UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
o REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 0-30858
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Alberta, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
789 West Pender Street, Suite 1010, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1H2
(Address of principal executive offices)
George Orr
789 West Pender Street, Suite 1010, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 1H2
Phone: (800) 877-1626
Fax: (604) 606-7980
(Name, Telephone, Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class | | Name of each exchange |
| | on which registered |
| | |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Common Stock, no par value
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
3,008,977 common shares, without par value, issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009, after having given effect to the one for eighteen share consolidation effected July 16, 2009, and 49,675,133 common shares, without par value, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2009.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non Accelerated filer x |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP | o | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued | o | Other | x |
| | by the International Accounting Standards Board | | | |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 x Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicated by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| | | | Page Number |
PART I | | | | 4 |
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ITEM 1 | | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors | | 4 |
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ITEM 2 | | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | | 4 |
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ITEM 3 | | Key Information | | 4 |
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ITEM 4 | | Information on the Company | | 14 |
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ITEM 5 | | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | | 24 |
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ITEM 6 | | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | | 37 |
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ITEM 7 | | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | | 41 |
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ITEM 8 | | Financial Information | | 46 |
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ITEM 9 | | The Offer and Listing | | 47 |
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ITEM 10 | | Additional Information | | 48 |
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ITEM 11 | | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | | 57 |
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ITEM 12 | | Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities | | 57 |
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PART II | | | | 57 |
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ITEM 13 | | Defaults, Dividends, Arrearages and Delinquencies | | 57 |
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ITEM 14 | | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | | 57 |
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ITEM 15 T | | Control and Procedures | | 57 |
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ITEM 16 | | [Reserved] | | |
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ITEM 16A | | Audit Committee Financial Expert | | 60 |
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ITEM 16B | | Code of Ethics | | 60 |
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ITEM 16C | | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | | 60 |
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ITEM 16D | | Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committee | | 60 |
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ITEM 16E | | Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | | 60 |
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PART III | | | | F-1 |
| | | | |
ITEM 17 | | Financial Statements | | F-1 |
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ITEM 19 | | Exhibits | | 61 |
PART I
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain written and oral statements made by our Company and subsidiaries of our Company may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes statements made in this report, in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC’), in press releases, and in certain other oral and written presentations. Generally, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “projects”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continues”, “intends”, and other similar words identify forward-looking statements. All statements that address operating results, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements related to sales, earnings per share results, and statements expressing general expectations about future operating results, are forward-looking statements and are based upon the Company’s current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and assumptions, but there can be no assurance that the Company will realize its expectations or that the Company’s assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Accordingly, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We believe that these risks include but are not limited to the risks described in this report under Part I, Item 3, Subsection D entitled “Risk Factors” and Part I, Item 5, entitled “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and that are otherwise described from time to time in our SEC reports filed after this report. These statements appear in a number of places in this Form 20-F and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us, our directors or our officers, with respect to, among other things: (i) our liquidity and capital resources, (ii) our financing opportunities and plans, (iii) our ability to attract customers to generate revenues, (iv) competition in our business segment, (v) market and other trends affecting our future financial condition or results of operations, (vi) our growth strategy and operating strategy, and (vii) the declaration and/or payment of dividends.
Investors and prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The factors that might cause such differences include, among others, those set forth in this annual report, and we undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 20-F after the date of this report.
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
We are at present a life sciences development stage company focused primarily on:
| (i) | the development and commercialization of our “High Density Vertical Growth System” (“VerticropTM” or “HDVG System”) designed to produce vegetables and other plant crops, |
| (ii) | the development of a commercial algae growing technology via Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC (“Vertigro Algae”) with Global Green Solutions, Inc. (“Global Green”), and |
| (iii) | the development and marketing of the Tomorrow GardenTM consumer retail product. |
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - continued
Due to economic circumstances and to make our Company more conducive to investment the shareholders of the Company approved a special resolution to reorganize the capital structure of the Company by a share consolidation of its common shares on the basis of one new share for each eighteen old shares. This share consolidation became effective July 16, 2009. Also effective July 16, 2009 our trading symbol changed to “VCTZF” and our CUSIP number changed to 918881202. Our website is located at www.valcent.net
Unless otherwise noted, all references to the number of common shares are stated on a post-consolidation basis.
As at September 30, 2009, 49,675,133 common shares were issued and outstanding, the Company had 6,813,795 warrants outstanding, and no options. In addition, the Company has certain secured promissory notes outstanding that may if not repaid on their due date of December 31, 2009 may then be converted at the election of the holders into common shares (see ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS, Liquidity and Capital Resources).
All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
The following selected financial data has been derived from our audited financial statements and related notes for the preceding five years and has been prepared and presented in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Effective March 24, 2004, we disposed of our interest in Nettron Media Group, formerly our wholly-owned subsidiary. The comparative financial results of Nettron Media Group for the year ended March 31, 2004 have been segregated and presented as deficit from prior operations and discontinued operations in our audited financial statements. For comparative purposes this selected financial data for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is also presented as though it were prepared under United States generally accepted accounting principles. Our audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2009 have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, which, except as noted in Notes 1 and 20, conform in all material respects with those of the United States and with the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
| | March 31, | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
Selected Financial Data | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Operating Revenues per Canadian and U.S. GAAP | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations | | $ | 15,337,285 | | | $ | 12,028,222 | | | $ | 8,171,090 | | | $ | 3,442,933 | | | $ | 45,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations U.S. GAAP | | $ | 17,769,901 | | | $ | 12,563,451 | | | $ | 9,743,414 | | | $ | 2,844,879 | | | $ | 45,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from continued operations per Canadian GAAP | | $ | 15,337,285 | | | $ | 12,028,222 | | | $ | 8,171,090 | | | $ | 3,466,888 | | | $ | 45,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations per Canadian GAAP | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per Canadian GAAP | | $ | 17,855,490 | | | $ | 12,712,358 | | | $ | 8,138,393 | | | $ | 3,466,888 | | | $ | 45,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from continued operations per U.S. GAAP | | $ | 18,000,141 | | | $ | 13,292,888 | | | $ | 9,749,339 | | | $ | 2,844,879 | | | $ | 45,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations per U.S. GAAP | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per U.S. GAAP | | $ | 18,000,141 | | | $ | 13,292,888 | | | $ | 9,749,339 | | | $ | 2,844,879 | | | $ | 45,694 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share from continued operations, basic, Canadian GAAP | | $ | 6.43 | | | $ | 6.44 | | | $ | 7.60 | | | $ | 5.92 | | | $ | 0.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share from discontinued operations, Canadian GAAP | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - continued
Loss per share after discontinued operations, Canadian GAAP | | $ | 6.43 | | | $ | 6.44 | | | $ | 7.60 | | | $ | 5.92 | | | $ | 0.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share from continued operations, U.S. GAAP | | $ | 6.47 | | | $ | 6.73 | | | $ | 9.11 | | | $ | 4.86 | | | $ | 0.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share from discontinued operations, U.S. GAAP | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share after discontinued operations, U.S.GAAP | | $ | 6.47 | | | $ | 6.73 | | | $ | 9.11 | | | $ | 4.86 | | | $ | 0.13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share capital per Canadian GAAP | | $ | 21,957,516 | | | $ | 16,691,282 | | | $ | 8,196,982 | | | $ | 4,099,870 | | | $ | 2,999,420 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share capital per U.S. GAAP | | $ | 22,070,991 | | | $ | 16,866,115 | | | $ | 8,434,032 | | | $ | 4,391,371 | | | $ | 2,999,420 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common shares issued | | | 3,008,977 | | | | 2,459,636 | | | | 1,703,670 | | | | 877,102 | | | | 357,521 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding per Canadian GAAP | | | 2,782,284 | | | | 1,974,763 | | | | 1,070,066 | | | | 586,002 | | | | 357,521 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding per U.S. GAAP | | | 2,782,284 | | | | 1,974,763 | | | | 1,070,066 | | | | 586,002 | | | | 357,521 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets per Canadian GAAP | | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 4,605,914 | | | $ | 4,142,485 | | | $ | 1,392,801 | | | $ | 936 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets per U.S. GAAP | | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 4,700,482 | | | $ | 4,372,786 | | | $ | 1,392,801 | | | $ | 936 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (liabilities) per Canadian GAAP | | $ | (1,031,226 | ) | | $ | (4,009,472 | ) | | $ | (24,376 | ) | | $ | (441,099 | ) | | $ | (237,950 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets (liabilities) per U.S. GAAP | | $ | (1,031,226 | ) | | $ | (3,161,013 | ) | | $ | 665,904 | | | $ | (590,697 | ) | | $ | (237,950 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Convertible debentures (current and long term portions) per U.S. GAAP) | | $ | 11,228 | | | $ | 5,389,387 | | | $ | 2,282,483 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Dividends Declared per common shares, Canadian and U.S. GAAP | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exchange Rates (CND to 1 USD) Period Average | | $ | 0.8969 | | | $ | 0.9708 | | | $ | 0.8789 | | | $ | 0.8385 | | | $ | 0.7842 | |
Exchange Rates (CDN to 1 USD) For the five most recent years ended March 31, calculated on the average of 12 month end closing days | |
| | |
March 31, 2009 | | $ | 0.8969 | |
March 31, 2008 | | $ | 0.9708 | |
March 31, 2007 | | $ | 0.8789 | |
March 31, 2006 | | $ | 0.8385 | |
March 31, 2005 | | $ | 0.7842 | |
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - continued
Exchange Rates (CDN to 1 USD) for six most recent months | | Period High | | | Period Low | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
August 2009 | | $ | 0.9402 | | | $ | 0.8987 | |
July 2009 | | $ | 0.9300 | | | $ | 0.8527 | |
June 2009 | | $ | 0.9269 | | | $ | 0.8590 | |
May 2009 | | $ | 0.9177 | | | $ | 0.8296 | |
April 2009 | | $ | 0.8344 | | | $ | 0.7861 | |
March 2009 | | $ | 0.8202 | | | $ | 0.7653 | |
Exchange Rate (CDN to 1 USD) September 15, 2009: $0.9283
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not Applicable.
REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not Applicable.
RISK FACTORS
Our business entails a significant degree of risk, and an investment in our securities should be considered highly speculative. An investment in our securities should only be undertaken by persons who can afford the loss of their entire investment. The following is a general description of material risks, which may adversely affect our business, our financial condition, including liquidity and profitability, and our results of operations, ultimately affecting the value of an investment in shares of our common stock.
GENERAL BUSINESS RISKS
We are a development stage company and based on our historical operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities there is uncertainty as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
We have a history of operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities, resulting in our continued dependence on external financing arrangements. In the event that we are unable to achieve or sustain profitability or are otherwise unable to secure additional external financing, we may not be able to meet our obligations as they come due, raising substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Any such inability to continue as a going concern may result in our security holders losing their entire investment. Our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, contemplate that we will continue as a going concern and do not contain any adjustments that might result if we were unable to continue as a going concern. Changes in our operating plans, our existing and anticipated working capital needs, the acceleration or modification of our expansion plans, lower than anticipated revenues, increased expenses, potential acquisitions or other events will all affect our ability to continue as a going concern.
From inception, we have historically generated minimal revenues while sustaining substantial operating losses and we anticipate incurring continued operating losses and negative cash flows in the foreseeable future resulting in uncertainty of future profitability and limitation on our operations.
From inception, we have generated minimal revenues and experienced negative cash flows from operating losses. We anticipate continuing to incur such operating losses and negative cash flows in the foreseeable future, and to accumulate increasing deficits as we increase our expenditures for (i) technology, (ii) infrastructure, (iii) research and development, (iv) sales and marketing, (v) interest charges and expenses related to previous equity and debt financings, and (v) general business enhancements. Any increases in our operating expenses will require us to achieve significant revenue before we can attain profitability. In the event that we are unable to achieve profitability or raise sufficient funding to cover our losses, we may not be able to meet our obligations as they come due, raising substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
GENERAL BUSINESS RISKS - continued
We have historically had working capital shortages, even following significant financing transactions.
We have had working capital shortages in the past and, although we raised significant capital through debt and equity offerings, we have generated significant losses, which have impacted working capital. As of March 31, 2009, our balance sheet reflects a working capital deficit of $2,101,443. This condition has continued since the date of those financial statements, and we expect that these conditions will continue for the foreseeable future unless we are able to raise a substantial amount of additional financing. In view of the matters described herein, our ability to continue to pursue our plan of operations as described herein is dependent upon our ability to raise the capital necessary to meet our financial requirements on a continuing basis.
Based on our expected negative cash flow from operations and investing activities, we anticipate that we will not be able to positively impact our working capital unless we are able to generate revenues. The holders of US$1,323,000 of the Company's promissory notes may have a security interest in substantially all of our assets which could make it difficult for us to raise additional capital through the issuance of debt securities. If these promissory notes are not repaid by the end of their term at December 31, 2009, these notes revert to convertible debt instruments previously executed in July, 2008, whereunder the US$1,323,000 will then be convertible into shares of our common stock at a substantial discount to the market price and be secured by substantially all of our assets.
Our accumulated deficit makes it more difficult to borrow funds.
As of the year ended March 31, 2009, and as a result of historical operating losses from prior operations, we had a deficit from prior operations of $3,237,370, and a deficit of $42,173,129 from losses accumulated during our development stage resulting in a total accumulated deficit of $45,410,499. Lenders generally regard an accumulated deficit as a negative factor in assessing creditworthiness, and for this reason, the extent of our accumulated deficit, coupled with our historical operating losses will negatively impact our ability to borrow funds if and when required. Any inability to borrow funds, or a reduction in favorability of terms upon which we are able to borrow funds, including the amount available to us, the applicable interest rate and the collateralization required, may affect our ability to meet our obligations as they come due, and adversely affect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, raising substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our debt arrangements include the provision of a secured interest in our assets and may make it more difficult to borrow funds, or default of debt provisions may impact our assets and ability to operate; certain unsecured debt instruments are due upon demand and may cause financial liquidity difficulties for the Company.
During July 2008, the Company undertook a US$2.428 million financing through the issuance of convertible debt instruments that provide the holder a secured interest in the Company’s assets. Effective, March 27, 2009 the Company settled this debt through the issuance of shares and a promissory note in the amount of US$1.323 million, should the note not be settled by its December 31, 2009 due date then the promissory note will revert back to the secured convertible note which it replaced. Therefore, should the Company default on material terms of the debt instrument, the lenders may be able to realize on their secured interest in our assets which would have a negative affect on our ability to operate and conduct our business raising substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
In addition, the Company has interest bearing promissory notes that are due upon demand. A demand by the debt holder of such debt securities could cause financial hardship, litigation, and other negative influence on the financial condition of the Company that could cause disruption to our operations.
Our having recently undergone a change in business direction and significant restructuring coupled with our limited experience as a publicly traded company with substantial operations in several different industries, may increase our expenses and place significant demands on our management.
From inception we have undergone several changes in business direction and consequently have previously had only limited operations. Our most recent change in business direction and significant restructuring may make it difficult to respond to our regulatory and reporting obligations, and could increase our general, administrative, legal and auditing costs and place substantial time demands on our management. We anticipate that, due to the increased complexity of our corporate structure and increased reporting and governance obligations, and our simultaneous pursuit of various product lines in different industries, our regulatory and reporting obligations will require further expenditures to train additional personnel and retain appropriate legal and accounting professional services. In the event that these expenditures precede, or are not subsequently followed by revenues, or that we are unable to raise sufficient funding to cover any increase in our expenses, we may not be able to meet our obligations as they come due, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be negatively affected, raising substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
GENERAL BUSINESS RISKS - continued
We identified material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires management to assess our internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) pursuant to a defined framework. In making that assessment, management identified a material weakness in our disclosure controls as a result of several material weaknesses identified in our ICFR as described in Item 15T below. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control, and accordingly, even effective ICFR can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Material weaknesses make it more likely that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In addition, effective ICFR at any point in time may become ineffective in future periods because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with our established policies and procedures.
Lack of insurance coverage on fixed assets located in the United States
The Company recently cut back its operations in its US based research facilities. As a result, insurance has lapsed and further insurance quotations are in the process of being obtained. As at March 31, 2009, the Company had a book value of fixed assets located in the United States in the aggregate of approximately US$703,000, of which approximately 35% represents land. As a result, and until such time as the Company obtains adequate and comprehensive insurance on its fixed assets located in the United States, a significant loss in excess of US$450,000 could result due to fire, theft, or other perils, and general third party liability costs due to accidents or other loss could greatly exceed this amount. The Company maintains a high security anti-intruder fence around the perimeter of its US research facility with 24 hour computer controlled perimeter intrusion alarm.
Disruptions in the Global Financial and Capital Markets May Impact Our Ability to Obtain Financing.
The global financial and capital markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption, including the failures of financial services companies and the related liquidity crisis. Although we expect to meet our near term liquidity needs with our working capital on hand and near term financing instruments, we will continue to need further funding to achieve our business objectives. In the past, the issuance of debt and equity securities has been the major source of capital and liquidity for us. The extraordinary conditions in the global financial and capital markets have currently limited the availability of this funding. If the disruptions in the global financial and capital markets continue, debt or equity financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to fund future operations by way of financing, including public or private offerings of equity or debt securities, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely impacted.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES
We face serious competition in our business segments from new market entrants as well as a number of established companies with greater resources and existing customer bases.
The markets for our potential products rapidly evolve and are intensely competitive as new products are regularly introduced. Competition in our market segments is based primarily upon:
| • | brand name recognition; |
| | |
| • | Availability of financial resources; |
| | |
| • | the quality and efficiency of products; |
| | |
| • | reviews received for products from independent reviewers who publish in magazines, websites, newspapers and other industry publications; |
| | |
| • | Availability of access to markets; |
| | |
| • | the price of each product; and |
| | |
| • | the number of products then available. |
We face competition from other industrial manufacturers, all of whom could generally sell through the same combination of channels as we intend to.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES - continued
To remain competitive in the market for our products and potential products, we rely heavily upon what we believe to be our superior potential product quality, marketing and sales abilities, proprietary technology, product development capabilities and our management’s experience. However, we may not be able to effectively compete in these intensely competitive markets, as some of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases and greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical and other resources, affording them the ability to undertake more extensive marketing campaigns and adopt more aggressive pricing policies, than we can. Moreover, we believe that competition from new entrants will increase as the market for each of our potential products expands. If our potential product lines are not successful, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be negatively affected.
Our intellectual property may not be adequately protected from unauthorized use by others, which could increase our litigation costs and adversely affect our sales.
Our intellectual property assets/rights are some of the most important assets that we possess in our ability to generate revenues and profits and we will rely very significantly on these intellectual property assets in being able to effectively compete in our markets. However, our intellectual property rights may not provide meaningful protection from unauthorized use by others, which could result in an increase in competing products and a reduction in our own sales. Moreover, if we must pursue litigation in the future to enforce or otherwise protect our intellectual property rights, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, we may not prevail and will likely have to make substantial expenditures and divert valuable resources in any case. We may not have adequate remedies if our proprietary content is appropriated or if our intellectual property does not adequately protect unauthorized use by others.
If our potential products infringe upon proprietary rights of others, lawsuits may be brought requiring us to pay large legal expenses and judgments and redesign or discontinue selling one or more of our potential products.
We are not aware of any circumstances under which our potential products infringe upon any valid existing proprietary rights of third parties. Infringement claims, however, could arise at any time, whether or not meritorious, and could result in costly litigation or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. If we are found to have infringed the proprietary rights of others, we could be required to pay damages, redesign our potential products or discontinue their sale. Any of these outcomes, individually or collectively, would negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to successfully break into new markets, implement our growth strategy or manage our business as it does grow, our future operating results could suffer.
As a development stage company, we face several challenges in entering each of the industrial markets and consumer retail markets for our respective potential products, particularly consumers’ lack of awareness of our Company and our potential product lines, competing for market share with established consumer retail product manufacturers and difficulties in competing for, hiring and retaining representative personnel in each of our respective potential markets. In addition, we face several challenges common to any new market entrant, including problems typically associated with unfamiliarity of local market conditions and market demographics. Each new market we enter may also have different competitive conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns, which may require us to adjust our growth strategy or modify the way in which we manage our business. To the extent that we are unable to break into or meet the challenges associated with establishing ourselves in a new market, our future operating results could suffer and our financial condition and business may be negatively affected.
Changes in consumer and industrial preferences or discretionary spending may negatively affect our future operating results.
Within the industrial/retail businesses and industries in which we intend to operate, revenues are largely generated by industrial and retail consumer preferences and discretionary spending. Our success as a potential manufacturer and retailer of consumer and industrial products will depend, in part, on the popularity of each of our potential product offerings. Any shift in consumer sentiment away from our potential product or industrial product lines could have a negative affect on our ability to achieve future profitability. Our success also depends on a number of factors affecting levels of consumer discretionary income and spending, including, the following, among other, social and economic conditions:
| • | general business conditions; |
| • | interest rates; |
| • | inflation; |
| • | consumer debt levels; |
| • | the availability of consumer credit; |
| • | taxation; |
| • | fuel prices and electrical power rates; |
| • | unemployment trends; |
| • | natural disasters; |
| • | terrorist attacks and acts of war; and |
| • | other matters that influences consumer confidence and spending. |
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES - continued
Consumer and end user purchases of discretionary items, including our potential products and product lines, could decline during periods in which discretionary income is lower or actual or perceived unfavorable economic conditions exist. Should this occur, and if we are unable to introduce new products and product lines that consumers find appealing, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be negatively affected.
We may be subject to adverse publicity or claims by consumers arising out of use of our potential product lines.
We may be subject to complaints from or litigation by consumers, whether or not meritorious, relating to quality, health, efficiency, efficacy, or operational aspects of our potential consumer and industrial product lines including environmental impacts. Such claims could arise at any time and, should they arise, we may not be successful in defending them. Any litigation, regardless of the outcome, would entail significant costs and use of management time, which could impair our ability to generate revenue and profit. For these reasons or, should we be found liable with regard to a claim arising out of any of our potential product lines, our business, financial condition, and results of operations would be negatively affected.
We face substantial competition in attracting and retaining qualified senior management and key personnel and may be unable to develop and grow our business if we cannot attract and retain senior management and key personnel as necessary, or if we were to lose our existing senior management and key personnel.
As a development stage company, our success, to a large extent, depends upon our ability to attract, hire and retain highly qualified and knowledgeable senior management and key personnel who possess the skills and experience necessary to satisfy our business and client service needs. Our ability to attract and retain such senior management and key personnel will depend on numerous factors, including our ability to offer salaries, benefits and professional growth opportunities that are comparable with and competitive to those offered by more established consumer retail product manufacturers and industrial product manufacturers. We may be required to invest significant time and resources in attracting and retaining, as necessary, additional senior management and key personnel, and many of the companies with which we will compete for any such individuals have greater financial and other resources which afford them the ability to undertake more extensive and aggressive hiring campaigns than we can. Furthermore, an important component to the overall compensation offered to our senior management and key personnel will be equity. If our stock prices do not appreciate over time, it may be difficult for us to attract and retain senior management and key personnel. Moreover, should we lose any member of our senior management or key personnel, we may be unable to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of our trade secrets, including our technical knowledge, practices, procedures or client lists by such individuals. The normal running of our operations may be interrupted, and our financial condition and results of operations negatively affected as a result of any inability on our part to attract or retain the services of qualified and experienced senior management and key personnel. If any member of our existing senior management or key personnel left and a suitable replacement was not found, or should any of our former senior management or key personnel disclose our trade secrets, the normal running of our operation may be negatively interrupted.
There is no certainty that our key projects will be operationally successful or profitable.
We are highly dependent upon the success of both our algae technology project and its high density vertical growth system commercialization as well as our VerticropTM plant growing system and its commercialization. The risks associated with the replication of laboratory results or prototype tests in the larger scale demonstration projects and commercialization projects is critical to the Company. We believe that much research and development will be required regarding our algae technology joint venture project to create future anticipated products. If the expected results can not be replicated on a commercial scale, the expected revenue from these ventures will not be realized and the investment in these pilot projects is unlikely to be recovered. This would have a very material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.
There is no certainty that our key projects will be operationally successful or profitable.
We are highly dependent upon the success of our algae technology project and our VerticropTM plant growing system. Although we are optimistic that there is a large amount of interest for these technologies, if that demand does not materialize to the extent that we project or we are not successful in promoting and distributing our technology, this will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK
Unless an active trading market develops for our securities, you may not be able to sell your shares.
Although, we are a reporting company and our common shares are listed on the OTC Bulletin Board (owned and operated by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.) under the symbol “VCTZF”, currently, there is only a limited trading market for our common stock and a more active trading market may never develop or, if it does develop, may not be maintained. Failure to develop or maintain an active trading market will have a generally negative affect on the price of our common stock, and you may be unable to sell your common stock or any attempted sale of such common stock may have the affect of lowering the market price and therefore your investment could be a partial or complete loss.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK - continued
Under certain circumstances, some of our outstanding common stock purchase warrants may be exercised without our receiving any cash.
As at March 31, 2009, we have outstanding warrants to purchase up to approximately 1,149,516 shares of our common stock, most of which are exercisable on a “net cashless” basis, which means they can be exercised, without payment of the stated exercise price, solely in exchange for cancellation of some number of common shares into which the warrants are exercisable. The number of shares for which any such warrant would be cancelled under a net cashless exercise would be the number of shares having a then current market value equal to the aggregate exercise price of the warrant, in whole or in part, based on its stated exercise price. In effect, a net cashless exercise of any such warrants would mean that, even though we would receive no cash, we would have to issue additional shares, thereby diluting, potentially significantly, our reportable earnings per share. Although the circumstances under which the net cashless exercise provision may be elected by the holders of our warrants may be limited, any such exercise could have a negative affect, directly or indirectly, on the trading market price of our common stock.
Since our common stock is thinly traded it is more susceptible to extreme rises or declines in price, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price paid.
Since our common stock is thinly traded its trading price is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to extreme fluctuations in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
| • | the trading volume of our shares; |
| • | the number of securities analysts, market-makers and brokers following our common stock; |
| • | changes in, or failure to achieve, financial estimates by securities analysts; |
| • | new products introduced or announced by us or our competitors; |
| • | announcements of technological innovations by us or our competitors; |
| • | actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results; |
| • | conditions or trends in our business industries; |
| • | announcements by us of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
| • | additions or departures of key personnel; |
| • | sales of our common stock; and |
| • | general stock market price and volume fluctuations of publicly-traded, and particularly microcap, companies. |
You may have difficulty reselling shares of our common stock, either at or above the price you paid, or even at fair market value. The stock markets often experience significant price and volume changes that are not related to the operating performance of individual companies, and because our common stock is thinly traded it is particularly susceptible to such changes. These broad market changes may cause the market price of our common stock to decline regardless of how well we perform as a company. In addition, securities class action litigation has often been initiated following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities. A securities class action suit against us could result in substantial legal fees, potential liabilities and the diversion of management’s attention and resources from our business. Moreover, and as noted below, our shares are currently traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and, further, are subject to the penny stock regulations. Price fluctuations in such shares are particularly volatile and subject to manipulation by market-makers, short-sellers and option traders.
Our common stock is subject to the “penny stock” regulations, which are likely to make it more difficult to sell.
Our common stock is considered a “penny stock,” which generally is a stock trading under US$5.00 and not registered on a national securities exchange. The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. These rules generally have the result of reducing trading in such stocks, restricting the pool of potential investors for such stocks, and making it more difficult for investors to sell their shares once acquired. Prior to a transaction in a penny stock, a broker-dealer is required to:
| • | deliver to a prospective investor a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market; |
| • | provide the prospective investor with current bid and ask quotations for the penny stock; |
| • | explain to the prospective investor the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; |
| • | provide investors monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in their account; and |
| • | make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. |
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK - continued
These requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that is subject to the penny stock rules. Since our common stock is subject to the penny stock rules, investors in our common stock may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
We are a Canadian Company, and must ensure compliance with Canadian as well as American securities laws. As a result, there may be securities regulations in the jurisdiction where our shareholders are resident that must be met, and such regulations may impact the ability of our shareholders to trade our securities.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain informational requirements of the Exchange Act to which domestic United States issuers are subject.
As a foreign private issuer we are not required to comply with all of the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. As a result, there may be less information concerning our Company publicly available than if we were a domestic United States issuer. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short profit provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Therefore, our shareholders may not know on a timely basis when our officers, directors and principal shareholders purchase or sell shares of our common stock. See “Additional Information”.
As we are a Canadian company with much of our assets and key personnel located outside of the United States, you may have difficulty in acquiring United States jurisdiction or enforcing a United States judgment against us, our key personnel or our assets.
We are a Canadian company organized under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). Many of our assets and certain of our key personnel, including our directors and officers, reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon us or any of our key personnel, or to enforce against us or any of our key personnel judgments obtained in United States’ courts, including judgments relating to United States federal securities laws. In addition, Canadian courts may not permit you to bring an original action in Canada or recognize or enforce judgments of United States’ courts obtained against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state thereof. Accordingly, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors or our controlling shareholders than you would otherwise as shareholder in a United States public company.
We do not intend to pay any common stock dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid a dividend on our common stock and, because we have very limited resources and a substantial accumulated deficit, we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Rather, we intend to retain earnings, if any, for the continued operation and expansion of our business. It is unlikely, therefore, that the holders of our common stock will have an opportunity to profit from anything other than potential appreciation in the value of our common shares held by them. If you require dividend income, you should not rely on an investment in our common stock. See “Dividend Policy”.
Future issuances of our common stock may depress our stock price and dilute your interest. We have US$1,323,000 in promissory notes outstanding that if not repaid by December 31, 2009, revert to convertible debt instruments convertible into common shares at a significant discount to the trading market.
There are existing promissory notes in the amount of US$1,323,000 as at March 31, 2009, that if unpaid at December 31, 2009, that may be converted into an unknown number of shares causing shareholder dilution. At current market prices at the date of this annual report, this may result in at least 2 million shares to be issued if the notes are fully converted. If the promissory notes revert to convertible notes, the convertible notes have provisions that are dilutive and impose significant restriction on our ability to issue additional securities as these notes have equity conversion privileges that allow a 30%+ conversion to the then trading market at the date of conversion allowing at any date an unknown amount of shares to be issued in exchange for the conversion of principal, and accrued interest. In addition, other provisions of some of these convertible securities limit or “cap” the exercise price at US$0.40 per share limiting the decrease in conversion equity to be issued in the event that our share price increases in the trading market. As a result, a significant risk relates to the shareholder dilution that may be experienced in consequence with securities issued and those that might be issued in the future.
As at March 31, 2009, we have outstanding warrants to purchase up to approximately 1,149,516 shares of our common stock.
We may issue additional shares of our common stock in future financings or grant stock options to our employees, officers, directors and consultants under our stock option plan. Any such issuances could have the affect of depressing the market price of our common stock and, in any case, would dilute the percentage ownership interests in our Company by our shareholders. In addition, we could issue serial preferred stock having rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock, including the right to receive dividends and/or preferences upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up in excess of, or prior to, the rights of the holders of our common stock. This could depress the value of our common stock and could reduce or eliminate amounts that would otherwise have been available to pay dividends on our common stock (which are unlikely in any case) or to make distributions on liquidation.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION - continued
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK - continued
Additionally, if possible under terms that we believe to be appropriate given our financial condition and other circumstances, we will likely seek to raise additional financing during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. We may also issue additional shares, options, and warrants to obtain necessary services.
Some of the issuances we have made in the past, and are likely to make in the future, have been issued at prices below market and at prices below our historical market prices. Consequently, our shareholders have suffered dilution in the value of their shares and can expect that we will be issuing additional securities on similar terms. Further dilution can be expected to occur when our outstanding options and warrants are exercised or debentures are converted at prices below the market.
Future releases from voluntary lock up arrangements of our common stock may depress our stock price
An aggregate of US $10,806,780 of debt was settled on March 29, 2009 in exchange for 29,516,951 common shares issued on May 11, 2009. Included in these shares are 24,232,816 common shares which are subject to lock up restrictions with quarterly equal releases beginning on January 1, 2010, and a further 2,634,135 common shares are subject to lock up restrictions until January 1, 2010. Releases from lock up will increase supply of shares tradable and may depress the market price of our common shares trading in the market. See ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
Corporate History
We were incorporated in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on January 19, 1996, as 681673 Alberta Ltd., later changed to Ironclad Systems Inc. Beginning in 1996, following the completion of a public offering, our common shares began trading as a junior capital pool company on the Alberta Stock Exchange (later becoming part of the Canadian Venture Exchange, which was thereafter acquired and renamed the TSX Venture Exchange).
On May 8, 1999, while still operating our bicycle rental and eco-tour businesses through Bikestar Rentals Inc., we incorporated Nettron Media Group Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary under the laws of the State of Texas, as a marketing enterprise focusing on products and services that could be effectively marketed through internet as well as more traditional business channels. Nettron Media Group Inc.’s primary focus was Cupid’s Web, an interactive online dating and marketing service. We also changed our name from Bikestar Rentals Inc. to AdventurX.com, Inc., and later to Nettron.com, Inc.
In 2000, and in connection with Cupid’s Web, we signed an agreement in principle to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of a group of companies operating a worldwide dating service franchise, as well as a collection of dating magazines and websites.
On January 1, 2001, in order to fully focus on our interactive dating and marketing services, we disposed of all of the outstanding capital stock of Arizona Outback Adventures LLC and Bikestar Rentals Inc.
On February 18, 2002, due to general weakness in the equity markets, we terminated the agreement in principle to acquire the dating service franchise and related businesses originally entered into in 2000. On March 24, 2004, we disposed of our interest in Nettron Media Group Inc. and began exploring business opportunities that might allow us to restart commercial operations.
By certificate of amendment dated April 15, 2005, we changed our name from Nettron.com, Inc. to Valcent Products Inc. to reflect a newly adopted business plan. On May 3, 2005 we delisted our common stock from the TSX Venture Exchange, maintaining only our OTC Bulletin Board listing and changing our symbol to “VCTPF”. Effective May 3, 2005, and in order to render our capital structure more amenable to contemplated financing, we effected a consolidation of our common shares on a one-for-three-basis.
On August 5, 2005, we completed a licensing agreement with Pagic LLP, formerly MK Enterprises LLC, (“Pagic”) for the exclusive worldwide marketing rights to certain potential products and a right of first offer on future potential products.
In order to facilitate the business plan, the Company formed a wholly-owned Nevada corporation, Valcent USA, Inc. to conduct operations in the United States in October 2005. In turn, Valcent USA, Inc. organized Valcent Management, LLC, a wholly-owned limited liability corporation under the laws of Nevada, to serve as the general partner in Valcent Manufacturing Ltd., a limited partnership also formed by Valcent USA, Inc., under the laws of Texas, wherein Valcent USA, Inc. serves as its limited partner.
Also during the year ended March 31, 2007, Valcent Products EU Limited (“Valcent EU”) was incorporated by Valcent Products Inc. in the domicile of England to conduct operations in Europe.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
Corporate History - continued
On May 5, 2008, Valcent Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC, a Texas limited liability corporation, was formed as a 50% owned subsidiary to each of Valcent, USA Inc. and Global Green Solutions Inc. to develop algae related technologies.
The shareholders of the Company approved a special resolution on June 22, 2009 to reorganize the capital structure of the Company through a share consolidation of its common shares on the basis of one new share for each eighteen (1:18) old shares. This share consolidation became effective July 16, 2009. Also effective July 16, 2009 our trading symbol changed to “VCTZF” and our CUSIP number changed to 918881202. Unless otherwise noted, all references to the number of common shares and or prices(s) per share are stated on a post-consolidation basis.
We are, at present, a development stage company focused primarily on:
| (i) | the development and commercialization of our “High Density Vertical Growth System” (“VerticropTM” or “HDVG System”) designed to produce vegetables and other plant crops, |
| (ii) | the development of a commercial algae growing technology via Vertigro Algae with Global Green, and |
| (iii) | the development and marketing of the Tomorrow GardenTM consumer retail product in our UK based subsidiary. |
From inception, we have generated minimal revenues and experienced negative cash flows from operating activities and our history of losses has resulted in our continued dependence on external financing. Any inability to achieve or sustain profitability or otherwise secure additional external financing, will negatively impact our financial condition and raises substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Organizational Structure
The following organizational chart sets forth our current corporate structure and reflects subsidiary interests relating to our various entities.
Valcent Products Inc., Alberta, Canada is the direct and or indirect parent corporation to the following:
Valcent USA Inc., Nevada, USA – 100%
Valcent Management LLC, Nevada, USA – 100%
Valcent Manufacturing Ltd., Texas, USA – 100%
Valcent Products EU Limited, UK – 100%
Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC, Texas, USA – 50%
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
Organizational Structure - continued
Valcent Products, Inc. formed a wholly-owned Nevada corporation, Valcent USA, Inc. to conduct operations in the United States in November 2006. In turn, Valcent USA, Inc. formed Valcent Management, LLC, as a wholly-owned limited liability corporation under the laws of Nevada, to serve as the general partner in Valcent Manufacturing Ltd., a limited partnership also formed by Valcent USA, Inc., under the laws of Texas, wherein Valcent USA, Inc. serves as its limited partner. Valcent Products EU Limited was incorporated by Valcent Products Inc. in the domicile of England to conduct future anticipated operations in Europe. Vertigro Algae Technologies, LLC, a Texas Limited Liability Corporation was formed as a 50% owned subsidiary to each of Valcent, USA Inc. and Global Green to develop algae related technologies.
Business Overview
Original Master License Agreements - On July 29, 2005, we entered into five related definitive agreements (the “Pagic Agreements”) with Pagic LP (formerly MK Enterprises LLC), an entity controlled by Malcolm Glen Kertz, our former Chief Executive Officer, and President, including:
| (i) | a master license agreement for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to three unrelated and proprietary potential consumer retail products that had previously been developed (the “Pagic Master License”), certain of which are patent pending by Pagic, including the Nova Skin Care System, the Dust WolfTM, and the Tomorrow GardenTM Kit (collectively, and together with any improvements thereon, the “Initial Products”); |
| (ii) | the Pagic Master License also included a license for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to any ancillary products developed and sold for use by consumers in connection with the Initial Products (the “Initial Ancillaries”); |
| (iii) | a product development agreement pursuant to which we were granted a right for an initial period of five years to acquire a license for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to any new products developed by Pagic (any such products, collectively, the “Additional Products”, and, the agreement itself, the “Pagic Product Development Agreement”); |
| (iv) | the Pagic Product Development Agreement also included a license for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to any ancillary products developed and sold for use by consumers in connection with the Additional Products (the “Additional Ancillaries”); and |
| (v) | a related services agreement pursuant to which Pagic shall provide consulting support in connection with the Initial Products, the Initial Ancillaries, the Additional Products and the Additional Ancillaries (the “Pagic Consulting Agreement”), in exchange for the following: |
| 1) | 1,111,112 shares of our common stock which have been issued; |
| 2) | a one-time US$125,000 license fee (paid); |
| 3) | reimbursement for US$125,000 in development costs associated with each of the Initial Products since March 17, 2005 (paid); |
| 4) | consulting fees of US$156,000 per year, payable monthly in advance, which the Company has paid to date; and |
| 5) | the greater of the following, payable annually beginning in the second license year (beginning April 1, 2007): |
(i) US$400,000 inclusive of all consulting fees, royalty and other fees; or
(ii) the aggregate of the following:
a minimum amount of US$37,500 per Initial Product during the second year of the Pagic Master License, and $50,000 US$ each year thereafter, continuing royalties payable quarterly at a rate of:
| Ø | US$10.00 US per Nova Skin Care System unit sold; |
| Ø | US$2.00 per Dust WolfTM unit sold; |
| Ø | 4.5% of annual net sales of the Tomorrow GardenTM Kit; and |
| Ø | 3% of annual net sales of Initial Ancillaries. |
| 6) | a one-time $50,000 US license fee for each Additional Product licensed (except for one pre-identified product); and |
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
Business Overview - continued
| 7) | subject to a minimum amount of US$50,000 per year commencing with the second year of each corresponding license, continuing royalties of 4.5% of annual net sales and 3% on annual net sales of any Additional Ancillaries. |
As described below these agreements were terminated effective April 1, 2009.
Joint Venture of Algae Related Business Operations - Beginning on October 2, 2006, we granted certain rights to Global Green relating to our joint venture of our high density vertical bio-reactor technology named “Vertigro”, an algae biomass technology initiative. Refer to “PLAN OF OPERATIONS, “High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor and Global Green Joint Venture”, and “Technology License Agreement” between Pagic LP, West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd. (“West Peak”), and Valcent Products, Inc.
Algae Technology License - On May 5, 2008, the joint venture arrangement pertaining to the development of the algae biomass technology initiative was terminated and Vertigro Algae executed a separate Technology License Agreement (“Technology License”) together with Pagic, and West Peak. The Technology License licenses certain algae biomass technology and intellectual property to Vertigro Algae for purposes of commercialization and exploitation for all industrial, commercial, and retail applications worldwide “Algae Biomass Technology”.
Discontinued Product Development Lines and Settlement of Licensed Technologies - Of the Initial Products under license as defined above, the Company ceased development of Dust Wolf and Nova Skin Care Systems during the year ended March 31, 2009 due to economic conditions, and increased corporate focus on life sciences plant growth technologies. The Company has continued with Tomorrow Garden product development and commercialization though the VerticropTM Technology Purchase Agreement.
VerticropTM Technology Purchase Agreement - Effective April 1, 2009, the Company executed a purchase agreement to acquire all ownership rights and intellectual property relating to its VerticropTM vertical plant growing technology and Tomorrow Garden kit technology (the “Technologies”) from Glen Kertz, Pagic, and West Peak and which provides the Company with all rights and know how to the Technologies (the “Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to this agreement original master license agreements between the Company and Pagic were terminated and this agreement replaced all financial obligations the Company had with Pagic related to the original master license agreements, including annual payments, royalty burden, and all other associated licensing costs. As noted above, all agreement related to the Algae Biomass Technology are with Vertigro Algae and as such survive the termination of all other agreements.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a total of US$2,000,000 plus issue 3% of its common stock on conclusion of the purchase agreement. The US$2,000,000 is payable on a cumulative basis as to US$65,000 on signing (paid) plus the greater of 3% of the gross monthly product sales less returns from exploitation of the technologies or US$12,000 per month until US$2,000,000 has been paid. The ownership of the Technologies will remain in escrow until fully paid or if the Company defaults in making payments. The issuance of the 3% of its common stock is payable upon release of the Technologies from escrow to the Company. The Company may at any time elect to pay out the remaining balance due. Should the Company default under this agreement the Technologies will revert back to Glen Kertz and Pagic and the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement will cease. The Company expenses amounts paid under the Purchase Agreement.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS
From inception we have generated minimal revenues from our business operations and have traditionally met our ongoing obligations by raising capital through external sources of financing, such as convertible notes, promissory notes and director and shareholder advances.
At present, we do not believe that our current financial resources are sufficient to meet our working capital needs in the near term or over the next twelve months and, accordingly, we will need to secure additional external financing to continue our operations. We anticipate raising additional capital though further private equity or debt financings and shareholder loans. If we are unable to secure such additional external financing, we may not be able to meet our obligations as they come due or to fully implement our intended plan of operations, as set forth below, raising substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
In addition, during the year ended March 31, 2009 we reduced staffing at our El Paso offices and research facility, transferring our primary development directives previously located in the United States to our UK offices.
Our plan of operations over the course of the next twelve months, subject to adequate financing, is to focus primarily on the continued development and marketing of our VerticropTM vertical plant growing systems, development and distribution of our lines of potential consumer retail Tomorrow Garden products, and the development of our high density vertical algae growth technology.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
PLAN OF OPERATIONS - continued
Chris Bradford, our Managing Director, of Valcent EU, is responsible for UK business operations and the Company’s “Tomorrow GardenTM” retail plant sales initiative, as well as development of European based VerticropTM market development and sales rollout.
More specifically, our plan of operations with respect to each of our lines of potential retail and commercial products is provided as follows:
Vertigro Algae and the Algae High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor Technology
We are in the development stages of creating technology for a High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor (“Vertigro Project”). The objective of this technology is to produce algae related source products by utilizing the waste gas of carbon dioxide capable of growing micro-algae. Our High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor is configured in a manner intended to promote the rapid growth of various forms of micro-algae which is later processed to remove volatile oils suitable for the production of fuels, and/or other target products for commerce and industry. The design of our technology allows the reactors to be stacked on a smaller foot print of land than traditional growing methods require. We believe secondary potential markets for this technology include industrial, commercial and manufacturing businesses that produce carbon dioxide emissions. Technology development is ongoing and subject to adequate budgets for product development.
On May 5, 2008, the Company and Global Green concurrently organized Vertigro Algae and entered into an operating agreement (“Operating Agreement”). Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, Global Green and the Company each hold a 50% interest in Vertigro Algae and have committed to fund project development costs according to ownership allocation. Global Green will receive 70% of the net cash flow generated by Vertigro Algae until it has received US$3,000,000 in excess of its 50% interest in such cash flow and then thereafter it will be split equally.
Also on May 5, 2008, Vertigro Algae executed a Technology License Agreement (“Technology License”) together with Pagic and West Peak. The Technology License licenses certain algae biomass technology and intellectual property to Vertigro Algae for purposes of commercialization and exploitation for all industrial, commercial, and retail applications worldwide (“Algae Biomass Technology”). As consideration for the Technology License, the Company and Global Green agreed to issue 16,6667 common shares and 300,000 common shares respectively, to Pagic and also pay a one-time commercialization fee of US$50,000 upon the Algae Biomass Technology achieving commercial viability. The Technology License is subject to royalty of 4.5% of gross customer sales receipts for use of the Algae Biomass Technology and aggregate annual royalty minimum amounts of US$50,000 in 2009, US$100,000 in 2010 and US$250,000 in 2011 and each year thereafter in which the Technology License is effective. The Company issued the 16,667 common shares to Pagic on August 18, 2008 at a fair value of $190,746 which has been expensed to product development and has accrued and paid in full via equity debt settlement its share of the US$50,000 payment due on March 31, 2009.
As a result of economic conditions, the Company significantly reduced its staff at its El Paso research facility during the year ended March 31, 2009. The Company is currently negotiating for the continued development of the Company’s algae programs with certain universities.
Competition - High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor
The Company has many competitors attempting to create vegetable oils from algae utilizing a number of innovative technologies. For our algae based products, we depend on our scientific and engineering teams, and patent protection on those technologies and processes, product development capabilities, and our management’s experience to compete within the algae biofuels market segments. We may not be able to effectively compete in these intensely competitive markets. Moreover, some of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater financial resources, greater research and development support infrastructure, and technical and other resources. Furthermore, we believe that competition from new entrants will increase as the demand for green technologies and continues to increase worldwide. A partial list of competitors in the algae technology space follows:
| · | Greenfuel Technologies Corporation |
| · | Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation |
| · | LiveFuels Inc. |
| · | Green Star Products, Inc. |
| · | Solazyme, Inc. |
| · | Aurora BioFuels, Inc. |
| · | Seambiotic Ltd. |
| · | Royal Dutch Shell and HR Biopetroleum |
| · | PetroSun Inc. |
| · | International Energy, Inc. |
| · | AlgoDyne |
| · | Circle Biodiesel & Ethanol Corporation |
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
PLAN OF OPERATIONS - continued
VerticropTM Commercial Plant Growth Systems
Valcent Products Inc. has also introduced the “VerticropTM” HDVG System intended to grow a wide variety of crop products. The Company initially began experimenting with vegetable crops utilizing the growing system within its greenhouse production facilities in El Paso, Texas, however, during the year ended March 31, 2009 the Company’s development efforts shifted to Valcent EU where it has conducted detailed research and subsequently developed commercial scale growing systems.
HDVG System Technology – Concept and Advantages: The HDVG System technology provides a solution to rapidly increasing food costs caused by transportation/fuel due to the cost of oil. Together with higher cost comes a reduction in availability and nutritional values in the food people consume. The HDVG system is designed to grow vegetables and other plants much more efficiently and with greater food value than in agricultural field conditions.
As the world population increases, agricultural land and water resources rapidly diminish. Alternative and innovative solutions have to be found to feed people and reduce the consumption of water, land, energy, and food miles.
VerticropTM is an innovative and exciting vertical growing system which:
| · | Produces up to 20 times the normal production volume for field crops |
| · | Requires approximately 5% of the normal water requirements for field crops |
| · | Can be built on non arable lands and close to major city markets |
| · | Can work in a variety of environments: urban, suburban, countryside, etc. |
| · | Minimizes or eliminates the need for herbicides and insecticides |
| · | Will have very significant operating and capital cost savings over field agriculture |
| · | Will drastically reduce transportation costs to market, resulting in further savings, higher quality and fresher foods on delivery and less transportation pollution |
| · | Is modular and easily scalable from small to very large food production situations |
The HDVG System grows plants in closely spaced shelves vertically arranged on panels that are moving on an overhead conveyor system. The system is designed to provide maximum sunlight and precisely correct nutrients to each plant. Ultraviolet light and filter systems may exclude the need for herbicides and pesticides. Sophisticated control systems gain optimum growth performance through the correct distribution of nutrients, the accurate balancing of PH and the delivery of the correct amount of heat, light and water.
System Advantages
| | reduced global transport costs and associated carbon emissions |
| | food and fuel safety, security and sovereignty |
| | local food is better for public health |
| | building local economies |
| | control of externalities and true costs |
In a rapidly urbanizing world where the majority of people now live in cities, localization requires that food and fuel be produced in an urban context. Urban agriculture presents a number of technological challenges. The main challenge is a lack of growing space.
Vertical growing is a new idea currently emerging in the sustainability discourse which offers great promise for increasing urban production. Vertical growing systems have been proposed as possible solutions for increasing urban food supplies while decreasing the ecological impact of farming. The primary advantage of vertical growing is the high density production it allows using a much reduced physical footprint and fewer resources relative to conventional agriculture. Vertical growing systems can be applied in combination with existing hydroponics, and greenhouse technologies which already address many aspects of the sustainable urban production challenge (i.e., soil-free, organic production, closed loop systems that maximize water and nutrient efficiencies, etc.). Vertical growing, hydroponics and greenhouse production have yet to be combined into an integrated commercial production system, but, such a system would have major potential for the realization of environmentally sustainable urban food and fuel production.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
PLAN OF OPERATIONS - continued
1/8th Acre HDVG System Commercial Production Model: The Company had been recently developing an HDVG System and specification of a 1/8th acre commercial scale plant capable of defining final operating and capital costs to maximize sales return. Completion of this facility located in El Paso is subject to budget allocations in the future. All current development and commercialization efforts relating to the Company’s vertical growing systems are continuing in the Company’s UK offices.
Commercial Deployment of First VerticropTM System – Paignton Zoo, Devon, UK: The Company via its UK subsidiary has in the summer months of 2009 deployed its first commercial test installation of its VerticropTM technology at the Paignton Zoo Environmental Park located in Devon, UK. The Paignton Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the UK. The Zoo is part of South West Environmental Parks Ltd which is owned by the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust. It is a combined zoo and botanic garden that welcomes over half a million visitors a year. The VerticropTM System installed at Paignton Zoo is meant to grow more plants in less room using less water and less energy. It will help to reduce food miles and bring down the Zoo’s annual costs for animal feed, which is currently in excess of £200,000 a year. The zoo will grow a whole range of herbs such as parsley and oregano, as well as leaf vegetables like lettuce and spinach, plus a range of fruits such as cherry tomato and strawberry. Reptiles, birds and most of the mammal collection - including primates and big cats -- will benefit from the production of year-round fresh food. The system which was a joint venture between Valcent Products EU Limited and the Paignton Zoo Environmental Park became operational on August 5, 2009, and will supply necessary data to the Company of semi-commercial crop yields, and other data for further commercialization of the VerticropTM System.
Verticrop Warehouse Systems: The Company is also developing a new VerticropTM product line for use in a warehouse environment. Using the latest horticultural lighting technologies, combined with state of the art irrigation and nutrient delivery systems, Valcent EU is in the final stages of developing a commercial application of its VerticropTM HDVG system suitable for installing in industrial type warehouses, as an alternative to polytunnels or glasshouses. A warehouse environment will provide a commercial grower with significant benefits, particularly in areas of climate extremes. Growing crops in a glasshouse or polytunnel can involve high energy costs to maintain stable temperatures suitable for healthy plant growth. Growing in a warehouse environment with a VerticropTM vertical farming system is designed to improve production and lower costs. Valcent EU’s research team has been working with two strategic partners who are acknowledged experts in the field of industrial lighting. This research has lead to the development of a commercially viable eco-friendly system, particularly well suited to application in a warehouse environment. The VerticropTM warehouse growing system will also use a hybrid lighting system, harnessing and channeling heat free natural daylight, complemented by the latest LED horticultural lighting technology.
Reduced Global Transport and Associated Carbon Emissions : It is widely recognized that the transportation of food over long distances – compared to locally sourced foods – causes excessive energy use, air pollution and is a contributor to climate change. Today, food products typically travel great distances between source and market. The energy used for food transport often far outweighs the human energy gained by the food. The associated need for long-haul refrigeration and packaging further increases the energy costs of food transport. Long-distance and cross-continental food trade is clearly on the rise with the tonnage of food shipped between nations having grown many times over in the last fifty years. Choosing local over global products has powerful potential to reduce energy consumption.
Food and Fuel Safety, Security and Sovereignty: We believe that the further that food is shipped from its growing source, the more vulnerable our food and energy systems become. There are many factors that can interrupt global production and distribution systems including political instability, changes in government, fluctuations in international markets, oil shortages and depletion, war and conflict, acts of terrorism, and natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, drought, or hurricanes. Localization of food and fuel production has important potential for daily security and emergency preparedness as every community should be able to supply at least a fraction of the food and fuel required by its residents.
Food that is transferred across borders does not necessarily meet the traditional safety standards of consumer countries. Since local food is produced under tractable conditions, in adherence with local food safety standards, greater levels of food safety are ensured.
About 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger related causes according to the United Nations. In Africa, for example, it is agriculture itself that is in crisis; caused by years of wars, coups and civil strife, increases in population, and natural problems such as drought. Sub Saharan African soil quality is classified as degraded in about 72% of arable land and 31% of pasture land.
The High Density Vertical Growing System grows leafy lettuce, micro greens (small leafed plants of a wide variety), spinach, herbs, mints, beets, strawberries, wheatgrass, alfalfa and other grains. The HDVG System has the capability of, on average, growing up to 10-20 times the amount of vegetables per acre than conventional field production while using only 5% of the water. Field lettuce loses half its nutritional value within 24 hours and delivery to distant customers can take up to a week. Innovations inherent to the HDVG System will make it possible to deliver vegetables which are still alive to the consumer.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
PLAN OF OPERATIONS - continued
The Company believes that one-eighth acre replicable turnkey modules can be scaled up to meet output and crop diversity requirements. The system can be sited anywhere, in urban, suburban or even desert environments, wherever vegetables are needed. A primary advantage of vertical growing is the high density production it allows using a much reduced physical footprint and fewer resources relative to conventional agriculture. Initial production performance for the HDVG System is based on growing leafy lettuce.
Potential Markets – High Density Vertical Growth System for Vegetables: Vertical growing systems have been proposed as possible solutions for increasing urban food supplies while decreasing the ecological impact of farming, and as a result, we expect the technology to compete with traditional growing techniques Vertical growing, hydroponics and greenhouse production have yet to be combined into an integrated commercial production system, but, such a system would have major potential for the realization of environmentally sustainable urban food and fuel production.
Tomorrow GardenTM
Our Tomorrow GardenTM Kit is an indoor herb garden kit, designed to offer, direct to the consumer, an easy to use kit featuring herbs and plants not otherwise readily available in the marketplace. The Tomorrow GardenTM Kit offers an improved plant lifespan of up to three to six months, as opposed to the traditional shelf life of approximately seven to ten days for fresh herbs, and requires only ambient light, with no watering or other maintenance, to survive. Our Tomorrow GardenTM Plant Kit will be capable of supplying all of the standard herbs traditionally offered in grocery shops today, such as basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, parsley and cilantro, but may, in addition, supply more exotic herbs or pharmaceutical grade plants. Our Tomorrow GardenTM Kit is currently in the design, development, and test sales phase operating out of our offices located in Cornwall, England. First selected retail applications are aimed at children and education channels.
The Tomorrow Garden gift kits offer an easy to use growing system for a range of interesting and attractive plants.
Each Tomorrow Garden kit contains:
| · | a micropropagated plantlet |
| · | a membrane which enables the plants to grow and stay fresh for 3-6 months in normal light without the need for watering |
| · | a coir growing pot and compost |
The official launch of the Tomorrow Garden was premiered at the BBC Gardeners’ World Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham on June 11 – 14, 2008, with a follow-up at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Flower Show on July 8 -13, 2008.
Currently our kits are aimed at the Junior/Educational market sector. As ferns have been around since pre-historic times, and are known to have provided a large proportion of the diet of the herbivore dinosaurs, the emphasis will be on inviting children in the 7yrs – 14 yrs age group to grow “dino food”. Growing kits have been designed in the appropriate packaging, reflecting the dinosaur theme.
Valcent EU is also culturing a number of more exotic plant species (such as orchids) so that it can both follow-up and compliment its initial products. It is also developing a range of culinary herbs and are reviewing a number of other options for special “Christmas” packs (e.g. the Christmas Rose). Finally, through “in house” expertise, Valcent EU is researching the development of a range of Chinese medicinal herbs, which can be sold in “growing kit” form through “alternate medicine” outlets or (ultimately) to pharmaceutical companies involved in this field of research.
Potential Markets - The Tomorrow Garden™ Kit: Culinary and exotic herbs in fresh, dried, frozen, powdered and canned forms are primarily used in the retail and food services markets, where local products and imports have traditionally met demand. We believe that our Tomorrow Garden™ Kit is ideally suited to become a leader in the retail and food services markets because of its ability to offer fresh herbs in market segments where they may not otherwise be available without considerable expense.
Initially to be marketed to the UK Garden Products market valued in 2003 at approximately GB£5.8 billion.
Direct-Response / Online Marketing - The Tomorrow Garden™ Kit: Our Tomorrow Garden™ is presently in sales testing development phase and once a final fully-functioning production-level unit is near completion we will tailor a more comprehensive sales and marketing plan for our Tomorrow Garden™.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
PLAN OF OPERATIONS - continued
Competition - The Tomorrow Garden™ Kit: In relation to our Tomorrow Garden™ Kit, we anticipate that we will face competition from other manufacturers and providers of dried, frozen, powdered and canned herbs, as well as competition from local growers and distributors of fresh herbs, all of whom generally sell through the same combination of channels as we intend to, including wholesale and retail markets, and direct and online sales.
There are several other manufacturers and providers of culinary and exotic herbs, the most common products being prepackaged, dried, frozen or canned herbs or do-it-yourself kits. We currently anticipate competing with the following companies and products, among other local growers and distributors:
| • | HerbKits.com – Indoor Herb Gardening Kits; and |
| • | New England Herb Company. |
Manufacturing, Fulfillment and Suppliers: Manufacture to date for Tomorrow Garden™ has been carried out in Valcent EU premises in Cornwall, UK. As of the date of this annual report, we have no long-term written agreements and no intentions of entering into any such agreements with any suppliers or manufacturers, and we are not substantially dependent, nor do we anticipate becoming substantially dependent, upon any one or more suppliers, as we believe that there are many such suppliers available with the capabilities that we will require.
Nova Skin Care System and Dust Wolf
The Company ceased development of Dust Wolf and Nova Skin Care Systems during the year ended March 31, 2009 due to economic conditions, and increased corporate focus on life sciences plant growth technologies. Any inventory related thereto amounting to raw materials of $314,012 and finished goods inventory of $330,451 were written off product development costs in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
Agreement for Settlement and Reversion of Nova Skin Care System and Dust Wolf: On March 30, 2009, the Company entered into a letter of agreement with Pagic, Glen Kertz, and West Peak to settle royalties and other rights and obligations due under the Pagic Agreements (master license arrangements from July 2005) relating to Nova Skin Care Systems and Dust Wolf products that were discontinued by the Company. Under the settlement agreement, the Company relinquished all rights to the Nova Skin Care Systems and Dust Wolf products to Pagic and Kertz in exchange for a 3% royalty to the Company of future sales of the Nova Skin Care System or Dust Wolf on terms similar to those incurred by the Company under the Pagic Agreements, and the cessation of obligations of the Company under the Pagic Agreements relating to these technologies previously under license. West Peak agreed to forfeit any royalty rights it previously had relating to these technologies. There has been no further development of the Nova Skin Care System or Dust Wolf products that the Company is aware of.
REGULATIONS
We are not currently subject to direct regulation by any foreign or domestic government agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally.
COMPETITION
Competition in each of the industries in which we intend to sell our potential products is based primarily upon:
| • | brand name recognition; |
| • | availability of financial resources; |
| • | the quality of products; |
| • | reviews received for products from independent reviewers who publish in magazines, websites, newspapers and other industry publications; |
| • | availability of access to retail shelf space; |
| • | the price of each product; and |
| • | the number of products then available. |
We will rely, for all of our potential product lines, on what we believe to be our superior product quality, marketing and sales abilities, proprietary technology, product development capabilities and our management’s experience to compete within each of our market segments. However, we may not be able to effectively compete in these intensely competitive markets. Moreover, some of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases and greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical and other resources, affording them the ability to undertake more extensive marketing campaigns and adopt more aggressive pricing policies, than we can. Furthermore, we believe that competition from new entrants will increase as the markets for each of our potential products expand.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Overview
We rely for our business on a combination of our pending patents, existing patents, trademarks and trade secrets in order to protect our intellectual property. Our pending patents, trademarks and trade secrets are among the most important assets we possess in our ability to generate revenue and profits and we will depend significantly on these intellectual property assets in being able to effectively compete in our markets.
We cannot be certain that the precautions we have taken to safeguard our pending patents, existing patents, trademarks and trade secrets will provide meaningful protection from unauthorized use. If we must pursue litigation in the future to enforce or otherwise protect our intellectual property rights, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, we may not prevail and will likely have to make substantial expenditures and divert valuable resources in the process. Moreover, we may not have adequate remedies if our intellectual property is appropriated or our trade secrets are disclosed.
Patents Pending
As of the date of this annual report, we have received case and/or application numbers for each of the intellectual property assets for which we are seeking patents. Patent status for each division is provided as follows:
Division | Patents Granted | U.S. Patent Applications | Foreign Patent Applications |
High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor | 0 | 2 | 15 |
High Density Vertical Growth System | 3 utility patents 1 design patent | 3 | 5 |
Subtotal | 4 | 5 | 20 |
All other remaining patent applications are in the preliminary stages of the application process.
Trademarks
We have applied for registration of our trademarks in the United States in order to establish and protect our brand names as part of our intellectual property assets. We have applied for and received registration of Tomorrow Garden™, and “Valcent” in the United States. All other remaining registrations are in the preliminary stages of the application process and remain pending.
Trade Secrets
Whenever we deem it important for purposes of maintaining competitive advantages, we require parties with whom we share, or who otherwise are likely to become privy to, our trade secrets or other confidential information to execute and deliver to us confidentiality and/or non-disclosure agreements. Among others, this includes employees, consultants and other advisors, each of whom we require to execute such an agreement upon commencement of their employment, consulting or advisory relationships. These agreements generally provide that all confidential information developed or made known to the individual by us during the course of the individual’s relationship with us, be kept confidential and not to be disclosed to third parties except under specific circumstances.
As of the date of this annual report, we have executed a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement with Pagic LP and are in the process of drafting confidentiality and/or non-disclosure agreements for our other key employees, consultants and advisors.
SEASONALITY
We may experience slight seasonal fluctuations in the sale of our potential consumer retail products if consumers elect to defer discretionary spending. However, we believe that the overall effects of any seasonal variations in sales activity will be insignificant.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY - continued PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Our principal executive offices are located at Suite 1010 - 789 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1H2. Our telephone number is (604) 606-7979.
On November 16, 2007, our wholly owned subsidiary, Valcent Products EU Limited leased office and development space in Launceston, Cornwall, UK, under a ten-year lease beginning November 15, 2007 and ending on November 15, 2017 at a quarterly cost of GB£12,550 ($24,020). There were 8 years and 7.5 months remaining on the lease as at March 31, 2009. The Company has net property comprised of $438,701 comprised leasehold improvements, computer equipment, furniture and fixtures, vehicles, equipment, and other assets located at this location.
The Company acquired approximately six acres of land in El Paso, Texas for $275,240. As at March 31, 2009 the Company had net property, totaling $1,070,216 comprising land, computer equipment, furniture and fixtures, building, autos, equipment, and other assets at this location and at its UK leased office premises located in Cornwall, UK.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2009 and the notes to the financial statements. Our audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles which, except as noted in Notes 1 and 20 to our March 31, 2009 audited financial statements, conform in all material respects with those of United States generally accepted accounting principles and with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
OPERATING LEGACY AND ACCUMULATED LOSSES
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Net Operating Revenues | | $ | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Loss from operations | | $ | 15,337,285 | | | | 12,028,222 | | | | 8,171,090 | |
Loss from development stage | | $ | 17,855,490 | | | | 12,712,358 | | | | 8,138,393 | |
Net loss per Canadian GAAP | | $ | 17,855,490 | | | | 12,712,358 | | | | 8,138,393 | |
Loss per share | | $ | 6.43 | | | | 6.44 | | | | 7.60 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share capital | | $ | 21,957,516 | | | | 16,691,282 | | | | 8,196,982 | |
Common shares issued | | | 3,008,977 | | | | 2,459,636 | | | | 1,703,670 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 2,782,284 | | | | 1,974,763 | | | | 1,070,066 | |
Total Assets | | $ | 2,351,963 | | | | 4,605,914 | | | | 4,142,485 | |
Total Liabilities | | $ | 3,383,189 | | | | 8,615,386 | | | | 4,166,861 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Shares | | $ | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exchange Rates (CDN $ to 1 US $) yearly average | | $ | 0.88839 | | | | 0.97084 | | | | 0.87896 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exchange Rates (CDN $ to 1 British Pound £) yearly average | | $ | 0.52433 | | | | 0.48368 | | | | n/a | |
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
Operating Results
For the year ended March 31, 2009, we focused on the following business initiatives:
| (i) | the development and commercialization of our VerticropTM HDVG System designed to produce vegetables and other plant crops, |
| (ii) | the development of a commercial algae growing technology via Vertigro Algae with Global Green Solutions, Inc., and |
| (iii) | the development and marketing of the Tomorrow GardenTM consumer retail product by Valcent EU. |
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
For the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company focused on:
| (i) | the development of a commercial algae growing technology via a joint venture with Global Green, |
| (ii) | the development of our VerticropTM HDVG System designed to more efficiently produce certain plant crops, |
| (iii) | the development and test marketing of the Tomorrow Garden TM consumer retail product by Valcent EU, |
| (iv) | the development of product inventories and direct test and sales initiatives and product introduction promotion relating to our Nova Skin Care System, and |
| (v) | ongoing research and development with tissue culture technologies, plant growth stimulation technologies, and other product and technology development initiatives. |
Our reported net loss increased by $5,143,132 to $17,855,490 ($6.43 basic loss per share) for the year ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $12,712,358 ($6.44 basic loss per share) for the same period ending March 31, 2008. The increase during the 2009 fiscal year is largely a result of increased research and development activity related to the discontinuance of the Nova Skin Care System, development of the Company’s Algae technology and the commercialization of the VerticropTM HDVG System. The Company also incurred non recurring costs relating to fixed asset impairment and a loss on settlement of debts related to the valuation of convertible debentures utilized to finance the Company. Finally, owing to changes in the value of the United States dollar, primarily, the Company also incurred a significant foreign exchange loss during the year ended March 31, 2009.
Revenues
For the years ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008, the Company had no revenue.
However, as the Company is in the development stage, test sales are credited to product development costs. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company had test sales of $219,483 (2008 - $985,779) related to the Nova Skin Care System. As at March 31, 2009 the Company ceased the development of the Nova Skin Care System.
Operating Expenses
Product development expenses increased by $4,157,564 to $8,238,999 for the year ended March 31, 2009 as compared with the year ended March 31, 2008. The increase is due to write downs relating to, accounts receivable impairment, inventory impairment for the discontinuance of Nova Skin Care Products marketing and product testing, increased research and development costs relating to the commercialization of the VerticropTM System, and the advent of costs relating to the Tomorrow GardenTM product line. Product development expenses were $4,081,435 during the year ended March 2008.
In conjunction with convertible debenture financings the Company incurred $3,213,003 in interest, accretion, and financing on convertible notes in the twelve month period ended March 31, 2009. This represents a $296,045 increase from the $2,916,958 that had been incurred during the year ended March 31, 2008 stemming primarily from amortization and accretion of convertible debenture funding activity during the 2009 and 2008 fiscal years.
The Company incurred a loss on the settlement of debts in the amount of $885,292 during the year ended March 31, 2009 (2008 $0) with respect to the renegotiation and settlement of certain portions of convertible notes issued in July 2008.
Investor relations fees decreased $88,793 to $782,749 (2008 - $871,542) for the year ended March 31, 2009 as a result of the Company employing a decreasing number of third party consultants in advisory, business consulting services, and investor relations activities.
Professional fees increased by $92,946 to $524,216 for the year ended March 31, 2009 from $431,270 for the year ended March 31, 2008. The increase is primarily attributable to costs associated with increased finance activity and costs relating to complex financial accounting issues, as well as intellectual property legal services, and technology acquisition negotiations between the respective years.
Advertising and media development was $448,258 during the year ended March 31, 2009 (2008 $1,953,998) with such decrease reflecting the cessation of marketing development relating to the Nova Skin Care System.
Office and miscellaneous expenses increased $154,311 to $389,128 for the year ended March 31, 2009 from $234,817 for the year ended March 31, 2008. The increase is due to emphasis on project development initiatives in the Company’s UK subsidiary.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
As a result of the issuance of options to directors, officers, employees and consultants the Company incurred stock option compensation expenses of $260,530 during the year ended March 31, 2009 (2008 - $990,305).
Travel expenses decreased by $55,024 to $236,441 (2008 - $291,465) for the year ended March 31, 2009 as a result of decreased activity in all of the Company’s operations, decreased number of active development projects, as well as cost streamlining due to global economic circumstances.
Amortization increased $134,155 to $181,618 (2008 - $47,463) for the year ended March 31, 2009 as a result of an increasing asset base and depreciation charges related thereto.
Rent expenses increased $53,120 to $131,038 for the year ended March 31, 2009 from $77,918 for the year ended March 31, 2008. The increase in rent costs incurred relates to our new offices and operations located in the United Kingdom.
Filing and transfer agent expenses decreased $22,350 to $22,150 for the year ended March 31, 2009, from $44,500 for the year ended March 31, 2008. The decrease is primarily attributable to costs associated with the proportionate decrease of financing and business activity during the 2009 fiscal year.
Insurance expense decreased to $19,640 for the year ended March 31, 2009, from $71,071 for the year ended March 31, 2008. The decrease is primarily attributable to the rebate of 2008 insurance costs received in the year ended March 31, 2009 and associated decreased insurance coverage required which was prorated over both 2008 and 2009 fiscal years.
Interest relating to long term debt decreased to $4,223 (2008 - $15,480) due to the payout of all long term debt in July, 2008.
Other Income and Expenses
Interest income for the years ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 were $19,491 and $10,805 respectively.
As a result of staffing cuts in our El Paso facility and due to the specialized nature of buildings and equipment, the Company impaired the carrying value of certain of its fixed assets relating to our El Paso, Texas operation; the Company’s fixed assets and land were valued at a net book value of $1,070,216 (2008 - $1,135,108) during the year ended March 31, 2009, and a one time write down of assets in the amount of $509,892 was incurred (2008 - $0).
Due primarily to fluctuations in the United States dollar the foreign exchange loss for the year ended March 31, 2009 was $2,027,804. For the year ended March 31, 2008 the Company had a foreign exchange gain of $611,133.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Because we are organized in Canada, our March 31, 2009 financial statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with Canadian GAAP applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.
Our accumulated losses during the development stage increased by $17,855,490 to $42,173,129 for the year ended March 31, 2009 from $24,317,639 for the year ended March 31, 2008.
Our working capital deficit decreased to $2,101,443 from $5,094,440 for the year ended March 31, 2009 representing a $2,992,997 decrease over the year ended March 31, 2008. Even though this decrease stemmed primarily from debt settlement and restructuring initiatives, as described in Note 1 to our March 31, 2009 financial statements, these conditions raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company’s ability to continue as a going-concern is dependent upon the economic development of its products, the attainment of profitable operations and the Company’s ability to obtain further financing. The Company continues to explore additional funding to finance its operations and obligations. Management is considering all possible financing alternatives, including equity financing, debt financing, joint-venture, corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its financing efforts or in the success of its products.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company engaged in a series of private offering transactions with institutional and other investors, pursuant to which we raised US$1,951,600 through private placements of equity comprised of common shares and warrants, US$191,664 from warrant exercises, US$2,168,000 from convertible debentures issuances, and approximately $1,662,578 in promissory notes, and short term advances.
During the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company engaged in a series of private offering transactions with institutional and other investors, pursuant to which we raised US$5,129,636 through private placements of equity comprised of common shares and warrants, US$367,671 from warrant and share option exercises, and US$1,291,000 from convertible debentures, promissory notes, and short term advances.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, we issued 16,667 common shares for technology valued at US$180,000, and issued 275,731 common shares for convertible note conversions received of US$1,422,206 in interest and principal.
Long term debt decreased from $158,612 at March 31, 2008 to $0 at March 31, 2009 as a consequence of freeing a first secured interest in the Company’s El Paso property in favour of holders of our July 2008 convertible note debt financing.
Our advances and amounts due from related parties decreased by $1,303,871 to $186,645 as at March 31, 2009 (2008 - $1,490,516) due to debt settlements made with debt holders on March 31, 2009 for common share equity as part of corporate restructuring initiatives.
Convertible notes decreased as at March 31, 2009 to $11,228 from $5,202,741 at March 31, 2008 due to debt settlements made with debt holders on March 31, 2009 for common share equity as part of corporate restructuring initiatives. Certain remaining principal portions of the notes were optioned to the Company until December 31, 2009 and were reclassified as secured promissory notes.
Promissory notes increased from $270,167 at March 31, 2008 to $2,643,514 at March 31, 2009 owing in part to reclassification of certain remaining principal portions of the July 2008 convertible notes to promissory notes due to renegotiation of these instruments, provisions made by negotiation for the repayment of US$400,000 of the July 2008 convertible notes in cash on June 2, 2009, and the receipt of US$500,000 as part of a private placement with a single investor which was later converted to common shares on July 17, 2009.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased slightly to $541,802 at March 31, 2009 from $536,563 at March 31, 2009.
As a result of the cessation of Nova Skin Care System development certain of our inventories were impaired by $644,463 as at March 31, 2009. As at March 31, 2009, inventories related to the Company’s Tomorrow Garden project in the aggregate of $34,072 (2008 - $nil).
Prepaid expenses as at March 31, 2009 of $102,670 (2008 $2,119,546) include $16,606 (2008 - $2,015,837) related to the deferred portion of business consulting and investor relations services agreements with the balance of $86,064 (2008 - $103,709) consisting of in prepaid insurance and rental deposits.
As at March 31, 2009, accounts receivable of $920,235 consists of $812,048 due from Global Green Solutions, the Company’s joint venture partner in Vertigro Algae, with the balance primarily due from value added tax receivable by the Company’s subsidiary, Valcent Products EU Limited, and goods and services tax receivable by the Company, as well as receivables relating to Tomorrow GardenTM sales. As at March 31, 2008, accounts receivable of $462,156 consisted primarily of amounts due from the Company’s product fulfillment agent, GSI Commerce, Inc. (formerly Accretive Commerce Inc.) from test sales relating to the Company’s Nova Skin Care System, value added tax receivable by the Company’s subsidiary, Valcent Products EU Limited, and goods and services tax receivable by the Company.
Restricted cash as at March 31, 2008 consisted of certificates of deposit and interest earned of $108,471 that were pledged to secure long term debt relating to our purchased lands in El Paso. Restricted cash as at March 31, 2009 was $0 due to long term debt being paid in full in July, 2008 resulting in restricted cash being freed for corporate use.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company determined that certain capital assets were not in use or impaired and accordingly wrote down the carrying value of those assets to their net recoverable amounts. The write-down amounting to $509,892 (2008 $0) was in addition to $181,618 (2008 $47,463) in amortization in the statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2009.
As at March 31, 2009, we had $224,769 in cash (2008 - $163,437) and we currently have approximately $46,000 in cash as at September 15, 2009.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
Due to uncertainty in determining future cash flows related to products under license, the Company, during the year ended March 31, 2008, wrote down the value of the product license by $1,306,074 to $1.
Details of the convertible notes are as follows:
Convertible note continuity:
| | US $ | | | CDN $ | |
| | Balance | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | Balance | | | Balance | |
| | March 31, | | | Issued | | | Equity | | | Interest/ | | | Conversions/ Conversions/ | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
Date of Issue | | 2008 | | | Principal | | | Portion | | | Penalty | | | Repayments* | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July/August 2005 (Note 10(a)) | | $ | 259,825 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 15,647 | | | $ | (275,472 | ) | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
April 2006 (Note 10(b)) | | | 534,442 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 29,287 | | | | (563,729 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
April 2006 (Note 10(c)) | | | 85,542 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 4,673 | | | | (90,215 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
December 2006 (Note 10(e)) | | | 1,659,782 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 150,544 | | | | (1,810,326 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
January 2007 (Note 10(f)) | | | 1,569,183 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 468,170 | | | | (2,037,353 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
August 2007 (Note 10(g)) | | | 678,567 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 102,260 | | | | (780,827 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
September 2007 (Note 10(h)) | | | 297,433 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 154,295 | | | | (442,826 | ) | | | 8,902 | | | | 11,228 | |
July 2008 (Note 10(i)) | | | 0 | | | | 2,168,000 | | | | (1,315,003 | ) | | | 1,262,529 | | | | (2,115,526 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | $ | 5,084,774 | | | $ | 2,168,000 | | | $ | (1,315,003 | ) | | $ | 2,187,405 | | | $ | (8,116,274 | ) | | $ | 8,902 | | | $ | 11,228 | |
| | US $ | | | CDN $ | |
| | Balance | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | | | Balance | | | Balance | |
| | March 31, | | | Issued | | | Equity | | | Interest/ | | | | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
Date of Issue | | 2007 | | | Principal | | | Portion | | | Penalty | | | Conversions | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
August 2005 | | $ | 316,957 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 22,389 | | | $ | (79,521 | ) | | $ | 259,825 | | | $ | 265,583 | |
April 2006 | | | 495,607 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 38,835 | | | | 0 | | | | 534,442 | | | | 546,841 | |
April 2006 | | | 79,115 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 6,427 | | | | 0 | | | | 85,542 | | | | 87,527 | |
December 2006 | | | 670,486 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 989,296 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,659,782 | | | | 1,698,289 | |
January 2007 | | | 813,084 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 967,767 | | | | (211,668 | ) | | | 1,569,183 | | | | 1,605,558 | |
August 2007 | | | 0 | | | | 650,000 | | | | (230,007 | ) | | | 258,574 | | | | 0 | | | | 678,567 | | | | 694,310 | |
September 2007 | | | 0 | | | | 391,000 | | | | (213,249 | ) | | | 119,682 | | | | 0 | | | | 297,433 | | | | 304,633 | |
| | $ | 2,375,249 | | | $ | 1,041,000 | | | $ | (443,256 | ) | | $ | 2,402,970 | | | $ | (291,189 | ) | | $ | 5,084,774 | | | $ | 5,202,741 | |
* Includes commitments to convert the remaining amounts into common shares
US $1,277,200 July – August 2005 Convertible Note
To provide working capital for product development, during July and August 2005 the Company issued one-year, unsecured US$1,277,200 8% per annum convertible notes and three-year Class A and B warrants to acquire: (i) up to 50,741 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US$9.00; and (ii) up to an additional 50,741 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US$18.00. Under their original terms, the holders of the convertible notes could elect to convert the notes into common shares of the Company at the lesser of: (i) 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the common stock for the ten trading days prior to conversion; and (ii) US$9.90. Accrued and unpaid interest may be converted into common shares of the Company at US$9.00 per share. The Company may, subject to notice provisions and the common shares trading above US$27.00 per share for more than twenty consecutive trading days, elect to payout the notes and interest due by paying 130% of the amount due under the notes plus interest. The common stock purchase warrants carry a “net cashless” exercise feature (“Cashless Conversion Feature”) allowing the holder thereof, under certain limited circumstances, to exercise the warrants without payment of the stated exercise price, but rather solely in exchange for the cancellation of that number of common shares into which such warrants are exercisable. As a result of the issuance of the warrants in conjunction with the convertible notes, the Company recorded a non-cash financing expense of $1,328,337. These convertible notes were unsecured and due on demand.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
In conjunction with this financing, the Company paid consultants an amount equal to 10% of the gross proceeds, which was included in investor relations during the year ended March 31, 2006 and issued 23,651 common shares at a deemed value of $285,242. There are 14,192 finders’ A warrants outstanding whereby the holders have the right to purchase 14,192 common shares at US$9.00 per share until August 5, 2008 and 23,652 finders’ B warrants whereby the holders shall have the right to purchase 23,652 common shares at US$13.50 per share until August 5, 2008. A total of US$82,200 in registration penalties incurred in the year ended March 31, 2007 were converted to a new convertible debenture in the same amount on April 6, 2007.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, principal of US$92,281 and interest of US$9,423 were converted to 14,845 common shares and interest of US$15,647 (2008 – US$22,389) was accrued on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes during the year.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal, accrued interest and prepayment penalties comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$173,768 for 595,006 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 595,006 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
US $551,666 April 2006 Convertible Note
On April 6, 2006, the Company consummated a private offering transaction with and among a syndicated group of investors, pursuant to which the Company issued, in the aggregate, US$551,666 in 8% per annum convertible notes and three-year Class A and B warrants to acquire: (i) up to 40,864 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share of US$9.00; and (ii) up to an additional 40,864 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share of US$18.00. Subject to certain limitations under their original terms, the principal amount of the notes, together with any accrued interest could be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at the lesser of:
(i) | 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the common stock for the ten trading days prior to conversion; or |
(ii) | US$9.90. The convertible notes carry a redemption feature, which allows the Company to retire them, in whole or in part, for an amount equal to 130% of that portion of the face amount being redeemed, but only in the event that the common shares have a closing price of US$27.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days and there has otherwise been no default. The common stock purchase warrants carry a Cashless Conversion Feature. |
These convertible notes were unsecured and due on demand.
In conjunction with these private offering transactions, the Company paid consultants: (i) US$55,166 cash, representing 10% of the gross proceeds realized; (ii) 10,216 shares of common stock; (iii) three-year warrants to purchase up to 6,129 shares of common stock at a price per share of US$9.00; and (iv) three-year warrants to purchase up to 10,215 shares of common stock at a price per share of US$13.50.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, convertible notes and interest of US$460,679 were converted to 111,751 common shares and interest of US$21,312 (2008 – US$38,835) was accrued on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal, accrued interest and prepayment penalties comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$103,050 for 473,101 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 473,101 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
US $82,200 April 2006 penalty Convertible Note
On April 6, 2006, and in conjunction with certain private placements, the Company reached a verbal agreement with investors wherein the Company agreed to convert US$82,200 in accrued penalties associated with the July 25, 2005 through August 5, 2005 convertible notes into US$82,200 convertible penalty notes (Note 10(a)) carrying terms similar to the July 25, 2005 through August 5, 2005 convertible notes and an aggregate of 6,089 warrants. These warrants carry a Cashless Conversion Feature and each warrant entitles the holder to purchase additional common shares for three years at a price of US$13.50 per share. These convertible notes are unsecured and due on demand.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, convertible notes and interest of US$64,410 were converted to 17,994 common shares and interest of US$4,673 (2008 – US$6,427) was accrued on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal, accrued interest and prepayment penalties comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$25,715 for 106,443 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 106,443 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
Warrant Exercise Price Reduction and Registration Penalty Interest
Certain of the July and August 2005 and the April 6, 2006 convertible notes contained registration rights whereby the Company agreed to pay a penalty of 2% for every thirty day period after which the Company was obligated to file a registration statement and further reduce the warrant price of certain of the warrants issued by US$1.80. As a result of the Company not filing its registration statement until April 27, 2006, the Company incurred penalties, which have been included in interest expense. An aggregate of 189,299 previously issued share purchase warrants relating to certain of the July and August 2005 and the April 6, 2006 convertible notes have reduced exercise prices from US$9.00, US$13.50 and US$18.00 to US$7.20, US$11.70 and US$16.20, respectively. In 2007, the Company recognized $80,102 in interest expense with the corresponding amount to contributed surplus as a result of re-valuation of the warrants upon the change in the pricing.
US $1,500,000 December 2006 Convertible Note
On December 1, 2006, the Company accepted subscriptions of US$1,500,000 towards a private placement of 8% per annum, unsecured, convertible notes and three-year warrants to acquire: (i) up to an aggregate of 111,112 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share of US$9.00; and (ii) up to an additional 111,112 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share of US$18.00. Subject to certain limitations, the terms of the notes provided that the principal amount of the notes, together with any accrued interest may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, at the lesser of: (i) 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the Company’s common stock for the ten trading days prior to conversion; or (ii) US$9.90. The convertible notes carried a redemption feature, which allows the Company to retire them, in whole or in part, for an amount equal to 130% of that portion of the face amount being redeemed, but only in the event that the common shares have a closing price of US$27.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days and there has otherwise been no default. These convertible notes are unsecured and due on demand. The common stock purchase warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. After December 31, 2007, this convertible note began accruing interest at the rate of 15% per annum.
The right of the note holders to convert into the Company’s common stock is subject to the contractual agreement between the parties that any conversion by the note holders may not lead at the date of such conversion to an aggregate equity interest in the common stock of the Company greater than 9.99% inclusive of any derivative securities including options, warrants, convertible debt, any other convertible debt securities or any other financial instruments convertible into common equity.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US$150,544 (2008 - US$989,296) in interest and accreted interest on the principal balance on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes; the principal portion of the notes was increased owing to the accretion of interest expense in the same amount relating to convertible debenture equity conversion component.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal of US$1,500,000 and accrued interest of US$310,326 comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$1,810,326 for 4,525,807 common shares that are restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 4,525,807 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
US $2,000,000 January 2007 Convertible Note
On January 29, 2007, the Company completed a private placement comprised of $2,000,000 convertible notes. The convertible notes matured on December 11, 2008, and carry interest at 6% per annum and are unsecured. The notes were convertible into “Units” at the note-holders’ discretion at a conversion price of US$9.00 per Unit. Each “Unit” consisted of one common share and one purchase warrant to purchase an additional common share at US$12.60 per share until December 11, 2008. The notes and any accrued interest were callable by the Company at any time after December 11, 2007 by providing thirty days’ written notice to the note-holders. Interest on the notes was compounded annually and cumulative until the earlier of either the date the Company achieves pre-tax earnings or the end of the term. At the discretion of the note-holders, interest on the notes was payable in either cash or units at US$9.00 per unit. In connection with this financing, the Company paid consultants US$108,000 in cash and issued 7,500 units exercisable at US$9.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase a further common share at US$12.60 per share until December 11, 2008. The Company was obligated to file a resale registration statement on the underlying securities within four months of closing, which it has failed to do.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
As a result of the failure to file the registration statement, the Company recorded penalties of US$120,000 during the year ended March 31, 2007 and a further US$289,973 during the year ended March 31, 2008.
During the year ended, March 31, 2009, convertible note principal and accrued interest in the aggregate amount of US$709,995 was converted into 78,888 common shares and convertible note principal and accrued interest in the aggregate amount of US$28,238 was traded for new 10% interest convertible notes that convert automatically into units at a conversion price of US$0.40 per unit on the effective date of the reverse share consolidation where each unit is comprised of one common share and one 2-year share purchase warrant to purchase an additional common shares at $0.60 per share for a two year term from the date of issue of the units.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US$468,170 (2008 - US$967,767) in interest and accreted interest on the principal balance on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal, and accrued interest comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$1,299,120 for 3,247,797 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 3,247,797 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
US $650,000 August 2007 Convertible Note
On August 10, 2007, the Company issued an unsecured convertible term promissory note in the amount of US$650,000 to a third party. The convertible note bears interest at 6% with both interest and principal convertible at the option of the lender into units at US$10.80 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant with each whole share purchase warrant exercisable at US$13.50 to purchase an additional common share. After November 25, 2008, this convertible note accrued interest at the rate of 15% per annum.
The Company was required to register for trading the securities underlying the conversion features of this convertible note on a best-efforts basis but failed to do so within terms agreed. A one-time financial penalty of US$28,567 for failure to register the securities underlying this convertible note within 180 days from the date of issuance was incurred in the year ended March 31, 2008.
The right of the note holder to convert into the Company’s common stock was subject to the contractual agreement between parties that any conversion by the note-holder may not lead, at the date of such conversion, to an aggregate equity interest in the common stock of the Company greater than 9.99% inclusive of any derivative securities including options, warrants, convertible debt, any other convertible debt securities or any other financial instruments convertible into common equity.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US$102,260 (2008 - US$258,574) in interest and accreted interest on the principal balance on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal and accrued interest comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$780,827 for 1,952,066 common shares that are restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 1,952,066 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
US $391,000 September 2007 Convertible Note
On September 27, 2007, the Company issued unsecured one-year term convertible notes bearing interest at 6% per annum in the amount of US$391,000 to third parties. Under the original terms, both interest and principal may be converted at the option of the lender at any time at US$10.80 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant, with each whole share purchase warrant exercisable at US$13.50 to purchase an additional common share for a two-year term from the date of conversion.
The Company was required to register for trading the securities underlying the conversion features of this convertible note on a best efforts basis but has failed to do so within terms agreed. A one-time financial penalty of US$23,460 for failure to register the securities underlying this convertible note within 90 days from the date of issuance has been incurred during the year ended March 31, 2008.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 - continued
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US$154,295 (2008 - US$119,652) in interest and accreted interest on the principal balance on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company repaid US$7,500 of the principal on these convertible notes and, subsequent to year end, paid the balance of US$7,500 in principal and US$1,402 in interest.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal and accrued interest comprising remaining unpaid elements of this convertible note aggregating US$435,326 for 1,024,667 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 1,024,667 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009.
US $2,168,000 July 2008 Convertible Note
On July 21, 2008, the Company closed a financing of zero coupon, 12% interest, senior secured convertible promissory notes in the amount of US$2,428,160 with an aggregate purchase price of US$2,168,000 with four investors, one of which was the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The debt is convertible into shares of common stock at the lesser of US$9.18 per share (unless the conversion price has been adjusted pursuant to further contract covenants) and 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the ten preceding trading days. The Company issued each purchaser in the private placement two warrants - one warrant being redeemable by the Company and the other being non-redeemable. The non-redeemable warrants are exercisable at US$9.90 and permit the holder to purchase shares of common stock equal to 100% of the number of shares issuable upon the conversion of the notes calculated on July 21, 2008. The redeemable warrants are exercisable at US$13.50 and permit the holder to purchase common stock equal to 50% of the number of shares issuable upon the conversion of the notes issued calculated on the closing date. In total, the Company issued redeemable warrants to purchase an aggregate of 264,506 shares of common stock and redeemable warrants to purchase an aggregate of 132,253 shares of common stock. Further, the Company issued 24,401 non-redeemable warrants and 12,201 redeemable warrants and US$160,000 in cash fees to close the transaction. Each non-redeemable warrant is exercisable at US$9.90, and each redeemable warrant is exercisable at US$13.50; warrants carry a term of five years from the date of closing of the financing. The redeemable warrants may be redeemed by the Company only if certain conditions have been satisfied including the Company’s common stock having closed at $27.00 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days and the warrant holder being able to resell the shares acquired upon exercise through a resale registration statement or under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, interest and accretion of the convertible debenture in the aggregate of US$1,326,959 was accrued on the principal balance of these convertible notes.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company settled these notes by:
| · | Issuing a new promissory note with a face value of US$1,323,000 that accrues interest at 12% and is repayable by the Company anytime until maturity on December 31, 2009; |
| · | settled the non-cash portions of the convertible note including US$524,884 in prepayment penalty, US$260,160 in original issuer discounts and US$371,771 in interest which includes the interest payable on the new note through December 31, 2009 for an aggregate settlement of US$1,156,815 and agreed to issue 2,892,036 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled until January 1, 2010; |
| · | Repayment of US$400,000 (cash paid May 11, 2009); and |
| · | Conversion of US$250,000 face value of the original note into 312,500 common shares of the Company. |
Each Note holder also agreed to waive any adjustment to the exercise price of the warrants issued to the holders as part of the July 2008 financing that may have resulted from the issuances of shares of Company common stock as part of the Company’s overall debt restructuring and/or from certain other contemplated Company issuances. However, subject to certain exceptions, the Company agreed that if before March 31, 2010 the Company issues shares of its common stock at a price less than the valuation of the shares issued to each Note holder, that the Company would issue each holder additional shares of Company common stock in a number equal to the difference between the number of shares each holder would have received had the consideration paid to the holder been paid in shares at the lower valuation.
If the US$1,323,000 face amount required to retire these notes is not paid on or before December 31, 2009, the promissory notes revert to the terms and conditions original secured convertible note transaction documents including security agreement originally executed in July 2008 which remain valid and in effect.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS TO MARCH 31, 2009
Unless otherwise noted in this annual report, the following events occurred after March 31, 2009:
| (a) | On April 1, 2009 through June 22, 2009, the Company received subscriptions to a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate of US$176,240. The note and accrued interest have been converted into units at the rate of US$0.40 per unit. Each unit consists of one restricted common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase an additional restricted common share at an exercise price of US$0.60 per share for a two year term. On July 17, 2009, the Company issued 458,139 common shares pursuant to the conversion of US$179,478 in convertible notes and accrued interest of US$3,777, and also issued 458,139 warrants to purchase 458,139 common shares at an exercise price of US$0.60 per share until July 17, 2011. |
| (b) | On May 9, 2009, the Company completed a series of debt settlements that settled $10,806,780 in aggregate debt as at March 31, 2009 by issuing 29,516,951 post reverse consolidation shares. |
| (c) | On May 9, 2009, the Company issued 312,500 common shares at US$0.80 per share pursuant to secured convertible note principal conversions received in the amount of US$250,000. |
| (d) | On May 22, 2009, the Company received a subscription to a 10% convertible promissory note in the amount of US$1,500,000 from a single subscriber to complete a staged financing by a single subscriber. The note and accrued interest is convertible into units of equity at the rate of US$0.125 per post consolidated unit. Each unit is comprised of one restricted common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase an additional restricted common share at US$0.45 per post reverse consolidated share for a one year term from the date of conversion. The warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. On July 17, 2009, the Company issued 16,303,562 common shares and 5,434,521 warrants to purchase an additional restricted common share at US$0.45 for a one year term from the date of issue pursuant to conversion of the US$1,500,000 and a further US$500,000 received during the year ended March 31, 2009 together with accrued interest of US$37,945. |
| (e) | On May 29, 2009, retroactive to April 1, 2009, the Company executed an agreement to acquire all ownership rights and intellectual property relating to its VertiCrop™ vertical plant growing technology and Tomorrow Garden™ plant kit technology, all previously obtained under master license arrangements with Pagic LP, a company controlled by the Company’s past President. The conditional sales agreement between the Company, Glen Kertz, Pagic LP, and West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd., provides full ownership of all patents rights, know how, trademarks, research and development, improvements, test and development data, and all other intellectual property rights for VertiCrop™ and Tomorrow Garden™ technologies (the “Technologies”). The agreement terminates the previous master license agreements between Valcent and Pagic LP, and replaces all financial obligations the Company had under that agreement including annual payments, royalty burden, and all other associated licensing costs. The Company agreed to pay a total of US$2,000,000 plus issue 3% of its common stock on conclusion of the agreement. The US$2,000,000 is payable on a cumulative basis plus the greater of 3% of the gross monthly product sales less returns from exploitation of the Technologies or US$12,000 per month until US$2,000,000 has been paid. The Company has up to 10 years to make the total payment, with the ownership of the Technologies remaining in escrow until fully paid or Company defaults in making payments, with the Technologies reverting back to Glen Kertz and Pagic LP. The Company paid $153,295 since execution of the agreement. |
| (f) | On July 16, 2009, the Company effected a reverse share consolidation of its common shares on a one new share for eighteen old shares basis. The Company’s trading symbol changed to VCTZF on this date and its CUSIP number changed to 918881202. |
| (g) | On July 31, 2009, the Company issued an aggregate of 75,000 common shares valued at US$43,500 pursuant to obligations under a public relations agreement and an internet based services agreement. |
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2007
Operating Results
For the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company focused on (i) the development of a commercial algae biomass technology via a joint venture with Global Green (the “Vertigro Project”), (ii) the development of our High Density Vertical Growth System designed to more efficiently produce vegetables and other plant crops, (iii) the development and test marketing of the Tomorrow GardenTM consumer retail product in our UK based subsidiary, (iv) the development of product inventories and direct test and sales initiatives and product introduction promotion relating to our Nova Skin Care System, (v) ongoing research and development with tissue culture technologies, plant growth stimulation technologies, and other product and technology development initiatives, and (vi) a series of private offering transactions with institutional and other investors, pursuant to which we raised US$5,129,636 through private placements of equity comprised of common shares and warrants, US$367,671 from warrant and share option exercises, and US$1,291,000 from convertible debentures, promissory notes, and short term advances.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 - continued
For the year ended March 31, 2007, we focused (i) the development of our algae technology via a joint venture with Global Green, (ii) the development of product inventories and direct sales initiatives relating to our Nova Skin Care System, and (iii) the development and anticipated marketing of the Tomorrow GardenTM consumer retail product in our UK based subsidiary and, (iv) on a series of related private offering transactions with institutional and other investors, pursuant to which we raised $4,817,114 through the issuance of convertible debentures and $1,028,266 from the issuance of common shares.
We incurred losses of $12,712,358 for the year ended March 31, 2008, as compared to $8,138,393 for the year ended March 31, 2007.
Revenues
For the years ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, revenue in connection with Nova Skin Care Systems product sales testing was netted against product development costs. The Company generated approximately US$598,775 (2007 $nil) in cash related to the Nova Skin Care system which has been netted against product development costs.
Interest income for the years ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $10,805 and $25,704 respectively.
The foreign exchange gain for the years ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 was $611,133 and $6,993 respectively.
Operating Expenses
Product development expenses increased by $2,519,014 to $4,081,435 for the year ended March 31, 2008 as compared with the year ended March 31, 2007. The increase was due to the larger scale and scope of a) Nova Skin Care Products marketing and product testing rollout with significant infomercial media advertising costs, b) increased Vertigro research and development costs, c) new development initiatives relating to tissue culture research, plant stimulator technologies, and HDVG System product development, and d) the advent of Valcent EU costs relating to the Tomorrow GardenTM and UK based HDVG System development initiatives, all pursuant to license arrangements acquired in the Pagic Agreements. Product development expenses were $1,562,421 during the year ended March 2007.
In conjunction with convertible debenture financings during the year ended 2008, the Company incurred $2,804,582 in interest, accretion and financing on convertible notes in the twelve month period ended March 31, 2008. This represents a $78,515 increase from the $2,726,067 that had been incurred during the year ended March 31, 2007 stemming primarily from amortization of convertible debenture funding activity during the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years.
Investor relations fees increased $583,708 to $871,542 (2007 - $287,834) for the year ended March 31, 2008 as a result of the Company employing an increasing number of third party consultants in advisory, business consulting services, and investor relations activities with the bulk of the increase represented by non-cash stock based compensation.
Professional fees decreased by $281,187 to $431,271for the year ended March 31, 2008 from $712,458 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily attributable to costs associated with decreased business activity relating to intellectual property legal services, and executive search services between the respective years.
Advertising and media development was $1,953,998 during the year ended March 31, 2008 (2007 $1,092,917) that reflects the more advanced stages of marketing systems development hat include infomercial media purchases in connection with test sales initiatives of our Nova Skin Care System that commenced in December, 2006.
Office and miscellaneous expenses decreased $46,879 to $234,817 for the year ended March 31, 2008 from $281,696 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The decrease is due to cost streamlining and organizational emphasis on project development initiatives and research facility build out at our facility in El Paso, Texas.
As a result of the issuance of options to directors, officers, employees and consultants the Company incurred stock option compensation expenses of $990,305 during the year ended March 31, 2008 (2007 - $1,127,141).
Travel expenses increased by $134,967 to $291,465 (2007 - $156,498) for the year ended March 31, 2008 as a result of increased activity in all of the Company’s operations, increased number of active development projects, as well as new costs relating to an additional subsidiary interest located in the United Kingdom.
As a result of increasing operating capacity and existing and as new project build out at our El Paso, Texas operation, as well as the development of our new Cornwall, UK offices, the Company’s fixed assets and land were valued at a net book value of $1,135,108 (2007 - $348,487) during the year ended March 31, 2008, and incurred a depreciation and amortization charge of $47,463 (2007 - $25,288).
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 - continued
Rent expenses increased $12,225 to $77,918 for the year ended March 31, 2008 from $65,693 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The increase in rent costs incurred relates to our new offices and operations located in the United Kingdom.
Filing and transfer agent expenses increased $5,617 to $44,500 for the year ended March 31, 2008, from $38,883 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The increase is primarily attributable to costs associated with the proportionate increase of financing and business activity over the 2007 fiscal year.
Insurance expense decreased to $71,071 for the year ended March 31, 2008, from $78,784 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The decrease is primarily attributable to the rebate of 2007 insurance costs received in the year ended March 31, 2008 and associated decreased insurance coverage required which was prorated over both 2007 and 2008 fiscal years.
Interest relating to long term debt increased to $15,480 (2007 - $8,500) due to a complete year of debt repayments during fiscal 2008 as compared with a partial year of debt repayments during fiscal 2007 in connection with lands acquired for research relating to the Company’s development of its various projects and initiatives.
Due to fluctuations in the United States dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar, the Company incurred a foreign exchange gain of $611,133 (2007 - $6,993) during the year ended March 31, 2008.
Net Loss
Our reported loss increased by $4,573,965 to $12,712,358 ($6.44 basic loss per share) for the year ended March 31, 2008 as compared to $8,138,393 ($7.60 basic loss per share) for the same period ending March 31, 2007. The increase during the 2008 fiscal year is largely a result of a) the prior period correction in the amount of $3,346,835 pertaining primarily to accounting methods used to value and amortize convertible debenture instruments, and to a lesser degree an adjustment to prepaid expenses and insurance expense for amounts that relate to the 2008 fiscal year-end, b) $365,021 in aggregate expenses associated with increasing scale and scope of product development and marketing initiatives relating to all our projects under development, increasing Company consulting arrangements relating to increasing scale and scope of business operations, as well as expenses our new UK operating offices, and c) the write down of our product license by $1,306,074, all of which was offset by $611,133 of gain relating to foreign exchange accounts and $10,805 of interest income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Because we are organized in Canada, our March 31, 2008 financial statements have been prepared by our management in accordance with Canadian GAAP applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.
Our accumulated losses during the development stage increased by $12,712,358 to $24,317,639 for the year ended March 31, 2008 from approximately $11,605,281 for the year ended March 31, 2007.
Our working capital deficit increased to $5,094,440 from $1,600,602 for the year ended March 31, 2008 representing a $3,493,838 increase over the year ended March 31, 2007.
We raised US$1,041,000 in net cash proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures during the year ended March 31, 2008, as compared to US$4,133,866 for the year ended March 31, 2007.
For the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company received $5,081,103 from the issuance of common shares relating to private offering transactions with institutional and other investors. We raised a further $367,671 from the exercise of outstanding warrants and options.
We further raised $154,196 from interest bearing promissory notes during the year ended March 31, 2008 for an aggregate outstanding of $270,167 as at March 31, 2008 (2007 - $115,460). Our advances and amounts due from related parties increased by $560,341 to $1,490,516 as at March 31, 2008 (2007 - $930,175).
As a result of the Nova Skin Care System our inventories were $617,195 as at March 31, 2008 (2007 - $1,236,808).
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 - continued
As at March 31, 2008, accounts receivable of $462,156 consists of $374,502 (2007 $30,282) net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $90,263 (2007 $3,798) due from the Company’s product fulfillment agent, GSI Commerce, Inc. (formerly Accretive Commerce Inc.) from test sales relating to the Company’s Nova Skin Care System, ($7,806) (2007 $426,987) due from the Company to Global Green Solutions Inc., the Company’s joint venture partner in the development of the Company’s High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor technology, $51,472 in value added tax owed to the Company’s subsidiary, Valcent Products EU Limited, and goods and services tax receivable by the Company of $43,988.
Prepaid expenses as at March 31, 2008 consists of $2,015,837 (2007 - $285,690), which is the deferred portion of these agreements with the balance consisting of $103,709 (2007 - $71,071) in prepaid insurance and rental deposits.
Restricted cash as at March 31, 2008 consists of certificates of deposit and interest earned of $108,471 (2007 - $117,327) that are pledged to secure long term debt relating to our purchased lands in El Paso.
We purchased $834,084 (2007 - $310,448) in fixed assets during the year ended March 31, 2008. During the year ended March 31, 2007, we incurred long term debt in connection with a land purchase. As at March 31, 2008, we owed an aggregate of $174,862 relating to this debt (2007 - $209,114).
As at March 31, 2008, we had $163,437 in cash (2007 - $314,972) and we currently have approximately $755,000 in cash as at August 6, 2008.
Due to uncertainty in determining future cash flows related to products under license, the Company, during the year ended March 31, 2008, wrote down the value of the product license by $1,306,074 to $1.
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
Not applicable.
Fluctuations in Operating Results
Our annual operating results are likely to fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of numerous factors, including, among others:
| • | The availability of adequate financing; |
| • | Our ability to develop an organizational infrastructure and effective management systems; |
| • | The success of our advertising and marketing plans; |
| • | Market acceptance and general consumer demand for our products; |
| • | The performance of our products; |
| • | Our ability to effectively distribute our products; |
| • | The introduction of products that compete with our own; |
| • | The adoption of new disclosure and/or corporate governance requirements associated with the maintenance of our status as a publicly reporting issuer; |
| • | Potential lawsuits involving our products or other matters; and |
| • | General business and economic conditions; |
| • | Currency valuation fluctuations |
Impact of Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business.
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses
The Company has engaged in a variety of different projects during the last three years as described in this annual report. The Company has incurred product development costs in the aggregate as follows:
Year | | Amount | |
2007 | | $ | 1,562,421 | |
2008 | | | 4,081,435 | |
2009 | | | 8,238,999 | |
Total | | $ | 13,882,855 | |
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - continued
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material adverse affect on our financial condition or results of operations.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
As of March 31, 2009, we had the following known contractual obligations noted in this report or financial statements dated March 31, 2009:
On November 16, 2007, our wholly owned subsidiary, Valcent EU Limited leased office and development space in Launceston, Cornwall, UK, under a ten-year lease beginning November 15, 2007 and ending on November 15, 2017 at a quarterly cost of GB£12,550 (CDN$24,020). There were 8 years and 7.5 months remaining on the lease as at March 31, 2008.
Fiscal yearly commitments are as follows:
2010 | | $ | 96,081 | |
2011 | | | 96,081 | |
2012 | | | 96,081 | |
2013 | | | 96,081 | |
2014 | | | 96,081 | |
Thereafter | | | 348,295 | |
| | $ | 828,700 | |
On May 5, 2008, Vertigro Algae Technologies, LLC (“Vertigro Algae”) executed a Technology License Agreement (“Technology License”) together with Pagic and West Peak. The Technology License licenses certain algae biomass technology and intellectual property to Vertigro Algae for purposes of commercialization and exploitation for all industrial, commercial and retail applications worldwide (“Algae Biomass Technology”). As consideration for the Technology License, the Company and Global Green agreed to issue 16,667 common shares and 300,000 common shares, respectively, to Pagic and also pay a one-time commercialization fee of US $50,000 upon the Algae Biomass Technology achieving commercial viability. The Technology License is subject to royalty of 4.5% of gross customer sales receipts for use of the Algae Biomass Technology and aggregate annual royalty minimum amounts of US $50,000 in 2009, US $100,000 in 2010 and US $250,000 in 2011 and each year thereafter in which the Technology License is effective.
Effective April 1, 2009, the Company executed a new purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire all ownership rights and intellectual property relating to its VertiCrop vertical plant growing technology and Tomorrow Garden Kit technology (the “Technologies”) from Glen Kertz, Pagic and West Peak. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a total of US $2,000,000 plus issue 3% of its common shares on conclusion of the purchase agreement. The US $2,000,000 is payable on a cumulative basis as to US $65,000 on signing (paid) plus the greater of 3% of the gross monthly product sales less returns from exploitation of the technologies or US $12,000 per month until US $2,000,000 has been paid. The ownership of the Technologies will remain in escrow until fully paid or if the Company defaults in making payments. The issuance of 3% of its common shares is payable upon release of the Technologies from escrow to the Company. The Company may at any time elect to pay out the remaining balance due. Should the Company default under this agreement the Technologies will revert back to the vendors.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth our directors and executive officers and their ages as of the date of March 31, 2009. Unless otherwise stated, the address for each of our directors and executive officers is c/o Valcent Products Inc., Suite 1010 - 789 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1H2 (Canada).
Name | | Age | | Position |
| |
M. Glen Kertz (1) | | 56 | | Former Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board and Directors (resigned April 9, 2009) |
| | | | |
F. George Orr (2)(3) | | 48 | | Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director |
| | | | |
Gerry Jardine | | 58 | | Director |
| | | | |
Naveen Aggarwal | | 51 | | Director |
| | | | |
George Stapleton | | 55 | | Director |
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES - continued
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT - continued
(1) | Appointed President, Chairman of the Board and a director by resolution of the board of directors, in accordance with Section 111 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), following the resignation of Douglas E. Ford as President and Secretary, on July 31, 2005. Appointed Chief Executive Officer by resolution of the board of directors in accordance with Section 121 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), and Section 6 of our bylaws on November 30, 2005. Resigned on April 9, 2009. |
| |
(2) | Appointed director by resolution of the board of directors, in accordance with Section 111 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), following the resignation of Larry F. Robb and Malcolm E. Rogers Jr., on July 23, 2005. |
| |
(3) | Appointed Secretary by resolution of the board of directors, in accordance with Section 111 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), following the resignation of Douglas E. Ford as acting President and Secretary, on July 31, 2005. Appointed Chief Financial Officer by resolution of the board of directors in accordance with Section 121 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), and Section 6 of our bylaws on November 30, 2005. As of April 9, 2009, Mr. Orr began serving as our acting Chief Executive Officer. |
M. Glen Kertz — Chief Executive Officer, former President, Chairman of the Board and Director
In October 1985, Glen Kertz founded Gruppe Inc., a privately held tissue culture laboratory and growing operation, which he owned until January 1987. From October 1987 to May 1991, Mr. Kertz was the President of AgriStar, a publicly traded company that produced a gas permeable membrane for cell culture laboratories, and, from June 1999 to July 2004, Pagic, Inc., a consulting business management and development company. In addition, from June 1999 to July 2004, Mr. Kertz served as the President and a director of Nettron.com, Inc., predecessor to Valcent Products Inc., in July of 2005 he was appointed President, Chairman of the Board and a director, and, in November of 2005, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Valcent Products Inc. Mr. Kertz resigned from all officer positions and as a director of the Company effective April 9, 2009.
F. George Orr, C.A. — Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director
F. George Orr is a self-employed Chartered Accountant with over fifteen years of accounting and consulting experience in private and public company administration, governance, audit procedures and reporting requirements. In July of 2005, he was appointed Secretary and a director, and, in November of 2005, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Valcent Products Inc. Mr. Orr holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Mary’s University, Halifax. Mr. Orr serves as a director, since August 9, 2007, of Pacific Copper Corp., a US based public mining company engaged in copper exploration in Peru and Chile, and also a serves as a director, since December 2006, of Mega West Energy Corp., a public heavy oil exploration and production company. Both these companies trade on the over the counter bulletin board in the United States. Additionally, Mr. Orr provides advisory services to a number of other reporting issuers and private companies.
Gerry Jardine — Director
Gerry Jardine is the President/Chief Executive Officer and a director of Silica Resources Corp. since January 31, 2008, a company involved in molybdenum exploration in the United States. Mr. Jardine also is a member of the Investor Relations team at Sweetwater Capital. Mr. Jardine was president and chief executive officer and a director of New Pacific Ventures from 2001 to 2006. From 1999 to 2004, he was the secretary/treasurer and a director of Prefco Enterprises Inc., a public Canadian construction/development company. From 1989 to 2003, Mr. Jardine was the president and chief executive officer and a director of Truax Venture Corporation, a Canadian public exploration company. Additionally, from 1996 to 2003, Mr. Jardine was the president of Amcan Fiscal Consultants Inc., a private consulting company. From 1986 to 1997, Mr. Jardine was the president and chief executive officer and a director of PowerTech Industries Inc., a Canadian public company involved in the manufacture and sales of HVAC equipment. Over the past twenty-four years, Mr. Jardine has also served as a director to more than half a dozen other companies, mainly operating in resource industries.
Naveen Aggarwal - Director
Naveen Aggarwal is currently engaged in Business Development with Teletrips, Inc. He has also been engaged as an associate with Sweetwater Capital, responsible for the evaluation of opportunities and the subsequent provision of advisory support to ensure success. Currently Naveen is on the Board of Directors of FourSpots Inc., Infolinx Communications Ltd., Valcent Products Inc., , and Verrus Mobile Technologies Inc. Mr. Aggarwal was the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Active Intelligence Corp., a company which specializes in the systems integration of Oracle Retail’s (Retek) retail solutions portfolio. As Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Active Intelligence, Mr. Aggarwal established the company as the sole delivery partner for Oracle Retail (Retek) training for North America . Mr. Aggarwal has held senior level positions at many leading international companies including Sun Microsystems, Quest Software, Netscape Communications and Northern Telecom. Mr. Aggarwal received degrees in Neurophysiology and Mathematics/Computer Science at the University of Toronto.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES - continued
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT - continued
George T. Stapleton, II - Director
Mr. Stapleton received his civil engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1975. Mr. Stapleton is the Managing Member of Silicon Solutions LLC. He is a director of our Company and a director of MegaWest Energy Corp. and Exousia Advanced Materials, Inc. He was formerly the President and remains a director since 2004 of E-T Energy Ltd., a private Canadian company testing an electro-thermal approach to the production of bitumen from the Athabasca tar sands. From 2000 to 2002 he was responsible for the development of simulation based training packages for the energy and industrial sectors for Simulis, LLC. He was President - Products & Services for NEOppg Ltd. from 1998 to 2000 where he was responsible for the development of the services side of the company's business plan, focusing on a proprietary multilateral system, heavy oil production systems and artificial lift products. Prior to that he was Vice-President, Operations for Asian Tiger Energy Company, an independent oil company developing oil and gas projects, operating primarily in Southeast Asia. Before Asian Tiger, Mr. Stapleton spent 19 years overseas with J. Ray McDermott in the Arabian Gulf, North Sea and Asia as Field Engineer, Operations Engineer, Project Manager, Fabrication Division Manager at Batam Island, Indonesia and finally as Division Manager – Business Development and Project Management where he oversaw project management of all turnkey projects for Southeast Asia and was responsible for business development activities throughout the region.
COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid to each of our directors and executive officers serving during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Annual Compensation | | | Long Term Compensation | |
| | | | | | |
Name and Principal Position | | Salary | | | Bonus/Fees | | | Awards Restricted Stock Awards | | | Securities Underlying Options/SARs (#) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
M. Glen Kertz (1) Former CEO, President and Director | | | — | | | $ | 301,948 | | | | 16,667 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F. George Orr (2) CFO, acting CEO, and Director | | | — | | | $ | 36,000 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gerry Jardine (3) Director | | | — | | | $ | 108,675 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Naveen Aggarwal (4) Director | | | — | | | $ | 93,746 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
George Stapleton (5) Director | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
(1) | During the year ended March 31, 2008, Pagic LP, a company affiliated with Glen Kertz, was paid or accrued amounts as shown for product development, expenditures inclusive of service related fees and royalties under various license agreements between the Company and Pagic LP. In addition, a further 16,667 common shares were agreed to be issued under the Technology License Agreement dated May 5, 2008 between Pagic LP, West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd., and the Company. These shares were issued during the year ended March 31, 2009. In addition, additional accrued amounts due as at March 31, 2009 in the amount of US$156,519 were settled on March 29, 2009 for 391,298 common shares to Pagic, with such shares issued on May 11, 2009. |
| |
(2) | Accrued amounts due as at March 31, 2009 for fees, interest, convertible debenture prepayment penalty, original issuer discount on convertible notes, debt advances and promissory notes paid to the Company, and other amounts due aggregating US$336,586 were settled on March 29, 2009 for 1,085,690 common shares to Mr. Orr, with such shares issued on May 11, 2009. |
| |
(3) | Mr. Gerry Jardine received amounts owing for consulting services to a related company. |
| |
(4) | Mr. Naveen Aggarwal received amounts for consulting services performed. Partial amounts accrued due as at March 31, 2009 in the amount of $23,428 were settled on March 29, 2009 for 46,875 common shares, with such shares issued on May 11, 2009. |
| |
(5) | Amounts owing to Mr. Stapleton from a convertible note and interest due as at March 31, 2009 in the amount of US$73,544 were settled on March 29, 2009 for 183,860 common shares, with such shares issued on May 11, 2009. |
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES - continued
BOARD PRACTICES
In accordance with Section 106(3) of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), each of our directors holds office for a term of one year or until their reappointment, unless otherwise removed or resigns, with such term expiring at the succeeding annual shareholders’ meeting. Officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors.
We currently have no arrangements in place for the provision of benefits upon the termination of our directors or officers.
We have one standing committee, the audit committee, comprised of members of our board of directors. Our audit committee was formed in 1996 and in March 2005 adopted a formal written charter. The current members of our audit committee include George Stapleton, Naveen Aggarwal, and F. George Orr, and we presently have, and will continue to have, one member, F. George Orr, who is a “financial expert” (as defined in accordance with Item 16A(b) of Form 20-F). Our audit committee meets with our external auditors annually, prior to completion of our audited financial statements, and with our management regularly throughout the fiscal year.
We have no formal compensation committee.
EMPLOYEES
As at September 15, 2009, Valcent Manufacturing Ltd. had 3 full time employees, and also retained consultants as required.
As at September 15, 2009, Valcent Products EU Limited had 12 full time employees/consultants.
As at September 15, 2009, Valcent Products Inc. had 8 consultants, all of which provided services on a part time basis.
Consultants
Our key consultants and their primary responsibilities are as follows:
Chris Bradford, the Managing Director of Valcent Products EU Limited is responsible for UK business operations and the Company’s Tomorrow GardenTM retail plant sales initiative, as well as development of the Vertigro HDVG system market development and sales rollout.
F. George Orr - Mr. Orr holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Mary’s University, Halifax. He is a self-employed Chartered Accountant with over fifteen years of accounting and consulting experience in private and public company administration, governance, audit procedures and reporting requirements. In July of 2005, he was appointed Secretary and a director, and, in November of 2005, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Valcent Products Inc. On April 9, 2009, Mr. Orr began serving as our acting CEO.
Gerry Jardine – Mr. Jardine has served as officer and director to many different public and private companies in Canada and the United States. Mr. Jardine has active participation and management of the Company as to its various development initiatives.
Tim Brock – Mr. Brock holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of British Columbia and has in-depth experience in seed capital funding, initial public offerings and sponsorship on Canadian and American venture stock exchanges.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2009, information regarding the share ownership of our common stock for each of our directors and executive officers serving during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. The number of shares beneficially owned is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rule, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days.
| | Amount and Nature of Ownership | | | Percent of Class* | |
| | | | | | |
M. Glen Kertz (1) (resigned April 7, 2009) | | | 603,636 | | | | 1.22 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
F. George Orr (2) | | | 1,222,480 | | | | 2.46 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Gerry Jardine (3) | | | 136 | | | | ** | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Naveen Aggarwal (4) | | | 85,763 | | | | ** | % |
| | | | | | | | |
George Stapleton (5) | | | 205,356 | | | | ** | % |
| | | | | | | | |
All officers and directors as a group (5 persons) | | | 2,117,371 | | | | 4.26 | % |
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES - continued
SHARE OWNERSHIP - continued
* | No director or executive officer has different voting rights from any other holder of our common stock. Based on 49,675,133 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2009. Includes derivative instruments of holder in numerator and denominator of “Percent” calculation. |
| |
** | Beneficially owns less than one percent. |
| |
(1) | Consists of shares of common stock beneficially owned through Pagic LP, previously MK Enterprises LLC. Voting and/or investment power over all of these securities is held by M. Glen Kertz as to (i) 16,666 shares of common stock issued pursuant to the VerticropTM technology license agreement, (ii) 391,298 common shares issued on May 19, 2009 from debt settlements for amounts owed at March 31, 2009, and (iii) 195,672 common shares acquired with reference to the July 29, 2005 technology licensing agreement for Nova Skin Care System, Dust Wolf, and Tomorrow Garden technologies. |
| |
(2) | Consists of (i) 58,797 shares of common stock directly owned, (ii) 43,234 shares of common stock beneficially owned through this director’s spouse, (iii) 668 shares of common stock and 3,344 warrants exercisable at US$13.50 per share until December 18, 2009 issued pursuant to private placement of units at US$10.80 per share all directly owned, (iv) 1,085,690 shares issued on May 19, 2009 from debt settlements for amounts owed at March 31, 2009, and (v) 20,497 warrants exercisable at US$0.40 until July 21, 2013, and 10,248 warrants exercisable at US$0.40 until July 21, 2013. Share options previously issued were cancelled effective March 31, 2009. |
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(3) | Share options previously issued were cancelled effective March 31, 2009. |
| |
(4) | Consists of (i) 38,888 shares of common stock beneficially owned through this director’s spouse, and (ii) 46,875 shares issued on May 19, 2009 from debt settlements for certain partial amounts owed at March 31, 2009. Share options previously issued were cancelled effective March 31, 2009. |
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(5) | Consists of (i) 16,666 shares of common stock issued pursuant to private placement of units at US$10.80 per unit in a private company affiliated with this director; corresponding warrants to this private placement have expired, (ii) 183,860 shares issued on May 19, 2009 from debt settlements for certain partial amounts owed at March 31, 2009, and (iii) 4,830 trading shares purchased in market transactions. Share options previously issued were cancelled effective March 31, 2009. |
| |
2006 Stock Option Plan
On December 14, 2006, the Company replaced its existing Canadian and US stock option plans with a new single stock option plan (the “2006 Stock Option Plan”). The 2006 Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on December 16, 2006 and adopted as amended by the Shareholders of the Company on February 15, 2008. The 2006 Stock Option Plan allows for share options to be issued to Company employees, directors, officers, and consultants on both a qualified and non-qualified basis. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to which options and bonuses may be granted from time to time under the Plan shall not exceed 20% (the “Plan Maximum”) of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted shall not exceed 17% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock . The plan is designed to encourage our directors, executive officers, consultants and other key employees to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. The 2006 Stock Option Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, or a committee designated thereby, and reserve for issuance thereunder, in the aggregate, a total of 20% of our issued and outstanding common shares, on a non-diluted basis, to be increased or decreased as the number of our issued and outstanding shares change. The 2006 Stock Option Plan provides that the terms of the options and the option prices shall be fixed by the Board or committee and subject to the requirements of the exchange on which our common shares are traded, or any other governing regulatory body, at the time of exercise. Options granted shall expire after a period of five years or terminate three months after the recipient ceases to be our employee. In conjunction with restructuring initiatives, as at March 31, 2009, all share options previously granted were cancelled effective the same date.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
As of September 30, 2009, there were 49,675,133 common shares issued and outstanding. The table below sets forth certain information, to the extent known or reasonably ascertainable, regarding our major shareholders, including beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, as of September 30, 2009. The number of shares beneficially owned is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rule, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the shareholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares which the shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS - continued
| | Shares Beneficially Owned |
| | |
Major Shareholders | | Number | | | Percent* |
| | | | | |
Larry Thompson (1) | | | 21,988,080 | | | | 39.84 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Agosto Corporation Limited (2) | | | 9,726,245 | | | | 19.58 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
West Peak Ventures of Canada Limited (3) | | | 4,738,869 | | | | 9.54 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Woodburn Holdings Ltd (4) | | | 3,639,829 | | | | 7.31 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Platinum Long Term Growth VI, LLC (5) | | | 3,503,090 | | | | 7.01 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Inspeck Crushing Ltd. (6) | | | 2,948,982 | | | | 5.94 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 46,545,095 | | | | 83.73 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Shares outstanding at September 30, 2009 | | | 49,675,133 | | | | | |
*Includes derivative instruments of holder in numerator and denominator of “Percent” calculation.
(1) | Consists of (i) 16,470,227 shares of common stock directly owned, (ii) 13,889 warrants to purchase 13,889 common shares at US$13.50 per share until December 18, 2009, (iii) 69,444 warrants to purchase 69,444 common shares at US$13.50 per share until May 1, 2010, and (iv) 5,434,521 warrants to purchase 5,434,521 common shares at US$0.45 until July 17, 2010. |
| |
(2) | Consists of (i) 4,863,123 shares held by Dr. Murphy, (ii) 4,752,011 shares held by Agosto Corporation, and (iii) 111,111 shares held by EXOMS Ltd. J. Gordon Murphy is the sole shareholder and a control person of both Agosto Corporation and EXOMS and therefore for the purposes of Rule 13d-3 Dr. Murphy may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares beneficially held by Agosto Corporation and EXOMS. 4,602,012 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Agosto were acquired in May 2009 upon the settlement of certain debt owed to Agosto by Valcent Products Inc. These shares of common stock are subject to a lock-up agreement which prohibits their disposition until January 1, 2010 and thereafter permits Agosto to dispose of up to 25% of these shares in each calendar quarter of 2010. After December 31, 2010 there are no contractual restrictions on Agosto’s ability to dispose of the shares. |
| |
(3) | Consists of (i) 2,178,184 common shares held by West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd., a company that Mr. Tim Brock controls, (ii) and 2,560,685 common shares held in the name of Tim Brock. Timothy Brock is the sole shareholder and a control person of West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd. These shares were acquired in May 2009 upon the settlement of certain debts owed to West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd. and Timothy Brock by Valcent Products Inc. 2,738,869 of these shares of common stock are subject to a lock-up agreement which prohibits their disposition until January 1, 2010 and thereafter permits to dispose of up to 25% of these shares in each calendar quarter of 2010. After December 31, 2010 there are no contractual restrictions on West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd.’s and Timothy Brock’s ability to dispose of the shares. |
(4) | Consists of (i) 3,543,533 common shares, (ii) 48,148 warrants to purchase 48,148 common shares at US$9.00 until December 31, 2009, and (iii) 48,148 warrants to purchase 48,148 common shares at US$18.00 until December 31, 2009. 3,543,533 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Woodburn Holdings Ltd. were acquired in May 2009 upon the settlement of certain debt owed to Woodburn Holdings Ltd. by Valcent Products Inc. These shares of common stock are subject to a lock-up agreement which prohibits their disposition until January 1, 2010 and thereafter permits Woodburn Holdings Ltd. to dispose of up to 25% of these shares in each calendar quarter of 2010. After December 31, 2010 there are no contractual restrictions on Woodburn Holdings Ltd.’s ability to dispose of the shares. |
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(5) | Consists of (i) 3,201,130 shares of common stock directly acquired in debt settlements with the Company in May, 2009, (ii) 201,307 warrants to purchase 201,307 common shares until July 21, 2010 at US$0.40 per share, and (iii) 100,654 warrants to purchase 100,654 common shares until July 21, 2013 at US$0.40 per share. These shares of common stock are subject to a lock-up agreement which prohibits their disposition until January 1, 2010. |
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(6) | Consists of (i) 2,948,982 shares of common stock directly acquired in debt settlements with the Company in May, 2009. These shares of common stock are subject to a lock-up agreement which prohibits their disposition until January 1, 2010 and thereafter permits Inspeck Crushing Ltd. Ltd. to dispose of up to 25% of these shares in each calendar quarter of 2010. After December 31, 2010 there are no contractual restrictions on Inspeck Crushing Ltd.’s ability to dispose of the shares. |
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ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS - continued
At of September 30, 2009, we had 203 shareholders of record and an estimated 2,300 unregistered shareholders. As of September 30, 2009, there were 49,675,133 shares of common stock outstanding. United States shareholders held approximately 10,908,737 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 22% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.
We are not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation, by any foreign government or by another natural or legal person, severally or jointly and we have no knowledge of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in our control.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following information is provided in connection with all transactions or loans dating back to April 1, 2006 between us and (a) enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by, or are under common control with, us, (b) associates, (c) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, securities representing an interest in our voting power that gives them significant influence over us, and close members of any such individuals’ families, (d) key management personnel including those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling our activities, such as directors and senior management and close members of any such individuals’ families, and (e) enterprises in which a substantial interest in the voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence:
Related party transactions are in the ordinary course of business and are measured at the exchange amount at the time the agreement is entered into or services are provided. Amounts due to related parties are non-interest bearing and have no specific terms of repayment. Due to related parties includes the following amounts at March 31 in respect to certain of the transactions detailed below:
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
(a) Pagic | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 189,156 | | | $ | 0 | |
(b) CFO | | | 19,105 | | | | 158,370 | | | | 43,500 | |
(c) Consulting services and unsecured loan advances | | | 32,938 | | | | 73,896 | | | | 57,364 | |
(d) Consulting services and unsecured loan advances | | | 30,882 | | | | 1,000,165 | | | | 784,362 | |
(e) Advertising | | | 0 | | | | 52,145 | | | | 17,319 | |
(f) Operational management consulting | | | 103,720 | | | | 16,784 | | | | 27,630 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 186,645 | | | $ | 1,490,516 | | | $ | 930,175 | |
Related party transactions not disclosed elsewhere in this annual report are as follows:
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
(a) Pagic, a company related by a past common officer and director for: | | | | | | | | | |
(i) Net charges for product development expenses including royalties | | $ | 301,948 | | | $ | 565,135 | | | $ | 269,455 | |
(ii) Issued 16,667 shares related to technology purchase | | | 190,746 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(iii) Commitment to issue 391,298 common shares for debt settlement | | | 195,570 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(b) The Company’s Chief Financial Officer and director for: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(i) Charges for professional fees | | | 36,000 | | | | 35,370 | | | | 33,000 | |
(ii) Exchange of balances for 12% convertible note (Note 10(i)) | | | 188,992 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(iii) Net short-term advance, at 8-10% interest per annum | | | 52,605 | | | | 150,000 | | | | 0 | |
(iv) Original issuer discount, prepayment penalty and interest prepaid through December 31, 2009 | | | 128,889 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(v) Commitment to issue 1,085,690 common shares for debt settlement | | | 370,087 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(c) Charges from private companies with CFO and director in common for: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(i) Office rent | | | 37,800 | | | | 30,000 | | | | 7,500 | |
(ii) Consulting fee | | | 160,650 | | | | 150,000 | | | | 46,745 | |
(iii) Unsecured loan advances | | | 0 | | | | 57,364 | | | | 57,364 | |
(iv) Commitment to issue 114,826 common shares | | | 57,364 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(d) West Peak and its principal shareholder, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(i) Unsecured loan advances, at 8% interest per annum | | | 2,587,638 | | | | 977,665 | | | | 784,837 | |
(ii) Consulting fees | | | 653,290 | | | | 52,500 | | | | 0 | |
(iv) Convertible notes purchased | | | 85,460 | | | | 162,305 | | | | 0 | |
(v) Exchange of amounts owed at March 31, 2009 for future issuance of 4,722,204 common shares | | | 1,601,528 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(e) Advertising services provided by a private company with a director in common | | | 0 | | | | 244,861 | | | | 377,749 | |
(f) A director for: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(i) Operational management consulting and investor relations services | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(ii) Commitment to issue 46,875 common shares | | | 202,421 | | | | 151,825 | | | | 0 | |
(g) Bonus of 5,555 restricted common shares to a retiring director | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(h) A director for: | | | 0 | | | | 52,889 | | | | 0 | |
(i) Loans received/repaid during the year with 10% interest | | | 99,390 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(ii) Convertible notes purchased | | | 91,893 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
(iii) Commitment to issue 183,860 common shares | | | 191,293 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
Pagic LP License and Related Transactions
Original Master License Agreements - On July 29, 2005, we entered into five related definitive agreements (the “Pagic Agreements”) with Pagic LP (formerly MK Enterprises LLC), an entity controlled by Malcolm Glen Kertz, our former Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman and a member of our board of directors, including:
| (i) | a master license agreement for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to three unrelated and proprietary potential consumer retail products that had previously been developed (the “Pagic Master License”), certain of which are patent pending by Pagic, including the Nova Skin Care System, the Dust WolfTM, and the Tomorrow GardenTM Kit (collectively, and together with any improvements thereon, the “Initial Products”); |
| (ii) | the Pagic Master License also includes a license for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to any ancillary products developed and sold for use by consumers in connection with the Initial Products (the “Initial Ancillaries”); |
| (iii) | a product development agreement pursuant to which we were granted a right for an initial period of five years to acquire a license for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to any new products developed by Pagic (any such products, collectively, the “Additional Products”, and, the agreement itself, the “Pagic Product Development Agreement”); |
| (iv) | the Pagic Product Development Agreement also includes a license for a term continuing so long as royalty payments continue to be made as required for the exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to any ancillary products developed and sold for use by consumers in connection with the Additional Products (the “Additional Ancillaries”); and |
| (v) | a related services agreement pursuant to which Pagic shall provide consulting support in connection with the Initial Products, the Initial Ancillaries, the Additional Products and the Additional Ancillaries (the “Pagic Consulting Agreement”), in exchange for the following: |
| · | 20,000,000 shares of our common stock which have been issued; |
| · | a one-time US$125,000 license fee (paid); |
| · | reimbursement for US$125,000 in development costs associated with each of the Initial Products since March 17, 2005 (paid); |
| · | consulting fees of US$156,000 per year, payable monthly in advance, which the Company has paid to date; and |
| · | the greater of the following, payable annually beginning in the second license year (beginning April 1, 2007): |
(i) US$400,000 inclusive of all consulting fees, royalty and other fees; or
(ii) the aggregate of the following:
a minimum amount of US$37,500 per Initial Product during the second year of the Pagic Master License, and $50,000 US$ each year thereafter, continuing royalties payable quarterly at a rate of:
| Ø | US$10.00 US per Nova Skin Care System unit sold; |
| Ø | US$2.00 per Dust WolfTM unit sold; |
| Ø | 4.5% of annual net sales of the Tomorrow GardenTM Kit; and |
| Ø | 3% of annual net sales of Initial Ancillaries. |
| · | a one-time $50,000 US license fee for each Additional Product licensed (except for one pre-identified product); and |
| · | subject to a minimum amount of US$50,000 per year commencing with the second year of each corresponding license, continuing royalties of 4.5% of annual net sales and 3% on annual net sales of any Additional Ancillaries. |
Joint Venture of Algae Related Business Operations - Beginning on October 2, 2006, we granted certain rights to Global Green relating to our joint venture of our high density vertical bio-reactor technology named “Vertigro”, an algae biomass technology initiative. Refer to “PLAN OF OPERATIONS, “High Density Vertical Bio-Reactor and Global Green Joint Venture”, and “Technology License Agreement” between Pagic LP, West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd. (“West Peak”), and Valcent Products, Inc.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
Algae Technology License - On May 5, 2008, Vertigro Algae executed a separate Technology License Agreement (“Technology License”) together with Pagic, West Peak, and the Company’s subsidiary, Valcent, USA Inc. The Technology License licenses certain algae biomass technology and intellectual property to Vertigro Algae for purposes of commercialization and exploitation for all industrial, commercial, and retail applications worldwide “Algae Biomass Technology”.
Discontinued Product Development Lines and Settlement of Licensed Technologies - Of the Initial Products under license as defined above, the Company ceased development of Dust Wolf and Nova Skin Care Systems during the year ended March 31, 2009 due to economic conditions, and increased corporate focus on life sciences plant growth technologies. The Company has continued with Tomorrow Garden product development and commercialization thought the VerticropTM Technology Purchase Agreement.
VerticropTM Technology Purchase Agreement - Effective April 1, 2009, the Company executed a purchase agreement to acquire all ownership rights and intellectual property relating to its VerticropTM vertical plant growing technology and Tomorrow Garden kit technology (the “Technologies”) from Glen Kertz, Pagic, and West Peak and which provides the Company with all rights and know how to the Technologies. Pursuant to this agreement all previous agreements between the Company and Pagic were terminated and this agreement replaces all financial obligations the Company had with Pagic including annual payments, royalty burden, and all other associated licensing costs. As noted above, all agreement related to the Algae Biomass Technology are with Vertigro Algae and as such survive the termination of all other agreements.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a total of US$2,000,000 plus issue 3% of its common stock on conclusion of the purchase agreement. The US$2,000,000 is payable on a cumulative basis as to US$65,000 on signing (paid) plus the greater of 3% of the gross monthly product sales less returns from exploitation of the technologies or US$12,000 per month until US$2,000,000 has been paid. The ownership of the Technologies will remain in escrow until fully paid or if the Company defaults in making payments. The issuance of the 3% of its common stock is payable upon release of the Technologies from escrow to the Company. The Company may at any time elect to pay out the remaining balance due. Should the Company default under this agreement the Technologies will revert back to Glen Kertz and Pagic.
Global Green Joint Venture
On October 2, 2006, as amended June 25, 2007, the Company entered into a letter of agreement (“LOA”) with Pagic, West Peak and Global Green Solutions Inc. (“Global Green”), whereby Global Green agreed to fund the next phase of the development of a high density vertical bio-reactor technology. Pursuant to the LOA, the Company and Global Green established a commercial joint venture (the “Vertigro JV”), in which Global Green agreed to provide up to US $3,000,000 in initial funding to continue the research and development of the bio-reactor technology, construct a working prototype of the bio-reactor and develop the technology for commercial uses. The Company is obligated to provide product support, research and development and the non-exclusive use of the Company’s properties and lands for which Global Green has agreed to reimburse the Company as part of its US $3,000,000 initial funding commitment. Until such time as the joint venture has fully repaid to Global Green the US $3,000,000, Global Green shall receive 70% of the net cash flow generated by anticipated future operations after which each of Global Green and the Company will hold a 50% interest in the Vertigro JV, subject to an aggregate 4.5% royalty based on gross revenue as defined in the Vertigro JV, to Pagic and West Peak.
On May 5, 2008, the Company and Global Green concurrently formed Vertigro Algae and entered into a revised operating agreement (“Operating Agreement”) which replaced the LOA. Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, Global Green and the Company each hold a 50% interest in Vertigro Algae and have committed to fund project development costs according to ownership allocation. Further, the Company will retain assets of Vertigro JV, including buildings, laboratory, and equipment. Global Green will receive 70% of the net cash flow generated by the Vertigro Algae until it has received US $3,000,000 in excess of its 50% interest in such cash flow, and the Company will receive the remaining 30% net cash flow.
Also on May 5, 2008, Vertigro Algae executed a Technology License Agreement (“Technology License”) together with Pagic and West Peak. The Technology License licenses certain algae biomass technology and intellectual property to Vertigro Algae for purposes of commercialization and exploitation for all industrial, commercial and retail applications worldwide (“Algae Biomass Technology”). As consideration for the Technology License, the Company and Global Green agreed to issue 16,667 common shares and 300,000 common shares, respectively, to Pagic and also pay a one-time commercialization fee of US $50,000 upon the Algae Biomass Technology achieving commercial viability. The Technology License is subject to royalty of 4.5% of gross customer sales receipts for use of the Algae Biomass Technology and aggregate annual royalty minimum amounts of US $50,000 in 2009, US $100,000 in 2010 and US $250,000 in 2011 and each year thereafter in which the Technology License is effective. The Company issued the 16,667 common shares to Pagic on August 18, 2008 at a fair value of $190,746 which has been expensed to product development and has accrued its share of the US $50,000 payment due on March 31, 2009.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - continued
For the year ended March 31, 2009, Global Green and the Company incurred a total of US $1,281,712 (2008 – US $5,735,893) in costs related to the Vertigro JV and Vertigro Algae. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company agreed to settle $964,941, related to the Vertigro JV and Vertigro Algae, owing from Global Green through a reduction of accounts receivable which has been included in product development expenses. Accounts receivable as at March 31, 2009 includes a receivable due from Global Green in the amount of $812,048 (2008 - $404,935).
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
See Item 17 and our financial statements and accompanying notes beginning on page F-1 of this Form 20-F.
Legal proceedings
There are no pending, and we are not aware of any contemplated, legal, governmental or arbitration proceedings, including those related to bankruptcy, receivership or those involving a third party which have, or may have, significant effects on our financial position or profitability.
Dividend Policy
We have never paid a dividend and have no intentions of doing so in the foreseeable future.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
| • | Effective April 1, 2009, the Company executed a new purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire all ownership rights and intellectual property relating to its VertiCrop vertical plant growing technology and Tomorrow Garden Kit technology (the “Technologies”) from Glen Kertz, Pagic and West Peak. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a total of US $2,000,000 plus issue 3% of its common shares on conclusion of the purchase agreement. The US $2,000,000 is payable on a cumulative basis as to US $65,000 on signing (paid) plus the greater of 3% of the gross monthly product sales less returns from exploitation of the technologies or US $12,000 per month until US $2,000,000 has been paid. The ownership of the Technologies will remain in escrow until fully paid or if the Company defaults in making payments. The issuance of 3% of its common shares is payable upon release of the Technologies from escrow to the Company. The Company may at any time elect to pay out the remaining balance due. Should the Company default under this agreement the Technologies will revert back to the vendors. |
| • | In conjunction with certain restructuring initiatives, effective March 27, 2009, the Company entered into a series of debt settlement agreements whereby it agreed to issue restricted common shares in settlement of convertible debentures, debenture related interest, original issuer discounts, prepayment penalties, future interest, certain accounts payable and related party amounts owing, certain advances, unpaid finders’ fees and demand and term promissory notes. An aggregate of US $10,806,780 representing these balances was settled in exchange for 29,516,951 common shares issued on May 11, 2009. Included in these shares are 24,232,816 common shares which are subject to lock up restrictions with quarterly equal releases beginning on January 1, 2010, and a further 2,634,135 common shares are subject to lock up restrictions until January 1, 2010. |
| • | On April 1, 2009 through June 22, 2009, the Company received subscriptions to a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate of US$176,240. The note and accrued interest have been converted into units at the rate of US$0.40 per unit. Each unit consists of one restricted common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase an additional restricted common share at an exercise price of US$0.60 per share for a two year term from the date of conversion. On July 17, 2009, the Company issued 458,139 common shares pursuant to the conversion of US$179,478 in convertible notes and accrued interest of US$3,777, and also issued 458,139 warrants to purchase 458,139 common shares at an exercise price of US$0.60 per share until July 17, 2011. |
| • | On May 22, 2009, the Company received a subscription to a 10% convertible promissory note in the amount of US$1,500,000 from a single subscriber to complete a staged financing by a single subscriber. The note and accrued interest is convertible into units of equity at the rate of US$0.125 per post consolidated unit on the date upon which the Company effects a reverse share consolidation on the basis of 18 old shares for each 1 new share. Each unit is comprised of one restricted common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase an additional restricted common share at US$0.45 per post reverse consolidated share for a one year term from the date of conversion. The warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. On July 17, 2009, the Company issued 16,303,562 common shares and 5,434,521 warrants to purchase an additional restricted common share at US$0.45 for a one year term from the date of issue pursuant to conversion of the US$1,500,000 and a further US$500,000 received during the year ended March 31, 2009 together with accrued interest of US$37,945. |
| • | On July 16, 2009, the Company effected a reverse share consolidation of its common shares on a one new share for eighteen old shares basis. The Company’s trading symbol changed to VCTZF on this date and its CUSIP number changed to 918881202. |
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the price history of our common shares, including (i) annual high and low market prices for each of the three most recent fiscal years, (ii) quarterly high and low market prices for each full quarter of the two most recent fiscal years, and (iii) monthly high and low market prices for each month of the six most recent months. The prices have been adjusted to reflect a one-for-three common share consolidation effective May 3, 2005 and the further one-for-eighteen common share consolidation effective July 16, 2009.
As of July 16, 2009, our common shares are presently quoted on the United States OTC Bulletin Board, under the symbol “VCTZF” (formerly “VCTCF” and “NTTRF”). Effective May 3, 2005, we changed our name from Nettron.com, Inc. to Valcent Products Inc. and delisted our common shares from the TSX-Venture Exchange, Inc. (formerly The Canadian Venture Exchange), where we had been trading under the symbol “NTT.H”, maintaining only our listing only on the United States OTC Bulletin Board. Prior to our delisting from the TSX-Venture Exchange we had been quoted thereon under the symbol “NTT.H” from August 18, 2003 though May 2, 2005, “NTT.T” from February 18, 2003 to August 17, 2003 and “NTT” prior to February 18, 2003.
Period | | OTC Bulletin Board (USD) | |
| | High | | | Low | |
| | | | | | |
Fiscal year ended March 31, | | | | | | |
2005 | | $ | 10.80 | | | $ | 0.54 | |
2006 | | $ | 17.10 | | | $ | 4.50 | |
2007 | | $ | 15.20 | | | $ | 7.20 | |
2008 | | $ | 16.74 | | | $ | 8.10 | |
2009 | | $ | 13.32 | | | $ | 0.90 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Quarter ended | | | | | | | | |
June 30, 2007 | | $ | 12.06 | | | $ | 9.18 | |
September 30, 2007 | | $ | 13.86 | | | $ | 9.00 | |
December 31, 2007 | | $ | 16.74 | | | $ | 9.90 | |
March 31, 2008 | | $ | 16.20 | | | $ | 8.10 | |
June 30, 2008 | | $ | 13.32 | | | $ | 9.00 | |
September 30, 2008 | | $ | 12.06 | | | $ | 6.12 | |
December 31, 2008 | | $ | 8.10 | | | $ | 3.60 | |
March 31, 2009 | | $ | 5.40 | | | $ | 0.90 | |
June 30, 2009 | | $ | 2.34 | | | $ | 0.54 | |
Stock split 18 - 1 July 16-09 | | | | | | | | |
September 30, 2009 | | $ | 2.50 | | | $ | 0.02 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Month ended | | | | | | | | |
April 30, 2009 | | $ | 1.62 | | | $ | 0.450 | |
May 31, 2009 | | $ | 2.16 | | | $ | 0.670 | |
June 30, 2009 | | $ | 2.34 | | | $ | 0.550 | |
July 31, 2009 | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 0.02 | |
Stock split 18 - 1 July 16-09 | | | | | | | | |
August 31, 2009 | | $ | 1.00 | | | $ | 0.50 | |
September 30, 2009 | | $ | 2.50 | | | $ | 1.00 | |
MARKETS
We voluntarily delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange on May 3, 2005. Since May 3, 2005, our common shares were quoted solely on the OTC Bulletin Board, under the symbol “VCTPF”. Since July 16, 2009, our common shares were quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, under the symbol “VCTZF”.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHARE CAPITAL
Not applicable.
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Organization, Object and Purpose
We were incorporated in Canada on January 19, 1996, in accordance with the provision of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). Article 5 of our articles of incorporation provides that we are neither restricted from carrying on any business nor required to carry on a certain business.
Directors
Voting Powers
In accordance with Section 4.19 of our bylaws and Section 120 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) if one of our directors is party to or has a material interest in a material contract or proposed material contract with us or with one of our subsidiaries, that director must disclose the nature and extent of their interest at the first meeting at which the proposed material contract is considered, or at the first meeting after which the director becomes an interested party, either in writing or, at the director’s request, entered into the meeting minutes. All material contracts or proposed material contracts in which one of our directors has a material interest must be referred to our board or shareholders for approval, even if not one which, in the ordinary course of business, would otherwise require approval. A director who is party to or has a material interest in a material contract or proposed material contract, shall refrain from voting on any resolution to approve the material contract unless it is one for (i) an arrangement by way of security for money lent to or obligations undertaken by the director for our benefit, (ii) a transaction relating primarily to the director’s remuneration, (iii) a contract for indemnity insurance, or (iv) a contract with an affiliate.
In accordance with our bylaws and the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) there are no limitations on the power of our directors, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote compensation to themselves.
Borrowing Powers
In accordance with Section 3.01 of our bylaws and Section 103 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) our directors may, without shareholder authorization, (i) borrow money on our credit, (ii) issue, reissue, sell or pledge debt obligations, (iii) give a guarantee on our behalf to secure performance of an obligation, and (iv) mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any of our property, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any of our obligations. These powers can be modified by means of an amendment to our articles of incorporation or bylaws, or by unanimous shareholder consent.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers and Limitation of Liability
In accordance with Section 7 of our bylaws and Section 124 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), each of our directors and officers is relieved from liability for the acts, receipts or defaults of any other of our directors, officers or employees, notwithstanding any loss, damage or expense caused to us, provided, however, that such director or officer discharges their own duties honestly, in good faith and with a view toward our best interests, and exercises the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would in comparable circumstances.
Subject to certain limitations as set forth in Section 124 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), we have undertaken to indemnify our current or former directors and officers against all reasonable costs, charges and expenses, including amounts paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, incurred in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative proceedings to which such director or officer is made party to by reason of being or having been a director or officer. Our board of directors may, from time to time, purchase and maintain insurance policies for the benefit of our directors and officers as against any such liabilities incurred, except with respect to liability arising out of a director or officer’s failure to act honestly, in good faith and with a view toward our best interests. We do not presently maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance or reimbursement policy.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or controlling persons under the forgoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION - continued
Qualifications
There is no mandatory retirement age required by our bylaws or the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and no requirement that our directors be shareholders of our Company.
Common Shares
In accordance with Article 2 and Schedule A of our articles of incorporation filed January 19, 1996, and as amended, there are authorized an unlimited number of common shares which our directors may issue without nominal or par value.
Dividends
Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled, subject to the rights privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to our preferred shares, to receive such dividends as our directors may from time to time, by resolution, declare.
Voting Rights
Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive notice of and vote, on the basis of one vote for each common share so held, at every meeting of the shareholders of our Company.
Liquidation Rights
Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled, subject to the rights, preferences and privileges, of any authorized and outstanding class and series of our preferred shares, to receive, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up or upon the distribution of any of our assets among the holders of shares of our common stock, other than by way of dividends, their pro rata share of such distribution.
Preferred Shares
In accordance with Article 2 and Schedule B of our articles of incorporation filed January 19, 1996, and as amended, there are authorized an unlimited number of preferred shares, which our directors may, from time to time, issue without nominal or par value in one or more series consisting of such number of shares as our directors may determine. Currently there are no preferred shares outstanding. Our directors, by resolution, may fix the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the preferred shares of each series, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rate, form, entitlement and payment of preferential dividends, the redemption price, terms, procedure and conditions for redemption, if any, voting rights and conversion rights, and sinking fund, purchase fund or other provisions attaching to the preferred shares of such series.
Dividends
Holders of shares of our preferred stock shall be entitled to preference over holders of shares of our common stock and any other of our shares ranking junior with respect to the payment of dividends as our directors may from time to time, by resolution, declare. No dividend shall at any time be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any shares ranking junior to shares of our preferred stock unless all dividends up to and including the dividends payable for the last completed period for which such dividends were payable on each series of preferred shares then issued and outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment at the date, nor shall we call for redemption or redeem or purchase for cancellation or reduce or otherwise pay off any of our shares of preferred stock or any shares ranking junior to shares of our preferred stock unless all dividends up to and including the dividends payable for the last completed period for which such dividends were payable on each series of preferred shares then issued and outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment as of the date of such call for redemption, purchase, reduction or other payment.
Holders of shares of our preferred stock shall rank on parity with holders of shares of all other series of our preferred stock with respect to payment of dividends, exclusive of any conversion rights, and if cumulative dividends are not paid in full in respect of a series of our preferred stock, the holders of shares of all series of our preferred stock shall participate ratably.
Voting Rights
Holders of shares of our preferred stock shall be entitled to those voting rights which our directors may, by resolution, designate with respect thereto.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION - continued
Liquidation Rights
Holders of shares of our preferred stock shall be entitled to preference over holders of shares of our common stock and any other of our shares ranking junior with respect to the distribution of our assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, and may also be given such other preferences as our directors may fix, by resolution, prior to issuance.
Holders of shares our of preferred stock shall rank on parity with holders of shares of all other series of our preferred stock with respect to distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, exclusive of any conversion rights, and if return of capital is not paid in full in respect of a series of our preferred stock, the holders of shares of all series of our preferred stock shall participate ratably.
Shareholder Action
In accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) ordinary resolutions, such as those adopting amendments to our bylaws, must be passed by a majority of shareholders voting thereon, whereas special resolutions require a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders voting thereon. Special resolutions are required in (i) authorizing share splits where more than one class of shares exist, (ii) increasing stated capital with respect to a class or series of shares where the amount to be added is not received in consideration for the issuance of shares and where more than one class of shares exist, (iii) decreasing stated capital for any purpose, (iv) making certain amendments to or restating our articles of incorporation, (v) approving an amalgamation agreement, (vi) approving a continuance into another jurisdiction, (vii) selling, leasing or exchanging of all or substantially all of our property, other than in the ordinary course of business, or (viii) liquidating our assets and dissolving our Company.
Shareholders Meetings
Annual Meetings
We normally hold our annual shareholders’ meeting shortly after completion of the preceding fiscal year at our principal executive offices in Canada with the record date begin set and notice provided to our shareholders not less than twenty-one nor more than fifty days prior to the meeting. Only those shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, the directors, auditors and any other persons required to attend under any provision of our articles of incorporation, bylaws or the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) are entitled to attend the meeting.
Special Meetings
Our board, the chairman of the board, managing director or president, have the power to call a special meeting at anytime, and notice of any special meeting shall state the text of any special resolutions to be submitted at the meeting.
Share Ownership
Although our shareholder are subject to certain beneficial ownership reporting requirements as a result of our having a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, there are no provisions in our bylaws governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
With the exception of the Investment Canada Act, as amended, and the potential application of the Competition Act there are no limitations on the ability or right of persons to own our securities, including the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our securities imposed by the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) or by our articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Investment Canada Act
The Investment Canada Act, as amended, generally prohibits implementation of any of a number of enumerated reviewable investments by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is non-Canadian, as defined in the Investment Canada Act, unless the Minister responsible for administration of the Investment Canada Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of a net benefit to Canada.
In accordance with the provisions of the Investment Canada Act, an investment or series of investments to directly or indirectly acquire control of a Canadian company by a non-Canadian that is a “WTO Investor” or a Canadian company which was immediately prior to the investment controlled by a WTO Investor, is reviewable if the value of the assets of the company equal or exceed $256 million, the threshold established for the year 2006. In succeeding years, the threshold amount may be increased or decreased in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.1 of the Investment Canada Act. A WTO Investor is one who is a member of the World Trade Organization, currently comprised of one hundred forty-eight member countries, including the United States, or a WTO Investor-controlled entity, as defined in the Investment Canada Act.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION - continued
An investment or series of investments to directly or indirectly acquire control of a Canadian company by a non-Canadian, other than a WTO Investor, is reviewable if the value of the assets of the company equal or exceed $5 million, or if an order for review is made by the Governor in Council on grounds that the investment is related to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity.
Procedurally, the Investment Canada Act requires a non-Canadian who is establishing a new Canadian business or making an investment that will result in the acquisition of an existing Canadian business, to, depending on the transaction, file with the Director of Investments either notification of the transaction or an application for review.
Where an investment is reviewable in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Canada Act, an application for review must be filed prior to implementation of the investment, in response to which the non-Canadian investor will receive a receipt bearing a certified date. Within forty-five days following certified date the Minister responsible for administering the Investment Canada Act must either notify the non-Canadian investor that he is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of a net benefit to Canada or, if the Minister is unable to complete the review, notify the non-Canadian investor that the Minister shall, within thirty days unless a further period is agreed upon, complete consideration of the investment. Once the thirty day period has elapsed, the Minister will be deemed to be satisfied that the investment is likely to be of a net benefit to Canada and the investment may thereafter be implemented.
The notification procedure involves filing a brief statement of information at any time up to thirty days following implementation of the investment, in response to which the non-Canadian investor will receive a receipt bearing a certified date and advising the non-Canadian investor that the proposal is either unconditionally non-reviewable or that it will not be reviewed provided there is no additional notice of review issued within twenty-one days following the certified date.
Exempt from the notice and review provisions of the Investment Canada Act are, among other transactions, those acquisitions carried out (i) in the ordinary course of one’s business, (ii) in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan, (iii) for the purpose of facilitating financing, provided the acquirer divest himself of control within two years, and (iv) by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate control remains unchanged.
Exempt from the review provisions of the Investment Canada Act are investments to acquire control of Canadian businesses that (i) engage in the production of uranium, (ii) provide any financial services, (iii) provide transportation services, or (iv) constitute a cultural business.
Competition Act
The Competition Act, as amended, is designed to maintain and encourage competition while promoting efficiency and adaptability in the local Canadian economy, as well as to expand opportunities for Canadian participation in the world markets.
In accordance with the provisions of the Competition Act an investment giving rise to the acquisition or establishment, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons of control over or a significant interest in the whole or part of a business of a competitor, supplier, customer or other person may be subject to substantive review by the Commissioner of Competition, the officer responsible for administering the Competition Act.
Pre-investment notification must be made to the Commissioner of Competition by parties of a proposed transaction where certain party and transaction size thresholds are satisfied. The party size threshold requires that parties of a proposed transaction, together with their affiliates, have total assets in Canada or gross revenues from sales in, from or into Canada that exceed $400 million in the aggregate. The transaction size threshold requirements vary depending on the nature of the investment.
Transactions subject to pre-investment notification may not be completed until (i) the applicable statutory waiting periods have expired or have been earlier terminated by the Commissioner of Competition without his having taken action to prohibit the transaction’s implementation, or (ii) the Commissioner of Competition has issued an advance ruling certificate, or has waived the parties obligation to notify. Transactions involving only affiliates or those in the public interest, among others, are exempt from pre-investment notification requirements.
Regardless of whether pre-investment notification is required, the Commissioner of Competition may apply to the Competition Tribunal, a specialized tribunal established by Section 3 if the Competition Tribunal Act and empowered with the authority to hear and dispose of certain matters arising under the Competition Act, for substantive review of a transaction.
Where the Competition Tribunal finds the transaction likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially it may order the investment not proceed or, if it has been completed, may order its dissolution or the disposition of some of the assets or shares involved.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION - continued
Change in Control
There are no provisions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring.
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in Canada which restrict the import or export of capital, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents. With the exception of withholding tax requirements, there are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in Canada which affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments, to non-Canadian resident holders of shares of our securities.
Taxation
ANY TAX ADVICE IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, FOR THE PURPOSE OF (i) AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON ANY TAXPAYER OR (ii) PROMOTING, MARKETING OR RECOMMENDING TO ANOTHER PARTY ANY MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences that may apply to holders and prospective holders of shares of our common stock. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the Code), Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, published Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulings and administrative pronouncements and court decisions of current applicability, any or all of which may materially and adversely change at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this discussion does not consider the potential effects, adverse or beneficial, of any proposed changes in the governing tax law, whether by judicial, executive or legislative action, which, if effected, may be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis. Further, no opinion was requested by us, or has been provided by our counsel or independent registered public accounting firm, with respect to the United States income tax consequences described in the following discussion. Accordingly, we urge holders and prospective holders of shares of our common stock to consult with, and rely upon, their own tax advisors in analyzing the potential United States federal, state, local and non-United States tax consequences associated with purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of our common stock.
As used in this section the term "U.S. Holder" denotes the beneficial owner of one or more shares of our common stock who is:
| · | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
| · | a corporation, or entity taxable as a corporation, that is created or organized under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| · | an estate whose income is taxable in the United States irrespective of source; or |
| · | a trust if: (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust; and (b) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
This discussion does not address the tax consequences peculiar to, and the term U.S. Holder does not include, persons subject to special provisions of United States federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities, persons or entities that have a functional currency other than the United States dollar, shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, shareholders who hold our common stock as part of a straddle, hedging or a conversion transaction, constructive sale or other arrangement involving more than one position, partners and other pass-through entities and persons holding an interest in such entities, and shareholders who acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services. This discussion is limited to U.S. Holders who own shares of our common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This discussion does not address the consequences peculiar to persons or entities holding an interest in a shareholder or the consequences peculiar to a person of the ownership, exercise or disposition of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of our common stock. If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership, or a partner in a partnership, holding shares of our common stock, we urge you to consult with, and rely upon, your own tax advisor in analyzing the potential United States federal, state, local and non-United States tax consequences associated with purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of our common stock.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
EXCHANGE CONTROLS - continued
Dividends
Though we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, should U.S. Holders of shares of our common stock receive dividend distributions:
| · | to the extent such distributions are paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, subject to any applicable foreign tax credit, and without a reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions, such holders would generally be required to include, in their gross income for United States federal income tax purposes, an amount equal to the United States Dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date). |
| · | to the extent such dividend distributions exceed our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, the amount of any distribution so received will: (i) first be applied to reduce a U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in our common stock, and, as a return of basis, will not be subject to United States federal income tax; and (ii) thereafter, any residual amount of such distribution will be treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of our common stock, which amount is taxable as a capital gain. |
| · | Any taxable dividends received on shares of our common stock by a U.S. Holder who is an individual, a trust or an estate (an "Individual Holder") will be treated as qualified dividend income, which is subject to tax at preferential rates through December 31, 2010, provided that: |
| · | we are a qualified foreign corporation—one eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, which the United States Treasury Department has determined to be satisfactory for this purpose and which includes an exchange of information program—for which purposes the Canada-US Income Tax Convention (1980) qualifies; |
| · | we are not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are, have been or anticipate that we will be); |
| · | the Individual Holder has held the common stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days prior to the date on which the common stock become ex-dividend; and |
| · | the Individual Holder is not obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. |
Special rules may apply to any extraordinary dividend—a dividend equal to or in excess of 10 percent of a shareholder's adjusted basis, or, under certain circumstances, the fair market value, of a share of common stock—requiring that such a distribution be treated as qualified dividend income. Any loss from the sale or exchange of shares of our common stock with respect to which an Individual Holder has received an extraordinary dividend treated as qualified dividend income will be deemed a long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend. Taxable extraordinary dividends not treated as qualified dividend income will be taxed as ordinary income, rather than as capital gains.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays, or has withheld from distributions, Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of shares of our common stock may be entitled, at his election, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Furthermore, a U.S. Holder that is a domestic corporation owning 10 percent or more of our voting stock may be eligible to claim a deemed paid foreign tax credit based on any underlying non-United States income taxes paid by us. The election to credit or deduct foreign taxes is made on a yearly basis and applies to all foreign income taxes paid by, or withheld from, the U.S. Holder during the year.
There are significant and complex limitations applicable to the foreign tax credit and as such we urge you to consult with, and rely upon, your own tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit, the deemed paid foreign tax credit available to certain corporations and the application of limitations on the credit in light of your particular circumstances.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
Generally, a U.S. Holder will recognize a taxable gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of shares of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such shares. Subject to certain qualifications and limitations, such gain or loss will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the common stock for more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains may apply to certain U.S. Holders who satisfy this minimum holding period. There are presently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains recognized by a corporation.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
EXCHANGE CONTROLS - continued
Special Rules
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to shareholders of passive foreign investment companies and controlled foreign corporations. The preceding discussions do not address the United States federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder in the event that we were treated as a passive foreign investment company or controlled foreign corporation. While our management does not believe that we are, or that we are likely to become, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation, the circumstances which would result in our becoming such are not entirely within our control and as such there always exists the possibility, however remote, that we may become a passive foreign investment company or controlled foreign corporation in the future.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
The status of being a passive foreign investment corporation (a PFIC) depends upon the composition of a company's income and assets and the market value of its assets and shares from time to time. There is no assurance that we will be considered, or not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held shares, certain adverse tax consequences could apply to the U.S. Holder.
If we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, gains recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period for the shares. The amount allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other exchange and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, and an interest charge would be imposed on the amount allocated to such taxable year. Further, any distribution in respect of shares in excess of 125 percent of the average of the annual distributions on shares received by the U.S. Holder during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder's holding period, whichever is shorter, would be subject to taxation as described above. Certain elections may be available to U.S. Holders that may mitigate some of the adverse consequences resulting from PFIC status. However, regardless of whether such elections are made, dividends paid by a PFIC will not be "qualified dividend income" and will generally be taxed at the higher rates applicable to other items of ordinary income.
U.S. Holders and prospective holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to their ownership of our common stock.
Controlled Foreign Corporation
A controlled foreign corporation is a foreign corporation of which more than 50 percent of the stock, by vote or value, is owned, directly, indirectly or constructively, by U.S. Holders each of whom, directly, indirectly or constructively, owns 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the foreign corporation (each a "CFC Shareholder"). If we are a controlled foreign corporation, a CFC Shareholder would be treated as receiving current distributions of an allocable share of certain types of our income at the end of each year. Additionally, such a CFC Shareholder would recognize ordinary income to the extent of an allocable share of our earnings and profits, rather than capital gain, on the sale of his common stock. Our management does not believe that we are a controlled foreign corporation, because U.S. Holders who directly, indirectly or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total voting power of our outstanding common stock do not own more than 50 percent of shares of our common stock.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this discussion, a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a U.S. Holder (other than a partnership or entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a "Non-U.S. Holder". If you are a partnership, or a partner in a partnership, holding shares of our common stock, we urge you to consult with, and rely upon, your own tax advisor in analyzing the potential United States federal, state, local and non-United States tax consequences associated with purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of our common stock.
Distributions on our Common Stock
Any distributions we pay to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder is not engaged in a United States trade or business. If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a United States trade or business, any distributions we pay will be subject to United States federal income tax at regular graduated rates if: (a) those distributions are treated as dividends or capital gains (as previously described with respect to U.S. Holders); (b) are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's United States trade or business; and (c) if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. In addition, a branch profits tax may be imposed at a 30 percent rate, or at such lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty, on the effectively connected earnings of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
EXCHANGE CONTROLS - continued
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain recognized on the disposition of shares of our common stock unless the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a United States trade or business and a gain recognized on the disposition of shares of our common stock is effectively connected with that trade or business, and, if a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such Non-U.S. Holder in the United States, such gain will be subject to United States federal income tax at regular graduated rates and, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, a branch profits tax may be imposed at a 30 percent rate, or at such lower rate established under an applicable income tax treaty. A Non-U.S. Holder who is: (i) an individual; (ii) present in the United States for 183 days or more in a taxable year; and (iii) who meets certain other requirements will also be subject to United States federal income tax on capital gains recognized during such year, including such gains realized from a disposition of our stock.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax
Generally, dividend payments or other taxable distributions made within the United States will be subject to information reporting requirements and a United States backup withholding tax if a U.S Holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number certified under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information, or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding.
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY as applicable.
If a Non-U.S. Holder sells shares to or through the United States office of a United States or foreign broker, the payment of proceeds generally will be subject to information reporting requirements and a backup withholding tax unless the Non-U.S. Holder properly certifies its non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption and the payer or broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person. Information reporting requirements and backup withholding taxes generally will not apply to the payment of proceeds of the sale of common shares effected outside the United States by a foreign office of a broker. Information reporting requirements (but not backup tax withholding requirements) will apply, however, to the payment of the sale proceeds if the broker is a United States person or has certain other contacts with the United States.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a holder generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed such holder's United States federal income tax liability by timely filing a properly completed claim for refund with the IRS.
Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary is a general discussion of material Canadian federal income tax consequences that may apply to holders and prospective holders of shares of our common stock that are non-residents of Canada (Non-Canadian Holders). This discussion is based on the Income Tax Act (Canada), the regulations promulgated thereunder, all amendments thereto publicly proposed by or on behalf of the Minster of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof, the published administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency and on the current provisions Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the Canada-US Treaty), any or all of which may materially and adversely change at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this discussion does not consider the potential effects, adverse or beneficial, of any proposed changes in the governing tax law, whether by judicial, executive or legislative action, which, if effected, may be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis. No opinion was requested by us, or has been provided by our counsel or independent registered public accounting firm, with respect to the Canadian income tax consequences described in the following discussion. Accordingly, we urge holders and prospective holders of shares of our common stock to consult with, and rely upon, their own tax advisors in analyzing the potential Canadian federal, provincial, local and non-Canadian tax consequences associated with purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of our common stock.
As used in this section the term "Non-Canadian Holder" denoted the beneficial owner of one or more shares of our common stock who is:
| · | a non-resident of Canada; |
| · | holds our common shares as capital property; |
| · | deals with us at arm's length; and |
| · | does not use or hold our common shares in or in the course of carrying on business in Canada. |
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - continued
EXCHANGE CONTROLS - continued
Dividends
Though we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, should a Non-Canadian Holder of shares of our common stock receive dividend distributions, such holder will be subject to a Canadian withholding tax equal to 25 percent, subject to such lower rate as may be available under an applicable tax treaty, of the gross amount of any distributions paid or deemed to be paid.
In accordance with the Canada-US Treaty the rate of withholding tax applicable to distributions paid to a Non-Canadian Holder who is a resident of the United States is:
| · | to the extent such holder beneficially owns at least 10 percent of our voting stock, 5 percent of the gross amount of such distribution paid; or |
| · | to the extent such holder beneficially owns less than 10 percent of our voting stock, 15 percent of the gross amount of such distribution paid. |
We are required to withhold the applicable amount from each distribution paid and remit the withheld amount directly to the Receiver General for Canada for the account of the Non-Canadian Holder.
In accordance with the Canada-US Treaty, certain tax-exempt entities residing in the United States may be exempt from Canadian withholding taxes, including any withholding taxes levied in respect of dividends received on our common shares.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Shares
A Non-Canadian Holder who disposes of shares of our common stock, including by deemed disposition upon death, will not be subject to Canadian federal income tax on any capital gain (or capital loss) thereby realized unless the common shares constitute "taxable Canadian property" as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada) and no relief is afforded under any applicable tax treaty. Generally, our common shares will not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Canadian Holder unless: (i) the common shares are held as capital property used in carrying on a business (other than an insurance business) in Canada; or (ii) the Non-Canadian Holder or persons with whom the Non-Canadian Holder did not deal at arm's-length alone or together held or held options to acquire, at any time within the five years preceding the disposition, 25 percent or more of the shares of any class of our capital stock.
A Non-Canadian Holder who is resident of the United States and realizes a capital gain on disposition of common shares that are taxable Canadian property will nevertheless, by virtue of the Canada-US Treaty, generally be exempt from Canadian tax thereon unless: (i) more than 50 percent of the value of the common shares are derived from, or forms an interest in, Canadian real estate, including Canadian mineral resource properties, (ii) the common shares formed part of the business property of a permanent establishment that the Non-Canadian Holder has or had in Canada within the twelve months preceding disposition, or (iii) the Non-Canadian: (A) was a resident of Canada at any time within the ten years immediately preceding the disposition and for a total of 120 months during the twenty years, preceding the disposition, and (B) owned the common share when he ceased to be a resident of Canada.
A Non-Canadian Holder who is subject to Canadian tax in respect of a capital gain on disposition of common shares must include one-half of the capital gain in computing his taxable income earned in Canada. The Non-Canadian Holder may, subject to certain limitations, deduct one half of any capital loss arising on disposition of taxable Canadian property from taxable capital gains realized in the year of disposition in respect of taxable Canadian property and, to the extent not so deductible, from such taxable capital gains of any of the three preceding years or any subsequent year.
A Non-Canadian Holder whose common shares constitute taxable Canadian property and who is a resident of the United States and entitled to benefits under the Canada-US Treaty generally would be exempt from Canadian tax on any capital gain realized on a disposition of those shares in any event, provided such shares do not derive their value principally from Canadian real property (including Canadian resource properties). Our management is of the view that our common shares do not derive their value principally from Canadian real property. A Non-Canadian Holder claiming exemption under the Treaty will, however, have Canadian tax filing obligations with respect to a disposition of common shares.
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
All documents referred to in this annual report may be inspected at our offices during regular business hours located at Suite 1010 - 789 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1H2 (Canada), telephone (604) 606-7979.
Not applicable.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Effective July 16, 2009, we effected a one-for-eighteen (1:18) reverse stock split which affected all of our shareholders equally but did not modify the rights of our shareholders.
ITEM 15T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), as of March 31, 2009, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our CFO (our principal financial officer) and our acting CEO (our principal executive officer), who concluded, that because of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2009.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is also responsible for establishing ICFR as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the 1934 Act. Our ICFR are intended to be designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our ICFR are expected to include those policies and procedures that management believes are necessary that:
(i) | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; |
(ii) | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and our directors; and |
(iii) | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
ITEM 15T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES - continued
Management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control, and accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect of financial statement preparation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, effective internal control at a point in time may become ineffective in future periods because of changes in conditions or due to deterioration in the degree of compliance with our established policies and procedures.
Evaluation of Internal Controls and Procedures Over Financial Reporting
As of March 31, 2009, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) based on the criteria for effective ICFR established in Internal Control--Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and SEC guidance on conducting such assessments by smaller reporting companies and non-accelerated filers.
Based on that assessment, management concluded that, during the period covered by this report, such internal controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2009 and that material weaknesses in ICFR existed as more fully described below.
As defined by Auditing Standard No. 5, “An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting that is Integrated with an Audit of Financial Statements and Related Independence Rule and Conforming Amendments,” established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), a material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies that results more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In connection with the assessment described above, management identified the following control deficiencies that represent material weaknesses as of March 31, 2009:
| (1) | Lack of an independent audit committee or audit committee financial expert, and no independent directors. Although our audit committee functions with one officer/director and two other directors who are not corporate officers, the two non-officer directors are paid consultants to the Company and as such may not be deemed truly independent. These factors may be counter to corporate governance practices as defined by the various stock exchanges and may lead to less supervision over management; |
| (2) | Inadequate staffing and supervision within our bookkeeping operations combined with complex accounting transactions. We have three employees or consultants involved in bookkeeping functions in three separate operating subsidiaries where transactional volumes require such services, and we utilize independent consultants on a part-time basis to supplement our accounting staff. The relatively small number of people who are responsible for bookkeeping functions makes more difficult segregation of duties within our internal control system. The inadequate segregation of duties is a weakness because it could lead to the untimely identification and resolution of accounting and disclosure matters or could lead to a failure to perform timely and effective reviews which may result in a failure to detect errors in spreadsheets, calculations, or assumptions used to compile the financial statements and related disclosures as filed with the SEC. In addition complex transactions encountered in the year relating to convertible debentures, and revaluation issues in conjunction with re-structuring initiatives made the accounting function more complex requiring the services of third party outside accounting consultants; |
| (3) | Outsourcing of significant portions of the accounting operations of our Company. Because there are no employees at the corporate level in our administration, we have outsourced a portion of the accounting functions of our Company to an independent accounting firm where particular skills are required due to the nature of complex financial transactions especially relating to convertible debenture financings. The employees of this accounting firm are managed by supervisors within the accounting firm, and are not answerable to the Company's management. This is a material weakness because it could result in disconnect between the accounting policies adopted by our Board of Directors and the accounting practices applied by the accounting firm; |
| (4) | Insufficient installation of information technology to assist in our accounting functions. Because of a lack of working capital and personnel, we have been unable to upgrade our information technology software and hardware to assist in providing effective controls; |
| (5) | Insufficient written policies and procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of US GAAP and SEC disclosure requirements. A lack of country specific controls and written protocols leading to timely reporting of previously budgeted expenditures; |
| (6) | Ineffective controls over period end financial disclosure and reporting processes; |
| (7) | Infrequent ongoing monitoring and a lack of separate evaluations when an effective monitoring and evaluative system is deemed necessary for corporate integrity; |
ITEM 15T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES - continued
As of March 31, 2009, management assessed the effectiveness of our ICFR and based on that evaluation, they concluded that, as of March 31, 2009, the internal controls and procedures were not effective due to deficiencies that existed in the design or operation of our ICFR. However, management believes these weaknesses did not have a material effect on our financial results. During the course of their evaluation, management did not discover any fraud involving management or any other personnel who play a significant role in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting.
Due to a lack of financial and personnel resources, we are not able to, and do not intend to, immediately take any action to remediate these material weaknesses. We will not be able to do so until, if ever, we acquire sufficient financing and staff to do so. We will implement further controls as circumstances, cash flow, and working capital permit. Notwithstanding the assessment that our ICFR was not effective and that there were material weaknesses as identified in this report, we believe that our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, fairly presents our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the years covered thereby in all material respects.
The Company relies on the part time involvement of its Chief Financial Officer and consultants for period end financial disclosure and the reporting process. This risk is mitigated by the active involvement of the audit committee and the board of directors in reviewing the financial statements. However, the lack of full time personnel who have technical experience and knowledge is an internal control weakness and may result in the failure to timely report financial results.
It is unlikely that the above noted internal control weakness can be properly addressed until the Company grows to a significant size to warrant the expense, such as the hiring of additional personnel, associated with implementing additional segregation of duties. We are committed to improving our financial organization and internal controls. As part of this commitment, we intend to hire an additional person on a full time basis, when sufficient funds are available to us, with technical experience and knowledge in accounting to better segregate duties consistent with control objectives and will increase our personnel resources and technical accounting expertise within the accounting function.
Management believes that the material weaknesses set forth above were the result of the scale of our operations and are intrinsic to our small size. Management believes these weaknesses did not have an effect on our financial results.
We are committed to improving our financial organization. As part of this commitment, we will pending the availability of sufficient funds, (1) appoint one or more outside directors to our board of directors who shall be appointed to the audit committee of the Company resulting in a fully functioning audit committee who will undertake the oversight in the establishment and monitoring of required internal controls and procedures; (2) create a position to segregate duties consistent with control objectives and will increase our personnel resources; and (3) hire independent third parties to perform expert advice. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and are committed to taking further action and implementing additional enhancements or improvements, as necessary and as funds allow.
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 that have materially or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations which include but is not limited to the use of independent professionals for advice and guidance, interpretation of existing and/or changing rules and principles, segregation of management duties, scale of organization, and personnel factors. Internal control over financial reporting is a process which involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis, however these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process and it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
We presently have, and will continue to have, one audit committee member who is a “financial expert” (as defined in accordance with Item 16A(b) of Form 20-F), F. George Orr. Mr. Orr is not “independent” as that term is defined in Section 803A of the NYSE AMEX Company Guide and SEC Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act of 1934.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
As of the date of the filing of this annual report on Form 20-F we have not adopted a code of ethics (as defined in accordance with Item 16B(a) of Form 20-F), however, we intend to, as soon as practicable, form a committee to advise on the content and adoption of a code of ethics.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Our independent auditors for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were Smythe Ratcliffe LLP, Chartered Accountants of Vancouver, British Columbia.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate audit fees billed for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 for professional services rendered by Smythe Ratcliffe LLP, Chartered Accountants, for the audit of our annual financial statements were $142,000 (accruals for 2009 fees) and $118,440 respectively.
AUDIT RELATED FEES
Smythe Ratcliffe LLP fees for 2008 and 2009 fiscal years related to the audit and review of financial statements not included in “Audit Fees” were $0 and $30,903 respectively.
TAX FEES
The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years for professional tax compliance advice and planning was US$0 (2009) and US$0 (2008).
ALL OTHER FEES
Smythe Ratcliffe LLP fees for other services performed for 2008 and 2009 fiscal years not included in “Audit Fees” or “Audit Related Fees” were $0 and $0 respectively.
AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Our audit committee charter requires us to request the prior approval of our audit committee on every occasion for which we engage our principal accountants or their associated entities to render any audit or non-audit services.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
March 31, 2009 and 2008
Index | Page |
| |
Auditors' Report to the Shareholders | F-2 |
| |
Consolidated Financial Statements | F-3 |
| |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | F-3 |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit | F-4 |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | F-5 |
| |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | F-6 to F-44 |
AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF VALCENT PRODUCTS INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Valcent Products Inc. (a development stage company) as at March 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for the three years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and for the period from April 1, 2005 (commencement of development stage) to March 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at March 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and for the period from April 1, 2005 (commencement of development stage) to March 31, 2009, in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
“Smythe Ratcliffe LLP” (signed)
Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
September 18, 2009, except for note 20 which
is as at October 9, 2009
COMMENTS BY AUDITORS FOR US READERS ON CANADA-US REPORTING DIFFERENCES
In the United States, reporting standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going-concern, such as those described in note 1 to the financial statements. Our report to the shareholders dated September 18, 2009, except for note 20 which is as at October 9, 2009, is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards, which do not permit a reference to such events and conditions in the auditors’ report when these are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
“Smythe Ratcliffe LLP” (signed)
Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
September 18, 2009, except for note 20 which is as at October 9, 2009
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
ASSETS | | (Note 10(i)) | |
Current | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 224,769 | | | $ | 163,437 | |
Accounts receivable (Note 8) | | | 920,235 | | | | 462,156 | |
Prepaid expenses (Note 7) | | | 102,670 | | | | 2,119,546 | |
Inventories (Note 9) | | | 34,072 | | | | 617,195 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 1,281,746 | | | | 3,362,334 | |
Restricted Cash (Note 13) | | | 0 | | | | 108,471 | |
Property and Equipment (Notes 5 and 13) | | | 1,070,216 | | | | 1,135,108 | |
Product License (Note 6) | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 4,605,914 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY) | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 541,802 | | | $ | 536,563 | |
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 13) | | | 0 | | | | 16,250 | |
Promissory notes payable (Note 18) | | | 2,643,514 | | | | 270,167 | |
Due to related parties (Note 11) | | | 186,645 | | | | 1,490,516 | |
Convertible notes (Note 10) | | | 11,228 | | | | 5,202,741 | |
Derivative liability (Note 10) | | | 0 | | | | 940,537 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 3,383,189 | | | | 8,456,774 | |
Long-term debt (Note 13) | | | 0 | | | | 158,612 | |
| | | 3,383,189 | | | | 8,615,386 | |
Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) | | | | | | | | |
Share capital (Notes 14 and 19) | | | 21,957,516 | | | | 16,691,282 | |
Contributed surplus (Note 14(f)) | | | 5,462,219 | | | | 4,203,394 | |
Commitment to issue shares (Note 14(c)) | | | 16,955,228 | | | | 0 | |
Conversion component of convertible notes (Note 10) | | | 4,310 | | | | 2,650,861 | |
Accumulated deficit from prior operations | | | (3,237,370 | ) | | | (3,237,370 | ) |
Accumulated deficit during the development stage | | | (42,173,129 | ) | | | (24,317,639 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | (1,031,226 | ) | | | (4,009,472 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 4,605,914 | |
Going concern (Note 1), Commitments (Notes 6, 8, 10 and 12), and Subsequent events (Note 19)
On behalf of the board
(signed) "F. George Orr" Director
(signed) "Naveen Aggarwal" Director
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
| | For Years Ended March 31 | | | Cumulative During Development Stage (April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2009) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Product development costs (Note 16) | | $ | 8,238,999 | | | $ | 4,081,435 | | | $ | 1,562,421 | | | $ | 14,568,287 | |
Interest, accretion and financing costs | | | 3,213,003 | | | | 2,916,958 | | | | 2,732,977 | | | | 10,687,777 | |
Loss on settlement of debts (Note 10(i)) | | | 885,292 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 885,292 | |
Investor relations | | | 782,749 | | | | 871,542 | | | | 287,834 | | | | 1,961,162 | |
Professional fees | | | 524,216 | | | | 431,270 | | | | 712,458 | | | | 1,843,777 | |
Advertising and media development | | | 448,258 | | | | 1,953,998 | | | | 1,092,917 | | | | 3,495,173 | |
Office and miscellaneous | | | 389,128 | | | | 234,817 | | | | 281,696 | | | | 947,766 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 260,530 | | | | 990,305 | | | | 1,127,141 | | | | 2,911,640 | |
Travel | | | 236,441 | | | | 291,465 | | | | 156,498 | | | | 754,004 | |
Amortization | | | 181,618 | | | | 47,463 | | | | 25,288 | | | | 263,751 | |
Rent | | | 131,038 | | | | 77,918 | | | | 65,693 | | | | 331,420 | |
Filing and transfer agent fees | | | 22,150 | | | | 44,500 | | | | 38,883 | | | | 131,783 | |
Insurance | | | 19,640 | | | | 71,071 | | | | 78,784 | | | | 169,495 | |
Interest on long-term debt | | | 4,223 | | | | 15,480 | | | | 8,500 | | | | 28,203 | |
Loss from Operations | | | 15,337,285 | | | | 12,028,222 | | | | 8,171,090 | | | | 38,979,530 | |
Other (Income) Expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Write-down of product license (Note 6) | | | 0 | | | | 1,306,074 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,306,074 | |
Interest income | | | (19,491 | ) | | | (10,805 | ) | | | (25,704 | ) | | | (56,000 | ) |
Write-down of property and equipment (Note 5) | | | 509,892 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 509,892 | |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | | | 2,027,804 | | | | (611,133 | ) | | | (6,993 | ) | | | 1,433,633 | |
Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss for Period | | | (17,855,490 | ) | | | (12,712,358 | ) | | | (8,138,393 | ) | | | (42,173,129 | ) |
Deficit During Development Stage, Beginning of Period | | | (24,317,639 | ) | | | (11,605,281 | ) | | | (3,466,888 | ) | | | 0 | |
Deficit During Development Stage, End of Period | | $ | (42,173,129 | ) | | $ | (24,317,639 | ) | | $ | (11,605,281 | ) | | $ | (42,173,129 | ) |
Loss Per Share - Basic and diluted | | $ | (6.43 | ) | | $ | (6.44 | ) | | $ | (7.60 | ) | | | | |
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding | | | 2,782,284 | | | | 1,974,763 | | | | 1,070,066 | | | | | |
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
Valcent Products Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(A Development Stage Company)
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
| | For Years Ended March 31 | | | Cumulative During Development Stage (April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2009) | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | |
Cash Provided By (Used In) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Activities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for period | | $ | (17,855,490 | ) | | $ | (12,712,358 | ) | | $ | (8,138,393 | ) | | $ | (42,173,129 | ) |
Items not involving cash | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest, accretion and financing on convertible notes | | | 3,031,746 | | | | 2,839,430 | | | | 2,327,985 | | | | 9,779,638 | |
Loss on settlement of debts | | | 885,292 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 885,292 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 260,530 | | | | 990,305 | | | | 1,127,141 | | | | 2,911,640 | |
Write-down on property/product license | | | 509,892 | | | | 1,306,074 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,815,966 | |
Common shares issued for product development | | | 190,747 | | | | 506,869 | | | | 52,708 | | | | 750,324 | |
Common shares issued for services | | | 360,038 | | | | 398,397 | | | | 174,924 | | | | 933,359 | |
Commitment to issue shares for services | | | 764,257 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 764,257 | |
Extension of warrants | | | 181,048 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 181,048 | |
Shares issued for interest and penalties | | | 65,333 | | | | 4,195 | | | | 0 | | | | 69,528 | |
Amortization | | | 181,618 | | | | 47,463 | | | | 25,288 | | | | 263,751 | |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | | | 1,947,142 | | | | (630,984 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 1,316,158 | |
Changes in non-cash working capital items | | | 2,255,630 | | | | 732,607 | | | | (1,870,635 | ) | | | 1,371,309 | |
| | | (7,222,217 | ) | | | (6,518,002 | ) | | | (6,300,982 | ) | | | (21,130,859 | ) |
Investing Activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Product license | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | (306,075 | ) |
Property and equipment | | | (626,618 | ) | | | (834,084 | ) | | | (310,488 | ) | | | (1,843,899 | ) |
| | | (626,618 | ) | | | (834,084 | ) | | | (310,488 | ) | | | (2,149,974 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financing Activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advances from related parties | | | 1,473,880 | | | | 560,341 | | | | 860,902 | | | | 2,811,047 | |
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net | | | 2,195,785 | | | | 5,448,774 | | | | 1,028,266 | | | | 8,672,825 | |
Promissory notes payable | | | 2,163,016 | | | | 150,512 | | | | 115,460 | | | | 2,428,988 | |
Repayments of long-term debt | | | (174,862 | ) | | | (34,252 | ) | | | (25,440 | ) | | | (234,554 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes | | | 2,171,686 | | | | 1,100,108 | | | | 4,817,114 | | | | 9,653,977 | |
Restricted cash | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 117,327 | | | | 117,327 | |
| | | 7,829,505 | | | | 7,225,483 | | | | 6,913,629 | | | | 21,968,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Exchange on Cash Held in Foreign Currency | | | 80,662 | | | | (24,932 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 55,730 | |
(Decrease) Increase in Cash During Period | | | 61,332 | | | | (151,535 | ) | | | 302,199 | | | | 224,547 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | | | 163,437 | | | | 314,972 | | | | 12,773 | | | | 222 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | | $ | 224,769 | | | $ | 163,437 | | | $ | 314,972 | | | $ | 224,769 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares issued for services | | $ | 360,030 | | | $ | 2,414,233 | | | $ | 568,295 | | | $ | 3,395,266 | |
Shares issued for product license | | $ | 190,746 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 419,401 | | | $ | 610,147 | |
Shares issued for promissory note interest | | $ | 65,333 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 65,333 | |
Shares issued on conversion of convertible notes | | $ | 5,030,345 | | | $ | 532,295 | | | $ | 1,668,363 | | | $ | 7,231,003 | |
Shares issued as bonus to director | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 52,708 | | | $ | 52,708 | |
Interest paid | | $ | 4,223 | | | $ | 15,480 | | | $ | 8,500 | | | $ | 28,203 | |
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
1. | Nature of Business and Ability to Continue as a Going Concern Valcent Products Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the Alberta Business Corporations Act on January 19, 1996. The Company is in the development stage and is engaged principally in the research and development of consumer and industrial products and processes for global markets. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to a going concern, which assumes the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company incurred a net loss of $17,855,490 for the year ended March 31, 2009 (2008 - - $12,712,358) and as at March 31, 2009, the Company had accumulated deficits of $45,410,499 (2008 - $27,555,009) and a working capital deficiency of $2,101,443 (2008 - $5,094,440). The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the economic development of its products, the attainment of profitable operations and the Company’s ability to obtain further financing (Note 4). The Company continues to explore additional funding to finance its operations and obligations. Management is considering all possible financing alternatives, including equity financing, debt financing, joint-venture, corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company terminated further development of its Nova Skincare System and Dust Wolf products to focus its efforts on its Vertigro and Verticrop technologies. In addition, effective March 31, 2009, the Company reached an agreement with significantly all its promissory notes and convertible notes holders, and certain related parties to effect a conversion of the outstanding balances into common shares of the Company (Note 14(c)). These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that would be necessary to the carrying values and classification of assets and liabilities should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. On June 22, 2009, the shareholders of the Company approved a special resolution to reorganize the capital structure of the Company by a share consolidation of its common shares on the basis of eighteen old shares for one new share (18:1), which became effective July 16, 2009. All references to common shares, stock options and warrants and their related pricing in these financial statements give effect to the share consolidation, unless otherwise noted. |
2. | Significant Accounting Policies These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP and are presented in Canadian dollars. The significant accounting policies used in these consolidated financial statements are as follows: |
| (a) | Principles of consolidation These financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned, integrated subsidiaries, Valcent Products EU Limited and Valcent USA, Inc. and Valcent USA’s wholly-owned, integrated subsidiaries, Valcent Management LLC and Valcent Manufacturing Ltd. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. These consolidated financial statements also include the Company’s proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the Vertigro Joint Venture, as described in Note 8. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
2. | Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| (b) | Research and product development costs Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs, which meet Canadian GAAP criteria including reasonable assurance regarding recoverability, are capitalized and amortized over the expected economic useful life of the product. No development costs have been deferred to date. As the Company is in the development stage, any revenue derived from the test marketing and development of products is considered to be an expense recovery and is, therefore, netted against product development costs. |
| (c) | Intangible assets Intangible assets of the Company include technology and product licenses acquired from third parties. Technology and product licenses are initially recorded at the fair value based on consideration paid and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the underlying technologies. The Company reviews the estimated useful lives and carrying values of its technology and product licenses as part of its periodic assessment for impairment of long-lived assets. The amount shown for technology and product licenses do not necessarily reflect present or future value and the ultimate amount recoverable will be dependent upon the successful development and commercialization of products based on these underlying technologies. |
| (d) | Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid financial instruments with a maturity of 90 days or less from the date purchased to be cash equivalents. At March 31, 2009 and 2008, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash on deposit and money market securities. |
| (e) | Inventories The Company records inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Fixed production overhead is allocated by the consistent use of either first-in, first-out or the weighted average method to measure inventory. Any previous write-downs are required to be reversed when the value of the inventory increases. The amount of the reversal is limited to the amount of the original write-down. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined on an average cost basis. |
| (f) | Property and equipment The Company amortizes its leasehold improvements on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Other assets are amortized using the straight-line method over 10 years for building, 5 years for equipment, 3 1/3 years for computer equipment and 5 years for furniture and fixtures and automobiles. During the year of acquisition, amortization is 50% of amounts otherwise determinable. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
2. | Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| (g) | Foreign currency transactions and translation The Company presents its financial statements in Canadian dollars. Amounts recorded in foreign currencies are translated into Canadian dollars as follows: |
| (i) | Monetary assets and liabilities, at the year-end exchange rates; |
| (ii) | Non-monetary assets and liabilities, at historical exchange rates; and |
| (iii) | Income and expense items, at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the transaction. |
| (h) | Gains and losses arising from the translation of foreign currency are included in operations for the year. Use of estimates and measurement uncertainty The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of estimates include the net realizable value of accounts receivable and inventories, impairment of property and equipment, rates of amortization, fair value of product license, amount of accrued liabilities, the variables used to calculate interest, accretion and financing costs on convertible notes, the variables used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensation and the determination of the valuation allowance for future income tax assets. While management believes the estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and could impact future results of operations and cash flows. |
| (i) | Loss per share Loss per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The Company uses the treasury stock method for calculating diluted earnings per share. Under this method, the dilutive effect on earnings per share is recognized on the use of the proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options, warrants and similar instruments. It assumes that the proceeds would be used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period. However, the calculation of diluted loss per share excludes the effect of various conversions and the exercise of options and warrants and similar instruments that would be anti-dilutive. |
| (j) | Stock-based compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense using the fair value based method with respect to all stock-based awards to directors, employees and non-employees, including awards that are direct awards of stock and call for settlement in cash or other assets or stock appreciation rights that call for settlement by the issuance of equity instruments. Under this method, stock-based payments are recorded as an expense over the vesting period or when the awards or rights are granted, with a corresponding increase to contributed surplus. When stock options are exercised, the corresponding fair value is transferred from contributed surplus to share capital. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
2. | Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| (k) | Income taxes The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method of tax allocation, future income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying values and their respective income tax basis (temporary differences). Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are likely to reverse. The effect on future income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is included in operations in the period in which the change is enacted or substantially assured. The amount of future income tax assets recognized is limited to the amount of the benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. |
| (l) | Non-monetary consideration In situations where common shares are issued and the fair value of the goods or services received is not readily determinable, the fair value of the common shares is used to measure and record the transaction. The fair value of the common shares issued in exchange for the receipt of goods and services is based on the share price as of the earliest of: |
| (i) | the date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete; |
| (ii) | the date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the common shares is reached; or |
| (iii) | the date at which the common shares are issued if they are fully vested and non-forfeitable at that date. |
| (m) | Financial Instruments Financial instruments must be classified into one of these five categories: held-for-trading, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, available-for-sale financial assets or other financial liabilities. All financial instruments are measured in the balance sheet at fair value except for loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments and other financial liabilities, which are measured at amortized cost. Subsequent measurement and changes in fair value will depend on their initial classification as follows: held-for-trading financial assets are measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized in net income; available-for-sale financial instruments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income until the investment is no longer recognized or impaired, at which time the amounts would be recorded in net income. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial instruments that are classified as other than held-for-trading, which are expensed as incurred, are included in the initial carrying value of such instruments and amortized using the effective interest method. |
| (n) | Impairment of long-lived assets Long-lived assets are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value, with fair value generally based on future discounted cash flows. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
2. | Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| (o) | Revenue recognition Revenue from the sales of products is recognized when the product has been delivered to the purchaser, the price is fixed or determinable and when collectability is reasonably assured. Sales during the development stage are netted against product development costs (Note 16). Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis as earned at the effective rate of interest of the investment over the term to maturity. |
| (p) | Changes in accounting policies Effective April 1, 2008, the Company adopted the following standards of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”). |
| (i) | Capital Disclosures (Section 1535) Section 1535 specifies the disclosure of: (i) an entity’s objectives, policies and procedures for managing capital; (ii) quantitative data about what the entity regards as capital; (iii) whether the entity has complied with any capital requirements; and (iv) if it has not complied, the consequences of such non-compliance. As a result of the adoption of this standard, additional disclosure on the Company’s capital management strategy has been included in note 4. |
| (ii) | Financial Instruments - Disclosures and Presentation Sections 3862 and 3863 replace Section 3861, “Financial Instruments – Disclosures and Presentation”, revising its disclosure requirements and carrying forward its presentation requirements. These new sections place increased emphasis on disclosures about the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments and how the entity manages those risks. Section 3862 specifies disclosures that enable users to evaluate: (i) the significance of financial instruments for the entity’s financial position and performance; and (ii) the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments to which the entity is exposed and how the entity manages those risks. As a result of the adoption of these standards, additional disclosures on the risks of certain financial instruments have been included in notes 3 and 4. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
2. | Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| (p) | Changes in accounting policies (Continued) |
| (iii) | Amendments to Section 1400 – Going Concern |
| CICA Section 1400, “General Standards of Financial Statement Presentation”, was amended to include requirements to assess and disclose an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. When financial statements are not prepared on a going concern basis, that fact shall be disclosed together with the basis on which the financial statements are prepared and the reason why the company is not considered a going concern. The Company’s accounting policies were already in accordance with the requirements of the amended section and there was no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |
| (q) | Future accounting changes |
| (i) | International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") In 2006, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") published a new strategic plan that will significantly affect financial reporting requirements for Canadian companies. The AcSB strategic plan outlines the convergence of Canadian GAAP with IFRS over an expected five year transitional period. In February 2008, the AcSB announced that the effective date for publicly-listed companies to use IFRS is for interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 which will require the restatement for comparative purposes of amounts reported by the Company for the year ended March 31, 2011. While the Company has begun assessing the adoption of IFRS for 2011, the financial reporting impact of the transition to IFRS cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. |
| (ii) | Goodwill and intangible assets In February 2008, the CICA issued Section 3064, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets”. Effective for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008, this section provides guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure for goodwill and intangible assets, other than the initial recognition of goodwill or intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Retroactive application to prior period financial statements will be required. The Company does not expect these changes to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements. |
| (iii) | Business Combinations In January 2009, the CICA issued Section 1582, “Business Combinations”, Section 1601, “Consolidations” and Section 1602, “Non-Controlling Interests”. These sections replace the former Section 1581, “Business Combinations” and Section 1600, “Consolidated Financial Statements” and establish a new section for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
2. | Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| (q) | Future accounting changes (Continued) |
| (iii) | Business Combinations (Continued) Sections 1582 and 1602 will require net assets, non-controlling interests and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at fair value and non-controlling interests will be reported as a component of equity. In addition, the definition of a business is expanded and is described as an integrated set of activities and assets that are capable of being managed to provide a return to investors or economic benefits to owners. Acquisition costs are not part of the consideration and are to be expensed when incurred. Section 1601 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. These new sections apply to interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Earlier adoption of these sections is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. All three sections must be adopted concurrently. Management does not believe these new sections will have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. |
3. | Financial Instruments and Risks The Company has designated its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as held-for-trading; accounts receivable as loans and receivables; and its accounts payable and accrued liabilities, promissory notes payable, amounts due to related parties, convertible notes and long-term debt as other financial liabilities. |
| (a) | Fair value The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, promissory note payable and amounts due to related parties approximated their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying values of restricted cash and long-term debt approximated their fair values as these financial instruments bore interest at approximate market rates of interest. Convertible debentures are shown at amortized cost. |
| (i) | Interest rate risk Interest rate risk consists of two components: |
| (a) | To the extent that payments made or received on the Company’s monetary assets and liabilities are affected by changes in prevailing market interest rates, the Company is exposed to interest rate cash flow risk. |
| (b) | To the extent that changes in prevailing market interest rates differ from the interest rates in the Company’s monetary assets and liabilities, the Company is exposed to interest rate price risk. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
3. | Financial Instruments and Risks (Continued) |
| (b) | Market risk (Continued) The Company is not exposed to significant interest rate risk due to the short-term maturity of its monetary current assets and current liabilities. The Company is exposed to interest rate cash flow risk on its long-term debt with variable interest rates as the payments on the loan will fluctuate as interest rates fluctuate during the term of the debt. The Company is exposed to interest rate price risk on its promissory and convertible notes with fixed interest rates as the market rate of interest differs from the interest rate of the convertible notes. |
| (ii) | Currency risk The Company operates internationally and is therefore exposed to foreign exchange fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies in relation to the Canadian dollar. The Company’s foreign currency exposures comprise cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and convertible notes denominated in British pounds and United States dollars as follows: |
Cash | | £ | 17,200 | | US$ | 146,800 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 12,000 | | | 637,000 | |
Accounts payable | | | 7,000 | | | 468,000 | |
Promissory notes payable | | | 0 | | | 2,223,000 | |
Convertible notes | | | 0 | | | 7,500 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | The Company does not use derivatives or other techniques to manage foreign currency risk. Based on the above net foreign currency exposure as at March 31, 2009 and assuming all other variables remain constant, a 10% weakening or strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the British pound and US dollar would result in the following increases or decreases in the Company’s loss : |
Increase/decrease in net loss – British pound | | $ | 2,400 | |
Increase/decrease in net loss – US dollar | | $ | 241,500 | |
| (c) | Credit risk Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company is exposed to credit risk with respect to its cash and accounts receivable. The credit risk associated with cash is minimal as cash has been placed with major financial institutions. The Company is exposed to significant credit risk with respect to accounts receivable as the majority of the amount is due from a joint venture partner. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
3. | Financial Instruments and Risks (Continued) |
| (c) | Credit risk (Continued) Concentration of credit risk exists with respect to the Company’s cash as all amounts are held at single major Canadian, American and British financial institutions. The Company’s concentration of credit risk and maximum exposure thereto is as follows: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 224,769 | | | $ | 163,437 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 920,235 | | | | 462,156 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,145,004 | | | $ | 625,593 | |
| (d) | Liquidity risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in obtaining funds to meet commitments. The Company manages its liquidity risk by forecasting cash flows from operations and anticipated investing and financing activities. At March 31, 2009, the cash balance of $224,769 (2008 - $163,437) is insufficient to meet the Company’s business requirements for the coming year. Therefore, the Company will be required to raise additional capital or sell one or more of its technologies in order to fund its operations for fiscal 2010. At March 31, 2009, the Company had the following amounts coming due during the next year: |
| | Carrying amount | | Due date |
Accounts payable | | $ | 541,802 | | 90 days |
Due to related parties | | $ | 186,645 | | 90 days |
US$400,000 note payable | | $ | 504,520 | | 90 days |
Convertible note | | $ | 46,512 | | 90 days |
US$500,000 subscription advance | | $ | 630,650 | | Aug 31, 2009 |
US$1,323,000 note payable | | $ | 1,473,060 | | Dec 31, 2009 |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
3. | Financial Instruments and Risks (Continued) |
| (e) | Classification of financial instruments |
| | Loans and Receivables | | | Held for Trading | | | Other Liabilities | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 224,769 | | | $ | 0 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 920,235 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Accounts payable | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 541,802 | |
Promissory notes | | | 0 | | | | 2,643,514 | | | | 0 | |
Due to related parties | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 186,645 | |
Convertible notes | | | 0 | | | | 11,228 | | | | 0 | |
Total | | $ | 920,235 | | | $ | 2,879,511 | | | $ | 728,447 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
4. | Capital Management The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the development of its products. The Company relies mainly on equity and debt instrument issuances to raise new capital. In the management of capital, the Company includes the components of shareholders’ equity and convertible debt, promissory notes and long-term debt. Management estimates anticipated research and development expenditures to ensure that there is sufficient capital on hand to meet ongoing obligations. Management reviews the Company’s capital management policy regularly. As part of the strategy to preserve liquidity, the Company has restructured its capital structure and agreed to settle convertible notes, certain convertible notes, certain promissory notes and certain related party balances as of March 31, 2009 with shares (Note 14(c)). The Company’s investment policy is to invest its excess cash in highly liquid short‐term deposits with terms of one year or less and which can be liquidated after thirty days without interest penalty. The Company currently does not have sufficient capital to cover its administrative costs or fund research and development programs for the next twelve months. The Company will only be able to continue to develop its products with additional equity or debt instrument financing. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
5. | Property and Equipment |
| | 2009 | |
| | Cost | | | Accumulated Amortization | | | Net Book Value | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Land | | $ | 275,240 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 275,240 | |
Building | | | 686,750 | | | | 417,930 | | | | 268,820 | |
Equipment | | | 394,056 | | | | 162,642 | | | | 231,414 | |
Computer equipment | | | 144,154 | | | | 97,528 | | | | 46,626 | |
Furniture and fixtures | | | 89,429 | | | | 48,361 | | | | 41,068 | |
Automobiles | | | 54,696 | | | | 10,254 | | | | 44,442 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 199,534 | | | | 36,928 | | | | 162,606 | |
| | $ | 1,843,859 | | | $ | 773,643 | | | $ | 1,070,216 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2008 | |
| | Cost | | | Accumulated Amortization | | | Net Book Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Land | | $ | 275,240 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 275,240 | |
Building | | | 389,348 | | | | 4,951 | | | | 384,397 | |
Equipment | | | 134,895 | | | | 3,351 | | | | 131,544 | |
Computer equipment | | | 121,320 | | | | 31,605 | | | | 89,715 | |
Furniture and fixtures | | | 89,134 | | | | 20,684 | | | | 68,450 | |
Automobiles | | | 39,711 | | | | 811 | | | | 38,900 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 167,593 | | | | 20,731 | | | | 146,862 | |
| | $ | 1,217,241 | | | $ | 82,133 | | | $ | 1,135,108 | |
| During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company terminated further development of its Nova Skincare Systems and Dust Wolf products and determined that certain capital assets used for development of those products had no continuing value to the Company and therefore wrote down the carrying value of those assets to their net recoverable amounts based on management’s estimate. The write-down amounting to $509,892 is included in accumulated amortization. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
6. | Product License (Continued) On July 29, 2005, the Company completed a licensing agreement (“Agreement”) for the exclusive worldwide marketing rights to the Nova Skincare System, the Dust Wolf, the Tomorrow Garden Kit and a right of first offer on future products developed by Pagic LP (“Pagic”), formerly MK Enterprises LLC, a private company with a director in common. In conjunction with the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue Pagic and its assignees 1,111,112 common shares at a deemed cost of US $1,000,000, based on the historical cost of the license, of which 645,110 common shares were issued during the year ended March 31, 2006 and the remaining 466.002 common shares were issued during the year ended March 31, 2007. Of the 1,111,112 common shares issued, 523,789 common shares were issued to parties that became related parties to the Company. During the year ended March 31, 2008, due to uncertainty in determining future cash flows related to products under license, the Company wrote-down the value of the product license by $1,306,074 to $1. The Agreement required the Company to pay Pagic and its assignees, royalties of US $10 per Nova Skincare System unit sold, US $2 per Dust Wolf unit sold and 4.5% of Tomorrow Garden Kit net sales. In addition, the Company is required to pay a royalty of 3% of net sales related to ancillary product sales from these products. In order to keep the products under license, the Company was required to pay a minimum royalty for each of the Nova Skincare System, Dust Wolf and Tomorrow Garden Kit products and their related ancillary products of US $37,500 beginning April 1, 2007 and US $50,000 per year thereafter. To keep the overall master license in good standing, the total of royalties and all other fees paid to Pagic shall be at least US$ 400,000 per year beginning April 1, 2007. During the year ended March 31, 2009, $318,250 (2008 - $565,135) was paid or accrued to Pagic under the terms of the license. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company discontinued development of its Nova Skincare System and Dust Wolf products and allowed the product license rights to revert to Pagic and its assignees. The Company retains a 3% overriding royalty on gross sales generated by Pagic or its assignees from any future product sales in exchange for system developments to date. The outstanding royalty and other accrued amounts owing to Pagic in the amount of US $156,519 were settled via a letter of agreement dated March 29, 2009 for a commitment to issue 391,298 common shares, with such shares subject to quarterly pooling releases beginning January 1, 2010 (Note 14(c)). Effective April 1, 2009, the Company terminated the Agreement and executed a new purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire all ownership rights and intellectual property relating to its VertiCrop vertical plant growing technology and Tomorrow Garden Kit technology (the “Technologies”) from Glen Kertz, Pagic and West Peak. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a total of US $2,000,000 plus issue 3% of its common shares on conclusion of the purchase agreement. The US $2,000,000 is payable on a cumulative basis as to US $65,000 on signing (paid) plus the greater of 3% of the gross monthly product sales less returns from exploitation of the technologies or US $12,000 per month until US $2,000,000 has been paid. The ownership of the Technologies will remain in escrow until fully paid or if the Company defaults in making payments. The issuance of 3% of its common shares is payable upon release of the Technologies from escrow to the Company. The Company may at any time elect to pay out the remaining balance due. Should the Company default under this agreement the Technologies will revert back to the vendors. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
7. | Prepaid Expenses Prepaid expenses as at March 31, 2009 include $16,606 (2008 - $2,015,837) related to the deferred portion of business consulting and investor relations services agreements. |
8. | Vertigro Joint Venture On October 2, 2006, as amended June 25, 2007, the Company entered into a letter of agreement (“LOA”) with Pagic, West Peak and Global Green Solutions Inc. (“Global Green”), whereby Global Green agreed to fund the next phase of the development of a high density vertical bio-reactor technology. Pursuant to the LOA, the Company and Global Green established a commercial joint venture (the “Vertigro JV”), in which Global Green agreed to provide up to US $3,000,000 in initial funding to continue the research and development of the bio-reactor technology, construct a working prototype of the bio-reactor and develop the technology for commercial uses. The Company is obligated to provide product support, research and development and the non-exclusive use of the Company’s properties and lands for which Global Green has agreed to reimburse the Company as part of its US $3,000,000 initial funding commitment. Until such time as the joint venture has fully repaid to Global Green the US $3,000,000, Global Green shall receive 70% of the net cash flow generated by anticipated future operations after which each of Global Green and the Company will hold a 50% interest in the Vertigro JV, subject to an aggregate 4.5% royalty based on gross revenue as defined in the Vertigro JV, to Pagic and West Peak. On May 5, 2008, the Company and Global Green concurrently organized Vertigro Algae Technologies, LLC (“VAT”) and entered into a revised operating agreement (“Operating Agreement”) which replaced the LOA. Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, Global Green and the Company each hold a 50% interest in VAT and have committed to fund project development costs according to ownership allocation. Further, the Company will retain assets of Vertigro JV, including buildings, laboratory, and equipment. Global Green will receive 70% of the net cash flow generated by the VAT until it has received US $3,000,000 in excess of its 50% interest in such cash flow, and the Company will receive the remaining 30% net cash flow. Also on May 5, 2008, VAT executed a Technology License Agreement (“Technology License”) together with Pagic and West Peak. The Technology License licenses certain algae biomass technology and intellectual property to VAT for purposes of commercialization and exploitation for all industrial, commercial and retail applications worldwide (“Algae Biomass Technology”). As consideration for the Technology License, the Company and Global Green agreed to issue 16,667 common shares and 300,000 common shares, respectively, to Pagic and also pay a one-time commercialization fee of US $50,000 upon the Algae Biomass Technology achieving commercial viability. The Technology License is subject to royalty of 4.5% of gross customer sales receipts for use of the Algae Biomass Technology and aggregate annual royalty minimum amounts of US $50,000 in 2009, US $100,000 in 2010 and US $250,000 in 2011 and each year thereafter in which the Technology License is effective. The Company issued the 16,667 common shares to Pagic on August 18, 2008 at a fair value of $190,746 which has been expensed to product development and has accrued its share of the US $50,000 payment due on March 31, 2009. For the year ended March 31, 2009, Global Green and the Company incurred a total of US $1,281,712 (2008 – US $5,735,893) in costs related to the Vertigro JV and VAT. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company agreed to settle $964,941, related to the Vertigro JV and VAT, owing from Global Green through a reduction of accounts receivable which has been included in product development expenses. Accounts receivable as at March 31, 2009 includes a receivable due from Global Green in the amount of $812,048 (2008 - $404,935). |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
9. | Inventories As at March 31, 2009, inventories in the aggregate of $34,072 (2008 - $nil) consists of product relating to the Company’s Tomorrow Garden project and are valued at lower of cost and net realizable value. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company discontinued product development relating to its Nova Skincare System and Dust Wolf products and any inventory related thereto amounting to raw materials of $314,012, and finished goods inventory of $330,451 were expensed to product development. |
10. | Convertible Notes Details of the convertible notes are as follows: Convertible note continuity: |
| | US $ | | | CDN $ | |
| | Balance | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | | | Balance | | | Balance | |
| | March 31, | | | Issued | | | Equity | | | Interest / | | | Conversions/ | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
Date of Issue | | 2008 | | | Principal | | | Portion | | | Penalty | | | Repayments* | | | 2009 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July/August 2005 (Note 10(a)) | | $ | 259,825 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 15,647 | | | $ | (275,472 | ) | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
April 2006 (Note 10(b)) | | | 534,442 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 29,287 | | | | (563,729 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
April 2006 (Note 10(c)) | | | 85,542 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 4,673 | | | | (90,215 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
December 2006 (Note 10(e)) | | | 1,659,782 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 150,544 | | | | (1,810,326 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
January 2007 (Note 10(f)) | | | 1,569,183 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 468,170 | | | | (2,037,353 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
August 2007 (Note 10(g)) | | | 678,567 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 102,260 | | | | (780,827 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
September 2007 (Note 10(h)) | | | 297,433 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 154,295 | | | | (442,826 | ) | | | 8,902 | | | | 11,228 | |
July 2008 (Note 10(i)) | | | 0 | | | | 2,168,000 | | | | (1,315,003 | ) | | | 1,262,529 | | | | (2,115,526 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | $ | 5,084,774 | | | $ | 2,168,000 | | | $ | (1,315,003 | ) | | $ | 2,187,405 | | | $ | (8,116,274 | ) | | $ | 8,902 | | | $ | 11,228 | |
| | US $ | | | CDN $ | |
| | Balance | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | | | Balance | | | Balance | |
| | March 31, | | | Issued | | | Equity | | | Interest / | | | | | | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
Date of Issue | | 2007 | | | Principal | | | Portion | | | Penalty | | | Conversions | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July/August 2005 (Note 10(a)) | | $ | 316,957 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 22,389 | | | $ | (79,521 | ) | | $ | 259,825 | | | $ | 265,583 | |
April 2006 (Note 10(b)) | | | 495,607 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 38,835 | | | | 0 | | | | 534,442 | | | | 546,841 | |
April 2006 (Note 10(c)) | | | 79,115 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 6,427 | | | | 0 | | | | 85,542 | | | | 87,527 | |
December 2006 (Note 10(e)) | | | 670,486 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 989,296 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,659,782 | | | | 1,698,289 | |
January 2007 (Note 10(f)) | | | 813,084 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 967,767 | | | | (211,668 | ) | | | 1,569,183 | | | | 1,605,558 | |
August 2007 (Note 10(g)) | | | 0 | | | | 650,000 | | | | (230,007 | ) | | | 258,574 | | | | 0 | | | | 678,567 | | | | 694,310 | |
September 2007 (Note 10(h)) | | | 0 | | | | 391,000 | | | | (213,249 | ) | | | 119,682 | | | | 0 | | | | 297,433 | | | | 304,633 | |
| | $ | 2,375,249 | | | $ | 1,041,000 | | | $ | (443,256 | ) | | $ | 2,402,970 | | | $ | (291,189 | ) | | $ | 5,084,774 | | | $ | 5,202,741 | |
* Includes commitments to convert the remaining amounts into common shares
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (a) | US $1,277,200 July – August 2005 Convertible Note To provide working capital for product development, from July 25, 2005 to August 2005 the Company issued one-year, unsecured US $1,277,200 8% per annum convertible notes and three-year Class A and B warrants to acquire: (i) up to 50,741 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US $9.00; and (ii) up to an additional 50,741 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US $18.00. The holders of the convertible notes may elect to convert the notes into common shares of the Company at the lesser of: (i) 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the common shares for the ten trading days prior to conversion; and (ii) US $9.90. Accrued and unpaid interest may be converted into common shares of the Company at US $9.00 per share. The Company may, subject to notice provisions and its common shares trading above US $27.00 per share for more than twenty consecutive trading days, elect to payout the notes and interest due by paying 130% of the amount due under the notes plus interest. The share purchase warrants carry a “net cashless” exercise feature (“Cashless Conversion Feature”) allowing the holder thereof, under certain limited circumstances, to exercise the warrants without payment of the stated exercise price, but rather solely in exchange for the cancellation of that number of common shares into which sufficient warrants are exercisable, which will cover the exercise proceeds otherwise payable. These convertible notes are unsecured and as they have passed their maturity date, as at March 31, 2009 are due on demand. In conjunction with this financing, the Company paid consultants an amount equal to 10% of the gross proceeds and issued 23,651 common shares at a deemed value of $285,242. There are 14,192 finders’ A warrants outstanding whereby the holders have the right to purchase 14,192 common shares at US $9.00 per share until August 5, 2008 and 23,652 finders’ B warrants whereby the holders shall have the right to purchase 23,652 common shares at US $13.50 per share until August 5, 2008. A total of US $82,200 in registration penalties incurred in the year ended March 31, 2007 were converted to a new convertible debenture in the same amount on April 6, 2007 (Note 10(c)). During the year ended March 31, 2009, principal of US $92,281 and interest of US $9,423 were converted to 14,845 common shares and interest of US $15,647 (2008 – US $22,389) was accrued on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining unpaid principal, accrued interest and prepayment penalties aggregating US $173,768 for 595,006 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 595,006 common shares were issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)). |
| (b) | US $551,666 April 2006 Convertible Note On April 6, 2006, the Company consummated a private offering transaction with and among a syndicated group of investors, pursuant to which the Company issued, in the aggregate, US $551,666 in 8% per annum convertible notes and three-year Class A and B warrants to acquire: (i) up to 40,864 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US $9.00; and (ii) up to an additional 40,864 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US $18.00. Subject to certain limitations, the principal amount of the notes, together with any accrued interest may be converted into common shares of the Company at the lesser of: |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (b) | US $551,666 April 2006 Convertible Note (Continued) |
| (a) | 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the common shares for the ten trading days prior to conversion; or |
| (b) | US $9.90. The convertible notes carry a redemption feature, which allows the Company to retire them, in whole or in part, for an amount equal to 130% of that portion of the face amount being redeemed, but only in the event that the common shares have a closing price of US $27.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days and there has otherwise been no default. The warrants carry a Cashless Conversion Feature. |
| | These convertible notes are unsecured and as they have passed their maturity date, as at March 31, 2009 are due on demand.
In conjunction with these private offering transactions, the Company paid consultants: (i) US $55,166 cash, representing 10% of the gross proceeds realized; (ii) 10,216 common shares; (iii) three-year warrants to purchase up to 6,129 common shares at a price per share of US $9.00; and (iv) three-year warrants to purchase up to 10,215 common shares at a price per share of US $13.50.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, convertible notes and interest of US $460,679 were converted to 111,751 common shares and interest of US $21,312 (2008 – US $38,835) was accrued on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes.
Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining unpaid principal, accrued interest and prepayment penalties aggregating US $103,050 for 473,101 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 473,101 common shares were issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)). |
| (c) | US $82,200 April 2006 Penalty Convertible Note On April 6, 2006, in conjunction with certain private placements, the Company reached a verbal agreement with investors wherein the Company agreed to convert US $82,200 in accrued penalties associated with the July 25, 2005 through August 5, 2005 convertible notes into US$82,200 convertible penalty notes (Note 10(a)) carrying terms similar to the July 25, 2005 through August 5, 2005 convertible notes and 6,089 warrants. These warrants carry a Cashless Conversion Feature and each warrant entitles the holder to purchase additional common shares for three years at a price of US $13.50 per share. These convertible notes are unsecured and as they have passed their maturity date, as at March 31, 2009 are due on demand. During the year ended March 31, 2009, convertible notes and interest of US $64,410 were converted to 17,994 common shares and interest of US $4,673 (2008 – US $6,427) was accrued on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal, accrued interest and prepayment penalties aggregating US $25,715 for 106,443 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 106,443 common shares were issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)). |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (d) | Warrant Exercise Price Reduction and Registration Penalty Interest Certain of the July and August 2005 and the April 6, 2006 convertible notes contained registration rights whereby the Company agreed to pay a penalty of 2% for every thirty days that elapsed after the Company was required to have a registration statement effective, plus a reduction in the warrant price of certain of the warrants issued of US $1.80. As a result of the Company not filing the required registration statement until April 27, 2006, the Company incurred penalties, which have been included in interest expense. An aggregate of 189,299 previously issued share purchase warrants relating to certain of the July and August 2005 and the April 6, 2006 convertible notes have reduced exercise prices from US $9.00, US $13.50 and US $18.00 to US $7.20, US $11.70 and US $16.20, respectively. In 2007, the Company recognized $80,102 in interest expense with the corresponding amount to contributed surplus as a result of re-valuation of the warrants upon the change in the pricing. |
| (e) | US $1,500,000 December 2006 Convertible Note On December 1, 2006, the Company accepted subscriptions of US $1,500,000 towards a private placement of 8% per annum, unsecured, convertible notes and three-year warrants to acquire: (i) up to an aggregate of 111,112 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US $9.00; and (ii) up to an additional 111,112 common shares of the Company at a price per share of US $18.00. Subject to certain limitations, the principal amount of the notes, together with any accrued interest may be converted into common shares of the Company, at the lesser of: (i) 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the Company’s common shares for the ten trading days prior to conversion; or (ii) US $9.90. The convertible notes carry a redemption feature, which allows the Company to retire them, in whole or in part, for an amount equal to 130% of that portion of the face amount being redeemed, but only in the event that the common shares have a closing price of US $27.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days and there has otherwise been no default. These convertible notes are unsecured and as they have passed their maturity date, as at March 31, 2009 are due on demand. The share purchase warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. After December 31, 2007, this convertible note accrues interest at the rate of 15% per annum. The right of the note holders to convert into the Company’s common shares is subject to the contractual agreement between the parties that any conversion by the note holders may not lead at the date of such conversion to an aggregate equity interest in the common shares of the Company greater than 9.99%, inclusive of any derivative securities including options, warrants, convertible debt, any other convertible debt securities or any other financial instruments convertible into common equity. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US $150,544 (2008 – US $989,296) in interest. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal of US $1,500,000 and accrued interest of US $310,326 for 4,525,807 common shares that are restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 4,525,807 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)). |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (f) | US $2,000,000 January 2007 Convertible Note On January 29, 2007, the Company completed a private placement comprised of $2,000,000 convertible notes. The 6% unsecured convertible notes matured on December 11, 2008. The notes were convertible into “Units” at the note-holders’ discretion at a conversion price of US $9.00 per Unit. Each “Unit” consisted of one common share and one purchase warrant to purchase an additional common share at US $12.60 per share until December 11, 2008. At the discretion of the note-holders, interest on the notes was payable in either cash or units at US$9.00 per unit. In connection with this financing, the Company paid consultants US $108,000 in cash and issued 7,500 units exercisable at US $9.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase a further common share at US $12.60 per share until December 11, 2008. These convertible notes are unsecured and as they have passed their maturity date, as at March 31, 2009 are due on demand. The Company was obligated to file a resale registration statement on the underlying securities within four months of closing, which it failed to do. As a result of the failure to file the registration statement, the Company recorded penalties of US $120,000 during the year ended March 31, 2007 and a further US $289,973 during the year ended March 31, 2008. During the year ended, March 31, 2009, principal and accrued interest in the amount of US $709,995 was converted into 78,888 common shares, and principal and accrued interest in the amount of US $28,238 was traded for new 10% convertible notes that convert automatically into units (at a conversion price of US $0.40 per unit on the effective date of the share consolidation, each unit comprised of one common share and one 2-year share purchase warrant to purchase an additional common shares at $0.60 per share for a two year term from the date of issue of the unit). During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US $468,170 (2008 – US $967,767) in interest and accreted interest on the principal balance on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest aggregating US $1,299,120 for 3,247,797 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 3,247,797 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)). |
| (g) | US $650,000 August 2007 Convertible Note On August 10, 2007, the Company issued an unsecured convertible term promissory note in the amount of US $650,000 to a third party bearing interest at 6% per annum. The convertible note matured on November 15, 2007 and as at March 31, 2009 is due on demand with both interest and principal convertible at the option of the lender into units at US $10.80 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, each whole share purchase warrant exercisable at US $13.50 to purchase an additional common share. After November 25, 2008, this convertible note accrues interest at the rate of 15% per annum. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (g) | US $650,000 August 2007 Convertible Note (Continued) The Company was required to register the resale of the securities underlying the conversion features of this convertible note on a best-efforts basis, but failed to do so within 180 days from the date of issuance as agreed. A one-time financial penalty of US $28,567 was incurred during the year ended March 31, 2008. The right of the note holder to convert into the Company’s common shares is subject to the contractual agreement between parties that any conversion by the note-holder may not lead, at the date of such conversion, to an aggregate equity interest greater than 9.99% in the common shares of the Company, inclusive of any derivative securities including options, warrants, convertible debt, any other convertible debt securities or any other financial instruments convertible into common equity. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US $102,260 (2008 – US $258,574) in interest and accreted interest. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal and accrued interest aggregating US $780,827 for 1,952,066 common shares that are restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 1,952,066 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)) |
| (h) | US $391,000 September 2007 Convertible Note On September 27, 2007, the Company issued unsecured one-year term convertible notes bearing interest at 6% per annum in the amount of US $391,000 to third parties. The convertible notes matured September 30, 2008 and as at March 31, 2009 are due on demand. Both interest and principal may be converted at the option of the lender at any time at US$10.80 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole share purchase warrant exercisable at US $13.50 to purchase an additional common share for a two-year term from the date of conversion. The Company was required to register the resale of the securities underlying the conversion features of this convertible note on a best efforts basis, but failed to do so within 90 days from the date of issuance as agreed. A one-time financial penalty of US $23,460 was incurred during the year ended March 31, 2008. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US $154,295 (2008 – US $119,682) in interest and accreted interest on the principal balance on the unconverted principal balance of these convertible notes. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company repaid US $7,500 of the principal on these convertible notes. and, subsequent to March 31, 2009, the Company repaid an additional US $7,500 of principal and US $1,402 in interest. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company agreed to settle the remaining principal and accrued interest aggregating US $435,326 for 1,024,667 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled with equal quarterly releases beginning in January 2010. The 1,024,667 common shares were subsequently issued on May 11, 2009 (Note 14(c)). |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (i) | US $2,168,000 July 2008 Convertible Note On July 21, 2008, the Company closed a financing of zero coupon, 12% interest, senior secured convertible promissory notes in the amount of US $2,428,160 with an aggregate purchase price of US $2,168,000 with four investors, one of which was the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The debt is convertible into common shares at the lesser of US $9.18 per share (unless the conversion price has been adjusted pursuant to further contract covenants) and 70% of the average of the five lowest closing bid prices for the ten preceding trading days. The Company issued each purchaser in the private placement two warrants - one warrant redeemable by the Company and the other non-redeemable. The non-redeemable warrants are exercisable at US $9.90 and permit the holder to purchase 264,506 common shares. The redeemable warrants are exercisable at US $13.50 and permit the holder to purchase 132,253 common shares. Further, the Company issued 24,401 non-redeemable warrants, 12,201 redeemable warrants and US $160,000 in cash as transaction costs. The warrants carry a term of five years from the date of closing of the financing. The redeemable warrants may be redeemed by the Company at a price of US $0.18 per warrant only if certain conditions have been satisfied including the Company’s common shares having closed at $27.00 per share or greater for a period of 20 consecutive trading days and the warrant holder being able to resell the shares acquired upon exercise through a resale registration statement or under Rule 144 of the United States Securities Act. During the year ended March 31, 2009, interest and accretion of the convertible debenture in the aggregate of US $1,326,959 was accrued on the principal balance of these convertible notes. Effective March 27, 2009, the Company settled these notes by: |
| · | Issuing a new promissory note with a face value of US $1,323,000 that accrues interest at 12% and is repayable by the Company any time until maturity on December 31, 2009 (Note 18); |
| · | Settlement of the non-cash portions of the convertible note including US $524,884 in prepayment penalty, US $260,160 in original issuer discounts, and US $371,771 in interest which includes the interest payable on the new note through December 31, 2009 for an aggregate settlement of US $1,156,815 and agreed to issue 2,892,036 common shares that will be restricted from trading and pooled until January 1, 2010; |
| · | Repayment of US $400,000 to subscribers (cash paid May 11, 2009); and |
| · | Conversion of US $250,000 face value of the original note into 312,500 common shares of the Company (Note 14(c)). |
| | The terms of the new US $1,323,000 promissory note include the following: |
| · | If the promissory note is not settled prior to the maturity date on December 31, 2009, the features of the new note revert to those of the convertible note it replaced; |
| · | If prior to March 31, 2010, the Company issues common shares at a price less than the valuation of the shares issued to each note holder, the Company will issue to each note holder additional common shares based on the lower valuation. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
10. | Convertible Notes (Continued) |
| (i) | US $2,168,000 July 2008 Convertible Note(Continued) Convertible notes are classified according to their components. The financial liability representing the obligation to make the interest payments is classified as a debt, and the equity components representing the conversion option and the warrants held by the holder are disclosed in shareholders’ equity under “Conversion component of convertible notes” and “Contributed surplus”, respectively. The conversion option which does not meet the definition of equity as it is convertible into a variable number of common shares, is disclosed as a derivative liability. The Company uses the relative fair value method to allocate the proceeds received to the various components. The fair value of the liability component of convertible debentures is obtained by discounting future interest and principal payments by using a rate equal to the rate of similar debentures having no conversion right, and the fair values of the conversion components and the detachable warrants are obtained using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Interest expenditure related to the liability component is charged to operations, and the difference between the interest expenditure and its related disbursement representing the increase in the liability component value is credited to the convertible notes due to time-value of money. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company revised its presentation of the conversion option that did not meet the definition of equity to more accurately present these as derivative liabilities and has restated the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2008. This change in presentation had no material impact to the statement of operations. |
11. | Related Party Transactions Amounts due to related parties are non-interest bearing and have no specific terms of repayment. Due to related parties includes the following amounts at March 31 in respect to certain of the transactions detailed below: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
(a) Pagic | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 189,156 | |
(b) CFO | | | 19,105 | | | | 158,370 | |
(c) Consulting services and unsecured loan advances | | | 32,938 | | | | 73,896 | |
(d) Consulting services and unsecured loan advances | | | 30,882 | | | | 1,000,165 | |
(e) Advertising | | | 0 | | | | 52,145 | |
(f) Operational management consulting | | | 103,720 | | | | 16,784 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 186,645 | | | $ | 1,490,516 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
11. | Related Party Transactions (Continued) Related party transactions are in the ordinary course of business and are measured at the exchange amount at the time the agreement is entered into or services are provided. Related party transactions not disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements are as follows: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
(a) Pagic, a company related by a past common officer and director for: | | | | | | |
(i) Net charges for product development expenses including royalties | | $ | 301,948 | | | $ | 565,135 | |
(ii) Issued 16,667 shares related to technology purchase | | | 190,746 | | | | 0 | |
(iii) Commitment to issue 391,298 common shares for debt settlement | | | 195,570 | | | | 0 | |
(b) The Company’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and director for: | | | | | | | | |
(i) Charges for professional fees | | | 36,000 | | | | 35,370 | |
(ii) Exchange of balances for 12% convertible note (Note 10(i)) | | | 188,992 | | | | 0 | |
(iii) Net short-term advance, at 8-10% interest per annum | | | 52,605 | | | | 150,000 | |
(iv) Original issuer discount, prepayment penalty and interest prepaid through December 31, 2009 | | | 128,889 | | | | 0 | |
(v) Commitment to issue 1,085,690 common shares for debt settlement | | | 370,087 | | | | 0 | |
(c) Charges from private companies with CFO and director in common for: | | | | | | | | |
(i) Office rent | | | 37,800 | | | | 30,000 | |
(ii) Consulting fee | | | 160,650 | | | | 150,000 | |
(iii) Unsecured loan advances | | | 0 | | | | 57,364 | |
(iv) Commitment to issue 114,826 common shares | | | 57,364 | | | | 0 | |
(d) West Peak and its principal shareholder, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common shares: | | | | | | | | |
(i) Unsecured loan advances, at 8% interest per annum | | | 2,587,638 | | | | 977,665 | |
(ii) Consulting fees | | | 653,290 | | | | 52,500 | |
(iv) Convertible notes purchased | | | 85,460 | | | | 162,305 | |
(v) Exchange of amounts owed at March 31, 2009 forfuture issuance of 4,722,204 common shares | | | 1,601,528 | | | | 0 | |
(e) Advertising services provided by a private company with a director in common | | | 0 | | | | 244,861 | |
(f) A director for: | | | | | | | | |
(i) Operational management consulting and investor relations services | | | 202,421 | | | | 151,825 | |
(ii) Commitment to issue 46,875 common shares | | | 23,428 | | | | 0 | |
(g) Bonus of 5,555 restricted common shares to a retiring director | | | 0 | | | | 52,889 | |
(h) A director for: | | | | | | | | |
(i) Loans received/repaid during the year with 10%interest | | | 99,390 | | | | 0 | |
(ii) Convertible notes purchased | | | 91,893 | | | | 0 | |
(iii) Commitment to issue 183,860 common shares | | | 191,293 | | | | 0 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
12. | Commitments Commitments not disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements are as follows: The Company leases office and development space in Launceston, Cornwall, UK under a ten-year lease ending on November 15, 2017 at a quarterly cost of $24,020 (GB£12,550). Fiscal yearly commitments are as follows: |
2010 | | $ | 96,081 | |
2011 | | | 96,081 | |
2012 | | | 96,081 | |
2013 | | | 96,081 | |
2014 | | | 96,081 | |
Thereafter | | | 348,295 | |
| | $ | 828,700 | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Bank loan repayable in monthly instalments of US$2,336 including interest, due September 28, 2011, secured by a first charge on land and cash of $108,471 at March 31, 2008. Interest at prime plus 0.25%. | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 174,862 | |
Less: Current portion | | | 0 | | | | 16,250 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 0 | | | $ | 158,612 | |
| The Company fully repaid its long-term debt during the year ended March 31, 2009. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
Unlimited number of common shares without par value
Unlimited number of preferred shares without par value – none issued
| (b) | Issued and outstanding: The common share issuances consisted of the following transactions: |
| | Number of Shares | | | Amount | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Balance, as at March 31, 2007 | | | 1,703,670 | | | $ | 8,196,982 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Private placement, net of share issue costs (i) and (ii) | | | 473,486 | | | | 5,081,103 | |
Issued for financial consulting services (iii) | | | 192,333 | | | | 2,414,233 | |
Conversion of convertible notes (vi) | | | 41,542 | | | | 323,392 | |
Reallocation of equity upon conversion of notes | | | 0 | | | | 232,808 | |
Stock options exercised (v) | | | 9,722 | | | | 83,834 | |
Stock-based compensation for options exercised | | | 0 | | | | 75,093 | |
Warrants exercised (iv) | | | 38,883 | | | | 283,837 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 755,966 | | | | 8,494,300 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance, as at March 31, 2008 | | | 2,459,636 | | | | 16.691,282 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Private placement, net of share issue costs (i) | | | 180,703 | | | | 1,991,795 | |
Shares issued for promissory note interest (ii) | | | 5,555 | | | | 65,333 | |
Issued for financial consulting services (iii) | | | 35,776 | | | | 360,030 | |
Issued for technology license (iv) | | | 16,667 | | | | 190,746 | |
Conversion of convertible notes (v) | | | 289,344 | | | | 1,772,363 | |
Warrants exercised (vi) | | | 21,296 | | | | 203,990 | |
Reallocation from contributed surplus upon exercise of warrants | | | 0 | | | | 71,869 | |
Reallocation of equity on conversion of convertible notes | | | 0 | | | | 610,108 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 549,341 | | | | 5,266,234 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance, as at March 31, 2009 | | | 3,008,977 | | | $ | 21,957,516 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
14. | Share Capital (Continued) |
| (b) | Issued and outstanding (Continued): During the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company: |
| (i) | Completed a private placement of units whereby a total of 465,549 units were issued at US $10.80 per unit for gross proceeds of US $5,029,636. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable at US $13.50 to purchase one common share. The Company paid US $88,438 cash to consultants in connection with this private placement; |
| (ii) | Completed a private placement of units whereby a total of 7,937 units were issued at US $12.60 per unit for gross proceeds of US $100,000. Each unit consist of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable at US $15.30 to purchase an additional common share of the Company; |
| (iii) | Issued 192,333 shares in connection with seven financial consulting services agreements for administrative, investor relations, business and financial consulting services at an average deemed value of US $12.24 per share; |
| (iv) | Issued 38,883 common shares on exercise of 38,883 share purchase warrants at an average exercise price of US $7.20 per warrant; |
| (v) | Issued 9,722 common shares on exercise of 9,722 stock options at an exercise price of US $9.00 per option by a past director of the Company; and |
| (vi) | Issued 41,542 common shares upon conversion of US $275,000 of convertible notes, interest of US $4,521 and a registration penalty of US $11,668 from holders (Note 10). |
| | During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company: |
| (i) | Completed a private placement of units whereby a total of 180,703 units were issued at US $10.80 per unit for gross proceeds of US $1,951,600. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable at US $13.50 to purchase an additional common share of the Company; |
| (ii) | Issued 5,555 common shares in connection with interest charges regarding a promissory note at a fair value of $65,333; |
| (iii) | Issued the following common shares for consulting services: |
| · | 23,333 common shares in connection with two financial consulting services agreements for investor relations and product development services at an aggregate fair value of US $285,000; |
| · | 7,443 common shares for services rendered under a public relations agreement at a fair value of US $43,594; |
| · | 5,000 common shares for services rendered under an internet services contract at a fair value of US $16,500. |
| (iv) | Issued 16,667 common shares valued at US $180,000 ($190,746) to Pagic relating to the Technology License (Note 8); |
| (v) | Issued 289,344 common shares upon conversion of US $1,597,609 of convertible note principal, interest and penalties to convertible debenture holders; |
| (vi) | Issued 21,296 common shares upon the exercise of 21,296 warrants at US $9.00 per share. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
14. | Share Capital (Continued) |
| (c) | Commitment to Issue Shares: In conjunction with certain restructuring initiatives, effective March 27, 2009, the Company entered into a series of debt settlement agreements whereby it agreed to issue restricted common shares in settlement of convertible debentures, debenture related interest, original issuer discounts, prepayment penalties, future interest, certain accounts payable and related party amounts owing, certain advances, unpaid finders’ fees and demand and term promissory notes. An aggregate of US $10,806,780 representing these balances was settled in exchange for 29,516,951 common shares issued on May 11, 2009. Included in these shares are 24,232,816 common shares which are subject to pooling restrictions with quarterly equal releases beginning on January 1, 2010, and a further 2,634,135 common shares are subject to pooling restrictions until January 1, 2010. Also included in commitment to issue shares as at March 31, 2009 is the conversion of US$250,000 of convertible notes into 312,500 common shares which were issued on May 9, 2009. |
| (d) | Stock options The Company has a stock option plan (“Plan”) that allows for stock options to be issued to employees, directors, officers and consultants on both a qualified and non-qualified basis. The aggregate number of common shares as to which options and bonuses may be granted from time to time under the Plan shall not exceed 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding number of common shares and the number of common shares as to which options and bonuses may be granted under the US incentive portion of the Plan shall not exceed 17% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares. The Plan provides that the terms of the options and the option prices shall be fixed by the board of directors or committee and subject to the requirements of the exchange on which the Company’s common shares are traded or any other governing regulatory body, at the time of exercise. Options granted shall expire after a period of five years or terminate three months after the recipient ceases to be an employee of the Company. The following summarizes stock option activity for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Effective March 31, 2009, the Company cancelled all outstanding stock options in conjunction with restructuring initiatives. |
| | Number of Options | | | Weighted Average US Exercise Price | |
| | | | | | |
Options outstanding, March 31, 2007 | | | 213,056 | | | $ | 10.44 | |
Granted | | | 139,722 | | | $ | 12.42 | |
Forfeited | | | (13,056 | ) | | $ | 10.80 | |
Exercised | | | (9,722 | ) | | $ | 9.00 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding, March 31, 2008 | | | 330,000 | | | $ | 11.34 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | 24,444 | | | $ | 9.90 | |
Forfeited | | | (58,611 | ) | | $ | 11.24 | |
Exercised | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Cancelled | | | (295,833 | ) | | $ | 11.16 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding, March 31, 2009 | | | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
14. | Share Capital (Continued) |
| (d) | Stock options (Continued) As at March 31, 2009 and 2008, the following stock options were outstanding: |
| | | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Expiry Date | | US Exercise Price | | | Number of Options | | | Exercisable | | | Number of Options | | | Exercisable | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2008 | | $ | 9.00 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 6,946 | | | | 6,945 | |
March 22, 2009 | | $ | 10.80 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 27,777 | | | | 16,666 | |
November 10, 2009 | | $ | 10.80 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 36,112 | | | | 25,000 | |
March 1, 2010 | | $ | 18.00 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 4,167 | | | | 4,167 | |
April 1, 2010 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 33,333 | | | | 0 | |
April 9, 2010 | | $ | 14.40 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,777 | | | | 2,777 | |
June 30, 2010 | | $ | 10.80 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 11,112 | | | | 11,112 | |
October 2, 2010 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 11,112 | | | | 0 | |
October 10, 2010 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 16,666 | | | | 16,666 | |
December 20, 2010 | | $ | 10.80 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 16,666 | | | | 16,666 | |
October 10, 2011 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 41,666 | | | | 41,666 | |
February 21, 2011 | | $ | 9.90 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
December 13, 2011 | | $ | 9.90 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 91,666 | | | | 91,666 | |
December 20, 2011 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 8,612 | | | | 8,612 | |
March 21, 2012 | | $ | 10.80 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 16,666 | | | | 16,666 | |
March 31, 2012 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 4,722 | | | | 4,722 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 330,000 | | | | 263,331 | |
| | As at March 31, 2008, the weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options is 2.77 years.
During the year ended March 31, 2009, 24,444 (2008 - 139,722) stock options were granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants. The fair value of these stock options is recognized as a stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period of the options. The total fair value of these stock options was calculated at $121,530 (2008 - $1,020,687), all of which was recognized as stock-based compensation during the year ended March 31, 2009 (2008 - $807,687). Stock-based compensation expense includes $139,000 for the fair value of options granted in fiscal 2008, which vested in fiscal 2009. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
14. | Share Capital (Continued) |
| (d) | Stock options (Continued) Total stock-based compensation expense was $334,530 (2008 - $990,305). The fair value of stock options granted and the issue of finders’ warrants are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Expected life (years) | | | 5 | | | | 2 - 5 | |
Interest rate | | | 2.95 | % | | | 4.17 | % |
Volatility | | | 80.00 | % | | | 94.91 | % |
Dividend yield | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % |
| (e) | Warrants Each of the Company’s share purchase warrants is exercisable into one common share. The following summarizes warrants activity for the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008: |
| | Number of Warrants | | | Weighted Average US Price | |
| | | | | | |
Warrants outstanding and exercisable, March 31, 2007 | | | 652,990 | | | $ | 13.14 | |
Granted | | | 261,019 | | | $ | 17.64 | |
Exercised | | | (38,883 | ) | | $ | 7.38 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Warrants outstanding and exercisable, March 31, 2008 | | | 875,126 | | | $ | 13.32 | |
Granted | | | 581,869 | | | $ | 11.62 | |
Exercised | | | (21,296 | ) | | $ | 9.00 | |
Expired | | | (286,183 | ) | | $ | 9.66 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Warrants outstanding and exercisable, March 31, 2009 | | | 1,149,516 | | | $ | 12.38 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
14. | Share Capital (Continued) |
| (e) | Warrants (Continued) As at March 31, the following share purchase warrants were outstanding: |
Expiry Date | | US Exercise Price | | | 2009 Number of Warrants | | | 2008 Number of Warrants | |
| | | | | | | | | |
July 25, 2008 | | $ | 9.00 | | | | 0 | | | | 41,259 | |
August 5, 2008 | | $ | 9.00 | | | | 0 | | | | 16,798 | |
December 11, 2008 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 0 | | | | 24,198 | |
December 11, 2008 | | $ | 9.00 | | | | 0 | | | | 7,500 | |
December 31, 2008 | | $ | 14.40 | | | | 0 | | | | 92,051 | |
December 31, 2008 | | $ | 18.00 | | | | 0 | | | | 43,866 | |
December 31, 2008 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 0 | | | | 23,652 | |
April 6, 2009 | | $ | 7.20 | | | | 55,221 | | | | 28,519 | |
April 6, 2009 | | $ | 16.20 | | | | 91,605 | | | | 40,864 | |
April 6, 2009 | | $ | 9.00 | | | | 3,629 | | | | 3,629 | |
April 6, 2009 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 10,215 | | | | 10,215 | |
April 6, 2009 | | $ | 11.70 | | | | 6,089 | | | | 6,089 | |
April 9, 2009 | | $ | 7.20 | | | | 0 | | | | 26,703 | |
April 9, 2009 | | $ | 16.20 | | | | 0 | | | | 50,741 | |
April 23, 2009 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 46,296 | | | | 46,296 | |
May 24, 2009 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 12,407 | | | | 12,407 | |
July 10, 2009 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 2,917 | | | | 2,917 | |
October 9, 2009 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 33,796 | | | | 33,796 | |
December 1, 2009 | | $ | 9.00 | | | | 111,111 | | | | 111,111 | |
December 1, 2009 | | $ | 18.00 | | | | 111,111 | | | | 111,111 | |
December 18, 2009 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 130,492 | | | | 130,492 | |
February 19, 2010 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 6,944 | | | | 6,944 | |
March 21, 2010 | | $ | 15.30 | | | | 3,968 | | | | 3,968 | |
May 1, 2010 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 83,241 | | | | 0 | |
June 6, 2010 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 5,418 | | | | 0 | |
July 22, 2010 | | $ | 13.50 | | | | 1,695 | | | | 0 | |
July 20, 2013 | | $ | 9.90 | | | | 288,907 | | | | 0 | |
July 20, 2013 | | $ | 12.60 | | | | 144,454 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | �� | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | | | 1,149,516 | | | | 875,126 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
14. | Share Capital (Continued) |
| (e) | Warrants (Continued) On July 15, 2008, the Company amended the terms of certain warrants issued previously as part of various private placements. 77,444 warrants exercisable at US$7.20 to US$18.00 per share expiring in July 2008 were extended to April 9, 2009 and 159,573 warrants expiring in July and August 2008 were extended to December 31, 2008. The Company applies the fair value method using Black-Scholes option pricing model in accounting for warrants utilizing a risk free interest rate of 1.8% and expected volatility of 64%. The warrant extensions resulted in additional compensation expense of $181,048 which was charged to expenses with a corresponding credit to contributed surplus. These warrants have expired unexercised. In addition, warrants expiring in April through July 2009 expired unexercised. |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Contributed surplus, beginning of year | | $ | 4,203,394 | | | $ | 3,253,333 | |
Equity component upon repayment of convertible debt | | | 21,999 | | | | 0 | |
Issuance of warrants on convertible debentures | | | 867,117 | | | | 34,849 | |
Warrant modifications during the year | | | 181,048 | | | | 0 | |
Stock-based compensation expense for year | | | 260,530 | | | | 990,305 | |
Warrants exercised during the year | | | (71,869 | ) | | | | |
Stock options exercised during the year | | | 0 | | | | (75,093 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Contributed surplus, end of year | | $ | 5,462,219 | | | $ | 4,203,394 | |
15. | Income Taxes The tax effects of the temporary differences that give rise to the Company’s future tax assets and liabilities are as follows: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Future income tax assets | | | | | | |
Non-capital losses carried forward | | $ | 8,479,729 | | | $ | 4,593,497 | |
Net capital losses carried forward | | | 186,646 | | | | 186,646 | |
Property and equipment tax values in excess of book | | | 238,075 | | | | 7,080 | |
Other deductible amounts | | | 62,729 | | | | 40,337 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total future tax assets | | | 8,967,179 | | | | 4,827,560 | |
Valuation allowance | | | (8,967,179 | ) | | | (4,827,560 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Future income tax assets, net | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| The Company has non-capital losses available to offset future taxable income in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom amounting to approximately, $13,900,000 expiring through 2029, $13,000,000 expiring through 2029, and $1,960,000 available for indefinite carryforward, respectively. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
15. | Income Taxes (Continued) The Company evaluates its valuation allowance requirements based on projected future operations. When circumstances change and this causes a change in management’s judgment about the recoverability of future tax assets, the impact of the change in the valuation allowance will be reflected in current income. The future tax benefits of these and other amounts have not been recognized in the consolidated financial statements as their realization is not more likely than not.
The reconciliation of income tax provision computed at statutory rates of 30.75% (2008: 33.33%) to the reported income tax provision is as follows: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Income tax benefit computed at Canadian statutory rates | | $ | 5,490,000 | | | $ | 4,071,000 | |
Temporary differences not recognized | | | (937,000 | ) | | | (8,000 | ) |
Permanent differences not deductible | | | (80,000 | ) | | | (1,499,000 | ) |
Foreign tax rate difference | | | 37,000 | | | | 0 | |
Income tax rate changes | | | (353,000 | ) | | | (37,000 | ) |
Unrecognized tax losses | | | (4,157,000 | ) | | | (2,527,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
16. | Product Development Costs As the Company is in the development stage, test sales are credited to development costs. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company had test sales of $219,483 (2008 - $985,779) related to the Nova Skincare System. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
17. | Segmented Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available, which is evaluated regularly by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. All of the Company’s operations are in the research, product development and resale sectors. The Company’s product development, research and resale operations are focused in the United States and, on a secondary basis, in the United Kingdom whereby management of the Company is responsible for business results and the operational decision making. Canadian operations are core to administration and finance functions. The Company’s operations are, therefore, segmented on a geographic basis. |
| | United States | | | United Kingdom | | | Canada | | | Consolidated | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segmented revenue | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Segmented loss | | $ | 6,113,583 | | | $ | 1,217,895 | | | $ | 10,524,012 | | | $ | 17,855,490 | |
Identifiable assets | | $ | 722,809 | | | $ | 532,631 | | | $ | 1,096,523 | | | $ | 2,351,963 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2008 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segmented revenue | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Segmented loss | | $ | 5,432,464 | | | $ | 757,819 | | | $ | 6,522,075 | | | $ | 12,712,358 | |
Identifiable assets | | $ | 1,979,342 | | | $ | 518,932 | | | $ | 2,107,640 | | | $ | 4,605,914 | |
18. | Promissory Notes Payable As at March 31, 2009, promissory notes payable consists of the following due to third party lenders: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
7% simple interest, US$100,000 promissory note payable, unsecured, due on demand | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 115,971 | |
10% simple interest, US$150,000 promissory note payable, unsecured, due May 15, 2008 | | | 0 | | | | 154,196 | |
12% simple interest, US$1,323,000 note payable, due December 31, 2009 (Note 10(i)) | | | 1,473,060 | | | | 0 | |
10% simple interest, US$500,000 subscription advance, unsecured, due August 31, 2009 | | | 630,650 | | | | 0 | |
Mandatorily convertible note, to be converted upon achievement of 18:1 common share rollback | | | 35,284 | | | | 0 | |
12% simple interest, US$400,000 note payable, unsecured, due on demand (Note 10(i)) | | | 504,520 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,643,514 | | | $ | 270,167 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
18. | Promissory Notes Payable (Continued) During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company repaid the principal and accrued interest and in addition, committed to issue 5,555 common shares in full settlement of two promissory notes which were outstanding at March 31, 2008. On March 26, 2009, the Company entered into a subscription agreement for an investment of up to US$2,000,000 convertible into units. The subscription funds bear interest at 10% (at the rate of US$0.125 per unit on the date upon which the Company effects a share consolidation). Each unit consists of one restricted common share and one-third share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of US$0.45 per share for a one year term from the date of issue. The warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. As at March 31, 2009, the Company had received US$500,000 ($630,650) which has been reflected as a promissory note payable in the financial statements. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company accrued US$685 interest on the principal balance of this advance. On May 22, 2009, the balance of US$1,500,000 was received. The Company completed the share consolidation on July 16, 2009, and on July 17, 2009, issued 16,303,562 common shares pursuant to the conversion of US$2,000,000 in subscription advances and interest of US$37,945 and also issued 5,434,521 warrants to purchase 5,434,521 common shares at an exercise price of US$0.45 per share expiring July 18, 2010. |
19. | Subsequent Events Subsequent events not disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements are as follows: |
| (a) | On April 1, 2009 through June 22, 2009, the Company received subscriptions to a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate of US$176,240. The note and accrued interest have been converted into units at the rate of US$0.40 per unit. Each unit consists of one restricted common share and one share purchase warrant to purchase an additional restricted common share at an exercise price of US$0.60 per share for a two year term from the date of conversion. On July 17, 2009, the Company issued 458,139 common shares pursuant to the conversion of US$179,478 in convertible notes and accrued interest of US$3,777, and also issued 458,139 warrants to purchase 458,139 common shares at an exercise price of US$0.60 per share until July 17, 2011; |
| (b) | On July 31, 2009, the Company issued an aggregate of 75,000 common shares valued at US$43,500 pursuant to obligations under a public relations agreement and an internet based services agreement. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
20. | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada and the United States Reconciliation of Net Loss Under Canadian GAAP to US GAAP The effect of the material measurement differences between generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and the United States on the Company’s net loss is summarized as follows: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net loss under Canadian GAAP | | $ | 17,855,490 | | | $ | 12,712,358 | | | $ | 8,138,393 | |
Add (deduct): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest and accretion expense (Note 20(b)) | | | 2,338,048 | | | | 399,496 | | | | 1,463,628 | |
Debt issue costs (Note 20(c)) | | | 94,568 | | | | 135,733 | | | | 108,696 | |
Product development (Note 20(d)) | | | (1,409,883 | ) | | | (1,878,438 | ) | | | (420,670 | ) |
Net loss of interest in joint venture (Note 20(d)) | | | 1,409,883 | | | | 1,878,438 | | | | 420,670 | |
Gain on settlement of debt (Note 20(b)) | | | (1,962,970 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Foreign exchange gain/loss (Note 20(b)) | | | (324,995 | ) | | | 45,301 | | | | 38,622 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss and comprehensive loss under US GAAP | | $ | 18,000,141 | | | $ | 13,292,888 | | | $ | 9,749,339 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss per share under US GAAP – basic and diluted | | $ | (6.47 | ) | | $ | (6.73 | ) | | $ | (9.11 | ) |
Weighted average number of shares - US GAAP | | | 2,782,284 | | | | 1,974,763 | | | | 1,070,066 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
20. | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada and the United States (Continued) Presentation of Balance Sheets Under Canadian and United States GAAP Balance sheets under Canadian GAAP and US GAAP are as follows: |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | Canadian GAAP | | | US GAAP | | | Canadian GAAP | | | US GAAP | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 224,769 | | | $ | 224,769 | | | $ | 163,437 | | | $ | 163,437 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 920,235 | | | | 920,235 | | | | 462,156 | | | | 462,156 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 102,670 | | | | 102,670 | | | | 2,119,546 | | | | 2,119,546 | |
Inventories | | | 34,072 | | | | 34,072 | | | | 617,195 | | | | 617,195 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 1,281,746 | | | | 1,281,746 | | | | 3,362,334 | | | | 3,362,334 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted cash | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 108,471 | | | | 108,471 | |
Debt issue costs (Note 20(c)) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 94,568 | |
Property and equipment | | | 1,070,216 | | | | 1,070,216 | | | | 1,135,108 | | | | 1,135,108 | |
Product license | | | 1 | | | | 1 | | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 4,605,914 | | | $ | 4,700,482 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficiency | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 541,802 | | | $ | 541,802 | | | $ | 536,563 | | | $ | 536,563 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 16,250 | | | | 16,250 | |
Promissory notes payable | | | 2,643,514 | | | | 2,643,514 | | | | 270,167 | | | | 270,167 | |
Due to related parties | | | 186,645 | | | | 186,645 | | | | 1,490,516 | | | | 1,490,516 | |
Convertible notes (Note 20(b)) | | | 11,228 | | | | 11,228 | | | | 5,202,741 | | | | 5,389,387 | |
| | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 940,537 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 3,383,189 | | | | 3,383,189 | | | | 8,456,774 | | | | 7,702,883 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 158,612 | | | | 158,612 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 3,383,189 | | | | 3,383,189 | | | | 8,615,386 | | | | 7,861,495 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share capital (Note 20(b)) | | | 21,957,516 | | | | 22,070,991 | | | | 16,691,282 | | | | 16,866,115 | |
Contributed surplus (Note 20(b)) | | | 5,462,219 | | | | 10,766,950 | | | | 4,203,394 | | | | 9,097,348 | |
Commitment to issue shares (Note 20(b)) | | | 16,955,228 | | | | 13,255,450 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Conversion component of convertible notes (Note 20(b)) | | | 4,310 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,650,861 | | | | 0 | |
Accumulated deficit from prior operations | | | (3,237,370 | ) | | | (3,237,370 | ) | | | (3,237,370 | ) | | | (3,237,370 | ) |
Accumulated deficit during the development stage | | | (42,173,129 | ) | | | (43,887,247 | ) | | | (24,317,639 | ) | | | (25,887,106 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | (1,031,226 | ) | | | (1,031,226 | ) | | | (4,009,472 | ) | | | (3,161,013 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 2,351,963 | | | $ | 4,605,914 | | | $ | 4,700,482 | |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
20. | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada and the United States (Continued) |
| (a) | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements |
| (i) | Fair Value Measurements In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). The standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in US GAAP, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This standard does not require any new fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No.157-2 (“FSP No. 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on a recurring basis. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial results. The disclosures required by SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as at March 31, 2009 are included in Note 20(e).
The Company will apply the requirements of SFAS No. 157 for fair value measurements of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities not valued on a recurring basis for its fiscal year commencing April 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this application on its financial reporting and disclosures.
On October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FSP No.157-3 , which clarifies the application of SFAS No.157 in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that asset is not active. SFAS No.157-3 is effective as of the issuance date and has not affected the valuation of the Company’s financial assets. |
| (ii) | The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” which allows an irrevocable option, the Fair Value Option, to carry eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Changes in fair value for these instruments are recorded in earnings. The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.
The Company applied SFAS No. 159 prospectively during the year ended March 31, 2009 and has not adopted the Fair Value Option for any of its eligible financial instruments. |
| (b) | Convertible Notes Under Canadian GAAP, the principal amount of financial liabilities convertible in common shares of an entity are bifurcated between its liability and equity components. The liability component commonly consists of an entity’s obligation to make principal and interest payments while the equity component consists of the debtor’s option to convert the financial liability into common shares of the entity. The Company follows the relative fair value method of bifurcation under which the principal amount is allocated to the liability and equity components based on the pro-rata values of the debt and the conversion option. The liability component of the convertible notes is accreted over its estimated life to the principal amount using the effective interest method. Upon conversion of the financial liability to common shares of the entity, the difference between the carrying value of the liability component and the principal amount, if any, is recognized in income as interest expense and the principal amount and equity component are transferred to share capital. Should the debtor’s option to convert the financial liability into common shares of the entity expire unexercised, the equity component is transferred to contributed surplus. To the extent that the embedded conversion option does not meet the definition of equity it is presented as a derivative liability. In the event that convertible debt is settled with common shares, the Company uses the fair value of the remaining liability to determine the gain or loss on settlement. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
20. | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada and the United States (Continued) |
| (b) | Convertible Notes (Continued) Under US GAAP, the principal amount of financial liabilities convertible in common shares of an entity are not bifurcated between its liability and equity components unless the debtor’s option to convert the financial liability into common shares of the entity is in-the-money on the date of issuance, which results in a beneficial conversion feature. The value of the beneficial conversion feature, calculated on an intrinsic value basis, is classified in equity and presented as additional paid-in-capital, the US GAAP equivalent of contributed surplus, unless the embedded conversion feature meets the definition of a derivative in which case it is fair valued and presented as a derivative liability. The difference between the principal amount of a financial liability and the value of the beneficial conversion feature is classified in liabilities. The discounted financial liability is accreted over its estimated life to the principal amount using the effective interest method. Upon conversion of the financial liability to common shares of the entity, the difference between the carrying value of the financial liability and the principal amount, if any, is recognized in income as interest expense and the principal amount and amount of the beneficial conversion feature are transferred to share capital. In the event that the convertible debt is settled with common shares, the Company uses the fair value of the common shares issued to determine the gain or loss on settlement. |
| (c) | Debt Issue Costs Under Canadian GAAP, an entity may make an accounting policy choice to either defer transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of a financial liability classified as other than held for trading or to recognize all transaction costs in net income as incurred. The Company’s accounting policy is to recognize all transaction costs in net income as incurred. Under US GAAP, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of a financial liability are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the financial liability |
| (d) | Proportionate Consolidation Under Canadian GAAP, the accounts of joint ventures are proportionately consolidated while US GAAP requires investments in joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method. Under Canadian GAAP, the Company has classified amounts advanced to and expended by its Vertigro joint venture of $1,409,883 (2008 - $1,878,438; 2007 - $420,670) as product development in its statement of operations. Under US GAAP, these amounts are classified as net loss from interest in joint venture. This difference does not have a material effect on the Company's balance sheet. Additional information concerning the Company’s interests in a joint venture is presented in Note 8. |
| (e) | Fair Value Disclosures Our financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of fair value hierarchy that prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, with level 1 inputs having the highest priority.
The levels and the valuation techniques used to value the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are described below: |
| Level 1 - | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Cash equivalents, including demand deposits and money market instruments, are valued using quoted market prices. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
20. | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada and the United States (Continued) |
| (e) | Fair Value Disclosures (Continued) |
| Level 2 - | Quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Derivative instruments are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued using pricing models or discounted cash flow models. These models require a variety of inputs, including, but not limited to, contractual terms, market prices, forward price curves, yield curves, and credit spreads. These inputs are obtained from or corroborated with the market where possible. |
| Level 3 - | Unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) prices. When applicable, the Company reviews the fair value of these instruments periodically and estimate an impairment charge based on management’s best estimates, which are unobservable inputs. |
| | Fair value measurements of the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2009 are summarized in the following table: |
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 224,769 | | | | – | | | | – | | | | 224,769 | |
| (f) | Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements |
| (i) | Accounting Standards Codification In June 2009, FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162”. Under SFAS No. 168, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) will become the sole source of authoritative U.S. GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. SFAS No. 168 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this statement will have no material impact on the Company’s financial statements but will require that interim and annual filings include references to the Codification. |
| (ii) | Variable Interest Entities In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)”. SFAS No. 167 amends the accounting for variable interest entities (“VIE”) and changes the process as to how an enterprise determines which party consolidates a VIE. SFAS No. 167 also defines the party that consolidates the VIE (the primary beneficiary) as the party with (1) the power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 167, the reporting enterprise must reconsider its conclusions on whether an entity should be consolidated, and should a change result, the effect on its net assets will be recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. SFAS No. 167 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early application is prohibited. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement. |
Valcent Products Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
20. | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada and the United States (Continued) |
| (f) | Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Continued) |
| (iii) | Transfers of Financial Assets In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140”. SFAS No. 166 limits the circumstances in which a financial asset may be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire financial asset or has continuing involvement with the transferred asset. The concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, which had previously facilitated sale accounting for certain asset transfers, is removed by SFAS No. 166. SFAS No. 166 is effective for financial asset transfers occurring in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early application is prohibited. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. |
| (iv) | Subsequent Events In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165 “Subsequent Events”. SFAS No. 165 provides general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The statement sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. The statement also sets forth the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements. Furthermore, this statement identifies the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. |
| (v) | Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities In March 2008, FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment to FASB Statement No. 133”. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations; and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement. |
| (vi) | Business Combinations In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations”. This statement replaces SFAS 141 and defines the acquirer in a business combination as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in a business combination and establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control. SFAS 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS 141R also requires the acquirer to recognize contingent consideration at the acquisition date, measured at its fair value at that date. This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. |
| (vii) | Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements Liabilities In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements Liabilities – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”. This statement amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the Non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. |
No. | Description of Exhibit |
| |
1(i)(1) | Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated January 19, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(i) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
| |
1(i)(2) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated March 12, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(ii) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
| |
1(i)(3) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated August 19, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(i) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
| |
1(i)(4) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated June 30, 1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(iv) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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1(i)(5) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated July 8, 1999, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(v) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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1(i)(6) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated September 28, 1999, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(vi) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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1(i)(7) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated April 15, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a)(vii) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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1(i)(8) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Valcent Products Inc., dated June 24, 2009 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form 6-K filed July 16, 2009. |
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1(ii) | By-laws of Valcent Products Inc., dated March 26, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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1(iii) | Audit Committee charter of Valcent Products, Inc., dated March 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 15.A on Form 20-F filed October 31, 2005. |
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4.1 | Master license agreement between Valcent Products Inc. and MK Enterprises LLC, dated July 29, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(i) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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4.2 | Product development agreement between Valcent Products Inc. and MK Enterprises LLC, dated July 29, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(ii) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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4.3 | Invention license agreement between Valcent Products Inc. and MK Enterprises LLC, dated July 29, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(iii) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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4.4 | Consulting agreement between Valcent Products Inc. and M. Glen Kertz, dated July 29, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(iv) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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4.5 | Consulting agreement between Valcent Products Inc. and MK Enterprises LLC, dated July 29, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(v) on Form 20-F filed October 13, 2005. |
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4.6 | Form of liquidated damages convertible note agreement between Valcent Products Inc., and certain institutional note holders, dated April 6, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 on Form F-1/A filed June 30, 2006. |
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4.7 | Form of liquidated damages warrant agreement between Valcent Products Inc., and certain institutional note holders, dated April 6, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 on Form F-1/A filed June 30, 2006. |
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4.8 | Creative and production services agreement between Valcent Products Inc., and Hawthorne Direct, dated June 14, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 on Form F-1/A filed June 30, 2006. |
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4.9 | Media services agreement between Valcent Products Inc., and Hawthorne Direct, dated June 14, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 on Form F-1/A filed June 30, 2006. |
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4.10 | Manufacturing agreement between Valcent Manufacturing Ltd. and Solid Integrations LLC dated September 22, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 on Form F-1/A filed October 2, 2006. |
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4.11 | Farm and Ranch Contract between Valcent Products, Inc. C/O Gordon & Mott, P.C., and Roberto H. Silvas, dated October 2, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 on Form F-1/A filed February 7, 2007. |
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4.12 | Letter of Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., Global Green Solutions Inc., Pagic LP, and West Peak Ventures of Canada Limited, dated October 2, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 on Form F-1/A filed February 7, 2007. |
4.13 | Direct Response Services Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc. and InPulse Response Group, dated October 23, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 on Form F-1/A filed February 7, 2007. |
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4.14 | Corporate Support Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., and Sweetwater Capital Corporation dated November 1, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.15 | Master Services Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc. and Accretive Commerce, Inc., dated November 30, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 on Form F-1/A filed February 7, 2007. |
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4.16 | Stakeholders Letter of Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., Global Green Solutions, Inc., Pagic LP, and West Peak Ventures of Canada Limited, dated June 25, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.17 | Consulting Services Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., and MB Pics Capital Corporation, dated November 2, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.18 | Consulting Services Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., and Yellow Rose Ltd., dated February 1, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.19 | Consulting Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., and J. Gordon Murphy, dated February 29, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008.. |
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4.20 | Financial Advisory Consulting Services Agreement, between Valcent Products, Inc., and Mark T. Cox, dated May 1, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.21 | Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Vertigro Algae Technologies, LLC, between Valcent USA, Inc., and Global Green Solutions Inc., dated May 5, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 6-K filed May 14, 2008. |
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4.22 | Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC Technology License Agreement, between Valcent Products, Inc., Pagic LP, and West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd., dated May 7, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Form 6-K filed May 14, 2008. |
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4.23 | Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC Amendment to the Technology License Agreement, between Valcent Products, Inc., Pagic LP, and West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd., dated May 5, 2008 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.24 | Form of convertible note agreement between Valcent Products Inc., and certain institutional note holders, dated July 16, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form 6-K filed July 25, 2008. |
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4.25 | Form of Series A Warrant between Valcent Products Inc., and certain institutional note holders, dated July 16, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 on Form 6-K filed July 25, 2008. |
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4.26 | Form of Series B Warrant between Valcent Products Inc., and certain institutional note holders, dated July 16, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 on Form 6-K filed July 25, 2008. |
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4.27 | Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, between Valcent Products, Inc., and certain institutional note holders, dated July 16, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 6-K filed July 25, 2008. |
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4.28 | Security Agreement, between Valcent Products, Inc., and Platinum Long Term Growth VI, LLC, dated July 16, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on Form 6-K filed July 25, 2008. |
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4.29 | Patent Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement, between Valcent Products, Inc., Valcent USA Inc., Valcent Manufacturing, Ltd., Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC, Valcent Products EU Limited, and Platinum Long Term Growth VI, LLC, dated July 16, 2008 and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.30 | Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents and Leases, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, between, Valcent Products, Inc., Valcent Manufacturing, Ltd., Deborah P. Everett, and Platinum Long Term Growth VI, LLC, dated July 16, 2008, and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.31 | Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement between Valcent Products, Inc., Valcent USA Inc., Valcent Manufacturing, Ltd., Valcent Management LLC, Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC, Valcent Products EU Limited, and Platinum Long Term Growth VI, LLC, dated July 16, 2008, and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.31 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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4.32 | Purchase and Sale Agreement between Valcent USA Inc., Global Green Solutions, Inc., and Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC, dated September 26, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 6-K filed October 1, 2008. |
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4.33 | Intellectual Property Sales and Purchase Agreement between Pagic LP, Malcolm Glen Kertz, West Peak Ventures of Canada Ltd., and Valcent Products Inc., dated March 30, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 6-K filed July 13, 2009. |
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4.34 | Form of Settlement Agreement and Lock up Agreement dated April, 2009 and May 11, 2009 respectively between Valcent Products and various individuals and entities being debt holders of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 and 10.2 on Form 6-K filed May 15, 2009. |
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4.35 | Addendum to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 26, 2008 between Valcent USA, Inc., Global Green Solutions Inc., and Vertigro Algae Technologies LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on Form 6-K filed December 5, 2008. |
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5.1 | Subsidiaries of Valcent Products Inc., as of September 30, 2008 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.1 on Form 20-F filed October 10, 2008. |
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SIGNATURES
The registrant here certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
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| VALCENT PRODUCTS, INC. |
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Date: October 15, 2009 | By: | /s/ F. George Orr |
| | F. George Orr Chief Financial Officer acting Chief Executive Officer and acting President |