As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 2022
Registration No. 333-266965
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
FORM
F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Australia | 2080 | Not applicable | ||||||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
29 Anvil Road
Seven Hills, NSW 2147
Australia
Tel: +61 (02) 9620 4574
Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 31th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 930-9700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all correspondence to:
Darrin Ocasio, Esq. Glenn Burlingame, Esq. Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 31th Floor New York, NY 10036 Tel: (212) 930-9700 Fax: (212) 930 9725 |
Ross Carmel, Esq. Jeffrey P. Wofford, Esq. Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP 55 W. 39th Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10018 Tel: (212) 658-0458 Fax: (646) 838-1314 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
1
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☒ |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act ☐
The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.
2
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION | DATED SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 |
[_____] Units
Each Unit Consisting of
[_____] Ordinary Share and [_____] Warrant
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
This is an initial public offering of [ ] units (“units”) of Innovation Beverage Group Limited. Each unit consists of [ ] ordinary share and [ ] tradeable warrant (each a “warrant,” collectively, “warrants”) Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or warrants. We anticipate that the initial public offering price of our units will be between $[ ] and $[ ] per unit. The units have no stand-alone rights and will not be certificated or issued as stand-alone securities. The ordinary shares and the warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately in this offering. Each warrant offered as part of this offering is immediately exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance.
We have applied to list the ordinary shares under the symbol “IBG” and will apply to list our warrants under the symbol “IBGW” on The Nasdaq Capital Market. No assurance can be given that our application will be approved or that a trading market will develop. The offering will not proceed unless our ordinary shares and our warrants are accepted for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
We are both an “emerging growth company” and a “foreign private issuer” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws and, as such, may elect to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this and future filings. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company” and “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer.”
An investment in our securities is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk and should be considered only by persons who can afford the loss of their entire investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page [●] of this prospectus.
Per Unit | Total
Without Over-Allotment Option | Total
With Over-Allotment Option | ||||||||||
Initial public offering price | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | $ | $ |
3
(1) | We have also agreed to pay a non-accountable expense allowance to EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”) as representative of the underwriters, of one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds received in this offering and to reimburse the underwriters for other out-of-pocket expenses related to the offering. In addition, EF Hutton will receive warrants to purchase up to a total of [ ] ordinary shares (equal to five percent (5%) of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold in this offering) and exercisable at a price per share equal to 120% of the offering price (the “Underwriter’s Warrants”), which are also being registered under this registration statement. For a description of compensation to be received by the underwriters, see “Underwriting.” |
We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for forty-five (45) days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional [ ] ordinary shares and/or up to an additional [ ] warrants to cover over-allotments. For a description of the other compensation to be received by the underwriters, see “Underwriting.”
The underwriters expect to deliver the units against payment in U.S. dollars on or about [ ], 2022.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Sole Book Running Manager
EF HUTTON,
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
The date of this prospectus is [ ], 2022
4
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
6
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we, nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, or any free writing prospectus, as the case may be, or any sale of ordinary shares in our company.
For investors outside the United States: Neither we, nor the underwriters, have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ordinary shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
Innovation Beverage Group Limited was incorporated in Australia on April 20, 2018, as “Australian Boutique Spirits PTY LTD” and on May 2, 2022, the name changed to “Innovation Beverage Group PTY Limited”. Subsequently, on June 11, 2022, the company’s converted from a proprietary company to a public limited company and is now named “Innovation Beverage Group Limited.” Except where indicated or where the context otherwise requires, the terms “Innovation Beverage Group,” “IBG,” “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” and “our business” refer to Innovation Beverage Group Limited, an Australian public limited company together with its subsidiaries.
All references to “shares” in this prospectus refer to ordinary shares of Innovation Beverage Group Limited, no par value per share.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
This prospectus includes statistical, market and industry data and forecasts which we obtained from publicly available information and independent industry publications and reports that we believe to be reliable sources. These publicly available industry publications and reports generally state that they obtain their information from sources that they believe to be reliable. Although we are responsible for all of the disclosures contained in this prospectus, including such statistical, market and industry data, we have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. In addition, while we believe the market opportunity information included in this prospectus is generally reliable and is based on reasonable assumptions, such data involves risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors.”
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our functional currency and reporting currency are in U.S. dollars. This prospectus contains consolidated financial statements presented in U.S. dollars, which were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Our fiscal year ends on December 31 of each year. Certain figures included in this prospectus have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
Unless otherwise noted, (i) all industry and market data in this prospectus is presented in U.S. dollars, (ii) all financial and other data related to Innovation Beverage Group Limited in this prospectus is presented in U.S. dollars, (iii) all references to “$” or “USD” in this prospectus (other than in our financial statements) refer to U.S. dollars, and (iv) all references to “AUD$” or “AUD” in this prospectus refer to Australian dollars.
TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES
We own or have rights to trademarks, service marks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate name, logos and website names. Other trademarks, service marks and trade names that may appear in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are listed without the ® and ™ symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks, service marks and trade names.
7
This summary highlights information that we present more fully in the rest of this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before buying units in this offering. This summary contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, assumptions or future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “could,” and similar expressions denoting uncertainty or an action that may, will or is expected to occur in the future. These statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section and the financial statements and the notes to those statements.
Company History and Development
Innovation Beverage Group Limited was incorporated in Australia on April 20, 2018 as “Australian Boutique Spirits PTY LTD” and changed its name on May 2, 2022 to “Innovation Beverage Group PTY Limited”. Subsequently, on June 11, 2022, the company converted from a proprietary company to a public limited company. Our registered office is located at 29 Anvil Road, Seven Hills, NSW 2147, Australia. Our main telephone number is +61 (02) 9620 4574. Since its beginning in 2018 as Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd, IBG has been a committed innovator within the beverage industry.
Innovation Beverage Group Limited (“IBG”) has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bevmart USA LLC and Reg Liquors LLC d/b/a Wired for Wine. On July 13, 2021, IBG formed Bevmart USA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and on July 8, 2022, we changed the name to IBG USA LLC. Subsequently, on November 3, 2021, IBG acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Reg Liquors LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company formed on August 16, 2016. The following chart illustrates our structure both at the time of this prospectus and after the offering.
Overview
We are a developer, manufacturer, marketer, exporter and retailer of a growing beverage portfolio of 60 formulations across 13 alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands for which we own exclusive manufacturing rights. Our focus is on premium and super premium brands.
IBG USA LLC (“IBG USA”) was formed for the purpose of importing, producing via co-packers, marketing and wholesaling Innovation Beverage Group Limited owned portfolio of brands in the United States. IBG USA has not conducted any of these activities as of yet but plans to in the near future.
Reg Liquors LLC d/b/a Wired For Wine is an e-commerce retailer of wines and spirits, and it operates its own marketplaces,
Our flagship Australian Bitters Company (ABC) brand accounted for approximately 75% of our revenues in 2021. We also sell BitterTales, a brand to which we have the exclusive right to manufacture for distribution in the United States. The Bitters category is expected to return to growth from 2021 onwards, especially Cocktail Bitters, as restrictions ease and consumer trends around home cocktailing, desire for more natural ingredients and bitter flavors increases.
Our goal is to increase our market share in the $600 million global market for bitters. Our partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (NASDAQ:CCEP), one of the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottlers, to exclusively manufacture ABC bitters for distribution in Australia is a key component of this strategy. We retain distribution rights for ABC bitters outside Australia and are actively negotiating new distribution arrangements for new markets.
Our direct-to-consumer (DTC) distribution channel is a network of eCommerce platforms: www.bevmart.com.au, www.bevmart.com, www.wiredforwine.com, and www.drummerboy.com. We launched BevMart.com.au in Australia in May 2021 and BevMart.com in the U.S. in February 2022. In November 2021, we acquired the U.S.-based www.wiredforwine.com. Our Drummerboy brand will be offered through its own DTC website. We offer our brands, as well as other brands, through our four (4) eCommerce platforms.
We are introducing a new non-alcoholic spirit brand called Drummerboy, our first entry into the growing non-alcoholic beverage market. No-and-Low Alcohol products are becoming increasingly accepted as a lifestyle and societal norm, making it more accessible and approachable for consumers. The market value of no/low alcohol in key global markets in 2021 was just under USD$10 billion, up from USD$7.8 billion in 2018.[2] With a direct to consumer (DTC) retail price per bottle of AUD$50 (approximately USD$35) and via manufacturing efficiencies through in-house manufacturing, we anticipate a margin in excess of 80% gross profit when selling Drummerboy through its own www.drummerboy.com website in a DTC sale.
[2] IWSR, No- and Low-Alcohol in Key Global Markets Reaches Almost US$10 Billion in Value (Last accessed April 26, 2022).
8
Through efficiencies of managing www.bevmart.com, www.bevmart.com.au, and www.wiredforwine.com and having our own back end fulfilment warehouses and key relationships with logistics partnerships launch of www.drummerboy.com in both Australia and the U.S. via our own DTC system will lead to immediate scale opportunities.
We have launched Twisted Shaker, our first entry in the bottled cocktail market, in Australia. The pre-batched cocktail market grew significantly during the beginning of the COVID pandemic with consumers loving the convenience and cost efficiency of this type of product. Twisted Shaker cocktails are full-strength, high-quality bottled cocktails. We expect to launch new bottled cocktail brands in the U.S. in July 2022.
Our Company conducts business with and has entered into material agreements with Sway Energy Corp. (“Sway”). Our Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of our board of directors is Sahil Beri, who is the brother of Amit Beri, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Sway Energy Corp. This family relationship presents a potential conflict of interest between the companies. On July 31, 2021, the Company (formerly known as Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) and Sway (formerly known as Elegance Brand, Inc.) entered into a Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement, as amended on March 10, 2021 and June 14, 2021 (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”). Pursuant to the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company for USD$2,000,000, which may be exercised within 90 days following the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by the Company for Cause as provided therein. In the event that Sway exercises its purchase option, Sway would come to own the formulations of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company, and IBG would be required to obtain a license from Sway to continue manufacturing bitters under those brand names. Upon the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, two licenses granted thereunder will expire. Pursuant to said agreement, (i) IBG holds a royalty-free license to Twisted Shaker to manufacture, use and sell the product throughout the world, except the U.S., its territories and possessions; and (ii) Sway holds a royalty-free license to use the intellectual property rights associated with VOCO to manufacture, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions. For further details about the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Material Agreements.”
Innovation Beverage Group Limited operates, under a lease agreement, a distillery and beverage manufacturing facility in Seven Hills, NSW Australia. The facility has the ability to macerate, blend, import bulk spirits, distill a variety of spirits and bottle or can products. The following products are currently manufactured in this facility:
● | Australian Bitters Company | |
● | BitterTales | |
● | Coventry Estate Gin | |
● | Cheeky Vodka | |
● | Twisted Shaker Cocktails | |
● | Geo Liqueurs | |
● | Cheeky Espresso Martini |
Our facility is FDA-certified, kosher compliant in Australia and meets CCEP’s stringent standards. We believe that we currently have the capacity to increase production tenfold with minimal capital expenditures. We also plan to engage third-party manufacturers, as appropriate, to achieve cost savings and logistical efficiencies.
Growth Strategy
Our growth strategy is focused on:
● | continuing to invest in development of new formulations and brands; |
● | invest in strategic marketing initiatives to build our portfolio of brands: |
● | invest in global distribution expansion: |
● | strengthening relationships with existing distributors and entering into partnerships with new distributors to expand global distribution network; |
● | expanding our production volume by utilizing unused production capacity in our Australian manufacturing facility; |
● | increasing our DTC capabilities through our existing marketplaces and acquiring additional marketplaces in the future; and |
● | developing our employees to enhance performance in the marketplace. |
We have remained committed to executing this strategy, and as a result have realized its impact on each segment of our business.
Competitive Advantages
Our Company has vertically integrated manufacturing, import, sales and marketing company with a focus on direct-to-consumer sales enabling complete capture of the value chain. Our eCommerce and product team consists of members with extensive beverage industry experience garnered at some of the world’s largest alcohol companies, such as Endeavour Drinks Group (Australia’s largest liquor online and brick-and-mortar retail group), Treasury Wine Estates (Australia’s largest wine company and one of the world’s largest wine companies) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (the world’s largest brewer).
9
Cost Advantages
IBG’s product portfolio is focused on bitters, light spirits and non-alcoholic spirits, which have short manufacturing times. As a result, IBG is more capital efficient as compared to dark spirit manufacturers (e.g. whisky, brandy, etc.), which often require aging in barrels for years before being sold.
Management Team
Our senior management team is led by Dean Huge, our chief executive officer. Mr. Huge joined us on February 22, 2022.
During his 35-year career as a high-impact, hands-on finance executive, Dean Huge has built a track record of growing profitable operations and implementing successful turnarounds as CEO, CFO, Director, and Treasurer at public and private companies in industries including beverage, financial services, manufacturing, distribution, and SAAS. Most recently, Mr. Huge was CFO of Splash Beverage Group (NYSE American:SBEV) where within five years he led the company from start-up to a NYSE uplisting, raising $24 million.
Emerging Growth Company Status
As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last two fiscal periods (the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021), we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012, and may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:
● | being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our SEC filings; | |
● | not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; | |
● | reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and | |
● | exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, if certain events occur before the end of such five-year period, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion or we issue more than $1.00 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company before the end of such five-year period.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards and acknowledge such election is irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.
10
Foreign Private Issuer Status
We are a “foreign private issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act and Rule 3b-4(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As a result, we are not subject to the same requirements as U.S. domestic issuers. Under the Exchange Act, we will be subject to reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. For example, we will not be required to issue quarterly reports or proxy statements. We will not be required to disclose detailed individual executive compensation information. Furthermore, our directors and executive officers will not be required to report equity holdings under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and will not be subject to the insider short-swing profit disclosure and recovery regime.
As an exempted Australian company to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be subject to the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance listing standards. However, the Nasdaq Stock Market rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in Australia, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq Stock Market corporate governance listing standards. For instance, we are not required to:
● | have a majority of the board to be independent (although all of the members of the audit committee must be independent under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act”); | |
● | have a compensation committee or a nominating or corporate governance committee consisting entirely of independent directors; | |
● | have regularly scheduled executive sessions for non-management directors; and | |
● | have annual meetings and director elections. |
Currently, as an Australian company, we intend to rely on home country practice with respect to our corporate governance.
Risk Factor Summary
We are subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and prospects. You should carefully consider these risks, including the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares. Risks relating to our business include, among others:
● | Potential decline in consumption of products we sell due to consumer preference and taste; |
● | Changes in consumer preferences and category trends; |
● | Shifts in health concerns and legislative initiatives against sweetened beverages; |
● | Inability to successfully consummate or integrate acquisitions or divestitures; |
● | Issues surrounding retention of our management team and workforce; |
● | Inability to secure additional capital and achieve adequate liquidity to grow, compete, and continue on; |
● | Reliance on distributors, retailers, and brokers could affect our ability to efficiently and profitably distribute and market our products, maintain our existing markets and expand our business; |
● | If a change of control is effected, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners could potentially terminate their agreement with us; |
● | Issues predicting the timing, amount of our sales, and inventory stock; |
● | Disruptions in the relationship with our key flavor suppliers; |
● | Loss or damage to goods in transit and other possible product contamination and liabilities; |
● | Disruptions to the shipping industry; |
● | Failure or issues with protecting our intellectual property; |
● | The competitive nature of the industry in which we operate; |
● | Market shortages and volatility surrounding raw materials necessary to manufacture our products;; |
● | Factors that may affect consumer discretionary spending; |
● | Disruptions in supply and distribution chains; |
● | Economic, political, and other global uncertainties leading to capital market disruptions; |
● | Failure of our products to secure and maintain listings in the control states in the U.S.; |
● | Cybersecurity issues; |
● | Issues with industry regulation compliance; |
● | Risks inherent with sales of products in international markets; |
● | The exercise of warrants would result in dilution to our shareholders; |
● | Inability to secure additional capital and achieve adequate liquidity to grow, compete, and continue on; and |
● | Our emerging growth company status could make our stock less attractive to investors. |
11
Securities offered | [ ] units, each unit consisting of one ordinary share and [ ] warrant to purchase [ ] ordinary shares for an assumed exercise price of $[ ] per share ([ ]% of the assumed $[ ] offering price per unit). The warrants are exercisable from the date of issuance until the fifth anniversary of such date. The actual number of units we will offer will be determined based on the actual offering price. The units will not be certificated or issued in stand-alone form. The ordinary shares and the warrants are immediately separable upon issuance and will be issued separately in this offering. For details about the terms of the warrants, see the section of this prospectus “Description of Share Capital and Constitution.” | |
Over-allotment Option to purchase additional units from us |
We have granted the underwriters forty-five (45) days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional [ ] units on the same terms as the other units being purchased by the underwriters from us. | |
Ordinary shares outstanding before this offering | [ ] ordinary shares. | |
Ordinary shares outstanding after this offering | [ ] ordinary shares (excluding ordinary shares underlying the warrants). | |
Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the proceeds from this offering to pay, in connection with the acquisition of Reg Liquors LLC d/b/a/ Wired for Wine, USD$600,000 to the seller, for working capital and general corporate purposes, including operating expenses. Additionally, we may use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary products or assets. However, we have no current plans, commitments or obligations to do so. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information. | |
Underwriter | EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | |
Underwriter’s Warrants | We have agreed to issue to EF Hutton warrants to purchase up to a total of [ ] ordinary shares (equal to five percent (5%) of the aggregate number of ordinary shares sold in this offering), which are exercisable at a price per share of [ ] (equal to 120% of the offering price). | |
Lockup Agreements | Our executive officers, directors, and shareholders holding five percent (5%) or more of our ordinary shares prior to the offering, collectively, have agreed with the underwriters not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days following the closing of this offering. | |
Nasdaq Trading symbol | We have applied for listing of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IBG.” The offering will not proceed unless the Company is accepted for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. | |
Risk Factors | Investing in these securities 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 of this prospectus before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares. |
12
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables summarize our historical financial data. The summary consolidated statements of operation for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 and the summary consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary financial data should be read in conjunction with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future.
The following table presents our summary consolidated statements of operation for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
For the year ended December 31, 2021 (US$) | For the year ended December 31, 2020 (US$) | |||||||
Revenue, net | $ | 3,748,281 | $ | 2,181,754 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 1,255,877 | 441,710 | ||||||
Gross profit | 2,492,404 | 1,740,044 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Other general and administrative | 910,319 | 354,713 | ||||||
Salary and wages | 800,186 | 492,189 | ||||||
Sales and marketing | 424,992 | 24,438 | ||||||
Contracted services | 302,740 | 183,416 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 2,438,237 | 1,054,756 | ||||||
Income from operations | 54,167 | 685,288 | ||||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||
Other income (expenses) | (5,775 | ) | 109,812 | |||||
Interest income | 72,446 | 36,877 | ||||||
Interest expense | (32,549 | ) | (6,145 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expenses) | 34,122 | 140,544 | ||||||
Income before taxes | 88,289 | 825,832 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 56,526 | 230,066 | ||||||
Net income | 31,763 | 595,766 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (147,514 | ) | 82,824 | |||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (115,751 | ) | $ | 678,590 | |||
Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.07 | $ | 992.94 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 448,002 | 600 |
13
The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
As of December 31, 2021 (US$) |
As of December 31, 2020 (US$) | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,559,172 | $ | 403,486 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 995,666 | 15,036 | ||||||
Inventory, at cost | 1,070,275 | 428,449 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 180,133 | 11,564 | ||||||
Total current assets | 3,805,246 | 858,535 | ||||||
Deposits | 36,762 | 39,021 | ||||||
Finance right of use asset | 29,621 | 50,880 | ||||||
Operating right of use asset | 330,759 | 423,849 | ||||||
Due from related parties | 697,127 | 1,884,577 | ||||||
Equipment, net | 189,272 | 163,164 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 421,565 | — | ||||||
Goodwill | 951,802 | — | ||||||
Deferred tax asset | 50,895 | 34,986 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 6,513,049 | $ | 3,455,012 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 1,505,899 | $ | 1,219,662 | ||||
Deferred revenue | 170,832 | — | ||||||
Notes payable | 708,063 | 197,777 | ||||||
Current portion of finance lease liability | 23,631 | 32,489 | ||||||
Current portion of operating lease liability | 143,015 | 118,267 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 2,551,440 | 1,568,195 | ||||||
Accrued employee benefits, non-current | 18,237 | 12,001 | ||||||
Finance lease liability, less current portion | 5,593 | 26,545 | ||||||
Operating lease liability, less current portion | 243,186 | 383,903 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 2,818,456 | 1,990,644 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
Ordinary shares, no par value; no authorization limited; 1,794,251 and 600 ordinary shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively | 3,942,069 | 420 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (44,441 | ) | 103,073 | |||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | (203,035 | ) | 1,360,875 | |||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 3,694,593 | 1,464,368 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 6,513,049 | $ | 3,455,012 |
14
Investing in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, before you decide to purchase our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected, the value of our ordinary shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks described below. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Potential decline in the consumption of products we sell due to consumer preference and taste could have a negative impact on our sales, operations, and business.
Our business depends upon consumers’ consumption of our beverage brands. Consumer preferences and tastes may shift due to, among other reasons, changing taste preferences, demographics, or perceived value. Consequently, any material shift in consumer preferences and taste in our major markets away from our beverage brands, or from the categories in which they compete could have a negative impact on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations. Consumer preferences may shift due to a variety of factors, including changes in demographic or social trends, public health policies may be put into effect to deal with the spread of COVID-19, and changes in leisure, dining, and beverage consumption patterns. 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 or geopolitical conditions; | |
● | concern about the health consequences of consuming beverage alcohol products and about drinking and driving; | |
● | a general decline in the consumption of beverage alcohol products in on-premise establishments, which may result from stricter laws relating to driving while under the influence of alcohol; | |
● | the increased activity of anti-alcohol groups; | |
● | increased federal, state, provincial, and foreign excise, or other taxes on beverage alcohol products and possible restrictions on beverage alcohol advertising and marketing; | |
● | increased regulation placing restrictions on the purchase or consumption of beverage alcohol products or increasing prices due to the imposition of duties or excise tax or changes to international trade agreements or tariffs; | |
● | inflation; and | |
● | wars, health epidemics or pandemics, quarantines, weather, and natural or man-made disasters. |
Demand for our products may be adversely affected by changes in category trends and consumer preferences.
Consumer preferences for our beverage brands change continually. Our success depends on our ability to predict, identify and interpret the tastes and habits of consumers and to offer products that appeal to those preferences.
If we do not succeed in offering products that appeal to consumers, our sales and market share will decrease, and our profitability could suffer. We must be able to distinguish among short-term fads, mid-term trends, and long-term changes in consumer preferences. If we are unable to accurately predict which shifts in consumer preferences will be long-term, or if we fail to introduce new and improved products to satisfy those preferences, our sales could decline. In addition, because of our varied consumer base, we must offer a sufficient array of products to satisfy the broad spectrum of consumer preferences. If we fail to expand our product offerings successfully across product categories or if we do not rapidly develop products in faster growing and more profitable categories, demand for our products will decrease and our profitability could suffer.
15
We may experience a reduced demand for some of our products due to health concerns (including obesity) and legislative initiatives against sweetened beverages.
Consumers are concerned about health and wellness; public health officials and government officials are increasingly vocal about obesity and its consequences. There has been a trend among some public health advocates and dietary guidelines to recommend a reduction in sweetened beverages, as well as increased public scrutiny, new taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (as described below), and additional governmental regulations concerning the marketing and labeling/packing of the beverage industry. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, increasing public concern with respect to sweetened beverages could reduce demand for our beverages and increase desire for more low-calorie soft drinks, water, enhanced water, coffee-flavored beverages, tea, and beverages with natural sweeteners. We are continuously working to reduce calories and sugar in our products while launching new products, to pair with existing brand extensions that round out our diversified portfolio.
We may not be able to consummate proposed acquisitions or divestitures successfully or integrate acquired businesses successfully.
From time to time, we acquire businesses, assets, or securities of companies that we believe will provide a strategic fit with our business. We integrate acquired businesses with our existing operations; our overall internal control over financial reporting processes; and our financial, operations, and information systems. If the financial performance of our business, as supplemented by the assets and businesses acquired, does not meet our expectations, it may make it more difficult for us to service our debt obligations and our results of operations may fail to meet market expectations. We may not effectively assimilate the business or product offerings of acquired companies into our business or within the anticipated costs or timeframes, retain key customers and suppliers or key employees of acquired businesses, or successfully implement our business plan for the combined business. In addition, our final determinations and appraisals of the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our acquisitions may vary materially from earlier estimates, and we may fail to realize fully anticipated cost savings, growth opportunities, or other potential synergies. We cannot assure that the fair value of acquired businesses or investments will remain constant.
We may also divest ourselves of businesses, assets, or securities of companies that we believe no longer provide a strategic fit with our business. We may provide various indemnifications in connection with the divestiture of businesses or assets. Divestitures of portions of our business may also result in costs stranded in our remaining business. Delays in developing or implementing plans to address such costs could delay or prevent the accomplishment of our financial objectives.
In addition, our continued success depends, in part, on our ability to develop new products. The launch and ongoing success of new products are inherently uncertain, especially with respect to consumer appeal. A new product launch can give rise to a variety of costs. An unsuccessful launch, among other things, can affect consumer perception of existing brands, and our reputation. Unsuccessful implementation or short-lived popularity of our product innovations may result in inventory write-offs and other costs.
We cannot assure that we will realize the expected benefits of acquisitions, divestitures, or investments. We also cannot assure that our acquisitions, investments, or joint ventures will be profitable, that forecasts regarding our acquisitions, divestitures, or investment activities will be accurate, or that the internal control over financial reporting of entities which we must consolidate as a result of our investment activities will be as robust as the internal control over financial reporting for our wholly-owned entities. Our failure to adequately manage the risks associated with acquisitions or divestitures, or the failure of an entity in which we have an equity or membership interest, could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
16
We may not be able to retain and recruit executive management or build morale and performance amongst our workforce.
Our success depends upon the efforts and abilities of our executive management team, key senior management, and a high-quality employee base, as well as our ability to attract, motivate, reward, and retain them. If one of our executive officers or critical senior management terminates his or her employment, we may not be able to replace their expertise, fully integrate new personnel, or replicate the prior working relationships. The loss of critical employees might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives. Qualified individuals with the breadth of skills and experience in our industry that we require are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract them. Difficulties in hiring or retaining key executive or employee talent, or the unexpected loss of experienced employees could have an adverse impact on our business performance. In addition, we could experience business disruption and/or increased costs related to organizational changes, reductions in workforce, or other cost-cutting measures.
We may not be able to secure additional capital and achieve adequate liquidity to grow and compete.
We will require additional capital to operate, grow and compete, and failure to obtain such additional capital could limit our operations and our growth. We may need to raise additional funds through private or public equity and/or debt financing. We cannot assure that additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If additional capital is either unavailable or cost prohibitive, our operations and growth may be limited, and we may need to change our business strategy to slow the rate of, or eliminate, our expansion or to reduce or curtail our operations. Also, any additional financing we undertake could impose covenants upon us that restrict our operating flexibility, and, if we issue equity securities to raise capital, our existing shareholders may experience dilution and the new securities may have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of our ordinary shares.
If we are not able to successfully execute on our future operating plans and objectives, our financial condition, and results of operation may be materially adversely affected, and we may not be able to continue as a going concern.
It is important that we meet our sales goals and increase sales going forward as our operating plan already reflects prior significant cost containment measures and may make it difficult to achieve top-line growth if further significant reductions become necessary. If we do not meet our sales goals, our available cash and working capital will decrease and our financial condition will be negatively impacted.
In order to be successful, we believe that we must, among other things:
● | increase the sales volume and gross margins for our products; | |
● | maintain efficiencies in operations; | |
● | manage our operating expenses to sufficiently support operating activities; | |
● | maintain fixed costs at or near current levels; and | |
● | avoid significant increases in variable costs relating to production, marketing, and distribution. |
We may not be able to meet these objectives, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We have incurred significant operating expenses in the past and may do so again in the future and, as a result, will need to increase revenues in order to improve our results of operations. Our ability to increase sales will depend primarily on success in expanding our current markets, improving our distribution base, entering into DTC arrangements with national accounts, and introducing new brands, products or product extensions to the market. Our ability to successfully enter new distribution areas and obtain national accounts will, in turn, depend on various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the continued demand for our brands and products in target markets, the ability to price our products at competitive levels, the ability to establish and maintain relationships with distributors in each geographic area of distribution and the ability in the future to create, develop and successfully introduce one or more new brands, products, and product extensions.
17
Our reliance on distributors, retailers, and brokers could affect our ability to efficiently and profitably distribute and market our products, maintain our existing markets and expand our business into other geographic markets.
Our ability to maintain and expand our existing markets for our products, and to establish markets in new geographic distribution areas, is dependent on our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with reliable distributors, retailers, and brokers strategically positioned to serve those areas. Most of our distributors, retailers, and brokers sell and distribute competing products, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and our products may represent a small portion of their businesses. The success of this network will depend on the performance of the distributors, retailers, and brokers of this network. There is a risk that the mentioned entities may not adequately perform their functions within the network by, without limitation, failing to distribute to sufficient retailers or positioning our products in localities that may not be receptive to our product. Our ability to incentivize and motivate distributors to manage and sell our products is affected by competition from other beverage companies who have greater resources than we do. To the extent that our distributors, retailers, and brokers are distracted from selling our products or do not employ sufficient efforts in managing and selling our products, including re-stocking the retail shelves with our products, our sales and results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, such third-parties’ financial position or market share may deteriorate, which could adversely affect our distribution, marketing, and sales activities.
Our ability to maintain and expand our distribution network and attract additional distributors, retailers, and brokers will depend on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control. Some of these factors include:
● | the level of demand for our brands and products in a particular distribution area; | |
● | our ability to price our products at levels competitive with those of competing products; and | |
● | our ability to deliver products in the quantity and at the time ordered by distributors, retailers, and brokers. |
We may not be able to successfully manage all or any of these factors in any of our current or prospective geographic areas of distribution. Our inability to achieve success with regards to any of these factors in a geographic distribution area will have a material adverse effect on our relationships in that particular geographic area, thus limiting our ability to maintain or expand our market, which will likely adversely affect our revenues and financial results.
A key component of our business is our arrangement with CCEP to exclusively manufacture the bitters sold under the Australian Bitters Company brand for distribution in Australia. The disruption of this distribution strategy or the loss of this manufacturing and distribution partnership could result in a significant loss of revenue.
IBG exclusively manufactures Australian Bitters Company bitters for distribution in Australia due to our partnership with CCEP. During 2020, from a period of April to October, due to the COVID-pandemic and mass lockdowns of hospitality venues in a majority of Australia, CCEP did not make any significant purchases of product from us. In 2021, distribution and sales of our bitters under the Australian Bitters Company brand accounted for approximately 75% of our total revenue. If we fail to maintain good relations with CCEP and our agreement with CCEP were to expire or terminate, then we could incur a significant loss of revenue, which would negatively impact our results of operations.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners could potentially terminate their agreement with us in the event of a change of control.
Under our Manufacturing Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has the right to terminate the Agreement in the event of a change of control (as defined in the Agreement). The Company has been advised by Australian counsel that this offering would not constitute a change of control for purposes of the Agreement unless an entity that is a direct competitor of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in the beverage industry comes to hold, directly or indirectly, a legal or beneficial interest in any shares in the Company. There can be no assurance that Coca-Cola Europacific Partners will not determine that upon consummation of the offering or thereafter such a competitor has become a holder, directly or indirectly of a legal or beneficial interest in any shares in the Company. In addition, events may occur after the consummation of this offering that would constitute a change of control under other elements of the definition of change of control set forth in the Agreement and thus trigger Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ right to terminate the Agreement. Termination of the Agreement could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
We engage in transactions with a related party, which presents a potential conflict of interest.
Our Company conducts business with and has entered into material agreements with Sway Energy Corp. Our Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of our board of directors is Sahil Beri, who is the brother of Amit Beri, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Sway Energy Corp. This family relationship presents a potential conflict of interest between the companies. We cannot assure you that Mr. Sahil Beri’s interests will always be wholly aligned with the Company’s or that strains on such family relationship will not negatively impact our Company or our business.
The Formulations of two of our brands, Bitters Tales and Australian Bitters Company, could be acquired if a purchase option is exercised within 90 days of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement.
On July 31, 2021, the Company (formerly known as Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) and Sway (formerly known as Elegance Brand, Inc.) entered into a Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement, as amended on March 10, 2021 and June 14, 2021 (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”). Pursuant to the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company for USD$2,000,000, which may be exercised within 90 days following the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by the Company for Cause as provided therein. In the event that the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement is terminated and Sway exercises its purchase option, the rights to the bitters formulations of BitterTales and Australian Boutique Spirits would transfer to Sway and we would have to obtain a license to continue manufacturing the bitters products. We may not be able to negotiate exclusivity or favorable prices or manufacturing terms, or negotiate a license at all, which would adversely effect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations.
Upon the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, two manufacturing and distribution licenses will expire, one of which would have a negative impact on our revenue.
Upon the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, two licenses granted thereunder will expire. Pursuant to said agreement, (i) IBG holds a royalty-free license to Twisted Shaker to manufacture, use and sell the product throughout the world, except the U.S., its territories and possessions; and (ii) Sway holds a royalty-free license to use the intellectual property rights associated with VOCO to manufacture, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions. The expiration of the license to manufacture and distribute Twisted Shaker would negatively impact our revenue as it accounted for one percent (1%) of our group consolidated revenue for fiscal year 2021, whereas the expiration of Sway’s royalty-free license to manufacture and distribute VOCO would return the rights to us.
Under the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, Sway has a right to a Favored Nations Price Adjustment and if we fail to comply to provide such a pricing obligation, Sway is entitled to terminate the agreement.
Sway is entitled to a Favored Nations Price Adjustment (as described further under the section “Material Agreements”) on one occasion only during each Anniversary Year (meaning the period from August 1 through July 31) and it only applies to sales and purchases of Covered Products (as defined in the section “Material Agreements”) in the next succeeding Anniversary Year. If IBG fails to provide Sway with a Favored Nations Price Adjustment to which it may be entitled, Sway may, at its option, in addition to all of its other rights under this Agreement or at law, terminate this Agreement without liability to IBG. The termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement would adversely effect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations.
It is difficult to predict the timing and amount of our sales because our distributors are not required to place minimum orders with us.
Our independent distributors and national accounts are not required to place minimum monthly or annual orders for our products. In order to reduce their inventory costs, independent distributors typically order products from us on a “just in time” basis in quantities and at such times based on the demand for the products in a particular distribution area. Accordingly, we cannot predict the timing or quantity of purchases by any of our independent distributors or whether any of our distributors will continue to purchase products from us in the same frequencies and volumes as they may have done in the past. Additionally, our larger distributors and national partners may make orders that are larger than we have historically been required to fill. Shortages in inventory levels, supply of raw materials, or other key supplies could negatively affect us.
18
If we do not adequately manage our inventory levels, our operating results could be adversely affected.
We need to maintain adequate inventory levels to be able to deliver products to distributors on a timely basis. Our inventory supply depends on our ability to correctly estimate demand for our products. Our ability to estimate demand for our products is imprecise, particularly for new products, seasonal promotions, and new markets. If we materially underestimate demand for our products or are unable to maintain sufficient inventory of raw materials, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis. If we overestimate distributor or retailer demand for our products, we may end up with too much inventory, resulting in higher storage costs, increased trade spend, and the risk of inventory spoilage. If we fail to manage our inventory to meet demand, we could damage our relationships with our distributors and retailers and could delay or lose sales opportunities, which would unfavorably impact our future sales and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if the inventory of our products held by our distributors and retailers is too high, they will not place orders for additional products, which would also unfavorably impact our sales and adversely affect our operating results.
We rely upon our ongoing relationships with our key flavor suppliers. If we are unable to source our flavors on acceptable terms from our key suppliers, we could suffer disruptions in our business.
We currently purchase our flavor concentrate from various flavor concentrate suppliers, and continually develop other sources of flavor concentrate for each of our products. Generally, flavor suppliers hold the proprietary rights to their flavor specific ingredients. Although we have the exclusive rights to flavor concentrates developed with our current flavor concentrate suppliers, and while we have the rights to the ingredients for our products, we do not have the list of ingredients for our flavor extracts and concentrates. Consequently, we may be unable to obtain these exact flavors or concentrates from alternative suppliers on short notice. If we have to replace a flavor supplier, we could experience disruptions in our ability to deliver products to our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We highly depend upon the protection of our trademarks and proprietary rights, and failure to protect our intellectual property rights may result in our inability to continue providing certain of our existing products and beverage brands.
Our future success depends significantly on our ability to protect our current and future brands and products and to defend our intellectual property rights. We have been granted trademark registrations covering our brands and products and have filed, and expect to continue to file, trademark applications seeking to protect newly developed brands and products. We cannot be sure that trademark registrations will be issued with respect to any of our trademark applications. We could also, by omission, fail to timely renew or protect a trademark and our competitors could challenge, invalidate, or circumvent any existing or future trademarks issued.
Competition from traditional and large, well-financed non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage manufacturers may adversely affect our distribution relationships and may hinder development of our existing markets, as well as prevent us from expanding our markets.
The beverage industry is highly competitive. We compete with other beverage companies not only for consumer acceptance but also for shelf space in retail outlets and for marketing focus by our distributors, all of whom also distribute other beverage brands. Our products compete with all non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, most of which are marketed by companies with substantially greater financial resources than ours. Some of these competitors are placing severe pressure on independent distributors not to carry competitive brands such as ours. We also compete with regional beverage producers and “private label” suppliers.
Increased competitor consolidations, market-place competition, particularly among branded beverage products, and competitive product and pricing pressures could impact our earnings, market share and volume growth. If, due to such pressure or other competitive threats, we are unable to sufficiently maintain or develop our distribution channels, we may be unable to achieve our current revenue and financial targets. Competition, particularly from companies with greater financial and marketing resources than ours, could have a material adverse effect on our existing markets, as well as on our ability to expand the market for our products.
19
If we fail to protect our trademarks and trade secrets, we may be unable to successfully market our products and compete effectively.
We have an international registration of certain of our trademarks under the Madrid protocol. We also rely on a combination of trademark and trade secrecy laws, confidentiality procedures, formulation protection procedures and contractual provisions with employees and contractors to protect our intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our intellectual property could harm our brand and our reputation, and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Further, enforcing or defending our intellectual property rights, including our trademarks, copyrights, licenses, formulations and trade secrets, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We regard our intellectual property, and in particular our trademarks and trade secrets, to be of considerable value and importance to our business and our success. However, the steps taken by us to protect these proprietary rights may not be adequate and may not prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our trademarks, trade secrets, or similar proprietary rights. In addition, other parties may seek to assert infringement claims against us, and we may have to pursue litigation against other parties to assert our rights. Any such claim or litigation could be costly. In addition, any event that would jeopardize our proprietary rights or any claims of infringement by third parties could have a material adverse effect on our ability to market or sell our brands, profitably exploit our products, or recoup our associated research and development costs.
As part of the distribution strategy of our products, we grant licenses to distributors for their respective territory. Although our distribution agreements require that the use of our trademarks and designs is subject to our control and approval, any breach of these provisions, or any other action by any of our licensing partners that is harmful to our brands, goodwill and overall image, could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Supply of quality water, agricultural and other raw materials, certain raw materials, and packaging materials purchased under short-term supply contracts, and limited group of suppliers of glass bottles, may harm our supplier which may affect our production costs and cause a shortage of our product supply.
The quality and quantity of water available for use is important to the supply of our agricultural raw materials and our ability to operate our business. Water is a limited resource in many parts of the world and if climate patterns change and droughts become more severe, there may be a scarcity of water or poor water quality which may affect our production costs or impose capacity constraints. We are dependent on sufficient amounts of quality water for operation of our facilities, as well as to conduct our other operations. The suppliers of the agricultural raw materials we purchase are also dependent upon sufficient supplies of quality water for their vineyards and fields. If water available to our operations or the operations of our suppliers becomes scarce or the quality of that water deteriorates, we may incur increased production costs or face manufacturing constraints. In addition, water purification and waste treatment infrastructure limitations could increase costs or constrain operation of our production facilities. A substantial reduction in water supplies could result in material losses of grape crops and vines or other crops, which could lead to a shortage of our product supply.
Our facilities use a large volume of agricultural and other raw materials to produce their products. Our facilities all use large amounts of various packaging materials, including glass, aluminum, cardboard, and other paper products. Our production facilities also use electricity, natural gas, and diesel fuel in their operations. Certain raw materials and packaging materials are purchased under contracts of varying maturities. The supply, on-time availability and price of raw materials, packaging materials, and energy can be affected by many factors beyond our control, including market demand, global geopolitical events (especially as to their impact on crude oil prices), droughts, storms, and other weather conditions or natural or man-made events, economic factors affecting growth decisions, inflation, plant diseases, and theft.
Disruptions in our supply chains could impact our ability to continue production. To the extent any of the foregoing factors increases the costs of our finished products or lead to a shortage of our product supply, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
20
The volatility of energy and increased regulations may have an adverse impact on our gross margin.
Over the past few years, volatility in the global oil markets has resulted in variable fuel prices, which many shipping companies have passed on to their customers by way of higher base pricing and increased fuel surcharges. If fuel prices continue to increase, we expect to experience higher shipping rates and fuel surcharges, as well as energy surcharges on our raw materials. It is hard to predict what will happen in the fuel markets in the remainder of 2022 and beyond. Due to the price sensitivity of our products, we may not be able to pass such increases on to our customers.
Disruption within our supply chain or distribution channels could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our ability, through our suppliers, business partners, independent distributors, and retailers, to make, move and sell products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to our suppliers or to manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, labor strikes, or other reasons, could impair the manufacture, distribution, and sale of our products. Many of these events are outside of our control. Failure to take adequate steps to protect against or mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, or to effectively manage such events if they occur, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business operations may be interrupted and negatively affected due to economic and political uncertainties or changes associated with our international operations.
We operate facilities in Australia, which includes a distillery, and in the United States. These countries impose duties, 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. Governmental bodies may propose changes to international trade agreements, treaties, tariffs, taxes, and other government rules and regulations including but not limited to environmental treaties and regulations. Significant increases in import and excise duties or other 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. Any such tariffs, and any retaliatory tariffs may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, including our sales and profitability.
In addition, governmental agencies extensively regulate the beverage alcohol products industry concerning such matters as licensing, warehousing, trade and pricing practices, permitted and required labeling, advertising, and relations with wholesalers and retailers. Certain regulations also require warning labels and signage. New or revised regulations or increased licensing fees, requirements, or taxes could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations. Additionally, various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the marketing or sale of our products because of what our products contain or allegations that our products cause adverse health effects. If these types of requirements become applicable to one or more of our major products under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, they may inhibit sales of such products.
These uncertainties and changes, as well as the decisions, policies, and economic strength of our suppliers and distributors, could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Volatility in the price or availability of the inputs we depend on, including raw materials, packaging, energy, and labor, could adversely impact our financial results.
The principal raw materials we use include glass bottles, aluminum cans, labels, and cardboard cartons, flavorings, and sweeteners. These ingredient costs are subject to fluctuation. Substantial increases in the prices of our ingredients, raw materials, and packaging materials, to the extent that they cannot be recouped through increases in the prices of finished beverage products, would increase our operating costs and could reduce our profitability. If our supply of these raw materials is impaired or if prices increase significantly, it could affect the affordability of our products and reduce sales.
21
If we are unable to secure sufficient ingredients or raw materials including glass, sugar, and other key supplies, we might not be able to satisfy demand on a short-term basis.
Operational disruptions or catastrophic loss to our properties, other production facilities, or distribution systems could cause delays in our production.
If any of our properties, production facilities, or distribution systems were to experience a significant operational disruption or catastrophic loss, it could delay or disrupt production, shipments, and revenue, and result in potentially significant expenses to repair or replace these properties. Also, our production facilities are asset intensive. As our operations are concentrated in a limited number of production and distribution facilities, we are more likely to experience a significant operational disruption or catastrophic loss in any one location from acts of war or terrorism, fires, floods, earthquakes, severe winter storms, hurricanes, pandemics, labor strike, or other labor activities, cyber-attacks, and other attempts to penetrate our information technology systems or the information technology used by our employees who work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, unavailability of raw or packaging materials, or other natural or man-made events. If a significant operational disruption or catastrophic loss were to occur, we could breach agreements, our reputation could be harmed, and our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be adversely affected due to higher maintenance charges, unexpected capital spending, or product supply constraints.
Our insurance policies do not cover certain types of catastrophes and may not cover certain events such as pandemics. Economic conditions and uncertainties in global markets may adversely affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain property damage and business interruption insurance. If our insurance coverage is adversely affected, or to the extent we have elected to self-insure, we may be at greater risk that we may experience an adverse impact to our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Counterfeit or confusingly similar products sold by third parties could harm our brand and cause a decrease in our sales and operations.
To the extent that third parties sell products that are either counterfeit versions of our brands or brands that look like our brands, consumers of our brands could confuse our products with products that they consider inferior. This could cause them to refrain from purchasing our brands in the future and in turn could impair our brand equity and adversely affect our sales and operations.
Failure to obtain satisfactory performance from our suppliers or loss of our existing suppliers could harm our business and as a result, our operations could suffer.
We do not have long-term, written agreements with any of our suppliers. The termination of our relationships or an adverse change in the terms of these arrangements could have a negative impact on our business. If our suppliers increase their prices, we may not be able to secure alternative suppliers, and may not be able to raise the prices of our products to cover all or even a portion of the increased costs. Also, our suppliers’ failure to perform satisfactorily or handle increased orders, delays in shipments of products from suppliers or the loss of our existing suppliers, especially our key suppliers, could cause us to fail to meet orders for our products, lose sales, incur additional costs and/or expose us to product quality issues. In turn, this could cause us to lose credibility in the marketplace and damage our relationships with distributors, ultimately leading to a decline in our business and results of operations. If we are not able to renegotiate these contracts on acceptable terms or find suitable alternatives, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Failure of our U.S. distributors to distribute our products adequately within their territories could result in a decline of our operations.
In the U.S., we are required by law to use state-licensed distributors or, in 17 states known as “control states,” state-owned agencies performing this function, to sell our products to retail outlets, including liquor stores, bars, restaurants, and national chains in the United States. Our importer has established relationships for our brands with a limited number of wholesale distributors; however, failure to maintain those relationships could significantly and adversely affect our business, sales, and growth. Through our eCommerce website in the United States, www.wiredforwine.com, we distribute to approximately 44 states under a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model where such DTC shipments of wine are legally permitted.
22
Over the past decade there has been increasing consolidation, both intrastate and interstate, among distributors. As a result, many states now have only two or three significant distributors. Also, there are several distributors that now control distribution for several states. If we fail to maintain good relations with a distributor, our products could, in some instances be frozen out of one or more markets entirely. The ultimate success of our products also depends in large part on our distributors’ ability and desire to distribute our products to our desired U.S. target markets, as we rely significantly on them for product placement and retail store penetration. In addition, all of our distributors also distribute competitive brands and product lines. We cannot assure you that our U.S. distributors will continue to purchase our products, commit sufficient time and resources to promote and market our brands and product lines, or that they can or will sell them to our desired or targeted markets. If they do not, our sales will be harmed, resulting in a decline in our results of operations.
If our third-party service providers and business partners do not satisfactorily fulfill their commitments and responsibilities, our financial results could suffer.
In the conduct of our business, we rely on relationships with third parties, including cloud data storage and other information technology service providers, suppliers, distributors, contractors, joint venture partners, and other external business partners, for certain functions or for services in support of key portions of our operations. These third-party service providers and business partners are subject to similar risks as we are, relating to cybersecurity, privacy violations, business interruption, and systems and employee failures, and are subject to legal, regulatory, and market risks of their own. Our third-party service providers and business partners may not fulfill their respective commitments and responsibilities in a timely manner and in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. In addition, while we have procedures in place for selecting and managing our relationships with third-party service providers and other business partners, we do not have control over their business operations or governance and compliance systems, practices and procedures, which increases our financial, legal, reputational, and operational risk. If we are unable to effectively manage our third-party relationships, or for any reason our third-party service providers or business partners fail to satisfactorily fulfill their commitments and responsibilities, our financial results could suffer.
Pandemics, such as the current global COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of communicable infections or diseases, or other public health concerns in the markets in which our consumers or employees live and/or in which we or our distributors, retailers, and suppliers operate may damage our business and disrupt our operations.
Disease outbreaks and other public health conditions could result in disruptions and damage to our business caused by potential negative consumer purchasing behavior as well as disruption to our supply chains, production processes, and operations. Consumer purchasing behavior may be impacted by reduced consumption by consumers who may not be able to leave home or otherwise shop in a normal manner as a result of quarantines or other cancellations of public events and other opportunities to purchase our products, from bar and restaurant closures, or from a reduction in consumer discretionary income due to reduced or limited work and layoffs. Supply disruption may result from restrictions on the ability of employees and others in the supply chain to travel and work, caused by quarantine or individual illness, or which may result from border closures imposed by governments to deter the spread of communicable infection or disease, or determinations by us or our suppliers or distributors to temporarily suspend operations in affected areas, or other actions which restrict the ability to distribute our products or which may otherwise negatively impact our ability to produce, bottle, and ship our product, for our distributors to distribute our products, or for our suppliers to provide us our raw materials. Ports or channels of entry may be closed or operate at only a portion of capacity, or transportation of products within a region or country may be limited, if workers are unable to report to work due to travel restrictions or personal illness. Our operations and the operations of our suppliers may become less efficient or otherwise become negatively impacted if our executive leaders or other personnel critical to our operations are unable to work or if a significant percentage of the workforce is unable to work or is required to work from home. Our cyber-security could be compromised if persons who are forced to work from home do not maintain adequate information security. A prolonged quarantine or border closure could result in temporary or longer-term disruptions of sales patterns, consumption and trade patterns, supply chains, production processes, and operations. A widespread health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, could negatively affect the economies and financial markets of many countries resulting in a global economic downturn, which could negatively impact demand for our products and our ability to borrow money. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
23
Contamination and degradation of product quality from diseases, pests, and the effects of weather and climate conditions could delay, disrupt, and harm our sales and operations.
Contamination, whether arising accidentally or through deliberate third-party action, or other events that harm the integrity or consumer support for our brands, could adversely affect sales. Various diseases, pests, fungi, viruses, drought, frosts, and certain other weather conditions or the effects of climate conditions, such as smoke taint from wildfires, could affect the quality and quantity of agricultural raw materials available, decreasing the supply and quality of our products. Similarly, power disruptions due to weather conditions could adversely impact our production processes and the quality of our products. We cannot guarantee that we and/or our suppliers of agricultural raw materials will succeed in preventing contamination in existing and/or future vineyards or fields. Future government restrictions regarding the use of certain materials used in growing grapes or other agricultural raw materials may increase vineyard costs and/or reduce production of grapes or other crops. It is also possible that a supplier may not provide materials or product components which meet our required standards or may falsify documentation associated with the fulfillment of those requirements.
Product contamination or tampering or the failure to maintain our standards for product quality, safety, and integrity, including with respect to raw materials, naturally occurring compounds, packaging materials, or product components obtained from suppliers, may also reduce demand for our products or cause production and delivery disruptions. Contaminants or other defects in raw materials, packaging materials, or product components purchased from third parties and used in the production of our products, or defects in the fermentation or distillation process could lead to low beverage quality as well as illness among, or injury to, consumers of our products and may result in reduced sales of the affected brand or all our brands.
If any of our products become unsafe or unfit for consumption, are misbranded, or cause injury, we may have to engage in a product recall and/or be subject to liability and incur additional costs. A widespread product recall, multiple product recalls, or a significant product liability judgment could cause our products to be unavailable for a period, which could further reduce consumer demand and brand equity.
Class action or other litigation relating to abuse of our products, the misuse of our products, product liability, or marketing or sales practices could cause a disruption in our operations.
There has been public attention directed at the beverage alcohol industry, which we believe is due to concern over problems related to harmful use of alcohol, including drinking and driving, underage drinking, and health consequences from the misuse of alcohol. We could be exposed to lawsuits relating to product liability or marketing or sales practices. Adverse developments in lawsuits concerning these types of matters or a significant decline in the social acceptability of beverage alcohol products that may result from lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Failure of our products to secure and maintain listings in the control states in the U.S. could cause our sales to decrease which will negatively impact our operations.
In the control states, the state liquor commissions act in place of distributors and decide which products are to be purchased and offered for sale in their respective states. Products selected for listing in control states must generally reach certain volumes and/or profit levels to maintain their listings. Products in control states are selected for purchase and sale through listing procedures, which are generally made available to new products only at periodically scheduled listing interviews. Products not selected for listings can only be purchased by consumers in the applicable control state through special orders, if at all. If, in the future, we are unable to maintain our current listings in the control states, or secure and maintain listings in those states for any additional products we may develop or acquire, sales of our products could decrease significantly, which would have a material adverse financial effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
24
Failure of our key or service product information technology systems, cyber-security breach, or cyber-related fraud to act properly could negatively impact our business, operations, and reputation.
We rely on information technology (“IT”) systems, networks, and services, including internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools, hardware (including laptops and mobile devices), and software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed, hosted, provided and/or used by third-parties or their vendors, to assist us in the management of our business.
Increased IT security threats and more sophisticated cyber-crime, pose a potential risk to the security of our IT systems, networks, and services, as well as to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. If the IT systems, networks, or service providers we rely upon fail to function properly, or if we suffer a loss or disclosure of business or other sensitive information, due to any number of causes, ranging from catastrophic events to power outages to security breaches, and our business continuity plans do not effectively address these failures on a timely basis, we may suffer interruptions in our ability to manage operations and reputational, competitive, and/or business harm, which may adversely affect our business operations and/or financial condition. In addition, such events could result in unauthorized disclosure of material confidential information, and we may suffer financial and reputational damage because of lost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us or to our partners, our employees, customers, suppliers, or consumers. In any of these events, we could also be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the damage caused by a security breach or to repair or replace networks and IT systems.
Litigation and litigation risks may have an adverse impact on our operations, business, and reputation.
From time to time, we may become involved in various litigation matters and claims, including employment, regulatory proceedings, administrative proceedings, governmental investigations, and contract disputes. We could face potential claims or liability for, among other things, breach of contract, defamation, libel, fraud, or negligence. We may also face employment-related litigation, including claims of age discrimination, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, immigration violations, or other local, state, and federal labor law violations. Because of the uncertain nature of litigation and insurance coverage decisions, the outcome of such actions and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, reputation, brand identity, and the trading price of our securities. Any such litigation, with or without merit, could also result in substantial expenditures of time and money, and divert attention of our management team from other tasks important to the success of our business.
Product liability or other related liabilities could lead to litigation which could damage our operations, business, and reputations.
Although we maintain liability insurance and will attempt to limit our contractual liability for damages arising from our products, these measures may not be sufficient for us to successfully avoid or limit product liability or other related liabilities. Our product liability insurance coverage is limited to AUD$1 million per occurrence and AUD$2 million in the aggregate and our general liability umbrella policy is capped at AUD$5 million, which may be insufficient. Further, any contractual indemnification and insurance coverage we have from parties supplying our products is limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the insured limits of any insurance provided by these suppliers. In any event, extensive product liability claims could be costly to defend and/or costly to resolve and could harm our reputation or business.
If we encounter product recalls or other product quality issues, our business may suffer.
Product quality issues, real or imagined, or allegations of product contamination, even when false or unfounded, could tarnish our image and could cause consumers to choose other products. In addition, because of changing government regulations or implementation thereof, or allegations of product contamination, we may be required from time to time to recall products entirely or from specific markets. Product recalls could affect our profitability and could negatively affect brand image.
25
Our business is subject to many regulations and noncompliance is costly.
The production, marketing and sale of our beverages, including contents, labels, caps, and containers, are subject to the rules and regulations of various federal, provincial, state, and local health agencies. If a regulatory authority finds that a current or future product or production batch or “run” is not in compliance with any of these regulations, we may be fined, or production may be stopped, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, any adverse publicity associated with any noncompliance may damage our reputation and our ability to successfully market our products. Furthermore, the rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time and while we closely monitor developments in this area, we cannot anticipate whether changes in these rules and regulations will impact our business adversely. Additional or revised regulatory requirements, whether labeling, environmental, tax or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Significant additional labeling or warning requirements may inhibit sales of affected products.
Various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements relating to the chemical content or perceived adverse health consequences of certain of our products. These types of requirements, if they become applicable to one or more of our products under current or future environmental or health laws or regulations, may inhibit sales of such products. In California, a law requires that a specific warning appear on any product that contains a component listed by the state as having been found to cause cancer or birth defects. This law recognizes no generally applicable quantitative thresholds below which a warning is not required. If a component found in one of our products is added to the list, or if the increasing sensitivity of detection methodology that may become available under this law and related regulations as they currently exist, or as they may be amended, results in the detection of an infinitesimal quantity of a listed substance in one of our beverages produced for sale in California, the resulting warning requirements or adverse publicity could affect our sales.
Our business and operations would be adversely impacted in the event of a failure or interruption of our information technology infrastructure or as a result of a cybersecurity attack.
The proper functioning of our own information technology (IT) infrastructure is critical to the efficient operation and management of our business. We may not have the necessary financial resources to update and maintain our IT infrastructure, and any failure or interruption of our IT system could adversely impact our operations. In addition, our IT is vulnerable to cyber-attacks, computer viruses, worms and other malicious software programs, physical and electronic break-ins, sabotage and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems. We believe that we have adopted appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks to our technology infrastructure and our operations from these IT-related and other potential disruptions. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature, and scope of any such IT failures or disruptions, we could potentially be subject to downtimes, transactional errors, processing inefficiencies, operational delays, other detrimental impacts on our operations or ability to provide products to our customers, the compromising of confidential or personal information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, other manipulation or improper use of our systems and networks, financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability, and/or damage to our reputation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition, or results of operations.
26
If we fail to comply with personal data protection and privacy laws, we could be subject to adverse publicity, government enforcement actions, and/or private litigation, which could negatively affect our business and operating results.
In the ordinary course of our business, we receive, process, transmit, and store information relating to identifiable individuals (“personal data”), primarily employees, former employees, and consumers with whom we interact. As a result, we are subject to various U.S. federal and state and foreign laws and regulations relating to personal data. These laws have been subject to frequent changes, and new legislation in this area may be enacted in other jurisdictions at any time. These laws impose operational requirements for companies receiving or processing personal data, and many provide for significant penalties for noncompliance. These requirements with respect to personal data have subjected and may continue in the future to subject us to, among other things, additional costs and expenses and have required and may in the future require costly changes to our business practices and information security systems, policies, procedures, and practices. Our security controls over personal data, the training of employees and vendors on data privacy and data security, and the policies, procedures, and practices we implemented or may implement in the future may not prevent the improper disclosure of personal data by us or the third-party service providers and vendors whose technology, systems and services we use in connection with the receipt, storage, and transmission of personal data. Unauthorized access or improper disclosure of personal data in violation of personal data protection or privacy laws could harm our reputation, cause loss of consumer confidence, subject us to regulatory enforcement actions (including fines), and result in private litigation against us, which could result in loss of revenue, increased costs, liability for monetary damages, fines, and/or criminal prosecution, all of which could negatively affect our business and operating results.
International operations, worldwide and domestic economic trends, and financial market conditions, geopolitical uncertainty, changes to international trade agreements and tariffs, import and excise duties, other taxes, or other governmental rules and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Risks associated with international operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations, include:
● | changes in local political, economic, social, and labor conditions; | |
● | potential disruption from socio-economic violence, including terrorism and drug-related violence; | |
● | restrictions on foreign ownership and investments or on repatriation of cash earned in countries outside the U.S.; | |
● | import and export requirements and border accessibility; | |
● | currency exchange rate fluctuations; | |
● | a less developed and less certain legal and regulatory environment in some countries, which, among other things, can create uncertainty regarding contract enforcement, intellectual property rights, privacy obligations, real property rights, and liability issues; and | |
● | inadequate levels of compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. |
Unfavorable global or regional economic conditions, including economic slowdown and the disruption, volatility, and tightening of credit and capital markets, as well as unemployment, tax increases, governmental spending cuts, or a return of high levels of inflation, could affect consumer spending patterns and purchases of our products. These could also create or exacerbate credit issues, cash flow issues, and other financial hardships for us and our suppliers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. The inability of suppliers, distributors, and retailers to access liquidity could impact our ability to produce and distribute our products.
We are also exposed to risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. We could experience changes in our ability to manage fluctuations in interest rates and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in reducing those risks.
We could also be affected by nationalization of our international operations, unstable governments, unfamiliar or biased legal systems, intergovernmental disputes or animus against the U.S. Any determination that our operations or activities did not comply with applicable U.S. or foreign laws or regulations could result in the imposition of fines and penalties, interruptions of business, terminations of necessary licenses and permits, and other legal and equitable sanctions.
27
We are subject to risks inherent in sales of products in international markets.
Our operations outside of the United States constitute a significant portion of our revenue and profitability, and we believe that developing and emerging markets could present future growth opportunities for us. However, there can be no assurance that existing or new products that we manufacture, distribute, or sell will be accepted or be successful in any particular foreign market, due to local or global competition, product price, cultural differences, consumer preferences, or otherwise. There are many factors that could adversely affect demand for our products in foreign markets, including our inability to attract and maintain key distributors in these markets; volatility in the economic growth of certain of these markets; changes in economic, political or social conditions; the status and renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement; imposition of new or increased labeling, product or production requirements, or other legal restrictions; restrictions on the import or export of our products or ingredients or substances used in our products; inflationary currency, devaluation or fluctuation; and increased costs of doing business due to compliance with complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations. If we are unable to effectively operate or manage the risks associated with operating in international markets, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.
Damage to our reputation could harm our business and cause a decline in our sales.
The success of our brands depends upon the positive image that consumers have of those brands and maintaining a good reputation is critical to selling our branded products. Our reputation could also be impacted negatively by public perception, adverse publicity (whether or not valid, such as the similarity of the name of certain of our brands or trademarks and a type of virus), negative comments in social media, or our responses relating to:
● | a perceived failure to maintain high ethical and ESG standards and practices for all our operations and activities; | |
● | a perceived failure to address concerns relating to the quality, safety, or integrity of our products, including from contamination, whether arising accidentally or through deliberate third-party action; | |
● | allegations that we, or persons associated with us or formerly associated with us, have violated applicable laws or regulations, including but not limited to those related to safety, employment, discrimination, harassment, whistle-blowing, privacy, corporate citizenship, improper business practices, or cyber-security; | |
● | our environmental impact, including use of agricultural materials, packaging, water and energy use, and waste management; or | |
● | efforts that are perceived as insufficient to promote the responsible use of alcohol. |
Failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations, maintain an effective system of internal controls, provide accurate and timely financial statement information, or protect our information systems against service interruptions, misappropriation of data, or breaches of security, could also hurt our reputation. Damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence in our products for any of these or other reasons could result in decreased demand for our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation, competitive position, and brand equity and renew investor confidence.
Due to the highly competitive market we operate in, our sales and operations could be negatively affected by our competitors.
We are in a highly competitive industry and our sales could be negatively affected by numerous factors including:
● | our inability to maintain or increase prices; | |
● | new entrants in our market or categories; | |
● | the decision of wholesalers, retailers, or consumers to purchase competitors’ products instead of ours; or | |
● | a general decline in beverage alcohol consumption due to consumer dietary preference changes or consumers substituting legalized marijuana or other similar products in lieu of beverage alcohol. |
28
Sales could also be affected by pricing, purchasing, financing, operational, advertising, or promotional decisions made by wholesalers, state and other local agencies, and retailers which could affect their supply of, or consumer demand for, our products. We could also experience higher than expected selling, general, and administrative expenses if we find it necessary to increase the number of our personnel or our advertising or marketing expenditures to maintain our competitive position or for other reasons. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to increase our prices to pass along to our customers any increased costs we incur.
Our intangible assets, such as goodwill and trademarks, could have a material adverse effect in the event of a write-down of the assets.
We have a significant amount of intangible assets such as goodwill and trademarks and may acquire more intangible assets in the future. Intangible assets are subject to a periodic impairment evaluation under applicable accounting standards. The write-down of any of these intangible assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Changes to tax laws, fluctuations in our effective tax rate, accounting for tax positions, the resolution of tax disputes, and changes to accounting standards, elections, or assertions could harm our business and operations.
The U.S. federal budget and individual state, provincial, local municipal budget deficits, or deficits in other governmental entities, could result in increased taxes on our products, business, customers, or consumers. Various proposals to increase taxes on beverage alcohol products have been made at the federal and state levels or at other governmental bodies in recent years. Federal, state, provincial, local, or foreign governmental entities may consider increasing taxes upon beverage alcohol products as they explore available alternatives for raising funds.
In addition, significant judgment is required to determine our effective tax rate and evaluate our tax positions. Our provision for income taxes includes a provision for uncertain tax positions. Fluctuations in federal, state, local, and foreign taxes, or a change to uncertain tax positions, including related interest and penalties, may impact our effective tax rate and our financial results. When tax matters arise, several years may elapse before such matters are audited and finally resolved. Unfavorable resolution of any tax matter could increase our effective tax rate and resolution of a tax issue may require the use of cash in the year of resolution.
U.S. tax changes or changes in how international corporations are taxed, including changes in how existing tax laws are interpreted or enforced, or changes to accounting standards, elections or assertions could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
We may be required in the future to record a significant charge to earnings if our goodwill or intangible assets become impaired.
Under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), we are required to review our intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our intangible assets may not be recoverable include, declining or slower than anticipated growth rates for certain of our existing products, a decline in stock price and market capitalization, and slower growth rates in our industry. We may be required in the future to record a significant charge to earnings during the period in which we determine that our intangible assets have been impaired. Any such charge would adversely impact our results of operations. As of December 31, 2021, our goodwill totaled approximately USD$951,000.
Our results of operations may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for many reasons, including seasonality.
Our sales are seasonal and we experience fluctuations in quarterly results as a result of many factors. Companies similar to ours have historically generated a greater percentage of our revenues during the warm weather months of September through December. Timing of customer purchases will vary each year and sales can be expected to shift from one quarter to another. As a result, management believes that period-to-period comparisons of results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as any indication of future performance or results expected for the fiscal year.
29
Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results.
The U.S. GAAP and related pronouncements, implementation guidelines, and interpretations with regard to a wide variety of matters that are relevant to our business, such as, but not limited to, stock-based compensation, trade spend and promotions, and income taxes are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates, and judgments by our management. Changes to these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, or judgments by our management could significantly change our reported results.
If we are unable to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, our stock price and investor confidence could be materially and adversely affected.
We are required to maintain both disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting that are effective. Because of their inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, however well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the controls will prevent or detect misstatements. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only the reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions. The failure of controls by design deficiencies or absence of adequate controls could result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results, which could also negatively impact our stock price and investor confidence.
We face substantial competition in the alcoholic beverage industry, and we may not be able to effectively compete.
Consolidation among spirits producers, distributors, wholesalers, or retailers could create a more challenging competitive landscape for our products. Consolidation at any level could hinder the distribution and sale of our products as a result of reduced attention and resources allocated to our brands, both during and after transition periods, because our brands might represent a smaller portion of the new business portfolio. Expansion into new product categories by other suppliers, or innovation by new entrants into the market, could increase competition in our product categories. Changes to our distribution channels or partners in important markets could result in temporary or longer-term sales disruption, higher implementation-related or fixed costs, and could negatively affect other business relationships we might have with that partner. Distribution network disruption or fluctuations in our product inventory levels with distributors, wholesalers, or retailers could negatively affect our results for a particular period.
Our competitors may respond to industry and economic conditions more rapidly or effectively than we do. Our competitors offer products that compete directly with ours for shelf space, promotional displays, and consumer purchases. Pricing, (including price promotions, discounting, couponing, and free goods), marketing, new product introductions, entry into our distribution networks, and other competitive behavior by our competitors could adversely affect our sales margins, and profitability.
Our business operations may be adversely affected by social, political, and economic conditions affecting market risks and the demand for and pricing of our products.
These risks include:
● | Unfavorable economic conditions and related low consumer confidence, high unemployment, weak credit or capital markets, sovereign debt defaults, sequestrations, austerity measures, higher interest rates, political instability, higher inflation, deflation, lower returns on pension assets, or lower discount rates for pension obligations; | |
● | Changes in laws, regulations, or policies – especially those that affect the production, importation, marketing, sale, or consumption of our beverage alcohol products; |
30
● | Tax rate changes (including excise, sales, tariffs, duties, corporate, individual income, dividends, capital gains), or changes in related reserves, changes in tax rules or accounting standards, and the unpredictability and suddenness with which they can occur; | |
● | Dependence upon the continued growth of brand names; | |
● | Changes in consumer preferences, consumption, or purchase patterns, and our ability to anticipate and react to them; | |
● | Bar, restaurant, travel, or other on premise declines; | |
● | Unfavorable consumer reaction to our products, package changes, product reformulations, or other product innovation; | |
● | Decline in the social acceptability of beverage alcohol products in our markets; | |
● | Production facility or supply chain disruption; | |
● | Imprecision in supply/demand forecasting; | |
● | Higher costs, lower quality, or unavailability of energy, input materials, labor, or finished goods; | |
● | Direct-to-consumer changes that affect the timing of our sales, temporarily disrupt the marketing or sale of our products, or result in higher implementation--related or fixed costs; | |
● | Inventory fluctuations in our products by distributors, wholesalers, or retailers; | |
● | Competitors’ consolidation or other competitive activities, such as pricing actions (including price reductions, promotions, discounting, couponing, or free goods), marketing, category expansion, product introductions, or entry or expansion in our geographic markets; | |
● | Insufficient protection of our intellectual property rights; | |
● | Product recalls or other product liability claims; | |
● | Product counterfeiting, tampering, or product quality issues; | |
● | Significant legal disputes and proceedings; | |
● | Government investigations (particularly of industry or company business, trade or marketing practices); | |
● | Failure or breach of key information technology systems; | |
● | Negative publicity related to our company, brands, marketing, personnel, operations, business performance or prospects; and | |
● | Business disruption, decline, or costs related to organizational changes, reductions in workforce, or other cost-cutting measures, or our failure to attract or retain key executive or employee talent. |
Uncertainty in the financial markets and other adverse changes in general economic or political conditions in any of the major countries in which we do business could adversely affect our industry, business and results of operations.
Global economic uncertainties, including foreign currency exchange rates, affect businesses such as ours in a number of ways, making it difficult to accurately forecast and plan our future business activities. There can be no assurance that economic improvements will occur, or that they would be sustainable, or that they would enhance conditions in markets relevant to us.
There has been no prior public market for our ordinary shares or warrants, the price of our ordinary shares or warrants may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your ordinary shares or warrants at or above the offering price.
There has been no public market for our ordinary shares or warrants prior to this offering. The offering price for our units will be determined through negotiations between the underwriter and us and may vary from the market price of our units following this offering. If you purchase units in this offering, you may not be able to resell the ordinary shares or warrants at or above the offering price. An active or liquid market in our ordinary shares or warrants may not develop upon the completion of this offering or, if it does develop, it may not be sustainable. Further, an inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling our ordinary shares in the future and may impair our ability to enter into strategic partnerships or acquire companies or products by using our ordinary shares as consideration.
An investment in our ordinary shares and warrants is speculative and there can be no assurance of any return on any such investment.
An investment in our ordinary shares and warrants is speculative and there is no assurance that investors will obtain any return on their investment. Investors will be subject to substantial risks involved in an investment in the Company, including the risk of losing their entire investment.
Our warrants may not have any value.
Each warrant will have an assumed exercise price equal to $[ ] ([ ]% of the assumed $[ ] offering price per unit. The warrants will be exercisable from the date of issuance until the fifth anniversary of the issue date. In the event the price or our ordinary shares does not exceed the exercise price of the warrants during the period when the warrants are exercisable, the warrants may not have any value.
Future sales of ordinary shares, or the perception of such future sales, by some of our existing shareholders could cause the price of our ordinary shares or warrants to decline.
The market price of our ordinary shares or warrants could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our ordinary shares in the market or the perception that these sales may occur. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell ordinary shares or warrants in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.
31
From time to time, certain of our shareholders may be eligible to sell all or some of their ordinary shares by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the open market pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), subject to certain limitations. In general, pursuant to Rule 144, non-affiliate shareholders may sell freely after six months subject only to the current public information requirement. Affiliates may sell after six months subject to the Rule 144 volume, manner of sale (for equity securities), and current public information and notice requirements.
The exercise of our warrants would increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to our shareholders.
To the extent our warrants are exercised, additional ordinary shares will be issued, which will result in dilution to the holders of ordinary shares and potentially increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market, which could cause a decline in the price of our ordinary shares. Sales of substantial numbers of ordinary shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.
Holders of the warrants will have no rights as a holder of our ordinary shares until they exercise their warrants and acquire our ordinary shares.
Until holders of our warrants acquire our ordinary shares upon exercise of such warrants, warrant holders will have no rights with respect to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of any warrants. Upon exercise of warrants, holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of our ordinary shares as to the security exercised only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise.
Because certain shareholders own a large percentage of our voting stock, other shareholders’ voting power may be limited.
As of June 1, 2022, two (2) of our shareholders own or control approximately 59.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares. If those shareholders act together, they would have the ability to have a substantial influence on matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election and removal of directors and the approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. As a result, our other shareholders may have little or no influence over matters submitted for shareholder approval. In addition, the ownership of such shareholders could preclude any unsolicited acquisition of us, and consequently, adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares. These shareholders may make decisions that are adverse to your interests.
We do not expect to pay dividends and investors should not buy our ordinary shares expecting to receive dividends.
We do not anticipate that we will declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, you will only realize an economic gain on your investment in our ordinary shares if the price appreciates. You should not purchase our ordinary shares expecting to receive cash dividends. Since we do not pay dividends, and if we are not successful in establishing an orderly trading market for our shares, then you may not have any manner to liquidate or receive any payment on your investment. Therefore, our failure to pay dividends may cause you to not see any return on your investment even if we are successful in our business operations. In addition, because we do not anticipate that we will pay dividends, we may have trouble raising additional funds which could affect our ability to expand our business operations.
There can be no assurances that our ordinary shares or warrants once listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market will not be subject to potential delisting if we do not continue to maintain the listing requirements of Nasdaq.
We have applied to list the shares of our ordinary shares and intend to apply to list our warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “IBG” and “IBGW,” respectively. An approval of our listing application by the Nasdaq will be subject to, among other things, our fulfilling all of the listing requirements of the Nasdaq. In addition, the Nasdaq has rules for continued listing, including, without limitation, minimum market capitalization and other requirements. Failure to maintain our listing (i.e., being de-listed from the Nasdaq), would make it more difficult for shareholders to sell our ordinary shares or warrants and more difficult to obtain accurate price quotations on our ordinary shares or warrants. This could have an adverse effect on the price of our ordinary shares and warrants. Our ability to issue additional securities for financing or other purposes, or otherwise to arrange for any financing we may need in the future, may also be materially and adversely affected if our ordinary shares or warrants are not traded on a national securities exchange.
32
Our ordinary shares could be further diluted as the result of the issuance of additional ordinary shares, convertible securities, options, or warrants.
Our issuance of additional ordinary shares, convertible securities, options, and warrants could affect the rights of our shareholders, result in a reduction in the overall percentage holdings of our shareholders, could put downward pressure on the market price of our ordinary shares, could result in adjustments to conversion and exercise prices of outstanding notes and warrants, and could obligate us to issue additional ordinary shares to certain of our shareholders.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and any decision on our part to comply with certain reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make the ordinary shares less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, not being required to comply with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, not being required to comply with any new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 unless the SEC determines otherwise, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more; (ii) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement; (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer. We cannot predict if investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile. Further, as a result of these scaled regulatory requirements, our disclosure may be more limited than that of other public companies and you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of such companies.
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 (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have opted for taking advantage of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the Jobs Act.
Because we have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards for an emerging growth company our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
We have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. This election allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates, and thus investors may have difficulty evaluating or comparing our business, performance or prospects in comparison to other public companies, which may have a negative impact on the value and liquidity of our ordinary shares.
Breaches of our online commerce security could occur and could have an adverse effect on our reputation.
A significant barrier to online commerce and communications is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. There can be no assurance that advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography and cybersecurity, or other events or developments will not result in a compromise or breach of the technology used by the Company to protect customer transaction data. If any such compromise of the Company’s security were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation and, therefore, on its business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, a party who is able to circumvent the Company’s security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in the Company’s operations. The Company may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against such security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the Internet and other online services and the privacy of users may also inhibit the growth of the Internet and other online services generally, and the web in particular, especially as a means of conducting commercial transactions. To the extent that activities of the Company involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information, security breaches could damage the Company’s reputation and expose the Company to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. There can be no assurance that the Company’s security measures will prevent security breaches or that failure to prevent such security breaches will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
33
Increased IT security threats and more sophisticated cybercrimes and cyberattacks, including computer viruses and other malicious codes, ransomware, unauthorized access attempts, denial of service attacks, phishing, social engineering, hacking and other types of attacks pose a potential risk to the security of our IT systems, networks and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. We may in the future experience cyberattacks and other unauthorized access attempts to our IT systems. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access are constantly changing and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we or our vendors may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement sufficient preventative or remedial measures. If we are unable to efficiently and effectively maintain and upgrade our system safeguards, we may incur unexpected costs and certain of our systems may become more vulnerable to unauthorized access. In the event of a ransomware or other cyber-attack, the integrity and safety of our data could be at risk or we may incur unforeseen costs impacting our financial position. Although we carry insurance covering cyber-attacks including ransomware, these coverages are subject to deductibles and self-insurance obligation, as well as caps on coverage that could be below the value of losses we could incur. If the IT systems, networks or service providers we rely upon fail to function properly, or if we suffer a loss or disclosure of business or other sensitive information due to any number of causes ranging from catastrophic events, power outages, security breaches, unauthorized use or usage errors by employees, vendors or other third parties and other security issues, we may be subject to legal claims and proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy and security of personal information (also known as personal data), litigation, governmental investigations and proceedings and regulatory penalties, and we may suffer interruptions in our ability to manage our operations and reputational, competitive or business harm, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial results. In addition, such events could result in unauthorized disclosure of material confidential information, and we may suffer financial and reputational damage because of lost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us or to our employees, stockholders, customers, suppliers, consumers or others. In any of these events, we could also be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the damage caused by a security breach or technological failure and the reputational damage resulting therefrom, to pay for investigations, forensic analyses, legal advice, public relations advice or other services, or to repair or replace networks and IT systems. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a greater number of our employees are working remotely and accessing our IT systems and networks remotely, which may further increase our vulnerability to cybercrimes and cyberattacks and increase the stress on our technology infrastructure and systems. Even though we maintain cyber risk insurance, this insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of our losses from any future breaches or failures of our IT systems, networks and services.
A failure of one or more of our key IT systems, networks, processes, associated sites or service providers could have a material adverse impact on business operations, and if the failure is prolonged, our financial condition.
We rely on IT systems, networks, and services, including internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools, hardware (including laptops and mobile devices), software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed, hosted, provided and used by third-parties or their vendors, to assist us in the management of our business. The various uses of these IT systems, networks and services include, but are not limited to: hosting our internal network and communication systems; supply and demand planning; production; shipping our products to customers; hosting our brand websites and marketing products to consumers; collecting and storing customer, consumer, employee, shareholder, and other data; processing transactions; summarizing and reporting results of operations; hosting, processing and sharing confidential and proprietary research, business plans and financial information; complying with regulatory, legal or tax requirements; providing data security; and handling other processes necessary to manage our business.
Any significant disruption in or unauthorized access to our computer systems and other technology or those of our customers, partners and other third parties that we utilize in our operations, could result in a loss or degradation of service, unauthorized disclosure of data, or theft or tampering of intellectual property, any of which could materially adversely impact our business.
34
Our operations, products, data and intellectual property are inherently at risk of loss, inappropriate access, or tampering by both insider threats and external bad actors. In particular, our operations face various cyber and other security threats, including attempts to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, intellectual property, mission operations, systems and networks. Our systems (internal, customer and partner systems) and assets may also be subject to damage or interruption from natural and other disaster events or disruptions including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, other extreme weather conditions, epidemics or pandemics, acts of terrorism, power shortages and blackouts, aging infrastructures and telecommunications failures. In addition, insider threats, threats to the safety of our directors and employees, threats to the security of our facilities, infrastructure and supply chain and threats from terrorist acts or other acts of aggression could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Our customers and partners (including our supply chain) face similar threats. Customer or partner proprietary, classified, or sensitive data and information transmitted to, from, or stored on our networks are at risk. Assets and intellectual property and products in customer or partner environments are also at risk. We also have risk where we have access to customer and partner networks and face risks of breach, disruption or loss as well. Our supply chain for products and services is becoming more diverse and therefore that risk is also growing.
While we have implemented reasonable measures consistent with government regulations aimed at reducing the risk of cyber threats as well as to help thwart bad actors and protect our data and our systems and assets, the techniques used to gain unauthorized access are constantly evolving, and we may be unable to anticipate or prevent all unauthorized access, disruption, loss, or harm. Because of our desired data and intellectual property we (and/or partners we use) may be an attractive target for such attacks. We cannot offer assurances, however, that future attacks will not materially adversely affect our business or reputation.
Unstable market and economic conditions caused by the ongoing conflict between the Ukraine and Russia, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, could have adverse consequences on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The global economy, including credit and financial markets, has experienced extreme volatility and disruptions as a result of the ongoing conflict between the Ukraine and Russia, as well as challenges arising from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, increases in inflation rates and uncertainty about economic stability. We could suffer inflationary pressure in our business such as through the increased costs of the supplies that we use to manufacture our products, bottling our bitters, and distributing our products to all our customers where we do business. Any such volatility and disruptions could have adverse consequences on us or the third parties upon whom we rely.
You should consult your independent tax advisor regarding any tax matters arising with respect to our ordinary shares.
All prospective purchasers of our ordinary shares are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our ordinary shares.
Some of our directors and executive officers are non-residents of the United States and as a result, it may not be possible for shareholders to enforce civil liabilities against those directors and executive officers.
Some of our directors and executive officers are non-residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for stockholders to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against them judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Australia in original actions, or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities to the extent predicated upon the federal securities laws of the United States. Please see the section entitled “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities” for additional information on your ability to enforce a civil claim against us and our executive officers or directors named in this prospectus.
35
We have made statements in this prospectus, including under “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Our Business” and elsewhere that constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, assumptions or future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “we believe,” “we intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “could” and similar expressions denoting uncertainty or an action that may, will or is expected to occur in the future. These statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Examples of forward-looking statements include:
● | the timing of the development of future services; |
● | projections of revenue, earnings, capital structure and other financial items; |
● | the development of future company-owned call centers; |
● | statements regarding the capabilities of our business operations; |
● | statements of expected future economic performance; |
● | statements regarding competition in our market; and |
● | assumptions underlying statements regarding us or our business. |
The ultimate correctness of these forward-looking statements depends upon a number of known and unknown risks and events. We discuss our known material risks under the heading “Risk Factors” above. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Consequently, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
36
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of our units in this offering will be approximately $[_________], after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us (including the offering expenses that have been committed to be paid).
We intend to use net proceeds from this offering to pay, in connection with the acquisition of Reg Liquors LLC d/b/a/ Wired for Wine, USD$600,000 to the seller, for working capital and for general corporate purposes, including operating expenses. Additionally, we may use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary products or assets. Other than as set forth, we do not anticipate requiring any material amounts of other funds to accomplish the specified purposes. We believe that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash will be sufficient to fund our operations through at least the next 24 months. This expected use of the net proceeds from the offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses of the net proceeds that we will receive from this offering, or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in using these proceeds. Investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the use of the net proceeds from this offering.
The expected use of net proceeds of this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plan and business conditions. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering. We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds in the category of “for general corporate purposes,” and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the proceeds of this offering. Depending on the outcome of our business activities and other unforeseen events, our plans and priorities may change and we may apply the net proceeds of this offering in different proportions than we currently anticipate.
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to dividends out of funds legally available when and as declared by our Board of Directors subject to the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). On June 30, 2021, our Board declared a dividend in the amount of AUD$2,138,610 based on the Company’s historical retained earnings as of June 30, 2021 and in accordance with Section 254T of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Other than the foregoing dividends, our Board has never declared a dividend and does not anticipate declaring a dividend in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Should we decide in the future to pay dividends, our ability to do so and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiary and other holdings and investments. In addition, our operating company may, from time to time, be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us, including as a result of restrictive covenants in loan agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions.
Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, which we also use as our reporting currency. Therefore, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars using the then-current exchange rates. Our financial statements have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 830-10, “Foreign Currency Matters.” We have translated our asset and liability accounts using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. We translated our statements of operations using the average exchange rate for the period. We reported the resulting translation adjustments under other comprehensive income/loss. Unless otherwise noted, we have translated profit and loss items at an average rate of AUD$0.6906 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and AUD$0.7215 for the year ended December 31, 2021, and for the balance sheet items we have translated at closing rate as of December 31, 2020 which is AUD$0.7702 and as of December 31, 2021 which is AUD$0.7256.
We make no representation that any Australian dollar or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. We do not currently engage in currency hedging transactions.
37
The following table sets forth our cash and our capitalization as of August 31, 2022:
● | On an actual basis; and | |
● | On a pro forma basis to give effect to the sale of [ ] units by us in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $[ ] per unit, and to reflect the application of the proceeds after deducting the estimated seven percent (7%) underwriting discounts and commissions, one percent (1%) non-accountable expense allowance and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
The pro forma information below is illustrative only and our capitalization following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the public offering price of our units and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this capitalization table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
August 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Actual | Pro Forma (1)(2) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 181,835 | ||||||
Notes payable | 990,825 | (1) | ||||||
Shareholders’ Equity: | ||||||||
Ordinary shares, no par value; no authorization limit; 2,144,671 ordinary shares issued and outstanding; [●] ordinary shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 4,486,286 | |||||||
Statutory reserve | 0 | |||||||
Retained earnings | -2,368,435 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 219,852 | |||||||
Total Shareholders’ Equity | 2,337,703 | |||||||
Total Capitalization | $ | 3,328,528 |
(1) | Notes payable includes USD$600,000 to be paid out of the net proceeds from the unit offering to the seller of Reg Liquors LLC d/b/a/ Wired for Wine, which we acquired on November 3, 2021. | |
(2) | Assumes the option to purchase additional securities is not exercised by the underwriters and no value is attributed to the Underwriter’s Warrants. The Company will use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the weighted average fair value of warrants and the equity-based compensation expense will be recorded in administrative expenses. The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as by assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. | |
(3) | Reflects the sale of units in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $[●] per unit, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts, and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma as adjusted information is illustrative only, and we will adjust this information based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Additional paid-in capital reflects the net proceeds we expect to receive, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We estimate that such net proceeds will be approximately $[●]. |
The number of ordinary shares on an as adjusted basis set forth in the table above is based on ordinary shares outstanding as of August 31, 2022 and assumes:
● | none of the warrants underlying the units in this offering have been exercised; | |
● | no exercise of the Underwriter’s warrants; and | |
● | no ordinary shares or warrants will be issued pursuant to the over-allotment option. |
A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $[ ] per share would increase (decrease) the pro forma net tangible book value per share by approximately $[ ] and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to investors participating in this offering by $[ ] per share, assuming that the number of ordinary 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, non-accountable expense allowance, and offering expenses payable by us.
38
If you invest in our ordinary shares, your interest will be diluted for each ordinary share you purchase to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ordinary share and our net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with the sale and exercise of the warrants. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.
Our net tangible book value as of August 31, 2022, was $966,185, or $0.45 per ordinary share. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting the net tangible book value per ordinary share (as adjusted for the offering) from the initial public offering price per ordinary share and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.
After giving effect to our sale of [●] ordinary shares offered in this offering based on the assumed initial public offering price of $[●] per ordinary shares, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deduction of the estimated underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2022, would have been $[●], or $[●] per outstanding ordinary share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $[●] per ordinary share to the existing shareholders, and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $[●] per ordinary share to investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering. The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only.
A $1.00 change in the assumed public offering price of $[●] per ordinary share would, in the case of an increase, increase and, in the case of a decrease, decrease our pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by $[●] million, the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after giving effect to this offering by $[●] and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in this offering by $[●] assuming no change to the number of ordinary share offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ordinary shares and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The following table illustrates the estimated net tangible book value per share after this offering and the per share dilution to persons purchasing ordinary shares in this offering based on the foregoing offering assumptions:
No Exercise of Over-Allotment Option |
Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option | |||||||
Assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share | $ | $ | ||||||
Net tangible book value per ordinary share as of August 31, 2022 | 0.45 | 0.45 | ||||||
As adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to payments by new investors | ||||||||
Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share immediately after this offering | ||||||||
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in the offering | $ | $ |
The following tables summarize, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of August 31, 2022, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us, and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and does not take into account any warrants to be sold in this offering.
39
Ordinary Shares purchased | Total consideration | Average price per Ordinary | |||||||||||||||||
Over-allotment option not exercised | Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | Share | ||||||||||||||
($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders | 1,856,394 | % | $ | 4,413,367 | % | $ | |||||||||||||
New investors | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total | % | $ | % | $ |
Ordinary Shares purchased | Total consideration | Average price per Ordinary | |||||||||||||||||
Over-allotment option exercised in full | Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | Share | ||||||||||||||
($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Existing shareholders | % | $ | % | $ | |||||||||||||||
New investors | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total | % | $ | % | $ |
The pro forma as adjusted information as discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ordinary shares and other terms of this offering determined at the pricing.
40
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those we currently anticipate as a result of many factors, including those we describe under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
We are a developer, manufacturer and exporter of a growing portfolio of 60 formulations across 13 alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands of beverages like Australian Bitters Company and Drummerboy. Our distribution capabilities include sales to large distributors and high-margin direct-to-consumer sales. We have partnered with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (NASDAQ:CCEP), one of the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottlers, to exclusively distribute “Australian Bitters Company” bitters in Australia while retaining the rights throughout the rest of the world, and we are negotiating distribution to new European markets, including expansion of our new brands such as Drummerboy into Australia and Europe. We focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales through our network of eCommerce platforms. We launched BevMart, a DTC marketplace, in Australia in May 2021 and in the U.S. in February 2022. We also acquired the U.S.-based Wired For Wine.com in November 2021, increasing the scope of our DTC capabilities, which allows us to drive higher margins across our brands.
We have facilities, which are FDA certified, kosher compliant and meet Coca-Cola’s stringent standards, include the ability to engage in the process of making our products in-house, including innovation and development, maceration, blending, distillation, rectification and bottling. We believe that we currently have the capacity to increase production by 10x with minimal capital expenditures.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
We believe our performance and future success depend on several factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including those discussed below and in the section of this prospectus titled “Risk Factors.”
Implementing our growth strategy
The Company has two distinct business units as follows:
A. | Creating, marketing, and scaling lifestyle focused beverage brands with a focus on Bitters, Non-Alcohol Spirits, Bottled cocktails and other high margin innovative products exclusively developed in house and sold via large distribution partners in Australia and around the globe. The largest distribution partnership is with Coca-Cola Euro-Pacific Partners (NASDAQ:CCEP) followed by a partnership with Sway Energy Corporation. | |
B. | Sales of wine and spirits via company’s owned marketplaces namely www.wiredforwine.com, www.bevmart.com, www.bevmart.com.au, and www.drummerboy.com. These marketplaces allow us to position is range of owned, produced and future brands into a direct to consumer (DTC) business model which allows for the capture of the entire value chain as well as the opportunity to test and trial consumer feedback on new innovations. |
Our growth objectives for A are to increase its range of brands as well as increase its territories with a focus on large territories suited for its brands. A significant opportunity is to increase its range with current distribution partners of which CCEP is a major distributor. We also have a U.S. expansion strategy for Bitters brands and its latest non-alcohol spirits innovation and brand called Drummerboy. We are in active discussions with significant distributors around the world for its suite of brands.
41
Our growth objectives for B are to increase the number of visitors to its marketplaces and increase the conversion via a customer acquisition strategy (CAC). The primary growth opportunity is to increase revenues, increase efficiencies and gross margins. A primary driver of the increase in revenues will be wiredforwine.com and drummerboy.com which will both utilize the same back-end infrastructure and fulfilment center controlled by the company.
Impact of COVID-19
Our full year 2020 and 2021 performance reflected the impact of COVID-19 throughout the period. Restrictions continued to impact company’s global operations, with significant impacts in our Australian operations with key sales channels remaining in varied states of impact and recovery. During the pandemic, e-commerce continued to demonstrate strong performance, offset by varying levels of disruption of other sales channels such as on-premises and travel retail. We remain confident that, as most those sales channels re-open and consumption demand returns, it is very well placed to further the pace of its recovery. COVID-19 also caused the shortage of raw material and prolonged logistical issues. The Company’s experienced management team has supported the business well through this time of challenge and has helped to drive positive momentum.
IBG believes that not every disruption can be avoided, but many of them can be managed. We managed to implement a few actions to strengthen the resilience of our supply chain as discussed in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Supply Chain Disruptions.” As of the date of this prospectus, there have been no significant challenges identified that materially impact IBG’s results of operations or capital resources.
Key Components of Our Results of Operations
We consider a variety of financial and operating measures in assessing the performance of our business. The key financial performance measures we use are revenue, gross profit and gross margin. Our review of these indicators facilitates timely evaluation of the performance of our business and effective communication of results and key decisions, allowing our business to respond promptly to competitive market conditions and different demands and preferences from our customers. The key measures that we use to evaluate the performance of our business are set forth below and are discussed in greater details under “Results of Operations”.
Revenue
Our revenue is derived primarily from the sales of bitter products to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and oversea customers and direct-to-customer (DTC) sales through our on-line marketplaces.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold include the costs of direct materials and delivery costs, direct labor, import duties and other taxes, and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure based on normal operating capacity.
General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of amortization of intangible assets, advertising and marketing, consultancy and other professional fees, insurance, and new product development.
Finance Costs
Finance costs consist primarily of interest expenses as a result of the lease accounting.
Other Income
Other income consists of government incentives in the form of the Australian federal government’s “JobKeeper” program which was a program aimed to support companies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, bank interest received, gains on disposal of assets and other income earned from sales to contractors.
42
Results of Operations
Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2020
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, were $3,748,281 compared to revenues of $2,181,754 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table summarizes the results of our sales for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
12 Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Australian Bitters Company | $ | 2,264,574 | 60 | % | $ | 1,399,921 | 64 | % | ||||||||
BitterTales and others | $ | 742,654 | 20 | % | $ | 781,833 | 36 | % | ||||||||
Total Brand Products | $ | 3,007,228 | 80 | % | $ | 2,181,754 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Spirits | $ | 185,900 | 5 | % | $ | — | 0 | % | ||||||||
Wines | $ | 555,153 | 15 | % | $ | — | 0 | % | ||||||||
Total E-Commerce | $ | 741,053 | 20 | % | $ | — | 0 | % | ||||||||
Grand Total | $ | 3,748,281 | 100 | % | $ | 2,181,754 | 100 | % |
The $1,566,527, or approximately 71.8%, increase in revenue was driven by the direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales contributed from BevMart Australia (since May 2021) and Wired For Wine.com (since Nov 2021) and stable year-to-year increased sale of our “Australian Bitters Company” bitters whose growth in net sales was mainly attributable to strong volume contribution for year 2020 to 2021.
Cost of goods sold for year ended December 31, 2021, were $1,255,877 compared to cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2020, of $441,710. The increase in cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2021, was primarily due to our increased sales. Gross profit percentage (GP%) for our brand products was kept as high as 70%, we expect the group’s overall GP% will drop to approximately 55% on average in future along with the increased contribution of Wired For Wine, whose GP% usually ranges from 20% to 25%.
12 Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
Other General and Administrative | $ | 910,319 | 37 | % | $ | 354,713 | 34 | % | ||||||||
Salary and Wages | $ | 800,186 | 33 | % | $ | 492,189 | 47 | % | ||||||||
Sales and Marketing | $ | 424,992 | 17 | % | $ | 24,438 | 2 | % | ||||||||
Contracted Services | $ | 302,740 | 12 | % | $ | 183,416 | 17 | % | ||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | $ | 2,438,237 | 100 | % | $ | 1,054,756 | 100 | % |
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, were $2,438,237 compared to $1,054,756 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in our operating expenses was primarily a result of recording increased expenses relating to:
● | Intangible asset amortization ($124,611), as one item of Other General and Administrative, predominantly represents a once-off accounting adjustment to “catch up” historical under-amortization of a long-term customer contract; | |
● | Consultancy ($262,481), as another item of Other General and Administrative, for hiring external professionals to help the company with the likes of fundraising, this offering, human resources, corporate governance, technology, and eCommerce strategy. All these activities and improvement are demanded and incurred in year 2021 as necessary of the next stage growth; | |
● | Sales and Marketing ($400,554), consists of brand marketing campaigns through various online platforms, including email, digital, website, social media, search engine optimization, as well as celebrities’ ambassadorship; and | |
● | Salary and Wages ($307,997) represents our efforts to build up a more experienced and robust team in sales & marketing, quality control, e-Commerce, and finance departments. |
43
12 Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Other income / (expense) | $ | (5,775 | ) | $ | 109,812 | |||||
Interest income | $ | 72,446 | $ | 36,877 | ||||||
Interest expense | $ | (32,549 | ) | $ | (6,145 | ) | ||||
Total other income / (expenses) | $ | 34,122 | $ | 140,544 | ||||||
Net Income | $ | 31,763 | $ | 595,766 |
The other income for the year ended December 31, 2021, was $34,122 as compared to the other income of $140,544 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in other income is due to the company received a lump-sum, covid-relevant grant from the government in 2020 which discontinued in 2021.
The net income for the year ended December 31, 2021, was $31,763 as compared to the net income of $595,766 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in net income is mainly due to our increase in operating expenses invested in company’s long-term growth and a discontinued government COVID relief grant.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow
Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2021, and 2020
As of December 31, 2021, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $1,559,172 as compared with $403,486 at December 31, 2020. The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for each of the periods presented:
Year Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Cash used in operating activities | $ | (843,591 | ) | $ | 1,003,187 | |||
Cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,758,226 | ) | $ | (708,826 | ) | ||
Cash provided by financing activities | $ | 3,905,017 | $ | (5,208 | ) | |||
Impact of changes in foreign currency on cash | $ | (147,514 | ) | $ | 82,824 | |||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,155,686 | $ | 371,977 |
44
The increase of $1.16m was primarily due to $3.94m inflow from a Series A Financing as financing activities net off by $1.2m business and intangible assets acquisition (investing activities) and $0.2m from operating activities.
The net cash received from the increase in share capital during the period between January 1, 2022 and June 15, 2022 was $677,605 through the issuance of 309,762 ordinary shares.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
There were no off-balance sheet arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 that have or that in the opinion of management are likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition and income taxes. We base our estimates on our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments we make about the carrying values of our assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because these estimates can vary depending on the situation, actual results may differ from the estimates.
The critical accounting policies summarized in this section are discussed in further detail in the notes to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this annual report. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from contracts with customers” (Topic 606). Revenue is recognized upon the Company’s satisfaction of a single performance obligation when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amount of revenue that is recorded reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. The Company’s main revenue stream is from sales of products. The Company recognizes as revenues the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when the performance obligation is satisfied or as it is satisfied. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are transferred to customers at a point in time, typically upon delivery.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
45
Lease Commitments
Operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is presented on the statements of operations.
Finance lease right of use assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and finance lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The initial liability for a finance lease will subsequently be adjusted to reflect interest expense incurred (increase of the liability), and lease payments made (decrease of the liability). Interest should be recognized equal to an amount that produces a constant periodic discount rate on the remaining balance of the liability during the lease term (i.e., the effective interest method). The ROU asset should be amortized on a straight-line basis from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the ROU asset or the end of the lease term. If, however, ownership of the ROU asset is transferred to the lessee at the end of the lease term or it is reasonably certain the lessee will exercise a purchase option for the ROU asset, then the lessee should amortize the ROU asset from commencement of the lease to the end of the useful life of the ROU asset.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company determined that its functional currency is the U.S. dollar since the U.S. dollar is the currency of the environment in which the Company primarily generates and expends cash. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses represent gains and losses resulting from transactions entered into in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company. These transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The new guidance requires organizations to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
The new guidance; (i) eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, reflects an organization’s current estimate of all expected credit losses over the contractual term of its financial assets, (ii) broadens the information that an entity can consider when measuring credit losses to include forward-looking information, (iii) increases usefulness of the financial statements by requiring timely inclusion of forecasted information in forming expectations of credit losses, (iv) increases comparability of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets) with other purchased assets that do not have credit deterioration as well as originated assets because credit losses that are expected will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses for all assets, (v) increases users’ understanding of underwriting standards and credit quality trends by requiring additional information about credit quality indicators by year of origination (vintage), and (vi) aligns the income statement recognition of credit losses, for available-for-sale debt securities, with the reporting period in which changes occur by recording credit losses (and subsequent changes in credit losses) through an allowance rather than a write down.
The new guidance affects organizations that hold financial assets and net investments in leases that are not accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income. It affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash.
46
For public business entities that meet the definition of a SEC filer, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Company will adopt beginning January 1, 2023. The Company does not believe the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Overview
We are a developer, manufacturer, marketer, exporter and retailer of a growing beverage portfolio of 60 formulations across 13 alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands. Our focus is on premium and super premium brands.
Innovation Beverage Group Limited has two subsidiaries. IBG USA LLC (“IBG USA”) was formed for the purpose of importing, producing via co-packers, marketing and wholesaling Innovation Beverage Group Limited owned portfolio of brands in the United States. IBG USA has not conducted any of these activities as of yet but plans to in the near future. Reg Liquors LLC d/b/a Wired For Wine is an e-commerce retailer of wines and spirits, and it operates its own marketplaces, www.wiredforwine.com and www.bevmart.com.
Our flagship Australian Bitters Company (ABC) brand accounted for approximately 75% of our revenues in 2021. We also sell BitterTales, a brand to which we have the exclusive right to manufacture for distribution in the United States. By geographic market, our total revenues are:
2021 (USD) | 2020 (USD) | 2019 (USD) | ||||||||||
Australian Market | $ | 2,386,798 | $ | 1,598,822 | $ | 2,248,941 | ||||||
U.S. Market(1) | $ | 1,361,483 | $ | 582,932 | — | |||||||
Total Revenue | $ | 3,748,281 | $ | 2,181,754 | $ | 2,248,941 |
(1) Solely for the purpose of this chart, exports to the U.S. are included as revenue attributable to the U.S. market. IBG manages its business in two geographical segments, Australia and the United States, and for accounting purposes, the revenue allocation is different in Note 11 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements given that the export sales to the U.S. Market as shown in this chart, represent revenue generated from sales to IBG’s customers or distributors located in the Australia Market, who in turn distribute the sale of those products onward to consumers in the U.S. Market.
The Australian Bitters Company brand was developed as an Australian alternative to a well-known, nearly 200 year old brand, Angostura Bitters. In 2020, ABC had approximately 25% of the market share in Australia, having launched in 2015. We believe that the growth of ABC to its current position in the markets shows that ABC has become the first Australian-made challenger brand to Angostura Bitters. By way of distribution through Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), Australia’s largest beverage distributor, ABC has managed to grow its market share substantially. CCEP has a distribution network that reaches over 90% of postcodes across Australia. As a brand in CCEP’s distribution network, we anticipate significant continued growth. ABC also has the home-field advantage of being locally produced and Australian rather than being an imported product.
Our Company relies on certain business relationships to manufacture and/or distribute different brand-name products. Among such relationships is our business with Sway Energy Corp. Our Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of our board of directors is Sahil Beri, who is the brother of Amit Beri, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Sway Energy Corp. This family relationship presents a potential conflict of interest between the companies.
The following chart summarizes the arrangements we have with respect to our different brand-name products. For a complete description about the related agreements, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Material Agreements.”
Brands | Summary | Governing Agreement | IP | Consideration/Royalty |
Elegance Vodka | Sway Energy Corp. owned all intellectual property rights to Elegance Vodka until the brand was sold on June 29, 2022 around which time IBG ceased manufacturing this product. | Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”)
|
N/A | N/A |
Australis Gin | IBG owns this brand after repurchasing it from Sway Energy pursuant to the June 2021 Agreement. | ● Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance
● Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement, between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc., dated June 14, 2021 (“June 2021 Agreement”)
|
IBG owns the intellectual property rights, including formulations, associated with the brand Australis Gin. | ABS paid USD$42,500 representing 100% of the costs and expenses incurred by Elegance as at that time in developing the Australis Gin beverage and brand |
47
Twisted Shaker | IBG holds a royalty-free license to Twisted Shaker to manufacture, use and sell the product throughout the world, except the U.S., its territories and possessions. | ● Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance
● Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement, between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc., dated June 14, 2021 |
IBG sold its intellectual property rights, including related formulations, associated with the Twisted Shaker brand to Sway.
Sway granted IBG a royalty-free non-exclusive license to use its intellectual property rights associated with the Twisted Shaker brand to manufacture, use and sell Twisted Shaker throughout the world, except for the U.S., its territories and possessions, which are Sway’s exclusive territories. The license expires upon termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement.
|
IBG received as consideration from Sway USD$10,000 for each of the formulations possessed by IBG with respect to the Twisted Shaker brand
IBG agreed with Sway to offset future royalties payable for Twisted Shaker to Sway in return for a royalty free right Sway to sell VOCO in the USA.
|
BitterTales | Sway owns this brand globally, but does not own the formulations.
With respect to formulations, IBG granted Sway a license to manufacture, use and sell all formulations of BitterTales within the USA and other countries located in Sway’s territories. |
Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance | IBG granted to Sway irrevocable and exclusive right and perpetual, license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to make, use and sell all formulations with respect to the BitterTales brand of alcoholic products. | One-time upfront royalty payment in the amount of USD$40,000 paid on August 15, 2020
Within 90 days following the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by IBG for Cause as provided therein, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of BitterTales for USD$2,000,000 (along with those for Australian Bitters Company). |
VOCO | IBG owns this brand and granted Sway a royalty-free license to use its intellectual property rights associated with VOCO to manufacture, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions. | ● Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance
● Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement, between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc., dated June 14, 2021 |
IBG granted Sway a royalty-free exclusive license to the intellectual property rights associated with the VOCO brand to make, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions. The license expires upon termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement.
|
Sway paid to IBG the paid-up sum of USD$200,000, in lieu of all current and future royalties due.
IBG agreed with Sway to offset future royalties payable for Twisted Shaker to Sway in return for a royalty-free right for Sway to sell VOCO in the U.S.
|
Australian Bitters Company | Within Australia, CCEP owns the right to distribute the Australian Bitters Company brand and IBG has the exclusive right to manufacturer the product.
Outside Australia, IBG owns the brand and has the right to manufacture and distribute Australian Bitters Company products. With respect to the U.S., its territories and possessions, IGB has a distribution arrangement with Sway whereby Sway pays USD$60 per case. |
● Europa and CCA 2016 Manufacturing Agreement dated Dec. 22, 2016, which terminates on Dec. 31, 2031 ● Deed of Novation, date July 2, 2018 ● Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance ● Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement, between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc., dated June 14, 2021 |
IBG sold its right, title and interest to all brands, line extensions, and flavor line extensions associated with the Australian Bitters Company brand to Sway for sale and distribution in the U.S., its territories and possessions.
Sway distributes Australian Bitters Company products in the U.S. for IBG. |
Sway pays USD$60 per case of Australian Bitters Company products
Within 90 days following the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by IBG for Cause as provided therein, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of Australian Bitters Company for USD$2,000,000 (along with those for BitterTales). |
Cheeky Vodka and flavor variants
Coventry Estate Gin and flavor variants
Geo Liqueurs in multiple variants
Cheeky Espresso Martini in multiple variants
|
IBG owns and manufactures these brands. | ● Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance
● Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement, between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc., dated June 14, 2021 |
IBG owns and manufactures these brands, as well as the BevMart.com.au website and business.
|
IBG paid as consideration to Sway USD$188,630.41, which represented 100% of the fully burdened costs and expenses incurred by Sway in developing the website and developing and creating formulations for each of the brands. |
Our goal is to increase our market share in the $600 million global market for bitters. Our partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (NASDAQ:CCEP), one of the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottlers, to exclusively manufacture ABC bitters for distribution in Australia is a key component of this strategy. We retain distribution rights for ABC bitters outside Australia and are actively negotiating new distribution arrangements for new markets.
Our direct-to-consumer (DTC) distribution channel is a network of eCommerce platforms: www.bevmart.com.au, www.bevmart.com, www.wiredforwine.com, and www.drummerboy.com. We launched BevMart.com.au in Australia in May 2021 and BevMart.com in the U.S. in February 2022. In November 2021, we acquired the U.S.-based www.wiredforwine.com. Our Drummerboy brand will be offered through its own DTC website. We offer our brands, as well as other brands, through our four (4) eCommerce platforms.
We are introducing a new non-alcoholic spirit brand called Drummerboy, our first entry into the growing non-alcoholic beverage market. No-and-Low Alcohol products are becoming increasingly accepted as a lifestyle and societal norm, making it more accessible and approachable for consumers. The market value of no/low alcohol in key global markets in 2021 was just under USD$10 billion, up from USD$7.8 billion in 2018.[5] With a direct to consumer (DTC) retail price per bottle of AUD$50 (approximately USD$35) and via manufacturing efficiencies through in-house manufacturing, we anticipate a margin in excess of 80% gross profit when selling Drummerboy through its own www.drummerboy.com website in a DTC sale.
We have launched Twisted Shaker, our first entry in the bottled cocktail market, in Australia. The pre-batched cocktail market grew significantly during the beginning of the COVID pandemic with consumers loving the convenience and cost efficiency of this type of product. Twisted Shaker cocktails are full-strength, high-quality bottled cocktails. We expect to launch new bottled cocktail brands in the U.S. in July 2022.
[4] Reserved.
[5] IWSR, No- and Low-Alcohol in Key Global Markets Reaches Almost US$10 Billion in Value (Last accessed April 26, 2022).
48
49
IBG eCommerce
* Depicted in this image are products we distribute through our eCommerce websites on behalf of customers as well as our Twisted Shaker and Drummerboy products.
Wired For Wine.com
Wired For Wine.com is a packaged wine website offering quality wines at highly competitive prices with incentivized free delivery on certain purchases. The current range contains more than 500 SKUs, with an email database of more than 33,000 highly engaged customers (42.16% average open rate on email marketing campaigns) and a majority demographic in the 45 - 54 age range (where 58% of customers are males).
On November 3, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Reg Liquors, LLC d/b/a Wired For Wine.com, located in Stockton, New Jersey. Since the acquisition of Wired For Wine.com, IBG has begun reshaping the brand’s proposition and identity towards premiumization. The aim is to transform Wired For Wine.com into the U.S.’s leading online destination for premium wine.
WFW Short - Medium Term Strategy
● | Invest in short-term performance marketing, website optimization and long-term brand building. |
Investing in performance marketing (paid digital media) and website optimizations will increase revenue in the short term while brand-building lays the foundation for sustainable growth. A strong brand will have better organic acquisition and retain more customers over time.
● | Build long-term relationships and loyalty with our customers through community and rewards. |
New customer acquisition costs are skyrocketing and will continue to do so with a rise in (COVID-19 driven) online competition and a shift towards digital privacy. Building communities with shared values of the WFW brand and rewarding them for their loyalty reduces marketing costs, increases customer retention and supports brand building.
50
● | Focus on sustainable growth. |
Even with the additional marketing spending and optimizations to WFW, it will be loss-making if it continues in its current format. Delivery costs are too high and margins are too thin to reinvest back into marketing for rapid growth. Short-term changes to promotional mechanics and pricing with long-term investment in brand equity and buying efficiencies will allow for increased profits without sacrificing revenue.
● | Utilize technology and expertise across our operations. |
Product ranging, knowledge and buying efficiencies will be core to the success of WFW’s new brand identity. As such, we plan to hire a sommelier or wine expert for support in product ranging (sought after, premium wines) and product-related knowledge that can be used as digital content. Better insights and analytics will support personal knowledge with data on purchase frequency, purchase amount and predicted depletion date to better manage cash flow and forecasting. Operationally, our consolidation of the eCommerce structure will help reduce operating expenses, duplication of work and leverage the team’s experience and capabilities.
The below roadmap illustrates the planned projects based on the above short-term strategy.
WFW Medium - Long Term Strategy
1:1 Marketing personalization
● | Create a destination for corporate & gifting orders | |
● | Expand reach through 3rd part marketplaces (e.g. Drizly, Vivino) | |
● | Convenience options for customers (e.g. SMS orders, same-day delivery expansion) |
Competitive Market
The U.S. market is relatively crowded with online packaged alcohol retailers, led by early adopters to online DTC and convenience commerce models, such as Drizly. The leaders in the destination, low price space - Total Wine (8.1 million monthly visits), Wine.com (1.1 million monthly visits) and Bevmo (913,000 monthly visits) - where Wired For Wine.com currently inhabits, all have a very similar business model: large range, low prices.
51
It is our belief that it would be futile for WFW to remain in this space. Low pricing to remain competitive and low margins inhibit our ability to scale and achieve revenue targets. Instead, a shift towards premiumization with a target of pre-family, medium to high income earners is the necessary model to achieve our goals. ReserveBar is great example of this, having success as a premium spirits (and small wine range) online retailer.
52
Competitor Analysis
Note:
Winc, Naked Wines and Vivino have not been included due to their business models.
Strengths
● | W4W’s small size allows it to be nimble and adapt quickly to changes in the market. It also allows W4W to purchase high demand stock in small batches to push our brand and product specialization image without disappointing customers. |
● | W4W has an established loyal customer base built over a number of years will help us safeguard against new entrants into the market. |
● | W4W aims to be a modern brand where the incumbents have, for the most part, built their brands on the traditional ‘wine world’ identity. |
Weaknesses
● | W4W currently cannot match the buying power or margins of the big players due to volume purchase. Price wars can become damaging to profit (if we engage) once W4W lands on the radar of bigger players. |
● | A single warehouse location on the east coast limits W4W’s ability to expand instant delivery. |
Opportunity
● | Taking market share from Shop Wine Direct and K&L Wine Merchants with a superior customer experience enabled by technology, mobile experience where most consumers shop, loyalty program and modern brand. |
● | A lot of the competitor websites have a poor user interface and user experience, which causes user frustration and can be a defining factor of conversion, particularly mobile, where most users now shop online. WFW will address this, offering a best-in-class user interface and user experience. |
● | Utilizing technology to solve the customer pain points. |
● | Expansion of W4W subscriptions and corporate services. |
53
Challenges
● | ReserveBar would become a significant competitor if they choose to expand their wine range and have an appetite for a price war. |
● | Convenience commerce models and third-party marketplaces will continue to dominate the online space, however we should look to partner with these brands as they are an opportunity to reach a larger audience. |
Bevmart AU
Bevmart is a vertically integrated, direct-to-consumer spirits website for Australian Boutique Spirits. Bevmart specializes in exclusive spirits and imported celebrity brands for the Australian market. Bevmart offers a range of 50 SKUs (primarily our produced products) with the objective to expand this range significantly by end of our 2022 fiscal year.
Competitive Market
Spirits are driving the most growth in both premium and mainstream categories of the packaged liquor market in 2020, with younger premium customers showing the strongest overall growth than any other segment.
For premium customers, gin, liqueurs and tequila show the highest growth in the spirits category with seltzers and gin-based premix leading the premix category.[6] The opportunity exists to capitalize on the younger premium segment through optimized channel targeting, customer service and range extension.
[6] IBIS World, AU Industry (Specialized) Report OD4087, Online Beer, Wine and Liquor Sales in Australia, Matthew Reeves (April 2021); IBIS World, AU Industry (ANZSIC) Report G4123, Liquor Retailing in Australia, Matthew Reeves (February 2021).
54
Strengths
● | Exclusive, award winning and unique product range. | |
● | Celebrity endorsement in Australia from Michael Clarke, an Australian cricket legend. | |
● | Product range, website and customer service highly rated with an average star rating of 4.71/5 for product and 4.82/5 for website and customer service. | |
● | Offers same day delivery in Sydney metro. | |
● | Competitive pricing. |
Weaknesses
● | Branding and range does not all reflect premium positioning. | |
● | Small range limits revenue growth. | |
● | Single warehouse location limits our ability to offer pick up across major cities. | |
● | Exclusiveness can be hard to secure for small or new brands. |
Opportunity
● | Range expansion through exclusive agreements and parallel importing to cover more categories to increase revenue. | |
● | Create corporate and gifting destination. | |
● | Expert validation of product quality through award shows. | |
● | Expand same day delivery to other major cities in Australia. | |
● | Leverage technology to solve customer pain points. |
Challenges
● | Celebrity product range could be picked up by competitors, diluting the brand proposition. |
Bevmart U.S.A
Bevmart U.S.A aims to be a leading direct-to-consumer spirits platform in the U.S. market, specializing in exclusive spirits and celebrity brands. Bevmart U.S.A offers a range of 13 SKUs, which are all celebrity products.
55
Target Market Size
Spirits in the U.S. - for the 11th straight year - have continued to gain market share over beer and wine.[7] Premiumization also continues to increase with premium and the super-premium spirits categories seeing +7.3% and +12.7% growth, respectively.[8]
The demand for whiskies, such as Bourbon, Tennessee, and Rye, is growing significantly in the United States. The increasing demand for premium whiskies with the rising number of super-premium brands and the fast-growing cocktail market are the key factors driving the growth of the American whiskey market.
Competitive Market
At home beverage consumption was already trending prior to COVID-19. While it may have increased adoption of online liquor sales, consumers being more comfortable with being at home will continue to accelerate the trend.
The U.S. is forecast to overtake China to become world’s largest beverage alcohol eCommerce market by end of 2021.[9] As consumers continue to adjust to the effects of Covid-19, beverage alcohol eCommerce has become an increasingly important retail channel across the globe.[10]
Nearly half (44%) of American spirits e-shoppers began buying their booze online in 2021.[11] As a result, IWSR says that the American booze e-commerce market value grew by 80% this year; by 2024, online liquor sales in the U.S. are expected to hit 7% of total off-trade beverage alcohol volume in the country, compared to 6% in China.[12]
[7] Wine Enthusiast, “Spirits Sales Grew in 2020 Despite Pandemic, ‘Destructive’ Tariffs,” January 29, 2021.
[8] Id.
[9] IWSR, “Beverage alcohol eCommerce value grows by 42% in 2020, to reach US$24 billion”. (Last accessed April 26, 2022.)
[10] Id.
[11] Forbes, “U.S. On Track To Be Biggest Alcohol E-Commerce Market By 2021,” November 30, 2020.
[12] Id.
56
57
Competitive Analysis
Strengths
● | Premium celebrity product range offering competitive prices. |
● | Soon to offer same day delivery in New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey. |
● | Small size allows Bevmart U.S.A to be nimble and adapt quickly to changes in the market. It also allows Bevmart U.S.A to purchase high demand stock in small batches to push our product specialization image without disappointing customers. |
Weaknesses
● | Small range limits revenue growth. |
● | Bevmart U.S.A currently cannot match the buying power or margins of the big players due to volume purchase. Price wars can become damaging to profit (if Bevmart U.S.A engages) once Bevmart U.S.A lands on the radar of bigger players. |
● | Single warehouse location on the east coast limits Bevmart U.S.A’s ability to expand instant delivery. |
● | Exclusiveness can be hard to secure for small or new brands. |
58
Opportunity
● | Range expansion to increase revenue. |
● | Create corporate and gifting destination for spirits. |
● | Leverage Wired For Wine.com’s customer base to market Bevmart U.S.A. |
Challenges
● | Celebrity product range could be picked up by competitors, diluting the brand proposition. |
● | Convenience commerce models and third-party marketplaces will continue to dominate the online space, however, Bevmart U.S.A should look to partner with these brands as they are an opportunity to reach a larger audience. |
Drummerboy
Through efficiencies of managing www.bevmart.com, www.bevmart.com.au, and www.wiredforwine.com and having our own back end fulfilment warehouses and key relationships with logistics partnerships launch of www.drummerboy.com in both Australia and the U.S. via our own DTC system will lead to immediate scale opportunities.
Drummerboy.com will also have the advantage of cross marketing this website to existing loyal customers across the other marketplaces already in revenue.
Additionally, we will have efficiencies of scale in our digital, native, influencer, and direct marketing strategies with all websites managed and controlled by one centralized team and agency partnership.
eCommerce Advantages
Technological Advantages
All four of our eCommerce brands - www.wiredforwine.com, www.bevmart.com, www.bevmart.com.au, and www.drummerboy.com - are built on Shopify, including their front ends. While there are some customization restraints (ones that are not currently needed), Shopify provides a best-in-class, low-cost solution for our direct-to-consumer functionality needs. Its native features and a large library of app integrations significantly reduce our development costs and allow us to be nimble in an ever-changing digital landscape.
As we scale the brands, there may be a need for additional front end customizations in which we would adopt a headless e-Commerce architecture (custom front end) utilizing Shopify’s back end.
Operational Advantages
IBG has vertically integrated manufacturing, import, sales and marketing company with a focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) enabling complete capture of the value chain. Our eCommerce and product team consists of members with extensive beverage industry experience garnered at some of the world’s largest alcohol companies, such as Endeavour Drinks Group (Australia’s largest liquor online and brick-and-mortar retail group), Treasury Wine Estates (Australia’s largest wine company and one of the world’s largest wine companies) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (the world’s largest brewer). This is aided by the wealth of knowledge consulting the IBG eCommerce team in Paul Waddy - former CEO of The Horse, Head of Operations at Showpo and voted No 2 in Inside Retail’s Top 50 People in eCommerce Australia in 2021.
IBG’s leased warehouses in Sydney and New Jersey provide logistical advantages for the distribution for our products and those of our clients to nearby large population centers.
59
Cost Advantages
IBG’s product portfolio is focused on bitters, light spirits and non-alcoholic spirits, which have short manufacturing times. As a result, IBG is more capital efficient as compared to dark spirit manufacturers (e.g. whisky, brandy, etc.), which often require aging in barrels for years before being sold.
With regard to the our eCommerce, the flat structure helps to reduce our operating expenses (as we have one digital marketing agency and web development team) and duplication of work. The structure also leverages the team’s experience and capabilities across four eCommerce banners. Owned products, such as Drummerboy and Twisted Shaker, and distribution deals (i.e. Drake’s Virginia Black) allows us to retain margin and push exclusiveness as a competitive difference through our DTC banners (i.e. Bevmart).
IBG Bitters Products
We produce a range of award-winning Bitters at our distillery and beverage manufacturing facility in Seven Hills, NSW Australia. Our BitterTales Aromatic Bitters was a Gold Medal winner at the 2021 L.A. Spirits Awards and Platinum Medal winner at the 2020 L.A. Spirits Awards. Our product also won Best In Show of the 2020 L.A. Spirits Awards. Our bitters that we manufacture as the Australian Bitters Company, was awarded Gold and Silver medals at the 2018 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), as well as two Silver Medals at the 2018 L.A. Spirits Awards.
In Australia, our Bitters are predominantly sold to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) under a long-term Australian contract, which expires 2033, in Australia. (In 2021, our previous distributor, Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, merged with CCEP.) The balance of our Bitters’ sales is exported. Bitters for our Company as a manufacturer and brand owner is a highly profitable category with a gross profit margin of approximately 80%. All of our Bitters are manufactured at our distillery and beverage manufacturing facility in Seven Hills, NSW Australia.
IBG is in discussions with global distribution partners in Europe, Asia and the Americas for its Bitters brands. BitterTales is another successful Bitters product manufactured by IBG. Sales of this product in Australia, for export sales to the U.S., grew from AUD$669,180 (approx. USD$485,557) in 2020 to AUD$936,960 (approx. USD$679,858) in 2021, which represents approximately 40% year over year growth.
On July 31, 2021, the Company (formerly known as Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) and Sway Energy Corp. (formerly known as Elegance Brand, Inc.) (“Sway”) entered into a Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement, as amended on March 10, 2021 and June 14, 2021 (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”). Pursuant to the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company for USD$2,000,000, which may be exercised within 90 days following the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by the Company for Cause as provided therein. In the event that Sway exercises its purchase option, Sway would come to own the formulations of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company, and IBG would be required to obtain a license from Sway to continue manufacturing bitters under those brand names. For further details about the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Material Agreements.”
60
Target Market Size
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Bitters category was growing at a healthy rate, particularly Cocktail Bitters. However, in 2020, the Bitters category took a hit in volume and retail sales values. Going forward, however, the Bitters category is expected to return to growth from 2021 onwards, especially Cocktail Bitters, as restrictions ease and consumer trends around home cocktailing, desire for more natural ingredients and bitter flavors increases.
The global Cocktail Bitters category experienced some decline in 2020 given the on-premise restrictions, particularly among premium focused brands. However, the category is expected to recover and return to growth as well.
61
Competitive Market
The global Cocktail Bitters category has experienced some decline in 2020 given the decline of the on-premise due to local restrictions, which effected many Premium & Above brands that were strongly or solely activated in the on-premise.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the category was more or less evenly split by on and off-premise channels, given market differences. However, with the decline of the on-premise, the off-premise managed to grow and offset losses, particularly with the help of eCommerce. Many brands were able to pivot and transition efforts to online, which has helped to drive interest in the category alongside the rise of the ‘Home Premise’ and at home cocktail making during lockdowns.
This helped some markets grow in 2020, particularly in the U.S. and Australia. Going forward, the global category is expected to return to growth in 2021 as consumer interest and demand grows, spreading beyond key markets.
Competitive Analysis
The U.S. continues to dominate the global Cocktail Bitters market, followed by Australia, both of which saw growth in 2020. Trinidad & Tobago, the UK, and France make up the rest of the Top 5 Global markets in case numbers. However, each had mixed results recently. Trinidad & Tobago managed to grow in 2020, whereas the UK and France were impacted by the on-premise closures but will recover going forward.
Angostura continues to lead the global Cocktail Bitters category, followed by Peychaud’s and Australian Bitters Co., all of which saw growth in 2020. Several other brands, including Fee Brothers, Bittermen’s, The Bitter Truth, and many more, were impacted in 2020 given their on-premise presence. However, quite a few of these brand owners have managed to adapt during the pandemic and shift their businesses to off-premise, as well as expand their distribution to more markets. It is expected they will return to growth alongside the category.
62
Strengths
● | Iconic packaging- proprietary bottle, screen printed bottle provides unique and remarkable look and feel |
● | All natural ingredients |
● | Great value offer versus Angostura |
● | Small size allows IBG to be nimble and adapt quickly to changes in the market with new packaging format, sizes and flavors |
● | CCEP distribution machine in Australia |
Weaknesses
● | Consumer awareness in Australia |
● | Growth in the U.S. will require obtaining a large distributor |
Opportunity
● | Innovation into bigger bottles (500ml) and smaller bottles (50ml) to increase the occasions where cocktail bitters may be utilized as an ingredient and, therefore, increase sales. For example, a smaller 50ml bottle may become an affordable yet impulse purchase option for a consumer purchasing a basket of beverages for a party as they may be more inclined to purchase a smaller bottle of our bitters in their basket mix. |
● | Strengthen association with cooking |
● | Be the “go to” bitters for mocktails (non-alcohol cocktails are commonly referred to as mocktails) |
Challenges
● | Market size and scale of Angostura, particularly if they drop price. |
63
No-and-Low Alcohol Drummerboy
Drummerboy is a delicious range of non- alcoholic spirits for those that want to forge their own path.
No-and-Low Alcohol products are becoming increasingly accepted as a lifestyle and societal norm, making it more accessible and approachable for consumers. Many new No-and-Low Alcohol (No/Low Alcohol) products are starting to use more natural ingredients, as well as botanicals and bitter flavors as consumers needs and palettes are evolving with the larger health and wellness trend. As a result, there is an opportunity to offer a low-ABV pre-packaged offering made with Cocktail Bitters to tap into the growing ready to drink (RTD) trend of Hard Seltzers and Spritzes. Additionally, the category lines between No Alcohol RTDs and Mixers are starting to blur with big corporations starting to tread into adjacent categories (e.g. Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Molson Coors) offering premium mixers to tap into the growing soda cocktail trend.
Target Market Size
The market size of No/Low Alcohol is 349.2 million 9L cases or USD$9.9 billion in market value. The expected CAGR from 2021-25 is 8.0% or an enormous 126.4 million 9L cases.
The biggest market for No/Low spirits is the U.S. (719,000 9 Liter Equivalent (LE)), France (515,000 9LE), UK (319,000 9LE), Germany (176,000 9LE), and Australia (63,000 9LE).
Competitive Analysis
No market share data is available for this new category. However, evidence of its attractions can be shown by the market leader, Lyre’s, which closed a funding round of £20m in November 2021 that valued the business at £270m, up from a valuation of £100m earlier the same year.[13] According to Lyre’s founder Mark Livings, the business has expanded to 60 countries and is on track to generate £50m in sales this year.[14]
[13] BusinessWire, “Lyre’s Hits £270 Million Valuation in Category’s Largest Funding Round To-Date” (November 15, 2021).
[14] The Spirits Business, “Lyre’s on track to reach $1bn valuation” (November 15, 2021).
64
Drummerboy Website
Drummerboy website, the direct-to-consumer website for the packaged non-alcoholic spirits forms part of the omni-channel approach to the brand. Drummerboy Non Alcohol Spirits will also be sold via Bevmart and Wired For Wine.com. However, the brand will have its own transactional website for below reasons:
● | Allows for greater storytelling capability with more room for content |
● | Not subject to online alcohol restriction rules by government and marketing platforms |
● | Greater targeting for paid and owned marketing channels |
We will also utilize the same logistics back end as Bevmart in Australia and Wired For Wine.com in the U.S.
Competitive Market
Online competition will be focused on DTC non-alcohol brands like market leader Lyre’s, Seedlip and online (packaged alcohol and non-alcoholic) retailers carrying a non-alcoholic spirits category.
While technically competitors, we anticipate that packaged alcohol and non-alcoholic retailers in the market, such as Dan Murphy’s, First Choice, and Sans Drinks in Australia, will organically grow the Drummerboy website traffic and revenue once the products are ranged at these retailers.
We believe that due to the increased brand awareness, paid media spend (from retailers) and, through our experience, Google’s tendency to rank brand and supplier websites higher over retailers*. (*Not guaranteed. Website must have good Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices and consistent fresh content for us to take advantage of the google algorithm.)
65
66
Strengths
● | Drummerboy Brand - unique positioning encouraging people to rise above peer pressure and stay off the drink when they want too. |
● | Packaging- memorable name and unique brand iconography. |
● | Ability to expand globally quickly with 3-tier compliant retailers already established in the U.S. |
● | Existing customer base of Bevmart and Wired For Wine.com we can market to at minimal cost. Link equity will also be passed to www.drummerboy.com to support in search engine optimization. |
● | Celebrity endorsement in Australia from Michael Clarke, Australian cricket legend. |
Weaknesses
● | Consumer awareness |
● | Distribution |
● | Warehouse locations limits our ability to offer Pick up. |
Opportunity
● | Create a destination for mocktail recipe content online. |
● | Partner with dark warehouse, a fully-automated warehouse, and several fast commerce businesses that use applications (apps) that offer 10-minute delivery in cities to reach a fast growing audience online where our competitors are not. Milkrun and Go Puff are examples of such businesses. |
● | Validate quality of product through award shows. |
● | Expand globally to No and Low Alcohol key markets |
● | Build the brand via strong and relevant marketing |
Challenges
● | Convenience commerce models and third-party marketplaces will continue to dominate the online space. However, we should look to partner with these brands as they are an opportunity to reach a larger audience. |
● | Range and category expansion from market leaders. |
● | Minimal regulation (compared to alcohol) make market entry easier. |
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Our use of raw materials mainly includes herbs, bottles, and labels. We maintain, and seek to continue maintaining, strong and long-term relationships with our major raw material vendors to create a stable supply of such materials. No indication of price surge has been brought to our attention by our vendors.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain disruptions have become a constant source of stress for many beverage companies with global footprints like IBG. Any disruption along the supply chain can disrupt plant operations, production schedules, logistics, and the customer experience. IBG was impacted by the supply chain disruption due to:
● | transportation delay for some materials (e.g., bottles) purchased from certain areas such as China; | |
● | shipping container shortage that postponed the export of our BitterTales products to the United States; | |
● | labor shortages internally and externally due to COVID-associated sick and carer leaves; and | |
● | customer demand drops and surges. |
While not every disruption can be avoided, many of them can be managed. Preparation and planning are vital for businesses that want to avoid delays and shutdowns now and in the future. IBG’s management has been working on different aspects to strengthen the resilience of our supply chain. IBG’s key actions include:
● | establishing more robust sales and operations planning to monitor customer demand, raw material availability and labor scheduling; | |
● | optimize inventory and freight process by implementing a new warehouse management system; | |
● | renegotiating the manufacturing agreements with main customers by passing the logistic responsibilities from IBG to the buyers; | |
● | diversify the supply networking to avoid heavy reliance on a certain supplier or suppliers from one certain area; and | |
● | encourage flexible and remote working arrangements to improve productivity and minimize employee turnover. |
67
Material Agreements
Deed of Novation
Europa International Pty Ltd. (“Europa”), Coca-Cola Amatil (Australia) Pty Ltd (succeeded by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, “CCA”) and Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd (“ABS”) entered into a novation agreement on July 2, 2018 (“Europa-CCA-ABS Novation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Europa-CCA-ABS Novation Agreement, we have been assigned Europa’s rights and obligations under the Manufacturing Agreement entered into December 22, 2016; the Manufacturing Agreement dated June 9, 2017, the Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement, the Intellectual Property Co-Existence Deed, and the Deed Poll. As such, the following Manufacturing Agreements of 2016, 2017, and the Notice Under Manufacturing Agreement all fall within the scope of the Deed of Novation.
2016 Europa Manufacturing Agreement
On December 22, 2016, Europa and CCA entered into a Manufacturing Agreement (“2016 Europa Manufacturing Agreement”) that began on January 1, 2017. The 2016 Europa Manufacturing Agreement is effective until December 31, 2031, unless terminated earlier for cause.
In the 2016 Europa Manufacturing Agreement, CCA appointed Europa to manufacture bitters of all flavors produced by Europa, or any product bearing the AUSTRALIAN BITTERS Brand and granted Europa an exclusive, non-transferable, royalty free license to use the AUSTRALIAN BITTERS intellectual property in the territory to the extent needed to manufacture the products. Specifically, the products include (a) 250 mL bottle of Australian Bitters supplied in a case of 12 and (b) 125 mL bottle of Australian Bitters supplied in a case of 12. The territory consists of Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. CCA must pay Europa within 20 business days of the end of the month in which Europa sends CCA the invoice for products delivered to them. Additionally, in consideration of CCA’s providing marketing services, Europa agreed to pay CCA a contribution amount on all products receipted by CCA from time to time. The aggregate payment may not exceed 50% of the direct marketing expenditure.
While the agreement was originally exclusive in the Commonwealth of Australia, the Commonwealth of New Zealand and the Republic of Fiji, now, since neither CCA nor any of its related parties supplied any products to any customer located in New Zealand or Fiji by January 1, 2019, both Fiji and New Zealand ceased being considered territories. As such, we are able to expand our markets.
Notice Under 2016 Europa Manufacturing Agreement
On January 9, 2019, we sent a letter to CCA regarding the 2016 Agreement. We notified CCA, in accordance with clause 1.1 of the 2016 Agreement, that we would now be able to import, sell, allow or procure any third party to sell, any products to any person within New Zealand and Fiji. We are able to sell in these territories because neither CCA nor any of its related parties have supplied any products to any customer located in Fiji or New Zealand from the start date of the 2016 Agreement to January 1, 2019.
Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc. dated July 31, 2020, as amended (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”) by that certain Amendment Agreement dated March 10, 2021 (“March 2021 Amendment Agreement”) and that certain Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc. dated June 14, 2021 (“June 2021 Amendment Agreement”)
On July 31, 2020, IBG and Elegance Brands, Inc. (now known as Sway Energy Corp.) (“Sway”) entered into a manufacturing, supply and license agreement whereby IBG agreed to manufacture and sell Covered Products (as defined below) to Sway. Subsequently on March 10, 2021 and June 14, 2021, sections of the agreement were amended by that certain March 2021 Amendment Agreement and the June 2021 Amendment Agreement.
The term of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement is such that at its initial execution in July 2020, the initial term was July 31, 2020 through July 21, 2022 pursuant to a 24-month initial term period. The March 10 Amendment Agreement changed the initial term from a 24-month initial term period to a 36-month initial term period. As a result of the amendment, the initial term period of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement is July 31, 2020 through July 31, 2023. The term may automatically renew for up to 24 months, unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal.
A description of the material terms of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement follows. “Covered Products” means the individual and collective reference to (a) the alcoholic drinks and Formulations sold as (i) each of the BevMart Brands, (ii) BitterTales, (iii) Cocktail Bitters, (iv) VOCO and (v) Australian Bitters Company. “BevMart Brands” means the individual brands and line extensions of: (a) Cheeky Vodka and flavor variants, (b) Coventry Estate Gin and flavor variants, (c) Geo Liqueurs in multiple variants, (d) Cheeky Espresso Martini in multiple variants., and (e) all future brands developed by Sway which ABS determines to offer for sale on the BevMart websites www.bevmart.com and www.bevmart.com.au.
Pursuant to the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, Sway purchases Covered Products from IBG, who manufactures and sells such products in accordance with purchase orders received from Sway. Sway also provides its best projections and estimates as to the quantity, in units and cases, of each of the Covered Products that Sway will need to purchase from IBG for the next succeeding 90 days. Based on such projections, IBG maintains sufficient manufacturing capacity, stocks of raw materials and packaging to enable it to meet such requirements.
During a requisite 12 month period following July 31, 2020, IBG had the right, but not the obligation, to manufacture and sell to Sway all new alcoholic products branded under Sway’s intellectual property rights and to be sold or distributed by Sway in its territory, meaning, only the U.S., its territories and possessions with respect to the Australian Bitters Company Covered Products and VOCO covered products, and the rest of the world with respect to all other Covered Products. Sway accepted IBG’s exercise of such right; consequently, IBG gained the right to manufacture and sell other new products in addition to the Covered Products.
68
The 2020 Manufacturing Agreement may be terminated by either party for cause. Sway may terminate by providing written notice to IBG: (a) if IBG repudiates or threatens to repudiate, any of its obligations under this Agreement; (b) except as otherwise specifically provided under Sway’s right to terminate for cause, if IBG is in material breach of, or threatens to breach, any material representation, warranty or covenant of IBG under this Agreement and either the breach cannot be cured or, if the breach can be cured, it is not cured by IBG within a commercially reasonable period of time under the circumstances, in no case exceeding sixty (60) days following IBG’s receipt of written Notice of such breach; (c) if IBG repeatedly fails to, or threatens not to, timely deliver Covered Products conforming to the requirements of, and otherwise in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (d) if IBG (i) becomes insolvent or is generally unable to pay, or fails to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files or has filed against it, a petition for voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, (iii) makes or seeks to make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (iv) applies for or has appointed a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business; (e) if IBG fails to provide Sway, within a commercially reasonable time after Sway’s request (but in no case exceeding 30 days after such request) with adequate and reasonable assurance of IBG’s financial and operational capability to perform timely any of IBG’s obligations under the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement; (f) if, as a result of any repeated and material breach by IBG of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Sway’s customer requires that Sway obtain another supplier of Covered Products; (g) if IBG takes any action, or fails to take any action, required under this Agreement or any other agreement between Sway and IBG, or as reasonably requested by Sway, the result of which is an imminent interruption or delay, or the threat of an imminent interruption or delay, in any production at any of Sway’s or its customer’s manufacturing facilities; (h) if, without obtaining Sway’s prior written consent, (i) IBG sells, leases or exchanges a material portion of IBG’s assets, (ii) IBG merges or consolidates with or into another Person (as defined in said agreement), other than Sway, or (iii) a change in Control (meaning the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of another Person (as defined in said agreement), whether through the ownership or voting securities, by contract, or otherwise) of IBG occurs; or (i) upon the occurrence of any other event constituting grounds for termination set forth in under the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement.
Any termination under Sway’s right to terminate for cause will be effective on IBG’s receipt of Sway’s written notice of termination or such later date (if any) set forth in such termination notice. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described under Sway’s right to terminate for cause, Sway may, in addition to any of its other rights to suspend performance under the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement or applicable law, immediately suspend its performance under all or any part of such agreement, without any liability of Sway to IBG, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in such agreement Sway may, at its election, recover any and all direct and indirect actual and incidental damages (but not including consequential damages) and costs (including attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and costs), expenses and losses incurred by Sway as a result of any event described under Sway’s right to terminate for cause or any breach of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement by IBG.
With respect to IBG, the Company has a right to terminate the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement for cause by providing written notice to Sway: (a) if Sway is in material breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant of Sway under said Agreement, and either the breach cannot be cured or, if the breach can be cured, it is not cured by Sway within a commercially reasonable period of time, in no case exceeding sixty (60) days, after Sway’s receipt of written notice of such breach; or (b) if Sway (i) becomes insolvent or is generally unable to pay, or fails to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files or has filed against it, a petition for voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, (iii) makes or seeks to make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (iv) applies for or has appointed a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business.
Any termination by IBG will be effective on Sway’s receipt of IBG’s written notice of termination or such later date (if any) set forth in such notice.
Immediately upon the effectiveness of a notice of termination delivered by Sway to IBG, IBG shall promptly, unless otherwise directed by Sway, and subject to IBG’s obligation provide resourcing cooperation: (i) terminate all performance under the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement and under any outstanding purchase orders; (ii) transfer title and deliver to Sway all Covered Products produced and paid for pursuant to the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement prior to effectiveness of the notice of termination; and (iii) return to Sway all bailed property and any other property furnished by or belonging to Sway or any of Sway’s customers, or dispose of such bailed property or other property in accordance with Sway’s instructions (provided that Sway will reimburse IBG for the actual, reasonable costs associated with such disposal). The expiration or termination of the then-current term will not affect any rights or obligations of Sway or IBG that: (i) come into effect upon or after termination or expiration of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement; or (ii) otherwise survive the expiration or earlier termination of such agreement pursuant to its terms and were incurred by the parties prior to such expiration or earlier termination. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, each party shall: (i) return to the other party all documents and tangible materials (and any copies) containing, reflecting, incorporating or based on the other party’s confidential information, and not retain any copies thereof; (ii) permanently erase all of the other party’s confidential information from its computer systems, except for copies that are maintained as archive copies on its disaster recovery and/or information technology backup systems, Sway and IBG each shall destroy any such copies upon the normal expiration of its backup files; and (iii) upon the other party’s written request, certify in writing to such other party that it has complied with the termination requirements. Termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any of the terminating party’s rights or remedies/either party’s rights, remedies or defenses under said agreement, at law, in equity or otherwise.
69
Subject to price adjustments, including a favored nations price adjustment herein described, Sway purchases the Covered Products according to the following pricing schedule: (a) for all Covered Products, other than Cocktail Bitters, (i) IBG’s actual manufacturing cost for each of the Covered Products, plus (ii) 54% of the manufacturing cost for such Covered Products; and (b) for Cocktail Bitters, the same price per case as IBG charges to and receives from its largest customer, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which is equal to or less than AUD$81.75 per case. If a price adjustment is warranted (a) for Covered Products, other than Cocktail Bitters, as a result of IBG’s increased manufacturing costs, or (b) for Cocktail Bitters, as a result of IBG’s increased pricing to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, IBG shall provide Sway with evidence, reasonably acceptable to Sway, of such increased manufacturing costs or increases prices charged to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, as applicable. Applicable price adjustments are effective immediately for all purchase orders not yet accepted by IBG. If at any time during the then-term, either (a) Sway demonstrates to IBG that Sway is able to purchase from one or more unaffiliated third party sources similar quantities of Covered Products on similar delivery dates and delivery terms, either at lower prices or on more favorable payment terms than those earlier stated, or (b) IBG charges any other buyer of similar quantities of Covered Products on similar delivery date and delivery terms, a lower price, or agrees to payment terms that are more favorable to such buyer than those set forth in the agreement for the same Covered Products, IBG shall adjust its pricing and apply that lower price and more favorable payment terms to all same or similar Covered Products covered by 2020 Manufacturing Agreement and under applicable purchase orders, statements of work or invoices (the “Favored Nations Price Adjustment”). Sway is entitled to a Favored Nations Price Adjustment on one occasion only during each Anniversary Year (meaning the period from August 1 through July 31) and it shall apply only to sales and purchases of Covered Products in the next succeeding Anniversary Year. If IBG fails to provide Sway with a Favored Nations Price Adjustment to which it may be entitled, Sway may, at its option, in addition to all of its other rights under this Agreement or at law, terminate this Agreement without liability to IBG.
Pursuant to the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company for USD$2,000,000, which may be exercised within 90 days following the termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by the Company for Cause as provided therein. In the event that Sway exercises its purchase option, Sway would come to own the formulations of BitterTales and Australian Bitters Company, and IBG would be required to obtain a license from Sway to continue manufacturing bitters under those brand names. Upon termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, two licenses granted thereunder will expire: (i) IBG’s royalty-free license to Twisted Shaker to manufacture, use and sell the product throughout the world, except the U.S., its territories and possessions; and (ii) Sway’s royalty-free license to use the intellectual property rights associated with VOCO to manufacture, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions.
The June 2021 Amendment Agreement also terminated a Management, Supply and License Agreement between IBG and Sway dated December 31, 2020. Under the terms of such agreement. IBG obtained the sole and exclusive right to own and operate the BevMart business in Australia, including its website and the BevMart Brands.
The June 2021 Amendment Agreement also set forth the intellectual property arrangements between IBG and Sway, which are described in the chart below.
Australis Gin | IBG owns the intellectual property rights, including formulations, associated with the brand Australis Gin.
|
ABS paid USD$42,500 representing 100% of the costs and expenses incurred by Elegance as at that time in developing the Australis Gin beverage and brand |
Twisted Shaker | IBG sold its intellectual property rights, including related formulations, associated with the Twisted Shaker brand to Sway.
Sway granted IBG a royalty-free non-exclusive license to use its intellectual property rights associated with the Twisted Shaker brand to manufacture, use and sell Twisted Shaker throughout the world, except for the U.S., its territories and possessions, which are Sway’s exclusive territories. The license expires upon termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement.
|
IBG received as consideration from Sway USD$10,000 for each of the formulations possessed by IBG with respect to the Twisted Shaker brand
IBG agreed with Sway to offset future royalties payable for Twisted Shaker to Sway in return for a royalty free right Sway to sell VOCO in the USA.
|
VOCO | IBG granted Sway a royalty-free exclusive license to the intellectual property rights associated with the VOCO brand to make, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions. The license expires upon termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement.
|
Sway paid to IBG the paid-up sum of USD$200,000, in lieu of all current and future royalties due.
IBG agreed with Sway to offset future royalties payable for Twisted Shaker to Sway in return for a royalty-free right for Sway to sell VOCO in the U.S.
|
Australian Bitters Company | Within Australia, CCEP owns the right to distribute the Australian Bitters Company brand and IBG has the exclusive right to manufacturer the product.
Outside Australia, IBG owns the brand and has the right to manufacture and distribute Australian Bitters Company products. With respect to the U.S., its territories and possessions, IGB has a distribution arrangement with Sway whereby Sway pays USD$60 per case. |
Elegance pays USD$60 per case of Australian Bitters Company products
Within 90 days following the termination of the Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement dated July 31, 2020 between ABS and Elegance, as amended on March 10, 2021 and June 14, 2021 (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”) for any reason other than an automatic termination or termination by IBG for Cause as provided therein, Sway has a purchase option to acquire the formulations, but no intellectual property rights, of Australian Bitters Company for USD$2,000,000 (along with those for BitterTales). |
Cheeky Vodka and flavor variants
Coventry Estate Gin and flavor variants
Geo Liqueurs in multiple variants
Cheeky Espresso Martini in multiple variants
|
IBG owns and manufactures these brands (the BevMart Brands), as well as the BevMart.com.au website and business.
|
IBG paid as consideration to Sway USD$188,630.41, which represented 100% of the fully burdened costs and expenses incurred by Sway in developing the website and developing and creating formulations for each of the brands. |
70
Loan Agreement between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Amit Beri as of June 30, 2021, as novated to Meena Beri on December 27, 2021
On June 30, 2021, ABS and Amit Beri entered into an unwritten loan agreement for the aggregate amount of AUD$2,853,105 for loans received from the Company between January 2020 through such date (the “Beri Loan”) bearing an interest rate of 4.52%. The repayment term was such that in lieu of a cash payment by Mr. Beri to ABS, ABS would offset the loan against the dividend declared for the period to June 30, 2021. In accordance with the Corporations Act (Cth), the Board declared a dividend of AUD$2,138,610 from ABS’ historical retained earnings as of June 30, 2021 and offset the dividend against the loan owing from Mr. Beri.
Subsequently on December 27, 2021, ABS, Mr. Beri and Meena Beri entered into a novation agreement (“Novation of Debt Agreement”) whereby the Beri Loan was novated to Ms. Beri such that the repayment of the remaining balance of AUD$960,759.60 was assumed by Ms. Beri, which is repayable upon demand by ABS.
Intellectual Property
Our success and future revenue growth depend, in part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property. We sell our products under trademarks, which we own or use under license. The chart below sets forth the intellectual property we own or license.
71
We have trademarks registered in Australia for “Twisted Shaker” (mark no. 2231533) and “Drummerboy” (mark no. 2235565). In the United States, we have a trademark registration for “Wired for Wine”.
We expect to register our trademarks in additional markets as we expand our distribution territories to protect our business interests and ensure our competitive position in our industry. We intend to vigorously protect our intellectual property rights, but there can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful. If we fail to adequately protect our proprietary rights, our competitive position could be impaired and we may lose valuable assets, generate reduced revenue, and incur costly litigation to protect our rights. Even if our efforts are successful, we may incur significant costs in defending our rights. For further details about our intellectual property, see “Risk Factors.”
Also included in our intellectual property are our domain and social channel ownerships. We own and operate the following domains: abspirits.com.au; australianboutiquespirits.com; beveragemart.com.au; bevmart.cn; bevmart.co.in; bevmart.co.nz; bevmart.co.uk; bevmart.com; bevmart.com.au; bevmart.in; cinderella-wine.com; cinderellawin.com; distyl.com; drinkdistyl.com; drinkpellicano.com; drinkpellicano.com.au; drinkriveria.com; drinkriveria.com.au; drummerboy.ca; drummerboy.co.uk; drummerboy.com; drummerboy.de; drummerboy.es; drummerboy.fr; innovationbev.com; lpt18.com; twistedshakercocktails.com; virginiablack.com.au; virginiablackwhiskey.com.au; winetilsoldou.com; wire4wine.com; wired4wine.com; wiredforcheese.com; wiredforcigars.com; wiredforjava.com; wiredforpot.com; wiredforspirits.com; wiredforwine.com; wiredonwine.com; wireforwine.com.
We operate the following social media handles.
● | Instagram: www.instagram.com/wiredforwine; www.instagram.com/drinkdrummerboy; www.instagram.com/bevmartau; www.instagram.com/bevmartus; www.instagram.com/australianboutiquespirits; www.instagram.com/twistedshakercocktails; www.instagram.com/innovationbeveragegroup | |
● | Facebook: www.facebook.com/bevmartau; www.facebook.com/bevmartus; www.facebook.com/twistedshakercocktails; www.facebook.com/wiredforwineus; www.facebook.com/drinkdrummerboy | |
● | Youtube: |
o | Drummerboy: www.youtube.com/channel/UC-z4dp67m_I2--nwU5jtB8w | |
o | Bevmart - www.youtube.com/channel/UCDu32Yxt4OloteZZG2DrHRQ |
● | TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@drinkdrummerboy | |
● | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/australian-boutique-spirits; www.linkedin.com/company/bevmart |
Government Regulation
Australia
The conduct of our businesses, including the production, importation, under-bond storage/warehousing, distribution, sale, display, advertising, marketing, labeling, content, quality, safety, transportation, packaging, disposal, recycling and use of our products, as well as our employment and occupational health and safety practices and protection of personal information, are subject to various laws and regulations administered by federal, state and local governmental authorities in the state of New South Wales and the country of Australia. It is our policy to abide by the laws and regulations around the world that apply to our businesses. We are in compliance with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) which regulates the manufacture, importation, licensing, distribution within Australia, and exportation of all products which we produce. We are in compliance with the state of New South Wales which regulates the sale of our alcohol products as a wholesale producer directly to consumers over the age of 18 years. (The legal alcohol consumption age in New South Wales, Australia is 18 years of age). We are in compliance with all state and federal licenses granted to us.
72
United States
The conduct of our businesses, including the production, importation, under-bond storage/warehousing, distribution, sale, display, advertising, marketing, labeling, content, quality, safety, transportation, packaging, disposal, recycling and use of our products, as well as our employment and occupational health and safety practices and protection of personal information, are subject to various laws and regulations administered by federal, state and local governmental agencies in the United States. It is our policy to abide by the laws and regulations around the world that apply to our businesses. We are in compliance with the federal government (FDA and ATF-TTB) and with each state’s local regulatory requirements for the sale of wine and spirits.
In addition, certain jurisdictions have either imposed, or are considering imposing, product labeling or warning requirements or other limitations on the marketing or sale of certain of our products as a result of ingredients or substances contained in such products or the audience to whom products are marketed. These types of provisions have required that we highlight perceived concerns about a product, warn consumers to avoid consumption of certain ingredients or substances present in our products, restrict the age of consumers to whom products are marketed or sold or limit the location in which our products may be available. It is possible that similar or more restrictive requirements may be proposed or enacted in the future.
In addition, certain jurisdictions have either imposed or are considering imposing regulations designed to increase recycling rates or encourage waste reduction. These regulations vary in scope and form from deposit return systems designed to incentivize the return of beverage containers, to extended producer responsibility policies and even bans on the use of some types of single-use plastics. It is possible that similar or more restrictive requirements may be proposed or enacted in the future.
Property and Facilities
The Company leases office space in two locations. We are headquartered in Seven Hills, New South Wales, Australia where we lease a distillery and beverage manufacturing facility, including office space, of approximately 2,000 square meters (approximately 21,528 square feet) (“Seven Hills Lease”). We lease a warehouse at 255 Highland Cross, Rutherford, New Jersey of approximately 1,500 square feet (“Highland Cross Lease”). The Seven Hills Lease commenced on July 1, 2018 and ends on June 30, 2024; the monthly lease payments are $13,916. The Highland Cross Lease was assumed in our acquisition of Reg Liquors, LLC d/b/a Wired For Wine.com. The Highland Cross Lease commenced on January 1, 2019 and expires on September 1, 2023; the monthly lease payments are $1,500 per month.
We believe that our existing facilities are generally adequate to meet our current of future needs, but we expect to seek additional space as needed to accommodate future growth.
Employees
As of August 17, 2022, we had 16 full time employees located in Australia and the United States. These employees are engaged in manufacturing, sales and marketing, customer support, finance, and general management. We rely upon and engage consultants on a contract basis to provide services to assist us to carry on our technical development, administrative, shareholder communication and marketing activities.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be involved in various claims and legal proceedings relating to claims arising out of our operations. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings that, in the opinion of our management, are likely to have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
73
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus. The address for our directors and executive officers is c/o Innovation Beverage Group Limited, 29 Anvil Rd, Seven Hills, New South Wales 2147, Australia.
Name | Age | Position | ||
Dean Huge | 66 | Chief Executive Officer | ||
Sahil Beri | 35 | Chief Operating Officer and Chairman | ||
Eric Yu | 41 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Clive Coleman | 43 | Chief Commercial Officer | ||
Kristopher Salinger | 40 | Director | ||
Sally Cardillo | 69 | Director | ||
Sameer Sethi | 56 | Director |
Dean Huge has been the Chief Executive Officer since February 2022 and is primarily located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States . During his 35-year career as a high-impact, hands-on finance executive, Dean Huge has built a track record of growing profitable operations and implementing successful turnarounds as CEO, CFO, Director, and Treasurer at public and private companies in industries including beverage, financial services, manufacturing, distribution, and SAAS. Most recently, Mr. Huge was CFO of Splash Beverage Group (NYSE American:SBEV) where within five years (between June 2017 to February 2022) he led the company from start-up to a NYSE uplisting. Prior to that, Mr. Huge, through D&H Energy Development, was a consultant for the creation of alternative energy projects in Ghana from May 2013 to April 2017. In 2012, he became CFO for Discovery Gold Corporation (OTCQB:DCGD.OB). From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Huge was a financial consultant for Pan Asia Group of Companies in Hong Kong and Shanghai, which included serving as CFO for China Chemical Corporation (OTCBB:CHCC.OB). During the period of 2000 to 2009, Mr. Huge was a business consultant for IPA Management Consultants and Major Marketing Concepts, Inc. helping companies organize their marketing and financial structure which included raising funds. Also during the same period, Mr. Huge contacted/closed major banks for the creation of reward programs which became enterprise solutions for cross selling of additional banking products and services. During the period of 1996 to 2000, Mr. Huge was Controller of D&H Wholesalers, Inc., an international wholesaler of non-perishable name brand products. During the period of 1993 to 1996, Mr. Huge worked for AK Trading as Chief Operating officer. Prior to that role, Mr. Huge served as Vice President of First Capital Resource Corporation, a financial company funding wholesalers’ accounts receivable. During the period of 1988 to 1990, he served as Chief Operating Officer for PACER Energy Corporation to turnaround of a delisted company, previously called National Royalty Corporation (NASDAQ:NROC). Mr. Huge was one of the first employees hired at Catalyst Energy Corporation where he was integrally involved in all aspects of financial management, controls, and SEC filings. From 1982 to 1984, Mr. Huge was an Associate/Accountant of special projects for A.G. Becker & Co., Inc., the commercial paper division of Becker Paribas.
Throughout his career, Mr. Huge has led multiple going-public transactions, including CFO and CEO, raised money through private placements, IPOs, RTOs, primary and secondary offerings, partnerships, and off-balance sheet funds. Mr. Huge’s experience spans the globe, including working at international investment bank of BNP Paribas and private equity and investment funds in New York, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Mr. Huge obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Southern Illinois University.
74
Sahil Beri has been the Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since April 2022 and is primarily located in Sydney, NSW, Australia. From August 2018 through April 2022, Mr. Beri served as Innovation Beverage Group’s Australian Managing/Executive Director. Mr. Beri is a highly experienced executive officer, focused on operational excellence in the beverage industry with around 10 years of experience in multiple facets of the beverage industry, with a primary focus on creating and commercializing new innovative beverages. He has strong formulation, new product development, commercialization, and business development skills. Mr. Beri has in his career, across several beverage companies he has been involved in, launched a significant number of products. Prior to his role at Innovation Beverage Group, Mr. Beri was the Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer at Sway Energy Corporation between December 2019 through March 2022, where he was responsible for the creation of all beverage systems for formulations, manufacturing systems, new innovation development and commercialization for a range of alcohol and non-alcohol beverages. Between September 2016 and July 2018, Mr. Beri was the New Product Development Manager at Europa International Pty Ltd, another beverage company headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Between January 2017 till March 2020, Mr. Beri also served as a non-executive director on the board of Cannhealth Group Limited, an Australian nutraceutical company. Mr. Beri is a registered Pharmacist who completed his Master of Pharmacy in 2012 from the University of Newcastle, Australia and concurrently worked in both the beverage industry as well as the pharmaceutical industry for several years. Mr. Beri also completed his Master in Biochemistry in 2009 from Australia’s Bond University and a Bachelor of Arts and Science in 2008 from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Eric Yu has served as the Chief Financial Officer since July 2021 and is primarily located in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Mr. Yu has over 15 years of experience of working at the big four accounting firms, in large-scale management consulting companies and commercial corporations within the food and beverage industry. Mr. Yu has substantial experience in both private companies and public companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange Ltd (ASX). He has worked in both Australia and China where he supported a wide range of businesses to manage end-to-end accounting functions and identify finance transformation, value creation and performance improvement opportunities. Before joining Innovation Beverage Group in July 2021, Mr. Yu was a Senior Manager with EY Oceania from August 2019 to July 2021 where he worked alongside advisory leaders and drew his skills in leading teams to support a diverse range of clients with their accounting needs and implementation of finance transformation initiatives. From June 2016 to February 2019, Mr. Yu was Head of Finance of the Bindaree Food Group where he lead a team that managed the full-cycle finance, internal control, capital raising, compliance and reporting of this vertically-integrated fast-moving consumer goods companies (FMCG) with an AUD$600 million annual turnover. Mr. Yu obtained his Masters of Accounting degree from the Australian National University. He is also a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ).
Clive Coleman has served as the Chief Commercial Officer since October 2021 and is primarily located in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Mr. Coleman is a highly-experienced General Manager in the beverage industry with more than twenty (20) years of experience. He has strong commercial, marketing, and business development skills and a proven history of driving sales and profit growth. Most recently, from August 2019 to October 2021, Mr. Coleman was General Manager at Weston’s Australia where he was responsible for the P&L, and the sales, operations, and marketing team. From September 2017 to August 2019, he was the Regional Brand Director at Treasury Wines Estates where he led the brand and commercial strategy for the luxury, millennials, and refreshment portfolio. Other positions that Mr. Coleman has held include Head of Marketing and Export at Casella Family Brands (Yellowtail), and General Manager of Contemporary Brands at Carlton United Breweries.
Kristopher Salinger has served as a director since April 2022 and is primarily located in Miami, Florida, United States. He has over fifteen (15) years of investment banking and capital markets experience on Wall Street, having raised over $50 billion of common stock, debt and hybrid capital for corporate and sponsor clients. He is the Co-Founder, current director and Chief Financial Officer of Battery Future Acquisition Corp (NYSE: BFAC), a special purpose acquisition corporation targeting critical elements and technologies within the electric vehicle supply chain. From May 2016 to September 2021, Mr. Salinger was a Senior Vice President at Roth Capital Partners. Prior to his role at Roth Capital, Mr. Salinger spent six (6) years and was a Vice President at Citigroup in New York from October 2009 to February 2016, including within the Equity Capital Markets team that led the initial public offerings of General Motors, Facebook, Palo Alto Networks, Zillow, Allison Transmission and Delpha Automotive plc. Prior to his time at Citigroup, Mr. Salinger was an associate within the Debt & Hybrid Capital Markets group at ABN AMRO from March 2005 to February 2008. Mr. Salinger holds an Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Master of Finance from the Securities Institute of Australia.
75
Sally Cardillo has served as a director since April 2022 and is primarily located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Ms. Cardillo has over thirty (30) years of accounting experience having served as a Certified Public Accountant since 1988. Since her retirement in October 2016, she has provided accounting consultancy services to individuals and corporate clients. From 1988 to 2016, Ms. Cardillo was a CPA with Braund, Eiler and Vasko (“Braund Eiler”) and Herbein + Company, Inc., which acquired Braund Eiler in 2014. At the beginning of her career, Ms. Cardillo spent eleven (11) years in industrial engineering, production planning, and systems analysis for the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Then in 1988, she became a Certified Public Accountant and began providing accounting, consulting, and audit services for a variety of individual and corporate clients for the remainder of her career. Ms. Cardillo holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The Pennsylvania State University.
Sameer Sethi has served as a director since April 2022 and is primarily located in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Mr. Sethi is a Principal and Founder of Chess Finance and Capital Pty Limited, a financial group focused on delivering and executing strategic plans for the corporate and middle market organizations that also provides Financial Advisory, Structuring and Managing Investment & Syndication strategies in a diversified investment portfolio. These investments spread across Real Estate development (Residential and Industrial), Child Care, and Hospitality. Mr. Sethi has over twenty (20) years of experience with National Australia Bank, Sydney, where he held the position of Senior Business Manager in the Commercial Real Estate division and managed a business portfolio of AUD$600 million. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Business and Marketing Management from BIMTECH, New Delhi, India and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kurukshetra University, India.
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
Innovation Beverage Group adopted the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”) to provide an additional means through the grant of awards of ordinary shares and stock options to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected key employees and other eligible persons. The below is a summary of the Plan’s terms. As of the date of this prospectus, no awards have been granted under the Plan.
Shares Subject to the Equity Incentive Plan
A total of 3,400,000 shares of ordinary shares is available for the grant of awards under the Plan (the “Total Share Reserve”). Subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan, the Total Share Reserve automatically increases on January 1st of each calendar year, beginning on April 29, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2030 (each, an “Evergreen Date”) in an amount equal to 20% of the total number of shares of the Company’s ordinary shares outstanding on December 31st of the immediately preceding Evergreen Date (the “Evergreen Increase”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the Evergreen Date of a given year to provide that there will be no Evergreen Increase for such year, or that the Evergreen Increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of the Company’s ordinary shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. During the terms of any awards, the Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Ordinary Shares required to satisfy such awards. Shares of ordinary shares available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner. Any shares of ordinary shares subject to an award that expires or is cancelled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of shares of ordinary shares to which the award related shall again be available for issuance of awards or delivery under the Plan.
76
Administration of the Equity Incentive Plan
The Plan is administered by a committee of one or more directors appointed by the Board to administer the Plan (the “Committee”) or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. As stated in the Plan, the Committee has the authority to: (a) to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions; (b) to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan; (c) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan; (d) to delegate its authority to one or more officers of the Company with respect to awards that do not involve “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act; (e) to determine when awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable grant date; (f) from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those eligible award recipients to whom awards shall be granted; (g) to determine the number of shares of ordinary shares to be made subject to each award; (h) to determine whether each option grant is to be an incentive stock option or a non-qualified stock option; (i) to prescribe the terms and conditions of each award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the award agreement relating to such grant; (j) to determine the target number of performance shares to be granted pursuant to a performance share award, the performance measures that will be used to establish the performance goals, the performance period(s) and the number of performance shares earned by a participant; (k) to amend any outstanding awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting, or the term of any outstanding award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a participant’s rights or increases a participant’s obligations under his or her award or creates or increases a participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an award, such amendment shall also be subject to the participant’s consent; (l) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to employees under the Company’s employment policies; (m) to make decisions with respect to outstanding awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments; (n) to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or award granted under, the Plan; and (o) to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
Participation
Awards under the Plan may be granted to Employees, directors and consultants of Innovation Beverage Group and its subsidiaries and such other individuals designated by the committee who are reasonably expected to become employees, consultants and directors after the receipt of awards.
Types of Awards
Awards that may be granted under the plan include: (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) stock appreciation rights, (d) restricted awards, (e) performance share awards, (f) cash awards, and (g) other equity-based awards.
Change in Control
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), (a) all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such options or stock appreciation rights, and/or the Restricted Period (as defined in the Plan) shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the outstanding shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units; and (b) with respect to performance share awards and cash awards, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions will be deemed met. The Committee may in its discretion and upon at least 10 days’ advance notice to the affected persons, cancel any outstanding awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock, or any combination thereof, the value of such awards based upon the price per share of ordinary shares received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in the event. In the case of any option or stock appreciation right with an exercise price (or exercise price in the case of a stock appreciation right) that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of ordinary shares in connection with the Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), the Committee may cancel the option or stock appreciation right without the payment of consideration therefor.
77
Amendment and Termination
The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in the Plan relating to adjustments upon changes in ordinary shares, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the shareholders of the Company to the extent shareholder approval is necessary to satisfy any applicable laws. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on shareholder approval.
Compensation of Directors and Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation paid to our directors and our executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Short Term Employment Benefits | Post Employment Benefits | Long Term Benefits | Share Based Payments | Termination payments | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salary & fees | Cash bonus | Non monetary benefits | Super -annuation | Retirement benefits | Cash Incentives | Long service leave | Options / Warrants | Shares * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Directors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sahil Beri | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meena Beri | 68,666 | — | — | 6,867 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75,533 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amit Beri | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Directors | 68,666 | — | — | 6,867 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75,533 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amit Beri | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steve Dixon | 86,463 | — | — | 8,646 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 95,109 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tianyi Eric Yu | 58,956 | — | — | 5,896 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 64,852 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clive Coleman | 45,855 | — | — | 4,585 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50,440 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Officer | 191,273 | — | — | 19,127 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 210,401 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Totals | 191,273 | — | — | 19,127 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 210,401 |
78
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers. There are no arrangements or understanding between or among our executive officers and directors pursuant to which any director or executive officer or is to be selected as a director or executive officer
Founder History
The Company was formed on April 20, 2018, and the founders were family members. Meena Beri is the mother of Amit Beri and Sahil Beri, who are brothers. Amit Beri was a former director and the former CEO from April 2018 through April 2022 and April 2018 through February 2022, respectively. Meena Beri was a former director from September 2018 through April 2022. Sahil Beri was the former Managing/Executive Director from August 2018 through April 2022, and is our current Chief Operating Officer and Chairman.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past 10 years, been involved in any legal proceedings described in subparagraph (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K.
Board of Directors and Board Committees
Corporate Governance
We are incorporated under the laws of Australia. Our governing documents consist of our Constitution and we have implemented a corporate governance framework that is guided by The Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (4th Edition) as published by the Australian Securities Exchange’s Corporate Governance Council.
We qualify as a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Section 405 of the Securities Act. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose disclosure requirements as well as procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, the members of our board of directors and senior management are not subject to short-swing profit and insider trading reporting obligations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. They will, however, be subject to the obligations to report changes in share ownership under Section 13 of the Exchange Act and related SEC rules, to the extent applicable.
The foreign private issuer exemption will also permit us to follow home country corporate governance practices or requirements instead of certain Nasdaq listing requirements required for U.S. domestic issuers, including the following:
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement that our independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions under Nasdaq listing rules. The Corporations Act does not require the independent directors of an Australian company to have such executive sessions, accordingly, we plan to claim this exemption. |
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the quorum requirements applicable to meetings of shareholders under Nasdaq listing rules. In compliance with Australian law, three shareholders present, in person or by proxy, attorney or a representative, shall constitute a quorum for a general meeting. Nasdaq listing rules require that an issuer provide for a quorum as specified in its by-laws for any meeting of the holders of ordinary shares, which quorum may not be less than 33 1/3% of the outstanding voting ordinary shares. Accordingly, because applicable Australian law and rules governing quorums at shareholder meetings differ from Nasdaq’s quorum requirements, we plan to claim this exemption. |
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement to disclose third-party director and director nominee compensation under Nasdaq listing rules. The Corporations Act does not have a similar requirement, accordingly, we plan to claim this exemption. |
● | We expect to rely on an exemption from the independence requirements for a majority of our board of directors as prescribed by Nasdaq listing rules. The Corporations Act does not require us to have a majority of independent directors although ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations do recommend a majority of independent directors. During fiscal 2021, we did not have a majority of directors who were “independent” as defined in the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, which definition differs from Nasdaq’s definition. Accordingly, because Australian law regarding director independence differ to the independence requirements under Nasdaq listing rules, we plan to claim this exemption. |
See “Prospectus Summary — We are a “foreign private issuer” and may have disclosure obligations that are different from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. As a foreign private issuer, we are subject to different U.S. securities laws and rules than a domestic U.S. issuer, which could limit the information publicly available to our shareholders.
79
Board Composition and Election of Directors
Our board of directors (“Board”) currently consists of four (4) directors. Our Board will facilitate its exercise of independent supervision over management by ensuring that a majority of its members are “independent” following this offering. Under our Constitution, at each annual general shareholder meeting one-third of the directors, other than the Managing Director, or if their number is not a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third (rounded upwards in case of doubt) of the directors must retire.
Notwithstanding the above, no director, other than the Managing Director, shall hold office for a period in excess of 3 years, or until the third annual general meeting following his or her appointment, whichever is the longer, without submitting himself for re-election.
Under our Constitution, at the next shareholder annual general meeting, (i) all Board-appointed directors must present themselves for election and (ii) one third of shareholder-elected directors must present themselves for re-election. Accordingly, as each of our current directors was appointed by the Board, each stands for election at the next shareholder annual general meeting, which is anticipated to occur within five (5) months of the end of our fiscal year, December 31, 2022.
A retiring director remains in office until the relevant shareholder meeting and will be eligible for re-election at that meeting.
A director who has a material interest in a matter before our board of directors or any committee on which he or she serves is required to disclose such interest as soon as the director becomes aware of it. In situations where a director has a material interest in a matter to be considered by our board of directors or any committee on which he or she serves, such director may be required to remove himself or herself from the meeting while discussions and voting with respect to the matter are taking place.
Meetings of Directors
Our board of directors is responsible for the stewardship of the Company and providing oversight as to the management of our business and affairs, including providing guidance and strategic oversight to management by, among other things:
● | Developing and reviewing the Company’s strategic and operating objectives, business plans and budgets as developed by the Board and management giving consideration to any recommendations made to the Board by any committees; | |
● | Overseeing the Company’s process for making timely and balanced disclosure of all material information concerning the Company that a reasonable person would expect to have a material effect on the price or value of the Company’s securities | |
● | Reviewing and approving the Company’s financial position, systems of risk management and internal compliance and control, codes of conduct and legal compliance and ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of those systems by conducting annual internal reviews of the systems including reviewing the results of any review by the Audit Committee; | |
● | Annually reviewing internal and external audit reports to ensure that, where deficiencies in controls or procedures have been identified, appropriate remedial action is taken by management. | |
● | Appointing and removing the Chief Executive Officer; | |
● | Monitoring and undertaking annual performance evaluations of the Chief Executive Officer and key senior executives; | |
● | Ensuring that the Company has an effective corporate governance system in place which includes ensuring that policies and procedures in place are consistent with the Company’s objectives and corporate governance standards; |
Remuneration and Borrowing
The directors may receive such remuneration as our Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Each director is entitled to be repaid or prepaid for all traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred or expected to be incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors or committees of our Board of Directors or shareholder meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of his or her duties as a director. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. Our Board of Directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertakings and property or any part thereof, to issue debentures, debenture stock, and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.
80
Board Committees
In light of the Company’s size and nature, we believe that the current size of the board of directors is a cost effective and practical method of directing and managing the Company. As our activities develop in size, nature and scope, the size of the board, the formation of board committees and the implementation of additional corporate governance policies and structures will be reviewed.
To assist with the effective discharge of its duties, our board of directors established an Audit Committee and a Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The Audit Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee operate under their respective charters, each of which was approved by our board of directors.
Audit Committee
The members of our Audit Committee are Sally Cardillo, Sameer Sethi and Kristopher Salinger. Our board of directors has determined that Ms. Cardillo, Mr. Salinger and Mr. Sethi satisfy the independence requirements under Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. Ms. Cardillo is the chairperson of our Audit Committee. Our board of directors has determined that Ms. Cardillo is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations. Each member of our Audit and Risk Committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with applicable requirements. In arriving at these determinations, our board of directors has examined each member’s scope of experience and the nature of his or her employment.
The Audit Committee’s duties and responsibilities are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, and include, but not be limited to:
● | To (1) select and retain an independent registered public accounting firm to act as the Company’s independent auditors for the purpose of auditing the Company’s annual financial statements, books, records, accounts and internal controls over financial reporting, (2) set the compensation of the Company’s independent auditors, (3) oversee the work done by the Company’s independent auditors and (4) terminate the Company’s independent auditors, if necessary. | |
● | At least annually, to obtain and review a report by the Company’s independent auditors that describes (1) the accounting firm’s internal quality control procedures, (2) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, peer review or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board review or inspection of the firm or by any other inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities in the past five (5) years regarding one or more audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and (3) all relationships between the firm and the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and to discuss with the independent auditors this report and any relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditors. | |
● | To assure the regular rotation of the lead audit partner at the Company’s independent auditors and consider regular rotation of the accounting firm serving as the Company’s independent auditors. | |
● | To review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors (1) the auditors’ responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards and the responsibilities of management in the audit process, (2) the overall audit strategy, (3) the scope and timing of the annual audit, (4) any significant risks identified during the auditors’ risk assessment procedures and (5) when completed, the results, including significant findings, of the annual audit. | |
● | To review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used in the audit; (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that have been discussed with management, the ramifications of the use of such alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by the auditors; and (3) other material written communications between the auditors and management. | |
● | To review with management and the Company’s independent auditors: any major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles; any significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including the effects of alternative GAAP methods; and the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives and off-balance sheet structures on the Company’s financial statements. | |
● | To review with management and the Company’s independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s financial reporting processes, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, including any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of, and any material changes in, the Company’s processes, controls and procedures and any special audit steps adopted in light of any material control deficiencies, and any fraud involving management or other employees with a significant role in such processes, controls and procedures, and review and discuss with management and the Company’s independent auditors disclosure relating to the Company’s financial reporting processes, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, and the independent auditors’ report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the required management certifications to be included in or attached as exhibits to the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. | |
● | To review, approve and oversee any transaction between the Company and any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K) and any other potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis, and to develop policies and procedures for the Committee’s approval of related party transactions. |
81
Nomination and Remuneration Committee
We established a Nomination and Remuneration Committee, which will be comprised of our non-executive directors Sally Cardillo, Sameer Sethi and Kristopher Salinger, all of whom the Board has determined to satisfy the independence requirements of our board charter. Ms. Cardillo is the chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
The Committee shall provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities, however, ultimate responsibility for the Company's nomination and remuneration practices remains with the Board. The main functions and responsibilities of the Committee include the following:
● | assisting the Board in examining the selection and appointment practices of the Company; | |
● | ensuring remuneration arrangements are equitable and transparent and enable the Company to attract and retain executives and directors (executive and non-executive) who will create sustainable value for members and other stakeholders; | |
● | ensuring the Board is of an effective composition, size and commitment to adequately discharge its responsibilities and duties; | |
● | reviewing Board succession plans and Board renewal; | |
● | reviewing the processes for evaluating the performance of the Board, its committees and individual directors and ensuring that a fair and responsible reward is provided to executives and directors having regard to their performance evaluation; | |
● | reviewing levels of diversity within the Company and Board and reporting on achievements pursuant to any diversity policy developed by the Board; | |
● | reviewing the Company's remuneration, recruitment, retention and termination policies for the Board and senior executives; and | |
● | complying with all relevant legislation and regulations. |
82
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. We post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the listing standards of Nasdaq concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Conduct. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of, this prospectus.
Monitoring Compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our board of directors is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the Code of Conduct periodically and will make any necessary changes thereto. Our board of directors is also charged with the monitoring of compliance with the Code of Conduct and will be responsible for considering any waivers of the Code of Conduct.
Interests of Directors
A director who has a material interest in a matter before our board of directors or any committee on which he or she serves is required to disclose such interest as soon as the director becomes aware of it. In situations where a director has a material interest in a matter to be considered by our board of directors or any committee on which he or she serves, such director may be required to excuse himself or herself from the meeting while discussions and voting with respect to the matter are taking place. Directors will also be required to comply with the relevant provisions of the Corporations Act regarding conflicts of interest and any material personal interest in a matter that relates to the affairs of the Company. Under the Corporations Act, the Company may be required to obtain approval of shareholders before providing certain financial benefits to directors, unless an exemption set out in the Corporations Act applies.
83
Complaint Reporting and Whistleblower Policy
In order to foster a climate of openness and honesty in which any concern or complaint pertaining to a suspected violation of the law, our Code of Conduct or any of our policies or any unethical or questionable act or behavior, the board of directors adopted a whistleblower policy that requires that our employees promptly report such violation or suspected violation. In order to ensure that violations or suspected violations can be reported without fear of retaliation, harassment or an adverse employment consequence, our whistleblower policy will contain procedures that are aimed to facilitate confidential, anonymous submissions by our employees.
We describe below related party transactions, since January 1, 2019, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed USD$120,000 and any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of any class of our capital stock had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
IBG was formed in April 2018 as a family-operated business by Amit Beri, the Chief Executive Officer, his brother, Sahil Beri, and his mother, Meena Beri. In addition to IBG, Amit Beri has also managed other companies, Elegance Brands Inc. (now Sway Energy Corp.) and Europa International Pty Ltd, with which IBG has entered into business agreements. The history and current status of these relationships are described in the following chart. The business agreements between the companies are related party transactions, and the agreements between them are described in this section.
Due to the previous common ownership and control by Amit Beri of Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd (now known as Innovation Beverage Group Limited), Elegance Brands Inc. (now known as Sway Energy Corp.), and Europa International Pty Ltd (a liquidated company as of November 2020), there were potential conflicts of interest with respect to these related party transactions. In April 2022, Amit Beri transferred all of his ordinary shares in IBG and resigned as the CEO of IBG, and Meena Beri resigned as a director of IBG.
Currently, our Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of our board of directors is Sahil Beri, who is the brother of Amit Beri, the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Sway Energy Corp, which presents a potential conflict of interest.
84
Deed of Novation by and between Europa International Pty Ltd.,, Coca-Cola Amatil (Australia) Pty Ltd and Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd
A description of the key terms of the Europa-CCA-ABS Novation Agreement may be found at “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Material Agreements.”
BevMart Agreement, and Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement
On December 31, 2020, Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd (“ABS”) (now known as Innovation Beverage Group) and Elegance Brands, Inc. (“Elegance Brands”) entered into a management, supply and license agreement (the “BevMart.com.au Agreement”) concerning the management and licensing of Bevmart.com.au, an online beverage retailer owned by Elegance Brands at the time.
The BevMart Agreement provided that ABS would have the sole and exclusive right to manage the BevMart.com.au business and the BevMart.com.au website. In addition, under the terms of the BevMart Agreement, Elegance Brands granted to ABS a non-exclusive and perpetual right and license to use all of Elegance Brands’ intellectual property in exchange for a royalty of 2.5% of the net retail sales from the BevMart.com.au website.
On June 14, 2021, ABS and Elegance Brands entered into the Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement (the “June 2021 Amendment Agreement”) to terminate the BevMart Agreement and amend the terms of the Elegance Manufacturing Supply and License Agreement. Pursuant to the June 2021 Agreement, Elegance Brands waived any right to receive royalty payments and, in exchange for ABS’ payment to Elegance Brands of USD$188,631, which represented 100% of the costs and expenses incurred by Elegance Brands in relation to the development of BevMart.com.au and its formulations, ABS obtained the sole and exclusive right to own and operate the BevMart.com.au website and any other internet website established by Elegance Brands to enable BevMart to market the BevMart Brands online and the Australian Bitters Company brand-name products, produce the BevMart Brands and engage in the BevMart business in Australia. The “BevMart Brands” refers to (a) Cheeky Vodka and flavor variants, (b) Coventry Estate Gin and flavor variants, (c) Geo Liqueurs in multiple variants, and (d) Cheeky Espresso Martini in multiple variants. A table concerning intellectual property arrangements amended by the June 2021 Amendment Agreement may be found at “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Material Agreements.”
Share Purchase Agreement by and between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc. dated December 3, 2019, as amended on April 8, 2020, May 19, 2020, July 27, 2020 and December 11, 2020.
Share Purchase Agreement by and between ABS and Elegance Brands, dated December 3, 2019, as amended on April 8, 2020, May 19, 2020, July 27, 2020 and December 11, 2020 (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which Elegance Brands intended to acquire 100% of the ordinary shares of ABS from its sole shareholder, Amit Beri. On March 12, 2021, ABS, Elegance Brands and Mr. Beri terminated the Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to a termination agreement (“Termination Agreement”), which provided for a refunding of an AUD$1,712,500 deposit made by Elegance Brands as the buyer to Mr. Beri as the sole shareholder of ABS that has been fully repaid as of the date of this prospectus.
Manufacturing, Supply and License Agreement between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc. dated July 31, 2020, as amended (“2020 Manufacturing Agreement”) by that certain Amendment Agreement dated March 10, 2021and that certain Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Elegance Brands, Inc. dated June 14, 2021 (“June 2021 Amendment Agreement”)
Upon termination of the 2020 Manufacturing Agreement, two licenses granted thereunder will expire: (i) IBG’s royalty-free license to Twisted Shaker to manufacture, use and sell the product throughout the world, except the U.S., its territories and possessions; and (ii) Sway’s royalty-free license to use the intellectual property rights associated with VOCO to manufacture, use and sell the brand in the U.S., its territories and possessions. For a description of the key terms of the 2021 Manufacturing Agreement, please see the section at “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Material Agreements.”
Loan Agreement between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd and Amit Beri as of June 30, 2021, as novated to Meena Beri on December 27, 2021
85
On June 30, 2021, ABS and Amit Beri entered into an unwritten loan agreement for the aggregate amount of AUD$2,853,105 for loans received from the Company between January 2020 through such date (the “Beri Loan”) bearing an interest rate of 4.52%. . The repayment term was such that in lieu of a cash payment by Mr. Beri to ABS, ABS would offset the loan against the dividend declared for the period to June 30, 2021. In accordance with the Corporations Act (Cth), the Board declared a dividend of AUD$2,138,610 from ABS’ historical retained earnings as of June 30, 2021 and offset the dividend against the loan owing from Mr. Beri.
Subsequently on December 27, 2021, ABS, Mr. Beri and Meena Beri entered into a novation agreement (“Novation of Debt Agreement”) whereby the Beri Loan was novated to Ms. Beri such that the repayment of the remaining balance of AUD$960,759.60 was assumed by Ms. Beri, which is repayable upon demand by ABS.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the ordinary shares offered by us in our initial public offering, for:
● | each shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares, |
● | each of our directors, |
● | each of our named executive officers, and |
● | all of our directors and executive officers as a group. |
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any ordinary shares over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any ordinary shares that the individual has the right to subscribe for within 60 days of September 6, 2022, through the exercise of any warrants or other rights. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power or the power to receive the economic benefit with respect to all ordinary shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws. None of the shareholders listed in the table are a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker dealer.
Applicable percentage ownership prior to the offering is based on 12,154,653 ordinary shares outstanding at September 6, 2022. The table also lists the percentage ownership after this offering based on [ ] ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ordinary shares from us in this offering. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Innovation Beverage Group Limited, 29 Anvil Road, Seven Hills, New South Wales 2147, Australia.
86
Beneficial Ownership Prior to Offering | Beneficial Ownership After Offering | |||||||||||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Ordinary shares | Percentage | Ordinary shares | Percentage | ||||||||||||
5% Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||
Meena Beri | 4,000,000 | 32.91 | % | % | ||||||||||||
Sahil Beri, Chief Operating Officer and Director | 1,000,000 | 8.23 | % | % | ||||||||||||
Samstock SZRT LLC (1) | 952,381 | 7.836 | % | % | ||||||||||||
114 Assets Inc. (2) | 3,230,000 | 26.57 | % | |||||||||||||
Officers and Directors | ||||||||||||||||
Dean Huge, Chief Executive Officer | — | — | % | % | ||||||||||||
Sahil Beri, Chief Operating Officer and Director | — | — | % | % | ||||||||||||
Eric Yu, Chief Financial Officer | 31,746 | — | % | % | ||||||||||||
Clive Coleman, Chief Commercial Officer | 10,582 | — | % | % | ||||||||||||
Kristopher (Kris) Laurens Salinger, Director | — | — | % | |||||||||||||
Sally Cardillo, Director | — | — | % | |||||||||||||
Sameer Sethi, Director | — | — | % | |||||||||||||
All officers and directors as a group | — | — | % | % | ||||||||||||
5% or greater beneficial owners | 9,224,709 | 75.89 | % | % |
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding ordinary shares.
(1) | The ordinary shares are indirectly held by the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust, an Illinois revocable trust (“Samuel Zell Trust”), which has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the ordinary shares held by Samstock SZRT LLC. The beneficial owner of the Samuel Zell Trust is Samuel Zell. The Samuel Zell Trust has a business address of Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60654 |
(2) | The ordinary shares are indirectly held by 114 Trust, which is administered by Poonam Arora as Trustee who has full voting power over all trust assets. The beneficial owners of this trust are Elizabeth Lee Beri (50%) and Rohan Anil Beri (50%). The business address of 114 Assets Inc. is Lennox Paxton Chambers, 3 Bayside Executive Park, West Bay Street and Blake Road, Nassau, Bahamas. |
As of June 15, 2022, there were twenty-one (21) holders of record entered in our share register. The number of individual holders of record is based exclusively upon our share register and does not address whether ordinary shares may be held by the holder of record on behalf of more than one person or institution who may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of ordinary shares in our company.
To our knowledge, other than as set forth above, no other shareholder beneficially owns more than 5% of our ordinary shares. Our company is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly by any government or by any corporation or by any other natural or legal person severally or jointly. Our major shareholders do not have any special voting rights.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND CONSTITUTION
We are an Australian public limited company and governed by our Constitution and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is comprised of ordinary shares. Our board of directors may determine the prices and terms for shares or other securities, and may further determine any other provision relating to such issue of shares or securities. We may also issue redeemable securities on such terms and in such manner as our board of directors shall determine.
87
General
Australian law does not limit the authorized share capital that may be issued by a corporation and does not recognize the concept of par value. As of the date of this prospectus, the authorized share capital of Innovation Beverage Group was comprised of ordinary shares. As of June 15, 2022, the number of ordinary shares issued, outstanding and fully paid was 12,144,071. Subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act, and the rules governing the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market, our directors are entitled to issue shares in our capital, grant options over unissued shares, and settle the manner in which fractions of a share are to be dealt with. The directors may decide the persons to whom, and the terms on which, shares are issued or options are granted as well as the rights and restrictions that attach to those shares or options subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the rules governing the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Ordinary shares
Holders of our ordinary shares have the right to: attend and vote at all meetings of the company and on a show of hands or poll to vote for every share held; participate in the dividends (if any) determined by the directors to be paid on that share; participate in a winding up of the company - the right to repayment of the paid issue price of such share and to participate in the division of surplus assets or profits of the company and in this regard to rank equally with all other shareholders so entitled; and any other rights in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Voting Rights
Holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive notice of and to be present to vote and participate at general meetings. Subject to the Constitution and to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares, at a general meeting, on a show of hands, every holder present has one vote; and on a poll, each holder present has (i) one vote for each fully paid share held and a fraction of a vote for each partly paid share held equivalent to the proportion to which the share is paid up. Voting may be in person or by proxy, attorney or representative.
No business may be transacted at any general meeting, except the election of a chairperson and the adjournment of the meeting, unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business. Three or more holders present personally or separately represented by proxy representative or attorney shall be a quorum for a general meeting.
Dividend Rights
Holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the directors, subject to and in accordance with the Corporations Act. The directors may declare and pay such interim and final dividends as, in their judgment, the financial position of the Company justifies and may fix the time for payment. The directors when declaring a dividend may pay any dividend required to be paid under the terms of issue of a share..
Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the warrants offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the warrant agent agreement between us and [ ], as warrant agent, and the form of warrant[, both of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set forth in the warrant agent agreement, including the annexes thereto, and form of warrant.]
Exercisability. [The warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance and at any time up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the Warrant Agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. Under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, we must use our best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement and current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. If we fail to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement and current prospectus relating to the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, the holders of the warrants shall have the right to exercise the warrants solely via a cashless exercise feature provided for in the warrants, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and current prospectus.]
88
Exercise Price. The exercise price per whole ordinary share purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be [ ]% of the public offering price of the units, which is [ ]% of the assumed offering price of the units. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our ordinary shares and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our shareholders.
Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until [ ] days following notice from the holder to us.
Fractional Shares. [No fractional ordinary shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of a warrant, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share. If multiple warrants are exercised by the holder at the same time, we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.]
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.
Exchange Listing. We have applied for listing of our ordinary sahres and intend to apply for listing of our tradeable warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “IBG,” and “IBGW,” respectively. No assurance can be given that our listing application will be approved.
Global Certificate. The warrants will be issued in registered form under a Warrant Agent Agreement between the Warrant Agent and us. The warrants shall initially be represented only by one or more global warrants deposited with the Warrant Agent, as custodian on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.
Fundamental Transactions. [In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our ordinary shares, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding ordinary shares or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding ordinary shares, the holders of the warrants will be entitled to receive the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. The holders of the warrants may also require us or any successor entity to purchase the warrants from the holders by paying to the holder an amount in cash (or other types or form of consideration in special circumstances listed in the warrant) equal to the Black Scholes value of the remaining unexercised portion of the warrant on the date of the fundamental transaction.]
Home Country Practice. For so long as any of the warrants remains outstanding, the Company will elect to follow home country practice in lieu of any rules and regulations of the trading market that would limit the Company’s ability to effect the provisions of the warrants, including but not limited to shareholder approval rules related to the issuance of securities or adjustment of terms of this warrant for the benefit of warrant holders.
Rights as a Shareholder. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of ordinary shares or any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive ordinary shares. After the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
Governing Law. The Warrants and the Warrant Agent Agreement are governed by the law of the State of [ ].
Underwriter’s Warrants
At the close of this offering, we have agreed to issue to EF Hutton or its designees warrants to purchase up to a total of [ ] ordinary shares (equal to five percent (5%) of the ordinary shares sold in this offering, or [ ] ordinary shares if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full), at an exercise price of $[ ] per ordinary share (equal to 120% of the offering price per share in this offering). Such warrants are exercisable for a four and a half-year period commencing six (6) months from the effective date of this registration statement.
89
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no specific limitations in the Corporations Act which restrict the acquisition, ownership, or disposal of shares in an Australian company by non-resident or foreign shareholders. The Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) regulates investment in Australian companies and may restrict the acquisition, ownership, and disposal of our ordinary shares by non-resident or foreign shareholders.
History of Share Capital
During the last three years, the following changes have been made to our ordinary share capital.
From June 2019 through July 2021, Innovation Beverage Group made no issuances of share capital.
Between August 2021 and April 2022, as set out in detail under Item 7 “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities,” Innovation Beverage Group issued 2,103,413 ordinary shares for an aggregate consideration of AUD$6,625,751 in connection with a private placement offering conducted in reliance on Regulation S or Regulation D (“Series A Financing”).
In connection with the Series A Financing, the holders entered into a shareholders’ deed, which will terminate upon this offering and admission of our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Shareholders’ Deed”). As set forth in the Shareholders’ Deed, the business of IBG is the sale, manufacture and distribution of a portfolio of alcohol brands within Australia and internationally. The Shareholders’ Deed contains the agreed upon voting rights of shareholders of the Company and the voting rights of any directors nominated to the Board.
Pursuant to the Shareholders’ Deed, the holders have, among other entitlements, the following voting rights:
● | each shareholder of at least 20% of the total number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares is entitled to appoint one director to the board of directors, and may appoint or replace such director upon notice to the Company; and |
● | certain matters, outside the ordinary course of business, are reserved for shareholder vote, such as rights attached to shares, related party transactions, indebtedness, reorganization, issuance of new securities, and director compensation, and approval requires 80% or more of the votes cast on any such resolution; and |
● | shareholders, by way of a simple majority, may nominate a person as an observer to the Board who is entitled to attend, as an observer, board meetings of the Company and is entitled to receive all documents and notices which a director of the Company receives. |
On April 29, 2022, Innovation Beverage Group issued ordinary shares to two consultants for services rendered and one employee in an aggregate amount of 40,658 with an aggregate value of AUD$128,073, as set out in further detail under Item 7 “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.”
Our Constitution
Innovation Beverage Group Limited (ACN 625 701 420) is a public company listed by shares registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) is Australia’s corporate regulator and is an independent government body. The Company’s corporate affairs are principally governed by our Constitution and the Corporations Act.
90
The Australian law applicable to our Constitution is not significantly different than a U.S company’s charter document. However, an important difference exists in that IBG does not have a limit on our authorized share capital and the concept of par value is not recognized under Australian law.
Subject to restrictions on the issue of securities in our Constitution and the Corporations Act and any other applicable law, the Company may at any time issue shares and grant options or warrants on any terms, with the rights and restrictions and for the consideration that the Company’s Board determines.
The Company’s Constitution is similar in nature to the bylaws of a U.S corporation. It does not provide for or prescribe any specific objectives or purposes of Innovation Beverage Group Limited. It may be amended by special resolution which is 75% of the votes cast by shareholders of the company entitled to vote on the resolution and who vote at the meeting in person or by proxy (if proxies are allowed).
Under Australian law, a company has the legal capacity and powers of an individual both within and outside Australia.
The material provisions of our Constitution are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete not to constitute a definitive statement of the rights and liabilities of the Company’s shareholders. The Company’s Constitution is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement.
Directors
The Company shall not have less than three (3) directors.
The shareholders of the Company may by ordinary resolution elect any natural person to be a director either as an addition to the existing directors or as otherwise provided in the Constitution. An election of directors must take place each annual general meeting.
Pursuant to our Constitution, at the Company’s annual general meeting in every year, one-third of the directors for the time being, or, if their number is not a multiple of 3, then the number nearest one-third (rounded upwards in case of doubt), must retire from office, provided always that no director except a Managing Director shall hold office for a period in excess of 3 years, or until the third annual general meeting following his or her appointment, whichever is the longer, without submitting himself for re-election. The directors to retire at an annual general meeting are those who have been longest in office since their last election.
The directors can also appoint a person to be a director in addition, to fill a casual vacancy.
Interested Directors
Subject to the Company’s Constitution and the Corporations Act, no director or proposed director is disqualified by that office from entering into a contract, agreement or arrangement with the Company or becoming or remaining a director of any company in which the Company is in any way interested or which is in any way interested in the Company.
A director who enters into a contract, agreement or arrangement in which the director has an interested or is a director of the other company with which the Company has entered into the contract, agreement or arrangement is not liable to account to the Company for any profits or remuneration realised by that director as a result of their being interested. No contract, agreement or arrangement in which a director is in any way interested, entered into by or on behalf of the Company can be avoided.
A director who, due to holding an office or property may have duties or interests whether directly or indirectly in conflict with their duties as director or the interests of the Company must declare at a meeting of the directors the fact and the nature, character and extent of the conflict.
91
A director who has a material personal interest in a matter that is being considered at a meeting of directors must not be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting or vote on that matter unless the directors who do not have a material person interest in the matter have passed a resolution that identifies the director, the nature and extent of the director’s interest in the matter and its relation to the affairs of the Company, and states that the directors voting for the resolution are satisfied that the interest should not disqualify the director from considering or voting on the matter or ASIC has given a declaration or order in accordance with the Corporations Act that the director may be present or vote or the interest does not need to be disclosed pursuant to the Corporations Act.
The Corporations Act does, however, provide that where there is a financial benefit given to a related party (that includes a director), the shareholders must approve that transaction unless it falls within an exception. Examples of exceptions include where the transaction is at arm’s length and where it is in respect to remuneration, that the remuneration is reasonable.
A director is not required to hold shares in the Company to be qualified to hold that appointment.
Compensation
Each director is entitled to such remuneration out of the funds of the Company as the directors determine. However, the remuneration of nonexecutive directors may not exceed in aggregate in any year the amount fixed by the Company in a general meeting for that purpose. The remuneration payable by the Company to a director must not include a commission on, or percentage of operating revenue.
Additionally, the directors are entitled to be paid all travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with the affairs of the Company, including attending and returning from general meetings of the Company or meetings of the directors or of committees. If a director renders or is called upon to perform extra services in connection with the affairs of the Company, the directors may arrange for a special remuneration to be paid.
Borrowing
The directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow or otherwise raise money, to charge any property or business of the Company or all or any of its uncalled capital and to issue debentures or give any other security for a debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any other person.
Rights and restrictions on classes of shares
Subject to the Corporations Act, the rights attaching to the Company’s shares are detailed in our Constitution.
The Constitution provides that the directors may issue, allot or grant options in respect of, or otherwise dispose of, shares to such persons, for such price, on such conditions, at such times and with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or special restrictions, whether in relation to dividends, voting, return of capital, participation in the property of the Company on a winding up or otherwise.
Subject to the Corporations Act, any rights and restrictions attached to a class of shares, the Company may issue further shares on such terms and conditions as the shareholders resolve.
Dividend Rights
Subject to the Corporations Act, the Company’s Board may from time to time determine to pay any interim, special or final dividends to shareholders, fix the amount of dividend, the record date for determining entitlements to, and for payment of, a dividend and the method of payment of a dividend.
Voting Rights
Subject to the Company’s Constitution and any rights or restrictions attached to any shares or classes of shares, at a general meeting on a show of hands, every shareholder present has one vote and on a poll, every shareholder present has one vote for each fully paid share held by the shareholder and a fraction of a vote for each partly paid share held by a shareholder, equivalent to the proportion which the amount is paid up (not credited) on the share bears to the total amounts paid and payable. Shareholders may vote by proxy. The Constitution does not allow for cumulative voting.
Under Australian law, shareholders of a public company are not permitted to approve corporate matters by written consent.
92
Power to buy back ordinary shares
The Company may buy back ordinary shares in itself in any manner permitted by the Corporations Act.
Rights to share in Company’s profits
Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares, the directors may capitalise and distribute among such of the shareholders as would be entitled to receive dividends and in the same proportions, any amount forming part of the undivided profits of the Company, representing profits arising from an ascertained accretion to capital or from a revaluation of the assets of the Company, arising from the realisation of any assets of the Company or otherwise available for distribution as a dividend. The directors may resolve that all or any part of the capitalised amount is to be applied in paying up in full at a price determined by the resolution any unissued shares in or other securities of the Company or in paying up any amounts unpaid on shares or other securities held by the shareholders.
Rights to share in any surplus in the event of liquidation
Subject to this Constitution and to the rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares if the Company is wound up and the property of the Company available for distribution among the shareholders is more than sufficient to pay all of the debts and liabilities of the Company and the costs, charges and expenses of the winding up, the excess must be divided among the shareholders in proportion to the shares held by them, irrespective of the amounts paid or credited as paid on the shares. If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution, divide among the shareholders the whole or any part of the property of the Company and determine how the division is to be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders.
Redemption provisions
There are no redemption provisions in our Constitution in relation to Ordinary Shares. Under our Constitution and subject to the Corporations Act, any preference shares may be issued on the terms that they are, or may at our option be, liable to be redeemed.
Liability to further capital calls by the Company
The directors may make any calls from time to time upon shareholders in respect of all monies unpaid on partly-paid shares (if any), subject to the terms upon which any of the partly-paid shares have been issued. Each shareholder is liable to pay the amount of each call in the manner, at the time, and at the place specified by the directors. Calls may be made payable by instalment. Failure to pay a call will result in interest becoming payable on the unpaid amount and ultimately, forfeiture of those shares. As of the date of this prospectus, all of our issued shares are fully paid.
Restricted Securities
In the Constitution, Restricted Securities has the meaning given in the listing rules of any securities exchange as amended or replaced from time to time.
The holder of Restricted Securities cannot dispose of those Restricted Securities during the escrow period relating to those Restricted Securities except as permitted by the listing rules. The Constitution provides that the Company must refuse to acknowledge, deal with or accept a disposal (including registering a transfer of Restricted Securities) which is or might be in breach of the listing rules or any restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the listing rules relating to the escrow of Restricted Securities. During a breach of the listing rules relating to Restricted Securities, or a breach of a restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the listing rules relating to the escrow of Restricted Securities, the shareholder holding the Restricted Securities in question ceases to be entitled to any dividend or distribution, or any voting rights in respect of those Restricted Securities.
93
Variation or cancellation of share rights
All or any of the rights or privileges attached to the class of share may be varied, whether or not the Company is being wound up, only with the consent in writing of the holders of three quarters of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class.
General meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting. Subject to the Constitution and to the rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares at least 28 days’ notice of a general meeting must be given to each person who is at the date of the notice a shareholder, a director or an auditor of the Company and the Securities Exchange. Section 249D of the Corporations Act also provides other mechanisms for the call of a meeting.
Ownership threshold
There are no provisions in the Constitution that require a shareholder to disclose ownership above a certain threshold. Section 671B(1) of the Corporations Act provides that a person who obtains a “substantial holding” being five percent (5 %) in a listed public company to disclose the interest to the company within two (2) days of acquiring the interest and serve a copy of the disclosure on the relevant market operator.
Foreign Ownership Regulation
There are no limitations on the rights to own securities imposed by our Constitution. However, acquisitions and proposed acquisitions of shares in Australian companies may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975, or the FATA, which generally applies to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions by a foreign person (as defined in the FATA) or associated foreign persons that would result in such persons having an interest in 20% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 20% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company and by non-associated foreign persons that would result in such foreign person having an interest in 40% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 40% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company. The Company is currently not classified as a foreign person or an Australian land corporation for the purposes of the FATA.
Whether prior approval of the Australian Federal Treasurer is required for an investor to be issued shares in the Company is an assessment which must be undertaken by each investor, as compliance with the FATA in those circumstances is the investor’s obligation. Separate and stricter rules apply for foreign government investors (defined by the FATA).
Generally, foreign government investors must seek prior FIRB approval where they acquire a direct interest in an entity or business. The term ‘direct interest’ has a very broad meaning under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulations 2015 and ranges from a 10% interest in an entity to an interest of any percentage in an entity which gives the foreign government investor the ability to influence or participate in the central management and control of the entity or business or determine its policy.
The Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition in the above categories or impose conditions on such acquisition if the Treasurer is satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may take a number of actions including imposing civil or criminal penalties or ordering the divestiture of such person’s shares or interest in shares in the Company. The Australian Federal Treasurer may order divestiture pursuant to the FATA if he determines that the acquisition has resulted in that foreign person, either alone or together with other non-associated or associated foreign persons, controlling the Company and that such control is contrary to the national interest.
94
Stock Transfer Agent
Vstock Transfer, LLC is our company’s stock transfer agent. The address for VStock Transfer is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York, 11598 and the telephone number is (212) 828-8436.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Some of our directors and executive officers are non-residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for you to: effect service of process within the United States upon our non-U.S. resident directors or on IBG; enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or IBG in the U.S. courts in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or IBG in courts of jurisdictions outside the United States in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws.
With that noted, there are no treaties between Australia and the United States that would affect the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments in Australia.
The disclosure in this section is not based on the opinion of counsel.
ORDINARY SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Before our initial public offering, there has not been a public market for our ordinary shares. Future sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market, including shares issued upon exercise of outstanding warrants, after our initial public offering, or the possibility of these sales occurring, could cause the prevailing market price for our ordinary shares to fall or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future. We are unable to estimate the number of ordinary shares that may be sold in the future.
Upon the completion of this offering, we will have outstanding [ ] ordinary shares. The amount of shares outstanding upon completion of this offering assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ordinary shares. All of the ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act unless purchased by one of our affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which generally includes directors, officers or ten percent (10%) shareholders.
Lock-Up
Our executive officers, directors and certain shareholders of five percent (5%) and more of our outstanding ordinary shares have agreed with the underwriters not to offer, sell, dispose of or hedge our ordinary shares, subject to specified limited exceptions and extensions described elsewhere in this prospectus, during the period continuing through the date that is 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of EF Hutton on behalf of the underwriters.
95
Rule 144
Ordinary shares held by any of our affiliates, as that term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as well as ordinary shares held by our current shareholders, may be resold only pursuant to further registration under the Securities Act or in transactions that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 180 days after our Form F-1 Registration Statement becomes effective, any of our affiliates would be entitled to sell, without further registration, within any three-month period a number of ordinary shares that does not exceed the greater of:
● | 1% of the number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal approximately ordinary shares immediately after this offering, or |
● | the average weekly trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect to the sale. |
Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates will also be subject to manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
The following sets forth the material Australian and U.S. federal income tax matters related to an investment in our ordinary shares. It is based on laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This description does not address all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ordinary shares.
WE URGE POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares as of the date hereof. This discussion applies only to U.S. Holders (as defined below) that hold ordinary shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This discussion is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those summarized below. The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are a beneficial owner of ordinary shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any of the following:
● | an individual citizen or resident of the United States, |
● | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, |
● | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or |
● | a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
The following does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to any particular investor or to persons subject to special tax treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:
● | banks, |
● | financial institutions, |
● | insurance companies, |
● | regulated investment companies, |
● | real estate investment trusts, |
● | broker-dealers, |
● | traders that elect to mark to market, |
● | U.S. expatriates, |
● | tax-exempt entities, |
● | persons liable for alternative minimum tax, |
● | persons holding our ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction or constructive sale, |
96
● | persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our ordinary shares by vote or value, |
● | persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to the ordinary shares as a result of such income being recognized on an “applicable financial statement” (as defined by the Code), |
● | persons who acquired our ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee ordinary share option or otherwise as consideration for services, or |
● | persons holding our ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Prospective purchasers that are partners of a partnership holding ordinary shares should consult their tax advisors.
This discussion does not contain a detailed description of all the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a prospective purchaser in light of his, her or its particular circumstances and does not address the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, U.S. federal estate and gift taxes, or the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors about the application of the U.S. federal income tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Ordinary shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of distributions made by us to you with respect to the ordinary shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will generally be includable in your gross income as dividend income on the date actually or constructively received by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. However, we do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will generally be treated as a dividend. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, certain dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A foreign corporation will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose if the dividends are paid on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Treasury Department guidance indicates that the ordinary shares (which we will apply to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market) will be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States once they are so listed. Non-corporate holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares.
In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. As discussed under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, we do not believe we were a PFIC for our most recent taxable year, and we do not expect to become a PFIC in the current taxable year or in the foreseeable future, although there can be no assurance in this regard.
97
A U.S. Holder may be subject to withholding taxes on dividends paid on our ordinary shares. Subject to certain conditions and limitations (including a minimum holding period requirement), any withholding taxes on dividends may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the ordinary shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute passive category income. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
Taxation of Dispositions of Ordinary shares
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the ordinary shares and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ordinary shares. Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the ordinary shares for more than one year, you will be eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be treated as United States source gain or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Based on the past and projected composition of our income and assets, and the valuation of our assets, we do not believe we were a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our most recent taxable year, and we do not expect to become a PFIC in the current taxable year or in the foreseeable future, although there can be no assurance in this regard. In general, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which:
● | at least 75% of our gross income is passive income, or |
● | at least 50% of the value of our assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of our assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). |
For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, income equivalent to interest, royalties and rents (other than royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person). Cash is treated as an asset that produces or is held for the production of passive income. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock.
The determination of whether we are a PFIC is made annually after the close of each taxable year. As a result, we may become a PFIC in the current or any future taxable year due to changes in our asset or income composition. In particular, because we have valued our goodwill based on the market price of our ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our ordinary shares. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the ordinary shares may cause us to become a PFIC. In addition, composition of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this offering. Although the determination of whether we are a PFIC is made annually, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year in which you hold ordinary shares, you will generally continue to be subject to the special rules described below for all succeeding years during which you hold ordinary shares (even if we do not qualify as a PFIC in such subsequent years). However, if we cease to be a PFIC, you may avoid the continuing impact of the PFIC rules by making a special election to recognize gain as if your ordinary shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year during which we were a PFIC. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor about this election.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ordinary shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ordinary shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
98
● | the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ordinary shares, |
● | the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and |
● | the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year. The tax liability for amounts allocated to such years cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains realized on the sale of the ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ordinary shares as capital assets. |
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the special tax rules discussed above. If you make an effective mark-to-market election for the ordinary shares, for each taxable year that we are a PFIC you will include in income an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary shares as of the close of the taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ordinary shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of your adjusted basis in the ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ordinary shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ordinary shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election. Your basis in the ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations that are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed above under “Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Ordinary shares” generally would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock”, which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations), which includes the Nasdaq Capital Market. If the ordinary shares are regularly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market and if you are a holder of ordinary shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC. However, there can be no assurance that the ordinary shares will be traded in sufficient volumes to be considered “regularly traded” for purposes of the mark-to-market election. If you make a mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, or the Service consents to the revocation of the election. You are urged to consult your tax advisor about the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC may make a “qualified electing fund” election with respect to such PFIC to avoid the special tax rules discussed above. However, the qualified electing fund election is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ordinary shares and any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is also a PFIC, you will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of the PFIC rules. You will not be able to make the mark-to-market election described above in respect of any lower-tier PFIC. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
If you hold ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will generally be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in our ordinary shares and the elections discussed above.
99
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States) will be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, unless you are an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if you fail to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fail to report in full dividend or interest income.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.
Australian Taxation
In this section, we discuss the material Australian income tax, stamp (or transfer) duty and goods and services tax considerations related to the acquisition, ownership and disposal by the absolute beneficial owners of the ordinary shares. It is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this registration statement, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian tax law which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax-exempt organizations).
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Australian and non-Australian income and other tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares. This summary is based upon the premise that the holder is not an Australian tax resident and is not carrying on business in Australia through a permanent establishment (referred to as a “Non-Australian Holder” in this summary). In addition, this summary does not discuss any non-Australian or state tax considerations, other than transfer duty.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not, and is not intended to be, legal or tax advice to any particular shareholder, and no representations with respect to the income tax consequences to any particular shareholder are made. This summary is not exhaustive of all Australian federal income tax considerations. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax advisor with respect to your particular circumstances.
Non-Australian residents may be liable to pay Australian tax on income derived from Australian sources. One mechanism by which that tax is paid (for non-residents who have no permanent establishment or fixed base in Australia or where the income is not connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base) is known as withholding tax. Dividends paid by a resident Australian company to a resident of the United States of America who is entitled to the benefits of the Australia/U.S. double tax treaty and is beneficially entitled to the dividends are subject to withholding tax at the rate of 15% to the extent the dividends are ‘unfranked’. The rate of withholding tax on dividends is normally 30%, but since the United States has concluded a double tax treaty agreement with Australia, the rate is reduced to 15% where the benefits of the treaty apply. It should be noted, however, that under Section 128B(3) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth), to the extent that dividends paid to non-residents have been franked (generally where a company pays tax itself), such dividends are exempt from withholding tax. “Franked dividends” is the expression given to dividends when the profits out of which those dividends are paid have been taxed at company level and such tax is allocated to the dividend. Accordingly, an Australian company paying fully franked dividends to a non-resident is not required to deduct any withholding tax. Dividends on which withholding tax has been paid are generally not subject to any further Australian tax. In other words, the withholding tax should represent the final Australian tax liability in relation to those dividends.
The pertinent provisions of the double tax treaty between Australia and the United States provide that dividends are primarily liable for tax in the country of residence of the beneficial owner of the dividends. However, the source country, in this case Australia, may also tax them, but in such case the tax will be limited to 15% if the benefits of the treaty apply. Where the beneficial owner is a United States resident corporation that directly holds at least 10% of the voting power in us, the tax will be limited to 5%. The 15% limit does not apply to dividends derived by a resident of the United States of America who has a permanent establishment or fixed base in Australia, if the holding giving rise to the dividends is effectively connected with that establishment or base. Such dividends are taxed on a net assessment basis as business income or independent personal services income as the case may be.
100
We have not paid any cash dividends since our inception and we do not anticipate the payment of cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See “Item 8.A. Financial Statements and Other Financial Information–Dividend Policy.”
A Non-Australian Holder will not generally be subject to capital gains tax in Australia as the Non-Australian Holder is unlikely to have an indirect interest in Australian real property. An indirect interest in Australian real property will only occur where more than 50% of the market value of our assets are attributable to Australian real property.
Dual Residency
If an investor were a resident of both Australia and the United States under those countries’ domestic taxation laws, that investor may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. If, however, the shareholder is determined to be a United States resident for the purposes of Australia/U.S. double tax treaty, the Australian tax applicable would be limited by the Australia/U.S. double tax treaty. Shareholders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.
Transfer Duty
Any transfer of shares through trading on the Nasdaq should not be subject to transfer duty.
Inheritance and Estate Taxes in Australia
Australia does not have estate or death duties. Generally, no capital gains tax liability is realized upon the inheritance of a deceased person’s shares. The disposal of inherited shares by beneficiaries, may, however, give rise to a capital gains tax liability.
Goods and Services Tax
The issue or transfer of shares will not incur Australian goods and services tax and does not require a stockholder to register for Australian goods and services tax purposes.
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our securities in the United States. The public offering price for our ordinary shares and warrants will be determined through negotiations between us and the representative. Among the factors to be considered in these negotiations will be prevailing market conditions, our financial information, market valuations of other companies that we and the underwriters believe to be comparable to us, estimates of our business potential, the present state of our development and other factors deemed relevant. We offer no assurances that the initial public offering price will correspond to the price at which our securities will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for our securities will develop and continue after this offering.
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, is acting as the lead underwriter and representative of the underwriters in this offering. We have entered into an underwriting agreement dated [ ], 2022 with the representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below and the underwriters named below have agreed severally to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the following respective number of units.
101
Underwriter | Units | |
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | ||
Total |
If the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for forty-five (45) days from the closing of this offering, to purchase up to an additional fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of units offered at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. Any units issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other units that are the subject of this offering.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares and/or warrants in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the over-allotment option, and stabilizing purchases.
● | Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. |
● | “Covered” short sales are sales of shares in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the Underwriter’s over-allotment option. |
● | “Naked” short sales are sales of shares in an amount in excess of the number of shares represented by the Underwriter’s over-allotment option. |
● | Covering transactions involve purchases of shares either pursuant to the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. |
● | To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. |
● | To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. |
● | Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. |
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for its own account, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Ordinary shares. They may also cause the price of the Ordinary shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them 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 underwriters):
Per Unit | Total Without Exercise of Over-Allotment Option | Total With Exercise of Over-Allotment Option | |||||||||||
Public offering price | $ | ||||||||||||
Underwriting discounts(1) | $ |
102
(1) Does not include (i) the warrant to purchase ordinary shares equal to five percent (5%) of the number of units sold in the offering, or (ii) certain out-of-pocket expenses, each as described below.
We have agreed to issue warrants to the representative to purchase a number of ordinary shares equal to five percent (5.0%) of the total number of shares sold in this offering at an exercise price equal to 120% of the public offering price of the shares sold in this offering. These warrants will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the four (4) and a half-year period commencing six (6) months from the effective date of the offering, at a price per share equal to 120% of the public offering price per share. The warrants also provide for customary anti-dilution provisions, one-time demand registration rights and unlimited “piggyback” registration rights with respect to the registration of the Ordinary shares underlying the warrants. The ordinary shares underlying the warrants are being registered under this Registration Statement.
The representative warrants and the underlying shares may be deemed to be compensation by FINRA, and therefore will be subject to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), neither the representative warrants nor any of our shares issued upon exercise of the representative 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 effective date of this Registration Statement pursuant to which the representative warrants are being issued, subject to certain exceptions. The warrants 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(g)(1); and (ii) fully comply with transfer restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(2)(A)(ii).
We have agreed to pay EF Hutton a non-accountable expense allowance of one percent (1%) of the public offering price at the closing, excluding any amount sold pursuant to the over-allotment option.
We have also agreed to pay the following expenses relating to this offering: (a) all filing fees and expenses relating to the registration of the shares sold in this offering with the SEC; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the shares sold in this offering on a national exchange, if applicable; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the shares sold in this offering under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as EF Hutton may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of our “blue sky” counsel, which will be EF Hutton’s counsel) unless such filings are not required in connection with our proposed listing on a national exchange, if applicable; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the shares sold in this offering under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as EF Hutton may reasonably designate; (e) the costs of all mailing and printing of this offering’s documents; (f) transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of the shares sold in this offering from us to EF Hutton; (g) the fees and expenses of our accountants; (h) all filing fees and communication expenses associated with the review of this offering by FINRA; (i) up to twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) of EF Hutton’s actual accountable road show expenses for this offering; (j) the twenty-nine thousand five hundred dollar ($29,500) cost associated with EF Hutton’s use of Ipreo’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the offering; (k) the costs associated with bound volumes of this offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones in an aggregate amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000); and (l) the fees for EF Hutton’s legal counsel, in an amount not to exceed one hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000).
We will provide an expense advance to EF Hutton of $25,000 that shall be paid in advance of the closing of this offering. Such advance payment will be returned to us to the extent such out-of-pocket expenses are not actually incurred in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(C).
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding the total underwriting discount and non-accountable expense allowance, will be approximately $________.
In addition, the Company agrees that it shall provide the representative the right of first refusal for six (6) months from the closing of this offering to act as sole investment banker, sole book runner and/or sole placement agent for any and all future public or private equity, equity-linked or debt offerings during such twelve (12) month period of the Company or any successor to or any subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that the representative shall not be entitled to have such right of first refusal if this offering is not consummated.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ordinary shares or warrants. In determining the initial public offering price of the units, we and the underwriters consider a number of factors, including:
● | the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the underwriters; |
● | our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete; |
● | an assessment of our management; |
● | our prospects for future 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 underwriters 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 underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our ordinary shares or warrants, or that the shares or warrants will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.
We have agreed to indemnify the 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 underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.
103
Pricing of the Offering
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or warrants. The initial public offering price of the units has been negotiated between us and the underwriters. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price of the units, in addition to the prevailing market conditions, are our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, an assessment of our management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We have agreed not to offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, 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 or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our ordinary shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the representative, for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
In addition, our directors, executive officers and certain holders of more than five percent (5%) of our ordinary shares will enter into lock-up agreements with the representative prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons or entities, for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, agree not to: (1) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, 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, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or any securities convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive ordinary shares (including ordinary shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such person in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) whether now owned or hereafter acquired; (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the foregoing securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any ordinary shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares; or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.
The lock-up restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply with respect to any transfer:
(i) | as a bona fide gift or gifts, |
(ii) | to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the holder or the immediate family of the holder, |
(iii) | if the holder is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity (1) transfers to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is a direct or indirect affiliate of the holder or (2) distributions of our ordinary shares or any security convertible into or exercisable for our ordinary shares to limited partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the holder, |
(iv) | if the holder is a trust, transfers to the beneficiary of such trust, |
(v) | by testate succession or intestate succession; or |
(vi) | pursuant to the underwriting agreement; |
provided, in the case of clauses (i)-(v), that (x) such transfer will not involve a disposition for value, (y) the transferee agrees in writing with the representative to be bound by the terms of a lock-up agreement, and (z) no filing by any party under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be required or will be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder may transfer ordinary shares in a transaction not involving a public offering or public resale; provided that (x) the transferee agrees in writing with the representative to be bound by the terms of a lock-up agreement, and (y) no filing by any party under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is required or is made voluntarily in connection with such transfer.
104
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriters or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and the underwriters may distribute prospectuses electronically. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of units to selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The units to be sold pursuant to Internet distributions will be allocated on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us or the underwriters, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our ordinary shares. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more ordinary shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of ordinary shares available for purchase by the underwriters under option to purchase additional ordinary shares. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option to purchase additional ordinary shares or purchasing ordinary shares in the open market. In determining the source of ordinary shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of ordinary shares compared to the price available under the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may also sell ordinary shares in excess of the option to purchase additional ordinary shares, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ordinary shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the ordinary shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter or dealer repays selling concessions allowed to it for distributing our ordinary shares in this offering because the underwriter repurchases those ordinary shares in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Finally, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, our ordinary shares in market making transactions, including “passive” market making transactions as described below.
These activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of our ordinary shares at a price that is higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the absence of these activities. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may discontinue any of these activities at any time without notice. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise.
Passive Market Making
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during a period before the commencement of offers or sales of the ordinary shares and extending through the completion of the distribution. A passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of that security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, then that bid must then be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
The underwriters and their affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own accounts and for the accounts of their customers and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of our Company. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
105
Selling Restrictions
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 the 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.
European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to such securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation: (a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation; (b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or (c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of any securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any securities in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
United Kingdom
In relation to the United Kingdom, no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities that either (i) have been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, or (ii) is to be treated as if it had been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with the transitional provision in Regulation 74 of the Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, except that offers of the securities may be made to the public in the United Kingdom at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation: (a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation; (b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives for any such offer; or (c) in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”), provided that no such offer of ordinary shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any securities in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
106
In addition, this prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, and any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, persons who are outside the United Kingdom or persons in the United Kingdom (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”); and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the securities in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the FSMA.
Australia
This document: (a) does not constitute a disclosure document or a prospectus under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Corporations Act”); (b) has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), as a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act; and (c) may only be provided in Australia to select investors who are able to demonstrate that they fall within one or more of the categories of investors available under section 708 of the Corporations Act (“Exempt Investors”).
The securities may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the securities may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any securities may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the securities, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor.
As any offer of the securities under this document will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the securities you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the securities, offer, transfer, assign or otherwise alienate those securities to investors in Australia except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC.
Canada
The securities may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the units must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
107
Switzerland
The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (“FINMA”), and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.
Israel
In the State of Israel, this prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase securities under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authority, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions (the “Addressed Investors”); or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 –1968, subject to certain conditions (the “Qualified Investors”). The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors. The Company has not and will not take any action that would require it to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728 – 1968. We have not and will not distribute this prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our securities to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the placement discounts and commissions) will be as follows. With the exception of the filing fees for the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, FINRA and Nasdaq, all amounts are estimates.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee | $ | |||
FINRA filing fee | ||||
Nasdaq listing fee | ||||
Legal fees and expenses | ||||
Accounting fees and expenses | ||||
Transfer agent fees and expenses | ||||
Printing fees and expenses | ||||
Miscellaneous | ||||
Total | $ |
108
The validity of the ordinary shares and warrants to be issued in this offering and certain legal matters relating to the offering as to Australian law will be passed upon for us by Sekel Grinberg Judd, Sydney, Australia. Certain matters as to U.S. federal law and New York state law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, New York, New York. Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP, New York, New York, has acted as counsel for the underwriters with respect to this offering.
The financial statements of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Limited) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and of Reg Liquors, LLC (d/b/a Wired For Wine) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, as set forth in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance on the reports herein of Accell Audit & Compliance, P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the ordinary shares offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits filed therewith. For further information about us and the ordinary shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. We currently do not file periodic reports with the SEC. Upon closing of our initial public offering, we will be required to file periodic reports (including an annual report on Form 20-F, which we will be required to file within 120 days from the end of each fiscal year), and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits filed therewith may be inspected without charge at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from that office. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is www.sec.gov.
109
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
(FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LTD)
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1 |
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
(Formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Limited)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020
F-2 |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED (FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-3 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Innovation Beverage Group Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the two years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the board of directors and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Business Acquisition
As described in Note 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company completed a business combination during the year. The Company accounted for the acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations.
We identified the Company’s accounting for the business acquisitions as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination of this critical audit matter related to the high degree of subjectivity in the Company’s judgments in determining the qualitative factors. Auditing these judgments and assumptions by the Company involves auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit evidence and effort required to address these matters.
The primary procedures we performed to address these critical audit matters included the following:
● | We obtained the acquisition agreements and performed the following procedures: |
– | Reviewed agreements for all relevant terms, consideration and other relevant information. | |
– | Tested supporting documentation related to the acquired companies in determining the identifiable assets and liabilities. | |
– | Reviewed the guidance related to ASC 805 to determine the acquisitions were appropriately accounted for by the Company. |
/s/ Accell Audit & Compliance, P.A. |
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022. |
Tampa, Florida |
June 15, 2022 |
3001 N. Rocky Point Dr. East, Suite 200 ● Tampa, Florida 33607 ● 813.367.3527
F-4 |
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,559,172 | $ | 403,486 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 995,666 | 15,036 | ||||||
Inventory, at cost | 1,070,275 | 428,449 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 180,133 | 11,564 | ||||||
Total current assets | 3,805,246 | 858,535 | ||||||
Deposits | 36,762 | 39,021 | ||||||
Finance right of use asset | 29,621 | 50,880 | ||||||
Operating right of use asset | 330,759 | 423,849 | ||||||
Due from related parties | 697,127 | 1,884,577 | ||||||
Equipment, net | 189,272 | 163,164 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 421,565 | — | ||||||
Goodwill | 951,802 | — | ||||||
Deferred tax asset | 50,895 | 34,986 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 6,513,049 | $ | 3,455,012 | ||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 1,505,899 | $ | 1,219,662 | ||||
Deferred revenue | 170,832 | — | ||||||
Notes payable | 708,063 | 197,777 | ||||||
Current portion of finance lease liability | 23,631 | 32,489 | ||||||
Current portion of operating lease liability | 143,015 | 118,267 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 2,551,440 | 1,568,195 | ||||||
Accrued employee benefits, non-current | 18,237 | 12,001 | ||||||
Finance lease liability, less current portion | 5,593 | 26,545 | ||||||
Operating lease liability, less current portion | 243,186 | 383,903 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 2,818,456 | 1,990,644 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Ordinary shares, no par value; no authorization limit; 1,794,251 and 600 ordinary shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | 3,942,069 | 420 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (44,441 | ) | 103,073 | |||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | (203,035 | ) | 1,360,875 | |||||
Total stockholders' equity | 3,694,593 | 1,464,368 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 6,513,049 | $ | 3,455,012 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5 |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED (FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED) |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Revenues, net | $ | 3,748,281 | $ | 2,181,754 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 1,255,877 | 441,710 | ||||||
Gross profit | 2,492,404 | 1,740,044 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Other general and administrative | 910,319 | 354,713 | ||||||
Salary and wages | 800,186 | 492,189 | ||||||
Sales and marketing | 424,992 | 24,438 | ||||||
Contracted services | 302,740 | 183,416 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 2,438,237 | 1,054,756 | ||||||
Income from operations | 54,167 | 685,288 | ||||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||
Other income/(expense) | (5,775 | ) | 109,812 | |||||
Interest income | 72,446 | 36,877 | ||||||
Interest expense | (32,549 | ) | (6,145 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expenses) | 34,122 | 140,544 | ||||||
Income before taxes | 88,289 | 825,832 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 56,526 | 230,066 | ||||||
Net income | 31,763 | 595,766 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (147,514 | ) | 82,824 | |||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (115,751 | ) | $ | 678,590 | |||
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share | $ | 0.07 | $ | 992.94 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 448,002 | 600 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6 |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED (FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED) |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020 |
Accumulated Other | Retained Earnings | |||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive | (Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Shares | Income (Loss) | Deficit) | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2019 | 600 | $ | 420 | $ | 20,249 | $ | 765,109 | $ | 785,778 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | 82,824 | — | 82,824 | |||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 595,766 | 595,766 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2020 | 600 | 420 | 103,073 | 1,360,875 | 1,464,368 | |||||||||||||||
Sale of ordinary shares, net of issuance costs | 1,793,651 | 3,941,649 | — | — | 3,941,649 | |||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | (1,595,673 | ) | (1,595,673 | ) | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | (147,514 | ) | — | (147,514 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 31,763 | 31,763 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2021 | 1,794,251 | $ | 3,942,069 | $ | (44,441 | ) | $ | (203,035 | ) | $ | 3,694,593 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7 |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED (FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED) |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
For the years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 31,763 | $ | 595,766 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 158,242 | 46,273 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (959,660 | ) | 101,559 | |||||
Inventory, at cost | (318,177 | ) | (285,921 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses | (154,517 | ) | (967 | ) | ||||
Operating right of use assets | (21,888 | ) | 76,633 | |||||
Deferred tax assets | (14,497 | ) | (1,773 | ) | ||||
Deposits | 2,259 | (3,526 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 255,816 | 500,749 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 170,832 | (37,607 | ) | |||||
Accrued employee benefits, non-current | 6,236 | 12,001 | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | (843,591 | ) | 1,003,187 | |||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | ||||||||
Net cash paid to acquire business | (748,762 | ) | — | |||||
Purchase of equipment | (46,318 | ) | (4,255 | ) | ||||
Purchase of intangibles | (469,667 | ) | — | |||||
Payments to related parties | (493,479 | ) | (704,571 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,758,226 | ) | (708,826 | ) | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | ||||||||
Issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance costs | 3,941,649 | — | ||||||
Payments on finance lease liability | (32,174 | ) | (27,835 | ) | ||||
Net payments on notes payable | (4,458 | ) | — | |||||
Net borrowings on notes payable | — | 22,627 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 3,905,017 | (5,208 | ) | |||||
Impact of changes in foreign currency on cash | (147,514 | ) | 82,824 | |||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents | 1,155,686 | 371,977 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 403,486 | 31,509 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 1,559,172 | $ | 403,486 | ||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 32,549 | $ | 6,145 | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 158,202 | $ | — | ||||
Non-cash financing and investing activities: | ||||||||
Residual consideration to be paid for business acquisition | $ | 600,000 | $ | — | ||||
Note payable settled via offset in due from related party | $ | 85,256 | $ | — | ||||
Dividends in settlement of amounts due from related party | $ | 1,595,673 | $ | — | ||||
Assets acquired via finance lease | $ | — | $ | 19,515 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8 |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED (FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | Nature of operations |
Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Limited) (“IBG” or the “Company”) is a developer, manufacturer and exporter of a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands of beverages. Our distribution capabilities include sales to large distributors and high-margin direct-to-consumer sales. IBG is located in Seven Hills, New South Wales, Australia.
IBG has partnered with Coca Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, to exclusively distribute IBG Bitters in Australia while retaining the rights throughout the rest of the world.
IBG focuses on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales through its network of technology-focused retail marketplaces and established BevMart, a DTC marketplace, in Australia in May 2021 and in the United States in November 2021. On November 3, 2021, IBG acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in REG Liquors, LLC d/b/a Wired for Wine (“W4W”), located in Stockton, New Jersey. W4W and IBG USA, LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of IBG.
2. | Summary of significant accounting policies |
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of IBG, and its subsidiaries, IBG USA LLC and W4W (collectively, the “Group”) are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, with the results of operations of W4W included from November 3, 2021. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Financial Statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting and presented in U.S. dollars. The year end is December 31.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to concentrations of credit risk are cash, accounts receivable and other receivables arising from its normal business activities. The Group places its cash in what it believes to be credit-worthy financial institutions. The Group controls credit risk related to accounts receivable through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Group routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk, establishes an allowance, if required, for uncollectible accounts and, as a consequence, believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure beyond such allowance is limited.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Revenue Recognition
The Group recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from contracts with customers,” (Topic 606). Revenue is recognized upon the Group’s satisfaction of a single performance obligation when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amount of revenue that is recorded reflects the consideration that the Group expects to receive in exchange for those goods. The Group applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Group satisfies each performance obligation. The Group’s main revenue stream is from sales of products. The Group recognizes as revenues the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when the performance obligation is satisfied or as it is satisfied. Generally, the Group’s performance obligations are transferred to customers at a point in time, typically upon delivery.
F-9 |
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Group expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods. The amount of consideration the Group receives and revenue the Group recognizes varies with changes in customer incentives the Group offers to its customers. These incentives and discounts include cash discounts, price allowance, volume-based rebates, product placement fees and other financial support items such as trade promotions, displays, new products, consumer incentives and advertising assistance. Sales tax and other similar taxes are excluded from revenue. Cost associated with shipping and handling activities are included in expenses as revenue is recognized. The Group estimates the amount of variable consideration by using the “expected value” method, which considers factors such as experiences with products, predictability of market conditions and competition, the current stage in the product life cycle and historical, current, and projected demand. The Group evaluated those factors and concluded that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur and no constraint was necessary on the variable consideration as of 31 December, 2021. The Group has extensive historical experience with producing and delivering standard products to our contracted customers with pre-determined price. The Group performs similar analysis on variable consideration and the related constraint (or lack thereof) at each reporting period.
The Group’s revenue stream is mainly from (1) Creating, marketing and scaling lifestyle focused beverage brands with a focus on Bitters, Non-Alcohol Spirits, Bottles cocktails and other high margin innovative products exclusively developed at IBG and sold via large distribution partners in Australia and around the globe and (2) Sales of wine and spirits via IBG’s owned on-line marketplaces namely wiredforwine.com, bevmart.com and bevmart.com.au. The Group has 21 days payment terms for brand products sales. E- commerce sales are direct-to-consumers. The Group typically provides warranties for general replacement of defects that existed at the time of sale, as required by law. Based on historical information, management does not believe a sales return or warranty allowance is necessary and no allowance for either has been recorded on December 31, 2021 or 2020.
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.
Level 2: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3: Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including all current liabilities are carried at historical cost basis, which approximates their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
ASC subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”) requires disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. All other significant financial assets, financial liabilities and equity instruments of the Group are either recognized or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements together with other information relevant for making a reasonable assessment of future cash flows, interest rate risk and credit risk. Where practicable the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities have been determined and disclosed; otherwise only available information pertinent to fair value has been disclosed.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Group considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Group had no cash equivalents at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Intangible Assets
At December 31, 2021, the Group’s intangible assets consisted of customer contracts, software development costs and a liquor license. The customer contracts and liquor license were acquired in a business combination. Useful lives of intangible assets are determined after considering the specific facts and circumstances related to each intangible asset. Factors that will be considered when determining useful lives include the contractual term of any agreement related to the asset, the historical performance of the asset, the long-term strategy for using the asset, any laws or other local regulations that could impact the asset, the historical performance of the asset, the long-term strategy for using the asset, any laws or other local regulations that could impact the useful life of the asset, and other economic factors, including competition and specific market conditions. Indefinite life intangibles are reviewed for impairment when circumstances suggest there could be an impairment, but at least annually.
F-10 |
A summary of the estimated useful lives applied to the Group’s intangible assets is as follows:
Customer contracts | Liquor license | Software Development costs | |
Useful lives | Finite (15 years) | Finite (15 years) | Finite (5 years) |
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities in a business combination. The Group assess goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired, by comparing its carrying value to the reporting unit’s fair value. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Group determined that there was no goodwill impairment.
Sales and Marketing
The Group follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising, marketing, and public relations to expense as incurred. The Group has recognized $424,992 and $24,438 in sales and marketing expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Equipment
Equipment is carried at historical cost. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 10 years.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Group recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Group records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of general and administrative expenses. Our federal tax return and any state tax returns are not currently under examination.
The Group has adopted FASB ASC 740-10, Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually from differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Inventory
Raw materials and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value on a ‘first in first out’ basis. Cost comprises of direct materials and delivery costs, direct labor, import duties and other taxes, and an appropriate allocation of variable and fixed overhead expenditure based on normal operating capacity. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after deducting rebates and discounts received or receivable.
Cost comprises purchase and delivery costs, net of rebates and discounts received or receivable. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
Accounts Receivable
The Group has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on days overdue. Account balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense and included in the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
F-11 |
Earnings Per Ordinary Share
The Group computes earnings per ordinary share, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, which requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic income or loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per ordinary share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, plus the issuance of ordinary shares, if dilutive, that could result from the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants.
Comprehensive Income (loss)
ASC Topic 220 (SFAS No. 130) establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income or loss is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events from non-owner sources.
Foreign Currencies
The Group determined that its functional currency is the U.S. dollar since the U.S. dollar is the currency of the environment in which the Group primarily generates and expends cash. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses represent gains and losses resulting from transactions entered into in a currency other than the functional currency of the Group. These transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations.
Leases
Operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Group uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is presented on the statements of operations.
Finance lease right of use assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and finance lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The initial liability for a finance lease will subsequently be adjusted to reflect interest expense incurred (increase of the liability), and lease payments made (decrease of the liability). Interest should be recognized equal to an amount that produces a constant periodic discount rate on the remaining balance of the liability during the lease term (i.e., the effective interest method). The ROU asset should be amortized on a straight-line basis from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the ROU asset or the end of the lease term. If, however, ownership of the ROU asset is transferred to the lessee at the end of the lease term or it is reasonably certain the lessee will exercise a purchase option for the ROU asset, then the lessee should amortize the ROU asset from commencement of the lease to the end of the useful life of the ROU asset.
COVID-19 Disclosure
The 2021 and 2020 operations reflect the impact of COVID-19 throughout the periods. Restrictions continued to impact the Group’s global operations, with key sales channels remaining in varied states of impact and recovery. During the pandemic, non e-commerce sales channels experienced varying levels of disruption. COVID-19 also caused a shortage of certain raw materials, prolonged logistics and delayed progress on the Company’s fund raising.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The new guidance requires organizations to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
The new guidance; (i) eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, reflects an organization’s current estimate of all expected credit losses over the contractual term of its financial assets, (ii) broadens the information that an entity can consider when measuring credit losses to include forward-looking information, (iii) increases usefulness of the financial statements by requiring timely inclusion of forecasted information in forming expectations of credit losses, (iv) increases comparability of purchased financial assets with credit deterioration (PCD assets) with other purchased assets that do not have credit deterioration as well as originated assets because credit losses that are expected will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses for all assets, (v) increases users’ understanding of underwriting standards and credit quality trends by requiring additional information about credit quality indicators by year of origination (vintage), and (vi) aligns the income statement recognition of credit losses, for available-for-sale debt securities, with the reporting period in which changes occur by recording credit losses (and subsequent changes in credit losses) through an allowance rather than a write down.
F-12 |
The new guidance affects organizations that hold financial assets and net investments in leases that are not accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income. It affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash.
For public business entities that meet the definition of a SEC filer, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Group will adopt beginning January 1, 2023. The Group does not believe the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements
The Group has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
3. | Business acquisition |
On November 3, 2021, IBG acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in W4W in exchange for $1,348,762 in cash. Of the consideration, $600,000 shall be paid to seller of W4W within 30 days of the Group listing its shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market or within 12 months of this note (i.e. November 3, 2022), whichever is sooner and is currently recorded in notes payables (Note 8). This outstanding balance bears no interest. There were no related equity issuances for the acquisition of W4W. IBG analyzed the acquisition under applicable guidance and determined that the acquisition should be accounted for as a business combination. The preliminary purchase price allocation of the purchase consideration to net assets acquired is as follows:
Accounts receivable | $ | 20,970 | ||
Inventory | 323,649 | |||
Prepaid expenses | 15,464 | |||
Current assets | 360,083 | |||
Equipment | 2,552 | |||
Intangible asset | 66,119 | |||
Goodwill | 951,802 | |||
Total assets | 1,380,556 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (30,000 | ) | ||
Other liabilities | (1,794 | ) | ||
Total liabilities | (31,794 | ) | ||
Purchase consideration | $ | 1,348,762 |
Management is in the process of completing the full purchase price allocation. The current allocation is based on the preliminary fair value of the identifiable tangible assets and liabilities, as of the acquisition date.
The following unaudited pro forma financial results reflects the historical operating results of the Group, including the unaudited pro forma results of W4W for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as if the business combination had occurred as of January 1, 2020. The pro forma financial information set forth below reflects adjustments to the historical data of the Group to give effect to W4W acquisition as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2020. The pro forma information presented below does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations would have been for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent the Group’s future results of operations. The following table summarizes on an unaudited pro forma basis the Group’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Net revenue | $ | 5,919,405 | $ | 5,956,854 | ||||
Net income | $ | 31,286 | $ | 982,798 | ||||
Net income per share- basic and diluted | $ | 0.07 | $ | 1,638.00 | ||||
Weighted average number of shares of ordinary shares outstanding- basic and diluted | 448,002 | 600 |
F-13 |
The calculations of pro forma net revenue and pro forma net income give effect to the business combinations for the period from January 1, 2020 until the respective closing date for (i) the historical net revenue and net income, as applicable, of the acquired businesses, (ii) incremental depreciation and amortization for each business combination based on the fair value of property, equipment and identifiable intangible assets acquired and the related estimated useful lives, and (iii) recognition of accretion of discounts on obligations with extended payment terms that were assumed in the business combinations.
4. | Inventories |
The composition of the Group’s inventories at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Raw materials | $ | 414,958 | $ | 63,768 | ||||
Finished goods | 655,317 | 364,681 | ||||||
Inventories, at cost | $ | 1,070,275 | $ | 428,449 |
5. | Equipment |
Equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Equipment | $ | 264,958 | $ | 215,766 | ||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (75,686 | ) | (52,602 | ) | ||||
Equipment, net | $ | 189,272 | $ | 163,164 |
Depreciation expense was $23,084 and $23,845 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
6. | Intangible assets |
Intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Contract rights | $ | 431,924 | $ | — | ||||
Software development costs | 37,421 | — | ||||||
Liquor license | 66,119 | — | ||||||
535,464 | — | |||||||
Less: accumulated amortization | (113,899 | ) | — | |||||
Intangible assets net | $ | 421,565 | $ | — |
Amortization expense was $113,899 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F-14 |
7. | Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities |
Operating leases
The Group leases office space in Australia (“Seven Hills”) and in New Jersey (“Highland Cross”). The Seven Hills lease commenced on July 1, 2018 and ends on June 30, 2024, with monthly lease payments of $13,916 AUD (approximately $10,000 USD). The Highland Cross lease was assumed in the acquisition of W4W. The lease commenced on January 1, 2019 and expires on September 1, 2023, with monthly lease payments of $1,500.
Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value is our incremental borrowing rate, estimated to be 5.95% (Seven Hills) and 2.95% (Highland Cross), as the interest rate implicit in most of the leases is not readily determinable. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Group recorded $163,414 and $154,352 as operating lease expense which is included in other general and administrative expenses on the statements of income.
Operating right of use assets are summarized below:
As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Seven Hills | Highland Cross | Total | ||||||||||
Office Lease | $ | 659,997 | $ | 37,735 | $ | 697,732 | ||||||
Less accumulated amortization | (364,155 | ) | (2,818 | ) | (366,973 | ) | ||||||
Operating right of use asset | $ | 295,842 | $ | 34,917 | $ | 330,759 |
As of | ||||
December 31, | ||||
2020 | ||||
Seven Hills | ||||
Office Lease | $ | 659,997 | ||
Less accumulated amortization | (236,148 | ) | ||
Operating right of use asset | $ | 423,849 |
Operating lease liabilities are summarized below:
As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Seven Hills | Highland Cross | Total | ||||||||||
Office Lease | $ | 357,012 | $ | 29,189 | $ | 386,201 | ||||||
Less: current portion | (125,686 | ) | (17,329 | ) | (143,015 | ) | ||||||
Long term portion | $ | 231,326 | $ | 11,860 | $ | 243,186 |
As of December 31, 2020 | ||||
Seven Hills | ||||
Office Lease | $ | 502,170 | ||
Less: current portion | (118,267 | ) | ||
Long term portion | $ | 383,903 |
F-15 |
Operating lease liabilities are summarized below:
Seven Hills
| Highland Cross | Total
| ||||||||||
Year ending December 31, 2022 | $ | 149,484 | $ | 18,000 | $ | 167,484 | ||||||
Year ending December 31, 2023 | 155,463 | 12,000 | 167,463 | |||||||||
Year ending December 31, 2024 | 80,581 | — | 80,581 | |||||||||
Total future minimum lease payments | 385,528 | 30,000 | 415,528 | |||||||||
Less imputed interest | (28,516 | ) | (811 | ) | (29,327 | ) | ||||||
PV of payments | $ | 357,012 | $ | 29,189 | $ | 386,201 |
Finance leases
The Group leases three pieces of equipment under finance leases with combined monthly payments of $3,059 AUD (approximately
$2,200 USD). Two leases mature in December 2022 and the third one matures in December 2023. Finance right of use assets are summarized below:
As of December 31, 2021 | As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Equipment lease | $ | 77,519 | $ | 77,519 | ||||
Less accumulated amortization | (47,898 | ) | (26,639 | ) | ||||
Finance right of use asset | $ | 29,621 | $ | 50,880 |
Amortization expense was $21,259 and $22,428 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Finance lease liabilities are summarized below:
As of December 31, 2021 | As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Equipment lease | $ | 29,224 | $ | 59,034 | ||||
Less: current portion | (23,631 | ) | (32,489 | ) | ||||
Long term portion | $ | 5,593 | $ | 26,545 |
F-16 |
Equipment Lease | ||||
Year ending December 31, 2022 | $ | 26,635 | ||
Year ending December 31, 2023 | 6,354 | |||
Total future minimum lease payments | 32,989 | |||
Less imputed interest | (3,765 | ) | ||
PV of payments | $ | 29,224 |
8. | Notes payable |
As of December31, 2021 | As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Notes payable | ||||||||
Loan 1 (a) | $ | 94,328 | $ | 192,550 | ||||
Loan 2 (b) | 13,735 | 5,227 | ||||||
Loan 3 (c) | 600,000 | — | ||||||
Total notes payable | $ | 708,063 | $ | 197,777 |
(a) Loan 1
The Group entered into a loan with a face value of $250,000 AUD. The loan is interest free and payable on demand. During the year end December 31, 2021, the Group entered into an agreement to offset $120,000 AUD ($85,256 USD based on the spot rate on the date of the agreement) against the Due from Related Party balance (Note 12).
(b) Loan 2
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Group entered into an unsecured insurance financing arrangement with a face value of $53,071 AUD due on April 30, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Group repaid borrowings in the amount of $26,022 and recorded $2,499 in interest expense related to this note.
(c) Loan 3
On November 3, 2021, IBG acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in W4W in exchange for $1,348,762 in cash. Of the consideration, $600,000 shall be paid to seller of W4W within 30 days of the Group listing its shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market or within 12 months from November 3, 2021 (i.e. November 3, 2022), whichever is sooner. This outstanding balance bears no interest. (Note 3).
9. | Commitments and contingencies |
During the normal course of business, the Group may be exposed to litigation. When the Group becomes aware of potential litigation, it evaluates the merits of the case in accordance with FASB ASC 450-20-50, Contingencies. The Group evaluates its exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If the Group determines that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, it establishes the necessary accruals. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Group is not aware of any contingent liabilities that should be reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
F-17 |
10. | Income taxes |
A reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the statutory rate is shown below:
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Australian income before taxes | $ | 177,668 | $ | 825,832 | ||||
United States loss before taxes | (89,379 | ) | — | |||||
Income before taxes | $ | 88,289 | $ | 825,832 | ||||
Expected Australian income tax expense at statutory rate of 26% (December 31, 2020: 27.5%) | $ | 46,194 | $ | 227,104 | ||||
Expected United States income tax expense at statutory rate of 21% | (18,770 | ) | — | |||||
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: | ||||||||
Entertainment | 932 | 155 | ||||||
Unrecognized deferred tax assets - tax losses | 23,174 | — | ||||||
Deferred tax rate change | 2,035 | — | ||||||
Other items, net | 2,961 | 2,807 | ||||||
Income tax expense | $ | 56,526 | $ | 230,066 |
The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets (liabilities): | ||||||||
Equipment | $ | (2,807 | ) | $ | 6,471 | |||
Leases | (2,105 | ) | (2,326 | ) | ||||
Customer contracts | 28,298 | — | ||||||
Superannuation | 6,268 | 3,566 | ||||||
Accrued expenses | 9,433 | 15,197 | ||||||
Annual leave | 5,942 | 7,696 | ||||||
Foreign currency changes | 1,124 | 1,262 | ||||||
Accrued employee benefits, non-current | 4,742 | 3,120 | ||||||
Net deferred tax asset | $ | 50,895 | $ | 34,986 |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Group had no material net operating loss or tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Group had no provision for uncertain tax positions and no provisions for penalties or interest. In addition, the Group does not believe that there are any uncertain tax benefits that could be recognized in the near future that would impact the Group’s effective tax rate.
F-18 |
11. | Reportable segments |
a. The Group currently has two reportable geographic segments - Australia and United States. All inter-segment revenues are eliminated.
Summary information with respect to the Group’s geographic operating segments is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Revenue | ||||||||
Australia | 3,193,127 | 2,181,754 | ||||||
United States | 555,154 | — | ||||||
Total revenue | $ | 3,748,281 | $ | 2,181,754 |
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Income (loss) from operations | ||||||||
Australia | $ | 143,547 | $ | 685,288 | ||||
United States | (89,380 | ) | — | |||||
Total income from operations | $ | 54,167 | $ | 685,288 |
A reconciliation of the Group’s geographic segment operating income to consolidated earnings before income taxes is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Income from operations | $ | 54,167 | $ | 685,288 | ||||
Other income (expense) | (5,775 | ) | 109,812 | |||||
Interest income | 72,446 | 36,877 | ||||||
Interest expense | (32,549 | ) | (6,145 | ) | ||||
Income before income taxes | 88,289 | 825,832 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 56,526 | 230,066 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 31,763 | $ | 595,766 |
F-19 |
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Depreciation and Amortization | ||||||||
Australia | $ | 156,697 | $ | 46,273 | ||||
United States | 1,545 | — | ||||||
Total | $ | 158,242 | $ | 46,273 |
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Capital Expenditures | ||||||||
Australia | $ | 515,985 | $ | 4,255 | ||||
United States | — | — | ||||||
Total | $ | 515,985 | $ | 4,255 |
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
Total Assets | ||||||||
Australia | $ | 6,370,454 | $ | 3,455,012 | ||||
United States | 1,491,358 | — | ||||||
Eliminations | (1,348,763 | ) | — | |||||
Total | $ | 6,513,049 | $ | 3,455,012 |
c. Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group’s revenue based on the two distribution channels, brand products and e-commerce products1.
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Revenue | ||||||||
Brand products Australia | $ | 3,007,228 | $ | 2,181,754 | ||||
Brand products United States | — | — | ||||||
Total brand products | 3,007,228 | 2,181,754 | ||||||
E-commerce - Australia | 185,900 | — | ||||||
E-commerce - United States | 555,153 | — | ||||||
Total e-commerce products | 741,053 | — | ||||||
Total revenue | $ | 3,748,281 | $ | 2,181,754 |
1 This is based on geographical segment of reporting entity’s operation, rather than sales destination.
F-20 |
12. | Related party disclosures |
Note 1 provides information about the Group’s structure, including details of the subsidiaries and the holding company.
For the period between January 2020 through August 2021, the former chief executive officer (“CEO”) borrowed an aggregate of AUD$2,853,105 from the Company. There are related party receivable of USD$697,127 outstanding as of December 31, 2021, and USD$1,884,577 outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Interests is charged at 4.52% per annum. A portion of the loan amount was offset against the dividend declared in the amount of AUD$2,138,610 for the period to June 30, 2021. Subsequently on December 27, 2021, the remaining balance of the loan as at that date, AUD$960,760, was novated to the CEO’s mother, a former director of the Company. Outstanding balances at the year end are unsecured and settlement generally occurs in cash.
13. | Subsequent events |
Subsequent to year end, the Group paid off its note payable (see note 8 – Loan 1) in the amount of $94,328. The Company also issued 258,004 shares of ordinary shares for $594,538. The Company changed its name to Innovation Beverage Group Limited effective from June 2022.
In accordance with ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events, the Company has analyzed its operations subsequent to December 31, 2020, through the date when the financial statements were available to be issued, and has determined that it does not have any additional material subsequent events to disclosure in these financial statements.
F-21 |
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
(Formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Limited)
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information
For the Years Ended
December 31, 2020 and 2021
F-22 |
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
(FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 and 2021
INDEX TO PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
F-23 |
INNOVATION
BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED (FORMERLY AUSTRALIAN BOUTIQUE SPIRITS PTY LIMITED) |
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
On November 3, 2021, Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Limited) (“IBG”) acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests in REG Liquors, LLC d/b/a Wired for Wine (“W4W”) in exchange for $1,348,762 in cash. As a result of the Exchange Agreement, W4W became a wholly owned subsidiary of IBG. There were no related equity issuances for the acquisition of W4W.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are based on the historical statements of IBG and combine the results of operations giving effect to the transactions as if it occurred on January 1,2020 and reflecting the pro forma adjustments expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations reflect the historical operating results of IBG and its controlled entities (collectively the “Group”), including the unaudited pro forma results of W4W for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, as if the business combination had occurred as of January 1, 2020. The pro forma financial information set forth below reflects adjustments to the historical data of the Group to give effect to W4W acquisition as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2020. The pro forma information presented below does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations would have been for the periods indicated, nor does it purport to represent the Group’s future results of operations.
F-24 |
IBGL
| REG Liquors, LLC | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | |||||||||||||
Revenues, net | $ | 2,181,754 | $ | 3,775,100 | $ | — | $ | 5,956,854 | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 441,710 | 2,420,181 | — | 2,861,891 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 1,740,044 | 1,354,919 | — | 3,094,963 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Other general and administrative | 354,713 | 681,499 | 6,177 | 1,042,389 | ||||||||||||
Salary and wages | 492,189 | 58,149 | — | 550,338 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 24,438 | 219,732 | — | 244,170 | ||||||||||||
Contracted services | 183,416 | — | — | 183,416 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 1,054,756 | 959,380 | 6,177 | 2,020,313 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 685,288 | 395,539 | (6,177 | ) | 1,074,650 | |||||||||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | — | (74 | ) | 74 | — | |||||||||||
Amortization | — | (6,103 | ) | 6,103 | — | |||||||||||
Other income/(expense) | 109,812 | — | — | 109,812 | ||||||||||||
Interest income | 36,877 | — | — | 36,877 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (6,145 | ) | (2,330 | ) | — | (8,475 | ) | |||||||||
Total other income (expenses) | 140,544 | (8,507 | ) | 6,1771 | 138,214 | |||||||||||
Income before taxes | 825,832 | 387,032 | — | 1,212,864 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 230,066 | — | — | 230,066 | ||||||||||||
Net income | 595,766 | 387,032 | — | 982,798 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 82,824 | — | — | 82,824 | ||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 678,590 | $ | 387,032 | — | $ | 1,065,622 | |||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 992.94 | — | — | $ | 1,638.00 | ||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding- basic and diluted | 600 | — | — | 600 |
1 Reclassification of depreciation and amortisation from other income (expenses) to Operating expenses to align with IBGL’s presentation.
F-25 |
IBGL2
| REG Liquors, LLC (for the period ended September 30 2021)
| REG Liquors, LLC (for the period between October 1 and November 2 2021) | Pro Forma Combined
| |||||||||||||
Revenues, net | $ | 3,748,281 | $ | 1,948,887 | $ | 222,237 | $ | 5,919,405 | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 1,255,877 | 1,344,094 | 149,344 | 2,749,315 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 2,492,404 | 604,793 | 72,893 | 3,170,090 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Other general and administrative | 910,319 | 150,794 | 21,901 | 1,083,014 | ||||||||||||
Salary and wages | 800,186 | 28,873 | 3,207 | 832,266 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 424,992 | 434,328 | 48,260 | 907,580 | ||||||||||||
Contracted services | 302,740 | — | — | 302,740 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 2,438,237 | 613,995 | 73,368 | 3,125,600 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 54,167 | (9,202 | ) | (475 | ) | 44,490 | ||||||||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | — | (55 | ) | 55 | — | |||||||||||
Amortization | — | (4,577 | ) | 4,577 | — | |||||||||||
Gain on forgiveness of PPP loan | — | 9,200 | — | 9,200 | ||||||||||||
Other income/(expense) | (5,775 | ) | — | — | (5,775 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest income | 72,446 | — | — | 72,446 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (32,549 | ) | — | — | (32,549 | ) | ||||||||||
Total other income (expenses) | 34,122 | 4,568 | 4,6323 | 43,322 | ||||||||||||
Income before taxes | 88,289 | (4,634 | ) | 4,157 | 87,812 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | 56,526 | — | — | 56,526 | ||||||||||||
Net income/(loss) | 31,763 | (4,634 | ) | 4,157 | 31,286 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (147,514 | ) | — | — | (147,514 | ) | ||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (115,751 | ) | $ | (4,634 | ) | $ | 4,157 | $ | (116,228 | ) | |||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.07 | — | $ | — | $ | 0.07 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted | 448,002 | — | — | 448,002 |
2 IBGL results include the amounts of REG Liquors, LLC (i.e., post-acquisition).
3 Reclassification of depreciation and amortisation from other income (expenses) to Operating expenses to align with IBGL’s presentation.
F-26 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC
D/B/A
WIRED FOR WINE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
Independent auditors’ report
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019
F-27 |
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Audit Committee
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
Report on Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Reg Liquors, LLC (D/B/A Wired for Wine) (the “Company”), which comprise of the balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related statements of operations and member’s equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statement
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditors consider internal control relevant to the Companies’ preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companies’ internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Reg Liquors, LLC (D/B/A Wired for Wine) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Accell Audit & Compliance, P.A.
Tampa, Florida
June 15, 2022
3001 N. Rocky Point Dr. East, Suite 200 ● Tampa, Florida 33607 ● 813.367.3527
F-28 |
REG
LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE) AS
OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
2020
2019
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 294,000
$ 44,239
Accounts receivable, net
46,645
53,335
Inventory, at cost
435,572
459,817
Prepaid expenses
4,128
3,373
Total current assets
780,345
560,764
Property and equipment, net
2,607
2,681
Right of use asset
44,584
61,304
Intangible assets, net
70,696
76,799
Total assets
$ 898,232
$ 701,548
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' CAPITAL
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 350,682
$ 358,447
Line of credit
—
167,549
Current portion of operating lease liability
18,000
18,000
Paycheck Protection Program loan
9,200
—
Member loan payable
38,432
46,393
Total current liabilities
416,314
590,389
Operating lease liability, less current portion
27,981
44,254
Total liabilities
444,295
634,643
MEMBERS' CAPITAL
453,937
66,905
Total liabilities and members' capital
$ 898,232
$ 701,548
See accompanying notes to the financial statements and independent auditors’ report.
F-29 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
Revenues, net | $ | 3,775,100 | $ | 2,434,696 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 2,420,181 | 1,873,231 | ||||||
Gross profit | 1,354,919 | 561,465 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 959,380 | 677,787 | ||||||
Income from operations | 395,539 | (116,322 | ) | |||||
Other expenses | ||||||||
Interest expense | 2,330 | 5,107 | ||||||
Depreciation | 74 | 73 | ||||||
Amortization | 6,103 | 6,104 | ||||||
Total other expenses | 8,507 | 11,284 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | 387,032 | (127,606 | ) | |||||
Beginning member's capital | 66,905 | 194,511 | ||||||
Ending member's capital | $ | 453,937 | $ | 66,905 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements and independent auditors’ report. |
F-30 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 387,032 | $ | (127,606 | ) | |||
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 6,177 | 6,177 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 6,690 | (4,880 | ) | |||||
Inventory | 24,245 | (115,173 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses | (755 | ) | 377 | |||||
Right of use asset | 16,720 | 16,720 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (7,765 | ) | 147,780 | |||||
Lease liabilities | (16,273 | ) | (15,769 | ) | ||||
Net change from operating activities | 416,071 | (92,374 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Activity on line of credit, net | (167,549 | ) | 106,000 | |||||
Proceeds from Paycheck Protection Program loan | 9,200 | — | ||||||
Repayments of member loan payable | (7,961 | ) | (11,625 | ) | ||||
Net change from operating activities | (166,310 | ) | 94,375 | |||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 249,761 | 2,001 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period | 44,239 | 42,238 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | $ | 294,000 | $ | 44,239 | ||||
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Adoption of lease accounting standard | $ | — | $ | 78,023 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Cash paid for taxes | $ | — | $ | — |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements and independent auditors’ report. |
F-31 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
NOTE 1 BUSINESS ORGANIZATION
REG Liquors, LLC d/b/a Wired for Wine (the “Company”) was formed in August 2016 as a Limited Liability Company and is an online distributor of wine. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) effective from November 3, 2021. The Company is located in Stockton, New Jersey, with warehouse operations in Rutherford, New Jersey.
NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNT POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management 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 and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
Cash and cash equivalents are deposited in various financial institutions. At times, amounts on deposit may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit.
The Company controls credit risk related to accounts receivable through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk, establishes an allowance, if required, for uncollectible accounts and, as a consequence, believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure beyond such allowance is limited.
Concentration of Market Risk
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has two and four vendors, respectively, that represented approximately 36% and 98%, respectively, of all inventory purchases. A major supplier is considered one that represents more than 10% of total annual purchases.
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. The impact of adopting this ASU was not material to the financial statements.
F-32 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE) |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 |
Revenue is recognized when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations by transferring promised goods to customers. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are transferred to customers at a point in time, typically upon delivery.
The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those promised goods.
Leases
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Based on this standard, the Company determines if an agreement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is presented on the statements of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivables are expected payments from vendors under their rebate incentive programs. Management does not expect any amounts to be written off as uncollectible. Therefore, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided for as of December 31, 2020 or 2019; however, actual write-offs might occur.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value and consists entirely of finished goods.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions and improvements that substantially extend the useful life of property and equipment or increase its operating effectiveness are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expenses as incurred. The Company depreciates the cost of property and equipment over the estimated useful lives of the assets, currently at 39 years, using the straight-line method.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the Company’s liquor license, which is stated at historical cost, less accumulated amortization. The Company amortizes the liquor license over its term of 15 years, using the straight-line method.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances warrant such a review pursuant to the provisions Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment.
Income Taxes
The Company is a single member limited liability company under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include a provision for federal income taxes. The Company’s earnings and losses are included in the member’s personal income tax return and the income tax thereon, if any, is paid by the member. Management has evaluated tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, and has not identified any tax positions, other than being taxed as a pass through entity, that require disclosure. No separate tax return is filed by the Company.
F-33 |
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $219,732 and $194,679, respectively.
Subsequent Events
In accordance with FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events, the Company evaluated subsequent events through June 15, 2022; the date the financial statements were available for issue.
NOTE 3 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Estimated Useful Life (in years) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Improvements | 39 | 2,874 | 2,874 | |||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (267 | ) | (193 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 2,607 | $ | 2,681 |
Related depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $74 and $74, respectively.
NOTE 4 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Related amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $6,103 and $6,103, respectively.
NOTE 5 LIne of Credit
The Company had a $1,000,000 line of credit with a bank that matured October 31, 2020. The balance at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0 and $167,549, respectively.
F-34 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE) |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 |
NOTE 6 Paycheck Protection Program Loan
During 2020, the Company received a $9,200 Paycheck Protection Program loan. The loan accrues interest at 1% annually. The Company was notified in August 2021 that the loan and accrued interest was forgiven in full.
NOTE 7 mEMBER’S CAPITAL
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a single member who owned all of the membership interest in the Company.
Note 8 related party transactions
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a non-interest bearing on-demand loan to its member for $38,432 and $46,393, respectively.
NOTE 9 Commitments
Warehouse lease
The Company leases warehouse facilities in New Jersey. The lease is $1,500 per month through September 2023. Rent expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $18,000. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a right of use asset of $44,584 and $61,304, respectively, and a corresponding liability of $45,981 and $62,254, respectively. The schedule below is the future minimum rent payments under the operating lease.
NOTE 10 Contingencies
During the normal course of business, the Company may be exposed to litigation. When the Company becomes aware of potential litigation, it evaluates the merits of the case in accordance with FASB ASC 450, Contingencies. The Company evaluates its exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If the Company determines that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, it establishes the necessary accruals. Certain insurance policies held by the Company may reduce the cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters.
NOTE 11 Concentrations of risks and uncertainties
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency of COVID-19 outbreak. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic.
The 2020 operations reflect the impact of COVID-19 throughout the period. Restrictions continued to impact the Company’s operations, with key sales channels remaining in varied states of impact and recovery. During the pandemic, non e-commerce sales channels experienced varying levels of disruption. COVID-19 also caused a shortage of certain raw materials and prolonged logistics
Management continues actively monitoring the impact of the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce.
F-35 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE) |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 |
NOTE 12 subsequent events
The ownership of the Company changed on November 3, 2021, with the sale of the business to an unrelated third party, Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd).
F-36 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC
D/B/A
WIRED FOR WINE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
F-37 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Unaudited | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 225,866 | $ | 294,000 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 21,285 | 46,645 | ||||||
Inventory, at cost | 406,655 | 435,572 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 3,821 | 4,128 | ||||||
Member loan receivable | 829 | — | ||||||
Total current assets | 658,456 | 780,345 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 2,552 | 2,607 | ||||||
Right of use asset | 32,045 | 44,584 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 66,119 | 70,696 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 759,172 | $ | 898,232 | ||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S CAPITAL | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 282,185 | $ | 350,682 | ||||
Current portion of operating lease liability | 18,000 | 18,000 | ||||||
Paycheck Protection Program loan | — | 9,200 | ||||||
Member loan payable | — | 38,432 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 300,185 | 416,314 | ||||||
Operating lease liability, less current portion | 15,436 | 27,981 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 315,621 | 444,295 | ||||||
MEMBER’S CAPITAL | 443,551 | 453,937 | ||||||
Total liabilities and members’ capital | $ | 759,172 | $ | 898,232 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
F-38 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
UNAUDITED
For the nine months ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Revenues, net | $ | 1,948,887 | $ | 2,891,527 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | 1,344,094 | 1,983,937 | ||||||
Gross profit | 604,793 | 907,590 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 613,995 | 734,921 | ||||||
Income from operations | (9,202 | ) | 172,669 | |||||
Other income (expenses): | ||||||||
Payroll protection program loan forgiven | 9,200 | — | ||||||
Depreciation | (55 | ) | (55 | ) | ||||
Amortization | (4,577 | ) | (4,577 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expenses) | 4,568 | (4,632 | ) | |||||
Net income (loss) | (4,634 | ) | 168,037 | |||||
Beginning member’s capital | 453,937 | 66,905 | ||||||
Member distribution | (5,752 | ) | — | |||||
Beginning member’s capital | $ | 443,551 | $ | 234,942 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
F-39 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
UNAUDITED
For the nine months ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 4,634 | $ | (168,037 | ) | |||
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net | ||||||||
cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,632 | 4,632 | ||||||
Payroll protection program loan forgiven | (9,200 | ) | — | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 25,360 | 53,335 | ||||||
Inventory | 28,917 | — | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 307 | (3,283 | ) | |||||
ROU Asset | 12,539 | — | ||||||
Accounts payable | (68,497 | ) | (148,245 | ) | ||||
Lease liability | (12,545 | ) | — | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities | (13,853 | ) | (261,598 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Member loan receivable | (829 | ) | — | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities | (829 | ) | — | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Proceeds from PPP loan | — | 9,200 | ||||||
Line of credit activity, net | — | (132,106 | ) | |||||
Repayments of member loan | (53,452 | ) | 411,657 | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities | (53,452 | ) | 288,751 | |||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (68,134 | ) | 27,153 | |||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period | 294,000 | 44,239 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | 225,866 | 71,392 | ||||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | — | $ | — |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
F-40 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
UNAUDITED
NOTE 1 BUSINESS ORGANIZATION
REG Liquors, LLC d/b/a Wired for Wine (the “Company”) was formed in August 2016 as a Limited Liability Company and is an online distributor of wine. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Innovation Beverage Group Pty Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) effective from November 3, 2021, and is located in Stockton, New Jersey, with warehouse operations in Rutherford, New Jersey.
NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNT POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management 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 and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
=-
Cash and cash equivalents are deposited in various financial institutions. At times, amounts on deposit may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit.
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. The impact of adopting this ASU was not material to the financial statements.
Revenue is recognized when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations by transferring promised goods to customers. Generally, the Company’s performance obligations are transferred to customers at a point in time, typically upon delivery.
Leases
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Based on this standard, the Company determines if an agreement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right of use (“ROU”) assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is presented on the statements of operations.
F-41 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
UNAUDITED
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are expected payments from vendors under their rebate incentive programs. Management does not expect any amounts to be written off as uncollectible. Therefore, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided for as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; however, actual write-offs might occur.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method) or market and consists entirely of finished goods.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions and improvements that substantially extend the useful life of property and equipment or increase its operating effectiveness are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expenses as incurred. The Company depreciates the cost of property and equipment over the estimated useful lives of the assets, currently at 39 years, using the straight-line method.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the Company’s liquor license, which is stated at historical cost, less accumulated amortization. The Company amortizes the liquor license over its term of 15 years, using the straight-line method.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances warrant such a review pursuant to the provisions Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment.
Income Taxes
The Company is a single member limited liability company under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include a provision for federal income taxes. The Company’s earnings and losses are included in the member’s personal income tax return and the income tax thereon, if any, is paid by the member. Management has evaluated tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, and has not identified any tax positions, other than being taxed as a pass through entity, that require disclosure. No separate tax return is filed by the Company.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 amounted to $80,187 and $188,380, respectively.
Subsequent Events
In accordance with FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events, the Company evaluated subsequent events through June 17, 2022; the date the financial statements were available for issue.
F-42 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
UNAUDITED
NOTE 3 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Estimated Useful Life (in years) | September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
Improvements | 39 | $ | 2,874 | $ | 2,874 | |||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (322 | ) | (267 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 2,552 | $ | 2,607 |
Related depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $55.
NOTE 4 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Estimated Useful Life (in years) | September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
Liquor license | 15 | $ | 91,549 | $ | 91,549 | |||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization | (25,430 | ) | (20,853 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 66,119 | $ | 70,696 |
Related amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $4,577.
NOTE 5 Paycheck Protection Program Loan
During 2020, the Company received a $9,200 Paycheck Protection Program loan. The loan accrues interest at 1% annually. The Company was notified in August 2021 that the loan and accrued interest was forgiven in full. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on the forgiveness of PPP loan in the amount of $9,200.
NOTE 6 Commitments
Warehouse lease
The Company leases warehouse facilities in New Jersey. The lease is $1,500 per month through September 2023. Rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $13,500. At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had a right of use asset of $32,045 and $44,584, respectively, and a corresponding liability of $33,436 and $45,981, respectively. The schedule below is the future minimum rent payments under the operating lease.
F-43 |
REG LIQUORS, LLC (D/B/A WIRED FOR WINE)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
UNAUDITED
Year ending December 31: | ||||||
2021 | $ | 4,500 | ||||
2022 | 18,000 | |||||
2023 | 13,500 | |||||
Total future minimum lease payments | 36,000 | |||||
Less imputed interest | (2,564 | ) | ||||
Total operating lease liability | $ | 33,436 |
NOTE 7 Contingencies
During the normal course of business, the Company may be exposed to litigation. When the Company becomes aware of potential litigation, it evaluates the merits of the case in accordance with FASB ASC 450, Contingencies. The Company evaluates its exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. If the Company determines that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, it establishes the necessary accruals. Certain insurance policies held by the Company may reduce the cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters.
NOTE 8 Concentrations of risks and uncertainties
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China (the “COVID-19 outbreak”) and the risks to the international community as a virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally.
The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve as of the date of this report. As such, it is uncertain as to the full magnitude that the pandemic will have on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations. Management is actively monitoring the impact of the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce. Given the daily evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak and the global responses to curb its spread, the Company is not able to estimate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for the fiscal year 2021.
NOTE 9 subsequent events
The ownership of the Company changed on November 4, 2021, with the sale of the business to an unrelated third party.
F-44 |
Subject To Completion, Date [ ], 2022
[ ] Ordinary Shares
PROSPECTUS
Innovation Beverage Group LIMItEd
Until [_], (25 days after commencement of our initial public offering), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
EF HUTTON,
Division of Benchmark Investments
Sole Bookrunning Manager
Through and including _________, 2022 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the ordinary shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement 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.
[BACK COVER OF PROSPECTUS]
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Australian law
Australian law provides that a company or a related body corporate of the company may provide for indemnification of officers and directors for liabilities and costs incurred while acting as a director or officer of the company, subject to restrictions imposed under the Corporations Act which provides that a company or a related body corporate of the company must not indemnify an officer or director against any of the following liabilities incurred as an officer or director of the company:
● | a liability owed to the company or a related body corporate of the company; |
● | a liability for certain pecuniary penalty orders or compensation orders; |
● | a liability that is owed to someone other than the company or a related body corporate of the company and did not arise out of conduct in good faith; or |
● | as to legal costs, legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred as an officer or director of the company if the costs are incurred: |
o | in defending or resisting proceedings in which the officer or director is found to have a liability for which they could not be indemnified by reason of the limitations on indemnification set out above; |
o | in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the officer or director is found guilty; |
o | in defending or resisting proceedings brought by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission or a liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order are found by the court to have been established (except costs incurred in responding to actions taken by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission or a liquidator as part of an investigation before commencing proceedings for a court order); or |
o | in connection with proceedings for relief to the officer or director under the Corporations Act, in which the court denies the relief. |
Constitution
Our Constitution provides, except to the extent prohibited by law including under the Corporations Act, for the indemnification of every person who is or has been an officer or a director of the Company against any liability (other than conduct involving a lack of good faith on the part of the officer) incurred by that person as an officer or director. This includes any liability incurred by that person in their capacity as an officer or director of a subsidiary of the Company where the Company requested that person to accept that appointment.
SEC Position
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to 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.
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement for this offering, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, the underwriters will agree to indemnify our directors and officers and persons controlling us, within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to us by any such underwriter.
II-1
Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Set forth below is information regarding ordinary shares issued by us during the last three years, which were not registered under the Securities Act. Innovation Beverage Group believes that each of such issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S or Regulation D under the Securities Act. Except for the Series A Financing which was underwritten locally by an Australian broker, none of the below described transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts and commissions or commissions, or any public offering.
On August 16, 2021, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 952,381 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$3,000,000, to an accredited investor in reliance on Regulation D.
On September 11, 2021, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 158,730 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$500,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On November 18, 2021, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 301,587 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$950,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On November 25, 2021, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 111,111 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$350,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On November 25, 2021, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 158,730 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$500,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On December 14, 2021, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 111,111 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share for a total purchase price of AUD$350,000 to an institutional investor in reliance on Regulation D.
On February 11, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 3,175 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$10,001, to an accredited investor in reliance on Regulation D.
On February 13, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 6,349 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$19,999, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On February 14, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 3,000 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$9,450, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On February 14, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 2,000 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$6,300, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On February 16, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 15,873 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$50,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
II-2
On April 29, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 47,619 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$166,963, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On April 29, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 35,273 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$111,110, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On April 29, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 31,746 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$100,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On April 29, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 63,492 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$200,000, to an accredited investor in reliance on Regulation D.
On April 29, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 111,111 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$350,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On April 29, 2022, in connection with our Series A Financing, we issued 25,397 ordinary shares at AUD$3.15 per share, for a total purchase price of AUD$80,000, to a non-U.S. person in reliance on Regulation S.
On April 29, 2022, we issued to an employee 31,746 ordinary shares at a price of AUD$3.15 per share with an aggregate value of AUD$100,000.
On April 29, 2022, we issued an aggregate of 8,912 ordinary shares to two consultants for their rendered services at a price of AUD$3.15 per share with an aggregate value of AUD$28,073.
On September 6, 2022, we issued to an employee 10,582 ordinary shares at a price of AUD$3.15 per share with an aggregate value of AUD$33,333.
Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index attached to this registration statement, which is incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or has been included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
Item 9. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
II-3
To provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
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.
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§230.424 of this chapter);
(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.
That, insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.”
II-4
EXHIBIT INDEX |
* To be filed by amendment.
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the State of Florida, United States on September 7, 2022.
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED | ||||
By: | /s/ Dean Huge | |||
Name: | Dean Huge | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints Dean Huge, acting alone, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on Form F-1, or other appropriate form, and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, of Innovation Beverage Group Limited, 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, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that any such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
NAME | POSITION | DATE | ||
/s/ Dean Huge | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | September 7, 2022 | ||
Dean Huge | ||||
/s/ Tianyi Eric Yu | Chief Financial Officer | September 7, 2022 | ||
Tianyi Eric Yu | ||||
/s/ Sahil Beri | Chief Operating Officer and Chairman | September 7, 2022 | ||
Sahil Beri | ||||
/s/ Clive Coleman | Chief Commercial Officer | September 7, 2022 | ||
Clive Coleman | ||||
/s/ Sally Cardillo | Director | September 7, 2022 | ||
Sally Cardillo | ||||
/s/ Kristopher Laurens Salinger | Director | September 7, 2022 | ||
Kristopher Laurens Salinger | ||||
/s/ Sameer Sethi | Director | September 7, 2022 | ||
Sameer Sethi |
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of the Company has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in the State of Florida, United States on September 7, 2022.
Authorized U.S. Representative | ||||
Dean Huge | ||||
By: | /s/ Dean Huge | |||
Name: | Dean Huge | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
II-6
EXHIBIT 3.1
Constitution of
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
ACN 625 701 420
____________________________
CONSTITUTION OF INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
(ACN 625 701 420)
1. | PRELIMINARY |
In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:
ACH Clearing Rules means the operating rules of Australian Clearing House Pty Limited or such equivalent rules in any other jurisdiction as may be relevant from time to time;
Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth);
ASX means the Australian Stock Exchange Limited;
Business Day has the meaning given in the Listing Rules;
Certificated Holding means a share or shares for which a certificate has been issued, and not subsequently cancelled, by the Company;
Company means Innovation Beverage Group Limited (ACN 625 701 420)
Dispose has the meaning given in the Listing Rules;
Interest Rate is 15% per annum or another amount fixed by the directors, accruing daily;
Listed Company means a company that is admitted to the official list of any Securities Exchange;
Listing Rules means the listing rules of any Securities Exchange as amended or replaced from time to time, pursuant to which the Company has applied and will apply for quotation of shares or securities on a Securities Exchange;
NASDAQ means the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations;
Proper ASTC Transfer has the meaning given in Regulation 1.0.02 of the Corporations Regulations or such equivalent regulation in any other jurisdiction as may be relevant from time to time;
Related Body Corporate has the meaning given in the Corporations Act 2001; Representative means a representative of the body corporate appointed under section 250D(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 or a corresponding previous law; Restricted Securities has the meaning given in the Listing Rules;
Securities Exchange means any recognised stock exchange where securities, commodities, derivatives and other financial instruments are traded, including the ASX and NASDAQ;
Settlement Rules means the operating rules of any relevant Securities Exchange;
Transmission Event means:
(a) | where a member of the Company is an individual: |
(i) | death; |
(ii) | bankruptcy; or |
1
(iii) | becoming a person who is, or the member’s estate becoming liable to be dealt with in any way under the law relating to mental health; and |
(b) | where a member of the Company is a body corporate, the dissolution of the member or the succession by another body corporate to the assets and liabilities of the member; |
Uncertificated Holding means a share or shares for which a certificate has not been issued by the Company, or in respect of which any certificate issued by the Company has been cancelled without replacement.
In this Constitution, headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation and:
(a) | a reference to a person includes a natural person, company, corporation, body corporate, body politic, partnership, joint venture, association, board, group or other body (whether or not incorporated); |
(b) | a reference to a person includes that person’s successors and legal personal representatives; |
(c) | a reference to any statute, regulation, proclamation, ordinance or by law includes all statutes, regulations, proclamations, ordinances or by laws varying, consolidating or replacing them and a reference to a statute includes all regulations, proclamations, ordinances and by laws issued under that statute; and |
(d) | a reference to the Listing Rules or the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules includes any variation, consolidation or replacement of those rules and is to be taken to be subject to any waiver or exemption granted to the Company from compliance with those rules. |
1.2 | Application of the Act, Listing Rules, Settlement Rules and ACH Clearing Rules |
(a) | This Constitution is to be interpreted subject to the Act and (while the Company is a Listed Company) the Listing Rules and the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules to the extent that they are relevant. |
(b) | While the Company is a Listed Company, the Company and the directors must comply with the obligations respectively imposed on them under the Listing Rules and the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules to the extent that they are relevant. |
(c) | Unless the contrary intention appears, an expression in a rule that deals with a matter dealt with by a provision of the Act the Listing Rules or the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules has the same meaning as in that provision. |
1.3 | Effect of the Listing Rules |
While the Company is a Listed Company, the following provisions apply:
(a) | despite anything contained in this Constitution, if the Listing Rules prohibit an act being done that act must not be done; |
(b) | nothing contained in this Constitution prevents an act being done that the Listing Rules requires to be done; |
(c) | if the Listing Rules require any act to be done or not to be done, authority is given for that act to be done or not to be done (as the case may be); |
2
(d) | if the Listing Rules require this Constitution to contain a provision and it does not contain such a provision, this Constitution is deemed to contain that provision; |
(e) | if the Listing Rules require this Constitution not to contain a provision and they contain such a provision, this Constitution is deemed not to contain that provision; |
(f) | if any provision of this Constitution is or becomes inconsistent with the Listing Rules, this Constitution is deemed not to contain that provision to the extent of the inconsistency. |
1.4 | Replaceable Rules not to apply |
The replaceable rules contained in the Act do not apply to the Company.
1.5 | Transitional |
(a) | This Constitution supersedes the constitution in force immediately before the adoption of this Constitution. |
(b) | Everything done under any previous constitution of the company continues to have the same operation and effect after the adoption of this Constitution as if properly done under this Constitution. |
2. | SHARE CAPITAL |
2.1 | Shares |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution, the Act, and (while the Company is a Listed Company) the Listing Rules, the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules, the directors may issue, allot or grant options in respect of, or otherwise Dispose of, shares to such persons, for such price, on such conditions, at such times and with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or special restrictions, whether with regard to dividend, voting, return of capital, participation in the property of the Company on a winding up or otherwise, as the directors think fit. |
(b) | In particular, the directors may differentiate between the holders of partly paid shares as to the amount of calls to be paid and the time for payment. |
2.2 | Variation of class rights |
Unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of a class of shares:
(a) | all or any of the rights or privileges attached to the class may be varied, whether or not the Company is being wound up, only with the consent in writing of the holders of three quarters of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class; |
(b) | the provisions of this Constitution relating to general meetings apply, so far as they can and with such changes as are necessary, to each separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class; and |
(c) | the rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of that class are to be taken as not having been varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking equally with them. |
2.3 | Power to buy back ordinary shares |
The Company may buy back ordinary shares in itself in any manner permitted by the Act.
3
2.4 | Power to alter share capital |
(a) | The Company may, by resolution, alter its share capital: |
(i) | by converting all or any of its Shares into a larger or smaller number of shares than its existing shares provided that in a conversion of partly paid shares the proportion between the amount paid and the amount unpaid on each share converted is the same as it was for the share from which it was converted; |
(ii) | by cancelling shares that, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person or have been forfeited and reduce its authorised share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled. |
(b) | The board may do anything which it considers desirable to give effect to any resolution or other action authorising or effecting the alteration of the share capital of the Company or the variation or abrogation of rights attaching to any class of shares or to adjust the rights of all parties including: |
(i) | rounding or disregarding any fraction of shares or any fractional entitlement; and |
(ii) | determining that as between the holders of shares or other entitlements one or more of them has a preference or special advantage as regards dividend, capital, voting or otherwise. |
2.5 | Power to reclassify share capital |
The Company may, by resolution, reclassify or convert shares from one class to another.
2.6 | Power to reduce share capital |
The Company may with members’ approval as required by the Act reduce its share capital.
2.7 | Power to pay brokerage, commission and interest on share capital |
(a) | The Company may make payments by way of brokerage or commission in the manner provided by the Act. |
(b) | Payments by way of brokerage or commission may be satisfied by the payment of cash, by the allotment of fully paid shares, by the allotment of partly paid shares or by any combination of the above. |
(c) | The Company may pay interest on its share capital in the manner provided by the Act. |
2.8 | Joint holders of shares |
Where 2 or more persons are registered as the holders of a share they hold it as joint tenants and:
(a) | they and their respective legal personal representatives are liable severally as well as jointly for all payments, including calls, which ought to be made in respect of the share; |
(b) | on the death of any one of them the survivor or survivors are the only person or persons the Company will recognise as having any title to the share; |
4
(c) | any one of them may give effectual receipts for any dividend, interest or other distribution or payment in respect of the share; |
(d) | except where otherwise required under the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules, the Company is not bound to register more than 3 persons as joint holders of the share; and |
(e) | the Company is not bound to issue more than one certificate and delivery of a certificate to any one of them is sufficient delivery to all of them. |
2.9 | Equitable and other claims |
Except as otherwise required by law or this Constitution, the Company is not:
(a) | compelled in any way to recognise a person as holding a share upon any trust, even if the Company has notice of that trust; or |
(b) | compelled in any way to recognise, or be bound by, any equitable, contingent, future or partial claim to or interest in a share on the part of any other person except the registered holder, even if the Company has notice of that claim or interest. |
2.10 | Employee share schemes |
The directors may:
(a) | implement an employee share scheme in the manner permitted by the Act and the Listing Rules and otherwise on such terms as they think fit; |
(b) | amend, suspend or terminate any employee share scheme implemented by them; and |
(c) | give financial assistance in connection with the acquisition of securities of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate under any employee share scheme in any manner permitted by the Act. |
2.11 | Restricted Securities |
Despite any other provisions of this Constitution:
(a) | the holder of Restricted Securities cannot Dispose of those Restricted Securities during the escrow period relating to those Restricted Securities except as permitted by the Listing Rules; |
(b) | the Company must refuse to acknowledge, deal with or accept a Disposal (including registering a transfer of Restricted Securities) which is or might be in breach of the Listing Rules or any restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the Listing Rules relating to the escrow of Restricted Securities; and |
(c) | during a breach of the Listing Rules relating to Restricted Securities, or a breach of a restriction agreement entered into by the Company under the Listing Rules relating to the escrow of Restricted Securities, the member holding the Restricted Securities in question ceases to be entitled to any dividend or distribution, or any voting rights in respect of those Restricted Securities. |
2.12 | Certificates |
If it is not contrary to the Act, the Listing Rules or the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules, the directors may resolve:
(a) | not to issue a certificate for a share; and |
5
(b) | to cancel a certificate for a share and not to issue a replacement certificate. |
3. | CALLS, FORFEITURE, INDEMNITIES, LIEN AND SURRENDER |
3.1 | Calls |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution and to the terms upon which any shares may be issued, the directors may make calls upon the members in respect of any money unpaid on their shares. |
(b) | A call is to be taken as having been made when the resolution of the directors authorising the call was passed. |
(c) | The directors may revoke a call. |
(d) | The non receipt of a notice of a call by, or the accidental omission to give notice of a call to, any member does not invalidate the call. |
(e) | If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid in full by the day appointed for payment of the sum, the person from whom the sum is due must pay: |
(i) | interest on so much of the sum as is unpaid from time to time at the Interest Rate; and |
(ii) | any costs, expenses or damages incurred by the Company in relation to the non payment or late payment of the sum. |
3.2 | Payments in advance of calls |
(a) | The directors may accept from a member the whole or a part of the amount unpaid on a share although no part of that amount has been called. |
(b) | The directors may authorise payment by the Company of interest upon the whole or any part of an amount accepted under rule 3.2(a), until the amount becomes payable, at a rate agreed between the directors and the member paying the amount. |
(c) | The directors may repay to a member all or any of the amount accepted under rule 3.2(a). |
3.3 | Forfeiture of partly paid shares |
(a) | If a member fails to pay the whole of a call by the time appointed the directors may serve a notice on that member: |
(i) | requiring payment of so much of the call as is unpaid, together with any interest that has accrued and all costs, expenses or damages that may have been incurred by the Company by reason of non payment or late payment; |
(ii) | naming a further day (at least 14 days after the date of service of the notice) by which, and a place at which, the amount payable under rule 3.3(a)(i) is to be paid; and |
(iii) | stating that if the notice is not complied with, the shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
(b) | If the requirements of a notice served under rule 3.3(a) are not complied with, the directors may by resolution forfeit any share in respect of which the notice was given at any time after the day named in the notice and before the payment required by the notice is made. |
6
(c) | A forfeiture under rule 3.3(b) will include all dividends, interest and other money payable by the Company in respect of the forfeited share and not actually paid before the forfeiture. |
(d) | Where a share has been forfeited: |
(i) | notice of the resolution must be given to the member in whose name the share stood immediately before the forfeiture; and |
(ii) | an entry of the forfeiture, with the date, must be made in the register of members. |
(e) | Failure to give the notice or to make the entry required under rule 3.3(d) does not invalidate the forfeiture. |
(f) | A forfeited share becomes the property of the Company and the directors may sell, reissue or otherwise Dispose of the share in such manner as they think fit and, in the case of reissue or other disposal, with or without any money paid on the share by any former holder being credited as paid up. However, the Company may only cancel forfeited shares in accordance with the Listing Rules. |
(g) | A person whose shares have been forfeited ceases to be a member in respect of the forfeited shares, but remains liable to pay, and must immediately pay, to the Company: |
(i) | all calls, instalments, interest, costs, expenses and damages owing in respect of the shares at the time of the forfeiture; and |
(ii) | interest on the amount payable under rule 3.3(g)(i) from the date of the forfeiture to the date of actual payment, at the Interest Rate. |
(h) | Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution or (while the Company is a Listed Company) the Listing Rules, the forfeiture of a share extinguishes all interest in, and all claims and demands against the Company in respect of, the forfeited share and all other rights incident to the share. |
3.4 | Indemnity for payments by the Company |
If the Company becomes liable under any law to make any payment:
(a) | in respect of shares held solely or jointly by a member; |
(b) | in respect of a transfer or transmission of shares by a member; |
(c) | in respect of dividends, bonuses or other money due or payable or which may become due and payable to a member; or |
(d) | otherwise for or on account of or in respect of a member, |
then, in addition to any right or remedy that law may confer on the Company, the member or, if the member is dead, the member’s legal personal representative must (unless the directors waive this requirement):
(i) | fully indemnify the Company against that liability; |
(ii) | reimburse the Company for any payment made under or as a consequence of that law immediately on demand by the Company; and |
(iii) | pay interest on of the amount under rule 3.4(d)(ii) from the date the Company makes a payment until the date the Company is reimbursed in full at the Interest Rate; |
7
3.5 | Lien on shares |
(a) | The Company has a first and paramount lien on: |
(i) | each partly paid share for all unpaid calls and instalments due in respect of that share; and |
(ii) | each share for such amounts (if any) as the Company may be called upon by law to pay (and has paid) in respect of that share. |
(b) | The Company’s lien on a share extends to all dividends payable in respect of the share and to the proceeds of sale of the share. |
(c) | The directors may sell any share on which the Company has a lien in such manner as they think fit where: |
(i) | an amount in respect of which a lien exists under this rule 3.5 is presently payable; and |
(ii) | the Company has, not less than 14 days before the date of the sale, given to the registered holder of the share a notice in writing setting out, and demanding payment of, such amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable. |
(d) | The directors may do all things necessary or desirable under the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules to protect any lien, charge or other right to which the Company may be entitled under any law or under this Constitution. |
(e) | Registration by the Company of a transfer of shares on which the Company has a lien without giving to the transferee notice of its claim releases the Company’s lien in so far as it relates to sums owing by the transferor or any predecessor in title. |
3.6 | Surrender of shares |
(a) | The directors may accept a surrender of a share by way of compromise of any claim as to whether or not that share has been validly issued or in any other case where the surrender is within the powers of the Company. |
(b) | Any share so surrendered may be sold, reissued or otherwise Disposed in the same manner as a forfeited share. |
4. | TRANSFER AND TRANSMISSION OF SHARES |
4.1 | Transfer of shares |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution a member may transfer shares by: |
(i) | a Proper ASTC Transfer; or |
(ii) | an instrument in writing in any usual form or in any other form that the directors approve. |
(b) | A transferor of shares remains the holder of the shares transferred until the transfer is: |
(i) | effected in accordance with the Settlement Rules and/or ACH Clearing Rules; or |
(ii) | recorded in the register of members in respect of the shares. |
(c) | If permitted by the Listing Rules, the Company may charge a fee for registering a paper-based transfer in registrable form, or for effecting |
8
shunts between registers. Unless permitted by the Listing Rules, the Company must not charge a fee for the registration of a Proper ASTC Transfer.
(d) | An instrument of transfer referred to in rule 4.1(a)(ii) must: |
(i) | be signed by or on behalf of both the transferor and the transferee unless the instrument of transfer relates only to fully paid shares and signature by the transferee has been dispensed with by the directors; |
(ii) | if required by law to be stamped, be duly stamped; |
(iii) | be left for registration at the registered office of the Company, or at such other place as the directors determine, accompanied by such evidence as the directors may require to prove the transferor’s right to the shares and to prove the right of the transferee to be registered as owner of the shares. |
(e) | Subject to under rules 4.2 and 4.3, where the Company receives an instrument of transfer under rule 4.1(d), the Company must register the transferee as holder of the transferred shares. |
(f) | The Company may retain any registered instrument of transfer received under rule 4.1(d). |
(g) | Except in the case of fraud, the Company must return any instrument of transfer received under rule 4.1(d) which the directors decline to register to the person who deposited it with the Company. |
(h) | The directors may do anything that is necessary or desirable for the Company to participate in any computerised, electronic or other system for facilitating the transfer of shares that may be owned, operated or sponsored by any Securities Exchange. |
(i) | The directors may, to the extent permitted by law, waive any of this rule 4.1. |
4.2 | Power to decline registration of transfers |
(a) | The directors may ask ACH to apply a holding lock to prevent a Proper ASTC Transfer or decline to register an instrument of transfer received under rule 4.1(d) where the transfer is not in registrable form or the refusal to register the transfer is permitted under the Listing Rules (whether or not the Company is then a Listed Company). |
(b) | If the directors ask ACH to apply a holding lock or decline to register a transfer under rule 4.2(a), the Company must give the member written notice of the refusal and the precise reasons within 5 Business Days after: |
(i) the date on which the Company asked for the holding lock; or
(ii) the date on which a transfer was lodged with the Company, but failure to do so will not invalidate the decision of the directors.
4.3 | Power to suspend registration of transfers |
The directors may suspend the registration of instruments of transfer received under rule 4.1(d) at such times and for such periods, not exceeding in total 30 days in any year, as they think fit.
9
4.4 | Transmission of shares |
(a) | If a member dies the only persons the Company will recognise as having any title to or benefits from the member’s shares or any benefits accruing in respect of those shares are: |
(i) | their legal personal representative where the deceased was a sole holder; and |
(ii) | the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder. |
(b) | A person who becomes entitled to a share as a result of a Transmission Event may, upon producing such evidence as the directors may require to prove their entitlement elect: |
(i) | to be registered as the holder of the share by signing and serving on the Company a notice in writing stating that election; or |
(ii) | to have another person registered as the transferee of the share by effecting a transfer of the share to that other person. |
(c) | The provisions of this Constitution relating to the right to transfer shares, and the registration of transfers of shares, apply, so far as they can and with such changes as are necessary, to any transfer under rule 4.4(b)(ii) as if the relevant Transmission Event had not occurred and the transfer were executed or effected by the registered holder of the share. |
(d) | For the purpose of this Constitution, where 2 or more persons are jointly entitled to any share as a result of a Transmission Event they will, upon being registered as the holders of the share, be taken to hold as joint tenants and rule 2.8 will apply. |
(e) | Despite rule 4.4(a), the directors may register a transfer of shares signed by a member prior to a Transmission Event even though the Company has notice of the Transmission Event. |
5. | GENERAL MEETINGS |
5.1 | Convening of general meetings |
(a) | The directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting. While the Company is a Listed Company any director may convene a general meeting. |
(b) | The directors may, by notice to the Securities Exchange, postpone, cancel or change the venue for a general meeting, but a general meeting convened under section 249D of the Act may not be postponed beyond the date by which section 249D of the Act requires it to be held and may not be cancelled without the consent of the requisitioning member or members. |
5.2 | Notice of general meetings |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution and to the rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares at least 28 days’ notice of a general meeting must be given in the manner authorised by rule 13.1 to each person who is at the date of the notice: |
(i) | a member; |
(ii) | a director; or |
(iii) | an auditor of the Company, |
10
and, while the Company is a Listed Company, notice must be given to the Securities Exchange in accordance with Listing Rules.
(b) | A notice of a general meeting must: |
(i) | specify the place, date and time of the meeting and except as provided in the Act state the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting; |
(ii) | contain any statement or information required by the Act; |
(iii) | be accompanied by a proxy form which complies with the Act and the Listing Rules; |
(iv) | specify a place and a fax number, and may specify an electronic address, for the purposes of receipt of proxy appointments. |
(c) | The accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting to, or the non receipt of notice of a general meeting or proxy form by any person entitled to receive that notice does not invalidate anything done or resolution passed at the general meeting. |
(d) | A general meeting may be held at two or more venues simultaneously using any technology which gives the members as a whole a reasonable opportunity to participate. |
(e) | Where notice of a general meeting has been given, the directors may by notice given to all persons entitled to be given notice of the general meeting, postpone or cancel the general meeting. |
(f) | No person may without the directors’ approval move at any meeting any resolution or any amendment of a resolution unless they have given not less than 5 business days’ notice of their intention to move such resolution or amendment at such meeting by leaving a copy of the resolution or amendment at the registered office of the Company. However no such amendment may be proposed for special resolution other than to correct a typographical error. |
5.3 | Quorum at general meetings |
(a) | No business may be transacted at any general meeting, except the election of a chairperson and the adjournment of the meeting, unless a quorum of members is present when the meeting proceeds to business. |
(b) | Three or more members present personally or separately represented by proxy representative or attorney shall be a quorum for a general meeting. |
(c) | If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time appointed for a general meeting: |
(i) | where the meeting was convened upon the requisition of members, the meeting must be dissolved; or |
(ii) | in any other case: |
(A) | the meeting stands adjourned to such day, and at such time and place, as the directors determine or, if no determination is made by the directors, to the same day in the next week at the same time and place; and |
(B) | if, at the adjourned meeting, a quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting must be dissolved. |
11
5.4 | Chairperson of general meetings |
(a) | The chairperson of directors must (if present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting and willing to act) preside as chairperson at each general meeting. |
(b) | If at a general meeting: |
(i) | there is no chairperson of directors; |
(ii) | the chairperson of directors is not present within 15 minutes after the appointed time; or |
(iii) | the chairperson of directors is present within that time but is not willing to act as chairperson of the meeting, |
then if the directors have elected a deputy chairperson of directors, the deputy chairperson must (if present within 15 minutes after the appointed time for the meeting and willing to act) preside as chairperson at the meeting. Otherwise, the members present must elect as chairperson of the meeting:
(iv) | another director who is present and willing to act; or |
(v) | if there is no such director, a member who is present and willing to act. |
5.5 | Conduct of general meetings |
(a) | The chairperson may at any time during the course of the meeting adjourn the meeting or any business, motion, question or resolution being considered or remaining to be considered by the meeting either to a later time at the same meeting or to an adjourned meeting. |
(b) | If the chairperson exercises his or her right under rule 5.5(a), it is in the chairperson’s sole discretion to seek the approval of the members present to the adjournment. |
(c) | The chairperson’s rights under rule 5.5(a) are exclusive and, unless otherwise required by the chairperson, no vote may be taken or demanded by the members present in respect of any adjournment. |
(d) | No business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. |
(e) | Where a meeting is adjourned, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to the Securities Exchange, but need not to be given to any other person. |
(f) | Where a meeting is adjourned, the directors may, by notice to the Securities Exchange, postpone, cancel or change the venue of the adjourned meeting. |
5.6 | Decisions at general meetings |
(a) | Every question submitted to a general meeting shall be decided by a show of hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded. |
(b) | A poll may be demanded by: |
(i) | the chairperson; |
12
(ii) | any three or more members having the right to vote at the meeting; |
(iii) | any member or members representing not less than 5% of the total voting rights of all the members having the right to vote at the meeting; or |
(iv) | a member or members holding shares in the Company conferring a right to vote at the meeting being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one tenth of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right. |
The demand for a poll may be withdrawn.
(c) | A demand for a poll does not prevent the continuance of a general meeting for the transaction of other business. |
(d) | Unless a poll is duly demanded, a declaration by the chairperson that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried or carried unanimously, or carried by a particular majority, or lost, and an entry to that effect in the book containing the minutes of the proceedings of the Company, is conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution. |
(e) | If a poll is duly demanded at a general meeting, it will be taken in such manner and at such time in the meeting as the chairperson of the meeting directs, and the result of the poll will be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded. |
(f) | A poll cannot be demanded at a general meeting on the election of a chairperson of the meeting. |
5.7 | Voting rights |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution and to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares, at a general meeting: |
(i) | on a show of hands, every member present has one vote; and |
(ii) | on a poll, every member present has: |
(A) | one vote for each fully paid share held by the member; and |
(B) | a fraction of a vote for each partly paid share held by the member, equivalent to the proportion which the amount paid up (not credited) on the share bears to the total amounts paid and payable (excluding amounts credited). |
(iii) | for the purposes of rule 5.7(a)(ii)(B), an amount paid on a share in advance of a call is to be taken as not having been paid on the share. |
(b) | Where a person present at a general meeting represents personally or by proxy, attorney or Representative more than one member: |
(i) | on a show of hands the person is entitled to one vote only; |
(ii) | the person must not exercise that vote in a way which would contravene any directions in any appointing instrument; and |
(iii) | if the person has been appointed as a proxy under two or more instruments that specify different ways to vote on a resolution, the person may not vote as a proxy on a show of hands; however, if the person is a member, the person may vote on a show of hands for their own shares. |
13
(c) | A joint holder may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy, attorney or Representative as if that person was the sole holder. If more than one joint holder tenders a vote, the vote of the holder named first in the register must be accepted to the exclusion of the other or others. |
(d) | The parent or guardian of an infant member may vote at any general meeting to the exclusion of the vote of the infant member upon such evidence being produced of the relationship or of the appointment of the guardian as the directors may require. |
(e) | A person entitled to a share as a result of a Transmission Event may vote at any general meeting in respect of that share as if that person were the registered holder if, not less than 48 hours before the meeting, the directors have: |
(i) | admitted that person’s right to vote; or |
(ii) | been satisfied of that person’s right to be registered as the holder of, or to transfer, the share under rule 4.1(c). |
(f) | Where a member holds any share upon which any call or other sum of money payable to the Company has not been duly paid: |
(i) | that member may only be present at a general meeting and vote if they hold other shares upon which no money is then due and payable; and |
(ii) | upon a poll, that member may only vote in respect of shares upon which no money is then due and payable. |
(g) | A member may not vote on a resolution if the Listing Rules or the Act provide: |
(h) | a vote on the resolution by the member must be disregarded for the purposes of the Listing Rules, |
(i) | An objection to the qualification of a person to vote at a general meeting must be referred to the chairperson of the meeting, whose decision is final. |
5.8 | Representation at general meetings |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution, each member entitled to vote at a meeting of members may vote: |
(i) | in person or, where a member is a body corporate, by its Representative; |
(ii) | by not more than 2 proxies; or |
(iii) | by not more than 2 attorneys. |
(b) | A proxy, attorney or Representative need not be a member of the Company. |
(c) | Unless otherwise provided in the instrument, an instrument appointing a proxy, attorney or Representative will be taken to confer authority: |
(i) | to agree to a meeting being convened by shorter notice than is required by the Act or by this Constitution; |
(ii) | to speak to any proposed resolution on which the proxy, attorney or Representative may vote; |
(iii) | to demand or join in demanding a poll on any resolution on which the proxy, attorney or Representative may vote; |
14
(iv) | even though the instrument may direct the proxy, attorney or Representative how to vote on specific resolutions: |
(A) | to vote on any amendment moved to the proposed resolutions; |
(B) | to vote on any procedural motion; and |
(C) | to act generally at the meeting. |
(v) | even though the instrument may refer to a specific meeting where the meeting is rescheduled or adjourned to another time or venue, to attend and vote at the re scheduled or adjourned meeting. |
(d) | Where a member appoints 2 proxies or attorneys to vote at the same general meeting and the authority of one is not conditional on the other failing to attend or vote, the following rules apply: |
(i) | the appointment is of no effect and a proxy or attorney may not vote unless each proxy or attorney is appointed to represent a specified proportion of the member’s voting rights; |
(ii) | on a show of hands, only the first person named in the appointing instrument, or if they are named in separate instruments, the person whose name is earlier in alphabetical sequence, may vote; and |
(iii) | on a poll, each proxy or attorney may only exercise the voting rights the proxy or attorney represents. |
(e) | An instrument appointing a proxy or attorney may direct the manner in which the proxy or attorney is to vote in respect of a particular resolution and, where an instrument so provides, the proxy or attorney must vote as directed |
(f) | An instrument appointing a proxy or attorney need not be in any particular form provided it is in writing, complies with any requirements of the Act and Listing Rules and is executed by the appointor or the appointor’s attorney. |
(g) | A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument appointing a proxy or attorney is valid despite: |
(i) | a Transmission Event occurring in relation to the appointor; or |
(ii) | the revocation of the instrument or of the authority under which the instrument was executed, |
if no notice in writing of the Transmission Event or revocation has been received by the Company by the time and at one of the places at which the instrument appointing the proxy or attorney is required to be deposited.
(h) | A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument appointing a proxy or attorney is valid despite the transfer of the share in respect of which the instrument was given if the transfer is not registered by the time established by the Company for determining a person’s entitlement to vote at the relevant meeting. |
(i) | The appointment of a proxy or attorney is not revoked by the appointor attending in the general meeting but, if the appointor votes on any resolution, the proxy or attorney is not entitled to vote as the appointor’s proxy or attorney on the resolution. |
15
6. | DIRECTORS |
6.1 | Appointment and removal of directors |
(a) | The number of directors shall not be less than 3. The maximum number will be fixed by the directors from time to time. |
(b) | The directors in office on the date that this Constitution was adopted by the Company continue in office but on the terms and conditions set out in this Constitution. |
(c) | The Company may by resolution elect any natural person to be a director, either as an addition to the existing directors or as otherwise provided in this Constitution. |
(d) | The directors may appoint any natural person to be a director, either as an addition to the existing directors or to fill a casual vacancy. |
(e) | A director, other than the managing director appointed under rule 6.1(d) must retire from office at the next general meeting following his or her appointment. |
(f) | An election of directors must take place each annual general meeting. Excluding any director who is required to retire at that meeting under rule 6.1(e) and the managing director: |
(i) | one-third of the remaining directors (rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole number); and |
(ii) | any other director who, if he or she does not retire, will at the conclusion of the meeting have been in office for 3 or more years and for 3 or more annual general meetings since he or she was last elected to office, |
must retire from office as directors at that annual general meeting.
(g) | The director or directors who must retire at an annual general meeting is the director who has, or are the directors who have, been longest in office since their last election but, as between persons who were last elected as directors on the same day, the director or directors to retire must be determined by agreement among themselves or, in the absence of agreement, by lot. |
(h) | A director retiring from office under rule 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) is eligible for re- election and that director may by resolution of the Company be re-elected to that office. The retirement and re elections take effect at the conclusion of the meeting at which the retirement and re-election or election occur. |
(i) | The Company may: |
(i) | by resolution in accordance with section 203D of the Act remove a director from office; and |
(ii) | by resolution elect another person to fill the office. |
(j) | A person may only be elected to the office of a director at a general meeting if: |
(i) | he or she is a director retiring under rule 6.1(e) or 6.1(f) and standing for re election; |
(ii) | he or she has been nominated by the directors for election at that meeting; or |
16
(iii) | a member intending to nominate him or her for election at that meeting has at least 30 Business Days before the meeting served on the Company a notice signed by the member and signifying the member’s intention to nominate the person for election, which is accompanied by a notice signed by the person and signifying his or her consent to the nomination. |
6.2 | Vacation of office |
In addition to the circumstances prescribed by the Act, the office of a director becomes vacant if the director:
(a) | becomes of unsound mind or a person who is, or whose estate is, liable to be dealt with in any way under the law relating to mental health; |
(b) | becomes bankrupt or insolvent or makes any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors generally; |
(c) | is convicted of a felony and the directors do not within one month of that conviction resolve to confirm the director’s appointment or election (as the case may be) to the office of director; |
(d) | fails to attend meetings of the directors for more than 3 consecutive months without leave of absence from the directors; or |
(e) | resigns by notice in writing to the Company. |
6.3 | Remuneration of directors |
(a) | Each director is entitled to such remuneration out of the funds of the Company as the directors determine, but the remuneration of non- executive directors may not exceed in aggregate in any year the amount fixed by the Company in a general meeting for that purpose. |
(b) | The remuneration payable by the Company to a director must not include a commission on, or percentage of operating revenue. |
(c) | In addition to their remuneration under rule 6.3(a), the directors are entitled to be paid all travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with the affairs of the Company, including attending and returning from general meetings of the Company or meetings of the directors or of committees. |
(d) | If a director renders or is called upon to perform extra services in connection with the affairs of the Company, the directors may arrange for a special remuneration to be paid. |
(e) | Nothing in rule 6.3(a) restricts the remuneration to which a director may be entitled as an officer of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate in a capacity other than director. The directors may: |
(i) | at any time after a director dies or otherwise ceases to hold office as a director, pay to the director or a legal personal representative, spouse, relative or dependant of the director, in addition to the remuneration of that director under rule 6.3(a), a pension or lump sum payment in respect of past services rendered by that director; and |
(ii) | cause the Company to enter into a contract with the director for the purpose of providing for or giving effect to such a payment. |
(f) | The directors may establish or support, or assist in the establishment or support of, funds and trusts to provide pension, retirement, superannuation |
17
or similar payments or benefits to or in respect of the directors or former directors.
6.4 | Share qualification |
A director is not required to hold any shares in the Company but may still attend and speak at general meetings.
6.5 | Interested directors |
Subject to this Constitution and the Act:
(a) | no director or proposed director is disqualified by that office from: |
(i) | entering into a contract, agreement or arrangement with the Company; |
(ii) | becoming or remaining a director of any company in which the Company is in any way interested or which is in any way interested in the Company; |
(b) | no contract, agreement or arrangement in which a director is in any way interested, entered into by or on behalf of the Company can be avoided; and |
(c) | no director who: |
(i) | enters into a contract, agreement or arrangement in which the director has an interest; or |
(ii) | is a director of the other company with which the Company has entered into the contract, agreement or arrangement, |
is liable to account to the Company for any profits or remuneration realised by that director as a result of their being interested or being a director of the other company.
6.6 | Disclosing and Dealing with Interests |
(a) | A director who, due to holding an office or property may have duties or interests whether directly or indirectly in conflict with their duties as director or the interests of the Company must declare at a meeting of the directors the fact and the nature, character and extent of the conflict. |
(b) | The nature of a director’s interest in any contract agreement or arrangement must be declared by that director at a meeting of the directors in accordance with the Act as soon as practicable after the relevant facts have come to his or her knowledge. |
(c) | A general notice that a director is a member of any specified firm, partnership, entity or corporation and is to be regarded as interested in all transactions with that firm or corporation is a sufficient declaration under this Rule as regards the director and the transactions. After giving the general notice it is not necessary for the director to give any special notice relating to any particular transaction with that firm or corporation. It is the duty of the secretary to record in the minutes any declaration made or any general notice given by a director in pursuance of this rule. |
(d) | Subject to the Act, a director who has a material personal interest in a matter that is being considered at a meeting of directors must not: |
(i) | be present while the matter (or a proposed resolution of that kind) is being considered at the meeting; or |
18
(ii) vote on the matter; unless:
(iii) | the directors who do not have a material personal interest in the matter have passed a resolution that identifies the director, the nature and extent of the director’s interest in the matter and its relation to the affairs of the Company, and states that the directors voting for the resolution are satisfied that the interest should not disqualify the director from considering or voting on the matter; or |
(iv) | ASIC has given a declaration or order in accordance with the Act, that the director may be present or vote; or |
(v) | The interest does not need to be disclosed under the Act. |
6.7 | Powers and duties of directors |
(a) | The directors are responsible for managing the business of the Company and may exercise to the exclusion of the Company in general meeting all the powers of the Company which are not required, by the Act, this Constitution or (while the Company is a Listed Company) the Listing Rules, to be exercised by the Company in general meeting. |
(b) | Without limiting the generality of rule 6.7(a), the directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow or otherwise raise money, to charge any property or business of the Company or all or any of its uncalled capital and to issue debentures or give any other security for a debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any other person. |
(c) | The directors may determine how cheques, promissory notes, bankers drafts, bills of exchange or other negotiable instruments must be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, by or on behalf of the Company. |
(d) | The directors may: |
(i) | appoint or employ any person to be an officer, agent or attorney of the Company for such purposes with such powers, discretions and duties (including powers, discretions and duties vested in or exercisable by the directors), for such period and upon such conditions as they think fit; |
(ii) | authorise an officer, agent or attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, discretions and duties vested in the officer, agent or attorney; and |
(iii) | subject to any contract between the Company and the relevant officer, agent or attorney, remove or dismiss any officer, agent or attorney of the Company at any time, with or without cause. |
(e) | The directors may exercise the voting rights conferred by shares in any body corporate held or owned by the Company in such manner as the directors think fit (including voting in favour of any resolution appointing a director as a director or other officer of that body corporate or voting for the payment of remuneration to the directors or other officers of that body corporate) and a director may, if permitted by law, vote in favour of the exercise of those voting rights notwithstanding that he or she is, or may be about to be appointed, a director or other officer of that other body corporate. |
19
6.8 | Proceedings of directors |
(a) | The directors may meet together for the despatch of business and adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit. |
(b) | The contemporaneous linking together by telephone or other method of audio or audio visual communication of a number of the directors sufficient to constitute a quorum, constitutes a meeting of the directors and all the provisions in this Constitution relating to meetings of the directors apply, so far as they can and with such changes as are necessary, to meetings of the directors by telephone or audio or audio visual communication. |
6.9 | Convening of meetings of directors |
(a) | A director may, whenever the director thinks fit, convene a meeting of the directors. |
(b) | A secretary must, on the requisition of a director, convene a meeting of the directors. |
6.10 | Notice of meetings of directors |
(a) | Subject to this Constitution, notice of a meeting of directors must be given to each person who is at the time of giving the notice: |
(i) | a director, other than a director on leave of absence approved by the directors; or |
(ii) | an alternate director appointed under rule 6.15 by a director on leave of absence approved by the directors. |
(b) | A notice of a meeting of directors: |
(i) | must specify the time and place of the meeting; |
(ii) | need not state the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting; |
(iii) | may be given immediately before the meeting; and |
(iv) | may be given in person or by post, facsimile or electronic transmission, telephone or other method of written, audio or audio visual communication. |
(c) | A director or alternate director may waive notice of any meeting of directors by notifying the Company to that effect in person or by post, facsimile or electronic transmission, telephone or other method of written, audio or audio visual communication. |
(d) | The accidental non-receipt of notice of a meeting of directors by, or an inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting of directors to, a director does not invalidate any act, matter or thing done or resolution. |
(e) | Attendance by a person at a meeting of directors waives any objection that person and: |
(i) if the person is a director, their alternate director; or
(ii) if the person is an alternate director, their appointor, may have to a failure to give notice of the meeting.
20
6.11 | Quorum at meetings of directors |
(a) | No business may be transacted at a meeting of directors unless a quorum is present at the time the business is dealt with. The quorum is 2 directors or a larger number fixed by the directors. |
(b) | If there is a vacancy in the office of a director, the remaining director or directors may act but, if the number of remaining directors does not constitute a quorum, the remaining director or directors may act only in an emergency or for the purpose of increasing the number of directors to a number sufficient to constitute a quorum or of convening a general meeting of the Company. |
6.12 | Chairperson and deputy Chairperson |
(a) | The board shall appoint a director to act as the chairperson of meetings of the directors. The chairperson will hold that office until his or her position as chairperson is terminated or otherwise vacated. |
(b) | The directors may from time to time appoint a director to act as a deputy chairperson who may exercise all the power and authorities of the chairperson at any meeting of the directors from which the chairperson is absent. |
(c) | The office of chairperson of directors or deputy chairperson of directors may, if the directors so resolve, be treated as an extra service or special exertion under rule 6.3(d). |
(d) | The chairperson of directors must (if present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting and willing to act) preside as chairperson at each meeting of directors. |
(e) | If at a meeting of directors: |
(i) | there is no chairperson of directors; |
(ii) | the chairperson of directors is not present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting; or |
(iii) | the chairperson of directors is present within that time but is not willing to act as chairperson of the meeting, |
then if the directors have elected a deputy chairperson of directors, the deputy chairperson of directors must (if present within 15 minutes after the time appointed and willing to act) preside as the chairperson of the meeting, otherwise the directors present must elect one of themselves to be chairperson of the meeting.
6.13 | Decisions of directors |
Questions arising at a meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes cast by the directors present. In an equality of votes, the chairperson of the meeting, in addition to his or her deliberative vote, has a casting vote.
6.14 | Written resolutions |
(a) | If all of the directors, other than: |
(i) | any director on leave of absence approved by the directors; |
(ii) | any director who disqualifies himself or herself from considering the issue on the grounds that he or she is not entitled at law to do so or has a conflict of interest; and |
21
(iii) | any director who the directors reasonably believe is not entitled at law to vote on the issue in question, |
assent to a document containing a statement to the effect that a thing has been done or resolution has been passed, and the directors who assent to the document would have constituted a quorum at a meeting of directors, then that thing or resolution is to be taken as having been done at or passed by a meeting of the directors, and the document functions as the minute of the meeting.
(b) | For the purposes of rule 6.14(a): |
(i) | the meeting is to be taken as having been held at the time and date at which, the document was last assented to; |
(ii) | 2 or more separate documents in identical terms each of which is assented to by one or more directors constitute one document; and |
(iii) | a director may signify assent to a document by signing the document or by notifying the Company of the director’s assent. The appointment of an alternate director may be terminated at any time by the appointor. |
6.15 | Alternate directors |
(a) | A director may, with the approval of the directors, appoint a natural person to be the director’s alternate director. The appointer may terminate the appointment at any time. The office of an alternate director is vacated if and when the appointor vacates office as a director. |
(b) | One person may act as alternate director to more than one director. An alternate director is entitled to a separate vote for each director the alternate director represents in addition to any vote the alternate director may have as a director in his or her own right. |
(c) | In the absence of the appointor, an alternate director may exercise any powers that the appointor may exercise. |
(d) | An appointment, or termination of appointment, of an alternate director must be in writing signed by the appointor and takes effect when the Company receives the notification. |
(e) | An alternate director is not to be taken into account in determining the minimum or maximum number of directors allowed under this Constitution. However an alternate director who attends a meeting is to be counted towards the quorum as a director for each director on whose behalf the alternate director is attending. |
(f) | An alternate director may be paid such remuneration as the directors think fit, either in addition to or in reduction of the remuneration payable to the director for whom the alternate director acts as alternate. |
(g) | An alternate director, while acting as a director, is responsible to the Company for his or her own acts and defaults and is not to be taken to be the agent of the director by whom he or she was appointed. |
6.16 | Committees |
(a) | The directors may delegate any of their powers to a committee or committees consisting of at least one director and such other directors and employees as they think fit. |
(b) | A committee to which any powers have been so delegated must exercise the powers delegated in accordance with any directions of the directors. |
22
(c) | The provisions of this Constitution applying to meetings and resolutions of directors apply, so far as they can and with such changes as are necessary, to meetings and resolutions of a committee. |
(d) | Membership of a committee may, if the directors so resolve, be treated as an extra service for the purposes of rule 6.3(d). |
6.17 | Delegation to individual directors |
(a) | The directors may delegate any of their powers to one director. |
(b) | A director to whom any powers have been so delegated must exercise the powers delegated in accordance with any directions of the directors. |
(c) | Acceptance of such a delegation may, if the directors so resolve, be treated as an extra service or special exertion performed by the delegate for the purposes of rule 6.3(d). |
6.18 | Validity of acts |
An act done by a person acting as a director or by a meeting of directors or a committee attended by a person acting as a director is not invalidated by reason only of:
(a) | a defect in the appointment of the person as a director; |
(b) | the person being disqualified to be a director or having vacated office; or |
(c) | the person not being entitled to vote, |
if that circumstance was not known by the person or the directors or committee (as the case may be) when the act was done.
7. | EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
7.1 | Managing director |
(a) | The directors may appoint one of the directors to the office of managing director. |
(b) | A managing director’s appointment as managing director automatically terminates if the managing director ceases to be a director. |
7.2 | Executive directors |
(a) | In this rule 7.2 an executive director means a director who is also an officer of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate in a capacity other than director or managing director. |
(b) | An executive director may be appointed on the basis that their appointment: |
(i) | as a director automatically terminates they cease to be an officer in a capacity other than director; or |
(ii) | as an officer of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate in a capacity other than director automatically terminates if they cease to be a director. |
7.3 | Company Secretary |
The directors must appoint at least one company secretary.
23
8. | EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS |
8.1 | Execution of documents |
The Company may have a common seal if so determined by the directors. If the Company does not have a common seal, the Company will execute documents in accordance with Section 127 of the Act or in accordance with procedures determined` by the directors from time to time.
8.2 | Company Seal |
If the Company has a seal:
(a) | The directors must provide for its safe custody. |
(b) | The Seal must be used only by the authority of the directors or of a committee of the directors. |
(c) | The authority to use the Seal may be given before or after the Seal is used. |
(d) | Until the directors otherwise determine, every document to which the Seal is affixed must be signed by a director and countersigned by another director, a secretary or another person appointed by the directors to countersign that document or a class of documents in which that document is included. |
9. | DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS |
9.1 | Dividends |
(a) | The directors may declare and pay such interim and final dividends as, in their judgment, the financial position of the Company justifies and may fix the time for payment. |
(b) | The directors may pay any dividend required to be paid under the terms of issue of a share. |
(c) | Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares: |
(i) | all dividends in respect of shares must be declared and paid in proportion to the amounts paid (not credited) of the total amounts paid and payable (excluding amounts credited) on the shares; and |
(ii) | interest is not payable by the Company in respect of any dividend. |
(d) | The directors may fix a record date in respect of a dividend, with or without suspending the registration of transfers from that date under rule 4.3. |
(e) | A dividend in respect of a share must be paid to the person who is registered, or entitled under rule 4.1(e) to be registered, as the holder: |
(i) | on the record date fixed by the directors; or |
(ii) | where the directors have not fixed a record date on the date the dividend is declared. |
(f) | The directors when declaring a dividend may: |
(i) | direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets, including paid-up shares or other securities of the Company or of another body corporate, either generally or to specific shareholders; and |
24
(ii) | direct that the dividend be paid to particular shareholders wholly or partly out of any particular fund or reserve or out of profits derived from any particular source and to the remaining shareholders wholly or partly out of any other particular fund or reserve or out of profits derived from any other particular source or generally. |
(g) | The directors may deduct from any dividend payable to a member all sums of money presently payable by the member to the Company and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the money owing. |
(h) | Where a person is entitled to a share as a result of a Transmission Event, the directors may, but are not obliged to, retain any dividends payable in respect of that share until that person becomes registered as the holder of the share or transfers it. |
9.2 | Capitalisation of profits |
(a) | Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares, the directors may capitalise and distribute among such of the members as would be entitled to receive dividends and in the same proportions, any amount: |
(i) | forming part of the undivided profits of the Company; |
(ii) | representing profits arising from an ascertained accretion to capital or from a revaluation of the assets of the Company; |
(iii) | arising from the realisation of any assets of the Company; or |
(iv) | otherwise available for distribution as a dividend. |
(b) | The directors may resolve that all or any part of the capitalised amount is to be applied: |
(i) | in paying up in full at a price determined by the resolution any unissued shares in or other securities of the Company; or |
(ii) | in paying up any amounts unpaid on shares or other securities held by the members. |
9.3 | Ancillary powers |
For the purpose of giving effect to any resolution for the satisfaction of a dividend in the manner set out in rule 9.1(f)(i) or by the capitalisation of any amount under rule 9.2, the directors may:
(a) | settle as they think expedient any difficulty that may arise in making the distribution or capitalisation; |
(b) | fix the value for distribution of any specific assets; |
(c) | pay cash or issue shares or other securities to any members in order to adjust the rights of all parties. |
9.4 | Dividend selection plans |
The directors may:
(a) | implement a dividend selection plan on such terms as they think fit under which participants may elect: |
(i) | to receive a dividend from the Company paid wholly or partly out of any particular fund or reserve or out of profits derived from any particular source; or |
25
(ii) | to forego a dividend from the Company in place of some other form of distribution from the Company or another body corporate or a trust; and |
(b) | amend, suspend or terminate any dividend selection plan implemented by them. |
10. | WINDING UP |
10.1 | Distribution of surplus |
Subject to this Constitution and to the rights or restrictions attached to any shares or class of shares:
(a) | if the Company is wound up and the property of the Company available for distribution among the members is more than sufficient: |
(i) | to pay all of the debts and liabilities of the Company; and |
(ii) | the costs, charges and expenses of the winding up, |
the excess must be divided among the members in proportion to the shares held by them, irrespective of the amounts paid or credited as paid on the shares;
(b) | for the purpose of calculating the excess referred to in rule 10.1(a), any amount unpaid on a share is to be treated as property of the Company; |
(c) | the amount of the excess that would otherwise be distributed to the holder of a partly paid share under rule 10.1(a) must be reduced by the amount unpaid on that share at the date of the distribution; and |
(d) | if the effect of the reduction under rule 10.1(c) would be to reduce the distribution to the holder of a partly paid share to a negative amount, the holder must contribute that amount to the Company. |
10.2 | Division of property |
(a) | If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution: |
(i) | divide among the members the whole or any part of the property of the Company; and |
(ii) | determine how the division is to be carried out as between the members or different classes of members. |
(b) | Where a division under rule 10.2(a) is otherwise than in accordance with the legal rights of the members, a member is entitled to dissent and to exercise the same rights as if the special resolution sanctioning that division were a special resolution passed under section 507 of the Act. |
(c) | If any of the property to be divided under rule 10.2(a) includes securities with a liability to calls, any person entitled under the division to any of the securities may within 10 days after the passing of the special resolution referred to in that rule, by notice in writing direct the liquidator to sell the person’s proportion of the securities and to account for the net proceeds and the liquidator must, if practicable, act accordingly. |
(d) | Nothing in this rule 10.2 derogates from or affects any right to exercise any statutory or other power which would have existed if this rule were omitted. |
26
(e) | Rule 9.3 applies, so far as it can and with such changes as are necessary, to a division by a liquidator under rule 10.2(a) as if references in rule 9.3 to the directors and to a distribution or capitalisation were references to the liquidator and to the division under rule 10.2(a) respectively. |
11. | MINUTES AND RECORDS |
11.1 | Minutes to be made |
The directors must cause minutes to be made of:
(a) | the names of the directors present at each directors meeting; |
(b) | the names of the committee members present at each meeting of a committee appointed under rule 6.16; and |
(c) | the proceedings and resolutions of each general meeting, directors’ meeting and committee meeting. |
11.2 | Minutes to be entered |
The directors must cause all minutes made under rule 11.1 to be entered in the relevant minute book of the Company within one month after the relevant meeting is held.
11.3 | Minutes as evidence |
Any minutes of a meeting purporting to be signed by the chairperson of the meeting or of the next succeeding meeting are (in the absence of proof to the contrary) sufficient evidence of:
(a) | the matters stated in the minutes of the meeting; |
(b) | the meeting having been duly convened and held; and |
(c) | the validity of all proceedings at the meeting. |
11.4 | Inspection of records |
(a) | The directors may determine whether and to what extent, and at what time and places and under what conditions, the minute books, accounting records and other documents of the Company or any of them will be open to the inspection of members other than directors. |
(b) | A member other than a director does not have the right to inspect any books, records or documents of the Company except as provided by law or authorised by the directors. |
12. | INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE |
12.1 | Persons to whom rules 12.2 and 12.3 apply |
(a) | Rules 12.2 and 12.3 apply: |
(i) | to each person who is or has been an officer of the Company; |
(ii) | if the directors so determine, to any auditor or former auditor of the Company or of its Related Bodies Corporate. |
(b) | For the purpose of rules 12.1 and 12.3 Officer means: |
(i) | a director or secretary of the Company; and |
27
(ii) | a person who makes or participates in making decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part of the business of the Company including the Executive Officer of the Company and a Chapter Committee member. |
12.2 | Indemnity |
The Company must indemnify, on a full indemnity basis and to the full extent permitted by law, each person to whom this rule 12.2 applies for all losses or liabilities incurred by the person as an officer or, if the directors so determine, an auditor of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate including, but not limited to, a liability for negligence or for reasonable costs and expenses incurred:
(a) | in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in favour of the person or in which the person is acquitted; or |
(b) | in connection with an application, in relation to such proceedings, in which the Court grants relief to the person under the Act. |
12.3 | Extent of Indemnity |
The indemnity in rule 12.2:
(a) | is a continuing obligation and enforceable by a person to whom rule 12.2 applies even though that person may have ceased to be an officer or auditor of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate; |
(b) | applies to losses and liabilities incurred both before and after the date of adoption of that rule; and |
(c) | operates only to the extent that the loss or liability is not covered by insurance. |
12.4 | Insurance |
The Company may, to the extent permitted by law:
(a) | purchase and maintain insurance; or |
(b) | pay or agree to pay a premium for insurance, |
for any person to whom rule 12.2 applies against any liability incurred by the person as an officer or auditor of the Company or of a Related Body Corporate including, but not limited to, a liability for negligence or for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal and whatever their outcome.
12.5 | Savings |
Nothing in rules 12.2 or 12.4:
(a) | affects any other right or remedy that a person to whom this Constitution apply may have in respect of any loss or liability referred to in those rules; or |
(b) | limits the capacity of the Company to indemnify or provide insurance for any person to whom those rules do not apply. |
28
13. | NOTICES |
13.1 | Notices by the Company to members |
(a) | A notice may be given by the Company to a member by serving it personally at, or by sending it by post in a prepaid envelope to, the member’s address as shown in the register of members or such other address, or by facsimile transmission or electronically to such facsimile number or electronic address, as the member has supplied to the Company for the giving of notices; |
(b) | A notice may be given by the Company to the joint holders of a share by giving the notice to the joint holder first named in the register of members in respect of the share. |
(c) | A notice may be given by the Company to a person entitled to a share as a result of a Transmission Event by serving it or sending at or to such address or facsimile number supplied to the Company for the giving of notices to that person, or if no address or facsimile number has been supplied, at or to the address or facsimile number to which the notice might have been sent if the relevant Transmission Event had not occurred. |
(d) | A notice given to a member in accordance with rules 13.1(a) or 13.1(b) is, despite the occurrence of a Transmission Event and whether or not the Company has notice of that occurrence sufficient service on any person entitled to the shares as a result of the Transmission Event. |
(e) | A notice given to a person who is entitled to a share as a result of a Transmission Event is sufficient service on the member in whose name the share is registered. |
(f) | A certificate signed by a director or secretary of the Company to the effect that a notice has been given in accordance with this Constitution is conclusive evidence of that fact. |
13.2 | Notices by the Company to directors |
Subject to this Constitution, a notice may be given by the Company to any director or alternate director either by serving it personally at, or by sending it by post in a prepaid envelope to, the director’s or alternate director’s usual residential or business address, or such other address, or by facsimile or electronic transmission to such facsimile number or electronic address, as the director or alternate director has supplied to the Company for the giving of notices.
13.3 | Notices by members or directors to the Company |
Subject to this Constitution, a notice may be given by a member, director or alternate director to the Company by serving it on the Company at, or by sending it by post in a prepaid envelope to, the registered office of the Company or facsimile transmission to the principal facsimile number at the registered office of the Company.
13.4 | Notices posted to addresses outside the Commonwealth |
A notice sent by post to an address outside the Commonwealth of Australia and its external territories must be sent by airmail or facsimile transmission.
13.5 | Time of service |
(a) | Where a notice is sent by post and service is taken to be effected on the Business Day after the date of its posting. |
(b) | Where a notice is sent by facsimile transmission or other electronic means, that notice is treated as duly given, if the correct facsimile number appears on a complete facsimile transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine or, if sent by electronic means if the sender’s computer shows the notice as having been sent to the correct electronic address, and is treated as duly given and received (whether it is in fact received or not) on the day of transmission of the notice if a Business Day, otherwise on the next Business Day. |
29
EXHIBIT 4.2
EXHIBIT 4.3
EXHIBIT 4.4
Warrant Certificate
ORDINARY SHARE PURCHASE WARRANT
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
Warrant Shares: [ ] | Initial Exercise Date: [ ], 2022 |
THIS ORDINARY SHARE PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [ ], 2027 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Innovation Beverage Group Limited, an Australian corporation (the “Company”), up to [ ] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Ordinary Shares. The purchase price of [ ] Warrant Share under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of a security held in book-entry form and the Depository Trust Company or its nominee (“DTC”) shall initially be the sole registered holder of this Warrant, subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Share is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Ordinary Shares for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Ordinary Shares as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Ordinary Shares” means the Ordinary Shares of the Company, no par value, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Ordinary Share Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Ordinary Shares, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Ordinary Shares.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (i) shares of Ordinary Shares or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company or consultants to the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan or other written agreement duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, provided, however, such issuance (A) shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Ordinary Share issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, (B) shall be at no less than fair market value (as measured by the closing price of the Ordinary Share on the Trading Market on the date of issuance) and (C) in the first year from the date hereof shall be issued as restricted securities; (ii) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Ordinary Share issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities; (iii) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company or securities issued in financing transactions, the primary purpose of which is to finance acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; (iv) shares of Ordinary Shares, options or convertible securities issued to banks, equipment lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company but shall not include a transaction in which the company is primarily issuing Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; (v) shares of Ordinary Shares, options or convertible securities issued in connection with the provision of goods or services pursuant to transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company but shall not include a transaction in which the company is issuing Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; and (vi) shares of Ordinary Shares, options or convertible securities issued in connection with sponsored research, collaboration, technology license, development, investor or public relations, marketing or other similar agreements or strategic partnerships approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is primarily issuing Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-266965).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Ordinary Shares are traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, or OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transfer Agent” means VStock Transfer, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Underwriting Agreement” means the underwriting agreement, dated as of [ ], 2022, among the Company and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Ordinary Shares either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the Ordinary Shares at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Ordinary Shares or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of Ordinary Shares so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Ordinary Shares as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrant Agency Agreement” means that certain warrant agency agreement, dated on or about the Initial Exercise Date, between the Company and the Warrant Agent.
“Warrant Agent” means the Transfer Agent and any successor warrant agent of the Company.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Ordinary Share purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 2(a), a holder whose interest in this Warrant is a beneficial interest in certificate(s) representing this Warrant held in book-entry form through DTC (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), shall effect exercises made pursuant to this Section 2(a) by delivering to DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that are required by DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable), subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Warrant Share under this Warrant shall be $[ ], subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”), provided that in no case shall the exercise price be less than the par value of the Ordinary Shares. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever, including in the event this Warrant shall not have been exercised prior to the Termination Date.
c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) | = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(68) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Ordinary Shares on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; | |
(B) | = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
(X) | = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but without limiting the rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to this Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 3(d)(i) and Section 3(d)(iv) herein, the Company shall not be required to make any cash payments or net cash settlement to the Holder in lieu of delivery of the Warrant Shares. If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Ordinary Shares on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Ordinary Shares as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received by such Warrant Share Delivery Date.
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Ordinary Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Ordinary Shares so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Ordinary Shares that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Warrant Shares having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of Warrant Shares with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional Warrant Shares or scrip representing fractional Warrant Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole Warrant Share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its shareholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of Warrant Shares which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Ordinary Share Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares were reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on Ordinary Shares or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Ordinary Shares (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Warrant Shares issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of Ordinary Shares any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Ordinary Shares and such other capital stock of the Company (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Ordinary Shares and such other capital stock of the Company (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any option to purchase, or sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Ordinary Shares at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price provided that the Base Share Price shall not be less than $ (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions following the Initial Issuance Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any shares of Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued shares of Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents at the lowest possible price, conversion price or exercise price at which such securities may be issued, converted or exercised.
c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Ordinary Share Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Ordinary Shares (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Ordinary Shares acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Ordinary Shares are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Ordinary Shares as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of Ordinary Shares, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of Warrant Shares acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Ordinary Shares are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Ordinary Shares as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). To the extent that this Warrant has not been partially or completely exercised at the time of such Distribution, such portion of the Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until the Holder has exercised this Warrant.
e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding,(i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Ordinary Shares are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Ordinary Shares or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Ordinary Shares are effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares (not including any shares of Ordinary Shares held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of capital stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Ordinary Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one Warrant Share in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Ordinary Shares are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Ordinary Shares of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Ordinary Shares are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Ordinary Shares of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Ordinary Shares will be deemed to have received Ordinary Shares of the Successor Entity (which Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to this Section 3(e) and (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five (5) Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the Warrant Shares acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the Warrant Shares pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Ordinary Shares deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number shares of Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Ordinary Shares, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Ordinary Shares, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Ordinary Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Ordinary Shares, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Ordinary Shares are converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Ordinary Shares of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Ordinary Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Ordinary Shares for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
h) Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant, subject to the prior written consent of the Holder, reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.
Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. If this Warrant is not held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Issuance Date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent and/or the Company (with regard to any portion of the Warrant in certificated form issued pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement) shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Warrant Agent and/or the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Shareholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued shares of Ordinary Share a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Ordinary Shares may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of the Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 8236 Remmet Avenue, Canoga Park, California 91304, or at (818) 349-2870, or such other facsimile number, email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number, e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e- mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non- public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Warrant Shares or as a shareholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Warrant, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
o) Warrant Agency Agreement. If this Warrant is held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant is issued subject to the Warrant Agency Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Warrant conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Agency Agreement, the provisions of this Warrant shall govern and be controlling.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Dean Huge | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TO: INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or
[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity:
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:
Name of Authorized Signatory:
Title of Authorized Signatory:
Date:
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name:_____________________________________ | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Address:___________________________________ | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Phone Number: | ||
Email Address: | ||
Dated:_____________________________________ | ||
Holder’s Signature:___________________________ | ||
Holder’s Address:____________________________ |
EXHIBIT 4.5
Portions of this exhibit have been redacted in compliance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(10)(iv) because it is both (i) not material and (ii) and the type of information that is confidential.
FORM OF WARRANT AGENCY AGREEMENT
WARRANT AGENCY AGREEMENT, dated as of [ ], 2022 (“Agreement”) between Innovation Beverage Group Limited, an Australian public limited company (the “Company”), and V-Stock Transfer, LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Warrant Agent”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Underwriting Agreement (“Underwriting Agreement”), dated [ ], 2022, by and among the Company and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as representative of the underwriters set forth therein (the “Representative”), the Company is engaged in a public offering (the “Offering”) of [ ] units (each a “Unit” and collectively, the ‘Units”) with each Unit consisting of [ ] Ordinary Share, no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”) of the Company (each, a “Share” and collectively, the “Shares”), and [ ] tradeable warrant (each, a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”) to purchase [ ] share of Ordinary Shares (each, a “Warrant Share” and collectively, the “Warrant Shares”), including up to [ ] Shares and Warrants to purchase up to [ ] Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option;
WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-266965) (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”), for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of Units, the Shares, the Warrants, and the Warrant Shares, and such Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission on [ ], 2022;
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to issue the Warrants in book entry form to the respective holders of the Warrants (the “Holders,” which term shall include a Holder’s transferees, successors and assigns and “Holder” shall include, if the Warrants are held in “street name,” a Participant (as defined below) or a designee appointed by such Participant); and
WHEREAS, the Shares and Warrants issued in connection with the Offering shall be immediately separable and will be issued separately, but will be purchased together in the Offering; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrants and, in the Warrant Agent’s capacity as the Company’s transfer agent, the delivery of the Warrant Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, all capitalized terms not herein defined shall have the meanings hereby indicated:
(a) “Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
(b) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home,” “shelter-in-place,” “non- essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in the City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
1
(c) “Close of Business” on any given date means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
(d) “Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(e) “Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
(f) “Warrant Certificate” means a certificate in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 1 hereto, representing such number of Warrant Shares as is indicated therein, provided that any reference to the delivery of a Warrant Certificate in this Agreement shall include delivery of a Definitive Certificate or a Global Warrant (each as defined below).
All other capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Warrant Certificate.
Section 2. Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
Section 3. Global Warrants.
(a) The Warrants shall be registered securities and shall be evidenced by a global warrant (the “Global Warrants”), in the form of the Warrant Certificate, which shall be deposited with the Warrant Agent and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”), or as otherwise directed by the Depositary. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Warrants shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by (i) the Depositary or its nominee for each Global Warrant or (ii) institutions that have accounts with the Depositary (such institution, with respect to a Warrant in its account, a “Participant”).
(b) If the Depositary subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for the Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Warrants available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depositary to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each Global Warrant, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent to deliver to each Holder a Warrant Certificate.
2
(c) A Holder has the right to elect at any time or from time to time a Warrant Exchange (as defined below) pursuant to a Warrant Certificate Request Notice (as defined below). Upon written notice by a Holder to the Company and the Warrant Agent for the exchange of some or all of such Holder’s Global Warrants for a separate certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 (such separate certificate, a “Definitive Certificate”) evidencing the same number of Warrants, which request shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2 (a “Warrant Certificate Request Notice” and the date of delivery of such Warrant Certificate Request Notice by the Holder, the “Warrant Certificate Request Notice Date” and the surrender by the Holder to the Warrant Agent of a number of Global Warrants for the same number of Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate, a “Warrant Exchange”), the Company and the Warrant Agent shall promptly effect the Warrant Exchange and the Company shall promptly issue and deliver to the Holder a Definitive Certificate for such number of Warrants in the name set forth in the Warrant Certificate Request Notice. Such Definitive Certificate shall be dated the original issue date of the Warrants, shall be executed either manually or by facsimile signature by an authorized signatory of the Company, shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and shall be reasonably acceptable in all respects to such Holder. In connection with a Warrant Exchange, the Company agrees to deliver the Definitive Certificate to the Holder within ten (10) Business Days of the Warrant Certificate Request Notice pursuant to the delivery instructions in the Warrant Certificate Request Notice (“Warrant Certificate Delivery Date”). If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Definitive Certificate subject to the Warrant Certificate Request Notice by the Warrant Certificate Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares evidenced by such Definitive Certificate (based on the VWAP (as defined in the Warrants) of the Shares on the Warrant Certificate Request Notice Date), $10 per Business Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Business Day after such Warrant Certificate Delivery Date until such Definitive Certificate is delivered or, prior to delivery of such Warrant Certificate, the Holder rescinds such Warrant Exchange. The Company covenants and agrees that, upon the date of delivery of the Warrant Certificate Request Notice, the Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of the Definitive Certificate and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Definitive Certificate shall be deemed for all purposes to contain all of the terms and conditions of the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate and the terms of this Agreement, other than Sections 3(c), 3(d) and 9 herein, shall not apply to the Warrants evidenced by the Definitive Certificate. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall act as warrant agent with respect to any Definitive Certificate requested and issued pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event of inconsistency between any provision in this Agreement and any provision in a Definitive Certificate, as it may from time to time be amended, the terms of such Definitive Certificate shall control.
(d) A Holder of a Definitive Certificate (pursuant to a Warrant Exchange or otherwise) has the right to elect at any time or from time to time a Global Warrants Exchange (as defined below) pursuant to a Global Warrants Request Notice (as defined below). Upon written notice by a Holder to the Company for the exchange of some or all of such Holder’s Warrants evidenced by a Definitive Certificate for a beneficial interest in Global Warrants held in book- entry form through the Depositary evidencing the same number of Warrants, which request shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3 (a “Global Warrants Request Notice” and the date of delivery of such Global Warrants Request Notice by the Holder, the “Global Warrants Request Notice Date” and the surrender upon delivery by the Holder of the Warrants evidenced by Definitive Certificates for the same number of Warrants evidenced by a beneficial interest in Global Warrants held in book-entry form through the Depositary, a “Global Warrants Exchange”), the Company shall promptly effect the Global Warrants Exchange and shall promptly direct the Warrant Agent to issue and deliver to the Holder Global Warrants for such number of Warrants in the Global Warrants Request Notice, which beneficial interest in such Global Warrants shall be delivered by the Depositary’s Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) system to the Holder pursuant to the instructions in the Global Warrants Request Notice. In connection with a Global Warrants Exchange, the Company shall direct the Warrant Agent to deliver the beneficial interest in such Global Warrants to the Holder within ten (10) Business Days of the Global Warrants Request Notice pursuant to the delivery instructions in the Global Warrants Request Notice (“Global Warrants Delivery Date”). If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder Global Warrants subject to the Global Warrants Request Notice by the Global Warrants Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares evidenced by such Global Warrants (based on the VWAP (as defined in the Warrants) of the Shares on the Global Warrants Request Notice Date), $10 per Business Day (increasing to $20 per Business Day on the fifth Business Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Business Day after such Global Warrants Delivery Date until such Global Warrants are delivered or, prior to delivery of such Global Warrants, the Holder rescinds such Global Warrants Exchange. The Company covenants and agrees that, upon the date of delivery of the Global Warrants Request Notice, the Holder shall be deemed to be the beneficial holder of such Global Warrants.
3
Section 4. Form of Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Certificate, together with the form of election to purchase Warrant Shares (“Notice of Exercise”) and the form of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto.
Section 5. Registration.
The Warrant Agent will keep or cause to be kept at one of its offices, or at the office of one of its agents, books (“Warrant Register”) for registration and transfer of the Global Warrants issued hereunder. The Company will keep or cause to be kept at one of its offices, books for the registration and transfer of any Definitive Certificates issued hereunder and the Warrant Agent shall not have any obligation to keep books and records with respect to any Definitive Certificates. Such Company books shall show the names and addresses of the respective Holders of the Definitive Certificates, the number of warrants evidenced on the face of each such Definitive Certificate and the date of each such Definitive Certificate.
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Warrant Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Warrant Certificates. With respect to the Definitive Certificates, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Certificate and the last sentence of this first paragraph of Section 6 and subject to applicable law, rules or regulations, or any “stop transfer” instructions applicable to the Definitive Certificates, at any time after the closing date of the Offering, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the Termination Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate), any Definitive Certificate may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Definitive Certificate or Definitive Certificates, entitling the Holder to purchase a like number of Shares as the Definitive Certificate surrendered then entitled such Holder to purchase. Any Holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Definitive Certificate shall make such request in writing delivered to the Company, and shall surrender the Definitive Certificate to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the Company. Any requested transfer of Warrants, whether in book-entry form or certificate form, shall be accompanied by reasonable evidence of authority of the party making such request that may be required by the Company. Thereupon the Company shall, subject to the last sentence of this first paragraph of Section 6, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Definitive Certificate or Definitive Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment from the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Definitive Certificates.
Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Warrant Certificate, which evidence shall include an affidavit of loss, or in the case of mutilated certificates, the certificate or portion thereof remaining, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity in customary form and amount (but, with respect to any Definitive Certificates, shall not include the posting of any bond by the Holder), and reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Company and cancellation of the Warrant Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor to the Holder in lieu of the Warrant Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Warrants; Exercise Price; Termination Date.
(a) The Warrants shall be exercisable commencing on the Initial Exercise Date (as defined in the Warrant Certificate). The Warrants shall cease to be exercisable and shall terminate and become void as set forth in the Warrant Certificate. Subject to the foregoing and to Section 7(b) below, the Holder of a Warrant may exercise the Warrant in whole or in part upon surrender of the Warrant Certificate, if required, with the executed Notice of Exercise and payment of the Exercise Price (as defined in the Warrant Certificate), which may be made, at the option of the Holder, by wire transfer or by certified or official bank check in United States dollars, to the Company at the principal office of the Company. In the case of the Holder of a Global Warrant, the Holder shall deliver the executed Notice of Exercise and the payment of the Exercise Price as described herein. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, a holder whose interest in a Global Warrant is a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant held in book-entry form through the Depositary (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), shall effect exercises by delivering to the Depositary (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that are required by the Depositary (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable). No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to a holder whose interest in a Global Warrant is a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant held in book-entry form through the Depositary (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), upon delivery of irrevocable instructions to such holder’s Participant to exercise such warrants, that solely for purposes of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act that such holder shall be deemed to have exercised such warrants.
4
(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Exercise for a Cashless Exercise provided by a holder to the Depositary and/or the Company, as applicable (as provided in Section 7(a) above), the Company will promptly calculate and transmit to the Warrant Agent the number of Warrant Shares issuable in connection with such Cashless Exercise and deliver a copy of the Notice of Exercise to the Warrant Agent, which shall cause to be delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(c) such number of Warrant Shares in connection with such Cashless Exercise.
(c) Upon the exercise of the Warrant Certificate pursuant to the terms of Section 2 of the Warrant Certificate, the Warrant Agent shall cause the Warrant Shares underlying such Definitive Certificate or Global Warrant to be delivered to or upon the order of the Holder of such Definitive Certificate or Global Warrant, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such Holder, no later than the Warrant Share Delivery Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate). If the Company is then a participant in the DWAC system of the Depositary and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) the Warrant is being exercised via Cashless Exercise, then the certificates for Warrant Shares shall be transmitted by the Warrant Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s broker with the Depositary through its DWAC system. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company becomes obligated to pay any amounts to any Holders pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) or 2(d)(iv) of the Warrant Certificate, such obligation shall be solely that of the Company and not that of the Warrant Agent. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, except in the case of a Cashless Exercise, if any Holder fails to duly deliver payment to the Company of an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Warrant Shares to be purchased upon exercise of such Holder’s Warrant as set forth in Section 7(a) hereof by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Warrant Agent will not be obligated to deliver such Warrant Shares (via DWAC or otherwise) until following receipt by the Company of such payment, and the applicable Warrant Share Delivery Date shall be deemed extended by one day for each day (or part thereof) until such payment is delivered to the Company.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Warrant Certificates. All Warrant Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall be surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents for cancellation or in canceled form.
Section 9. Certain Representations; Reservation and Availability of Shares or Cash.
(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Warrant Agent, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and the Warrants have been duly authorized, executed and issued by the Company and, assuming due authentication thereof by the Warrant Agent pursuant hereto and payment therefor by the Holders as provided in the Warrant Certificate, constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits hereof; in each case except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(b) As of the date hereof, the Company does not have a limit on its authorized share capital, of which [ ] shares of Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, there are no other outstanding obligations, warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase from the Company any shares of Ordinary Shares of the Company.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Ordinary Shares or its authorized and issued shares of Ordinary Shares held in its treasury, free from preemptive rights, the number of Warrant Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants.
(d) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Warrant Certificates or certificates evidencing Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax or governmental charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Warrant Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates for Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the Holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificate for Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any Warrants until any such tax or governmental charge shall have been paid (any such tax or governmental charge being payable by the Holder of such Warrant Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax or governmental charge is due.
5
Section 10. Warrant Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for Warrant Shares is issued (or to whose broker’s account is credited Warrant Shares through the DWAC system) upon the exercise of Warrants shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record for the Warrant Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date on which submission of the Notice of Exercise was made, provided that the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant is duly surrendered (but only if required herein) and payment of the Exercise Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) is received on or prior to the Warrant Share Delivery Date; provided, however, that if the date of submission of the Notice of Exercise is a date upon which the Ordinary Share transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding day on which the Ordinary Share transfer books of the Company are open.
Section 11. Adjustment of Exercise Price, Number of Warrant Shares or Number of the Company Warrants. The Exercise Price, the number of Warrant Shares covered by each Warrant and the number of Warrants outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate. In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate, the Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Warrant Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares contained in Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate and the provisions of Sections 7, 11 and 12 of this Agreement with respect to the Warrant Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares. All Warrants originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Exercise Price pursuant to the Warrant Certificate shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of Warrant Shares purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Warrants, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
Section 12. Certification of Adjusted Exercise Price or Number of Warrant Shares. Whenever the Exercise Price or the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant is adjusted as provided in Section 11 or 13, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth the Exercise Price of each Warrant as so adjusted, and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Warrant Agent and with each transfer agent for the Ordinary Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) instruct the Warrant Agent to send a brief summary thereof to each Holder of a Warrant Certificate.
Section 13. Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not issue fractions of Warrants or distribute Warrant Certificates which evidence fractional Warrants. Whenever any fractional Warrant would otherwise be required to be issued or distributed, the actual issuance or distribution shall reflect a rounding of such fraction to the nearest whole Warrant (rounded down).
(b) The Company shall not issue fractions of Warrant Shares upon exercise of Warrants or distribute stock certificates which evidence fractional Warrant Shares. Whenever any fraction of Warrant Shares would otherwise be required to be issued or distributed, the actual issuance or distribution in respect thereof shall be made in accordance with Section 2(d)(v) of the Warrant Certificate.
Section 14. Conditions of the Warrant Agent’s Obligations. The Warrant Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following to all of which the Company agrees and to all of which the rights hereunder of the Holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates shall be subject:
6
(a) Compensation and Indemnification. The Company agrees promptly to pay the Warrant Agent the compensation detailed on Exhibit 4 hereto for all services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct finally adjudicated to have been directly caused by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services rendered hereunder by the Warrant Agent. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of the Warrant Agent, finally adjudicated to have been directly caused by Warrant Agent hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any claim of such liability. The Warrant Agent shall be under no obligation to institute or defend any action, suit, or legal proceeding in connection herewith or to take any other action likely to involve the Warrant Agent in expense, unless first indemnified to the Warrant Agent’s satisfaction. The indemnities provided by this paragraph shall survive the resignation or discharge of the Warrant Agent or the termination of this Agreement. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Warrant Agent be liable under or in connection with the Agreement for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including, but not limited, to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought, and the Warrant Agent’s aggregate liability to the Company, or any of the Company’s representatives or agents, under this Section 14(a) or under any other term or provision of this Agreement, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, is expressly limited to, and shall not exceed in any circumstances, one (1) year’s fees received by the Warrant Agent as fees and charges under this Agreement, but not including reimbursable expenses previously reimbursed to the Warrant Agent by the Company hereunder.
(b) Agent for the Company. In acting under this Warrant Agreement and in connection with the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent is acting solely as agent of the Company and does not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the Holders of Warrant Certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants.
(c) Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with counsel satisfactory to it, which may include counsel for the Company, and the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice of such counsel.
(d) Documents. The Warrant Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon any Warrant Certificate, notice, direction, consent, certificate, affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper parties.
(e) Certain Transactions. The Warrant Agent, and its officers, directors and employees, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, Warrants, with the same rights that it or they would have if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it or they may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body of Holders of the Warrants or other obligations of the Company as freely as if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder. Nothing in this Warrant Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as trustee under any indenture to which the Company is a party.
(f) No Liability for Interest. Unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Warrant Agent shall have no liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrant Certificates.
(g) No Liability for Invalidity. The Warrant Agent shall have no liability with respect to any invalidity of this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agent’s countersignature thereon).
(h) No Responsibility for Representations. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any of the recitals or representations herein or in the Warrant Certificate (except as to the Warrant Agent’s countersignature thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company.
(i) No Implied Obligations. The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to perform only such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates specifically set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder which may tend to involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or in the case of the receipt of any written demand from a Holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law.
7
Section 15. Purchase or Consolidation or Change of Name of Warrant Agent. Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent shall be party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent, shall be the successor to the Warrant Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 17. In case at the time such successor Warrant Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Warrant Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Warrant Agent and deliver such Warrant Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.
In case at any time the name of the Warrant Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Warrant Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver such Warrant Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 16. Duties of Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company, by its acceptance hereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Warrant Agent may consult with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company; and such certificate shall be full authentication to the Warrant Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 14, the Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, or for any intentional breach by it of this Agreement.
(d) The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof) by the Company or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Warrant Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for the adjustment of the Exercise Price or the making of any change in the number of Warrant Shares required under the provisions of Section 11 or 13 or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such change or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment or change (except with respect to the exercise of Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificates after actual notice of any adjustment of the Exercise Price); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant Certificate or as to whether any Warrant Shares will, when issued, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
8
(f) Each party hereto agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the other party hereto for the carrying out or performing by any party of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable and shall be indemnified and held harmless for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer, provided Warrant Agent carries out such instructions without gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(h) The Warrant Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorney or agents, and the Warrant Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorney or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
Section 17. Change of Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days’ notice in writing sent to the Company or such shorter period of time agreed to by the Company. The Company may remove the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, sent to the Warrant Agent or successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be, or such shorter period of time as agreed. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation, termination or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent, then the Warrant Agent or any Holder of any Warrant Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Warrant Agent, provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to be the Warrant Agent until a new warrant agent is appointed. Any successor Warrant Agent (but not including the initial Warrant Agent), whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of a state thereof, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed, and except for executing and delivering documents as provided in the sentence that follows, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall have no further duties, obligations, responsibilities or liabilities hereunder, but shall be entitled to all rights that survive the termination of this Warrant Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent, including, but not limited to, its right to indemnity hereunder. If for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate or at the request of the Company, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations.
9
Section 18. Issuance of New Warrant Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrants to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price per share and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the several Warrant Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 19. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made (i) by the Warrant Agent or by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Company, (ii) subject to the provisions of Section 17, by the Company or by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Warrant Agent or (iii) by the Company or the Warrant Agent to the Holder of any Warrant Certificate shall be deemed given (a) on the date delivered, if delivered personally, (b) on the first Business Day following the deposit thereof with Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier, if sent by Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier, (c) on the fourth Business Day following the mailing thereof with postage prepaid, if mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), and (d) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or email attachment at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Business Day and (e) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or email attachment on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day, in each case to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) | If to the Company, to |
Innovation Beverage Group Limited.
29 Anvil Road
NSW, Australia 2147
Attention: Dean Huge, Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: +61 (02) 9620 4574
E-mail: dean@innovationbev.com
(b) | If to the Warrant Agent, to |
VStock Transfer, LLC
18 Lafayette Place
Woodmere, New York 11598
Attention:
Telephone:
E-mail:
For any notice delivered by email to be deemed given or made, such notice must be followed by notice sent by overnight courier service to be delivered on the next business day following such email, unless the recipient of such email has acknowledged via return email receipt of such email.
(c) If to the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to the address of such Holder as shown on the registry books of the Company. Any notice required to be delivered by the Company to the Holder of any Warrant may be given by the Warrant Agent on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, where this Agreement provides for notice of any event to a Holder of any Warrant, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the procedures of the Depositary or its designee.
Section 20. Supplements and Amendments.
(a) The Company and the Warrant Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any Holders of Global Warrants in order to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Global Warrants or to surrender any rights or power reserved to or conferred upon the Company in this Agreement, provided that such addition or surrender shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Global Warrants or Warrant Certificates in any material respect.
10
(b) In addition to the foregoing, with the consent of Holders of Warrants entitled, upon exercise thereof, to receive not less than a majority of the Warrant Shares issuable thereunder, the Company and the Warrant Agent may modify this Agreement for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Global Warrants; provided, however, that no modification of the terms (including but not limited to the adjustments described in Section 11) upon which the Warrants are exercisable or the rights of holders of Warrants to receive liquidated damages or other payments in cash from the Company or reducing the percentage required for consent to modification of this Agreement may be made without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Warrant Certificate affected thereby; provided further, however, that no amendment hereunder shall affect any terms of any Warrant Certificate issued in a Warrant Exchange. As a condition precedent to the Warrant Agent’s execution of any amendment, the Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent a certificate from a duly authorized officer of the Company that states that the proposed amendment complies with the terms of this Section 20.
Section 21. Successors. All covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 22. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the Holders of Warrant Certificates and the Warrant Agent any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders of the Warrant Certificates.
Section 23. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant Certificate and Global Warrant issued hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof.
Section 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 25. Captions. The captions of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
Section 26. Information. The Company agrees to promptly provide to the Holders of the Warrants any information it provides to the holders of the Ordinary Shares, except to the extent any such information is publicly available on the EDGAR system (or any successor thereof) of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
[Signature page follows]
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Dean Huge | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
VSTOCK TRANSFER, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT 1
Warrant Certificate
ORDINARY SHARES PURCHASE WARRANT
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
Warrant Shares: [ ] | Initial Exercise Date: [ ], 2022 |
THIS ORDINARY SHARES PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [ ], 2027 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Innovation Beverage Group Limited, an Australian public limited company (the “Company”), up to [ ] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Ordinary Shares. The purchase price of [ ] Warrant Share under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of a security held in book-entry form and the Depository Trust Company or its nominee (“DTC”) shall initially be the sole registered holder of this Warrant, subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Share is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Ordinary Shares for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Ordinary Shares as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ex. 1-1
“Ordinary Shares” means the Ordinary Shares of the Company, no par value, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Ordinary Share Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Ordinary Shares, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Ordinary Shares.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (i) shares of Ordinary Shares or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company or consultants to the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan or other written agreement duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, provided, however, such issuance (A) shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Ordinary Share issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, (B) shall be at no less than fair market value (as measured by the closing price of the Ordinary Share on the Trading Market on the date of issuance) and (C) in the first year from the date hereof shall be issued as restricted securities; (ii) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Ordinary Share issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities; (iii) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company or securities issued in financing transactions, the primary purpose of which is to finance acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; (iv) shares of Ordinary Shares, options or convertible securities issued to banks, equipment lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company but shall not include a transaction in which the company is primarily issuing Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; (v) shares of Ordinary Shares, options or convertible securities issued in connection with the provision of goods or services pursuant to transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company but shall not include a transaction in which the company is issuing Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities; and (vi) shares of Ordinary Shares, options or convertible securities issued in connection with sponsored research, collaboration, technology license, development, investor or public relations, marketing or other similar agreements or strategic partnerships approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is primarily issuing Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to a person or an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-266965).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Ordinary Shares are traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, or OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transfer Agent” means VStock Transfer, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Underwriting Agreement” means the underwriting agreement, dated as of [ ], 2022, among the Company and EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Ordinary Shares either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the Ordinary Shares at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Ordinary Shares or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of Ordinary Shares so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Ordinary Shares as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrant Agency Agreement” means that certain warrant agency agreement, dated on or about the Initial Exercise Date, between the Company and the Warrant Agent.
“Warrant Agent” means the Transfer Agent and any successor warrant agent of the Company.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Ordinary Share purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 2(a), a holder whose interest in this Warrant is a beneficial interest in certificate(s) representing this Warrant held in book-entry form through DTC (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), shall effect exercises made pursuant to this Section 2(a) by delivering to DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that are required by DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable), subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Warrant Share under this Warrant shall be $[ ], subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”), provided that in no case shall the exercise price be less than the par value of the Ordinary Shares. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever, including in the event this Warrant shall not have been exercised prior to the Termination Date.
c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) | = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(68) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Ordinary Shares on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; | |
(B) | = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and | |
(X) | = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but without limiting the rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to this Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 3(d)(i) and Section 3(d)(iv) herein, the Company shall not be required to make any cash payments or net cash settlement to the Holder in lieu of delivery of the Warrant Shares. If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Ordinary Shares on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after such liquidated damages begin to accrue) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Ordinary Shares as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received by such Warrant Share Delivery Date.
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Ordinary Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Ordinary Shares so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Ordinary Shares that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Warrant Shares having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of Warrant Shares with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional Warrant Shares or scrip representing fractional Warrant Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole Warrant Share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its shareholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of Warrant Shares which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Ordinary Share Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares were reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on Ordinary Shares or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Ordinary Shares (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Warrant Shares issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of Ordinary Shares any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Ordinary Shares and such other capital stock of the Company (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Ordinary Shares and such other capital stock of the Company (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b) Subsequent Equity Sales. If the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as applicable, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, shall sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any option to purchase, or sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents, at an effective price per share less than the Exercise Price then in effect (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”) (it being understood and agreed that if the holder of the Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Ordinary Shares at an effective price per share that is less than the Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance at such effective price), then simultaneously with the consummation (or, if earlier, the announcement) of each Dilutive Issuance the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the Base Share Price provided that the Base Share Price shall not be less than $ (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions following the Initial Issuance Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 3(b) in respect of an Exempt Issuance. The Company shall notify the Holder, in writing, no later than the Trading Day following the issuance or deemed issuance of any shares of Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents subject to this Section 3(b), indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice, the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 3(b), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, the Holder is entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares based upon the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Notice of Exercise. If the Company enters into a Variable Rate Transaction, the Company shall be deemed to have issued shares of Ordinary Shares or Ordinary Share Equivalents at the lowest possible price, conversion price or exercise price at which such securities may be issued, converted or exercised.
c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Ordinary Share Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Ordinary Shares (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Ordinary Shares acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Ordinary Shares are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Ordinary Shares as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of Ordinary Shares, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of Warrant Shares acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Ordinary Shares are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Ordinary Shares as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). To the extent that this Warrant has not been partially or completely exercised at the time of such Distribution, such portion of the Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until the Holder has exercised this Warrant.
e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding,(i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Ordinary Shares are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Ordinary Shares or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Ordinary Shares are effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares (not including any shares of Ordinary Shares held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of capital stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Ordinary Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one Warrant Share in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Ordinary Shares are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Ordinary Shares of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Ordinary Shares are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Ordinary Shares of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Ordinary Shares will be deemed to have received Ordinary Shares of the Successor Entity (which Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to this Section 3(e) and (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement
of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five (5) Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the Warrant Shares acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the Warrant Shares pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Ordinary Shares deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number shares of Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Ordinary Shares, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Ordinary Shares, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Ordinary Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Ordinary Shares, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Ordinary Shares are converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Ordinary Shares of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Ordinary Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Ordinary Shares for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
h) Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant, subject to the prior written consent of the Holder, reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.
Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. If this Warrant is not held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Issuance Date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent and/or the Company (with regard to any portion of the Warrant in certificated form issued pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement) shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Warrant Agent and/or the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Shareholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued shares of Ordinary Share a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Ordinary Shares may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of the Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 8236 Remmet Avenue, Canoga Park, California 91304, or at (818) 349-2870, or such other facsimile number, email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the facsimile number, e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or via e- mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non- public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Warrant Shares or as a shareholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Warrant, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
o) Warrant Agency Agreement. If this Warrant is held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant is issued subject to the Warrant Agency Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Warrant conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Agency Agreement, the provisions of this Warrant shall govern and be controlling.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Dean Huge | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TO: INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or
[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity:
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:
Name of Authorized Signatory:
Title of Authorized Signatory:
Date:
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name:_____________________________________ | |
(Please Print) | |
Address:___________________________________ | |
(Please Print) | |
Phone Number: | |
Email Address: | |
Dated:_____________________________________ | |
Holder’s Signature:___________________________ | |
Holder’s Address:____________________________ |
EXHIBIT 2
Form of Warrant Certificate Request Notice
WARRANT CERTIFICATE REQUEST NOTICE
To: VStock Transfer, LLC, as Warrant Agent for Innovation Beverage Group Limited (the “Company”)
The undersigned Holder of Ordinary Share Purchase Warrants (“Warrants”) in the form of Global Warrants issued by the Company hereby elects to receive a Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants held by the Holder as specified below:
1. | Name of Holder of Warrants in form of Global Warrants: |
2. | Name of Holder in Warrant Certificate (if different from name of Holder of Warrants in form of Global Warrants): |
3. | Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Global Warrants: |
4. | Number of Warrants for which Warrant Certificate shall be issued: |
5. | Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Global Warrants after issuance of Warrant Certificate, if any: |
6. | Warrant Certificate shall be delivered to the following address: |
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with this Warrant Exchange and the issuance of the Warrant Certificate, the Holder is deemed to have surrendered the number of Warrants in form of Global Warrants in the name of the Holder equal to the number of Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificate.
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity:
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:
Name of Authorized Signatory:
Title of Authorized Signatory:
Date:
Ex. 2-1
EXHIBIT 3
Form of Global Warrants Request Notice
GLOBAL WARRANTS REQUEST NOTICE
To: VStock Transfer, LLC, as Warrant Agent for Innovation Beverage Group Limited (the “Company”)
The undersigned Holder of Ordinary Share Purchase Warrants (“Warrants”) in the form of Warrants Certificates issued by the Company hereby elects to receive a Global Warrant evidencing the Warrants held by the Holder as specified below:
1. | Name of Holder of Warrants in form of Warrant Certificates: |
2. |
Name of Holder in Global Warrant (if different from name of Holder of Warrants in form of Warrant Certificates): |
3. | Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Warrant Certificates: |
4. | Number of Warrants for which Global Warrant shall be issued: |
5. |
Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Warrant Certificates after issuance of Global Warrant, if any: |
6. | Global Warrant shall be delivered to the following address: |
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with this Global Warrant Exchange and the issuance of the Global Warrant, the Holder is deemed to have surrendered the number of Warrants in form of Warrant Certificates in the name of the Holder equal to the number of Warrants evidenced by the Global Warrant.
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity:
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:
Name of Authorized Signatory:
Title of Authorized Signatory:
Date:
Ex. 3-1
EXHIBIT 10.1
EXHIBIT 10.2
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
EXHIBIT 10.3
EXHIBIT 10.4
EXHIBIT 10.5
EXHIBIT 10.6
EXHIBIT 10.7
EXHIBIT 10.8
EXHIBIT 10.9
EXHIBIT 10.10
EXHIBIT 10.11
EXHIBIT 10.12
EXHIBIT 10.13
EXHIBIT 10.14
EXHIBIT 10.15
Manufacturing Supply and License Agreement
This Manufacturing Supply and License Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2020 (the “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd., an Australian private company, no. 625 701 420 (“ABS” or “Seller”) having its principal place of business located at 1 Doris Hirst Place, West Pennant Hills, Sydney, Australia 2125, and Elegance Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Buyer” or “Elegance”) having its principal place of business located at 9100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 362W, Los Angeles, California 90212. The Seller and Buyer are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “Parties”, and each, a “Party”.
This Agreement replaces and supersedes in its entirety the existing manufacturing agreement between the parties (the “Prior Agreement”) for the purchase of the Elegance VodkaTM brand; which Prior Agreement is hereby terminated.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Seller is in the business of manufacturing and selling certain of the “Covered Products” (as defined below) and;
WHEREAS, during the “Term” (as defined below) of this Agreement, the Buyer wishes to purchase the Covered Products from Seller; and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to manufacture and sell the Covered Products to Buyer; and
WHEREAS. the Seller and the Buyer have entered into the “Share Purchase Agreement” (as defined below) and the Parties agree that this Agreement is intended to be an interim business arrangement between the Parties pending the consummation of the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of ABS by Elegance pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms, and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions. In addition to other terms defined in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth or referred to in this Section 1.
“ABS Shareholder” shall mean Amit Raj Beri.
“Action” means any claim, action, cause of action, demand, lawsuit, arbitration, inquiry, audit, notice of violation, proceeding, litigation, citation, summons, subpoena or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or other, whether at law, in equity or otherwise.
“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.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Anniversary Year” shall mean, during the Term of this Agreement, each of the twelve (12) consecutive months, commencing August 1 and ending July 31.
“BevMart Brands” means the individual brands and line extensions of the following alcoholic product brands developed by Buyer for Buyer’s e-commerce asset, BevMart.com.au, (a) Cheeky Vodka (b) Coventry Estate Gin, (c) Cheeky Coffee Cocktails, (d) Geo Liqueur, (f) all future brands developed by Buyer, and (g) all future brands and line extensions of such brands for which Seller’s Intellectual Property is sold to Buyer.
“Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks located in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A are authorized or required by Law to be closed for business.
“Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Buyer Contracts” means the collective reference to this Agreement, the BevMart Contract, the Power Brands Contract and all other contracts or agreements to which Buyer is a party with respect to the purchase, sale and distribution of alcohol and related drinks, including Covered Products.
“Buyer Parties” means Buyer, its Affiliates, customers, subcontractors and successors and assigns, and each of their respective Representatives.
“Buyer Intellectual Property Rights” means any and all of the Intellectual Property Rights now or hereafter owned and used by or licensed to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement that are developed with respect to, or for incorporation into the design, formulation, production, and manufacturing of the Covered Products, whether developed by Buyer alone, by Buyer and Seller jointly or by Seller alone as requested by Buyer in connection with this Agreement.
“Buyer’s Territory” means (a) with respect to the Australian Bitters Company Covered Products and VOCO covered products only the USA, and its territories and possessions, and (b) with respect to all other Covered Products, the entire world.”
Claim” means any Action brought against a Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement.
“Control” (and with correlative meanings, the terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with”) means, with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of another Person, whether through the ownership or voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
“Covered Products” means the individual and collective reference to (a) the alcoholic drinks and Formulations sold as (i) Elegance Vodka, (ii) Australis Gin, (iii) Twisted Shaker, (iv) the BevMart Brands, (v) Bitter Tales, (vi) Cocktail Bitters, (vii) VOCO and (viii) Australian Bitters Company, and as otherwise identified on Schedule 1 hereto and described in the Specifications, and (b) any other new alcoholic products that Buyer may hereafter seek to sell and which Seller shall manufacture and produce for Buyer upon exercise of the ROFR referred to in Section 2.7.
“Defective” means not conforming to the Product Warranty.
“Defective Covered Products” means Covered Products shipped by Seller to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement that are Defective.
2
“Delivery Date” means the delivery date for Covered Products ordered hereunder that is set forth in a Purchase Order, which must be a Business Day that is no less than 14 nor more than 180 days following delivery of the applicable Purchase Order to Seller.
“Delivery Location” unless otherwise specified in a specific Purchase Order, the street address within the Buyer’s Territory for delivery of the Covered Products means Seller’s facility currently located in Seven Hills, New South Wales, Australia.
“Effective Date” means the date first set forth above.
“Encumbrance” means any charge, claim, community property interest, pledge, condition, 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.
“Equipment” means, collectively, “equipment” (as that term is defined in UCC Section 9- 102(a)(33)) that is used in the manufacture, production or assembly of Covered Products by Seller, and all machinery, equipment, Tooling, furnishings and fixtures (as such terms are defined in UCC Section 9-102) now owned or hereafter acquired by Seller, of any kind, nature or description, as well as all (a) additions to, substitutions for, replacements of and accessions to any of the foregoing items, (b) attachments, components, parts (including spare parts) and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto, and (c) Seller’s Intellectual Property Rights in connection with the foregoing.
“Favored Nations Price Adjustment” shall have the meaning as that term is defined in Section
5.3 below.
“Formulations” means the formulas, ingredients and flavors, including flavor line extensions, that are used to manufacture the Covered Products and VOCO Product and all other alcohol products and related drinks included in Buyer Contracts and Seller Contracts.
“Forecast” means, with respect to any period, a good faith projection or estimate of Buyer’s requirements for Covered Products during each month during the period, which approximates, based on information reasonably available at the time to Buyer, the quantity of Covered Products that Buyer may order for each such month.
“GAAP” means US generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time.
“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority (to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of such organization or 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, award or determination entered by or with any Governmental Authority.
“Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
“Intellectual Property Rights” means all industrial and other intellectual property rights comprising or relating to (a) Patents; (b) Trademarks; (c) Formulations, (d) internet domain names, whether or not Trademarks, registered by any authorized private registrar or Governmental Authority,
3
web addresses, web pages, website, and URLs; (e) works of authorship, expressions, designs and design registrations, whether or not copyrightable, including copyrights and copyrightable works, software and firmware, application programming interfaces, architecture, files, records, schematics, data, data files, and databases and other specifications and documentation; (f) Trade Secrets; and (g) all industrial and other intellectual property rights, and all rights, interests and protections that are associated with, equivalent or similar to, or required for the exercise of, any of the foregoing, however arising, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals or extensions of, such rights or forms of protection pursuant to the Laws of any jurisdiction throughout in any part of the world.
“Inventory Bank” means an adequate quantity of safety stock of finished Covered Products and raw materials, at the most-current design level, based on Buyer’s projected requirements of the Covered Products as set forth in any Releases or Purchase Orders issued to Seller hereunder.
“Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, constitution, treaty, common law, Governmental Order or other requirement or rule of law of any Governmental Authority.
“Manufacturing Cost” shall mean the Seller’s actual cost incurred from time to time, for all materials and ingredients, including alcohol, liquours, fragrances, bottles and caps, and including direct labor, used to manufacture produce and bottle Covered Products.
“Nonconforming Covered Products” means any Covered Products received by Buyer from Seller that: (a) do not conform to the Specifications set forth in the applicable Purchase Order; (b) on visual inspection and tasting, Buyer or its customer reasonably determines are otherwise Defective Covered Products; or (c) exceed the quantity of Covered Products ordered by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement or any Purchase Order. Where the context requires, Nonconforming Covered Products are deemed to be Covered Products for purposes of this Agreement.
“Party” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Patents” means all 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).
“Permits” means permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, authorizations, registrations, certificates, variances and similar rights obtained or required to be obtained, from any Governmental Authority.
“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability entity, unincorporated organization, association, Governmental Authority or any other entity.
“Personnel” of a Party means any agents, employees, contractors or subcontractors engaged or appointed by such Party.
“Power Brands Contract” means the production agreement, dated December 2, 2019 between Power Brands Consulting, LLC (“Power Brands”) and Elegance, pursuant to which Power Brands supplies Buyer with a CBD infused flavored energy drink branded as Gorilla Hemp.
“Prices” shall mean: (a) for all Covered Products, other than Cocktail Bitters, (i) Seller’s actual Manufacturing Cost for each of the Covered Products, plus (ii) 54% of the Manufacturing Cost for such Covered Products, subject to Price adjustments from time to time as provided in Section 5.2 below and Favored Nations Price Adjustments as provided in Section 5.3 below; and (b) for Cocktail Bitters, the same price per case as Seller charges to and receives from its largest customer, Coca-Cola Amatil, which is equal to or less than (AUS)$81.75 per case.
4
“Purchase Order” means Buyer’s purchase order issued to Seller hereunder, which may, among other things, specify items such as (a) the Covered Products to be purchased, including the Specifications (if required); (b) the quantity of each of the Covered Products ordered; (c) the expected Delivery Date; (d) the Price per unit or Price per case for each of the Covered Products to be purchased; (e) the billing address; and (f) the Delivery Location; in each case, including all terms and conditions attached to, or incorporated into, such purchase order, and any Release issued by Buyer to Seller under the Purchase Order. For the avoidance of doubt, any references to Purchase Orders hereunder also include any applicable Releases.
“Release” means a document issued by Buyer to Seller pursuant to a Purchase Order that identifies (to the extent not specified in the original Purchase Order) the quantities of Covered Products constituting Buyer’s requirements or otherwise to be included in a particular Purchase Order, the Delivery Locations and Requested Delivery Dates for such Covered Products.
“Renewal Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
“Representatives” means a Party’s Affiliates and each of their respective Personnel, officers, directors, partners, shareholders, attorneys, third-party advisors or consultants, successors and assigns; provided, that the ABS Shareholder shall be deemed to be an authorized Representative only of the Seller and not of the Buyer.
“Rescission Offer Registration Statement” shall mean the Form S-1 registration statement to be filed by the Buyer with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to which, inter alia, the Buyer shall make a rescission offer to certain holders of Buyer’ securities (the “Rescission Offer”).
“Seller” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Seller Contracts” means all contracts or agreements to which Seller is a party or to which any of its material assets are bound.
“Seller Parties” means Seller, its Affiliates, customers (other than Buyer), subcontractors and successors and assigns, and each of their respective Representatives.
“Seller’s Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed to Seller, used in the design, formulation, production, and manufacturing of the Covered Products.
“Seller’s Territory” means (a) the continent of Australia with respect to the Australian Bitters Company Covered Products, and (b) with respect to the Australian Bitters Company Covered Products anywhere in the world, other than the USA, and its territories and possessions.
“Share Purchase Agreement” means the share purchase agreement among Seller and Buyer and Amit Raj Beri, as the sole shareholder of Seller (the “ABS Shareholder”), dated December 3, 2019, as amended and restated in its entirety on April 8, 2020 and as amended on May 19, 2020 and further amended on July 27, 2020, pursuant to which, subject to the conditions set forth therein, the ABS Shareholder has agreed to sell and Elegance has agreed to purchase, 100% of the share capital of the Seller.
5
“Share Purchase Agreement Termination Date” shall mean 5:00 pm Pacific time on December 31, 2020, unless such date shall be extended by mutual agreement of the Parties and the ABS Shareholder.
“Specifications” means the specifications for the Covered Products attached hereto as Schedule
2.
“Taxes” means any and all present and future sales, income, stamp, and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges, fees or withholdings imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, together with any interest or penalties imposed thereon.
“Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1/Section 6.2.
“Tooling” means, collectively, all tooling, dies, test and assembly fixtures, gauges, jigs, patterns, casting patterns, cavities, molds, and documentation (including engineering specifications and test reports) used by Seller in connection with its manufacture and sale of the Covered Products, together with any accessions, attachments, parts, accessories, substitutions, replacements and appurtenances thereto.
“Trademarks” means all rights in and to US and foreign trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, brand names, logos, symbols, trade dress, corporate names and domain names and other similar designations of source, sponsorship, association or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all registrations and applications for, and renewals or extensions of, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world.
“Trade Secrets” means all inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, business and technical information and know-how, databases, data collections, patent disclosures, and other confidential and proprietary information and all rights therein.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code, as adopted in the State of California. “USA” means the United States of America.
“VOCO” means the acronym for the brand known as Vodka Coconut Water Ready to Drink that is owned by Seller.
2. Purchase and Sale of Covered Products.
2.1 Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Term, Buyer shall purchase Covered Products from Seller, and Seller shall manufacture and sell Covered Products to Buyer, at the Prices set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with Purchase Orders submitted from time to time by Buyer to Seller. Each Purchase Order shall contains: (a) a description of each of the Covered Products to be manufactured and sold hereunder; (b) the initial Price for each of the Covered Products; (c) the quantity of the Covered Products to be purchsed; and (d) the expected Delivery Date. The Seller shall have ten (10) Business Days from its receipt of a Purchase Order to notify Seller of Buyer’s acceptance or rejection of such Purchase Order. If such Purchase Order is accepted, the Parties shall promptly execute a Statement of Work confirming all of the agreed upon terms. The Parties shall, from time to time, amend the Purchase Order or Statement of Work to reflect any agreed revisions to any of the terms described in the foregoing clauses (a)-(d); provided that no such revisions will modify this Agreement or be binding on the Parties unless such revisions have been fully approved in a signed writing by authorized Representatives of both Parties.
6
2.2 Projections. Commencing on the Effective Date, and every 90 days thereafter throughout the Term of this Agreement, the Buyer shall provide Seller Buyer’s best projections and estimates of the quantity, in units and cases, of each of the Covered Products that Buyer will need to purchase from Seller for the next succeeding 90 days (the “Buyer Projections”).
2.3 Seller’s Obligation. Based on Buyer’s Projections, Seller shall maintain sufficient manufacturing capacity, stocks of raw materials and packaging to enable it to meet Buyer’s requirements for Covered Products and any additional alcoholic products to be sold by Seller to Buyer under this Agreement.
2.4 Manufacturing Cost Reports. During the Term of this Agreement, ABS will make available to Elegance a report of the individual elements comprising Seller’s Manufacturing Costs for each Statement of Work.
2.5 Terms of Agreement and Buyer’s Purchase Order Prevail; Order of Precedence. The Parties intend for the express terms and conditions contained in this Agreement (including any Schedules hereto) and in any Purchase Order that are consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement to exclusively govern and control each of the Parties’ respective rights and obligations regarding the manufacture, purchase and sale of the Covered Products, and the Parties’ agreement is expressly limited to such terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any terms and conditions contained in a Purchase Order or Statement of Work conflict with any terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, the applicable term or condition of this Agreement will prevail and, unless the Parties agree through their respective Representatives to amend this Agreement, such contrary or different terms will have no force or effect. Except for such additional or contrary terms, the terms and conditions of all Purchase Orders are incorporated by reference into this Agreement for all applicable purposes hereunder. Without limitation of anything contained in this Section 2.2, any additional, contrary or different terms contained in any Confirmation or any of Seller’s invoices or other communications, and any other attempt to modify, supersede, supplement or otherwise alter this Agreement, are deemed rejected by Buyer and will not modify this Agreement or be binding on the Parties unless such terms have been fully approved in a signed writing by authorized Representatives of both Parties.
2.6 Right of First Refusal. In addition to the Covered Products, the Seller shall have the right, but not the obligation, to manufacture and sell to Buyer all new alcoholic products branded under Buyer’s Intellectual Property and to be sold or distributed by Buyer in the Buyer Territory (the “ROFR”). Buyer shall advise Seller in writing of its intent to sell or distribute such new alcoholic products and provide Projections of the estimated cases and quantities of such new alcoholic products to be sold by Buyer in the next succeeding 12 months and the prices to be charged by Buyer to its anticipated customers. Seller shall have 90 days to accept or reject such ROFR; failure to timely affirmatively accept the ROFR shall be deemed to be a rejection thereof, and Buyer shall be free to contract with any other producer or supplier of such new alcoholic products. If Seller timely accepts the ROFR, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith the final Prices for such alcoholic products, which shall, subject to providing Buyer with a reasonably acceptable profit margin, shall be consistent with the Prices for Covered Products set forth in this Agreement.
7
3. Ordering Procedure.
3.1 Purchase Orders. Buyer shall issue Purchase Orders to Seller in written or electronic form via EDI/facsimile, e-mail or US mail. From time-to-time, Buyer may also issue Releases to Seller. For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall only be obligated to purchase from Seller, and Seller shall be obligated to sell to Buyer, the quantities of Covered Products listed or otherwise specified in a Purchase Order (including any related Release).
3.2 Acceptance, Rejection, and Cancellation of Purchase Orders. Seller shall confirm to Buyer the receipt of each Purchase Order issued hereunder (each, a “Confirmation”) within ten (10 Business Days following Seller’s receipt thereof in written form via EDI/facsimile, e-mail or US mail. Each Confirmation must reference Buyer’s Purchase Order number, confirm acceptance of the Purchase Order or, solely if permitted under this Section 3.2, advise Buyer of Seller’s rejection of such Purchase Order, the date of acceptance or rejection and the basis for rejection, if applicable. If Seller fails to issue a Confirmation within the time set forth in the first sentence of this Section 3.2 or otherwise commences performance under such Purchase Order, Seller will be deemed to have accepted the Purchase Order. Buyer may withdraw any Purchase Order prior to Seller’s acceptance thereof. Seller may only reject a Purchase Order if (a) Seller has sent Buyer a Notice of termination under Section 6.5 or (b) the applicable Purchase Order includes terms and conditions that supplement or are inconsistent with those contained in this Agreement, which Seller is unwilling to accept. Seller may not cancel any previously accepted Purchase Order hereunder. Buyer may only cancel a previously accepted Purchase Order pursuant to the exercise of Buyer’s rights under Section 4.1.
4. Shipment, Delivery, Acceptance, and Inspection.
4.1 Shipment and Delivery Requirements.
(a) Time, quantity, and delivery to the Delivery Location are of the essence under this Agreement. Seller shall procure materials for, fabricate, assemble, pack, mark, and ship Covered Products strictly in the quantities, by the methods, to the Delivery Locations and by the Delivery Dates, specified in this Agreement or in an applicable Purchase Order or Release. Delivery times will be measured to the time that Covered Products are actually received at the Delivery Location. If Seller does not comply with any of its delivery obligations under this Section 4, Buyer may, in Buyer’s sole discretion and at Seller’s sole cost and expense, (i) approve a revised Delivery Date, (ii) require expedited or premium shipment, or (iii) cancel the applicable Purchase Order and obtain similar goods from other sources (and all such Covered Products will be deemed to have been purchased under this Agreement for purposes of satisfying Buyer’s quantity requirements hereunder). Unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the Parties in writing, Seller may not make partial shipments of Covered Products to Buyer.
(b) The Buyer shall pay all shipping costs for Covered Products sold to Buyer. The Buyer is responsible for collection and pickup of all Covered Products within 28 days of the production completion date.
(c) In the event that Buyer shall have the right to cancel any Purchase Order pursuant to this Section 4 by reason of Seller’s failure to make timely delivery by the relevant Delivery Date of the Covered Products set forth in this Agreement or in the applicable Purchase Order, then and in such event, Seller shall, at the request of Buyer, either (i) refund to Buyer in full the Price previously paid for such Covered Products as contemplated by such Purchase Order, or (ii) provide Buyer with a credit against the next succeeding payments for Covered Products subsequently ordered by Buyer from the Seller.
8
4.2 Transfer of Title, Insurable Interest and Risk of Loss.
(a) Title. Title to all Covered Products set forth in any Purchase Order shall be deemed to be vested in Buyer upon its payment of the full Price for such Covered Products. Title will transfer to Buyer even if Seller has not been paid for such Covered Products, provided that Buyer will not be relieved of its obligation to pay for Covered Products in accordance with the terms hereof. However,.
(b) Insurable Interest and Risk of Loss. Notwithstanding any agreement between Buyer and Seller concerning transfer of title or responsibility for shipping costs, the insurable interest and risk of loss for all Covered Products shipped under any Purchase Order shall pass to Buyer only upon delivery of the Covered Products to the Delivery Location or other location specified in such Purchase Order and acceptance of such Covered Products by Buyer or its customers. Until such time as delivery is made to Buyer at the applicable Delivery Location and acceptance of such Covered Products by Buyer or its customers, the insurable interest and risk of loss to such Covered Products will remain with Seller.
(c) Insurance. Seller shall name Buyer as an additional insured on all of Seller’s insurance policies covering shipment and delivery of Covered Products and, to the extent that any Covered Products are lost or damaged in shipment or are deemed to be Defective Covered Products, Seller shall cause its insurance company to make payment directly to Buyer to the extent of the purchase Price previously paid by Buyer for such Covered Products.
4.3 Packaging and Labeling. Seller shall properly pack, mark, and ship Covered Products as instructed by Buyer and otherwise in accordance with applicable Law and industry standards, and shall provide Buyer with shipment documentation showing the Purchase Order number, Seller’s identification number for the subject Covered Products, the quantity of pieces in shipment, the number of cartons or containers in shipment, Seller’s name, the bill of lading number, and the country of origin.
4.4 Inspection. Covered Products are subject to inspection and approval or rejection by Buyer or its customers notwithstanding Buyer’s prior receipt of or payment for the Covered Products. Buyer or its customers shall have a reasonable period of time, not to be less than thirty days following delivery of the Covered Products to the Delivery Location (“Inspection Period”), to inspect all Covered Products received under this Agreement and to inform Seller, in writing, of Buyer’s or such customer’s rejection of any Nonconforming Covered Products. Buyer may return to Seller any or all units or cases of rejected Covered Products that constitute Nonconforming Covered Products because they are Defective Covered Products or exceed the quantity stated in the applicable Purchase Order. If Buyer rejects any other Nonconforming Covered Products, Buyer may elect to (a) require Seller, at Seller’s sole cost, to replace the rejected Covered Products at the location specified by Buyer (which may include Seller’s location, Buyer’s location or the location of a third party), (b) purchase similar goods from another source (and apply such purchases against Buyer’s quantity requirements hereunder), (c) produce similar goods itself (and apply such production quantities against Buyer’s quantity requirements hereunder), or (d) retain the rejected Covered Products; in each case without limiting the exercise by Buyer of any other rights available to Buyer under this Agreement or pursuant to applicable Law. All returns of Nonconforming Covered Products to Seller are at Seller’s sole risk, cost and expense. Covered Products that are not rejected within the Inspection Period will be deemed to have been accepted by Buyer or its customer; provided, however, that Buyer’s acceptance of any Covered Products will not be deemed to be a waiver or limitation of Seller’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement (or any breach thereof), including those obligations with respect to Seller’s Product Warranty and Seller’s duty to indemnify Buyer.
9
5. Prices and Payment
5.1 Prices. Subject to Section 5.2 and Section 5.3, Buyer shall purchase the Covered Products from Seller at the Prices set forth on in this Agreement. Except for shipping costs from Australia to the USA or other Delivery Location (which shall be borne by Buyer), all Prices include, and Seller is solely responsible for, all costs and expenses relating to packing, crating, boxing, transporting, loading and unloading, customs, Taxes, tariffs and duties, insurance and any other similar financial contributions or obligations relating to the production, manufacture, sale, and delivery of the Covered Products. Subject only to the provisions of Section 5.3 below, the Buyer shall pay to the Seller in advance and prior to manufacture and shipment of any Covered Products, 100% of the Price of all Covered Products set forth in the applicable Purchase Order, Statement of Work or Invoice (the “Payment Terms”). All Prices are firm and are not subject to increase for any reason, including changes in market conditions, increases in raw material, component, labor or overhead costs or because of labor disruptions or fluctuations in production volumes.
5.2 Price Adjustments. Seller will guarantee the Prices as set forth in each respective Purchase Order Acceptance or Statement of Work for a period of sixty (60) days from the execution date of such Purchase Order Acceptance or Statement of Work. If a Price adjustment is warranted (a) for Covered Products, other than Cocktail Bitter, as a result of Seller’s increased Manufacturing Costs, or (b) for Cocktail Bitters, as a result of Seller’s increased pricing to Coca-Cola Amatil, the Seller shall provide the Buyer with evidence, reasonably acceptable to Buyer, of such increased Manufacturing Costs or increases prices charged to Coca-Cola Amatil, as applicable. Applicable Price adjustments shall become effective immediately for all Purchase Orders not yet accepted by Seller.
5.3 Favored Nations Price Adjustment. Seller represents and warrants that the Prices set forth in this Agreement and Payment Terms is at least as low as the prices charged and the Payment Terms imposed by Seller to other buyers for similar quantities of Covered Products on similar Delivery Dates and Delivery Terms. If at any time during the Term, Seller charges any other buyer of similar quantities of Covered Products on similar Delivery Date and Delivery Terms, a lower price, or agrees to Payment Terms that are more favorable to such buyer than those set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement for the same Covered Products, Seller shall apply that lower price and more favorable Payment Terms to all same or similar Covered Products covered by this Agreement and under applicable Purchase Orders, Statements of Work or Invoices (the “Favored Nations Price Adjustment”). The Buyer shall be entitled to a Favored Nations Price Adjustment on one occasion only in each Anniversary Year and it shall apply only to sales and purchases of Covered Products in the next succeeding Anniversary Year. If Seller fails to provide Buyer with a Favored Nations Price Adjustment to which it may be entitled, Buyer may, at its option, in addition to all of its other rights under this Agreement or at Law, terminate this Agreement without liability pursuant to Section 6.4.
5.4 Invoices. Seller shall issue periodic invoices on a monthly basis to Buyer for all Covered Products ordered in the previous month. Each invoice for Covered Products must set forth in reasonable detail the total amounts payable by Buyer under this Agreement and contain the following information, as applicable: a reference to this Agreement; Purchase Order number, amendment number and line-item number; Seller’s name; Seller’s identification number; carrier name; ship-to address; weight of shipment; quantity of Covered Products shipped; number of cartons or containers in shipment; bill of lading number; country of origin; and any other information necessary for identification and control of the Covered Products. Buyer reserves the right to return and withhold payment due to any invoices or related documents that are inaccurate or incorrectly submitted to Buyer. The Parties shall seek to resolve any invoice disputes expeditiously and in good faith in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions set forth in Section 17.16. Any payment by Buyer of an invoice is not an acceptance of any Nonconforming Covered Products or terms on such invoice or the related Covered Products.
10
5.5 Payment. Any payment by Buyer for Covered Products will not be deemed acceptance of the Covered Products or waive Buyer’s right to inspect. Buyer will be entitled to any discounts allowable by Seller for prompt payment even though Buyer is unable to make payment within the time limits set by Seller if such failure is due to Seller’s actions or other circumstances or events beyond Buyer’s reasonable control. Buyer shall make all payments in USA dollars based on the then applicable exchange rate for Australian dollars, by check, wire transfer or automated clearing house in accordance with the wiring instructions provided by Seller.
5.6 Setoff; Contingent or Disputed Claims. All amounts due from Buyer to Seller are net of any indebtedness of Seller or the ABS Shareholder to Buyer, as set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement. In the event that the transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement are not consummated by Share Purchase Agreement Termination Date, if either (a) the $1,712,500 Deposit referred to in the Share Purchase Agreement shall not be paid by the ABS Shareholder directly to the Buyer, or (b) the Buyer shall be unable to pay in full the amounts required to be paid to former investors in the Buyer under the Rescission Offer Registration Statement, in addition to any right of set-off, deduction or recoupment provided or allowed by Law, Buyer may, without notice to Seller, set off against, and deduct and recoup from, any amounts then due or to become due from the ABS Shareholder to Seller or its investors, including for damages resulting from breaches by the ABS Shareholder of his obligations under the Share Purchase Agreement or under any other agreement between the Buyer or any other Person with the ABS Shareholder that is applicable to Buyer (collectively, the “ABS Shareholder Obligations”). In such connection, the Buyer may reduce the Prices payable to Seller with respect to each invoice dated from and after the incurrence any ABS Shareholder Obligations, at the rate of 25% of the total amount due on such invoice until the ABS Shareholder Obligations shall have been paid in full.
6. Term; Termination.
6.1 Initial Term. Subject at all times to the provisions of Section 6.3 and other terms of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement commences on the Effective Date and continues for a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, unless it is earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or applicable Law (the “Initial Term”).
6.2 Renewal Term. Upon expiration of the Initial Term, the term of this Agreement will automatically renew for up to twenty-four (24) additional successive months unless either Party provides written Notice of non-renewal at least 60 days prior to the end of the then-current term (each, a “Renewal Term” and together with the Initial Term, the “Term”), unless any Renewal Term is earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or applicable Law. If the Initial Term or any Renewal Term is renewed for any Renewal Term(s) pursuant to this Section 6.2, the terms and conditions of this Agreement during each such Renewal Term will be the same as the terms in effect immediately prior to such renewal. In the event either Party provides timely Notice of its intent not to renew this Agreement, then, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement terminates on the expiration of the Initial Term or then-current Renewal Term, as applicable.
6.3 Automatic Termination. In the event that the Buyer shall acquire 100% of the share capital of the Seller from the ABS Shareholder and the other transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement shall be consummation at any time on or prior to the Share Purchase Agreement Termination Date, this Agreement shall automatically, and without any further notice by either of the Parties or the ABS Shareholder, terminate. In the event that the provisions of this Section 6.3 shall become applicable, neither Party shall have any further liabilities, rights or obligations to the other, as the Seller shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer.
11
6.4 Buyer’s Right to Terminate for Cause. Buyer may terminate this Agreement, by providing written Notice to Seller:
(a) if Seller repudiates or threatens to repudiate, any of its obligations under
this Agreement;
(b) except as otherwise specifically provided under this Section 6.4, if Seller is in material] breach of, or threatens to breach, any material representation, warranty or covenant of Seller under this Agreement and either the breach cannot be cured or, if the breach can be cured, it is not cured by Seller within a commercially reasonable period of time under the circumstances, in no case exceeding sixty (60) days following Seller’s receipt of written Notice of such breach;
(c) notwithstanding the generality of Section (b), if Seller repeatedly fails to, or threatens not to, timely deliver Covered Products conforming to the requirements of, and otherwise in accordance with, the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
(d) if Seller (i) becomes insolvent or is generally unable to pay, or fails to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files or has filed against it, a petition for voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency Law, (iii) makes or seeks to make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (iv) applies for or has appointed a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business;
(e) if Seller fails to provide Buyer, within a commercially reasonable time after Buyer’s request (but in no case exceeding 30 days after such request) with adequate and reasonable assurance of Seller’s financial and operational capability to perform timely any of Seller’s obligations under this Agreement;
(f) if, as a result of any repeated and material breach by Seller of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Buyer’s customer requires that Buyer obtain another supplier of Covered Products;
(g) if Seller takes any action, or fails to take any action, required under this Agreement or any other agreement between Buyer and Seller, or as reasonably requested by Buyer, the result of which is an imminent interruption or delay, or the threat of an imminent interruption or delay, in any production at any of Buyer’s or its customer’s manufacturing facilities;
(h) if, without obtaining Buyer’s prior written consent, (i) Seller sells, leases or exchanges a material portion of Seller’s assets, (ii) Seller merges or consolidates with or into another Person, other than the Buyer, or (iii) a change in Control of Seller occurs; or
(i) upon the occurrence of any other event constituting grounds for termination set forth in any other sections of this Agreement (including Section 6.3 and Section 17.21). Any termination under this Section 6.4 will be effective on Seller’s receipt of Buyer’s written Notice of termination or such later date (if any) set forth in such termination Notice. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described under this Section 6.4, Buyer may, in addition to any of its other rights to suspend performance under this Agreement or applicable Law, immediately suspend its performance under all or any part of this Agreement, without any liability of Buyer to Seller, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (including the limitations set forth in Section 11) Buyer may, at its election, recover any and all direct and indirect actual and incidental damages (but not including consequential damages) and costs (including attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and costs), expenses and losses incurred by Buyer as a result of any event described under this Section 6.4 or any breach of this Agreement by Seller.
12
6.5 Seller’s Right to Terminate for Cause. Seller may terminate this Agreement, by providing written Notice to Buyer:
(a) if Buyer is in material breach of any material representation, warranty or covenant of Buyer under this Agreement, and either the breach cannot be cured or, if the breach can be cured, it is not cured by Buyer within a commercially reasonable period of time, in no case exceeding sixty (60) days, after Buyer’s receipt of written Notice of such breach; or
(b) if Buyer (i) becomes insolvent or is generally unable to pay, or fails to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files or has filed against it, a petition for voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency Law, (iii) makes or seeks to make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (iv) applies for or has appointed a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business.
Any termination under this Section 6.5 will be effective on Buyer’s receipt of Seller’s written Notice of termination or such later date (if any) set forth in such Notice.
6.6 Effect of Expiration or Termination.
(a) Immediately upon the effectiveness of a Notice of termination delivered by Buyer to Seller hereunder (as stated in such Notice), Seller shall, unless otherwise directed by Buyer, and subject to Seller’s obligation provide resourcing cooperation under Section 6.7:
(i) promptly terminate all performance under this Agreement and under any outstanding Purchase Orders;
(ii) transfer title and deliver to Buyer all finished Covered Products completed prior to effectiveness of the Notice of termination; and
(iii) return to Buyer all Bailed Property and any other property furnished by or belonging to Buyer or any of Buyer’s customers, or dispose of such Bailed Property or other property in accordance with Buyer’s instructions (provided that Buyer will reimburse Seller for the actual, reasonable costs associated with such disposal);
(b) Except for a termination as provided in Section 6.3 by reason of the consummation of the transactions set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement, the expiration or termination of the Term will not affect any rights or obligations of the Parties that:
(i) come into effect upon or after termination or expiration of this
Agreement; or
(ii) otherwise survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 17.4 and were incurred by the Parties prior to such expiration or earlier termination.
13
(c) Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, each Party
shall:
(i) return to the other Party all documents and tangible materials (and any copies) containing, reflecting, incorporating or based on the other Party’s Confidential Information, and not retain any copies thereof;
(ii) permanently erase all of the other Party’s Confidential Information from its computer systems, except for copies that are maintained as archive copies on its disaster recovery and/or information technology backup systems. Each Party shall destroy any such copies upon the normal expiration of its backup files; and
(iii) upon the other Party’s written request, certify in writing to such other Party that it has complied with the requirements of this Section 6.6(c).
(d) In the case of the expiration of this Agreement or automatic termination under Section 6.3, neither Party, will be liable to the other Party for any damage of any kind (whether direct or indirect) incurred by the other Party by reason of the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, subject only to Section 6.7 below. Except as provided in Section 6.3, termination of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any of the terminating Party’s rights or remedies/either Party’s rights, remedies or defenses under this Agreement, at law, in equity or otherwise.
6.7 Resourcing Cooperation. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement for any reason, to the extent requested by Buyer in writing, Seller will take the following actions and such other actions as may be reasonably required by Buyer to transition production of Covered Products from Seller to an alternative seller without production disruptions:
(a) manufacture, deliver and sell to Buyer a sufficient inventory bank of Covered Products to ensure that the transition will proceed smoothly and without interruption or delay to Buyer’s or Buyer’s customers’ production of products incorporating the Covered Products, with pricing equivalent to the pricing in effect immediately before expiration or termination;
(b) sell to Buyer, at Seller’s actual cost, any or all work-in-process and any raw-materials inventory relating to this Agreement and any outstanding Purchase Orders; and
(c) sell to Buyer any or all finished Covered Products.
7. Certain Obligations of Seller.
7.1 Quality.
(a) Seller shall meet or exceed Buyer’s quality standards for the Covered Products as adopted by Buyer from time to time, and which are provided by Buyer to Seller in writing. At Buyer’s request, Seller shall furnish to Buyer test samples of Covered Products as reasonably required by Buyer to determine if their manufacture is in accordance with the Specifications furnished by Buyer and Buyer’s quality standards. Seller shall perform quality inspections of Covered Products before delivery and shall certify inspection results in the manner requested by Buyer. If the Covered Products are found by Buyer, in Buyer’s reasonable discretion, to be in compliance with Buyer’s quality standards for such Covered Products, subject to audit by Buyer, Buyer will promptly reimburse Seller for Seller’s reasonable, out-of-pocket costs incurred in complying with this Section 7.1(a).
14
(b) Seller shall work together with Buyer to achieve global process improvements in the areas of quality, responsiveness, delivery, and cost. At Buyer’s request, Seller’s Representatives shall meet with Buyer’s Representatives to review the progress made on these objectives.
(c) Seller shall provide reasonable support as requested by Buyer to address and correct quality concerns. In addition to its other rights and remedies, Buyer may hold Seller responsible for costs associated with quality-issue investigation and containment to the extent caused by Seller’s acts or omissions.
(d) Seller shall, on a continuous basis, identify ways to improve the quality, service, performance standards and technology for the Covered Products, including through participation in Buyer’s quality improvement initiatives.
7.2 Protection Against Supply Interruptions. Seller shall, at Seller’s sole cost and expense, take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to ensure the uninterrupted supply of Covered Products to Buyer for not less than ninety (90) days during any foreseeable or anticipated event or circumstance that could interrupt or delay Seller’s performance under this Agreement, including any labor disruption, whether or not resulting from the expiration of Seller’s labor contracts (and whether or not such occurrence constitutes a Force Majeure Event hereunder). Seller shall notify Buyer at least 30 days before the termination or expiration of any collective bargaining or other labor agreement that relates to Seller’s Personnel involved in the production or delivery of the Covered Products.
7.3 Duty to Advise. Seller shall promptly provide written Notice to Buyer of any of the following events or occurrences, or any facts or circumstances reasonably likely to give rise to any of the following events or occurrences: (a) any failure by Seller to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement; (b) any delay in delivery of Covered Products; (c) any defects or quality problems relating to Covered Products; (d) any change in Control of Seller; (e) any deficiency in Buyer specifications, samples, prototypes or test results relating to this Agreement; or (f) any failure by Seller, or its subcontractors or common carriers, to comply with Law. In addition, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing of any change in Seller’s authorized Representatives, insurance coverage or professional certifications.
7.4 Seller’s Financial Condition.
(a) Each acceptance of a Purchase Order/delivery of Covered Products by Seller will constitute Seller’s representation and warranty that Seller is not insolvent on a balance sheet basis, is paying all debts as they become due, is in compliance with all loan covenants and other obligations to which it is subject, and that all financial information provided to Buyer concerning Seller is true and accurate, fairly represents Seller’s financial condition, and has been prepared in accordance with GAAP, uniformly and consistently applied.
(b) Seller shall furnish Buyer with statements accurately and fairly evidencing Seller’s financial condition as Buyer may, from time to time, reasonably request.
(c) Seller shall promptly notify Buyer, in writing, of any and all events that have had or may have a material adverse effect on Seller’s business or financial condition, including any change in management, sale, lease or exchange of a material portion of Seller’s assets, a change in Control of Seller, or the breach of any loan covenants or other material obligations of Buyer to iu
15
8. Intellectual Property and Formulations. With respect to the Formulations and certain flavor line extensions, the Parties hereto agree that, throughout the Term of this Agreement and thereafter:
8.1 Elegance owns and shall continue to own all right, title and interest in and to all brands, Buyer Intellectual Property and Formulations with respect to Elegance Vodka brand of Covered Products;
8.2 In consideration for the payment of USD $15,000 by August 15, 2020, as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, ABS shall sell to Elegance, and Elegance shall purchase from ABS, all right, title and interest in and to all Seller Intellectual Property and any and all Formulations possessed by Seller with respect to Australis Gin brand of Covered Products;
8.3 As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, ABS shall sell to Elegance, and Elegance shall purchase from ABS, all right, title and interest in and to all Seller Intellectual Property and each of the Formulations for the Twisted Shaker brand of Covered Products possessed by Seller, in consideration for the payment by August 15, 2020, of USD $10,000 for each of the Formulations possessed by Seller with respect to such brand of Covered Products; and
8.4 As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, ABS shall sell to Elegance, and Elegance shall purchase from ABS, all right, title and interest in and to all brands, line extensions, Seller Intellectual Property and each of the Formulations and flavor line extensions possessed by Seller with respect to the six BevMart Products sold and to be sold, in consideration for the payment by August 15, 2020, of USD $10,000 for each of the Formulations (other than flavor line extensions) and USD $3,500 for each of the flavor line extensions.
9. Bitter Tales and VOCO Licenses and Purchase Option.
9.1 The Parties hereto do hereby agree that during the entire Term of this Agreement and for a period of 90 days following termination of this Agreement for any reason, other than (i) an automatic termination pursuant to Section 6.3, (ii) or a termination by Seller for Cause as contemplated by Section 6.5, ABS hereby grants to Elegance, in consideration for a paid up royalty of USD$40,000 to be paid on or before August 15, 2020, an irrevocable and exclusive right and perpetual, license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to make, use and sell all Formulations with respect to the Bitter Tales brand of alcoholic products within the USA and other countries located in the Buyer’s Territory (the “Bitters Tales License”).
9.2 In addition to the Bitters Tales License, upon the termination of this Agreement, for any reason other than (i) an automatic termination pursuant to Section 6.3, or (ii) a termination by Seller for Cause as contemplated by Section 6.5, the Seller hereby agrees to grant to the Buyer an exclusive and irrevocable right and option (the “Bitters Tales Purchase Option”) to purchase (i) all of the Seller’s Intellectual Property and Formulations for the Bitters Tales brand, plus (ii) all of the nine (9) Formulations for the Australian Bitters Company brands currently owned by ABS, in consideration for the payment to the Seller of the sum of USD$2,000,000 (the Bitters Tales Option Price”). Exercise of the Bitters Tales Option and payment of the Bitters Tales Option Price may be made by the Buyer at any time within 90 days following termination of this Agreement for any reason, other than an automatic termination pursuant to Section 6.3, or a termination by Seller for Cause as contemplated by Section 6.5.
9.3 With respect to the VOCO brand of alcoholic products owned by the Seller, as of the Effective Date, the Seller hereby grants to the Buyer, in consideration for the payment of an ongoing 10% royalty on net sales of all VOCO brands and products, the non-exclusive right and license during the Term of this Agreement, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use the Seller Intellectual Property and all existing Formulations owned by Seller to make, use and sell the VOCO brand of alcoholic products in the United States, its territories and possessions. In the event the Buyer shall, during the Term of this Agreement, seek to create any new VOCO Formulations and brands for sale, subject at all times to the prior written approval of the Seller, the Buyer shall retain the new Formulations and related Intellectual Property relating to such new VOCO brands for the duration of this Agreement.
16
10. Australian Bitters Company.
10.1 The Seller shall sell to the Buyer and the Buyer shall purchase from the Seller all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to all brands, line extensions, and flavor line extensions possessed by Seller with respect to the Australian Bitters Company brand for sale and distribution of such Covered Product in the USA, its territories and possessions. The Buyer hereby agrees that in each Anniversary Year during the Term of this Agreement, the Buyer shall purchase Australian Bitters Company products at a fixed Price of USD$60.00 per case.
10.2 The Buyer further agrees that it shall sell and distribute Australian Bitters Company alcoholic products and liqueurs only in the USA, its territories and possession. If Buyer violates the provisions of this Section 10.2, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to it, the Seller may terminate this Agreement for Cause pursuant to Section 6.5.
10.3 Buyer shall have the sole and exclusive right to sell and distribute Australian Bitters Company alcoholic products and liqueurs in the USA, its territories and possession, using Amazon U.S.A. and other distribution channels.
10.4 To the extent available, the Buyer shall initially purchase all available inventory of Australian Bitters Company alcoholic products and liqueurs for distribution in the USA Territory from Europa Group USA, an importer and the exclusive brand distributor of Seller’s products in the USA. To the extent such inventory is not available from Europa Group USA, Buyer shall purchase such inventory directly from Seller in the amounts and at the Prices set forth in Section 10.1 above.
11. Compliance with Laws.
11.1 Compliance. Seller shall at all times comply with all Laws applicable to this Agreement, Seller’s operation of its business and the exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations hereunder. Without limitation of the foregoing, Seller shall ensure the Covered Products and any related packaging, conform fully to any applicable Law. Upon Buyer’s reasonable request, Seller shall provide Buyer with (a) written certification of Seller’s compliance with applicable Laws; (b) written certification of the origin of any ingredients or materials in the Covered Products; and (c) any additional information regarding the Covered Products requested by Buyer such that Buyer may comply in a timely manner with its obligations under Law.
11.2 Permits, Licenses, and Authorizations. Seller shall obtain and maintain all Permits necessary for the exercise of its rights and performance of Seller’s obligations under this Agreement, including any Permits required for the import of Covered Products or any raw materials and other manufacturing parts used in the production and manufacture of the Covered Products, and the shipment of hazardous materials, as applicable.
17
12. Representations and Warranties; Product Warranty.
12.1 Seller’s Representations and Warranties. Seller represents and warrants to Buyer
that:
(a) it is a private corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Australia;
(b) it is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is required for purposes of this Agreement , except where the failure to be so qualified, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(c) it has the full right, corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(d) the execution of this Agreement by its Representative whose signature is set forth at the end of this Agreement, and the delivery of this Agreement by Seller, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Seller;
(e) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by Seller will not violate, conflict with, require consent under or result in any breach or default under (i) any of Seller’s organizational documents (including its articles of incorporation and memorandum of incorporation), (ii) any applicable Law or (iii) with or without notice or lapse of time or both, the provisions of any material Seller Contract;
(f) this Agreement has been executed and delivered by Seller and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Buyer) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws and equitable principles related to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or the effect of general principles of equity;
(g) it is in material compliance with all applicable Laws and Seller Contracts relating to this Agreement, the Covered Products and the operation of its business (including all loan covenants and other financing obligations to which it is subject);
(h) it has obtained all material licenses, authorizations, approvals, consents or permits required by applicable Laws to conduct its business generally and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
(i) | it is not insolvent and is paying all of its debts as they become due; and |
(j) all financial information that it has provided to Buyer is true and accurate and fairly represents Seller’s financial condition, and has been prepared in accordance with GAAP, uniformly and consistently applied.
12.2 Buyer’s Representations and Warranties. Buyer represents and warrants to Seller
that:
(a) it is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
(b) it is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is required for purposes of this Agreement, except where the failure to be so qualified, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
18
(c) it has the full right, corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;
(d) the execution of this Agreement by its Representative whose signature is set forth at the end of this Agreement, and the delivery of this Agreement by Buyer, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer; and
(e) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by Buyer will not violate, conflict with, require consent under or result in any breach or default under (i) any of Buyer’s organizational documents (including its Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, (ii) any applicable Law or (iii) with or without notice or lapse of time or both, the provisions of any material Buyer Contract; and
(f) this Agreement has been executed and delivered by Buyer and (assuming due authorization, execution, and delivery by Seller) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws and equitable principles related to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or the effect of general principles of equity.
12.3 Product Warranty. Seller warrants to Buyer and any end users of the Covered Products that (the “Product Warranty”):
(a) for the period provided by applicable law[, or for such longer period as provided by Buyer to its customers or any end users], the Covered Products will:
(i) conform, in all material respects, to the Specifications/specifications, standards, drawings, samples, descriptions, quality requirements, performance requirements, statements of work, and fit, form and function requirements furnished, specified or approved by Buyer for the Covered Products;
(ii) | conform with Buyer’s quality standards; |
(iii) be merchantable (as such term is defined in the UCC) and free from defects, latent or otherwise, in design, materials, and workmanship;
(iv) | not infringe upon, violate or misappropriate the Intellectual |
Property Rights of any Person;
(v) be fit and sufficient for the particular purpose intended by Buyer and its customers, of which the Seller is aware (and Seller acknowledges that it knows of Buyer’s intended use of the Covered Products and that such Covered Products have been selected, designed, manufactured or assembled by Seller based upon Buyer’s stated use and will be fit and sufficient for the particular purposes intended by Buyer); and
(vi) | comply with all applicable Laws. |
19
(b) each of the Covered Products will be new and conveyed by Seller to Buyer with good title, free and clear of all Encumbrances.
12.4 Additional Terms. The Product Warranty (a) is in addition to all other warranties, express, implied, statutory and common law, (b) extends to the Covered Products’ future performance, (c) survives Seller’s delivery of the Covered Products, Buyer’s receipt, inspection, acceptance, use of the Covered Products and payment for the Covered Products, and the termination or expiration of this Agreement, (d) inures to the benefit of Buyer and its successors and assigns and the end users of Buyer’s Covered Products, and (e) may not be limited or disclaimed by Seller. Buyer’s approval of Seller’s Formulations and Specifications will not be construed to relieve Seller of any warranties. Any applicable statute of limitations on Buyer’s claims for breach of warranty will commence no earlier than the date on which Buyer discovers the breach.
12.5 Withdrawal or Recall of Covered Products. If Buyer, any of Buyer’s customers or any Governmental Authority determines that any Covered Products sold to Buyer are Defective and a recall campaign is necessary, Buyer will have the right to implement such recall campaign and return Defective Covered Products to Seller or destroy such Covered Products, as determined by Buyer in its reasonable discretion, at Seller’s sole cost and risk. If a recall campaign is implemented, at Buyer’s option and Seller’s sole cost, Seller shall promptly replace any Defective Covered Products and provide such replacement Covered Products to Buyer or Buyer’s designee. The foregoing will apply even if the Product Warranty and any other product warranty applicable to the Covered Products have expired. Seller will be liable for all of Buyer’s costs associated with any recall campaign if such recall campaign is based upon a reasonable determination that the Covered Products fail to conform to the warranties set forth in this Agreement. Where applicable, Seller shall pay all reasonable expenses associated with determining whether a recall campaign is necessary.
13. Indemnification.
13.1 Indemnification. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Seller (as “Indemnifying Party”) shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Buyer and its Representatives/officers, directors, employees, agents, Affiliates, successors and permitted assigns (collectively, “Indemnified Parties”) against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, fees and the costs of enforcing any right to indemnification under this Agreement and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers, incurred by any Indemnified Party (collectively, “Losses”), relating to/arising out or resulting from any third-party Claim or any direct Claim against Indemnifying Party alleging:
(a) a material breach or non-fulfillment of any of Indemnifying Party’s representations, warranties, or covenants set forth in this Agreement;
(b) any grossly negligent or more culpable act or omission of Indemnifying Party or any of its Representatives (including any recklessness or willful misconduct) in connection with Indemnifying Party’s performance under this Agreement;
(c) any bodily injury, death of any Person or damage to real or tangible personal property caused by the willful or negligent acts or omissions of Indemnifying Party or any of its Representatives; or
(d) any failure by Indemnifying Party or its Personnel to materially comply with any applicable Laws; or
20
(e) that any of Indemnifying Party’s Intellectual Property used in the design or production of the Covered Products, or that is embodied in the Covered Products, infringes any Intellectual Property Right of a third party; provided, however, that, without limitation of anything contained in Section 13.2, Indemnifying Party has no obligations under this Section 13.1(e) with respect to Claims to the extent arising out of:
(i) any Specifications, raw materials, manufacturing parts or other materials provided by any Indemnified Party;
(ii) Indemnified Party’s marketing, advertising, promotion or sale or any product containing the Covered Products;
(iii) use of the Covered Products, including use of the Covered Products in combination with any products, materials or equipment supplied to Buyer by a Person other than Indemnified Party or its authorized Representatives, if the infringement would have been avoided by the use of the Covered Products or use of the Covered Products not so combined;
(iv) any modifications or changes made to the Covered Products by or on behalf of any Person other than Indemnifying Party or its Representatives, if the infringement would have been avoided without such modification or change; or
(v) goods (including Covered Products), products or assemblies manufactured or designed by Indemnified Party.
13.2 Exceptions and Limitations on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Indemnifying Party is not obligated to indemnify or defend any Indemnified Party against any Claim or corresponding Losses resulting directly from, in whole or in part, Indemnified Party’s or its personnel, Representatives or Affiliates:
(a) gross negligence or more culpable act or omission (including recklessness or willful misconduct); or
(b) | bad faith failure to materially comply with any of its obligations set |
forth in this Agreement.
14. NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES. EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY FOR INDEMNIFICATION, LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY, OR LIABILITY FOR INFRINGEMENT OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR ENHANCED DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES OR DIMINUTION IN VALUE, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF
(A) WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE, (B) WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND (C) THE LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY (CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) UPON WHICH THE CLAIM IS BASED, AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF ANY AGREED OR OTHER REMEDY OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
21
15. Intellectual Property.
15.1 Ownership. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) Except for the license of certain Seller Intellectual Property to Buyer as contemplated by this Agreement, each Party retains exclusive ownership of its own Intellectual Property Rights;
(b) Buyer does not transfer to Seller any of its Intellectual Property Rights, and Seller may not use any of Buyer’s Intellectual Property Rights other than to produce and supply Covered Products to Buyer hereunder;
(c) Except for the license of certain Seller Intellectual Property to Buyer as contemplated by this Agreement (which shall immediately become Buyer Intellectual Property and shall survive the termination of this Agreement), Seller does not transfer to Buyer any of Seller’s Intellectual Property Rights, except that Seller grants to Buyer and its customers the right to resell Covered Products or incorporate Covered Products purchased from Seller into finished goods and to sell such finished goods to its customers; and
(d) Seller waives any claim against Buyer, including any hold-harmless or similar claim, whether known or unknown, contingent or latent, in any way related to a claim asserted against Seller or Buyer for infringement of any Seller Intellectual Property sold, transferred and assigned to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, all of which shall be deemed to be Buyer Intellectual Property for all purposes.
15.2 Prohibited Acts. Each of the Parties shall not:
(a) take any action that may interfere with the other Party’s Intellectual Property Rights, including such other Party’s ownership or exercise thereof;
(b) challenge any right, title or interest of the other Party in such other Party’s Intellectual Property
(c) | Rights; |
(d) make any claim or take any action adverse to such other Party’s ownership of its Intellectual Property Rights;
(e) register or apply for registrations, anywhere in the world, the other Party’s Trademarks or any other Trademark that is similar to such other Party’s Trademarks or that incorporates such Trademarks in whole or in confusingly similar part;
(f) | use any mark, anywhere, that is confusingly similar to the other Party’s |
Trademarks;
(g) misappropriate any of the other Party’s Trademarks for use as a domain name without such other Party’s prior written consent; or
(h) alter, obscure or remove any of the other Party’s Trademarks or trademark or copyright notices or any other proprietary rights notices placed on the products purchased under this Agreement (including Covered Products), marketing materials or other materials.
22
15.3 Perpetual License of Seller’s Intellectual Property Rights. Seller grants to Buyer an irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free and paid up license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use Seller’s Intellectual Property Rights to produce, use, sell and to obtain, from alternate sources, the Covered Products and products and services similar to the Covered Products (including Formulations) following the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement and in connection with Buyer’s rights hereunder to purchase Covered Products from an alternative source at any time during or subsequent to the expiration of the Term hereof or termination of this Agreement.
16. Seller’s Property. Unless otherwise agreed to by Buyer in writing, Seller, at its sole expense, shall furnish, keep in good condition, and replace when necessary all Equipment, tooling and other items of tangible personal property that is necessary or helpful for the production of the Covered Products (“Seller’s Property”). Seller shall insure Seller’s Property with full and extended coverage for all losses, for its full replacement value.
17. Inspection and Audit Rights. Seller hereby grants to Buyer, and each of its authorized Representatives, access to Seller’s premises (including Seller’s manufacturing operations used in production of the Covered Products) and all pertinent documents and other information, whether stored in tangible or intangible form, including any books, records, and accounts, in any way related to Seller’s performance under this Agreement (including Sellers’ processes and procedures), Covered Products, or any payment or other transaction occurring in connection with this Agreement, for the purpose of auditing Seller’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement and any other agreements between Buyer and Seller, including Seller’s charges for Covered Products, or inspecting or conducting an inventory of finished Covered Products, work-in-process or raw-material inventory or Bailed Property; provided that any physical inventory inspection may take place no more frequently than semi-annually. Seller agrees to cooperate fully with Buyer in connection with any such audit or inspection. Seller shall maintain, during the Term and for a period of three (3) years after the Term, complete and accurate books and records and any other financial information in accordance with GAAP. Seller shall segregate its records and otherwise cooperate with Buyer so as to facilitate any audit by Buyer. Seller shall reimburse Buyer for all amounts associated with errors discovered during an auditIf requested by Buyer, Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to permit Buyer and its Representatives to obtain from subcontractors or other suppliers to Seller the information and permission to conduct the reviews specified with respect to Seller in this Section 17.
18. Insurance. During the Term of this Agreement and for a period of three (3) years after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, Seller shall, at its own expense, maintain and carry in full force and effect, subject to appropriate levels of self-insurance, commercial general liability insurance (including product liability) in a sum no less than $2,000,000, all-risk property insurance covering all of Seller’s Property, including Equipment, for its full replacement value, and business interruption insurance; in each case, with financially sound and reputable insurers. Upon Buyer’s request, Seller shall provide Buyer with a certificate of insurance evidencing the insurance coverage specified in this Section. The certificate of insurance shall name Buyer as an additional insured and loss payee. Seller shall provide Buyer with thirty (30) days’ advance written notice in the event of a cancellation or material change in such insurance policy. Seller waives and Seller shall cause its insurers to waive, any right of subrogation or other recovery against Buyer, its Affiliates, and their insurers.
23
19. Miscellaneous.
19.1 Further Assurances. Upon a Party’s reasonable request, the other Party shall, at its sole cost and expense, execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments, and take all such further acts, necessary to give full effect to this Agreement.
19.2 Relationship of the Parties. The relationship between Seller and Buyer is solely that of vendor and vendee and they are independent contracting parties. Nothing in this Agreement creates any agency, joint venture, partnership or other form of joint enterprise, employment or fiduciary relationship between the Parties. Neither Party has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of or in the name of the other Party or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any third party.
19.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including and together with any related exhibits, schedules and the applicable terms of any Purchase Orders, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.
19.4 Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Parties contained herein will survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement; as well as any other provision that, in order to give proper effect to its intent, should survive such expiration or termination, will survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
19.5 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications under this Agreement (each, a “Notice”) must be in writing and addressed to the other Party at its address set forth below (or to such other address that the receiving Party may designate from time to time in accordance with this section). All Notices must be delivered by personal delivery, nationally recognized overnight courier or certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage prepaid). Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice by facsimile or email (with confirmation of transmission) will satisfy the requirements of this Section 19.5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Notice is effective only (a) on receipt by the receiving Party, and (b) if the Party giving the Notice has complied with the requirements of this Section.
Notice to Seller: | Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd. 29 Anvil Rd, Seven Hills, NSW 2147, Australia Attn: Sahil Beri, Director Email: sahil@australianboutiquespirits.com |
Notice to Buyer: | |
Elegance Brands, Inc. 9100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 362W Los Angeles, California 90212 Telephone (424) 313-7471 Attn: Raj Beri, Chief Executive Officer Email: raj@elegance-brands.com |
19.6 Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement: (a) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” is deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (b) the word “or” is not exclusive; (c) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole; (d) words denoting the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice-versa; and (e) words denoting any gender include all genders. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement: (x) to sections, exhibits, schedules, attachments, and appendices mean the sections of, and exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices attached to, this Agreement; (y) 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 (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. The Parties drafted this Agreement 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 exhibits, schedules, attachments, and appendices referred to herein are an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein.
24
19.7 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
19.8 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability does not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
19.9 Amendment and Modification. No amendment to or rescission, termination or discharge of this Agreement is effective unless it is in writing, identified as an amendment to or rescission, termination or discharge of this Agreement and signed by an authorized Representative of each Party.
19.10 Waiver.
(a) No waiver under this Agreement is effective unless it is in writing, identified as a waiver to this Agreement and signed by an authorized representative of the Party waiving its right.
(b) Any waiver authorized on one occasion is effective only in that instance and only for the purpose stated, and does not operate as a waiver on any future occasion.
(c) None of the following constitutes a waiver or estoppel of any right, remedy, power, privilege or condition arising from this Agreement:
(i) any failure or delay in exercising any right, remedy, power or privilege or in enforcing any condition under this Agreement; or
(ii) any act, omission or course of dealing between the Parties.
19.11 Cumulative Remedies. All rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive, and the exercise by either Party of any right or remedy does not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies that may now or subsequently be available at law, in equity, by statute, in any other agreement between the Parties or otherwise.
25
19.12 Assignment. Seller may not assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Buyer. Buyer may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations to any Person/any Affiliate or to any Person acquiring all or substantially all of Buyer’s assets or securities, whether by asset purchase, merger or like consolidation or combination. Any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Section is null and void. No assignment or delegation relieves the assigning or delegating Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
19.13 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is binding on and inures to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and permitted assigns.
19.14 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as otherwise contemplated by the indemnification provisions hereof with respect to the Indemnified Parties, this Agreement benefits solely the parties to this Agreement and their respective permitted successors and permitted assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, confers on any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. The Parties hereby designate each Indemnified Party as a third-party beneficiary of the Buyer Party and any end users of the Covered Products as third-party beneficiaries having the right to enforce the Indemnification provisions of this Agreement.
19.15 Dispute Resolution. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity hereof (each, a “Dispute”), shall be submitted for negotiation and resolution to the ABS Shareholder (or to such other person of equivalent position designated by Seller in a written Notice to Buyer) and the Chief Financial Officer of Buyer (or to such other person of equivalent or superior position designated by Buyer in a written Notice to Seller), by delivery of written Notice (each, a “Dispute Notice”) from either of the Parties to the other Party. Such persons shall negotiate in good faith to resolve the Dispute. If the Parties are unable to resolve any Dispute within 30 days days after delivery of the applicable Dispute Notice, either Party shall submit the Dispute to final and binding arbitration before a single arbitrator pursuant to the JAMS Dispute Resolution procedures. Such arbitration shall be held in Los Angeles, California and the final decision and award of the arbitrator may enforced in n a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of Section 19.17 hereunder.
19.16 Governing Law. This Agreement, including all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices attached hereto and thereto, and all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement, are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of California, United States of America, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. The Parties agree that the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Covered Products does not apply to this Agreement.
19.17 Choice of Forum. Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that the decision and award of the arbitrator shall be enforced in either or both of the United States District Court of the Southern District of California (Los Angeles) and in the Federal Court of Australia, and/or the Federal Circuit Court of Australia located in Sydney Australia (collectively, the “Approved Forums”). Each party agrees that it shall not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind whatsoever against the other Party in any way arising from or relating to this Agreement, including all exhibits, schedules, attachments and appendices attached hereto and thereto, and all contemplated transactions, including contract, equity, tort, fraud, and statutory claims, in any forum other than the Approved Forums, and any appellate court from any thereof. Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Approved Forums. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding is conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.
26
19.18 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy that may arise under this Agreement, including any exhibits, schedules, attachments, and appendices attached to this Agreement, is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any exhibits, schedules, attachments, and appendices attached to this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Party certifies and acknowledges that (a) no Representative of the other Party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other Party would not seek to enforce the foregoing waiver in the event of a legal action, (b) such Party has considered the implications of this waiver, (c) such Party makes this waiver voluntarily, and (d) such Party has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section.
19.19 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is deemed an original, but all of which together is deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission is deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement, if the party sending such facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission has received express confirmation that the recipient party received the Agreement (not merely an electronic facsimile confirmation or automatic email reply).
19.20 Force Majeure. Any delay or failure of either Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement will be excused to the extent that the delay or failure was caused directly by an event beyond such Party’s control, without such Party’s fault or negligence and that by its nature could not have been foreseen by such Party or, if it could have been foreseen, was unavoidable (which events may include natural disasters, embargoes, explosions, riots, wars or acts of terrorism) (each, a “Force Majeure Event”). Seller’s financial inability to perform, changes in cost or availability of materials, components or services, market conditions or supplier actions or contract disputes will not excuse performance by Seller under this Section 19.20. Seller shall give Buyer prompt written notice of any event or circumstance that is reasonably likely to result in a Force Majeure Event and the anticipated duration of such Force Majeure Event. Seller shall use all diligent efforts to end the Force Majeure Event, ensure that the effects of any Force Majeure Event are minimized and resume full performance under this Agreement. During any Force Majeure Event, Buyer may, at its option (a) purchase Covered Products from other sources and reduce the quantities hereunder by such quantities without liability to Seller, and require Seller to reimburse Buyer for any additional costs to Buyer of obtaining the substitute goods compared to the Prices for such Covered Products under this Agreement, (b) require Seller to deliver to Buyer all finished Covered Products, work in process or parts and materials produced or acquired for work under this Agreement, or (c) require Seller to provide Covered Products from other sources in quantities and at a time requested by Buyer and at the Prices for the Covered Products hereunder. If requested by Buyer, Seller shall, within 30 days of such request, provide adequate assurances that a Force Majeure Event will not exceed 90 days. If the delay lasts more than such 90-day period, or if Seller does not provide such adequate assurances, Buyer may immediately terminate this Agreement without any liability to Seller. The rights granted to Seller with respect to excused delays under this Section 19.20 are intended to limit Seller’s rights under theories of force majeure, commercial impracticability, impracticability or impossibility of performance, or failure of presupposed conditions or otherwise, including any rights arising under Section 2-615 or 2-616 of the UCC.
27
Balance of page intentionally left blank – signature page follows
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first above written
BUYER: | |
Elegance Brands, Inc. | |
By: /s/ Ram Venkat | |
Name: Ram Venkat | |
Title: Chief Financial Officer | |
SELLER: | |
Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd | |
/s/ Sahil Beri | |
Name: Sahil Beri | |
Title: Director | |
Address: 1 Doris Hirst Pl, West Pennant Hills, | |
Sydney, Australia 2125 |
28
EXHIBIT 10.16
EXHIBIT 10.17
Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement
his Termination of BevMart Agreement and Amendment to Manufacturing Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2021 (the “Agreement”), is entered into by and among:
A. | Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd., an Australian private company, no. 625 701 420 (“ABS”) having its principal place of business located at29 Anvil rd, Seven Hills, NSW, Australia 2147; and |
B. | Elegance Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Elegance”) having its principal place of business located at 9100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 362W, Los Angeles, California 90212. |
ABS and Elegance are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “Parties”, and each, a “Party”.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, as of December 31, 2020 Elegance and ABS entered into a Management, Supply and License Agreement regarding certain “Covered Products” (defined therein) to be sold under a website created by Elegance known as BevMart.com.au which was intended to be a direct to consumer online only retail store for alcoholic beverages in Australia (the “BevMart Agreement”);
WHEREAS, ABS and Elegance have entered into the Manufacturing Agreement (defined below) pursuant to which ABS manufactures and sells the Covered Products to Elegance;
WHEREAS, the Parties have entered into the Share Purchase Termination Agreement (defined below); and
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Elegance (Amit Raj Beri abstaining) believes it is in the best interest of Elegance to terminate the BevMart Agreement and amend the Manufacturing Agreement pursuant to this Agreement,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms, and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions. In addition to other terms defined in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth or referred to in this Section 1.
ABS Shareholder” shall mean Amit Raj Beri.
“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.
“BevMart Brands” means the individual brands and line extensions of the following alcoholic product brands developed by Elegance for sale on Elegance’s BevMart Website: (a) Cheeky Vodka and flavor variants. (b) Coventry Estate Gin and flavor variants, (c) Geo Liqueurs in multiple variants, (d) Cheeky Espresso Martini in multiple variants., and (e) all future brands developed by Elegance which ABS determines to offer for sale on the BevMart Website.
“BevMart Business” shall mean the business of owning and operating the BevMart Website and selling direct to customers online all and not less than all of the BevMart Brands.
“BevMart Website” shall mean BevMart.com.au and any other internet website established by the Elegance to enable BevMart to market online the BevMart Brands and Australian Bitters Company in Australia.
“Covered Products” means the individual and collective reference to (a) the alcoholic drinks and Formulations sold as (i) each of the BevMart Brands, (ii) Bitter Tales, (iii) Cocktail Bitters, (iv) VOCO and (v) Australian Bitters Company, and as otherwise identified on Schedule 1 to the Manufacturing Agreement.
“Elegance Royalty” shall mean a royalty payable to Elegance of 2.5% of the net retail sales price of each of the BevMart Brands, including the Exclusive BevMart Brands, that are sold to customers from the BevMart Website.
“Manufacturing Agreement” shall mean the manufacturing supply and license agreement, dated as of July 31, 2020, as amended on March 27, 2021, between ABS, as “Seller” of Covered Products and Elegance as “Buyer” of Covered Products, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time.
“Share Purchase Agreement” means the share purchase agreement among ABS and Elegance and Amit Raj Beri, as the sole shareholder of ABS (the “ABS Shareholder”), dated December 3, 2019, as amended and restated in its entirety on April 8, 2020 and as amended on May 19, 2020 as further amended on July 27, 2020 and as further amended on December 11, 2020, pursuant to which, subject to the conditions set forth therein, ABS Shareholder agreed to sell and Elegance has agreed to purchase, 100% of the share capital of ABS.
“Share Purchase Termination Agreement” shall mean the termination agreement dated as of December 31, 2020, as amended on June 4, 2021, pursuant to which ABS, Elegance and the ABS Shareholder have agreed to terminate the Share Purchase Agreement and all of the transactions contemplated thereby.
“VOCO” means the acronym for the brand known as Vodka Coconut Water Ready to Drink that is owned by ABS.
2. Ratification of the Share Purchase Termination Agreement. The Parties hereto do hereby ratify the termination of the Share Purchase Agreement and to hereby confirm the terms of the Share Purchase Termination Agreement and the repayment to Elegance of the “Deposit” defined therein, as contemplated by the Termination Agreement Amendment 1 dated June 4, 2021.
3. Termination of BevMart Agreement.
3.1 In consideration for the payment set forth in Section 3(b) below, the Parties hereto do hereby agree to terminate the BevMart Agreement in all respects, as a result of which Elegance hereby waives any right to receive the Elegance Royalty and ABS shall have the sole and exclusive right to own and operate the BevMart Website, produce the BevMart Brands and engage in the BevMart Business in Australia.
3.2 In consideration of the provisions of Section 3.1, on or before 30 days from execution of this Agreement, ABS shall pay to Elegance the sum of (USD)$ 188,630.41, representing 100% of the
2 |
fully burdened costs and expenses incurred by Elegance, to date, in developing the BevMart Website and developing and creating the formulations for the BevMart Brands.
4. Amendments to Manufacturing Agreement.
4.1 The Manufacturing Agreement is hereby amended, to the extent that Elegance agrees to terminate the “Australis Gin” project and brand and also sell any and all development costs on such product incurred to date to ABS. As such the definition of “Covered Products” set forth in Schedule 1 to the Manufacturing Agreement shall no longer include the “Australis Gin” beverage and brand. In consideration of the provisions of this Section 4.1, on or before 30 days from execution of this Agreement, ABS shall pay to Elegance the sum of (USD)$ 42,500, representing 100% of the fully burdened costs and expenses incurred by Elegance, to date, in developing the “Australis Gin” beverage and brand.
4.2 The provisions of Section 5.3 of the Manufacturing Agreement (Earned Credits) are hereby deleted in its entirety and are replaced with the following:
“5.3 Earned Credit” The Parties hereto acknowledge that the Prior Share Purchase Agreements contemplated that in the event that for any reason the acquisition of ABS contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreements was not consummated, the Seller would be obligated to refund to Elegance the full amount of the Deposit. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
Amit Raj Beri (the “Seller”) hereby commits to return the $1,462,500 balance of the Deposit to Elegance in the manner provided in this Section 5.3 (the “Deposit Repayment”). Elegance hereby agrees to treat the amount of the $1,462,500 Deposit as a potential of up-to $1,462,500 advance and repayment commitment by the Seller through ABS by discounts on anticipated Purchase Orders it may provide to ABS in connection with Elegance’s purchases of Covered Products in 2021. As Purchase Orders are issued to ABS by Elegance under this Agreement, the Purchase Orders must be accepted by ABS and any Deposit Repayment amount must be approved by the Seller. Subject to such acceptance by ABS and approval by the Seller, at the time ABS issues an invoice to Elegance, twenty-five percent (25%) of the applicable Prices for the Covered Products as set forth in each Elegance Purchase Order and ABS invoice shall be deemed to be a credit granted to Elegance in respect of such purchases of Covered Products (the “Earned Credit”) and such Earned Credit shall reduce by a corresponding dollar amount the Deposit Amount. By their execution of this Agreement, ABS and the Seller each agree to treat the Deposit paid to the ABS Shareholder under the Prior Share Purchase Agreement as a prepayment and Earned Credit against Elegance’s purchases of Covered Products in 2021. For example, if Elegance purchases from ABS $800,000 of Covered Products, the $1,462,500 balance of the Deposit shall be deemed to have been reduced by $200,000, which shall be the repayment amount applicable to such invoice.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary express or implied, contained in the Share Purchase Agreement and in this Section 5.3 above, in the event that the remaining Deposit balance of $1,462,500 is not repaid via Covered Products discounts as set out in this Section 5.3 by the close of business (Pacific time) on December 31, 2021, the Seller shall immediately pay to Elegance in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the difference between (a) $1,462,500 less any further amounts returned to Elegance by the Seller, and (b) the total amount of Earned Credits received by Elegance in 2021.”
4.3 The provisions of Section 9.3 of the Manufacturing Agreement are hereby deleted in its entirety and are replaced with the following:
3 |
“9.3 With respect to the VOCO brand of alcoholic products owned by ABS, as of the Effective Date, ABS hereby grants to Elegance for the sum of (USD) $200,000, in lieu of all current and future 10% royalties due, a paid-up royalty free exclusive right and license during the Term of this Agreement, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use the ABS Intellectual Property and all existing Formulations owned by ABS to make, use and sell the VOCO brand of alcoholic products in the United States, its territories and possessions. In the event Elegance shall, during the Term of this Agreement, seek to create any new VOCO Formulations and brands for sale, subject at all times to the prior written approval of ABS (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) Elegance shall retain the new Formulations and related Intellectual Property relating to such new VOCO brands for the duration of this Agreement.”
4.4 The provisions of Section 8.3 of the Manufacturing Agreement are hereby deleted in its entirety and are replaced with the following:
“8.3 As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, ABS shall sell to Elegance, and Elegance shall purchase from ABS, all right, title and interest in and to all ABS Intellectual Property and each of the Formulations for the Twisted Shaker brand of Covered Products possessed by ABS, in consideration for the payment by August 15, 2020, of USD $10,000 for each of the Formulations possessed by ABS with respect to such brand of Covered Products. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Elegance hereby grants to ABS a paid-up royalty free non-exclusive right and license during the Term of this Agreement, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use the ABS Intellectual Property owned by Elegance and all existing Formulations to make, use and sell the Twisted Shaker brand of alcoholic products throughout the world, other than in the United States, its territories and possessions; which rights shall be retained exclusively by Elegance. “
4.5 Except as amended pursuant to this Agreement, all of the terms and conditions of the Manufacturing Agreement, as amended to date are hereby deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement by this reference as though more fully set forth at length herein.
5. Miscellaneous.
5.1 Further Assurances. Upon a Party’s reasonable request, the other Party shall, at its sole cost and expense, execute and deliver all such further documents and instruments, and take all such further acts, necessary to give full effect to this Agreement.
5.2 Relationship of the Parties. The relationship between ABS, BevMart and Elegance is solely that of vendor and vendee and they are independent contracting parties. Nothing in this Agreement creates any agency, joint venture, partnership or other form of joint enterprise, employment or fiduciary relationship between the Parties. No Party has any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of or in the name of the other Party or to bind the other Party to any contract, agreement or undertaking with any third party.
5.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Manufacturing Agreement, including and together with any related exhibits, schedules and the applicable terms of any Purchase Orders, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter.
5.4 Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Parties contained herein will survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement; as well as any other provision that, in order to give proper effect to its
4 |
intent, should survive such expiration or termination, will survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
5.5 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications under this Agreement (each, a “Notice”) must be in writing and addressed to the other Party at its address set forth below (or to such other address that the receiving Party may designate from time to time in accordance with this section). All Notices must be delivered by personal delivery, nationally recognized overnight courier or certified or registered mail (in each case, return receipt requested, postage prepaid). Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice by facsimile or email (with confirmation of transmission) will satisfy the requirements of this Section 6.5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Notice is effective only (a) on receipt by the receiving Party, and (b) if the Party giving the Notice has complied with the requirements of this Section.
Notice to ABS: | Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd. |
29 Anvil Rd, Seven Hills, | |
NSW 2147, Australia | |
Attn: Sahil Beri, Director | |
Email: sahil@australianboutiquespirits.com | |
Notice to Elegance: | |
Elegance Brands, Inc. | |
9100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 362W | |
Los Angeles, California 90212 | |
Telephone (424) 313-7471 | |
Attn: Raj Beri, Chief Executive Officer | |
Email: raj@elegance-brands.com |
Balance of page intentionally left blank – signature page follows
5 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first above written.
Elegance Brands, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Amit Raj Beri | |
Name: | Amit Raj Beri | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd | ||
By: | /s/ Sahil Beri | |
Name: | Sahil Beri | |
Title: | Director | |
Address: | 1 Doris Hirst Pl, West Pennant Hills, | |
Sydney, Australia 2125 |
6
EXHIBIT 10.18
EXHIBIT 10.19
INNOVATION BEVERAGE GROUP LIMITED
2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
As adopted by the Board of Directors on April 28, 2022.
1. Purpose; Eligibility.
1.1 General Purpose. The name of this plan is the Innovation Beverage Group Limited 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable Innovation Beverage Group Limited, an Australian public limited company (the “Company”), and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Directors with those of the shareholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.
1.2 Eligible Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors after the receipt of Awards.
1.3 Available Awards. Awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Awards, (e) Performance Share Awards, (f) Cash Awards, and (g) Other Equity-Based Awards.
2. Definitions.
“Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.
“Applicable Laws” means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.
“Award” means any right granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Award, a Performance Share Award, a Cash Award, or an Other Equity-Based Award.
“Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.
“Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash that is granted under Section 0 of the Plan.
1
“Cause” means:
With respect to any Employee or Consultant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise:
(a) If the Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause, the definition contained therein; or
(b) If no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause: (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Company or an Affiliate negative publicity or into public disgrace, embarrassment, or disrepute; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (iv) material violation of state or federal securities laws; or (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct.
With respect to any Director, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Director has engaged in any of the following:
(a) malfeasance in office;
(b) gross misconduct or neglect;
(c) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the director’s appointment;
(d) willful conversion of corporate funds; or
(e) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.
The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.
“Change in Control” means:
(a) if the Award is not subject to Section 409A of the Code:
(i) The direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person that is not a subsidiary of the Company;
(ii) The Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;
(iii) The date which is 10 business days prior to the consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
2
(iv) The acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% (on a fully diluted basis) of either (i) the then outstanding shares of Ordinary Shares of the Company, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Ordinary Shares (the “Outstanding Company Ordinary Shares”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary, (C) any acquisition which complies with clauses, (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (e) of this definition or (D) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant); or
(v) The consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company that requires the approval of the Company’s shareholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a “Business Combination”), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of (A) the entity resulting from such Business Combination (the “Surviving Company”), or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of sufficient voting securities eligible to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Company”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination; (ii) no Person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors of the Parent Company (or the analogous governing body) (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company); and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination; or
(b) | if the Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code: |
(i) One Person (or more than one Person acting as a group) acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, that, a Change in Control shall not occur if any Person (or more than one Person acting as a group) owns more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Company’s stock and acquires additional stock;
(ii) One person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) ownership of the Company’s stock possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation;
3
(iii) A majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election; or
(iv) One person (or more than one person acting as a group), acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition(s).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 0 and Section 0.
“Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares, no par value per share, of the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.
“Consultant” means any individual or entity which performs bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee or Director, and who may be offered securities registerable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
“Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Awards, and such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.
“Deferred Stock Units (DSUs)” has the meaning set forth in Section 0 hereof.
“Director” means a member of the Board.
“Disability” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement says otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment; provided, however, for purposes of determining the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 0 hereof, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 0 hereof within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.
4
“Disqualifying Disposition” has the meaning set forth in Section 0.
“Effective Date” shall mean the date as of which this Plan is adopted by the Board.
“Employee” means any person, including an Officer or Director, employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that, for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Ordinary Shares as determined below. If the Ordinary Shares is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a share of Ordinary Shares (or if no sales were reported the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. In the absence of an established market for the Ordinary Shares, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
“Fiscal Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.
“Free Standing Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 0.
“Good Reason” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise:
(a) If an Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Good Reason, the definition contained therein; or
(b) If no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define Good Reason, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Participant’s express written consent, which circumstances are not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days of its receipt of a written notice from the Participant describing the applicable circumstances (which notice must be provided by the Participant within ninety (90) days of the Participant’s knowledge of the applicable circumstances):
(i) any material, adverse change in the Participant’s duties, responsibilities, authority, title, status or reporting structure;
(ii) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary or bonus opportunity; or
(iii) a geographical relocation of the Participant’s principal office location by more than fifty (50) miles.
“Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.
5
“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.
“Incumbent Directors” means individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board, provided that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director. No individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director.
“Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.
“Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
“Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.
“Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
“Option Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Ordinary Shares may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option.
“Other Equity-Based Award” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, or Performance Share Award that is granted under Section 0 and is payable by delivery of Ordinary Shares and/or which is measured by reference to the value of Ordinary Shares.
“Participant” means an eligible person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
“Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon business criteria or other performance measures determined by the Committee in its discretion.
“Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Share Award or a Cash Award.
“Performance Share Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 0 hereof.
6
“Performance Share” means the grant of a right to receive a number of actual shares of Ordinary Shares or share units based upon the performance of the Company during a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.
“Permitted Transferee” means:
(a) a member of the Optionholder’s immediate family (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 Optionholder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Optionholder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Optionholder) own more than 50% of the voting interests; and
(b) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion.
“Person” means a person as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
“Plan” means this Innovation Beverage Group Limited 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.
“Related Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 0.
“Restricted Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 0.
“Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 0.
“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 0 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Ordinary Shares on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.
“Substitute Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 0.
“Ten Percent Shareholder” means a person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.
“Total Share Reserve” has the meaning set forth in Section 0.
3. Administration.
3.1 Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or, in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:
(a) to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;
7
(b) to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;
(c) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;
(d) to delegate its authority to one or more Officers of the Company with respect to Awards that do not involve “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act;
(e) to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date;
(f) from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those eligible Award recipients to whom Awards shall be granted;
(g) to determine the number of shares of Ordinary Shares to be made subject to each Award;
(h) to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option;
(i) to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant;
(j) to determine the target number of Performance Shares to be granted pursuant to a Performance Share Award, the performance measures that will be used to establish the Performance Goals, the Performance Period(s) and the number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant;
(k) to amend any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting, or the term of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;
(l) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;
(m) to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;
(n) to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; and
(o) to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
8
Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares), the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights without stockholder approval.
3.2 Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.
3.3 Delegation. The Committee or, if no Committee has been appointed, the Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated. The Committee shall have the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board or the Committee shall thereafter be to the committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members in substitution therefor, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a Committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members, whether present or not, or by the written consent of the majority of its members and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board. Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Plan and the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable.
3.4 Committee Composition. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3. However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a compensation committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.
3.5 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.
9
4. Shares Subject to the Plan.
4.1 Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 0, no more than 3,400,000 shares of Ordinary Shares shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan (the “Total Share Reserve”). In addition, subject to adjustment provided in Section 14, the Total Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of each calendar year, for the period beginning on April 29, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2030 (each, an “Evergreen Date”) in an amount equal to 20% of the total number of shares of the Company’s ordinary shares outstanding on December 31st of the immediately preceding the applicable Evergreen Date (the “Evergreen Increase”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the Evergreen Date of a given year to provide that there will be no Evergreen Increase for such year, or that the Evergreen Increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of the Company’s ordinary shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. During the terms of the Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Ordinary Shares required to satisfy such Awards.
4.2 Shares of Ordinary Shares available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.
4.3 Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 0, no more than 3,400,000 shares of Ordinary Shares may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the “ISO Limit”).
4.4 Any shares of Ordinary Shares subject to an Award that expires or is cancelled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of shares of Ordinary Shares to which the Award related shall again be available for issuance of Awards or delivery under the Plan. Any shares of Ordinary Shares subject to an Award under the Plan that are (a) tendered in payment of an Option, (b) delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award shall be added back to the shares of Ordinary Shares available for issuance of Awards or delivery under the Plan and, to the extent permitted under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to the shares of Ordinary Shares that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options.
4.5 Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Total Share Reserve; provided, that, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be counted against the ISO limit. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a shareholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect such acquisition or transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not count toward the Total Share Limit.
5. Eligibility.
5.1 Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Directors and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors following the Grant Date.
5.2 Ten Percent Shareholders. A Ten Percent Shareholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares on the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.
10
6. Options. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 0, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Ordinary Shares purchased on exercise of each type of Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time or if an Option is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:
6.1 Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 0 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date. The term of a Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Non-qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.
6.2 Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 0 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
6.3 Exercise Price of a Non-qualified Stock Option. The Option Exercise Price of each Non-qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
6.4 Consideration. The Option Exercise Price of Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (a) in cash or by certified or bank check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve, the Option Exercise Price may be paid: (i) by delivery to the Company of other Ordinary Shares, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific shares of Ordinary Shares that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of shares of Ordinary Shares equal to the difference between the number of shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation shares of Ordinary Shares; (ii) a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker; (iii) by reduction in the number of shares of Ordinary Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise; (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the exercise price of Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery (or attestation) to the Company of other Ordinary Shares acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Ordinary Shares of the Company that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period for which the Ordinary Shares is publicly traded (i.e., the Ordinary Shares is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system) an exercise by a Director or Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited with respect to any Award under this Plan.
11
6.5 Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
6.6 Transferability of a Non-qualified Stock Option. A Non-qualified Stock Option may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee, upon written approval by the Committee to the extent provided in the Award Agreement. If the Non-qualified Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the Non-qualified Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.
6.7 Vesting of Options. Each Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. No Option may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Ordinary Shares. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.
6.8 Termination of Continuous Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Committee, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.
6.9 Extension of Termination Date. An Optionholder’s Award Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of shares of Ordinary Shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the term of the Option in accordance with Section 0 or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements.
6.10 Disability of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following such termination or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.
12
6.11 Death of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Optionholder’s death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.
6.12 Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Ordinary Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options.
7. Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 0, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in tandem with an Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”).
7.1 Grant Requirements for Related Rights. Any Related Right that relates to a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted.
7.2 Term. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date.
7.3 Vesting of SARs. Each Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Stock Appreciation Right may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Stock Appreciation Rights may vary. No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for a fraction of a share of Ordinary Shares. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Stock Appreciation Right upon the occurrence of a specified event.
7.4 Exercise and Payment. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Ordinary Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Ordinary Shares on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right or related Option. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of shares of Ordinary Shares (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.
13
7.5 Exercise Price. The exercise price of a Free Standing Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Ordinary Shares on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right. A Related Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option; provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per share of Ordinary Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements of Section 7.1 are satisfied.
7.6 Reduction in the Underlying Option Shares. Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of shares of Ordinary Shares for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of shares of Ordinary Shares for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of shares of Ordinary Shares for which such Option has been exercised.
8. Restricted Awards. A Restricted Award is an Award of actual shares of Ordinary Shares (“Restricted Stock”) or hypothetical Ordinary Shares units (“Restricted Stock Units”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Ordinary Shares, which may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “Restricted Period”) as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 0, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.
8.1 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Each Participant granted Restricted Stock shall execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock. If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends; provided that, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Ordinary Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.
14
(b) The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No shares of Ordinary Shares shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside funds for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock Units with a deferral feature, whereby settlement is deferred beyond the vesting date until the occurrence of a future payment date or event set forth in an Award Agreement (“Deferred Stock Units”). At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (representing one share of Ordinary Shares) may be credited with an amount equal to the cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one share of Ordinary Shares (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents shall be withheld by the Company and credited to the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents credited to the Participant’s account at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Ordinary Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may, if so determined by the Committee, be deemed re-invested in additional Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Ordinary Shares on the applicable dividend payment date and rounded down to the nearest whole share.
8.2 Restrictions.
(a) Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant shall be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate; (B) the shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such shares are forfeited, the stock certificates shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a shareholder with respect to such shares shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.
(b) Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units awarded to any Participant shall be subject to (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(c) The Committee shall have the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate.
8. 3 Restricted Period. With respect to Restricted Awards, the Restricted Period shall commence on the Grant Date and end at the time or times set forth on a schedule established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement. No Restricted Award may be granted or settled for a fraction of a share of Ordinary Shares. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.
15
8.4 Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in Section 0 and the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, or at the expiration of the deferral period with respect to any outstanding Deferred Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Ordinary Shares for each such outstanding vested Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (“Vested Unit”) and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit in accordance with Section 0 hereof and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Ordinary Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Ordinary Shares in lieu of delivering only shares of Ordinary Shares for Vested Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Ordinary Shares, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Ordinary Shares as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed in the case of Restricted Stock Units, or the delivery date in the case of Deferred Stock Units, with respect to each Vested Unit.
8.5 Stock Restrictions. Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate.
9. Performance Share Awards. Each Performance Share Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Performance Share Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 0, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine: (i) the number of shares of Ordinary Shares or stock-denominated units subject to a Performance Share Award granted to any Participant; (ii) the Performance Period applicable to any Award; (iii) the conditions that must be satisfied for a Participant to earn an Award; and (iv) the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.
9.1 Earning Performance Share Awards. The number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.
10. Other Equity-Based Awards and Cash Awards. The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Each Equity-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and shall be subject to such conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may grant Cash Awards in such amounts and subject to such Performance Goals, other vesting conditions, and such other terms as the Committee determines in its discretion. Cash Awards shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine.
11. Securities Law Compliance. Each Award Agreement shall provide that no shares of Ordinary Shares shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (a) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Ordinary Shares under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Ordinary Shares upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.
16
12. Use of Proceeds from Stock. Proceeds from the sale of Ordinary Shares pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, shall constitute general funds of the Company.
13. Miscellaneous.
13.1 Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
13.2 Shareholder Rights. Except as provided in the Plan, no Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Ordinary Shares subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for, nor shall any Participant be entitled to receive, any dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the certificate representing Ordinary Shares issuable pursuant to an Award is actually issued, except as provided in Section 0 hereof.
13.3 No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the By-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.
13.4 Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer of employment to the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) 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 reemployment 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 Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.
13.5 Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Ordinary Shares under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Ordinary Shares from the shares of Ordinary Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Ordinary Shares under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Ordinary Shares are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); or (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Ordinary Shares of the Company.
17
14. Adjustments upon Changes in Stock. In the event of changes in the outstanding Ordinary Shares or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, an extraordinary corporate transaction such as any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange, or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the Grant Date of any Award, Awards granted under the Plan and any Award Agreements, the exercise price of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the Performance Goals to which Performance Share Awards and Cash Awards are subject, the maximum number of shares of Ordinary Shares subject to all Awards stated in Section 0 will be equitably adjusted or substituted, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Ordinary Shares or other consideration subject to such Awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of such Award. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 0, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 0 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and in the case of Non-qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 0 will not constitute a modification of such Non-qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 0 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.
15. Effect of Change in Control.
15.1 Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary:
(a) In the event of a Change in Control, all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or the Restricted Period shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the outstanding shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.
(b) With respect to Performance Share Awards and Cash Awards, in the event of a Change in Control, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions will be deemed met.
15.2 In addition, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may in its discretion and upon at least 10 days’ advance notice to the affected persons, cancel any outstanding Awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards based upon the price per share of Ordinary Shares received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in the event. In the case of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price (or SAR Exercise Price in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right) that equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Ordinary Shares in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option or Stock Appreciation Right without the payment of consideration therefor.
15.3 The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole.
18
16. Amendment of the Plan and Awards.
16.1 Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 0 relating to adjustments upon changes in Ordinary Shares and Section 0, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the shareholders of the Company to the extent shareholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on shareholder approval.
16.2 Shareholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for shareholder approval.
16.3 Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.
16.4 No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.
16.5 Amendment of Awards. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.
17. General Provisions.
17.1 Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.
17.2 Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in accordance with any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time (“Clawback Policy”). In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Clawback Policy. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by the Clawback Policy, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements).
17.3 Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
19
17.4 Sub-Plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.
17.5 Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of shares of Ordinary Shares or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program. Any such deferral program must comply with Section 409A.
17.6 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.
17.7 Recapitalizations. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions required to reflect the provisions of Section 0.
17.8 Delivery. Upon exercise of a right granted under this Plan, the Company shall issue Ordinary Shares or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.
17.9 No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Ordinary Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Ordinary Shares or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
17.10 Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.
17.11 Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.
20
17.12 Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of shares of Ordinary Shares acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Ordinary Shares acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “Disqualifying Disposition”) shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Ordinary Shares.
17.13 Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 0, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.
17.14 Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.
17.15 Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.
17.16 Severability. If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.
17.17 Headings. The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.
17.18 Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.
17.19 Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date, but no Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock Award, shall be granted) unless and until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
17.20 Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate automatically on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but (subject to Sections 0, 0 and 0) Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 0 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
17.21 Choice of Law. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules.
21
EXHIBIT 14
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
29 Anvil Road
SEVEN HILLS NSW 2147
Ph: 02 9620 4574
ABN: 44 625 701 420
CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT
1. Introduction.
1.1 The Board of Directors of Innovation Beverage Group Pty Limited (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) has adopted this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code”) in order to:
(a) ensure a high standard of business conduct and outline the minimum standard of behavior expected from those covered;
(b) promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;
(c) 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”), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) and any other relevant regulatory body, and in other public communications made by the Company;
(d) promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
(e) promote the protection of Company assets, including corporate opportunities and confidential information;
(f) promote fair dealing practices;
(g) deter wrongdoing; and
(h) ensure accountability for adherence to the Code.
1.2 All directors, officers and employees are required to be familiar with the Code, comply with its provisions and report any suspected violations as described below in Section 12, Reporting and Enforcement.
1.3 The Code applies at work and to work related events and out-of-hours activities that are connected to employment or work with the Company.
1.4 All directors, officers and employees must comply with the Code together with policies and any standards, processes and procedures which relate to their daily business activities.
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, observe the highest ethical standards of business conduct and conduct themselves with openness, honesty, fairness and integrity 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.
2.3 Each director, officer and employee is expected to treat everyone else with whom they interact in their work with courtesy and respect.
2.4 Each director, officer and employee is expected to comply with all laws that govern operations of the Company and the policies that the Company adopts from time to time.
2.5 The Company expects to compete fairly and ethically for all business opportunities. Directors, officers and employees involved in the negotiation of agreements and contracts must ensure that they act in accordance with all applicable laws. All appropriate approvals must be obtained before contracts are executed. The Company is committed to meeting its contractual obligations.
2.6 A safe and healthy work environment is the responsibility of every director, officer and employee. This obligation includes responsible behavior with respect to the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco when conducting business and at sponsored activities. Smoking and the use of recreational or non-prescription drugs is not permitted on the Company premises.
2.7 The Company actively supports the principle of equal employment opportunity and expects its directors, officers and employees to practise and support this principle. The policy of the Company is to ensure that is does not engage in discriminatory practices and to make employment and career decisions on the basis of each individual’s ability, performance, experience and requirements of the Company.
2.8 The Company regards personal, physical or sexual harassment as unacceptable. The Company expects and requires its directors, officers and employees to comply with Occupational Health and Safety laws and relevant policies.
3. Modern Slavery Policy.
3.1 The Company is committed to respecting and supporting the dignity, well-being and human rights of its employees and those who it engages with through its supply chain. This Modern Slavery Policy affirms the Company’s commitment to contribute to ending all forms of modern slavery and outlines its approach to reducing the risk of modern slavery practices within its supply chains and operations.
3.2 The Company seeks to utilize ethical suppliers and expects their support in the identification of modern slavery risks throughout its supply chain.
3.3 Modern slavery describes situations where coercion, threats or deception are used to exploit individuals and undermine or deprive them of their freedom. It takes various forms such as:
(a) slavery, servitude (coercing someone to provide services) and compulsory labor;
(b) human trafficking (arranging or facilitating the travel or movement of a victim with a view to them being exploited);
(c) committing any offence with the intention to commit human trafficking or modern-day slavery; and
(d) aiding, abetting, counselling or producing any of the above offences.
3
3.4 The Company is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business dealings and to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in its business or its supply chains. The Company will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that all directors, officers and employees are not engaging in activities as described in this Section 3 of this Code.
3.5 Should the Company become aware of any activity, it will develop an action plan to eradicate the practice in a transparent, timely and efficient manner. Should the supplier be uncooperative, the appropriate action will be taken, including terminating the business relationship, if necessary, by the Company.
3.6 The Company is committed to ensuring adherence to this Modern Slavery Policy as part of its goal in preventing, detecting and reporting modern slavery in any part of its supply chain. All directors, officers and employees must avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this Modern Slavery Policy. Any suspected instances of modern slavery should be reported.
3.7 Employees may report to their immediate supervisors. Staff and other reporting persons external to the Company may also report using the contact details set out at Schedule 1 of the Company’s Whistleblower Policy.
4. Conflicts of Interest.
4.1 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. Conflicts of interest include actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest.
4.2 All directors, officers and employees have an obligation to seek to avoid financial, business or other relationships which might be opposed to the interests of the Company or which may conflict with the performance of their duties.
4.3 Directors of the Company are required to act in a manner which is consistent with the best interests of the Company as a whole, free of conflicts of interest.
4.4 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 officer, or their family members, are expressly prohibited.
4.5 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 4.6 or Section 4.7, as applicable.
4
4.6 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 Operations 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 Operations Officer with a written description of the activity and seeking the Chief Operations Officer’s written approval. If the supervisor is personally involved in the potential or actual conflict, the matter should instead be discussed directly with the Chief Operations Officer.
4.7 Directors and executive officers must seek determinations and prior authorizations or approvals of potential conflicts of interest exclusively from the Company Secretary.
4.8 All directors, officers and employees and contractors must disclose any activities they or an associate engage in if these relate to:
(a) the provision of goods or services of any type to the public; and in the case of contractors, the provision of services to any individual or business undertaking any goods or services of any type similar to that undertaken by the Company; or
(b) any other activity which may give rise to a conflict of interest.
4.9 The activities set out in Section 4.8 are considered potential areas for conflicts of interest. Details of such activities must be submitted to the Board for approval prior to:
(a) the formal employment or engagement under contract with the Company; or
(b) the establishment by existing employees or contractors of any activities referred hereto.
4.10 Where the Board does not authorize the activity and the person does not undertake to not engage in the unapproved activities, then:
(a) for candidates for employment or engagement on contract, they will not be considered; and
(b) for persons already employed or engaged on contract, that employment or engagement may be terminated, subject to that person’s employment or engagement contract.
5. Environmental and Social Risks Policy (ESR Policy)
5.1 The objective of this ESR Policy is to ensure that the members of the Company are good corporate citizens in addition to the Board’s commitment to social values and ethical conduct.
5.2 The Company will endeavour to make investments that can deliver long-term and sustainable value creation for the Company. The Company takes its corporate social responsibility obligations seriously and believes that it is important to take ESR issues into consideration in the conduct of its business.
5
5.3 The Company recognises that how it manages environmental and social risks can affect its ability to create long-term value for security holders.
5.4 This ESR Policy will be reviewed annually, and more frequently if deemed appropriate. Any changes to the ESR Policy will be provided to the Board of the Company for their review and approval.
5.5 The Company believes that Environmental and Social risks are material investment issues and should be considered as part of the investment process, examples of which include (without limitation):
Environmental:
(a) climate change and its potential impacts on locations where the Company operates and investment;
(b) pollution and the disposal of construction and operational waste products; and
Social:
(c) the availability of water and competition for use of water;
(d) the effectiveness of the Business in managing its standing in the community;
(e) the Company’s effectiveness in managing labour relations with its workforce;
(f) effective management of supply chains and monitoring of labour standards;
(g) workplace diversity and inclusion; and
(h) native title and the rights of indigenous peoples.
5.6 The Company is committed to integrating consideration of environmental and social risk issues into its investment strategy when selecting and allocating capital.
5.7 The Company does not currently use a specific criteria or mechanisms for measuring the success of its approach to ESR Policy integration in the investment process but will contemplate doing so upon review of this ESR Policy.
5.8 The Company currently believes that it does not have any material exposure to environmental or social risks but is committed to regularly reviewing this position.
5.9 Whether or not the Company has a material exposure to climate change risk will be assessed by reference to the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Form on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and if it does, the Company will consider making the disclosures recommended by the TCFD, with such disclosures benchmarked against those made by the Company’s peers.
6
6. Compliance
6.1 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.
6.2 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 Legal Department.
6.3 No director, officer or employee may purchase or sell any Company securities while in possession of material nonpublic information regarding the Company, nor may any director, officer or employee purchase or sell another company’s securities while in possession of material nonpublic information regarding that company. It is against Company policies and illegal for any director, officer or employee to use material nonpublic 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.
7. Disclosure.
7.1 The Company’s periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC, ASIC or any other relevant regulatory body, including all financial statements and other financial information, must comply with applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations.
7.2 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.
7.3 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, ASIC or any other relevant regulatory body, and all other public communications about the financial and business condition of the Company provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.
7
8. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets.
8.1 All directors, officers and employees should protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability and are prohibited.
8.2 All Company assets should be used only for legitimate business purposes. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be reported for investigation immediately.
8.3 Email and internet systems of the Company have been developed to assist communication with customers, suppliers and between staff. These facilities may not be used for personal gain or in a manner which may breach the law or is inappropriate for an officer or employee of the Company.
8.4 The obligation to protect Company assets includes the Company’s proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business and marketing plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records and any nonpublic financial data or reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information is prohibited and could also be illegal and result in civil or criminal penalties.
8.5 All directors, officers and employees must not at any time, directly or indirectly, profit from confidential information obtained during the course of duties they perform on behalf of the Company.
8.6 All intellectual property that a director, officer or employee generates in relation to the Company is the property of the Company.
9. Corporate Opportunities.
9.1 All directors, officers and employees owe a duty to the Company to advance its interests when the opportunity arises. Directors, officers and employees are prohibited from taking for themselves personally (or for the benefit of friends or family members) opportunities that are discovered through the use of Company assets, property, information or position. Directors, officers and employees may not use Company assets, property, information or position for personal gain (including gain of friends or family members). In addition, no director, officer or employee may compete with the Company.
9.2 The Company does not allow the making of payments or payments “in kind” (gifts, favours, etc.) to induce individuals to award business opportunities to the Company or to make a decision in the favour of the Company. This activity is prohibited. The Company recognizes that it is accepted business practice that entertainment and small gifts may be extended to third parties with whom the Company has a relationship. However, any such gifts must be made for a proper purpose.
9.3 A director, officer or employee should not accept personal gifts or extraordinary hospitality, accommodation or travel which may influence, or appear to influence, a business decision.
8
9.4 Public statements have the potential to breach obligations of the Company in respect to confidential information, securities trading and continuous disclosure. Directors, officers and employees should not make public statements unless authorized by the Chief Operations Officer.
10. Confidentiality. Directors, officers and employees should maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or by its customers, suppliers or partners, except when disclosure is expressly authorized or is required or permitted by law. Confidential information includes all nonpublic information (regardless of its source) that might be of use to the Company’s competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers, suppliers or partners if disclosed.
11. Fair Dealing. Each director, officer and employee must deal fairly 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. No director, officer or employee may take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of facts or any other unfair dealing practice.
12. Reporting and Enforcement.
12.1 Reporting and Investigation of Violations.
(a) Actions prohibited by this Code involving directors or executive officers must be reported to the Company Secretary.
(b) Actions prohibited by this Code involving anyone other than a director or executive officer must be reported to the reporting person’s supervisor or the Chief Operations Officer.
(c) After receiving a report of an alleged prohibited action, the Company Secretary, the relevant supervisor or the Chief Operations Officer must promptly take all appropriate actions necessary to investigate.
(d) All directors, officers and employees are expected to cooperate in any internal investigation of misconduct.
12.2 Enforcement.
(a) The Company must ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code.
(b) If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by a director or executive officer, the Company Secretary determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the Company Secretary will report such determination to the Board of Directors.
(c) If, after investigating a report of an alleged prohibited action by any other person, the relevant supervisor or the Chief Operations Officer determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, the supervisor or the Chief Operations Officer will report such determination to the Chief Executive Officer.
9
(d) Upon receipt of a determination that there has been a violation of this Code, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer 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.
12.3 Waivers.
(a) Each of the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, waive any violation of this Code.
(b) Any waiver for a director or an executive officer shall be disclosed as required by rules of SEC, Nasdaq, ASIC any other relevant regulatory body of any jurisdiction in which the Company operates.
12.4 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.
10
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT AND REVIEW
(To be signed and returned to the Chief Operations Officer.)
I, ___________________, acknowledge that I have received and read a copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct of Innovation Beverage Group Pty Limited. I understand the contents of the Code and I agree to comply with the policies and procedures set out in the Code.
I understand that I should approach the Chief Operations Officer if I have any questions about the Code generally or any questions about reporting a suspected conflict of interest or other violation of the Code.
[RECIPIENT’S NAME] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Date: |
11
Exhibit 21.1
List of Subsidiaries
Subsidiary | Place of Incorporation | |
IBG USA LLC | Delaware | |
REG Liquors LLC | New Jersey | |
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the filing in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) of our report dated June 15, 2022, relating to our audits of the financial statements of the Innovation Beverage Group Limited for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Accell Audit & Compliance, P.A.
Tampa, Florida
September 7, 2022
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the filing in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (formerly Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd) of our report dated June 15, 2022, relating to our audits of the financial statements of the Reg Liquors, LLC (D/B/A Wired for Wine) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Accell Audit & Compliance, P.A.
Tampa, Florida
September 7, 2022
EXHIBIT 99.1
CONSENT OF IWSR
IWSR Drinks Market Analysis Limited consents to the reproduction from our report titled “Global Cocktail Bitters Snapshot,” dated March 23, 2022, prepared for Australian Boutique Spirits Pty Ltd, now known as Innovation Beverage Group Limited, of the graphical data presented on page 4 titled “Bitters by Volume 2015-2025,” “Volume ‘000 9lcs,” and “Value ‘000s $ USD” and presented on page 5 titled “Cocktail Bitters by Volume 2015-2025,” “Volume ‘000 9lcs,” and “Value ‘000s $ USD” in the filing of this registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
IWSR DRINKS MARKET ANALYSIS LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Stephen Tumer | |
Name: | Stephen Turner | |
Title: | Commercial Director - Asia Pacific | |
Date: | 15/07/22 |
EXHIBITS 99.2
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
29 Anvil Road
SEVEN HILLS NSW 2147 Ph: 02 9620 4574
ABN: 44 625 701 420
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
1 |
Membership
The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (the “Company”) shall consist of three (3) or more directors. Each member of the Committee shall be independent in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of Nasdaq. No member of the Committee can have participated in the preparation of the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ financial statements at any time during the past three (3) years.
Each member of the Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. At least one (1) member of the Committee must have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting or other comparable experience or background that leads to financial sophistication. At least one (1) member of the Committee must be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. A person who satisfies this definition of audit committee financial expert will also be presumed to have financial sophistication.
The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The members of the Committee shall serve for such term or terms as the Board may determine or until earlier resignation or death. The Board may remove any member from the Committee at any time with or without cause.
Purpose
The purpose of the Committee is to oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of the Company’s financial statements.
The primary role of the Committee is to oversee the financial reporting and disclosure process. To fulfill this obligation, the Committee relies on: management for the preparation and accuracy of the Company’s financial statements; management for establishing effective internal controls and procedures to ensure the Company’s compliance with accounting standards, financial reporting procedures and applicable laws and regulations; and the Company’s independent auditors for an unbiased, diligent audit or review, as applicable, of the Company’s financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls. The members of the Committee are not employees of the Company and are not responsible for conducting the audit or performing other accounting procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Committee shall have the following authority and responsibilities:
● | To (1) select and retain an independent registered public accounting firm to act as the Company’s independent auditors for the purpose of auditing the Company’s annual financial statements, books, records, accounts and internal controls over financial reporting, (2) set the compensation of the Company’s independent auditors, (3) oversee the work done by the Company’s independent auditors and (4) terminate the Company’s independent auditors, if necessary. |
2 |
● | To select, retain, compensate, oversee and terminate, if necessary, any other registered 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. | |
● | To approve all audit engagement fees and terms; and to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit and tax services that may be provided by the Company’s independent auditors or other registered public accounting firms, and establish policies and procedures for the Committee’s pre-approval of permitted services by the Company’s independent auditors or other registered public accounting firms on an on-going basis. | |
● | At least annually, to obtain and review a report by the Company’s independent auditors that describes (1) the accounting firm’s internal quality control procedures, (2) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, peer review or Public Company Accounting Oversight Board review or inspection of the firm or by any other inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities in the past five (5) years regarding one or more audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and (3) all relationships between the firm and the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and to discuss with the independent auditors this report and any relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditors. | |
● | To assure the regular rotation of the lead audit partner at the Company’s independent auditors and consider regular rotation of the accounting firm serving as the Company’s independent auditors. | |
● | To review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors (1) the auditors’ responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards and the responsibilities of management in the audit process, (2) the overall audit strategy, (3) the scope and timing of the annual audit, (4) any significant risks identified during the auditors’ risk assessment procedures and (5) when completed, the results, including significant findings, of the annual audit. | |
● | To review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used in the audit; (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that have been discussed with management, the ramifications of the use of such alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by the auditors; and (3) other material written communications between the auditors and management. | |
● | To review with management and the Company’s independent auditors: any major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles; any significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including the effects of alternative GAAP methods; and the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives and off-balance sheet structures on the Company’s financial statements. |
3 |
● | To keep the Company’s independent auditors informed of the Committee’s understanding of the Company’s relationships and transactions with related parties that are significant to the company; and to review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors the auditors’ evaluation of the Company’s identification of, accounting for, and disclosure of its relationships and transactions with related parties, including any significant matters arising from the audit regarding the Company’s relationships and transactions with related parties. | |
● | To review with management and the Company’s independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s financial reporting processes, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, including any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of, and any material changes in, the Company’s processes, controls and procedures and any special audit steps adopted in light of any material control deficiencies, and any fraud involving management or other employees with a significant role in such processes, controls and procedures, and review and discuss with management and the Company’s independent auditors disclosure relating to the Company’s financial reporting processes, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, and the independent auditors’ report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the required management certifications to be included in or attached as exhibits to the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. | |
● | To review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors any other matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standards No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, and other applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC. | |
● | To review and discuss with the Company’s independent auditors and management the Company’s annual audited financial statements (including the related notes), the form of audit opinion to be issued by the auditors on the financial statements, and the disclosure under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F before the Form 20-F is filed with the SEC. | |
● | To recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements and the related MD&A disclosure should be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for filing with the SEC. | |
● | To establish and oversee procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. | |
● | To monitor compliance with the Company’s Code of Conduct (the “Code”), to investigate any alleged breach or violation of the Code, and to enforce the provisions of the Code. |
● | To review, approve and oversee any transaction between the Company and any related person (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K) and any other potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis, and to develop policies and procedures for the Committee’s approval of related party transactions. |
4 |
Outside Advisors
The Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain and obtain the advice and assistance of independent outside counsel and such other advisors as it deems necessary to fulfill its duties and responsibilities under this Charter. The Committee shall set the compensation, and oversee the work, of any outside counsel and other advisors.
The Committee shall receive appropriate funding from the Company, as determined by the Committee in its capacity as a committee of the Board, for the payment of compensation to the Company’s independent auditors, any other accounting firm engaged to perform services for the Company, any outside counsel and any other advisors to the Committee.
Structure and Operations
The Board shall designate a member of the Committee as the chairperson. The Committee shall meet at least three (3) times a year at such times and places as it deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. The Committee shall report after each meeting of the Committee to the Board on its discussions and actions, including any significant issues or concerns that arise at its meetings, and shall make recommendations to the Board as appropriate. The Committee is governed by the same rules regarding meetings (including meetings in person or by telephone or other similar communications equipment), action without meetings, notice, waiver of notice, and quorum and voting requirements as are applicable to the Board.
The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
5
EXHIBIT 99.3
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
29 Anvil Road
SEVEN HILLS NSW 2147
Ph: 02 9620 4574
ABN: 44 625 701 420
NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
Charter
The board of directors (Board) of Innovation Beverage Group Limited (Company), established the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (Committee), and approved this charter to govern the operations of the Committee.
This Charter will be reviewed by the Committee, from time to time, to ensure that it continues to reflect the letter and spirit of all applicable laws and regulations and the Company’s commitment to its staff and the community.
The Committee shall review and reassess the charter at least annually.
Purpose
The Committee shall provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities, however, ultimate responsibility for the Company’s nomination and remuneration practices remains with the Board. The main functions and responsibilities of the Committee include the following:
● | assisting the Board in examining the selection and appointment practices of the Company; | |
● | ensuring remuneration arrangements are equitable and transparent and enable the Company to attract and retain executives and directors (executive and non-executive) who will create sustainable value for members and other stakeholders; | |
● | ensuring the Board is of an effective composition, size and commitment to adequately discharge its responsibilities and duties; | |
● | reviewing Board succession plans and Board renewal; | |
● | reviewing the processes for evaluating the performance of the Board, its committees and individual directors and ensuring that a fair and responsible reward is provided to executives and directors having regard to their performance evaluation; | |
● | reviewing levels of diversity within the Company and Board and reporting on achievements pursuant to any diversity policy developed by the Board; | |
● | reviewing the Company’s remuneration, recruitment, retention and termination policies for the Board and senior executives; and | |
● | complying with all relevant legislation and regulations. |
Membership
Committee members shall be members of, and appointed by, the Board and the Committee shall:
● | comprise at least three non-executive directors that have diverse, complementary backgrounds; |
● | have a majority of members being independent directors; |
● | the Committee chair shall be an independent director of the Company, who is not the Chairperson of the Board and shall have leadership experience; and |
● | no member of the Committee shall be directly involved in deciding their own remuneration or performance evaluation. |
However, the composition of the Committee may vary, in particular the Board may be comprised of less than a majority of independent directors and the Committee chair may not be an independent director, provided that the Board considers such composition to be appropriate in the circumstances.
The Secretary of the Committee shall be the Company Secretary of Innovation Beverage Group Limited.
Nomination
The Committee has delegated responsibility from the Board to conduct detailed examination of the following nomination matters for the Boards approval:
(a) | continually reviewing the range of skills, diversity, experience and expertise of the Board and committees; identifying the particular skills that will best increase their effectiveness and identifying, in consultation with external consultants if required, suitable candidates for appointment; |
(b) | evaluating and making recommendations to the Board where an appointment, re-election and/or removal of directors is considered to be required; |
(c) | considering the process for the nomination and selection of directors to the Board as outlined in Annexure 1; and |
(d) | ensuring directors receive necessary induction upon appointment to the Board. |
Remuneration
The Committee has delegated responsibility from the Board to conduct detailed examination the following remuneration matters for the Boards approval:
(a) | considering the Remuneration and Incentive Policy as detailed at Annexure 2; |
(b) | considering the Performance Evaluation Procedure as outlined in Annexure 3, conducting performance evaluations and ensuring remuneration demonstrates a clear relationship with performance and reviewing the evaluation policy accordingly; |
(c) | considering whether to seek shareholder approval of any executive remuneration policy; and |
(d) | producing remuneration reports required for the disclosure of remuneration policies in external reports. |
Evaluation
The Committee has delegated responsibility from the Board to conduct detailed examination the following nomination and remuneration matters and, in doing so, shall evaluate whether any significant matters should be brought to the attention of the Board, including:
(a) | periodically evaluating and making recommendations to the Board regarding the necessary |
and desirable composition and competencies of the Board and committees, giving consideration to the mix of skills, diversity, experience and time commitments required from each director;
(b) | annually reviewing the Board Skills Matrix; |
(c) | identifying any necessary or desirable improvements to the Board or committee charters and policies; |
(d) | reviewing the Performance Evaluation Procedure outlined in Annexure 3; |
(e) | reviewing any policies or programs that atwffect performance of the Board and its committees, which may include: |
● | staff induction programs, |
● | skill levels of existing directors and methods to enhance skills; and |
● | other relevant matters identified from time to time or requested by the Board. |
Meetings
The Company Secretary is required to give Committee members reasonable notice of a meeting. Other officers of the Company or external persons may be invited to attend Committee meetings by the Chairperson of the Committee including management, members of the Board of Innovation Beverage Group Limited and consultants. The Chairperson will call a meeting of the Committee if so requested by any Committee member, any Director or the Board.
Proceedings of the Committee will be governed by the provisions of the Company’s Constitution, in so far as it may be applicable.
A quorum for a meeting of the Committee is two members. A duly convened meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present is competent to exercise all or any of the authorities, powers or discretions vested in, or exercisable by, the Committee.
Minutes of proceedings and resolutions of Committee meetings will be kept by the Company Secretary and distributed to the Committee members after the Chair of the Committee has given preliminary approval.
The Chair of the Committee or nominated representative shall report the findings and recommendations of the Committee to the Board after each Committee meeting.
The Committee will ensure that the Board is provided with sufficient information to ensure informed decision making based on Committee reports or recommendations.
Where any Committee member has a contrary view to a Committee decision, that view is to be reported to the Board.
Rights in Obtaining Information from Management
The Committee has the authority to seek any information it requires from any officer or employee of the Company and such officers or employees shall be instructed by the Board to respond to such enquiries. The Committee has access to executive management, all employees and all Company records and to financial and legal advisers. The Committee is authorised to take such independent professional advice, at the Company’s cost, as it considers necessary or appropriate.
ANNEXURE 1
3.1 | PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS |
The Committee will regularly review the appropriateness and overall composition of the Board relative to its various responsibilities.
The Committee shall determine the criteria, objectives and procedure for selecting new Board members relative to any assessment of any requirements to improve the Board’s capacity through composition.
Nomination Process
In the circumstances where the Committee believes, or the Board requests, that there is a need to appoint another director, whether due to retirement of a Director or growth or complexity of the Company, certain procedures will be followed. The Committee shall be responsible for:
● | reviewing and recommending to the Board the criteria for board membership, including assessment of the necessary and desirable competencies of the Board members having regard to those of the existing Directors and any other likely changes to the Board; |
● | giving consideration to the culture of diversity endorsed throughout all levels of the Company in accordance with the Diversity Policy, acknowledging the value brought to the Company by integrating a variety of skills, experiences and diverse backgrounds in both the Board and Company and look to achieving any goals the Board may set; |
● | reviewing potential candidates for the Board and reporting on the candidates and results to the Board for consideration. As such the Committee shall evaluate and conduct the appropriate inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible nominees; |
● | recommending to the Board the members who should be designated as chairperson of the Board’s committees; |
● | making recommendations to the Board in relation to appropriate performance criteria, for both the individual directors and full Board acting as a collective body; |
● | reviewing, developing and recommending to the Board, the criteria for determining director independence; and |
● | agreeing the process and timetable for seeking new directors, which may involve an external recruitment firm. |
Potential directors are to be approached by the Committee and their interest in joining the Board, together with the responsibilities such an appointment entails, are to be discussed. The terms and conditions of the appointment, including the level of remuneration, are also to be communicated to the candidates.
Once a potential candidate has been identified that candidate would be expected to provide a copy of their resume detailing their skills and experience. The candidate will be interviewed by the Committee and the details of Innovation Beverage Group Limited, its operations, policies and expectations will be explained.
When considering a candidate, the Committee will make their assessment pursuant the following guidelines:
● | competencies, experience, qualifications and skills; |
● | details of any interest, position or relationship that might influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, in a material respect their capacity to bring an independent judgment to bear on issues before the Board and to act in the best interests of the Company as a whole rather than in the interests of an individual security holder or other party; |
● | any other directorships held; |
● | time availability and particulars of other commitments; |
● | contribution to the overall balance of the composition of the Board; and |
● | depth of understanding of the role of and legal obligations of a director. |
The Committee may consider that there is a need to re-elect a current Director. However, such a decision must not be automatic but made after giving consideration to the:
● | term of office held; |
● | term of office held by the remainder of the Board; and |
● | support of the Board and/or shareholders for the re-election. |
The full Board shall consider any recommendation by the Committee as to any appointment to the Board, subject to the Directors’ voting arrangements set out in the Company’s Constitution. Ultimate responsibility for the determination of the suitability of candidates rests with the Board.
Appointment to the Board
If an invitation to become a director of the Board is accepted, the new Director is expected to sign the Terms and Conditions for appointment of Directors and the Director’s Consent to Act form.
The Committee will ensure that the Director is provided with access to the Company’s Board Charter and other relevant policies and procedures together with an induction as to Innovation Beverage Group Limited’s business and the industry in which it operates.
The Board will appoint the new Director during the year and that person will stand for re-election by shareholders at the next annual general meeting. Shareholders must be provided with the relevant information on the candidates for re-election.
Following the appointment of a new Director to the Board, an announcement is to be made to the market containing various details of the new Director’s skills and experience and the reason for the appointment to the Board. Appropriate details are also to be provided to the market regarding the new Director’s shareholding in Innovation Beverage Group Limited.
Where there is a provisional appointment of a Director or senior executive, it will be subject to receipt of satisfactory outstanding checks and an unequivocal undertaking to resign should the Committee receive an outstanding check that it considers is not satisfactory.
ANNEXURE 2
3.2 | REMUNERATION AND INCENTIVE POLICY |
The remuneration policy reflects the Company’s obligation to align executive directors’ remuneration with shareholders’ interests and to engage appropriately qualified executive talent for the benefit of the Company, in particular:
● | reward should reflect the competitive global market in which the Company operates; |
● | individual reward should be linked to performance criteria; and |
● | should reward both financial and non-financial performance of directors. |
The Company recognises that a formal and transparent remuneration policy helps to promote understanding and confidence by stakeholders that the Company’s remuneration procedures:
● | enable the Company to attract and retain executives and directors (executive and non- executive) who will create sustainable value for members and other stakeholders; |
● | fairly and responsibly reward executives and directors having regard to the performance of the Company, the performance of the executive and the external compensation environment; and |
● | comply with all relevant legislation and regulations. |
The Committee assists the Board in the development and review of the Remuneration Policy, however, the ultimate responsibility for the Company’s remuneration policies remains with the Board.
Executive remuneration
The remuneration of executives will be determined by the Board, giving consideration to any recommendation made by the Committee or external advisers or any information required by the Board in making its decision.
To assist the Board to determine executives’ remuneration and to allow the Board to adequately review any executive remuneration policy, the Committee will:
● | report to the Board regarding the remuneration for each executive director (including base pay, incentive payments, equity awards and retirement or severance rights), having regard to the Remuneration Policy and whether any elements of remuneration requires shareholder approvals; |
● | report to the Board regarding remuneration (including incentive awards, equity awards and service contracts) for senior executives, to ensure that it is consistent with the Remuneration Policy; |
● | review contractual rights of senior executives on termination, and any payments made or proposed, to determine whether they are reasonable in the circumstances; and |
● | review the depth of senior executives and the appropriateness of any succession planning policies which are in place. |
Non-executive remuneration
The remuneration of the non-executive directors will be determined by the Board, excluding in each case, any Director or Directors with immediate conflicts of interest. The Board may request that the Committee, management or external advisers provide any information required by the Board to assist it in making its decision.
The maximum remuneration of non-executive directors is to be determined by the Shareholders in general meeting in accordance with the Company’s Constitution.
The apportionment of non-executive director remuneration within the allowed maximum will be made by the Board having regard to the Committee’s recommendations and evaluation of each individual director’s contribution to the Board. The Committee shall cooperate and consult with the Board in determining the remuneration for any new directors to be appointed prior to such amounts being disclosed to potential Board candidates.
The practice of granting options to non-executive directors as a part of their remuneration package is not generally in accordance with corporate governance guidelines. However, the Board will from time to time consider whether equity participation by way of the grant of options to members of the Board is appropriate.
Cash-based executive incentive plans
Insofar as they impact on the executive directors, the Committee will review and make recommendations to the Board regarding:
● | the underlying principles of, and determine targets for, all such executive incentive plans; and |
● | the total proposed payments from all such executive incentive plans. |
Equity-based incentive plans
The Committee will monitor and review:
● | the underlying principles of all equity-based plans for approval by the Board; |
● | all equity based plans in light of legislative, regulatory, taxation and market developments and any thresholds set in plans approved by shareholders; |
● | for each equity-based plan, all awards which are proposed under that plan with a view to ensuring compliance with the rules of the relevant plan and the policies of the Committee and the Board in respect of that plan; |
● | the total proposed awards under each plan; |
● | the life of each grant of award; |
● | the conditions of grant applicable to each equity-based incentive plan; |
● | amendments to the rules which are proposed for approval, as permitted under the rules of the plans; and |
● | the proposed exercise of any discretion under a plan and make such determinations as required to be made under the rules of each plan. |
Approvals
1. | Board approvals |
The Board must approve the following (subject to any recommendation by the Committee):
● | the executive remuneration policy; |
● | the remuneration report to be included in the annual report and accounts; |
● | the design of all equity-based incentive plans; and |
● | the remuneration of the non-executive directors. |
2. | Committee approvals |
The Committee shall approve the following prior to implementation:
● | changes to the remuneration or contract terms of executive directors; |
● | the design of new executive equity or cash-based incentive plans and any amendments to current plans; |
● | the total level of award proposed from equity-based plans or executive cash-based incentive plans; and |
● | termination payments to executive directors and other members of the senior executive team. |
ANNEXURE 3
3.3 | PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCEDURE |
The Committee must review the performance of the Board, the individual directors (including the managing director), the Committees of the Board, the Company and management regularly and report to the Board.
The Committee will conduct an annual review of the Board’s performance. As part of the annual review of the performance of the Board, the appropriate size, composition and terms and conditions of appointment to and retirement from the Board are considered.
Principles
The key elements of the performance evaluation process are:
● | the assessment must be independent of management – the process needs to be and appear to be objective; |
● | the process must be designed to encourage open and constructive discussion in relation to performance; |
● | the confidentiality of each individual performance assessment should be maintained; |
● | full disclosure of the assessment process and overall performance results is essential to achieve both Board credibility and shareholders’ understanding; |
● | comparison of the performance of the Board against the requirements of the Board Charter; |
● | review of the Company structure giving consideration to the incorporation of the skills, diversity and experience which the Board is looking to achieve in membership of the Board and the Company; |
● | assessment of the performance of the Board over the previous twelve months having regard to the corporate strategies, operating plans, other policies and the annual budget; |
● | review of the Board’s interaction with management; |
● | identification of clear processes, goals and objectives established by the Board for the next year, ensuring that all directors have had input into what these goals should be; |
● | review the type and timing of information provided to the directors; |
● | identification of any necessary or desirable improvements to the Board or committee charters; |
● | issues which have been identified during the performance evaluations should be discussed by the Committee and followed up regularly between reviews; and |
● | in order to assess the true performance of Innovation Beverage Group Limited, the performance of each individual director, as well as how the Board and its committees operate as a group, needs to be evaluated. |
Evaluation of the Board as a whole
The Committee will annually review the performance of the Board as a whole. Consideration should be given to any objectives and defined criteria established as a benchmark for assessing performance and at a minimum address the following:
● | Board role: adequacy of the processes which monitor business performance, Board member interaction with management, adequacy of Board knowledge, adequacy of business strategy, adequate Board information and evaluation process for executives and directors; |
● | Board membership: appropriateness of balance and mix of skills, diversity, size of Board, contribution of individual Board members, adequacy on performance feedback to Board members and adequacy of procedures dealing with inadequate performance by a Board member; |
● | Procedure and practice: Board’s effectiveness in use of time, whether Board allows sufficient opportunity to adequately assess management performance, Board’s ability to keep abreast of developments in the wider environment which may affect Innovation Beverage Group Limited, discussion of values at Board level, focus on community issues and adequacy of meeting frequency and the duration of meetings; |
● | Committee structure: sufficiency and effectiveness of the current committee structures and membership and availability of resources to committees to enable them to reach their objectives; |
● | Collaboration and style: working relationship between the Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director, segregation of duties between Board and management, ability of directors to express views to each other and to management in a constructive manner and adequacy of Board discussions; and |
● | Personal: any concerns with position as director and own performance, any education undertaken concerning key developments in the Company and in the industry and environment within which it operates and ability to raise issues at Board level and availability of resources. |
The Committee must ensure that any benchmarks used in the evaluation are regularly reviewed to account for the changing environments facing the Company.
Evaluation of the Committees
The Board will annually review the performance of the Committees to ensure that they are achieving the required outcomes. Consideration should be given to performance against the Committees charter and review of Committee to Board relationship.
Evaluation of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
The Committee will annually review the performance of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. At the commencement of each financial year, the Committee and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer will agree a set of general Company specific performance measures to be used in the review for the forthcoming year.
These will include:
● | the extent to which key operational goals and strategic objectives are achieved; |
● | the development of management and staff; |
● | compliance with legal and Company policy requirements; and |
● | the achievement of key performance indicators. |
Evaluation of Senior Executives
The Committee is responsible for annually assessing the performance of the key executives within the Company. This is to be performed through a formal process involving a formal meeting with each senior executive.
The basis of the evaluation of senior executives will be on performance measures agreed with the executive at their previous performance review.
The remuneration packages for senior executives will be determined in accordance with this policy. The Committee will review the proposed remuneration packages for senior executives (including incentive awards, equity awards and service contracts).
When determining or reviewing the remuneration of senior executives, due consideration will be given to ensure that the remuneration packages properly reflect the executive’s duties, responsibilities and performance and that the remuneration is competitive in attracting, retaining and motivating appropriate people to each position.
Additional remuneration, linked to the Company’s financial and operational performance, may be agreed with individual senior executives from time to time.
Evaluation of individual directors
The Committee of the Board is responsible for meeting with the individual directors to discuss their performance and contribution to the Board and at a minimum address the following:
● | effective governance: ability of the director to contribute to the Company’s performance whilst adhering to the principles of good governance; |
● | leading through vision and values: ability of the director to inspire commitment to the Company’s culture, vision and values; |
● | strategic thinking and decision making: ability of the director to analyse and evaluate the impact of contingencies on the Company, identify optimal responses based on the business capacity and contribution to the Company strategy; |
● | commercial/business acumen: the director’s ability to contribute to the increase in the wealth of shareholders whilst fulfilling the Company’s commitment to good governance; |
● | teamwork: ability of the director to interact with fellow Board members and the senior executives in a manner that is consistent with achieving common business goals; |
● | Board participation: the director’s contribution to Board discussion and function and availability for and attendance at Board meetings and other relevant events; |
● | Committees: the director’s membership of and contribution to any Board committees established; |
● | independence: the director’s degree of independence including the relevance of any conflicts of interest; and |
● | suitability: the director’s suitability to Board structure and composition. |
Method of performance evaluation
The Committee may consider involving independent experts in the performance evaluation process if and when considered necessary
The performance evaluations of individual directors and the Board as a whole will use “self-assessment and peer review” (360º Feedback) by way of evaluation forms as set out below.
Review of individual directors
Steps in the review process
Step 1 | Individual directors perform self-assessment on a form using pre-determined ratings and evaluation criteria. |
Step 2 | Directors provide feedback on the performance of the individual director using the same form. |
Step 3 | Meeting is held between individual director and the Committee, or another party where appropriate, to discuss issues raised and any discrepancies between the self-assessment rating and the peer review. |
Step 4 | Committee considers the performance evaluations producing a recommendation for the Board stating whether, following performance appraisal, the Committee considers that action must be taken in relation to a director’s performance. |
Step 5 | The Board must decide whether a director should be counselled to resign, not seek re- election, or in exceptional circumstances, whether a resolution for the removal of a director be put to shareholders. |
Review of the Board as a whole and its Committees
Steps in review process
Step 1 | Each director or committee member completes an evaluation form using set evaluation criteria. The form allows for further comment and for the respondent to make recommendations for improvement. |
Step 2 | The Board and each committee discuss its ability to meet its objectives and makes recommendations. |
Step 3 | The results of the evaluation are processed by the Committee, or an independent expert at the Board’s discretion, and recommendations are communicated to the Board. |
Step 4 | Any issues that need to be resolved are put before the Board for discussion. |
Links to performance
Based on the evaluation of the individual’s performance, the Committee will review the individual’s compensation arrangement and prepare a recommendation to the Board of the level of compensation for each individual.
In the event that a director, key executive or employee is not performing to an acceptable level, then a performance evaluation can be conducted on an as needs basis.
Facilitating Performance by Education
The Company has inductions procedures implemented which are designed to allow new Board appointees to participate fully and actively in Board decision making at the earliest opportunity. The Committee will review these procedures to ensure maximum benefit to the Company.
It is noted that new directors cannot be effective until they have adequate knowledge about the Company and the industry within which it operates. The Committee shall ensure that new directors are provided with the opportunity and resources to gain an understanding of all the necessary information relating to the Company, including induction, orientation and continuing education programs for directors which will be regularly reviewed to ensure they adequately reflect:
● | the Company’s financial, strategic, operational and risk management position; |
● | director’s rights, duties and responsibilities; |
● | the role of the board committees; and |
● | current industry and business developments and best practise methods. |
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form F-1
Innovation Beverage Group Limited
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
Security Type |
Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule |
Amount Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Fee Rate |
Amount of Registration Fee | |
Newly Registered Securities | ||||||||
Fees to Be Paid |
Equity | Units consisting of: | Rule 457(o) | $ | $20,000,000 | 0.0000927 | $1,854.00 | |
Fees to Be Paid |
Equity | (i) Ordinary shares, no par value per share(2) | - | - | - | - | - | |
Equity | (ii) Warrants to purchase ordinary shares(2) | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Equity | Ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of warrants(3) | Rule 457(o) | $ | $20,000,000 | 0.0000927 | $1,854.00 | ||
Equity | Underwriter Warrants(4) | - | - | - | - | - | ||
Equity | Ordinary shares underlying Underwriter Warrants(5) | Rule 457(o) | - | $1,200,000 | 0.0000927 | $111.24 | ||
Total Offering Amounts | $41,200,000 | 0.0000927 | $3,819.24 | |||||
Total Fees Previously Paid | - | |||||||
Total Fee Offsets | - | |||||||
Net Fee Due | $3,819.24 |
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), as amended. Includes the Ordinary Shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover any over-allotments. |
(2) | No separate fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(i) of the Securities Act. |
(3) | One warrant will be issued per unit to purchase [ ] ordinary shares, for each ordinary share offered. The warrants are exercisable at a per share price of [ ]% of the per unit public offering price |
(4) | No fee required pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act. |
(5) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act. Represents Ordinary Shares underlying one or more warrants (the “Underwriter Warrants”) issuable to the representative of the underwriters to purchase up to an aggregate of 5.0% of the Ordinary Shares sold in the offering at an exercise price equal to 120% of the public offering price per security. The Underwriter Warrants will be exercisable six months from the effective date of sales of the public offering and will terminate after the four and a half year period commencing six months from the effective date. |