UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
Commission File No. 000-53212
BEESFREE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 92-0189305 |
(State of Incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2101 Vista Parkway, Suite 122
West Palm Beach, Florida 33411
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(561) 939-4860
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
(Title of Each Class)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ¨ Yes x No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ¨ Yes x No
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. x Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of the chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
¨ Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer
¨ Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). £ Yes S No
The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 28, 2013, was $1,593,350.
As of March 24, 2014, the number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding was 16,344,728.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
PART I | ||
Item 1. | Business | 2 |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 7 |
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 7 |
Item 2. | Properties | 7 |
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 7 |
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 7 |
PART II | ||
Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 8 |
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 9 |
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 9 |
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 13 |
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 13 |
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 13 |
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 14 |
Item 9B. | Other Information | 15 |
PART III | ||
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 16 |
Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 18 |
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 19 |
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 22 |
Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 23 |
PART IV | ||
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 24 |
Signatures | 25 |
PART I
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”) that involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Because our common stock is considered to be “penny stock” under the rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we may not rely on the safe harbor created by the PSLRA with respect to forward –looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from projections include without limitation:
· | our dependence on additional financing to continue as a going concern; |
· | unexpected costs and operating deficits; |
· | our lack of operating history; |
· | our inability to generate revenues or profits from sales of our chemical compound and dispenser; |
· | the efficacy of , and market acceptance of our products; |
· | our inability to compete effectively in the beekeepers market; |
· | governmental regulation and oversight, including our ability to qualify our chemical compound in various countries; |
· | our ability to protect our technology through intellectual property rights; and |
· | adverse results of any material legal proceedings. |
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenue or losses, projected costs, prospects and plans and management objectives are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. All forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statement was made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this report as a result of future events, new developments or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these plans, intentions or expectations may not be achieved.
As used in this report, the terms “company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to BeesFree, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiary, BeesFree USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
We were incorporated on September 4, 2007, in the State of Nevada. BeesFree, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, “BeesFree” or the “Company”) is a development stage company which has developed a proprietary composite nutritional food supplement for honeybees, BeesVita PlusTM, that it believes prevents the effects of colony collapse disorder (“CCD”). CCD is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or colony abruptly disappear effectively killing the colony. The Company’s goal is to initially sell products directly to large beekeepers in the United States, Europe and Argentina and Turkey. The Company has not commenced principal operations of selling its product, nor has it generated any revenues from operations.
Our Business
We are a company focused on developing innovative solutions for the global beekeeping community. We have developed BeesVita PlusTM, a patent-pending composite nutritional food supplement for honey bees that we believe improves the bee’s general health and wellbeing by boosting the honey bee’s immune and defense system. We believe BeesVita PlusTM benefits honey bees by promoting brood rearing, increasing adult population, helping control Varroa and Nosema infestation and the spread of harmful viruses, all helping to prevent the occurrence of CCD. CCD is a world-wide phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or colony abruptly disappear, effectively killing the colony. It was first documented in late 2006 when beekeepers began reporting losses of 30-90% of their hives. We have also developed the BeespenserTM, a patent-pending automated external honey bee feeding system used to deliver BeesVita PlusTM.
We are a development stage enterprise. Our primary activities have been focused on the development of our business plan, the filing of patents, the filing of applications for approval to sell our product in various countries, the development of an infrastructure to sell and deliver our product, and the raising of capital. We have not commenced our principal operations, nor have we generated any revenues from our operations. We are currently facing a cash shortage which raises substantial doubt about our ability to implement our business plan and our ability to continue as a going concern. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
We have incurred operating losses since inception and expect to incur operating losses in the future in connection with the development of our products and technology. As of December 31, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $4,424,630.
Business Opportunity/Market
The total economic value of insect pollination worldwide has been estimated to be over $200 billion, which represented 9.5% of the value of the world agricultural production used for human food in 2005.1 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated that out of 100 crop species which provide 90% of the food worldwide, 71 of these are bee pollinated (mainly by wild bees).2 The production value of a ton of insect pollination dependent crop categories are on average five (5) times that of those which are non-insect pollination dependent.1
Honey bees (Apis Mellifera) are the most economically valuable pollinators of agricultural crops worldwide and are the only bee species kept commercially in the United States.3 The two primary uses of honey bees worldwide are for pollination and honey production.
1 Gallai N. et al., 2009 “ Economic valuation of the vulnerability of world agriculture confronted with pollinator decline”. Ecological Economics, 68:810-821, and referenced by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2010 - UNEP Emerging Issues: Global Honey Bee Colony Disorder and Other Threats to Insect Pollinators.
2 Food and Agricultural Organization of the U.N. at www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0512sp1.htm, and referenced by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2010 - UNEP Emerging Issues: Global Honey Bee Colony Disorder and Other Threats to Insect Pollinators.
3 Johnson, Renee, Specialist in Agricultural Policy, January 7, 2010, “Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder” Congressional Research Service. Other known pollinators are stingless bees, bumble bees, other bees, wasps, hover flies, other flies, beetles, thrips, ants, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, and other birds.
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The monetary annual value of honey bees as commercial pollinators in the United States is estimated at about $15-20 billion.4 Bee pollination of agricultural crops is said to account for about one-third of the U.S. diet and to contribute to the production of a wide range of high-value fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, forage crops, some field crops, and other specialty crops.5
Staple crops (wheat, corn, rice) do not rely on insect pollination and are mostly wind pollinated. CCD is a worldwide phenomenon first reported in the winter of 2006-2007 whereby adult honey bees abruptly disappear from a hive, effectively causing the colony to die. In the years since CCD began to be reported, winter losses of honey bee colonies have been averaging around 33 percent. These overall losses exceed the historical rates of 10-15%. A material proportion of this increase is attributed to CCD.6 7
CCD appears to be a compounding synthesis of multiple stressors7:
· | Viruses such as Deformed Wing Virus; |
· | Parasitic Mites such as Varroa Destructor; |
· | Parasitic Fungi such as Nosema Ceranae; |
· | Physiological Stress due to travel and industrialized pollination; |
· | Pesticide Intoxications such as Neonicotinoids; |
· | Varroa Destructor mite attached to a honey bee; and |
· | Habitat Deterioration due to Monoculture Farming and Pollution. |
Business Strategy
Our strategy is to initially focus on the markets that have the largest potential and that offer the quickest governmental approval. We are in the process of creating the necessary subsidiaries, obtaining any required registration or approvals, securing local manufacturing and developing a distribution strategy in the United States, Argentina, southern Europe and Turkey. Our ability to implement the various business strategies set forth herein will be dependent on addressing and remedying our severe cash shortages.
Argentina represents the most advanced progression to sustained commercial sales of our product and also many of the ingredients of a successful market development strategy:
· | The Company has excellent relationships with relevant government agencies. |
· | An operational manufacturing partner. |
· | Active distribution partner which has produced an initial order for $280k of BeesVita PlusTM, for which we will need additional funding in order to fill. |
· | Collaborative relationship with a key beekeeper with whom we have conducted a successful test and now maintain a productive working dialogue concerning CCD in Argentina. |
· | Seasoned local business consultant established in all aspects of our Argentinian interests. |
4 R.A Morse and N.W. Calderone, “The Value of Honey Bees as Pollinators of U.S. Crops in 2000, March 2000, Cornell University, http://www.masterbeekeeper.org/pdf. and referenced by Johnson, Renee, Specialist in Agricultural Policy, January 7, 2010, “Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder” Congressional Research Service. Other known pollinators are stingless bees, bumble bees, other bees, wasps, hover flies, other flies, beetles, thrips, ants, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, and other birds. Other studies show a range of estimated values from $5.7 billion to $19 billion (see National Research Council, “Status of Pollinators in the North America”, 2006)
5 M. R. Berenbaum, University of Illinois, Statement before the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives, March 29, 2007, referenced by Johnson, Renee, Specialist in Agricultural Policy, January 7, 2010, “Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder” Congressional Research Service; J. Pettis, USDA’s ARS, interview with University Pennsylvania staff, January 23, 2007.
6 USDA Colony Collapse Disorder Progress Report, CCD Steering Committee, June 2012.
7 USDA Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health, National Honey Bee Health Stakeholder Conference Steering Committee, October 2012.
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Marketing, Sales and Distribution
We intend to use multiple distribution channels to reach our customers. Distribution alternatives include independent regional and national distributors, direct sales, and web-based online sales. A direct sales force will be utilized to service the needs of the larger accounts which we consider to be beekeepers with more than 1,000 colonies. We will deliver our product to smaller beekeepers either through independent regional distributors or through a web based direct sales platform. One or more of these channels will be utilized in each country depending on the specific characteristics and needs of each market.
We intend to use international trade shows and industry conferences to gain market exposure and brand recognition. We plan to work with leading entomologists and apiarists to enhance our marketing efforts. As sales volume increases, we plan to open additional regional offices and to continue to manage sales activities in each of our defined geographical regions and to provide marketing support to local and regional distributors in each area.
Competition
In many markets around the world, there are currently many beekeeping products available that are intended to strengthen and protect bees and improve honey production. These products include multi-vitamins and amino acids, antibiotics, pesticides, fungicides, colony defense stimulants and other pest control products. We believe, however, that no product currently on the market is as comprehensive, effective and cost efficient as BeesVita PlusTM.
In addition, we believe that no one is currently marketing a fully automated honey bee feeding system like the BeespenserTM.
Patent Applications
On August 27, 2011, we acquired the full rights to BeesVita PlusTM and the BeespenserTM from Dr. Francesca del Vecchio in exchange for 1,650,000 shares of our common stock. We filed a patent with the Italian Patent Office (UIBM) and the Chamber of Commerce in Rome (in line with current Italian legislation) on August 26, 2011. In March 2012, we filed an international patent application covering all countries that belong to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”). Individual national phase filings were completed in March 2014 for select countries.
Argentina is not a member of PCT. Consequently, on February 14, 2012, we filed a patent application in Argentina to protect our pending patent in Argentina.
Products
We believe that BeesVita PlusTM is the only supplemental food source that contains essential amino acids, lipids, minerals, essential oils and antioxidants. BeesVita PlusTM is designed to strengthen the honey bee thereby enabling the honey bee to withstand greater environmental toxins and stress. We believe BeesVita PlusTM benefits honey bees by promoting brood rearing, increasing adult bee population, helping control Varroa and Nosema infestations and the spread of harmful viruses, all helping to prevent the occurrence of CCD.
BeesVita PlusTM is organic, all-natural and possesses antimicrobial agents and compounds to fight the IIV Virus and its interaction with Nosema; components to contrast neonicotinoids side effects on bees; and other nutrients. All components were assessed by a third party consultant and are on the US FDA Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) list. Also, all components have been determined to be suitable for use in the European Union and in Argentina (approval from SENASA - Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria).
BeesVita PlusTM is proposed to be sold by the liter at a retail price of $35. The current dosage suggestions are for 1.2 liters per colony per year, or an annual cost of $42. Volume discounts are also planned to be offered.
The BeespenserTM is a patent pending automated feeding system designed to assist professional beekeepers in efficiently and effectively delivering BeesVita Plus™ to their colonies (see picture below). The BeespenserTM has been optimized to attract bees by means of specific colors and shapes and to feed them in their natural environment and habitat. The components of the BeespenserTM include:
· | a reservoir, where the proprietary mix of chemical compounds is mixed with water and/or syrup; |
· | an atomizer, to spray the mixture of chemical compounds and water; |
· | a distributor, with specific shapes and colors designed to attract bees; and |
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· | a multifunctional control system, to monitor, alarm and control the dispenser. |
The BeespenserTM operates using batteries and is rechargeable by a small solar panel and is virtually maintenance free, requiring approximately 15 minutes of service time every month in order to provide BeesVita Plus™ from a minimum of ten bee colonies and up to a maximum of 100 bee colonies. The BeespenserTM is designed to be placed amongst beehives in order to be easily accessible to bees and to replicate how bees drink in nature. The BeespenserTM is projected to have a useful life of up to three years. It is electronically programmable with the ability to monitor performance variables with a remoter alert capability.
The BeespenserTM (prototype)
Our strategy will be to outsource the production of both the BeespenserTM and BeesVita PlusTM to different partners/vendors in various regions of the world. We have partnered with Gelco, a leading Italian manufacturer of electronic devices for the aerospace, defense and electro medical markets, to develop the prototype of the BeespenserTM.
Raw Materials and Suppliers
BeesVita PlusTM is made out of several widely available raw materials and/or natural extracts such as essential oil, nutraceuticals and nutrients derived from natural essences.
We intend to purchase these materials from numerous sources at competitive prices, with pricing and availability being the determining factors as to our suppliers. We will also consider geographical proximity to production locations when determining suppliers. Because these materials are available for purchase from a number of different suppliers, we do not anticipate encountering any significant difficulties with respect to shortages of supply or the absence of competitive pricing.
We anticipate that for the production of the BeespenserTM units, we will choose the manufacturer that provides us with the best overall offer with respect to cost, quality, supply chain infrastructure and logistics. We may enter into agreements with more than one manufacturer for the production of the BeespenserTM so as to lower the overall risk associated with product provisioning and to avoid complexities and costs related to shipping the unit around the globe. Given the relatively simple design of the BeespenserTM and the wide-scale availability of the dispensers’ component materials, we do not anticipate any challenges in identifying and partnering with manufacturers.
Research and Development
Our research and development activities are conducted in Rome, Italy by our Chief Scientist, Dr. Francesca del Vecchio. Our current activities are intended to ensure that BeesVita PlusTM addresses the latest research with respect to bee healthcare. We expanded our research and development activities in 2012 by opening our own laboratory facility in Rome, Italy. We use this facility for on-going research and development, chemical compound production, BeesVita PlusTM quality testing, and the development of new features for the BeespenserTM. We intend to, and are currently conducting and/or collaborating on ongoing testing of BeesVita PlusTM in active beekeeping operations with select parties.
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The original idea and product formation began in 2009 and was based on the personal experience of our science team as they established a beekeeping apiary on their farm in the Italian region of Tuscany. This prompted an investigation of the feeding habits, environmental factors and diet of their bee colonies and led to the discovery of natural extracts from certain plant species to begin the formulation of a feed supplement to replicate the unique combination of antioxidants (essential oils) and nutrients on their land.
Phase two involved the fine tuning of the product formulation to balancing the nutritional content and physical properties of BeesVita PlusTM in order to:
· | achieve the right mix of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and amino acids. |
· | correct the physical properties: pH levels, pour point, and density. |
· | ensure the solubility in water and/or syrup at a wide range of temperatures. |
· | combat molds to allow for adequate shelf life - longer than 12 months. |
· | neutralize the smell of the antioxidant ingredients to attract bees. |
Phase three has been the ongoing testing of our product in Italy, Argentina and most recently the United States as described below:
ITALY – the ongoing performance of the Festuccia/del Vecchio hives on their farm in Tuscany have been tested since 2009 with an initial ten hives have now naturally having swarmed to expand to sixteen hives. Throughout the usage of BeesVita PlusTM, the colonies have shown perfect health and had no problems related to CCD, while an average colony loss of 40% has been reported by neighboring farms during the same period. In addition, multiple collaborative tests were performed in Rome from July 2012 to January 2013 in conjunction with the Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS), the government agency dedicated to ensuring the safety of the food chain of supply in Italy.
ARGENTINA - the first large-scale commercial testing of BeesVita PlusTM was conducted in Argentina with beekeeper Marisel Codesal. Argentina is a very large market for beekeeping and honey production. This test focused on multiple factors around the bee colony health, population levels, honey production, and the level of attractiveness for consumption. Competing products for the treatment of honeybee colonies were also tested alongside BeesVita PlusTM. The Company is also currently in the process of a large scale test in collaboration with the Insituto Nacional De Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA), the federal agency in charge of the generation, adaptation and diffusion of technologies, knowledge and learning procedures for agriculture, forest and agro-industrial activities within an ecologically clean environment. This test is utilizing 20 research personnel and is being conducted in five regions of the country. The results of this test are expected within the second quarter of 2014.
UNITED STATES – the Company has contracted with a noted entomologist and beekeeper for the performance of a test of BeesVita PlusTM at his beekeeping operation in California. The results of the test should be available be the end of the second quarter of 2014.
Government Regulations
Government regulations vary in complexity and requirements from country to country. BeesVita PlusTM is considered an animal food product and as such, there is no pre-certification required in either the United States or Europe. The only requirement to begin selling is that the product be manufactured by a licensed manufacturing facility. All of the manufacturers that we are currently negotiating with have licensed facilities. We currently have manufacturing agreements with manufacturers in Argentina and the United States.
In Argentina, we have received certification and approval of our BeesVita PlusTM product from the Argentina Ministry of Agriculture. Currently, we are awaiting final approval of our Argentinian subsidiary from the Argentina Public Registry of Commerce (“PRC”). Final approval is pending additional submission of data requested. We anticipate that we will be granted approval within the third quarter of 2014.
The BeespenserTM is still a prototype and has not yet begun the certification process. However, it is expected that it will require standard testing and certification such as that issued by Underwriter Laboratories.
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Employees
We have two full time employees working in the United States and four independent contractors working abroad. We expect to increase the number of employees as we implement our business objectives and expand our management team. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
Other Information
News and information about BeesFree, Inc. is available on and/or may be accessed through our website, www.beesfree.biz. In addition to news and other information about our company, we have provided access through this site to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them electronically. Information on our website does not constitute part of and is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report we file or furnish with the SEC. You may also read and copy any document that we file at the public reference facilities of the SEC in Washington, D.C. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We own no real property and currently lease our office space. Our corporate headquarters is located at 2101 Vista Parkway, Suite 122, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411, which we currently lease under a one year lease at the rate of $1,020 per month.
We lease space in Rome, Italy for our lab facility, under a one year lease agreement at the rate of approximately $1,300 per month.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We know of no material, active, pending or threatened proceeding against us, or our subsidiaries, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock began trading on the OTCBB on January13, 2012 and is now traded on the OTCQB market under the symbol “BEES.” To date, there has been very limited trading for our common stock.
The market price of our common stock will be subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in our quarterly operating results, general trends in the market, and other factors, over many of which we have little or no control. In addition, broad market fluctuations, as well as general economic, business and political conditions, may adversely affect the market for our common stock, regardless of our actual or projected performance.
The following table below sets forth the high and low closing sales prices per share for the periods our common stock was traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and the OTCQB market.
2013 | High | Low | ||||||
First Quarter | $ | 1.25 | $ | 0.52 | ||||
Second Quarter | 0.52 | 0.11 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 0.50 | 0.11 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter | 0.45 | 0.10 | ||||||
2012 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 3.00 | $ | 1.10 | ||||
Second Quarter | 2.50 | 1.97 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 2.29 | 1.60 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter | 1.79 | 0.65 |
The closing sale price of our common stock on March 24, 2014 was $0.43 per share.
Shareholders
The approximate number of holders of record of our common stock as of March 21, 2014 was 186 including those brokerage firms and/or clearing houses holding shares of common stock for their clientele (with each such brokerage house and/or clearing house being considered as one holder).
Dividends
We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock. We do not intend to declare dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future because we anticipate that we will reinvest any future earnings into the development and growth of our business. Any decision as to the future payment of dividends will depend on our results of operations and financial position and such other factors as our Board of Directors in its discretion deems relevant. In addition, no dividends are payable unless and until all accrued but unpaid dividends on our preferred stock are paid or set aside for payment.
The holders of our Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) are entitled to receive dividends at a rate of 8% per annum, per share, and the holders of our Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) are entitled to receive dividends at a rate of 12% per annum, per share. Such dividends are cumulative and accumulate whether or not declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, but are payable only when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors or upon conversion of such shares into shares of our common stock. No dividends have been paid to date on either the Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the amount of accumulated dividends for the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock was approximately $358,056 and $183,812, respectively, and the amount of accumulated dividends for the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock was approximately $81,454 and $14,620, respectively.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2013 with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a) | |||||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 0 | — | 0 | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 812,500 | (1) | $ | 1.58 | 0 | (2) |
(1) Represents options issued and outstanding under individual agreements with members of management, advisory board members and the Company’s directors and includes options which have not yet vested.
(2) The options granted were not issued under a specific plan. Accordingly, the Company may enter into additional agreements or amend existing agreements with individuals that result in the issuance of additional options.
ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Overview
We are a company focused on developing innovative solutions for the global beekeeping community. We have developed BeesVita PlusTM, a patent-pending composite nutritional food supplement for honey bees that improves the bee’s general health and wellbeing. The benefits from using BeesVita PlusTM include promoting improved brood rearing, increasing the adult bee population, helping to control Varroa infestation, helping to control Nosema infestation, and helping to prevent CCD. CCD is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or colony abruptly disappear effectively killing the colony. We have also developed the BeespenserTM, a patent-pending automated external honey bee feeding system used to deliver BeesVita PlusTM.
Since our inception, we have had no revenue from product sales and have funded our operations principally through equity and debt financings. Our operations to date have been primarily limited to organizing and staffing our company, developing our product candidates, establishing manufacturing for our product candidates, filing our patents and raising capital. We have generated significant losses to date and we expect to continue to generate losses as we progress towards the commercialization of our product candidates. As of December 31, 2013, we had a deficit accumulated during the development stage of $4,424,630. Because we have not generated any revenue from any of our product candidates, our losses will continue as we advance our product candidates towards regulatory approval and eventual commercialization. As a result, our operating losses are likely to increase during the current fiscal year. We are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if at all.
We believe that our existing cash may not be sufficient to fund our projected operating requirements beyond the first quarter of 2014. Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue, if ever, we expect to finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate collaborations and licensing arrangements. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. See “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern Matters” section for additional discussion.
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Critical Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The financial statements include estimates based on currently available information and our judgment as to the outcome of future conditions and circumstances. Changes in the status of certain facts or circumstances could result in material changes to the estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements and actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions. The Company’s significant estimates and assumptions include the fair value of the Company’s stock, stock-based compensation, derivative liabilities and the valuation allowance relating to the Company’s deferred tax assets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
We measure the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any Level 1 or Level 2 assets or liabilities. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative liabilities were classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award. For employees and directors, the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and for non-employees, the fair value of the award is measured on the commitment date and generally remeasured on interim financial reporting dates until the service period is complete. The fair value amount is then recognized over the period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in the same expense classifications in the consolidated statements of operations as if such amounts were paid in cash.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
Revenues
For the period from our inception on August 4, 2011 to December 31, 2013, we did not generate any revenues from operations.
Cost of Revenues
For the period from our inception on August 4, 2011 to December 31, 2013, we did not generate any cost of revenues from operations.
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Net loss
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1,699,466 and our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $1,220,202. The decrease in net loss was primarily the result of cost reductions in shareholder services, payroll expense, marketing expenses and financial services expenses.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of fees paid to our Chief Scientist and other consultants for the continuing development of our pending patent applications , product dispenser and chemical compound. Research and development expenses are expensed as they are incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2013 research and development expenses decreased by approximately $54,000 as compared to prior period to $158,352. The decrease resulted primarily from reduction of outside consultant fees and a reduction in purchase of product testing materials. We do not incur any significant costs or experience any significant effects as a result of compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of corporate support expenses such as legal and professional fees, investor relations and marketing expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2013, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $658,000 as compared to prior period to $762,180. The decrease resulted primarily from decrease in (i) payroll of approximately $55,000 due to reduction in staff, (ii) $119,000 due to the resignation of an executive officer and related severance expenses and the reduction of other consultants, (iii) travel expenses of approximately $23,000 due to decreased travel activity, (iv) marketing consulting expenses of approximately $62,000 due to non renewal of marketing services and reduction in trade shows, (v) approximately $297,000 due to reduction in investor relations services, (vi) approximately $15,000 of financial and legal expenses due to the reduction in license agreement services, and (vii) approximately $78,000 of share based compensation expenses due to the reduction in recording of vesting options expense. We expect that our general and administrative expenses to increase as we incur additional costs to support the growth in our business.
Plan of Operations
We expect to generate revenues within the next 12 months which reflects our goal to launch our product in 2014. Our plan of operations is to continue the development of our products for commercialization. Our primary source of operating funds since inception has been cash proceeds from the issuance of common shares to our founders, proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures, and the sale of preferred stock and warrants in private placements. We intend to raise additional capital through private debt and equity investors, but there can be no assurance that these funds will be available on terms acceptable to us, or will be sufficient to enable us to fully complete our development activities or sustain operations.
During the next twelve months, we believe that our major expenditures will be directed towards the following activities:
· | sales and marketing efforts in our major markets including the creation of local offices; | |
· | the procurement of product for sale; |
· | the implementation of an eCommerce platform; | |
· | continuation of our research and development activities, with a focus on the development and improvement of product features and increased functionalities; and | |
· | the hiring and retention of qualified personnel. |
In addition, we believe it is unlikely but possible that in the next twelve months, extraordinary additional costs may arise from the following factors:
· | the establishment of additional local offices not otherwise planned for on account of jurisdiction-specific laws and practices in markets that we are targeting; and |
· | the introduction of new, unforeseen competitive technologies, which could require us to expend additional resources in research and development activities in order to improve or update our existing products. |
With respect to the hiring and retention of personnel, we anticipate that we will hire, or retain as consultants, an additional one to five regional sales managers in various regions throughout the world within the next twelve months, who will join our current regional sales manager in Argentina. In addition, we may hire, or retain as consultants, additional science professionals in various regions throughout the world to aid in product testing and further our understanding of CCD in such regions.
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Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern Matters
General. At December 31, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $154,000. As a development stage company, we have not generated any revenues and incurred net losses of approximately $4.0 million during the period from August 4, 2011 (Inception) through December 31, 2013. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Subsequent to December 31, 2013, the Company sold additional convertible notes and received gross cash proceeds of $200,000. The Company's primary source of operating funds since inception has been cash proceeds from the issuance of common shares to its founders, sale of convertible debentures and private placement of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. During 2013, our negative cash rate averaged approximately $65,000 per month. Our current rate of negative cash flow is approximately $95,000 per month. The increase in negative cash flow is primarily due to a one time increase, of approximately $100,000 in general administrative expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2014. Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue, if ever, we expect to finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate collaborations and licensing arrangements.
We will seek to raise capital through equity and/or debt offerings. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise equity or debt capital on terms we consider reasonable and prudent, or at all. The availability of capital to us may be subject to the volatility in the financial markets, our future financial condition and credit rating, and whether sufficient assets are available to be used as debt collateral in connection with any future debt financing, among other factors. Future financings through equity investments are likely to be dilutive to existing stockholders. Also, the terms of securities we issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable for our new investors. Newly issued securities may include preferences, superior voting rights, and the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, which may have additional dilutive effects. Further, we may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital and/or financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertible notes and warrants, which may adversely impact our financial condition.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values. The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Until we develop a consistent source of revenue and achieve a profitable level of operations that generates sufficient cash flow, we will need additional capital resources to fund growth and operations. We will seek to raise capital through equity and/or debt offerings. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise equity or debt capital on terms we consider reasonable and prudent, or at all. The availability of capital to us may be subject to the volatility in the financial markets, our future financial condition and credit rating, and whether sufficient assets are available to be used as debt collateral in connection with any future debt financing, among other factors. Future financings through equity investments are likely to be dilutive to the existing stockholders. Also, the terms of securities we issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable for our new investors. Newly issued securities may include preferences, superior voting rights, and the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, which may have additional dilutive effects. Further, we may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital and/or financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertible notes and warrants, which may adversely impact our financial condition.
Loss on Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities
The loss on net change in fair value of derivative liabilities of approximately $80,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013, was the result of the change in fair value of the derivative liabilities issued to investors in connection with financings during the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The warrants and conversion issued in conjunction with certain financings are considered derivative liabilities and must be valued at the end of each period.
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Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
We experienced negative cash flow from operating activities, for year ended December 31, 2013, in the amount of $774,406, primarily reflecting our net loss of $1,220,202, partially offset by $150,716 in amortization of deferred debt discount, by $40,953 in prepaid expenses, by $168,107 in accounts payable and accrued expenses and by $80,394 loss on change in fair value of derivative liabilities.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
The Company did not use any funds for investing activities.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities, net of costs, for the year ended December 31, 2013, was $885,000 from the issuance of secured convertible notes.
Factors That May Affect Future Operations
We believe that our future operating results will continue to be subject to quarterly variations based upon the following factors:
· | the speed and ease with which we are able to penetrate new markets; | |
· | our ability to establish regional sales offices and hire quality regional sales managers; the efficacy of and market acceptance of our products; |
· | our research and development focusing on the improvement of features and functionalities of our current products and the development of additional products; | |
· | our ability to capitalize on manufacturing efficiencies; the severity and changing nature of CCD in the various regions we are targeting for commercial sales; |
· | the cyclical nature of the ordering patterns from our distributors and customers; and | |
· | the fluctuation of the Argentine peso and the Euro against the U.S. dollar and other international currencies. |
We currently do not believe it is necessary for us to take any additional steps to address any of the aforementioned factors with respect to the possible impacts they could have on our future operations.
Off−Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons that have, or may have, a material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our Consolidated Financial Statements may be found on pages F-1 through F-27 of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
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 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 management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, we are required to carry out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Based on the Company’s evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at a reasonable assurance level such that the information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiary required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure as of December 31, 2013.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) includes those policies and procedures that: (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (c) 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.
Internal control over reporting, because of its inherent limitations, may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for 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.
As of December 31, 2013, we carried out an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992). Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2013.
As of December 31, 2013 we had identified certain matters that constituted a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. Specifically, we have limited segregation of duties within our accounting and financial reporting functions. Segregation of duties within our company is limited due to having one employee at December 31, 2013 that is assigned to positions that involve the processing of financial information. Although we are aware that segregation of duties within our company is limited, we believe (based on our current roster of employees and certain control mechanisms we have in place), that the risks associated with having limited segregation of duties are currently insignificant. As our business expands we will need to correct this weakness by hiring additional staff, completing the process of design-specific control procedures and testing them for effectiveness before we can report that this weakness has been fully remediated.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting as the rules for smaller reporting companies provide an exemption from such requirement.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the year ended December 31, 2013, there were no significant changes in our control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
Set forth below are the names, ages and other biographical information of our directors and executive officers as of April 9, 2014:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Joseph N. Fasciglione | 61 | Interim President, Interim Chief Executive Officer and | ||
Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Dr. Andrea Festuccia, PhD. | 42 | Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, Director | ||
Paolo Danesi | 41 | Director |
The following is a description of the business experience of each of our executive officers:
Joseph N. Fasciglione, Interim President, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Fasciglione is a seasoned professional with financial and management experience in a variety of growth oriented organizations from large public entities to private companies. Prior to joining BeesFree at its inception, Mr. Fasciglione served as Corporate Controller for New Generations Biofuels Holdings, Inc. (NGBF.OCTQB), a provider of proprietary blended renewable biofuels for various commercial application and industries, from 2008 to 2011. During this time, Mr. Fasciglione had full responsibility for financial matters, such as financial reporting, annual audits, jurisdictional filings, cash management, invoicing, collections, risk management, and payroll, and certain administrative matters. Prior to working for New Generations Biofuels Holdings, Inc., Mr. Fasciglione held various controller or financial positions with companies in the telecommunication and other industries in addition to being a Regional Controller, Market Manager and Director for Business Operations for AT&T Wireless. Mr. Fasciglione began his career with the accounting and consulting firm of Grant, Thornton & Co. Mr. Fasciglione is a graduate of Iona College business school and holds a BA in accounting and obtained his CPA certification from New York.
Dr. Andrea Festuccia, PhD., Director, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
Dr. Festuccia has served as a board director and Non-Executive Chairman since June, 2012. Dr. Festuccia is the husband of Dr. Francesca del Vecchio, our chief scientist and the inventor of the Company’s patent-pending proprietary chemical compound, and a principal stockholder of the Company. Dr. Festuccia has more than 16 years of extensive international experience in various facets of engineering. He served as Chief Technology Officer of New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc. from 2006 until 2011. Currently, he is senior manager of Altran Italia- EILIS Division. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Opt Sensor, a private Italian company dealing with R&D for electronic equipments to measure chemical parameters. He also taught General and Inorganic Chemistry as an Adjunct Professor at the University of "La Tuscia" in Viterbo until 2000. He has served as an external expert for the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University “La Sapienza” of Rome since 2000 and also for also for Minister of Foreign Affairs for Italy. Recently he was visiting professor at the Imperial College London. Dr. Festuccia is the author of several scientific publications and the inventor or owner of several patents. He received a degree in chemical engineering and his doctor of philosophy degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rome - “La Sapienza”. We believe Dr. Festuccia is qualified to sit on the Board because of his knowledge with respect to patent development, his strong educational experience and solid business acumen.
Paolo Danesi, Director
Mr. Paolo Danesi has served as our director since August 2012. Since July 2009, Mr. Danesi has served as Vice President - Sales at Burmeister and Wain Energy A/S (BWE), Denmark. BWE is a worldwide technology leader for design of large ultrasupercritical boilers for coal, oil, gas and biomass, where he is responsible for sales, marketing and business development activities on a worldwide basis. From February 2006 until June 2009, Mr. Danesi served as Director of Sales and Proposal of Fata Hunter, a Division of Fata S.p.A. He received a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rome - “La Sapienza” in July 1998. We believe Mr. Danesi is qualified to sit on the Board because due to his strong background in international sales, strategic development and knowledge of the food industry.
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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To our knowledge, during the past ten (10) years, none of our directors, executive officers or nominees has been:
§ | the subject of any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; |
§ | convicted in a criminal proceeding or is subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); |
§ | subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; or |
§ | found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such reporting persons are required by rules of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Other than a late Form 4 filing by Mr. Trabucco, a former director of the Company, the Company is not aware of Section 16(a) filings required by any directors and executive officers and holders of more than 10% of the Company’s common stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 that have not been timely filed.
Corporate Governance
The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Principles which along with the Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides a framework for the governance of the Company. The Company’s Corporate Governance Principles address matters such as the responsibilities and composition of the Board, Director Independence and the conduct of Board and Committee meetings. The Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and may also be found on our website, www.beesfree.biz, sets forth guiding principles of business ethics and certain legal requirements applicable to all Company employees and Directors.
Audit Committee and Financial Expert
We do not have a standing audit committee of the Board of Directors and the functions of the Audit Committee are currently carried out by our Board of Directors. Management has determined not to establish an audit committee at present because of our limited resources and limited operating activities do not warrant the formation of an audit committee or the expense of doing so. Our Board of Directors has determined that we do not have an audit committee financial expert on our Board of Directors carrying out the duties of the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that the cost of hiring a financial expert to act as a director for us and to be a member of an Audit Committee or otherwise perform Audit Committee functions outweighs the benefits of having a financial expert on the Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee
We currently do not have a compensation committee or a nominating committee. Determining compensation for our officers and directors is done by our board of directors.
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Nominations for election to our board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors in accordance with our bylaws and Nevada law. The Board identifies director nominees through a combination of referrals from different people, including management, existing Board members and security holders. Once a candidate has been identified, the Board reviews the individual's experience and background and may discuss the proposed nominee with the source of the recommendation. If the Board believes it to be appropriate, Board members may meet with the proposed nominee before making a final determination whether to include the proposed nominee as a member of management's slate of director nominees submitted to shareholders for election to the Board. Among the factors that the Board considers when evaluating proposed nominees are their knowledge of, and experience in business matters, finance, capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. The Board may request additional information from the candidate prior to reaching a determination. The Board is under no obligation to formally respond to all recommendations, although as a matter of practice, it will endeavor to do so.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents information concerning compensation for each of our named executive officers for services in all capacities during the years indicated:
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph N. Fasciglione | 2013 | 72,000 | – | – | – | – | – | 72,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interim CEO and CFO | 2012 | 69,500 | – | – | – | – | – | 69,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
David Todhunter, Former | 2013 | 36,750 | – | – | – | – | – | 36,750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
President, CEO and CFO | 2012 | 114,250 | – | – | 76,392 | – | – | 190,642 |
Consulting Agreement
Dr. Andrea Festuccia, PhD
On February 12, 2014, the Company entered into a four-year consulting service agreement with Dr. Andrea Festuccia, Phd., pursuant to which Dr. Festuccia will serve as Chief Strategist in enhancing product value, competitiveness and performance for the Company. In consideration for the services to be provided by Consultant hereunder, the Company shall pay Consultant a consulting fee of $240,000 per year payable at a rate of $20,000 per month. Upon the termination by the Company without cause, in addition to any accrued but unpaid consultant fees, Mr. Festuccia will be entitled to a payment of $100,000. Dr. Festuccia is the Chairman of our Board of Directors.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table summarizes the outstanding option awards as of December 31, 2013 for each Named Executive Officer.
Number of Securities | ||||||||||||||||
Underlying Unexercised | Option | Option | Option | |||||||||||||
Options at Fiscal Year End | Exercise | Grant | Expiration | |||||||||||||
Name | Exercisable | Unexercisable | Price | Date | Date | |||||||||||
David W. Todhunter(1) | 250,000 | - | $ | 1.55 | 10/19/12 | 10/19/16 | ||||||||||
250,000 | - | $ | 1.55 | 10/19/12 | 12/31/16 |
(1) | Mr. Todhunter resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer in April 2013. |
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Director Compensation
Each outside director is paid a directors fee of $6,000 per annum, payable in equal quarterly amounts. Outside directors are also granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company’s common when they join the Board which vest immediately and 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at the start of each year (including the first year) of their tenure which vest one year from the date of grant. The exercise price of all such options is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The Company reimburses directors for expenses incurred traveling to and from Board meetings. The compensation for directors was approved by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of management. The following table summarizes the compensation of our outside directors for fiscal year 2013.
Fees | Option Awards | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Name | Year | Paid(1) | Number | Value (2) | Compensation | |||||||||||||
Andrea Festuccia | 2013 | $ | 6,000 | 25,000 | $ | 1,525 | $ | 7,525 | ||||||||||
Paolo Danesi | 2013 | $ | 6,000 | 25,000 | $ | 2,300 | $ | 8,300 | ||||||||||
Joseph Becker(3) | 2013 | $ | 1,500 | - | $ | - | $ | 1,500 | ||||||||||
Juan Carlos Trabucco(4) | 2013 | $ | 2,250 | - | $ | - | $ | 2,250 |
(1) | All amounts represent accrued but unpaid fees. |
(2) | Represents compensation cost of option awards as described in ASC 718. |
(3) | Mr. Becker resigned as a director in April 2013. |
(4) | Mr. Trabucco passed away in May 2013. |
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of April 9, 2014 by:
· | Each of our directors; |
· | Each of our named executive officers; |
· | All of our directors and executive officers as a group; and |
· | Each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. |
Under SEC rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares of common stock which a person has sole or shared voting power or investment power and any shares of common stock which the person has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of any option, warrant or right, through conversion of any security or pursuant to the automatic termination of a power of attorney or revocation of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. Percentage of beneficial ownership is calculated based on 16,344,728 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 9, 2014. In calculating the number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage ownership, shares of common stock subject to preferred stock conversion rights (including accrued dividends), options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible or become exercisable or convertible within 60 days after April 9, 2014 are deemed outstanding even if they have not actually been exercised or converted. The shares issuable under these securities are treated as outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these securities but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in this table have sole voting power and investment power over all the shares beneficially owned by them.
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Security Ownership of Management and Directors:
Amount and Nature of | ||||||||
Name Beneficial Owner | Beneficial Ownership (1) | Percentage of Class | ||||||
Joseph N. Fasciglione | 100,000 | ** | ||||||
Andrea Festuccia | 1,700,000 | (2) | 10.4 | % | ||||
Paolo Danesi | 50,000 | (3) | ** | |||||
Directors and executive officers as a group (3 people) | 1,850,000 | (2)(3) | 11.3 | % |
** Less than 1%
_________________
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated, includes shares owned by a spouse, minor children and relatives sharing the same home, as well as entities owned or controlled by the named person. |
(2) | Includes (i) 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of vested stock options and (ii) 1,650,000 shares of common stock as to which Mr. Festuccia’s spouse, Dr. Francesca del Vecchio, has sole voting and investment power. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of unvested stock options. |
(3) | Includes 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of vested stock options. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of unvested stock options. |
Other Shareholders:
Amount and Nature of | ||||||||
Name Beneficial Owner | Beneficial Ownership (1) | Percentage of Class | ||||||
Francesca del Vecchio | 1,700,000 | (4) | 10.4 | % | ||||
Via Del Fiume Giallo 324G | ||||||||
Rome, Italy | ||||||||
Matteo Festuccia | 823,000 | (5) | 5.0 | % | ||||
100 Via Dei Colliportuensi | ||||||||
Rome, Italy | ||||||||
Selma Rosen | 832,500 | (6) | 5.1 | % | ||||
29 Meadowcroft Lane | ||||||||
Greenwich, CT 06830 | ||||||||
Craig Rosen | 850,000 | (7) | 5.2 | % | ||||
428 Plaza Real | ||||||||
Boca Raton, FL 33432 | ||||||||
Andrew Friis | 1,595,000 | (8) | 9.8 | % | ||||
801 NE 71st Street | ||||||||
Boca Raton, FL 33487 | ||||||||
Harold S. Rosen | 853,400 | (9) | 5.2 | % | ||||
14 Harwood Court, Suite 209 | ||||||||
Scarsdale, NY 10583 | ||||||||
Christopher Porosky | 850,000 | (10) | 5.2 | % | ||||
19730 Black Olive Lane | ||||||||
Boca Raton, FL 33498 | ||||||||
Steven A. Sciarretta | 845,000 | (11) | 5.2 | % | ||||
2799 NW Boca Raton Blvd., Suite 203 | ||||||||
Boca Raton, FL 33431 |
20 |
_________________
(4) | Includes (i) 1,650,000 shares of common stock as to which Dr. del Vecchio has sole voting and investment power and (ii) 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of vested stock options held by Dr. del Vecchio’s spouse, Andrea Festuccia. Does not include 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of unvested stock options held by Mr. Festuccia. |
(5) | Mr. Festuccia is the brother of Andrea Festuccia. |
(6) | Includes shares owned directly and indirectly as provided in information filed with the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed December 21, 2012, and includes 810,000 shares of common stock held indirectly through Greenwich Trading, LLC. Does not include 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 50,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, which both contain restrictions upon their exercise or conversion, as the case may be, if doing so would result in the holder thereof and its affiliates owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock. Such restrictions are subject to being waived by the holders thereof under certain circumstances. Ms. Rosen has sole voting and investment power over the shares held by Greenwich Trading, LLC. |
(7) | Includes shares owned indirectly as provided in information filed with the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed December 13, 2012, and includes 850,000 shares of common stock held indirectly through The CCK 2011 Trust. Craig Rosen, as sole trustee of The CCK 2011 Trust, has sole voting and investment power. |
(8) | Includes shares owned directly and indirectly as provided in information filed with the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed December 11, 2012, and includes, (i) 695,000 shares of common stock held indirectly through Gamma Financial, LLC, of which Mr. Friis is the sole manager with the sole power to vote and dispose of these shares and (ii) 900,000 shares held by Mr. Friis’ sister, AnneKatherine Friis. While Ms. Friis has granted Mr. Friis no formal control over the disposition or voting of such shares, she has indicated that she will follow Mr. Friis’s advice in voting or disposing of same. Does not include 100,000 shares issuable upon conversion of 100,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock or 100,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, which both contain restrictions upon their exercise or conversion, as the case may be, if doing so would result in the holder thereof and its affiliates owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock. Such restrictions are subject to being waived by the holders thereof under certain circumstances. Mr. Friis disclaims beneficial ownership of all the shares of common stock owned by his sister and further disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock owned by Gamma Financial LLC since he has no economic interest in such company. |
(9) | Includes shares owned directly and indirectly as provided in information filed with the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed December 11, 2012 and from Company records, and includes 695,000 shares held indirectly through Onyx Capital trading, LLC, of which Dr. Rosen is the sole manager. Does not include (i) 70,800 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A and Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) 1,420,800 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants or (iii) 205,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible notes, all of which contain restrictions upon their exercise or conversion, as the case may be, if doing so would result in the holder thereof and its affiliates owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock. Such restrictions are subject to being waived by the holders thereof under certain circumstances. |
(10) | Includes shares owned directly and indirectly as provided in information filed with the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed December 10, 2012, and includes 800,000 shares of common stock held indirectly through the KAR 2011 Trust, of which Mr. Porosky is the sole trustee. |
(11) | Includes shares owned directly and indirectly as provided in information filed with the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed December 10, 2012, and includes (i) 770,000 shares of common stock held indirectly through Black Horse Capital, LLC, of which Mr. Sciarretta is the sole manager, and (ii) 75,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Sciarretta’s spouse. Mr. Sciarretta disclaims beneficial ownership of all the shares of common stock owned by his spouse. |
21 |
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Certain Related Party Transactions
On February 12, 2014, the Company entered into a four-year consulting service agreement with Dr. Andrea Festuccia, Phd., pursuant to which Dr. Festuccia will serve as Chief Strategist in enhancing product value, competitiveness and performance for the Company. In consideration for the services to be provided by Consultant hereunder, the Company shall pay Consultant a consulting fee of $240,000 per year payable at a rate of $20,000 per month. Dr. Festuccia is also Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.
On November 6, 2012, we entered into a three-year consulting service agreement with Dr. Francesca del Vecchio (the “Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which Dr. del Vecchio will continue to lead and manage all research and development activities in connection with the Company’s BeesVita Plus™ and other products. During the first year of the Consulting Agreement, Dr. del Vecchio will be paid $7,750 per month. Dr. del Vecchio’s compensation for the two remaining years of the Consulting Agreement will be determined by the mutual consent of the Company and Dr. del Vecchio. Dr. del Vecchio will also be reimbursed all reasonable traveling and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by her in the course of her duties. The Consulting Agreement will continue through October 31, 2015 (the “Term”). Dr. del Vecchio is the spouse of Andrea Festuccia, Ph.D., Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.
The Agreement may be terminated (i) automatically, upon the expiration of the Term, (ii) upon the mutual written consent of the Company and Dr. del Vecchio, or (iii) by Company at any time, for any reason, upon not less than 90 days prior written notice.
Indebtedness of Management
No officer, director or security holder known to us to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of our common stock or any member of the immediate family or sharing the household (other than a tenant or employee) of any of the foregoing persons is indebted to us.
Transactions with Promoters
We did not expressly engage a promoter at the time of its formation. We have used selling agents and consultants from time to time. The terms of those arrangements have been disclosed in previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Policies and Procedures for Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
We expect to prepare and adopt a written related-person transactions policy that sets forth our policies and procedures regarding the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of “related-persons transactions.” For purposes of our policy only, a “related-person transaction” will be a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which we and any “related person” are participants involving an amount that exceeds $120,000. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to us as an employee, director, consultant or similar capacity by a related person will not be covered by this policy. A related person will be any executive officer, director or a holder of more than five percent of our ordinary shares, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons.
We anticipate that, where a transaction has been identified as a related-person transaction, the policy will require management to present information regarding the proposed related-person transaction to our to be formed audit committee (or, where approval by our audit committee would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our Board of Directors) for consideration and approval or ratification. Management’s presentation will be expected to include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the direct and indirect interests of the related persons, the benefits of the transaction to us and whether any alternative transactions are available.
To identify related-person transactions in advance, we are expected to rely on information supplied by our executive officers, directors and certain significant shareholders. In considering related-person transactions, our Board of Directors will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
• | the risks, costs and benefits to us; |
22 |
• | the effect on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated; |
• | the terms of the transaction; |
• | the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and |
• | the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from our employees generally. |
We also expect that the policy will require any interested director to excuse him or herself from deliberations and approval of the transaction in which the interested director is involved.
Independence of the Board of Directors
Our securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or on any inter-dealer quotation system which has a requirement that directors be independent. Currently, Paolo Danesi is our only independent director. We evaluate independence by the standards for director independence established by the Marketplace Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market.
Subject to some exceptions, these standards generally provide that a director will not be independent if (a) the director is, or in the past three years has been, an employee of ours; (b) a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, an executive officer of ours; (c) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family has received more than $120,000 per year in direct compensation from us other than for service as a director (or for a family member, as a non-executive employee); (d) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, employed in a professional capacity by our independent public accountants, or has worked for such firm in any capacity on our audit; (e) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, employed as an executive officer of a company where one of our executive officers serves on the compensation committee; or (f) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is an executive officer of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, us in an amount which, in any twelve-month period during the past three years, exceeds the greater of $200,000 or five percent of the recipients consolidated gross revenues for that year.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we were billed or expect to be billed by our independent registered public accounting firm the following fees:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Audit Fees (1) | $ | 75,000 | $ | 77,572 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees (2) | - | - | ||||||
Tax Fees (3) | 6,000 | 11,250 | ||||||
All Other Fees (4) | - | - | ||||||
Total | $ | 81,000 | $ | 88,822 |
___________________
(1) | Audit fees principally include those for services related to the annual audit of the consolidated financial statements, SEC registration statements and other filings and consultation on accounting matters. |
(2) | Audit-related fees principally include assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm’s assurance and review of the financial statements and not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.” |
(3) | Tax fees principally include services for federal, state and international tax compliance, tax planning and tax consultation, but excluding tax services rendered in connection with the audit. |
(4) | Our independent registered public accounting firm did not perform any services for us other than those described above. |
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
All of the services set forth under the table “Independent Registered Accounting Firm Fees and Services” above were approved by the Board of Directors.
23 |
In connection with the audit of our financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2013, there were no disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, that would have caused the firm to report the disagreement if it had not been resolved to their satisfaction.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibits
The exhibits required to be filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the Exhibit Index attached hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statement Schedules
All financial statement schedules have been omitted as they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
24 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BeesFree, Inc. | |||
By: | /s/ Joseph N. Fasciglione | ||
Interim President, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer | |||
Date: April 15, 2014 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE | ||
/s/ Joseph N. Fasciglione |
Interim President, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Interim Executive Officer, Interim Principal Financial Officer and Interim Principal Accounting Officer) |
April 15, 2014 | ||
/s/ Andrea Festuccia | Director | April 15, 2014 | ||
Andrea Festuccia | ||||
/s/ Paolo Danesi | Director | April 15, 2014 | ||
Paolo Danesi |
25 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | |
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 16, 2011, by and among the Company, BeesFree Acquisition Corp. and BeesFree, Inc. (1) | |
2.2 | Articles of Merger, dated September 30, 2011 and filed on October 4, 2011 by and among BNH Inc. and BeesFree, Inc. (2) | |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation. (3) | |
3.2 | Certificate of Designations of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. (1) | |
3.3 | Certificate of Designations of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. (4) | |
3.4 | Bylaws. (3) | |
4.1 | Form of Class A Common Stock Purchase Warrant. (1) | |
4.2 | Form of Series B Common Stock Purchase Warrant. (5) | |
4.3 | Form of Convertible Promissory Note. (6) | |
4.4 | Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. (6) | |
4.5 | Form of Convertible Promissory Note. (7) | |
4.6 | Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant. (7) | |
10.1 | Separation and General Release Agreement, dated June 22, 2012, by and between the Company and Mario Sforza. (8) | |
10.2 | Consulting Service Agreement, dated November 6, 2012, by and between the Company and Francesca del Vecchio. (9) | |
10.3 | Form of Subscription Agreement by and among BeesFree, Inc. and certain purchasers set forth therein. (5) | |
10.4 | Lease Agreement, dated August 16, 2012, by and between BeesFree, Inc. and Redus Florida LLC – Vista Park Commons. (10) | |
10.5 | Form of Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement. (11) | |
10.6 | Form of Security Agreement. (6) | |
10.8 | Consulting Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2014, by and between the Company and Andrea Festuccia. (12)* | |
14 | Code of Ethics.(10) | |
21 | Subsidiaries.(10) | |
31.1† | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act of 2002 | |
31.2† | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act of 2002 | |
32.1† | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.2† | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
101.INS † | XBRL Instance Document. ** | |
101.SCH † | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.** | |
101.CAL † | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. ** | |
101.LAB † | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. ** | |
101.PRE † | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. ** | |
101.DEF † | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. ** |
(1) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(2) | Included as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on November 14, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(3) | Included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on April 16, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(4) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 4, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(5) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 15, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(6) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(7) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 6, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(8) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 28, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(9) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 8, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(10) | Included as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 29, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(11) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 26, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. |
(12) | Included as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 18, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference. |
26 |
† | Filed herewith. |
* | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
** | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections. |
27 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
CONTENTS |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-1 |
Consolidated Financial Statements | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | F-2 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations | F-3 |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficiency | F-4 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | F-5 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F-6 - F-27 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
BeesFree, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BeesFree, Inc. and Subsidiaries (a development stage company) (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficiency and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) to December 31, 2013. 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BeesFree, Inc. and Subsidiaries (a development stage company) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) to December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is in the development stage, has incurred net losses since inception and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
New York, NY
April 15, 2014
F-1 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(A Development Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 153,542 | $ | 42,948 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 56,588 | 97,541 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 210,130 | 140,489 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 1,650 | 1,650 | ||||||
Deposit | 3,125 | 3,125 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 214,905 | $ | 145,264 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficiency | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 89,327 | $ | 28,326 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 164,960 | 57,854 | ||||||
Share issuance liability | - | 5,800 | ||||||
Accrued dividends on preferred stock | 439,510 | 198,432 | ||||||
Derivative liabilities | 1,248,943 | 730,174 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 1,942,740 | 1,020,586 | ||||||
Convertible note payable (net of debt discount of $334,209 as of December 31, 2013) | 550,791 | - | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 2,493,531 | 1,020,586 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders' Deficiency | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized in the following classes: | ||||||||
Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $1 stated value, 3,500,000 shares designated; 2,100,000 and 2,200,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (aggregate liquidation preference $2,457,269 and $2,383,812 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) | 2,100 | 2,200 | ||||||
Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $175 stated value, 50,000 shares designated; 3,099 shares issued and outstanding (aggregate liquidation preference $623,779 and $556,945 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) | 3 | 3 | ||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 16,344,728 and 16,225,000 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively | 16,345 | 16,225 | ||||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 2,127,556 | 2,059,872 | ||||||
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (4,424,630 | ) | (2,953,622 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders' Deficiency | (2,278,626 | ) | (875,322 | ) | ||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficiency | $ | 214,905 | $ | 145,264 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-2 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(A Development Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, | Period from August 4, 2011 (Inception) to December 31, | ||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | ||||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||
Research and development expenses | 158,352 | 212,500 | 584,602 | |||||||||
Merger expenses | - | - | 415,000 | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 762,180 | 1,420,465 | 2,609,619 | |||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 920,532 | 1,632,965 | 3,609,221 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | (80,394 | ) | (66,501 | ) | (146,895 | ) | ||||||
Interest expense | (219,276 | ) | - | (219,276 | ) | |||||||
Net Loss | $ | (1,220,202 | ) | $ | (1,699,466 | ) | $ | (3,975,392 | ) | |||
Dividends to Preferred Stockholders | (250,806 | ) | (191,199 | ) | (449,238 | ) | ||||||
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders | $ | (1,471,008 | ) | $ | (1,890,665 | ) | $ | (4,424,630 | ) | |||
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | ||||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - basic and diluted | 16,284,026 | 16,175,150 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(A Development Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
For the Period from August 4, 2011 (Inception) to December 31, 2013
Deficit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Convertible | Series B Convertible | Additional | During the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | paid-in- | Development | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Stage | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance - August 4, 2011 (Inception) | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Founders' shares August 22, 2011 (at $0.001 per share) | — | — | — | — | 10,300,000 | 10,300 | — | — | 10,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares in exchange for patent - August 27, 2011 (at $0.001) | — | — | — | — | 1,650,000 | 1,650 | — | — | 1,650 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares pursuant to reverse recapitalization - December 16, 2011 (at $0.001) | — | — | — | — | 4,000,000 | 4,000 | (4,000 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of preferred stock in private placement, net of costs - December 16, 2011 ( at $1.00) | 1,200,000 | 1,200 | — | — | — | — | 1,087,025 | — | 1,088,225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of debentures into preferred stock - December 16, 2011 (at $1.00) | 1,000,000 | 1,000 | — | — | — | — | 999,000 | — | 1,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares to employee - December 30, 2011 (at $0.001) | — | — | — | — | 200,000 | 200 | — | — | 200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued in connection with convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | (580,000 | ) | — | (580,000 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual dividends accrued on convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (7,233 | ) | (7,233 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) to December 31, 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1,055,724 | ) | (1,055,724 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2011 | 2,200,000 | $ | 2,200 | — | $ | — | 16,150,000 | $ | 16,150 | $ | 1,502,025 | $ | (1,062,957 | ) | $ | 457,418 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation expense associated with options | — | — | — | — | — | — | 83,245 | — | 83,245 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares pursuant to separation agreement (at $0.59) | — | — | — | — | 40,000 | 40 | 23,560 | — | 23,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares for services rendered (at $0.59) | — | — | — | — | 35,000 | 35 | 20,615 | — | 20,650 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of preferred stock in private placement, net of costs of $28,222 -October 10, 2012 ( at $175.00) | — | — | 3,099 | 3 | — | — | 514,100 | — | 514,103 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued in connection with convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | (83,673 | ) | — | (83,673 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual dividends accrued on convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (191,199 | ) | (191,199 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1,699,466 | ) | (1,699,466 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2012 | 2,200,000 | $ | 2,200 | 3,099 | $ | 3 | 16,225,000 | $ | 16,225 | $ | 2,059,872 | $ | (2,953,622 | ) | $ | (875,322 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of shares for services rendered (at $0.58) | — | — | — | — | 10,000 | 10 | 5,790 | — | 5,800 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of Series A preferred stock (at $100) into common stock | (100,000 | ) | (100 | ) | — | — | 109,728 | 110 | 9,718 | — | 9,728 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation expense associated with options | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5,626 | — | 5,626 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued in connection with convertible note payable | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46,550 | — | 46,550 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual dividends accrued on convertible preferred stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (250,806 | ) | (250,806 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1,220,202 | ) | (1,220,202 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2013 | 2,100,000 | $ | 2,100 | 3,099 | $ | 3 | 16,344,728 | $ | 16,345 | $ | 2,127,556 | $ | (4,424,630 | ) | $ | (2,278,626 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(A Development Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, | Period from August 4, 2011 (Inception) to December 31, | ||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | ||||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,220,202 | ) | (1,699,466 | ) | $ | (3,975,392 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred debt discount | 150,716 | — | 150,716 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 5,626 | 133,295 | 138,920 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | 80,394 | 66,501 | 146,895 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Deposits | — | (1,950 | ) | (3,125 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses | 40,953 | (87,041 | ) | (56,588 | ) | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 168,107 | 64,127 | 254,287 | |||||||||
Total Adjustments | 445,796 | 174,932 | 631,105 | |||||||||
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (774,406 | ) | (1,524,534 | ) | (3,344,287 | ) | ||||||
Net Cash From Investing Activities | — | — | — | |||||||||
Cash Provided by Financing Activities | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures | 885,000 | — | 1,885,000 | |||||||||
Proceeds from sale of convertible preferred stock, net of costs | — | 514,103 | 1,714,104 | |||||||||
Fees paid to third-parties in connection with sale of convertible preferred stock | — | — | (111,775 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of founders' common stock | — | — | 10,300 | |||||||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock | — | — | 200 | |||||||||
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 885,000 | 514,103 | 3,497,829 | |||||||||
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash | 110,594 | (1,010,431 | ) | 153,542 | ||||||||
Cash - Beginning | 42,948 | 1,053,379 | — | |||||||||
Cash - Ending | $ | 153,542 | $ | 42,948 | $ | 153,542 | ||||||
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: | ||||||||||||
Conversion of convertible debentures into convertible preferred stock | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,000,000 | ||||||
Warrants issued in connection with convertible preferred stock | $ | - | $ | 83,673 | $ | 663,673 | ||||||
Conversion of accrued dividends into common stock | $ | 9,728 | $ | - | $ | 9,728 | ||||||
Warrants issued in connection with convertible notes payable | $ | 477,050 | $ | - | $ | 477,050 | ||||||
Fair value of conversion option issued in connection with convertible note payable | $ | 7,875 | $ | - | $ | 7,875 | ||||||
Dividends accrued on convertible preferred stock | $ | 250,806 | $ | 191,199 | $ | 449,238 | ||||||
Settlement of share issuance liability | $ | 5,800 | $ | - | $ | 5,800 | ||||||
Shares issued relating to merger recapitalization | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 4,000 | ||||||
Shares issued related to acquisition of intangible asset | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 1,650 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 1 - Business Organization and Nature of Operations
BeesFree, Inc. was incorporated on September 4, 2007 in the State of Nevada. BeesFree, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, “BeesFree” or the “Company”) and is a development stage company which has developed a proprietary composite food supplement for honeybees, BeesVita PlusTM, that it believes prevents the effects of colony collapse disorder (“CCD”). CCD is a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or colony abruptly disappear effectively killing the colony. The Company’s goal is to initially sell products directly to large beekeepers in the United States, Europe and Argentina.
The Company has been presented as a "development stage enterprise”. The Company’s primary activities since inception have been developing its technology, developing its business plan, filing patents, complying with the regulatory requirements to sell its product in various countries, developing an infrastructure to sell and deliver its product, and raising capital. The Company has not commenced principal operations of selling its product, nor has it generated any revenues from operations.
The Company has commenced business development activities in Argentina, Italy and the United States and begun a program of brand awareness. The Company is based in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has operations in Rome, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Note 2 - Going Concern and Management Plans
The Company is currently in the development stage, has not yet generated any revenues since inception. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a working capital deficiency of $1,732,610 and a stockholders’ deficiency of $2,278,626. The Company has incurred net losses of $3,975,392 during the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) through December 31, 2013. The Company believes that its current cash on hand may be insufficient to fund its projected operating requirements into the second quarter of 2014. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company's primary source of operating funds since inception has been cash proceeds from the sale of convertible debentures and the sale of preferred stock and warrants in private placements. The Company intends to raise additional capital through private debt and equity investors, but there can be no assurance that these funds will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, or will be sufficient to enable the Company to fully complete its development activities or sustain operations. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds, it will have to develop and implement a plan to further extend payables, reduce overhead, or scale back its current business plan until sufficient additional capital is raised to support further operations. There can be no assurance that such a plan will be successful.
F-6 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 2 - Going Concern and Management Liquidity Plans (continued)
Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of BeesFree, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company’s significant estimates and assumptions include the fair value of the Company’s stock, stock-based compensation, derivative liabilities and the valuation allowance relating to the Company’s deferred tax assets.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company maintains deposits in a financial institution which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). At various times, the Company has deposits in this financial institution in excess of the amount insured by the FDIC.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company does not have any cash equivalents.
F-7 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their respective financial reporting amounts (“temporary differences”) at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of these differences that have been included or excluded in the financial statements or tax returns.
The Company follows the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Income Taxes”, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The guidance also prescribes direction on the recognition, classification, interest and penalties in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
The Company classifies interest expense and any related penalties, if any, related to income tax uncertainties as a component of income tax expense. No interest or penalties have been recognized as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Management has evaluated and concluded that there were no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements for the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) through December 31, 2013. The Company does not expect any significant changes in the unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of the reporting date.
Preferred Stock
Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. The Company classifies conditionally redeemable preferred shares (if any), which includes preferred shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control, as temporary equity. At all other times, the Company classifies its preferred shares in stockholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s preferred shares do not feature any redemption rights within the holders’ control or conditional redemption features not within the Company’s control. Accordingly, all issuances of preferred stock are presented as a component of consolidated stockholders’ (deficiency) equity.
F-8 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Convertible Instruments
The Company bifurcates conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free standing derivative financial instruments according to certain criteria. The criteria includes circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument. An exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional as that term is described under applicable U.S. GAAP.
When the Company has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. Debt discounts under these arrangements are amortized over the term of the related debt to their stated date of redemption. The Company also records, when necessary, deemed dividends for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in preferred shares based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the preferred shares.
Common Stock Warrants and Other Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company classifies as equity any contracts that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) provides the Company with a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement) providing that such contracts are indexed to the Company's own stock. The Company classifies as assets or liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the Company’s control), or (ii) gives the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). The Company assesses classification of its common stock purchase warrants and other free standing derivatives at each reporting date to determine whether a change in classification between assets and liabilities is required.
F-9 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Common Stock Warrants and Other Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)
The Company’s free standing derivatives consist of warrants to purchase common stock that were issued in connection with its private placement transactions (see Note 6). The Company evaluated these warrants to assess their proper classification in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 using the applicable classification criteria enumerated under U.S. GAAP. The Company determined that the common stock purchase warrants do not contain fixed settlement provisions because the exercise price is subject to adjustment in the event that the Company subsequently issues equity securities or equity linked securities with exercise prices lower than the exercise price in these warrants.
As such, the Company was required to record the warrants which do not have fixed settlement provisions as liabilities and mark to market all such derivatives to fair value at the end of each reporting period.
Research and Development
Research and development (“R&D”) expenses are charged to operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) to December 31, 2013, the Company incurred R&D expenses of $158,352, $212,500 and $584,602, respectively.
Net Loss Per Share
The Company computes basic net loss per share by dividing net loss per share available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and excludes the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted earnings per share, if presented, would include the dilution that would occur upon the exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive securities into common stock using the “treasury stock” and/or “if converted” methods as applicable. The computation of basic and diluted loss per share as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 excludes potentially dilutive securities because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share are as follows:
F-10 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
December 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Warrants to purchase common stock | 10,429,900 | 2,629,000 | ||||||
Options to purchase common stock | 812,500 | 2,000,000 | ||||||
Shares issuable upon conversion of convertible notes and accrued interest | 953,560 | - | ||||||
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock | 2,457,269 | 2,200,000 | ||||||
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock | 623,779 | 309,900 | ||||||
Totals | 15,277,008 | 7,139,800 |
Share-based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award. For employees and directors, the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and amortized over the respective employment agreements or director service periods. For non-employees, the fair value of the award is measured on the commitment date and generally remeasured on interim financial reporting dates until the service period is complete. The fair value amount is then recognized over the period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded by the Company in the same expense classifications in the consolidated statements of operations as if such amounts were paid in cash.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
F-11 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
Financial liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
December 31, 2013 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | $ | 1,248,943 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,248,943 |
December 31, 2012 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | $ | 730,174 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 730,174 |
The Company determined that the warrants issued in connection with certain Preferred Stock financing transactions and the conversion option and warrants related to certain convertible notes (See Note 5) did not have fixed settlement provisions and are deemed to be derivative financial instruments, since the exercise prices were subject to adjustment based on certain subsequent equity issuances. Accordingly, the Company was required to record the warrants and conversion option as liabilities and mark to market all such derivatives to fair value each reporting period. Such instruments were classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
F-12 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
Level 3 liabilities are valued using unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the warrant liabilities. For fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, who reports to the Chief Executive Officer, determine its valuation policies and procedures.
The development and determination of the unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and fair value calculations are the responsibility of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and are approved by the Chief Executive Officer.
Level 3 financial liabilities consist of the warrant liabilities for which there is no current market for these securities such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. Changes in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period based on changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as appropriate.
The fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities is estimated using a compound option model that includes characteristics of both a binomial lattice and the Black-Scholes valuation model (see Note 6). Significant observable and unobservable inputs include stock price, exercise price, annual risk free rate, term, and expected volatility, and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. An increase or decrease in volatility, in isolation, can significantly increase or decrease the fair value of the warrant. Changes in the values of the derivative liabilities are recorded in Change in Fair Value of Warrants on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. From August 4, 2011 (inception) to December 31, 2013, there were no transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy.
The risk-free interest rate is the United States Treasury rate for the day of the grant having a term equal to the contractual life of the warrant. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase the fair value and the related change in fair value. The volatility is a measure of the amount by which the Company’s share price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. Since the Company’s common stock has not been publicly traded for a long period of time, an average of the historic volatility of comparative companies was used. The dividend yield is 0% as the Company has not made any dividend payment and has no plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
F-13 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Balance - Beginning of period | $ | 730,174 | $ | 580,000 | ||||
Derivative instruments issued | 438,375 | 83,673 | ||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | 80,394 | 66,501 | ||||||
Balance - End of period | $ | 1,248,943 | $ | 730,174 |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). The amendments in this ASU state that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events or transactions occurring through the date on which the consolidated financial statements were issued.
F-14 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 4 - Income Taxes
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are presented below:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Deferred Tax Assets: | ||||||||
Net operating loss carryforward | $ | 1,247,206 | $ | 941,555 | ||||
Stock based compensation | 50,500 | — | ||||||
Total Deferred Tax Asset | 1,297,706 | 941,555 | ||||||
Valuation allowance | (1,297,706 | ) | (941,555 | ) | ||||
Deferred Tax Asset, Net of Valuation Allowance | $ | — | $ | — |
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
U.S. federal statutory rate | (34.0 | )% | (34.0 | )% | ||||
State and local tax, net of federal benefit | (2.4 | )% | (3.6 | )% | ||||
Change in fair value of derivative liability and other permanent differences | 7.2 | % | (3.4 | )% | ||||
Change in valuation allowance | 29.2 | % | 41.0 | % | ||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % |
The income tax provision (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consists of the following:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Federal | ||||||||
Current | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Deferred | (333,108 | ) | (851,406 | ) | ||||
State and Local | ||||||||
Current | - | - | ||||||
Deferred | (23,043 | ) | (90,149 | ) | ||||
Valuation Allowance | 356,151 | 941,155 | ||||||
Income Tax Provision (Benefit) | $ | — | $ | — |
F-15 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 4 - Income Taxes (continued)
The Company files its income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the state of Florida. The Company’s federal and state income tax returns are subject to examination by tax authorities beginning with the year ended December 31, 2010.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately $3,431,000 and $2,298,000 of federal and state net operating losses that may be available to offset future taxable income. The net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2027 unless utilized. In accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of the Company’s U.S. net operating carryovers may be subject to an annual limitation in the event of a change of control as defined the regulations. Based upon a preliminary evaluation, management has determined that $802,671 of the Company’s net operating loss carryovers are subject to an annual limitation under Section 382.
The Company assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be realized. To the extent that realization is not likely, a valuation allowance is established. Based upon the Company’s losses since inception, management believes that it is more likely than not that the future benefits of its deferred tax assets will not be realized and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the change in valuation allowance was $356,157 and $941,155, respectively.
Note 5 – Senior Secured Convertible Note s
On March 13, 2013, (the “Initial Closing Date’), in connection with its offering of Senior Secured Convertible Notes (the “Notes”) the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and issued a Note to one investor in the principal amount of $210,000. The Notes are collateralized by all of the assets of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 15% per annum, compounded quarterly. Principal and accrued interest on the Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $1.50 per share (the “Initial Conversion Price”). Principal and accrued interest on the Notes are due and payable twenty-four (24) months from the date of the Purchase Agreement (the “Maturity Date”). The investor also initially received a warrant exercisable for a period of five years from issuance to purchase 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrant Shares”) at an initial exercise price of $1.50 per share. The warrant contains certain cashless exercise provisions. The Note and Warrant Shares are subject to certain registration rights. Subsequent to the Initial Closing Date, the Company revised the terms of the Note offering to increase the number of warrants to 1,050,000 per $105,000 invested, and issued an additional 700,000 warrants to the investor. As a result of issuing the additional warrants, for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a charge of $35,000 related to the modification of the note.
F-16 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 5 – Senior Secured Convertible Note s (continued)
Between June 20, 2013 and June 24, 2013, the Company sold additional Notes and entered into and consummated an Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement, with two accredited investors, whereby the Company sold additional Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $525,000. The investors also received warrants exercisable for a period of five years from issuance to purchase an aggregate of 5,250,000 Warrant Shares at an initial exercise price of $1.50 per share.
The Initial Conversion Price and the initial exercise price of the Warrant Shares are subject to full-ratchet price protection in the event that the Company issues or sells, or is deemed to have issued or sold, subject to certain standard exceptions, any shares of its common stock or securities convertible into common stock for consideration per share less than the Initial Conversion Price. As such, the Company determined that the conversion option and warrants, as originally issued, did not contain fixed settlement provisions due to price protection adjustments based on certain subsequent equity issuances. As such, the Company was required to record the conversion option and warrants as derivative liabilities and mark to market all such derivatives to fair value each reporting period through December 31, 2013.
On December 31, 2013, the Company sold additional convertible promissory notes (the “December 2013 Notes) to two accredited investors in the aggregate principal amount of $150,000 pursuant to a new round of convertible debt financing and the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with such investors (the “December Purchase Agreement”). The December 2013 Notes are collateralized by all of the assets of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 15% per annum, compounded quarterly. Principal and accrued interest on the December 2013 Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $1.00 per share. Principal and accrued interest on the Notes are due and payable twenty-four (24) months from the date of the December Purchase Agreement. The investors also initially received warrants exercisable for a period of five years from issuance to purchase an aggregte of 450,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “December Warrant Shares”) at an initial exercise price of $1.00 per share. The warrant contains certain cashless exercise provisions. The December 2013 Notes and December Warrant Shares are subject to certain registration rights. As a result of the December Warrant Shares being issued at an initial exercise price of $1.00 per share, the exercise price of the Warrant Shares issued in March 2013 under the “Purchase Agreement” and the Warrant Shares issued in June 2013 under the Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement adjusted from $1.50 per share to $1.00 per share due to full-ratchet price protection provision.
The cumulative gross proceeds of the Notes and December 2013 Notes in the amount of $885,000 for the year ending December 31, 2013. The Notes were recorded net of a debt discount of $438,375. The debt discount consisted of $430,500 related to the fair value of the warrants and $7,875 related to the fair value of the embedded conversion option. The warrants and conversion option were valued using a compound option model that includes characteristics of both a binomial lattice and the Black-Scholes formula and measured at fair value on a recurring basis through December 31, 2013 (See Note 3). The cumulative gross proceeds of the December 2013 Notes which aggregated $150,000 were recorded net of a discount of $46,550 relating to the relative fair value of the December Warrant Shares. The aggregate debt discount of $484,925 is being accreted over the term of the notes. Accordingly, the Company recorded a charge of $150,716 to interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013.
F-17 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ Deficiency
Authorized Capital
The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock with a $0.001 par value and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a $0.001 par value, of which 3,500,000 shares have been designated as Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and 50,000 shares have been designated as Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, if any, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of legally available funds. Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, if any, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding down of the Company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the Company that are legally available for distribution.
Preferred Stock
Series A Preferred Stock
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will accrue cumulative dividends at a rate of 8% per annum. All dividends will be paid in shares of common stock having a fair market value at the time of issuance equal to the amount of dividends to be paid. Such dividends shall compound annually and be fully cumulative, and shall accumulate from the date of original issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock until paid. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, accrued dividends for the Series A Preferred Stock was $358,056 and $183,812, respectively.
Upon any liquidation of the Company, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid, prior to the common stock or any other securities that by their terms are junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, the original issue price of the Series A Preferred Stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. To the extent the proceeds of liquidation are insufficient to pay such amounts in full, the proceeds available will be allocated pro-rata among the shares of Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2013, the liquidation value of the Series A Preferred Stock was $2,457,269.
F-18 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ (Deficiency) Equity (continued)
Series B Preferred Stock
On October 10, 2012, the Company sold 3,099 shares of its Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) and five-year common stock purchase warrants to purchase 309,900 shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial exercise price of $2.62 per share (the “Series B Warrants”) in a private placement to accredited investors (the “October 2012 Private Placement”) for aggregate cash proceeds of $542,325.
At any time prior to the third anniversary of the initial date of issuance, any holder of the Series B Preferred Stock may convert all or a portion of their shares into shares of the Company’s common stock. The conversion price of each share of Series B Preferred Stock is equal to the sum of the “stated value” of the Series B Preferred Stock being converted ($175.00) divided by the conversion price then in effect (initially $1.75 per share, currently $1.00 per share). Upon the third anniversary of the date of issuance, each share of Series B Preferred Stock still outstanding, unless there is an event of default (as defined), will automatically convert into shares of Common Stock at the then effective conversion ratio.
The “conversion price” of the Series B Preferred Stock is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or combination of the Company's common stock, as well as certain protection for subsequent issuances of convertible or equity securities at prices more favorable than the stipulated conversion price. Since the host Convertible Preferred instrument is deemed to be an equity instrument, the conversion option is considered have economic characteristics and risks that are clearly and closely related to the host contract and the embedded conversion option has not been bifurcated from the host instrument.
The exercise price of the Series B Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including, among others, a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or combination of the Company's common stock, as well as certain protection for subsequent issuances of equity securities at prices more favorable than the stipulated exercise price.
The Company determined that the warrants, as originally issued, did not contain fixed settlement provisions because the exercise price was subject to adjustment based on certain subsequent equity issuances. As such, the Company was required to record the warrants which do not have fixed settlement provisions as liabilities and mark to market all such derivatives to fair value each reporting period through December 31, 2013.
F-19 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ (Deficiency) Equity (continued)
Preferred Stock (continued)
Series B Preferred Stock (continued)
The Company valued the Series B Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement and accordingly, recorded a $83,673 liability relating to the fair value of the warrants on the date of issuance. The fair value of these warrants on the issuance date was calculated using a compound option model that includes characteristics of both a binomial lattice and the Black-Scholes formula with the following weighted average assumptions:
Dividend Yield | 0.00 | % | ||
Volatility | 95.00 | % | ||
Risk-free Interest Rate | 0.66-0.72% | |||
Expected Lives | 4.78 years | |||
Weighted Average Fair Value per Warrant | 0.25 | % | ||
Warrants Issued | 309,900 | |||
Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value | $ | 83,673 |
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will accrue, on a pari passu basis with holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, cumulative dividends at a rate of 12% per annum. All dividends will be paid in shares of common stock having a fair market value at the time of issuance equal to the amount of dividends to be paid. Such dividends shall compound annually and be fully cumulative, and shall accumulate from the date of original issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock until paid. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, accrued dividends for the Series B Preferred Stock was $81,454, and $14,620, respectively.
Upon any liquidation of the Company, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid on a pari passu basis with holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, prior to the common stock or any other securities that by their terms are junior to the Series B Preferred Stock, the original issue price of the Series B Preferred Stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. To the extent the proceeds of liquidation are insufficient to pay such amounts in full, the proceeds available will be allocated pro-rata among the shares of Series B Preferred Stock on a pari passu basis with holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2013, the liquidation value of the Series B Preferred Stock was $623,779.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company issued Senior Secured Convertible Notes with an initial conversion price of $1.00 per share (see Note 5). Due to certain ratchet provisions relating to the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company reduced the per share conversion price of certain previously issued shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock from $1.75 to $1.00. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into 542,325 shares of common stock. In addition, as of December 31, 2013, the Company recorded accrued dividends convertible into 81,454 shares of common stock resulting in an aggregate of 623,779 shares of common stock. Since the Company’s Certificate of Designations setting for the relative rights and preferences of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) was deemed to be an equity instrument, the conversion option was considered to have economic characteristics and risks that are clearly and closely related to the Certificate of Designations and the embedded conversion option was not bifurcated from the Certificate of Designations.
F-20 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ (Deficiency) Equity (continued)
Preferred Stock (continued)
Series B Preferred Stock (continued)
In connection with the Series B Preferred Stock, the Company incurred costs with third-parties of approximately $28,222, which were netted against the proceeds received.
Common Stock
In August 2012, the Company entered into a six-month agreement with a consultant to provide investor relations services. Pursuant to the agreement the Company agreed to issue 35,000 common stock shares as part of the compensation to the consultant. As of December 31, 2013, the Company recorded an expense relating to the shares of $20,650 as General and Administrative Expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
In October 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with a consultant to provide investor relations services. Pursuant to the agreement the Company agreed to issue 10,000 common stock shares as part of the compensation to the consultant. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an expense relating to the shares of $5,800 as General and Administrative Expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
In July 2013, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company issued 109,728 shares of common stock as the result of a conversion of 100,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, and accumulated dividends of $9,728.
Options
In April 2012, the Company granted to certain Directors options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 per share, of which 50,000 options vested on the date of grant and 50,000 options shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided such directors are currently serving as board members on such date. The options shall expire on the fourth anniversary of the applicable vesting date. The fair value of these options is $1,190 based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
F-21 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ (Deficiency) Equity (continued)
Options (continued)
In June 2012, the Company granted to a Director, an option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.97 per share, of which 25,000 options vested on the date of grant and 25,000 options shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided such director is currently serving as a board member on such date.
The options shall expire on the fourth anniversary of the applicable vesting date. The fair value of this option is $905 based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
In August 2012, the Company granted to a Director, an option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.88 per share, of which 25,000 options vested on the date of grant and 25,000 options shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided such director is currently serving as a board member on such date. The options shall expire on the fourth anniversary of the applicable vesting date. The fair value of this option is $1,022 based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
In August 2012, the Company granted to certain Advisory Board Members, options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.82 per share, of which 50,000 options vested on the date of grant and 50,000 options shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided such Advisory Board Members are currently serving as board advisory members on such date. The options shall expire on the fourth anniversary of the applicable vesting date. The fair value of these options is $7,587 based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
In October 2012, as part of an employment agreement entered into with the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (see Note 7), the Company issued stock options to purchase an aggregate of 1,700,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.55 per share, which was the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on the date the agreement was executed; 250,000 of such options were fully vested upon execution of the agreement, 250,000 options vested on December 31, 2012 and the remaining options were to vest based upon the Company meeting certain Performance Measurements as defined in the agreement. Each option is exercisable for a period of four years from the date of vesting of the options. The fair value of the vested options not subject to performance criteria are $76,392 based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 75,000 options to purchase common stock to certain directors with exercise prices between $0.11 and $0.52 per share. The options have a 5 year term, vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant if such individual continues to serve as a director of the Company on such date and have an aggregate grant date fair value of $5,310 based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
F-22 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ (Deficiency) Equity (continued)
Options (continued)
As of December 31, 2013, stock options to purchase an aggregate of 1,262,500 shares of the Company’s common stock were forfeited by a former executive officer and certain directors and advisory board members as the result of their resignations.
The Company recorded $5,625, $133,295 and $138,920 of stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for the period from August 4, 2011 (Inception) to December 31, 2013, respectively.
As of December 31, 2013, there was $1,550 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested employee stock options not subject to performance criteria. This expense is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of approximately 0.5 year.
The Company has computed the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate will be adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate, when it is material. The expected term of options granted represents the estimated period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company utilizes the “simplified” method to develop an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” option grants. Since the Company’s stock has not been publicly traded for a long period of time, the Company is utilizing an expected volatility figure based on a review of the historical volatilities, over a period of time, equivalent to the expected life of these options, of similarly positioned public companies within its industry. The Company estimated forfeitures related to option grants at an annual rate of 0% per year for options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The risk-free interest rate was determined from the implied yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with a remaining term consistent with the expected term of the options.
F-23 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 6 – Stockholders’ (Deficiency) Equity (continued)
Options (continued)
The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ | 0.37 | $ | 1.62 | ||||
Expected Life | 2 years | 2-5 years | ||||||
Volatility | 125.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||||
Dividend Yield | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||
Risk-free interest rate | 0.30% - 1.62 | % | 0.41 | % | ||||
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value of Options Issued | $ | 0.37 | $ | 1.70 |
A summary of the Company’s options outstanding and exercisable is presented below:
Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
Balance – January 1, 2012 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
Granted | 2,000,000 | 1.62 | 5.18 | |||||||||||||
Exercised | - | |||||||||||||||
Cancelled | - | |||||||||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2012 | 2,000,000 | 1.62 | 5.18 | $ | — | |||||||||||
Granted | 75,000 | 0.37 | 4.48 | |||||||||||||
Exercised | - | |||||||||||||||
Cancelled | 1,262,500 | 1.57 | - | |||||||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2013 | 812,500 | 1.58 | 3.04 | $ | — | |||||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2013 (exercisable) | 737,500 | 1.70 | 2.89 | $ | — |
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 have an exercise price of $0.11 to $2.30 per share.
Warrants
The following table summarizes the Company’s warrant activity through December 31, 2013:
Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2012 | 2,320,000 | $ | 1.00 | 2.96 | ||||||||||||
Granted | 309,900 | $ | 1.00 | 3.78 | ||||||||||||
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2012 | 2,629,900 | $ | 1.00 | 3.06 | ||||||||||||
Granted | 7,800,000 | $ | 1.00 | 4.43 | ||||||||||||
Expired | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Exercised | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2013 | 10,429,900 | $ | 1.00 | 4.08 | $ | — | ||||||||||
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2013 (exercisable) | 10,429,900 | $ | 1.00 | 4.08 | $ | — |
F-24 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies
Litigations, Claims and Assessments
In the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings, claims and assessments arising in the ordinary course of business. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. There are no such matters that are deemed material to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Operating Leases
On April 24, 2013, the Company entered into a commercial lease agreement in West Palm Beach, Florida under a one year operating lease that commenced on June 1, 2013 at the rate of $1,020 per month. This lease agreement superceded a previous six month operating lease that commenced on December 1, 2012 at the rate of $975 per month.
On May 25, 2012, the Company entered into a commercial lease agreement in Rome, Italy under a one-year operating lease that commenced on June 1, 2012 at the rate of approximately $1,300 per month. In May 2013, the lease agreement was extended for an additional year at the same terms.
Aggregate rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $29,344 and $9,180, respectively. Aggregate rent expense for the period from August 4, 2011 (inception) to December 31, 2013 was $38,524. As of December 31, 2013, future minimum rental payments on the Company’s operating leases aggregated approximately $10,300.
Employment and Separation Agreements
In June 2012, the Company entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement with its President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (the “Officer”). Pursuant to the agreement the Company paid the Officer a one-time cash payment of $21,513, representing amounts due under the Officer’s employment agreement and the reimbursement of certain expenses. The Company also issued the Officer 40,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock valued at $23,600, based on the fair value of the shares on the date of the agreement.
F-25 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Employment and Separation Agreements
On October 19, 2012, the Company announced that David W. Todhunter was appointed as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer in addition to being the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and entered into a new employment agreement (the “Agreement”). The Agreement was to initially expire on December 31, 2015. Under the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Todhunter was to receive an initial annual base salary of $126,000 until March 31, 2013 with future salary adjustments subject to certain terms and conditions. In addition, Mr. Todhunter was to be entitled to receive on a fiscal year basis a cash bonus determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors of up to fifty (50%) percent of his annual salary. Upon execution of the Agreement, Mr. Todhunter was also issued certain stock options (See Note 6).
management changes
On April 15, 2013, David W. Todhunter resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Subsequently, the Company announced that Juan Carlos Trabucco, a director of the Company, was appointed to serve as interim President and Chief Executive Officer and that Joseph N. Fasciglione, the Controller, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of the Company, was appointed to serve as interim Chief Financial Officer.
On April 17, 2013, Joseph Becker resigned as a director of the Company.
On May 13, 2013, Juan Carlos Trabucco, a director and the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, passed away. Subsequently, the Company appointed Joseph N. Fasciglione, the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, to serve as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company pending the Company’s selection of a successor to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer.
On November 6, 2012, the Company entered into a three-year consulting service agreement with Dr. Francesca del Vecchio, pursuant to which Dr. del Vecchio will continue to lead and manage all research and development activities in connection with the Company’s BeesVita Plus™ and other products. During the first year of the Consulting Agreement, Dr. del Vecchio will be paid $7,750 per month. Dr. del Vecchio’s compensation for the two remaining years of the Consulting Agreement will be determined by the mutual consent of the Company and Dr. del Vecchio. Dr. del Vecchio is the spouse of the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.
On February 12, 2013, pursuant to terms of consulting agreement, the Company issued 10,000 shares of of common stock as part of compensation for services rendered. The fair value of the shares issued was $5,800, based on the fair value of the shares on the date of the date issued.
F-26 |
BEESFREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
(A Development Stage Company) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Agreements
On August 2, 2013, the Company entered into a manufacturing agreement with a domestic agricultutral specialty products company for the production of the Bees Vita Plus supplement to be sold in the U.S. market. The agreement is cancelable at any time by either party with a 30 days notice.
Note 8 – Subsequent events
On February 12, 2014, the Company announced that Steven Elliott was appointed as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and entered into an employment agreement (the “Elliott Agreement”). The Elliott Agreement will initially expire on February 12, 2018. Under the terms of the Elliott Agreement, Mr. Elliott will receive an annual base salary of $240,000 subject to certain terms and conditions. In addition, Mr. Elliott will be entitled to receive on a fiscal year basis a cash bonus determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors of up to fifty (50%) percent of his annual salary. Under the terms of the Elliott Agreement, Mr. Elliott was issued stock options to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share which shall vest as follows (i) 750,000 of such options shall vest upon consummation of a debt or equity financing, or combination thereof, of not less than $3,000,000, (ii) 562,500 options shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of the Elliott Agreement and (iii) the remaining 1,687,500 options shall vest monthly in equal monthly amounts of 46,875 options per month, for each of the 36 months following the first anniversary of the date of the Elliott Agreement.
On April 8, 2014, Steven Elliott resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Subsequently the Company appointed Joseph N. Fasciglione, the interim Chief Financial Officer, to serve as interim President and interim Chief Executive Officer.
On February 12, 2014, the Company entered into a four-year consulting service agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Dr. Andrea Festuccia, PhD. (“Consultant”), pursuant to which Dr. Festuccia will serve as Chief Strategist in enhancing product value, competitiveness and performance for the Company. In consideration for the services to be provided, the Company shall pay Consultant a consulting fee of $240,000 per year payable at a rate of $20,000 per month. Dr. Festuccia is also Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.
Between February 14, 2014 and March 7, 2014, the Company has completed the sale of additional December 2013 Notes to two investors who became parties to the December Purchase Agreement. Such investors each invested the principal amount of $100,000. The investors also received warrants exercisable for a period of five years from issuance to purchase an aggregate of 600,000 December Warrant Shares at an initial exercise price of $1.00 per share. The warrant contains certain cashless exercise provisions and the shares of Common Stock underlying the December 2013 Notes and Warrant Shares are subject to certain registration rights.
F-27 |