UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported ) April 21, 2014

 

 

 

Net Element, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-34887

 

90-1025599

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission File
Number)
 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)  

 

 

3363 NE 163rd Street, Suite 705, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

 
             (Address of Principal Executive Offices)              (Zip Code)  
     
 

(305) 507-8808

 
  (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)  
     
 

Not Applicable

 
  (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)  

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On April 21, 2014, Net Element, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Secured Convertible Senior Promissory Note (the “Note”) with Cayman Invest, S.A. (“CI”). Pursuant to the Note, CI agreed to loan to the Company $11,200,000.00. No interest will accrue under the Note; provided, however, that upon a default under the Note, the Note will accrue simple interest, at 12% per annum. Prior to March 31, 2015, effective upon a first financing closing after the date of the Note, in which the Company receives financing of at least $10 million from a third party (the “Qualified Financing”), the entire principal amount of the Note will be automatically converted into common shares of the Company equal to 15% of the then outstanding shares of the Company. Effective upon an equity financing after the date of this Note in which the Company issues stock, (other than a Qualified Financing) or at any time before or after March 31, 2015, at the option of CI, the entire principal amount of the Note may be converted into common shares of the Company equal to 15% of the then outstanding shares of the Company. Unless converted, the outstanding amount under the Note will be due and payable on the earlier of March 31, 2015 and the closing of a sale of a majority of the ownership of the Company or any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Under the Note, the Company agreed to take all actions to have the obligations under the Note positioned as a senior security interest secured by all assets of the Company and by those payment processing portfolios owned by the Company as of the date of the Note.

 

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement or a Registrant.

 

The disclosures contained under Item 1.01 are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The disclosures contained under Item 1.01 are incorporated herein by this reference. Under the Note, the Company agreed to take all actions to have the obligations under the Note positioned as a senior security interest secured by all assets of the Company and by those payment processing portfolios owned by the Company as of the date of the Note.

 

 
 

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

On April 22, 2014, the Company issued a press release announcing financing to the Company by CI. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

The information furnished pursuant to this Item, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and such information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. The furnishing of information under this Item is not intended to constitute a determination by the Company that the information contained herein (including Exhibit 99.1 hereto) is material or that the dissemination of such information is required by Regulation FD.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits

 

4.1 Secured Convertible Senior Promissory Note dated April 21, 2014 between the Company and Cayman Invest, S.A.

 

99.1 Press Release dated April 22, 2014.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: April 21, 2014

 

  NET ELEMENT, INC.
   
   
  By:  /s/ Jonathan New
  Name:
Title:
Jonathan New
Chief Financial Officer

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No. Description

 

4.1 Secured Convertible Senior Promissory Note dated April 21, 2014 between the Company and Cayman Invest, S.A.

 

99.1 Press Release dated April 22, 2014.

 

 
 

 

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH SECURITIES, THE SALE IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE ACT, OR THE BORROWER RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE BORROWER STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.

 

SECURED CONVERTIBLE SENIOR PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$11,200,000.00

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Net Element, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), promises to pay to Cayman Invest S.A. or its permitted assigns (the “ Lender ”), at the Lender’s address at 3A Little Denmark Complex 147 Main Street P.O. Box 4473, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands or such other place as the holder of this Secured Convertible Promissory Note (this “ Note ”) may designate from time to time, the principal sum of Eleven Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,200,000.00) (the “ Original Principal Sum ”) together with interest only to the extent that same may be due on the unpaid principal balance (as set forth in Section 1.2 below), upon the terms and conditions specified below. Borrower acknowledges that Lender and its affiliated companies have already advanced to the Borrower the total amount of USD 6,180,000 (six million one hundred eighty thousand US Dollars) and that the balance shall be provided by the Lender or its affiliated persons to the Borrower according to the following schedule: USD2,700,000 (two million seven hundred thousand US Dollars) till 30 April 2014 and USD2,320,000 (two million three hundred twenty thousand US Dollars) till 24 December 2014.

 

1. Payment

 

1.1   Maturity . Subject to the provisions of Section 2 hereof relating to the conversion of this Note, the outstanding Original Principal Sum shall be due and payable on such date (the “Payment Date”) that is the earlier of (a) March 31, 2015 ( the “Maturity Date”); and (b) that time that is immediately prior to the closing of an Acquisition Event.

 

1.2   Interest . No interest shall accrue on any unpaid balance of the Original Principal Sum from the date hereof until such principal is paid or converted as provided in Section 2. Upon an Event of Default pursuant to Section 4 hereof, this Note shall accrue simple interest, from the date of Default at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of actual number of days elapsed based on a year of 360 days. Under no circumstances will the interest rate on this Note be more than the maximum rate allowed by applicable law.

 

1.3   Payments, Allocation of Payments . Except if such obligations are satisfied through a conversion pursuant to Section 2, principal and any interest if due, are payable in lawful money of the United States of America. All payments shall be credited first to interest if due, fees, costs and expenses then due and the remainder to the principal amount of the obligations.

 

 
 

 

1.4   Prepayment of the Note . Prior to the Maturity Date, Borrower may at its sole discretion, repay this Note in whole and not in part (a “ Permitted Repayment Event ”).

 

2. Conversion.

 

2.1 Automatic Conversion upon a Qualified Financing.   Effective upon a Qualified Financing as defined in Section 5.2, prior to the Maturity Date, the entire outstanding Original Principal Sum of the Note shall be automatically converted, in whole and not in part without any further action on the part of any Lender, into common shares of Net Element, Inc. (“Shares”) issuable upon such conversion of this Note determined in accordance with Section 2.4 below).

 

2.2 Optional Conversion upon a Non-Qualified Financing .  Effective upon a Non-Qualified Financing as defined in Section 5.3, at the option of the Lender in its sole discretion, the entire outstanding Original Principal Sum of the Note, shall be converted, in whole and not in part without any further action on the part of any Lender, into Shares with the number of Shares issuable upon such conversion of this Note determined in accordance with Section 2.4 below.

 

2.3 Optional Conversion before or after the Maturity Date . At any time before or after the Maturity Date, at the option of the Lender, in its sole discretion, the entire outstanding Original Principal Sum of the Note shall be automatically converted, in whole and not in part without any further action on the part of any Lender, into Shares with the number of Shares issuable upon such conversion of this Note determined in accordance with Section 2.4 below.

 

2.4 Number of Shares . The number of Shares to be issued to Lender upon conversion under this Section 2 shall equal to a total of Fifteen Percent (15%) of the then outstanding stock of Net Element, Inc. on a fully diluted basis.

 

2.6 Delivery of Note and Share Certificates . Upon conversion under this Section 2, this Note will, for all purposes, be deemed to be converted into Shares, at which time this Note shall for all purposes be deemed cancelled be deemed paid in full except for the interest (if any) accrued as a result of Event of Default . Upon conversion of this Note pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2, Lender hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Borrower all transaction documents entered into by other purchasers participating in the Qualified Financing or Non-Qualified Financing, as applicable, including any purchase agreement, any investor rights agreement, any stockholder or voting agreement and other ancillary agreements, with customary representations and warranties and transfer restrictions.  Upon the conversion of this Note pursuant to this Section 2, Borrower shall issue and deliver to Lender a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Shares to which Lender is entitled. Borrower covenants that all Shares issued upon conversion will, upon issuance, be fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges caused or created by Borrower with respect to the issue thereof. Lender agrees to deliver the original of this Note for cancellation (or a notice to the effect that the original Note has been lost, stolen or destroyed and an agreement acceptable to Borrower whereby Lender agrees to indemnify Borrower from any loss incurred by it in connection with this Note).

 

3. Security Interest . Borrower agrees to procure and take all actions so that payment and performance of this Note shall have seniority over all debt of the Borrower outstanding as of the date of this Note and to use best endeavors to have the obligations hereunder positioned as a senior security interest secured by all assets of Net Element Inc. and by those payment processing portfolios owned by the company as of the date of this Note.

 

 
 

 

4. Default; Demand; Protest . Non-payment of this Note by the Maturity Date or the non-conversion to the Shares within a reasonable period of time (not exceeding thirty days) after qualifying events set forth in Section 2 shall constitute an Event of Default . Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, notice of any default, diligence in collection and notices of intention to accelerate maturity, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by Lender on which Borrower may in any way be liable.

 

5. Definitions . As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

5.1.“Acquisition Event” means the sale of a majority of the ownership of Borrower or any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Borrower.

 

5.2. “Qualified Financing” means the first financing closing after the date hereof, in which Borrower receives financing of at least Ten Million US Dollars ($10,000,000.00) from the third party.

 

5.3. “ Non-Qualified Financing ” means any equity financing closing after the date hereof in which Borrower issues capital stock, other than a Qualified Financing.

 

6. No Right of Set-Off . The Lender and the Borrower agree that all payments hereunder shall be made in full without right of set-off.

 

7. Amendment Provisions . This Note and the provisions, rights and obligations hereof, may be amended, waived or modified only upon the written consent of the Borrower and the Lender.

 

8. Transfer . This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Borrower for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer.  Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee.  Interest, if any, and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note.  Such payment shall be full discharge of the Borrower’s obligation to pay any such interest and principal.

 

9. Severability . If any provision of this Note is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity, legality and enforceability of any of the remaining provisions or portions of this Note shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and this Note shall nevertheless be binding between the Borrower and Lender.

 

10. Binding Effect . This Note shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Borrower and Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

 

11. Notices . All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified or (b) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All communications shall be sent to the Borrower at the address as set forth on the signature page to this Note or at such other address as the Borrower or Lender may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other party hereto.

 

12. No Rights as Stockholder . This Note, as such, shall not entitle Lender to any rights as a stockholder of the Borrower.

 

 
 

 

13. Languages This Note is made up in Russian and English languages. In case of any discrepancies between the Russian and English versions, the English version shall prevail.

 

14. Headings and Governing Law . The descriptive headings in this Note are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Note. The validity, meaning and effect of this Note shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. THE PARTIES TO THIS NOTE HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO DISPUTES ARISING UNDER THIS NOTE AND CONSENT TO A BENCH TRIAL WITH THE APPROPRIATE JUDGE ACTING AS THE FINDER OF FACT.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

THE BORROWER:        
           
NET ELEMENT, INC.        
           
           
By: /s/ Oleg Firer        
  Name:  Oleg Firer        
  Title:    CEO        

 

Address: 3363 NE 163 rd Street #705

North Miami Beach, FL 33160

 

 
 

 

 

CAPITAL MARKETS CONTACT:

Alexandra Petek

apetek@merrimanco.com
(415) 248-5681

www.netelement.com

 

 

Net Element Announces $30 Million Financing Round

 

Financing to Support an Aggressive Growth Agenda

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA – April 22, 2014 Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) (“Net Element” or the “Company), a technology-driven group specializing in mobile payments and value-added transactional services in emerging countries and in the United States, is pleased to announce that the Company completed the first closing of $11.2 million from a new investor, Cayman Invest, SA (“Cayman Invest”).

 

Cayman Invest has agreed to fund $11.2 million and in return the Company has issued to Cayman Invest, SA a note that is convertible at or before a maturity date of March 31, 2015 into 15% of the outstanding shares of Net Element. This investment by Cayman Invest is structured as a convertible debenture that does not accrue interest before the maturity date. The $11.2 million raise is part of a larger financing round totaling $30 million that the Company plans to complete this year.

 

“Net Element has demonstrated the viability of its business model and the value-added nature of its disruptive technologies in the financial services technology sector. We expect Net Element’s service offerings to be key enablers for the growth in cashless transactions in the emerging markets,” said Anvar Mametov, Managing Director of Cayman Invest. “We are delighted to support the Company in further developing and globally scaling the business.”

 

Oleg Firer, CEO of Net Element commented, “I am pleased to announce this relationship with Cayman Invest as we execute an aggressive growth strategy with the proceeds from this capital raise.” Firer continued, “We are dedicated to building shareholder value and this transaction provides the Company with critical expansion capital from a committed and highly valued international investor.”

 

Additional information regarding this financing may be found in Net Element’s 8K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 22, 2014 and may be obtained from the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

About Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE)

 

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE) is a global technology-driven group specializing in mobile payments and value-added transactional services. The Company owns and operates a global mobile payments and transaction processing provider, TOT Group. TOT Group companies include Unified Payments, recognized by Inc. Magazine as the #1 Fastest Growing Private Company in America in 2012, Aptito, a next generation cloud-based point of sale payments platform, and TOT Money, which has a leading position in Russia and has been ranked as the #1 SMS content provider by Beeline, Russia's second largest telecommunications operator. Together with its subsidiaries, Net Element enables ecommerce and adds value to mobile commerce environments. Its global development centers and high-level business relationships in the United States, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States strategically position the Company for continued growth. The Company has U.S. headquarters in Miami and headquarters in Moscow. More information is available at www.netelement.com.

 

 
 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "continue," "will," "may," "could," "should," "expect," "expected," "plans," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, whether Net Element or its business continues to grow. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the extent that Cayman Invest will fund the entire amount under the note, and the extent Element is able (or unable) to obtain replacement or additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms when needed. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Net Element and are difficult to predict, Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) Net Element 's ability (or inability) to obtain additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms when needed; (ii) Net Element 's ability to maintain existing, and secure additional, contracts with users of its payment processing services; (iii) Net Element 's ability to successfully expand in existing markets and enter new markets; (iv) Net Element 's ability to successfully manage and integrate any acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (v) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (vi) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (vii) adverse effects of increased competition on Net Element 's business; (viii) changes in government licensing and regulation that may adversely affect Net Element 's business; (ix) the risk that changes in consumer behavior could adversely affect Net Element 's business; (x) Net Element 's ability to protect its intellectual property; (xi) local, industry and general business and economic conditions; (xii) adverse effects of potentially deteriorating U.S.-Russia relations, including, without limitation, over a conflict related to Ukraine, including a risk that the U.S. government may decide to impose sanctions or other legal restrictions on U.S. businesses doing business in Russia. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K and the subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by Net Element with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Net Element anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Net Element assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.

 

 

Source: Net Element