As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2023

Registration No. 333-                 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

LQR House Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Nevada   2080   86-1604197
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

6800 Indian Creek Dr. Suite 1E

Miami Beach, FL 33141

(786) 389-9771

 

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Sean Dollinger

Chief Executive Officer

6800 Indian Creek Dr. Suite 1E

Miami Beach, FL 33141

(786) 389-9771

 

(Names, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

Copies to:

Daniel Nauth

Nauth LPC

217 Queen St. W., #401

Toronto, ON M5V 0R2

Canada

(416) 477-6031

Ross Carmel, Esq.

Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP

55 West 39th Street, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10018

(212) 658-0458

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
  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 comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This registration statement contains two prospectuses, as set forth below.

 

Public Offering Prospectus. A prospectus to be used for the public offering of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock through the underwriter named on the cover page of this prospectus, which we refer to as Public Offering Prospectus.

 

The Resale Prospectus. A prospectus to be used for the resale by selling stockholders of 5,381,668 shares of Common Stock, which we refer to as the Resale Prospectus.

 

The Resale Prospectus is substantively identical to the Public Offering Prospectus, except for the following principal points:

 

they contain different front covers;

 

they contain different Offering sections in the Prospectus Summary;

 

they contain different Use of Proceeds sections;

 

the Capitalization and Dilution sections are deleted from the Resale Prospectus;

 

a Selling Stockholders section is included in the Resale Prospectus;

 

the Underwriting section from the Public Offering Prospectus is deleted from the Resale Prospectus and a Plan of Distribution section is inserted in its place; and

 

the Legal Matters section in the Resale Prospectus deletes the reference to counsel for the underwriters.

 

The registrant has included in this registration statement a set of alternate pages after the back cover page of the Public Offering Prospectus, which we refer to as the Alternate Pages, to reflect the foregoing differences in the Resale Prospectus as compared to the Public Offering Prospectus. The Public Offering Prospectus will exclude the Alternate Pages and will be used for the public offering by the Registrant. The Resale Prospectus will be substantively identical to the Public Offering Prospectus except for the addition or substitution of the Alternate Pages and will be used for the resale offering by the selling stockholders.

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED June 14, 2023

 

 

LQR House Inc.

 

1,000,000 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

 

This is an initial public offering (“IPO,” “offering,” or “initial public offering”) of our shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”). We are offering 1,000,000 of our shares of Common Stock. We currently estimate that the initial public offering price of our Common Stock will be between $4 and $6 per share.  

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares. We are in the process of applying to list our shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market tier operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “LQR”. Nasdaq might not approve such an application, and if our application is not approved, this offering cannot be completed.

 

We are an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, under applicable U.S. federal securities laws, and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Common Stock—We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.” for more information.

 

Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk.  See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our Common Stock.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or provincial 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.

 

   Per Share   Total 
Assumed initial public offering price  $5.00   $5,000,000 
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)  $0.40   $400,000 
Proceeds to us, before expenses  $4.60   $4,600,000 

 

(1)Does not include the following additional compensation payable to the underwriters. In addition to the compensation referenced above, we have agreed to pay to EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, (“EF Hutton”), the representative of the underwriters (the “Representative”), a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1.00%) of the gross proceeds raised and to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses incurred relating to this Offering. In addition, we will issue to the Representative a warrant to purchase up to that number of shares of our Common Stock equal to five percent (5.00%) of the number of shares of Common Stock sold in this Offering. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part also registers the issuance of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the representative’s warrants. See “Underwriting” for additional disclosure regarding underwriters’ compensation and offering expenses.

 

This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters are obligated to take and purchase all of the shares of Common Stock offered under this prospectus if any such shares are taken.

 

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 45 days after the closing of this IPO to purchase up to 15% of the total number of our shares to be offered by us pursuant to this offering (excluding shares subject to this option), solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount. If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discount and commissions, not including other offering expenses, will be $460,000 based on the assumed initial public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering shown on the cover page of this prospectus, and the total gross proceeds to us, before underwriting discounts, commissions and expenses, will be $5,750,000. Net proceeds will be delivered to us on the closing date.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Common Stock to purchasers in the offering on or about [*].

 

EF Hutton

division of Benchmark Investments, LLC

 

 

The date of this prospectus is [          ], 2023.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

  

    Page
Prospectus Summary   1
Risk Factors   11
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   27
Use of Proceeds   28
Dividend Policy   29
Capitalization   30
Dilution   31
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   32
Corporate History and Structure   40
Business   42
Management   55
Executive Compensation   60
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions   69
Principal Shareholders   70
Description of Securities   73
Shares Eligible for Future Sale   76
Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock   78
Underwriting   82
Legal Matters   86
Experts   86
Where You Can Find More Information   86
Financial Statements   F-1

 

Please read this prospectus carefully. It describes our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, among other things. We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus and in any free-writing prospectus we have authorized. Neither we nor the underwriter have authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and neither we nor the underwriter take responsibility for any other information others may give you. Neither we nor the underwriter are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of shares of our Common Stock. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.

 

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

 

We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus includes industry data and forecasts that we obtained from industry publications and surveys as well as public filings and internal company sources. Industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Statements as to our ranking, market position and market estimates are based on third-party forecasts, management’s estimates and assumptions about our markets and our internal research. We have not independently verified such third-party information, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon in those sources. While we believe that all such information contained in this prospectus is accurate and complete, nonetheless such data involve uncertainties and risks, including risks from errors, and is subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

  

i

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our Common Stock. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the risks associated with an investment in our company discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Some of the statements in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. See the section titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

In this prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise, “we,” “us,” “our,” “LQR House,” “the Company,” “our company” and similar references refer to the operations of LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation.

 

Our Company

 

Overview

 

Our company, LQR House Inc., intends to become the full-service digital marketing and brand development face of the alcoholic beverage space.. Currently, LQR has a key partnership with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. (“CWS”). LQR House holds the rights for all marketing elements for CWS allowing significant support for emerging brands, whilst their exclusive influencer network serves as affiliates for LQR House directing traffic to www.cwspirits.com as explained below. It is important to note that we do not engage in the sale or distribution of any alcoholic products. Currently, the importation of alcoholic beverage products is handled by Rilo Import & Export Inc. and all alcoholic beverage products are distributed to customers through our agreement with CWS, a licensed distributor. Our business includes the development through marketing of premium limited batch spirit brands, which includes establishing an exclusive wine club, and marketing internal and external brands through an exclusive agreement with a U.S.-based e-commerce portal, CWS Platform as explained below. We believe that the marketing and brand management services we provide to our wholly owned and third-party clients will increase the brand recognition thereof, and drive sales thereof through our e-commerce platform partner.

 

Our Key Partnerships with CWS and Ssquared

 

We have an exclusive marketing agreement with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits Inc., which we refer to as CWS and Ssquared, respectively, and which together own and operate one of the largest online retailers of liquor in the United States, located at www.cwspirits.com, which we refer to as the CWS Platform. In this three-way business relationship, Ssquared operates the CWS Platform on a day-to-day basis, for example, by ensuring timely stocking of product and communicating with the CWS influencer network; CWS provides import, fulfillment, and distribution services for all products sold on the CWS Platform; and our company handles 100% of the promotion of spirits and other beverage products through the internet and through various social media channels.

 

Specifically, our company obtained the sole right to manage and make decisions regarding user-facing content on the CWS Platform, including the placement and removal of products and the creation and management of promotional initiatives. The grant of rights to our company is exclusive such that, during the term of this agreement, April 1, 2021, through April 1, 2031, Ssquared and CWS shall not grant to any third party any right to promote or advertise products on the CWS Platform and shall not shall directly or indirectly promote or advertise any products themselves. This agreement may be terminated upon a material breach by a party thereto that goes uncured for longer than 30 days or at any time by our company with thirty days written notice to each of CWS and Ssquared. For additional information about the consideration due under the agreement, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Transactions with Related Persons”.

 

Our relationship with CWS and Ssquared is the cornerstone of our business. Under our agreement with CWS and Ssquared, we can focus on our competitive strengths, which include marketing and brand promotion. Our relationship and agreement with CWS and Ssquared provide us access to approximately 241,000 customers via the CWS mailing lists and recurring traffic on the CWS Platform. This agreement also allows us to market our brands on the CWS Platform and have them sold and distributed by our partners, CWS and Ssquared. Moreover, any third-party brands seeking to have their products marketed on the CWS Platform can only do so by becoming a client of the Company.

 

Our Historical Performance

 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. We had minimal cash as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $23,581 and $7,565, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we had net losses of $322,074 and $701,128, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, our net loss was $1,842,175 and $1,962,726, respectively. The Company’s cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover its operating expenses and obligations for the next 12 months. The Company expects to fund its operations for the next 12 months through equity financing arrangements and sales of its services. However, the Company may not be able to raise adequate funds for capital expenditures, working capital and other cash requirements from capital markets on acceptable terms, or at all. Advances from an officer or stockholder may likewise be unavailable. The Company’s failure to raise capital as and when needed and generate significantly higher revenues than operating expenses to achieve profitability would impact its going concern status and would have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to pursue its business strategy and continue as a going concern. For further discussion, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Going Concern”.

 

1

 

 

The Services and Brands We Market

 

The following products and services constitute the core elements of our business model and allow us to serve various types of customers in the alcohol industry, including individual consumers, wholesalers, and third-party alcohol brands:

 

SWOL Tequila is a limited-edition blend of Añejo Tequila made in exclusive batches of up to 10,000 bottles and represents the first installment under our “SWOL” trademark with application number 2345291 and registration number 2141431 which was originally owned by Dollinger Innovations and transferred over to LQR House Inc. pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated March 19, 2021, among LQR House Inc. and Dollinger Innovations Inc., Dollinger Holdings LLC and Sean Dollinger. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, LQR House Inc. purchased all of the right, title and interest in the trademarks SWOL and all associated trade dress and intellectual property rights and all labels, logos and other branding bearing the SWOL marks or any mark substantially similar to the same. Tequila bearing the “SWOL” trademark is produced by Casa Cava de Oro S.A., an authentic tequila distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, imported into the United States through Rilo Import & Export Inc. by CWS and sold to retail customers in the United States via the CWS Platform and in CWS’s physical locations.

 

Vault is the exclusive membership program for the CWS Platform, which is offered and managed by the Company. We receive the subscriptions fees generated by this program. Through the CWS Platform, users can sign up for this exclusive membership where they will have access to all products available through CWS combined with special membership benefits.

 

Soleil Vino will be a wine subscription service marketed on the CWS Platform that will offer a unique selection of vintage and limited production wines. Through the CWS Platform, users will be able to sign up for this exclusive membership where they will have access to curated selections of wine from around the world. With Soleil Vino, we intend to create the premium wine subscription service on the market with high qualities and diverse selections of wine offerings. Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement, dated May 31, 2021, between LQR House Inc. and Dollinger Holdings LLC, LQR House Inc. purchased all of the right, title and interest in all trademarks regardless of registration status for Soleil Vino and all associated trade dress and intellectual property rights, all labels, logos and other branding bearing the Soleil Vino marks or any mark substantially similar to the same, and all website and all related digital and social media content including but not limited to influencer networks, http://www.soleilvino.com, and all related content, and all related sales channels was transferred.

 

LQR House Marketing is a marketing service in which we utilize our marketing expertise to help our wholly owned brands and third-party clients market their products to consumers. For example, by engaging us for our marketing services, our clients gain the ability to advertise and sell their brand on the CWS Platform.

 

Our Industry

 

We plan to address market demand by aligning with key industry trends and by utilizing strategic relationships to source, brand, finance and distribute products. Specifically, we will focus initially on tequila, wine, and other specialty products by utilizing e-commerce and technology to drive sales. Our focus is on the United States alcohol market, which is expected to consume a total of approximately $283.8 billion of alcoholic beverages in 2023 and represents one of the largest global markets for all alcoholic beverage category sales (Statista, Alcoholic Drinks – Worldwide, January 2023). With the growing online alcohol market and the move towards premiumization of alcohol brands, we believe that LQR House can become the leading digital marketing and brand development face of the United States alcoholic beverage space.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that we have the following competitive strengths that will allow us to capitalize on the growing alcoholic beverage industry and alcohol e-commerce:

 

Unique Platform. We believe that our branding style, and the branding services we provide to our clients, allow us to market directly to the millennial market demographic.

 

Extensive Influencer Network. We believe that our team has created one of the most extensive influencer relationship lists within the alcohol industry for small batch and exclusive brands.

 

Extensive E-commerce and Marketing Expertise. Our team has decades of experience in e-commerce and implementing online strategies to maximize the benefit of marketing campaigns.

 

External Vetting Process. We vet the external brands we promote to ensure that all of the products we market align with our own brand and strategy.

 

Strategic Relationships. We believe we have developed and solidified relationships with multiple groups that can deliver value to external brand customers.

 

Development of Unique Products. We focus our product development on unique flavors and variations of products that are not generally available in the market.

 

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Setting Ideal Price Points. We believe we set a competitive price point, which aligns with the uniqueness and quality of the products offered by the Company.

 

Focus on Quality. We believe all our products are sourced from the highest quality producers, and we vet our producers by visiting locations to verify quality and control procedures.

 

Unique Labelling and Marketing Promotions. We have crafted unique labelling which aligns with our branding but also includes a removable patch that can be affixed to other items.

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

The key elements of our strategy to expand our business include the following:

 

Collaborative Marketing. We intend to develop leading brands for up-and-coming companies and start-ups and align with celebrities and influencers with significant followings to enhance their online marketing presence.

 

Expand Our Brand. We intend to continue expanding and developing our existing SWOL brand by purchasing and selling larger amounts of SWOL products to accelerate brand recognition and increasing our marketing presence.

 

Opportunistic Acquisitions. We intend to pursue opportunistic acquisitions with existing alcohol brands and companies that have distribution licenses and physical storage locations and acquire technology that complements our business.

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we will qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As a result, we will be permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

have an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis);

 

submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay” and “say-on-frequency;” and

 

disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also 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 elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

 

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Our Corporate History and Structure

 

Our company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 11, 2021, under the name LQR House Inc. On February 3, 2023, we changed our state of incorporation to the State of Nevada by converting into LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation. On February 3, 2023, in accordance with our reincorporation to Nevada, our authorized capital stock changed from 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, to 350,000,000 shares, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At the same time, we also completed a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of our outstanding Common Stock through the merger by issuing one (1) share of our Common Stock for every six (6) previously outstanding shares of Common Stock of our predecessor Delaware company. As a result, our issued and outstanding Common Stock decreased from 55,252,424 shares to 9,200,434 shares.

 

On March 29, 2023, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to institute a dual class share structure consisting of Class A Common Stock, and Class B Common Stock, and any number of classes of preferred stock. Class A Common Stock was entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval, and Class B Common Stock was entitled to one (1) vote on any such matter. A share of Class A Common Stock could have been voluntarily converted into a share of Class B Common Stock. A transfer of a share of Class A Common Stock would have resulted in its automatic conversion into Common Stock upon such transfer, subject to certain exceptions, including that the transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock to another holder of Class A Common Stock would not have resulted in such automatic conversion. Class B Common Stock was not convertible. Other than as to voting and conversion rights, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock had the same rights and preferences and ranked equally, shared ratably and were identical in all respects as to all matters.

 

Due to this amendment, the Company’s authorized capital stock became 350,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 20,000,000 shares were designated Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 280,000,000 shares were designated as Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. All 9,200,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

On June 1, 2023, we conducted a private placement of our Common Stock and entered into certain subscription agreements with a number of (i) accredited investors as defined in Section 2(a)(15) of the Securities Act, and Rule 501 promulgated thereunder, in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws or (ii) non-U.S. persons made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the agreements, we issued 955,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share for a total of $955,000.

 

On June 1, 2023, we entered into advisor agreements with certain advisors, pursuant to which the advisors will provide business and corporate advice in connection with the Offering to the Company. In consideration for the advisor’s services, the Company issued 500,000 shares of Common Stock to six individuals and entities, for an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

On June 5, 2023, the Company further amended its articles of incorporation to amend the share structure by (i) eliminating a dual class share structure consisting of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and establishing a single Common Stock structure consisting of shares of Common Stock only, with 350,000,000 authorized shares being all designated as common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Single Common Stock Structure”), entitled to one (1) vote per share; and by (ii) eliminating all authorized shares of preferred stock. All 13,155,434 shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Common Stock.

 

Prior to the commencement of this offering, there will be 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding representing voting power of 10,155,434 votes. Following this offering, there will be 11,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding representing voting power of 11,155,434 votes.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 6800 Indian Creek Dr. Suite 1E, Miami Beach, FL 33141, and our telephone number is (786) 389-9771. We maintain a website at https://www.lqrhouse.com. Information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed a part of this prospectus.

 

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The Offering

 

Shares being offered:   1,000,000 shares of Common Stock (or 1,150,000 shares if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full).
     
Offering price:   We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be $5 per share (which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus).
     
Shares outstanding as of the date
of this prospectus:
  10,155,434 shares of Common Stock.
     
Shares outstanding after the
offering: (1)
  11,155,434 shares of Common Stock (or 11,305,434 shares if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full).
     
Over-allotment option:   We have granted to the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase from us up to an additional 15% of the shares sold in the offering (150,000 additional shares) at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
     
Representative’s warrant:   We have agreed to issue to the representative a warrant to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal in the aggregate to 5% of the total number of shares issued in this offering. The representative’s warrant will be exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to the public offering price per share of Common Stock sold in this offering. The representative’s warrant will be exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the five-year period commencing on the effective date of this offering. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part also registers the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the representative’s warrant. See “Underwriting” for more information.
     
Use of proceeds:   We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $3,955,990 from this offering (or approximately $4,638,490 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $5 per share (which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for acquisitions, marketing, working capital, and as compensation for certain executive officers. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information on the use of proceeds.
     
Risk factors:   Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. As an investor, you should be able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 11 before deciding to invest in our Common Stock.
     
Lock-up Agreements  

We, all of our directors and officers and all of our shareholders have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our Common Stock for six (6) months after the close of the IPO (the “Lock-Up Period”). See “Underwriting—Lock-Up Agreements”.

 

Notwithstanding the above, we and the underwriters have agreed to waive the lock-up requirement for shares of Common Stock being offered for sale by the selling stockholders named in the Resale Prospectus. See “Shares Eligible For Future Sale—Lock-Up Agreements”.

 

5

 

 

Proposed trading market and
symbol
  We have applied to list our Common Stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “LQR”.  We believe that upon the completion of this offering, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq.  The closing of this offering is contingent upon such listing.

 

(1)The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately following this offering is based on 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, and excludes:

 

1,250,000 shares of Common Stock that are reserved for issuance to our directors, director nominees, and officers under the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan;

 

50,000 shares of Common Stock (57,500 shares of Common Stock if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the underwriters in connection with this offering; and

 

150,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option in full.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.

 

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Summary Financial Information

 

The following tables summarize certain financial data regarding our business and should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Our summary financial data as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are derived from our interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our summary financial data as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and period from inception (January 11, 2021) to December 31, 2021, are derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. All financial statements included in this prospectus are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. The summary financial information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein. The financial statements contained elsewhere fully represent our financial condition and operations; however, they are not indicative of our future performance.

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Year ended
December 31,
   Inception (January 11,
2021) to
December 31,
 
   2023   2022   2022   2021 
Statements of Operations Data  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)         
Revenue  $150,563   $28,250   $601,131   $315,292 
Cost of revenue   102,997    312,955    803,144    677,447 
Gross profit (loss)   47,566    (284,705)   (202,013)   (362,155)
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Sales and marketing   48,323    162,886    655,151    464,011 
General and administrative   321,317    253,537    985,011    1,136,560 
Total operating expenses  $369,640   $416,423   $1,640,162   $1,600,571 
                     
Loss from operations   (322,074)   (701,128)   (1,842,175)   (1,962,726)
Provision for income taxes   -    -    -    - 
Net loss  $(322,074)  $(701,128)  $(1,842,175)  $(1,962,726)
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic and diluted   9,200,406    8,950,544    9,015,023    7,443,489 
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted  $(0.04)  $(0.08)  $(0.20)  $(0.26)

 

   March 31,   March 31,   December 31, 
   2023  

2023

   2022   2021 
Balance Sheet Data  Actual
(unaudited)
   Pro Forma
As Adjusted
         
Cash and cash equivalents   23,581    5,249,081    7,565    1,116,101 
Total current assets   70,012    5,295,512    547,022    1,334,448 
Intangible assets   2,020,833    2,020,833    2,083,333    2,333,333 
Total assets   2,150,104    7,316,345    2,630,356    3,667,781 
Total liabilities   432,537    432,537    590,715    103,841 
Total stockholders’ equity   1,717,567    6,883,808    2,039,641    3,563,941 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $2,150,104   $7,316,345   $2,630,356   $3,667,781 

 

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Summary of Risk Factors

 

An investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks summarized below. These risks are discussed more fully in the “Risk Factors” section immediately following this Prospectus Summary. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

 

Our Chief Executive Officer, Sean Dollinger, has been the subject of a compliance review that was initiated by the British Columbia Securities Commission, and has not formally been concluded, in connection with the sale of a subsidiary by Namaste Technologies Inc. when Mr. Dollinger was the Chief Executive Officer there, and if the British Columbia Securities Commission or any other regulatory agency takes additional action against Mr. Dollinger, our business could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our business, revenue, and operations depend on our continuing relationship with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits LLC.

 

We have a limited operating history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern in its report.

 

The Company may need to raise additional capital to support its operations.

 

The Company may incur significant losses, and there can be no assurance that the Company will ever become a profitable business.

 

We rely on other third parties to provide services essential to the success of our business.

 

Increased regulatory costs or taxes would harm our financial performance.

 

Changes in the prices of supplies and raw materials could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

 

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We are dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management and other key employees, the loss of any of whom could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

If the Company fails to develop or protect its intellectual property adequately, the Company’s business could suffer.

 

The Company’s products, services or processes could be subject to claims of infringement of the intellectual property of others.

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact our financial results and cash flows.

 

Risks Related to Government Regulation and Being a Public Company

 

We will face growing regulatory and compliance requirements which can be costly and time consuming.

 

Failure to comply with data privacy and security laws and regulations could adversely affect our operating results and business.

 

Changes in laws and government regulations to which we are currently subject, including changes to the method or approach of enforcement, may increase our costs or limit our ability to market our alcohol brands and the brands of our clients, which could adversely affect our operating results and business.

 

If we fail to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

 

Our management team has limited experience managing a public company.

 

Industry and other market data used in this prospectus or in periodic reports that we may in the future file with the SEC, including those undertaken by us or our engaged consultants, may not prove to be representative of current and future market conditions or future results.

 

Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect our current and projected business operations and our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock

 

An active trading market for our Common Stock may not develop.

 

The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

 

Certain recent initial public offerings of companies with relatively small public floats comparable to our anticipated public float have experienced extreme volatility that was seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance of the respective company. Our Common Stock may potentially experience rapid and substantial price volatility, which may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the value of our Common Stock.

 

We may not be able to maintain a listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq.

 

As our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our stock and do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, including purchasers of Common Stock in this offering or restrict our operations.

 

  Enforcing legal liability against our directors and senior management might be difficult.
     
  The offering price of the primary offering and resale offering could differ.
     
  The resale by the selling stockholders may cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline.
     
  We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before purchasing our Common Stock. We have listed below (not necessarily in order of importance or probability of occurrence) what we believe to be the most significant risk factors applicable to us, but they do not constitute all of the risks that may be applicable to us. Any of the following factors could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. Some statements in this prospectus, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

 

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

 

Our Chief Executive Officer, Sean Dollinger, has been the subject of a compliance review that was initiated by the British Columbia Securities Commission, and has not formally been concluded, in connection with the sale of a subsidiary by Namaste Technologies Inc. when Mr. Dollinger was the Chief Executive Officer there, and if the British Columbia Securities Commission or any other regulatory agency takes additional action against Mr. Dollinger, our business could be materially adversely affected.

 

Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer, was the Chief Executive Officer of Namaste Technologies Inc., or Namaste, a Canadian public company, from June 2015 to February 2019. In October 2017, Namaste sought to list its securities on the TSX Venture Exchange, or TSXV. During that time, the TSXV and the Toronto Stock Exchange, or TXV, advised their listed issuers that they could not hold interests in any entities engaging in activities related to cannabis in the United States. After receiving the TSXV Notice, Namaste sought to divest one of its subsidiaries who would be the subject of the TSXV’s notice, Dollinger Enterprises US Inc., or Dollinger US. On November 28, 2017, in a transaction approved by the Namaste board of directors, Namaste sold Dollinger US to ESC Hughes Holdings Ltd, or ESC Hughes, a company owned by David Hughes, who was acting as Chief Marketing Officer of Namaste through his wholly owned consulting firm, ORH Marketing Ltd. In an Investor call on November 29, 2017, Mr. Dollinger affirmed that the $400,000.00 purchase price for Dollinger US was fair market value and that the deal was conducted at arm’s length.

 

On September 13, 2018, and October 4, 2018, Citron Research, a company controlled by US-based short-seller Andrew Left, released two reports on Namaste. In those reports, Citron Research made allegations of securities fraud relating to the sale of Dollinger US. On October 9, 2018, and October 10, 2018, the British Columbia Securities Commission’s (“BCSC”) compliance department, which is a separate and distinct group from the BCSC’s enforcement department, issued comment letters to Namaste containing requests for information regarding the allegations in Citron Research’s report. Namaste responded to the letter and stated that neither ESC Hughes nor David Hughes was then, or is now, a “related party” to the Company (as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101, Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions) as neither ESC Hughes nor David Hughes individually, or in aggregate, held then, or hold now, greater than 10% of the outstanding securities of Namaste. Mr. Dollinger departed from Namaste in February 2019 but has offered his full cooperation to the BCSC in all requests. The BCSC has not filed an action against Mr. Dollinger, or Namaste, because of the Dollinger US transaction.

 

In connection with the sale of Dollinger US, on October 19, 2018, a class action complaint was filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Namaste and its former CEO, Sean Dollinger, and COO, Philip Van Den Berg on behalf of those who acquired securities of Namaste during certain time periods, alleging that the Defendants made misrepresentations of material facts relating to Namaste’s business, operations, and finances by omitting from core documents, non-core documents and statements, material facts about the sale of Dollinger US. The complaint asserted causes of action for misrepresentations with respect to securities under Section 138.3 of Ontario Securities Act (imposing liability “Where a responsible issuer or a person or company with actual, implied or apparent authority to act on behalf of a responsible issuer releases a document that contains a misrepresentation …”) and common law claims for secondary market negligent and fraudulent misrepresentations. The Ontario Court approved a settlement agreement on July 22, 2019, in which the plaintiffs received $2,150,000.00, paid out by Namaste’s insurance policy, and the defendants, including Mr. Dollinger, did not make any admissions of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing. We do not believe that Mr. Dollinger’s involvement in this class action, which was settled without any admissions of guilt or wrongdoing or liability, will have any effect on our ability to operate our business, the price of our stock, or the results of our operations.

 

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Additionally, on November 19, 2018, a class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Namaste, Sean Dollinger, Philip Van Den Berg, and former CFO, Kenneth Ngo, on behalf of persons and entities who or which purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Namaste common stock traded on the over-the-counter market between November 29, 2017, and March 6, 2019. In that claim, plaintiffs alleged violations of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 based on allegations that the defendants made false or misleading statements or failed to disclose that Namaste did not disclose that it had sold Dollinger US to Namaste executives and, consequently, Namaste did not sell Dollinger US in an arm’s length transaction, and as a result, Namaste’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times relating to the sale of Dollinger US. The District Court in this case approved a settlement agreement on March 11, 2020, in which the plaintiffs were awarded $2,750,000.00, paid out by Namaste’s insurance policy, and the defendants, including Mr. Dollinger, did not make any admissions of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing. We do not believe that Mr. Dollinger’s involvement in this class action, which was settled without any admissions of guilt or wrongdoing or liability, will have any effect on our ability to operate our business, the price of our stock, or the results of our operations.

 

Regarding the BCSC compliance review and correspondence with Mr. Dollinger, we believe that it is reasonable to infer from the length of time that has passed since the last contact from the BCSC, though not a certainty, that the BCSC compliance department has concluded its review into Mr. Dollinger. Additionally, we believe it is reasonable to infer that, had the BCSC enforcement department, which has a six-year statute of limitations as to actionable securities fraud, found wrongdoing involving the matter described above, the BCSC enforcement department likely would have contacted Mr. Dollinger or his lawyer by now, though, again, that inference is by no means a certainty. We do not believe that there is an ongoing BCSC investigation or review in which Mr. Dollinger is a subject, however, we have not received formal confirmation to that effect, and we will likely never receive formal confirmation of that fact since the BCSC does not make public their confidential investigations. If there is an active investigation or review of Mr. Dollinger by the BCSC or any other enforcement division of a regulatory agency, and that review results in an enforcement action against him by the BCSC or any other regulatory agency, then the filing of that action or the result thereof could cause a diversion of the time that Mr. Dollinger has to spend on our business and otherwise may have a have a material adverse impact on the price of our securities and the results of our operations.

 

Our business, revenue, and operations depend on our continuing relationship with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits LLC.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2023 and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, all revenue was derived from or directly related to contractual relationship with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits LLC. We have an exclusive marketing agreement with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared and our relationship with them is the cornerstone of our business. While our relationship with those two entities is ongoing and is expected to continue, we cannot be certain that Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits LLC will maintain their relationship with us at the expiry of our exclusive marketing agreement, dated April 1, 2021, with them on April 1, 2031. That being said, this marketing approach is adaptable to other alcohol e-commerce platforms and the Company will pursue such relationships though it cannot guarantee a successful outcome will result from pursuing such relationships. As much as LQR House Inc. is dependent upon its symbiotic relationship with Country Wine & Spirits Inc., Country Wine & Spirits Inc. is equally dependent on LQR House Inc. LQR House Inc. is responsible for managing the marketing aspects of CWS, which includes providing substantial support for emerging brands. Through its exclusive influencer network, LQR House Inc. serves as an affiliate for CWS, directing traffic to the www.cwspirits.com website. As a result, CWS relies on LQR House Inc. to attract customers who have a strong intention to purchase alcohol online. As an example, one of the products sold on www.cwspirits.com is Tequila with the trademark “SWOL,” a trademark owned by LQR House Inc. This Tequila has gained viral popularity because of the marketing efforts of LQR House Inc. The success of the Tequila translates into benefits for CWS, as CWS leverages LQR House Inc.’s marketing initiatives to effectively sell this specific Tequila product. That being said, if anything were to happen to Country Wine & Spirits Inc. or Ssquared Spirits LLC, such as a bankruptcy or acquisition in which our agreement and partnership is not respected, then such occurrence would have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue generating abilities, and results of operations. Likewise, if any of our agreements with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits LLC end and our services are not engaged in a new agreement, then we will lose our only source of revenue. Such an occurrence would have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue generating abilities, and results of operations and would make it unlikely that we could continue to operate as a going concern. Nonetheless, in such an event the Company will pursue other relationships though it cannot guarantee a successful outcome will result from pursuing such relationships.

 

We have a limited operating history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects.

 

The Company is an early, startup stage entity with little operating history. The Company only has nominal cash as of the date of commencement of this offering. The revenue and income potential of the Company’s business and market are unproven. The Company’s limited operating history makes an evaluation of the Company and its prospects difficult and highly speculative. There can be no assurances that: (a) the Company will be able to develop products or services on a timely and cost effective basis; (b) the Company will be able to generate any increase in revenues; (c) the Company will have adequate financing or resources to continue operating its business and to provide products and services to customers; (d) the Company will earn a profit; (e) the Company can raise sufficient capital to support operations by attaining profitability; or (f) the Company can satisfy future liabilities.

 

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Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern in its report.

 

The Company’s financial statements were prepared on a “going concern” basis. Certain matters, as described in the accompanying financial statements, indicate there may be substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. We had minimal cash as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $23,581 and $7,565, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we had net losses of $322,074 and $701,128, respectively. We will seek to fund our operations through sales of our products, services, and equity financing arrangements. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would impact our going concern status and would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy and continue as a going concern. Management’s plans to address this need for capital through this offering and through private placement offerings are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise sufficient capital will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company may need to raise additional capital to support its operations.

 

The Company may need to procure additional financing over time, the amount and timing of which will depend on a number of factors, including the pace of expansion of the Company’s opportunities and customer base, the scope of product development to be undertaken by the Company, the need to respond to customer needs for improvement of product offerings, the services offered and development efforts, the cash flow generated by its operations, the extent of losses, if any with respect to matters identified as risk factors herein and the extent of other unanticipated areas or amounts of expenditure. The Company cannot fully predict the extent to which it will require additional financing. There can be no assurance regarding the availability or terms of additional financing the Company may be able to procure over time. Any new investor may require that any future debt financing or issuance of preferred equity by the Company could be senior to the rights of stockholders, and any future issuance of equity could result in the dilution of the value of our shares.

 

The Company may incur significant losses, and there can be no assurance that the Company will ever become a profitable business.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we had net losses of $322,074 and $701,128, respectively. It is anticipated that the Company may continue to sustain operating losses. Its ability to become and/or remain profitable depends in material part on success in growing and expanding the Company’s products and services. There can be no assurance that this will occur. Unanticipated problems and expenses often encountered in offering new and unique products or services may impact whether the Company is successful. Furthermore, the Company may encounter substantial delays and unexpected expenses related to development, technological changes, marketing, insurance, legal or regulatory requirements and changes to such requirements or other unforeseen difficulties. There can be no assurance that the Company will remain profitable. If the Company sustains losses over a period of time, it may be unable to continue in business.

 

The Company’s future revenue and operating results are unpredictable and may fluctuate significantly.

 

It is difficult to accurately forecast the Company’s revenues and operating results, and they could fluctuate in the future due to several factors. These factors may include acceptance of the Company’s products and services; the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures; competition from other market venues or services that may reduce market share and create pricing pressure; and adverse changes in general economic, industry and regulatory conditions and requirements. The Company’s operating results may fluctuate from year to year due to the factors listed above and others not listed. At times, these fluctuations may be significant.

 

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If demand for our products and services does not develop as expected our projected revenues and profits will be affected.

 

Our future profits are influenced by many factors, including economics, world events and changing customer preferences. We believe that the markets in our product segment will continue to grow, that we will be successful in marketing our products and services in these markets. If our expectations as to the size of these markets and our ability to sell our products and services in this market are not correct, our revenue may not materialize, and our business will be adversely affected.

 

If we fail to acquire and retain new customers, or fail to do so in a cost-effective manner, we may be unable to increase net revenues, improve margins and achieve profitability.

 

Our success depends on our ability to acquire and retain new customers and to do so in a cost-effective manner. We must continue to acquire customers in order to increase net revenues, improve margins, and achieve profitability. We intend to make significant investments related to customer acquisition and expect to continue to spend significant amounts to acquire additional customers. We cannot assure you that the net revenues from the new customers we acquire will ultimately exceed the cost of acquiring those customers. If we fail to deliver a quality shopping experience, or if consumers do not perceive the products we offer to be of high value and quality, we may be unable to acquire or retain customers. If we are unable to acquire or retain customers who purchase products in volumes sufficient to grow our business, we may be unable to generate the scale necessary to achieve operational efficiency. Consequently, our prices may increase, or may not decrease to levels sufficient to generate customer interest, our net revenues may decrease, and our margins and profitability may decline or not improve. As a result, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

We believe that many of our new customers will originate from word-of-mouth and other non-paid referrals from our customers. Therefore, we must ensure that our customers remain loyal to us to continue receiving those referrals. If our efforts to satisfy our customers are not successful, we may be unable to acquire new customers in sufficient numbers to continue to grow our business, and we may be required to incur significantly higher marketing expenses to acquire new customers.

 

We rely on other third parties to provide services essential to the success of our business.

 

Third parties provide a variety of essential business functions for us, including customer service, legal and distribution. It is possible that some of these third parties will fail to perform their services or will perform them in an unacceptable manner. It is possible that we will experience delays, errors, or other problems with their work that will materially impact our operations.

 

In particular, we rely on CWS for the distribution of products sold by our marketing clientele. In the event CWS were to lose their distribution license, for any reason, including but not limited to, changes in state and federal regulations, we would have to seek alternative distribution options immediately. The services we sell to our clients could be interrupted by the change in distribution provider and our business and reputation could suffer. If our efforts to contract with another distributor are unsuccessful, the Company may be unable to achieve or maintain profitability and may incur significant losses in the future. As a result, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

The value of our brand also depends on effective customer support to provide a high-quality customer experience, which requires significant personnel expenses. If not managed properly, this expense could impact our profitability. Failure to manage or train our outsourced customer support representatives properly could compromise our ability to handle customer complaints effectively.

 

Reduced consumer demand for alcoholic beverages could harm our business.

 

There have been periods in the past in which overall per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States and other markets in which we participate has declined substantially. A limited or general decline in consumption in one or more of our product categories could occur in the future due to a variety of factors, including a general decline in economic conditions, increased concern about the health consequences of consuming alcoholic beverage products and about drinking and driving, a trend toward a healthier diet including lighter, lower-calorie beverages such as diet soft drinks, juices and water products, the increased activity of anti-alcohol groups and increased federal, state or foreign excise and other taxes on alcoholic beverage products. The competitive position of the Company’s products could also be affected adversely by any failure to achieve consistent, reliable quality in the product or service levels to customers.

 

The success of our business relies heavily on brand image, reputation, and product quality.

 

It is important that we maintain and increase the image and reputation of our existing brands and products. Concerns about product quality, even when unsubstantiated, could be harmful to our image and reputation of our brands and products. While we have quality control programs in place, in the event we experienced an issue with product quality, we may experience recalls or liability in addition to business disruption which could further negatively impact brand image and reputation and negatively affect our sales. Our brand image and reputation may also be more difficult to protect due to less oversight and control because of the outsourcing of some of our operations. We also could be exposed to lawsuits relating to product liability or marketing or sales practices. Deterioration to our brand equity may be difficult to combat or reverse and could have a material effect on our business and financial results.

 

In addition, in recent years, there has been a marked increase in the use of social media platforms and other forms of Internet-based communications that provide individuals with access to broad audiences, and the availability of information on social media platforms is virtually immediate, as can be its impact. Many social media platforms immediately publish the content their participants post, often without filters or checks on accuracy of the content posted. Furthermore, other Internet-based or traditional media outlets may in turn reference or republish such social media content to an even broader audience. Information concerning us, regardless of its accuracy, may be posted on such platforms at any time. Information posted may be adverse to our interests or may be inaccurate, each of which may materially harm our brand, reputation, performance, prospects and business, and such harm may be immediate and we may have little or no opportunity to respond or to seek redress or a correction.

 

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Changes in consumer spending could have a negative impact on our financial condition and business results.

 

Alcohol sales depend upon a number of factors related to the level of consumer spending, including the general state of the economy, federal and state income tax rates, deductibility of business entertainment expenses under federal and state tax laws, and consumer confidence in future economic conditions. Changes in consumer spending in these and other areas can affect both the quantity and the price of wines that customers are willing to purchase online, at restaurants or through retail outlets. Reduced consumer confidence and spending may result in reduced demand for our products, limitations on our ability to increase prices and increased levels of selling and promotional expenses. This, in turn, may have a considerable negative impact upon sales and gross margins.

 

We are subject to, or voluntarily comply with, a number of other laws and regulations relating to the payments we accept from our customers and third parties, including with respect to money laundering, money transfers, privacy, and information security, and electronic fund transfers. These laws and regulations could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we were found to be in violation of any of these applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and higher transaction fees or lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers or facilitate other types of online payments, which may make our services less convenient and less attractive to our customers and diminish the customer experience.

 

Adverse public opinion about alcohol may harm our business.

 

While a number of research studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may provide various health benefits, other studies conclude or suggest that alcohol consumption has no health benefits and may increase the risk of stroke, cancer and other illnesses. An unfavorable report on the health effects of alcohol consumption could significantly reduce the demand for wine, which could harm our business by reducing sales and increasing expenses.

 

In recent years, activist groups have used advertising and other methods to inform the public about the societal harms associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. These groups have also sought, and continue to seek, legislation to reduce the availability of alcoholic beverages, to increase the penalties associated with the misuse of alcoholic beverages, or to increase the costs associated with the production of alcoholic beverages. Over time, these efforts could cause a reduction in the consumption of alcoholic beverages generally, which could harm our business by reducing sales and increasing expenses.

 

Increased regulatory costs or taxes would harm our financial performance.

 

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or the TTB, imposes excise taxes, and/or other taxes on beverage alcohol products, and/or on certain raw materials used to produce our beverage alcohol products, in varying amounts. TTB or other governmental bodies may propose changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, taxes and other government rules and regulations. Significant increases in taxes on, or that impact, beverage alcohol products could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

Changes in the prices of supplies and raw materials could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

 

There have been changes in the cost of raw materials used in tequila production and especially raw spirits in recent years. The increases in prices may also take place in the future and our inability to pass on increases to our customers could reduce our margins and profits and have a material adverse effect on our business. We cannot assure you that shortages or increases in the prices of our supplies or raw materials will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are subject to, or voluntarily comply with, a number of other laws and regulations relating to the payments we accept from our customers and third parties, including with respect to money laundering, money transfers, privacy, and information security, and electronic fund transfers. These laws and regulations could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we were found to be in violation of any of these applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and higher transaction fees or lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers or facilitate other types of online payments, which may make our services less convenient and less attractive to our customers and diminish the customer experience.

 

We are subject to risks associated with payments to us from our customers and other third parties, including risks associated with fraud.

 

Nearly all of our customers’ payments, for marketing services, are made by credit card or debit card. We currently rely exclusively on one third party vendor to provide payment processing services, including the processing of payments from credit cards and debit cards, and our business would be disrupted if this vendor becomes unwilling or unable to provide these services to us and we are unable to find a suitable replacement on a timely basis. We are also subject to payment brand operating rules, payment card industry data security standards and certification requirements, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it more difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, we may be subject to fines and higher transaction fees and lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from customers, which would make our services less convenient and attractive to our customers and likely result in a substantial reduction in revenue. We may also incur losses as a result of claims that the customer did not authorize given purchases, fraud, erroneous transmissions and customers who have closed bank accounts or have insufficient funds in their accounts to satisfy payments owed to us.

 

We are subject to, or voluntarily comply with, a number of other laws and regulations relating to the payments we accept from our customers and third parties, including with respect to money laundering, money transfers, privacy, and information security, and electronic fund transfers. These laws and regulations could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we were found to be in violation of any of these applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and higher transaction fees or lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers or facilitate other types of online payments, which may make our services less convenient and less attractive to our customers and diminish the customer experience.

 

We may not be able to fully exploit newly acquired brands.

 

If we raise the maximum offering amount, we intend to use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire third-party brands. See “Use of Proceeds.” In our experience, not every brand deployment is successful. We may incur significant costs acquiring and promoting new brands only to have limited market acceptance and limited resulting sales. If this occurs, our financial results may be negatively impacted, and we may determine it is in the best interest of the Company to no longer support that brand. 

15

 

 

We operate in highly competitive industries, and competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The alcoholic beverage distribution industry in the United States is intensely competitive and highly fragmented. The principal competitive factors in that industry include product range, pricing, distribution capabilities and responsiveness to consumer preferences, with varying emphasis on these factors depending on the market and the product. With respect to individual customers, we face significant competition from various regional distributors and brick and mortar stores, who compete principally on price. The effect of this competition could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We are dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management and other key employees, the loss of any of whom could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Our future performance depends on the continued services and contributions of our senior management and other key employees, including Sean Dollinger, our founder, and Chief Executive Officer, and Darren Collins, our Chief Financial Officer and Jaclyn Hoffman, our Chief Marketing Officer. Without these key executives and employees, we may not have the ability to execute on our business plans and to identify and pursue new opportunities and product innovations. The loss of services of senior management or other key employees could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our development and strategic objectives. The loss of the services of our senior management or other key employees for any reason could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We do not presently maintain any key man life insurance policies.

 

We may not be able to manage future growth effectively.

 

If our business plans are successful, we may experience significant growth in a short period of time and potential scaling issues. Should we grow rapidly, our financial, management and operating resources may not expand sufficiently to adequately manage our growth. If we are unable to manage our growth, our costs may increase disproportionately, our future revenues may stop growing or decline and we may face dissatisfied customers. Our failure to manage our growth may adversely impact our business and the value of your investment.

 

If the Company fails to develop or protect its intellectual property adequately, the Company’s business could suffer.

 

The Company has attempted, and may attempt, to develop certain intellectual property of its own, but cannot assure that it will be able to obtain exclusive rights in trade secrets, patents, trademark registrations and copyright registrations. At this time, the Company is unsure of what types of intellectual property might be developed. The cost of developing, applying for and obtaining such enforceable rights is expensive. Even after such enforceable rights are obtained, there are significant costs for maintaining and enforcing them. The Company may lack the resources to put in place exclusive protection and enforcement efforts. Also, certain of the Company’s product or service offerings initially draws from publicly available technology in the marketplace. The Company’s failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property rights for any reason could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If the Company were to develop intellectual property, the Company may seek to enforce its intellectual property rights on others through litigation. The Company’s claims, even if meritorious, may be found invalid or inapplicable to a party the Company believes infringes or has misappropriated its intellectual property rights. In addition, litigation can:

 

be expensive and time consuming to prosecute or defend;

 

result in a finding that the Company does not have certain intellectual property rights or that such rights lack sufficient scope or strength;
   
divert management’s attention and resources; or
   
require the Company to license its intellectual property.

 

The Company may rely on trademarks or service marks to establish a market identity for its products or services. To maintain the value of the Company’s trademarks or service marks, the Company might have to file lawsuits against third parties to prevent them from using marks confusingly similar to or dilutive of the Company’s registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks. The Company also might not obtain registrations for its pending or future trademark or service marks applications and might have to defend its registered trademark or service marks and pending applications from challenge by third parties. Enforcing or defending the Company’s registered and unregistered trademarks or service marks might result in significant litigation costs and damages, including the inability to continue using certain marks.

 

The laws of foreign countries in which the Company may contemplate doing business in the future may not recognize intellectual property rights or protect them to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Adverse determinations in a judicial or administrative proceeding could prevent the Company from offering or providing its products or services or prevent the Company from stopping others from offering or providing competing services, and thereby have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

16

 

 

The Company’s products, services or processes could be subject to claims of infringement of the intellectual property of others.

 

Claims that the Company’s products, services, business methods, or processes infringe upon the proprietary rights of others often are not asserted until after commencement of commercial sales of a product. Significant litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in the Company’s industry. Third parties may make claims of infringement against the Company in connection with the use of its technology. Any claims, even those without merit, could:

 

be expensive and time consuming to defend;

 

cause the Company to cease making, licensing, or using services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property; or
   
divert management’s attention and resources.
   

The Company cannot be certain of the outcome of any litigation. Any royalty or licensing agreement, if required, may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms or at all. The Company’s failure to obtain the necessary licenses or other rights could prevent the development, or distribution of the Company’s marketing technology and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact our financial results and cash flows.

 

One of our suppliers is located in Mexico. Because of this we face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. Our primary exposures are expected to be related to pesos denominated operating expenses in Mexico. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve, and they could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and cash flows.

 

A failure or breach of our security systems or infrastructure as a result of cyberattacks could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs and cause losses.

 

Information security risks for technology companies, such as the Company, have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties. These threats may derive from fraud or malice on the part of our employees or third parties or may result from human error or accidental technological failure. These threats include cyberattacks, such as computer viruses, malicious code, phishing attacks or information security breaches.

 

Our operations will, in part, rely on the secure processing, transmission and storage of confidential proprietary and other information in our computer systems and networks. Our customers will rely on digital technologies, computer, email and messaging systems, software and networks to conduct their operations or to utilize our products or services. In addition, to access our products and services, our customers will use personal smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices that may be beyond our control.

 

If a cyberattack or other information security breach occurs, it could lead to security breaches of the networks, systems or devices that our customers use to access our products and services which could result in the unauthorized disclosure, release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information (including account data information) or data security compromises. Such events could also cause service interruptions, malfunctions or other failures in the physical infrastructure or operations systems that will support our businesses and customers, as well as the operations of our customers or other third parties. Any actual attacks could lead to damage to our reputation with our customers and other parties and the market, additional costs to the Company (such as repairing systems, adding new personnel or protection technologies or compliance costs), regulatory penalties, financial losses to both us and our customers and partners and the loss of customers and business opportunities. If such attacks are not detected immediately, their effect could be compounded.

 

Although we will attempt to mitigate these risks, there can be no assurance that we will be immune to these risks and not suffer losses in the future.

 

Current market conditions and recessionary pressures in one or more of the Company’s markets could impact the Company’s ability to grow its business.

 

The U.S. economy faces continued concerns about the systemic impacts of adverse economic conditions such as the U.S. deficit, historically high inflation, volatile energy costs, geopolitical issues, the continued availability and cost of credit in the face of expected interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve, ongoing supply chain disruptions, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and unstable financial and real estate markets. Foreign countries, including those in the Euro zone, are affected by similar systemic impacts. Turbulence in the United States and international markets and economic conditions may adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and financial condition, and the liquidity and financial condition of the Company’s customers. If these market conditions occur, they may limit the Company’s ability, and the ability of the Company’s customers, to replace maturing liabilities and to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. There is no assurance that the Company’s product and services will be accepted in the marketplace. To date, inflationary pressures have not had a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and we have not developed any plans or taken any action to mitigate such inflationary pressures. However, there is no assurance the inflationary pressures will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in the future. If inflationary pressures begin to have a material effect on the Company in the future, we may or may not develop plans to mitigate those pressures.

 

17

 

 

Risks Related to Government Regulation and Being a Public Company

 

We will face growing regulatory and compliance requirements which can be costly and time consuming.

 

New and evolving regulations and compliance standards for cyber security, data protection, privacy, and internal IT controls are often created in response to the tide of cyberattacks and will increasingly impact organizations like our company. Existing regulatory standards require that organizations implement internal controls for user access to applications and data. In addition, data breaches are driving a new wave of regulation, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, with stricter enforcement and higher penalties. Regulatory and policy-driven obligations require expensive and time-consuming compliance measures. The fear of non-compliance, failed audits, and material findings has pushed organizations to spend more to ensure they are in compliance, often resulting in costly, one-off implementations to mitigate potential fines or reputational damage. The high costs associated with failing to meet regulatory requirements, combined with the risk of fallout from security breaches, has elevated this topic from the IT organization to the executive and board level. We may need to spend additional time and money ensuring we will meet future regulatory requirements.

 

Our business could be negatively impacted by changes in the U.S. political environment.

 

There is significant ongoing uncertainty with respect to potential legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal, state and local levels in the United States. Such uncertainty and any material changes in such legislation, regulation and government policy could significantly impact our business as well as the markets in which we compete. Specific legislative and regulatory proposals that might materially impact us include, but are not limited to, changes to liability rules for data privacy regulations, import and export regulations, income tax regulations and the U.S. federal tax code and public company reporting requirements, immigration policies and enforcement, healthcare law, minimum wage laws, climate and energy policies, foreign trade and relations with foreign governments, and pandemic response. To the extent changes in the political environment have a negative impact on us or on our customers, our markets, our business, results of operation and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted in the future.

 

Failure to comply with data privacy and security laws and regulations could adversely affect our operating results and business. 

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we might collect and store in our internal and external data centers, cloud services and networks sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business collaborators, as well as personal information of our customers and employees. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. The number and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions that companies have experienced from third parties has increased over the past few years. Despite our security measures, it is impossible for us to eliminate this risk. 

 

A number of U.S. states have enacted data privacy and security laws and regulations that govern the collection, use, disclosure, transfer, storage, disposal, and protection of personal information, such as social security numbers, financial information and other sensitive personal information. For example, all 50 states and several U.S. territories now have data breach laws that require timely notification to affected individuals, and at times regulators, credit reporting agencies and other bodies, if a company has experienced the unauthorized access or acquisition of certain personal information. Other state laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended, or the CCPA, among other things, contain disclosure obligations for businesses that collect personal information about residents in their state and affords those individuals new rights relating to their personal information that may affect our ability to collect and/or use personal information. Effective January 1, 2023, we will also become subject to the California Privacy Rights Act, which expands upon the consumer data use restrictions, penalties and enforcement provisions under the California Consumer Privacy Act, and Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act, another comprehensive data privacy law. Effective July 1, 2023, we will also become subject to the Colorado Privacy Act and Connecticut’s An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring, which are also comprehensive consumer privacy laws. Effective December 31, 2023, we will also become subject to the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, regarding business handling of consumers’ personal data. Meanwhile, several other states and the federal government have considered or are considering privacy laws like the CCPA. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact of these laws, which may impose substantial penalties for violations, impose significant costs for investigations and compliance, allow private class-action litigation and carry significant potential liability for our business. 

 

Outside of the U.S., data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation, or the GDPR, also might apply to some of our operations or business collaborators. Legal requirements in these countries relating to the collection, storage, processing and transfer of personal data/information continue to evolve. The GDPR imposes, among other things, data protection requirements that include strict obligations and restrictions on the ability to collect, analyze and transfer EU personal data/information, a requirement for prompt notice of data breaches to data subjects and supervisory authorities in certain circumstances, and possible substantial fines for any violations (including possible fines for certain violations of up to the greater of 20 million Euros or 4% of total company revenue). Other governmental authorities around the world have enacted or are considering similar types of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection.

 

The interpretation and enforcement of the laws and regulations described above are uncertain and subject to change, and may require substantial costs to monitor and implement and maintain adequate compliance programs. Failure to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws and regulations could result in government enforcement actions (which could include substantial civil and/or criminal penalties), private litigation and/or adverse publicity and could negatively affect our operating results and business.

 

18

 

 

Our business depends on our customers’ continued and unimpeded access to the Internet and the development and maintenance of Internet infrastructure. Internet access providers may be able to block, degrade or charge for access to certain of our services, which could lead to additional expenses and the loss of customers.

 

Our services depend on the ability of our customers, and the customers of Country Wine & Spirits Inc. to access the Internet. Currently, this access is provided by companies having significant market power in the broadband and Internet access marketplace, including incumbent telephone companies, cable companies, mobile communications companies and government-owned service providers. Some of these providers have the ability to take measures including legal actions, that could degrade, disrupt or increase the cost of user access to certain of our services by restricting or prohibiting the use of their infrastructure to support our services, charging increased fees to our users, or regulating online speech. Such interference could result in a loss of existing users, advertisers and goodwill, could result in increased costs and could impair our ability to attract new users, thereby harming our revenue and growth. Moreover, the adoption of any laws or regulations adversely affecting the growth, popularity or use of the Internet, including laws impacting Internet neutrality, could decrease the demand for our services and increase our operating costs. The legislative and regulatory landscape regarding the regulation of the Internet and, in particular, Internet neutrality, in the U.S. is subject to uncertainty.

 

To the extent any laws, regulations or rulings permit Internet service providers to charge some users higher rates than others for the delivery of their content, Internet service providers could attempt to use such law, regulation or ruling to impose higher fees or deliver our content with less speed, reliability or otherwise on a non-neutral basis as compared to other market participants, and our business could be adversely impacted. Internationally, government regulation concerning the Internet, and in particular, network neutrality, may be developing or non-existent. Within such a regulatory environment, we could experience discriminatory or anticompetitive practices impeding both our and our customers’ domestic and international growth, increasing our costs or adversely affecting our business. Additional changes in the legislative and regulatory landscape regarding Internet neutrality, or otherwise regarding the regulation of the Internet, could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Our business could be affected by new governmental regulations regarding the Internet.

 

To date, government regulations have not materially restricted use of the Internet in most parts of the world. However, the legal and regulatory environment relating to the Internet is uncertain, and governments may impose regulation in the future. New laws may be passed, courts may issue decisions affecting the Internet, existing but previously inapplicable or unenforced laws may be deemed to apply to the Internet or regulatory agencies may begin to more rigorously enforce such formerly unenforced laws, or existing legal safe harbors may be narrowed, both by U.S. federal or state governments and by governments of foreign jurisdictions. The adoption of any new laws or regulations, or the narrowing of any safe harbors, could hinder growth in the use of the Internet and online services generally, and decrease acceptance of the Internet and online services as a means of communications, e-commerce and advertising. In addition, such changes in laws could increase our costs of doing business or prevent us from delivering our services over the Internet or in specific jurisdictions, which could harm our business and our results of operations.

 

Changes in laws and government regulations to which we are currently subject, including changes to the method or approach of enforcement, may increase our costs or limit our ability to market our alcohol brands and the brands of our clients, which could adversely affect our operating results and business.

 

A complex multi-jurisdictional regime governs alcoholic beverage manufacturing, distribution, sales, and marketing in the United States. The alcoholic beverages industry in which we operate is subject to extensive regulation by the TTB (and other federal agencies), each state’s liquor authority, and potentially local authorities depending on location. These regulations and laws dictate such matters as licensing requirements, production, importation, ownership restrictions, trade, and pricing practices, permitted distribution channels, delivery, and prohibitions on sales to minors, permitted, and required labeling, and advertising and relations with wholesalers and retailers. These laws, regulations and licensing requirements may, and sometimes are, interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other legal mandates or with the Company’s business practices. Further, these laws, rules, regulations, and interpretations are constantly changing because of litigation, legislation, and agency priorities, and could result in increased regulation. The Company’s actual or asserted non-compliance with any such law, regulation or requirement could expose us to investigations, claims, litigation, injunctive proceedings and other criminal or civil proceedings by private parties and regulatory authorities, as well as license suspension, license revocation, substantial fines, and negative publicity, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and business.

 

Government laws and regulations may result in increased production and sales costs, including an increase on the applicable tax in various state, federal and foreign jurisdictions in which we do business. The amount of alcohol that CWS can sell directly to consumers over the internet is regulated, and in certain states CWS is not allowed to sell alcohol directly to consumers at all. Changes in these laws and regulations that tighten current rules could have an adverse impact on sales or increase costs to produce, market, package or sell alcohol. Changes in regulation that require significant additional source data for registration and sale, in the labelling or warning requirements, or limitations on the permissibility of any component, condition or ingredient, in the places in which our alcohol can be legally sold could inhibit sales of affected products in those markets. While we do not engage in the act of selling alcohol on the internet, our business depends on the ability of CWS to continue selling alcohol online through the CWS Platform. If any regulation were to cause a negative impact on the ability of CWS to sell alcohol online, such impact would have a negative effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If CWS were ever to become unable to sell alcohol online through the CWS Platform, we would lose a significant source of our revenue, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The alcohol industry, and the ‘sale’ of alcohol online, is subject to extensive regulation by a number of federal, state, and local authorities. These regulations and laws dictate such matters as trade and pricing practices, permitted distribution channels, permitted and required labeling, and advertising. New or updated regulations, requirements or licenses, particularly changes that impact CWS’ ability to sell direct to customer and/or retain accounts in the states in which it operates, or new or increased excise taxes, income taxes, sales taxes or international tariffs, could have an indirect, material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. From time to time, states consider proposals to increase state alcohol excise taxes. New or revised regulations or increased licensing fees, requirements or taxes could have an indirect, material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

19

 

 

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources.

 

As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the listing standards of Nasdaq. We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly, and place significant strain on our personnel, systems and resources. Management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

The Exchange Act requires that our company file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, we must establish the corporate infrastructure necessary for operating a public company, which may divert our management’s attention from implementing our growth strategy, which could delay or slow the implementation of our business strategies, and in turn negatively impact our company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

If we fail to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

 

Our current internal controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of changes in conditions in our business or changes in the applicable laws, regulations and standards. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls, or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement, could harm our operating results, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, result in a restatement of our financial statements for prior periods or adversely affect the results of management evaluations and independent registered public accounting firm audits of our internal control over financial reporting that we will eventually be required to include in our periodic reports that will be filed with the SEC. Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our Common Stock. In addition, if we are unable to continue to meet these requirements, we may not be able to remain listed on Nasdaq in the future.

 

Our management team has limited experience managing a public company.

 

Most members of our management team have limited experience managing a publicly traded company, interacting with public company investors and complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. Our management team may not successfully or efficiently manage our transition to being a public company that is subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under the federal securities laws and the continuous scrutiny of securities analysts and investors. These new obligations and constituents will require significant attention from our senior management and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

20

 

 

Industry and other market data used in this prospectus or in periodic reports that we may in the future file with the SEC, including those undertaken by us or our engaged consultants, may not prove to be representative of current and future market conditions or future results.

 

This prospectus includes or refers to, and periodic reports that we may in the future file with the SEC may include or refer to, statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties and surveys and studies that we undertook ourselves regarding the market potential for our current products. Although we believe that such information has been obtained from reliable sources, the sources of such data have not guaranteed the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, we have not independently verified such data. The results of this data represent various methodologies, assumptions, research, analysis, projections, estimates, composition of respondent pool, presentation of data and adjustments, each of which may ultimately prove to be incorrect, and cause actual results and market viability to differ materially from those presented in any such report or other materials.

 

Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect our current and projected business operations and our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. For example, on March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank, or SVB, was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the FDIC, as receiver. Similarly, on March 12, 2023, Signature Bank Corp., or Signature, and Silvergate Capital Corp. were each swept into receivership. Although a statement by the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC indicated that all depositors of SVB would have access to all of their money after only one business day of closure, including funds held in uninsured deposit accounts, borrowers under credit agreements, letters of credit and certain other financial instruments with SVB, Signature or any other financial institution that is placed into receivership by the FDIC may be unable to access undrawn amounts thereunder. Although we are not a borrower under or party to any material letter of credit or any other such instruments with SVB, Signature or any other financial institution currently in receivership, if we enter into any such instruments and any of our lenders or counterparties to such instruments were to be placed into receivership, we may be unable to access such funds. In addition, if any of our partners, suppliers or other parties with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds pursuant to such instruments or lending arrangements with such a financial institution, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to us or to enter into new commercial arrangements requiring additional payments to us could be adversely affected. In this regard, counterparties to credit agreements and arrangements with these financial institutions, and third parties such as beneficiaries of letters of credit (among others), may experience direct impacts from the closure of these financial institutions and uncertainty remains over liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry. Similar impacts have occurred in the past, such as during the 2008-2010 financial crisis.

 

Inflation and rapid increases in interest rates have led to a decline in the trading value of previously issued government securities with interest rates below current market interest rates. Although the U.S. Department of Treasury, FDIC and Federal Reserve Board have announced a program to provide up to $25 billion of loans to financial institutions secured by certain of such government securities held by financial institutions to mitigate the risk of potential losses on the sale of such instruments, widespread demands for customer withdrawals or other liquidity needs of financial institutions for immediately liquidity may exceed the capacity of such program.

 

Our access to funding sources and other credit arrangements in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our current and projected future business operations could be significantly impaired by factors that affect us, any financial institutions with which we enter into credit agreements or arrangements directly, or the financial services industry or economy in general. These factors could include, among others, events such as liquidity constraints or failures, the ability to perform obligations under various types of financial, credit or liquidity agreements or arrangements, disruptions or instability in the financial services industry or financial markets, or concerns or negative expectations about the prospects for companies in the financial services industry. These factors could involve financial institutions or financial services industry companies with which we have financial or business relationships but could also include factors involving financial markets or the financial services industry generally.

 

The results of events or concerns that involve one or more of these factors could include a variety of material and adverse impacts on our current and projected business operations and our financial condition and results of operations. These risks include, but may not be limited to, the following:

 

delayed access to deposits or other financial assets or the uninsured loss of deposits or other financial assets;

 

inability to enter into credit facilities or other working capital resources;
   
potential or actual breach of contractual obligations that require us to maintain letters of credit or other credit support arrangements; or
   
termination of cash management arrangements and/or delays in accessing or actual loss of funds subject to cash management arrangements.

21

 

 

In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all. Any decline in available funding or access to our cash and liquidity resources could, among other risks, adversely impact our ability to meet our operating expenses or other obligations, financial or otherwise, result in breaches of our financial and/or contractual obligations, or result in violations of federal or state wage and hour laws. Any of these impacts, or any other impacts resulting from the factors described above or other related or similar factors, could have material adverse impacts on our liquidity and our current and/or projected business operations and financial condition and results of operations.

 

Any further deterioration in the macroeconomic economy or financial services industry could lead to losses or defaults by our partners, vendors or suppliers, which in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our current and/or projected business operations and results of operations and financial condition. For example, a partner may fail to make payments when due, default under their agreements with us, become insolvent or declare bankruptcy, or a supplier may determine that it will no longer deal with us as a customer. In addition, a vendor or supplier could be adversely affected by any of the liquidity or other risks that are described above as factors that could result in material adverse impacts on us, including but not limited to delayed access or loss of access to uninsured deposits or loss of the ability to draw on existing credit facilities involving a troubled or failed financial institution. The bankruptcy or insolvency of any partner, vendor or supplier, or the failure of any partner to make payments when due, or any breach or default by a partner, vendor or supplier, or the loss of any significant supplier relationships, could cause us to suffer material losses and may have a material adverse impact on our business.

 

Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock

 

An active trading market for our Common Stock may not develop.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Common Stock. We have applied to list our Common Stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “LQR”. The closing of this offering is contingent upon such listing. Although we anticipate our Common Stock being approved for listing on Nasdaq, an active trading market for our Common Stock may never develop or be sustained following this offering. The initial public offering price of our Common Stock will be based and determined through negotiations between us and the underwriters. This initial public offering price may not be indicative of the market price of our Common Stock after this offering. In the absence of an active trading market for our Common Stock, investors may not be able to sell their Common Stock at or above the initial public offering price or at the time that they would like to sell. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling Common Stock and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or assets by using our Common Stock as consideration.

 

The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

 

After this offering, the market price for our Common Stock is likely to be volatile, in part because our shares have not been traded publicly. In addition, the market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly in response to several factors, most of which we cannot control, including:

 

quarterly variations in our operating results compared to market expectations;

 

adverse publicity about us, the industries we participate in or individual scandals;
   
announcements of new offerings or significant price reductions by us or our competitors;
   
stock price performance of our competitors;
   
fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes;

 

changes in senior management or key personnel;

 

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;
   
the market’s reaction to our reduced disclosure as a result of being an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act;
   
negative earnings or other announcements by us or our competitors;
   
defaults on indebtedness, incurrence of additional indebtedness, or issuances of additional capital stock;
   
global economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance; and
   
the other factors listed in this “Risk Factors” section.

 

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The public offering price of our Common Stock has been determined by us based upon many factors and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the closing of this offering. Volatility in the market price of our Common Stock may prevent investors from being able to sell their shares at or above the initial public offering price. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.

 

Certain recent initial public offerings of companies with relatively small public floats comparable to our anticipated public float have experienced extreme volatility that was seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance of the respective company. Our Common Stock may potentially experience rapid and substantial price volatility, which may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the value of our Common Stock. 

 

In addition to the risks addressed above under “— Our Common Stock may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price,” our Common Stock may be subject to rapid and substantial price volatility. Recently, companies with comparably small public floats and initial public offering sizes have experienced instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines, and such stock price volatility was seemingly unrelated to the respective company’s underlying performance. Although the specific cause of such volatility is unclear, our anticipated public float may amplify the impact the actions taken by a few stockholders have on the price of our stock, which may cause our stock price to deviate, potentially significantly, from a price that better reflects the underlying performance of our business. Our Common Stock may experience run-ups and declines that are seemingly unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our Common Stock. In addition, investors of shares of our Common Stock may experience losses, which may be material, if the price of our Common Stock declines after this offering or if such investors purchase shares of our Common Stock prior to any price decline.

 

We may not be able to maintain a listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq.

 

Assuming that our Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we violate Nasdaq’s listing requirements, or if we fail to meet any of Nasdaq’s listing standards, our Common Stock may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our Common Stock from Nasdaq may materially impair our shareholders’ ability to buy and sell our Common Stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our Common Stock. The delisting of our Common Stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for the shares and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our Common Stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our Common Stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our Common Stock would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our Common Stock to decline.

 

As our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

If you purchase shares in this offering, you will pay more for your shares of Common Stock than the amount paid by our existing stockholders for their shares on a per share basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share in relation to the price that you paid for your shares. We expect the dilution as a result of the offering to be $4.65 per share to new investors purchasing our shares in this offering if the maximum number of shares being offered are sold, assuming a public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint, of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus. In addition, you will experience further dilution to the extent that our shares are issued upon the vesting of restrictive stock or exercise of stock options under any stock incentive plans. All of the shares issuable under our then stock incentive plans will be issued at a purchase price on a per share basis that is less than the assumed public offering price per share in this offering. See “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in our shares will be diluted upon completion of this offering.

 

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We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

The Company’s management will have substantial discretion in applying the net proceeds to be received by the Company. See “Use of Proceeds” for a description of how we plan to apply the net proceeds. However, based on unforeseen technical, commercial, or regulatory issues, we could spend the proceeds in ways with which you may not agree. Moreover, the proceeds may not be invested effectively or in a manner that yields a favorable or any return, and consequently, this could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will utilize the net proceeds in a manner that enhances the value of the Company. If the Company fails to spend the proceeds effectively, the Company’s business and financial condition could be harmed, and there may be the need to seek additional financing sooner than expected.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our stock and do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

We have paid no cash dividends on any class of our stock to date, and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the near term. For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their Common Stock after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our board deems relevant.

 

Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders, including purchasers of Common Stock in this offering or restrict our operations.

 

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial product revenues, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity and/or debt financing and collaborations, licensing agreements or other strategic arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, your ownership interest will be diluted, and the terms of such securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a stockholder.

 

To the extent that we raise additional capital through debt financing, it would result in increased fixed payment obligations and a portion of our operating cash flows, if any, being dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness. In addition, debt financing may involve agreements that include restrictive covenants that impose operating restrictions, such as restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt, the making of certain capital expenditures or the declaration of dividends.

 

We may issue additional debt and equity securities, which are senior to our Common Stock as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.

 

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by entering into additional debt or debt-like financing that is secured by all or up to all of our assets, or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior notes, subordinated notes or shares. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distribution to our stockholders. In addition, any additional preferred stock, if issued by our company, may have a preference with respect to distributions and upon liquidation, which could further limit our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Because our decision to incur debt and issue securities in our future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financing.

 

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Further, market conditions could require us to accept less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future. Thus, you will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the value of your Common Stock and diluting your interest in our company.

 

Enforcing legal liability against our directors and senior management might be difficult.

 

Although we are organized under the laws of the State of Nevada and investors are able to affect service of process in the United States upon us, most of the members of our board of directors and senior management reside outside of the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible to serve process on these directors and senior management in the United States or to enforce court judgments obtained in the United States against these individuals based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal or state securities laws. In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may not be enforceable outside the United States.

 

The offering price of the primary offering and resale offering could differ.

 

The offering price of shares of our Common Stock in the initial public offering has been determined by negotiations between the Company and the underwriter. The offering price in the primary offering bears no relationship to our assets, earnings or book value, or any other objective standard of value. Additionally, the estimated offering price in the primary offering of $5 per share, which is a midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus, is substantially higher than the prices at which certain selling stockholders acquired their shares ($1.00 per share), and we recently sold stock at prices ($1.00 per share) substantially less than the primary offering price. Our recent share issuances at prices substantially less than the primary offering price occurred while we were a non-public company, and the shares we issued were subject to transfer restrictions imposed by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and by lock-up restrictions, whereas shares issued in the primary offering will be issued after we are a public company and will be issued without restriction.

 

The selling stockholders may sell the resale shares at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices after the listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq. Therefore, the offering prices of the initial public offering and resale offering could differ. As a result, the purchasers in the resale offering could pay more or less than the offering price in the primary offering.

 

The resale by the selling stockholders may cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline.

 

The resale of shares of our Common Stock by the selling stockholders in the resale offering could result in resales of our Common Stock by our other shareholders concerned about selling volume. In addition, the resale by the selling stockholders could have the effect of depressing the market price for our Common Stock.

 

We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we will be required to publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the JOBS Act) under the reporting rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting 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;

 

being permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and

 

being exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also 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 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 elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

 

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We expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, although if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31.

 

Because we will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive if we elect to rely on these exemptions, or if taking advantage of these exemptions would result in less active trading or more volatility in the price of our Common Stock.

 

We are a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

 

Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act defines a “smaller reporting company” as an issuer that is not an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent that is not a smaller reporting company and that:

 

had a public float of less than $250 million as of the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of shares of its voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates by the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average of the bid and asked prices of common equity, in the principal market for the common equity; or

 

in the case of an initial registration statement under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act for shares of its common equity, had a public float of less than $250 million as of a date within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement, computed by multiplying the aggregate worldwide number of such shares held by non-affiliates before the registration plus, in the case of a Securities Act registration statement, the number of such shares included in the registration statement by the estimated public offering price of the shares; or

 

in the case of an issuer whose public float as calculated under paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition was zero or whose public float was less than $700 million, had annual revenues of less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available.

 

As a smaller reporting company, we will not be required and may not include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in our proxy statements; we will provide only two years of financial statements; and we need not provide the table of selected financial data. We also will have other “scaled” disclosure requirements that are less comprehensive than issuers that are not smaller reporting companies which could make our Common Stock less attractive to potential investors, which could make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their shares.

 

As a “smaller reporting company,” we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.

 

Under Nasdaq rules, a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, is not subject to certain corporate governance requirements otherwise applicable to companies listed on Nasdaq. For example, a smaller reporting company is exempt from the requirement of having a compensation committee composed solely of directors meeting certain enhanced independence standards, as long as the compensation committee has at least two members who do meet such standards. Although we have not yet determined to avail ourselves of this or other exemptions from Nasdaq requirements that are or may be afforded to smaller reporting companies, while we will seek to maintain our shares on Nasdaq in the future we may elect to rely on any or all of them. By electing to utilize any such exemptions, our company may be subject to greater risks of poor corporate governance, poorer management decision-making processes, and reduced results of operations from problems in our corporate organization. Consequently, our stock price may suffer, and there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to meet all continuing listing requirements of Nasdaq from which we will not be exempt, including minimum stock price requirements.

 

If our Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.

 

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not retain a listing on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange and if the price per share of our Common Stock is less than $5.00, our Common Stock could be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our Common Stock, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in, but not limited to, the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

our ability to introduce new products and services;

 

our ability to obtain additional funding to develop additional products, services and offerings;

 

compliance with obligations under intellectual property licenses with third parties;

 

market acceptance of our new offerings;

 

competition from existing online offerings or new offerings that may emerge;

 

our ability to establish or maintain collaborations, licensing or other arrangements;

 

our ability and third parties’ abilities to protect intellectual property rights;

 

our ability to adequately support future growth;

 

our goals and strategies;

 

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditures;

 

growth of and competition trends in our industry;

 

the accuracy and completeness of the data underlying our or third-party sources’ industry and market analyses and projections;

 

our expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, our products and services;

 

our expectations regarding our relationships with investors, institutional funding partners and other parties with whom we collaborate;

 

our expectation regarding the use of proceeds from this offering;

 

fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in the markets in which we operate; and

 

relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industry.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance.

 

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Although we will become a public company after this offering and have ongoing disclosure obligations under United States federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

After deducting the estimated underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $3,955,990 from this offering (or approximately $4,638,490 if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full), based on an assumed public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

 

66.7% of the net proceeds (approximately $2,638,645, or approximately $3,093,872 if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) for acquisitions of alcoholic beverage brands;

 

  20% of the net proceeds (approximately $791,198, or approximately $927,698 if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) to invest in marketing of existing brands, including SWOL;

 

10% of the net proceeds (approximately $395,599, or approximately $463,849 if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) for working capital and general corporate purposes; and

 

3.3% of the net proceeds (approximately $130,547, or approximately $153,070 if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) to compensate certain executive officers.

 

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page, of this prospectus would increase or decrease the net proceeds that we receive from this offering by approximately $910,000, respectively, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us.

 

The foregoing represents our current intentions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering based upon our present plans and business conditions. Our management, however, will have broad discretion in the way that we use the net proceeds of this offering. We have not identified nor developed any plans to acquire any specific alcoholic beverage brand at this time. Pending the final application of the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock — We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the near future. We may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that will restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. See also “Risk Factors — Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock We have never paid cash dividends on our stock and do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2023:

 

on an actual basis; and

 

on a pro forma basis to reflect the sale of 955,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per share subsequent to March 31, 2023, in private placements; and

 

on a pro forma basis to reflect the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock subsequent to March 31, 2023, in the form of advisor agreements; and

 

on a pro forma basis to reflect the cancellation of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock subsequent to March 31, 2023, previously purchased by four entities pursuant to four stock purchase agreements; and

 

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect the pro forma adjustment as described above and the sale of 1,000,000 shares by us in this offering at the estimated price to the public of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus, resulting in estimated net proceeds to us of approximately $3,955,990 after deducting (i) underwriter commissions, discounts, accountable and non-accountable expenses of $679,500 (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option) and (ii) our estimated other offering expenses of $364,509.26.

 

The pro forma information below is illustrative only and our capitalization following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the initial public offering price of our Common Stock and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table together with our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

   As of March 31, 2023 
   Actual   Pro Forma   Pro Forma
As
Adjusted
 
   $   $   $ 
Cash and cash equivalents   23,581    978,581    5,249,081 
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized, 9,200,434 shares issued and outstanding, actual, 10,155,434 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma, 11,155,434 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted    920    1,016    1,116 
Additional paid-in capital   5,843,622    6,798,526    11,009,667 
Accumulated deficit   (4,126,975)   (4,126,975)   (4,126,975)
Total shareholder’s equity   1,717,567    2,672,567    6,883,808 
Total capitalization   1,717,567    2,672,567    6,883,808 

 

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed offering price per share of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page, assuming no change in the number of shares to be sold, would increase or decrease the net proceeds that we receive in this offering and each of total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $910,000 after deducting (i) estimated underwriter commissions and (ii) offering expenses, in each case, payable by us.

 

The table above is based on 9,200,434 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023, and excludes:

 

1,250,000 shares of Common Stock that are reserved for issuance to our directors, director nominees, and officers under the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan;

 

50,000 shares of Common Stock (57,500 shares of Common Stock if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the underwriters in connection with this offering; and

 

150,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option in full.

 

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DILUTION

 

Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors is the amount by which the offering price paid by the purchasers of the shares of our Common Stock sold in this offering exceeds the pro forma net tangible book value per share of Common Stock after this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined at any date by subtracting our total liabilities from the total book value of our tangible assets and dividing the difference by the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding at that date.

 

Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023, was $(362,525), or approximately $(0.04) per share of Common Stock.

 

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of our Common Stock in this offering and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock immediately after completion of this offering. Investors participating in this offering will incur immediate, substantial dilution. After giving effect to our sale of 1,000,000 shares of our Common Stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and adjusting for the change in our pro forma net tangible book value subsequent to March 31, 2023 due to the sale of 955,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $1 per share subsequent to March 31, 2023 in private placements and the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to advisor agreements, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023 would have been approximately $3,907,975, or approximately $0.35 per share of Common Stock. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $0.39 per share of Common Stock to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $4.65 per share of Common Stock to purchasers of our Common Stock in this offering, as illustrated in the following table.

 

Assumed public offering price per share of Common Stock       $5.00 
Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of March 31, 2023  $(0.04)    
Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to the offering   0.39     
Pro forma as-adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of March 31, 2023        0.35 
Dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares of Common Stock in this offering       $4.65 

 

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock, as adjusted to give effect to this offering, would be $0.41 per share, and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors purchasing shares of Common Stock in this offering would be $4.59 per share.

 

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2023, the total number of shares of Common Stock previously issued and sold to existing investors, the total consideration paid for the foregoing and the average price per share of Common Stock paid, or to be paid, by existing owners and by the new investors. The calculation below is based on the assumed initial public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page, before deducting estimated underwriter commissions and offering expenses, in each case payable by us, and assumes no exercise of the over-allotment option.

 

   Shares Purchased   Total Consideration   Average
Price
 
   Number   Percent   Amount   Percent   Per Share 
Existing Stockholders   9,200,434    90.2%  $4,035,472    44.7%  $0.44 
New investors   1,000,000    9.8%  $5,000,000    55.3%  $5.00 
Total   10,200,434    100.0%  $9,035,472    100.0%  $0.89 

 

The table above is based on 9,200,434 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023, and excludes:

 

1,250,000 shares of Common Stock that are reserved for issuance to our directors, director nominees, and officers under the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan;

 

50,000 shares of Common Stock (57,500 shares of Common Stock if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the underwriters in connection with this offering; and

 

150,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option in full.

 

To the extent that any outstanding options or warrants are exercised, new options, restricted stock units or other securities are issued under our stock-based compensation plans, or new shares of Common Stock in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of our company as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

 

Overview

 

Our company, LQR House Inc., intends to become the full-service digital marketing and brand development face of the alcoholic beverage space. We also intend to integrate the supply, sales, and marketing facets of the alcoholic beverage space into one easy to use platform and become the one-stop-shop for everything related to alcohol. To date, our primary business includes the development of premium limited batch spirit brands, establishing an exclusive wine club, and marketing internal and external brands through an exclusive agreement with a U.S.-based e-commerce portal. We believe that the marketing and brand management services we provide to our wholly owned and third-party clients will increase brand recognition thereof, and drive sales thereof through our e-commerce platform partner.

 

Our Historical Performance

 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. As of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, and 2021, we had $23,581, $7,565 and $1,116,101 in cash, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we had net losses of $322,074 and $701,128, respectively. The Company’s cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover its operating expenses and obligations for the next 12 months. The Company expects to fund its operations for the next 12 months through equity financing arrangements and sales of its services. However, the Company may not be able to raise adequate funds for capital expenditures, working capital and other cash requirements from capital markets on acceptable terms, or at all. Advances from an officer or stockholder may likewise be unavailable. The Company’s failure to raise capital as and when needed and generate significantly higher revenues than operating expenses to achieve profitability would impact its going concern status and would have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to pursue its business strategy and continue as a going concern. For further discussion, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Going Concern”.

 

Recent Developments

 

Private Placement

 

On June 1, 2023, we conducted a private placement of our Common Stock and entered into certain subscription agreements with a number of (i) accredited investors as defined in Section 2(a)(15) of the Securities Act, and Rule 501 promulgated thereunder, in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws or (ii) non-U.S. persons made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the agreements, we issued 955,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share for a total of $955,000.

 

Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance

 

Our operating results are primarily affected by the following factors:

 

our ability to acquire new customers and users or retain existing customers and users;

 

our ability to offer competitive pricing;

 

our ability to broaden product or service offerings;

 

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industry demand and competition;

 

our ability to leverage technology and use and develop efficient processes;

 

our ability to attract and maintain a network of influencers with a relevant audience;

 

our ability to attract and retain talented employees and contractors; and

 

market conditions and our market position.

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As a result, we are permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

have an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis);

 

submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes, such as “say-on-pay” and “say-on-frequency;” and

 

disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the chief executive officer’s compensation to median employee compensation.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also 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 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 elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2023   2022 
   $   % of
Revenue
   $   % of
Revenue
 
Revenue – services  $150,563    100%  $28,250    100%
Total revenues   150,563    100%  $28,250    100%
                     
Cost of revenue – services   102,997    68%   312,955    1108%
Total cost of revenue   102,997    68%   312,955    1108%
Gross profit (loss)   47,566    32%   (284,705)   -1008%
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Sales and marketing   48,323    32%   162,886    577%
General and administrative   321,317    213%   253,537    897%
Total operating expenses   369,640    246%   416,423    1474%
                     
Loss from operations   (322,074)   -214%   (701,128)   -2482%
                     
Provision for income taxes   -    0%   -    0%
Net loss  $(322,074)   -214%  $(701,128)   -2482%

 

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Revenue

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, service revenues were $150,565 and $28,250, respectively. Service revenues are earned as we contract with third-party alcoholic beverage brands to utilize access to the CWS Platform, as well as vault memberships beginning in late 2022. Service revenues increased by $122,313 as we grew our marketing customer base with beverage brands.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, service cost of revenues were $102,997 and $312,995, respectively. Cost of revenues decreased by $209,958 in 2023 due to our ability to support marketing campaigns via dedicated personnel and ceased certain digital ad costs to support campaigns.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, sales and marketing expenses were $48,323 and $162,886, respectively. The decrease of $114,563 was primarily due to other cost-cutting measures related to our marketing efforts in 2023.

 

General and Administrative

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, general and administrative expenses were $321,317 and $253,537, respectively. The increase of $67,780 was primarily due to professional fees incurred as our operations scaled.

 

Net Loss

 

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $322,074 and $701,128, respectively.

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

   Years Ended December 31, 
   2022   2021 
   $   % of
Revenue
   $   % of
Revenue
 
Revenue – services  $470,359    78%  $182,765    58%
Revenue – product   130,772    22%   132,527    42%
Total revenues   601,131    100%   315,292    100%
                     
Cost of revenue – services   668,654    111%   520,193    165%
Cost of revenue – product   134,490    22%   157,254    50%
Total cost of revenue   803,144    134%   677,447    215%
Gross (loss)   (202,013)   -34%   (362,155)   -115%
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Sales and marketing   655,151    109%   464,011    147%
General administrative   985,011    164%   1,136,560    360%
Total operating expenses   1,640,162    273%   1,600,571    508%
                     
Loss from operations   (1,842,175)   -306%   (1,962,726)   -623%
                     
Provision for income taxes   -    0%   -    0%
Net loss  $(1,842,175)   -306%  $(1,962,726)   -623%

 

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Revenue

 

We derive our revenue primarily from marketing services as well as distribution of our SWOL Tequila product to CWS. Revenue is reported net of discounts.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, service revenues were $470,359 and $182,764, or 78% and 58% of total revenues, all respectively. Service revenues are earned as we contract with third-party alcoholic beverage brands to utilize access to the CWS Platform, as well as vault memberships beginning in late 2022. Service revenues increased by $287,594 as we grew our marketing customer base with beverage brands.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, product revenues were $130,772 and $132,527, or 22% and 42% of total revenues, all respectively. Product revenues are earned as we facilitate all efforts to get the SWOL product delivered to CWS for distribution in the United States, including advancing costs for production, shipping and other importing and delivery charges. We receive a payment of cost plus an additional 20% on each bottle of SWOL Tequila sold via the CWS Platform or in any CWS retail location. Product revenues decreased by $1,755 in 2022 due to less SWOL bottles sold. All product revenues were to CWS, a related party of the Company.

 

Total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $601,131 and $315,292, respectively.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue consists of all direct costs attributable to performing marketing services and our SWOL distribution efforts. Cost of revenue includes affiliate payouts and contracted marketing services, product costs, packaging, shipping and other importing and delivery charges. Cost of revenue also includes customer service personnel and amortization of our marketing license asset.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, service cost of revenues were $668,654 and $520,193, or 111% and 165% of total revenues, all respectively. Service cost of revenues includes $250,000 and $166,667, respectively, in amortization of our marketing license asset. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, product cost of revenues were $134,490 and $157,254, or 22% and 50% of total revenues, all respectively. Total cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $803,144 and $677,446, respectively. Cost of revenues increased by $125,597 in 2022 due to the amortization of our marketing license asset, partially offset by lower marketing and product costs compared to 2021.

 

Gross loss was $(202,013) and $(362,155) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Sales and marketing costs primarily consisted of advertising, promotional expenses and marketing consulting and advisory services. Sales and marketing expenses was $655,151 and $464,011, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The increase of $191,140 in 2022 was primarily due to increased advertising and commission expenses as we scaled up our marketing operations.

 

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General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses primarily consisted of payroll and consulting fees, including stock-based compensation, as well as legal and professional fees. General and administrative expenses was $985,011 and $1,136,560, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The decrease of $151,549 in 2022 was primarily due to less consulting and legal fees. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, general and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation of $301,875 and $300,875, respectively.

 

Net Loss

 

Net loss for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $1,842,175 and $1,962,726, respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23,581 and $7,565, respectively. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through contributed capital and sales of our products and services. However, in order to meet our growth expectations, we will need to raise funds beyond our current working capital balance in order to finance future development of services and meet any debt obligations until such time as future profitable revenues are achieved. We will seek to fund our operations through public offerings, including this offering, private equity offerings, debt financings, and government or other third-party funding. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Advances from an officer or stockholder may likewise be unavailable. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would impact our going concern status and would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy and continue as a going concern. We will need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated profits since inception, has sustained a net loss of $322,074 and $701,128 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and $1,842,175 and $1,962,726 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company has had negative cash flows from operations for each period. As a result, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to generate profitable operations in the future and/or obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management has plans to seek additional capital through public offerings, including this offering, private equity offerings, debt financings, and government or other third-party funding. These plans, if successful, will mitigate the factors which raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The sale of additional equity securities could result in dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that would restrict our operations. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, could limit our ability to expand our business operations and could harm our overall business prospects.

 

Summary of Cash Flow

 

As of March 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23,581, $7,565 and $1,116,101, respectively, and working capital (deficit) of $(362,525), $(43,692) and $1,230,608, respectively.

 

Since our inception, we have generated limited revenues and have primarily funded our operations through the sale of our Common Stock.

 

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The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for all financial statement periods presented in this prospectus:

 

Cash Flow

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Year Ended
December 31,
 
   2023   2022   2022   2021 
   (Unaudited)         
Net cash used in operating activities  $(233,433)  $(617,028)  $(918,197)  $(1,479,014)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   308,708    (42,658)   (190,339)   (124,427)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (59,259)   -    -    2,719,542 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  $16,016   $(659.686)  $(1,108,536)  $1,116,101 

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $233,433, primarily due to our net loss of $322,074 partially offset by non-cash charges of $62,500 and changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $26,141.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $617,028, primarily due to our net loss of $701,128 partially offset by non-cash charges of $128,125.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $918,197, primarily due to our net loss of $1,842,175 partially offset by non-cash charges of $567,875 and changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $356,103. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities was due to an increase in accounts payable and related party accounts payable of $287,619 and an increase in accrued expenses of $199,256, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $130,772.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1,479,014, primarily due to our net loss of $1,962,726 partially offset by non-cash charges of $473,792 and changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $9,920. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities was due to an increase in accounts payable and related party accounts payable of $103,840 partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $93,920.

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were $308,708 and ($42,658), respectively, which was due to repayments from (advances to) CWS.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 were $190,339 and $124,427, respectively, which was due to advances made to CWS.

 

Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $59,259 and $0, respectively, which included deferred offering costs in 2023.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $0.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2,719,542, including $3,070,072 in proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock, $10,400 in proceeds from the issuance of founders’ shares, partially offset by $360,930 in cash spent on our common control acquisitions of SWOL and Soleil Vino.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 and fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, we had no significant cash requirements for capital expenditures or other cash needs under any contractual or other obligations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, we believe that the following accounting policies are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates. We believe our most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to the following:

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:

 

Identification of a contract with a customer;
   
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;
   
Determination of the transaction price;
   
Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
   
Recognition of revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied.

 

Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied through the transfer of control of promised goods to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or services to customers. Control transfers once a customer has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the product. This includes the transfer of legal title, physical possession, the risks and rewards of ownership, and customer acceptance.

 

Service revenue is recognized over a period time, as the marketing services are being continually provided on a daily and monthly basis over the life of an agreed upon campaign. Product revenue is recognized at the point in the products are delivered to CWS, when LQR House has fulfilled its performance obligation.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the total of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

We evaluate our relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), and to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary of such entities. If the determination is made that we are the primary beneficiary, then that entity is consolidated. We evaluated whether it was the primary beneficiary in its common control asset acquisitions and related party agreements and determined we are not the primary beneficiary of any entities.

 

Related Parties

 

Related parties are any entities or individuals that, through employment, ownership, or other means, possess the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Company. We disclose related party transactions that are outside of normal compensatory agreements, such as salaries. We follow ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 718-10, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718-10”). The Company measures all equity-based awards granted to employees, independent contractors and advisors based on the fair value on the date of the grant and recognizes compensation expense for those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award.

 

We classify stock-based compensation expense in its statement of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.

 

Income Taxes

 

We use the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is unlikely that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. In accordance with ASC 740-10, for those tax positions where there is a greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, our policy will be to record the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit will be recognized in the financial statements.

 

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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

 

Our Corporate History

 

Our company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 11, 2021, under the name LQR House Inc., which we refer to as LQR House Delaware. On February 3, 2023, we changed our state of incorporation to the State of Nevada by converting into LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation. On February 3, 2023, in accordance with our reincorporation to Nevada, our authorized capital stock changed from 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, to 350,000,000 shares, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At the same time, we also completed a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of our outstanding Common Stock through the merger by issuing one share of our Common Stock for every 6 previously outstanding shares of Common Stock of our predecessor Delaware company. As a result, our issued and outstanding Common Stock decreased from 55,252,424 shares to 9,200,434 shares.

 

Dual Class Share Structure

 

On March 29, 2023, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to institute a dual class share structure consisting of Class A Common Stock, and Class B Common Stock, and any number of classes of preferred stock. Class A Common Stock was entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval, and Class B Common Stock was entitled to one (1) vote on any such matter. A share of Class A Common Stock could have been voluntarily converted into a share of Class B Common Stock. A transfer of a share of Class A Common Stock would have resulted in its automatic conversion into Common Stock upon such transfer, subject to certain exceptions, including that the transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock to another holder of Class A Common Stock would not have resulted in such automatic conversion. Class B Common Stock was not convertible. Other than as to voting and conversion rights, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock had the same rights and preferences and ranked equally, shared ratably and were identical in all respects as to all matters.

 

Due to this amendment, the Company’s authorized capital stock became 350,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 20,000,000 shares were designated Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 280,000,000 shares were designated as Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. All 9,200,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

2023 Private Placement

 

On June 1, 2023, we conducted a private placement of our Common Stock and entered into certain subscription agreements with a number of (i) accredited investors as defined in Section 2(a)(15) of the Securities Act, and Rule 501 promulgated thereunder, in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws or (ii) non-U.S. persons made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the agreements, we issued 955,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share for a total of $955,000.

 

Single Common Stock Structure

 

On June 5, 2023, the Company further amended its articles of incorporation to amend the share structure by (i) eliminating a dual class share structure consisting of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and establishing a single Common Stock structure consisting of shares of Common Stock only, with 350,000,000 authorized shares being all designated as Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share, entitled to one (1) vote per share; and by (ii) eliminating all authorized shares of preferred stock. All 13,155,434 shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Common Stock.

 

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Our Key Agreements

 

The following agreements and the partnerships detailed therein are material to the operation of our business:

 

SWOL Branding. On March 19, 2021, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Dollinger Innovations Inc., Dollinger Holdings LLC, and Sean Dollinger, our founder, Chief Executive Officer and President, pursuant to which we acquired the assets related to the online or in-person sale of original and other SWOL branded products, which we refer to as the SWOL Acquisition. Prior to the SWOL Acquisition, the SWOL brand activity was minimal and consisted of product testing to gauge consumer preferences. The transaction included the assignment of various contracts to LQR House Inc., including:

 

  Shared Responsibility & Bonding Agreement dated March 19, 2021, by and between Dollinger Innovations and Leticia Hermosillo Raverero, which we refer to as Casa Cava de Oro S.A., relating to production of original SWOL tequila for exclusive importation into the United States by Dollinger Innovations or its assigns.

 

Exclusive License Agreement dated May 18, 2020, by and between Dollinger Holdings and Dollinger Innovations by which Dollinger Innovations licenses to Dollinger Holdings certain intellectual property, including trademarks for the brand SWOL, awarded pursuant to and under the jurisdiction of Mexican law.

 

Product Distribution Agreement dated July 1, 2020, by and between Dollinger Holdings and Country Wine & Spirits Inc., or CWS, by which SWOL branded products may be marketed and sold through online channels including www.cwspirits.com, or the CWS Platform, and through brick and mortar stores to the general public.

 

We also acquired all of the intellectual property assets and registrations to conduct the business of selling SWOL products. See “Business — Intellectual Property” for the complete list of intellectual property acquired.

 

Exclusive Marketing Agreement with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits, LLC. On April 1, 2021, LQR House Delaware, CWS, and Ssquared Spirits, LLC, or Ssquared, one of our affiliates, entered into an Exclusive Marketing Agreement. Pursuant to this agreement CWS and Ssquared granted us the exclusive right to promote and market spirits and other beverage products through the CWS Platform for sale to customers located within the United States. We also gained the sole right to manage and make decisions with regard to user facing content on the platform, including the placement and removal of products and the creation and management of promotional initiatives. Neither CWS nor Ssquared will directly or indirectly, promote or advertise any products on the platform themselves or grant to any third party any right to promote or advertise products on the website.

 

Soleil Vino Wine Subscription Service. On May 31, 2021, LQR House Delaware and Dollinger Holdings entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we became the successor to all sourcing agreements with third party vendors, whether oral or written, for all Soleil Vino and related branded products. In addition, we received all the intellectual property assets and registrations to conduct the business of selling Soleil Vino products. See “Business — Intellectual Property” for the complete list of intellectual property acquired.

 

Advisor Agreements. On June 1, 2023, we entered into advisor agreements with certain advisors, pursuant to which the advisors will provide business and corporate advice in connection with the Offering to the Company. In consideration for the advisor’s services, the Company issued 500,000 shares of Common Stock to six individuals and entities, for an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

Organizational Structure Following This Offering

 

The following diagram depicts our organizational structure following the completion of this offering. This diagram includes the stockholders of Common Stock, as a group, and the public stockholders that will receive shares of Common Stock in this offering, as a group. The shares of Common Stock held by public offering investors (including selling stockholders) is based on an assumed public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page, and assumes that the underwriters do not exercise the over-allotment option.

 

 

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

Our company, LQR House Inc., intends to become the full-service digital marketing and brand development face of the alcoholic beverage space. We also intend to integrate the supply, sales, and marketing facets of the alcoholic beverage space into one easy to use platform and become the one-stop-shop for everything related to alcohol. To date, our primary business includes the development of premium limited batch spirit brands, establishing an exclusive wine club, and marketing internal and external brands through an exclusive agreement with a U.S.-based e-commerce portal. We believe that the marketing and brand management services we provide to our wholly owned and third-party clients will increase brand recognition thereof, and drive sales thereof through our e-commerce platform partner.

 

Our Key Partnerships with CWS and Ssquared

 

We have an exclusive marketing agreement with Country Wine & Spirits Inc. and Ssquared Spirits Inc., which we refer to as CWS and Ssquared, respectively, and which together own and operate one of the largest online retailers of liquor in the United States, located at www.cwspirits.com, which we refer to as the CWS Platform. In this three-way business relationship, Ssquared operates the CWS Platform on a day-to-day basis, for example, by ensuring timely stocking of product and communicating with the CWS influencer network; Rilo Import & Export Inc. by CWS provide import, fulfillment, and distribution services for all products sold on the CWS Platform; and our company handles 100% of the promotion of the sale of spirits and other beverage products via the CWS Platform through the internet and through various social media channels.

 

Specifically, our company obtained the sole right to manage and make decisions regarding user-facing content on the CWS Platform, including the placement and removal of products and the creation and management of promotional initiatives. The grant of rights to our company is exclusive such that, during the term of this agreement, April 1, 2021, through April 1, 2031, Ssquared and CWS shall not grant to any third party any right to promote or advertise products on the CWS Platform and shall not shall directly or indirectly promote or advertise any products themselves. This agreement may be terminated upon a material breach by a party thereto that goes uncured for longer than 30 days or at any time by our company with thirty days written notice to each of CWS and Ssquarred. For additional information about the consideration due under the agreement, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions Transactions with Related Persons”.

 

Our relationship with CWS and Ssquared is the cornerstone of our business. Under our agreement with CWS and Ssquared, we can focus on our competitive strengths, which include marketing and brand promotion. Our relationship and agreement with CWS and Ssquared provide us access to approximately 241,000 customers via the CWS mailing lists and recurring traffic on the CWS Platform. This agreement also allows us to market our brands on the CWS Platform and have them sold and distributed by our partners, CWS and Ssquared. Moreover, any third-party brand seeking to have their products marketed on the CWS Platform can only do so by becoming a client of the Company.

 

Our Business Model

 

Since our inception in January 2021, we have put our business model to the test and believe it is our path towards future success. First, we create marketing content on the CWS Platform for our brands and the brands of our marketing services clients. Second, when consumers purchase products on the CWS Platform like Tequila with our SWOL brand, a subscription to Vault or to the Soleil Vino wine club, or the products of our marketing service clients, CWS will perform the distribution services related to the sale of those products. Simultaneously, Ssquared will manage the backend e-commerce operations related to the CWS Platform. Our company is the only authorized advertiser on the CWS Platform and will derive significant revenue from all sales made to our marketing partners via the CWS Platform and subscriptions offered through the CWS Platform. Moreover, we will derive significant revenue from the sale of alcohol that bears our SWOL trademark. The objective of these activities is to generate recurring monthly revenue through subscriptions and product placements.

 

We believe that our business model will result in multiple, highly sustainable revenue sources and an opportunity to capitalize on the growth in demand for liquor in the United States. To date, sales of alcoholic beverages have been generated through our exclusive arrangement with CWS who sells these products. This includes third-party brands hiring the Company to market their alcoholic beverage products, subscriptions through our membership programs, and the product sale of tequila branded with our trademark, “SWOL,” bearing application number 2345291 and registration number 2141431. We intend to further diversify our revenue streams and anticipate that the diversity of our revenue streams will continue to grow as our internal brands gain market recognition and penetration, our marketing services abilities become well known, and our subscription services become popular.

 

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Our Historical Performance

 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has not generated profits since inception, has sustained net losses of $1,842,175 and $1,962,726 for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and has negative cash flows from operations for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Company’s cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover its operating expenses and obligations for the next 12 months. The Company expects to fund its operations for the next 12 months through equity financing arrangements and sales of its services. However, the Company may not be able to raise adequate funds for capital expenditures, working capital and other cash requirements from capital markets on acceptable terms, or at all. Advances from an officer or stockholder may likewise be unavailable. The Company’s failure to raise capital as and when needed and generate significantly higher revenues than operating expenses to achieve profitability would impact its going concern status and would have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to pursue its business strategy and continue as a going concern. For further discussion, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Going Concern”.

 

Industry Overview

 

We plan to address market demand by aligning with key industry trends and by utilizing strategic relationships to source, brand, finance and distribute products. Specifically, we will focus initially on tequila, wine, and other specialty products by utilizing e-commerce and technology to drive sales. The market for alcohol includes beverages such as spirits, wines, and beer. Our focus is on the United States market.

 

 

 

As set forth in the above chart, the United States, which is estimated to consume a total of approximately $283.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages in 2023, represents one of the largest global markets for all alcoholic beverage category sales (Statista, Alcoholic Drinks – Worldwide, January 2023). This demonstrates a considerable amount of consumption and a large and stable market that is continuing to evolve. Spirits and wine account for approximately 50.6% of total consumption as of January 2023, as set forth in the following chart (Statista, Alcoholic Drinks – Revenue – United States, January 2023).

 

 

 

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Moreover, we believe e-commerce is increasingly becoming a driver of demand for at-home consumption of alcoholic products, driven in part by the recent pandemic. Due to this shift, people who used to go to a bar or a restaurant to consume alcohol are now buying products increasingly online or even going to the manufacturer directly where the law permits, and we believe that this trend will continue even as the impact of the pandemic begins to lessen. We also believe that this demonstrates a great potential for continued market expansion and the relevance of e-commerce platforms for alcohol. In particular, the United States has shown a strong uptrend in the purchase of alcohol online, as set forth in the chart below (Vaimo, Martin Hjalm, Alcohol Ecommerce: Trends, Strategies, and Markets in 2023, January 2023).

 

 

 

In addition to sustained demand for the largest product categories (beer, wine and spirts) and increased prominence of e-commerce, the demand for quality and novel products continues to increase as well (Forbes, Joseph Micallef, The Top Ten Trends Shaping The Adult Beverage Market In 2021, January 2021). Within this market, the consumption of products is increasing due to several market trends, including the demand for new categories of beverages, such as specialty spirits, flavored wines and sparkling wines, and premixed carbonated drinks. A survey of 1,600 adult U.S. consumers by PwC Consumer Segment Survey sets forth this trend with 54% of those buying alcoholic beverages responding “I am buying new brands even when my usual brands are available” (PwC, M&A breathes new life into brand portfolios for spirits companies, 2021) as opposed to only 47% of those buying non-alcoholic beverages.

 

 

 

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As seen in the following graph, the transactional market for alcohol products has seen a considerable amount of activity with over $45 billion of transactions valued across 97 deals from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020 (PwC, M&A breathes new life into brand portfolios for spirits companies, 2021). We believe this transactional activity within the alcoholic beverage space also represents a key market trend related to the emergence of new specialty brands, as larger companies seek to gain access to new brands to continue to maintain their market position in a market of evolving consumer preferences.

 

 

 

Market Trends

 

We believe the following trends, as discussed in a Forbes interview of the Head of Consumer Insights at Drizly (Forbes, Joseph Micallef, The Top Ten Trends Shaping The Adult Beverage Market In 2021, January 2021), will continue to shape the alcoholic beverage market:

 

Consumers are likely to continue to shop more online for adult beverages.

 

Tequila and mezcal will continue to grow in popularity. Tequila surpassed bourbon in retailers’ expectations for growth among best-selling spirits, while mezcal is ready for its own (smoky) spotlight.

 

Premiumization in the industry will accelerate as consumers reallocate funds from experiences to at-home indulgences.

 

Craft seltzer will start to gain in market share, marked by more upscale ingredients, artisanal flavors and elevated packaging.

 

Consumers are likely to continue to be more conscious of brand ownership and values.

 

We anticipate all these market trends will positively impact our business and present an opportunity to continue expanding. Specifically, we align with market trends by focusing our marketing and distribution efforts online and we expect to bring new and exciting premium products to market across categories. In addition, we generate online promotional activities around holidays and life events, while always being mindful of ethically sourcing products for distribution.

 

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The Services and Brands

 

We provide marketing services with respect to the following products and services. Marketing these brands constitutes the core elements of our business model and allow us to serve every type of customer in the alcohol industry, including individual consumers, wholesalers, and third-party alcohol brands:

 

SWOL is a trademark, bearing application number 2345291 and bearing registration number 2141431 that was granted by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (“IMPI”) to Dollinger Innovations and which was later purchased by LQR House Inc. pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, dated March 19, 2021, among LQR House Inc. and Dollinger Innovations Inc., Dollinger Holdings LLC and Sean Dollinger.

 

 

 

SWOL Tequila is a limited-edition blend of Añejo Tequila made in exclusive batches of up to 10,000 bottles and represents the first installment under our “SWOL” trademarked alcohol branding. Through our partnership with CWS, we market Tequila bearing the “SWOL” trademark, which we call “SWOL Tequila,” on the CWS Platform, which distributes SWOL Tequila throughout the United States. SWOL Tequila is produced by Casa Cava de Oro S.A., an authentic tequila distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, sold by LQR House Inc. to CWS before it is imported from Mexico into the United States, and is imported into the United States through Rilo Import & Export Inc. by CWS. All marketing and branding for SWOL Tequila is led by our marketing team, who has led the way on all branding efforts from conceptualizing the bottle shape and size, to overseeing the design of the labels. We also work with the producers in Mexico on all product development, including the original SWOL Añejo and the additions of Peach and Cristalino.

 

When product testing was initiated for the label with the trademark SWOL on it, which we call “SWOL,” a campaign was created around a “Mystery Tequila” where CWS’s network of influencers promoted SWOL without showing the bottle or label. We believe that this marketing tactic generated customer excitement for the product and led to an increase in anticipation for its reveal. Since then, we have seen continuous growth in SWOL customer interest and have taken steps to expand the product line to match that interest. With each product, we focus on creating unique labels, each with the signature SWOL sew-on patch, which accompanies each hand-numbered bottle. The patch can be peeled off and sewn onto clothing or accessories.

 

We believe that our focus on our unique brand identity and product innovation will allow us to continue generating consumer interest and hype for each addition to the product line bearing the SWOL trademark. Moreover, SWOL has been developed to align with current consumer preferences and trends within the market. Essentially, we generate SWOL products that maintain the high-quality ingredients from the Tequila region of Mexico and combine that tradition of quality with new and exciting flavors. CWS is offering the following products bearing the SWOL trademark at competitive price points:

 

 

 

SWOL Añejo Tequila is an extremely limited-edition tequila that is bottled in glass blown flasks inscribed with a unique ID number and adorned with our patch that displays a unique label specific to the Añejo Tequila line. Each bottle contains a tequila produced using artisanal Mexican and modern techniques that impart each drink with a smoky, rich, sweet flavor. The SWOL Añejo Tequila is currently priced at $89.99 (MRSP).

 

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SWOL Peach Tequila is an amber, dark coppery tequila that is bottled in glass blown flasks inscribed with a unique ID number and adorned with our patch that displays a unique label specific to the Peach Tequila line. The production imparts an authentic tequila taste with notes of peach, toasted nuts and oak. Through market analysis and sales data, our peach products are often in high demand, and we expect this trend to continue. The SWOL Peach Tequila is currently priced at $79.99 (MRSP).

 

 

 

SWOL Cristalino Tequila is a crystalline tequila bottled glass blown flasks, inscribed with a unique ID number and adorned with our patch that displays a unique label specific to the Cristalino Tequila line. The tequila displays light blue crystalline flashes and production imparts an authentic tequila taste with notes of fruity oak, toasted nuts and light spice. The SWOL Cristalino Tequila is currently priced at $79.99 (MRSP).

 

Vault is the exclusive membership program for CWS customers. Through the CWS Platform, users can sign up for this exclusive membership where they will have access to all products available through CWS combined with special membership benefits including: (i) 10% off all products site wide; (ii) free ground shipping (2-5 business days) on orders over $50 (limited to three shipping addresses); (iii) access to special promotional offers; and (iv) free mystery vault gifts in every shipment. The monthly membership costs customers $19.95 and requires an initial 3-month start-up commitment. The objective is to create a loyal customer based that provide us with recurring monthly subscription revenue. Vault also provides us with the means to provide customers special discounts to marketing partner brands, which we make solely available to Vault members. We market this membership program on the CWS Platform and are entitled to 50% of the revenue from the subscriptions.

 

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Soleil Vino will be a wine subscription service that is marketed on the CWS Platform and will offer a unique selection of vintage and limited production wines. Through the CWS Platform, users will sign up for this exclusive membership where they will have access to curated selections of wine from around the world. With Soleil Vino, we intend to create the premium wine subscription service on the market with the highest quality, and diverse selections of wine offerings, which we refer to as our Wine Club. We expect our Wine Club to have three membership options based on different wine quality and price. Within each membership, our customers will select whether they want to receive two or four bottles each month, and whether they want white wine only, red wine only, or a variety box. Members will also get access to a members-only dashboard, where they can access informational blogs written by in-house wine experts. They will also receive monthly newsletters with additional information, and various discounts for other products on the CWS Platform. Membership fees for Soleil Vino will be charged monthly and can be cancelled at any time after the initial three months of subscription service. We are responsible for launching the Wine Club through a series of ads, social and email campaigns, and all exclusive content and wine selection for members will be handled by in-house wine experts. We will market the Wine Club on the CWS Platform and are entitled to all the revenue from the subscriptions. The Wine Club is expected to have three subscription membership options based on different wine quality, price, and quantity.

 

The following table is representative of the Soleil Vino membership options:

 

 Membership Option

  Select Membership   Classic Membership   Premier Membership
Description   This package features, popular, value priced wines and consumer favorites.   This membership will feature quality vintage wine from well-known producers.   This membership includes hand-picked bottles of wine from award winning wineries
Fee for 2 bottles per month   $45.00 / month   $55.00 / month   $75.00 / month
Fee for 4 bottles per month   $85.00 / month   $105.00 / month   $145.00 / month

 

LQR House Marketing is a marketing service in which we utilize our marketing expertise to help our wholly owned brands and third-party clients market their products to consumers. For example, by engaging LQR House for its marketing services, our clients gain the ability to advertise and sell their brand on the CWS Platform. We generally charge a monthly fee for our marketing services and often enter into multi-month programs with clients. Monthly program costs generally range from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the program options selected by the client. Our services also include the creation of a creative marketing campaign strategy, and the development of promotional materials. Key features of the marketing offering include:

 

Leveraging multiple advertising campaigns to bring affordability to advertising methods such as influencer marketing, incentive based sales, or product placement advertising.

 

Combining multiple campaigns into one media buy.

 

Leveraging specific assets available to LQR House such as the CWS Platform and email distribution list.

 

Advertising with targeted banners.

 

Leveraging LQR House online campaigns.

 

Creating branding and product placement campaigns that elevate a brand’s reach to targeted demographics.

 

Creating a brand around an influencer’s following and reach to leverage viewership and monetize their growth.

 

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Central to the business model, we offer access to an exclusive network of industry influencers or brand ambassadors. Engaging with us provides clients with the opportunity to select a tailored list of influencers to promote their brand to an ideal target market. LQR House currently has relationships with 327 influencers, which is a significant differentiator and underscores the uniqueness of our company as a marketing platform. Influencers are provided a commission based on the number of products they sell and drive traffic to the CWS website. Commissions paid are solely the responsibility of CWS. The more an influencer generates in sales for a brand, the more the influencer makes in commissions. This directly aligns the objectives of the brand, influencer and LQR House. Key elements of a typical influencer program include:

 

Minimum of 100 posts per month from a minimum of 15 influencers.

 

Monthly posts will include content from an influencer list with a cumulative following of at least 1.5 million followers. For example, a typical influencer mix would be as follows: (i) 2-3 Major Influencers, influencers with more than 500,000 followers, (ii) 3-5 Top-Tier Influencers, influencers with more than 100,000 followers, (iii) 5-10 Micro Influencers, influencers with 10,000 to 100,000 followers, and (iv) 3-5 Beginner Influencers, influencers with less than 10,000 followers.

 

Posts presented on multiple social media platforms, including cross posting where the same video or content may be shared several times to capture many different audiences, targeting social media platforms such as Facebook and Facebook Reels, Instagram and Instagram Reels, YouTube and YouTube Shorts, Pinterest and Pinterest Idea Pins, Twitter, Khal Media, Clapper, LinkedIn, Reddit, Twitch, Tumblr, etc.

 

1-2 email blasts per month from the influencer featuring the brand.

 

Placement of brand on the main sliding banner on the CWS Platform homepage or mobile app, in the category page and Spirits dropdown of the website, and in our holiday gift guide.

 

Within 5 days of the end of the month, we will generate a summary report of the influencer program which includes the following types of data: (i) the total sales of product on the CWS Platform with basic customer location data, (ii) a list of posts per influencers with links to content across platforms, and (iii) a description of product placements on the CWS Platform.

 

Our Relationships with Third-Party Alcohol Brands

 

To date, we have engaged with over 11 brands to bring their product to our customer base. We have engaged with brands including, but not limited to, Cocktail Caviar, Soda Jerk, Bake Sale and Just the Tipsy to market and sell their products on the CWS Platform. Our clients generally include newer alcohol brands that produce small batch and craft spirits. Many customers return for additional marketing programs after the initial engagement and elect to enter multiple month arrangements. The following graphics contain advertisements we created for some of our clients, to be run on the CWS Platform.

 

 

 

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Our Competition and Competitive Strengths

 

The market for online sales and promotions of alcohol is competitive. This includes large online retailers such as Amazon, specialty e-commerce sites and direct sales from producers. These companies are often larger than us, and have considerable financial, technical and human capital resources. However, we believe that we have the following competitive strengths that will allow us to capitalize on the growing alcoholic beverage industry and alcohol e-commerce:

 

Unique platform. We believe that our branding style, and the branding services we provide to our clients, allow us to market directly to the millennial market demographic. We believe we accomplish this marketing through our ad campaigns and marketing materials that have a sleek and modern look and feel. By implementing this targeted approach, we provide a unique and modern customer experience that helps us capture a key market in the alcoholic beverage industry. Our search engine optimization, or SEO, has been developed over many years and provides customers with premium placement opportunities they often cannot source anywhere else.

 

  Extensive influencer network. We believe that our team has created one of the most extensive influencer relationship lists within the alcohol industry for small batch and exclusive brands. We have around 500 unique influencer relationships that differentiates us from many other online marketing channels available to brands.

 

Extensive e-commerce and marketing expertise. Our team has decades of experience in e-commerce and implementing online strategies to maximize the benefit of marketing campaigns. This includes unique online promotional campaigns that drive sales of products.

 

Working with highly differentiated brands. We vet the external brands we promote to ensure that all of the products we market align with our own brand and strategy. We believe our vetting process allows us to maximize the value we provide to our clients, while also allowing us to provide consumers with exclusive options not available from larger distributors.

 

Strategic relationships. We believe we have developed and solidified relationships with multiple groups that can deliver value to external brand customers, such as the exclusive marketing agreement with CWS and Ssquared. This includes marketing, import, storage and retail/wholesale distribution relationships.

 

In addition to online competition, we face competition from other emerging products, as the market can be characterized as highly fragmented with many new brands coming to market. We believe we differentiate our wholly-owned brands in several ways:

 

Development of unique products. We focus our product development on unique flavors and variations of products that are not generally available in the market. This differentiation aligns with current market trends and results in alignment with modern consumer preference for new and exciting brand products that expand the profile of legacy products. For example, SWOL Peach Tequila.

 

Setting ideal price points. We believe we set a competitive price point, which aligns with the uniqueness and quality of the products offered by the Company. This price point is important in the context of differentiating legacy or generic products in the industry. This comes from years of experience within the industry and significant data points about comparable products within the market.

 

Focus on quality. We believe all our products are sourced from the highest quality producers, and we vet our producers by visiting locations to verify quality and control procedures.

 

Unique labelling and marketing promotions. We have crafted unique labelling which aligns with our branding but also includes a removable patch that can be affixed to other items. This serves as continued marketing for our products, as the patch remains after the bottle has been consumed.

 

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Our Growth Strategies

 

Marketing

 

We have developed three primary methods for facilitating deals through our marketing division:

 

Channel Partners/Influencers. Our most successful service to date is the ability for liquor brands to have their product displayed by a social media influencer team via product placement, promotion and usage in advertorial collaborations. These influencers are often approached by new brands independently, which are then referred to us. We built up our own group (network) of influencers from scratch (bartenders, alcohol personalities, restaurateurs, social media personalities, alcohol representatives). These influencers have a direct line to qualified customers who are looking to buy products that they recommend. After signing a marketing client, we send their products to our influencers who then create client specific content that directs their followers to the CWS website to buy the product. The influencers are only paid on a percentage of sales.

 

Direct Inbound Lead Generation. Due to the surge in demand for marketing companies that specialize in liquor and alcohol promotion, we have been contacted by an influx of new brands and medium-sized companies that are looking to scale via resources and available services. This is also being driven based on past successes with brands that refer their industry relationships to LQR House. For example, when we first launched the program, we contracted with four to five clients on a monthly basis. Since then, we have at least 8 clients utilizing our marketing services on a monthly basis. As we continue to grow our operations and increase our service offerings, we intend to increase the inbound marketing via Google Ads, social media promotion and search engine optimization to ensure new leads flowing in.

 

Liquor Brand Development. Through our exclusive marketing agreements with external brands, we are developing a reputation as a premium marketer and advertiser for liquor brands, and one that offers efficient and cost-effective services. Brands that are looking to establish themselves often find the Company through web properties of those lines, such as swoltequila.com, which has proven to become a lead generation tool.

 

We believe that by continuing to develop leading brands for up-and-coming companies and, by aligning with celebrities and influencers with significant followings, we will continue to offer quality work-product that will attract start-ups looking to establish an online marketing presence. Moreover, we believe that we are developing a portfolio of successful marketing campaigns that will positively influence our word-of-mouth and referral lead generation and overall reputation in the industry, such as Soda Jerk, which have referred Betini to us, which has become our largest campaign to date.

 

Brands

 

We intend to continue expanding and developing our existing brands, like those associated with our SWOL trademark, in two ways. First, we plan to purchase larger amounts of SWOL products, which will allow us to sell to more customers and increase our brand recognition at a quicker rate. Second, we plan on increasing the marketing presence for SWOL, as well as our Wine Club. Moreover, we will continue developing new flavors, like SWOL Cristalino and SWOL Peach, that align us with current market trends and evolving consumer preferences.

 

Acquisitions

 

We intend to pursue opportunistic acquisitions of the following types of companies involved in the alcoholic beverage industry, or companies that could be beneficial if integrated into our current business model:

 

Existing Brands. We intend to target up-and-coming unique alcohol brands with initial market penetration and the potential to expand with additional marketing and distribution expertise. Our focus will be on the spirits, wine and specialty mixed drink segments of the market. One potential source of acquisitions would include approaching existing marketing clients to gauge their interest in becoming a majority owned subsidiary of our company.

 

Technologies. We will also seek to acquire applications, analytics and distribution tools that can be utilized to complement our existing operations. Our technology acquisitions will focus on platforms that we believe will gain additional market insights and advertising opportunities for internal and external brands that we are developing, or plan to develop in the future.

 

Distribution Licenses and Physical Storage Locations. We intend to target companies with importation licenses and storage facilities that will allow us to physically import and store our brands and our clients’ brands.

 

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We expect to utilize a formal acquisition process for the identification and analysis of targets in the context of strategic alignment to our business objectives, approaching targets for solicitation of interest in a transaction, completing financial, legal and technical due diligence, and negotiating the terms of a transaction and related legal documentation. The core objective of this process is to scale our revenue and earnings and complement our existing operational activities. Each of our management team members has completed significant financial transactions over the course of their careers, and has with experience working with corporate issuers, investment and merchant banks, and law firms, and we believe that our management’s experience will help us achieve our business goals. As of the date of this offering, we do not have any acquisitions in progress, nor have we identified any potential acquisitions.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We consider intellectual property to be important to the operation of our business, and critical to driving growth in our commercial revenue. We acquired trademarks pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement in connection with SWOL between LQR House Inc. as the Buyer and Dollinger Innovations Inc., Dollinger Holdings LLC, and Sean Dollinger as the Sellers dated as of March 19, 2021 and pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement in connection with Soleil Vino among LQR House Inc. as the Buyer and Dollinger Holdings LLC as the Sellers dated as of May 31, 2021. We consider our intellectual property to be a key business asset and therefore have rights to use and market the following portfolio of intellectual property in the United States:

 

SWOL Intellectual Property

 

Trademarks: SWOL and Design and all associated trade dress and intellectual property rights.

 

All labels, logos and other branding bearing the SWOL and Design marks or any mark substantially similar to the same.

 

Soleil Vino Intellectual Property

 

Trademarks regardless of registration status for Soleil Vino and all associated trade dress and intellectual property rights.

 

All labels, logos and other branding bearing the Soleil Vino marks or any mark substantially similar to the same.

 

Website and all related digital and social media content including but not limited to influencer networks, http://www.soleilvino.com, and all related content, and all related sales channels.

 

Enforcement of our trademark rights is important in maintaining the value of each of our brands. While it would be cost-prohibitive to act in all instances, our aim is to consistently reduce trademark infringements by carrying out coordinated, cost-effective enforcement actions following investigation of suspected trademark infringements. Enforcement action takes a variety of forms, such as working with authorities to seize counterfeit goods and stop the activities of unauthorized sellers to taking direct legal action against infringers, for example, by issuing cease and desist letters. In relation to materials for which copyright protection is available, our current practice is generally to secure copyright ownership where possible and appropriate.

 

Human Capital

 

As of June 9, 2023, we had three full-time employees. We will add another full-time employee upon the consummation of this offering per Sean Dollinger’s employment agreement. See Executive Compensation – Executive Employment and Consulting Agreements. Our independent contractors include third-party service providers who staff our organization and supplement our teams as needed. None of our personnel are represented by labor unions, and we believe that we have an excellent relationship with everyone who works with us. We operate the Company under remote-first principles.

 

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Seasonality

 

Seasonality has some impact on our business via the levels at which customers engage with our products and brand. For example, we have traditionally seen lower total sales in the post-holiday and winter months. Our marketing strategies, which may be informed by these seasonal trends, will also impact our quarterly results of operations. These trends may cause our cash requirements to vary from quarter to quarter depending on the variability in the volume and timing of sales. We believe that these seasonal trends have affected and will continue to affect our quarterly results.

 

Facilities

 

The Company owns an office lease pursuant to a commercial lease agreement between South Doll LLC and LQR House Inc at 6800 Indian Creek Dr., Suite 1E, Miami Beach, FL, 33141 (the “premises”). The premises are used as a corporate office address and as the registered office address for the Company. The lease commenced on February 15, 2023 and will expire on February 28, 2025. Our total office space pursuant to this agreement is approximately [*] square feet. We believe our office space is adequate for at least the next 12 months.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results.

 

Key Agreements with Suppliers

 

In accordance with a certain asset purchase agreement dated March 19, 2021, by and between the Company, as buyer, and Dollinger Innovations Inc., Dollinger Holdings LLC, and Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer, as sellers, the Company became assignee to that certain Shared Responsibility & Bonding Agreement dated March 19, 2021, between Leticia Hermosillo Ravelero and Dollinger Innovations Inc., which we refer to as the Shared Responsibility & Bonding Agreement. That agreement provides that Leticia Hermosillo Ravelero, who we refer to as the Producer, undertakes the production of the alcoholic beverage denominated “Tequila made 100% of agave,” bottled and labeled at the factory located in Km 32 of the International Highway Guadalajara-Nogales, El Arenal Municipality, Postal Code 45350, Jalisco, Mexico, supplied by the Producer in accordance with the Shared Responsibility & Bonding Agreement. That agreement also provides that Dollinger Innovations Inc., and Sean Dollinger as the administrative manager of Dollinger Innovations Inc., who we refer to as the Distributor, undertakes to carry out the activities of distribution and sale of that beverage in Mexico or overseas in compliance with the laws and regulations that are applicable in the place where it will be marketed. The Producer is granted the exclusive right to produce tequila under the SWOL trademark, and that any tequila produced by Supplier will qualify as “Tequila 100% of Agave,” as authorized by the General Directorate of Norms from Secretary of Economy of Mexico, the Regulatory Council of Tequila A.C., and the Tequila Origin Denomination No. DOT-194 issued according to applicable legislation of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, body belonging to Government of the Mexican United States. The Shared Responsibility & Bonding Agreement will terminate on March 19, 2026, unless terminated prior by either party with at least 30 days advance written notice. The cost and amount of each batch of tequila produced by Supplier will be determined in advance of the production of each batch by agreement between Supplier and the Company.

 

Per the Packaging of Origin Co-Responsibility Agreement, between Leticia Hermosillo Ravelero ( the “Producer”) and Dollinger Innovations Inc. and Sean Dollinger as the legal representative of Dollinger Innovations Inc. (the “Distributor”), the Producer undertakes to supply to the Distributor, bottled product of origin that strictly complies with the “Official Standard of Tequila” issued by the Conformity Assessment Body in this case the Regulatory Council of Tequila, A.C. (“CRT”), the Producer undertakes to prepare for, and deliver exclusively to the Distributor, the Aged Tequila bottle of origin that strictly complies with the Official Standard of Tequila, the Producer undertakes to prepare for and deliver exclusively to the Distributor, Tequila flavored in the flavors that from time to time the Distributor orders, and the Distributor undertakes to use the Appellation of Origin “Tequila” and to distribute the product of the same name, supplied by the Producer exclusively in the containers bearing the trademark SWOL.

 

Government Regulation

 

The Alcohol Industry

 

A complex multi-jurisdictional regime governs alcoholic beverage manufacturing, distribution, sales, and marketing in the United States. The alcoholic beverages industry in which we operate is subject to extensive regulation by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (and other federal agencies), each state’s liquor authority, and potentially local authorities depending on location. These regulations and laws dictate such matters as licensing requirements, production, importation, ownership restrictions, trade, and pricing practices, permitted distribution channels, delivery, and prohibitions on sales to minors, permitted, and required labeling, and advertising and relations with wholesalers and retailers. These laws, regulations and licensing requirements may, and sometimes are, interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other legal mandates or with the Company’s business practices. Further, these laws, rules, regulations, and interpretations are constantly changing because of litigation, legislation, and agency priorities, and could result in increased regulation. The Company’s actual or asserted non-compliance with any such law, regulation or requirement could expose us to investigations, claims, litigation, injunctive proceedings and other criminal or civil proceedings by private parties and regulatory authorities, as well as license suspension, license revocation, substantial fines, and negative publicity, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and business.

 

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The Internet

 

We are subject to several laws and regulations that affect companies conducting business on the Internet, many of which are still evolving and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. The way existing laws and regulations will be applied to the Internet and how they will relate to our business are often unclear. For example, we often cannot be certain how existing laws will apply in the e-commerce and online context, including with respect to such topics as privacy, defamation, pricing, credit card fraud, advertising, taxation, sweepstakes, promotions, content regulation, quality of products and services, and intellectual property ownership and infringement.

 

Numerous laws and regulatory schemes have been adopted at the national and state level in the United States, and in some cases internationally, that have a direct impact on our business and operations. For example:

 

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, or CARD Act, and similar laws and regulations adopted by several states regulate credit card and gift certificate use fairness, including expiration dates and fees. Our business also requires that we comply with payment card industry data security and other standards. We are subject to payment card association operating rules, certification requirements, and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, or if our data security systems are breached or compromised, we may be liable for card issuing banks’ costs, subject to fines and higher transaction fees, and lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers, or facilitate other types of online payments, and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides relief for claims of circumvention of copyright protected technologies and includes a safe harbor intended to reduce the liability of online service providers for hosting, listing, or linking to third-party content that infringes copyrights of others.

 

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which went into effect on January 1, 2020, provides consumers the right to know what personal data companies collect, how it is used, and the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of their personal information to third parties. It also expands the definition of personal information and gives consumers increased privacy rights and protections for that information. The CCPA also includes special requirements for California consumers under the age of 16. In addition, the European Union and United Kingdom have adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which likewise impose significant data protection obligations on enterprises, including limitations on data uses and constraints on certain uses of sensitive data. Effective January 1, 2023, we will also become subject to the California Privacy Rights Act, which expands upon the consumer data use restrictions, penalties and enforcement provisions under the California Consumer Privacy Act, and Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act, another comprehensive data privacy law. Effective July 1, 2023, we will also become subject to the Colorado Privacy Act and Connecticut’s An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring, which are also comprehensive consumer privacy laws. Effective December 31, 2023, we will also become subject to the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, regarding business handling of consumers’ personal data.

 

COVID-19 Pandemic

 

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. From our founding, we have been a highly efficient remote-first company, which has been able to continue to function as normal even with pandemic-related stay at home orders and other regulations. We have also exploited certain trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its acceleration of global growth in e-commerce. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on the alcoholic beverage industry. The closure of many bars and restaurants has meant that home consumption of alcoholic beverages has skyrocketed. Some categories of wines and spirits have seen significant market share gains while others have stagnated. More importantly, consumer trends that were expected to play out over the next decade were instead accelerated into a few months. While a return to some measure of normalcy may reverse or modify some of those changes, most of the trends observed in the beverage market over 2022 and 2021 are expected to continue, although possibly at a reduced rate of growth. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted global economic activity and has contributed to significant volatility and negative pressure in financial markets. The resulting global deterioration in economic conditions and financial volatility may have an adverse impact on discretionary consumer spending or investing and could also impact our business and demand for our services. We cannot predict the extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or related regulatory activity or legislative may impact us.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Set forth below is information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Name

  Age   Position
Sean Dollinger   42   Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and Director
Kumar Abhishek   46   Chief Financial Officer
Jaclyn Hoffman   33   Chief Marketing Officer
Alexandra Hoffman   34   Director
Darren Collins   39   Director
Holiday Russell   57   Director Nominee (1)
Guy Dollinger   51   Director Nominee (1)
James Huber   54   Director Nominee (1)
James O’Brien   37   Director Nominee (1)

 

(1)To be appointed to our board of directors immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Sean Dollinger has served as our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and as a member of our board of directors since January 2023, and he founded our company in January 2021. Mr. Dollinger has also been on the board of directors of Veg House Holdings Inc. since December 2022 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since January 2023. Since December 2019 to, Mr. Dollinger was involved in the founding and development of PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA), an exchange listed and public company in Canada. From June 2015 to February 2019, Mr. Dollinger acted as the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Lifeist Wellness Inc. (formerly Namaste Technologies Inc., or Namaste), a registered company under the Canadian securities laws that is a portfolio of wellness companies, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the company and its growth strategies. In October 2018, Mr. Dollinger became a part of a British Columbia Securities Commission compliance review of Namaste, a Canadian class action lawsuit, and a United States class action lawsuit, by way of his position as Chief Executive Officer and President of Namaste. For more information, see the risk factor that starts “Our Chief Executive Officer and Director, Sean Dollinger, has been the subject of a compliance review that was initiated by the British Columbia Securities Commission, and has not formally been concluded...” Mr. Dollinger has a wealth of experience in e-commerce, where he has had success across numerous different digital markets. We believe that Mr. Dollinger is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive operational experience, background in ecommerce, and international capital markets experience.

 

Kumar Abhishek has served as our Chief Financial Officer since May 2023. Prior to joining our company as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Abhishek was the owner and director of Boston Crest Private Limited, a knowledge processing output company located in India, where he simultaneously oversaw multiple companies’ financial and daily operations and was responsible for managing a team of 10+ accountants who assisted controllers and auditors in ensuring the financial success of each company. Through his work at Boston Crest, Mr. Abhishek served as our director of finance and operations from January 2021 to May 2023, as the director of finance and operations at PlantX Life Inc., a publicly listed company in Canada, from January 2020 to May 2023. Moreover, at Aspen Communications Pvt LTD, another knowledge processing output company in India, he served as director of finance and operations at Lifeist Wellness Inc. (formerly Namaste Technologies Inc.) from January 2015 to January 2020. Mr. Abhishek holds a Bachelor of Computer Applications degree from Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

 

Jaclyn Hoffman has served as the Chief Marketing Officer for LQR House since January 2021, where she oversees internal design projects, as well as design projects for partnering brands. She is also responsible for brand development, brand communication, and digital campaigns. Since October 2021, Jaclyn has worked as the Creative Director at PlantX Life Inc, where she oversees all creative projects for PlantX and its subsidiaries. This role includes working closely with teams of graphic designers, copywriters, web developers, and email marketing specialists to support the overall marketing strategy with creative content. From November 2019 until September 2021, Ms. Hoffman worked as a Web Design and Development Manager for Falcon Marketing, LLC, a marketing and search engine optimization agency, where she worked with graphic designers and web developers to create optimized websites for a wide range of clients. From October 2018 to November 2019, Ms. Hoffman worked as a Branding Consultant for Joyva Corp, a specialty candy company founded in 1907, where she helped modernize the brand’s identity. From September 2016 to August 2018, Ms. Hoffman worked as a graphic designer for Lakeside Photoworks, a print, photo and signage shop in New Orleans, LA, where she was responsible for building the brand identity of several local businesses. Ms. Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University in Montreal, QC, and an Associate in Graphic Design degree from Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA.

 

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Darren Collins has served as a member of our board of directors since January 2021. From January 2021 to August 2022 and from January 1, 2023 to May 1, 2023, Mr. Collins also served as our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Collins was the Chief Financial Officer and Advisor for Khiron Life Sciences Corp. from January 2017 to July 2020 and oversaw over $100 million in capital raises as well as the listing of the company of the TSV Venture Exchange. In that position he was responsible for capital markets relationships, budgeting, financial reporting and mergers and acquisitions. Since January 2022, Mr. Collins has worked as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of US Critical Metals Corp, a Canadian publicly listed company. From January 2008 to present date, he has also served as a director of Dalvay Capital, a merchant bank focused on early-stage companies. In this capacity, he has held several executive and board appointments. Mr. Collins has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Dalhousie University, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a Province of Canada. We believe that Mr. Collins is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive managerial experience, financial literacy and international capital markets and board experience.

 

Alexandra Hoffman has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2023. Additionally, on May 1, 2023, Ms. Hoffman entered into an employment agreement with the Company as a Technical Writer. Since January 2023, she has served as the Chief Marketing Officer of Veg House Holdings Inc. where she oversees all marketing activities from branding to web design and messaging both print and digital. Since August 2020, Ms. Hoffman has served as Chief Marketing Officer and Director at PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA), where she oversees all marketing activities, manages design & development teams, digital marketing teams, and PlantX Life’s overall branding and messaging for all of its subsidiaries. Additionally, since July 2018, Ms. Hoffman has served as a Director of Marketing and Technical Writer at Falcon Marketing LLC, a marketing and search engine optimization agency, where she oversees all marketing activities within the agency and is responsible for Falcon Marketing’s overall strategy as well as tailored strategies for its clients. From May 2017 to July 2018, Ms. Hoffman served as a technical Writer and Marketing Manager at Fabuwood Cabinetry Corporation, a kitchen cabinet fabrication company, where she managed a team of designers and developers, wrote strategic content for marketing manuals and search engine optimization. Ms. Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. We believe that Ms. Hoffman is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her background in branding and product / platform positioning as well as her previous experience as a senior member of other public companies.

 

Holiday Russell has been nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Holiday Russell is an attorney licensed by The Florida Bar, who was admitted to practice in 1992. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Russell is the principal of Holiday Hunt Russell PLLC since forming that bespoke law firm in 2017 and has represented hundreds of high-net-worth individuals and companies, both private and public, in many areas of the law. These areas include complex commercial and business litigation, corporate and business architecture, intellectual property rights, real estate transactions and litigation, and debtor/creditor rights including bankruptcy, to name a few. Mr. Russell is admitted to practice law in all Florida courts, as well as in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado, and the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University in 1992 and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida International University in 1989. A native Floridian, Mr. Russell resides in South Florida with his family. We believe that Mr. Russell is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive corporate legal background.

 

Guy Dollinger has been nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Mr. Dollinger has served as Vice President and partner in DZD Hardwood Inc, a global hardwood lumber business, since 1990. His responsibilities include overseeing operations, finance, exports, and the procurement of raw materials. Mr. Dollinger’s extensive knowledge of supply chains and manufacturing as well as his ability to build client relationships has been paramount in DZD’s growth. Mr. Dollinger attended Concordia University majoring in accounting. We believe that Mr. Dollinger is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive managerial experience, financial literacy and shipping and logistics expertise.

 

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James Huber has been nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Starting in October 2021, Mr. Huber has worked as a Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Siemens. From April 2014 to October 2021, Mr. Huber worked as a Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Siemens. From January 2012 to April 2014, Mr. Huber worked as an Executive VP of Major Accounts at Caradigm, a GE Healthcare and Microsoft Joint Venture. From August 2009 to January 2012, Mr. Huber worked as a Vice President of National Accounts at Microsoft Health Solutions Group. From December 2006 – August 2009, Mr. Huber Worked as an Account executive at Microsoft Health Solutions Group. From April 2002 to November 2006, Mr. Huber worked as a Vice President of Enterprise IT Sales at GE Healthcare IT. From November 2000 to April 2002, Mr. Huber Worked as an Account Manager of Clinical Systems at GE Healthcare. From July 1999 to July 2004, Mr. Huber owned his own retail store in Vail, Colorado, named Brighton Collectibles. From November 1993 to November 2000, Mr. Huber worked in the Western Territory Sales Department at Leegin Leather. Mr. Huber has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from DePaul University, located in Chicago, Illinois. We believe that Mr. Huber is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his experience in sales, marketing and strategy and business planning.

 

James O’Brien has been nominated to serve as a member of our board of directors effective as of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Since January 2019, Mr. O’Brien has been a partner at MLT Aikins LLP, one of Western Canada’s leading law firms, where he practices primarily in the areas of corporate and commercial law with a specific focus on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance and securities. Before that, he joined MLT Aikins LLP as an associate attorney in 2012. Mr. O’Brien received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba in 2010. He also received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba in 2007. Mr. O’Brien is admitted to practice law in Manitoba, Canada and has passed Levels 1 and 2 of the Chartered Financial Analyst programs. We believe that Mr. O’Brien is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to the combination of his extensive legal and finance background.

 

Family Relationships

 

Guy Dollinger, who is a nominee for our board of directors, and Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and a director, are uncle and nephew, respectively. Additionally, Alexandra Hoffman, a member of our board of directors, and Jaclyn Hoffman, our Chief Marketing Officer, are sisters.

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:

 

been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);

 

had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;

 

been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;

 

been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

 

been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

 

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Corporate Governance

 

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

The board of directors oversees that the assets of our company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that our business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the board’s oversight of the various risks facing our company. In this regard, our board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. Our board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of our business strategy. Our board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for our company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.

 

While the board oversees risk management, company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the board and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.

 

Our board administers its risk oversight function as a whole by making risk oversight a matter of collective consideration. Much of this work has been delegated to committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full board. The audit committee oversees risks related to our financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters, the compensation committee evaluates the risks and rewards associated with our compensation philosophy and programs, and the nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates risk associated with management decisions and strategic direction.

 

Independent Directors

 

Nasdaq’s rules generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors consist of independent directors. Our board of directors currently consists of three (3) directors, Sean Dollinger, Darren Collins, and Alexandra Hoffman, none of whom are independent within the meaning of Nasdaq’s rules. We intend to enter into independent director agreements with James Huber, Guy Dollinger, Holiday Russell, and James O’Brien, pursuant to which they will be appointed to serve as independent directors effective immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. As a result of these board changes, our board of directors will consist of seven (7) directors, four (4) of whom will be independent within the meaning of Nasdaq’s rules.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our board has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each with its own charter approved by the board. The committee charters have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Upon completion of this offering, we intend to make each committee’s charter available on our website at www.lqrhouse.com.

 

In addition, our board of directors may, from time to time, designate one or more additional committees, which shall have the duties and powers granted to it by our board of directors.

 

Audit Committee

 

James Huber, Guy Dollinger, and Holiday Russell, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq’s rules, will serve on our audit committee upon their appointment to the board, with Guy Dollinger serving as the chairman. Our board has determined that Guy Dollinger qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company.

 

The audit committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) retaining and overseeing our independent accountants; (ii) assisting the board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) reviewing and approving the plan and scope of the internal and external audit; (iv) pre-approving any audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors; (v) approving the fees to be paid to our independent auditors; (vi) reviewing with our chief executive officer and principal financial officer and independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls; (vii) reviewing hedging transactions; and (viii) reviewing and assessing annually the audit committee’s performance and the adequacy of its charter.

 

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Compensation Committee

 

James Huber, Guy Dollinger, and Holiday Russell, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act and Nasdaq’s rules, will serve on our compensation committee upon their appointment to the board, with James Huber serving as the chairman. The members of the compensation committee are also “outside directors” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers.

 

The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) reviewing and approving the remuneration of our executive officers; (ii) making recommendations to the board regarding the compensation of our independent directors; (iii) making recommendations to the board regarding equity-based and incentive compensation plans, policies and programs; and (iv) reviewing and assessing annually the compensation committee’s performance and the adequacy of its charter.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

James Huber, Guy Dollinger, and Holiday Russell, each of whom satisfies the “independence” requirements of Nasdaq’s rules, will serve on our nominating and corporate governance committee upon their appointment to the board, with Holiday Russell, serving as the chairman. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees.

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things: (i) identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the board by reviewing nominees for election to the board submitted by shareholders and recommending to the board director nominees for each annual meeting of shareholders and for election to fill any vacancies on the board; (ii) advising the board with respect to board organization, desired qualifications of board members, the membership, function, operation, structure and composition of committees (including any committee authority to delegate to subcommittees), and self-evaluation and policies; (iii) advising on matters relating to corporate governance and monitoring developments in the law and practice of corporate governance; (iv) overseeing compliance with the our code of ethics; and (v) approving any related party transactions.

 

The nominating and corporate governance committee’s methods for identifying candidates for election to our board of directors (other than those proposed by our shareholders, as discussed below) will include the solicitation of ideas for possible candidates from a number of sources – members of our board of directors, our executives, individuals personally known to the members of our board of directors, and other research. The nominating and corporate governance committee may also, from time-to-time, retain one or more third-party search firms to identify suitable candidates.

 

In making director recommendations, the nominating and corporate governance committee may consider some or all of the following factors: (i) the candidate’s judgment, skill, experience with other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size, and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; (ii) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other board members; (iii) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the board and any committee thereof; (iv) whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence; and (v) the candidate’s ability to contribute to the effective management of our company, taking into account the needs of our company and such factors as the individual’s experience, perspective, skills and knowledge of the industry in which we operate.

 

A shareholder may nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual meeting of shareholders if the shareholder complies with the notice and information provisions contained in our bylaws. Such notice must be in writing to our company not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one-hundred-twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made or as otherwise required by the Exchange Act. In addition, shareholders furnishing such notice must be a holder of record on both (i) the date of delivering such notice and (ii) the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Such code of ethics addresses, among other things, honesty and ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, regulations and policies, including disclosure requirements under the federal securities laws, and reporting of violations of the code.

 

A copy of the code of ethics has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We are required to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, or persons performing similar functions. We intend to use our website as a method of disseminating this disclosure as well as by SEC filings, as permitted or required by applicable SEC rules. Any such disclosure will be posted to our website within four (4) business days following the date of any such amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table - Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

 

The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named persons for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods. No other executive officers received total compensation in excess of $100,000.

 

Name and Principal Position   Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
    Stock
Awards
($) (1) 
  Option
Awards
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 
Sean Dollinger,     2022     -     -       -            -     144,000 (2)     144,000  
Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director     2021     -     100,000 (2)     212,500     -     144,000 (2)     456,000  
Kumar Abhishek,     2022     -     -       -     -     62,400 (3)     62,400  
Chief Financial Officer     2021     -     -       -     -     62,400 (3)     62,400  
Jaclyn Hoffman,     2022     -     -       -     -     30,000 (4)     30,000  
Chief Marketing Officer     2021     -     -       25,000     -     30,000 (4)     55,000  
Darren Collins,     2022     -     -       -     -     72,000 (5)     72,000  
Director and former Chief Financial Officer     2021     -     20,000 (5)     50,000     -     72,000 (5)     142,000  
Angela Kattoula,     2022     -     -       -     -     -       -  
former Chief Executive Officer     2021     -     -       50,000     -     30,000 (6)     80,000  

 

(1)Award amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value with respect to awards granted, as determined pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards are set forth in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Registration Statement. These amounts do not reflect actual compensation earned or to be earned by our named executive officers.

 

(2)On January 1, 2021, Sean Dollinger and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company pays Mr. Dollinger $12,000 per month for consulting services. This agreement is in effect until the consummation of this initial public offering. Mr. Dollinger also received a $100,000 signing bonus upon the signing of the agreement.

 

(3)On January 1, 2021, the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement with Boston Crest Pvt. Ltd, a private company limited organized under the laws of India owned by Kumar Abhishek our Chief Financial Officer as of May 2023, pursuant to which the Company paid Boston Crest $5,200 per month for its business management consulting services. This agreement was in effect until May 1, 2023.

 

(4)On January 1, 2021, Jaclyn Hoffman and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company paid Ms. Hoffman $2,500 per month for consulting services. This agreement was in effect until May 1, 2023.

 

(5) On January 1, 2021, Darren Collins and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company pays Mr. Collins $6,000 per month for consulting services. Mr. Collins also received a signing bonus of $20,000 upon the signing of the agreement. This agreement was terminated on August 24, 2022, when Darren Collins resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. However, the Company and Darren Collins agreed that the provisions of Schedule 2 of the agreement shall survive termination of the agreement and the Company agreed to continue to pay Darren compensation of $6,000 per month until the date he enters into a non-independent director agreement, which agreement’s effective date is expected to be the effective date of the S-1 registration statement.

 

(6)On January 1, 2021, Angela Kattoula and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company paid Ms. Kattoula $2,500 per month for consulting services. This agreement was in effect until July 5, 2022, when she resigned from the position of the CEO of the Company.

 

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Executive Employment and Consulting Agreements

 

We have executed the following employment agreements and consulting agreements with our named executive officers. The material terms of each of those arrangements are summarized below. The summaries are not complete description of all provisions of the employment arrangements and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the written employment arrangements, each filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Under our employment agreement dated March 29, 2023 with our Chief Executive Officer, Sean Dollinger, effective as of the date of the consummation of this initial public offering, we agreed that, for a 1-year term renewed automatically, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, we will pay Mr. Dollinger an annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $250,000, which will increase by no less than 5% on each anniversary of his employment. Mr. Dollinger will also be entitled to an annual incentive bonus as determined by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of filing of the Company’s annual reports.

 

Mr. Dollinger is entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation for the first year of his employment and 4 weeks of paid vacation for the second and third years of his employment. The Company will also provide standard indemnification and directors’ and officers’ insurance as of the consummation of this offering in addition to the ability to participate in standard employee benefits, such as health, medical, dental and visions insurance. Mr. Dollinger can be terminated without cause and upon death or disability. Mr. Dollinger is also subject to certain confidentiality and non-competition provisions.

 

If Mr. Dollinger’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, all compensation payable to Mr. Dollinger shall cease as of the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice and the Company shall pay Mr. Dollinger, the following sums: (i) the Base Salary on the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice (the “Termination Date”) for the shorter of (x) six months and (y) the remainder of the term of the employment agreement (the “Term”) (the applicable period being referred to as the “Severance Period”), payable in monthly installments; (ii) benefits under group health and life insurance plans in which Mr. Dollinger participated prior to termination through the Severance Period; (iii) all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from the Company and its employee benefit plans, including any such benefits under the Company’s pension, disability, and life insurance plans, policies, and programs; and (iv) so long as the Company has achieved its budgeted EBITDA level for the period commencing with the end of the Company’s immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of the bonus paid to Mr. Dollinger in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of full calendar months occurring since the end of the immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, by (y) 12.

 

If, prior to the date on which the Company’s obligations to pay Mr. Dollinger the Base Salary on the Termination Date cease, Mr. Dollinger certain covenants as listed in his employment agreement, then the Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company in the form of Base Salary or benefits on or after the date of such violation. The payment of severance may be conditioned by the Company on the delivery by Mr. Dollinger of a release of any and all claims that Mr. Dollinger may have against the Company.

 

If the Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company for cause, death or disability, Mr. Dollinger (or his estate or representative as applicable) shall not receive the Base Salary but will receive all other sums.

 

Under our employment agreement dated May 1, 2023 with our Chief Marketing Officer, Jaclyn Hoffman effective as of May 1, 2023, we agreed that, for a 1-year term renewed automatically, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, we will pay Ms. Hoffman an annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $63,000, which will increase by no less than 5% on each anniversary of her employment. Ms. Hoffman will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus as determined by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of filing of the Company’s annual reports. Ms. Hoffman is entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation for the first year of her employment and 4 weeks of paid vacation for the second and third years of her employment. The Company will also provide standard indemnification and directors’ and officers’ insurance as of the consummation of this offering in addition to the ability to participate in standard employee benefits, such as health, medical, dental and visions insurance. Ms. Hoffman can be terminated without cause and upon death or disability. Ms. Hoffman will also be entitled to certain severance payments if her employment is terminated with or without cause and on death or disability. Ms. Hoffman is also subject to certain confidentiality and non-competition provisions.

 

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If Ms. Hoffman’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, all compensation payable to Ms. Hoffman shall cease as of the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice (the “Termination Date”) and the Company shall pay Ms. Hoffman, the following sums: (i) the Base Salary on the Termination Date for the shorter of (x) six months and (y) the remainder of the term of the employment agreement (the “Term”) (the applicable period being referred to as the “Severance Period”), payable in monthly installments; (ii) benefits under group health and life insurance plans in which Ms. Hoffman participated prior to termination through the Severance Period; (iii) all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from the Company and its employee benefit plans, including any such benefits under the Company’s pension, disability, and life insurance plans, policies, and programs; and (iv) so long as the Company has achieved its budgeted EBITDA level for the period commencing with the end of the Company’s immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of the bonus paid to Ms. Hoffman in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of full calendar months occurring since the end of the immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, by (y) 12.

 

If, prior to the date on which the Company’s obligations to pay Ms. Hoffman the Base Salary on the Termination Date cease, Ms. Hoffman certain covenants as listed in her Employment Agreement, then the Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company in the form of Base Salary or benefits on or after the date of such violation. The payment of severance may be conditioned by the Company on the delivery by Ms. Hoffman of a release of any and all claims that Ms. Hoffman may have against the Company.

 

If the employment agreement is terminated by the Company for cause, death or disability, Ms. Hoffman (or her estate or representative as applicable) shall not receive the Base Salary but will receive all other sums.

 

Under our employment agreement dated May 1, 2023 with our Chief Financial Officer, Kumar Abhishek, effective as of May 1, 2023, we agreed that, for a 1-year term renewed automatically, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, we will pay Mr. Abhishek an annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $72,000, which will increase by no less than 5% on each anniversary of his employment. Mr. Abhishek will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus as determined by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of filing of the Company’s annual reports. Mr. Abhishek is entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation for the first year of his employment and 4 weeks of paid vacation for the second and third years of his employment. The Company will also provide standard indemnification and directors’ and officers’ insurance as of the consummation of this offering in addition to the ability to participate in standard employee benefits, such as health, medical, dental and visions insurance. Mr. Abhishek can be terminated without cause and upon death or disability. Mr. Abhishek will also be entitled to certain severance payments if his employment is terminated with or without cause and on death or disability. Mr. Abhishek is also subject to certain confidentiality and non-competition provisions. Mr. Abhishek’s employment agreement with the Company is conditioned upon him working at least 35 hours per week as our Chief Financial Officer.

 

If Mr. Abhishek’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause, all compensation payable to Mr. Abhishek shall cease as of the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice and the Company shall pay Mr. Abhishek, the following sums: (i) the Base Salary on the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice (the “Termination Date”) for the shorter of (x) six months and (y) the remainder of the term of the employment agreement (the “Term”) (the applicable period being referred to as the “Severance Period”), payable in monthly installments; (ii) benefits under group health and life insurance plans in which Mr. Abhishek participated prior to termination through the Severance Period; (iii) all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from the Company and its employee benefit plans, including any such benefits under the Company’s pension, disability, and life insurance plans, policies, and programs; and (iv) so long as the Company has achieved its budgeted EBITDA level for the period commencing with the end of the Company’s immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of the bonus paid to Mr. Abhishek in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of full calendar months occurring since the end of the immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, by (y) 12.

 

If, prior to the date on which the Company’s obligations to pay Mr. Abhishek the Base Salary on the Termination Date cease, Mr. Abhishek certain covenants as listed in his Employment Agreement, then the Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company in the form of Base Salary or benefits on or after the date of such violation. The payment of severance may be conditioned by the Company on the delivery by Mr. Abhishek of a release of any and all claims that Mr. Abhishek may have against the Company.

 

If the employment agreement is terminated by the Company for cause, death or disability, Mr. Abhishek (or his estate or representative as applicable) shall not receive the Base Salary but will receive all other sums.

 

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Under our employment agreement dated May 1, 2023 with our Technical Writer, Alexandra Hoffman effective as of May 1, 2023, we agreed that, for a 1-year term renewed automatically, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms, we will pay Ms. Hoffman an annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $195,000, which will increase by no less than 5% on each anniversary of her employment. Ms. Hoffman is also subject to certain confidentiality and non-competition provisions.

 

In the event of termination of Ms. Hoffman’s employment, by either party or for any reason or by reason of her death or disability, the Company shall pay Ms. Hoffman (or her beneficiary in the event of her death) any Base Salary or other compensation earned but not paid to her prior to the effective date of such termination. All other benefits due Ms. Hoffman following her termination of employment shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company. In the event of termination by the Company other than for cause, the Company shall pay Ms. Hoffman any additional amount as provided by applicable law.

 

On January 1, 2021, Sean Dollinger and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company pays Mr. Dollinger $12,000 per month for consulting services. This agreement is in effect until the consummation of this initial public offering. Mr. Dollinger also received a $100,000 signing bonus upon the signing of the agreement.

 

On January 1, 2021, the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement with Boston Crest Pvt. Ltd, a company formed under the laws of India, that is owned by Kumar Abhishek. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company paid Boston Crest $5,200 per month for its business management consulting services. This agreement was in effect until May 1, 2023.

 

On January 1, 2021, Jaclyn Hoffman and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company pays Ms. Hoffman $2,500 per month for consulting services. This agreement was in effect until May 1, 2023.

 

On January 1, 2021, Darren Collins and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company pays Mr. Collins $6,000 per month for consulting services. Mr. Collins also received a signing bonus of $20,000 upon the signing of the agreement. This agreement was terminated on August 24, 2022, when Darren Collins resigned as CFO of the company. However, the Company and Darren Collins agreed that the provisions of Schedule 2 of the agreement shall survive termination of the agreement and the Company agreed to continue to pay Darren compensation of $6,000 per month until the date he enters into a non-independent director agreement, which agreement’s effective date is expected to be the effective date of the S-1 registration statement.

 

On January 1, 2021, Angela Kattoula and the Company entered into an independent contractor agreement, pursuant to which the Company paid Ms. Kattoula $2,500 per month for consulting services. This agreement was in effect until July 5, 2022.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

No executive officer named above had any unexercised options, stock that has not vested or outstanding awards under the 2021 Plan as of December 31, 2022.

 

Additional Narrative Disclosure

 

Retirement Benefits

 

We have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan or other retirement benefits.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

See “—Executive Employment and Consulting Agreements” above.

 

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Independent Director Compensation

 

None of the directors of the Company received compensation for their service as a director during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Under their independent director agreements with us, the four (4) director nominees, Guy Dollinger, Holiday Russel, James Huber, and James O’Brien, will receive an annual cash fee and an initial award of restricted Common Stock upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will pay the annual cash compensation fee to each director nominee in monthly installments no later than the fifth business day following the end of each calendar month commencing in the month following the Effective Time of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The cash fee to be paid to each director nominee will be $36,000 per year. Under their agreements, pursuant to the 2021 Plan, following the effective date of the registration statement for the IPO and related pricing of the IPO (the “Effective Time”), each director nominee shall be granted 50,000 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), with each RSU corresponding to one share of Common Stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that the director nominee remains in continuous service on such dates. If this Agreement is terminated by the Company or the director nominee prior to the Effective Date, then the RSUs shall automatically terminate in accordance with its terms and the Director shall have no rights thereunder. We will also reimburse the director nominee for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with the performance of the director’s duties for us. As also required under the non-independent director agreement, we have separately entered into standard indemnification agreements with the director nominees.

 

Non-Independent Director Compensation

 

Darren Collins serves as our non-independent director.

 

Under his non-independent director agreement with us, Mr. Collins will receive an annual cash fee and an initial award of restricted Common Stock upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will pay the annual cash compensation fee to Mr. Collins in monthly installments no later than the fifth business day following the end of each calendar month commencing in the month following the date of the Effective Time of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The cash fee to be paid to Darren will be $36,000 per year. Under his agreement, pursuant to the 2021 Plan, following the Effective Time, Mr. Collins shall be granted 50,000 RSUs, with each RSU corresponding to one share of Common Stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. Collins remains in continuous service on such dates. If this Agreement is terminated by the Company or the director nominee prior to the Effective Date, then the RSUs shall automatically terminate in accordance with its terms and the Director shall have no rights thereunder. We will also reimburse Mr. Collins for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with the performance of the director’s duties for us. As also required under the non-independent director agreement, we have separately entered into a standard indemnification agreement with Mr. Collins.

 

2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

 

On February 11, 2021, our board of directors approved, and our majority shareholders ratified, the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan. Under the 2021 Plan, 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (on a pre-reverse stock-split basis) were reserved and available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. On March 10, 2023, our board of directors approved, and our majority shareholders ratified, Amendment No. 1 to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or Amendment No. 1 to the 2021 Plan, which increased the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2021 Plan from 1,666,667 shares of Common Stock (on a post-reverse stock-split basis) to 2,850,000 shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Company’s Plan of Conversion dated February 3, 2023.

 

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Purpose of the 2021 Plan: The purpose of the 2021 Plan is to advance our interests and the interests of our shareholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for us and by motivating such persons to contribute to our growth and profitability. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2021 Plan is 2,850,000 shares. As of the date of this prospectus, pursuant to Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements entered into between the Company and 11 individuals, we granted 350,000 shares of Common Stock on a post-reverse split basis (2,100,000 shares of Common Stock on a pre-reverse split basis) in the form of Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Units under the 2021 Plan. All 350,000 shares vested in four (4) installments, the last installment having vested on September 30, 2022. Prior to this offering, 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock remain available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.

 

We expect to grant 1,000,000 RSUs to Sean Dollinger and 50,000 RSUs each to Darren Collins, Guy Dollinger, Holiday Russell, James Huber, and James O’Brien for a total of 1,250,000 RSUs as disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus. These 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock in the form of RSUs shall be issued following the Effective Time and will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time. After the grant of these 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock under the 2021 Plan following the Effective Time, 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock will remain available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.

 

We intend that awards granted under the 2021 Plan be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code (including any amendments or replacements of such section), and the 2021 Plan shall be so construed.

 

The following summary briefly describes the principal features of the 2021 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2021 Plan.

 

Awards that may be granted include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-Qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Stock Units, (e) Restricted Stock Awards, (f) Unrestricted Stock Awards, (g) Cash-Based Awards, and (h) Dividend Equivalent Rights. These awards offer us and our shareholders the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price appreciation of our Common Stock and the award holder’s continuing service with us. Awards shall be evidenced by an award certificate, which is a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an award granted under the 2021 Plan. Each award certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 Plan.

 

Stock options granted under the 2021 Plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code. To the extent that any option does not qualify as an incentive stock option, it shall be deemed a non-qualified stock option. Stock options granted pursuant to the 2021 Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions that the administrator of the plan deems desirable. If the administrator so determines, stock options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the administrator may establish.

 

Stock appreciation rights, or SARs, are a type of award entitling the recipient to receive shares of our Common Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable agreement) having a value equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the stock appreciation right multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right shall have been exercised.

 

Restricted stock awards are awards of a right to receive shares of our Common Stock on a future date. Restricted Stock Unit Awards are evidenced by award agreements in such form as our board of directors shall from time to time establish. Restricted stock shares can take the form of awards of restricted stock, which represent issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock subject to vesting criteria, or restricted stock units, which represent the right to receive shares of our Common Stock subject to satisfaction of the vesting criteria. Restricted shares are forfeitable and non-transferable until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded.

 

A restricted stock unit is an award of stock units that may be settled in shares of stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the award) upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such award shall be determined by the administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual awards and grantees.

 

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A dividend equivalent right is an award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of stock specified in the dividend equivalent right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to the grantee. A dividend equivalent right may be granted under the 2021 Plan to any grantee as a component of an award of restricted stock units or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of dividend equivalent rights shall be specified in the award agreement. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a dividend equivalent right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents.

 

Our board of directors may grant Common Stock to any eligible recipient as a bonus, or to grant stock or other awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the 2021 Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements.

 

The 2021 Plan also provides for unrestricted stock awards and cash-based awards, representing the right to receive a payment, which may be in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination, based on the attainment of pre-established goals.

 

All of the permissible types of awards under the 2021 Plan are described in more detail below.

 

Administration of the 2021 Plan: The 2021 Plan is currently administered by our board of directors who shall have the power and authority to grant awards consistent with the terms of the 2021 Plan, including the power and authority: (i) to select the individuals to whom awards may from time to time be granted; (ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards, cash-based awards, and dividend equivalent rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees; (iii) to determine the number of shares of stock to be covered by any award; (iv) to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the 2021 Plan, of any award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual awards and grantees, and to approve the forms of award certificates; (v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any award; (vi) subject to the provisions of the 2021 Plan to extend at any time the period in which stock options may be exercised; and (vii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the 2021 Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the 2021 Plan and any award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the 2021 Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the 2021 Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the 2021 Plan. All decisions and interpretations of the administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and the 2021 Plan grantees.

 

Eligible Recipients: Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan include full or part-time officers and other employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the administrator in its sole discretion.

 

Shares Available Under the 2021 Plan: The shares issuable under the 2021 Plan shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof, subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as stock splits, merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend. Shares subject to an award under the 2021 Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the 2021 Plan.

 

Stock Options:

 

General. Stock options and SARs shall be evidenced by award certificate specifying the number of shares of Common Stock covered thereby, in such form as the board of directors shall from time to time establish. Stock options granted under the 2021 Plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code. To the extent that any option does not qualify as an incentive stock option, it shall be deemed a non-qualified stock option. Stock options granted pursuant to the 2021 Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions that the administrator of the plan deems desirable. If the administrator so determines, stock options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the administrator may establish.

 

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Option Price. The exercise price for each stock option shall be established in the discretion of the board of directors; provided, however, that the exercise price per share for the stock option shall be not less than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the effective date of grant of the stock option. In the case of an incentive stock option that is granted to a ten percent or more owner of the Company, the option price of such option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair market value on the grant date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a stock option may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such stock option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

Exercise of Options. Stock options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the administrator at or after the grant date. The administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any stock option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a stock option and not as to unexercised stock options. The term of each stock option shall be fixed by the administrator, but no stock option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the stock option is granted. in the case of an incentive stock option that is granted to a ten percent or more owner of the Company, the term of such stock option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant. Stock options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased, unless stated otherwise on the award certificate.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights: A stock appreciation right is an award entitling the recipient to receive shares of stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable award certificate) having a value equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the stock appreciation right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right shall have been exercised. The exercise price of a stock appreciation right shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. stock appreciation rights may be granted by the administrator independently of any stock option.

 

Restricted Stock Awards: A restricted stock award is any award of restricted shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the administrator may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. Upon the grant of the restricted stock award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the restricted shares and receipt of dividends; provided that if the lapse of restrictions with respect to the restricted stock award is tied to the attainment of performance goals, any dividends paid by the company during the performance period shall accrue and shall not be paid to the grantee until and to the extent the performance goals are met with respect to the restricted stock award. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the restricted stock award certificate. The administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives, and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the restricted shares and the company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be restricted shares and shall be deemed vested.

 

Restricted Stock Units: A restricted stock unit is an award of stock units that may be settled in shares of stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the award) upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such award shall be determined by the administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual awards and grantees. Except in the case of restricted stock units with a deferred settlement date that complies with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, at the end of the vesting period, the restricted stock units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of shares of stock. restricted stock units with deferred settlement dates are subject to Section 409A and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. The administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of restricted stock units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the administrator. The administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the administrator deems appropriate. Any restricted stock units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise provided in the award certificate. A grantee’s right in all restricted stock units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its subsidiaries for any reason.

 

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Unrestricted Stock and Cash-Based Awards in Lieu of Obligations. The board of directors may grant Common Stock to any eligible recipient as a bonus, or to grant Common Stock or other awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the 2021 Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, or vice versa, provided that, in the case of participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount of such grants remains within the discretion of the board of directors to the extent necessary to ensure that acquisitions of Common Stock or other awards are exempt from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Common Stock or awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other terms as shall be determined by the board of directors.

 

Dividend Equivalent Rights: a dividend equivalent right is an award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of stock specified in the dividend equivalent right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to the grantee. A dividend equivalent right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an award of restricted stock units or as a freestanding award. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a dividend equivalent right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at fair market value on the date of reinvestment, or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend equivalent rights may be settled in cash or shares of stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments. A dividend equivalent right granted as a component of an award of restricted stock units shall provide that such dividend equivalent right shall be settled only upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other award, and that such dividend equivalent right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other award. Except as may otherwise be provided by the administrator either in the award certificate or the plan, a grantee’s rights in all dividend equivalent rights shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its subsidiaries for any reason.

 

Other Material Provisions: Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the administrator. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by the administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our board of directors also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board also has the authority to alter or amend the 2021 Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the 2021 Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of our stockholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number of shares available under the 2021 Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the 2021 Plan, extend the time within which awards may be made, or amend the provisions of the 2021 Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made under the 2021 Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Transactions with Related Persons

 

The following includes a summary of transactions since the beginning of our 2022 fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under “Executive Compensation” above). We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.

 

  We, as buyer, and Dollinger Holdings LLC, Dollinger Innovations Inc., and Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and a director, as sellers, are parties to an asset purchase agreement, the SWOL Tequila Asset Purchase, dated March 19, 2021. Dollinger Holdings LLC and Dollinger Innovations Inc. are wholly owned by Sean Dollinger. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, the purchase price was equal to $4,000,000 (in addition to the assumption of assumed liabilities) consisting of (i) 16,000,000 shares of our Common Stock (2,666,667 shares of common stock on a post-split basis) and (ii) US$220,000 in cash payable to Dollinger Holdings, LLC, and we obtained ownership of the assets and liabilities that constitute the SWOL brand and SWOL Tequila Branding. The assets and liabilities constituting the SWOL Brand and SWOL Tequila Branding were held in part by Dollinger Holdings LLC and Dollinger Innovations Inc.

 

We, CWS, and Ssquared are parties to an Exclusive Marketing Agreement dated April 1, 2021. Pursuant to that agreement, CWS and Ssquared granted us exclusive marketing rights regarding any of CWS and Ssquared’s products. Pursuant to that agreement, Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and a director, and 50% owner of Ssquared, received 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock (333,333 shares of Common Stock on a post-split basis), and KBros, LLC, the owner of CWS and 50% owner of Ssquared, received 8,000,000 shares of our Common Stock (1,333,334 shares of Common Stock on a post-split basis).

 

We and Dollinger Holdings LLC are parties to an asset purchase agreement, the Soleil Vino Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 31, 2021. Pursuant to that agreement, we purchased the assets and liabilities associated with the Soleil Vino wine club and its products, and Dollinger Holding LLC, wholly owned by Sean Dollinger, received $100,000 in cash, Sean Dollinger received 3,800,000 shares of our Common Stock (633,334 shares of Common Stock on a post-stock split basis), and Andrea Cooke received 200,000 shares of our Common Stock (33,334 shares of Common Stock on a post-stock split basis). In conjunction with the acquisition the Company entered into a finder’s fee agreement with a third party in which 400,000 shares of our Common Stock were issued (66,667 shares of Common Stock on a post-stock split basis).

 

Certain of the Company’s directors, executive officers, and principal owners, including immediate family members, are users of the Company’s services. Fees charged to these users are on terms no more favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances.

 

Ms. Alexandra Hoffman, the Company’s Director, is also employed by the Company as a Technical Writer since May 1, 2023. See Executive Compensation – Executive Employment and Consulting Agreements.

 

  Mr. Gregory Hoffman, a brother of Ms. Alexandra Hoffman, our director, has entered into an advisor agreement with the Company on June 1, 2023, pursuant to which the Company issued to Mr. Hoffman 500,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

Private Placement

 

On June 1, 2023, we conducted a private placement of our Common Stock and entered into certain subscription agreements with a number of (i) accredited investors as defined in Section 2(a)(15) of the Securities Act, and Rule 501 promulgated thereunder, in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws or (ii) non-U.S. persons made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the agreements, we issued 955,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share for a total of $955,000.

 

2023 Advisor Agreements

 

On June 1, 2023, we entered into advisor agreements with certain advisors, pursuant to which the advisors will provide business and corporate advice in connection with the Offering to the Company. In consideration for the advisor’s services, the Company issued 500,000 shares of Common Stock to six individuals and entities, for an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

Promoters and Certain Control Persons

 

Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and a member of our board of directors, and Darren Collins, a member of our board of directors, may be deemed “promoters” as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. For information regarding compensation, including items of value, that have been provided or that may be provided to these individuals, please refer to “Executive Compensation” above.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS  

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of the date of this prospectus for (i) each of our named executive officers, directors and director nominees; (ii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) each other shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our outstanding voting securities. The following table assumes that the underwriters have not exercised the over-allotment option.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of Common Stock that such person or any member of such group has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of the date of this prospectus. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our Common Stock held by each person or group of persons named above, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of the date of this prospectus are deemed to be outstanding for such person, but not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by any person.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o our company, LQR House Inc., 6800 Indian Creek Dr. Suite 1E, Miami Beach, FL 33141.

 

  

Common Stock Beneficially Owned
Prior to this Offering (1)

  

Common Stock Beneficially Owned
After this Offering (2)

 
Name of Beneficial Owner  Common Stock   Percent of Common Stock
(%)
  

Total
Voting
Power 

(%)

   Common Stock   Percent of Common Stock
(%)
  

Total
Voting
Power

(%)

 
Sean Dollinger, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and Director (3)   1,941,667    19.12%   19.12%   1,941,667    17.41%   17.41%
Kumar Abhishek, Chief Financial Officer   16,667    *    *    16,667    *    * 
Jaclyn Hoffman, Chief Marketing Officer   58,334    *    *    58,334    *    * 
Darren Collins, Director (4)   300,000    2.95%   2.95%   300,000    2.69%   2.69%
Alexandra Hoffman, Director   33,334    *    *    33,334    *     * 
Guy Dollinger, Director Nominee (5)   25,000    *    *    25,000    *    * 
Holiday Russell, Director Nominee (6)   -    -    -    -    *    * 
James Huber, Director Nominee (7)   -    -    -    -    *    * 
James O’Brien, Director Nominee (8)   -    -    -    -    *    * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons) (9)   2,375,002    25.41%   25.41%   2,375,002    21.29%   21.29%
KBROS, LLC (10)   1,333,334    13.13%   13.13%   -    -    - 
Joel Abbo(11)   816,667    8.04%   8.04%   66,667    *    * 
Index Equity US LLC(12)   750,000    7.39%   7.39%   -    -    - 
Kiranjit Sidhu   600,000    5.91%   5.91%   -    -    - 
2200049 AB Inc. (13)   591,000    5.82%   5.82%   -    -    - 

 

*Less than 1%.

 

(1)Based on 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

 

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  (2) Based on 11,155,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding after this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Immediately after the consummation of this offering, we will file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the SEC to register Common Stock and restricted stock that were issued or that we plan to issue to certain of our employees, consultants, officers and directors pursuant to the 2021 Plan. See “Business—Our Corporate History and Structure” and “Executive Compensation — 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan”. For purposes of this table, a total of 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock which will be granted to certain directors and executive officers of the Company shortly after the filing of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 is included in the number, percentage and voting power, as applicable, of shares of Common Stock that are beneficially owned after this offering.

 

(3) Our board of directors determined it was in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to grant Sean Dollinger an award of 1,000,000 RSUs, under the Company’s 2021 Plan, to compensate him for his employment with the Company. Following the Effective Time, Mr. Dollinger shall be granted an award of 1,000,000 RSUs under the Company’s 2021 Plan, with one (1) RSU corresponding to one (1) share of common stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. Dollinger remains in continuous service on such dates, and the grant is subject to forfeiture for termination without case. These 1,000,000 RSUs are not reflected in Mr. Dollinger’s “Common Stock Beneficially Owned After this Offering” number as the RSUs are contingent on a vesting schedule.

 

(4)Under the non-independent director agreement between Darren Collins and the Company, following the Effective Time, Mr. Collins shall be granted an award of 50,000 RSUs under the Company’s 2021 Plan, with one (1) RSU corresponding to one (1) share of common stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. Collins remains in continuous service on such dates, and the grant is subject to forfeiture for termination without case. These 50,000 RSUs are not reflected in Mr. Collins’ “Common Stock Beneficially Owned After this Offering” number as the RSUs are contingent on a vesting schedule.

 

(5)Under the independent director agreement between Guy Dollinger and the Company, following the Effective Time, Mr. Dollinger shall be granted an award of 50,000 RSUs under the Company’s 2021 Plan, with one (1) RSU corresponding to one (1) share of common stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. Dollinger remains in continuous service on such dates, and the grant is subject to forfeiture for termination without case. These 50,000 RSUs are not reflected in Mr. Dollinger’s “Common Stock Beneficially Owned After this Offering” number as the RSUs are contingent on a vesting schedule.

 

(6)Under the independent director agreement between Holiday Russell and the Company, following the Effective Time, Mr. Russell shall be granted an award of 50,000 RSUs under the Company’s 2021 Plan, with one (1) RSU corresponding to one (1) share of common stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. Russell remains in continuous service on such dates, and the grant is subject to forfeiture for termination without case. These 50,000 RSUs are not reflected in Mr. Russell’s “Common Stock Beneficially Owned After this Offering” number as the RSUs are contingent on a vesting schedule.

 

(7)Under the independent director agreement between James Huber and the Company, following the Effective Time, Mr. Huber shall be granted an award of 50,000 RSUs under the Company’s 2021 Plan, with one (1) RSU corresponding to one (1) share of common stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. Huber remains in continuous service on such dates, and the grant is subject to forfeiture for termination without case. These 50,000 RSUs are not reflected in Mr. Huber’s “Common Stock Beneficially Owned After this Offering” number as the RSUs are contingent on a vesting schedule.

 

(8)Under the independent director agreement between James O’Brien and the Company, following the Effective Time, Mr. O’Brien shall be granted an award of 50,000 RSUs under the Company’s 2021 Plan, with one (1) RSU corresponding to one (1) share of common stock. The RSUs will vest in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that Mr. O’Brien remains in continuous service on such dates, and the grant is subject to forfeiture for termination without case. These 50,000 RSUs are not reflected in Mr. O’Brien’s “Common Stock Beneficially Owned After this Offering” number as the RSUs are contingent on a vesting schedule.

 

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(9)The number of executive officers and directors will increase to 9 persons upon the consummation of this initial public offering.

 

(10)Shawn Kattoula is deemed the beneficial owner of the 1,333,334 shares of Common Stock held by KBros, LLC, a California limited liability company. Mr. Kattoula is the manager of KBros, LLC, and has sole voting and dispositive powers over the company. KBros, LLC’s business address is 23658 San Vicente Road, Ramona, CA 92065.

 

(11)Joel Abbo has beneficial ownership over 750,000 shares of Common Stock held in the name of Joel Abbo. Joel Abbo additionally has beneficial ownership over 66,667 shares of Common Stock held in the name of Jobel Foundation, a Panama corporation. Joel Abbo is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by Jobel Foundation because he has sole voting and dispositive powers over the company. Jobel Foundation’s business address is Punta Pacifica, Bellagio Tower, Apt 1-B Panama, Republic of Panama.

 

(12)Bjarne Borg owns Index Equity US LLC. Bjarne Borg is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by Index Equity US LLC because he has sole voting and dispositive powers over the company. Index Equity US LLC’s business address is 1000 N US Hwy One, Suite 902, Jupiter, FL 33477, United States.

 

(13)Greg Bealer owns 2200049 Alberta Inc., an Alberta Corporation. Greg Bealer is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by 2200049 Alberta Inc. because he has sole voting and dispositive powers over the company. 2200049 Alberta Inc.’s business address is 16 Wolf Willow Point, Edmonton, AB T5T 1E3, Canada.

 

Prior to the commencement of this offering, there will be 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding representing voting power of 10,155,434 votes. Following this offering, there will be 11,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding representing voting power of 11,155,434 votes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

General

 

The Company’s authorized capital stock is 350,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

The following description summarizes important terms of our capital stock. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our articles of incorporation, amendments thereto, and our bylaws which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, there are 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

Common Stock

 

The holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders.

 

Under our articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, any corporate action to be taken by vote of shareholders other than for election of directors shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights.

 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to shareholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then-outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock.

 

Representative’s Warrant

 

Upon the closing of this offering, there will be up to 50,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the representative’s warrant (57,500 shares of Common Stock if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full), assuming a public offering price of $5 per, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page. See “Underwriting—Representative’s Warrants” below for a description of the representative’s warrants.

 

Stock Options

 

On February 11, 2021, we adopted the 2021 Plan. The purpose of the 2021 Plan is to grant restricted stock and stock options to our officers, employees, directors, advisors, and consultants. On March 10, 2023, our board of directors approved, and our majority shareholders ratified, Amendment No. 1 to the 2021 Plan, which increased the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2021 Plan from 1,666,667 shares (on a post-reverse stock-split basis) to 2,850,000 shares. For further information, please see “Executive Compensation – 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan”.

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

The provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, our articles of incorporation and our bylaws could have the effect of delaying or preventing a third-party from acquiring us, even if the acquisition would benefit our stockholders. Such provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, our articles of incorporation and our bylaws are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control of our company. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited proposal for a takeover that does not contemplate the acquisition of all our outstanding shares, or an unsolicited proposal for the restructuring or sale of all or part of our company.

 

Single Common Stock Structure

 

On March 29, 2023, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to institute a dual class share structure consisting of Class A Common Stock, and Class B Common Stock, and any number of classes of preferred stock. Class A Common Stock was entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval, and Class B Common Stock was entitled to one (1) vote on any such matter. A share of Class A Common Stock could have been voluntarily converted into a share of Class B Common Stock. A transfer of a share of Class A Common Stock would have resulted in its automatic conversion into Common Stock upon such transfer, subject to certain exceptions, including that the transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock to another holder of Class A Common Stock would not have resulted in such automatic conversion. Class B Common Stock was not convertible. Other than as to voting and conversion rights, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock had the same rights and preferences and ranked equally, shared ratably and were identical in all respects as to all matters.

 

Due to this amendment, the Company’s authorized capital stock became 350,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 20,000,000 shares were designated Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 280,000,000 shares were designated as Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. All 9,200,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

On June 5, 2023, the Company further amended its articles of incorporation to amend the share structure by (i) eliminating a dual class share structure consisting of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and establishing a single Common Stock structure consisting of shares of Common Stock only, with 350,000,000 authorized shares being all designated as Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share, entitled to one (1) vote per share; and by (ii) eliminating all authorized shares of preferred stock. All 13,155,434 shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Common Stock.

 

Prior to the commencement of this offering, there will be 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding representing voting power of 10,155,434 votes. Following this offering, there will be 11,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding representing voting power of 11,155,434 votes.

 

Nevada Anti-Takeover Statutes

 

Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, we have elected not to be governed by the terms and provisions of Nevada’s control share acquisition laws (Nevada Revised Statutes 78.378 - 78.3793), which prohibit an acquirer, under certain circumstances, from voting shares of a corporation’s stock after crossing specific threshold ownership percentages, unless the acquirer obtains the approval of the issuing corporation’s stockholders. The first such threshold is the acquisition of at least one-fifth but less than one-third of the outstanding voting power.

 

Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, we have also elected not to be governed by the terms and provisions of Nevada’s combination with interested stockholders statute (Nevada Revised Statutes 78.411 - 78.444) which prohibits an “interested stockholder” from entering into a “combination” with the corporation, unless certain conditions are met. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns (or within the prior two years, did beneficially own) 10% or more of the corporation’s voting stock, or otherwise has the ability to influence or control such corporation’s management or policies.

 

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Bylaws

 

In addition, various provisions of our bylaws may also have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt of the Company that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest, including attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. Our bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors, and except as provided by Nevada law, our board of directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws by a vote of not less than a majority of our directors. Any bylaw provision adopted by the board of directors may be amended or repealed by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors. Our bylaws also contain limitations as to who may call special meetings as well as require advance notice of stockholder matters to be brought at a meeting. Additionally, our bylaws also provide that no director may be removed by less than a two-thirds vote of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote on the removal. Our bylaws also permit the board of directors to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly created directorships. These provisions will prevent a shareholder from increasing the size of our board of directors and gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees.

 

Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our shareholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. Shareholders at an annual meeting will only be able to consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a shareholder who was a shareholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given us timely written notice, in proper form, of the shareholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. Although our bylaws do not give the board of directors the power to approve or disapprove shareholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

 

Authorized but Unissued Shares 

 

Our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock are available for our board of directors to issue without stockholder approval. We may use these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including raising additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee stock plans. The existence of our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock could render it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy context, tender offer, merger or other transaction since our board of directors can issue large amounts of capital stock as part of a defense to a take-over challenge.

 

Supermajority Voting Provisions 

 

Nevada Law provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, require a greater percentage. Although our articles of incorporation and bylaws do not currently provide for such a supermajority vote on any matters, our board of directors can amend our bylaws and we can, with the approval of our stockholders, amend our articles of incorporation to provide for such a super-majority voting provision. 

 

Cumulative Voting

 

Furthermore, the holders of our Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors. The combination of the present ownership by a few shareholders of a significant portion of our issued and outstanding Common Stock and lack of cumulative voting makes it more difficult for other shareholders to replace our board of directors or for a third party to obtain control of our company by replacing its board of directors.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

We have appointed VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598, telephone 212-828-8436, as the transfer agent for our Common Stock.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Before this offering, there has not been a public market for shares of our Common Stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of shares of our Common Stock, including shares issued upon the conversion of convertible notes, the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, in the public market after this offering, or the possibility of these sales occurring, could cause the prevailing market price for our Common Stock to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

 

Immediately following the closing of this offering, at an assumed initial public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus, we will have 11,155,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. In the event the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full, we will have 11,305,434 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. The Common Stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration or qualification under the Securities Act.

 

Previously issued shares of Common Stock that were not offered and sold in this offering, as well as shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants and subject to employee stock options, are or will be upon issuance, “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if such public resale is registered under the Securities Act or if the resale qualifies for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.

 

Rule 144

 

In general, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our Common Stock for at least twelve months, or at least six months in the event we have been a reporting company under the Exchange Act for at least ninety (90) days before the sale, would be entitled to sell such securities, provided that such person is not deemed to be an affiliate of ours at the time of sale or to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the ninety (90) days preceding the sale. A person who is an affiliate of ours at such time would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

1% of the number of shares of our Common Stock then outstanding; or

 

1% of the average weekly trading volume of our Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing by such person of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale;

 

provided that, in each case, we are subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days before the sale. Rule 144 trades must also comply with the manner of sale, notice and other provisions of Rule 144, to the extent applicable.

 

Rule 701

 

In general, Rule 701 allows a shareholder who purchased shares of our capital stock pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours during the immediately preceding 90 days to sell those shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until ninety (90) days after the date of this prospectus before selling shares pursuant to Rule 701.

 

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Lock-up Agreements

 

We will not, without the prior written consent of the representative, from the date of execution of the Underwriting Agreement and continuing for a period of six (6) months after the close of the IPO (the “Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (iii) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank, or (iv) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

Our officers, directors, and any holders of our Common Stock have agreed to be locked up for a period of six (6) months during the Lock-Up Period. During the lock-up period, our officers, directors, and holders of our Common Stock shall not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, subject to customary exceptions.

 

Notwithstanding the above, we and the underwriters have agreed to waive the lock-up requirement for shares of Common Stock being offered for sale by the selling stockholders named in the Resale Prospectus. See “Shares Eligible For Future Sale – Lock-Up Agreements”.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Common Stock that is being issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This summary is based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, all as in effect or in existence on the date of this prospectus. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could alter the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our Common Stock as described in this summary. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, will not take a contrary position with respect to one or more of the tax consequences described herein and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of our Common Stock.

 

This summary is limited to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) that hold our Common Stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary does not discuss all of the aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder in light of the Non-U.S. Holder’s particular investment or other circumstances. Accordingly, all prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Common Stock.

 

This summary does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a Non-U.S. Holder and does not address any special tax rules that may apply to particular Non-U.S. Holders, including, without limitation:

 

a Non-U.S. Holder that is a financial institution, insurance company, tax-exempt organization, pension plan, broker, dealer or trader in securities, dealer in currencies, U.S. expatriate, controlled foreign corporation, passive foreign investment company or a foreign trust with US person beneficiaries;

 

a Non-U.S. Holder holding our Common Stock as part of a conversion, constructive sale, wash sale or other integrated transaction or a hedge, straddle or synthetic security;

 

a Non-U.S. Holder that holds or receives our Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; or

 

a Non-U.S. Holder that at any time owns, directly, indirectly or constructively, 5% or more of our outstanding Common Stock.

 

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such a partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Partnerships, and partners in partnerships, that hold our Common Stock should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our Common Stock that are applicable to them.

 

THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

 

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As used in this summary, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership;

 

an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

a trust, if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more “United States persons” (as defined in the Code) has the authority to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions, or (2) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

Each Non-U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of our Common Stock.

 

Distributions on Our Common Stock

 

We do not currently expect to pay any cash dividends on our Common Stock. If we make distributions of cash or property (other than certain pro rata distributions of our Common Stock) with respect to our Common Stock, any such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax rules. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock and will reduce (but not below zero) such Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain from a disposition of our Common Stock subject to the tax treatment described below in “— Dispositions of Our Common Stock.”

 

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable tax treaties.

 

Distributions on our Common Stock that are treated as dividends and that are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to United States persons. An exception may apply if the Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for, and properly claims, the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty and the dividends are not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. In such case, the Non-U.S. Holder may be eligible for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and its jurisdiction of tax residence. Dividends that are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States will not be subject to the U.S. withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder provides to the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) in accordance with the applicable certification and disclosure requirements. A Non-U.S. Holder treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (unless the Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the Non-U.S. Holder’s earnings and profits (attributable to dividends on our Common Stock or otherwise) that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. The amount of taxable earnings and profits is generally reduced by amounts reinvested in the operations of the U.S. trade or business and increased by any decline in its equity.

 

The certifications described above must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. A Non-U.S. Holder may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their eligibility for benefits under any relevant income tax treaty and the manner of claiming such benefits.

 

The foregoing discussion is subject to the discussions below under “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—FATCA Withholding.”

 

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Dispositions of Our Common Stock

 

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including U.S. withholding tax) on gain recognized on any sale or other disposition of our Common Stock unless:

 

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States); in such case, the gain would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to United States persons (unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise) and, if the Non-U.S. Holder is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the “branch profits tax” described above may also apply;

 

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain other requirements; or

 

we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of (i) the five-year period ending on the date of disposition and (ii) the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held our Common Stock.

 

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming in the future, a USRPHC. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC is made from time to time and depends on the relative fair market values of our assets, there can be no assurance in this regard. If we were a USRPHC, the tax relating to disposition of stock in a USRPHC generally will not apply to a Non-U.S. Holder whose holdings, direct, indirect and constructive, constituted 5% or less of our Common Stock at all times during the applicable period, provided that our Common Stock is “regularly traded on an established securities market” (as provided in applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations) at any time during the calendar year in which the disposition occurs. However, no assurance can be provided that our Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rules described above. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding any possible adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to them if we are, or were to become, a USRPHC.

 

The foregoing discussion is subject to the discussions below under “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—FATCA Withholding.”

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) may apply to dividends paid by U.S. corporations in some circumstances, but will not apply to payments of dividends on our Common Stock to a Non-U.S. Holder if the Non-U.S. Holder provides to the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying under penalties of perjury that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person or is otherwise entitled to an exemption. However, the applicable withholding agent generally will be required to report to the IRS (and to such Non-U.S. Holder) payments of dividends on our Common Stock and the amount of U.S. federal income tax, if any, withheld from those payments. In accordance with applicable treaties or agreements, the IRS may provide copies of such information returns to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.

 

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The gross proceeds from sales or other dispositions of our Common Stock may be subject, in certain circumstances discussed below, to U.S. backup withholding and information reporting. If a Non-U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of any of our Common Stock outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the disposition proceeds are paid to the Non-U.S. Holder outside the United States, the U.S. backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting, but not U.S. backup withholding, will apply to a payment of disposition proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if a Non-U.S. Holder sells our Common Stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a United States person or has certain enumerated connections with the United States, unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person and certain other conditions are met or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise qualifies for an exemption.

 

If a Non-U.S. Holder receives payments of the proceeds of a disposition of our Common Stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment will be subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides to the broker a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying under penalties of perjury that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise qualifies for an exemption.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (which may result in the Non-U.S. Holder being entitled to a refund), provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

FATCA Withholding

 

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and related Treasury guidance (commonly referred to as FATCA) impose U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% on payments to certain foreign entities of (i) U.S.-source dividends (including dividends paid on our Common Stock) and (ii) the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of property that produces U.S.-source dividends (including sales or other dispositions of our Common Stock). This withholding tax applies to a foreign entity, whether acting as a beneficial owner or an intermediary, unless such foreign entity complies with (i) certain information reporting requirements regarding its U.S. account holders and its U.S. owners and (ii) certain withholding obligations regarding certain payments to its account holders and certain other persons. Accordingly, the entity through which a Non-U.S. Holder holds its Common Stock will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. While withholding under FATCA would have also applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our Common Stock on or after January 1, 2019, U.S. Treasury Regulations proposed in December 2018 eliminate such withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations until final U.S. Treasury Regulations are issued. Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding FATCA.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

In connection with this offering, we expect to enter into an underwriting agreement with EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as the representative of the underwriters named in this prospectus, with respect to the Common Stock in this offering. Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, the representative will agree to purchase from us on a firm commitment basis the respective number of shares of Common Stock at the public price less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and each of the underwriters has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, at the public offering price per shares less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of shares of Common Stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Underwriter  Number of
Shares
 
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC   1,000,000 
      
Total   1,000,000 

 

The shares of Common Stock sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any shares of Common Stock sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $[*] per share. If all of the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representative may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The representative has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to make sales to discretionary accounts.

 

If the underwriters sell more shares of Common Stock than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the representative an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 150,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount, constituting 15% of the total number of shares of Common Stock to be offered in this offering (excluding shares subject to this option). The representative may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments in connection with this offering. This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis.  Any shares of Common Stock issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other shares of Common Stock that are the subject of this offering.

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in compliance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, as described below:

 

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of securities in excess of the number of securities the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of securities over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of securities that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of securities involved is greater than the number of securities in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing securities in the open market.

 

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. A naked short position occurs if the underwriters sell more securities than could be covered by the over-allotment option. This position can only be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

 

Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

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These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of our shares of Common Stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time. 

 

Discounts and Expenses

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts payable to the underwriters by us in connection with this offering (assuming both the exercise and non-exercise of the over-allotment option that we have granted to the representative), based on the assumed initial public offering price of $5 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the cover page of this prospectus:

 

   Per Share   Total Without
Over-Allotment
Option
   Total With
Entire Over-
Allotment
Option
 
Assumed initial public offering price  $5.00   $5,000,000   $5,750,000 
Underwriting discounts and commissions (8%)  $0.40   $400,000   $460,000 
Proceeds, before expenses, to us  $4.60   $4,600,000   $5,290,000 
Non-accountable expense allowance (1%)  $0.05   $50,000   $57,500 

 

We have agreed to pay a non-accountable expense allowance to the representative equal to 1% of the gross proceeds received at the closing of the offering.

 

We will be also responsible for and will pay all expenses relating to the offering, including, without limitation, (a) all filing fees and expenses relating to the registration of the securities with the Commission; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the Company’s Common Stock; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as the representative may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Company’s “blue sky” counsel, which will be the underwriters’ counsel) unless such filings are not required in connection with the Company’s proposed listing on a national exchange, if applicable; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the securities under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the representative may reasonably designate; (e) the costs of all mailing and printing of the offering documents; (f) transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the underwriters; and (g) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (h) all filing fees and communication expenses associated with the review of this offering by FINRA; (i)a maximum of $229,500 for fees and expenses including “road show,” diligence, and reasonable legal fees and disbursements for the underwriters’ counsel. The Company shall be responsible for underwriters’ external counsel legal costs irrespective of whether or not the offering is consummated, subject to a maximum of $50,000 in the event that it is not consummated.

 

Additionally, the Company shall provide the representative an expense advance (the “Advance”) of $50,000 upon execution of the letter of engagement with the representative. The Advance shall be applied towards out-of-pocket accountable expense set forth herein and any portion of the Advance shall be returned to the Company to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).

 

Representative’s Warrant

 

We have agreed to issue a warrant to the representative to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 5% of the aggregate number of shares sold in this offering at an exercise price per share equal to 100.0% of the public offering price per share sold in this offering. The underwriters’ warrants will be exercisable at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four and a half-year period commencing six (6) months from the effective date of the Offering. The underwriters’ warrants also provide for registration rights (including a one-time demand registration right and unlimited piggyback rights) and customary anti-dilution provisions (for stock dividends and splits and recapitalizations) and anti-dilution protection (adjustment in the number and price of such warrants and the shares underlying such warrants) resulting from corporate events (which would include dividends, reorganizations, mergers, etc.) and future issuance of Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents at prices (or with exercise and/or conversion prices) below the Offering price as permitted under FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G).

 

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The underwriters’ warrant and the underlying shares may be deemed to be compensation by FINRA, and therefore will be subject to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1). In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), neither the underwriters’ warrant nor any of our shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ warrants may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities by any person, for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement date of sales in this offering, subject to certain exceptions. The underwriters’ warrant to be received by the Representative and related persons in connection with this offering: (i) fully comply with lock-up restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1); and (ii) fully comply with transfer restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2).

 

Determination of Offering Price

 

In determining the initial public offering price, we and the representative have considered a number of factors, including:

 

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representative;

 

our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

 

an assessment of our management;

 

our prospects for future revenue and earnings;

 

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

 

the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded securities of generally comparable companies; and

 

other factors deemed relevant by the Representative and us.

 

The estimated initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors. Neither we nor the representative can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our shares of Common Stock, or that the shares will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price. We have agreed to indemnify the representative and the other underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we will contribute to payments that the representative and the other underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

We have agreed to provide the representative the right of first refusal for 12 months after the date the Offering is completed or the termination or expiration of the engagement with the representative to act as financial advisor or to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at EF Hutton’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings (each, a “Subject Transaction”), during such twelve (12) month period, of the Company, or any successor to or any current or future subsidiary of the Company, on terms and conditions customary to EF Hutton for such Subject Transactions. EF Hutton shall have the sole right to determine whether any other broker dealer shall have the right to participate in a Subject Transaction and the economic terms of such participation. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Company shall not retain, engage or solicit any additional investment banker, book-runner, financial advisor, underwriter and/or placement agent in a Subject Transaction without the express written consent of EF Hutton. In the event that we engage the representative to provide such services, the representative will be compensated consistent with our engagement agreement with the representative, unless we mutually agree otherwise.

 

Tail Rights

 

During the Engagement Period as defined in the Engagement letter between the Company and EF Hutton or within the twelve (12) month period following the termination or expiration of our engagement agreement with the representative, the representative shall be entitled to success fees, equal to 8% of gross proceeds received, in accordance with our engagement agreement if the Company completes a transaction with a party who became aware of the Company or who became known to the Company and the Company has direct knowledge of such party’s participation in the offering during the Engagement Period or within the twelve (12) month period following the termination or expiration of our engagement agreement with the representative.

 

84

 

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

We will not, without the prior written consent of the representative, from the date of execution of the Underwriting Agreement and continuing for a period of six (6) months after the close of the IPO (the “Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (iii) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank, or (iv) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

Our officers, directors, and any holders of our Common Stock have agreed to be locked up for a period of six (6) months during the Lock-Up Period. During the lock-up period, our officers, directors, and holders of our Common Stock shall not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, subject to customary exceptions.

 

Notwithstanding the above, we and the underwriters have agreed to waive the lock-up requirement for shares of Common Stock being offered for sale by the selling stockholders named in the Resale Prospectus. See “Shares Eligible For Future Sale – Lock-Up Agreements”.

 

Electronic Offer, Sale, and Distribution of Shares of Common Stock

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the representative. In addition, shares of Common Stock may be sold by the representative to securities dealers who resell shares of Common Stock to online brokerage account holders. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the representative’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by the representative is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the representative in its capacity as representative and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the shares of Common Stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the shares of Common Stock, where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the shares of Common Stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the shares of Common Stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

 

Offer Restrictions Outside the United States

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

85

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Nauth LPC, Ontario, Canada, has acted as our counsel in connection with the preparation of this prospectus. Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Sherman & Howard LLC, Phoenix, Arizona. Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the representative of the underwriters with respect to this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of our company appearing elsewhere in this prospectus have been included herein in reliance upon the report of dbbmckennon, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 2 to the financial statements), and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022   Page
Balance Sheets (Unaudited)   F-2
Statements of Operations (Unaudited)   F-3
Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)   F-4
Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)   F-5
Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements   F-6

 

Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2022 and Period from January 11, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021   Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID #3501)   F-14
Balance Sheets   F-15
Statements of Operations   F-16
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity   F-17
Statements of Cash Flows   F-18
Notes to Financial Statements   F-19

 

F-1

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

UNAUDITED

 

   March 31, 2023   December 31, 2022 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents  $23,581   $7,565 
Accounts receivable, related party   8,794    224,692 
Advances to related party   6,058    314,766 
Prepaid expenses   31,579    - 
Total current assets   70,012    547,023 
Intangible assets, net   2,020,833    2,083,333 
Deferred offering costs   59,259    - 
Total assets  $2,150,104   $2,630,356 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $290,967   $287,457 
Accounts payable, related party   69,214    104,002 
Accrued expenses   72,356    199,256 
Total liabilities   432,537    590,715 
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022   -    - 
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022   -    - 
Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, 280,000,000 shares authorized, 9,200,434 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively   920    - 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, no shares and 300,000,000 authorized, 0 and 9,200,405 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively   -    920 
Additional paid-in capital   5,843,622    5,843,622 
Accumulated deficit   (4,126,975)   (3,804,901)
Total stockholders’ equity   1,717,567    2,039,641 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $2,150,104   $2,630,356 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-2

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2023   2022 
Revenue - services  $150,563   $28,250 
Total revenues   150,563    28,250 
           
Cost of revenue - services   102,997    312,955 
Total cost of revenue   102,997    312,955 
Gross profit (loss)   47,566    (284,705)
           
Operating expenses:          
General and administrative   321,317    253,537 
Sales and marketing   48,323    162,886 
Total operating expenses   369,640    416,423 
           
Loss from operations   (322,074)   (701,128)
Net loss  $(322,074)  $(701,128)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted   9,200,406    8,950,544 
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted  $(0.04)  $(0.08)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-3

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

UNAUDITED

 

           Class A   Class B           Additional       Total 
   Preferred Stock   Common Stock   Common Stock   Common Stock   Paid-in   Accumulated   Stockholders’ 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Deficit 
Balance at December 31, 2021       -   $   -           -   $        -    -   $-    8,937,905   $894   $5,525,773   $(1,962,726)  $3,563,941 
Vesting of restricted stock units   -    -    -    -    -    -    87,500    9    65,616    -    65,625 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (701,128)   (701,128)
Balances at March 31, 2022   -   $-    -   $-    -   $-    9,025,405   $903   $5,591,389   $(2,663,854)  $2,928,438 
                                                        
Balances at December 31, 2022   -   $-    -   $-    -   $-    9,200,405   $920   $5,843,622   $(3,804,901)  $2,039,641 
Recapitalization (Note 5)   -    -    -    -    9,200,434    920    (9,200,405)   (920)   -    -    - 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (322,074)   (322,074)
Balances at March 31, 2023   -   $-    -   $-    9,200,434   $920    -   $-   $5,843,622   $(4,126,975)  $1,717,567 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-4

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

 

   Three Months Ended  
March 31,
 
 
   2023   2022 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss  $(322,074)  $(701,128)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Amortization   62,500    62,500 
Vesting of restricted stock units   -    65,625 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable, related party   215,898    (25,421)
Prepaid expenses   (31,579)   (56,865)
Accounts payable   3,510    42,075 
Accounts payable, related party   (34,788)   (3,813)
Accrued expenses   (126,900)   - 
Net cash used in operating activities   (233,433)   (617,028)
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Net repayments from (advances to) related party   308,708    (42,658)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   308,708    (42,658)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Deferred offering costs   (59,259)   - 
Net cash used in financing activities   (59,259)   - 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   16,016    (659,686)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   7,565    1,116,101 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $23,581    456,415 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for income taxes  $-   $- 
Cash paid for interest  $-   $- 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-5

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

LQR House Inc. (“LQR” or the “Company”) was incorporated on January 11, 2021, in the state of Delaware. The Company operates primarily in the beverage alcohol industry owning specialty brands, providing marketing and distribution services.

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Company has not achieved its planned level of operations. The Company’s activities since inception have been limited and consisted of formation activities, commencement of operations and capital raising activities. The Company has preparations to further raise capital and increase its operational activity. To date, the Company has only generated limited amounts of revenue subsequent to the asset acquisitions and it has just begun to scale its marketing revenue related efforts. The Company is dependent upon additional capital resources for the scaling of its planned principal operations and is subject to significant risks and uncertainties; including failing to secure additional funding to operationalize the Company’s planned operations or failing to profitably operate the business.

 

On February 3, 2023, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada by merging into LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation. On February 3, in accordance with our reincorporation to Nevada, the Company’s authorized capital stock changed from 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, to 350,000,000 shares, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At the same time, the Company also completed a 6-for-1 reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock through the merger by issuing one share of common stock for every six previously outstanding shares of common stock of the predecessor Delaware company. The accompanying financial statements and related disclosures have been presented to retroactively reflect the Reorganization.

 

2. GOING CONCERN

 

The Company has evaluated whether there are certain conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated profits since inception, has sustained net losses of $322,074 and $701,128 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and has negative cash flows from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company’s cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover its operating expenses and obligations for the next 12 months from the date of these financial statements. These factors among others raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

 

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain the necessary financing and generate future profitable operations to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management has in the past, and is expected to in the future, arrange additional equity or debt financing and grow revenues that may assist in addressing these issues. No assurance can be given that management’s actions will result in additional financing or profitable operations or the resolution of its liquidity problems. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31.

 

The Company is an emerging growth company as the term is used in The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and has elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements, however, the Company may adopt accounting standards based on the effective dates for public entities when early adoption is permitted.

 

F-6

 

 

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

 

The unaudited interim financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information, within the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited financial statements and in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented and of the financial condition as of the date of the interim balance sheet. The financial data and the other information disclosed in these notes to the interim financial statements related to the three-month periods are unaudited. Unaudited interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year. These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and notes thereto that are included in the Company’s Registration Statement.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, related party and common control transactions and valuations of common stock. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known trends and other market-specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates when there are changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Significant Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company is subject to customary risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the need for protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, costs of services provided by third parties, the need to obtain additional financing, and limited operating history.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

The Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), and to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary of such entities. If the determination is made that the Company is the primary beneficiary, then that entity is consolidated. The Company evaluated whether it was the primary beneficiary in its common control asset acquisitions (Note 4) and related party agreements (Note 5) and determined it is not the primary beneficiary of any entities.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s ability to derive revenue from marketing services is reliant on its relationship and marketing license agreement with Ssquared Spirits LLC, a related party entity, and Country Wine & Spirits (“CWS”) who fulfills sales for the products sold by clientele using our marketing services. The discontinuance of such relationships or termination of the marketing license agreement would have a material negative impact on the Company’s operations.

 

Concentrations

 

The Company’s ability to derive revenue from marketing services is reliant on its relationship and marketing license agreement with Ssquared Spirits LLC, a related party entity, and CWS who fulfills sales for the products sold by clientele using our marketing services. The discontinuance of such relationships or termination of the marketing license agreement would have a material negative impact on the Company’s operations.

 

Furthermore, the Company relies and expects to continue to rely on a small number of vendors. The loss of one of these vendors may have a negative short-term impact on the Company’s operations. However, the Company believes there are acceptable substitute vendors that can be utilized longer term.

 

F-7

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:

 

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2—Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

 

The carrying values of the Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. The Company believes the carrying amount of its advances to related parties approximate fair value due to its short-term maturity.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are derived from services and products delivered to customers and are stated at their net realizable value. Each month, the Company reviews its receivables on a customer-by-customer basis and evaluates whether an allowance for doubtful accounts is necessary based on any known or perceived collection issues. Any balances that are eventually deemed uncollectible are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

Intangible Assets

 

The Company capitalized the value of stock issued related to the Company’s April 2021 exclusive marketing agreement with CWS (see Note 4). The license is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement, which is ten years.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the total of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell. The Company did not record any impairment losses on its long-lived assets as of March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

 

Related Parties

 

Related parties are any entities or individuals that, through employment, ownership or other means, possess the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Company. The Company discloses related party transactions that are outside of normal compensatory agreements, such as salaries. The Company follows ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

F-8

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers¸ the Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:

 

Identification of a contract with a customer;

 

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;

 

Determination of the transaction price;

 

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

 

Recognition of revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied.

 

Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied through the transfer of control of promised goods to the Company’s customers in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or services to customers. Control transfers once a customer has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the product. This includes the transfer of legal title, physical possession, the risks and rewards of ownership, and customer acceptance.

 

The Company derives its revenue from marketing services and distribution of its SWOL Tequila product to CWS, and subscription-based membership revenue. Revenue is reported net of discounts.

 

Marketing Services

 

The Company contracts with third-party alcoholic beverage brands to utilize access to the CWS alcoholic beverage website (the “CWS Platform). The Company and the brands enter into a commercial relationship. The Company performs services such as creating a marketing campaign strategy, developing promotional materials and advertising promotional materials through the CWS Platform. Revenue is recognized over a period time, as the marketing services are being continually provided on a daily and monthly basis over the life of an agreed upon campaign. Marketing campaigns generally range from one to three months.

 

Product Sales

 

The Company wholly owns SWOL Tequila, a tequila made in limited batches from a third-party producer located in Mexico. The Company facilitates all efforts to get the product delivered to CWS for retail distribution in the United States, including advancing costs for production, shipping and other importing and delivery charges. The Company is entitled to payment of cost plus an additional 20% on each bottle of SWOL Tequila sold to CWS. Revenue is recognized at the point in which the products are delivered to CWS, when LQR has fulfilled its performance obligation. Due to certain restrictions on the delivery and custodianship of alcoholic beverage, CWS is required to take ownership of the product at time of delivery, and there is no recourse or right of return. The Company records gross revenue as it’s the primary obligor in the transaction.

 

Vault

 

Vault is the exclusive membership program for CWS customers. Through the CWS Platform, users can sign up for membership where they will have access to all products available through CWS combined with special membership benefits including discounted products, free shipping and promotional offers.  The Company markets this membership program on the CWS Platform and is entitled to 50% of the revenue from the subscriptions.  Members are charged monthly membership fees, and the Company recognizes the 50% fee it is entitled to from CWS as net revenue. The Company records revenue on transactions when the user initially subscribes or renews their membership, as the Company is the agent of the transaction and do not typically provide significant post transaction services to the user or bear responsibility for the promised goods or services included in the membership.  The Company records a reserve for chargebacks and cancellations at the time of the transaction based on historical experience. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenue from Vault memberships totaled $8,794.

 

Contract Balances

 

Accounts receivable represent amounts owed from marketing and product sales invoiced, but not yet received,

 

Contract liabilities represent obligations to transfer services to a customer for which the Company has already received consideration. Payments for marketing services are generally received upfront in advance of the Company satisfying the related performance obligation and are recorded as a deferred revenue liability. The deferred revenue is reduced as the services are performed and the revenue is recognized. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $0 in deferred revenue.

 

F-9

 

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue consists of all direct costs attributable to performing marketing services and the Company’s product sales. Cost of revenue includes affiliate payouts, contracted marketing services, direct advertising costs for marketing campaigns, product costs, packaging, shipping and other importing and delivery charges. Cost of revenue also includes customer service personnel and amortization of the Company’s marketing license asset (see Note 4).

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Sales and marketing costs primarily consist of advertising, promotional expenses and marketing consulting and advisory services. Sales and marketing costs also include sales commissions.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

The Company complies with the requirements of FASB ASC 340-10-S99-1 with regards to offering costs. Prior to the completion of an offering, offering costs are capitalized. The deferred offering costs are charged to additional paid-in capital or as a discount to debt, as applicable, upon the completion of an offering or to expense if the offering is not completed. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had capitalized $59,259 in deferred offering costs.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 718-10, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718-10”). The Company measures all equity-based awards granted to employees, independent contractors and advisors based on the fair value on the date of the grant and recognizes compensation expense for those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award.

 

The Company classifies equity-based compensation expense in its statement of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll or contractor costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.

 

Net Loss per Share

 

Net earnings or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding shares subject to redemption or forfeiture. The Company presents basic and diluted net earnings or loss per share. Diluted net earnings or loss per share reflect the actual weighted average of common shares issued and outstanding during the period, adjusted for potentially dilutive securities outstanding. Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of the diluted net loss per share if their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for each year. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding as of March 31, 2022 include 175,000 unvested restricted stock units, which vested in 2022 (see Note 6).

 

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards could have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements. As new accounting pronouncements are issued, the Company will adopt those that are applicable under the circumstances.

 

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

CWS Exclusive Marketing Agreement

 

On April 1, 2021, the Company, CWS, and another related entity, Ssquared Spirits LLC (“Ssquared”), entered into an exclusive marketing agreement (the “CWS Agreement”). Pursuant to this agreement, CWS and Ssquared granted the Company the exclusive right to promote and market spirits and other beverage products through the CWS website (cwspirtis.com) for sale to customers located within Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Company has the sole right to manage and make decisions with regard to user facing content on the website, including the placement and removal of products and the creation and management of promotional initiatives. The term of the CWS Agreement is ten years. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company issued 1,666,667 shares of common stock to the members of Ssquared.

 

F-10

 

 

The Company capitalized the fair value of the consideration transferred, $2,500,000 (or $1.50 per share), as an intangible asset which will be amortized over the term agreement of ten (10) years. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company amortized $62,500 and $62,500, respectively which is included in cost of revenue – services in the statement of operations. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the unamortized balance was $2,020,833 and $2,083,333, respectively. Annual amortization expense is expected to be $250,000.

 

5. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Prior to the Reorganization described in Note 1, the Company was authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Upon the Reorganization in February 2023, the Company was authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, as further described below.

 

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation

 

Dual Class Share Structure

 

On March 29, 2023, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to institute a dual class share structure consisting of Class A Common Stock, and Class B Common Stock, and any number of classes of preferred stock. Class A Common Stock was entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval, and Class B Common Stock was entitled to one (1) vote on any such matter. A share of Class A Common Stock could have been voluntarily converted into a share of Class B Common Stock. A transfer of a share of Class A Common Stock would have resulted in its automatic conversion into Common Stock upon such transfer, subject to certain exceptions, including that the transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock to another holder of Class A Common Stock would not have resulted in such automatic conversion. Class B Common Stock was not convertible. Other than as to voting and conversion rights, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock had the same rights and preferences and ranked equally, shared ratably and were identical in all respects as to all matters.

 

Due to this amendment, the Company’s authorized capital stock became 350,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 20,000,000 shares were designated Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 280,000,000 shares were designated as Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. All 9,200,434 shares of common stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

Single Common Stock Structure

 

On June 5, 2023, the Company further amended its articles of incorporation to amend the share structure by (i) eliminating a dual class share structure consisting of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock and establishing a single common stock structure consisting of shares of common stock only, with 350,000,000 authorized shares being all designated as common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Single Common Stock Structure”), entitled to one (1) vote per share; and by (ii) eliminating all authorized shares of preferred stock. All shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of common stock.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

On March 18, 2021, the Company implemented its 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The maximum number of shares of common Stock issuable under The Plan is 1,666,667. In March 2021, the Company granted 350,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain key employees, directors, consultants, and advisors of the Company pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Each unit was to vest in 25% increments every six months for a period of two years from the date of issuance. The RSUs had a grant-date fair value of $525,000.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, an additional 87,500 RSUs vested for total stock-based compensation expense of $65,625, of which $62,500 was included in general and administrative expenses and $3,125 was included in sales and marketing expenses in the statement of operations.

 

F-11

 

 

In September 2022, the Company accelerated the vesting of the remaining 87,500 unvested restricted stock units and therefore an aggregate of 262,500 shares were vested during 2022. Upon this, all 350,000 RSUs granted in 2021 were vested and outstanding shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2022, all restricted stock units were vested.

 

Regulation A Offering

 

In March 2022, the Company received its notice of qualification from the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation A. The offering was terminated in June 2022. No securities were sold under the offering.

 

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

CWS and Ssquared Spirits LLC

 

The Company’s founder and controlling stockholder has an economic interest in Ssquared Spirits LLC, the e-commerce affiliate of CWS. The spouse of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and director is the President and controlling stockholder of CWS and the managing member and director of Ssquared Spirits LLC. In 2022, the former Chief Executive Officer resigned from the Company.

 

SWOL Tequila

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $224,692 in accounts receivable with CWS pertaining to SWOL product revenues. This amount was collected in the three months ended March 31, 2023.

 

Vault

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenue from Vault memberships totaled $8,794, which is included in accounts receivable as of March 31, 2023.

 

Advances to CWS

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company paid certain costs pertaining to alcoholic products on behalf of CWS in order finance the purchase of brand product for which the Company was promoting through marketing services. The advances totaled $6,058 and $42,658, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $6,058 and $314,766, respectively, remained unpaid and outstanding from CWS. The advances are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on demand. The advances owed as of December 31, 2022 was collected in the three months ended March 31, 2023.

 

Dollinger Holdings LLC

 

Dollinger Holdings LLC is an entity under common control with the Company’s founder and controlling stockholder.

 

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had accounts payable of $69,214 and $101,250, respectively, with this entity.

 

See Note 4 for acquisition of assets from Dollinger Holdings, LLC.

 

Other

 

See Note 8 for disclosure related to a private sale of shares held by the Company’s founder, Sean Dollinger, and subsequent cancellation of such shares.

 

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company may be subject to pending legal proceedings and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of business. The results of such proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, but the Company does not anticipate that the final outcome, if any, arising out of any such matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Warrant

 

In February 2022, the Company granted a warrant to an advisor in connection with Company’s potential Regulation A financing. The number of warrants granted equals $2,000,000 (“Equity Value”) divided by the Regulation A offering price. The warrant was to vest immediately upon qualification of the Form 1-A filing in connection with the Regulation A financing. The warrant was to terminate on the earliest of five years or the termination of the advisory agreement. In March 2022, the Company was qualified under its Form 1-A filing. On March 17, 2023, the Company and advisor entered into a Warrant Surrender Agreement whereby the advisor agreed to the cancellation of the warrants and to the surrender of all of its right for no consideration. As there was no derived value related to these warrants based on subsequent cancellation, no expense was recognized.

 

F-12

 

 

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Engagement Agreements

 

On December 1, 2022, the Company entered into an engagement agreement with Boustead Securities, LLC to assist in the private placement of securities (“pre-IPO Financing”) and the initial public offering or other registered securities offerings (“IPO”) in the United States listing on NASDAQ. This agreement was terminated on May 23, 2023.

 

On May 24, 2023, the Company entered into an engagement agreement with EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”), to assist in the initial public offering or other registered securities offerings (“IPO”). The agreement is for the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months from May 24, 2023, or (ii) the final closing, in an IPO transaction, if any, subject to certain termination clauses as defined by the agreement. The Company has agreed to compensate EF Hutton with an underwriting discount in an IPO transaction, warrants, and compensation for advisory services. EF Hutton is also entitled to Tail Financing, a Right of First Refusal, and Lock-Up Agreements as defined in the agreement.

 

2023 Private Placement

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2023, we conducted a private placement of our Common Stock and entered into certain subscription agreements with a number of (i) accredited investors as defined in Section 2(a)(15) of the Securities Act, and Rule 501 promulgated thereunder, in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws or (ii) non-U.S. persons made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the agreements, we issued 955,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share for a total of $955,000.

 

2023 Advisor Agreements

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2023, we entered into advisor agreements with certain advisors, pursuant to which the advisors will provide business and corporate advice in connection with the Offering to the Company. In consideration for the advisor’s services, the Company issued 500,000 shares of Common Stock to six individuals and entities, for an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

Single Common Stock Structure

 

See Note 5 for amendments to the Company’s authorized, issued and outstanding shares subsequent to March 31, 2023.

 

Cancellation of 3,000,000 Shares of Common Stock

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the Company entered into a Cancellation Agreement with four stockholders, who each owned 750,000 shares of Common Stock or an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The stockholders purchased these shares from Mr. Dollinger pursuant to a stock purchase agreement on January 12, 2023, between Mr. Dollinger and each of these four stockholders. As of the date these financial statements were available to be issued these shares were either cancelled or pending cancellation with the transfer agent.

 

Management has evaluated subsequent events through June 12, 2023, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Based on this evaluation, no additional material events were identified which require adjustment or disclosure in these financial statements.

 

F-13

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

LQR House, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of LQR House, Inc., (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the period from January 11, 2021 (Inception) to December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the period from Inception to December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has sustained net losses and negative cash flow from operations since Inception which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ dbbmckennon  
   
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021
Newport Beach, California  
April 5, 2023  

 

F-14

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

Balance Sheets

  

   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents  $7,565   $1,116,101 
Accounts receivable, related party   224,692    93,920 
Advances to related party   314,766    124,427 
Total current assets   547,023    1,334,448 
Intangible assets, net   2,083,333    2,333,333 
Total assets  $2,630,356   $3,667,781 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $287,457   $70,175 
Accounts payable, related party   104,002    33,665 
Accrued expenses   199,256    - 
Total liabilities   590,715    103,840 
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 9,200,405 and 8,937,905 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively   920    894 
Additional paid-in capital   5,843,622    5,525,773 
Accumulated deficit   (3,804,901)   (1,962,726)
Total stockholders’ equity   2,039,641    3,563,941 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $2,630,356   $3,667,781 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-15

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

Statements of Operations

 

   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   For the
Period from
January 11,
2021
(inception) to
December 31,
2021
 
Revenue - services  $470,359   $182,765 
Revenue - product   130,772    132,527 
Total revenues   601,131    315,292 
           
Cost of revenue - services   668,654    520,193 
Cost of revenue - product   134,490    157,254 
Total cost of revenue   803,144    677,447 
Gross profit (loss)   (202,013)   (362,155)
           
Operating expenses:          
Sales and marketing   655,151    464,011 
General and administrative   985,011    1,136,560 
Total operating expenses   1,640,162    1,600,571 
           
Loss from operations   (1,842,175)   (1,962,726)
           
Provision for income taxes   -    - 
Net loss  $(1,842,175)  $(1,962,726)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted   9,015,023    7,443,489 
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted  $(0.20)  $(0.26)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-16

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

 

       Additional       Total 
   Common Stock   Paid-in   Accumulated   Stockholders’ 
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Equity 
Balances at January 11, 2021 (inception)   -   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Issuance of founders’ stock   1,733,333    173    10,227    -    10,400 
Issuance of common stock for cash   2,050,404    205    3,069,867    -    3,070,072 
Issuance of common stock and other consideration pursuant to common control asset acquisitions   3,333,334    333    (361,263)   -    (360,930)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to marketing license agreement   1,666,667    167    2,499,833    -    2,500,000 
Common shares issued for services   66,667    7    99,993    -    100,000 
Vesting of restricted stock units   87,500    9    207,116    -    207,125 
Net loss   -    -    -    (1,962,726)   (1,962,726)
Balances at December 31, 2021   8,937,905    894    5,525,773    (1,962,726)   3,563,941 
Vesting of restricted stock units   262,500    26    317,849    -    317,875 
Net loss   -    -    -    (1,842,175)   (1,842,175)
Balances at December 31, 2022   9,200,405   $920   $5,843,622   $(3,804,901)  $2,039,641 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-17

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

Statements of Cash Flows 

 

   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   For the
Period from
January 11,
2021
(inception) to
December 31,
2021
 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss  $(1,842,175)  $(1,962,726)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Amortization   250,000    166,667 
Common shares issued for services   -    100,000 
Vesting of restricted stock units   317,875    207,125 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (130,772)   (93,920)
Accounts payable   217,282    70,175 
Accounts payable, related party   70,337    33,665 
Accrued expenses   199,256    - 
Net cash used in operating activities   (918,197)   (1,479,014)
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Advances to related party   (190,339)   (124,427)
Net cash used in investing activities   (190,339)   (124,427)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Issuance of founders’ stock   -    10,400 
Issuance of common stock for cash   -    3,070,072 
Common control acquisitions   -    (360,930)
Net cash provided by financing activities   -    2,719,542 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   (1,108,536)   1,116,101 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   1,116,101    - 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $7,565   $1,116,101 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid for income taxes  $-   $- 
Cash paid for interest  $-   $- 
           
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Intangible assets acquired for stock from related party  $-   $2,500,000 
Liabilities assumed in common control asset acquisition  $-   $40,930 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-18

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

LQR House Inc. (“LQR” or the “Company”) was incorporated on January 11, 2021, in the state of Delaware. The Company operates primarily in the beverage alcohol industry owning specialty brands, providing marketing and distribution services.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company has not achieved its planned level of operations. The Company’s activities since inception have been limited and consisted of formation activities, commencement of operations and capital raising activities. The Company has preparations to further raise capital and increase its operational activity. To date, the Company has only generated limited amounts of revenue subsequent to the asset acquisitions disclosed in Note 4 related to product sales, and it has just begun to scale its marketing revenue related efforts. The Company is dependent upon additional capital resources for the scaling of its planned principal operations and is subject to significant risks and uncertainties; including failing to secure additional funding to operationalize the Company’s planned operations or failing to profitably operate the business.

 

On February 3, 2023, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada by merging into LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Reorganization”). On February 3, 2023, in accordance with our reincorporation to Nevada, the Company’s authorized capital stock changed from 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, to 350,000,000 shares, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At the same time, the Company also completed a 6-for-1 reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock through the merger by issuing one share of common stock for every six previously outstanding shares of common stock of the predecessor Delaware company (See Note 10). Accordingly, all share and per share amounts of the Company for all periods presented in the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto have been adjusted retroactively, where applicable, to reflect this stock split. See Note 10 for additional amendments in 2023.

 

2. GOING CONCERN

 

The Company has evaluated whether there are certain conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not generated profits since inception, has sustained net losses of $1,842,175 and $1,962,726 for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and has negative cash flows from operations for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Company’s cash balance and revenues generated are not currently sufficient and cannot be projected to cover its operating expenses and obligations for the next 12 months from the date of these financial statements. These factors among others raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

 

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain the necessary financing and generate future profitable operations to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management has in the past, and is expected to in the future, arrange additional equity or debt financing and grow revenues that may assist in addressing these issues. No assurance can be given that management’s actions will result in additional financing or profitable operations or the resolution of its liquidity problems. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31.

 

F-19

 

 

The Company is an emerging growth company as the term is used in The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and has elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements, however, the Company may adopt accounting standards based on the effective dates for public entities when early adoption is permitted.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, related party and common control transactions and valuations of common stock. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known trends and other market-specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates when there are changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Significant Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company is subject to customary risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the need for protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, costs of services provided by third parties, the need to obtain additional financing, and limited operating history.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

The Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), and to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary of such entities. If the determination is made that the Company is the primary beneficiary, then that entity is consolidated. The Company evaluated whether it was the primary beneficiary in its common control asset acquisitions (Note 4) and related party agreements (Note 5) and determined it is not the primary beneficiary of any entities.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

The Company maintains its cash with a major financial institution located in the United States of America which it believes to be credit worthy. Balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. At times, the Company maintains balances in excess of the federally insured limits.

 

Concentrations

 

A significant portion of the Company’s revenue generating activities were with a related party customer, Country Wine & Spirts (“CWS”). During the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, 25% and 42% of the Company’s revenue, respectively, was with CWS, including all product related revenues. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, CWS accounted for 100% of the Company’s account receivable.

 

The Company’s ability to derive revenue from marketing services is reliant on its relationship and marketing license agreement with Ssquared Spirits LLC, a related party entity, and CWS who fulfills sales for the products sold by clientele using our marketing services. The discontinuance of such relationships or termination of the marketing license agreement would have a material negative impact on the Company’s operations.

 

Furthermore, the Company relies and expects to continue to rely on a small number of vendors. The loss of one of these vendors may have a negative short-term impact on the Company’s operations. However, the Company believes there are acceptable substitute vendors that can be utilized longer-term.

 

F-20

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:

 

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2—Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

 

The carrying values of the Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments.  The Company believes the carrying amount of its advances to related parties approximate fair value due to its short-term maturity.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are derived from services and products delivered to customers and are stated at their net realizable value. Each month, the Company reviews its receivables on a customer-by-customer basis and evaluates whether an allowance for doubtful accounts is necessary based on any known or perceived collection issues. Any balances that are eventually deemed uncollectible are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

Intangible Assets

 

The Company capitalized the value of stock issued related to the Company’s April 2021 exclusive marketing agreement with CWS (see Note 5). The license is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement, which is ten years.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the total of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell. The Company did not record any impairment losses on its long-lived assets as of December 31, 2022 or 2021.

 

Related Parties

 

Related parties are any entities or individuals that, through employment, ownership or other means, possess the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Company. The Company discloses related party transactions that are outside of normal compensatory agreements, such as salaries. The Company follows ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.

 

F-21

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers¸ the Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:

 

Identification of a contract with a customer;

 

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;

 

Determination of the transaction price;

 

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

 

Recognition of revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied.

 

Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied through the transfer of control of promised goods to the Company’s customers in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or services to customers. Control transfers once a customer has the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the benefits from, the product. This includes the transfer of legal title, physical possession, the risks and rewards of ownership, and customer acceptance.

 

The Company derives its revenue from marketing services, distribution of its SWOL Tequila product to CWS, and subscription-based membership revenue. Revenue is reported net of discounts.

 

Marketing Services

 

The Company contracts with third-party alcoholic beverage brands to utilize access to the CWS alcoholic beverage website (the “CWS Platform). The Company and the brands enter into a commercial relationship. The Company performs services such as creating a marketing campaign strategy, developing promotional materials and advertising promotional materials through the CWS Platform. Revenue is recognized over a period time, as the marketing services are being continually provided on a daily and monthly basis over the life of an agreed upon campaign. Marketing campaigns generally range from one to three months.

 

Product Sales

 

The Company wholly owns SWOL Tequila, a tequila made in limited batches from a third-party producer located in Mexico. The Company facilitates all efforts to get the product delivered to CWS for retail distribution in the United States, including advancing costs for production, shipping and other importing and delivery charges. The Company is entitled to payment of cost plus an additional 20% on each bottle of SWOL Tequila sold to CWS. Revenue is recognized at the point in which the products are delivered to CWS, when LQR has fulfilled its performance obligation. Due to certain restrictions on the delivery and custodianship of alcoholic beverage, CWS is require to take ownership of the product at time of delivery, and there is no recourse or right of return. The Company records gross revenue as it’s the primary obligor in the transaction.

 

During the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, all SWOL Tequila product revenue was earned with CWS, a related party which makes up all product sales in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

Vault

 

Vault is the exclusive membership program for CWS customers. Through the CWS Platform, users can sign up for membership where they will have access to all products available through CWS combined with special membership benefits including discounted products, free shipping and promotional offers.  The Company markets this membership program on the CWS Platform and is entitled to 50% of the revenue from the subscriptions.  Members are charged monthly membership fees, and the Company recognizes the 50% fee it is entitled to from CWS as net revenue. The Company records revenue on transactions when the user initially subscribes or renews their membership, as the Company is the agent of the transaction and do not typically provide significant post transaction services to the user or bear responsibility for the promised goods or services included in the membership.  The Company records a reserve for chargebacks and cancellations at the time of the transaction based on historical experience. During the year ended December 31, 2022, revenue from Vault memberships totaled $20,524, which was earned with a related party CWS.  Such amounts were included in advances to related party as a receivable, and collected subsequent to December 31, 2022.

 

F-22

 

 

Contract Balances

 

Accounts receivable represent amounts owed from marketing and product sales invoiced, but not yet received,

 

Contract liabilities represent obligations to transfer services to a customer for which the Company has already received consideration. Payments for marketing services are generally received upfront in advance of the Company satisfying the related performance obligation and are recorded as a deferred revenue liability. The deferred revenue is reduced as the services are performed and the revenue is recognized. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had $0 in deferred revenue.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue consists of all direct costs attributable to performing marketing services and the Company’s product sales. Cost of revenue includes affiliate payouts, contracted marketing services, direct advertising costs for marketing campaigns, product costs, packaging, shipping and other importing and delivery charges. Cost of revenue also includes customer service personnel and amortization of the Company’s marketing license asset (see Note 5).

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Sales and marketing costs primarily consist of advertising, promotional expenses and marketing consulting and advisory services. Sales and marketing costs also include sales commissions.

 

Deferred Offering Costs

 

The Company complies with the requirements of FASB ASC 340-10-S99-1 with regards to offering costs. Prior to the completion of an offering, offering costs are capitalized. The deferred offering costs are charged to additional paid-in capital or as a discount to debt, as applicable, upon the completion of an offering or to expense if the offering is not completed.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 718-10, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718-10”). The Company measures all equity-based awards granted to employees, independent contractors and advisors based on the fair value on the date of the grant and recognizes compensation expense for those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award.

 

The Company classifies equity based compensation expense in its statement of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll or contractor costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is unlikely that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. In accordance with ASC 740-10, for those tax positions where there is a greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, our policy will be to record the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit will be recognized in the financial statements.

 

Net Loss per Share

 

Net earnings or loss per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding shares subject to redemption or forfeiture. The Company presents basic and diluted net earnings or loss per share. Diluted net earnings or loss per share reflect the actual weighted average of common shares issued and outstanding during the period, adjusted for potentially dilutive securities outstanding. Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of the diluted net loss per share if their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for each year. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding as of December 31, 2021 include 262,500 unvested restricted stock units, which vested in 2022 (see Note 6).

 

F-23

 

 

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842). This ASU requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability under most operating leases in its balance sheet. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASC 842 upon inception. The Company does not have any long-term leases that are recorded in accordance with ASC 842.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards could have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements. As new accounting pronouncements are issued, the Company will adopt those that are applicable under the circumstances.

 

4. COMMON CONTROL ASSET ACQUISITIONS

 

SWOL Asset Acquisition

 

On March 19, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement (the “SWOL Agreement”) with Dollinger Holdings LLC, a company under common control, pursuant to which the Company acquired assets related to the online or in-person sale of original tequila and other products branded SWOL (the “SWOL Division”). Prior to the acquisition, the SWOL Division activity was minimal and consisted of test runs to determine viability. The SWOL Agreement included the assignment of contracts relating to production of original tequila for exclusive importation into the United States and a distribution agreement by which SWOL branded products are marketed and sold through online channels by the Company. In addition, the Company received all the intellectual property assets and registrations to conduct the business of selling SWOL products. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Dollinger Holdings LLC $220,000 in cash and 2,666,667 shares of common stock of the Company. Additionally, the Company paid $40,930 in cash pursuant to SWOL’s existing liabilities.

 

The Company determined that the SWOL Agreement should be accounted for as an asset acquisition under common control, and therefore the transaction should be recognized at carrying value and prospectively applied. The Company determined there was no carrying value associated with the assets acquired under the SWOL Agreement. The total consideration issued was $261,197, consisting of the cash payments and the par value of the common shares issued. This amount was recorded as a reduction in additional paid-in capital on the statement of stockholders’ equity.

 

Soleil Vino Asset Acquisition

 

On May 31, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Soleil Agreement”) with Dollinger Holdings LLC, a company under common control, pursuant to which the Company received (a) all sourcing agreements with third party vendors for all Soleil Vino and related branded products, (b) all trademarks for Soleil Vino and all associated trade dress and intellectual property rights, (c) all labels, logos and other branding bearing the Soleil Vino marks and (d) website and all related digital and social media content including but not limited to influencer networks, domain and all related content and all related sales channels. Prior to the acquisition, Soleil Vino had no business activity. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Dollinger Holding LLC $100,000 in cash and issued 666,667 common shares of the Company.

 

The Company determined that the Soleil Agreement should be accounted for as an asset acquisition under common control, and therefore the transaction should be recognized at carrying value and prospectively applied. The Company determined there was no carrying value associated with the assets acquired under the Soleil Agreement. The total consideration issued was $100,067, consisting of the cash payments and the par value of the common shares issued. This amount was recorded as a reduction in additional paid-in capital on the statement of stockholders’ equity.

 

5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

CWS Exclusive Marketing Agreement

 

On April 1, 2021, the Company, CWS, and another related entity, Ssquared Spirits LLC (“Ssquared”), entered into an exclusive marketing agreement (the “CWS Agreement”). Pursuant to this agreement, CWS and Ssquared granted the Company the exclusive right to promote and market spirits and other beverage products through the CWS website (cwspirtis.com) for sale to customers located within Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Company has the sole right to manage and make decisions with regard to user facing content on the website, including the placement and removal of products and the creation and management of promotional initiatives. The term of the CWS Agreement is ten years. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company issued 1,666,667 shares of common stock to the members of Ssquared.

 

F-24

 

 

The Company capitalized the fair value of the consideration transferred, $2,500,000 (or $1.50 per share), as an intangible asset which will be amortized over the term agreement of ten (10) years. During the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company amortized $250,000 and $166,667, respectively which is included in cost of revenue – services in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the unamortized balance was $2,083,333 and $2,333,333, respectively. Annual amortization expense is expected to be $250,000.

 

In connection with the CWS Agreement, the Company paid finders’ fees of $150,000, which was included in general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations.

 

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Prior to the Reorganization described in Note 1, the Company was authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Upon the Reorganization described in Note 1, the Company is authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (see Note 10).

 

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were 9,200,405 and 8,937,905 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively, after the 1-for-6 reverse stock split in connection with the Reorganization. The accompanying financial statements and related disclosures have been presented to retroactively reflect the Reorganization.

 

The holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common stock held at all meetings of stockholders.

 

In January 2021, the Company issued 1,733,333 shares to its founders for $10,400 in proceeds, which was the original par value of the issuances.

 

In February 2021, the Company entered into several stock purchase and subscription agreements and issued 2,033,737 shares of common stock at a price of $1.50 per share for a total amount of $3,020,072, net of transaction costs.

 

Pursuant to the SWOL Agreement in March 2021, the Company issued 2,666,667 shares to Dollinger Holdings LLC in a common control transaction (see Note 4).

 

Pursuant to the CWS Agreement in April 2021, the Company issued 1,666,667 shares to the members of Squared, which includes our Chief Executive Officer, for a fair value of $2,500,000, or $1.50 per share (see Note 4).

 

In April 2021, the Company entered two stock purchase and subscription agreements and issued 16,667 shares of common stock at a price of $3.00 per share for a total amount of $50,000.

 

Pursuant to the Soleil Vino acquisition in May 2021, the Company issued 666,667 shares to Dollinger Holdings LLC (see Note 4). In conjunction with the Soleil Vino Agreement, the Company entered into a finder’s fee agreement with a third-party whereby Company issued 66,667 shares of common stock valued at $100,000.

 

The fair value of common stock issued in 2021 equity-based transactions was determined based on the predominate selling price of shares to third parties during the period.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

On March 18, 2021, the Company implemented its 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The maximum number of shares of common Stock issuable under The Plan is 1,666,667. In March 2021, the Company granted 350,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain key employees, directors, consultants, and advisors of the Company pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Each unit was to vest in 25% increments every six months for a period of two years from the date of issuance. As of December 31, 2021, 87,500 RSUs vested and were issued and outstanding shares of common stock, and 262,500 remained unvested. The RSUs had a grant-date fair value of $525,000. During the period ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $207,813 in stock-based compensation, of which $197,917 was included in general and administrative expenses and $9,896 was included in sales and marketing expenses in the statement of operations.

 

F-25

 

 

In September 2022, the Company accelerated the vesting of the remaining 87,500 unvested restricted stock units and therefore an aggregate of 262,500 shares were vested during 2022. Upon this, all 350,000 RSUs granted in 2021 were vested and outstanding shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $317,875 in stock-based compensation, of which $301,875 was included in general and administrative expenses and $16,000 was included in sales and marketing expenses in the statement of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2022, all restricted stock units were vested.

 

Regulation A Offering

 

In March 2022, the Company received its notice of qualification from the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation A. The offering was terminated in June 2022. No securities were sold under the offering.

 

7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

CWS and Ssquared Spirits LLC

 

The Company’s founder and controlling stockholder has an economic interest in Ssquared Spirits LLC, the e-commerce affiliate of CWS. The spouse of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and director, is the President and controlling stockholder of CWS and the managing member and director of Ssquared Spirits LLC. In 2022, the former Chief Executive Officer resigned from the Company.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the CWS Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,666,667 shares of common stock, consisting of 333,333 shares to our founder who is the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, and 1,333,334 shares of common stock to an entity owned by the CWS President and managing member of Ssquared Spirits LLC.

 

SWOL Tequila

 

During the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company earned product revenues of $130,772 and $132,527, respectively from CWS. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had $224,692 and $93,920, respectively, in accounts receivable with CWS. Such amounts were collected subsequent to December 31, 2022.

 

Vault

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company earned service revenues of $20,524 pertaining to Vault memberships from CWS.

 

Advances to CWS

 

During the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid certain costs pertaining to alcoholic products on behalf of CWS in order finance the purchase of brand product for which the Company was promoting through marketing services. The advances totaled $190,340 and $124,427, respectively, during the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, $314,766 and $124,427, respectively, remained unpaid and outstanding from CWS. The advances are non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on demand. All advances were collected subsequent to December 31, 2022.

 

Dollinger Holdings LLC

 

Dollinger Holdings LLC is an entity under common control with the Company’s founder and controlling stockholder.

 

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had accounts payable of $101,250 and $33,665, respectively, with this entity.

 

See Note 4 for acquisition of assets from Dollinger Holdings, LLC.

 

F-26

 

 

8. INCOME TAXES

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not record a current or deferred income tax expense or benefit due to current and historical losses incurred by the Company. The Company’s losses before income taxes consist solely of losses from domestic operations.

 

Deferred taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes. The following table presents the deferred tax assets and liabilities by source:

 

   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
Deferred tax assets:        
Net operating loss carryforwards  $765,808   $409,616 
Valuation allowance   (765,808)   (409,616)
Net deferred tax assets  $-   $- 

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. The Company assessed the need for a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets and determined a full valuation allowance is required due, cumulative losses through December 31, 2022, and no history of generating taxable income. Therefore, valuation allowances of $765,808 and $409,616, respectively, were recorded as of December 31, 2022. Valuation allowance increased by $356,192 during the year ended December 31, 2022. Deferred tax assets were calculated using the Company’s combined effective tax rate, which it estimated to be approximately 28.0%. The effective rate is reduced to 0% for 2022 and 2021 due to the full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.

 

The Company’s ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards will depend on its ability to generate adequate future taxable income. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income in the amounts of approximately $2,740,000 and $1,465,000, respectively, which can be carried forward indefinitely. Certain changes in ownership can result in a limitation on the amount of net operating loss and tax credit carryovers that can be utilized each year. As of December 31, 2022, management has not determined the extent of any such limitations, if any.

 

The Company has evaluated its income tax positions and has determined that it does not have any uncertain tax positions. The Company will recognize interest and penalties related to any uncertain tax positions through its income tax expense.

 

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The Company is not presently subject to any income tax audit in any taxing jurisdiction, though all tax years from 2021 on remain open to examination.

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company may be subject to pending legal proceedings and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of business. The results of such proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, but the Company does not anticipate that the final outcome, if any, arising out of any such matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Warrant

 

In February 2022, the Company granted a warrant to an advisor in connection with Company’s potential Regulation A financing. The number of warrants granted equals $2,000,000 (“Equity Value”) divided by the Regulation A offering price. The warrant was to vest immediately upon qualification of the Form 1-A filing in connection with the Regulation A financing. The warrant was to terminate on the earliest of five years or the termination of the advisory agreement. In March 2022, the Company was qualified under its Form 1-A filing. On March 17, 2023, the Company and advisor entered into a Warrant Surrender Agreement whereby the advisor agreed to the cancellation of the warrants and to the surrender of all of its right for no consideration. As there was no derived value related to these warrants based on subsequent cancellation, no expense was recognized.

 

F-27

 

 

Engagement Letter

 

On December 1, 2022, the Company entered into an engagement letter with Boustead Securities, LLC to assist in the private placement of securities (“pre-IPO Financing”) and the initial public offering or other registered securities offerings (“IPO”) in the United States listing on NASDAQ. Boustead will act as exclusive financial advisor, placement agent and underwriter in connection with the Company’s pre-IPO Financing and IPO. The Company has agreed to pay Boustead certain commissions based on future financings as defined in the agreement.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Conversion to Nevada Corporation

 

On February 3, 2023, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada by merging into LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation. On February 3, in accordance with our reincorporation to Nevada, the Company’s authorized capital stock changed from 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, to 350,000,000 shares, consisting of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At the same time, the Company also completed a 6-for-1 reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock through the merger by issuing one share of common stock for every six previously outstanding shares of common stock of the predecessor Delaware company. The accompanying financial statements and related disclosures have been presented to retroactively reflect the Reorganization.

 

Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

 

On March 29, 2023, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to institute a dual class share structure consisting of Class A Common Stock, and Class B Common Stock, and any number of classes of Preferred Stock. Class A Common Stock is entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on proposals requiring or requesting shareholder approval, and Class B Common Stock is entitled to one (1) vote on any such matter. A share of Class A Common Stock may be voluntarily converted into a share of Class B Common Stock. A transfer of a share of Class A Common Stock will result in its automatic conversion into Class B Common Stock upon such transfer, subject to certain exceptions, including that the transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock to another holder of Class A Common Stock will not result in such automatic conversion. Class B Common Stock is not convertible. Other than as to voting and conversion rights, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock have the same rights and preferences and rank equally, share ratably and are identical in all respects as to all matters.

 

Due to this amendment, the Company’s authorized capital stock became 350,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 20,000,000 shares are designated Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 280,000,000 shares are designated Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. All shares of common stock issued and outstanding at the time of the amendment became shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

Management has evaluated subsequent events through April 5, 2023, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Based on this evaluation, no additional material events were identified which require adjustment or disclosure in these financial statements.

 

F-28

 

 

 

 

 

LQR House Inc.

 

 

 

Shares of Common Stock

 

PROSPECTUS

 

           , 2023

 

Until and including               , 2023 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), 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 a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED June 14, 2023

 

 

 

LQR House Inc.

 

5,381,668 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to 5,381,668 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or the Common Stock, of LQR House Inc. that may be sold from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus.

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of outstanding common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares. We are in the process of applying to list our shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market tier operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “LQR”. Nasdaq might not approve such application, and if our application is not approved, this offering cannot be completed.

 

We are an “emerging growth company”, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, under applicable U.S. federal securities laws, and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Common Stock—We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our stockholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.” for more information.

 

The selling stockholders may offer and sell the Common Stock being offered by this prospectus from time to time in public or private transactions, or both. These sales will occur at a fixed price of $5 per share until our Common Stock is listed on Nasdaq. Thereafter, these sales will occur at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may sell shares to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders, the purchasers of the shares, or both. Any participating broker-dealers and any selling stockholders who are affiliates of broker-dealers may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any commissions or discounts given to any such broker-dealer or affiliates of a broker-dealer may be regarded as underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The selling stockholders have informed us that they do not have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute their common stock. See “Plan of Distribution” for a more complete description of the ways in which the shares may be sold.

 

Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk.  See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or provincial 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 [   ].

 

 

 

 

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The Offering

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders:   This prospectus relates to 5,381,668 shares of Common Stock that may be sold from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus.
     
Shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus:   10,155,434 shares of Common Stock.
     
Shares outstanding after the offering: (1)   11,155,434 shares of Common Stock (or 11,305,434 shares if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full).
     
Use of proceeds:   We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of outstanding Common Stock by the selling stockholders.
     
Risk factors:   Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. As an investor, you should be able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 11 before deciding to invest in our Common Stock.
     
Trading market and symbol:   We have applied to list our Common Stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “LQR”.  We believe that upon the completion of this offering, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq.  The closing of this offering is contingent upon the successful listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq.

 

(1)The number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately following this offering is based on 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, and excludes:

 

1,250,000 shares of Common Stock that are reserved for issuance to our directors, director nominees, and officers under the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan;

 

50,000 shares of Common Stock (57,500 shares of Common Stock if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the underwriters in connection with this offering; and

 

150,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option in full.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Common Stock by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by them for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by them in disposing of the shares. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our accountants.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

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 these securities or as otherwise disclosed below, the selling stockholders have not had any position, office, or other material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates within the past three years, and based on the information provided to us by the selling stockholders, no selling stockholder is a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of common stock that such person or any member of such group has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of the date of this prospectus. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by each person or group of persons named below, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of the date of this prospectus are deemed to be outstanding for such person, but not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by any person.

 

The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each selling stockholder. The third column lists the shares of Common Stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders can offer all, some or none of their shares of Common Stock. See “Plan of Distribution.” We therefore have no way of determining the number of shares of Common Stock each selling Stockholder will hold after this offering. Therefore, the fourth and fifth columns assume that each selling stockholder will sell all shares of Common Stock covered by this prospectus.

 

   Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
Prior to this Offering
   Number of
Shares Being
Offered in this
   Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
After this Offering
 
Name of Selling Stockholder  Shares   Percent (1)   Offering   Shares   Percent (2) 
KBROS, LLC (3)   1,333,334    13.13%   1,333,334    -    - 
Index Equity US LLC (4)   750,000    7.39%   750,000    -    - 
Joel Abbo (5)   816,667    8.04%   750,000    66,667    0.95%
Kiranjit Sidhu (6)   600,000    5.91%   600,000    -    - 
2200049 AB Inc. (7)   591,000    5.82%   591,000    -    - 
1000038756 Ontario Inc. (8)   500,000    4.92%   500,000    -    - 
Gregory Hoffman (9)   500,000    4.92%   500,000    -    - 
14847156 Canada Inc. (10)   250,000    2.46%   250,000    -    - 
Lorne Rapkin (11)   123,334    1.21%   100,000    23,334    0.33%
Myron Rapkin (12)   7,334    0.07%   7,334    -    - 
Total   5,471,669    53.87%   5,381,668    90,001    1.28%

 

(1) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 10,155,434 shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

 

(2) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 11,155,434 shares of Common Stock which will be deemed to be outstanding following this offering.

 

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(3)KBROS, LLC is owned by Shawn Kattoula. Shawn Kattoula is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by KBROS, LLC because he has voting and investment control over the shares. KBROS, LLC’s address is 1771 Burwell Ln El Cajon, CA 92019, United States.

 

(4)Index Equity US LLC is owned by Bjarne Borg. Bjarne Borg is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by Index Equity US LLC because he has voting and investment control over the shares. Index Equity US LLC’s address is 1000 North US Highway One, Ste 902, Jupiter, FL 33477, United States.

 

(5)Consists of 750,000 shares of Common Stock held in the name of Joel Abbo, which are being offered in this offering, and 66,667 shares of Common Stock held in the name of Jobel Foundation. Jobel Foundation, a Panama corporation, is owned by Joel Abbo. Joel Abbo is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by Jobel Foundation because he has voting and investment control over the shares. Jobel Foundation’s business address is Punta Pacifica, Bellagio Tower, Apt 1-B Panama, Republic of Panama.

 

(6)The Selling Stockholder has voting and investment control over the shares. The address of the Selling Stockholder is 130 West Clark Street, Medford, OR 97501, United States.

 

(7)2200049 AB Inc. is owned by Greg Bealer. Greg Bealer is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by 2200049 AB Inc. because he has voting and investment control over the shares. 2200049 AB Inc.’s address is 16 Wolf Willow Point, Edmonton AB, T5T 1E3, Canada.

 

(8)1000038756 Ontario Inc. is owned by Kristen Kiernander. Kristen Kiernander is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by 1000038756 Ontario Inc. because she has voting and investment control over the shares. 1000038756 Ontario Inc.’s address is 217 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M5V 0R2, Canada.

 

(9)The Selling Stockholder has voting and investment control over the shares. The address of the Selling Stockholder is 1945 S Ocean Dr Suite 805, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, United States.

 

(10)Consists of 250,000 shares of Cmmon Stock held in the name of 14847156 Canada Inc., which are being offered in this offering. 14847156 Canada Inc. is owned by Carla Kavalec and Wendy Nickless, each owning 50% of the company. Carla Kavalec and Wendy Nickless are deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by 14847156 Canada Inc. because, each of them owning 50% of the company, together have 100% voting and investment control over the shares. 14847156 Canada Inc.’s address is 450 Roland Godard, St. Jerome, QB, J7Y 4G8, Canada. Not included are the 16,667 shares of Common Stock owned solely by Carla Kavalec. Not included are the 16,667 shares of Common Stock owned solely by Wendy Nickless.

 

(11)Consists of 100,000 shares of Common Stock held in the name of Lorne Rapkin, which are being offered in this offering, and 23,334 shares of Common Stock held in the name of BSL Consulting Inc. Lorne Rapkin owns BSL Consulting Inc, an Ontario Corporation. Lorne Rapkin is deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by BSL Consulting Inc. because he has voting and investment control over the shares. BSL Consulting Inc.’s business address is 28 Northmount Avenue, Toronto, ON, M3H 1N4, Canada.

 

(12)The Selling Stockholder has voting and investment control over the shares. The address of the Selling Stockholder is 217 Ridley Blvd., Suite 706, Toronto, ON, M5M 4N1, Canada.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each selling stockholder and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales will occur at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. A selling stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

 

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

privately negotiated transactions;

 

settlement of short sales;

 

in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;

 

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated above, until trading of the Common Stock commences on Nasdaq, sales by the selling stockholders will occur at a fixed price, which will be the assumed offering price of $5.00 per share. The selling stockholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.

 

In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

 

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The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each selling stockholder has informed us that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities. Each selling stockholder has represented and warranted to us that it acquired the securities subject to this prospectus in the ordinary course of such selling stockholder’s business and, at the time of its purchase of such securities such selling stockholder had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute any such securities.

 

We are required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us incident to the registration of the securities, but we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock. We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The resale securities covered hereby will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

 

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the common stock by the selling stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

 

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[Alternate Page for Resale Prospectus]

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Nauth LPC has acted as our counsel in connection with the preparation of this prospectus. The validity of the securities covered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Sherman & Howard L.L.C., Phoenix, Arizona.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale of shares of Common Stock being registered. All amounts, other than the SEC registration fee, Nasdaq listing fee and FINRA filing fee, are estimates. We will pay all these expenses.

 

   Amount 
SEC registration fee  $4,356.76 
Nasdaq listing fee  $50,000.00 
FINRA filing fee  $6,430.25 
Accounting fees and expenses  $100,000.00 
Legal fees and expenses  $198,542.25 
Transfer agent fees and expenses  $3,000.00 
Printing and related fees  $2,000.00 
Miscellaneous  $0.00 
Total  $364,509.26 

 

*To be filed by amendment.

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

We are a Nevada corporation. The Nevada Revised Statutes and certain provisions of our bylaws under certain circumstances provide for indemnification of our officers, directors and controlling persons against liabilities which they may incur in such capacities. A summary of the circumstances in which such indemnification is provided for is contained herein, but this description is qualified in its entirety by reference to our bylaws and to the statutory provisions.

 

In general, any officer, director, employee or agent may be indemnified against expenses, fines, settlements or judgments arising in connection with a legal proceeding to which such person is a party, if that person’s actions were in good faith, were believed to be in our best interest, and were not unlawful. Unless such person is successful upon the merits in such an action, indemnification may be awarded only after a determination by independent decision of our board of directors, by legal counsel, or by a vote of our stockholders, that the applicable standard of conduct was met by the person to be indemnified.

 

The circumstances under which indemnification is granted in connection with an action brought on our behalf is generally the same as those set forth above; however, with respect to such actions, indemnification is granted only with respect to expenses actually incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action. In such actions, the person to be indemnified must have acted in good faith and in a manner believed to have been in our best interest, and have not been adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct.

 

Indemnification may also be granted pursuant to the terms of agreements which may be entered in the future or pursuant to a vote of stockholders or directors. The Nevada Revised Statutes also grant us the power to purchase and maintain insurance which protects our officers and directors against any liabilities incurred in connection with their service in such a position, and such a policy may be obtained by us.

 

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our articles of incorporation eliminate or limit the liability of our directors to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of a director’s fiduciary duty as a director.

 

We have entered or intend to enter into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. Each indemnification agreement will provide, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The indemnification agreements will provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws.

 

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We are in the process of obtaining standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to our directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and (b) to us with respect to payments which we may make to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.

 

The underwriting agreement, filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will provide for indemnification, under certain circumstances, by the underwriter of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

During the past three years, we issued the following securities, which were not registered under the Securities Act.

 

2021 Formation Transactions

 

On March 19, 2021, we, as buyer, and Dollinger Holdings LLC, Dollinger Innovations Inc., and Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, as sellers, engaged in an asset purchase agreement, the SWOL Tequila Asset Purchase. Pursuant to that agreement, Dollinger Holdings LLC, which is wholly owned by Sean Dollinger, received $220,000 in cash, Sean Dollinger received 16,000,000 shares of our common stock, (2,666,667 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis) and we obtained ownership of the assets and liabilities that constitute the SWOL brand and SWOL Tequila Branding. The assets and liabilities constituting the SWOL Brand and SWOL Tequila Branding were held in part by Dollinger Holdings LLC and Dollinger Innovations.

 

On April 1, 2021, we, CWS, and Ssquared entered into an Exclusive Marketing Agreement. Pursuant to that agreement, CWS and Ssquared granted us exclusive marketing rights regarding any of CWS and Ssquared’s products, and Sean Dollinger, our Chief Executive Officer and 50% owner of Ssquared received 2,000,000 shares of our common stock (333,334 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis), and KBros, LLC, the owner of CWS and 50% owner of Ssquared, received 8,000,000 shares of our common stock. (1,333,334 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis).

 

On May 31, 2021, we engaged in an asset purchase agreement, the Soleil Vino Asset Purchase Agreement, with Dollinger Holdings LLC. Pursuant to that agreement, we purchased the assets and liabilities associated with the Soleil Vino wine club and its products, and Dollinger Holding LLC, wholly owned by Sean Dollinger, received $100,000 in cash and Sean Dollinger, or Chief Executive Officer, received 3,800,000 shares of our common stock (633,334 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis), and Andrea Cooke received 200,000 shares of our common stock (33,334 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis). In conjunction with the acquisition the Company entered into a finder’s fee agreement with a third party which 400,000 shares of our common stock were issued (66,667 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis).

 

2021 Private Placements

 

On January 20, 2021, we issued 10,400,000 shares of our common stock (1,733,334 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis) at a price of $0.001 per share, for a total of $10,400.

 

On February 12, 2021, we issued 10,148,424 shares of our common stock (1,691,404 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis) at a price of $0.25 per share, for a total of $2,537,106.

 

On February 19, 2021, we issued 1,800,000 shares of our common stock (300,000 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis) at a price of $0.25 per share, for a total of $450,000.

 

On February 22, 2021, we issued 254,000 shares of our common stock (42,334 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis) at a price of $0.25 per share, for a total of $63,500.

 

On April 26, 2021, we issued 100,000 shares of our common stock (16,667 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis) at a price of $0.50 per share, for a total of $50,000.

 

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Equity Award Conversions

 

On September 18, 2021, 525,000 of our restricted stock units (87,500 restricted stock units on a post-stock split basis), which were issued on March 18, 2021, were converted into 525,000 shares of our common stock (87,500 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis).

 

On July 11, 2022, 525,000 of our restricted stock units (87,500 restricted stock units on a post-stock split basis), which were issued on March 18, 2021, were converted into 525,000 shares of our common stock (87,500 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis).

 

On September 30, 2022, 1,050,000 of our restricted stock units (175,000 restricted stock units on a post-stock split basis), which were issued on March 18, 2021, were converted into 1,050,000 shares of our common stock (175,000 shares of common stock on a post-stock split basis). 

 

2023 Private Placement

 

On June 1, 2023, we conducted a private placement of our Common Stock and entered into certain subscription agreements with a number of (i) accredited investors as defined in Section 2(a)(15) of the Securities Act, and Rule 501 promulgated thereunder, in reliance upon the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws or (ii) non-U.S. persons made in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the agreements, we issued 955,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.00 per share for a total of $955,000.

 

2023 Advisor Agreements

 

On June 1, 2023, we entered into advisor agreements with certain advisors, pursuant to which the advisors will provide business and corporate advice in connection with the Offering to the Company. In consideration for the advisor’s services, the Company issued 500,000 shares of Common Stock to six individuals and entities, for an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

Other

 

In February 2022, we issued a contingent warrant to Issuance Inc. pursuant to a consulting agreement, dated September 27, 2021, between Issuance Inc. and the Company. The warrant was exercisable on a cashless basis for a number of shares of our common stock equaling $2,000,000, based on the offering price of a proposed Regulation A offering which was qualified on March 7, 2022, and withdrawn on June 27, 2022. The term of the warrant is five years. However, because the Regulation A offering was withdrawn, and no securities were sold thereunder, the warrant was cancelled.

 

Unless otherwise stated above, the issuances of these securities were made in reliance upon exemptions provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D thereunder for the offer and sale of securities not involving a public offering.

 

No underwriter was engaged in connection with the foregoing sales of securities. The Company has reason to believe that all of the foregoing purchasers were familiar with or had access to information concerning the operations and financial condition of the Company, and all of those individuals or entities purchasing securities represented that they were accredited investors, acquiring the shares for investment and without a view to the distribution thereof. At the time of issuance, all of the foregoing securities were deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act and the certificates representing such securities bore legends to that effect.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits.

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  Description
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
2.1   Plan of Conversion of LQR House Inc., dated as of January 26, 2023
3.1   Articles of Incorporation of LQR House Inc. filed on February 3, 2023
3.2   Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of LQR House Inc. filed on March 29, 2023
3.3   Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of LQR House Inc. filed on June 5, 2023
3.4   Certificate of Correction to the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation filed on April 11, 2023
3.5   Bylaws of LQR House Inc.
4.1*   Form of Representative’s Warrant (included in Exhibit 1.1)
4.2*   Form of Placement Agent’s Warrant
5.1*   Opinion of Sherman & Howard LLC
10.1   Form of Private Placement Subscription Agreement 2021
10.2   Form of Private Placement Subscription Agreement 2023
10.3   Packaging of Origin Co-Responsibility Agreement dated July 6, 2020, between Leticia Hermosillo Ravelero and Sean Dollinger
10.4   Shared Responsibility & Bonding Agreement dated March 19, 2021, between Leticia Hermosillo Ravelero and Dollinger Innovations Inc.
10.5   Exclusive License Agreement dated May 18, 2020 by and between Dollinger Holdings and Dollinger Innovations
10.6   Product Distribution Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, between Dollinger Holdings and Country Wine & Spirits Inc.
10.7   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated May 31, 2021, between LQR House Inc. and Dollinger Holdings LLC
10.8   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 19, 2021, among LQR House Inc. and Dollinger Innovations Inc., Dollinger Holdings LLC and Sean Dollinger
10.9   Exclusive Marketing Agreement, dated April 1, 2021, by and among Country Wine & Spirits, Inc., Ssquared Spirits, LLC, and LQR House, Inc.
10.10†   Employment Agreement between LQR House Inc. and Sean Dollinger, dated March 29, 2023
10.11†   Employment Agreement between LQR House Inc. and Kumar Abhishek, dated May 1, 2023
10.12†   Employment Agreement between LQR House Inc. and Jaclyn Hoffman, dated May 1, 2023
10.13   Employment Agreement between LQR House Inc. and Alexandra Hoffman, dated May 1, 2023
10.14   Form of Independent Director Agreement between LQR House Inc. and each director nominee
10.15†   Form of Non-Independent Director Agreement between LQR House Inc. and Non-Independent Director
10.16   Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement between LQR House Inc. and each officer or director
10.17†   LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
10.18†   Amendment No. 1 to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
10.19†   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.20†   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.21†   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Company Employees (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.22†   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Consultants (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.23†   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.24†   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.25†   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Company Employees (included in Exhibit 10.17)
10.26   Form of Advisor Agreement
10.27   Commercial Lease Agreement
14.1   Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
21.1   List of Subsidiaries
23.1   Consent of dbbmckennon
23.2*   Consent of Sherman & Howard LLC (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)
99.1   Audit Committee Charter
99.2   Compensation Committee Charter
99.3   Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
99.4   Consent of Guy Dollinger to be named as a director nominee
99.5   Consent of Holiday Russell to be named as a director nominee
99.6   Consent of James Huber to be named as a director nominee
99.7   Consent of James O’Brien to be named as a director nominee
107   Filing Fee Table

 

 

*To be filed by amendment.
Executive compensation plan or arrangement.

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

 

All financial statement schedules are omitted because the information called for is not required or is shown either in the financial statements or in the notes thereto.

 

II-4

 

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

(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 (the “Act”);

 

(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this 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 Securities and Exchange 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; and

 

(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement.

 

(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, 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 Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

II-5

 

 

(5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Act 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)Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 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 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.

 

(c)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(i)For purposes of determining any liability under the 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 Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(ii)For purposes of determining any liability under the 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.

 

II-6

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, on June 14, 2023.

 

    LQR House Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Sean Dollinger
    Name:  Sean Dollinger
    Title: Chief Executive Officer and Secretary

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Sean Dollinger and Kumar Abhishek as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file a new registration statement under Rule 461, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE   TITLE   DATE
         
/s/ Sean Dollinger   Chief Executive Officer   June 14, 2023
Sean Dollinger   (Principal Executive Officer), Secretary and Director    
         
/s/ Kumar Abhishek   Chief Financial Officer   June 14, 2023
Kumar Abhishek   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Alexandra Hoffman   Director   June 14, 2023
Alexandra Hoffman        
         
/s/ Darren Collins   Director   June 14, 2023
Darren Collins        

 

 

 

II-7

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

PLAN OF CONVERSION

OF

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

This Plan of Conversion (this “Plan of Conversion”) is adopted as of January 26, 2023, to convert LQR House Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Converting Entity”), to a Nevada corporation to be known as “LQR House Inc.” (the “Converted Entity”).

 

1. The Converted Entity shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Nevada.

 

2. The Converting Entity is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

3. The Converting Entity shall be converted to the Converted Entity (the “Conversion”) pursuant to Section 92A.195 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and Section 266 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

4. At the Effective Time (as defined below), the name of the Converted Entity shall be LQR House Inc.

 

5. At the Effective Time of the Conversion, every six (6) outstanding shares of the Converting Entity’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, shall, by virtue of the Conversion and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, be converted into one (1) share of Converted Entity’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. At and after the Effective Time, the Company shall take all actions necessary to effect this transaction with its Transfer Agent, VStock Transfer, LLC.

 

6. At the Effective Time of the Conversion, all outstanding and unexercised portions of each option, warrant and security exercisable or convertible by its terms into the Common Stock of the Converting Entity (including convertible promissory notes), if any, whether vested or unvested, which is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, a “Convertible Security”) shall be deemed to constitute an option, warrant or convertible security, as the case may be, to acquire one-sixth (1/6) number of shares of the Converted Entity’s Common Stock as the holder of such Convertible Security would have been entitled to receive had such holder exercised or converted such Convertible Security in full immediately prior to the Effective Time (not taking into account whether such Convertible Security was in fact exercisable or convertible at such time), at the same exercise/conversion price per share, and shall, to the extent permitted by law and otherwise reasonably practicable, have the same term, exercisability, vesting schedule, status and all other material terms and conditions.

 

7. At the Effective Time of the Conversion, any shareholder that will receive a fraction of a share of LQR Nevada’s Common Stock by virtue of the Conversion shall be issued such additional fraction of a share as is necessary to increase the fractional share to a full share.

 

8. The Articles of Incorporation of the Converted Entity is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

 

 

 

9. The Bylaws of the Converted Entity is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

10. The officers of the Converting Entity shall, from time to time, as and when requested by the Converted Entity, execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments and take such other further actions necessary or desirable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Plan of Conversion.

 

11. This Plan of Conversion shall become effective upon filing of duly executed Articles of Conversion and Articles of Incorporation with the office of the Nevada Secretary of State (the “Effective Time”).

 

12. This Plan of Conversion has been duly approved by the majority shareholder in the Converting Entity.

 

This Plan of Conversion has been adopted as of the date set forth above.

 

  LQR House Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Sean Dollinger 
  Name: Sean Dollinger
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Articles of Incorporation

 

(See Attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENT TO
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

The Articles of Incorporation of LQR HOUSE INC. (the “Corporation”) are hereby supplemented with the following additions to Article 3 and additional Articles 9-13.

 

ARTICLE 3 - AUTHORIZED STOCK

 

The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share.

 

All Common Stock of the Corporation shall be of the same class and shall have the same rights and preferences. The Corporation shall have authority to issue the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series with such rights, preferences and designations as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors from time to time to issue Preferred Stock in one or more series, and in connection with the creation of any such series, by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of the shares thereof, to determine and fix such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation thereof, dividend rights, special voting rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as shall be stated and expressed in such resolutions, all to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the Nevada Revised Statutes. Fully-paid stock of the Corporation shall not be liable to any further call or assessment.

 

ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the power to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation, except to the extent that the Bylaws otherwise provide.

 

ARTICLE 10 - INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

The Corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding, to the full extent permitted by the Nevada Revised Statutes as such statutes may be amended from time to time.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 - LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

No director or officer shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer; provided, however, that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, or (ii) for the payment of dividends in violation of Section 78.300 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Any repeal or modification of this Article 11 by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation of the personal liability of a director of officer of the Corporation for acts or omissions prior to such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE 12 - ACQUISITION OF CONTROLLING INTEREST

 

The Corporation elects not to be governed by the terms and provisions of Sections 78.378 through 78.3793, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes, as the same may be amended, superseded, or replaced by any successor section, statute, or provision. No amendment to these Articles of Incorporation, directly or indirectly, by merger or consolidation or otherwise, having the effect of amending or repealing any provision of this Article 12 shall apply to or have any effect on any transaction involving acquisition of control by any person occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

ARTICLE 13 - COMBINATIONS WITH INTERESTED STOCKHOLDERS

 

The Corporation elects not to be governed by the terms and provisions of Sections 78.411 through 78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes, as the same may be amended, superseded, or replaced by any successor section, statute, or provision. No amendment to these Articles of Incorporation, directly or indirectly, by merger or consolidation or otherwise, having the effect of amending or repealing any provision of this Article 13 shall apply to or have any effect on any transaction with an interested stockholder occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Bylaws

 

(See Attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS

OF

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

Adopted on January 26, 2023

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

1.1 Registered Office. The registered office and registered agent of LQR House Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be, as from time to time, set forth in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

 

1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Nevada, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

2.1 Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Nevada, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Stockholders and certain other persons permitted by the Corporation to attend a meeting of stockholders may participate in the meeting through remote communication, including, without limitation, electronic communications, videoconferencing, teleconferencing or other available technology, if the Corporation has implemented reasonable measures to (a) verify the identity of each person participating through such means as a stockholder or permitted person and (b) provide the stockholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to communicate, and to read or hear the proceedings of the meetings in a substantially concurrent manner with such proceedings.

 

2.2 Annual Meeting.

 

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section.

 

 

 

 

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section, (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the Nevada Revised Statues, (iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the Corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in this Section), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary by registered mail at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received (i) not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the currently proposed annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) by the tenth (10th) business day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made, whichever of (i) or (ii) occurs first. In the event that an annual meeting has not been previously held, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) business day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and Rule 14a-4(d) thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”).

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (b) of this Section to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.

 

-2-

 

 

(f) For purposes of this Section, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Accesswire, Market Wire or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

 

2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, may be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or at the request in writing of the holders of at least 50% of all the shares issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting unless all stockholders entitled to vote are present and consent.

 

2.4 Notice of Meetings. Written notice stating (a) the date and time of the meeting, (b) the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxies shall be deemed to be present in person and vote at the meeting, (c) unless the meeting is to be held solely by remote communication, the physical location of the meeting, and (d) except in the case of the annual meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, must be delivered personally, mailed postage prepaid or delivered as provided in Section 7.1 to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting. If mailed, it must be directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears upon the records of the Corporation.

 

2.5 Quorum; Adjournment. At all meetings of the stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. If a meeting of stockholders is adjourned, notice of the following information need not be delivered if the information is announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken: (a) the date and time of the adjourned meeting; (b) the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxies shall be deemed to be present in person and vote at the adjourned meeting; and (c) unless the adjourned meeting is to be held solely by remote communication, the physical location of the adjourned meeting. If a new record date is fixed for an adjourned or postponed meeting, notice of the adjourned or postponed meeting must be delivered to each stockholder of record as of the new record date. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

2.6 Voting. Each outstanding share of the Corporation’s capital stock shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders, except to the extent that the voting rights of the shares of any class or classes are otherwise provided by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation. When a quorum is present at any meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders, action by the stockholders on a matter other than the election of directors is approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the action exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the action, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Voting for directors shall be in accordance with Section 3.2 of these Bylaws.

 

2.7 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy, a stockholder may sign a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy. Any copy, communication by electronic transmission or other reliable reproduction of the writing may be substituted for the original writing for any purpose for which the original writing could be used, if the copy, communication by electronic transmission or other reproduction is a complete reproduction of the entire original writing. Except as otherwise provided below, no such proxy is valid after the expiration of six (6) months from the date of its creation unless the stockholder specifies in it the length of time for which it is to continue in force, which may not exceed seven (7) years from the date of its creation. A proxy shall be deemed irrevocable if the written authorization states that the proxy is irrevocable, but is irrevocable only for as long as it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. Unless otherwise provided in the proxy, a proxy made irrevocable is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is extinguished, but the Corporation may honor the proxy until notice of the extinguishment of the proxy is received by the Corporation.

 

-3-

 

 

2.8 Record Date; Closing Transfer Books. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, such record date to be not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to such meeting, or the Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books for such purpose for a period of not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to such meeting. If a record date for a meeting of stockholders is not fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date is at the close of business on the day before the day on which the first notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders applies to any adjournment or postponement of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned or postponed meeting. The Board of Directors must fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 60 days later than the meeting date set for the original meeting.

 

2.9 Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power; provided that if a different proportion of voting power is required for such an action at a meeting, then that proportion of written consents is required.

 

ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

3.1 Management. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, who may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Articles of Incorporation, a stockholders’ agreement or these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

3.2 Qualification; Election; Term. None of the directors need be a stockholder of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Nevada. The directors shall be elected by plurality vote at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as hereinafter provided, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor shall be elected and qualified.

 

3.3 Number. The initial number of directors of the Corporation shall be four (4). Thereafter, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

 

3.4 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

3.5 Removal. Any director may be removed either for or without cause only by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote.

 

3.6 Vacancies. All vacancies on the Board of Directors, including those caused by an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.

 

3.7 Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors, regular or special, may be held at such place within or without the State of Nevada as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee through electronic communications, videoconferencing, teleconferencing or other available technology if the Corporation has implemented reasonable measures to (a) verify the identity of each person participating through such means as a director or committee member, as the case may be, and (b) provide the directors or committee members a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the directors or committee members, as the case may be, including an opportunity to communicate and to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting in a substantially concurrent manner with such proceedings.

 

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3.8 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

3.9 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President on oral or written notice to each director, given either personally, by telephone, by telegram, by mail, by facsimile or by e-mail at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the meeting. Special meetings shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any director. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need to be specified in a notice or waiver of notice.

 

3.10 Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the Board of Directors the presence of a majority of the number of directors then in office shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

3.11 Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without such a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the members of the Board of Directors.

 

3.13 Compensation of Directors. Directors shall receive such compensation for their services, and reimbursement for their expenses as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall establish, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

3.14 Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation, which committees shall have such power and authority and shall perform such functions as may be provided in such resolution. Each committee, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except where action of the full Board of Directors is required by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the committee appointed pursuant to this Section shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

 

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ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

 

4.1 In General. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall be a President, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may also elect a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents and Assistant Secretaries. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

 

4.2 Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint, or may empower the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors or such delegate may from time to time determine.

 

4.3 Election and Term. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders, shall elect the officers, none of whom need be a member of the Board of Directors. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until his death, or his resignation or removal from office, or the election and qualification of his successor, whichever shall first occur.

 

4.4 Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

 

4.5 Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, for or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

4.6 Duties of Officers.

 

(a) Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer are: (a) to act as the general manager and chief executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation; (b) to preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or if there is no Chairman of the Board of Directors, at all meetings of the Board of Directors; (c) to call meetings of the stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors to be held at such times and, subject to the limitations prescribed by law or by these Bylaws, at such places as he or she shall deem proper; and (d) to affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation, to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation.

 

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(c) President. The powers and duties of the President are: (a) subject to the authority granted to the Chief Executive Officer, if any, to act as the general manager of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation; (b) to preside at all meetings of the stockholders and Board of Directors in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer or if there be no Chairman of the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer; and (c) to affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the President, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation, to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

(d) Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

(e) Chief Financial Officer. The powers and duties of the Chief Financial Officer are: (a) to supervise and control the keeping and maintaining of adequate and correct accounts of the Corporation’s properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, surplus and shares; (b) to have the custody of all funds, securities, evidences of indebtedness and other valuable documents of the Corporation and, at his or her discretion, to cause any or all thereof to be deposited for the account of the Corporation with such depository as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors; (c) to receive or cause to be received, and to give or cause to be given, receipts and acquittances for moneys paid in for the account of the Corporation; (d) to disburse, or cause to be disbursed, all funds of the Corporation as may be directed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; (e) to render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or to the Board of Directors, whenever either may require, accounts of all transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation; and (f) generally to do and perform all such duties as pertain to such office and as may be required by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. The Chief Financial Officer may direct the any Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

 

(f) Secretary. The powers and duties of the Secretary are: (a) to keep a book of minutes at the principal executive office of the Corporation, or such other place as the Board of Directors may order, of all meetings of its directors and stockholders, whether regular or special, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at directors’ meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings and the proceedings thereof; (b) to keep the seal of the Corporation and to affix the same to all instruments which may require it; (c) to keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Corporation, or at the office of the transfer agent or agents, a record of the stockholders of the Corporation; (d) to keep a supply of certificates for shares of the Corporation, to fill in and sign all certificates issued or prepare the initial transaction statement or written statements for uncertificated shares, and to make a proper record of each such issuance, provided that so long as the Corporation shall have one or more duly appointed and acting transfer agents of the shares, or any class or series of shares, of the Corporation, such duties with respect to such shares shall be performed by such transfer agent or transfer agents; (e) to transfer upon the share books of the Corporation any and all shares of the Corporation, provided that so long as the Corporation shall have one or more duly appointed and acting transfer agents of the shares, or any class or series of shares, of the Corporation, such duties with respect to such shares shall be performed by such transfer agent or transfer agents; and (f) to make service and publication of all notices that may be necessary or proper and without command or direction from anyone. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer may direct any Assistant Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

 

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4.7 Divisional and Other Officers Appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President. The Chief Executive Officer, or President if there is no Chief Executive Officer, shall have the power, in the exercise of his or her discretion, to appoint additional persons to hold positions and titles such as vice president of a division of the Corporation or president of a division of the Corporation, or similar such titles, as the business of the Corporation may require, subject to such limits in appointment power as the Board of Directors may determine. The Board of Directors shall be advised of any such appointment at a meeting of the Board of Directors, and the appointment shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting. The minutes shall clearly state that such persons are non-corporate officers appointed pursuant to this Section. Each such appointee shall have such title, shall serve in such capacity and shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Chief Executive Officer or President shall determine. Appointees may hold titles such as “president” of a division or other group within the Corporation, or “vice president” of a division or other group within the Corporation. However, any such appointee, absent specific election by the Board of Directors as an elected corporate officer, (a) shall not be considered an officer elected by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article IV and shall not have the executive powers or authority of corporate officers elected pursuant to this Article IV and (b) shall be empowered to represent himself or herself to third parties as a divisional or group vice president or other title permitted, as applicable, only, and shall be empowered to execute documents, bind the Corporation or otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation only as authorized by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

4.8 Salaries. The salaries of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board, if so authorized by the Board.

 

4.9 Employment and Other Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers or agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name or on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. The Board of Directors may, when it believes the interest of the Corporation will best be served thereby, authorize executive employment contracts which will contain such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

ARTICLE V
SHARES OF STOCK

 

5.1 Form of Certificates. The Corporation may, but is not required to, deliver to each stockholder a certificate or certificates, in such form as may be determined by the Board of Directors, representing shares to which the stockholder is entitled. Such certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be registered on the books and records the Corporation or its transfer agent as they are issued. Each certificate shall state on the face thereof the holder’s name, the number, class of shares, and the par value of such shares or a statement that such shares are without par value.

 

5.2 Shares without Certificates. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of uncertificated shares of some or all of the shares of any or all of its classes or series. The issuance of uncertificated shares has no effect on existing certificates for shares until surrendered to the Corporation, or on the respective rights and obligations of the stockholders. Unless otherwise provided by the Nevada Revised Statutes, the rights and obligations of stockholders are identical whether or not their shares of stock are represented by certificates. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the stockholder a written statement containing the information required on the certificates pursuant to Section 5.1. At least annually thereafter, the Corporation shall provide to its stockholders of record, a written statement confirming the information contained in the informational statement previously sent pursuant to this Section.

 

5.3 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct that a new certificate be issued, or that uncertificated shares be issued, in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, may require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond, in such form, in such sum, and with such surety or sureties as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed. When a certificate has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the holder of record fails to notify the Corporation within a reasonable time after he has notice of it, and the Corporation registers a transfer of the shares represented by the certificate before receiving such notification, the holder of record is precluded from making any claim against the Corporation for the transfer or a new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

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5.4 Restrictions on Transfer. The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, or other disposal of or encumbering of any of the shares of stock of the Corporation or any right or interest therein, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, or by gift or otherwise of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the Nevada Revised Statutes. Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.

 

5.5 Right of First Refusal. No stockholder shall Transfer any of the shares of stock of the Corporation, except by a Transfer which meets the requirements set forth below:

 

(a) If a stockholder desires to sell or otherwise Transfer any of his shares of stock, then the stockholder shall first give written notice thereof to the Corporation. The notice shall name the proposed transferee and state the number of shares to be transferred, the proposed consideration, and all other terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer.

 

(b) For thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, the Corporation shall have the option to purchase the shares specified in the notice at the price and upon the terms set forth in such notice; provided, however, that, with the consent of the stockholder, the Corporation shall have the option to purchase a lesser portion of the shares specified in said notice at the price and upon the terms set forth therein. In the event of a gift, property settlement or other Transfer in which the proposed transferee is not paying the full price for the shares, and that is not otherwise exempted from the provisions of this Section, the price shall be deemed to be the fair market value of the stock at such time as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. In the event the Corporation elects to purchase all of the shares or, with consent of the stockholder, a lesser portion of the shares, it shall give written notice to the transferring stockholder of its election and settlement for said shares shall be made as provided below in paragraph (d) of this Section.

 

(c) The Corporation may assign its rights hereunder.

 

(d) In the event the Corporation and/or its assignee(s) elect to acquire any of the shares of the transferring stockholder as specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice, the Secretary of the Corporation shall so notify the transferring stockholder and settlement thereof shall be made in cash within thirty (30) days after the Secretary of the Corporation receives said transferring stockholder’s notice; provided that if the terms of payment set forth in said transferring stockholder’s notice were other than cash against delivery, the Corporation and/or its assignee(s) shall pay for said shares on the same terms and conditions set forth in said transferring stockholder’s notice.

 

(e) In the event the Corporation and/or its assignees(s) do not elect to acquire all of the shares specified in the transferring stockholder’s notice, said transferring stockholder may, subject to the Corporation’s approval and all other restrictions on Transfer located in Section 5.4 of these Bylaws, within the sixty (60) day period following the expiration or waiver of the option rights granted to the Corporation and/or its assignees(s) herein, Transfer the shares specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice which were not acquired by the Corporation and/or its assignees(s) as specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice. All shares so sold by said transferring stockholder shall continue to be subject to the provisions of this bylaw in the same manner as before said Transfer.

 

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(f) Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, the following transactions shall be exempt from the right of first refusal in paragraph (a) of this Section:

 

(i) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all shares held either during such stockholder’s lifetime or on death by will or intestacy to such stockholder’s immediate family or to any custodian or trustee for the account of such stockholder or such stockholder’s immediate family or to any limited partnership of which the stockholder, members of such stockholder’s immediate family or any trust for the account of such stockholder or such stockholder’s immediate family will be the general or limited partner(s) of such partnership. “Immediate family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant, father, mother, brother, or sister of the stockholder making such Transfer;

 

(ii) A stockholder’s bona fide pledge or mortgage of any shares with a commercial lending institution, provided that any subsequent Transfer of said shares by said institution shall be conducted in the manner set forth in this bylaw;

 

(iii) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to the Corporation or to any other stockholder of the Corporation;

 

(iv) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to a person who, at the time of such Transfer, is an officer or director of the Corporation;

 

(v) A corporate stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of its shares pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of any merger, consolidation, reclassification of shares or capital reorganization of the corporate stockholder, or pursuant to a sale of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of a corporate stockholder;

 

(vi) A corporate stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of its shares to any or all of its stockholders; or

 

(vii) A Transfer by a stockholder which is a limited or general partnership to any or all of its partners or former partners in accordance with partnership interests.

 

In any such case, the transferee, assignee, or other recipient shall receive and hold such stock subject to the provisions of this Section and the transfer restrictions in Section 5.4, and there shall be no further Transfer of such stock except in accord with this Section and the transfer restrictions in Section 5.4.

 

(g) The provisions of this bylaw may be waived with respect to any Transfer either by the Corporation, upon duly authorized action of its Board of Directors, or by the stockholders, upon the express written consent of the owners of a majority of the voting power of the Corporation (excluding the votes represented by those shares to be transferred by the transferring stockholder). This bylaw may be amended or repealed either by a duly authorized action of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, upon the express written consent of the owners of a majority of the voting power of the Corporation.

 

(h) Any Transfer, or purported Transfer, of securities of the Corporation shall be null and void unless the terms, conditions, and provisions of this bylaw are strictly observed and followed.

 

(i) The foregoing right of first refusal shall terminate upon the date securities of the Corporation are first offered to the public pursuant to a registration statement or offering statement filed with, and declared effective or qualified by, as applicable, the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(j) The certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall bear on their face the following legend so long as the foregoing right of first refusal remains in effect:

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS

CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST

REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE

CORPORATION AND/OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S), AS

PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.”

 

(k) To the extent this Section conflicts with any written agreements between the Corporation and the stockholder attempting to Transfer shares, such agreement shall control.

 

5.6 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

 

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ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1 Directors and Executive Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article, “executive officers” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the Corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (a) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (b) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (c) such indemnification is provided by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law or (d) such indemnification is required to be made under Section 6.4.

 

6.2 Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The Corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except such executive officers to officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

6.3 Expenses. The Corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or executive officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding, provided, however, that, if the Nevada Revised Statutes requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to Section 6.5, no advance shall be made by the Corporation to an executive officer of the Corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Corporation, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (a) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (b) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (c) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.

 

6.4 Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Article VI shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Article VI to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (a) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (b) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the Corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Corporation) for advances, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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6.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law.

 

6.6 Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

6.7 Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the Nevada Revised Statutes, or any other applicable law, the Corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Article VI.

 

6.8 Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Corporation.

 

6.9 Saving Clause. If this Article VI or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Article VI shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under applicable law.

 

6.10 Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Article VI, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a) The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

 

(b) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

 

(c) The term the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

(d) References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the Corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the Corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

(e) References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article.

 

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ARTICLE VII
NOTICES

 

7.1 Form of Notice. Whenever required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, notice is to be given to any director or stockholder, and no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, such notice may be given in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such director or stockholder at such address as appears on the books and records of the Corporation or its transfer agent. A notice or other communication may also be delivered by electronic transmission if the electronic transmission contains or is accompanied by information from which the recipient can determine the date of the transmission. Unless otherwise agreed between sender and recipient, an electronic transmission is received when it enters an information processing system that the recipient has designated or uses for the purpose of receiving electronic transmissions or information of the type sent and it is in a form ordinarily capable of being processed by that system. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws or specific statute, any notice or other communication, if in a comprehensible form or manner, is effective at the earliest of the following: (a) if in a physical form, when it is left at the address of a director or stockholder as it appears upon the records of the Corporation, the residence or usual place of business of a director or stockholder or the stockholder’s principal place of business; (b) if mailed by United States mail postage prepaid and correctly addressed to a director or stockholder, upon deposit in the United States mail; or (c) if oral, when communicated.

 

7.2 Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation as required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated in such notice, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a stockholder or director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such stockholder or director attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

7.3 Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the Corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

 

7.4 Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

 

7.5 Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under the Nevada Revised Statutes, any notice given under the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the Corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

8.1 Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the Corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the Corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the Corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the Corporation. All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the Corporation or in special accounts of the Corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do. Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

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8.2 Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the Corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 5.1 of these Bylaws), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the Corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the Corporation.

 

8.3 Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the Corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, or any Vice President.

 

8.4 Dividends. Dividends upon the outstanding shares of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be declared and paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes and the Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, such record date to be not more than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date of such dividend, or the Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books for such purpose for a period of not more than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date of such dividend. In the absence of any action by the Board of Directors, the date upon which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution declaring such dividend shall be the record date.

 

8.5 Reserves. There may be created by resolution of the Board of Directors out of the surplus of the Corporation such reserve or reserves as the directors from time to time, in their discretion, think proper to provide for contingencies, or to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think beneficial to the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. Surplus of the Corporation to the extent so reserved shall not be available for the payment of dividends or other distributions by the Corporation.

 

8.6 Books and Records. The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and Board of Directors, and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of the shares held by each.

 

8.7 Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the Corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Nevada.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

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8.8 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

8.9 Interpretation and Construction. Reference in these Bylaws to any provision of the Nevada Revised Statutes shall be deemed to include all amendments thereof. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the Nevada Revised Statutes shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person. All restrictions, limitations, requirements and other provisions of these Bylaws shall be construed, insofar as possible, as supplemental and additional to all provisions of law applicable to the subject matter thereof and shall be fully complied with in addition to the said provisions of law unless such compliance shall be illegal. Any article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase of these Bylaws which, upon being construed in the manner provided in this Section 8.9, shall be contrary to or inconsistent with any applicable provision of law, shall not apply so long as said provisions of law shall remain in effect, but such result shall not affect the validity or applicability of any other portions of these Bylaws, it being hereby declared that these Bylaws, and each article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, would have been adopted irrespective of the fact that any one or more articles, sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses or phrases is or are illegal.

 

8.10 Amendment. The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to amend, modify or repeal these Bylaws, or adopt any new provision.

 

* * *

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CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

OF

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing Bylaws were adopted as the Corporation’s bylaws as of the date hereof by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

The undersigned has executed this Certificate as of January 26, 2023

 

  /s/ Sean Dollinger
  Sean Dollinger
  Chief Executive Officer, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.5

 

BYLAWS

OF

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

Adopted on January 26, 2023

 

 

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

1.1 Registered Office. The registered office and registered agent of LQR House Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be, as from time to time, set forth in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

 

1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Nevada, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

2.1 Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Nevada, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Stockholders and certain other persons permitted by the Corporation to attend a meeting of stockholders may participate in the meeting through remote communication, including, without limitation, electronic communications, videoconferencing, teleconferencing or other available technology, if the Corporation has implemented reasonable measures to (a) verify the identity of each person participating through such means as a stockholder or permitted person and (b) provide the stockholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to communicate, and to read or hear the proceedings of the meetings in a substantially concurrent manner with such proceedings.

 

2.2 Annual Meeting.

 

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section.

 

 

 

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section, (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the Nevada Revised Statues, (iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the Corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in this Section), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary by registered mail at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received (i) not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the currently proposed annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) by the tenth (10th) business day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made, whichever of (i) or (ii) occurs first. In the event that an annual meeting has not been previously held, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) business day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and Rule 14a-4(d) thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”).

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (b) of this Section to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.

 

(f) For purposes of this Section, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Accesswire, Market Wire or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

 

2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, may be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or at the request in writing of the holders of at least 50% of all the shares issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the purposes stated in the notice of the meeting unless all stockholders entitled to vote are present and consent.

 

2.4 Notice of Meetings. Written notice stating (a) the date and time of the meeting, (b) the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxies shall be deemed to be present in person and vote at the meeting, (c) unless the meeting is to be held solely by remote communication, the physical location of the meeting, and (d) except in the case of the annual meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, must be delivered personally, mailed postage prepaid or delivered as provided in Section 7.1 to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting. If mailed, it must be directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears upon the records of the Corporation.

 

2.5 Quorum; Adjournment. At all meetings of the stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. If a meeting of stockholders is adjourned, notice of the following information need not be delivered if the information is announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken: (a) the date and time of the adjourned meeting; (b) the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxies shall be deemed to be present in person and vote at the adjourned meeting; and (c) unless the adjourned meeting is to be held solely by remote communication, the physical location of the adjourned meeting. If a new record date is fixed for an adjourned or postponed meeting, notice of the adjourned or postponed meeting must be delivered to each stockholder of record as of the new record date. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

2.6 Voting. Each outstanding share of the Corporation’s capital stock shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders, except to the extent that the voting rights of the shares of any class or classes are otherwise provided by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation. When a quorum is present at any meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders, action by the stockholders on a matter other than the election of directors is approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the action exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the action, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Voting for directors shall be in accordance with Section 3.2 of these Bylaws.

 

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2.7 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy, a stockholder may sign a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for him or her as proxy. Any copy, communication by electronic transmission or other reliable reproduction of the writing may be substituted for the original writing for any purpose for which the original writing could be used, if the copy, communication by electronic transmission or other reproduction is a complete reproduction of the entire original writing. Except as otherwise provided below, no such proxy is valid after the expiration of six (6) months from the date of its creation unless the stockholder specifies in it the length of time for which it is to continue in force, which may not exceed seven (7) years from the date of its creation. A proxy shall be deemed irrevocable if the written authorization states that the proxy is irrevocable, but is irrevocable only for as long as it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. Unless otherwise provided in the proxy, a proxy made irrevocable is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is extinguished, but the Corporation may honor the proxy until notice of the extinguishment of the proxy is received by the Corporation.

 

2.8 Record Date; Closing Transfer Books. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, such record date to be not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to such meeting, or the Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books for such purpose for a period of not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to such meeting. If a record date for a meeting of stockholders is not fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date is at the close of business on the day before the day on which the first notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders applies to any adjournment or postponement of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned or postponed meeting. The Board of Directors must fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 60 days later than the meeting date set for the original meeting.

 

2.9 Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power; provided that if a different proportion of voting power is required for such an action at a meeting, then that proportion of written consents is required.

 

ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

3.1 Management. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, who may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Articles of Incorporation, a stockholders’ agreement or these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

3.2 Qualification; Election; Term. None of the directors need be a stockholder of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Nevada. The directors shall be elected by plurality vote at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as hereinafter provided, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor shall be elected and qualified.

 

3.3 Number. The initial number of directors of the Corporation shall be four (4). Thereafter, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

 

3.4 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

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3.5 Removal. Any director may be removed either for or without cause only by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote.

 

3.6 Vacancies. All vacancies on the Board of Directors, including those caused by an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.

 

3.7 Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors, regular or special, may be held at such place within or without the State of Nevada as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee through electronic communications, videoconferencing, teleconferencing or other available technology if the Corporation has implemented reasonable measures to (a) verify the identity of each person participating through such means as a director or committee member, as the case may be, and (b) provide the directors or committee members a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the directors or committee members, as the case may be, including an opportunity to communicate and to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting in a substantially concurrent manner with such proceedings.

 

3.8 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

3.9 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President on oral or written notice to each director, given either personally, by telephone, by telegram, by mail, by facsimile or by e-mail at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the meeting. Special meetings shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any director. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need to be specified in a notice or waiver of notice.

 

3.10 Quorum and Voting. At all meetings of the Board of Directors the presence of a majority of the number of directors then in office shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

3.11 Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without such a meeting if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the members of the Board of Directors.

 

3.13 Compensation of Directors. Directors shall receive such compensation for their services, and reimbursement for their expenses as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall establish, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

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3.14 Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation, which committees shall have such power and authority and shall perform such functions as may be provided in such resolution. Each committee, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except where action of the full Board of Directors is required by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the committee appointed pursuant to this Section shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

 

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

 

4.1 In General. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall be a President, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may also elect a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents and Assistant Secretaries. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

 

4.2 Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint, or may empower the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors or such delegate may from time to time determine.

 

4.3 Election and Term. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders, shall elect the officers, none of whom need be a member of the Board of Directors. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until his death, or his resignation or removal from office, or the election and qualification of his successor, whichever shall first occur.

 

4.4 Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

 

4.5 Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, for or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

4.6 Duties of Officers.

 

(a) Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

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(b) Chief Executive Officer. The powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer are: (a) to act as the general manager and chief executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation; (b) to preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors or if there is no Chairman of the Board of Directors, at all meetings of the Board of Directors; (c) to call meetings of the stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors to be held at such times and, subject to the limitations prescribed by law or by these Bylaws, at such places as he or she shall deem proper; and (d) to affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation, to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation.

 

(c) President. The powers and duties of the President are: (a) subject to the authority granted to the Chief Executive Officer, if any, to act as the general manager of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation; (b) to preside at all meetings of the stockholders and Board of Directors in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer or if there be no Chairman of the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer; and (c) to affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the President, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation, to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation, and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

(d) Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

(e) Chief Financial Officer. The powers and duties of the Chief Financial Officer are: (a) to supervise and control the keeping and maintaining of adequate and correct accounts of the Corporation’s properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, surplus and shares; (b) to have the custody of all funds, securities, evidences of indebtedness and other valuable documents of the Corporation and, at his or her discretion, to cause any or all thereof to be deposited for the account of the Corporation with such depository as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors; (c) to receive or cause to be received, and to give or cause to be given, receipts and acquittances for moneys paid in for the account of the Corporation; (d) to disburse, or cause to be disbursed, all funds of the Corporation as may be directed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; (e) to render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or to the Board of Directors, whenever either may require, accounts of all transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation; and (f) generally to do and perform all such duties as pertain to such office and as may be required by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. The Chief Financial Officer may direct the any Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

 

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(f) Secretary. The powers and duties of the Secretary are: (a) to keep a book of minutes at the principal executive office of the Corporation, or such other place as the Board of Directors may order, of all meetings of its directors and stockholders, whether regular or special, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at directors’ meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings and the proceedings thereof; (b) to keep the seal of the Corporation and to affix the same to all instruments which may require it; (c) to keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Corporation, or at the office of the transfer agent or agents, a record of the stockholders of the Corporation; (d) to keep a supply of certificates for shares of the Corporation, to fill in and sign all certificates issued or prepare the initial transaction statement or written statements for uncertificated shares, and to make a proper record of each such issuance, provided that so long as the Corporation shall have one or more duly appointed and acting transfer agents of the shares, or any class or series of shares, of the Corporation, such duties with respect to such shares shall be performed by such transfer agent or transfer agents; (e) to transfer upon the share books of the Corporation any and all shares of the Corporation, provided that so long as the Corporation shall have one or more duly appointed and acting transfer agents of the shares, or any class or series of shares, of the Corporation, such duties with respect to such shares shall be performed by such transfer agent or transfer agents; and (f) to make service and publication of all notices that may be necessary or proper and without command or direction from anyone. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer may direct any Assistant Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

 

4.7 Divisional and Other Officers Appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President. The Chief Executive Officer, or President if there is no Chief Executive Officer, shall have the power, in the exercise of his or her discretion, to appoint additional persons to hold positions and titles such as vice president of a division of the Corporation or president of a division of the Corporation, or similar such titles, as the business of the Corporation may require, subject to such limits in appointment power as the Board of Directors may determine. The Board of Directors shall be advised of any such appointment at a meeting of the Board of Directors, and the appointment shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting. The minutes shall clearly state that such persons are non-corporate officers appointed pursuant to this Section. Each such appointee shall have such title, shall serve in such capacity and shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Chief Executive Officer or President shall determine. Appointees may hold titles such as “president” of a division or other group within the Corporation, or “vice president” of a division or other group within the Corporation. However, any such appointee, absent specific election by the Board of Directors as an elected corporate officer, (a) shall not be considered an officer elected by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Article IV and shall not have the executive powers or authority of corporate officers elected pursuant to this Article IV and (b) shall be empowered to represent himself or herself to third parties as a divisional or group vice president or other title permitted, as applicable, only, and shall be empowered to execute documents, bind the Corporation or otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation only as authorized by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

4.8 Salaries. The salaries of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board, if so authorized by the Board.

 

4.9 Employment and Other Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers or agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name or on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. The Board of Directors may, when it believes the interest of the Corporation will best be served thereby, authorize executive employment contracts which will contain such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

ARTICLE V
SHARES OF STOCK

 

5.1 Form of Certificates. The Corporation may, but is not required to, deliver to each stockholder a certificate or certificates, in such form as may be determined by the Board of Directors, representing shares to which the stockholder is entitled. Such certificates shall be consecutively numbered and shall be registered on the books and records the Corporation or its transfer agent as they are issued. Each certificate shall state on the face thereof the holder’s name, the number, class of shares, and the par value of such shares or a statement that such shares are without par value.

 

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5.2 Shares without Certificates. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of uncertificated shares of some or all of the shares of any or all of its classes or series. The issuance of uncertificated shares has no effect on existing certificates for shares until surrendered to the Corporation, or on the respective rights and obligations of the stockholders. Unless otherwise provided by the Nevada Revised Statutes, the rights and obligations of stockholders are identical whether or not their shares of stock are represented by certificates. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send the stockholder a written statement containing the information required on the certificates pursuant to Section 5.1. At least annually thereafter, the Corporation shall provide to its stockholders of record, a written statement confirming the information contained in the informational statement previously sent pursuant to this Section.

 

5.3 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct that a new certificate be issued, or that uncertificated shares be issued, in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, may require the owner of such lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond, in such form, in such sum, and with such surety or sureties as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost or destroyed. When a certificate has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the holder of record fails to notify the Corporation within a reasonable time after he has notice of it, and the Corporation registers a transfer of the shares represented by the certificate before receiving such notification, the holder of record is precluded from making any claim against the Corporation for the transfer or a new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

5.4 Restrictions on Transfer. The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, or other disposal of or encumbering of any of the shares of stock of the Corporation or any right or interest therein, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, or by gift or otherwise of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the Nevada Revised Statutes. Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.

 

5.5 Right of First Refusal. No stockholder shall Transfer any of the shares of stock of the Corporation, except by a Transfer which meets the requirements set forth below:

 

(a) If a stockholder desires to sell or otherwise Transfer any of his shares of stock, then the stockholder shall first give written notice thereof to the Corporation. The notice shall name the proposed transferee and state the number of shares to be transferred, the proposed consideration, and all other terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer.

 

(b) For thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, the Corporation shall have the option to purchase the shares specified in the notice at the price and upon the terms set forth in such notice; provided, however, that, with the consent of the stockholder, the Corporation shall have the option to purchase a lesser portion of the shares specified in said notice at the price and upon the terms set forth therein. In the event of a gift, property settlement or other Transfer in which the proposed transferee is not paying the full price for the shares, and that is not otherwise exempted from the provisions of this Section, the price shall be deemed to be the fair market value of the stock at such time as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. In the event the Corporation elects to purchase all of the shares or, with consent of the stockholder, a lesser portion of the shares, it shall give written notice to the transferring stockholder of its election and settlement for said shares shall be made as provided below in paragraph (d) of this Section.

 

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(c) The Corporation may assign its rights hereunder.

 

(d) In the event the Corporation and/or its assignee(s) elect to acquire any of the shares of the transferring stockholder as specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice, the Secretary of the Corporation shall so notify the transferring stockholder and settlement thereof shall be made in cash within thirty (30) days after the Secretary of the Corporation receives said transferring stockholder’s notice; provided that if the terms of payment set forth in said transferring stockholder’s notice were other than cash against delivery, the Corporation and/or its assignee(s) shall pay for said shares on the same terms and conditions set forth in said transferring stockholder’s notice.

 

(e) In the event the Corporation and/or its assignees(s) do not elect to acquire all of the shares specified in the transferring stockholder’s notice, said transferring stockholder may, subject to the Corporation’s approval and all other restrictions on Transfer located in Section 5.4 of these Bylaws, within the sixty (60) day period following the expiration or waiver of the option rights granted to the Corporation and/or its assignees(s) herein, Transfer the shares specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice which were not acquired by the Corporation and/or its assignees(s) as specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice. All shares so sold by said transferring stockholder shall continue to be subject to the provisions of this bylaw in the same manner as before said Transfer.

 

(f) Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, the following transactions shall be exempt from the right of first refusal in paragraph (a) of this Section:

 

(i) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all shares held either during such stockholder’s lifetime or on death by will or intestacy to such stockholder’s immediate family or to any custodian or trustee for the account of such stockholder or such stockholder’s immediate family or to any limited partnership of which the stockholder, members of such stockholder’s immediate family or any trust for the account of such stockholder or such stockholder’s immediate family will be the general or limited partner(s) of such partnership. “Immediate family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant, father, mother, brother, or sister of the stockholder making such Transfer;

 

(ii) A stockholder’s bona fide pledge or mortgage of any shares with a commercial lending institution, provided that any subsequent Transfer of said shares by said institution shall be conducted in the manner set forth in this bylaw;

 

(iii) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to the Corporation or to any other stockholder of the Corporation;

 

(iv) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to a person who, at the time of such Transfer, is an officer or director of the Corporation;

 

(v) A corporate stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of its shares pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of any merger, consolidation, reclassification of shares or capital reorganization of the corporate stockholder, or pursuant to a sale of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of a corporate stockholder;

 

(vi) A corporate stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of its shares to any or all of its stockholders; or

 

(vii) A Transfer by a stockholder which is a limited or general partnership to any or all of its partners or former partners in accordance with partnership interests.

 

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In any such case, the transferee, assignee, or other recipient shall receive and hold such stock subject to the provisions of this Section and the transfer restrictions in Section 5.4, and there shall be no further Transfer of such stock except in accord with this Section and the transfer restrictions in Section 5.4.

 

(g) The provisions of this bylaw may be waived with respect to any Transfer either by the Corporation, upon duly authorized action of its Board of Directors, or by the stockholders, upon the express written consent of the owners of a majority of the voting power of the Corporation (excluding the votes represented by those shares to be transferred by the transferring stockholder). This bylaw may be amended or repealed either by a duly authorized action of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, upon the express written consent of the owners of a majority of the voting power of the Corporation.

 

(h) Any Transfer, or purported Transfer, of securities of the Corporation shall be null and void unless the terms, conditions, and provisions of this bylaw are strictly observed and followed.

 

(i) The foregoing right of first refusal shall terminate upon the date securities of the Corporation are first offered to the public pursuant to a registration statement or offering statement filed with, and declared effective or qualified by, as applicable, the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(j) The certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall bear on their face the following legend so long as the foregoing right of first refusal remains in effect:

 

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS

CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST

REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE

CORPORATION AND/OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S), AS

PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.”

 

(k) To the extent this Section conflicts with any written agreements between the Corporation and the stockholder attempting to Transfer shares, such agreement shall control.

 

5.6 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

 

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1 Directors and Executive Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article, “executive officers” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the Corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (a) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (b) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (c) such indemnification is provided by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law or (d) such indemnification is required to be made under Section 6.4.

 

6.2 Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The Corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except such executive officers to officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

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6.3 Expenses. The Corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or executive officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding, provided, however, that, if the Nevada Revised Statutes requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to Section 6.5, no advance shall be made by the Corporation to an executive officer of the Corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Corporation, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (a) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (b) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (c) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.

 

6.4 Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Article VI shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Article VI to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (a) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (b) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the Corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the Corporation) for advances, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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6.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Nevada Revised Statutes or any other applicable law.

 

6.6 Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

6.7 Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the Nevada Revised Statutes, or any other applicable law, the Corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Article VI.

 

6.8 Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Corporation.

 

6.9 Saving Clause. If this Article VI or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Article VI shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under applicable law.

 

6.10 Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Article VI, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a) The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

 

(b) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

 

(c) The term the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving Corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

(d) References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the Corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the Corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

(e) References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article.

 

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ARTICLE VII

NOTICES

 

7.1 Form of Notice. Whenever required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, notice is to be given to any director or stockholder, and no provision is made as to how such notice shall be given, such notice may be given in writing, by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such director or stockholder at such address as appears on the books and records of the Corporation or its transfer agent. A notice or other communication may also be delivered by electronic transmission if the electronic transmission contains or is accompanied by information from which the recipient can determine the date of the transmission. Unless otherwise agreed between sender and recipient, an electronic transmission is received when it enters an information processing system that the recipient has designated or uses for the purpose of receiving electronic transmissions or information of the type sent and it is in a form ordinarily capable of being processed by that system. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws or specific statute, any notice or other communication, if in a comprehensible form or manner, is effective at the earliest of the following: (a) if in a physical form, when it is left at the address of a director or stockholder as it appears upon the records of the Corporation, the residence or usual place of business of a director or stockholder or the stockholder’s principal place of business; (b) if mailed by United States mail postage prepaid and correctly addressed to a director or stockholder, upon deposit in the United States mail; or (c) if oral, when communicated.

 

7.2 Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation as required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated in such notice, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a stockholder or director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such stockholder or director attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

7.3 Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the Corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

 

7.4 Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

 

7.5 Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under the Nevada Revised Statutes, any notice given under the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the Corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

8.1 Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the Corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the Corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the Corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the Corporation. All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the Corporation or in special accounts of the Corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do. Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

8.2 Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the Corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 5.1 of these Bylaws), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the Corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the Corporation.

 

8.3 Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the Corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, or any Vice President.

 

8.4 Dividends. Dividends upon the outstanding shares of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be declared and paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes and the Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, such record date to be not more than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date of such dividend, or the Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books for such purpose for a period of not more than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date of such dividend. In the absence of any action by the Board of Directors, the date upon which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution declaring such dividend shall be the record date.

 

8.5 Reserves. There may be created by resolution of the Board of Directors out of the surplus of the Corporation such reserve or reserves as the directors from time to time, in their discretion, think proper to provide for contingencies, or to equalize dividends, or to repair or maintain any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think beneficial to the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. Surplus of the Corporation to the extent so reserved shall not be available for the payment of dividends or other distributions by the Corporation.

 

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8.6 Books and Records. The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and Board of Directors, and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record of its stockholders, giving the names and addresses of all stockholders and the number and class of the shares held by each.

 

8.7 Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the Corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Nevada.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

8.8 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

8.9 Interpretation and Construction. Reference in these Bylaws to any provision of the Nevada Revised Statutes shall be deemed to include all amendments thereof. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the Nevada Revised Statutes shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person. All restrictions, limitations, requirements and other provisions of these Bylaws shall be construed, insofar as possible, as supplemental and additional to all provisions of law applicable to the subject matter thereof and shall be fully complied with in addition to the said provisions of law unless such compliance shall be illegal. Any article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause or phrase of these Bylaws which, upon being construed in the manner provided in this Section 8.9, shall be contrary to or inconsistent with any applicable provision of law, shall not apply so long as said provisions of law shall remain in effect, but such result shall not affect the validity or applicability of any other portions of these Bylaws, it being hereby declared that these Bylaws, and each article, section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, would have been adopted irrespective of the fact that any one or more articles, sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses or phrases is or are illegal.

 

8.10 Amendment. The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to amend, modify or repeal these Bylaws, or adopt any new provision.

 

* * *

 

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CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

 

OF

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing Bylaws were adopted as the Corporation’s bylaws as of the date hereof by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

The undersigned has executed this Certificate as of January 26, 2023

 

/s/ Sean Dollinger
 Sean Dollinger
 Chief Executive Officer, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.

 

AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREUNDER IS SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL RISKS AS LQR HOUSE INC. IS NOT A REPORTING ISSUER OR THE EQUIVALENT IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY OF CANADA, THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION AND ITS SECURITIES ARE NOT CURRENTLY LISTED ON ANY STOCK EXCHANGE OR MARKET.

 

THE SUBSCRIBER’S ABILITY TO TRANSFER THE SECURITIES IS ALSO LIMITED BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

LQR House Inc.

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT FOR COMMON STOCK
(For Canadian, United States and Non-Canadian/Non-United States Subscribers)

 

 

HAVE YOU COMPLETED THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT PROPERLY?

 

The following items in this Subscription Agreement must be completed.
(Please initial each box.)

 

All Subscribers

 

    All Subscriber information in the boxes on pages 1 and 2.
     
    Sign the execution page of this Subscription Agreement on page 1.
     
    Canadian Subscribers: Subscribers who are “Accredited Investors” under Section 2.3 of NI 45-106 must complete Schedule “B”, indicate which category is applicable and sign on page B-6.
     
    Subscribers relying on categories (j), (k) or (l) of the Accredited Investor exemption must complete Exhibit “I” to Schedule “B” and sign on page B-8.
     
    Non-Canadian/Non-United States Subscribers: must complete Schedule “C” and sign on page C-2
     
    United States Subscribers: must complete Schedule “D” and sign on page D-3

 

 

 

 

 

Return this executed Subscription Agreement and all applicable Schedules as follows:

 

Return by:

 

Friday January 28, 2021

 

Return to:

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Attention: Darren Collins, CFO
Email:
darrengeorgecollins@gmail.com

 

Please ensure you also provide payment for the aggregate Subscription Amount in the manner provided for herein.

 

 

 

 

LQR HOUSE Inc.

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT FOR COMMON STOCK
(For Canadian, United States and Non-Canadian/Non-United States Subscribers)

 

TO:LQR HOUSE Inc. (THE “CORPORATION”)

 

The undersigned, on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of a Disclosed Principal (as defined herein) for whom it is acting hereunder (the “Subscriber”), hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Corporation that number of shares of common stock of the Corporation (the “Offered Securities”) set out below at a price of US$0.25 per Offered Security (the “Subscription Price”). The Subscriber agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the attached “Terms and Conditions of Subscription for Offered Securities” including without limitation the terms, representations, warranties, covenants, certifications and acknowledgements set forth in the applicable Schedules attached thereto. The Subscriber further agrees, without limitation, that the Corporation may rely upon the Subscriber’s representations, warranties, covenants, certifications and acknowledgments contained in such documents.

  

SUBSCRIPTION AND SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION

 

Please print all information (other than signatures), as applicable, in the space provided below

 

Subscriber Information and Signature    
     
     
(Name of Subscriber)    
    Number of Offered Securities:       x US$0.25    
     =
Account Reference (if applicable):________________________________    
     
By:  _____________________________________    
        Authorized Signature   Aggregate Subscription Amount:_____________________
     
     
   
    If the Subscriber is signing as agent for a disclosed principal (a “Disclosed Principal”), complete the following:
(Official Capacity or Title – if the Subscriber is not an individual)    
     
     
(Name of individual whose signature appears above if different than the name of the Subscriber printed above.)   (Name of Disclosed Principal)
     
     
(Subscriber’s Full Residential Address, including Country)   (Residential Address of Disclosed Principal)
     
     
    (Telephone Number of Disclosed Principal)
     
     
(Subscriber’s Telephone Number)        (Email Address)   (Account Reference, if applicable)

 

- 1 -

 

 

It is anticipated that the issue of the Offered Securities will not be evidenced by way of definitive certificates. The Corporation will keep a ledger of securityholders. The Subscriber hereby provides the Corporation the following instructions in connection with the settlement of the Offered Securities being purchased hereunder and hereby directs the Corporation to issue, register and deliver the Offered Securities as follows.

 

  Account Registration Information:       Number and kind of securities of the Corporation  
          held, directly or indirectly, or over which control or  
          direction is exercised by the Subscriber, if any:  
  (Name)          
             
  (Account Reference, if applicable)          
             
             
             
             
  (Address, including Postal/Zip Code)          

 

- 2 -

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUBSCRIPTION FOR OFFERED SECURITIES

 

ARTICLE 1 - INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions

 

(a) Whenever used in this Subscription Agreement, unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them as follows:

 

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which the banks located in New York, New York are not open for business.

 

Canadian Accredited Investor Status Certificate” means the accredited investor status certificate attached hereto as Schedule “B”.

 

Closing” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1.

 

Closing Time” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1.

 

Commission” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 8.1.

 

Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation.

 

Corporation” means LQR House Inc., a Delaware corporation, and includes any successor corporation to or of the Corporation.

 

Disclosed Principal” has the meaning ascribed to such term on page 2 of this Subscription Agreement.

 

including” means without limitation.

 

NI 45-106” means National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

 

Offered Securities” has the meaning ascribed to such term on the face page of this Subscription Agreement.

 

Offering” means the offering of Offered Securities for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000, to be issued and sold by the Corporation pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

 

Person” includes any individual (whether acting as an executor, trustee administrator, legal representative or otherwise), corporation, firm, partnership, sole proprietorship, syndicate, joint venture, trustee, trust, unincorporated organization or association, and pronouns have a similar extended meaning.

 

Regulation S” means Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

 

Securities Laws” means all applicable securities legislation in the United States, including without limitation, the U.S. Securities Act, the U.S. Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including the rules and policies of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable state securities laws.

 

Share” means a share of Common Stock of the Corporation.

 

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Shareholder” means a holder of one or more Shares of the Corporation.

 

Subscriber” means the subscriber for the Offered Securities as set out on page 1 of this Subscription Agreement and includes, as applicable, each Disclosed Principal for whom it is acting as agent.

 

Subscription Agreement” means this subscription agreement (including any Schedules hereto) and any instrument amending this Subscription Agreement; “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereunder”, “herein” and similar expressions mean and refer to this Subscription Agreement and not to a particular Article or Section; and the expression “Article” or “Section” followed by a number means and refers to the specified Article or Section of this Subscription Agreement.

 

Subscription Amount” has the meaning ascribed to such term on page 1 of this Subscription Agreement.

 

Term Sheet” means the term sheet in respect of the Offering, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “A”.

 

United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia.

 

U.S. Accredited Investor” means an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act.

 

U.S. Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

 

U.S. Person” means a “U.S. person” within the meaning of Rule 902(k) of Regulation S.

 

U.S. Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

1.2 Gender and Number

 

Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and words importing persons shall include firms and corporations and vice versa.

 

1.3 Currency

 

Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts in this Subscription Agreement and the Schedules, including the symbol “US$”, are expressed in United States dollars.

 

1.4 Subdivisions and Headings

 

The division of this Subscription Agreement into Articles, Sections, Schedules and other subdivisions and the inclusion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Subscription Agreement. The headings in this Subscription Agreement are not intended to be full or precise descriptions of the text to which they refer. Unless something in the subject matter or context is inconsistent therewith, references herein to an Article, Section, Subsection, paragraph, clause or Schedule are to the applicable article, section, subsection, paragraph, clause or schedule of this Subscription Agreement.

 

- 4 -

 

 

ARTICLE 2 - SCHEDULES

 

2.1 Description of Schedules

 

The following are the Schedules and Appendices attached to and incorporated in this Subscription Agreement by reference and deemed to be a part hereof:

 

Schedule “A” - Term Sheet
Schedule “B” - Canadian Accredited Investor Status Certificate
Schedule “C” - Non-Canadian/Non-United States Purchaser Certificate
Schedule “D” - U.S. Accredited Investor Certificate

 

ARTICLE 3- SUBSCRIPTION AND DESCRIPTION OF OFFERED SECURITIES AND
SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

 

3.1 Subscription for the Offered Securities

 

The Subscriber hereby confirms its irrevocable subscription for and offer to purchase from the Corporation that number of Offered Securities indicated on page 1 of this Subscription Agreement, on and subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Subscription Agreement, for the Subscription Amount which is payable as described in Section 4.2 hereof.

 

3.2 Acceptance and Rejection of Subscription by the Corporation

 

The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to reject this subscription for Offered Securities, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Closing Time. If this subscription is rejected in whole, any payment delivered by the Subscriber representing the Subscription Amount pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, will be promptly returned to the Subscriber without interest or deduction. If this subscription is accepted only in part, a cheque representing any refund of the Subscription Amount for that portion of the subscription for the Offered Securities which is not accepted will be promptly returned to the Subscriber without interest or deduction.

 

ARTICLE 4 - CLOSING

 

4.1 Closing

 

Closing will be completed (the “Closing”) at the offices of the Corporation’s counsel, Nauth LPC, in Toronto, Ontario at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) (the “Closing Time”) on or about January 29, 2021, or such other place or date or time as the Corporation may determine in its sole discretion (the “Closing Date”). If on or prior to the Closing Time, the terms and conditions contained in this Subscription Agreement have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Corporation, or waived by the Corporation, the Corporation shall enter the Subscriber on to the stock ledger of the Corporation as a Shareholder.

  

If, prior to the Closing Time, the terms and conditions contained in this Subscription Agreement have not been complied with to the satisfaction of the Corporation, or waived by the Corporation, the Corporation and the Subscriber will have no further obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

4.2 Conditions of Closing

 

The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation is relying on the truth of the representations and warranties of the Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the date of this Subscription Agreement, and as of the Closing Time as if made at and as of the Closing Time, and the fulfillment of the following additional conditions prior to the Closing Time:

 

(a)on or before January 28, 2021:

  

(i)the Subscriber having made payment arrangements for the aggregate Subscription Amount in a manner acceptable to the Corporation or via wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Corporation;

 

- 5 -

 

 

(ii)the Subscriber having delivered a properly completed and signed Subscription Agreement (including all applicable Schedules hereto) to:

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Attention:Darren Collins, CFO
 Email:darrengeorgecollins@gmail.com

 

(iii)if the Subscriber is a Canadian Subscriber, having properly completed, signed and delivered (A) Schedule “B” (the Accredited Investor Status Certificate), and (B) Exhibit “I” to Schedule “B” if subscribing under categories (j), (k) or (l) of the Accredited Investor Status Certificate; or

 

(iv)if the Subscriber is not in the United States or Canada and not purchasing for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person, having properly completed, signed and delivered Schedule “C” (the Non-Canadian/Non-United States Purchaser Certificate); or

 

(v)if the Subscriber is in the United States, having properly completed, signed and delivered Schedule “D” (the U.S. Accredited Investor Certificate)

 

(b)the Subscriber having executed and returned to the Corporation, at the Corporation’s request, all other documents as may be required by the Securities Laws for delivery to the Corporation on behalf of the Subscriber;

 

(c)the issue and sale of the Offered Securities being exempt from the requirement to file a prospectus or registration statement and the requirement to deliver an offering memorandum under applicable Securities Laws relating to the offer and sale of the Offered Securities, or the Corporation having received such orders, consents or approvals as may be required to permit such sale without the requirement to file a prospectus or registration statement or deliver an offering memorandum; and

 

(d)the Corporation having obtained all necessary approvals and consents in respect of the Offering.

 

4.3 Authorization of the Corporation

 

The Subscriber irrevocably authorizes the Corporation, in its discretion, to act as the Subscriber’s representative at the Closing, and hereby appoints the Corporation, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney with full power and authority in the Subscriber’s place and stead:

 

(a)to execute in the Subscriber’s name and on its behalf all closing receipts and required documents, to complete and correct any errors or omissions in any form or document provided by the Subscriber, including this Subscription Agreement and the Schedules hereto, in connection with the subscription for the Offered Securities; and

 

(b)to extend such time periods and to waive, in whole or in part, any representations, warranties, covenants, conditions or other terms for the Subscriber’s benefit contained in this Subscription Agreement.

 

This power of attorney is irrevocable, is coupled with an interest and has been given for valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are acknowledged by the Subscriber. This power of attorney extends to the heirs, executors, administrators, other legal representatives and successors, transferees and assigns of the Subscriber. Any person dealing with the Corporation may conclusively presume and rely upon the fact that any document, instrument or agreement executed by the Corporation pursuant to this power of attorney is authorized and binding on the Subscriber, without further inquiry. The Subscriber agrees to be bound by any representations or actions made or taken by the Corporation pursuant to this power of attorney, and waives any and all defences that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the Corporation taken in good faith under this power of attorney relating to the Offering.

 

- 6 -

 

 

ARTICLE 5 - REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE SUBSCRIBER

 

5.1 Acknowledgements, Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Subscriber

 

The Subscriber, on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of a Disclosed Principal for whom it is acting hereunder, hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Corporation as follows and acknowledges that the Corporation is relying on such acknowledgements, representations, warranties and covenants in connection with the transactions contemplated herein:

 

(a)The Subscriber confirms that it:

 

(i)has such knowledge in financial and business affairs as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Offered Securities, including the potential loss of its entire investment;

 

(ii)is aware of the characteristics of the Offered Securities and understands the risks relating to an investment therein; and

 

(iii)is able to bear the economic risk of loss of its investment in the Offered Securities.

 

(b)The Subscriber is resident, or if not an individual has its head office in, the jurisdiction set out on page 1 of this Subscription Agreement and intends that the securities laws of that jurisdiction govern the Subscriber’s subscription. Such address was not created and is not used solely for the purpose of acquiring the Offered Securities and the Subscriber was solicited to purchase in only such jurisdiction.

 

(c)If the Subscriber is in Canada, it is a Canadian “accredited investor” under NI 45-106 and has properly completed, executed and delivered to the Corporation this Subscription Agreement and Schedule “B” (the Canadian Accredited Investor Status Certificate), and the Exhibit thereto, as applicable, and the acknowledgements, representations, warranties, covenants and information contained herein and therein are true and correct as of the date hereof and will be true and correct as of the Closing Time and if less than a complete copy of this Subscription Agreement is delivered to the Corporation, the Corporation and its respective advisors are entitled to assume that the Subscriber accepts and agrees to all the terms and conditions of the pages not delivered, unaltered.

 

(d)If the Subscriber is not in Canada or the United States and is not purchasing for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person, it has properly completed, executed and delivered to the Corporation this Subscription Agreement and Schedule “C” (the Non-Canadian/Non-United States Purchaser Certificate), and the acknowledgements, representations, warranties, covenants and information contained herein and therein are true and correct as of the date hereof and will be true and correct as of the Closing Time and if less than a complete copy of this Subscription Agreement is delivered to the Corporation, the Corporation and its respective advisors are entitled to assume that the Subscriber accepts and agrees to all the terms and conditions of the pages not delivered, unaltered.

 

(e)If the Subscriber is in the United States it has properly completed, executed and delivered to the Corporation this Subscription Agreement and Schedule “D” (the U.S. Accredited Investor Certificate), and the acknowledgements, representations, warranties, covenants and information contained herein and therein are true and correct as of the date hereof and will be true and correct as of the Closing Time and if less than a complete copy of this Subscription Agreement is delivered to the Corporation, the Corporation and its respective advisors are entitled to assume that the Subscriber accepts and agrees to all the terms and conditions of the pages not delivered, unaltered

 

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(f)The Subscriber is aware that the Offered Securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or the securities laws of any state and that the Offered Securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an exemption therefrom and it acknowledges that the Corporation has no obligation to file a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act or applicable state securities laws in respect of such securities; accordingly, the Offered Securities are (or will be when issued) “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) of the U.S. Securities Act.

 

(g)If the Subscriber is a Canadian or non-Canadian/non-United States Subscriber, the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i)it is not in the United States and is not acquiring the Offered Securities for the account or benefit of a Person in the United States;

 

(ii)the Offered Securities have not been offered to the Subscriber in the United States, and the individuals making the order to purchase the Offered Securities and executing and delivering this Subscription Agreement on behalf of the Subscriber were not in the United States when the order was placed and this Subscription Agreement was executed and delivered;

 

(iii)the Subscriber is not purchasing the Offered Securities as the result of any “directed selling efforts” (as defined in Rule 902(c) of Regulation S, and including any press releases made by the Corporation relating to the proposed Offering or any report, notification or summary of the same) made in the United States by the Corporation, a distributor, any of their respective affiliates, or any person acting on behalf of any of the foregoing;

 

(iv)the current structure of this transaction and all transactions and activities contemplated hereunder is not a scheme to avoid the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws;

 

(v)the Subscriber has no intention to distribute either directly or indirectly any of the Offered Securities in the United States, except in compliance with the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws; and

 

(vi)the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Offered Securities will be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the U.S. Securities Act and will remain “restricted securities” notwithstanding any resale within or outside the United States unless the sale is completed pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, including in accordance with Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act (“Rule 144”), if available; the Subscriber acknowledges that the Offered Securities will be subject to a minimum hold period of at least one year under Rule 144 from the date of issuance; the Subscriber acknowledges that it has been advised to obtain independent legal and professional advice on the requirements of Rule 144, and that the Subscriber has been advised that resales of the Offered Securities may be made only under certain circumstances; the Subscriber understands that to the extent that Rule 144 is not available, the Subscriber may be unable to sell any Offered Securities without either registration under the U.S. Securities Act or the availability of another exemption or exclusion from such registration requirements, and in all cases pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities laws of any applicable state of the United States.

 

- 8 -

 

 

(h)The Subscriber undertakes and agrees that it will not offer or sell any of the Offered Securities in the United States unless such securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act and the securities laws of all applicable states of the United States, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

 

(i)The execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement, the performance and compliance with the terms hereof, the subscription for the Offered Securities and the completion of the transactions described herein by the Subscriber will not result in any material breach of, or be in conflict with or constitute a material default under, or create a state of facts which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material default under any term or provision of the constating documents, by-laws or resolutions of the Subscriber, if applicable, the Securities Laws or any other laws applicable to the Subscriber, any agreement to which the Subscriber is a party, or any judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Subscriber.

 

(j)The Subscriber is subscribing for the Offered Securities as principal for its own account and not for the benefit of any other Person (within the meaning of applicable Securities Laws) or if it is not subscribing as principal it is acting as agent for a Disclosed Principal (whose identity is disclosed on page 2 of this Subscription Agreement) who is purchasing as principal for its own account and not for the benefit of any other Person.

 

(k)If the Subscriber is contracting hereunder as agent for a fully managed account (including for greater certainty, a portfolio manager or comparable advisor) or as an agent for a Disclosed Principal, the Subscriber is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement and all other necessary documentation in connection with such subscription and if the Subscriber is acting as agent for a Disclosed Principal who is subscribing as principal for its own account and not for the benefit of any other Person, this Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of such Disclosed Principal and the Subscriber acknowledges that the Corporation and/or Agent may be required by law to disclose to certain regulatory authorities the identity of such Disclosed Principal for whom it is acting.

 

(l)In the case of a subscription for the Offered Securities by the Subscriber acting as principal, this Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Subscriber. This Subscription Agreement is enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Subscriber.

 

(m)If the Subscriber is:

 

(i)a corporation, the Subscriber is duly incorporated and is validly subsisting under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all requisite legal and corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, to subscribe for the Offered Securities as contemplated herein and to carry out and perform its covenants and obligations under the terms of this Subscription Agreement and has obtained all necessary approvals in respect thereof, and the individual signing this Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement;

 

(ii)a partnership, limited liability company or other form of unincorporated organization, the Subscriber has the necessary legal capacity and authority to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement, to subscribe for the Offered Securities as contemplated herein and to observe and perform its covenants and obligations hereunder and has obtained all necessary approvals in respect thereof and the individual signing this Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement; or

 

- 9 -

 

 

(iii)an individual, the Subscriber is of the full age of majority in his or her jurisdiction of residence and is legally competent to execute, deliver and be bound by the terms of this Subscription Agreement, to subscribe for the Offered Securities contemplated herein and to observe and perform his or her covenants and obligations hereunder.

 

(n)There is no Person acting or purporting to act in connection with the transactions contemplated herein who is entitled to any brokerage or finder’s fee.

 

(o)The Subscriber is not acting jointly or in concert with any other subscriber in connection with the Offering for the purpose of the acquisition of the Offered Securities.

 

(p)If required by applicable Securities Laws, the Subscriber will execute, deliver and file or assist the Corporation in filing such reports, undertakings and other documents with respect to the issue of the Offered Securities as may be required by any securities commission, stock exchange or other regulatory authority.

 

(q)The Subscriber has been advised to consult its own legal advisors with respect to the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, including trading in the Offered Securities, and with respect to the hold periods imposed by the Securities Laws and other applicable securities laws, and acknowledges that no representation has been made by the Corporation respecting the applicable hold periods imposed by the Securities Laws or other resale restrictions applicable to such securities which restrict the ability of the Subscriber to resell such securities, that the Subscriber is solely responsible to find out what these restrictions are, that the Subscriber is solely responsible for compliance with applicable resale restrictions and that the Subscriber is aware that it may not resell such securities except in accordance with limited exemptions under the Securities Laws and other applicable securities laws.

 

(r)The Subscriber further acknowledges that its ability to transfer the Offered Securities is restricted and may only be made in accordance with applicable Securities Laws and the terms and conditions of this Subscription Agreement.

 

(s)The Subscriber has not received or been provided with a registration statement or prospectus. The Subscriber has not received or been provided with an offering memorandum or any sales or advertising literature in connection with the Offering or any document purporting to describe the business and affairs of the Corporation which has been prepared for review by prospective purchasers to assist in making an investment decision in respect of the Offered Securities and the Subscriber’s decision to subscribe for the Offered Securities was not based upon, and the Subscriber has not relied upon, any oral or written representations as to facts made by or on behalf of the Corporation, or any employee, agent or affiliate thereof or any other person associated therewith, except as set forth herein. The Subscriber’s decision to subscribe for the Offered Securities was based solely upon this Subscription Agreement (including the Term Sheet) and any information about the Corporation which is publicly available (any such information having been obtained by the Subscriber without independent investigation or verification by the Corporation).

 

(t)The undersigned confirms that the Corporation has not (i) given any guarantee or representation as to the potential success, return, effect or benefit (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of an investment in the Offered Securities or (ii) made any representation to the undersigned regarding the legality of an investment in the Offered Securities under applicable legal investment or similar laws or regulations. In deciding to purchase the Offered Securities, the undersigned is not relying on the advice or recommendation of the Corporation and the undersigned has made its own independent decision that the investment in the Offered Securities is suitable and appropriate for the undersigned.

 

- 10 -

 

 

(u)Neither the Corporation nor any of its directors, employees, officers, affiliates or agents has made any written or oral representations:

 

(i)that any Person will resell or repurchase the Offered Securities;

 

(ii)that any Person will refund all or any part of the Subscription Amount; or

 

(iii)as to the future price or value of the Offered Securities.

 

(v)The subscription for the Offered Securities has not been made through or as a result of, and the distribution of the Offered Securities is not being accompanied by, any advertisement, including without limitation in printed public media, radio, television or telecommunications, including electronic display, or as part of a general solicitation.

 

(w)The funds representing the Subscription Amount which will be advanced by the Subscriber to the Corporation hereunder will not represent proceeds of crime for the purposes of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (the “PATRIOT Act”), and the Subscriber acknowledges that the Corporation may in the future be required by law to disclose the Subscriber’s name and other information relating to this Subscription Agreement and the Subscriber’s subscription hereunder, on a confidential basis, pursuant to the PATRIOT Act. To the best of its knowledge (i) none of the subscription funds to be provided by the Subscriber (A) have been or will be derived from or related to any activity that is deemed criminal under the laws of the United States, or any other jurisdiction, or (B) are being tendered on behalf of a Person or entity who has not been identified to the Subscriber, and (ii) the Subscriber shall promptly notify the Corporation if the Subscriber discovers that any of such representations ceases to be true, and to provide the Corporation with appropriate information in connection therewith.

 

5.2 Acknowledgments and Covenants of the Subscriber

 

The Subscriber acknowledges, covenants and agrees as follows:

 

(a)It (i) has received and reviewed a copy of the Term Sheet setting out the principal terms of the Offering, and (ii) has had the opportunity to ask and have answered any and all questions which the Subscriber wished to have answered with respect to the subscription for the Offered Securities made hereunder and the Offering.

 

(b)The offer of the Offered Securities does not constitute a recommendation to purchase the Offered Securities or financial product advice and the Subscriber acknowledges that the Corporation has not had regard to the Subscriber’s particular objectives, financial situation or needs.

 

(c)There are risks associated with the purchase of the Offered Securities and no securities commission, agency, governmental authority, regulatory body, stock exchange or similar regulatory authority has reviewed or passed on the merits of the Offered Securities nor have any such agencies or authorities made any recommendations or endorsement with respect to the foregoing.

 

(d)There is no government or other insurance covering the Offered Securities.

 

(e)The Corporation is not now a “reporting issuer” under the securities laws of any jurisdiction, the Corporation has no obligation to become a reporting issuer and there is no guarantee that it will become a reporting issuer in the future. The Subscriber further acknowledges that as a result of the Corporation not being a reporting issuer the Offered Securities will potentially be subject to an indefinite “restricted period” under applicable Securities Laws and the Subscriber covenants that it will not resell the Offered Securities except in compliance with such laws and the Subscriber acknowledges that it is solely responsible (and the Corporation is not in any way responsible) for such compliance.

 

- 11 -

 

 

(f)The certificates representing the Offered Securities shall have attached to them, legends setting out resale restrictions under applicable securities laws substantially in the following form (and with the necessary information inserted):

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.

 

(g)The Corporation is a private company and does not have any of its securities listed on a stock exchange, and there is no assurance that any of its securities will ever become publicly listed.

 

(h)There is no market for the Offered Securities and there is no assurance that a market will ever develop.

 

(i)The Corporation is relying on an exemption from the requirement to provide the Subscriber with a prospectus under the Securities Laws and, as a consequence of acquiring the Offered Securities pursuant to such exemption:

 

(i)certain protections, rights and remedies provided by the Securities Laws, including statutory rights of rescission, or damages and certain statutory remedies against an issuer, underwriters, auditors, directors and officers that are available to investors who acquire securities offered by a prospectus, will not be available to the Subscriber,

 

(ii)the common law may not provide investors with an adequate remedy in the event that they suffer investment losses in connection with securities acquired in a private placement,

 

(iii)the Subscriber may not receive information that would otherwise be required to be given under the Securities Laws, and

 

(iv)the Corporation is relieved from certain obligations that would otherwise apply under the Securities Laws.

 

(j)The Agent and/or its respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives assume no responsibility or liability of any nature whatsoever for the accuracy or adequacy of any such publicly available information concerning the Corporation or as to whether all information concerning the Corporation that may be relevant to the Subscriber has been so disclosed.

 

(k)The offer, issuance, sale and delivery of the Offered Securities is conditional upon such sale being exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements and the requirement to deliver an offering memorandum in connection with the distribution of the Offered Securities under the securities laws in which the Subscriber resides or upon the issuance of such orders, consents or approvals as may be required to permit such sale without the requirement of filing a prospectus or registration statement.

 

- 12 -

 

 

(l)The Offered Securities subscribed for by the Subscriber hereunder form part of the issuance and sale of Offered Securities by the Corporation at the Subscription Price for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000. The Subscriber further acknowledges that the Corporation may increase the size of the Offering and/or offer or sell additional securities concurrently therewith without notice to the Subscriber, which may have a dilutive effect on current shareholders or securityholders of the Corporation, including the Subscriber.

 

(m)The Corporation may complete additional financings in the future and such future financings may have a dilutive effect on current shareholders or securityholders of the Corporation, including the Subscriber. However, there is no assurance that any future financings will be available, on reasonable terms or at all, and if not so available, could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, performance or prospects.

 

(n)There may be material tax consequences to the Subscriber of an acquisition or disposition of the Offered Securities, including tax reporting requirements, and the Corporation does not give any opinion or make any representation with respect to the tax consequences to the Subscriber under United States federal, state or local, Canadian federal, provincial or local or other foreign tax law with respect to the foregoing.

 

(o)It is responsible for obtaining such legal and tax advice as it considers appropriate in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated under this Subscription Agreement.

 

(p)Legal counsel retained by the Corporation is acting as counsel to the Corporation and not as counsel to the Subscriber.

 

(q)This offer to subscribe is made for valuable consideration and may not be withdrawn, cancelled, terminated or revoked by the Subscriber without the consent of the Corporation.

 

(r)It acknowledges that this Subscription Agreement and the exhibits and Schedules hereto require the Subscriber to provide certain personal information to the Corporation. Such information is being collected by the Corporation for the purposes of completing the Offering, which includes, without limitation, determining the Subscriber’s eligibility to purchase the Offered Securities under the Securities Laws and other applicable securities laws and completing filings required by any securities regulatory authority. The Subscriber’s personal information may be disclosed by the Corporation to: (i) stock exchanges or securities regulatory authorities, (ii) the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authorities, and (iii) any of the other parties involved in the Offering, including legal counsel to the Corporation, and may be included in record books in connection with the Offering. By executing this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber is deemed to be consenting to the foregoing collection, use and disclosure of the Subscriber’s personal information. The Subscriber also consents to the filing of copies or originals of any of the Subscriber’s documents described herein as may be required to be filed with any stock exchange or securities regulatory authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Subscriber represents and warrants that it has the authority to provide the consents and acknowledgements set out in this paragraph on behalf of each Disclosed Principal, as applicable.

 

(s)It understands and acknowledges that the Corporation has no obligation or present intention of filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or with any state securities administrator any registration statement in respect of resales of any of the Offered Securities in the United States.

 

(t)It consents to the Corporation making a notation on its records or giving instruction to the registrar and transfer agent of the Corporation, if any, in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth and described herein.

 

- 13 -

 

 

(u)It (and any Disclosed Principal) understands and acknowledges that (i) if the Corporation is deemed to have been at any time previously an issuer with no or nominal operations and no or nominal assets other than cash and cash equivalents, Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act may not be available for resale of the Offered Securities, and (ii) the Corporation is not obligated to make Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act available for resales of the Offered Securities.

 

(v)No agency, governmental authority, regulatory body, stock exchange or other entity (including, without limitation, the SEC or any state securities commission) has made any finding or determination as to the merit of investment in, nor have any such agencies or governmental authorities made any recommendation or endorsement with respect, to the Offered Securities).

 

5.3 Reliance on Representations, Warranties, Covenants and Acknowledgements

 

The Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgements made by the Subscriber in this Subscription Agreement are made with the intention that they may be relied upon by the Corporation and its legal counsel in determining the Subscriber’s eligibility (and if applicable, the eligibility of the Disclosed Principal) to purchase the Offered Securities. The Subscriber further agrees that by accepting the Offered Securities, the Subscriber shall be representing and warranting that such representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgements are true as at the Closing Time with the same force and effect as if they had been made by the Subscriber at the Closing Time.

 

ARTICLE 6 - SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

 

6.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Subscriber

 

The representations, warranties and covenants of the Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the Corporation for a period of two years following the Closing, in each case notwithstanding such Closing or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Corporation with respect thereto and notwithstanding any subsequent disposition by the Subscriber of any of the Offered Securities.

 

ARTICLE 7 - MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1 Further Assurances

 

Each of the parties hereto upon the request of each of the other parties hereto, whether before or after the Closing Time, shall do, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further acts, deeds, documents, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of attorney and assurances as may reasonably be necessary or desirable to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

 

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7.2 Notices

 

(a)Any notice, direction or other instrument required or permitted to be given to any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally, or transmitted electronically tested prior to transmission to such party, as follows:

 

(i)in the case of the Corporation, to:

 

c/o Nauth LPC

LQR House Inc.

217 Queen Street West, Suite 401

Toronto, Ontario M5V 0R2

Attention:Darren Collins, CFO
 Email:darrengeorgecollins@gmail.com

 

(ii)in the case of the Subscriber, at the address specified on the face page hereof.

 

(b)Any such notice, direction or other instrument, if delivered personally, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day on which it was delivered, provided that if such day is not a Business Day then the notice, direction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been given and received on the first Business Day next following such day and if transmitted electronically, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day of its transmission, provided that if such day is not a Business Day or if it is transmitted or received after the end of normal business hours then the notice, direction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been given and received on the first Business Day next following the day of such transmission.

 

(c)Any party hereto may change its address for service from time to time by notice given to each of the other parties hereto in accordance with the foregoing provisions.

 

7.3 Time of the Essence

 

Time shall be of the essence of this Subscription Agreement and every part hereof.

 

7.4 Applicable Law

 

This Subscription Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware. Any and all disputes arising under this Subscription Agreement, whether as to interpretation, performance or otherwise, shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware.

  

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7.5 Entire Agreement

 

Except as contemplated hereby with respect to the Agency Agreement, this Subscription Agreement, including the Schedules hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and cancels and supersedes any prior understandings, agreements, negotiations and discussions between the parties. There are no representations, warranties, terms, conditions, undertakings or collateral agreements or understandings, express or implied, between the parties hereto other than those expressly set forth in this Subscription Agreement or in any such agreement, certificate, affidavit, statutory declaration or other document as aforesaid. This Subscription Agreement may not be amended or modified in any respect except by written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

7.6 Counterparts

 

This Subscription Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same Subscription Agreement. Counterparts may be delivered either in original, PDF or faxed form and the parties adopt any signatures received by PDF or a receiving fax machine as original signatures of the parties. If less than a complete copy of this Subscription Agreement is delivered to the Corporation or the Agent, the Corporation, the Agent and their respective advisors are entitled to assume that the Subscriber accepts and agrees to all the terms and conditions of the pages not delivered, unaltered.

 

7.7 Assignment

 

This Subscription Agreement may not be assigned by either party except with the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

 

7.8 Enurement

 

This Subscription Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, successors (including any successor by reason of the amalgamation or merger of any party), administrators and permitted assigns.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

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The Corporation hereby accepts the subscription for Offered Securities as set forth on the face page of this Subscription Agreement on the terms and conditions contained in this Subscription Agreement (including all applicable Schedules) this ____ day of ____________, 2021.

 

  LQR HOUSE Inc.
     
  Per:  
    Authorized Signatory

 

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SCHEDULE “A”

 

TERM SHEET

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

Best Efforts Private Placement of Common Stock

 

Issuer: LQR House Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company).
   
Issue: Shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”).
   
Issue Price: US$0.025 per share of Common Stock (the “Issue Price”).
   
Issue Size: Up to US$2,000,000.
   
Use of Proceeds: The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
   
Offering Jurisdictions: Private placement to (i) in the United States to “accredited investors” under United States securities laws pursuant to available exemptions from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act), (ii) Canadian “accredited investors” and other exempt purchasers in all provinces of Canada as agreed upon, and (iii) offshore investors in an “offshore transaction” (as that term is defined in Rule 902(h) of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) outside of Canada and the United States pursuant to relevant prospectus or registration exemptions in accordance with applicable laws (collectively (i) and (ii), the “Non-U.S. Subscribers”).  
   
Hold Period: The Company is currently a private company and there is currently no market through which its securities may be sold and holders may not be able to resell securities purchased under this Issue.  
   
Closing Date:

On or about January 29, 2021.

 

A-1

 

 

SCHEDULE “B”

 

Accredited Investor Status CERTIFICATE

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL CANADIAN SUBSCRIBERS.

 

The categories listed herein contain certain specifically defined terms. If you are unsure as to the meanings of those terms, or are unsure as to the applicability of any category below, please contact your broker and/or legal advisor before completing this certificate.

 

TO: LQR HOUSE Inc. (the “Corporation”)

 

In connection with the purchase by the undersigned Subscriber of the Offered Securities, the Subscriber, on its own behalf or on behalf of each Disclosed Principal for whom the Subscriber is acting (collectively, the “Subscriber”), hereby represents, warrants, covenants and certifies to the Corporation (and acknowledges that the Corporation and its counsel is relying thereon) that:

 

(a)the Subscriber is resident in or otherwise subject to the securities laws of one of the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador;

 

(b)the Subscriber is purchasing the Offered Securities as principal for its own account and not for the benefit of any other person or is deemed to be purchasing as principal pursuant to NI 45-106;

 

(c)the Subscriber is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of NI 45-106 on the basis that the Subscriber fits within one of the categories of an “accredited investor” reproduced below beside which the Subscriber has indicated the undersigned belongs to such category;

 

(d)the Subscriber was not created or used solely to purchase or hold securities as an accredited investor as described in paragraph (m) below;

 

(e)if the Subscriber is purchasing under category (j), (k) or (l) below, it has completed and signed Exhibit “I” attached hereto; and

 

(f)upon execution of this Schedule “B” by the Subscriber, this Schedule “B” shall be incorporated into and form a part of the Subscription Agreement to which this Schedule “B” is attached.

 

(PLEASE CHECK THE BOX OF THE APPLICABLE CATEGORY OF ACCREDITED INVESTOR)

 

(a) (i) except in Ontario, a Canadian financial institution, or a Schedule III bank; or
     
    (ii) in Ontario, a financial institution that is (A) a bank listed in Schedule I, II or III of the Bank Act (Canada); (B) an association to which the Cooperative Credit Associations Act (Canada) applies or a central cooperative credit society for which an order has been made under subsection 473(1) of that Act; or (C) a loan corporation, trust company, trust corporation, insurance company, treasury branch, credit union, caisse populaire, financial services cooperative or credit union league or federation that is authorized by a statute of Canada or Ontario to carry on business in Canada or Ontario, as the case may be;
     
(b) the Business Development Bank of Canada incorporated under the Business Development Bank of Canada Act (Canada);

 

B-1

 

 

(c) a subsidiary of any person or company referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b), if the person or company owns all of the voting securities of the subsidiary, except the voting securities required by law to be owned by directors of that subsidiary;
     
(d) a person or company registered under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada as an adviser or dealer (or in Ontario, except as otherwise prescribed by the regulations under the Securities Act (Ontario));
     
(e) an individual registered under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada as a representative of a person referred to in paragraph (d);
     
(e.1) an individual formerly registered under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada, other than an individual formerly registered solely as a representative of a limited market dealer under one or both of the Securities Act (Ontario) or the Securities Act (Newfoundland and Labrador);
     
☐  (f) the Government of Canada or a jurisdiction of Canada, or any crown corporation, agency or wholly owned entity of the Government of Canada or a jurisdiction of Canada;
     
☐  (g) a municipality, public board or commission in Canada and a metropolitan community, school board, the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l’île de Montréal or an intermunicipal management board in Québec;
     
☐  (h) any national, federal, state, provincial, territorial or municipal government of or in any foreign jurisdiction, or any agency of that government;
     
(i) a pension fund that is regulated by either the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (Canada), a pension commission or similar regulatory authority of a jurisdiction (province or territory) of Canada;
     
☐  (j) an individual who, either alone or with a spouse, beneficially owns financial assets having an aggregate realizable value that, before taxes, but net of any related liabilities, exceeds $1,000,000;

 

  Note: Financial assets include cash and securities, but do not include a personal residence – see the definition of “financial assets” later in this certificate. Financial assets are generally liquid or relatively easy to liquidate. You must subtract any liabilities related to your financial assets to calculate your net financial assets—see the definition of “related liabilities”. Financial assets held in a group RRSP under which you do not have the ability to acquire the financial assets and deal with them directly are not considered to be beneficially owned by you. If you meet the higher financial asset threshold set out in paragraph (j.1), then initial paragraph (j.1) instead of this paragraph (j).
     
  Note: If you are an accredited investor described in this paragraph (j), do not meet the higher financial asset threshold set out in paragraph (j.1), you must deliver a completed Form 45 106F9 – Form for Individual Accredited Investors (Exhibit I).

 

B-2

 

 

☐  (j.1) an individual who beneficially owns financial assets having an aggregate realizable value that, before taxes but net of any related liabilities, exceeds $5,000,000;

 

  Note: The financial assets of your spouse (including financial assets in a spousal RRSP) cannot be included in the calculation of net financial assets under this paragraph (j.1).

 

☐  (k) an individual whose net income before taxes exceeded $200,000 in each of the two most recent calendar years or whose net income before taxes combined with that of a spouse exceeded $300,000 in each of the two most recent calendar years and who, in either case, reasonably expects to exceed that net income level in the current calendar year (delivery of a completed  Form 45 106F9 – Form for Individual Accredited Investors (Exhibit I) is also required);

 

☐  (l) an individual who, either alone or with a spouse, has net assets of at least $5,000,000;

 

  Note: To calculate net assets, take the value of your total assets (which may include a personal residence) and subtract your total liabilities (which may include a mortgage). The value attributed to assets should reasonably reflect their estimated fair value. Income tax should be considered a liability if the obligation to pay it is outstanding at the time of the subscription.
     
  Note: If you are an accredited investor described in this paragraph (l), you must deliver a completed Form 45 106F9 – Form for Individual Accredited Investors (Exhibit I).

 

☐  (m) a person, other than an individual or investment fund, that has net assets of at least $5,000,000 as shown on its most recently prepared financial statements;
     
☐  (n) an investment fund that distributes or has distributed its securities only to (i) a person that is or was an accredited investor at the time of the distribution, (ii) a person that acquires or acquired securities in the circumstances referred to in sections 2.10 [Minimum amount investment] or 2.19 [Additional investment in investment funds] of NI 45-106, or (iii) a person described in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) that acquires or acquired securities under section 2.18 [Investment fund reinvestment] of NI 45-106;
     
☐  (o) an investment fund that distributes or has distributed securities under a prospectus in a jurisdiction of Canada for which the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, has issued a receipt;
     
☐  (p) a trust company or trust corporation registered or authorized to carry on business under the Trust and Loan Companies Act (Canada) or under comparable legislation in a jurisdiction of Canada or a foreign jurisdiction, acting on behalf of a fully managed account managed by the trust company or trust corporation, as the case may be;
     
☐  (q) a person acting on behalf of a fully managed account managed by that person, if that person is registered or authorized to carry on business as an adviser or the equivalent under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada or a foreign jurisdiction;
     
☐  (r) a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada) that, in regard to the trade, has obtained advice from an eligibility adviser or an adviser registered under the securities legislation of the jurisdiction of the registered charity to give advice on the securities being traded;

 

B-3

 

 

☐  (s) an entity organized in a foreign jurisdiction that is analogous to any of the entities referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) or paragraph (i) in form and function;
     
☐  (t) a person in respect of which all of the owners of interests, direct, indirect or beneficial, except the voting securities required by law to be owned by directors, are persons that are accredited investors;
     
  [Note: If you have initialed this paragraph (t), name each owner of an interest and indicate the category of accredited investor into which that person fits (by reference to the paragraph numbers in this Schedule B).If a person named below is a director required by law to own a voting security, and that person is not an accredited investor, indicate “director” under Category.] 

 

  Name   Category  
         
         

 

☐  (u) an investment fund that is advised by a person registered as an adviser or a person that is exempt from registration as an adviser;
     
☐  (v) a person that is recognized or designated by the securities regulatory authority or, except in Ontario or Québec, the regulator as an accredited investor;
     
☐  (w) a trust established by an accredited investor for the benefit of the accredited investor’s family members of which a majority of the trustees are accredited investors and all of the beneficiaries are the accredited investor’s spouse, a former spouse of the accredited investor or a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of that accredited investor, of that accredited investor’s spouse or of that accredited investor’s former spouse; or
     
☐  (x) in Ontario, such other persons or companies as may be prescribed by the regulations under the Securities Act (Ontario).  
     
    ***If checking this category (x), please provide a description of how this requirement is met.

 

For the purposes hereof, the following definitions are included for convenience:

 

(a)bank” means a bank named in Schedule I or II of the Bank Act (Canada);

 

(b)Canadian financial institution” means (i) an association governed by the Cooperative Credit Associations Act (Canada) or a central cooperative credit society for which an order has been made under section 473(1) of that Act, or (ii) a bank, loan corporation, trust company, trust corporation, insurance company, treasury branch, credit union, caisse populaire, financial services cooperative, or league that, in each case, is authorized by an enactment of Canada or a jurisdiction of Canada to carry on business in Canada or a jurisdiction of Canada;

 

(c)company” means any corporation, incorporated association, incorporated syndicate or other incorporated organization;

 

(d)eligibility adviser” means:

 

(i)a person that is registered as an investment dealer and authorized to give advice with respect to the type of security being distributed, and

 

(ii)in Manitoba, also means a lawyer who is a practicing member in good standing with a law society of a jurisdiction of Canada or a public accountant who is a member in good standing of an institute or association of chartered accountants, certified general accountants or certified management accountants in a jurisdiction of Canada provided that the lawyer or public accountant must not:

 

(A)have a professional, business or personal relationship with the issuer, or any of its directors, executive officer, founders, or control persons, and

 

B-4

 

 

(B)have acted for or been retained personally or otherwise as an employee, executive officer, director, associate or partner of a person that has acted for or been retained by the issuer or any of its directors, executive officers, founders or control persons within the previous 12 months;

 

(e)executive officer” means, for an issuer, an individual who is: (i) a chair, vice-chair or president, (ii) a vice-president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function including sales, finance or production, or (iii) performing a policy-making function in respect of the issuer;

 

(f)financial assets” means (i) cash, (ii) securities, or (iii) a contract of insurance, a deposit or an evidence of a deposit that is not a security for the purposes of securities legislation;

 

(g)fully managed account” means an account of a client for which a person makes the investment decisions if that person has full discretion to trade in securities for the account without requiring the client’s express consent to a transaction;

 

(h)investment fund” has the same meaning as in National Instrument 81-106 Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure;

 

(i)person” includes: (i) an individual, (ii) a corporation, (iii) a partnership, trust, fund and an association, syndicate, organization or other organized group of persons whether incorporated or not, and (iv) an individual or other person in that person’s capacity as a trustee, executor, administrator or personal or other legal representative.

 

(j)related liabilities” means (i) liabilities incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing the acquisition or ownership of financial assets, or (ii) liabilities that are secured by financial assets;

 

(k)Schedule III bank” means an authorized foreign bank named in Schedule III of the Bank Act (Canada);

 

(l)spouse” means, an individual who, (i) is married to another individual and is not living separate and apart within the meaning of the Divorce Act (Canada), from the other individual, (ii) is living with another individual in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between individuals of the same gender, or (iii) in Alberta, is an individual referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii), or is an adult interdependent partner within the meaning of the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act (Alberta); and

 

(m)subsidiary” means an issuer that is controlled directly or indirectly by another issuer and includes a subsidiary of that subsidiary.

 

In NI 45-106 a person or company is an affiliate of another person or company if one of them is a subsidiary of the other, or if each of them is controlled by the same person.

 

In NI 45-106 and except in Part 2 Division 4 (Employee, Executive Officer, Director and Consultant Exemption) of NI 45-106, a person (first person) is considered to control another person (second person) if (a) the first person, beneficially owns or directly or indirectly exercises control or direction over securities of the second person carrying votes which, if exercised, would entitle the first person to elect a majority of the directors of the second person, unless that first person holds the voting securities only to secure an obligation, (b) the second person is a partnership, other than a limited partnership, and the first person holds more than 50% of the interests of the partnership, or (c) the second person is a limited partnership and the general partner of the limited partnership is the first person.

 

B-5

 

 

The foregoing representations contained in this certificate are true and accurate as of the date of this certificate and will be true and accurate as of the Closing Time (as defined in the Subscription Agreement to which this Schedule “B” is attached) and the Subscriber acknowledges that this Accredited Investor Status Certificate is incorporated into and forms a part of the Subscription Agreement to which it is attached. If any such representations shall not be true and accurate prior to the Closing Time, the undersigned shall give immediate written notice of such fact to the Corporation prior to the Closing Time.

 

Dated: ___________________________________ Signed:               
   
   
   
  Print the name of Subscriber
   
   
   
  If Subscriber is a corporation,
  print name and title of Authorized Signing Officer

 

B-6

 

 

EXHIBIT “I” TO SCHEDULE “B”

 

FORM FOR INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTORS

 

THIS “EXHIBIT I” TO SCHEDULE “B” IS TO BE COMPLETED BY ACCREDITED INVESTORS WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS SUBSCRIBING UNDER CATEGORIES (J), (K) OR (L) IN SCHEDULE “B” TO WHICH THIS EXHIBIT “I” IS ATTACHED.

 


WARNING!

 

This investment is risky. Don’t invest unless you can afford to lose all the money you pay for this investment.

 

 

 

SECTION 1 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ISSUER OR SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
1.  About your investment
Type of securities: Common Stock Issuer: LQR House Inc.
Purchased from: Issuer
SECTIONS 2 TO 4 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PURCHASER
2.  Risk acknowledgement
This investment is risky. Initial that you understand that: Your
Initials
Risk of loss - You could lose your entire investment of $ _____________ . [Instruction: Insert the total dollar amount of the investment.]  
Liquidity risk - You may not be able to sell your investment quickly - or at all.  
Lack of information - You may receive little or no information about your investment.  
Lack of advice - You will not receive advice from the salesperson about whether this investment is suitable for you unless the salesperson is registered. The salesperson is the person who meets with, or provides information to, you about making this investment. To check whether the salesperson is registered, go to www.aretheyregistered.ca.  
3.  Accredited investor status
You must meet at least one of the following criteria to be able to make this investment. Initial the statement that applies to you. (You may initial more than one statement.) The person identified in section 6 is responsible for ensuring that you meet the definition of accredited investor. That person, or the salesperson identified in section 5, can help you if you have questions about whether you meet these criteria. Your
initials
●    Your net income before taxes was more than $200,000 in each of the 2 most recent calendar years, and you expect it to be more than $200,000 in the current calendar year. (You can find your net income before taxes on your personal income tax return.)  
●    Your net income before taxes combined with your spouse’s was more than $300,000 in each of the 2 most recent calendar years, and you expect your combined net income before taxes to be more than $300,000 in the current calendar year.  
     

 

B-7

 

 

●     Either alone or with your spouse, you own more than $1 million in cash and securities, after subtracting any debt related to the cash and securities.  
●     Either alone or with your spouse, you have net assets worth more than $5 million. (Your net assets are your total assets (including real estate) minus your total debt.)  
4.  Your name and signature
By signing this form, you confirm that you have read this form and you understand the risks of making this investment as identified in this form.
First and last name (please print):
Signature: Date:
SECTION 5 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SALESPERSON
5.  Salesperson information
[Instruction: The salesperson is the person who meets with, or provides information to, the purchaser with respect to making this investment. That could include a representative of the issuer or selling security holder, a registrant or a person who is exempt from the registration requirement.]
First and last name of salesperson (please print):
Telephone: Email:
Name of firm (if registered):
SECTION 6 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ISSUER OR SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
6.  For more information about this investment

For investment in a non-investment fund

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Attention: Darren Collins, CFO

Email:      darrengeorgecollins@gmail.com
 

For more information about prospectus exemptions, contact your local securities regulator. You can find contact information at www.securities-administrators.ca.

 

     

Form instructions:

 

1.This form does not mandate the use of a specific font size or style but the font must be legible.

 

2.The information in sections 1, 5 and 6 must be completed before the purchaser completes and signs the form.

 

3.The purchaser must sign this form. Each of the purchaser and the issuer or selling security holder must receive a copy of this form signed by the purchaser. The issuer or selling security holder is required to keep a copy of this form for 8 years after the distribution.

 

B-8

 

 

SCHEDULE “C”

 

NON-CANADIAN/NON-UNITED STATES
PURCHASER CERTIFICATE

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL NON-CANADIAN/NON-UNITED STATES SUBSCRIBERS.

 

TO:LQR House Inc. (the “Corporation”)

 

Terms not otherwise defined herein will have the definition ascribed thereto in the Subscription Agreement to which this Schedule “C” is attached.

 

Reference is made to the subscription agreement between the Corporation and the undersigned (referred to herein as the “Purchaser”) dated as of the date hereof (the “Subscription Agreement”). Upon execution of this certificate by the Purchaser, this certificate (including all appendices thereto) shall be incorporated into and form a part of the Subscription Agreement.

 

In connection with the Offered Securities by the Purchaser, the Purchaser represents, warrants and covenants (on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of those for whom the Purchaser is contracting under the Subscription Agreement) and certifies to the Corporation, acknowledges that the Corporation and its counsel is relying thereon that:

 

General

 

A.one of the following clauses (i) or (ii) applies:

 

(i)the Purchaser is resident in or otherwise subject to the laws of the jurisdiction set out as the “Purchaser’s Address” on the face page of the Subscription Agreement and is purchasing as principal for its own account and not for the benefit of any other person, for investment only, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of all or any of the Offered Securities; or

 

(ii)the Purchaser is contracting hereunder on behalf of a disclosed principal and such disclosed principal is resident in or otherwise subject to the laws of the jurisdiction set out as the “Disclosed Principal’s Address” on the face page of the Subscription Agreement, which disclosed principal is purchasing as principal for its own account and not for the benefit of any other person, for investment only, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of all or any of the Subscription Receipts and acknowledges that the Corporation may be required by law to disclose to certain regulatory authorities the identity of each disclosed principal for whom the Purchaser is contracting; and

 

Prospectus Exemptions

 

B.the Purchaser, on its own behalf and (if applicable) on behalf of others for whom it is contracting hereunder, further represents, warrants and covenants to and with the Corporation (and acknowledges that the Corporation is relying thereon) that it is, and (if applicable) any beneficial purchaser for whom it is contracting hereunder is, a resident of, or otherwise subject to, the securities legislation of a jurisdiction other than Canada or the United States, and:

 

1.the Purchaser is, and (if applicable) any other purchaser for whom it is contracting hereunder, is:

 

(a)a purchaser that is recognized by the securities regulatory authority in the jurisdiction in which it is, and (if applicable) any other purchaser for whom it is contracting hereunder is resident or otherwise subject to the securities laws of such jurisdiction, as an exempt purchaser and is purchasing the Offered Securities as principal for its, or (if applicable) each such other purchaser’s, own account, and not for the benefit of any other person, for investment only and not with a view to resale or distribution; or

 

(b)a purchaser which is purchasing Offered Securities pursuant to an exemption from any prospectus or securities registration requirements (particulars of which are enclosed herewith) available to the Corporation, the Purchaser and any such other purchaser under applicable securities laws of their jurisdiction of residence or to which the Purchaser and any such other purchaser are otherwise subject to, and the Purchaser and any such other purchaser shall deliver to the Corporation such further particulars of the exemption and their qualification thereunder as the Corporation may reasonably request;

 

C-1

 

 

2.all acts of solicitation, conduct or negotiations directly or indirectly in furtherance of the purchase of the Offered Securities occurred outside of Canada and the United States and no offer was made to the Purchaser in Canada or the United States and the buy order in respect of the subscription was not placed from within Canada or the United States;

 

3.is knowledgeable of, or has been independently advised as to, the applicable securities laws of the securities regulatory authorities having application in the jurisdiction in which the Purchaser is resident which would apply to the subscription by the Purchaser for the Offered Securities;

 

4.the purchase of Offered Securities by the Purchaser, and (if applicable) each such other purchaser, does not contravene any of the applicable securities laws in such jurisdiction and does not trigger: (i) any obligation to prepare and file a prospectus, registration statement, an offering memorandum or similar document, or any other ongoing reporting requirements with respect to such purchase or otherwise; or (ii) any registration or other obligation on the part of the Corporation; and (iii) the applicable securities law of such jurisdiction do not require the Corporation to make any filings or seek any approvals of any kind whatsoever from any securities regulator of any kind whatsoever in such jurisdiction in connection with the issue and sale or re-sale of the Offered Securities;

 

5.the Purchaser, and (if applicable) any other purchaser for whom it is contracting hereunder, will not sell or otherwise dispose of any Offered Securities, except in accordance with applicable United States securities laws, and if the Purchaser, or (if applicable) such beneficial purchaser, sells or otherwise disposes of any Offered Securities to any person, the Purchaser, and (if applicable) such beneficial purchaser, will obtain from such purchaser representations, warranties and covenants in the same form as provided in this Schedule and shall comply with such other requirements as the Corporation may reasonably require; and

 

6.the Purchaser will provide such evidence of compliance with all such matters as the Corporation or the Agent or their respective counsel may request, each acting reasonably.

 

The foregoing representations are true and accurate as of the date of this certificate and will be true and accurate as of the Closing Time. If any such representation shall not be true and accurate prior to the Closing Time, the undersigned shall give immediate written notice of such fact to the Corporation.

 

 

Dated:  _____________________________, 2021 Name of Purchaser
   
   
  Signature of Purchaser
   
   
  If the Purchaser is a corporation, print name and title of Authorized Signing Officer
   
   
  Name of Disclosed Principal (if any)

 

C-2

 

 

SCHEDULE “D”

 

U.S. ACCREDITED INVESTOR CERTIFICATE

 

TO: LQR House Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Schedule “D” have the meanings ascribed to them in the Subscription Agreement to which this Schedule “D” is attached.

 

In connection with the purchase of Common Shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”) by the undersigned subscriber or, if applicable, the principal on whose behalf is purchasing as agent (the “Subscriber”, for the purposes of this Schedule “D”), the Subscriber hereby represents, warrants, covenants and certifies to the Company (and acknowledges that the Company and its counsel are relying thereon) that:

 

1.it is a U.S. Accredited Investor that satisfies one or more of the categories of “accredited investor” as indicated below (the Subscriber must initial on the appropriate line(s) writing “SUB” for the Subscriber and “BP” for each beneficial purchaser, if any):

 

_______ any bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the U.S. Securities Act or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the U.S. Securities Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity;
   
_______ any broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
   
_______ any insurance company as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the U.S. Securities Act;
   
_______ any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or a business development company as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of that Act;
   
_______ any Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
   
_______ any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of US$5,000,000;
 
_______ any employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of such Act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of US$5,000,000, or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are U.S. Accredited Investors;
   
_______ any private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investments Advisers Act of 1940;

 

D-1

 

 

_______ any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Subscription Receipts, with total assets in excess of US$5,000,000;
 
_______ a director or executive officer of the Corporation;
   
_______ a natural person whose individual net worth (excluding (i) as an asset, the primary residence of the natural person and (ii) as a liability, indebtedness secured by such residence, up to the estimated fair market value of such residence at the time of sale of the Subscription Receipts (except that if the amount of such indebtedness outstanding at such time of sale exceeds the amount outstanding 60 days before such time, other than as a result of the acquisition of the primary residence, the amount of such excess shall be included as a liability) or joint net worth with his or her spouse, at the time of that person’s purchase, exceeds US$1,000,000;
   
_______ a natural person who had an individual income in excess of US$200,000 in each of the two most recent years, or joint income with that person’s spouse in excess of US$300,000 in each of those years, and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;
   
_______ any trust with total assets in excess of US$5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Subscription Receipts, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person, being defined as a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he or she is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment; or
   
_______ a natural person that holds one of the following licenses in good standing: General Securities Representative license (Series 7), the Private Securities Offerings Representative license (Series 82), or the Investment Adviser Representative license (Series 65); or
   
_______ an investment adviser registered pursuant to section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or registered pursuant to the laws of a state; or
   
_______ an investment adviser relying on the exemption from registering with the Commission under section 203(l) or (m) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; or
   
_______ a Rural Business Investment Company as defined in section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; or
   
_______ an entity, of a type not listed above, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000; or
   
_______ a “family office,” as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (17 CFR 275.202(a)(11)(G)-1): (i) with assets under management in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) that is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, and (iii) whose prospective investment is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment; or
   
_______

a “family client,” as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (17 CFR 275.202(a)(11)(G)-1)), of a family office not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000 and whose prospective investment in the issuer is directed by such family office by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment; or 

   
_______

any entity in which all the equity owners are within one or more of the foregoing categories. 

 

D-2

 

 

DATED at __________________________ this _______ day of _______________, 2021.

 

If a Company, Partnership or Other Entity:   If an Individual:
     
     
Name of Entity   X
    Signature
     
Type of Entity   Print or Type Name
     
X    
Signature of Person Signing    
     
     
Print or Type Name and Title of Person Signing    

 

 

D-3

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

  The Spanish Group LLC
1 Park Plaza, Suite 600
Irvine, CA 92614

United States of America

https://www.thespanishgroup.org

  

Certified Translation

 

Furnished on the 25th day of April, 2023

 

 

I, Alexander Largaespada (), hereby certify that I translated the attached documents from Spanish into English or English into Spanish and that these translations are accurate and faithful translations of the original documents. Furthermore, I certify that I am proficient in translating both Spanish and English and that I hold the capacity to render and certify the validity of such translations. These documents have not been translated for a family member, friend, or business associate.

 

I, Salvador G. Ordorica, as a Quality Assurance Agent of The Spanish Group LLC, hereby attest that the aforementioned translator is a proficient Spanish-English translator. Accordingly, as an authorized representative of The Spanish Group, I certify that these documents have been proofread and that the attached documents are faithful and authentic translations of their originals.

 

Respectfully,                                          
/s/ Salvador G. Ordorica
Salvador G. Ordorica
The Spanish Group LLC
(ATA #267262)

 

The Spanish Group LLC verifies the credentials and/or competency of its translators and the present certification, as well as any attached pages, serves to affirm that the document(s) enumerated above has/have been translated as accurately as possible from its/their original(s). The Spanish Group LLC does not attest that the original document(s) is/are accurate, legitimate, or has/have not been falsified. Through having accepted the terms and conditions set forth in order to contract The Spanish Group LLC’s services, and/or through presenting this certificate, the client releases, waives, discharges and relinquishes the right to present any legal claim(s) against The Spanish Group LLC. Consequently, The Spanish Group LLC cannot be held liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Client(s) or any other party either during, after, or arising from the use of The Spanish Group LLC’s services.

 

 

 

 

 

  DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS    
   
Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt
FOLIO.- 29202  

DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS

 

TRADEMARK:  2141431  

Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.

Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.  

 

JUAN LUIS SERRANO LEETS

 

PASEO DE LAS PALMAS 525, PISO 6, COL. LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC
11000 MIGUEL HIDALGO, MEXICO CITY

 

In relation to your letter filed on JANUARY 21, 2022, you are hereby notified that on this date and by means of No. 412916/2023, the transfer of rights in favor of:

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

  

It is signed based on the legal provisions invoked, as well as in the FIRST and FOURTH TRANSITORY articles, 2, section I, 5, section I, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 21 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on July 1, 2020; 3, 4, 5 BIS, 13, 14 and 15 of the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 23, 1994 (amended, added and repealed, as applicable, by Decrees published in the aforementioned Informative medium, on September 10, 2002, September 19, 2003, June 10, 2011 and December 16, 2016); 1, 3, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 4, 5, 11, section II, as well as last paragraph and 13, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 14, 1999 (amended and added, as applicable by Decrees of July 1, 2002 and July 15, 2004, whose erratum was published on the 28th of the same month and year in said informative medium, as well as by Decrees of September 7, 2007 and December 15, 2017); 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 15, section II, as well as last paragraph, 17, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, 26, 28 and 31 of the Organic Statutes of this Institute, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 1999 (amended and added, as the case may be, by means of Agreement and Decree of October 10, 2002 and July 29, 2004, with clarifying note published on August 4, 2004, in said informative medium, and Agreements dated September 13, 2007 and January 2, 2018); and TRANSITORY FIRST, 1, 3 and 6, sections I), II), III), IV), V), VI), VII), VIII), IX), X), XI), XII), XIII), XIV), XV), XVI), XVII), XVIII), XIX), XX), XXI), XXII), XXIII), XXIV) and XXV), as applicable, as well as antepenultimate, penultimate and last paragraphs of the Delegatory Agreement of Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 5, 2020.

 

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, covered by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 9, Section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law; 12 of its Regulations, as well as 69-C of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.

 

2345291|20230274282|O57wb9b0Z+ws/Q6S2DKEdQ==|275106190557734483187066766829451103427039279412

 

 

    

SINCERELY

 

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS

 

DTAi6kposmZMl8vWQC0c35m580VUWZ+5geHcy9dl2CjGxMLsFEQF2u2LqItj5ZqQ t/5BXzOSJLpAqFW3AfX35+LPzMEkfsn9pCPmNrqgjaBzCMgbuThZAKdnU6zAL9MB 2bFvjKKcREYKQhb2J85H6dpXRCRaQsxjI0vDphWkhS34wer6a1GEwqJqMk0k7we0 MrkY2F82qz2wy9cqRpIc/UbReDFArzx8iKr9Pn8SqVId+OQtN3v4bEJY3VRNo7Dw KJkTlf3h3KbhEHB60OIJ5I0ngcPKi/okIAINDgJWTSk6nGuDZqpf8njTg9fIEmye

O10R+7ygdK583WeZyjzrSQ==

 

 

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

EPM
1 of 2

 

 

 

 

Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt

FOLIO.- 29202

 

 DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS
DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND
GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF
RIGHTS
  
 TRADEMARK: 2141431
 Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.
  
 Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.
  
 ERIKA ITZEL DIAZ GALLEGOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

EPM20230274282
2 of 2 

 

 


 

Certificte with acknowledgement of receipt

FOLIO.- 29202

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS
DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND
GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATIONOF RIGHTS

 

TRADEMARK: 2116641
Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.
Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.

 

JUAN LUIS SERRANO LEETS

 

PASEO DE LAS PALMAS 525, PISO 6, COL. LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC

11000 MIGUEL HIDALGO, MEXICO CITY

 

In relation to your letter filed on JANUARY 21, 2022, you are hereby notified that on this date and by means of No. 412915/2023, the transfer of rights in favor of:

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

It is signed based on the legal provisions invoked, as well as in the FIRST and FOURTH TRANSITORY articles, 2, section I, 5, section I, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 21 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on July 1, 2020; 3, 4, 5 BIS, 13, 14 and 15 of the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 23, 1994 (amended, added and repealed, as applicable, by Decrees published in the aforementioned Informative medium, on September 10, 2002, September 19, 2003, June 10, 2011 and December 16, 2016); 1, 3, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 4, 5, 11, section II, as well as last paragraph and 13, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 14, 1999 (amended and added, as applicable by Decrees of July 1, 2002 and July 15, 2004, whose erratum was published on the 28th of the same month and year in said informative medium, as well as by Decrees of September 7, 2007 and December 15, 2017); 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 15, section II, as well as last paragraph, 17, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, 26, 28 and 31 of the Organic Statutes of this Institute, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 1999 (amended and added, as the case may be, by means of Agreement and Decree of October 10, 2002 and July 29, 2004, with clarifying note published on August 4, 2004, in said informative medium, and Agreements dated September 13, 2007 and January 2, 2018); and TRANSITORY FIRST, 1, 3 and 6, sections I), II), III), IV), V), VI), VII), VIII), IX), X), XI), XII), XIII), XIV), XV), XVI), XVII), XVIII), XIX), XX), XXI), XXII), XXIII), XXIV) and XXV), as applicable, as well as antepenultimate, penultimate and last paragraphs of the Delegatory Agreement of Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 5, 2020.

 

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, covered by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 9, Section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law; 12 of its Regulations, as well as 69-C of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.

 

2300711|20230274281|YCqeZ890ouG6+mxkKaoZPQ==|275106190557734483187066766829451103427039279412

 

                             

SINCERELY

 

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS

 

DaO4zcK1y0hHB1Ax0xiucFWd4+G2eMuIIUo593177AHbqoom45syQ4PG6VyW7Wom Ykp/xIo9cK0MbWf6mBDSR6WgZ2xCuHieoR+AcBNlg9D6ti3K65Xa/LxNCXDzosUj jeH2sW1iXSyRIX9Sk4tSir2dWrGhrUOH7y4HYBuIJ2N2qL8mf2c+0uOQk7+ei3I5 hJB1BzFn1jNHHmUpVbUugGoTO7NwmyIGJzTlkNRhi9Db5N4wPPtn/1yLi8Nd7HAk PudM3g2S5LFXi2cSN3SiBVtQBLzccw+/iIcD3D7SU25ddpUm3DaODMbKDGFoUW4c

mPMXvRGuUBQHokm2UyI6LQ==

 



 

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City
(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

EPM
1 of 2

 

 



Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt
FOLIO.- 29202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS

DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND

GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF

RIGHTS

 

TRADEMARK: 2116641

Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.

 

Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.

 

LIC. ERIKA ITZEL DIAZ GALLEGOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

EPM20230274281
2 of 2 

 

 


 

Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt

FOLIO.- 29202

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS
DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND
GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS
COMMERCIAL SIGN: 116040
Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.
Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.

 

JUAN LUIS SERRANO LEETS

 

PASEO DE LAS PALMAS 525, PISO 6, COL. LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC

11000 MIGUEL HIDALGO, MEXICO CITY

 

In relation to your letter filed on JANUARY 21, 2022, you are hereby notified that on this date and by means of No. 412914/2023, the transfer of rights in favor of:

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

It is signed based on the legal provisions invoked, as well as in the FIRST and FOURTH TRANSITORY articles, 2, section I, 5, section I, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 21 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on July 1, 2020; 3, 4, 5 BIS, 13, 14 and 15 of the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 23, 1994 (amended, added and repealed, as applicable, by Decrees published in the aforementioned Informative medium, on September 10, 2002, September 19, 2003, June 10, 2011 and December 16, 2016); 1, 3, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 4, 5, 11, section II, as well as last paragraph and 13, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 14, 1999 (amended and added, as applicable by Decrees of July 1, 2002 and July 15, 2004, whose erratum was published on the 28th of the same month and year in said informative medium, as well as by Decrees of September 7, 2007 and December 15, 2017); 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 15, section II, as well as last paragraph, 17, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, 26, 28 and 31 of the Organic Statutes of this Institute, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 1999 (amended and added, as the case may be, by means of Agreement and Decree of October 10, 2002 and July 29, 2004, with clarifying note published on August 4, 2004, in said informative medium, and Agreements dated September 13, 2007 and January 2, 2018); and TRANSITORY FIRST, 1, 3 and 6, sections I), II), III), IV), V), VI), VII), VIII), IX), X), XI), XII), XIII), XIV), XV), XVI), XVII), XVIII), XIX), XX), XXI), XXII), XXIII), XXIV) and XXV), as applicable, as well as antepenultimate, penultimate and last paragraphs of the Delegatory Agreement of Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 5, 2020.

 

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, covered by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 9, Section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law; 12 of its Regulations, as well as 69-C of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.

 

128576|20230274280|XQFvW+Ugbi6XHoNCl4Wwvw==|275106190557734483187066766829451103427039279412

 

SINCERELY

 

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS

 

dhBhc7rXOj/JqnP6crIH7eQzrZ1RkVL8G/Mc3Fs4PFVBQ2USd4PDWiT4HwjFTuay lEO7sQRfs0j6h7mIlbePrIOeHCx0blo2SJB73Z2oEwjpBhPSgZKNd07jjTZc2F/W KiAxhyvzT+8ThRW+myFXHCjmyAQyhcVfRGV9jCzDLZuDl2NLKEKm9br+k4pze+4y rNYl3SphKtA/VibILnt+T7KGWeipEb5lNQU1fKf7dkMswqJsDcHivxjV7FcFFQoD vLRM97cQZqmTLQbo7KJUG9TSTpPGOk7zUqi9c21i08aJJ3xYH6ZSmoEquacn91E8

IwC5Dn7s49nLueRaALmpCA==

 











 

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

EPM
1 of 2

 

 



Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt
FOLIO.- 29202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS

DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND

GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF

RIGHTS

 

COMMERCIAL SIGN: 116040

Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.

 

Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.

 

LIC. ERIKA ITZEL DIAZ GALLEGOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

EPM20230274280
2 of 2 

 

 

PACKAGING OF ORIGIN CO-RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT

 

Co-responsibility Agreement by which the use of the Appellation of Origin Tequila is allowed, pursuant to Article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and NOM- 006-SCFl-2012 Alcoholic Beverages-Tequila-Specifications (or the one that replaces it), hereinafter the “Official Standard of Tequila” to maintain the quality of Tequila, and entered into by the Authorized Producer LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO in her own right, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the Distributor and/or Owner or Beneficiary of SWOL Brand, hereinafter the “Distributor” represented in this agreement by SEAN DOLLINGER, in accordance with the following recitals and clauses:

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

A.THE “PRODUCER” DECLARES

 

A.1. That she is a PHYSICAL PERSON WITH BUSINESS ACTIVITY and has her fiscal domicile at CARRETERA GUADALAJARA NOGALES KM 32, EL ARENAL, JALISCO, GUADALAJARA, Mexico.

 

A.2. That as part of its activities or corporate purpose she is dedicated to the production of the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila”, having the necessary facilities for its production in its factory located within the territory protected by the General Declaration of Protection to the Appellation of Origin “Tequila” in CARRETERA GUADALAJARA NOGALES KM 32 EL ARENAL JALISCO GUADALAJARA Mexico, producing the product in strict compliance with the “Official Norm of Tequila” in force.

 

A.3. That she has Authorization to produce Tequila issued by the General Directorate of Standards with office number DGN.312.06.2013.644 and, with Certificate of Compliance with the “Official Standard of Tequila”, issued by the Conformity Assessment Body in this case the Regulatory Council of Tequila, A.C. hereinafter “CRT”, which is in force.

 

A.4. That the “CRT” granted her the Number that accompanies the official password NOM 1477.

 

A.5. That she has a valid authorization to use the Appellation of Origin Tequila under number 194, issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property according to the applicable legislation.

 

A.6. That by appearing in her own right, she is in full capacity to validly sign this instrument.

 

 

 

 

B.THE “DISTRIBUTOR” DECLARES

 

B.1. That it is a legal entity and has its domicile at 100 Park Royal S Suite 504, West Vancouver BC, Canada V7TIA2, and as part of its activities or corporate purpose is engaged in the distribution and/or sale of alcoholic beverages, as well as obtaining, by any legal means, the registration, use, exploitation and administration of any right, title, trademark, distinctive sign or intellectual property right, to be used to distinguish and identify the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila” having its principal address at 100 Park Royal S Suite 504, West Vancouver BC, Canada V7TIA2.

 

B.2. That it has permission or authorization issued by the competent authorities to carry out the activities mentioned in the B1 Statement.

 

B.3. That with the “100% Agave Tequila” and/or bottled Tequila” of origin supplied by the “Producer”, the “Distributor” shall exclusively carry out the activities of distribution and sale of such beverage in Mexico or abroad, complying with the laws and regulations applicable in the place of final commercialization.

 

B.4. That its legal representative SEAN DOLLINGER has the necessary legal powers to validly sign this agreement on its behalf, as stated in the document attached hereto as ANNEX 1, which are in force as of the date of execution of this agreement.

 

C.BOTH PARTIES DECLARE:

 

C.1. That it is their will to commit and collaborate with each other, so that the product delivered to the consumer with the Appellation of Origin “TEQUILA”, complies with the specifications described in the “Official Norm of Tequila”.

 

C.2. That the parties are aware that the authorized user of a protected appellation of origin may in turn, by means of this agreement, allow its use only to those who distribute or sell the products of its brands. For the aforementioned purposes, the agreement must be registered in the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in order to produce effects to the detriment of third parties, as of said registration as established in article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law.

 

C.3. This agreement will become effective as of the date of obtaining the official letter issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property where the registration and approval is recorded in terms of article 165 BIS 14 sections III and IV. In case the distributor or marketer does not comply with this obligation, the registration will be cancelled.

 

 

 

 

C.4. That it is of the knowledge of the parties that when there are changes of name, denomination or corporate name or transformation of legal regime, as well as the changes of domicile that correspond to the authorized user must register before the Mexican Institute of the Industrial Property, the changes, in the terms foreseen in the regulation of the Law of the Industrial Property as it establishes it in article 165 BIS 25.

 

C.5. That they know that the cancellation of this agreement will proceed directly in case the “Producer” or “Distributor” and/or trademark owner, or title, or distinctive sign or intellectual property right or legal protection means do not comply with the official standards to preserve the quality of the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila”, as established in this agreement, and indirectly in case the authorization to use the Appellation of Origin Tequila or the Certificate of Compliance with the “Official Standard of Tequila” held by the “Producer” is annulled or cancelled.

 

C.6. That both parties agree to enter into this agreement in order to comply with the provisions of Article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the “Official Tequila Standard”, in accordance with the following:

 

C L A U S E S:

 

FIRST. The “Producer” undertakes to supply to the “Distributor” under the terms of this agreement, bottled product of origin that strictly complies with the “Official Standard of Tequila”.

 

SECOND. The “Producer” undertakes to provide the “Distributor” with officially valid proof of compliance with the provisions of the first clause.

 

THIRD. In accordance with the provisions of article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the Official Norm of Tequila, the “Producer” allows the “Distributor” the use of the word TEQUILA or TEQUILA 100% AGAVE to the brand(s) bound in this agreement, likewise the “Distributor” is obliged to comply with the requirements set forth in sections III and IV of article 165 BIS 14 of the Industrial Property Law, which establish the following:

 

Article 165 BIS 14.- The authorization to use an appellation of origin or geographical indication shall be requested before the Institute and shall be granted to any individual or legal entity that complies with the following requirements:

 

. . . 

 

III.- That, as the case may be, it complies with the Mexican Official Standards established pursuant to the applicable laws, with respect to the products in question, and

 

IV.- The others indicated in the declaration.

 

 

 

 

The parties acknowledge that Tequila is a distinctive product originating in Mexico and agree that in no case they will fight, file opposition, cancel or interfere in any way with the “Appellation of Origin Tequila”, its registrations abroad or any other registration or means of legal protection (including without limitation any collective mark or certification mark), which covers the “Appellation of Origin Tequila”.

 

FOURTH. The “Distributor” undertakes not to alter in any way, the bottled TEQUILA or 100% AGAVE TEQUILA of origin supplied by the Producer, therefore, it may only perform the activities of distribution and sale.

 

FIFTH. By means of this agreement, the “Producer” undertakes to prepare for, and deliver exclusively to the “Distributor”, the AGED TEQUILA bottled of origin that strictly complies with the “Official Standard of Tequila”, and whose aging will be from 4 to 6 weeks in addition to those that the “Producer” commonly offers, which must be done in oak barrels. To this effect, the “Distributor” agrees to purchase from time to time from the “Producer”, a minimum of 600 bottles of said product.

 

The parties agree that with the exclusivity herein stated, no other “Distributor” with which “Producer” has any agreement entered into directly or indirectly (including without limitation a “PACKAGING OF ORIGIN CO-RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT” or even a “IN BULK CO-RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT”), may receive from “Producer” or any other person related to it directly or indirectly, the AGED TEQUILA specified in the preceding paragraph.

 

SIXTH. The “Producer” undertakes to prepare for and deliver exclusively to the “Distributor”, TEQUILA flavored in the flavors that from time to time the “Distributor” orders. For this purpose, the “Distributor” shall deliver to the “Producer” the list of flavors required by the latter.

 

SEVENTH. The “Distributor” undertakes to use the “Appellation of Origin Tequila” and to distribute the product of the same name, supplied by the Producer exclusively in the containers bearing the trademark(s), title(s), distinctive sign(s) or intellectual property right(s), susceptible to be used to distinguish and identify the alcoholic beverage called “TEQUILA” object of this agreement, which are duly registered by him (or has acquired rights) or licensed in his name in case these belong to a third party according to the corresponding laws.

 

 

 

 

At all times the “Distributor” shall comply with the provisions of the “Official Standard of Tequila”; he shall indicate or advertise that his product is Tequila without giving rise to confusion or doubt that it originates and is distinctive of Mexico. The distinctive signs with which the product object of this agreement will be marketed are described below:

 

Distinctive sign, trademark,
COLA* and other.
 

Country and governmental
agency of

registration

  Holder   Expiration date   Number

SWOL

  Mexico. Mexican Institute of Industrial Property   DOLLINGER INNOVATIONS       File number 2345291

 

*CERTIFICATE OF LABEL APPROVAL (COLA)

 

Annexed to this agreement are exhibited copies of the certificates of registration of application, and/or registration, and/or trademarks, and/or distinctive sign, and/or COLAS, and/or licenses of use, and/or intellectual property rights to be used in the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila” indicated in this clause.

 

(In the event that the registration documents are written in a language other than Spanish, the corresponding apostilled translation must also be attached).

 

EIGHTH. The parties agree that the commercial information displayed on the labels and containers in which the product subject of this agreement will be marketed shall include the “Appellation of Origin Tequila” as well as the trademarks included in this agreement under which the product will be marketed, and shall comply with the provisions of the “Official Tequila Standard”, without prejudice of the other applicable provisions in the jurisdiction of the place of commercialization.

 

NINTH. This agreement will have an undetermined validity as of the date of obtaining the official notice issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property where the registration and approval of the same one is recorded, according to the established in article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law.

 

This agreement will be able to be terminated by agreement of the parts, being enough for it the presentation of the corresponding writing before the Mexican Institute of the Industrial Property. When the cancellation is requested by only one of the parties, it must have the official notice issued by the same institute.

 

TENTH. Failure of any of the parties to comply with the “Official Tequila Standard” under this agreement will result in the suspension or cancellation of the export certificates issued by the “CRT”.

 

ELEVENTH. The parties agree that for the interpretation and compliance of this agreement they will expressly submit to the application of the applicable Mexican legislation, as well as to the jurisdiction of the federal courts in the city of Guadalajara, waiving any other jurisdiction that may correspond to them.

 

TWELFTH. This Spanish version is the only one with official validity, any translation will be considered as a courtesy and without any value.

 

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED IN MEXICO CITY ON JULY 6, 2020.

 

“PRODUCER”   “DISTRIBUTOR”
LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO   SEAN DOLLINGER
     
    /s/ Sean Dollinger
    [Signature]

 

    CONSTANZA REMONDA

 

WITNESSES

 

    /s/ Constanza Remonda
    [Signature]

 

 

 

 

[blank page]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

The Spanish Group LLC
1 Park Plaza, Suite 600
Irvine, CA 92614
United States of America
https://www.thespanishgroup.org

 

Certified Translation

 

Furnished on the 25th day of April, 2023

 

 

I, Alexander Largaespada (/s/ Alexander Largaespada), hereby certify that I translated the attached documents from Spanish into English or English into Spanish and that these translations are accurate and faithful translations of the original documents. Furthermore, I certify that I am proficient in translating both Spanish and English and that I hold the capacity to render and certify the validity of such translations. These documents have not been translated for a family member, friend, or business associate.

 

I, Salvador G. Ordorica, as a Quality Assurance Agent of The Spanish Group LLC, hereby attest that the aforementioned translator is a proficient Spanish-English translator. Accordingly, as an authorized representative of The Spanish Group, I certify that these documents have been proofread and that the attached documents are faithful and authentic translations of their originals.

 

Respectfully,

 

   
/s/ Salvador G. Ordorica    
Salvador G. Ordorica    
The Spanish Group LLC    
(ATA #267262)    

 

The Spanish Group LLC verifies the credentials and/or competency of its translators and the present certification, as well as any attached pages, serves to affirm that the document(s) enumerated above has/have been translated as accurately as possible from its/their original(s). The Spanish Group LLC does not attest that the original document(s) is/are accurate, legitimate, or has/have not been falsified. Through having accepted the terms and conditions set forth in order to contract The Spanish Group LLC’s services, and/or through presenting this certificate, the client releases, waives, discharges and relinquishes the right to present any legal claim(s) against The Spanish Group LLC. Consequently, The Spanish Group LLC cannot be held liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Client(s) or any other party either during, after, or arising from the use of The Spanish Group LLC’s services.

 

 

 

 

 

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS
Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt
FOLIO.- 29202
DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS
  TRADEMARK: 2141431
  Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.
Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.

 

JUAN LUIS SERRANO LEETS

PASEO DE LAS PALMAS 525, PISO 6, COL. LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC
11000 MIGUEL HIDALGO, MEXICO CITY

 

In relation to your letter filed on JANUARY 21, 2022, you are hereby notified that on this date and by means of No. 412916/2023, the transfer of rights in favor of:

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

It is signed based on the legal provisions invoked, as well as in the FIRST and FOURTH TRANSITORY articles, 2, section I, 5, section I, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 21 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on July 1, 2020; 3, 4, 5 BIS, 13, 14 and 15 of the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 23, 1994 (amended, added and repealed, as applicable, by Decrees published in the aforementioned Informative medium, on September 10, 2002, September 19, 2003, June 10, 2011 and December 16, 2016); 1, 3, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 4, 5, 11, section II, as well as last paragraph and 13, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 14, 1999 (amended and added, as applicable by Decrees of July 1, 2002 and July 15, 2004, whose erratum was published on the 28th of the same month and year in said informative medium, as well as by Decrees of September 7, 2007 and December 15, 2017); 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 15, section II, as well as last paragraph, 17, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, 26, 28 and 31 of the Organic Statutes of this Institute, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 1999 (amended and added, as the case may be, by means of Agreement and Decree of October 10, 2002 and July 29, 2004, with clarifying note published on August 4, 2004, in said informative medium, and Agreements dated September 13, 2007 and January 2, 2018); and TRANSITORY FIRST, 1, 3 and 6, sections I), II), III), IV), V), VI), VII), VIII), IX), X), XI), XII), XIII), XIV), XV), XVI), XVII), XVIII), XIX), XX), XXI), XXII), XXIII), XXIV) and XXV), as applicable, as well as antepenultimate, penultimate and last paragraphs of the Delegatory Agreement of Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 5, 2020.

 

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, covered by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 9, Section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law; 12 of its Regulations, as well as 69-C of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.

 

2345291|20230274282|O57wb9b0Z+ws/Q6S2DKEdQ==|275106190557734483187066766829451103427039279412

 

   
SINCERELY  
   
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
   
DTAi6kposmZMl8vWQC0c35m580VUWZ+5geHcy9dl2CjGxMLsFEQF2u2LqItj5ZqQ  
t/5BXzOSJLpAqFW3AfX35+LPzMEkfsn9pCPmNrqgjaBzCMgbuThZAKdnU6zAL9MB  
2bFvjKKcREYKQhb2J85H6dpXRCRaQsxjI0vDphWkhS34wer6a1GEwqJqMk0k7we0  
MrkY2F82qz2wy9cqRpIc/UbReDFArzx8iKr9Pn8SqVId+OQtN3v4bEJY3VRNo7Dw  
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O10R+7ygdK583WeZyjzrSQ==  

 

 
  [Barcode] 20230274282

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

1 of 2

 

 

 
Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt  
FOLIO.- 29202  
  DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS  
  DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES  
  DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
     
  TRADEMARK: 2141431  
     
  Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.  
     
  Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.  
     
     
  ERIKA ITZEL DIAZ GALLEGOS  

 

   

 

20230274282

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

2 of 2

 

 

 
Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt  
FOLIO.- 29202  
  DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS  
  DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND
GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES
 
  DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
  TRADEMARK: 2116641  
  Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.
Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.
 

 

JUAN LUIS SERRANO LEETS 

PASEO DE LAS PALMAS 525, PISO 6, COL. LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC

11000 MIGUEL HIDALGO, MEXICO CITY

 

In relation to your letter filed on JANUARY 21, 2022, you are hereby notified that on this date and by means of No. 412915/2023, the transfer of rights in favor of:

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

It is signed based on the legal provisions invoked, as well as in the FIRST and FOURTH TRANSITORY articles, 2, section I, 5, section I, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 21 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, published in the Off icial Gazette of the Federation on July 1, 2020; 3, 4, 5 BIS, 13, 14 and 15 of the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 23, 1994 (amended, added and repealed, as applicable, by Decrees published in the aforementioned Informative medium, on September 10, 2002, September 19, 2003, June 10, 2011 and December 16, 2016); 1, 3, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent , as applicable, 4, 5, 11, section II, as well as last paragraph and 13, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 14, 1999 (amended and added, as applicable by Decrees of July 1, 2002 and July 15, 2004, whose erratum was published on the 28th of the same month and year in said informative medium, as well as by Decrees of September 7, 2007 and December 15, 2017); 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 15, section II, as well as last paragraph, 17, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, 26, 28 and 31 of the Organic Statutes of t his Institute, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 1999 (amended and added, as the case may be, by means of Agreement and Decree of October 10, 2002 and July 29, 2004, with clarifying note published on August 4, 2004, in said informative medium, and Agreements dated September 13, 2007 and January 2, 2018); and TRANSITORY FIRST, 1, 3 and 6, sections I), II), III), IV), V), VI), VII), VIII), IX), X), XI), XII), XIII), XIV), XV), XVI), XVII), XVIII),

 

XIX), XX), XXI), XXII), XXIII), XXIV) and XXV), as applicable, as well as antepenultimate, penultimate and last paragraphs of the Delegatory Agreement of Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 5, 2020.

 

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, covered by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 9, Section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law; 12 of its Regulations, as well as 69-C of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.

 

2300711|20230274281|YCqeZ890ouG6+mxkKaoZPQ==|275106190557734483187066766829451103427039279412

 

   
  SINCERELY
  DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS
   
 

DaO4zcK1y0hHB1Ax0xiucFWd4+G2eMuIIUo593177AHbqoom45syQ4PG6VyW7Wom Ykp/xIo9cK0MbWf6mBDSR6WgZ2xCuHieoR+AcBNlg9D6ti3K65Xa/LxNCXDzosUj jeH2sW1iXSyRIX9Sk4tSir2dWrGhrUOH7y4HYBuIJ2N2qL8mf2c+0uOQk7+ei3I5 hJB1BzFn1jNHHmUpVbUugGoTO7NwmyIGJzTlkNRhi9Db5N4wPPtn/1Li8Nd7HAk PudM3g2S5LFXi2cSN3SiBVtQBLzccw+/iIcD3D7SU25ddpUm3DaODMbKDGFoUW4c

mPMXvRGuUBQHokm2UyI6LQ==

 

 
  [Barcode] 20230274281

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

1 of 2

 

 

 
Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt  
FOLIO.- 29202  
  DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS  
  DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES  
  DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
     
  TRADEMARK: 2116641  
     
  Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.  
     
  Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.  
     
  LIC. ERIKA ITZEL DIAZ GALLEGOS  

 

 

20230274281

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

2 of 2

 

 

Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt
FOLIO.- 29202
  DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS  
  DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES  
  DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
  COMMERCIAL SIGN:  116040  
  Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated. Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.  

 

JUAN LUIS SERRANO LEETS

PASEO DE LAS PALMAS 525, PISO 6, COL. LOMAS DE CHAPULTEPEC

11000 MIGUEL HIDALGO, MEXICO CITY

 

In relation to your letter filed on JANUARY 21, 2022, you are hereby notified that on this date and by means of No. 412914/2023, the transfer of rights in favor of:

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

It is signed based on the legal provisions invoked, as well as in the FIRST and FOURTH TRANSITORY articles, 2, section I, 5, section I, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 21 of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on July 1, 2020; 3, 4, 5 BIS, 13, 14 and 15 of the Regulations of the Industrial Property Law, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 23, 1994 (amended, added and repealed, as applicable, by Decrees published in the aforementioned Informative medium, on September 10, 2002, September 19, 2003, June 10, 2011 and December 16, 2016); 1, 3, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 4, 5, 11, section II, as well as last paragraph and 13, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 14, 1999 (amended and added, as applicable by Decrees of July 1, 2002 and July 15, 2004, whose erratum was published on the 28th of the same month and year in said informative medium, as well as by Decrees of September 7, 2007 and December 15, 2017); 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, subsection b), subscripts i), ii), iii) and iv), first, second and third indent, as applicable, 15, section II, as well as last paragraph, 17, sections I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, 26, 28 and 31 of the Organic Statutes of this Institute, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 27, 1999 (amended and added, as the case may be, by means of Agreement and Decree of October 10, 2002 and July 29, 2004, with clarifying note published on August 4, 2004, in said informative medium, and Agreements dated September 13, 2007 and January 2, 2018); and TRANSITORY FIRST, 1, 3 and 6, sections I), II), III), IV), V), VI), VII), VIII), IX), X), XI), XII), XIII), XIV), XV), XVI), XVII), XVIII), XIX), XX), XXI), XXII), XXIII), XXIV) and XXV), as applicable, as well as antepenultimate, penultimate and last paragraphs of the Delegatory Agreement of Powers of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on November 5, 2020.

 

This electronic document has been signed through the use of the advanced electronic signature by the competent public servant, covered by a digital certificate in force at the date of its preparation, and is valid in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 9, Section I of the Advanced Electronic Signature Law; 12 of its Regulations, as well as 69-C of the Federal Law of Administrative Procedure.

 

128576|20230274280|XQFvW+Ugbi6XHoNCl4Wwvw==|275106190557734483187066766829451103427039279412

 

   
SINCERELY  
   
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
   
dhBhc7rXOj/JqnP6crIH7eQzrZ1RkVL8G/Mc3Fs4PFVBQ2USd4PDWiT4HwjFTuay  
lEO7sQRfs0j6h7mIlbePrIOeHCx0blo2SJB73Z2oEwjpBhPSgZKNd07jjTZc2F/W  
KiAxhyvzT+8ThRW+myFXHCjmyAQyhcVfRGV9jCzDLZuDl2NLKEKm9br+k4pze+4y  
rNYl3SphKtA/VibILnt+T7KGWeipEb5lNQU1fKf7dkMswqJsDcHivxjV7FcFFQoD  
vLRM97cQZqmTLQbo7KJUG9TSTpPGOk7zUqi9c21i08aJJ3xYH6ZSmoEquacn91E8  
IwC5Dn7s49nLueRaALmpCA==  

 

 
  [Barcode] 20230274280

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

1 of 2

 

 

Certificate with acknowledgement of receipt
FOLIO.- 29202
  DIVISIONAL DIRECTORATE OF TRADEMARKS  
  DIVISIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTORATE OF LEGAL, REGISTRY AND GEOGRAPHIC INDICATIONS SERVICES  
  DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS  
     
  COMMERCIAL SIGN: 116040  
     
  Subject: The transfer of rights indicated is hereby communicated.  
     
  Mexico City, on FEBRUARY 21, 2023.  
     
  LIC. ERIKA ITZEL DIAZ GALLEGOS  

 

 

20230274280

 

Arenal No. 550, Col. Pueblo de Santa Maria Tepepan, Del. Xochimilco, 16020, Mexico, Mexico City

(55) 53340700 - www.gob.mx/impi

 

2 of 2

 

 

PACKAGING OF ORIGIN CO-RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT

 

Co-responsibility Agreement by which the use of the Appellation of Origin Tequila is allowed, pursuant to Article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and NOM- 006-SCFl-2012 Alcoholic Beverages-Tequila-Specifications (or the one that replaces it), hereinafter the “Official Standard of Tequila” to maintain the quality of Tequila, and entered into by the Authorized Producer LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO in her own right, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the Distributor and/or Owner or Beneficiary of SWOL Brand, hereinafter the “Distributor” represented in this agreement by SEAN DOLLINGER, in accordance with the following recitals and clauses:

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

A. THE “PRODUCER” DECLARES

 

A.1. That she is a PHYSICAL PERSON WITH BUSINESS ACTIVITY and has her fiscal domicile at CARRETERA GUADALAJARA NOGALES KM 32, EL ARENAL, JALISCO, GUADALAJARA, Mexico.

 

A.2. That as part of its activities or corporate purpose she is dedicated to the production of the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila”, having the necessary facilities for its production in its factory located within the territory protected by the General Declaration of Protection to the Appellation of Origin “Tequila” in CARRETERA GUADALAJARA NOGALES KM 32 EL ARENAL JALISCO GUADALAJARA Mexico, producing the product in strict compliance with the “Official Norm of Tequila” in force.

 

A.3. That she has Authorization to produce Tequila issued by the General Directorate of Standards with office number DGN.312.06.2013.644 and, with Certificate of Compliance with the “Official Standard of Tequila”, issued by the Conformity Assessment Body in this case the Regulatory Council of Tequila, A.C. hereinafter “CRT”, which is in force.

 

A.4. That the “CRT” granted her the Number that accompanies the official password NOM 1477.

 

A.5. That she has a valid authorization to use the Appellation of Origin Tequila under number 194, issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property according to the applicable legislation.

 

A.6. That by appearing in her own right, she is in full capacity to validly sign this instrument.

 

 

 

 

 

B. THE “DISTRIBUTOR” DECLARES

 

B.1. That it is a legal entity and has its domicile at 100 Park Royal S Suite 504, West Vancouver BC, Canada V7TIA2, and as part of its activities or corporate purpose is engaged in the distribution and/or sale of alcoholic beverages, as well as obtaining, by any legal means, the registration, use, exploitation and administration of any right, title, trademark, distinctive sign or intellectual property right, to be used to distinguish and identify the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila” having its principal address at 100 Park Royal S Suite 504, West Vancouver BC, Canada V7TIA2.

 

B.2. That it has permission or authorization issued by the competent authorities to carry out the activities mentioned in the B1 Statement.

 

B.3. That with the “100% Agave Tequila” and/or bottled Tequila” of origin supplied by the “Producer”, the “Distributor” shall exclusively carry out the activities of distribution and sale of such beverage in Mexico or abroad, complying with the laws and regulations applicable in the place of final commercialization.

 

B.4. That its legal representative SEAN DOLLINGER has the necessary legal powers to validly sign this agreement on its behalf, as stated in the document attached hereto as ANNEX 1, which are in force as of the date of execution of this agreement.

 

C. BOTH PARTIES DECLARE:

 

C.1. That it is their will to commit and collaborate with each other, so that the product delivered to the consumer with the Appellation of Origin “TEQUILA”, complies with the specifications described in the “Official Norm of Tequila”.

 

C.2. That the parties are aware that the authorized user of a protected appellation of origin may in turn, by means of this agreement, allow its use only to those who distribute or sell the products of its brands. For the aforementioned purposes, the agreement must be registered in the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in order to produce effects to the detriment of third parties, as of said registration as established in article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law.

 

C.3. This agreement will become effective as of the date of obtaining the official letter issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property where the registration and approval is recorded in terms of article 165 BIS 14 sections III and IV. In case the distributor or marketer does not comply with this obligation, the registration will be cancelled.

 

 

2

 

 

C.4. That it is of the knowledge of the parties that when there are changes of name, denomination or corporate name or transformation of legal regime, as well as the changes of domicile that correspond to the authorized user must register before the Mexican Institute of the Industrial Property, the changes, in the terms foreseen in the regulation of the Law of the Industrial Property as it establishes it in article 165 BIS 25.

 

C.5. That they know that the cancellation of this agreement will proceed directly in case the “Producer” or “Distributor” and/or trademark owner, or title, or distinctive sign or intellectual property right or legal protection means do not comply with the official standards to preserve the quality of the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila”, as established in this agreement, and indirectly in case the authorization to use the Appellation of Origin Tequila or the Certificate of Compliance with the “Official Standard of Tequila” held by the “Producer” is annulled or cancelled.

 

C.6. That both parties agree to enter into this agreement in order to comply with the provisions of Article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the “Official Tequila Standard”, in accordance with the following:

 

C L A U S E S:

 

FIRST. The “Producer” undertakes to supply to the “Distributor” under the terms of this agreement, bottled product of origin that strictly complies with the “Official Standard of Tequila”.

 

SECOND. The “Producer” undertakes to provide the “Distributor” with officially valid proof of compliance with the provisions of the first clause.

 

THIRD. In accordance with the provisions of article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law and the Official Norm of Tequila, the “Producer” allows the “Distributor” the use of the word TEQUILA or TEQUILA 100% AGAVE to the brand(s) bound in this agreement, likewise the “Distributor” is obliged to comply with the requirements set forth in sections III and IV of article 165 BIS 14 of the Industrial Property Law, which establish the following:

 

 

 

3

 

 

Article 165 BIS 14.- The authorization to use an appellation of origin or geographical indication shall be requested before the Institute and shall be granted to any individual or legal entity that complies with the following requirements:

 

III.- That, as the case may be, it complies with the Mexican Official Standards established pursuant to the applicable laws, with respect to the products in question, and

 

IV.- The others indicated in the declaration.

 

The parties acknowledge that Tequila is a distinctive product originating in Mexico and agree that in no case they will fight, file opposition, cancel or interfere in any way with the “Appellation of Origin Tequila”, its registrations abroad or any other registration or means of legal protection (including without limitation any collective mark or certification mark), which covers the “Appellation of Origin Tequila”.

 

FOURTH. The “Distributor” undertakes not to alter in any way, the bottled TEQUILA or 100% AGAVE TEQUILA of origin supplied by the Producer, therefore, it may only perform the activities of distribution and sale.

 

FIFTH. By means of this agreement, the “Producer” undertakes to prepare for, and deliver exclusively to the “Distributor”, the AGED TEQUILA bottled of origin that strictly complies with the “Official Standard of Tequila”, and whose aging will be from 4 to 6 weeks in addition to those that the “Producer” commonly offers, which must be done in oak barrels. To this effect, the “Distributor” agrees to purchase from time to time from the “Producer”, a minimum of 600 bottles of said product.

 

The parties agree that with the exclusivity herein stated, no other “Distributor” with which “Producer” has any agreement entered into directly or indirectly (including without limitation a “PACKAGING OF ORIGIN CO-RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT” or even a “IN BULK CO-RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT”), may receive from “Producer” or any other person related to it directly or indirectly, the AGED TEQUILA specified in the preceding paragraph.

 

SIXTH. The “Producer” undertakes to prepare for and deliver exclusively to the “Distributor”, TEQUILA flavored in the flavors that from time to time the “Distributor” orders. For this purpose, the “Distributor” shall deliver to the “Producer” the list of flavors required by the latter.

 

SEVENTH. The “Distributor” undertakes to use the “Appellation of Origin Tequila” and to distribute the product of the same name, supplied by the Producer exclusively in the containers bearing the trademark(s), title(s), distinctive sign(s) or intellectual property right(s), susceptible to be used to distinguish and identify the alcoholic beverage called “TEQUILA” object of this agreement, which are duly registered by him (or has acquired rights) or licensed in his name in case these belong to a third party according to the corresponding laws.

 

 

4

 

 

At all times the “Distributor” shall comply with the provisions of the “Official Standard of Tequila”; he shall indicate or advertise that his product is Tequila without giving rise to confusion or doubt that it originates and is distinctive of Mexico. The distinctive signs with which the product object of this agreement will be marketed are described below:

 

Distinctive sign,
trademark, COLA*
and other.

Country and
governmental
agency of
registration

Holder Expiration
date
Number

SWOL

 

Mexico.
Mexican
Institute of
Industrial
Property
DOLLINGER INNOVATIONS   File
number 2345291

 

*CERTIFICATE OF LABEL APPROVAL (COLA)

 

Annexed to this agreement are exhibited copies of the certificates of registration of application, and/or registration, and/or trademarks, and/or distinctive sign, and/or COLAS, and/or licenses of use, and/or intellectual property rights to be used in the alcoholic beverage called “Tequila” indicated in this clause.

 

(In the event that the registration documents are written in a language other than Spanish, the corresponding apostilled translation must also be attached).

 

EIGHTH. The parties agree that the commercial information displayed on the labels and containers in which the product subject of this agreement will be marketed shall include the “Appellation of Origin Tequila” as well as the trademarks included in this agreement under which the product will be marketed, and shall comply with the provisions of the “Official Tequila Standard”, without prejudice of the other applicable provisions in the jurisdiction of the place of commercialization.

 

NINTH. This agreement will have an undetermined validity as of the date of obtaining the official notice issued by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property where the registration and approval of the same one is recorded, according to the established in article 165 BIS 24 of the Industrial Property Law.

 

This agreement will be able to be terminated by agreement of the parts, being enough for it the presentation of the corresponding writing before the Mexican Institute of the Industrial Property. When the cancellation is requested by only one of the parties, it must have the official notice issued by the same institute.

 

TENTH. Failure of any of the parties to comply with the “Official Tequila Standard” under this agreement will result in the suspension or cancellation of the export certificates issued by the “CRT”.

 

ELEVENTH. The parties agree that for the interpretation and compliance of this agreement they will expressly submit to the application of the applicable Mexican legislation, as well as to the jurisdiction of the federal courts in the city of Guadalajara, waiving any other jurisdiction that may correspond to them.

 

TWELFTH. This Spanish version is the only one with official validity, any translation will be considered as a courtesy and without any value.

 

 

5

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED IN MEXICO CITY ON JULY 6, 2020.

 

“PRODUCER”   “DISTRIBUTOR”
     
LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO   /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER
    [Signature]
    SEAN DOLLINGER
     
WITNESSES
 
    /s/ CONSTANZA REMONDA
    [Signature]
    CONSTANZA REMONDA

 

 

6

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

 

  The Spanish Group LLC
  1 Park Plaza, Suite 600
  Irvine, CA 92614
  United States of America
  https://www.thespanishgroup.org

 

Certified Translation

 

Furnished on the 10th day of June, 2023

 

 

I, Alexander Largaespada (/s/ Alexander Largaespada), hereby certify that I translated the attached document from Spanish into English or English into Spanish and that this translation is an accurate and faithful translation of the original document. Furthermore, I certify that I am proficient in translating both Spanish and English and that I hold the capacity to render and certify the validity of such a translation. This document has not been translated for a family member, friend, or business associate.

 

I, Salvador G. Ordorica, as a Quality Assurance Agent of The Spanish Group LLC, hereby attest that the aforementioned translator is a proficient Spanish-English translator. Accordingly, as an authorized representative of The Spanish Group, I certify that this document has been proofread and that the attached document is a faithful and authentic translation of its original.

 

Respectfully,

 

/s/ Salvador G. Ordorica    
Salvador G. Ordorica    
The Spanish Group LLC    
(ATA #267262)    

 

 

 

The Spanish Group LLC verifies the credentials and/or competency of its translators and the present certification, as well as any attached pages, serves to affirm that the document(s) enumerated above has/have been translated as accurately as possible from its/their original(s). The Spanish Group LLC does not attest that the original document(s) is/are accurate, legitimate, or has/have not been falsified. Through having accepted the terms and conditions set forth in order to contract The Spanish Group LLC’s services, and/or through presenting this certificate, the client releases, waives, discharges and relinquishes the right to present any legal claim(s) against The Spanish Group LLC. Consequently, The Spanish Group LLC cannot be held liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Client(s) or any other party either during, after, or arising from the use of The Spanish Group LLC’s services.

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

 

 

State of California

County of      ORANGE.

 

On,     June 10th, 2023 before me, NlCOLE A. RENNA NOTARY PUBLlC.
    (insert name and title of the officer)
personally appeared Salvador G. Ordorica,

who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his authorized capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.

 

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

 

WITNESS my hand and official seal.  

 

Signature /s/ NlCOLE A. RENNA (Notary Public Seal)

 

2

 

 

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND BONDING AGREEMENT

 

Shared responsibility and bonding agreement to maintain the quality of Tequila made 100% of agave bottled at origin, by which the use of the Tequila Designation of Origin is allowed in compliance with article 308 of the Federal Law for Protection of the Industrial Property, entered on one part by “LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO” hereinafter referred to as “THE PRODUCER”, and on the other, “DOLLINGER INNOVATIONSINC.”, represented in this agreement by SEAN DOLLINGER, hereinafter referred to as “THE DISTRIBUTOR”; both parties agree to the following declarations and clauses:

 

DECLARATIONS:

 

THE PRODUCER DECLARES THAT:

 

A-1 That she is a natural person, of legal age, and of Mexican nationality who is legally competent to validly execute this agreement by her own right.

 

A-2 That as a part of her activities, she undertakes the production of the alcoholic beverage denominated “Tequila made 100% of agave”, having the premises needed to its production in her factory located in KM 32 of the INTERNATIONAL HIGHWAY GUADALAJARA-NOGALES, EL ARENAL MUNICIPALITY, POSTAL CODE 45350; JALISCO, MEXICO, manufacturing the product in strict accordance with the OFFICIAL MEXICAN STANDARD NOM-006-SCFI-2012.

 

A-3 That she has the authorization to produce Tequila, issued by the General Standards Directorate of the Ministry of Economics.

 

A-4 That she has the authorization to use the Tequila Designation of Origin number DOT-194, issued in accordance with the applicable legislation of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, an agency that belongs to the government of the United Mexican States. Also, she manifests that the validity of such authorization does not expires or finishes before the validity of this agreement.

 

B. THE DISTRIBUTOR DECLARES THAT:

 

B-1 That it is a Canadian society legally incorporated in accordance with the laws of Canada.

 

B-2 That as a part of its activities it distributes and/or sells alcoholic beverages, with domicile in:

 

100 PARK ROYAL S SUITE 504, WEST VANCOUVER BC, V7V3G4, CANADA

 

 

/s/ LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER
[Signature] [Signature]
   
 3 

 

 

B-3 That it has the permission or authorization issued by the corresponding authorities to carry out the activities mentioned in declaration B-2 and that the validity of such authorization or permission does not expire before the date in which this agreement ends, unless there are supervenient conditions.

 

B-4 That based on the Tequila made 100% of Agave, bottled and labeled at origin supplied by “THE PRODUCER” in accordance with this agreement. “THE DISTRIBUTOR” will carry out the activities of distribution and sale of that beverage in Mexico and/or overseas and for that end, it undertakes to comply with the laws and regulations that are applicable in the place where it will be marketed.

 

B-5 That SEAN DOLLINGER is its administrative manager, who has all the sufficient and necessary legal authority to validly execute this agreement in representation of “THE DISTRIBUTOR” and to be bound to the terms of the same.

 

C.- BOTH PARTIES DECLARE THAT:

 

C-1 They are willing to commit and collaborate with each other so that the product delivered to the consumer with the Tequila Designation of Origin has the required quality and comply strictly with the provisions of the Official Mexican Standard currently in force, as well as with all the regulations applicable and currently in force on this matter.

 

C-2 That they agree that this agreement will be effective only after its registration in the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property of the Mexican United States, prior sanction or approval of the same in accordance with the terms of the Federal Law for Protection of the Industrial Property currently in force.

 

C-3 That they confirm that they are aware that the cancellation of such registration will occur directly in the case of any of the parties not complying with the official standards established by the Ministry of Economics to preserve the quality of the alcoholic beverage known in Mexico and internationally as “Tequila”, as established in the agreement herein, and indirectly in the case of the authorization of use of the Tequila Designation of Origin that “THE PRODUCER” as mentioned in declaration A-5 being annulled or cancelled, as well as due to noncompliance with the provisions of the agreement herein by any of the parties, or if the brand mentioned in Clause Eight is not valid.

 

C-4 Both parties confirm that they are aware that in compliance with the provisions of article 309 of the Federal Law for Protection of the Industrial Property the user authorized by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property shall register before it the changes in the name, designation or registered name or transformation of the juridical regime, as well as the corresponding changes of address in accordance with the terms provided in the Regulations of the aforementioned Law.

 

 

/s/ LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER
[Signature] [Signature]
   
 4 

 

 

C-5 That both parties agree in executing this agreement and hereby mutually acknowledge one another’s proper legal capacity to do so, in compliance with the provisions of article 308 of the Federal Law for Protection of the Industrial Property; also, they manifest that they know the scope and contents of the Official Mexican Standard for Tequila currently in force, as well as the General Declaration of the Tequila Designation of Origin and it is their will to execute the agreement herein, in accordance with the following:

 

CLAUSES:

 

FIRST. - The parties agree that for the interpretation of, and compliance with, this agreement, the following grammatical terms will be understood as follows:

 

“THE PRODUCER” – The natural person “LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO”, by her own right, who acts in her full capacity.
“THE DISTRIBUTOR” – The “DOLLINGER INNOVATIONS INC.” society.
“THE AGREEMENT” – It is the Shared responsibility and bonding agreement herein.
“THE PARTIES” – These are “THE PRODUCER” and “THE DISTRIBUTOR” who appear to execute the agreement herein.
“The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property” – Which is a public decentralized agency with legal capacity and independent capital structure whose objective is the application of the Federal Law for Protection of the Industrial Property, its Regulations, and other applicable provisions on this matter.

 

SECOND. - “THE PRODUCER” undertakes to supply “THE DISTRIBUTOR” in accordance with the terms of the agreement herein, products manufactured, bottled and labeled by “THE PRODUCER” that comply strictly with the OFFICIAL MEXICAN STANDARD FOR TEQUILA CURRENTLY IN FORCE.

 

THIRD. - “THE PRODUCER” undertakes to provide “THE DISTRIBUTOR” officially valid proofs of the compliance with the provisions of this agreement if and when the former requires them.

 

FOURTH. - In accordance with the provisions of article 308 of the Federal Law for Protection of the Industrial Property, “THE PRODUCER” allows “THE DISTRIBUTOR” to apply the word Tequila to the product it will sell or distribute from the products received from “THE PRODUCER”.

 

FIFTH. - In accordance with the provisions of Article 308 of the Law for Protection of the Industrial Property currently in force, “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes to comply with the requirements established in sections III, IV and V of article 298 of the aforementioned Law, as well as with those provided by the Regulations of the aforementioned Law. In the event that “THE DISTRIBUTOR” does not comply with this obligation, the cancellation of the registration will proceed.

 

 

/s/ LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER
[Signature] [Signature]
   
 5 

 

 

For the purposes of the provisions of the previous paragraph, fractions III, IV and V of Article 298 of the aforementioned Law are transcribed textually; and “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes to comply with them.

 

Article 298. - The authorization to use a designation of origin or geographic indication shall be requested before the Institute and it will be granted to every natural or juridical person who:

 

III. - Present the document that demonstrates the compliance with the established rules of use in the case of a protected designation of origin, and

 

IV. - Present the document that demonstrates the compliance with the established rules of use in the case of a protected geographic indication, and

 

V. - Comply with the other requirements that, in its case, are established in the declaration.

 

SIXTH. - “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes not to alter in any form, in carrying out the activities mentioned in declaration B-4, the Tequila made 100% of Agave that will be delivered by “THE PRODUCER” previously bottled and labeled at origin.

 

The only operations that “THE DISTRUBUTOR” may carry out are to distribute or sell the product delivered by the producer, previously bottled and labeled.

 

SEVENTH. - “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes to provide “THE PRODUCER” at least once a year, with officially valid proofs of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

EIGHT. - “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes to use the Tequila Designation of Origin and to distribute the product of the same name, provided by “THE PRODUCER” exclusively in the bottles that bear the “SWOL” Designation, which is currently registered as a brand in class 33 before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in accordance with the following information:

 

PRODUCTS   DESIGNATION  

REGISTRATION

COUNTRY

 

REGISTRATION

NUMBER

  HOLDER

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES EXCEPT BEERS; TEQUILA; ALCOHOLIC PREPARATIONS TO MAKE BEVERAGES.

  SWOL   MEXICO   2141431   DOLLINGER INNOVATIONS INC.

 

 

 

/s/ LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER
[Signature] [Signature]
   
 6 

 

 

NINTH. - “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes to show ostensibly the number of NOM (Mexican Official Standard) 1477 assigned to “THE PRODUCER” in the labels in which the brand identifying the product will be applied. The information about such number or its modifications will be provided by “THE PRODUCER” to “THE DISTRIBUTOR”.

 

TENTH. - “THE DISTRIBUTOR” undertakes to place in the market all the products distributed or made by it from the product delivered by “THE PRODUCER” after having been bottled and labeled at origin; in no case “THE DISTRIBUTOR” may sell or distribute in the market such product in bulk, being the noncompliance of this clause a cause for the anticipated termination of this agreement.

 

ELEVENTH. - “THE PRODUCER” will manufacture exclusively for “THE DISTRIBUTOR”, in accordance with the provisions of this agreement and in the quantities and conditions mutually agreed, the product “TEQUILA ANEJO” whose ageing will be carried out in “OAK BARRELS” during 4 to 6 weeks more than those offered by “THE PRODUCER” to other Distributors.

 

TWELFTH. - Also, “THE PRODUCER” will manufacture exclusively for “THE DISTRIBUTOR” in accordance with the provisions of the agreement herein and in the quantities and conditions mutually agreed, PEACH-FLAVORED “TEQUILA 100% DE AGAVE”.

 

THIRTEENTH. - The agreement herein will be valid during five (5) years, starting from the date on which the Mexican Industrial Property Institute officially communicates its registration.

 

Also, the parties recognize that the validity agreed upon in this clause could be modified by the entry into force of legal provisions that substantially affect the terms and conditions of the aforementioned agreement, or other related to the compliance with the Mexican Official Standard for Tequila currently in force, for which the agreement may be modified and renewed in accordance with the new applicable provisions, in which case the parties agree to present before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property a new agreement that adjusts to those legal provisions.

 

Any of the parties may terminate this agreement prior written notification to its counterpart with thirty (30) days in advance.

 

FOURTEENTH. - The parties agree that the registration of the agreement herein before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property shall be requested in the first thirty (30) days after its execution.

 

In the event that the registration of the Agreement herein is denied by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, “THE DISTRIBUTOR” will notify “THE PRODUCER” the reasons presented by the aforementioned Institute and will request her consent to modify the agreement herein in accordance with the terms indicated by the Institute, before presenting it again for its registration.

 

 

 

/s/ LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER
[Signature] [Signature]
   
 7 

 

 

FIFTEENTH. - Once the Agreement has been registered, “THE DISTRIBUTOR” will deliver to “THE PRODUCER” a copy of the respective registration proof in the first fifteen (15) days after the registration date.

 

SIXTEENTH. - The notices and notifications that by virtue of “The Agreement” shall be given by “The Parties” to each other shall be in writing and delivered in an indisputable manner to “The Parties” at the domiciles that they specified in the agreement herein.

 

SEVENTEENTH. - “The Parties” declare that the execution of this agreement is free of any malice, fraud, bad faith, or any other vice that may invalidate it, and the contracting parties agree that the agreed clauses are fair and legitimate.

 

EIGHTEENTH. - In the case of one or more of the stipulations established in “The Agreement” being declared as not valid due to an order from a judiciary authority, the remaining clauses herein will be valid for all legal effects between “The Parties”.

 

NINETEENTH. - “The Agreement” represents the manifestation of the will of “The Parties” and has the character of definitive between them in relation to its subject matter, by virtue of which starting from this moment, renders completely void any other agreement, be it verbal, written, tacit or express, that may exist between “The Parties” in relation to the matter of “The Agreement”, and the juridical relationship derived from “The Agreement” solely and exclusively will subsist.

 

TWENTIETH. - The parties agree that, for the interpretation of, and compliance with, the agreement herein, as well as in the case of any controversy or litigation, they will submit to the jurisdiction of the courts, laws, and territory of Mexico, particularly, to those of the City of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, relinquishing to the jurisdiction that may correspond to them by reason of their current or future domicile.

 

TWENTY-FIRST. - This Spanish version is the only with official validity.

 

 

 

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Having been duly informed of the content and legal scope of the agreement herein and being free of any malice, fraud, bad faith or any other consent vice that may render it void, they sign it in Guadalajara, Jalisco, on March 19th, 2021

 

THE PRODUCER

 

  /s/ LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO
  [Signature]  
  LETICIA HERMOSILLO RAVELERO  

 

THE DISTRIBUTOR

 

  /s/ SEAN DOLLINGER  
  [Signature]  
  SEAN DOLLINGER  

 

DOLLINGER INNOVATIONS INC

 

WITNESS   WITNESS
     
/s/ CONSTANZA REMONDA   /s/ MIRIAM MARGARITA PEREZ RAYGOZA
[Signature]   [Signature]
CONSTANZA REMONDA   MIRIAM MARGARITA PEREZ RAYGOZA
   

 

 

9

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into, as of July 1, 2020 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Dollinger Holdings LLC (“Client”) and Country Wine & Spirits, LLC (“Agency”) who are sometimes referred to as “Party” and collectively as “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Client has the right to use certain intellectual property relating to SWOL-branded tequila and related trademarks and patents and to distribute certain products using those marks and patents (the “Products”) in the United States (the “Territory”);

 

WHEREAS, Agency has access to established sales channels, both brick and mortar and through its e-commerce site “cwspirits.com,” which Agency is willing and desires to use for sale of the Products; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to execute this Agreement in order to memorialize the terms and conditions on which Agency may use the Products and by which Client will permit such use.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES

 

a.ENGAGEMENT. Client hereby engages Agency on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

b.SERVICES. During the term of this Agreement, Agency shall provide the following services to Client (collectively, the “Services”) in compliance with applicable law and the commercially reasonable directions of Client:

 

i.BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. Identify new business opportunities and secure new customers for the Products.

 

ii.RETAIL DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY. Prepare ongoing retail distribution strategies for Products, including existing and new buyers, sales channels, marketing strategy, and price negotiation.

 

iii.IMPLEMENTATION OF SALES STRATEGY. Implement Client’s sales strategy, including managing the relationships and acting as a liaison with the Client’s appointed office personal.

 

 

 

 

c.BUSINESS TIME. Agency shall devote to the perfonnance of its services hereunder such time as Agency in its discretion detennines to be appropriate for performing the Services; provided that, the parties acknowledge and agree that Agency shall not be required to devote its exclusive business time to the performance of those Services.

 

d.LOCATION. Agency shall perform the Services primarily from its office, with such periodic travel to Client’s offices and other locations as is reasonably required for the prompt, efficient, and economical performance of the Services.

 

e.ACCEPTANCE. Agency hereby accepts the engagement by Client pursuant to this paragraph, and agrees to perform the Services in a competent, efficient, and businesslike manner.

 

2.COMPENSATION. Client shall compensate Agency for Agency’s Services pursuant to this Agreement as follows: Client shall advance all costs for importing and delivering the Products to Agency as required from time to time to perform the Services. Agency shall repay to Client from sales of the Products all such costs plus an additional amount equal to 20% of all such costs, representing a licensing fee for the Products.

 

a.TIMING OF PAYMENTS. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month during the period for which compensation is due pursuant to Paragraph 2, Client shall deliver to Agency (i) a written summary of the costs of the Products delivered to Agency during the immediately preceding calendar month; and (ii) Agency shall deliver to client a written summary of the Products sold in the Territory during the immediately preceding calendar month, and (ii) Agency shall deliver to Client a check or electronic transfer for the amount of compensation due under Paragraph 2.

 

b.NO WITHHOLDINGS. No income or other wage withholding taxes shall be withheld from amounts payable under Paragraph 2. Agency shall be solely responsible for all income taxes, self-employment taxes and other taxes which may be due with respect to the compensation payable under Paragraph 2.

 

3.OTHER AGREEMENTS OF PARTIES

 

a.COPIES OF ALL ORDERS AND RECEIVABLES IN TERRITORY. On request, Agency shall provide to Agency a recount for the previous calendar month of all orders shipped and pending. On request, Agency shall include a financial statement for the previous calendar month which sets out compensation paid and outstanding receivables on Territory accounts in connection with amounts due to Client pursuant to Paragraph 2.

 

b.AUDIT RIGHTS. Upon reasonable advance notice during the ninety (90) days following the last date as of which a payment is due from Agency to Client pursuant to Paragraph 2, Client may inspect Agency’s books and records to the extent reasonably required to confirm that Agency has paid to Agency the compensation due under Paragraph 2. Each such audit shall be conducted during regular weekday business hours at the offices of Agency Client may engage an accountant or other advisor to assist in such audit, including inspecting Agency’s books and records pursuant to this Section 3.2.

 

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c.ACCESS TO CLIENT INFORMATION. In order to enable Agency to perform the Services hereunder, Client from time to time during the term of this Agreement shall (a) provide Agency copies of all pertinent business, financial, and Product information pertaining to the Products and planned products marketed, distributed, and sold by Client, and (b) provide Agency access to such of Client’s personnel to whom Agency reasonably requests access in order to perform the Services hereunder.

 

d.CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Agency acknowledges that it may be exposed to Client’s Confidential Information. Agency agrees that, during and after the Term, it shall use the Confidential Information solely for purposes of performing its obligations and/or exercising its rights under this Agreement, and shall not disclose to any third party any Confidential Information without the prior written consent of Client. Agency may disclose the Confidential Information only to its employees as is reasonably necessary to allow it to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to obtain the benefits thereof, provided that each such employee is under a written obligation of nondisclosure which protects the Confidential Information under terms substantially similar to those herein. For the purposes hereof “Confidential Information” shall mean any information disclosed by Client to Agency regarding the Products, proposed new products or other information related to Client’s technology or business that Agency knows, or should know in light of the circumstances under which such information is disclosed, is Client’s confidential or proprietary information. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, information shall not be deemed to be Confidential Information to the extent that such information: (a) was generally known and available in the public domain at the time it was disclosed or subsequently becomes generally known and available in the public domain through no fault of Agency; (b) was known to Agency at the time of disclosure; (c) is disclosed with the prior written approval of Client; (d) was independently developed by Agency without any use of the Confidential Information; or (e) becomes known to Agency from a source other than Vendor without breach of this Agreement by Agency and is otherwise not in violation of Client’s rights (including, but not limited to, any violation of any confidentiality obligation of such source).

 

e.INTEREST ON DELINQUENCY. All amounts due hereunder shall bear interest at ten percent (10%) per annum if not paid within thirty (30) days of the due date.

 

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4.TERM

 

a.TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and subject to sooner termination pursuant to Section 4(b) below, and expire on the one (1) year anniversary thereof. The Agreement will automatically renew for successive (1) year periods thereafter unless terminated sooner pursuant to Section 4(b).

 

b.TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

 

i.TERMINATION BY AGENCY. Agency may elect to terminate this Agreement either:

 

(1)FOR CAUSE. If (A) Agency is not then in breach of this Agreement, (B) Client breaches its obligations hereunder, and (C) Client fails to cure such breach within seven (7) days following the date on which Agency delivers to Client written notice of such breach describing in reasonable detail the circumstances giving rise to such breach and the specific Sections of this Agreement alleged to be breached thereby. Any termination under this Section shall not be effective prior to the expiration of such 7-day period.

 

(2)WITHOUT CAUSE. Without cause or breach by Client, by delivering to Client a written notice of termination that specifies the termination date (not sooner than thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice).

 

  ii.TERMINATION BY CLIENT. Client may elect to terminate this Agreement either:

 

(1)FOR CAUSE, UPON NOTICE. If (A) Client is not then in breach of this Agreement, (B) Agency breaches his obligations hereunder, and (C) Agency fails to cure such breach within seven (7) days following the date on which Client delivers to Agency written notice of such breach, describing in reasonable detail the circumstances giving rise to such breach and the specific Sections of this Agreement alleged to be breached thereby. Any termination under this Section shall not be effective prior to the expiration of such 7-day period.

 

(2)FOR CAUSE, EFFECIVE IMMEDIATELY. Client may terminate this Agreement effective immediately upon the occurrence of any of the following events: a) any of Agency’s officers, directors, shareholders, employees or agents engage in an act involving moral turpitude; b) Agency or any of Agency’s officers, directors, shareholders or employees is charged with a crime punishable as a felony or an act involving dishonesty or deception; or c) any of Agency’s officers, directors, shareholders or employees otherwise engage in an act which exposes Client or any of Client’s officers, directors, shareholders, employees, or agents to infamy or ridicule, or which imputes to any of them conduct, characteristics or conditions incompatible with the proper exercise of Client’s lawful business, trade, profession and/or office.

 

4

 

 

(3)WITHOUT CAUSE. Without cause or breach by Agency, by delivering to Agency a written notice of termination that specifies the termination date (not sooner than thirty (30) days following delivery of such notice).

 

c.EFFECT OF EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION. Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms:

 

i.CESSATION OF AGENCY’S ENGAGEMENT. Agency shall cease holding itself out as having any affiliation with Client.

 

ii.AUDIT RIGHTS. Client shall retain audit rights pursuant to Paragraph 3(6) above.

 

d.ACCRUED COMPENSATION. Agency shall continue to be obligated to pay Client for all compensation accrued under Paragraph 2, above, with respect to all periods for which Products were sold.

 

5.ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF PARTIES

 

a.STATUS. Agency acknowledges that in performing Services pursuant to this Agreement, Agency (a) shall be an independent contractor and not an employee of Client, (b) shall not be entitled to participate in any fringe benefit programs established by Client for the benefit of its employees, and (c) shall be solely responsible for paying prior to delinquency, and shall indemnify, defend, and hold Client free and harmless from and against, all income taxes, self-employment taxes, and other taxes (including any interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed on the fees and expense reimbursements paid by Client to Agency pursuant to this Agreement.

 

b.LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY. Agency shall not be an agent of Client and shall have no authority to bind Client or incur any liabilities in the name of Client, except with the prior written consent of Client (which consent may be withheld in the absolute discretion of Client). The fact that Agency is a party to this Agreement shall not constitute authority to bind Client or incur any liabilities in the name of Client.

 

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c.INDEMNITY BY CLIENT. Except for any liabilities arising hereunder by reason of Agency’s gross negligence or breach of his obligations hereunder, Client shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agency free and harmless from and against all claims, costs, damages, and expenses arising from or relating to Agency’s performance of Services hereunder.

 

d.INDEMNITY BY AGENCY. Agency shall indemnify, defend and hold Client free and harmless from and against all claims, costs, damages and expenses arising from or relating to Agency’s grossly negligent performance of the Services, or his breach of his obligations hereunder.

 

6.MISCELLANEOUS

 

a.NOTICES. All notices permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been delivered and received (a) when Personally delivered, (b) on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, (c) on the date on which transmitted by facsimile, email, or other electronic means producing a tangible receipt evidencing a successful transmission, or (d) on the next business day after the day on which deposited with a regulated public carrier (e.g., Federal Express), freight prepaid, addressed to the Party for whom intended at the mailing address set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other mailing or street address, facsimile number, or email address, notice of which has been delivered in a manner permitted by this Section.

 

b.FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each Party agrees, upon the request of the other Party, to make, execute, and deliver such additional documents, and to take such additional actions, as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

 

c.BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, each of the parties hereto and each of its respective successors and assigns; provided that (a) the obligations of Client hereunder shall be deemed to be assumed by, and shall be automatically binding upon, any Person that acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Client other than in the ordinary course of Client’s business, and (b) Agency may not delegate his obligations hereunder except with the prior written consent of Client.

 

d.COMPLETE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS. This Agreement (a) contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, concerning such subject matter, and (b) shall not be modified or amended, except by a written instrument executed after the effective date hereof by the Party sought to be charged with such amendment or modification.

 

e.ATTORNEYS’ FEES. If any action is commenced to construe this Agreement or to enforce any of the rights and duties created herein, then the Party prevailing in that action shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorneys’ fees in that action incurred before filing that action, during that action, and through all appellate levels, as well as all costs and fees of enforcing any judgment entered therein.

 

f.GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Florida law (other than its conflict-of-law principles), and each Party hereby consents to exclusive venue and personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the Southern District of Florida of all actions commenced to construe or enforce this Agreement.

 

6

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement, effective as of the date set forth above.

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC   COUNTRY WINE & SPIRITS, LLC
         
By: /s/ Sean Dollinger   By: /s/ Shawn Kattoula
  Sean Dollinger     Shawn Kattoula
As: Member Manager   As: Member Manager

 

7

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

among

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

as the Buyer and

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC

 

as the Seller

 

dated as of

 

May 31, 2021

 

 

 

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 31, 2021, is made and entered into between LQR House Inc. (the “Buyer”) and DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company (“Dollinger Holdings”) (the “Seller”), and the undersigned member of Dollinger Holdings (the “Owner”). The Seller and the Owner are sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Seller Party”.

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Seller operates a business, among other things, in the domains of consulting, brand development, and creation of related assets including related intellectual property.

 

B. The Seller wishes to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer wishes to purchase from the Seller, the Purchased Assets (as defined herein), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein (such sale and purchase, together with all other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the “Transaction”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. The following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Agreement:

 

Action” means any claim, action, cause of action, demand, lawsuit, arbitration, inquiry, audit, examination, notice of violation, proceeding, litigation, citation, summons, subpoena or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or otherwise, whether at law or in equity.

 

Affiliate” of a Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise.

 

The “Business” means all that relating to the online or in-person sale of original wine and other products branded as Soleil Vino.

 

Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks located in New York City are authorized or required by Law to be closed for business.

 

Buyer Shares” means shares of Buyer’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean May 31, 2021.

 

 

 

Contracts” means all legally binding contracts, purchase orders, leases, deeds, mortgages, licenses, instruments, notes, commitments, undertakings, indentures, joint ventures and all other agreements, commitments and legally binding arrangements.

 

Current Assets” means those categories of current assets of the Seller identified on Schedule 1.1a which are Purchased Assets, determined in accordance with GAAP, applied using the same accounting methods, practices, principles, policies and procedures, with consistent classifications, judgments and valuation and estimation methodologies that were used in the preparation of the balance sheet as of Closing Date included in the Financial Statements. The calculation of Current Assets for purposes of the determining Closing Net Working Capital shall be consistent with the methodology, line items and categories applied in the illustrative calculation of Net Working Capital set forth on Schedule 1.1a.

 

Current Liabilities” means those categories of current liabilities of the Seller identified on Schedule 1.1a which are Assumed Liabilities, determined in accordance with GAAP (for clarity, excluding deferred income), applied using the same accounting methods, practices, principles, policies and procedures, with consistent classifications, judgments and valuation and estimation methodologies that were used in the preparation of the balance sheet as of Closing Date. The calculation of Current Liabilities for purposes of determining the Closing Net Working Capital shall be consistent with the methodology, line items and categories applied in the illustrative calculation of Net Working Capital set forth on Schedule 1.1a.

 

Dollars” or “$” means the lawful currency of the United States.

 

Encumbrance” means any charge, claim, community property interest, pledge, equitable interest, lien (statutory or other), option, security interest, mortgage, easement, encroachment, right of way, right of first refusal, or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership.

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, provincial, state, local or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision, or any quasi-governmental authority (to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of such authority have the force of Law), or any arbitrator, court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

 

Governmental Order” means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered into by or with any Governmental Authority.

 

Indebtedness” means, without duplication, (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond (other than any performance bond), debenture, mortgage or other debt instrument or debt security, (iii) payment obligations currently due and payable under any interest rate, currency or other hedging agreement, (iv) obligations under any performance bond or letter of credit (to the extent drawn), (v) any Liabilities of the Seller in respect of any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which Liabilities are required to be classified and accounted for under GAAP as capital leases; (vi) any amounts for the deferred purchase price of goods and services other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, including any earn out Liabilities associated with past acquisitions; (vii) all Liabilities with respect to any current or former employee, consultant, officer or director of the Business or the Seller that arise before the Closing Date, including obligations in respect of transaction bonuses, change-in-control payments, severance rights, deferred compensation payments, and similar obligations triggered by the transactions contemplated herein, and all accrued salary, paid time off and vacation obligations, and any and all employment or payroll Taxes imposed with respect to the foregoing (except, with respect to Transferring Employees, to the extent such accrued salary, paid time off and vacation obligations, and any payroll or employment Taxes imposed with respect to such obligations exist as of the Closing Date ); (viii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) of other Persons for the payment of which the Seller are responsible or liable, as obligor, guarantor, surety or otherwise, including any guarantee of such obligations; (ix) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of other Persons secured by (or for which the holder of such obligations has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Encumbrance on any property or asset of the Business or the Seller (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Business or the Seller); and (x) all prepayment penalties, premiums or fees required to be paid in connection with the prepayment of any of the foregoing; provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include the amount of the Seller Transaction Expenses.

 

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Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property and industrial property rights and assets, and all rights, interests and protections that are associated with, similar to, or required for the exercise of, any of the foregoing, however arising, pursuant to the Laws of any jurisdiction throughout the world, whether registered or unregistered, including any and all: (a) trademarks, service marks, trade names, brand names, logos, trade dress, design rights and other similar designations of source, sponsorship, association or origin, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations, applications and renewals for, any of the foregoing; (b) internet domain names, whether or not trademarks, registered in any top-level domain by any authorized private registrar or Governmental Authority, web addresses, web pages, websites and related content, accounts with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms and the content found thereon and related thereto, and URLs; (c) works of authorship, expressions, designs and design registrations, whether or not copyrightable, including copyrights, author, performer, moral and neighboring rights, and all registrations, applications for registration and renewals of such copyrights; (d) inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, business and technical information and know-how, databases, data collections and other confidential and proprietary information and all rights therein; (e) patents (including all reissues, divisionals, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part, re-examinations, renewals, substitutions and extensions thereof), patent applications, and other patent rights and any other Governmental Authority-issued indicia of invention ownership (including inventor’s certificates, petty patents and patent utility models); (f) software and firmware, including data files, source code, object code, application programming interfaces, architecture, files, records, schematics, computerized databases and other related specifications and documentation; (g) royalties, fees, income, payments and other proceeds now or hereafter due or payable with respect to any and all of the foregoing; (h) rights of personality, publicity and privacy; and (i) all rights to any Actions of any nature available to or being pursued to the extent related to any of the foregoing, whether accruing before, on or after the Closing Date, including all rights to and claims for damages, restitution and injunctive relief for infringement, dilution, misappropriation, violation, misuse, breach or default, with the right but no obligation to sue for such legal and equitable relief, and to collect, or otherwise recover, any such damages.

 

Intellectual Property Assets” means all Intellectual Property that is owned by or licensed to the Seller and used in or necessary for the conduct of the Business as currently conducted.

 

Intellectual Property Registrations” means all Intellectual Property Assets that are subject to any issuance, registration, application or other filing by, to or with any Governmental Authority or authorized private registrar in any jurisdiction, including registered trademarks, domain names and copyrights, issued and reissued patents and pending applications for any of the foregoing.

 

ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time.

 

Knowledge of the Seller”, “The Seller’s Knowledge” or any other similar knowledge qualification means the knowledge of Sean Dollinger, after reasonable inquiry (including, with respect to financial or accounting matters, inquiry of the Seller’s advisors).

 

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order, constitution, treaty, common law, judgment, decree, other requirement or rule of law of any Governmental Authority.

 

Liability(ies)” means any and all debts, liabilities, obligations or commitments of any kind or nature whatsoever, asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured or otherwise.

 

Losses” means all losses, damages, Liabilities, deficiencies, Actions, judgments, costs or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder, but excluding punitive or exemplary damages (except to the extent the same are awarded to a third party).

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, occurrence, fact, condition or change that is, or could reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to (a) the business, results of operations, financial condition, or assets of the Business, (b) or the ability of the Seller to consummate the Transaction contemplated herein.

 

Net Working Capital” means, as at a specified date and without duplication, an amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to (i) the consolidated Current Assets minus (ii) the consolidated Current Liabilities (excluding, for the sake of clarity, any liabilities included in the definition of Indebtedness), calculated in accordance with GAAP, applied using the same accounting methods, practices, principles, policies and procedures, with consistent classifications, judgments and valuation and estimation methodologies that were used in the preparation of the balance sheet as of the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, Net Working Capital shall in no case include Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities.

 

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Permits” means all permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, authorizations, registrations, certificates, variances and similar rights obtained, or required to be obtained, from Governmental Authorities.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability Seller, Governmental Authority, unincorporated organization, trust, association or other entity.

 

Representative” means, with respect to any Person, any and all directors, officers, employees, consultants, financial advisors, counsel, accountants and other agents of such Person.

 

Seller Transaction Expenses” means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of any and all fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of, or paid or to be paid directly by, the Seller or Owner or any Person that the Seller pays or reimburses or is otherwise legally obligated to pay or reimburse in connection with the process of selling the Business and the Purchased Assets or the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the performance or consummation of the Transaction, including (i) all fees and expenses of counsel, advisors, consultants, investment bankers, accountants, auditors and any other experts in connection with the Transaction; (ii) any fees and expenses associated with obtaining necessary or appropriate waivers, consents, or approvals of any Governmental Authority or third parties on behalf of the Seller in connection with the Transaction; (iii) any fees or expenses associated with obtaining the release and termination of any Encumbrances in connection with the Transaction; and (iv) all brokers’, finders’ or similar fees in connection with the Transaction.

 

Taxes” means any and all (a) federal, provincial, state, local, municipal foreign and other income, gross receipts, sales, production, ad valorem, transfer, documentary, franchise, registration, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, unemployment, estimated, excise, severance, environmental, stamp, occupation, premium, property (real or personal), real property gains, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto and any interest in respect of such additions or penalties or (b) liability for any amounts of the type described in clause (a) above payable by reason of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), transferee or successor liability, by contract or otherwise, and the term “Tax” means any one of the foregoing Taxes.

 

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, information return or statement or other document relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

 

Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Bill of Sale, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and the other agreements, instruments and documents required to be delivered at or in connection with the Closing.

 

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1 Purchase and Sale of Assets. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Seller shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to the Buyer, and the Buyer, in reliance on the representations, warranties and covenants of the Seller and the Owner contained herein, shall purchase from the Seller, all of the Seller’s right, title and interest in and to all assets, properties and rights, whether tangible or intangible, personal or mixed, accrued, unaccrued or contingent (including goodwill), wherever located and whether now existing or hereafter acquired prior to the Closing Date, related to, used or held for use in connection with the Business, as the same shall exist on the Closing Date, as reflected on or specifically referred to in the Seller’s books or financial statements or in the Schedules hereto, other than the Excluded Assets (collectively, the “Purchased Assets”), in each case free and clear of any Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances, including all of the Seller’s right, title and interest under, in or to (as applicable) the following:

 

(a) all inventory, finished goods, raw materials, work in progress, packaging, supplies, parts and other inventories, wherever located (“Inventory”);

 

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(b) all Contracts, including, but not limited to, the Contracts listed on Schedule 2.1(b) (the “Assigned Contracts”);

 

(c) all Intellectual Property Assets set forth in Schedule 2.1(c);

 

(d) all credits, rebates (including ACH payments, credit memos and any other rebates based on purchase volumes), prepaid expenses, advance payments, claims, security, refunds, rights of recovery, rights of set-off, rights of recoupment, deposits, charges, sums and fees;

 

(e) warranties, indemnities and all similar rights against third parties to the extent related to the Business, the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities (and proceeds in respect thereof);

 

(f) all insurance benefits, including rights and proceeds, arising from or relating to the Business, the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities prior to the Closing;

 

(g) originals, or where not available (or in the case of Tax Returns), copies, of all books and records, including, but not limited to, books of account, ledgers and general, financial and accounting records, customer lists, correspondence (including all correspondence with any Governmental Authority but excluding pre-Closing privileged correspondence belonging to the Owner and containing information regarding this Transaction), sales material and records, strategic plans, and files relating to the Intellectual Property Assets;

 

(h) all rebates paid to the Seller, regardless of when paid, in respect of the Business; and

 

(i) all goodwill and the going concern value of the Business.

 

2.2 Excluded Assets. The Seller is not selling, and the Buyer is not purchasing, any of the following assets of the Seller, all of which shall be retained by the Seller and excluded from the Purchased Assets (collectively, the “Excluded Assets”):

 

(a) all accounts or notes receivable, and any security, claim, remedy or other right related to any of the foregoing (“Accounts Receivable”);

 

(b) all rights which accrue or will accrue to the Seller under the Transaction Documents;

 

(c) all insurance policies of the Seller;

 

(d) all Tax refunds and prepayments;

 

(e) cash held in Seller’s bank accounts as of the Closing, but only to the extent such cash is not included in the Seller’s estimate of Current Assets;

 

(f) shares, membership units and/or any other equity interests in Dollinger Holdings; and

 

(g) the Seller’s seal, organizational documents, minute books, equity record books, and other records having to do exclusively with the organization of the Seller, and such other books and records which the Seller is prohibited from disclosing or transferring to the Buyer under applicable Law and is required by applicable Law to retain.

 

2.3 Assumed Liabilities. In connection with the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets, at the Closing, the Buyer shall assume only the following Liabilities of the Seller (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”), and no other Liabilities:

 

(a) arising under the Assigned Contracts, but excluding any Liabilities arising out of (i) a breach of, or a default or violation under, such Assigned Contract or (ii) any claim or Action for infringement, tort, strict liability or violation of Law, in each case to the extent such Liability is based upon any action, event, circumstance, omission or condition which first occurred at or prior to Closing; and

 

(b) all current accounts payable and other current liabilities of the Business (including accrued payroll, accrued vacation and payroll taxes owed to or in respect of the Transferring Employees), but in each case only to the extent reflected as a current liability on the balance sheet of the Seller as of the Closing Date.

 

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2.4 Excluded Liabilities. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Schedule or Exhibit hereto or any Transaction Document to the contrary, the Buyer does not assume and shall not be responsible to pay, perform or discharge (and the Seller shall retain, pay, perform or otherwise discharge without recourse to the Buyer) any Liabilities of the Seller or any of its Affiliates of any kind or nature whatsoever other than the Assumed Liabilities (the “Excluded Liabilities”), including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a) any Liability for Taxes, including any Taxes (i) relating to the ownership, possession, or use of the Purchased Assets or the operation of the Business at or prior to the Closing and (ii) that are the obligation of the Seller pursuant to Section 6.23 of this Agreement, provided however that this subparagraph shall expire twelve (12) months from the Closing such that any Liability for Taxes shall become an Assumed Liability as if the same was specifically listed in Section 2.3. In the event of Liability for Taxes becomes known by the Buyer or Seller, the Parties immediately provide notice to the other Party. These liabilities specifically excluded any tax liability related to the purchase and sale of these Assets;

 

(b) any Indebtedness, except to the extent that such Indebtedness is contemplated in deriving the Purchase Price in which case such Indebtedness shall be an Assumed Liability as if the same was specifically listed in Section 2.3;

 

(c) any Liability of the Seller arising from or related to any breach, failure to perform, tort related to the performance of, violation of Law, infringement or indemnity pursuant to any Assigned Contract, in each case to the extent such Liability is based upon any action, event, circumstance, omission or condition which first occurred at or prior to Closing;

 

(d) any Liability arising from or related to any violation or noncompliance of the Seller with any Law applicable to the Seller, the Business or the Purchased Assets;

 

(e) any Liability arising from or related to any Action against the Seller, the Business, the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities pending as of the Closing Date or based upon any action, event, circumstance, omission or condition arising prior to the Closing Date;

 

(f) any Seller Transaction Expenses, except to the extent that such Seller Transaction Expenses are contemplated in deriving the Purchase Price in which case such Seller Transaction Expenses shall be an Assumed Liability as if the same was specifically listed in Section 2.3;

 

(g) any Liability to indemnify, reimburse or advance amounts to any present or former officer, member, manager, director, employee or agent of the Seller (including with respect to any breach of fiduciary obligations by any such party), except for indemnification of such parties pursuant to Section 7.22, if applicable;

 

(h) any Liability under any state, provincial or local law with respect to any “plant closing” or “mass layoff,” as those terms are defined in such applicable law, which may result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or the Seller’s termination of the employment of any of its employees on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

(i) any Liability relating to any Excluded Assets, whether arising prior to, on or after the Closing Date.

 

2.5 Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Assets (the “Purchase Price”) shall be equal to $2,000,000 (in addition to the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities) consisting of 4,000,000 Buyer Shares which shall be fully paid and non-assessable and shall be issued in the name of those entities and individuals as set forth in Schedule 2.5 (it being understood that the Seller and the Owner must comply with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and any applicable Canadian securities laws, including the applicable holding period thereunder, with respect to such Buyer Shares), and (iii) US$100,000 of cash payable to Dollinger Holdings.

 

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2.6 Allocation of Certain Charges.

 

(a) Consents and Waivers. Nothing in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents shall be construed as an agreement to assign any Assigned Contract, right or other Purchased Asset that by its terms or pursuant to applicable Law is not capable of being sold, assigned, transferred or delivered without the consent or waiver of a third party or Governmental Authority unless and until such consent or waiver shall be given. The Seller and the Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consents and waivers and to resolve the impediments to the sale, assignment, transfer or delivery contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and to obtain any other consents and waivers necessary to convey to the Buyer all of the Purchased Assets. In the event any such consents or waivers are not obtained prior to the Closing Date, the Seller and the Buyer shall (unless requested otherwise by the Buyer) continue to use commercially reasonable efforts (provided, however, the Seller shall not be required to pay any consideration therefor which is not required under a Contract or arrangement in place as of the Closing) to obtain the relevant consents or waivers until such consents or waivers are obtained. To the extent that any Purchased Asset or Assumed Liability cannot be transferred to the Buyer following the Closing, the Buyer and the Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into such arrangements to provide to the parties the economic and, to the extent permitted under applicable Law, operational equivalent of the transfer of such Purchased Asset or Assumed Liability to the Buyer as of the Closing and the performance by the Buyer of its obligations with respect thereto. The Buyer shall, as agent or subcontractor for the Seller, pay, perform and discharge fully the liabilities and obligations of the Seller thereunder (to the extent such liabilities and obligations constitute Assumed Liabilities) from and after the Closing Date. To the extent permitted under applicable Law, the Seller shall, at the Buyer’s expense, hold in trust for and pay to the Buyer promptly upon receipt thereof, such Purchased Asset and all income, proceeds and other monies received by the Seller to the extent related to such Purchased Asset in connection with the arrangements under this Section. The Seller shall be permitted to set off against such amounts all direct costs associated with the retention and maintenance of such Purchased Assets.

 

ARTICLE III

CLOSING

 

3.1 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the consummation of the Transaction shall take place at a closing (the “Closing”) to be held via e-mail exchange of .pdf documents on the Closing Date. The Closing shall be deemed effective as of 12:00 a.m. [Eastern standard time] on the Closing Date.

 

3.2 Closing Deliverables.

 

(a) At the Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer the following:

 

(i) a bill of sale (the “Bill of Sale”) duly executed by the Seller, transferring the Purchased Assets to the Buyer;

 

(ii) an assignment and assumption agreement (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”) duly executed by the Seller, effecting the assignment to and assumption by the Buyer of the Assigned Contracts and the Assumed Liabilities;

 

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(iii) written consents from Dollinger Holdings in form and substance satisfactory to the Buyer;

 

(iv) a certificate of an authorized officer of the Seller, certifying that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of (A) the Seller’s Articles of Organization (as amended) and Bylaws and (B) resolutions of the directors of the Seller and of the Owner duly executed thereby, approving this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;

 

(v) such other customary instruments of transfer, assumption, filings or documents, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer, as may be required to give effect to this Agreement.

 

(b) At the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver to the Seller the following:

 

(i) the Purchase Price, payable as set forth in Section 2.5; and

 

(ii) the Assignment and Assumption Agreement duly executed by the Buyer.

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER

 

The Seller and the Owner hereby represent and warrant to the Buyer, as of the Closing Date or, if a representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, as of such date, as follows:

 

4.1 Organization of the Seller. Dollinger Holdings is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Florida, both having full power and authority to own, operate or lease the properties and assets now owned, operated or leased by it and to carry on the Business as currently conducted. The Seller is duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the ownership or operation of the Purchased Assets or the conduct of the Business makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except for any such failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good standing that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Business.

 

4.2 Capitalization; Subsidiaries. The Owner (a) owns beneficially all membership units of Dollinger Holdings and (b) has the sole right to vote all of such shares and units, and no other Person owns any shares or other equity interests of the Seller. There are no outstanding rights, options or warrants to acquire equity interests, of the Seller. All of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the Seller are duly authorized, validly issued, and free of preemptive rights and there are no unsatisfied capital contributions with respect thereto. The Seller does not currently have, nor has it ever had, any direct or indirect stock or other equity or ownership interest (whether controlling or not) in any corporation, association, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

 

4.3 Authority of the Seller Parties. Each Seller Party has all requisite capacity, power and authority, as applicable, to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which each Seller Party is a party, to carry out their obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by the Seller Parties of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which any Seller Party is a party, the performance by the Seller Parties of their obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by the Seller Parties of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of each Seller Party. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which any Seller Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by each Seller Party, and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each other party hereto and thereto) this Agreement such other Transaction Documents each constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller Parties enforceable against each Seller Party in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including Laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

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4.4 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by the Seller Parties of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which they are a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any provision of the Articles of Incorporation of the Seller, the Bylaws of the Seller, or other organizational documents of the Seller; (b) result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Law applicable to the Seller Parties, the Business or the Purchased Assets; (c) require any notice, authorization, approval, order, permit or consent of or with any Governmental Authority; (d) result in a violation or breach of, or default under, or require the consent, notice or other action by any Person under, any Assigned Contract, (e) result in a violation or breach of, or default under, or require the consent, notice or other action by any Person under any Contract (other than the Assigned Contracts) to which the Seller are a party, except where the violation, breach, conflict, default, acceleration or failure to give notice would not be material to the Business; or (f) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance, other than Permitted Encumbrances, on the Purchased Assets.

 

4.5 Undisclosed Liabilities. The Seller has no Liabilities with respect to the Business required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except (a) those that are adequately reflected or reserved against in the Last Balance Sheet as of the date of the Last Balance Sheet and (b) those that have been incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of the Last Balance Sheet and that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material in amount.

 

4.6 Contracts.

 

(a) Schedule 4.6 sets forth all Contracts to which the Seller is a party or otherwise bound that are of the following nature (excluding, for clarity, Contracts that have expired or been terminated with no surviving provisions):

 

(i) any Contract for the purchase of services, equipment, materials, products, or supplies that (a) involves payments by the Seller of more than $50,000 individually on an annual basis or (b) which has not been fully performed and which expressly requires payment by the Seller of more than $50,000;

 

(ii) any Contract relating to or evidencing Indebtedness;

 

(iii) any Contract with any Governmental Authority;

 

(iv) any Contract with any Affiliate of the Seller;

 

(v) any employment, independent contractor or consulting Contract (excluding offer letters on the Seller’s standard forms provided to the Buyer);

 

(vi) any Contract with a noncompetition, nonsolicitation, “most-favored- nation” pricing or exclusivity agreement or other arrangement that would prevent, restrict or limit in any way the Seller or, to the extent that such Contract is an Assigned Contract, the Buyer, from carrying on its business in any manner or in any geographic location;

 

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(vii) any Contract pursuant to which the Seller are the lessee or lessor of, or holds, uses, or makes available for use to any Person, (a) any real property or (b) any tangible personal property and, in the case of clause (b), that involves an aggregate amount in excess of $20,000;

 

(viii) any Contract for the sale or purchase of any tangible personal property in an amount in excess of $20,000 individually, or for the sale or purchase (including any option to purchase or right of first refusal or right of first negotiation) of any real property;

 

(ix) any Contract or commitment for capital expenditures of more than [$20,000] individually;

 

(x) any license agreement providing for the payment or receipt of royalties or other compensation by the Seller, or the license of any material Intellectual Property Assets which will extend over a period of at least one year, or involve consideration in excess of $20,000 individually;

 

(xi) any joint venture or partnership, merger, asset or stock purchase or divestiture Contract;

 

(xii) any Contract to provide a guaranty, indemnification, reimbursement, contribution, assumption or endorsement of, or any substantially similar commitment with respect to, the obligations, Liabilities or Indebtedness of any other Person, except commercial Contracts containing standard indemnification provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xiii) any confidentiality, secrecy, or non-disclosure agreement entered into outside the ordinary course of business;

 

(xiv) any Contract that results in any Person holding a power of attorney that relates to the Seller, the Business, the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities;

 

(xv) any Contract with a Key Customer or Key Vendor; and

 

(xvi) any other Contract, whether or not made in the ordinary course of business that is material to the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Business.

 

(b) The Seller is not in material breach of, or material default under, any Assigned Contract. To the Seller’s Knowledge, each other Person that has or had any obligation or liability under any Assigned Contract is in full compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of such Assigned Contract. To the Seller’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that may contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of, or give the Seller’s or any other Person, the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify, any Assigned Contract. Within the two (2) year period immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Seller has not given to or received from any other Person any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) regarding any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation or breach of, or default under, any Assigned Contract.

 

4.7 Title to Purchased Assets. The Seller has good and valid title in and to all of the Purchased Assets. All such Purchased Assets are free and clear of Encumbrances except for (i) Encumbrances for Taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) statutory Encumbrances of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other similar Persons arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to which the underlying payments giving rise thereto are not contested or delinquent, and (iii) Encumbrances imposed under applicable Law (collectively, the “Permitted Encumbrances”).

 

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4.8 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) The Seller has no pending application with any Governmental Authority or other Person for any patent, copyright or trademark relating to the Business.

 

4.9 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets.

 

(a) Tangible Personal Property included in the Purchased Assets are structurally sound, are in good operating condition and repair, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of the Tangible Personal Property is in need of maintenance or repairs, except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not, in the aggregate, material in nature or cost.

 

(b) The Purchased Assets are sufficient for the continued conduct of the Business by the Buyer after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted by the Seller prior to the Closing and constitute all of the rights, property and assets necessary to conduct the Business as currently conducted by the Seller.

 

4.10 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) All of the Intellectual Property Assets are wholly and exclusively owned by, or duly and validly licensed to, the Seller free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances). The Seller has not transferred ownership of, granted any exclusive license of or exclusive right to use, or granted any exclusive rights in or to joint ownership of, any Intellectual Property Assets to any other Person. No person other than the Seller possesses any current or contingent rights of any kind to any source code included in the Intellectual Property Assets, and the Seller has not granted any current or contingent rights of any kind to any source code that is part of any Intellectual Property Asset. All Intellectual Property Assets are fully transferable, alienable or licensable by the Seller without restriction and without payment of any kind to any Person (excluding payments required to record transfer with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office).

 

(b) There are no Contracts to which the either Seller Party is a party with respect to (i) the license of any third-party Intellectual Property by the Seller excluding commercially available off- the-shelf software, or (ii) the license of any Intellectual Property Asset to a third party.

 

(c) The conduct of the Business, including the use and other exploitation of the Intellectual Property Assets, has not infringed, misappropriated, diluted or violated, and does not infringe, misappropriate, dilute or violate, any Intellectual Property rights of any Person. The Seller has not received any written notice or claim asserting that any such infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation has occurred and, to the Seller’s Knowledge, no facts or circumstances exist that would provide a reasonable basis for any such claim. The Seller has not received any offer for a license of Intellectual Property from any Person in connection with an allegation by such Person that the Seller has infringed or misappropriated any of the Intellectual Property of such Person.

 

(d) The conduct of the Business, including the use and other exploitation of the Intellectual Property Assets, does not constitute unfair competition or trade practices under the Laws of any jurisdiction. The Seller has not received any written notice or claim asserting any such unfair competition or trade practices and, to the Seller’s Knowledge, no facts or circumstances exist that would provide a reasonable basis for any such claim.

 

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(e) All current and former employees of the Seller who have contributed to or created any portion of, or otherwise may have rights in or to, any Intellectual Property Assets meet all of the following requirements: (i) their work in any Intellectual Property Asset was created by them entirely within the scope of their employment by the Seller; (ii) their copyrightable work product in any Intellectual Property Asset is owned by the Seller as a work made for hire under applicable copyright law or has otherwise been validly assigned to the Seller under one of the Seller’s standard form(s) of employee invention assignment or similar; and (iii) any inventions, improvements or discoveries of such employees that are included or implemented in any Intellectual Property Asset have been validly assigned to the Seller; and (iv) any moral rights in any Intellectual Property Asset has been waived under an Employee Assignment Agreement.

 

(f) All current and former consultants, contractors and any other non-employee Persons engaged or retained by the Seller that have contributed to or created any portion of, or otherwise may have rights in or to, any Intellectual Property Asset have executed and delivered, and are in compliance with, written agreements that validly and effectively assign to the Seller all Intellectual Property conceived, created, developed, written, invented, discovered or reduced to practice on behalf of the Seller by such consultants, contractors, or other Persons.

 

4.11 Buyer Shares.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Buyer Shares contemplated by this Agreement, each Selling Party represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a) Each Selling Party is acquiring the Buyer Shares for investment for its own account only, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and in effect from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”). Neither Selling Party has a present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the Buyer Shares. Neither Selling Party has any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person or entity to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or entity or to any other person or entity, with respect to any of the Buyer Shares.

 

(b) At no time was either Selling Party presented with or solicited by any publicly issued or circulated newspaper, mail, radio, television or other form of general advertising or solicitation in connection with the offer, sale and purchase of the Buyer Shares by the Buyer or its agents.

 

(c) Each Selling Party is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and under applicable Canadian securities laws.

 

(d) Each Selling Party has been furnished with, and has had access to, such information as it considers necessary or appropriate in connection with the acquisition of the Buyer Shares, and each Selling Party has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Buyer regarding the terms and conditions of the delivery of the Buyer Shares.

 

(e) Each Selling Party has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and acknowledges it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of this prospective investment, has the capacity to protect its own interests in connection with this transaction, and is financially capable of bearing a total loss of the Buyer Shares.

 

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(f) Each Selling Party is fully aware of: (i) the highly speculative nature of the Buyer Shares, (ii) the financial hazards involved, (iii) the lack of liquidity of the Buyer Shares, and (iv) the tax consequences of acquiring the Buyer Shares.

 

(g) Each Selling Party understands that the Buyer Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy each of the Selling Party’s representations as expressed herein. Each Selling Party understands that the Buyer Shares constitute “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, it must hold the Buyer Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Each Selling Party acknowledges that the Buyer has no obligation to register or qualify the Buyer Shares for resale. Each Selling Party further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Buyer Shares, and on requirements relating to the Buyer which are outside of the Selling Parties’ control, and which the Buyer is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy. Each Selling Party is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

4.12 Legal Proceedings.

 

(a) There are, and for the past five (5) years there have been, no Actions pending or, to the Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against or by the Seller (a) relating to or affecting the Business, the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities; or (b) that challenge or seek to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the Transaction. To the Seller’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstances exist that may give rise to, or serve as a basis for, any such Action.

 

(b) There are no outstanding orders or unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards against, relating to or affecting the Business, the Purchased Assets or the Assumed Liabilities.

 

4.13 Compliance with Laws.

 

(a) The Seller has complied at all times, and is now complying, in all material respects with all Laws applicable to the conduct of the Business and the ownership and use of the Purchased Assets.

 

(b) All material Permits, if any, required for the Seller to conduct the Business as currently conducted or for the ownership and use of the Purchased Assets have been obtained by the Seller and are valid and in full force and effect. All fees and charges currently due with respect to such Permits have been paid in full.

 

4.14 Taxes.

 

(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by the Seller have been timely filed. Such Tax Returns are true, complete and correct in all respects. All Taxes due and owing by the Seller (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid.

 

(b) The Seller has withheld and paid each Tax required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, customer, shareholder or other party, and complied with all information reporting and backup withholding provisions of applicable Law.

 

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(c) The Seller has collected all sales, use, value added, goods and services, and similar Taxes required to be collected and timely remitted all such Taxes collected to the appropriate Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

 

(d) No extensions or waivers of statutes of limitations have been given or requested with respect to any Taxes of the Seller.

 

(e) All deficiencies asserted, or assessments made, against the Seller as a result of any examinations by any Governmental Authority have been fully paid.

 

(f) The Seller is not a party to any Action by any Governmental Authority. There are no pending or threatened Actions by any Governmental Authority. No Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Seller does not file Tax Returns has made any claim that the Seller is or may be subject to Tax in that jurisdiction.

 

(g) There are no Encumbrances for Taxes upon any of the Purchased Assets nor is any Governmental Authority in the process of imposing any Encumbrances for Taxes on any of the Purchased Assets (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable).

 

(h) The Seller has no Liability for Taxes of any other Person arising under Contract, by operation of law, by reason of being a successor or transferee, or otherwise. None of the Assumed Liabilities is a Contract regarding the sharing or allocation of either Liability for Taxes or payment of Taxes.

 

(i) None of the Purchased Assets to be acquired by the Buyer from the Seller constitute “taxable Canadian property” within the meaning of the ITA.

 

4.15 Affiliate Interests and Transactions. No Affiliate of the Seller (including the Owner) has any right, title or interest in any properties or assets of any kind or character (whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, contingent or otherwise) used or held for use in connection with the Business other than the Excluded Assets. No Affiliate of the Seller conducts any part of the Business for or on behalf of the Seller or otherwise. No Affiliate of the Seller is a party to, or has any direct or indirect rights in, to or under, any Assigned Contract.

 

4.16 Brokers. A finder’s fee of 5% will be payable to MG Investment Consultants by the Buyer.

 

4.17 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 2020, the Seller has conducted the Business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, there has not been any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, effect, state of facts or development that has had or could be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Business not the Purchased Assets have suffered any material loss, damage, or destruction affecting any material properties or assets thereof or included therein, whether or not covered by insurance.

 

4.18 Solvency. The Seller is and, as of immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, will be “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable Laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.

 

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ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

 

The Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Seller Parties, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date or, if a representation or warranty is made as of a specified date, as of such date, as follows:

 

5.1 Organization of the Buyer. The Buyer is a duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.

 

5.2 Authority of the Buyer. The Buyer has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Buyer is a party, to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by the Buyer of this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents to which the Buyer is a party, the performance by the Buyer of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by the Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Buyer. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer, and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each other party hereto) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including Laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

5.3 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Buyer; or (b) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Law or Governmental Order applicable to the Buyer. No consent, approval, Permit, Governmental Order, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority is required by or with respect to the Buyer in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for any consents, approvals, Permits, Governmental Orders, declarations, filings or notices which have not been obtained or which, in the aggregate, would not impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the performance by the Buyer of its obligations hereunder.

 

5.4 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finders or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Buyer.

 

5.5 Legal Proceedings. There are no Actions pending or, to the Buyer’s knowledge, threatened against or by the Buyer or any Affiliate of the Buyer that challenge or seek to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

 

6.1 Public Announcements. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law (based upon the reasonable advice of counsel), no Seller Party shall make any public announcements in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise communicate with any news media without the prior written consent of the other party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

6.2 Transfer Taxes and Tax Elections.

 

(a) All transfer, documentary, recording, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added or other similar Taxes, charges or fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be borne and paid by the Buyer when due. The party responsible for preparing any Tax Returns or other documents under the Law with respect to such Transfer Taxes shall, at Buyer’s expense, timely file any Tax Return or other document with respect to such Transfer Taxes or fees (and the other party shall cooperate with respect thereto as may be reasonably necessary).

 

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(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.2(a), the Buyer and the Seller agree to elect jointly in prescribed form pursuant to section 167 of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) so that no HST is payable by the Buyer in respect of the purchase of the Purchased Assets from the Seller. The Buyer shall file such election within the time prescribed by the Excise Tax Act (Canada).

 

6.3 Certain Tax Matters. At or after the Closing, all ad valorem, property or other Taxes imposed on a periodic basis pertaining to the Purchased Assets shall be prorated on the basis of the number of days of the relevant Tax year or period which have elapsed through the Closing Date, determined without reference to any change of ownership occasioned by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Seller shall be responsible for that portion of such amounts relating to the period on or prior to the Closing Date and the Buyer shall be responsible for that portion of such amounts relating to the period after the Closing Date. The Buyer and the Seller shall cooperate, as and to the extent reasonably requested by either party, in connection with the filing of any Tax Returns, and Action with respect to Taxes, relating to the Purchased Assets or the operation of the Business. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon a party’s reasonable request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Tax Return, or Action, making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder, and timely notification of receipt of any notice of an Action or notice of deficiency relating to any Tax or Tax Return with respect to which the non-recipient may have liability hereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any claim against the Seller pursuant to this paragraph shall be made by the Buyer no later than six (6) months after Closing; the Seller shall have no liability for Taxes after expiration of six (6) months from Closing.

 

6.4 Name. Following the Closing, no Seller Party will, directly or indirectly, use or do business, or allow any of their respective Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, use or do business, under any name included as part of the Purchased Assets.

 

6.5 Further Assurances; Access to Records. At Buyer’s sole expense, each of the parties hereto shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and take such further actions as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions of, and give effect to the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including as may be necessary or appropriate to assure fully to the Buyer all of the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges intended to be conveyed to the Buyer under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to assure fully to the Seller the assumption of the liabilities and obligations intended to be assumed by the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. In connection with any securities or debt offerings of the Buyer or its Affiliates the Seller shall, if requested by the Buyer and at the Buyer’s expense, request that its pre-Closing accountants deliver customary comfort letters with respect to historical Business financial information and consent to, and request that the Seller’s pre-Closing accountants deliver consents to, the inclusion of historical Business financial information and accountant reports in any offering or debt document or registration statement.

 

6.6 Release. The Owner, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, and its and their managers, directors, officers, members, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, legal representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Releasing Parties”), hereby, irrevocably and unconditionally, fully and forever acquits, releases, covenants not to sue, and discharges the Buyer and its Affiliates, and its and their managers, directors, officers, members, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, legal representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Buyer Releasees”), from any and all actions, claims, charges, demands, damages, losses, obligations, liabilities, costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and court costs), causes of action, debts, contracts, torts, covenants, fiduciary duties, responsibilities, suits and judgments, at law or in equity, of every nature and kind that such Owner, or any of the other Releasing Parties have, may have had, or may have in the future against the Buyer Releasees, whether known or unknown, for all matters relating to, arising out of or in connection with the status of such Owner as an owner, employee, officer, and/or manager of the Seller prior to the Closing Date, except obligations arising pursuant to this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents. The release set forth in this Section 6.6 will be binding upon each such Owner, the other Owner Releasing Parties, and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns and will inure to the benefit of the Buyer Releasees and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

7.1 Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and shall remain in full force and effect until the date that is eighteen (18) months from the Closing Date; provided, that the representations and warranties in Section 4.1 (Organization of the Seller), Section 4.2 (Capitalization; Subsidiaries), Section 4.3 (Authority of the Seller Parties), Section 4.7 (Title to Purchased Assets), Section 4.8 (Sufficiency of Assets), Section 4.9 (Intellectual Property), Section 4.16 (Brokers), Section 5.1 (Organization of the Buyer), Section 5.2 (Authority of the Buyer), and Section 5.4 (Brokers) (collectively, the “Fundamental Representations”) shall survive for four (4) years from the date of Closing. The foregoing limitations periods shall be liberally construed in favor of avoiding liability, and shall be applied regardless of equitable tolling, when a party discovered the basis for any claim hereunder, or any statute of limitations otherwise providing for a longer period of time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a statute of limitations for a claim provides for a period of time shorter than that provided for herein, then that statute of limitations shall be applied. All covenants and agreements of the parties contained herein shall survive the Closing until fully performed.

 

7.2 Indemnification by the Buyer. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article VII, the Buyer shall indemnify and defend each of the Seller Parties and their Affiliates and their respective Representatives (collectively, the “Seller Indemnitees”) against, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against, and shall pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Seller Indemnitees based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of:

 

(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Buyer contained in this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, or in any certificate or instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(c) the Buyer’s failure to pay, resolve, discharge and perform any Assumed Liability;

 

(d) except for Excluded Liabilities, any third party claim based upon, resulting from or arising out of the business, operations, properties, assets or obligations of the Buyer or any of its Affiliates conducted, existing or arising following the Closing Date;

 

(e) any securities or debt offerings of the Buyer or its Affiliates;

 

(f) anything contained within the financial information and accountant reports in any offering, debt document or registration statement of the Buyer or its Affiliates.

 

7.3 Indemnification Procedures.

 

(a) Whenever any claim shall arise for indemnification hereunder, the party entitled to indemnification (the “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly provide written notice of such claim to the other party (the “Indemnifying Party”), but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of notice of a claim from a third party. The failure to give such prompt written notice shall not, however, relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations, except and only to the extent that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all material written evidence thereof and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Losses that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. If an Indemnifying Party fails to object to notice of an indemnification claim delivered by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 7.3 within thirty (30) days, or only objects to a portion of such Loss, then the amount of Loss set forth in such notice (or if less, the amount which is not objected to by the Indemnifying Party) shall automatically become payable pursuant to Section 7.5.

 

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(b) Subject to Section 7.3(c), in connection with any claim giving rise to indemnity hereunder resulting from or arising out of any Action by a Person who is not a party to this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party, at its sole cost and expense and upon written notice to the Indemnified Party of an unqualified written acknowledgement of the Indemnifying Party’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Action, may assume the defense of any such Action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any such Action, with its counsel and at its own cost and expense. If the Indemnifying Party does not elect to assume the defense of any such Action, the Indemnified Party may, but shall not be obligated to, defend against such Action in such manner as it may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, settling such Action, after giving notice of it to the Indemnifying Party, on such terms as the Indemnified Party may deem appropriate and no action taken by the Indemnified Party in accordance with such defense and settlement shall relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations herein provided with respect to any damages resulting therefrom. The Indemnifying Party shall not settle any Action without the Indemnified Party’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed in any case in which the Indemnified party is given a full and complete release of any and all Liability by all relevant parties). Notwithstanding the above, if a firm offer is made to settle a third party claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party and provides, in customary form, for the unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations in connection with such third party claim and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agree to such offer, the Indemnifying Party shall give written notice to that effect to the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten (10) days after its receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such third party claim and in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party as to such third party claim shall not exceed the amount of such settlement offer. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer and also fails to assume defense of such third party claim, the Indemnifying Party may settle the third party claim upon the terms set forth in such firm offer to settle such third party claim. If the Indemnified Party has assumed the defense pursuant this Section 7.3, it shall not agree to any settlement without the written consent of the Indemnifying Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in Section 7.3(b) to the contrary, where the Buyer is the Indemnified Party, it shall have the right to conduct and control, through counsel of its choosing (such counsel subject to the reasonable approval of the Indemnifying Party) the defense, compromise and settlement of any Action that (i) seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Buyer or any of its Affiliates; (ii) involves a customer or supplier of the Business; or (iii) the settlement of which may act as an adverse and binding precedent upon the Buyer or its Affiliates with respect to similar claims or demands or which may have, in the Buyer’s reasonable judgment, a material adverse impact on the Business or on the Buyer’s broader business or operations. The Buyer may settle, adjust or compromise any Action described in the foregoing sentence after first conferring with the Seller. Additionally, any Indemnifying Party shall lose its right to contest, defend, litigate and settle the Action if it fails to accept a tender of the defense of the Action or if it shall fail to diligently contest the Action, and in such event the Indemnified Party shall have the right to conduct and control, through counsel of its choosing, the defense, compromise or settlement of any such Action.

 

7.4 Payments. Once a Loss is agreed to by the Indemnifying Party or finally determined to be payable pursuant to this Article VII, the Indemnifying Party shall satisfy its obligations within five (5) Business Days of such agreement or final determination by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The parties hereto agree that should an Indemnifying Party not make full satisfaction of any such obligations within such five (5) Business Day period, any amount payable shall accrue interest from and including the date payment is due to and including the date such payment has been made at a rate per annum equal to five percent (5%). Such interest shall be calculated daily on the basis of a 365 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

7.5 Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments. All indemnification payments made under this Agreement shall be treated by the parties as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by Law.

 

7.6 Cumulative Remedies. Subject to Section Error! Reference source not found., the parties acknowledge and agree that their sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims (other than claims arising from fraud, intentional misrepresentation or willful misconduct on the part of a party hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document) for any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation set forth herein or otherwise relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article VII. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted under Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action for any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation set forth herein or otherwise relating to the subject matter of this Agreement it may have against the other parties hereto and their Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives arising under or based upon any Law, except pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article VII. Nothing in this section shall limit any Person’s right to seek and obtain any equitable relief to which any Person shall be entitled or to seek any remedy on account of any party’s fraud, intentional misrepresentation or willful misconduct.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.1 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

 

8.2 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient or (d) on the third (3rd) day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.2):

 

If to the Seller Parties: Dollinger Holdings LLC
  c/o Sean Dollinger
  3161 Westmount PL West
  Vancouver V7V 3G4
  Canada
  Email: Sean@seandollinger.com
   
If to the Buyer Party: LQR House Inc.
  c/o Darren Collings
  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
  Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
  Email: darrengeorgecollins@gmail.com

 

8.3 Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the word “or” is not exclusive; and (b) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (a) to Articles, Sections and Schedules mean the Articles and Sections of, and Schedules attached to, this Agreement; (b) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and (c) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted. The Schedules referred to herein shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein.

 

8.4 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

8.5 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

-19-

 

 

8.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules) and the other Transaction Documents constitute the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and those in the other Transaction Documents, or any other Schedule, the statements in the body of this Agreement will control.

 

8.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that the Buyer may, without the prior written consent of the Seller, assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, including the right to purchase any of the Purchased Assets or assume any of the Assumed Liabilities: (a) to one or more of its Affiliates, (b) in connection with a sale or transfer of all or a material portion of the Business or the Purchased Assets, or (c) to a lender or financing source of the Buyer as collateral security, in each case without the prior consent of any party hereto.

 

8.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for Persons entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article VII, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person or entity any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

8.9 Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

8.10 Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Florida, without regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of the State of Florida. In any Action among or between any of the parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any action seeking equitable relief, each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts sitting in Broward County, Florida.

 

8.11 Prevailing Party Attorney Fees; Costs. In any legal proceeding brought to interpret and/or enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party in any such proceeding shall be awarded all of its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by that party in preparation for such proceeding, during and through trial, and through all appellate levels.

 

8.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be (i) transmitted for reproduction and execution by any means now known or hereafter devised, including facsimile or electronic file transmission, and (ii) converted from its original software program to another and/or printed on different paper formats or in different fonts, any or all of which may result in variations to the pagination and appearance of the counterpart versions of this Agreement. The execution and delivery of counterparts of this Agreement, by facsimile, by electronic file transmission or by original manual signature, regardless of the means or any variation in pagination or appearance, shall be binding upon the parties. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or by electronic file transmission shall also deliver a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement to each other party, but failure to do so shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding effect of this Agreement.

 

-20-

 

 

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

 

LQR HOUSE INC.  
   
By: /s/ Darren Collins  
  Darren Collins  
As: Director  
   
DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC  
   
By: /s/ Sean Dollinger  
  Sean Dollinger  
As: Member Manager  
   
/s/ Sean Dollinger  
SEAN DOLLINGER, as Owner  

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

 

SCHEDULES FOLLOW

 

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SCHEDULE 1.1a

 

Current Assets: NONE

 

Current Liabilities: NONE

 

-22-

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.1(b) ASSIGNED CONTRACTS

 

Independent Contractor Agreement (Sommelier Contract) by and between Dollinger Holdings LLC and Krysten Michayluk effective as of January 12, 2021, executed on or about January 27, 2021

 

Nondisclosure, Nonsolicitation, and Noncompetition Agreement by and between Dollinger Holdings LLC and Krysten Michayluk effective as of January 12, 2021, executed on or about January 27, 2021

 

All sourcing agreements with third party vendors whether oral or written for all Soleil Vino and related branded products

 

All financial statements and documents relating to the business of Soleil Vino.

 

-23-

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.1(c)

 

Trademarks regardless of registration status for Soleil Vino and all associated trade dress and intellectual property rights.

 

All labels, logos and other branding bearing the Soleil Vino marks or any mark substantially similar to the same.

 

Website and all related digital and social media content including but not limited to influencer networks, http://www.soleilvino.com, and all related content, and all related sales channels.

 

-24-

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.5

 

Buyer Shares pursuant to Paragraph 2.5 shall be issued as follows:

 

Name  Number of Shares 
     
Yaakov Levtov   3,800,000 
4 Rachel Street     
Tel Aviv Isreal     
      
Andrea Cooke   200,000 
713 Hickory Street North,     
Whitby, Ontario,     
Canada L1N 3Y1     

 

-25-

 

 

SCHEDULE 3.2

CLOSING DELIVERABLES FROM SELLERS AS TO AUTHORITY AND CONSENT

 

-26-

 

 

BILL OF SALE & GENERAL ASSIGNMENT

 

This Bill of Sale (“Bill of Sale”) is made by Sean Dollinger, individually and Dollinger Holdings LLC (collectively, “Seller”) and LOR House, Inc. as “Buyer.” For and in consideration of the cash and other good and valuable consideration as set forth in that certain Asset Purchase Agreement executed by and between Seller and Buyer, dated as of May 31, 2021 (hereinafter referred to as the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Seller does hereby sell, convey, assign and deliver unto Buyer, any and all right, title and interest of and to the assets of the Seller to the extent of and as set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement including all schedules thereto (the “Assets”).

 

NOW THEREFOR, Seller sells, conveys, assigns and transfers the Assets pursuant to all representations, covenants, warranties and terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement. In addition, Seller and Buyer hereby incorporate all of the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement herein, which shall survive the Closing (as defined therein) to the extent set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement and this Bill of Sale, the provisions of the Asset Purchase Agreement shall govern.

 

This Bill of Sale may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed by electronic signatures with the same effect as original signatures.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Seller and Buyer have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the dates set forth below.

 

“SELLER”   “BUYER”
     
    LOR HOUSE INC.
     
/s/ Sean Dollinger   By: /s/ Darren Collins
Sean Dollinger, an individual   Print Name: Darren Collins
Date:     As: Director

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC  
     
By: /s/ Sean Dollinger  
  Sean Dollinger  
As: Member Manager  

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

This ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 31, 2021 (the “Agreement”) by and between Sean Dollinger, individually, and DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC, a Florida limited liability company (collectively “Assignor”), and LQR HOUSE INC., a Delaware corporation (“Assignee”).

 

WHEREAS, of even date herewith, Assignor and Assignee have entered into that certain Asset Purchase Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign all of its rights, interests and obligations under certain contracts to which it is a party to Assignee as set forth herein, and Assignee wishes to assume such rights, interests and obligations.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual agreements and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.Assignment. Assignor hereby assigns and conveys to Assignee for the benefit of Assignee, its successors and assigns, all of Assignor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the contracts set forth on Schedule 2.1(b) of the Asset Purchase Agreement as “Assigned Contracts”, referred to herein as the “Assumed Contracts”, together with all rights, privileges and benefits appertaining thereto (collectively with the Assumed Contracts, the “Assigned Rights”).

 

2.Assumption. Assignee hereby accepts the assignment and conveyance of the Assigned Rights by Assignor pursuant to paragraph 1 above and does hereby assume, and undertake and agree to hereafter pay, perform and discharge in accordance with their terms any and all of the liabilities, obligations and commitments of Assignor relating to the Assigned Rights.

 

3.Benefit of the Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall confer on any person or entity other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, including any third party beneficiary rights.

 

4.Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

5.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts. The facsimile signature of a party hereto shall be of the same binding force and effect as that party’s original signature.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

 

PAGE 2 FOLLOWS

 

 

 

“ASSIGNOR”   “ASSIGNEE”
     
    LOR HOUSE INC.
     
/s/ Sean Dollinger   By: /s/ Darren Collins
Sean Dollinger, an individual     Print Name: Darren Collins
      As: Director
         

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC  
     
By: /s/ Sean Dollinger  
  Sean Dollinger  
As: Member Manager  

 

2

 

 

WAIYER OF NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF

DIRECTORS OF

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC

 

We, the undersigned, being all of the Directors of the Company, hereby agree and consent that the special meeting of the Directors be held on the date and time, and at the place designated hereunder, and do hereby waive all notice whatsoever of such meeting and of any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

 

We do further agree and consent that any and all lawful business may be transacted at such meeting, or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, as may be deemed advisable by the Directors present thereat. Any business transacted at such meeting or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, shall be as valid and legal and of the same force and effect as if such meeting or adjourned meeting were held after notice.

 

Place of Meeting: Via Videoconference  
   
Date of Meeting: June 2, 2021  
   
Time of Meeting: 4:30 p.m. EDT  
   
Dated: June 2, 2021  
   
/s/ Sean Dollinger  
Sean Dollinger  

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER

 

OF

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC

 

I HEREBY CERTIFY that I am the sole Member Manager of DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC, and that attached hereto is a true, correct and complete copy of the Company’s Articles of Organization filed with the Florida Secretary of State. I further certify that as a single member limited liability company, the company is not required to have nor does it have bylaws or an operating agreement.

 

  /s/ Sean Dollinger
  SEAN DOLLINGER

 

 

 

Electronic Articles of Organization
For
Florida Limited Liability Company

L20000050075 FILED
8:00 AM

February 12, 2020

Sec. Of State

jafason

 

Article I

 

The name of the Limited Liability Company is:

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC

 

Article II

 

The street address of the principal office of the Limited Liability Company is:

 

2699 STIRLING ROAD

SUITE A-105

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. US 33312

 

The mailing address of the Limited Liability Company is:

 

2699 STIRLING ROAD

SUITE A-105

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. US 33312

 

Article III

 

The name and Florida street address of the registered agent is:

 

HOLIDAY HUNT RUSSELL PLLC

2699 STIRLING ROAD

SUITE A-105

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. 33312

 

Having been named as registered agent and to accept service of process for the above stated limited liability company at the place designated in this certificate, I hereby accept the appointment as registered agent and agree to act in this capacity. I further agree to comply with the provisions of all statutes relating to the proper and complete performance of my duties, and I am familiar with and accept the obligations of my position as registered agent.

 

Registered Agent Signature: HOLIDAY HUNT RUSSELL

 

 

 

 

L20000050075
FILED 8:00 AM

February 12, 2020

Sec. Of State

jafason

 

Article IV

 

The name and address of person(s) authorized to manage LLC:

 

Title: MGR

SEAN DOLLINGER

2699 STIRLING ROAD SUITE A-105

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. 33312 US

 

Signature of member or an authorized representative

 

Electronic Signature: SEAN DOLLINGER

 

I am the member or authorized representative submitting these Articles of Organization and affirm that the facts stated herein are true. I am aware that false information submitted in a document to the Department of State constitutes a third degree felony as provided for in s.817.155, F.S. I understand the reqmrementto file an annual report between January 1st and May 1st in the calendar year following formation of the LLC and every year thereafter to maintain “active” status.

 

 

 

MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

 

OF DIRECTORS

 

OF

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC

 

The Special Meeting of Directors of the above-captioned Corporation occurred as set forth in the written Waiver of Notice signed by the Directors fixing such time and place, and prefixed to the minutes of this meeting.

 

There were present the following: Sean Dollinger being all the Directors of the Company. The meeting was called to order by Sean Dollinger.

 

It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that Sean Dollinger act as Chairman and Secretary.

 

The Chairman noted that it was in order to consider for approval that certain Asset Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and Sean Dollinger individually, as Seller, and LQR House Inc, a Delaware Company, as Buyer, respecting conveyance of sale of certain assets, assumption of certain liabilities and assignment of certain contracts of the Company, the contract being appended to these minutes. Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the referenced Asset Purchase Agreement be and the same is hereby APPROVED AND RATIFIED by the Company. Sean Dollinger is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Company the referenced Asset Purchase Agreement and all documents ancillary and related to the Asset Purchase Agreement, and to talk any and all other action necessary and proper to consummation of the agreement of the parties to the Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

There being no further business to come before the meeting, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, it was adjourned.

 

  /s/ Sean Dollinger
  Sean Dollinger, Secretary

 

Attest:  
   
Board of Directors  
   
/s/ Sean Dollinger  
Sean Dollinger  

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 4.6

 

-27-

 

 

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated and effective as of January 12, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), is entered by and between DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC (the “Company”), a Florida company, and KRYSTEN MICHAYLUK (the “Independent Contractor”) having an address at 2350 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 3W5, Canada. The Company and the Independent Contractor may hereinafter be referred to individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to procure the services of the Independent Contractor to perform the scope of services described in Schedule 1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by this reference, and the Independent Contractor desires to provide such services to the Company, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Independent Contractor agree as follows:

 

1.Nature of Relationship.

 

a.The Company contracts with Independent Contractor on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth. The Independent Contractor will perform his/her duties hereunder, and will devote such time as shall be required to satisfy the duties of the contract, including at the Company’s expense, periodic travel to conduct the Company’s business as may be necessary.

 

b.The relationship between the Parties is that of an independent contractor, and this Agreement does not create an employment relationship; under no circumstances is the Independent Contractor an agent of the Company.

 

c.The Independent Contractor has the right and freedom to work the hours that he/she deems necessary in order to perform the work under this Agreement. The manner and method of performing the duties and services under this Agreement are under the exclusive control of the Independent Contractor.

 

2.Term. This Agreement is at-will, and may be terminated at any time for any reason by either Party, though the Parties agree that each will use their best efforts to give at least thirty (30) days’ notice of any termination, but shall not give less than fourteen (14) days’ notice.

 

 

 

3.Compensation. The remuneration of the Independent Contractor will be at the rate set out in Schedule 2 to this Agreement, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal policies for payment of independent contractors in effect from time to time.

 

4.Confidentiality and Ownership of Company Property.

 

a.Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” means information that the Company has or will develop, acquire, create, compile, discover or own, that has value in or to the Company’s business which is not generally known and which the Company wishes to maintain as confidential, or which belongs to a third party and is subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain its confidentiality. Confidential Information includes not only information disclosed by the Company to the Independent Contractor, but also information learned or developed by the Independent Contractor during the term of this Agreement in connection with performing this Agreement, as well as all information of which the unauthorized disclosure could be detrimental to the interests of the Company, whether or not such information is identified as Confidential Information. Confidential Information includes but is not limited to anything related to the procurement of the necessary approvals to operate the Company and portions thereof, strategies and plans, contracts, financial information, professional fee information, salary information, lists, payor and vendor lists, cost and profit information, record keeping practices, policies and procedures, operational matters and practices, information, development and research work, marketing programs, plans, proposals, applications, accompaniments to applications, narrative descriptions, manuals and materials, formulas, processes, know-how, other trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, patents, business and financial records, data received from institutions, customer lists and contractor list and other information owned and/or created by or for the Company that would constitute a trade secret and/or confidential information under Florida Law or the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016,as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Confidential Information” does not include, and Independent Contractor shall not be restricted during or after the term of this Agreement from using any information, even if otherwise designated as “Confidential Information”: (i) which Independent Contractor learned of other than in the term of this Agreement; (ii) which is obtainable from sources outside of the Company, without breaching any contractual or other obligations; or (iii) which otherwise exists in the public domain.

 

b.The Independent Contractor agrees that during the term of this Agreement, he/she will not improperly use, disclose, or induce the Company to use any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which the Independent Contractor has an obligation to keep in confidence, and further agrees that the Independent Contractor will not bring onto the Company’s premises or transfer onto the Company’s technology systems any unpublished document, proprietary information, or trade secrets belonging to any such third party unless disclosure to, and use by, the Company has been consented to in writing by such third party.

 

c.The Independent Contractor shall not, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time after termination, impart or disclose any Confidential Information to any person, firm or entity other than the Company, or use any of such Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, for his/her own benefit or for the benefit of any person, firm or entity other than the Company. The Independent Contractor hereby acknowledges that the items included within the definition of Confidential Information are valuable assets of the Company and that the Company has a legitimate business interest in protecting such Confidential Information.

 

2

 

 

d.The Independent Contractor shall execute the Company’s form of NonDisclosure, NonSolicitation and NonCompetition Agreement in substantially the form of that attached hereto in Schedule 3.

 

e.Company Property; Return of Company Property. All materials relating to the business and affairs of the Company and any of its officers, directors, shareholders, subsidiaries or affiliates including, without limitation, all manuals, documents, reports, equipment, working materials and lists of customers prepared by the Company or by the Independent Contractor in the course of employment are for the benefit of the Company and are and will remain the property of the Company. The Independent Contractor will surrender and deliver to the Company all such materials, data, information and property, and anything containing or constituting Confidential Information or Inventions, upon the termination for any reason whatsoever of the Independent Contractor’s employment, or at an earlier time on the request of the Company.

 

5.Policies. The Independent Contractor will comply with all the Company’s policies as may be established and amended from time to time.

 

6.General.

 

a.Independent Legal Advice. The Independent Contractor acknowledges that he/she has read and understood the terms and conditions of this Agreement and acknowledges and agrees that he/she has had the opportunity to seek, and was neither prevented nor discouraged by the Company from seeking, any independent legal advice which he/she considered necessary prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and that, in the event that he/she did not take that opportunity prior to signing this Agreement, he/she did so voluntarily without any undue pressure, and agrees that his/her failure to obtain independent legal advice will not be used as a defense to the enforcement of his/her obligations under this Agreement.

 

b.Notices. All notices and other communications to be made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when the same are: (i) personally delivered; (ii) mailed, registered or certified mail, first class postage prepaid return receipt requested; or (iii) delivered by a reputable private overnight courier service utilizing a written receipt or other written proof of delivery, to the applicable Party at the address set forth above; and also shall be sent by email or other functionally equivalent electronic means, delivery receipt requested. In the case of Independent Contractor, notices shall be addressed to Independent Contractor at the address first stated above (in the case of mailed or hand-delivered notices) and the personal email address (in the case of electronic delivery) that he/she most recently communicated to the Company in writing. Any Party refusing delivery of a notice shall be charged with knowledge of its contents.

 

c.Successors and Assigns. The Independent Contractor acknowledges that the Independent Contractor’s services are unique and personal. The Independent Contractor may not assign the Independent Contractor’s rights or delegate the Independent Contractor’s duties or obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, and its officers, directors, shareholders, successors, affiliates, and assigns by merger, consolidation, transfer of business and properties or otherwise, and shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Independent Contractor and his/her heirs and legal representatives. This Agreement is assignable by the Company.

 

d.Survival; Enforceability. Notwithstanding the termination for any reason whatsoever of this Agreement, the provisions of Paragraph 4, including all subparts, shall survive and remain enforceable. The Independent Contractor agrees and acknowledges that the existence of any claim or cause of action the Independent Contractor may have or assert against the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether based on this Agreement or otherwise, will not constitute a defense to the enforcement of his/her obligations under Paragraph 4 and its subparts.

 

e.Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be, in whole or in part, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the remainder of such provision or other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision (or part provision) never had been contained herein.

 

3

 

 

f.Injunctive Relief. The Independent Contractor recognizes and agrees that any material violation of the provisions of Paragraph 4 of this Agreement would cause such damage or injury to the Company as would be irreparable, and the exact amount of monetary damages would be impossible to ascertain with reasonable certainty; therefore, the Independent Contractor agrees that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief from a court against such violations or threatened violations. Such right to seek an injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights and remedies by the Company may have in equity or at law.

 

g.Governing Law, Forum Selection. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Florida, United States of America, exclusive of any choice of law principles. In the event any dispute arises between the Parties relative to this Agreement, then the dispute shall be litigated in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Palm Beach County, Florida, and both Parties agree to personal jurisdiction in such courts.

 

h.Currency. All currency amounts referenced in this Agreement are in United States Dollars unless otherwise expressly stated.

 

i.Taxes. Independent Contractor is responsible for any and all tax liabilities accruing based on payment to the Independent Contractor under this Agreement, and will indemnify and hold harmless the Company for any such liabilities. The Independent Contractor will not be treated as an employee for federal and state tax purposes.

 

j.Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement (inclusive of the attached Schedules hereby incorporated by reference), contains the entire understanding and agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the matters contained herein, and may not be amended or supplemented at any time unless by writing, executed by each of the said Parties. Any agreement or understanding, written or otherwise, prior to the effective date of this Agreement between the Independent Contractor and the Company relating to the scope of services under this Agreement is hereby terminated and discharged.

 

k.Acknowledgment; Waiver. The Independent Contractor acknowledges that the continued relationship with the Independent Contractor constitutes actual, valuable fresh consideration in exchange for signing this Agreement and the Independent Contractor hereby waives irrevocably any right he/she may have to assert that this Agreement should be invalid, void or voidable, in whole or in part, for lack of consideration.

 

I.Counterparts and Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by the Parties in one or more counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered will be an original, and those counterparts will together constitute one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of a party hereto shall be of the same binding force and effect as that party’s original signature.

 

4

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement or caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Agreement on date set forth above.

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC  
   
/s/ Sean Dollinger  
By: Sean Dollinger  
As: Manager  
   
/s/ Krysten Michayluk  
KRYSTEN MICHAYLUK  

 

5

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SCOPE OF SERVICES

 

The services to be performed by Independent Contractor as part of this Agreement are as follows: Create and curate a wine membership club, be a key liaison with wine club members, create the content for monthly e-newsletters and feature sheets for wine club shipment orders, update wine lists as needed alongside web content and be the head of wine purchasing for the company. The Services will also include any other consulting tasks which the parties may agree on in writing or through course of dealing. Collectively these are referred to as the “Services.”

 

6

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

REMUNERATION

 

Independent Contractor will charge the Company for the Services as follows (the “Compensation”): On the last day of the month, a total of $5,500USD will be wired to Independent Contractor alongside a 10% commission on the category sales for wine. This is a non refundable draw against the commission for months - January, February and March 2021 (90 day term). Going into April, 10% of category sales for wine will be wired to Independent Contractor at the end of every consecutive month while Independent Contractor performs the Services including updating wine selection, membership plans, correspondence with membership clientele and continued wine e-newsletters and feature sheets. The minimum monthly payment to Independent Contractor hereunder shall be $5,500USD.

 

Invoices submitted by the Independent Contractor to the Company are due within 30 days of receipt. In the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company prior to completion of the Services, but where the Services are partially performed, the Independent Contractor will be entitled to pro rated payment of the Compensation to the date of termination provided that there has been no breach of contract on the part of the Independent Contractor.

 

Additionally, the Independent Contractor will be reimbursed from time to time for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Independent Contractor in connection with providing the Services. All such expenses shall be previously approved by the Company prior to being incurred by the Independent Contractor, and if not previously approved, shall not be payable by the Company.

 

This Non-Disclosure, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into effective January 12, 2021                               , by and between DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC, a Florida company (hereinafter “First Party”) and KRYSTEN MICHAYLUK (hereinafter “Second Party”).

 

7

 

 

NONDISCLOSURE, NONSOLICITATION, AND

NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

  

WITNESS ETH

 

WHEREAS, First Party is engaged in the highly competitive business of consulting for various internet ventures (collectively referred to herein as “Products”), throughout the world (hereinafter “First Party’s Business”); and

 

WHEREAS, Second Party is an Independent Contractor of First Party, and is thus in contact with all aspects of all matters relating to First Party’s operations respecting the Products; and

 

WHEREAS, First Party requires Second Party, and Second Party agrees that, in consideration for continuing as an Independent Contractor of First Party, and to otherwise continue its relationship with First Party in connection with First Party’s business operations, and otherwise in consideration of continuing the existing business relationship with First Party, Second Party and First Party agree to enter into this Agreement. “Business relationship” shall mean any legally recognized relationship between First Party and Second Party as may exist from time to time, which by way of example includes, but is not limited to, that of employer/employee, agent/servant, or independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, Second Party recognizes and understands that First Party is affiliated with, and works in conjunction with, those entities referred herein as the “First Party Affiliates” including Sean Dollinger (located in Canada and the United States of America), Dollinger Holdings, Inc. (located in Florida, United States of America), Country Wine & Spirits, Inc. (located in California), and Ssquared Spirits LLC (located in California, as well as those additional entities, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies which, over time, may be so established (herein collectively referred to as the “First Party Affiliates”), and because of the close working relationship with these entities, First Party and Second Party specifically agree and acknowledge that all protections afforded First Party are likewise afforded to those entities which are and may be identified from time to time as “First Party Affiliates” which the First Party and Second Party consider to be intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement with equal right to enforce the terms of this Agreement as First Party; and

 

WHEREAS, Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party has legitimate business interests including, but is not limited to, trade secrets, valuable confidential business and professional information that may not otherwise qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with prospective and existing customers, clients and manufacturers, goodwill associated with the ongoing business of First Party by way of its trade name, trademarks or service marks as they may exist from time to time, its trade dress, the specific geographic location at which First Party does business, and the specific marketing and trade areas of First Party; and the extraordinary and/or specialized training provided to Second Party.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises, representations, and understandings set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, First Party and Second Party agree to the following terms.

 

1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and by this reference are incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement.

 

2. In consideration of Second Party entering into this Agreement with First Party, First Party will enter into a business relationship with Second Party, or continue the business relationship with Second Party as it exists on the date of this Agreement.

 

3. Second Party represents and warrants to First Party the following: (i) Second Party is not under any obligation to any person or business entity which is inconsistent with or in conflict with this Agreement, or which would prevent, limit or impair in any way Second Party’s performance of obligations hereunder; and (ii) Second Party has not disclosed and will not disclose to First Party, nor use for First Party’s benefit, any confidential information or trade secrets that Second Party may possess in relation to any third party, which information or secrets are not otherwise subject to lawful disclosure by Second Party. In the event that Second Party breach any of these warranties, Second Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless First Party from any and all claims, costs, expenses, attorney’s fees, lawsuits, or other liability arising from or relating to such breach.

 

4. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that during the course of its business relationship with First Party, Second Party has had or will have access to trade secret or otherwise valuable confidential information of First Party (herein referred to as “Trade Secrets and Confidential Information”). By way of example, and solely to assist in defining the scope of this Agreement, Trade Secrets and Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to: (i) the First Party Customer List and any other customer lists, including the names, address, phone numbers and contact persons of each customer; (ii) existing and prospective advantageous business relationships between First Party and its customers and manufacturers, those First Party is marketing to become customers, employees, independent contractors, agents, suppliers, professionals, and manufacturers; (iii) pricing, cost and markup information for all services provided by First Party to its customers and from manufacturers; (iv) financial information; (v) personnel information; (vi) methods of operation, business plans and strategies, and marketing materials; (vii) the requirements or “req” sheets for First Party’s customers and manufacturers; (iix) the nature and operation, including user names, passwords and user accounts, of all recruiting software and other specialized software used in the business operations of First Party; (ix) all network-based database information complied and maintained by First Party; (x) the recruiters book, the master book, submittal logs, start/finish logs, interview lists, employee filters, employee detail sheets; (xi) marketing materials and other materials identifying the business model of First Party; (xii) all information that is otherwise defined as trade secret within the meaning and contemplation of the Florida Uniform Trade Secrets Act set out at Florida Statutes Chapter 688, and/or the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 set out at 18 U.S.C. § 1836 et seq.

 

Page 2 of 8

 

 

5. The intent of this paragraph is to provide for nondisclosure of the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information of First Party by Second Party. Second Party agrees to the following terms:

 

a.During the term of Second Party’s business relationship with First Party, Second Party shall not: (i) publish, disclose, or make accessible any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity, for any reason whatsoever; or (ii) use, reproduce or generate benefit from Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, in any way which does not benefit First Party.

 

b.After termination of Second Party’s business relationship with First Party, for any reason whatsoever whether it be for cause or without cause, Second Party shall not: (i) publish, disclose, or make accessible any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity, for any reason whatsoever; or (ii) use, reproduce or generate benefit from Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, in any way.

 

c.Immediately upon termination of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, Second Party shall return any and all tangible evidence of all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information including, but not limited to, any papers, lists, books, files, and computer stored or generated information, to First Party prior to or at the termination of employment with First Party. Only upon being instructed to do so in writing by First Party, Second Party shall delete all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information maintained on any electronic device of Second Party in a manner that destroys the ability to retrieve the information after deletion.

 

d.Upon termination of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, Second Party shall not remove from the business premises of First Party any Trade Secrets and Confidential Information in any form whatsoever, whether in writing or electronically.

 

e.Second Party acknowledges and agrees that disclosure of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information by Second Party would cause irreparable harm to First Party. Therefore, if Second Party breaches or threatens to breach the terms of this paragraph five, or if First Party is otherwise in fear that Trade Secrets and Confidential Information in the possession of Second Party may be disclosed to a third party in violation of this paragraph five, Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party shall be entitled to ex parte (without notice to Second Party) entry of immediate temporary and/or preliminary injunctive relief, thereafter to be made permanent, enjoining Second Party from disclosing or otherwise using Trade Secrets and Confidential Information in violation of this paragraph five. The rights of First Party herein are in addition to any other rights that First Party may have against Second Party pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including the right to pursue any claim for damages First Party may have against Second party for breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

Page 3 of 8

 

 

6. The intent of this paragraph is to restrict Second Party from competing with First Party to the fullest extent permitted by Florida Statutes § 542.335. Second Party agrees to the following terms:

 

a.Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party has legitimate business interests, as defined in Florida Statutes§ 542.335(1)(b), including but not limited to: (i) in protecting from use against First Party and disclosure to third parties Trade secrets and Confidential Information as those terms are defined in paragraph four herein and in Florida Statutes§ 688.002(4) and in 18 U.S.C. §1839(3); (ii) in protecting First Party’s substantial relationships with its customers, clients, manufacturers, and referral sources and the goodwill associated with First Party’s ongoing business, professional practice, geographic locations of operation, and marketing and trade areas; and (iii) in protecting from use against First Party any extraordinary or specialized training provided by First Party to Second Party during the course of their business relationship with one another. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that all of the foregoing are business assets of First Party which, if misappropriated by a third party, would give that third party an unfair competitive advantage over First Party.

 

b.Second Party agrees that during the term of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, and for a period of two (2) years from the date of termination of the business relationship for any reason, with or without cause or notice, Second Party shall not directly or indirectly, as owner, employee, agent, contractor, independent contractor, shareholder, member, or otherwise, compete with First Party in any area of First Party’s Business as defined herein, to the extent that such competition would entail use of First Party’s Trade Secrets and Confidential Information as defined herein, or would otherwise entail use of First Party’s trade secrets as defined in Florida Statutes§ 688.002(4) and/or 18 U.S.C. § 1839(3). The scope of this subparagraph is limited to the online aspects of First Party’s Business. Second Party shall not be precluded from working for brick and mortar businesses, provided that Second Party shall be precluded from developing for such businesses any online presence that is the same or substantially similar to the scope of work performed by Second Party pursuant to her lndepending Contractor Agreement with First Party.

 

c.To the extent that competition does not fall within the provisions of paragraph 6b herein, Second Party otherwise agrees that during the term of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, and for a period of two (2) years from the date of termination of the business relationship for any reason, with or without cause or notice, Second Party shall not directly or indirectly, as owner, employee, agent, contractor, independent contractor, shareholder, member, or otherwise, compete with First Party in any area of First Party’s Business as defined herein, to the extent that such competition would infringe on the legitimate business interests of First Party as those interests are defined in paragraph 6a herein or are otherwise contemplated to be within the scope of Florida Statutes§ 542.335.

 

d.For purposes of this paragraph 6, the phrase “compete with First Party” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any act or effort of Second Party, either directly or on behalf of any third party individual or business entity, to work in First Party’s Business as defined herein.

 

e.The geographic scope of the restrictions contained herein, that Second Party not “compete with First Party,” shall be limited to the following areas: throughout the geographical limits and jurisdiction of the United States of America.

 

f.Second Party acknowledges and agrees that given the worldwide nature of First Party’s business model, the restrictive covenants contained in this paragraph 6 are reasonable as to both temporal duration and geographic scope, and that the restrictive covenants are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interest of First Party as those interests are set forth herein.

 

Page 4 of 8

 

 

7. The intent of this paragraph is to prevent solicitation of or interference with the relationship between First Party and any third party with whom First Party has a business relationship. Second Party agrees that during the term of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, and for a period of two (2) years after the date of termination of that relationship, Second Party shall not:

 

a.directly or indirectly engage, hire, employ, or solicit any employee, agent, professional, supplier, manufacturer, contractor, independent contractor or service provider of First Party, or otherwise induce or solicit, or attempt to induce or solicit, any employee, agent, professional, supplier, contractor, independent contractor or service provider of First Party terminate or otherwise alter their relationship with First Party; or

 

b.directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit any customer, client or manufacturer of First Party to terminate or otherwise alter the contractual or business relationship with First Party, or to otherwise interfere with the contractual or business relationship between First Party and any of its customers, clients or manufacturers; or

 

c.directly or indirectly interfere with the relationship between First Party and any prospective customer, manufacturer or other third party with whom First Party prospective contractual or business relationship.

 

8. In the event of any violation of paragraphs 5, 6, or 7, running of the time restrictions set forth therein shall be tolled until such time as a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order of injunctive relief.

 

9. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that any violation of paragraphs 5, 6, or 7 would cause irreparable harm to First Party, and that First Party has no adequate legal remedy to cure any actual or threatened violation of this Agreement. Therefore, if Second Party violates or threatens to violate the terms of paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of the Agreement, or if First Party is otherwise in fear that such a violation is likely to occur, Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party shall be entitled to ex parte (without notice to Second Party) entry of immediate temporary and/or preliminary injunctive relief, thereafter to be made permanent, enjoining Second Party from violating the terms of this Agreement. The rights of First Party herein are in addition to any other rights that First Party may have against Second Party pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including the right to pursue any claim for damages First Party may have against Second party for breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

10. In the event any provision of this Agreement is deemed or becomes invalid or unenforceable, such event shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and the offending provision shall be deemed stricken from this Agreement by agreement of the parties hereto. Similarly, if the scope of any restriction or covenant contained herein is deemed or becomes too broad or extensive to permit enforcement thereof to its fullest extent, then the court is specifically authorized by the parties to enforce any such restriction or covenant to the maximum extent permitted by law, and Second Party hereby consents and agrees that the scope of any such restriction or covenant may be modified accordingly in any judicial proceeding brought to enforce such restriction or covenant.

 

11. Second Party understands that just as First Party values and protects its own Trade Secrets and Confidential Information, First Party respects the trade secrets and confidential information of others. Second Party understands that First Party does not expect or wish Second Party to use any information that is protected by Florida law, including but not limited to that which Second Party may have obtained as a result of Second Party’s prior employment or work, or to take any actions that would violate Florida law. Accordingly, First Party does not expect or wish Second Party to use any information that is protected by Florida law or to take any actions that would violate Florida law. Second Party agrees that Second Party will not disclose to First Party, or use, or induce First Party to use, any information of others that is protected by Florida law. Second Party represents and warrants that Second Party has returned all property, trade secrets, and confidential information belonging to others. Moreover, Second Party is disclosing in writing in the space provided beneath this paragraph ANY agreements or contracts, whether in writing or not, that Second Party believes may limit Second Party’s ability to perform the duties owed to First Party pursuant to the business relationship between the parties. This includes, but is not limited to, any agreement not to disclose trade secrets or other confidential information, as well as any agreement not to compete or not to solicit. Second Party understands that if Second Party has any doubt about whether an agreement should be disclosed under this paragraph, Second Party should disclose the existence of such agreement. Except as so disclosed, Second Party represents that Second Party is not a party to any restrictive agreement limiting the performance of Second Party’s duties to First Party pursuant to their business relationship, and Second Party agrees that Second Party will defend, indemnify and hold harmless First Party for any and all suits and claims that may be commenced or made arising out of or relating to, in any way, any restrictive agreements that Second Party has not disclosed in writing in this Agreement at the time that Second Party executes this Agreement. Second Party agrees to provide copies of any written agreement that Second Party has identified hereunder and to discuss the terms and conditions thereof with First Party, unless prohibited from doing so.

 

Page 5 of 8

 

 

Below Second Party has identified any and all Agreements that may restrict Second Party’s ability to perform Second Party’s duties pursuant to the business relationship with First Party; Second Party has written “None” if none exist. Second Party has also signed next to any information provided:

 

 NONE  
    
    

 

12. In any action brought to enforce and/or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be awarded its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred for or in anticipation of the action and during the action, including, but not limited to, paralegal and law clerk fees, pursuit, through trial and through all appellate levels.

 

13. This Agreement has been brought about by virtue of the negotiations of both First Party and Second Party. Both parties agree that they have had a full and fair opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement individually and with legal counsel. Should it ever become necessary to construe or interpret the terms of this Agreement, such construction or interpretation shall be accomplished without giving any consideration as to which of the parties may have drafted this Agreement, and without construing or interpreting the terms of this Agreement against either party.

 

14. This Agreement is to be construed, interpreted, governed and otherwise enforced pursuant to Florida law, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws or choice of law rules or principles. Venue in any action to construe, interpret and/or enforce this Agreement shall be in the state or Federal courts of Florida sitting in Palm Beach County, Florida. First Party and Second Party hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive any defenses or arguments based on lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, inconvenient forum or venue (forum non conveniens) as not being residents of Palm Beach County, Florida.

 

15. First Party and Second Party knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive the right to trial by jury in any dispute arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement.

 

16. No amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall be binding on any of the parties unless such amendment or modification is in writing and executed by all of the parties to this Agreement. No term, provision or clause of this Agreement shall be deemed waived and no breach excused, unless such waiver, excuse or consent shall be in writing and executed by the parties hereto.

 

17. Second Party agrees that First Party may assign this Agreement to any third party, including, but not limited to, any subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor of First Party, or any transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of First Party, and such assignment shall not constitute a termination of this Agreement.

 

18. This Agreement shall survive termination of the business relationship between Second Party and First Party, without regard to reasons for such termination nor the notice or lack of notice given in connection with such termination.

 

19. Second Party shall, and First Party may, disclose this Agreement to any third party with whom Second Party may have a future or prospective business relationship.

 

20. If, at any time, Second Party believes that for any reason Second Party is no longer bound by any term of this Agreement or the Agreement as a whole, Second Party must notify First Party of that belief in writing within two (2) days of forming that belief, of the circumstance( s) or event(s) which forms the basis for that belief. The notice shall state with particularity and specificity the circumstance(s) or event(s) that forms the basis for Second Party’s belief. Failure to strictly comply with this notice requirement shall constitute a knowing, voluntary and intentional waiver of any defense which may otherwise have been raised by Second Party, based on those circumstance(s) or event(s), that Second Party is no longer bound by this Agreement. After receipt of such notice, First Party shall have 30 days to remedy the circumstance(s) or event(s). If First Party remedies the circumstance(s) or event(s), then Second Party agrees that Second Party shall be subject to a conclusive presumption that Second Party has no defense to enforcement of this Agreement, based on any of the remedied circumstances or events. Evidence of any effort by First Party to remedy the circumstance(s) or event(s) raised in such notice shall be inadmissible into evidence as evidence of a subsequent remedial measure within the meaning of Florida Statutes§ 90.407.

 

Page 6 of 8

 

 

21. Any notice to First Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered by facsimile and United States Certified Mail, postage prepaid return receipt requested, to the following address, or to any other address of which Second Party has been notified in writing:

 

  Dollinger Holdings LLC  
  c/o Holiday Hunt Russell PLLC  
  2699 Sheridan Street Suite A-105  
  Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312  
  Telephone: (954) 920-5153  
  Email: hhrussell@holidayrussell.com  

 

22. Any notice to Second Party shall be delivered by United States Mail, postage prepaid, to the following address, and shall be deemed as having been received by Second Party within three (3) business days after the date of mailing:

 

  Krysten Michayluk  
  2350 Prince Albert Street  
  Vancouver, BC V5T 3W5  
  Canada  

 

23. This Agreement represents the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter covered by this Agreement. It supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings (other than permission forms on such matters as background checks), oral or written, between the parties pertaining to the subject matter covered under this Agreement. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that no representation, promise, or agreement regarding the subject matter of this Agreement has been made to or with Second Party that is not set forth in this Agreement. Any representations or agreements regarding the subject matter of this Agreement not explicitly included in this Agreement are considered waived and unenforceable. Any previous agreements between First Party and Second Party regarding the subject matter of this Agreement are hereby superseded by execution of this Agreement, and shall have no continuing force or effect. This Agreement is in no way dependent upon the performance of any other contract or agreement that may have been or may be entered into between Second Party and First Party, and the breach or alleged breach of any other contract or agreement is no defense to enforcement of this Agreement.

 

24. Second Party agrees that each third party who has disclosed confidential information to First Party under the condition that First Party agrees not to disclose or misappropriate the same, shall be deemed a third party beneficiary under this Agreement as to such confidential information.

 

25. The waiver by First Party of a breach or threatened breach of any obligation of this Agreement by Second Party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by Second Party. The refusal or failure of First Party to enforce any obligation of this Agreement (or any similar agreement) against any third party for any reason shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by First Party of any similar obligation, nor shall it give rise to any claim or cause of action by Second Party against First Party.

 

26. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts. A copy of this Agreement is as enforceable as the original, and the facsimile signature of a party hereto shall be of the same binding force and effect as that party’s original signature.

 

27. Time is of the essence regarding performance of all terms of this Agreement.

 

28. The provisions of this Agreement are binding upon Second Party, and Second Party’s agents, servants, employees, and independent contractors, and on those persons in active concert or participation with any of them who have actual knowledge of this Agreement.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

Page 7 of 8

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written. The parties acknowledge that they fully and completely understand all of the terms of this Agreement, that they have not been coerced or intimidated into signing this agreement, that they have had full and fair opportunity to review this agreement with counsel and that they have themselves read this agreement in full, that they knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms of this Agreement, that they intend to be legally bound by this Agreement, and that they are duly authorized and have full authority to execute this Agreement.

 

DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC  
   
By: /s/ Sean Dollinger  
  Sean Dollinger  
As: Manager  
   
/s/ Krysten Michayluk  
Print Name: KRYSTEN MICHAYLUK, individually  

 

Page 8 of 8

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

NONDISCLOSURE, NONSOLICITATION AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

8

 

 

NONDISCLOSURE, NONSOLICITATION, AND

NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

This Non-Disclosure, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on ___________________________, by and between DOLLINGER HOLDINGS LLC, a Florida company (hereinafter “First Party”) and KRYSTEN MICHAYLUK (hereinafter “Second Party”).

 

WITNESS ETH

 

WHEREAS, First Party is engaged in the highly competitive business of consulting for various internet ventures (collectively referred to herein as “Products”), throughout the world (hereinafter “First Party’s Business”); and

 

WHEREAS, Second Party is an Independent Contractor of First Party, and is thus in contact with all aspects of all matters relating to First Party’s operations respecting the Products; and

 

WHEREAS, First Party requires Second Party, and Second Party agrees that, in consideration for continuing as an Independent Contractor of First Party, and to otherwise continue its relationship with First Party in connection with First Party’s business operations, and otherwise in consideration of continuing the existing business relationship with First Party, Second Party and First Party agree to enter into this Agreement. “Business relationship” shall mean any legally recognized relationship between First Party and Second Party as may exist from time to time, which by way of example includes, but is not limited to, that of employer/employee, agent/servant, or independent contractor; and

 

WHEREAS, Second Party recognizes and understands that First Party is affiliated with, and works in conjunction with, those entities referred herein as the “First Party Affiliates” including Sean Dollinger (located in Canada and the United States of America), Dollinger Holdings, Inc. (located in Florida, United States of America), Country Wine & Spirits, Inc. (located in California), and Ssquared Spirits LLC (located in California, as well as those additional entities, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies which, over time, may be so established (herein collectively referred to as the “First Party Affiliates”), and because of the close working relationship with these entities, First Party and Second Party specifically agree and acknowledge that all protections afforded First Party are likewise afforded to those entities which are and may be identified from time to time as “First Party Affiliates” which the First Party and Second Party consider to be intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement with equal right to enforce the terms of this Agreement as First Party; and

 

WHEREAS, Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party has legitimate business interests including, but is not limited to, trade secrets, valuable confidential business and professional information that may not otherwise qualify as trade secrets, substantial relationships with prospective and existing customers, clients and manufacturers, goodwill associated with the ongoing business of First Party by way of its trade name, trademarks or service marks as they may exist from time to time, its trade dress, the specific geographic location at which First Party does business, and the specific marketing and trade areas of First Party; and the extraordinary and/or specialized training provided to Second Party.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises, representations, and understandings set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, First Party and Second Party agree to the following terms.

 

1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and by this reference are incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement.

 

2. In consideration of Second Party entering into this Agreement with First Party, First Party will enter into a business relationship with Second Party, or continue the business relationship with Second Party as it exists on the date of this Agreement.

 

3. Second Party represents and warrants to First Party the following: (i) Second Party is not under any obligation to any person or business entity which is inconsistent with or in conflict with this Agreement, or which would prevent, limit or impair in any way Second Party’s performance of obligations hereunder; and (ii) Second Party has not disclosed and will not disclose to First Party, nor use for First Party’s benefit, any confidential information or trade secrets that Second Party may possess in relation to any third party, which information or secrets are not otherwise subject to lawful disclosure by Second Party. In the event that Second Party breach any of these warranties, Second Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless First Party from any and all claims, costs, expenses, attorney’s fees, lawsuits, or other liability arising from or relating to such breach.

 

4. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that during the course of its business relationship with First Party, Second Party has had or will have access to trade secret or otherwise valuable confidential information of First Party (herein referred to as “Trade Secrets and Confidential Information”). By way of example, and solely to assist in defining the scope of this Agreement, Trade Secrets and Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to: (i) the First Party Customer List and any other customer lists, including the names, address, phone numbers and contact persons of each customer; (ii) existing and prospective advantageous business relationships between First Party and its customers and manufacturers, those First Party is marketing to become customers, employees, independent contractors, agents, suppliers, professionals, and manufacturers; (iii) pricing, cost and markup information for all services provided by First Party to its customers and from manufacturers; (iv) financial information; (v) personnel information; (vi) methods of operation, business plans and strategies, and marketing materials; (vii) the requirements or “req” sheets for First Party’s customers and manufacturers; (iix) the nature and operation, including user names, passwords and user accounts, of all recruiting software and other specialized software used in the business operations of First Party; (ix) all network-based database information complied and maintained by First Party; (x) the recruiters book, the master book, submittal logs, start/finish logs, interview lists, employee filters, employee detail sheets; (xi) marketing materials and other materials identifying the business model of First Party; (xii) all information that is otherwise defined as trade secret within the meaning and contemplation of the Florida Uniform Trade Secrets Act set out at Florida Statutes Chapter 688, and/or the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 set out at 18 U.S.C. § 1836 et seq.

 

Page 2 of 8

 

 

5. The intent of this paragraph is to provide for nondisclosure of the Trade Secrets and Confidential Information of First Party by Second Party. Second Party agrees to the following terms:

 

a.During the term of Second Party’s business relationship with First Party, Second Party shall not: (i) publish, disclose, or make accessible any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity, for any reason whatsoever; or (ii) use, reproduce or generate benefit from Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, in any way which does not benefit First Party.

 

b.After termination of Second Party’s business relationship with First Party, for any reason whatsoever whether it be for cause or without cause, Second Party shall not: (i) publish, disclose, or make accessible any Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, to any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity, for any reason whatsoever; or (ii) use, reproduce or generate benefit from Trade Secrets or Confidential Information, or any part thereof, in any way.

 

c.Immediately upon termination of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, Second Party shall return any and all tangible evidence of all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information including, but not limited to, any papers, lists, books, files, and computer stored or generated information, to First Party prior to or at the termination of employment with First Party. Only upon being instructed to do so in writing by First Party, Second Party shall delete all Trade Secrets and Confidential Information maintained on any electronic device of Second Party in a manner that destroys the ability to retrieve the information after deletion.

 

d.Upon termination of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, Second Party shall not remove from the business premises of First Party any Trade Secrets and Confidential Information in any form whatsoever, whether in writing or electronically.

 

e.Second Party acknowledges and agrees that disclosure of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information by Second Party would cause irreparable harm to First Party. Therefore, if Second Party breaches or threatens to breach the terms of this paragraph five, or if First Party is otherwise in fear that Trade Secrets and Confidential Information in the possession of Second Party may be disclosed to a third party in violation of this paragraph five, Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party shall be entitled to ex parte (without notice to Second Party) entry of immediate temporary and/or preliminary injunctive relief, thereafter to be made permanent, enjoining Second Party from disclosing or otherwise using Trade Secrets and Confidential Information in violation of this paragraph five. The rights of First Party herein are in addition to any other rights that First Party may have against Second Party pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including the right to pursue any claim for damages First Party may have against Second party for breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

6. The intent of this paragraph is to restrict Second Party from competing with First Party to the fullest extent permitted by Florida Statutes § 542.335. Second Party agrees to the following terms:

 

a.Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party has legitimate business interests, as defined in Florida Statutes § 542.335(1)(b), including but not limited to: (i) in protecting from use against First Party and disclosure to third parties Trade secrets and Confidential Information as those terms are defined in paragraph four herein and in Florida Statutes§ 688.002(4) and in 18 U.S.C. §1839(3); (ii) in protecting First Party’s substantial relationships with its customers, clients, manufacturers, and referral sources and the goodwill associated with First Party’s ongoing business, professional practice, geographic locations of operation, and marketing and trade areas; and (iii) in protecting from use against First Party any extraordinary or specialized training provided by First Party to Second Party during the course of their business relationship with one another. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that all of the foregoing are business assets of First Party which, if misappropriated by a third party, would give that third party an unfair competitive advantage over First Party.

 

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b.Second Party agrees that during the term of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, and for a period of two (2) years from the date of termination of the business relationship for any reason, with or without cause or notice, Second Party shall not directly or indirectly, as owner, employee, agent, contractor, independent contractor, shareholder, member, or otherwise, compete with First Party in any area of First Party’s Business as defined herein, to the extent that such competition would entail use of First Party’s Trade Secrets and Confidential Information as defined herein, or would otherwise entail use of First Party’s trade secrets as defined in Florida Statutes§ 688.002(4) and/or 18 U.S.C. § 1839(3). The scope of this subparagraph is limited to the online aspects of First Party’s Business. Second Party shall not be precluded from working for brick and mortar businesses, provided that Second Party shall be precluded from developing for such businesses any online presence that is the same or substantially similar to the scope of work performed by Second Party pursuant to her lndepending Contractor Agreement with First Party.

 

c.To the extent that competition does not fall within the provisions of paragraph 6b herein, Second Party otherwise agrees that during the term of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, and for a period of two (2) years from the date of termination of the business relationship for any reason, with or without cause or notice, Second Party shall not directly or indirectly, as owner, employee, agent, contractor, independent contractor, shareholder, member, or otherwise, compete with First Party in any area of First Party’s Business as defined herein, to the extent that such competition would infringe on the legitimate business interests of First Party as those interests are defined in paragraph 6a herein or are otherwise contemplated to be within the scope of Florida Statutes§ 542.335.

 

d.For purposes of this paragraph 6, the phrase “compete with First Party” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any act or effort of Second Party, either directly or on behalf of any third party individual or business entity, to work in First Party’s Business as defined herein.

 

e.The geographic scope of the restrictions contained herein, that Second Party not “compete with First Party,” shall be limited to the following areas: throughout the geographical limits and jurisdiction of the United States of America.

 

f.Second Party acknowledges and agrees that given the worldwide nature of First Party’s business model, the restrictive covenants contained in this paragraph 6 are reasonable as to both temporal duration and geographic scope, and that the restrictive covenants are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interest of First Party as those interests are set forth herein.

 

7. The intent of this paragraph is to prevent solicitation of or interference with the relationship between First Party and any third party with whom First Party has a business relationship. Second Party agrees that during the term of the business relationship between First Party and Second Party, and for a period of two (2) years after the date of termination of that relationship, Second Party shall not:

 

a.directly or indirectly engage, hire, employ, or solicit any employee, agent, professional, supplier, manufacturer, contractor, independent contractor or service provider of First Party, or otherwise induce or solicit, or attempt to induce or solicit, any employee, agent, professional, supplier, contractor, independent contractor or service provider of First Party terminate or otherwise alter their relationship with First Party; or

 

b.directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit any customer, client or manufacturer of First Party to terminate or otherwise alter the contractual or business relationship with First Party, or to otherwise interfere with the contractual or business relationship between First Party and any of its customers, clients or manufacturers; or

 

c.directly or indirectly interfere with the relationship between First Party and any prospective customer, manufacturer or other third party with whom First Party prospective contractual or business relationship.

 

Page 4 of 8

 

 

8. In the event of any violation of paragraphs 5, 6, or 7, running of the time restrictions set forth therein shall be tolled until such time as a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order of injunctive relief.

 

9. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that any violation of paragraphs 5, 6, or 7 would cause irreparable harm to First Party, and that First Party has no adequate legal remedy to cure any actual or threatened violation of this Agreement. Therefore, if Second Party violates or threatens to violate the terms of paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of the Agreement, or if First Party is otherwise in fear that such a violation is likely to occur, Second Party acknowledges and agrees that First Party shall be entitled to ex parte (without notice to Second Party) entry of immediate temporary and/or preliminary injunctive relief, thereafter to be made permanent, enjoining Second Party from violating the terms of this Agreement. The rights of First Party herein are in addition to any other rights that First Party may have against Second Party pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including the right to pursue any claim for damages First Party may have against Second party for breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

10. In the event any provision of this Agreement is deemed or becomes invalid or unenforceable, such event shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and the offending provision shall be deemed stricken from this Agreement by agreement of the parties hereto. Similarly, if the scope of any restriction or covenant contained herein is deemed or becomes too broad or extensive to permit enforcement thereof to its fullest extent, then the court is specifically authorized by the parties to enforce any such restriction or covenant to the maximum extent permitted by law, and Second Party hereby consents and agrees that the scope of any such restriction or covenant may be modified accordingly in any judicial proceeding brought to enforce such restriction or covenant.

 

11. Second Party understands that just as First Party values and protects its own Trade Secrets and Confidential Information, First Party respects the trade secrets and confidential information of others. Second Party understands that First Party does not expect or wish Second Party to use any information that is protected by Florida law, including but not limited to that which Second Party may have obtained as a result of Second Party’s prior employment or work, or to take any actions that would violate Florida law. Accordingly, First Party does not expect or wish Second Party to use any information that is protected by Florida law or to take any actions that would violate Florida law. Second Party agrees that Second Party will not disclose to First Party, or use, or induce First Party to use, any information of others that is protected by Florida law. Second Party represents and warrants that Second Party has returned all property, trade secrets, and confidential information belonging to others. Moreover, Second Party is disclosing in writing in the space provided beneath this paragraph ANY agreements or contracts, whether in writing or not, that Second Party believes may limit Second Party’s ability to perform the duties owed to First Party pursuant to the business relationship between the parties. This includes, but is not limited to, any agreement not to disclose trade secrets or other confidential information, as well as any agreement not to compete or not to solicit. Second Party understands that if Second Party has any doubt about whether an agreement should be disclosed under this paragraph, Second Party should disclose the existence of such agreement. Except as so disclosed, Second Party represents that Second Party is not a party to any restrictive agreement limiting the performance of Second Party’s duties to First Party pursuant to their business relationship, and Second Party agrees that Second Party will defend, indemnify and hold harmless First Party for any and all suits and claims that may be commenced or made arising out of or relating to, in any way, any restrictive agreements that Second Party has not disclosed in writing in this Agreement at the time that Second Party executes this Agreement. Second Party agrees to provide copies of any written agreement that Second Party has identified hereunder and to discuss the terms and conditions thereof with First Party, unless prohibited from doing so.

 

Below Second Party has identified any and all Agreements that may restrict Second Party’s ability to perform Second Party’s duties pursuant to the business relationship with First Party; Second Party has written “None” if none exist. Second Party has also signed next to any information provided:

 

    
    
    

 

Page 5 of 8

 

 

12. In any action brought to enforce and/or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be awarded its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred for or in anticipation of the action and during the action, including, but not limited to, paralegal and law clerk fees, presuit, through trial and through all appellate levels.

 

13. This Agreement has been brought about by virtue of the negotiations of both First Party and Second Party. Both parties agree that they have had a full and fair opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement individually and with legal counsel. Should it ever become necessary to construe or interpret the terms of this Agreement, such construction or interpretation shall be accomplished without giving any consideration as to which of the parties may have drafted this Agreement, and without construing or interpreting the terms of this Agreement against either party.

 

14. This Agreement is to be construed, interpreted, governed and otherwise enforced pursuant to Florida law, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws or choice of law rules or principles. Venue in any action to construe, interpret and/or enforce this Agreement shall be in the state or Federal courts of Florida sitting in Palm Beach County, Florida. First Party and Second Party hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive any defenses or arguments based on lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, inconvenient forum or venue (forum non conveniens) as not being residents of Palm Beach County, Florida.

 

15. First Party and Second Party knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive the right to trial by jury in any dispute arising out of or in any way related to this Agreement.

 

16. No amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall be binding on any of the parties unless such amendment or modification is in writing and executed by all of the parties to this Agreement. No term, provision or clause of this Agreement shall be deemed waived and no breach excused, unless such waiver, excuse or consent shall be in writing and executed by the parties hereto.

 

17. Second Party agrees that First Party may assign this Agreement to any third party, including, but not limited to, any subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor of First Party, or any transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of First Party, and such assignment shall not constitute a termination of this Agreement.

 

18. This Agreement shall survive termination of the business relationship between Second Party and First Party, without regard to reasons for such termination nor the notice or lack of notice given in connection with such termination.

 

19. Second Party shall, and First Party may, disclose this Agreement to any third party with whom Second Party may have a future or prospective business relationship.

 

20. If, at any time, Second Party believes that for any reason Second Party is no longer bound by any term of this Agreement or the Agreement as a whole, Second Party must notify First Party of that belief in writing within two (2) days of forming that belief, of the circumstance( s) or event(s) which forms the basis for that belief. The notice shall state with particularity and specificity the circumstance(s) or event(s) that forms the basis for Second Party’s belief. Failure to strictly comply with this notice requirement shall constitute a knowing, voluntary and intentional waiver of any defense which may otherwise have been raised by Second Party, based on those circumstance(s) or event(s), that Second Party is no longer bound by this Agreement. After receipt of such notice, First Party shall have 30 days to remedy the circumstance(s) or event(s). If First Party remedies the circumstance(s) or event(s), then Second Party agrees that Second Party shall be subject to a conclusive presumption that Second Party has no defense to enforcement of this Agreement, based on any of the remedied circumstances or events. Evidence of any effort by First Party to remedy the circumstance(s) or event(s) raised in such notice shall be inadmissible into evidence as evidence of a subsequent remedial measure within the meaning of Florida Statutes§ 90.407.

 

Page 6 of 8

 

 

21. Any notice to First Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered by facsimile and United States Certified Mail, postage prepaid return receipt requested, to the following address, or to any other address of which Second Party has been notified in writing:

 

  c/o Holiday Hunt Russell PLLC  
  2699 Sheridan Street Suite A-105  
  Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312  
  Telephone: (954) 920-5153  
  Email: hhrussell@holidayrussell.com  

 

22. Any notice to Second Party shall be delivered by United States Mail, postage prepaid, to the following address, and shall be deemed as having been received by Second Party within three (3) business days after the date of mailing:

 

     
     
     
     

 

23. This Agreement represents the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter covered by this Agreement. It supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings (other than permission forms on such matters as background checks), oral or written, between the parties pertaining to the subject matter covered under this Agreement. Second Party acknowledges and agrees that no representation, promise, or agreement regarding the subject matter of this Agreement has been made to or with Second Party that is not set forth in this Agreement. Any representations or agreements regarding the subject matter of this Agreement not explicitly included in this Agreement are considered waived and unenforceable. Any previous agreements between First Party and Second Party regarding the subject matter of this Agreement are hereby superseded by execution of this Agreement, and shall have no continuing force or effect. This Agreement is in no way dependent upon the performance of any other contract or agreement that may have been or may be entered into between Second Party and First Party, and the breach or alleged breach of any other contract or agreement is no defense to enforcement of this Agreement.

 

24. Second Party agrees that each third party who has disclosed confidential information to First Party under the condition that First Party agrees not to disclose or misappropriate the same, shall be deemed a third party beneficiary under this Agreement as to such confidential information.

 

25. The waiver by First Party of a breach or threatened breach of any obligation of this Agreement by Second Party shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by Second Party. The refusal or failure of First Party to enforce any obligation of this Agreement (or any similar agreement) against any third party for any reason shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by First Party of any similar obligation, nor shall it give rise to any claim or cause of action by Second Party against First Party.

 

26. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts. A copy of this Agreement is as enforceable as the original, and the facsimile signature of a party hereto shall be of the same binding force and effect as that party’s original signature.

 

27. Time is of the essence regarding performance of all terms of this Agreement.

 

28. The provisions of this Agreement are binding upon Second Party, and Second Party’s agents, servants, employees, and independent contractors, and on those persons in active concert or participation with any of them who have actual knowledge of this Agreement.

 

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written. The parties acknowledge that they fully and completely understand all of the terms of this Agreement, that they have not been coerced or intimidated into signing this agreement, that they have had full and fair opportunity to review this agreement with counsel and that they have themselves read this agreement in full, that they knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms of this Agreement, that they intend to be legally bound by this Agreement, and that they are duly authorized and have full authority to execute this Agreement.

 

TO BE SIGNED SEPARATELY BY THE PARTIES

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

EXCLUSIVE MARKETING AGREEMENT

 

This Exclusive Marketing Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April l, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Country Wine & Spirits, Inc., a California company (“CWS’), Ssquared Spirits, LLC, a California company (“Ssquared”), and LQR House, Inc., a Delaware company (“LQR”). CWS and Ssquared are referred to herein together as the “CWS Parties”, and each of CWS, Ssquared and LQR is referred to herein as a “Party” and together as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the CWS Parties are engaged in the promotion and sale of spirits and other beverage products through the Internet, including through the online domain 1vww.cwspirits.com and through various social media channels (the “Website”) which are owned and operated by Ssquared; and

 

WHEREAS, LQR is engaged in the business of the development, marketing and sale of spirits and other beverage products through online sales channels; and

 

WHEREAS, the CWS Parties wish to grant LQR, and LQR wishes to accept, the exclusive right to promote the sale of spirits and other beverage products on the Website, on the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the respective covenants and commitments of the Parties set forth in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which arc hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.Grant

 

l. 1 Grant. CWS and Ssquared hereby grant to LQR the right on an exclusive basis to promote and market spirits, other beverage products and related products including but not limited to branded merchandise, apparel, glassware and the like (“Products”) during the Term through the Website for sale to customers with billing and shipping addresses within Canada, Mexico and the United Slates (the “Territ01y”). LQR shall have the sole right to manage and make decisions with regard to user-facing content on the Website, including the placement and removal of Products and the creation and management of promotional initiatives. The grant of rights to LQR is exclusive such that the CWS Parties shall not, during the Tcm1, directly or indirectly, promote or advertise any products on the Website themselves or grant to any third party any right to promote or advertise products on the Website.

 

1.2 Other Domains. Any new domains developed by CWS and/or Ssquared for the promotion and sale of Products in the Territory shall be made available to LQR to include in LQR’s exclusive rights hereunder at no additional cost, with any such domains which LQR accepts being included in the term “Website” as used in this Agreement.

 

1.3 Right of First Negotiation. The CWS Parties shall not sell or otherwise transfer the Website, the domain name(s) therefor, or any assets associated therewith (the “Website Assets”) during the Term without first offering to sell the Website Assets to LQR and negotiating exclusively with LQR for LQR’s purchase thereof. If the Parties are unable to reach agreement on the purchase or other acquisition by LQR of the Website Assets through exclusive negotiations within ninety (90) days after the date the CWS Parties first notify LQR of the availability of the Website Assets, the CWS Patties shall be free to enter into an agreement with a third party regarding the sale of the Website Assets on terms no more favorable to the third party than the terms that were last offered to LQR. Jf the CWS Patties offer terms to a third party which are more favorable than the terms that were last offered to LQR, the CWS Parties shall provide prompt written notice to LQR of such offer together with a description of the more favorable terms, and the Parties shall enter into exclusive good faith negotiations for an additional period of forty-five (45) days from such notice. If the Parties do not reach agreement during such additional forty-five (45) day period as reflected in an executed purchase agreement, then the CWS Parties shall have the right to enter into an agreement with such third party on the tem1s last disclosed to LQR. The right of first negotiation provided herein shall expire on termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

 

 

 

2.Share Issuance; Financial Terms.

 

2. I Share Issuance. As consideration for the CWS Parties entering into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, LQR shall issue Ten Million (l 0,000,000) common shares of LQR (the “Shares”) at a deemed price of $0.50 per Share on the Effective Date, which shall be fully paid and non-assessable and shall be issued in the name of those entities and individuals as set forth in Schedule 1.0 (it being understood that the CWS Parties, or any other parties taking delivery of the Shares at the direction of the CWS Parties, must comply with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and any applicable Canadian securities laws, including the applicable holding period thereunder, with respect to such Shares). Issuance of the Shares shall be subject to the receipt by LQR of such documents as LQR reasonably deems necessary or desirable for compliance with applicable securities and other laws and to provide for restrictions on the disposition of the Shares, governance matters, and the like.

 

2.2 LOR shall pay a finder’s fee of $150,000 as directed by the CWS Parties.

 

2.3 LOR House will have the right to approach and contract with third-party entities for the purposes of marketing products through the Website. LOR House will charge third parties for the creation of content and online marketing services at a rate to be solely determined bv LOR House.

 

3.Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

 

3.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Pa11ies that: (i) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (ii) it has the legal right and authority to enter into and perfom1 its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) the execution and performance of this Agreement will not conflict with or violate any provision of any applicable law or any agreement by which it is hound; and (iv) this Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the party and will be enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.

 

2

 

 

3.2 Responsibilities of the CWS Parties. The CWS Parties shall:

 

(a) maintain the operation of the Website at performance levels that meet or exceed the levels in effect as of the Effective Date, but in no event less than levels for comparable e-commerce websites for alcoholic beverages in the Territory and any specific performance standards that the Parties agree on from time to time in writing;

 

(b) perform al I functions necessary for the operation of the Website other than the roles assumed by LQR under this Agreement, including inventory purchase and management, order processing, order fulfilment, and customer relationship management;

 

(c) obtain and provide LQR with all copy, images, graphics, and other materials from manufacturers and distributors of the Products, and all rights and pem1issions thereto, as necessary to include such materials in the promotional activities on the Website;

 

(d) provide LQR with such plans, forecasts and reports as LQR may reasonably request relating to the operation of the Website, including modifications and enhancements to the Website;

 

(c) obtain and maintain all certificates, licenses, authorizations, and registrations required to import, possess, promote, sell, distribute, and receive payment for the Products in the Tenitory, and fully comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable thereto and to operation of the Website; and

 

(f) at all times during the Term and thereafter so long as they have possession of personal data of any individual (“Personal Data”), maintain and implement, and ensure that their third-party vendors that provide services with regard to the Website maintain and implement, appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards and plans to: (i) maintain the security of the Website and the security and confidentiality of all Personal Data; (ii) implement reasonable safeguards to protect against threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the Website or Personal Data; and (iii) implement reasonable safeguards to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the Website or Personal Data. The CWS Parties will provide LQR on reasonable request with copies of such plans or with summaries of the key provisions of such plans.

 

3.3 Responsibilities of LOR. LQR shall:

 

(a) Provide the promotional and marketing services for the Website in a professional and workmanlike manner, consistent with the prevailing standards of the industry; and

 

(b) Respond in a timely manner to handle complaints, charge backs, refunds, and disputes for customers of the Website.

 

4.Term and Termination.

 

4.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date of this Agreement and continue until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier as set forth herein (the “Term”).

 

3

 

 

4.2 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Parties as follows:

 

(a) LQR may terminate this Agreement for convenience with thirty (30) days prior written notice to the CWS Parties at any time;

 

(b) any Party may terminate this Agreement if any other Party is in material breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice from any non-breaching Party of the existence of such breach; and

 

(c) any Party may terminate this Agreement if any other Party becomes bankrupt, enters into a composition with its creditors, has a receiver appointed for its assets, or becomes the subject of any winding up of its business or any judicial proceeding relating to or arising out of its financial condition.

 

5.Indemnification.

 

5.1 By the CWS Parties. The CWS Parties shall defend, indemnify and hold LQR harmless with respect to any and all claims, damages and expenses of every kind or nature whatsoever, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from or relating to claims of third parties relating to any breach of this Agreement by the CWS Parties or to the operation ot: and transactions effected through, the Website, except to the extent subject to indemnification by LQR under Section 5.2.

 

5.2 By LOR. LQR shall defend, indemnify and hold the CWS Parties harmless with respect to any and all claims, damages and expenses of every kind or nature whatsoever, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from or relating to claims of third parties relating to any breach of this Agreement by LQR.

 

6.Miscellaneous.

 

6.1 Status of Parties. In all matters relating to this Agreement, each Pa11y is an independent contractor and not an employee or agent of any other Party. No Party shall have authority, express or implied, to assume or create any obligation on behalf of any other Party, or to represent any other Party as agent, employee, or in any other capacity in any manner whatsoever. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to create a partnership.

 

6.2 Notices. All notices permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been delivered and received (i) when personally delivered, (ii) on the fifth (5th) business day after the date on which deposited in the mail, airmail postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or (iii) when delivered if sent by recognized express commercial delivery service (e.g., Federal Express, DIIL, etc.), addressed to the Party for whom intended at the address set forth below, or at such other address for which notice has been delivered in a manner permitted by this Section 6.3.

 

If to CWS:

 

Shawn Kattoula, Country Wine & Spirits, Inc., 177 l 8 Highway 67, Ramona,

California 92065, Email: skattoula@cwspirits.com

 

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If to Ssquared:

 

Sean Dollinger Ssquared Spirits LLC, l 7718 Highway 67, Ramona, California 92065, sean@seandollinger.com

 

If to LQR:

 

LQR House Inc., c/o Darren Collins, 2699 Stirling Road Suite A-105, Fo1t

Lauderdale, Florida 33312, Email: darrengeorgecollins@gmail.com

 

6.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements and arrangements, whether written or oral, that may exist between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except by a writing duly executed by the Parties.

 

6.4 Binding Effect: Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Each Party may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder to an affiliate of that Party or in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of that Pa,ty’s assets relating to its business activities under this Agreement; provided that an assignment shall not relieve the assigning Party of its obligations hereunder.

 

6.5 Non-Waiver. The failure in any one or more instances of a Party to insist upon performance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, to exercise any right or privilege in this Agreement conferred, or the waiver by said Party of any breach of any of the tem1s, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as a subsequent waiver of any such tem1s, covenants, conditions, rights or privileges, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving Party.

 

6.6 Counterparts; Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

6.7 Severability. The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement or portion of a provision shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement or the remaining portion of the applicable provision.

 

6.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

6.9 Construction. The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references to “Section” or “Sections” refer to the corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. This Agreement has been negotiated by the respective Parties hereto with fulI opportunity to obtain advice of their attorneys, and the Parties waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or document.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

COUNTRY WINE & SPIRITS, IN   LQR HOUSE, INC.
     
By: /s/ Shawn Kattoula   By: /s/ Darren Collins
Name: Shawn Kattoula   Name:  Darren Collins
Title: President   Title: Director
     
SSQUARED SPIRITS, LLC    
     
By: /s/ Sean Dollinger    
Name:  Sean Dollinger    
Title: Director    

 

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SCHEDULE 1.0: SHARE REGISTRATION INSTRCUTIONS

 

KBROS, LLC –8,000,000 Shares

 

YAKOV LEVTOV –2,000,000 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Employment Agreement”), dated as of March 29, 2023, between LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Sean Dollinger, an individual (the “Executive”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company wishes to secure the services of the Executive as Chief Executive Officer of the Company (with such other duties and/or offices in the Company or its affiliates as may be assigned by the Company, its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other senior executive officers and as agreed to by Executive) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Executive wishes to render such services to the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1. Employment by the Company. The Company agrees to employ the Executive in the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company and have such duties and responsibilities as are reasonably assigned, delegated and determined as are customarily assigned to individuals serving in such positions and such other duties consistent with Executive’s title (with such other duties and/or offices in the Company and its affiliates as may be assigned from time to time by the Company, its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other senior executive officers and as agreed to by Executive) and the Executive accepts such employment and agrees to perform such duties. The Executive agrees to devote his full customary business time and energies to the business of the Company and/or its affiliates and to perform his duties hereunder on an exclusive basis commencing effective upon completion of the offering describe in Section 3(a) below.

 

2. Term of Employment. The term of this Employment Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for the initial period commencing on the date of the consummation of an initial public offering of the Class B Common Stock of the Company and ending on the first anniversary of the date of said initial public offering (unless the Executive is earlier terminated as provided in Section 4 hereof. This Term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods after the expiration of the initial Term and each renewal period unless either party gives written notice to the other at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal period.

 

3. Compensation. As full compensation for all services to be rendered by the Executive to the Company and/or its affiliates in all capacities during the Term, the Executive shall receive the following compensation and benefits:

 

(a) Salary. An annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $250,000.00. Base Salary shall increase by no less than five percent (5%) on each anniversary of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Other Benefits. The Executive shall be permitted during the Term, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in all employee benefit plans, policies and practices now or hereafter maintained by or on behalf of the Company commensurate with the Executive’s position with the Company. Nothing in this Employment Agreement shall preclude the Company from terminating or amending any such plans or coverage so as to eliminate, reduce or otherwise change any benefit payable thereunder, so long as such change similarly affects all Company employees. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive shall receive health, medical, dental and visions insurance equal to or greater than that which Executive received with the Company immediately prior to entering into this Employment Agreement.

 

(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the Term in the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Employment Agreement, upon submission and approval of expense statements, vouchers or other supporting information in accordance with the then customary practices of the Company.

 

(d) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation for the first year of the Term and 4 weeks of paid vacation for the second and third years of the Term, if applicable.

 

(e) Withholding of Taxes. The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Employment Agreement all federal, state, city and other taxes as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

(f) Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to an annual incentive bonus as determined by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of filing of the Company’s annual reports.

 

4. Termination.

 

(a) Termination upon Death. If the Executive dies during the Term, this Employment Agreement shall terminate as of the date of his death except in Section 5(b) hereof.

 

(b) Termination upon Disability. If during the Term the Executive becomes physically or mentally disabled, whether totally or partially, so that the Executive is unable to perform his essential job functions hereunder for a period aggregating 180 days during any twelve- month period, and it is determined by a physician acceptable to both the Company and the Executive that, by reason of such physical or mental disability, the Executive shall be unable to perform the essential job functions required of him hereunder for such period or periods, the Company may, by written notice to the Executive, terminate this Employment Agreement, in which event the Term shall terminate 10 days after the date upon which the Company shall have given notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate this Employment Agreement because of the disability.

 

(c) Termination for Cause. The Company may at any time by written notice to the Executive terminate this Employment Agreement immediately and, except as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, the Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefit here- under on and after the date of such notice, in the event that an event of “Cause” occurs. For purposes of this Employment Agreement “Cause” shall mean:

 

(i) any willful breach by the Executive of any material term of this Employment Agreement, if the Executive fails to reasonably cure such breach within 30 days after the receipt of written notice from the Board of such breach, which notice shall state in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to be a failure or willful breach and of the intent of the Company to terminate the Executive’s employment upon the failure of the Executive to reasonably cure such failure or breach; or

 

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(ii) Executive has committed an intentional felonious act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or theft or an intentional breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; or

 

(iii) the Executive is indicted for any criminal offense constituting a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (except that Executive shall continue to be entitled to all compensation until a conviction of such offense); or

 

(iv) the Executive intentionally breaches the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of this Employment Agreement, an act, or a failure to act, shall not be deemed willful or intentional, as those terms are used herein, unless it is done, or admitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the interest of the Company.

 

(d) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate this Employment Agreement at any time, without cause, upon 30 days’ written notice by the Company to the Executive and, except as provided in Section 5(a) hereof, the Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefit hereunder after such termination.

 

5. Severance Payments.

 

(a) Certain Severance Payments. If during the Term the Company terminates this Employment Agreement pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof, all compensation payable to the Executive under Section 3 hereof shall cease as of the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice (the “Termination Date”), and the Company shall pay to the Executive, subject to Section 6 hereof, the following sums: (i) the Base Salary on the Termination Date for the shorter of (x) six months and (y) the remainder of the Term (the applicable period being referred to as the “Severance Period”), payable in monthly installments; (ii) benefits under group health and life insurance plans in which the Executive participated prior to termination through the Severance Period; (iii) all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from the Company and its employee benefit plans, including any such benefits under the Company’s pension, disability, and life insurance plans, policies, and programs; and (iv) so long as the Company has achieved its budgeted EBITDA level for the period commencing with the end of the Company’s immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of the bonus paid to the Executive in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 3(f), times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of full calendar months occurring since the end of the immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, by (y) 12. If, prior to the date on which the Company’s obligations under clause (i) of this Section 5(a) cease, the Executive violates Section 6 hereof, then the Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company under clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 5(a) on or after the date of such violation. The payment of severance as required by this Section 5(a) may be conditioned by the Company on the delivery by the Executive of a release of any and all claims that the Executive may have against the Company which release shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Company.

 

(b) Severance Payments upon Termination for Cause, Death or Disability. If this Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Sections 4(a), 4(b) or 4(c) hereof, the Executive (or his estate or representative as applicable) shall receive only the amounts specified in clause (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 5(a) hereof.

 

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6. Certain Covenants of the Executive.

 

(a) Covenants Against Competition. The Executive acknowledges that: (i) Executive is one of the limited number of persons who will assist with developing the Company’s business, which consists of the provision of online alcoholic beverage marketing and brand development services, and the acquisition, integration, and management of alcoholic beverage brands (the “Company’s Business”); (ii) Executive’s work for the Company will bring Executive into close contact with many confidential affairs not readily available to the public; and (iii) the covenants contained in this Section 6 will not involve a substantial hardship upon Executive’s future livelihood. In order to induce the Company to enter into this Employment Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) Non-Compete. During the Term and for the Severance Period (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) in any manner whatsoever engage in any capacity with any business competitive with the Company’s Business for the Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or affiliate of the Company; or (ii) have any interest as owner, sole proprietor, shareholder, partner, lender, director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, agent or otherwise in any business competitive with the Company’s Business; provided, however, that the Executive may hold, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding securities of any person or entity which are listed on any national securities exchange or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market notwithstanding the fact that such person or entity is engaged in a business competitive with the Company’s Business. In addition, during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not develop any property for use in the Company’s Business on behalf of any person or entity other than the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

(ii) Confidential Information. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to any person or entity who is not authorized by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate to receive such information, or use or appropriate for his own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, any documents or other papers relating to the Company’s Business or the customers of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, including, without limitation, files, business relationships and accounts, pricing policies, customer lists, computer software and hardware, or any other materials relating to the Company’s Business or the customers of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any trade secrets or confidential information, including, without limitation, any business or operational methods, drawings, sketches, designs or product concepts, know-how, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans, financial or other performance data, personnel and other policies of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, whether generated by the Executive or by any other person, except as required in the course of performing Executive’s duties hereunder or with the express written consent of the Company; provided, however, that the confidential information shall not include any information readily ascertainable from public or published information, or trade sources or independent third parties (other than as a direct or indirect result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive).

 

(iii) Employees of and Consultants to the Company. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (other than in furtherance of the business of the Company), initiate communications with, solicit, persuade, entice, induce or encourage any individual who is then or who has been within the preceding 12- month period, an employee of or consultant to the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate employment with, or a consulting relationship with, the Company or such affiliate, as the case may be, or to become employed by or enter into a contract or other agreement with any other person, and the Executive shall not approach any such employee or consultant for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve the taking of any such actions by any other person.

 

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(iv) Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, initiate communications with, solicit, persuade, entice, induce, encourage (or assist in connection with any of the foregoing) any person who is then or has been within the preceding 12-month period a customer or account of the Company or its affiliates, or any actual customer leads whose identity the Executive learned during the course of his employment with the Company, to terminate or to adversely alter its contractual or other relationship with the Company or its affiliates.

 

(b) Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. If the Executive breaches any of the provisions of Section 6(a) hereof (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”), the Company and its affiliates shall, in addition to the rights set forth in Section 6(a) hereof, have the right and remedy to seek from any court of competent jurisdiction specific performance of the Restrictive Covenants or injunctive relief against any act which would violate any of the Restrictive Covenants, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach may cause irreparable injury to the Company and its affiliates and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company and its affiliates.

 

(c) Severability of Covenants. If any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or any foreign, federal, state, county or local government or other governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and such court, government, agency or authority shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable, provisions similar thereto or other provisions so as to provide to the Company and its affiliates, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by such provisions.

 

(d) Enforceability in Jurisdictions. The parties intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive Covenants upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Covenants and only in such jurisdiction where the Executive’s alleged violation of the Restrictive Covenants occurred. If the courts of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the Restrictive Covenants wholly invalid or unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company’s right to the relief provided above in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Restrictive Covenants, as to breaches of such Restrictive Covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, such Restrictive Covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.

 

7. Other Provisions.

 

(a) Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid, to the parties at the addresses specified on the signature page hereto, or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, and shall be deemed given so long as such provides a receipt of delivery, when so delivered personally, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, or mailed.

 

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(b) Entire Agreement. This Employment Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts and other agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

(c) Waivers and Amendments. This Employment Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

(d) Governing Law. This Employment Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with and subject to, the laws of the State of Nevada applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state.

 

(e) Binding Effect; Benefit. This Employment Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and any successors and assigns permitted or required by Section 7(f) hereof. Nothing in this Employment Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto or such successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Employment Agreement.

 

(f) Assignment. This Employment Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive. The Company may assign this Employment Agreement and its rights, together with its obligations, hereunder in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

(g) Counterparts. This Employment Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(h) Headings. The headings in this Employment Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Employment Agreement.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
       
  LQR House Inc.
       
  By: /s/ Sean Dollinger
  Name:  Sean Dollinger
  Title: Director

 

  Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

  By: /s/ Darren Collins
  Name:  Darren Collins
  Title: Director

 

  Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

  EXECUTIVE:
     
  By: /s/ Sean Dollinger
  Name:  Sean Dollinger
    Title: Director

 

  Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Employment Agreement”), dated as of May 1, 2023, between LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Kumar Abhishek, an individual (the “Executive”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company wishes to secure the services of the Executive as Chief Financial Officer of the Company (with such other duties and/or offices in the Company or its affiliates as may be assigned by the Company, its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other senior executive officers and as agreed to by Executive) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Executive wishes to render such services to the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1. Employment by the Company. The Company agrees to employ the Executive in the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company and have such duties and responsibilities as are reasonably assigned, delegated and determined as are customarily assigned to individuals serving in such positions and such other duties consistent with Executive’s title (with such other duties and/or offices in the Company and its affiliates as may be assigned from time to time by the Company, its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other senior executive officers and as agreed to by Executive) and the Executive accepts such employment and agrees to perform such duties. The Executive agrees to devote at least 35 hours per week to the business of the Company and/or its affiliates and to perform his duties hereunder on an exclusive basis commencing effective upon completion of the offering describe in Section 3(a) below.

 

2. Term of Employment. The term of this Employment Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for the initial period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the first anniversary of the date hereof (unless the Executive is earlier terminated as provided in Section 4 hereof. This Term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods after the expiration of the initial Term and each renewal period unless either party gives written notice to the other at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal period.

 

3. Compensation. As full compensation for all services to be rendered by the Executive to the Company and/or its affiliates in all capacities during the Term, the Executive shall receive the following compensation and benefits:

 

(a) Salary. An annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $72,000. Base Salary shall increase by no less than five percent (5%) on each anniversary of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Other Benefits. The Executive shall be permitted during the Term, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in all employee benefit plans, policies and practices now or hereafter maintained by or on behalf of the Company commensurate with the Executive’s position with the Company. Nothing in this Employment Agreement shall preclude the Company from terminating or amending any such plans or coverage so as to eliminate, reduce or otherwise change any benefit payable thereunder, so long as such change similarly affects all Company employees. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive shall receive health, medical, dental and visions insurance equal to or greater than that which Executive received with the Company immediately prior to entering into this Employment Agreement.

 

(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the Term in the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Employment Agreement, upon submission and approval of expense statements, vouchers or other supporting information in accordance with the then customary practices of the Company.

 

(d) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation for the first year of the Term and 4 weeks of paid vacation for the second and third years of the Term, if applicable.

 

(e) Withholding of Taxes. The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Employment Agreement all federal, state, city and other taxes as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

(f) Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to an annual incentive bonus as determined by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of filing of the Company’s annual reports.

 

4. Termination.

 

(a) Termination upon Death. If the Executive dies during the Term, this Employment Agreement shall terminate as of the date of his death except in Section 5(b) hereof.

 

(b) Termination upon Disability. If during the Term the Executive becomes physically or mentally disabled, whether totally or partially, so that the Executive is unable to perform his essential job functions hereunder for a period aggregating 180 days during any twelve- month period, and it is determined by a physician acceptable to both the Company and the Executive that, by reason of such physical or mental disability, the Executive shall be unable to perform the essential job functions required of him hereunder for such period or periods, the Company may, by written notice to the Executive, terminate this Employment Agreement, in which event the Term shall terminate 10 days after the date upon which the Company shall have given notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate this Employment Agreement because of the disability.

 

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(c) Termination for Cause. The Company may at any time by written notice to the Executive terminate this Employment Agreement immediately and, except as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, the Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefit here- under on and after the date of such notice, in the event that an event of “Cause” occurs. For purposes of this Employment Agreement “Cause” shall mean:

 

(i) any willful breach by the Executive of any material term of this Employment Agreement, if the Executive fails to reasonably cure such breach within 30 days after the receipt of written notice from the Board of such breach, which notice shall state in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to be a failure or willful breach and of the intent of the Company to terminate the Executive’s employment upon the failure of the Executive to reasonably cure such failure or breach; or

 

(ii) Executive has committed an intentional felonious act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or theft or an intentional breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; or

 

(iii) the Executive is indicted for any criminal offense constituting a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (except that Executive shall continue to be entitled to all compensation until a conviction of such offense); or

 

(iv) the Executive intentionally breaches the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of this Employment Agreement, an act, or a failure to act, shall not be deemed willful or intentional, as those terms are used herein, unless it is done, or admitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the interest of the Company.

 

(d) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate this Employment Agreement at any time, without cause, upon 30 days’ written notice by the Company to the Executive and, except as provided in Section 5(a) hereof, the Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefit hereunder after such termination.

 

5. Severance Payments.

 

(a) Certain Severance Payments. If during the Term the Company terminates this Employment Agreement pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof, all compensation payable to the Executive under Section 3 hereof shall cease as of the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice (the “Termination Date”), and the Company shall pay to the Executive, subject to Section 6 hereof, the following sums: (i) the Base Salary on the Termination Date for the shorter of (x) six months and (y) the remainder of the Term (the applicable period being referred to as the “Severance Period”), payable in monthly installments; (ii) benefits under group health and life insurance plans in which the Executive participated prior to termination through the Severance Period; (iii) all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from the Company and its employee benefit plans, including any such benefits under the Company’s pension, disability, and life insurance plans, policies, and programs; and (iv) so long as the Company has achieved its budgeted EBITDA level for the period commencing with the end of the Company’s immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of the bonus paid to the Executive in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 3(f), times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of full calendar months occurring since the end of the immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, by (y) 12. If, prior to the date on which the Company’s obligations under clause (i) of this Section 5(a) cease, the Executive violates Section 6 hereof, then the Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company under clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 5(a) on or after the date of such violation. The payment of severance as required by this Section 5(a) may be conditioned by the Company on the delivery by the Executive of a release of any and all claims that the Executive may have against the Company which release shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Company.

 

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(b) Severance Payments upon Termination for Cause, Death or Disability. If this Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Sections 4(a), 4(b) or 4(c) hereof, the Executive (or his estate or representative as applicable) shall receive only the amounts specified in clause (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 5(a) hereof.

 

6. Certain Covenants of the Executive.

 

(a) Covenants Against Competition. The Executive acknowledges that: (i) Executive is one of the limited number of persons who will assist with developing the Company’s business, which consists of the provision of online alcoholic beverage marketing and brand development services, and the acquisition, integration, and management of alcoholic beverage brands (the “Company’s Business”); (ii) Executive’s work for the Company will bring Executive into close contact with many confidential affairs not readily available to the public; and (iii) the covenants contained in this Section 6 will not involve a substantial hardship upon Executive’s future livelihood. In order to induce the Company to enter into this Employment Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) Non-Compete. During the Term and for the Severance Period (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) in any manner whatsoever engage in any capacity with any business competitive with the Company’s Business for the Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or affiliate of the Company; or (ii) have any interest as owner, sole proprietor, shareholder, partner, lender, director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, agent or otherwise in any business competitive with the Company’s Business; provided, however, that the Executive may hold, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding securities of any person or entity which are listed on any national securities exchange or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market notwithstanding the fact that such person or entity is engaged in a business competitive with the Company’s Business. In addition, during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not develop any property for use in the Company’s Business on behalf of any person or entity other than the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

(ii) Confidential Information. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to any person or entity who is not authorized by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate to receive such information, or use or appropriate for his own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, any documents or other papers relating to the Company’s Business or the customers of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, including, without limitation, files, business relationships and accounts, pricing policies, customer lists, computer software and hardware, or any other materials relating to the Company’s Business or the customers of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any trade secrets or confidential information, including, without limitation, any business or operational methods, drawings, sketches, designs or product concepts, know-how, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans, financial or other performance data, personnel and other policies of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, whether generated by the Executive or by any other person, except as required in the course of performing Executive’s duties hereunder or with the express written consent of the Company; provided, however, that the confidential information shall not include any information readily ascertainable from public or published information, or trade sources or independent third parties (other than as a direct or indirect result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive).

 

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(iii) Employees of and Consultants to the Company. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (other than in furtherance of the business of the Company), initiate communications with, solicit, persuade, entice, induce or encourage any individual who is then or who has been within the preceding 12- month period, an employee of or consultant to the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate employment with, or a consulting relationship with, the Company or such affiliate, as the case may be, or to become employed by or enter into a contract or other agreement with any other person, and the Executive shall not approach any such employee or consultant for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve the taking of any such actions by any other person.

 

(iv) Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, initiate communications with, solicit, persuade, entice, induce, encourage (or assist in connection with any of the foregoing) any person who is then or has been within the preceding 12-month period a customer or account of the Company or its affiliates, or any actual customer leads whose identity the Executive learned during the course of his employment with the Company, to terminate or to adversely alter its contractual or other relationship with the Company or its affiliates.

 

(b) Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. If the Executive breaches any of the provisions of Section 6(a) hereof (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”), the Company and its affiliates shall, in addition to the rights set forth in Section 6(a) hereof, have the right and remedy to seek from any court of competent jurisdiction specific performance of the Restrictive Covenants or injunctive relief against any act which would violate any of the Restrictive Covenants, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach may cause irreparable injury to the Company and its affiliates and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company and its affiliates.

 

(c) Severability of Covenants. If any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or any foreign, federal, state, county or local government or other governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and such court, government, agency or authority shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable, provisions similar thereto or other provisions so as to provide to the Company and its affiliates, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by such provisions.

 

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(d) Enforceability in Jurisdictions. The parties intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive Covenants upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Covenants and only in such jurisdiction where the Executive’s alleged violation of the Restrictive Covenants occurred. If the courts of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the Restrictive Covenants wholly invalid or unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company’s right to the relief provided above in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Restrictive Covenants, as to breaches of such Restrictive Covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, such Restrictive Covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.

 

7. Other Provisions.

 

(a) Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid, to the parties at the addresses specified on the signature page hereto, or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, and shall be deemed given so long as such provides a receipt of delivery, when so delivered personally, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, or mailed.

 

(b) Entire Agreement. This Employment Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts and other agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

(c) Waivers and Amendments. This Employment Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

(d) Governing Law. This Employment Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with and subject to, the laws of the State of Nevada applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state.

 

(e) Binding Effect; Benefit. This Employment Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and any successors and assigns permitted or required by Section 7(f) hereof. Nothing in this Employment Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto or such successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Employment Agreement.

 

(f) Assignment. This Employment Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive. The Company may assign this Employment Agreement and its rights, together with its obligations, hereunder in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

(g) Counterparts. This Employment Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(h) Headings. The headings in this Employment Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Employment Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  LQR House Inc.
       
  By: /s/ Sean Dollinger
    Name:  Sean Dollinger
    Title: Chief Executive Officer 

 

  Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
   

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

  EXECUTIVE:
     
  /s/ Kumar Abhishek
  Name:  Kumar Abhishek

 

  Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Employment Agreement”), dated as of May 1, 2023, between LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Jaclyn Hoffman, an individual (the “Executive”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company wishes to secure the services of the Executive as Chief Marketing Officer of the Company (with such other duties and/or offices in the Company or its affiliates as may be assigned by the Company, its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other senior executive officers and as agreed to by Executive) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Executive wishes to render such services to the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1. Employment by the Company. The Company agrees to employ the Executive in the position of Chief Marketing Officer of the Company and have such duties and responsibilities as are reasonably assigned, delegated and determined as are customarily assigned to individuals serving in such positions and such other duties consistent with Executive’s title (with such other duties and/or offices in the Company and its affiliates as may be assigned from time to time by the Company, its Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other senior executive officers and as agreed to by Executive) and the Executive accepts such employment and agrees to perform such duties. The Executive agrees to devote his full customary business time and energies to the business of the Company and/or its affiliates and to perform his duties hereunder on an exclusive basis commencing effective upon completion of the offering describe in Section 3(a) below.

 

2. Term of Employment. The term of this Employment Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for the initial period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the first anniversary of the date hereof (unless the Executive is earlier terminated as provided in Section 4 hereof. This Term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year periods after the expiration of the initial Term and each renewal period unless either party gives written notice to the other at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal period.

 

3. Compensation. As full compensation for all services to be rendered by the Executive to the Company and/or its affiliates in all capacities during the Term, the Executive shall receive the following compensation and benefits:

 

(a) Salary. An annual base salary (the “Base Salary”) of $63,000.00. Base Salary shall increase by no less than five percent (5%) on each anniversary of this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) Participation in Employee Benefit Plans; Other Benefits. The Executive shall be permitted during the Term, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in all employee benefit plans, policies and practices now or hereafter maintained by or on behalf of the Company commensurate with the Executive’s position with the Company. Nothing in this Employment Agreement shall preclude the Company from terminating or amending any such plans or coverage so as to eliminate, reduce or otherwise change any benefit payable thereunder, so long as such change similarly affects all Company employees. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive shall receive health, medical, dental and visions insurance equal to or greater than that which Executive received with the Company immediately prior to entering into this Employment Agreement.

 

(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the Term in the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Employment Agreement, upon submission and approval of expense statements, vouchers or other supporting information in accordance with the then customary practices of the Company.

 

(d) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation for the first year of the Term and 4 weeks of paid vacation for the second and third years of the Term, if applicable.

 

(e) Withholding of Taxes. The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Employment Agreement all federal, state, city and other taxes as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

(f) Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to an annual incentive bonus as determined by the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days of filing of the Company’s annual reports.

 

4. Termination.

 

(a) Termination upon Death. If the Executive dies during the Term, this Employment Agreement shall terminate as of the date of his death except in Section 5(b) hereof.

 

(b) Termination upon Disability. If during the Term the Executive becomes physically or mentally disabled, whether totally or partially, so that the Executive is unable to perform his essential job functions hereunder for a period aggregating 180 days during any twelve- month period, and it is determined by a physician acceptable to both the Company and the Executive that, by reason of such physical or mental disability, the Executive shall be unable to perform the essential job functions required of him hereunder for such period or periods, the Company may, by written notice to the Executive, terminate this Employment Agreement, in which event the Term shall terminate 10 days after the date upon which the Company shall have given notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate this Employment Agreement because of the disability.

 

(c) Termination for Cause. The Company may at any time by written notice to the Executive terminate this Employment Agreement immediately and, except as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, the Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefit here- under on and after the date of such notice, in the event that an event of “Cause” occurs. For purposes of this Employment Agreement “Cause” shall mean:

 

(i) any willful breach by the Executive of any material term of this Employment Agreement, if the Executive fails to reasonably cure such breach within 30 days after the receipt of written notice from the Board of such breach, which notice shall state in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to be a failure or willful breach and of the intent of the Company to terminate the Executive’s employment upon the failure of the Executive to reasonably cure such failure or breach; or

 

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(ii) Executive has committed an intentional felonious act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, or theft or an intentional breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; or

 

(iii) the Executive is indicted for any criminal offense constituting a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (except that Executive shall continue to be entitled to all compensation until a conviction of such offense); or

 

(iv) the Executive intentionally breaches the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of this Employment Agreement, an act, or a failure to act, shall not be deemed willful or intentional, as those terms are used herein, unless it is done, or admitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or without a reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the interest of the Company.

 

(d) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate this Employment Agreement at any time, without cause, upon 30 days’ written notice by the Company to the Executive and, except as provided in Section 5(a) hereof, the Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefit hereunder after such termination.

 

5. Severance Payments.

 

(a) Certain Severance Payments. If during the Term the Company terminates this Employment Agreement pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof, all compensation payable to the Executive under Section 3 hereof shall cease as of the date of termination specified in the Company’s notice (the “Termination Date”), and the Company shall pay to the Executive, subject to Section 6 hereof, the following sums: (i) the Base Salary on the Termination Date for the shorter of (x) six months and (y) the remainder of the Term (the applicable period being referred to as the “Severance Period”), payable in monthly installments; (ii) benefits under group health and life insurance plans in which the Executive participated prior to termination through the Severance Period; (iii) all previously earned, accrued, and unpaid benefits from the Company and its employee benefit plans, including any such benefits under the Company’s pension, disability, and life insurance plans, policies, and programs; and (iv) so long as the Company has achieved its budgeted EBITDA level for the period commencing with the end of the Company’s immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, an amount equal to the product of the bonus paid to the Executive in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 3(f), times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of full calendar months occurring since the end of the immediately previous fiscal year through the Termination Date, by (y) 12. If, prior to the date on which the Company’s obligations under clause (i) of this Section 5(a) cease, the Executive violates Section 6 hereof, then the Company shall have no obligation to make any of the payments that remain payable by the Company under clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 5(a) on or after the date of such violation. The payment of severance as required by this Section 5(a) may be conditioned by the Company on the delivery by the Executive of a release of any and all claims that the Executive may have against the Company which release shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Company.

 

(b) Severance Payments upon Termination for Cause, Death or Disability. If this Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Sections 4(a), 4(b) or 4(c) hereof, the Executive (or his estate or representative as applicable) shall receive only the amounts specified in clause (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 5(a) hereof.

 

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6. Certain Covenants of the Executive.

 

(a) Covenants Against Competition. The Executive acknowledges that: (i) Executive is one of the limited number of persons who will assist with developing the Company’s business, which consists of the provision of online alcoholic beverage marketing and brand development services, and the acquisition, integration, and management of alcoholic beverage brands (the “Company’s Business”); (ii) Executive’s work for the Company will bring Executive into close contact with many confidential affairs not readily available to the public; and (iii) the covenants contained in this Section 6 will not involve a substantial hardship upon Executive’s future livelihood. In order to induce the Company to enter into this Employment Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) Non-Compete. During the Term and for the Severance Period (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) in any manner whatsoever engage in any capacity with any business competitive with the Company’s Business for the Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or affiliate of the Company; or (ii) have any interest as owner, sole proprietor, shareholder, partner, lender, director, officer, manager, employee, consultant, agent or otherwise in any business competitive with the Company’s Business; provided, however, that the Executive may hold, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, not more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding securities of any person or entity which are listed on any national securities exchange or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market notwithstanding the fact that such person or entity is engaged in a business competitive with the Company’s Business. In addition, during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not develop any property for use in the Company’s Business on behalf of any person or entity other than the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

(ii) Confidential Information. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to any person or entity who is not authorized by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate to receive such information, or use or appropriate for his own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, any documents or other papers relating to the Company’s Business or the customers of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, including, without limitation, files, business relationships and accounts, pricing policies, customer lists, computer software and hardware, or any other materials relating to the Company’s Business or the customers of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any trade secrets or confidential information, including, without limitation, any business or operational methods, drawings, sketches, designs or product concepts, know-how, marketing plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans, financial or other performance data, personnel and other policies of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, whether generated by the Executive or by any other person, except as required in the course of performing Executive’s duties hereunder or with the express written consent of the Company; provided, however, that the confidential information shall not include any information readily ascertainable from public or published information, or trade sources or independent third parties (other than as a direct or indirect result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive).

 

(iii) Employees of and Consultants to the Company. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (other than in furtherance of the business of the Company), initiate communications with, solicit, persuade, entice, induce or encourage any individual who is then or who has been within the preceding 12- month period, an employee of or consultant to the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate employment with, or a consulting relationship with, the Company or such affiliate, as the case may be, or to become employed by or enter into a contract or other agreement with any other person, and the Executive shall not approach any such employee or consultant for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve the taking of any such actions by any other person.

 

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(iv) Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, initiate communications with, solicit, persuade, entice, induce, encourage (or assist in connection with any of the foregoing) any person who is then or has been within the preceding 12-month period a customer or account of the Company or its affiliates, or any actual customer leads whose identity the Executive learned during the course of his employment with the Company, to terminate or to adversely alter its contractual or other relationship with the Company or its affiliates.

 

(b) Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. If the Executive breaches any of the provisions of Section 6(a) hereof (collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”), the Company and its affiliates shall, in addition to the rights set forth in Section 6(a) hereof, have the right and remedy to seek from any court of competent jurisdiction specific performance of the Restrictive Covenants or injunctive relief against any act which would violate any of the Restrictive Covenants, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach may cause irreparable injury to the Company and its affiliates and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company and its affiliates.

 

(c) Severability of Covenants. If any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or any foreign, federal, state, county or local government or other governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and such court, government, agency or authority shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable, provisions similar thereto or other provisions so as to provide to the Company and its affiliates, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by such provisions.

 

(d) Enforceability in Jurisdictions. The parties intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive Covenants upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Covenants and only in such jurisdiction where the Executive’s alleged violation of the Restrictive Covenants occurred. If the courts of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the Restrictive Covenants wholly invalid or unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company’s right to the relief provided above in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such Restrictive Covenants, as to breaches of such Restrictive Covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, such Restrictive Covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.

 

7. Other Provisions.

 

(a) Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, or sent by certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid, to the parties at the addresses specified on the signature page hereto, or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, and shall be deemed given so long as such provides a receipt of delivery, when so delivered personally, telecopied, telegraphed or telexed, or mailed.

 

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(b) Entire Agreement. This Employment Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts and other agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

(c) Waivers and Amendments. This Employment Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

(d) Governing Law. This Employment Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with and subject to, the laws of the State of Nevada applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state.

 

(e) Binding Effect; Benefit. This Employment Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and any successors and assigns permitted or required by Section 7(f) hereof. Nothing in this Employment Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto or such successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Employment Agreement.

 

(f) Assignment. This Employment Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Executive. The Company may assign this Employment Agreement and its rights, together with its obligations, hereunder in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

(g) Counterparts. This Employment Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(h) Headings. The headings in this Employment Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Employment Agreement.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
       
  LQR House Inc.
       
  By: /s/ Sean Dollinger
  Name:  Sean Dollinger
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

    Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

  EXECUTIVE:
       
  By: /s/ Jaclyn Hoffman
  Name:   Jaclyn Hoffman

 

    Address:  2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.14

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated                    , by and between LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned (the “Director”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company is filing a registration statement on Form S-1 relating to a firm commitment initial public offering of its securities (the “IPO”).

 

B. The current Board consists of three (3) members and the Board intends to appoint four (4) additional independent directors prior to the closing of the IPO.

 

C. The Company desires to appoint the Director to serve on the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), which will include membership on one or more committees of the Board, and the Director desires to accept such appointment to serve on the Board.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Director hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Duties. From and after the effective date of the registration statement for the IPO and related pricing of the IPO (the “Effective Time”), the Company requires that the Director be available to perform the duties of an independent director customarily related to this function as may be determined and assigned by the Board and as may be required by the Company’s constituent instruments, including its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and its corporate governance and board committee charters, each as amended or modified from time to time, and by applicable law, including the Nevada Revised Statutes. The Director agrees to devote as much time as is necessary to perform completely the duties as a Director of the Company, including duties as a member of one or more committees of the Board, to which the Director may hereafter be appointed. The Director will perform such duties described herein in accordance with the general fiduciary duty of directors.

 

2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Time, which shall be the date of the Director’s appointment by the board of directors of the Company, and shall continue until the Director’s removal or resignation. In addition to a termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the Director at any time without liability prior to the Effective Time.

 

3. Compensation.

 

(a) Following the Effective Time and the commencement of the term of this Agreement, for all services to be rendered by the Director in any capacity hereunder, the Company agrees to compensate the Director a fee of $36,000 per year in cash (the “Annual Fee”), which Annual Fee shall be paid to the Director in monthly installments, no later than the fifth business day following the end of each calendar month commencing in the month following the Effective Time. The Director shall be responsible for his or her own individual income tax payment on the Annual Fee in jurisdictions where the Director resides.

 

 

 

(b) Equity Compensation. Following the Effective Time and the commencement of the term of this Agreement, the Director shall be granted 50,000 restricted stock units exercisable into 50,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “RSUs”). The RSUs will become exercisable in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Time provided that the Director remains in Continuous Service on such dates. If this Agreement is terminated by the Company or the Director prior to the Effective Time, then the RSYs shall automatically terminate in accordance with its terms and the Director shall have no rights thereunder.

 

4. Independence. The Director acknowledges that his appointment hereunder is contingent upon the Board’s determination that he is “independent” with respect to the Company, in accordance with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq and NYSE American stock exchanges, and that his appointment may be terminated by the Company in the event that the Director does not maintain such independence standard.

 

5. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Director for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with the performance of the Director’s duties for the Company. Such reimbursement shall be made by the Company upon submission by the Director of a signed statement itemizing the expenses incurred, which shall be accompanied by sufficient documentation to support the expenditures.

 

6. Other Agreements.

 

(a) Confidential Information and Insider Trading. The Company and the Director each acknowledge that, in order for the intentions and purposes of this Agreement to be accomplished, the Director shall necessarily be obtaining access to certain confidential information concerning the Company and its affairs, including, but not limited to, business methods, information systems, financial data and strategic plans which are unique assets of the Company (as further defined below, the “Confidential Information”) and that the communication of such Confidential Information to third parties could irreparably injure the Company and its business. Accordingly, the Director agrees that, during his association with the Company and thereafter, he will treat and safeguard as confidential and secret all Confidential Information received by him at any time and that, without the prior written consent of the Company, he will not disclose or reveal any of the Confidential Information to any third party whatsoever or use the same in any manner except in connection with the business of the Company and in any event in no way harmful to or competitive with the Company or its business. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes any information not generally known to the public or recognized as confidential according to standard industry practice, any trade secrets, know-how, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution plans and information, inventions, formulas, methods or processes, whether or not patented or patentable, pricing policies and records of the Company (and such other information normally understood to be confidential or otherwise designated as such in writing by the Company), all of which the Director expressly acknowledges and agrees shall be confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company. Upon termination of his association with the Company, the Director shall return to the Company all documents and papers relating to the Company, including any Confidential Information, together with any copies thereof, or certify that he or she has destroyed all such documents and papers. Furthermore, the Director recognizes that the Company has received and, in the future, will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and, in some cases, to use it only for certain limited purposes. The Director agrees that the Director owes the Company and such third parties, both during the term of the Director’s association with the Company and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to, except as is consistent with the Company’s agreement with the third party, disclose it to any person or entity or use it for the benefit of anyone other than the Company or such third party, unless expressly authorized to act otherwise by an officer of the Company. In addition, the Director acknowledges and agrees that the Director may have access to “material non-public information” for purposes of the federal securities laws (“Insider Information”) and that the Director will abide by all securities laws relating to the handling of and acting upon such Insider Information.

 

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(b) Disparaging Statements. At all times during and after the period in which the Director is a member of the Board and at all times thereafter, the Director shall not either verbally, in writing, electronically or otherwise: (i) make any derogatory or disparaging statements about the Company, any of its affiliates, any of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents, or any of the Company’s current or past customers or employees, or (ii) make any public statement or perform or do any other act prejudicial or injurious to the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise interfere with the business of the Company or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the Director from complying with all obligations imposed by law or legal compulsion, and provided, further, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed applicable to any testimony given by the Director in any legal or administrative proceedings.

 

(c) Work Product. Director agrees that any and all Work Product (as defined below) shall be the Company’s sole and exclusive property. Director hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company all right, title and interest worldwide in and to any deliverables resulting from the Director’s services as a director to the Company (“Deliverables”), and to any ideas, concepts, processes, discoveries, developments, formulae, information, materials, improvements, designs, artwork, content, software programs, other copyrightable works, and any other work product created, conceived or developed by you (whether alone or jointly with others) for the Company during or before the term of this Agreement, including all copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other intellectual property rights therein (the “Work Product”). Director retains no rights to use the Work Product and agrees not to challenge the validity of our ownership of the Work Product. Director agrees to execute, at Company’s request and expense, all documents and other instruments necessary or desirable to confirm such assignment. In the event that Director does not, for any reason, execute such documents within a reasonable time after the Company’s request, Director hereby irrevocably appoint the Company as Director’s attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing such documents on your behalf, which appointment is coupled with an interest. Director will deliver to the Company any Deliverables and disclose promptly in writing to us all other Work Product.

 

(d) Enforcement. The Director acknowledges and agrees that the covenants contained herein are reasonable, that valid consideration has been and will be received and that the agreements set forth herein are the result of arms-length negotiations between the parties hereto. The Director recognizes that the provisions of this Section 6 are vitally important to the continuing welfare of the Company and its affiliates and that any violation of this Section 6 could result in irreparable harm to the Company and its affiliates for which money damages would constitute a totally inadequate remedy. Accordingly, in the event of any such violation by the Director, the Company and its affiliates, in addition to any other remedies they may have, shall have the right to institute and maintain a proceeding to compel specific performance thereof or to obtain an injunction or other equitable relief restraining any action by the Director in violation of this Section 6 without posting any bond therefore or demonstrating actual damages, and the Director will not claim as a defense thereto that the Company has an adequate remedy at law or require the posting of a bond. If any of the restrictions or activities contained in this Section 6 shall for any reason be held by an arbitrator to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, such restrictions shall be construed so as thereafter to be limited or reduced to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law; it being understood that by the execution of this Agreement the parties hereto regard such restrictions as reasonable and compatible with their respective rights. The Director acknowledges that injunctive relief may be granted immediately upon the commencement of any such action without notice to the Director and in addition Company may recover monetary damages.

 

(e) Separate Agreement. The parties hereto further agree that the provisions of Section 6 are separate from and independent of the remainder of this Agreement and that Section 6 is specifically enforceable by the Company notwithstanding any claim made by the Director against the Company. The terms of this Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

7. Market Stand-Off Agreement. In the event of a public or private offering of the Company’s securities, including in connection with the IPO, and upon request of the Company, the underwriters or placement agents placing the offering of the Company’s securities, the Director agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company that the Director may own, other than those included in the registration, without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such placement agent or underwriter.

 

8. Termination. With or without cause, the Company and the Director may each terminate this Agreement at any time upon ten (10) days written notice, and the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Director the compensation and expenses due up to the date of the termination. Nothing contained herein or omitted herefrom shall prevent the shareholder(s) of the Company from removing the Director with immediate effect at any time for any reason. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company terminates this Agreement prior to the closing of the IPO in accordance with Section 2 hereof, then the Company shall not have any liability whatsoever to the Director and the share option granted to the Director shall automatically terminate in accordance with its terms.

 

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9. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Director, to the full extent allowed by the laws of Nevada, and as provided by, or granted pursuant to, any provision of the Company’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, agreement (including, without limitation, the Indemnification Agreement executed herewith), vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in the Director’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Company and the Director are executing an indemnification agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

10. Effect of Waiver. The waiver by either party of the breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach thereof.

 

11. Notice. Any and all notices referred to herein shall be sufficient if furnished in writing at the addresses specified on the signature page hereto or, if to the Company, to the Company’s address as specified in filings made by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

12. Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and the rights of the parties hereto shall be determined by, the laws of Nevada without reference to conflicts of laws principles. Any disputes or claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be resolved by binding arbitration. Notice of a demand to arbitrate a dispute by any party hereto shall be given in writing to the other parties hereto at their last known addresses. Arbitration shall be commenced by the filing by such a party of an arbitration demand with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration and resolution of the dispute shall be resolved by a single arbitrator appointed by the AAA pursuant to AAA rules. The arbitration shall in all respects be governed and conducted by applicable AAA rules, and any award and/or decision shall be conclusive and binding on the parties. The arbitration shall be conducted in the state of Nevada. The arbitrator shall supply a written opinion supporting any award, and judgment may be entered on the award in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party hereto shall pay its own fees and expenses for the arbitration, except that any costs and charges imposed by the AAA and any fees of the arbitrator for his services shall be assessed against the losing party by the arbitrator. In the event that preliminary or permanent injunctive relief is necessary or desirable in order to prevent a party from acting contrary to this Agreement or to prevent irreparable harm prior to a confirmation of an arbitration award, then any party hereto is authorized and entitled to commence a lawsuit solely to obtain equitable relief against the other such parties pending the completion of the arbitration in a court having jurisdiction over those parties.

 

13. Assignment. The rights and benefits of the Company under this Agreement shall be transferable, and all the covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by or against, its successors and assigns. The duties and obligations of the Director under this Agreement are personal and therefore the Director may not assign any right or duty under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

14. Miscellaneous. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid or illegal, for any reason whatsoever, then, notwithstanding such invalidity or illegality, the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in the same manner as if the invalid or illegal provision had not been contained herein. The article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. Except as provided elsewhere herein, this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party to this Agreement with respect to such subject matter.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Independent Director Agreement to be duly executed and signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  LQR House Inc.
   
  By:               
  Name:
  Title:
   
  DIRECTOR:
   
   
  Name:

 

Signature Page to Independent Director Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

(See Attached)

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.15

 

NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT

 

This NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated __________, (the “Effective Date”) by and between LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned (the “Director”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Director was appointed to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) on __________. In connection with the Director’s appointment to the Board, the Company and the Director desire to execute this Agreement which governs the Directors appointment to the Board

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Director hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Duties. From and after the Effective Date, the Company requires that the Director be available to perform the duties of an independent director customarily related to this function as may be determined and assigned by the Board and as may be required by the Company’s constituent instruments, including its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and its corporate governance and board committee charters, each as amended or modified from time to time, and by applicable law, including the Nevada Revised Statutes. The Director agrees to devote as much time as is necessary to perform completely the duties as a Director of the Company, including duties as a member of one or more committees of the Board, to which the Director may hereafter be appointed. The Director will perform such duties described herein in accordance with the general fiduciary duty of directors.

 

2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall continue until the Director’s removal or resignation. In addition to a termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the Director at any time without liability prior to the Effective Date.

 

3. Compensation.

 

(a) Following the Effective Date and the commencement of the term of this Agreement, for all services to be rendered by the Director in any capacity hereunder, the Company agrees to compensate the Director a fee of $36,000 per year in cash (the “Annual Fee”), which Annual Fee shall be paid to the Director in monthly installments, no later than the fifth business day following the end of each calendar month commencing in the month following the Effective Date. The Director shall be responsible for his or her own individual income tax payment on the Annual Fee in jurisdictions where the Director resides.

 

(b) Following the Effective Date and the commencement of the term of this Agreement, the Director shall be granted 50,000 restricted stock units exercisable into 50,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “RSUs”). The RSUs will become exercisable in eight (8) equal quarterly installments commencing in the quarter following the Effective Date provided that he remains in Continuous Service provided that the Director remains in Continuous Service on such dates. If this Agreement is terminated by the Company or the Director prior to the Effective Date, then the RSUs shall automatically terminate in accordance with its terms and the Director shall have no rights thereunder.

 

 

 

 

4. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Director for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with the performance of the Director’s duties for the Company. Such reimbursement shall be made by the Company upon submission by the Director of a signed statement itemizing the expenses incurred, which shall be accompanied by sufficient documentation to support the expenditures.

 

5. Other Agreements.

 

Confidential Information and Insider Trading. The Company and the Director each acknowledge that, in order for the intentions and purposes of this Agreement to be accomplished, the Director shall necessarily be obtaining access to certain confidential information concerning the Company and its affairs, including, but not limited to, business methods, information systems, financial data and strategic plans which are unique assets of the Company (as further defined below, the “Confidential Information”) and that the communication of such Confidential Information to third parties could irreparably injure the Company and its business. Accordingly, the Director agrees that, during his association with the Company and thereafter, he will treat and safeguard as confidential and secret all Confidential Information received by him at any time and that, without the prior written consent of the Company, he will not disclose or reveal any of the Confidential Information to any third party whatsoever or use the same in any manner except in connection with the business of the Company and in any event in no way harmful to or competitive with the Company or its business. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes any information not generally known to the public or recognized as confidential according to standard industry practice, any trade secrets, know-how, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution plans and information, inventions, formulas, methods or processes, whether or not patented or patentable, pricing policies and records of the Company (and such other information normally understood to be confidential or otherwise designated as such in writing by the Company), all of which the Director expressly acknowledges and agrees shall be confidential and proprietary information belonging to the Company. Upon termination of his association with the Company, the Director shall return to the Company all documents and papers relating to the Company, including any Confidential Information, together with any copies thereof, or certify that he or she has destroyed all such documents and papers. Furthermore, the Director recognizes that the Company has received and, in the future, will receive confidential or proprietary information from third parties subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and, in some cases, to use it only for certain limited purposes. The Director agrees that the Director owes the Company and such third parties, both during the term of the Director’s association with the Company and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to, except as is consistent with the Company’s agreement with the third party, disclose it to any person or entity or use it for the benefit of anyone other than the Company or such third party, unless expressly authorized to act otherwise by an officer of the Company. In addition, the Director acknowledges and agrees that the Director may have access to “material non-public information” for purposes of the federal securities laws (“Insider Information”) and that the Director will abide by all securities laws relating to the handling of and acting upon such Insider Information.

 

Disparaging Statements. At all times during and after the period in which the Director is a member of the Board and at all times thereafter, the Director shall not either verbally, in writing, electronically or otherwise: (i) make any derogatory or disparaging statements about the Company, any of its affiliates, any of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents, or any of the Company’s current or past customers or employees, or (ii) make any public statement or perform or do any other act prejudicial or injurious to the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise interfere with the business of the Company or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the Director from complying with all obligations imposed by law or legal compulsion, and provided, further, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed applicable to any testimony given by the Director in any legal or administrative proceedings.

 

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Work Product. Director agrees that any and all Work Product (as defined below) shall be the Company’s sole and exclusive property. Director hereby irrevocably assigns to the Company all right, title and interest worldwide in and to any deliverables resulting from the Director’s services as a director to the Company (“Deliverables”), and to any ideas, concepts, processes, discoveries, developments, formulae, information, materials, improvements, designs, artwork, content, software programs, other copyrightable works, and any other work product created, conceived or developed by you (whether alone or jointly with others) for the Company during or before the term of this Agreement, including all copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other intellectual property rights therein (the “Work Product”). Director retains no rights to use the Work Product and agrees not to challenge the validity of our ownership of the Work Product. Director agrees to execute, at Company’s request and expense, all documents and other instruments necessary or desirable to confirm such assignment. In the event that Director does not, for any reason, execute such documents within a reasonable time after the Company’s request, Director hereby irrevocably appoint the Company as Director’s attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing such documents on your behalf, which appointment is coupled with an interest. Director will deliver to the Company any Deliverables and disclose promptly in writing to us all other Work Product.

 

Enforcement. The Director acknowledges and agrees that the covenants contained herein are reasonable, that valid consideration has been and will be received and that the agreements set forth herein are the result of arms-length negotiations between the parties hereto. The Director recognizes that the provisions of this Section 6 are vitally important to the continuing welfare of the Company and its affiliates and that any violation of this Section 6 could result in irreparable harm to the Company and its affiliates for which money damages would constitute a totally inadequate remedy. Accordingly, in the event of any such violation by the Director, the Company and its affiliates, in addition to any other remedies they may have, shall have the right to institute and maintain a proceeding to compel specific performance thereof or to obtain an injunction or other equitable relief restraining any action by the Director in violation of this Section 6 without posting any bond therefore or demonstrating actual damages, and the Director will not claim as a defense thereto that the Company has an adequate remedy at law or require the posting of a bond. If any of the restrictions or activities contained in this Section 6 shall for any reason be held by an arbitrator to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, such restrictions shall be construed so as thereafter to be limited or reduced to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law; it being understood that by the execution of this Agreement the parties hereto regard such restrictions as reasonable and compatible with their respective rights. The Director acknowledges that injunctive relief may be granted immediately upon the commencement of any such action without notice to the Director and in addition Company may recover monetary damages.

 

Separate Agreement. The parties hereto further agree that the provisions of Section 6 are separate from and independent of the remainder of this Agreement and that Section 6 is specifically enforceable by the Company notwithstanding any claim made by the Director against the Company. The terms of this Section 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

6. Market Stand-Off Agreement. In the event of a public or private offering of the Company’s securities, including in connection with the IPO, and upon request of the Company, the underwriters or placement agents placing the offering of the Company’s securities, the Director agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company that the Director may own, other than those included in the registration, without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such placement agent or underwriter.

 

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7. Termination. With or without cause, the Company and the Director may each terminate this Agreement at any time upon ten (10) days written notice, and the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Director the compensation and expenses due up to the date of the termination. Nothing contained herein or omitted herefrom shall prevent the shareholder(s) of the Company from removing the Director with immediate effect at any time for any reason. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company terminates this Agreement prior to the closing of the IPO in accordance with Section 2 hereof, then the Company shall not have any liability whatsoever to the Director and the share option granted to the Director shall automatically terminate in accordance with its terms.

 

8. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Director, to the full extent allowed by the laws of Nevada, and as provided by, or granted pursuant to, any provision of the Company’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, agreement (including, without limitation, the Indemnification Agreement executed herewith), vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in the Director’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Company and the Director are executing an indemnification agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

9. Effect Of Waiver. The waiver by either party of the breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach thereof.

 

10. Notice. Any and all notices referred to herein shall be sufficient if furnished in writing at the addresses specified on the signature page hereto or, if to the Company, to the Company’s address as specified in filings made by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

11. Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with, and the rights of the parties hereto shall be determined by, the laws of Nevada without reference to conflicts of laws principles. Any disputes or claims arising under or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be resolved by binding arbitration. Notice of a demand to arbitrate a dispute by any party hereto shall be given in writing to the other parties hereto at their last known addresses. Arbitration shall be commenced by the filing by such a party of an arbitration demand with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration and resolution of the dispute shall be resolved by a single arbitrator appointed by the AAA pursuant to AAA rules. The arbitration shall in all respects be governed and conducted by applicable AAA rules, and any award and/or decision shall be conclusive and binding on the parties. The arbitration shall be conducted in the state of Nevada. The arbitrator shall supply a written opinion supporting any award, and judgment may be entered on the award in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party hereto shall pay its own fees and expenses for the arbitration, except that any costs and charges imposed by the AAA and any fees of the arbitrator for his services shall be assessed against the losing party by the arbitrator. In the event that preliminary or permanent injunctive relief is necessary or desirable in order to prevent a party from acting contrary to this Agreement or to prevent irreparable harm prior to a confirmation of an arbitration award, then any party hereto is authorized and entitled to commence a lawsuit solely to obtain equitable relief against the other such parties pending the completion of the arbitration in a court having jurisdiction over those parties.

 

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12. Assignment. The rights and benefits of the Company under this Agreement shall be transferable, and all the covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by or against, its successors and assigns. The duties and obligations of the Director under this Agreement are personal and therefore the Director may not assign any right or duty under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

13. Miscellaneous. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid or illegal, for any reason whatsoever, then, notwithstanding such invalidity or illegality, the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in the same manner as if the invalid or illegal provision had not been contained herein. The article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. Except as provided elsewhere herein, this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party to this Agreement with respect to such subject matter.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

5

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Independent Director Agreement to be duly executed and signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  LQR House Inc.
     
  By:         
  Name:
  Title:
     
  DIRECTOR:
     
 
  Name:     

 

Signature Page to Independent Director Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

(See Attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.16

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of _______ by and between LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and the undersigned, a director and/or an officer of the Company (“Indemnitee”), as applicable.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) has determined that the inability to attract and retain highly competent persons to serve the Company is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and that it is reasonable and necessary for the Company to provide adequate protection to such persons against risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to the corporation.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

A. DEFINITIONS

 

1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings defined below:

 

Expenses shall include, without limitation, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and costs of attachment or similar bond, investigations, and any other expenses paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding.

 

Indemnifiable Event means any event or occurrence that takes place either before or after the execution of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or an officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, or related to anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, including, but not limited to, neglect, breach of duty, error, misstatement, misleading statement or omission.

 

Participant means a person who is a party to, or witness or participant (including on appeal) in, a Proceeding.

 

Proceeding means any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, arbitration or proceeding, or any inquiry, hearing or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other, including appeal, in which Indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise by reason of an Indemnifiable Event.

 

B. AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY

 

1. General Agreement to Indemnify. In the event Indemnitee was, is, or becomes a Participant in, or is threatened to be made a Participant in, a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses which Indemnitee incurs or becomes obligated to incur in connection with such Proceeding, whether or not such Proceeding proceeds to judgment or is settled or is otherwise brought to a final disposition, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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2. Indemnification of Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits in defense of any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred in connection with such Proceeding or such claim, issue or matter, whether or not such Proceeding proceeds to judgment or is settled or is otherwise brought to a final disposition, as the case may be, offset by the amount of cash, if any, received by the Indemnitee resulting from his/her success therein.

 

3. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for a portion of Expenses, but not for the total amount of Expenses, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

4. Exclusions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:

 

(a) to the extent that payment is actually made to Indemnitee under a valid, enforceable and collectible insurance policy;

 

(b) to the extent that Indemnitee is indemnified and actually paid other than pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(c) subject to Section C.2(a), in connection with a judicial action by or in the right of the Company, in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee shall have been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, in a decision from which there is no further right of appeal, to be liable for gross negligence or knowing or willful misconduct in the performance of his/her duty to the Company unless and only to the extent that any court in which such action was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such Expenses as such court shall deem proper;

 

(d) in connection with any Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee against the Company, any director or officer of the Company or any other party, and not by way of defense, unless (i) the Company has joined in or the Board of Directors has consented to the initiation of such Proceeding; or (ii) the Proceeding is one to enforce indemnification rights under this Agreement or any applicable law;

 

(e) brought about by the dishonesty or fraud of the Indemnitee seeking payment hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement as to any claims upon which suit may be brought against him/her by reason of any alleged dishonesty on his/her part, unless a judgment or other final adjudication thereof adverse to the Indemnitee establishes that he/she committed (i) acts of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) with actual dishonest purpose and intent, and (iii) which acts were material to the cause of action so adjudicated;

 

(f) for any judgment, fine or penalty which the Company is prohibited by applicable law from paying as indemnity;

 

(g) arising out of Indemnitee’s breach of an employment agreement with the Company (if any) or any other agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or

 

(h) arising out of Indemnitee’s personal income tax payable on any salaries, bonuses, director’s fees, including fees for attending meetings, or gain on disposition of shares, options or restricted shares of the Company.

 

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5. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment with the Company.

 

6. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section B.4, then the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and by the Indemnitee on the other hand from the transaction or events from which such Proceeding arose, and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand in connection with the events which resulted in such Expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnitee on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the circumstances resulting in such Expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts. The Company agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section B.6 were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing equitable considerations.

 

C. INDEMNIFICATION PROCESS

 

1. Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his/her right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement, provided that the delay of Indemnitee to give notice hereunder shall not prejudice any of Indemnitee’s rights hereunder, unless such delay results in the Company’s forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses. Notice to the Company shall be given in accordance with Section F.7 below. If, at the time of receipt of such notice, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice to its insurers of the Proceeding relating to the notice. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary and desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all Expenses payable as a result of such Proceeding. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such cooperation as the Company may reasonably request and the Company shall give the Indemnitee such cooperation as the Indemnitee may reasonably request, including providing any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be.

 

2. Indemnification Payment.

 

(a) Advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee may submit a written request with reasonable particulars to the Company requesting that the Company advance to Indemnitee all Expenses that may be reasonably incurred in advance by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding. The Company shall, within ten (10) business days of receiving such a written request by Indemnitee, advance all requested Expenses to Indemnitee. Any excess of the advanced Expenses over the actual Expenses will be repaid to the Company.

 

(b) Reimbursement of Expenses. To the extent Indemnitee has not requested any advanced payment of Expenses from the Company, Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for the Expenses incurred in connection with a Proceeding from the Company as soon as practicable and, in any event, within thirty (30) days after Indemnitee makes a written request to the Company for reimbursement unless the Company refers the indemnification request to the Reviewing Party in compliance with Section C.2(c) below.

 

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(c) Determination by the Reviewing Party. If the Company reasonably believes that it is not obligated under this Agreement to indemnify the Indemnitee, the Company shall, within ten (10) days after the Indemnitee’s written request for an advancement or reimbursement of Expenses, notify the Indemnitee that the request for advancement of Expenses or reimbursement of Expenses will be submitted to the Reviewing Party (as hereinafter defined). The Reviewing Party shall make a determination on the request within thirty (30) days after the Indemnitee’s written request for an advancement or reimbursement of Expenses. Notwithstanding anything foregoing to the contrary, in the event the Reviewing Party informs the Company that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification in connection with a Proceeding under this Agreement or applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee for all the Expenses previously advanced or otherwise paid to Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding; provided, however, that Indemnitee may bring a suit to enforce his/her indemnification right in accordance with Section C.3 below.

 

3. Suit to Enforce Rights. Regardless of any action by the Reviewing Party, if Indemnitee has not received full indemnification within thirty (30) days after making a written demand in accordance with Section C.2 above or fifty (50) days if the Company submits a request for advancement or reimbursement to the Reviewing Party under Section C.2(c), Indemnitee shall have the right to enforce its indemnification rights under this Agreement by commencing litigation in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination by the court or challenging any determination by the Reviewing Party or with respect to any breach in any aspect of this Agreement. Any determination by the Reviewing Party not challenged by Indemnitee and any judgment entered by the court shall be binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

 

4. Assumption of Defense. In the event the Company is obligated under this Agreement to advance or bear any Expenses for any Proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, upon delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded, based on written advice of counsel, that there may be a conflict of interest of such counsel retained by the Company between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (iii) the Company ceases or terminates the employment of such counsel with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in any of which events the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. At all times, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense.

 

5. Burden of Proof and Presumptions. Upon making a request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching any contrary determination.

 

6. No Settlement Without Consent. Neither party to this Agreement shall settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any damage, loss, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without the other party’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement.

 

7. Company Participation. Subject to Section B.6, the Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial action if the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense, conduct and/or settlement of such action.

 

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8. Reviewing Party.

 

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the Reviewing Party with respect to each indemnification request of Indemnitee that is referred by the Company pursuant to Section C.2(c) above shall be shall be (A) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), or (B) if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, said Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. If the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel or member of the Board of Directors shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification. Any reasonable costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(b) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section C.8(b). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors, in which event the proceeding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section C.8(d) of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section C.8(b), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.

 

(c) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Reviewing Party shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement (with or without court approval), conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his/her conduct was unlawful. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers and directors of the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section C.8(c) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(d) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

D. DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY INSURANCE

 

1. Good Faith Determination. The Company shall from time to time make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses incurred in connection with their services to the Company or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement.

 

2. Coverage of Indemnitee. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any of the Company’s directors or officers.

 

3. No Obligation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain any director and officer insurance policy if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available in the case that (i) premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, or (ii) the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit.

 

E. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; FEDERAL PREEMPTION; TERM

 

1. Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, applicable law or any written agreement between Indemnitee and the Company (including its subsidiaries and affiliates). The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue to be available to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though he/she may have ceased to serve in any such capacity at the time of any Proceeding. To the extent that a change in the laws of the United States permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded under the articles of incorporation, the bylaws or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

2. Federal Preemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, U.S. federal law or public policy may override applicable law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Such instances include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) prohibition on indemnification for liabilities arising under certain Federal securities laws. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

 

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3. Company Indemnitor of First Resort. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more of his or her employers and certain of their Affiliates (collectively, the “Employer Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to Indemnitee is primary and any obligation of the Employer Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by Indemnitee are secondary), (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of any Indemnitee to the extent legally permitted and as required by this Agreement (or any agreement between the Company and such Indemnitee), without regard to any rights such Indemnitee may have against the Employer Indemnitors and (iii) it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Employer Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Employer Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof.

 

4. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer and/or a director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his/her former or current capacity at the Company or any other enterprise at the Company’s request, whether or not he/she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any Expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer and/or a director of the Company or any other enterprise at the Company’s request.

 

F. MISCELLANEOUS

 

1. Amendment of this Agreement. No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy shall constitute a waiver.

 

2. Subrogation. In the event of payment to Indemnitee by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

3. Assignment; Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; except that the Company may, without such consent, assign all such rights and obligations to a successor in interest to the Company which assumes all obligations of the Company under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by and against the parties hereto and the Company’s successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, as well as Indemnitee’s spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.

 

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4. Severability and Construction. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to a court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. In addition, if any portion of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The parties hereto acknowledge that they each have opportunities to have their respective counsels review this Agreement. Accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of both of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against either of the parties hereto.

 

5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, both of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

 

6. Governing Law. This agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to conflicts of law provisions thereof.

 

7. Notices. All notices, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed via postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the Company at:

 

LQR House Inc.

2699 Stirling Road, Suite A-105

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

and to Indemnitee at his/her address last known to the Company.

 

8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  LQR House Inc.
     
  By:              
  Name:   
  Title:  
     
  INDEMNITEE:
     
   
  Name:  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.17

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

 

2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS

 

The name of the plan is the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its businesses to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.

 

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Administrator” means either the Board or the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.

 

Annual Increase” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(a).

 

Award” or “Awards” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

Award Certificate” means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Cash-Based Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

 

Consultant” means any natural person that provides bona fide services to the Company, and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

 

Dividend Equivalent Right” means an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to and held by the grantee.

 

Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan becomes effective as set forth in Section 19.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“Nasdaq”), Nasdaq Global Market, The New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to market quotations. If there are no market quotations for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there are market quotations; provided further, however, that if the date for which Fair Market Value is determined is the Registration Date, the Fair Market Value shall be the “Price to the Public” (or equivalent) set forth on the cover page for the final prospectus or registration document with the SEC relating to the Company’s Initial Public Offering.

 

 

 

 

Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

Initial Limit” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(a).

 

Initial Public Offering” means the public offering or registration of the Company’s securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act covering the offer and sale by the Company of its equity securities, or such other event as a result of or following which the Stock shall be publicly held.

 

Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

 

Registration Date” means the date upon which the registration statement on Form S-1 or other applicable SEC approved form is filed by the Company with respect to the Initial Public Offering is declared effective by the SEC.

 

Restricted Shares” means the shares of Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to a risk of forfeiture or the Company’s right of repurchase.

 

Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.

 

Restricted Stock Units” means an Award of stock units subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.

 

Sale Event” shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power and outstanding stock immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power and outstanding stock or other equity interests of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction, (iii) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person, entity or group thereof acting in concert, or (iv) any other transaction in which the owners of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company or any successor entity immediately upon completion of the transaction other than as a result of the acquisition of securities directly from the Company.

 

Sale Price” means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received by stockholders, per share of Stock pursuant to a Sale Event.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Service Relationship” means any relationship as a full-time employee, part-time employee, director or other key person (including Consultants) of the Company or any Subsidiary or any successor entity (e.g., a Service Relationship shall be deemed to continue without interruption in the event an individual’s status changes from full-time employee to part-time employee or Consultant).

 

Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

 

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Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable Award Certificate) having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

 

Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has at least a fifty percent (50%) interest, either directly or indirectly.

 

Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation.

 

Unrestricted Stock Award” means an Award of shares of Stock free of any restrictions.

 

U.S. Person” means a “U.S. person” as that term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

 

U.S. Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS

 

(a)Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.

 

(b)Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

 

(i)to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

 

(ii)to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Dividend Equivalent Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;

 

(iii)to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;

 

(iv)to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the forms of Award Certificates;

 

(v)to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;

 

(vi)subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and

 

(vii)at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.

 

(c)Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to a committee consisting of one or more officers of the Company including the Chief Executive Officer of the Company all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Awards to individuals who are (i) not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (ii) members of the delegated committee. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Stock underlying Awards that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

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(d)Award Certificate. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.

 

(e)Indemnification. Neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s articles or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.

 

(f)Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.

 

SECTION 3. STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION

 

(a)Stock Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 10,000,000 shares (the “Initial Limit”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b).

 

(b)Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capital stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (iv) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

 

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(c)Mergers and Other Transactions. In the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, the parties thereto may cause the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree. To the extent the parties to such Sale Event do not provide for the assumption, continuation or substitution of Awards, upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate. In such case, except as may be otherwise provided in the relevant Award Certificate, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that are not exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, all other Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with a Sale Event in the Administrator’s discretion or to the extent specified in the relevant Award Certificate. In the event of such termination, (i) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (provided that, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price equal to or less than the Sale Price, such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be cancelled for no consideration); or (ii) each grantee shall be permitted, within a specified period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable) held by such grantee. The Company shall also have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding other Awards in an amount equal to the Sale Price multiplied by the number of vested shares of Stock under such Awards.

 

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY

 

Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS

 

(a)Award of Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Stock Options under the Plan. Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.

 

Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms ad conditions as the Administrator may establish.

 

(b)Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the grant date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stock Options may be granted with an exercise price per share that is less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

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(c)Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.

 

(d)Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

 

(d)Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

 

(e)Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods except to the extent otherwise provided in the Option Award Certificate:

 

(i)In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;

 

(ii)Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership following such procedures as the Company may prescribe) of shares of Stock that are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;

 

(iii)By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Company shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or

 

(iv)With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.

 

Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

(f)Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

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SECTION 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

(a)Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may grant Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan. A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable Award Certificate) having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.

 

(b)Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.

 

(c)Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator independently of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.

 

(d)Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined on the date of grant by the Administrator. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years. The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

 

SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

(a)Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan. A Restricted Stock Award is any Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other Service Relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives.

 

(b)Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Shares and receipt of dividends; provided that if the lapse of restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Award is tied to the attainment of performance goals, any dividends paid by the Company during the performance period shall accrue and shall not be paid to the grantee until and to the extent the performance goals are met with respect to the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Shares shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and (ii) certificated Restricted Shares shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.

 

(c)Restrictions. Restricted Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 15 below, in writing after the Award is issued, if a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Shares that have not vested at the time of termination shall automatically and without any requirement of notice to such grantee from or other action by or on behalf of, the Company be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price (if any) from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a stockholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of Restricted Shares that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.

 

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(d)Vesting of Restricted Shares. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non- transferability of the Restricted Shares and the Company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Shares and shall be deemed “vested.”

 

SECTION 8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

(a)Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan. A Restricted Stock Unit is an Award of stock units that may be settled in shares of Stock (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the Award Certificate) upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Except in the case of Restricted Stock Units with a deferred settlement date that complies with Section 409A, at the end of the vesting period, the Restricted Stock Units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of shares of Stock. Restricted Stock Units with deferred settlement dates are subject to Section 409A and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(b)Election to Receive Restricted Stock Units in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of Restricted Stock Units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of Restricted Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate. Any Restricted Stock Units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise provided in the Award Certificate.

 

(c)Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a stockholder only as to shares of Stock acquired by the grantee upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Units, subject to the provisions of Section 11 and such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.

 

(d)Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 15 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

 

SECTION 9. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Administrator may grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award under the Plan. An Unrestricted Stock Award is an Award pursuant to which the grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.

 

SECTION 10. CASH-BASED AWARDS

 

Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Plan. A Cash- Based Award is an Award that entitles the grantee to a payment in cash upon the attainment of specified performance goals. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash.

 

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SECTION 11. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

 

(a)Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Administrator may grant Dividend Equivalent Rights under the Plan. A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Stock specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which it relates) if such shares had been issued to the grantee. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Certificate. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Stock or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of an Award of Restricted Stock Units shall provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled only upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award.

 

(b)Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 15 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.

 

SECTION 12. TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

 

(a)Transferability. Except as provided in Section 12(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.

 

(b)Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 12(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award. In no event may an Award be transferred by a grantee for value.

 

(c)Family Member. For purposes of Section 12(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

 

(d)Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Company, each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.

 

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SECTION 13. TAX WITHHOLDING

 

(a)Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

 

(b)Payment in Stock. Subject to approval by the Administrator, a grantee may elect to have the Company’s required tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however, that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid liability accounting treatment. The Administrator may also require Awards to be subject to mandatory share withholding up to the required withholding amount. For purposes of share withholding, the Fair Market Value of withheld shares shall be determined in the same manner as the value of Stock includible in income of the Participants. The required tax withholding obligation may also be satisfied, in whole or in part, by an arrangement whereby a certain number of shares of Stock issued pursuant to any Award are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company in an amount that would satisfy the withholding amount due.

 

SECTION 14. SECTION 409A AWARDS

 

To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any 409A Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

 

SECTION 15. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.

 

(a)Termination of Employment. If the grantee’s Service Relationship is with a Subsidiary and such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary, the grantee shall be deemed to have terminated his or her Service Relationship for purposes of the Plan.

 

(b)For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:

 

(i)a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or

 

(ii)an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.

 

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SECTION 16. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

 

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Except as provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c), without prior stockholder approval, in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants or cancellation of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash or other Awards. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which the Stock is listed, to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Nothing in this Section 16 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(b) or 3(c).

 

SECTION 17. STATUS OF PLAN

 

With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.

 

SECTION 18. U.S. LEGENDS AND EXERCISE

 

(a)The Awards and the shares of Stock issuable on the exercise of any Awards have not and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and the Company has no current intention to effect such registration. The Awards represented by an Award Certificate may not be exercised in the United States or by or on behalf of a U.S. Person nor will the shares of Stock issuable upon exercise hereof be registered or delivered to an address in the United States, unless an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act and the securities laws of any U.S. state is available or the Company has received an opinion of counsel of recognized standing in form and substance satisfactory to the Company to such effect.

 

(b)All Award Certificates representing Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options will be required to bear the following legend:

 

THIS [INSERT TYPE OF AWARD] AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”). THIS [INSERT TYPE OF AWARD] MAY NOT BE EXERCISED IN THE UNITED STATES OR BY OR ON BEHALF OF A U.S. PERSON OR PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES UNLESS THIS [INSERT TYPE OF AWARD] AND SHARES OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS [INSERT TYPE OF AWARD] HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION OF ANY SUCH STATE OR EXEMPTIONS FROM SUCH REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS ARE AVAILABLE. “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” ARE AS DEFINED BY REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.

 

(c)The Award and the shares of Stock, when issued, will be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the U.S. Securities Act and each Award Certificate representing shares of Stock and shares of Stock issuable on the exercise of an Award, originally issued to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. Person or a person in the United States, and each certificate issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof shall bear the following legend until such time as the legend is no longer required under applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or applicable state securities laws:

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.

 

11

 

 

SECTION 19. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a)No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

 

(b)Issuance of Stock. To the extent certificated, stock certificates to grantees under this Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a Stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any evidence of book entry or certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise or settlement of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. Any Stock issued pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate or notations on any book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.

 

(c)Stockholder Rights. Until Stock is deemed delivered in accordance with Section 19(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award.

 

(d)Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(e)Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.

 

(f)Clawback Policy. Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as in effect from time to time.

 

SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

This Plan shall become effective upon the approval of the Board and in accordance with applicable state law, the Company’s bylaws and articles of incorporation, and applicable stock exchange rules.

 

SECTION 20. GOVERNING LAW

 

This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware applied without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

DATE APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: February 11, 2021

 

DATE APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: February 10, 2021

 

12

 

 

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.
2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:  
   
No. of Option Shares:  
   
Option Exercise Price per Share: $
   
  [FMV on Grant Date (110% of FMV if a 10% owner)]
Grant Date:  
Expiration Date: [up to 10 years (5 if a 10% owner)]

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Optionee named above an option (the “Stock Option”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”), of the Company specified above at the Option Exercise Price per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan.

 

1.Exercisability Schedule. No portion of this Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Administrator (as defined in Section 2 of the Plan) to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, this Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated so long as the Optionee remains an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary on such dates:

 

Incremental Number of Option Shares Exercisable     Exercisability Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

2.Manner of Exercise.

 

(a)The Optionee may exercise this Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of this Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Administrator of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

 

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator; (ii) through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the Optionee on the open market or that are beneficially owned by the Optionee and are not then subject to any restrictions under any Company plan and that otherwise satisfy any holding periods as may be required by the Administrator; or (iii) by the Optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option purchase price, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the option purchase price as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and (iii) above. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

 

13

 

 

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for the Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or provision of laws, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of the shares of Stock will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In the event the Optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the Optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the Shares attested to.

 

(b)The shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of this Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Administrator with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Administrator as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to this Stock Option unless and until this Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to such shares of Stock.

 

(c)The minimum number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 20,000 shares, unless the number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of shares subject to exercise under this Stock Option at the time.

 

(d)Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of this Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

 

3.Termination of Service Relationship. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship by the Company or a Subsidiary (as defined in the Plan) is terminated, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

 

(a)Termination Due to Death. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of death, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

(b)Termination Due to Disability. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates by reason of the Optionee’s disability (as determined by the Administrator), any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of such termination of Service Relationship, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee for a period of 12 months from the date of disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

(c)Termination for Cause. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates for Cause, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date shall terminate immediately and be of no further force and effect. For purposes hereof, “Cause” shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an employment agreement (or similar services agreements) between the Company and the Optionee, a determination by the Administrator that the Optionee shall be dismissed as a result of (i) any material breach by the Optionee of any agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (ii) the conviction of, indictment for or plea of nolo contendere by the Optionee to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; or (iii) any material misconduct or willful and deliberate non-performance (other than by reason of disability) by the Optionee of the Optionee’s duties to the Company.

 

14

 

 

(d)Other Termination. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates for any reason other than the Optionee’s death, the Optionee’s disability, or Cause, and unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

The Administrator’s determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee’s Service Relationship shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his or her representatives or legatees.

 

4.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

5.Transferability. This Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

 

6.Status of the Stock Option. This Stock Option is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Stock Option qualifies as such. The Optionee should consult with his or her own tax advisors regarding the tax effects of this Stock Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. To the extent any portion of this Stock Option does not so qualify as an “incentive stock option,” such portion shall be deemed to be a non-qualified stock option. If the Optionee intends to dispose or does dispose (whether by sale, gift, transfer or otherwise) of any Option Shares within the one-year period beginning on the date after the transfer of such shares to him or her, or within the two-year period beginning on the day after the grant of this Stock Option, he or she will so notify the Company within 30 days after such disposition.

 

7.Tax Withholding. The Optionee shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of this Stock Option becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from shares of Stock to be issued to the Optionee a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however, that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment or as determined by the Administrator.

 

8.No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Optionee’s Service Relationship and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Service Relationship of the Optionee at any time.

 

9.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Stock Option and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

10.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”). By entering into this Agreement, the Optionee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Optionee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Optionee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

 

11.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

15

 

 

  LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:       
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Optionee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: ________________________________    
    Optionee’s Signature
     
    Optionee’s name and address:

 

16

 

 

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.
2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:  
   
No. of Option Shares:  
   
Option Exercise Price per Share: $
   
Grant Date: [FMV on Grant Date] 
   
Expiration Date: [No more than 10 years] 

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Optionee named above, who is a Director of the Company but is not an employee of the Company, an option (the “Stock Option”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”), of the Company specified above at the Option Exercise Price per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. This Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.Exercisability Schedule. No portion of this Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Administrator (as defined in Section 2 of the Plan) to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, this Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated so long as the Optionee remains in service as a member of the Board on such dates:

 

Incremental Number of Option Shares Exercisable     Exercisability Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

2.Manner of Exercise.

 

(a)The Optionee may exercise this Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of this Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Administrator of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

 

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator; (ii) through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the Optionee on the open market or that are beneficially owned by the Optionee and are not then subject to any restrictions under any Company plan and that otherwise satisfy any holding periods as may be required by the Administrator; (iii) by the Optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option purchase price, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the option purchase price as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; (iv) by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; or (v) a combination of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

 

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for the Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or provision of laws, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of the shares of Stock will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In the event the Optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the Optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the Shares attested to.

 

17

 

 

(b)The shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of this Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Administrator with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Administrator as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to this Stock Option unless and until this Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to such shares of Stock.

 

(c)The minimum number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 20,000 shares, unless the number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of shares subject to exercise under this Stock Option at the time.

 

(d)Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of this Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

 

3.Termination as Director. If the Optionee ceases to be a Director of the Company, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

 

(a)Termination Due to Death. If the Optionee’s service as a Director terminates by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of death, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

(b)Other Termination. If the Optionee ceases to be a Director for any reason other than the Optionee’s death, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date the Optionee ceased to be a Director, for a period of six months from the date the Optionee ceased to be a Director or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date the Optionee ceases to be a Director shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

4.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

5.Transferability. This Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

 

6.No Obligation to Continue as a Director. Neither the Plan nor this Stock Option confers upon the Optionee any rights with respect to continuance as a Director.
   
7.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Stock Option and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.
   
8.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”). By entering into this Agreement, the Optionee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Optionee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Optionee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.
   
9.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

18

 

 

  LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:      
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Optionee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: ________________________________    
    Optionee’s Signature
     
    Optionee’s name and address:

 

19

 

 

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
FOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES

UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.

2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:  
   
No. of Option Shares:  
   
Option Exercise Price per Share: $
   
Grant Date: [FMV on Grant Date] 
   
Expiration Date: [No more than 10 years] 

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Optionee named above an option (the “Stock Option”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”) of the Company specified above at the Option Exercise Price per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. This Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.Exercisability Schedule. No portion of this Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Administrator (as defined in Section 2 of the Plan) to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, this Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated so long as Optionee continues to have a Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary on such dates:

 

Incremental Number of Option Shares Exercisable     Exercisability Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

2.Manner of Exercise.

 

(a)The Optionee may exercise this Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of this Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Administrator of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

 

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator; (ii) through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the Optionee on the open market or that are beneficially owned by the Optionee and are not then subject to any restrictions under any Company plan and that otherwise satisfy any holding periods as may be required by the Administrator; (iii) by the Optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option purchase price, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the option purchase price as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; (iv) by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; or (v) a combination of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

 

20

 

 

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for the Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or provision of laws, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of the shares of Stock will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In the event the Optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the Optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the Shares attested to.

 

(b)The shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of this Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Administrator with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Administrator as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to this Stock Option unless and until this Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to such shares of Stock.

 

(c)The minimum number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 20,000 shares, unless the number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of shares subject to exercise under this Stock Option at the time.

 

(d)Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of this Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

 

3.Termination of Service Relationship. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship by the Company or a Subsidiary (as defined in the Plan) is terminated, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

 

(a)Termination Due to Death. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of death, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

(b)Termination Due to Disability. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates by reason of the Optionee’s disability (as determined by the Administrator), any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable on the date of such termination of Service Relationship, may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee for a period of 12 months from the date of disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

(c)Termination for Cause. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates for Cause, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date shall terminate immediately and be of no further force and effect. For purposes hereof, “Cause” shall mean, unless otherwise provided in an employment agreement (or similar services agreements) between the Company and the Optionee, a determination by the Administrator that the Optionee shall be dismissed as a result of (i) any material breach by the Optionee of any agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (ii) the conviction of, indictment for or plea of nolo contendere by the Optionee to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; or (iii) any material misconduct or willful and deliberate non-performance (other than by reason of disability) by the Optionee of the Optionee’s duties to the Company.

 

21

 

 

(d)Other Termination. If the Optionee’s Service Relationship terminates for any reason other than the Optionee’s death, the Optionee’s disability or Cause, and unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

The Administrator’s determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee’s Service Relationship shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his or her representatives or legatees.

 

4.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

5.Transferability. This Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

 

6.Tax Withholding. The Optionee shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of this Stock Option becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from shares of Stock to be issued to the Optionee a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however, that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment or as determined by the Administrator.

 

7.No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Optionee’s Service Relationship and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Service Relationship of the Optionee at any time.

 

8.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Stock Option and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

9.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”). By entering into this Agreement, the Optionee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Optionee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Optionee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

 

10.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

22

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:  
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Optionee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: ____________________________________    
    Optionee’s Signature
     
    Optionee’s name and address:

 

23

 

 

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
FOR NON-EMPLOYEE CONSULTANTS
UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.
2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:  
   
No. of Option Shares:  
   
Option Exercise Price per Share: $
   
Grant Date: [FMV on Grant Date] 
   
Expiration Date: [No more than 10 years] 

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Optionee named above, who is a Consultant of the Company, an option (the “Stock Option”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”), of the Company specified above at the Option Exercise Price per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. This Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.Exercisability Schedule. No portion of this Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Administrator (as defined in Section 2 of the Plan) to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, this Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated so long as the Optionee remains in service to the Company or a Subsidiary as a Consultant on such dates:

 

Incremental Number of Option Shares Exercisable     Exercisability Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

2.Manner of Exercise.

 

(a)The Optionee may exercise this Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of this Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Administrator of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

 

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator; (ii) through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the Optionee on the open market or that are beneficially owned by the Optionee and are not then subject to any restrictions under any Company plan and that otherwise satisfy any holding periods as may be required by the Administrator; (iii) by the Optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option purchase price, provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the option purchase price as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; (iv) by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; or (v) a combination of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

 

24

 

 

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for the Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or provision of laws, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of the shares of Stock will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In the event the Optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the Optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the Shares attested to.

 

(b)The shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of this Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Administrator with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Administrator as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to this Stock Option unless and until this Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Optionee shall have full voting, dividend and other ownership rights with respect to such shares of Stock.

 

(c)The minimum number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 20,000 shares, unless the number of shares with respect to which this Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of shares subject to exercise under this Stock Option at the time.

 

(d)Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of this Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

 

3.Termination of Service Relationship. If the Optionee ceases to have a Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary for any reason, any portion of this Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date the Optionee ceased to provide services, for a period of three months from the date the Optionee ceased to provide services or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of this Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date the Optionee ceases to have a Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

 

4.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

5.Transferability. This Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

 

6.No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship. Neither the Plan nor this Stock Option confers upon the Optionee any rights with respect to the continuance of Optionee’s Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

7.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Stock Option and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

8.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”).

 

By entering into this Agreement, the Optionee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Optionee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Optionee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

 

9.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

25

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:  
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Optionee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: ____________________________________    
    Optionee’s Signature
     
    Optionee’s name and address:

 

26

 

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.

2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Grantee:
 
No. of Shares:
 
Grant Date:

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants a Restricted Stock Award (an “Award”) to the Grantee named above. Upon acceptance of this Award, the Grantee shall receive the number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”) of the Company specified above, subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. The Company acknowledges the receipt from the Grantee of consideration with respect to the par value of the Stock in the form of cash, past or future services rendered to the Company by the Grantee or such other form of consideration as is acceptable to the Administrator.

 

1.Award. The shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereunder shall be issued and held by the Company’s transfer agent in book entry form, and the Grantee’s name shall be entered as the stockholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Grantee shall have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including voting and dividend rights, subject, however, to the restrictions and conditions specified in Paragraph 2 below. The Grantee shall (i) sign and deliver to the Company a copy of this Award Agreement and (ii) deliver to the Company a stock power endorsed in blank.

 

2.Restrictions and Conditions.

 

(a)Any book entries for the shares of Restricted Stock granted herein shall bear an appropriate legend, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, to the effect that such shares are subject to restrictions as set forth herein and in the Plan.

 

(b)Shares of Restricted Stock granted herein may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee prior to vesting.

 

(c)If the Grantee’s Service Relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries is voluntarily or involuntarily terminated for any reason (including death) prior to vesting of shares of Restricted Stock granted herein, all shares of Restricted Stock shall immediately and automatically be forfeited and returned to the Company.

 

3.Vesting of Restricted Stock. The restrictions and conditions in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Date or Dates specified in the following schedule so long as the Grantee continues to have a Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary on such Dates. If a series of Vesting Dates is specified, then the restrictions and conditions in Paragraph 2 shall lapse only with respect to the number of shares of Restricted Stock specified as vested on such date.

 

Incremental Number of Shares Vested     Vesting Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

Subsequent to such Vesting Date or Dates, the shares of Stock on which all restrictions and conditions have lapsed shall no longer be deemed Restricted Stock. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Paragraph 3.

 

27

 

 

4.Dividends. Dividends on shares of Restricted Stock shall be paid currently to the Grantee.

 

5.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Award shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

6.Transferability. This Agreement is personal to the Grantee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

7.Tax Withholding. The Grantee shall, not later than the date as of which the receipt of this Award becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. Except in the case where an election is made pursuant to Paragraph 8 below, the Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from shares of Stock to be issued or released by the transfer agent a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however, that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment or as determined by the Administrator.

 

8.Election Under Section 83(b). The Grantee and the Company hereby agree that the Grantee may, within 30 days following the Grant Date of this Award, file with the Internal Revenue Service and the Company an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the event the Grantee makes such an election, he or she agrees to provide a copy of the election to the Company. The Grantee acknowledges that he or she is responsible for obtaining the advice of his or her tax advisors with regard to the Section 83(b) election and that he or she is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents with regard to such election.

 

9.No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Grantee in the Service Relationship and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Service Relationship of the Grantee at any time.

 

10.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Award and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

11.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”). By entering into this Agreement, the Grantee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Grantee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Grantee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

 

12.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

28

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:  
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Grantee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: __________________________________    
    Grantee’s Signature
     
    Grantee’s name and address:

 

29

 

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.

2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Grantee:
 
No. of Restricted Stock Units:
 
Grant Date:

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants an award of the number of Restricted Stock Units listed above (an “Award”) to the Grantee named above. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall relate to one share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”) of the Company.

 

1.Restrictions on Transfer of Award. This Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee, and any shares of Stock issuable with respect to the Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until (i) the Restricted Stock Units have vested as provided in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement and (ii) shares of Stock have been issued to the Grantee in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.

 

2.Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. The restrictions and conditions of Paragraph 1 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Date or Dates specified in the following schedule so long as the Grantee remains in service as a member of the Board on such Dates. If a series of Vesting Dates is specified, then the restrictions and conditions in Paragraph 1 shall lapse only with respect to the number of Restricted Stock Units specified as vested on such date.

 

Incremental Number of Restricted Stock Units Vested     Vesting Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

The Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Paragraph 2.

 

3.Termination of Service. If the Grantee’s service with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (including death or disability) prior to the satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in Paragraph 2 above, any Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of such date shall automatically and without notice terminate and be forfeited, and neither the Grantee nor any of his or her successors, heirs, assigns, or personal representatives will thereafter have any further rights or interests in such unvested Restricted Stock Units.

 

4.Issuance of Shares of Stock. As soon as practicable following each Vesting Date (but in no event later than two and one-half months after the end of the year in which the Vesting Date occurs), the Company shall issue to the Grantee the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units that have vested pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement on such date and the Grantee shall thereafter have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such shares.

 

5.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

30

 

 

6.Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner that all provisions relating to the settlement of the Award are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code as “short-term deferrals” as described in Section 409A of the Code.

 

7.No Obligation to Continue as a Director. Neither the Plan nor this Award confers upon the Grantee any rights with respect to continuance as a Director.

 

8.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Award and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

9.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”). By entering into this Agreement, the Grantee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Grantee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Grantee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

 

10.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

31

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:  
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Grantee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: ___________________________________    
    Grantee’s Signature
     
    Grantee’s name and address:

 

32

 

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
FOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES

UNDER THE LQR HOUSE INC.

2021 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Name of Grantee:
No. of Restricted Stock Units:
Grant Date:

 

Pursuant to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “Plan”), LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants an award of the number of Restricted Stock Units listed above (an “Award”) to the Grantee named above. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall relate to one share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Stock”) of the Company.

 

1.Restrictions on Transfer of Award. This Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee, and any shares of Stock issuable with respect to the Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until (i) the Restricted Stock Units have vested as provided in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement and (ii) shares of Stock have been issued to the Grantee in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.

 

2.Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. The restrictions and conditions of Paragraph 1 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Date or Dates specified in the following schedule so long as the Grantee continues to have a Service Relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary on such dates. If a series of Vesting Dates is specified, then the restrictions and conditions in Paragraph 1 shall lapse only with respect to the number of Restricted Stock Units specified as vested on such date.

 

Incremental Number of Restricted Stock Units Vested     Vesting Date
       
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%
(   )%

 

The Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Paragraph 2.

 

3.Termination of Service Relationship. If the Grantee’s Service Relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (including death or disability) prior to the satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in Paragraph 2 above, any Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of such date shall automatically and without notice terminate and be forfeited, and neither the Grantee nor any of his or her successors, heirs, assigns, or personal representatives will thereafter have any further rights or interests in such unvested Restricted Stock Units.

 

4.Issuance of Shares of Stock. As soon as practicable following each Vesting Date (but in no event later than two and one-half months after the end of the year in which the Vesting Date occurs), the Company shall issue to the Grantee the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units that have vested pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement on such date and the Grantee shall thereafter have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such shares.

 

5.Incorporation of Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Administrator set forth in Section 2(b) of the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

 

33

 

 

6.Tax Withholding. The Grantee shall, not later than the date as of which the receipt of this Award becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The Company shall have the authority to cause the required tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by withholding from shares of Stock to be issued to the Grantee a number of shares of Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due; provided, however, that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment or as determined by the Administrator.

 

7.Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner that all provisions relating to the settlement of the Award are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code as “short-term deferrals” as described in Section 409A of the Code.

 

8.No Obligation to Continue Service Relationship. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Grantee in the Service Relationship and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Service Relationship of the Grantee at any time.

 

9.Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this Award and supersedes all prior agreements and discussions between the parties concerning such subject matter.

 

10.Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer the Plan and this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and/or this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”).

 

By entering into this Agreement, the Grantee (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Grantee may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Grantee shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

 

11.Notices. Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

 

34

 

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
   
  By:  
  Title:  

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Grantee (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable.

 

Dated: _______________________________    
    Grantee’s Signature
     
    Grantee’s name and address:

 

35

Exhibit 10.18

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE LQR HOUSE INC. 2021

 

STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

March 10, 2023

 

This First Amendment (this “Amendment”) to the LQR House Inc. 2021 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is made as of March 10, 2023, in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of LQR House Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) on the date hereof.

 

This Amendment amends the Plan as follows:

 

1.Section 3(a) of the Plan is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

Stock Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 2,850,000 shares, on a post-reverse-stock-split-basis in accordance with the Company’s Plan of Conversion dated February 3, 2023, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b).

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this written consent as of the date first above written.

 

  LQR House Inc.
   
  /s/ Sean Dollinger
  By: Sean Dollinger
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Exhibit 10.26

 

Advisor Agreement

 

This Advisor Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into the date set forth on the signature page by and between LQR House Inc., a Nevada company (the “Company”) and the undersigned advisor (the “Advisor”). The Company and the Advisor may be referred to herein individually as a “Party” or collectively, as the “Parties.”

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants set forth below, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Services. Effective as of date set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “Effective Date”), the Advisor agrees to act as an advisor to the Company and provide general business and corporate advice to the Company from time to time or as otherwise mutually agreed to by the Parties (collectively, the “Services”). The Advisor understands that the Company will, in its discretion, consider and evaluate, then conclude and make decisions regarding, any advice, counsel or suggestions made by the Advisor.

 

2. Compensation. The Advisor shall not be entitled to receive cash compensation; however, as full and complete compensation for performing the Services, the Advisor shall be entitled to receive an aggregate of 500,000 shares of class B common stock of the Company, which shares shall be delivered by the Company upon execution of this Agreement (the “Shares”).

 

3. Term and Termination. The term of this Agreement shall continue until terminated by either party for any reason upon five (5) days prior written notice without further obligation or liability.

 

4. Independent Contractor. The Advisor’s relationship with the Company will be that of an independent contractor and not that of an employee of the Company. The Advisor will not be eligible for any employee benefits, nor will the Company make deductions from payments made to the Advisor for employment or income taxes, all of which will be the Advisor’s responsibility. The Advisor will have no authority to enter into contracts that bind the Company or create obligations on the part of the Company without the prior written authorization of the Company.

 

5. Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. The Advisor recognizes that the Company is engaged in a continuous program of research and development respecting its business activities. Advisor agrees as follows:

 

a. Agreement Not to Disclose. The Advisor agrees not to disclose, use, lecture upon or publish any Confidential Information (as defined below) disclosed to the Advisor by the Company for the Advisor’s own use or for any purpose except to the extent such disclosure, use or publication may be (i) required in direct connection with the Advisor’s carrying out discussions concerning, undertaking, and performing requested Services for the Company; (ii) is expressly authorized in writing or by email by an officer of the Company; or (iii) is expressly required by law or pursuant to the order or requirement of a court, administrative agency or other governmental body. The Advisor agrees to take all reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of and avoid disclosure or use of Confidential Information of the Company in order to prevent it from falling into the public domain or the possession of persons other than agents of the Company or persons to whom the Company consents to such disclosure. Upon request by the Company, any materials or documents that have been furnished by the Company to the Advisor in connection with the Services shall be promptly returned by the Advisor to the Company.

 

LQR House Inc.  Private & ConfidentialPage | 1

 

 

b. Definition of Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” means any information, technical data or know-how (whether disclosed before or after the date of this Agreement), including, but not limited to, information relating to business and product or service plans, financial projections, customer lists, business forecasts, sales and merchandising, human resources, patents, patent applications, computer object or source code, research, inventions, processes, procedures, designs, drawings, samples, engineering, marketing, finance, or formulations for preparing any of the foregoing, to be confidential or proprietary or which information would, under the circumstances, appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary. Confidential Information also includes (i) information regarding plans for research, development, new products, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (ii) information regarding the skills and compensation of employees or other consultants of the Company. Confidential Information does not include information, technical data or know-how that: (i) is in the possession of the Advisor at the time of disclosure, as shown by the Advisor’s files and records immediately prior to the time of disclosure; or (ii) becomes part of the public knowledge or literature, not as a direct or indirect result of any improper inaction or action of the Advisor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Advisor may disclose Confidential Information with the prior written approval of the Company.

 

c. Use of Advisor’s Name. The Advisor agrees that, during the term of the Advisor’s association with the Company, the Company may use the Advisor’s name in connection with the Company’s marketing materials, Web site or private placement memo, or offering materials.

 

6. No Rights Granted. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as granting any rights under any patent, copyright or other intellectual property right of the Company, nor shall this Agreement grant the Advisor any rights in or to the Company’s Confidential Information, except the limited right to use the Confidential Information in connection with the Services.

 

7. Assignment of Intellectual Property. To the extent that the Advisor jointly or solely conceives, develops or reduces to practice any new inventions, original works of authorship, developments, concepts, know-how, improvements or trade secrets, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws or other intellectual property which would be deemed to be Confidential Information of the Company (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) which clearly relates to the Company’s business or technology and has been created by the Advisor solely in the course of the performance of Services such as in correspondence, e-mails, meetings or meetings relating to the Company, the Advisor hereby acknowledges that it is “work made for hire” for the benefit of the Company and hereby assigns all rights, titles and interest to such Intellectual Property to the Company. The Advisor may not assign or delegate the Advisor’s obligations under this Agreement either in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any person or entity who succeeds to all or substantially all of the Company’s business.

 

8. Duty to Assist. As requested by the Company and only with respect to Intellectual Property created by the Advisor for the Company as provided in paragraph 7 above, the Advisor shall take all steps reasonably necessary to assist the Company in obtaining and enforcing in its own name any such Intellectual Property right. The Advisor’s obligation to assist the Company shall continue beyond the termination of the Advisor’s relationship with the Company, but the Company shall compensate the Advisor at a reasonable rate after the termination of such relationship for time actually spent at the Company’s request providing such assistance.

 

LQR House Inc.  Private & ConfidentialPage | 2

 

 

9. No Conflicts. The Advisor represents that the Advisor’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement and provision of Services hereunder will not violate any duty which the Advisor may have to any other person or entity (such as a present or former employer), and the Advisor agrees that the Advisor will not do anything in the performance of Services hereunder that would violate any such duty. In addition, the Advisor agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, the Advisor shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any direct competitor of the Company which the Advisor is also performing services. It is understood that in such event, the Company will review whether the Advisor’s activities are consistent with the Advisor remaining as an advisor of the Company.

 

10. Legal and Equitable Remedies. Because the Advisor’s Services are personal and unique and because the Advisor may have access to and become acquainted with the Confidential Information of the Company, the Company shall have the right to enforce this Agreement and any of its provisions by injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that the Company may have for a breach of this Agreement.

 

11. Miscellaneous. Any term of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the written consent of the parties. This Agreement, including any schedules hereto, constitute the sole agreement of the parties and supersedes all oral negotiations and prior writings with respect to the subject matter hereof. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. If any provision of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, that provision shall be severed and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. Any notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given to the appropriate Party at the address listed on the first page of the Agreement, or such other address as the Party shall specify in writing pursuant to this notice provision. Such notice shall be deemed given upon personal delivery to the appropriate address or three days after the date of mailing if sent by certified or registered mail. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

LQR House Inc.  Private & ConfidentialPage | 3

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of June 1, 2023.

 

  LQR HOUSE INC.
     
  BY:
  NAME: Sean Dollinger
  Title: CEO
   
  ADVISOR:
     
  BY:  
  NAME:  
  Title:  

 

  Address:  
     
  Phone:  

 

  Signature page to LQR House Inc. Advisor Agreement Page | 4

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.27

 

COMMERCIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS LEASE (this “Lease”) dated this 14th day of February, 2023

 

BETWEEN:

 

SOUTH DOLL LLC of 6800 Indian Creek Dr, Suite 1E, Miami Beach FL 33141

Telephone: (786) 389-9771

(the “Landlord”)

 

OF THE FIRST PART

 

- AND -

 

LQR House Inc. of 6800 Indian Creek Dr Suite 1E Miami Beach FL 33141

Telephone: (604) 356-100

(the “Tenant”)

OF THE SECOND PART

 

IN CONSIDERATION OF the Landlord leasing certain premises to the Tenant, the Tenant leasing those premises from the Landlord and the mutual benefits and obligations set forth in this Lease, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Parties to this Lease (the “Parties”) agree as follows:

 

Definitions

 

1.When used in this Lease, the following expressions will have the meanings indicated:

 

a.“Additional Rent” means all amounts payable by the Tenant under this Lease except Base Rent, whether or not specifically designated as Additional Rent elsewhere in this Lease;

 

b.“Building” means all buildings, improvements, equipment, fixtures, property and facilities from time to time located at 6800 Indian Creek Dr., Suite 1E, Miami Beach FL 33141, as from time to time altered, expanded or reduced by the Landlord in its sole discretion;

 

c.“Common Areas and Facilities” mean:

 

i.those portions of the Building areas, buildings, improvements, facilities, utilities, equipment and installations in or forming part of the Building which from time to time are not designated or intended by the Landlord to be leased to tenants of the Building including, without limitation, exterior weather walls, roofs, entrances and exits, parking areas, driveways, loading docks and area, storage, mechanical and electrical rooms, areas above and below leasable premises and not included within leasable premises, security and alarm equipment, grassed and landscaped areas, retaining walls and maintenance, cleaning and operating equipment serving the Building; and

 

ii.those lands, areas, buildings, improvements, facilities, utilities, equipment and installations which serve or are for the useful benefit of the Building, the tenants of the Building or the Landlord and those having business with them, whether or not located within, adjacent to or near the Building and which are designated from time to time by the Landlord as part of the Common Areas and Facilities;

 

d.“Leasable Area” means with respect to any rentable premises, the area expressed in square feet of all floor space including floor space of mezzanines, if any, determined, calculated and certified by the Landlord and measured from the exterior face of all exterior walls, doors and windows, including walls, doors and windows separating the rentable premises from enclosed Common Areas and Facilities, if any, and from the center line of all interior walls separating the rentable premises from adjoining rentable premises. There will be no deduction or exclusion for any space occupied by or used for columns, ducts or other structural elements;

 

e.“Premises” means the office space at 6800 Indian Creek Dr., Suite 1E, Miami Beach FL 33141.

 

f.“Rent” means the total of Base Rent and Additional Rent.

 

  Page 1 of 7

 

 

Intent of Lease

 

2.It is the intent of this Lease and agreed to by the Parties to this Lease that rent for this Lease will be on a gross rent basis meaning the Tenant will pay the Base Rent and any Additional Rent and the Landlord will be responsible for all other service charges related to the Premises and the operation of the Building save as specifically provided in this Lease to the contrary.

 

Leased Premises

 

3.The Landlord agrees to rent to the Tenant the office space municipally described as 6800 Indian Creek Dr., Suite 1E, Miami Beach FL 33141 (the “Premises”).

 

4.The Premises will be used for only the following permitted use: Corporate office address and registered office for LQR HOUSE. (the “Permitted Use”).

 

5.No pets or animals are allowed to be kept in or about the Premises or in any common areas in the Building containing the Premises.

 

6.Subject to the provisions of this Lease, the Tenant is entitled to the use of parking (the “Parking”) on or about the Premises. Only properly insured motor vehicles may be parked in the Tenant’s Parking.

 

Term

 

7.The term of the Lease commences at 12:00 noon on February 15, 2023 and ends at 12:00 noon on February 28, 2025 (the “Term”).

 

8.Should the Tenant remain in possession of the Premises with the consent of the Landlord after the natural expiration of this Lease, a new tenancy from month to month will be created between the Landlord and the Tenant which will be subject to all the terms and conditions of this Lease but will be terminable upon either party giving one month’s notice to the other party.

 

Rent

 

9.Subject to the provisions of this Lease, the Tenant will pay a base rent of $850.00, payable per month, for the Premises (the “Base Rent”), without setoff, abatement or deduction. In addition to the Base Rent, the Tenant will pay for any fees or taxes arising from the Tenant’s business.

 

10.The Tenant will pay the Base Rent on or before the first of each and every month of the Term to the Landlord.

 

11.The Base Rent for the Premises will increase over the Term of the Lease as follows: Each year rent will increase by 10%

 

12.The Tenant will be charged an additional amount of $100.00 per day for any Rent that is received after the due date.

 

13.No acceptance by the Landlord of any amount less than the full amount owed will be taken to operate as a waiver by the Landlord for the full amount or in any way to defeat or affect the rights and remedies of the Landlord to pursue the full amount.

 

Use and Occupation

 

14.The Tenant will open the whole of the Premises for business to the public fully fixtured, stocked and staffed on the date of commencement of the Term and throughout the Term, and will continuously occupy and utilize the entire Premises in the active conduct of its business in a reputable manner on such days and during such hours of business as may be determined from time to time by the Landlord.

 

15.The Tenant covenants that the Tenant will carry on and conduct its business from time to time carried on upon the Premises in such manner as to comply with all statutes, bylaws, rules and regulations of any federal, state, municipal or other competent authority and will not do anything on or in the Premises in contravention of any of them.

 

16.The Tenant covenants that the Tenant will carry on and conduct its business from time to time carried on upon the Premises in such manner as to comply with any statute, including any subordinate legislation, which is in force now or in the future and taking into account any amendment or re-enactment, or any government department, local authority, other public or competent authority or court of competent jurisdiction and of the insurers in relation to the use, occupation and enjoyment of the Building (including in relation to health and safety compliance with the proper practice recommended by all appropriate authorities).

 

  Page 2 of 7

 

 

Advance Rent and Security Deposit

 

17.On execution of this Lease, the Tenant will pay the Landlord advance rent (the “Advance Rent”) to be held by the Landlord without interest and to be applied on account of the first and last installments of Base Rent as they fall due and to be held to the extent not so applied as security for and which may be applied by the Landlord to the performance of the covenants and obligations of the Tenant under this Lease.

 

18.On execution of this Lease, the Tenant will pay the Landlord a security deposit equal to the amount of $10,000.00 (the “Security Deposit”) to be held by the Landlord without interest. The Landlord will return the Security Deposit to the Tenant at the end of this tenancy, less such deductions as provided in this Lease but no deduction will be made for damage due to reasonable wear and tear.

 

19.The Tenant may not use the Security Deposit as payment for the Rent.

 

Quiet Enjoyment

 

20.The Landlord covenants that on paying the Rent and performing the covenants contained in this Lease, the Tenant will peacefully and quietly have, hold, and enjoy the Premises for the agreed term.

 

Distress

 

21.If and whenever the Tenant is in default in payment of any money, whether hereby expressly reserved or deemed as Rent, or any part of the Rent, the Landlord may, without notice or any form of legal process, enter upon the Premises and seize, remove and sell the Tenant’s goods, chattels and equipment from the Premises or seize, remove and sell any goods, chattels and equipment at any place to which the Tenant or any other person may have removed them, in the same manner as if they had remained and been distrained upon the Premises, all notwithstanding any rule of law or equity to the contrary, and the Tenant hereby waives and renounces the benefit of any present or future statute or law limiting or eliminating the Landlord’s right of distress.

 

Overholding

 

22.If the Tenant continues to occupy the Premises without the written consent of the Landlord after the expiration or other termination of the Term, then, without any further written agreement, the Tenant will be a month-to-month tenant at a minimum monthly rental equal to twice the Base Rent and subject always to all of the other provisions of this Lease insofar as the same are applicable to a month-to-month tenancy and a tenancy from year to year will not be created by implication of law.

 

Additional Rights on Reentry

 

23.If the Landlord reenters the Premises or terminates this Lease, then:

 

a.notwithstanding any such termination or the Term thereby becoming forfeited and void, the provisions of this Lease relating to the consequences of termination will survive;

 

b.the Landlord may use such reasonable force as it may deem necessary for the purpose of gaining admittance to and retaking possession of the Premises and the Tenant hereby releases the Landlord from all actions, proceedings, claims and demands whatsoever for and in respect of any such forcible entry or any loss or damage in connection therewith or consequential thereupon;

 

c.the Landlord may expel and remove, forcibly, if necessary, the Tenant, those claiming under the Tenant, and their effects, as allowed by law, without being taken or deemed to be guilty of any manner of trespass;

 

d.in the event that the Landlord has removed the property of the Tenant, the Landlord may store such property in a public warehouse or at a place selected by the Landlord, at the expense of the Tenant. If the Landlord feels that it is not worth storing such property given its value and the cost to store it, then the Landlord may dispose of such property in its sole discretion and use such funds, if any, towards any indebtedness of the Tenant to the Landlord. The Landlord will not be responsible to the Tenant for the disposal of such property other than to provide any balance of the proceeds to the Tenant after paying any storage costs and any amounts owed by the Tenant to the Landlord;

 

  Page 3 of 7

 

 

e.the Landlord may relet the Premises or any part of the Premises for a term or terms which may be less or greater than the balance of the Term remaining and may grant reasonable concessions in connection with such reletting including any alterations and improvements to the Premises;

 

f.after reentry, the Landlord may procure the appointment of a receiver to take possession and collect rents and profits of the business of the Tenant, and, if necessary to collect the rents and profits the receiver may carry on the business of the Tenant and take possession of the personal property used in the business of the Tenant, including inventory, trade fixtures, and furnishings, and use them in the business without compensating the Tenant;

 

g.after reentry, the Landlord may terminate the Lease on giving 5 days’ written notice of termination to the Tenant. Without this notice, reentry of the Premises by the Landlord or its agents will not terminate this Lease;

 

h.the Tenant will pay to the Landlord on demand:

 

i.all rent, Additional Rent and other amounts payable under this Lease up to the time of reentry or termination, whichever is later;

 

ii.reasonable expenses as the Landlord incurs or has incurred in connection with the reentering, terminating, reletting, collecting sums due or payable by the Tenant, realizing upon assets seized; including without limitation, brokerage, fees and expenses and legal fees and disbursements and the expenses of keeping the Premises in good order, repairing the same and preparing them for reletting; and

 

iii.as liquidated damages for the loss of rent and other income of the Landlord expected to be derived from this Lease during the period which would have constituted the unexpired portion of the Term had it not been terminated, at the option of the Landlord, either:

 

i.an amount determined by reducing to present worth at an assumed interest rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum all Base Rent and estimated Additional Rent to become payable during the period which would have constituted the unexpired portion of the Term, such determination to be made by the Landlord, who may make reasonable estimates of when any such other amounts would have become payable and may make such other assumptions of the facts as may be reasonable in the circumstances; or

 

ii.an amount equal to the Base Rent and estimated Additional Rent for a period of six (6) months.

 

Renewal of Lease

 

24.Upon giving written notice no later than 60 days before the expiration of the Term, the Tenant may renew this Lease for an additional term. All terms of the renewed lease will be the same except for any signing incentives/inducements and this renewal clause and the amount of the rent. If the Landlord and the Tenant cannot agree as to the amount of the Rent, the amount of the Rent will be determined by mediation. The Rent should be determined taking into consideration the market rent of similarly improved premises in the market, as well as the location, use, age, and size of premises.

 

Landlord Improvements

 

25.The Landlord will make the following improvements to the Premises:

 

a.Dedicated wall build out with storage closest and access to an exterior door and bathroom.

 

Landlord Chattels

 

26.The Landlord will not supply any chattels.

 

Tenant Improvements

 

27.The Tenant will obtain written permission from the Landlord before doing any of the following:

 

a.painting, wallpapering, redecorating or in any way significantly altering the appearance of the Premises;

 

b.removing or adding walls, or performing any structural alterations;

 

c.changing the amount of heat or power normally used on the Premises as well as installing additional electrical wiring or heating units;

 

d.subject to this Lease, placing or exposing or allowing to be placed or exposed anywhere inside or outside the Premises any placard, notice or sign for advertising or any other purpose;

 

e.affixing to or erecting upon or near the Premises any radio or TV antenna or tower, or satellite dish; or

 

f.installing or affixing upon or near the Premises any plant, equipment, machinery or apparatus without the Landlord’s prior consent.

 

  Page 4 of 7

 

 

Utilities and Other Costs

 

28.The Landlord is responsible for the payment of the following utilities and other charges in relation to the Premises: electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, telephone, internet and cable.

 

Insurance

 

29.The Tenant is hereby advised and understands that the personal property of the Tenant is not insured by the Landlord for either damage or loss, and the Landlord assumes no liability for any such loss. The Tenant is advised that, if insurance coverage is desired by the Tenant, the Tenant should inquire of Tenant’s insurance agent regarding a Tenant’s policy of insurance.

 

Abandonment

 

30.If at any time during the Term, the Tenant abandons the Premises or any part of the Premises, the Landlord may, at its option, enter the Premises by any means without being liable for any prosecution for such entering, and without becoming liable to the Tenant for damages or for any payment of any kind whatever, and may, at the Landlord’s discretion, as agent for the Tenant, relet the Premises, or any part of the Premises, for the whole or any part of the then unexpired Term, and may receive and collect all rent payable by virtue of such reletting, and, at the Landlord’s option, hold the Tenant liable for any difference between the Rent that would have been payable under this Lease during the balance of the unexpired Term, if this Lease had continued in force, and the net rent for such period realized by the Landlord by means of the reletting. If the Landlord’s right of reentry is exercised following abandonment of the premises by the Tenant, then the Landlord may consider any personal property belonging to the Tenant and left on the Premises to also have been abandoned, in which case the Landlord may dispose of all such personal property in any manner the Landlord will deem proper and is relieved of all liability for doing so.

 

Governing Law

 

31.It is the intention of the Parties to this Lease that the tenancy created by this Lease and the performance under this Lease, and all suits and special proceedings under this Lease, be construed in accordance with and governed, to the exclusion of the law of any other forum, by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to the jurisdiction in which any action or special proceeding may be instituted.

 

Severability

 

32.If there is a conflict between any provision of this Lease and the applicable legislation of the State of Florida (the ‘Act’), the Act will prevail and such provisions of the Lease will be amended or deleted as necessary in order to comply with the Act. Further, any provisions that are required by the Act are incorporated into this Lease.

 

Assignment and Subletting

 

33.The Tenant will not assign this Lease in whole or in part, nor sublet all or any part of the Premises, nor grant any license or part with possession of the Premises or transfer to any other person in whole or in part or any other right or interest under this Lease (except to a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Tenant), without the prior written consent of the Landlord in each instance, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld so long as the proposed assignment or sublease complies with the provisions of this Lease.

 

34.Notwithstanding any assignment or sublease, the Tenant will remain fully liable on this Lease and will not be released from performing any of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease.

 

35.If the Lease is assigned or if the Premises or any part of the Premises are sublet or occupied by anyone other than the Tenant, the Landlord may collect rent directly from the assignee, subtenant or occupant, and apply the net amount collected, or the necessary portion of that amount, to the rent owing under this Lease.

 

36.The prohibition against assigning or subletting without the consent required by this Lease will be constructed to include a prohibition against any assignment or sublease by operation of law.

 

37.The consent by the Landlord to any assignment or sublease will not constitute a waiver of the necessity of such consent to any subsequent assignment or sublease.

 

  Page 5 of 7

 

 

Bulk Sale

 

38.No bulk sale of goods and assets of the Tenant may take place without first obtaining the written consent of the Landlord, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld so long as the Tenant and the Purchaser are able to provide the Landlord with assurances, in a form satisfactory to the Landlord, that the Tenant’s obligations in this Lease will continue to be performed and respected, in the manner satisfactory to the Landlord, after completion of the said bulk sale.

 

Care and Use of Premises

 

39.The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord of any damage, or of any situation that may significantly interfere with the normal use of the Premises.

 

40.Vehicles which the Landlord reasonably considers unsightly, noisy, dangerous, improperly insured, inoperable or unlicensed are not permitted in the Tenant’s parking stall(s), and such vehicles may be towed away at the Tenant’s expense. Parking facilities are provided at the Tenant’s own risk. The Tenant is required to park in only the space allotted to them.

 

41.The Tenant will not make (or allow to be made) any noise or nuisance which, in the reasonable opinion of the Landlord, disturbs the comfort or convenience of other tenants.

 

42.The Tenant will not engage in any illegal trade or activity on or about the Premises.

 

43.The Landlord and Tenant will comply with standards of health, sanitation, fire, housing and safety as required by law.

 

Surrender of Premises

 

44.At the expiration of the lease term, the Tenant will quit and surrender the Premises in as good a state and condition as they were at the commencement of this Lease, reasonable use and wear and damages by the elements excepted.

 

Hazardous Materials

 

45.The Tenant will not keep or have on the Premises any article or thing of a dangerous, flammable, or explosive character that might unreasonably increase the danger of fire on the Premises or that might be considered hazardous by any responsible insurance company.

 

Rules and Regulations

 

46.The Tenant will obey all rules and regulations posted by the Landlord regarding the use and care of the Building, parking lot and other common facilities that are provided for the use of the Tenant in and around the Building on the Premises.

 

General Provisions

 

47.Any waiver by the Landlord of any failure by the Tenant to perform or observe the provisions of this Lease will not operate as a waiver of the Landlord’s rights under this Lease in respect of any subsequent defaults, breaches or nonperformance and will not defeat or affect in any way the Landlord’s rights in respect of any subsequent default or breach.

 

48.This Lease will extend to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as the case may be, of each party to this Lease. All covenants are to be construed as conditions of this Lease.

 

49.All sums payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease will be deemed to be Additional Rent and will be recoverable by the Landlord as rental arrears.

 

50.Where there is more than one Tenant executing this Lease, all Tenants are jointly and severally liable for each other’s acts, omissions and liabilities pursuant to this Lease.

 

51.Time is of the essence in this Lease.

 

52.This Lease will constitute the entire agreement between the Landlord and the Tenant. Any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Lease will not be binding on either party to this Lease except to the extent incorporated in this Lease. In particular, no warranties of the Landlord not expressed in this Lease are to be implied.

 

  Page 6 of 7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties to this Lease have duly affixed their signatures under hand and seal, or by a duly authorized officer under seal, on this 14th day of February, 2023.

 

    SOUTH DOLL LLC (Landlord)
         
  Per: (SEAL)
(Witness)        
         
    LQR House Inc. (Tenant)
         
(Witness)   Per: /s/ Kumar Abhishek (SEAL)

 

  Page 7 of 7

Exhibit 14.1

 

LQR House Inc.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

1. Introduction.

 

1.1. The Board of Directors of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (this “Code”) in order to:

 

(a) promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;

 

(b) promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Company;

 

(c) promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

(d) deter wrongdoing; and

 

(e) ensure accountability for adherence to this Code.

 

1.2. All directors, officers and employees, including principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer are required to be familiar with this Code, comply with its provisions and report any suspected violations as described below in Section 6.

 

2. Honest and Ethical Conduct.

 

2.1. The Company’s policy is to promote high standards of integrity by conducting its affairs honestly and ethically.

 

2.2. Each director, officer and employee must act with integrity and observe the highest ethical standards of business conduct in his or her dealings with the Company’s customers, suppliers, partners, service providers, competitors, employees and anyone else with whom he or she has contact in the course of performing his or her job.

 

3. Conflicts of Interest.

 

3.1. A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s private interest (or the interest of a member of his or her family) interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company as a whole. A conflict of interest can arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work for the Company objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when an employee, officer or director (or a member of his or her family) receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company.

 

3.2. Loans by the Company to, or guarantees by the Company of obligations of, employees or their family members are of special concern and could constitute improper personal benefits to the recipients of such loans or guarantees, depending on the facts and circumstances. Loans by the Company to, or guarantees by the Company of obligations of, any director or executive officer are expressly prohibited.

 

3.3. Whether or not a conflict of interest exists or will exist can be unclear. Conflicts of interest should be avoided unless specifically authorized as described in Section 3.4.

 

 

 

3.4. Persons other than directors and executive officers who have questions about a potential conflict of interest or who become aware of an actual or potential conflict should discuss the matter with, and seek a determination and prior authorization or approval from, their supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer. If the Company does not have a Chief Compliance Officer, then references in this Code to Chief Compliance Officer shall be deemed to be references to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. A supervisor may not authorize or approve conflict of interest matters or make determinations as to whether a problematic conflict of interest exists without first providing the Chief Compliance Officer with a written description of the activity and seeking the Chief Compliance Officer’s written approval. If the supervisor is himself involved in the potential or actual conflict, the matter should instead be discussed directly with the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

3.5. Directors and executive officers must seek determinations and prior authorizations or approvals of potential conflicts of interest exclusively from the Audit Committee, or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists.

 

4. Compliance.

 

4.1. Employees, officers and directors should comply, both in letter and spirit, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the cities, states and countries in which the Company operates.

 

4.2. Although not all employees, officers and directors are expected to know the details of all applicable laws, rules and regulations, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from appropriate personnel. Questions about compliance should be addressed to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

4.3. No director, officer or employee may purchase or sell any Company securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding the Company, nor may any director, officer or employee purchase or sell another company’s securities while in possession of material non-public information regarding that company. It is against Company policies and illegal for any director, officer or employee to use material non-public information regarding the Company or any other company to (a) obtain profit for himself or herself; or (b) directly or indirectly “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of that information.

 

5. Disclosure.

 

5.1. The Company’s periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC, including all financial statements and other financial information, must comply with applicable federal securities laws and SEC rules.

 

5.2. Each director, officer and employee who contributes in any way to the preparation or verification of the Company’s financial statements and other financial information must ensure that the Company’s books, records and accounts are accurately maintained. Each director, officer and employee must cooperate fully with the Company’s accounting and internal audit departments, as well as the Company’s independent public accountants and counsel.

 

5.3. Each director, officer and employee who is involved in the Company’s disclosure process must: (a) be familiar with and comply with the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting; and (b) take all necessary steps to ensure that all filings with the SEC and all other public communications about the financial and business condition of the Company provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.

 

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6. Reporting.

 

6.1. Actions prohibited by this Code involving directors or executive officers must be reported to the Audit Committee, or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists.

 

6.2. Actions prohibited by this Code involving any other person must be reported to the reporting person’s supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

6.3. After receiving a report of an alleged prohibited action, the Audit Committee, or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists, the relevant supervisor, or the Chief Compliance Officer must promptly take all appropriate actions necessary to investigate.

 

6.4. All directors, officers and employees are expected to cooperate in any internal investigation of misconduct.

 

7. Enforcement.

 

7.1. The Company must ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code.

 

7.2. If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by a director or executive officer, the Audit Committee determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the Audit Committee will report such determination to the full Board of Directors.

 

7.3. If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by any other person, the relevant supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer will report such determination to the Chief Executive Officer or the General Counsel, if the Company has a General Counsel.

 

7.4. Upon receipt of a determination that there has been a violation of this Code, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel will take such preventative or disciplinary action as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, reassignment, demotion, dismissal and, in the event of criminal conduct or other serious violations of the law, notification of appropriate governmental authorities.

 

8. Waivers and Amendments.

 

8.1. Each of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists (in the case of a violation by a director or executive officer) and the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel (in the case of a violation by any other person) may, in its discretion, waive any violation of this Code or make any amendment of this Code.

 

8.2. Any waiver for a director or an executive officer or any amendment of this Code shall be disclosed as required by SEC rules and the applicable rules of any trading market on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted, or on the Company’s website within four (4) business days following the date of such amendment or waiver.

 

 9. Prohibition on Retaliation.

 

The Company does not tolerate acts of retaliation against any director, officer or employee who makes a good faith report of known or suspected acts of misconduct or other violations of this Code.

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors on February 13, 2023.

 

 

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Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

The Company has no subsidiaries.

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the use, in this Registration Statement on Form S-1, of our report dated April 5, 2023, related to the financial statements of LQR House, Inc. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the periods then ended. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ dbbmckennon

Newport Beach, California

June 14, 2023

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

I.Purpose.

 

The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”). The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to (i) the integrity of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ financial statements and financial reporting process and the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ systems of internal accounting and financial controls, (ii) the performance of the internal and external audit services function, (iii) the annual independent audit of the Company’s and subsidiaries’ financial statements, the engagement of the independent auditors and the evaluation of the independent auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance, (iv) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, including the Company’s disclosure of controls and procedures, (v) the compliance with the Company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and conduct of the Company’s officers and directors, (vi) the evaluation of enterprise risk issues, and (vii) the fulfillment of the other responsibilities set out herein.

 

The Audit Committee shall prepare the report required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to be included in the Company’s public filing.

 

II.Membership, Structure and Qualifications.

 

Membership and Structure. The Committee shall not consist of fewer than three (3) or more than seven (7) directors. The Committee members shall be elected annually by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, for terms of one (1) year, or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

 

Qualifications. All Committee members shall meet all applicable independence requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and any successor thereto (“Nasdaq”) and of Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), subject to the exemptions provided in Rule 10A-3(c) under the Exchange Act, and other applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. Additionally, no member of the Committee shall have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the preceding three (3) years and all members of the Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.

 

Chairman. Unless the Chairman of the Committee (the “Chairman”) is elected by the full Board, the Committee members may designate a Chairman consistent with any recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Resignation, Removal and Replacement. Any director may resign from the Committee at any time upon notice of such resignation to the Company. An independent director who ceases to be independent under Nasdaq requirements shall promptly resign to the extent required for the Company to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Board shall have the power at any time to remove a member of the Committee with or without cause, to fill all vacancies, and to designate alternate members, upon the recommendation of the Committee, to replace any absent or disqualified members, so long as the Committee shall at all times have at least three (3) members and be composed solely of independent board members.

 

 

 

Financial Expert. As a matter of best practices, the Committee will endeavor to have at least one of its members with the requisite qualifications to be designated by the Board as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K as promulgated by the SEC (“Regulation S-K”). The Committee shall report to the Board for further action as appropriate, including, but not limited to, a determination by the Board that the Committee membership includes or does not include one or more “audit committee financial experts” and any related disclosure to be made concerning this matter. The designation of a member of the Committee as an “audit committee financial expert” will not increase the duties, obligations or liability of the designee as compared to the duties, obligations and liability imposed on the designee as a member of the Committee and of the Board. If the Committee does not have an “audit committee financial expert,” then, in accordance with Nasdaq requirements, at least one member of the Committee must be financially sophisticated, in that he or she has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication, including but not limited to being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer, other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.

 

III.Meetings and Other Actions.

 

All meetings of and other actions by the Committee shall be held and taken pursuant to the bylaws of the Company (as may be amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”), including provisions governing notice of meetings and waiver thereof, the number of Committee members required to take action at meetings and by written consent, and other related matters. The Committee may invite any director who is not a member of the Committee, management, counsel, representatives of service providers or other persons to attend meetings and provide information as the Committee, in its sole discretion, considers appropriate.

 

Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, the Committee shall not delegate any of its authority to any subcommittee.

 

IV.Goals, Responsibilities and Authority.

 

The function of the Committee is to oversee the Company’s management and independent accountants in the production of the Company’s financial statements, as well as all controls and procedures relating thereto. The Company’s management is primarily responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Company’s financial statements and for maintaining appropriate systems for accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Company’s independent accountants are primarily responsible for planning and carrying out a proper audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, reviewing the Company’s unaudited interim financial statements and auditing management’s assessment of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and other procedures. The independent accountants are accountable to the Board and the Committee, as representatives of the Company’s stockholders. The Board and the Committee have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the Company’s independent accountants. For purposes of this Charter, the term “management” means the appropriate officers of each of the Company and its subsidiaries and the phrase “internal accounting staff” means the appropriate officers and employees of each of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Company or members of management and are not, and do not represent themselves to be, accountants or auditors by profession. As such, it is not the duty or the responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures to determine if the financial statements are complete and accurate and whether they have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States (“GAAP”) or to set auditor independence standards.

 

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Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons within and outside the Company and management from which it receives information, (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee absent actual knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Board), and (iii) statements made by the officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries or other third parties as to any information technology, internal and external audit and other non-audit services provided by the independent accountants to the Company. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee’s policies and procedures shall be adapted, as appropriate, to best react to changing markets and regulatory environments.

 

Nothing in this Charter shall be interpreted as diminishing or derogating the duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Board. Subject to the requirements of the Bylaws, the Committee shall:

 

Retention of independent accountants and approval of services

 

1. Select or retain each year a firm or firms of independent accountants to audit the accounts and records of the Company and its subsidiaries, to approve the terms of compensation of such independent accountants (including negotiating and executing on behalf of the Company engagement letters) and to terminate such independent accountants as it deems appropriate.

 

2. Pre-approve any independent accountants’ engagement to render audit and/or permissible non-audit services (including the fees charged and proposed to be charged by the independent accountants), subject to the de minimus exceptions under Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act, and as otherwise required by law.

 

3. The Committee may delegate its pre-approval responsibilities to one (1) or more of its members. The member(s) to whom such responsibility is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

Oversight of the independent accountants

 

4. Obtain and review a report from the independent accountants at least annually regarding:

 

(a)the independent accountants’ internal quality-control procedures;

 

(b)any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, peer review, or review by the PCAOB, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five (5) years respecting one (1) or more independent audits carried out by the firm;

 

(c)any steps taken with regard to the issues identified in (a) or (b) above; and

 

(d)all relationships between the independent accountants and the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

5. Obtain from the independent accountants annually a formal written statement of the fees billed in each of the last two (2) fiscal years for each of the following categories of services rendered by the independent accountants:

 

(a)the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports or services that are normally provided by the independent accountants in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements;

 

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(b)that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, in the aggregate and by each service;

 

(c)tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services, in the aggregate and by each service; and

 

(d)all other products and services rendered by the independent accountants, in the aggregate and by each service.

 

6. Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent accountants, including the following:

 

(a)evaluating the performance of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner, and the quality and depth of the professional staff assigned to the Company and its subsidiaries;

 

(b)considering whether the accountant’s quality controls are appropriate and adequate in light of the standards and requirements established by the PCAOB and under applicable law at such time; and

 

(c)considering whether the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the accountant’s independence.

 

7. Consider the opinions of management and the internal accounting staff in connection with the foregoing responsibilities. The Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent accountants to the Board.

 

8. Monitor the rotation required by Section 10A(j) of the Exchange Act of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit.

 

9. Oversee compliance with the following guidelines relating to the Company’s hiring of employees or former employees of the independent accountants:

 

(a)no member of the audit team that is auditing the Company can be hired by the Company in a financial reporting oversight role (as defined in the SEC’s Regulation S-X) for a period of one (1) year following association with that audit; and

 

(b)the Company’s Chief Financial Officer shall report annually to the Committee the profile of the preceding year’s hires from the independent accountants.

 

10. Consider the effect on the Company of:

 

(a)any changes in accounting principles or practices proposed by management or the independent accountants;

 

(b)any changes in service providers, such accountants, that could impact the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

(c)any changes in schedules (such as fiscal or tax year-end changes) or structures or transactions that require special accounting activities, services or resources.

 

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11. Review any presentations or reports prepared by the independent accountants with respect to any applicable Federal tax matters.

 

12. Annually review a formal written statement from the independent accountants delineating all relationships between the independent accountants and the Company, consistent with applicable requirements and standards of the SEC and the PCAOB, and discuss with the independent accountants their methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

 

13. Evaluate the efficiency and appropriateness of the services provided by the independent accountants, including any significant difficulties with the audit or any restrictions on the scope of their activities or access to required records, data and information.

 

14. Interact with the independent accountants, including reviewing and, where necessary, resolving any problems or difficulties the independent accountants may have encountered in connection with the annual audit or otherwise, any management letters provided to the Committee and the Company’s responses. Such review shall address any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information, any disagreements that have arisen between management and the independent accountants regarding financial reporting.

 

15. Review with the independent accountants the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company.

 

Financial statements and disclosure matters

 

16. Review and discuss with management and the independent accountants the annual audited financial statements, including disclosures made in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

17. Review and discuss with management and the independent accountants the Company’s quarterly financial statements, including disclosures made in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, prior to the filing of its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including the results of the independent accountants’ reviews of the quarterly financial statements.

 

18. Review with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and independent accountants, the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting and review periodically, but in no event less frequently than quarterly, management’s conclusions about the effectiveness of such internal control over financial reporting, including any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in, or material non-compliance with, such internal control.

 

19. Review with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and independent accountants, the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ disclosure controls and procedures and review periodically, but in no event less frequently than quarterly, management’s conclusions about the effectiveness of such disclosure controls and procedures, including any significant deficiencies in, or material non-compliance with, such controls and procedures.

 

20. Review disclosures made to the Committee by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar roles, during their certification process for the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q concerning any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of disclosure controls and procedures and, when applicable, internal control over financial reporting, or material weaknesses in such control, and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

 

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21. Review and discuss the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentation to be made in connection with earnings releases by the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

22. Review and discuss the types of financial and non-financial information and earning guidance to be provided to analysts and ratings agencies.

 

23. Meet with the Company’s independent accountants at least four times during each fiscal year, including private meetings, and review written materials prepared by the independent accountants, as appropriate. At these meetings, the Committee shall:

 

(a)review the arrangements for and the scope of the annual audit and any special audits or other special permissible services;

 

(b)review the Company’s financial statements and to discuss any matters of concern arising in connection with audits of such financial statements, including any adjustments to such statements recommended by the independent accountants or any other results of the audits;

 

(c)consider and review, as appropriate and in consultation with the independent accountants, the appropriateness and adequacy of the Company’s financial and accounting policies, internal control over financial reporting and, as appropriate, the internal controls of key service providers, and to review management’s responses to the independent accountants’ comments relating to those policies, procedures and controls, and to take any necessary action in light of material control deficiencies;

 

(d)review with the independent accountants their opinions as to the fairness of the financial statements; and

 

(e)review and discuss quarterly reports from the independent accountants relating to: (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (2) all alternative treatment of financial information within GAAP that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent accountants; and (3) other material written communications between the independent accountant and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

 

24. Prepare the report required by the SEC to be included in the Company’s public filing.

 

Compliance Oversight

 

25. Administer the following procedures relating to the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls over financial reporting or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters:

 

(a)the Company shall forward to the Committee any complaints or concerns that it has received regarding questionable financial statement disclosures, accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters;

 

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(b)the Company shall establish and publish on its website an e-mail address for receiving anonymous complaints or concerns related to questionable financial statement disclosures, accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, provided that the Company may engage the services of a third-party service provider to receive such complaints on behalf of the Company via telephone, email or other appropriate method;

 

(c)any employee of the Company may submit, on a confidential, anonymous basis if the employee so desires, any concerns regarding questionable financial statement disclosures, accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters by setting forth such concerns in writing and forwarding them in a sealed envelope to the Chairman of the Committee, such envelope to be labeled with a legend such as “To be opened by the Committee only” (employees may deposit such envelope in the Company’s internal mail system or deliver it by hand to a member of the Committee and if an employee would like to discuss any matter with the Committee, the employee should indicate this in the submission and include a telephone number at which he or she might be contacted if the Committee deems it appropriate);

 

(d)the Committee shall review and consider any such complaints and concerns that it has received and take any action that it deems appropriate in order to respond thereto;

 

(e)the Committee may request special treatment for any complaint or concern, including the retention of outside counsel or other advisors; and

 

(f)the Committee shall retain any such complaints or concerns for a period of no less than five (5) years.

 

The Committee shall annually reassess the effectiveness of the procedures described immediately above and modify them as necessary.

 

26. The Committee will be designated as and serve as the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee for the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 307 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Upon receipt of a report of evidence of a material legal violation, the Committee will notify the Board of such report, investigate and recommend appropriate measure to the Board. If the Company does not appropriately respond, the Committee may take further appropriate action, including notification to the SEC.

 

27. Review with management or any external counsel as the Committee considers appropriate, any legal matters (including the status of pending litigation) that may have a material impact on the Company and any material reports or inquiries from regulatory or governmental agencies.

 

28. Review with management the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s procedures to ensure compliance with its legal and regulatory responsibilities.

 

29. Oversee compliance with the Company’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

 

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30. Discuss with management, the independent accountants, outside counsel, as appropriate, and, in the judgment of the Committee, such special counsel, separate accounting firm and other consultants and advisors as the Committee deems appropriate, any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports which raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements, accounting policies or internal control over financial reporting.

 

31. Obtain reports from management, the internal or external auditor or internal or external audit service provider, as the case may be, and the independent auditor regarding compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

 

Oversight of company’s internal and external audit function

 

32. The internal and external auditor or internal and external audit service provider, as the case may be, shall report periodically to the Committee regarding any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, material weaknesses in the internal control over financial reporting and any fraud (regardless of materiality) involving persons having a significant role in the internal control over financial reporting, as well as any significant changes in internal control over financial reporting implemented by management during the most recent reporting period of the Company.

 

33. Discuss with management, the internal and external auditor or internal and external audit service provider, as the case may be, and the independent accountant the Company’s major risk exposures (whether financial, operations or both) and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies.

 

34. With respect to any internal and external audit services that may be outsourced, engage, evaluate and terminate internal and external audit service providers and approve fees to be paid to such internal and external audit service providers.

 

Financial oversight

 

35. Review and approve decisions by the Company and its subsidiaries to enter into derivative transactions (including, but limited to, swaps, put and call options or combinations thereof, caps, floors, collars, and forward or spot exchanges) and related matters, as appropriate, as well as non-cleared swaps that are exempt from the clearing and trade execution requirements established under applicable federal law, rules and regulations, including swaps that are entered into in reliance upon the “end-user exceptions” to the mandatory execution and clearing requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulations. The Committee may review and approve swap transactions submitted to it by management on (a) an individual transaction basis or (b) a blanket basis, with respect to all non-cleared swaps that are exempt from the federal clearing and trade execution requirements, which approval must be reviewed at least annually.

 

36. Periodically review, at least on an annual basis, or more often (particularly in the event of a material change in hedging strategy) and approve the Company’s policies for the use of swaps that are entered into in reliance upon the end-user exceptions.

 

Other

 

37. Prepare the disclosure required by Item 407(d)(3)(i) of Regulation S-K.

 

8

 

 

38. Report its activities to the Board on a regular basis and to make such recommendations with respect to the matters described above and other matters as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate.

 

39. Perform an annual self-evaluation of the Committee’s performance and annually review and reassess the adequacy of and, if appropriate, propose to the Board, any desired changes in, this Charter, all to supplement the oversight authority by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with respect to such matters.

 

40. The Committee shall have such further responsibilities as are given to it from time to time by the Board. The Committee shall consult, on an ongoing basis, with management, the independent accountants and counsel as to legal or regulatory developments affecting its responsibilities, as well as relevant tax, accounting and industry developments.

 

The foregoing list of duties is not exhaustive, and the Committee may, in addition, perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate for the performance of its duties.

 

V.Additional resources.

 

The Committee shall have the right to use reasonable amounts of time of the Company’s independent accountants, outside lawyers and other internal staff and also shall have the right to hire independent experts, lawyers and other consultants to assist and advise the Committee in connection with its responsibilities. The Committee shall also be given the resources, as determined by the Committee, for payment of (i) compensation to any registered independent public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, (ii) compensation to any independent experts, lawyers and other consultants hired to assist and advise the Committee in connection with its responsibilities, and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. The Committee shall keep the Company’s Chief Financial Officer advised as to the general range of anticipated expenses for outside consultants, and shall obtain the concurrence of the Board in advance for any expenditures.

 

VI.Amendments.

 

Any amendments to this Charter must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Company’s Board, including a majority of independent directors.

 

VII.Disclosure of charter.

 

This Charter will be made available on the Company’s website at “https://www.lqrhouse.com.”

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors on February 13, 2023.

 

 

9

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

LQR HOUSE INC.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

I.Purpose.

 

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) is established by the Board of Directors (the “Board) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”). The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities related to the Company’s compensation structure and compensation, including equity compensation, and other remunerations paid by the Company.

 

The Committee has overall responsibility for (i) reviewing and approving the remuneration of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and any other executive officers that serve in executive officer capacities for the Company, (ii) evaluating and making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation of the directors of the Company; (iii) evaluating and making recommendations to the Board regarding equity-based and incentive-compensation plans, policies and programs that are subject to Board approval; and (iv) the fulfillment of the other responsibilities set out herein.

 

II.Membership, Structure and Qualifications.

 

Membership and Structure. The Committee shall consist of three (3) or more independent directors. The Committee members shall be elected annually by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, for terms of one (1) year, or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

 

Qualifications. All Committee members shall meet all applicable independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and any successor thereto (“Nasdaq”) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In addition, each member of the Committee also shall satisfy all requirements necessary from time to time to be “non-employee directors” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Chairman. Unless the Chairman of the Committee (the “Chairman) is elected by the full Board, the Committee members may designate a Chairman consistent with any recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Resignation, Removal and Replacement. Any director may resign from the Committee at any time upon notice of such resignation to the Company. An independent director who ceases to be independent under Nasdaq requirements shall promptly resign to the extent required for the Company to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Board shall have the power at any time to remove a member of the Committee with or without cause, to fill all vacancies, and to designate alternate members, upon the recommendation of the Committee, to replace any absent or disqualified members, so long as the Committee shall at all times have at least three (3) members and be composed solely of independent board members.

 

III.Meetings and Other Actions.

 

All meetings of and other actions by the Committee shall be held and taken pursuant to the bylaws of the Company (as may be amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”), including provisions governing notice of meetings and waiver thereof, the number of Committee members required to take action at meetings and by written consent, and other related matters. The Committee may invite any director who is not a member of the Committee, management, counsel, representatives of service providers or other persons to attend meetings and provide information as the Committee, in its sole discretion, considers appropriate.

 

Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, the Committee shall not delegate any of its authority to any subcommittee.

 

 

 

 

IV.Goals, Responsibilities and Authority.

 

The following are the general goals, responsibilities and authority of the Committee and are set forth only for its guidance. The Committee, however, may diverge from these responsibilities and/or may assume such other responsibilities as the Board may delegate from time to time and/or as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time in performing its functions in accordance with the Bylaws and other governance documents of the Company and with applicable law (it being understood that the Committee may condition its approval of any compensation on Board ratification to the extent so required to comply with applicable tax law).

 

Nothing in this Charter shall be interpreted as diminishing or derogating the duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Board. Subject to the requirements of the Bylaws, the Committee shall:

 

Executive Compensation

 

1. Review from time to time, modify if necessary, and approve the Company’s corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation and the Company’s executive compensation structure and compensation range to ensure that it is designed to achieve the objectives of rewarding the Company’s executive officers appropriately for their contributions to corporate growth and profitability.

 

2. Evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and, either as a Committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the Board), determine and approve the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation based on this evaluation. The Chief Executive Officer may not be present during voting or deliberations on his or her compensation.

 

3. Upon the engagement of and annually thereafter, determine and approve the compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and any other executive officers that serve in executive officer capacities for the Company.

 

Director Compensation

 

4. Select peer groups of companies that shall be used for purposes of determining competitive director compensation packages.

 

5. Periodically evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the reimbursement of directors’ expenses, if any, for attendance of each meeting of the Board.

 

6. Periodically evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the total compensation package for directors including, without limitation, the annual retainer fee, the meeting fee, incentives, equity-based compensation and other benefits paid to directors, taking into account the compensation of directors at selected peer groups of companies. The Committee shall recommend to the Board any adjustments in director compensation that the Committee considers appropriate.

 

7. Recommend to the Board the terms and awards of any stock compensation for members of the Board.

  

2

 

 

Long-Term Incentive Plans

 

8. Approve all long-term incentive awards for the executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

9. Periodically evaluate (and approve any proposed amendments to) the terms and administration of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ annual and long-term incentive plans to assure that they are structured and administered in a manner consistent with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ goals and objectives as to participation in such plans, target annual incentive awards, corporate financial goals, actual awards paid to the executive officers of the Company’s subsidiaries, and total funds reserved for payment under the compensation plans.

 

10. Determine when it is necessary (based on advice of counsel) or otherwise desirable: (a) to modify, discontinue or supplement any such plans; or (b) to submit such amendment or adoption to a vote of the full Board and/or the Company’s stockholders to the extent required by law.

 

11. Evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the adoption of any new equity-based and incentive-compensation plan.

 

12. Oversee the administration of any equity incentive plans of the Company in accordance with their terms, construe all terms, provisions, conditions and limitations of such plan and make factual determinations required for the administration of such plans. The Committee may amend or terminate such plans at any time, subject to the terms of the plans.

 

Compensation Advisers

 

13. In its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser.

 

14. Have the direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser retained by the Committee. The Company must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of reasonable compensation to a compensation consultant, independent or legal counsel that is not independent or any other adviser retained by the Committee.

 

15. Prior to retaining or obtaining any compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser (other than in-house legal counsel), the Committee must conduct an independence assessment of such compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, including the consideration of all relevant factors to that person’s independence from management. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) the provision of other services to the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; (b) the amount of fees received from the Company by the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser, as a percentage of the total revenue of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; (c) the policies and procedures of the person that employs the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (d) any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser with a Committee member; (e) any stock of the Company owned by the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser; and (f) any business or personal relationship of the compensation consultant, legal counsel, other adviser or the person employing the adviser with an executive officer of the Company. Only after the Committee has considered the preceding independence factors, the Committee may select or receive advice from any compensation advisor they prefer, including those who are not independent. The Committee is not required to conduct any independence assessment if, pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 407, disclosure of the engagement of such compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser is not required.

 

3

 

 

Other

 

16. Fulfill any disclosure, reporting or other requirements imposed on or required of the Committee by the SEC, Nasdaq or other applicable laws, rules and regulations, as the forgoing may be amended from time to time.

 

17. Review organizational and staffing matters with respect to the Company.

 

18. Prepare the disclosure required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K.

 

19. Grant the right to receive indemnification and right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance to its disposition, to any employees in their capacity as officer, director employee or agent of the Company, any of directors the Company and any of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ executive officers to the fullest extent of the provisions of the Bylaws.

 

20. Perform an annual self-evaluation of the Committee’s performance and annually review and reassess the adequacy of and, if appropriate, propose to the Board, any desired changes in, the Committee’s Charter, all to supplement the oversight authority by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with respect to such matters.

 

21. Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee, from time to time, by the Board of the Company and/or the Chairman of the Board, or as designated in plan documents.

 

22. Make regular reports to the Board and propose any necessary action to the Board. Such reports shall provide information with respect to any delegation of authority by the Committee to the Company and its subsidiaries’ executive officers or to a third party.

 

The foregoing list of duties is not exhaustive, and the Committee may, in addition, perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate for the performance of its duties.

 

V.Additional Resources.

 

Subject to the approval of the Board, the Committee shall have the right to use reasonable amounts of time of the Company’s independent accountants, outside lawyers and other internal staff to assist and advise the Committee in connection with its responsibilities. The Committee shall keep the Company’s Chief Financial Officer informed as to the general range of anticipated expenses for outside consultants.

 

VI.Amendments.

 

Any amendments to this Charter must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Company’s Board, including a majority of independent directors.

 

VII.Disclosure of Charter.

 

This Charter will be made available on the Company’s website at “https://www.lqrhouse.com.”

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors on February 13, 2023.

 

 

4

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

LQR HOUSE INC.

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

I.Purpose.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”). The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility to assure that the Company is governed in a manner consistent with the interests of the Company’s stockholders and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, rules and orders.

 

The Committee has overall responsibility for: (i) identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the Board by reviewing nominees for election to the Board submitted by stockholders and recommending to the Board director nominees for each annual meeting of stockholders and for election to fill any vacancies on the Board, (ii) advising the Board with respect to Board organization, desired qualifications of Board members, the membership, function, operation, structure and composition of committees (including any committee authority to delegate to subcommittees), and self-evaluation and policies, (iii) advising on matters relating to corporate governance, in each case subject to the requirements of the bylaws of the Company (as may be amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”) and monitoring developments in the law and practice of corporate governance, and (iv) approving any related party transactions.

 

II.Membership, Structure and Qualifications.

 

Membership and Structure. The Committee shall consist of three (3) or more independent directors. The Committee members shall be elected annually by the Board, upon the recommendation of the Committee, for terms of one (1) year, or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

 

Qualifications. All Committee members shall meet all applicable independence requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Chairman. Unless the Chairman of the Committee (the “Chairman”) is elected by the full Board, the Committee members may designate a Chairman consistent with any recommendation of the Committee.

 

Resignation, Removal and Replacement. Any director may resign from the Committee at any time upon notice of such resignation to the Company. An independent director who ceases to be independent under Nasdaq requirements shall promptly resign to the extent required for the Company to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Board shall have the power at any time to remove a member of the Committee with or without cause, to fill all vacancies, and to designate alternate members, upon the recommendation of the Committee, to replace any absent or disqualified members, so long as the Committee shall at all times have at least three (3) members and be composed solely of independent board members.

 

III.Meetings and Other Actions.

 

All meetings of and other actions by the Committee shall be held and taken pursuant to the Bylaws, including provisions governing notice of meetings and waiver thereof, the number of Committee members required to take actions at meetings and by written consent, and other related matters. The Committee may invite any director who is not a member of the Committee, management, counsel, representatives of service providers or other persons to attend meetings and provide information as the Committee, in its sole discretion, considers appropriate.

 

 

 

Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, the Committee shall not delegate any of its authority to any subcommittee.

 

In the event that the Committee’s Chairman is unable to perform any of his or her functions or obligations hereunder, the Chairman of the Company’s Compensation Committee is hereby authorized and directed to act in the place and stead of the Chairman of this Committee and fulfill any and all functions or obligations that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Chairman of this Committee, without any further action or authorization by this Committee.

 

IV.Goals, Responsibilities and Authority.

 

The following are the general goals, responsibilities and authority of the Committee and are set forth only for its guidance. The Committee, however, may diverge from these responsibilities and/or may assume such other responsibilities as the Board may delegate from time to time and/or as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time in performing its functions in accordance with the Bylaws and other governance documents of the Company with applicable law.

 

Nothing in this Charter shall be interpreted as diminishing or derogating the duties, responsibilities or obligations of the Board. Subject to the requirements of the Bylaws, the Committee shall:

 

Nominating Directors

 

1. Evaluate periodically the desirability of and recommend to the Board any changes in the size and composition of the Board or the qualifications for Board membership.

 

2. Select and evaluate nominated directors, nominated either by the Board or the stockholders, in accordance with the general and specific considerations set forth below:

 

(a) General Considerations. The Board shall be comprised of at least enough independent directors to comply with Nasdaq requirements as well as applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (each such independent director, an “Independent Director” and collectively, the “Independent Directors”). In making its recommendations, the Committee may consider some or all of the following factors:

 

1. the candidate’s judgment, skill, experience with other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size, and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight;

 

2. the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members;

 

3. the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committee thereof;

 

4. whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, including, but not limited to, business, financial or family relationships with the Company’s management; and

 

5. the candidate’s ability to contribute to the effective management of the Company, taking into account the needs of the Company and such factors as the individual’s experience, perspective, skills and knowledge of the industries in which the Company’s subsidiaries operate.

 

2

 

 

(b) Specific Considerations. In addition to the foregoing general considerations, the Committee shall develop, reevaluate at least annually and modify as appropriate a set of specific considerations outlining the skills, experiences (whether in business or in other areas such as public service, academia or scientific communities), particular areas of expertise, specific backgrounds, and other characteristics for which there is a specific need on the Board and which would enhance the effectiveness of the Board and its committees given its current composition.

 

3. Evaluate each new director candidate and each incumbent director before recommending that the Board nominate or re-nominate such individual for election or reelection (or that the Board elect such individual on an interim basis) as a director based upon the extent to which such individual satisfies the general criteria above and will contribute significantly to satisfying the overall mix of specific criteria identified above. Each annual decision to re-nominate an incumbent director should be based upon a careful consideration of such individual’s contributions, including the value of his or her experience as a director of the Company, the availability of new director candidates who may offer unique contributions and the Company’s changing needs.

 

4. Seek to identify potential director candidates who will strengthen the Board and will contribute to the overall mix of considerations identified above. This process should include establishing procedures for soliciting and reviewing potential nominees from directors and stockholders and for notifying those who suggest nominees of the outcome of such review. The Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any third-party search firms to be used to identify director candidates, including sole authority to approve any such search firm’s fees and other terms of retention.

 

5. Submit to the Board the candidates for director to be recommended by the Board for election at each annual meeting of stockholders and to be added to the Board at any other times due to any expansion of the Board, director resignations or retirements or otherwise.

 

6. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, following determination by the Board that such vacancy shall be filled, identify candidates for director qualified to fill such vacancy that satisfies the general criteria above.

 

Board of Directors

 

7. Monitor performance of the Board and its individual members based upon the general criteria and the specific criteria applicable to the Board and each of its members. If any serious issues are identified with any director, work with such director to resolve such issues or, if necessary, seek such director’s resignation or recommend to the Board such person’s removal.

 

8. Review director compensation process, self-evaluation and policies.

 

9. Develop and periodically evaluate initial orientation guidelines and continuing education guidelines for each member of the Board and each member of each committee thereof regarding his or her responsibilities as a director generally and as a member of any applicable committee of the Board, and monitor and evaluate annually (and at any additional time a new member joins the Board or any committee thereof).

 

Board Committees

 

10. Review and evaluate at least annually the adequacy of the Committee’s own performance and Charter and provide a report on such evaluation and recommended proposed changes to the Charter to the Board.

 

3

 

 

11. Evaluate at least annually the performance, authority, operations, charter and composition of each standing or ad hoc committee of the Board (including any authority of a committee to delegate to a subcommittee) and the performance of each committee member and recommend any changes considered appropriate in the authority, operations, charter, number or membership of each committee.

 

12. Submit to the Board annually (and at any additional times that any committee members are to be selected) recommendations regarding candidates for membership on each committee of the Board.

 

Evaluation of and Succession Planning for Executive Officers

 

13. Assist the Board in evaluating the performance of and other factors relating to the retention of executive officers.

 

14. Develop and periodically review and revise as appropriate a management succession plan and related procedures. Consider and recommend to the Board candidates for successor to executive officers.

 

Corporate Governance

 

15. Develop, monitor and make recommendations to the Board on matters of Company policies and practices relating to corporate governance, including the Company’s corporate governance guidelines.

 

16. Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding proposals of stockholders that relate to corporate governance.

 

17. Oversee the evaluation of the Board.

 

18. Review and approve any related party transactions.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

19. Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee, from time to time, by the Board and/or the Chairman of the Board, or as designated in the Bylaws.

 

The forgoing list of duties is not exhaustive, and the Committee may, in addition, perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate for the performance of its duties.

 

V.Additional Resources.

 

Subject to the approval of the Board, the Committee shall have the right to use reasonable amounts of time of the Company’s independent accountants, outside lawyers and other internal staff and also shall have the right to hire independent experts, lawyers and other consultants to assist and advise the Committee in connection with its responsibilities. The Committee shall keep the Company’s Chief Financial Officer informed as to the general range of anticipated expenses for outside consultants, and shall obtain the approval of the Board in advance for any expenditures.

 

VI.Amendments.

 

Any amendments to this Charter must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Company’s Board, including a majority of independent directors.

 

VII.Disclosure of Charter.

 

This Charter will be made available on the Company’s website at “https://www.lqrhouse.com.”

 

Adopted by the Board of Directors on February 13, 2023.

 

4

Exhibit 99.4

 

Consent of Director Nominee

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 of Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”), the undersigned hereby consents to being named and described as a director nominee in the Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to any prospectus included in such Registration Statement, any amendment to such Registration Statement or any subsequent Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and to the filing or attachment of this consent with such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent as of June 2, 2023.

 

 

/s/ Guy Dollinger

  Name:  Guy Dollinger

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

Consent of Director Nominee

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 of Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”), the undersigned hereby consents to being named and described as a director nominee in the Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to any prospectus included in such Registration Statement, any amendment to such Registration Statement or any subsequent Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and to the filing or attachment of this consent with such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent as of June 2, 2023.

 

 

/s/ Holiday Russell

  Name: Holiday Russell

 

Exhibit 99.6

 

Consent of Director Nominee

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 of Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”), the undersigned hereby consents to being named and described as a director nominee in the Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to any prospectus included in such Registration Statement, any amendment to such Registration Statement or any subsequent Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and to the filing or attachment of this consent with such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent as of June 2, 2023.

 

 

/s/ James Huber

  Name: James Huber

 

Exhibit 99.7

 

Consent of Director Nominee

 

LQR House Inc.

 

Pursuant to Rule 438 of Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) of LQR House Inc. (the “Company”), the undersigned hereby consents to being named and described as a director nominee in the Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement to any prospectus included in such Registration Statement, any amendment to such Registration Statement or any subsequent Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and to the filing or attachment of this consent with such Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this consent as of June 2, 2023.

 

 

/s/ James O’Brien

  Name: James O’Brien

 

Exhibit 107

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

 

FORM S-1
(Form Type)

 

LQR House Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

   Security Type (1)  Security
Class
Title
  Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward Rule
   Amount
Registered (1)
   Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
Per Unit
   Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price (2)
   Fee Rate   Amount of
Registration
Fee (6)
 
                                     
Fees to Be Paid  Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to be sold by the Registrant (3)  Equity   457(a)    1,150,000   $6.00   $6,900,000    0.00011020   $760.38 
Fees to Be Paid  Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to be sold by the Selling Stockholders (4)  Equity   457(a)   5,381,668   $6.00   $32,290,008    0.00011020   $3,558.36 
   Representative’s Warrant (5)  Equity   457(g)   -    -    -    -    - 
Fees to Be Paid  Common Stock underlying Representative’s Warrant (6)  Equity   457(g)   57,500   $6.00   $345,000    0.00011020   $38.02 
                                     
   Total Offering Amounts                    $39,535,008        $4,356.76 
   Total Fees Previously Paid                              $0.00 
   Total Fee Offsets                              $0.00 
   Net Fee Due (7)                              $4,356.76 

 

(1)Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, there is also being registered hereby such indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock of the registrant (“Common Stock”) as may be issued or issuable because of stock splits, stock dividends, stock distributions, and similar transactions.

 

(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

(3)

Includes 150,000 shares of Common Stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase pursuant to their over-allotment option, if any.

 

(4)

The registration statement also covers the resale by selling stockholders of the registrant of up to 5,381,668 shares of Common Stock previously issued to the selling stockholders as named in the registration statement. Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act.

 

(5)

No additional registration fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.

 

(6)

The Representative’s Warrant is exercisable into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 5% of the number of shares of Common Stock sold in this offering, all at an exercise price equal to the public offering price per share of Common Stock sold in this offering.

  
(7)

Registration fee will be paid when this Registration Statement is publicly filed with the SEC under Section 6(b) of Securities Act.