AS
FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 31, 2024
REGISTRATION
NO. 333-279154
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO FORM S-1
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AGRIFORCE
GROWING SYSTEMS LTD.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British
Columbia
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Not
applicable.
I.R.S.
Employer Identification Number
3420
(Primary
Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
Vancouver,
BC, Canada |
|
V5Z
1C6 |
(Address
of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip
Code) |
(604)
757-0952
(Telephone
Number)
Jolie
Kahn, Esq.
12
E. 49th Street, 11th floor
New
York, NY 10017
(516)
217-6379
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number,
including
area code, of agent for service)
Copies
to:
Jolie
Kahn, Esq.
12
E. 49th Street, 11th floor
New
York, NY 10017
Phone:
(516) 217-6379
Fax:
(866) 705-3071
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If
the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check
the following box: ☐
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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plants, 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 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective
upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If
this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional
securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”,
“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated
filer ☐ |
|
Accelerated
filer ☐ |
|
Non-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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒
The
registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the
registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective
in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date
as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Securities and Exchange
Commission declares our registration statement effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting
an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS |
|
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION |
|
DATED
MAY 31, 2024 |
AGRIFORCE
GROWING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Common
Stock
This
prospectus related to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 35,778,875 shares of common stock of AgriFORCE Growing Systems,
Ltd. by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus. The number of shares offered for sale by the selling stockholders consists
of up to 35,778,875 shares of our common stock. We are not selling any shares of our common stock in this offering and we will
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders will
receive all of the proceeds from any sales of the shares of our common stock offered hereby. However, we will incur expenses in connection
with the registration of the shares of our common stock offered hereby. The selling stockholders may sell these shares through public
or private transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The timing and amount of any sale are
within the sole discretion of the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders and any underwriters, dealers or agents that participate
in distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any profit on sale of the securities by them and any discounts,
commissions or concessions received by any underwriter, dealer or agent may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. There can be no assurances that the selling stockholders will sell any or all of the securities offered under this
prospectus. For further information regarding the possible methods by which the shares may be distributed, see the section titled “Plan
of Distribution” beginning on page 44 of this prospectus.
Our
common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGRI” and our Series A Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq
Capital Market under the symbol “AGRI”. On May 30, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq
Capital Market was $0.12 per share.
You
should read this prospectus, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,”
carefully before you invest in any of our securities.
Investing
in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus for a
discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined
if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is , 2024.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
We
have not, and the selling stockholders have not, authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations
other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we have prepared and filed with the SEC. We and the selling
stockholders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may
give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under the circumstances and in jurisdictions where
it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date, regardless of the time of delivery
of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock. For investors outside of the United States: Neither we nor the selling stockholders
have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action
for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside of the United States who come into possession of this
prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of our common stock and
the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.
No
person is authorized in connection with this prospectus to give any information or to make any representations about us, the securities
offered hereby or any matter discussed in this prospectus, other than the information and representations contained in this prospectus
or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. If any other information or representation
is given or made, such information or representation may not be relied upon as having been authorized by us.
For
investors outside the United States: Neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession
or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You
are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.
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. Our management’s estimates have not been verified by any independent source, and
we have not independently verified any third-party information. In addition, 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.” These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions
and estimates. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
SUMMARY
This
summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in
making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related
free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained
in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the documents that are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus,
including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a component.
The
terms “AgriFORCE™,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” in this prospectus
refer to AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise.
This
summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in
making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, including the
risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the prospectus supplement and
any related free writing prospectus.
The
terms “AgriFORCE,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” in this prospectus
refer to AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise.
RESALE
PROSPECTUS
The
shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of
the Warrant, see below. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares
for resale from time to time. The Company shall receive no proceeds from this offering.
OUR
BUSINESS
Overview
AgriFORCE™
was incorporated as a private company by Articles of Incorporation issued pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act
(British Columbia) on December 22, 2017. The Company’s registered and records office address is at 800 – 525 West 8th
Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 1C6.
Our
Business
AgriFORCE™
is an “Ag-Tech” company with a primary focus to developing and utilizing our intellectual property assets for improvements
dedicated to the agricultural industry. We believe that this goal is best achieved by using our proprietary IP for solutions in the agricultural
industry as well as seeking development of new IP to both enhance the technology which we already retain in house as well as development
of new technologies which can increase our footprint in the Ag-Tech space with expansion into other areas which have ESG ramifications.
Our
AgriFORCE™ Brands division is focused on the development and commercialization of plant-based ingredients and products that deliver
more nutritious food. We will market and commercialize ingredient supplies, like our Awakened Flour™ and Awakened Grains ™.
The
AgriFORCE™ Solutions division is dedicated to transforming modern agriculture through our controlled environment agriculture (“CEA”)
equipment, including our FORCEGH+™” solution. We are continuing to modify our business plan to accommodate artificial intelligence
and blockchain in the development and implementation of FinTech systems to commercial farmers, and advancing on the commercialization
of our Hydroxyl clean room systems to greatly reduce the spread of pathogens, mold and disease at processing facilities worldwide.
AgriFORCE™
Brands
UN(THINK)™
Foods
The
Company purchased Intellectual Property (“IP”) from Manna Nutritional Group, LLC (“Manna”), a privately held
firm based in Boise, Idaho on September 10, 2021. The IP encompasses a granted patent to naturally process and convert grain, pulses
and root vegetables, resulting in low-starch, low-sugar, high-protein, fiber-rich baking flour as well as produces a natural sweetener
juice. The core process is covered under Patent Nr. 11,540,538 in the U.S. and key international markets. The all-natural process is
designed to unlock nutritional properties, flavors, and other qualities in a range of modern, ancient and heritage grains, pulses and
root vegetables to create specialized all-natural baking and all-purpose flours, sweeteners, juices, naturally sweet cereals and other
valuation products, providing numerous opportunities for dietary nutritional, performance and culinary applications.
During
the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has achieved milestones towards the commercialization of our UN(THINK) Awakened Flour™
flour, the Company’s first line of products to utilize the IP. Management has defined and tested its quality controls and safety
protocols for production, and produced several multi-ton batches of germinated grains, refining and scaling production processes with
our partners in Canada. We are also in the process of qualifying partners in the US to establish additional production hubs – at
no additional CAPEX - which will support growth and reduce logistics costs for customers in the region. Additionally, we have established
our supply chain logistics with a contracted shipping company and two warehouses in Canada and the US. Our commercial team made progress
in defining pricing and is starting to approach US and Canadian Bakeries and Baked Goods Companies who are now testing our new flours
for integration into their manufacturing operations and innovation pipeline. Online sales logistics and advertising materials were developed
during the period to support the establishment of the direct-to-consumer sales channel which will be started once the Business to Business
channel sales will ramp up. Lastly, the Company has developed an extensive number of recipes for the application of Awakened Flour™
product line for both customers and consumers.
The
Company is developing several finished product prototypes including a line of pancake mixes, which are ready for consumer testing.
Wheat
and Flour Market
Modern
diet is believed to be a contributor to health risks such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, due in part to the consumption
of highly processed foods that are low in natural fiber, protein and nutrition; and extremely high in simple starch, sugar and calories.
These “empty carbs” produce glycemic swings that may cause overeating by triggering cravings for food high in sugar, salt
and starch. As an example, conventional baking flour is low in natural fiber (~ 2-3%), low-to-average in protein (~ 9%), and very high
in starch (~ 75%)(4). Apart from dietary fiber, whole flour is only marginally better in terms of these macronutrients (5).
(4)
Based on protein, fiber, and starch content results from a nationally certified independent laboratory, as compared to standard all-purpose
flour.
(5)
https://www.soupersage.com/compare-nutrition/flour-vs-whole-wheat-flour
In
contrast, foods high in fiber help to satiate hunger, suppress cravings and raise metabolism(6). They also assist in weight
loss, lower cholesterol, and may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes(7).
Advantages
of the UN(THINK)™ Foods IP
Our
Controlled Enzymatic Reaction & Endothermic Saccharification with Managed Natural Germination (“CERES-MNG”) patented
process allows for the development and manufacturing of all-natural flours that are significantly higher in fibers, nutrients and proteins
and significantly lower in carbohydrates and calories than standard baking flour.
CERES-MNG
baking flour produced from soft white wheat has 40 times more fiber, three (3) times more protein and 75% less net carbohydrates than
regular all- purpose flour(8).
Source:
Independent analysis by Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Madison, Inc, February 2022
The
CERES-MNG patent will help develop new flours and products from modern, ancient and heritage grains, seeds, legumes and tubers/root vegetables.
(6)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14400-improving-your-health-with-fiber
(7)
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fiber-full-eating-for-better-health-and-lower-cholesterol-2019062416819
(8)
Based on protein, fiber, and starch content results from a nationally certified independent laboratory, as compared to standard all-purpose
flour.
Products
that AgriFORCE™ intends to develop for commercialization from the CERES-MNG patented process under the UN(THINK)™ foods brand:
|
- |
High protein, high fiber,
low carb modern, heritage and ancient grain flours (for use in breads, baked goods, doughs, pastry, snacks, and pasta) |
|
- |
Protein flours and protein
additives |
|
- |
High protein, high fiber,
low carb cereals and snacks |
|
- |
High protein, high fiber,
low carb oat based dairy alternatives |
|
- |
Better tasting, cleaner
label, high protein, high fiber, low carb nutrition bars |
|
- |
High protein, high fiber,
low carb nutrition juices |
|
- |
Sweeteners – liquid
and granulated |
|
- |
High protein, high fiber,
low carb pet foods and snacks |
We
intend to commercialize these products behind three (2) main sales channels:
|
- |
Branded ingredients (B2B) |
|
- |
Consumer branded products
(B2B and B2C) |
Successful
commercialization of premium specialized products from the UN(THINK)™ foods IP and the capture of a small percentage share of the
category is a notable business opportunity for AgriFORCE™.
| |
Breads & Bakery (2) | | |
Whole Wheat Flours (1) | | |
Pulse Flours (3) | | |
Dairy Alternatives | | |
Cereal Bars (4) | | |
Total | |
Global market size of target categories | |
$ | 235B | | |
$ | 72B | | |
$ | 19B | | |
$ | 23B | | |
$ | 23B | | |
| | |
Potential market share | |
| 0.1 | % | |
| 0.2 | % | |
| 1 | % | |
| 0.01 | % | |
| 0.01 | % | |
| | |
AgriFORCE™ potential net revenues | |
$ | 200M | | |
$ | 140M | | |
$ | 190M | | |
$ | 20M | | |
$ | 20M | | |
$ | 560M | |
Sources:
Future Market Insights Reports, June 2022 (2), October 2022 (1), January 2023 (3) and October 2022 (4), .
To
produce the UN(THINK)™ power wheat flour, we are using our patented process to develop a new germinated whole grain wheat flour,
which we have qualified and made available for sale through November 2023 in Canada and the USA, under the UN(THINK)™ Awakened
Flour™ brand. This new Awakened Grains™ flour – available in 3 types: hard white wheat and hard red wheat for breads
and soft white wheat for bakery and pastries – will provide enhanced nutrition with over five times more fiber, up to two times
more protein and 23% less net carbs versus conventional all-purpose flour (source: Eurofins Food Chemistry Madison, Inc, December 2022).
GROWTH
PLAN
AgriFORCE™’s
organic growth plan is to actively establish and deploy the commercialization of products in four distinct phases:
PHASE
1 (COMPLETED):
|
● |
Product and process testing
and validation. (completed) |
|
● |
Filing of US and international
patents. (completed) |
|
● |
Creation of the UN(THINK)™
foods brand. (completed) |
|
● |
Qualification and operational
and commercial set up of the Awakened Grains™ line of products. (completed) |
PHASE
2:
|
● |
Launch of the
UN(THINK)™ Awakened Flour™ lightly germinated flour range of products in business to business (“B2B”) channel.
(completed) |
|
● |
Develop range of finished
products behind the wheat grain flours, qualify patented process for pulse/legume, and rice-based protein flours |
|
● |
Drive business as ingredients
for bakery, snack and plant-based protein products manufacturers. |
|
● |
Develop relationships with
universities, nonprofit organizations and civic organizations focused on health in underserved communities to research impact of
patented flour on nutrition. |
PHASE
3:
|
● |
Develop range of finished
products behind the wheat grain flours, qualify patented process for pulse/legume, and rice-based protein flours. |
|
● |
Drive business as ingredients
for bakery, snack and plant-based protein products manufacturers. |
|
● |
Develop manufacturing base
through partnerships and licensing. |
PHASE
4:
|
● |
Expand product range in US/Canada. |
|
● |
Expand business to other geographies internationally. |
AgriFORCE
Solutions
Understanding
Our Approach –Bringing Cutting Edge Technology to Enhance and Modernize Agriculture
Traditional
farming includes three fundamental approaches: outdoor, greenhouse and indoor. We are taking modern technologies such as artificial intelligence
(“AI”) and blockchain–based advances to bring what is traditionally a low technology industry into the 21st century.
This approach means that we are able to reach into areas not readily available to agricultural businesses in the past, such as advanced
Fintech to enhance financing capabilities for these businesses and more readily provide advanced intelligence for farmers. These technologies
can also be applied to worldwide sourcing and matching food producers to consumers in an efficient manner.
Our
intellectual property combines a patented uniquely engineered facility design and automated growing system to solve excessive water loss
and high energy consumption, two problems plaguing nearly all controlled environment agriculture systems. FORCEGH+ delivers a patented
clean, sealed, self-contained micro-environment that maximizes natural sunlight and offers supplemental LED lighting. It limits human
intervention and is designed to provide superior quality control through AI optical technology. It was also created to drastically reduce
environmental impact, substantially decrease utility demands, conserving water, while delivering customers daily harvests and higher
crop yields.
The
Ag-Tech sector is severely underserved by the capital markets, and we see an opportunity to acquire global companies who have provided
solutions to the industry and are leading innovation moving forward. The robustness of our engagement with potential targets has confirmed
our belief and desire to be part of a larger integrated Ag-Tech solutions provider, where each separate element of the business has its
existing legacy business and can leverage across areas of expertise to expand their business footprint.
The
Company intends to continue development and license its technology to existing farmers in the plant based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical,
and high value crop markets using its unique patented facility design and hydroponics based automated growing system that enable farmers
to effectively grow crops in a sealed controlled environment (“FORCEGH+™”). The Company has designed FORCEGH+™
facilities to produce crops in virtually any environmental condition and to optimize crop yields to as near their full genetic potential
possible while substantially eliminating the need for the use of pesticides, fungicides and/or irradiation. The Company continues to
develop its solution for fruits and vegetables focusing on the integration of its current structure with a new form of vertical grow
technology.
BUSINESS
PLAN
The
Company will launch a full line up of Hydroxyl Devices and start commercializing the Hydroxyl Devises into the US market of CEA and Food
Manufacturing. The Company will identify and establish exclusive distribution agreement for the EMEA region as well Expand Distribution
Network into Latin America and Asia. The Company will also advance on the commercialization of our Hydroxyl clean room systems to greatly
reduce the spread of pathogens, mold and disease at processing facilities worldwide.
The
Company is exploring opportunities to utilize its patented FORCEGH+™ structure and its related technologies in joint ventures and
licensing. The Company is also studying the utilization of FORCEGH+ technologies in arctic, tropical and desert environments. The Company
intends to continue development of and license of its technology to existing farmers in the plant based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical,
and high value crop markets using its unique patented facility design and hydroponics based automated growing system that enable farmers
to effectively grow crops in a sealed controlled environment (“FORCEGH+™”).
The
Company also looks to expand its efforts into development of blockchain solutions and the implementation of these solutions into FinTech
systems to allow quicker and less costly transactions between commercial farmers.
The
Company is exploring opportunities to utilize its patented FORCEGH+™ structure and its related technologies in joint ventures and
licensing. The Company is also studying the utilization of FORCEGH+ technologies in arctic, tropical and desert environments and artificial
intelligence and blockchain in the development and implementation of FinTech systems to commercial farmers, and advancing on the commercialization
of our Hydroxyl clean room systems to greatly reduce the spread of pathogens, mold and disease at processing facilities worldwide.
The
AgriFORCE Clean Solutions
The
Company’s Solutions division is charged with the commercialization of our FORCEGH+ technology and our RCS clean room systems. The
Company has also begun to advance its initiative to integrate blockchain in the development and implementation of FinTech systems for
commercial farmers.
We
have a worldwide license to commercialize the proprietary hydroxyl generating devices of Radical Clean Solutions, Inc. (“RCS”)
for the CEA and food manufacturing industries. The RCS technology is a product line consisting of patent-pending “smart hydroxyl
generation systems” focused on numerous industry verticals that is proven to eliminate 99.99+% of all major pathogens, virus, mold,
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and allergy triggers(8).
On
October 1, 2023, the Company signed a definitive agreement to purchase a 14% ownership stake in RCS.
The
Company generated its first revenue from the sale of RCS devices in late 2023. During 2023, the Company signed an exclusive distribution
agreement with a leading distributor of air conditioning and heating solutions in Mexico for the representation and sale of the AgriFORCE/RCS
hydroxyl generating devices for greenhouses and food manufacturing facilities for the territory of Mexico. The first products were delivered
in October 2023 pursuant to purchase orders for the products.
The
Company will continue to expand sales into Mexico through its distributor, Commercializadora DESICO. Based on its sale into the poultry
industry in Mexico, the Company is expanding its distribution of its Clean System solutions into other Latin American markets and the
United States.
(8)
BCI Labs, Gainesville Florida, February 2022; and various institutional studies.
BUSINESS
PLAN
2024
|
● |
Continue introduction
into the Mexico market with our exclusive distributor |
|
● |
Identify and set up exclusive
distribution agreements for the EMEA region |
|
● |
Start commercializing the
Hydroxyl Devices into the US market of CEA and Food Manufacturing |
|
● |
Launch full line up of
Hydroxyl Devices : in-Duct HVAC unit, Portable Industrial QuadPro Unit, Small Rooms Wall-Mount unit |
2025
|
● |
Expand Distribution Network
into Latin America and Asia. |
Merger
and Acquisition (“M&A”)
The
Company plans to evaluate accretive M&A opportunities of an appropriate scale as it progresses with its ongoing business plans surrounding
its already owned IP and improvements thereto. Any M&A propositions must be of a size and scale which works to complement the Company’s
ongoing business in terms of allocation of resources.
The
Company intends to focus any M& A activity to targets which are focused in the Ag-Tech space with emphasis on businesses which can
also increase our ESG footprint. This refocused M&A strategy will ensure that proper personnel and economic resources are allocated
to the Company’s ongoing businesses, while refocusing efforts on synergistic opportunities which work to enhance the Company’s
existing assets.
As
a result of this refocus of the M&A strategy, the following formerly considered acquisition opportunities are no longer being considered
by the Company:
Delphy
Groep BV Acquisition
|
● |
On February
10, 2022, the Company signed a definitive share purchase agreement (the “Delphy Agreement”) to acquire Delphy, a Netherlands-based
Ag-Tech consultancy firm, for €23.5 million through a combination of cash and stock. |
|
● |
On May 25, 2023, the parties
mutually terminated the share purchase agreement after extensive due diligence, an evaluation of the historical and projected financial
information, potential for impairment risk as well as current market conditions. |
Deroose
Plants NV Binding Letter of Intent
|
● |
On February 23, 2022, the
Company signed a binding letter of intent (the “Deroose LOI”) with Deroose Plants NV (“Deroose”). |
|
● |
The Deroose LOI was subject
to completion of standard due diligence and entry into a definitive purchase agreement. |
|
● |
The Company is no longer
pursuing this acquisition opportunity. |
Stronghold
Land Acquisition
|
● |
On August 30,
2022, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) with Stronghold Power Systems, Inc. (“Stronghold”)
to purchase approximately 34 acres of land in Coachella California. |
|
● |
As at March 31, 2023 the
prefunded warrants issued were rescinded and the warrants were rendered null and void as the Company presented termination notice
to Stronghold. |
|
● |
On October 12, 2023, the
Company was served a complaint filed in the Superior Court of California from Stronghold for breach of contract in relation to the
PSA. The Company denies any liability, other than what is already recorded in the financial statements and will vigorously defend
the claims made against the Company. |
Berry
People LLC Binding Letter of Intent
|
● |
On January 24, the Company
announced it has entered a binding letter of intent (“BP LOI”) to acquire Berry People LLC, (“Berry People”). |
|
● |
The Company is no longer
pursuing this acquisition opportunity. |
Corporate
Structure
The
Company currently has the following wholly-owned subsidiaries, which perform the following functions – AgriFORCE Investments holds
the Company’s U.S. investments, West Pender Holdings retains real estate assets, West Pender Management is a management company,
AGI IP holds the Company’s intellectual property in the U.S., un(Think) Food Company will manufacture food products in the U.S.
and un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd. manufactures food products in Canada:
Name
of Subsidiary |
|
Jurisdiction
of Incorporation |
|
Date
of Incorporation |
AgriFORCE Investments Inc.
(US) |
|
Delaware |
|
April 9, 2019 |
West Pender Holdings, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
|
September 1, 2018 |
AGI IP Co. |
|
Nevada |
|
March 5, 2020 |
West Pender Consulting Company* |
|
Nevada |
|
July 9, 2019 |
un(Think) Food
Company |
|
Nevada |
|
June 20, 2022 |
un(Think) Food Company Canada
Ltd.** |
|
British Columbia |
|
December 4, 2019 |
AgriFORCE Europe BV*** |
|
Belgium |
|
March 29, 2023 |
AgriFORCE Belgium BV*** |
|
Belgium |
|
March 29, 2023 |
GrowForce BV*** |
|
Belgium |
|
June 19, 2023 |
AgriFORCE (Barbados) Ltd.*** |
|
Barbados |
|
October 14, 2022 |
* |
West Pender Consulting
Company changed its name from West Pender Management Co. on August 1, 2022. |
** |
un(Think) Food Company
Canada Ltd. changed its name from Daybreak AG Systems Ltd. on August 19, 2022. |
*** |
Entities have been dissolved. |
Summary
Three Year History
From
the date of Incorporation (December 22, 2017) to the date of this filing, the Company has largely been engaged in completion of its initial
corporate organization, assembling its management team, completing the design and engineering of its IP and filing the appropriate intellectual
property protection and taking the initial steps to implement its business plan through the commencement of initial operations. Significant
milestones during the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
|
● |
On February
18, 2022, the Company signed a license agreement with Radical Clean Solutions Ltd (“Radical”), a New York corporation
that has developed a patent pending product line consisting of smart hydroxyl generation systems to eliminate 99.99+% of all pathogens,
virus, mold, volatile organic compounds and allergy triggers, to commercialize the proprietary hydroxyl generating devices within
the CEA and food manufacturing industries. The license grants the rights to AgriFORCE™ in perpetuity as well as joint patent
ownership rights for application in CEA. |
|
|
|
|
● |
On May 18, 2022, the Company
completed the acquisition of the food processing intellectual property of Manna Nutritional Group (Manna). |
|
|
|
|
● |
On January 3, 2023, the
Manna patent, which encompasses a process to naturally convert grain, pulses and root vegetables, resulting in low-starch, low-sugar,
high-protein, fiber-rich baking flour as well as produces a natural sweetener juice, was approved by the US Patents Office and the
title was transferred to the Company. |
|
|
|
|
● |
On October 18, 2023, the
Company delivered its first shipment of hydroxyl generating devices. |
Financing
On
June 30, 2022, the Company entered into security purchase agreements with certain accredited investors (the “Debenture Investors”)
for the purchase of $14,025,000 in convertible debentures (the “First Tranche Debentures”) due December 31, 2024. The Debentures
were convertible into common shares at $111.00 per share. The Convertible Debt Investors had the right to purchase additional tranches
of $5,000,000 each, up to a total additional principal amount of $33,000,000. In addition, the Debenture Investors received 82,129 warrants
at a strike price of $122.10, which expire on December 31, 2025 (the “First Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Debenture Warrants
and Debentures each have down round provisions whereby the conversion and strike prices will be adjusted downward if the Company issues
equity instruments at lower prices.
On
January 17, 2023, the Debenture Investors purchased additional tranches totaling $5,076,923 (the “Second Tranche Debentures”)
and received 53,226 warrants (the “Second Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Second Tranche Debentures and Debenture Warrants
were issued with an exercise price of $62.00 and expire on July 17, 2025. The issuance of the additional tranches triggered the down
round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First Tranche Debentures and the First Tranche Debenture Warrants to $62.00.
On
June 20, 2023 the Company issued 20,000 common shares with 20,000 warrants via a private placement for consideration of $250,000.
During
the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued 124,652 common shares for cash under the ATM agreement for net proceeds of $939,695.
The issuance triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well as
the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $5.50.
On
October 18, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures (the “Third
Tranche Debentures”) and received 620,230 warrants (the “Third Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Third Tranche Debentures
and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $2.62 and expire on April 18, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche
further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well as the First
and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $2.62.
On
November 30, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fourth
Tranche Debentures”) and received 1,986,112 warrants (the “Fourth Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Fourth Tranche
Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.90 and expire on May 30, 2027. The issuance of the additional
tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second and Third Tranche Debentures as
well as the First, Second and Third Tranche Debenture Warrants to $0.90.
On
February 21, 2024, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fifth
Tranche Debentures”) and received 3,341,122 warrants (the “Fifth Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Fifth Tranche Debentures
and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214 and expire on August 21, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche
triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures and the
First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $0.214.
On
April 11, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $550,000 in convertible debentures (the “Sixth Tranche Debentures”)
and received 2,193,253 warrants (the “Sixth Tranche Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.163 and $0.18, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche
Warrants to $0.163.
On
May 22, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $833,000 in convertible debentures (the “Seventh Tranche Debentures”)
and received 5,414,500 warrants (the “Seventh Tranche Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.10 and $0.11, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth
and Six Tranche Warrants to $0.10.
The
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth , Sixth and Seventh Tranche Debentures (the “Debentures”) have an interest rate
of 5% for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will be made in 25
equal installments which began on September 1, 2022 for the First Tranche Debentures, July 1, 2023 for the Second Tranche Debentures,
January 1, 2024 for the Third Tranche Debentures, May 1, 2024 for the Fourth Tranche Debentures, August 1, 2024 for the Fifth
Tranche Debentures, October 1, 2024 for the Sixth Tranche Debentures and November 1, 2024 for the Seventh Tranche Debentures. The Debentures may be extended by nine months at the election of the Company by paying a sum equal
to nine months interest on the principal amount outstanding at the end of the 18th month, at the rate of 8% per annum.
All
financings per the above were issued in private placement transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
Intellectual
Property
In
accordance with industry practice, the Company protects its proprietary products, technology and its competitive advantage through a
combination of contractual provisions and trade secret, copyright and trademark laws in Canada, the United States and in other jurisdictions
in which it conducts its business. The Company also has confidentiality agreements, assignment agreements and license agreements with
employees and third parties, which limit access to and use of its intellectual property.
Patents
Patent
Application # |
|
Application
Date |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Title |
|
Case
Status |
|
Country |
2001/2096 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
Barbados |
3151492 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
Canada |
202080073940.7 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
China |
20858811.1 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
European Patent Office |
TT/A/2022/00024 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Abandoned (p) |
|
Trinidad & Tobago |
11528859 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Registered |
|
United States |
17/983109 |
|
08-Nov-2022 |
|
|
|
AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Application allowed |
|
United States |
PCT/CA2023/051251 |
|
21-Sep-2023 |
|
|
|
PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANTS USING CLONE TO
FLOWER MODEL |
|
Pending |
|
Patent Cooperation Treaty |
2018215090 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND
POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Application allowed |
|
Australia |
3051860 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND
POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
Canada |
18747157.8 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
|
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND
POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
European Patent Office |
201917032603 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
|
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND
POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
India |
755792 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND
POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
New Zealand |
11540538 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR, SWEETENED
LIQUID, SWEETENERS, CEREALS, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Registered |
|
United States |
17/963690 |
|
11-Oct-2022 |
|
|
|
HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR, SWEETENED
LIQUID, SWEETENERS, CEREALS, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Application filed |
|
United States |
2001/2057 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Pending |
|
Barbados |
3132672 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Granted |
|
Canada |
CN202080033944.2 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
|
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Pending |
|
China |
20765629.9 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Pending |
|
European Patent Office |
TT/A/2021/00093 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
|
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Abandoned (p) |
|
Trinidad & Tobago |
11582918 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Registered |
|
United States |
18/096417 |
|
12-Jan-2023 |
|
|
|
STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Application allowed |
|
United States |
Trademarks
Application
# |
|
Application
Date |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Title |
|
Case
Status |
|
Country |
1997835 |
|
26-Nov-2019 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
In examination |
|
Canada |
018243244 |
|
22-May-2020 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
Registered |
|
European Union Intellectual Property Office |
UK00918243244 |
|
22-May-2020 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
Registered |
|
United Kingdom |
88/930218 |
|
22-May-2020 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
2044675 |
|
07-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
FORCEFILM |
|
TM Application filed |
|
Canada |
018389838 |
|
04-Feb-2021 |
|
|
|
FORCEFILM |
|
Registered |
|
European Union Intellectual Property Office |
90/124842 |
|
19-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
FORCEFILM |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
2127781 |
|
18-Aug-2021 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
TM Application filed |
|
Canada |
018572674 |
|
06-Oct-2021 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
Application filed |
|
European Union Intellectual Property Office |
1669126 |
|
18-Feb-2022 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
Pending |
|
Madrid Protocol (TM) |
90/897689 |
|
23-Aug-2021 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
2196090 |
|
06-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
C2F |
|
TM Application filed |
|
Canada |
97/495313 |
|
08-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
C2F |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
2198964 |
|
20-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED GRAINS |
|
TM Application filed |
|
Canada |
97/527128 |
|
29-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED GRAINS |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
2207782 |
|
02-Sep-2022 |
|
|
|
FORCEGH+ |
|
Approved |
|
Canada |
97/605026 |
|
23-Sep-2022 |
|
|
|
FORCEGH+ |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
2243222 |
|
02-Mar-2023 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED FLOUR |
|
TM Application filed |
|
Canada |
1752858 |
|
01-Sep-2023 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED FLOUR |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid Protocol (TM) |
97/824500 |
|
06-Mar-2023 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED FLOUR |
|
Suspended |
|
United States |
TMA1175334 |
|
24-Jan-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
Canada |
UK00801504091 |
|
24-Jul-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
United Kingdom |
1504091 |
|
24-Jul-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid Protocol (TM) |
6197554 |
|
24-Jul-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
United States |
UK00801494234 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
CANIVATE |
|
Registered |
|
United Kingdom |
1494234 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
CANIVATE |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid Protocol (TM) |
6191972 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
CANIVATE |
|
Registered |
|
United States |
UK00801494231 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
THE CANIVATE WAY |
|
Registered |
|
United Kingdom |
1494231 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
THE CANIVATE WAY |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid Protocol (TM) |
6182017 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
THE CANIVATE WAY |
|
Registered |
|
United States |
Competitor
Comparison and Differentiation
Solutions
The
Company believes that it has no direct competitors who provide a proprietary facility design and automated grow system as well as a system
of operational processes designed to optimize the performance of the Company’s grow houses. On a broader basis, the competitive
landscape includes greenhouse vendors, agriculture systems providers, automated grow system vendors, and system/solutions consultants.
The
Company believes it has developed one of the world’s most technologically advanced indoor agriculture systems by focusing on competitive
differentiators to deliver vastly improved results beyond conventional indoor approaches. By conceiving new IP, as well as utilizing
tried trued tested existing Ag-Tech and Bio-Tech solutions, the Company delivers integrated unique architectural design, intelligent
automation and advanced growing processes to create precisely controlled growing environments optimized for each nominated crop variety.
These precision ecosystems should enable the Company to cost-effectively produce the cleanest, greenest and most flavorful produce, as
well as consistent medical-grade plant-based nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, available.
The
Company believes that is has the rights to one of the world’s most effective and safe purification solutions via its license and
ownership in Radical Clean Solutions. The Company understands that it has competition, however, the quality of the construction and design
of the Radical Clean Solutions has proven to highly effective for the Company’s customers.
Brands
Our
patented technology naturally processes and converts grains, pulses, and root vegetables into low-starch, low-sugar, high-protein fiber-rich
baking flour products. The Company is developing a range of consumer products to transform the consumers’ diet in multiple verticals.
The
Company’s UN(THINK)™ power flour has 40 times more fiber, 3 times more protein, and 75% less net carbs than regular all-purpose
flour8.
(8)
Based on protein, fiber, and starch content figures from a nationally certified independent laboratory, as compared to standard all-purpose
flour.
Recent
Developments
Management
Restructuring
On
July 18, 2023, the Company announced a restructuring of management. Ingo Mueller departed from his position as CEO and Chair of the Board.
Richard Wong was concurrently appointed as interim CEO, and David Welch and John Meekison each assumed the role of Co-Chair of the Board.
Ingo Mueller served as a director of the Company until the shareholder meeting dated September 27, 2023 at which time he was not re-elected
and ceased to serve as a director. On November 10, 2023, David Welch was appointed Board Chair. The Company is currently evaluating options
regarding the appointment of a fulltime CEO.
On
January 25, 2024, Troy McClellan , President of AgriFORCE Solutions, submitted a letter of resignation to the Company. On January 25,
2024, the Company accepted his resignation and deemed it effective immediately pursuant to Section 7.3 of his employment agreement with
the Company which permits waiver by the Company of Mr. McClellan’s notice period (through March 31, 2024) and corresponding acceleration
of the resignation date.
On
February 10, 2024, Richard Wong resumed his original role as Chief Financial Officer in order to focus on finance and accounting matters
for the Company. Effective as of the same day, Jolie Kahn was appointed Executive Turnaround Consultant to support the Company’s
operational growth and expansion efforts. Jolie Kahn shall report to David Welch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company,
who shall act as Executive Chairman until such time as a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed.
On
February 19, 2024, Margaret Honey resigned as a Director of the Company to pursue other interests. The resignation is
not the result of any disagreement with the Company.
Employees
As
of May 31, 2024, the Company has seven (7) employees and three (3) consultants /contractors. The Company also relies on consultants
and contractors to conduct its operations. The Company anticipates that it will be hiring additional employees to support its planned
activities.
Operations
The
Company primary operating activities are in Idaho, USA and Saskatoon, Canada. The Company’s head office is located in Vancouver,
Canada.
Status
as an Emerging Growth Company
On
April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that
an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging
growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.
We have irrevocably elected to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting
standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for private companies.
We
are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS
Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company,” we intend to rely on certain
of these exemptions from, without limitation, (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls
over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted
by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s
report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We
will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (a) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary
of the closing of this offering, (b) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (c)
the last day of our fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act (which would occur if the market value of our equity securities that is held by non-affiliates
exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter), or (d) the date on which we have
issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the preceding three-year period.
Corporate
Information
AgriFORCE™
Growing Systems Ltd. was incorporated as a private company by Articles of Incorporation issued pursuant to the provisions of the Business
Corporations Act (British Columbia) on December 22, 2017. The Company currently leases office space at 2233 Colombia Street, Suite 300,
Vancouver, B.C., V5Y 0M6 as its principal office. The Company believes the office is in good condition and satisfy its current operational
requirements. On February 13, 2018, the Company changed its name from 1146470 B.C. Ltd to Canivate Growing Systems Ltd. On November 22,
2019 the Company changed its name from Canivate Growing Systems Ltd. to AgriFORCE™ Growing Systems Ltd.
Use of proceeds |
|
We
are not selling any shares of our common stock in this offering and we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares
of our common stock by the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from any sales of the
shares of our common stock offered hereby. |
|
|
|
Dividend policy |
|
We
have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and future
earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends
in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.” |
|
|
|
Risk factors |
|
You
should read the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 14 and the other information included in this prospectus for
a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to invest in shares of our Class A common stock |
|
|
|
Market Symbol and trading |
|
Our
common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGRI” and our Series A Warrants under the symbol
“AGRIW”. |
RISK
FACTORS
Investing
in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should consider carefully the risks, uncertainties
and all risk factors set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
including the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2023 and each subsequent filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which may
be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by the other reports we file with the SEC in the future.
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Such statements include statements regarding our expectations, hopes, beliefs or intentions
regarding the future, including but not limited to statements regarding our market, strategy, competition, development plans (including
acquisitions and expansion), financing, revenues, operations, and compliance with applicable laws. Forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such statement. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include the risks described in greater detail in the following
paragraphs. All forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to us as of
the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Market data used throughout this prospectus is
based on published third party reports or the good faith estimates of management, which estimates are based upon their review of internal
surveys, independent industry publications and other publicly available information.
You
should review carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” within this prospectus for a discussion of these and other risks
that relate to our business and investing in shares of our Common Stock.
All
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise these statements
unless required by law, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans,
intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are reasonable, we
can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. We disclose important factors that could cause our
actual results to differ materially from our expectations under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. These cautionary
statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
Risks
Relating to the Company’s Business
The
Company is an early stage company with little operating history, a history of losses and the Company cannot assure profitability.
The
Company currently has little revenues and does not have any significant history of revenue generating operations. The Company has been
involved in the design and development of its CEA FORCEGH+™ facility, acquisition, the sales and development of Hydroxyl generating
devices and advancement of the UN(THINK)™ foods IP, product base, and transacting with potential revenue generating acquirees.
While the Company has invested considerably in these business plans, no FORCEGH+™ facility has been constructed to date, the Company
has not generated revenue from UN(THINK)™, nor has the Company completed any acquisition of revenue generating companies. The commercial
or operating viability of the Company’s business plans have not been proven. There is no assurance that the revenue generated from
its operations, and if those revenues, when and if generated, will be sufficient to sustain operations, nonetheless achieve profitability.
There
is no assurance that the Company’s FORCEGH+™ facilities will operate as intended.
The
Company’s initial state of its business operations will be to construct and deploy and license its initial FORCEGH+. Accordingly,
this component of the Company’s business plan is subject to considerable risks, including:
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the costs of
constructing and operating the laboratories may be greater than anticipated; |
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the potential offtake partners
who have indicated a willingness to deploy the laboratories at their existing cultivation operations may withdraw and determine not
to deploy the laboratories; |
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there is no assurance that
the facilities will deliver the intended benefits of high production yields, lower crop losses and reduced operation costs; |
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if the company is not able
to fully develop the grow house or it does not operate as intended, it could prevent the company from realizing any of its business
goals or achieving profitability; |
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the costs of constructing
the grow houses may be greater than anticipated and the Company may not be able to recover these greater costs through increases
in the lease rates, license fees and services fees that it charges to its customers; and |
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the costs of operating
the grow house may be greater than anticipated. |
There
is no assurance that UN(THINK)™ will operate as intended.
The
Company’s plans for developing and advancing the UN(THINK)™ are in its preliminary stages. The Company has yet to fully launch
their range of products in either the B2B or D2C channels. Accordingly, this component of the Company’s business plan is subject
to considerable risks, including:
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the potential B2B sales
may not achieved the planned levels of sales; |
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there is no assurance that
the Company’s production partners will deliver the planned production levels or scale; |
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the quality of product
from the co-manufacturing may not be sufficient. |
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the cost from co-manufacturing
may be greater than anticipated. |
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the demand for the products
may not be as high as predicted. |
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the pricing of the products
may deter potential buyers and may not cover the cost of production. |
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the brand may not attract
sufficient volume. |
There
is no assurance that Hydroxyl Generating Systems will operate as intended.
The
Company’s plans for developing and expanding sales of the AgriFORCE Clean Solutions are in its preliminary stages. The Company
has yet to generate remarkable sales of its Hydroxyl products. Accordingly, this component of the Company’s business plan is subject
to considerable risks, including:
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the quality of product
from the co-manufacturing may not be sufficient. |
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the cost from co-manufacturing
may be greater than anticipated. |
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the demand for the products
may not be as high as predicted. |
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the pricing of the products
may deter potential buyers and may not cover the cost of production. |
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the brand may not attract
sufficient volume. |
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the quality of product
from the co-manufacturing may not be sufficient. |
We
may not realize the anticipated benefits of, and synergies from, acquisitions and may become responsible for certain liabilities and
integration costs as a result.
The
businesses we have proposed to acquire have previously operated independently from us. The proposed integrations of our operations with
the proposed businesses acquisitions are intended to result in financial and operational benefits, and business synergies. There can
be no assurance, however, regarding when or the extent to which we will be able to realize these and other benefits. Integration may
also be difficult, unpredictable, and subject to delay because of possible company culture conflicts, system integrations, regulatory
compliance, and other factors. Difficulties associated with the integration of the proposed business acquisitions could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Fluctuations
in the exchange rate of foreign currencies could result in losses.
We
incur a portion of our operating expenses in Canadian dollars, and in the future, as we expand into other foreign countries, we expect
to incur operating expenses in other foreign currencies. We are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results
of our international operations are translated from the local functional currency into U.S. dollars upon consolidation. A decline in
the U.S. dollar relative to foreign functional currencies would increase our non-U.S. revenue and improve our operating results. Conversely,
if the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to foreign functional currencies, our revenue and operating results would be adversely affected.
We have not previously engaged in foreign currency hedging. If we decide to hedge our foreign currency exchange rate exposure, we may
not be able to hedge effectively due to lack of experience, unreasonable costs or illiquid markets.
The
Company will require additional financing and there is no assurance that additional financing will be available when required.
The
Company will require substantial additional capital in order to execute its business plan. Existing funds will not be sufficient and
additional financing will be needed for this purpose and for other purposes. The Company plans to achieve this additional financing through
equity and/or debt financing which will likely be dilutive to the position of then current shareholders. However, there is no assurance
that this financing will be available at favorable terms, if at all, when required, given the Company’s small asset base and current
lack of revenue.
The
Company had negative cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The
Company had negative cash flows from operating activities for year ended December 31, 2023. To the extent that the Company has negative
cash flows from operating activities in future periods, it may need to allocate a portion of its cash reserves to fund such negative
cash flow. The Company may also be required to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to generate a positive cash flow from operating activities, that additional capital or other
types of financing will be available when needed or that these financings will be on terms favorable to the Company. The Company’s
actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from the expectations of the Company’s management.
The
Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from the expectations of the Company’s
management.
The
Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management’s expectations. The process
for estimating the Company’s 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 the Company’s
financial condition or results of operations. As a result, the Company’s revenue, net income and cash flow may differ materially
from the Company’s projected revenue, net income and cash flow.
The
Company expects to incur significant ongoing costs and obligations related to its investment in infrastructure, growth, regulatory compliance
and operations.
The
Company expects to incur significant ongoing costs and obligations related to its planned investments. To the extent that these costs
may be greater than anticipated or the Company may not be able to generate revenues or raise additional financing to cover these costs,
these operating expenses could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash
flows. In addition, future changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could increase costs
and have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Company. The Company may not
be able to recover sufficient revenues to offset its higher operating expenses or to recoup its initial capital investment. The Company
may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including, unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays,
and other unknown events. If the Company is unable to achieve and sustain profitability, the market price of our securities may significantly
decrease.
There
is no assurance the Company will be able to repatriate or distribute funds for investment from the United States to Canada or elsewhere.
In
the event that any of the Company’s investments, or any proceeds thereof, any dividends or distributions there from, or any profits
or revenues accruing from such investments in the United States were found to be in violation of money laundering legislation or otherwise,
such transactions may be viewed as proceeds of crime under applicable federal laws, rules and regulations or any other applicable legislation.
This could restrict or otherwise jeopardize the ability of the Company to declare or pay dividends, effect other distributions or subsequently
repatriate such funds back to Canada or elsewhere.
The
Company may not be able to effectively manage its growth and operations, which could materially and adversely affect its business.
If
the Company implements it business plan as intended, it may in the future experience rapid growth and development in a relatively short
period of time. The management of this growth will require, among other things, continued development of the Company’s financial
and management controls and management information systems, stringent control of costs, the ability to attract and retain qualified management
personnel and the training of new personnel. The Company intends to utilize outsourced resources, and hire additional personnel, to manage
its expected growth and expansion. Failure to successfully manage its possible growth and development could have a material adverse effect
on the Company’s business and the value of the shares.
The
Company may face significant competition from other facilities.
Many
other businesses in California engage in similar activities to the Company, leasing commercial space to agricultural producers generally,
and providing additional products and services to similar customers. The Company cannot assure you that it will be able to compete successfully
against current and future competitors. Competitive pressures faced by the Company could have a material adverse effect on its business,
operating results and financial condition.
The
Company may face significant competition from other nutritious food companies.
We
face significant competition from other nutritious food companies. Many of our competitions may have established brands, more experience
and competency in the industry, larger fulfillment infrastructure, significantly more marketing and other financial resources, and larger
customers bases than we do. These factors may allow our competitions to achieve greater net sales and profits. The significant competition
faced by the Company could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.
If
we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our business may be adversely affected.
There
can be no assurance that trade secrets and other intellectual property will not be challenged, invalidated, misappropriated or circumvented
by third parties. Currently, our intellectual property includes provisional patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications
and know-how related to business, product and technology development. We plan on taking the necessary steps, including but not limited
to the filing of additional patents as appropriate. There is no assurance any additional patents will issue or that when they do issue
they will include all of the claims currently included in the applications. Even if they do issue, those new patents and our existing
patents must be protected against possible infringement. Nonetheless, we currently rely on contractual obligations of our employees and
contractors to maintain the confidentiality of our products. To compete effectively, we need to develop and continue to maintain a proprietary
position with respect to our technologies, and business. The risks and uncertainties that we face with respect to intellectual property
rights principally include the following:
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Provisional
protection may not result in full patents being granted, and any full patent applications that we file may not result in issued patents
or may take longer than expected to result in issued patents; |
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we may be subject to interference
proceedings; |
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other companies may claim
that patents applied for by, assigned or licensed to, us infringe upon their own intellectual property rights; |
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we may be subject to trademark
opposition proceedings in the U.S. and in foreign countries; |
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any patents that are issued to us may not provide meaningful
protection; |
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we may not be able to develop additional proprietary
technologies that are patentable; |
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other companies may challenge patents licensed or issued
to us as invalid, unenforceable or not infringed; |
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other companies may independently develop similar or
alternative technologies, or duplicate our technologies; |
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other companies may design around technologies that
we have licensed or developed; |
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any patents issued to us may expire and competitors
may utilize the technology found in such patents to commercialize their own products; and |
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enforcement of patents is complex, uncertain and expensive. |
It
is also possible that others may obtain issued patents that could prevent us from commercializing certain aspects of our products or
require us to obtain licenses requiring the payment of significant fees or royalties in order to enable us to conduct our business. If
we license patents, our rights will depend on maintaining our obligations to the licensor under the applicable license agreement, and
we may be unable to do so. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the work-for-hire, intellectual property assignment and confidentiality
agreements entered into by our employees and consultants, advisors and collaborators will provide meaningful protection for our trade
secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure of such trade secrets, know- how
or other proprietary information. The scope and enforceability of patent claims are not systematically predictable with absolute accuracy.
The strength of our own patent rights depends, in part, upon the breadth and scope of protection provided by the patent and the validity
of our patents, if any.
Impairments
of the carrying amounts of intangible asset could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our
intangible asset balance consists of our patented process to develop germinated whole grain wheat flour. We test our assets for impairment
annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of our intangible asset
is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased
competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections (for example due to regulatory or industry changes),
disposals of significant components of our business, unexpected business disruptions, unexpected significant declines in operating results,
or significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate. We test our intangible asset for impairment by comparing the estimated
fair value with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss
based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount.
While
there was no single determinative event or factor, the consideration in totality of several factors that developed during the fourth
quarter of 2023 led us to conclude that it was possible that the fair value of our intangible asset was below their carrying amounts.
These factors included: (i) a sustained decrease in our share price in 2023, which reduced our market capitalization below the book value
of net assets; (ii) lack of financing raised during 2023 due to the economic environment (iii) delays in the launch of the sale of our
UN(THINK) flour. Impairment of Company’s intangible asset could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results
and financial condition.
We
operate in an industry with the risk of intellectual property litigation. Claims of infringement against us may hurt our business.
Our
success depends, in part, upon non-infringement of intellectual property rights owned by others and being able to resolve claims of intellectual
property infringement without major financial expenditures or adverse consequences. Participants that own, or claim to own, intellectual
property may aggressively assert their rights. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual
property rights of others. Future litigation may be necessary to defend us or our clients by determining the scope, enforceability, and
validity of third-party proprietary rights or to establish its proprietary rights. Some competitors have substantially greater resources
and are able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time. In
addition, patent holding companies that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing patent rights may target us.
Regardless of whether claims that we are infringing patents or other intellectual property rights have any merit, these claims are time-consuming
and costly to evaluate and defend and could:
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adversely affect relationships
with future clients; |
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cause delays or stoppages
in providing products; |
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divert management’s
attention and resources; |
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require technology changes
to our platform that would cause our Company to incur substantial cost; |
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subject us to significant
liabilities; and |
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require us to cease some
or all business activities. |
In
addition to liability for monetary damages, which may be tripled and may include attorneys’ fees, or, in some circumstances, damages
against clients, we may be prohibited from developing, commercializing, or continuing to provide some or all of our products unless we
obtain licenses from, and pay royalties to, the holders of the patents or other intellectual property rights, which may not be available
on commercially favorable terms, or at all.
We
have limited foreign intellectual property rights and may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.
We
have limited intellectual property rights outside the United States. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on devices in all countries
throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States
can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property
to the same extent as laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions
in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States
or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patents to develop their own
products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patents, but enforcement is not as strong
as that in the United States.
Many
companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions. The legal
systems of certain countries, particularly China and certain other developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade
secrets and other intellectual property, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of
competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. To date, we have not sought to enforce any issued patents in these
foreign jurisdictions. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert
our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly
and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in
any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. The requirements
for patentability may differ in certain countries, particularly developing countries. Certain countries in Europe and developing countries,
including China and India, have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties.
In those countries, we and our licensors may have limited remedies if patents are infringed or if we or our licensors are compelled to
grant a license to a third party, which could materially diminish the value of those patents. This could limit our potential revenue
opportunities. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant
commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.
If
we are unable to obtain or defend our patents, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our
patent position is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims
that may be allowed or enforced under our patents or in third-party patents. For example, we might not have been the first to make the
inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications and provisional patents; we might not have been the first to file patent
applications for these inventions; others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies;
it is possible that none of our pending patent applications will result in issued patents; our issued patents may not provide a basis
for commercially viable technologies, or may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged and invalidated by
third parties; and, we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable.
As
a result, our owned and licensed patents may not be valid and we may not be able to obtain and enforce patents and to maintain trade
secret protection for the full commercial extent of our technology. The extent to which we are unable to do so could materially harm
our business.
We
have applied for and will continue to apply for patents for certain products. Such applications may not result in the issuance of any
patents, and any patents now held or that may be issued may not provide us with adequate protection from competition. Furthermore, it
is possible that patents issued or licensed to us may be challenged successfully. In that event, if we have a preferred competitive position
because of such patents, such preferred position would be lost. If we are unable to secure or to continue to maintain a preferred position,
we could become subject to competition from the sale of generic products. Failure to receive, inability to protect, or expiration of
our patents would adversely affect our business and operations.
Patents
issued or licensed to us may be infringed by the products or processes of others. The cost of enforcing our patent rights against infringers,
if such enforcement is required, could be significant, and we do not currently have the financial resources to fund such litigation.
Further, such litigation can go on for years and the time demands could interfere with our normal operations. We may become a party to
patent litigation and other proceedings. The cost to us of any patent litigation, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial.
Many of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation more effectively than we can because of their substantially
greater financial resources. Litigation may also absorb significant management time.
Unpatented
trade secrets, improvements, confidential know-how and continuing technological innovation are important to our scientific and commercial
success. Although we attempt to and will continue to attempt to protect our proprietary information through reliance on trade secret
laws and the use of confidentiality agreements with our partners, collaborators, employees and consultants, as well as through other
appropriate means, these measures may not effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information, and, in any event, others may
develop independently, or obtain access to, the same or similar information.
International
intellectual property protection is particularly uncertain, and if we are involved in opposition proceedings in foreign countries, we
may have to expend substantial sums and management resources.
Patent
and other intellectual property law outside the United States is more uncertain and is continually undergoing review and revisions in
many countries. Further, the laws of some foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws
of the United States. For example, certain countries do not grant patent claims that are directed to business methods and processes.
In addition, we may have to participate in opposition proceedings to determine the validity of its foreign patents or its competitors’
foreign patents, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of its efforts and loss of credibility with customers.
If
we are found to be infringing on patents or trade secrets owned by others, we may be forced to cease or alter our product development
efforts, obtain a license to continue the development or sale of our products, and/or pay damages.
Our
processes and potential products may violate proprietary rights of patents that have been or may be granted to competitors, universities
or others, or the trade secrets of those persons and entities. As our industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases
that our processes and potential products may give rise to claims that they infringe the patents or trade secrets of others. These other
persons could bring legal actions against us claiming damages and seeking to enjoin manufacturing and marketing of the affected product
or process. If any of these actions are successful, in addition to any potential liability for damages, we could be required to obtain
a license in order to continue to manufacture or market the affected product or use the affected process. Required licenses may not be
available on acceptable terms, if at all, and the results of litigation are uncertain. If we become involved in litigation or other proceedings,
it could consume a substantial portion of our financial resources and the efforts of our personnel.
We
rely on confidentiality agreements to protect our trade secrets. If these agreements are breached by our employees or other parties,
our trade secrets may become known to our competitors.
We
rely on trade secrets that we seek to protect through confidentiality agreements with our employees and other parties. If these agreements
are breached, our competitors may obtain and use our trade secrets to gain a competitive advantage over us. We may not have any remedies
against our competitors and any remedies that may be available to us may not be adequate to protect our business or compensate us for
the damaging disclosure. In addition, we may have to expend resources to protect our interests from possible infringement by others.
We
have a limited operating history on which to judge our business prospects and management.
Our
company was incorporated and commenced operations in 2017. Accordingly, we have only a limited operating history upon which to base an
evaluation of our business and prospects. Operating results for future periods are subject to numerous uncertainties and we cannot assure
you that we will achieve or sustain profitability. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks encountered by companies in
the early stage of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. Future operating results will depend upon
many factors, including increasing the number of affiliates, our success in attracting and retaining motivated and qualified personnel,
our ability to establish short term credit lines, our ability to develop and market new products, control costs, and general economic
conditions. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address any of these risks.
We
may not be able to continue as a going concern.
The
Company has incurred substantial operating losses since its inception and expects to continue to incur significant operating losses for
the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As reflected in the financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit
of approximately $44.5 million at December 31, 2023, a net loss of approximately $11.7 million, and approximately $6.5 million of net
cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a
going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the
amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company anticipates incurring additional
losses until such time, if ever, that it can obtain marketing approval to sell, and then generate significant sales, of its technology
that is currently in development. As such it is likely that additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations
and to develop and commercialize its technology. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue
as a going concern. The Company is seeking additional financing to support its growth plans. The sale of additional equity may dilute
existing shareholders and newly issued shares may contain senior rights and preferences compared to currently outstanding common shares.
Our
management team will be required to devote substantial time to regulatory compliance which may divert our attention from the day-to-day
management of our business.
Our
management team will require substantial attention from our senior management and could divert our attention away from the day-to-day
management of our business. Regulatory compliance is increasingly complex and management may not have experience in all areas of public
company compliance. The management team will seek assistance from external resources when appropriate for public company regulatory compliance
and tax regulatory compliance for applicable jurisdictions.
The
Company may become subject to litigation, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, business, results
from operations, and financial condition.
The
Company may be named as a defendant in a lawsuit or regulatory action. The Company may also incur uninsured losses for liabilities which
arise in the ordinary course of business, or which are unforeseen, including, but not limited to, employment liability and business loss
claims. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, sales, cash flow
or financial condition.
If
the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively.
The
Company’s success has depended and continues to depend upon its ability to attract and retain key management, including the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and technical experts. The Company will attempt to enhance its management and technical expertise by continuing
to recruit qualified individuals who possess desired skills and experience in certain targeted areas. The Company’s inability to
retain employees and attract and retain sufficient additional employees or engineering and technical support resources could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, sales, cash flow or financial condition. Shortages in qualified
personnel or the loss of key personnel could adversely affect the financial condition of the Company, results of operations of the business
and could limit the Company’s ability to develop and market its intellectual property. The loss of any of the Company’s senior
management or key employees could materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to execute the Company’s business plan
and strategy, and the Company may not be able to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. The Company does not maintain
key person life insurance policies on any of the Company’s employees.
The
size of the Company’s initial target market is difficult to quantify and investors will be reliant on their own estimates on the
accuracy of market data.
Because
high growth crop technology is in an early stage with uncertain boundaries, there is a lack of information about comparable companies
available for potential investors to review in deciding about whether to invest in the Company and, few, if any, established companies
whose business model the Company can follow or upon whose success the Company can build. Accordingly, investors will have to rely on
their own estimates in deciding about whether to invest in the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates
are accurate or that the market size is sufficiently large for its business to grow as projected, which may negatively impact its financial
results. The Company regularly follows market research.
The
Company’s industry is experiencing rapid growth and consolidation that may cause the Company to lose key relationships and intensify
competition.
The
agriculture industry and various verticals within it are undergoing rapid growth and substantial change, which has resulted in an increase
in competitors, consolidation and formation of strategic relationships. Acquisitions or other consolidating transactions could harm the
Company in a number of ways, including by losing strategic partners and or customers if they are acquired by or enter into relationships
with a competitor, losing customers, revenue and market share, or forcing the Company to expend greater resources to meet new or additional
competitive threats, all of which could harm the Company’s operating results. As competitors enter the market and become increasingly
sophisticated, competition in the Company’s industry may intensify which could negatively impact its profitability.
The
Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks.
The
Company’s operations depend, in part, on how well it and its suppliers protect networks, equipment, information technology systems
and software against damage from a number of threats, including, but not limited to, cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters,
intentional damage and destruction, fire, power loss, hacking, computer viruses, vandalism and theft. The Company’s operations
also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive
expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or
increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature
of any such failure, adversely impact the Company’s reputation and results of operations.
The
Company has not experienced any material losses to date relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, but there can
be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot
be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued
development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks
from attack, damage or unauthorized access is a risk. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional
resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.
The
Company’s officers and directors may be engaged in a range of business activities resulting in conflicts of interest.
Although
certain officers and board members of the Company are expected to be bound by anti-circumvention agreements limiting their ability to
enter into competing and/or conflicting ventures or businesses, the Company may be subject to various potential conflicts of interest
because some of its officers and directors may be engaged in a range of business activities. In addition, the Company’s executive
officers and directors may devote time to their outside business interests, so long as such activities do not materially or adversely
interfere with their duties to the Company. In some cases, the Company’s executive officers and directors may have fiduciary obligations
associated with these business interests that interfere with their ability to devote time to the Company’s business and affairs
and that could adversely affect the Company’s operations. These business interests could require significant time and attention
of the Company’s executive officers and directors.
In
addition, the Company may also become involved in other transactions which conflict with the interests of its directors and the officers
who may from time to time deal with persons, firms, institutions or companies with which the Company may be dealing, or which may be
seeking investments similar to those desired by it. The interests of these persons could conflict with those of the Company. In addition,
from time to time, these persons may be competing with the Company for available investment opportunities. Conflicts of interest, if
any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies provided under applicable laws. In particular, if such a conflict of interest arises
at a meeting of the Company’s directors, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval
of such participation or such terms. In accordance with applicable laws, the directors of the Company are required to act honestly, in
good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
There
is no guarantee that how the Company uses its available funds will yield the expected results or returns which could impact the business
and financial condition of the Company.
The
Company cannot specify with certainty the particular uses of available funds. Management has broad discretion in the application of its
proceeds. Accordingly, a holder of shares will have to rely upon the judgment of management with respect to the use of available funds,
with only limited information concerning management’s specific intentions. The Company’s management may spend a portion or
all of the available funds in ways that the Company’s shareholders might not desire, that might not yield a favorable return and
that might not increase the value of a purchaser’s investment. The failure by management to apply these funds effectively could
harm the Company’s business. Pending use of such funds, the Company might invest the available funds in a manner that does not
produce income or that loses value.
Our
Articles of incorporation, by-laws and certain Canadian legislation, contain provisions that may have the effect of delaying or preventing
a change in control.
Certain
provisions of our by-laws, together or separately, could discourage potential acquisition proposals, delay or prevent a change in control
and limit the price that certain investors may be willing to pay for our common shares. For instance, our by-laws contain provisions
that establish certain advance notice procedures for nomination of candidates for election as directors at shareholders’ meetings.
The
Investment Canada Act requires any person that is non-Canadian (as defined in the Investment Canada Act) who acquires “control”
(as defined in the Investment Canada Act) of an existing Canadian business to file either a pre-closing application for review
or notification with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. An acquisition of control is a reviewable transaction where
prescribed financial thresholds are exceeded. The Investment Canada Act generally prohibits the implementation of a reviewable
transaction unless, after review, the relevant Minister is satisfied that the acquisition is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. Under
the national security regime in the Investment Canada Act, the federal government may undertake a discretionary review of a broader
range of investments by a non-Canadian to determine whether such an investment by a non-Canadian could be “injurious to national
security.” Review on national security grounds is at the discretion of the federal government and may occur on a pre- or post-closing
basis.
Furthermore,
limitations on the ability to acquire and hold our common shares may be imposed by the Competition Act (Canada). This legislation
permits the Commissioner of Competition to review any acquisition or establishment, directly or indirectly, including through the acquisition
of shares, of control over or of a significant interest in us. This legislation grants the Commissioner of Competition jurisdiction,
for up to one year, to challenge this type of acquisition before the Canadian Competition Tribunal on the basis that it would, or would
be likely to, substantially prevent or lessen competition. This legislation also requires any person who intends to acquire our common
shares to file a notification with the Canadian Competition Bureau if (i) that person (and their affiliates) would hold, in the aggregate,
more than 20% of all of our outstanding voting shares, (ii) certain financial thresholds are exceeded, and (iii) no exemption applies.
Where a person (and their affiliates) already holds, in the aggregate, more than 20% of all of our outstanding voting shares, a notification
must be filed if (i) the acquisition of additional shares would bring that person’s (and their affiliates) holdings to over 50%,
(ii) certain financial thresholds are exceeded and (iii) no exemption applies. Where a notification is required, the legislation prohibits
completion of the acquisition until the expiration of the applicable statutory waiting period, unless compliance with the waiting period
has been waived or the Commissioner of Competition provides written notice that he does not intend to challenge the acquisition. The
Commissioner of Competition’s review of a notifiable transaction for substantive competition law considerations may take longer
than the statutory waiting period.
We
are governed by the corporate laws of British Columbia, Canada which in some cases have a different effect on shareholders than the corporate
laws of the United States.
We
are incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BC Act”) and other relevant laws, which
may affect the rights of shareholders differently than those of a company governed by the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction, and may, together
with our charter documents, have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of our company
by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or may affect the price an acquiring party would be willing to offer in such
an instance. The material differences between the BC Act and Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) that may have the
greatest such effect include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) for certain corporate transactions (such as mergers and amalgamations
or amendments to our articles) the BC Act generally requires the voting threshold to be a special resolution approved by 66 2/3% of shareholders,
or as set out in the articles, as applicable, whereas DGCL generally only requires a majority vote; and (ii) under the BC Act a holder
of 5% or more of our common shares can requisition a special meeting of shareholders, whereas such right does not exist under the DGCL.
We cannot predict whether investors will find our company and our common shares less attractive because we are governed by foreign laws.
Risks
Related to the Ownership of Our Common Shares
New
laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure may create uncertainty for public companies,
increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming.
These
laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result,
may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by the courts and other bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding
compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. 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 legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely
affected.
As
a public company subject to these rules and regulations, we may find it more expensive for us to 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 its audit
committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.
The
market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants may be volatile, and you may not be able to resell your common shares and Series
A Warrants at or above the acquisition price.
The
market price for our common shares and Series A Warrants may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including
the following:
|
● |
actual or anticipated
fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results; |
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changes in financial or
operational estimates or projections; |
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conditions in markets generally; |
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changes in the economic
performance or market valuations of companies similar to ours; |
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general economic or political
conditions in the United States or elsewhere; |
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any delay in development
of our products or services; |
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failure to comply with
regulatory requirements; |
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inability to commercially
launch products and services and market and generate sales of our products and services, |
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developments or disputes
concerning intellectual property rights; |
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our or our competitors’
technological innovations; |
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general and industry-specific
economic conditions that may affect our expenditures; |
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changes in market valuations
of similar companies; |
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announcements by us or
our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, capital commitments, new technologies,
or patents; |
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future sales of our common
shares or other securities, including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or convertible securities or otherwise
issued pursuant to certain contractual rights; |
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period-to-period fluctuations
in our financial results; and |
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low or high trading volume
of our common shares due to many factors, including the terms of our financing arrangements. |
In
addition, if we fail to reach an important research, development or commercialization milestone or result by a publicly expected deadline,
even if by only a small margin, there could be significant impact on the market price of our common shares. Additionally, as we approach
the announcement of anticipated significant information and as we announce such information, we expect the price of our common shares
to be particularly volatile and negative results would have a substantial negative impact on the price of our common shares and Series
A Warrants.
In
addition, in recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had
a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including for reasons unrelated to their operating performance.
These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our stock price, notwithstanding our operating results. The market price of our
common shares and Series A Warrants will fluctuate and there can be no assurances about the levels of the market prices for our common
shares and Series A Warrants.
In
some cases, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholders have often instituted class
action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and diversion
of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our business operations and reputation.
As
an “emerging growth company” under applicable law, we will be subject to lessened disclosure requirements, which could leave
our shareholders without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies.
For
as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we have elected to take advantage of certain
exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies”
including, but not limited to:
|
● |
not being required
to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
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being permitted to provide
only two years of audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly
reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure; |
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● |
reduced disclosure obligations
regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; |
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taking advantage of an
extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standard; and |
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exemptions from the requirements
of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously
approved. |
We
expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” Because of these
lessened regulatory requirements, our shareholders would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature
companies. We cannot predict whether investors will find our common shares less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. 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.
We
are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and have elected to follow certain scaled
disclosure requirements available to smaller reporting companies.
Because
we have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards for an “emerging growth
company” our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
We
have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of
the JOBS Act. This election allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates
for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements
may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates and may contain less or more modified disclosure than
those public companies. Because our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective
dates, investors may have difficulty evaluating or comparing our business, performance or prospects in comparison to other public companies,
which may have a negative impact on the value and liquidity of our common shares.
FINRA
sales practice requirements may also limit your ability to buy and sell our common shares, which could depress the price of our shares.
Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) rules require broker-dealers to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment
is suitable for a customer before recommending that investment to the customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities
to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial
status, tax status and investment objectives, among other things. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is
a high probability such speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, FINRA requirements
make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common shares, which may limit your ability to buy
and sell our shares, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares, and thereby depress our share price.
If
research analysts do not publish research about our business or if they issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common shares or
Series A Warrants, our securities’ price and trading volume could decline.
The
trading market for our securities may depend in part on the research and reports that research analysts publish about us and our business.
If we do not maintain adequate research coverage, or if any of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock or publish inaccurate or
unfavorable research about our business, the price of our common shares and Series A Warrants could decline. If one or more of our research
analysts ceases to cover our business or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our securities could decrease, which could
cause the price of our common shares and Series A Warrants or trading volume to decline.
We
may issue additional equity securities, or engage in other transactions that could dilute our book value or relative rights of our common
shares, which may adversely affect the market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants.
Our
Board of Directors may determine from time to time that it needs to raise additional capital by issuing additional shares of our common
shares or other securities. Except as otherwise described in this filing, we will not be restricted from issuing additional common shares,
including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive common shares. Because our
decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot
predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of any future offerings, or the prices at which such offerings may be affected. Additional
equity offerings may dilute the holdings of existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants,
or all of them. Holders of our securities are not entitled to pre-emptive rights or other protections against dilution. New investors
also may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to, and that adversely affect, then-current holders of our securities.
Additionally, if we raise additional capital by making offerings of debt or preference shares, upon our liquidation, holders of our debt
securities and preference shares, and lenders with respect to other borrowings, may receive distributions of its available assets before
the holders of our common shares.
An
investment in our Series A Warrants is speculative in nature and could result in a loss of your investment therein.
The
Series A Warrants do not confer any rights of common share ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive
dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of our common shares at a fixed price for a limited period of time.
Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the Series A Warrants may exercise their right to acquire the common shares
and pay an exercise price of $300 per share (exercising 50 warrants at $6 per warrant to receive one common share), prior to three years
from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised Series A Warrants will expire and have no further value. Moreover, the market
value of the Series A Warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the Series A Warrants will equal or
exceed their initial price. There can be no assurance that the market price of the common shares will ever equal or exceed the exercise
price of the Series A Warrants, and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the Series A Warrants to exercise
the Series A Warrants.
Our
Series A Warrants and contain a provision which only permits securities claims to be brought in federal court.
Section
11 of our Series A Warrants states in relevant part: “The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan (except for claims brought under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which must be brought in federal court)”. Therefore any
claims with respect to our Series A Warrants brought under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act must be brought
in federal court while all other claims may be brought in federal or state court. Proceedings in federal court may be more expensive
than in state court due to more comprehensive rules on how discovery and motion and trial practice are handled. This provision may have
a dampening effect on claims brought under these securities laws or limit the ability of the investor to bring a claim in the jurisdiction
it deems more favorable. This provision is likely enforceable as requirements regarding bringing securities claims have been met, but
it may have the overall effect of discouraging litigation due to the circumstances described herein.
We
do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future, and consequently, your ability to achieve a
return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common shares.
We
have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to holders of our common
shares in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors must rely on sales of their common shares after price appreciation, which may
never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investments.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
We
are not selling any shares of our common stock in this offering and we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of
our common stock by the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from any sales of the shares
of our common stock offered hereby. However, we will incur expenses in connection with the registration of the shares of our common stock
offered hereby.
MARKET
FOR OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market
information
Our
common stock is currently quoted on Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGRI”, and warrants under the symbol “AGRIW”.
Trading in our common stock has historically lacked consistent volume, and the market price has been volatile.
On
May 31, 2024, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.12 per share.
Securities
outstanding and holders of record
On
May 31, 2024, there were approximately 5467 shareholders of record for our common stock and AGRI shares of our common stock issued
and outstanding.
Dividend
Policy
We
have never paid any cash dividends on our common shares. However, we have paid common share dividends on our preferred stock. Our preferred
stock was retired and there were no preferred shares outstanding after the IPO. We anticipate that we will retain funds and future earnings
to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends on
our common shares in the foreseeable future following this offering. Any future determination to pay cash dividends on our common shares
will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements
and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit financings may preclude
us from paying dividends.
Information
respecting equity compensation plans
The
Company adopted a stock option plan originally on December 12, 2018 (the “Option Plan”), as amended, under which the compensation
committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) may from time to time in its discretion, recommend changes to the Option
Plan to grant to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company non-transferable options to purchase common shares (“Options”).
The Board of Directors review recommendations and approve changes. As of the date of this filling, the Company has 61,712 Options
outstanding, and 6,388,738 Options available for future issuances. The Option Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company
on June 10, 2019.
The
following table provides information with respect to options outstanding under our Plan as at December 31, 2023:
Plan category | |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options | | |
Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options | | |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | |
| 76,114 | | |
$ | 41.75 | | |
| 2,181,280 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Total | |
| 76,114 | | |
$ | 41.75 | | |
| 2,181,280 | |
Corporate
Structure
The
Company currently has the following wholly-owned subsidiaries, which perform the following functions – AgriFORCE Investments holds
the Company’s U.S. investments, West Pender Holdings retains real estate assets, West Pender Management is a management company,
AGI IP holds the Company’s intellectual property in the U.S., un(Think) Food Company will manufacture food products in the U.S.
and un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd. manufactures food products in Canada:
Name
of Subsidiary |
|
Jurisdiction
of Incorporation |
|
Date
of Incorporation |
AgriFORCE Investments Inc.
(US) |
|
Delaware |
|
April 9, 2019 |
West Pender Holdings, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
|
September 1, 2018 |
AGI IP Co. |
|
Nevada |
|
March 5, 2020 |
West Pender Management Co. |
|
Nevada |
|
July 9, 2019 |
un(Think) Food Company |
|
Nevada |
|
June 20, 2022 |
un(Think) Food Company Canada
Ltd.* |
|
British Columbia |
|
December 4, 2019 |
* |
un(Think) Food Company
Canada Ltd. changed its name from Daybreak AG Systems Ltd. during the year ended December 31, 2022. |
Recent
Debt Financing
On
June 30, 2022, the Company entered into security purchase agreements with certain accredited investors (the “Convertible Debt Investors”)
for the purchase of $14,025,000 in convertible debentures (the “Debentures”) due December 31, 2024. The interest rates on
the Debentures are 5% for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will
be made in 25 equal monthly installments and began on September 1, 2022. The Debenture may be extended by six months at the election
of the Company by paying a sum equal to six months interest on the principal amount outstanding at the end of the 18th month,
at the rate of 8% per annum. The Debentures are convertible into common shares at $111.00 per share. The Convertible Debt Investors have
the right to purchase additional tranches of $5,000,000 each, up to a total additional principal amount of $33,000,000. In addition,
the Convertible Debt Investors received 82,128 warrants at a strike price of $122.10, which expire on December 31, 2025 (the “Debenture
Warrants”). The Debenture Warrants and Debentures each have down round provisions whereby the conversion and strike prices will
be adjusted downward if the Company issues equity instruments at lower prices.
On
January 17, 2023, the Convertible Debt Investors purchased an additional tranche of $5,076,923. The convertible debt and warrants were
issued with an exercise price of $62.00. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise
prices of the Debentures and the Debenture Warrants to $62.00.
Pioneer
provided notice on October 17, 2023 to purchase an additional Debenture and warrants in the amount of $2,750,000. The conversion price
of the new debenture and exercise price of the new warrants has been set at $2.62 (based on the Nasdaq Official Closing Price on October
16, 2023), and the conversion price of all existing debentures and warrants has been set at $2.62. The floor price has been set at $0.52.
Pioneer
provided notice on November 30, 2023 to purchase an additional Debenture and warrants in the amount of $2,750,000. Pursuant to the terms
of the June 30, 2022 Securities Purchase Agreement, the conversion price of the new debenture and exercise price of the new warrants
was then automatically reset at $0.90 (based on the Nasdaq Official Closing Price on November 29, 2023), and the conversion price of
all existing debentures and warrants has been set at $0.90. The floor price has been set at $0.18.
On
February 21, 2024, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fifth
Tranche Debentures”) and received 3,341,122 warrants (the “Fifth Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Fifth Tranche Debentures
and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214 and expire on August 21, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche
triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures and the
First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $0.214.
On
April 11, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $550,000 in convertible debentures (the “Sixth Tranche Debentures”)
and received 2,193,253 warrants (the “Sixth Tranche Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.163 and $0.18, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche
Warrants to $0.163.
On
May 22, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $833,000 in convertible debentures (the “Seventh Tranche Debentures”)
and received 5,414,500 warrants (the “Seventh Tranche Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.10 and $0.11, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth
and Six Tranche Warrants to $0.10.
The
First, Second, Third, Fourth , Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Tranche Debentures (the “Debentures”) have an interest rate of 5%
for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will be made in 25 equal
installments which began on September 1, 2022 for the First Tranche Debentures, July 1, 2023 for the Second Tranche Debentures, January
1, 2024 for the Third Tranche Debentures, May 1, 2024 for the Fourth Tranche Debentures, August 1, 2024 for the Fifth Tranche Debentures,
October 1, 2024 for the Sixth Tranche Debentures and November 1, 2024 for the Seventh Tranche Debentures. The Debentures may be extended
by nine months at the election of the Company by paying a sum equal to nine months interest on the principal amount outstanding at the
end of the 18th month, at the rate of 8% per annum.
Intellectual
Property
The
Company’s intellectual property rights are important to its business. In accordance with industry practice, the Company protects
its proprietary products, technology and its competitive advantage through a combination of contractual provisions and trade secret,
copyright and trademark laws in Canada, the United States and in other jurisdictions in which it conducts its business. The Company also
has confidentiality agreements, assignment agreements and license agreements with employees and third parties, which limit access to
and use of its intellectual property.
Patent
Applications
Patent
Application # |
|
Application
Date |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Title |
|
Case
Status |
|
Country |
2001/2096 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
Barbados |
3151492 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
Canada |
202080073940.7 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
China |
20858811.1 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
European
Patent Office |
TT/A/2022/00024 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Abandoned
(p) |
|
Trinidad
& Tobago |
11528859 |
|
26-Aug-2020 |
|
26-Aug-2040 |
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Registered |
|
United
States |
17/983109 |
|
08-Nov-2022 |
|
|
|
AUTOMATED
GROWING SYSTEMS |
|
Pending |
|
United
States |
PCT/CA2023/051251 |
|
21-Sep-2023 |
|
|
|
PROCESS
AND SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANTS USING CLONE TO FLOWER MODEL |
|
Pending |
|
Patent
Cooperation Treaty |
2018215090 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
Australia |
3051860 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
Canada |
18747157.8 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
|
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
European
Patent Office |
201917032603 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
|
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
India |
755792 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Pending |
|
New
Zealand |
11540538 |
|
31-Jan-2018 |
|
31-Jan-2038 |
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR, SWEETENED LIQUID, SWEETENERS, CEREALS, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Registered |
|
United
States |
17/963690 |
|
11-Oct-2022 |
|
|
|
HIGH
FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR, SWEETENED LIQUID, SWEETENERS, CEREALS, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF |
|
Application
filed |
|
United
States |
2001/2057 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING
PLANTS |
|
Pending |
|
Barbados |
3132672 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING
PLANTS |
|
Granted |
|
Canada |
CN202080033944.2 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
|
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING
PLANTS |
|
Pending |
|
China |
20765629.9 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING
PLANTS |
|
Pending |
|
European
Patent Office |
TT/A/2021/00093 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
|
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING
PLANTS |
|
Abandoned
(p) |
|
Trinidad
& Tobago |
11582918 |
|
06-Mar-2020 |
|
06-Mar-2040 |
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Registered |
|
United
States |
18/096417 |
|
12-Jan-2023 |
|
|
|
STRUCTURES
FOR GROWING PLANTS |
|
Application
allowed |
|
United
States |
Trademarks
Application
# |
|
Application
Date |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Title |
|
Case
Status |
|
Country |
1997835 |
|
26-Nov-2019 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
In
examination |
|
Canada |
018243244 |
|
22-May-2020 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
Registered |
|
European
Union Intellectual Property Office |
UK00918243244 |
|
22-May-2020 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
Registered |
|
United
Kingdom |
88/930218 |
|
22-May-2020 |
|
|
|
AGRIFORCE |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
2044675 |
|
07-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
FORCEFILM |
|
TM
Application filed |
|
Canada |
018389838 |
|
04-Feb-2021 |
|
|
|
FORCEFILM |
|
Registered |
|
European
Union Intellectual Property Office |
90/124842 |
|
19-Aug-2020 |
|
|
|
FORCEFILM |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
2127781 |
|
18-Aug-2021 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
TM
Application filed |
|
Canada |
018572674 |
|
06-Oct-2021 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
Application
filed |
|
European
Union Intellectual Property Office |
1669126 |
|
18-Feb-2022 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
Pending |
|
Madrid
Protocol (TM) |
90/897689 |
|
23-Aug-2021 |
|
|
|
UN(THINK) |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
2196090 |
|
06-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
C2F |
|
TM
Application filed |
|
Canada |
97/495313 |
|
08-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
C2F |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
2198964 |
|
20-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED
GRAINS |
|
TM
Application filed |
|
Canada |
97/527128 |
|
29-Jul-2022 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED
GRAINS |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
2207782 |
|
02-Sep-2022 |
|
|
|
FORCEGH+ |
|
TM
Application filed |
|
Canada |
97/605026 |
|
23-Sep-2022 |
|
|
|
FORCEGH+ |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
2243222 |
|
02-Mar-2023 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED
FLOUR |
|
TM
Application filed |
|
Canada |
1752858 |
|
01-Sep-2023 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED
FLOUR |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid
Protocol (TM) |
97/824500 |
|
06-Mar-2023 |
|
|
|
AWAKENED
FLOUR |
|
Suspended |
|
United
States |
TMA1175334 |
|
24-Jan-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET
LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
Canada |
UK00801504091 |
|
24-Jul-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET
LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
United
Kingdom |
1504091 |
|
24-Jul-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET
LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid
Protocol (TM) |
6197554 |
|
24-Jul-2019 |
|
|
|
PLANET
LOVE |
|
Registered |
|
United
States |
UK00801494234 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
CANIVATE |
|
Registered |
|
United
Kingdom |
1494234 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
CANIVATE |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid
Protocol (TM) |
6191972 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
CANIVATE |
|
Registered |
|
United
States |
UK00801494231 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
THE
CANIVATE WAY |
|
Registered |
|
United
Kingdom |
1494231 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
THE
CANIVATE WAY |
|
Registered |
|
Madrid
Protocol (TM) |
6182017 |
|
30-Aug-2019 |
|
|
|
THE
CANIVATE WAY |
|
Registered |
|
United
States |
Operations
The
Company primary operating activities are in California, USA and Saskatoon, Canada. The Company’s head office is located in Vancouver,
Canada.
Description
of Property
The
Company currently leases office space at 800-525 West 8th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C6 as its principal office. The Company believes
the office is in good condition and satisfy its current operational requirements.
Litigation
We
are subject to the legal proceeding and claims described in detail in “Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies” to the audited
financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with
certainty, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we do not believe the outcome of such legal proceeding and claims, if determined
adversely to us, would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of the outcome, litigation
can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
Corporate
Governance
The
business and affairs of our Company are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Term
of Office
Directors
serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve until the Company
requires them to be replaced.
Director
Independence
We
use the definition of “independence” of The NASDAQ Stock Market to make this determination. We are not yet listed on NASDAQ,
and although we use its definition of “independence,” its rules are inapplicable to us until such time as we become listed
on NASDAQ. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides that an “independent director” is a person other than an officer or employee
of our Company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The NASDAQ rules provide that a director cannot
be considered independent if:
|
● |
the
director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of our Company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from our Company in excess of $120,000 during any period of
12 consecutive months within the three years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exclusions, including,
among other things, compensation for board or board committee service); |
|
|
|
|
● |
a
family member of the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an executive officer of our Company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director is a partner in, controlling shareholder of, or an executive officer of an entity to
which our Company made, or from which our Company received, payments in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed
5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (subject to certain exclusions); |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three
years, any of the executive officers of our Company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director is a current partner of our Company’s outside auditor, or at any time during the
past three years was a partner or employee of our Company’s outside auditor, and who worked on our Company’s audit. |
Under
the following three NASDAQ director independence rules a director is not considered independent: (a) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(A), a director
is not considered to be independent if he or she also is an executive officer or employee of the corporation, (b) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(B),
a director is not consider independent if he or she accepted any compensation from our Company in excess of $120,000 during any period
of twelve consecutive months within the three years preceding the determination of independence, and (c) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(D), a
director is not considered to be independent if he or she is a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any
organization to which our Company made, or from which our Company received, payments for property or services in the current or any of
the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000. Under such
definitions, we have six independent directors.
Family
Relationships
There
are no family relationships among any of the directors and executive officers.
Board
Committees
Our
Board has established the following three standing committees: audit committee; compensation committee; and nominating and governance
committee, or nominating committee. Our board of directors has adopted written charters for each of these committees. Copies of the charters
will be available on our website. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time
to time.
Audit
Committee
Our
Audit Committee is comprised of at least three individuals, each of whom are independent director and at least one of whom will be an
“audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. Our audit committee is currently
comprised of Richard Levychin, John Meekison and Elaine Goldwater, who are independent, and Mr. Levychin is our financial expert.
Our
Audit Committee will oversee our corporate accounting, financial reporting practices and the audits of financial statements. For this
purpose, the Audit Committee will have a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and perform several functions. The Audit Committee
will:
|
● |
evaluate
the independence and performance of, and assess the qualifications of, our independent auditor and engage such independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
● |
approve
the plan and fees for the annual audit, quarterly reviews, tax and other audit-related services and approve in advance any non-audit
service to be provided by our independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
● |
monitor
the independence of our independent auditor and the rotation of partners of the independent auditor on our engagement team as required
by law; |
|
|
|
|
● |
review
the financial statements to be included in our future Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and review with
management and our independent auditor the results of the annual audit and reviews of our quarterly financial statements; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
oversee
all aspects our systems of internal accounting control and corporate governance functions on behalf of the Board of Directors. |
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee comprises of at least three individuals, each of whom will be an independent director, Our Compensation committee
is currently comprised of David Welch (Chair), Amy Griffith and Margaret Honey and who are independent.
The
Compensation Committee will review or recommend the compensation arrangements for our management and employees and also assist our Board
of Directors in reviewing and approving matters such as company benefit and insurance plans, including monitoring the performance thereof.
The Compensation Committee will have a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and perform several functions.
The
Compensation Committee will have the authority to directly engage, at our expense, any compensation consultants or other advisers as
it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities in determining the amount and form of employee, executive and director compensation.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of at least three individuals, each of whom will be an independent director.
Currently Amy Griffith (Chair), Elaine Goldwater and Margaret Honey are members of the committee.
The
NC&G Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing our corporate governance policies and with proposing potential director
nominees to the Board of Directors for consideration. This committee also has the authority to oversee the hiring of potential executive
positions in our Company. The NC&G Committee also has a charter, which is to be reviewed annually.
Item
11. Executive Compensation
Name
& Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Share-Based
Awardsc |
|
|
Option-Based
Awards |
|
|
All
Other Compensation |
|
|
Total
Compensation |
|
Richard
S. Wong, |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
264,041 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
179,004 |
|
|
|
42,148 |
|
|
|
1,793 |
|
|
|
486,986 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
|
2022 |
|
|
|
295,216 |
|
|
|
134,696 |
a |
|
|
86,456 |
|
|
|
28,831 |
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
546,940 |
|
Mauro
Pennella |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
259,317 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
158,105 |
|
|
|
25,544 |
|
|
|
1,793 |
|
|
|
444,759 |
|
Chief
Marketing Officer, President AgriFORCE™ Brands |
|
2022 |
|
|
|
268,962 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
115,269 |
|
|
|
45,593 |
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
431,565 |
|
Troy
T. McClellan, |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
231,755 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
74,091 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,656 |
|
|
|
307,502 |
|
Former
President Design & Construction |
|
2022 |
|
|
|
246,732 |
|
|
|
69,162 |
b |
|
|
76,846 |
|
|
|
30,132 |
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
424,613 |
|
Ingo
W. Mueller, |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
289,025 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
86,744 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
375,769 |
|
Former
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2022 |
|
|
|
392,464 |
|
|
|
375,718 |
|
|
|
359,881 |
|
|
|
6,866 |
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
1,136,670 |
|
(a) |
Bonus was paid out $101,022 in shares and $33,674 in cash. |
(b) |
Bonus was paid out $69,162 in shares |
(c) |
Some share-based awards were issued net of income taxes. The Company
repurchased shares on the issuance date to remit as income taxes to the appropriate government revenue service agencies. |
Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The
following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of May 31, 2024 by:
● |
each
person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock; |
● |
each
of our executive officers and directors; and |
● |
all
of our executive officers and directors as a group. |
| |
Common shares | | |
Options
Granted vested within
60 days of May
31, 2024 | | |
Warrants | | |
Total | | |
Percentage beneficially owned | |
Directors and Officers: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Jolie Kahn | |
| 126,646 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 126,646 | | |
| 0.2 | % |
Richard Wong | |
| 37,602 | | |
| 21,053 | | |
| - | | |
| 58,655 | | |
| 0.1 | % |
Mauro Pennella | |
| 61,055 | | |
| 13,495 | | |
| - | | |
| 74,550 | | |
| 0.1 | % |
John Meekison | |
| 865 | | |
| 4,251 | | |
| - | | |
| 5,116 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
David Welch | |
| 1,049 | | |
| 4,239 | | |
| - | | |
| 5,288 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Amy Griffith | |
| - | | |
| 3,719 | | |
| - | | |
| 3,719 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Richard Levychin | |
| - | | |
| 3,719 | | |
| - | | |
| 3,719 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Elaine Goldwater | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | % |
Ingo Mueller (Former CEO and Chairman) | |
| 3,954 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 3,954 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Troy McClellan (Former President Design & Construction) | |
| 28,159 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 28,159 | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Margaret Honey (Former Director) | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | % |
Total all officers and directors (11 persons) | |
| 259,330 | | |
| 50,476 | | |
| - | | |
| 309,806 | | |
| 0.4 | % |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
5% or Greater Beneficial Owners | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
- | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
We
have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review,
consideration and oversight of “related-party transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, and not for purposes of required
disclosure, which will be all related party transactions, even if less than $120,000, a “related-party transaction” is a
transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related
party” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.
Transactions
involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions
under this policy. A related party is any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common shares, including
any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
At
present, we have appointed three independent directors to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. As a result, our Chief Financial
Officer, Richard Wong, must present information regarding a proposed related-party transaction to the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-party transaction, Mr. Wong must present information
regarding the proposed related-party transaction to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, once the same is established,
for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests
of the related parties, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-party
transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant shareholders. In
considering related-party transactions, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the relevant available facts
and circumstances including, but not limited to:
|
● |
whether
the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of our business; |
|
|
|
|
● |
whether
the related party transaction was initiated by us or the related party; |
|
|
|
|
● |
whether
the transaction with the related party is proposed to be, or was, entered into on terms no less favorable to us than terms that could
have been reached with an unrelated third party; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
purpose of, and the potential benefits to us from the related party transaction; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the related party transaction, particularly as it relates to the related party; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
related party’s interest in the related party transaction, and |
|
|
|
|
● |
any
other information regarding the related party transaction or the related party that would be material to investors in light of the
circumstances of the particular transaction. |
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall then make a recommendation to the Board, which will determine whether or not to approve
of the related party transaction, and if so, upon what terms and conditions. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed
transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.
Except
as set forth below, we have not had any related party transactions, regardless of dollar amount:
As of December 31, 2023, $57,561 (December
31, 2022, $32,500) in total was owing to officers and directors or to companies owned by officers and directors of the Company for services
and expenses. These amounts owing have been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
During the year ended December 31, 2023 and
2022, the Company incurred $11,984 and $79,457, respectively, to our U.S. general counsel firm, Enso Law against legal services, a corporation
controlled by a director of the Company. Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
Served
Since |
David
Welch |
|
42 |
|
Executive
Chairman, Director, Compensation committee Chair, and M&A Committee Member |
|
December
2017 |
William
J. Meekison |
|
60 |
|
Director,
Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and M&A Committee Chair |
|
June
2019 |
Richard
Levychin |
|
65 |
|
Director,
Audit Committee Chair, M&A Committee Member |
|
July
2021 |
Amy
Griffith |
|
52 |
|
Director,
Governance Committee Chair and Compensation Committee Member |
|
July
2021 |
Elaine
Goldwater |
|
53 |
|
Director,
Audit Committee Member and Governance Committee Member |
|
October
2023 |
Jolie
Kahn |
|
59 |
|
Executive
Consultant |
|
February
2024 |
Richard
S. Wong |
|
58 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer |
|
October
2018 |
Mauro
Pennella |
|
58 |
|
Chief
Marketing Officer and President AgriFORCE™ Brands division. |
|
July
2021 |
Margaret
Honey |
|
67 |
|
Former
Director |
|
October
2023 |
Ingo
W. Mueller* |
|
59 |
|
Former
Chairman, Former Director, and Former Chief Executive Officer |
|
December
2017 |
Troy
T. McClellan |
|
62 |
|
Former
President, AgriFORCE™ Solutions |
|
February
2018 |
Directors
serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve for one year
until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected
and qualified.
David
Welch, Chairman of the Board, Director, Compensation Committee Chair, M&A Committee member
Mr.
Welch is a founding partner at ENSO LAW, LLP, a Los Angeles based Intellectual Property and Regulatory law firm. He has a broad base
of experience in representing US, Canadian and Mexican corporate clients in the areas of litigation, intellectual property and government
regulatory advisement and defense. Mr. Welch has represented recognizable businesses in the agriculture and food services space in Federal
Court, California state courts and before the USPTO and TTAB. Mr. Welch has also argued before the California Supreme Court and the US
9th Circuit Court of Appeals on constitutional issues related to preemption and the application of US law to various companies. Mr. Welch
obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School with an emphasis in international trade and has received various accolades
for his work in intellectual property and regulatory law, including Top 40 under 40 by the Daily Journal; National Law Journal Intellectual
Property Trail Blazer, and Super Lawyers from 2013 until 2023. In his business ventures, Mr. Welch is a registered aquaculturist and
farmer focusing on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. He is suited to serve as a director due to his long-standing
experience in international intellectual property, agriculture and business.
William
John Meekison, Director, Audit Committee, and M&A Committee Chair
Mr.
Meekison is a career Chief Financial Officer and former investment banker. He has spent the last fifteen years serving in a variety of
executive management and CFO roles with both private and public companies, currently as the CFO of Exro Technologies Inc. (since October
2017), a technology company in the emobility sector. He is currently on the board of Telo Genomics Corp. (since July 2018) and Adven
Inc. (since April 2021). Prior to his position at Exro Technologies Inc. and other CFO roles, Mr. Meekison spent fifteen years in corporate
finance with a focus on raising equity capital for North American technology companies, including nine years at Haywood Securities Inc.
Mr. Meekison received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Professional
Logistician and Certified Investment Manager. Mr. Meekison also holds the NACD.DC certification as a member of the National Association
of Corporate Directors. He is suited to serve as a director due to his long time experience as a CFO.
Richard
Levychin, Director, Audit Committee Chair, M&A Committee Member
Richard
Levychin, CPA, CGMA, is a Partner in Galleros Robinson’s Commercial Audit and Assurance practice where he focuses on both privately
and publicly held companies. Prior to taking this position in October 2018, Richard was the managing partner of KBL, LLP, a PCAOB certified
independent registered accounting firm, since 1994. Mr. Levychin has over 25 years of accounting, auditing, business advisory services
and tax experience working with both privately owned and public entities in various industries including media, entertainment, real estate,
manufacturing, not-for-profit, technology, retail, technology, and professional services. His experience also includes expertise with
SEC filings, initial public offerings, and compliance with regulatory bodies. As a business adviser, he advises companies, helping them
to identify and define their business and financial objectives, and then provides them with the on-going personal attention necessary
to help them achieve their established goals. Mr. Levychin is well suited to serve on our Board due to his decades of experience as the
managing partner of a PCAOB certified independent registered accounting firm, which included decades of expertise with SEC filings and
initial public offerings.
Amy
Griffith, Director, Governance Committee Chair and Compensation Committee Member
Ms.
Griffith currently serves as Head, Government Relations & External Affairs for McCain Foods - North America. She is responsible for
the North America (“NA”) Public Affairs strategy and provides strategic leadership and direction on behalf of McCain with
policymakers in the United States and Canada. She leads external communications and stakeholder management. Previously, she was the Group
Director for the North America Operating unit of the Coca-Cola Company, in this capacity she oversaw public affairs, government relations,
sustainability and communications in Canada and the Northeastern United States. Previously, she served as Wells Fargo’s State &
Local Government Relations Senior Vice President. She was recruited to Wells Fargo’s Government Relations and Public Policy team
in 2019. In this role, Griffith led Wells Fargo’s legislative and political agenda in her region and managed relationships with
state and local policymakers and community stakeholders. From 2008-2019, Ms. Griffith led government relations for sixteen states in
the Eastern United States for TIAA for over a decade. Prior to that, she worked in the aerospace, high tech, education, private and public
sectors, and has managed multiple high-profile political campaigns at the local, state and national level. Griffith is active in her
community and has co-chaired The Baldwin School Golf Outing to raise funds for girls’ athletics programs. She is a graduate of
Gwynedd-Mercy College and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History. Ms. Griffith is well qualified to serve as a director due to her significant
experience in government relations, policy and regulatory agencies as well as decades of experience working with companies in both the
private and public sectors.
Elaine
Goldwater, Director, Audit Committee Member, and Governance Committee Member
Elaine
Goldwater is an executive in the Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry. She is the Senior Director of Marketing, Endocrinology at Recordati Rare
Diseases. Prior to Recordati Rare Diseases she was at Merck. Elaine offers 20 plus years of experience creating and launching complex
global marketing strategies in the competitive pharmaceutical industry, she offers a talent for guiding informed decision-making, leading
strategic planning and strategic operations, and delivering double-digit growth and transform across high-value product portfolios. Her
expertise includes deep knowledge of the product lifecycle from pre-clinical/early-stage development through launch, loss of exclusivity
(LOE), line-extension, and late lifecycle products. In addition, Elaine’s mastery of country and global operations is leveraged
with a background in building market archetypes, shared best practices, and profitable strategy and execution models. She drives end
to end commercial strategy creation and execution through a collaborative cross functional process that delivers above brand performance
driving to growing net revenue and ensuring patient access.
Jolie
Kahn, Executive Consultant
Jolie
Kahn has an extensive background in corporate finance and corporate and securities law. She has been the proprietor of Jolie Kahn, Esq.
since 2002. Ms. Kahn has also acted in various corporate finance roles, including extensive involvement of preparation of period filings
and financial statements and playing an integral part in public company audits. She also works with companies and hedge funds in complex
transactions involving the structuring and negotiation of multi-million-dollar debt and equity financings, mergers, and acquisitions.
Ms. Kahn has practiced law in the areas of corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, reverse mergers, and general corporate, banking,
and real estate matters. She represents both public and private companies, hedge funds, and other institutional investors in their role
as investors in public companies. Ms. Kahn holds a BA from Cornell University and a J.D. magna cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo
School of Law.
Richard
Wong, Chief Financial Officer
Mr.
Wong, who works full time for the Company, has over 25 years of experience in both start-up and public companies in the consumer goods,
agricultural goods, manufacturing, and forest industries. Prior to joining the Company in 2018, he was a partner in First Choice Capital
Advisors from 2008-2016 and a partner in Lighthouse Advisors Ltd. from 2016-2018. Mr. Wong has also served as the CFO of Emerald Harvest
Co., Dan-D Foods, Ltd., and was the Director of Finance and CFO of SUGOI Performance Apparel and had served positions at Canfor, Canadian
Pacific & other Fortune 1000 companies. Mr. Wong is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and a member since 1999. Mr. Wong has a
Diploma in Technology and Financial Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Mauro
Pennella, Chief Marketing Officer and President, AgriFORCE ™ Brands
Mr.
Pennella, who works full time for the Company, is a consumer products veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the consumer-packaged
goods industry. From May 2018 until January 2021, he was Chief Growth & Sustainability Officer at McCain Foods, a Canadian multinational
frozen food company. In that role, he was responsible for global marketing, sales, research and development (R&D) and sustainability.
From October 2014 to April 2018, Mr. Pennella served as the President, International of Combe Incorporated, a personal care products
company where he oversaw the international division, R&D and the internal advertising agency. He was also a member of the Executive
Committee at Combe Incorporated, where he was responsible for the P&L - overseeing eight subsidiaries with more than 100 employees
around the world. Prior to that, Mr. Pennella led the Retail and International businesses at Conagra’s Lamb Weston division and
developed his career at Diageo and Procter & Gamble. Mr. Pennella received a Master of Business from Audencia, a premier European
business school, as well as an M.A.B.A. in Marketing and Finance from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.
Ingo
Wilhelm Mueller – Former Chairman, Former Director and Former Chief Executive Officer
Mr.
Mueller has been involved in the finance and advisory business for the past 25 years having been involved in the financing of companies
and projects. Mr. Mueller is the founder and was the CEO of the Company since inception and has been responsible for the development
of the Company’s intellectual property, business model and financing. On July 18, 2023, the Company announced a restructuring of
management. Ingo Mueller departed from his position as CEO and Chair of the Board.
Troy
McClellan, Former President AgriFORCE™ Solutions
Mr.
McClellan, who worked full time for the Company, had focused on innovative design and construction technologies throughout his career.
Mr. McClellan is a registered professional architect and received his Master’s Degree in Architecture from Montana State University.
On
January 25, 2024, Troy McClellan, President of AgriFORCE Solutions, submitted a letter of resignation to the Company. On January 25,
2024, the Company accepted his resignation and deemed it effective immediately pursuant to Section 7.3 of his employment agreement with
the Company which permits waiver by the Company of Mr. McClellan’s notice period (through March 31, 2024) and corresponding acceleration
of the resignation date.
Corporate
Governance
The
business and affairs of our Company are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Director
Independence
We
use the definition of “independence” of The NASDAQ Stock Market to make this determination. We are not yet listed on NASDAQ,
and although we use its definition of “independence,” its rules are inapplicable to us until such time as we become listed
on NASDAQ. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides that an “independent director” is a person other than an officer or employee
of our Company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The NASDAQ rules provide that a director cannot
be considered independent if:
|
● |
the
director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of our Company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from our Company in excess of $120,000 during any period of
12 consecutive months within the three years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exclusions, including,
among other things, compensation for board or board committee service); |
|
|
|
|
● |
a
family member of the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an executive officer of our Company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director is a partner in, controlling shareholder of, or an executive officer of an entity to
which our Company made, or from which our Company received, payments in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed
5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (subject to certain exclusions); |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three
years, any of the executive officers of our Company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or |
|
|
|
|
● |
the
director or a family member of the director is a current partner of our Company’s outside auditor, or at any time during the
past three years was a partner or employee of our Company’s outside auditor, and who worked on our Company’s audit. |
Under
the following three NASDAQ director independence rules a director is not considered independent: (a) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(A), a director
is not considered to be independent if he or she also is an executive officer or employee of the corporation, (b) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(B),
a director is not consider independent if he or she accepted any compensation from our Company in excess of $120,000 during any period
of twelve consecutive months within the three years preceding the determination of independence, and (c) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(D), a
director is not considered to be independent if he or she is a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any
organization to which our Company made, or from which our Company received, payments for property or services in the current or any of
the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000. Under such
definitions, we have four independent directors.
Family
Relationships
There
are no family relationships among any of the directors and executive officers.
Board
Committees
Our
Board has established the following three standing committees: audit committee; compensation committee; and nominating and governance
committee, or nominating committee. Our board of directors has adopted written charters for each of these committees. Copies of the charters
will be available on our website. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time
to time.
Audit
Committee
Our
Audit Committee is comprised of at least three individuals, each of whom are independent director and at least one of whom will be an
“audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. Our audit committee is currently
comprised of Richard Levychin (Chair), John Meekison and Elaine Goldwater, who are independent, and Mr. Levychin is our financial expert.
Our
Audit Committee will oversee our corporate accounting, financial reporting practices and the audits of financial statements. For this
purpose, the Audit Committee will have a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and perform several functions. The Audit Committee
will:
|
● |
evaluate
the independence and performance of, and assess the qualifications of, our independent auditor and engage such independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
● |
approve
the plan and fees for the annual audit, quarterly reviews, tax and other audit-related services and approve in advance any non-audit
service to be provided by our independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
● |
monitor
the independence of our independent auditor and the rotation of partners of the independent auditor on our engagement team as required
by law; |
|
|
|
|
● |
review
the financial statements to be included in our future Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and review with
management and our independent auditor the results of the annual audit and reviews of our quarterly financial statements; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
oversee
all aspects our systems of internal accounting control and corporate governance functions on behalf of the Board of Directors. |
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee comprises of at least three individuals, each of whom will be an independent director, Our Compensation committee
is currently comprised of David Welch (Chair), Amy Griffith, and John Meekison, who are independent.
The
Compensation Committee will review or recommend the compensation arrangements for our management and employees and also assist our Board
of Directors in reviewing and approving matters such as company benefit and insurance plans, including monitoring the performance thereof.
The Compensation Committee will have a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and perform several functions.
The
Compensation Committee will have the authority to directly engage, at our expense, any compensation consultants or other advisers as
it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities in determining the amount and form of employee, executive and director compensation.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee (the “N&CG Committee”)
Our
N&CG Committee is comprised of at least three individuals, each of whom will be an independent director. Currently Amy Griffith (Chair)
and Elaine Goldwater are members of the committee. The committee has one vacancy.
The
NC&G Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing our corporate governance policies and with proposing potential director
nominees to the Board of Directors for consideration. This committee also has the authority to oversee the hiring of potential executive
positions in our Company. The NC&G Committee also has a charter, which is to be reviewed annually.
DESCRIPTION
OF OUR SECURITIES
General
We
have authorized unlimited common shares and preferred shares.
Common
Shares
As
of May 31, 2024, we had 64,504,494 common shares issued and outstanding.
Voting
The
holders of the common shares are entitled to one vote for each share held at all meetings of shareholders (and written actions in lieu
of meeting). There is no cumulative voting. The holders of common shares are entitled to dividends when and as declared by the Board
of Directors from funds legally available therefor, and upon liquidation are entitled to share pro rata in any distribution to holders
of common shares. There are no preemptive, conversion or redemption privileges, nor sinking fund provisions with respect to the common
shares.
Warrants
As
of the date of this prospectus, the Company has issued and outstanding warrants to purchase 13,825,978 shares of the Company’s
common stock on the terms set forth below.
Securities Class | |
Number of issuable shares upon exercise of warrants | | |
Expiry | |
Conversion feature |
| |
| | |
| |
|
$375.00 Common Share Warrants Tranche 1 | |
| 31,276 | | |
May 2, 2025 | |
Each warrants entitles holder to purchase One common share within 5 years, and is accelerated to 30 days expiry when stock trades for a minimum of $570.00 for 10 consecutive days |
$375.00 Common Share Warrants Tranche 2 | |
| 19,645 | | |
May 10, 2025 | |
Each warrants entitles holder to purchase One common share within 5 years, and is accelerated to 30 days expiry when stock trades for a minimum of $570.00 for 10 consecutive days |
$300.00 Common Share Warrants from IPO | |
| 64,486 | | |
July 12, 2024 | |
Each 50 public warrants entitles a holder to purchase one common share at an aggregate price of $300.0 per each issuable common share within 3 years, and is accelerated to 30 days expiry when stock trades for a minimum of $570.00 for 10 consecutive days |
$0.10 Common Share Warrants from convertible debentures | |
| 82,128 | | |
December 31, 2025 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of the warrant (June 30, 2022). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$0.10 Common Share Warrants from Convertible Debentures | |
| 53,226 | | |
July 17, 2026 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of the warrant (January 17, 2023). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$25.00 Private Placement Warrants | |
| 20,000 | | |
June 20, 2023 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of the warrant (January 17, 2023). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$0.10 Common Share Warrants from Convertible Debentures | |
| 620,230 | | |
April 18, 2027 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of the warrant (October 18, 2023). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$0.10 Common Share Warrants from Convertible Debentures | |
| 1,986,112 | | |
May 30, 2027 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of the warrant (November 30, 2023). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$0.10 Common Share Warrants from Convertible Debentures | |
| 3,341,122 | | |
August 21, 2027 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of
the warrant (February 21, 2024). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$0.10 Common Share Warrants from Convertible Debentures | |
| 2,193,253 | | |
October 11, 2027 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months of the issuance date of
the warrant (April 11, 2024). There is a down round provision that adjusts the strike price based on certain future events. |
$0.11 Common Share Warrants from Convertible Debentures | |
| 5,414,500 | | |
November 22, 2027 | |
Each warrant entitles holder to purchase One common share within 42 months
of the issuance date of the warrant (May 22, 2024). There is a down round provision that adjusts
the strike price based on certain future events. |
TOTAL | |
| 13,825,978 | | |
| |
|
JULY
2022 DEBENTURES AND SELLING STOCK HOLDERS TABLE
July
2022 Debt Financing
On
June 30, 2022, AgriFORCE™ Growing Systems, Ltd. (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“SPA”)
with two institutional investors (“Investors”) with an initial purchase of $14.025 million principal amount of debentures
(“Debentures”) and accompanying warrants (“Warrants”) and up to an additional $33 million principal amount of
Debentures and accompanying Warrants. Under the SPA, the Company expects to receive an initial amount of $12.75 million (gross of fees
which will be deducted from that amount) on July 6, 2022 and has the right to receive up to an additional aggregate of $33.0 million
at the discretion of each of the purchasers hereunder (the “Investors”), in one or multiple tranches, subject to certain
conditions, at then-current market prices in minimum tranches of $5 million each. The SPA contains industry standard representations
and warranties and negative covenants, including, but not limited to, limitations upon the amounts of indebtedness and other securities
which may be incurred and issued by the Company under certain circumstances as set forth in the SPA.
The
initial conversion price of the Debentures is $2.22 per share. The Debentures are due in 2.5 years from June 30, 2022, which may be extended
for an additional six month period by the Company by paying, at the end of the 18th month of the term of the Debentures, six
months of interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The Debentures are subject to a 10% original issue discount and bear interest at 5% for
the first 12 months, 6% for the next 12 months and 8% until maturity. The Debentures amortize over a 25 month period commencing on September
1, 2022, and the monthly amortization of the Debentures are payable in cash only for the first 12 months of amortizations and in cash
or stock thereafter at the option of the Company. Once the monthly amortizations are payable in cash or stock, the Company can only elect
to pay the monthly amortization in stock if certain equity conditions, as set forth in the Debentures, are met, which include, but are
not limited to, for each Trading Day in a period of 20 consecutive Trading Days prior to the applicable date in question, the daily trading
volume for the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market exceeds $1,000,000 per Trading Day, the Company is not in default of any
of its obligations under the Debentures, there is an effective registration statement for the resale of shares issuable under the Debentures,
and the Company is in compliance with all Nasdaq listing requirements. The Debentures contain commercially standard events of default
and covenants and the like.
In
addition, the Investors have received 3.5-year Warrants with 65% warrant coverage at an initial exercise price of $122.10 per share,
subject to customary adjustments, including a price ratchet (to the price of the new issuance) if it issues its common shares at a price
less than the then in effect exercise price and are subject to standard pro rata dilution for reverse stock splits and the like. The
Debentures have the same dilution protection as the Warrants.
Both
the Debentures and Warrants contain exercise limitations upon an Investor beneficially owning more than either 4.99% or 9.99% of the
Company’s common shares and also contain caps upon the total amount of common shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
and exercise of the Warrants of 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the closing of the transactions,
until shareholder approval of both the financing transaction, including all subsequent tranches of the financing, and the Delphy acquisition
are received, consistent with Nasdaq rules.
The
Company has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
and exercise of the Warrants with a registration statement to be filed on Form S-1 no later than 30 days from June 30, 2022 (or any subsequent
closing) and effective no later than 60 days from June 30, 2022 (or the date of any subsequent closing; or 90 days, if there is full
SEC review). Penalties for missing those deadlines are equal to 2% of the subscription amount per month up to 10% of the subscription
amount.
The
Company’s subsidiaries have also entered into subsidiary guarantees pursuant to which each guarantees the performance of the Company
of its obligations under the SPA and related instruments. Each of the officers and directors has also entered into a lockup agreement
to not sell any common shares of the Company owned by each such person for one year from June 30, 2022 (subject to the ability to sell
shares received by each as the result of an employment agreement at any time, which ability to sell shares commences on January 1, 2023).
All
of the Debentures and Warrants sold under the SPA are sold in private placement transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
On
January 17, 2023, the two investors in the initial transaction purchased an additional $5,076,923.08 principal amount of Notes and 53,226
Warrants. At the same time the initial conversion price of the Notes and exercise price of the Warrants was reduced to $62.00.
Pioneer
provided notice on October 17, 2023 to purchase an additional Debenture and warrants in the amount of $2,750,000. The conversion price
of the new debenture and exercise price of the new warrants has been set at $2.62 (based on the Nasdaq Official Closing Price on October
16, 2023), and the conversion price of all existing debentures and warrants has been set at $2.62. The floor price has been set at $0.52.
Pioneer
provided notice on November 30, 2023 to purchase an additional Debenture and warrants in the amount of $2,750,000. Pursuant to the terms
of the June 30, 2022 Securities Purchase Agreement, the conversion price of the new debenture and exercise price of the new warrants
was then automatically reset at $0.90 (based on the Nasdaq Official Closing Price on November 29, 2023), and the conversion price of
all existing debentures and warrants has been set at $0.90. The floor price has been set at $0.18.
On
February 21, 2024, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fifth
Tranche Debentures”) and received 3,341,122 warrants (the “Fifth Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Fifth Tranche Debentures
and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214 and expire on August 21, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche
triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures and the
First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $0.214.
On
April 11, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $550,000 in convertible debentures (the “Sixth Tranche Debentures”)
and received 2,193,253 warrants (the “Sixth Tranche Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.163 and $0.18, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche
Warrants to $0.163.
On
May 22, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $833,000 in convertible debentures (the “Seventh Tranche Debentures”)
and received 5,414,500 warrants (the “Seventh Tranche Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.10 and $0.11, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth
and Six Tranche Warrants to $0.10.
The
First, Second, Third, Fourth , Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Tranche Debentures (the “Debentures”) have an interest rate of 5%
for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will be made in 25 equal
installments which began on September 1, 2022 for the First Tranche Debentures, July 1, 2023 for the Second Tranche Debentures, January
1, 2024 for the Third Tranche Debentures, May 1, 2024 for the Fourth Tranche Debentures, August 1, 2024 for the Fifth Tranche Debentures,
October 1, 2024 for the Sixth Tranche Debentures and November 1, 2024 for the Seventh Tranche Debentures. The Debentures may be extended
by nine months at the election of the Company by paying a sum equal to nine months interest on the principal amount outstanding at the
end of the 18th month, at the rate of 8% per annum.
SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
The
shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of
the Warrant, see above. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares
for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the common stock, Debentures and Warrants issued pursuant to the Securities
Purchase Agreement, the selling stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.
The
table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership (as determined under Section 13(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder) of the shares of common stock held by each
of the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders,
based on their respective ownership of shares of Debentures and Warrants, as of July 27, 2022, assuming exercise of the warrants held
by each such selling stockholder on that date but taking account of any limitations on exercise set forth therein.
The
third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders and does not take in account
any limitations on exercise of the Debentures and Warrants set forth therein.
In
accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the holders of the Debentures and Warrants, this prospectus generally
covers the resale of the sum of (i) the number of shares of common stock into which the Debentures are convertible, and (ii) the maximum
number of shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the Warrants, in each case, determined as if the outstanding Debentures and Warrants
were converted/exercised in full (without regard to any limitations on exercise contained therein) (collectively, the “Registrable
Securities”) as of the trading day immediately preceding the date this registration statement was initially filed with the SEC.
Because the conversion price of the Debentures and exercise price of the Warrants may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually
be issued may be more or less than the number of shares being offered by this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of
the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
Under
the terms of the Debentures and Warrants, as applicable, a selling stockholder may not convert the Debentures and/or exercise the Warrants
to the extent (but only to the extent) such selling stockholder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own a number of shares of
our common stock which would exceed the applicable ownership percentage limitation (either 4.99% or 9.99%, which we refer to herein as
the “blocker”) of the outstanding shares of the Company. The number of shares in the second column reflects these limitations.
The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Name of Selling Stockholder | |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering | | |
Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus(2) | | |
Number of Shares of Common Stock of Owned After Offering | |
Pioneer Capital Anstalt(1) | |
| - | | |
| 35,778,875 | | |
| - | |
|
(1). |
Consists
of 24,830,000 shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and 10,948,875 shares issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants. Each of the Debentures and Warrants has a beneficial ownership blocker that precludes Pioneer from converting or exercising
such instrument if such conversion or exercise would cause Pioneer’s beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock
to exceed 9.99%. Pioneer Capital Anstalt has an address at Drescheweg 2, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Voting and dispositive control
of securities owned by Pioneer is shared by its two directors, Nicola Feuerstein and Lucas Mair. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Pursuant
to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to register the sale of up to 35,778,875 shares of our common
stock. |
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We
are registering the shares of common stock previously issued and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures
and exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holders of the common stock, Debentures, and
warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders
of the shares of common stock, although we will receive the exercise price of any Warrants not exercised by the selling stockholders
on a cashless exercise basis. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.
The
selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock held by them and offered hereby from time to time directly
or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers,
the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of common
stock 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; |
|
|
|
|
● |
through
the writing or settlement of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; |
|
|
|
|
● |
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares 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 made after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; |
|
|
|
|
● |
broker-dealers
may agree with a selling security holder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
|
|
|
|
● |
a
combination of any such methods of sale; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The
selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if
available, rather than under this prospectus. In addition, the selling stockholders may transfer the shares of common stock by other
means not described in this prospectus. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock 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 stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock 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 shares of common
stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short
sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares
of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed
shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers
that in turn may sell such shares.
The
selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and,
if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common
stock 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 stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors
in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common
stock 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.
To
the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating
in the distribution of the shares of common stock 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 shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement,
if required, will be distributed, which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock 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 stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Under
the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers
or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock 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 stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration
statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The
selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable,
Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling
stockholders and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged
in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All
of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the shares of common stock.
We
will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, including, without
limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky”
laws; provided, however, a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify
the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act in accordance with the registration
rights agreements or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the
selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreements or we may
be entitled to contribution.
Once
sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the
hands of persons other than our affiliates.
Listing
Our
common shares and Series A warrants are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “AGRI” and “AGRIW”,
respectively.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the issuance of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Jolie Kahn, Esq. of New York, NY.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated balance sheets of AgriFORCETM Growing Systems Ltd. as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and the related
consolidated statements of operations stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended have been audited by MARCUM
LLP, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein
by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We
file annual, quarterly and special reports, along with other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over
the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website, https://www.agriforcegs.com
under the heading “Investors.” The information on this website is expressly not incorporated by reference into, and does
not constitute a part of, this prospectus.
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the SEC to register the securities offered hereby under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement,
including certain exhibits and schedules. You may obtain the registration statement and exhibits to the registration statement from the
SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s internet site.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this
prospectus the information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file
later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents are incorporated by reference and
made a part of this prospectus:
|
● |
Annual
Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed on April 1, 2024 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 2024 filed on May 15, 2024; |
|
|
|
|
● |
Current
Reports on Form
8-K filed on January
12, 2024, January
30, 2024, February
13, 2024, February
20, 2024, February
23, 2024, February
29, 2024, and April
12, 2024. |
|
|
|
|
● |
Our
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and accompanying additional proxy materials filed with the SEC on August 22, 2023; |
|
|
|
|
● |
Our
registration statement on Form 8-A filed on July 2, 2021. |
We
also incorporate by reference all additional documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the terms of Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are made after the date of the initial registration statement but prior to effectiveness
of the registration statement and after the date of this prospectus but prior to the termination of the offering of the securities covered
by this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating, in each case, any documents or information that we are deemed to furnish and
not file in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
You
may request, and we will provide you with, a copy of these filings, at no cost, by calling us at (604) 757-0952 or by writing to us at
the following address:
800-525
West 8th Avenue
Vancouver,
BC |
|
V5Z
1C6 |
(Address
of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip
Code) |
AGRIFORCE
GROWING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Common
Stock
PROSPECTUS
_____________,
2024
DEALER
PROSPECTUS DELIVERY OBLIGATION
Until
(insert date), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required
to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and
with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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 hereunder. All of the amounts to be shown (by amendment to this Prospectus) are estimates, except for the SEC Registration
Fee.
SEC Registration Fee | |
$ | 633.72 | |
Printing Fees and Expenses | |
$ | * | |
Accounting Fees and Expenses | |
$ | * | |
Legal Fees and Expenses | |
$ | * | |
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees | |
$ | * | |
Miscellaneous Fees and Expenses | |
$ | * | |
Total | |
$ | 633.72 | |
Paid
with the filing of the original S-1.
|
* |
Unable
to be determined at the present time in full. |
INDEMNIFICATION
OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Our
bylaws, as amended, provide to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law, that our directors or officers shall not be personally liable
to us or our shareholders for damages for breach of such director’s or officer’s fiduciary duty. The effect of this provision
of our bylaws, as amended, is to eliminate our right and our shareholders’ right (through shareholders’ derivative suits
on behalf of our company) to recover damages against a director or officer for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director or
officer (including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior), except under certain situations defined by statute.
We believe that the indemnification provisions in our bylaws, as amended, are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and officers.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
RECENT
SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
The
Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
300
common shares were issued to consultants.
32,742
common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.
14,216
common shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.
3,118
common shares were issued as part of compensation to Company officers.
The
Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended June 30, 2023:
250
common shares were issued to consultants.
10,208
common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.
36,111
common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.
20,000
common shares issued to a shareholder in a private placement.
The
Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended September 30, 2023:
350
common shares were issued to consultants.
59,660
common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.
422,194
common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.
31,889
common shares were issued as part of compensation to Company officers and employees.
The
Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended December 31, 2023:
580,000
common shares were issued to consultants.
38,565
common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.
2,694,611
common shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.
1,399,928
common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.
On
October 18, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures and received 620,230
warrants. The convertible Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $2.62. The issuance of the additional
tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well
as the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $2.62.
On
November 30, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures and received 1,986,112
warrants. The convertible Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.90. The issuance of the additional
tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well
as the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $0.90.
The
Company had the following sales of unregistered securities from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024:
10,622,392
common shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.
5,871,210
common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.
112,645
common shares were issued as part of compensation to Company officers.
126,646
common shares were issued to consultants.
On
February 21, 2024, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures and received 3,341,122
warrants. The convertible Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214. The issuance of the additional
tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures
and the First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $0.214.
The Company had the
following sales of unregistered securities from April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2024:
41,908,467 common
shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.
15,644 common shares
were issued to consultants.
6,425 common shares
were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.
On April 11, 2024, an
Investor purchased an additional tranche of $550,000. The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion and exercise
price of $0.163 and $0.18, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise
prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche Warrants
to $0.163.
On
April 11, 2024, the Company entered into Waivers with its two institutional investors from its June 2022 financing which provide for
the following (with all defined terms used and not defined herein as defined in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement date as of
June 30, 2022 among the Company and the several Purchasers signatory thereto, as amended June 23, 2023 and the Debentures):
1. |
The
Company waives the minimum tranche for Additional Closings under Section 2.4(a) of the SPA from $1.0 million to $0.5 million. Such
Additional Closings may occur until December 31, 2024. |
On
May 22, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranche of $833,000. The convertible debt and warrants were issued with a conversion
and exercise price of $0.10 and $0.11, respectively. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting
the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Tranche Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth
and Tranche Warrants to $0.10.
Purchases
of Equity Securities by the Issuer or Affiliated Purchasers
There
were no repurchases of shares of common stock made during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
Our
bylaws, as amended, provide to the fullest extent permitted by British Columbia law, that our directors or officers shall not be personally
liable to us or our shareholders for damages arising from the performance of such director’s or officer’s duties. The effect
of this provision of our bylaws, as amended, is to eliminate our right and our shareholders’ rights (through shareholders’
derivative suits on behalf of our Company) to recover damages against a director or officer arising from the performance of such director’s
or officer’s duties, except under certain situations defined by statute. We believe that the indemnification provisions in our
bylaws, as amended, are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
Item
16. Exhibits.
Exhibits
The
exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Registration Statement on Form S-1.
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description
of Document |
3.1 |
|
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Issuer* |
4.1 |
|
Form of Series A Warrant and Representatives Warrant**** |
4.2 |
|
Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan – Form of Stock Option Certificate attached as Schedule A* |
4.3 |
|
Form of Broker Compensation Warrant Certificate for $1.00 warrants issued to brokers in connection in May 2019 in connection with $1.00 preferred unit financing* |
5.1 |
|
Opinion of Jolie Kahn, Esq.*********** |
10.1 |
|
Vacant Land Purchase Agreement, dated July 13, 2020, between Company and Coachella Properties, Inc.* |
10.2 |
|
Capital Funding Group-Commercial Loan Terms_Sheet_-_Re Coachella_3837v2* |
10.3 |
|
Commercial Loan Agreement with Alterna Bank-2020-04-30* |
10.4 |
|
Vacant Land Offer Extension_of_Time_Addendum_Coachella-IM Signed* |
10.5 |
|
Employment Agreement - Ingo Mueller** |
10.6 |
|
Employment Agreement - Richard Wong** |
10.7 |
|
Employment Agreement - Troy McClellan** |
10.8 |
|
Employment Agreement – Mauro Pennella ** |
10.9 |
|
Second Vacant Land Offer Extension_of_Time_Addendum_Coachella-IM Signed*** |
10.10 |
|
Warrant Agent Agreement*** |
10.11 |
|
Capital Funding Term Sheet dated February 5, 2021 **** |
10.12 |
|
Extension of Land Purchase Agreement **** |
10.13 |
|
Pharmhaus Termination Agreements ****** |
10.14 |
|
Bridge Loan Agreement dated March 24, 2021****** |
10.15 |
|
Bridge Note, dated March 24, 2021****** |
10.16 |
|
Bridge Warrant, dated March 24, 2021****** |
10.17 |
|
Asset Purchase Agreement – Manna Nutritional Group** |
10.18 |
|
Definitive Agreement with Humboldt Bliss, Ltd** |
10.19 |
|
Share Purchase Agreement with Delphy Groep B.V. ** |
10.20 |
|
Binding LOI to Acquire Deroose Plants NV ** |
10.21 |
|
License Agreement with Radical Clean Solutions Ltd. ** |
10.22 |
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement******** |
10.23 |
|
Form of Debenture******** |
10.24 |
|
Form of Warrant******** |
10.25 |
|
Form of Registration Rights Agreement******** |
10.26 |
|
Form of Subsidiary Guaranty******** |
10.27 |
|
Form of Lock Up Letter******** |
10.28 |
|
Amendment to Delphy Agreement********** |
14.1 |
|
Code of Ethics** |
21.1 |
|
List of Subsidiaries** |
23.1 |
|
Consent of Marcum, LLP*********** |
23.2 |
|
Consent of Jolie Kahn, Esq.(included in Exhibit 5.1)*********** |
104 |
|
Cover
Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
107 |
|
Filing Fees*********** |
*
Filed with our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on December 16, 2020.
**
Filed with our Annual Report on 10-K filed with the Commission on March 30, 2022.
***
Filed with Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on January 20, 2021.
****
Filed with Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on March 3, 2021.
*****
Filed with Amendment No. 3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on March 22, 2021.
******
Filed with Amendment No. 4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on June 3, 2021.
*******
Filed with Amendment No. 5 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on June 14, 2021.
********Filed
with our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 6, 2022.
*********Filed
with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on August 1, 2022.
**********
Filed with our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2022.
***********Filed
herewith.
Undertakings
(a)
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 20% 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;
provided,
however, Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3
and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished
to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of 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:
(i)
Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the
date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on
Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required
by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier
of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the
offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date
an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the
registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. 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 effective date, 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 effective date; or
(5)
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution
of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant
to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities
are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to
the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by
the undersigned registrant;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant
or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b)
The registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that
is incorporated by reference in the registration statement 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.
(c)
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.
(d)
The registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1)
For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
effective.
(2)
For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing Form S-1 and has duly caused this registration statement or Amendment thereto to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, on May 31, 2024.
AGRIFORCE
GROWING SYSTEMS, LTD. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Jolie Kahn |
|
Name: |
Jolie Kahn |
|
Title: |
Executive Consultant (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Richard Wong |
|
Name: |
Richard
Wong |
|
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Jolie Kahn |
|
Executive Consultant |
|
May 31, 2024 |
Jolie Kahn |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Richard Wong |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
May
31, 2024 |
Richard
Wong |
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
John Meekison |
|
Director |
|
May
31, 2024 |
John
Meekison |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
David Welch |
|
Director |
|
May
31, 2024 |
David
Welch |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Richard Levychin |
|
Director |
|
May
31, 2024 |
Richard
Levychin |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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/s/
Amy Griffith |
|
Director |
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May
31, 2024 |
Amy
Griffith |
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|
|
Exhibit 5.1
Jolie Kahn, Esq.
12 E. 49th Street,
11th floor
New York, NY 10017
May 31, 2024
AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have
acted as counsel to AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd., a BC corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the
Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), relating to the issuance and resale by selling stockholders of up to 35,778,875 shares of common stock of
the Company (the “Shares”) issued and issuable by the Company. The Shares were issued pursuant to the Company’s
Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined in the Registration Statement) and issuable pursuant to the terms of the Debentures, as applicable.
In connection
with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration
Statement, including the form of prospectus included therein and the documents incorporated by reference therein, (ii) the Company’s
certificate of incorporation, as amended to date,(iii) the Company’s by-laws, as amended to date, and (iv) certain resolutions of
the Board of Directors of the Company. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction,
of such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate, and we have made such investigations of
law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.
In rendering
the opinions expressed below, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the genuineness of the signatures on all documents that I have
examined, (ii) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (iii) the authenticity of all documents supplied to us as originals and (iv)
the conformity to the authentic originals of all documents supplied to us as certified or photostatic or faxed copies.
Based
upon and subject to the foregoing and subject also to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we
are of the opinion that:
1. the
Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of the aforementioned
Securities Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
I express
no opinion other than as to the federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of New York State, and the BC Business Corporation
Law (assuming substantial similarity to New York law). I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am an “expert” under the Securities Act or under the rules and regulations
of the Commission relating thereto with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.
|
Very truly yours, |
|
|
|
/s/ Jolie G. Kahn, Esq. |
Exhibit 23.1
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the incorporation by reference in
this Registration Statement of AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. on Form S-1 Amendment No. 1 File No. 333-279154 of our report dated April
1, 2024, 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 AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years
ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. for the year ended December
31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Los
Angeles, California
May
31, 2024
Exhibit 107
FILING FEES
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each class of Securities to be registered |
|
Amount to
be
registered(1) |
|
|
Proposed
maximum
offering
price per share(2) |
|
|
Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering
price(2) |
|
|
Amount of
registration
fee(3) |
|
Common stock, no par value per share |
|
|
35,778,875 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
4,293,465 |
|
|
$ |
633.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
35,778,875 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
4,293,465 |
|
|
$ |
633.72 |
|
|
(1) |
Consisting of 35,778,875 common
shares issuable upon complete conversions of the Debentures and complete exercise of the Warrants. |
|
(2) |
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
|
(3) |
The proposed maximum offering
price per share and proposed aggregate offering price are based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the registrant’s
common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on May 30, 2024 which was $0.12 per share. |
Grafico Azioni AgriFORCE Growing Systems (NASDAQ:AGRIW)
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Grafico Azioni AgriFORCE Growing Systems (NASDAQ:AGRIW)
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