As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2022
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________
VERSUS SYSTEMS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
____________________
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)
____________________
British Columbia
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7374
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Not Applicable
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(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
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1558 West Hastings Street
Vancouver BC V6G 3J4 Canada
(604) 639-4457
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
____________________
Matthew Pierce
Versus Systems Inc.
6701 Center Drive West, Suite 480
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 242-0228
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
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Copy to:
M. Ali Panjwani, Esq. Eric M. Hellige, Esq. Pryor Cashman LLP 7 Times Square New York, NY 10036 (212) 421-4100
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Charles Phillips, Esq. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10105-0302 (212) 370-1300
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
When used in this prospectus, including the documents that we have incorporated by reference, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements that are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in 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”)). In particular, statements pertaining to our trends, liquidity and capital resources, among others, contain forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the following:
• our prospects, including our future business, revenues, expenses, net income, earnings per share, gross margins, profitability, cash flows, cash position, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, backlog of orders and revenue, our targeted growth rate, our goals for future revenues and earnings, and our expectations about realizing the revenues in our backlog and in our sales pipeline;
• the potential impact of COVID-19 on our business and results of operations;
• the effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations of current and future economic, business, market and regulatory conditions, including the current economic and market conditions and their effects on our customers and their capital spending and ability to finance purchases of our products, services, technologies and systems;
• the effects of fluctuations in sales on our business, revenues, expenses, net income, earnings per share, margins, profitability, cash flows, capital expenditures, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations;
• our products, services, technologies and systems, including their quality and performance in absolute terms and as compared to competitive alternatives, their benefits to our customers and their ability to meet our customers’ requirements, and our ability to successfully develop and market new products, services, technologies and systems;
• our markets, including our market position and our market share;
• our ability to successfully develop, operate, grow and diversify our operations and businesses;
• our business plans, strategies, goals and objectives, and our ability to successfully achieve them;
• the sufficiency of our capital resources, including our cash and cash equivalents, funds generated from operations, availability of borrowings under our credit and financing arrangements and other capital resources, to meet our future working capital, capital expenditure, lease and debt service and business growth needs;
• the value of our assets and businesses, including the revenues, profits and cash flows they are capable of delivering in the future;
• the effects on our business operations, financial results, and prospects of business acquisitions, combinations, sales, alliances, ventures and other similar business transactions and relationships;
• industry trends and customer preferences and the demand for our products, services, technologies and systems; and
• the nature and intensity of our competition, and our ability to successfully compete in our markets.
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These statements are necessarily subjective, are based upon our current plans, intentions, objectives, goals, strategies, beliefs, projections and expectations, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements described in or implied by such statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results described in our forward-looking statements, including with respect to correct measurement and identification of factors affecting our business or the extent of their likely impact, the accuracy and completeness of the publicly-available information with respect to the factors upon which our business strategy is based, or the success of our business. Furthermore, industry forecasts are likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results, our performance or achievements, or industry results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus as well as other risks and factors identified from time to time in our SEC filings.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. We urge you to read this entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein carefully, including the financial statements and notes to those financial statements incorporated by reference herein and therein. Please read the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” for more information about important risks that you should consider before investing in our securities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reinvent the way our customers interact with consumers through live events, games, apps and streaming content.
Our Company
We offer a proprietary business-to-business software platform called eXtreme Engagement Online (“XEO”) that allows live event producers, professional sports franchises, video game publishers and developers and professional sports franchises, as well as other interactive media content creators, the ability to offer in-game prizing and rewards based on the completion of in-content challenges alongside other user engagement tools. The prizes or rewards offered are specific to each player or viewer based on a variety of user- and content-based characteristics, including age, location, game played and challenge undertaken. Our platform facilitates several types of single player prize challenges that includes a wide range of prize types, including coupons, sweepstakes-style prizes, consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) and downloadable content (“DLC”).
With the acquisition of Xcite Interactive Inc. (“Xcite Interactive”) in June of 2021, we acquired a number of key pieces of technology and relationships that we believe will benefit our engagement and rewards business. First, we gained an industry-leading live events fan engagement business that partners with over 50 professional sports franchises across the National Football League (“NFL”), the National Basketball Association (“NBA”), the National Hockey League (“NHL”) and others to drive in-stadium audience engagement using interactive gaming functions like trivia, polling, and casual games that can be played alongside the live experience. Our three largest customers in 2021 included the Dallas Stars, the New Jersey Devils and the New York Jets. We also acquired a growing software licensing business that takes the in-venue fan engagement tools and methods developed by Xcite and its team over decades and customizes those tools in a scalable way to allow teams and content partners of all sizes to engage with fans in-venue and at home in measurable, effective ways at a fraction of the cost of a large professional game operations staff.
We license our XEO software platform to teams, leagues, and other content creators to provide a recurring revenue stream that supplements our professional services and advertising revenues. In addition to providing improved consumer engagement with games and features like trivia and polling, the XEO platform provides improved analytics and flexibility for our content partners through the real-time action board. The action board provides content partners with actionable insights during the game, and it also gives operators tools to adjust the run of show, reacting in real time to events that are happening on the field or in-venue, giving a more urgent, contextual feel to the content and making fan’s interactivity feel more authentic and personal. This real-time engagement technology, coupled with improved analytics about player behavior, allows for both an improved audience experience and also improved advertising efficiency.
We are able to provide our customers an opportunity for improved fan engagement, not only reaching out to those fans who are in the stadium, but also to those watching at home on television or streaming the game on a computer or mobile device. With XEO, fans can follow the game, interact with other fans through a chat function, and compete for prizes and rewards offered by the team itself or by one of the team’s sponsors or branding partners. This engagement and rewards model can extend beyond professional sports to viewers of college sports, the Olympics, awards shows, reality TV, or even streaming content on platforms like YouTube, Twitter and Twitch. By driving second screen engagement, content providers, such as sports teams, are able to maintain the consumer’s attention during lengthy commercials, timeouts and breaks in play.
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We believe our platform provides real benefits for three key target groups: content providers, brands and agencies, and fans/players. By providing interactivity and in-content rewards, content providers see more frequent sessions and longer session times from their users and viewers. Consumer brands offering sponsorships and in-content prizes or rewards within our interactive experiences see improved brand recall and brand affinity, as well as prolonged and increased interest from players and consumers who view their goods as a positive “win” within their viewing experience rather than as a distraction from the content they are watching as is typically the case with traditional in-content advertising. Players, viewers, and consumers who interact alongside their favorite content, especially players who play for real-world rewards, show an increased desire to interact with such content, which increases the value of the content as a supplier of prizing opportunities, of the brands that offer the prizes, and of the experience itself as an interactive and desirable challenge for players and viewers.
We monetize prizes and sponsorships in a number of ways including Cost Per Click (“CPC”), Cost Per Action (“CPA”), and sponsorship revenues that can be charged to the brand. In those cases, we either are paid to place images within our interactive elements, or as a function of an end user interacting with the brand (CPC), or as a function of the user accepting the reward or in some way transacting with the brand (CPA). We share a certain percentage of the gross receipts we receive from such brand customers with the content partners who are the owners of the media in which the prizes or rewards are offered. Our current agreements with the owners or marketers of consumer brands provide that we are paid a fee to place their ads in content, the amount of which is based either on the number of ads placed or upon the performance of those ads relative to the brand’s goals.
Our revenues have principally come from software licensing and professional services provided to professional sports franchises, as well as from fan engagement events like rodeos, boxing matches, concerts, and other live events including the Olympics, Women’s World Cup, the X Games, and other global sporting events.
Our technology facilitates advertising that is part of the entertainment itself — part of the narrative, not as a distraction. By creating an environment that makes brands part of a desired experience — winning prizes or rewards — we empower content providers and brands to engage consumers more effectively and for more extended periods of time.
Our Products and Services
We provide the following products and services to our partners and customers:
• Professional Services: Integration, Customization, and Production. Our patented platform can be integrated into games and interactive media through a number of Software Development Kits (SDKs), including SDKs for iOS, Android, Unity, C++ and others. We also work with partners such as HP to develop bespoke instances of our rewards platform, as we did with their OMEN Rewards system available inside OMEN Command Center in every HP OMEN and Pavilion gaming desktop and laptop. We also offer professional design, development and platform integration services to content partners who seek a more bespoke solution. A majority of our professional sports team partners use some degree of customization in the application of our engagement platform. We also offer live-event production services, helping support the implantation of our platforms, including the production of creative assets to create a more seamless fan experience for a team or venue.
• XEO Platforms. Our engagement technology platform is used to power fan engagement at live-event and other entertainment focused properties, including partnering with multiple professional sports franchises to drive in-stadium audience engagement. In addition to providing improved consumer engagement, our XEO platform provides increased transparency and flexibility through the real time action board. The action board reduces data to information in which the content provider can act on during the live event. In addition, it allows for audience segmentation and targeted advertising technology further improving advertising efficiency.
• White-Label Rewards Platforms. Our technology can be easily integrated into mobile apps to track any behavior that a content, publishing, or health and fitness program partner may want to incentivize. We can also white label and/or license technologies like our stand-alone mobile app to enable partners to create an entire rewards ecosystem where activities in one application earn rewards or discounts
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from another part of the same company. For example, we can assist a partner in creating a mobile app that would allow a consumer to earn movie tickets to a comic book movie for purchasing or reading the online comic, or a consumer to earn discounts on in-stadium concessions or on team apparel for playing a sports trivia game or for watching games live on his or her mobile device. We work with content partners to create entire in-house rewards programs for their users that promote cross-sales within a company, or new channels for the sale of licensed goods, or new opportunities for event or brand sponsors. Our systems and applications can be white labeled and sold as a rewards platform for those partners looking to increase engagement and stickiness with their customers.
• Advertising services. In connection with the placement or licensing of our engagement and rewards platforms, we market our services to brand partners to place their products, discounts or coupons into Versus-enabled content so that users, viewers and players can earn those rewards for their in-game or in-app behavior. When providing those services, we typically charge the brand only when a player attempts to win one of the brand’s proffered prizes. However, in certain cases may also charge on a CPC, CPE or a CPA model.
Corporate History and Structure
Versus Systems Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of British Columbia, was formed by way of an amalgamation under the name McAdam Resources, Inc. in the Province of Ontario on December 1, 1988 and subsequently extra-provincially registered in British Columbia on February 2, 1989. We changed our name to Boulder Mining Corporation on May 9, 1995 in Ontario and on September 25, 1996 in British Columbia. We continued into British Columbia on January 2, 2007 and concurrently changed our name to Opal Energy Corp. We changed our name to Versus Systems Inc. on June 30, 2016, and concurrently ceased or divested our mining related business and began operating our current software platform business.
In June 2021, we completed the acquisition of multimedia, production, and interactive gaming company Xcite Interactive, a provider of online audience engagement through its owned and operated XEO technology platform. We now provide products and services to multiple professional sports franchises across MLB, the NHL, the NBA and the NFL to drive in-stadium audience engagement as well as a software licensing business to drive audience engagement.
We operate through our majority-owned subsidiary, Versus LLC, a Nevada limited liability company that was organized on August 21, 2013, and through our wholly owned subsidiary, Xcite Interactive Inc, a Delaware company that was reorganized as such on April 1, 2019.
Our principal executive offices in Canada are located at 1558 Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6G 3J4 Canada, and our telephone number at that address is (604) 639-4457. Our principal executive offices in the United States are located at 6701 Center Drive West, Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA 90045, and our telephone number at that address is (424) 226-8588. Our website address is www.versussystems.com. The information on or accessed through our website is not incorporated in this prospectus. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issues that file electronically with the SEC.
Over 2019, 2020, and 2021, we principally developed and operated a business-to-business software platform that allows video game publishers and developers, as well as other interactive media content creators, to offer in-game prizing and rewards based on the completion of in-content challenges. We spent approximately $6.5 million during those years to develop the system, and $20.5 million to operate the system and for general working capital needs. We are continuing to develop and operate this system and have similar- expenditures in progress similar in size to those in prior years. We operate principally in the United States of America where we develop and operate our software platform. We operate our corporate finance and treasury functions in Canada.
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The following chart reflects our organizational structure (including the jurisdiction of formation or incorporation of the various entities):
Name of Subsidiary
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Country of Incorporation
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Proportion of Ownership Interest
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Versus Systems (Holdco), Inc.
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United States of America
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81.9
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%
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Versus Systems UK, Ltd
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United Kingdom
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81.9
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%
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Versus, LLC
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United States of America
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81.9
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%
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Xcite Interactive, Inc.
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United States of America
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100
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%
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Risks Associated with Our Business
Our ability to execute our business strategy is subject to numerous risks, as more fully described in the section captioned “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. You should read these risks before you invest in our securities. In particular, risks associated with our business include, but are not limited to, the following:
• We have a relatively limited operating history and limited revenues to date and thus are subject to risks of business development and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
• We are a holding company and depend upon our subsidiaries for our cash flows.
• Future acquisitions or strategic investments could disrupt our business and harm our business, results of operations or financial condition.
• We will require additional funding for our growth plans, and such funding may result in a dilution of your investment.
• We may not have sufficient capital to fund our ongoing operations, effectively pursue our strategy or sustain our growth initiatives.
• Changes in our relationships with our most significant customers, including the loss or reduction in business, could have an adverse impact on us.
• Our operations are significantly dependent on changes in public and customer tastes and discretionary spending patterns. Our inability to successfully anticipate customer preferences or to gain popularity for games may negatively impact our profitability.
• If we fail to keep up with industry trends or technological developments, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
• If we cannot continue to develop, acquire, market and offer new products and services or enhancements to existing products and services that meet customer requirements, our operating results could suffer.
• We make significant investments in new products and services that may not achieve expected returns.
• If we fail to retain existing users or add new users, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected
• Our insurance coverage may not adequately protect us against all future risks, which may adversely affect our business and prospects.
• Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.
• Public health epidemics or outbreaks, such as COVID-19, could materially and adversely impact our business.
• Our business may be harmed if our licensing partners, or other third parties with whom we do business, act in ways that put our brand at risk.
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• If we fail to keep our existing users highly engaged, to acquire new users, to successfully implement an award-prizes model for our user community, our business, profitability and prospects may be adversely affected.
• Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position.
• Our business is highly dependent on the proper functioning and improvement of our information technology systems and infrastructure. Our business and operating results may be harmed by service disruptions, or by our failure to timely and effectively scale up and adjust our existing technology and infrastructure.
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exercise the net number of common shares determined according to the formula set forth in the warrant. In no event shall we be required to make any cash payments or net cash settlement to the registered holder in lieu of issuance of common shares underlying the warrants.
Certain Adjustments. The exercise price and the number of common shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specific events, including stock dividends, stock splits, combinations and reclassifications of our common shares.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the warrants may be transferred at the option of the holders upon surrender of the warrants to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Fundamental Transactions. If, at any time while the warrants are outstanding, (1) we consolidate or merge with or into another corporation and we are not the surviving corporation, (2) we sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, (3) any purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by us or another individual or entity) is completed pursuant to which holders of our common shares are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their common shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of our outstanding common shares, (4) we effect any reclassification or recapitalization of our common shares or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which our common shares are converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (5) we consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination with another person or entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of our outstanding common shares, each a “Fundamental Transaction,” then upon any subsequent exercise of the warrants, the holder thereof will have the right to receive the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction if it had been, immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the holder of the number of warrant shares then issuable upon exercise of the warrant, and any additional consideration payable as part of the Fundamental Transaction. Additionally, as more fully described in the warrant, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the warrants on the date of consummation of such transaction.
Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of our common shares, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant.
Beneficial Ownership Limitation. A holder’s exercise shall be limited to 4.99% of our outstanding common shares (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any warrants, 9.99%) of the number of the common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares issuable upon exercise. The holder, upon notice to us, may increase or decrease the beneficial ownership limitation provided that the beneficial ownership limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of the common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares upon exercise of the warrant held by the holder. Any increase in the beneficial ownership limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company.
Governing Law. The warrants are governed by New York law.
Pre-funded Warrants to be issued in this Offering
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the pre-funded warrants offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the form of the pre-funded warrant, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part of. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set forth in the form of pre-funded warrant.
Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants will be issued in certificated form, are exercisable immediately upon issuance and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full at an exercise price equal to $0.0001 per common share. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of our common shares purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). Unless otherwise specified in the pre-funded warrant, the holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the
number of our common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any pre-funded warrants, 9.99%), as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants.
Cashless Exercise. The holder may, at any time and in its sole discretion, exercise the pre-funded warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the net number of common shares determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant.
Certain Adjustments. The exercise price and the number of common shares purchasable upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specific events, including stock dividends, stock splits, combinations and reclassifications of our common shares.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the pre-funded warrants may be transferred at the option of the holders upon surrender of the pre-funded warrants to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Fundamental Transactions. If, at any time while the pre-funded warrants are outstanding, (1) we consolidate or merge with or into another corporation and we are not the surviving corporation, (2) we sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, (3) any purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by us or another individual or entity) is completed pursuant to which holders of our common shares are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their common shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of our outstanding common shares, (4) we effect any reclassification or recapitalization of our common shares or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which our common shares are converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (5) we consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination with another person or entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of our outstanding common shares, each a “Fundamental Transaction,” then upon any subsequent exercise of the pre-funded warrants, the holder thereof will have the right to receive the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction if it had been, immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, the holder of the number of warrant shares then issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrant, and any additional consideration payable as part of the Fundamental Transaction.
Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of our common shares, the holder of a pre-funded warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the pre-funded warrant.
Beneficial Ownership Limitation. A holder’s exercise shall be limited to 4.99% of our outstanding common shares (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any pre-funded warrants, 9.99%) of the number of the common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares issuable upon exercise. The holder, upon notice to us, may increase or decrease the beneficial ownership limitation provided that the beneficial ownership limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of the common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common shares upon exercise of the pre-funded warrant held by the holder. Any increase in the beneficial ownership limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company.
Governing Law. The warrants are governed by New York law.
Representative Warrants to be issued in this Offering
We have agreed to issue warrants to the Representative, upon the closing of this offering, which entitle it to purchase up to 7.0% of the total number of securities, including any securities sold to cover over-allotments, if any, sold in this offering (the “Representative Warrants”). The exercise price of these warrants is equal to [ %] of the public offering price of the units offered hereby. The Representative Warrants will be exercisable immediately upon issuance, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the five-year period commencing from the commencement of sales of this offering. The terms of the Representative Warrants are substantially similar to the warrants being issued as part of this offering. The Representative Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the Representative Warrants are being registered hereby.
Other Outstanding Warrants
At September 30, 2022, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 13,481,716 common shares with an exercise price range from $0.52 per share to $7.50 per share. These warrants have expiration dates ranging from November 17, 2022 to January 18, 2028.
Number of Share Purchase Warrants
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Exercise Price (USD$)
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Expiry Date
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611,250
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$
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4.89
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November 17, 2022
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1,687,341
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$
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7.50
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January 20, 2026
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4,965,625
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$
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1.92
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February 28, 2027
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6,217,500
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$
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0.52
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January 18, 2028
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13,481,716
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Pursuant to the terms of such warrants, the exercise price of such warrants is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, combinations or the like of our common shares.
Options
Pursuant to our 2017 Stock Option Plan, we may grant stock options to our officers, directors, employees and Pursuant to our 2017 Stock Option Plan, we may grant stock options to our officers, directors, employees and consultants. Our 2017 Stock Option Plan is a rolling stock option plan whereby we can issue a number of options to purchase up to 15% of our issued and outstanding common shares. Options have a maximum term of ten years and vesting is determined by our board of directors.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we granted stock options to purchase 960,224 common shares and we recorded share-based compensation of $2,145,928 relating to stock options that vested during the year. As of September 30, 2022, we had outstanding stock options under our 2017 Stock Option Plan to purchase an aggregate of 3,416,550 common shares with a weighted average exercise price of $2.48 per share.
Listing
Our common shares are listed on Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “VS.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The U.S. transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare, Inc., located at 8742 Lucent Boulevard, Suite 300, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129. The telephone number of Computershare, Inc. at such address is (303) 262-0705.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Key Provisions of our Notice of Articles and Articles and the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
The following is a summary of certain key provisions of our notice of articles and articles and certain related sections of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”). This is only a summary and is not intended to be exhaustive. For further information please refer to the full version of our notice of articles and to our articles attached as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022.
Stated Objects or Purposes
Our articles do not contain stated objects or purposes and do not place any limitations on the business that we may carry on.
Directors
Power to vote on matters in which a director is materially interested. Under the BCBCA a director who has a material interest in a contract or transaction, whether made or proposed, that is material to us, must disclose such interest to us, subject to certain exceptions such as if the contract or transaction: (i) is an arrangement by way of security granted by us for money loaned to, or obligations undertaken by, the director for our benefit or for one of our affiliates’ benefit; (ii) relates to an indemnity or insurance permitted under the BCBCA; (iii) relates to the remuneration of the director in his or her capacity as director, officer, employee or agent of our company or of one of our affiliates; (iv) relates to a loan to our company while the director is the guarantor of some or all of the loan; or (v) is with a corporation that is affiliated to us while the director is also a director or senior officer of that corporation or an affiliate of that corporation.
A director who holds such disclosable interest in respect of any material contract or transaction into which we have entered or propose to enter may be required to absent himself or herself from the meeting while discussions and voting with respect to the matter are taking place. Directors are also required to comply with certain other relevant provisions of the BCBCA regarding conflicts of interest.
Directors’ power to determine the remuneration of directors. The remuneration of our directors is determined by our directors subject to our articles. The remuneration may be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any of our employees (including executive officers) who are also directors.
Number of shares required to be owned by a director. Neither our articles nor the BCBCA provide that a director is required to hold any of our shares as a qualification for holding his or her office. Our board of directors has discretion to prescribe minimum share ownership requirements for directors.
Shareholder Meetings
Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, we must hold a general meeting of our shareholders at least once every year at a time and place determined by our board of directors, provided that the meeting must not be held later than 15 months after the preceding annual general meeting. A meeting of our shareholders may be held anywhere in or outside British Columbia.
A notice to convene a meeting, specifying the date, time and location of the meeting, and, where a meeting is to consider special business, the general nature of the special business must be sent to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting and to each director not less than 21 days prior to the meeting for so long as we are a public company. The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any person entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
Subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares or any class or series of shares, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is two shareholders, or one or more proxyholder(s) representing two shareholders, or one member and a proxyholder representing another shareholder. If there is only one shareholder, the quorum is one person present and being, or representing by proxy, such shareholder. If a quorum is not present within one-half hour of the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place, unless the meeting is a general meeting that was requisitioned by shareholders, in which case the meeting is dissolved.
Shareholder Proposals and Advance Notice Procedures
Under the BCBCA, qualified shareholders holding at least one percent (1%) of our issued voting shares or whose shares have a fair market value in excess of CAD$2,000 may make proposals for matters to be considered at the annual general meeting of shareholders. Such proposals must be sent to us in advance of any proposed meeting by delivering a timely written notice in proper form to our registered office in accordance with the requirements of the BCBCA. The notice must include information on the business the shareholder intends to bring before the meeting in the prescribed form. To be a qualified shareholder, a shareholder must currently be and have been a registered or beneficial owner of at least one share of the company for at least two years before the date of signing the proposal.
We have included certain advance notice provisions with respect to the election of our directors in our articles. The advance notice provisions are intended to: (i) facilitate orderly and efficient annual general meetings or, where the need arises, special meetings; (ii) ensure that all shareholders receive adequate notice of board nominations and sufficient information with respect to all nominees; and (iii) allow shareholders to register an informed vote. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the advance notice provisions will be eligible for election as directors at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors.
Under the advance notice provisions, a shareholder wishing to nominate a director would be required to provide us notice, in the prescribed form, within the prescribed time periods. These time periods include, (i) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders (including annual and special meetings), not less than 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, that if the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting of shareholders, or the Notice Date, is less than 40 days before the meeting date, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the Notice Date; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for any purpose which includes electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the Notice Date.
These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next shareholder meeting the nomination of certain persons for director that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Under the BCBCA, a company may indemnify: (i) a current or former director or officer of that company; (ii) a current or former director or officer of another corporation if, at the time such individual held such office, the corporation was an affiliate of the company, or if such individual held such office at the company’s request; or (iii) an individual who, at the request of the company, held, or holds, an equivalent position in another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any legal proceeding or investigative action (whether current, threatened, pending or completed) in which he or she is involved because of that person’s position as an indemnifiable person, unless: (i) the individual did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of such company or the other entity, as the case may be; or (ii) in the case of a proceeding other than a civil proceeding, the individual did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful. A company cannot indemnify an indemnifiable person if it is prohibited from doing so under its articles or by applicable law. A company may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnifiable person in respect of that proceeding
only if the indemnifiable person has provided an undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses was prohibited, the indemnifiable person will repay any amounts advanced. Subject to the aforementioned prohibitions on indemnification, a company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an indemnifiable person in respect of such eligible proceeding if such indemnifiable person has not been reimbursed for such expenses, and was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of such eligible proceeding or was substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of such eligible proceeding. On application from us or from an indemnifiable person, a court may make any order the court considers appropriate in respect of an eligible proceeding, including the indemnification of penalties imposed or expenses incurred in any such proceedings and the enforcement of an indemnification agreement. As permitted by the BCBCA, our articles require us to indemnify our directors, former directors or alternate directors (and such individual’s respective heirs and legal representatives) and permit us to indemnify any person to the extent permitted by the BCBCA.
Ownership and Exchange Controls
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by our articles on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote our common shares, other than discussed below.
Competition Act
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, or Commissioner, 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 jurisdiction, for up to one year after the acquisition has been substantially completed, to challenge this type of acquisition by seeking a remedial order, including an order to prohibit the acquisition or require divestitures, from the Canadian Competition Tribunal, which may be granted where the Competition Tribunal finds that the acquisition substantially prevents or lessens, or is likely to substantially prevent or lessen, competition.
This legislation also requires any person or persons who intend to acquire more than 20% of our voting shares or, if such person or persons already own more than 20% of our voting shares prior to the acquisition, more than 50% of our voting shares, to file a notification with the Canadian Competition Bureau if certain financial thresholds are exceeded. Where a notification is required, unless an exemption is available, the legislation prohibits completion of the acquisition until the expiration of the applicable statutory waiting period, unless the Commissioner either waives or terminates such waiting period or issues an advance ruling certificate. The Commissioner’s review of a notifiable transaction for substantive competition law considerations may take longer than the statutory waiting period.
Investment Canada Act
The Investment Canada Act requires each “non Canadian” (as defined in the Investment Canada Act) who acquires “control” of an existing “Canadian business,” to file a notification in prescribed form with the responsible federal government department or departments not later than 30 days after closing, provided the acquisition of control is not a reviewable transaction under the Investment Canada Act. Subject to certain exemptions, a transaction that is reviewable under the Investment Canada Act may not be implemented until an application for review has been filed and the responsible Minister of the federal cabinet has determined that the investment is likely to be of “net benefit to Canada” taking into account certain factors set out in the Investment Canada Act. Under the Investment Canada Act, an investment in our common shares by a non-Canadian who is a World Trade Organization member country investor that is not a state-owned enterprise, including a United States investor would be reviewable only if it were an investment to acquire control of us pursuant to the Investment Canada Act and our enterprise value (as determined pursuant to the Investment Canada Act and its regulations) was equal to or greater than $1.075 billion (as of January 1, 2020). The enterprise value threshold for “trade agreement investors” that are not state-owned enterprises is $1.613 billion (as of January 1, 2020).
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR U.S. HOLDERS
Subject to the limitations and qualifications stated herein, this discussion sets forth the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition by U.S. Holders (as defined below) of common shares acquired pursuant to this offering, the exercise, disposition and lapse of warrants acquired pursuant to this offering, the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares received upon exercise of such warrants (“the “Warrant Shares”), the ownership, exercise and disposition of pre-funded warrants acquired pursuant to this offering, and the common shares received upon the exercise of such pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrant Shares”). The term “securities” as used in this discussion includes the common shares, pre-funded warrants, warrants, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, as applicable.
The discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect and all subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders and does not address tax consequences to a non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) investing in securities.
This discussion of a U.S. Holder’s tax consequences addresses only those persons that hold securities as capital assets and does not address the tax consequences to any special class of holders, including without limitation, holders (directly, indirectly or constructively) of 10% or more of our equity (based on value or voting power), dealers in securities or currencies, banks, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, financial institutions, broker-dealers, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, traders in securities that elect the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons that hold securities that are a hedge or that are hedged against currency or interest rate risks or that are part of a straddle, conversion or “integrated” transaction, persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to the common shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement, U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States, partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Holders that acquire securities in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services and U.S. Holders whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. This discussion does not address the effect of the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax, U.S. federal estate and gift tax, alternative minimum tax, the 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws applicable to a holder of securities. This discussion does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any particular U.S. Holder. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, alternative minimum, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the securities.
This discussion also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada); (b) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold securities in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (c) persons whose securities constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Income Tax Act (Canada); or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of securities acquired pursuant to this offering that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (b) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (c) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (d) a trust (i) if a court within the United States can exercise primary supervision over its administration, and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of that trust, or (ii) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. The term “non-U.S. Holder” means any beneficial owner of securities acquired pursuant to this offering that is not a U.S. Holder, a partnership (or an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or a person holding securities through such an entity or arrangement.
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If a partnership or an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds securities, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships that hold securities should consult their own tax advisors. You are urged to consult your own independent tax advisor regarding the specific U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of securities.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition of a Common Share or Pre-Funded Warrant Unit
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the acquisition by a U.S. Holder of a common share unit (consisting of one common share and one warrant) or a pre-funded warrant unit (consisting of one pre-funded warrant and one warrant), as the case may be, should be treated as the acquisition of one common share or one pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and one warrant. The purchase price for each common share unit or pre-funded warrant unit, as the case may be, will be allocated between these components in proportion to each component’s relative fair market value at the time the unit is purchased by the U.S. Holder. This allocation of the purchase price for each unit will establish a U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the common share or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and the warrant that comprise each unit.
For this purpose, the Company will allocate $[ ] of the purchase price for each unit to the common share or pre-funded warrant, as applicable, and $[ ] of the purchase price for each unit to the warrant. However, the IRS will not be bound by such allocation of the purchase price for the units, and therefore, the IRS or a U.S. court may not respect the allocation set forth above. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the allocation of the purchase price for the units.
Although it is not entirely free from doubt, a pre-funded warrant should be treated as a separate class of common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes and a U.S. Holder of pre-funded warrants and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares should generally be taxed in the same manner as a holder of common shares except as described below. Accordingly, no gain or loss should be recognized upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant and, upon exercise, the holding period of a pre-funded warrant should carry over to the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares received. Similarly, the tax basis of the pre-funded warrant should carry over to the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares received upon exercise, increased by the exercise price of US$0.0001 per share. However, such characterization is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may treat the pre-funded warrants as warrants to acquire common shares. If so, the amount and character of a U.S. Holder’s gain with respect to an investment in pre-funded warrants could change, and a U.S. Holder may not be entitled to make the QEF election or mark-to-market election described below to mitigate PFIC consequences in the event the Company is classified as a PFIC. Accordingly, each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the risks associated with the acquisition of a pre-funded warrant pursuant to this offering (including potential alternative characterizations). The balance of this discussion generally assumes that the characterization described above is respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exercise and Disposition of Warrants
The following discussion is subject in its entirety to the rules described below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
Exercise of Warrants
A U.S. Holder should not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a warrant and related receipt of a common share (unless cash is received in lieu of the issuance of a fractional common share). A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in the Warrant Share received on the exercise of a warrant should be equal to the sum of (a) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such warrant plus (b) the exercise price paid by such U.S. Holder on the exercise of such warrant. A U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common share received on the exercise of a warrant should begin on the date that such warrant is exercised by such U.S. Holder. If we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Warrant Share for PFIC purposes will begin on the date on which such U.S. Holder acquired its warrant.
Disposition of Warrants
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of a warrant in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant sold or otherwise disposed of. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, any such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the warrant is held for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.
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Expiration of Warrants Without Exercise
Upon the lapse or expiration of a warrant, a U.S. Holder will recognize a loss in an amount equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant. Any such loss generally will be a capital loss and will be long-term capital loss if the warrant is held for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.
Certain Adjustments to the Warrants
Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of common shares that will be issued on the exercise of the warrants, or an adjustment to the exercise price of the warrants, may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. Holder of the warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in the “earnings and profits” or the Company’s assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to the shareholders). Adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution of the interest of the holders of the warrants generally should not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any such constructive distribution would be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property. (See more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to distributions made by the Company at “U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition, Ownership, and Disposition of Common Shares, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares — Cash Dividends and Other Distributions” below).
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition, Ownership, and Disposition of Common Shares, Pre-Funded Warrants, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares
The following discussion is subject in its entirety to the rules described below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
Cash Dividends and Other Distributions
As described in the section entitled “Dividend Policy” above, we currently intend to retain any future earnings to fund business development and growth, and we do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. However, to the extent there are any distributions (including constructive distributions) made with respect to a common share, pre-funded warrant, Warrant Share or Pre-Funded Warrant Share, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income (including the amount of Canadian taxes withheld, if any) as dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (computed using U.S. federal income tax principles). A dividend generally will be taxed to a U.S. Holder at ordinary income tax rates if the Company is a PFIC for the tax year of such distribution or the preceding tax year. To the extent that a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated “earnings and profits,” such distribution will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such securities and, thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of such securities (see “Sale or Disposition” below). There can be no assurance that we will maintain calculations of our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles. U.S. Holders should therefore assume that any distribution with respect to the securities will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends paid on such securities generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations.
Dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. Holder by a “qualified foreign corporation” may be subject to reduced rates of taxation if certain holding period and other requirements are met. A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a foreign corporation (other than a foreign corporation that is a PFIC in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year) if (i) its securities are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive U.S. income tax treaty that includes an exchange of information program and which the U.S. Treasury Department has determined is satisfactory for these purposes. Our common shares (which would include Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares) are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, the Nasdaq. However, the warrants and pre-funded warrants are not readily tradable on an established securities market. However, the Company may also be eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. Accordingly, subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, we expect that a non-corporate U.S. Holder should qualify for the reduced rate on dividends so long as the applicable holding period requirements are met. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in light of their particular circumstances.
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Non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year.
A U.S. Holder who pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian taxes with respect to dividends paid on our securities (or with respect to any constructive dividend on the warrants) may be entitled to receive, at the election of such U.S. Holder, either a deduction or a foreign tax credit for such Canadian taxes paid. Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. Dividends paid by us generally will constitute “foreign source” income and generally will be categorized as “passive category income.” However, if 50% or more of our equity (based on voting power or value) is treated as held by U.S. persons, we will be treated as a “United States-owned foreign corporation,” in which case dividends may be treated for foreign tax credit limitation purposes as “foreign source” income to the extent attributable to our non-U.S. source earnings and profits and as “U.S. source” income to the extent attributable to our U.S. source earnings and profits. Because the foreign tax credit rules are complex, each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Sale or Disposition
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the taxable sale or exchange of its common shares, pre-funded warrants, Warrant Shares or Pre-Funded Warrant Shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar amount realized on such sale or exchange (determined in the case of securities sold or exchanged for currencies other than U.S. dollars by reference to the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of the sale or exchange or, if the securities sold or exchanged are traded on an established securities market and the U.S. Holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an electing accrual basis taxpayer, the spot exchange rate in effect on the settlement date) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the securities sold or otherwise disposed of determined in U.S. dollars.
Assuming we are not a PFIC and have not been treated as a PFIC during your holding period for our securities, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term gain or loss if the applicable securities have been held for more than one year. Under current law, long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders generally are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Capital gain or loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, a U.S. Holder may not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Canadian tax imposed on the disposition of a security unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreign sources. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the U.S. foreign tax credit in their particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
Status as a PFIC
The rules governing PFICs can have adverse tax effects on U.S. Holders. We generally will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if, for any taxable year, either: (1) 75% or more of our gross income consists of certain types of passive income, or (2) the average value (determined on a quarterly basis), of our assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income is 50% or more of the value of all of our assets.
For purposes of the PFIC provisions, “gross income” generally means sales revenues less cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. If a non-U.S. corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the non-U.S. corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.
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Additionally, if we are classified as a PFIC in any taxable year with respect to which a U.S. Holder owns securities, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Holder in all succeeding taxable years, regardless of whether we continue to meet the tests described above, unless the U.S. Holder makes the “deemed sale election” described below.
We do not believe that we are currently a PFIC, and we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC in the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the determination of whether we are a PFIC is made annually and depends on the particular facts and circumstances (such as the valuation of our assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets) and also may be affected by the application of the PFIC rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. The fair market value of our assets is expected to depend, in part, upon (a) the market price of our common shares, which is likely to fluctuate, and (b) the composition of our income and assets, which will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend any cash that is raised in any financing transaction, including this offering. In light of the foregoing, no assurance can be provided that we are not currently a PFIC or that we will not become a PFIC in any future taxable year. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding our potential PFIC status.
Under proposed Treasury Regulations, if the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds warrants, such warrant is considered to be PFIC stock subject to the PFIC default rules described below. Under the rules described below, the holding period for the Warrant Shares will begin on the date a U.S. Holder acquires the related warrant. This will impact the availability of the QEF election and mark-to-market election with respect to the Warrant Shares. Thus, a U.S. Holder will have to account for the Warrant Shares, common shares and pre-funded warrants under the PFIC rules and the applicable elections differently. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel, or accountant regarding the application of the PFIC rules to the warrants and the ability to make a QEF election or mark-to-market election with respect to such warrants.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of a Shareholder of a PFIC
If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns securities, the U.S. Holder, absent certain elections (including the mark-to-market and QEF elections described below), generally will be subject to adverse rules (regardless of whether we continue to be classified as a PFIC) with respect to (i) any “excess distributions” (generally, any distributions received by the U.S. Holder on its securities in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for its securities) and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of its securities.
Under these adverse rules (a) the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period, (b) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we are classified as a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income, (c) the amount allocated to each other taxable year during the U.S. Holder’s holding period in which we were classified as a PFIC (i) will be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable category of taxpayer for that year and (ii) will be subject to an interest charge at a statutory rate with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year, and (d) loss recognized on the disposition of the securities will not be deductible.
If we are classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of stock or shares owned by us in any direct or indirect subsidiaries that are also PFICs and will be subject to similar adverse rules with respect to any distributions we receive from, and dispositions we make of, the stock or shares of such subsidiaries. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
If we are classified as a PFIC and then cease to be so classified, a U.S. Holder may make an election (a “deemed sale election”) to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having sold such U.S. Holder’s common shares, pre-funded warrants, Warrant Shares or Pre-Funded Warrant Shares on the last day our taxable year during which we were a PFIC. A U.S. Holder that makes a deemed sale election with respect to such securities would then cease to be treated as owning stock in a PFIC by reason of ownership of our common shares, pre-funded warrants, Warrant Shares or Pre-Funded Warrant Shares. However, gain recognized as a result of making the deemed sale election would be subject to the adverse rules described above and loss would not be recognized. No such election, however, may be made with respect to the warrants.
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PFIC “Mark-to-Market” Election
In certain circumstances, a U.S. Holder can avoid certain of the adverse rules described above by making a mark-to-market election with respect to its common shares, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, provided that such shares are “marketable.” The common shares, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares generally will be marketable if they are “regularly traded” on certain U.S. stock exchanges or on a foreign stock exchange that meets certain conditions. For these purposes, the common shares, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares will be considered regularly traded during any calendar year during which they are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Any trades that have as their principal purpose meeting this requirement will be disregarded. Our common shares (which includes Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares) are listed on the Nasdaq, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes. Consequently, if our common shares, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares remain listed on the Nasdaq and are regularly traded, and you are a holder of common shares, Warrant Shares or Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, we expect the mark-to-market election would be available to you if we are a PFIC. There can be no assurance that the shares will be “regularly traded” in subsequent calendar quarters. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the whether a mark-to-market election is available or advisable with respect to the common shares, the Warrant Shares and the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares. A mark-to-market election will likely not be available with respect to the warrants and may not be available with respect to the pre-funded warrants.
Any mark-to-market election made by a U.S. Holder for the common shares or pre-funded warrants will also apply to such U.S. Holder’s Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares. As a result, if a mark-to-market election has been made by a U.S. Holder with respect to its common shares, any Warrant Shares received will automatically be marked-to-market in the year of exercise. Because, under the proposed Treasury Regulations, a U.S. Holder’s holding period for Warrant Shares includes the period during which such U.S. Holder held the warrants, a U.S. Holder will be treated as making a mark-to-market Election with respect to its Warrant Shares after the beginning of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Warrant Shares unless the Warrant Shares are acquired in the same tax year as the year in which the U.S. Holder acquired its securities. Consequently, the default PFIC rules described above generally will apply to the mark-to-market gain realized in the tax year in which Warrant Shares are received. However, the general mark-to-market rules will apply to subsequent tax years.
A U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election must include in gross income, as ordinary income, for each taxable year that we are a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holder’s common shares, pre-funded warrants, and any Warrant Shares or Pre-Funded Warrant Shares at the close of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such securities. An electing U.S. Holder may also claim an ordinary loss deduction for the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common shares, pre-funded warrants and any Warrant Shares or Pre-Funded Warrant Shares over the fair market value of such securities at the close of the taxable year, but this deduction is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income. A U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election generally will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its common shares, pre-funded warrants, Warrant Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of such mark-to-market election. Gains from an actual sale or other disposition of such securities in a year in which we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income, and any losses incurred on a sale or other disposition of such securities will be treated as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains previously included in income.
If we are classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder owns securities but before a mark-to-market election is made, the adverse PFIC rules described above will apply to any mark-to-market gain recognized in the year the election is made. Otherwise, a mark-to-market election will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years. The election cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS, unless the securities cease to be marketable, in which case the election is automatically terminated.
A U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a mark-to-market election.
A mark-to-market election is not permitted for the shares of any of our subsidiaries that are also classified as PFICs. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of, and the procedure for making, a mark-to-market election.
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PFIC “QEF” Election
In some cases, a shareholder of a PFIC can avoid the interest charge and the other adverse PFIC consequences described above by obtaining certain information from such PFIC and by making a QEF election to be taxed currently on its share of the PFIC’s undistributed income. We do not, however, expect to provide the information regarding our income that would be necessary in order for a U.S. Holder to make a QEF election with respect to securities if we are classified as a PFIC.
PFIC Information Reporting Requirements
If we are a PFIC in any year, a U.S. Holder of securities in such year will be required to file an annual information return on IRS Form 8621 regarding distributions received on such securities and any gain realized on disposition of such securities. In addition, if we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to file an annual information return with the IRS (also on IRS Form 8621, which PFIC shareholders are required to file with their U.S. federal income tax or information return) relating to their ownership of securities. This new filing requirement is in addition to the pre-existing reporting requirements described above that apply to a U.S. Holder’s interest in a PFIC (which this requirement does not affect).
NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY A PFIC OR THAT WE WILL NOT BECOME A PFIC IN THE FUTURE. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE OPERATION OF THE PFIC RULES AND RELATED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE ADVISABILITY OF MAKING ANY ELECTION THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE.
Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding
Under U.S. federal income tax law and applicable Treasury Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a non-U.S. corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person, and any interest in a non-U.S. entity. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless such U.S. Holder’s securities are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial.
Payments made within the United States or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman of (a) distributions on the securities, and (b) proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of securities generally may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, currently at the rate of 24%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on IRS Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner. The information reporting and backup withholding rules may apply even if, under the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, payments may be exempt from the dividend withholding tax rules or otherwise eligible for a reduced withholding rate. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
THE ABOVE DISCUSSION DOES NOT COVER ALL TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE TO A PARTICULAR INVESTOR. YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES.
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CANADIAN TAX IMPLICATIONS FOR NON-CANADIAN HOLDERS
The following summary describes, as of the date hereof, the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a purchaser who acquires, as a beneficial owner, a unit consisting of one common share and one warrant or a unit consisting of one pre-funded warrant and one warrant, as the case may be, pursuant to this offering and who, at all relevant times, for the purposes of the application of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Income Tax Regulations (Canada) (collectively, the “Canadian Tax Act”), (1) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada, (2) deals at arm’s length with the Company, (3) is not affiliated with the Company, (4) does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, common shares or warrants in a business carried on in Canada, (5) holds the common shares and warrants as capital property, and (6) has not entered into, with respect to the common shares or warrants, a “derivative forward agreement” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act) (a “Non-Canadian Holder”). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Canadian Holder that is an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere or an “authorized foreign bank” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act). For the purposes of this summary, unless otherwise indicated, references to common shares include common shares acquired pursuant to this offering and common shares acquired on the exercise of a warrant or pre-funded warrant acquired pursuant to this offering, and references to warrants include warrants and pre-funded warrants acquired pursuant to this offering.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Tax Act, and an understanding of the current administrative policies of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) published in writing prior to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act and the Canada-United States Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty”) publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”) and assumes that all Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted as proposed, or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative policy or assessing practice whether by legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial action nor does it take into account tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign jurisdiction, which may differ from those discussed herein.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not, and is not intended to be, legal or tax advice to any particular purchaser. This summary is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax advisor with respect to your particular circumstances.
Generally, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding, or disposition of the common shares or the acquisition, exercise, or disposition of the warrants must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rates as determined in accordance with the Canadian Tax Act. The amount of any dividends required to be included in the income of, and capital gains or capital losses realized by, a Non-Canadian Holder may be affected by fluctuations in the Canadian exchange rate.
Allocation of Cost
Non-Canadian Holders will be required to allocate on a reasonable basis their cost of each unit consisting of one common share and one warrant between the common share and the warrant or unit consisting of one pre-funded warrant and one warrant between the pre-funded warrant and the warrant, as the case may be, in order to determine their respective costs for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act. For its purposes, the Company intends to allocate $[ ] of each unit consisting of one common share and one warrant to the common share and $[ ] to the warrant, and $[ ] of each unit consisting of one pre-funded warrant and one warrant to the pre-funded warrant and $[ ] to the warrant. Although the Company believes that its allocation is reasonable, it is not binding on the CRA or a Non-Canadian Holder and the CRA may not agree with such allocation.
The adjusted cost base to a Non-Canadian Holder of each common share comprising a part of a unit consisting of one common share and one warrant acquired pursuant to this offering will be determined by averaging the cost of such common share with the adjusted cost base to such Non-Canadian Holder of all other common shares in the capital stock of the Company, if any, held by the Non-Canadian Holder as capital property immediately prior to the acquisition.
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Exercise of Warrants
The exercise of a warrant acquired pursuant to this offering to acquire a common share will be deemed not to constitute a disposition of property for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and consequently no gain or loss will be realized by a Non-Canadian Holder upon such an exercise. When a warrant is exercised, the Non-Canadian Holder’s cost of the common share acquired thereby will be the aggregate of the Non-Canadian Holder’s adjusted cost base of such warrant and the exercise price paid for the common share. The Non-Canadian Holder’s adjusted cost base of the common share so acquired will be determined by averaging such cost with the adjusted cost base (determined immediately before the acquisition of the common share) to the Non-Canadian Holder of all common shares in the capital stock of the Company held by the Non-Canadian Holder as capital property immediately prior to the acquisition.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited on the common shares or deemed to be paid or credited on the common shares to a Non-Canadian Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25%, subject to any reduction in the rate of withholding to which the Non-Canadian Holder is entitled under any applicable income tax convention between Canada and the country in which the Non-Canadian Holder is resident. For example, under the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty, where dividends on the common shares are considered to be paid to or derived by a Non-Canadian Holder that is a beneficial owner of the dividends and is a U.S. resident for the purposes of, and is entitled to benefits of, the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty, the applicable rate of Canadian withholding tax is generally reduced to 15%.
Dispositions of Common Shares and Warrants
A Non-Canadian Holder will not be subject to tax under the Canadian Tax Act on any capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of a common share or warrant (as applicable), nor will capital losses arising therefrom be recognized under the Canadian Tax Act, unless the common share or warrant (as applicable) is “taxable Canadian property” to the Non-Canadian Holder for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and the Non-Canadian Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the country in which the Non-Canadian Holder is resident.
Generally, a common share or warrant (as applicable) will not constitute “taxable Canadian property” to a Non-Canadian Holder at a particular time provided that the common shares are listed at that time on a “designated stock exchange” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act), which currently includes the Nasdaq, unless at any particular time during the 60-month period that ends at that time: (i) one or any combination of (a) the Non-Canadian Holder, (b) persons with whom the Non-Canadian Holder does not deal at arm’s length, and (c) partnerships in which the Non-Canadian Holder or a person described in (b) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, has owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the capital stock of the Company; and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived, directly or indirectly, from one or any combination of (a) real or immoveable property situated in Canada, (b) “Canadian resource properties” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act), (c) “timber resource properties” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act), or (d) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in, any of the foregoing property, whether or not such property exists. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain circumstances set out in the Canadian Tax Act, common shares or warrants could be deemed to be “taxable Canadian property.” Non-Canadian Holders whose common shares or warrants may constitute “taxable Canadian property” should consult their own tax advisors.
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UNDERWRITING
We have entered into an underwriting agreement, dated [______], with Roth Capital Partners, LLC, acting as representative of the underwriters in this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement with the Representative, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter named below, and each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of units listed next to its name in the following table:
Underwriter
|
|
Number of Units
|
Roth Capital Partners, LLC
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
The underwriters are committed to purchase all the securities offered by us other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below, if any, are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated. The underwriters are not obligated to purchase the securities covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below. The underwriters are offering the securities, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Discounts and Commissions
The underwriters propose initially to offer the securities to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at those prices less a concession not in excess of $ per unit. If all of the securities offered by us are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms by means of a supplement to this prospectus by filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise of the over-allotment option we granted to the representatives of the underwriters.
|
|
Per Unit
|
|
Total with no Over-Allotment
|
|
Total with Full Over-Allotment
|
Public offering price
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
Underwriting discount (7.0%)
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding the total underwriting discount, will be approximately $[______]. We have also agreed to pay the representative’s expenses relating to this offering, including the representative’s reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under the underwriting agreement (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of the representative’s outside legal counsel up to $125,000 in the aggregate, unless we have agreed in advance to reimburse such costs and expenses in excess of $125,000).
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option. This option, which is exercisable for up to 45 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase up to additional common shares and/or warrants to purchase up to common shares from us, to cover over-allotments. If the underwriters exercise all or part of this option, they will purchase common shares and/or warrants included in the units covered by the option at the public offering price per common share or warrant that appears on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. If this option is exercised in full, the total price to the public will be $ and the total net proceeds, before expenses, to us will be $ .
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Representative Warrants
We have agreed to issue to the Representative warrants to purchase up to common shares ( common shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). The Representative Warrants are immediately exercisable upon issuance for cash or on a cashless basis in certain circumstances at a per common share exercise price equal to [ %] of the public offering price per unit in the offering and will expire five years from the commencement of sales of the offering. Except as described above or as summarized below, the Representative Warrants will be in substantially the same form as the warrants included in this offering except that the Representative Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of the commencement of sales of the offering of which this prospectus forms a part. The exercise price and number of common shares issuable upon exercise of the Representative Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. We are registering hereby the issuance of the Representative Warrants and the common shares issuable upon exercise of the Representative Warrants.
Discretionary Accounts
The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the securities offered hereby to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.
Lock-Up Agreements
Pursuant to “lock-up” agreements, we, our executive officers and directors, and certain holders of more than 10% of our voting securities, have agreed, without the prior written consent of the representative not to directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the transfer or disposition by any person at any time in the future of) our common shares, enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of our common shares, make any demand for or exercise any right or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any common shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common shares or any other securities of our company or publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, subject to customary exceptions, for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.
Stabilization
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate-covering transactions, penalty bids and purchases to cover positions created by short sales.
• Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum, and are engaged in for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while the offering is in progress.
• Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of securities in excess of the number of securities that underwriters are obligated to purchase. This creates a syndicate short position which may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of securities over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of securities that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of securities involved is greater than the number of securities in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any short position by exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing securities in the open market.
• Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities
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available for purchase in the open market as compared with the price at which they may purchase securities through exercise of the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more securities than could be covered by exercise of the over-allotment option and, therefore, have a naked short position, the position can be closed out only by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that after pricing there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
• Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions.
These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the price of our securities in the open market may be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may be effected on Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Passive Market Making
In connection with this offering, the underwriters and selling group members may also engage in passive market making transactions in our common shares. Passive market making consists of displaying bids limited by the prices of independent market makers and effecting purchases limited by those prices in response to order flow. Rule 103 of Regulation M promulgated by the SEC limits the amount of net purchases that each passive market maker may make and the displayed size of each bid. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the common shares at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Securities
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters or selling group members. The representative may agree to allocate a number of securities to underwriters and selling group members for sale to its online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Other Relationships
The Representative and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they may in the future receive customary fees. The Representative acted as the placement agent in connection with our previous offering consummated in July 2022, for which it has received customary fees and expenses.
Offer restrictions outside the United States
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. Indemnification of directors and officers
Sections 159 to 164 of the BCBCA authorize companies to indemnify past and present directors, officers and certain other individuals for the liabilities incurred in connection with their services as such (including costs, expenses and settlement payments) unless such individual did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and, in the case of a criminal or administrative proceeding, if such individual did not have reasonable grounds for believing his or her conduct was lawful. In the case of a suit by or on behalf of the corporation, a court must approve the indemnification.
Our articles require us to indemnify directors and officers to the extent required by law.
We have entered into agreements with our directors and certain officers, or an Indemnitee, to indemnify the Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to certain limitations, against all liabilities, costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnitee in an action or proceeding to which the Indemnitee was made a party by reason of the Indemnitee being an officer or director of (i) our company or (ii) an organization of which we are a shareholder or creditor if the Indemnitee serves such organization at our request.
We maintain insurance policies relating to certain liabilities that our directors and officers may incur in such capacity.
Item 7. Recent sales of unregistered securities
During the past three years, we have issued securities in the following transactions, each of which was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Except for the common shares that were issued upon the exercise of our warrants, all of the below-referenced securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and are deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act. There were no underwriters or placement agents employed in connection with any of these transactions. Use of the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) for transactions not involving a public offering is based on the following facts:
• Neither we nor any person acting on our behalf solicited any offer to buy or sell securities by any form of general solicitation or advertising.
• The recipients were either accredited or otherwise sophisticated individuals who had such knowledge and experience in business matters that they were capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in our securities.
• The recipients had access to business and financial information concerning our company.
• All securities issued were issued with a restrictive legend and may only be disposed of pursuant to an effective registration or exemption from registration in compliance with federal and state securities laws.
The common shares that were issued upon the exercise of our warrants were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and are deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act.
The number of common shares issued or issuable in each transaction, and the price per common share in each transaction, has been adjusted to give effect to the one-for-16 reverse share split of the common shares to be effected on December 15, 2020.
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Units and Common Shares Issuances
2022
Through the date of this registration statement, we:
i) issued 6,184,382 shares at a price of $0.181 per unit for total proceeds of $1,119,373.14.
ii) issued 171,608 shares, which were converted from Versus Holdco shares.
iii) issued 590,625 shares at a price of $1.48 per unit for total proceeds of $874,125 as a result of the underwriter exercising the overallotment.
iv) issued 62,936 shares at a price of $0.70 to the Chief Innovation Officer of the Company in connection with the commitment to issue shares from the acquisition of Xcite Interactive, Inc.
2021
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we:
i) issued 1,506,903 units at a price of $6.76 per unit in connection with the acquisition of Xcite.
ii) issued 1,472,000 units at a price of $7.50 per unit per unit for total proceeds of $11,040,000. Each unit consisted of one common share, one Unit A warrant and one Unit B warrant. Unit A warrants allow the purchaser to purchase one common share at $7.50 per share until January 20, 2026. Unit B warrants allow the purchaser to purchase one common share at $7.50 per share until January 20, 2026. In connection with the offering, we incurred $1,524,439 in issuance costs as part of the transaction.
iii) issued 1,553,372 common shares pursuant to exercise of 1,435,333 warrants and 118,039 stock options for total proceeds of $6,735,254.
iv) issued 215,341 units consisting of one share of common share and one Unit A warrant and one Unit B warrant in exchange for the forgiveness of $1,615,058 of debt and accrued interest.
v) issued 29,307 common shares with a value of $203,098 to a third party in exchange for services (included in professional fees).
vi) issued 43,746 shares related to the PPP loan escrow account that was included in the Xcite debt at the time of the acquisition.
2020
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we:
i) issued 150,000 units at a price of $3.02 per unit for total proceeds of $453,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and a one-half share purchase warrant for each share purchased. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $4.71 until February 13, 2021.
ii) entered into a Mutual Investment Agreement with Animoca Brands Inc. in which we issued 181,547 common shares with a value of $502,414 in exchange for 4,327,431 shares of Animoca Brands common stock. On the same date, we issued an additional 89,088 common shares with a value of $251,169 to Animoca Brands in exchange for marketing services. We subsequently sold all of our shares of Animoca Brands and recognized a loss of $378,718.
iii) issued 1,059,893 common shares pursuant to the exercise of warrants and stock options for total proceeds of $3,552,473.
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iv) issued 172,532 units at a price of $2.95 per unit for total proceeds of $508,969.
v) issued 625,000 units at a price of $3.05 per unit for total proceeds of $1,906,250. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant wherein each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $4.89 until November 17, 2023.
2019
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we:
i) issued 624,228 units pursuant to a private placement at a price of $2.17 per unit for total proceeds of $1,351,916. Each unit consisted of one common share and one common share warrant for each share purchased. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $3.61 until February 14, 2021.
ii) issued 1,094,844 units pursuant to a private placement at a price of $2.43 per unit for total proceeds of $2,657,791. Each unit consisted of one common share and a one common share warrant for each share purchased. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $4.25 until July 26, 2021.
iii) issued 284,092 units at a price of $2.66 per unit for total proceeds of $756,372. Each unit consisted of one common share and one common share warrant for each share purchased. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $4.24 until August 9, 2021.
iv) issued 576,834 common shares at a value of $1,410,581 on acquisition of Opal Energy (Holdco) Corp.
v) issued 158,115 common shares pursuant to the exercise of share purchase warrants and stock options for total proceeds of $352,116.
Warrants Issuances
2022
Through the date of this registration statement, we:
i) On March 24, 2022, the underwriter exercised its overallotment option, and the Company issued 590,625 units at a price of $1.48 per unit for total proceeds of $874,125. Each unit consisted of one common share and one warrant, to purchase one common share at $1.92 per share until February 28, 2027.
2021
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we issued certain number of warrants as listed below:
i) On January 21, 2021, we completed a public offering and issued 1,472,000 units at a price of $7.50 per unit per unit for total proceeds of $11,040,000. Each unit consisted of one common share, one Unit A warrant and one Unit B warrant, each to purchase one common share for a total of 2,944,000 warrants issued at $7.50 per share until January 21, 2023.
ii) On January 21, 2021, we entered into a debt exchange agreement and exchanged 215,341 shares of common stock for the reduction of $1,615,058 of debt and accrued interest. As part of the agreement the Company also issued 215,341 Unit A warrants and 215,341 Unit B warrants issued at $7.50 per share until January 21, 2023.
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2020
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we issued certain number of warrants as listed below:
i) On February 17, 2020, we completed a unit private placement which included 150,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at $4.83 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $Nil using the residual value method.
ii) On July 17, 2020, we completed a unit private placement which included 172,532 share purchase warrants exercisable at $4.71 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $41,155 using the residual value method.
iii) On November 17, 2020, we completed a unit private placement which included 625,000 share purchase warrants exercisable at $4.89 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $Nil using the residual value method.
2019
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we issued certain number of warrants as listed below:
i) On February 14, 2019, we completed a unit private placement which included 624,228 share purchase warrants exercisable at $3.61 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $150,213 using the residual value method.
ii) On February 14, 2019, we completed a unit private placement which included 43,696 broker warrants exercisable at $2.17 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $46,505 using the Black Scholes option pricing model.
iii) On July 26, 2019, we completed a unit private placement which included 1,094,844 share purchase warrants exercisable at $4.25 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $Nil using the residual method.
iv) On July 26, 2019, we issued 14,088 agent warrants exercisable to purchase additional shares at a price of $4.25 per share for a period of 24 months from closing. The agent warrants were determined to have a fair value of $15,919.
v) On August 9, 2019, we completed a unit private placement which included 284,093 share purchase warrants exercisable at $4.24 per share for a period of two years. The share purchase warrants were determined to have a fair value of $Nil using the residual method.
vi) During 2019, we issued 288,416 warrants at a value of $119,122 for the acquisition of the shares of Opal Energy (Holdco) Corp.
Notes Issuances
2022
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2022, the Company repaid $64,854 of principal. As at June 30, 2022, the Company had recorded $24,304 in accrued interest which was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
2021
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company exchanged 215,341 shares of common stock in exchange for a principal reduction of debt in the amount of $1,483,738 and $131,320 of accrued interest. The Company recorded a loss on the conversion of $116,152. In addition, the Company repaid $462,228 of principal. As at December 31, 2021, the Company had recorded $38,301 in accrued interest which was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
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2020
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we issued unsecured notes payable for total proceeds of $968,674 from During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued unsecured notes payable for total proceeds of $968,674 from director and officers of the Company who are also shareholders. The loans bear interest at the prime rate which was 2.45% to 3.95% per annum at December 31, 2020, compounded annually and payable quarterly, and had a maturity date of three years from the date of issuance. The notes were considered below the Company’s estimated market borrowing rate of 10% and as such, a contribution benefit of $170,329 was recorded in reserves. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had recorded $363,439 in accrued interest which was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
2019
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued unsecured notes payable for total proceeds of $2,027,457 from our director and officers who are also shareholders. The loans bear interest at the prime rate which was 3.95% per annum at December 31, 2019, compounded annually and payable quarterly, and had a maturity date of three years from the date of issuance. As at December 31, 2019, we had recorded $133,467 in accrued interest which was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
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Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:
Exhibit Number
|
|
Exhibit Description
|
|
Incorporation by Reference
|
Form
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|
Filing Date
|
|
Exhibit Number
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1.1**
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|
Form of Underwriting Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Notice of Articles of Versus Systems Inc.
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|
F-1
|
|
11/20/2020
|
|
3.1
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3.2
|
|
Articles of Versus Systems Inc.
|
|
F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
|
3.2
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen Stock Certificate evidencing common shares.
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|
F-1/A
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1/11/2021
|
|
4.1
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4.2
|
|
Warrant Agent Agreement dated January 20, 2021 between Versus System Inc. and Computershare, including forms of Unit A Warrants and Unit B Warrants.
|
|
6-K
|
|
1/21/2021
|
|
99.2
|
4.3
|
|
Representative Warrant Agreement dated January 20, 2021.
|
|
F-1/A
|
|
12/14/2020
|
|
4.3
|
4.4**
|
|
Form of Warrant Agent Agreement between Versus System Inc. and Computershare, including form of Warrants.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
4.5**
|
|
Form of Pre-funded Warrant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.6**
|
|
Form of Representative Warrant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1**
|
|
Opinion of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, LLP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.2**
|
|
Opinion of Pryor Cashman LLP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.1**
|
|
Opinion of Pryor Cashman LLP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form of Loan Agreement, including form of promissory note, between Versus Systems Inc. and Brian Tingle.
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|
F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.1
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10.2
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|
Form of Loan Agreement, including form of promissory note, between Versus Systems Inc. and The Sandoval Pierce Family Trust Established May 20, 2015.
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F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.2
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10.3
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Employment Agreement dated as of June 30, 2016 among Versus Systems Inc. (formerly Opal Energy Corp.), Matthew D. Pierce and Versus LLC.
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|
F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.3
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10.4
|
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Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 2019 among Versus Systems Inc., Craig C. Finster and Versus LLC.
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|
F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
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10.4
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10.5
|
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Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 2020 among Versus Systems Inc., Keyvan Peymani and Versus LLC.
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F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.5
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10.6
|
|
Form of Warrant of Versus Systems Inc.
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F-1
|
|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.6
|
10.7
|
|
Versus Systems Inc. 2017 Stock Option Plan.
|
|
F-1
|
|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.7
|
10.8
|
|
Acquisition Agreement dated as of March 16, 2016 among Versus Systems Inc. (formerly Opal Energy Corp.), Versus Systems (Holdco) Corp. (formerly Opal Energy (Holdco) Corp.), Versus LLC and the selling members of Versus LLC
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F-1
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|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.8
|
10.9#
|
|
Software License, Marketing and Linking Agreement dated as of March 6, 2019 between HP Inc. and Versus LLC.
|
|
F-1
|
|
11/20/2020
|
|
10.9
|
10.10#**
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger among Versus Systems Inc., Wonkavision Merger Sub Inc., Xcite Interactive, Inc. and Front Range Ventures, LLC, dated May 11, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.1
|
|
Code of Conduct and Ethics.
|
|
F-1/A
|
|
1/11/2021
|
|
14.1
|
21.1
|
|
List of Subsidiaries of Versus Systems Inc.
|
|
F-1
|
|
11/20/2020
|
|
21.1
|
23.1*
|
|
Consent of Davidson & Company LLP as an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.2*
|
|
Consent of Ramirez Jimenez International CPAs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Item 9. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
i. To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;
iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;
(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by “Item 8.A.of Form 20-F (17 CFR 249.220f)” at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C (§230.430C of this chapter), each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A (§230.430A of this chapter), shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use
(6) For the purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distributions of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
i. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
ii. Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
iii. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
iv. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Versus Systems Inc. has signed this registration statement on October 14, 2022.
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|
VERSUS SYSTEMS INC.
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Matthew Pierce
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Pierce
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
|
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Matthew Pierce as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments and registrations filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
|
|
Position
|
|
Date
|
/s/ Matthew Pierce
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Matthew Pierce
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
/s/ Craig Finster
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Craig Finster
|
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
/s/ Keyvan Peymani
|
|
Director
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Keyvan Peymani
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Brian Tingle
|
|
Director
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Brian Tingle
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michelle Gahagan
|
|
Director
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Michelle Gahagan
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Paul Vlasic
|
|
Director
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Paul Vlasic
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jennifer Prince
|
|
Director
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Jennifer Prince
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Shannon Pruitt
|
|
Director
|
|
October 14, 2022
|
Shannon Pruitt
|
|
|
|
|
II-10