UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20222023.

 

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from [—Date—] to [—Date—]

 

Commission File Number: 001-40578

 

AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Columbia Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer


Identification No.)

 

3008002233 Columbia Street525 West 8th Avenue


Vancouver
, BC, Canada

 V5Y 0M6V5Z 1C6
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(604) 757-0952

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares AGRI NASDAQ Capital Market
Series A Warrants, every 50 warrants exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $300.00 per share of Common Stock. AGRIW NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such fi les). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

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

 

 Large accelerated filer ☐Accelerated filer ☐
 Non-accelerated filer ☒Smaller reporting company 
 Emerging growth company  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

 

The text associated with those checkboxes is as follows: If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. 

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No No

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of June 30, 20222023 was approximately $28,755,9385,129,428. Shares of the registrant’s common stock held by each officer and director and each person known to the registrant to own 10% or more of the outstanding voting power of the registrant have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not a determination for other purposes.

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

 

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ☐ No ☐

 

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)

 

As of March 13, 2023,April 1, 2024, the registrant has 18,156,15422,573,938 shares of common stock, no par value per share, outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K (e.g., Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document is incorporated: (1) Any annual report to security holders; (2) Any proxy or information statement; and (3) Any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (c) under the Securities Act of 1933. The listed documents should be clearly described for identification purposes (e.g., annual report to security holders for fiscal year ended December 24, 1980).

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 PART I
Item 1.Business4
Item 1A.Risk Factors1516
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments2829
Item 1C

Cybersecurity

Item 2.Properties2829
Item 3.Legal Proceedings2829
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures2829
 PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities2930
Item 6.Selected Financial Data3032
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations3033
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk3436
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary DataF-1
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure3537
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures3537
Item 9B.Other Information3537
 PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance3638
Item 11.Executive Compensation4042
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters4143
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence4143
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services4244
 PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules4345

 

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This report on Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies concerning future events, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding our assumptions about financial performance; the continuation of historical trends; the sufficiency of our cash balances for future liquidity and capital resource needs; the expected impact of changes in accounting policies on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; anticipated problems and our plans for future operations; and the economy in general or the future of the defense industry, all of which were subject to various risks and uncertainties.

 

When used in this Report on Form 10- K and other reports, statements, and information we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”), in our press releases, presentations to securities analysts or investors, in oral statements made by or with the approval of an executive officer, the words or phrases “believes,” “may,” “will,” “expects,” “should,” “continue,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “will likely result,” “estimates,” “projects” or similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. However, any statements contained in this Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors.

 

We do not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. You should carefully evaluate such statements in light of factors described in this annual report. In this Form 10-K, AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. (“AgriFORCE™” or the “Company”) has identified important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete list of all potential risks or uncertainties.

 

3

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

Overview

 

AgriFORCE™ was incorporated as a private company by Articles of Incorporation issued pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on December 22, 2017. The Company’s registered and records office address is at 3008002233 Columbia Street,525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Y 0M6.V5Z 1C6.

 

Our Business

 

AgriFORCE™ is an “Ag-Tech” company with a primary focus to developing and utilizing our intellectual property assets for improvements dedicated to positively transforming farm, food, and family every day, everywhere.the agricultural industry. We aim to achievebelieve that this goal is best achieved by providing novel agriculturally focused consulting, facilityusing our proprietary IP for solutions and products & services throughin the agricultural industry as well as seeking development of new IP to both enhance the technology which we already retain in house as well as development of new technologies which can increase our Solutions division, and by leveraging innovative technologies and processes to deliver healthier more nutritious food to consumers through our Brands division.footprint in the Ag-Tech space with expansion into other areas which have ESG ramifications.

The AgriFORCE™ Solutions division is dedicated to transforming modern agricultural development “Building from the Seed to Deliver sustainable, Efficient, and Healthier crops” through our integrated Agtech platform 2.0 combining knowledge and IP with CEA equipment solutions, including our FORCEGH+™” solution, implementing solutions that are best suited to the crops and environment chosen.

 

Our AgriFORCE™ Brands division is focused on the development and commercialization of plant-based ingredients and products that deliver more nutritious “Food to Table”.food. We will market and commercialize both branded consumer product offeringsingredient supplies, like our Awakened Flour™ and ingredient supplies.

AgriFORCE™ Solutions

Understanding Our Approach – The AgriFORCE™ Precision Growth Method

Traditional farming includes three fundamental approaches: outdoor, greenhouse and indoor. AgriFORCE™ introduces a unique fourth method, the AgriFORCE™ precision growth method, which is informed by cutting-edge science and leveraging the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).

Awakened Grains ™.

4

With a carefully optimized approach to facility design, IoT, AI utilization, nutrient delivery, and micro-propagation, we have devised an intricate, scientific and high success-oriented approach designed to produce much greater efficacy yields using fewer resources. This method is intended to outperform traditional growing methods using a specific combination of new and traditional techniques required to attain this efficiency. We call it precision growth. The AgriFORCE™ precision growth method focuses on addressing some of the most important legacy challenges in agriculture: environmental impact, operational efficiency and yield volumes.

The AgriFORCE™ precision growth method presents a tremendous opportunity to positively disrupt all corners of the industry. The market size of just the nutraceutical and plant-based pharmaceutical and vaccine/therapeutics market is over $500 billion. Including the traditional hydroponics high value crops and controlled-environment food markets, the addressable market approaches nearly $1 trillion. (1)(2)(3).

The AgriFORCE™ Model – Managing the Difficulties of Agricultural Verticals with Modern Technology and Innovation

Our intellectual property combines a uniquely engineered facility design and automated growing system to provide a clear solution to the biggest problems plaguing most high value crop agricultural verticals. It delivers a clean, self-contained environment that maximizes natural sunlight and offers near ideal supplemental lighting. It also limits human intervention and – crucially – it was designed to provide superior quality control. It was also created to drastically reduce environmental impact, substantially decrease utility demands, as well as lower production costs, while delivering customers daily harvests and higher crop yields.

Plants grow most robustly and flavorfully in full natural sunlight. While it may seem counterintuitive to some, even the clearest of glass greenhouses inhibit the full light spectrum of the sun. However, new translucent and transparent membrane materials have emerged recently that enable the near-full-transmission of the sun’s light spectrum.

(1) https://home.kpmg/pl/en/home/insights/2015/04/nutraceuticals-the-future-of-intelligent-food.html

(2) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/jcb.2010.37

(3) https://medium.com/artemis/lets-talk-about-market-size-316842f1ab27

 

5

Our PositionThe AgriFORCE™ Solutions division is dedicated to transforming modern agriculture through our controlled environment agriculture (“CEA”) equipment, including our FORCEGH+™” solution. We are continuing to modify our business plan to accommodate artificial intelligence and blockchain in the Ag-Tech Sector

The Ag-Tech sector is severely underserved bydevelopment and implementation of FinTech systems to commercial farmers, and advancing on the capital markets, and we see an opportunity to acquire global companies who have provided solutions to the industry and are leading innovation moving forward. We are creating a separate corporate office to aggressively pursue such acquisitions. The robustnesscommercialization of our engagement with potential targets has confirmed our beliefHydroxyl clean room systems to greatly reduce the spread of pathogens, mold and desire to be part of a larger integrated Ag-Tech solutions provider, where each separate element of the business has its existing legacy business and can leverage across areas of expertise to expand their business footprint. We believe that there is currently no one that we are aware of who is pursuing this model in the US capital markets environmentdisease at this time.

processing facilities worldwide.

The AgriFORCE™ Grow House

The Company is an agriculture-focused technology company that delivers innovative and reliable, financially robust solutions for high value crops through our proprietary facility design and automation IP to businesses and enterprises globally. The Company intends to operate in the plant based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and high value crop markets using its unique patented facility design and hydroponics based automated growing system that enable cultivators to effectively grow crops in a controlled environment (“FORCEGH+™”). The Company has designed FORCEGH+™ facilities to produce in virtually any environmental condition and to optimize crop yields to as near their full genetic potential possible while substantially eliminating the need for the use of pesticides, fungicides and/or irradiation.

The Company continues to develop its solution for fruits and vegetables focusing on the integration of its current structure with a new form of vertical grow technology.

 

BUSINESS PLAN

PHASE 1 (COMPLETED):

Conceptualization, engineering, and design of facility and systems. (complete)

Completed selection process of key environmental systems with preferred vendors. (complete)
Selection and Land Purchase agreement in Coachella, CA subject to financing. (complete)

ForceFilm material ordered. (complete)

PHASE 2:

Complete the timing of financing for, and purchase of, the selected parcel in Coachella, CA, subject to market conditions,
Complete feasibility study for new contracts’ structures for facilities with new independent operators.
Identify procurement of AgriFORCE™ IP specific automated grow system, supplemental grow lighting and controls systems, and manufacture of the building envelope materials.
Conceptualization and design of vertical grow solutions.
Initiate the design of an R&D facility for food solutions and plant-based pharma.

6

PHASE 3:

Complete the delivery and installation of facilities. Proof of quantitative and qualitative benefits will drive both sales pipeline acceleration for subsequent years.
Complete the design of an R&D facility for food solutions and plant-based pharma. Commence engagement with universities and pharmaceutical companies.
Review potential licensing opportunities for the Solutions patent portfolio.

PHASE 4:

Focus on delivery and installation of additional facilities.
Expand geographic presence into other geographies by introducing the FORCEGH+™ to other international markets with a view to securing additional locations and markets.

AgriFORCE™ Brands

 

UN(THINK)™ Foods

The Company purchased Intellectual Property (“IP”) from Manna Nutritional Group, LLC (“Manna”), a privately held firm based in Boise, Idaho on September 10, 2021. The IP encompasses a granted patent to naturally process and convert grain, pulses and root vegetables, resulting in low-starch, low-sugar, high-protein, fiber-rich baking flour as well as produces a natural sweetener juice. The core process is covered under the Patent Nr. 11,540,538 in the U.S. and key international markets. The all-natural process is designed to unlock nutritional properties, flavors, and other qualities in a range of modern, ancient and heritage grains, pulses and root vegetables to create specialized all-natural baking and all-purpose flours, sweeteners, juices, naturally sweet cereals and other valuation products, providing numerous opportunities for dietary nutritional, performance and culinary applications.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has achieved milestones towards the commercialization of our UN(THINK) Awakened Flour™ flour, the Company’s first line of products to utilize the IP. Management has defined and tested its quality controls and safety protocols for production, and produced several multi-ton batches of germinated grains, refining and scaling production processes with our partners in Canada. We are also in the process of qualifying partners in the US to establish additional production hubs – at no additional CAPEX - which will support growth and reduce logistics costs for customers in the region. Additionally, we have established our supply chain logistics with a contracted shipping company and two warehouses in Canada and the US. Our commercial team made progress in defining pricing and is starting to approach US and Canadian Bakeries and Baked Goods Companies who are now testing our new flours for integration into their manufacturing operations and innovation pipeline. Online sales logistics and advertising materials were developed during the period to support the establishment of the direct-to-consumer sales channel which will be started once the Business to Business channel sales will ramp up. Lastly, the Company has developed an extensive number of recipes for the application of Awakened Flour™ product line for both customers and consumers.

The Company is developing several finished product prototypes including a line of pancake mixes, which are ready for consumer testing.

 

Wheat and Flour Market

 

Modern diet is believed to be a contributor to health risks such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, due in part to the consumption of highly processed foods that are low in natural fiber, protein and nutrition; and extremely high in simple starch, sugar and calories. These “empty carbs” produce glycemic swings that may cause overeating by triggering cravings for food high in sugar, salt and starch. As an example, conventional baking flour is low in natural fiber (~ 2-3%), low-to-average in protein (~ 9%), and very high in starch (~ 75%)(4). Whole wheatApart from dietary fiber, whole flour is only marginally better.better in terms of these macronutrients (5).

 

(4) Based on protein, fiber, and starch content figuresresults from a nationally certified independent laboratory, as compared to standard all-purposeall-purpose flour.

(5) https://www.soupersage.com/compare-nutrition/flour-vs-whole-wheat-flour

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In contrast, foods high in fiber help to satiate hunger, suppress cravings and raise metabolism(5)(6). They also assist in weight loss, lower cholesterol, and may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.diabetes(7).

 

Advantages of the UN(THINK)™ Foods IP

 

TheOur Controlled Enzymatic Reaction & Endothermic Saccharification with Managed Natural Germination (“CERES-MNGCERES-MNG”) patented process allows for the development and manufacturing of all-natural flours that are significantly higher in fibers, nutrients and proteins and significantly lower in carbohydrates and calories than standard baking flour.

 

CERES-MNG baking flour produced from soft white wheat has 40 times more fiber, three (3) times more protein and 75% less net carbohydrates than regular all- purpose flour8 (6)(8).

 

Source: Independent analysis by Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing Madison, Inc, February 2022

 

The CERES-MNG patent will help develop new flours and products from modern, ancient and heritage grains, seeds, legumes and tubers/root vegetables.

 

(5)(6) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14400-improving-your-health-with-fiber

(6) (7) https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fiber-full-eating-for-better-health-and-lower-cholesterol-2019062416819

(8) Based on protein, fiber, and starch content figuresresults from a nationally certified independent laboratory, as compared to standard all-purpose flour.

 

85

 

 

Products that AgriFORCE™ intends to develop for commercialization from the CERES-MNG patented process under the UN(THINK)™ foods brand:

 -High protein, high fiber, low carb modern, heritage and ancient grain flours (for use in breads, baked goods, doughs, pastry, snacks, and pasta)
 -Protein flours and protein additives
 -High protein, high fiber, low carb cereals and snacks
 -High protein, high fiber, low carb oat based dairy alternatives
 -Better tasting, cleaner label, high protein, high fiber, low carb nutrition bars
 -High protein, high fiber, low carb nutrition juices
 -Sweeteners – liquid and granulated
 -High protein, high fiber, low carb pet foods and snacks

We intend to commercialize these products behind three (3)(2) main sales channels:

 

 -Ingredients
-Branded ingredients (B2B)
 -Consumer brandbranded products (B2B and B2C)

 

The business opportunity for AgriFORCE™ to successfully commercializeSuccessful commercialization of premium specialized products from the UN(THINK)™ foods IP – by capturingand the capture of a conservatively very small percentage share of the category it is targeting to enter in the premium segments. We estimate these revenues to be between $500 million and $1 billion by 2030 (excluding any potential revenues from the Maltose-Power Juice applications)a notable business opportunity for AgriFORCE™.

  Breads & Bakery (2)  Whole Wheat Flours (1)  

Pulse

Flours (3)

  Dairy Alternatives  

Cereal

Bars (4)

  Total 
Global market size of target categories $235B $72B $19B $23B $23B    
Potential market share  0.1%  

0.2

%                     1%  

0.01

%  0.01%    
AgriFORCE™ potential net revenues $200M  $140M  $190M  $20M  $20M  $560M 

 

  Breads &Bakery  Functional Flours  Pulse Flours  Dairy Alternatives  Nutrition Bars  Total 
Global market size of target categories $222B  $48B  $17B  $6B  $45B     
Potential market share  0.1%  1%  1%  1%  0.1%    
AgriFORCEpotential net revenues $100-200M  $200-480M  $100- 170M  $30-60M  $20-40M  $450-950M 

Sources: Future Market Insights Reports, June 2022 (2), October 2022 (1), January 2023 (3) and October 2022 (4), .

Sources: Grand View Research Reports, San Francisco CA, 2018 Estimates.

 

96

 

While we are working on setting up a pilot plant in Canada toTo produce the UN(THINK)™ power wheat flour, for the end of 2023,we are using our patented process allows us to develop a gold-standard sproutednew germinated whole grain wheat flour, which we have qualified and have made available for sale through brokers as of JanuaryNovember 2023 in Canada and the USA, under the UN(THINK)™ Awakened Grains™Flour™ brand. This new Awakened Grains™ flour – available in 3 types: hard white wheat and hard red wheat for breads and soft white wheat for bakery and pastries – will provide enhanced nutrition with over five times more fiber, up to two times more protein and 77% of23% less net carbs versus conventional all purposeall-purpose flour (source: Eurofins Food Chemistry Madison, Inc, December 2022).

GROWTH PLAN

BUSINESS PLAN

AgriFORCE™’s organic growth plan is to actively establish and deploy the commercialization of products following the acquisition of the Manna IP, is focused onin four distinct phases:

 

PHASE 1 (COMPLETED):

 

 Product and process testing and validation. (completed)
 Filing of US and international patent. (completed)
Conceptual engineering and preliminary budgeting on commercial pilot plant.patents. (completed)
 Creation of the UN(THINK)™ foods brand. (completed)
 Qualification and operational and commercial set up of the Awakened Grains™ line of productsproducts. (completed)

 

PHASE 2:

 

 Launch of the UN(THINK)™ Awakened Grains™ sproutedFlour™ lightly germinated flour range of products in business to business (“B2B”) and direct to consumers (“D2C”) channels.
Design, build, start-up, and operation of the pilot plant for the fully processed and patented flourschannel. (completed)
 Develop range of finished products behind the wheat grain flours, qualify patented process for pulse/legume, and rice basedrice-based protein flours.
Collaborate with Nutritional Flour Medical Research Institute (an IRS section 501(c)(3) Medical Research Organization) funded by private & public research grants.

PHASE 3:

Launch first range of fully patent processed products in US/Canada (UN(THINK)™ power wheat flour.
Drive business with finished products in D2C, retail, food service.flours
 Drive business as ingredients for bakery, snack and plant basedplant-based protein products manufacturers.
Develop relationships with universities, nonprofit organizations and civic organizations focused on health in underserved communities to research impact of patented flour on nutrition.

PHASE 3:

Develop range of finished products behind the wheat grain flours, qualify patented process for pulse/legume, and rice-based protein flours.
Drive business as ingredients for bakery, snack and plant-based protein products manufacturers.
 Develop manufacturing base through partnerships and licensing.
Conceptual engineering and preliminary budgeting on large-scale processing plant.

 

PHASE 4:

 

 Expand product range in US/Canada.
 Expand business to other geographies internationally.

AgriFORCE Solutions

Understanding Our Approach –Bringing Cutting Edge Technology to Enhance and Modernize Agriculture

Traditional farming includes three fundamental approaches: outdoor, greenhouse and indoor. We are taking modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (“AI”) and blockchain–based advances to bring what is traditionally a low technology industry into the 21st century. This approach means that we are able to reach into areas not readily available to agricultural businesses in the past, such as advanced Fintech to enhance financing capabilities for these businesses and more readily provide advanced intelligence for farmers. These technologies can also be applied to worldwide sourcing and matching food producers to consumers in an efficient manner.

Our intellectual property combines a patented uniquely engineered facility design and automated growing system to solve excessive water loss and high energy consumption, two problems plaguing nearly all controlled environment agriculture systems. FORCEGH+ delivers a patented clean, sealed, self-contained micro-environment that maximizes natural sunlight and offers supplemental LED lighting. It limits human intervention and is designed to provide superior quality control through AI optical technology. It was also created to drastically reduce environmental impact, substantially decrease utility demands, conserving water, while delivering customers daily harvests and higher crop yields.

7

The Ag-Tech sector is severely underserved by the capital markets, and we see an opportunity to acquire global companies who have provided solutions to the industry and are leading innovation moving forward. The robustness of our engagement with potential targets has confirmed our belief and desire to be part of a larger integrated Ag-Tech solutions provider, where each separate element of the business has its existing legacy business and can leverage across areas of expertise to expand their business footprint.

 

The Company intends to continue development and license its technology to existing farmers in the plant based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and high value crop markets using its unique patented facility design and hydroponics based automated growing system that enable farmers to effectively grow crops in a sealed controlled environment (“FORCEGH+™”). The Company has designed FORCEGH+™ facilities to produce crops in virtually any environmental condition and to optimize crop yields to as near their full genetic potential possible while substantially eliminating the need for the use of pesticides, fungicides and/or irradiation. The Company continues to develop its solution for fruits and vegetables focusing on the integration of its current structure with a new form of vertical grow technology.

BUSINESS PLAN

The Company will launch a full line up of Hydroxyl Devices and start commercializing the Hydroxyl Devises into the US market of CEA and Food Manufacturing. The Company will identify and establish exclusive distribution agreement for the EMEA region as well Expand Distribution Network into Latin America and Asia. The Company will also advance on the commercialization of our Hydroxyl clean room systems to greatly reduce the spread of pathogens, mold and disease at processing facilities worldwide.

The Company is exploring opportunities to utilize its patented FORCEGH+™ structure and its related technologies in joint ventures and licensing. The Company is also studying the utilization of FORCEGH+ technologies in arctic, tropical and desert environments. The Company intends to continue development of and license of its technology to existing farmers in the plant based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and high value crop markets using its unique patented facility design and hydroponics based automated growing system that enable farmers to effectively grow crops in a sealed controlled environment (“FORCEGH+™”).

The Company also looks to expand its efforts into development of blockchain solutions and the implementation of these solutions into FinTech systems to allow quicker and less costly transactions between commercial farmers.

The Company is exploring opportunities to utilize its patented FORCEGH+™ structure and its related technologies in joint ventures and licensing. The Company is also studying the utilization of FORCEGH+ technologies in arctic, tropical and desert environments and artificial intelligence and blockchain in the development and implementation of FinTech systems to commercial farmers, and advancing on the commercialization of our Hydroxyl clean room systems to greatly reduce the spread of pathogens, mold and disease at processing facilities worldwide.

The AgriFORCE Clean Solutions

The Company’s Solutions division is charged with the commercialization of our FORCEGH+ technology and our RCS clean room systems. The Company has also begun to advance its initiative to integrate blockchain in the development and implementation of FinTech systems for commercial farmers.

8

We have a worldwide license to commercialize the proprietary hydroxyl generating devices of Radical Clean Solutions, Inc. (“RCS”) for the CEA and food manufacturing industries. The RCS technology is a product line consisting of patent-pending “smart hydroxyl generation systems” focused on numerous industry verticals that is proven to eliminate 99.99+% of all major pathogens, virus, mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and allergy triggers(8).

On October 1, 2023, the Company signed a definitive agreement to purchase a 14% ownership stake in RCS.

The Company generated its first revenue from the sale of RCS devices in late 2023. During 2023, the Company signed an exclusive distribution agreement with a leading distributor of air conditioning and heating solutions in Mexico for the representation and sale of the AgriFORCE/RCS hydroxyl generating devices for greenhouses and food manufacturing facilities for the territory of Mexico. The first products were delivered in October 2023 pursuant to purchase orders for the products.

The Company will continue to expand sales into Mexico through its distributor, Commercializadora DESICO. Based on its sale into the poultry industry in Mexico, the Company is expanding its distribution of its Clean System solutions into other Latin American markets and the United States.

(8) BCI Labs, Gainesville Florida, February 2022; and various institutional studies.

BUSINESS PLAN

2024

Continue introduction into the Mexico market with our exclusive distributor
Identify and set up exclusive distribution agreements for the EMEA region
Start commercializing the Hydroxyl Devices into the US market of CEA and Food Manufacturing
Launch full line up of Hydroxyl Devices : in-Duct HVAC unit, Portable Industrial QuadPro Unit, Small Rooms Wall-Mount unit

2025

Design, build, start-up,Expand Distribution Network into Latin America and operation of large-scale processing plan.Asia.

 

Merger and Acquisition (“M&A”)

The Company plans to evaluate accretive M&A opportunities of an appropriate scale as it progresses with its ongoing business plans surrounding its already owned IP and improvements thereto. Any M&A propositions must be of a size and scale which works to complement the Company’s ongoing business in terms of allocation of resources.

 

With respectThe Company intends to focus any M&A growth, the Company is aggressively pursuing acquisitions& A activity to targets which are focused in the agriculture technology space. The Company believes that a buy and buildAg-Tech space with emphasis on businesses which can also increase our ESG footprint. This refocused M&A strategy will provide uniqueensure that proper personnel and economic resources are allocated to the Company’s ongoing businesses, while refocusing efforts on synergistic opportunities for innovation across each segment ofwhich work to enhance the Ag-Tech market we serve. Our unique IP combined with the know-how and IP of acquired companies will create additional value if the way we grow or produce crops. The Company believes there is currently no other public traded publicly in the United States pursing this model.Company’s existing assets.

 

As a result of this refocus of the M&A strategy, the following formerly considered acquisition opportunities are no longer being considered by the Company:

10

 

Manna Nutritional Group Asset Acquisition

On September 10, 2021, the Company signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire food production and processing IP from Manna.

On May 10, 2022, the Company completed an amendment to its asset purchase agreement with Manna Nutritional Group LLC, dated September 10, 2021. The amendment required the issuance of prefunded warrants instead of shares over several tranches and contained covenants to obtain shareholder approval of the acquisition transactions before the prefunded warrants can be exercised into Company common shares.

The transaction was fully approved by the shareholders on December 15, 2022. The Company paid consideration of $1,475,000 in cash and issued 7,379,969 prefunded warrants valued at $12,106,677 adjusted for foreign exchange differences of $492,300. Subject to a 9.99% stopped and SEC Rule 144 restrictions, the prefunded warrants will vest in tranches up until March 10, 2024. When vested the tranches of prefunded warrants will be converted into an equal number of common shares.

Delphy Groep BV Acquisition

 

On February 10, 2022, the Company signed a definitive share purchase agreement (the “Delphy Agreement”) to acquire Delphy, a Netherlands-based AgTech consultancy firm, for €23.5 million through a combination of cash and stock. The definitive agreement follows the binding letter of intent as previously announced in the Company’s press release in October 2021. Delphy, which optimizes production of plant-based foods and flowers, has multinational operations in Europe, Asia, and Africa, with approximately 200 employees and consultants. Delphy’s client list includes agriculture companies, governments, universities, and leading AgTech suppliers, who turn to the company to drive agricultural innovation, solutions, and operational expertise. The Delphy Agreement was negotiated at arm’s length and is not a related party transaction.

On September 22, 2022, the Company entered an amendment to the Delphy Agreement, pursuant to which the parties agreed to reduce the total purchase from €$23.5 million to €17.7 million, plus a potential earnout of up to €6.0 million over two (2) years, based on achieving future performance milestones. The Company also agreed to pay interest in the amount of €0.2 million on the purchase price and additional interest from November 15, 2022 up to January 15, 2023 (the “Long Stop Date”).

Management is currently in negotiating an amendment which will extend the Long Stop Date past January 15, 2023. Neither party has provided notice to terminate the agreement.

On February 10, 2022, the Company signed a definitive share purchase agreement (the “Delphy Agreement”) to acquire Delphy, a Netherlands-based Ag-Tech consultancy firm, for €23.5 million through a combination of cash and stock.
On May 25, 2023, the parties mutually terminated the share purchase agreement after extensive due diligence, an evaluation of the historical and projected financial information, potential for impairment risk as well as current market conditions.

 

Deroose Plants NV Binding Letter of Intent

 

On February 23, 2022, the Company signed a binding letter of intent (the “Deroose LOI”) with Deroose Plants NV (“Deroose”).
The Deroose LOI was subject to completion of standard due diligence and entry into a definitive purchase agreement.
The Company is no longer pursuing this acquisition opportunity.

On February 23, 2022, the Company signed a binding letter of intent (the “Deroose LOI”) with Deroose Plants NV (“Deroose”), one of the largest tissue culture propagation companies in the world with a leadership position in horticulture, plantation crops, and fruit and vegetables. Founded in 1980, Deroose has multi-national operations in Europe, North America, and Asia, and over 800 employees.

9

The Deroose LOI is subject to completion of standard due diligence and entry into a definitive purchase agreement, which shall include commercially standard terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, representations and warranties, covenants, events of default and conditions to closing.Stronghold Land Acquisition

 

On August 30, 2022, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) with Stronghold Power Systems, Inc. (“Stronghold”) to purchase approximately 34 acres of land in Coachella California.
As at March 31, 2023 the prefunded warrants issued were rescinded and the warrants were rendered null and void as the Company presented termination notice to Stronghold.
On October 12, 2023, the Company was served a complaint filed in the Superior Court of California from Stronghold for breach of contract in relation to the PSA. The Company denies any liability, other than what is already recorded in the financial statements and will vigorously defend the claims made against the Company.

The net purchase price by the Company is expected to be approximately €61 million. The purchase price represents approximately €41 million for the Deroose business on a cash and debt free basis and €20 million for the genetic IP portfolio.

Berry People LLC Binding Letter of Intent

 

The parties are working through the Letter of Intent. Neither party has provided notice to terminate the agreement.

On January 24, the Company announced it has entered a binding letter of intent (“BP LOI”) to acquire Berry People LLC, (“Berry People”).
The Company is no longer pursuing this acquisition opportunity.

 

Stronghold Land Acquisition

On August 30, 2022, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) with Stronghold Power Systems, Inc. (“Stronghold”) to purchase approximately 34 acres of land in Coachella California. The purchase price is $4,300,000, payable as follows: (i) $1,500,000 in cash and (ii) $2,800,000 in restricted shares of common stock of the Company. The stock is being issued in the form of prefunded warrants in two tranches: (i) $1,700,000 (695,866 prefunded warrants) issued within five days of entry into the PSA, and (ii) $1,100,000 (450,266 prefunded warrants) at closing of the transaction. The first tranche shall be void if closing of the transaction does not occur by March 31, 2023. The prefunded warrants per share exercise price is $2.443 which is subject to certain adjustments. Issuance of all securities in this transaction are exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the terms of the agreement, Stronghold must complete certain permitting, zoning, and infrastructure work by March 31, 2023, to close the transaction.

Corporate Structure

 

The Company currently has the following wholly-owned subsidiaries, which perform the following functions – AgriFORCE Investments holds the Company’s U.S. investments, West Pender Holdings retains real estate assets, West Pender Management is a management company, AGI IP holds the Company’s intellectual property in the U.S., un(Think) Food Company will manufacture food products in the U.S. and un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd. manufactures food products in Canada:

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of IncorporationDate of Incorporation
AgriFORCE Investments Inc. (US) DelawareApril 9, 2019
West Pender Holdings, Inc. DelawareSeptember 1, 2018
AGI IP Co. NevadaMarch 5, 2020
West Pender Management Co.Consulting Company* NevadaJuly 9, 2019
un(Think) Food Company NevadaJune 20, 2022
un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd.** British ColumbiaDecember 4, 2019
AgriFORCE Europe BV***BelgiumMarch 29, 2023
AgriFORCE Belgium BV***BelgiumMarch 29, 2023
GrowForce BV***BelgiumJune 19, 2023

AgriFORCE (Barbados) Ltd.***

Barbados

October 14, 2022

 

*West Pender Consulting Company changed its name from West Pender Management Co. on August 1, 2022.
**un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd. changed its name from Daybreak AG Systems Ltd. duringon August 19, 2022.
***Entities have no activity and are in the year ended December 31, 2022.process of being dissolved.

 

Summary Three Year History

 

From the date of Incorporation (December 22, 2017) to the date of this filing, the Company has largely been engaged in completion of its initial corporate organization, assembling its management team, completing the design and engineering of its IP and filing the appropriate intellectual property protection and taking the initial steps to implement its business plan through the commencement of initial operations. Significant milestones during thisthe three-year period ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

The Company has substantially finalized the final design and engineering drawings for the FORCEGH+™.
On November 30, 2021, the Company signed an offtake agreement with Humboldt Bliss, Ltd., a Barbadian limited company (“Humboldt”). Under the terms of the contract, AgriFORCE™ is responsible for constructing its proprietary facility and providing the full Standard Operating Procedures (“SOP”s) of the FORCEGH+™ and Humboldt is responsible for securing the project’s land as well as operating the facility. David Welch, a director of the Company, owns a controlling interest in Humboldt and is a related party. Mr. Welch recused himself from the final deliberation and approval of the agreement by the board.
 On February 18, 2022, the Company signed a license agreement with Radical Clean Solutions Ltd (“Radical”), a New York corporation that has developed a patent pending product line consisting of smart hydroxyl generation systems to eliminate 99.99+% of all pathogens, virus, mold, volatile organic compounds and allergy triggers, to commercialize the proprietary hydroxyl generating devices within the controlled environment agriculture (“CEA”)CEA and food manufacturing industries. The license grants the rights to AgriFORCE™ in perpetuity as well as joint patent ownership rights for application in CEA. The Company has been working on commercializing these devices for food manufacturing plants, greenhouses, vertical growing facilities, as well as food, storage, and produce transportation. This is with a goal to drive food security, improve product freshness, and lengthen shelf-life.
   
 On May 18, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of the food processing intellectual property of Manna Nutritional Group (Manna).
On January 3, 2023, the Manna patent, which encompasses a process to naturally convert grain, pulses and root vegetables, resulting in low-starch, low-sugar, high-protein, fiber-rich baking flour as well as produces a natural sweetener juice, was approved by the US Patents Office and the title was transferred to the Company.
On October 18, 2023, the Company delivered its first shipment of hydroxyl generating devices.

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Financing

 

On March 24, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors for the purchase of $750,000 in principal amount ($600,000 subscription amount) of senior secured debentures originally due June 24, 2021 (the “Bridge Loan”). On June 24, 2021, the due date was extended to July 12, 2021. The imputed interest rate is encompassed within the original issue discount of the debentures and no additional cash interest was due. The debentures were issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to certain purchasers who are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Each debenture holder will receive a warrant to purchase shares of common stock in an amount equal to 50% of the principal amount divided by 80% of the initial public offering price of the Company’s common stock. The warrants are exercisable at 80% of the initial public offering price. Transaction costs of $69,000 have been recorded in connection with the Bridge Loan. The Bridge Loan was fully repaid on July 13, 2021.

On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into security purchase agreements with certain accredited investors (the “Convertible Debt“Debenture Investors”) for the purchase of $14,025,000 in convertible debentures (the “Debentures”“First Tranche Debentures”) due December 31, 2024. The interest rates on the Debentures are 5% for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will be made in 25 equal monthly installments and began on September 1, 2022. The Debenture may be extended by six months at the election of the Company by paying a sum equal to six months interest on the principal amount outstanding at the end of the 18th month, at the rate of 8% per annum. The Debentures arewere convertible into common shares at $2.22$111.00 per share. The Convertible Debt Investors havehad the right to purchase additional tranches of $5,000,000 each, up to a total additional principal amount of $33,000,000. In addition, the Convertible DebtDebenture Investors received 4,106,41882,129 warrants at a strike price of $2.442,$122.10, which expire on December 31, 2025 (the “Debenture“First Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Debenture Warrants and Debentures each have down round provisions whereby the conversion and strike prices will be adjusted downward if the Company issues equity instruments at lower prices.

On January 17, 2023, the Convertible DebtDebenture Investors purchased an additional tranche of $5,076,923.tranches totaling $5,076,923 (the “Second Tranche Debentures”) and received 53,226 warrants (the “Second Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The convertible debtSecond Tranche Debentures and warrantsDebenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $1.24.$62.00 and expire on July 17, 2025. The issuance of the additional tranches triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First Tranche Debentures and the First Tranche Debenture Warrants to $62.00.

On June 20, 2023 the Company issued 20,000 common shares with 20,000 warrants via a private placement for consideration of $250,000.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued 124,652 common shares for cash under the ATM agreement for net proceeds of $939,695. The issuance triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well as the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $5.50.

On October 18, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures (the “Third Tranche Debentures”) and received 620,230 warrants (the “Third Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Third Tranche Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $2.62 and expire on April 18, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well as the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $2.62.

On November 30, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fourth Tranche Debentures”) and received 1,986,112 warrants (the “Fourth Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Fourth Tranche Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.90 and expire on May 30, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second and Third Tranche Debentures as well as the First, Second and Third Tranche Debenture Warrants to $0.90.

On February 21, 2024, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fifth Tranche Debentures”) and received 3,341,122 warrants (the “Fifth Tranche Debenture Warrants”). The Fifth Tranche Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214 and expire on August 21, 2027. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $1.24.

$0.214.

 

The First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Tranche Debentures (the “Debentures”) have an interest rate of 5% for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will be made in 25 equal installments which began on September 1, 2022 for the First Tranche Debentures, July 1, 2023 for the Second Tranche Debentures, January 1, 2024 for the Third Tranche Debentures, May 1, 2024 for the Fourth Tranche Debentures and August 1, 2024 for the Fifth tranche Debentures. The Debentures may be extended by nine months at the election of the Company by paying a sum equal to nine months interest on the principal amount outstanding at the end of the 18th month, at the rate of 8% per annum.

All financings per the above were issued in private placement transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Intellectual Property

 

In accordance with industry practice, the Company protects its proprietary products, technology and its competitive advantage through a combination of contractual provisions and trade secret, copyright and trademark laws in Canada, the United States and in other jurisdictions in which it conducts its business. The Company also has confidentiality agreements, assignment agreements and license agreements with employees and third parties, which limit access to and use of its intellectual property.

11

Patents

We hold seven (7) patents in the United States and 15 international patents. We also have 18 pending patent applications. These patents and patents applications are directed to, among other things, technologies planned to be utilized in FORCEGH+™ and UN(THINK)™ foods.Patents

Patent Application #Application DateExpiry DateTitle

Case

Status

Country
2001/209626-Aug-202026-Aug-2040AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSPendingBarbados
315149226-Aug-202026-Aug-2040AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSPendingCanada
202080073940.726-Aug-2020AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSPendingChina
20858811.126-Aug-202026-Aug-2040AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSPendingEuropean Patent Office
TT/A/2022/0002426-Aug-2020AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSAbandoned (p)Trinidad & Tobago
1152885926-Aug-202026-Aug-2040AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSRegisteredUnited States
17/98310908-Nov-2022AUTOMATED GROWING SYSTEMSApplication allowedUnited States
PCT/CA2023/05125121-Sep-2023PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANTS USING CLONE TO FLOWER MODELPendingPatent Cooperation Treaty
201821509031-Jan-201831-Jan-2038HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFApplication allowedAustralia
305186031-Jan-201831-Jan-2038HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFPendingCanada
18747157.831-Jan-2018HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFPendingEuropean Patent Office
20191703260331-Jan-2018HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFPendingIndia
75579231-Jan-201831-Jan-2038HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR AND POWER JUICE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFPendingNew Zealand
1154053831-Jan-201831-Jan-2038HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR, SWEETENED LIQUID, SWEETENERS, CEREALS, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFRegisteredUnited States
17/96369011-Oct-2022HIGH FIBER, HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARBOHYDRATE FLOUR, SWEETENED LIQUID, SWEETENERS, CEREALS, AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOFApplication filedUnited States
2001/205706-Mar-202006-Mar-2040STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSPendingBarbados
313267206-Mar-202006-Mar-2040STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSGrantedCanada
CN202080033944.206-Mar-2020STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSPendingChina
20765629.906-Mar-202006-Mar-2040STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSPendingEuropean Patent Office
TT/A/2021/0009306-Mar-2020STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSAbandoned (p)Trinidad & Tobago
1158291806-Mar-202006-Mar-2040STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSRegisteredUnited States
18/09641712-Jan-2023STRUCTURES FOR GROWING PLANTSApplication allowedUnited States

12

Trademarks

Application #Application DateExpiry DateTitle

Case

Status

Country
199783526-Nov-2019AGRIFORCEIn examinationCanada
01824324422-May-2020AGRIFORCERegisteredEuropean Union Intellectual Property Office
UK0091824324422-May-2020AGRIFORCERegisteredUnited Kingdom
88/93021822-May-2020AGRIFORCESuspendedUnited States
204467507-Aug-2020FORCEFILMTM Application filedCanada
01838983804-Feb-2021FORCEFILMRegisteredEuropean Union Intellectual Property Office
90/12484219-Aug-2020FORCEFILMSuspendedUnited States
212778118-Aug-2021UN(THINK)TM Application filedCanada
01857267406-Oct-2021UN(THINK)Application filedEuropean Union Intellectual Property Office
166912618-Feb-2022UN(THINK)PendingMadrid Protocol (TM)
90/89768923-Aug-2021UN(THINK)SuspendedUnited States
219609006-Jul-2022C2FTM Application filedCanada
97/49531308-Jul-2022C2FSuspendedUnited States
219896420-Jul-2022AWAKENED GRAINSTM Application filedCanada
97/52712829-Jul-2022AWAKENED GRAINSSuspendedUnited States
220778202-Sep-2022FORCEGH+

Approved

Canada
97/60502623-Sep-2022FORCEGH+SuspendedUnited States
224322202-Mar-2023AWAKENED FLOURTM Application filedCanada
175285801-Sep-2023AWAKENED FLOURRegisteredMadrid Protocol (TM)
97/82450006-Mar-2023AWAKENED FLOURSuspendedUnited States
TMA117533424-Jan-2019PLANET LOVERegisteredCanada
UK0080150409124-Jul-2019PLANET LOVERegisteredUnited Kingdom
150409124-Jul-2019PLANET LOVERegisteredMadrid Protocol (TM)
619755424-Jul-2019PLANET LOVERegisteredUnited States
UK0080149423430-Aug-2019CANIVATERegisteredUnited Kingdom
149423430-Aug-2019CANIVATERegisteredMadrid Protocol (TM)
619197230-Aug-2019CANIVATERegisteredUnited States
UK0080149423130-Aug-2019THE CANIVATE WAYRegisteredUnited Kingdom
149423130-Aug-2019THE CANIVATE WAYRegisteredMadrid Protocol (TM)
618201730-Aug-2019THE CANIVATE WAYRegisteredUnited States

Competitor Comparison and Differentiation

Solutions

 

The Company believes that it has no direct competitors who provide a proprietary facility design and automated grow system as well as a system of operational processes designed to optimize the performance of the Company’s grow houses. On a broader basis, the competitive landscape includes greenhouse vendors, agriculture systems providers, automated grow system vendors, and system/solutions consultants.

 

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The Company believes it has developed one of the world’s most technologically advanced indoor agriculture systems by focusing on competitive differentiators to deliver vastly improved results beyond conventional indoor approaches. By conceiving new IP, as well as utilizing tried trued tested existing Ag-Tech and Bio-Tech solutions, the Company delivers integrated unique architectural design, intelligent automation and advanced growing processes to create precisely controlled growing environments optimized for each nominated crop variety. These precision ecosystems should enable the Company to cost-effectively produce the cleanest, greenest and most flavorful produce, as well as consistent medical-grade plant-based nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, available.

The Company believes that is has the rights to one of the world’s most effective and safe purification solutions via its license and ownership in Radical Clean Solutions. The Company understands that it has competition, however, the quality of the construction and design of the Radical Clean Solutions has proven to highly effective for the Company’s customers.

 

Brands

 

Our patented technology naturally processes and converts grains, pulses, and root vegetables into low-starch, low-sugar, high-protein fiber-rich baking flour products. The Company is developing a range of consumer products to transform the consumers’ diet in multiple verticals.

 

The Company’s UN(THINK)™ power flour has 40 times more fiber, 3 times more protein, and 75% less net carbs than regular all-purpose flour8.

 

(8) Based on protein, fiber, and starch content figures from a nationally certified independent laboratory, as compared to standard all purposeall-purpose flour.

 

Recent Developments

 

Convertible Debt FinancingManagement Restructuring

On July 18, 2023, the Company announced a restructuring of management. Ingo Mueller departed from his position as CEO and Chair of the Board. Richard Wong was concurrently appointed as interim CEO, and David Welch and John Meekison each assumed the role of Co-Chair of the Board. Ingo Mueller served as a director of the Company until the shareholder meeting dated September 27, 2023 at which time he was not re-elected and ceased to serve as a director. On November 10, 2023, David Welch was appointed Board Chair. The Company is currently evaluating options regarding the appointment of a fulltime CEO.

 

On January 17, 2023,25, 2024, Troy McClellan , President of AgriFORCE Solutions, submitted a letter of resignation to the Convertible Debt Investors purchased an additional trancheCompany. On January 25, 2024, the Company accepted his resignation and deemed it effective immediately pursuant to Section 7.3 of $5,076,923 in convertible debentureshis employment agreement with the Company which permits waiver by the Company of Mr. McClellan’s notice period (through March 31, 2024) and received 2,661,289 warrants. The convertible debt and warrants were issued with an exercise price of $1.24. The issuancecorresponding acceleration of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the Debentures and the Debenture Warrants to $1.24.

Berry People LLC Binding Letter of Intentresignation date.

 

On January 24,February 10, 2024, Richard Wong resumed his original role as Chief Financial Officer in order to focus on finance and accounting matters for the Company. Effective as of the same day, Jolie Kahn was appointed Executive Turnaround Consultant to support the Company’s operational growth and expansion efforts. Jolie Kahn shall report to David Welch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, announced it has entered intowho shall act as Executive Chairman until such time as a binding letter of intent (“BP LOI”) to acquire Berry People LLC, (“Berry People”), a berry business with an increasingly international footprint and a scalable business model. The acquisition bolsters the AgriFORCE™ Brands division and allows the Company to realize commercial synergies with UN(THINK)™.permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed.

 

Berry People was founded in 2017 by berry industry veteransOn February 19, 2024, Margaret Honey resigned as a Director of (the “Company”) to create a new platform to meet market demand for a branded, year-round supplypursue other interests. The resignation is not the result of organic and conventional berries. Berry People quickly established a recognized global trade brand and scalable operations, comprised of over 200 retail and foodservice clients and over 100 grower and exporter clients acrossany disagreement with the US, Canada, Mexico, and Peru. Berry People had net revenues of USD $37 (unaudited) million for the year ended December 31, 2022.Company.

 

The LOI states, among other things that:

the transaction will be subject to completion of due diligence to the Company’s satisfaction and, after satisfactory due diligence, the reaching of agreement on the terms of the purchase pursuant to a definitive purchase agreement, including conditions precedent for closing of the transaction;
the parties will sign the definitive purchase agreement no later than April 30, 2023, unless agreed to by both parties; and
Berry People will not enter into any negotiations with other parties for a period of three months following the execution of the BP LOI.

1314

 

 

The BP LOI sets forth a purchase price of $28.0 million, consisting of $18.2 million in cash and $9.8 million in AgriFORCE™ restricted shares, will be paid at closing to acquire 70% of Berry People’s equity interests. Berry People will have the opportunity for future earnouts during the five years after closing based on future revenue and EBITDA targets associated with agreed upon growth targets.

In collaboration with AgriFORCE™, Berry People aims to further develop backward integration into agricultural production via farming joint ventures and deploy licensed and developed IP as part of a scalable franchising model. The berries market was $9.65 billion in 2021 in the U.S. alone7, with growth rates of around 10% or more each year since 2019— a trend that is expected to continue.

(7) As per IRI Integrated Fresh, Latest 52 WE 3/20/2022

Manna Patent Issuance

On January 3, 2023, Manna satisfied all its contractual obligations when the patent was approved by the US Patents Office and title was transferred to the Company. The Company issued 1,637,049 shares upon exercise of vested tranches of Manna’s prefunded warrants in relation to this transaction on January 3, 2023.

Employees

 

As of March 13, 2023,April 1, 2024, the Company has 15seven (7) employees and three consultants.(3) consultants /contractors. The Company also relies on consultants and contractors to conduct its operations. The Company anticipates that it will be hiring additional employees to support its planned activities.

 

Operations

 

The Company primary operating activities are in California,Idaho, USA and Saskatoon, Canada. The Company’s head office is located in Vancouver, Canada.

 

Status as an Emerging Growth Company

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for private companies.

We are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company,” we intend to rely on certain of these exemptions from, without limitation, (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (a) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the closing of this offering, (b) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (c) the last day of our fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act (which would occur if the market value of our equity securities that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter), or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the preceding three-year period.

1415

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Risks Relating to the Company’s Business

 

The Company is an early stage company with little operating history, a history of losses and the Company cannot assure profitability.

 

The Company currently has nolittle revenues and does not have any significant history of revenue generating operations. The Company has been involved in the design and development of its CEA FORCEGH+™ facility, which incorporatesacquisition, the Company’s AgriFORCE™ micropropagation laboratories, acquisitionsales and development of Hydroxyl generating devices and advancement of the UN(THINK)™ foods IP, product base, development of its pilot plant, and transacting with potential revenue generating acquirees. While the Company has invested considerably in these business plans, no FORCEGH+™ facility has been constructed to date, the Company has not generated revenue from UN(THINK)™, nor has the Company completed any acquisition of revenue generating companies. The commercial or operating viability of the Company’s business plans have not been proven. There is no assurance that the revenue generated from its operations, and if those revenues, when and if generated, will be sufficient to sustain operations, nonetheless achieve profitability.

There is no assurance that the Company’s FORCEGH+™ facilities or micropropagation laboratories will operate as intended.

The Company’s initial state of its business operations will be to construct and deploy and license its initial FORCEGH+™ facility and micropropagation laboratories. However, the Company has yet to complete construction of any laboratories.. Accordingly, this component of the Company’s business plan is subject to considerable risks, including:

 

there is no assurance that the laboratories will achieve the intended plantlet production rates;
 the costs of constructing and operating the laboratories may be greater than anticipated;
 the potential offtake partners who have indicated a willingness to deploy the laboratories at their existing cultivation operations may withdraw and determine not to deploy the laboratories;
 there is no assurance that the facilities will deliver the intended benefits of high production yields, lower crop losses and reduced operation costs;
 if the company is not able to fully develop the grow house or it does not operate as intended, it could prevent the company from realizing any of its business goals or achieving profitability;
 the costs of constructing the grow houses may be greater than anticipated and the Company may not be able to recover these greater costs through increases in the lease rates, license fees and services fees that it charges to its customers; and
 the costs of operating the grow house may be greater than anticipated.

 

There is no assurance that UN(THINK)™ will operate as intended.

 

The Company’s plans for developing and advancing the UN(THINK)™ are in its preliminary stages. The Company has yet to fully launch their range of products in either the B2B or D2C channels. Accordingly, this component of the Company’s business plan is subject to considerable risks, including:

 

 the costs of constructing and operating the pilot plant may be greater than anticipated;
the potential B2B and D2C sales may not achieved the planned levels of sales;
 there is no assurance that the pilot plantCompany’s production partners will deliver the planned production levels or scale;
if the company is not able to fully develop the pilot plan, it could prevent the company from realizing any of its business goals or achieving profitability;
the costs of operating the AgriFORCE™ pilot plant may be greater than anticipated.
 the quality of product from the co-manufacturing may not be sufficient.
 the cost from co-manufacturing may be greater than anticipated.
 the demand for the products may not be as high as predicted.
 the pricing of the products may deter potential buyers and may not cover the cost of production.
 the brand may not attract sufficient volume.

There is no assurance that Hydroxyl Generating Systems will operate as intended.

The Company’s plans for developing and expanding sales of the AgriFORCE Clean Solutions are in its preliminary stages. The Company has yet to generate remarkable sales of its Hydroxyl products. Accordingly, this component of the Company’s business plan is subject to considerable risks, including:

the quality of product from the co-manufacturing may not be sufficient.
the cost from co-manufacturing may be greater than anticipated.
the demand for the products may not be as high as predicted.
the pricing of the products may deter potential buyers and may not cover the cost of production.
the brand may not attract sufficient volume.
the quality of product from the co-manufacturing may not be sufficient.

 

We may not realize the anticipated benefits of, and synergies from, acquisitions and may become responsible for certain liabilities and integration costs as a result.

 

The businesses we have proposed to acquire have previously operated independently from us. The proposed integrations of our operations with the proposed businesses acquisitions are intended to result in financial and operational benefits, and business synergies. There can be no assurance, however, regarding when or the extent to which we will be able to realize these and other benefits. Integration may also be difficult, unpredictable, and subject to delay because of possible company culture conflicts, system integrations, regulatory compliance, and other factors. Difficulties associated with the integration of the proposed business acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Fluctuations in the exchange rate of foreign currencies could result in losses.

 

We incur a portion of our operating expenses in Canadian dollars, and in the future, as we expand into other foreign countries, we expect to incur operating expenses in other foreign currencies. We are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of our international operations are translated from the local functional currency into U.S. dollars upon consolidation. A decline in the U.S. dollar relative to foreign functional currencies would increase our non-U.S. revenue and improve our operating results. Conversely, if the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to foreign functional currencies, our revenue and operating results would be adversely affected. We have not previously engaged in foreign currency hedging. If we decide to hedge our foreign currency exchange rate exposure, we may not be able to hedge effectively due to lack of experience, unreasonable costs or illiquid markets.

 

1516

 

 

The Company will require additional financing and there is no assurance that additional financing will be available when required.

 

The Company will require substantial additional capital in order to execute its business plan. Existing funds will not be sufficient and additional financing will be needed for this purpose and for other purposes. The Company plans to achieve this additional financing through equity and/or debt financing which will likely be dilutive to the position of then current shareholders. However, there is no assurance that this financing will be available at favorable terms, if at all, when required, given the Company’s small asset base and current lack of revenue.

 

The Company had negative cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2022.2023.

 

The Company had negative cash flows from operating activities for year ended December 31, 2022.2023. To the extent that the Company has negative cash flows from operating activities in future periods, it may need to allocate a portion of its cash reserves to fund such negative cash flow. The Company may also be required to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate a positive cash flow from operating activities, that additional capital or other types of financing will be available when needed or that these financings will be on terms favorable to the Company. The Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from the expectations of the Company’s management.

 

The Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from the expectations of the Company’s management.

 

The Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management’s expectations. The process for estimating the Company’s revenue, net income and cash flow requires the use of judgment in determining the appropriate assumptions and estimates. These estimates and assumptions may be revised as additional information becomes available and as additional analyses are performed. In addition, the assumptions used in planning may not prove to be accurate, and other factors may affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. As a result, the Company’s revenue, net income and cash flow may differ materially from the Company’s projected revenue, net income and cash flow.

 

The Company expects to incur significant ongoing costs and obligations related to its investment in infrastructure, growth, regulatory compliance and operations.

 

The Company expects to incur significant ongoing costs and obligations related to its planned investments. To the extent that these costs may be greater than anticipated or the Company may not be able to generate revenues or raise additional financing to cover these costs, these operating expenses could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, future changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could increase costs and have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Company. The Company may not be able to recover sufficient revenues to offset its higher operating expenses or to recoup its initial capital investment. The Company may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including, unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays, and other unknown events. If the Company is unable to achieve and sustain profitability, the market price of our securities may significantly decrease.

1617

 

 

There is no assurance the Company will be able to repatriate or distribute funds for investment from the United States to Canada or elsewhere.

 

In the event that any of the Company’s investments, or any proceeds thereof, any dividends or distributions there from, or any profits or revenues accruing from such investments in the United States were found to be in violation of money laundering legislation or otherwise, such transactions may be viewed as proceeds of crime under applicable federal laws, rules and regulations or any other applicable legislation. This could restrict or otherwise jeopardize the ability of the Company to declare or pay dividends, effect other distributions or subsequently repatriate such funds back to Canada or elsewhere.

 

The Company may not be able to effectively manage its growth and operations, which could materially and adversely affect its business.

 

If the Company implements it business plan as intended, it may in the future experience rapid growth and development in a relatively short period of time. The management of this growth will require, among other things, continued development of the Company’s financial and management controls and management information systems, stringent control of costs, the ability to attract and retain qualified management personnel and the training of new personnel. The Company intends to utilize outsourced resources, and hire additional personnel, to manage its expected growth and expansion. Failure to successfully manage its possible growth and development could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and the value of the shares.

 

The Company may face significant competition from other facilities.

 

Many other businesses in California engage in similar activities to the Company, leasing commercial space to agricultural producers generally, and providing additional products and services to similar customers. The Company cannot assure you that it will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Competitive pressures faced by the Company could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The Company may face significant competition from other facilities.

Many other businesses in California engage in similar activities to the Company, leasing commercial space to agricultural producers generally, and providing additional products and services to similar customers. The Company cannot assure you that it will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Competitive pressures faced by the Company could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

The Company may face significant competition from other nutritious food companies.

 

We face significant competition from other nutritious food companies. Many of our competitions may have established brands, more experience and competency in the industry, larger fulfillment infrastructure, significantly more marketing and other financial resources, and larger customers bases than we do. These factors may allow our competitions to achieve greater net sales and profits. The significant competition faced by the Company could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results and financial condition.

 

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our business may be adversely affected.

 

There can be no assurance that trade secrets and other intellectual property will not be challenged, invalidated, misappropriated or circumvented by third parties. Currently, our intellectual property includes provisional patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications and know-how related to business, product and technology development. We plan on taking the necessary steps, including but not limited to the filing of additional patents as appropriate. There is no assurance any additional patents will issue or that when they do issue they will include all of the claims currently included in the applications. Even if they do issue, those new patents and our existing patents must be protected against possible infringement. Nonetheless, we currently rely on contractual obligations of our employees and contractors to maintain the confidentiality of our products. To compete effectively, we need to develop and continue to maintain a proprietary position with respect to our technologies, and business. The risks and uncertainties that we face with respect to intellectual property rights principally include the following:

 

 Provisional protection may not result in full patents being granted, and any full patent applications that we file may not result in issued patents or may take longer than expected to result in issued patents;
   
 we may be subject to interference proceedings;
   
 other companies may claim that patents applied for by, assigned or licensed to, us infringe upon their own intellectual property rights;
   
 we may be subject to trademark opposition proceedings in the U.S. and in foreign countries;

 

1718

 

 any patents that are issued to us may not provide meaningful protection;
   
 we may not be able to develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;
   
 other companies may challenge patents licensed or issued to us as invalid, unenforceable or not infringed;
   
 other companies may independently develop similar or alternative technologies, or duplicate our technologies;
   
 other companies may design around technologies that we have licensed or developed;
   
 any patents issued to us may expire and competitors may utilize the technology found in such patents to commercialize their own products; and
   
 enforcement of patents is complex, uncertain and expensive.

 

It is also possible that others may obtain issued patents that could prevent us from commercializing certain aspects of our products or require us to obtain licenses requiring the payment of significant fees or royalties in order to enable us to conduct our business. If we license patents, our rights will depend on maintaining our obligations to the licensor under the applicable license agreement, and we may be unable to do so. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the work-for-hire, intellectual property assignment and confidentiality agreements entered into by our employees and consultants, advisors and collaborators will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure of such trade secrets, know- how or other proprietary information. The scope and enforceability of patent claims are not systematically predictable with absolute accuracy. The strength of our own patent rights depends, in part, upon the breadth and scope of protection provided by the patent and the validity of our patents, if any.

Impairments of the carrying amounts of intangible asset could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our intangible asset balance consists of our patented process to develop germinated whole grain wheat flour. We test our assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of our intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections (for example due to regulatory or industry changes), disposals of significant components of our business, unexpected business disruptions, unexpected significant declines in operating results, or significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate. We test our intangible asset for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, we record an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount.

While there was no single determinative event or factor, the consideration in totality of several factors that developed during the fourth quarter of 2023 led us to conclude that it was possible that the fair value of our intangible asset was below their carrying amounts. These factors included: (i) a sustained decrease in our share price in 2023, which reduced our market capitalization below the book value of net assets; (ii) lack of financing raised during 2023 due to the economic environment (iii) delays in the launch of the sale of our UN(THINK) flour. Impairment of Company’s intangible asset could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We operate in an industry with the risk of intellectual property litigation. Claims of infringement against us may hurt our business.

Our success depends, in part, upon non-infringement of intellectual property rights owned by others and being able to resolve claims of intellectual property infringement without major financial expenditures or adverse consequences. Participants that own, or claim to own, intellectual property may aggressively assert their rights. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. Future litigation may be necessary to defend us or our clients by determining the scope, enforceability, and validity of third-party proprietary rights or to establish its proprietary rights. Some competitors have substantially greater resources and are able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time. In addition, patent holding companies that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing patent rights may target us. Regardless of whether claims that we are infringing patents or other intellectual property rights have any merit, these claims are time-consuming and costly to evaluate and defend and could:

 

 adversely affect relationships with future clients;
   
 cause delays or stoppages in providing products;
   
 divert management’s attention and resources;
   
 require technology changes to our platform that would cause our Company to incur substantial cost;
   
 subject us to significant liabilities; and
   
 require us to cease some or all business activities.

 

1819

 

 

In addition to liability for monetary damages, which may be tripled and may include attorneys’ fees, or, in some circumstances, damages against clients, we may be prohibited from developing, commercializing, or continuing to provide some or all of our products unless we obtain licenses from, and pay royalties to, the holders of the patents or other intellectual property rights, which may not be available on commercially favorable terms, or at all.

 

We have limited foreign intellectual property rights and may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

 

We have limited intellectual property rights outside the United States. Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on devices in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property to the same extent as laws in the United States. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patents to develop their own products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patents, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States.

 

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly China and certain other developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. To date, we have not sought to enforce any issued patents in these foreign jurisdictions. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. The requirements for patentability may differ in certain countries, particularly developing countries. Certain countries in Europe and developing countries, including China and India, have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In those countries, we and our licensors may have limited remedies if patents are infringed or if we or our licensors are compelled to grant a license to a third party, which could materially diminish the value of those patents. This could limit our potential revenue opportunities. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

 

If we are unable to obtain or defend our patents, our business could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our patent position is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced under our patents or in third-party patents. For example, we might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications and provisional patents; we might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions; others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies; it is possible that none of our pending patent applications will result in issued patents; our issued patents may not provide a basis for commercially viable technologies, or may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged and invalidated by third parties; and, we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable.

 

As a result, our owned and licensed patents may not be valid and we may not be able to obtain and enforce patents and to maintain trade secret protection for the full commercial extent of our technology. The extent to which we are unable to do so could materially harm our business.

 

We have applied for and will continue to apply for patents for certain products. Such applications may not result in the issuance of any patents, and any patents now held or that may be issued may not provide us with adequate protection from competition. Furthermore, it is possible that patents issued or licensed to us may be challenged successfully. In that event, if we have a preferred competitive position because of such patents, such preferred position would be lost. If we are unable to secure or to continue to maintain a preferred position, we could become subject to competition from the sale of generic products. Failure to receive, inability to protect, or expiration of our patents would adversely affect our business and operations.

1920

 

 

Patents issued or licensed to us may be infringed by the products or processes of others. The cost of enforcing our patent rights against infringers, if such enforcement is required, could be significant, and we do not currently have the financial resources to fund such litigation. Further, such litigation can go on for years and the time demands could interfere with our normal operations. We may become a party to patent litigation and other proceedings. The cost to us of any patent litigation, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial. Many of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial resources. Litigation may also absorb significant management time.

 

Unpatented trade secrets, improvements, confidential know-how and continuing technological innovation are important to our scientific and commercial success. Although we attempt to and will continue to attempt to protect our proprietary information through reliance on trade secret laws and the use of confidentiality agreements with our partners, collaborators, employees and consultants, as well as through other appropriate means, these measures may not effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information, and, in any event, others may develop independently, or obtain access to, the same or similar information.

 

International intellectual property protection is particularly uncertain, and if we are involved in opposition proceedings in foreign countries, we may have to expend substantial sums and management resources.

 

Patent and other intellectual property law outside the United States is more uncertain and is continually undergoing review and revisions in many countries. Further, the laws of some foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. For example, certain countries do not grant patent claims that are directed to business methods and processes. In addition, we may have to participate in opposition proceedings to determine the validity of its foreign patents or its competitors’ foreign patents, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of its efforts and loss of credibility with customers.

 

If we are found to be infringing on patents or trade secrets owned by others, we may be forced to cease or alter our product development efforts, obtain a license to continue the development or sale of our products, and/or pay damages.

 

Our processes and potential products may violate proprietary rights of patents that have been or may be granted to competitors, universities or others, or the trade secrets of those persons and entities. As our industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our processes and potential products may give rise to claims that they infringe the patents or trade secrets of others. These other persons could bring legal actions against us claiming damages and seeking to enjoin manufacturing and marketing of the affected product or process. If any of these actions are successful, in addition to any potential liability for damages, we could be required to obtain a license in order to continue to manufacture or market the affected product or use the affected process. Required licenses may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, and the results of litigation are uncertain. If we become involved in litigation or other proceedings, it could consume a substantial portion of our financial resources and the efforts of our personnel.

 

We rely on confidentiality agreements to protect our trade secrets. If these agreements are breached by our employees or other parties, our trade secrets may become known to our competitors.

 

We rely on trade secrets that we seek to protect through confidentiality agreements with our employees and other parties. If these agreements are breached, our competitors may obtain and use our trade secrets to gain a competitive advantage over us. We may not have any remedies against our competitors and any remedies that may be available to us may not be adequate to protect our business or compensate us for the damaging disclosure. In addition, we may have to expend resources to protect our interests from possible infringement by others.

2021

 

 

We have a limited operating history on which to judge our business prospects and management.

 

Our company was incorporated and commenced operations in 2017. Accordingly, we have only a limited operating history upon which to base an evaluation of our business and prospects. Operating results for future periods are subject to numerous uncertainties and we cannot assure you that we will achieve or sustain profitability. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks encountered by companies in the early stage of development, particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. Future operating results will depend upon many factors, including increasing the number of affiliates, our success in attracting and retaining motivated and qualified personnel, our ability to establish short term credit lines, our ability to develop and market new products, control costs, and general economic conditions. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address any of these risks.

 

We may not be able to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company has incurred substantial operating losses since its inception and expects to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As reflected in the financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $32.8$44.5 million at December 31, 2022,2023, a net loss of approximately $12.9$11.7 million, and approximately $12.1$6.5 million of net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022.2023. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company anticipates incurring additional losses until such time, if ever, that it can obtain marketing approval to sell, and then generate significant sales, of its technology that is currently in development. As such it is likely that additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations and to develop and commercialize its technology. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company is seeking additional financing to support its growth plans. The sale of additional equity may dilute existing shareholders and newly issued shares may contain senior rights and preferences compared to currently outstanding common shares.

 

Our management team will be required to devote substantial time to regulatory compliance which may divert our attention from the day-to-day management of our business.

 

Our management team will require substantial attention from our senior management and could divert our attention away from the day-to-day management of our business. Regulatory compliance is increasingly complex and management may not have experience in all areas of public company compliance. The management team will seek assistance from external resources when appropriate for public company regulatory compliance and tax regulatory compliance for applicable jurisdictions.

 

The Company may become subject to litigation, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation, business, results from operations, and financial condition.

 

The Company may be named as a defendant in a lawsuit or regulatory action. The Company may also incur uninsured losses for liabilities which arise in the ordinary course of business, or which are unforeseen, including, but not limited to, employment liability and business loss claims. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, sales, cash flow or financial condition.

 

If the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively.

 

The Company’s success has depended and continues to depend upon its ability to attract and retain key management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and technical experts. The Company will attempt to enhance its management and technical expertise by continuing to recruit qualified individuals who possess desired skills and experience in certain targeted areas. The Company’s inability to retain employees and attract and retain sufficient additional employees or engineering and technical support resources could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, sales, cash flow or financial condition. Shortages in qualified personnel or the loss of key personnel could adversely affect the financial condition of the Company, results of operations of the business and could limit the Company’s ability to develop and market its intellectual property. The loss of any of the Company’s senior management or key employees could materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to execute the Company’s business plan and strategy, and the Company may not be able to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. The Company does not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of the Company’s employees.

2122

 

 

The size of the Company’s initial target market is difficult to quantify and investors will be reliant on their own estimates on the accuracy of market data.

 

Because high growth crop technology is in an early stage with uncertain boundaries, there is a lack of information about comparable companies available for potential investors to review in deciding about whether to invest in the Company and, few, if any, established companies whose business model the Company can follow or upon whose success the Company can build. Accordingly, investors will have to rely on their own estimates in deciding about whether to invest in the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates are accurate or that the market size is sufficiently large for its business to grow as projected, which may negatively impact its financial results. The Company regularly follows market research.

 

The Company’s industry is experiencing rapid growth and consolidation that may cause the Company to lose key relationships and intensify competition.

 

The agriculture industry and various verticals within it are undergoing rapid growth and substantial change, which has resulted in an increase in competitors, consolidation and formation of strategic relationships. Acquisitions or other consolidating transactions could harm the Company in a number of ways, including by losing strategic partners and or customers if they are acquired by or enter into relationships with a competitor, losing customers, revenue and market share, or forcing the Company to expend greater resources to meet new or additional competitive threats, all of which could harm the Company’s operating results. As competitors enter the market and become increasingly sophisticated, competition in the Company’s industry may intensify which could negatively impact its profitability.

 

The Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks.

 

The Company’s operations depend, in part, on how well it and its suppliers protect networks, equipment, information technology systems and software against damage from a number of threats, including, but not limited to, cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, intentional damage and destruction, fire, power loss, hacking, computer viruses, vandalism and theft. The Company’s operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company’s reputation and results of operations.

 

The Company has not experienced any material losses to date relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, but there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access is a risk. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.

2223

 

 

The Company’s officers and directors may be engaged in a range of business activities resulting in conflicts of interest.

 

Although certain officers and board members of the Company are expected to be bound by anti-circumvention agreements limiting their ability to enter into competing and/or conflicting ventures or businesses, the Company may be subject to various potential conflicts of interest because some of its officers and directors may be engaged in a range of business activities. In addition, the Company’s executive officers and directors may devote time to their outside business interests, so long as such activities do not materially or adversely interfere with their duties to the Company. In some cases, the Company’s executive officers and directors may have fiduciary obligations associated with these business interests that interfere with their ability to devote time to the Company’s business and affairs and that could adversely affect the Company’s operations. These business interests could require significant time and attention of the Company’s executive officers and directors.

 

In addition, the Company may also become involved in other transactions which conflict with the interests of its directors and the officers who may from time to time deal with persons, firms, institutions or companies with which the Company may be dealing, or which may be seeking investments similar to those desired by it. The interests of these persons could conflict with those of the Company. In addition, from time to time, these persons may be competing with the Company for available investment opportunities. Conflicts of interest, if any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies provided under applicable laws. In particular, if such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Company’s directors, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms. In accordance with applicable laws, the directors of the Company are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.

 

There is no guarantee that how the Company uses its available funds will yield the expected results or returns which could impact the business and financial condition of the Company.

 

The Company cannot specify with certainty the particular uses of available funds. Management has broad discretion in the application of its proceeds. Accordingly, a holder of shares will have to rely upon the judgment of management with respect to the use of available funds, with only limited information concerning management’s specific intentions. The Company’s management may spend a portion or all of the available funds in ways that the Company’s shareholders might not desire, that might not yield a favorable return and that might not increase the value of a purchaser’s investment. The failure by management to apply these funds effectively could harm the Company’s business. Pending use of such funds, the Company might invest the available funds in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

 

Our Articles of incorporation, by-laws and certain Canadian legislation, contain provisions that may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.

 

Certain provisions of our by-laws, together or separately, could discourage potential acquisition proposals, delay or prevent a change in control and limit the price that certain investors may be willing to pay for our common shares. For instance, our by-laws contain provisions that establish certain advance notice procedures for nomination of candidates for election as directors at shareholders’ meetings.

 

The Investment Canada Act requires any person that is non-Canadian (as defined in the Investment Canada Act) who acquires “control” (as defined in the Investment Canada Act) of an existing Canadian business to file either a pre-closing application for review or notification with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. An acquisition of control is a reviewable transaction where prescribed financial thresholds are exceeded. The Investment Canada Act generally prohibits the implementation of a reviewable transaction unless, after review, the relevant Minister is satisfied that the acquisition is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. Under the national security regime in the Investment Canada Act, the federal government may undertake a discretionary review of a broader range of investments by a non-Canadian to determine whether such an investment by a non-Canadian could be “injurious to national security.” Review on national security grounds is at the discretion of the federal government and may occur on a pre- or post-closing basis.

 

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Furthermore, limitations on the ability to acquire and hold our common shares may be imposed by the Competition Act (Canada). This legislation permits the Commissioner of Competition to review any acquisition or establishment, directly or indirectly, including through the acquisition of shares, of control over or of a significant interest in us. This legislation grants the Commissioner of Competition jurisdiction, for up to one year, to challenge this type of acquisition before the Canadian Competition Tribunal on the basis that it would, or would be likely to, substantially prevent or lessen competition. This legislation also requires any person who intends to acquire our common shares to file a notification with the Canadian Competition Bureau if (i) that person (and their affiliates) would hold, in the aggregate, more than 20% of all of our outstanding voting shares, (ii) certain financial thresholds are exceeded, and (iii) no exemption applies. Where a person (and their affiliates) already holds, in the aggregate, more than 20% of all of our outstanding voting shares, a notification must be filed if (i) the acquisition of additional shares would bring that person’s (and their affiliates) holdings to over 50%, (ii) certain financial thresholds are exceeded and (iii) no exemption applies. Where a notification is required, the legislation prohibits completion of the acquisition until the expiration of the applicable statutory waiting period, unless compliance with the waiting period has been waived or the Commissioner of Competition provides written notice that he does not intend to challenge the acquisition. The Commissioner of Competition’s review of a notifiable transaction for substantive competition law considerations may take longer than the statutory waiting period.

 

We are governed by the corporate laws of British Columbia, Canada which in some cases have a different effect on shareholders than the corporate laws of the United States.

 

We are incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BC Act”) and other relevant laws, which may affect the rights of shareholders differently than those of a company governed by the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction, and may, together with our charter documents, have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or may affect the price an acquiring party would be willing to offer in such an instance. The material differences between the BC Act and Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) that may have the greatest such effect include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) for certain corporate transactions (such as mergers and amalgamations or amendments to our articles) the BC Act generally requires the voting threshold to be a special resolution approved by 66 2/3% of shareholders, or as set out in the articles, as applicable, whereas DGCL generally only requires a majority vote; and (ii) under the BC Act a holder of 5% or more of our common shares can requisition a special meeting of shareholders, whereas such right does not exist under the DGCL. We cannot predict whether investors will find our company and our common shares less attractive because we are governed by foreign laws.

 

Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Common Shares

 

New laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure may create uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming.

 

These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by the courts and other bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations, and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

 

As a public company subject to these rules and regulations, we may find it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors, particularly to serve on its audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

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The market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants may be volatile, and you may not be able to resell your common shares and Series A Warrants at or above the acquisition price.

 

The market price for our common shares and Series A Warrants may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:

 

 actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;
   
 changes in financial or operational estimates or projections;
   
 conditions in markets generally;
   
 changes in the economic performance or market valuations of companies similar to ours;
   
 general economic or political conditions in the United States or elsewhere;
   
 any delay in development of our products or services;
   
 failure to comply with regulatory requirements;
   
 inability to commercially launch products and services and market and generate sales of our products and services,
   
 developments or disputes concerning intellectual property rights;
   
 our or our competitors’ technological innovations;
   
 general and industry-specific economic conditions that may affect our expenditures;
   
 changes in market valuations of similar companies;
   
 announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, capital commitments, new technologies, or patents;
   
 future sales of our common shares or other securities, including shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or convertible securities or otherwise issued pursuant to certain contractual rights;
   
 period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results; and
   
 low or high trading volume of our common shares due to many factors, including the terms of our financing arrangements.

 

In addition, if we fail to reach an important research, development or commercialization milestone or result by a publicly expected deadline, even if by only a small margin, there could be significant impact on the market price of our common shares. Additionally, as we approach the announcement of anticipated significant information and as we announce such information, we expect the price of our common shares to be particularly volatile and negative results would have a substantial negative impact on the price of our common shares and Series A Warrants.

 

In addition, in recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our stock price, notwithstanding our operating results. The market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants will fluctuate and there can be no assurances about the levels of the market prices for our common shares and Series A Warrants.

 

In some cases, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our business operations and reputation.

2526

 

 

As an “emerging growth company” under applicable law, we will be subject to lessened disclosure requirements, which could leave our shareholders without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies.

 

For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we have elected to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to:

 

 not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
   
 being permitted to provide only two years of audited financial statements, in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements, with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure;
   
 reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements;
   
 taking advantage of an extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standard; 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 expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” Because of these lessened regulatory requirements, our shareholders would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies. We cannot predict whether investors will find our common shares less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and have elected to follow certain scaled disclosure requirements available to smaller reporting companies.

 

Because we have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards for an “emerging growth company” our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.

 

We have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act. This election allows us to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As a result of this election, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates and may contain less or more modified disclosure than those public companies. Because our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates, investors may have difficulty evaluating or comparing our business, performance or prospects in comparison to other public companies, which may have a negative impact on the value and liquidity of our common shares.

 

FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit your ability to buy and sell our common shares, which could depress the price of our shares.

 

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) rules require broker-dealers to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment is suitable for a customer before recommending that investment to the customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status and investment objectives, among other things. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability such speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common shares, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our shares, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares, and thereby depress our share price.

 

2627

 

 

If research analysts do not publish research about our business or if they issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common shares or Series A Warrants, our securities’ price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our securities may depend in part on the research and reports that research analysts publish about us and our business. If we do not maintain adequate research coverage, or if any of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our common shares and Series A Warrants could decline. If one or more of our research analysts ceases to cover our business or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our securities could decrease, which could cause the price of our common shares and Series A Warrants or trading volume to decline.

 

We may issue additional equity securities, or engage in other transactions that could dilute our book value or relative rights of our common shares, which may adversely affect the market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants.

 

Our Board of Directors may determine from time to time that it needs to raise additional capital by issuing additional shares of our common shares or other securities. Except as otherwise described in this filing, we will not be restricted from issuing additional common shares, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive common shares. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of any future offerings, or the prices at which such offerings may be affected. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common shares and Series A Warrants, or all of them. Holders of our securities are not entitled to pre-emptive rights or other protections against dilution. New investors also may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to, and that adversely affect, then-current holders of our securities. Additionally, if we raise additional capital by making offerings of debt or preference shares, upon our liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preference shares, and lenders with respect to other borrowings, may receive distributions of its available assets before the holders of our common shares.

 

An investment in our Series A Warrants is speculative in nature and could result in a loss of your investment therein.

 

The Series A Warrants do not confer any rights of common share ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of our common shares at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the Series A Warrants may exercise their right to acquire the common shares and pay an exercise price of $6.00$300 per share (exercising 50 warrants at $6 per warrant to receive one common share), prior to three years from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised Series A Warrants will expire and have no further value. Moreover, the market value of the Series A Warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the Series A Warrants will equal or exceed their initial price. There can be no assurance that the market price of the common shares will ever equal or exceed the exercise price of the Series A Warrants, and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the Series A Warrants to exercise the Series A Warrants.

 

Our Series A Warrants and contain a provision which only permits securities claims to be brought in federal court.

 

Section 11 of our Series A Warrants states in relevant part: “The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan (except for claims brought under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which must be brought in federal court)”. Therefore any claims with respect to our Series A Warrants brought under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act must be brought in federal court while all other claims may be brought in federal or state court. Proceedings in federal court may be more expensive than in state court due to more comprehensive rules on how discovery and motion and trial practice are handled. This provision may have a dampening effect on claims brought under these securities laws or limit the ability of the investor to bring a claim in the jurisdiction it deems more favorable. This provision is likely enforceable as requirements regarding bringing securities claims have been met, but it may have the overall effect of discouraging litigation due to the circumstances described herein.

2728

 

 

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future, and consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common shares.

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to holders of our common shares in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors must rely on sales of their common shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investments. There is no guarantee that our common shares will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our shareholders have purchased their shares.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

We are committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information systems and the data they contain from cybersecurity threats. We acknowledge that cybersecurity is a dynamic and evolving area of risk that requires ongoing assessment, management, and oversight. As we grow in size and revenue, we intend to work with third party companies to assess, identify, manage, and mitigate material cybersecurity threats, as well as to respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents, all as necessary.

We recognize the importance of maintaining our technology and data systems. Our cybersecurity policies, standards, processes, and practices are integrated across our operational departments.

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy

As one of the elements of our overall risk management program, we focus on the following key areas:

Technical Safeguards: We have commenced to implement technical safeguards, including by not limited to firewalls, anti-malware functionality and access controls.

Outside Consultants: We have identified and, as appropriate and when we have the budget to do so, will utilize outside consultants, including contractors and other third parties, to among other things, conduct regular testing of our networks and systems to identify vulnerabilities through penetration testing, while also measuring and advising on potential improvements to our incident prevention, response, and documentation procedures.

We have not encountered cybersecurity threats or experienced previously cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected or that we believe are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition.

Governance

Board of Directors Oversight

Our Board is aware of the critical nature of managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats. Management works with our Board to establish oversight mechanisms to ensure effective governance in managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats because we recognize the significance of these threats to our operational integrity and stakeholder confidence. The Board has delegated to our Audit Committee the primary responsibility for oversight of cybersecurity risks.

Management’s Role Managing Risk

Our Executive Team plays a primary role in informing the Audit Committee on cybersecurity risks. These individuals monitor activity and potential risks related to the day-to-day operations of the business, including reviewing results of the work of our outside consultants. They will provide briefings to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis regarding cybersecurity matters, including but not limited to the following:

Current cybersecurity landscape and emerging threats;
Status of ongoing cybersecurity initiatives and strategies;
Incident reporting, if any, and learning from any cybersecurity events;
Risk mitigation efforts and insurance, and
Compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standard.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

The Company currently leases office space at 2233 Colombia Street, Suite 300,800-525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5Y 0M6BC V5Z 1C6 as its principal office. The Company believes the offices arewill be moving to a virtual office model in good condition and satisfy its current operational requirements.order to reallocate rent expenditures to operations.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

We are subject to the legal proceedingproceedings and claims described in detail in “Note 17.21. Commitments and Contingencies” to the audited financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we do not believe the outcome of such legal proceeding and claims, if determined adversely to us, would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market information

 

Our common stock is currently quoted on Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AGRI”, and warrants under the symbol “AGRIW”. Trading in our common stock has historically lacked consistent volume, and theThe market price has been volatile.

 

On March 13, 2023,29, 2024, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.87$0.18 per share.

 

Securities outstanding and holders of record

 

On March 13, 2023,April 1, 2024, there were approximately 3055,467 shareholders of record for our common stock and 18,156,15422,573,938 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

 

Dividend Policy

 

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common shares. However, we have paid common share dividends on our preferred stock. Our preferred stock was retired and there were no preferred shares outstanding after the IPO. We anticipate that we will retain funds and future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future following this offering.future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends on our common shares will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit financings may preclude us from paying dividends.

 

Information respecting equity compensation plans

 

The Company adopted a stock option plan originally on December 12, 2018 (the “Option Plan”), as amended, under which the compensation committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) may from time to time in its discretion, recommend changes to the Option Plan to grant to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company non-transferable options to purchase common shares (“Options”). The Board of Directors review recommendations and approve changes. As of the date of this filling, the Company has 1,382,62976,114 Options outstanding.outstanding, and [2,129,652] Options available for future issuances. The Option Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company on June 10, 2019.

 

The following table provides information with respect to options outstanding under our Plan as at December 31, 2022:2023:

 

Plan category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options    

Weighted-

average exercise price of

outstanding options

  Number of securities remaining available for future issuance  

Number of

securities to

be issued

upon exercise

of

outstanding

options  

 

Weighted-

average

exercise price

of

outstanding

options

 

Number of

securities

remaining

available for

future

issuance

 
                             
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  1,382,629  $3.30   431,986   76,114  $41.75   

2,181,280

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders   -   -   -    -   -   - 
Total  1,382,629  $3.30   431,986   76,114  $41.75   2,181,280

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

The Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the yearthree months ended March 31, 2023:

300 common shares were issued to consultants.

32,742 common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.

14,216 common shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.

3,118 common shares were issued as part of compensation to Company officers.

The Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended June 30, 2023:

30

250 common shares were issued to consultants.

10,208 common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.

36,111 common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.

20,000 common shares issued to a shareholder in a private placement.

The Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended September 30, 2023:

350 common shares were issued to consultants.

59,660 common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.

422,194 common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.

31,889 common shares were issued as part of compensation to Company officers and employees.

The Company had the following sales of unregistered securities during the three months ended December 31, 2022:2023:

580,000 common shares were issued to consultants.

38,565 common shares were issued upon conversion of prefunded warrants.

2,694,611 common shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.

1,399,928 common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.

On October 18, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures and received 620,230 warrants. The convertible Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $2.62. The issuance of the additional tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well as the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $2.62.

  # of shares  Amount 
Common shares issued for bonuses and compensation  266,765  $520,230 
Common shares issued for conversion of convertible debt  67,568   131,532 
Common shares issued to consultants  284,767   853,457 
Total common shares issued  619,100  $1,505,219 

 

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On November 30, 2023, a Debenture Investor purchased an additional tranche totaling $2,750,000 in convertible debentures and received 1,986,112 warrants. The convertible Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.90. The issuance of the additional tranche further triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures as well as the First and Second Tranche Debenture Warrants to $0.90.

The Company had the following sales of unregistered securities from January 1, 20232024 to March 13, 2023:April 1, 2024:

  # of shares  Amount 
Common shares issued for conversion of vested prefunded warrants  1,637,049  $2,959,108 
Common shares issued for conversion of convertible debt  71,807   1,038,073 
Common shares issued to consultants  12,500   26,000 
Total common shares issued  2,360,356  $4,023,181 

10,622,392 common shares were issued upon conversion of convertible debt.

5,871,210 common shares upon conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash.

112,645 common shares were issued as part of compensation to Company officers.

126,646 common shares were issued to consultants.

On February 21, 2024, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures and received 3,341,122 warrants. The convertible Debentures and Debenture Warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $0.214.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer or Affiliated Purchasers

There were no repurchases of shares of common stock made during the year ended December 31, 2022.2023.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

As a registrant that qualifies as a smaller reporting company, AgriFORCE™the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

32

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Prospective investors should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” You should review the “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

 

30

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20222023 AND 20212022

 

Revenues

During the year, the Company sold and delivered its first shipment of hydroxyl generating devices. The shipment consisted of 5 units for gross sales of $16,281.

 

The Company has not generated any revenue since inception.sells its products directly to customers and indirectly to customers through sales brokers.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses primarily consist of wages and salaries, professional fees, consulting, office and administration, investor and public relations, research and development, and share-based compensation. Operating expenses increaseddecreased in the year ended December 31, 2022 by $6,727,4502023 as compared to December 31, 20212022 by $2,500,658 or 18% primarily due to the following:

 

Wages and salaries increased by $2,156,838 due to increased headcount for the Company’s expansion of operations including UN(THINK)™.
Professional fees and consulting increaseddecreased by $1,786,876$1,480,038 and $1,473,495,$1,280,672, respectively due to increased legal and financial consulting services fees incurred fora significant decrease in M&A activity.spending during 2023 as a result of the Company focusing on organic growth of currently active ventures.
OfficeResearch and administrative increaseddevelopment decreased by $547,604$609,104 due to increaselimited research services procured during 2023 as compared to expenditures paid to RCS in operational costs from the Company’s operational growth, increased headcount,2022 as well as design and public company insurance and administration costs.construction fees that were only incurred in 2022.
Investor and public relations expense increasedexpenses decreased by $159,087$459,711 due to increased Company campaignsmore investor and public relations advisory services utilized in 2022 for communication.
Wages and salaries decreased by $441,530 due to a reduction in staff head count in 2023.
Office and administrative decreased by $286,012 due to overall cost cutting initiatives during 20222023.
Travel and entertainment decreased by $170,614 due to increase Company awareness and provide information to the public.a reduction in travel for foreign business development.
Sales and marketing increaseddecreased by $387,130$165,290 due to support the ramp up of UN(THINK)™. Costs include brand development, marketing campaigns,significant reductions in public relations agency work and other miscellaneous marketing costs.social media contracted fees from cost cutting initiatives.
Share based compensation expense decreased by $375,426$99,864 due to previous issued options becoming fully vested during the 2022, decreasing the share based compensation recognized for graded vesting as well asa significant number of option forfeitures from lower market prices for 2022 option issuances.
Travel and entertainment increased by $211,240 due to increase in international travel for expanded Company operations and M&A activity.
Lease expense increased by $150,647 due to full year of Vancouver office lease for 2022. Vancouver office lease was entered into July 2021.staff head count.  
Shareholder and regulatory expense increased by $77,988decreased $99,611 due to increased costs for public company regulatory and shareholder expenses for the full 2022 year. The Company completed their listing on July 12, 2021, as such 2021 had increased expense for 6 months of 2021.lower Rule 144 share releases in 2023.

Other expenditures amountLease expense decreased $28,945 due to an additional $151,971 between 2021 and 2022.

the termination of the Company’s long term office lease in 2023.

This was partially offset by the following:

Write down of construction in progress deposit of $1,963,304 due to the termination of an agreement with a construction contractor.
Depreciation and amortization increased $657,431 due to the beginning of amortization of the intangible asset which became available for use in January 2023.

Research and DevelopmentOther Expenses / (Income)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company spent $615,693 as compared to $474,338Other expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 in research and development costs in relation to the license agreement with Radical, the testing, nutrient, and micro analysis for UN(THINK)™ food product development, as well as costs of design and construction for the Coachella land and its future structure. The following represents the breakdown of research and development activities:

  December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021 
License agreement $256,703  $- 
Product development  179,563   296,931 
Design and construction  179,427   177,407 
  $615,693  $474,338 

The increase in research and development expenses was due to product development costs for UN(THINK)™ food products.

Other (Income) / Expenses

Other income for the year ended December 31, 20222023 increased due to the following:

 

Accretion interest on debentures increased by $4,566,721 due to the issuance of three additional tranches of convertible debentures during the year.
Loss on conversion of convertible debt increased by $1,284,703 (gain of $93,973 – 2022) from the conversions of $6,970,382 in principal and interest during the year ($150,000 of principal – 2022) of convertible debentures into the Company’s common shares at a loss.
Loss on debt extinguishment increased by $680,935 (nil – 2022) as a result of the conversion of $1,489,974 of principal from the First Tranche Debentures into the Company’s common shares which triggered an extinguishment of debt due to the change of the fair value of the debt after the conversion.
Foreign exchange loss increased by $365,088 due to a higher average cash balance during 2022 coupled with an increasing USD to CAD rate throughout versus a lower average cash balance during 2023 which saw several large decreases in USD to CAD rates throughout.

This was partially offset by the following:

Change in fair value of derivative liabilities showed a larger gainincreased by $2,528,486$5,641,017 due to decreased derivative liabilities fair values.a significant decrease in the Company’s per share price of 99% during the period.
Issuance cost relatedAll other items aggregate to warrants decreased by $374,465 due to no warrant issuance costs incurred during 2022.
Foreign exchange gain increased by $127,103 due to an increase in USD to CAD foreign exchange rates compared to 2021.
Gain on debt conversion of $93,973 (nil – 2021) from the conversion of $150,000 of convertible debentures into the Company’s common shares.
Other income increased by $75,823 from interest earned on cash deposited into savings accounts during the year.
Offset by an increase of accretion interest on debentures of $2,913,049 from the issuance of $14,025,000 in convertible debentures during the year.$107,040.

3133

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In order to determine if assets have been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable independent cash flows are available (“asset group”). An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of projected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Fair value can behas been determined using a market approach, income approachapproach.

Fair value determinations of intangible assets require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates, and market factors. Estimating the fair value of our intangible asset requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry, economic, and regulatory conditions. These assumptions and estimates include estimated future annual net cash flows, discount rates, growth rates, contributory asset charges, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates and margins are not met, if market factors outside of our control, such as discount rates, change, or cost approach. The reversalif management’s expectations or plans otherwise change, then our intangible might become impaired in the future. 

Our intangible asset balance consists of our patented process to develop germinated whole grain wheat flour. We test our assets for impairment lossesannually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is prohibited.more likely than not that the fair value of our intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. Such events and circumstances could include a sustained decrease in our market capitalization, increased competition or unexpected loss of market share, increased input costs beyond projections (for example due to regulatory or industry changes), disposals of significant components of our business, unexpected business disruptions, unexpected significant declines in operating results, or significant adverse changes in the markets in which we operate.

While there was no single determinative event or factor, the consideration in totality of several factors that developed during the fourth quarter of 2023 led us to conclude that it was possible that the fair value of our intangible asset was below their carrying amounts. These factors included: (i) a sustained decrease in our share price in 2023, which reduced our market capitalization below the book value of net assets; (ii) lack of financing raised during 2023 due to the economic environment (iii) delays in the launch of the sale of our UN(THINK) flour;

Accordingly, we performed an impairment test on our intangible asset as of December 31, 2023 based on the asset’s fair value based on net assets. As a result of our impairment test, we determined that the intangible asset was not impaired as of December 31, 2023. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, our market capitalization continued to decrease indicating that the intangible asset may be impaired in the foreseeable future.

 

Equity-linked instruments

The fair value of the Company’s warrants is determined in accordance with FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the assumptions (inputs) to valuation techniques used to price assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The guidance for fair value measurements requires that assets and liabilities measured at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

 

Level 1: Defined as observable inputs, such as quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  
Level 2: Defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1. This includes quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
  
Level 3: Defined as unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose fair value measurements are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar valuation techniques, as well as significant management judgment or estimation.

 

The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in its convertible instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), which provides that if three criteria are met, the Company is required to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free-standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which;

 

(a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract;

(b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur; and

(c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

 

ASC 815 also provides an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional as defined under professional standards as “The Meaning of Conventional Convertible Debt Instrument.”

 

The Company accounts for convertible instruments (when it has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments) in accordance with professional standards when “Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features,” as those professional standards pertain to “Certain Convertible Instruments.”

 

The debenture conversion features are categorized as a Level 3 financial instrument. The Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing for valuing the convertible features.

 

The First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Tranche of Debenture Warrants, collectively (the “Debenture Warrants”) are categorized as a Level 3 financial instrument. The Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model to value the Debenture Warrants.

 

The most subjective assumptions in such option pricing models include the implied volatility, expected term, risk-free rate and the probability of triggering the down-round provisions.

 

Share Based Compensation

 

The Company generally uses the straight-line method to allocate compensation cost to reporting periods over each optionee’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, and estimates the fair value of stock-based awards to employees and directors using the Black-Scholes option-valuation model (the “Black-Scholes model”). .. This model incorporates certain assumptions for inputs including a risk-free market interest rate, expected dividend yield of the underlying common stock, expected option life, and expected volatility in the market value of the underlying common stock. The Company recognizes any forfeitures as they occur.

3234

Income Taxes

 

Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the period, using tax rates enacted at period-end.

 

Deferred tax assets, including those arising from tax loss carryforwards, requires management to assess the likelihood that the Company will generate sufficient taxable earnings in future periods in order to utilize recognized deferred tax assets. Assumptions about the generation of future taxable profits depend on management’s estimates of future cash flows. In addition, future changes in tax laws could limit the ability of the Company to obtain tax deductions in future periods. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the Company to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded at the reporting date could be impacted.

 

The Company operates in various tax jurisdictions and is subject to audit by various tax authorities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and for general corporate purposes. The Company’s ability to fund operations and make planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations depends on future operating performance and cash flows, which are subject to prevailing economic conditions, financial markets, business and other factors. We have recorded a net loss of $11,733,210 for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $12,873,102 for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $6,643,116 for the year ended December 31, 2021;2022; and recorded an accumulated deficit of $32,774,094$44,507,304 as of December 31, 20222023 ($19,900,99232,774,094 as of December 31, 2021)2022). Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 20222023 was $12,079,359$6,505,072 compared to $5,136,947$12,079,359 for the year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

 

We had $2,269,320$3,878,578 in cash as at December 31, 20222023 as compared to $7,775,290$2,269,320 as at December 31, 2021.2022.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

 

the cost and timing of our regulatory activities, especially the process to obtain regulatory approval for our intellectual properties in the U.S. and foreign countries;
the costs of R&D activities we undertake to further develop our technology;
the costs of constructing our grow houses, including any impact of complications, delays, and other unknown events;
the costs of commercialization activities, including sales, marketing and production;
the costs of our M&Amergers and acquisitions activity;
the level of working capital required to support our growth; and
our need for additional personnel, information technology or other operating infrastructure to support our growth and operations as a public company.

 

35

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company is at an early stage of development. As such it is likely that additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations and to develop and commercialize its technology. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

For the next twelve months from issuance of these financial statements, the Company will seek to obtain additional capital through the sale of debt or equity financings or other arrangements to fund operations; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise needed capital under acceptable terms, if at all. The sale of additional equity may dilute existing shareholders and newly issued shares may contain senior rights and preferences compared to currently outstanding common shares. Issued debt securities may contain covenants and limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to shareholders. If the Company is unable to obtain such additional financing, future operations would need to be scaled back or discontinued. Due to the uncertainty in the Company’s ability to raise capital, management believes that there is substantial doubt in the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance of these financial statements.

 

Cash Flows

 

The net cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 is attributable2023 was $6,505,072 compared to a net loss$12,079,359 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The change of $12,873,102$5,574,287 was primarily due to operating costs which are mentioned above. The net loss was adjusted primarily by the following non-cash expenses:following:

 

AmortizationA decrease in net loss of $1,139,892 due to operating expenses noted above.
An increase to amortization of debt issuance costs of $3,057,825$4,707,047 from the issuance of $14,025,000three additional tranches of convertible debentures during the year.
Share issuances for consulting services and compensation as well as share-based compensation from vesting stock optionsWrite down of $760,162, $520,230 and $420,715, respectivelyconstruction in progress deposit of $1,963,304 due to increased business consulting and executive compensation.the termination of an agreement with a construction contractor.
This was partially offsetA favorable change in working capital of $1,277,878 driven by the utilization of a prepaid retainer balance for investor relations services as well as amortization of deferred offering costs for usage of the Company’s “At The Market” financing facility in 2023 and by a non-cashdelay in payment of trade payables as part of a cash savings initiative.
An increase to the loss on debt conversions and debt extinguishment of $1,284,703 and $680,935, respectively due to significant debt conversions.
An increase to depreciation and amortization $657,431 due to the beginning of amortization of the intangible asset which became available for use in January 2023.

This was partially offset by the following:

Non-cash change in the fair value of derivative liabilities of $3,719,869$5,641,017 due to decreased securities prices.

For the year ended December 31, 2021 net cash used by operating activities was attributable to net loss of $6,643,116 owing to wages, consulting expenses, professional fees, research and development expenses and general administrative expenses. The net loss was adjusted primarily by the following non-cash expenses:

Shared basedA decrease of shares issued for compensation of $796,141; and$435,851 due to lower employee headcount during 2023.
Shares issued for consulting services amounting to $321,121.All other items in an aggregate amount of $60,035.

 

33

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the2023, net cash used in investing activities iswas for the purchase of an equity investment in RCS for $225,000. The net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was related to the payment against acquisition of IP intangible asset of $500,000 and acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements amounting to $104,986 due to increased staffing and office renovations, respectively. Comparatively, investing activityAll other items aggregated to $35,028.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 mainly included payments2023, represents net proceeds from debentures of $9,615,385 as well as common shares issued for acquisitioncash of IP assets amounting to $225,000$1,342,915. This was partially offset by repayments on convertible debentures of $2,143,091, financing costs of debentures of $387,917 and payments for constructionshare issuance costs of $153,220. Net cash used in progress of $744,191.

Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 represents net proceeds from debentures of $12,750,000. This was partially offset by financing costs of debentures of $1,634,894 and repayments of $2,805,000 as well as payment of $750,000 for the acquisition of an intangible asset. The net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 mainly represents cash proceeds from the IPO of $13,360,616, net of underwriting discount and issue costs, proceeds from issuance of senior secured debentures, net of transaction costs of $531,000, proceeds from exercise of warrants of $238,800, as well as proceeds from long-term loan of $15,932, which was offset by repayment of senior secured debentures of $750,000.

 

Recent Financings

On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into security purchase agreements with certain accredited investors for the purchase of $14,025,000 in principal amount of convertible debentures due December 31, 2024. On July 7, 2022, $12,750,000 of proceeds were received net of $1,275,000 in original issuance discount, less financing costs of $1,634,894.

On January 17 and 18, 2023, the investors purchased additional tranches of convertible debentures for the principal amount of $5,076,923 due July 17 and 18, 2025.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

None.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a registrant that qualifies as a smaller reporting company, AgriFORCE™ is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

 

3436

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20222023 and 2021,2022, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022,2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20222023 and 2021,2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022,2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 2, the Company has a significant working capital deficiency, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Explanatory Paragraph – Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases in 2022 due to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, effective January 1, 2022, using the modified retrospective approach.

Basis for Opinion

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

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ Marcum LLP 
Marcum llp (PCAOB ID 688) 
  
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020 

 

Costa Mesa, CA

March 13, 2023April 1, 2024

 

F-1

 

 

AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Expressed in US dollars)

 

 Note December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021  Note December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
              
ASSETS                       
                       
Current                       
Cash     $2,269,320  $7,775,290      $3,878,578  $2,269,320 
Other receivable     48,941   32,326       30,859   48,941 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  4   598,342   309,040   4   272,872   598,342 
Inventories  5   38,857   - 
Total current assets     2,916,603   8,116,656       4,221,166   2,916,603 
                       
Non-current                       
Property and equipment, net  5   121,672   40,971   6   11,801   121,672 
Intangible asset  7   13,089,377   1,477,237 
Intangible asset, net  7   12,733,885   13,089,377 
Operating lease right-of-use asset  16   1,540,748   -   20   -   1,540,748 
Lease deposit, non-current     -   50,608       63,708   - 
Construction in progress  6   2,092,533   2,079,914   8   113,566   2,092,533 
Investment  9   223,801   - 
Land deposit  4   2,085,960   -   4   -   2,085,960 
Total assets    $21,846,893  $11,765,386      $17,367,927  $21,846,893 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                       
                       
Current                       
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  8  $1,147,739  $1,532,312   10  $1,942,011  $1,147,739 
Contingent consideration payable  7   -   753,727 
Debentures  9   3,941,916   -   11   4,084,643   3,941,916 
Contract liabilities  12   15,336   - 
Lease liability – current  16   271,110   -   20   -   271,110 
Total current liabilities     5,360,765   2,286,039       6,041,990   5,360,765 
                       
Non-current                       
Deferred rent     -   12,954 
Lease deposit, non-current      25,684   - 
Lease liability – non-current  16   1,250,060   -   20   -   1,250,060 
Derivative liabilities  11   4,649,115   1,418,964   13   2,690,308   4,649,115 
Long term loan  10   44,300   47,326   14   45,365   44,300 
Total liabilities     11,304,240   3,765,283       8,803,347   11,304,240 
Commitments and contingencies  17   -   -   21   -   - 
                       
Shareholders’ equity                       
Common shares, no par value per share - unlimited shares authorized; 15,795,798 and 15,176,698 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively  12   27,142,762   25,637,543 
Common shares, no par value per share - unlimited shares authorized; 5,841,045 and 315,916 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively*  15   49,828,942   27,142,762 
Additional paid-in-capital  12   16,816,695   2,203,343   15   3,472,444   16,816,695 
Obligation to issue shares  12   -   93,295   15   97,094   - 
Accumulated deficit     (32,774,094)  (19,900,992)      (44,507,304)  (32,774,094)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (642,710)  (33,086)      (326,596)  (642,710)
Total shareholders’ equity     10,542,653   8,000,103       8,564,580   10,542,653 
                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity    $21,846,893  $11,765,386      $17,367,927  $21,846,893 

*reflects the 1:50 reverse stock split effected on October 11, 2023.

 

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

 

F-2

 

 

AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Expressed in US dollars)

For the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

 

 Note 2022 2021  Note 2023 2022 
       
Revenue  16  $16,281  $- 
Cost of sales      13,577   - 
Gross profit      2,704   - 
                   
OPERATING EXPENSES                       
Wages and salaries     $3,923,329  $1,766,491       2,961,569   3,403,099 
Write down of construction in progress deposit  8   1,963,304   - 
Consulting      1,281,236   2,561,908 
Professional fees     2,669,022   882,146       1,188,984   2,669,022 
Consulting     2,561,908   1,088,413 
Office and administrative     1,327,739   780,135       1,041,725   1,327,739 
Share based compensation  15   841,081   940,945 
Depreciation and amortization  6 & 7   679,844   22,413 
Investor and public relations     907,436   748,349       447,725   907,436 
Lease expense  20   290,017   318,962 
Sales and marketing      221,840   387,130 
Shareholder and regulatory      121,472   221,083 
Travel and entertainment      110,224   280,838 
Research and development  15   615,693   474,338   19   6,589   615,693 
Share based compensation  12   420,715   796,141 
Sales and marketing     387,130   - 
Lease expense  16   318,962   168,315 
Travel and entertainment     280,838   69,598 
Shareholder and regulatory     221,083   143,095 
Depreciation  5   22,413   11,797 
Total operating expenses      11,155,610   13,656,268 
            
Operating loss     (13,656,268)  (6,928,818)      (11,152,906)  (13,656,268)
                       
OTHER EXPENSES / (INCOME)                       
Foreign exchange gain     (290,079)  (162,976)
Gain on conversion of convertible debt  9   (93,973)  - 
Foreign exchange loss (gain)      75,009   (290,079)
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities  11   (3,719,869)  (1,191,383)  13   (9,360,886)  (3,719,869)
Accretion of interest on debentures  9   3,396,578   483,529   11   7,963,299   3,396,578 
Loss (gain) on conversion of convertible debt  11   1,190,730   (93,973)
Loss on debt extinguishment  11   680,935   - 
Write-off of deposit     -   151,711       12,000   - 
Issuance cost related to warrants     -   374,465 
Loss on extension of debt term     -   58,952 
Other loss  6 & 20   105,684   - 
Other income     (75,823)  -       (86,467)  (75,823)
                       
Net loss     (12,873,102)  (6,643,116)      (11,733,210)  (12,873,102)
                       
Dividend paid to preferred shareholders     -   735,932 
           
Net loss attributable to common shareholders     (12,873,102)  (7,379,048)
           
Other comprehensive loss                       
Foreign currency translation     (609,624)  (152,140)      316,114   (609,624)
                       
Comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders    $(13,482,726) $(7,531,188)
Comprehensive loss     $(11,417,096) $(13,482,726)
                       
Basic and diluted net loss attributed to common share    $(0.71) $(0.66)
Basic and diluted net loss*     $(10.11) $(35.60)
                       
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted     18,080,318   11,164,311 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted*      1,160,523   361,607 

*reflects the 1:50 reverse stock split effected on October 11, 2023.

 

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

 

F-3

 

AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Expressed in US dollars, except share numbers)

 

  Note  # of Shares  Amount  # of Shares  Amount  capital  shares  Deficit  income (loss)  Equity 
     Common Shares  Series A Preferred Shares  Additional Paid-in-  Obligation to issue  Accumulated  Accumulated other comprehensive  Total Shareholders’ 
  Note  # of Shares  Amount  # of Shares  Amount  capital  shares  Deficit  income (loss)  Equity 
Balance, December 31, 2020      8,441,617  $5,696,050   2,258,826  $6,717,873  $1,297,566  $94,885  $(12,521,944) $119,054  $1,403,484 
Shares issued for cash      3,127,998   13,262,712   -   -   -   -   -   -   13,262,712 
Shares issued for conversion of series A Preferred Stock      2,258,826   6,717,873   (2,258,826)  (6,717,873)  -   -   -   -   - 
Shares issued on exercise of warrants      39,800   238,800   -   -   44,644   -   -   -   283,444 
Shares issued on cashless exercise of warrants      36,275   -   -   -   64,992   -   -   -   64,992 
Shares issued on exercise of options      7,018   9,123   -   -   -   -   -   -   9,123 
Shares issued on cashless exercise of options      820,029   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Shares issued for bonus and compensation      159,775   648,449   -   -   -   -   -   -   648,449 
Shares issued for consulting services      76,364   381,663   -   -   -   (1,590)  -   -   380,073 
Share issued for settlement of accrued director’s fee      19,992   46,783   -   -   -   -   -   -   46,783 
Shares issued for dividend on Preferred shares      189,004   735,932   -   -   -   -   (735,932)  -   - 
Share issue costs      -   (2,099,842)  -   -   -   -   -   -   (2,099,842)
Share based compensation      -   -   -   -   796,141   -   -   -   796,141 
Net loss      -   -   -   -   -   -   (6,643,116)  -   (6,643,116 
Foreign currency translation      -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (152,140)  (152,140)
Balance, December 31, 2021      15,176,698  $25,637,543   -  $-  $2,203,343  $93,295  $(19,900,992) $(33,086) $8,000,103 
Balance, value      15,176,698  $25,637,543   -  $-  $2,203,343  $93,295  $(19,900,992) $(33,086) $8,000,103 
Shares issued for conversion of convertible debt   9 & 12   67,568   131,532                           131,532 
Shares issued for bonus and compensation  12   266,765   520,230                           520,230 
Shares issued for consulting services  12   284,767   853,457               (93,295)          760,162 
Share issued for settlement of accrued director’s fee                                        
Prefunded warrants issued  7                   14,192,637               14,192,637 
Share based compensation  12                   420,715               420,715 
Net loss              -    -            (12,873,102)      (12,873,102)
Foreign currency translation                                  (609,624)  (609,624)
Balance, December 31, 2022      15,795,798  $27,142,762   -   $-   $16,816,695  $-  $(32,774,094) $(642,710) $10,542,653 
Balance, value      15,795,798   27,142,762   -    -    16,816,695   -   (32,774,094)  (642,710)  10,542,653 
                         
     Common Shares  Additional Paid-in-  Obligation to issue  Accumulated  Accumulated other comprehensive  Total Shareholders’ 
  Note  # of Shares*  Amount  capital  shares  Deficit  income (loss)  Equity 
Balance, December 31, 2021      303,534  $25,637,543  $2,203,343  $93,295  $(19,900,992) $(33,086) $8,000,103 
Shares issued for conversion of convertible debt  11 & 15   1,351   131,532   -   -   -   -   131,532 
Shares issued for compensation  15   5,336   520,230   -   -   -   -   520,230 
Shares issued for consulting services  15   5,695   853,457   -   (93,295)  -   -   760,162 
Prefunded warrants issued  4 & 7   -   -   14,192,637   -   -   -   14,192,637 
Share based compensation  15   -   -   420,715   -   -   -   420,715 
Net loss      -   -   -   -   (12,873,102)  -   (12,873,102)
Foreign currency translation      -   -   -   -   -   (609,624)  (609,624)
Balance, December 31, 2022      315,916  $27,142,762  $16,816,695  $-  $(32,774,094) $(642,710) $10,542,653 
Balance      315,916  $27,142,762  $16,816,695  $-  $(32,774,094) $(642,710) $10,542,653 
                                 
Shares issued for conversion of convertible debt   11 & 15   4,566,970   9,292,871   -   -   -   -   9,292,871 
Shares issued for compensation  15   54,083   348,199   -   97,094   -   -   445,293 
Shares issued for consulting services  15   580,900   324,311   -   -   -   -   324,311 
Shares issued for cash, net of issuance costs  15   124,652   939,695   -   -   -   -   939,695 
Shares issued in private placement  15   20,000   204,880   -   -   -   -   204,880 
Shares issued on conversion of vested prefunded warrants  7 & 15   141,175   11,576,224   (11,576,224)  -   -   -   - 

Fractional shares issued due to roundup from reverse split

      37,349   

-

   

-

   

-

   

-

   

-

   

-

 
Cancelled prefunded warrants  4   

-

   

-

   (2,085,960)  

-

   

-

   

-

   (2,085,960)
Share based compensation  15   

-

   

-

   317,933   

-

   

-

   

-

   317,933 
Net loss      

-

   

-

   

-

   

-

   (11,733,210)  -   (11,733,210)
Foreign currency translation      

-

   

-

   

-

   

-

   

-

   316,114   316,114 
Balance, December 31, 2023      5,841,045  $49,828,942  $3,472,444  $97,094  $(44,507,304) $(326,596) $8,564,580 
Balance      5,841,045  $49,828,942  $3,472,444  $97,094  $(44,507,304) $(326,596) $8,564,580 

*reflects the 1:50 reverse stock split effected on October 11, 2023.

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

 

F-4

 

AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Expressed in US Dollars)

For the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

 

 Note  2022 2021  Note 2023 2022 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                      
Net loss for the year     $(12,873,102) $(6,643,116)     $(11,733,210) $(12,873,102)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                      
Depreciation 5   22,413   11,797 
Write down of construction in progress deposit  8   1,963,304   - 
Depreciation and amortization  6 & 7   679,844   22,413 
Share based compensation 12   420,715   796,141   15   317,933   420,715 
Shares issued for consulting services 12   760,162   321,121   15   324,311   760,162 
Shares issued for compensation and bonuses 12   520,230   134,383 
Shares issued for compensation  15   445,293   520,230 
Loss (gain) on debt conversion      1,190,730   (93,973)
Loss on debt extinguishment      680,935   

-

 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets      75,362   

-

 
Loss on termination of right of use asset      30,322   

-

 
Amortization of debt issuance costs 9   3,057,825   483,529       7,764,872   3,057,825 
Loss on extension of debt term    -   58,952 
Write-off of deposit    -   151,711       12,000   - 
Issuance cost related to warrants    -   374,465 
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities    (3,719,869)  (1,191,383)      (9,360,886)  (3,719,869)
Gain on debt conversion    (93,973)  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                      
Other receivables    (16,615)  (23,353)      18,082   (16,615)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets    (274,302)  (235,713)      313,470   (274,302)
Inventories      (38,857)  - 
Lease deposit asset      (63,708)  - 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities    75,552   662,173       834,147   75,552 
Right-of-use asset    297,034   -       -   297,034 
Lease liabilities    (255,429)  -       -   (255,429)
Lease deposit, non-current    -   (50,608)
Deferred rent    -   12,954 
Contract liabilities      15,300   - 
Lease deposit liability      25,684   - 
Net cash used in operating activities    (12,079,359)  (5,136,947)      (6,505,072)  (12,079,359)
                      
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                      
Purchase of investment  9   (225,000)    
Acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements    (104,986)  (25,522)      -   (104,986)
Payment against acquisition of intangibles 7   (500,000)  (225,000)  7   -   (500,000)
Return of deposit on purchase of land    20,000   -       -   20,000 
Deposit for purchase of land    -   (12,000)
Construction in progress    (55,028)  (744,191)      -   (55,028)
Net cash used in investing activities    (640,014)  (1,006,713)      (225,000)  (640,014)
                      
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                      
Proceeds from common shares issued for cash      1,342,915   - 
Share issuance costs paid      (153,220)  - 
Proceeds from debentures – net of discount    12,750,000   -       9,615,385   12,750,000 
Repayment of convertible debentures    (2,805,000)  -       (2,143,091)  (2,805,000)
Financing costs of debentures    (1,634,894)  (69,000)      (387,917)  (1,634,894)
Payment for acquisition of intangible asset 

7

   

(750,000

)  

-

   7   -   (750,000)
Proceeds from initial public offering    -   15,639,990 
Payment of IPO costs    -   (2,279,374)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants    -   238,800 
Proceeds from long term loan    -   15,932 
Proceeds from senior secured debentures - net    -   600,000 
Repayment of senior secured debentures    -   (750,000)
Proceeds from exercise of options    -   9,123 
Net cash provided by financing activities    7,560,106   13,405,471       8,274,072   7,560,106 
                      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash    (346,703)  (139,931)      65,258   (346,703)
Change in cash    (5,505,970)  7,121,880       1,609,258   (5,505,970 
Cash, beginning of year    7,775,290   653,410       2,269,320   7,775,290 
Cash, end of year   $2,269,320  $7,775,290      $3,878,578  $2,269,320 
                      
Supplemental cash flow information:                      
Cash paid during the period for interest   

$

338,753

  $

-

      $198,427  $338,753 
                      
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing transactions                      
Initial fair value of warrants issued in connection with issuance of debentures   $4,080,958  $- 
Initial fair value of conversion feature of debentures    3,336,535   - 
Initial fair value of debenture warrants (“Second Tranche Warrants”)     $2,378,000  $- 
Initial fair value of conversion feature of debentures (“Second Tranche Debentures”)      1,599,000   - 
Initial fair value of debenture warrants (“Third Tranche Warrants”)      1,251,000   - 
Initial fair value of conversion feature of debentures (“Third Tranche Debentures”)      1,152,000   - 
Initial fair value of debenture warrants (“Fourth Tranche Warrants”)      1,053,000   - 
Initial fair value of conversion feature of debentures (“Fourth Tranche Debentures”)      1,065,000   - 
Reclassified accrued construction in progress fees      39,875   - 
Shares issued for conversion of convertible debt      9,292,871   131,532 
Initial fair value of debenture warrants (First Tranche Warrants”)      -   4,080,958 
Initial fair value of conversion feature of debentures (“First Tranche Debentures”)      -   3,336,535 
Prefunded warrants issued related to intangible assets    12,106,677   -       -   12,106,677 
Prefunded warrants related to land deposit    2,085,960   -       -   2,085,960 
Shares issued for conversion of convertible debt    131,532   - 
Prefunded warrants related to land deposit cancelled      2,085,960   - 
Initial operating lease liability recognized under Topic 842    1,776,599   -       -   1,776,599 
Initial lease right-of-use asset recognized under Topic 842    1,837,782   -       -   1,837,782 
Initial fair value of warrants liability    -   374,028 
Preferred stock dividend paid in common shares    -   735,932 
Conversion of Series A preferred stock to common shares    -   6,717,873 
Unpaid amount related to intangible assets included in accrued expenses    -   500,000 

 

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

 

F-5

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

(Expressed in US Dollars, except where noted)

 

1.BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. (“AgriFORCE™” of the “Company”) was incorporated as a private company by Articles of Incorporation issued pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on December 22, 2017. The Company’s registered and records office address is at 3008002233 Columbia Street,525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Y 0M6.V5Z 1C6.

The Company is an innovative agriculture-focused technology company that delivers reliable, financially robust solutions for high value crops through our proprietary facility design and automation Intellectual Property to businesses and enterprises globally through our AgriFORCE™ Solutions division (“Solutions”) and delivers nutritious food products through our AgriFORCE™ Brands division (“Brands”). During 2023, the Company launched its Un(THINK) Awakened Flour™ flour, which is a nutritious flour that provides many health advantages over traditional flour.

Solutions intends to operate in the plant based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and other high value crop markets using its unique proprietary facility design and hydroponics based automated growing system that enable cultivators to effectively grow crops in a controlled environment(“environment (“FORCEGH+™”). The Company has designed FORCEGH+™ facilities to produce in virtually any environmental condition and to optimize crop yields to as near their full genetic potential possible whilst substantially eliminating the need for the use of pesticides and/or irradiation. The Company also has a global license to sell and distribute hydroxyl devices. During 2023, the Company completed sales and deliveries of its hydroxyl devices.

Brands is focused on the development and commercialization of plant-based ingredients and products that deliver healthier and more nutritious solutions. We will market and commercialize both branded consumer product offerings and ingredient supply.

 

2.BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

The financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Company’s management, who isare responsible for their integrity and objectivity. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary for fair financial statement presentation.

 

Principal of Consolidation

 

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. We consolidate variable interest entities (VIEs) when we have variable interests and are the primary beneficiary. The Company has no VIEs.

 

All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries:

SCHEDULE OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Name of entity: Country of Incorporation Purpose Date of Incorporation
AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd. Canada Parent Company Dec 22, 2017
un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd.* Canada Food Product Manufacturing Dec 4, 2019
West Pender Holdings, Inc. United States Real Estate Holding and Development Company Sep 1, 2018
AgriFORCE Investments Inc. United States Holding Company Apr 9, 2019
West Pender Management Co.Consulting Company United States Management Advisory Services Jul 9, 2019
AGI IP Co. United States Intellectual Property Mar 5, 2020
un(Think) Food Company United States Food Product Manufacturing June 20, 2022
AgriFORCE Europe BV***BelgiumHolding CompanyMarch 29, 2023
AgriFORCE Belgium BV***BelgiumHolding CompanyMarch 29, 2023
GrowForce BV***BelgiumHolding CompanyJune 19, 2023
AgriFORCE (Barbados) Ltd.***BarbadosHolding CompanyOctober 14, 2022

 

*un(Think) Food Company Canada Ltd. changed its name from Daybreak AG Systems Ltd. on August 19, 2022.
**West Pender Consulting Company changed its name from West Pender Management Co. on August 1, 2022.
***Entities have no activity and are in the process of being dissolved.

 

F-6

 

un(Think) Food Company, a wholly owned subsidiary commenced operations in 2022 and their results are consolidated into the results of the Company.  

 

Functional and Reporting Currency

 

The functional currency for each entity included in these consolidated financial statements is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. These consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“U.S. dollars”USD”). Currency conversion to U.S. dollarsUSD is performed in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates reflected in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, accounting for share-based compensation, valuation of derivative liabilities, valuation of embedded conversion feature, going concern, impairment as well as depreciation method. Actual results could differ from these estimates and those differences could be material.

 

Going Concern

 

The Company has incurred substantial operating losses since its inception, and expects to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As reflected in the financial statements, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $32.844.5 million at December 31, 2022,2023, a net loss of approximately $12.9 11.7million, and approximately $12.1 6.5million of net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022.2023. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Company anticipates incurring additional losses until such time, if ever, that it can obtain marketing approval to sell, and then generate significant sales, of its technology that is currently in development. As such it is likely thatThe Company will need to raise additional financing will be needed by the Companycapital in order to fund its operations and to develop and commercialize its technology. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company is seeking additional financing to support its growth plans. The sale of additional equity may dilute existing shareholders and newly issued shares may contain senior rights and preferences compared to currently outstanding common shares.

 

F-7

 

 

Reverse Stock Split

On October 11, 2023, the Company executed a one-for-fifty reverse stock split of the Company’s common shares (the “Reverse Split”). As a result of the Reverse Split, every 50 shares of the Company’s old common shares were converted into one share of the Company’s new common shares. Fractional shares resulting from the reverse split were rounded up to the nearest whole number. The Reverse Split automatically and proportionately adjusted all issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common shares, as well as convertible debentures, convertible features, prefunded warrants, stock options and warrants outstanding at the time of the date of the Reverse Split. The exercise price on outstanding equity based-grants was proportionately increased, while the number of shares available under the Company’s equity-based plans was proportionately reduced. Share and per share data (except par value) for the periods presented reflect the effects of the Reverse Split. References to numbers of common shares and per share data in the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto for periods ended prior to October 11, 2023 have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Split on a retroactive basis.

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Cash

 

The Company’s cash consists of cash maintained in checking and interest-bearing accounts. The Company accounts for financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase as cash equivalents. The Company held no cash equivalents as of December 31, 20222023 and 2021.2022.

Inventories

Inventories consist of finished goods of milled flour and related packaging material recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value with the cost measured using the average cost method. Inventories includes all costs that relate to bringing the inventory to its present condition and location under normal operating conditions.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are initially recognized at acquisition cost or manufacturing cost, including any costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating in the manner intended by the Company’s management. Property, plant and equipment are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

 

Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis to write down the cost less estimated residual value of computer equipment and furniture and fixtures. The following useful lives are applied:

SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATED RESIDUAL VALUE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

Computer equipment3 years
Furniture and fixtures7 years
Leasehold improvementsLower of estimated useful life or remaining lease term

 

Gains or losses arising on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference between the disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets and are recognized in profit or loss within other income or other expenses.

 

Construction in progress includes construction progress payments, deposits, engineering costs, interest expense for debt financing on long-term construction projects and other costs directly related to the construction of the facilities. Expenditures are capitalized during the construction period and construction in progress is transferred to the relevant class of property and equipment when the assets are available for use, at which point the depreciation of the asset commences.

 

Definite Lived Intangible Asset

Definite lived intangible asset consists of a granted patent. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful liveslife of the asset. EstimatedThe estimated useful liveslife of the granted patent is 20 years. Amortization expense is allocated to generalyears and administrative expense. No amortization expense has been taken on the granted patent as it was available for use starting January 2023.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In order to determine if assets have been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable independent cash flows are available (“asset group”). An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of projected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Fair value can be determined using a market approach, income approach or cost approach. The reversal of impairment losses is prohibited.

 

F-8

 

 

Investments

The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with ASC 321, Investments – Equity Securities (“ASC 321”). The Company’s investment does not have a readily determinable fair value, therefore the Company has elected to account for its investment at cost, less impairment. Adjustments to fair value are made when there are observable transactions that provide an indicator of fair value. Additionally, if qualitative factors demonstrate a potential impairment to the investment, fair value must be estimated, and the investment written down if the fair value is lower than the carrying value.

Convertible Instruments

The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in its convertible instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), which provides that if three criteria are met, the Company is required to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free-standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which;

 

(a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract;

(b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur; and

(c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

 

ASC 815 also provides an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional as defined under professional standards as “The Meaning of Conventional Convertible Debt Instrument.”

The Company accounts for convertible instruments (when it has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments) in accordance with professional standards when “Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features,” as those professional standards pertain to “Certain Convertible Instruments.”. Accordingly, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. Debt discounts under these arrangements are amortized over the term of the related debt to their earliest date of redemption. The Company also records when necessary deemed dividends for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in preferred shares based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. ASC 815 provides that, among other things, generally, if an event is not within the entity’s control or could or require net cash settlement, then the contract shall be classified as an asset or a liability.

 

Leases

 

The Company determines at the inception of a contract if the arrangement is or contains a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract gives the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company classifies leases at the lease commencement date as operating or finance leases and records a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with an initial lease term of greater than 12 months. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet, but payments are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

The Company’s contracts can contain both lease and non-lease components. The non-lease components may include maintenance, utilities, and other operating costs. The Company combines the lease and non-lease components of fixed costs in its leases as a single lease component. Variable costs, such as utilities or maintenance costs, are not included in the measurement of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. These costs are expensed when the event determining the amount of variable consideration to be paid occurs.

 

Lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of future lease payments over the expected lease term. The Company determines the present value of future lease payments by using its estimated secured incremental borrowing rate for that lease term as the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. The Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate for each lease based on the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments over a similar term.

F-9

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company has not recorded any revenues since its inception. However,Product revenue in 2023 was limited to sales from hydroxyl generators and will expand to include sales of our un(Think) Foods products in 2024. We recognize product revenue when we satisfy performance obligations by transferring control of the future,promised products or services to customers. Product revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the Company expectspromised good or service is transferred to generate returns from anythe customer, which is at the point of shipment or alldelivery of the revenue sources below from its customers:goods.

 

Contract Balances

Rental income from facilities
Sales revenue from nutritious food products
Intellectual property income from the license of the facilities
Management and advisory fees from management service contracts

On January 1, 2018,

We recognize a receivable when the Company early adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all related amendments (“ASC 606” or “the new revenue standard”). ASC 606 ishas a single comprehensive modelright to consideration for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new revenue standard is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, ASC 606 provides that an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identifyCompany has completed the performance obligations inand only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due.

We recognize a contract (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction priceasset when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing.

We recognize a contract liability when a customer provides payment to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfiesCompany for a performance obligation. The new revenue standard also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, and costs to obtain or fulfill contracts. The Company will apply ASC 606 prospectively to all contracts.obligation not yet satisfied.

Payment terms generally require payments within 30 days.

 

Loss per Common Share

 

The Company presents basic and diluted loss per share data for its common shares. Basic loss per common share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The number of common shares used in the loss per shares calculation includes all outstanding common shares plus all common shares issuable for which there are no conditions to issue other than time. Diluted loss per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of common shares outstanding to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive share equivalents, such as stock options and warrants and assumes the receipt of proceeds upon exercise of the dilutive securities to determine the number of shares assumed to be purchased at the average market price during the year.

Research and Development

 

Expenditure on research and development activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized as expense when incurred.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

The financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the local currencies are translated into U.S. dollarsUSD for consolidation as follows: assets and liabilities at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, shareholders’ equity at the historical rates of exchange, and income and expense amounts at the average exchange rate for the period. Translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the subsidiaries’ accounts are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” as equity in the consolidated balance sheets. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the applicable functional currency are converted to the functional currency at the exchange rate on the transaction date. At period end, monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to the reporting currency using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at historical exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included within non-operating expenses.

 

Fair value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of the Company’s accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts due to the relativerelatively short maturities of these items.

 

F-10

 

 

As part of the issuance of debentures on March 24, 2021 and June 30, 2022, January 17, 2023, October 18, 2023 and November 30, 2023 as well as the private placement on June 20, 2023, the Company issued warrants having strike price denominated in U.S. Dollars.USD. This creates an obligation to issue shares for a price that is not denominated in the Company’s functional currency and renders the warrants not indexed to the Company’s stock, and therefore, must be classified as a derivative liability and measured at fair value.value at the end of each reporting period. On the same basis, the Series A Warrants and the representative warrants issued as part of the IPO are also classified as a derivative liability and measured at fair value.

 

The fair value of the Company’s warrants is determined in accordance with FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the assumptions (inputs) to valuation techniques used to price assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The guidance for fair value measurements requires that assets and liabilities measured at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

 

Level 1: Defined as observable inputs, such as quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  
Level 2: Defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1. This includes quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
  
Level 3: Defined as unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose fair value measurements are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar valuation techniques, as well as significant management judgment or estimation.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s warrant liability related to IPO warrants and representative’s warrant amounting to $275,115 (December 31, 2021 - $1,418,964) is reported at fair value and categorized as Level 1 inputs. The fair value of derivative liabilities related to the Debenture Warrants and Debenture Convertible Feature that were issued during the year amounted to $4,374,000 (December 31, 2021 - $nil) and were categorized as level 3 inputs. The Bridge Warrants that were issued and exercised in the year ended December 31, 2021 were also categorized as level 3 inputs. (See Note 9 and Note 11)

Income Taxes

 

Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the period, using tax rates enacted at period-end.

 

Deferred tax assets, including those arising from tax loss carryforwards, requires management to assess the likelihood that the Company will generate sufficient taxable earnings in future periods in order to utilize recognized deferred tax assets. Assumptions about the generation of future taxable profits depend on management’s estimates of future cash flows. In addition, future changes in tax laws could limit the ability of the Company to obtain tax deductions in future periods. To the extent that future cash flows and taxable income differ significantly from estimates, the ability of the Company to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded at the reporting date could be impacted.

 

The Company operates in various tax jurisdictions and is subject to audit by various tax authorities.

 

F-11

 

 

The Company records uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process whereby (1) a determination is made as to whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Significant judgment is required in the identification of uncertain tax positions and in the estimation of penalties and interest on uncertain tax positions.

 

There were no material uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 20222023 and 2021.2022.

 

Share Based Compensation

 

The Company generally uses the straight-line method to allocate compensation cost to reporting periods over each optionee’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, and estimates the fair value of stock-based awards to employees and directors using the Black-Scholes option-valuation model (the “Black-Scholes model”). .. This model incorporates certain assumptions for inputs including a risk-free market interest rate, expected dividend yield of the underlying common stock, expected option life, and expected volatility in the market value of the underlying common stock. The Company recognizes any forfeitures as they occur.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Start-ups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”). Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for complying with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize leases on balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU No. 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.

The Company adopted ASC 842 as of January 1, 2022 using the optional transition method to apply the standard as of the effective date. Accordingly, previously reported financial statements, including footnote disclosures, have not been recast to reflect the application of the new standard to all comparative periods presented.

The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting as a lessee. The Company elected to utilize the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for its existing lease. The Company has also elected not to present short-term leases on the consolidated balance sheet as these leases have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease inception and do not contain purchase options or renewal terms that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. All other lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Because the Company’s lease does not provide an implicit rate of return, it used its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at adoption date in determining the present value of lease payments.

Adoption of the new lease standard on January 1, 2022 had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The most significant impacts related to the recognition of ROU assets of $1,776,599 and lease liabilities of $1,837,782 for operating leases on the consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The standard did not materially impact the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive loss and consolidated statement of cash flows.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06 “Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”). The intention of ASU 2020-06 is to address the complexities in accounting for certain financial instruments with a debt and equity component. Under ASU 2020-06, the number of accounting models for convertible notes will be reduced and entities that issue convertible debt will be required to use the if-converted method for the computation of diluted “Earnings per share” under ASC 260. ASC 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 20212023 and may be adopted through either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition. ASCASU 2020-06 is effectivewas adopted by the Company on January 1, 2023. Since the Company had a net loss for emerging growth companiesthe year ended December 31, 2023 and its convertible debentures were determined to be anti-dilutive, there was no material impact to its basic and diluted net loss per share for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. We are currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on our financial statements.period as a result of adopting ASU 2020-06.

 

F-12

 

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” The standard, including subsequently issued amendments, requires a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis, such as accounts receivable and certain other financial assets, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023,2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and requires the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted.ASU 2016-13 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2023. Based on the composition of the Company’s trade receivables and otheraffected financial assets, current market conditions, and historical credit loss activity, the Company is currently in the process of evaluating theadoption did not have a material impact of this guidance on ourto these annual financial statements.

 

In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2021-08, an acquirer must recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The CompanyASU 2021-08 was adopted on January 1, 2023 and did not have a material impact to these annual financial statements.

In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 820): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” ASU 2023-07 provides guidance to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. We are currently in the process of evaluatingassessing the impact of this guidance will have on our financial statements.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” ASU 2023-09 requires companies to provide enhanced rate reconciliation disclosures, including disclosure of specific categories and additional information for reconciling items. The standard also requires companies to disaggregate income taxes paid by federal, state and foreign taxes. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We are currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on our financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

 

4.Reclassifications

The Company has reclassified certain share base payment expenses from Wages and salaries to Share based compensation in the 2022 consolidated statements of comprehensive loss to align with the 2023 presentation.

4. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS AND LAND DEPOSIT

SCHEDULE OF PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Deposits $12,000  $32,000  $-  $12,000 
Legal retainer  24,457   33,692   8,039   24,457 
Prepaid expenses  436,496   214,445   223,624   436,496 
Inventory advances  30,654   - 
Deferred offering costs  100,337   -   -   100,337 
Others  25,052   28,903   10,555   25,052 
Prepaid expenses, other current assets $598,342  $309,040  $272,872  $598,342 

 

On August 31, 2022, the Company signed a purchase and sale agreement with Stronghold Power Systems, Inc. (“Stronghold”), to purchase approximately seventy acres of land located in the City of Coachella as well as the completion of certain permitting, zoning, and infrastructure work by Stronghold for a total purchase price of $4,300,000. The purchase price consists of:

 

 (i)$1,500,000 in cash due on March 31, 2023.
   
 (ii)A first stock deposit of $1,700,000 in prefunded warrants. The Company issued 695,86613,917 prefunded warrants on September 9, 2022 to Stronghold.
   
 (iii)A second stock deposit $1,100,000 in prefunded warrants. The Company issued 450,2669,005 prefunded warrants on September 9, 2022 to Stronghold.

 

At December 31, 2022 the $2,085,960 of prefunded warrants were recorded under land deposit in relation to the Stronghold agreement. The

On March 31, 2023 the prefunded warrant issuance may bewarrants issued were rescinded and the warrants were rendered null and void ifas the Company presented a termination notice to Stronghold does not meet all escrow performance conditions by March 31, 2023.and the value under land deposit was also reversed. 

 

5.INVENTORIES

As at December 31, 2023, the Company had $38,857 (December 31, 2022 - nil) in finished goods.

6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Leasehold improvements $86,979  $-  $-  $86,979 
Computer equipment  39,112   22,708   30,812   39,112 
Furniture and fixtures  37,590   39,997   10,299   37,590 
Total property and equipment  163,681   62,705   41,111   163,681 
Less: Accumulated depreciation  (42,009)  (21,734)  (29,310)  (42,009)
Property and equipment, net $121,672  $40,971  $11,801  $121,672 

 

Depreciation expense on property and equipment was $22,413 and $11,797for the years ended December 31, 2023 was $24,892 (December 31, 2022 - $22,413). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company disposed of property and 2021, respectively.equipment which resulted in a loss of $75,362 (December 31, 2022 - $nil). This is included in other losses.

 

F-13

 

 

6.CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

The Company engaged outside contractors to begin construction work on its first facility. As of December 31, 2022, $2,092,533 (December 31, 2021 – $2,079,914) represents progress payments related to facility construction.

7.INTANGIBLE ASSET

 

Intangible asset represents $13,089,37712,733,885 (December 31, 20212022 - $1,477,23713,089,377) for intellectual property (“Manna IP”) acquired under an asset purchase agreement with Manna Nutritional Group, LLC (“Manna”) dated September 10, 2021. The Manna IP encompasses patent-pendingpatented technologies to naturally process and convert grain,grains, pulses, and root vegetables, resulting ininto low-starch, low-sugar, high-protein, fiber-rich baking flour products, as well as a wide range of breakfast cereals, juices, natural sweeteners, and baking enhancers. The Company paid $1,475,000in cash and issued 7,379,969147,600 prefunded warrants valued at $12,106,677 (the(the “Purchase Price”) adjusted for foreign exchange differences of $492,300. Subject to a 9.99% stoppedstopper and SEC Rule 144 restrictions, the prefunded warrants will vest in tranches up until March 10, 2024. When vested the tranches of prefunded warrants will be convertedare convertible into an equal number of common shares.

 

Subsequent to the year end,On January 3, 2023, Manna satisfied all of its contractual obligations when the patent was approved by the US PatentsPatent and Trademark Office and the title was transferred to the Company. TheDuring the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued 1,637,049141,175 shares in relation to this transaction on January 3, 2023.transaction. As at December 31, 2023, there were 6,425 unconverted prefunded warrants outstanding.

 

Based on the terms above and in conformity with US GAAP, the Company accounted for purchase as an asset acquisition and has deemed theacquisition. The asset purchased as an in-process research and development. The Company has further deemed the asset to be of indefinite life until the completion of the associated research and development activities. Oncewas completed and commercialized, the asset will be amortized over its useful life.life of 20 years. The Company recorded $654,952 in amortization expense related to the Manna IP for the year ended December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - $nil).

The estimated annual amortization expense for the next five years are as follows:

SCHEDULE OF FUTURE AMORTIZATION EXPENSE

Period ending: Amount 
2024 $670,205 
2025  670,205 
2026  670,205 
2027  670,205 
2028  670,205 
Subsequent years  9,382,860 
Total $12,733,885 

8. CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

The Company engaged external contractors to begin construction work on its first facility. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company terminated the agreement with one of its construction contractors and wrote down the deposit of $1,963,304 as the return of the deposit is being disputed with the construction contractor. As of December 31, 2023, $113,566 (December 31, 2022 – $2,092,533) represents progress payments related to facility construction.  

9. INVESTMENT

On June 18, 2023, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Radical Clean Solutions Ltd. (“RCS”) to purchase common shares issued by RCS. The Company paid RCS $225,000 for 14% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. Under the terms of the MOU, the use of proceeds is exclusively for the advance purchase of hydroxyls generating devices for commercial sales into controlled environment agriculture, food manufacturing, warehousing and transportation verticals. The Company will receive one of five board of director seats of RCS and has a right of first refusal to maintain an ownership percentage in RCS of not less than 10% of the total issued and outstanding common shares. On October 1, 2023 the Company and RCS signed a definitive agreement to convert the advance into a 14% ownership investment in RCS.

As at December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the investment in RCS was $223,801 adjusted for foreign exchange differences of $1,199. As at December 31, 2023, there were no qualitative factors demonstrating potential impairment.

 

8.10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

  December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021 
Accounts payable $498,188  $414,117 
Accrued expenses  365,521   981,027 
Others  284,030   137,168 
 Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities $1,147,739  $1,532,312 

Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2021, included $500,000 related to the purchase of the Manna IP.

  December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Accounts payable $578,128  $498,188 
Accrued expenses  868,451   365,521 
Others  495,432   284,030 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $1,942,011  $1,147,739 

 

F-14

 

 

9.11. DEBENTURES

On March 24, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase of $750,000 in principal amount ($600,000 subscription amount) of senior secured debentures originally due June 24, 2021 (the “Bridge Loan”). The imputed interest rate is encompassed within the original issue discount of the debentures and no additional cash interest shall be due. Transaction costs of $69,000 have been recorded in connection with the Bridge Loan.

On June 24, 2021, the due date was extended, for which the Company paid an extension fee of 10,000 common shares with a fair value of $60,000. The senior secured debentures were repaid in full on July 13, 2021.

As part of the bridge loan, the debenture holder was issued warrants (the “Bridge Warrants”) to purchase 93,938 common shares for up to three years of the issuance date with a strike price of $3.99 per share.

 

On June 30, 2022, the Company executed the definitive agreementagreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with certainarm’s length accredited institutional investors (the “Investors”) for a $14,025,000 principalin debentures with a 10% original issue discount (the “Debentures”) for netgross proceeds of $12,750,000 (“First Tranche Debentures”). The interest ratesFirst Tranche Debentures were convertible into common shares at $111.00 per share. In addition, the Investors received 82,129 warrants at a strike price of $122.10, which expire on December 31, 2025 (the “First Tranche Warrants”). The First Tranche Warrants and First Tranche Debentures each have down round provisions whereby the conversion and strike prices will be adjusted downward if the Company issues equity instruments at lower prices. The First Tranche Warrants strike price and the First Tranche Debenture conversion price will be adjusted down to the effective conversion price of the issued equity instruments. The transaction costs incurred in relation to first tranche were $1,634,894. The Debentures are senior to all other indebtedness or claims in right of payment, other than indebtedness secured by purchase money security interested.

The Investors had the right to purchase additional tranches of $5,000,000 each, up to a total additional principal amount of $33,000,000.

On January 17, 2023, the Investors purchased additional debentures totaling $5,076,923 with a 10% original issue discount for gross proceeds of $4,615,385 (the “Second Tranche Debenture”). The Second Tranche Debentures were convertible into common shares at $62.00 per share and the Investors received an additional 53,226 warrants at a strike price of $62.00, which expire on December 31, 2025 (the “Second Tranche Warrants”). The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First Tranche Debentures and the First Tranche Warrants to $62.00. The transaction costs incurred in relation to second tranche were $325,962.

On June 26, 2023, the Company entered into waiver and amendment agreements (“Debenture Modification Agreements”) with the Investors to modify terms of the Purchase Agreements. The Debenture Modification Agreements provide as follows:

1.The July 1, 2023 interest and principal payments will be settled with the Company’s Common Shares
2.The Conversion Price has been reduced to the lower of $22.50 or the price of subsequent dilutive issuances under the Company’s ATM program.
3.100% of ATM proceeds up to $1 million USD may be kept by Company, while any dollar amount over this threshold will be distributed 33% to the Company and 67% to the Investors.
4.The minimum tranche value for Additional Closings has been reduced from $5.0 million to $2.5 million.
5.The Investors have each agreed to raise no objection to one or more private placements of securities by the Company with an aggregate purchase price of up to $1,000,000 at a purchase price of at least $12.50 per common share and two-year warrant (with a per share exercise price of $25.00, and no registration rights).
6.The Company may not prepay any portion of the principal amount of this Debenture without the prior written consent of the Investor; However the Company must apply the approved or percentage of approved gross proceeds from the sale of its Common Stock from an at-the-market offering to prepay this Debenture (pro-rated among all Debentures) and shall be permitted to prepay the Debentures notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Debenture or the Purchase Agreement.

On August 9, 2023, the Company entered into another waiver and amendment agreement (“Agreement”) with the Investors with respect to a certain Senior Convertible Debenture (the “Debentures”) due July 17, 2025 issued by the Company to that Investor. The Agreement provides as follows:

1.The Company wishes to make Monthly Redemptions in shares of the Company’s Common Stock in lieu of cash payments, until further written notice from the Company to the Purchaser.
2.The Purchaser is willing to accept such shares as payment of the Monthly Redemption Amount provided that the Equity Conditions are met; and will consider on a case-by-case basis accepting payments in shares of Common Stock if the Equity Conditions are not met, at its sole discretion. The Company may inquire of the Purchaser at least five (5) Trading Days prior to a Monthly Redemption Date whether the Purchaser is willing to accept Shares without the Equity Conditions having been met. An email reply from the Purchaser shall be sufficient evidence of such monthly waiver.
3.The Purchaser will accept the August 1, 2023 Monthly Redemption Amount in shares of Common Stock valued at the August 1 Repayment Price for such date.

On October 18, 2023, the Investors purchased additional debentures totaling $2,750,000 with a 10% original issue discount for gross proceeds of $2,500,000 (the “Third Tranche Debenture”). The Third Tranche Debentures were convertible into common shares at $2.62 per share and the Investors received an additional 620,230 warrants at a strike price of $2.62, which expire on April 18, 2027 (the “Third Tranche Warrants”). The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First and Second Tranche Debentures and the First and Second Tranche Warrants to $2.62. The transaction costs incurred in relation to third tranche were $31,915.

On November 30, 2023, the Investors purchased additional debentures totaling $2,750,000 with a 10% original issue discount for gross proceeds of $2,500,000 (the “Fourth Tranche Debenture”). The Fourth Tranche Debentures were convertible into common shares at $0.90 per share and the Investors received an additional 1,986,112 warrants at a strike price of $0.90, which expire on May 30, 2027 (the “Fourth Tranche Warrants”). The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second and Third Tranche Debentures and the First, Second and Third Tranche Warrants to $0.90. The transaction costs incurred in relation to fourth tranche were $30,040.

The First, Second, Third and Fourth Tranche Debentures (the “Debentures”) have an interest rate of 5% for the first 12 months, 6% for the subsequent 12 months, and 8% per annum thereafter. Principal repayments will be made in 25 equal monthly installments andwhich began on September 1, 2022.2022 for the First Tranche Debentures, July 1, 2023 for the Second Tranche Debentures, January 1, 2024 for the Third Tranche Debentures and May 1, 2024 for the Fourth Tranche Debentures. The DebentureDebentures may be extended by sixnine months at the election of the Company by paying a sum equal to six monthsnine months’ interest on the principal amount outstanding at the end of the 18th month, at the rate of 8% per annum. The Debentures are convertible into common shares at $2.22 per share. The Investors have the right to purchase additional tranches of $5,000,000 each, up to a total additional principal amount of $33,000,000. In addition, the Investors received 4,106,418 warrants at a strike price of $2.442, which expire on December 31, 2025 (the “Debenture Warrants”). The Debenture Warrants and Debentures each have down round provisions whereby the conversion and strike prices will be adjusted downward if the Company issues equity instruments at lower prices. The Debenture Warrants strike price and the Debenture conversion price will be adjusted down to the effective conversion price of the issued equity instruments. Due to the currency of these features being different from the Company’s functional currency the Debenture Warrants and Debentures’ convertible features were classified as derivative liabilities and are further discussed in Note 11. The transaction costs incurred in relation to the Debentures were $1,634,894.

 

The following table summarizes our outstanding debentures as of the dates indicated:

SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING DEBENTURES

  Maturity  Cash Interest Rate December 31, 2022 
Principal (initial)  12/31/2024  5.00% - 8.00% $14,025,000 
Repayments and conversions        (2,955,000)
Debt issuance costs and discounts (Note 9 & 11)        (7,128,084)
Total Debentures (current)       $3,941,916 
  Maturity Cash
Interest Rate
  December 31,
2023
  December 31,
2022
 
Principal (First Tranche Debentures) 12/31/2024  5.00% - 8.00% $3,029,676  $11,070,000 
Principal (Second Tranche Debentures) 07/17/2025  5.00% - 8.00%  2,940,461   - 
Principal (Third Tranche Debentures) 04/18/2026  5.00% - 8.00%  2,750,000   - 
Principal (Fourth Tranche Debentures) 06/01/2026  5.00% - 8.00%  2,750,000   - 
Debentures (gross) 05/30/2027  5.00% - 8.00%  2,750,000   - 
Debt issuance costs and discounts (Note 11 & 13)        (7,385,494)  (7,128,084)
Total Debentures (current)       $4,084,643  $3,941,916 

 

The effective interest rates of the First Tranche Debentures were 168.60% and 18.5% as of December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 – 168.60% for both First Tranche Debentures). The fair value of the First Tranche Debentures as of December 31, 2023 was $3,113,000 (Level 3).

The effective interest rates of the Second Tranche Debentures were 320.16% as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The fair value of the First Tranche Debentures as of December 31, 2023 was $3,188,000 (Level 3).

The effective interest rates of the Third Tranche Debentures were 970.08% as of December 31, 2023. The fair value of the First Tranche Debentures as of December 31, 2023 was $2,946,000 (Level 3).

The effective interest rates of the Fourth Tranche Debentures were 218.52% as of December 31, 2023. The fair value of the First Tranche Debentures as of December 31, 2023 was $3,006,000 (Level 3).

On November 30, 2023, an Investor converted $1,489,974 of the First Tranche Debentures into 1,655,527 shares of the Company. The conversion was determined to be an extinguishment of the existing debt and issuance of new debt. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment in the amount of $680,935.

During the year ended December 31, 2022,2023, the Investors converted $150,0006,543,721 of convertible debenturesprincipal and $426,661 of interest into 67,5682,911,443 shares of the Company resulting in a $93,9731,190,730 gainloss on the conversion of convertible debentures.

 

During the year, the investors provided waivers for certain monthly redemptions to be settled in shares despite the Company not meeting the equity conditions, which require daily trading volume for the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market exceeds $1,000,000 per Trading Day for 20 consecutive days.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $7,963,299 of accretion interest.

Subsequent to the year end, the Investorsan Investor purchased an additional tranche of $5,076,9231,100,000. The convertible debt and warrants were issued with an exercise price of $1.240.214. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Tranche Debentures and the DebentureFirst, Second, Third and Fourth Tranche Warrants to $1.240.214.

F-15

 

 

10.12. CONTRACT BALANCES

As at December 31, 2023, contact balances consisted of $15,336 of advance payments for product sales not yet delivered, which are recognized as a contract liability (December 31, 2022 - $nil).

13. DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

The Company’s derivative liabilities consist of warrants, denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency (the “Warrant Liabilities”) and conversion rights embedded in the Debentures (the “Debenture Convertible Features”), see Note 11.

Warrant Liabilities

As at December 31, 2023, the Warrant Liabilities represent aggregate fair value of publicly traded 61,765 Series A warrants (“IPO Warrants”), 2,721 representative’s warrants (“Rep Warrants”), 82,129 First Tranche Warrants, 53,226 Second Tranche Warrants, 620,230 Third Tranche Warrants, 1,986,112 Fourth Tranche Warrants and 20,000 warrants issued in a private placement (Note 15) on June 20, 2023 (“Private Placement Warrants”).

The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants amounted to $23 (June 20, 2023 - $45,120). As at December 31, 2023 the Company utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the Private Placement Warrants and used the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (June 20, 2023 - $12.50), dividend yield – nil (June 20, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 105% (June 20, 2023 – 65.0%), risk free rate of return 3.88% (June 20, 2023 – 4.58%), and expected term of 1.50 years (June 20, 2023 – expected term of 2 years).

The fair value of the IPO Warrants and Rep Warrants amounted to $11,285 (December 31, 2022 - $275,115). The Rep Warrants are exercisable one year from the effective date of the IPO registration statement and will expire three years after the effective date.

The fair value of the First Tranche Warrants amounted to $24,000 (December 31, 2022 - $2,917,000). As at December 31, 2023 the Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model to value the First Tranche Warrants using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (December 31, 2022 - $56.50), dividend yield – nil (December 31, 2022 – nil), expected volatility 100.0% (December 31, 2022 – 95.0%), risk free rate of return 4.23% (December 31, 2022 – 4.22%), and expected term of 2 years (December 31, 2022 – expected term of 3 years).

As at December 31, 2023 the Second Tranche Warrants had a fair value that amounted to $15,000 (January 17, 2023 - $2,378,000). As at December 31, 2023 the Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model to value the Second Tranche Warrants using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (January 17, 2023 - $60.50), dividend yield – nil (January 17, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 105.0% (January 17, 2023 – 95.0%), risk free rate of return 4.12% (January 17, 2023 – 3.80%), and expected term of 2.55 years (January 17, 2023 – expected term of 3.5 years).

As at December 31, 2023 the Third Tranche Warrants had a fair value that amounted to $192,000 (October 18, 2023 - $1,251,000). As at December 31, 2023 the Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model to value the Second Tranche Warrants using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (October 18, 2023 - $2.64), dividend yield – nil (October 18, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 107.5% (October 18, 2023 – 105.0%), risk free rate of return 3.98% (October 18, 2023 – 5.00%), and expected term of 3.3 years (October 18, 2023 – expected term of 3.5 years).

As at December 31, 2023 the Fourth Tranche Warrants had a fair value that amounted to $724,000 (November 30, 2023 - $1,053,000). As at December 31, 2023 the Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model to value the Second Tranche Warrants using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (November 30, 2023 - $0.84), dividend yield – nil (November 30, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 107.5% (November 30, 2023 – 105.0%), risk free rate of return 3.97% (November 30, 2023 – 4.44%), and expected term of 3.42 years (November 30, 2023 – expected term of 3.5 years).

Debenture Convertible Feature

As at December 31, 2023 the fair value of the First Tranche Debentures’ convertible feature amounted to $164,000 (December 31, 2022 - $1,457,000). The Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model for valuing the convertible feature using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (December 31, 2022 - $56.50), dividend yield – nil (December 31, 2022 – nil), expected volatility 100.0% (December 31, 2022 – 95.0%), risk free rate of return 5.03% (December 31, 2022 – 4.41%), discount rate 17.50% (December 31, 2022 – 13.65%), and expected term of 1 year (December 31, 2022 – 2 years).

As at December 31, 2023 the fair value of the Second Tranche Debentures’ convertible feature amounted to $429,000 (January 17, 2023 - $1,599,000). The Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model for valuing the convertible feature using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (January 17, 2023 - $60.50), dividend yield – nil (January 17, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 105.0% (January 17, 2023 – 95.0%), risk free rate of return 4.51% (January 17, 2023 – 4.02%), discount rate 17.50% (January 17, 2023 – 11.65%), and expected term of 1.55 years (January 17, 2023 – 2.50 years).

As at December 31, 2023 the fair value of the Third Tranche Debentures’ convertible feature amounted to $491,000 (October 18, 2023 - $1,152,000). The Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model for valuing the convertible feature using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (October 18, 2023 - $2.64), dividend yield – nil (October 18, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 107.5% (October 18, 2023 – 105.0%), risk free rate of return 4.12% (October 18, 2023 – 5.11%), discount rate 17.25% (October 18, 2023 – 18.25%), and expected term of 2.30 years (October 18, 2023 – 2.50 years).

F-16

As at December 31, 2023 the fair value of the Third Tranche Debentures’ convertible feature amounted to $640,000 (November 30, 2023 - $1,065,000). The Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model for valuing the convertible feature using the following assumptions: stock price $0.47 (November 30, 2023 - $0.84), dividend yield – nil (November 30, 2023 – nil), expected volatility 107.5% (November 30, 2023 – 105.0%), risk free rate of return 4.12% (November 30, 2023 – 4.61%), discount rate 17.25% (November 30, 2023 – 18.25%), and expected term of 2.42 years (November 30, 2023 – 2.50 years).

The IPO Warrants, Rep Warrants, and Private Placement Warrants (the “Equity Warrants”) are classified as Level 1 financial instruments, while the Debenture Warrants and Debenture Convertible Feature are classified as Level 3 financial instruments.

Changes in the fair value of Company’s Level 1 and 3 financial instruments for the year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN THE FAIR VALUE OF COMPANY'S LEVEL 3 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

  Level 1  Level 3  Level 3    
  

Equity

Warrants

  Debenture Warrants  

Debenture

Convertible

Feature

  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2022 $275,115  $2,917,000  $1,457,000  $4,649,115 
Additions  45,120   4,682,000   3,816,000   8,543,120 
Conversions  -   -   (1,229,482)  (1,229,482)
Change in fair value  (314,995)  (6,670,231)  (2,375,660)  (9,360,886)
Effect of exchange rate changes  6,068   26,231   56,142   88,441 
Balance at December 31, 2023 $11,308  $955,000  $1,724,000  $2,690,308 

Changes in the fair value of Company’s Level 1 and 3 financial instruments for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

  Level 1  Level 3  Level 3    
  

Equity

Warrants

  Debenture Warrants  

Debenture

Convertible

Feature

  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2021 $1,418,964  $-  $-  $1,418,964 
Additions  -   4,080,958   3,336,535   7,417,493 
Conversions  -   -   (63,723)  (63,723)
Change in fair value  (1,086,562)  (966,141)  (1,667,166)  (3,719,869)
Effect of exchange rate changes  (57,287)  (197,817)  (148,646)  (403,750)
Balance at December 31, 2022 $275,115  $2,917,000  $1,457,000  $4,649,115 

Due to the expiry date of the warrants and conversion feature being subsequent to December 31, 2024, the liabilities have been classified as non-current.

F-17

14. LONG TERM LOAN

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Alterna Bank for a principal amount of $29,53330,243 (December 31, 20212022 - $31,41729,533) (CAD$40,000) under the Canada Emergency Business Account Program (the “Program”).

 

The Program, as set out by the Government of Canada, requires that the funds from this loan shall only be used by the Company to pay non-deferrable operating expenses including, without limitation, payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, property tax and regularly scheduled debt service, and may not be used to fund any payments or expenses such as prepayment/refinancing of existing indebtedness, payments of dividends, distributions and increases in management compensation.

 

In April 2021, the Company applied for an additional loan with Alterna Bank under the Program and received $14,76715,122 (CAD$20,000) (December 31, 20212022 - $15,90914,767 (CAD $60,000)). The expansion loan is subject to the original terms and conditions of the Program.

 

The loan is interest free for an initial term that ends on December 31, 2023January 18, 2024. Repaying the loan balance on or before December 31, 2023January 18, 2024 will result in loan forgiveness of up to a third of loan value (up to CAD $20,000). Any outstanding loan after initial term carries an interest rate of 5% per annum, payable monthly during the extended term i.e. January 31,19, 2024 to December 31, 2025.2025. The loan is due December 31, 2026.

 

The balance as at December 31, 20222023 was $44,30045,365 (CAD(CAD $60,000) (December 31, 20212022 - $47,32644,300 (CAD $60,000)).

 

11. DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

The Company’s derivative liabilities consist of warrants, denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency (the “Warrant Liabilities”) and conversion rights embedded in the Debentures, see Note 9 (the “Debenture Convertible Features”).

Warrant Liabilities

As of December 31, 2022, the Warrant Liabilities represent aggregate fair value of publicly traded 3,088,198 Series A warrants (“IPO Warrants”), 135,999 representative’s warrants (“Rep Warrants”) and 4,106,418 Debenture Warrants.

The fair value of the IPO Warrants and Rep Warrants amount to $275,115 (December 31, 2021 - $1,418,964) and were categorized as a Level 1 financial instrument. The Rep Warrants are exercisable one year from the effective date of the IPO registration statement and will expire three years after the effective date.

The fair value of the Debenture Warrants amounted to $2,917,000 (June 30, 2022 - $4,080,958) and were categorized as a Level 3 financial instrument. As at December 31, 2022 the Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model (June 30, 2022 – Black-Scholes option-pricing model) to value the Debenture Warrants using the following assumptions: stock price $1.13 (June 30, 2022 - $2.31), dividend yield – nil (June 30, 2022 – nil), expected volatility 95.0% (June 30, 2022 – 58.3%), risk free rate of return 4.22% (June 30, 2022 – 3.14%), and expected term of 3 years (June 30, 2022 – expected term of 3.5 years).

The changes in the fair value of the Bridge Warrants ($203,456 – 2021) was charged to the statement of comprehensive loss. The warrants were exercised on October 27, 2021 and accordingly, the warrant liability was extinguished. The fair value of the warrants prior to exercise was estimated at $64,992, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions; stock price $2.16, dividend yield – nil, expected volatility 73%, risk free rate of return 0.94%, expected term of 3 years.

Debenture Convertible Features

On June 30, 2022, the Company issued Debentures with an equity conversion feature, see Note 9. The fair value of the Debentures’ convertible features was $3,336,535 on the issuance date and $1,457,000 as at December 31, 2022. These conversion features are categorized as a Level 3 financial instrument. As at December 31, 2022 the Company utilized the Monte Carlo option-pricing model (June 30, 2022 – Black-Scholes option-pricing model) for valuing the convertible feature using the following assumptions: stock price $1.13 (June 30, 2022 - $2.31), dividend yield – nil (June 30, 2022 – nil), expected volatility 95.0% (June 30, 2022 – 101.0%), risk free rate of return 4.41% (June 30, 2022 – 3.14%), discount rate 13.65% (June 30, 2022 – not applicable), and expected term of 2 years (June 30, 2022 – 1 year).

Changes in the fair value of Company’s Level 1 and 3 financial instruments for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:

SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN THE FAIR VALUE OF COMPANY'S LEVEL 3 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

                 
  Level 1  Level 3  Level 3    
  IPO and Rep Warrants  Debenture Warrants  

Debenture

Convertible

Feature

  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2021 $1,418,964  $-  $-  $1,418,964 
Additions  -   4,080,958   3,336,535   7,417,493 
Conversions  -   -   (63,723)  (63,723)
Change in fair value  (1,086,562)  (966,141)  (1,667,166)  (3,719,869)
Effect of exchange rate changes  (57,287)  (197,817)  (148,646)  (403,750)
Balance at December 31, 2022 $275,115  $2,917,000  $1,457,000  $4,649,115 

Due to the expiry date of the warrants and conversion feature being subsequent to December 31, 2023, the liabilities have been classified as non-current.

F-16F-18

 

12.15. SHARE CAPITAL

 

 a)Authorized Share Capital

 

On March 1, 2019, theThe Company changed its share structureis authorized to replace Class – A votingissue unlimited preferred shares with Common voting Shares, eliminated Class-B non-voting shares, and created a new series of Preferred shares with no par value and unlimited number of shares. Holders of Preferred common shares shall be entitled to receive distribution ahead of holders of Common shares. In addition, Preferred shareholders are also entitled to a fixed premium (if specifically provided in the special rights and restrictions attached to a specific series of Preferred shares), prior to any distributions to holders of Common shares in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company.with no par value.

 

 b)Issued Share Capital

 

The Company had the following common share transactions duringDuring the year ended December 31, 2022:2023, the Company issued shares for cash under its at-the market agreement (the “ATM”). In total 124,652 shares were issued for $1,092,915 less share issuance costs of $153,220.

On June 20, 2023 the Company entered in to a private placement agreement issuing 20,000 units of one common share and one whole Private Placement Warrant at a strike price of $25.00 with an expiry date of June 20, 2025 for total consideration of $250,000. The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants at initial recognition was $45,120.

 SCHEDULE OF SHARE CAPITAL

  # of shares  Amount 
Common shares issued for bonuses and compensation  266,765  $520,230 
Common shares issued for conversion of convertible debt  67,568   131,532 
Common shares issued to consultants  284,767   853,457 
Total common shares issued  619,100  $1,505,219 

On December 31, 2023, the Company owed $97,094 worth of stock-based compensation to Company officers (“Shares issued for compensation”). The balance issuable was classified as an Obligation to issue shares.

 

The Company had the following common share transactions during the year ended December 31, 2021:2023:

SCHEDULE OF SHARE CAPITAL

  # of shares  Amount 
Shares issued for cash, net of share issuance costs  124,652  $939,695 
Shares issued in private placement  20,000   204,880 
Common shares issued for conversion of convertible debt  4,566,970   9,292,871 
Shares issued on conversion of vested prefunded warrants  141,175   11,576,224 
Shares issued for compensation  54,083   348,199 
Common shares issued to consultants  580,900   324,311 
Fractional shares issued due to roundup from reverse split  37,349   - 
Total common shares issued  5,525,129  $22,686,180 

The Company had the following common share transactions during the year ended December 31, 2022:

 

  # of shares  Amount 
Common shares issued for cash  3,127,998  $13,262,712 
Common shares issued for conversion of series A preferred stock  2,258,826   6,717,873 
Common shares issued on exercise of warrants  39,800   238,800 
Common shares issued on cashless exercise of warrants  36,275   - 
Common shares issued on exercise of options  7,018   9,123 
Common shares issued on cashless exercise of options  820,029   - 
Common shares issued for bonus and compensation  159,775   648,449 
Common shares issued for consulting services  76,364   381,663 
Common shares issued for settlement of accrued director’s fee  19,992   46,783 
Common shares issued for dividend on preferred shares  189,004   735,932 
Share issue costs  -   (2,099,842)
Total common shares issued  6,735,081  $19,941,493 
  # of shares  Amount 
Common shares issued for bonuses and compensation  5,336  $520,230 
Common shares issued for conversion of convertible debt  1,351   131,532 
Common shares issued to consultants  5,695   853,457 
Total common shares issued  12,382  $1,505,219 

 

 c)Stock Options

 

The Company has adopted a stock option plan (the “Option Plan”) for its directors, officers, employees and consultants to acquire common shares of the Company. The terms and conditions of the stock options are determined by the Board of Directors.

On May 28, 2019, at the Company’s annual general meeting, shareholders approved an amendment to the Option Plan to increase the number of authorized shares subject to the Option Plan to 15% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (including any unconverted Series A Preferred Shares).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022,2023, the Company recorded aggregate share-based compensation expense of $420,715317,933 (December 31, 20212022 - $796,141420,715) for all stock options on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

 

F-17F-19

 

 

As of December 31, 2022,2023, 1,382,629 76,114(December (December 31, 20212022717,01927,652) Optionsoptions were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $3.30 41.75(December (December 31, 20212022 - $5.63)165.09), of which 26,300414,305 (December (December 31, 20212022280,9388,277) were exercisable.

 

The amounts recognized as share-based payments and stock options are included in share-based compensation onin the Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.

 

As of December 31, 2022,2023, there was $538,358116,646 (December 31, 20212022 - $634,626538,358) of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted; that cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 21 yearsyear (December 31, 2021202232 years).

 

The following summarizes stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 2021:2022:

 SCHEDULE OF STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY

 Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Life (years)  Number of
Options
 Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
(years)
 
              
Balance at December 31, 2020  1,450,918  $2.01   4.38 
Granted  509,788  $7.00   4.47 
Exercised  (1,120,719) $3.23   - 
Forfeited  (28,947) $4.75   - 
Cancelled  (94,021) $6.70   - 
Balance at December 31, 2021  717,019  $5.63   4.48   14,338  $281.57   4.48 
Granted  747,060  $1.14   4.48   14,942  $57.00   4.88 
Forfeited  (25,542) $7.00   -   (512) $350.00   - 
Cancelled  (55,908) $4.27   -   (1,116) $213.56   - 
Balance at December 31, 2022  1,382,629  $3.30   4.24   27,652  $165.09   4.24 
Granted  57,364  $4.50   4.70 
Forfeited  (3,776) $133.66   - 
Cancelled  (5,126) $224.24   - 
Balance at December 31, 2023  76,114  $41.75   4.37 

 

The Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 20222023 were:

 SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING AND EXERCISABLE STOCK OPTIONS

 Outstanding Options Exercisable Options  Outstanding Options Exercisable Options 
Expiry Date Number Weighted Average Remaining Life (years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Number Weighted Average Exercise Price  Number Weighted Average Remaining Life (years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Number Weighted Average Exercise Price 
     $   $  $   $   
June 30, 2026  210,489   3.50   3.51   210,489   3.51   1,844   2.50   179.57   1,844   179.57 
May 31, 2026  320,351   3.42   7.00   160,176   7.00   3,450   2.42   350.00   2,870   350.00 
July 15, 2026  55,445   3.54   7.00   23,100   7.00   1,109   2.54   350.00   828   350.00 
September 30, 2026  49,284   3.75   7.00   20,540   7.00   986   2.75   350.00   738   350.00 
November 18, 2027  747,060   4.88   1.14   -   -   11,361   3.88   57.00   5,676   57.00 
September 12, 2028  57,364   4.70   4.50   14,344   4.50 
Total Share Options  1,382,629   4.24   3.30   414,305   5.23   76,114   4.37   41.75   26,300   86.38 

 

F-18F-20

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s weighted average assumptions used in the valuation of options granted during the year ended December 31, 20222023 and December 31, 2021:2022:

SCHEDULE OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS OF OPTIONS

 December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
Expected volatility  78.05%  80.00%  77.46%  78.05%
Expected term (in years)  3.07   3.31   2.82   3.07 
Risk-free interest rate  3.35%  0.92%  3.97%  3.35%
Fair value of options $0.60  $2.59  $2.31  $30.25 

 

 d)Warrants

 

The Company’s outstanding warrants as of December 31, 20222023 were:

 SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTS

  Number of warrants  Weighted average exercise price  Expiry Date
     $   
Outstanding, December 31, 2020  2,546,065   7.46   
Granted July 12, 2021  3,263,997   6.00  July 12, 2024
Granted July 28, 2021  93,938   3.99  July 28, 2024
Exercised in 2021  (133,738)  4.59  n/a
Outstanding, December 31, 2021  5,770,262   5.91   
Granted June 30, 2022  4,106,418   2.44a December 30, 2025
Outstanding, December 31, 2022  9,876,680   4.91   
  Number of
warrants
  Weighted average
exercise price
  Expiry Date
       $   
Outstanding, December 31, 2021  115,407   333.09   
Granted June 30, 2022  82,129   122.10a December 30, 2025
Outstanding, December 31, 2022  197,536   245.37   
Granted January 17, 2023  53,226   62.00a July 17, 2026
Granted June 20, 2023  20,000   25.00  June 20, 2025
Granted October 18, 2023  620,230   2.62a April 18, 2027
Granted November 30, 2023  1,986,112   0.90  May 30, 2027
Outstanding, December 31, 2023  2,877,104   14.39   

(a)The issuance of the Fourth Tranche Debenture on November 30, 2023 triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the Debenture Warrants to $0.90 (Note 11). Subsequent to December 31, 2023, a Convertible Debt Investor purchased an additional tranche of $1,100,000 in convertible debentures (the “Fifth tranche”) and received 3,341,122 warrants (the “Fifth tranche of Debenture Warrants”). The convertible debt and warrants were issued with an exercise price of $0.214. The issuance of the additional tranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth tranche of Debentures and the First, Second, Third, Fourth tranche of Debenture Warrants to $0.214.

(a) Subsequent to the year end, the issuance of additional tranches of Debentures triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the Debenture Warrants to $1.24 (Note 9).

 e)Loss per Common Share

Diluted net loss attributable to common shareholders per share does not differ from basic net loss attributable to common shareholders per share for the years ended December 31, 20222023 and December 31, 2021,2022, since the effect of the Company’s warrants, stock options and convertible debentures are anti-dilutive.

Potentially dilutive securities that are not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effect is anti-dilutive are as follows (in common equivalent shares):

SCHEDULE OF ANTI-DILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

                
 

December 31, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

  December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
Warrants  9,876,680   5,770,262   2,877,104   197,536 
Options  1,382,629   717,019   76,114   27,652 
Prefunded warrants  1,146,132   -   -   22,923 
Convertible debentures  4,986,486   -   13,444,835   99,730 
Total anti-dilutive weighted average shares  17,391,927   6,487,281   16,398,053   347,841 

F-19F-21

 

16. REVENUE

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sold hydroxyl generating devices. The Company’s revenue from the hydroxyl generating devices sales are as follows:

SCHEDULE OF REVENUES

  December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022 
       
HVAC devices $13,753  $- 
Transport devices  2,528   - 
Total Revenue $16,281  $      - 

 

13.17. INCOME TAXES

 

For the year ended December 31, 20222023 and 2021,2022, loss before income tax provision consisted of the following:

SUMMARY OF INCOME TAX PROVISION

 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
          
Domestic operations - Canada $(11,753,662) $(6,202,837)
Domestic operations – Canada $(10,981,917) $(11,753,662)
Foreign operations - United States  (1,119,440)  (440,279)  (751,293)  (1,119,440)
Total loss before taxes $(12,873,102) $(6,643,116) $(11,733,210) $(12,873,102)

 

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended December 31, 20222023 and December 31, 2021:2022:

 SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS OF INCOME TAX

 December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
          
Loss before taxes $(12,873,102) $(6,643,116) $(11,733,210) $(12,873,102)
Statutory tax rate  27.00%  27.00%  27.00%  27.00%
Income taxes at the statutory rate $(3,475,738) $(1,793,641) $(3,167,967) $(3,475,738)
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities  (1,032,824)  (321,674)  (2,525,761)  (1,032,824)
Non-deductible accretion interest  747,719   -   1,665,506   747,719 
Debt conversion and extinguishment losses  

509,945

   - 
Stock-based compensation  484,035   253,556   314,023   484,035 
Share issue costs  (108,685)  (112,812)  (167,075)  (108,685)
Foreign currency translation  298,876   -   (185,096)  298,876 
Other  63,035   111,874   1,893   63,035 
Total $(3,023,582) $(1,862,697) $(3,554,532) $(3,023,582)
                
Change in valuation allowance $3,023,582  $1,862,697  $3,554,532  $3,023,582 
Total income tax expense (benefit) $-  $-  $-  $- 

 

The Company is subject to Canadian federal and provincial tax for the estimated assessable profit for the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022 at a rate of 27%.

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that we will not realize those tax assets through future operations. Significant components of the Company’s deferred taxes are as follows:

SCHEDULE OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
Deferred tax assets:                
Unused net operating losses carry forward - Canada and United States $7,572,932  $4,459,457  $10,964,564  $7,572,932 
Unused capital losses carry forward  

-

   40,962 
Share issue costs  130,732   

174,377

   285,654   130,732 
Other  (5,286)  -   2,692   (5,286)
Total deferred tax assets  7,698,378   4,674,796   11,252,910   7,698,378 
Valuation allowance  (7,698,378)  (4,674,796)  (11,252,910)  (7,698,378)
 $-  

$

- 
Net deferred tax assets $-  $- 

 

The Company has non-capital losses of $37.4 million as of December 31, 2023 and $25.8million as of December 31, 2022, and $15.7 million as of December 31, 2021, which are due to expire between 2038 and 2042 and which can be used to offset future taxable income in Canada. Canada are due to expire in the following years:

SCHEDULE OF NON-CAPITAL LOSSES USED TO OFFSET FUTURE TAXABLE INCOME IN CANADA

     
2038 $2,013,889 
2039  4,562,121 
2040  2,351,635 
2041  6,394,857 
2042  11,124,183 
Thereafter  10,914,515 
  $37,361,200 

For foreign operations in United States, aggregate net operating losses are $3.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and $2.2million as of December 31, 2022 and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2021 which can be carried forward indefinitely. The Company has no capital losses of as of December 31, 2022 and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2021. Non-Capital Losses in Canada can be carried forward after change of ownership, if the particular business which gave rise to the loss is carried on by the company for profit or with a reasonable expectation of profit. Certain accumulated net operating losses in United States are subject to an annual limitation from equity shifts, which constitute a change of ownership as defined under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382. These rules will limit the utilization of the losses.

 

The Company files income tax returns in Canada and the United States and is subject to examination in these jurisdictions for all years since the Company’s inception in 2017. As at December 31, 2022,2023, no tax authority audits are currently underway.

 

The Company currently has no uncertain tax position and is therefore not reflecting any adjustments.

 

F-20F-22

 

14.18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Key management personnel include those persons having the authority and responsibility of planning, directing, and executing the activities of the Company. The Company has determined that its key management personnel consist of the Company’s officers and directors.

 

As of December 31, 2022,2023, $32,50057,561 (December 31, 2021,2022, $47,46132,500) in total was owing to officers and directors, or to companies owned by officers and directors, of the Company for services and expenses. These amounts owing have been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

During the yearyears ended December 31, 20222023 and 2021,2022, the Company incurred $79,4578,213 and $66,24679,457, respectively, to our U.S. general counsel firm, DR WelchEnso Law against legal services, a corporation controlled by a directorthe Chairman of the Company.No shares were issued in the year ended December 31, 2022 (an aggregate of 13,158 shares were issued during the year ended December 31, 2021 to David Welch).

 

There were no other payments to related parties for the yearyears ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022 other than expense reimbursements in the ordinary course of business.

 

15.19. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company spent $6,589 in research and development costs in relation to UN(THINK)™ food product development. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company spent $615,693 as compared to $474,338 for the year ended December 31, 2021 in research and development costs in relation to the license agreement with Radical Clean Solutions Ltd (“Radical”), the testing, nutrient and micro analysis for UN(THINK)™ food product development as well as costs of design and construction for the Coachella land and its future structure architecture. The following represents the breakdown of research and development activities:

SCHEDULE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

  December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021 
License agreement $

256,703

  $- 
Product development 179,563  296,931 
Design and construction  179,427   177,407 
 Research and development costs $615,693  $474,338 

  December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022 
License agreement $-  $256,703 
Product development  6,589   179,563 
Design and construction  -   179,427 
Research and Development $6,589  $615,693 

 

F-21F-23

 

 

16.

20. LEASES

The

On November 1, 2023, the Company has entered into anterminated its operating lease for office space. At December 31, 2022,This resulted in a loss of $30,322 which is included in other loss. On the remainingsame date, the Company entered into a new short-term lease term is seven yearsand has elected not to apply the discount rate is 7.0%recognition requirements under ASC 842 “Leases”. The Company has no finance leases.

 

The components of lease expenses were as follows:

 SCHEDULE OF LEASE EXPENSES

  December 31, 2022 
Operating lease cost $295,601 
Short-term lease cost  23,361 
Total lease expenses $318,962 

The minimum future payments under the lease for our continuing operations in each of the years ending December 31 is as follows:

SCHEDULE OF FUTURE PAYMENTS UNDER LEASE

    
2023 $271,110 
2024  280,409 
2025  296,350 
2026  296,350 
2027  296,350 
Subsequent years  518,613 
Total minimum lease payments  1,959,182 
Less: imputed interest  (438,012)
Total lease liability  1,521,170 
Current portion of lease liability  (271,110)
Non-current portion of lease liability $1,250,060 
  December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022 
Operating lease cost $242,632  $295,601 
Short-term lease cost  47,385   23,361 
Total lease expenses $290,017  $318,962 

 

17.21. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Debenture principal repayments

The following table summarizes the future principal payments related to our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2022:2023:

SUMMARY OF FUTURE PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS OUTSTANDING DEBT

       
2023 $6,732,000 
2024  4,338,000  $7,666,599 
2025 3,143,538 
2026  660,000 
Long Term Debt $11,070,000  $11,470,137 

Contingencies

 

Litigation

On August 11, 2023, AgriFORCE’s former CEO, Ingo Wilhelm Mueller filed a Notice of Civil Claim in which he alleges that AgriFORCE wrongfully terminated his employment without notice, in breach of the parties’ underlying employment agreement. Mr. Mueller alleges to have suffered damages including, among other things, a loss of base salary of $473,367 CAD per annum and damages from not receiving common stock of AgriFORCE equivalent in value to $468,313 CAD. AgriFORCE’s position is that Mr. Mueller was terminated for ‘just cause’ because he breached his fiduciary duty to act in AgriFORCE’s best interest by, among other things, submitting a sizeable bid for the acquisition of a company without first obtaining Board approval. In doing so, Mr. Mueller misrepresented AgriFORCE’s financial standing and forged, or instructed others to forge, a document by affixing the electronic signature of AgriFORCE’s CFO.

As at December 31, 2022,2023, the parties were in the discovery stage of litigation. AgriFORCE has produced relevant documents to Mr. Mueller, and is awaiting Mr. Mueller’s production of relevant documents. The parties are also in the process of scheduling examinations for discovery. Management is instructing counsel to advance the matter given the relative strength of AgriFORCE’s case.

The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is relatively low given the facts supporting AgriFORCE’s ‘for cause’ termination of Mr. Mueller as well as the significant expense that Mr. Mueller would have to incur to advance this matter to trial.

On September 31, 2023, Stronghold filed a Complaint with the Superior Court of California for Breach of Contract; Breach of the Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing; and Common Count: Goods and Services Rendered in relation to the purchase and sale agreement for the Coachella property (Note 4). Stronghold alleges that AgriFORCE breached the PSA by failing to deposit certain stocks certificates into Escrow, failing to pay amounts owed for its costs incurred in connection with the Sellers Work, and for terminating the PSA despite Stronghold’s performance of the Sellers Work. Stronghold is claiming $451,684.00 plus interest in damages based on invoices it provided. AgriFORCE will dispute, among other things, the amount and invoices, estimating approximately $230,000 as Stronghold’s true expenses that may be claimed. The Company had no contingencies or litigation to disclose.filed their answer on February 26, 2024. The trial date has not been set for this case.

 

18.22. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events through March 13, 2023,April 1, 2024, the date on which these financial statements were available to be issued, to ensure that this filing includes appropriate disclosure of events both recognized in the financial statements as of December 31, 2022,2023, and events which occurred subsequent to December 31, 20222023 but were not recognized in the financial statements.

 

From January 1, 2024 through April 1, 2024, the Company issued 16,493,602 common shares upon conversion of convertible debt and conversion of convertible debt in lieu of repayment in cash (principal and interest of $4,062,217).

From January 1, 2024 through April 1, 2024, the Company issued 112,645 common shares as part of compensation to Company officers.

From January 1, 2024 through April 1, 2024, the Company issued 126,646 common shares to consultants for services rendered.

On January 17 and 18, 2023, the InvestorsFebruary 21, 2024, an Investor purchased an additional tranches totalingtranche of $5,076,9231,100,000 in convertible debentures and received 2,661,289 warrants.. The convertible debenturesdebt and warrants were issued with an exercise price of $1.240.214. The issuance of the additional tranchestranche triggered the down round provision, adjusting the exercise prices of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Tranche Debentures and the DebentureFirst, Second, Third and Fourth Tranche Warrants to $1.240.214 (Note 9 & 11). Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2022, the investors converted $881,400 of convertible debentures into 710,807 shares.

Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued 1,637,049 shares to Manna upon exercise of their prefunded warrants.

Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued 12,500 shares to a consultant for services rendered.

On January 24, 2023, the Company entered a binding letter of intent (“BP LOI”) to acquire Berry People LLC (“Berry People”), a U.S. based berry business. The BP LOI sets forth a purchase price of $28 million, consisting of $18.2 million in cash and $9.8 million in restricted shares to acquire 70% of Berry People.

 

F-22F-24

 

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a—15(e) and 15d—15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the individuals serving as our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on this assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

Attestation Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to the deferral allowed given we are neither an accelerated nor a large accelerated filer.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

3537

 

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our 20222023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”). The definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Name   Age Position Served Since
Ingo W. Mueller*David Welch 5742 Executive Chairman, Director, Chief Executive OfficerCompensation committee Chair, and M&A Committee Member December 2017
William J. Meekison 58 Director, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee,June 2019
David Welch41Director, Nominating and GovernanceM&A Committee Compensation CommitteeChair June 2019
Richard Levychin 64 Director, Audit Committee Chair, Nominating and GovernanceM&A Committee Member July 2021
Amy Griffith 50 Director, AuditGovernance Committee Chair and Compensation Committee Chair, Nominating and Governance CommitteeMember July 2021
Elaine Goldwater50Director, Audit Committee Member and Governance Committee MemberOctober 2023
Jolie Kahn59Executive ConsultantFebruary 2024
Richard S. Wong 58 Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer  October 2018
Troy T. McClellan61President, AgriFORCE™ SolutionsFebruary 2018
Mauro Pennella 5758 Chief Marketing Officer and President AgriFORCE™ Brands division. July 2021

Margaret Honey

67

Former Director

October 2023

Dr. Laila BenkrimaIngo W. Mueller*58Former Chairman, Former Director, and Former Chief Executive OfficerDecember 2017
Troy T. McClellan 6062 Chief ScientistFormer President, AgriFORCE™ Solutions MayFebruary 2018

 

*Ingo Mueller was appointed as Chairman of the Board effective September 24, 2021.

Directors serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve for one year until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

 

Ingo Wilhelm Mueller – Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Mueller has been involved in the finance and advisory business for the past 25 years having been involved in the financing of companies and projects. Mr. Mueller is the founder and currently the CEO of the Company since inception and has been responsible for the development of the Company’s intellectual property, business model and financing. He is full time with the Company. He is also currently the CEO of St. George Capital Corp. (since 1998), doing business as Capital Fusion Group, a private financial advisory firm. Mr. Mueller was Chairman and CEO of International Coal Company Ltd. from 2008-2010 before it was sold to London Mining plc, after which Mr. Mueller was named Chairman and CEO of London Mining Colombia Ltd. (2010 to 2012). Mr. Mueller was also the CEO and Chairman of WIGU City Edutainment Centers Plc (2014 to 2017). Mr. Mueller has a Bachelor Commerce (major in Finance and minor in Urban Land Economics) from the University of British Columbia. The Board has determined that Mr. Mueller is suited to serve on the Board due to his long standing involvement in the financial community. Mr. Mueller was appointed as theDavid Welch, Chairman of the Board, effective September 24, 2021.

David Welch, Director, Nominating and GovernanceCompensation Committee Chair, M&A Committee member

 

Mr. Welch is a founding partner at ENSO LAW, LLP, a Los Angeles based in Los Angeles.Intellectual Property and Regulatory law firm. He has a broad base of experience in representing US, Canadian and Mexican corporate clients in the areas of litigation, intellectual property and government regulatory advisement and defense. Mr. Welch has represented recognizable businesses in the agriculture and food services space in Federal Court, California state courts and before the USPTO.USPTO and TTAB. Mr. Welch has also argued before the California Supreme Court and the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on constitutional issues related to preemption and the application of US law to various companies. Mr. Welch obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School with an emphasis in international trade and has received various accolades for his work in intellectual property and regulatory law, including Top 40 under 40 by the Daily Journal; National Law Journal Intellectual Property Trail Blazer, and Super Lawyers from 2013 until 2023. In his business ventures, Mr. Welch is a registered aquaculturist and farmer focusing on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. He is suited to serve as a director due to his long standinglong-standing experience in international intellectual property, agriculture and business.

 

3638

William John Meekison, Director, Audit Committee, Compensationand M&A Committee Chair

 

Mr. Meekison is a career Chief Financial Officer and former investment banker. He has spent the last fifteen years serving in a variety of executive management and CFO roles with both private and public companies, currently as the CFO and Director of Exro Technologies Inc. (since October 2017), a technology company that creates energy management system, and CFO and CFO of ArcWest Exploration Inc. (since December 2010), a mining exploration company in British Columbia.the emobility sector. He is currently on the board of Telo Genomics Corp. (since July 2018) and Adven Inc. (since April 2021). Prior to his position at Exro Technologies Inc. and other CFO roles, Mr. Meekison spent fifteen years in corporate finance with a focus on raising equity capital for North American technology companies, including nine years at Haywood Securities Inc. Mr. Meekison received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Professional Logistician and Certified Investment Manager. Mr. Meekison also holds the NACD.DC certification as a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. He is suited to serve as a director due to his long time experience as a CFO.

 

Richard Levychin, Director, Audit Committee Chair, Nominating and GovernanceM&A Committee Compensation CommitteeMember

 

Richard Levychin, CPA, CGMA, is a Partner in Galleros Robinson’s Commercial Audit and Assurance practice where he focuses on both privately and publicly held companies. Prior to taking this position in October 2018, Richard was the managing partner of KBL, LLP, a PCAOB certified independent registered accounting firm, since 1994. Mr. Levychin has over 25 years of accounting, auditing, business advisory services and tax experience working with both privately owned and public entities in various industries including media, entertainment, real estate, manufacturing, not-for-profit, technology, retail, technology, and professional services. His experience also includes expertise with SEC filings, initial public offerings, and compliance with regulatory bodies. As a business adviser, he advises companies, helping them to identify and define their business and financial objectives, and then provides them with the on-going personal attention necessary to help them achieve their established goals. Mr. Levychin is well suited to serve on our Board due to his decades of experience as the managing partner of a PCAOB certified independent registered accounting firm, which included decades of expertise with SEC filings and initial public offerings.

 

Amy Griffith, Director, AuditGovernance Committee Chair and Compensation Committee Chair, Nominating and Governance CommitteeMember

Ms. Griffith currently serves as Head, Government Relations & External Affairs for McCain Foods - North America.  She is responsible for the North America (“NA”) Public Affairs strategy and provides strategic leadership and direction on behalf of McCain with policymakers in the United States and Canada.  She leads external communications and stakeholder management. Previously, she was the Group Director for the North America Operating unit of the Coca-Cola Company, in this capacity she overseesoversaw public affairs, government relations, sustainability and communications in Canada and the Northeastern United States. Previously, she served as Wells Fargo’s State & Local Government Relations Senior Vice President. She was recruited to Wells Fargo’s Government Relations and Public Policy team in 2019. In this role, Griffith led Wells Fargo’s legislative and political agenda in her region and managed relationships with state and local policymakers and community stakeholders. From 2008-2019, Ms. Griffith led government relations for sixteen states in the Eastern United States for TIAA for over a decade. Prior to that, she worked in the aerospace, high tech, education, private and public sectors, and has managed multiple high-profile political campaigns at the local, state and national level. Griffith is active in her community and has co-chaired The Baldwin School Golf Outing to raise funds for girls’ athletics programs. She is a graduate of Gwynedd-Mercy College and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History. Ms. Griffith is well qualified to serve as a director due to her significant experience in government relations, policy and politicsregulatory agencies as well as decades of experience working with companies in both the private and public sectors.

Elaine Goldwater, Director, Audit Committee Member, and Governance Committee Member

Elaine Goldwater is an executive in the Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry. She is the Senior Director of Marketing, Endocrinology at Recordati Rare Diseases. Prior to Recordati Rare Diseases she was at Merck. Elaine offers 20 plus years of experience creating and launching complex global marketing strategies in the competitive pharmaceutical industry, she offers a talent for guiding informed decision-making, leading strategic planning and strategic operations, and delivering double-digit growth and transform across high-value product portfolios. Her expertise includes deep knowledge of the product lifecycle from pre-clinical/early-stage development through launch, loss of exclusivity (LOE), line-extension, and late lifecycle products. In addition, Elaine’s mastery of country and global operations is leveraged with a background in building market archetypes, shared best practices, and profitable strategy and execution models. She drives end to end commercial strategy creation and execution through a collaborative cross functional process that delivers above brand performance driving to growing net revenue and ensuring patient access.

Jolie Kahn, Executive Consultant

Jolie Kahn has an extensive background in corporate finance and corporate and securities law. She has been the proprietor of Jolie Kahn, Esq. since 2002. Ms. Kahn has also acted in various corporate finance roles, including extensive involvement of preparation of period filings and financial statements and playing an integral part in public company audits. She also works with companies and hedge funds in complex transactions involving the structuring and negotiation of multi-million-dollar debt and equity financings, mergers, and acquisitions. Ms. Kahn has practiced law in the areas of corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, reverse mergers, and general corporate, banking, and real estate matters. She represents both public and private companies, hedge funds, and other institutional investors in their role as investors in public companies. Ms. Kahn holds a BA from Cornell University and a J.D. magna cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Richard Wong, Chief Financial Officer

 

Mr. Wong, who works full time for the Company, has over 25 years of experience in both start-up and public companies in the consumer goods, agricultural goods, manufacturing, and forest industries. Prior to joining the Company in 2018, he was a partner in First Choice Capital Advisors from 2008-2016 and a partner in Lighthouse Advisors Ltd. from 2016-2018. Mr. Wong has also served as the CFO of Emerald Harvest Co., Dan-D Foods, Ltd., and was the Director of Finance and CFO of SUGOI Performance Apparel and had served positions at Canfor, Canadian Pacific & other Fortune 1000 companies. Mr. Wong is a Chartered Professional Accountant, and a member since 1999. Mr. Wong has a Diploma in Technology and Financial Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Troy McClellan, President AgriFORCE™ Solutions

Mr. McClellan, who works full time for the Company, has focused on innovative design and construction technologies throughout his career. Most recently, he was V.P. of Design and Development at WIGU City from 2015-2018, at which time he joined the Company. Mr. McClellan was the VP Design and Development of MGM Macau. Previously, he was a Project Manager at Wynn Design & Development and a Design Manager at Universal Studios (Japan). Mr. McClellan is a registered professional architect and received his Master’s Degree in Architecture from Montana State University.

 

3739

Mauro Pennella, Chief Marketing Officer and President, AgriFORCE ™ Brands

Mr. Pennella, who works full time for the Company, is a consumer products veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry. From May 2018 until January 2021, he was Chief Growth & Sustainability Officer at McCain Foods, a Canadian multinational frozen food company. In that role, he was responsible for global marketing, sales, research and development (R&D) and sustainability. From October 2014 to April 2018, Mr. Pennella served as the President, International of Combe Incorporated, a personal care products company where he oversaw the international division, R&D and the internal advertising agency. He was also a member of the Executive Committee at Combe Incorporated, where he was responsible for the P&L - overseeing eight subsidiaries with more than 100 employees around the world. Prior to that, Mr. Pennella led the Retail and International businesses at Conagra’s Lamb Weston division and developed his career at Diageo and Procter & Gamble. Mr. Pennella received a Master of Business from Audencia, a premier European business school, as well as an M.A.B.A. in Marketing and Finance from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business.

 

Dr. Laila Benkrima,Ingo Wilhelm Mueller – Former Chairman, Former Director and Former Chief ScientistExecutive Officer

Mr. Mueller has been involved in the finance and advisory business for the past 25 years having been involved in the financing of companies and projects. Mr. Mueller is the founder and was the CEO of the Company since inception and has been responsible for the development of the Company’s intellectual property, business model and financing. On July 18, 2023, the Company announced a restructuring of management. Ingo Mueller departed from his position as CEO and Chair of the Board.

Troy McClellan, Former President AgriFORCE™ Solutions

Dr. Benkrima,

Mr. McClellan, who consults part-timeworked full time for the Company, holdshad focused on innovative design and construction technologies throughout his career. Mr. McClellan is a PhDregistered professional architect and received his Master’s Degree in Architecture from Montana State University.

On January 25, 2024, Troy McClellan, President of AgriFORCE Solutions, submitted a letter of resignation to the UniversityCompany. On January 25, 2024, the Company accepted his resignation and deemed it effective immediately pursuant to Section 7.3 of Paris in horticulturehis employment agreement with a specialization in tissue culturethe Company which permits waiver by the Company of Mr. McClellan’s notice period (through March 31, 2024) and corresponding acceleration of the hybridization and selection of plant varietals. Her employment history includes Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals, the University of British Columbia, and Celex Laboratory.resignation date.

 

Corporate Governance

 

The business and affairs of our Company are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

Director Independence

 

We use the definition of “independence” of The NASDAQ Stock Market to make this determination. We are not yet listed on NASDAQ, and although we use its definition of “independence,” its rules are inapplicable to us until such time as we become listed on NASDAQ. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides that an “independent director” is a person other than an officer or employee of our Company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The NASDAQ rules provide that a director cannot be considered independent if:

 

 the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of our Company;
   
 the director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from our Company in excess of $120,000 during any period of 12 consecutive months within the three years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exclusions, including, among other things, compensation for board or board committee service);
   
 a family member of the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an executive officer of our Company;
   
 the director or a family member of the director is a partner in, controlling shareholder of, or an executive officer of an entity to which our Company made, or from which our Company received, payments in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (subject to certain exclusions);
   
 the director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three years, any of the executive officers of our Company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or
   
 the director or a family member of the director is a current partner of our Company’s outside auditor, or at any time during the past three years was a partner or employee of our Company’s outside auditor, and who worked on our Company’s audit.

 

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Under the following three NASDAQ director independence rules a director is not considered independent: (a) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(A), a director is not considered to be independent if he or she also is an executive officer or employee of the corporation, (b) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(B), a director is not consider independent if he or she accepted any compensation from our Company in excess of $120,000 during any period of twelve consecutive months within the three years preceding the determination of independence, and (c) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(D), a director is not considered to be independent if he or she is a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any organization to which our Company made, or from which our Company received, payments for property or services in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000. Under such definitions, we have four independent directors.

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships among any of the directors and executive officers.

 

Board Committees

 

Our Board has established the following three standing committees: audit committee; compensation committee; and nominating and governance committee, or nominating committee. Our board of directors has adopted written charters for each of these committees. Copies of the charters will be available on our website. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.

 

Audit Committee

 

Our Audit Committee is comprised of at least three individuals, each of whom are independent director and at least one of whom will be an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. Our audit committee is currently comprised of Richard Levychin (Chair), John Meekison and Amy Griffith,Elaine Goldwater, who are independent, and Mr. Levychin is our financial expert.

 

Our Audit Committee will oversee our corporate accounting, financial reporting practices and the audits of financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee will have a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and perform several functions. The Audit Committee will:

 

 evaluate the independence and performance of, and assess the qualifications of, our independent auditor and engage such independent auditor;
   
 approve the plan and fees for the annual audit, quarterly reviews, tax and other audit-related services and approve in advance any non-audit service to be provided by our independent auditor;
   
 monitor the independence of our independent auditor and the rotation of partners of the independent auditor on our engagement team as required by law;
   
 review the financial statements to be included in our future Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and review with management and our independent auditor the results of the annual audit and reviews of our quarterly financial statements; and
   
 oversee all aspects our systems of internal accounting control and corporate governance functions on behalf of the Board of Directors.

 

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Compensation Committee

 

Our Compensation Committee comprises of at least three individuals, each of whom will be an independent director, Our Compensation committee is currently comprised of David Welch (Chair), Amy Griffith, (Chair), David Welch and John Meekison, and who are independent.

 

The Compensation Committee will review or recommend the compensation arrangements for our management and employees and also assist our Board of Directors in reviewing and approving matters such as company benefit and insurance plans, including monitoring the performance thereof. The Compensation Committee will have a charter (which will be reviewed annually) and perform several functions.

 

The Compensation Committee will have the authority to directly engage, at our expense, any compensation consultants or other advisers as it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities in determining the amount and form of employee, executive and director compensation.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “N&CG Committee”)

 

Our N&CG Committee is comprised of at least three individuals, each of whom will be an independent director. Currently Amy Griffith Richard Levychin(Chair) and David Welch (Chair)Elaine Goldwater are members of the committee. The committee has one vacancy.

 

The NC&G Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing our corporate governance policies and with proposing potential director nominees to the Board of Directors for consideration. This committee also has the authority to oversee the hiring of potential executive positions in our Company. The NC&G Committee also has a charter, which is to be reviewed annually.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

Name & Principal Position Year  Salary  Bonus  Share-Based Awardsc   Option-Based Awards  All Other Compensation  Total Compensation 
Ingo W. Mueller,  2022   392,464   375,718   359,881   6,866   1,741   1,136,670 
Chief Executive Officer  2021   299,299   282,808   155,668   279,632   14,958   1,032,365 
Richard S. Wong,  2022   295,216    134,696a  86,456   28,831   1,741   546,940 
Chief Financial Officer  2021   237,582   132,070   37,397   186,422   -   593,471 
Troy T. McClellan,  2022   246,732   69,162b  76,846   30,132   1,741   424,613 
Vice President Design & Construction  2021   206,280   80,774   35,456   167,778   -   490,288 
Mauro Pennella  2022   268,962   -   115,269   45,593   1,741   431,565 
Chief Marketing Officer, President AgriFORCE™ Brands  2021   128,841   -   55,179   85,693   -   269,713 

Name & Principal Position Year  Salary  Bonus  Share-Based Awardsc  Option-Based Awards  All Other Compensation  Total Compensation 
Richard S. Wong,  2023   264,041   -   179,004   42,148   1,793   486,986 
Chief Financial Officer  2022   295,216   134,696a  86,456   28,831   1,741   546,940 
Mauro Pennella  2023   259,317   -   158,105   25,544   1,793   444,759 
Chief Marketing Officer, President AgriFORCE™ Brands  2022   268,962   -   115,269   45,593   1,741   431,565 
Troy T. McClellan,  2023   231,755   -   74,091   -   1,656   307,502 
Former President Design & Construction  2022   246,732   69,162b  76,846   30,132   1,741   424,613 
Ingo W. Mueller,  2023   289,025   -   86,744   -   -   375,769 
Former Chief Executive Officer  2022   392,464   375,718   359,881   6,866   1,741   1,136,670 

(a)Bonus was paid out $101,022 in shares and $33,674 in cash.
(b)Bonus was paid out $69,162 in shares
(c)

Some share-based awards were issued net of income taxes. The Company repurchased shares on the issuance date to remit as income taxes to the appropriate government revenue service agencies.

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 13, 2023April 1, 2024 by:

 

each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
each of our executive officers and directors; and
all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

 

  Common shares  

Options Granted vested

within 60 days of

March 13, 2023

  Warrants  Total  Percentage beneficially owned 
Directors and Officers:                    
Ingo Mueller  1,060,083a  169,592   -   1,229,675   6.7%
Richard Wong  130,244   77,980   -   208,224   1.1%
Troy McClellan  445,581   64,126   -   509,707   2.8%
Mauro Pennella  56,073   37,141   -   93,214   0.5%
John Meekison  43,208   30,405   -   73,613   0.4%
David Welch  52,450   26,459   -   78,909   0.4%
Amy Griffith  -   16,511   -   16,511   0.1%
Richard Levychin  -   16,511   -   16,511   0.1%
Total all officers and directors (8 persons)*  1,787,639   438,725   

-

   2,226,364   12.1%
                     
5% or Greater Beneficial Owners                    
Ingo Mueller   1,060,083 a   169,592   -   1,229,675   6.7%
Manna Nutritional Group, LLC  1,637,049   -   -   1,637,049   9.0%

(a)Includes (1) 60,757 common shares held by St. George Capital Corp. of which Mr. Mueller is the President, (2) 193,766 common shares held by 1071269 BC Ltd. of which Mr. Mueller is the sole owner, and (3) 14,532 common shares held by 1178196 BC Ltd. of which Mr. Mueller is an affiliate.
  Common shares  

Options Granted vested

within 60 days of

April 1, 2024

  Warrants  Total  Percentage
beneficially owned
 
Directors and Officers:                    
Richard Wong  37,602   11,584         -   49,186   0.3%
Mauro Pennella  61,055   7,396   -   68,451   0.4%
John Meekison  865   2,541   -   3,406   0.0%
David Welch  1,049   2,507   -   3,556   0.0%
Amy Griffith  -   2,150   -   2,15-   0.0%
Richard Levychin  -   2,150   -   2,150   0.0%
Elaine Goldwater  -   -   -   -   -%
Ingo Mueller (Former CEO and Chairman)  3,954   -   -   3,954   0.0%
Troy McClellan (Former President Design & Construction)  28,159   -   -   28,159   0.1%
Margaret Honey (Former Director)  -   -   -   -   -%
Total all officers and directors (10 persons)*  128,730   28.328   -   157.058   0.8%
                     
5% or Greater Beneficial Owners                    
-  -   -   -   -   - 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

We have adopted a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and oversight of “related-party transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, and not for purposes of required disclosure, which will be all related party transactions, even if less than $120,000, a “related-party transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related party” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000.

 

Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, consultant or director are not considered related-person transactions under this policy. A related party is any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our common shares, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.

 

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At present, we have appointed threetwo independent directors to the N&CG Committee. As a result, our Chief Financial Officer, Richard Wong, must present information regarding a proposed related-party transaction to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Under the policy, where a transaction has been identified as a related-party transaction, Mr. Wong must present information regarding the proposed related-party transaction to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, once the same is established, for review. The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related parties, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available. To identify related-party transactions in advance, we rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant shareholders. In considering related-party transactions, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

 

 whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of our business;
   
 whether the related party transaction was initiated by us or the related party;
   
 whether the transaction with the related party is proposed to be, or was, entered into on terms no less favorable to us than terms that could have been reached with an unrelated third party;
   
 the purpose of, and the potential benefits to us from the related party transaction;
   
 the approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the related party transaction, particularly as it relates to the related party;
   
 the related party’s interest in the related party transaction, and
   
 any other information regarding the related party transaction or the related party that would be material to investors in light of the circumstances of the particular transaction.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall then make a recommendation to the Board, which will determine whether or not to approve of the related party transaction, and if so, upon what terms and conditions. In the event a director has an interest in the proposed transaction, the director must recuse himself or herself from the deliberations and approval.

 

Except as set forth below, we have not had any related party transactions, regardless of dollar amount:

As of December 31, 2022, $32,5002023, $57,561 (December 31, 2021, $47,461)2022, $32,500) in total was owing to officers and directors or to companies owned by officers and directors of the Company for services and expenses. These amounts owing have been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

During the year ended December 31, 20222023 and 2021,2022, the Company incurred $79,457$11,984 and $66,246,$79,457, respectively, to our U.S. general counsel firm, D R WelchEnso Law against legal services, a corporation controlled by a director of the Company. No shares were issued in the year ended December 31, 2022 (an aggregate of 13,158 shares were issued – December 31, 2021) to David Welch as part of the payment.

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Aggregate fees billed to us by Marcum LLP, the Company’s principal independent accountants, during the last two fiscal years were as follows:

 

 December 31, 2022  December 31, 2021  December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 
Audit Feesa $170,000  $126,000  $155,000  $170,000 
Audit – Related Fees  197,649   83,954   41,200   197,649 
 $367,649  $209,954  $196,200  $367,649 

(a)Amounts represent the contractual fees related to the fiscal year, not the accrued fees incurred during the year.

 

Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements and review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by our auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

Audit-Related Fees consist of services by our independent auditors that, including accounting consultations on transaction related matters including work related to our S-1 fillings, are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under Audit Fees.

 

During the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 2021,2022, Marcum LLP did not incur fees for any other professional services.

 

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Financial Statements

The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 688) included in Part II, Item 8:

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 20222023 and 20212022

 

Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto set forth under Item 8.

 

Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Exhibit No.

 Description
3.1 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Issuer*
4.1 Form of Series A Warrant and Representatives Warrant****
4.2 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan – Form of Stock Option Certificate attached as Schedule A*
4.3 Form of Broker Compensation Warrant Certificate for $1.00 warrants issued to brokers in connection in May 2019 in connection with $1.00 preferred unit financing*
10.1 Vacant Land Purchase Agreement, dated July 13, 2020, between Company and Coachella Properties, Inc.*
10.2 Capital Funding Group-Commercial Loan Terms_Sheet_-_Re Coachella_3837v2*
10.3 Commercial Loan Agreement with Alterna Bank-2020-04-30*
10.4 Vacant Land Offer Extension_of_Time_Addendum_Coachella-IM Signed*
10.5 Employment Agreement - Ingo Mueller********
10.6 Employment Agreement - Richard Wong********
10.7 Employment Agreement - Troy McClellan********
10.8 Employment Agreement - Mauro Pennella********
10.9 Second Vacant Land Offer Extension_of_Time_Addendum_Coachella-IM Signed***
10.10 Warrant Agent Agreement***
10.11 Capital Funding Term Sheet dated February 5, 2021 ****
10.12 Extension of Land Purchase Agreement ****
10.13 Pharmhaus Termination Agreements ******
10.14 Bridge Loan Agreement dated March 24, 2021******
10.15 Bridge Note, dated March 24, 2021******
10.16 Bridge Warrant, dated March 24, 2021******
10.17 Asset Purchase Agreement - Manna Nutritional Group********
10.18 Definitive Agreement with Humboldt Bliss, Ltd********
10.19 Share Purchase Agreement with Delphy Groep B.V.********
10.20 Binding LOI to Acquire Deroose Plants NV********
10.21 License Agreement with Radical Clean Solutions Ltd.********
14.1 Code of Ethics**
21.1 List of Subsidiaries**
23.1 Consent of Marcum, LLP**
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer filed pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer filed pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
32.1 Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
32.2 Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
97Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

* Filed with our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on December 16, 2020.

** Filed herewith

*** Filed with Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on January 20, 2021.

**** Filed with Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on March 3, 2021.

***** Filed with Amendment No. 3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on March 22, 2021.

****** Filed with Amendment No. 4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on June 3, 2021.

******* Filed with Amendment No. 5 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on June 14, 2021.

******** Filed with Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 30, 2022.

 

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.

None.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS, LTD.
   
Date: March 13, 2023April 1, 2024By:/s/ Ingo MuellerJolie Kahn
 Name:Ingo MuellerJolie Kahn
 Title:Chief Executive Officer and DirectorConsultant (Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date: March 13, 2023April 1, 2024By:/s/ Richard Wong
 Name:Richard Wong
 Title:Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature Title Date
     
/s/ Ingo MuellerJolie Kahn Chief Executive Officer, March 13, 2023April 1, 2024
Ingo MuellerJolie Kahn Chairman of the Board of DirectorsExecutive Consultant  
     
/s/ Richard Wong Chief Financial Officer March 13, 2023April 1, 2024
Richard Wong
/s/ David WelchChairman of the Board of DirectorsApril 1, 2024
David Welch    
     
/s/ John Meekison Director March 13, 2023April 1, 2024
John Meekison    
     
/s/ Richard Levychin Director March 13, 2023April 1, 2024
Richard Levychin    
     
/s/ Amy Griffith Director March 13, 2023April 1, 2024
Amy Griffith    
     
/s/ David WelchElaine Goldwater Director March 13, 2023April 1, 2024
David WelchElaine Goldwater    

 

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