distinguish our product on crowded retail shelves. Since Sow Good’s inception, we have invested heavily to elevate the Sow Good brand by creating a distinctive and cohesive brand design that sparks consumer curiosity and a desire to sample additional flavors carried by Sow Good. In addition, we use premium packaging materials to communicate the high-quality nature of our products and differentiate ourselves from competitive offerings. We further support our brand efforts through our informative and user-friendly direct-to-consumer website and growing social media presence, where consumers have notably taken to posting unpaid, authentic reviews. Video reviews of Sow Good’s products that are organically generated by TikTok users have amassed over 4.5 million views as of December 31, 2023. Retailers have applauded our strong brand presentation and we believe this has been a contributing factor in our success in securing coveted shelf space upon our launch of our freeze dried candy treats.
Manufacturing Expertise
Sow Good spent over two years and over $10.0 million dollars to develop a state of the art manufacturing facility and freeze drying equipment calibrated specifically for our products prior to the commercial launch of our freeze dried treats. Manufacturing our treats requires careful handling so as to protect the integrity of their crunch factor, a characteristic of freeze dried candy. These treats are fragile and can easily crumble into unusable product if not handled appropriately. In addition, subtle changes during the freeze drying process can result in dramatic variations in product quality and yield, which makes it very difficult to consistently manufacture freeze dried treats with optimal crunch and flavor at scale successfully. We have overcome these hurdles and achieved scale manufacturing of freeze dried treats by utilizing proprietary technology to custom build three large-scale freeze driers and by developing manufacturing processes that are tailored specifically for each of our products to ensure maximum flavor, crunch, and consistency. We believe the technical knowledge and expertise required to build a freeze drier facility matching our current capacity poses a substantial barrier to entry for competitors in the confectionary space. Moreover, our primary manufacturing facility located in Irving, Texas is a Safe Quality Food (“SQF”) II-certified facility, with a 97 score on our most recent food safety audit, which exemplifies our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in food safety, pathogen prevention, and allergen protocols.
Early Mover Advantage
Given that the freeze dried candy segment of the market is new, we believe we materially benefit from being among the first companies to enter the market at scale, with retail-ready branding and packaging, a diverse and comprehensive product assortment, and seasoned and experienced sales and branding teams. Our early entry into the market has afforded us the time to learn and gain the necessary experience needed to effectively scale and refine the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution processes needed to be successful. We also further utilize our early insights into the burgeoning market to develop a broad product portfolio which include flavor profiles appealing to a broad audience that we believe retailers are seeking. When combined with the strength of our emerging brand, we believe this has allowed us to quickly capture limited available shelf space at retailers. As we continue to expand our presence, we believe the Sow Good brand will be viewed as a pioneer in the category, which should afford increased brand recognition and loyalty. When taken together, we believe these advantages should allow us to establish an early dominant market share in the category that would be difficult to displace due to the barriers to entry for companies just starting out in this market segment. We believe these factors may potentially deter new competitive entrants into the market.
Innovative Product-Development Process
Innovation is at the heart of our company. We are vigilantly monitoring emerging confectionary trends online and in retail and identifying niche markets, turning them into category staples as evidenced by our successful launch of our Crunch Cream line. We also have highly communicative retail relationships in which retailers inform us of new candy trends they detect in their stores, informing our next freeze dried candy development and launches. We utilize a test kitchen that is integrated with our in-house manufacturing capability and expertise to swiftly test, develop, and launch new products without sacrificing quality. For example, we launched our Crunch Cream line within nine weeks of ideation. By integrating our strong insight on industry trends with our agility, adaptability, and proficiency in new product development, we can take a product from inception to production in just a few months while maintaining our high food quality standards. We believe this allows us to introduce innovative freeze dried treats to the market that will further elevate the status of the Sow Good brand, entrench our existing customer relationships, and provide advantaged entry into new ones.
Our Growth Strategy
With no major direct competitors in the freeze dried candy space and the fact that there is minimal retail presence for the category, we are capitalizing on our early mover advantage and rapid scaling experience to become the dominant player in this fast growing market. Sow Good is seeking to build significant brand recognition, as well as develop a trust and understanding with consumers that our products will consistently offer explosive and exciting taste. Our growth strategy is based on six primary elements: (i) increasing production capacity; (ii) deepening existing customer relationships; (iii) new customer expansion; (iv) expanding our product offering; (v) driving margin expansion; and (vi) vertically integrating our operations.
Increase Production Capacity:
Merely by meeting the current level of demand for our treats, we anticipate our net sales surging exponentially. Our initial retail launches of our freeze dried candy line significantly exceeded sales projections. The growing demand from new customers and desire for additional product volume from existing customers has necessitated a significant increase in production capacity. To try to meet this demand, we have increased our workforce sevenfold since March 2023, transitioned to a 24/7 production cycle, and leased 62,000 square feet of warehousing space in the Dallas metroplex to be able to scale and streamline distribution. In addition to scaling production of our four freeze driers as of February 10, 2024, we are in the process of building two additional freeze driers for our Irving facility. We anticipate these additional two freeze driers being operational in the first half of the calendar year 2024.
To help bridge the gap between the demand for our treats from our customers and our capacity to manufacture and package those treats in our Irving, Texas facilities, we have entered into co-manufacturing arrangements in China and Colombia to provide additional freeze drying capacity. Further, we are developing an approximately 103,000 square foot facility in Monterrey, Mexico that will provide in the short-term scalable packaging support for the treats co-manufactured in China and Colombia, allowing us to increase our co-manufacturing production. We anticipate adding additional freeze-drying capacity at our Monterrey, Mexico facility in second half of the calendar year 2024 or early 2025.
Deepen Existing Customer Relationships:
Our products have launched in retailers nationwide from convenience and grocery stores to big-box retailers, such as Five Below, Target, Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, TJX Canada, Big Lots, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel and Circle K. In addition, we sell a substantial portion of our products through distributors such as Redstone Foods, C.B. Distributors and Alpine Foods. Video reviews of Sow Good’s products that are organically generated by TikTok users have amassed over 4.5 million views as of December 31, 2023. We believe there is a significant growth opportunity in increasing our shelf presence, SKU portfolio, and number of stores with our existing customers. For many of these customers, we launched with a limited number of SKUs and are now significantly outpacing initial sales projections. As we scale production, we will have the ability to increase the availability of our products to these customers in current locations and distribution to more of their stores, while also broadening our SKU portfolio offerings. Bolstering our distribution will be a key growth driver for Sow Good so more of our products are available wherever our consumers choose to shop, whether it be a retail store, convenience store, or directly online. To further support our retail launches with existing customers and strengthen our brand name, we are also introducing our product displays with distinctive designs and product highlights to enhance our visibility in current stores and educate new consumers on the advantages of freeze dried treats. We believe this strategy will capture the attention of new consumers, further educate and attract current consumers, and ultimately, increase sales for our retailers.
New Customer Expansion:
Based on our estimate of what penetration for a leading consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) brand should be at maturity, we believe Sow Good’s omnichannel distribution footprint should eventually be multiples of its current size. Currently, our products are marketed and sold through a diverse set of retail channels, including conventional, natural and specialty grocery, club, and convenience stores, and on our website. Increasing our customer base across distribution channels will be a key growth driver for Sow Good and our goal is to expand our customer base so that our products are available wherever our consumers choose to shop, whether it be a retail store, convenience store or directly online. While expanding distribution, we are simultaneously increasing our brand awareness through online and offline marketing initiatives to accelerate the sell-through velocity of our products once they reach the shelves of our customers. We anticipate a portion of the use of proceeds from this offering to fund marketing initiatives to bolster sales and new retail launches.
Expand Our Product Offering:
We are working to increase the breadth of products offered to customers by leveraging our innovation expertise. We seek to achieve this by developing new candy products that complement our existing portfolio as well as the expansion into adjacent product categories. This is illustrated by the launch of our Crunch Cream freeze dried ice cream bars and sandwiches line in October 2023. We believe the expansion of our product offerings will help drive revenue and margin growth through (i) improving brand recognition, (ii) expanding existing customer relationships, and (iii) capturing new customers seeking unique products. In addition, as our product offering portfolio grows, we anticipate manufacturing efficiencies that provide for increased margin expansion and profitability.
Drive Margin Expansion:
Our near-term goal is to increase our net income at a faster rate than our sales growth. We believe that this can be achieved by taking several actions that will drive margin expansion. Our primary margin driver will be the expansion of our production and packaging capacity, as well as a portion of our corporate and administrative functions to Monterrey, Mexico, where the cost and availability of labor are significantly more favorable than our current labor market in Irving, Texas. In terms of other margin expansion initiatives, first, we plan to reduce our per-unit production cost by leveraging fixed costs as production volumes increase. Second, we aim to capture operating efficiencies from the refinement of our manufacturing process, which will further reduce our per-unit production cost. Third, we intend to utilize our sales data and market knowledge to manage our sales mix toward higher margin products over time. Fourth, we are actively pursuing cost reductions in our raw materials by implementing changes to our sourcing strategy. Fifth, we are developing product line expansions that optimize the efficiency of our freeze drying process. Finally, while we expect an increase in general and administrative expenses as we strengthen internal operating functions, we believe these expenses will grow at a slower rate than sales as we solidify our sales function, allowing for further margin improvement.
Vertically Integrate Our Operations:
A key part of driving our margin expansion is continuing to build our vertically integrated business model. The core of this strategy is our highly efficient manufacturing process, which enables rapid expansion of production capacity, provides fixed-cost leverage on increased volumes and optimizes our ability to control quality. In addition to manufacturing capabilities, we have internalized mechanical engineering, branding, design, packaging, digital marketing, customer service and data analytic capabilities, along with finance, research and development and human resource functions. Our broad in-house capabilities and manufacturing capacity are expected to enable significant fixed-cost leverage going forward in manufacturing, as well as most other operating expense line items.
Recent Developments
Certain Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results
The Company is in the process of finalizing its financial results as of and for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023. Based on available information to date:
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fourth quarter 2023 revenue is expected to be between $9.54 and $9.57 million, marking a quarterly record and significant increase compared to $0.05 million in the fourth quarter of 2022; |
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the Company’s preliminary fourth quarter 2023 revenue is expected to be an approximate 90% sequential increase over its third quarter 2023 revenue of $5.03 million and an approximate 46% increase over the September year-to-date revenue of $6.55 million; and |
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full year 2023 preliminary revenue is expected to be between $16 million and $16.12 million, a significant increase compared to $0.43 million in 2022. |
The preliminary results set forth above are unaudited, based on management’s initial review of the Company’s results as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subject to revisions based upon the Company’s year-end closing procedures and the completion of the external audit of the Company’s year-end financial statements. Actual results may differ from these preliminary unaudited results due to the completion of year-end closing procedures, final adjustments and other developments arising between now and the time that the Company’s financial results are finalized. In addition, these preliminary unaudited results are not a comprehensive statement of the Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023, should not be viewed as a substitute for full, audited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s results for any future period.
Risk Factor Summary
Investing in our common stock involves substantial risks. The risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors” immediately following this summary may cause us to not realize the full benefits of our strengths or to be unable to successfully execute all or part of our strategy. Some of the more significant risks include the following:
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We have a limited operating history in our current form and have incurred significant operating losses. As a result of continuing investments to expand our business, we may not achieve or sustain profitability. |
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Even if this offering is successful, we may need additional funding in order to fund our existing commercial operations, commercialize new products and grow our business. |
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Our rapid growth may not be indicative of our future growth, and our limited operating history may make it difficult to assess our future viability. |
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We may be unable to manage our future growth effectively, which could make it difficult to execute our business strategy. |
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We have previously identified material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting for our financial year ended December 31, 2022. If we experience additional material weaknesses in the future, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations and investors may lose confidence in our financial reports and the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected. |
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The retail food and non-chocolate confectionary and freeze dried candy segments are highly competitive. If our competitors are more successful or offer better value to consumers, our business could decline. |
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Failure to maintain sufficient internal production capacity, source appropriate external production capacity, or to enter into third-party agreements on terms that are beneficial for us may result in our inability to meet customer demand and/or may increase our operating costs and capital expenditures. |
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Loss of one or more of our co-manufacturers or our failure to timely identify and establish relationships with new co-manufacturers could harm our business and impede our growth. |
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We rely on a small number of suppliers to provide our raw materials for some of our treats, and our supply chain may be interrupted and prevent us from obtaining the necessary materials we need to operate. |
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Consumer preferences for our products could change rapidly, and if we are unable to respond quickly to new trends, our business may be adversely affected. |
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Any damage to our reputation or brand image could adversely affect our business or financial results. |
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Fluctuations in various food and supply, transportation and shipping costs could adversely affect our operating results. |
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We may not be able to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology adequately, which may impact our commercial success. |
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Food safety concerns and concerns about the health risk of our products may have an adverse effect on our business. |
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Our ability to maintain and expand our distribution network and attract consumers, customers, distributors, retailers and brokers will depend on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control. |
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Our success depends in part on the effectiveness of our digital marketing strategy and the expansion of our social media presence, but there are risks associated with these efforts. |
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Failure to manage inventory at optimal levels could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
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Information security events, or real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our systems; other technology disruptions; or failure to comply with laws and regulations relating to information security could negatively impact our business, reputation and customer relationships. |
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Our international sales and operations, including our planned business development activities outside of the United States, subject us to additional risks and challenges that can adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
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Our operations are subject to regulation by the FDA and other federal, state, and local authorities in the U.S., and in any other jurisdictions in which we may sell our products, and there is no assurance that we will be in compliance with all laws and regulations. |
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Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB, which may have an unfavorable impact on our stock price and liquidity. |
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Our ability to uplist our common stock to Nasdaq Capital Market is subject to us meeting applicable listing criteria. |
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The market price of our common stock is, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. |
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We have never paid dividends on our common stock and we do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. |
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We are a “smaller reporting company,” and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors. |
| ● |
If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution. |
| ● |
Our management has broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds received in this offering and may not use the net proceeds effectively. |
| ● |
The concentration of our stock ownership limits our stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters. |
| ● |
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior management and other key personnel, including Ira and Claudia Goldfarb, our Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, respectively, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services. |
| ● |
A worsening of economic conditions or a decrease in consumer spending may adversely impact our ability to implement our business strategy. |
| ● |
The failure to successfully integrate newly acquired products or businesses could negatively impact our profitability. |
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware in April 2010. We became a publicly traded company when our shares began trading on July 1, 2010. From October 2010 through August 2019, we were engaged in the business of acquiring oil and gas leases and participated in the drilling of wells in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana and managing similar assets for third parties. In December 2012, we reincorporated in Nevada. Effective January 21, 2021, we changed our name from Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. to Sow Good Inc. to pursue the freeze dried fruits and vegetables business as acquired with our October 1, 2020 acquisition of S-FDF, LLC. Prior to April 2, 2012, the Company name was Ante5, Inc., which became an independent company in April 2010. On May 5, 2021, the Company announced the launch of our freeze dried CPG food brand, Sow Good. Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will convert into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion. See “Corporate Conversion.”
Our principal executive offices are located at 1440 N. Union Bower Road, Irving, Texas 75061, and our telephone number is (214) 623-6055. Our website addresses are www.thisissowgood.com and www.sowginc.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our websites are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our websites to be part of this prospectus.
Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company
We are a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company after this offering if either (i) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. As a smaller reporting company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we have chosen and may continue to choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
| Shares of common stock offered by us |
shares ( shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). |
| Shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering |
shares ( shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). |
| Over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of common stock |
shares. |
| Use of proceeds |
We estimate, based upon an assumed public offering price of $ per share (which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $ (or $ if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
| We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures for the expansion of our production capacity in Monterrey, Mexico, funding working and growth capital, the expansion of our sales and marketing function and the reduction of our indebtedness. The expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as or plans and business conditions evolve. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have |
|
| Dividend policy |
We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business, and therefore we do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with contractual restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing our current and future indebtedness. Any such determination will also depend upon our business prospects, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, industry trends, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. See “Dividend Policy.” |
| Risk factors |
See the section titled “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. |
| Trading symbol |
Currently, our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “SOWG.” We intend to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SOWG.” |
The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 5,603,083 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023, assuming a public offering price of $ per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and excludes:
| ● |
999 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,000 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2016 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2016 Plan”) as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
647,708 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,291,250 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2.50 per share as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
3,000,000 shares of our common stock will be reserved for future issuance under our 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”), which will become effective prior to the completion of this offering, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2024 Plan. |
Unless we indicate otherwise or the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus assumes or gives effect to:
| ● |
the Corporate Conversion; |
| ● |
the filing and effectiveness of our Certificate of Incorporation, or our Charter, and the adoption of our Bylaws, each of which will occur prior to the closing of this offering; |
| ● |
no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to additional shares of common stock from us to cover over-allotments; and |
| ● |
a public offering price of $ per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. |
SUMMARY CONDENSED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The summary statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022 and the summary balance sheet data as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 have been derived from our audited condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 and the summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2023 have been derived from our unaudited condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the financial data set forth below in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes and the information in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any period in the future.
Combined Statement of Operations Data:
| Years Ended December 31, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||||||||
| Revenues |
$ | 428,132 | $ | 88,440 | $ | 6,548,479 | $ | 381,056 | ||||||||
| Cost of goods sold(1) |
308,293 | 81,311 | 5,046,434 | 263,289 | ||||||||||||
| Gross Profit (loss) |
119,839 | 7,129 | 1,502,045 | 117,767 | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative: |
||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits(1) |
3,662,313 | 3,473,661 | 2,644,087 | 2,947,505 | ||||||||||||
| Professional services(1) |
245,546 | 357,945 | 404,256 | 177,197 | ||||||||||||
| Other general and administrative(1) |
1,625,952 | 1,550,970 | 1,265,056 | 1,296,294 | ||||||||||||
| Intangible asset impairment |
310,173 | – | – | – | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment |
4,887,297 | 1,524,030 | – | – | ||||||||||||
| Total general and administrative |
10,731,281 | 6,906,606 | 4,313,399 | 4,420,996 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
274,053 | 208,448 | 227,606 | 202,046 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses: |
11,005,334 | 7,115,054 | 4,541,005 | 4,623,042 | ||||||||||||
| Net operating loss |
(10,885,495 | ) | (7,107,925 | ) | (3,038,960 | ) | (4,505,275 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(1,277,965 | ) | (5,911 | ) | (1,349,486 | ) | (843,240 | ) | ||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment |
– | – | – | 36,392 | ||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) |
(1,241,573 | ) | 233,769 | (1,349,486 | ) | (806,848 | ) | |||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (12,127,068 | ) | $ | (6,874,156 | ) | (4,388,446 | ) | (5,312,123 | ) | ||||||
| (1) |
Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows: |
|||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, |
Nine months ended |
|||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits |
$ | 862,079 | $ | 1,377,379 | $ | 524,665 | $ | 731,499 | ||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation expense |
$ | 862,079 | $ | 1,377,379 | $ | 524,665 | $ | 731,499 | ||||||||
In addition to statement of operations data as determined in accordance with GAAP, we believe the following non-GAAP measure is useful in evaluating our business performance.
| Year ended December 31, |
Nine months ended |
|||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||||||||
| Other Financial Data: |
||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
$ | (4,526,393 | ) | $ | (3,998,068 | ) | $ | (288,517 | ) | $ | (3,549,889 | ) | ||||
| (1) |
This financial measure is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information regarding our use of this non-GAAP financial measure and a reconciliation of such measure to its nearest comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. |
Balance Sheet Data:
| As of December 31, |
As of September 30, |
|||||||
| 2022 |
2023 |
|||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 276,464 | $ | 2,096,672 | ||||
| Total current assets |
2,578,057 | 5,874,424 | ||||||
| Total assets |
8,898,577 | 13,517,164 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities |
890,177 | 2,728 ,716 | ||||||
| Total liabilities |
6,087,690 | 10,647,178 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
2,810,887 | 2,869,986 | ||||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss before depreciation, interest expense, net and income tax benefit, adjusted to eliminate non-cash intangible asset impairment, goodwill impairment, inventory write-down and stock-based compensation. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is net income (loss). Adjusted EBITDA is not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) as a measure of financial performance or cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future, we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and can differ significantly from company to company.
We present this non-GAAP measure because we believe it assists investors and analysts in comparing our operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in highlighting trends in our operating performance, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, and capital investments. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA to supplement GAAP measures of performance in the evaluation of the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, to establish discretionary annual incentive compensation, and to compare our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. Management supplements GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone provide.
There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA rather than net loss, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
| ● |
Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation expense as it has recently been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring non-cash expense for our business; |
| ● |
Adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization expense and, although this is a non-cash expense, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future; |
| ● |
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash requirements necessary to service interest on our debt which affects the cash available to us; |
| ● |
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the monies earned from our investments since it does not reflect our core operations; |
| ● |
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect change in fair value of financial instruments since it does not reflect our core operations and is a non-cash expense; |
| ● |
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect income tax expense that affects cash available to us; and |
| ● |
the expenses and other items that we exclude in our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from the expenses and other items, if any, that other companies may exclude from Adjusted EBITDA when they report their operating results. |
In addition, other companies may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison.
The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
| Year ended |
Nine months ended |
|||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
$ | (12,127,068 | ) | $ | (6,874,156 | ) | $ | (4,388,446 | ) | $ | (5,312,123 | ) | ||||
| Stock-based compensation expense |
862,079 | 1,377,379 | 524,665 | 731,499 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization(1) |
299,553 | 208,448 | 306,092 | 223,887 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
1,277,965 | 5,911 | 1,349,486 | 843,240 | ||||||||||||
| Intangible Asset Impairment |
310,173 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill Impairment |
4,887,297 | 1,524,030 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Inventory Write Down |
— | — | 1,919,686 | — | ||||||||||||
| (Gain) Loss on Disposal of Property |
(36,392 | ) | 8,036 | — | (36,392 | ) | ||||||||||
| Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt |
— | (113,772 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Gain on Investment in Allied Esports Entertainment |
— | (133,944 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (4,526,393 | ) | $ | (3,998,068 | ) | $ | (288,517 | ) | $ | (3,549,889 | ) | ||||
| (1) |
This item includes $25,500 and $0 of depreciation included in cost of goods sold for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $150,271 and $21,841 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this prospectus, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes, before purchasing our common stock. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose some or all of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Operating History, Financial Position and Capital Needs
We have a limited operating history in our current form and have incurred significant operating losses. As a result of continuing investments to expand our business, we may not achieve or sustain profitability.
In its current form, Sow Good was formed and commenced commercial sales of our products in 2021, and in 2023 we started producing and commercializing our freeze dried candy treats, including our Sow Good freeze dried candy line and our Crunch Cream line. Prior to the formation of Sow Good in its current form, on October 1, 2020, we completed our acquisition of S-FDF, LLC (the “Seller”), a Texas limited liability company, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, between the Company and the Seller, dated June 9, 2020, as subsequently amended effective October 1, 2020 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”). The assets we purchased under the Asset Purchase Agreement were of a development stage business without any major customers or history of operations upon which to forecast future business trends. As a result, we have a limited operating history and limited experience manufacturing and selling our products, establishing relationships with consumers, customers, suppliers, vendors and distributors and building our brand reputation. These and other factors combine to make it more difficult for us to accurately forecast our future operating results, which in turn makes it more difficult for us to prepare accurate budgets and implement strategic plans. We expect that this uncertainty will continue to exist in our business for the foreseeable future. If we do not address these risks and uncertainties successfully, our operating results could differ materially from our estimates and forecasts, and from the expectations of investors or analysts, which could harm our business and result in a decline in the trading price of our common stock.
As a developing company, we will need to adopt and implement a plan to increase awareness of our products, secure distribution channels, and foster and strengthen our supply, manufacturing and distribution relationships. It is likely our strategic priorities will need to evolve over time and our business would be materially and adversely affected if we do not properly adapt our strategies to our changing needs and changes in the market. As our operations develop and grow, we expect to experience significant increases in our working capital requirements. Even if we obtain additional capital and achieve profitability, given the competitive and evolving nature of the industry in which we operate, we may be unable to sustain or increase profitability and our failure to do so would adversely affect the Company’s business, including our ability to raise additional funds.
In the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we incurred net losses of approximately $6.9 million and $12.1 million, respectively. We anticipate our operating expenses and capital expenditures will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we seek to expand our retail distribution, invest in our approach to build brand awareness, leverage our product development capabilities, and invest in production capacity and automation. As a result of our continuing investments to expand our business in these and other areas, we expect our expenses to increase significantly, and we may not achieve profitability in the foreseeable future. Even if we are successful in broadening our consumer base, and increasing revenues from new and existing customers, we may not be able to generate additional revenues in amounts that are sufficient to cover our expenses. We may incur significant losses for a number of reasons, including as a result of the other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this prospectus. We cannot assure you that we will continue to achieve profitability in the future or that we will sustain profitability over any particular period of time.
Even if this offering is successful, we may need additional funding in order to fund our existing commercial operations, commercialize new products and grow our business.
To date, we have financed our operations through private placements of our equity, equity-linked and debt securities. We have devoted substantially all our financial resources and efforts to developing our products, workforce, and manufacturing capabilities. Our long-term growth and success are dependent upon our ability ultimately to expand our manufacturing capacity and generate cash from operating activities. There is no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash from operations or access the capital we need to grow our business. Our inability to obtain additional capital could have a material adverse effect on our ability to fully implement our business plan as described herein and grow our business, to a greater extent than we can with our existing financial resources.
Based on our current business plan, we believe the net proceeds from this offering, together with our current cash and cash equivalents and cash receipts from sales, will enable us to conduct our planned operations for at least the next twelve months. If our available cash balances, net proceeds from this offering and/or anticipated cash flow from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements because of lower demand for our products or due to other risks described herein, we may seek to sell common stock or other securities, enter into an additional credit facility or seek another form of third-party funding, including debt financing. The amount of additional capital we may require, the timing of our capital needs and the availability of financing to fund those needs will depend on a number of factors, including our strategic initiatives and operating plans, the performance of our business and the market conditions for debt or equity financing. Although we believe various debt and equity financing alternatives will be available to us to support our working capital needs, financing arrangements on acceptable terms may not be available to us when needed. Additionally, these alternatives may require significant cash payments for interest and other costs or could be highly dilutive to our existing stockholders. Any such financing alternatives may not provide us with sufficient funds to meet our long-term capital requirements.
We may consider raising additional capital in the future to expand our business, to pursue strategic investments, to take advantage of financing opportunities or for other reasons, including to:
| ● |
provide for additional capacity; |
| ● |
increase our sales and marketing efforts and address competitive developments; |
| ● |
provide for supply and inventory costs; |
| ● |
fund development and marketing efforts of any future products or additional features to then-current products; |
| ● |
acquire, license or invest in new technologies; |
| ● |
acquire or invest in complementary businesses or assets; and |
| ● |
finance capital expenditures and general and administrative expenses. |
Our present and future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:
| ● |
our ability to achieve revenue growth and improve gross margins; |
| ● |
the cost of expanding our operations and offerings, including our sales and marketing efforts; |
| ● |
the effect of competing market developments; and |
| ● |
costs related to international expansion. |
The various ways we could raise additional capital carry potential risks. If we raise funds by issuing equity securities, dilution to our stockholders could result. Any equity securities issued also could provide for rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of holders of shares of our common stock. If we raise funds by issuing debt securities, those debt securities would have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of holders of shares of our common stock. The terms of any debt securities issued or borrowings made pursuant to a credit agreement could impose significant restrictions on our operations. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we might be required to relinquish significant rights or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
Our rapid growth may not be indicative of our future growth, and our limited operating history may make it difficult to assess our future viability.
Our revenues grew from approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to approximately $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and approximately $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. We expect that, in the future, as our revenue increases to higher levels, our revenue growth rate will decline. We also believe that growth of our revenue depends on several factors, including our ability to:
| ● |
expand our production capacity; |
| ● |
increase awareness of our brand; |
| ● |
expand our existing channels of distribution; |
| ● |
develop additional channels of distribution; |
| ● |
grow our customer base; |
| ● |
cost-effectively increase online sales at our direct website and third-party marketplaces; |
| ● |
effectively introduce new products; |
| ● |
manufacture at a scale that satisfies future demand; and |
| ● |
effectively source key raw materials. |
We may not successfully accomplish any of these objectives. In addition, we may face increased competition from current or new competitors that may reduce our market share and thereby limit our growth. Since the initial commercialization of our freeze dried candy treats in March 2023, we have not yet demonstrated the ability to sustain rapid growth over a long period of time or achieve profitability at scale. Consequently, any predictions you make about our future success or viability may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer operating history or had previously achieved profitability.
We may be unable to manage our future growth effectively, which could make it difficult to execute our business strategy.
Our strategy envisions the expansion of our business. If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our financial results could be adversely affected. Our rapid growth has placed and may continue to place significant demands on our organizational, administrative and operational infrastructure, including manufacturing operations, quality control, technical support and customer service, sales force management and general and financial administration. We must continue to refine and expand our business capabilities, including in sales, marketing, product development, information technology, equipment, facilities and personnel, as well as our systems and processes and our access to financing sources. We will also need to improve our operational, financial and management controls as well as our reporting systems and procedures. As we grow, we must continue to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees.
We cannot assure that we will be able to:
| ● |
meet our capital needs; |
| ● |
expand our systems effectively or efficiently or in a timely manner; |
| ● |
allocate our human resources optimally; |
| ● |
identify and engage qualified employees and consultants, or retain valued employees and consultants; or |
| ● |
incorporate effectively the components of any business that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth. |
If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our results of operations. Managing our planned growth effectively will require us to:
| ● |
maintain a low cost of customer acquisition relative to customer lifetime value; |
| ● |
identify products that will be viewed favorably by customers; |
| ● |
enhance our facilities and purchase additional equipment at our facility in Irving, Texas; and |
| ● |
successfully hire, train and motivate additional employees, including additional personnel for our production, sales and marketing efforts and our finance and accounting functions. |
The expansion of our products and customer base may result in increases in our overhead and selling expenses. Any increase in expenditures in anticipation of future sales that do not materialize would adversely affect our profitability. In addition, if we are unable to effectively manage the growth of our business, the quality of our products may suffer and we may be unable to address competitive challenges, which would adversely affect our overall business, operations and financial condition.
We have previously identified material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting for our financial year ended December 31, 2022. If we experience additional material weaknesses in the future, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations and investors may lose confidence in our financial reports and the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013).” Based on this assessment, management believed that, as of December 31, 2022, our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective based on those criteria. As a small company with limited resources that is mainly focused on the development and sales of our freeze dried treats, the Company did not employ a sufficient number of staff in its finance department to possess an optimal segregation of duties or to provide optimal levels of oversight. This resulted in certain audit adjustments and management believed that there may be a possibility for a material misstatement to occur in future periods while it employed that number of personnel in its finance department.
To address and fully remediate this material weakness, management performed additional analyses and other procedures to ensure that the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Additionally, our remediation efforts for this material weakness included the hiring of additional staff members in our accounting and finance departments in 2023.
As a public company, we are required to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including, among other things, maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We continue to develop and refine our disclosure controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers.
We must continue to improve our internal control over financial reporting. Once we are no longer considered to be a smaller reporting company, our management will then be required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404(a), and we may in the future be required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. To achieve compliance with these requirements within the prescribed time period, we will be engaging in a process to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, we will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants and adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. There is a risk that we will not be able to conclude, within the prescribed time period or at all, that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
We cannot assure you that there are not, and will not be material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or operating results. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain these and other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
The retail food and non-chocolate confectionary and freeze dried candy segments are highly competitive. If our competitors are more successful or offer better value to consumers, our business could decline.
We operate in a very competitive environment that is characterized by competition from a number of other retailers in the market in which we operate. We compete with large national and regional food retail companies, some of which have greater financial and operational resources than us, and with smaller local retailers, some of which may have lower administrative costs than us. We may be at a competitive disadvantage relative to certain of our large national and regional competitors whose operations are more geographically diversified than ours.
Increased competition could hurt our business. The freeze dried candy is fragmented and in its early stages of development, but it is becoming increasingly competitive. New competitors may easily enter the freeze dried candy market on which we are focused. The competitors may offer an equivalent or superior product to that of the Company. We expect the number of companies offering products and services in our market segment to increase.
If we are unable to compete effectively in our markets, our business could decline disproportionately to our competitors, and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to continue to compete successfully in any of our markets. Our inability to continue to compete successfully in any of our markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.
Failure to maintain sufficient internal production capacity, source appropriate external production capacity, or to enter into third-party agreements on terms that are beneficial for us may result in our inability to meet customer demand and/or may increase our operating costs and capital expenditures.
We intend to rely on internal production capacity and third-party co-manufacturers to fulfill our growing production needs and meet the demand for our treats. We have plans to expand our own production facilities, but in the short-term may need to increase our reliance on third parties to provide production and supply certain services for a number of our products. A failure by us or our co-manufacturers to comply with food safety, environmental, or other laws and regulations, or to produce products of the quality and taste-profile we expect, or with efficiency and at costs we expect, may also disrupt our supply of products. In addition, we may experience increased distribution and warehousing costs due to capacity constraints resulting from our growth. If we need to enter into additional co-manufacturing or distribution agreements in the future, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to find acceptable third-party providers or enter into agreements on satisfactory terms or at all. In addition, we will likely need to expand our internal capacity, which could increase our operating costs and could require significant capital expenditures. If we cannot maintain sufficient and satisfactory production, warehousing and distribution capacity, either internally or through third party agreements, we may be unable to meet customer demand and/or our manufacturing, distribution and warehousing costs may increase, which could negatively affect our business.
Loss of one or more of our co-manufacturers or our failure to timely identify and establish relationships with new co-manufacturers could harm our business and impede our growth.
We intend to rely on international co-manufacturers to provide us with a portion of our production capacity. The terms of these co-manufacturing agreements vary, and some of these arrangements are short-term or based on purchase orders. Volumes produced under each of these agreements can fluctuate significantly based upon the product’s life cycle, product promotions, alternative production capacity, and other factors, none of which are under our direct control. Any of the co-manufacturers with whom we do not have a written contract could seek to alter or terminate its relationship with us at any time, leaving us with periods during which we have limited or no ability to manufacture our products. If we need to replace a co-manufacturer, there can be no assurance that additional capacity will be available when required on acceptable terms, or at all.
An interruption in, or the loss of operations at, one or more of our co-manufacturing facilities, which may be caused by work stoppages, labor shortages, strikes or other labor unrest, production disruptions, product quality issues, local economic and political conditions, restrictive governmental actions, border closures, disease outbreaks or pandemics (such as COVID-19), the outbreak of hostilities, acts of war, terrorism, fire, earthquakes, severe weather, flooding or other natural disasters at one or more of these facilities, could delay, postpone or reduce production of some of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition until such time as such interruption is resolved or an alternate source of production is secured.
We believe there are a limited number of competent, high-quality co-manufacturers in the industry that meet our strict quality and control standards, and as we seek to continue to obtain additional or alternative co-manufacturing arrangements in the future, there can be no assurance that we would be able to do so on satisfactory terms, in a timely manner, or at all. Additionally, as we expand our operations internationally, we will need to further develop relationships with co-manufacturers overseas to meet sales demand, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully do so. Therefore, the loss of one or more co-manufacturers, any disruption or delay at a co-manufacturer or any failure to identify and engage co-manufacturers for new products, product extensions and expanded operations could delay, postpone or reduce production of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We rely on a small number of suppliers to provide our raw materials for some of our treats, and our supply chain may be interrupted and prevent us from obtaining the necessary materials we need to operate.
We rely on suppliers and vendors to meet our high-quality standards and supply products in a timely and efficient manner. There is, however, no assurance that quality ingredients will continue to be available to meet our specific and growing needs. This may be due to, among other reasons, problems with our suppliers’ and vendors’ businesses, finances, labor relations, ability to export or import materials, product quality issues, costs, production, insurance and reputation, as well as disease outbreaks or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, acts of war, terrorism, natural disasters, fires, earthquakes, flooding or other catastrophic occurrences. If for any reason our suppliers or vendors became unable or unwilling to continue to provide services to us, this would likely lead to an interruption in our ability to import our products until we found another source that could provide these services. Failure to find a suitable replacement, even on a temporary basis, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our current production targets, make it difficult to grow and would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
During the first nine months of 2023, three key suppliers, Redstone Foods, Albanese and Guangdong accounted for approximately 75% of our total raw material and packaging purchases. As a result of this concentration in our supply chain, our business and operations would be negatively affected if any of our key suppliers were to experience significant disruption affecting the price, quality, availability or timely delivery of their products. In the event that our supply from our current suppliers is interrupted, our operations may be interrupted resulting in lost revenue, added costs such as, without limitation, shipping costs, and distribution delays that could harm our business and customer relationships until we are able to identify and enter into an agreement with one or more alternative suppliers.
The challenges of competing with other non-chocolate confectionary businesses may result in reductions in our revenue and operating margins.
The retail food industry is very competitive, and particularly so in the non-chocolate confectionary segment. We compete with many companies on the basis of taste, quality and price of product offered, and customer service. Our success depends, in part, upon the popularity of our products and our ability to develop new items that appeal to a broad range of consumers. Shifts in consumer preferences away from products like ours, our inability to develop new items that appeal to a broad range of consumers, or changes in our offerings that eliminate products popular with some consumers could harm our business. In addition, aggressive pricing by our competitors or the entrance of new competitors into our markets could reduce our revenue and operating margins by forcing us to reduce our prices on similar product offerings in order to remain competitive. We also compete with other employers in our markets for workers and may become subject to higher labor costs as a result of such competition. Recently there has been a significant increase in labor costs.
We have been able to compete successfully by differentiating ourselves from our competitors by providing an expanding selection of freeze dried treats, competitive pricing and convenience. If changes in consumer preferences decrease the competitive advantage attributable to these factors, or if we fail to otherwise positively differentiate our product offering or customer experience from our competitors, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Many of our current competitors have, and potential competitors may have, longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, larger fulfillment infrastructures, greater technical capabilities, significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources and larger customer bases than we do. These factors may allow our competitors to derive greater revenues and profits from their existing customer bases, acquire customers at lower costs or respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in consumer preferences or habits. These competitors may engage in more extensive research and development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns, and adopt more aggressive pricing policies (including but not limited to predatory pricing policies and the provision of substantial discounts), which may allow them to build larger customer bases or generate revenues from those customer bases more effectively than we are able to execute upon. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete against these competitors.
We expect competition in the non-chocolate confectionary and freeze dried candy segments generally to continue to increase. We believe that our ability to compete successfully in this market depends upon many factors both within and beyond our control, including:
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the size and composition of our customer base; |
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the number of products that we feature on our website; |
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the quality and responsiveness of customer service; |
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our selling and marketing efforts; |
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the quality and price of the products that we offer; |
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the convenience of the shopping experience that we provide; |
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our ability to distribute our products and manage our operations; and |
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our reputation and brand strength. |
Given the rapid changes affecting the global, national, and regional economies generally and the food and beverage industry, we may not be able to create and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our success will depend on our ability to respond to, among other things, changes in consumer preferences, laws and regulations, market conditions, and competitive pressures. Any failure by us to anticipate or respond adequately to such changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, liquidity, cash flow and our operational performance.
If we fail to compete successfully in this market, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Consumer preferences for our products, or for freeze dried candy generally, could change rapidly, and if we are unable to respond quickly to new trends, our business may be adversely affected.
Our business is focused on the development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of freeze dried treats. Consumer preferences, and therefore demand for our products, could change rapidly as a result of a number of factors, including consumer demand for specific nutritional content, dietary habits, or restrictions, including perceptions regarding food quality, concerns regarding the health effects of certain ingredients or macronutrient ratios, shifts in preferences for product attributes, laws and regulations governing product claims, brand reputation and loyalty, and product pricing. Further, freeze dried candy as a market entrant is in its nascent stage and may not see wide-spread acceptance. A significant shift in consumer demand away from our products, or towards competitive products, could limit our product sales, reduce our market share, and negatively impact our brand reputation, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our ability to maintain and expand our distribution network and attract consumers, customers, distributors, retailers and brokers will depend on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control.
We sell a substantial portion of our products through retailers such as Five Below, Target, Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, TJX Canada, Big Lots, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel, and Circle K, and distributors such as Redstone Foods, C.B. Distributors and Alpine Foods, and through our website. The largest four retailers of our products for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were Five Below, C.B. Distributors, Redstone Foods, and Alpine Foods, accounting for approximately 76% of our revenues for that period.
The loss of, or business disruption at, one or more of these retailers or distributors or a negative change in our relationship with one of our key retailers or a disruption to any one of our sales channels could have a material adverse effect on our business. If we do not maintain our relationship with existing retailers and distributors or develop relationships with new retailers and distributors, the growth of our business may be adversely affected, and our business may be harmed.
In addition, we may not be able to successfully manage all or any of the following factors in any of our current or prospective geographic areas of distribution:
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the level of demand for our brands and products types; |
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our ability to price our products at levels competitive with those of competing products; and |
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our ability to deliver products in the quantity and at the time ordered by consumers, distributors, retailers and brokers. |
Our inability to achieve success with regards to any of these factors in a geographic distribution area will have a material adverse effect on our relationships in that particular geographic area, thus limiting our ability to maintain or expand our market, which will likely adversely affect our revenues and financial results.
Further, if we are required to obtain additional or alternative distribution agreements or arrangements with our distributors or retailers in the future, we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner. Our inability to enter into satisfactory distribution agreements may inhibit our ability to implement our business plan or to establish markets necessary to expand the distribution of our products successfully.
If we fail to grow the value and enhance the visibility of our brand, our business could suffer.
While we believe we have a strong brand reputation, a key component of our growth strategy involves growing the value and enhancing the visibility of our “Sow Good” brand. Our ability to maintain, position and enhance our brand will depend on a number of factors, including the market acceptance of our current and future product offerings, the nutritional content of our products, food quality and safety, quality assurance, our advertising and marketing efforts, and our ability to build relationships with customers and consumers. Any negative publicity, regardless of its accuracy, could materially adversely affect our business. Brand value is often based on perceptions of subjective qualities, and any incident that erodes the loyalty of our customers, suppliers, or consumers, could significantly reduce the value of our brand and harm our business.
Any damage to our reputation or brand image could adversely affect our business or financial results.
Maintaining a good reputation is critical to our business. Our reputation or brand image could be adversely impacted by, among other things, any failure to maintain high ethical, social and environmental sustainability practices for our operations, the views of management and other stakeholders, our impact on the environment, public pressure from investors or policy groups to change our policies, consumer perceptions of our advertising campaigns, sponsorship arrangements or marketing programs, including opportunities we choose to forego due to management philosophy, consumer perceptions of our use of social media, or consumer perceptions of statements made by us, our employees and executives, agents or other third-parties. Negative publicity, including as a result of the social or political views of our management, employees, customers or vendors, or misconduct by our consumers, customers, vendors or employees, can also spread rapidly through social media. Should we not respond in a timely and appropriate manner to address negative publicity, our brand and reputation may be significantly harmed. Damage to our reputation or brand image or loss of consumer confidence in our services could adversely affect our business and financial results as well as require additional resources to rebuild or repair our reputation.
Fluctuations in various food and supply, transportation and shipping costs could adversely affect our operating results.
Supplies and prices of the ingredients that we are going to use to may be affected by a variety of factors, such as weather conditions (including the effects of climate change), natural disasters, seasonal fluctuations, demand, politics and economics in the production areas. These factors subject us to shortages or interruptions in product supplies, which could adversely affect our revenue and profits.
We rely on our suppliers to meet our quality standards and to supply ingredients and other products in a timely and safe manner, and in accordance with our product specifications. We have developed and implemented a series of measures to ensure the safety and quality of our third-party supplied products, including using contract specifications, certificates of analysis for some products or ingredients, sample testing by suppliers, and sensory based testing. However, no safety and quality measures can eliminate the possibility that suppliers may provide us with products that are inconsistent with our specifications, below our quality standards, improperly labeled, or unsafe for consumption. If this was to occur, in addition to the risks associated with negative customer and consumer experiences, we could face the possible seizure or recall of our products, or the imposition of civil or criminal sanctions, any of which could have an adverse impact on our business.
In addition, the price of candy, which is currently our main ingredient in our products, can be volatile. The candy of the quality we seek tends to trade on a negotiated basis, depending on supply and demand at the time of the purchase. An increase in pricing of any candy that we are going to use in our products could have a significant adverse effect on our profitability. We cannot assure you that we will be able to secure our candy supply. In addition, we may face limits on the ability to source some of the candy for our freeze dried treats.
In addition, our costs are affected by general inflationary pressures related to transportation and shipping costs, particularly to the extent we have additional retail sales and smaller order quantities. We are also subject to a reduction in our profitability due to increased labor costs for our employees. As we look to expand our distribution and market, we may not be able to increase our sales prices to absorb these costs. We cannot provide assurances that we will be able to maintain profitability consistent with our goals. As we plan for the acquisition of additional freeze driers, we also anticipate that the costs for this equipment will be more than as well as the lead time to receive the equipment once ordered will be longer than we have planned. This could increase our capital needs and also delay our ability to ramp up production in a timely manner to correspond to demand.
In addition, we purchase and use significant quantities of cardboard, film, and plastic to package our products. The costs of these products may also fluctuate based on a number of factors beyond our control, including changes in the competitive environment, availability of substitute materials, and macroeconomic conditions. If we are not successful in managing our raw material and packaging costs, if we are unable to increase our prices to fully or partially offset the increased costs, or if such price increases reduce our sales volumes, then such cost increases will adversely affect our operating results.
Food safety concerns and concerns about the health risk of our products may have an adverse effect on our business.
Food safety is a top priority for us, and we dedicate substantial resources to ensure that our customers enjoy safe and high-quality treats. However, foodborne illnesses and other food safety issues have occurred in the retail food industry in the past and could occur in the future. Also, our reliance on third-party food suppliers, distributors and food delivery aggregators increases the risk that foodborne illness incidents could be caused by factors outside of our control. A failure or perceived failure to meet our quality or safety standards, including product adulteration, contamination, or tampering, or allegations of mislabeling, whether actual or perceived, could occur in our operations or those of our co-manufacturers, distributors or suppliers. This could result in time consuming and expensive production interruptions, negative publicity, the destruction of product inventory, the discontinuation of sales or our relationships with such co-manufacturers, distributors, or suppliers, lost sales due to the unavailability of product for a period of time and higher-than-anticipated rates of returns of goods. The occurrence of health-related illnesses or other incidents related to the consumption of our products, including allergies, excessive consumption or death to a consumer, could also adversely affect the price and availability of affected ingredients, resulting in higher costs, disruptions in supply and a reduction in our sales.
Noncompliance with applicable food product quality and safety regulations can result in enforcement action by applicable regulatory agencies, including product recalls, market withdrawals, product seizures, warning letters, injunctions, or criminal or civil liability. Such incidents could also expose us to product liability, negligence or other lawsuits, including consumer class action lawsuits. Any claims brought against us may exceed or be outside the scope of our existing or future insurance policy coverage or limits. Any judgment against us that is more than our policy limits or not covered by our policies or not subject to insurance would have to be paid by us, which would affect our results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, negative publicity also could be generated from false, unfounded or nominal liability claims or limited recalls. The occurrence of foodborne illnesses or food safety issues could also adversely affect the price and availability of affected ingredients, which could result in disruptions in our supply chain, significantly increase costs and/or lower margins for us.
In addition, there is increasing consumer awareness of, and increased media coverage on, the alleged adverse health impacts of consumption of various food products globally. Our products contain fats, sugar and other compounds and allergens, the health effects of which are the subject of public scrutiny, including the suggestion that excessive consumption of sugar and other compounds can lead to a variety of adverse health effects. An unfavorable report on the health effects of certain compounds present in our products, or negative publicity or litigation arising from other health risks such as obesity, could significantly reduce the demand for our products. Additionally, there may be new laws and regulations that could impact the ingredients and nutritional content of our product offerings, or laws and regulations requiring us to disclose the nutritional content of our product offerings or otherwise restrict sales of our treats. A decrease in consumer traffic as a result of these health concerns, laws or regulations or negative publicity could materially and adversely affect our business.
Product liability exposure may subject us to significant liability.
We may face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability and other claims and lawsuits in the event that the development or use of our technology or prospective products is alleged to have resulted in adverse effects. The sale of products for human use and consumption involves the risk of injury or illness to consumers. Such injuries may result from inadvertent mislabeling, tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination or spoilage. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to recall or withdraw products, suspend production of our products, or cease operations, which may lead to a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, our customers may stop placing or cancel orders for such products as a result of such events.
Even if a situation does not necessitate a recall or market withdrawal, product liability claims might be asserted against us. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe our facilities and those of our co-manufacturers and suppliers comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, if the consumption of any of our products causes, or is alleged to have caused, a health-related illness or death to a consumer, we may become subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or physical harm could cause consumers to lose confidence in the safety and quality of our products. Moreover, claims or liabilities of this type might not be covered by our insurance or by any rights of indemnity or contribution that we may have against others. Although we maintain product liability and product recall insurance in an amount that we believe to be consistent with market practice, we cannot be sure that we will not incur claims or liabilities for which we are not insured or that exceed the amount of our insurance coverage. A product liability judgment against us or a product recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
We have no control over our products once purchased by consumers. Accordingly, consumers may store or prepare our products in a manner that is inconsistent with our directions or store our products for longer than approved periods of time, which may adversely affect the quality and safety of our products.
Although we believe our insurance coverage to be adequate and consistent with industry practice, we may not have sufficient insurance coverage, and we may not be able to obtain sufficient coverage at a reasonable cost. An inability to obtain product liability insurance at acceptable cost or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our products. Further, any claim under our insurance policies may be subject to certain exceptions, may not be honored fully, in a timely manner, or at all, and we may not have purchased sufficient insurance to cover all losses incurred. If we were to incur substantial liabilities or if our business operations were interrupted for a substantial period, we could incur costs and suffer losses. Inventory, equipment, and business interruption losses may not be covered by our insurance policies. Additionally, insurance coverage may not be available to us at commercially acceptable premiums in the future, or at all.
Overall, we may not be able to avoid significant product liability exposure. A product liability claim could hurt our financial performance. Even if we ultimately avoid financial liability for this type of exposure, we may incur significant costs in defending ourselves that could hurt our financial performance and condition.
Our customers generally are not obligated to continue purchasing products from us.
Most of our customers are retailers or distributors that buy from us under purchase orders, and we generally do not have long-term agreements with or commitments from these customers for the purchase of products. We cannot provide assurance that our customers will maintain or increase their sales volumes or orders for the products supplied by us or that we will be able to maintain or add to our existing customer base. Decreases in our customers’ sales volumes or orders for products supplied by us may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our results of operations and our growth could be adversely affected.
Labor is a significant component of the cost of operating our business. Our ability to meet our labor needs while controlling labor costs is subject to external factors, such as employment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation, union activities, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and governmental labor and employment requirements. In the event of increasing wage rates, if we fail to increase our wages competitively, the quality of our workforce could decline, while increasing our wages could cause our earnings to decrease. If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs because of increased competition for employees from our competitors and other industries, higher employee-turnover rates, or increases in the federal- or state-mandated minimum wage, change in exempt and non-exempt status, or other employee benefits costs (including costs associated with health insurance coverage or workers’ compensation insurance), our operating expenses could increase and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our success depends in part on the effectiveness of our digital marketing strategy and the expansion of our social media presence, but there are risks associated with these efforts.
Our digital marketing strategy is integral to our business, as well as to the achievement of our growth strategies. Maintaining, positioning, and enhancing our brand will depend in part on the success of our marketing efforts. As part of these efforts, we rely on social media and other digital marketing to retain customers, attract new customers and consumers to our brand, and enhance the overall visibility of our brand in the market. However, there are a variety of risks associated with these efforts, including the potential for negative comments about or incidents involving us, whether or not accurate, as well as the potential for the improper disclosure of proprietary information about us or consumers. In addition, there is a risk of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), or other government agency, or other litigation claiming that our marketing does not meet applicable legal requirements or guidance, is not truthful, is misleading, or is unfair or deceptive to consumers. Further, the growing use of social and digital media may increase the speed and extent that information, or misinformation, and opinions about us and our products can be shared. For example, many social media platforms immediately publish content created or uploaded by their participants, often without filters or checks regarding the accuracy of the content posted. Negative publicity about us, our brand or our products on social or digital media could seriously damage our brand and reputation, as well as our significant social media presence. In addition, the misuse of social media and digital marketing platforms by us, our employees, customers, consumers, social media influencers, or business partners could increase our costs, lead to litigation, or result in negative publicity that could damage our reputation. If we do not maintain and enhance the favorable perception of our brand, we may not be able to increase product sales, which could prevent us from achieving our strategic objectives.
Any failure to adequately store, maintain and deliver our products could materially adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
Our ability to adequately store, maintain, and deliver our products is critical to our business. Keeping our food products at specific temperatures and humidity levels maintains food safety and quality. In the event of extended power outages, labor disruptions, natural disasters or other catastrophic occurrences, failures of the refrigeration systems in our third-party delivery trucks, or other circumstances, our inability to store inventory at appropriate temperatures and low humidity could result in significant product inventory losses, as well as increased risk of food-borne illnesses and other food safety incidents. Improper handling or storage of food by a customer, without any involvement or fault of ours or our retail customers, could result in food-borne illnesses, which could result in negative publicity and harm to our brand and reputation. Any failure to adequately store, maintain, or transport our products could negatively impact the safety, quality and merchantability of our products and the experience of our customers. The occurrence of any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
Failure to manage inventory at optimal levels could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are required to manage a large volume of inventory of products effectively for our business. We depend on our forecasts for the anticipated demand for our products to make procurement plans and manage our inventory. Our forecast for demand, however, may not accurately reflect the actual market demands, which depends on a number of factors including, without limitation, launches of new products, changes in product life cycles and pricing, product defects, changes in consumer spending patterns, supplier back orders and other supplier-related issues, distributors’ and retailers’ procurement plans, as well as the volatile economic environment in the markets where we sell our products. In addition, when we launch a new product with new components or raw material, it may be difficult to establish relationships, determine appropriate raw material and product selection, and accurately forecast market demand for such product. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain proper inventory levels for our business at all times, and any such failure may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Inventory levels in excess of distributor and/or consumer demand may result in inventory write-downs or an increase in inventory holding costs and a potential negative effect on our liquidity. As we plan to continue expanding our product offerings, we expect to include more products in our inventory, which will make it more challenging for us to manage our inventory effectively and will put more pressure on our storing system. If we fail to manage our inventory effectively, we may be subject to a heightened risk of inventory obsolescence, a decline in inventory values, and significant inventory write-downs or write-offs. In addition, we may be required to lower sale prices in order to reduce inventory level, which may lead to lower gross margins. High inventory levels may also require us to commit substantial capital resources, preventing us from using that capital for other important purposes. Any of the above may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Conversely, if we underestimate distributor or consumer demand, or if our supplier fails to provide products to us in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages, which may, in turn, require us to purchase our products at higher costs, result in unfulfilled product orders, leading to a negative impact on our financial condition and our relationships with distributors or consumers. Under-stocking can lead to missed sales opportunities, while over-stocking could result in inventory depreciation and decreased shelf space for products that are in higher demand. These results could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology adequately, which may impact our commercial success.
We believe that our intellectual property and proprietary technology has substantial value and has contributed significantly to the success of our business. We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, and trademarks laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and other contractual restrictions, to protect our intellectual property. However, these legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our intellectual property or permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage.
Our trademarks, including our Sow Good logo, are valuable assets that reinforce our brand and consumers’ favorable perception of our products. We also rely on unpatented proprietary expertise, recipes and formulations, and other trade secrets and copyright protection to develop and maintain our competitive position. Our continued success depends in part upon our ability to protect and preserve our intellectual property.
Our confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, independent contractors and suppliers generally require that all information made known to them be kept strictly confidential. Nevertheless, trade secrets are difficult to protect. Our confidentiality agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of such information. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets, in which case we would not be able to assert trade secret rights against such parties. Further, some of our manufacturing know-how and process has been implemented by or with our co-manufacturers. As a result, we may not be able to prevent others from using similar processes, which could adversely affect our business. In addition, we have not historically obtained confidentiality agreements or invention assignment agreements from all employees and consultants, which could impact our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology.
We cannot assure you that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights are adequate, that our intellectual property rights can be successfully defended and asserted in the future, or that third parties will not infringe upon or misappropriate any such rights. In addition, our trademark rights and related registrations may be challenged in the future and could be canceled or narrowed. Failure to protect our trademark rights could prevent us in the future from challenging third parties who use names and logos similar to our trademarks, which may in turn cause consumer confusion or negatively affect customers’ or consumers’ perception of our brand and products. In addition, if we do not keep our trade secrets confidential, others may produce products with our recipes or formulations. Moreover, intellectual property disputes and proceedings and infringement claims may result in a significant distraction for management and significant expense, which may not be recoverable regardless of whether we are successful. Such proceedings may be protracted with no certainty of success, and an adverse outcome could subject us to liability, force us to cease use of certain trademarks or other intellectual property, or force us to enter into licenses with others.
Third parties may initiate legal proceedings alleging that we are infringing or otherwise violating their intellectual property rights.
Our commercial success depends on our ability to develop and commercialize our products without infringing the intellectual property or proprietary rights of third parties. However, from time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business with respect to intellectual property. Intellectual property disputes can be costly to defend and may cause our business, operating results, and financial condition to suffer. Whether merited or not, we may face allegations that we or parties indemnified by us have infringed or otherwise violated the patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights of third parties. Such claims may be made by competitors seeking to obtain a competitive advantage or by other parties.
It may also be necessary for us to initiate litigation to defend ourselves in order to determine the scope, enforceability, and validity of third-party intellectual property or proprietary rights, or to establish our respective rights. Regardless of whether claims that we are infringing patents or other intellectual property rights have merit, such claims can be time-consuming, divert management’s attention and financial resources, and can be costly to evaluate and defend. Results of any such litigation are difficult to predict and may require us to stop commercializing or using our products, obtain licenses, modify our products while we develop non-infringing substitutes, or incur substantial damages, settlement costs, or face a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting us from marketing or providing the affected products. If we require a third-party license, it may not be available on reasonable terms or at all, and we may have to pay substantial royalties, upfront fees, or grant cross-licenses to intellectual property rights for our products and solutions. We may also have to redesign our products so they do not infringe third-party intellectual property rights, which may not be possible or may require substantial monetary expenditures and time, during which our products may not be available for commercialization or use. Even if we have an agreement to indemnify us against such costs, the indemnifying party may be unable to uphold its contractual obligations. If we cannot or do not obtain a third-party license to the infringed intellectual property, license the intellectual property on reasonable terms, or obtain similar intellectual property from another source, our revenue and earnings could be adversely impacted.
Further, some third parties may be able to sustain the costs of complex litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. And even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses and could distract our management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions, or other interim proceedings or developments, and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Moreover, any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our operations. Assertions by third parties that we violate their intellectual property rights could therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Information security events, or real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our systems; other technology disruptions; or failure to comply with laws and regulations relating to information security could negatively impact our business, reputation and customer relationships.
Our continued success depends in part on our systems, applications, and software continuing to operate to meet our business demands. We rely on information technology systems and infrastructure for substantially all aspects of our business operations. We use mobile applications, social networking, and other online activities to connect with our customers, consumers, suppliers, and employees. Our business involves the storage and transmission of confidential information and intellectual property, including information pertaining to customers, consumers, vendors, distributors, and suppliers, and employees. We also may maintain financial and strategic information about us and our business partners. Further, as we pursue new initiatives that enhance our operations and cost structure, potentially including acquisitions, we may also be required to expand and improve our information technologies, resulting in a larger technological presence and corresponding exposure to cybersecurity risk. Like all technology and information systems, such use gives rise to cybersecurity risks, including security incidents, espionage, system disruption through material errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs, particularly when new features or capabilities are released, theft, and inadvertent release of information. Our technology and information systems may be subject to computer viruses or malicious code, break-ins, phishing impersonation attacks, attempts to overload our servers with denial-of-service or other attacks, ransomware, and similar incidents or disruptions from unauthorized access or use of our computer systems, as well as unintentional incidents causing data leakage, any of which could lead to interruptions, delays, or website or mobile app shutdowns. Electronic security attacks designed to gain access to personal, sensitive, or confidential data are constantly evolving, and such attacks continue to grow in sophistication. If we fail to assess and identify cybersecurity risks associated with new initiatives or acquisitions, we may become increasingly vulnerable to such risks.
While we have implemented measures designed to prevent security incidents and cyber attacks, our preventative measures and incident response efforts may not be effective. The theft, destruction, loss, misappropriation, misuse, or release of sensitive or confidential information or intellectual property, or interference with our information technology systems or the technology systems of third parties on which we rely, could result in business disruption, negative publicity, reputational harm, violation of privacy laws, loss of customers, and liability, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Additionally, as a result of a security incident, we could be subject to demands, claims, and litigation by private parties and investigations, related actions, and penalties by regulatory authorities. Moreover, we could incur significant costs in notifying affected persons and entities and otherwise complying with the multitude of laws and regulations relating to the unauthorized access to, or acquisition, use, or disclosure of personal information.
Further, our operations depend on the continuing and efficient operation of our information technology, communications systems and infrastructure, and on cloud-based platforms, including platforms operated by vendors. Any of these systems and infrastructure are vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, vandalism, sabotage, terrorist attacks, floods, fires, power outages, telecommunications failures, computer viruses or other deliberate attempts to harm the systems. The occurrence of a natural or intentional disaster, any decision to close a facility we are using without adequate notice, or particularly an unanticipated problem at a cloud- based virtual server facility, could result in harmful interruptions in our service, resulting in adverse effects to our business. Although we have invested in the protection of data and information technology, there can be no assurances that our efforts will protect us against significant breakdowns, breaches in our systems, or other cyber incidents that could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, operations, or financial condition of the company.
Our international sales and operations, including our planned business development activities outside of the United States, subject us to additional risks and challenges that can adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As part of our growth strategy, we expect to continue to expand our international operations and manufacturing capacity, and provide our treats in additional languages and on-board new customers outside the United States. Any new markets or countries into which we attempt to conduct business may not be receptive to our business development activities. We believe that our ability to attract new customers is directly correlated to the level of engagement we achieve with our customers in their home countries. To the extent that we are unable to effectively engage with non-U.S. customers, we may be unable to effectively grow in international markets.
Our international operations also subject us to a variety of additional risks and challenges, including:
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increased management, travel, infrastructure and legal compliance costs associated with having operations and developing our business in multiple jurisdictions; |
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providing our treats and operating our business across a significant distance, in different languages, among different cultures and time zones, including the potential need to modify our marketing and products to ensure that they are culturally appropriate and relevant in different countries; |
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compliance with non-U.S. data privacy, protection and security laws, rules and regulations, including data localization requirements, and the risks and costs of non-compliance; |
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legislative changes that may impose fines or other penalties for failure to comply with certain content removal, law enforcement cooperation and disclosure obligations; |
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longer payment cycles and difficulties enforcing agreements, collecting accounts receivable or satisfying revenue recognition criteria, especially in emerging markets; |
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hiring, training, motivating and retaining highly-qualified personnel, while maintaining our unique corporate culture; |
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increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities; |
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longer sales cycles; |
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requirements or preferences for domestic products; |
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differing technical standards, existing or future regulatory and certification requirements and required features and functionality; |
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orders restricting or blocking our services in particular geographies, or other government-imposed remedies as a result of content hosted on our services; |
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political and economic conditions and uncertainty in each country or region in which we operate and general economic and political conditions and uncertainty around the world; |
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changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions; |
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compliance with laws and regulations for non-U.S. operations, including anti-bribery laws, import and export control laws, tariffs, trade barriers, economic sanctions and other regulatory or contractual limitations on our ability to sell our treats and develop our business in certain non-U.S. markets, and the risks and costs of non-compliance; |
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heightened risks of unfair or corrupt business practices in certain geographies and of improper or fraudulent sales arrangements that may impact our financial condition and result in restatements of our consolidated financial statements; |
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heightened risks of unfair or corrupt business practices in certain geographies and of improper or fraudulent sales arrangements that may impact our financial condition and result in restatements of our consolidated financial statements; |
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates and related effects on our results of operations; |
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difficulties in repatriating or transferring funds from or converting currencies in certain countries; |
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communication and integration problems related to entering new markets with different languages, cultures and political systems; |
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new and different sources of competition; |
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differing labor standards, including restrictions related to, and the increased cost of, terminating employees in some countries; |
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the need for localized subscription agreements; |
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the need for localized language support and difficulties associated with delivering support, training and documentation in languages other than English; |
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increased reliance on channel partners; |
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reduced protection for intellectual property rights in certain non-U.S. countries and practical difficulties of obtaining, maintaining, protecting and enforcing such rights abroad; and |
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compliance with the laws of numerous foreign taxing jurisdictions, including withholding tax obligations, and overlapping of different tax regimes. |
Any of these risks and challenges could adversely affect our operations, reduce our revenue or increase our operating costs, each of which could adversely affect our ability to expand our business outside of the United States and thereby our business more generally, as well as our results of operations, financial condition and growth prospects.
Compliance with laws and regulations applicable to our international operations substantially increases our cost of doing business. We may be unable to keep current with changes in government requirements as they change from time to time. Failure to comply with these regulations could have adverse effects on our business. In many foreign countries it is common for others to engage in business practices that are prohibited by our internal policies and procedures or U.S. or other regulations applicable to us. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws and policies, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors, partners and agents will comply with these laws and policies. Violations of laws or our policies by our employees, contractors, partners or agents could result in delays in revenue recognition, financial reporting misstatements, enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, fines, civil and criminal penalties, damages, injunctions, other collateral consequences and increased costs, including the costs associated with defending against such actions, or the prohibition of the importation or exportation of our treats, each of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our operations in foreign countries are subject to political, economic and foreign currency risk.
Our relationships with foreign suppliers and co-manufacturers as well as our planned business activities (including manufacturing) in Monterrey, Mexico also subject us to the risks of doing business outside the United States. The countries from which we source our materials and certain of our finished goods may be subject to political and economic instability, and may periodically enact new or revise existing laws, taxes, duties, quotas, tariffs, currency controls or other restrictions to which we are subject, including restrictions on the transfer of funds to and from foreign countries or the nationalization of operations. Our products are subject to import duties and other restrictions, and the U.S. government may periodically impose new or revise existing duties, quotas, tariffs or other restrictions to which we are subject, including restrictions on the transfer of funds to and from foreign countries.
In particular, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or other regulatory and economic impact of changes in taxation and trade relations among the United States and other countries.
In addition, changes in respective wage rates among the countries from which we and our competitors source product or in which we operate could substantially impact our competitive position. Changes in exchange rates, import/export duties or relative international wage rates applicable to us or our competitors could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. These changes may impact us in a different manner than our competitors.
Our financial performance on a U.S. dollar denominated basis is subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. These fluctuations could cause material variations in our results of operations.
Risks Related to the Regulatory Environment
Our operations are subject to regulation by the FDA and other federal, state, and local authorities in the U.S., and in any other jurisdictions in which we may sell our products, and there is no assurance that we will be in compliance with all laws and regulations.
Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA, and other federal, state, and local authorities in the U.S. and in any other jurisdictions in which we may sell our products including Canada and Israel. Specifically, for products manufactured or sold in the U.S., we are subject to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) and regulations promulgated thereunder by the FDA. This comprehensive regulatory program governs, among other things, the manufacturing, ingredients, packaging, labeling, and safety of food. Under this program, the FDA requires that facilities that manufacture food products comply with a range of requirements, including hazard analysis and preventative controls regulations, current good manufacturing practices (“GMPs”), and supplier verification requirements. Our co-manufacturers prepare and package freeze dried candies per our specifications at their processing facilities and are subject to periodic inspection by foreign, federal, state, and local authorities. If our products are not manufactured, processed, packaged and labeled in conformity with our specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or other regulatory authorities, we or our co-manufacturers may be subject to adverse inspectional findings or enforcement actions, which could materially impact our ability to market our products or result in a recall of our product, that have already been distributed. If the FDA or another regulatory authority determines that we or our suppliers or other business partners have not complied with applicable regulatory requirements, our business may be adversely impacted.
We seek to comply with applicable laws and regulations through expert personnel with experience to ensure quality-assurance compliance and contracting with third-party laboratories that conduct analyses of new products to establish nutrition labeling information and to help identify certain potential contaminants before distribution. Our existing compliance structures may be insufficient to address the current or changing regulatory environment. This may result in gaps in compliance coverage or the omission of necessary new compliance activity. The failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or maintain permits, licenses, or registrations relating to our or their operations, could subject us to civil remedies or penalties, including fines, injunctions, product recalls, warning letters, or restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of products, as well as potential criminal sanctions, any of which could result in increased operating costs and reputational harm. In addition, changes to laws, regulations, or policies applicable to foods could leave us vulnerable to adverse governmental action and materially adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Even inadvertent, non-negligent or unknowing violations of federal, state, or local regulatory requirements could expose us to adverse governmental action and materially adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
The FDCA, which governs the shipment of foods in interstate commerce, generally does not distinguish between intentional and unknowing, non-negligent violations of the law’s requirements. Most state and local laws operate similarly. Consequently, almost any deviation from subjective or objective requirements of the FDCA, or applicable state or local laws, leaves us vulnerable to a variety of administrative actions, enforcement actions, and/or civil and criminal penalties. Failure to comply with laws and regulations could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our collection, use, and disclosure of information, including personal information, is subject to federal, state and foreign privacy and security regulations and binding industry standards; new or changed regulations could impose significant costs to our operation and failure to comply with those regulations or to adequately secure the information we hold could result in significant liability or reputational harm.
We are subject to numerous federal, state and local rules and regulations relating to the collection, processing, storing, sharing, disclosure, use, and security of personal information and other data. We also are or may in the future be subject to contractual obligations to protect data. We strive to comply with applicable laws, contractual obligations, and our own policies pertaining to the processing of personal information. Nevertheless, such laws, regulations, and other obligations may require us to change our business practices and may negatively impact our ability to expand our business and pursue business opportunities. We may incur significant expenses to comply with the laws, regulations, and other obligations that apply to us. Additionally, the privacy- and data protection-related laws, rules, and regulations applicable to us may be interpreted and applied in new ways or in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Further, new laws, rules, and regulations could be enacted with which we are not familiar or with which our practices do not comply.
Several U.S. jurisdictions have passed omnibus privacy laws that apply to us now or may apply in the future as we grow and expand, and other jurisdictions are considering imposing additional restrictions. Examples include the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, “CPRA”). Since the passage of the CCPA, more than ten (10) U.S. states have enacted omnibus privacy laws, which will go into effect at varying dates through 2026. The CCPA and other state omnibus laws provide consumers with substantial rights over their personal information, impose notice obligations on companies, and require companies to implement programs to manage such rights. As Company operates in the business-to-business space, Company will not be directly subject to the majority of the enacted state omnibus privacy laws. Nonetheless, to the extent that certain of these laws are applicable to us, and to the extent that other states enact laws in the future that are or may be applicable to us, we will need to expend resources to evaluate such regulations and implement compliance solutions. If we engage in email marketing or certain telemarketing activities, we will be subject to issue-specific laws pertaining to the use of information, including laws on marketing and advertising, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, and their state counterparts.
Further, if our operations bring us into the scope of non-U.S. privacy and data protection regulations, we may be subject to additional privacy and data protection regulations, which may require us to spend resources to comply with such programs and expose us to risk for any actual or perceived failure to comply.
We also are or may be subject to binding industry standards, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI-DSS”), due to our acceptance of payment cards. If we or our payment processors fail to comply with the PCI-DSS, we may incur significant fines or liability and lose access to major payment card systems. Industry groups may in the future adopt additional self-regulatory standards by which we are legally or contractually bound.
Compliance with these and any other applicable privacy and data security laws and regulations is a rigorous and time-intensive process, and we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms ensuring compliance with the new data protection rules. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with privacy or data protection laws, policies, or industry standards or any security incident that results in the unauthorized release of personal information may result in governmental enforcement actions and investigations, fines and penalties, litigation and/or adverse publicity, including by consumer advocacy groups, and could cause our customers to lose trust in us, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation and business. Such failures could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations. If the third parties we work with violate applicable laws, contractual obligations or suffer a security incident, such violations may also put us in breach of our obligations under privacy laws and regulations and/or could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock
Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB, which may have an unfavorable impact on our stock price and liquidity.
Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB. The quotation of our shares on the OTCQB may result in a less liquid market available for existing and potential stockholders to trade shares of our common stock, could depress the trading price of our common stock and could have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future. When fewer shares of a security are being traded on the OTCQB, volatility of prices may increase and price movement may outpace the ability to deliver accurate quote information. Due to lower trading volumes in shares of our common stock, there may be a lower likelihood that orders for shares of our common stock will be executed, and current prices may differ significantly from the price that was quoted at the time of entry of the order.
Our ability to uplist our common stock to Nasdaq Capital Market is subject to us meeting applicable listing criteria.
If our common stock is listed on Nasdaq Capital Market, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we violate Nasdaq Capital Market listing requirements, our common stock may be delisted. If we fail to meet any of Nasdaq Capital Market’s continued listing standards, our common stock may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq Capital Market may materially impair our stockholders’ ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock. The delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.
Our failure to meet such applicable listing criteria could prevent us from listing our common stock on Nasdaq Capital Market. In the event we are unable to uplist our common stock, our common stock will continue to trade on the OTCQB, which is generally considered less liquid and more volatile than the Nasdaq Capital Market. Our failure to uplist our common stock could make it more difficult for you to trade our common stock, could prevent our common stock trading on a frequent and liquid basis and could result in the value of our common stock being less than it would be if we were able to uplist.
The market price of our common stock is, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.
The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to:
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dilution caused by our issuance of additional shares of common stock and other forms of equity securities, which we expect to make in connection with future capital financings to fund our operations and growth, to attract and retain valuable personnel and in connection with future strategic partnerships with other companies; |
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quarterly variations in our revenues and operating expenses as we commence our production and sales; |
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changes in the valuation of similarly situated companies, both in our industry and in other industries sales; |
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challenges associated with timely SEC filings; |
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changes in analysts’ estimates affecting our company, our competitors and/or our industry; |
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changes in the accounting methods used in or otherwise affecting our industry; |
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additions and departures of key personnel; |
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fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of capital in the capital markets; |
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significant sales of our common stock following the registration of shares under this prospectus; |
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any guidance we may provide to the public, any changes in this guidance, or our failure to meet this guidance; |
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announcements of new products by us or our competitors, and competition from new or existing products; |
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addition or loss of significant customers, suppliers or other business partners; |
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new laws or regulations applicable to our business or products, or changes to the interpretation of existing laws or regulations; |
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announcements of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, or joint ventures by us or our competitors; |
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outcome of litigation, regulatory matters, enforcement actions, or other disputes that may arise; and |
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general economic, industry, and market conditions. |
These and other factors are largely beyond our control, and the impact of these risks, singly or in the aggregate, may result in material adverse changes to the market price of our common stock and our results of operations and financial condition.
Further, the stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the trading prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may negatively impact the trading price of our common stock. If the trading price of our common stock after this offering does not exceed the initial public offering price, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment.
In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the trading of their securities have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could harm our business.
We have never paid dividends on our common stock and we do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that we will retain all of our future earnings if any, to service debt, fund growth, develop our business, fund working capital needs, and for general corporate purposes. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors. Accordingly, investors should rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment in our common stock.
Future sales and issuances of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock, including pursuant to our equity incentive plans, could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.
We may issue additional securities following the closing of this offering. In the future, we may sell shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock, in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. We also expect to issue additional shares of our common stock to directors, officers, employees, and consultants pursuant to our equity incentive plans. If we sell shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock, in subsequent transactions, or if shares of our common stock are issued pursuant to our equity incentive plans, investors may be materially diluted. In addition, new investors in such subsequent transactions could receive securities with rights senior to those of holders of our common stock.
Substantial future sales of our common stock, or the perception in the public markets that these sales may occur, could cause our share price to fall.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares of our common stock intend to sell shares, could reduce the trading price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate. Upon the closing of this offering, we will have shares of our common stock outstanding (or shares, if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock). The shares of common stock offered in this offering and any previously registered for sale pursuant to this registration statement will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for any shares of our common stock that may be held or acquired by our directors, executive officers and other “affiliates,” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, which will be restricted securities under the Securities Act. Restricted securities may not be sold in the public market unless the sale is registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.
Subject to the restrictions set forth in the lock-up agreements entered into by each of our directors and officers and substantially all of our equity holders in connection with this offering, as described elsewhere in this prospectus, outstanding shares of our common stock may be freely sold in the public market at any time to the extent permitted by Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act, or to the extent that such shares have already been registered under the Securities Act and are held by non-affiliates.
We also intend to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register all shares of our common stock issued or issuable under the 2024 Equity Plan. Any such Form S-8 registration statements will automatically become effective upon filing. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statements will be available for sale in the open market following the expiration of the applicable lock-up period. If any of these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline.
If securities industry analysts do not publish research reports on us, or publish unfavorable reports on us, then the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected.
Any trading market for our common stock may be influenced in part by any research reports that securities industry analysts publish about us. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities industry analysts. If no securities industry analysts commence coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected. In the event we are covered by analysts, and one or more of such analysts downgrade our securities, or otherwise reports on us unfavorably, or discontinues coverage of us, the market price and market trading volume of our common stock could be negatively affected.
We are a “smaller reporting company,” and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are a “smaller reporting company” under applicable SEC rules, meaning that the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company after this offering if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million, or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates was less than $700 million. As a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we may take advantage of reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution.
The offering price of our common stock is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock, which on an as-adjusted basis was $ per share of our common stock as of September 30, 2023. As a result, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value when you buy our common stock in this offering. This means that you will pay a higher price per share than the amount of our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding. In addition, you may also experience additional dilution if options or other rights to purchase our common stock that are outstanding or that we may issue in the future are exercised, converted, or exchanged, or we issue additional shares of our common stock at prices lower than our net tangible book value at such time. For additional information, refer to the section entitled “Dilution.”
Our management has broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds received in this offering and may not use the net proceeds effectively.
We will use the proceeds from its sale of its common stock in this offering to for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures for the expansion of our production capacity, funding working and growth capital and the reduction of our indebtedness. Accordingly, we will not retain any of these proceeds.
Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering. Investors in this offering will need to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of proceeds. If we do not use the net proceeds that we receive in this offering effectively, our business, operating results, and financial condition will be adversely impacted, and we may not be able to achieve our strategic objectives.
The concentration of our stock ownership limits our stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters.
Following the offering, our officers and directors will continue to have significant influence over us through their ownership of shares of our common stock. As of the date of this prospectus, our directors and officers beneficially own shares of our common stock which will represent approximately % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock following the offering. As a consequence, our directors and officers will have the power to affect our management and affairs and overall matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our Company or our assets, for the foreseeable future. This concentrated control limits or restricts our stockholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that our stockholders do not view as beneficial. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.
Anti-takeover provisions that will be contained under our charter documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change of control, which could limit the market price of our common stock and may prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Our Charter and Bylaws will contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our board of directors that our stockholders might consider favorable. Some of these provisions include:
| ● |
a prohibition on stockholder action through written consent, which requires that all stockholder actions be taken at a meeting of our stockholders; |
| ● |
a requirement that special meetings of stockholders be called only by the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office; |
| ● |
advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for election to our board of directors; |
| ● |
a requirement that no member of our board of directors may be removed from office by our stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote required by law, upon the approval of not less than two-thirds of all outstanding shares of our voting stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors; |
| ● |
a requirement for approval by not less than two-thirds of all outstanding shares of our voting stock to amend any Bylaws by stockholder action or to amend specific provisions of our Charter; and |
| ● |
the authority of the board of directors to issue preferred stock on terms determined by the board of directors without stockholder approval and which preferred stock may include rights superior to the rights of the holders of common stock. |
In addition, because we will be incorporated in Delaware, we will be governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law, or DGCL, which may prohibit certain business combinations with stockholders owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions that will be contained in our Charter and Bylaws could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirers to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by the then-current board of directors and could also delay or impede a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving our company. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors of your choosing or cause us to take other corporate actions you desire. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our board of directors could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly, period-to-period comparisons of our results may not be meaningful, and these fluctuations may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
Our quarterly results, including our revenues, operating expenses, operating margins, and profitability, may fluctuate significantly in the future, and period-to-period comparisons of our results may not be meaningful. Accordingly, the results of any one quarter should not be viewed as a prediction or indication of our future performance. In addition, our quarterly results may not fully reflect the underlying performance of our business.
Factors that may cause fluctuations in our quarterly results include, but are not limited to:
| ● |
our inability to retain our existing customers, and expand sales of our products to our existing customers; |
| ● |
our ability to attract new customers and consumers to our brand, the type and amount of products purchased, and the cost of acquisition; |
| ● |
the mix of our products sold during the period, and the gross margins associated with those sales; |
| ● |
changes in our pricing policies, or those of our competitors; |
| ● |
the amount and timing of discounts, rebates, or promotional activity; |
| ● |
the amount and timing of costs and operating expenses related to the expansion of manufacturing capacity, distribution channels, production capabilities, and operational infrastructure; |
| ● |
the amount and timing of costs and operating expenses associated with developing and commercializing new products; |
| ● |
the amount and timing of costs and operating expenses related to the acquisition of businesses, assets, technologies, or intellectual property rights; |
| ● |
the timing and impact of any security breaches, service outages or other performance problems with our technology infrastructure and software solutions; |
| ● |
the timing and costs associated with legal or regulatory actions; |
| ● |
changes in the competitive dynamics of our industry, including consolidation among customers, suppliers, or competitors; |
| ● |
loss of our executive officers or other key employees; |
| ● |
trends and conditions impacting the consumer packaged goods industry, and the freeze dried goods category in particular; |
| ● |
the impacts and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, or any other pandemics, epidemics, disease outbreak, or similar widespread public health concern on our business and operating results, or incidence of disease; and |
| ● |
general economic, political, social, and market conditions. |
Fluctuations in quarterly results, or for any other period, may negatively impact the value of our common stock, regardless of whether they impact or reflect the overall performance of our business. If our quarterly results, or results for any other period, fall below the expectations of investors or any securities analysts who follow our stock, or below any guidance we may provide, the trading price of our common stock could decline substantially.
Risks Related to Accounting and Tax Matters
Changes in tax laws or regulations that are applied adversely to us in the various tax jurisdictions to which we are subject could increase the costs of our products and harm our operating results.
New income, sales, use, or other tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances could be enacted at any time. Those enactments could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition. Further, existing tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified, or applied adversely to us. These events could require us to pay additional tax amounts on a prospective or retroactive basis, as well as require us to pay fines, and penalties, and interest for past amounts deemed to be due, any of which would harm our operating results.
Changes in existing financial accounting standards or practices may require us to restate our reported financial results or harm our operating results.
GAAP is subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change. Adoption of such new standards and any difficulties in the implementation of changes in accounting principles, including the ability to modify our accounting systems, could cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations, which could lead to regulatory enforcement actions, cause investors to lose confidence in our financial reports, and result in a decline in the trading price of our common stock.
General Risks
Conditions in Israel, including the recent attack by Hamas and other terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip and Israel’s war against them, may affect our operations.
A portion of our sales come from Israel, and because of this our business and operations are directly affected by economic, political, geopolitical and military conditions in Israel.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its neighboring countries and terrorist organizations active in the region. These conflicts have involved missile strikes, hostile infiltrations and terrorism against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, which have negatively affected business conditions in Israel.
During the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. In December 2008 and January 2009 there was an escalation in violence among Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and other groups, as well as extensive hostilities along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel. During November 2012 and from July through August 2014, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with a militia group and political party who controls the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel, as well as at areas more centrally located near Tel Aviv and at areas surrounding Jerusalem. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel’s southern border from the Gaza Strip and conducted a series of attacks on civilian and military targets. Hamas also launched extensive rocket attacks on Israeli population and industrial centers located along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and in other areas within the State of Israel. Following the attack, Israel’s security cabinet declared war against Hamas and a military campaign against these terrorist organizations commenced in parallel to their continued rocket and terror attacks. Moreover, the clash between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon may escalate in the future into a greater regional conflict.
Any hostilities involving Israel, or the interruption or curtailment of trade within Israel or between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations or could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. The conflict situation in Israel could also cause disruptions in our supply chain and international trade, including the export of our products. The conflict situation in Israel could also result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.
It is currently not possible to predict the duration or severity of the ongoing conflict or its effects on our business, operations and financial conditions. The ongoing conflict is rapidly evolving and developing, and could disrupt our business and operations in Israel or hamper our ability to raise additional funds, among others.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior management and other key personnel, including Ira and Claudia Goldfarb, our Executive Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, respectively, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our future success heavily depends on the continued service of our senior management and other key employees, especially the continued contributions of Ira and Claudia Goldfarb, our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, whose knowledge, leadership and technical expertise would be difficult to replace. Our executive officers or key personnel could terminate their employment with us at any time without penalty. In addition, we do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our employees. If one or more of our senior executives is unable or unwilling to continue to work for us in the present position, we may have to spend a considerable amount of time and resources searching, recruiting, and integrating a replacement into our operations, which would substantially divert management’s attention from our business and severely disrupt our business. This may also adversely affect our ability to execute our business strategy.
A worsening of economic conditions or a decrease in consumer spending may adversely impact our ability to implement our business strategy.
Our success depends to a significant extent on discretionary consumer spending, which is influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. There is no certainty regarding economic conditions in the United States, and credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions could deteriorate at any time. Accordingly, we may experience declines in revenue during economic turmoil or during periods of uncertainty. In addition, sustained periods of inflation may result in a decline in the amount of discretionary spending and otherwise hamper our gross margins. Future economic conditions such as employment levels, business conditions, housing starts, interest rates, inflation rates, energy and fuel costs and tax rates could reduce consumer spending or change consumer purchasing habits. Any material decline in the amount of discretionary spending, leading cost-conscious consumers to be more selective in food products purchased, could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations, business and financial condition.
The failure to successfully integrate newly acquired products or businesses could negatively impact our profitability.
From time to time, we may consider opportunities to acquire other products or businesses that may expand the breadth of our markets or customer base. The success of future acquisitions will be dependent upon our ability to effectively integrate the acquired products and operations into our business. Integration can be complex, expensive and time-consuming. The failure to successfully integrate acquired products or businesses in a timely and cost-effective manner could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. The diversion of our management’s attention and any difficulties encountered in any integration process could also have a material adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. In addition, the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing businesses, tax costs or inefficiencies, or inconsistencies in standards, any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain the appeal of our brand and our relationships with customers, employees or other third parties or our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions and could harm our financial performance. We do not know if we will be able to identify acquisitions we deem suitable, whether we will be able to successfully complete any such acquisitions on favorable terms or at all, or whether we will be able to successfully integrate any acquired products or businesses. Additionally, an additional risk inherent in any acquisition is that we fail to realize a positive return on our investment.
Claims, legal proceedings, and other disputes could divert our management’s attention, have a negative impact on our reputation, expose us to significant liabilities, and make it more difficult to obtain insurance coverage.
From time to time, we may be party to various claims, legal proceedings, and other disputes. We evaluate these matters to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, we may establish reserves, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from our assessments and estimates.
Even when not merited, the defense of legal proceedings may divert our management’s attention, and we may incur significant expenses in defending these matters. The results of legal proceedings are inherently uncertain, and adverse judgments or settlements in some of these proceedings may result in adverse monetary damages, penalties, or injunctive relief against us, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition, and liquidity. Any legal proceedings or other disputes, even if fully indemnified or insured, could have a negative impact on our reputation, and make it more difficult to compete effectively or to obtain adequate insurance in the future.
Further, while we maintain insurance for certain potential liabilities, such insurance does not cover all types and amounts of potential liabilities and is subject to various exclusions and caps on amounts recoverable. Even if we believe a claim is covered by insurance, insurers may dispute our entitlement to recovery for a variety of potential reasons, which may affect the timing and amount of our recovery.
Our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all errors or acts of fraud.
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. We believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by an unauthorized override of the controls. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in our control system, misstatements or insufficient disclosures due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding the offering, expected growth, and future capital expenditures, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include, but are not limited to statements about:
| ● |
our ability to compete successfully in the highly competitive industry in which we operate; |
| ● |
our ability to maintain and enhance our brand; |
| ● |
our ability to successfully implement our growth strategies related to launching new products; |
| ● |
the effectiveness and efficiency of our marketing programs; |
| ● |
our ability to manage current operations and to manage future growth effectively; |
| ● |
our future operating performance; |
| ● |
our ability to attract new customers or retain existing customers; |
| ● |
our ability to protect and maintain our intellectual property; |
| ● |
the government regulations to which we are subject; |
| ● |
our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to meet our financial obligations; |
| ● |
failure to obtain sufficient sales and distributions for our freeze dried product offerings; |
| ● |
the potential for supply chain disruption and delay; |
| ● |
the potential for transportation, labor, and raw material cost increases; and |
| ● |
other risks and uncertainties set forth under “Risk Factors.” |
The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to the factors set forth under “Risk Factors.” Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information.
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 forms a part with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.
We estimate, based upon an assumed public offering price of $ per share (which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $ (or $ if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The principal purposes of this offering are to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility, create a public market for our common stock and enable access to the public equity markets for us and our stockholders.
We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures for the expansion of our production capacity in Monterrey, Mexico, funding working and growth capital, the expansion of our sales and marketing function and the reduction of our indebtedness. The expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as or plans and business conditions evolve. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application and specific allocations of the net proceeds of this offering. We intend to invest the net proceeds we receive from this offering that are not used as described above in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments or other securities.
Assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $ per share (which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $ , assuming the number of shares offered, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Each 1,000,000 share increase (decrease) in the number of shares offered in this offering would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $ , assuming that the price per share for the offering remains at $ (which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The following table sets forth the cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2023, as follows:
| ● |
on an actual basis; and |
| ● |
on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Corporate Conversion; and |
| ● |
on a pro forma as adjusted basis, to give further effect to the issuance and sale of common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
The information discussed below is illustrative only, and our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization following the consummation of this offering will adjust based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and other financial information contained in this prospectus.
| As of September 30, 2023 |
||||||||||||
| Actual |
Pro Forma |
Pro Forma |
||||||||||
| (in thousands except unit and share data) |
||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 2,096,672 | $ | 2,096,672 | $ | |||||||
| Long-term debt, including current portion |
$ | 9,725,000 | $ | 9,725,000 | $ | |||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: |
||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, actual; 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted |
– | – | ||||||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value per share: 500,000,000 shares authorized, 5,603,083 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 5,603,083 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; and 500,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted |
5,603 | 5,603 | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
62,932,391 | 62,932,391 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit |
(60,068,008) | (60,068,008) | ||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
2,869,986 | 2,869,986 | ||||||||||
| Total capitalization |
$ | 12,594,986 | $ | 12,594,986 | $ | |||||||
| (1) |
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in-capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by $ million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of shares in the number of shares sold in this offering, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in-capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by $ million, assuming the assumed public offering price of $ per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 5,603,083 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023, assuming a public offering price of $ per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and excludes:
| ● |
999 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2012 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,000 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2016 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
647,708 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2020 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,291,250 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2.50 per share as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
3,000,000 shares of our common stock will be reserved for future issuance under our 2024 Plan, which will become effective prior to the completion of this offering, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2024 Plan. |
We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business, and therefore we do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with contractual restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing our current and future indebtedness. Any such determination will also depend upon our business prospects, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and availability and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Accordingly, you may need to sell your shares of our common stock to realize a return on your investment, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price you paid for them. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock—We have never paid dividends on our common stock and we do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.”
We currently operate as a Nevada corporation under the name Sow Good Inc. Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, Sow Good Inc. will convert into a Delaware corporation pursuant to a statutory conversion. As of the closing of this offering, Sow Good Inc. will be governed by the Charter filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and Bylaws, the material provisions of which are described in “Description of Capital Stock.” We do not expect that the Corporate Conversion will have a material effect on the results of our core operations. In this prospectus, we refer to all of the transactions related to our conversion to a corporation as the Corporate Conversion.
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.
Our historical net tangible book value as of September 30, 2023, was $(2,631,151), or $(0.47) per share of common stock. Historical net tangible book value per share is determined by subtracting our total liabilities from the total book value of our tangible assets and dividing the difference by the number of shares of common stock deemed to be outstanding.
Our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2023, was $(2,631,151), or $(0.47) per share. Pro forma net tangible book value per share is determined by subtracting our total liabilities from the total book value of our tangible assets and dividing the difference by the number of shares of common stock deemed to be outstanding, after giving effect to the Corporate Conversion, immediately before the pricing of this offering.
Our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2023, after giving effect to this offering would have been approximately $ , or $ per share of common stock. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $ per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $ per share to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering. We determine dilution by subtracting the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the amount of cash that a new investor paid for a share of common stock. The following table illustrates this dilution:
| Assumed public offering price per share |
$ | |||||||
| Historical net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023 |
$ | (0.47) | ||||||
| Increase in historical net tangible book value per share attributable to pro forma events |
$ | – | ||||||
| Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023 before this offering |
$ | (0.47) | ||||||
| Increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share attributable to investors in this offering |
$ | |||||||
| Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering |
$ | |||||||
| Dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new common stock investors in this offering |
$ |
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $ , and dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new investors by approximately $ , assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after the offering would be $ per share, the increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $ per share and the dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value to new investors would be $ per share, in each case assuming a public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus.
The following table summarizes, as of September 30, 2023, after giving effect to this offering, the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid, or to be paid, to us and the average price per share paid, or to be paid, by existing stockholders and by the new investors. The calculation below is based on an assumed public offering price of $ per share, which is the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
| Shares Purchased |
Total Consideration |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Number |
Percent |
Amount |
Percent |
Average price per Share |
||||||||||||||||
| Existing stockholders |
% | $ | % | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| New investors |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
100 | % | $ | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $ per share would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by new investors and the total consideration paid by all stockholders by $ , assuming the number of shares offered by us remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions but before estimated offering expenses.
Except as otherwise indicated, the discussion and the tables above assume no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 5,603,083 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023, assuming a public offering price of $ per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and excludes:
| ● |
999 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2012 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,000 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2016 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
647,708 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2020 2020 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,291,250 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2.50 per share as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
3,000,000 shares of our common stock will be reserved for future issuance under our 2024 Plan, which will become effective prior to the completion of this offering, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2024 Plan. |
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the section entitled “Summary Condensed Financial and Other Data,” our audited financial statements, the accompanying notes, and the other financial information included within this prospectus. The following discussion below contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as our plans, estimates, hopes, beliefs, intentions, and strategies regarding the future. Our actual results could differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in our actual results include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and in the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future.
Overview
Sow Good is a trailblazing U.S.-based freeze dried candy and snack manufacturer dedicated to providing consumers with innovative and explosively flavorful freeze dried treats. Sow Good has harnessed the power of our proprietary freeze drying technology and product-specialized manufacturing facility to transform traditional candy into a novel and exciting everyday confectionaries subcategory that we call freeze dried candy. We began commercializing our freeze dried candy products in the first quarter of 2023, and as of December 31, 2023, we have fourteen stock keeping units (“SKUs”) in our Sow Good Candy line of treats and four SKUs in our Sow Good Crunch Cream line. We sell our treats across retail, wholesale distributors, and online e-commerce channels, which comprise 63%, 34%, and 2% of our sales through the third quarter of 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our treats are offered for sale in over 5,857 brick-and-mortar retail outlets in the United States, Canada, and Israel. The rapid demand growth for our delectable treats since their retail debut in March 2023 highlights our consumers’ excitement for our novel and explosively flavorful treats that “satisfy your sweet tooth in fewer bites.”
We have custom-built a 20,945 square foot freeze drying facility in Irving, Texas, as well as co-manufacturing arrangements in China and Colombia, that together allow us to freeze dry fourteen million units per year to our demanding quality and safety specifications. Freeze drying removes up to 99% of moisture from a product in its frozen state by applying a small amount of heat in an extremely low air pressure, near outer space-like environment, through the use of massive vacuum chambers, resulting in moisture being removed from the product at the speed of sound. This process of removing moisture from the product, which can take up to twenty-four hours, concentrates its flavor, creating a “hyper dried, hyper crunchy, and hyper flavorful” treat. Our commitment to providing the most flavorful and crunchy treats extends into the product packaging process, where our 194 employees dedicated to hand-packaging, as of December 31, 2023, put our treats through our hand-packed precision packaging process in vigilantly managed low humidity conditions to protect our treats from reintroduction to moisture.
We have built four bespoke freeze driers using proprietary technology tailored specifically to our products, creating a truly state-of-the-art facility in Irving, Texas. We are in the process of fabricating and operationalizing two additional freeze driers, which we anticipate will come online in our Irving, Texas facility in the second quarter of 2024. In addition, due to strong customer demand, we have entered into co-manufacturing arrangements with third-party manufacturers whose freeze drying facilities meet our exacting production, sanitation and allergen control requirements, as well as our food quality and safety standards. Currently, all of our products manufactured by third-parties are shipped to our facilities in Texas for packaging. However, we are in the process of opening a facility in Monterrey, Mexico which will receive and package all of our treats made by co-manufacturers, and eventually house additional internal freeze driers for further increased capacity, alongside office space for certain of our corporate and marketing functions.
Sow Good is led by co-founders Claudia and Ira Goldfarb, who have over a decade of manufacturing experience with an extensive freeze drying background, dedication to job creation, and proven track record of identifying and growing niche trends into everyday categories. Under their leadership, our revenues have grown from $428.1 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2022 to approximately $6.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, with approximately $5.0 million of that being recorded in the three-month period ended September 30, 2023. For the period ended September 30, 2023 our Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $(0.3) million compared to approximately $(3.5) million for the period ended September 30, 2022. See “Prospectus Summary—Summary Condensed Financial and Other Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the nearest comparable GAAP metric.
We believe the candy category is stagnant, repetitive, and in need of revitalization to reengage and captivate consumers seeking innovative ways to satisfy their sweet cravings. We see our market opportunity as existing at the intersection of two burgeoning categories: freeze dried candy and non-chocolate confections. According to the NCA, the non-chocolate confections market grew 13.8% in sales in 2022, exceeding $10 billion, and according to Grand View Research is forecasted to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030. We believe the nascent freeze dried candy market is poised for exponential growth given increasing consumer preferences for novel and distinctive candy products. According to the NCA, approximately 61% of shoppers occasionally or frequently seek out products they have never purchased before. Given our exceptional performance in retail launches, surging customer demand, and increasing production capacity, we are confident that we can catapult freeze dried candy from a trendy spark on social media to a stable, top-performing consumer confectionary category in retail.
Our products have launched in retailers nationwide from convenience and grocery stores to big-box retailers, such as Five Below, Target, Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, TJX Canada, Big Lots, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel, and Circle K. In addition, we sell a substantial portion of our products through distributors such as Redstone Foods, C.B. Distributors and Alpine Foods. Video reviews of Sow Good’s products that are organically generated by TikTok users have amassed over 4.5 million views as of December 31, 2023. We believe there is a significant growth opportunity in increasing our shelf presence, SKU portfolio, and number of stores with our existing customers. For many of these customers, we launched with a limited number of SKUs and are now significantly outpacing initial sales projections. As we scale production, we will have the ability to increase the availability of our products to these customers in current locations and distribution to more of their stores, while also broadening our SKU portfolio offerings. Bolstering our distribution will be a key growth driver for Sow Good so more of our products are available wherever our consumers choose to shop, whether it be a retail store, convenience store, or directly online. To further support our retail launches with existing customers and strengthen our brand name, we are also introducing our product displays with distinctive designs and product highlights to enhance our visibility in current stores and educate new consumers on the advantages of freeze dried treats. We believe this strategy will capture the attention of new consumers, further educate and attract current consumers, and ultimately, increase sales for our retailers.
Our highly differentiated omnichannel distribution strategy has three key components: retailers, e-commerce, and distributors. In aggregate, this omnichannel strategy provides us with a diverse set of consumers and customer partners, leading to a larger TAM opportunity than is normally available to products sold only in grocery stores, along with an opportunity to develop a direct relationship with our customers at our website, www.thisissowgood.com. This platform is already set up but with some items set as out of stock until we have additional production capacity.
Key Factors Affecting our Performance
We believe the growth of our business and our future success is dependent upon many factors. While the factors and trends described below present significant opportunities for us, they also pose important challenges that we must successfully address to enable us to sustain the growth of our business and improve our results of operations. These factors and trends in our business have driven fluctuations in revenues over the periods presented and are expected to be key drivers of our results of operations and liquidity position for the foreseeable future.
Ability to Meet Customer Demand through Production Capacity Expansion
Our customers consistently seek higher quantities of our treats than we can supply. In order for us to meet existing demand, we are actively expanding our internal production capacity and co-manufacturing arrangements. The speed and efficiency at which we are able to expand our production capacity, either internally or through co-manufacturing arrangements, will impact our results of operations. Our ability to grow and meet future demand will be affected by our ability to properly plan for additional production capacity and co-manufacturing arrangements.
Consumer Trends
We compete in the freeze dried candy and non-chocolate confections segments of the greater food industry. According to the NCA, the non-chocolate confections market grew 13.8% in sales in 2022, exceeding $10 billion, and according to Grand View Research is forecasted to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030. We believe the nascent freeze dried candy market is poised for exponential growth given increasing consumer preferences for novel and distinctive candy products. According to the NCA, approximately 61% of shoppers occasionally or frequently seek out products they have never purchased before. While we believe our products are designed to provide alternatives for consumers looking for innovative treats, we also believe our candy products have broad appeal due to our uncompromising approach to developing a product line suited to a wide base of consumer tastes. We believe our ability to attract the robust and growing consumer base seeking the novel, crunchy and hyper flavorful experience our products provide will allow us to add distribution points with our retail customers and increase our revenues, which we believe will help us scale and increase our gross margin from sales of our products.
Ability to Grow Our Customer Base in Retail and Traditional Wholesale Distribution Channels
We are currently growing our customer base in a variety of physical retail and traditional wholesale distribution channels. Our products have launched in retailers nationwide from convenience and grocery stores to big-box retailers, such as Five Below, Target, Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, TJX Canada, Big Lots, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel, and Circle K. In addition, we sell a substantial portion of our products through distributors such as Redstone, C.B. Distributors and Alpine Foods. We continue to increase our shelf presence, SKU portfolio and number of stores with existing customers. In addition, given the nascent state of the freeze dried candy segment and the number of potential retailer and wholesaler customers, we also believe there is a significant growth opportunity with customer acquisition in both the retail and wholesale channels. Customer acquisition in these channels depends on, among other things, our go-to-market function and our ability to meet the demand of customers who require large volumes of products.
Ability to Optimize Our Liquidity Position While Scaling
Our primary focus is developing our production capacity, which requires significant working capital for inventory and supply chain management, and capital expenditures for additional freeze driers domestically and our expansion in Monterrey, Mexico. Our ability to effectively manage our liquidity position while increasing production capabilities will impact our cash flow and capitalization, including the need for additional working capital through future equity offerings or debt arrangements.
Growth of Our Team
As of December 31, 2023, we had 230 full-time personnel who work across various functional areas within our business, including manufacturing, sales, marketing, and administration.
We have significantly expanded our manufacturing and accounting functions, as well as our executive team, to support our rapid growth, particularly since March 2023. Growing our production capacity has accounted for a majority of the increase in employee headcount over that period as we scale our self-manufacturing capacity at our Irving, Texas facility, and we anticipate that commencing operations at additional facilities will continue to accelerate this growth. As we expand our manufacturing capacity and corporate function at our planned Monterrey, Mexico location, our headcount will continue to increase for the foreseeable. Additionally, we have increased, and will continue to increase our accounting headcount as a result of the ever increasing demands as a public reporting company.
We also expect to increase our headcount across various functional areas as we expand our business operations, which could substantially increase our selling and distribution expense, marketing expense, and administrative expense. The anticipated increase in the size of our workforce may also require us to expand our current facilities or obtain new facilities, which will in turn necessitate additional capital expenditures and further increase our operational expense. However, while we expect to grow our headcount over time, we may experience challenges hiring and retaining a sufficient number of employees.
Ability to Expand Our Product Line
Our goal is to substantially expand our product line over time to increase our growth opportunity and reduce product-specific risks through SKU diversification into multiple products. Our pace of growth will be partially affected by the cadence and magnitude of new product launches over time. We believe the commercialization of these new products will require us to hire additional employees within our product design and commercialization team, thereby increasing our marketing expense, as well as research and development costs within our administrative expense.
Seasonality
Because we are early in our lifecycle of growth, it is difficult to discern the exact magnitude of seasonality affecting our business. While any evidence of seasonality is currently not discernable because of our growth, we anticipate certain holiday cycles such as Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day contributing to revenue fluctuations within a given year.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenues
We derive revenues from the sales of our freeze dried treats.
Cost of Goods Sold
Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of material costs and labor on the production of freeze dried treats.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist of general and administrative expenses, which includes salaries and benefits expenses, professional services expenses and other general and administrative expenses, intangible asset impairment losses and goodwill impairment losses.
We expect our general and administrative expenses will increase as our business grows.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists primarily of the cash interest expense on outstanding debt and the amortization of the debt discount created upon the issuance of warrants in connection with debt.
Provision for Income Taxes
Due to our history of operating losses and expectation of future operating losses, we do not expect any significant income tax expenses and benefits for the foreseeable future.
Segment Overview
Our chief operating decision makers, who are our Chief Executive Officer, our Executive Chairman and our Chief Financial Officer, review financial information on an aggregate basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance, as well as for strategic operational decisions and managing the organization. For each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we have determined that we have one operating segment and one reportable segment.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| For the nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Revenues |
$ | 6,548,479 | $ | 381,056 | $ | 6,167,423 | 1,619 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of goods sold |
5,046,434 | 263,289 | 4,783,145 | 1,817 | % | |||||||||||
| Gross Profit |
1,502,045 | 117,767 | 1,384,278 | 1,175 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative: |
||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits |
2,644,087 | 2,947,505 | (303,418 | ) | -10 | % | ||||||||||
| Professional services |
404,256 | 177,197 | 227,059 | 128 | % | |||||||||||
| Other general and administrative |
1,265,056 | 1,296,294 | (31,238 | ) | -2 | % | ||||||||||
| Total general and administrative |
4,313,399 | 4,420,996 | (107,597 | ) | -2 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
227,606 | 202,046 | 25,560 | 13 | % | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses: |
4,541,005 | 4,623,042 | (82,037 | ) | -2 | % | ||||||||||
| Net operating loss |
(3,038,960 | ) | (4,505,275 | ) | 1,466,315 | -33 | % | |||||||||
| Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(1,349,486 | ) | (843,240 | ) | (506,246 | ) | 60 | % | ||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment |
– | 36,392 | – | – | ||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) |
(1,349,486 | ) | (806,848 | ) | (805,499 | ) | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (4,388,446 | ) | $ | (5,312,123 | ) | $ | 923,677 | 17 | % | ||||||
Revenues
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Revenues |
$ | 6,548,479 | $ | 381,056 | $ | 6,167,423 | 1,619 | % | ||||||||
Revenues were approximately $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $6.1 million, or 1,619%. Nine-month revenues consist primarily of approximately $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2023, of freeze dried candy sales. Revenues increased as we pivoted to sales of our freeze dried candy, put additional freezers into production, and expanded our business-to-business sales during the current period, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Cost of Goods Sold
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold |
$ | 5,046,434 | $ | 263,289 | 4,783,145 | 1,817 | % | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were approximately $5.0 million, compared to approximately $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $4.8 million, or 1,817%. Cost of goods sold, primarily consisting of material costs and labor on the sales of freeze dried candy products and a one-time inventory write down of approximately $2.1 million as we disposed of non-candy freeze dried products to pivot exclusively to our better selling candy products. Our gross profit margin was approximately 23% during the current period, compared to 31% during the comparative period.
Gross Profit
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Gross profit |
$ | 1,502,045 | $ | 117,767 | 1,384,278 | 1,175 | % | |||||||||
Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $1.5 million compared to approximately $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Our gross profit increased primarily due to significantly increased revenues.
Operating expenses
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative: |
||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits |
$ | 2,644,087 | $ | 2,947,505 | $ | (303,418 | ) | -10 | % | |||||||
| Professional services |
404,256 | 177,197 | 227,059 | 128 | % | |||||||||||
| Other general and administrative |
1,265,056 | 1,296,294 | (31,238 | ) | -2 | % | ||||||||||
| Total general and administrative |
4,313,399 | 4,420,996 | (107,597 | ) | -2 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
227,606 | 202,046 | 25,560 | 13 | % | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses: |
4,541,005 | 4,623,042 | (82,037 | ) | -2 | % | ||||||||||
Salaries and benefits
Salaries and benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were approximately $2.6 million, compared to approximately $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $0.3 million, or 10%. Salaries and benefits included stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of approximately $0.5 million, compared to approximately $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $0.2 million, or 28%. Stock-based compensation consists of approximately $0.4 million and $0.6 million of stock options expense incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and approximately $0.1 million and $79,998 of expense related to shares of common stock issued to officers and consultants for services rendered in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in salaries and benefits was primarily due to accelerated vesting and severance paid to an executive in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, partially offset by increases in headcount to support operations in the current nine-month period.
Professional services
Professional services were approximately $0.4 million for the 2023 period, compared to approximately $0.2 million for the 2022 period, an increase of approximately $0.2 million, or 128%. The increase was primarily due to advisory fees related to capital raises for expansion plans and other costs related to rapid growth compared to the prior year period.
Other general and administrative expenses
Other general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $1.27 million, compared to approximately $1.30 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $31,238, or 2%. The increase is primarily attributable to increased administrative infrastructure as we continue to scale the production and sales of our freeze dried products.
Depreciation
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
$ | 306,092 | $ | 223,887 | $ | 82,205 | 37 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $0.3 million, compared to approximately $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $0.1 million, or 37%. The increase is due to the addition of two new freeze driers which were put into production during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Other Income (Expense)
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) |
$ | (1,349,486 | ) | $ | (806,848 | ) | $ | (805,499 | ) | 100 | % | |||||
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, other expense was approximately $1.3 million, consisting of approximately $0.4 million of interest expense, including interest on our Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) loan with the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and loans from our officers and directors, and approximately $0.9 million related to the amortization of warrants issued as a debt discount on the loans from our officers and directors. During the comparative nine months ended September 30, 2022, other expense was approximately $0.8 million, consisting of approximately $0.2 million of interest expense on our EIDL loan with the SBA and loans from our officers and directors, and approximately $0.6 million related to the amortization of warrants issued as a debt discount on the loans from our officers and directors, partially offset by a gain on disposal of property of $36,392. Interest expense increased by approximately $0.5 million or 60%, primarily due to the increased amortization of warrants issued in-the-money on loans from our officers and directors in the current period.
Provision for Income Taxes
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes |
$ | – | $ | – | $ | – | – | |||||||||
Provision from Income Taxes remained at $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively, as we maintain a full valuation allowance related to our net deferred tax assets, primarily due to our historical net loss position. Due to our history of operating losses and expectation of future operating losses, we do not expect any significant income tax expenses or benefits for the foreseeable future.
Net Loss
| Nine months ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (4,388,446 | ) | $ | (5,312,123 | ) | $ | 923,677 | 17 | % | ||||||
Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $4.4 million, compared to approximately $5.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increased net loss of $0.9 million, or 17%. Included in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 net loss was of approximately $2.1 million of inventory impairment and of approximately $0.3 million increased interest expense on debt financing issued with in-the-money warrants during the current period, as offset by increased gross profit of approximately $1.4 million.
Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods indicated:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Revenues |
$ | 428,132 | $ | 88,440 | $ | 339,692 | 384 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of goods sold |
308,293 | 81,311 | 226,982 | 279 | % | |||||||||||
| Gross Profit |
119,839 | 7,129 | 112,710 | 1,581 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative: |
||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits |
3,662,313 | 3,473,661 | 188,652 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Professional services |
245,546 | 357,945 | (112,399 | ) | -31 | % | ||||||||||
| Other general and administrative |
1,625,952 | 1,550,970 | 74,982 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Intangible asset impairment |
310,173 | – | 310,173 | 100 | % | |||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment |
4,887,297 | 1,524,030 | 3,363,267 | 221 | % | |||||||||||
| Total general and administrative |
10,731,281 | 6,906,606 | 3,824,675 | 55 | % | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
274,053 | 208,448 | 65,605 | 31 | % | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses: |
11,005,334 | 7,115,054 | 3,890,280 | 55 | % | |||||||||||
| Net operating loss |
(10,885,495 | ) | (7,107,925 | ) | 3,777,570 | 53 | % | |||||||||
| Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(1,277,965 | ) | (5,911 | ) | 1,272,054 | 21,520 | % | |||||||||
| Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment |
36,392 | (8,036 | ) | 44,428 | 553 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt |
– | 113,772 | (113,772 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. |
– | 133,944 | (133,944 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) |
(1,241,573 | ) | 233,769 | 1,475,342 | 631 | % | ||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (12,127,068 | ) | $ | (6,874,156 | ) | $ | 5,252,912 | 76 | % | ||||||
Revenues
| Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Revenues |
$ | 428,132 | $ | 88,440 | $ | 339,692 | 384 | % | ||||||||
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $0.4 million, compared to $88,440 for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of approximately $0.3 million, or 384%. Revenues increased as we ramped up sales on our product lines and expanded our business-to-business sales during 2022, compared to the same period in the prior year. We had minimal revenues during the comparative period, as we had commenced sales midway through 2021.
Cost of Goods Sold
| Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold |
$ | 308,293 | $ | 81,311 | $ | 226,982 | 279 | % | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $0.3 million, compared to $81,311 for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of approximately $0.2 million, or 279%. Cost of goods sold, primarily consisted of material costs and labor on the sales of freeze dried food products, resulted in a gross profit of approximately 28% and 8% during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Cost of goods sold and our gross profit increased as we began to realize economies of scale pursuant to our increased sales.
General and Administrative Expenses
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative: |
||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits |
$ | 3,662,313 | $ | 3,473,661 | $ | 188,652 | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Professional services |
245,546 | 357,945 | (112,399 | ) | -31 | % | ||||||||||
| Other general and administrative |
1,625,952 | 1,550,970 | 74,982 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Intangible asset impairment |
310,173 | – | 310,173 | -100 | % | |||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment |
4,887,297 | 1,524,030 | 3,363,267 | 221 | % | |||||||||||
| Total general and administrative |
$ | 10,731,281 | $ | 6,906,606 | $ | 3,824,675 | 55 | % | ||||||||
Salaries and Benefits
Salaries and benefits for the year ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $3.7 million, compared to approximately $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of approximately $0.2 million, or 5%. Salaries and benefits included stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to approximately $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of approximately $0.5 million, or 37%. Stock-based compensation consists of approximately $0.8 and $0.5 million of stock options expense incurred in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $79,998 and approximately $0.8 million of expense related to shares of common stock issued to officers and consultants for services rendered in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in salaries and benefits was primarily due to inflationary pressures, as diminished by decreased stock-based compensation awards.
Professional Services
General and administrative expenses related to professional services were approximately $0.2 million for the 2022 period, compared to approximately $0.4 million for the 2021 period, a decrease of approximately $0.1 million, or 31%. The decrease was primarily due to decreased legal fees incurred in connection with creating our brand in the comparative period that were not necessary in the current period.
Other General and Administrative Expenses
Other general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $1.6 million, compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $74,982, or 5%. The increase is primarily attributable to increased administrative infrastructure as we seek to scale the production and sales of our freeze dried products.
Intangible Asset Impairment
Intangible asset impairment losses of approximately $0.3 million, for the year ended December 31, 2022, related to impairment of our licensing and trademark assets, as our sales have not ramped up quickly enough to support the carrying value.
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill impairment losses related to our 2020 acquisition of S-FDF, LLC was approximately $4.9 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Depreciation
| Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
$ | 274,053 | $ | 208,448 | $ | 65,605 | 31 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 was approximately $0.3 million, compared to approximately $0.2 million for year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $65,605 or 31%. The increase is attributable to the significant increase in capital expenditures incurred as we developed our freeze dried foods production facility and placed it into service.
Other Income (Expense)
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
$ | (1,277,965 | ) | $ | (5,911 | ) | $ | 1,272,054 | 21,520 | % | ||||||
| Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment |
36,392 | (8,036 | ) | 44,428 | 553 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt |
– | 113,772 | (113,772 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. |
– | 133,944 | (133,944 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) |
$ | (1,241,573 | ) | $ | 233,769 | $ | 1,475,342 | 631 | % | |||||||
In the year ended December 31, 2022, other expense was approximately $1.2 million, consisting of approximately $1.3 million of interest expense derived from operating loans, as offset by a gain on the disposal of equipment of $36,392.
In the year ended December 31, 2021, other income was approximately $0.2 million, consisting of a gain on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.1 million related to forgiveness of our Payroll Protection Program loan established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and a net gain on investments in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. securities of approximately $0.1 million, as offset by $5,911 of interest expense derived from operating loans, and a loss on the disposal of equipment of $8,036.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company had no income tax expense in the 2022 or 2021 periods, as the Company continues to reserve against any deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realization of any benefit.
Net Loss
| Years Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
| Net loss |
$ | (12,127,068 | ) | $ | (6,874,156 | ) | $ | 5,252,912 | 76 | % | ||||||
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 was approximately $12.1 million, compared to approximately $6.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of approximately $5.3 million, or 76%. The increased net loss was primarily due to our loss on impairment of intangible assets and goodwill related to our 2022 acquisition of S-FDF, LLC.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we believe that Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is a useful performance measure and metric for investors to evaluate current trends in our operations and compare the ongoing operating performance of our business from period to period. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA to assess our operating performance and for internal planning purposes. We also believe this measure is widely used by investors, securities analysts, and other parties in evaluating companies in our industry as a measure of operational performance. However, the non-GAAP financial measure included in this prospectus has limitations and should not be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or as superior to performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate this measure differently, or may not calculate it at all, which limits the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, we consider, and you should consider, Adjusted EBITDA with other operating and financial performance measures presented in accordance with GAAP. For additional information, including a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, refer to the definitions and section entitled “Prospectus Summary—Summary Condensed Financial and Other Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased from approximately $(4.0) million from the year ended December 31, 2021 to approximately $(4.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily driven by an increase in operating expenses in 2022 after adjusting for the non-cash impact of increased goodwill impairment and the non-cash impact of decreased stock-based compensation expense.
Adjusted EBITDA increased from approximately $(3.5) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to approximately $(0.3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily driven by a decrease in operating expenses after adjusting for an inventory write-down of approximately $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes our total current assets, liabilities and working capital at the periods indicated:
| December 31, |
September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||||||||
| Current Assets |
$ | 2,578,057 | $ | 4,891,264 | $ | 5,874,424 | 3,619,620 | |||||||||
| Current Liabilities |
$ | 890,177 | $ | 403,057 | $ | 2,728,716 | 741,348 | |||||||||
| Working Capital |
$ | 1,687,880 | $ | 4,488,207 | $ | 3,145,708 | 2,878,272 | |||||||||
As of September 30, 2023, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was approximately $2.1 million and we had total working capital of approximately $3.1 million. As of December 31, 2022, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was approximately $0.3 million and we had total working capital of approximately $1.7 million. Based on projections of cash expenditures in the Company’s current business plan, the cash on hand as of September 30, 2023 would be sufficient to sustain operations over the next year. We expect to incur significant costs related to the development and operation of our freeze dried candy business. Our plan for satisfying our cash requirements for the next twelve months is through cash on hand and additional financing in the form of equity or debt as needed. Our ability to scale production and distribution capabilities and further increase the value of our brands is largely dependent on our success in raising additional capital.
Indebtedness
Promissory Notes and Warrants
On April 8, 2022, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to sell an aggregate $3.7 million of Promissory Notes (the “Notes”) and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate 925,000 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. Accrued interest on the Notes was payable semi-annually beginning September 30, 2022 at the rate of 6% per annum, but on August 23, 2022, the notes were amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The principal amount of the Notes mature and become due and payable on April 8, 2025. The Warrants are exercisable immediately and for a period of 10 years at a price of $2.35 per share. Proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Securities were $3.7 million. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. Assuming full exercise thereof, further proceeds to the Company from the exercise of the Warrant shares is calculated as approximately $2.2 million. The offering closed simultaneously with execution of the Purchase Agreement. Of the aggregate $3.7 million of Notes, a total of $3,120,000 of Notes were sold to officers or directors, along with 780,000 of the Warrants.
On August 23, 2022, the Company closed on an offering to sell up to $2.5 million of promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 625,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable over a ten-year period at a price of $2.60 per share, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of Notes purchased. The notes mature on August 23, 2025. Interest on the notes accrue at a rate of 8% per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. Loans may be advanced to the Company from time to time from August 23, 2023 to the maturity date. On December 21, 2022 and September 29, 2022, the Company received aggregate proceeds of $0.25 million and $0.75 million from two of the Company’s directors on the sale of these notes and warrants.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
| Years Ended December 31, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
2021 |
$ Change |
2023 |
2022 |
$ Change |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities |
$ | (5,146,635 | ) | $ | (5,551,261 | ) | $ | (404,626 | ) | $ | (3,328,516 | ) | $ | (4,149,046 | ) | $ | (820,530 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,622,829 | ) | (653,051 | ) | 1,969,778 | (1,326,276 | ) | (2,272,066 | ) | (945,790 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
4,700,000 | 7,637,511 | (2,937,511 | ) | 6,475,000 | 4,450,000 | 2,025,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | (3,069,464 | ) | $ | 1,433,199 | (4,502,663 | ) | 1,820,208 | (1,971,112 | ) | 3,791,320 | |||||||||||||
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $5.1 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, a year over year decreased use of approximately $0.4 million. The decreased use was primarily due to increased revenues. Changes in working capital from continuing operating activities resulted in a decrease in cash of approximately $2.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to approximately $1.5 million for the same period in the previous year.
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $3.3 million and $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, a period over period decrease of approximately $0.8 million. Cash used in operations during the current nine month period included approximately $1.2 million of increases in accounts receivable, 100% of which were due within 30 days, and approximately $2.3 million of increases in cash paid for inventory, partially offset by approximately $0.8 million of increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The decrease in cash used in operating activities is due to increased gross margins, partially offset by increased non-cash items impacting our net operating loss.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to approximately $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, a year over year increased use of approximately $2.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in investing activities consisted of $0.2 million paid for the purchase of property and equipment, approximately $2.5 million of payments for the construction of the Company’s second and third freeze dryers and expansion of its operations facility, as well as, $5,929 paid for the purchase of intangible assets, as offset by $63,957of proceeds received from the disposal of property and equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in investing activities consisted of approximately $1.0 million paid for the purchase of property and equipment and $84,594 paid for the purchase of intangible assets, as offset by approximately $0.4 million of proceeds received from the sale of Allied Esports Entertainment Inc. securities.
Net cash used in investing activities were approximately $1.3 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, a period over period decrease of approximately $0.9 million. Cash used in investing activities were comprised of approximately $1.3 million of fixed asset additions, as we completed our 2nd and 3rd freezers and finalized our office leasehold improvements during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $2.3 million of fixed asset purchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $4.7 million and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities the year ended December 31, 2022 consisted of approximately $4.7 million of proceeds received from debt financing, including approximately $4.1 million received from related parties. Net cash provided by financing activities consisted of approximately $2.1 million of proceeds received from related party debt financing, and approximately $5.6 million we raised from the sale of an aggregate 631,250 shares of the Company’s common stock at $4.00 per share, and the sale of an aggregate 714,701 shares sold at $4.25 per share, during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net cash provided by financing activities were approximately $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which was comprised of cash proceeds from the issuance of 735,000 shares of common stock of approximately $3.7 million and $2.4 million of debt financing received from our officers and directors and approximately $0.4 million received from others under the same terms, compared to approximately $4.5 million, comprised of approximately $3.9 million of debt financing received from our officers and directors and approximately $0.6 million received from others under the same terms, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Upon closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company assumed the Seller’s obligations under a real property lease for its 20,945 square foot facility at 1440 N. Union Bower Rd., Irving, TX 75061, under which an entity owned entirely by Ira Goldfarb is the landlord. The lease term is through September 15, 2025, with two five-year options to extend, at a monthly lease term of $10,036, with approximately a 3% annual escalation of lease payments commencing September 15, 2021.
On October 26, 2023, the Company entered into a lease agreement (the “2023 Lease Agreement”) with Prologis, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Landlord”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2023 Lease Agreement, beginning on November 1, 2023 the Company leases approximately 51,264 rentable square feet at Stemmons 10, 308 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247 for a term of approximately five years and two months (the “Initial Term”), which the Company intends to use as warehousing and distribution space. The 2023 Lease Agreement provides for base rent payments starting at approximately $42,500 per month (taking into consideration an initial phase-in of the base rent obligation) in the first year of the Initial Term, and increase each year, up to approximately $51,700 per month during the last year of the Initial Term. The 2023 Lease Agreement may be extended for a period of five years, at the option of the Company, at a rate to be based on a fair market rent rate determined at the time of the extension.
On January 19, 2024, the Company entered into a sublease agreement (the “Sublease Agreement”) with Papsa Merx S. de R.S. de C.V., a corporation registered in Mexico City, Mexico (the “Sublessor”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sublease Agreement, the Company will sublease approximately 141 rentable square meters at Av. Roble 660, Valle del Campestre, 66265 San Pedro Garza García Municipality, Nuevo León, 66269 (the “Premises”) for a term of approximately seventeen months (the “Term”), which the Company intends to use as office space. The Term of the Lease Agreement will commence on February 1, 2024 (the “Sublease Commencement Date”). The Sublease Agreement provides for rent payments at fixed price of $5,250 USD per month plus the corresponding Value Added Tax (“VAT”) for the duration of the Term. The Company is also responsible for operating expenses of the Premises, which includes a maintenance fee, electricity and internet services. The Company is required to provide a deposit of guarantee in the amount of $5,250 USD in connection with the Sublease Agreement. The Sublease Agreement does not have a renewal period.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, deferred tax assets and fair value computation using the Black Scholes option pricing model. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions, such as the trading value of our common stock and estimated future undiscounted cash flows, that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.
The establishment and consistent application of accounting policies is a vital component of accurately and fairly presenting our financial statements in accordance with GAAP, as well as ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing financial reporting. While there are rarely alternative methods or rules from which to select in establishing accounting and financial reporting policies, proper application often involves significant judgment regarding a given set of facts and circumstances and a complex series of decisions.
Cash in Excess of FDIC Insured Limits
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Accounts are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) up to $250,000 and $500,000, respectively, under current regulations. The Company had approximately $1.7 million of cash in excess of FIDC insured limits as of September 30, 2023. The Company didn’t have any cash in excess of FDIC and SIPC insured limits at December 31, 2022. The Company had approximately $2.8 million in excess of FDIC and SIPC insured limits at December 31, 2021. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net recoverable amount. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method based on the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term based on the following life expectancy:
| Software (in years) |
3, or over the life of the agreement |
||||
| Website (in years) |
3 | ||||
| Office equipment (in years) |
5 | ||||
| Furniture and fixtures (in years) |
5 | ||||
| Machinery and equipment (in years) |
7 | - | 10 | ||
| Leasehold improvements |
Fully extended lease-term |
||||
Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. Major improvements and replacements, which extend the useful life of an asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset. When assets are retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation was approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. A total of $78,486 and $21,841 of the depreciation expense was allocated to inventory overhead, resulting in approximately $0.2 million and $0.2 million of depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Depreciation expense was approximately $0.3 million, including $25,500 capitalized as inventory overhead and expensed to cost of goods sold, and approximately $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or is impaired. Recoverability is assessed using undiscounted cash flows based upon historical results and current projections of earnings before interest and taxes. Impairment is measured using discounted cash flows of future operating results based upon a rate that corresponds to the cost of capital. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that carrying value exceeds discounted cash flows of future operations.
Our intellectual property is comprised of indefinite-lived brand names acquired and have been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that these brand names will contribute cash flows to the Company perpetually. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired. Impairment analysis on intangible assets resulted in a loss of approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Inventory
Inventory, consisting of raw materials, material overhead, labor, and manufacturing overhead, are stated at the average cost or net realizable value and consist of the following:
| September 30, |
September 30, |
|||||||
| 2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
| Finished goods |
$ | 369,227 | $ | 454,378 | ||||
| Packaging materials |
485,840 | 459,435 | ||||||
| Work in progress |
633,473 | 636,768 | ||||||
| Raw materials |
752,130 | 349,942 | ||||||
| Total inventory |
$ | 2,240,670 | $ | 1,900,523 | ||||
| December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
| Finished goods |
$ | 384,241 | $ | 273,135 | ||||
| Packaging materials |
416,663 | 95,436 | ||||||
| Work in progress |
864,460 | 613,063 | ||||||
| Raw materials |
307,515 | 470,263 | ||||||
| Total inventory |
$ | 1,972,879 | $ | 1,451,897 | ||||
During the nine months ending September 30, 2023, the Company wrote down approximately $2.1 million of non-candy freeze dried inventory to pivot exclusively to its better selling candy products. This write down is included in cost of goods sold in the accompanying condensed statement of operations. No reserve for obsolete inventories has been recognized.
Goodwill
The Company evaluates goodwill on an annual basis in the fourth quarter or more frequently if management believes indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators could include, but are not limited to (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, management conducts a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair values of its reporting units using a combination of the income, or discounted cash flows, approach and the market approach, which utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company’s evaluation of goodwill completed at year-end resulted in an impairment loss of approximately $4.9 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its freeze dried food products, in accordance with a five-step model in which the Company evaluates the transfer of promised goods or services and recognizes revenue when customers obtain control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for the arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company has elected, as a practical expedient, to account for the shipping and handling as fulfillment costs, rather than as a separate performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of applicable provisions for discounts, returns and allowances. Methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on customer pricing and promotional practices. The Company records reductions to revenue for estimated product returns and pricing adjustments in the same period that the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on industry-based historical data, historical sales returns, if any, analysis of credit memo data, and other factors known at the time.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to employees in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) and Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees pursuant to ASC 2018-07 (“ASC 2018-07”). All transactions in which the consideration provided in exchange for the purchase of goods or services consists of the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date of the fair value of the equity instrument issued is the earlier of the date on which the counterparty’s performance is complete or the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached because of sufficiently large disincentives for nonperformance. Stock-based compensation was approximately $0.5 million and $0.7 million consisting of approximately $0.4 million and $0.7 million of stock options expense, using the Black-Scholes options pricing model and an effective term of 6 to 6.5 years based on the weighted average of the vesting periods and the stated term of the option grants and the discount rate on 5 to 7 year U.S. Treasury securities at the grant date, incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and approximately $0.1 million and $79,998 of expense related to shares of common stock issued to officers and consultants for services rendered in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Stock-based compensation was approximately $0.9 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Stock-based compensation consisted of $79,998 and approximately $0.8 million related to the issuance of shares of common stock for services for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization of the fair values of stock options issued for services and compensation totaled approximately $0.8 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The fair values of stock options were determined using the Black-Scholes options pricing model and an effective term of 6 to 6.5 years based on the weighted average of the vesting periods and the stated term of the option grants and the discount rate on 5 to 7 year U.S. Treasury securities at the grant date, and are being amortized over the related implied service term, or vesting period. In addition, approximately $0.9 million of expenses related to the amortization of warrants issued in consideration for debt financing, using the Black-Scholes options pricing model and an effective term of 5 years based on the weighted average of the vesting periods and the stated term of the warrant grants and the discount rate on 5 year U.S. Treasury securities at the grant date were recognized as interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information.
Smaller Reporting Company Status
We are a “smaller reporting company” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. As a smaller reporting company, we may rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirement that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we have chosen and may continue to choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
Our Company
Sweeten the revolution. We have a confection to make: the candy classics you love, with a crunchy twist.
Sow Good is a trailblazing U.S.-based freeze dried candy and snack manufacturer dedicated to providing consumers with innovative and explosively flavorful freeze dried treats. Sow Good has harnessed the power of our proprietary freeze drying technology and product-specialized manufacturing facility to transform traditional candy into a novel and exciting everyday confectionaries subcategory that we call freeze dried candy. We began commercializing our freeze dried candy products in the first quarter of 2023, and as of December 31, 2023, we have fourteen stock keeping units (“SKUs”) in our Sow Good Candy line of treats and four SKUs in our Sow Good Crunch Cream line. We sell our treats across retail, wholesale distributors, and online e-commerce channels, which comprise 63%, 34%, and 2% of our sales through the third quarter of 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our treats are offered for sale in over 5,857 brick-and-mortar retail outlets in the United States, Canada, and Israel. The rapid demand growth for our delectable treats since their retail debut in March 2023 highlights our consumers’ excitement for our novel and explosively flavorful treats that “satisfy your sweet tooth in fewer bites.”
We have custom-built a 20,945 square foot freeze drying facility in Irving, Texas, as well as co-manufacturing arrangements in China and Colombia, that together allow us to freeze dry fourteen million units per year to our demanding quality and safety specifications. Freeze drying removes up to 99% of moisture from a product in its frozen state by applying a small amount of heat in an extremely low air pressure, near outer space-like environment, through the use of massive vacuum chambers, resulting in moisture being removed from the product at the speed of sound. This process of removing moisture from the product, which can take up to twenty-four hours, concentrates its flavor, creating a “hyper dried, hyper crunchy, and hyper flavorful” treat. Our commitment to providing the most flavorful and crunchy treats extends into the product packaging process, where our 194 employees dedicated to hand-packaging, as of December 31, 2023, put our treats through our hand-packed precision packaging process in vigilantly managed low humidity conditions to protect our treats from reintroduction to moisture.
We have built four bespoke freeze driers using proprietary technology tailored specifically to our products, creating a truly state-of-the-art facility in Irving, Texas. We are in the process of fabricating and operationalizing two additional freeze driers, which we anticipate will come online in our Irving, Texas facility in the second quarter of 2024. In addition, due to strong customer demand, we have entered into co-manufacturing arrangements with third-party manufacturers whose freeze drying facilities meet our exacting production, sanitation and allergen control requirements, as well as our food quality and safety standards. Currently, all of our products manufactured by third-parties are shipped to our facilities in Texas for packaging. However, we are in the process of opening a facility in Monterrey, Mexico which will receive and package all of our treats made by co-manufacturers, and eventually house additional internal freeze driers for further increased capacity, alongside office space for certain of our corporate and marketing functions.
We believe in building a company that creates good experiences for our customers and growth for our investors and employees through our core pillars: (i) innovation—creating novel products that delight our consumers; (ii) scalability—building strong business and manufacturing foundations to support rapid growth and accelerated retail launches; (iii) manufacturing excellence—harnessing our executive team’s manufacturing expertise and continuously refining our processes to maximize efficiencies and reduce energy intake and waste, effectively lowering our costs, increasing margins, and improving our sustainability practices; (iv) meaningful employment opportunities—providing developmental opportunities for our communities by cultivating a growth-oriented and opportunity-rich workplace for our employees, top to bottom, and increasing our employee headcount sevenfold since March 2023; and (v) food quality standards—achieving superior product outcomes by using humidity control throughout our entire facilities, and methodical hand-packed precision packaging process of our treats, which takes additional time and expense when compared to an automated system, but ensures optimal flavor and texture, and maximum protection of product integrity, thereby minimizing customer product return rates.
Sow Good is led by co-founders Claudia and Ira Goldfarb, who have over a decade of manufacturing experience with an extensive freeze drying background, dedication to job creation, and proven track record of identifying and growing niche trends into everyday categories. Under their leadership, our revenues have grown from $428.1 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2022 to approximately $6.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, with approximately $5.0 million of that being recorded in the three-month period ended September 30, 2023. For the period ended September 30, 2023 our Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $(0.3) million compared to approximately $(3.5) million for the period ended September 30, 2022. See “Prospectus Summary—Summary Condensed Financial and Other Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the nearest comparable GAAP metric.
Our Market Opportunity
We believe the candy category is stagnant, repetitive, and in need of revitalization to reengage and captivate consumers seeking innovative ways to satisfy their sweet cravings. We see our market opportunity as existing at the intersection of two burgeoning categories: freeze dried candy and non-chocolate confections. According to the NCA, the non-chocolate confections market grew 13.8% in sales in 2022, exceeding $10 billion, and according to Grand View Research is forecasted to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030. We believe the nascent freeze dried candy market is poised for exponential growth given increasing consumer preferences for novel and distinctive candy products. According to the NCA, approximately 61% of shoppers occasionally or frequently seek out products they have never purchased before. Given our exceptional performance in retail launches, surging customer demand, and increasing production capacity, we are confident that we can catapult freeze dried candy from a trendy spark on social media to a stable, top-performing consumer confectionary category in retail.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we are well-positioned competitively to become the leader in the rapidly developing freeze dried candy market due to our distinctive branding, manufacturing expertise, ability to innovate, and advantage of being an early mover in the category.
A Distinctive and Trusted Brand Name
We believe we have a distinctive brand that consumers trust and helps distinguish our product on crowded retail shelves. Since Sow Good’s inception, we have invested heavily to elevate the Sow Good brand by creating a distinctive and cohesive brand design that sparks consumer curiosity and a desire to sample additional flavors carried by Sow Good. In addition, we use premium packaging materials to communicate the high-quality nature of our products and differentiate ourselves from competitive offerings. We further support our brand efforts through our informative and user-friendly direct-to-consumer website and growing social media presence, where consumers have notably taken to posting unpaid, authentic reviews. Video reviews of Sow Good’s products that are organically generated by TikTok users have amassed over 4.5 million views as of December 31, 2023. Retailers have applauded our strong brand presentation and we believe this has been a contributing factor in our success in securing coveted shelf space upon our launch of our freeze dried candy treats.
Manufacturing Expertise
Sow Good spent over two years and over $10.0 million dollars to develop a state of the art manufacturing facility and freeze drying equipment calibrated specifically for our products prior to the commercial launch of our freeze dried treats. Manufacturing our treats requires careful handling so as to protect the integrity of their crunch factor, a characteristic of freeze dried candy. These treats are fragile and can easily crumble into unusable product if not handled appropriately. In addition, subtle changes during the freeze drying process can result in dramatic variations in product quality and yield, which makes it very difficult to consistently manufacture freeze dried treats with optimal crunch and flavor at scale successfully. We have overcome these hurdles and achieved scale manufacturing of freeze dried treats by utilizing proprietary technology to custom build three large-scale freeze driers and by developing manufacturing processes that are tailored specifically for each of our products to ensure maximum flavor, crunch, and consistency. We believe the technical knowledge and expertise required to build a freeze drier facility matching our current capacity poses a substantial barrier to entry for competitors in the confectionary space. Moreover, our primary manufacturing facility located in Irving, Texas is a Safe Quality Food (“SQF”) II-certified facility, with a 97 score on our most recent food safety audit, which exemplifies our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in food safety, pathogen prevention, and allergen protocols.
Early Mover Advantage
Given that the freeze dried candy segment of the market is new, we believe we materially benefit from being among the first companies to enter the market at scale, with retail-ready branding and packaging, a diverse and comprehensive product assortment, and seasoned and experienced sales and branding teams. Our early entry into the market has afforded us the time to learn and gain the necessary experience needed to effectively scale and refine the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution processes needed to be successful. We also further utilize our early insights into the burgeoning market to develop a broad product portfolio which include flavor profiles appealing to a broad audience that we believe retailers are seeking. When combined with the strength of our emerging brand, we believe this has allowed us to quickly capture limited available shelf space at retailers. As we continue to expand our presence, we believe the Sow Good brand will be viewed as a pioneer in the category, which should afford increased brand recognition and loyalty. When taken together, we believe these advantages should allow us to establish an early dominant market share in the category that would be difficult to displace due to the barriers to entry for companies just starting out in this market segment. We believe these factors may potentially deter new competitive entrants into the market.
Innovative Product-Development Process
Innovation is at the heart of our company. We are vigilantly monitoring emerging confectionary trends online and in retail and identifying niche markets, turning them into category staples as evidenced by our successful launch of our Crunch Cream line. We also have highly communicative retail relationships in which retailers inform us of new candy trends they detect in their stores, informing our next freeze dried candy development and launches. We utilize a test kitchen that is integrated with our in-house manufacturing capability and expertise to swiftly test, develop, and launch new products without sacrificing quality. For example, we launched our Crunch Cream line within nine weeks of ideation. By integrating our strong insight on industry trends with our agility, adaptability, and proficiency in new product development, we can take a product from inception to production in just a few months while maintaining our high food quality standards. We believe this allows us to introduce innovative freeze dried treats to the market that will further elevate the status of the Sow Good brand, entrench our existing customer relationships, and provide advantaged entry into new ones.
Our Growth Strategy
With no major direct competitors in the freeze dried candy space and the fact that there is minimal retail presence for the category, we are capitalizing on our early mover advantage and rapid scaling experience to become the dominant player in this fast growing market. Sow Good is seeking to build significant brand recognition, as well as develop a trust and understanding with consumers that our products will consistently offer explosive and exciting taste. Our growth strategy is based on six primary elements: (i) increasing production capacity; (ii) deepening existing customer relationships; (iii) new customer expansion; (iv) expanding our product offering; (v) driving margin expansion; and (vi) vertically integrating our operations.
Increase Production Capacity:
Merely by meeting the current level of demand for our treats, we anticipate our net sales surging exponentially. Our initial retail launches of our freeze dried candy line significantly exceeded sales projections. The growing demand from new customers and desire for additional product volume from existing customers has necessitated a significant increase in production capacity. To try to meet this demand, we have increased our workforce sevenfold since March 2023, transitioned to a 24/7 production cycle, and leased 62,000 square feet of warehousing space in the Dallas metroplex to be able to scale and streamline distribution. In addition to scaling production of our four freeze driers as of February 10, 2024, we are in the process of building two additional freeze driers for our Irving facility. We anticipate these additional two freeze driers being operational in the first half of the calendar year 2024.
To help bridge the gap between the demand for our treats from our customers and our capacity to manufacture and package those treats in our Irving, Texas facilities, we have entered into co-manufacturing arrangements in China and Colombia to provide additional freeze drying capacity. Further, we are developing an approximately 103,000 square foot facility in Monterrey, Mexico that will provide in the short-term scalable packaging support for the treats co-manufactured in China and Colombia, allowing us to increase our co-manufacturing production. We anticipate adding additional freeze-drying capacity at our Monterrey, Mexico facility in second half of the calendar year 2024 or early 2025.
Deepen Existing Customer Relationships:
Our products have launched in retailers nationwide from convenience and grocery stores to big-box retailers, such as Five Below, Target, Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, TJX Canada, Big Lots, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel, and Circle K. In addition, we sell a substantial portion of our products through distributors such as Redstone Foods, C.B. Distributors and Alpine Foods. Video reviews of Sow Good’s products that are organically generated by TikTok users have amassed over 4.5 million views as of December 31, 2023. We believe there is a significant growth opportunity in increasing our shelf presence, SKU portfolio, and number of stores with our existing customers. For many of these customers, we launched with a limited number of SKUs and are now significantly outpacing initial sales projections. As we scale production, we will have the ability to increase the availability of our products to these customers in current locations and distribution to more of their stores, while also broadening our SKU portfolio offerings. Bolstering our distribution will be a key growth driver for Sow Good so more of our products are available wherever our consumers choose to shop, whether it be a retail store, convenience store, or directly online. To further support our retail launches with existing customers and strengthen our brand name, we are also introducing our product displays with distinctive designs and product highlights to enhance our visibility in current stores and educate new consumers on the advantages of freeze dried treats. We believe this strategy will capture the attention of new consumers, further educate and attract current consumers, and ultimately, increase sales for our retailers.
New Customer Expansion:
Based on our estimate of what penetration for a leading CPG brand should be at maturity, we believe Sow Good’s omnichannel distribution footprint should eventually be multiples of its current size. Currently, our products are marketed and sold through a diverse set of retail channels, including conventional, natural and specialty grocery, club, and convenience stores, and on our website. Increasing our customer base across distribution channels will be a key growth driver for Sow Good and our goal is to expand our customer base so that our products are available wherever our consumers choose to shop, whether it be a retail store, convenience store or directly online. While expanding distribution, we are simultaneously increasing our brand awareness through online and offline marketing initiatives to accelerate the sell-through velocity of our products once they reach the shelves of our customers. We anticipate a portion of the use of proceeds from this offering to fund marketing initiatives to bolster sales and new retail launches.
Expand Our Product Offering:
We are working to increase the breadth of products offered to customers by leveraging our innovation expertise. We seek to achieve this by developing new candy products that complement our existing portfolio as well as the expansion into adjacent product categories. This is illustrated by the launch of our Crunch Cream freeze dried ice cream bars and sandwiches line in October 2023. We believe the expansion of our product offerings will help drive revenue and margin growth through (i) improving brand recognition, (ii) expanding existing customer relationships, and (iii) capturing new customers seeking unique products. In addition, as our product offering portfolio grows, we anticipate manufacturing efficiencies that provide for increased margin expansion and profitability.
Drive Margin Expansion:
Our near-term goal is to increase our net income at a faster rate than our sales growth. We believe that this can be achieved by taking several actions that will drive margin expansion. Our primary margin driver will be the expansion of our production and packaging capacity, as well as a portion of our corporate and administrative functions to Monterrey, Mexico, where the cost and availability of labor are significantly more favorable than our current labor market in Irving, Texas. In terms of other margin expansion initiatives, first, we plan to reduce our per-unit production cost by leveraging fixed costs as production volumes increase. Second, we aim to capture operating efficiencies from the refinement of our manufacturing process, which will further reduce our per-unit production cost. Third, we intend to utilize our sales data and market knowledge to manage our sales mix toward higher margin products over time. Fourth, we are actively pursuing cost reductions in our raw materials by implementing changes to our sourcing strategy. Fifth, we are developing product line expansions that optimize the efficiency of our freeze drying process. Finally, while we expect an increase in general and administrative expenses as we strengthen internal operating functions, we believe these expenses will grow at a slower rate than sales as we solidify our sales function, allowing for further margin improvement.
Vertically Integrate Our Operations:
A key part of driving our margin expansion is continuing to build our vertically integrated business model. The core of this strategy is our highly efficient manufacturing process, which enables rapid expansion of production capacity, provides fixed-cost leverage on increased volumes and optimizes our ability to control quality. In addition to manufacturing capabilities, we have internalized mechanical engineering, branding, design, packaging, digital marketing, customer service and data analytic capabilities, along with finance, research and development and human resource functions. Our broad in-house capabilities and manufacturing capacity are expected to enable significant fixed-cost leverage going forward in manufacturing, as well as most other operating expense line items.
Our Products
Our business operates under the Sow Good brand. We produce a unique portfolio of freeze dried treats under our Candy and Crunch Cream (freeze dried ice cream bars and sandwiches) product lines.
Sow Good Candy—Freeze Dried Candy
In the first quarter of 2023, we launched a freeze dried candy product line with a twelve SKU offering that is our largest seller. We use the power of freeze dried technology to transform familiar, traditional gummy, chewy, and hard candies into unique, novel, crunchy treats that are bursting with flavor for our consumers. Our freeze drying process hyper concentrates the candy flavor, adds a crunchy texture, and often increases the candy’s size, creating a sweet snacking experience that we believe can satisfy our customers’ sweet tooth in fewer bites. Our products have a wide range in flavor profiles—from sweet to sour to chocolate-y—shapes, and sizes to appeal to a wide range of customers. Pack sizes range from 1 to 4 oz, depending on the density and size of the product.
Sow Good Crunch Cream—Freeze Dried Ice Cream
Building upon the success of the Sow Good Candy brand, we launched our highly anticipated Sow Good Crunch Cream line of freeze dried, shelf-stable, no-melt, crunchy ice cream in October 2023. This line offers the novel experience of crunchy ice cream sandwiches and bars with flavors ranging from vanilla, Neapolitan, strawberry shortcake, chocolate, to cookies and cream. Pack sizes range from 1 to 2 ounces. We believe that participating in high-impulse categories such as ice cream represents a meaningful adjacent category that broadens our consumer base and increases engagement.
Motivated by our mission, success, and consumers’ feedback, we continue to innovate and expand our product offerings to address growing demand for freeze dried products that appeal to consumers.
Our Supply Chain and Manufacturing Process
Our Supply Chain
The primary raw materials used to manufacture our products include a variety of candy products including gummy candy, soft chews, taffy, as well as other candies. We buy these raw materials directly from candy manufacturers or other distributors. The price and availability of these raw materials can vary based on a number of factors beyond our control, including consumer demand, production constraints, adverse weather conditions, changes in supplier relationships, natural disasters, and public sentiment, among others. Certain raw materials used for individual SKUs are currently sourced from one supplier. We believe the company could find suitable replacements for such suppliers at similar terms if necessary. To hedge against price volatility and supply disruptions, we are actively expanding and diversifying our supplier network to reduce reliance on any one supplier or raw material.
Our Manufacturing and Packaging Process
We manufacture our products at our facility in Irving, Texas and through our co-manufacturing partners located worldwide. During the first nine months of 2023, all of our products were self-manufactured; however, we anticipate this changing in 2024 with the onboarding of several co-manufacturers with a significantly greater aggregate production capacity. It is important to note that all co-manufacturers have entered into long-term and exclusive agreements with Sow Good.
Our Irving, Texas facility consists of four freeze driers that we custom fabricated with technical programming tailored specifically to our products. For over three years we custom designed, fabricated and calibrated these freeze driers to meet our exact needs. Whereas most freeze driers operate on a standard software system, we have developed custom software to allow us to monitor, manipulate, and freeze dry our products with precision and adaptability. Our proprietary software allows for adjustment to a specific temperature at a granular level throughout the freeze drying process, offering us the significant benefit of freeze drying different products within the same freeze drier. This also allows us to monitor in real time every aspect of the freeze drying cycle to ensure optimal quality. If we identify one section of the freeze drier that is malfunctioning, we can deactivate that one section without shutting down the entire freeze drier. To increase our production capacity, we have two additional freeze driers that we expect will be operational within the first half of 2024.
During our packaging process, to ensure maximum protection of our products’ flavor, texture, and overall integrity, our products are packaged in specially constructed humidity-controlled rooms. Reintroduction of moisture to the freeze dried product degrades the product’s crunch factor, which is the key characteristic of freeze dried treats. As such, we tightly monitor the water activity of the products, invest heavily in dehumidifying machinery, and perform regular “Sow Good Sensory Tests” to verify that, while the product may visually appear satisfactory, it undergoes a human taste test to guarantee that the product meets our sensory standards of being “hyper dried, hyper crunchy, and hyper flavorful.”
Our hand-packed precision packaging process entails meticulous, carefully human-handled packaging of each freeze dried treat. While this process is more laborious and expensive compared to using an automated packaging machine, the investment in our gentle packaging process protects the product from breakage and allows easier detection and removal of below-standard products. Our facility contains three packaging lines, allowing us to flexibly package different products in different rooms at the same time, which improves our efficiency and prevents cross-contamination concerns in the case of allergens.
Upon packaging completion, we perform regular spot-checks of our packaging seals, whose function is to further mitigate the risk of moisture reentry and protect product integrity. Our shipping cases are available to us in various packing configurations, providing us flexibility to meet customers’ varying case size requirements for packing products.
Our facility is Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) registered and SQF-II certified. In addition, our facility is certified to manufacture organic, vegan, kosher, and halal products.
Quality Control
We utilize a comprehensive and rigorous food safety and quality management program, which employs manufacturing procedures, expert technical knowledge of food safety science, employee training, ongoing process innovation, and both internal and independent third-party auditing. We conduct routine environmental studies to test for Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and allergens. In the case of packaging products containing allergens, we perform a stringent sanitation process directly following completion of packaging to elimination cross-contamination concerns. We have a dedicated and well-trained sanitation team that cleans the facility multiple times each day. Additionally, our production employees follow strict good manufacturing practices (“GMPs”) to ensure food safety and quality, including wearing hair nets, gloves, and coats, which are washed daily.
We require our co-manufacturing partners to adopt and utilize our food safety and quality program. We conduct a thorough on-site evaluation process prior to initiating our arrangements to ensure that the co-manufacturing facilities meet our food safety and quality standards.
We and our co-manufacturers each have a food safety plan (“FSP”) that focuses on preventing food safety risks and is designed to be compliant with the requirements set forth under the Food Safety Modernization Act (“FSMA”). In addition, each facility has at least one preventive controls-qualified individual who has successfully completed training and received certification in the development and application of risk-based preventive controls, at least equivalent to that received under a standardized curriculum recognized by the USDA and FDA.
Each of our co-manufacturers’ facilities complies with the Global Food Safety Initiative. All facilities manufacturing our products are certified against a standard recognized by either the Safe Quality Food Institute or British Retail Consortium. These standards are integrated food safety and quality management protocols designed specifically for the food sector and offer a comprehensive methodology to manage food safety and quality. Certification provides an independent and external validation that a product, process, or service is designed to comply with applicable regulations and standards.
In order to comply with Foreign Supplier Verification Program we have a qualified individual who has successfully completed training in the development and application of a program that verifies that the products we import have been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. safety standards. See “—Government Regulation” below.
In addition to third-party inspections of our manufacturing partners, we have instituted audits to address topics including allergen control; ingredient, packaging and product specifications; and sanitation. Under FSMA, our Irving, Texas facility and co-manufacturers’ facilities are required to have an FSP, a hazard analysis critical control plant plan, or a hazard analysis critical control points plan that identifies critical pathways for contaminants and mandates control measures that must be used to prevent, eliminate, or reduce relevant food-borne hazards.
We believe that the years we spent building and refining our machinery and facility, meticulous manufacturing and packaging processes, and stringent food safety and quality controls, have provided a foundational ramp that propels our rapid sales success and creates a meaningful barrier to entry.
Sales Channels and Product Distribution
Our highly differentiated omnichannel distribution strategy has three key components: retailers, e-commerce, and distributors. In aggregate, this omnichannel strategy provides us with a diverse set of consumers and customer partners, leading to a larger total addressable market (“TAM”) opportunity than is normally available to products sold only in grocery stores, along with an opportunity to develop a direct relationship with our customers at our website, www.thisissowgood.com. This platform is already set up but with some items set as out of stock until we have additional production capacity.
We believe that our trusted brand name, our proprietary freeze drying process and extensive distribution are critical long-term and sustainable barriers to entry in the food industry. To date, wholesale and retail customers orders have outpaced our production capacity, resulting in a distribution backlog. Given that orders are continuing to accelerate in frequency and volume beyond our production capacity, we have commenced construction on an additional three freeze driers, which will bring our total count to six freeze driers, and we expect will be completed by the first quarter of 2024. In addition, we have entered into long-term, exclusive co-manufacturing contractual arrangements that will substantially increase our production capacity in the near term. Once we have sufficient capacity to fulfill all wholesale, retail, and e-commerce customers, we will begin looking at other opportunities to expand into adjacent categories and/or additional products.
Sow Good products are sold through a diverse set of retail channels, including conventional, natural and specialty grocery, club, and convenience stores. Since launching, Sow Good’s freeze dried candy line is available in Five Below, Target, Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, TJX Canada, Big Lots, Hy-Vee, Cracker Barrel, and Circle K. In addition, we sell a substantial portion of our products through distributors such as Redstone Foods, C.B. Distributors and Alpine Foods. We currently estimate our products are in over 5,857 retail locations across the United States. The diversity of our retail channel represents a strong competitive advantage for Sow Good and provides us with a larger TAM than would be considered normal for a food brand that is singularly focused on the grocery market.
We initially distributed the majority of our products directly to our customers from our Irving, Texas facility. Due to the high volume of orders we were experiencing there was a need to increase our warehousing and distribution footprint. To this end, we leased a total of approximately 62,000 additional square feet of warehouse and distribution space in Irving, Texas in October 2023 to enable us to better handle this heightened volume and optimize our shipping and logistics operations. We are also in the process of leveraging our NetSuite Warehouse Management System to scale our distribution functions, increase efficiencies, and decrease human error.
Sales and Marketing
Sales
Our internal sales team is led by our Director of Sales and Branding who manages major retail accounts and a robust, close-knit network of brokers and distributors to strategically service our customers nationwide and internationally in Israel and Canada. We place a strong emphasis on expanding our presence in retail stores through activating new customers, increasing the number of stores with existing customers, expanding our SKU portfolio, increasing our visibility on shelf and in high-traffic store locations to ultimately increase sales. We work closely with retail buyers to track top-performing products and appropriately manage inventory levels. Being a lean team allows us to be dynamic, nimble, and respond in real-time to customer needs. We have repeatedly surpassed initial sales projections across multiple retail launches, requiring consistent communication with buyers to fine-tune forecasts and ensure accuracy and efficiency in our inventory management processes. Simultaneously, we are dedicated to broadening our SKU portfolio and maximizing volume in existing stores as part of our growth and market expansion strategies. Our specialized team also affords us the advantage of understanding every facet of our operations: our sales, executive, and production teams work closely with one another to understand our customers’ needs, adjust our strategies with precision, and actively increase our production capabilities to meet growing demand. We believe that our holistic, collaborative and strategic sales approach positions us as a dynamic and agile player, well-prepared to navigate the ever-growing freeze dried candy market.
Marketing
We believe that Sow Good’s existing treats represent a multi-billion-dollar TAM; however, we have not commissioned a formal market study to properly quantify this expectation. We believe simply penetrating these core markets with our differentiated product lines will provide Sow Good with a large and long-duration growth opportunity. In the near-term, Sow Good will focus on growing its share within these categories. We plan to drive growth of our treats through distribution expansion and increased marketing and advertising to drive brand recognition and shelf velocity. We plan to also attempt to leverage our new and existing wholesale relationships to gain additional shelf space for our full suite of existing products.
Digital Marketing and Social Media
We currently manage all of our marketing activities in-house and do not rely on agencies or third parties for such activities. We believe maintaining authentic conversations with our robust and engaged community will allow us to durably and efficiently grow our brand equity relative to our competitors.
We primarily engage with our community directly through social media and our website.
Social Media. We interact daily with our consumers across our TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook accounts under the username @thisissowgood. Our social media presence allows us to directly connect with our audience, field customer service requests, share insights into our daily operations as a family start-up, and facilitate product giveaways either directly to our customers or through collaborations with other brands. We also have a YouTube page where we share additional video content as well as our podcast, Good Stories, hosted by our Director of Sales and Branding and often featuring Sow Good’s executive team, which is also available across all podcasting platforms. These efforts strengthen brand loyalty, provide compelling content, and facilitate online collaboration with our community.
Leveraging our retailers’ well-funded marketing campaigns, we engage their community influencers to encourage their followers to purchase our products in the retailer, particularly to bolster new launches and product restock announcements. However, the vast majority of content across social media featuring our products is generated organically by consumers.
The hashtag “freezedriedcandy” has amassed over 2 billion views and continues to be a viral topic on the video platform. Video reviews of Sow Good’s products that are organically generated by TikTok users have amassed over 4.5 million views as of December 31, 2023. The consistent and growing interest in freeze dried candy supports Sow Good’s belief that freeze dried candy is developing into an everyday category for retailers.
Website. We also maintain a registered domain website at www.thisissowgood.com. Our website attracted over 152,000 visitors from our launch in June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2023 with 63,000 visiting since the launch of our freeze dried candy in March, 2023 based on Google Analytics. Our website is used as a platform to promote our products, provide education regarding our freeze drying process, introduce our executive team, and provide business updates. The information contained on or accessed through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.
Our Competition
Our brands primarily operate within the freeze dried candy and non-chocolate confections categories, but we also compete within the larger conventional packaged food category. The categories and markets we operate in are highly competitive and comprised of a diverse set of participants that include global multinational, national, regional, and local firms offering branded and/or private label products. Some of these competitors may have greater financial and other resources, longer operating histories, a broader assortment of product offerings, products that are well-accepted in the marketplace, more established relationships with retailers, and greater brand visibility among consumers.
Within the conventional packaged food category, our competitors include, but are not limited to, Nestlé S.A., The Hershey Company, Mars Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., Van Drunen Farms, Mondelēz International, Haribo. Within the freeze dried candy category, we believe our primary direct competitors are smaller or local companies that have significantly lower production capacity, distribution and/or branding, and includes such firms such as Crazy Candy and Trendy Treats, as well as others.
We believe the principal competitive factors for our business are taste, product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, price, convenience, product variety and innovation, customer service, access to retailer shelf-space, effectiveness of marketing and promotional activity, and the ability to respond to evolving customer preferences. While we believe we compete favorably with respect to each of these factors, there is no guarantee that we will be able to compete effectively against our current or future competitors.
Culture, Employees and Human Capital Resources
Sow Good firmly believes that we can all plant positive seeds to sow a better version of ourselves, our communities, and our world. We plant our seeds by coming into work each day dedicated to creating delicious treats that enrich the lives of our customers, partners and employees. We believe that we are only as excellent as our employees, which is why we provide a living wage, an energizing working environment, full benefits, and stock options to every employee. We strive for nothing short of excellence because that is what our customers, employees, and environment deserve. We believe that our company culture has been and will continue to be a key contributor to the fulfillment of this commitment. Our culture enables us to foster the creativity, teamwork, focus, and innovation we need to support our growth.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 230 full-time employees, of which 56% are female and 82% are minorities. We anticipate a significant increase in headcount with the opening of our Monterrey, Mexico facility in 2024. While currently, none of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, we anticipate that many of our future employees in the Monterrey, Mexico facility will be unionized. To date, we have never experienced an organized work stoppage, strike or labor dispute.
Our human capital resources objectives include, as applicable, identifying, recruiting, retaining, incentivizing and integrating our existing and additional employees. The principal purposes of our equity incentive plans are to attract, retain and motivate selected employees, consultants and directors through the granting of stock-based compensation awards and cash-based performance bonus awards.
Facilities
We do not own any real property. Our principal executive office and manufacturing facility is located in Irving, Texas, where we lease approximately 20,945 square feet of space under a lease agreement with an entity owned entirely by Ira Goldfarb that expires in September 2025, subject to two options to extend the term of the lease for successive five-year periods. We entered into the lease agreement in connection with the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement in October 2020.
In addition to our principal executive office and food manufacturing facility, we lease approximately 51,264 square feet and 9,900 square feet at two separate warehouse facilities located in Irving, Texas, which we use to receive, store, package, and distribute our products, as well as for office and administrative purposes.
Further, we are opening an approximately 103,000 square foot facility in Monterrey Mexico. This facility will provide for immediate additional packaging capacity for our treats that are freeze dried by third party co-manufacturers. The Monterrey facility will also house office space for certain of our corporate and administrative function. We anticipate the Monterrey facility to house additional freeze-driers for increased internal manufacturing capacity later in the second half of 2024.
We believe that these facilities are sufficient to meet our current needs. We intend to expand our facilities or add new facilities as we grow, and we believe that suitable additional space will be available as needed to accommodate expansion of our operations.
Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property
To establish and protect our proprietary rights, we rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade dress, and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and other contractual restrictions. We do not own any registered patents.
Our intellectual property is a strategically important component of our business. In particular, we believe that our trademarks are valuable assets that reinforce the distinctiveness of our brand to consumers, are critical to maintaining and improving our competitive position, and are an important aspect of building brand equity. As such, we consider our “Sow Good” name and our “Sow Good” logo trademarks to be among our most valuable intellectual property assets. We also believe that having distinctive marks that are readily identifiable on our products is an important factor in continuing to build our brand and distinguish our products. Accordingly, our products are marketed and sold uniformly under the registered trademark “Sow Good.” We expect to continue to invest in our trademark portfolio as we introduce new products and seek to build and protect our brand.
As of December 31, 2023, we owned two U.S. trademark registrations and had six pending U.S. trademark applications. Further, we have two registered domain names, www.thisissowgood.com and www.sowginc.com. The information contained on or accessed through our websites does not constitute part of this prospectus.
We also rely on unpatented proprietary expertise, recipes, and formulations, as well as other trade secrets and copyright protection, to maintain and improve our competitive position. We treat the confidential specifics of our marketing, promotions, and products as trade secrets, and information we work to keep confidential. In addition, we treat our proprietary information related to formulas, processes, know-how, and methods used in our production and manufacturing as trade secrets, and information we work to keep confidential. We have taken reasonable measures to keep each of these items, as well as our business and marketing plans, customer lists, and contracts, reasonably protected and secure.
While there is no active litigation involving any of our trademarks or other intellectual property rights, we may be required to enforce or defend our intellectual property rights against third parties in the future. For additional information regarding these and other risks related to our intellectual property portfolio and their potential effect on us, refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property, Information Technology, and Privacy.”
Security, Privacy and Data Protection
The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is demanding, with the frequent imposition of new and changing requirements across our business. Various federal, state, and foreign legislative and regulatory bodies may expand current laws or regulations, enact new laws or regulations, or issue revised rules or guidance regarding privacy, data protection, information security, and consumer protection. We must comply with increasingly complex and rigorous laws and regulations regarding privacy and the collection, storage, use, processing, transfer, transmission, disclosure, and protection of personal and other data, which require us, among other things, to maintain reasonable and appropriate data security measures and to provide timely notice to individuals and regulators in the event that such personal information is compromised.
Earning and maintaining the trust of our customers, consumers, supply chain partners, employees, and securityholders is critical to the success and growth of our business, and we take significant measures to protect the privacy and security of their personal data and to comply with applicable laws. We have established and maintain an information security program, which is aligned with applicable standards and regulations, including Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (“PCI-DSS”). In November 2020, California voters passed the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which became fully effective on January 1, 2023. The CPRA imposed additional data privacy compliance requirements on companies covered by the legislation, including the expansion of consumers’ rights with respect to certain sensitive personal information. The CPRA also established a new regulatory agency dedicated to enforcing the requirements of the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and CPRA. The effects of the CCPA and CPRA may require us to continue to materially modify our data processing practices and policies and to incur substantial compliance-related costs and expenses. We must also comply with laws on advertising, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (“CAN-SPAM Act”).
Our team of professionals works to identify and mitigate risks, implement best practices, and continue to evaluate ways to improve our information security. These steps include data encryption in transit and at rest, network security, limiting and authorizing access controls, and multi-factor authentication for access to systems with data. We also employ regular system monitoring, logging, and alerting to retain and analyze the security state of our corporate and production infrastructure. In addition, we take appropriate steps to help ensure that appropriate security measures are maintained by the third-party vendors we use, including by conducting security reviews.
Government Regulation
The food industry is highly regulated. We, our co-manufacturers, and our suppliers are subject to extensive laws and regulations in the United States by federal, state, and local government authorities, or by federal, state, and local government authorities in other jurisdictions where they are located. These laws and regulations apply to many aspects of our business, including the manufacture, packaging, labeling, distribution, advertising, sale, quality, and safety of our products, as well as the health and safety of our employees and the protection of the environment.
Our business is subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), and other federal, state, and local authorities in the United States, and any other jurisdictions in which we may manufacture or sell our products. Specifically, in the United States, we and our products are subject to the requirements of the FDA and regulations promulgated thereby. This comprehensive regulatory program governs the manufacturing, nutritional value, composition and ingredients, packaging, labeling, and safety of food. Under this program, the FDA requires that facilities that manufacture food products comply with a range of requirements, including hazard analysis and preventative controls regulations, GMPs, and supplier verification requirements. Our processing facilities, including those of our co-manufacturers, are subject to periodic inspection by foreign, federal, state, and local authorities. For example, our Irving, Texas facility is subject to periodic inspections by the FDA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration to evaluate compliance with certain applicable requirements. In the instances where we do not control the manufacturing processes of our products, we rely upon our co-manufacturers for compliance with GMPs for the manufacturing of our products conducted by our co-manufacturers. We seek to comply with applicable laws and regulations through a combination of employing internal experience and expert personnel to monitor quality-assurance compliance, and we contract with third-party laboratories that conduct analyses of new products to establish nutrition labeling information and to help identify certain potential contaminants before distribution.
The FDA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program requires that the U.S. owner or consignee of imported food take steps to verify that the foreign supplier of imported food is manufacturing the food in accordance with FDA requirements, that the importer understand what hazards the foreign supplier is controlling and how those hazards are controlled, and that this oversight program is documented. The regulation is being implemented using a tiered series of compliance dates based on the size of the U.S. importer and the foreign supplier. We have developed a program that we believe is in compliance with this regulation and are monitoring its ongoing implementation.
The FDA also requires that certain nutrition and product information appear on our product labels and, more generally, that our labels and labeling be truthful and not misleading. Similarly, the FTC requires that our marketing and advertising be truthful, not misleading, and not deceptive to consumers. We are also restricted from making certain types of claims about our products, including nutrient content claims, health claims, and claims regarding the effects of our products on any structure or function of the body, whether express or implied, unless we satisfy certain regulatory requirements and our representations are not misleading. Further, we must comply with additional laws impacting our advertising, including the TCPA, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and the CAN-SPAM Act.
In addition to federal regulatory requirements in the United States, certain states impose their own manufacturing and labeling requirements. For example, every state in which our products are manufactured requires facility registration with the relevant state food safety agency, and those facilities are subject to state inspection as well as federal inspection. Further, states can impose state-specific labeling requirements, such as Proposition 65 in California.
We are currently subject to international laws and regulations where we manufacture our products, and to the extent we commence selling and distributing our products internationally, we will become subject to additional laws and regulations.
We are also subject to labor and employment laws, laws governing advertising, privacy laws, safety regulations, and other laws, including consumer protection regulations that regulate retailers or govern the promotion and sale of merchandise. Our operations, and those of our co-manufacturers and suppliers, are also subject to various laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and worker health and safety matters.
Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to comply with existing laws and regulations, we operate in a highly regulated environment with constantly evolving legal and regulatory frameworks. Consequently, we are subject to heightened risk of legal claims, government investigations, or other regulatory enforcement actions.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be involved in various disputes and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently engaged in any material legal proceedings.
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers and members of our board of directors (ages as of the date of this prospectus):
| Name |
Age |
Title |
||
| Claudia Goldfarb |
48 |
Chief Executive Officer, Director |
||
| Ira Goldfarb |
66 |
Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board of Directors |
||
| Keith Terreri |
59 |
Chief Financial Officer |
||
| Bradley Berman |
53 |
Director |
||
| Joe Mueller |
54 |
Director |
||
| Lyle Berman |
82 |
Director |
||
| Chris Ludeman |
65 |
Director |
||
| Edward Shensky |
72 |
Director |
Executive Officers
Claudia Goldfarb. Claudia Goldfarb has served as our Chief Executive Officer since October 2020, and served as our interim Chief Financial Officer from April 2022 until November 2023. Prior to that, Mrs. Goldfarb served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Prairie Dog Pet Products, LLC between January 2010 and July 2020. From 2010 until 2012, Mrs. Goldfarb also served as Chief Operating Officer of PGT Holdings. Mrs. Goldfarb attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas to pursue an accounting degree. Mr. Ira Goldfarb, who is our Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, is Mrs. Claudia Goldfarb’s husband. Mrs. Goldfarb was selected to serve on our Board of Directors due to her history with the Company and extensive product development, manufacturing and implementation experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
Ira Goldfarb. Ira Goldfarb has served as our Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 2020. Prior to that, from January 2012 until July 2020, Mr. Goldfarb founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Prairie Dog Pet Products, LLC. Mr. Goldfarb also served as Chief Executive Officer of PGT Holdings from 2010 until 2012, and served as Chief Executive Officer of DS Retail Holdings, LLC, from 2006 until 2009. In 2009, Mr. Goldfarb co-founded Operation Ava Inc., one of the largest cat and dog rescue groups in Pennsylvania. Mr. Goldfarb attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, New York. Mr. Goldfarb is the husband of Mrs. Claudia Goldfarb, who is our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Goldfarb was selected to serve on our Board of Directors due to his history with the Company and extensive business, operational and management experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
Keith Terreri. Keith Terreri has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 2023. Prior to that, from May 2014 until October 2022, Mr. Terreri served as SVP – CFO & CIO at NEC Corporation of America, and from October 2022 until August 2023 Mr. Terreri served as Executive Vice President – Business Operations at NEC Corporation of America. Mr. Terreri holds a BBA in accounting from University of Notre Dame.
Directors
Bradley Berman. Bradley Berman has served as a Director since our inception in April 2010. Mr. Berman served as our Chief Executive Officer from November 2010 until November 2011, our Chief Financial Officer in November 2010 and our Corporate Secretary from November 2010 until February 2011. Mr. Berman is the president of King Show Games, Inc., a company he founded in 1998. Mr. Berman worked in various capacities in casino gaming from 1992 until 2004 for Grand Casinos, Inc. and then Lakes Entertainment, Inc., achieving the position of Vice President of Gaming, after which he assumed a lesser role in that company. Mr. Berman was a director of Voyager Oil and Gas, Inc. (formerly Ante4 and WPT) from August 2004 to November 2010. Mr. Berman was a director of Black Ridge Oil & Gas from November 2010 to October 2020. Mr. Berman was a director of Allied Esports Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: AESE) (f/k/a Black Ridge Acquisition Corp.) from May 2017 to July 2023. Mr. Berman attended Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Lyle Berman, who is one of our directors, is Mr. Brad Berman’s father. Mr. Berman was selected to serve on our Board of Directors because of his history with the Company and extensive experience in various private and public companies.
Joe Mueller. Joe Mueller has served as a Director since April 2022. Since September 2019, Mr. Mueller has served as Vice President of Industry and Customer Development for Kellogg Company. Prior to that, from March 2015 until September 2019, Mr. Mueller served as Kellogg Company’s Vice President, Walmart Snacks Team. Mr. Mueller also serves as a board member for the American Heart Association. Mr. Mueller earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management from Missouri State University and completed his MBA from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Mueller was selected to serve on our Board of Directors due to his extensive experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
Lyle Berman. Lyle Berman has been a director of Sow Good Inc. since October 2020. From 1999 until 2023, Mr. Berman served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Lakes Entertainment Inc. From 1993 until 2000, Mr. Berman served as Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Café, Inc., and from 1991 until 1998, Mr. Berman served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grand Casinos, Inc. Mr. Berman holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Lyle Berman is the father of one of our directors, Mr. Brad Berman. Mr. Berman was selected to serve on our Board of Directors because of his experience as a chief financial officer and his knowledge of public and private companies. With a proven track record of success and a wealth of experience, Lyle Berman brings invaluable insights and leadership qualities that can significantly benefit any company’s board of directors.
Chris Ludeman. Chris Ludeman has served as a Director and Chairperson of the Audit Committee since January 2021. Since March 2011, Mr. Ludeman has served as Global President of Capital Markets at CBRE, where he also serves as a member of the Global Operating Committee and on the Americas Operations Management Board. Mr. Ludeman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mr. Ludeman was selected to serve on our Board of Directors because of his extensive management and institutional investor experience as well as his knowledge of capital markets.
Edward Shensky. Edward Shensky has served as a Director since January, 2024. Mr. Shensky is a senior shareholder at Stark & Stark full-service law firm providing legal services across more than 30 practice areas. Mr. Shensky headed the medical malpractice and personal injury group in Yardley, Pennsylvania and was instrumental in expanding the firm’s litigation team in those practice areas. Mr. Shensky received his juris doctorate degree from Temple University Law School in 1978. Mr. Shensky was selected to serve on our Board of Directors because of his legal experience and prior experience serving on the risk management board for a UK-based manufacturing company and the Strategic Planning Committee for a major charitable organization headquartered in Pennsylvania.
Composition of our Board of Directors
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. We currently have seven directors, who are elected annually. Our current directors will continue to serve as directors until their resignation, removal or successor is duly elected.
Director Independence
Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning her or his background, employment and affiliations, our board of directors has determined that none of our directors, other than Claudia Goldfarb and Ira Goldfarb, has any relationships that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the listing standards. In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our shares by each non-employee director and the transactions described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Committees of Our Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established an audit committee and will establish a nominating and corporate governance committee and a compensation committee prior to the completion of this offering. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Bradley Berman, Joe Mueller, Lyle Berman, Tim Creed and Chris Ludeman. Our board of directors has determined that satisfies the independence requirements under listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. The chair of our audit committee is Chris Ludeman, who our board of directors has determined is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations. Each member of our audit committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with applicable requirements. In arriving at these determinations, our board of directors has examined each audit committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their employment in the corporate finance sector.
The principal duties and responsibilities of our audit committee include, among other things:
| ● |
selecting a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements; |
| ● |
helping to ensure the independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● |
helping to maintain and foster an open avenue of communication between management and the independent registered public accounting firm; |
| ● |
discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, our interim and full fiscal year operating results; |
| ● |
developing “whistle-blower” procedures for employees to submit concerns anonymously about questionable accounting or audit matters; |
| ● |
reviewing our policies on risk assessment and risk management; |
| ● |
reviewing related party transactions; |
| ● |
obtaining and reviewing a report by the independent registered public accounting firm at least annually, that describes its internal controls environment and procedures, any material issues with such procedures, and any steps taken to deal with such issues when required by applicable law; and |
| ● |
approving (or, as permitted, pre-approving) all audit and all permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. |
Our audit committee will operate under a written charter, to be effective prior to the completion of this offering, that satisfies the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of and . The chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee will be . Our board of directors has determined that each member of the nominating and corporate governance committee is independent under the listing standards.
The nominating and corporate governance committee’s responsibilities include, among other things:
| ● |
identifying, evaluating, and selecting, or recommending that our board of directors approve, nominees for election to our board of directors and its committees; |
| ● |
approving the retention of director search firms; |
| ● |
evaluating the performance of our board of directors and of individual directors; |
| ● |
considering and making recommendations to our board of directors regarding the composition of our board of directors and its committees; |
| ● |
evaluating the adequacy of our corporate governance practices and reporting; and |
| ● |
overseeing an annual evaluation of the board’s performance. |
Our nominating and corporate governance committee will operate under a written charter, to be effective prior to the completion of this offering, that satisfies the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of , and . The chair of our compensation committee is . Our board of directors has determined that each of , and is independent under listing standards and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
The principal duties and responsibilities of our compensation committee include, among other things:
| ● |
approving the retention of compensation consultants and outside service providers and advisors; |
| ● |
reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, the compensation, individual and corporate performance goals and objectives and other terms of employment of our executive officers, including evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer and, with her assistance, that of our other executive officers; |
| ● |
reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the compensation of our directors; |
| ● |
administering our equity and non-equity incentive plans; |
| ● |
reviewing our practices and policies of employee compensation as they relate to risk management and risk-taking incentives; |
| ● |
reviewing and evaluating succession plans for the executive officers; |
| ● |
reviewing and approving, or recommending that our board of directors approve, and overseeing the administration of, incentive compensation and equity plans; and |
| ● |
reviewing and establishing general policies relating to compensation and benefits of our employees and reviewing our overall compensation philosophy. |
Our compensation committee will operate under a written charter, to be effective prior to the completion of this offering, that satisfies the applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of the compensation committee are currently, or have been at any time, one of our executive officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serve, or have served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.
Code of Ethics and Conduct
In connection with this offering we intend to adopt a Code of Ethics and Conduct that applies to all our employees, officers and directors. This includes our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The full text of our Code of Ethics and Conduct will be posted on our websites at www.thisissowgood.com and www.sowginc.com. We intend to disclose on our websites any future amendments of our Code of Ethics and Conduct or waivers that exempt any principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, persons performing similar functions or our directors from provisions in the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our websites are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our websites to be part of this prospectus.
This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. Our “named executive officers,” and their positions are as follows:
| Name |
Title |
|
| Ira Goldfarb |
Executive Chairman |
|
| Claudia Goldfarb |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
| Brad Burke |
Former Chief Financial Officer |
|
| Keith Terreri |
Chief Financial Officer |
This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt following the completion of this offering may differ materially from the currently planned programs summarized in this discussion.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers for the periods indicated.
| Summary Compensation Table |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary |
Stock Awards |
Option Awards |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation |
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Ira Goldfarb (1) |
2022 |
$ | 331,269 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 331,269 | ||||||||||||||
| Executive Chairman |
2023 |
$ | 165,000 | $ | – | $ | 6,996,207 | $ | 195,462 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 7,356,669 | ||||||||||||||
| Claudia Goldfarb (2) |
2022 |
$ | 293,625 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 293,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer |
2023 |
$ | 146,250 | $ | – | $ | 6,296,586 | $ | 173,250 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 6,616,086 | ||||||||||||||
| Brad Burke (3) |
2022 |
$ | 159,409 | $ | – | $ | 72,692 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 232,101 | ||||||||||||||
| Former Chief Financial Officer |
2023 |
$ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||||||||
| Keith Terreri (4) |
2022 |
$ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer |
2023 |
$ | 11,423 | $ | – | $ | 138,240 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 149,663 | ||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Mr. Goldfarb was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors on October 1, 2020. We have agreed to compensate Mr. Goldfarb a total of $330,000 in cash per year commencing on January 1, 2022, and a total of $625,000 in cash per year commencing on December 15, 2023. On December 15, 2023, we granted Mr. Goldfarb an option to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share. The estimated average fair value per share of stock option based on the Monte Carlo Simulation, was $5.84 per share for a total value of $2,918,207. On December 15, 2023, we granted Mr. Goldfarb an option to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.75 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 96.7838% and a call option value of $8.16, was $4,078,000. |
| (2) |
Mrs. Goldfarb was appointed Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2020. We have agreed to compensate Mrs. Goldfarb a total of $292,500 in cash per year commencing on January 1, 2022, and $575,000 in cash per year commencing on December 15, 2023. On December 15, 2023 we granted Mrs. Goldfarb an option to purchase 450,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $40.00 per share. The estimated average fair value per share of stock option based on the Monte Carlo Simulation, was $5.84 per share for a total value of $2,626,386. On December 15, 2023, we granted Mrs. Goldfarb an option to purchase 450,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.75 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 96.7838% and a call option value of $8.16, was $3,670,200. |
| (3) |
Mr. Burke served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer from December 28, 2020 through April 30, 2022, after serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer on an independent contractor basis from October 1, 2020. We had agreed to compensate Mr. Burke a total of $275,000 in cash per year. On April 1, 2022, we granted Mr. Burke an option to purchase 27,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 406% and a call option value of $2.6433, was $72,692. On April 21, 2021, we granted Mr. Burke an option to purchase 27,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 193% and a call option value of $5.4381, was $149,547. |
| (4) |
Mr. Terreri was appointed Chief Financial Officer on November 20, 2023. We have agreed to compensate Mr. Terreri a total of $270,000 in cash per year. On November 13, 2023, we granted Mr. Terreri an option to purchase 27,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.19 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 97.121% and a call option value of $5.11, was $138,240. |
Executive Compensation Program
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the compensation for our named executive officers generally consisted of a base salary and equity bonuses. These elements (and the amounts of compensation and benefits under each element) were selected because we believe they are necessary to help us attract and retain executive talent which is fundamental to our success.
Below is a more detailed summary of the current executive compensation program as it relates to our named executive officers.
Base Salaries
Executive officer base salaries are based on job responsibilities and individual contribution. Our board of directors review the base salaries of our executive officers, including our named executive officers, considering factors such as corporate progress toward achieving objectives (without reference to any specific performance-related targets) and individual performance experience and expertise. Claudia Goldfarb, Ira Goldfarb and Keith Terreri are our only named executive officers that have an employment agreement with us.
On December 15, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors Claudia Goldfarb (the “A&R Employment Agreement of Claudia Goldfarb”). The A&R Employment Agreement of Claudia Goldfarb amended and restated Mrs. Goldfarb’s employment agreement with the Company dated, October 1, 2020. The A&R Employment Agreement of Claudia Goldfarb provides that Mrs. Goldfarb will be entitled to receive an annual base salary of $575,000. Additionally, beginning with the fiscal year 2024, Mrs. Goldfarb is entitled to a discretionary cash bonus of up to 100% of this then-current base salary, based on revenue and EBITDA targets set forth in the A&R Employment Agreement.
On December 15, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors Ira Goldfarb (the “A&R Employment Agreement of Ira Goldfarb”). The A&R Employment Agreement of Ira Goldfarb amended and restated Mr. Goldfarb’s employment agreement with the Company dated, October 1, 2020. The A&R Employment Agreement of Ira Goldfarb provides that Mr. Goldfarb will be entitled to receive an annual base salary of $625,000. Additionally, beginning with the fiscal year 2024, Mr. Goldfarb is entitled to a discretionary cash bonus of up to 100% of this then-current base salary, based on revenue and EBITDA targets set forth in the A&R Employment Agreement of Ira Goldfarb.
On January 11, 2024, the Board ratified the Employment Agreement entered into on December 1, 2023 with Keith Terreri, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (“Terreri Employment Agreement”). The Terreri Employment Agreement supersedes Mr. Terreri’s offer letter and includes the previously approved compensation terms as well as restrictive covenants, a release and the severance terms described in more detail below. The Terreri Employment Agreement provides for Mr. Terreri’s entitlement to receive an annual base salary of $270,000 and an annual target bonus opportunity equal to 25% of base salary. Additionally, the Terreri Employment Agreement provides Mr. Terreri’s entitlement to a grant of 27,000 stock options, representing the right to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to Mr. Terreri’s continuous service to the Company through each vesting date.
Additional factors reviewed by our board of directors in determining appropriate base salary levels and raises include subjective factors related to corporate and individual performance. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, all executive officer base salary decisions were approved by the board of directors.
The 2023 annual base salaries for our named executive officers were as follows: (1) $165,000 for Ira Goldfarb, (2) $146,250 for Claudia Goldfarb and (3) $11,423 for Keith Terreri. The 2022 annual base salaries for our named executive officers were as follows: (1) $331,269 for Ira Goldfarb, (2) $293,625 for Claudia Goldfarb and (3) $159,409 for Brad Burke.
Incentive Compensation Awards
Other than the awards under our 2012 Plan, 2016 Plan, 2018 Plan and 2020 Plan described below, no bonuses were granted in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023.
If our revenue grows and bonuses become affordable and justifiable, we expect to use the following parameters in justifying and quantifying bonuses for our named executive officers and other officers of the Company: (1) the growth in our revenue, (2) the growth in our earnings before Adjusted EBITDA, and (3) our stock price. The board has not adopted specific performance goals and target bonus amounts, but may do so in the future.
Equity Incentive Awards
2012 Stock Incentive Plan
Effective June 10, 2012, as amended on February 22, 2011 and March 2, 2012, our board of directors adopted the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) under which a total of 25,000 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance as restricted stock or pursuant to the grant and exercise of stock options. The 2012 Plan has been approved by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares.
2016 Stock Incentive Plan
Effective December 12, 2016, our board of directors adopted the 2016 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2016 Plan”) under which a total of 12,712 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the grant and exercise of non-qualified stock options.
2018 Stock Incentive Plan
On March 1, 2018, the Board of the Company approved and adopted the Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. 2018 Management Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) and the form of 2018 Management Incentive Plan Award Agreement (the “2018 Award Agreement”). The purpose of the 2018 Plan is to provide a means by which eligible employees and directors may have the opportunity to be granted awards of the Company’s equity in Black Ridge Acquisition Corp. (“BRAC”).
2020 Stock Incentive Plan
Effective December 5, 2019, as amended September 29, 2020, January 4, 2021 and March 19, 2021 our board of directors adopted the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) under which a total of 814,150 shares of authorized common stock have been reserved for issuance as restricted stock or pursuant to the grant and exercise of stock options. Our 2020 Plan has been approved by a majority of the stockholders of record. We believe the use of stock-based long-term incentive compensation is vital to maintain a competitive position in attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel. The board considers several factors in determining whether awards are granted to an executive officer, including corporate progress towards achieving objectives, individual experience and expertise, subjective factors related to corporate and individual performance, the executive’s position, his or her performance and responsibilities, and the amount of options or other awards, if any, currently held by the officer and their vesting schedule.
The 2020 Plan enables our board of directors to provide equity-based incentives through grants of awards to the Company’s present and future employees, directors, consultants and other third-party service providers. The 2020 Plan is generally administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors. Subject to the provisions of the 2020 Plan, the compensation committee determines in its discretion the persons to whom and the times at which awards are granted, the sizes of such awards and all of their terms and conditions. The compensation committee has the authority and discretion to determine the terms of awards under the 2020 Plan.
In the event of a change of control as described in the 2020 Plan, the acquiring or successor entity may (i) accelerate the vesting of any or all awards, (ii) assume or substitute all or any awards outstanding under the 2020 Plan or substitute substantially equivalent awards or (iii) cash out any or all outstanding awards.
2024 Stock Incentive Plan
Our board of directors has adopted the 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”), under which we may grant cash and equity incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete. Upon the effective date of the 2024 Plan, which date will be the consummation of the Corporate Conversion, prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will no longer grant awards under any of our other equity incentive plans and all future awards will be granted under our 2024 Plan. The material terms of the 2024 Plan are summarized below.
Eligibility and Administration
Our employees and directors, and employees and directors of our subsidiaries, will be eligible to receive awards under the 2024 Plan. Following this offering, the 2024 Plan will be administered by our board of directors with respect to awards to non-employee directors and by our compensation committee with respect to other participants, each of which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to committees of our directors and/or officers (referred to collectively as the plan administrator below), subject to certain limitations that may be imposed under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and/or stock exchange rules, as applicable. The plan administrator will have the authority to make all determinations and interpretations under, prescribe all forms for use with, and adopt rules for the administration of, the 2024 Plan, subject to its express terms and conditions. The plan administrator will also set the terms and conditions of all awards under the 2024 Plan, including any vesting and vesting acceleration conditions.
Limitation on Awards and Shares Available
An aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock are available for issuance under awards granted pursuant to the 2024 Plan (including shares of our common stock available for issuance under awards granted pursuant to the 2012 Plan, the 2016 Plan and the 2020 Plan), which shares may be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares, or shares purchased in the open market. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the 2024 Plan, no more than 15,000,000 shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options under the 2024 Plan.
If an award under the 2024 Plan expires, lapses or is terminated, exchanged for or settled for cash, surrendered, repurchased, or cancelled without having been fully exercised or forfeited, any shares subject to such award may, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, or cash settlement, be used again for new grants under the 2024 Plan. Further, shares delivered to us to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of an award under the 2024 Plan and/or to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligations (including shares retained by us from the award under the 2024 Plan being exercised or purchased and/or creating the tax obligation) will become or again be available for award grants under the 2024 Plan. The payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any awards under the 2024 Plan will not reduce the shares available for grant under the 2024 Plan. However, the following shares may not be used again for grant under the 2024 Plan: (i) shares subject to stock appreciation rights, or SARs, that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR on exercise and (ii) shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of options.
Awards granted under the 2024 Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, awards authorized or outstanding under a qualifying equity plan maintained by an entity with which we enter into a merger or similar corporate transaction will not reduce the shares available for grant under the 2024 Plan. The 2024 Plan provides that, commencing with the calendar year following the calendar year in which the effective date of the 2024 Plan occurs, the sum of any cash compensation and the aggregate grant date fair value (determined as of the date of the grant under ASC Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of all awards granted to a non-employee director as compensation for services as a non-employee director during any calendar year may not exceed the amount equal to $750,000 in total value, or with respect to the calendar year in which an Outside Director is first appointed or elected to the Board, $1,000,000.
Awards
The 2024 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options, or ISOs, and nonqualified stock options, or NSOs, restricted stock, or RSUs, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, and other stock or cash awards. Certain awards under the 2024 Plan may constitute or provide for a deferral of compensation, subject to Section 409A of the Code, which may impose additional requirements on the terms and conditions of such awards. All awards under the 2024 Plan will be set forth in award agreements, which will detail all terms and conditions of the awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms and post-termination exercise limitations. Awards other than cash awards generally will be settled in shares of our common stock, but the plan administrator may provide for cash settlement of any award. A brief description of each award type follows.
Stock Options. Stock options provide for the purchase of shares of our common stock in the future at an exercise price set on the grant date. ISOs, by contrast to NSOs, may provide tax deferral beyond exercise and favorable capital gains tax treatment to their holders if certain holding period and other requirements of the Code are satisfied. The exercise price of a stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant (or 110% in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant stockholders), except with respect to certain substitute options granted in connection with a corporate transaction. The term of a stock option may not be longer than ten years (or five years in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant stockholders). Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to stock options and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions.
Restricted Stock and RSUs. Restricted stock is an award of nontransferable shares of our common stock that remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met, and which may be subject to a purchase price. RSUs are contractual promises to deliver shares of our common stock in the future, which may also remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met, and may be accompanied by the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock prior to the delivery of the underlying shares. Settlement of RSUs may be deferred under the terms of the award or at the election of the participant, if the plan administrator permits such a deferral. Conditions applicable to restricted stock and RSUs may be based on continuing service, the attainment of performance goals and/or such other conditions as the plan administrator may determine.
SARs. SARs entitle their holder, upon exercise, to receive from us an amount equal to the appreciation of the shares subject to the award between the grant date and the exercise date. The exercise price of a SAR may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying share on the date of grant (except with respect to certain substitute SARs granted in connection with a corporate transaction) and the term of a SAR may not be longer than ten years. Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to SARs and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions.
Other Stock or Cash-Based Awards. Other stock or cash-based awards of cash, fully vested shares of our common stock and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or otherwise based on, shares of our common stock may be granted under the 2024 Plan. Other stock or cash-based awards may be granted to participants and may also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees, or other cash compensation otherwise payable to any individual who is eligible to receive awards.
Performance Awards. Performance awards include any of the foregoing awards that are granted subject to vesting and/or payment based on the attainment of specified performance goals or other criteria the plan administrator may determine, which may or may not be objectively determinable. The plan administrator has discretion to make all or a portion of any award under the 2024 Plan conditioned on the achievement of objective or subjective performance metrics.
The following are performance metrics that the plan administrator may utilize for this purpose: market price of the company’s stock; net earnings, earnings before or after any or all of interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, net income (including, net income or operating income); cash flow (including, operating cash flow and free cash flow; customer satisfaction or growth measures; revenues (including net revenues, net revenue growth or gross revenue); enterprise value; financial ratios; market performance; margins (including gross margins or operating margins); productivity or efficiency ratios; costs; profits (including net profits, net operating profits, gross profit, gross profit growth, and profit returns or margins); earnings per share; stock price; total stockholder return; economic value added or other value added measurements; new product innovation; product release schedules or targets; product cost reduction; budget and expense management; employee satisfaction; human capital management goals; or environmental, social and governance goals.
These performance metrics may relate to the performance of an individual participant, the Company or any subsidiary or subdivision, or any combination of the foregoing. Performance metrics may be expressed as an amount, as an increase or decrease over a specified period, as a relative comparison to the performance of a group of comparator companies or a published or special index, or any other measure of the selected performance criteria. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to adjust the measurement of any performance metric to take into account factors such as the impact (positive and/or negative) of unusual and/or infrequently occurring items or expenses.
Foreign Participants, Transferability, and Participant Payments
The plan administrator may modify award terms, establish subplans and/or adjust other terms and conditions of awards, subject to the share limits described above, in order to facilitate grants of awards subject to the laws and/or stock exchange rules of countries outside of the United States. With limited exceptions for estate planning, domestic relations orders, certain beneficiary designations and the laws of descent and distribution, awards under the 2024 Plan are generally non-transferable prior to vesting, and are exercisable only by the participant. With regard to tax withholding, exercise price, and purchase price obligations arising in connection with awards under the 2024 Plan, the plan administrator may, in its discretion, accept cash or check, shares of our common stock that meet specified conditions, a “market sell order,” or such other consideration as it deems suitable.
Plan Amendment and Termination
Our board of directors may amend or terminate the 2024 Plan at any time; however, except in connection with certain changes in our capital structure, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that increases the number of shares available under the 2024 Plan. No award may be granted pursuant to the 2024 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date on which our stockholders approved the 2024 Plan or the date on which our board of directors adopted the 2024 Plan.
Clawback
Awards will be subject to any clawback policy that we are required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards Nasdaq Capital Market or otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Act or other applicable laws. The administrator also may specify in the award agreement that the participant’s rights, payments or benefits with respect to an award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. The administrator may require a participant to forfeit, return or reimburse the Company all or a portion of the award or shares issued under the award, any amounts paid under the award and any payments or proceeds paid or provided upon disposition of the shares issued under the award in order to comply with such clawback policy or applicable laws.
Health and Welfare Benefits and Perquisites
At this stage of our business, we have benefits that are generally comparable to those offered by other small private and public companies and no prerequisites for our employees. Other than a 401(k) plan, we do not have any other retirement plan for our named executive officers. We may adopt these plans and confer other fringe benefits for our executive officers in the future.
Director Compensation
2024 Director Compensation (to date)
On January 11, 2024, we issued Mr. Edward Shensky a total of 1,233 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $10,110.60 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant. On February 9, 2024, we issued Mr. Shensky 4,112 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $39,886.40 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant.
On January 11, 2024, we issued Mr. Lyle Berman a total of 1,267 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $10,389.40 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant. On February 9, 2024, we issued Mr. Lyle Berman 4,083 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $39,605.10 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant.
On January 11, 2024, we issued Mr. Bradley Berman a total of 1,267 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $10,389.40 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant. On February 9, 2024, we issued Mr. Bradley Berman 4,083 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $39,605.10 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant.
On January 11, 2024, we issued Mr. Joe Mueller a total of 1,267 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $10,389.40 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant. On February 9, 2024, we issued Mr. Mueller 4,083 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $39,605.10 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant.
On January 11, 2024, we issued Mr. Chris Ludeman a total of 2,026 shares of common stock for annual director services and audit committee services. The fair value of the common stock was $16,613.20 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant. On February 9, 2024, we issued Mr. Ludeman 4,083 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $39,605.10 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the grant.
2023 Director Compensation
Our non-employee directors did not receive any cash compensation for their service as a non-employee director during the years ended December 31, 2023.
On June 1, 2023, we issued Mr. Bradley Berman 4,404 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $26,644.20 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
On June 1, 2023, we issued Mr. Lyle Berman a total of 4,404 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $26,644.20 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
On June 1, 2023, we issued Mr. Creed a total of 1,845 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $11,162.25 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
On June 1, 2023, we issued Mr. Ludeman a total of 7,046 of common stock, respectively, for annual director and audit committee services. The aggregate fair value of the common stock was $42,628.30 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the respective grant dates.
On June 1, 2023, we issued Mr. Mueller a total of 3,000 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $18,150.00 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
2022 Director Compensation
Our non-employee directors did not receive any cash compensation for their service as a non-employee director during the year ended December 31, 2022.
On April 11, 2022, we issued Mr. Mueller a total of 8,064 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $24,998 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. On April 11, 2022, we granted Mr. Mueller an option to purchase 24,151 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.10 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 153% and a call option value of $2.9574, was $71,423. Mr. Mueller also received a stock award of $24,998 during the year ended December 31, 2022.
On July 22, 2022, we issued Mr. Creed a total of 6,410 shares of common stock for annual director services. The fair value of the common stock was $25,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. On July 22, 2022, we granted Mr. Creed an option to purchase 24,151 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.90 per share. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 137% and a call option value of $3.6166, was $87,346. Mr. Creed also received a stock award of $25,000 during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Post-IPO Director Compensation Program
In connection with this offering, we intend to approve and implement a compensation program for our non-employee directors that consists of annual retainer fees and long-term equity awards. Each non-employee director is expected to receive an annual cash retainer for his or her services in an amount equal to $ and an annual equity award in a denominated dollar value equal to $ .
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In addition to the compensation arrangements, including employment, termination of employment and change in control arrangements, discussed in the sections titled “Management” and “Executive Compensation,” the following is a description of each transaction since January 1, 2021 and each currently proposed transaction in which:
| ● |
we have been or are to be a participant; |
| ● |
the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $120,000; and |
| ● |
any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals or entities, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. |
Debt Financing
On May 11, 2023, the Company received proceeds of $100,000 from Bradley Berman, one of the Company’s directors, on behalf of the Bradley Berman Irrevocable Trust, from the sale of notes and warrants pursuant to an offering to sell up to $1,500,000 of promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable over a ten-year period at a price of $2.50 per share, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of notes purchased. The notes mature on May 11, 2024. Interest on the notes accrues at a rate of 8% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on June 30 and December 31.
On April 25, 2023, we closed on an offering to sell up to $1,500,000 of promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable over a ten-year period at a price of $2.50 per share, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of notes purchased. The notes mature on April 25, 2024. Interest on the notes accrues at a rate of 8% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on June 30 and December 31. On April 25, 2023, the Company received proceeds of $750,000 and $50,000 from the Company’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, and the Cesar J. Gutierrez Living Trust, as beneficially controlled by the brother of the Company’s CEO, respectively, on the sale of these notes and warrants.
On August 23, 2022, we closed on an offering to sell up to $2,500,000 of promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 625,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable over a ten-year period at a price of $2.60 per share, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of notes purchased. The notes mature on August 23, 2025. Interest on the notes accrues at a rate of 8% per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. Loans may be advanced to the Company from time to time from August 23, 2023 to the maturity date. On December 21, 2022 and September 29, 2022, the Company received aggregate proceeds of $250,000 and $750,000 from two of the Company’s directors on the sale of these notes and warrants.
On April 8, 2022, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to sell an aggregate $3,700,000 of Promissory Notes (the “Notes”) and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate 925,000 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. Accrued interest on the Notes was payable semi-annually beginning September 30, 2022 at the rate of 6% per annum, but on August 23, 2022, the notes were amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The principal amount of the Notes mature and become due and payable on April 8, 2025. The Warrants are exercisable immediately and for a period of 10 years at a price of $2.35 per share. Proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Securities were $3,700,000. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. Assuming full exercise thereof, further proceeds to the Company from the exercise of the Warrant shares is calculated as $2,173,750. The offering closed simultaneously with execution of the Purchase Agreement. Of the aggregate $3,700,000 of Notes, a total of $3,120,000 of Notes were sold to officers or directors, along with 780,000 of the Warrants.
Common Stock Sold for Cash
On November 20, 2023, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers thereunder, an aggregate of 426,288 shares of the Company’s common stock at a stock price of $6.50 per share. The shares were issued on November 20, 2023. Proceeds to the Company from the sale of shares were approximately $2.8 million. A total of 38,077 of these shares, or proceeds of approximately $247,500, were purchased by officers and directors. On August 30, 2023, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers thereunder, an aggregate of 735,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a stock price of $5.00 per share. The shares were issued on August 30, 2023. Proceeds to the Company from the sale of shares were approximately $3.7 million. A total of 210,000 of these shares, or proceeds of approximately $1.1 million, were purchased by officers and directors.
On July 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers, thereunder, an aggregate of 714,701 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $4.25 per share. Proceeds to the Company from the sale of the shares were $3,037,511, of which $2,472,136 was received on June 30, 2021, and the other $565,375 was received on July 9, 2021. The shares were all issued on July 9, 2021. A total of 407,204 of these shares, or proceeds of $1,730,621 were purchased by officers and directors, including 347,057 shares, or $1,474,996, received on June 30, 2021.
On February 5, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers an aggregate 631,250 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $4.00 per share for total proceeds of $2,525,000. A total of 225,000 of these shares, or proceeds of $900,000 were purchased by officers and directors.
Warrants Granted
On December 31, 2021, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with related parties to sell an aggregate $2,075,000 of promissory notes, bearing 8% interest, and warrants to purchase an aggregate 311,250 shares of common stock, representing 15,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $2.21 per share over a ten-year term. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 198% and a call option value of $2.25, was $699,213. The warrants will be expensed as a debt discount over the life of the loans. The officers, directors and related parties receiving grants and the amounts of such grants were as follows:
| Name and Title at Time of Grant |
Promissory |
Stock Warrant Shares |
||||||
| Ira and Claudia Goldfarb |
$ | 1,500,000 | 225,000 | |||||
| Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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| Brad Burke |
$ | 25,000 | 3,750 | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer |
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| Lyle Berman |
$ | 500,000 | 75,000 | |||||
| Director |
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| Cesar J. Gutierrez |
$ | 50,000 | 7,500 | |||||
| Brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer |
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In consideration for four officers and directors’ willingness to serve as guarantors of the business loan agreement with Cadence Bank, N.A. (the “Cadence Loan”), the Company issued warrants to each of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and members of the Company’s Board of Directors (collectively, the “Guarantors”) (the “Guarantor Warrants”) for the purchase of the Company’s common stock on March 12, 2020. The Guarantor Warrants entitle each Guarantor to purchase 26,250 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. The Guarantor Warrants expire on March 12, 2030. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 146% and a call option value of $3.59, was $377,440. The warrants were expensed as a debt discount during the year ended December, 31, 2020. The officers and directors receiving grants and the amounts of such grants were as follows:
| Name and Title at Time of Grant |
Stock Warrant Shares |
|||
| Ken DeCubellis |
26,250 | |||
| Former Chief Executive Officer and Former Interim Chief Financial Officer |
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| Bradley Berman |
26,250 | |||
| Director |
||||
| Lyle Berman |
26,250 | |||
| Director |
||||
| Benjamin Oehler |
26,250 | |||
| Former Director |
||||
Private Placement Transactions
On November 20, 2023, the Company raised approximately $2.8 million of capital from the sale of 426,288 newly issued shares of common stock at a share price of $6.50 in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Investors in the private placement included Sow Good’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, in addition to certain other Sow Good board members and accredited investors. The proceeds were used in funding incremental capital expenditures and general operating expenses.
On August 30, 2023, the Company raised approximately $3.7 million of capital from the sale of 735,000 newly issued shares of common stock at a share price of $5.00 in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Investors in the private placement included Sow Good’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, in addition to certain other Sow Good board members and accredited investors. The proceeds were used in funding incremental capital expenditures and general operating expenses.
On July 7, 2021, the Company raised over $3 million of capital from the sale of 714,701 newly issued shares at a share price of $4.25 in a private placement. Investors in the private placement included Sow Good’s Chief Executive Officer, Executive Chairman, and Chief Financial Officer, in addition to other Sow Good board members and a small group of accredited investors. The proceeds were used to invest in inventory ahead of pursuing larger business-to-business relationships, as well as funding incremental capital expenditures and general operating expenses.
On February 5, 2021, the Company raised over $2.5 million of capital from the sale of 631,250 newly issued shares at a share price of $4.00 in a private placement. The proceeds were used to find capital expenditures and working capital investment.
Lease Agreement
The Company leases a 20,945 square foot facility in Irving, Texas, under which an entity owned entirely by Ira Goldfarb is the landlord. The lease term is through September 15, 2025, with two five-year options to extend, at a monthly lease rate of $10,036, with approximately 3% annual escalation of lease payments.
Our Policy Regarding Related Party Transactions
Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to adopt a written policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our common stock and any members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into a related party transaction with us without the approval or ratification of our board of directors or our audit committee. Any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our common stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and such person would have a direct or indirect interest, must be presented to our board of directors or our audit committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our board of directors or our audit committee is to consider the material facts of the transaction, including whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction.
The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as adjusted to give effect to this offering, for:
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each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; |
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each of our directors; |
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each of our named executive officers; and |
| ● |
all of our executive officers and directors as a group. |
Except as otherwise noted in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities beneficially owned.
The beneficial ownership of our voting securities is based on 5,603,083 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023.
Beneficial ownership for the purposes of the following table is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These rules generally provide that a person is the beneficial owner of securities if they have or share the power to vote or direct the voting thereof, or to dispose or direct the disposition thereof or have the right to acquire such powers within 60 days. Accordingly, the following table does not include options to purchase Sow Good common stock that are not exercisable within the next 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owners listed in the table below is c/o Sow Good Inc., 1440 N Union Bower Rd, Irving, TX 75061.
| Shares Beneficially |
Shares Beneficially |
|||||||||||||||
| Name and address of beneficial owner |
Shares of |
Percentage |
Shares of |
Percentage |
||||||||||||
| Ira Goldfarb, Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board(2) |
3,272,657 | 58.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Claudia Goldfarb, Chief Executive Officer, Director(3) |
2,166,644 | 38.7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Lyle Berman, Director(4) |
1,162,662 | 20.8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Bradley Berman, Director(5) |
346,558 | 6.2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Chris Ludeman, Director(6) |
139,938 | 2.5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Joe Mueller, Director(7) |
15,894 | * | ||||||||||||||
| Edward Shensky, Director |
12,500 | * | ||||||||||||||
| Keith Terreri, Chief Financial Officer |
– | * | ||||||||||||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (8 persons) |
5,063,979 | 90.4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Benno Fischer(8) |
501,029 | 8.9 | % | |||||||||||||
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
(1) Except as pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned. The total number of issued and outstanding shares and the total number of shares owned by each person does not include unexercised warrants and stock options owned by parties other than for whom the calculation is presented, and is calculated as of September 30, 2023.
(2) Includes 1,620,973 shares held in the name of S-FDF, LLC, which is an entity that Ira owns with his spouse, Claudia Goldfarb, 181,901 shares held in joint tenancy, and 50,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023. Also includes 1,275,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023, 250,000 of which are jointly held with his spouse, Claudia Goldfarb, 1,000,000 of which are held by Mr. Goldfarb’s irrevocable trust, and 25,000 of which are held by IG Union Bower, for which Mr. Goldfarb is the beneficial owner. Also includes 17,646 shares held by trusts for the children of Mr. Goldfarb, for which Mr. Goldfarb is trustee.
(3) Includes 1,620,973 shares held in the name of S-FDF, LLC, which is an entity that Claudia owns with her spouse, Ira Goldfarb, 181,901 shares held in joint tenancy, 50,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023 and 250,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023 that are jointly held with her spouse, Ira Goldfarb.
(4) Includes 15,824 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023, and 643,750 shares which may be purchased pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023. Does not include 124,742 shares held by trusts for the children of Mr. Lyle Berman, for which Mr. Gary Raimist is trustee.
(5) Includes 16,157 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023, and 51,250 shares which may be purchased pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023. Also includes 23,735 shares held by certain trusts for the children of Mr. Bradley Berman, and 6,195 shares owned by Mr. Bradley Berman’s spouse.
(6) Includes 97,058 shares held by Christopher R. & Lynda M. Ludeman JTWROS. Includes 16,101 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023.
(7) Includes 4,830 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023.
(8) Includes 175,000 shares held by Ben J. Fischer JTWROS Laree P. Hulshoff JTWROS. Also includes 100,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2023.
The following description of our capital stock and certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation of Sow Good Inc., which will be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering (the “Charter”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sow Good Inc., which will be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering (the “Bylaws”) are summaries. Copies of these documents will be filed with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The descriptions of the common stock and preferred stock reflect changes to our capital structure that will be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering.
General
Our Articles of Incorporation will authorize us to issue up to 520,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 5,603,083 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023. Our Charter will provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of common stock is required to increase or decrease number of authorized shares, as described below.
Common Stock
Holders of common stock will be entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Our holders of common stock will not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of common stock will be entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) out of funds legally available therefor, which may be paid in cash, property, or in shares of the Company’s capital stock. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of common stock will be entitled to receive their ratable share of the net assets of the Company legally available for distribution after payment of all debts and other liabilities. There will be no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock.
Dividends
We have not declared or paid any dividends on our common stock since our inception and do not anticipate paying dividends for the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends will be subject to the discretion of our Board and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition, and other relevant factors. We intend to reinvest any earnings in the development and expansion of our business. Any cash dividends in the future to common stockholders will be payable when, as and if declared by our Board, based upon the board’s assessment of our financial condition and performance, earnings, need for funds, capital requirements, prior claims of preferred stock to the extent issued and outstanding, and other factors, including income tax consequences, restrictions and applicable laws. There can be no assurance, therefore, that any dividends on our common stock will ever be paid.
Preferred Stock
The shares of preferred stock may be issued in series, and shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such stock adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board will be expressly vested with the authority to determine and fix in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuances of all or any of the remaining preferred stock the voting powers, designations, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of each such series to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.
Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal
Our Bylaws will provide that only our Board may increase or decrease the number of directors. Any vacancy on the Board may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office, and shall hold such office until the next annual election and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office or by an election at an annual meeting, or at a special meeting of stockholders called for that purpose. A director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office only until the next election of directors by the stockholder.
Our Bylaws will provide that any director or directors of the corporation may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and by the vote or written consent of stockholders representing not less than a majority of the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to voting power.
Authorized Shares
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of common stock will be required to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class we have authority to issue. Issuance of such a new class or series could, depending upon the terms of the class or series, delay, defer, or prevent a change of control of the Company.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our Bylaws will contain advance notice provisions that a stockholder must follow if it intends to bring business proposals or director nominations, as applicable, before a meeting of stockholders. These provisions may preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before the annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations at the annual meeting of stockholders.
No Cumulative Voting
Holders of our common shares will not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Directors. The absence of cumulative voting may make it more difficult for stockholders owning less than a majority of our common shares to elect any Directors to our Board.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Because our stockholders will not have cumulative voting rights, stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of our shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors. A special meeting of stockholders may only be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Executive Chairman of the Company or a majority of our board of directors. Our Bylaws will establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors.
The foregoing provisions will make it more difficult for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.
These provisions are intended to: facilitate our continued product innovation and the risk-taking that it requires; permit us to continue to prioritize our long-term goals rather than short-term results; and enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies. These provisions are also designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition attempt and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or management. As a consequence, these provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.
Choice of Forum
Our Charter will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner of stock) to bring: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of, or claim based on, breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders to us or to our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Charter or the Bylaws; (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Charter or Bylaws; or (v) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Our Charter also provides the, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any claims for which federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our Charter will provide that no director or officer will be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except as required by applicable law, as in effect from time to time. Currently, Delaware law requires that liability be imposed for the following:
| ● |
any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders; |
| ● |
any act or omission not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| ● |
unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; and |
| ● |
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
As a result, neither we nor our stockholders have the right, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above.
Our Bylaws will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we will indemnify any officer or director of our company against all damages, claims and liabilities arising out of the fact that the person is or was our director or officer, or served any other enterprise at our request as a director, officer or trustee. We will reimburse the expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a person indemnified by this provision. Amending this provision will not reduce our indemnification obligations relating to actions taken before an amendment.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Empire Stock Transfer.
Trading Symbol and Market
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “SOWG.” We intend to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SOWG.”
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Currently, our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “SOWG.” Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Although we have been approved to list our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we cannot assure you that there will be an active public market for our common stock.
Upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding an aggregate of shares of common stock, assuming the issuance of shares of common stock offered by us in this offering and further assuming a public offering price of $ per share of common stock, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Of these shares, all shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, whose sales would be subject to the Rule 144 resale restrictions described below, other than the holding period requirement.
We also have 2,291,250 outstanding warrants with exercise prices ranging from $2.21 to $4.00, upon the exercise of which we are required to issue shares of common stock. Approximately of the warrants and the corresponding shares of common stock underlying such warrants are beneficially owned by our directors and officers that will be entering into lock-up agreements in connection with this offer. We have previously filed an S-1 registration statement for the resale of 2,179,689 shares of our common stock, including those underlying the warrants not owned by our directors or officers, which will be eligible for immediate sale upon the closing of this offering.
We also have:
| ● |
999 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2012 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
2,000 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2016 Plan as of September 30, 2023; |
| ● |
647,708 shares of our common stock are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding under the 2020 2020 Plan as of September 30, 2023; and |
| ● |
3,000,000 shares of our common stock will be reserved for future issuance under our 2024 Plan, which will become effective prior to the completion of this offering, as well as any automatic increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2024 Plan. |
Approximately of the options and the corresponding shares of common stock underlying such options are beneficially owned by our directors and officers that will be entering into lock-up agreements in connection with this offer.
The remaining shares of common stock will be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
Lock-Up Arrangements
Our officers, directors and substantially all of our stockholders have agreed, or will agree, with the underwriters that, until 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, they will not, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of our common stock, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of our common stock. These agreements are described in the section titled “Underwriting.” Roth Capital Partners, LLC may, in its sole discretion, release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, once we have been subject to public company reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, an eligible stockholder is entitled to sell such shares without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. To be an eligible stockholder under Rule 144, such stockholder must not be deemed to have been one of our affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and must have beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then such person is entitled to sell such shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144, subject to the expiration of the lock-up agreements described below.
In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are entitled to sell shares on expiration of the lock-up agreements described below, subject, in the case of restricted securities, to such shares having been beneficially owned for at least six months. Beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, within any three-month period, such stockholders may sell a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
| ● |
1% of the number of common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately shares immediately after this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us; or |
| ● |
the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on the during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale, |
Except that, in the case of restricted securities, at least six months have elapsed since the later of the date such shares were acquired from us or any of our affiliates.
Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us. An “affiliate” of ours is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with us.
Form S-8 Registration Statements
We may file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act with the SEC to register the offer and sale of shares of our common stock that are issuable under the 2012 Plan, the 2016 Plan, the 2018 Plan, the 2020 Plan and the 2024 Plan. These registration statements will become effective immediately on filing. Shares covered by these registration statements will then be eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to vesting restrictions, any applicable lock-up agreements described below, and Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates.
10b5-1 Plans
After the offering, certain of our employees, including our executive officers, and/or directors may enter into written trading plans that are intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Sales under these trading plans would not be permitted until the expiration of the lock-up agreements relating to the offering described above.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of our common stock by a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) that holds our common stock as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder (“Regulations”), judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements and other relevant applicable authorities, all as currently in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). No ruling has been or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), with respect to the matters discussed below, and there can be no assurance the IRS will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our common stock. In either case, the tax considerations of owning or disposing of our common stock could differ from those described below.
This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be applicable to Non-U.S. Holders in light of their particular circumstances or Non-U.S. Holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as:
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banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; |
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brokers, dealers, or traders in securities, commodities, or currencies; |
| ● |
certain former citizens or residents of the United States; |
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persons that elect to mark their securities to market; |
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persons holding our common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, or other integrated transaction; |
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persons who acquired shares of our common stock as compensation or otherwise in connection with the performance of services ; |
| ● |
controlled foreign corporations; |
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passive foreign investment companies; |
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corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
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tax-qualified retirement plans; and |
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tax-exempt organizations and governmental organizations. |
In addition, this discussion does not address any U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax considerations or any U.S. federal estate, gift, alternative minimum tax, or Medicare contribution tax considerations. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the particular tax considerations to them of owning and disposing of our common stock.
For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● |
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and for which one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions, or (ii) that has otherwise validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person under the applicable Regulations. |
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner or beneficial owner of the entity will generally depend on the status of the owner and the activities of the entity. Partners in a partnership (or beneficial owners of another entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax considerations of an investment in our common stock.
INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF OTHER U.S. FEDERAL, FOREIGN, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.
Distributions on our Common Stock
As discussed under “Dividend Policy” above, we do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends to our common stockholders. In the event that we do make distributions of cash or property (other than certain stock distributions) with respect to our common stock (or that we engage in certain redemptions that are treated as distributions with respect to common stock), any such distributions generally will be treated as dividends to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the deemed sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock, with the tax treatment described below in “-Sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock.”
Subject to the discussions below regarding effectively connected income and under “-Foreign account tax compliance act withholding taxes,” distributions treated as dividends paid on our common stock to a Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, unless the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty. To obtain a reduced rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder will generally be required to (1) provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any applicable successor or replacement forms), as applicable, certifying that it is not a U.S. person as defined under the Code and that it is entitled to benefits under the treaty or (2) if such Non-U.S. Holder’s common stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries or foreign partnerships, satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable Regulations. A Non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Subject to the discussion below under “-Foreign account tax compliance act withholding taxes,” no amounts in respect of U.S. federal withholding tax will be withheld from dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder if the dividends are effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) and the Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, or other applicable successor or replacement form before payment of any distributions. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will generally be subject to regular U.S. income tax on a net income basis as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person as defined under the Code. A Non-U.S. Holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (subject to certain adjustments).
A Non-U.S. Holder who provides us with an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8ECI or other applicable successor form will be required to periodically update such form.
Sale, Exchange, or Other Disposition of our Common Stock
Subject to the discussion below under “–Information reporting and backup withholding,” a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock unless:
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such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by such Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such Non-U.S. Holder in the United States), in which case such gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as effectively connected dividend income as described above; |
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such Non-U.S. Holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case such gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate), which gain may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States; or |
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we are or become a United States real property holding corporation (as defined in section 897(c) of the Code, a “USRPHC”), at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period. |
Determining whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other trade or business assets and our foreign real property interests. Although there can be no assurances in this regard, we believe we are not a USRPHC and we do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we become a USRPHC after this offering, so long as our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and continues to be so traded, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock as a result of such status unless (1) such holder actually or constructively owned more than 5% of our common stock at any time during the shorter of (A) the five-year period preceding the disposition, or (B) the holder’s holding period for our common stock, and (2) we were a USRPHC at any time during such period when the more than 5% ownership test was met. If any gain on your disposition is taxable because we are a USRPHC and your ownership of our common stock exceeds 5%, you will be taxed on such disposition generally in the manner applicable to U.S. persons. Any such Non-U.S. Holder that owns or has owned, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock is urged to consult that holder’s own tax advisor with respect to the particular tax consequences to such holder for the gain from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of shares of our common stock if we were to be or to become a USRPHC.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. A similar report is sent to the holder. Under tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence.
Information reporting and, in certain circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the payment of dividends and proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our common stock made within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption by properly certifying its Non-U.S. Holder status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or other applicable or successor form.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. income tax liability (if any) of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act Withholding Taxes
Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act or “FATCA”) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. FATCA may require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of our common stock held by or through certain “foreign financial institutions” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless such institution (i) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the Treasury Department to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such interests or accounts are held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments or (ii) complies with an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country to report such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the U.S. authorities. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we or the applicable withholding agent will in turn provide to the Treasury Department. We will not pay any amounts to holders in respect of any amounts withheld. Under existing Regulations, FATCA withholding on gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock was to take effect on January 1, 2019; however, recently proposed Regulations, which may currently be relied upon, would eliminate FATCA withholding on such types of payments. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax on their investment in our common stock.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax
The estates of nonresident alien individuals are generally subject to U.S. federal estate tax on property with a U.S. situs. Because we are a U.S. corporation, our common stock will be U.S. situs property and therefore will be included in the taxable estate of a nonresident alien decedent. The U.S. federal estate tax liability of the estate of a nonresident alien may be affected by a tax treaty between the United States and the decedent’s country of residence.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.
Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Roth Capital Partners, LLC is acting as representative, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares indicated below:
| Name |
Number of Shares |
|||
| Roth Capital Partners, LLC |
||||
| Total: |
||||
The underwriters and the representatives of the underwriters are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representatives,” respectively. The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.
The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $ per share under the public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to additional shares of common stock at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional shares of common stock as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of common stock listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.
The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock.
| Total |
||||||||||||
| Per |
No Exercise |
Full |
||||||||||
| Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $ .
We also have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this offering, including fees and disbursements of counsel up to $ .
We intend to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SOWG.”
We, our executive officers, directors and the holders of substantially all of our outstanding stock have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus, or the restricted period:
| ● |
offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock; |
| ● |
file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the offering of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock; or |
| ● |
enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock. |
whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agrees that, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC on behalf of the underwriters, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock.
The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph to do not apply to:
| ● |
the sale of shares of common stock to the underwriters; |
| ● |
transactions by any person other than us relating to shares of common stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the offering of the shares; provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, is required or voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of the common stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions; or |
| ● |
the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of common stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock during the restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required or voluntarily made regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of common stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period. |
Roth Capital Partners, LLC, in their sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.
In order to facilitate the offering of the common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of common stock and extending through the completion of distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of those transactions. The underwriters and dealers are not required to engage in passive market making and may end passive market making activities at any time.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
We and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Pricing of the Offering
Prior to this offering, there has been a limited public market for our common stock. The public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the public offering price were our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings and certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of securities, and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours.
Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Member State”), no Shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), except that offers of Shares may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
| ● |
to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation; |
| ● |
to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC for any such offer; or |
| ● |
in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, |
provided that no such offer of Shares shall require the Issuer or any Manager to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
Each person in a Member State who initially acquires any Shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the Company and Roth Capital Partners, LLC that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation.
In the case of any Shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the Shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.
The Company, the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
The above selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out below.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (“FINMA”), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the shares were not offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not be offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares, has not been circulated or distributed, nor will it be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
| ● |
a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or |
| ● |
a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, |
securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
| ● |
to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; |
| ● |
where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; |
| ● |
where the transfer is by operation of law; or |
| ● |
as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA. |
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by DLA Piper LLP (US), Austin, Texas. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.
The audited financial statements of Sow Good Inc. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022, appearing in this prospectus and registration statement have been audited by M&K CPAS, PLLC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. For further information about us and the common stock offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, information statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Sow Good. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.
We also maintain websites at www.sowginc.com and www.thisissowgood.com, through which you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our websites is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website addresses in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
No dealer, salesperson, or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in this prospectus, and, if given or made, such information and representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in the facts set forth in this prospectus or in our affairs since the date hereof.
Index to Financial Statements
| Page | |
| Audited Financial Statements as of and for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 |
|
| F-4 | |
| F-5 | |
| F-6 | |
| F-7 | |
| F-8 | |
| Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements as of and for the Three- and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 |
|
| F-33 | |
| F-34 | |
| F-35 | |
| F-37 | |
| F-38 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of SOW GOOD, INC.,
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of SOW GOOD, INC., (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the two-year period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered net losses from continuing and discontinued operations, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding those matters are discussed in Note 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB .
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and the significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company issues stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation.
Auditing management’s calculation of the fair value of stock-based compensation can be a significant judgement given the fact the Company uses management estimates on various inputs to the calculation.
To evaluate the appropriateness of the fair value determined by management, we examined and evaluated the inputs management used in calculating the fair value of the stock-based compensation.
/s/ M&K CPAS, PLLC
M&K CPAS, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010
Houston, TX
April 14, 2023
BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment: | ||||||||
| Construction in progress | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Security deposit | ||||||||
| Right-of-use asset | ||||||||
| Intangible assets | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, net of $ and $ of debt discounts at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively | ||||||||
| Notes payable, net of $ of debt discounts at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | – | – | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value, shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value, shares authorized, and shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Common stock payable, consisting of shares at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| For the Years | ||||||||
| Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | ||||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses: | ||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | ||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||
| Other general and administrative expenses | ||||||||
| Intangible asset impairment | ||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | ||||||||
| Total general and administrative expenses | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Net operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Interest expense, including $ and $ of warrants issued as a debt discount for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | ||||||||
| Gain on investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. | ||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | ||||||||
| Net loss per common share - basic and diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
| Additional | Common | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Stock | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Payable | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued on subscriptions payable for the purchase of S-FDF, LLC assets | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock sales for cash to officers and directors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock sales for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to employees and consultants for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to officers and directors for services | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to employees for services | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to related parties as a debt discount | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | – | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to related parties pursuant to debt financing | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to note holders pursuant to debt financing | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to advisory board for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to officers and directors for services | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to employees and advisors for services | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | – | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the Years | ||||||||
| Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Bad debts expense | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loss on impairment of intangible assets | ||||||||
| Loss on impairment of goodwill | ||||||||
| Gain on investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | ( | ) | ||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ||||||||
| Common stock awarded to advisors and consultants for services | ||||||||
| Amortization of stock options | ||||||||
| Amortization of stock warrants issued as a debt discount | ||||||||
| Decrease (increase) in current assets: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Inventory | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Security deposits | ( | ) | ||||||
| Right-of-use asset | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Lease liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from disposal of property and equipment | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from sale of investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. securities | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash paid for construction in progress | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash paid for intangible assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from notes payable, related parties | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from notes payable | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from the sale of common stock | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | ( | ) | ||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | ||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | $ | ||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: | ||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Value of debt discounts attributable to warrants | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 – Organization and Nature of Business
Effective January 21, 2021, we changed our name from Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. to Sow Good Inc. (“SOWG,” “Sow Good,” or the “Company”) to pursue the freeze dried fruits and vegetables business as acquired with our October 1, 2020 acquisition of S-FDF, LLC. Our common stock is traded on the OTCQB under the trading symbol “SOWG”. At that time, our common stock started to be quoted on the OTCQB under the trading symbol “SOWG”, from the former trading symbol “ANFC”. Prior to April 2, 2012, the Company name was Ante5, Inc., which became an independent company in April 2010. We became a publicly traded company when our shares began trading on July 1, 2010. From October 2010 through August 2019, we had been engaged in the business of acquiring oil and gas leases and participating in the drilling of wells in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana and /or managing similar assets for third parties.
On September 26, 2017, the Company finalized an equity raise utilizing a rights offering and backstop agreement, raising net proceeds of $5,051,675 and issuing 1,439,400 shares. The proceeds were used to sponsor a special purpose acquisition company, discussed below, with the remainder for general corporate purposes.
On October 10, 2017, the Company’s sponsored special purpose acquisition company, Black Ridge Acquisition Corp. (“BRAC”), completed an IPO raising $138,000,000 of gross proceeds (including proceeds from the exercise of an over-allotment option by the underwriters on October 18, 2017). In addition, the Company purchased 445,000 BRAC units at $10.00 per unit in a private placement transaction for a total contribution of $4,450,000 in order to fulfill its obligations in sponsoring BRAC, a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. BRAC’s efforts to identify a prospective target business were not limited to a particular industry or geographic region. Following the IPO and over-allotment, BROG owned 22% of the outstanding common stock of BRAC and managed BRAC’s operations via a management services agreement. On December 19, 2018, BRAC entered into a business combination agreement, which subsequently closed on August 9, 2019.
On October 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of S-FDF, LLC pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement. In connection with the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired approximately $2.2 million in cash and certain assets and agreements related to the Seller’s freeze dried fruits and vegetables business for human consumption and entered into certain employment and registration rights agreements.
On February 5, 2021, the Company raised over $
On May 5, 2021, the Company announced the launch of our direct-to-consumer freeze dried consumer packaged goods (CPG) food brand, Sow Good. Sow Good launched with its first line of non-GMO products including 6 ready-to-make smoothies and 9 snacks.
On July 7, 2021, the Company raised over $
On July 23, 2021, we launched six new gluten-free granola products under the Sow Good brand. Sow Good’s granola products are made with health-conscious ingredients such as freeze dried fruit, almonds, hemp hearts, and coconut oil. Granola products are initially being sold direct-to-consumer and will later be targeted to the business-to-business segment.
On December 31, 2021, we sold an aggregate $
On April 8, 2022, we sold an aggregate $
On August 23, 2022, we closed on an offering to sell up to $
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All references to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) are in accordance with The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Segment Reporting
FASB ASC 280-10-50 requires annual and interim reporting for an enterprise’s operating segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas and major customers. An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. The Company operates as a single segment and will evaluate additional segment disclosure requirements as it expands its operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Environmental Liabilities
The Company was formerly a direct owner of assets in the oil and gas industry. The oil and gas industry is subject, by its nature, to environmental hazards and clean-up costs. At this time, management knows of no substantial losses from environmental accidents or events which would have a material effect on the Company.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Under FASB ASC 820-10-05, the Financial Accounting Standards Board establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement reaffirms that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements as reflected herein. The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, inventory, accounts payable and accrued expenses reported on the balance sheets are estimated by management to approximate fair value primarily due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The Company had no items that required fair value measurement on a recurring basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include money market accounts which have maturities of three months or less. For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. There were
Cash in Excess of FDIC Insured Limits
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Accounts are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) up to $250,000 and $500,000, respectively, under current regulations. The Company didn’t have any cash in excess of FDIC and SIPC insured limits at December 31, 2022. The Company had approximately $
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade accounts receivable are periodically evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition. The Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts for either of the periods presented, as all accounts receivable had been subsequently collected.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net recoverable amount. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method based on the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term based on the following life expectancy:
| Software |
|
| Website |
|
| Office equipment |
|
| Furniture and fixtures |
|
| Machinery and equipment |
|
| Leasehold improvements |
|
Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. Major improvements and replacements, which extend the useful life of an asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset. When assets are retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation expense was $
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or is impaired. Recoverability is assessed using undiscounted cash flows based upon historical results and current projections of earnings before interest and taxes. Impairment is measured using discounted cash flows of future operating results based upon a rate that corresponds to the cost of capital. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that carrying value exceeds discounted cash flows of future operations.
Our intellectual property is comprised of indefinite-lived brand names acquired and have been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that these brand names will contribute cash flows to the Company perpetually. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired. Impairment analysis on intangible assets resulted in a loss of $
Inventory
Inventory, consisting of raw materials, material overhead, labor, and manufacturing overhead, are stated at the average cost or net realizable value and consist of the following:
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Finished goods | $ | $ | ||||||
| Packaging materials | ||||||||
| Work in progress | ||||||||
| Raw materials | ||||||||
| Total inventory | $ | $ | ||||||
No reserve for obsolete inventories has been recognized. We have not yet commenced significant production.
Goodwill
The Company evaluates goodwill on an annual basis in the fourth quarter or more frequently if management believes indicators of impairment exist. Such indicators could include, but are not limited to (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, management conducts a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company estimates the fair values of its reporting units using a combination of the income, or discounted cash flows, approach and the market approach, which utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company’s evaluation of goodwill completed at year-end resulted in an impairment loss of $
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its freeze dried food products, in accordance with a five-step model in which the Company evaluates the transfer of promised goods or services and recognizes revenue when customers obtain control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for the arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company has elected, as a practical expedient, to account for the shipping and handling as fulfillment costs, rather than as a separate performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of applicable provisions for discounts, returns and allowances. Methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on customer pricing and promotional practices. The Company records reductions to revenue for estimated product returns and pricing adjustments in the same period that the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on industry-based historical data, historical sales returns, if any, analysis of credit memo data, and other factors known at the time.
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss adjusted on an “as if converted” basis, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive securities. For the periods presented, potential dilutive securities had an anti-dilutive effect and were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to employees in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) and Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees pursuant to ASC 2018-07 (“ASC 2018-07”). All transactions in which the consideration provided in exchange for the purchase of goods or services consists of the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date of the fair value of the equity instrument issued is the earlier of the date on which the counterparty’s performance is complete or the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached because of sufficiently large disincentives for nonperformance. Stock-based compensation was $
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered. The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for which it does not consider realization of such assets to be more likely than not.
On December 22, 2017 the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”) was signed into law. As a result of Tax Reform, the U.S. statutory rate was lowered from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, among other changes. ASC Topic 740 requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment; therefore, the Company was required to value its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new rate. The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 108”) to address the application of GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain effects of Tax Reform. The ultimate impact may differ from the provisional amount, possibly materially, as a result of additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued and actions the Company may take as a result of Tax Reform.
Uncertain Tax Positions
In accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), the Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be capable of withstanding examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. These standards prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. These standards also provide guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.
Various taxing authorities can periodically audit the Company’s income tax returns. These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, the Company records allowances for probable exposures. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved. The Company has not yet undergone an examination by any taxing authorities.
The assessment of the Company’s tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with the Company’s various filing positions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. If not discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption.
In October 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which creates an exception to the general recognition and measurement principle for contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers acquired in a business combination. The new guidance will require companies to apply the definition of a performance obligation under accounting standard codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities (i.e., deferred revenue) relating to contracts with customers that are acquired in a business combination. Under current GAAP, an acquirer in a business combination is generally required to recognize and measure the assets it acquires and the liabilities it assumes at fair value on the acquisition date. The new guidance will result in the acquirer recording acquired contract assets and liabilities on the same basis that would have been recorded by the acquiree before the acquisition under ASC Topic 606. These amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2021-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or related disclosures.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt – Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity Classified Written Call Options. ASU 2021-04 addresses issuer’s accounting for certain modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options. ASU 2021-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2021-04 has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or related disclosures.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 establishing Topic 848, Reference Rate Reform. ASU 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance is optional and is effective between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The guidance may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. We are currently evaluating the impact that the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate, commonly referred to as LIBOR, to alternative references rates will have on our financial statements as well as the applicability of the aforementioned expedients and exceptions provided in ASU 2020-04.
No other new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during the year ended December 31, 2022, have had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3 – Going Concern
As shown in the accompanying financial statements, as of December 31, 2022, the Company had a cash balance of $
The Company continues to pursue sources of additional capital through debt and financing transactions or arrangements, including equity financing or other means. We may not be successful in identifying suitable funding transactions in a sufficient time period or at all, and we may not obtain the capital we require by other means. If we do not succeed in raising additional capital, our resources may not be sufficient to fund our business. Our ability to scale production and distribution capabilities and further increase the value of our brands, is largely dependent on our success in raising additional capital.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of any uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. These financial statements also do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 4 – Related Party
Debt Financing
On August 23, 2022, we closed on an offering to sell up to $
On April 8, 2022, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to sell an aggregate $3,700,000 of Promissory Notes (the “Notes”) and warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate
Common Stock Sold for Cash
On July 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers, thereunder, an aggregate of
| Shares | Amount | |||||||
| Ira and Claudia Goldfarb JTWRO, Chairman and CEO, respectively | $ | |||||||
| Brad Burke, former CFO | ||||||||
| Lyle A. Berman Roevocable Trust, Director | ||||||||
| Bradley Berman, Director | ||||||||
| Christopher R. & Lynda M. Ludeman JTWROS, Director | ||||||||
| Greg Creed Trustee FBO Creed Revocable Living Trust, former Director | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
On February 5, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers an aggregate
| Shares | Amount | |||||||
| Brad Burke, former CFO | $ | |||||||
| Lyle Berman Trustee FBO Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, Director | ||||||||
| Bradley Berman, Director | ||||||||
| Christopher R. & Lynda M. Ludeman JTWROS, Director | ||||||||
| Greg Creed Trustee FBO Creed Revocable Living Trust, former Director | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
Common Stock Issued to Officers for Services, Common Stock Payable
On December 31, 2021, the Company awarded
Common Stock and Options Awarded to Officers and Directors
On July 22, 2022, the Company accepted Mr. Joseph Lahti’s resignation from the Board of Directors and appointed Tim Creed as a member of the Board. Pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, Mr. Creed received
On April 11, 2022, the Company appointed Joe Mueller as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, Mr. Mueller received
On April 1, 2022, the Company granted options to purchase
On various dates between January 31, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
On May 25, 2021, the Company issued
On January 27, 2021, upon Benjamin Oehler’s resignation, the Company appointed Chris Ludeman as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and appointed him to the Company’s Audit Committee as Chairperson. Pursuant to his appointment, Mr. Ludeman was issued
On January 7, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
On December 8, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
On December 8, 2021, the Company issued an additional
On April 22, 2021, Brad Burke was granted options to purchase
On January 27, 2021, Chris Ludeman was granted options to purchase
On January 4, 2021, Claudia and Ira Goldfarb were each granted options to purchase
Warrants Granted
On December 31, 2021, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with related parties to sell an aggregate $
| Promissory | Stock Warrant | |||||||
| Name and Title at Time of Grant | Note | Shares Granted | ||||||
| Ira and Claudia Goldfarb, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | $ | |||||||
| Brad Burke, Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Lyle Berman, Director | ||||||||
| Cesar J. Gutierrez, brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Total: | $ | |||||||
Lease Agreement
Upon closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company assumed the Seller’s obligations under a real property lease for its
Departure of CFO
On April 30, 2022, Mr. Brad Burke resigned as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Claudia Goldfarb, was appointed as the interim Chief Financial Officer. On May 3, 3022, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and Release, which entitled Mr. Burke to receive an amount equal to the base salary that he would have received for a
Note 5 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Under FASB ASC 820-10-5, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The standard outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy in order to increase the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and the related disclosures. Under GAAP, certain assets and liabilities must be measured at fair value, and FASB ASC 820-10-50 details the disclosures that are required for items measured at fair value.
The Company has cash and cash equivalents and a revolving credit facility that must be measured under the fair value standard. The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis in the balances sheet as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:
| Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | – | ||||||||
| Total assets | – | |||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, net of $2,692,757 of debt discounts | – | |||||||||||
| Notes payable, net of $336,085 of debt discounts | – | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | – | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | – | |||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | – | ||||||||
| Intangible assets | – | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | – | |||||||||||
| Total assets | – | |||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, net of $699,213 of debt discounts | – | |||||||||||
| Notes payable | – | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | – | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | – | |||||||||
There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 inputs for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Note 6 – Prepaid Expenses
Prepaid expenses consist of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Prepaid software licenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid insurance costs | ||||||||
| Trade show advances | ||||||||
| Prepaid rent | ||||||||
| Prepaid office and other costs | ||||||||
| Total prepaid expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
Note 7 – Property and Equipment
Property and equipment at December 31, 2022 and 2021, consisted of the following:
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Office equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
| Machinery | ||||||||
| Software | ||||||||
| Website | ||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | ||||||||
| Construction in progress | ||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
Construction in progress consists of costs incurred to build out our manufacturing facility in Irving Texas, along with the construction of our freeze driers. These costs will be capitalized as Leasehold Improvements and Machinery, respectively, upon completion.
On July 1, 2022, the Company disposed of certain leasehold improvements that were damaged. The Company received proceeds on the disposal of $
On December 31, 2021, the Company disposed of packaging equipment no longer in service.
Depreciation of property and equipment was $
Note 8 – Leases
The Company leases its
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| For the Year Ended | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Operating lease cost: | ||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use asset | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest on lease liability | ||||||||
| Total operating lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Operating lease: | ||||||||
| Operating lease assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liability | $ | $ | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liability | ||||||||
| Total operating lease liability | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term: | ||||||||
| Operating leases (in years) | | | ||||||
| Weighted average discount rate: | ||||||||
| Operating lease | % | % | ||||||
Supplemental cash flow and other information related to operating leases was as follows:
| For the Year Ended | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||
| Operating cash flows used for operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||
| Leased assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: | ||||||||
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
The future minimum lease payments due under operating leases as of December 31, 2022 is as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ending | Minimum Lease | |||
| December 31, | Commitments | |||
| 2023 | $ | |||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 and thereafter | ||||
| Total | $ | |||
| Less effects of discounting | ||||
| Lease liability recognized | $ | |||
Note 9 – Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Licenses | $ | – | $ | |||||
| Branding, Sow Good | – | |||||||
| Branding, Sustain Us | – | |||||||
| Trademarks and patents | – | |||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | – | $ | |||||
We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired. Impairment analysis on intangible assets resulted in a loss of $
Note 10 – Notes Payable, Related Parties
Notes payable, related parties consists of the following at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| On December 21, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | $ | $ | ||||||
| On September 29, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On September 29, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement with the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. & Mrs. Goldfarb, as lenders. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement with IG Union Bower LLC, an entity owned by Ira Goldfarb, the Company’s Chairman, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement with the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. & Mrs. Goldfarb, as lenders. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholders also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Company’s former CFO, Bradley K. Burke, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Cesar J. Gutierrez Living Trust, as beneficially controlled by the brother of the Company’s CEO, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| Total notes payable, related parties | ||||||||
| Less unamortized debt discounts: | ||||||||
| Notes payable | ||||||||
| Less: current maturities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, less current maturities | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company recorded total discounts of $
The Company recognized $
Note 11 – Notes Payable
Notes payable consists of the following at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from an accredited investor, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholders also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | $ | $ | ||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from an accredited investor, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholders also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On June 16, 2020, the Company entered into a loan authorization and loan agreement with the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), as lender, pursuant to the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) assistance program in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business (the “EIDL Loan Agreement”) encompassing a $ Promissory Note issued to the SBA (the “EIDL Note”)(together with the EIDL Loan Agreement, the “EIDL Loan”), bearing interest at per annum. In connection with entering into the EIDL Loan, the Company also executed a security agreement, dated June 16, 2020, between the SBA and the Company (the “EIDL Security Agreement”) pursuant to which the EIDL Loan is secured by a security interest on all of the Company’s assets. Under the EIDL Note, the Company is required to pay principal and interest payments of $ every month beginning June 16, 2021. All remaining principal and accrued interest is due and payable on June 16, 2050. The EIDL Note may be repaid at any time without penalty. | ||||||||
| Total notes payable | ||||||||
| Less: unamortized debt discounts | ||||||||
| Notes payable | ||||||||
| Less: current maturities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, less current maturities | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company recorded total discounts of $
The Company recognized $
The Company recognized interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, as follows:
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Interest on notes payable, related parties | $ | $ | ||||||
| Amortization of debt discounts on notes payable, related parties | ||||||||
| Interest on notes payable | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt discounts on notes payable | ||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||
Note 12 – Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company has
Common Stock Sold for Cash
On July 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the purchasers, thereunder, an aggregate of
On February 5, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors to sell and issue to the Purchasers an aggregate
Common Stock Issued to Directors for Services
On July 22, 2022, the Company accepted Mr. Joseph Lahti’s resignation from the Board of Directors and appointed Tim Creed as a member of the Board. Pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, Mr. Creed received
On April 11, 2022, the Company appointed Joe Mueller as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, Mr. Mueller received
On December 8, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
On December 8, 2021, the Company issued an additional
On October 1, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate
On October 1, 2020, the Company issued an additional
Common Stock Awarded to Advisory Board Members
On April 20, 2022, the Company awarded an aggregate total of
On March 25, 2022, the Company awarded
Issuance of Shares for Services
On various dates between January 31, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
On May 25, 2021, the Company issued
On January 27, 2021, upon Benjamin Oehler’s resignation, the Company appointed Chris Ludeman as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and appointed him to the Company’s Audit Committee as Chairperson. Pursuant to his appointment, Mr. Ludeman was issued
Common Stock Issued to Officers for Services, Common Stock Payable
On December 31, 2021, the Company awarded
On January 7, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate
Note 13 – Options
The 2020 Equity Plan was approved by written consent of a majority of shareholders of record as of November 12, 2019 and adopted by the Board on December 5, 2019, as provided in the definitive information statement filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2020 (the “DEF 14C”). The description of the 2020 Equity Plan is qualified in its entirety by the text of the 2020 Equity Plan, a copy of which was attached as Annex C to the DEF 14C. On September 29, 2020, January 4, 2021, and March 19, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted and approved amendments that in aggregate increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2020 Equity Plan to an aggregate total of
Outstanding Options
Options to purchase an aggregate total of
Options Granted
On July 22, 2022, the Company appointed Tim Creed as a member of the Board. Pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Equity Plan, Mr. Creed was granted options to purchase
On April 11, 2022, the Company appointed Joe Mueller as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Pursuant to the Company’s 2020 Equity Plan, Mr. Mueller was granted options to purchase
On April 1, 2022, a total of nineteen employees and consultants were granted options to purchase an aggregate
On April 1, 2022, the Company granted options to purchase
On March 30, 2022, a total of sixteen employees and consultants were granted options to purchase an aggregate
On March 25, 2022, a newly appointed advisory board member was granted options to purchase an aggregate
On December 8, 2021, a total of eight employees and consultants were granted options to purchase an aggregate
On August 27, 2021, a total of twelve employees and consultants were granted options to purchase an aggregate
On May 25, 2021, two advisory board members were granted options to purchase an aggregate
On April 22, 2021, Brad Burke was granted options to purchase
On April 22, 2021, a total of fifteen employees and consultants were granted options to purchase an aggregate
On January 27, 2021, Chris Ludeman was granted options to purchase
On January 4, 2021, Claudia and Ira Goldfarb were each granted options to purchase
The Company recognized a total of $
Options Cancelled or Forfeited
An aggregate
Options Expired
Options Exercised
The following is a summary of information about the Stock Options outstanding at December 31, 2022.
| Shares Underlying Options Outstanding | Shares Underlying Options Exercisable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Range of Exercise Prices | Shares Underlying Options Outstanding | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Shares Underlying Options Exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||
| $2.35 | - | $ | | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The following is a summary of activity of outstanding stock options:
| Weighted | ||||||||
| Average | ||||||||
| Number | Exercise | |||||||
| of Shares | Prices | |||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Options granted | ||||||||
| Options cancelled | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Options granted | ||||||||
| Options cancelled | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Exercisable, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
Note 14 – Warrants
Outstanding Warrants
Warrants to purchase an aggregate total of
Warrants Granted
On December 21, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On September 29, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On April 8, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On December 31, 2021, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with related parties to sell an aggregate $
| Stock Warrant | ||||
| Name and Title at Time of Grant | Shares Granted | |||
| Ira and Claudia Goldfarb, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| Brad Burke, Chief Financial Officer | ||||
| Lyle Berman, Director | ||||
| Cesar J. Gutierrez, brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| Total: | ||||
A total of
The following is a summary of activity of outstanding warrants:
| Weighted | ||||||||
| Average | ||||||||
| Number | Exercise | |||||||
| of Shares | Prices | |||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Warrants granted | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Warrants granted | ||||||||
| Warrants expired | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Exercisable, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
Note 15 – Commitments
Legal Proceedings
The Company may be subject from time to time to various inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation relating to matters arising in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently a defendant in any material litigation and is not aware of any threatened litigation that could have a material effect on the Company. Management is not able to estimate the minimum loss to be incurred, if any, as a result of the final outcome of the matters arising in the normal course of business but believes they are not likely to have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position or results of operations and, accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded.
Cash in Excess of FDIC Limits
The Company periodically maintains cash balances at banks in excess of federally insured amounts. The extent of loss, if any, to be sustained as a result of any future failure of a bank or other financial institution is not subject to estimation at this time.
Lease Commitments
Upon closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company assumed the Seller’s obligations under a real property lease for its
Note 16 – Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $
Note 17 – Gain on Investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.
Following the close of BRAC’s merger, the Company retained
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had sold all of its shares in AESE common stock, and as of December 31, 2020, the market value of the Company’s investment in AESE’s common stock was $
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net gain (loss) on investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. securities | $ | – | $ | |||||
| Less: Net gains and losses recognized on equity securities sold during the period | – | ( | ) | |||||
| Unrealized losses recognized on equity securities still held at the end of the period | $ | – | $ | |||||
Note 18 – Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income taxes, which provides for an asset and liability approach for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on anticipated future tax consequences, using currently enacted tax laws, attributable to temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts calculated for income tax purposes.
Our provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Current taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
| Deferred taxes | ||||||||
| Net income tax provision (benefit) | $ | $ | ||||||
The effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Federal statutory income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
| State income taxes | % | % | ||||||
| Permanent differences | % | % | ||||||
| Change in effective state income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
| True up prior year tax return | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
| Change in valuation allowance | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
| Net effective income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||
| Federal and state net operating loss carryovers | $ | $ | ||||||
| Stock compensation | ||||||||
| Stock-based debt discounts | ||||||||
| Goodwill and intangibles | ||||||||
| Reorganization costs | ||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Unrealized gain on investment in Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total deferred liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | ||||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ | $ | ||||||
As of December 31, 2022, the Company has a net operating loss carryover of approximately $
ASC Topic 740 provides that a valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In 2021, The Company increased its valuation allowance from
The Company filed annual US Federal income tax returns and annual income tax returns for the state of Minnesota through 2020. Going forward, it will file annual state income tax returns for the state of Texas. We are not subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before for all returns. Income taxing authorities have conducted no formal examinations of our past federal or state income tax returns and supporting records.
The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740 regarding uncertainty in income taxes. The Company has found no significant uncertain tax positions as of any date on or before December 31, 2022.
Note 19 – Subsequent Events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the date hereof, which these financial statements were issued. No events occurred of a material nature that would have required adjustments to or disclosure in these financial statements except as follows:
Debt Financing
On various dates from January 5, 2023 to March 7, 2023, the Company received aggregate proceeds of $
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment: | ||||||||
| Construction in progress | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Security deposit | ||||||||
| Right-of-use asset | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued interest | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Current maturities of notes payable, related parties, net of $ of debt discounts as of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| Current maturities of notes payable, net of $ of debt discounts as of September 30, 2023 | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, net of $ and $ of debt discounts as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | ||||||||
| Notes payable, net of $ and $ of debt discounts as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value, shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value, shares authorized, and shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | ||||||||||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||||||||||
| Other general and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Total general and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Net operating income (loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Other expense: | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per common share - basic | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per common share - diluted | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Common | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Stock | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Payable | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued in private placement offering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to officers and directors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to employees and advisors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Common | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Stock | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Payable | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to related parties pursuant to debt financing | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to officers and directors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to employees and advisors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2022 | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
SOW GOOD INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Common | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Stock | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Payable | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued in private placement offering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to related parties pursuant to debt financing | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to note holders pursuant to debt financing | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to officers and directors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to employees and advisors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Common | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Stock | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Payable | Deficit | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to related parties pursuant to debt financing | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock warrants granted to note holders pursuant to debt financing | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued to advisory board for services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to officers and directors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options granted to employees and advisors for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Non-cash amortization of right-of-use asset and liability | ||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Impairment of obsolete inventory | ||||||||
| Common stock issued to officers and directors for services | ||||||||
| Common stock awarded to advisors and consultants for services | ||||||||
| Amortization of stock options | ||||||||
| Amortization of stock warrants issued as a debt discount | ||||||||
| Decrease (increase) in current assets: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Inventory | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Security deposits | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | ||||||||
| Accrued interest | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from disposal of property and equipment | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash paid for construction in progress | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash paid for intangible assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of common stock | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from notes payable, related parties | ||||||||
| Proceeds received from notes payable | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | ( | ) | ||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | ||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | $ | ||||||
| SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: | ||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Reclassification of construction in progress to property and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
| Value of debt discounts attributable to warrants | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization and Nature of Business
Effective January 21, 2021, we changed our name from Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (business acquired with our October 1, 2020 acquisition of S-FDF, LLC) to Sow Good Inc. (“SOWG,” “Sow Good,” or the “Company”) to pursue the production of freeze dried fruits and vegetables, a business we later expanded to include freeze dried candy. At that time, our common stock began to be quoted on the OTCQB under the trading symbol “SOWG,” from the former trading symbol “ANFC.” Prior to April 2, 2012, Black Ridge Oil & Gas was known as Ante5, Inc., a publicly traded company since July 1, 2010. From October 2010 through August 2019, Ante5, Inc. and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. participated in the acquisition and development of oil and gas leases.
On May 5, 2021, the Company announced the launch of our direct-to-consumer freeze dried consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) food brand, Sow Good. Sow Good launched its first line of non-GMO products including
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company launched a freeze dried candy product line with a 9-nine SKU offering that is projected to continue being a major driver of growth. After launching our freeze dried candy product line we discontinued our smoothie, snack and granola products. During the second quarter of 2023, we completed the construction of our second and third freeze driers to facilitate the increased production demands for our recently launched candy products. The significant and rising demand for our freeze dried candy products has led us to begin construction of our fourth, fifth, and sixth freeze driers, which we expect to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
Note 2 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
The interim condensed financial statements included herein, presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and stated in US dollars, have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to not make the information presented misleading.
These statements reflect all adjustments, which in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair presentation of the information contained therein. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. It is suggested that these interim condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company follows the same accounting policies in the preparation of interim reports.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period.
Cash in Excess of FDIC Limits
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Accounts are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000 under current regulations. The Company had $
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement," which requires the measurement of certain financial instruments at fair value. The Company's financial instruments primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable, which approximate fair value due to their short-term nature, and Term Loans, which are typically carried at amortized cost. For financial instruments or investments that are required to be reported at fair value under GAAP, the applicable guidance for fair value measurement would require the Company to include the determination of the appropriate fair value hierarchy level for each instrument. The fair value hierarchy levels consist of the following:
Level 1: Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities - This level represents the highest degree of observability, where fair values are based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2: Inputs Other Than Quoted Prices Included within Level 1 - Fair values in this level are based on inputs other than quoted market prices but are still observable, such as quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, or inputs derived from market data.
Level 3: Unobservable Inputs - This level includes fair values for which there are no observable inputs and relies on the reporting entity's own assumptions and estimates. These fair values are considered the least reliable and most subjective.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net recoverable amount. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method based on the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term based on the following life expectancy:
| (In years) | ||
| Software |
| |
| Website | | |
| Office equipment | | |
| Furniture and fixtures | | |
| Machinery and equipment | | |
| Leasehold improvements | Fully extended lease-term |
Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. Major improvements and replacements, which extend the useful life of an asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset. When assets are retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation was $
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or is impaired. Recoverability is assessed using undiscounted cash flows based upon historical results and current projections of earnings before interest and taxes. Impairment is measured using discounted cash flows of future operating results based upon a rate that corresponds to the cost of capital. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that carrying value exceeds discounted cash flows of future operations.
Our intellectual property is comprised of indefinite-lived brand names acquired and have been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that these brand names will contribute cash flows to the Company perpetually. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired.
Inventory
Inventory, consisting of raw materials, material overhead, labor, and manufacturing overhead, are stated at the average cost or net realizable value and consists of the following:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Finished goods | $ | $ | ||||||
| Packaging materials | ||||||||
| Work in progress | ||||||||
| Raw materials | ||||||||
| Total inventory | $ | $ | ||||||
During the nine months ending September 30, 2023, the Company wrote down $
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC” 606”). Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its freeze dried food products, in accordance with a five-step model in which the Company evaluates the transfer of promised goods or services and recognizes revenue when customers obtain control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for the arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company has elected, as a practical expedient, to account for the shipping and handling as fulfillment costs, rather than as a separate performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of applicable provisions for discounts, returns and allowances. Methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on customer pricing and promotional practices. The Company records reductions to revenue for estimated product returns and pricing adjustments in the same period that the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on industry-based historical data, historical sales returns, if any, analysis of credit memo data, and other factors known at the time.
Customer Concentration
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2023, large retail customer accounted for
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023,
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade accounts receivable are periodically evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition. The Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $
Supplier Concentration
For the three month period ended September 30, 2023,
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023,
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss adjusted on an “as if converted” basis, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive securities. For the periods presented, potential dilutive securities had an anti-dilutive effect and were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered. The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for which it does not consider realization of such assets to be more likely than not.
Stock Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to employees in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) and Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees pursuant to ASC 2018-07 (“ASC 2018-07”). All transactions in which the consideration provided in exchange for the purchase of goods or services consists of the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date of the fair value of the equity instrument issued is the earlier of the date on which the counterparty’s performance is complete or the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached because of sufficiently large disincentives for nonperformance. Stock-based compensation was $
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued five Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) related to financial instruments – credit losses. The ASUs issued were: (1) in June 2016, ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASC 326”): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” (2) in November 2018, ASU 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” (3) in April 2019, ASU 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments,” (4) in May 2019, ASU 2019-05, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief” and (5) in November 2019, ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses.” Additionally, in February and March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-02, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (ASC 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842)” and ASU 2020-03, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments,” respectively, which include amendments to ASC 326.
ASU 2016-13 is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. ASU 2018-19 clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of the credit losses standard, but rather, should be accounted for in accordance with the leasing standard. ASU 2019-04 clarifies and improves areas of guidance related to the recently issued standards on financial instruments – credit losses, derivatives and hedging, and financial instruments. ASU 2019-05 provides entities that have certain instruments within the scope of ASC Subtopic 326-20, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses—Measured at Amortized Cost, with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option in Subtopic 825- 10, Financial Instruments—Overall. ASU 2019-11 clarifies guidance around how to report expected recoveries among other narrow-scope and technical improvements. ASU 2020-02 adds a SEC paragraph pursuant to the 7 Table of Contents issuance of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 on loan losses to FASB Codification ASC 326 and updates the SEC section of the Codification for the change in the effective date of ASC 842. ASU 2020-03 makes narrow-scope improvements to various aspects of the financial instrument guidance as part of the FASB’s ongoing Codification improvement project aimed at clarifying specific areas of accounting guidance to help avoid unintended application. The Company adopted the applicable guidance in ASU 2016-13, ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05, ASU 2019-11, ASU 2020-02 and ASU 2020-03 on January 1, 2023, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Our financial assets are limited to trade receivables. We estimate our reserve based on historical loss information. We believe that historical loss information is a reasonable base on which to determine expected credit losses for trade receivables held at the reporting date because the composition of the trade receivables at the reporting date is consistent with that used in developing the historical credit-loss percentages. However, the Company will continue to monitor and adjust the historical loss rates to reflect the effects of current conditions and forecasted changes.
No new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during the period ended September 30, 2023, have had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3 – Going Concern
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had an accumulated retained deficit of $
During the current third quarter of 2023, the Company achieved a significant improvement in its operating results. This improvement was primarily driven by increased sales of our freeze dried candy to large retail customers, coupled with increased margins in the third quarter of 2023, related to our pivot away from slower selling products to focus on our customers demand for freeze dried candy.
Management has developed and implemented a comprehensive plan to improve the Company's financial position. In the third quarter of 2023, to support its ongoing operations, the Company secured additional capital of $
The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of any uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements also do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 4 – Related Party
Debt Financing
On May 11, 2023, the Company received proceeds of $
On April 25, 2023, we closed on an offering to sell up to $
On August 23, 2022, we closed on an offering to sell up to $
Common Stock Issued to Directors for Services
On June 1, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate
Common Shares Issued Pursuant to Private Placement Offering
On August 30, 2023, the Company raised $
Leases
The Company leases a
Note 5 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts due to the short maturities of these instruments.
We have financial instruments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 for which the fair value is summarized below:
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, net of $2,113,114 of debt discounts | ||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable, net of $263,380 of debt discounts | ||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 inputs for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Note 6 – Prepaid Expenses
Prepaid expenses consist of the following:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Prepaid software licenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid insurance costs | ||||||||
| Trade show advances | ||||||||
| Prepaid rent | ||||||||
| Prepaid office and other costs | ||||||||
| Total prepaid expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
Note 7 – Property and Equipment
Property and equipment as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, consists of the following:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Machinery | $ | $ | ||||||
| Leasehold improvements | ||||||||
| Software | ||||||||
| Website | ||||||||
| Office equipment | ||||||||
| Construction in progress | ||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
Construction in progress consisted of costs incurred to build our second and third freeze driers, and to build out our offices within our facility in Irving, Texas. A total of $
The Company recognized depreciation of $
Note 8 – Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a finance lease or operating lease at inception and recognizes right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities at commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. For operating leases, our right-of-use assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term with rent expense recorded to operating expenses. The depreciable life of related leasehold improvements is based on the shorter of the useful life or the lease term.
The Company leases its
On July 1, 2023, the Company leased additional warehouse space in Irving, Texas, of approximately
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Right-of-Use lease cost: | ||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use asset | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Operating lease: | ||||||||
| Operating lease assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liability | $ | $ | ||||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liability | ||||||||
| Total operating lease liability | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term: | ||||||||
| Operating leases (in years) | ||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate: | ||||||||
| Operating lease | % | % | ||||||
Supplemental cash flow and other information related to operating leases was as follows:
| For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||
| Operating cash flows used for operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||
The future minimum lease payments due under operating leases as of September 30, 2023 is as follows:
| Fiscal Year Ending | Minimum Lease | |||
| December 31, | Commitments | |||
| 2023 (for the three months remaining) | $ | |||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 and thereafter | ||||
| $ | ||||
| Less effects of discounting | ||||
| Lease liability recognized | $ | |||
Note 9 – Notes Payable, Related Parties
Notes payable, related parties consists of the following as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| On May 11, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from Bradley Berman, one of the Company’s Directors, on behalf of the Bradley Berman Irrevocable Trust, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on June 30 and December 31, with appropriate pro rata adjustments made for any partial interest accrual period. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $ per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $ per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. | $ | $ | ||||||
| On April 25, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Cesar J. Gutierrez Living Trust, as beneficially controlled by the brother of the Company’s CEO, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on June 30 and December 31, with appropriate pro rata adjustments made for any partial interest accrual period. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $ per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $ per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. | ||||||||
| On April 25, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on June 30 and December 31, with appropriate pro rata adjustments made for any partial interest accrual period. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $ per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $ per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. | ||||||||
| On April 11, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On March 7, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On March 2, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On February 1, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On January 5, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 21, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On September 29, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On September 29, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at % per annum, payable on January 1, 2025. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement with the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. & Mrs. Goldfarb, as lenders. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement with IG Union Bower LLC, an entity owned by Ira Goldfarb, the Company’s Chairman, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement with the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. & Mrs. Goldfarb, as lenders. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholders also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s Directors, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Company’s former CFO, Bradley K. Burke, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On December 31, 2021, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from the Cesar J. Gutierrez Living Trust, as beneficially controlled by the brother of the Company’s CEO, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at % per annum, compounded semi-annually, and shall be payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. The note matures on . The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| Total notes payable, related parties | ||||||||
| Less unamortized debt discounts: | ||||||||
| Notes payable | ||||||||
| Less: current maturities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, related parties, less current maturities | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company recorded discounts of $
The Company recognized a total and $
Note 10 – Notes Payable
Notes payable consists of the following as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| On April 25, 2023, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from an accredited investor, as lender. The unsecured note matures on . The note bears interest at per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on June 30 and December 31, with appropriate pro rata adjustments made for any partial interest accrual period. The noteholder also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $ per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $ per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. | $ | $ | ||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from an accredited investor, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholders also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On April 8, 2022, the Company received $ pursuant to a note and warrant purchase agreement from an accredited investor, as lender. The unsecured note bears interest at per annum, compounded semi-annually, and was payable in cash semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. On August 23, 2022, the note was amended to update the terms of the interest payment to be payable at the earlier of the maturity date or January 1, 2025, rather than being paid semi-annually. The note matures on . The noteholders also received warrants to purchase shares of common stock, exercisable at $ per share over a -year term. | ||||||||
| On June 16, 2020, the Company entered into a loan authorization and loan agreement with the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), as lender, pursuant to the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) assistance program in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business (the “EIDL Loan Agreement”) encompassing a $ Promissory Note issued to the SBA (the “EIDL Note”)(together with the EIDL Loan Agreement, the “EIDL Loan”), bearing interest at per annum. In connection with entering into the EIDL Loan, the Company also executed a security agreement, dated June 16, 2020, between the SBA and the Company (the “EIDL Security Agreement”) pursuant to which the EIDL Loan is secured by a security interest on all of the Company’s assets. Under the EIDL Note, the Company is required to pay principal and interest payments of $ every month beginning June 16, 2022, as extended. All remaining principal and accrued interest is due and payable on June 16, 2050. The EIDL Note may be repaid at any time without penalty. | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total notes payable | ||||||||
| Less unamortized debt discounts: | ||||||||
| Notes payable | ||||||||
| Less: current maturities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, less current maturities | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company recorded discounts of $
The Company recognized a total of $
Note 11 – Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Company has
Common Stock
The Company has
Common Stock Issued to Directors for Services
On June 1, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate
Common Shares Issued Pursuant to Private Placement Offering
On August 30, 2023, the Company raised $
Note 12 – Options
The 2020 Equity Plan was approved by written consent of a majority of shareholders of record as of November 12, 2019 and adopted by the Board on December 5, 2019, as provided in the definitive information statement filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2020 (the “DEF 14C”). The description of the 2020 Equity Plan is qualified in its entirety by the text of the 2020 Equity Plan, a copy of which was attached as Annex C to the DEF 14C. On September 29, 2020, January 4, 2021, and March 19, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted and approved amendments that in aggregate increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2020 Equity Plan to an aggregate total of
Outstanding Options
Options to purchase an aggregate total of
The Company recognized a total of $
Options Granted
On June 5, 2023, a total of nineteen employees and consultants were granted options to purchase an aggregate
During July 2023, three employees were granted options to purchase an aggregate of
Options Exercised
Note 13 – Warrants
Outstanding Warrants
Warrants to purchase an aggregate total of
Warrants Granted
On August 23, 2022, we closed on an offering to sell up to $
On May 11, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On April 25, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On April 25, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On April 25, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On April 11, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On March 7, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On March 2, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On February 1, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
On January 5, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate
Note 14 – Earnings per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| Basic weighted average shares | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic income (loss) per share | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Diluted income (loss) per share | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
The table below includes information related to stock options and warrants that were outstanding at the end of each respective three and nine-month period ended September 30 2023, and 2022. For periods in which we incurred a net loss, these amounts are not included in weighted average dilutive shares because their impact would be anti-dilutive. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, using the Treasury Stock method to convert potentially dilutive shares added an additional
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted average stock options | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average price of stock options | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average price of warrants | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Average price of common stock | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Note 15 – Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $
The Company regularly evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be utilized. Because of our cumulative losses, substantially all of the deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Note 16 – Subsequent Events
On October 26, 2023, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Prologis, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement, the Company will lease approximately
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the date these financial statements were issued. No events occurred of a material nature that would have required adjustments to or disclosures in these financial statements.
SOW GOOD INC.
ROTH CAPITAL PARTNERS
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other expenses of issuance and distribution.
The following table sets forth all fees and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions payable solely by Sow Good Inc. in connection with the offer and sale of the securities being registered. All amounts shown are estimated except for the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee and the exchange listing fee.
| Amount to be paid |
||||
| SEC registration fee |
$ |
* |
||
| FINRA filing fee |
* |
|||
| Exchange listing fee |
* |
|||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
* |
|||
| Legal fees and expenses |
* |
|||
| Printing expenses |
* |
|||
| Transfer agent and registrar fees |
* |
|||
| Miscellaneous expenses |
* |
|||
| Total |
$ |
* |
||
* To be provided by amendment.
Item 14. Indemnification of directors and officers.
Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. We expect to adopt an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or Charter, which will become effective upon the consummation of this offering, and which will provide that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or to our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he or she was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Upon consummation of this offering, our Charter and our Bylaws will provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, subject to certain limited exceptions. We will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our Charter and Bylaws will provide that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.
In connection with this offering, we will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement will provide, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our Charter and Bylaws against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The indemnification agreements will provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for the reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our Charter and Bylaws.
We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.
In any underwriting agreement we enter into in connection with the sale of common stock being registered hereby, the underwriters will agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, us, our directors, our officers and persons who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, against certain liabilities.
Item 15. Recent sales of unregistered securities.
In the three years preceding filing of this Registration Statement, we have issued and sold the following unregistered securities:
| ● |
On November 20, 2023, the Company raised approximately $2.8 million of capital from the sale of 426,288 newly issued shares of common stock at a share price of $6.50 in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Investors in the private placement included Sow Good’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, in addition to certain other Sow Good board members and accredited investors. The proceeds were used in funding incremental capital expenditures and general operating expenses. |
| ● |
On August 30, 2023, the Company raised approximately $3.7 million of capital from the sale of 735,000 newly issued shares of common stock at a share price of $5.00 in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Investors in the private placement included Sow Good’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, in addition to certain other Sow Good board members and accredited investors. The proceeds were used in funding incremental capital expenditures and general operating expenses. |
| ● |
On May 11, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 25,000 shares of common stock were issued to the Bradley Berman, one of the Company’s directors, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $100,000 were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 25,000 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.50 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $4,469, was $112,371, of which $100,000 was recognized as a debt discount. The debt discount portion of the warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $13,699 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of $86,301 of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On April 25, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 12,500 shares of common stock were issued to the Cesar J. Gutierrez Living Trust, as beneficially controlled by the brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $50,000 were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 12,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.50 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $3.74, was $46,769. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $8,457 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of $38,312 of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On April 25, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 187,500 shares of common stock were issued to a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.75 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 187,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.50 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $3.74, was approximately $0.7 million. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in approximately $0.1 million of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.6 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On April 25, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 100,000 shares of common stock were issued to an accredited investor, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.4 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 100,000 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.50 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $3.74, was approximately $0.4 million. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $67,655 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.3 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On April 11, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock were issued to the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s directors, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.25 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $3.64, was approximately $0.2 million. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $49,884 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.2 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On March 7, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock were issued to the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s directors, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.25 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $3.65, was approximately $0.2 million. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $29,153 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.2 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On March 2, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock were issued to a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.25 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants were issued in-the-money and are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 139% and a weighted average call option value of $3.66, was approximately $0.2 million. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $30,294 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.2 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On February 1, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 125,000 shares of common stock were issued to a trust held by the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Goldfarb, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.5 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 125,000 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 138% and a weighted average call option value of $2.21, was approximately $0.3 million. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $44,104 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.2 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On January 5, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock were issued to the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust, as beneficially controlled by one of the Company’s directors, pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.25 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 140% and a weighted average call option value of $2.23, was $139,341. The warrants are being expensed over the life of the loans, resulting in $25,520 of stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, a total of approximately $0.1 million of unamortized expenses are expected to be expensed over the remaining life of the outstanding debts. |
| ● |
On December 21, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock were issued to a director pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $0.25 million were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 62,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. |
| ● |
On September 29, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate 187,500 shares of common stock were issued to directors pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $750,000 were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 187,500 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.60 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. |
| ● |
On April 8, 2022, warrants to purchase an aggregate 925,000 shares of common stock were issued pursuant to a private placement debt offering in which aggregate proceeds of $3,700,000 were received in exchange for promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 925,000 shares of common stock, representing 25,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are fully vested and exercisable over a period of 10 years at a price of $2.35 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of common stock equals or exceeds $9.00 per share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption. A total of 780,000 of the warrants were issued to officers or directors. |
| ● |
On December 31, 2021, the Company closed a private placement and concurrently entered into a note and warrant purchase agreement with related parties to sell an aggregate $2,075,000 of promissory notes and warrants to purchase an aggregate 311,250 shares of common stock, representing 15,000 warrant shares per $100,000 of promissory notes. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $2.21 per share over a ten-year term. |
| ● |
On July 7, 2021, the Company raised over $3 million of capital from the sale of 714,701 newly issued shares at a share price of $4.25 in a private placement. Investors in the private placement included Sow Good’s Chief Executive Officer, Executive Chairman, and Chief Financial Officer, in addition to other Sow Good board members and a small group of accredited investors. The proceeds were used to invest in inventory ahead of pursuing larger business-to-business relationships, as well as funding incremental capital expenditures and general operating expenses. |
| ● |
On February 5, 2021, the Company raised over $2.5 million of capital from the sale of 631,250 newly issued shares at a share price of $4.00 in a private placement. The proceeds were used to find capital expenditures and working capital investment. |
The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described above were deemed to be exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions was an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and had adequate access, through business or other relationships, to information about us. No underwriters were involved in these transactions.
Item 16. Exhibits and financial statements.
| (a) |
Exhibits |
The exhibit index attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
| (b) |
Financial Statement Schedules |
All schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth in the schedules is either not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned hereby undertakes that:
| (1) |
For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
| (2) |
For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| Exhibit No. |
||
| 1.1* |
Form of Underwriting Agreement |
|
| 2.1 |
Distribution Agreement by and between Ante4, Inc. (now Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc.) and Ante5, Inc. (now Sow Good Inc.), dated April 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commissioner by Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. on April 19, 2010) |
|
| 2.2 |
Certificate of Ownership and Merger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on April 3, 2012) |
|
| 2.3 |
Plan and Agreement of Merger by and between Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., dated December 10, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on December 12, 2012) |
| Exhibit No. |
||
| 2.4 |
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Sow Good Inc. and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., dated January 20, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on January 22, 2021) |
|
| 3.1* |
Form of Certificate of Incorporation of Sow Good Inc., to be in effect upon the consummation of this offering |
|
| 3.2* |
Form of Bylaws of Sow Good Inc., to be in effect upon the consummation of this offering |
|
| 3.3 |
Articles of Merger by and between Sow Good Inc. and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., dated January 20, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on January 22, 2021) |
|
| 4.1* |
Form of Common Stock Certificate of Sow Good Inc. |
|
| 4.2 |
Description of Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 4.3 |
Form of Common Stock Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on August 25, 2022) |
|
| 4.4 |
Form of Common Stock Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on April 14, 2022) |
|
| 4.5 |
Form of Common Stock Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 1, 2023) |
|
| 4.6 |
Form of Common Stock Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 15, 2023) |
|
| 5.1* |
Opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) with respect to the legality of the common stock registered hereby |
|
| 9.1 |
Form of Voting Agreement used in connection with our private placement which closed on December 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 of the Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good, Inc. on August 22, 2011) |
|
| 10.1*# |
Sow Good Inc. 2024 Stock Incentive Plan and related form agreements thereunder |
|
| 10.2# |
Form of Indemnification Agreement with Officers and Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 28, 2013) |
|
| 10.3 |
Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 9, 2020, between S-FDF, LLC and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form SC 13D/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on June 17, 2020) |
|
| 10.4 |
Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 1, 2020, between S-FDF, LLC and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on October 6, 2020) |
|
| 10.5 |
Promissory Note dated June 16, 2020, between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on August 11, 2020) |
|
| 10.6 |
Security Agreement dated June 16, 2020, between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on August 11, 2020) |
|
| 10.7 |
Loan Authorization & Agreement dated June 16, 2020, between the U.S. Small Business Administration and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on August 11, 2020) |
| Exhibit No. |
||
| 10.8 |
Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 5, 2021, by and among the Company and the Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on February 5, 2021) |
|
| 10.9 |
Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2020, between Claudia Goldfarb and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 10.10 |
Employment Agreement, dated October 1, 2020, between Ira Goldfarb and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 10.11 |
Amended Employment Agreement, dated January 4, 2021, between Claudia Goldfarb and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 10.12 |
Amended Employment Agreement, dated January 4, 2021, between Ira Goldfarb and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 10.13 |
Amended Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2023, between Claudia Goldfarb and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on December 20, 2023) |
|
| 10.14 |
Amended Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2023, between Ira Goldfarb and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on December 20, 2023) |
|
| 10.15 |
Separation Agreement and Release, dated May 3, 2022, between Brad Burke and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 3, 2022) |
|
| 10.16 |
Employment Agreement, dated December 1, 2023, between Keith Terreri and Sow Good Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on January 11, 2024) |
|
| 10.17 |
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated July 2, 2021, by and among the Company and the Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on July 7, 2021) |
|
| 10.18 |
Form of Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on January 4, 2022) |
|
| 10.19 |
Form of 2021 Promissory Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on January 4, 2022) |
|
| 10.20 |
Form of Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated April 8, 2022, by and among Sow Good Inc. and the Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on April 14, 2022) |
|
| 10.21 |
Form of April 2022 Promissory Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on April 14, 2022) |
|
| 10.22 |
First Amendment to April 2022 Promissory Note, dated August 23, 2022, by and among Sow Good Inc. and the Required Note Holders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on August 25, 2022) |
|
| 10.23 |
Form of Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated August 23, 2022, by and among Sow Good Inc. and the Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on August 25, 2022) |
|
| 10.24 |
Form of August 2022 Promissory Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on August 25, 2022) |
| Exhibit No. |
||
| 10.25 |
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated April 25, 2023, by and among the Company and the Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 1, 2023) |
|
| 10.26 |
Form of April 2023 Promissory Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 1, 2023) |
|
| 10.27 |
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated May 11, 2023, by and among the Company and the Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 15, 2023) |
|
| 10.28 |
Form of May 2023 Promissory Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on May 15, 2023) |
|
| 10.29# |
Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Schedule 14C filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 26, 2012) |
|
| 10.30# |
Black Ridge Oil & Gas Amendment of 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on September 27, 2012) |
|
| 10.31# |
Form of Stock Incentive Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on September 27, 2012) |
|
| 10.32# |
Form of Stock Incentive Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on September 27, 2012) |
|
| 10.33# |
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on December 14, 2016) |
|
| 10.34# |
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on December 14, 2016) |
|
| 10.35# |
Form of 2018 Management Incentive Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 6, 2018) |
|
| 10.36# |
Form of 2018 Management Incentive Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 6, 2018) |
|
| 10.37# |
Form of 2018 Management Incentive Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 6, 2018) |
|
| 10.38# |
Amendment to 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, dated January 4, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 10.39# |
Amendment to 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, dated March 19, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on March 31, 2021) |
|
| 10.40# |
Form of 2020 Incentive Stock Option Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on February 26, 2020) |
|
| 10.41# |
Form of 2020 Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on February 26, 2020) |
|
| 10.42 |
Lease Agreement by and between Prologis, Inc. and the Company, dated October 26, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on October 31, 2023) |
|
| 10.43 | Sublease Agreement by and between Papsa Merx S. de R.S. de C.V. and the Company, dated January 19, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Sow Good Inc. on January 25, 2024) |
| Exhibit No. |
||
| 23.1* |
Consent of DLA Piper LLP (US) (contained in its opinion filed herewith as Exhibit 5.1) |
|
| 23.2 |
Consent of M&K CPAS, PLLC, independent registered public accounting firm. |
|
| 24.1 |
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages of this Registration Statement). |
|
| 101 |
Interactive Data Files |
|
| 107 |
| * |
To be filed by amendment. |
| # |
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Sow Good Inc. has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Irving, Texas, on this 13th day of February, 2024.
| Sow Good Inc. |
|||
| By: |
/s/ Claudia Goldfarb | ||
| Claudia Goldfarb |
|||
| Chief Executive Officer |
|||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Claudia Goldfarb and Ira Goldfarb, and each one of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective on filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form S-1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities set forth opposite their names and on the date indicated above.
| Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
| /s/ Claudia Goldfarb | Chief Executive Officer and Director | February 13, 2024 | ||
| Claudia Goldfarb |
(Co-Principal Executive Officer) |
|
||
| /s/ Ira Goldfarb | Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors | February 13, 2024 | ||
| Ira Goldfarb |
(Co-Principal Executive Officer) |
|
||
| /s/ Keith Terreri | Chief Financial Officer | February 13, 2024 | ||
| Keith Terreri |
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|||
| /s/ Bradley Berman |
Director |
February 13, 2024 |
||
| Bradley Berman | ||||
| /s/ Joe Mueller |
Director |
February 13, 2024 |
||
| Joe Mueller | ||||
| /s/ Lyle Berman |
Director |
February 13, 2024 | ||
| Lyle Berman | ||||
| /s/ Edward Shensky |
Director |
February 13, 2024 | ||
| Edward Shensky | ||||
| /s/ Chris Ludeman |
Director |
February 13, 2024 | ||
| Chris Ludeman |