NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
VAUGHAN, Ontario, Oct. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ignite International Brands, Ltd. (CSE: BILZ; OTCQX: BILZF) (“Ignite” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has today closed the first Series (the “First Series”) of its previously announced non-brokered, private placement (the “Offering”) of convertible debenture units (the “Units”) for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$10 million. The Company was successful in achieving this close in advance of the originally disclosed, projected closing date of October 31, 2019. The net proceeds from the First Series will be used by the Company for working capital and other general corporate purposes
As previously announced on October 4, 2019, the First Series is the first of potentially multiple series of the Offering. The Company is also pleased to announce the proposed terms for the second series of the Offering (the “Second Series”).
Closing of First Series
Each Unit issued in the First Series is comprised of C$1,000 principal amount of unsecured senior convertible debentures (a “Convertible Debenture”) accruing interest at 8.0% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears until maturity, and 250 subordinate voting share purchase warrants of the Company (each, a “Warrant”). The Convertible Debentures will have a maturity date of October 25, 2022.
Subject to the Company’s early redemption right (as described below), the Convertible Debentures issued in the First Series are convertible, at the option of the holder, into subordinate voting shares of the Company (each, a “Subordinate Voting Share”) at a price equal to $2.66 (the “Conversion Price”) at any time prior to the close of business on October 24, 2022. Each Warrant issued in the First Series entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Subordinate Voting Share (a “Warrant Share”) at an exercise price equal to $3.32 at any time up to October 25, 2022.
Beginning on October 26, 2020, the Company may, at its option, require the conversion of the then-outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Debentures (plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) at the Conversion Price, in the event that the daily volume-weighted average trading price (the “VWAP”) of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE exceeds two times such Conversion Price for any 10-consecutive trading day period (the “Redemption Right”).
Proposed Terms for Second Series
On the same non-brokered private placement basis and subject to similar conditions as the First Series and as outlined in our October 4, 2019 press release, each Unit issued in the Second Series will be comprised of the same amount of Convertible Debenture (with a 36-month maturity) and Warrant (with a 36-month exercise period).
The Convertible Debentures issued in the Second Series will be convertible, at the option of the holder, into Subordinate Voting Shares at a price equal to the greater of: (i) a 30% premium (as compared to a 20% premium in the First Series) to the VWAP of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE for the 10 trading days prior to the closing date of the Second Series (the “Second Series Initial Closing Date”) and (ii) $2.25, being the closing trading price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE on October 3, 2019 (the “Second Series Conversion Price”).
Each Warrant issued in the Second Series will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Warrant Share at an exercise price equal to the greater of: (i) a 75% premium (as compared to a 50% premium in the First Series) to the VWAP of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE for the 10 trading days prior to the Second Series Initial Closing Date and (ii) $2.25, being the closing trading price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE on October 3, 2019.
Certain eligible finders may receive a cash commission equal to 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds from their sale of Units to eligible investors in the Second Series.
The Second Series Initial Closing Date is expected to occur on or about November 29, 2019.
All convertible debentures issued in each series of the Offering will rank pari passu in right of payment of principal and interest with each other.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, and these securities will not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which their offer or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws of the United States. Accordingly, these securities will not be offered or sold to persons within the United States unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws is available.
About Ignite
Ignite is a CSE-listed and OTCQX traded company operating in permissible CBD and cannabis sectors. Ignite intends to expand its business, which currently includes branding, marketing, licensing, sales and distribution, across the United States, Canada and into international jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and Mexico by leveraging multiple product platforms. The Company intends to affect this expansion through brand leverage, product development, targeted marketing and strategic supply chain partnerships in each of its active and target jurisdictions.
For further information, please contact:
Eddie Mattei, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 905-669-0212
Email: ir@ignite.co
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions, including, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expected proceeds of the Offering, the completion of the Offering including the timing thereof, and the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions, estimates and assumptions by management, based on then-available information that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond control of the Company, any one or more of which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; ability of Ignite to give effect to its business plan; reliance on the “IGNITE” brand which may not prove to be as successful as contemplated; the ability to and risks associated with unlocking future licensing opportunities with the “IGNITE” brand, building a global CBD and cannabis brand and the ability of Ignite to capture significant market share; changes in laws and the uncertainties surrounding the CBD and cannabis industries in North America and internationally. There can be no assurance that any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and no assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Ignite disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.