As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2023
Registration No. 333-264707
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
to
FORM
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
2833 | N/A | |||
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary
Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(IRS
Employer Identification Number) |
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Corporate Secretary
(
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With copies to:
Jeffrey
Baumel, Esq. 1221 Avenue of the Americas New
York, NY 10020 |
Christopher Jones, Esq. Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP 3500 PNC Tower 101 S. 5th Street Louisville, KY 40202 Tel. No.: (502) 589-4200 |
Lucas Tomei Dentons Canada LLP 850 – 2nd Street SW 15th Floor, Bankers Court Calgary, Alberta Canada, T2P 0R8 Tel. No.: (403) 268-7000 |
David Crandall, Esq. Brandon Kinnard, Esq. Hogan Lovells US LLP 1601 Wewatta Street Suite
900 Tel. No.: (303) 899-7300 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the 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, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 | ||
Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this 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 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 solicit an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION | |||
DATED APRIL 12, 2023 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
1,000,000 Common Shares being offered by the Company
2,301,564 Common Shares being offered by the Selling Shareholders
Primary Offering
This is an initial public offering of our common shares, no par value (our “Common Shares”). We are offering 1,000,000 Common Shares (the “Primary Offering”). Prior to the Primary Offering, there has been no public market for our Common Shares. We anticipate that the Primary Offering price will be between $5.50 and $6.50 per Common Share. We have applied to list our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FP”. Completion of the Primary Offering is contingent on the approval of our listing application for trading of our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market. No assurance can be given that our application will be approved and that our Common Shares will ever be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market. If our listing application is not approved by The Nasdaq Capital Market, we will not consummate and will terminate the Primary Offering.
Resale Offering
The selling shareholders identified in this Prospectus are offering an additional 2,301,564 Common Shares, which we refer to as the “selling shareholder shares.” We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of selling shareholder shares. However, upon any exercise, other than a net exercise, of warrants or stock options held by the selling shareholders, we will receive cash proceeds per share equal to the exercise price of such warrants or stock options. The selling shareholder shares will not be purchased by the underwriters or otherwise included in the underwritten offering of our Common Shares in the Primary Offering. The selling shareholders may sell or otherwise dispose of their shares from time to time in a number of different ways and at varying prices, but the sale of any selling shareholder shares will not occur until after the closing of the Primary Offering and will be contingent on the approval of our listing application for trading of our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market and the closing of the Primary Offering. See “Selling Shareholders — Plan of Distribution” on page 89 of this Prospectus for additional information. We will pay all expenses (other than discounts, concessions, commissions, and similar selling expenses, if any) relating to the registration of the selling shareholder shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under U.S. securities laws and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced reporting requirements for this Prospectus and may elect to do so in future filings.
Investing in our Common Shares is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our Common Shares.
Per Common Share | Total |
|||||||
Primary Offering price | $ | $ | ||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to our Company before expenses | $ | $ |
(1) | See “Underwriting” beginning on page 117 of this Prospectus for additional information regarding underwriting compensation. |
We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of forty-five days to purchase up to an additional 150,000 Common Shares (15 percent of the Common Shares sold in the Primary Offering) from us at the Primary Offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Delivery of the Common Shares will be made on or about , 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.
Sole Book-Running Manager
EF HUTTON
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
The date of this Prospectus is , 2023.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Neither we nor the selling shareholders nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared. Neither we nor the selling shareholders take responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the selling shareholders are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, Common Shares only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. Neither we, the selling shareholders nor any of the underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this Prospectus is current only as of its date. You should also read this Prospectus together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information” on page 122 of this Prospectus.
The distribution of this Prospectus and the issuance of the Common Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this Prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the issuance of the Common Shares and the distribution of this Prospectus outside the United States. This Prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
In this Prospectus, currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars (“$”), unless specified otherwise. All references to CAD$ are to Canadian dollars.
Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this Prospectus concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market share, is based on information from our own management estimates and research, as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information, our knowledge of our industry, and assumptions based on such information and knowledge, which we believe to be reasonable. Assumptions and estimates of our and our industry’s future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus. These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 43 of this Prospectus.
This Prospectus contains references to our trademarks and service marks and to those belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Prospectus may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, trademarks, or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus. You should read the entirety of this Prospectus carefully, especially “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 50 of this Prospectus and the financial statements and related notes appearing at the end of this Prospectus before making an investment decision.
Unless the context provides otherwise, all references in this Prospectus to “First Person,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” the “Company,” or similar terms, refer to First Person Ltd., a company incorporated in Alberta, Canada. References to the “selling shareholders” refer to the selling shareholders named in this Prospectus.
Overview
First Person Ltd., a company incorporated in Alberta, Canada, is a holding company. The Company conducts its business and operations through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: First Person, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“FP, Inc.”), and TruMed Limited, a Jamaican company limited by shares (“TruMed”). We compete, or intend to compete, in the following three markets:
● | Functional Mushrooms. Functional mushrooms are mushrooms believed to have additional health benefits beyond their basic nutritional value. We intend to produce and distribute for sale 100 percent grain-free, organic functional mushrooms at scale. | |
● | Nutraceutical Products. Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources believed to have additional health benefits beyond their basic nutritional value. We launched our direct-to-consumer line of highly curated cognitive supplements in March 2022. | |
● | Psychedelic Mushrooms. Psychedelic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin. We are building a robust culture library of psychedelic mushrooms and we intend to grow and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica. We also intend to enter the psychedelic mushroom supply chain for the psychedelics market in the United States if we are able to obtain a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) manufacturing and research registration, and to expand such capabilities beyond the DEA program if permitted by law in the future. |
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring drug found in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently a Schedule I controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (the “CSA”) and is currently an illegal substance in the State of Washington and all other U.S. states. Therefore, production and research of psilocybin requires approvals from federal and state authorities, which may be granted in the sole discretion of such authorities. Even with the necessary approvals, production and research of psilocybin may be subject to quotas or other restrictions set by federal or state authorities. If we obtain the requisite approvals from all applicable state and federal governmental authorities, including the Washington State Department of Health (“WDOH”) and the DEA, then we intend to build out our naturally-derived psychedelic mushroom supply chain in the United States in full compliance with state and federal laws. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under Jamaica’s Dangerous Drugs Act, 1948 (the “Jamaica Drug Act”). Unlike mushrooms that contain psilocybin, functional mushrooms and nutraceuticals are fully legal in the United States. We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use.
Our goal is to activate the full potential of human cognition through mushroom innovation. We believe that First Person, despite its early stage of development, is building a resilient foundation for long-term growth, and we believe we have positioned ourselves for success in the brain health and wellness markets through our innovative product formulations and production processes.
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First Person, Inc.
Since its inception in January 2021, FP, Inc. has devoted substantially all of its efforts to business and product development relating to the operations of a functional mushroom farm in Olympia, Washington, and to the development of its own proprietary formulations of cognitive nutraceutical performance products containing functional mushrooms. FP, Inc.’s current activities and goals include:
● developing grow and production capacity to become a U.S. domestic producer of 100 percent grain-free, organic functional mushrooms at scale;
● bringing to market a legal nutraceutical brand of proprietary nootropics (substances believed to have a positive impact on mental performance) and related protocols designed to work with and without psychedelic protocols to either replicate or enhance and elongate the effects of psychedelics;
● actively building a robust fungi culture library of both functional and psychedelic mushrooms; and
● constructing an initial 15,000 sq. ft. production and laboratory facility, where it plans to propagate and cultivate its proprietary functional mushrooms, with the intention of acquiring or leasing additional space to expand its production capacity. The facility currently contains three fully constructed functional mushroom greenhouses, totaling 12,000 sq. ft.
TruMed Limited
TruMed was formed on April 30, 2019, and is focused on research and development of psilocybin mushrooms. On February 15, 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of TruMed in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of up to $750,000, pursuant to the terms of a share purchase agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) entered into with TruMed and TruMed’s shareholders, Pratik Ruparell and Gaston Flagstaff (the “TruMed Sellers”). $130,000 of the purchase price was paid by wire transfer on or before the closing of the acquisition, while $70,000 of the purchase price is being paid pursuant to a promissory note delivered to the TruMed Sellers. On January 10, 2023, the Company paid $35,000 to the TruMed Sellers as partial payment of the amount owed under the promissory note, and the Company and the TruMed Sellers amended the promissory note to provide for a new principal amount of $37,867.51. The remaining $550,000 of the purchase price will only be paid if TruMed achieves certain milestones within the first twenty-four months following the closing of the acquisition (the “Milestone Payments”). See “Business—Overview” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus for additional information. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations. TruMed intends to carry out psilocybin-related operations in Jamaica. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. Therefore, research on psychedelic mushrooms is not in contravention of the laws of Jamaica and does not require any permit or authorization from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica. TruMed intends to grow and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica, and we plan to use some of the proceeds of this offering to expand TruMed’s Jamaican operations. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus.
Our Strategy and Competitive Strengths
Building a Vertically Integrated Supply Chain for Functional Mushrooms to Be Used as Supplied Ingredients for Consumer Brands.
We intend to become a functional mushroom supplier, leveraging our expertise and innovation to build a supply chain from the ground up, using our proprietary First Grown™ process and techniques. We intend to sell functional mushroom powders and extracts, as well as the unprocessed fruiting bodies of functional mushrooms, as supplied ingredients for consumer brands by entering into supply agreements with other companies. We also intend to use our functional mushroom products in our own nutraceutical brand.
The global appetite for functional mushrooms is rapidly expanding. However, a nascent marketplace and fractured supply chain leave businesses and consumers wanting. Demand has currently overwhelmed the industry’s existing supply chain for functional mushrooms and large companies are buying out entire mushroom harvests in advance. In response, functional mushrooms are being grown and imported from overseas to meet demand in North America. Imported mushrooms have, in some instances, been found to contain heavy contaminants, grains, and other substrates, compromising the quality and purity of final consumer products. We intend to set the standard for purity, potency, and transparency while innovating finished mushroom ingredient formats to expand potential end-use product applications.
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Functional mushrooms are fully legal, and we intend to market our functional mushrooms as food ingredients if we are granted approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). While we are an early stage company with a history of net losses and have generated limited revenue to date, we believe our planned vertically-integrated structure will allow us to disrupt and potentially dominate this fractured supply chain, secure growth, and generate revenue streams in established markets for functional mushrooms.
Using FP, Inc.’s proprietary First Grown™ production process, which FP, Inc. protects as a trade secret, our innovation team, together with our Head of Mycology & Psychedelics, Robert C. Kaelin, has developed a protectable, proprietary, and scalable end product that is 100 percent pure mushrooms, with no fillers or grain residue. Mr. Kaelin has over twenty years of experience in propagation, cultivation, and processing, and has extensive knowledge in the handling of good-manufacturing-practice certified mushrooms and mycelium products for use in the nutraceutical and whole foods industry.
We are building in-house processing capabilities to meet demand for our premium grain-free, pure mycelium/fruiting body powders and extracts. Our functional mushrooms are cultivated on wild harvest alder saw dust, then harvested, dried, and shipped to a processing partner for milling, extraction, and spray drying. Our proprietary extraction method uses hot water and ethanol in an ultrasonic assisted extraction (“UAE”) process that utilizes high frequency sound waves to extract compounds from the mushroom fiber. We own all of the UAE equipment, which is housed at the processing partner’s facility, and it is operated by the processing partner’s staff in accordance with our specifications. We do not have a formal agreement with this processing partner, and function under an “on-demand” arrangement. The fungus mycelium is cultivated in a liquid culture similar to brewing yeast for beer production. The mycelium is then filtered from the liquid, dried, and added to the UAE process along with the functional mushroom fruiting bodies. Once fully operational, we believe our proprietary automated processes to grow and process systems will maximize yields and minimize lead times and processing steps.
Our production capacity is rapidly growing, and currently consists of 15,000 sq. ft. with plans to acquire or lease additional growing space. The five First Grown™ fungi varieties that we are currently growing and intend to harvest are: (i) First Grown™ Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus); (ii) First Grown™ Maitaki (Grifola frondosa); (iii) First Grown™ Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi); (iv) First Grown™ Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris); and (v) First Grown™ Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor). We have harvested initial batches of First Grown™ Lions Mane and First Grown™ Cordyceps for testing purposes, and we have harvested additional batches of First Grown™ Lions Mane for use in our direct-to-consumer cognitive supplements. On June 23, 2022, our First GrownTM functional mushrooms were certified as organic by CCOF Certification Services, LLC, a USDA-accredited organic certifying agency.
We believe that owning our supply chain will allow us to participate in the high-growth mushroom business-to-business ingredient market by eventually becoming the primary supplier and product innovation partner of functional and wellness brands. We anticipate that these relationships will expand to include psychedelic mushrooms if the legal path is cleared to do so.
Building Consumer Relationships Through a Direct-to-Consumer Brand.
We plan to develop, build, and market a successful direct-to-consumer brand of targeted nutraceuticals containing functional mushrooms and adaptogenic botanicals (plants or plant parts believed to help the body adjust to physical, chemical, or biological stress). We believe that building an early, direct, and trusted brand relationship with the consumer enables seamless product and category expansion.
On March 1, 2022, we launched a cognitive supplement system formulated to target specific neurotransmitters, which we believe will help establish our brand in the functional mushroom and the brain health and wellness markets and will position us to enter the psychedelic mushroom market should the legal market be opened in the United States. These are curated and fully legal cognitive supplements, engineered to work with and without psychedelic protocols to either replicate or enhance and elongate the effects of psychedelics. The supplements feature functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals that activate specific neurotransmitters affecting energy, mood, and sleep. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
At launch, all functional mushrooms in our nutraceuticals were purchased from third parties; however, we have since started to include our First Grown™ Lions Mane in our nutraceuticals. All of the ingredients used in our nutraceuticals come from three sources—FP, Inc., Nutricode (an FM World brand), and North American Reishi Ltd. d/b/a NAMMEX—and meet the definition of a “dietary ingredient” as used in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 (the “FDCA”). We do not intend to market any of our nutraceutical products for medical use.
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We are branding and marketing these cognitive supplements with a brand agency that has experience in creating and launching successful direct-to-consumer brands. Our brand and product ecosystems are strategically positioned to resonate with forward-thinking consumers who seek to optimize their mental health and cognitive performance. We intend to build and sustain community engagement through high-impact marketing and branding activities, executive communications, and industry recognition. Our team brings a depth of invaluable experience across a diverse range of direct to consumer e-commerce businesses, and are experts in areas involving consumer acquisition costs, order frequency, and retention. We anticipate this will lead to detailed and realistic expectations for lifetime value that can inform and drive our decisions around reasonable marketing spend for customer acquisition. Product-line expansion will focus on innovations in the functional beverage category (a category that includes nutritional and energy drinks).
Product Research and Development and Innovation Capabilities in Psychedelic Mushrooms.
We plan to conduct psychedelic mushroom product research and development in Jamaica and, subject to obtaining the applicable regulatory approvals, in the United States. We believe our multi-faceted approach, involving supplying functional mushrooms, marketing a nutraceutical brand, and psychedelic mushroom product research and development, will maximize our potential in an emerging and transformative category of mental health products and solutions.
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring drug found in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA and is currently an illegal substance in the State of Washington and all other U.S. states. Therefore, in order to produce and research psilocybin in the United States, we will need to obtain the necessary approvals from federal and state authorities, which may be granted in the sole discretion of such authorities. Even if we receive the necessary approvals, we may be subject to quotas or other restrictions on our production and research set by federal or state authorities.
Research involving controlled substances in the State of Washington requires participating individuals to register with both the DEA and the WDOH. Under Section 69.50.508(e) of the Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”), the State of Washington gives the WDOH the authority to authorize certain persons to possess and distribute controlled substances for research purposes. The first step in obtaining the necessary authorizations is to receive state approval from the WDOH. Applicants must obtain controlled substance researcher registration from the WDOH prior to registering with the DEA. Chris L. Claussen, our Chief Innovation Officer, submitted a controlled substance researcher application with the WDOH in order for FP, Inc. to conduct psilocybin research, with such application listing FP, Inc.’s Olympia, Washington, facility as the research lab location. If the WDOH registration is granted, then FP, Inc. intends to utilize such registration to apply for licensure with the DEA to make our current facility in Olympia, Washington, a licensed psilocybin facility. Due to the unpredictable nature of the WDOH review process, the timeline for receiving WDOH’s determination with respect to the application is currently uncertain. If we receive the WDOH license, then the approval process with the DEA is expected to take two to three months from when we initially submit an application with the DEA. If these licenses are obtained, then we expect our facility to include a WDOH- and DEA-compliant culture laboratory and controlled production and research facility for psychedelic mushrooms, built in compliance with all security protocols.
If we receive the above approvals from the WDOH and the DEA, then we intend to expand domestic U.S. production to include psychedelic mushrooms for use in research, clinics, therapies, and eventually, if legal regimes surrounding psilocybin are changed, regulated dosed sub-hallucinogenic consumer product applications. We may not commence psilocybin propagation operations until we receive the requisite approvals from such authorities, and there is no guarantee that we will receive such approvals.
While we pursue the necessary approvals from the WDOH and the DEA in order to legally produce and research psilocybin in the State of Washington in the United States, TruMed intends to carry out psilocybin-related operations in Jamaica. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. Therefore, research on psychedelic mushrooms and the sale of psilocybin for use in consumer products, or the sale of consumer products containing psilocybin, is not in contravention of the laws of Jamaica and does not require any permit or authorization from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica. TruMed intends to grow and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica, both for research and recreational purposes, and we plan to use some of the proceeds of this offering to expand TruMed’s Jamaican operations. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations, and has not yet conducted any research involving psilocybin.
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In addition, we have entered into a statement of work with Charles River Laboratories Montreal ULC (“Charles River Labs”), an independent research lab in Canada, to conduct two studies involving psilocybin. Charles River Labs obtained the necessary import permits from Health Canada—a department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy—and the Company does not need to acquire any approvals in connection with such research. After Charles River Labs obtains the necessary components for the tests, then Charles River Labs will commence two studies pursuant to the terms of the statement of work, with research and development efforts focused on isolating and studying the individual psychoactive components of mushrooms. Through the exploration of genetic strains and compounds, we hope to discover novel combinations and applications of these analogs for brain health and performance.
If we are unable to obtain all of the requisite approvals, including approvals to produce, or conduct research in, psychedelic mushrooms in the United States, then all of our activities involving psychedelic mushrooms and psilocybin will occur in Jamaica through TruMed, or through agreements with independent research labs in accordance with applicable laws.
We have filed two provisional patent applications that could provide us with a protected advantage in legal psychedelic mushroom markets. Both provisional patents were initially filed in 2021 and were refiled in 2022, but we have not yet filed a formal patent application for either innovation; we intend to file utility patent applications prior to the expiration of the provisional patent applications in 2023. Our goal is to combine these patented innovations, and we believe that doing so will give us product performance and market advantages over other competitors preparing for the possibility of a legal market for sales of natural consumer psychedelic mushroom products. We have only filed provisional patent applications, which help protect inventions for a twelve-month period while a formal patent application is being filed. The patent process can take up to twenty-four months or longer to complete and can be challenged during the process. At this time, we cannot state whether the patent applications will be approved, refused, and/or ultimately registered.
We believe our three-part holistic strategy and approach to the developing markets for both functional and psychedelic mushrooms strategically positions us for both near and long-term growth.
Risks Associated with Our Business
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that you should be aware of before making an investment decision, including those highlighted under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | the functional-mushroom and psilocybin industries are new in the United States, and the industries and markets may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or we may ultimately be unable to succeed as anticipated in these industries and markets; | |
● | our ability to cultivate and/or acquire mushrooms for our products is subject to risks inherent in agricultural operations; | |
● | we may encounter disruptions or delays in the expansion and construction of our facilities, which may impair our ability to grow and produce our own mushroom products for distribution; | |
● | we rely on a third party co-packer for certain product components and other third-parties for the packaging material for our products, and there is no guarantee that the relationships with the co-packers or packaging companies will continue or that the co-packer or packaging companies will deliver goods on a timely basis; | |
● | if we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, the value of our proprietary processes could be materially adversely affected and our business would be harmed; | |
● | a denial of, or significant delay in obtaining, or any interruption of required government authorizations to produce psilocybin for federally sanctioned purposes would likely significantly, negatively impact the Company; |
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● | the dynamic nature of the laws and regulations affecting the psilocybin market, including the federal authorization of psilocybin, or the state-regulated psilocybin industry, could materially adversely affect our proposed operations, and we cannot predict the impact that future regulations may have on us; | |
● | the laws, regulations, and guidelines generally applicable to psilocybin in the United States may change in ways that impact our ability to continue our business as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted; | |
● | because psilocybin is a controlled substance, our products, equipment, and revenues could be subject to civil or criminal asset forfeiture if we fail to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to psilocybin; | |
● | adverse U.S. or international economic conditions, including periods of inflation, could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations; | |
● | the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition; | |
● | we may be vulnerable to rising energy costs; | |
● | environmental risks may adversely affect our business; and | |
● | you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited because we are incorporated under Canadian law and certain of our executive officers and directors reside outside the United States. |
If we are unable to adequately address these and other risks we face, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may be adversely affected.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than $1.235 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include that:
● | we are only required to provide reduced disclosure in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”; | |
● | we are not required to engage an auditor to report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”); | |
● | we are not required to submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay,” “say-on-frequency,” and “say-on-golden parachutes”; and | |
● | we are not required to disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to our median employee compensation. |
We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of the fiscal year during which the fifth anniversary of this listing occurs or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenue is $1.235 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year during which the fifth anniversary of this listing occurs; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies also can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We currently intend to take advantage of this exemption.
For risks related to our status as an emerging growth company, see “Risk Factors—We are a “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies and emerging growth companies will make our Common Shares less attractive to investors” on page 30 of this Prospectus.
Corporate Information
LEIIO Wellness Ltd. (“Wellness”), our predecessor by name change, was incorporated on January 21, 2021 (date of inception), under the laws of the province of Alberta, Canada. On December 15, 2021, we changed our name to First Person Ltd. Our principal executive offices are located at 1840, 444 – 5th Ave., SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 2T8, and our telephone number at such address is (587) 577-9261. Our principal offices in the United States are located at 3900 W. Alameda Avenue, Suite 1200, Burbank, CA 91505. Our website address is https://www.firstpersongroup.com. The reference to our website in this Prospectus is an inactive textual reference only and is not a hyperlink. You should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this Prospectus in deciding whether to purchase the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus.
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THE OFFERING
Common Shares Offered in Primary Offering: | 1,000,000 Common Shares | |
Selling Shareholder Shares: | Up to 2,301,564 Common Shares | |
Over-allotment Option: | We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part for a period of forty-five days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 150,000 Common Shares (15 percent of the Common Shares sold in this offering) solely to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Primary Offering price per Common Share, less the underwriting discount. | |
Common Shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering: | 7,738,716 Common Shares. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Common Shares is exercised in full, the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after this offering would be 7,888,716 Common Shares. | |
Use of proceeds: | We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $4.34 million, or approximately $5.16 million if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full, assuming an offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of selling shareholder shares. However, upon any exercise, other than a net exercise, of warrants or stock options held by the selling shareholders, we will receive cash proceeds per share equal to the exercise price of such warrants or stock options. | |
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for general working capital, launching and growing an initial line of consumer products, research and development, establishment and expansion of operations in Jamaica, and expansion of growing and production capabilities in Olympia, Washington. | ||
Risk Factors: | Investing in our Common Shares is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information set forth in this Prospectus and, in particular, the specific factors set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus, before deciding whether or not to invest in the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus. | |
Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market Listing: | We have applied to list our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FP”. |
The number of Common Shares that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 6,738,716 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Preferred Shares, Series 1 (“Series 1 Shares”) into 387,362 Common Shares immediately prior to the closing of the Primary Offering (The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (ii) 0.6, divided by (iii) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares), and excludes the following:
● | up to 615,000 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options under the First Person Ltd. Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Incentive Plan”), of which 365,000 have an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, 110,000 have an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, and 140,000 have an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share; | |
● | up to 500,620 Common Shares at a price per Common Share of CAD$5.00 issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants; | |
● | 20,135 Common Shares reserved for future issuance under the Incentive Plan as of the date hereof; and | |
● | any Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
Consolidation
On April 21, 2022, First Person amended its articles of incorporation to effect a consolidation of the outstanding Common Shares (the “Consolidation”) on the basis of a consolidation ratio of one post-Consolidation Common Share for every ten pre-Consolidation Common Shares outstanding prior to the effective date of the Consolidation. All references to Common Shares, options and warrants to purchase Common Shares, share data, per share data, and related information have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, in this Prospectus to reflect the Consolidation as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.
Free Writing Prospectus
On September 26, 2022, First Person filed an issuer free writing prospectus with the SEC pursuant to Rule 433(f) under the Securities Act (the “Free Writing Prospectus”). The Free Writing Prospectus includes the full text of an article that was published in a September 20, 2022, online publication by reMind Media (the “Article”). As of September 22, 2022, the Article is no longer available on reMind Media’s website or any of its other publications. The Article contained information about the Company and statements made by Chris L. Claussen, one of our directors and our Chief Innovation Officer, and Joseph Claussen, our Director of Business Development, during an interview with reMind Media. The Free Writing Prospectus contains corrective statements regarding certain of the statements made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen in the Article. The Company was not involved in any way in the interview or the preparation of the statements made by Chris L. Claussen or Joseph Claussen. The Article was prepared by reMind Media, which is not affiliated with the Company. No payment was made nor was any consideration given to reMind Media by or on behalf of the Company or any other offering participant in connection with the publication of the Article.
The Article contained the following inaccurate or unsubstantiated statements:
● | The Article stated that we have “two pending patents related to a natural psilocybin extract and a novel combination of psilocin and ketones, which [the Company] developed at their lab in Jamaica.” We filed two provisional patent applications, which help protect inventions for a twelve-month period while a formal patent application is being filed. The patent process can take up to twenty-four months or longer to complete and can be challenged during the process. At this time, we cannot state whether the patent applications will be approved, refused, and/or ultimately registered. The innovations were developed by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen, rather than the Company, and were not developed in our lab in Jamaica. Both provisional patent applications were filed in 2021, after Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen assigned to us their interests in the innovations. We did not acquire TruMed Limited or have Jamaican operations until 2022, after the provisional patent applications were filed. Investors should review the information regarding our intellectual property in “Business—Intellectual Property” beginning on page 62 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. |
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● | When discussing his family’s personal experiences with psilocybin, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “there’s no toxicity”. Additionally, Chris L. Claussen stated that “psilocybin had the ability to create some new neural networks,” “our brains are functioning at the highest levels that they ever have,” and that “[w]e know that once you get Alzheimer’s there no cure for it. But we also know that you can prevent it by keeping your brain healthy, to always be creating new neural connections, and maintain neuroplasticity as you age and avoid going into cognitive decline.” We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use. Our consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We have not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen. We cannot confirm that psilocybin will create new neural networks or can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline. We cannot provide any assurance that any persons will have the same outcomes as Chris L. Claussen, Joseph Claussen, or their father, or that psilocybin was a cause of such outcomes. Investors should review the information regarding our products in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to our products, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that our products “contain curated amounts of Lion’s Mane and cordyceps — the cordyceps is important because it has an MAO inhibitor, so it provides a longer duration.” Additionally, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “We think our functional mushroom products work wonderfully on their own. But they were definitely designed for a microdosing regime. We deliberately engineered them to stay away from the serotonin receptors. A lot of other nootropics contain everything and the kitchen sink, which will flood your serotonin receptors and interfere with your microdosing. We didn’t want to do that. We targeted our functionals to the dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors. We left serotonin alone, so the psilocybin could do its work.” Our direct-to-consumer brand of supplements contain functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals. Not all of our supplements contains Lions Mane and/or Cordyceps. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We have not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen. We cannot confirm that cordyceps provides longer duration or has an MAO inhibitor, that there are any characteristics of difference mushrooms that may be beneficial, or that targeting dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors may be possible or beneficial. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to studies that are anticipated to be performed by Charles River Labs, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]e’re really excited about this. We believe there’s a real potential to improve the efficacy of psilocin. Our scientific advisor Dom D’Agostino, a pioneer in the science of the health benefits of the ketogenic diet, is working with us to prove our hypothesis.” Additionally, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]hen proven, the improvements in neurogenesis and synaptogenesis could be very powerful.” Charles River Labs is an independent research lab in Canada, with which we have entered into a statement of work to conduct two studies involving psilocybin. Charles River Labs is in the process of obtaining the necessary import permits from Health Canada—a department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy—and the Company does not need to acquire any approvals in connection with such research. If Charles River Labs obtains the necessary import permits, then Charles River Labs will commence two studies pursuant to the terms of the statement of work, with research and development efforts focused on isolating and studying the individual psychoactive components of mushrooms. Investors should review the information regarding our statement of work with Charles River Labs in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. We have not established objectively that there is a potential to improve the efficacy of psilocybin. | |
● | When referring to the state of our business, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “[i]t’s been amazing. We launched in March, and we sold out within three months. We thought we had enough product to last the year, but we ran out. And it’s mostly been organic word of mouth. We’ve done some marketing, but it’s really amazing how rapidly people have found us. Of course, we’re riding a very nice wave of interest in mushrooms right now, so that’s been fortunate.” We launched its direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in March 2022, but the Company was formed in January 2021. In July 2022, we began taking pre-orders only for new purchase, in order to ensure that we maintained sufficient inventory to fulfill existing subscription orders. We operate our business in a new industry and market. There is no assurance that the industry and market will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. The mushroom market may decline or mushrooms may fail to achieve substantially greater market acceptance than they currently enjoy. As a result of changing customer preferences, products may attain financial success for a limited period of time. There is no assurance that we will be able to achieve brand awareness in any of our target regions. Investors should review the information regarding our industry and market in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to our business and mission, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]e see ourselves as a brain health company. Our mission is to improve people’s brains. This makes us more than a functional mushroom company, and more than a psychedelics company. We don’t want people to ever fall off the cliff as they get older. We want people to just get better and better. Everything we do is in support of that.” We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use. Our consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Investors should review the information regarding our products in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. |
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The summary consolidated statements of operations data for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2022, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for any future period.
You should read the consolidated financial data set forth below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the information in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 50 of this Prospectus.
First Person Ltd.
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
From January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||
Revenues, net | $ | - | $ | 4,334 | ||||
Cost of Goods Sold | - | 1,406 | ||||||
Gross Profit | - | 2,928 | ||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 2,948 | 8,081 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1 | 52 | ||||||
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain) | (28 | ) | 101 | |||||
Total operating expenses | 2,921 | 8,233 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (2,921 | ) | (5,305 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||
Net interest income (expense) | 0 | (88 | ) | |||||
Total other income (expense) | 0 | (88 | ) | |||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | (2,921 | ) | (5,393 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | ||||||
Net loss | (2,921 | ) | (5,393 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of provision for income taxes: | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) | (36 | ) | 64 | |||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (2,957 | ) | $ | (5,329 | ) | ||
Net Loss per Common Share | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | (0.59 | ) | (0.86 | ) | ||||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | 4,918 | 6,252 |
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First Person Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2022 | 2022 As Adjusted(1) | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
(in thousands, except share amounts) | ||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 559 | $ | 65 | $ | 7,899 | ||||||
Accounts Receivable, net | - | 55 | 55 | |||||||||
Inventory | 98 | 1,013 | 1,013 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 540 | 238 | 238 | |||||||||
Deferred offering cost | 297 | 889 | - | |||||||||
Total current assets | 1,494 | 2,260 | 9,205 | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 10 | 988 | 988 | |||||||||
Construction-in-progress | 452 | - | - | |||||||||
Deposits | 3 | 17 | 17 | |||||||||
Intangible Assets | 190 | 132 | 132 | |||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | 158 | 197 | 197 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,307 | $ | 3,594 | $ | 10,538 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable (includes related party balances of $686,476 as of December 31, 2022) | $ | 436 | $ | 2,533 | $ | 2,533 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 117 | 278 | 278 | |||||||||
Lease liability, current portion | 36 | 79 | 79 | |||||||||
Convertible notes payable | - | - | 1,322 | |||||||||
Loans and note payable | - | 1,098 | 1,066 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 589 | 3,987 | 5,277 | |||||||||
Lease liability, net of current portion | 122 | 118 | 118 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 711 | 4,105 | 5,395 | |||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||
Preferred Shares, CAD$0.01 par value – unlimited authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding, actual, as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, respectively; 0 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Common shares, no par value - unlimited authorized, 5,804,254 and 6,351,354 shares issued and outstanding, actual, as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, respectively; 7,738,716 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted | 4,358 | 7,081 | 12,736 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 196 | 694 | 694 | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (2,921 | ) | (8,314 | ) | (8,314 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (36 | ) | 28 | 28 | ||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,596 | (511 | ) | 5,144 | ||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 2,307 | $ | 3,594 | $ | 10,538 |
(1) | The as adjusted column reflects (i) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $764,130 and 764,124 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $703,000 on January 3, 2023; (ii) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $616,304 and 616,303 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $567,000 on January 9, 2023; (iii) the payment of $35,000 to the TruMed Sellers on January 10, 2023, as partial payment of the amount owed under the promissory note issued to the TruMed Sellers in connection with our acquisition of TruMed; (iv) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $368,543 and 368,543 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $339,060 on February 6, 2023; (v) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,350,000 and 1,350,001 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $1,242,000 on March 31, 2023; (vi) the conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares (the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (a) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (b) 0.6, divided by (c) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus; the actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date; see “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares; and (vii) the issuance and sale of Common Shares by us in this offering at the Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will depend on the actual Primary Offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Each $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash, total assets, and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $0.46 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 estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 100,000 Common Shares offered by us would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash, total assets, and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $0.55 million, assuming the assumed Primary Offering price remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. |
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 50 of this Prospectus, before deciding to invest in the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus. The occurrence of any of the following risks could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, and future growth prospects, as well as our ability to accomplish our strategic objectives. As a result, the trading price of our Common Shares could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations and the trading price of our Common Shares. Certain statements contained in this section constitute forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 43 of this Prospectus.
Risks Related to Our Limited Operating History, Financial Position and Capital Needs
We have a limited operating history and a history of net losses, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
We have a very limited history of operations and are considered an early stage company. We were formed in January 2021. Although this Prospectus includes audited financial statements for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, and for the year ended December 31, 2022, we commenced our commercial operations in March 2022. As such, there is very limited financial information about us and such information has been supplemented with other relevant information disclosed in this Prospectus so as to enable an investor to make an informed investment decision. We are subject to many risks common to such enterprises, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial, and other resources, and lack of revenues, as well as significant competition from existing and emerging competitors, many of which are established and have access to capital. In addition, as a new business, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other known and unknown factors. We will need to transition from an early stage company to a company capable of supporting larger scale commercial activities. If we are not successful in such a transition, our business, results, and financial condition will be harmed.
Although we expect to become profitable, there is no guarantee that will happen, and we may never become profitable. We currently have a negative operating cash flow and may continue to have that for the foreseeable future. To the extent that we have negative operating cash flow in future periods, we will need to allocate a portion of our cash (including proceeds from this offering) to fund such negative cash flow. For the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2022, our net loss from operations was $8,314,421. To date, we have generated limited revenues. As a result, our net losses from operations may worsen. Our ability to generate increased revenues and potential to become profitable will depend largely on our ability to manufacture and market our products. There can be no assurance that any such events will occur or that we will ever become profitable. Even if we do achieve profitability, we cannot predict the level of such profitability. If we sustain losses over an extended period of time, we may be unable to continue our business.
We will need additional financing to continue to sustain operations at this time.
Our operating cash flow is insufficient to fund all of our operational needs and we will require additional financing to continue our operations. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available on favorable terms or at all. Failure to obtain additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of the deployment of our products. Additional financing may dilute the ownership interest of our shareholders at the time of the financing, and may dilute the value of their investment in our Common Shares. After taking into account the proceeds of this offering, we anticipate that our current cash reserves will last in excess of twelve months under our present operating expectations.
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We may face difficulties obtaining additional financing, and additional financing may result in further dilution.
We anticipate expending substantial funds to carry out the development, introduction, distribution, and manufacture of our products. We may require additional funds for these purposes through one or more public or private financing transactions. No assurance can be given that such additional funds will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Additionally, U.S. banks often refuse to provide banking services to businesses involved in the psilocybin industry because of the present state of the laws and regulations governing financial institutions in the United States, which discourage the provision of banking services to companies involved in the research or production of controlled substances. Consequently, in comparison to companies in other industries, we may face increased difficulties in obtaining financing from U.S. banks due to the nature of our business. If such funds are unavailable or are only available at a prohibitive cost, we may have to significantly curtail our product development program or seek funds through financing alternatives, including equity financing. Any additional equity financing may result in dilution to existing shareholders.
There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We currently generate limited revenue, and accordingly we are primarily dependent upon financing transactions to obtain additional funds for product development and operating expenses. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, included an explanatory paragraph expressing management’s assessment and conclusion that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, citing our significant working capital deficiency and our significant losses. Our ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to sustain our operations and/or raise additional capital in the form of debt or equity financing. Delays in obtaining the capital, onerous terms for the capital, or a failure to raise additional capital could have a material negative impact on our business or plans of operations. We believe that the inclusion of a going concern explanatory paragraph in the report of our registered public accounting firm may make it more difficult for us to secure additional financing or enter into strategic relationships with distributors on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and likely will materially and adversely affect the terms of any financing that we might obtain. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We face general risks common to early stage companies, including ongoing requirements for additional capital.
Our Common Shares must be considered highly speculative due to the nature of our business, the early stage of our deployment, current financial position, and ongoing capital. An investment in our Common Shares should only be considered by those persons who can afford a total loss of investment, and is not suited to those investors who may need to dispose of their investment in a timely fashion. Investors should consult with their own professional advisors to assess the legal, financial, and other aspects of an investment in our Common Shares.
We may be exposed to financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates and the degrees of volatility of those rates.
We may be adversely affected by foreign currency fluctuations. Our functional currency is the Canadian dollar, but the functional currency of our operating company in the United States is the U.S. dollar. To date, we have been primarily funded through issuances of equity that have been denominated in Canadian dollars. However, a significant portion of our expenditures are paid in U.S. dollars, and we are, therefore, subject to foreign currency fluctuations that may, from time to time, impact our financial position and results of operations.
We will incur significant costs during the transition to a public company, and face ongoing costs of maintaining a public listing.
We expect this offering will have a significant transformative effect on us. We expect to incur significant additional legal, accounting, reporting, and other expenses as a result of being a public company. We will also incur new costs related to being a public company that we have not incurred previously, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses for managing directors’ and supervisory directors’ fees, increased directors and officers insurance, investor relations, and various other costs of a public company.
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We also anticipate that we will incur costs associated with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, laws, regulations, and requirements relating to becoming a reporting issuer in Alberta, Canada, as well as rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“NASDAQ”). We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some management and corporate governance activities more time consuming and costly. These rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. This could have an adverse impact on our ability to retain, recruit, and bring on a qualified independent supervisory board. We expect that the additional costs we will incur as a public company, including costs associated with corporate governance requirements, will be considerable relative to our costs as a private company.
The transition to a public company may disrupt and have a negative effect on our regular operations.
The additional demands associated with being a public company may disrupt regular operations of our business by diverting the attention of some of our senior management team away from revenue producing activities to management and administrative oversight, adversely affecting our ability to attract and complete business opportunities and increasing the difficulty in both retaining professionals and managing and growing our businesses. Any of these effects could harm our business, financial condition, and results.
Our management team’s financial projections are based on assumptions and estimates that may be inaccurate.
Our actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management’s expectations. We may experience changes in our operating plans and certain delays with respect to our operating plans. As a result, our revenue, net income, and cash flow may differ materially from our projected revenue, net income, and cash flow. The process for estimating our revenue, net income, and cash flow requires the use of judgment in determining the appropriate assumptions and estimates. These estimates and assumptions may be revised as additional information becomes available and as additional analyses are performed. In addition, the assumptions used in planning may not prove to be accurate, and other factors may affect our financial condition or results of operations.
Risk Related to Our Products and Business
We face significant ongoing costs and obligations related to developing our business and products, and these costs may increase in the future, which may result in significant losses.
We expect to incur significant ongoing costs and obligations related to developing our business and products, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In addition, future changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof, or other unanticipated events could require extensive changes to our operations, increased compliance costs, or give rise to material liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our efforts to grow our business may be more costly than we expect, and we may not be able to increase our revenue enough to offset our higher operating expenses. We may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including the other risks described in this Prospectus, and unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays, and other unknown events. If we are unable to achieve and sustain profitability, the market price of our Common Shares may significantly decrease.
We have incurred substantial expenses related to the development and initial operations of our business and we may never become profitable, earn revenues, or pay dividends.
There is no assurance that we will be profitable or pay dividends. We have incurred, and anticipate that we will continue to incur, substantial expenses relating to the development and initial operations of our business. The payment and amount of any future dividends will depend upon, among other things, our results of operations, cash flow, financial condition, and operating and capital requirements. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and, if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividends.
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As our operating expenses increase, we may not be able to generate revenue growth or sustain any revenue growth that we achieve.
There can be no assurance that we can generate revenue growth, or that any revenue growth that is achieved can be sustained. Revenue growth that we may achieve may not be indicative of future operating results. In addition, we may further increase operating expenses in order to fund higher levels of research and development, increase sales and marketing efforts and increase administrative resources in anticipation of future growth. To the extent that increases in such expenses precede or are not subsequently followed by increased revenues, our business, operating results, and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
The functional-mushroom and psilocybin industries are new in the United States, and the industries and markets may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or we may ultimately be unable to succeed as anticipated in these industries and markets.
We operate our business in a new industry and market. There is no assurance we will be able to derive meaningful revenue from our investment in functional or psychedelic mushrooms, or that we will pursue that business to the extent currently proposed or at all. In addition to being subject to general business risks, we must continue to build brand awareness in this industry and market through significant investments in our strategy, production capacity, quality assurance, and compliance with regulations. In addition, there is no assurance that the industry and market will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. Any event or circumstance that adversely affects our industry and market could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, and results of operations.
Psilocybin is highly regulated at the federal and state level, and authorizations for the production of psilocybin are still in the early stages and we may not receive the required approvals.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA. Even in U.S. states or territories that have decriminalized psilocybin to some extent, unless specific authority is obtained from the DEA, the propagation, possession, and sale of psilocybin all remain violations of U.S. federal law punishable by imprisonment, substantial fines, and forfeiture. To obtain federal authority to grow or manufacture psilocybin for federally sanctioned research and other limited purposes, one must receive a permit from the DEA and meet certain requirements imposed by the DEA. The registration process to manufacture controlled substances is codified under 21 U.S.C. § 823. It requires that the U.S. Attorney General determine whether registrations are in the public interest; to do so, the U.S. Attorney General is directed to consider multiple factors, including “compliance with applicable State and local law.”
Research involving controlled substances in the State of Washington requires participating individuals to register with both the DEA and the WDOH. Applicants must obtain a controlled substance researcher registration from the WDOH prior to registering with the DEA. Chris L. Claussen, our Chief Innovation Officer, submitted a controlled substance researcher application with the WDOH in order for FP, Inc. to conduct psilocybin research, with such application listing FP, Inc.’s Olympia, Washington, facility as the research lab location. If the WDOH registration is granted, then FP, Inc. intends to utilize such registration to apply for licensure with the DEA to make our current facility in Olympia, Washington, a licensed psilocybin facility.
We may not be successful in obtaining the necessary approvals from the WDOH or the DEA. If we are successful in obtaining such approvals, we will be subject to strict regulations from both the State of Washington and the DEA relating to security, recordkeeping, reporting, and inventory controls to prevent drug loss and diversion. The licenses from the WDOH and the DEA, if successfully obtained, will only be provided on an annual basis and we may not be successful in renewing such licenses each subsequent year. The failure to obtain the necessary approvals to conduct psilocybin research, or the renewal of such approvals if obtained, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions, and results of operations.
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The dynamic nature of the laws and regulations affecting the psilocybin market, including the federal authorization of psilocybin, or the state-regulated psilocybin industry, could materially adversely affect our proposed operations, and we cannot predict the impact that future regulations may have on us.
Local, state, and federal psilocybin laws and regulations have been evolving rapidly and are subject to varied interpretations, which could require us to incur substantial costs associated with compliance or negatively impact, and accordingly cause us to alter, our business plan, which could require further costs and negatively impact our business and future results of operations. We can know neither the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, or applications nor how additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could impact our business. For example, if psilocybin is no longer illegal under federal law, and depending on future laws or guidance on psilocybin for research, we may experience a significant increase in competition. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations or any failure by us to comply with these laws or regulations could require changes to certain of our business practices, negatively impact our operations, cash flow, or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, or otherwise adversely affect our business.
A denial of, or significant delay in obtaining, or any interruption of required government authorizations to produce psilocybin for federally sanctioned purposes would likely have a significant negative impact on the Company.
While psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act and we intend to grow, research, and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica through TruMed, a portion of our business plan in the United States depends on receiving the necessary state and federal authorizations to research and produce psilocybin for federally sanctioned purposes. Our Company may not commence psilocybin propagation operations in the United States until both the WDOH and the U.S. federal government, in particular the DEA, have signed off that the Company has met its obligations under state law and is compliance with all applicable DEA regulations. There is no guarantee that we will receive the necessary approvals from either the WDOH or the DEA.
For drugs manufactured in the United States, the DEA establishes annually an aggregate quota for the amount of substances within Schedules I and II that may be manufactured or produced in the United States based on the DEA’s estimate of the quantity needed to meet legitimate medical, scientific, research, and industrial needs. The DEA also issues individual production quotas for Schedule I Controlled Substance registrants. These quotas may only be adjusted once per year, at the DEA’s sole discretion. The DEA’s quotas may limit our ability to achieve revenue goals, even if we are able to obtain DEA Controlled Substance Research and/or Manufacturing registrations.
Operating in a highly regulated business requires significant resources.
We intend to operate a highly regulated, vertically integrated business involving psilocybin. As a result, we expect a significant amount of our management’s time and external resources to be used to comply with the laws, regulations, and guidelines that impact our business, and changes thereto, and such compliance may place a significant burden on our management and other resources.
Additionally, we may be subject to a variety of laws, regulations, and guidelines in each of the jurisdictions in which we conduct psilocybin activities, which differ among these various jurisdictions. Complying with multiple regulatory regimes will require additional resources and may negatively impact our ability to expand into certain jurisdictions. For example, even if psilocybin were to become legal under U.S. federal law, companies operating in the psilocybin industry would have to comply with all applicable state and local laws, which may vary greatly between jurisdictions, increasing costs for companies that operate in multiple jurisdictions.
We compete for market share with other companies, some of which have longer operating histories and may have more financial resources and manufacturing and marketing experience than we have.
We face competition in the markets in which we operate. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories and may have more financial resources and manufacturing and marketing experience than we have. Some of our competitors may also be better positioned to develop superior product features and technological innovations and may be able to better adapt to market trends. Our ability to compete depends on, among other things, high product quality, short lead-time, timely delivery, competitive pricing, range of product offerings, and superior customer service and support. Increased competition may require us to reduce prices or increase costs and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Any decrease in the quality of our products or level of service to customers or any occurrence of a price war among our competitors and us may adversely affect the business and results of operations.
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We may expend substantial time and financial resources on potential acquisitions of other companies and such acquisitions may not be completed or successful.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to grow our business in response to the demands of consumers and other constituents within the functional mushroom and psychedelics industry as well as competitive pressures. In some circumstances, we may decide to grow our business through the acquisition of complementary businesses rather than through internal development. The identification of suitable acquisition candidates can be difficult, time-consuming, and costly and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions. In addition, we may not realize the expected benefits from completed acquisitions. Our failure to address risks encountered in connection with any future acquisitions or investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions or investments, cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities and harm our business generally. Future acquisitions could also result in the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses, or the impairment of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition.
The psychedelics industry is in a nascent stage so there is a lack of information about the business models of comparable companies and the potential market size.
Because the legal psychedelics industry is in a nascent stage, there is a lack of information about comparable companies available for potential investors to review in deciding about whether to invest in our Common Shares, and few, if any, established companies whose business model we can follow or upon whose success we can build. Accordingly, investors will have to rely on their own estimates in deciding about whether to invest in our Common Shares. There can be no assurance that our estimates are accurate or that the market size is sufficiently large for our business to grow as projected, which may negatively impact our financial results.
Our ability to cultivate and/or acquire mushrooms for our products is subject to risks inherent in agricultural operations.
Our products are derived from mushrooms. Accordingly, we must grow or acquire enough mushrooms so that our products can be produced to meet the demand of our customers. Even with the procedures and protections we have put in place, a poor harvest could result in loss of sales and damage our business and results of operations. Agricultural products are vulnerable to climate change, crop disease, natural disaster, and pests, which may vary in severity and effect, depending on the stage of production at the time of infection or infestation, the type of treatment applied, and climatic conditions. Unfavorable growing conditions caused by these factors can reduce both crop size and crop quality and, in extreme cases, entire harvests may be lost, which would negatively impact our business and results of operations. Additionally, there could be difficulties with the first crop or harvest in any new facility.
There are many factors that could impact our ability to attract and retain customers, including that we may not be able to develop as many psilocybin or functional mushroom products, or crops of the consistency or quality that we expect, which could have a negative adverse effect on our business plan and profitability.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers, but we face, or will face, competition in obtaining customers for our nutraceutical and psilocybin materials and products. There are many factors that could impact our ability to attract and retain customers, including our ability to compete based on price, produce high quality or consistent crops, continually produce desirable and effective products that are superior to others in the market, and implement our customer acquisition plan, as well as maintain continued growth in the aggregate number of potential customers. Competition for customers may result in increasing our costs while also lowering the market prices for our products and reducing our profitability. If we are not successful in attracting and retaining customers, we may fail to be competitive or achieve profitability or sustain profitability over time.
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As a result of changing customer preferences, products may attain financial success for a limited period of time. Even if we are successful in introducing new products, a failure to gain consumer acceptance or to update products with compelling attributes could cause a decline in our products’ popularity that could reduce revenues and harm our business, operating results, and financial condition. Failure to introduce new products or product types and to achieve and sustain market acceptance could result in our being unable to meet consumer preferences and generate revenue, which would have a material adverse effect on our profitability and financial results from operations.
We currently have a limited number of contemplated products, and have limited financial and management resources, and, as a result, we may forego or delay our development of planned or other products. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on profitable market opportunities. If we are unsuccessful in developing the contemplated or additional products, our business may be harmed.
Our business relies on the production and distribution of mushroom related products, and such products may not maintain or grow their market acceptance.
Our business is focused on the production and distribution of mushrooms and related products. If such products do not maintain or grow their market acceptance, it will be difficult for us to achieve profitability. Our revenues are expected to derive almost exclusively from sales of mushroom based products, and we expect that our mushroom based products will account for substantially all of our revenue for the foreseeable future. If the mushroom market declines or mushrooms fail to achieve substantially greater market acceptance than they currently enjoy, we may not be able to grow our revenues sufficiently for us to achieve consistent profitability. Even if our products conform to international safety and quality standards, sales could be adversely affected if consumers in target markets lose confidence in the safety, efficacy, and quality of mushrooms. Adverse publicity about mushroom based products that we sell may discourage consumers from buying products distributed by us.
We may not be successful in developing and commercializing our products, or may not be able to do so at acceptable costs.
If we cannot successfully develop, manufacture, sell, and distribute our products, or if we experience difficulties in the development process, such as capacity constraints, quality control problems, or other disruptions, we may not be able to develop market-ready commercial products at acceptable costs, which would adversely affect our ability to effectively enter the market. A failure by us to achieve a low-cost structure through economies of scale or improvements in cultivation and manufacturing processes would have a material adverse effect on our commercialization plans and our business, prospects, results of operations, and financial condition. If there is a shift in consumer demand, we must meet such demand through new and innovative products or else our business may fail.
A significant failure or deterioration in our quality control systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
The quality and safety of our products are critical to the success of our business and operations. As such, it is imperative that our (and our service providers’) quality control systems operate effectively and successfully. Quality control systems can be negatively impacted by the design of the quality control systems, the quality training programs and adherence by employees to quality control guidelines. Although we strive to ensure that all of our service providers have implemented and adhere to high-quality control systems, any significant failure or deterioration of such quality control systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
We may experience breaches of security at our facilities or loss as a result of the theft of our products.
Given the nature of psilocybin and its lack of legal availability outside of government approved channels, and despite meeting or exceeding applicable security requirements, there remains a risk of security breach as well as theft. A security breach at one of our facilities could result in a significant loss of available products, expose us to additional liability under applicable regulations and to potentially costly litigation or increase expenses relating to the resolution and future prevention of these breaches and may deter potential customers from choosing our products, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We are subject to liability arising from any fraudulent or illegal activity by our employees, contractors, and consultants.
We are exposed to the risk that our employees, independent contractors, and consultants may engage in fraudulent or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless, or negligent conduct or disclosure of unauthorized activities to us that violate (i) government regulations, (ii) manufacturing standards, (iii) federal, state, or local healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations, or (iv) laws that require the true, complete, and accurate reporting of financial information or data. It is not always possible for us to identify and deter misconduct by our employees and other third parties, and the precautions taken by us to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. If any actions are brought against us, including by former employees, independent contractors, and consultants, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of civil, criminal, and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and the curtailment of our operations, any of which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results from operations.
Our products are produced by third parties at their own manufacturing facilities; a significant disruption at such facilities or to any key production equipment could adversely affect our ability to meet consumer and wholesale demand.
While we grow and harvest functional mushrooms at our facility in Olympia, Washington, all of our products are produced by third parties at their own manufacturing facilities. A significant disruption at such facilities or to any key production equipment, even on a short-term basis, could impair the productions and shipment of products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations. The manufacturing operations of these third parties are vulnerable to interruption and damage from natural and other types of disasters, including earthquake, fire, floods, volcanic events, draughts, environmental accidents, winter storms, power loss, disease outbreaks or pandemics such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, communications failures, and similar events. If any disaster were to occur at the facilities of these third parties, our ability to operate our business would be seriously impaired.
Regulations and evolving legislation governing issues involving climate change and sustainability could result in increased operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, and the potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain.
A number of international, federal, state, or local governments or governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory changes in response to the potential impact of climate change. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a notice of finding and determination that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) present an endangerment to human health and the environment, which allowed the EPA to begin regulating emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the Clean Air Act. Legislation and increased regulation regarding climate change could impose significant costs on us and our suppliers, including costs related to increased energy requirements, capital equipment, environmental monitoring, permitting, reporting, and other costs to comply with such regulations. Any adopted future climate change regulations could also negatively impact our ability to compete with companies situated in areas and countries not subject to such limitations. Given the political significance, regulatory or compliance obligations, and uncertainty around the impact of climate change and how it should be addressed, we cannot predict how legislation and regulation will affect our financial condition, operating performance, and ability to compete. The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain, and would be particular to the geographic circumstances in areas in which we operate. These impacts may adversely impact the cost, production, and financial performance of our operations.
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We may encounter disruptions or delays in the expansion and construction of our facilities, which may impair our ability to grow and produce our own mushroom products for distribution.
In order to increase production capacity, we are currently constructing additional capacity for cultivating mushrooms at our facility in Olympia, Washington. Chris L. Claussen, our Chief Innovation Officer, submitted a controlled substance researcher application with the WDOH in order for FP, Inc. to conduct psilocybin research legally under state and federal law, with such application listing FP, Inc.’s Olympia, Washington, facility as the research lab location. If the WDOH registration is approved, then we intend to apply for a DEA license to make our current facility in Olympia, Washington, a licensed psilocybin facility. In addition, we intend to expand operations into a larger facility to increase our functional mushroom production capacity in the future. Commercial construction and expansion of operations involves a number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are outside our control. Any disruption or delay in the construction of facilities, expansion of operations, or in obtaining either a WDOH or DEA license to legally grow psilocybin mushrooms in the United States may impair or impede our ability to grow functional or psychedelic mushrooms and manufacture products for distribution.
We are subject to several risks in connection with the construction of our facilities, including the availability and performance of engineers and contractors, suppliers, and consultants, the availability of funding, and the receipt of required governmental approvals, licenses, and permits, and the projected timeline for construction, which could change due to delays. Any delay in the performance of any one or more of the contractors, suppliers, consultants, or other persons on whom we are dependent in connection with our construction activities, a delay in or failure to receive the required governmental approvals, licenses, and permits in a timely manner or on reasonable terms, or a delay in or failure in connection with the completion and successful operation of the operational elements in connection with construction could delay or prevent the construction of the additional phases of the facilities as planned. There can be no assurance that current or future construction plans implemented by us will be successfully completed on time, within budget and without design defect, that the necessary personnel and equipment will be available in a timely manner or on reasonable terms to complete construction projects successfully, that we will be able to obtain all necessary governmental approvals, licenses, and permits, or that the completion of the construction, the start-up costs, and the ongoing operating costs will not be significantly higher than anticipated by us. Any of the foregoing factors could adversely impact our operations and financial condition.
We are subject to risks associated with leasing and occupying real property and the inability to extend, renew, or continue to lease real property in key locations could harm our business, profitability, and results of operations.
The lease for our facility in the Olympia, Washington, is set to expire in 2025, subject to a two-year renewal option (see “Properties” on page 71 of this Prospectus). Accordingly, we are subject to the risks associated with leasing, occupying, and making tenant improvements to real property, including, among others, changes in availability of, and contractual terms for, leasable manufacturing space, as well as potential liability for environmental conditions or various other claims. If demand increases, we may also need to expand into other facilities in order to increase our production capabilities. When our lease expires or when we need to expand into other facilities, we may be unable to negotiate leases or renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or at all, which could impact our ability to manufacture our products or deliver them to the market, which in turn could harm our business, profitability, and results of operations.
We may be vulnerable to rising energy costs.
Psilocybin and functional mushroom growing operations consume considerable energy, which makes us vulnerable to rising energy costs and/or the availability of stable energy sources. Accordingly, rising or volatile energy costs or the inability to access stable energy sources may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Environmental risks may adversely affect our business.
Cultivation and production activities may be subject to licensing requirements relating to environment regulation. Environmental legislation is evolving in such a manner that may result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability, and potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs. The application of environmental laws to our business may cause us to increase the costs of our cultivation, production, or scientific activities. Unanticipated licensing delays can result in significant delays and cost overruns in our business and could affect our financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that these delays will not occur.
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We rely on a third party co-packer for certain product components and other third-parties for the packaging material for our products, and there is no guarantee that the relationships with the co-packers or packaging companies will continue or that the co-packer or packaging companies will deliver goods on a timely basis.
We rely on a third party co-packer to provide microbeads utilized in our products, and other third party companies for the packaging materials for our products. While we have identified other potential suppliers who can supply similar microbeads, we do not currently own and do not plan to develop in-house manufacturing capabilities for these microbeads, and will be reliant on third-party suppliers for microbeads now and going forward. We also do not manufacture our packaging materials for our products and are reliant on third-party packaging companies for these materials. While other packaging companies exist which could provide these packaging materials for our products, locating and changing suppliers could result in product delivery delays to potential customers, which could materially harm our business and results of operations. This co-packer and these packaging companies are third parties over which we have little or no control, and with which we do not have any long-term agreements. The failure of the co-packer to continue to provide the microbeads or to deliver products on a timely basis, or the failure of the third party packaging companies to provide packaging materials, or the termination of our relationship with any of these parties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We are dependent on third parties to supply materials used in our products and packaging, and any interruption or failure by these suppliers or other disruptions to our supply chain may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our ability to make, move, and sell our products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to our supply chain, including third party manufacturing, assembly, or transportation capabilities, due to weather, including any potential effects of climate change, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), strikes, government action, or other reasons beyond our control or the control of our suppliers and business partners, could impair our ability to manufacture or sell our products. Further, we rely on third parties to supply materials used in our products and packaging. Any interruption or failure by our suppliers or other partners to meet their obligations on schedule or in accordance with our expectations, which, in each case, could be the result of one or many factors outside of our control, could delay or prevent the manufacture or commercialization of our products, disrupt our operations, or cause reputational harm to our company, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The global supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted our ability to obtain packaging materials for our products, and we were forced to delay the launch of our consumer packaged goods because of a delay in our initial orders for packaging samples from suppliers in China. Failure to take adequate steps to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events when they occur, could adversely affect our business or financial results.
The ongoing labor shortage, or an increase in its severity, may result in delays in receiving materials from our third party suppliers or an increase in the cost of sourcing materials and producing products.
We rely on third party suppliers for materials used in our products and packaging. Our third party suppliers may face difficulties in meeting their obligations on schedule or in accordance with our expectations if they are unable to find sufficient workers as a result of the ongoing labor shortage, caused in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, or an increase in the severity of such labor shortage, which could adversely affect our business or financial results. In addition, we rely in part on our ability to find, hire, and retain capable personnel who can successfully operate our facility in Olympia, Washington, and who can understand, explain, market, and sell our products. The ongoing labor shortage, or an increase in its severity, could result in increased costs related to finding, hiring, and retaining capable personnel, which could adversely affect our business or financial results.
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Our financial success will depend on our ability to successfully predict changes in consumer preferences and develop successful new products and marketing strategies in response.
Our ability to earn revenues is substantially dependent on the success of our products, which depends upon, among other matters, pronounced and rapidly changing public tastes, and other factors which are difficult to predict and over which we have little, if any, control. Consumer trends change based on many factors, including but not limited to, nutritional values, consumer preferences and general economic conditions. Additionally, there is a growing movement among some consumers to buy local food products in an attempt to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting food products from longer distances, and this could result in a decrease in the demand for our food products and ingredients. A shift in consumer demand away from our proposed products or our failure to expand our current market position will harm our business and results of operations.
We will be dependent on the popularity and consumer acceptance of our brand.
There is no assurance that we will be able to achieve brand awareness in any of our target regions. In addition, we must develop successful marketing, promotional, and sales programs in order to sell our products. If we are not able to develop successful marketing, promotional, and sales programs, then such failure will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We may face unfavorable publicity or consumer perception.
We may depend significantly on consumer perception regarding the safety and quality of our products. Consumer perception of products can be significantly influenced by adverse publicity in the form of published scientific research, media attention, social media, or other publicity, whether or not accurate, that associates consumption of our products or any other similar products with illness or other adverse effects, or questions the benefits of our or similar products or that claims that any such products are ineffective. A new product may initially be received favorably, resulting in high sales of that product, but that sales level may not be sustainable as consumer preferences change. Future scientific research or publicity could be unfavorable to our industry or any of our particular products and may not be consistent with earlier favorable research or publicity. Unfavorable research or publicity could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate sales.
We are highly dependent upon consumer perception of mushrooms and mushroom based products. The public may associate our fully legal functional mushroom and nutraceutical products with illegal psychedelic mushrooms, which are prohibited substances in the United States, except under research and related exceptions pursuant to DEA and state registrations in place. Our revenues may be negatively impacted due to the fact the market does not fully accept mushrooms as a food or nutritional product.
If the reputation of our brand erodes significantly, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
In certain circumstances, our reputation could be damaged as a result of the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity, whether true or not. Widespread adoption of social media and other web-based tools to generate, publish, and discuss user-generated content and to connect with other users has made it increasingly easy for individuals and groups to communicate and share opinions and views regarding us, our products and our activities, whether true or not. Although we believe that we operate in a manner that is respectful to all stakeholders and take care in protecting our image and reputation, we do not ultimately have direct control over how we are perceived by others. Reputation loss may result in decreased investor confidence, increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations, and impede our ability to advance our projects, thereby having a material adverse impact on financial performance, financial condition, cash flows, and growth prospects.
We may not be successful in developing a marketing and sales force for the commercialization of our products, or we may incur substantial expenses to do so.
In order to commercialize and market our products, we must either acquire or develop an internal marketing and sales force with technical expertise and with supporting distribution capabilities, or arrange for third parties to perform these services. The acquisition or development of a sales and distribution infrastructure would require substantial resources, which may divert the attention of our management and key personnel, and defer our product development and deployment efforts. To the extent that we enter into marketing and sales arrangements with other companies, our revenues will depend on the efforts of others. These efforts may not be successful. If we fail to develop substantial sales, marketing, and distribution channels, or to enter into arrangements with third parties for those purposes, we will experience delays in product sales and incur increased costs.
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We may be unable to adequately protect our brand and our other intellectual property rights.
Our ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our brand and product, and processes and methodologies used to create our products. We have adopted procedures to protect our intellectual property and maintain the secrecy of our confidential business information and trade secrets. However, there can be no assurance that such procedures will afford complete protection of such intellectual property, confidential business information, and trade secrets. There can be no assurance that our competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. We have trademark applications for our key names and phrases, and two pending patents for innovations related to our products. We have only filed provisional patent applications, which help protect inventions for a twelve-month period while a formal patent application is being filed. The patent process can take up to twenty-four months or longer to complete and can be challenged during the process. At this time, we cannot state whether the patent applications will be approved, refused, and/or ultimately registered. In addition, our trademark, patent, and other intellectual property rights and related registrations may be challenged in the future and could be cancelled 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 consumers’ perception of our brand and products. Our patent applications may not contain claims sufficiently broad to protect us against third parties with similar technologies or products or provide us with any competitive advantage. In addition, if we do not keep our trade secrets confidential, others may produce products with our recipes or formulations. Intellectual property disputes and proceedings may be protracted with no certainty of success, and an adverse outcome could subject us to liabilities, force us to cease use of certain trademarks or other intellectual property, or force us to enter into licenses with others. Any one of these occurrences may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, the value of our proprietary processes could be materially adversely affected and our business would be harmed.
We consider proprietary trade secrets, confidential know-how, and unpatented know-how to be important to our business. We may rely on trade secrets and confidential know-how to protect our technology, especially where patent protection is believed by us to be of limited value. However, trade secrets and confidential know-how are difficult to protect. We seek to protect our confidential proprietary information, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to them, including our employees. However, we cannot be certain that such agreements have been entered into with all relevant parties that may have or have had access to our trade secrets.
We may not be able to enforce our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
The laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. This could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights. The loss of the First Person brand or logo or other registered or common law trade names or a diminution in the perceived quality of products or services associated with our Company would harm our business. Our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights in such countries may be inadequate. In addition, changes in the law and legal decisions by courts in the United States and foreign countries may affect our ability to obtain adequate protection for our technology and the enforcement of intellectual property.
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Third parties may assert that we, our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information or misappropriated trade secrets.
Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants, and independent contractors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants, or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of a former employer or other third parties. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.
Our internal computer systems may fail or suffer security breaches, which could result in a significant disruption of our product development programs and our ability to operate our business effectively.
Our internal computer systems may fail or suffer damage due to computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war, or telecommunication and electrical failures. Cyber-attacks are increasing in their frequency, sophistication, and intensity, and have become increasingly difficult to detect. Cyber-attacks could include the deployment of harmful malware, ransomware, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering, and other means to affect service reliability and threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Cyber-attacks also could include phishing attempts or e-mail fraud to cause payments or information to be transmitted to an unintended recipient.
While we have not experienced any significant system failure, accident, or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a disruption of our development programs and our business operations, whether due to a loss of our trade secrets or other proprietary information or other similar disruptions. Additionally, any such event that leads to unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of personal information, including personal information regarding our employees, could harm our reputation, cause us not to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents, and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of personal information. Security breaches and other inappropriate access can be difficult to detect, and any delay in identifying them may lead to increased harm of the type described above.
Our ability to produce and sell our products is dependent on compliance with regulatory and other requirements.
The processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising, and distribution of our planned products is subject to regulation by one or more governmental authorities, and various agencies of the federal, state, and localities in which our products are sold. These governmental authorities may attempt to regulate any of our products that fall within their jurisdiction. Our functional mushrooms that we supply to other businesses will be subject to regulation by the USDA and the FDA. Our nutraceutical products will be subject to regulation by the USDA, the FDA, and the FTC. Our production and research of psilocybin will require approval from the WDOH and the DEA. We are also required to comply with the regulations and policies promulgated by the EPA and corresponding state agencies.
Such governmental authorities may determine that a particular product or product ingredient presents an unacceptable health risk and may determine that a particular statement of nutritional support that we want to use is an unacceptable claim. Such a determination would prevent us from marketing particular products or using certain statements of nutritional support on our products. We also may be unable to disseminate third-party literature that supports our products if the third-party literature fails to satisfy certain requirements.
In addition, governmental authorities could require us to remove a particular product from the market. Any recall or removal would result in additional costs to us, including lost revenues from any products that we are required to remove from the market, any of which could be material. Any such product recalls or removals could lead to liability, substantial costs, and reduced growth prospects, all of which could be material.
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If we are not able to comply with all environmental, health, and safety regulations applicable to our operations and industry, we may be held liable for any breaches of those regulations.
Our operations are subject to a variety of environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, soil and groundwater contamination, and employee health and safety. We are also subject to laws and regulations governing the handling and disposal of noncompliant products and waste, the handling of regulated material that is included in our products and the disposal of products at the end of their useful life. These laws and regulations have increasingly become more stringent, and we may incur additional expenses to ensure compliance with existing or new requirements in the future. Any failure by us to comply with environmental, health, and safety requirements could result in the limitation or suspension of our operations. We also could incur monetary fines, civil or criminal sanctions, third-party claims or cleanup, or other costs as a result of violations of or liabilities under such requirements. In addition, compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements could restrict our ability to expand our facilities or require us to acquire costly pollution control equipment or incur other significant expenses.
Our reputation could suffer from real or perceived issues involving the labeling or marketing of our products.
Products that we sell carry claims as to their origin, ingredients or health benefits, including, by way of example, the use of the term “natural”, “functional”, or “healthy”, or similar synonyms or implied statements relating to such benefits. Although each of the FDA and the USDA has issued statements regarding the appropriate use of the word “natural,” there is no single, United States government regulated definition of the term “natural” for use in the food industry, which is true for many other adjectives common in the better-for-you and functionally-focused food industry. The resulting uncertainty has led to consumer confusion, distrust, and legal challenges. Plaintiffs have commenced legal actions against several food companies that market “natural” products, asserting false, misleading and deceptive advertising and labeling claims, including claims related to genetically modified ingredients. In limited circumstances, the FDA has taken regulatory action against products labeled “natural” but that nonetheless contain synthetic ingredients or components. Should we become subject to similar claims, consumers may avoid purchasing products from us or seek alternatives, even if the basis for the claim is unfounded. Adverse publicity about these matters may discourage consumers from buying our products. The cost of defending against any such claims could be significant. Any loss of confidence on the part of consumers in the truthfulness of our labeling or ingredient claims would be difficult and costly to overcome and may significantly reduce our brand value. Any of these events could adversely affect our reputation and brand and decrease our sales, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The laws, regulations, and guidelines generally applicable to psilocybin in the United States may change in ways that impact our ability to continue our business as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted.
From time to time, U.S. federal, state, or local legislative and governmental authorities may impose additional or more stringent laws or regulations that could apply to us, our business, and products, repeal laws or regulations that we consider favorable to us, or impose more stringent interpretations of current laws or regulations. We are not able to predict the nature of such future laws, regulations, repeals, or interpretations or to predict the effect that additional governmental regulation, when and if it occurs, would have on our business in the future. Those developments could prohibit the sale and marketing of ingredients and products or require reformulation of products to meet new standards, recalls or discontinuance of products (including products that we sell). Further, we may be subject to requirements for reformulation, labeling, additional record-keeping requirements, increased documentation of the properties of certain products, additional or different labeling, additional scientific substantiation, quality control requirements, adverse event reporting, or other requirements. Any developments of this nature could increase our costs significantly and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Psilocybin is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA. If psilocybin and/or psilocin, other than the FDA-approved formulation, is rescheduled under the CSA as a Schedule II or lower controlled substance (i.e., Schedule III, IV, or V), the ability to conduct research on psilocybin and psilocin would most likely be improved. However, rescheduling psilocybin and psilocin may materially alter enforcement policies across many federal agencies, primarily the FDA and DEA. The FDA is responsible for ensuring public health and safety through regulation of food, drugs, supplements, and cosmetics, among other products, through its enforcement authority pursuant to the FDCA. The FDA’s responsibilities include regulating the ingredients as well as the marketing and labeling of drugs sold in interstate commerce. Because it is currently illegal under federal law to produce and sell psilocybin and psilocin, and because there are no federally recognized medical uses, the FDA has historically deferred enforcement related to psilocybin and psilocin to the DEA. If psilocybin and psilocin were to be rescheduled to a federally controlled, yet legal, substance, the FDA would likely play a more active regulatory role. The DEA would continue to be active in regulating manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing of such substances. There is no guarantee that our future psilocybin products would be able to meet any new FDA regulations or interpretations of the law, which could inhibit our business prospects even in the case that the federal government were to legalize psilocybin. The potential for multi-agency enforcement post-rescheduling could threaten or have a materially adverse effect on our business.
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The failure to comply with any of the above applicable regulations, regulatory authorities, or other requirements may result in civil or criminal penalties, recall or seizure of products, injunctive relief including partial or total suspension of production, or withdrawal of a product from the market.
We may encounter difficulties in accessing banking and other financial services due to our involvement in the psilocybin industry.
Due to the present state of the laws and regulations governing financial institutions in the United States, banks often refuse to provide banking services to businesses involved in the psilocybin industry. Consequently, businesses involved in the psilocybin industry often have difficulty accessing the U.S. banking system and traditional financing sources. While we currently have a bank account with a U.S. bank, the inability to open bank accounts with certain institutions may make it difficult to operate our business and could make our cash holdings more vulnerable. In addition to the foregoing, banks may refuse to process debit card payments and credit card companies may refuse to process credit card payments due to our involvement in the psilocybin industry. If we are unable or limited in our ability to open or maintain bank accounts, obtain other banking services, or accept credit card and debit card payments, it may be difficult for us to operate and conduct our business as planned.
A health or safety issue resulting in litigation against us could harm our business.
Health and safety issues related to our products may arise that could lead to litigation or other action against us or to regulation of certain of our product components. We may be required to modify our recipes or packaging and may not be able to do so. In extreme circumstances, we could be required to pay damages that may reduce our profitability and adversely affect our financial condition. Even if these concerns prove to be baseless, the resulting negative publicity could affect our ability to market certain of our products and, in turn, could harm our business and results from operations.
Contamination of our products intended for human consumption could result in a product recall or harm our reputation.
The sale of products for human consumption involves inherent risks. We could decide to, or be required to, recall products due to suspected or confirmed contamination or product tampering. A product recall could lead to litigation and adversely affect product sales financial condition and results of operation as well as our general reputation in the industry.
Our products may be subject to product recalls, withdrawals, or seizures.
Manufacturers, producers, and distributors of products are sometimes subject to the recall or return of their products for a variety of reasons, including product defects, such as contamination, unintended harmful side effects or interactions with other substances, packaging safety, and inadequate or inaccurate labelling disclosure. If any of our products are recalled due to an alleged product defect or for any other reason, we could be required to incur the unexpected expense of the recall and any legal proceedings that might arise in connection with the recall. We may lose a significant amount of sales and may not be able to replace those sales at an acceptable margin or at all. In addition, a product recall may require significant management attention.
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Although we have detailed procedures in place for testing our products, there can be no assurance that any quality, potency or contamination problems will be detected in time to avoid unforeseen product recalls, regulatory action or lawsuits. Additionally, if we are subject to recall, our public image could be harmed. A recall for any of the foregoing reasons could lead to decreased demand for our products and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, product recalls may lead to increased scrutiny of our operations by regulatory agencies, requiring further management attention, potential loss of applicable licenses, and potential legal fees and other expenses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Because psilocybin is a controlled substance, our products, equipment, and revenues, could be subject to civil or criminal asset forfeiture if we fail to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to psilocybin.
Any property owned by participants in the psilocybin industry used in the course of conducting such business, or that is the proceeds of such business, could be subject to seizure by law enforcement and subsequent civil asset forfeiture because of the illegality of the psilocybin industry under federal law. Even if the owner of the property is never charged with a crime, the property in question could still be seized and subject to an administrative proceeding by which, with minimal due process, it could be subject to forfeiture.
We face inherent and significant risks related to product liability and similar claims.
We may be subject to various product liability claims, including, among others, that our products caused injury or illness, include inadequate instructions for use or include inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances. A product liability claim or regulatory action against us could result in increased costs, could adversely affect our reputation with our clients and consumers generally, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Such insurance is expensive and may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage on reasonable terms or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our potential products.
We may be required to pay for losses or injuries purportedly or actually caused by its products. As we do not yet have any commercial products, we have not been subject to any product liability claims; however we may be subject to such claims in the future, and that liability may exceed the funds available to us.
We are highly dependent on our management team, and the loss of any key member of this team may prevent us from implementing our business plan in a timely manner, or at all.
Our success is largely dependent on the performance of our directors and officers. There is no assurance we can maintain the services of our directors, officers, or other qualified personnel required to operate our business. In addition, our ability to retain key personnel may be challenged as a result of potential COVID-19 outbreaks or quarantines. The loss of one more of these persons could seriously harm our business and may prevent us from implementing our business plan in a timely manner, or at all.
Conflicts of interest may arise between us and our directors and officers as a result of other business activities undertaken by such individuals.
Certain of our directors and officers may become associated with other companies in the same or related industries, which may give rise to conflicts of interest. Directors who have a material interest in any person who is a party to a material contract or a proposed material contract with us or our related parties are required, subject to certain exceptions, to disclose that interest and generally abstain from voting on any resolution to approve the contract. In addition, our directors and officers are required to act honestly and in good faith with a view toward our best interests.
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We must attract and maintain key personnel or our business could suffer material harm.
The loss of certain non-executive employees could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, an inability to hire, or the increased costs of new personnel, including members of executive management, could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. The expansion of marketing and sales of our products will require us to find, hire, and retain additional capable personnel who can understand, explain, market and sell our products. There is intense competition for capable personnel in all of these areas and we may not be successful in attracting, training, integrating, motivating, or retaining new personnel, vendors, or subcontractors for these required functions. New employees often require significant training and, in many cases, take significant time before they achieve full productivity. As a result, we may incur significant costs to attract and retain contractors, including significant expenditures related to salaries and benefits and compensation expenses related to equity awards, and may lose new employees to our competitors or other companies before we realize the benefit of the resources we expend in recruiting and training them.
We may be unable to manage our growth effectively, which could make it difficult to execute our business strategy.
In order to manage growth and change in strategy effectively, we must: (i) maintain adequate systems to meet future customer demands; (ii) expand sales and marketing, distribution capabilities, and administrative functions; (iii) expand the skills and capabilities of our current management team; and (iv) attract and retain qualified employees. While we intend to focus on managing costs and expenses over the long term, we expect to expend substantial resources to support our growth and may have additional unexpected costs. We may not be able to expand quickly enough to exploit potential market opportunities. 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 results of operations.
Adverse U.S. or international economic conditions, including periods of inflation, could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Consumer spending on nutraceutical products is influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. Adverse U.S. or international economic conditions or periods of inflation or high energy prices may contribute to higher unemployment levels, decreased consumer spending, reduced credit availability, and declining consumer confidence and demand, each of which poses a risk to our business. A decrease in consumer spending or in retailer and consumer confidence and demand for our products could have a significant negative impact on our net sales and profitability, including our operating margins. These economic conditions could cause potential customers or suppliers to experience cash flow or credit problems and impair their financial condition, which could disrupt our business and adversely affect product orders, payment patterns, and default rates and increase our bad debt expense.
The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The outbreak of COVID-19, and the subsequent emergence of variant strains of the virus, has resulted in governments worldwide enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. These measures, which include the implementation of travel bans, self-imposed quarantine periods, and social distancing, have caused material disruption to businesses globally resulting in an economic slowdown. Global equity markets have experienced significant volatility and weakness. Governments and central banks have reacted with significant monetary and fiscal interventions designed to stabilize economic conditions. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown at this time, as is the efficacy of the government and central bank interventions. It is not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments and the impact on our financial results and condition in future periods. However, depending on the length and severity of the pandemic, COVID-19 could: interrupt our operations; increase operating expenses; cause delayed performance of contractual obligations; cause packaging restrictions on shipping; impair our ability to raise funds, depending on the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on capital markets; adversely affect our supply partners, contractors, customers, and/or transportation carries; and cause changes in our regulatory framework, which may increase competition for the mushrooms and packaging we use or affect our ability to deliver its products to customers—each which could materially affect our business and financial condition.
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The continued spread of COVID-19 and the measures taken by the governments of countries affected could disrupt our plan of distribution and use of available funds and the timelines, business objectives, or disclosed milestones related thereto, and thus, adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will not lose members of our workforce or consultants or see our workforce person-hours reduced, or incur increased medical costs as a result of these health risks. It is difficult to predict the impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business in the future, or the price of and demand for our products. It is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the market for our Common Shares and/or our ability to obtain financing.
Current uncertainty in global economic conditions, including, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and inflation, could adversely affect our revenue and business.
Global inflation increased during 2022, and inflationary pressures have been exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other geopolitical tensions, as well as the related international response. The pressures include increases in the price for goods and services and increased global supply chain disruptions, which have resulted in, and may continue to result in, shortages in materials and services and related uncertainties. Such shortages have resulted in, and may continue to result in, cost increases for labor, fuel, materials, and services, and could continue to cause costs to increase, and also result in the scarcity of certain materials. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation or other negative economic factors or associated increases in our operating costs and how that may impact our business. To the extent we are unable to recover higher operating costs resulting from inflation or otherwise mitigate the impact of such costs on our business, our revenues and gross profit could decrease, and our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Interest rate increases may raise our cost of goods sold and negatively impact our ability to obtain debt financing, which in turn may negatively impact our ability to acquire new machinery and equipment. To date, increased borrowing costs have not impacted our ability to make timely payments on existing debt obligations, but interest rate increases may ultimately have such impact. Supply chain disruptions could represent a challenge for us, which may have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
Additional issuances of Common Shares or issuances of securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares may result in further dilution.
In order to finance future operations, we may raise additional funds through the issuance of Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares or the effect, if any, that future issuances will have on the market price of the Common Shares. Any transaction involving the issue of previously unissued Common Shares, or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Shares, would result in dilution, which may be substantial, to existing holders of Common Shares.
The market price for our Common Shares may be volatile, which may affect the price at which you could sell our Common Shares.
Securities of small-cap companies have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the companies’ financial performance or prospects. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. Factors unrelated to our performance that may affect the price of our Common Shares include, but are not limited to:
● | the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning our business may be limited if investment banks with research capabilities do not cover our Common Shares; | |
● | lessening in trading volume and general market interest in our Common Shares may affect an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of our Common Shares; the size of our public float may limit the ability of some institutions to invest in our Common Shares; and | |
● | a substantial decline in the price of our Common Shares that persists for a significant period of time could cause our Common Shares to be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, further reducing market liquidity. |
The market price of our Common Shares at any given time may not accurately reflect our long-term value due to the impacts of events involving one or more of these risks. In addition, securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources. The market price of our Common Shares is affected by many other variables that are not directly related to our success and are, therefore, not within our control. These include other developments that affect the breadth of the public market for our Common Shares and the attractiveness of alternative investments. The effect of these and other factors on the market price of our Common Shares is expected to make our Common Share price volatile in the future, which may result in losses to investors.
The offering price of the Primary Offering and the resale offering could differ.
The offering price of our Common Shares in the Primary Offering has been determined by negotiations between us and the underwriters. The selling shareholders may sell the selling shareholder shares at prevailing market prices or privately negotiated prices after close of the Primary Offering and listing of the Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Therefore, the offering prices of the Primary Offering and resale offering could differ. As a result, purchasers in the resale offering could pay more or less than the offering price in the primary offering.
Sales of substantial amounts of our Common Shares by our existing shareholders in the public market place may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Shares.
Sales of a large number of our Common Shares in the public markets, or the potential for such sales, could decrease the trading price of our Common Shares and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of our Common Shares. Upon completion of this offering, we will have 7,738,716 Common Shares outstanding, based on 6,738,716 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares immediately prior to the closing of the Primary Offering (The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (ii) 0.6, divided by (iii) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares). Of these, all the Common Shares sold in this offering by us, plus any Common Shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Common Shares, and the selling shareholder shares that are being registered in the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, will be freely tradable without restriction in the public market immediately following this offering. Based on the number of Common Shares outstanding as of the date of the Prospectus, an additional 3,871,400 Common Shares will be eligible for sale in the public market after the expiration of the lock-up agreements pertaining to this offering or the restrictions on the resale of certain restricted securities held by our existing shareholders, as the case may be. If our existing shareholders sell substantial amounts of our Common Shares in the public market, or if the public perceives that such sales could occur, this could have an adverse impact on the market price of our Common Shares, even if there is no relationship between such sales and the performance of our business.
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The resale of Common Shares by the selling shareholders may cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline.
An aggregate of 2,301,564 Common Shares are being registered for resale by the selling shareholders in the resale offering pursuant to this Prospectus. The resale of Common Shares by the selling shareholders in the resale offering could result in resales of Common Shares by our current shareholders concerned about the potential dilution of their holdings. In addition, the resale of a large number of Common Shares by the selling shareholders could have the effect of depressing the market price for our Common Shares.
We do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Shares and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our Common Shares.
We intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Shares in the foreseeable future, if ever. The payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business opportunities and conditions, and other factors.
If persons engage in short sales of our Common Shares, including sales of Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding securities, the price of our Common Shares may decline.
Selling short is a technique used by a shareholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. In addition, holders of options, warrants, and other convertible securities will sometimes sell short knowing they can, in effect, cover through the exercise or conversion of options, warrants, and other convertible securities, thus locking in a profit. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of Common Shares issued upon exercise or conversion of options, warrants, and other convertible securities could cause even greater declines in the price of our Common Shares due to the number of additional shares available in the market upon such exercise/conversion, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our Common Shares. You could, therefore, experience a decline in the value of your investment as a result of short sales of our Common Shares.
A “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand for our Common Shares could lead to extreme price volatility in our Common Shares.
Investors may purchase our Common Shares to hedge existing exposure or to speculate on the price of our Common Shares. Speculation of the price of our Common Shares may lead to long and short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of our Common Shares available for purchase on the open market, investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase Common Shares for delivery to lenders of our Common Shares. Those repurchases may in turn, dramatically increase the price of our Common Shares until additional Common Shares are available for trading or borrowing. This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.” In the future, a proportion of our Common Shares may be traded by short sellers which may increase the likelihood that our Common Shares will be the target of a short squeeze. A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in shares of our Common Shares that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance and, once investors purchase the Common Shares necessary to cover their short positions, the price of our Common Shares may rapidly decline. Investors that purchase Common Shares during a short squeeze may lose a significant portion of their investment.
Our Common Shares, once listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, may be subject to potential delisting if we do not continue to comply with the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market.
We have applied to list our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “FP”. An approval of our listing application by The Nasdaq Capital Market will be subject to, among other things, our fulfilling of all of the initial listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market. There is no guarantee that our Common Shares will be approved for listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market or any other securities exchange. In addition, The Nasdaq Capital Market maintains rules and standards for continued listing, including, without limitation, minimum market capitalization requirements. Failure to maintain our listing (i.e., being de-listed from Nasdaq Capital Market), would make it more difficult for shareholders to sell our Common Shares and more difficult to obtain accurate price quotations for our Common Shares. Any potential or actual de-listing may have significant adverse effects on the price of our Common Shares, our ability to issue additional securities for financing or other purposes, or otherwise to arrange for any financing.
There is a limited trading market for our Common Shares and shareholders may find it difficult to sell our Common Shares.
Currently, our Common Shares are not listed on any exchange or quoted on any of the over the counter markets. As a result, investors may find it difficult to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of, our Common Shares prior to successful listing with The Nasdaq Capital Market. Even if our Common Shares are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, our Common Shares being offered pursuant to this Prospectus may be subject to the “penny stock” rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. The SEC regulations generally define a penny stock to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. If we do not obtain or retain a listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market and if the price of our Common Shares is less than $5.00, our Common Shares will be deemed a penny stock. Unless an exception is available, those regulations require the delivery, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated therewith and impose various sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stocks to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally institutions and high net worth individuals). In addition, the broker-dealer must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. Moreover, broker-dealers who recommend such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to transactions prior to sale. Regulations on penny stocks could limit the ability of broker-dealers to sell our Common Shares and thus the ability of purchasers of our Common Shares to sell their securities in the secondary market.
We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us and our Common Shares will lead to the development or continuance of an active trading market or how liquid that trading market for our Common Shares might become. If an active trading market for our Common Shares does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for investors to sell our Common Shares, particularly large quantities thereof, at a price that is attractive or at all. As a result, an investment in our Common Shares may be illiquid and investors may not be able to liquidate their investment readily or at all when they desire to sell.
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There is limited liquidity in our Common Shares, which may adversely affect your ability to sell your Common Shares.
The market price of our Common Shares may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to:
● | developments concerning intellectual property rights and regulatory approvals relating to us; | |
● | quarterly variations in our business and financial results or the business and financial results of our competitors; | |
● | our ability or inability to generate increases in revenue and profit; | |
● | our ability or inability to raise capital, and the terms and conditions associated with any such raising of capital; |
● | developments in our industry and target markets; | |
● | the number of market makers who are willing to continue to make a market in our stock and the market or exchange on which they decide to make a market in our stock; | |
● | our ability to have our Common Shares listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market; and | |
● | general market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our own operating performance. |
In recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Continued market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the price of our Common Shares, which could cause a decline in the value of our Common Shares. Price volatility may be accentuated if trading volume of our Common Shares is low. Any or all of these above factors could adversely affect your ability to sell your Common Shares or to sell at a price that you determine to be fair or favorable.
We are a “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies and emerging growth companies will make our Common Shares less attractive to investors.
We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including “emerging growth companies” such as, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Our status as a “smaller reporting company” is determined on an annual basis. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Shares less attractive or our Company less comparable to certain other public companies because we will rely on these exemptions. For example, if we do not adopt a new or revised accounting standard, our future financial results may not be as comparable to the financial results of certain other companies in our industry that adopted such standards. If some investors find our Common Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Shares and our stock price may be more volatile.
In connection with this offering, we are concurrently filing a prospectus in Alberta, Canada, in order to become a reporting issuer under applicable securities laws in Alberta, Canada. As a result, we will, thereafter, be required to follow Canadian laws and regulations that are applicable to public Canadian companies, including proxy rules.
If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our results of operations, meet our reporting obligations or prevent fraud.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a newly public company is not required to comply with either the management or the auditor reporting requirements related to internal control over financial reporting until its second annual report, if applicable.
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Further, we intend to qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:
● | an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies; and | |
● | an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. |
We may take advantage of these provisions until the end of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of the filing of this registration statement, or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company and, if we do, the information that we provide shareholders may be different than you might receive from other public companies in which you hold equity. We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenue is $1.235 billion or more; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year during which the fifth anniversary of this listing occurs; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
In addition, if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as an accelerated filer, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading price of our stock.
Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our financial statements from prior periods.
In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, we identified the following material weaknesses in our internal controls:
● | Due to limited accounting and financial reporting resources, we lack formal processes to identify, update, and assess risks to our financial reporting. | |
● | Due to limited accounting and financial reporting resources, certain authorization, approval, and review controls over our financial statements and accounting records have not been implemented or have not been applied consistently. This includes controls over the identification, approval, and disclosure of related party transactions. In certain cases, formal documentation does not exist regarding the design of controls or evidence of implementation of controls, or evidence of occurrence. In addition, our processes lack segregation of duties in certain audit areas. |
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In order to mitigate these material weaknesses, we have expanded our Board of Directors to include three independent directors (see “Management” beginning on page 72 of this Prospectus) and have established an independent Audit Committee (see “Corporate Governance” beginning on page 75 of this Prospectus).
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited because we are incorporated under Canadian law and certain of our executive officers and directors reside outside the United States.
We are incorporated under the laws of Alberta, Canada, and our principal executive office is located in Canada. In addition, certain of the directors and officers of the Company are residents of Canada or other jurisdictions outside of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of those directors and officers are or may be located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or not possible for investors in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon us, our officers, or our directors, or to enforce against us, our officers, or our directors judgments of U.S. courts based upon civil liability under the U.S. federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state within the United States. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us, our officers, or our directors in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts of liabilities based solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws or the securities laws of any state within the United States.
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Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could delay, discourage, or prevent a takeover attempt even if a takeover attempt might be beneficial to our shareholders, and such provisions may adversely affect the market price of our Common Shares.
Provisions contained in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also impose various procedural and other requirements, which could make it more difficult for shareholders to effect certain corporate actions. For example, our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of unissued series of preferred shares without any vote or action by our shareholders. Thus, our Board of Directors can authorize and issue preferred shares with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting or other rights of holders of our Common Shares. These rights may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control of our company. Additionally, for example, our amended and restated bylaws include advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors and for proposing matters that can be acted upon at shareholder meetings.
In addition, our company is subject to the laws of Alberta, Canada, which laws contain certain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, including that (i) our Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, or to alter or repeal, our amended and restated bylaws, subject to a shareholder ratification requirement by ordinary resolution at the next meeting of shareholders, and (ii) the ability to remove our directors and the ability of our shareholders to call special meetings of shareholders are subject to certain limitations.
See “Description of Share Capital—Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, Our Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Alberta Law” beginning on page 92 of this Prospectus. These provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Common Shares.
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that any derivative actions, actions relating to breach of fiduciary duties, and other matters relating to our internal affairs will be required to be litigated in Alberta, Canada, which could limit investors’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of King’s Bench of the Province of Alberta, Canada, and appellate Courts therefrom (or, failing such Court, any other court having jurisdiction, and the appellate Courts therefrom), will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, or other employees to us, (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the “ABCA”) or our amended and restated articles of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws, or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim otherwise related to our “affairs” (as defined in the ABCA). Our forum selection bylaw also provides that our securityholders are deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta and to service of process on their counsel in any foreign action initiated in violation of our bylaw relating to the foregoing matters. Therefore, it may not be possible for securityholders to litigate any action relating to the foregoing matters outside of the Province of Alberta. This may result in increased costs to investors to bring a claim against us, and may discourage claims or limit investors’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable. However, our amended and restated bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, and that the exclusive forum provision shall not apply to actions brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act.
Our forum selection bylaw seeks to reduce litigation costs and increase outcome predictability by requiring derivative actions and other matters relating to our affairs to be litigated in a designated forum. While forum selection clauses in corporate charters and bylaws are becoming more commonplace for public companies in the United States and have been upheld by courts in certain states, they are untested in Canada. It is possible that the validity of our forum selection bylaw could be challenged and that a court could rule that such bylaw is inapplicable or unenforceable.
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If a court were to find our forum selection bylaw inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions and we may not obtain the benefits of limiting jurisdiction to the courts selected.
General economic conditions may negatively impact our operations.
Economic downturns may negatively affect our operations. These conditions may be widespread or isolated to one or more geographic regions in which we operate. Higher wages, related labor costs, printing costs, leasing costs, energy, insurance, and fuel costs, and the increasing cost trends in those markets may decrease our margins. In addition, decreases in discretionary spending during economic downturns could impact our businesses, and thereby negatively impact our operations.
We could be subject to taxation in both Canada and the United States, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are a Canadian corporation, and as a result generally would be classified as a non-U.S. corporation under the general rules of U.S. federal income taxation. Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), however, contains rules that can cause a non-U.S. corporation to be taxed as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under Section 7874 of the Code, a corporation created or organized outside of the United States will nevertheless be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which is referred to as an inversion, if certain conditions are met.
If, pursuant to Section 7874 of the Code, we are classified as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our worldwide income. Regardless of any application of Section 7874 of the Code, however, we expect to be treated as a Canadian resident company for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended. If, as a result of the application of Section 7874 of the Code, we are subject to taxation both in Canada and the United States, then such treatment could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If we are a passive foreign investment company following this offering, there could be adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders.
Based on the Company’s current and projected income, assets, activities and market capitalization, we do not expect that the Company will be classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022, and we do not expect to become one in the future. However, if we are a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022, or any subsequent taxable years, we intend to annually furnish U.S. holders, upon request, a “PFIC Annual Information Statement,” with the information required to allow U.S. holders to make a “qualified electing fund” election, or “QEF Election” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No assurances regarding our PFIC status can be provided for any past, current, or future taxable years. The determination of whether we are a PFIC is a fact-intensive determination made on an annual basis and the applicable law is subject to varying interpretation. In particular, the characterization of our assets as active or passive may depend in part on our current and intended future business plans, which are subject to change. In addition, for our current and future taxable years, the total value of our assets for PFIC testing purposes may be determined in part by reference to the market price of our securities from time to time, which may fluctuate considerably. Under the income test, our status as a PFIC depends on the composition of our income which will depend on the transactions we enter into in the future and our corporate structure. The composition of our income and assets is also affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in any offering, including this offering.
If we are a PFIC, U.S. holders of our securities will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, such as ineligibility for any preferential tax rates for individuals on capital gains or on actual or deemed dividends, interest charges on certain taxes treated as deferred, and additional reporting requirements under U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations. For further discussion of the PFIC rules and the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences in the event we are classified as a PFIC, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” beginning on page 110 of this Prospectus.
If we or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are classified as a controlled foreign corporation, there could be materially adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to certain U.S. Holders of our securities.
Each “Ten Percent Shareholder” (as defined below) in a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally is required to include in income for U.S. federal tax purposes such Ten Percent Shareholder’s pro rata share of the CFC’s “Subpart F income,” global intangible low taxed income, and investment of earnings in U.S. property, even if the CFC has made no distributions to its shareholders. Subpart F income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the sale of securities and income from certain transactions with related parties. In addition, a Ten Percent Shareholder that realizes gain from the sale or exchange of shares in a CFC may be required to classify a portion of such gain as dividend income rather than capital gain. An individual that is a Ten Percent Shareholder with respect to a CFC generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a Ten Percent Shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations may subject a Ten Percent Shareholder to significant monetary penalties and may prevent the statute of limitations with respect to such Ten Percent Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the year for which reporting was due from starting.
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A non-U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if Ten Percent Shareholders own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of either the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to vote or of the total value of the stock of such corporation. A “Ten Percent Shareholder” is a U.S. person (as defined by the Code) who owns or is considered to own 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10 percent or more of the total value of all classes of stock of such corporation.
We believe that we were not a CFC in the 2022 taxable year, and we do not expect to become a CFC in the 2023 taxable year or in a subsequent taxable year. However, the determination of CFC status is complex and includes attribution rules, the application of which is not entirely certain. In addition, recent changes to the attribution rules relating to the determination of CFC status may make it difficult to determine our CFC status for any taxable year. In addition, those changes to the attribution rules may result in ownership of the stock of our non-U.S. subsidiary being attributed to our U.S. subsidiary, which could result in our non-U.S. subsidiary being treated as a CFC and certain U.S. holders of our securities being treated as Ten Percent Shareholders of such non-U.S. subsidiary CFC. In addition, it is possible that, following this offering, a shareholder treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes will acquire, directly or indirectly, enough of our securities to be treated as a Ten Percent Shareholder. We cannot provide any assurances that we will assist holders of our securities in determining whether we or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are treated as a CFC or whether any holder of our securities is treated as a Ten Percent Shareholder with respect to any such CFC or furnish to any Ten Percent Shareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned reporting and tax paying obligations.
U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the potential adverse U.S. tax consequences of becoming a Ten Percent Shareholder in a CFC, including the possibility and consequences of becoming a Ten Percent Shareholder in our non-U.S. subsidiary that may be treated as a CFC due to the changes to the attribution rules. If we are classified as both a CFC and a PFIC, we generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to those U.S. holders that meet the definition of a Ten Percent Shareholder during the period in which we are a CFC.
Risks Related to this Offering
The requirements of being a reporting public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention, and affect our ability to attract and retain additional executive management and qualified board members.
As a reporting public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Dodd-Frank Act, laws, regulations, and requirements relating to becoming a reporting issuer in Alberta, Canada, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, making some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly. This will put increased demand on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer a “smaller reporting company.” The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business and results of operations. As a “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company,” as stated above, we receive certain reporting exemptions under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Changing laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure create uncertainty for public companies, which increases legal and financial compliance costs and time expenditures for internal personnel. These laws, regulations, and standards are subject to interpretation, which in many cases due to their lack of specificity, their application in practice may evolve over time as regulators and governing bodies provide new guidance. These changes may result in continued uncertainty regarding compliance matters and may necessitate higher costs due to ongoing revisions to filings, disclosures, and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations, and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations, and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate regulatory or legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.
As a public company under these rules and regulations, we expect that it may make it more expensive for us to hire external auditors to perform requisite outside audited financial statements, as well as obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors, particularly to serve on our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, and could also make it more difficult to attract qualified executive officers.
As a result of disclosure of information in this Prospectus and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
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We might have contingent liability arising out of a possible violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act in connection with certain statements and disclosures made in nine podcasts which were temporarily linked to the Company website.
Information about the Company and statements made by Chris L. Claussen, one of our directors and our Chief Innovation Officer, Joseph Claussen, our Director of Business Development (collectively, the “Claussens”), and Dom D’Agostino, our scientific advisor, during nine podcast interviews (the “Podcasts”), were uploaded to YouTube and links were temporarily posted to our new Company website. The Podcasts were created between March 29, 2022 and September 22, 2022. The statements made by the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino in the Podcasts were predominately focused on their personal experiences and how they were inspired to become involved in the Company’s business. The Company was not involved in any way in the preparation of the statements made by the Claussens or Dom D’Agostino, and all links to the Podcasts have since been deleted from the Company website.
The Podcasts were conducted by “The Story of a Brand”; “That Gives Me Anxiety”; “Nutrition Alternative Medicine”; “Mycopreneur”; “Koncrete”; “Justin Caviar”; “Humble and Hungry”; “Elevate Your Brand”; and “Bliss Project”; none of which are affiliated with the Company or any other offering participant. No payment was made nor was any consideration given to the hosts or anyone else involved in the production of the Podcasts by or on behalf of the Company or any other offering participant in connection with the interviews.
You should not consider the statements in the Podcasts, as set forth below, in making your investment decision. You should make an investment decision only after carefully evaluating all of the information contained in this Prospectus. The statements made by the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino in the Podcasts do not reflect the Company’s views and are not endorsed or adopted by the Company or any other offering participant. The Company specifically disclaims the statements made by the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino in the Podcasts. Further, the Company wishes to disavow specific statements recorded on the Podcasts that it deems inaccurate and in contradiction with the information provided by the Company elsewhere in this Prospectus. Such specific statements are addressed below.
Medicinal Statements
In the Podcasts, the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made statements referring to mushrooms as medicine or “nature’s medicine.” When discussing their family’s personal experiences with psilocybin, the Claussens stated that “there’s no toxicity,” and Chris Claussen stated that “Mushrooms are the safest drug that exists.” Additionally, the Claussens stated that mushrooms and psilocybin are not addictive and that they had the ability to create some “new neural networks,” that their brains are functioning at the highest levels that they ever have, and that Alzheimer’s or dementia are “preventable by taking care of your brain....” In addition, the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made various statements that could be construed as advocating for the use of functional and psychedelic mushrooms as treatment for various diseases or disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, ADHD, PTSD, ALS, CTE, concussions, depression, anxiety, phantom limb pain, cancer, seizures, and addiction. Additionally, the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made various statements that could be construed as implying that functional and psychedelic mushrooms are possible alternatives to various prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including stimulants (such as Adderall or Concerta), SSRI’s (such as Lexapro), antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants (such as Baclofen), and depressants (such as benzodiazepines). The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino also made statements regarding the use of mushrooms as dietary supplements.
The Claussens made such statements in the following Podcasts: “The Story of a Brand”; “That Gives Me Anxiety”; “Nutrition Alternative Medicine”; “Mycopreneur”; “Koncrete”; “Humble and Hungry”; “Elevate Your Brand”; and “Bliss Project”. The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made similar statements in the “Justin Caviar” Podcast.
The Company does not intend to market any of its products for medical use. The Company’s consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Company has not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by the Claussens or Dom D’Agostino. The Company cannot confirm that psilocybin will create new neural networks or can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline, or any other disease or disorder referenced during the Podcasts. The Company cannot confirm that any functional or psychedelic mushrooms are viable alternatives to various prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including those referenced during the Podcasts. The Company cannot provide any assurance that any persons will have the same outcomes as the Claussens or their father or Dom D’Agostino or that psilocybin was a cause of such outcomes. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s products in the section titled “Business” and elsewhere in this Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Podcasts.
Product Statements
The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made several statements in the Podcasts regarding the ingredients, nature, and use of the Company’s products. When referring to the Company’s products, the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made several statements concerning Lion’s Mane mushrooms grown by the Company. Chris Claussen stated in the Podcasts that the some of the Company’s products contain “Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps … designed specifically to enhance your dopamine system” and that it helps with focus and cognition. Additionally, the Claussens made statements that could be construed to indicate that Lion’s Mane can produce a psychedelic affect such as that “there was a psychedelic component to Lion’s Mane.” The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino stated that some of the Company’s product contain Reishi mushrooms and that it produces “calming and stress reduction” and boosts GABA, and implied it could be used as a sleep aid. The Claussens also made several statements that combining two of the Company’s products produces an affect similar to psilocybin. In addition, the Claussens made several statements concerning the Company’s greenhouses and process for growing mushrooms, in order “to provide our customers the best, purest possible extracts available” using environmentally friendly methods.
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The Claussens made such statements in the following Podcasts: “The Story of a Brand”; “That Gives Me Anxiety”; “Nutrition Alternative Medicine”; “Mycopreneur”; “Koncrete”; “Humble and Hungry”; “Elevate Your Brand”; and “Bliss Project”. The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made similar statements in the “Justin Caviar” Podcast.
The Company’s direct-to-consumer brand of supplements contain functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals. Not all of the Company’s supplements contain Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and/or Reishi mushrooms. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Company has not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino in the Podcasts. The Company cannot confirm that Cordyceps provides longer duration or has an MAO inhibitor, that there are any characteristics of different mushrooms that may be beneficial, or that targeting dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors may be possible or beneficial. The Company also cannot confirm that its greenhouse shields the Company from risks associated with environmental conditions or energy costs. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in the section titled “Business” and elsewhere in this Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Podcasts.
Statements Concerning the State of the Company’s business
When referring to the state of the Company’s business, the Claussens stated in the Podcasts that the Company sold out of everything from the Company’s first production run. In addition, when referring to the Company’s website, Chris Claussen made statements that the website is “getfirstperson.com” because “firstperson.com” was unavailable since “it got squatted.”
The Claussens made such statements in the following Podcasts: “The Story of a Brand”; “That Gives Me Anxiety”; “Nutrition Alternative Medicine”; “Mycopreneur”; “Koncrete”; “Humble and Hungry”; “Elevate Your Brand”; and “Bliss Project”. The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made similar statements in the “Justin Caviar” Podcast.
The Company launched its direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in March 2022, but the Company was formed in January 2021. In July 2022, the Company began taking pre-orders only for new purchases, in order to ensure that the Company maintained sufficient inventory to fulfill existing subscription orders. The Company operates its business in a new industry and market. There is no assurance that the industry and market will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. The mushroom market may decline or mushrooms may fail to achieve substantially greater market acceptance than they currently enjoy. As a result of changing customer preferences, products may attain financial success for a limited period of time. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve brand awareness in any of its target regions. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s industry and market in the section titled “Business” and elsewhere in this Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Podcasts.
Psychedelic Mushroom Statements
In the Podcasts, the Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made several statements discussing their personal experiences with psilocybin, and the legality and usage of psilocybin in general.
The Claussens made such statements in the following Podcasts: “The Story of a Brand”; “That Gives Me Anxiety”; “Nutrition Alternative Medicine”; “Mycopreneur”; “Koncrete”; “Humble and Hungry”; “Elevate Your Brand”; and “Bliss Project”. The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made similar statements in the “Justin Caviar” Podcast.
As a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA, psilocybin is highly regulated at the U.S. federal and state levels. Authorizations for the production of psilocybin are still in the early stages and the Company may not receive the required approvals. The Company intends to grow, research, and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica; however, the Company may not commence psilocybin propagation operations in the United States unless it receives the required approvals from federal and state authorities, including the WDOH and the DEA, which may be granted in the sole discretion of such authorities. There is no guarantee that we will receive the necessary approvals from either the WDOH or the DEA. Even with the necessary approvals, production and research of psilocybin may be subject to quotas or other restrictions set by federal or state authorities. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s industry and market in the section titled “Business” and elsewhere in this Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Podcasts.
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Forward Looking Statements
In the Podcasts, the Claussens made forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements related to potential products, business opportunities, and research.
The Claussens made such statements in the following Podcasts: “The Story of a Brand”; “That Gives Me Anxiety”; “Nutrition Alternative Medicine”; “Mycopreneur”; “Koncrete”; “Humble and Hungry”; “Elevate Your Brand”; and “Bliss Project”. The Claussens and Dom D’Agostino made similar statements in the “Justin Caviar” Podcast.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors, including: the risk that psilocybin is not legalized in the United States, or is not legalized within a timeframe that allows the Company to succeed, the risk that psilocybin is proven not to have the anticipated positive therapeutic effects or that new significant negative side effects are discovered, the risk that the Company is unable to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, including approvals from the WDOH and the DEA, to legally grow psilocybin in the United States, the risk that the Company’s pending patents are not issued, the risk that the Company is not able to raise sufficient capital to execute on its business plan or that its business plan itself is not successful and the Company is not able to adapt, the risk that the development of the Company’s Jamaican operations is not successful, the risk of potential negative tax treatment of the Company and its shareholders, risks relating to the reliance on key management and the retention of such management, product-liability risks, risks of competition including from competitors with significantly greater financial resources than the Company, and general social, regulatory, and economic risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company, all as included in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof.
As a result of the foregoing, the Podcasts could be determined not to be in compliance for a registered securities offering under Section 5 of the Securities Act. If the statements or disclosures in the Podcasts are determined by a court to be a violation by us of Section 5 of the Securities Act, we could have a contingent liability. Any liability would depend upon the number of Common Shares purchased in this offering by the “recipients” of the Podcasts. If a claim were brought by any such recipients and a court were to conclude that we violated Section 5 of the Securities Act, those recipients might have rescission rights and we could be required to repurchase the shares sold to them, at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest from the date of purchase, for claims brought during a period of one year from the date of their purchase of our Common Shares. We could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. Further, if the Podcasts are deemed to be a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, the SEC and/or relevant state regulators could impose monetary fines or other sanctions under relevant federal and state securities laws. Such payments, expenses, and fines, if required, could significantly reduce the amount of working capital we have available for our operations and business plan, delay or prevent us from completing our plan of operations, or force us to raise additional funding sooner than expected, which funding may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. Additionally, the trading price of our Common Shares might decline in value in the event we are deemed to have liability, are required to make payments, or face sanctions in connection with the potential claim described above.
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We might have contingent liability arising out of a possible violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act in connection with certain statements and disclosures made in an article published online on September 20, 2022.
Information about the Company and statements made by Chris L. Claussen, one of our directors and our Chief Innovation Officer, and Joseph Claussen, our Director of Business Development, were published in an online publication by reMind Media on September 20, 2022. The statements attributed to Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen in the Article were made during an interview by reMind Media focused on how Chris L. Claussen’s and Joseph Claussen’s personal experiences inspired them to become involved in our business. The Company was not involved in any way in the interview or the preparation of the statements made by Chris L. Claussen or Joseph Claussen. The Article was prepared by reMind Media, which is not affiliated with the Company. No payment was made nor was any consideration given to reMind Media by or on behalf of the Company or any other offering participant in connection with the publication of the Article. Upon becoming aware of the Article and the inclusion of certain statements relating to the Company and the Offering, we requested the Article be deleted from reMind Media’s website. As of September 22, 2022, the Article is no longer available on reMind Media’s website or any of its other publications. On September 26, 2022, we filed an issuer free writing prospectus with the SEC pursuant to Rule 433(f) under the Securities Act. The Free Writing Prospectus includes the full text of the Article.
The Article contained the following inaccurate or unsubstantiated statements:
● | The Article stated that we have “two pending patents related to a natural psilocybin extract and a novel combination of psilocin and ketones, which [the Company] developed at their lab in Jamaica.” We filed two provisional patent applications, which help protect inventions for a twelve-month period while a formal patent application is being filed. The patent process can take up to twenty-four months or longer to complete and can be challenged during the process. At this time, we cannot state whether the patent applications will be approved, refused, and/or ultimately registered. The innovations were developed by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen, rather than the Company, and were not developed in our lab in Jamaica. Both provisional patent applications were filed in 2021, after Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen assigned to us their interests in the innovations. We did not acquire TruMed Limited or have Jamaican operations until 2022, after the provisional patent applications were filed. Investors should review the information regarding our intellectual property in “Business—Intellectual Property” beginning on page 62 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When discussing his family’s personal experiences with psilocybin, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “there’s no toxicity”. Additionally, Chris L. Claussen stated that “psilocybin had the ability to create some new neural networks,” “our brains are functioning at the highest levels that they ever have,” and that “[w]e know that once you get Alzheimer’s there no cure for it. But we also know that you can prevent it by keeping your brain healthy, to always be creating new neural connections, and maintain neuroplasticity as you age and avoid going into cognitive decline.” We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use. Our consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We have not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen. We cannot confirm that psilocybin will create new neural networks or can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline. We cannot provide any assurance that any persons will have the same outcomes as Chris L. Claussen, Joseph Claussen, or their father, or that psilocybin was a cause of such outcomes. Investors should review the information regarding our products in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to our products, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that our products “contain curated amounts of Lion’s Mane and cordyceps — the cordyceps is important because it has an MAO inhibitor, so it provides a longer duration.” Additionally, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “We think our functional mushroom products work wonderfully on their own. But they were definitely designed for a microdosing regime. We deliberately engineered them to stay away from the serotonin receptors. A lot of other nootropics contain everything and the kitchen sink, which will flood your serotonin receptors and interfere with your microdosing. We didn’t want to do that. We targeted our functionals to the dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors. We left serotonin alone, so the psilocybin could do its work.” Our direct-to-consumer brand of supplements contain functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals. Not all of our supplements contains Lions Mane and/or Cordyceps. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We have not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen. We cannot confirm that cordyceps provides longer duration or has an MAO inhibitor, that there are any characteristics of difference mushrooms that may be beneficial, or that targeting dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors may be possible or beneficial. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. |
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● | When referring to studies that are anticipated to be performed by Charles River Labs, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]e’re really excited about this. We believe there’s a real potential to improve the efficacy of psilocin. Our scientific advisor Dom D’Agostino, a pioneer in the science of the health benefits of the ketogenic diet, is working with us to prove our hypothesis.” Additionally, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]hen proven, the improvements in neurogenesis and synaptogenesis could be very powerful.” Charles River Labs is an independent research lab in Canada, with which we have entered into a statement of work to conduct two studies involving psilocybin. Charles River Labs is in the process of obtaining the necessary import permits from Health Canada—a department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy—and the Company does not need to acquire any approvals in connection with such research. If Charles River Labs obtains the necessary import permits, then Charles River Labs will commence two studies pursuant to the terms of the statement of work, with research and development efforts focused on isolating and studying the individual psychoactive components of mushrooms. Investors should review the information regarding our statement of work with Charles River Labs in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. We have not established objectively that there is a potential to improve the efficacy of psilocybin. | |
● | When referring to the state of our business, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “[i]t’s been amazing. We launched in March, and we sold out within three months. We thought we had enough product to last the year, but we ran out. And it’s mostly been organic word of mouth. We’ve done some marketing, but it’s really amazing how rapidly people have found us. Of course, we’re riding a very nice wave of interest in mushrooms right now, so that’s been fortunate.” We launched its direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in March 2022, but the Company was formed in January 2021. In July 2022, we began taking pre-orders only for new purchase, in order to ensure that we maintained sufficient inventory to fulfill existing subscription orders. We operate our business in a new industry and market. There is no assurance that the industry and market will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. The mushroom market may decline or mushrooms may fail to achieve substantially greater market acceptance than they currently enjoy. As a result of changing customer preferences, products may attain financial success for a limited period of time. There is no assurance that we will be able to achieve brand awareness in any of our target regions. Investors should review the information regarding our industry and market in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to our business and mission, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]e see ourselves as a brain health company. Our mission is to improve people’s brains. This makes us more than a functional mushroom company, and more than a psychedelics company. We don’t want people to ever fall off the cliff as they get older. We want people to just get better and better. Everything we do is in support of that.” We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use. Our consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Investors should review the information regarding our products in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. |
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Any statements or disclosures in the Article that did not comply with, or that exceeded the scope permissible under, Rule 134 under the Securities Act, may not be entitled to the safe-harbor provided by Rule 134. As a result, the Article could be determined not to be in compliance for a registered securities offering under Section 5 of the Securities Act. If the statements or disclosures in the Article are determined by a court to be a violation by us of Section 5 of the Securities Act, we could have a contingent liability. Any liability would depend upon the number of Common Shares purchased in this offering by the “recipients” of the Article. If a claim were brought by any such recipients and a court were to conclude that we violated Section 5 of the Securities Act, those recipients might have rescission rights and we could be required to repurchase the shares sold to them, at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest from the date of purchase, for claims brought during a period of one year from the date of their purchase of our Common Shares. We could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. Further, if the Article is deemed to be a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, the SEC and/or relevant state regulators could impose monetary fines or other sanctions under relevant federal and state securities laws. Such payments, expenses, and fines, if required, could significantly reduce the amount of working capital we have available for our operations and business plan, delay or prevent us from completing our plan of operations, or force us to raise additional funding sooner than expected, which funding may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. Additionally, the trading price of our Common Shares might decline in value in the event we are deemed to have liability, are required to make payments, or face sanctions in connection with the potential claim described above.
Investors in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value.
The Primary Offering price per Common Share is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our outstanding Common Shares. As a result, investors in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $5.35 per Common Share, based on the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, representing the difference between our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share after this offering and the Primary Offering price per Common Share. Investors in this offering will pay a price per Common Share that substantially exceeds the book value of our assets after subtracting our liabilities. See “Dilution” on page 47 of this Prospectus for a more complete description of how the value of your investment will be diluted upon the completion of this offering. After this offering, we will also have outstanding options and warrants to purchase our Common Shares with exercise prices lower than the Primary Offering price. To the extent these outstanding options or warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to investors in this offering.
We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page 44 of this Prospectus, and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds will be used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. Our management might not apply our net proceeds in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for general corporate purposes, growing our initial line of consumer products, establishment and expansion of operations in Jamaica, and expansion of growing and production capabilities in Olympia, Washington. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus for additional information.
Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this Prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering, or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including the commercial success of our systems, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering.
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The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our shareholders. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance shareholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.
Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our capital stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to shareholder approval.
Immediately following the completion of this offering, our executive officers, directors, and their affiliates will beneficially hold, in the aggregate, approximately 1.7 million of our outstanding Common Shares, or approximately 24.9 percent of our outstanding Common Shares. These stockholders would be able to significantly influence elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets, or other major corporate transaction. This may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our Common Shares that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our shareholders.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Common Shares will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on our company. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our Common Shares would likely be negatively impacted. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our Common Shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our Common Share price may decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Common Shares could decrease, which might cause our Common Share price and trading volume to decline.
Future changes to tax laws could materially adversely affect us and reduce net returns to our shareholders.
Our tax treatment is subject to changes in tax laws, regulations, and treaties, or the interpretation thereof, tax policy initiatives and reforms under consideration and the practices of tax authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as tax policy initiatives and reforms related to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, and other initiatives. Such changes may include (but are not limited to) the taxation of operating income, investment income, dividends received, or (in the specific context of withholding tax) dividends paid. We are unable to predict what tax reform may be proposed or enacted in the future or what effect such changes would have on our business, but such changes, to the extent they are brought into tax legislation, regulations, policies, or practices, could affect our financial position and overall or effective tax rates in the future in countries where we have operations, reduce post-tax returns to our shareholders, and increase the complexity, burden, and cost of tax compliance.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products, product approvals, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated products are forward-looking statements. These 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.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. 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. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Prospectus and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 50 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in this Prospectus. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, 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. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances, or otherwise. All of the forward-looking statements made in this Prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Based upon an assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, we estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, of approximately $4.34 million assuming the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option (or $5.16 million if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full). We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of selling shareholder shares. However, upon any exercise, other than a net exercise, of warrants or stock options held by the selling shareholders, we will receive cash proceeds per share equal to the exercise price of such warrants or stock options.
Each $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds we receive from this offering by approximately $0.46 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 estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 100,000 Common Shares offered by us would increase (decrease) the net proceeds we receive from this offering by approximately $0.55 million, assuming the assumed Primary Offering price remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions.
We plan to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering primarily for the following purposes:
● | approximately $2.75 million to grow a direct-to-consumers product line of nutraceutical cognitive supplements, as discussed below; | |
● | approximately $500,000 to establish and expand TruMed’s innovation and research and development operations in Jamaica, as discussed below; | |
● | approximately $750,000 for the expansion of our growing and production capabilities in the ingredients division in Olympia, Washington; and | |
● | the remainder for other general corporate purposes, further research and development and product innovation, marketing spend and brand development, capital expenditures, and working capital. |
On March 1, 2022, FP, Inc. launched a direct-to-consumers product line of nutraceutical cognitive supplements made of functional mushrooms and other adaptogenic botanicals. There are three initial product offerings, as follows: (i) SunbeamTM, (ii) Golden HourTM, and (iii) MoonlightTM. See “Business— Development of Nutraceutical Consumer Products” beginning on page 58 of this Prospectus for additional information. We intend to use approximately $2.75 million of the net proceeds in connection with the growth of these consumer products. Of the $2.75 million, we plan to use approximately $1.25 million for inventory and approximately $1.5 million for marketing.
On February 15, 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of TruMed pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement. See “Business—Overview” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus for additional information. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations. We intend to use approximately $500,000 of the net proceeds of this offering to establish and expand TruMed’s innovation and research and development operations in Jamaica. Of the $500,000, we plan to use approximately $200,000 for capital assets and leasehold improvements, including the purchase or lease of containers for growing functional and psychedelic mushrooms and building-out a grow facility. We plan to use the remaining approximately $300,000 for general working capital, including approximately $50,000 for marketing, and approximately $100,000 for research and development, including research involving psychedelic mushrooms. The Share Purchase Agreement provides that $550,000 of the purchase price for the acquisition of TruMed will only be paid if TruMed achieves certain milestones within the first twenty-four months following the closing of the acquisition. See “Business—Overview” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus for additional information. We anticipate that TruMed will meet the first of these milestones after the effective date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. In the event the first milestone is met, then $125,000 of the $300,000 of proceeds allocated for general working capital, marketing, and research and development will be used to make the corresponding Milestone Payment.
We intend to use approximately $750,000 for the expansion of our growing and production capabilities in the ingredients division in Olympia, Washington, which is expected to be completed within twenty-four months following the completion of this offering. This expansion effort will increase our production efficiency and processing capacity.
The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. However, the nature, amounts, and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors. As a result, our management has and will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds from this offering for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of net proceeds from this offering. To the extent that the net proceeds we receive from this offering are not immediately used for the above purposes, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing bank deposits, or debt instruments.
We are an early stage company with a history of net losses and have generated limited revenue to date. We currently have negative operating cash flow and may continue to have that for the foreseeable future. To the extent that we have negative operating cash flow in future periods, we will need to allocate a portion of our cash to fund such negative operating cash flow. As such, certain of the net proceeds of this offering may be used to fund such negative cash flow from operating activities in future periods. See “Risk Factors—We have a limited operating history and a history of net losses, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future” on page 11 of this Prospectus.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid dividends on our Common Shares, and currently do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our Common Shares in the foreseeable future. Our current policy is to retain all of our earnings to finance future growth. Any future declaration of dividends will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors.
In addition, we may incur debt financing in the future, the terms of which will likely prohibit us from paying cash dividends or distributions on our Common Shares. Even if we are permitted to pay cash dividends in the future, we currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to fund the operation and expansion of our business, and for general corporate purposes.
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CAPITALIZATION
Set forth below is our cash and capitalization as of December 31, 2022:
● | on an actual basis; | |
● | on a pro forma basis to give effect to (i) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $764,130 and 764,124 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $703,000 on January 3, 2023; (ii) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $616,304 and 616,303 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $567,000 on January 9, 2023; (iii) the payment of $35,000 to the TruMed Sellers on January 10, 2023, as partial payment of the amount owed under the promissory note issued to the TruMed Sellers in connection with our acquisition of TruMed; (iv) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $368,543 and 368,543 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $339,060 on February 6, 2023; (v) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,350,000 and 1,350,001 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $1,242,000 on March 31, 2023; and (vi) the conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares (the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (a) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (b) 0.6, divided by (c) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus; the actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date; see “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares; and | |
● | on an a pro forma as adjusted basis to further reflect the issuance and sale of Common Shares by us in this offering at the Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
You should read the information in the below table together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Prospectus, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 50 of this Prospectus.
(in thousands except share numbers) | Actual | Pro Forma (unaudited) | Pro Forma as Adjusted (unaudited)(1) | |||||||||
Cash | $ | 65 | $ | 2,884 | $ | 7,899 | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||
Preferred Shares, CAD$0.01 par value – unlimited authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding, 0 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma, and 0 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Common Shares, no par value - unlimited authorized, 6,351,354 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 6,738,716 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; 7,738,716 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted | 7,081 | 8,610 | 12,736 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 694 | 694 | 694 | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (8,314 | ) | (8,314 | ) | (8,314 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 28 | 28 | 28 | |||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | (511 | ) | 1,018 | 5,144 | ||||||||
Loans and note payable | 1,098 | 1,066 | 1,066 | |||||||||
Convertible notes payable | - | 1,322 | 1,322 | |||||||||
Capitalization | $ | 586 | $ | 3,405 | $ | 7,531 |
(1) | The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will depend on the actual Primary Offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Each $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash, total assets, and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $0.46 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 estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 100,000 Common Shares offered by us would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of each of cash, total assets, and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $0.55 million, assuming the assumed Primary Offering price remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions. |
The number of Common Shares that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 6,351,354 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and excludes the following: |
● | up to 615,000 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options under the Incentive Plan, of which 365,000 have an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, 110,000 have an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, and 140,000 have an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share; | |
● | up to 500,620 Common Shares at a price per Common Share of CAD$5.00 issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants; | |
● | 20,135 Common Shares reserved for future issuance under the Incentive Plan as of the date hereof; and | |
● | any Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
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DILUTION
If you invest in our Common Shares in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the Primary Offering price per Common Share and the as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share immediately after this offering.
Our historical net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022, was $(1,532,140), or $(0.24) per Common Share. Our historical net tangible book value is the amount of our total tangible assets less our liabilities. Historical net tangible book value per Common Share is our historical net tangible book value divided by the number of outstanding Common Shares as of December 31, 2022.
Our pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022, was $(2,831), or $0.00 per Common Share. Pro forma net tangible book value per Common Share represents pro forma net tangible book value divided by the total number of Common Shares outstanding after giving effect to (i) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $764,130 and 764,124 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $703,000 on January 3, 2023; (ii) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $616,304 and 616,303 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $567,000 on January 9, 2023; (iii) the payment of $35,000 to the TruMed Sellers on January 10, 2023, as partial payment of the amount owed under the promissory note issued to the TruMed Sellers in connection with our acquisition of TruMed; (iv) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $368,543 and 368,543 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $339,060 on February 6, 2023; (v) the issuance of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,350,000 and 1,350,001 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $1,242,000 on March 31, 2023; and (vi) the conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares (The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (a) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (b) 0.6, divided by (c) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares).
After giving further effect to the sale of the Common Shares in this offering at the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2022, would have been $5,012,169, or $0.65 per Common Share. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share of $0.65 to our existing shareholders and immediate dilution of $5.35 in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share to new investors purchasing Common Shares in this offering.
Dilution per Common Share to new investors is determined by subtracting pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share after this offering from the Primary Offering price per Common Share paid by new investors. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per Common Share basis (without giving effect to any exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares):
Assumed Primary Offering price per Common Share | $ | 6.00 | ||
Net tangible book value per Common Shares as of December 31, 2022 | $ | (0.24 | ) | |
Increase per Common Share attributable to the pro forma adjustment described above | $ | 0.24 | ||
Pro forma net tangible book value per Common Share as of December 31, 2022 | $ | 0.00 | ||
Pro forma as adjusted increase in net tangible book value per Common Share attributable to new investors participating in this offering | $ | 0.65 | ||
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share after this offering | $ | 0.65 | ||
Dilution per Common Share to new investors participating in this offering | $ | (5.35 | ) |
A $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per Common Share by $0.06, and increase (decrease) dilution to new investors by $0.53 per Common Share, in each case assuming that the number of Common Shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The foregoing discussion and table do not take into account further dilution to new investors that could occur upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or convertible promissory notes having a per Common Share exercise or conversion price less than the per Common Share offering price to the public in this offering.
If the underwriters exercise in full the over-allotment option to purchase additional Common Shares in this offering, the as adjusted net tangible book value after the offering would be $0.74 per Common Share, the increase in net tangible book value to existing shareholders would be $0.74 per Common Share, and the dilution to new investors would be $5.26 per Common Share, in each case assuming a Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share.
The following table presents, as of December 31, 2022, on an as adjusted basis, the number of Common Shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us, and the average price paid per Common Share by existing shareholders and by new investors purchasing Common Shares in this offering at an assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per Common Share (the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus), before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:
Common Shares Purchased | Total Cash Consideration | Average price per Common | ||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | Share | ||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders | 6,738,716 | 87.08 | % | $ | 8,251,065 | 57.90 | % | $ | 1.22 | |||||||||||
New investors | 1,000,000 | 12.92 | % | 6,000,000 | 42.10 | % | 6.00 | |||||||||||||
Total | 7,738,716 | 100 | % | $ | 14,251,065 | 100 | % | $ | 1.84 |
Except as otherwise indicated, the above discussion and table assume no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Common Share from us. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Common Share were exercised in full, our existing shareholders would own 85.42 percent and our new investors would own 14.58 percent of the total number of Common Shares outstanding upon completion of this offering.
The number of Common Shares that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 6,738,716 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares immediately prior to the closing of the Primary Offering (The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (ii) 0.6, divided by (iii) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares), and excludes the following:
● | up to 615,000 Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options under the Incentive Plan, of which 365,000 have an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, 110,000 have an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, and 140,000 have an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share; | |
● | up to 500,620 Common Shares at a price per Common Share of CAD$5.00 issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants; | |
● | 20,135 Common Shares reserved for future issuance under the Incentive Plan as of the date hereof; and | |
● | any Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. |
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2022, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for any future period.
You should read the consolidated financial data set forth below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the information in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 50 of this Prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any period in the future.
First Person Ltd.
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
From January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||
Revenues, net | $ | - | $ | 4,334 | ||||
Cost of Goods Sold | - | 1,406 | ||||||
Gross Profit | - | 2,928 | ||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 2,948 | 8,081 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1 | 52 | ||||||
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain) | (28 | ) | 101 | |||||
Total operating expenses | 2,921 | 8,233 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (2,921 | ) | (5,305 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||
Net interest income (expense) | 0 | (88 | ) | |||||
Total other income (expense) | 0 | (88 | ) | |||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | (2,921 | ) | (5,393 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | ||||||
Net loss | (2,921 | ) | (5,393 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of provision for income taxes: | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) | (36 | ) | 64 | |||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (2,957 | ) | $ | (5,329 | ) | ||
Net Loss per Common Share | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | (0.59 | ) | (0.86 | ) | ||||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | 4,918 | 6,252 |
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First Person Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2022 | |||||||
(in thousands, except share amounts) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 559 | $ | 65 | ||||
Accounts Receivable, net | - | 55 | ||||||
Inventory | 98 | 1,013 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 540 | 238 | ||||||
Deferred offering cost | 297 | 889 | ||||||
Total current assets | 1,494 | 2,260 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 10 | 988 | ||||||
Construction-in-progress | 452 | - | ||||||
Deposits | 3 | 17 | ||||||
Intangible Assets | 190 | 132 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | 158 | 197 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,307 | $ | 3,594 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable (includes related party balances of $686,476 as of December 31, 2022) | $ | 436 | $ | 2,533 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 117 | 278 | ||||||
Lease liability, current portion | 36 | 79 | ||||||
Loans and note payable | - | 1,098 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 589 | 3,987 | ||||||
Lease liability, net of current portion | 122 | 118 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 711 | 4,105 | ||||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||
Common shares, no par value - unlimited authorized, 6,351,354 and 5,804,254 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively | 4,358 | 7,081 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 196 | 694 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (2,921 | ) | (8,314 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (36 | ) | 28 | |||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,596 | (511 | ) | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 2,307 | $ | 3,594 |
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MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes a number of forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” and “continue,” or similar words. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us and members of our management team as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.
The following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our past financial condition and plan of operations. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
As used below, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “First Person,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to First Person Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of Alberta, Canada.
OVERVIEW
First Person Ltd., a company incorporated in Alberta, Canada, is a holding company. We conduct our business and operations through our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, FP, Inc. and TruMed. FP, Inc. intends to produce and distribute for sale grain-free, organic functional mushroom ingredients and a premium brand of cognitive supplement consumer products, and also plans to conduct psychedelic mushroom product research and development, subject to obtaining the applicable regulatory approval. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations. TruMed intends to carry out psilocybin-related operations in Jamaica. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. Therefore, research on psychedelic mushrooms is not in contravention of the laws of Jamaica and does not require any permit or authorization from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica.
Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts to business and product developments relating to the operations of a functional mushroom farm in Olympia, Washington, and to the development of our own proprietary formulations of cognitive performance products containing functional mushrooms.
COVID-19: Overview of Impacts
While the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on our financial performance, it has had, and continues to have, the following impacts on our business operations:
● | The global supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted our ability to obtain packaging materials for our products. We placed initial orders for packaging samples from multiple suppliers in China, but delivery of those samples was delayed. Due to the ongoing supply chain issues, we delayed the launch of our consumer packaged goods. | |
● | The increased restrictions on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our ability to operate. We are a Canadian company with operations in the United States, and certain members of our management team are based in Canada while others are based in the United States. The enhanced restrictions on international travel have inhibited the ability of members of management to travel to, and personally oversee, operations in other countries. Members of management have also been unable to hold in-person meetings with each other or investors, and have transitioned to virtual meetings. | |
● | Some of our employees have contracted COVID-19, resulting in quarantines of those individuals and a decrease in workforce person-hours. |
Free Writing Prospectus
Information about the Company and statements made by Chris L. Claussen, one of our directors and our Chief Innovation Officer, and Joseph Claussen, our Director of Business Development, were published in an online publication by reMind Media on September 20, 2022. The statements attributed to Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen in the Article were made during an interview by reMind Media focused on how Chris L. Claussen’s and Joseph Claussen’s personal experiences inspired them to become involved in our business. The Company was not involved in any way in the interview or the preparation of the statements made by Chris L. Claussen or Joseph Claussen. The Article was prepared by reMind Media, which is not affiliated with the Company. No payment was made nor was any consideration given to reMind Media by or on behalf of the Company or any other offering participant in connection with the publication of the Article. Upon becoming aware of the Article and the inclusion of certain statements relating to the Company and the Offering, we requested the Article be deleted from reMind Media’s website. As of September 22, 2022, the Article is no longer available on reMind Media’s website or any of its other publications. On September 26, 2022, we filed an issuer free writing prospectus with the SEC pursuant to Rule 433(f) under the Securities Act. The Free Writing Prospectus includes the full text of the Article.
The Article contained the following inaccurate or unsubstantiated statements:
● | The Article stated that we have “two pending patents related to a natural psilocybin extract and a novel combination of psilocin and ketones, which [the Company] developed at their lab in Jamaica.” We filed two provisional patent applications, which help protect inventions for a twelve-month period while a formal patent application is being filed. The patent process can take up to twenty-four months or longer to complete and can be challenged during the process. At this time, we cannot state whether the patent applications will be approved, refused, and/or ultimately registered. The innovations were developed by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen, rather than the Company, and were not developed in our lab in Jamaica. Both provisional patent applications were filed in 2021, after Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen assigned to us their interests in the innovations. We did not acquire TruMed Limited or have Jamaican operations until 2022, after the provisional patent applications were filed. Investors should review the information regarding our intellectual property in “Business—Intellectual Property” beginning on page 62 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. |
50 |
● | When discussing his family’s personal experiences with psilocybin, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “there’s no toxicity”. Additionally, Chris L. Claussen stated that “psilocybin had the ability to create some new neural networks,” “our brains are functioning at the highest levels that they ever have,” and that “[w]e know that once you get Alzheimer’s there no cure for it. But we also know that you can prevent it by keeping your brain healthy, to always be creating new neural connections, and maintain neuroplasticity as you age and avoid going into cognitive decline.” We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use. Our consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We have not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen. We cannot confirm that psilocybin will create new neural networks or can prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline. We cannot provide any assurance that any persons will have the same outcomes as Chris L. Claussen, Joseph Claussen, or their father, or that psilocybin was a cause of such outcomes. Investors should review the information regarding our products in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to our products, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that our products “contain curated amounts of Lion’s Mane and cordyceps — the cordyceps is important because it has an MAO inhibitor, so it provides a longer duration.” Additionally, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “We think our functional mushroom products work wonderfully on their own. But they were definitely designed for a microdosing regime. We deliberately engineered them to stay away from the serotonin receptors. A lot of other nootropics contain everything and the kitchen sink, which will flood your serotonin receptors and interfere with your microdosing. We didn’t want to do that. We targeted our functionals to the dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors. We left serotonin alone, so the psilocybin could do its work.” Our direct-to-consumer brand of supplements contain functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals. Not all of our supplements contains Lions Mane and/or Cordyceps. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We have not conducted clinical studies with respect to the claims made by Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen. We cannot confirm that cordyceps provides longer duration or has an MAO inhibitor, that there are any characteristics of difference mushrooms that may be beneficial, or that targeting dopamine, oxytocin, and GABA receptors may be possible or beneficial. Investors should review the information regarding the Company’s direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to studies that are anticipated to be performed by Charles River Labs, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]e’re really excited about this. We believe there’s a real potential to improve the efficacy of psilocin. Our scientific advisor Dom D’Agostino, a pioneer in the science of the health benefits of the ketogenic diet, is working with us to prove our hypothesis.” Additionally, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]hen proven, the improvements in neurogenesis and synaptogenesis could be very powerful.” Charles River Labs is an independent research lab in Canada, with which we have entered into a statement of work to conduct two studies involving psilocybin. Charles River Labs is in the process of obtaining the necessary import permits from Health Canada—a department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy—and the Company does not need to acquire any approvals in connection with such research. If Charles River Labs obtains the necessary import permits, then Charles River Labs will commence two studies pursuant to the terms of the statement of work, with research and development efforts focused on isolating and studying the individual psychoactive components of mushrooms. Investors should review the information regarding our statement of work with Charles River Labs in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. We have not established objectively that there is a potential to improve the efficacy of psilocybin. | |
● | When referring to the state of our business, Joseph Claussen stated in the Article that “[i]t’s been amazing. We launched in March, and we sold out within three months. We thought we had enough product to last the year, but we ran out. And it’s mostly been organic word of mouth. We’ve done some marketing, but it’s really amazing how rapidly people have found us. Of course, we’re riding a very nice wave of interest in mushrooms right now, so that’s been fortunate.” We launched its direct-to-consumer brand of supplements in March 2022, but the Company was formed in January 2021. In July 2022, we began taking pre-orders only for new purchase, in order to ensure that we maintained sufficient inventory to fulfill existing subscription orders. We operate our business in a new industry and market. There is no assurance that the industry and market will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. The mushroom market may decline or mushrooms may fail to achieve substantially greater market acceptance than they currently enjoy. As a result of changing customer preferences, products may attain financial success for a limited period of time. There is no assurance that we will be able to achieve brand awareness in any of our target regions. Investors should review the information regarding our industry and market in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. | |
● | When referring to our business and mission, Chris L. Claussen stated in the Article that “[w]e see ourselves as a brain health company. Our mission is to improve people’s brains. This makes us more than a functional mushroom company, and more than a psychedelics company. We don’t want people to ever fall off the cliff as they get older. We want people to just get better and better. Everything we do is in support of that.” We do not intend to market any of our products for medical use. Our consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Investors should review the information regarding our products in the section titled “Business” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus, and elsewhere in the Prospectus, and not the statements made in the Article. |
OPERATING SUBSIDIARIES
As of December 31, 2022, we have two operating subsidiaries: FP, Inc. and TruMed.
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First Person, Inc.
FP, Inc. is engaged in the business of formulation and distribution of wholesale food grade functional mushrooms as well as cognitive performance products focusing on the mental performance and wellness markets in the United States.
TruMed Limited
TruMed was formed on April 30, 2019, and is focused on research and development of psilocybin mushrooms. On February 15, 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of TruMed in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of up to $750,000, pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement entered into with TruMed and each of the TruMed Sellers. See “Business—Overview” beginning on page 56 of this Prospectus for additional information. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations. TruMed intends to carry out psilocybin-related operations in Jamaica. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. Therefore, research on psychedelic mushrooms is not in contravention of the laws of Jamaica and does not require any permit or authorization from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica. TruMed intends to grow and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica, and we plan to use some of the proceeds of this offering to expand TruMed’s Jamaican operations. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial statements for the periods reflect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of December 31, 2022. The financial statements have been prepared using the historical basis for the assets and liabilities and results of operations.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those that require application of management’s most subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to stock-based compensation expense, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and income taxes and related valuation allowance. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events, and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 3 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus, we believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Income Taxes
It is possible that we could be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code, and be subject to U.S. federal income tax. However, for Canadian tax purposes, we expect, regardless of any application of Section 7874 of the Code, to be treated as a Canadian resident company (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended) for Canadian income tax purposes. If we are treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we will be subject to taxation both in Canada and the United States, however, even in such situation, it is our expectation that our activities will be conducted in such a manner that income from operations will not be subjected to double taxation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not expect to Section 7874 of the Code to apply to us to cause the Company to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
FP, Inc. accounts for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained.
FP, Inc. is a Delaware C corporation and is subject to taxation and files income tax returns in the United States. Since inception, FP, Inc.’s tax returns are subject to examination by taxing authorities, and no examinations are currently pending.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, FP, Inc. does not have any unrecognized tax benefits. FP, Inc. does not anticipate any material changes to its unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
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Share-based Compensation
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU Topic 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”). The amendments in ASU 2018-07 expand the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. Upon adoption, entities shall be required to apply FASB ASC Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. FASB ASU 2018-07 is effective for private entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We adopted FASB ASC 2018-07 effective January 21, 2021 (date of inception). In accordance with ASU 2018-07, we record our share-based payments at the estimated grant date fair value over the service period for equity-classified awards granted to nonemployees in the same period and in the same manner as if we paid cash for the goods or services. In addition, we have elected to account for forfeitures when they occur in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10-35-3. The calculation of expected term is based on the “simplified” method described in Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 14, Share-Based Payment. SAB Topic 14 provides a simplified method for estimating the expected term for “plain vanilla” options if a company does not have sufficient appropriate exercise data on which to base its own estimate or exercise data relating to employees of comparable companies is not easily obtainable. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield at the date of grant for an instrument with a maturity that is commensurate with the expected term of the stock options. The dividend yield is zero since we have never paid cash dividends on our Common Shares and have no present intention to pay cash dividends. Options granted under the Incentive Plan generally vest based on three years of continuous service and have five-year contractual terms.
We estimate the fair value of each stock option award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the following weighted average assumptions applied:
Year
ended December 31, 2022 | Period
ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 2.67 | % | 0.09% - 0.56 | % | ||||
Expected term | 3.5 years | 2.5 - 3.5 years | ||||||
Expected average stock price volatility | 183.1 | % | 106.8% - 120.9 | % | ||||
Expected dividend yield | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | ||||
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options | $ | 4.58 | $ | 1.36 - $1.87 |
Estimates used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model are based, in part, on the price at which our Common Shares were sold during private placement offerings, and are not considered highly complex or subjective. Estimates will not be necessary to determine the fair market value of new awards once the underlying shares begin trading after this offering.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In order to recognize revenue under FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer, we apply the following five steps: (i) identification of customer contracts, (ii) identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract to transfer goods or provide services to a customer, (iii) determination of the transaction price we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer, (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract, and (v) recognition of revenue when or as we satisfy the performance obligation(s).
Our contracts with customers for the cognitive supplements and other related products consist of single performance obligations. The performance obligation in a contract is determined based on each individual order and the respective quantities shipped, with revenue being recognized at a point in time when obligations under the terms of the agreement are satisfied. This generally occurs with the transfer of control when the product is shipped to the customer. The amount of revenue recognized is reduced for estimated returns and other customer credits, such as discounts and rebates, based on the expected value to be realized. Payment terms are consistent with terms standard to the markets we serve. Revenue received from shipping and handling fees is reflected in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses at the time revenue is recognized for the related goods. We have also elected to recognize revenue net of sales taxes and similar taxes that are imposed on and concurrent with revenue producing activities. We have elected to use the practical expedient for significant financing components allowed under ASU 2014-09, such that if the period between revenue recognition and cash receipt for a particular contract is expected to be a year or less, no interest income is recognized and the full amount of revenue appropriate under the contract is recognized at the time the performance obligation is met.
COMPONENTS OF OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenue. Since our inception, we have devoted substantially all of our efforts to business and product developments relating to the operations of our functional mushroom farm in Olympia, Washington, and to the development of our own proprietary formulations of cognitive performance products containing functional mushrooms. For the period ended December 31, 2021, we did not generate any revenues because the launch of our first products, a direct-to-consumer line of highly curated cognitive supplements, did not occur until March 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated net revenues of $4,334,020.
Cost of Goods Sold. For the period ended December 31, 2021, we declared no costs of goods sold because we generated no revenues during this period and the launch of our first products did not occur until March 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2022, our cost of goods sold was $1,406,371.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses consist of selling, general and administrative, depreciation and amortization, and foreign currency transaction losses or gains. Following the completion of this offering, we expect to incur additional expenses as a result of operating as a public company, including costs to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to companies listed on a national securities exchange, costs related to compliance and reporting obligations pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, and higher expenses for insurance, investor relations, and professional services. We expect our selling, general and administrative expenses will increase as our business grows.
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Interest Income. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded interest expense of $87,708, compared to interest income of $152 for the period ended December 31, 2021.
Provision for Income Taxes. For the period ended December 31, 2021, and the year ended December 31, 2022, we had no current or deferred provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2022, $4,429,438 (2021 - $534,091) of US federal net operating losses, $4,429438 of US state net operating losses, and $2,534,234 (2021 - $943,365) of Canadian net operating losses were available to offset our future taxable income. The US federal net operating losses will carry forward indefinitely. The Canadian net operating losses shall begin to expire in 2041. The US state net operating losses generally start expiring in 20 years.
Other Comprehensive Loss, net of provision for income tax. Unrealized gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions and translation adjustments are reported as an element of other comprehensive loss, net of provision of income taxes. Our foreign currency translation gains amounted to $63,832 for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to losses of $35,998 for the period ended December 31, 2021.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comprehensive Income (Loss) First Person Ltd.
Consolidated
For the year ended December 31, 2022 | For the period ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Revenues | $ | 4,334 | $ | - | ||||
Cost of Goods Sold | 1,406 | - | ||||||
Gross profit | 2,928 | - | ||||||
Operating expenses | 8,233 | 2,921 | ||||||
Other income (expense) | (88 | ) | 0 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of provision for income tax | 64 | (36 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (5,329 | ) | $ | (2,957 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss). For the year ended December 31, 2022, we incurred comprehensive losses in the amount of $5,329,264, compared to $2,957,323 for the period ended December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
We satisfy our cash requirements primarily through cash provided by our financing activities.
For the year ended December 31, 2022 | For the period ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Cash flows (used in) provided by: | ||||||||
Operating activities | $ | (3,562 | ) | $ | (2,950 | ) | ||
Investing activities | (395 | ) | (657 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | 3,399 | 4,198 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 64 | (32 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (494 | ) | $ | 559 |
Operating Activities. Our cash flow from operations varies from quarter to quarter and, we expect, from year to year, depending on our operating results and the timing of operating cash receipts and payments, specifically trade accounts payable. Cash flows were used in operating activities based on these factors amounting to approximately $3,561,959 for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2,949,620 for the period ended December 31, 2021.
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Investing Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2022, our capital expenditures were approximately $395,156, compared to $657,097 for the period ended December 31, 2021.
Financing Activities. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued Common Shares and received loans for net proceeds of $3,398,989, compared to net proceeds of $4,198,020 for the issuance of Common Shares and warrants to purchase Common Shares during the period ended December 31, 2021. On August 8, 2022, we entered into a line of credit agreement (“line of credit”) for a maximum draw amount of $200,000 with Celtic Bank Corporation (“Celtic”). We have drawn an initial $200,000, which is subject to a draw fee of 3%, an interest rate of 1.93% per month, and will be repaid over twelve monthly installments. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the line of credit was $134,210. On August 8, 2022, we entered into a merchant loan agreement with WebBank (“merchant loan”), on behalf of Shopify Inc., for proceeds of $250,000 and a repayment amount of $282,500 (cost of borrowing of $32,500). The repayments are made to Shopify Inc. at a rate of 12% of our daily sales amounts until the repayment amount has been fully settled. On November 8, 2022, we received additional proceeds of $355,000, for which the repayment amount is $401,150 (cost of borrowing of $46,150). The repayments for the additional proceeds are made to Shopify Inc. at a rate of 15% of our daily sales amounts until the repayment amount has fully been settled. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the merchant loan was $319,742. On October 8, 2022, we entered into a revenue purchase agreement whereby Pearl Beta Funding, LLC provided us with cash proceeds of $245,000. The terms require that we make weekly payments of $8,208 (which amount may be periodically adjusted to approximate 10% of sales) until a total of $328,300 has been repaid. As at December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the revenue purchase agreement was $164,636. On December 20, 2022, we entered into a bridge loan with Cloudfund LLC for cash proceeds of $200,000. The repayments will be made through daily payments of $2,092 until the total $272,000 loan is repaid. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the bridge loan was $184,154. On December 31, 2022, we entered into a loan agreement with Imperial PFS Canada for financing of our insurance policy. The repayments will be made through nine monthly payments of $20,736. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the insurance financing was $225,000.
Availability of Additional Funds
Based upon our working capital deficiency and our significant losses, we require additional funds to meet our obligations and sustain our operations. These conditions indicate that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), which contemplate our continuation as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Other Sources and Uses of Resources
Where appropriate, we evaluate strategic investments and acquisitions to complement, expand, and/or enter into new businesses. In considering acquisitions and investments, we search for opportunities to profitably grow our existing businesses, to add qualitatively to the range of businesses in our portfolio and to achieve operational synergies. At this time, we cannot guarantee that we will be presented with acquisition opportunities that meet our return on investment criteria, or that our efforts to make acquisitions that meet our criteria will be successful.
We plan to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering for the following purposes: most heavily for general working capital and to grow our initial product line of three nutraceutical consumer facing products, as well as supplemental marketing spend for these newly created products and for brand development; additionally, for the establishment and expansion of operations in Jamaica, further research and development and product innovation, and the expansion of growing and production capabilities in Olympia, Washington.
We do not have any agreements at this time to potentially acquire other entities or businesses. The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. However, the nature, amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors. As a result, our management has and will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds from this offering for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of net proceeds from this offering. To the extent that the net proceeds we receive from this offering are not immediately used for the above purposes, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing bank deposits or debt instruments.
Dividends
In light of our current growth initiatives, the Board of Directors determined to continue the suspension of the payment of cash dividends. Projects that have already been approved and commenced are placing demands on our resources, and management and the Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interests of the shareholders to utilize available cash resources for investment in these promising and exciting growth opportunities. This position may continue depending on the timing of projects, the cash generation of our operations, and any financing that we may consummate. Decisions as to the payment of dividends in future periods will depend on the financial position, results of operations, prospects, and current and projected competing demands for cash resources at the relevant time. We continue our position of prudent and conservative cash management and we are committed to using all of our resources to maximize shareholder value, balancing short-, medium-, and long-term interests.
Foreign Currency Risk
Foreign exchange risk arises from the changes in foreign exchange rates that may affect the fair market value or future cash flows of our financial assets or liabilities.
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Foreign Exchange Balances Held in CAD$ | (in thousands) | |||||||
Cash | $ | 74 | $ | 651 | ||||
Accounts receivable | - | - | ||||||
Bank loans | - | - | ||||||
Total | $ | 74 | $ | 651 |
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BUSINESS
Overview
LEIIO Wellness Ltd. (“Wellness”), our predecessor by name change, was incorporated on January 21, 2021 (date of inception), under the laws of the province of Alberta, Canada. Wellness’s now wholly-owned subsidiary, LEIIO Inc. (“LEIIO”), was incorporated the next day, on January 22, 2021, in the state of Delaware, United States.
On February 17, 2021, Wellness entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Plan of Merger”). Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, a merger between LEIIO and LEIIO Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation wholly-owned by Wellness (“Merger Sub”), occurred. Immediately prior to the merger, and by virtue of the merger, each share of LEIIO issued and outstanding converted into 0.31111112 Common Shares of Wellness (each, a “Wellness Share”). The consideration in the merger consisted of 2,800,000 Wellness Shares, with 700,000 Wellness Shares issued to each of three current members of our management (Cory J. Rosenberg, Chris L. Claussen, and Joseph Claussen) and one former member of our management (Stephen Leider) (the “Wellness Share Recipients”). The first 175,000 Wellness Shares issued to each of the Wellness Share Recipients were issued at a price of CAD$0.05 per share and the remaining Wellness Shares were issued at a price of CAD$0.20 per share. The total consideration in the merger amounted to CAD$455,000. By virtue of the merger, each share of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger converted into one share of LEIIO. Immediately after the merger, the surviving corporation, LEIIO became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wellness and the owners of LEIIO obtained control of Wellness, resulting in a reverse acquisition.
On October 4, 2021, LEIIO changed its name to “First Person, Inc.”
On December 15, 2021, Wellness held a special meeting of its shareholders at which the following actions were taken:
● | passed an ordinary resolution appointing Marcum LLP as auditor of Wellness for the ensuing year and authorizing the Board of Directors to determine the remuneration to be paid to the auditor; | |
● | passed an ordinary resolution fixing the number of directors to be elected at five; | |
● | elected Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, Chris L. Claussen, Ariel Fainsod, Rosema J. Nemorin, and Cory J. Rosenberg as directors of Wellness, to hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are duly elected or appointed pursuant to the by-laws of Wellness, unless a director ceases to hold office pursuant to the ABCA or the office is otherwise vacated; | |
● | passed an ordinary resolution adopting the amended and restated By-Law No. 1 of Wellness and repealing Wellness’s previously adopted By-Law No. 1; | |
● | passed a special resolution authorizing the amendment of Wellness’s articles of incorporation (the “Articles”) to change the name of Wellness to “First Person Ltd.”; | |
● | passed a special resolution authorizing the amendment of the Articles to effect the Consolidation on the basis of a consolidation ratio within the range of one post-Consolidation Common Share for every two to twelve pre-Consolidation Common Shares outstanding prior to the effective date of the Consolidation; | |
● | passed a special resolution authorizing the amendment of the Articles to increase the minimum number of directors from one to three; and | |
● | passed a special resolution authorizing the amendment of the Articles to remove certain restrictions on the transfer of shares of Wellness. |
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On April 21, 2022, First Person amended the Articles to effect the Consolidation on the basis of a consolidation ratio of one post-Consolidation Common Share for every ten pre-Consolidation Common Shares outstanding prior to the effective date of the Consolidation. All references to Common Shares, options and warrants to purchase Common Shares, share data, per share data, and related information have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, in this Prospectus to reflect the Consolidation as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.
On February 15, 2022, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of TruMed in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of up to $750,000, pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement entered into with TruMed and each of the TruMed Sellers. $130,000 of the purchase price was paid by wire transfer on or before the closing of the acquisition, while $70,000 of the purchase price is being paid pursuant to a promissory note delivered to the TruMed Sellers. The original promissory note provided that the principal amount was payable on or before the earlier of (i) May 15, 2022 and (ii) the date on which First Person completes an initial public offering of securities on a “designated exchange” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation; however, the Company and the TruMed Sellers subsequently agreed to amend the promissory note to provide that the principal amount of the promissory note is payable on or before the earlier of (i) October 15, 2022 and (ii) the date on which First Person completes an initial public offering of securities on a designated exchange. On October 14, 2022, the Company and the TruMed Sellers agreed to further amend the promissory note to provide that the principal amount of the promissory note is payable on or before the earlier of (i) December 31, 2022 and (ii) the date on which First Person completes an initial public offering of securities on a designated exchange. On January 10, 2023, the Company paid $35,000 to the TruMed Sellers as partial payment of the amount owed under the promissory note, and the Company and the TruMed Sellers further amended the promissory note to provide for a new principal amount of $37,867.51, which shall be payable on or before the earlier of (i) April 30, 2023 and (ii) the date on which First Person completes an initial public offering of securities on a designated exchange. Interest on the principal balance of the promissory note accrues at a rate equal to the prime rate of the Royal Bank of Canada plus 2 percent per annum. First Person may prepay all or any part of the principal, together with interest accrued, at any time without notice, premium, or penalty. The remaining $550,000 of the purchase price will only be paid if TruMed achieves certain milestones within the first twenty-four months following the closing of the acquisition, including: (i) $125,000 upon the establishment of a cultivation facility in Jamaica with at least three containers or equivalent and at least three trained employees, such facility having remote monitoring capabilities; (ii) $125,000 upon the establishment of an operating extraction laboratory in Jamaica; (iii) $125,000 upon the cultivation and harvest of at least ten kilograms of dry mushrooms; and (iv) $175,000 upon the receipt by TruMed of revenue from sales to arm’s length third party purchasers in the marketplace (each a “Milestone Payment”). In the event one or more of the milestones are met after the effective date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, some of the proceeds of this offering may be used to make the corresponding Milestone Payment(s). See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus for additional information. The Share Purchase Agreement provides that, upon mutual agreement of the parties, we may pay a Milestone Payment through the issuance of our (or any successor entity’s) Common Shares at the then current fair market value price per share, as determined in good faith by our board of directors, in lieu of cash.
On December 30, 2022, First Person amended the Articles to create the first series of preferred shares of the Company, consisting of an unlimited number of shares, designated as Preferred Shares, Series 1 shares. See “Description of Share Capital—Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for additional information.
On April 11, 2023, First Person’s Board of Directors passed a resolution adopting an amendment to the amended and restated By-Law No. 1 of First Person. The amendment is effective as of April 11, 2023, but is subject to approval by First Person’s shareholders at the next shareholder meeting.
First Person Ltd. is referred to as “First Person” or the “Company.” First Person, a company incorporated in Alberta, Canada, is a holding company. We conduct our business and operations through our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: FP, Inc. and TruMed. Our goal is to activate the full potential of human cognition through mushroom innovation. We believe that First Person, despite its early stage of development, is building a resilient foundation for long-term growth, and we believe we have positioned ourselves for success in the brain health and wellness markets through our innovative product formulations and production processes.
First Person, Inc.
FP, Inc. intends to produce and distribute for sale grain-free, organic functional mushroom ingredients and a premium brand of cognitive supplement consumer products, and plans to conduct psychedelic mushroom product research and development, subject to obtaining the applicable regulatory approval.
Since its inception in January 2021, FP, Inc. has devoted substantially all of its efforts to business and product development relating to the operations of a functional mushroom farm in Olympia, Washington, and to the development of its own proprietary formulations of cognitive nutraceutical performance products containing functional mushrooms. We intend to use some of the net proceeds of this offering to support FP, Inc. in launching and growing an initial product line of three nutraceutical consumer facing products, as well as expansion of growing and production capabilities in Olympia, Washington. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus.
Olympia Production Facility
The Olympia, Washington, production facility is FP, Inc.’s primary production and processing facility and includes approximately, 15,000 sq. ft. of current production and laboratory space. It is intended to house three functional mushroom greenhouses, all of which have been fully constructed. Each greenhouse is utilized to grow First GrownTM functional mushrooms.
Upon maturity and harvest, FP, Inc. processes its mushrooms on site into dry powders. FP, Inc. started its first inoculation in December 2021 and harvested its first batch of functional mushrooms in February 2022. Initially, external testing will be used to test each batch of functional mushrooms. However, as FP, Inc. scales, it intends to develop the capacity to bring that testing function in house. Current production takes approximately nine to sixteen weeks to inoculate, grow, harvest, and process each batch of functional mushrooms. Our functional mushrooms are subject to the standards set forth in the Organic Foods Production Act and the regulations adopted thereunder by the National Organic Program (the “NOP”). On June 23, 2022, our First GrownTM functional mushrooms were certified as organic by CCOF Certification Services, LLC, a USDA-accredited organic certifying agency. We also intend to acquire or lease additional space to expand FP, Inc.’s production footprint at our facility in Olympia, Washington, or elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
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The remainder of the space at the facility in Olympia, Washington, is intended to house a controlled substance growth, laboratory, and research facility for psychedelic mushrooms, and serve as a library of the large functional and psychedelic mushroom spore collection FP, Inc. owns. Psychedelic mushrooms are currently a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA in the United States. The State of Washington allows for controlled substance research and production within the state, so long as the operator has a state authorization from the WDOH and also possesses a DEA registration for the controlled substance activities it is conducting. Our facility will have a separate controlled substance area, which is under construction, and will require specialized security, monitoring, and safety equipment. Chris L. Claussen, our Chief Innovation Officer, submitted a controlled substance researcher application with the WDOH in order for FP, Inc. to conduct psilocybin research, with such application listing FP, Inc.’s Olympia, Washington, facility as the research lab location. If the WDOH registration is granted, then FP, Inc. intends to utilize such registration to apply for licensure with the DEA to make our current facility in Olympia, Washington, a licensed psilocybin facility.
Supply Contracts for Functional Mushroom Powder and Extracts
FP, Inc. is negotiating potential long-term contracts to supply functional whole mushroom dry powder and extracts, as well as the unprocessed fruiting bodies of functional mushrooms, to several prominent brands in the functional food category. FP, Inc. intends to enter into long-term supply agreements throughout 2023. The whole mushroom dry powder and extracts provided to these business-to-business customers can be added as an ingredient in an assortment of consumer food products, including, but not limited to, coffees and other beverages, creamers, gummies, chocolates, and candies.
Development of Nutraceutical Consumer Products
FP, Inc. has expended significant resources in developing a direct-to-consumers product line of nutraceutical cognitive supplements which are made of functional mushrooms and other adaptogenic botanicals, and completed a product launch for sale to the public on March 1, 2022. There are three initial product offerings, as follows: (i) SunbeamTM, a supplement targeting dopamine, sparking motivation and focus; (ii) Golden HourTM, a supplement targeting oxytocin, sparking connection and joy; and (iii) MoonlightTM, a supplement targeting gamma-aminobutryric acid (GABA), sparking restorative sleep cycles. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but these consumer products are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The microbeads and encapsulation for the supplement pills, and packaging materials for the pill tins and shipping boxes, are all produced by third-party manufacturers. Each of these consumer products is sold directly to consumers through FP, Inc.’s website, www.getfirstperson.com. Customers may either make a one-time purchase or enroll in a subscription services where they receive shipments based on a timeline chosen by the customer (typically monthly). In July 2022, due to greater than expected demand and to ensure that the company maintained sufficient inventory to fulfill existing subscription orders, FP, Inc. began taking pre-orders only for new purchases. FP, Inc. received additional inventory in early September 2022, and has since fulfilled all pre-orders.
TruMed Limited
TruMed was formed on April 30, 2019, and is focused on research and development of psilocybin mushrooms. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations. TruMed intends to carry out psilocybin-related operations in Jamaica. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. Therefore, research on psychedelic mushrooms is not in contravention of the laws of Jamaica and does not require any permit or authorization from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica. TruMed intends to grow and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica, and we plan to use some of the proceeds of this offering to expand TruMed’s Jamaican operations. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus.
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Our Strategy and Competitive Strengths
Building a Vertically Integrated Supply Chain for Functional Mushrooms to Be Used as Supplied Ingredients for Consumer Brands.
We intend to become a functional mushroom supplier, leveraging our expertise and innovation to build a supply chain from the ground up, using our proprietary First Grown™ process and techniques. We intend to sell functional mushroom powders and extracts, as well as the unprocessed fruiting bodies of functional mushrooms, as supplied ingredients for consumer brands by entering into supply agreements with other companies. We also intend to use our functional mushroom products in our own nutraceutical brand.
The global appetite for functional mushrooms is rapidly expanding. However, a nascent marketplace and fractured supply chain leave businesses and consumers wanting. Demand has currently overwhelmed the industry’s existing supply chain for functional mushrooms and large companies are buying out entire mushroom harvests in advance. In response, functional mushrooms are being grown and imported from overseas to meet demand in North America. Imported mushrooms have, in some instances, been found to contain heavy contaminants, grains, and other substrates, compromising the quality and purity of final consumer products. We intend to set the standard for purity, potency, and transparency while innovating finished mushroom ingredient formats to expand potential end-use product applications.
Functional mushrooms are fully legal, and we intend to market our functional mushrooms as food ingredients if we are granted approval from the USDA and the FDA. While we are an early stage company with a history of net losses and have generated limited revenue to date, we believe our planned vertically-integrated structure will allow us to disrupt and potentially dominate this fractured supply chain, secure growth, and generate revenue streams in established markets for functional mushrooms.
Using FP, Inc.’s proprietary First Grown™ production process, which FP, Inc. protects as a trade secret, our innovation team, together with our Head of Mycology & Psychedelics, Robert C. Kaelin, has developed a protectable, proprietary, and scalable end product that is 100 percent pure mushrooms, with no fillers or grain residue. Mr. Kaelin has over twenty years of experience in propagation, cultivation, and processing, and has extensive knowledge in the handling of good-manufacturing-practice certified mushrooms and mycelium products for use in the nutraceutical and whole foods industry.
We are building in-house processing capabilities to meet demand for our premium grain-free, pure mycelium/fruiting body powders and extracts. Our functional mushrooms are cultivated on wild harvest alder saw dust, then harvested, dried, and shipped to a processing partner for milling, extraction, and spray drying. Our proprietary extraction method uses hot water and ethanol in an ultrasonic assisted extraction (“UAE”) process that utilizes high frequency sound waves to extract compounds from the mushroom fiber. We own all of the UAE equipment, which is housed at the processing partner’s facility, and it is operated by the processing partner’s staff in accordance with our specifications. We do not have a formal agreement with this processing partner, and function under an “on-demand” arrangement. The fungus mycelium is cultivated in a liquid culture similar to brewing yeast for beer production. The mycelium is then filtered from the liquid, dried, and added to the UAE process along with the functional mushroom fruiting bodies. Once fully operational, we believe our proprietary automated processes to grow and process systems will maximize yields and minimize lead times and processing steps.
Our production capacity is rapidly growing, and currently consists of 15,000 sq. ft. with plans to acquire or lease additional growing space. The five First Grown™ fungi varieties that we are currently growing and intend to harvest are: (i) First Grown™ Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus); (ii) First Grown™ Maitaki (Grifola frondosa); (iii) First Grown™ Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi); (iv) First Grown™ Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris); and (v) First Grown™ Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor). We have harvested initial batches of First Grown™ Lions Mane and First Grown™ Cordyceps for testing purposes, and we have harvested additional batches of First Grown™ Lions Mane for use in our direct-to-consumer cognitive supplements. On June 23, 2022, our First GrownTM functional mushrooms were certified as organic by CCOF Certification Services, LLC, a USDA-accredited organic certifying agency.
We believe that owning our supply chain will allow us to participate in the high-growth mushroom business-to-business ingredient market by eventually becoming the primary supplier and product innovation partner of functional and wellness brands. We anticipate that these relationships will expand to include psychedelic mushrooms if the legal path is cleared to do so.
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Building Consumer Relationships Through a Direct-to-Consumer Brand.
We plan to develop, build, and market a successful direct-to-consumer brand of targeted nutraceuticals containing functional mushrooms and adaptogenic botanicals. We believe that building an early, direct, and trusted brand relationship with the consumer enables seamless product and category expansion.
On March 1, 2022, we launched a cognitive supplement system formulated to target specific neurotransmitters, which we believe will help establish our brand in the functional mushroom and the brain health and wellness markets and will position us to enter the psychedelic mushroom market should the legal market be opened in the United States. These are curated and fully legal cognitive supplements, engineered to work with and without psychedelic protocols to either replicate or enhance and elongate the effects of psychedelics. The supplements feature functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals that activate specific neurotransmitters affecting energy, mood, and sleep. Nutraceuticals are dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA. These consumer products do not require FDA approval prior to marketing and distribution, but are required to include a disclaimer that they have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
At launch, all functional mushrooms in our nutraceuticals were purchased from third parties; however, we have since started to include our First Grown™ Lions Mane in our nutraceuticals. All of the ingredients used in our nutraceuticals come from three sources—FP, Inc., Nutricode (an FM World brand), and North American Reishi Ltd. d/b/a NAMMEX—and meet the definition of a “dietary ingredient” as used in the FDCA. We do not intend to market any of our nutraceutical products for medical use.
We are branding and marketing these cognitive supplements with a brand agency that has experience in creating and launching successful direct-to-consumer brands. Our brand and product ecosystems are strategically positioned to resonate with forward-thinking consumers who seek to optimize their mental health and cognitive performance. We intend to build and sustain community engagement through high-impact marketing and branding activities, executive communications, and industry recognition. Our team brings a depth of invaluable experience across a diverse range of direct to consumer e-commerce businesses, and are experts in areas involving consumer acquisition costs, order frequency, and retention. We anticipate this will lead to detailed and realistic expectations for lifetime value that can inform and drive our decisions around reasonable marketing spend for customer acquisition. Product-line expansion will focus on innovations in the functional beverage category (a category that includes nutritional and energy drinks).
Product Research and Development and Innovation Capabilities in Psychedelic Mushrooms.
We plan to conduct psychedelic mushroom product research and development in Jamaica and, subject to obtaining the applicable regulatory approvals, in the United States. We believe our multi-faceted approach, involving supplying functional mushrooms, marketing a nutraceutical brand, and psychedelic mushroom product research and development, will maximize our potential in an emerging and transformative category of mental health products and solutions.
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring drug found in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA and is currently an illegal substance in the State of Washington and all other U.S. states. Therefore, in order to produce and research psilocybin in the United States, we will need to obtain the necessary approvals from federal and state authorities, which may be granted in the sole discretion of such authorities. Even if we receive the necessary approvals, we may be subject to quotas or other restrictions on our production and research set by federal or state authorities.
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Research involving controlled substances in the State of Washington requires participating individuals to register with both the DEA and the WDOH. Under Section 69.50.508(e) of the RCW, the State of Washington gives the WDOH the authority to authorize certain persons to possess and distribute controlled substances for research purposes. The first step in obtaining the necessary authorizations is to receive state approval from the WDOH. Applicants must obtain controlled substance researcher registration from the WDOH prior to registering with the DEA. Chris L. Claussen, our Chief Innovation Officer, submitted a controlled substance researcher application with the WDOH in order for FP, Inc. to conduct psilocybin research, with such application listing FP, Inc.’s Olympia, Washington, facility as the research lab location. If the WDOH registration is granted, then FP, Inc. intends to utilize such registration to apply for licensure with the DEA to make our current facility in Olympia, Washington, a licensed psilocybin facility. Due to the unpredictable nature of the WDOH review process, the timeline for receiving WDOH’s determination with respect to the application is currently uncertain. If we receive the WDOH license, then the approval process with the DEA is expected to take two to three months from when we initially submit an application with the DEA. We expect our facility to contain a WDOH- and DEA-compliant culture laboratory and controlled production and research facility for psychedelic mushrooms, built in line with all security protocols.
If we receive these approvals from the WDOH and the DEA, then we intend to expand domestic U.S. production to include psychedelic mushrooms for use in research, clinics, therapies, and eventually, if legal regimes surrounding psilocybin are changed, regulated dosed sub-hallucinogenic consumer product applications. We may not commence psilocybin propagation operations until we receive the requisite approvals from such authorities, and there is no guarantee that we will receive such approvals.
While we pursue the necessary approvals from the WDOH and the DEA in order to legally produce and research psilocybin in the United States, TruMed intends to carry out psilocybin-related operations in Jamaica. Psilocybin is not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. Therefore, research on psychedelic mushrooms and the sale of psilocybin for use in consumer products, or the sale of consumer products containing psilocybin, is not in contravention of the laws of Jamaica and does not require any permit or authorization from the regulatory authorities in Jamaica. TruMed intends to grow and distribute psychedelic mushrooms in Jamaica, both for research and recreational purposes, and we plan to use some of the proceeds of this offering to expand TruMed’s Jamaican operations. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 44 of this Prospectus. TruMed is a pre-revenue company in the development stage with substantially no operations, and has not yet conducted any research involving psilocybin.
In addition, we have entered into a statement of work with Charles River Labs, an independent research lab in Canada, to conduct two studies involving psilocybin. Charles River Labs obtained the necessary import permits from Health Canada—a department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy—and the Company does not need to acquire any approvals in connection with such research. After Charles River Labs obtains the necessary components for the tests, then Charles River Labs will commence two studies pursuant to the terms of the statement of work, with research and development efforts focused on isolating and studying the individual psychoactive components of mushrooms. Through the exploration of genetic strains and compounds, we hope to discover novel combinations and applications of these analogs for brain health and performance.
If we are unable to obtain all of the requisite approvals, including approvals to produce, or conduct research in, psychedelic mushrooms in the United States, then all of our activities involving psychedelic mushrooms and psilocybin will occur in Jamaica through TruMed, or through agreements with independent research labs in accordance with applicable laws.
We have filed two provisional patent applications that could provide us with a protected advantage in legal psychedelic mushroom markets. Our goal is to combine these patented innovations, and we believe that doing so will give us product performance and market advantages over other competitors preparing for the possibility of a legal market for sales of natural consumer psychedelic mushroom products. We have only filed provisional patent applications, which help protect inventions for a twelve-month period while a formal patent application is being filed. The patent process can take up to twenty-four months or longer to complete and can be challenged during the process. At this time, we cannot state whether the patent applications will be approved, refused, and/or ultimately registered.
We believe our three-part holistic strategy and approach to the developing markets for both functional and psychedelic mushrooms strategically positions us for both near and long-term growth.
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Competition
First Person competes most directly with both public and privately held companies that supply and manufacture functional and psychedelic mushrooms and produce related consumer nutraceutical products. Competitors for First Person include public company Optimi Health Corp. and numerous private functional mushroom producers and nootropic supplement brands.
We compete in the following markets, based on how we categorize our core products:
● | Functional Mushrooms. Demand for functional mushrooms has overwhelmed the existing supply chain, with large companies purchasing entire functional mushroom harvests in advance. Major North American suppliers are currently growing functional mushrooms and importing them from overseas. Functional mushrooms grown overseas have a reputation of containing heavy contaminants, compromising the quality and purity of final consumer products. We intend to produce and distribute for sale 100 percent grain-free, organic functional mushrooms at scale. | |
● | Nutraceutical Products. In March 2022, we launched our direct-to-consumer line of highly curated and fully legal cognitive supplements, engineered to work with and without psychedelic protocols to either replicate or enhance and elongate the effects of psychedelics. These supplements feature functional mushrooms and a curated blend of nutraceuticals that activate neurotransmitters affecting energy, mood, and sleep. This line of products may also expand into innovations in the functional beverage category—a category that includes nutritional and energy drinks. | |
● | Psychedelic Mushrooms. In addition to our functional mushrooms, we are building a robust culture library of psychedelic mushrooms and, if legal regimes surrounding psilocybin are changed, intend to enter the psychedelic mushroom supply chain for the psychedelics market. If we obtain the requisite approvals from all applicable state and federal governmental authorities, then we intend to build out our naturally-derived psychedelic mushroom supply chain in the United States. |
Intellectual Property
On February 18, 2021, FP, Inc. filed a provisional patent application (Application No. 63/150,762) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) for an innovation that reduces the gastric distress that can be caused by consuming psychedelic mushrooms. On November 5, 2021, FP, Inc. refiled the provisional patent application (Application No. 63/276,142) with the USPTO to provide additional time to provide evidence to prove out the patent. On November 11, 2021, Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen, the inventors of the innovation, filed an assignment with the USPTO assigning their entire interest in the innovation and the patent to us. FP, Inc. refiled the provisional patent with the USPTO on November 3, 2022 (Application No. 63,422,132). The provisional patent application recites claims to composition of matter, process of using/treatment, and process of making. The expected expiration year for the provisional patent application is 2023, and the Company intends to file a utility patent application prior to its expiration.
On August 5, 2021, FP, Inc. filed a provisional patent application (Application No. 63/229,725) with the USPTO for an innovation that increases bioavailability of tryptamine analogs from psychedelic mushrooms. Contemporaneously with the filing of the provisional patent application, Chris L. Claussen and Joseph Claussen, the inventors of the innovation, filed an assignment with the USPTO assigning their entire interest in the innovation and the patent to us. The provisional patent application recites claims to composition of matter, process of using/treatment, and process of making. FP, Inc. refiled the provisional patent with the USPTO on August 3, 2022 (Application No. 63/394,700). The expected expiration year for the provisional patent application is 2023, and the Company intends to file a utility patent application prior to its expiration.
On May 19, 2021, we filed a trademark application with the USPTO for the unregistered mark “First Person” (Application No. 90/722,122). On July 23, 2021, we filed trademark applications with the USPTO for the following three unregistered marks: (i) “Sunbeam” (Application No. 90/845,607); (ii) “Golden Hour” (Application No. 90/845,631); and (iii) “Moonlight” (Application No. 90/845,651). On September 23, 2021, we filed a trademark application with the USPTO for the unregistered mark “First Grown” (Application No. 97/042,249). On October 1, 2021, we filed trademark applications with the USPTO for the unregistered marks “Awaken Your Best Mind” (Application No. 97/056,489) and “Best Mind Ahead of You” (Application No. 97/056,495).
On May 19, 2021, we filed a trademark application with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office for the mark “First Person”. On November 11, 2021, we filed an application for international registration for the mark “First Person”, designating the mark for registration in Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
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In addition to the intellectual property registrations and applications noted above, FP, Inc. protects its First Grown™ process and techniques as a trade secret. There is no registration procedure for trade secrets, and such rights are secured and maintained by making reasonable efforts to preserve the information’s secrecy.
Government Regulation
We are subject to a wide range of governmental regulations and policies. We are required to comply with the regulations and policies promulgated by the EPA and corresponding state agencies, as well as the USDA, the FDA, the FTC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), and the DEA and corresponding state agencies. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission monitors claims made by companies, particularly with celebrity spokespeople.
USDA National Organic Program and Similar Regulations
We are involved in the sourcing, manufacturing, supplying, processing, marketing, selling, and distribution of organic food products and, as such, are subject to certain organic quality assurance standards. The Organic Foods Production Act mandates that the USDA develop national standards for organically produced agricultural products to assure consumers that those products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards. The Organic Foods Production Act established the NOP, a marketing program housed within the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA.
The USDA’s regulations, among other things, set forth the minimum standards producers must meet, and have reviewed by an accredited USDA-certifying agent, in order to label their products “100% organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic ingredients” and display the USDA organic seal. The regulations impose strict standards on the production of organic food products and limit the use of non-organic or synthetic materials in the production of organic foods. Generally, organic food products are produced using:
● | agricultural management practices intended to promote and enhance ecosystem health; | |
● | no genetically engineered crops, sewage sludge, long-lasting pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides; and | |
● | food processing practices intended to protect the integrity of the organic product and disallow irradiation, genetically modified organisms, or synthetic preservatives. |
After becoming certified, organic operations must retain records concerning the production, harvesting, and handling of agricultural products that are to be sold as organic for a period of five years. Any organic operation found to be in violation of the USDA organic regulations is subject to enforcement actions, which can include financial penalties or suspension or revocation of their organic certificate.
Additionally, our organic products may be subject to various state regulations. Many states have adopted their own organic programs making the state agency responsible for enforcing USDA regulations for organic operations. However, state organic programs may also add more restrictive requirements due to specific environmental conditions or the necessity of production and handling practices in the state.
We intend to manufacture and distribute a number of organic products that will be subject to the standards set forth in the Organic Foods Production Act and the regulations adopted thereunder by the NOP, and on June 23, 2022, our First GrownTM functional mushrooms were certified as organic by CCOF Certification Services, LLC, a USDA-accredited organic certifying agency.
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Food-Related Regulations
As a manufacturer and distributor of food products, we are also subject to a number of federal, state, and local food-related regulations, including, but not limited to, the FDCA and regulations promulgated thereunder by the FDA. This comprehensive regulatory framework governs the manufacture (including composition and ingredients), labeling, packaging, and safety of food in the United States. The FDA:
● | regulates manufacturing practices for foods through its Current Good Manufacturing Practices (“CGMP”) regulations and other regulations affecting food manufacturing; | |
● | regulates ingredient safety; and | |
● | prescribes the format and content of certain information required to appear on food product labels. |
Some of the key food safety and food labeling regulations in the United States are discussed in the following sections.
Food Safety Regulations
The FSMA enables the FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system. The law provides the FDA with new enforcement authorities and tools designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with prevention- and risk-based food safety standards and to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur.
The FDA has now finalized its rules necessary to implement FSMA, including: (i) Preventive Controls for Human Food, (ii) Preventive Controls for Food for Animals, (iii) Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption, (iv) Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals, (v) Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food, (vi) Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration, and (vii) Accredited Third-Party Certification. Most of these rules have gone into effect. For others, including the Foreign Supplier Verification Program requirements, we face tiered compliance dates that depend on the size of our Company and the size of the company from which we are sourcing the imported ingredient. The intentional adulteration rule went into effect July 27, 2020, for companies the FDA considers small businesses, with fewer than 500 employees, such as our Company.
Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls
Many of the rules, particularly those relating to good manufacturing practices and preventive controls relating to food for human consumption, sanitary transport, and foreign supplier verification and import safety, apply to us as we manufacture, process, pack, hold, and transport food for human consumption. We also work with foreign suppliers who provide us with raw materials. We have developed a food safety plan that we believe complies with our obligations under the FDA preventive controls requirements. Under that rule, covered facilities must establish and implement a written food safety system that includes an analysis of hazards and risk-based preventive controls. The hazard analysis must consider known or reasonably foreseeable biological, chemical, and physical hazards. The preventive control measures are required to ensure that hazards requiring a preventive control will be minimized or prevented. They include process, food allergen, and sanitation controls, as well as supply chain controls and a recall plan. In addition to establishing preventive controls, we must continuously ensure that the controls are effective through monitoring and verification activities. If a control fails, prompt corrective actions must be taken to identify a problem with preventive control implementation, to reduce the likelihood the problem will recur, evaluate affected food for safety, and prevent it from entering commerce. All corrective actions must be documented in writing.
The final rule mandates that a manufacturing facility have a risk-based supply chain program for those raw materials and other ingredients that have an identified hazard requiring a supply chain applied control. Accordingly, we are responsible for ensuring that foods are received only from approved suppliers, or on a temporary basis from unapproved suppliers whose materials are subject to verification activities before being accepted for use.
The final rule updated and clarified CGMPs. Management is required to ensure that all employees who manufacture, process, pack, or hold food are qualified and properly educated to perform their assigned duties. We have developed regulatory compliance programs to ensure we are in compliance with the applicable rules, and we continue to monitor the FDA’s ongoing efforts to develop guidance for industry clarifying the FDA’s expectations under the rule.
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We believe that we are in material compliance with the current regulations promulgated to implement FSMA that are applicable to our business, and we intend to partner with manufacturing companies that have CGMP certified facilities. We are continuing to develop internal compliance policies and practices for those rules that have future compliance dates in order to ensure compliance by the required deadlines.
Foreign Supplier Verification Program
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.
Sanitary Transportation Rule
The FDA’s regulations governing the Sanitary Transportation of Food for Humans and Animals requires that the parties involved in shipping food take steps to ensure that food is not contaminated or otherwise rendered unsafe during transportation. Steps include ensuring the conveyance is clean and that refrigerated foods are maintained in a refrigerated state. Fully packaged foods that do not require temperature control for safety, such as the foods that we currently produce, are generally exempt from these requirements. These requirements could become applicable to us, however, if we were to change our product line.
Bioterrorism Act
In addition, we are subject to the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the “Bioterrorism Act”) and regulations issued thereunder. The Bioterrorism Act authorizes the FDA to take the regulatory action necessary to protect the nation’s food supply against the threat of intentional or accidental contamination. The major components of the Bioterrorism Act include registration of food facilities with the FDA; prior notice of virtually all imported food shipments under the FDA’s authority; recordkeeping requirements for food facilities; authorization of the FDA to administratively detain food; authorization of the FDA to institute debarment of food importers for various violations related to food importation; and creation of a clear way to re-import previously refused foods if certain criteria are met.
Other Requirements
Lastly, we are subject to numerous other federal, state, and local regulations involving such matters as the licensing and registration of manufacturing facilities, enforcement by government health agencies of standards for our products, inspection of our facilities, and regulation of our trade practices in connection with the sale of food products.
Food Labeling Regulations
We are subject to certain requirements relating to food labeling under the FDCA and corresponding FDA regulations as well as the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, enacted in 1967, and corresponding FTC regulations. Although the FTC and the FDA share jurisdiction over claims made by manufacturers of food products (with the USDA also having jurisdiction over “organic” claims), the FDA retains primary jurisdiction over the labeling of food products whereas the FTC regulates advertising.
The FDA and the FTC require that all food products be labeled to disclose the net contents, the identity of commodity, nutrition information, and the name and place of business of the product’s manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Both agencies also require that any claim on the product be truthful and not misleading.
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In 2016, the FDA updated its nutrition labeling rules, which had not been changed since 1993. The updated nutrition labeling rules require manufacturers to, among other things:
● | increase the type size for “calories,” “servings per container,” and the “serving size” declaration, and bolding the number of calories and the “serving size” declaration to highlight this information; | |
● | declare the actual amount, in addition to percent Daily Value, of vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium; | |
● | include “added sugars,” in grams and as percent Daily Value on the label; and | |
● | display serving sizes on labels based on amounts of foods and beverages that people are actually eating, not what they should be eating. |
Manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual food sales were required to comply with the new rules by January 1, 2020; all other food manufacturers were required to comply with the new rules by January 1, 2021. We believe we are in material compliance with these new food labeling regulations where applicable to our business.
The FDA also has detailed regulations and requirements governing various types of claims about products’ nutritional value and wellness benefits, such as a nutrient content claims, health claims, and structure-function claims. Claims falling under these regulations must be phrased in specific ways to avoid misbranding the food. We believe we are in compliance with applicable FDA claims regulations.
Other state and local statutes and regulations may impose additional food labeling requirements. For instance, the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly known as Proposition 65) requires, with a few exceptions, that a specific warning appear on any consumer product sold in California that contains a substance, above certain levels, listed by that state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. This law exposes all food and beverage producers to the possibility of having to provide warnings on their products.
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Dietary Supplements
Pursuant to the FDCA the FDA regulates the safety, formulation, manufacturing, processing, packaging, labeling, importation, and distribution of dietary supplements (including nutraceuticals). In addition, the FTC has jurisdiction to regulate the promotion and advertising of these products. The FDCA has been amended several times with respect to dietary supplements, in particular by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (“DSHEA”). DSHEA established a framework governing the composition, safety, labeling, manufacturing, and marketing of dietary supplements and established new statutory criteria for evaluating the safety of substances. In the process, DSHEA removed dietary supplements from pre-market approval requirements that apply to food additives and pharmaceuticals and established a combination of notification and post marketing controls for regulating product safety. The FDA does not require notification to market a dietary supplement if it contains only dietary ingredients that were present in the U.S. food supply prior to DSHEA’s enactment on October 15, 1994. However, for a dietary ingredient not present in the food supply prior to this date, the manufacturer must provide the FDA with information supporting the conclusion that the ingredient will reasonably be expected to be safe at least seventy-five days before introducing a new dietary ingredient into interstate commerce.
As required by the FSMA, the FDA issued draft guidance in July 2011, which attempts to clarify when an ingredient will be considered a new dietary ingredient, the evidence needed to document the safety of a new dietary ingredient, and the appropriate methods for establishing the identity of a new dietary ingredient. In particular, the new guidance may cause dietary supplement products available in the market before DSHEA to now be classified to include a “new dietary ingredient” if the dietary supplement product was produced using manufacturing processes different from those used in 1994.
DSHEA also empowered the FDA to establish binding Good Manufacturing Practice regulations governing key aspects of the production of dietary supplements. DSHEA expressly permits dietary supplements to bear statements describing how a product affects the structure, function, and/or general well-being of the body. Although manufacturers must be able to substantiate any such statement, no premarket approval authorization is required for such statements and manufacturers need only notify FDA that they are employing a given claim. No statement may expressly or implicitly represent that a dietary supplement will diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent a disease. DSHEA does, however, authorize supplement sellers to provide third-party literature in connection with the sale of a dietary supplement to consumers. This provision is an exception to the FDA’s broad powers over the promotion of regulated products. Accordingly, the authorization is limited and applies only if the publication is printed in its entirety, is not false or misleading, presents a balanced view of the available scientific information and does not promote a particular manufacturer or brand of dietary supplement, and is displayed in an area physically separate from the dietary supplements.
Environmental Regulations
We are also subject to various U.S. federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Some of the key environmental regulations in the United States include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | air quality regulations; | |
● | waste treatment/disposal regulations; | |
● | sewer regulations; | |
● | hazardous chemicals regulations; and | |
● | storm water regulations. |
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Consumer Protection Regulations
The FTC has the authority to regulate traditional and digital advertising for most types of consumer products, including our product offerings. The FTC has interpreted the Federal Trade Commission Act (the “FTC Act”) to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce and oversees express and implied claims in advertising as well as certain promotional activities such as the use of social media influencers by advertising companies.
The FTC revised its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (the “Guides”), which became effective on December 1, 2009. Although the Guides are not binding, they explain how the FTC interprets Section 5 of the FTC Act’s prohibition on unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Consequently, the FTC could bring a Section 5 enforcement action based on practices that are inconsistent with the Guides. Under the revised Guides, advertisements that feature a consumer and convey his or her atypical experience with a product or service are required to clearly disclose the results that consumers can generally expect. In contrast to the 1980 version of the Guides, which allowed advertisers to describe atypical results in a testimonial as long as they included a disclaimer such as “results not typical,” the revised Guides no longer contain such a safe harbor. The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long-standing principle that “material connections” between advertisers and endorsers (such as payments or free products), connections that consumers might not expect, must be disclosed.
To the extent we may rely on endorsements or testimonials, we will review any relevant relationships for compliance with the Guides and we will otherwise endeavor to follow legal standards applicable to advertising. Our marketing, advertising, and promotional activities for our consumer products must adhere to the FTC Act’s requirement for truthful, non-misleading, and adequately substantiated claims. If our advertising does not comply with FTC and similar state requirements, we could become subject to an investigation by the FTC or a consent decree, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and reputation.
Employee Safety Regulations
We are subject to certain safety regulations, including OSHA regulations. These regulations require us to comply with certain manufacturing safety standards to protect our employees from accidents. We believe that we are in material compliance with all employee safety regulations applicable to our business.
Controlled Substances
The CSA and its implementing regulations establish a “closed system” of regulations for controlled substances. The CSA imposes registration, security, recordkeeping and reporting, storage, manufacturing, distribution, importation, and other requirements under the oversight of the DEA. The DEA is the federal agency responsible for regulating controlled substances, and requires those individuals or entities that manufacture, import, export, distribute, research, or dispense controlled substances to comply with the regulatory requirements in order to prevent the diversion of controlled substances to illicit channels of commerce.
The DEA categorizes controlled substances into one of five schedules—Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V—with varying qualifications for listing in each schedule. Schedule I substances by definition have a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Pharmaceutical products with a currently accepted medical use that are otherwise approved for marketing may be listed as Schedule II, III, IV, or V substances, with Schedule II substances presenting the highest potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence, and Schedule V substances presenting the lowest relative potential for abuse and dependence.
Facilities that manufacture, distribute, import, or export any controlled substance must register annually with the DEA. The DEA registration is specific to the particular location, activity(ies), and controlled substance schedule(s).
The DEA inspects all manufacturing facilities to review security, recordkeeping, reporting, and handling prior to issuing a controlled substance registration. The specific security requirements vary by the type of business activity and the schedule and quantity of controlled substances handled. The most stringent requirements apply to manufacturers of Schedule I and Schedule II substances. Required security measures commonly include background checks on employees and physical control of controlled substances through storage in approved vaults, safes, and cages, and through use of alarm systems and surveillance cameras. Once registered, manufacturing facilities must maintain records documenting the manufacture, receipt, and distribution of all controlled substances. Manufacturers must submit periodic reports to the DEA of the distribution of Schedule I and II controlled substances, Schedule III narcotic substances, and other designated substances. Registrants must also report any controlled substance thefts or significant losses, and must obtain authorization to destroy or dispose of controlled substances. Imports of Schedule I and II controlled substances for commercial purposes are generally restricted to substances not already available from a domestic supplier or where there is not adequate competition among domestic suppliers. In addition to an importer or exporter registration, importers and exporters must obtain a permit for every import or export of a Schedule I and II substance or Schedule III, IV, and V narcotic, and submit import or export declarations for Schedule III, IV, and V non-narcotics. In some cases, Schedule III non-narcotic substances may be subject to the import/export permit requirement, if necessary, to ensure that the United States complies with its obligations under international drug control treaties.
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For drugs manufactured in the United States, the DEA establishes annually an aggregate quota for the amount of substances within Schedules I and II that may be manufactured or produced in the United States based on the DEA’s estimate of the quantity needed to meet legitimate medical, scientific, research, and industrial needs. The DEA also has individual quotas assigned to controlled substances research and manufacturing registrants.
In addition to federal laws, U.S. states also maintain separate controlled substance laws and regulations, including licensing, recordkeeping, security, distribution, and dispensing requirements. State authorities, including boards of pharmacy, regulate use of controlled substances in each state. Most states, including Washington, allow for research activities using controlled substances pursuant to state authorization and DEA registration. Failure to maintain compliance with applicable requirements, particularly as manifested in the loss or diversion of controlled substances, can result in enforcement action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, and financial condition. Chris L. Claussen, our Chief Innovation Officer, submitted a controlled substance researcher application with the WDOH in order for FP, Inc. to conduct psilocybin research, with such application listing FP, Inc.’s Olympia, Washington, facility as the research lab location. If the WDOH registration is granted, then FP, Inc. intends to utilize such registration to apply for licensure with the DEA to make our current facility in Olympia, Washington, a licensed psilocybin research and production facility.
The DEA may seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal prosecution.
Unlike in the United States, psilocybin mushrooms are not an illegal drug under the Jamaica Drug Act. As psilocybin is not included in the Jamaica Drug Act, it is not a controlled or restricted substance in Jamaica and therefore no other specific controls, permits, licenses, or authorizations are required to conduct research on psilocybin.
Psilocybin Production and Research
Federally legal psilocybin research was stalled for many years, but has recently experienced a resurgence while, at the same time, psilocybin continues to become more popular in mainstream culture and consciousness. Clinical trials using psilocybin are being conducted at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research, the University of California, New York University, the University of Michigan, Yale University, and the Usona Institute, among others. In 2018, journalist Michael Pollan’s book How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence became a New York Times bestseller; in 2022, Pollan published a follow-on book, This Is Your Mind on Plants, which he describes as a “radical challenge to how we think about drugs.”
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In addition to the federally legal process for producing and researching psilocybin, a number of states have recently considered legalizing the substance for medical patients, and in some cases, for all adults, and cities such as Denver, Berkeley, and Oakland have decriminalized psilocybin. Many states, including the State of Washington, currently allow for psilocybin research and related activities under state law, with the appropriate controlled substance authorizations from both the state and the DEA. The following legislative discussion focuses on current laws and bills that expand the use of psilocybin beyond the exemption that exists for controlled substances research and DEA permitted controlled substances registration activities. As of late 2022, Oregon and Colorado have legalized the use of psychedelic mushrooms (in Oregon, such use is limited to therapeutic use in supervised environments, whereas Colorado more broadly decriminalized possession and use by adults in addition to laying the groundwork for a mental health framework). In addition, we view the increased efforts of state legislatures to legalize or decriminalize psilocybin as evidence that there is an increased interest in the populace of those states for psilocybin use or research. The summary of recent and pending state legislation provided below illustrates the types of legislation currently being passed and considered by state legislatures. In addition to the below, as of January 2023, legislative representatives in Missouri, Minnesota and Montana have indicated that they plan to file bills this year aimed at legalizing the possession and use of plant- and fungus-derived psychedelic substances. There is no guarantee that any legislation legalizing or decriminalizing psilocybin will be enacted; moreover, these state laws would not remove or alter the current federal constraints on psilocybin.
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Oregon – In November 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic use in supervised environments. Measure 109, now codified in Oregon Statute as ORS 475A: Psilocybin Regulation, directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to license and regulate psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services. The measure directed the OHA to develop regulations for the manufacturing, transport, delivery, sale, and purchase of psilocybin products over a two year development period, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Measure 109 allows people who are aged 21 and over to access psychedelic mushrooms for personal development upon passing a screening conducted by a qualified therapist. People who use the drug are expected to be able to do so at a psilocybin service center, with the supervision of a designated service facilitator. The OHA concluded its two-year rulemaking period as of December 2022, and began accepting applications for licensure on January 2, 2023. The OHA has stated that it expects new psilocybin service centers to open their doors to clients and for licensed facilitators to begin offering psilocybin services this year.
Draft rules by the newly created Oregon Psilocybin Services section of the OHA indicate that only one species of fungi, Psilocybe cubensis, will be authorized for cultivation or possession, that manufacturers will not be allowed to use dung or woodchips to cultivate the mushrooms, that synthetic psilocybin will not be permitted, and that all products can only be designed for oral consumption.
Oregon also passed Measure 110, effective as of February 2021, which greatly reduced the penalties for the personal possession of small amounts of psilocybin, and other controlled substances (such violations are now subject to a maximum fine of $100). |
● | Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation in 2021 requiring the Department of Mental Health (DMHAS) to convene a working group to study the health benefits of psilocybin. The bill specified that the study shall include an examination of whether the use of psilocybin by a person under the direction of a health care provider may be beneficial to the person’s health. In February 2022, DMHAS issued its final report, recommending that the state legalize the medically supervised use of psilocybin in licensed health settings under the supervision of health professionals.
In May 2022, the Governor signed H.B. 5506, which creates a Pilot Program for psylocibin and MDMA therapies. Under the bill, psychedelic treatment centers will be established in the state where people can receive psilocybin-assisted or MDMA-assisted therapy as part of an expanded access program for investigational new drugs through the FDA.
On January 9, 2023, Rep. David Michel and Sen. Gary Winfield introduced H.B. 5102, which provides that “the general statutes be amended to allow” such the use of psilocybin for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. It has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health. | |
● | Colorado – In November 2022, voters approved Proposition 122, known as the Natural Medicine Health Act, which decriminalizes the personal use and cultivation of psilocybin and psilocin (and other natural psychedelic drugs, including dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline not derived from peyote) and creates a framework for regulating the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and transportation of these psychedelic plants and fungi through state regulated “healing centers.” However, Governor Jared Polis recently told the media that additional “enabling legislation” may be necessary to effectuate the will of voters. | |
● | New York – Before the start of the 2023-2024 legislative term, Rep. Linda B. Rosenthal pre-filed A.B. 114, which would legalize the possession of five psychedelic substances including: psilocybin; psilocyn; DMT; ibogaine; and mescaline not derived from peyote. The bill includes provisions barring state and local law enforcement from assisting federal drug enforcers pursuing activity protected by the legislation and provides that someone with a professional or occupational license should not have their status threatened for personal use and possession of these substances. The bill would also allow local municipalities to implement their own policies “in furtherance of this law,” while protecting employees from adverse action if they use the substances on their own time and off their employers’ premises. | |
● | New Jersey – The Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act, introduced in the state Assembly in December (as A.B. 4911) and the Senate last summer (as S.B. 2934), would develop a regulatory scheme for the Department of Health to administer psilocybin treatment centers to patients age 21 and over. The bills prescribe an 18-month development program for the new regulations (during which a governor-appointed 12-person board would advise regulators on best practices and on balancing public health and safety concerns), and expressly forbid any county or municipality from levying taxes or fees on the manufacture or sale of psilocybin or the provision of psilocybin services. | |
● | Illinois – Rep. La Shawn Ford pre-filed the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act, H.B. 1. The Act would establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services. The Department would license persons to manufacture or test psilocybin products, operate service centers, or facilitate psilocybin services. The Act also provides for the expungement of records concerning the possession of psilocybin and psilocin, and amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to remove psilocybin and psilocin from the state’s list of Schedule I controlled substances. It has been referred to the Rules Committee. | |
● | Virginia – As of January 2023, there are three bills affecting psylocibin. H.B. 898 (which is a carryover from the prior year and filed by Rep. Dawn Adams) would decriminalize a broad array of psychedelics. Rep. Adams has also filed H.B. 1315, which would legalize psilocybin possession for people who have an “order” from a health care professional to treat “refractory depression or post-traumatic stress disorder or to ameliorate end-of-life anxiety.” The bill would also reduce the penalty for nonmedical possession of psilocybin to a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by no more than 30 days in jail. Meanwhile, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi pre-filed S.B. 932, which would down-schedule psilocybin from Schedule I to Schedule III and create a Virginia Psilocybin Advisory Board to “develop a long-term strategic plan for establishing therapeutic access to psilocybin services and monitor and study federal laws, regulations, and policies regarding psilocybin.” | |
● | California – In December 2022, Sen. Scott Weiner reintroduced a bill to allow for the personal possession of five psychedelic substances: psilocybin, psilocyn, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline for adults aged 21 and over. Although a prior version of the bill passed relevant Senate committees, it stalled in the state Assembly, moving to the chamber’s inactive file in August 2022. Sen. Weiner stated, as recently as December 2022, that he is “cautiously optimistic” that the reintroduced bill will pass this year. |
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Employees and Human Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2022, we had two full-time Canadian employees at First Person Ltd., ten full-time and three part-time U.S. employees at FP, Inc., and no employees at TruMed.
Properties
Calgary, Alberta Headquarters
First Person is headquartered at 1840, 444 – 5th Ave., SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, pursuant to a lease agreement that the Company assumed from the prior tenant effective January 1, 2022. The lease is for 2,885 sq. ft. of office space, and the rent amount is CAD$4,567.92 per month. This lease expires on August 31, 2024. The lease does not provide for renewal options.
Olympia, Washington Facility
First Person leases a 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Olympia, Washington, which is currently utilized by FP, Inc. to grow functional mushrooms. The initial term of this lease expires April 14, 2023, subject to two renewal options for two years each. The Company exercised the first renewal option, thereby extending the lease until April 14, 2025. The base rent until April 14, 2023, is $3,178 per month. The base rent after April 14, 2023, and for additional renewal periods, if exercised by the Company, is calculated by multiplying the base rent by the annual change in the Consumer Price Index, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as provided in the most recent publication to the start of the renewal period.
WeWork Office
First Person leases a fifteen-person office space in a WeWork building in Glendale, California, pursuant to a Membership Agreement with WeWork, dated October 11, 2022 (the “Membership Agreement”). The leased office space is currently utilized by certain of the Company’s officers. The lease term is for six months (the “Commitment Term”), beginning on October 20, 2022. The rent is $7,450 per month, prorated for the month of October 2022; however, First Person receives discounts of $1,374 per month for October 20, 2022 through October 31, 2022, $5,500.34 per month for November 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022, and $3,549.93 per month for December 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. The rent amount is subject to annual 3.5 percent increases. In addition, First Person paid WeWork a service retainer fee of $18,625. After the Commitment Term, the Membership Agreement is automatically extended for successive one-month terms unless First Person provides at least one-month prior notice of its intent to terminate the Membership Agreement at the end of the then-current term. WeWork may terminate the Membership Agreement immediately at any time in its sole discretion.
On March 31, 2023, First Person amended the Membership Agreement to provide for a new commitment term commencing May 1, 2023 and ending January 31, 2024. The rent during the new commitment term is $7,450 per month; however, First Person receives discounts of $3,050 per month.
Previously, First Person leased office space in a WeWork building in Los Angeles, California. Cory J. Rosenberg, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, initially entered into a Membership Agreement with WeWork (the “Initial Membership Agreement”), dated February 25, 2021, for a five-person office, with a term of six months commencing on March 1, 2021, and expiring on August 31, 2021. The initial rent was $2,760 per month; however, Mr. Rosenberg received a discount of $828 per month until August 31, 2021. On June 30, 2021, the Initial Membership Agreement was amended to extend the expiration date until February 28, 2022, with the rent increasing to $2,920 per month beginning September 1, 2021, with a discount of $992.80 per month from September 1, 2021, until February 28, 2022. The Initial Membership Agreement was further amended on August 10, 2021, to move to a ten-person office beginning September 1, 2021, with the rent increasing to $5,450 per month beginning September 1, 2021, with a discount of $1,907.50 per month from September 1, 2021, until February 28, 2022. On September 29, 2021, First Person assumed the Initial Membership Agreement, and the Initial Membership Agreement was amended to move to a thirteen-person office, with the term for the new office space commencing on October 1, 2021, and expiring on October 31, 2021, with the rent increasing to $6,750 per month beginning October 1, 2021, with a discount of $3,208 per month from October 1, 2021, until June 30, 2022. On July 8, 2022, the Initial Membership Agreement was amended to provide for a new lease term with a start date of August 1, 2022, and an end date of April 30, 2023. The rent was $5,950 per month for the duration of the term; however, First Person received a discount of $2,050 per month for the duration of the term. In early October 2022, WeWork announced it was closing the office in which First Person rented office space, and therefore WeWork was terminating the Initial Membership Agreement.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in our management’s opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations or financial position. There are no material proceedings in which any of our directors, officers, or affiliates or any registered or beneficial holder of more than 5 percent of our Common Shares is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.
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MANAGEMENT
Directors, Executive Officers, and Key Employees
Set forth below is certain information with respect to the individuals who are our directors, executive officers, and key employees as of the date of this Prospectus:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Cory J. Rosenberg | 43 | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President | ||
Darcy A. Campbell | 53 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Adam J. Schoenberg (1) | 43 | Chief Marketing Officer | ||
Chris L. Claussen | 52 | Director and Chief Innovation Officer | ||
Ariel Fainsod | 42 | Director | ||
Gail D. Hamilton Azodo | 38 | Director | ||
Rosema J. Nemorin | 41 | Director | ||
Robert C. Kaelin | 49 | Head of Mycology & Psychedelics |
(1) | Mr. Schoenberg is voluntarily terminating his employment with the Company effective April 30, 2023. |
Executive Officers
Cory J. Rosenberg, has been our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President since January 2021. Prior thereto, Mr. Rosenberg co-founded and led a high-growth premium international fashion and consumer brand, Hook & Albert, in January 2011. He successfully sold the business to a private equity fund in August 2016. Following the sale, Mr. Rosenberg continued as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Hook & Albert and joined the acquiring fund as a Managing Partner, a position he held from August 2016 until September 2019, advising on acquisition and integration strategy and helping build the foundation for an in-house shared services platform, unlocking value for high-growth portfolio brands. In September 2019, Mr. Rosenberg exited to build the framework for First Person. Mr. Rosenberg is a senior executive and seasoned entrepreneur with more than fourteen years of experience building, leading, and growing omni-channel retail and consumer-packaged-goods brands. As a former investment banker, Mr. Rosenberg advised on corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and capital market activities. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
Key Attributes, Experience and Skills:
As founder of the Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception, Mr. Rosenberg brings to the Board of Directors significant knowledge of all aspects of our Company and each of the industries in which it operates. In addition, having Mr. Rosenberg on the Board of Directors provides our Company with effective leadership.
Darcy A. Campbell, has been our Chief Financial Officer since January 2021. Mr. Campbell was also our Secretary and a member of our Board of Directors from January 2021 until December 2021. Mr. Campbell brings over twenty-five years of experience in finance and accounting for public and private companies operating in Canada and internationally. From July 1, 2015 until April 1, 2016, Mr. Campbell was the Chief Financial Officer of ATK Oilfield Transportation Inc. (“ATK”), a private oilfield services company. ATK was placed into receivership following an application by its creditors on April 1, 2016. Following the application, the bank called the outstanding loans, closed the company, and sent all the assets to auction. From April 2018 to October 2019, Mr. Campbell served as the Vice President of Finance for Hydrera Water Services, a water services company. From October 2019 to September 2020, he worked as a consultant in his own company, Private Consulting. From September 2020 to May 2021, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for INDVR Brands, a Canadian cannabis company. He is experienced in mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, equity raises, and debt restructuring, and is focused on building highly effective teams within organizations. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.
Adam J. Schoenberg, has been our Chief Marketing Officer since February 2021. Mr. Schoenberg is an award-winning senior branding executive, growth strategist, and pioneering category founder with significant experience launching and building premium direct-to-consumer brands across the fashion, media, and consumer products sectors. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Schoenberg was the founder of Chasing Eden Consulting from January 2019 to January 2021. Mr. Schoenberg co-founded a high-growth premium international fashion and consumer brand, Hook & Albert, in January 2011, which was successfully sold to a private equity fund in August 2016. Following the sale, Mr. Schoenberg continued as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Hook & Albert. He has helped lead several successful corporate exits, grooming companies and their brands for multimillion-dollar acquisitions. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
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Chris L. Claussen, has been our Chief Innovation Officer since January 2021 and a member of our Company’s Board of Directors since December 2021. Prior thereto, Mr. Claussen was a partner and project manager of Three Point Group LLC, a company that assists companies with strategic planning, profit improvement, valuation services, and business exit strategies, from February 2016 until January 2021. Mr. Claussen was the co–founder and Director of Operations for Memento Group LLC, a consumer product innovation business, from January 2018 until December 2020. Mr. Claussen has over twenty years of experience in product and business development. For the past five years he has focused exclusively on innovative product development in the functional foods and medicinal mushrooms space at Cognitive Performance Consultants. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma State University.
Key Attributes, Experience and Skills:
Mr. Claussen’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his twenty years of experience in product and business development, including five years during which he focused exclusively on the functional foods and medicinal mushrooms space. In addition, Mr. Claussen brings experience in exploring, experimenting, and conducting extensive research on the relationship between functional foods/medicinal mushrooms and metabolic, brain, and mental health.
Board of Directors
Ariel Fainsod, has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2021. Mr. Fainsod co-founded Lease for U in September 2016, and is Lease for U’s Chief Executive Officer. Lease for U provides a comprehensive strategy for its clients with business activity looking for a viable alternative for the acquisition of their assets and financing of working capital. Prior to founding Lease for U, Mr. Fainsod was the Chief Financial Officer of AN Global in Mexico from 2013 to September 2016. Mr. Fainsod received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electronic Engineering from Universidad Iberomericana, Mexico City.
Key Attributes, Experience and Skills:
Mr. Fainsod’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include over five years of business experience as a co-founder of his successful business, which provides practical experience in corporate growth, acquisition strategies, and financial management. Mr. Fainsod also brings financial expertise from his time as the Chief Financial Officer of AN Global in Mexico. This experience, coupled with his educational background, qualifies Mr. Fainsod to serve as a director for the Company.
Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2021. Ms. Hamilton Azodo co-founded Sips Coffee Roasters in July 2019. Ms. Hamilton Azodo has been an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University since January 2019. Prior thereto, Ms. Hamilton Azodo was the North America whisky Marketing Manager for Bacardi, USA, from July 2014 until August 2016. Prior to that, Ms. Hamilton Azodo was a Brand Manager at Proctor & Gamble, from July 2011 until July 2014. Ms. Hamilton Azodo received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and her Bachelor of Science and Economics from the University of Florida.
Key Attributes, Experience and Skills:
Ms. Hamilton Azodo’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include over two years of business experience as a co-founder of her successful business, which provides practical experience in corporate growth, acquisition strategies, and financial management. This experience, coupled with her educational background, qualifies Ms. Hamilton Azodo to serve as a director for the Company.
Rosema J. Nemorin, has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2021. Mr. Nemorin co-founded Lendstreet Financial in June 2010, and is Lendstreet Financial’s Chief Executive Officer. Lendstreet Financial is a marketplace lending platform which helps borrowers reduce debt and rebuild their credit. Mr. Nemorin received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and his Bachelor of Science and Sports Management from the University of Florida.
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Key Attributes, Experience and Skills:
Mr. Nemorin’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include over ten years of business experience as a co-founder of his successful business, which provides practical experience in corporate growth, acquisition strategies, and financial management. This experience, coupled with his educational background, qualifies Mr. Nemorin to serve as a director for the Company.
Key Employees
Robert C. Kaelin, has been our Head of Mycology & Psychedelics since April 2021. Mr. Kaelin is a mycologist with over twenty years of experience in propagation, cultivation, and processing. He has extensive knowledge in the handling of good-manufacturing-practice certified mushrooms and mycelium products for use in the nutraceutical and whole foods industry. Mr. Kaelin started his career at Fungi Perfecti, managing a large scale mushroom production facility while working under Paul Stamets, an industry leader in fungi. Since January 2006, Mr. Kaelin has been the operator of Provisions Mushroom Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture mushroom farm. Mr. Kaelin has been adjunct faculty at Bastyr University since 2010, teaching mycology, remediation, and the integration of food landscapes with waste material. He received his Bachelor degree from the University of Utah.
Advisory Board
We also have an advisory board consisting of the following seven individuals: Dr. Dominic D’Agostino (as principal of Ketone Technologies LLC), Dr. Mauro Zappaterra, Dr. Bruce Patsner, Dr. Julia Hoffman, Gregory Elliott, Emily Hofstetter, and Kenn Israel (as principal of Innovation Nutrition Consulting LLC). The members of our advisory board were selected based on leadership in their respective fields, and each member of the advisory board provides direction, knowledge, and leadership based on their professional experiences in order to help guide the Company.
Each member of the advisory board, other than Dr. Julia Hoffman, has entered into a services agreement containing non-disclosure and non-solicitation provisions along with an assignment of intellectual property rights. Each services agreement provides that it continues until terminated by either party thereto upon thirty days’ written notice. The advisory board members are reimbursed for any expenses incurred in the course of providing services, but only if such expenses are incurred with the Company’s prior written approval. Each services agreement provides that, if the agreement has not been terminated, then, upon the listing of our Common Shares on a recognized stock exchange, the Company shall seek the approval of our Board of Directors to (i) create an equity-based incentive compensation plan for the benefit of our directors, officers, employees, consultants, and advisors and (ii) grant rights to the advisor under such plan, in amounts and on terms to be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
No members of the advisory board have received any compensation other than equity grants. During fiscal 2022, the Company made the following equity grants to its advisory board members:
● | On April 14, 2022, we granted to Kenn Israel, options to purchase 5,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third on April 14, 2023, one-third on April 14, 2024, and one-third on April 14, 2025. |
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of our executive officers and directors.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence
The Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors provide that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, and each member of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees, must meet the independence requirements set forth therein. The full text of the Corporate Governance Guidelines, including the independence requirements, will be available in the Governance section of our website at https://www.firstpersongroup.com. In determining who qualifies as an “independent director,” the Board of Directors will consider the independence criteria established by applicable U.S. and Canadian laws and regulations and NASDAQ listing standards, as well as other factors that will contribute to effective oversight and decision-making by the Board of Directors. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each of Ariel Fainsod, Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, and Rosema J. Nemorin qualify as an independent director, as defined under the applicable corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. The Board of Directors shall review and determine annually the independence of all non-management directors, including an evaluation of all relationships between the Company and each director for the purposes of determining whether a material relationship exists that could interfere with such director’s ability to satisfy his or her responsibilities as an independent director. In addition, all Committee members will be evaluated for compliance with any additional NASDAQ or SEC independence requirements applicable to members of each Committee and the Board of Directors may adopt more stringent requirements to determine the independence of directors serving on various Committees.
Director Selection Process
The Nominating and Governance Committee considers candidates suggested by its members, other directors, senior management, and shareholders in anticipation of upcoming elections and actual or expected board vacancies. The Nominating and Governance Committee has not adopted a formal diversity policy or established specific minimum criteria or qualifications because from time to time the needs of the Board of Directors and the Company may change. All candidates, including those recommended by shareholders, are evaluated on the same basis in light of the entirety of their credentials and the needs of the Board of Directors and the Company, and to ensure the Board of Directors as a whole contains a range of talent, skill and expertise sufficient to provide sound and prudent guidance with respect to all of the Company’s operations and interests. Of particular importance is the candidate’s integrity, commitment and independence of thought and judgment, the candidate’s confidence and a willingness to express ideas and engage in constructive discussion with other Board members, Company management and all relevant persons, the candidate’s willingness and ability to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to the affairs of the Company, and the candidate’s willingness to make difficult decisions in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, and demonstrate diligence and faithfulness in attending Board and Committee meetings. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by the Company’s shareholders. Shareholders may recommend director candidates by contacting the Chairman of the Board as provided under “Communications with the Board of Directors” beginning on page 77 of this Prospectus.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board of Directors has no formal policy with respect to separation of the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or with respect to whether the Chairman should be a member of management or an independent director, and believes that these are matters that should be discussed and determined by the Board of Directors from time to time based on the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that having Cory J. Rosenberg, although not considered independent, serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is in the best interest of the Company’s shareholders at this time due to his extensive knowledge of the Company and its industries.
Risk Management
Our Board of Directors believes that risk management is an important component of the Company’s corporate strategy. The Board of Directors and the appropriate Committees consider and periodically discuss with management the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to risk oversight, assessment, and management.
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Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Governance Committee, and a Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors has established written charters for each of the Committees, which will be available on our website in the Corporate Governance section located at https://www.firstpersongroup.com and which are also available in print to any shareholder upon request to the Corporate Secretary. Any changes to the charters will be promptly reflected on our website.
Audit Committee
Ariel Fainsod, Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, and Rosema J. Nemorin have been designated as members of our Audit Committee. The principal duties of the Audit Committee under its written charter include monitoring: (i) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company; (ii) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; (iii) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors; and (iv) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Audit Committee charter requires that the Audit Committee be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom must be independent under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2) and meets the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. In addition, each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate within the meaning of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and our Board of Directors has determined that Ariel Fainsod has sufficient accounting or financial management expertise to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” in accordance with SEC rules.
Compensation Committee
Ariel Fainsod, Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, and Rosema J. Nemorin have been designated as members of our Compensation Committee. The principal duties of the Compensation Committee under its charter include: (i) overseeing and discharging the responsibilities of the Board of Directors relating to compensation of the Company’s executive officers and directors; and (ii) ensuring that the Company structures its compensation plans, policies, and programs as to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility with the Company, to provide incentives for such persons to perform to the best of their abilities for the Company, and to promote the success of the Company’s business. In reviewing and approving the Company’s overall executive compensation program, if applicable, the Compensation Committee shall consider the results of the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee confers with our executive officers when making the above determinations.
The Compensation Committee charter requires that the Compensation Committee be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom must be independent under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2). In addition, in affirmatively determining the independence of any director who will serve on the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors shall consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship with the Company which is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a Compensation Committee member, including, but not limited to: (i) the source of compensation of the director, including any director, consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company to the director; and (ii) whether the director is affiliated with the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or an affiliate of a subsidiary of the Company. At least two members of the Committee also shall qualify as “outside” directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and as “non-employee” directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent as defined under the general independence standards of the Nasdaq listing standards and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Additionally, the Board has determined that Ariel Fainsod, Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, and Rosema J. Nemorin are non-employee” directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
Nominating and Governance Committee
Ariel Fainsod, Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, and Rosema J. Nemorin have been designated as members of our Nominating and Governance Committee. The principal duties of the Nominating and Governance Committee under its charter include: (i) identifying qualified individuals for membership on the Board of Directors; (ii) recommending to the Board of Directors the persons to be nominated for election as directors at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and the persons (if any) to be elected by the Board of Directors to fill any vacancies on the Board of Directors; (iii) recommending to the Board of Directors the directors to be appointed to each committee of the Board of Directors; (iv) developing and recommending to the Board of Directors a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines applicable to the Company; (v) providing general oversight of the corporate governance affairs of the Company; and (vi) performing such other matters as directed by the Board of Directors or the committee’s charter. The Nominating and Governance Committee oversees the annual evaluation of succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive positions. The Nominating and Governance Committee charter requires that the Nominating and Governance Committee be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom must be independent under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2). The Board has determined that each of Ariel Fainsod, Gail D. Hamilton Azodo, and Rosema J. Nemorin are independent under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2).
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Governance Practices
We observe corporate governance practices and have adopted principal governance documents which are designed to ensure that we maximize shareholder value in a manner that is consistent with both the legal requirements applicable to us and a business model that requires our employees to conduct business with the highest standards of integrity. Our Board of Directors has adopted and adheres to corporate governance principles which the Board of Directors and senior management believe promote this purpose, are sound and represent best practices, and will review these governance practices, the applicable corporate and securities laws and regulations of Alberta, Canada, where we are incorporated and the regulations of the SEC, as well as best practices recognized by governance authorities to benchmark the standards under which it operates. Our principal governance documents are as follows:
● | Corporate Governance Guidelines; | ||
● | Board of Directors committee charters, including: | ||
● | Audit Committee charter; | ||
● | Compensation Committee charter; and | ||
● | Nominating and Governance Committee charter. | ||
● | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and | ||
● | Related Party Transactions Policy. |
Our governance documents will be available on our website at https://www.firstpersongroup.com.
Executive Director Sessions
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the independent directors will meet in regular executive sessions to, among other matters, review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman (if independent), or the lead independent director, if applicable, or in the absence of a lead independent director, the chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee, will lead regularly scheduled meetings of independent directors following Board meetings to discuss matters as such independent directors consider appropriate.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Shareholders and other interested persons seeking to communicate directly with the Board of Directors, the independent directors as a group, or any of the Audit, Compensation, or Nominating and Governance Committees of the Board of Directors should submit their written comments c/o Corporate Secretary, Jan Campbell, Shareholder Communications at our principal executive offices at 1840, 444 – 5th Ave., SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 2T8 and should indicate in the address whether the communication is intended for the Chairman of the Board, the Independent Directors or a Committee Chair. The Chairman of the Board will review any such communication at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting unless, in his or her judgment, earlier communication to the Board of Directors is warranted.
If a shareholder communication raises concerns about our ethical conduct or the ethical conduct of our management, it should be sent directly to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices. The Corporate Secretary will promptly forward a copy of any such communication to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and, if appropriate, our Chairman of the Board, and take such actions as they authorize to ensure that the subject matter is addressed by the appropriate committee of the Board of Directors, by management and/or by the full Board of Directors.
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At the direction of the Board of Directors, we reserve the right to screen all materials sent to its directors for potential security risks, harassment purposes, or routine solicitations.
Board Observers
On July 14, 2021, in connection with the Company’s private placement offering, the Company entered into a Board Observer Agreement with Samuel Tullman and Glen Tullman (the “Board Observer Agreement”), pursuant to which Samuel Tullman and Glen Tullman may appoint one observer (the “Observer”) to attend, receive notice of, and observe all of the formal meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors in a nonvoting capacity. The Observer may participate in discussions at meetings of the Board of Directors, but in no event shall the Observer (i) be deemed to be a member of the Board of Directors in any way whatsoever, (ii) have or be deemed to have, or otherwise be subject to, any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to the Company or its shareholders, or (iii) have the right to vote on, propose, or offer any motions or resolutions to the Board of Directors. Samuel Tullman and Glen Tullman appointed Samuel Tullman as the Observer. The Board Observer Agreement terminates upon the later of (i) July 14, 2022 and (ii) the day that Samuel Tullman and Glen Tullman collectively cease to own or exercise control or direction over 4 percent or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares. The Board Observer Agreement contains confidentiality provisions with respect to information obtained by the Observer from the Company that extend for two years following the termination of the Board Observer Agreement.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to our directors, officers, employees, and third party representatives. Our code of ethics will be available on our website at: https://www.firstpersongroup.com.
Related Party Transactions Policy
On December 16, 2021, our Board of Directors adopted a Related Party Transactions Policy which is administered by our Audit Committee. This policy applies to any transaction or series of transactions in which (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or will be a participant, (ii) the aggregate amount involved, in any fiscal year, will or may be expected to exceed the lesser of (A) $120,000 or (B) 1 percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and (iii) any related party (as defined in the policy) has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. This also includes any material amendment or modification to an existing transaction with a related party. Under the Related Party Transactions Policy, the Company’s compliance officer will determine whether a transaction meets the requirements of a related party transaction requiring review by the Audit Committee. Transactions that fall within this definition will be referred to the Audit Committee for approval, ratification, or other action. Based on its consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Audit Committee will decide whether or not to approve such transaction. If the Company becomes aware of an existing related party transaction that has not been approved under this Policy, the matter will be referred to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision, or discontinuation or rescission of such transaction, and shall examine the facts and circumstances regarding the failure to report such related party transaction for approval and shall take any action it deems appropriate as a result. Please review the information under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” on page 85 of this Prospectus.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers has served as a member of a compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity whose executive officers served as one of our directors.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the total compensation received by, or earned by, our named executive officers for fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: Cory J. Rosenberg, our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board, Darcy A. Campbell, our Chief Financial Officer, and Adam J. Schoenberg, our Chief Marketing Officer (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).
Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary ($)(1) | Bonus ($)(1) | Share
Awards ($)(2) | Option
Awards ($)(3) | All
other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cory J. Rosenberg | 2022 | 150,000 | - | - | - | - | 150,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President | 2021 | 137,500 | - | - | 92,321 | - | 229,821 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Darcy A. Campbell | 2022 | 150,000 | - | - | 45,859 | - | 195,859 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer and Director | 2021 | 129,500 | - | - | 126,241 | - | 255,741 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Adam J. Schoenberg | 2022 | 150,000 | - | - | 91,718 | - | 241,718 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Marketing Officer | 2021 | 137,500 | - | - | 172,402 | - | 309,902 |
(1) | The amounts shown in this column reflect salary during the relevant period irrespective of when such salary was paid. |
(2) | The amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted share awards computed off the average Common Shares price on the grant date in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
(3) | The amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards computed off the average Common Shares price on the grant date in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, included elsewhere in this Prospectus. |
Narrative Disclosure Regarding Summary Compensation Table
Employment Arrangements
We, have entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. The employment agreements generally provide for at-will employment and six weeks of paid vacation per year (up to one week of which may be carried forward to a succeeding year). The key terms of employment with our Named Executive Officers are further described below. Copies of the employment agreements are attached as exhibits to this registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
Cory J. Rosenberg
Cory J. Rosenberg, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, entered into an employment agreement with FP, Inc., effective as of January 1, 2022. Mr. Rosenberg’s base salary is currently $150,000 per year, and is reviewed annually for the purposes of determining increases, if any, based on his performance, the performance of FP, Inc., the then-prevailing salary scales for comparable positions, inflation, and other relevant factors.
Mr. Rosenberg is eligible for an annual cash bonus in accordance with the terms of any annual cash bonus incentive plan maintained for FP, Inc.’s key executive officers, as amended from time to time (the “Cash Bonus Plan”). During the first quarter of each fiscal year, our Compensation Committee, in consultation with our Board of Directors, establishes threshold, target, and maximum performance goals for such fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the Cash Bonus Plan. If the target performance goals for a fiscal year are attained, then the annual cash bonus for such fiscal year is not less than 20 percent of the executive’s base salary and if the maximum performance goals for a fiscal year are attained, the annual cash bonus for such fiscal year is equal to 100 percent of the executive’s base salary, unless our Compensation Committee (with approval from our Board of Directors) determines extraordinary circumstances justify a larger annual cash bonus.
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Mr. Rosenberg is eligible to receive grants of equity awards each year pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The type of equity awards, vesting conditions, and the number of Common Shares subject to such annual grant of equity awards are determined by our Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
Mr. Rosenberg is entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs, and arrangements made available generally to FP, Inc.’s senior executives or to other full-time employees on substantially the same basis that such benefits are provided to such senior executives of a similar level or to other full-time employees (including, without limitation profit-sharing, savings, and other retirement plans or programs (e.g., a 401(k) plan), long-term cash incentive plan, program, or arrangement, medical, dental, hospitalization, vision, short- term and long-term disability, and life insurance plans or programs, accidental death and dismemberment protection, travel accident insurance, and any other fringe benefit or employee welfare benefit plans or programs that may be sponsored by FP, Inc. from time-to-time, including any plans or programs that supplement the above-listed types of plans or programs, whether funded or unfunded); provided, however, that Mr. Rosenberg is not eligible to participate in any generally available severance benefit plan, program, or arrangement sponsored or maintained by FP, Inc.
Mr. Rosenberg’s employment agreement provides for termination of his employment by either party for any reason upon thirty days’ prior written notice.
Mr. Rosenberg’s employment terminates immediately upon his death. If Mr. Rosenberg becomes disabled (as defined in his employment agreement) then FP, Inc. may terminate his employment upon written notice.
Mr. Rosenberg may terminate his employment for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement) if (i) not later than ninety days after the occurrence of any act or omission that constitutes good reason, he provides FP, Inc. with a written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the acts or omissions that constitute good reason, (ii) FP, Inc. fails to correct or cure the acts or omissions within thirty days after it receives such written notice, and (iii) Mr. Rosenberg terminates his employment after the expiration of such cure period but not later than sixty days after the expiration of such cure period.
Mr. Rosenberg’s employment agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of any act or omission that constitutes cause (as defined in his employment agreement), FP, Inc. may terminate his employment if (i) no fewer than fifteen days prior to the termination date, FP, Inc. provides him with written notice of its intent to consider termination of his employment for cause, including a reasonably detailed description of the acts or omissions that our Board of Directors believes constitute cause; and (ii) Mr. Rosenberg fails to cure the acts or omissions that constitute cause within fifteen days after receiving such notice.
For information regarding the compensation owed to Mr. Rosenberg upon termination of his employment, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” beginning on page 82 of this Prospectus.
Adam J. Schoenberg
Adam J. Schoenberg, our Chief Marketing Officer, entered into an employment agreement with FP, Inc., effective as of January 1, 2022. Mr. Schoenberg’s base salary is currently $150,000 per year, and is reviewed annually for the purposes of determining increases, if any, based on his performance, the performance of FP, Inc., the then-prevailing salary scales for comparable positions, inflation, and other relevant factors.
Mr. Schoenberg is eligible for an annual cash bonus in accordance with the terms of the Cash Bonus Plan. During the first quarter of each fiscal year, our Compensation Committee, in consultation with our Board of Directors, establishes threshold, target, and maximum performance goals for such fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the Cash Bonus Plan. If the target performance goals for a fiscal year are attained, then the annual cash bonus for such fiscal year is not less than 20 percent of the executive’s base salary and if the maximum performance goals for a fiscal year are attained, the annual cash bonus for such fiscal year is equal to 100 percent of the executive’s base salary, unless our Compensation Committee (with approval from our Board of Directors) determines extraordinary circumstances justify a larger annual cash bonus.
Mr. Schoenberg is eligible to receive grants of equity awards each year pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The type of equity awards, vesting conditions, and the number of Common Shares subject to such annual grant of equity awards are determined by our Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
Mr. Schoenberg is entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs, and arrangements made available generally to FP, Inc.’s senior executives or to other full-time employees on substantially the same basis that such benefits are provided to such senior executives of a similar level or to other full-time employees (including, without limitation profit-sharing, savings, and other retirement plans or programs (e.g., a 401(k) plan), long-term cash incentive plan, program, or arrangement, medical, dental, hospitalization, vision, short- term and long-term disability, and life insurance plans or programs, accidental death and dismemberment protection, travel accident insurance, and any other fringe benefit or employee welfare benefit plans or programs that may be sponsored by FP, Inc. from time-to-time, including any plans or programs that supplement the above-listed types of plans or programs, whether funded or unfunded); provided, however, that Mr. Schoenberg is not eligible to participate in any generally available severance benefit plan, program, or arrangement sponsored or maintained by FP, Inc.
Mr. Schoenberg’s employment agreement provides for termination of his employment by either party for any reason upon thirty days’ prior written notice. Mr. Schoenberg is voluntarily terminating his employment with the Company effective April 30, 2023.
Mr. Schoenberg’s employment terminates immediately upon his death. If Mr. Schoenberg becomes disabled (as defined in his employment agreement) then FP, Inc. may terminate his employment upon written notice.
Mr. Schoenberg may terminate his employment for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement) if (i) not later than ninety days after the occurrence of any act or omission that constitutes good reason, he provides FP, Inc. with a written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the acts or omissions that constitute good reason, (ii) FP, Inc. fails to correct or cure the acts or omissions within thirty days after it receives such written notice, and (iii) Mr. Schoenberg terminates his employment after the expiration of such cure period but not later than sixty days after the expiration of such cure period.
Mr. Schoenberg’s employment agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of any act or omission that constitutes cause (as defined in his employment agreement), FP, Inc. may terminate his employment if (i) no fewer than fifteen days prior to the termination date, FP, Inc. provides him with written notice of its intent to consider termination of his employment for cause, including a reasonably detailed description of the acts or omissions that our Board of Directors believes constitute cause; and (ii) Mr. Schoenberg fails to cure the acts or omissions that constitute cause within fifteen days after receiving such notice.
For information regarding the compensation owed to Mr. Schoenberg upon termination of his employment, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” beginning on page 82 of this Prospectus.
Darcy A. Campbell
We entered into an employment agreement with Darcy A. Campbell, our Chief Financial Officer, effective as of January 1, 2022. Mr. Campbell’s annual salary is currently $150,000 per year (paid in CAD equivalent, adjusted for exchange rate differences on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 annually. The annual salary is reviewed on an annual basis, and may, in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors, be increased.
Mr. Campbell is eligible to participate in our (i) bonus program, as established or amended from time to time, at our sole discretion, (ii) benefit plan that may be adopted for our senior executive employees, as may be amended from time to time, at our sole discretion, subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents provided by the relevant carrier, and (iii) long-term incentive plan or plans that may be adopted for our senior executive employees, as may be amended from time to time, at our sole discretion, subject to terms and conditions of such plan.
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We may terminate Mr. Campbell’s employment for just cause (as defined in his employment agreement) at any time and without notice. We may terminate his employment without just cause at any time by providing written notice.
Mr. Campbell may terminate his employment at any time and for any reason by providing thirty days’ prior written notice. Mr. Campbell’s employment automatically terminates upon his death.
For information regarding the compensation owed to Mr. Campbell upon termination of his employment, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” beginning on page 82 of this Prospectus.
Long Term Incentive Plan
The Incentive Plan, initially adopted on March 31, 2021, was amended and restated on March 22, 2022. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to (i) enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain, and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities, (ii) align the interests of such individuals with the Company’s shareholders, and (iii) promote ownership of the Company’s equity. The Company has reserved a maximum number of Common Shares for the grant of awards under the Incentive Plan of not more than 10 percent of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time. Incentives available under the Incentive Plan may include options, restricted share units, performance share units, deferred share units, and restricted shares. 20,135 Common Shares remain available to be awarded under the Incentive Plan as of the date hereof:
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company made the following equity grants to its Named Executive Officers:
● | On April 14, 2022, we granted to Darcy A. Campbell options to purchase 10,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third on April 14, 2023, one-third on April 14, 2024, and one-third on April 14, 2025. | |
● | On April 14, 2022, we granted to Adam Schoenberg options to purchase 20,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third on April 14, 2023, one-third on April 14, 2024, and one-third on April 14, 2025. |
The following table presents certain data for the Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2022.
Plan | Total
Common Shares reserved under plan(1) | Shares
available for future grants under plan(1) | Aggregate number of options exercised(1) | Aggregate number of options outstanding(1) | Weighted
average exercise price of options outstanding(1)(2) | |||||||||||||||
Incentive Plan | 635,135 | 20,135 | 0 | 615,000 |
(1) | Common Shares, share data, and per share data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Consolidation. |
(2) | As of December 31, 2022, the Company had options to purchase 615,000 Common Shares outstanding pursuant to the Incentive Plan, of which 365,000 have an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, 110,000 have an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, and 140,000 have an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2022 Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information on the current holdings of stock options and unvested Restricted Stock by our Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2022.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Option Grant Date | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable(1) | Option
Exercise Price (1) | Option Expiration Date | Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market ($) | |||||||||||||||||
Cory J. Rosenberg | 4/26/2021 | 33,333 | 16,667 | CAD$2.00 | 4/26/2026 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Darcy A. Campbell | 4/14/2022 | 0 | 10,000 | $ | 5.00 | 4/14/2027 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
9/27/2021 | 25,000 | 0 | CAD$3.50 | 9/27/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
4/26/2021 | 33,333 | 16,667 | CAD$2.00 | 4/26/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Adam J. Schoenberg | 4/14/2022 | 0 | 20,000 | $ | 5.00 | 4/14/2027 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
9/27/2021 | 25,000 | 0 | CAD$3.50 | 9/27/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
4/26/2021 | 50,000 | 25,000 | CAD$2.00 | 4/26/2026 |
(1) | Common Shares, share data, and per share data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Consolidation. |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Cory J. Rosenberg
Cory J. Rosenberg’s employment agreement provides for the following if his employment is terminated for any reason: (i) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the sum of the earned but unpaid base salary through the termination date plus the accrued but unused vacation days at the base salary in effect as of the termination date; plus (ii) any other benefits or rights accrued or earned through the termination date in accordance with the terms of the applicable fringe or employee benefit plans and programs (including any vested rights to outstanding equity awards pursuant to the terms of such equity awards).
If Mr. Rosenberg’s employment is terminated as a result of death or disability (as defined in his employment agreement), then, in addition to the renumeration owed to him if his employment is terminated for any reason, he (or his estate) shall receive the accrued but unpaid annual bonus, if any, for the fiscal year ended prior to the termination date.
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If Mr. Rosenberg’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined in his employment agreements), or if Mr. Rosenberg terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), then, in addition to the renumeration owed to him if his employment is terminated for any reason, he (or his estate) shall receive (i) the accrued but unpaid annual bonus, if any, for the fiscal year ended prior to the termination date, (ii) the annual bonus, if any, payable for the fiscal year in which his employment is terminated, based on actual fiscal year performance (pro-rated for the period of employment during such fiscal year through the termination date), (iii) if the termination date does not occur within twenty-four months following a change of control, then (a) a lump sum payment upon termination in an amount equal to the sum of (I) twenty-four months of the base salary in effect as of the termination date (without regard to any reduction in base salary that constitutes good reason), and (II) the amount equal to the product of two times the average annual bonus earned for the three most recent complete fiscal years preceding the termination date; provided, however, if the termination date occurs prior to the completion of three full fiscal years in which he was eligible for an annual bonus, then the amount shall be determined on the basis of the number of fiscal years completed at that time; and (b) reimbursement of the COBRA premiums, if any, paid by him for continuation coverage for him, his spouse, and his eligible dependents under the Company’s group health, dental, and vision plans for the lesser of twelve months or the maximum COBRA continuation period, and (iv) if the termination date occurs within twenty-four months following a change of control, then (a) a lump sum payment upon termination in an amount equal to the sum of (I) twenty-four months of the base salary in effect as of the termination date (without regard to any reduction in base salary that constitutes good reason), and (II) the amount equal to the product of two times the average annual bonus earned by him for the three most recent complete fiscal years preceding the termination date; provided, however, if the termination date occurs prior to the completion of three full fiscal years in which he was eligible for an annual bonus, then the amount shall be determined on the basis of the number of fiscal years completed at that time; (b) reimbursement of the COBRA premiums, if any, paid by him for continuation coverage for him, his spouse, and his eligible dependents under the Company’s group health, dental, and vision plans for the lesser of eighteen months or the maximum COBRA continuation period; and (c) the status of his outstanding equity awards will be determined in accordance with the provisions of the long-term incentive plan in effect on the termination date.
Adam J. Schoenberg
Adam J. Schoenberg’s employment agreement provides for the following if his employment is terminated for any reason: (i) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the sum of the earned but unpaid base salary through the termination date plus the accrued but unused vacation days at the base salary in effect as of the termination date; plus (ii) any other benefits or rights accrued or earned through the termination date in accordance with the terms of the applicable fringe or employee benefit plans and programs (including any vested rights to outstanding equity awards pursuant to the terms of such equity awards).
If Mr. Schoenberg’s employment is terminated as a result of death or disability (as defined in his employment agreement), then, in addition to the renumeration owed to him if his employment is terminated for any reason, he (or his estate) shall receive the accrued but unpaid annual bonus, if any, for the fiscal year ended prior to the termination date.
If Mr. Schoenberg’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined in his employment agreements), or if Mr. Schoenberg terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), then, in addition to the renumeration owed to him if his employment is terminated for any reason, he (or his estate) shall receive (i) the accrued but unpaid annual bonus, if any, for the fiscal year ended prior to the termination date, (ii) the annual bonus, if any, payable for the fiscal year in which his employment is terminated, based on actual fiscal year performance (pro-rated for the period of employment during such fiscal year through the termination date), (iii) if the termination date does not occur within twenty-four months following a change of control, then (a) a lump sum payment upon termination in an amount equal to the sum of (I) twenty-four months of the base salary in effect as of the termination date (without regard to any reduction in base salary that constitutes good reason), and (II) the amount equal to the product of two times the average annual bonus earned for the three most recent complete fiscal years preceding the termination date; provided, however, if the termination date occurs prior to the completion of three full fiscal years in which he was eligible for an annual bonus, then the amount shall be determined on the basis of the number of fiscal years completed at that time; and (b) reimbursement of the COBRA premiums, if any, paid by him for continuation coverage for him, his spouse, and his eligible dependents under the Company’s group health, dental, and vision plans for the lesser of twelve months or the maximum COBRA continuation period, and (iv) if the termination date occurs within twenty-four months following a change of control, then (a) a lump sum payment upon termination in an amount equal to the sum of (I) twenty-four months of the base salary in effect as of the termination date (without regard to any reduction in base salary that constitutes good reason), and (II) the amount equal to the product of two times the average annual bonus earned by him for the three most recent complete fiscal years preceding the termination date; provided, however, if the termination date occurs prior to the completion of three full fiscal years in which he was eligible for an annual bonus, then the amount shall be determined on the basis of the number of fiscal years completed at that time; (b) reimbursement of the COBRA premiums, if any, paid by him for continuation coverage for him, his spouse, and his eligible dependents under the Company’s group health, dental, and vision plans for the lesser of eighteen months or the maximum COBRA continuation period; and (c) the status of his outstanding equity awards will be determined in accordance with the provisions of the long-term incentive plan in effect on the termination date.
Darcy A. Campbell
Darcy A. Campbell’s employment agreement provides that if his employment is terminated for just cause (as defined in his employment agreement), then Mr. Campbell shall receive any remuneration and benefits that have accrued and are unpaid up to and including the termination date and, any other minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Code (Alberta), as amended.
If Mr. Campbell’s employment is terminated (i) without just cause, or (ii) at the election of Mr. Campbell within ninety days following a change of control (as defined in his employment agreement), then Mr. Campbell shall receive (a) payment of any remuneration that has accrued and is unpaid up to and including the termination date, (b) payment of earned but unpaid bonus amounts, (c) all accrued and unused vacation pay and reimbursable expenses owing up to and including the termination date, and (d) a lump sum payment representing the following: (I) twenty-four months of his salary at the time of the termination, and (II) an additional amount equal to two multiplied by the amount that is the average of the total annual bonus amount paid to Mr. Campbell over the three most recently completed financial years, provided however that if, at the time of termination, three financial years have not been completed, the amount shall be determined on the basis of the number of financial years completed at that time.
If Mr. Campbell’s employment terminates as a result of his death, then Mr. Campbell’s estate will be entitled to (i) payment of any portion of his annual salary due and owing up to the termination date, (ii) reimbursement of all expenses properly incurred up to such date, (iii) payment for any vacation pay, accrued but unpaid as of such date, and (iv) any other minimum entitlements under the Employment Standards Code (Alberta), as amended.
Director Compensation
Until December 15, 2021, there were no nonemployee directors of the Company and there was no compensation paid to directors. On April 14, 2022, each of the current nonemployee directors of the Company was issued options to purchase 20,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share. The options will vest as follows: one-third on the first anniversary of the date of grant, one-third on the second anniversary of the date of grant, and one-third on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews our director compensation practices.
The Compensation Committee believes that our director compensation is fair and appropriate in light of the responsibilities and obligations of our directors.
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Fiscal 2022 Director Compensation Table
The following table lists the fiscal 2022 compensation for each person who served as a nonemployee director during fiscal 2022. This table does not include compensation to Cory J. Rosenberg and Chris L. Claussen, who serve as directors now and served as directors during fiscal 2022. Neither Mr. Rosenberg nor Mr. Claussen received compensation for his service as a director during fiscal 2022. Mr. Rosenberg is a Named Executive Officer and his compensation is set forth in “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 79 of this Prospectus.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ariel Fainsod | 0 | 0 | 91,718 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91,718 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gail D. Hamilton Azodo | 0 | 0 | 91,718 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91,718 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rosema J. Nemorin | 0 | 0 | 91,718 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91,718 |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of the Compensation Committee has served as an officer or employee of the Company or has any relationship with the Company that is required to be disclosed under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”. No executive officer of the Company served or serves on the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any company that employed or employs as an executive officer any member of the Company’s Compensation Committee.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters, and Certain Control Persons
On April 21, 2021, the Company provided a $25,000 advance to Chris L. Claussen, the Company’s Chief Innovation Officer, for capital expenses related to the Company’s facility in Olympia, Washington. Chris L. Claussen has submitted expense reports for the purchase of the capital expenses, and receipts for the full amount of the advance were submitted by December 8, 2021.
On August 12, 2021, the Company provided a $10,500 advance to Joseph Claussen, the Company’s Director of Business Development, for travel related expenses. On October 1, 2021, the Company provided an additional $5,000 advance. Joseph Claussen has submitted expense reports for incurred expenses, and receipts for the full amount of the advance were submitted by November 23, 2021.
On September 29, 2021, the Company assumed that certain WeWork Membership Agreement, as amended, between 3900 W Alameda Ave Tenant LLC and Cory J. Rosenberg, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. In connection with the Company’s assumption of the Membership Agreement, the Membership Agreement was amended to move from a ten-person office to a thirteen-person office, with the term for the new office space commencing on October 1, 2021, and expiring on October 31, 2021, with the rent increasing from $5,450 per month to $6,750 per month beginning October 1, 2021, with a discount of $3,208 per month from October 1, 2021, until June 30, 2022. See “Properties” on page 71 of this Prospectus for additional information.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, Cory J. Rosenberg, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, incurred digital advertising expenditures on behalf of the Company, subject to expense reporting and reimbursement. As of December 31, 2022, there was $643,407 due to Cory J. Rosenberg for digital advertising expenses including Facebook, Google, TikTok, YouTube, and podcasts.
On January 3, 2023, the Company issued to Cory J. Rosenberg, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, a convertible secured promissory note in the principal amount of $271,739 and 271,739 Series 1 Shares in exchange for $250,000. Interest on the principal amount outstanding and remaining from time to time on the convertible secured promissory note accrues at the rate of 8 percent per annum. Interest is payable in cash on a quarterly basis on the last day of each quarter, commencing with the first quarter ending March 31, 2023. Interest is calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve, 30-day months. See “Description of Share Capital – Convertible Secured Promissory Notes” beginning on page 91 of this Prospectus for additional information regarding the terms of the convertible secured promissory note.
On January 9, 2023, the Company issued to Darcy A. Campbell, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, a convertible secured promissory note in the principal amount of $100,000 and 100,000 Series 1 Shares in exchange for $92,000. Interest on the principal amount outstanding and remaining from time to time on the convertible secured promissory note accrues at the rate of 8 percent per annum. Interest is payable in cash on a quarterly basis on the last day of each quarter, commencing with the first quarter ending March 31, 2023. Interest is calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve, 30-day months. See “Description of Share Capital – Convertible Secured Promissory Notes” beginning on page 91 of this Prospectus for additional information regarding the terms of the convertible secured promissory note.
85 |
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Shares by (i) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the outstanding Common Shares, (ii) each of the Company’s directors and Named Executive Officers, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes to the table, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investing power with respect to all Common Shares indicated as being beneficially owned by them and except as otherwise noted, the address of the referenced individual is c/o First Person Ltd., 1840, 444 – 5th Ave., SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 2T8.
Unless otherwise noted, the security ownership information provided below is given as of April 12, 2023, and all securities are owned directly.
Percentage Common Shares beneficially owned | ||||||||||||
Name | Common Shares (1) | Before Offering (2) | After Offering (3) | |||||||||
5% or greater shareholders | ||||||||||||
Cory J. Rosenberg (4) | 848,967 | 12.5 | % | 10.9 | % | |||||||
Chris L. Claussen | 750,000 | 11.0 | % | 9.6 | % | |||||||
Joseph Claussen | 730,000 | 10.8 | % | 9.4 | % | |||||||
Stephen Leider | 706,400 | 10.5 | % | 9.1 | % | |||||||
Luminous Capital Inc. (5) | 600,000 | 8.9 | % | 7.8 | % | |||||||
Fishing Pole Partners 5 14 LP | 401,583 | 5.9 | % | 5.1 | % | |||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers | ||||||||||||
Cory J. Rosenberg (4) | 848,967 | 12,5 | % | 10.9 | % | |||||||
Chris L. Claussen | 750,000 | 11.0 | % | 9.6 | % | |||||||
Darcy A. Campbell | 245,833 | 3.6 | % | 3.1 | % | |||||||
Adam J. Schoenberg | 136,667 | 2.0 | % | 1.7 | % | |||||||
Ariel Fainsod | 6,667 | * | * | |||||||||
Gail D. Hamilton Azodo | 6,667 | * | * | |||||||||
Rosema J. Nemorin | 6,667 | * | * | |||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (seven persons) | 2,001,468 | 28.4 | % | 24.9 | % |
* | Indicates percentage of less than 1%. |
(1) | Includes Common Shares subject to convertible securities, stock options, or warrants that are or become convertible or exercisable within sixty days of April 12, 2023, as set forth in the table below. The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares was calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares being converted, multiplied by (ii) 0.6, divided by (iii) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares. |
Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise of | ||||||||||||
Series 1 Shares | Stock Options | Warrants | ||||||||||
Cory J. Rosenberg | 33,967 | 50,000 | - | |||||||||
Stephen Leider | - | - | - | |||||||||
Chris L. Claussen | - | 50,000 | - | |||||||||
Joseph Claussen | - | 40,000 | - | |||||||||
Luminous Capital Inc. | - | - | - | |||||||||
Fishing Pole Partners 5 14 LP | 135,869 | - | 88,571 | |||||||||
Darcy A. Campbell | 12,500 | 78,333 | - | |||||||||
Adam J. Schoenberg | - | 106,667 | - | |||||||||
Ariel Fainsod | - | 6,667 | - | |||||||||
Gail D. Hamilton Azodo | - | 6,667 | - | |||||||||
Rosema J. Nemorin | - | 6,667 | - |
(2) | Percentage ownership information is based on 6,738,716 Common Shares issued and outstanding, which gives effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares (the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows (a) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (b) 0.6, divided by (c) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus; the actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date; see “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares). Common Shares that a person has the right to acquire within sixty days of April 12, 2023, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. |
(3) | Percentage ownership information is based on 7,738,716 Common Shares issued and outstanding assuming completion of this offering, based on the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per share. Common Shares that a person has the right to acquire within sixty days of April 12, 2023, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. |
(4) | Includes 15,000 Common Shares held jointly with Mr. Rosenberg’s spouse. |
(5) | The following individuals have voting power over the shares held by Luminous Capital Inc.: (i) Joshua Mann, (ii) John Darwin, and (iii) Mac McDonald. The address for Luminous Capital Inc. is 207 9 Ave. SW FL 10, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1K3. |
86 |
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Selling Shareholder Shares
This Prospectus includes the possible resale by the selling shareholders of up to 2,301,564 Common Shares.
The selling shareholders may sell some, all, or none of their selling shareholder shares. We do not know how long the selling shareholders will hold the selling shareholder shares before selling them, and we currently have no agreements, arrangements, or understandings with the selling shareholders regarding the sale of any of the selling shareholder shares. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the below table, no selling shareholder has had any material relationship with us or any of our affiliates within the past three years other than as a securityholder of our company.
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, we believe that: (i) none of the selling shareholders are broker-dealers or affiliates of broker-dealers, and (ii) no selling shareholder has direct or indirect agreements or understandings with any person to distribute their selling shareholder shares. To the extent any selling shareholder is, or is affiliated with, a broker-dealer, it could be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. Information about the selling shareholders may change over time.
The following table presents information regarding the selling shareholders and the selling shareholder shares that each may offer and sell from time to time under this Prospectus. The table reflects the holdings of the selling shareholders as of April 12, 2023. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and thus represents voting or investment power with respect to our securities. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days after the date of this table. To our knowledge and subject to applicable community property rules, the selling shareholders have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all equity interests beneficially owned.
Selling Shareholder | Number of Common Shares Owned (1) | Number of Common Shares Being Registered | Number of Common Shares Owned After Offering (1)(6) | Percentage Owned After Offering (6)(7) | ||||||||||||
Fishing Pole Partners 5 14 LP | 401,583 | 177,143 | 224,440 | 2.9 | % | |||||||||||
Glen Tullman Tr Glen E Tullman Revocable Trust | 258,214 | 172,143 | 86,071 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||
Samuel Tullman | 258,214 | 172,143 | 86,071 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||
Nadir Nathoo | 100,000 | 100,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Dean M Rottermond | 92,250 | 61,500 | 30,750 | * | ||||||||||||
Nathan Learner | 60,000 | 60,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
New Bullet LLC | 55,000 | 55,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
LE Fund I | 50,400 | 50,400 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Vinergy Capital Inc | 75,000 | 50,000 | 25,000 | * | ||||||||||||
Hugh Porter | 50,000 | 50,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Sybil Garry | 50,000 | 50,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Benjamin Tullman | 50,000 | 50,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Haywood Securities Tr | 40,000 | 40,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Bori Enterprises Pty Ltd Tr The Morrison Investment Trust | 67,173 | 40,000 | 27,173 | * | ||||||||||||
Aaron J Leibovic & Sheila B Leibovic Tr The Leibovic Living Trust dtd 1/13/92 | 69,293 | 45,000 | 24,293 | * | ||||||||||||
Nathan B Sandler Tr Sandler Living Trust | 35,000 | 35,000 | - | |||||||||||||
David Jackson | 51,645 | 34,430 | 17,215 | * | ||||||||||||
William Musselman | 51,471 | 34,314 | 17,157 | * | ||||||||||||
Michael James Sawyer | 32,000 | 32,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Adam Schoenberg (2) | 136,667 | 30,000 | 106,667 | 1.4 | % | |||||||||||
Money Tree Investors LLC | 42,857 | 28,571 | 14,286 | * | ||||||||||||
Danny Hall | 41,274 | 27,516 | 13,758 | * | ||||||||||||
Opulencia LLC | 40,116 | 26,744 | 13,372 | * | ||||||||||||
Darryl Campbell | 25,000 | 25,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
J2 Investment Partners | 25,000 | 25,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Matthew K Singer | 25,000 | 25,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Solidaire Investments Inc | 25,000 | 25,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
The Sydney David Trust | 25,000 | 25,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Terrence M Garrigan | 31,371 | 20,914 | 10,457 | * | ||||||||||||
Red Antler Ventures 3 LLC | 30,986 | 20,657 | 10,329 | * | ||||||||||||
Amanda Gold | 20,000 | 20,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Justin Wolf | 20,000 | 20,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Samantha Ciapponi | 32,500 | 20,000 | 12,500 | * | ||||||||||||
Mountain Top Investment Partnership | 17,500 | 17,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Chrysalis Angel Fund LLC | 16,000 | 16,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Henry Baskerville | 16,000 | 16,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Peter Cheung | 22,500 | 15,000 | 7,500 | * | ||||||||||||
Brelaur Services Inc | 15,000 | 15,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Waymore LLC | 15,000 | 15,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Sea To Summit Trading Corp | 21,429 | 14,286 | 7,143 | * | ||||||||||||
Gareth Randall | 14,500 | 13,000 | 1,500 | * | ||||||||||||
Andrew Kenny | 12,800 | 12,800 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Angelica Belle Sinito | 12,800 | 12,800 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Cecily Kenny | 12,800 | 12,800 | - | - | ||||||||||||
David G McDonald Jr Mac | 12,800 | 12,800 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Dixon McDonald | 12,800 | 12,800 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Forrest Ackerman | 32,908 | 12,800 | 20,108 | * | ||||||||||||
David G McDonald | 12,700 | 12,700 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Ilie Onulov | 12,500 | 12,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
John Ver Bockel | 12,500 | 12,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Jose Martin Desmaras Luzuriaga | 12,500 | 12,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Geoffrey S. Bradshaw-Mack (3) | 12,000 | 12,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Azim Lakhoo | 15,000 | 10,000 | 5,000 | * | ||||||||||||
Rishi A Dani (4) | 15,000 | 10,000 | 5,000 | * | ||||||||||||
Dorothy Mann | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Joe Brennan Professional Corporation | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
John C Darwin III | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Thomas Waltermire Tr Thomas A. Waltermire Revicable Trust | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Chris Bonds | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Albright Abstract & Title Guaranty Co. | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Titan Title & Closing, LLC | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Dirk Erich Michael Schwager | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Lutetia LLC | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Pelorus Equity Group Inc | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Travis Goad Tr Travis Goad Special Trust | 10,000 | 10,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
James O’Connor | 9,600 | 9,600 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Mana Capital Group | 9,443 | 9,443 | - | - | ||||||||||||
William Young & Kristen Young Jt Ten | 9,246 | 9,246 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Daniel J Sutera | 13,050 | 8,700 | 4,350 | * | ||||||||||||
Litsa Perperidis | 8,000 | 8,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Cole Collins | 7,500 | 7,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Eric Clarke | 7,500 | 7,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Hobie Higgins | 7,500 | 7,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Samir Ghai | 7,500 | 7,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Fidelity Clearing Canada Ulc Tr Independent Trading Group Inc | 10,725 | 7,150 | 3,575 | * | ||||||||||||
Jodi Beswetherick | 10,715 | 7,143 | 3,572 | * | ||||||||||||
Bruce Walter | 10,714 | 7,143 | 3,571 | * | ||||||||||||
Stephanie Hannagan | 10,714 | 7,143 | 3,571 | * | ||||||||||||
Mauro Zappaterra (5) | 26,400 | 6,400 | 20,000 | * | ||||||||||||
Chris Kenny | 6,400 | 6,400 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Colby Zeka | 6,400 | 6,400 | - | - | ||||||||||||
John Pettersson | 6,400 | 6,400 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Tanner Caldwell | 6,400 | 6,400 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Schwar Tr | 6,300 | 6,300 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Arielle Chesler | 6,000 | 6,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Not Anonymous Azn LLC | 6,000 | 6,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Cindy Gibson | 8,571 | 5,714 | 2,857 | * | ||||||||||||
Margo Landskron | 8,571 | 5,714 | 2,857 | * | ||||||||||||
Eugene Chen | 7,500 | 5,000 | 2,500 | * | ||||||||||||
Ben Garrigan | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Bradley Hatfield | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Zack Lister | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
JRS Capital Holdings LLC | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Tyler Kowalske | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Matthew Schwarmann | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Thomas Ryan Beckham | 5,000 | 5,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Stephen A Roth | 4,800 | 4,800 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Jaye Pye | 6,450 | 4,300 | 2,150 | * | ||||||||||||
John Purdy | 4,000 | 4,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Phalanx Advisory Ltd | 3,750 | 3,750 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Alexander C Garry | 5,250 | 3,500 | 1,750 | * | ||||||||||||
Gordon Andre Breault | 3,500 | 3,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Michael Strauss | 3,200 | 3,200 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Gordon Rumohr | 4,500 | 3,000 | 1,500 | * | ||||||||||||
Gerado J. Portela and Amy Williams Navarro Jt Ten | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Brandon Clay Brown & Heather Nicole Brown Jt Ten | 3,000 | 3,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Erin Flaherty | 4,286 | 2,857 | 1,429 | * | ||||||||||||
Deanna Selent | 2,500 | 2,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Eric Landskron | 2,500 | 2,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Mark Selent | 2,500 | 2,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Michael Garrett Brafford | 2,500 | 2,500 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Michael Duffy | 3,858 | 2,500 | 1,358 | * | ||||||||||||
Matthew Lindauer | 3,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | * | ||||||||||||
Carleton Thomas Vangsness Jr | 2,000 | 2,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Mandy Belkin | 1,600 | 1,600 | - | - | ||||||||||||
All selling shareholders as a group | 3,123,394 | 2,301,564 | 821,830 | 9.8 | % |
* | Indicates percentage of less than 1%. |
(1) | Includes Common Shares subject to convertible securities, stock options, or warrants that are or become convertible or exercisable within sixty days of April 12, 2023, as set forth in the table below. The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares was calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares being converted, multiplied by (ii) 0.6, divided by (iii) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares. |
87 |
Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise of | ||||||||||||
Series 1 Shares | Stock Options | Warrants | ||||||||||
Fishing Pole Partners 5 14 LP | 135,869 | - | 88,571 | |||||||||
Glen Tullman Tr Glen E Tullman Revocable Trust | - | - | 86,071 | |||||||||
Samuel Tullman | - | - | 86,071 | |||||||||
Dean M Rottermond | - | - | 30,750 | |||||||||
Vinergy Capital Inc | - | - | 25,000 | |||||||||
Bori Enterprises Pty Ltd Tr The Morrison Investment Trust | 27,173 | - | - | |||||||||
Aaron J Leibovic & Sheila B Leibovic Tr The Leibovic Living Trust dtd 1/13/92 | 6,793 | - | 17,500 | |||||||||
David Jackson | - | - | 17,215 | |||||||||
William Musselman | - | - | 17,157 | |||||||||
Adam Schoenberg | - | 106,667 | - | |||||||||
Money Tree Investors LLC | - | - | 14,286 | |||||||||
Danny Hall | - | - | 13,758 | |||||||||
Opulencia LLC | - | - | 13,372 | |||||||||
Terrence M Garrigan | - | - | 10,457 | |||||||||
Red Antler Ventures 3 LLC | - | - | 10,329 | |||||||||
Samantha Ciapponi | 12,500 | - | - | |||||||||
Peter Cheung | - | - | 7,500 | |||||||||
Sea To Summit Trading Corp | - | - | 7,143 | |||||||||
Gareth Randall | - | - | 1,500 | |||||||||
Forrest Ackerman | 20,108 | - | - | |||||||||
Azim Lakhoo | - | - | 5,000 | |||||||||
Rishi A Dani | - | - | 5,000 | |||||||||
Daniel J Sutera | - | - | 4,350 | |||||||||
Fidelity Clearing Canada Ulc Tr Independent Trading Group Inc | - | - | 3,575 | |||||||||
Jodi Beswetherick | - | - | 3,572 | |||||||||
Bruce Walter | - | - | 3,571 | |||||||||
Stephanie Hannagan | - | - | 3,571 | |||||||||
Mauro Zappaterra | - | 20,000 | - | |||||||||
Cindy Gibson | - | - | 2,857 | |||||||||
Margo Landskron | - | - | 2,857 | |||||||||
Eugene Chen | - | - | 2,500 | |||||||||
Jaye Pye | - | - | 2,150 | |||||||||
Alexander C Garry | - | - | 1,750 | |||||||||
Gordon Rumohr | - | - | 1,500 | |||||||||
Erin Flaherty | - | - | 1,429 | |||||||||
Michael Duffy | 1,358 | - | - | |||||||||
Matthew Lindauer | - | - | 1,000 | |||||||||
Total Selling Shareholders | 203,801 | 126,667 | 491,362 |
(2) | Mr. Schoenberg is our Chief Marketing Officer and one of our Named Executive Officers. Mr. Schoenberg is voluntarily terminating his employment with the Company effective April 30, 2023. |
(3) | Mr. Bradshaw-Mack is a partner in Far Hills Group, LLC, a FINRA registered broker-dealer, and is therefore an affiliate of a broker-dealer, but Mr. Bradshaw-Mack does not have any direct or indirect agreement or understanding with any person to distribute the shares to be registered in this offering. |
(4) | Mr. Dani works for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), which is a FINRA registered broker-dealer, and is therefore an affiliate of a broker-dealer, but Mr. Dani does not have any direct or indirect agreement or understanding with any person to distribute the shares to be registered in this offering. |
(5) | Ms. Zappaterra is a member of our advisory board. |
(6) | Assumes all Common Shares offered by the selling shareholders hereby are sold and that the selling shareholders buy or sell no additional Common Shares prior to the completion of this offering. The registration of these Common Shares does not necessarily mean that the selling shareholders will sell all or any portion of the Common Shares covered by this Prospectus. |
(7) | Percentage ownership information is based on 7,738,716 Common Shares issued and outstanding, assuming completion of the Primary Offering, based on the assumed Primary Offering price of $6.00 per share, and giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares (the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows (a) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (b) 0.6, divided by (c) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus; the actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date; see “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares). In addition, Common Shares that a person has the right to acquire within sixty days of April 12, 2023, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person, except with respect to the percentage ownership of all selling shareholders as a group. |
88 |
Plan of Distribution
We are registering the selling shareholder shares to permit the resale of the selling shareholder shares by the selling shareholders from time to time after the date of this Prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the selling shareholder shares. However, upon any exercise, other than a net exercise, of warrants or stock options held by the selling shareholders, we will receive cash proceeds per share equal to the exercise price of such warrants or stock options. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to the registration of the selling shareholder shares in the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The selling shareholder shares will not be sold through EF Hutton in the resale offering.
The selling shareholders may sell all or a portion of the selling shareholder shares beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers, or agents. If the selling shareholder shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling shareholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The selling shareholder shares may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions, pursuant to one or more of the following methods:
● | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; | |
● | in the over-the-counter market; | |
● | in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market; | |
● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; | |
● | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | |
● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
● | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | |
● | privately negotiated transactions; | |
● | short sales; | |
● | in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security; | |
● | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; | |
● | a combination of any such methods of sale; or | |
● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
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The selling shareholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this Prospectus. However, the selling shareholders will not sell any selling shareholder shares until after the closing of the Primary Offering.
If the selling shareholders effect such transactions by selling shares to or through underwriters, broker-dealers, or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers, or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the selling shareholders or commissions from purchasers of the selling shareholder shares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions, or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers, or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the selling shareholder shares or otherwise, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the selling shareholder shares in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell selling shareholder shares short and deliver selling shareholder shares covered by this Prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling shareholders may also loan or pledge selling shareholder shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The selling shareholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the warrants or selling shareholder shares owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the selling shareholder shares from time to time pursuant to this Prospectus or any amendment to this Prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act, amending, if necessary, the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee, or other successors in interest as selling shareholders under this Prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer the selling shareholder shares in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees, or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this Prospectus and may sell the selling shareholder shares from time to time under this Prospectus after we have filed an amendment to this Prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgees, transferees, or other successors in interest as selling shareholders under this Prospectus. The selling shareholders also may transfer and donate the selling shareholder shares in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees, or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this Prospectus.
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the selling shareholder shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the selling shareholder shares is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of selling shareholder shares being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions, and other terms constituting compensation from the selling shareholders and any discounts, commissions, or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Because the selling shareholders may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including Rule 172 thereunder. In addition, any securities covered by this Prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this Prospectus. We are requesting that each selling shareholder confirm that there is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale securities by the selling shareholders.
We intend to keep this Prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which the securities may be resold by the selling shareholders without registration and without regard to any volume or manner-of-sale limitations by reason of Rule 144, without the requirement for us to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the securities have been sold pursuant to this Prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. Under the securities laws of some states, the selling shareholder shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the selling shareholder shares may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that any selling shareholder will sell any or all of the selling shareholder shares registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
The selling shareholders and any other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the shares will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Regulation M. These provisions may restrict certain activities of and limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares by the selling shareholders or any other such person. In the event that any of the selling shareholders are deemed an affiliated purchaser or distribution participant within the meaning of Regulation M, then the selling shareholders will not be permitted to engage in short sales of Common Shares. Furthermore, under Regulation M, persons engaged in a distribution of securities are prohibited from simultaneously engaging in market making and certain other activities with respect to such securities for a specified period of time prior to the commencement of such distributions, subject to specified exceptions or exemptions. In addition, if a short sale is deemed to be a stabilizing activity, then the selling shareholders will not be permitted to engage in a short sale of our Common Shares. All of these limitations may affect the marketability of the Common Shares.
Once sold under the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, the selling shareholder shares will be freely tradeable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. As of April 12, 2023, there were 6,351,354 Common Shares issued and outstanding and 3,098,968 preferred shares issued and outstanding.
Common Shares
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per Common Share held on all matters to be voted on by the shareholders. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to share ratably in dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors in its discretion from funds legally available therefor. There are no conversion or redemption rights or sinking fund provisions with respect to the Common Shares.
Preferred Shares
As of April 12, 2023, all preferred shares issued and outstanding were designated as Preferred Shares, Series 1 shares. Holders of Series 1 Shares are not entitled to any voting rights or to receive notice of or to attend any meetings of the shareholders of the Company. Any holder of Series 1 Shares may, at any time, elect to convert all or any portion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares held by such holder into Common Shares. Each Series 1 Share will automatically convert into Common Shares upon the date that is twelve months after the closing of a public offering pursuant to either a registration statement which is declared effective under the Securities Act or a prospectus filed under the securities legislation of any province of Canada in respect of which final receipt is obtained involving the offering and sale of Common Shares (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or otherwise exercisable to acquire, directly or indirectly, Common Shares). This offering is expected to qualify as a transaction that will trigger an automatic conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares into Common Shares. Any conversion of Series 1 Shares will result in the issuance of the number of Common Shares that results from dividing (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares being converted by (ii) the lesser of (a) $6.00 and (b) the price per Common Share equal to the price that is 20 percent less than the price per Common Share offered in an offering that triggers an automatic conversion, provided that such discounted price shall not be less than $3.00. In the event our Common Shares are listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange within six months after, with respect to any Series 1 Shares, the date on which we initially issued such Series 1 Shares, then the conversion of Series 1 Shares will result in the issuance of the number of Common Shares that results from dividing (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares being converted, multiplied by 0.6, by (ii) the lesser of (a) $6.00 and (b) the price per Common Share equal to the price that is 20 percent less than the price per Common Share offered in an offering that triggers an automatic conversion, provided that such discounted price shall not be less than $3.00.
We are authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in one or more series, and, subject to the provisions of the ABCA, having such designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, and conditions, including dividend and voting rights, as our Board of Directors may determine, and such rights and privileges, including dividend and voting rights, may be superior to those of the Common Shares. The rights of holders of our Common Shares will be subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares that may be issued in the future. Although we have no present intention to issue any additional preferred shares, any further issuances could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting shares. The issuance of additional preferred shares may also have the effect of decreasing the market price of our Common Shares.
Convertible Secured Promissory Notes
As of April 12, 2023, the Company has convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $3,098,978 outstanding. Each convertible secured promissory note is payable in accordance with the following schedule: (i) 50 percent of the principal amount is payable on the thirtieth calendar day after the date of the first Qualifying Transaction occurring after the date of such convertible secured promissory note; and (ii) the remaining 50 percent of the principal amount is payable on the earlier to occur of (a) the ninetieth calendar day after the date of the first Qualifying Transaction occurring after the date of such convertible secured promissory note, or (b) the one-year anniversary of the date of such convertible secured promissory note. For purposes of the convertible secured promissory notes, the term “Qualifying Transaction means a transaction pursuant to which the Company: (i) merges, amalgamates, or consolidates with or into any other company or business entity pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving entity and as a result of which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting securities as constituted immediately prior to such merger, amalgamation, or consolidation hold less than 50 percent of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after such amalgamation, merger, or consolidation; (ii) sells all or substantially all of its issued and outstanding Common Shares; (iii) completes an initial public offering of Common Shares or other going public transaction such as a reverse takeover transaction resulting in the listing of Common Shares of the Company or of successor of the Company being listed on a recognizable stock exchange in Canada, the United States, or the United Kingdom; or (iv) in the course of which the Company issues and sells equity securities of the Company to bona fide investors for capital raising purposes for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of at least $3,000,000.
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The principal amount of each convertible secured promissory note may be prepaid at any time at the Company’s sole election without penalty. Interest on the principal amount outstanding and remaining from time to time on each convertible secured promissory note accrues at the rate of 8 percent per annum. Interest is payable in cash on a quarterly basis on the last day of each quarter, commencing with the first quarter ending March 31, 2023. Interest is calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve, 30-day months. Each holder of a convertible secured promissory notes may elect, in such holder’s sole discretion, to have the interest payable on the principal amount to be paid-in-kind. In the event of such election, the interest is calculated at a rate of 10 percent per annum, and such interest is added to the outstanding principal amount on the applicable interest payment date. Any such paid-in-kind interest is added to and increases the principal amount for all purposes under the convertible secured promissory note.
Each convertible secured promissory note, including the outstanding principal amount together with all applicable accrued and unpaid interest thereunder, is convertible, in whole or in part, into Common Shares at the option of the holder of such convertible secured promissory note (subject to certain limitations set forth in the convertible secured promissory notes) at a conversion price equal to $6.00 per Common Share (subject to certain adjustments set forth in the convertible secured promissory notes).
Options
As of April 12, 2023, the Company had options to purchase 615,000 Common Shares outstanding pursuant to the Incentive Plan, of which 365,000 have an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, 110,000 have an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, and 140,000 have an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share.
Warrants
As of April 12, 2023, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase up to 500,620 Common Shares at a price of CAD$5.00 per Common Share. All outstanding warrants were issued on July 14, 2021, and have a term of two years from the date of issuance.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Alberta Law
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws described below contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: (i) acquisitions of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest, or otherwise; or (ii) removal of our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that shareholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.
These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection and our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
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In addition, we are subject to the laws of Alberta, Canada, which laws contain certain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. The summary of these laws, set forth below, is not a comprehensive description of relevant or applicable considerations regarding such requirements and, accordingly, is not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, legal advice to any prospective purchaser and no representation with respect to such requirements to any prospective purchaser is made. Prospective investors should consult their own Canadian legal advisors with respect to any questions regarding applicable law in Alberta, Canada.
Directors
Power to vote on matters in which a director is materially interested. The ABCA states that a director must disclose to us, in accordance with the provisions of the ABCA, the nature and extent of an interest that the director has in a material contract or material transaction, whether made or proposed, with us, if the director is a party to the contract or transaction, is a director or an officer or an individual acting in a similar capacity of a party to the contract or transaction, or has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction.
A director who holds an interest in respect of any material contract or transaction into which we have entered or propose to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors’ resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless the contract or transaction:
● | is an arrangement by way of security for money lent to or obligations undertaken by the director, or by a body corporate in which the director has an interest, for the benefit of us or an affiliate of ours; | |
● | relates primarily to the director’s remuneration as a director, officer, employee, or agent of us or an affiliate of ours; | |
● | is for indemnity or insurance otherwise permitted under the ABCA; or | |
● | is with an affiliate of ours; |
Directors’ power to determine the remuneration of directors. The ABCA provides that the remuneration of our directors, if any, may be determined by our directors subject to our articles of incorporation and bylaws. That remuneration may be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any of our employees who are also directors.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy among the directors, except a vacancy resulting from (i) an increase in the number or minimum number of directors set out in the articles of incorporation or (ii) a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors required by the articles of incorporation.
Retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement. Neither our amended and restated articles of incorporation nor the ABCA imposes any mandatory age-related retirement or non-retirement requirement for our directors.
Number of shares required to be owned by a director. Neither our amended and restated articles of incorporation nor the ABCA provides that a director is required to hold any of our shares as a qualification for holding his or her office. Our Board of Directors has discretion to prescribe minimum share ownership requirements for directors.
Action Necessary to Change the Rights of Holders of Our Shares
Our shareholders can authorize the alteration of our amended and restated articles of incorporation to create or vary the special rights or restrictions attached to any of our shares by passing a special resolution. However, a right or special right attached to any class or series of shares may not be prejudiced or interfered with unless the shareholders holding shares of that class or series to which the right or special right is attached consent by a separate special resolution. A special resolution means a resolution passed by: (i) a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the applicable class or series of shareholders who vote in person or by proxy at a meeting, or (ii) a resolution consented to in writing by all of the shareholders entitled to vote holding the applicable class or series of shares.
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Shareholder Meetings
Under the ABCA, we must hold an annual meeting of our shareholders within fifteen months of the last annual meeting at a time and place determined by our Board of Directors. Pursuant to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, a meeting of our shareholders may be held anywhere within Canada or the United States, as our Board of Directors so determines.
Under the ABCA and our amended and restated bylaws, a notice to convene a meeting, specifying the date, time, and location of the meeting, and the general nature of any special business, must be sent to shareholders, to each director and to the auditor not less than twenty-one or more than fifty days prior to the meeting. The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any person entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
A quorum for meetings is one or more persons present in person or by means of a telephonic, electronic, or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting and each entitled to vote at the meeting and holding or representing by proxy not less than 33.33 percent of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.
Holders of our Common Shares will be entitled to attend meetings of our shareholders. Except as otherwise provided with respect to any particular series of preferred shares, and except as otherwise required by law, the holders of our preferred shares are not entitled as a class to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at any meetings of our shareholders. Our directors, our secretary (if any), our auditor, and any other persons invited by our chairman or directors or with the consent of those at the meeting will be entitled to attend at any meeting of our shareholders but will not be counted in the quorum or be entitled to vote at the meeting unless he or she is a shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting.
Change of Control
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation do not contain any change of control limitations with respect to a merger, acquisition, or corporate restructuring that involves us.
Shareholder Ownership Disclosure
Although applicable securities laws regarding shareholder ownership by certain persons require disclosure, our amended and restated articles of incorporation do not provide for any ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Other Anti-Takeover Provisions
Among other things, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, as applicable:
● | establish advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our shareholders. These procedures provide that notice of shareholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than ninety days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. Our amended and restated bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all shareholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude shareholders from bringing matters before the shareholders at an annual or special meeting; | |
● | provide our Board of Directors the ability to authorize undesignated preferred shares. This ability makes it possible for our Board of Directors to issue, without shareholder approval, preferred shares with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company; |
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● | provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of our Board of Directors, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of our preferred shares to elect directors under specified circumstances; and | |
● | provide that all vacancies of directors may, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of our preferred shares, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office constituting a quorum. |
In addition, certain provisions of the ABCA have the effect of discouraging coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids, including the following:
● | any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of shareholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of shareholders, unless consented to in writing by all of our shareholders entitled to vote; | |
● | generally, an amendment to our amended and restated articles of incorporation will require a special resolution of the shareholders; and | |
● | our Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, or to alter or repeal, our amended and restated bylaws, subject to a shareholder ratification requirement by ordinary resolution at the next meeting of shareholders. |
Forum Selection
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of King’s Bench of the Province of Alberta, Canada, and the appellate courts therefrom (or, failing such court, any other court having jurisdiction, and the appellate courts therefrom), will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, or other employees to us, (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the ABCA or our amended and restated articles of incorporation or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim otherwise related to the relationships among us, our affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors, and/or officers, but excluding claims related to our business or such affiliates. The forum selection provision also provides that our shareholders are deemed to have consented to personal jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta and to service of process on their counsel in any foreign action initiated in violation of the foregoing provisions. Although we believe these provisions will benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of the ABCA for the specified types of actions and proceedings, the provisions may have the effect of increasing the costs to investors to bring a claim against us, limiting investors’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable, and discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, employees, and agents. However, our amended and restated bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, and that the exclusive forum provision shall not apply to actions brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act. In addition, the enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation or bylaws has been challenged in legal proceedings in other jurisdictions, and it is possible that, in connection with one or more such actions or proceedings, a court could rule that this provision in our bylaws is inapplicable or unenforceable.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Under the ABCA, we may indemnify our current or former directors or officers or another individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with us or another entity. The ABCA also provides that we may also advance moneys to a director, officer, or other individual for costs, charges, and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such a proceeding; provided that such individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions described below.
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However, indemnification is prohibited under the ABCA unless the individual:
● | acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests, or the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at our request; and | |
● | in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. |
Our amended and restated bylaws require us to indemnify each of our current or former directors or officers and each individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or in a similar capacity, of another entity, as well as their respective heirs and legal representatives to the full extent permitted by the ABCA.
Our amended and restated bylaws authorize us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of each of our current or former directors or officers and each person who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity.
We intend to enter into indemnity agreements with our directors and our executive officers which provide, among other things, that we will indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against all liabilities, claims, damages, costs, charges, or expenses reasonably incurred in any proceeding in which the indemnified party is involved in or made a party to, or that arises because the indemnified party is or was a director or officer of the Company; provided that, we shall not indemnify such individual if, among other things, he or she did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and, in the case of a criminal or penal action, the individual did not have reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.
At present, we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees, or agents in which indemnification would be required or permitted.
Registration Rights Agreements
The Company is not a party to any registration rights agreements.
Listing
Our Common Shares are not presently quoted on any exchange. We have applied to list our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FP”.
Transfer Agent
Odyssey Trust Company will serve as our transfer agent and registrar. Its address is Stock Exchange Tower, 1230 – 300 5th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3CR, and its telephone number is (587) 885-0960.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, our Common Shares were not quoted on any exchange. Future sales of substantial amounts of our Common Shares in the public market, including Common Shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, or upon debt conversion, or the anticipation of these sales, could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time and could impair our ability to raise capital through sales of equity securities.
Upon completion of this offering, we estimate that we will have 7,738,716 Common Shares outstanding, based on 6,738,716 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares into 387,362 Common Shares immediately prior to the closing of the Primary Offering (The number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares is calculated as of the date of this Prospectus as follows: (i) the aggregate number of Series 1 Shares outstanding, multiplied by (ii) 0.6, divided by (iii) $4.80, which is 80 percent of the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. The actual number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares may increase or decrease on a future date. See “Description of Share Capital – Preferred Shares” on page 91 of this Prospectus for more information regarding the conversion of the Series 1 Shares), assuming no exercise of outstanding options or warrants, and no exercise of the underwriters’ option. All of the Common Shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction immediately following this offering, except that any Common Shares purchased by our affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, may only be sold in compliance with the limitations described below. All remaining Common Shares held by existing shareholders immediately prior to the completion of this offering, will be “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144. These restricted securities were issued and sold by us in private transactions and are eligible for public sale only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or Rule 701, summarized below.
Sale of Restricted Securities
Our Common Shares sold pursuant to this offering will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore freely transferable, except for securities owned by our affiliates. Our affiliates will be deemed to own “control” securities that are not registered for resale under the registration statement covering this Prospectus. Individuals who may be considered our affiliates after this offering include individuals who control, are controlled by, or are under common control with us, as those terms generally are interpreted for federal securities law purposes. These individuals may include some or all of our directors and executive officers. Individuals who are our affiliates are not permitted to resell their securities unless such securities are separately registered under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available, such as Rule 144.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who beneficially owns “restricted securities” (i.e., securities that are not registered by an effective registration statement) of a “reporting company” may not sell these securities until the person has beneficially owned them for at least six months. Thereafter, affiliates may not sell within any three-month period a number of shares in excess of the greater of: (i) 1 percent of the then outstanding shares as shown by the most recent report or statement published by the issuer; and (ii) the average weekly reported trading volume in such securities during the four preceding calendar weeks.
Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates will also be subject to restrictions relating to manner of sale, notice, and the availability of current public information about us and may be affected only through unsolicited brokers’ transactions.
Persons not deemed to be affiliates who have beneficially owned “restricted securities” for at least six months but for less than one year may sell these securities, provided that current public information about the Company is “available,” which means that, on the date of sale, we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least ninety days and are current in our Exchange Act filings. After beneficially owning “restricted securities” for one year, our non-affiliates may engage in unlimited resales of such securities.
Shares received by our affiliates in this offering or upon exercise of stock options or upon vesting of other equity-linked awards may be “control securities” rather than “restricted securities.” “Control securities” are subject to the same volume limitations as “restricted securities” but are not subject to holding period requirements.
Rule 701
Rule 701 generally allows a shareholder who purchased our Common Shares pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been our affiliate during the immediately preceding ninety days to sell those shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation, or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits our affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until ninety days after the date of this Prospectus before selling such shares pursuant to Rule 701 and until expiration of the lock-up period described below.
Lock-Up Agreements
The Company, certain of our directors and executive officers, certain of our shareholders affiliated with our directors and executive officers, and Luminous Capital Inc. will agree not to, subject to certain limited exceptions, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, or otherwise dispose of our Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares, or to enter into any hedge or other arrangement or any transaction that transfers, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of our Common Shares, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of the representative of the underwriters. Each such holder’s Common Shares will thereafter be incrementally released from this lock-up arrangement as follows: (i) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 180 days after the date of this Prospectus; (ii) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 360 days after the date of this Prospectus; (iii) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 540 days after the date of this Prospectus; and (iv) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 720 days after the date of this Prospectus. See “Underwriting—Lock-up Agreements” on page 118 of this Prospectus.
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MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ALBERTA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT AND
THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada. The following discussion summarizes material differences between the rights of holders of our Common Shares and the rights of holders of the common shares of a typical corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware, which result from differences in governing documents and the laws of Alberta, Canada, and Delaware. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the ABCA, and our governing corporate statutes.
DGCL | ABCA | |||
Capital Structure | Under the DGCL, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation must specify the number of shares of each class of stock and their par value, or include a statement that such shares are without par value. The certificate of incorporation must also set forth the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each class of shares, if any. Under the DGCL, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may give the Board of Directors the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series, with such designations and special rights and restrictions as determined by the Board of Directors. | Under our current Alberta articles of incorporation, we have the authority to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares. Under Alberta law, there is no franchise tax on our authorized share capital. Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, we have the authority to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares, with no par value, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, with no par value, issuable in series. | ||
Dividends | The DGCL generally provides that, subject to certain restrictions, the directors of a corporation may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock either out of the corporation’s surplus or, if there is no such surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Further, the holders of preferred or special stock of any class or series may be entitled to receive dividends at such rates, on such conditions and at such times as stated in the certificate of incorporation. | Under the ABCA and our amended and restated articles, dividends may be declared on the shares at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Any dividends declared shall be subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends. Our directors shall not declare dividends if there are reasonable grounds for believing that we are, or would after the payment be, unable to pay our liabilities as they become due or the realizable value of our assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of our liabilities and stated capital of all classes. |
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Vote Required for Certain Transactions | Under the DGCL, the affirmative vote of the holders of two thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon (or the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of such outstanding shares, if a statement to that effect was included in the articles at the time they were initially filed or is included in an amendment to the articles approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the then-outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon) is required to authorize any merger, share exchange, consolidation, dissolution, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation, except that, unless required by its certificate of incorporation, no authorizing shareholder vote is required to approve a plan of merger or share exchange if (i) the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation will not differ from the corporation’s articles (other than certain inconsequential differences), (ii) each shareholder of the surviving corporation whose shares were outstanding immediately before the effective date of the transaction will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, immediately after the transaction, (iii) the number of voting shares outstanding immediately after the transaction plus the number of voting shares issuable as a result of the transaction, either by conversion or upon the exercise of rights and warrants issued pursuant to the transaction, will not exceed by more than 20 percent the total number of voting shares of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately before the transaction, and (iv) the number of participating shares (defined to mean shares that entitled their shareholders to participate without limitation in dividends) outstanding immediately after the transaction plus the number of participating shares issuable as a result of the transaction, either by the conversion or upon the exercise of rights and warrants issued pursuant to the transaction, will not exceed by more than 20 percent the total number of participating shares outstanding immediately before the transaction. In certain cases, a plan of merger or share exchange is also required to be approved separately by the holders of a class or series of shares. |
Under the ABCA, certain extraordinary corporate actions, including, without limitation, continuances, certain amalgamations and sales, leases or exchanges of all, or substantially all, of our property (other than in the ordinary course of business), liquidations, and dissolutions, are required to be approved by special resolution of our shareholders.
A special resolution is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of the resolution or signed by all shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution.
In specified cases, a special resolution to approve an extraordinary corporate action is also required to be approved separately by the holders of a class or series of shares, including in certain cases a class or series of shares not otherwise carrying voting rights. |
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Amendments to Organizing Documents | The DGCL provides that a corporation may amend its certificate of incorporation if its Board of Directors has adopted such amendment, followed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting stock and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote on the amendment as a class. In the event the amendment would alter the aggregate number of authorized shares of a class of stock, their par value, or the powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of a class so as to affect them adversely, the holders of the outstanding shares of the class are entitled to vote as a class upon a proposed amendment, whether or not entitled to vote thereon by the certificate of incorporation. | Under the ABCA, an amendment to our articles generally requires approval by special resolution of holders of our voting shares. Specified amendments may also require the approval of other classes of our shares. In the event that an amendment to our articles would prejudice or interfere with a right or special right attached to our issued shares of a class or series of our shares, such amendment must be approved separately by the holders of the class or series of shares being affected. | ||
Amendments to Bylaws | The DGCL also provides that a corporation’s Board of Directors may amend or repeal a corporation’s bylaws unless the certificate of incorporation reserves the power exclusively to the shareholders, in whole or in part, or unless the shareholders, in amending, adding or repealing a particular bylaw, provide expressly that the Board of Directors may not amend or repeal that bylaw. The foregoing notwithstanding, the shareholders may amend or repeal a corporation’s bylaws even though the bylaws may also be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.
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Under the ABCA, our Board of Directors may, by resolution, make, amend or repeal any bylaw that regulates our business or affairs. Where our Board of Directors makes, amends or repeals a bylaw, they are required under the ABCA to submit that action to our shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders and our shareholders may confirm, reject or amend that action by ordinary resolution. If the action is rejected by our shareholders, or our Board of Directors does not submit the action to our shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, the action will cease to be effective and no subsequent resolution of our directors to make, amend or repeal a bylaw having substantially the same purpose or effect will be effective until it is confirmed. | ||
Quorum of Shareholders | Under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the required quorum, but generally a quorum may consist of not less than one third of the total voting power.
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The ABCA provides that, unless the bylaws provide otherwise, a quorum of shareholders is present at a meeting of shareholders (irrespective of the number of persons actually present at the meeting) if holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy.
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that one or more persons holding not less than 33.33 percent of the voting power of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. | ||
Annual Meetings of Shareholders | Under the DGCL, a corporation must hold an annual meeting of shareholders in a place designated by the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, whether inside or outside of Delaware, or, if not so designated, as determined by the Board of Directors and on a date and at a time designated in the bylaws, except as otherwise provided by law. Written notice of every meeting of shareholders must be given to each shareholder of record at least ten and no more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. | Under the ABCA, we must hold an annual meeting of our shareholders not later than eighteen months after the date of incorporation and subsequently not later than fifteen months after holding our last preceding annual meeting at a time and place determined by our Board of Directors. Pursuant to the ABCA, if the articles of the corporation so provide, meetings of shareholders may be held outside of Alberta, Canada. Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, meetings of shareholders may be held at any place within Canada or the United States, as our Board of Directors so determines.
Under our bylaws, we must provide notice of an annual meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat, to each director, and to our auditor at least twenty-one, and no more than fifty, days in advance of the meeting. |
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Special Meetings of Shareholders | Under the DGCL, special meetings of shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws. | Under the ABCA and our bylaws, our Board of Directors has the power at any time to call a special meeting of shareholders. Under the ABCA, the holders of not less than 5 percent of our issued shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting sought to be held can also requisition our directors to call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes stated in the requisition. | |||
Shareholder Consent in Lieu of Meeting | Under the DGCL, unless otherwise limited by the certificate of incorporation, shareholders may act by written consent without a meeting if holders of outstanding shares representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take the action at an annual or special meeting execute a written consent providing for the action. | Under the ABCA, a resolution in writing signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of shareholders. | |||
Anti-takeover Provisions and Interested Shareholder Transactions | Some powers granted to companies under Delaware law may allow a Delaware corporation to make itself potentially less vulnerable to hostile takeover attempts. These powers include the ability to: | The ABCA provides for certain anti-takeover provisions, some of which will be implemented by us. | |||
● | implement a staggered Board of Directors, which prevents an immediate change in control of the Board of Directors; | As permitted by the ABCA, our amended and restated bylaws will require that notice of nominations for directors be given to us prior to a meeting where our directors will be elected. | |||
● | require that notice of nominations for directors be given to the corporation prior to a meeting where directors will be elected, which may give management an opportunity to make a greater effort to solicit its own proxies; | As required by the ABCA, a shareholder resolution in writing is only valid if it is signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of shareholders. | |||
● | only allow the Board of Directors to call a special meeting of shareholders, which may deny a raider the ability to call a meeting to make disruptive changes; | As permitted by the ABCA, our amended and restated articles provide that our Board of Directors may fix the number of preferred shares in, and determine the designation of the shares of, each series and create, define and attach rights, restrictions and conditions to the preferred shares without shareholder approval. |
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● | eliminate shareholders’ action by written consent, which would require a raider to attend a meeting of shareholders to approve any proposed action by the corporation; | Neither the ABCA nor our amended and restated articles restrict us from adopting a shareholder rights plan. The ABCA does not restrict related party transactions; however, in Canada takeovers and other related party transactions are addressed in provincial securities legislation and policies, some of which will apply to us. | |||
● | remove a director from a staggered board only for cause, which gives some protection to directors on a staggered board from arbitrary removal; | ||||
● | provide that the power to determine the number of directors and to fill vacancies be vested solely in the Board of Directors, so that the incumbent board, not a raider, would control vacant board positions; | ||||
● | provide for supermajority voting in some circumstances, including mergers and certificate of incorporation amendments; and | ||||
● | issue “blank check” preferred shares, which may be used to make a corporation less attractive to a raider. | ||||
Interested Director Transactions | Under the DGCL, a transaction in which a director of the corporation has a conflict of interest is not void or voidable solely because of the director’s conflict, solely because the director is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee which authorizes the transaction or solely because any such director’s vote is counted for such purpose, if (i) the material facts of the conflict of interest are known to or disclosed to the Board of Directors or the committee and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the transaction by a majority of the votes of the disinterested directors, (ii) the material facts of the conflict of interest are known or disclosed to the shareholders of the corporation and the transaction is approved in good faith by the shareholders, or (iii) the Board of Directors can demonstrate that the transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is approved by the Board of Directors, committee or shareholders. | Under the ABCA, a director who holds a disclosable interest in a material contract or transaction into which we have entered or propose to enter is generally not permitted to vote on any directors’ resolution to approve the contract or transaction. A director or officer has a disclosable interest in a material contract or transaction if the director or officer is:
● a party to the contract or transaction;
● is a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of a party to the contract or transaction; or
● has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction.
Under the ABCA, directors do not have to abstain from voting on matters related to director compensation. |
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Fiduciary Duty of Directors | The fiduciary obligations of directors of corporations incorporated or organized under the DGCL are more expansive and run not just to the corporation, but to the corporation’s shareholders. These obligations fall into two broad categories: a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires a director to act in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a manner he or she believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. It is qualified by the business judgment rule, which protects a disinterested director from personal liability to the corporation and its shareholders if the director acted in good faith, was reasonably informed and rationally believed the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. The duty of loyalty requires directors to exercise their powers in the interests of the corporation and not in the directors’ own interests or in the interest of another person (including a family member) or organization. Stated more simply, the duty of loyalty precludes directors from using their corporate position to make a personal profit or gain, or for other personal advantage.
The personal liability of a director under the DGCL for breach of his or her fiduciary duty is expansive and can be established by the corporation, through a derivative action brought on behalf of the shareholders, or by an aggrieved shareholder, in a separate action.
Under the DGCL, a corporation may limit such personal liability; however, these limitations are not effective with respect to the following proscribed conduct under the DGCL: |
Directors of a corporation incorporated under the ABCA have fiduciary obligations to the corporation. The ABCA requires directors and officers of an Alberta corporation, in exercising their powers and discharging their duties, to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. | |||
● | any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; | ||||
● | acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; | ||||
● | an unlawful payment of a dividend or an unlawful share purchase or redemption; and | ||||
● | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
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Directors’ and Officers’ Liability and Indemnification | Delaware law permits a corporation to indemnify its present or former directors and officers, employees, and agents made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any third-party proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if such person: | Under the ABCA and pursuant to our amended and restated bylaws, we will indemnify present or former directors or officers against all costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment that is reasonably incurred by the individual in relation to any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with us. In order to qualify for indemnification such directors or officers must: | ||||||
● | acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and | ● | have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation; and | |||||
● | with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful. | ● | in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding enforced by a monetary penalty, have had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. | |||||
In a derivative action, or an action by or in the right of the corporation, the corporation is permitted to indemnify directors, officers, employees, and agents against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. However, in such a case, no indemnification shall be made if the person is adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that, the court in which the action or suit was brought or the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware shall determine upon application that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability to the corporation.
The DGCL allows the corporation to advance expenses before the resolution of an action, if in the case of current directors and officers, such persons agree to repay any such amount advanced if they are later determined not to be entitled to indemnification. |
We currently carry liability insurance for the corporation and its subsidiaries’ officers and directors. We expect that this will continue following the closing of this offering.
The ABCA also provides that such persons are entitled to indemnity from the corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any such proceeding if the person was not judged by a court of competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the person ought to have done and otherwise meets the qualifications for indemnity described above. |
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Dissent or Dissenters’ Appraisal Rights | The DGCL grants the holder of any class or series of shares to dissent from and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares with respect to:
● any plan of merger to which the corporation is a party (other than mergers with certain subsidiary corporations) requiring shareholder approval;
● any plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan;
● the sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the corporation other than in the normal course of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or exchange, including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to court order or a sale for cash pursuant to a plan through which all of the net proceeds of sale will be distributed to the shareholders within one year;
● an amendment to the articles that materially and adversely affects the dissenting shareholder because it (i) alters or abolishes a preferential right, (ii) creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of redemption, (iii) alters or abolishes a preemptive right, (iv) excludes or limits the right of shares to be voted on any matter or to accumulate votes, or (v) reduces the number of shares owned by a shareholder to a fractional share if the fractional share so created is to be acquired for cash; and
● any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the Board of Directors provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares. |
The ABCA provides that shareholders of a corporation entitled to vote on certain matters are entitled to exercise dissent rights and demand payment for the fair value of their shares in connection with specified matters, including, among others:
● an amendment to our articles of incorporation to add, change or remove any provisions restricting the issue or transfer of shares;
● amend our articles of incorporation to add, change, or remove any restrictions on the business or businesses that the corporation may carry on;
● any amalgamation with another corporation (other than with certain affiliated corporations);
● a continuance under the laws of another jurisdiction; and
● a sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all the property of the corporation other than in the ordinary course of business.
However, a shareholder is not entitled to dissent if an amendment to the articles of incorporation is effected by a court order approving a reorganization or by a court order made in connection with an action for an oppression remedy. |
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Oppression Remedy | The DGCL does not contain an oppression remedy, although causes of action seeking to obtain comparable remedies can be asserted against a corporation and its affiliates under any of several common law theories. | The ABCA provides an oppression remedy that enables a court to make any order, whether interim or final, to rectify matters that are oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly disregard the interests of any security holder, creditor, director, or officer of the corporation if an application is made to a court by a “complainant.” | ||
A “complainant” with respect to a corporation means any of the following:
● a present or former registered holder or beneficial owner of a security of the corporation or any of its affiliates;
● a present or former director or officer of the corporation or of any of its affiliates;
● a creditor in respect of an application under a derivative action; or
● any other person who, in the discretion of the court, is a proper person to make the application.
The oppression remedy provides the court with very broad and flexible powers to intervene in corporate affairs to protect shareholders and other complainants. | ||||
Shareholder Derivative Actions | Under Delaware law, a shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the corporation to enforce a corporate right, including the breach of a director’s duty to the corporation. Delaware law requires that the plaintiff in a derivative suit be (i) a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the wrong complained of and remain so throughout the duration of the suit, (ii) that the plaintiff make a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the corporate claim unless the demand would be futile, and (iii) that the plaintiff is an adequate representative of the other shareholders. | Under the ABCA, a complainant may also apply to the court for permission to bring an action in the name of, and on behalf of, the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or to intervene in an existing action to which the corporation or any of its subsidiaries is a party, for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing an action on the corporation’s behalf or on behalf of its subsidiary. Under the ABCA, no action may be brought and no intervention in an action may be made unless a court is satisfied that (i) the complainant has given reasonable notice to the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary of the complainant’s intention to apply to the court if the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary do not bring, diligently prosecute, defend, or discontinue the action, (ii) the complainant is acting in good faith, and (iii) it appears to be in the interests of the corporation or its subsidiary that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended, or discontinued. | ||
Under the ABCA, the court in a derivative action may make any order it sees fit including orders pertaining to the control or conduct of the lawsuit by the complainant or the making of payments to former and present shareholders and payment of reasonable legal fees incurred by the complainant. |
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DGCL | ABCA | |||
Business Combinations | Section 203 of the DGCL provides, with some exceptions, that a Delaware corporation may not engage in any business combination with a person, or an affiliate or associate of such person, who is an interested shareholder for three years from the time that person became an interested shareholder unless:
● the Board of Directors approved the transaction before the “interested shareholder” obtained such status;
● upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an “interested shareholder,” the “interested shareholder” owned at least 85 percent of a Delaware corporation’s outstanding voting shares at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and are also officers and (ii) employee share plans in which the participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plans will be tendered in the tender or exchange offer; or
● on or subsequent to such date, the business combination or merger is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and not by written consent, by two-thirds of the holders of the outstanding common shares not owned by the “interested shareholder.”
A “business combination” is defined to include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a shareholder. In general, an “interested shareholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns 15 percent or more of a corporation’s voting shares or within three years did own 15 percent or more of a corporation’s voting shares.
A corporation may, at its option, exclude itself from the coverage of Section 203 by an appropriate provision in its certificate of incorporation. |
There is no comparable provision relating to business combinations under the ABCA. In Canada, business combinations (as defined in provincial securities legislation) and other related party transactions are addressed in provincial securities legislation and policies, some of which will apply to us. |
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Election and Removal of Directors | Delaware law provides that a vacancy or a newly created directorship may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. Any newly elected director usually holds office for the remainder of the full term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of the class of directors to which the newly elected director has been elected expires.
Delaware law provides that, except in the case of a corporation with a classified board or with cumulative voting, any director or the entire board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
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The ABCA provides for the election of directors by a majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders.
Under the ABCA, provided that the articles of a corporation do not provide for cumulative voting, shareholders of a corporation may, by ordinary resolution passed at a special meeting, remove any director or directors from office. If holders of a class or series of shares have the exclusive right to elect one or more directors, a director elected by them may only be removed by an “ordinary resolution” at a meeting of the shareholders of that class or series.
An “ordinary resolution” means a resolution (i) passed by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution, or (ii) signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution.
Under the ABCA, a vacancy among the directors created by the removal of a director may be filled at a meeting of shareholders at which the director is removed. The ABCA also allows a vacancy on the Board of Directors to be filled by a quorum of directors, except when the vacancy is a result of a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors required by the articles. In addition, as permitted by the ABCA and pursuant to our amended and restated articles, between annual general meetings, our directors will be authorized to appoint one or more additional directors of the corporation to serve until the next annual general meeting, so long as the number of additional directors shall not at any time exceed one third of the number of directors who held office at the expiration of the last annual meeting of the corporation. | ||
Director Independence | The DGCL does not have director residency requirements although a corporation may prescribe qualifications for directors under its certificate of incorporation or bylaws. However, the NASDAQ’s governance standards require a majority of a listed company’s directors to be independent. | Both the ABCA and certain applicable provincial securities legislation and policies, prescribe director independence requirements.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our Common Shares purchased in this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Code, final, temporary, and proposed United States Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. These authorities may change, possibly retroactively, resulting in U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different from those set forth below. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, and do not intend to obtain, an opinion of counsel or ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership, or disposition of our securities.
This summary does not address any alternative minimum tax considerations, any considerations regarding the Medicare tax, any considerations regarding the tax on net investment income, or the tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local, or non-U.S. jurisdiction, or under any non-income tax laws, including U.S. federal gift and estate tax laws, except to the limited extent set forth below. In addition, this summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to investors, nor does it address tax considerations applicable to an investor’s particular circumstances or to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:
● | banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions; | |
● | tax-exempt entities or governmental organizations, including agencies or instrumentalities thereof; | |
● | regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; | |
● | controlled foreign corporations, PFICs, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; | |
● | brokers or dealers in securities or currencies; | |
● | traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings; | |
● | persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5 percent of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below); | |
● | tax-qualified retirement plans; | |
● | certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; | |
● | partnerships or entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and other pass-through entities including S corporations and trusts (and any investors therein); | |
● | persons who hold our securities as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction,” integrated investment transaction, or other similar transaction; | |
● | persons who do not hold our securities as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; or | |
● | persons deemed to sell our securities under the constructive sale provisions of the Code. |
In addition, if a partnership (or entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our securities, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships that hold our securities, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their tax advisors.
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Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our securities arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws or under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S., or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.
Tax Residence of the Company for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes
Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a corporation generally will be considered to be resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes in its place of organization or incorporation. Accordingly, under the generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rules, the Company, which is a Canadian-incorporated entity, would generally be classified as a non-U.S. corporation. Section 7874 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, however, contain specific rules that may cause a non-U.S. corporation to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If it were determined that the Company should be taxed as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code, then certain distributions made by the Company to non-U.S. holders of our Common Shares would be subject to U.S. withholding tax. The rules under Section 7874 of the Code are complex and require analysis of all relevant facts, and there is limited guidance as to their application.
Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, the Company indirectly acquired all of LEIIO’s assets through the acquisition of all of LEIIO’s outstanding shares of stock on February 17, 2021. Although this acquisition satisfies one of the conditions for application of Section 7874 of the Code (i.e., the acquisition of all of the stock of a U.S. corporation by a non-U.S. corporation), we do not expect the Company to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, interpretations of the Treasury Regulations describing the tests for determining the application of Section 7874 of the Code are subject to uncertainty and there is limited guidance regarding their application. In addition, changes to the rules in Section 7874 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or other changes in law, could adversely affect the Company’s status as a non-U.S. entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position to those described above or that a court will not agree with a contrary position of the IRS in the event of litigation. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Company will not be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code.
We are, and expect to continue to be, a Canadian corporation as of the date of this registration statement. We are treated as a Canadian resident company under the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended, and are subject to Canadian income taxes.
Consequences to U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to a U.S. holder of our securities. For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our securities, other than a partnership, that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:
● | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; | |
● | a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; | |
● | an estate or trust whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or | |
● | a trust (i) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) which has made a valid election to be treated as a “United States person.” |
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, for any taxable year if either:
● | at least 75 percent of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income (the “income test”); or | |
● | at least 50 percent of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). |
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25 percent (by value) of the stock. In determining the value and composition of our assets for purposes of the PFIC asset test, (i) the cash we raise in this offering will generally be considered to be held for the production of passive income and (ii) the value of our assets must be determined based on the market value of our Common Shares from time to time, which could cause the value of our non-passive assets to be less than 50 percent of the value of all of our assets (including the cash raised in this offering) on any particular quarterly testing date for purposes of the asset test.
Based on the expected nature and composition of our income and assets for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022, we anticipate that we will not be classified as a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022. The application of the PFIC rules is subject to uncertainty in several respects, and therefore, no assurances can be provided with respect to our PFIC status for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022, or with regard to our PFIC status in the future.
A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we are a PFIC for that year. As a result, our PFIC status may change from year to year. The total value of our assets for purposes of the asset test generally may be determined in part by reference to the market price of our Common Shares, which may fluctuate considerably. Fluctuations in the market price of our Common Shares may result in our being a PFIC for any taxable year. Because of the uncertainties involved in establishing our PFIC status, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion regarding our PFIC status.
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If we are classified as a PFIC in any year with respect to which a U.S. holder owns Common Shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. holder in all succeeding years during which the U.S. holder owns our Common Shares, regardless of whether we continue to meet the tests described above unless (i) we cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. holder has made a valid “deemed sale” election under the PFIC rules, (ii) we cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. holder has a valid mark-to-market election in effect (as described below) or (iii) the U.S. holder makes a valid QEF Election with respect to all taxable years during such U.S. holder’s holding period in which we are a PFIC. However, a U.S. holder may make a QEF Election with respect to our Common Shares only if we annually provide such U.S. holder with certain tax information.
If we are a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2022, or any subsequent taxable years, then we expect to provide U.S. holders, upon request, a “PFIC Annual Information Statement,” with the information required to allow U.S. holders to make a QEF Election for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a U.S. holder makes a QEF Election with respect to a PFIC, in lieu of the tax consequences described below, the U.S. holder will be subject to current taxation on its pro rata share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain for each taxable year that the entity is classified as a PFIC. If a U.S. holder makes a QEF Election with respect to us, any distributions paid by us out of our earnings and profits that were previously included in the U.S. holder’s income under the QEF Election would not be taxable to the holder. A U.S. holder will increase its tax basis in its Common Shares by an amount equal to any income included under the QEF Election and will decrease its tax basis by any amount distributed on our Common Shares that is not included in the holder’s income. In addition, a U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss on the disposition of Common Shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Shares. U.S. holders should note that if they make QEF Elections with respect to us and lower-tier PFICs, they may be required to pay U.S. federal income tax with respect to their Common Shares for any taxable year significantly in excess of any cash distributions (which are expected to be zero) received on our Common Shares for such taxable year. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding making QEF Elections in their particular circumstances. If a U.S. holder does not make and maintain a QEF election for the U.S. holder’s entire holding period for our Common Shares by making the election for the first year in which the U.S. holder owns such Common Shares pursuant to this offering, the U.S. holder will be subject to the adverse PFIC rules discussed above unless the U.S. holder can properly make a “purging election” with respect to our Common Shares in connection with the U.S. holder’s QEF Election. A purging election may require the U.S. holder to recognize taxable gain on the U.S. holder’s shares. No purging election is necessary for a U.S. holder that timely makes a QEF election for the first year in which the U.S. holder acquired our Common Shares.
If the “deemed sale” election is made, a U.S. holder will be deemed to have sold our Common Shares the U.S. holder holds at their fair market value and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described below. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, the U.S. holder’s Common Shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and the U.S. holder will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” the U.S. holder receives from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of our Common Shares. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we cease to be a PFIC and such election becomes available.
For each taxable year we are treated as a PFIC with respect to U.S. holders, U.S. holders will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” such U.S. holder receives and any gain such U.S. holder recognizes from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of Common Shares, unless (i) such U.S. holder makes a QEF Election with respect to all taxable years of a U.S. holder’s holding period during which we are a PFIC or makes a purging election to cause a deemed sale of our Common Shares at their fair market value in conjunction with a QEF election or (ii) our Common Shares constitute “marketable” securities, and such U.S. holder makes a mark-to-market election as discussed below. Distributions a U.S. holder receives in a taxable year that are greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions a U.S. holder received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or the U.S. holder’s holding period for our Common Shares will be treated as excess distributions; in addition, any gain recognized from the disposition of our Common Shares will constitute an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
● | an excess distribution will be allocated ratably over a U.S. holder’s holding period for our Common Shares; | |
● | the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we became a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and | |
● | the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year. |
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The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or the year of an “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of our Common Shares cannot be treated as capital, even if a U.S. holder holds our Common Shares as capital assets.
If we are a PFIC, a U.S. holder will generally be subject to similar rules with respect to distributions we receive from, and our dispositions of the shares of, any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries that also are PFICs, as if such distributions were indirectly received by, and/or dispositions were indirectly carried out by, such U.S. holder.
If we are a PFIC, U.S. holders can avoid the interest charge on excess distributions or gain relating to our Common Shares by making a mark-to-market election with respect to our Common Shares, provided that our Common Shares are “marketable.” Common Shares will be marketable if they are “regularly traded” on certain U.S. stock exchanges or on a foreign stock exchange that meets certain conditions. For these purposes, our Common Shares will be considered regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least fifteen days during each calendar quarter. Any trades that have as their principal purpose meeting this requirement will be disregarded. Our Common Shares will be listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes. Consequently, if we are a PFIC and our Common Shares remain listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market and are regularly traded, then we would expect the mark-to-market election to be available to U.S. holders with respect to our Common Shares. Each U.S. holder should consult its tax advisors as to whether a mark-to-market election is available or advisable with respect to our Common Shares.
A U.S. holder that makes a mark-to-market election must include as ordinary income for each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our Common Shares at the close of the taxable year over the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Shares. Accordingly, such mark-to-market election may accelerate the recognition of income without a corresponding receipt of cash. An electing holder may also claim an ordinary loss deduction for the excess, if any, of the U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in our Common Shares over the fair market value of our Common Shares at the close of the taxable year, but this deduction is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains for prior years. Gains from an actual sale or other disposition of our Common Shares will be treated as ordinary income, and any losses incurred on a sale or other disposition of our Common Shares will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains for prior years. Once made, the election cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS, unless our Common Shares cease to be marketable. However, a mark-to-market election generally cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFICs that we own, unless shares of such lower-tier PFIC are themselves “marketable.” As a result, even if a U.S. holder validly makes a mark-to-market election with respect to our Common Shares, the U.S. holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to its indirect interest in any of our investments that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on interests in any lower-tier PFICs.
Unless otherwise provided by the U.S. Treasury, each U.S. holder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require. A U.S. holder’s failure to file the annual report will cause the statute of limitations for such U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax return to remain open with regard to the items required to be included in such report until three years after the U.S. holder files the annual report, and, unless such failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, the statute of limitations for the U.S. holder’s entire U.S. federal income tax return will remain open during such period.
WE STRONGLY URGE INVESTORS TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE IMPACT OF OUR PFIC STATUS ON AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF THE PFIC RULES TO THEIR INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES.
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Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules
If a U.S. holder owns directly, indirectly or constructively (under Section 318 of the Code) at least 10 percent of the voting power or value of shares of a foreign corporation, such U.S. person is considered a “U.S. Shareholder” with respect to the foreign corporation. If U.S. Shareholders, in the aggregate, own more than 50 percent of the voting power or value of the shares of such corporation, the foreign corporation will be classified as a CFC. Additionally, even absent U.S. Shareholders with direct or indirect interests in a foreign corporation, a U.S. subsidiary of the Company alone may cause certain related foreign corporations to be treated as CFCs by reason of certain “downward attribution” rules.
We believe that we were not a CFC in the 2022 taxable year, and we do not expect to become a CFC in the 2023 taxable year or in a subsequent taxable year. However, given that the Company’s Common Shares are widely held, the constructive ownership rules under Section 318 of the U.S. Tax Code may make it difficult to determine whether any U.S. person is a U.S. Shareholder as to the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries and whether the Company or any of its non-U.S. subsidiaries is a CFC.
Because the Company group will include one or more U.S. subsidiaries, the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries could be treated as CFCs (regardless of whether the Company is treated as a CFC), depending on the structure of the Company group at any given time. If the Company, or any non-U.S. subsidiary of the Company, is treated as a CFC, any U.S. Shareholder must report annually and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of “Subpart F income,” “global intangible low-taxed income” and investments in U.S. property held by CFCs, regardless of whether any distributions are made to such U.S. Shareholder. In addition, gain on the sale of the CFC shares by a U.S. Shareholder (during the period that the corporation is a CFC and thereafter for a five-year period) would be classified in whole or in part as a dividend, to the extent of certain of the CFC’s earnings and profits. An individual that is a U.S. Shareholder with respect to a CFC generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a U.S. Shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. Failure to comply with these reporting and tax paying obligations may subject a U.S. Shareholder to significant monetary penalties and may prevent the statute of limitations with respect to such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the year for which reporting was due from starting. The Company cannot provide any assurances that it will assist investors in determining whether it or any of its non-U.S. subsidiaries is treated as a CFC or whether any investor is treated as a U.S. Shareholder with respect to any such CFC or furnish to any U.S. Shareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned reporting and tax paying obligations. A U.S. holder should consult its advisors regarding the potential application of these rules to an investment in our Common Shares.
Distributions
As described in “Dividend Policy” on page 45 of this Prospectus, we do not pay cash dividends on our Common Shares and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our Common Shares in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our Common Shares, those payments generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, and will be includible in a U.S. holder’s income when received. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of the U.S. holder’s investment, up to such holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain, subject to the tax treatment described in “Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of our Common Shares” below.
For non-corporate U.S. holders, dividends with respect to our Common Shares would generally be taxed as ordinary income, however, certain dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which the U.S. Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and which includes an exchange of information provision. The U.S. Treasury Department has determined that the current income tax treaty between the United States and Canada meets these requirements. A foreign corporation is also treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Once listed, our Common Shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. There can be no assurance, however, that our Common Shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. Furthermore, non-corporate U.S. holders will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from the Company if the Company is a “surrogate foreign corporation” as defined under Section 7874 of the Code or if the Company is characterized as a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividend is paid or in a preceding taxable year (see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” beginning on page 110 of this Prospectus). U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the reduced tax rate on dividends.
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Dividends will generally be treated as income from foreign sources for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes and will generally constitute passive category income. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and the outcome of their application depends in large part on the U.S. holder’s individual facts and circumstances. Accordingly, U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
Sale, Exchange, or Other Taxable Disposition of our Common Shares
A U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares. The amount of gain or loss will equal the difference between the amount realized on the sale and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Common Shares. The amount realized will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received in exchange for such Common Shares. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares will generally equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost or purchase price, less any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. Gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the transferred Common Shares for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. holders are generally taxed at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Foreign Tax Credit Limitation
Although we don’t anticipate being subject to tax both as a U.S. domestic corporation and as a Canadian corporation, if that position proves incorrect, then a U.S. holder may pay, through withholding, Canadian tax, as well as U.S. federal income tax, with respect to dividends paid on the Common Shares. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder may elect for any taxable year to receive either a credit or a deduction for all foreign income taxes paid by the holder during the year. Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including a general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a taxpayer’s U.S. federal income tax that the taxpayer’s foreign source taxable income bears to the taxpayer’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either foreign source or U.S. source. Our status as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will cause dividends paid by us to be treated as U.S. source rather than foreign source income for this purpose. As a result, a foreign tax credit may be unavailable for any Canadian tax paid on dividends received from us. Similarly, to the extent a sale or disposition of our Common Shares by a U.S. holder results in Canadian tax payable by the U.S. holder (for example, because the Common Shares constitute taxable Canadian property within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended), a U.S. foreign tax credit may be unavailable to the U.S. holder for such Canadian tax. In each case, however, the U.S. holder should be able to claim a deduction for the U.S. holder’s Canadian tax paid, provided that the U.S. holder has not elected to credit other foreign taxes during the same taxable year, although such deductions may be significantly limited for non-corporate holders. The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding these rules.
Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. holder in foreign currency, or the amount of proceeds paid in foreign currency on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Common Shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). A U.S. holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting. Each U.S. holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividends paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our Common Shares, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Unearned Income Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. holders that are individuals, estates, or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally are subject to a 3.8 percent tax on all or a portion of their net investment income, which may include their gross dividend income and net gains from the disposition of our Common Shares. A U.S. holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, is encouraged to consult its tax advisors regarding the applicability of this Medicare tax to its income and gains in respect of such holder’s investment in our Common Shares.
EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAWS.
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MATERIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is, as of the date hereof, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable under the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Tax Act”) to a purchaser of the Common Shares pursuant to this offering, and who, for purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times (i) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada, (ii) acquires Common Shares as purchaser and beneficial owner pursuant to this offering and acquires and holds such Common Shares as capital property, (iii) deals at arm’s length with, and is not affiliated with, the Company or the underwriters, and (iv) does not use or hold and will not be deemed to use or hold, the Common Shares in a business carried on in Canada (hereinafter, a “Non-Resident Holder”). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Resident Holder that is an “authorized foreign bank” within the meaning of the Tax Act or an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere. Any such Non-Resident Holder should consult its own tax advisor.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof, all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”), the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty (the “Treaty”), and an understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) published in writing by it prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurance can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in their current form, or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and, except for the Proposed Amendments, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in the law or any changes in the CRA’s administrative policies or assessing practices, whether by legislative, governmental, or judicial action or decision, nor does it take into account or anticipate any other federal or any provincial, territorial, or foreign tax considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.
This summary is not applicable to a Non-Resident Holder who makes or has made a “functional currency” reporting election; or that has entered or enters into a “derivative forward agreement” with respect to the Common Shares (each as defined in the Tax Act). Any such Non-Resident Holder should consult its own tax advisors with respect to an investment in the Common Shares.
Generally, for purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding, or disposition of our Common Shares must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rates as determined in accordance with the Tax Act. The amounts subject to withholding tax and any capital gains or capital losses realized by a Non-Resident Holder may be affected by fluctuations in the Canadian-U.S. dollar exchange rate.
THIS SUMMARY IS OF A GENERAL NATURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF OUR SECURITIES, AND NO REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OR HOLDER ARE MADE. CONSEQUENTLY, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OR HOLDERS OF THE COMMON SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Tax Cost
The adjusted cost base to a Non-Resident Holder of each Common Share acquired pursuant to this offering will be determined by averaging the cost of such Common Share with the adjusted cost base to such Non-Resident Holder of all other Common Shares (if any) held by the Non-Resident Holder as capital property immediately prior to the acquisition.
Dispositions
A Non-Resident Holder generally will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition or deemed disposition of Common Shares, unless such Common Shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax treaty or convention. In addition, capital losses arising on the disposition or deemed disposition of Common Shares will not be recognized under the Tax Act, unless the Common Shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” to the Non-Resident Holder thereof for purposes of the Tax Act.
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Provided the Common Shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange,” as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes The Nasdaq Capital Market), at the time of disposition, the Common Shares will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Resident Holder at that time, unless at any time during the sixty-month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions are satisfied concurrently: (i) (a) the Non-Resident Holder; (b) persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length; (c) partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or a person described in (b) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships; or (d) any combination of the persons and partnerships described in (a) through (c), owned 25 percent or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the shares of the Company; and (ii) more than 50 percent of the fair market value of the shares of the Company was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of: real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource properties,” “timber resource properties” (each as defined in the Tax Act), and options in respect of, or interests in or for civil law rights in, such properties, whether or not such properties exist. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain circumstances set out in the Tax Act, the Common Shares could be deemed to be “taxable Canadian property.” Even if the Common Shares are “taxable Canadian property” to a Non-Resident Holder, such Non-Resident Holder may be exempt from tax under the Tax Act on the disposition of such Common Shares by virtue of an applicable income tax treaty or convention. A Non-Resident Holder contemplating a disposition of Common Shares that may constitute “taxable Canadian property” should consult its own tax advisors prior to such disposition.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited on the Common Shares or deemed to be paid or credited on the Common Shares to a Non-Resident Holder by the Company are subject to Canadian withholding tax under the Tax Act at the rate of 25 percent of the gross amount of such dividends, although such rate may be reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-Resident Holder’s country of residence. For example, under the Treaty, the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited to a beneficially entitled Non-Resident Holder who is resident in the United States for purposes of the Treaty and who is fully entitled to the benefits of the Treaty (a “U.S. holder”) is generally limited to 15 percent of the gross amount of the dividend (or 5 percent in the case of a U.S. holder that is a corporation beneficially owning at least 10 percent of the Company’s voting shares). Non-Resident Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine their entitlement to relief under an applicable income tax treaty.
Certain entities (including most limited liability companies) that are treated as being fiscally transparent for U.S. federal income tax purposes will not qualify as residents of the United States and therefore will not be entitled to relief from Canadian tax under the provisions of the Treaty. However, the Treaty allows certain U.S. resident owners of transparent entities to enjoy benefits of the Treaty under certain circumstances. Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine their entitlement to relief from Canadian withholding tax under the provisions of the Treaty based on their particular circumstances.
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UNDERWRITING
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”) is acting as the Representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, each of the underwriters has agreed to purchase, severally and not jointly, and we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, the number of Common Shares listed next to its name in the following table.
Underwriter | Number of Common Shares |
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EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | 1,000,000 | |||
Total | 1,000,000 |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the Common Shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these securities are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated. The underwriters are not obligated to purchase the Common Shares covered by the underwriters’ option described below. The underwriters are offering the Common Shares, subject to prior sale, when, as, and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. The underwriters have not committed to purchase and are not involved in the sale of the selling shareholder shares.
Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part for forty-five days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 150,000 Common Shares, at the Primary Offering price per Common Share, less, in each case, the underwriting discounts payable by us. This option equals 15 percent of the Common Shares in this offering, which may be allocated in the sole discretion of the Representative. The securities issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this Prospectus and have been registered under the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
Underwriting Commissions and Discounts
Common Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial offering price set forth on the cover of this Prospectus. Any Common Shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $ per Common Share from the Primary Offering price. The underwriters may offer the Common Shares through one or more of their respective affiliates or selling agents. After the Primary Offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.
The underwriting discount is equal to the Primary Offering price per Common Share, less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per Common Share. The underwriting discount was determined through an arms’ length negotiation between us and the underwriters.
117 |
The following table shows the per Common Share and total underwriting discount we will pay to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option.
No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||||
Per Common Share | $ | $ | ||||||
Total | $ | $ |
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discount, will be approximately $1,178,922.02. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses in an amount not to exceed $150,000 in the aggregate. Additionally, 0.5 percent of the gross proceeds of the offering will be provided to EF Hutton for non-accountable expenses.
Right of First Refusal
Subject to certain conditions, we granted to EF Hutton, for a period of twelve months after closing of the offering, a right of first refusal to act as sole investment banker, book runner, and/or sole placement agent, at EF Hutton’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings for us or any of our successors or subsidiaries. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(6)(A), such right of first refusal shall not have a duration of more than three years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
Lock-up Agreements
The Company, certain of our directors and executive officers, certain of our shareholders affiliated with our directors and executive officers, and Luminous Capital Inc. will agree not to, subject to certain limited exceptions, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, or otherwise dispose of our Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares, or to enter into any hedge or other arrangement or any transaction that transfers, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of our Common Shares, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, without the prior written consent of EF Hutton. Each such holder’s Common Shares will thereafter be incrementally released from this lock-up arrangement as follows: (i) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 180 days after the date of this Prospectus; (ii) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 360 days after the date of this Prospectus; (iii) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 540 days after the date of this Prospectus; and (iv) 25 percent of each such holder’s Common Shares will be released from the lock-up arrangement on the date that is 720 days after the date of this Prospectus.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we have agreed to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
Stock Exchange
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Common Shares. We have applied to list our Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FP”.
118 |
Price Stabilization, Short Positions
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of our Common Shares during and after this offering, including:
● | stabilizing transactions; | |
● | short sales; | |
● | purchases to cover positions created by short sales; and | |
● | syndicate covering transactions. |
Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Common Shares while this offering is in progress. Stabilization transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. These transactions may also include making short sales of our Common Shares, which involve the sale by an underwriter of a greater number of Common Shares than it is required to purchase in this offering and purchasing Common Shares on the open market to cover short positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered short sales,” which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked short sales,” which are short positions in excess of that amount.
The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the underwriters’ option.
Naked short sales are short sales made in excess of the underwriters’ option. 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 Shares in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this offering.
These stabilizing transactions, short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales, and syndicate covering transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our Common Shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Common Shares. As a result of these activities, the price of our Common Shares may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on The Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Common Shares. Neither we, nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these stabilization transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Determination of Offering Price
The principal factors to be considered in determining the public offering price of our Common Shares in the Primary Offering include:
● | the information set forth in this Prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters; | |
● | our history and prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete; | |
● | our past and present financial performance; | |
● | our prospects for future earnings and the present state of our development; | |
● | the general condition of the securities market at the time of this offering; | |
● | the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded shares of generally comparable companies; and | |
● | other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us. |
119 |
The assumed Primary Offering price set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors. Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our Common Shares or that the Common Shares will trade in the public market at or above the Primary Offering price.
Other Relationships
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. The underwriters and their respective affiliates have in the past, and may from time to time in the future, engage with us and perform services for us or in the ordinary course of their business for which they have in the past, and may in the future, receive customary fees and expenses. 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 such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of these securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in these securities and instruments.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters participating in this offering, or by their respective affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriters on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the underwriters has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters in their capacities as underwriters and should not be relied upon by investors.
Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (each, a “Relevant Member State”), an offer to the public of the securities may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of the securities may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:
(i) | to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; | |
(ii) | to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or | |
(iii) | in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of the securities shall result in a requirement for the publication by us or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation. |
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase the securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
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United Kingdom
Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:
(i) | it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 does not apply to us; and | |
(ii) | it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 with respect to anything done by it in relation to the securities in, from, or otherwise involving the United Kingdom. |
Hong Kong
The securities may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation, or document relating to the securities may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case 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 in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Japan
No registration pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the “FIEL”) has been made or will be made with respect to the solicitation of the application for the acquisition of the securities.
Accordingly, the securities have not been, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not be, directly or indirectly, offered or sold in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for re-offering or re-sale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and the other applicable laws and regulations of Japan.
For Qualified Institutional Investors (“QII”)
Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the securities constitutes either a “QII only private placement” or a “QII only secondary distribution” (each as described in Paragraph 1, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the securities. The securities may only be transferred to QIIs.
For Non-QII Investors
Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the securities constitutes either a “small number private placement” or a “small number private secondary distribution” (each as is described in Paragraph 4, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the securities. The securities may only be transferred en bloc without subdivision to a single investor.
Singapore
This Prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this Prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), 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 securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (i) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) 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 (ii) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures, and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired securities under Section 275 except: (a) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (b) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (c) by operation of law.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Dentons US LLP, New York, New York, with respect to U.S. law, and by Dentons Canada LLP, Calgary, Alberta, with respect to Canadian law. Certain legal matters will be passed upon on behalf of the underwriters by Hogan Lovells US LLP, Denver, Colorado.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 (covering the period from January 21, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021) and for the years then ended, have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm as set forth in its report and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Shares we are offering to sell. This Prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement and the exhibits, schedules, and amendments to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our Common Shares, we refer you to the registration statement and to the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. Statements contained in this Prospectus about the contents of any contract, agreement, or other document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract, agreement, or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.
You may access our filings with the SEC, including the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Canadian regulatory authorities maintain a website that contains reports, proxy, and information statements and other information at www.sedar.com.
Upon effectiveness of this registration statement, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. All documents filed with the SEC are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at https://www.firstpersongroup.com. You may access our reports, proxy statements, and other information free of charge at this website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
122 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, and for the Year Ended December 31, 2022, and the Period from January 21, 2021 (Inception) through December 31, 2021
F-1 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
First Person Ltd.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Person Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, 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 each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 2, the Company has incurred significant losses and expects that its operating expenses will continue to increase and that it will continue to incur cash outflows from operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated 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 significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Costa
Mesa, CA
April 12, 2023
F-2 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, | DECEMBER 31, | |||||||
AS OF | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
Inventory | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
Deferred offering cost | ||||||||
Total current assets | ||||||||
Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
Construction-in-progress | ||||||||
Deposits | ||||||||
Intangible assets | ||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable (includes related party balances of $ | $ | $ | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||
Lease liability, current portion | ||||||||
Loans and note payable | ||||||||
Total current liabilities | ||||||||
Lease liability, net of current portion | ||||||||
Total liabilities | ||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 10) | ||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||
Common shares, | par value – authorized, and shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | ( | ) | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Year Ended | January 21, 2021 (Inception) through | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Revenues, net | $ | $ | ||||||
Cost of Goods Sold | ||||||||
Gross Profit | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) | ( | ) | ||||||
Total operating expenses | ||||||||
Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||
Net interest income (expense) | ( | ) | ||||||
Total other income (expense) | ( | ) | ||||||
Loss before provision for income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | ||||||||
Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of provision for income taxes: | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
Net Loss per Common Share | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | ||||||||
Basic and diluted |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
Common Shares | Additional Paid-In | Accumulated | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Total Shareholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Loss | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares – accounts payable conversion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment gain, net of provision for income taxes | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation related to grants of stock options | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 21, 2021 (DATE OF INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2021
Common Shares | Additional Paid-In | Accumulated | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | Total Shareholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit |
| Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 21, 2021 (date of inception) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares in exchange for cash (Note 1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares as part of the Plan of Merger (Note 1) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation related to grants of stock options | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment loss, net of provision for income taxes | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6 |
FIRST PERSON LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended | January 21, 2021 (Inception) through | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
Amortization of right-of-use asset | ||||||||
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs | ||||||||
Share based compensation | ||||||||
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ||||||
Inventories | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
Deferred offering cost | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Deposits | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Accounts payable | ||||||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | ||||||||
Operating lease liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Purchases of intangibles | ( | ) | ||||||
Purchases of construction-in-progress | ( | ) | ||||||
Asset acquisition of TruMed | ( | ) | ||||||
Cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from loans issued | ||||||||
Repayments of loans payable | ( | ) | ||||||
Issuance of | Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $||||||||
Issuance of | Units, net of issuance costs of $||||||||
Issuance of | Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $||||||||
Issuance of | Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $||||||||
Issuance of | Common Shares, net of issuance costs of $||||||||
Net cash from financing activities | ||||||||
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash | ( | ) | ||||||
Net change in cash | ( | ) | ||||||
Cash, beginning of period | ||||||||
Cash, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||
Interest | $ | $ | ||||||
State income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing activities: | ||||||||
Acquisition of plant, property, and equipment in exchange for prepaid expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
Transfers from construction-in-progress to plant, property, and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
Financing of insurance premiums | $ | $ | ||||||
Issuance of notes payable in exchange for acquisition of TruMed | $ | $ | ||||||
Issuance of | Common Shares as part of the Plan of Merger (Note 1)$ | $ | ||||||
Right-of-use asset acquired through operating lease | $ | $ |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-7 |
1. | ORGANIZATION |
Nature
of Business LEIIO Wellness Ltd., First Person Ltd.’s (“First Person”) predecessor by name change, was incorporated
on January 21, 2021 (date of inception) under the laws of the province of Alberta, Canada. First Person’s wholly owned subsidiary,
LEIIO Inc., First Person, Inc.’s (“INC”) predecessor by name change, was incorporated the next day, on
Since its inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to business and product developments relating to the operations of the functional mushroom farm in Olympia, Washington, and to the development of its own proprietary formulations of cognitive performance products containing functional mushrooms. The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
First
Person Formation On January 21, 2021, First Person issued
INC Formation On January 22, 2021, INC entered into share purchase agreements with four purchasers (collectively, “INC Purchasers”) to transfer a total of common shares of INC (collectively, the “Purchased Shares”) to INC Purchasers. Each purchaser received an equal number of common shares and each common share was issued at a purchase price of $ per common share. The consideration paid for the Purchased Shares per purchaser was a combination of $ in cash and the assignment to INC of certain intellectual property rights, pursuant to a technology assignment agreement. Immediately after, INC became wholly owned by INC Purchasers.
Plan of Merger On February 17, 2021, First Person entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Plan of Merger”). Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, a merger between INC and LEIIO Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) occurred. Immediately after the merger, INC became a wholly owned subsidiary of First Person and INC Purchasers obtained control of First Person, resulting in a reverse acquisition.
Pursuant to the Plan of Merger entered into between First Person, INC, and Merger Sub, the merger was completed in a series of transactions as follows:
● | On February 17, 2021, Merger Sub was formed. | |
● | On February 17, 2021, First Person subscribed for common shares of Merger Sub for total consideration of $1. Immediately after, Merger Sub became a wholly owned subsidiary of First Person. | |
● | Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, Merger Sub merged with and into INC, with INC continuing as the surviving corporation. The merger became effective upon filing of the certificate of merger with the Delaware Secretary of State (the “Effective Time”). | |
● | Immediately
prior to the Effective Time and by virtue of the merger, each share of INC issued and outstanding converted into | |
● | By virtue of the merger, each share of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time converted into one share of INC. | |
● | Immediately after, INC became a wholly owned subsidiary of First Person. |
F-8 |
Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, INC Purchasers, the accounting acquirer, became the majority shareholders of First Person. The transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805-40, Reverse Acquisitions, since INC Purchasers obtained control of First Person. The transaction was not treated as a business combination.
Legal Entity Name On December 15, 2021, LEIIO Wellness Ltd. amended its articles under the laws of the province of Alberta, Canada, to change its legal entity name to “First Person Ltd.” On October 4, 2021, LEIIO Inc. amended its articles under the laws of the state of Delaware, United States, to change its legal entity name to “First Person, Inc.”
Acquisition
of TruMed On February 15, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of
The determination of whether an acquisition qualifies as a business combination or an asset acquisition requires management’s use of judgment. An acquisition not meeting the accounting criteria to be accounted for as a business combination is accounted for as an asset acquisition. The acquisition of TruMed was accounted for as an asset acquisition at its purchase price, inclusive of acquisition costs, which was allocated to the acquired assets based upon its fair value at the date of acquisition. There was no liability assumed as a result of the acquisition. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, contingent consideration is generally recognized when the contingency is resolved. As of December 31, 2022, management has determined the contingent consideration is not both probable and reasonably estimable.
2. | GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENT’S PLAN |
The Company has not yet achieved profitability and expects to continue to incur cash outflows from operations. It is expected that its operating expenses will continue to increase and, as a result, the Company will eventually need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability. These conditions indicate that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Although the Company’s management believes that it has access to capital resources, there are currently no commitments in place for new financing at this time and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain funds on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate funds on reasonable terms, it may be required to significantly curtail or discontinue operations or obtain funds by entering into financing agreements on unattractive terms. The Company’s operating needs include the planned costs to operate its business, including amounts required to fund working capital and capital expenditures.
These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the period from January 21, 2021 (date of inception), through December 31, 2021 (“the period ended December 31, 2021”), which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might become necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
F-9 |
3. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Method of Accounting The Company maintains its accounting records under the accrual method of accounting in conformity with US GAAP, where revenues and expenses are recorded as earned and incurred, respectively.
Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Person and INC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Foreign Currency In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters, the Company has determined the functional currency of First Person is the Canadian dollar. The Company translates the financial statements of First Person to U.S. dollars using month-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities, and average exchange rates for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of shareholders’ equity.
Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities, certain disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates affecting the consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best available information. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include grant date fair values of equity awards and valuation allowance for deferred income taxes. However, actual results from the resolution of such estimates and assumptions may vary from those used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid, unrestricted investments with original maturities of three months or less, to be cash equivalents.
Inventory Inventory consists of raw materials such as inputs for functional mushroom, packaging materials, and finished goods inventory, which were the Company’s three direct-to-consumer products: SunbeamTM, Golden HourTM, and MoonlightTM that are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined based on the estimated selling price less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company values inventory on a FIFO basis depleting inventory in the order in which it was received. The Company evaluates the need for inventory reserves associated with obsolete, slow-moving, and non-sellable inventory by reviewing estimated net realized values on a periodic basis. As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have a reserve for obsolescence.
Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Business and Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of business and credit risks consist of cash and cash equivalents.
The Company maintains cash balances that can, at times, exceed amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any losses in these accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk in this area.
Property
and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization
expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which is approximately
Betterments, renewals, and extraordinary repairs that materially extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized; other repairs and maintenance charges are expensed as incurred. The cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization applicable to assets retired are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss on disposition, if any, is recognized in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, long-lived assets such as property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized on long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of the assets. In such cases, the carrying value of these assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value and assets held for sale are adjusted to their estimated fair value less estimated selling expenses.
F-10 |
Website Development Costs The Company recognizes website development costs in accordance with ASC 350-50, Accounting for Website Development Costs. As such, the Company expenses all costs incurred that relate to the planning and post implementation phases of development of its website. Direct costs incurred in the development phase are capitalized and recognized over the estimated useful life (see Note 8). Costs associated with operating the website are expensed as incurred.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the period ended December
31, 2021, amounted to $
Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate an income tax provision (benefit) in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating the current income tax provision (benefit) together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company provides a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets when circumstances indicate that it will, more likely than not, no longer be realized.
INC accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC 740-10”). The impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained.
INC is a Delaware C corporation and is subject to taxation and files income tax returns in the United States. Since inception, INC tax returns are subject to examination by taxing authorities, and no examinations are currently pending.
As of December 31, 2021, INC does not have any unrecognized tax benefits. INC does not anticipate any material changes to its unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
On December 27, 2020, the United States enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act which extended many of the benefits of the CARES Act that were scheduled to expire. The Company is evaluating the impact of the Consolidated Appropriations Act on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Lease Accounting In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02” or “ASC 842”). ASC 842 establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record an ROU asset and a lease liability, measured on a discounted basis, on the balance sheets for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statements of income. Effective January 21, 2021 (date of inception), the Company adopted ASC 842 for all leases existing at the date of adoption. The Company has made an accounting policy election to not recognize right of use assets or lease liabilities for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, and recognizes the related expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
F-11 |
Under
ASC 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. If an arrangement contains a lease, an operating or finance
ROU asset and obligation are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. That
ROU asset and obligation represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the Company’s obligation
to make lease payments arising from the lease, respectively. The ROU asset recorded includes any prepaid lease payments made and excludes
lease incentives received.
Lease expense for lease payments and amortization expense for the ROU assets are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
There was no impact of adopting FASB ASC 842 on the accompanying statements of changes in shareholders’ equity as of January 21, 2021 (date of inception).
Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s revenue consists exclusively of its direct-to-consumer sales of cognitive supplements sold primarily throughout the United States.
In order to recognize revenue under FASB ASU 2014-09, the Company applies the following five steps:
● | Identification of customer contracts; | |
● | Identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract to transfer goods or provide services to a customer; | |
● | Determination of the transaction price the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer; | |
● | Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract; and | |
● | Recognition of revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligation(s). |
F-12 |
The Company’s contracts with customers for the cognitive supplements and other related products consist of single performance obligations. The performance obligation in a contract is determined based on each individual order and the respective quantities shipped, with revenue being recognized at a point in time when obligations under the terms of the agreement are satisfied. This generally occurs with the transfer of control when the product is shipped to the customer.
The amount of revenue recognized is reduced for estimated returns and other customer credits, such as discounts and rebates, based on the expected value to be realized. Payment terms are consistent with terms standard to the markets the Company serves.
The Company recognizes revenue when our inventory is shipped to our customers. We recognize revenue gross of amounts payable to our third party co-packers and other third party suppliers for the following reasons. First, we bear primary responsibility for fulfilling our performance obligations and for the acceptability of our product. Our customers purchase goods from our website, which bears the Company’s name, and agree to our terms and conditions. Our customers do not enter into separate contracts with any of our third party suppliers. Second, we bear inventory risk, as we purchase and store our inventory prior to shipping it to customers, and are subject to risk of loss if the inventory is damaged or becomes obsolete. Third, we have discretion in establishing prices charged to our customers, as we determine the price at which our products are offered to customers on our website, independently of prices charged by our third party suppliers.
Revenue received from shipping and handling fees is reflected in net sales. The Company has elected to classify shipping and handling costs in selling, general and administrative expenses and recognizes them at the time revenue is recognized for the related goods. The Company has also elected to recognize revenue net of sales taxes and similar taxes that are imposed on and concurrent with revenue producing activities. The Company has elected to use the practical expedient for significant financing components allowed under ASU 2014-09, such that if the period between revenue recognition and cash receipt for a particular contract is expected to be a year or less, no interest income is recognized and the full amount of revenue appropriate under the contract is recognized at the time the performance obligation is met.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”), which in conjunction with subsequent amendments issued by FASB amends the FASB’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The ASU adds to US GAAP an impairment model (known as the “current expected credit loss model”) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. For public companies, ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Date for Certain Entities (“ASU 2019-10”). The amendments of ASU 2019-10 defer the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for certain entities by one year. Private companies should apply the guidance in ASU 2016-13 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact of this new accounting guidance, which is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2023, although early adoption is permitted.
4. | INVENTORIES |
A summary of inventories is as follows:
As of: | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Raw materials | $ | $ | ||||||
Work in process | ||||||||
Finished goods | ||||||||
Inventory | $ | $ |
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, inventory consisted of raw materials, which were functional mushrooms produced from the Company’s farm operations, located in Olympia, Washington, to be used in the production of its cognitive performance products. In addition, as of December 31, 2022, inventory consisted of finished goods inventory, which were the Company’s three direct-to-consumer products: SunbeamTM, Golden HourTM, and MoonlightTM as well as packaging materials. Inventory is recognized at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined based on the estimated selling price less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation.
F-13 |
5. | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
As of: | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and deposits | $ | $ | ||||||
Prepaid expenses, other | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses, production deposit | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses, rent deposit | ||||||||
Other current assets | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | $ |
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, prepaid expenses and other current assets primarily consist of prepayments related to insurance premiums, office space rent, and other miscellaneous items.
6. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
Property and equipment consist of the following:
As of: | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Facility | $ | $ | ||||||
Equipment | ||||||||
Computer equipment | ||||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | $ |
Depreciation
expense related to property and equipment amounted to $
As of December 31, 2022, the Company is not yet operating its greenhouses in Olympia, Washington that will be used to grow functional mushrooms. As such, the Company has not yet recognized depreciation expense related to the facility as of December 31, 2022, and period ended December 31, 2021.
7. | CONSTRUCTION-IN-PROGRESS |
Construction-in-progress consist of the following:
As of: | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Greenhouse costs | $ | $ |
As of December 31, 2022, the Company has substantially completed the development of its greenhouses in Olympia, Washington that will be used to grow functional mushrooms. As such, the associated costs were transferred to PP&E during the year ended December 31, 2022.
F-14 |
8. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
Intangible assets consist of the following:
As of: | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Website development costs | $ | $ | ||||||
Less: accumulated amortization | ( | ) | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | $ | $ |
As
of December 31, 2022, the Company has completed the development and design of its website. As such, the Company recognized amortization
expense of $
9. | LOANS AND NOTE PAYABLE |
Loans and notes payable consist of the following:
As of: | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
Line of credit | $ | $ | ||||||
Merchant loan | ||||||||
Revenue purchase agreement | ||||||||
Bridge loan | ||||||||
Insurance financing | ||||||||
TruMed acquisition note payable (Note 1) | ||||||||
Loans and note payable, net | $ | $ |
On
August 8, 2022, the Company entered into a line of credit agreement (“line of credit”) for a maximum draw amount of $
On
August 8, 2022, the Company entered into a merchant loan agreement with WebBank (“merchant loan”), on behalf of Shopify Inc.,
for proceeds of $
On
October 8, 2022, the Company entered into a revenue purchase agreement whereby Pearl Beta Funding, LLC (“Pearl”) provided
the Company with cash proceeds of $
F-15 |
On
December 20, 2022, the Company entered into a bridge loan with Cloudfund LLC for cash proceeds of $
On
December 31, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Imperial PFS Canada for financing of its insurance policy. The repayments
will be made through nine monthly payments of $
10. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Leases The Company leases certain office facilities. Certain leases provide the Company with the option to renew for additional periods. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion, and the Company has only included renewal options in the lease term when the Company can be reasonably certain that it will exercise the renewal options.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, and the period ended December 31, 2021, the components of lease expenses were recognized as selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The lease payments were paid in cash.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | Period Ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Operating lease costs | $ | $ |
The
weighted-average remaining lease term for the Company’s operating leases ranges from approximately to
As of December 31, 2022, the Company has no operating or financing leases that have not yet commenced.
The future maturities of the contractual lease payments included in the operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022, are as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022: | Total | |||
2023 | $ | |||
2024 | ||||
2025 | ||||
2026 | ||||
2027 | ||||
Total | ||||
Less: amount representing interest | ( | ) | ||
Total | $ |
Litigation The Company is subject to certain legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of business. The Company does not believe that the amount of liability, if any, as a result of these proceedings and claims will have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
F-16 |
11. | SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
Preferred Shares The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Preferred Shares, without nominal or par value. Holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to receive dividends, if and when declared by the Company, and to share ratably in the Company’s assets legally available for distribution to shareholders in the event of liquidation. As of December 31, 2022, there were Preferred Shares issued and outstanding.
Preferred Share Dividends The holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the Company. The dividends are cumulative and as of December 31, 2022, there were undeclared accumulated preferred share dividends.
Preferred Share Liquidation In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, the holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to preference over holders of Common Share or any other shares of the Company ranking by their terms junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of capital.
Preferred
Share Voting Rights
Common Shares The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares, without nominal or par value. As of December 31, 2022, there were Common Shares issued and outstanding.
Common
Voting Rights
On
March 4, 2021, the Company issued
On
July 14, 2021, the Company issued
On
February 2, 2022, the Company issued
On
March 4, 2022, the Company issued
On
April 20, 2022, the Company issued
On April 21, 2022, the Company effected a consolidation (the “Consolidation”) of all outstanding Common Shares, as approved by the Company’s shareholders at a meeting of the shareholders held on December 15, 2021, with a consolidation ratio of one post-Consolidation Common Share for every ten pre-Consolidation Common Shares outstanding prior to the effective date of the Consolidation. As a result of the Consolidation, each ten pre-Consolidation Common Shares outstanding prior to the effective date of the Consolidation were automatically consolidated into one post-Consolidation Common Share without any action on the part of the holders, and the number of outstanding Common Shares was reduced from Common Shares to Common Shares.
F-17 |
Equity Incentive Plan On March 31, 2021, the Company adopted an equity compensation plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company’s Board of Directors may grant awards, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, and other stock-based awards, to certain directors, officers, employees, or consultants of the Company. The Plan authorizes grants consisting of the Company’s authorized but unissued Common Shares.
The maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall not exceed % of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares on a rolling basis. Common Shares available under the Plan may be used for options or any other awards. The terms and conditions of an award granted would be set forth in an award agreement on an individual basis approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Vesting and exercise of awards would be conditioned upon reasonable conditions such as term of employment (“Time Options”).
For grants for which vesting is deemed probable, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense pro-rata over the vesting period for each non-employee option agreement.
The Company accounts for any forfeitures of options when they occur. In addition, previously recognized stock-based compensation expense for a non-vested award is reversed in the period that the award is forfeited.
On March 22, 2022, the Company adopted a long term incentive plan (“LTIP”), pursuant to which the Board of Directors may, from time to time, create and issue incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company.
Time Options
As of December 31, 2022, Time Options had vested under the Plan.
Year ended December 31, 2022 |
Period ended December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Risk-free interest rate | % | % - | % | |||||
Expected term | years | - years | ||||||
Expected average stock price volatility | % | % - | % | |||||
Expected dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options | $ | $ | - $ |
Weighted | ||||||||||||||||
Average | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted | Remaining | |||||||||||||||
Average | Contractual | |||||||||||||||
Number of | Exercise | Term | Intrinsic | |||||||||||||
Options | Price | (in Years) | Value | |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Granted | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised | - | |||||||||||||||
Forfeited | - | |||||||||||||||
Expired | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ |
F-18 |
Weighted | ||||||||
Average Grant | ||||||||
Number of | Date Fair Value | |||||||
Options | Per Share | |||||||
Unvested balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
Granted | ||||||||
Vested | ( |
) | ||||||
Forfeited or expired | ||||||||
Exercised | ||||||||
Unvested balance, December 31, 2022 | $ |
The Company recognized $ (2021 - $ ) of share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. As of December 31, 2022, $ of unrecognized compensation expense remained under the Plan related to unvested Time Options.
Warrants
On July 14, 2021, the Company issued
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021: | ||||
Expected term (years) | ||||
Expected volatility | % | |||
Risk free interest rate | % | |||
Expected dividends | % |
A summary of the warrant activity during the period from January 21, 2021 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 is presented below:
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Weighted | Average | |||||||||||
Average | Remaining | |||||||||||
Number of | Exercise | Life | ||||||||||
Warrants | Price | (in Years) | ||||||||||
Balance, January 21, 2021 | $ | - | ||||||||||
Issued | - | |||||||||||
Exercised | - | |||||||||||
Forfeited or expired | - | |||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||
Issued | - | - | ||||||||||
Exercised | - | |||||||||||
Forfeited or expired | - | |||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ |
Warrants Outstanding | Warrants Exercisable | |||||||||||||||
Weighted | ||||||||||||||||
Average | ||||||||||||||||
Outstanding | Remaining | Exercisable | ||||||||||||||
Exercise | Number of | Life in | Number of | |||||||||||||
Price | Warrants | Years | Warrants | |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ |
F-19 |
12. | INCOME TAXES |
Pre-tax book losses for domestic (Canada) and foreign (the U.S.) jurisdictions are as follows:
Year ended | Period ended | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Domestic | $ | $ | ||||||
Foreign | $ | $ |
The provision for income taxes is as follows:
Year ended | Period ended | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Current: | ||||||||
US Federal | $ | $ | ||||||
Canada | ||||||||
Total current | ||||||||
Deferred: | ||||||||
US Federal | ||||||||
Canada | ||||||||
Total deferred | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | $ |
Deferred income taxes are to be recognized on the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between book and tax bases of assets and liabilities.
The reconciliation of the expected federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:
Year ended | Period ended | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
Canadian statutory income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
US state income taxes | % | |||||||
Prior period adjustments | ( | )% | ||||||
Entertainment | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
US federal rate differential | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
Valuation allowance | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
Stock-based compensation | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
Total | % | % |
In
2022 and 2021, the Canadian corporate statutory rate of
F-20 |
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
As of December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||
Start-up costs | $ | $ | ||||||
Net operating loss | ||||||||
Total deferred tax assets | ||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||
Acquisition costs | ( | ) | ||||||
Depreciation expense | ( | ) | ||||||
Total deferred tax liabilities: | ( | ) | ||||||
Less: valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
Net deferred taxes | $ | $ |
As
of December 31, 2022, $4,429,438
(2021 - $534,091) of US federal net
operating losses, $
The Company may recognize the tax benefits from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not identify any uncertain tax positions that have a more likely than not chance of not being sustained upon examination by the tax authorities.
The Company has a December 31 tax year-end. The US federal, US state and Canadian income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by various tax authorities, generally for three years after they are filed.
13. | RELATED PARTIES |
During
the year and period ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred approximately $
● | $ | |
● | $ | |
● | $ | |
● | $ |
During the year ended December
31, 2021, the Company loaned $
14. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
The Company has evaluated subsequent events that have occurred from December 31, 2022, through the date that these consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined that there were no subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements, except as described below.
On
January 3, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal
amount of $
On
January 9, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal
amount of $
On
January 10, 2023, the Company paid $
On
February 6, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal
amount of $
On March 31, 2023, the Company closed
a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $
F-21 |
Common Shares
PROSPECTUS
Sole Bookrunner
EF Hutton
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
, 2023
Through and including , 2023 (the 25th day after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
PART
II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, with are inclusive of the fees and expenses incidental to the registration of the selling shareholder shares. All of the amounts shown are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee | $ | 2,600.14 | ||
FINRA filing fee | $ | 6,321.88 | ||
Nasdaq listing fees | $ | 10,000.00 | ||
Accountants’ fees and expenses | $ | 280,000.00 | ||
Legal fees and expenses | $ | 700,000.00 | ||
Miscellaneous | $ | - | ||
Total | $ | 998,922.02 |
ITEM 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Under the ABCA, we may indemnify our current or former directors or officers or another individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with us or another entity. The ABCA also provides that we may advance moneys to a director, officer, or other individual for costs, charges, and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such a proceeding; provided that such individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions described below.
However, indemnification is prohibited under the ABCA unless the individual:
● | acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests, or the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at our request; and | |
● | in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. |
Our bylaws require us to indemnify each of our current or former directors or officers and each individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges, and expenses, including, without limitation, an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with us or another entity.
Our bylaws authorize us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of each of our current or former directors or officers and each person who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity.
We intend to enter into indemnity agreements with our directors and certain officers which provide, among other things, that we will indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against all liabilities, costs, charges and expenses incurred as a result of his or her actions in the exercise of his or her duties as a director or officer.
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At present, we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees, or agents in which indemnification would be required or permitted.
We have directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to our directors and officers within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of, and certain liabilities which might be imposed as a result of, actions, suits, or proceedings to which they are parties by reason of being or having been such directors or officers.
ITEM 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On January 21, 2021, we issued two pre-Consolidation Common Shares to two members of management for CAD$0.05 per Common Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$0.10.
On February 3, 2021, we issued 1,000,000 Common Shares to accredited investors in exchange for consulting services, whose total consideration amounted to CAD$162,500, consisting of (i) 250,000 Common Shares for CAD$0.05 per Common Share and (ii) 750,000 Common Shares for CAD$0.20 per Common Share.
On February 17, 2021, in connection with the Plan of Merger, each share of LEIIO issued and outstanding converted into 0.31111112 Common Shares of Wellness Share. The consideration in the merger consisted of 2,800,000 Wellness Shares, with 700,000 Wellness Shares issued to each of the Wellness Share Recipients. The first 175,000 Wellness Shares issued to each of the Wellness Share Recipients were issued at a price of CAD$0.05 per share and the remaining Wellness Shares were issued at a price of CAD$0.20 per share. The total consideration in the merger amounted to CAD$455,000. By virtue of the merger, each share of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger converted into one share of LEIIO. Immediately after the merger, the surviving corporation, LEIIO became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wellness and the owners of LEIIO obtained control of Wellness, resulting in a reverse acquisition.
On March 4, 2021, we closed a non-brokered private placement of Common Shares at CAD$2.00 per Common Share, pursuant to which we issued 1,003,012 Common Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately CAD$2,006,022. The shares issued were subject to a contractual restriction on transfer subject to the consent of the Company’s management and other restrictions under applicable law.
On March 31, 2021, we adopted the Incentive Plan, which was amended and restated on March 22, 2022. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to (i) enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain, and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities, (ii) align the interests of such individuals with the Company’s shareholders, and (iii) promote ownership of the Company’s equity. The Company has reserved a maximum number of Common Shares for the grant of awards under the Incentive Plan of not more than 10 percent of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time. Incentives available under the Incentive Plan may include options, restricted share units, performance share units, deferred share units, and restricted shares.
On April 26, 2021, we granted options to purchase a total of 395,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to eleven employees, advisory board members, and members of management, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third upon grant, one-third on April 26, 2022, and one-third on April 26, 2023. On September 28, 2021, we terminated our relationship with one of the options recipients. Pursuant to the terms of the Incentive Plan, the options recipient has three months from the date of his termination to exercise the 13,333 options granted to him that were vested on the date of his termination, after which time such options will expire, and the 26,667 options granted to him but not yet vested as of the date of his termination have been cancelled.
On May 24, 2021, we granted options to purchase 10,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of CAD$2.00 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to an advisory board member, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third upon grant, one-third on May 24, 2022, and one-third on May 24, 2023.
II-2 |
On July 14, 2021, we closed a non-brokered private placement of units (“Units”) at CAD$3.50 per Unit, pursuant to which we issued 1,001,242 Units to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately CAD$3,504,346. This amount includes the issuance of 20,657 Units to Red Antler Ventures 3 LLC, an affiliate of Red Antler, as payment for certain amounts owed to Red Antler. Each Unit consisted of one Common Share and one-half of one warrant (“Warrant”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of CAD$5.00 per Common Share, for a period of two years following the date of issuance. The securities issued were subject to a contractual restriction on transfer subject to our management’s consent and other restrictions under applicable law.
On July 28, 2021, we granted options to purchase 10,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to an advisory board member, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third upon grant, one-third on July 28, 2022, and one-third on July 28, 2023.
On September 27, 2021, we granted options to purchase a total of 22,500 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to two employees, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third upon grant, one-third on September 27, 2022, and one-third on September 27, 2023.
On September 27, 2021, we granted options to purchase a total of 27,500 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to two employees, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third on September 27, 2022, one-third on September 27, 2023, and one-third on September 27, 2024.
On September 27, 2021, we granted options to purchase a total of 50,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of CAD$3.50 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to two members of management, with the options immediately becoming vested upon grant.
On February 2, 2022, we closed a private placement of Common Shares at $5.00 per Common Share, pursuant to which we issued 196,400 Common Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $982,000. EF Hutton served as broker for the sale of Common Shares in the United States, while the sales of Common Shares in foreign jurisdictions was non-brokered.
On March 4, 2022, we closed a private placement of Common Shares at $5.00 per Common Share, pursuant to which we issued 188,100 Common Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $940,500. This amount includes the issuance of 10,000 Common Shares to Chris Bonds as payment for certain amounts owed to Chris Bonds Construction. EF Hutton served as broker for the sale of Common Shares in the United States, while the sales of Common Shares in foreign jurisdictions was non-brokered.
On April 14, 2022, we granted options to purchase a total of 140,000 Common Shares, with a five-year term and an exercise price of $5.00 per Common Share, under the Incentive Plan, to ten employees, advisory board member, board members, and members of management, with the options becoming vested as follows: one-third on April 14, 2023 grant, one-third on April 14, 2024, and one-third on April 14, 2025.
On April 20, 2022, we closed a private placement of Common Shares at $5.00 per Common Share, pursuant to which we issued 162,600 Common Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $813,000. This amount includes the issuance of 1,600 Common Shares to Mandy Belkin as payment for certain amounts owed to Chris Bonds Construction. EF Hutton served as broker for the sale of Common Shares in the United States, while the sales of Common Shares in foreign jurisdictions was non-brokered.
On January 3, 2023, we closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $764,130 and 764,124 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $703,000.
On January 9, 2023, we closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $616,304 and 616,303 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $567,000.
On February 6, 2023, we closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $368,543 and 368,543 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $339,060.
On March 31, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,350,000 and 1,350,001 Series 1 Shares to accredited investors for gross proceeds of approximately $1,242,000.
Exemptions
The sales of the above-described securities were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act because they were made in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
The grants of options described above were made in reliance upon the exemption from registration under the Securities Act under Regulation S or Section 4(a)(2), or under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as transactions pursuant to written compensatory plans or pursuant to a written contract relating to compensation.
No underwriter was employed in connection with the securities issuances set forth in this Item 15.
II-3 |
ITEM 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits.
The exhibits to the registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement and are incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.
EXHIBIT INDEX
* | To be filed by amendment. |
** | Filed herewith. |
*** | Previously filed. |
± | Denotes that fees, payment terms, and other business terms have been redacted in accordance with Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K. |
# | Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
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ITEM 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements 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 of 1933 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 Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 of 1933, 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.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers, or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment 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.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Burbank, California, on April 12, 2023.
FIRST PERSON LTD. | ||
By: | /s/ Cory J. Rosenberg | |
Name: | Cory J. Rosenberg | |
Title: | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Cory J. Rosenberg | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President | April 12, 2023 | ||
Cory J. Rosenberg | (principal executive officer) | |||
/s/ Darcy A. Campbell | Chief Financial Officer | April 12, 2023 | ||
Darcy A. Campbell | (principal financial and accounting officer) | |||
/s/ Chris L. Claussen | Chief Innovation Officer and Director | April 12, 2023 | ||
Chris L. Claussen | ||||
/s/ Ariel Fainsod | Director | April 12, 2023 | ||
Ariel Fainsod | ||||
/s/ Gail D. Hamilton Azodo | Director | April 12, 2023 | ||
Gail D. Hamilton Azodo | ||||
/s/ Rosema J. Nemorin | Director | April 12, 2023 | ||
Rosema J. Nemorin |
II-6 |
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAW NO. 1
A
by-law relating generally to
the conduct of the business and affairs of
FIRST PERSON LTD.
Section 1 Interpretation | 2 |
Section 2 Business of the Corporation | 3 |
Section 3 Borrowing and Security | 4 |
Section 4 Directors | 6 |
Section 5 Committees | 13 |
Section 6 Officers | 14 |
Section 7 Protection of Directors and Officers | 15 |
Section 8 Securities | 17 |
Section 9 Dividends and Rights | 20 |
Section 10 Meetings of Shareholders | 21 |
Section 11 Information Available to Shareholders | 26 |
Section 12 Notices | 27 |
Section 13 Forum Selection | 30 |
Section 14 Effective Date | 30 |
2 |
BE IT ENACTED AND IT IS HEREBY ENACTED as a by-law of First Person Ltd. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) as follows:
Section
1
Interpretation
1.01 Definitions
In the by-laws of the Corporation, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) | “Act” means the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and the regulations made pursuant thereto, as from time to time amended, and every statute that may be substituted therefor and, in the case of such substitution, any reference in the by-laws of the Corporation to provisions of the Act shall be read as references to the substituted provisions therefor in the new statute or statutes; |
(2) | “appoint” includes “elect” and vice versa; |
(3) | “articles” means the articles attached to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as from time to time amended or restated; |
(4) | “board” means the board of directors of the Corporation; |
(5) | “business day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or any other day that is a “holiday”, as defined in the Interpretation Act (Alberta), as from time to time amended; |
(6) | “by-laws” means this by-law and all other by-laws of the Corporation from time to time in force and effect; |
(7) | “cheque” includes a draft; |
(8) | “director” means a member of the board; |
(9) | “meeting of shareholders” includes an annual meeting of shareholders and a special meeting of shareholders; |
(10) | “recorded address” means, in the case of a shareholder, such shareholder’s address as recorded in the securities register; and in the case of joint shareholders the address appearing in the securities register in respect of such joint holding or the first address so appearing if there is more than one; and, in the case of a director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board, his or her latest address as recorded in the records of the Corporation; |
(11) | “Securities Transfer Act” means the Securities Transfer Act (Alberta), as from time to time amended, and every statute that may be substituted therefor and, in the case of such substitution, any reference in the by-laws of the Corporation to provisions of the Securities Transfer Act shall be read as references to the substituted provisions therefor in the new statute or statutes; |
3 |
(12) | “signing officer” means, in relation to any instrument, any person authorized to sign the same on behalf of the Corporation by Section 2.04 or by a resolution passed pursuant thereto; |
(13) | all terms contained in the by-laws and which are defined in the Act shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Act; and |
(14) | the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular; the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter genders; and the word “person” shall include individuals, bodies corporate, corporations, companies, partnerships, syndicates, trusts, unincorporated organizations and any number of aggregate persons. |
1.02 Conflict with Laws
In the event of any inconsistency between the by-laws of the Corporation and the mandatory provisions of the Act or the Securities Transfer Act, the provisions of the Act or the Securities Transfer Act, as applicable, shall prevail.
Section
2
Business of the Corporation
2.01 Registered Office
The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the municipality or geographical township within Alberta as the board may from time to time determine.
2.02 Corporate Seal
The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall be adopted and may be changed by resolution of the board.
2.03 Financial Year
Until changed by resolution of the board, the financial year of the Corporation shall end on December 31st of each year.
2.04 Execution of Instruments
Contracts, documents or instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Corporation may be signed on behalf of the Corporation by any officer or director of the Corporation and contracts, documents or instruments in writing so signed shall be binding upon the Corporation without any further authorization or formality. The board shall have power from time to time by resolution to appoint any officer or officers or any other person or persons on behalf of the Corporation either to sign contracts, documents or instruments in writing generally or to sign specific contracts, documents or instruments in writing.
The seal of the Corporation may when required be affixed to contracts, documents or instruments in writing signed as provided for above or by any officer or officers, person or persons, appointed as provided for above by resolution of the board.
4 |
The term “contracts, documents or instruments in writing” as used in this by-law shall include, without limitation, powers of attorney, deeds, mortgages, hypothecs, charges, conveyances, transfers and assignments of property, real or personal, movable or immovable, agreements, releases, receipts and discharges for the payment of money or other obligations, conveyances, transfers and assignments of shares, share warrants, stocks, bonds, debentures, notes or other securities, instruments of proxy and all paper writings.
2.05 Execution in Counterpart, by Fax and by Electronic Signature
Subject to the Act:
(1) | any contracts, documents or instruments in writing required or permitted to be executed by one or more persons on behalf of the Corporation may be signed by means of electronic signature or fax; |
(2) | any contracts, documents or instruments in writing required or permitted to be executed by one or more persons may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which when duly executed by one or more of such persons shall be an original and all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same such contract, document or instrument in writing; and |
(3) | wherever a notice, document or other information is required under the Act or these by-laws to be created or provided in writing, that requirement may be satisfied by the creation and/or provision of an electronic document, including by electronic means. Subject to the Act, an electronic document includes any form of representation of information or of concepts fixed in any medium in or by electronic, optical or other similar means and that can be read or perceived by a person or by any means. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or Section 2.04, the board may from time to time direct the manner in which and the person or persons by whom any particular contract, document or instrument in writing, or class of contracts, documents or instruments in writing, may or shall be signed.
2.06 Voting Shares and Securities in other Entities
All of the shares or other securities carrying voting rights of any other entity held from time to time by the Corporation may, subject to any unanimous shareholder agreement or other similar agreement of such other entity, be voted at any and all meetings of shareholders, bondholders, debenture holders or holders of other securities (as the case may be) of such other entity and in such manner and by such person or persons as the board shall from time to time by resolution determine. The signing officers of the Corporation may also from time to time execute and deliver for and on behalf of the Corporation proxies and/or arrange for the issuance of voting certificates and/or other evidence of the right to vote in such names as they may determine without the necessity of a resolution or other action by the board.
Section
3
Borrowing and Security
3.01 Banking Arrangements
The banking business of the Corporation, or any part thereof, including, without limitation, the borrowing of money and the giving of security therefor, shall be transacted with such banks, trust companies or other bodies corporate or organizations as may from time to time be designated by or under the authority of the board. Such banking business or any part thereof shall be transacted under such agreements, instructions and delegations of powers as the board may from time to time by resolution prescribe or authorize.
5 |
3.02 Borrowing Power
(1) | Without limiting the borrowing powers of the Corporation as set forth in the Act, but subject to the articles, the directors may from time to time on behalf of the Corporation: |
(a) | borrow money or otherwise obtain credit upon the credit of the Corporation in such amounts and upon such terms as may be considered advisable; |
(b) | issue, re-issue, sell or pledge debt obligations of the Corporation, including without limitation, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, notes or other securities or obligations of the Corporation, whether secured or unsecured, for such sums, upon such terms, covenants and conditions and at such prices as may be deemed expedient; |
(c) | give directly or indirectly financial assistance to any person by means of a loan, guarantee or otherwise to secure any present or future indebtedness or liability of any person, firm or corporation, in either limited or unlimited amount and either with or without security; and |
(d) | charge, mortgage, hypothecate, pledge, assign, transfer or otherwise create a security interest in all or any currently owned or subsequently acquired real or personal, movable or immovable property of the Corporation, including book debts, rights, powers, franchises and undertakings, to secure any bonds, debentures, debenture stock, notes or other securities or obligations of the Corporation. |
(2) | Nothing in Section 3.02(1) limits or restricts the borrowing of money by the Corporation on bills of exchange or promissory notes made, drawn, accepted or endorsed by or on behalf of the Corporation. |
(3) | For clarity, the powers conferred by Sections 3.02(1) and 3.02(2) shall be deemed to be in supplement of and not in substitution for any powers to borrow money for the purposes of the Corporation possessed by its directors or officers independently of this Section 3.02. |
3.03 Delegation
Subject to the Act, the articles and the by-laws, the board may from time to time delegate to a committee of the board, one or more of the directors and/or officers of the Corporation or any other person or persons as may be designated by the board all or any of the powers conferred on the board by Section 3.02(1) or by the Act to such extent and in such manner as the board may determine at the time of each such delegation.
6 |
Section
4
Directors
4.01 Number of Directors and Quorum
The number of directors of the Corporation shall be the number of directors as specified in the articles or, where a minimum and maximum number of directors is provided for in the articles, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be the number of directors determined from time to time by resolution of the board. Subject to Section 4.19, the quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board shall be a majority of the number of directors then in office or such greater number of directors as the board may from time to time by resolution determine.
4.02 Qualification
No person shall be a director if he or she: (a) is less than 18 years of age; (b) (i) is a represented adult as defined in the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (Alberta) or is the subject of a certificate of incapacity that is in effect under the Public Trustee Act (Alberta), (ii) is a formal patient as defined in the Mental Health Act (Alberta), (iii) is the subject of an order under The Mentally Incapacitated Persons Act (Alberta), appointing a committee of the person or estate, or both, or (iv) has been found to be a person of unsound mind by a court elsewhere than in Alberta; (c) is not an individual; or (d) has the status of a bankrupt. A director need not be a shareholder.
4.03 Election and Term
Subject to the articles, each director shall hold office for a term ending at the close of the annual meeting of shareholders following his or her election. If an election of directors is not held at the proper time, the incumbent directors shall hold office until their successors are elected.
4.04 Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors
(1) | Only individuals who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set out in this Section 4.04 and who, at the discretion of the board, satisfy the qualifications of a director as set out in the Act and the by-laws of the Corporation shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation at any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation. Nominations of individuals for election to the board may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors: (a) by or at the direction of the board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting, including, for clarity, any nominees of a shareholder who are proposed by the board for election in the notice of meeting, whether pursuant to an agreement with such shareholder or otherwise; (b) by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a proposal made in accordance with the Act or a requisition of the shareholders made in accordance with the Act; or (c) without limiting (a) or (b), by any person (a “Nominating Shareholder”) who (x) at the close of business on the date of the giving of the notice provided for below in this Section 4.04 and on the record date for notice of such meeting, is a registered holder of shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting on the election of directors, and (y) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 4.04. |
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(2) | In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, the Nominating Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof and in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation as set forth below. |
To give “timely notice”, a Nominating Shareholder must give notice to the Secretary of the Corporation: (a) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the Corporation’s annual meeting of shareholders for the preceding year; provided, however, that, if an annual meeting of shareholders is to be held on a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the 10th day following the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the meeting was made; and (b) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the 15th day following the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the meeting was made (each such date being the “Notice Date”). In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder’s notice as described above.
(3) | To be in “proper written form”, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation must set forth: |
(a) | the identity of the Nominating Shareholder and the number of voting securities held by the Nominating Shareholder; |
(b) | if the Nominating Shareholder is not the beneficial owner of all of those voting securities, the identity of each beneficial owner and the aggregate number of voting securities beneficially owned by the applicable beneficial owner; |
(c) | with respect to the Nominating Shareholder and, if applicable, any beneficial owner referred to in Section 4.04(3)(b), the following: |
(i) | the class or series and number of any securities in the capital of the Corporation which are controlled, or over which control or direction is exercised, directly or indirectly, by the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner, and each person acting jointly or in concert with any of them (and for each such person any options or other rights to acquire shares in the capital of the Corporation, any derivatives or other securities, instruments or arrangements for which the price or value or delivery, payment or settlement obligations are derived from, referenced to, or based on any such shares, and any hedging transactions, short positions and borrowing or lending arrangements relating to such shares) as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice; |
(ii) | any proxy, contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner has a right to vote any shares in the capital of the Corporation on the election of directors; |
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(iii) | a statement as to whether the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner intends to send an information circular and form of proxy to any shareholders of the Corporation in connection with the individual’s nomination; and |
(iv) | any other information relating to the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular or other filings to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and applicable securities laws; and |
(d) | as to each individual whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: |
(i) | the name, age, business address and residential address of the individual; |
(ii) | the principal occupation or employment of the individual; |
(iii) | the class or series and number of securities in the capital of the Corporation which are beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, directly or indirectly, by such individual as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice; and |
(iv) | any other information relating to the individual that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular or other filings to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and applicable securities laws. |
(4) | A Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must also set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (a) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations for proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (b) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such Nominating Shareholder and their affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 if the Nominating Shareholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (c) a representation that such person intends to serve a full term, if elected as a director. |
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(5) | Except as otherwise provided by the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of the Corporation, no individual shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 4.04 shall preclude discussion by a shareholder or proxyholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a meeting of shareholders of any matter in respect of which it would have been entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the provisions of the Act. The chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded. A duly appointed proxyholder of a Nominating Shareholder shall be entitled to nominate at a meeting of shareholders the directors nominated by the Nominating Shareholder, provided that all of the requirements of this Section 4.04 have been satisfied. If the Nominating Shareholder or its duly appointed proxyholder does not attend at the meeting of shareholders to present the nomination, the nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation. |
(6) | In addition to the provisions of this Section 4.04, a Nominating Shareholder and any individual nominated by the Nominating Shareholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Act, applicable securities laws and applicable stock exchange rules regarding the matters set forth herein. |
(7) | For purposes of this Section 4.04, “public announcement” means disclosure in a news release reported by a national news service in Canada or the United States, or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or a securities regulatory authority in Canada. |
(8) | Notwithstanding any other provision of the Corporation’s by-laws, notice given to the Secretary of the Corporation by a Nominating Shareholder pursuant to this Section 4.04 may only be given by personal delivery (at the principal executive offices of the Corporation) or by e-mail (provided that the Secretary of the Corporation has stipulated an email address for purposes of this notice), and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is so served by personal delivery to the Secretary of the Corporation or sent by e-mail to such e-mail address (provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received); provided that if such delivery or electronic communication is made on a day which is not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Mountain time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the next following day that is a business day. |
(9) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Section 4.04. For clarity, nothing in this Section 4.04 shall limit the right of the directors to fill a vacancy among the directors in accordance with Section 4.07. |
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4.05 Removal of Directors
Subject to the provisions of the Act and the articles, the shareholders may by ordinary resolution passed at a meeting of shareholders remove any director from office and the vacancy created by such removal may be filled at the same meeting or a subsequent meeting of shareholders, failing which it may be filled by the board.
4.06 Ceasing to Hold Office
A director ceases to hold office when (a) he or she dies or, subject to the Act, resigns by a written resignation received by the Corporation; (b) he or she is removed from office by the shareholders in accordance with the Act; or (c) he or she ceases to be qualified to be a director. A written resignation of a director becomes effective at the time it is received by the Corporation, or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later.
4.07 Vacancies
Subject to the Act, a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy among the directors, except a vacancy resulting from:
(1) | an increase in the number or minimum number of directors set out in the articles; or |
(2) | a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors required by the articles. |
4.08 Action by the Board
The board shall manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Subject to Section 4.17, the powers of the board may be exercised at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by resolution in writing signed by all the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the board. Where there is a vacancy in the board, the remaining directors may exercise all the powers of the board so long as a quorum of the board remains in office.
4.09 Director Attendance by Telephonic, Electronic or Other Communication Facility
Subject to the Act, if all the directors of the Corporation present or participating in the meeting consent, a director may participate in a meeting of the board or of a committee of the board by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities as would permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting, and a director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. For clarity, a meeting of the board or a committee of the board may be held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communications facility if all directors present or participating in the meeting consent. Any such consent shall be effective whether given before or after the meeting to which it relates and a director may give such consent with respect to all meetings of the board and of committees of the board held while a director holds office.
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4.10 Place of Meetings
Meetings of the board may be held at any place within or outside Alberta, provided that a meeting may be held entirely by means of telephone, electronic or other communications facilities that permit all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting pursuant to Section 4.09, unless prohibited by the Act.
4.11 Calling of Meetings
Subject to the Act, meetings of the board shall be held from time to time on such day and at such time and at such place (or by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.10) as the board, the Chair of the board, the President, or any two directors may determine and the Secretary, when directed by the board, the Chair of the board, the Chief Executive Officer, or any two directors, shall convene a meeting of the board.
4.12 Notice of Meeting
Notice of the date, time and place of, or manner of participation in, each meeting of the board shall be given in the manner provided in Section 12.01 to each director not less than 48 hours (exclusive of any part of a day that is not a business day) before the time when the meeting is to be held or such longer period as the Corporation may otherwise determine. A notice of a meeting of directors shall specify the purpose of or the business to be transacted at the meeting.
Subject to Section 12.12, a director may in any manner waive notice of or otherwise consent to a meeting of the board.
4.13 Adjourned Meeting
Notice of an adjourned meeting of the board is not required if the time and place of the adjourned meeting is announced at the original meeting.
4.14 Regular Meetings
The board may appoint a day or days in any month or months for regular meetings of the board at a place (or by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.10) and at an hour to be named. A copy of any resolution of the board fixing the place and time of such regular meetings shall be sent to each director forthwith after being passed. No other notice shall be required for any such regular meeting except where the Act requires the purpose thereof or the business to be transacted thereat to be specified.
4.15 Chair and Secretary of Meetings
The chair of any meeting of the board shall be the Chair of the board, if present, and, if the Chair of the board is not present or if he or she declines or is unable to act, the directors present shall choose one of their number to be chair. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at any meeting of the board and, if the Secretary of the Corporation is not present or if he or she declines or is unable to act, the chair of the meeting shall appoint a person who need not be a director to act as secretary of the meeting.
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4.16 Chair of the Board
The Chair of the board shall be a director and shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the board. The Chair of the board shall be vested with and may exercise such powers and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the board. During the absence or disability of the Chair of the board, his or her duties shall, subject to Section 4.15, be performed and his or her power exercised by a director, other than the Chief Executive Officer, who is designated from time to time by the board as having that role.
4.17 Votes to Govern
At all meetings of the board every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the question. In case of an equality of votes the chair of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. Any question at a meeting of the board shall be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot is required or demanded by any director.
4.18 Electronic Voting
Subject to the Act, a director participating in a meeting by a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility may vote by any reasonable means (including verbal assent) given the nature of such communication facility.
4.19 Conflict of Interest
A director or officer who is a party to, or who is a director or officer of, or has a material interest in, any person who is a party to, a material contract or material transaction or proposed material contract or proposed material transaction with the Corporation, shall disclose in writing to the Corporation or request to have entered in the minutes of the meetings of the board the nature and extent of his or her interest at the time and in the manner provided by the Act. Any such contract or transaction or proposed contract or transaction shall be referred to the board for approval even if such contract or transaction is one that in the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business would not require approval by the board, and a director interested in a contract or transaction so referred to the board shall not attend any part of a meeting of directors during which the contract or transaction is discussed and shall not vote on any resolution to approve the same except as permitted by the Act. If no quorum exists for the purpose of voting on such a resolution only because a director is not permitted to be present at the meeting due to a conflict of interest, the remaining directors shall be deemed to constitute a quorum for the purposes of voting on the resolution.
4.20 Remuneration and Expenses
The directors shall be paid such remuneration for their services as the board may from time to time determine. The directors shall also be entitled to be reimbursed for travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending meetings of shareholders or of the board or any committee thereof or otherwise in the performance of their duties. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving remuneration therefor.
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Section
5
Committees
5.01 Committee of Directors
The board shall establish an audit committee and may, from time to time, establish (or dissolve) other committee(s) of directors, however designated. The board may appoint and remove the members of each committee subject to the requirements of the Act. The board may delegate to such committee or committees any of the powers and duties of the board, subject to the limitations on such delegation contained in the Act.
5.02 Transaction of Business
Subject to Section 4.09, the powers of a committee appointed by the directors may be exercised at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by resolution in writing signed by all members of the committee entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the committee. Meetings of a committee may be held at any place within or outside Alberta.
5.03 Audit Committee
The board shall appoint annually from among its number an audit committee to be composed of not fewer than three directors, of whom a majority shall not be officers or employees of the Corporation or its affiliates and whose members must otherwise meet the requirements of applicable law. In addition to the powers and duties delegated by the board pursuant to Section 5.01, the audit committee shall have the powers and duties provided in the Act and other applicable laws.
5.04 Procedure
Unless otherwise determined by the board, each committee shall have the power to fix its quorum at not less than a majority of its members, to elect its chair and to regulate its procedure. Subject to the foregoing, the procedure of each committee shall be governed by the provisions of this by-law which govern proceedings of the board so far as the same can apply except that a meeting of a committee may be called by any member thereof (or by any member or the auditor, in the case of the audit committee), notice of any such meeting shall be given to each member of the committee (or each member and the auditor, in the case of the audit committee) and the meeting shall be chaired by the chairman of the committee or, in his/her absence, some other member of the committee. The Secretary (or such other person designated by the committee) shall be the secretary of each committee. Each committee shall keep records of its proceedings and transactions and shall report all such proceedings and transactions to the board in a timely manner.
5.05 Application
This Section 5 shall not apply to the Corporation unless and until it becomes a “distributing corporation” as defined in the Act.
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Section
6
Officers
6.01 Appointment
The board may from time to time appoint a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a President, one or more Vice-Presidents (to which title may be added words indicating seniority or function), a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as the board may determine, including one or more assistants to any of the officers so appointed. The board may specify the duties of and, in accordance with this by-law and subject to the provisions of the Act, delegate (including the power to sub-delegate) to such officers powers to manage the business and affairs of the Corporation. An officer may but need not be a director and one person may hold more than one office. In the case of the absence or inability to act of any officer or for any other reason that the board may deem sufficient, the board may delegate all or any of the powers of such officer to any other officer or to any director for the time being.
6.02 President and Chief Executive Officer
The President shall, unless and until the board designates any other officer of the Corporation to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, be the Chief Executive Officer and, subject to the authority of the board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision of the business and affairs of the Corporation and such other powers and duties as the board may specify.
6.03 Vice-President
Each Vice-President shall have such powers and duties as the board or the President may specify. The Vice-President or, if more than one, the Vice-President designated from time to time by the board or by the President, shall be vested with all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence or inability or refusal to act of the President, provided, however, that a Vice-President who is not a director shall not preside as chair at any meeting of the board.
6.04 Secretary
The Secretary shall give or cause to be given as and when instructed, all notices to shareholders, directors, officers, auditors and members of committees of the board; he or she shall be custodian of all books, papers, records, documents and instruments belonging to the Corporation, except when some other officer or agent has been appointed for that purpose; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as the board may specify.
6.05 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall keep proper accounting records in compliance with the Act and shall be responsible for the deposit of money, the safekeeping of securities and the disbursement of the funds of the Corporation; he or she shall render to the board whenever required an account of all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial position of the Corporation; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as the board may specify. Unless and until the board designates any other officer of the Corporation to be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, the Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.
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6.06 Powers and Duties of Other Officers
The powers and duties of all other officers shall be such as the terms of their engagement call for or as the board may specify. Any such officer may from time to time sub-delegate any of his or her powers and duties to another officer or employee of the Corporation or subsidiary thereof, and such delegatee may exercise and perform such powers and duties, unless the board otherwise directs.
6.07 Variation of Powers and Duties
The board may from time to time and subject to the provisions of the Act, vary, add to or limit the powers and duties of any officer.
6.08 Term of Office
The board, in its discretion, may remove any officer of the Corporation, with or without cause, without prejudice to such officer’s rights under any employment contract. Otherwise, each officer appointed by the board shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed or until the earlier of his or her resignation or death.
6.09 Terms of Employment and Remuneration
The terms of employment and remuneration of an officer appointed by the board shall be settled by the board from time to time. The fact that any officer or employee is a director or shareholder of the Corporation shall not disqualify him or her from receiving such remuneration as may be so determined.
6.10 Conflict of Interest
An officer shall disclose his or her interest in any material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction with the Corporation in accordance with Section 4.19, mutatis mutandis, and such contract or transaction shall be subject to the approval of the board.
6.11 Agents and Attorneys
The board shall have power from time to time to appoint agents or attorneys for the Corporation in or outside Canada with such powers of management or otherwise (including the powers to sub-delegate) as the board may determine.
Section
7
Protection of Directors and Officers
7.01 Submission of Contracts or Transactions to Shareholders for Approval
The board in its discretion may submit any contract, act or transaction for approval, ratification or confirmation at any meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of considering the same and any contract, act or transaction that shall be approved, ratified or confirmed by a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at any such meeting (unless any different or additional requirement is imposed by the Act, any other applicable law or by the Corporation’s articles or any other by-law) shall be as valid and as binding upon the Corporation and upon all the shareholders as though it had been approved, ratified or confirmed by every shareholder of the Corporation.
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7.02 For the Protection of Directors and Officers
Except as provided for in the Act, no director or officer shall be liable for:
(1) | the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any other person; |
(2) | any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by the Corporation through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired by the Corporation or for or on behalf of the Corporation or for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the moneys of or belonging to the Corporation shall be placed out or invested; |
(3) | any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious act of any person, firm or corporation including any person, firm or corporation with whom or which any moneys, securities or effects shall be lodged or deposited; |
(4) | any loss, conversion, misapplication or misappropriation of or any damage resulting from any dealings with any moneys, securities or other assets belonging to the Corporation; and |
(5) | any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which may happen in the execution of the duties to the Corporation of his or her respective office or in relation to the above matters, |
unless the same shall happen by or through his or her failure to exercise the powers and to discharge the duties to the Corporation of his or her office honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation, and in connection therewith to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances, provided that nothing herein contained shall relieve a director or officer from the duty to act in accordance with the Act or regulations made thereunder or relieve him or her from liability for a breach thereof.
The directors shall not be under any duty or responsibility in respect of any contract, act or transaction whether or not made, done or entered into in the name or on behalf of the Corporation, except such as shall have been submitted to and authorized or approved by the board.
If any director or officer of the Corporation shall be employed by or shall perform services for the Corporation otherwise than as a director or officer or shall be a member of a firm or a shareholder, director or officer of a body corporate which is employed by or performs services for the Corporation, the fact of his or her being a shareholder, director or officer of the Corporation shall not disentitle such director or officer or such firm or body corporate, as the case may be, from receiving proper remuneration for such services.
7.03 Indemnity
(1) | Subject to the limitations contained in the Act and Section 7.03(2), the Corporation shall: |
(a) | indemnify any individual who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation and any individual who acts or acted at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer (or any individual acting in a similar capacity) of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including, without limitation, an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a fine or judgment, reasonably incurred by any such individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which such individual is involved because of that association with the Corporation or other entity; and |
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(b) | advance moneys to any such director, officer or other such individual acting in a similar capacity, for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to in Section 7.03(1)(a), provided that they agree in writing, in advance, to repay the moneys if they do not fulfil the conditions of Section 7.03(2). |
(2) | The Corporation shall not indemnify an individual under Section 7.03(1) unless such individual: |
(a) | acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation, or as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which such individual acted as a director or officer (or in a similar capacity) at the Corporation’s request; and |
(b) | in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing that such individual’s conduct was lawful. |
(3) | The Corporation shall also indemnify any individuals referred to in Section 7.03(1) in such other circumstances as the Act or law permits or requires. |
7.04 Insurance
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any individual referred to in Section 7.03 against such liabilities and in such amounts as the board may from time to time determine and are permitted by the Act.
7.05 Indemnities Not Exclusive
Each of the provisions of this Article 7 shall be in addition to and not in substitution for or derogation from any rights to which any person referred to herein may otherwise be entitled, and nothing in this by-law shall limit the right of any individual entitled to indemnity to claim indemnity apart from the provisions of this by-law.
Section
8
Securities
8.01 Issuance of Securities
Subject to the provisions of the Act and the articles, the board may from time to time issue or grant options to purchase or rights to acquire unissued shares of the Corporation at such times and to such persons and for such consideration as the board shall determine, provided that no share shall be issued until it is fully paid as provided by the Act. The board may provide by resolution that any or all classes or series of securities issued by the Corporation shall be uncertificated securities, provided that such resolution shall not apply to securities represented by a certificate until such certificate has been surrendered to the Corporation.
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8.02 Commissions
The board may from time to time authorize the Corporation to pay a reasonable commission to any person in consideration of such person’s purchasing or agreeing to purchase securities of the Corporation, whether from the Corporation or from any other person, or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for any securities of the Corporation.
8.03 Securities Records
The Corporation shall prepare and maintain, at its registered office or at any other place in Alberta designated by the board, a securities register in which it records the certificated securities and uncertificated securities issued by it, showing, with respect to each class or series of such securities:
(1) | the names, alphabetically arranged, of persons who: |
(a) | are or have been within seven years registered as shareholders of the Corporation, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a holder, and the number and class of shares registered in the name of such holder; |
(b) | are or have been within seven years registered as holders of debt obligations of the Corporation, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a holder, and the class or series and principal amount of the debt obligations registered in the name of such holder; and |
(c) | are or have been within seven years registered as holders of warrants of the Corporation, other than warrants exercisable within one year from the date of issue, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a registered holder, and the class or series and number of warrants registered in the name of such holder; and |
(2) | the date and particulars of the issue and transfer of each security. |
8.04 Transfer Agents and Registrars
The board may from time to time appoint: (a) a registrar to maintain, in respect of a class of securities of the Corporation, a securities register; (b) a transfer agent to maintain the register of transfers for a class of securities of the Corporation; (c) one or more branch registrars to maintain branch securities registers and one or more branch transfer agents to maintain one or more branch registers of transfer; (d) a paying agent or disbursing agent to make payments, disbursements and distributions on any class of securities of the Corporation; and (e) such other agents as the board shall determine be necessary in connection with any class of securities of the Corporation. One person may be appointed to any number of the positions described above and the board may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.
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8.05 Registration of Transfers
Subject to the Act, no transfer of a share shall be registered in a securities register of the Corporation except: (a) upon presentation of the certificates (or, where applicable, other evidence of electronic, book-based, direct registration service or other non-certificated entry of position on the applicable register of securityholders) representing such share with an endorsement or completed transfer power of attorney which complies with the Act made thereon or delivered therewith duly executed by an appropriate person as provided by the Act, together with such reasonable assurance that the endorsement is genuine and effective as the board or the Corporation’s transfer agent may from time to time prescribe; (b) upon payment of all applicable taxes and reasonable fees prescribed by the board, if any; (c) upon compliance with such restrictions on transfer as are authorized by the articles, if any; (d) upon satisfaction of any lien on such shares; and (e) upon compliance with and satisfaction of such other requirements as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably impose.
8.06 Non-recognition of Trusts
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Corporation may treat as absolute owner of any share the person in whose name the share is registered in the securities register as if that person had full legal capacity and authority to exercise all rights of ownership, irrespective of any indication to the contrary through knowledge or notice or description in the Corporation’s records or on the share certificate.
8.07 Security Certificates
Security certificates shall be in such form as the board may from time to time approve. Unless otherwise ordered by the board, security certificates need not be under corporate seal and shall be signed in accordance with Sections 2.04 and 2.05 by at least one of the following persons: (a) any director or officer of the Corporation; (b) a registrar, transfer agent or branch transfer agent of the Corporation or an individual on their behalf; or (c) a trustee who certifies it in accordance with a trust indenture. The signature of signing officers, registrar, transfer agent, branch transfer agent or trustee may be mechanically reproduced upon securities certificates and every such officer signature shall for all purposes be deemed to be the signature of the officer whose signature it reproduces and shall be binding upon the Corporation. A security certificate executed in accordance with the foregoing shall be valid notwithstanding that the person whose signature appears thereon no longer holds the relevant office.
8.08 Replacement of Security Certificates
Subject to the Act and to the extent security certificates have been issued in respect of a particular class of securities, the board or any officer or agent designated by the board may in the discretion of the board or that person direct the issue of a new security certificate in lieu of and upon cancellation of a security certificate for a certificated security that has been defaced or claimed to have been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken on payment of such fee prescribed by or in accordance with the Act, and on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses and evidence of loss and of title, as the Secretary may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case, in accordance with such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the board from time to time.
8.09 Electronic, Book-Based or Other Non-Certificated Registered Positions
A registered securityholder may have such securityholder’s holdings of securities of the Corporation evidenced by an electronic, book-based, direct registration service or other non-certificated entry or position on the applicable register of securityholders to be kept by the Corporation in place of a physical security certificate pursuant to a registration system that may be adopted by the Corporation in conjunction with its applicable agent. The Corporation and its applicable agent may adopt such policies and procedures, appoint such other persons and require such documents and evidence as they may determine necessary or desirable in order to facilitate the adoption and maintenance of a securities registration system by electronic, book-based, direct registration system or other non-certificated means.
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8.10 Dealing With Registered Holders
Subject to the Act, the Corporation may treat the registered owner of a security as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notices, to receive any dividend or other payment in respect of the security and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of a holder of the security. The Corporation may, however, treat as the registered holder any executor, administrator, heir, legal representative, guardian, committee, trustee, curator, tutor, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy who furnishes appropriate evidence to the Corporation establishing his, her or its authority to exercise the rights relating to a security of the Corporation.
8.11 Joint Securityholders
If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any certificated security, to the extent the Corporation is required to issue a certificate in respect of such security, the Corporation shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate in respect thereof, and delivery of such certificate to one of such persons shall be sufficient delivery to all of them. Any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for the certificate issued in respect thereof or for any dividend, bonus, return of capital or other money payable or warrant issuable in respect of such shares.
8.12 Deceased Securityholders
In the event of the death of a holder, or of one of the joint holders, of any certificated security, the Corporation shall not be required to make any entry in the securities register in respect thereof or to make payment of any dividends or other amounts thereon except upon production of all such documents as may be required by the Act or law and upon compliance with the reasonable requirements of the Corporation and its applicable agents.
Section
9
Dividends and Rights
9.01 Dividends and Other Distributions
Subject to the provisions of the Act and the articles, the board may from time to time declare dividends or other distributions payable to the shareholders according to their respective rights and interest in the Corporation. Dividends or other distributions may be paid in money or property or by issuing fully paid shares of the Corporation.
9.02 Record Date for Dividends and Other Distributions
The directors may fix in advance a date, preceding by not more than fifty days the date for payment of any dividend or the date for the issue of any warrant or other evidence of the right to subscribe for shares of the Corporation, as a record date for the determination of the persons entitled to receive payment of such dividend or to exercise the right to subscribe for such shares, and notice of any such record date shall be given not less than the time prescribed by the Act, any other applicable law and the rules of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s shares are listed and in the manner provided by the Act, other applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules. If no record date is so fixed, the record date for the determination of the persons entitled to receive payment of any dividend or to exercise the right to subscribe for shares of the Corporation shall be at the close of business on the day on which the resolution relating to such dividend or right to subscribe is passed by the directors.
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9.03 Payment of Dividends and Other Distributions
A dividend or other distribution payable in money shall be paid by cheque or by electronic means or by such other method as the directors may determine, and will be paid to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which it has been declared. Cheques will be mailed by prepaid ordinary mail to such registered holder at such registered holder’s recorded address, unless such holder otherwise directs. In the case of joint holders the payment shall, unless any applicable joint holder otherwise directs, be made payable to the order of all of such joint holders and, if applicable, be mailed to them at their recorded address, unless any applicable joint holder otherwise directs. The sending of the cheque or the sending of the payment by electronic means or other method determined by the directors as provided for above in an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution to be paid, less the amount of any tax that the Corporation is required to and does withhold shall, unless such payment is not paid on due presentation, if applicable, satisfy and discharge the liability for the payment.
9.04 Non-receipt of Payment
In the event of non-receipt of any payment by the person to whom it is sent as provided for in Section 9.03, the Corporation shall issue to such person a re-payment for a like amount on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses and evidence of non-receipt and of title as the Secretary may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case, in accordance with such policies and procedures as may be adopted by the board from time to time.
9.05 Unclaimed Dividends
Any dividend unclaimed after a period of two (2) years from the date on which the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation.
Section
10
Meetings of Shareholders
10.01 Annual Meetings
The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such time in each year as the board may from time to time determine, for the purpose of considering the financial statements and reports required by the Act to be placed before the annual meeting, electing directors, appointing an auditor and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
10.02 Special Meetings
The board shall have power to call a special meeting of shareholders at any time, such meeting to be held on such day and at such time as the board may determine. Any special meeting of shareholders may be combined with an annual meeting of shareholders.
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10.03 Place of Meetings
Subject to the articles, meetings of shareholders shall be held at such place within or outside Alberta as the board may determine from time to time, provided that the board may in its sole discretion determine that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting pursuant to Section 10.04, if the Corporation is able to, and does, make available such a communication facility.
10.04 Meeting by Telephonic, Electronic or Other Means
If authorized by the board in its sole discretion, and subject to the Act and such guidelines and procedures as the board may adopt, shareholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of shareholders may participate in a meeting of shareholders by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting, if the Corporation makes available such a communication facility, and shall be deemed for the purposes of the Act to be present in person at the meeting of shareholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility.
10.05 Notice of Meetings
Notice of the time and place (if any) of every meeting of shareholders shall be sent, not less than 21 days and not more than 50 days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each director, the auditor of the Corporation, and to each person who on the applicable record date for notice appears in the securities register of the Corporation as the holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at the meeting or as the holder of one or more shares which are otherwise entitled to receive notice of the meeting.
10.06 List of Shareholders Entitled to Notice
The Corporation shall prepare a list of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the number of shares held by each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting. If a record date for the meeting is fixed pursuant Section 10.07, the shareholders listed shall be those registered at the close of business on such record date. If no record date is fixed, the shareholders listed shall be those registered at the close of business on the last business day preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given or, where no such notice is given, on the day on which the meeting is held. The list shall be available for examination by any shareholder during usual business hours at the records office of the Corporation or at the place where the central securities register is maintained and at the meeting for which the list was prepared. Where a separate list of shareholders has not been prepared, the names of persons appearing in the register at the requisite time as the holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting shall be deemed to be a list of shareholders.
10.07 Record Date for Notice
For the purposes of determining shareholders entitled to receive notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for that determination of shareholders, but such record date shall not precede by more than 50 days or by less than 21 days the date on which the meeting is to be held. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the notice is given or, if no notice is given, shall be the day on which the meeting is held.
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10.08 Meetings Without Notice
A meeting of shareholders may be held without notice at any time and place permitted by the Act (a) if all the shareholders entitled to vote thereat are present in person or duly represented or if those not present or represented waive notice of or otherwise consent to such meeting being held, and (b) if the auditors and the directors are present or waive notice of or otherwise consent to such meeting being held, so long as such shareholders, auditors or directors are not attending for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called. At such meeting any business may be transacted which the Corporation at a meeting of shareholders may transact.
10.09 Advance Notice for Proposals
(1) | No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders, other than business that is: (a) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board; (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the board; or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any shareholder of the Corporation who complies with the proposal procedures set forth in this Section 10.09. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder of the Corporation, such shareholder must submit a proposal to the Corporation for inclusion in the Corporation’s management information circular in accordance with the requirements of the Act; provided that any proposal that includes nominations for the election of directors shall be submitted to the Corporation in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 4.04. The Corporation shall set out the proposal in the management information circular or attach the proposal thereto, subject to the exemptions and bases for refusal set forth in the Act. |
(2) | At a special meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the board may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.04. |
10.10 Chair and Secretary
The Chair of the board or, if the Chair of the board is not present or if he or she declines or is unable to act, the Chief Executive Officer or, if the Chief Executive Officer is not present or if he or she declines or is unable to act, any director shall preside as chair of a meeting of shareholders; in each case unless another person is or has been designated by the board to act as chair of such meeting and such person is present and willing to act as chair at such meeting, in which case the person so designated shall preside as chair. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at any meeting of shareholders or, if the Secretary of the Corporation is not present or if he or she declines or is unable to act, the chair of the meeting shall appoint some person, who need not be a shareholder, to act as secretary of the meeting. If desired, one or more scrutineers, who need not be shareholders, may be appointed by resolution or by the chair with the consent of the meeting.
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10.11 Persons Entitled to be Present
The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders shall be those entitled to vote thereat, the directors and the auditor of the Corporation and others who, although not entitled to vote are entitled or required under any provision of the Act or the articles or the by-laws to be present at the meeting. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the chair of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.
10.12 Quorum
A quorum of shareholders is present at a meeting if one or more persons holding or representing by proxy not less than 33 ⅓ percent (33.33%) of the shares entitled to be voted at the meeting are present. If a quorum is not present within such reasonable time after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting as the persons present and entitled to vote may determine, they may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place. A quorum need not be present throughout the meeting provided that a quorum is present at the opening of the meeting.
10.13 Shareholder Representatives
A body corporate or association that is a shareholder of the Corporation may be represented at a meeting of shareholders by any individual authorized by a resolution of its directors or governing body and such individual may exercise on behalf of the body corporate or association which such individual represents all the powers it could exercise if it were an individual shareholder.
10.14 Proxies
Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by means of a proxy, appoint a proxyholder (or one or more alternate proxyholders), who need not be shareholders, as that shareholder’s nominee, to attend and act at that meeting in the manner, to the extent, and with the authority conferred by the proxy. A proxy shall be signed in writing or by electronic signature by the shareholder or shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing or by electronic signature. Alternatively, a shareholder that is not an individual may authorize by resolution of its directors or other governing body an individual to represent it at a meeting of shareholders and such individual may exercise on the shareholder’s behalf all of the powers he or she could exercise if such shareholder were an individual. The authority of such individual shall be established by depositing with the Corporation a certified copy of such resolution, or in such other manner as may be satisfactory to the Secretary or the chair of the meeting.
10.15 Time for Deposit of Proxies
The board may by resolution fix a time not exceeding 48 hours, excluding any day that is not a business day, preceding any meeting or adjourned meeting of shareholders before which time proxies to be used at that meeting must be deposited with the Corporation or an agent thereof, and any period of time so fixed shall be specified in the notice calling that meeting. A proxy may be used at that meeting only if, prior to the time so specified, it shall have been deposited with the Corporation or an agent thereof specified in such notice or, if no such time is specified in such notice, it shall have been received by the Secretary of the Corporation or by the chair of the meeting or any adjournment thereof prior to the time of voting.
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Notwithstanding any specified time limits for the deposit of proxies by shareholders, the chair of any meeting or the Chair of the board may, but need not, at his, her or their sole discretion, waive the time limits for the deposit of proxies by shareholders, including any deadline set out in the notice calling the meeting of shareholders or in any proxy circular and any such waiver made in good faith shall be final and conclusive. A proxy is valid only in respect of the meeting in respect of which it is given, including any adjournment or postponement thereof.
10.16 Access to Proxies
Unless otherwise determined by the board in its sole discretion, no shareholder will be provided with access to any proxy materials relating to a meeting of shareholders prior to such meeting taking place. Upon the request of a shareholder not earlier than one business day following a meeting of shareholders, the Corporation shall provide such shareholder with access to the proxies deposited with the Corporation in connection with such meeting.
10.17 Joint Shareholders
If two or more persons hold shares jointly, any one of them present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of shareholders may, in the absence of the other or others, vote the shares; but if two or more of those persons are present in person or represented by proxy and vote, they shall vote as one the shares jointly held by them.
10.18 Votes to Govern
At any meeting of shareholders every question shall, unless otherwise required by the articles or by-laws or by applicable law, be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the question, whether by a show of hands, or by ballot, as the case may be. In case of an equality of votes either upon a show of hands or upon a ballot, the chair of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
10.19 Show of Hands
Subject to the provisions of the Act, any question at a meeting of shareholders shall be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot thereon is required or demanded as hereinafter provided. Upon a show of hands every person who is present and entitled to vote shall have one vote. Whenever a vote by show of hands shall have been taken upon a question, unless a ballot thereon is so required or demanded, a declaration by the chair of the meeting that the vote upon the question has been carried or carried by a particular majority or not carried and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be prima facie evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against any resolution or other proceeding in respect of such question, and the result of the vote so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon such question.
10.20 Ballots
On any question proposed for consideration at a meeting of shareholders, and whether or not a vote by show of hands has been taken thereon, a ballot may be required by the chair of the meeting or demanded by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. A ballot so required or demanded shall be taken in such manner as the chair of the meeting shall direct. A requirement or demand for a ballot may be withdrawn at any time prior to the taking of the ballot. If a ballot is taken each person present shall be entitled, in respect of the shares which he or she is entitled to vote at the meeting upon the question, to that number of votes provided by the Act or the articles, and the result of the ballot so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon such question.
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10.21 Electronic Voting
(1) | Any person entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders where the Corporation has made available a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility for the purposes of attending and voting at such meeting may vote by such means of the telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that the Corporation has made available for that purpose. |
(2) | Any vote referred to in Section 10.19 or 10.20 may be held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility if the Corporation makes available such a communication facility, provided that the facility enables the votes to be gathered in a manner that permits their subsequent verification. |
10.22 Adjournment
The chair at the meeting of shareholders may adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place. If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned for less than 30 days, it shall not be necessary to give notice of the adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the earliest meeting that is adjourned. If a meeting of shareholders is adjourned by one or more adjournments for an aggregate of 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as for an original meeting.
Section
11
Information Available to Shareholders
11.01 Information Available to Shareholders
Except as provided by the Act or other applicable statutory law, regulation or judicial order, or except as may otherwise be agreed to by the Corporation, no shareholder shall be entitled to discovery of any information respecting any details or conduct of the Corporation’s business which in the opinion of the directors it would be inexpedient in the interests of the Corporation to communicate to the public, provided that the foregoing shall not restrict the public disclosure or other similar obligations of the Corporation (if any) under applicable securities laws.
11.02 Directors’ Determination
The directors may from time to time, subject to the rights conferred by the Act, determine whether and to what extent and at what time and place and under what conditions or regulations the documents, books and registers and accounting records of the Corporation or any of them shall be open to the inspection of shareholders and no shareholder shall have any right to inspect any document or book or register or accounting record of the Corporation except as conferred by statute or authorized by the board or by a resolution of the shareholders in general meeting.
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Section
12
Notices
12.01 Notice to Directors, Officers and Auditors
Whenever under the Act, the regulations, the articles or these by-laws any notice, document or other information is required to be sent to a director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board, such notice may be sent either: (a) by hand delivery, through the mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery; or (b) by means of fax, e-mail or other form of electronic transmission. A notice to a director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board will be deemed to be received as follows (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board, (ii) if sent through the mail addressed to the director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board at such individual’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, at the time it would be delivered in the ordinary course of mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service addressed to the director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board at such individual’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, on the day following the day it is delivered to such service, (iv) if sent by fax, when sent to the fax number for such director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board appearing on the records of the Corporation and evidence of delivery confirmation is received by sender’s fax device, (v) if sent by e-mail, when sent to the e-mail address for such director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board appearing on the records of the Corporation.
12.02 Notice to Shareholders
Unless the Act or these by-laws provide otherwise, any notice, document or other information required or permitted by the Act, the regulations, the articles or these by-laws to be sent to a shareholder, may be sent by any one of the following methods: (a) by hand delivery, through the mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery; (b) by means of fax, e-mail, or other form of electronic transmission; (c) by providing or posting the notice, document or other information on or making it available through a generally accessible electronic source and providing notice of the availability and location of the notice, document or other information to the shareholder via any of the methods specified in (a) and (b) above, including by mail, delivery, fax, e-mail or other form of electronic transmission; or (d) by any other method permitted by applicable law. A notice to a shareholder shall be deemed to be received as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the shareholder; (ii) if sent through the mail addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address appearing on the share register of the Corporation, at the time it would be delivered in the ordinary course of mail; (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address appearing on the share register of the Corporation, on the day following the day it is delivered to such service; (iv) if faxed, when sent to a number at which the shareholder has consented to receive notice and evidence of delivery confirmation is received by sender’s fax device; (v) if by e-mail, when sent to an e-mail address at which the shareholder has consented to receive notice; (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the shareholder; (vii) if sent by posting it on or making it available through a generally accessible electronic source referred to in clause (c) above, on the day such person is sent notice of the availability and location of such notice, document or other information is deemed to have been sent in accordance with (i) through (vi) above; or (viii) if sent by any other method permitted by applicable law, at the time that such person is deemed to have received such notice pursuant to applicable law. If a shareholder has consented to a method for delivery of a notice, document or other information, the shareholder may revoke such shareholder’s consent to receiving any notice, document or information by fax or e-mail by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation.
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12.03 Change of Registered Address
The Secretary may change or cause to be changed the recorded address of any shareholder, director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board in accordance with any information believed by him or her to be reliable.
12.04 Signature to Notices
The signature of any director or officer of the Corporation to any notice or document to be given by the Corporation may be signed in accordance with Sections 2.04 and 2.05.
12.05 Proof of Service
A certificate of the Chair of the board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, a Vice-President, the Secretary or the Treasurer or of any other officer of the Corporation in office at the time of the making of the certificate or of a transfer officer of any transfer agent or branch transfer agent of shares of any class of the Corporation as to the facts in relation to the mailing or delivery of any notice or other document to any shareholder, director, officer or auditor or publication of any notice or other document shall be conclusive evidence thereof and shall be binding on every shareholder, director, officer or auditor of the Corporation as the case may be.
12.06 Notice to Joint Shareholders
All notices with respect to shares registered in more than one name shall, if more than one address appears on the records of the Corporation in respect of such joint holdings, be given to all of such joint shareholders at the first address so appearing, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to the holders of such shares.
12.07 Computation of Time
Unless the Act provides otherwise, in computing the date when notice must be given under any provision requiring a specified number of days’ notice of any meeting or other event, the period of days shall commence on the day following the sending of such notice and shall terminate at 11:59 p.m. on the day preceding the date of the meeting or other event provided that the last day of the period shall not be a day that is not a business day.
12.08 Undelivered Notices
If any notice given to a shareholder pursuant to Section 12.02 is returned on two consecutive occasions because such shareholder cannot be found, the Corporation shall not be required to give any further notices to such shareholder until such shareholder informs the Corporation in writing of such shareholder’s new address.
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12.09 Omissions and Errors
The accidental omission to give any notice to any shareholder, director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board or the non-receipt of any notice by any such person or any error in any notice not affecting the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice or otherwise found thereon.
12.10 Deceased Shareholders
Any notice or other document delivered or sent by post or left at the address of any shareholder or sent by electronic means as the same appears in the records of the Corporation shall, notwithstanding that such shareholder be then deceased, and whether or not the Corporation has notice of such shareholder’s death, be deemed to have been duly served in respect of the shares held by him or her (whether held solely or with any person or persons) until some other person be entered in such shareholder’s stead in the records of the Corporation as the holder or one of the holders thereof and such service shall for all purposes be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on his or her heirs, executors or administrators and on all persons, if any, interested with him or her in such shares.
12.11 Persons Entitled by Death or Operation of Law
Every person who, by operation of law, transfer, death of a shareholder or any other means whatsoever, shall become entitled to any share, shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share which shall have been duly given to the shareholder from whom he or she derives his or her title to such share prior to his or her name and address being entered on the securities register (whether such notice was given before or after the happening of the event upon which he became so entitled) and prior to his or her furnishing to the Corporation the proof of authority or evidence of his or her entitlement prescribed by the Act.
12.12 Waiver of Notice
Any shareholder (or any shareholder’s duly appointed proxyholder), director, officer, auditor or member of a committee of the board may at any time waive any notice, or waive or abridge the time for any notice, required to be given to him or her under any provision of the Act, the regulations thereunder, the articles, the by-laws or otherwise and such waiver or abridgement, whether given before or after the meeting or other event of which notice is required to be given shall cure any default in the giving or in the time of such notice, as the case may be. Any such waiver or abridgement shall be in writing or given by electronic signature and may be sent by electronic means in such manner or through such communication facility as the board shall have approved or in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act (Alberta), as from time to time amended, except a waiver of notice of a meeting of shareholders or of the board or of a committee of the board which may be given in any manner. Attendance of a director at a meeting of directors or of a shareholder or any person entitled to attend a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of notice of the applicable meeting except where such director, shareholder or other person, as the case may be, attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
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Section
13
Forum Selection
13.01 Forum Selection
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Province of Alberta and the appellate courts therefrom (collectively, the “Court”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for: (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (b) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation; (c) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising out of any provision of the Act or the articles or the by-laws of the Corporation (as either may be amended from time to time); or (d) any action or proceeding asserting a claim or otherwise related to the affairs of the Corporation. If any action or proceeding the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed other than with the Court (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any securityholder, such securityholder shall be deemed to have consented to (x) the personal jurisdiction of the Court in connection with any action or proceeding brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence, and (y) having service of process made upon such securityholder in any such action or proceeding by service upon such securityholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such securityholder. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The provisions of this Section 13.01 shall not apply to actions brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Section
14
Effective Date
14.01 Effective Date
This by-law shall come into force when made by the board in accordance with the Act.
14.02 Repeal
All previous by-laws of the Corporation are repealed as of the coming into force of this by-law, provided that such repeal shall not affect the previous operation of any by-law so repealed or affect the validity of any act done or right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired or incurred under or the validity of any contract or agreement made pursuant to any such by-law prior to its repeal. All officers and persons acting under any by-law so repealed shall continue to act as if appointed under the provisions of this by-law, and all resolutions of shareholders or the board with continuing effect passed under any repealed by-law shall continue to be valid except to the extent inconsistent with this by-law and until amended or repealed.
The foregoing Amended and Restated By-law No. 1 was passed and confirmed by the board of directors of the Corporation on April 11, 2023.
Jan Campbell, Secretary |
The foregoing Amended and Restated By-law No. 1 is confirmed by the Shareholders in accordance with the Act on _________________.
Jan Campbell, Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 4.4
First Person Ltd.
CONVERTIBLE SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Convertible Secured Promissory Note Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of _______________, 20__ (the “Effective Date”) by and among First Person Ltd., an Alberta corporation (the “Company”), and each of the persons and entities that agree to purchase Notes (as defined herein) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as an undersigned party hereto (individually, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).
Recital
To provide the Company with additional resources to conduct its business, the Company wishes to issue and sell to the Purchasers, and each Purchaser wishes to purchase from the Company, one or more convertible notes in exchange for the Purchase Price (as defined herein) set forth on each Purchaser’s signature page hereto, subject to the conditions specified herein (the “Offering”).
Agreement
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, and the representations, warranties, covenants and conditions set forth below, the Company and each Purchaser, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Amount and Terms of the Loan
1.1 Purchase and Sale of Notes. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Company at Closing (as hereinafter defined) one or more senior convertible secured promissory notes (each, a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”) convertible into common shares “Conversion Shares”) in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares”), in the original principal amount set forth on such Purchaser’s signature page hereto (each, a “Loan Amount”), for an aggregate amount of up to U.S. $3,000,000.00, which Notes are to be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, for a purchase price equal to the Loan Amount less an original issue discount of eight (8%) percent (the “Purchase Price”).
1.2 Additional Consideration. As additional consideration for the purchase of the Notes, the Company agrees to issue to each Purchaser convertible preferred shares in the capital of the Company (“Preferred Shares”) that are convertible into Common Shares having an initial aggregate value that is equal to one hundred (100%) percent of such Purchaser’s Loan Amount (subject to adjustment), based on a conversion price as set out in the terms of the Preferred Shares attached hereto as Exhibit “B” (the “Preferred Conversion Shares”). The Notes, the Conversion Shares, the Preferred Shares and the Preferred Conversion Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”.
2. Closing and Delivery
2.1 Closing. The closing of the sale and purchase of the Notes (the “Closing”) shall be held on the Effective Date, or at such other time as the Company may determine, in its sole discretion (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”).
2.2 Delivery.
(a) At the Closing, (i) each Purchaser shall deliver to the Company a wire transfer of funds to an account designated in writing at least two (2) business days prior to the Closing by the Company in the amount of such Purchaser’s Purchase Price and an executed copy of the lock-up agreement (“Lock-Up Agreement”) appended hereto as Exhibit “E”; and (ii) the Company shall issue and deliver to each Purchaser a duly executed original Note in favor of such Purchaser payable in the principal amount of such Purchaser’s Loan Amount and a certificate representing the Purchaser’s Preferred Shares.
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(b) Each of the form of Notice of Conversion included in the Notes and the form of Notice of Conversion in connection with the Preferred Shares included in Exhibit “B” set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Purchasers to convert the Notes or Preferred Shares. Without limiting the preceding sentence, no ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required to convert the Notes or Preferred Shares. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Purchasers to convert their Notes or Preferred Shares and the Purchasers shall not be required to pay any fees or additional costs to the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) or otherwise. The Company shall honor conversions of the Notes and/or Preferred Shares and shall deliver Underlying Securities (as defined below) in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.
(c) Book-entry statements evidencing the Conversion Shares or the Preferred Conversion Shares (collectively, the “Underlying Securities”) shall not contain any U.S. legend (including the legend set forth in Section 6.5 hereof): (i) while a registration statement covering the resale of such Underlying Securities is effective under the 1933 Act, (ii) following any sale of such Underlying Securities pursuant to Rule 144, or (iii) if such legend is not required under applicable requirements of the 1933 Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the SEC). The Company shall, at its expense, cause its counsel to issue a legal opinion to the Transfer Agent within two (2) business days of the earlier to occur of (x) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing or (y) the effectiveness of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 covering the resale of the Underlying Securities (the “U.S. Legend Removal Date”) (for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall pay all costs associated with such opinions). The Company shall cause the Transfer Agent to issue or reissue book-entry statements evidencing the Underlying Securities within two (2) business days of the date the Company becomes a reporting issuer in a jurisdiction of Canada (the “Legend Removal Date”). If all or any portion of a Note is converted or Preferred Shares are converted at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of such Underlying Securities, or if such Underlying Securities may be sold under Rule 144 or if such legend is not otherwise required under applicable requirements of the 1933 Act (including judicial interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the SEC) then such Underlying Securities shall be issued free of all U.S. legends. If all or any portion of a Note is converted or Preferred Shares are converted at a time when the Company is a reporting issuer in a jurisdiction of Canada then such Underlying Securities shall be issued free of all Canadian legends. The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the Transfer Agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.2(b). Book-entry statements for Securities subject to legend removal hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Purchaser by crediting the account of such Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust Company System as directed by such Purchaser. In connection with any removal of legends as set forth in this Section 2.2(b), the Purchasers shall deliver to the Transfer Agent on the Legend Removal Date (i) a duly executed representation letter; (ii) a duly executed DWAC instruction form; and (iii) such other documents as may be requested by the Transfer Agent, acting reasonably. The Parties agree that the Purchasers shall not be responsible for any fees or additional costs, to the Transfer Agent or otherwise, in connection with the delivery of the Securities pursuant to the Transaction Documents.
(d) In addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to a Purchaser, in cash, (i) as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Underlying Securities (based on the VWAP of the Common Shares on the date such Securities are submitted to the Transfer Agent) delivered for removal of the restrictive legend and subject to Section 2.2(c), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day five (5) Trading Days after such damages have begun to accrue) for each Trading Day after the Legend Removal Date until such book-entry statement is delivered without a legend or notation and (ii) if the Company fails to (a) issue and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to a Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date a book-entry statement representing the Securities so delivered to the Company by such Purchaser that is free from all restrictive and other legends and (b) if after the Legend Removal Date such Purchaser purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) Common Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Purchaser of all or any portion of the number of Common Shares, or a sale of a number of Common Shares equal to all or any portion of the number of Common Shares that such Purchaser anticipated receiving from the Company without any restrictive legend, then, an amount equal to the excess of such Purchaser’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the Common Shares so purchased (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) (the “Buy-In Price”) over the product of (A) such number of Underlying Securities that the Company was required to deliver to such Purchaser by the Legend Removal Date multiplied by (B) the average of the closing sale prices of the Common Shares on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the delivery by such Purchaser to the Company of the applicable Underlying Securities (as the case may be) and ending on the date of such delivery and payment under this clause (ii). For purposes of this Agreement, “VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Shares are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Shares so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Shares as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any failure of the Company to file a registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or to cause any such document to become or remain effective or usable within or for any particular period of time as provided in Section 2.2(c) or Section 2.2(d) or otherwise in this Agreement, due to reasons that are not reasonably within the Company’s control (including, for the avoidance of doubt, bona fide delays related to services to be provided by third parties including the Company’s auditors or advisors), or due to any refusal of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit a registration statement or prospectus to become or remain effective or to be used because of unresolved SEC comments thereon (or on any documents incorporated therein by reference) despite the Company’s good faith and commercially reasonable efforts to resolve those comments, shall not be a breach of this Agreement.
3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser as of the Closing as follows:
3.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the province of Alberta. The Company has the requisite corporate power to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified and is authorized to do business in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business.
3.2 Subsidiaries. The Company does not have any subsidiaries other than First Person, Inc. (“FP, Inc.”) and TruMed Limited (“TruMed”, and together with FP, Inc., the “Subsidiaries”). Each of the Subsidiaries is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all requisite corporate power to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Subsidiaries are duly qualified and authorized to do business in all jurisdictions in which the nature of their activities and of their properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on such Subsidiary or its business.
3.3 Corporate Power. The Company has all requisite corporate power to execute and deliver this Agreement, to issue each Note and each Preferred Share and to execute and deliver a general security agreement given by the Company to and in favor of the Purchasers and any other agreements delivered together with this Agreement or in connection herewith (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of the Transaction Documents. FP, Inc. has all requisite corporate power to execute and deliver a general security agreement given by FP, Inc. to and in favor of the Purchasers.
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3.4 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company and its directors necessary for the authorization of the Transaction Documents and the execution, delivery and performance of all obligations of the Company under the Transaction Documents, including the issuance and delivery of the Notes and the reservation and issuance of the Conversion Shares; and the issuance and delivery of the Preferred Shares; and the issuance and delivery of the Preferred Conversion Shares has been taken or will be taken prior to the issuance of such Securities. The Transaction Documents, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to laws of general application relating to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights and to general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable remedies. The Securities, when issued in compliance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free of any liens or encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer contained or referred to herein) and issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws.
3.5 Capitalization. The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares of which, as of the December 20, 2022, 6,315,353 Common Shares were issued and outstanding, and 1,115,620 Common Shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to securities (other than the Notes and the Preferred Shares) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, Common Shares. All outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid, nonassessable, and free of any preemptive rights. None of the Company’s Common Shares are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company. Other than as set out in the disclosure letter (the “Disclosure Letter”) appended as Exhibit “D” hereto: (i) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any capital stock of the Company, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional capital stock of the Company or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any capital stock of the Company; (ii) there are no outstanding debt securities, notes, credit agreements, credit facilities or other agreements, documents or instruments evidencing indebtedness of the Company or by which the Company is or may become bound; (iii) there are no financing statements securing obligations in any amounts filed in connection with the Company; (iv) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company is obligated to register the sale of any of their securities under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or to file a prospectus under Canadian securities legislation; (v) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company; (vi) there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Securities; and (vii) the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement.
3.6 Consents. All consents, approvals, orders, or authorizations of, or registrations, qualifications, designations, declarations, or filings with, any governmental authority or third party, required on the part of the Company in connection with the valid execution and delivery and performance of its obligations under this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents, the offer, sale or issuance of the Securities or the consummation of any other transaction contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and will be effective at such time as required by such governmental authority.
3.7 Compliance with Laws/Litigation. To its knowledge, each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is not in violation of any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties, which violation would materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or operations of the Company. There is no litigation pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened that would be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or operations of the Company or the Subsidiaries.
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3.8 Compliance with Other Instruments. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries, is not in violation or default of any term of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or of any provision of any mortgage, indenture or contract to which it is a party and by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ, other than such violations that would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, or operations of the Company or the Subsidiaries. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including the issuance and sale of the Securities, will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with, or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, decree, order or writ or an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.
3.9 The Securities and the Offering.
(a) The Securities, upon issuance:
(i) are, or will be, free and clear of any preemptive or similar rights, security interests, liens, claims or other encumbrances, other than restrictions upon transfer under the 1933 Act, any applicable state securities laws, and applicable Canadian securities laws, and other than restrictions on transfer as provided in the Lock-Up Agreement;
(ii) have been, or will be, duly and validly authorized, and upon either conversion of the Notes or the Preferred Shares, the Conversion Shares or the Preferred Conversion Shares, as applicable, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and, if (A) the resale of such Conversion Shares have been duly registered pursuant to the 1933 Act, (B) all prospectus delivery requirements have been complied with; and (C) resold pursuant to an effective registration statement, will be free trading and unrestricted, provided, however, that all Securities will be subject to an indefinite resale restriction under Canadian securities laws until such time as the Company is a reporting issuer in Canada;
(iii) provided that: (A) the Conversion Securities are issued after the date that the Company becomes a reporting issuer in a jurisdiction of Canada; and (B) the Conversion Securities are issued to a person or company outside of Canada, the Conversion Securities will be issued free of all Canadian securities law legends;
(iv) will not have been issued or sold in violation of any preemptive or other similar rights of the holders of any securities of the Company;
(v) will not subject the holders thereof to personal liability by reason of being such holders provided the Purchasers’ representations herein are true and accurate and the Purchasers take no actions or fail to take any actions required for their purchase of the Securities to be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations; and
(vi) will not result in a violation of Section 5 under the 1933 Act, provided the Purchasers’ representations herein are true and accurate and the Purchasers take no actions or fail to take any actions required by the Purchasers for the Purchasers’ purchase of the Securities to be in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
(b) Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained in Section 5 hereof, the offer, issue, and sale of the Securities are and will be exempt from Canadian prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws and the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws. The offer and issuance of the Securities to the Purchasers is being made (A) pursuant to the exemption from the registration provisions of the 1933 Act afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder and (B) pursuant to one or more prospectus exemptions under Alberta Securities Commission Rule 72-501 – Distributions to Purchasers Outside Alberta.
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(c) Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor to its knowledge, any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act) in connection with the Offering.
3.10 Encumbrances. The Company exclusively owns all right, title and interest in its property free and clear of any encumbrances, but for: (i) encumbrances which secure payment of amounts not yet overdue; (ii) encumbrances which secure payment of amounts which are then overdue but the validity of which is being contested in good faith; (iii) purchase-money security interests registered against the Company’s property; (iv) encumbrances securing obligations under the financing and security agreement dated August 8, 2022 between First Person, Inc. and Celtic Bank Corporation (the “Celtic Agreement”); (v) encumbrances securing obligations under the merchant loan agreement between Leiio Inc. and WebBank, a Utah-charted industrial bank (the “WebBank Agreement”); (vi) encumbrances securing obligations under the revenue purchase agreement dated October 6, 2022 between Pearl Beta Funding, LLC (the “Pearl Agreement”); (vii) encumbrances securing obligations under the future receipts sale and purchase agreement dated December 19, 2022 between the Company and Cloudfund LLC (the “Cloudfund Agreement”); and (viii) encumbrances in favor of the Purchasers in respect of the Company’s obligations under or in respect of the Notes. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company are in compliance.
3.11 Litigation. There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation before any court, governmental agency or body, or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company, or any of its affiliates that would affect the execution by the Company or the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Transaction Documents. There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, basis for or threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation before any court, governmental agency or body, or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company, or any of its affiliates which litigation if adversely determined would have a material adverse effect on the Company, the Subsidiaries, or the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
3.12 Financial Statements. The Company has delivered true, correct and complete copies of its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Financial Statements”). Such Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such Financial Statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate). Since the last day of the fiscal year of the most recent audited Financial Statements (“Latest Financial Date”), there has been no material adverse effect relating to the Company’s business, financial condition or affairs.
3.13 Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Latest Financial Date, there has been no material adverse change and no material adverse development in the business, assets, liabilities, properties, operations (including results thereof), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company taken as a whole. Since the Latest Financial Date, the Company has not (i) declared or paid any dividends, (ii) sold any assets, individually or in the aggregate, outside of the ordinary course of business or (iii) made any material capital expenditures, individually or in the aggregate, outside the ordinary course of business. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries have taken any steps to seek protection pursuant to any law or statute relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, liquidation or winding up, nor does the Company have any knowledge or reason to believe that any of its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or any actual knowledge of any fact which would reasonably lead a creditor to do so. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries are, as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur at the Closing, will not be Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this Section, “Insolvent” means, with respect to the Company or either Subsidiary, (i) the present fair saleable value of the Company’s or Subsidiary’s assets is less than the amount required to pay the Company’s or Subsidiary’s total Indebtedness (as defined below), (ii) the Company or Subsidiary is unable to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured or (iii) the Company or Subsidiary intends to incur or believes that it will incur debts that would be beyond its ability to pay as such debts mature. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries, have engaged in any business or in any transaction, and are not about to engage in any business or in any transaction, for which the Company’s, or Subsidiary’s remaining assets constitute unreasonably small capital.
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3.14 Indebtedness. Other than as set forth in the Disclosure Letter, each of the Company and the Subsidiaries (i) does not have any outstanding Indebtedness (as defined below), (ii) is not a party to any contract, agreement or instrument, the violation of which, or default under which, by the other party(ies) to such contract, agreement or instrument could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect to the Company and its business, (iii) is not in violation of any term of, or in default under, any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, except where such violations and defaults would not result, individually or in the aggregate, in a material adverse effect to the Company and its business, or (iv) is not a party to any contract, agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, the performance of which, in the judgment of the Company’s officers, has or is expected to have a material adverse effect to the Company and its business. For purposes of this Agreement: (x) “Indebtedness” of any person or entity means, without duplication (A) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including, without limitation, “capital leases” in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) (other than trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business), (C) all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments, (D) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (E) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to any property or assets acquired with the proceeds of such indebtedness (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (F) all monetary obligations under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in connection with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied for the periods covered thereby, is classified as a capital lease, (G) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (A) through (F) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, claim, lien, tax, right of first refusal, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance upon or in any property or assets (including accounts and contract rights) owned by any Person, even though the Person which owns such assets or property has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, and (H) all Contingent Obligations in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (A) through (G) above; and (y) “Contingent Obligation” means, as to any person or entity, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that person or entity with respect to any indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another person or entity if the primary purpose or intent of the person or entity incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto.
3.15 Intellectual Property. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has, or has rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with its business and which the failure to so have could have a material adverse effect on the Company (including the Subsidiaries) and its business (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of the Intellectual Property Rights have expired, and the Company has not (and the Subsidiaries have not) received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of the Intellectual Property Rights have expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the Effective Date. The Company has not received, since the Latest Financial Date, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by a third party of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company has taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business. The Company has no knowledge of any facts that would preclude it from having valid license rights or clear title to the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company has no knowledge that it lacks or will be unable to obtain any rights or licenses to use all Intellectual Property Rights that are necessary to conduct its business.
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3.16 Transactions with Affiliates and Employees. None of the officers or directors of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.
3.17 Shell Company Status. The Company is not and has never been an issuer as described under Rule 144(i) of the 1933 Act.
3.18 Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of the Company has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), each as amended; or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.
3.19 Patriot Act, OFAC, and Other Regulations.
(a) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, brokers or agents (x) has violated any Anti-Terrorism Laws (as defined herein) or (y) has engaged in any transaction, investment, undertaking or activity that conceals the identity, source or destination of the proceeds from any category of prohibited offenses designated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, brokers or agents is a person or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by persons or entities that are: (x) the subject of any Sanctions (as defined herein), or (y) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, brokers or agents acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of goods, services or money to or for the benefit of any person or entity, or in any country or territory, that is the subject of any Sanctions, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.
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(d) For purposes of this Section, “Anti-Terrorism Law” means any Law related to money laundering or financing terrorism including the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56), the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959) (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”), the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., as amended) and Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001); and “Sanctions” means, sanctions administered or enforced by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), US Department of State, United Nations Security Council, European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority.
3.20 Brokers’ Fees. Except with respect to the fees and expenses payable to EF Hutton as the placement agent, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions or other remuneration are or will be payable by the Company directly or indirectly to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other person or entity with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Purchasers shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons or entities for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
4. Covenants of the Company
4.1 Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the sale and issuance of the Notes for the operation of its business, including working capital and general corporate purposes.
4.2 Reservation of Shares. As of the Closing, the Company shall have reserved from its duly authorized capital stock not less than (i) 100% of the maximum number of Conversion Shares initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes (assuming for purposes hereof that the Notes are convertible at the initial Conversion Price (as defined in the Notes) and without taking into account any limitations on the conversion of the Notes set forth in the Notes), and (ii) 100% of the maximum number of Preferred Conversion Shares initially issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares (without taking into account any limitations on the conversion of the Preferred Shares set forth therein). If at any time while the Notes or the Preferred Shares remain outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved Common Shares to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Notes or conversion of the Preferred Shares at least a number of Common Shares equal to the Conversion Shares or the Preferred Conversion Shares (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall promptly take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized Common Shares to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Conversion Shares or the Preferred Conversion Shares. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized Common Shares. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized Common Shares and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal.
4.3 Additional Indebtedness. At all times while any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall not, without the written consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Notes, issue any additional debt that ranks pari passu, or senior to, the Notes, other than debt incurred in connection with acceptance of merchant-cash-advances or similar financing instruments, including under the Celtic Agreement, the WebBank Agreement, the Pearl Agreement, and the Cloudfund Agreement, provided however, that such debt shall not be permitted to exceed $1,000,000 at any one point in time.
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4.4 Limitations on Certain Transactions. At all times while any Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, without the written consent of Purchasers holding greater than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding at such time (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld): (a) change the nature of its business; (b) sell, divest, or change the structure of any material assets of the Company, other than in the ordinary course of business; (c) enter into any Variable Rate Transactions; or (d) accept merchant-cash-advances or similar financing instruments in excess of $1,000,000 at any one point in time. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Variable Rate Transaction” shall mean a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional Common Shares either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the Common Shares at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Shares or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price; provided for the avoidance of doubt, “Variable Rate Transaction” shall not include any issuance of any Securities hereunder or under any Transaction Documents and/or any issuance of securities upon the exercise, exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder or under any Transaction Document. Any Purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.
4.5 Other Covenants. The Company covenants to the Purchasers that, so long as the Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall:
(a) (i) preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its corporate or organizational existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business;
(b) comply in all material respects with (i) all of the terms and provisions of its organizational documents; (ii) its obligations under its material contracts and agreements; and (iii) all laws and orders applicable to it and its business, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business;
(c) pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all the Company’s material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and reserves in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States with respect thereto have been provided on its books; and
(d) upon the request of a Purchaser, promptly execute and deliver such further instruments and do or cause to be done such further acts as may be necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of the Transaction Documents.
5. Representations and Warranties of Purchaser.
Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants severally and not jointly, and in respect of such Purchaser only, as follows:
5.1 Capacity and Authorization. If the Purchaser is an individual, he or she has attained the full age of majority and has the legal capacity and competence to execute this Agreement, to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to take all actions required pursuant hereto. If the Purchaser is a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity or representative, it has all necessary power, legal capacity and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to take all actions required pursuant hereto.
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5.2 Binding Obligations. All action on the part of the Purchaser necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, and for the performance of all obligations of the Purchaser hereunder has been taken. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights and to the availability of the remedy of specific performance.
5.3 Access to Information. The Company has provided the Purchaser with the opportunity to obtain information and documents relating to the Company, to ask questions of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the Company and an investment in the Notes. The Purchaser is not relying on any information, representations or warranties made to the Purchaser by the Company or any officer, employee or agent of the Company other than those set out in this Agreement. The Purchaser acknowledges that any information relating to the Company previously provided to the Purchaser, other than the information set out in this Agreement, should not be relied upon by the Purchaser.
5.4 Canadian Securities Law Compliance. The Purchaser is not resident in Canada.1
5.5 U.S. Securities Law Compliance.
(a) The Purchaser understands and agrees that the Securities have not been and will not be registered under the 1933 Act, or applicable state securities laws, and the Securities are being offered and sold by the Company to the Purchaser in reliance upon the safe harbor exemption from 1933 Act registration requirements set forth in Rule 506 of Regulation D under the 1933 Act or pursuant to another exemption from such registration requirements and all applicable state registration requirements. The Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and that the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder provide in substance that the Purchaser may dispose of the Securities only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act or an exemption therefrom.
(b) The Purchaser is purchasing the Note for its own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to resale or distribution. The Purchaser is resident in or otherwise subject to applicable securities laws of the jurisdiction set out as the “Address for Purchaser” on the signature page.
(c) The Purchaser is not purchasing the Securities as a result of “general solicitation” or “general advertising” (as such terms are used in Rule 502 of Regulation D under the 1933 Act), including, without limitation, advertisements, articles, notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over radio or television, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by general solicitation or general advertising.
(d) There is no person acting or purporting to act on behalf of Purchaser in connection with the transaction contemplated herein who is entitled to any brokerage or finder’s fee.
(e) The Purchaser understands that no U.S. federal or state securities commission or regulatory agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities.
(f) The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act (“U.S. Accredited Investor”), that satisfies one or more of the categories of a U.S. Accredited Investor as further indicated in the US Accredited Investor Certificate attached hereto as Exhibit “C”.
6. Acknowledgments of the Purchasers
Each Purchaser hereby acknowledges, on its own behalf and not on behalf of any other Purchaser:
1 Note to Draft: Confirm.
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6.1 Information and Sophistication. The Purchaser: (i) has received all the information it has requested from the Company and it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to acquire the Notes, (ii) has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the Offering and to obtain any additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information given the Purchaser and (iii) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risk of this investment.
6.2 Independent Advice. The Purchaser has been advised to obtain independent legal and tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.3 No Resale Market. The Purchaser is aware that at present there is no market through which the Securities may be resold and there can be no assurance that such a market will develop in the future and any resale of the Securities will be subject to (i) certain resale restrictions provided for in applicable securities legislation, and the Purchaser agrees with the Company to comply with such resale restrictions, and (ii) certain transfer restrictions set out in the Securities.
6.4 Ability to Bear Economic Risk. The Purchaser is aware that the Company is an early-stage company and that there are substantial risks incident to an investment in the Notes. The Purchaser acknowledges that investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk and represents that it is able, without materially impairing such Purchaser’s financial condition, to hold the Securities for an indefinite period of time and to suffer a complete loss of its investment.
6.5 Legends. The Purchaser understands that the Securities shall bear a restrictive legend, substantially in the following form:
UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 4 MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE LATER OF (I) [THE CLOSING DATE]; AND (II) THE DATE THE COMPANY BECAME A REPORTING ISSUER IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY [OF CANADA].
[NEITHER] THIS SECURITY [NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS [EXERCISABLE] [CONVERTIBLE] HAS [NOT] BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY [AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON [EXERCISE] [CONVERSION] OF THIS SECURITY] MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
7. Further Assurances
7.1 Each Party agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time it will promptly execute and deliver to the other Party such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the other Party may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Agreement and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals and all such agreements, certificates, tax statements, tax returns and other documents as may be reasonably required of the other Party by the laws of the United States, the Province of Alberta, or any state or province in which the Company conducts or plans to conduct business, or any political subdivision or agency thereof or of any other country.
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8. Other Agreements of the Parties
8.1 Right of Participation. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Section 8.1, and for so long as the Notes are outstanding, the Company grants to each Purchaser the right of participation to purchase its pro rata portion of up to thirty (30%) percent of any proposed sale by the Company of Common Shares or other securities or equity linked debt obligations, except in connection with (i) full or partial consideration in connection with a strategic merger, acquisition, consolidation or purchase of substantially all of the securities or assets of a corporation or other entity; (ii) the Company’s issuance of securities in connection with strategic license agreements and other partnering arrangements so long as such issuances are not for the purpose of raising capital; (iii) the Company’s issuance of Common Shares or the issuance or grant of options to purchase Common Shares or other equity based compensation to employees, directors or consultants pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive plan; (iv) as a result of the exercise of warrants currently outstanding; or (v) the IPO (as defined herein) (each, an “Excluded Issuance”). A Purchaser’s pro rata portion for purposes of this Section 8.1 is the ratio that (x) the Purchaser’s Loan Amount, bears to (y) the aggregate Loan Amount under the Offering. In connection with the right of participation, Purchasers shall be given not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice of any proposed sale by the Company, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the proposed terms of such proposed sale, the amount of proceeds intended to be raised thereunder and the parties through or with whom such proposed sale is proposed to be effected and shall include a term sheet and transaction documents relating thereto as an attachment. Purchasers who fail to notify the Company in writing that they intend to exercise such participation right within ten (10) days after receipt of such written notice will have no claim or right with respect to such particular offering.
8.2 Most Favored Nation. If at any time from the Effective Date until the payment in full of the Notes, the Company completes a subsequent financing of securities that are substantially equivalent to those issued pursuant to the Offering (and for certainty, excluding any Excluded Issuance) with another individual or entity (“Third Party”) on terms that are, on a whole, more favorable to the Third Party than the terms of the Offering, the Company shall give not less than ten (10) days’ prior written notice to each Purchaser of such proposed subsequent financing. In the event the Purchaser agrees that the terms of the subsequent financing are more favorable than the terms under the Offering and notifies the Company during such 10-day period prior to the closing of the subsequent financing, then: (i) effective upon the closing of such subsequent financing, the terms of the Securities then held by Purchaser and this Agreement (collectively, “Present Terms”) shall automatically be amended by (x) substituting the form, mix and Present Terms of such with those of the securities issued in the subsequent financing (the “Subsequent Financing Terms”) and (y) incorporating by reference, mutatis mutandis, the Subsequent Financing Terms in lieu of the Present Terms; and (ii) thereafter, upon the reasonable request of the Company or Purchaser, the parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other in order to further or better evidence or effect such substitution(s) and amendment(s), and to otherwise carry out the intent and purposes of this Section, including the physical exchange of securities.
8.3 IPO. The Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to consummate its initial public offering (“IPO”) on or before the two hundred eighty-fourth (284th) day from the date hereof. In the event the IPO is consummated on or before the one hundred eighty-fourth (184th) day from the date hereof, the value of the number of Preferred Conversion Shares underlying the Preferred Shares to be issued to each Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.2 herein shall decrease from one-hundred percent (100%) to sixty percent (60%) of such Purchaser’s Loan Amount. The Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the filing of a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the Underlying Securities within sixty (60) days after the date of the closing of the IPO and to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as possible thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if the Company furnishes to holders of the Underlying Securities a certificate signed by the Company’s chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of the Company’s board of directors it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such registration statement to either become effective because such action would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, then the Company shall have the right to defer taking action with respect to such filing for a period of not more than an additional sixty (60) days.
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8.4 Lock-Up. The Purchaser agrees to enter into a Lock-Up Agreement in the form appended hereto as Exhibit “E” in which the Purchaser covenants and agrees that it will not, for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days following consummation of the IPO, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, lend, swap, or enter into any other agreement to transfer the economic consequences of, or otherwise dispose of or deal with, or publicly announce any intention to offer, sell, contract to sell, grant or sell any option to purchase, hypothecate, pledge, transfer, assign, purchase any option or contract to sell, lend, swap or enter into any agreement to transfer the economic consequences of, or otherwise dispose of or deal with, whether through the facilities of a stock exchange, by private placement or otherwise, any Securities held by the Purchaser, unless: (i) they first obtain the written consent of the Company; or (ii) there occurs a take-over bid or similar transaction involving a change of control of the Company.
8.5 Amendments. The Purchaser agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time that any revision is required to the terms of the Preferred Shares as is determined to be necessary to conform to any of the requirements imposed by The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”) in order to list the Company’s securities on the Nasdaq or such other stock exchange chosen by the Company, it will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out such required amendment.
9. Miscellaneous
9.1 Exhibits. The following Exhibits are incorporated into and form an integral part of this Agreement, and any reference to this Agreement includes the Exhibits:
Exhibit “A” | Form of Convertible Secured Promissory Note |
Exhibit “B” | Preferred Share Terms |
Exhibit “C” | Certificate of U.S. Accredited Investor |
Exhibit “D” | Disclosure Letter |
Exhibit “E” | Lock-Up Agreement |
9.2 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
9.3 Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Purchaser without the prior written consent of the Company or by the Company without the prior written consent of the Purchasers.
9.4 Governing Law. This Agreement and all actions arising out of or in connection with this Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.
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9.5 Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Company at the address on the signature page below, and to Purchaser at the address on the signature page below or at such other addresses as the Company or Purchaser may designate by 10 days advance written notice to the other parties hereto.
9.6 Modification; Waiver. The modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to a departure therefrom shall be effective only upon the written consent of the Company and the Purchasers. Any provision of the Notes may be amended or waived by the written consent of the Company and the Purchasers.
9.7 Expenses. Each Purchaser shall bear its respective expenses and legal fees incurred with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.
9.8 Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to each Purchaser, upon any breach or default of the Company under the Transaction Documents shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character by Purchaser of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver by any Purchaser of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in writing and that all remedies, either under this Agreement, or by law or otherwise afforded to the Purchaser, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
9.9 Binding Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any third party any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
9.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.
9.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts delivered in .PDF by electronic mail or other electronic means shall be treated as originals for all purposes.
9.12 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (a) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (b) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded, and (c) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
9.13 Non-Merger Clause. The representations and warranties of each of the Parties hereto will not merge on the Closing and will survive the Closing for a period of two years from the Closing Date.
9.14 Currency. All references to currency in this Agreement are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.
[Signature Page Follows]
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In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Convertible Secured Promissory Note Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
First Person Ltd. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page – Convertible Note Purchase Agreement]
Fill In Below If You Are An Individual Purchaser: | Fill In Below If You Are A Corporate Purchaser: | |
NAME OF PURCHASER: | NAME OF PURCHASER: | |
SIGNATURE: | SIGNATURE: | |
Witness Name: | Name: | |
Witness Signature: | Title: |
Address and Contact Details of Purchaser | Loan Amount | Purchase Price | ||
[Signature Page – Convertible Note Purchase Agreement – Purchaser]
EXHIBIT “A”
FORM OF CONVERTIBLE SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE
(see attached)
A-1 |
CONVERTIBLE SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE
UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 4 MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE LATER OF (I) [THE CLOSING DATE]; AND (II) THE DATE THE COMPANY BECAME A REPORTING ISSUER IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY.
NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
FIRST PERSON LTD.
Convertible Secured Promissory Note
_____________, 20__
Secured Note No. 20__–[<>] USD$[<>]
This Convertible Secured Promissory Note (this “Promissory Note”) has been issued pursuant to Section 1 of the Convertible Secured Promissory Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of _______________, 20__, by and between First Person Ltd., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the province of Alberta (the “Company”), and certain purchasers including the registered holder hereof (or such holder’s predecessor-in-interest). This Promissory Note is part of an offering of Convertible Secured Promissory Notes totaling in the aggregate principal amount of up to three million dollars (U.S. $3,000,000) (collectively with this Promissory Note, the “Notes”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
1. Term, Interest, Payment, and Security.
1.1 Term, Interest and Payment: For value received, the Company hereby absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to the order of [Name of Lender] (the “Lender”), the principal amount of USD$[<>] (the “Principal Amount”), in accordance with the following schedule: (i) fifty (50%) percent of the Principal Amount on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day after the date of the first Qualifying Transaction (as defined herein) occurring after the date hereof; and (ii) the remaining fifty (50%) percent of the Principal Amount on the earlier to occur of (a) the ninetieth (90th) calendar day after the date of the first Qualifying Transaction occurring after the date hereof, or (b) December __, 20__2 (the “Maturity Date”). The Principal Amount may be prepaid at any time at the Company’s sole election without penalty. Interest on the Principal Amount outstanding and remaining from time to time unpaid, shall accrue commencing from the date hereof and continuing until payment in full of this Promissory Note or conversion as hereinafter provided, at the rate of eight (8.0%) percent per annum, if paid in cash. Interest shall be payable in cash on a quarterly basis on the last day of the quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31) commencing with the first quarter ending March 31, 20__ (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve, 30-day months. Principal and interest shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America, at [Address of Lender] or at such other place as the Lender may have designated from time to time in writing to the Company. Interest shall cease to accrue with respect to any Principal Amount converted, provided that, the Company actually delivers the Conversion Shares within the time period required by Section 3.2 herein.
2 NTD: Date to reflect the on year anniversary of the Closing Date.
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1.2 Payment in Kind: The Lender may elect, in its sole discretion, to have the interest payable on the Principal Amount to be paid-in-kind (the “PIK Interest”) by providing the Company with written notice not less than ten (10) days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date. In the event that the Lender makes an election for PIK Interest, the interest shall be calculated at a rate of ten (10%) percent per annum, and such PIK Interest shall be added to the outstanding Principal Amount on such Interest Payment Date. Any and all PIK Interest so added to the Principal Amount shall constitute and increase the Principal Amount for all purposes under this Promissory Note.
1.3 Meaning of Qualifying Transaction:
1.3.1 | For purposes of this Promissory Note, the term “Qualifying Transaction” shall mean a transaction pursuant to which the Company: |
(a) merges, amalgamates, merges or consolidates with or into any other company or business entity pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving entity and as a result of which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting securities as constituted immediately prior to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after such amalgamation, merger or consolidation;
(b) sells all or substantially all of its issued and outstanding Common Shares;
(c) completes an initial public offering of Common Shares or other going public transaction such as a reverse takeover transaction resulting in the listing of Common Shares of the Company or of successor of the Company being listed on a recognizable stock exchange in Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom; or
(d) in the course of which the Company issues and sells equity securities of the Company to bona fide investors for capital raising purposes for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of at least U.S.$3,000,000.00.
1.4 Security: The indebtedness owing under this Promissory Note shall be secured by all of the assets of the Company and First Person Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) in accordance with the general security agreements given by the Company and the Subsidiary to and in favor of the Purchasers (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) (collectively with the Lender, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”).
1.5 Seniority: The indebtedness evidenced by this Promissory Note and the payment of the principal, interest, fees, penalties or other amounts due or payable hereunder shall be Senior (as hereinafter defined) to, and have priority in right of payment over, all indebtedness of the Company, now outstanding or hereinafter incurred, other than (i) the indebtedness outstanding under the financing and security agreement dated August 8, 2022 between the Subsidiary and Celtic Bank Corporation, (ii) the indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the merchant loan agreement between Leiio Inc. and WebBank. A Utah-charted industrial bank; and (iii) the indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the second amended and restated promissory note dated October 14, 2022 issued by the Company to certain vendors in connection with the acquisition of TruMed Limited. “Senior” as used herein shall be deemed to mean that, in the event of any default in the payment of the obligations represented by this Promissory Note (after giving effect to “cure” provisions, if any) or of any liquidation, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar proceedings relating to the Company, all sums payable on this Promissory Note shall first be paid in full, with interest, if any, before any payment is made upon any other indebtedness, now outstanding or hereinafter incurred, and, in any such event, any payment or distribution of any character which shall be made in respect of any other indebtedness of the Company, shall be paid over to the Lender (and other Holders of Notes) for application to the payment hereof, unless and until the obligations under this Promissory Note (which shall mean the Principal Amount and other obligations arising out of, premium, if any, interest on, and any costs and expenses payable under, this Promissory Note) shall have been paid and satisfied in full.
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2. Conversion of this Promissory Note.
2.1 Voluntary Conversion Right: This Promissory Note, including the outstanding Principal Amount under this Promissory Note, together with all applicable accrued and unpaid interest hereunder (the sum of such Principal Amount and such interest being hereinafter referred to as the “Amount Due and Payable”), shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares”), at the option of the Lender (subject to the conversion limitations set forth in Section 2.4 hereof) and at a conversion price equal to USD$6.00 per Common Share, subject to adjustment (the “Conversion Price”).
2.2 Notice of Conversion: The Lender shall effect conversions by delivering to the Company a Notice of Conversion, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A (each, a “Notice of Conversion”), specifying therein the Principal Amount of this Promissory Note to be converted and the date on which such conversion shall be effected (such date, the “Conversion Date”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required. To effect conversions hereunder, the Lender shall not be required to physically surrender this Promissory Note to the Company. Conversions hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding Principal Amount of this Promissory Note in an amount equal to the applicable conversion. The Lender and the Company shall maintain records showing the Principal Amount(s) converted and the date of such conversion(s). In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, the records of the Lender shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. The Lender, and any assignee by acceptance of this Promissory Note, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of a portion of this Promissory Note, the unpaid and unconverted Principal Amount of this Promissory Note may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
2.3 Reservation of Common Shares: As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times a sufficient number of Common Shares for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Common Shares pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Promissory Note, and shall earmark such reserved shares to each Holder based on such Holder’s pro rata allocation of Applicable Conversion Shares. The Company covenants that all Common Shares that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and, if a registration statement covering the resale of the Applicable Conversion Shares is then effective under the 1933 Act, shall be registered for public resale in accordance with such registration statement.
2.4 Holder’s Conversion Limitations: The Company shall not effect any conversion of this Promissory Note, and the Lender shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Promissory Note, to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion, the Lender (together with the Lender’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Lender or any of the Lender’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the Lender and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of this Promissory Note with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of Common Shares which are issuable upon (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted principal amount of this Promissory Note beneficially owned by the Lender or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein (including, without limitation, any other Notes or the Warrants) beneficially owned by the Lender or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2.4, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2.4 applies, the determination of whether this Promissory Note is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by the Lender together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which principal amount of this Promissory Note is convertible shall be in the sole discretion of the Lender, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be the Lender’s determination of whether this Promissory Note may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by the Lender together with any Affiliates or Attribution Parties) and which principal amount of this Promissory Note is convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. To ensure compliance with this restriction, the Lender will be deemed to represent to the Company each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2.4, in determining the number of outstanding Common Shares, the Lender may rely on the number of outstanding Common Shares as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent setting forth the number of Common Shares outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of the Lender, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Lender the number of Common Shares then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding Common Shares shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Promissory Note, by the Lender or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding Common Shares was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Promissory Note held by the Lender. The Lender, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2.4, provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares upon conversion of this Promissory Note held by the Lender and the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2.4 shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2.4 to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation contained herein or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Promissory Note.
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2.5 Certain Adjustments.
2.5.1 The Conversion Price and number and kind of shares or other securities to be issued upon conversion shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening of certain events while this conversion right remains outstanding, as follows:
(a) Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. If the Company at any time shall consolidate with or merge into or sell or convey all or substantially all its assets to any other entity, this Promissory Note, as to the outstanding principal portion thereof and accrued interest thereon, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the right to convert into such number and kind of shares or other securities and property as would have been issuable or distributable on account of such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, upon or with respect to the securities subject to the conversion right immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, or conveyance. The foregoing provision shall similarly apply to successive transactions of a similar nature by any such successor or purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the anti-dilution provisions of this Section shall apply to such securities of such successor or purchaser after any such consolidation, merger, sale, or conveyance.
(b) Reclassification, etc. If the Company at any time shall, by reclassification or otherwise, change the Common Shares into the same or a different number of securities of any class or classes, this Promissory Note, as to the outstanding principal portion thereof and accrued interest thereon, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the right to convert into an adjusted number of such securities and kind of securities as would have been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the Common Shares immediately prior to such reclassification or other change.
(c) Stock Splits, Combinations and Dividends. If the Common Shares are subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of Common Shares, or if a dividend is paid on the Common Shares in Common Shares, the Conversion Price shall be proportionately reduced in case of subdivision of shares or stock dividend or proportionately increased in the case of combination of shares, in each such case by the ratio which the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event bears to the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(d) Subsequent Equity Sales. If, at any time while this Promissory Note is outstanding, the Company sells or grants any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announces any sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition), any Common Shares (other than in connection with the issuance of options or other compensation securities pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive plan, or the issuance of Common Shares or other securities in connection with the exchange, transfer, conversion or exercise rights of existing outstanding securities or existing commitments to issue securities) entitling any Person to acquire Common Shares at an effective price per share that is lower than the then Conversion Price (such lower price, the “Base Conversion Price” and such issuances, collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (if the holder of the Common Shares so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive Common Shares at an effective price per share that is lower than the Conversion Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Conversion Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance), then the Conversion Price shall be reduced to such lower Dilutive Issuance price. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Shares or Convertible Securities are issued. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Shares at the lowest possible conversion price at which such securities may be converted or exercised. The Company shall notify the Lender in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance of any Common Shares subject to this Section 2.5.1(d), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 2.5.1(d), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Lender is entitled to receive a number of Conversion Shares based upon the Base Conversion Price on or after the date of such Dilutive Issuance, regardless of whether the Lender accurately refers to the Base Conversion Price in the Notice of Conversion.
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2.5.2 No adjustments in the Conversion Price shall be required if such adjustment is less than U.S. $0.0001. All calculations under this Section 2.5 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be.
2.5.3 Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any of Section 2.5, the Company shall promptly mail to the Lender a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiting such adjustment.
2.5.4 If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on the Common Shares; (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Shares; (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights; (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Shares, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Shares are converted into other securities, cash or property; (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company; then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of any portion of the principal amount and interest outstanding under this Promissory Note, and shall cause to be mailed to the Lender at its last address as it shall appear upon the stock books of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Shares of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided, however, that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice.
2.5.5 In addition to any other rights of the Lender set forth herein, in case of any (1) merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person that would constitute a Change of Control Transaction (as defined in herein), or (2) sale, directly or indirectly, by the Company of more than one-half of the assets of the Company (on an as valued basis) in one or a series of related transactions, or (3) tender or other offer or exchange (whether by the Company or another Person) pursuant to which holders of Common Shares are permitted to tender or exchange their Common Shares for other securities, stock, cash or property of the Company or another Person: then the Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to (A) convert the then aggregate amount of principal and interest outstanding under this Promissory Note into the shares of stock and other securities, cash, and property receivable upon or deemed to be held by holders of Common Shares following such merger, consolidation or sale, and the Lender shall be entitled upon such event or series of related events to receive such amount of securities, cash and property as the Common Shares into which such aggregate amount of principal and interest outstanding under this Promissory Note could have been converted immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or sale would have been entitled, (B) in the case of a merger or consolidation, (x) require the surviving entity to issue convertible debt with aggregate principal amount equal to the then aggregate amount of principal outstanding under this Promissory Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts owing thereon, which convertible debt shall have terms identical (including with respect to conversion) to the terms of this Promissory Note and shall be entitled to all of the rights and privileges of the Lender as set forth herein and the agreements pursuant to which this Promissory Note was issued (including, without limitation, as such rights relate to the acquisition, transferability, registration and listing of such shares or other securities issuable upon conversion thereof), and (y) simultaneously with the issuance of such convertible debt, shall have the right to convert such debt only into shares and other securities, cash and property receivable upon or deemed to be held by holders of Common Shares following such merger or consolidation, or (C) in the event of an exchange or tender offer or other transaction contemplated by clause (3) of this Section, tender or exchange the then outstanding aggregate amount of principal and interest under this Promissory Note for such securities, stock, cash and other property receivable upon or deemed to be held by holders of Common Shares that have tendered or exchanged their Common Shares following such tender or exchange, and the Lender shall be entitled upon such exchange or tender to receive such amount of securities, cash and property as the Common Shares into which the then outstanding aggregate amount of principal and interest under this Promissory Note could have been converted (taking into account all then accrued and unpaid dividends) immediately prior to such tender or exchange. The terms of any such merger, sale, consolidation, tender or exchange shall include such terms so as to continue to give the Lender the right to receive the securities, cash and property set forth in this Section upon any conversion or redemption following such event. This provision shall similarly apply to successive such events.
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3. Obligations Upon Issuance of Applicable Conversion Shares.
3.1 Applicable Conversion Shares. The Common Shares issuable pursuant to the conversion of this Promissory Note shall be referred to as the “Applicable Conversion Shares”. The number of Applicable Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion hereunder shall be determined by the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding Amount Due and Payable, to be converted by (y) the Conversion Price.
3.2 Delivery of Applicable Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. Not later than two (2) Business Days after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Lender (A) the Applicable Conversion Shares representing the number of Applicable Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of a portion or all of this Promissory Note and (B) a bank check in the amount of accrued and unpaid interest or it may deliver such sum by wire transfer.
3.3 Confirmation of Promissory Note Repayment. Upon issuance of the Applicable Conversion Shares in the event of the conversion of the entire Amount Due and Payable pursuant to Section 2.1 herein, the Lender shall confirm to the Company in writing (e-mail being sufficient) that the Promissory Note has been paid in full and upon such confirmation the Company shall forthwith issue and deliver to the Lender book-entry statements evidencing the Applicable Conversion Shares.
3.4 Failure to Deliver Applicable Conversion Shares. If, in the case of any Notice of Conversion, such Applicable Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by the Lender by the Share Delivery Date, the Lender shall be entitled to elect by written notice to the Company at any time on or before its receipt of such Applicable Conversion Shares, to rescind such Conversion, in which event the Company shall promptly return to the Lender any original Promissory Note delivered to the Company and the Lender shall promptly return to the Company the Applicable Conversion Shares issued to such Lender pursuant to the rescinded Conversion Notice.
3.5 Obligation Absolute; Partial Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver the Applicable Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Promissory Note in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Lender to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by the Lender or any other Person of any obligation to the Company or any violation or alleged violation of law by the Lender or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Company to the Lender in connection with the issuance of such Applicable Conversion Shares; provided, however, that such delivery shall not operate as a waiver by the Company of any such action the Company may have against the Lender. In the event the Lender shall elect to convert any or all of the outstanding Principal Amount hereof, the Company may not refuse conversion based on any claim that the Lender or anyone associated or affiliated with the Lender has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Lender, restraining and or enjoining conversion of all or part of this Promissory Note shall have been sought and obtained, and the Company posts a surety bond for the benefit of the Lender in the amount of 125% of the outstanding Principal Amount of this Promissory Note, which is subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to the Lender to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Company shall issue the Applicable Conversion Shares or, if applicable, cash, upon a properly noticed conversion. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Lender such Applicable Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 3.2 by the Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Lender, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Principal Amount being converted, $5 per Business Day (increasing to $15 per Business Day on the fifth (5th) Business Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Business Day after such Share Delivery Date until such Applicable Conversion Shares are delivered or Lender rescinds such conversion. Nothing herein shall limit the Lender’s right to pursue actual damages or declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5 hereof for the Company’s failure to deliver Applicable Conversion Shares within the period specified herein and the Lender shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Lender from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.
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3.6 Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Applicable Conversion Shares Upon Conversion: In addition to any other rights available to the Lender, if the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Lender such Applicable Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 3.2, and if after such Share Delivery Date the Lender is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Lender’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, Common Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Lender of the Applicable Conversion Shares which the Lender was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Lender (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by the Lender) the amount, if any, by which (x) the Lender’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the Common Shares so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of Common Shares that the Lender was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of the Lender, either reissue (if surrendered) this Promissory Note in a principal amount equal to the Principal Amount of the attempted conversion (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Lender the number of Common Shares that would have been issued if the Company had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 3.2. For example, if the Lender purchases Common Shares having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of this Promissory Note with respect to which the actual sale price of the Applicable Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall be required to pay the Lender $1,000. The Lender shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Lender in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit the Lender’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Applicable Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Promissory Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
3.7 No Fractional Shares: No fractional share shall be issued in connection with the issuance of the Applicable Conversion Shares.
3.8 Termination and Discharge. Upon the conversion or payment of all of the Amount Due and Payable under this Promissory Note and the issuance of Applicable Conversion Shares in respect of any conversion, this Promissory Note shall terminate and the Company shall be released and discharged by the Lender from all of the Company’s obligations and agreements hereunder. Further, the Lender shall execute and deliver all such documents as the Company may reasonably request to effect such release, discharge and reconveyance of security.
4. Required Lender Consents.
4.1 Amendment of Notes: Any term or provision contained in the Notes may be amended or waived pursuant to a written agreement signed by the Company and Lenders holding greater than fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding at such time (the “Required Lenders”). Neither this Promissory Note nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the Company and the Required Lenders.
4.2 Additional Debt: While any portion of the Principal Amount is outstanding, the Company shall not, without the written consent of the Required Lenders, issue any additional debt that ranks pari passu with, or senior to, the Notes other than debt incurred in connection with acceptance of merchant-cash-advances or similar financing instruments, including under the Celtic Agreement, the WebBank Agreement, the Pearl Agreement and the Cloudfund Agreement, provided however, that such debt shall not be permitted to exceed $1,000,000 at any one point in time.
4.3 Limitations on Certain Transactions: While any portion of the Principal Amount is outstanding, the Company shall not, without the written consent of the Required Lenders (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld): (a) change the nature of the business of the Company; (b) sell, divest or change the structure of any material assets of the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; (c) enter into any variable rate transactions; or (d) accept any merchant-cash-advances or similar financing instruments in excess of $1,000,000 at any one point in time.
4.4 Most Favored Nation: While this Promissory Note or any Principal Amount, interest or fees or expenses due hereunder remain outstanding and unpaid, the Lender shall be entitled to accept the securities and terms of any Subsequent Financing and exercise the most favored nation right pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement.
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5. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
5.1 Meaning of the words “Event of Default”: The following shall constitute events of default (each individually an “Event of Default”):
5.1.1 | default in the payment, when due or payable, of an obligation to pay interest or principal under any of the Notes, which default is not cured by payment in full of the amount due within thirty (30) days from the date of such default in payment; |
5.1.2 | filing of a petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any proceedings under any bankruptcy laws by or against the Company, which filing or proceeding, is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing or commencement thereof; |
5.1.3 | if any act, matter or thing is done by the Company toward the termination of, or any action or proceeding is launched or taken to terminate the corporate existence of the Company, whether by dissolution, liquidation, winding-up or otherwise; |
5.1.4 | failure of the Company to perform or observe any material covenant, term, provision, condition, agreement or obligation of the Company under this Promissory Note, if such failure continues uncured to the satisfaction of the Lender, acting reasonably, for a period of thirty (30) days after notice from the Lender of such failure. For greater certainty, the inclusion of any legend on Common Shares issued upon conversion of any Amount Due and Payable that is required pursuant to applicable securities laws shall not be considered an Event of Default); or |
5.1.5 | the issuance by the Company of any securities, other than securities issued pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, that include variable rate anti-dilution provisions. |
5.2 Continuing Event of Default: If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Required Lenders may, at their option, by written notice to the Company declare this Promissory Note and all other Notes issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement to be in default, at which point the Principal Amount outstanding on the date of such written notice shall increase to 125% of the Principal Amount then outstanding, and the interest rate shall increase to 15% or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law until such Event of Default is cured, if capable of being cured. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing without cure, at the end of each calendar month thereafter until the Event of Default has been cured, the Lender shall be entitled to sweep the cash received in the bank accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, as reasonably determined by the Lender and the Company, in an aggregate amount equal to 20% of the consolidated revenue of the Company and its subsidiaries during such calendar month (as determined by GAAP in the case of any dispute) (the “Revenue Sweep”). The Company agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and will provide such additional information as may reasonably be required to carry out this Section; it being understood that (x) the Company shall use its best efforts to request that any of the applicable banks agree to any deposit account control agreement that may reasonably be required by the Lender; and (y) the Required Lenders shall be entitled to appoint a Holder or third party to act as collateral agent to effect the Revenue Sweep, including by distributing the applicable consolidated revenue to the Holders on a pro-rata basis.
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Transfer of Note: In addition to the restrictions set forth in the lock-up agreement required to be delivered by the Lender pursuant to Section 8.4 of the Purchase Agreement, this Promissory Note may not be transferred or assigned without the Company’s prior written consent other than a transfer or assignment to an Affiliate of the Lender. As used herein, the term “Affiliate” means an entity that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Lender.
6.2 Certain Waivers: Except to the extent set out in this Promissory Note, the Company hereby expressly and irrevocably waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest and any other formalities of any kind.
6.3 Usury: If it shall be found that any interest outstanding hereunder shall violate applicable laws governing usury, the applicable rate of interest outstanding hereunder shall be reduced to the maximum permitted rate of interest under such law.
6.4 Entire Agreement. This Promissory Note and the Purchase Agreement executed by the Lender in respect of this Promissory Note by and between the Lender and the Company, together with all other instruments, documents, and agreements referred to in the Purchase Agreement, constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Company and the Lender with respect to the subject matter hereof and replace all other agreements between the Company and the Lender with respect to these matters including, without limitation, the term sheet outlining proposed terms of this Promissory Note.
6.5 Currency. All references to currency in this Promissory Note are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.
6.6 Governing Law. This Promissory Note and all actions arising out of or in connection with this Promissory Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Alberta and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
6.7 Counterparts. This Promissory Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which is deemed an original, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. No counterpart of this Agreement shall be effective until each party has executed and delivered at least one counterpart. A counterpart may be delivered by facsimile, email attachment (of a PDF document), or other electronic means, including DocuSign, which shall be as effective as hand delivery of the original executed counterpart.
[Signature page follows below]
A-9 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Convertible Secured Promissory Note has been duly executed on behalf of the undersigned, First Person Ltd., on the date first above written.
First Person Ltd. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
A-10 |
The foregoing Convertible Secured Promissory Note is hereby accepted and agreed to by the undersigned on and as of the date first above written.
Fill In Below If You Are An Individual Investor: | Fill In Below If You Are A Corporate Investor: | |
NAME OF INVESTOR: | NAME OF INVESTOR: | |
SIGNATURE: | SIGNATURE: | |
Witness Name: | Name: | |
Witness Signature: | Title: |
A-11 |
EXHIBIT “B”
PREFERRED SHARE TERMS
(see attached)
B-1 |
SCHEDULE A
The first series of Preferred Shares of First Person Ltd. (the “Corporation”) shall be designated as Preferred Shares, Series 1 (the “Series 1 Shares”) and, in addition to the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preferred Shares as a class, shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
1. Defined Terms
(a) | “Act” means the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). |
(b) | “Common Shares” means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation, the class of “Common Shares” in the authorized share capital of the Corporation being the class of Common Shares into which the Series 1 Shares shall convert. |
(c) | “Common Share Event” means at any time or from time to time after the Date of Issuance, (i) the issue by the Corporation of additional Common Shares as a dividend or other distribution on outstanding Common Shares, (ii) a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares into a greater number of Common Shares, or (iii) a combination of the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of Common Shares. |
(d) | “Conversion Price” means the lesser of: (i) US$6.00; or (ii) the Qualified Public Offering Discount Price. |
(e) | “Date of Issuance” means, for any Series 1 Shares, the date on which the Corporation initially issues such Series 1 Shares. |
(f) | “Qualified Public Offering” means the closing of: (i) a public offering pursuant to a registration statement which is declared effective under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or (ii) a public offering pursuant to a prospectus filed under the securities legislation of any province of Canada in respect of which final receipt is obtained, in the case of (i) or (ii) above, involving the offering and sale of Common Shares (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise exercisable to acquire, directly or indirectly, Common Shares). |
(g) | “Qualified Public Offering Discount Price” means the price per Common Share equal to the price that is twenty percent (20%) less than the price per Common Share offered in the Corporation’s Qualified Public Offering, provided that the Qualified Public Offering Discount Price shall not be less than US$3.00. |
(h) | “Requisite Holders” means the holders of more than 50% of the Series 1 Shares (whether or not converted, and subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any share dividend, share split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series 1 Shares or as adjusted pursuant to the adjustment provisions of Section 3(h). |
2. Voting Rights and Amendments
The holders of the Series 1 Shares shall not be entitled as such to any voting rights or to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting. The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Series 1 Shares may not be amended, modified, suspended, altered or repealed without the consent or approval of the holders of the Series 1 Shares in accordance with applicable law.
B-2 |
3. Conversion
(a) Optional Conversion
(i) | Subject to the provisions of this Section 3, at any time and from time to time on or after the Date of Issuance, any holder of Series 1 Shares shall have the right by written election to the Corporation to convert all or any portion of the outstanding Series 1 Shares held by such holder into fully paid and nonassessable Common Shares as provided herein. |
(ii) | To effect a conversion of Series 1 Shares under Section 3(a)(i), a holder shall: (i) submit a written election to the Corporation that such holder elects to convert Series 1 Shares, the number of Series 1 Shares elected to be converted; and (ii) surrender, along with such written election, to the Corporation the certificate or certificates representing the Series 1 Shares being converted, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Corporation (or accompanied by duly executed share transfers relating thereto) or, if the certificate or certificates are lost, stolen or missing, accompanied by a statutory declaration as to loss executed by the holder. The conversion of such Series 1 Shares hereunder shall be deemed effective as of the date of surrender of such Series 1 Share certificate or certificates or delivery of such statutory declaration as to loss. Upon the receipt by the Corporation of a written election and the surrender of such certificate(s) and accompanying materials, the Corporation shall as promptly as practicable (but in any event within 15 days thereafter) deliver to the relevant holder: (x) a certificate in such holder’s name (or the name of such holder’s nominee as stated in the written election) for the number of Common Shares to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion of the applicable Series 1 Shares as calculated under Section 3(a) and, if applicable (y) a certificate in such holder’s for the number of Series 1 Shares represented by the certificate or certificates delivered to the Corporation for conversion but otherwise not elected to be converted under the written election. All shares issued hereunder by the Corporation shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
(b) Automatic Conversion
(i) | Each Series 1 Share shall be automatically converted into fully paid and nonassessable Common Shares, as provided herein, upon the date that is twelve (12) months from the date of closing of the first Qualified Public Offering by the Corporation (the “Automatic Conversion Date”). |
(ii) | On the Automatic Conversion Date, all outstanding Series 1 Shares shall be converted Common Shares without any further action by the relevant holder of such Series 1 Shares or the Corporation. As promptly as practicable (but in any event within 5 days thereafter), the Corporation shall send each holder of Series 1 Shares written notice of such event. Upon receipt of such notice, each holder shall surrender to the Corporation the certificate or certificates representing the Series 1 Shares being converted, duly assigned or endorsed for transfer to the Corporation (or accompanied by duly executed share transfers relating thereto) or, if the certificate or certificates are lost, stolen or missing, accompanied by a statutory declaration as to loss executed by the holder. Upon the receipt by the Corporation of the surrender of such certificate(s) and accompanying materials, the Corporation shall as promptly as practicable (but in any event within 15 days thereafter) deliver to the relevant holder a certificate in such holder’s name (or the name of such holder’s nominee as stated in the written election) for the number of Common Shares to which such holder shall be entitled upon conversion of the applicable Series 1 Shares. All Common Shares issued hereunder by the Corporation shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
(iii) | All Series 1 Shares converted as provided in this Section 3 shall no longer be deemed outstanding as of the effective time of the applicable conversion and all rights with respect to such Series 1 Shares shall immediately cease and terminate as of such time, other than the right of the holder to receive Common Shares in exchange therefor. |
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(c) Conversion Formula.
(i) | Subject to Section 3(c)(ii), the Series 1 Shares shall be convertible in accordance with Section 3(a) or 3(b) above into the number of Common Shares that results from dividing (X) the aggregate number of Common Shares being converted by (Y) the Conversion Price in effect at the time of conversion. |
(ii) | Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the Common Shares of the Corporation are listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange within six months of the Date of Issuance, the conversion formula set forth in Section 3(a)(a)(i) shall be adjusted such that the numerator (X) shall be the aggregate number of Common Shares being converted, multiplied by 0.6 and the denominator shall be (Y) the Conversion Price in effect at the time of conversion. |
(d) | Reservation of Common Shares. The Corporation shall, at all times when any Series 1 Shares are outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares, solely for the purpose of issuance upon the conversion of the Series 1 Shares, such number of Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Series 1 Shares, taking into account any adjustment to such number of shares so issuable in accordance with Section 3(h). |
(e) | Share Certificates. The issuance of certificates for Common Shares upon conversion of Series 1 Shares shall be made without payment of additional consideration by, or other charge, cost or tax to, the holder in respect thereof. |
(f) | Fractional Shares. No fractional Common Share shall be issued upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the number of Common Shares to be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share. |
(g) | Waiver. Except as otherwise set forth in the Articles, any of the rights, powers, preferences and other terms of the Series 1 Shares may be waived on behalf of all holders of Series 1 Shares by the affirmative written consent or vote of the Requisite Holders. |
(h) | Adjustment for Reclassification, Exchange and Substitution. If at any time, or from time to time after the Date of Issuance, the Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of the Series 1 Shares are changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of stock, whether by recapitalization, reclassification or otherwise (other than by a reorganization, merger, or consolidation provided for elsewhere in this Section 3), then in any such event each holder of Series 1 Shares shall have the right thereafter to convert such shares into the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property receivable upon such reclassification, exchange or substitution or other change by holders of the number of Common Shares into which such Series 1 Shares could have been converted immediately prior to such reclassification, exchange or change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof. |
(i) | Reorganizations, Mergers and Consolidations. If at any time, or from time to time, after the Date of Issuance, there is a reorganization of the Corporation (other than a reclassification, exchange or subdivision of shares provided for elsewhere in this Section 3) or a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another corporation, then, as a part of such reorganization, merger or consolidation, provision shall be made so that the holders of the Series 1 Shares thereafter shall be entitled to receive, upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares, the number of shares or other securities or property of the Corporation, or of such successor corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation, to which a holder of Common Shares deliverable upon conversion would have been entitled on such reorganization, merger or consolidation. In any such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions of this Section 3 with respect to the rights of the holders of Series 1 Shares after the reorganization, merger or consolidation to the end that the provisions of this Section 3 (including adjustment of the Conversion Price then in effect and number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 1 Shares) shall be applicable after that event and be as nearly equivalent to the provisions hereof as may be practicable. This Section 3(i) shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations, mergers and consolidations. |
B-4 |
EXHIBIT “C”
CERTIFICATE OF U.S. ACCREDITED INVESTOR
NOTE: THE PURCHASER SHOULD INDICATE BESIDE THE PORTION OF THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION APPLICABLE TO IT.
_____ (a) | A natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person’s spouse or spousal equivalent, at the time of his purchase exceeds U.S.$1,000,000. (Note: The value of an individual’s primary residence may not be included in this net worth calculation, and any indebtedness in excess of the value of an individual’s primary residence should be considered a liability and should be deducted from an individual’s net worth. In addition, any increase in the indebtedness secured by an individual’s primary residence within 60 days of his purchase should be considered a liability and should be deducted from an individual’s net worth.) |
_____ (b) | A natural person who had an individual income in excess of U.S.$200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person’s spouse or spousal equivalent in excess of U.S.$300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year. |
_____ (c) | Any director, executive officer or general partner of the issuer of the securities being offered or sold, or any director, executive officer or general partner of a general partner of that issuer. |
_____ (d) | A natural person who holds, in good standing, one of the following professional licenses: the General Securities Representative license (Series 7), the Private Securities Offerings Representative license (Series 82), or the Investment Adviser Representative license (Series 65). |
_____ (e) | A natural person who is a “knowledgeable employee,” as defined in Rule 3c-5(a)(4) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Company. |
_____ (f) | A bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the 1933 Act), or a savings and loan association or other institution (as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the 1933 Act), whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity. |
_____ (g) | A broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
_____ (h) | An investment adviser registered pursuant to Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or registered pursuant to the laws of a state or relying on the exemption from registering with the SEC under Section 203(l) or (m) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. |
_____ (i) | An insurance company (as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the 1933 Act). |
_____ (j) | An investment company registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
_____ (k) | A business development company (as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). |
_____ (l) | A Small Business Investment Company (licensed by the United States Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended). |
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_____ (m) | A Rural Business Investment Company as defined in Section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. |
_____ (n) | An employee benefit plan with total assets of more than U.S.$5 million, established and maintained by a state, a political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions. |
_____ (o) | Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of U.S.$5 million or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors. |
_____ (p) | A private business development company (as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended). |
_____ (q) | An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Notes, with total assets of more than U.S.$5 million. |
_____ (r) | A corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, limited liability company or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Notes, with total assets of more than U.S.$5 million. |
_____ (s) | Any trust, with total assets in excess of U.S.$5 million, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Notes, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) of Regulation D under the 1933 Act. |
_____ (t) | Any entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors (if this alternative is checked, you must identify above the category of U.S. Accredited Investor applicable to each equity owner – i.e., mark Owner#1, Owner#2, etc., next to the applicable U.S. Accredited Investor category for each owner). |
_____ (u) | An entity of a type not listed in clauses (f) through (t) above, that is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Notes and owns investments in excess of U.S.$5 million. For purposes of this clause, “investments” means investments as defined in Rule 2a51-1(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
_____ (v) | A family office, as defined in Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, that (i) has assets under management in excess of U.S.$5 million; (ii) is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Notes and (iii) has a person directing the prospective investment who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so that the family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment. |
_____ (w) | A family client, as defined in Rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, of a family office meeting the requirements of clause (v) above and whose prospective investment in the Company is directed by that family office pursuant to clause (v)(iii) above. |
C-2 |
PURCHASER: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
C-3 |
EXHIBIT “D”
Disclosure Letter
Section 3.5 - Capitalization
Convertible Securities
As at December 19, 2022, First Person Ltd. (the “Company”) has:
● | 615,000 stock options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares”) outstanding. | |
● | 500,620 warrants to purchase Common Shares outstanding. |
Evidence of Indebtedness
As at December 19, 2022, the Company has the following agreements, documents or instruments evidencing indebtedness:
● | Revenue Purchase Agreement dated October 6, 2022 between the Company and Pearl Beta Funding, LLC (the “Pearl Agreement”). | |
● | Financing and Security Agreement dated August 8, 2022 between First Person, Inc. and Celtic Bank Corporation (the “Celtic Agreement”). | |
● | Merchant Loan Agreement with WebBank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank (the “WebBank Agreement”). | |
● | Future Receipts Sale and Purchase Agreement dated December 19, 2022 between the Company and Cloudfund LLC (the “Cloudfund Agreement”). | |
● | Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated October 14, 2022, issued by the Company to certain vendors in connection with the acquisition of TruMed Limited (“TruMed Note”). |
Section 3.16 - Indebtedness
The Company, including each of its subsidiaries, has the following Indebtedness (as defined in the Purchase Agreement to which this Disclosure Letter is appended):
● | $183,746 outstanding under the Pearl Agreement. | |
● | $129,333 outstanding Celtic Agreement. | |
● | $343,862 outstanding under the WebBank Agreement. | |
● | $200,000 outstanding under the Cloudfund Agreement. | |
● | $70,000 outstanding under the TruMed Note. |
D-1 |
EXHIBIT “E”
Lock-Up Agreement
(see attached)
E-1 |
LOCK-UP
AGREEMENT
__________, 20__
First Person Ltd.
1840, 444 5th Ave. SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2P 2T8
Reference is made to the note purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated on or around the date hereof between First Person Ltd. (the “Company”) and the undersigned (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which the Purchaser agreed to purchase from the Company secured convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) convertible into common shares (the “Conversion Shares”) in the capital of the Company and as additional consideration for the purchase of the Notes, the Company will issue convertible preferred shares in the capital of the Company (the “Preferred Shares”) that are convertible into common shares (the “Preferred Conversion Shares”, and collectively with the Notes, the Conversion Shares and the Preferred Shares, the “Securities”) in the capital of the Company.
In recognition by the Purchaser that the Company is relying on the covenants of the Purchaser contained in this agreement (the “Lock-Up Letter Agreement”) in connection with its decision to consummate the transactions set out in the Purchase Agreement and that the execution and delivery of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement is a deliverable to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, lend, swap, or enter into any other agreement to transfer the economic consequences of, or otherwise dispose of or deal with, or publicly announce any intention to offer, sell, contract to sell, grant or sell any option to purchase, hypothecate, pledge, transfer, assign, purchase any option or contract to sell, lend, swap or enter into any agreement to transfer the economic consequences of, or otherwise dispose of or deal with, whether through the facilities of a stock exchange, by private placement or otherwise, any Securities held by the Purchaser, without, in each case, the prior written consent of the Company, until 90 days after the consummation of the initial public offering of the common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Lock-Up Period”).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, during the Lock-Up Period, the Purchaser may, without the consent of the Company, transfer, sell or tender any or all of the Securities pursuant to a take-over bid (as defined in the Securities Act (Alberta)) or any other transaction, including, without limitation, a merger, arrangement or amalgamation, involving a change of control of the Company (provided that all Securities not transferred, sold or tendered remain subject to the undertaking) and provided further that it shall be a condition of transfer that if such take-over bid or other transaction is not completed, any Securities subject to the undertaking shall remain subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.
The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and that, upon reasonable request of the Company, the Purchaser will execute any additional documents necessary or desirable in connection with the enforcement of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement. This Lock-Up Letter Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the Purchaser.
This Lock-Up Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
[Signature Page Follows]
E-2 |
Very truly yours, | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
E-3 |
Exhibit 4.5
CONVERTIBLE SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE
UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 4 MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE LATER OF (I) ________, 2023; AND (II) THE DATE THE COMPANY BECAME A REPORTING ISSUER IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY.
NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
FIRST PERSON LTD.
Convertible Secured Promissory Note
_________, 2023
Secured Note No. 2022–16 | USD$_________ |
This Convertible Secured Promissory Note (this “Promissory Note”) has been issued pursuant to Section 1 of the Convertible Secured Promissory Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of _______, 2023, by and between First Person Ltd., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the province of Alberta (the “Company”), and certain purchasers including the registered holder hereof (or such holder’s predecessor-in-interest). This Promissory Note is part of an offering of Convertible Secured Promissory Notes totaling in the aggregate principal amount of up to three million dollars (U.S. $3,000,000) (collectively with this Promissory Note, the “Notes”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
1. Term, Interest, Payment and Security.
1.1 Term, Interest and Payment: For value received, the Company hereby absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to the order of ______________ (the “Lender”), the principal amount of USD$____________ (the “Principal Amount”), in accordance with the following schedule: (i) fifty (50%) percent of the Principal Amount on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day after the date of the first Qualifying Transaction (as defined herein) occurring after the date hereof; and (ii) the remaining fifty (50%) percent of the Principal Amount on the earlier to occur of (a) the ninetieth (90th) calendar day after the date of the first Qualifying Transaction occurring after the date hereof, or (b) _______, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”). The Principal Amount may be prepaid at any time at the Company’s sole election without penalty. Interest on the Principal Amount outstanding and remaining from time to time unpaid, shall accrue commencing from the date hereof and continuing until payment in full of this Promissory Note or conversion as hereinafter provided, at the rate of eight (8.0%) percent per annum, if paid in cash. Interest shall be payable in cash on a quarterly basis on the last day of the quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31) commencing with the first quarter ending March 31, 2023 (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve, 30-day months. Principal and interest shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America, at 1225 S. Point View St., Los Angeles, CA 90035, or at such other place as the Lender may have designated from time to time in writing to the Company. Interest shall cease to accrue with respect to any Principal Amount converted, provided that, the Company actually delivers the Conversion Shares within the time period required by Section 3.2 herein.
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1.2 Payment in Kind: The Lender may elect, in its sole discretion, to have the interest payable on the Principal Amount to be paid-in-kind (the “PIK Interest”) by providing the Company with written notice not less than ten (10) days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date. In the event that the Lender makes an election for PIK Interest, the interest shall be calculated at a rate of ten (10%) percent per annum, and such PIK Interest shall be added to the outstanding Principal Amount on such Interest Payment Date. Any and all PIK Interest so added to the Principal Amount shall constitute and increase the Principal Amount for all purposes under this Promissory Note.
1.3 Meaning of Qualifying Transaction:
1.3.1 | For purposes of this Promissory Note, the term “Qualifying Transaction” shall mean a transaction pursuant to which the Company: |
(a) merges, amalgamates, merges or consolidates with or into any other company or business entity pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving entity and as a result of which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting securities as constituted immediately prior to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after such amalgamation, merger or consolidation;
(b) sells all or substantially all of its issued and outstanding Common Shares;
(c) completes an initial public offering of Common Shares or other going public transaction such as a reverse takeover transaction resulting in the listing of Common Shares of the Company or of successor of the Company being listed on a recognizable stock exchange in Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom; or
(d) in the course of which the Company issues and sells equity securities of the Company to bona fide investors for capital raising purposes for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of at least U.S.$3,000,000.00.
1.4 Security: The indebtedness owing under this Promissory Note shall be secured by all of the assets of the Company and First Person Inc. (the “Subsidiary”) in accordance with the general security agreements given by the Company and the Subsidiary to and in favor of the Purchasers (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) (collectively with the Lender, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”).
1.5 Seniority: The indebtedness evidenced by this Promissory Note and the payment of the principal, interest, fees, penalties or other amounts due or payable hereunder shall be Senior (as hereinafter defined) to, and have priority in right of payment over, all indebtedness of the Company, now outstanding or hereinafter incurred, other than (i) the indebtedness outstanding under the financing and security agreement dated August 8, 2022 between the Subsidiary and Celtic Bank Corporation, (ii) the indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the merchant loan agreement between Leiio Inc. and WebBank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank; and (iii) the indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the second amended and restated promissory note dated October 14, 2022 issued by the Company to certain vendors in connection with the acquisition of TruMed Limited. “Senior” as used herein shall be deemed to mean that, in the event of any default in the payment of the obligations represented by this Promissory Note (after giving effect to “cure” provisions, if any) or of any liquidation, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar proceedings relating to the Company, all sums payable on this Promissory Note shall first be paid in full, with interest, if any, before any payment is made upon any other indebtedness, now outstanding or hereinafter incurred, and, in any such event, any payment or distribution of any character which shall be made in respect of any other indebtedness of the Company, shall be paid over to the Lender (and other Holders of Notes) for application to the payment hereof, unless and until the obligations under this Promissory Note (which shall mean the Principal Amount and other obligations arising out of, premium, if any, interest on, and any costs and expenses payable under, this Promissory Note) shall have been paid and satisfied in full.
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2. Conversion of this Promissory Note.
2.1 Voluntary Conversion Right: This Promissory Note, including the outstanding Principal Amount under this Promissory Note, together with all applicable accrued and unpaid interest hereunder (the sum of such Principal Amount and such interest being hereinafter referred to as the “Amount Due and Payable”), shall be convertible, in whole or in part, into fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares”), at the option of the Lender (subject to the conversion limitations set forth in Section 2.4 hereof) and at a conversion price equal to USD$6.00 per Common Share, subject to adjustment (the “Conversion Price”).
2.2 Notice of Conversion: The Lender shall effect conversions by delivering to the Company a Notice of Conversion, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A (each, a “Notice of Conversion”), specifying therein the Principal Amount of this Promissory Note to be converted and the date on which such conversion shall be effected (such date, the “Conversion Date”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required. To effect conversions hereunder, the Lender shall not be required to physically surrender this Promissory Note to the Company. Conversions hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding Principal Amount of this Promissory Note in an amount equal to the applicable conversion. The Lender and the Company shall maintain records showing the Principal Amount(s) converted and the date of such conversion(s). In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, the records of the Lender shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. The Lender, and any assignee by acceptance of this Promissory Note, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of a portion of this Promissory Note, the unpaid and unconverted Principal Amount of this Promissory Note may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
2.3 Reservation of Common Shares: As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times a sufficient number of Common Shares for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Common Shares pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Promissory Note, and shall earmark such reserved shares to each Holder based on such Holder’s pro rata allocation of Applicable Conversion Shares. The Company covenants that all Common Shares that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and, if a registration statement covering the resale of the Applicable Conversion Shares is then effective under the 1933 Act, shall be registered for public resale in accordance with such registration statement.
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2.4 Holder’s Conversion Limitations: The Company shall not effect any conversion of this Promissory Note, and the Lender shall not have the right to convert any portion of this Promissory Note, to the extent that after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion, the Lender (together with the Lender’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Lender or any of the Lender’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the Lender and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of this Promissory Note with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of Common Shares which are issuable upon (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted principal amount of this Promissory Note beneficially owned by the Lender or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein (including, without limitation, any other Notes or the Warrants) beneficially owned by the Lender or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2.4, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2.4 applies, the determination of whether this Promissory Note is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by the Lender together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which principal amount of this Promissory Note is convertible shall be in the sole discretion of the Lender, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be the Lender’s determination of whether this Promissory Note may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by the Lender together with any Affiliates or Attribution Parties) and which principal amount of this Promissory Note is convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. To ensure compliance with this restriction, the Lender will be deemed to represent to the Company each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2.4, in determining the number of outstanding Common Shares, the Lender may rely on the number of outstanding Common Shares as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Company, or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent setting forth the number of Common Shares outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of the Lender, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Lender the number of Common Shares then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding Common Shares shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Promissory Note, by the Lender or its Affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding Common Shares was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Promissory Note held by the Lender. The Lender, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2.4, provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares upon conversion of this Promissory Note held by the Lender and the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2.4 shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2.4 to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation contained herein or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Promissory Note.
2.5 Certain Adjustments.
2.5.1 | The Conversion Price and number and kind of shares or other securities to be issued upon conversion shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening of certain events while this conversion right remains outstanding, as follows: |
(a) Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. If the Company at any time shall consolidate with or merge into or sell or convey all or substantially all its assets to any other entity, this Promissory Note, as to the outstanding principal portion thereof and accrued interest thereon, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the right to convert into such number and kind of shares or other securities and property as would have been issuable or distributable on account of such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, upon or with respect to the securities subject to the conversion right immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, or conveyance. The foregoing provision shall similarly apply to successive transactions of a similar nature by any such successor or purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the anti-dilution provisions of this Section shall apply to such securities of such successor or purchaser after any such consolidation, merger, sale, or conveyance.
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(b) Reclassification, etc. If the Company at any time shall, by reclassification or otherwise, change the Common Shares into the same or a different number of securities of any class or classes, this Promissory Note, as to the outstanding principal portion thereof and accrued interest thereon, shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the right to convert into an adjusted number of such securities and kind of securities as would have been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the Common Shares immediately prior to such reclassification or other change.
(c) Stock Splits, Combinations and Dividends. If the Common Shares are subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of Common Shares, or if a dividend is paid on the Common Shares in Common Shares, the Conversion Price shall be proportionately reduced in case of subdivision of shares or stock dividend or proportionately increased in the case of combination of shares, in each such case by the ratio which the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event bears to the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(d) Subsequent Equity Sales. If, at any time while this Promissory Note is outstanding, the Company sells or grants any option to purchase or sells or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announces any sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition), any Common Shares (other than in connection with the issuance of options or other compensation securities pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive plan, or the issuance of Common Shares or other securities in connection with the exchange, transfer, conversion or exercise rights of existing outstanding securities or existing commitments to issue securities) entitling any Person to acquire Common Shares at an effective price per share that is lower than the then Conversion Price (such lower price, the “Base Conversion Price” and such issuances, collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (if the holder of the Common Shares so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive Common Shares at an effective price per share that is lower than the Conversion Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Conversion Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance), then the Conversion Price shall be reduced to such lower Dilutive Issuance price. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Shares or Convertible Securities are issued. If the Company enters into a variable rate transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued Common Shares at the lowest possible conversion price at which such securities may be converted or exercised. The Company shall notify the Lender in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance of any Common Shares subject to this Section 2.5.1(d), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 2.5.1(d), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Lender is entitled to receive a number of Conversion Shares based upon the Base Conversion Price on or after the date of such Dilutive Issuance, regardless of whether the Lender accurately refers to the Base Conversion Price in the Notice of Conversion.
2.5.2 | No adjustments in the Conversion Price shall be required if such adjustment is less than U.S. $0.0001. All calculations under this Section 2.5 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. |
2.5.3 | Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any of Section 2.5, the Company shall promptly mail to the Lender a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiting such adjustment. |
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2.5.4 | If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on the Common Shares; (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Shares; (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights; (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Shares, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Shares are converted into other securities, cash or property; (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company; then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of any portion of the principal amount and interest outstanding under this Promissory Note, and shall cause to be mailed to the Lender at its last address as it shall appear upon the stock books of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Shares of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided, however, that the failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. |
2.5.5 | In addition to any other rights of the Lender set forth herein, in case of any (1) merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person that would constitute a Change of Control Transaction (as defined in herein), or (2) sale, directly or indirectly, by the Company of more than one-half of the assets of the Company (on an as valued basis) in one or a series of related transactions, or (3) tender or other offer or exchange (whether by the Company or another Person) pursuant to which holders of Common Shares are permitted to tender or exchange their Common Shares for other securities, stock, cash or property of the Company or another Person: then the Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to (A) convert the then aggregate amount of principal and interest outstanding under this Promissory Note into the shares of stock and other securities, cash, and property receivable upon or deemed to be held by holders of Common Shares following such merger, consolidation or sale, and the Lender shall be entitled upon such event or series of related events to receive such amount of securities, cash and property as the Common Shares into which such aggregate amount of principal and interest outstanding under this Promissory Note could have been converted immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or sale would have been entitled, (B) in the case of a merger or consolidation, (x) require the surviving entity to issue convertible debt with aggregate principal amount equal to the then aggregate amount of principal outstanding under this Promissory Note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts owing thereon, which convertible debt shall have terms identical (including with respect to conversion) to the terms of this Promissory Note and shall be entitled to all of the rights and privileges of the Lender as set forth herein and the agreements pursuant to which this Promissory Note was issued (including, without limitation, as such rights relate to the acquisition, transferability, registration and listing of such shares or other securities issuable upon conversion thereof), and (y) simultaneously with the issuance of such convertible debt, shall have the right to convert such debt only into shares and other securities, cash and property receivable upon or deemed to be held by holders of Common Shares following such merger or consolidation, or (C) in the event of an exchange or tender offer or other transaction contemplated by clause (3) of this Section, tender or exchange the then outstanding aggregate amount of principal and interest under this Promissory Note for such securities, stock, cash and other property receivable upon or deemed to be held by holders of Common Shares that have tendered or exchanged their Common Shares following such tender or exchange, and the Lender shall be entitled upon such exchange or tender to receive such amount of securities, cash and property as the Common Shares into which the then outstanding aggregate amount of principal and interest under this Promissory Note could have been converted (taking into account all then accrued and unpaid dividends) immediately prior to such tender or exchange. The terms of any such merger, sale, consolidation, tender or exchange shall include such terms so as to continue to give the Lender the right to receive the securities, cash and property set forth in this Section upon any conversion or redemption following such event. This provision shall similarly apply to successive such events. |
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3. Obligations Upon Issuance of Applicable Conversion Shares.
3.1 Applicable Conversion Shares. The Common Shares issuable pursuant to the conversion of this Promissory Note shall be referred to as the “Applicable Conversion Shares”. The number of Applicable Conversion Shares issuable upon a conversion hereunder shall be determined by the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the outstanding Amount Due and Payable, to be converted by (y) the Conversion Price.
3.2 Delivery of Applicable Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. Not later than two (2) Business Days after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Lender (A) the Applicable Conversion Shares representing the number of Applicable Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of a portion or all of this Promissory Note and (B) a bank check in the amount of accrued and unpaid interest or it may deliver such sum by wire transfer.
3.3 Confirmation of Promissory Note Repayment. Upon issuance of the Applicable Conversion Shares in the event of the conversion of the entire Amount Due and Payable pursuant to Section 2.1 herein, the Lender shall confirm to the Company in writing (e-mail being sufficient) that the Promissory Note has been paid in full and upon such confirmation the Company shall forthwith issue and deliver to the Lender book-entry statements evidencing the Applicable Conversion Shares.
3.4 Failure to Deliver Applicable Conversion Shares. If, in the case of any Notice of Conversion, such Applicable Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by the Lender by the Share Delivery Date, the Lender shall be entitled to elect by written notice to the Company at any time on or before its receipt of such Applicable Conversion Shares, to rescind such Conversion, in which event the Company shall promptly return to the Lender any original Promissory Note delivered to the Company and the Lender shall promptly return to the Company the Applicable Conversion Shares issued to such Lender pursuant to the rescinded Conversion Notice.
3.5 Obligation Absolute; Partial Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver the Applicable Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Promissory Note in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Lender to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by the Lender or any other Person of any obligation to the Company or any violation or alleged violation of law by the Lender or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Company to the Lender in connection with the issuance of such Applicable Conversion Shares; provided, however, that such delivery shall not operate as a waiver by the Company of any such action the Company may have against the Lender. In the event the Lender shall elect to convert any or all of the outstanding Principal Amount hereof, the Company may not refuse conversion based on any claim that the Lender or anyone associated or affiliated with the Lender has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Lender, restraining and or enjoining conversion of all or part of this Promissory Note shall have been sought and obtained, and the Company posts a surety bond for the benefit of the Lender in the amount of 125% of the outstanding Principal Amount of this Promissory Note, which is subject to the injunction, which bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of the underlying dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to the Lender to the extent it obtains judgment. In the absence of such injunction, the Company shall issue the Applicable Conversion Shares or, if applicable, cash, upon a properly noticed conversion. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Lender such Applicable Conversion Shares pursuant to Section 3.2 by the Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Lender, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Principal Amount being converted, $5 per Business Day (increasing to $15 per Business Day on the fifth (5th) Business Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Business Day after such Share Delivery Date until such Applicable Conversion Shares are delivered or Lender rescinds such conversion. Nothing herein shall limit the Lender’s right to pursue actual damages or declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5 hereof for the Company’s failure to deliver Applicable Conversion Shares within the period specified herein and the Lender shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief. The exercise of any such rights shall not prohibit the Lender from seeking to enforce damages pursuant to any other Section hereof or under applicable law.
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3.6 Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Applicable Conversion Shares Upon Conversion: In addition to any other rights available to the Lender, if the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Lender such Applicable Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to Section 3.2, and if after such Share Delivery Date the Lender is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Lender’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, Common Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Lender of the Applicable Conversion Shares which the Lender was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Lender (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by the Lender) the amount, if any, by which (x) the Lender’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the Common Shares so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of Common Shares that the Lender was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of the Lender, either reissue (if surrendered) this Promissory Note in a principal amount equal to the Principal Amount of the attempted conversion (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Lender the number of Common Shares that would have been issued if the Company had timely complied with its delivery requirements under Section 3.2. For example, if the Lender purchases Common Shares having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of this Promissory Note with respect to which the actual sale price of the Applicable Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall be required to pay the Lender $1,000. The Lender shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Lender in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit the Lender’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Applicable Conversion Shares upon conversion of this Promissory Note as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
3.7 No Fractional Shares: No fractional share shall be issued in connection with the issuance of the Applicable Conversion Shares.
3.8 Termination and Discharge. Upon the conversion or payment of all of the Amount Due and Payable under this Promissory Note and the issuance of Applicable Conversion Shares in respect of any conversion, this Promissory Note shall terminate and the Company shall be released and discharged by the Lender from all of the Company’s obligations and agreements hereunder. Further, the Lender shall execute and deliver all such documents as the Company may reasonably request to effect such release, discharge and reconveyance of security.
4. Required Lender Consent.
4.1 Amendment of Notes: Any term or provision contained in the Notes may be amended or waived pursuant to a written agreement signed by the Company and Lenders holding greater than fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding at such time (the “Required Lenders”). Neither this Promissory Note nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the Company and the Required Lenders.
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4.2 Additional Debt: While any portion of the Principal Amount is outstanding, the Company shall not, without the written consent of the Required Lenders, issue any additional debt that ranks pari passu with, or senior to, the Notes other than debt incurred in connection with acceptance of merchant-cash-advances or similar financing instruments, including under the Celtic Agreement, the WebBank Agreement, the Pearl Agreement and the Cloudfund Agreement, provided however, that such debt shall not be permitted to exceed $1,000,000 at any one point in time.
4.3 Limitations on Certain Transactions: While any portion of the Principal Amount is outstanding, the Company shall not, without the written consent of the Required Lenders (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld): (a) change the nature of the business of the Company; (b) sell, divest or change the structure of any material assets of the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; (c) enter into any variable rate transactions; or (d) accept any merchant-cash-advances or similar financing instruments in excess of $1,000,000 at any one point in time.
4.4 Most Favored Nation: While this Promissory Note or any Principal Amount, interest or fees or expenses due hereunder remain outstanding and unpaid, the Lender shall be entitled to accept the securities and terms of any Subsequent Financing and exercise the most favored nation right pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement.
5. Events of Default.
5.1 Meaning of the words “Event of Default”: The following shall constitute events of default (each individually an “Event of Default”):
5.1.1 | default in the payment, when due or payable, of an obligation to pay interest or principal under any of the Notes, which default is not cured by payment in full of the amount due within thirty (30) days from the date of such default in payment; |
5.1.2 | filing of a petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any proceedings under any bankruptcy laws by or against the Company, which filing or proceeding, is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after the filing or commencement thereof; |
5.1.3 | if any act, matter or thing is done by the Company toward the termination of, or any action or proceeding is launched or taken to terminate the corporate existence of the Company, whether by dissolution, liquidation, winding-up or otherwise; |
5.1.4 | failure of the Company to perform or observe any material covenant, term, provision, condition, agreement or obligation of the Company under this Promissory Note, if such failure continues uncured to the satisfaction of the Lender, acting reasonably, for a period of thirty (30) days after notice from the Lender of such failure. For greater certainty, the inclusion of any legend on Common Shares issued upon conversion of any Amount Due and Payable that is required pursuant to applicable securities laws shall not be considered an Event of Default); or |
5.1.5 | the issuance by the Company of any securities, other than securities issued pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, that include variable rate anti-dilution provisions. |
5.2 Continuing Event of Default: If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Required Lenders may, at their option, by written notice to the Company declare this Promissory Note and all other Notes issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement to be in default, at which point the Principal Amount outstanding on the date of such written notice shall increase to 125% of the Principal Amount then outstanding, and the interest rate shall increase to 15% or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law until such Event of Default is cured, if capable of being cured. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing without cure, at the end of each calendar month thereafter until the Event of Default has been cured, the Lender shall be entitled to sweep the cash received in the bank accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, as reasonably determined by the Lender and the Company, in an aggregate amount equal to 20% of the consolidated revenue of the Company and its subsidiaries during such calendar month (as determined by GAAP in the case of any dispute) (the “Revenue Sweep”). The Company agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and will provide such additional information as may reasonably be required to carry out this Section; it being understood that (x) the Company shall use its best efforts to request that any of the applicable banks agree to any deposit account control agreement that may reasonably be required by the Lender; and (y) the Required Lenders shall be entitled to appoint a Holder or third party to act as collateral agent to effect the Revenue Sweep, including by distributing the applicable consolidated revenue to the Holders on a pro-rata basis.
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6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Transfer of Note: In addition to the restrictions set forth in the lock-up agreement required to be delivered by the Lender pursuant to Section 8.4 of the Purchase Agreement, this Promissory Note may not be transferred or assigned without the Company’s prior written consent other than a transfer or assignment to an Affiliate of the Lender. As used herein, the term “Affiliate” means an entity that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Lender.
6.2 Certain Waivers: Except to the extent set out in this Promissory Note, the Company hereby expressly and irrevocably waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest and any other formalities of any kind.
6.3 Usury: If it shall be found that any interest outstanding hereunder shall violate applicable laws governing usury, the applicable rate of interest outstanding hereunder shall be reduced to the maximum permitted rate of interest under such law.
6.4 Entire Agreement. This Promissory Note and the Purchase Agreement executed by the Lender in respect of this Promissory Note by and between the Lender and the Company, together with all other instruments, documents, and agreements referred to in the Purchase Agreement, constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the Company and the Lender with respect to the subject matter hereof and replace all other agreements between the Company and the Lender with respect to these matters including, without limitation, the term sheet outlining proposed terms of this Promissory Note.
6.5 Currency. All references to currency in this Promissory Note are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.
6.6 Governing Law. This Promissory Note and all actions arising out of or in connection with this Promissory Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Alberta and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
6.7 Counterparts. This Promissory Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which is deemed an original, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. No counterpart of this Agreement shall be effective until each party has executed and delivered at least one counterpart. A counterpart may be delivered by facsimile, email attachment (of a PDF document), or other electronic means, including DocuSign, which shall be as effective as hand delivery of the original executed counterpart.
[Signature page follows below]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Convertible Secured Promissory Note has been duly executed on behalf of the undersigned, First Person Ltd., on the date first above written.
“COMPANY” | ||
FIRST PERSON LTD. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Darcy A. Campbell | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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The foregoing Convertible Secured Promissory Note is hereby accepted and agreed to by the undersigned on and as of the date first above written.
“LENDER” | |
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Exhibit 5.1
|
Dentons Canada LLP 15th Floor, Bankers Court 850-2nd
Street SW
dentons.com |
April 12, 2023
First
Person Ltd. 1840, 444 – 5th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 2T8 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with: (i) the issuance by First Person Ltd., a company existing under the laws of Alberta, Canada (the “Company”), of an aggregate of up to 1,150,000 common shares in the capital of the Company without par value, which includes up to 150,000 common shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares (the “Issuable Shares”); and (ii) the registration for resale of 2,301,564 common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Resale Shares”, and collectively with the Issuable Shares, the “Shares”), pursuant to its Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-264707) (as amended through the date hereof, the “Registration Statement”), which was filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), certain legal matters with respect to the Shares are being passed upon for the Company by us.
The opinions set forth herein relate only to certain matters regarding the Shares. In our capacity as your Canadian counsel in the connection referred to above, as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have examined the articles of incorporation of the Company, as amended to date, the underwriting agreement to be entered into between the Company and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments LLC, as sole representative of the several underwriters named in Schedule A thereto, relating to the sale of the Shares, which has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of corporate records of the Company, and certificates of public officials and of representatives of the Company, statutes and other instruments and documents and have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth.
In giving this opinion, we have relied, without independent investigation, on certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained in such certificates, and we have assumed, without independent investigation, that all signatures on documents we have examined are genuine, all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies of original documents conform to the original documents and all these original documents are authentic, and all information submitted to us is accurate and complete. We have also assumed that all Shares will be offered and sold in the manner described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that: (i) the Issuable Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and, when issued and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and (ii) the Resale Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
This opinion is limited in all respects to the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Yours truly,
(signed) “Dentons Canada LLP”
Dentons Canada LLP
Exhibit 10.11
Exhibit 23.1
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of First Person Ltd. on Form S-1, Amendment No. 5, File No. 333-264707 of our report dated April 12, 2023, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of First Person Ltd. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Costa Mesa, CA
April 12, 2023
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