Blueprint
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL REPORT
UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(FEE REQUIRED)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
☐ TRANSACTION REPORT
UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(NO FEE REQUIRED)
For the transaction period from ________ to ________
Commission file number 000-50385
GrowLife, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
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90-0821083
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(Address
of principal executive offices and zip code)
(866) 781-5559
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically 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 (§232.405 of this chapter)
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer,
smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the
definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting
company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule
12b-2
Large accelerated filer
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☐
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Accelerated filer
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☐
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Non-accelerated
filer
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☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting
company)
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Smaller reporting company
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☒
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Emerging
growth company
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☐
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of June 30, 2017 (the last business day of our most recently
completed second fiscal quarter), based upon the last reported
trade on that date, the aggregate market value of the voting and
non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (for this purpose,
all outstanding and issued common stock minus stock held by the
officers, directors and known holders of 10% or more of the
Company’s common stock) was $14,662,328.
The number of shares of common stock, $.0001 par value, issued and
outstanding as of March 28, 2018: 2,913,559,657 shares.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion, in addition to the other information
contained in this report, should be considered carefully in
evaluating us and our prospects. This report (including without
limitation the following factors that may affect operating results)
contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act")
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("Exchange Act") regarding us and our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks,"
"estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are
intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the
exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this
report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as
revenue projections, projected profitability, growth strategies,
development of new products, enhancements or technologies, possible
changes in legislation and other statements regarding matters that
are not historical are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good faith
judgment of our management and the statements are based on facts
and factors as we currently know them. Forward-looking statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and
outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes
include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" as well as those discussed elsewhere in this
report. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this
report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any
forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or
circumstance that may arise after the date of this
report.
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Page
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PART 1
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1
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ITEM 1.
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Description of Business
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1
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ITEM 1A.
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Risk Factors
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9
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ITEM 1B
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Unresolved Staff Comments
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18
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ITEM 2.
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Properties
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18
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ITEM 3.
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Legal Proceedings
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19
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ITEM 4.
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Mine Safety Disclosures
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19
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PART II
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20
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ITEM 5.
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Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
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20
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ITEM 6.
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Selected Financial Data
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23
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ITEM 7.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
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23
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ITEM 7A.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
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28
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ITEM 8.
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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28
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ITEM 9.
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Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
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28
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ITEM 9A.
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Controls and Procedures
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29
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ITEM 9B.
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Other Information
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30
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PART III
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31
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ITEM 10.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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31
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ITEM 11.
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Executive Compensation
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35
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ITEM 12.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
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43
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ITEM 13.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
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44
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ITEM 14.
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Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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46
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PART IV
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47
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ITEM 15.
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Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
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47
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SIGNATURES
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50
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PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF
BUSINESS
THE COMPANY AND OUR BUSINESS
GrowLife,
Inc. (“GrowLife” or the “Company”) is
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. We were founded in 2012 with
the Closing of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with SGT Merger
Corporation.
GrowLife’s goal is to become the nation’s largest
cultivation facility service provider
for the production of organics, herbs and greens and plant-based
medicines.
GrowLife
provides essential and hard-to-find goods including growing media,
industry-leading hydroponics equipment, organic plant nutrients,
and thousands more products through its knowledgeable
representatives and our distribution channels, to specialty grow
operations across the United States and Canada.
We
primarily sell supplies through our wholly owned subsidiary,
GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. GrowLife also distributes and sells over
15,000 products along with a handful of its own branded products
through its e-commerce distribution channels, ShopGrowLife.com,
Greners.com and GrowLifeEco.com, as well as through GrowLife
licensed retail storefronts. GrowLife and its business units are
organized and directed to operate strictly in accordance with all
applicable state and federal laws.
The GrowLife mission is to measure its success by its
customer’s success;
serving cultivators of all sizes as a reliable business partner and
its shareholders with value and trust.
The
‘their success is our
success’ focus has helped us understand the pains and
needs our customers are enduring and the many products and services
we can provide to help them grow. We recognize that the cost of
customer acquisition is 10x higher than retention so it is in
GrowLife’s best interest to retain its customers by
supporting their needs with innovative offerings, lower pricing and
reliable delivery. The indoor cultivation industry, primarily
driven by indoor Cannabis farming, is in its formative stages where
it is developing a recurring track record. Due to the conflicting
laws and policies throughout the United States our customers
consist mostly of smaller, early-stage companies that face unusual
challenges not experienced in most larger established
industries.
As a
result, agility takes the place over predictability and trust
surpasses price and convenience. Therefore, there are few public or
billion dollar companies operating in this industry. Thus, the
GrowLife mission of aligning itself with the success of its
customer’s.
GrowLife’s vision of indoor cultivation is that it
is
inevitable; not another gardening alternative.
We seek
to support the mission of GrowLife helping its customers be
successful by
minimizing the operating costs of indoor cultivators of fruits,
vegetables and Cannabis so they can better serve their markets and
customers.
Outdoor
farming is a wasteful, destructive and an inefficient use of
precious resources. Current water, land and harvest cycles are
limited and, if left unchecked, will fail to support the
world’s population growth. However, indoor cultivation allows
our customers to replicate nature in a controllable manner that
uses a fraction of water and land while providing 2–5 times
the crop cycles of outdoor. The challenge is in getting the
economics right. Subsidies are not the answer. Even many
large-scale indoor grow operations with large capital investments
have had a difficult time staying in business because the poor
economic models fail to deliver a profit. Fruits and vegetables
have limited revenue benefit due to their low prices and saturated
supply from international and domestic growers.
Cannabis
on the other hand currently has an attractive revenue model and
valuation multiple but modest demand of about 5% of the population
due to shadows cast by interstate commerce restrictions, banking
issues and threatening federal laws. However, Cannabis laws are not
the only expected changes. We must prepare for significantly lower
prices if Cannabis is to become a mainstream alternative to beer,
wine and other alcohol in the future. Expecting a $12 Cannabis
cigarette to drop to $1 over the next couple of years is not
unreasonable.
Therefore,
as an indoor cultivation industry, we must lower production costs
to provide local, safer, healthier and affordable food and Cannabis
crops. We see this as the game changer: Over time we must support a production cost at
10% of the current price point. This means increasing
efficiencies, scaling up production volumes and driving down indoor
operating costs. Given this vision of the future, lowering our
customer’s production costs serves as our compass to mergers,
acquisitions and partnerships.
To
profitably achieve such a goal, we see GrowLife building out five
strategic pillars. These pillars represent unfulfilled needs, which
if capitalized upon, can provide PHOT investors with a lasting
diversified portfolio of products and services.
GrowLife’s
five pillars of planned growth are 1) direct commercial sales, 2)
products, 3) online markets, 4) consumer GrowLife Cube, and 5)
retail --- are organized across four audience-centric divisions. We
sell to commercial customers through our GrowLife Commercial
division to large-scale customers for both hydroponics and FreeFit,
our business materials products.
GrowLife
will continue to provide growing supplies to cultivators, known as
“picks and shovels” to the green rush industry, we are investing
in developing proprietary products that will enhance higher gross
profit, differentiation and a greater ecological benefit and value
to the industry through GrowLife Innovations, Inc., a whole-owned
subsidiary. For example, GrowLife recently acquired FreeFit
building material assets which bring several benefits to the
Company: Revenue, higher gross profits and intellectual properties
that will serve as the foundation to upcoming products including
complete GrowLife room solutions. These solutions are aimed at
providing lower production costs for our legal commercial customers
that are growing at large scales. Over the last three months the
Company organized its operating structure into four divisions to be
aligned with its business initiatives towards focused
growth.
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The
other GrowLife divisions will continue to distribute and sell over
15,000 products and FreeFit through its e-commerce distribution
channel, ShopGrowLife.com.New products will be developed by
GrowLife Innovations Inc., the research and development arm of the
company, and GrowLife Retail will drive our licensed retail
storefronts. GrowLife, Inc. and its divisions are organized and
directed to operate strictly in accordance with all applicable
state and federal laws.
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We
focus on customer success. In that regard, we believe that the
indoor cultivation industry will continue to experience significant
growth and, as a result, serving this industry has become highly
competitive, cash intensive and customer centric. However, we
have plans to address these challenges.
First,
the opportunity to sell both infrastructure equipment and recurring
supplies to the indoor cultivation industry is constantly
increasing as demand for indoor cultivation grows across the United
States and Canada. GrowLife believes the demand will continue to
grow and more states and municipalities will enact laws and
regulations allowing for greater indoor cultivation activities.
GrowLife continues with its multi-faceted distribution
strategy, which we believe serves customers in the following
manner: Direct sales to large commercial customers through GrowLife
Hydroponics, retail licensing through licensed partners for local
convenience, and e-commerce via ShopGrowLife.com to
fulfill orders across the nation from customers of all sizes.
Second,
selling through multiple channels with readily available products
is foundational to GrowLife, however differentiation comes from
unique products available only from GrowLife. In October 2017 we
formed GrowLife Innovations, Inc., which is where we housed our
recently acquired building material assets. FreeFit® is a
patented product line of eco-friendly and easy to install vinyl
floor tiles with patterns and prints that can provide passive (no
resource demands such as power) benefits to our customers. GrowLife
is currently testing custom configurations with cultivators to
quantify its economic value to customers. Building materials is a
starting point for GrowLife Innovations. Other products and
services are being developed and tested with plans to bring them to
market over the next few months.
Third,
GrowLife’s customers come in different stages from small
caregiver cultivators to large 80,000+ square foot commercial
operations. Along with our business-to-business (B2B) focus
we have been expanding to the business-to-consumer (B2C) by
offering the GrowLife Cube subscription products. We recognize
demand is increasing from small, aspiring cultivation consumers
across the country seeking to learn and use a complete indoor
growing solution. To address this demand, we
packaged GrowLife
Cube, an entry-level offering for consumers to get hands-on
experience with indoor growing. Although many still buy the
components separately, we are working on developing videos and
supplier tools to attract them to this one-stop shop program.
Many states are giving individuals the legal freedom to cultivate
crops in their own home and GrowLife Cube gives them the necessary
tools.
GrowLife
started the expansion of sales and store personnel and marketing
efforts with continued funding from Chicago Venture Partners, L.P.
Chicago Venture is supportive in the expansion of the sales and
marketing teams in a growing market. GrowLife is growing in several
markets including California and Canada. GrowLife received $1
million in equity financing in February 2018 for expansion in
addition to continuing as-needed capital for operating
costs.
GrowLife
also considered the lack of capital access since 2014 and the new
funding vehicles with Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. Operations
were significantly impacted during 2014- 2016 as a result of the
lack of access to capital. GrowLife did not have cash to ship all
orders. With the addition of GrowLife’s new partners, we have
access to capital and are growing our sales again.
Resumed Trading of our Common Stock
On
October 17, 2017, we were informed by Alpine Securities Corporation
(“Alpine”) that Alpine had demonstrated compliance with
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)
Rule 6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. We filed an amended application with the OTC Markets to list
the Company’s common stock on the OTCQB and begin to trade on
this market as of March 28, 2018.
Market Size and Growth
Markets
Serviced
GrowLife
Inc. is engaged in the business of offering general hydroponic
growing equipment including complete indoor lighting
systems, growing mediums, soils, tools for cutting and
propagation, hydroponics systems, growing accessories, bulbs,
ballasts, reflectors, meters and timers and climate control
equipment for the indoor plant cultivation and cannabis
industries.
Additionally,
GrowLife, through its recent asset acquisition, has begun servicing
the Luxury Vinyl Tile market segment of the Floor Covering
industry, which it will use in its GrowLife clean grow room
initiative.
Hydroponic Growing Equipment (US)
Industry
Definition:
The
Hydroponic Growing Equipment industry is primarily engaged in
selling hydroponic horticulture equipment. Hydroponics is a method
of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without
the use of soil.
2017
Key Industry Statistics:
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In 2017, the
Hydroponic Growing Equipment Stores industry generated $689.7
million in gross revenue with total profits of $26.9
million.
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The industry grew
4.4% from 2012 to 2017 and is expected to continuing growing at a
rate of 1.7% through 2022.
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As of 2017, there
are approximately 1,948 businesses engaged in the industry, which
contribute $210 million in wages and salaries to the nation’s
economy.
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No companies have
been identified as “major players”.
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Household consumers
comprise the largest market segment for the industry, accounting
for 48.1% of the market in 2017, with farms and agriculture
representing 37.2% of the market and 14.7% represented by other
types including: retail establishments, equipment wholesalers,
repair shops, industrial companies, and government
bodies.
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The
industry’s average profit margin, defined as earnings before
interest and taxes, has increased since 2012; profit margins are
expected to have expanded from 1.8% of industry revenue in 2012 to
3.9% in 2017.
Product and Service Segmentation:
Of
total product sales in 2017, 35.8% of products sold were nutrients,
solution chemicals and other treatments, 30.4% were hydroponic
systems and equipment, 20% were other accessories, additions,
supplies and merchandise, and 13.8% were hardware, tools, plumping
and electrical supplies.
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Key
Industry Drivers:
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Much of the
industry’s sudden popularity is the result of heightened
consumer interest in locally grown and organic produce; many
producers of hydroponic fruits and vegetables strive to use
sustainable business practices and natural nutrients and
pesticides
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Consumer interest
in organic foods and hydroponic growing has also increased as
disposable income continues to rise.
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Given the
discretionary nature of the industry’s products, demand is
heavily influenced by fluctuations in the overall level of consumer
disposable income and consumer confidence in the economy. Over the
five years to 2017, per capita disposable income is anticipated to
grow an annualized 1.4%. Rising disposable income increases
consumers’ willingness to purchase luxuries such as
high-priced hydroponic growing equipment and organic
foods.
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Impact of the
Cannabis Industry
o
According to data
released by Forbes, the
medical marijuana market is expected to generate $6.7 billion in
2017 alone. Given the size of the medical marijuana market, a
rising number of entrepreneurs have invested in hydroponic growing
equipment to be part of the medical marijuana gold rush. This
investment has been one of the primary drivers of the aggressive
growth that this industry has experienced over the past five
years.
o
In certain states,
patients with medical marijuana cards are also allowed to grow
limited quantities of marijuana for personal use. This has
encouraged patients to purchase hydroponic growing equipment and
pursue small-scale marijuana cultivation.
Competitive
advantages:
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Most hydroponic
growing equipment stores are small business operations that serve
their immediate geographic areas. GrowLife serves a nationwide
audience with expansion into Canada.
Growth
Outlook:
“The
industry is growing faster than overall GDP”
IBIS World expects the Cannabis industry revenue to grow an
annualized 1.7% to $750.2 million over the five years to
2022.
Factors:
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Increasing consumer
focus on healthy eating habits will likely spur demand as more
consumers seek out organic and pesticide-free produce and opt to
grow their own or purchase locally produced organic foods made with
hydroponic growing equipment.
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Medical and
recreational marijuana is expected to be approved in an increasing
number of US states over the next five years, which will lead more
patients and entrepreneurs to buy marijuana and hydroponic growing
equipment to fulfill demand for this growing market.
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This industry will
also continue to benefit from risk-averse local farmers wishing to
break their reliance on weather conditions that may be increasingly
volatile.
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IBIS World estimates that per capita
disposable income will rise at an annualized rate of 2.7% over the
five years to 2022.
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The US Department
of Agriculture reported in 2016 that the number of certified
organic food operators increased nearly 12.0% from 2015, and this
growth is expected to remain high over the next five
years.
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IBIS World expects profitability to
fall somewhat over the next five years as price-based competition
accelerates.
Competitive Advantages
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IBIS World anticipates that the number
of industry establishments will increase at an annualized rate of
5.1% to 3,123 over the five years to 2022 earning it the rating of
“Highly competitive”
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Market share
concentration is low with only one company representing over 1% of
market share.
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Barriers to Entry
in this industry are Low
Medical
and Recreational Marijuana Growing Industry
Industry
Definition:
This
emerging industry pertains to those engaged in the practice of
cultivating and producing legal marijuana plants for the medical
and recreational consumer markets.
US 2016
Key Industry Statistics:
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In 2016, the
Medical and Recreational Marijuana Growing industry generated $3.5
billion in gross revenue with total profits of $233.4
million.
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The industry grew
28.3% from 2011 to 2016 and is expected to continuing growing at a
rate of 33.5% through 2021.
–
As of 2016, there
are approximately 148,294 businesses engaged in the industry, which
contribute $957.6 million in wages and salaries to the
nation’s economy.
–
No companies have
been identified as “major players”.
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Medical Marijuana
patients with severe pain comprise the largest market segment for
the industry, accounting for 64.6% of the market in 2016, with
recreational consumers accounting for 14.1% of the market. The
remaining market share is shared by consumers purchasing products
for treatment of other various medical conditions.
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The
industry’s average profit margin, defined as earnings before
interest and taxes, varies greatly across the industry because of
the myriad of laws governing medical and recreational marijuana
from state to state. Industry-wide margins have grown on account of
the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado and
Washington and are expected to grow as more legalization takes
effect including California.
Key
Industry Drivers:
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Medical marijuana
growers continue to benefit from the steadily aging population.
Chronic illnesses have become more prevalent as the population
continues to age, driving demand for medical
marijuana.
–
An estimated 2.6
million people use marijuana for medicinal purposes, and this
segment of the US population is anticipated to increase drastically
over the next five years.
–
More than
two-thirds of Americans now live in jurisdictions that have
legalized either the medical or adult use of
marijuana.
Growth
Outlook:
“The
industry is growing at a faster rate than the US
economy”
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Industry revenue is
estimated to increase at an annualized rate of 33.5% to $15.0
billion over the five years to 2021.
Factors:
–
Continued
legalization on the state level will increase accessibility to
medical and recreational marijuana, increasing nationwide
demand.
–
Growing acceptance
of the marijuana products will increase demand. According to a poll
conducted by Gallup, 36.0% of Americans between the ages of 18 to
29 have tried marijuana in 2013, compared with just 8.0% in
1969.
–
The level of
household income determines consumers’ ability to purchase
medical marijuana products. While prescription products can be
essential for health and therefore less susceptible to changes in
consumer expenditure, the unconventional nature of the
industry’s products make it subject to changes in disposable
income. As a result, an increase in disposable income will boost
demand for medical marijuana growers.
Floor Covering Industry: Segment Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
(US)
Industry
Definition:
The
Floor Covering industry is segmented by product type including
wood, rugs, resilient (which includes the Luxury Vinyl Tile or
“LVT” segment), carpet, tile, laminate and rubber
subcategories. GrowLife is engaged in luxury vinyl tile
manufacturing and is participating in this market by selling
through business-to-business and business-to-consumer
channels.
–
In 2016, the U.S. flooring
market grew an estimated 5.1%, according to Market Insights, with
total revenues of $21.174 billion.
–
North
America flooring market will witness gains over 5% up to 2024
according to Global Market Insights.
2016
Key Industry Statistics:
–
In 2016, the U.S. flooring
market grew an estimated 5.1%, according to Market Insights, with
total revenues of $21.174 billion.
–
North
America flooring market will witness gains over 5% up to 2024
according to Global Market Insights.
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Luxury
Vinyl Tile
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LVT now accounts for 16.5% of the total
flooring market in dollars and 18.8% in volume after a 6.5% rise in
units to 3.537 billion square feet. In 2015, resilient held a 13.3%
market share in terms of dollars, which was up from 12.2% in 2014,
11.9% in 2013 and 11.2% in 2012 respectively.
–
Sales
have gone from nearly $750 million in 2012 to $948 million in 2013,
$1.142 billion in 2014, $1.651 billion in 2015 and $2.161 in 2016.
That represents respective gains of 26.4%, 20.5%, 27.1% and 30.9%
respectively
–
LVT
sales have more than doubled in three years.
–
LVT
increased significantly in both residential and commercial
markets—dollars and square feet—in 2016. Residential
LVT saw a 68.3% increase in square footage from 760 million in 2015
to 1.04 billion (including WPC), making up 76.1% of the LVT market.
This number was 71% a year ago and 55% two years ago.
–
The
commercial market rose from 297.2 million square feet to 326.3
million square feet, a 9.8% increase. While residential brought in
more dollars—$1.512 billion—last year, commercial LVT
still performed well, posting a 12.5% increase, rising from $576.4
million in 2015 to $648.6 million in ’16.
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https://www.rocsearch.com/samples/PDFs/Market%20Landscape-Global-Commercial-Vinyl-Flooring-Market-Landscape.pdf
Competitive
advantages:
–
GrowLife’s
LVT product FreeFit® features significant competitive
advantages including:
o
20k+ HD imaging,
“Real Touch” texture technology, fully customizable
platform, “Seriously Easy to Install” design, made in
the US, waterproof, lifespan 3x longer than traditional vinyl, 4mmm
thickness and 22mil wear layer and wear and stain
resistance
–
Direct to consumer
sales model that major competitors cannot excitute on due to resale
agreements
Growth
Outlook:
The
global vinyl flooring market is expected to reach an estimated
$16.2 billion by 2023, and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.4%
from 2018 to 2023.
Key Market Priorities
Our
goal of becoming the nation’s largest cultivation facility
service provider for the production of organics, herbs and greens
and plant-based medicines requires GrowLife to: (i) expand our
nationwide, multi-channel sales network presence, (ii) offer the
best terms for the full range of build-out equipment and consumable
supplies, and (iii) deliver superior, innovative
products.
First,
we provide distribution through retail, e-commerce and direct sales
to have national coverage and serve cultivators of all sizes. Each
channel offers varying pricing for differing benefits. Retail sells
at list price by offering inventory convenience, e-commerce
provides lower prices without requiring local inventory, and direct
sales delivers the best bid price for high-volume purchasers.
Additional points of service may be added through existing
distribution locations and services. This may be done in several
manners and programs that may incorporate cultivator-centric
locations with other retailer store owners.
Second,
we serve the needs of all size cultivators and each one’s
unique formulation, or ‘recipe’. We provide thousands
of varieties of supplies from dozens of vendors and distributors.
More importantly is our experience of knowing which products to
recommend under each customer’s circumstance.
And
third, our experience with extensive customers allows us to
determine specific product needs and sources to test new designs.
Lights, pesticides, nutrients, building materials and growing
systems are some examples of products that GrowLife can provide.
Popular name branded products are seeking to be part of the
GrowLife Company in many forms. In exchange, we can market their
products in a unique manner over generic products.
Our
company can expand with these strategies until it serves more
indoor cultivators throughout the country. Once a customer is
engaged, we can gradually expand their purchasing market share by
providing greater economic benefit to the customers who buy more
products from GrowLife than from other suppliers.
Employees
As of
December 31, 2017, we had
thirteen full-time and part-time employees. Marco Hegyi, our Chief
Executive Officer, is based in Kirkland, Washington. Mark E. Scott,
our Chief Financial Officer, is based primarily in Seattle,
Washington. In addition, we have approximately six full and part
time consultants located throughout the United States and Canada
who operate our businesses. None of our employees are subject to a
collective bargaining agreement or represented by a trade or labor
union. We believe that we have a good relationship with our
employees.
Key Partners
Our key
customers vary by state and are expected to be more defined as the
company moves from its retail walk-in purchasing sales strategy to
serving cultivation facilities directly and under predictable
purchasing contracts.
Our key
suppliers include distributors such as HydroFarm, Urban
Horticultural Supply and Sunlight Supply to product-specific
suppliers. All the products purchased and resold are applicable to
indoor growing for organics, greens, and plant-based
medicines.
Competition
Certain
large commercial cultivators have found themselves willing to
assume their own equipment support by buying large volume purchased
directly from certain suppliers and distributors such as Sunlight
Supplies and HydroFarm. Other key competitors on the retail side
consist of local and regional hydroponic resellers of indoor
growing equipment. On the e-commerce business, GrowersHouse.com,
Hydrobuilder.com and smaller online resellers using Amazon and eBay
e-commerce market systems.
Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights
Our
intellectual property consists of brands and their related
trademarks and websites, customer lists and affiliations, product
know-how and technology, and marketing intangibles.
Our
other intellectual property is primarily in the form of trademarks
and domain names. We also hold rights to several website addresses
related to our business including websites that are actively used
in our day-to-day business such as www.shopgrowlife.com,
www.freefit.com,
www.growlifeinc.com,
www.growlifeeco.com and
www.greners.com.
On
October 3, 2017, we closed the acquisition of 51% of the Purchased
Assets from David Reichwein, a Pennsylvania resident, GIP
International Ltd, a Hong Kong corporation and DPR International
LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability corporation. The Purchased
Assets include intellectual property, copy rights and trademarks
related to reflective tiles and flooring.
On February 16, 2018, we entered into an Addendum (the “First
Addendum”) to amend the terms between the Company and David
Reichwein. Pursuant to the First Addendum, we purchased the
remaining 49% of the Purchased Assets in exchange for a one-time
payment of $250,000 and the cancellation of Mr. Reichwein’s
right to receive a 10% commission on certain sales of Free Fit
products as was set forth in Mr. Reichwein’s employment
agreement. In exchange for the cancellation of the commission in
the employment agreement, Mr. Reichwein was granted the opportunity
to earn up to two $100,000 cash bonuses and an aggregate common
stock bonus of up to 7,500,000 shares if certain revenue and gross
margin goals are met in 2018.
We have
a policy of entering into confidentiality and non-disclosure
agreements with our employees, some of our vendors and customers as
necessary.
Government Regulation
Currently,
there are thirty states plus the District of Columbia that have
laws and/or regulation that recognize in one form or another
legitimate medical uses for cannabis and consumer use of cannabis
in connection with medical treatment. There are currently eight
states and the District of Columbia that allow recreational use of
cannabis. As of March 28, 2018, the policy and regulations of the
Federal government and its agencies is that cannabis has no medical
benefit and a range of activities including cultivation and use of
cannabis for personal use is prohibited on the basis of federal law
and may or may not be permitted on the basis of state law. Active
enforcement of the current federal regulatory position on cannabis
on a regional or national basis may directly and adversely affect
the willingness of customers of GrowLife to invest in or buy
products from GrowLife. Active enforcement of the current federal
regulatory position on cannabis may thus indirectly and adversely
affect revenues and profits of the GrowLife companies.
All
this being said, many reports show that the majority of the
American public is in favor of making medical cannabis available as
a controlled substance to those patients who need it. The need and
consumption will then require cultivators to continue to provide
safe and compliant crops to consumers. The cultivators will then
need to build facilities and use consumable products, which
GrowLife provides.
THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK
On April 10, 2014, we received
notice from the SEC that trading of our common stock on the OTCBB
was to be suspended from April 10, 2014 through April 24, 2014. The
SEC issued its order pursuant to Section 12(k) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. According to the notice received by us from
the SEC: “It appears to the Securities and Exchange
Commission that the public interest and the protection of investors
require a suspension of trading in the securities of GrowLife, Inc.
because of concerns regarding the accuracy and adequacy of
information in the marketplace and potentially manipulative
transactions in GrowLife’s common stock.” We never
received notice from the SEC that and we were formally being
investigated.
The
suspension of trading eliminated our market makers, resulted in our
trading on the grey sheets, resulted in legal proceedings and
restricted our access to capital.
On
October 17, 2017, we were informed by Alpine Securities Corporation
(“Alpine”) that Alpine has demonstrated compliance with
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)
Rule 6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. We filed an amended application with the OTC Markets to list
the Company’s common stock on the OTCQB and begin to trade on
this market as of March 28, 2018.
PRIMARY RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
We are
exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings, our need for
additional financing, the sale of significant numbers of our
shares, the potential adjustment in the exercise price of our
convertible debentures and a volatile market price for our common
stock. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail
below in Part I, Item 1A.
WEBSITE ACCESS TO UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
REPORTS
We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference room. The SEC maintains a website at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information concerning filers. We also
maintain a web site at http://www.growlifeinc.com that provides
additional information about our Company and links to documents we
file with the SEC. The Company's charters for the Audit Committee,
the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating Committee; and the
Code of Conduct & Ethics are also available on our website. The
information on our website is not part of this Form
10-K.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on our
development in the future and the most significant risks and
uncertainties known and identified by our management are described
below.
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on the
Company’s development in the future and the most
significant risks and uncertainties known and identified by our
management are described below.
Risks Related to Our Business
Risks Associated with Securities Purchase Agreement with Chicago
Venture
The
Securities Purchase Agreement with Chicago Venture will terminate
if we file protection from its creditors, a Registration Statement
on Form S-1 is not effective, and our market capitalization or the
trading volume of our common stock does not reach certain levels.
If terminated, we will be unable to draw down all or substantially
all of our Chicago Venture Notes.
Our
ability to require Chicago Venture to fund the Chicago Venture Note
is at our discretion, subject to certain limitations. Chicago
Venture is obligated to fund if each of the following conditions
are met; (i) the average and median daily dollar volumes of our
common stock for the twenty (20) and sixty (60) trading days
immediately preceding the funding date are greater than $100,000;
(ii) our market capitalization on the funding date is greater than
$17,000,000; (iii) we are not in default with respect to share
delivery obligations under the note as of the funding date; and
(iv) we are current in our reporting obligations.
There
is no guarantee that we will be able to meet the foregoing
conditions or any other conditions under the Securities Purchase
Agreement and/or Chicago Venture Note or that we will be able to
draw down any portion of the amounts available under the Securities
Purchase Agreement and/or Chicago Venture Note.
If we
not able to draw down all due under the Securities Purchase
Agreement or if the Securities Purchase Agreement is terminated, we
may be forced to curtail the scope of our operations or alter our
business plan if other financing is not available to
us.
Suspension of trading of the Company’s
securities.
On
April 10, 2014, we received notice from the SEC that trading of our
common stock on the OTCBB was to be suspended from April 10, 2014
through April 24, 2014. The SEC issued its order pursuant to
Section 12(k) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. According to
the notice received by us from the SEC: “It appears to the
Securities and Exchange Commission that the public interest and the
protection of investors require a suspension of trading in the
securities of GrowLife, Inc. because of concerns regarding the
accuracy and adequacy of information in the marketplace and
potentially manipulative transactions in GrowLife’s common
stock.” We never received notice from the SEC that were
formally being investigated.
The
suspension of trading eliminated our market makers, resulted in our
trading on the grey sheets, resulted in legal proceedings and
restricted our access to capital.
On
October 17, 2017, we were informed by Alpine Securities Corporation
(“Alpine”) that Alpine has demonstrated compliance with
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)
Rule 6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. We filed an amended application with the OTC Markets to list
the Company’s common stock on the OTCQB and begin to trade on
this market as of March 20, 2018.
This
action had a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. If we are unable to obtain
additional financing when it is needed, we will need to restructure
our operations, and divest all or a portion of our
business.
We are involved in Legal Proceedings.
We are
involved in the disputes and legal proceedings as discussed in the
section title “Legal Proceedings” within this Form 10-K
for year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, as a public company,
we are also potentially susceptible to litigation, such as claims
asserting violations of securities laws. Any such claims, with or
without merit, if not resolved, could be time-consuming and result
in costly litigation. There can be no assurance that an adverse
result in any future proceeding would not have a potentially
material adverse on our business, results of operations or
financial condition.
Our Joint Venture Agreement with CANX USA, LLC may be important to
our operations.
On
November 19, 2013, we entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with
CANX, a Nevada limited liability company. Under the
terms of the Joint Venture Agreement, the Company and CANX formed
Organic Growth International, LLC (“OGI”), a Nevada
limited liability company, for the purpose of expanding our
operations in its current retail hydroponic businesses and in other
synergistic business verticals and facilitating additional funding
for commercially financeable transactions of up to
$40,000,000.
We
initially owned a non-dilutive 45% share of OGI and the Company
could acquire a controlling share of OGI as provided in the Joint
Venture Agreement. In accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement,
the Company and CANX entered into a Warrant Agreement whereby the
we delivered to CANX a warrant to purchase 140,000,000 shares of
our common stock that is convertible at $0.033 per share, subject
to adjustment as provided in the warrant. The five-year warrant
expires November 18, 2018. Also in accordance with the Joint
Venture Agreement, on February 7, 2014, the Company issued an
additional warrant to purchase 100,000,000 shares of our common
stock that is convertible at $0.033 per share, subject to
adjustment as provided in the warrant. The five-year warrant
expires February 6, 2019.
GrowLife
received the $1 million as a convertible note in December 2013,
received the $1.3 million commitment but not executed and by
January 2014 OGI had Letters of Intent with four investment and
acquisition transactions valued at $96 million. Before the deals
could close, the SEC put a trading halt on our stock on April 10,
2014, which resulted in the withdrawal of all transactions. The
business disruption from the trading halt and the resulting class
action and derivative lawsuits ceased further investments with the
OGI joint venture. The Convertible Note was converted into our
common stock as of the year ended December 31, 2016.
On July
10, 2014, we closed a Waiver and Modification Agreement, Amended
and Restated Joint Venture Agreement, Secured Credit Facility and
Secured Convertible Note with CANX and Logic Works LLC, a lender
and shareholder of the Company.
The
Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement with CANX modified the
Joint Venture Agreement dated November 19, 2013 to provide for (i)
up to $12,000,000 in conditional financing subject to review by
GrowLife and approval by OGI for business growth development
opportunities in the legal cannabis industry for up to nine months,
subject to extension; (ii) up to $10,000,000 in working capital
loans with each loaning requiring approval in advance by CANX;
(iii) confirmed that the five year warrants, subject to adjustment,
at $0.033 per share for the purchase of 140,000,000 and 100,000,000
were fully earned and were not considered compensation for tax
purposes by the Company; (iv) granted CANX five year warrants,
subject to adjustment, to purchase 300,000,000 shares of common
stock at the fair market price of $0.033 per share as determined by
an independent appraisal; (v) warrants as defined in the Agreement
related to the achievement of OGI milestones; and (vi) a four year
term, subject to adjustment.
We
entered into a Secured Convertible Note and Secured Credit Facility
dated June 25, 2014 with Logic Works whereby Logic Works agreed to
provide up to $500,000 in funding. Each funding required approval
in advance by Logic Works, provides for interest at 6% with a
default interest of 24% per annum and required repayment by June
26, 2016. The Note is convertible into common stock of the Company
at the lesser of $0.0070 or (B) twenty percent (20%) of the average
of the three (3) lowest daily VWAPs occurring during the twenty
(20) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable
conversion date on which Logic Works elects to convert all or part
of this 6% Convertible Note, subject to adjustment as provided in
the Note. The 6% Convertible Note is collateralized by the assets
of the Company. As of
September 30, 2017, the outstanding balance on the Convertible Note
was $41,225.
Failure
to operate in accordance with the Agreements with CANX could result
in the cancellation of these agreements, result in foreclosure on
our assets in event of default and would have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations or financial
condition.
We may engage in acquisitions, mergers, strategic alliances, joint
ventures and divestures that could result in final results that are
different than expected.
In the normal course of business, we engage in discussions relating
to possible acquisitions, equity investments, mergers, strategic
alliances, joint ventures and divestitures. Such transactions are
accompanied by a number of risks, including the use of significant
amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity
securities, incurrence of
debt on potentially unfavorable terms as well as impairment
expenses related to goodwill and amortization expenses related to
other intangible assets, the possibility that we may pay too much
cash or issue too many of our shares as the purchase price for an
acquisition relative to the economic benefits that we ultimately
derive from such acquisition, and various potential difficulties
involved in integrating acquired businesses into our
operations.
From time to time, we have also engaged in discussions with
candidates regarding the potential acquisitions of our product
lines, technologies and businesses. If a divestiture such as this
does occur, we cannot be certain that our business, operating
results and financial condition will not be materially and
adversely affected. A successful divestiture depends on various
factors, including our ability to effectively transfer liabilities,
contracts, facilities and employees to any purchaser; identify and
separate the intellectual property to be divested from the
intellectual property that we wish to retain; reduce fixed costs
previously associated with the divested assets or business; and
collect the proceeds from any divestitures.
If we do not realize the expected benefits of any acquisition or
divestiture transaction, our financial position, results of
operations, cash flows and stock price could be negatively
impacted.
Our proposed business is dependent on laws pertaining to the
marijuana industry.
Continued
development of the marijuana industry is dependent upon continued
legislative authorization of the use and cultivation of marijuana
at the state level. Any number of factors could slow or
halt progress in this area. Further, progress, while
encouraging, is not assured. While there may be ample
public support for legislative action, numerous factors impact
the legislative process. Any one of these factors could
slow or halt use of marijuana, which would negatively impact our
proposed business.
Currently,
thirty states and the District of Columbia allow its citizens to
use medical cannabis. Additionally, eight states and the
District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult
use. The state laws are in conflict with the federal
Controlled Substances Act, which makes marijuana use and possession
illegal on a national level. The Obama administration previously
effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to
direct law federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those
lawfully abiding by state-designated laws allowing the use and
distribution of medical marijuana. The Trump
administration position is unknown. However, there is no
guarantee that the Trump administration will not change current
policy regarding the low-priority enforcement of federal
laws. Additionally, any new administration that follows
could change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws
strongly. Any such change in the federal
government’s enforcement of current federal laws could cause
significant financial damage to us and its
shareholders.
Further,
while we do not harvest, distribute or sell marijuana, by supplying
products to growers of marijuana, we could be deemed to be
participating in marijuana cultivation, which remains illegal under
federal law, and exposes us to potential criminal liability, with
the additional risk that our business could be subject to civil
forfeiture proceedings.
The marijuana industry faces strong opposition.
It is
believed by many that large, well-funded businesses may have a
strong economic opposition to the marijuana industry. We
believe that the pharmaceutical industry clearly does not want to
cede control of any product that could generate significant
revenue. For example, medical marijuana will likely
adversely impact the existing market for the current
“marijuana pill” sold by mainstream pharmaceutical
companies. Further, the medical marijuana industry could
face a material threat from the pharmaceutical industry, should
marijuana displace other drugs or encroach upon the pharmaceutical
industry’s products. The pharmaceutical industry
is well funded with a strong and experienced lobby that eclipses
the funding of the medical marijuana movement. Any
inroads the pharmaceutical industry could make in halting or
impeding the marijuana industry harm our business, prospects,
results of operation and financial condition.
Marijuana remains illegal under Federal
law.
Marijuana
is a Schedule-I controlled substance and is illegal under federal
law. Even in those states in which the use of marijuana
has been legalized, its use remains a violation of federal
law. Since federal law criminalizing the use of
marijuana preempts state laws that legalize its use, strict
enforcement of federal law regarding marijuana would harm our
business, prospects, results of operation and financial
condition.
Raising additional capital to implement our business plan and pay
our debts will cause dilution to our existing stockholders, require
us to restructure our operations, and divest all or a portion of
our business.
We need
additional financing to implement our business plan and to service
our ongoing operations and pay our current debts. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to secure any needed funding, or
that if such funding is available, the terms or conditions would be
acceptable to us.
If we
raise additional capital through borrowing or other debt financing,
we may incur substantial interest expense. Sales of additional
equity securities will dilute on a pro rata basis the percentage
ownership of all holders of common stock. When we raise more equity
capital in the future, it will result in substantial dilution to
our current stockholders.
If we
are unable to obtain additional financing when it is needed, we
will need to restructure our operations, and divest all or a
portion of our business.
Potential Convertible Note Defaults.
Several of the Company’s convertible promissory notes remain
outstanding beyond their respective maturity dates. This may
trigger an event of default under the respective agreements. The
Company is working with these noteholders to convert their notes
into common stock and intends to resolve these outstanding issues
as soon as practicable. Any default could have a significant
adverse effect on our cash flows and should we be unsuccessful in
negotiating an extension or other modification, we may have to
restructure our operations, divest all or a portion of its
business, or file for bankruptcy.
Closing of bank accounts could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and/or results of
operations.
As a
result of the regulatory environment, we have experienced the
closing of several of our bank accounts since March 2014. We have
been able to open other bank accounts. However, we may have other
banking accounts closed. These factors impact management and could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and/or results of operations.
Federal regulation and enforcement may adversely affect the
implementation of medical marijuana laws and regulations may
negatively impact our revenues and profits.
Currently,
there are thirty states plus the District of Columbia that have
laws and/or regulation that recognize in one form or another
legitimate medical uses for cannabis and consumer use of cannabis
in connection with medical treatment. Many other states are
considering legislation to similar effect. As of the date of this
writing, the policy and regulations of the Federal government and
its agencies is that cannabis has no medical benefit and a range of
activities including cultivation and use of cannabis for personal
use is prohibited on the basis of federal law and may or may not be
permitted on the basis of state law. Active enforcement of the
current federal regulatory position on cannabis on a regional or
national basis may directly and adversely affect the willingness of
customers of GrowLife to invest in or buy products from GrowLife
that may be used in connection with cannabis. Active enforcement of
the current federal regulatory position on cannabis may thus
indirectly and adversely affect revenues and profits of the
GrowLife companies.
Our history of net losses has raised substantial doubt regarding
our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not continue
as a going concern, investors could lose their entire
investment.
Our
history of net losses has raised substantial doubt about our
ability to continue as a going concern, and as a result, our
independent registered public accounting firm included an
explanatory paragraph in its report on our financial statements as
of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 with
respect to this uncertainty. Accordingly, our ability to continue
as a going concern will require us to seek alternative financing to
fund our operations. This going concern opinion could materially
limit our ability to raise additional funds through the issuance of
new debt or equity securities or otherwise. Future reports on our
financial statements may include an explanatory paragraph with
respect to our ability to continue as a going concern.
We have a history of operating losses and there can be no assurance
that we can again achieve or maintain profitability.
We have
experienced net losses since inception. As of December 31, 2017, we
had an accumulated deficit of $129.7 million. There can be no assurance
that we will achieve or maintain profitability.
We are subject to corporate governance and internal control
reporting requirements, and our costs related to compliance with,
or our failure to comply with existing and future requirements,
could adversely affect our business.
We must
comply with corporate governance requirements under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd–Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as additional
rules and regulations currently in place and that may be
subsequently adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board. These laws, rules, and regulations continue to
evolve and may become increasingly stringent in the future. We are
required to include management’s report on internal controls
as part of our annual report pursuant to Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We strive to continuously evaluate and improve
our control structure to help ensure that we comply with Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The financial cost of compliance
with these laws, rules, and regulations is expected to remain
substantial.
We
cannot assure you that we will be able to fully comply with these
laws, rules, and regulations that address corporate governance,
internal control reporting, and similar matters. Failure to comply
with these laws, rules and regulations could materially adversely
affect our reputation, financial condition, and the value of our
securities.
Our management has concluded that we have material weaknesses in
our internal controls over financial reporting and that our
disclosure controls and procedures are not effective.
A
material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of
deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such
that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement
of a company's annual or interim financial statements will not be
prevented or detected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency
is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal
control over financial reporting that is less severe than a
material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those
responsible for oversight of the company's financial reporting.
During the review of our internal controls over financial reporting
for the year ended December 31, 2017, our management identified
material weaknesses in our internal control over financial
reporting. If these weaknesses continue, investors could lose
confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial
reports and other disclosures.
Our inability to effectively manage our growth could harm our
business and materially and adversely affect our operating results
and financial condition.
Our
strategy envisions growing our business. We plan to expand our
product, sales, administrative and marketing organizations. Any
growth in or expansion of our business is likely to continue to
place a strain on our management and administrative resources,
infrastructure and systems. As with other growing businesses, we
expect that we will need to further refine and expand our business
development capabilities, our systems and processes and our access
to financing sources. We also will need to hire, train, supervise
and manage new and retain contributing employees. These processes
are time consuming and expensive, will increase management
responsibilities and will divert management attention. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to:
●
expand our
products effectively or efficiently or in a timely
manner;
●
allocate our
human resources optimally;
●
meet
our capital needs;
●
identify and
hire qualified employees or retain valued employees;
or
●
incorporate
effectively the components of any business or product line that we
may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.
Our inability or failure to manage our growth and expansion
effectively could harm our business and materially and adversely
affect our operating results and financial condition.
Our
operating results may fluctuate significantly based on customer
acceptance of our products. As a result, period-to-period
comparisons of our results of operations are unlikely to provide a
good indication of our future performance. Management expects that
we will experience substantial variations in our net sales and
operating results from quarter to quarter due to customer
acceptance of our products. If customers don’t accept our
products, our sales and revenues will decline, resulting in a
reduction in our operating income.
Customer
interest for our products could also be impacted by the timing of
our introduction of new products. If our competitors introduce new
products around the same time that we issue new products, and if
such competing products are superior to our own, customers’
desire for our products could decrease, resulting in a decrease in
our sales and revenues. To the extent that we introduce new
products and customers decide not to migrate to our new products
from our older products, our revenues could be negatively impacted
due to the loss of revenue from those customers. In the event that
our newer products do not sell as well as our older products, we
could also experience a reduction in our revenues and operating
income.
As a
result of fluctuations in our revenue and operating expenses that
may occur, management believes that period-to-period comparisons of
our results of operations are unlikely to provide a good indication
of our future performance.
If we do not successfully generate additional products and
services, or if such products and services are developed but not
successfully commercialized, we could lose revenue
opportunities.
Our
future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand our
product and service offerings. To that end we have engaged in the
process of identifying new product opportunities to provide
additional products and related services to our customers. The
process of identifying and commercializing new products is complex
and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict
customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends
our business could be harmed. We may have to commit significant
resources to commercializing new products before knowing whether
our investments will result in products the market will accept.
Furthermore, we may not execute successfully on commercializing
those products because of errors in product planning or timing,
technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, or
a lack of appropriate resources. This could result in competitors
providing those solutions before we do and a reduction in net sales
and earnings.
The
success of new products depends on several factors, including
proper new product definition, timely completion and introduction
of these products, differentiation of new products from those of
our competitors, and market acceptance of these products. There can
be no assurance that we will successfully identify new product
opportunities, develop and bring new products to market in a timely
manner, or achieve market acceptance of our products or that
products and technologies developed by others will not render our
products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.
Our future success depends on our ability to grow and expand our
customer base. Our failure to achieve such growth or
expansion could materially harm our business.
To
date, our revenue growth has been derived primarily from the sale
of our products and through the purchase of existing businesses.
Our success and the planned growth and expansion of our business
depend on us achieving greater and broader acceptance of our
products and expanding our customer base. There can be no assurance
that customers will purchase our products or that we will continue
to expand our customer base. If we are unable to effectively market
or expand our product offerings, we will be unable to grow and
expand our business or implement our business strategy. This could
materially impair our ability to increase sales and revenue and
materially and adversely affect our margins, which could harm our
business and cause our stock price to decline.
If we
incur substantial liability from litigation, complaints, or
enforcement actions resulting from misconduct by our distributors,
our financial condition could suffer. We will require that our
distributors comply with applicable law and with our policies and
procedures. Although we will use various means to address
misconduct by our distributors, including maintaining these
policies and procedures to govern the conduct of our distributors
and conducting training seminars, it will still be difficult to
detect and correct all instances of misconduct. Violations of
applicable law or our policies and procedures by our distributors
could lead to litigation, formal or informal complaints,
enforcement actions, and inquiries by various federal, state, or
foreign regulatory authorities against us and/or our distributors.
Litigation, complaints, and enforcement actions involving us and
our distributors could consume considerable amounts of financial
and other corporate resources, which could have a negative impact
on our sales, revenue, profitability and growth prospects. As we
are currently in the process of implementing our direct sales
distributor program, we have not been, and are not currently,
subject to any material litigation, complaint or enforcement action
regarding distributor misconduct by any federal, state or foreign
regulatory authority.
Our
future manufacturers could fail to fulfill our orders for products,
which would disrupt our business, increase our costs, harm our
reputation and potentially cause us to lose our
market.
We may
depend on contract manufacturers in the future to produce our
products. These manufacturers could fail to produce products to our
specifications or in a workmanlike manner and may not deliver the
units on a timely basis. Our manufacturers may also have to obtain
inventories of the necessary parts and tools for production. Any
change in manufacturers to resolve production issues could disrupt
our ability to fulfill orders. Any change in manufacturers to
resolve production issues could also disrupt our business due to
delays in finding new manufacturers, providing specifications and
testing initial production. Such disruptions in our business and/or
delays in fulfilling orders would harm our reputation and would
potentially cause us to lose our market.
Our inability to effectively protect our intellectual property
would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively, our
revenue, our financial condition and our results of
operations.
We may
be unable to obtain intellectual property rights to effectively
protect our business. Our ability to compete effectively may be
affected by the nature and breadth of our intellectual property
rights. While we intend to defend against any threats to our
intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that any
such actions will adequately protect our interests. If we are
unable to secure intellectual property rights to effectively
protect our technology, our revenue and earnings, financial
condition, and/or results of operations would be adversely
affected.
We may
also rely on nondisclosure and non-competition agreements to
protect portions of our technology. There can be no assurance that
these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate
remedies for any breach, that third parties will not otherwise gain
access to our trade secrets or proprietary knowledge, or that third
parties will not independently develop the technology.
We do
not warrant any opinion as to non-infringement of any patent,
trademark, or copyright by us or any of our affiliates, providers,
or distributors. Nor do we warrant any opinion as to invalidity of
any third-party patent or unpatentability of any third-party
pending patent application.
Our industry is highly competitive and we have less capital and
resources than many of our competitors, which may give them an
advantage in developing and marketing products similar to ours or
make our products obsolete.
We are
involved in a highly competitive industry where we may compete with
numerous other companies who offer alternative methods or
approaches, may have far greater resources, more experience, and
personnel perhaps more qualified than we do. Such resources may
give our competitors an advantage in developing and marketing
products similar to ours or products that make our products
obsolete. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
successfully compete against these other entities.
Transfers of our securities may be restricted by virtue of state
securities “blue sky” laws, which prohibit trading
absent compliance with individual state laws. These restrictions
may make it difficult or impossible to sell shares in those
states.
Transfers
of our common stock may be restricted under the securities or
securities regulations laws promulgated by various states and
foreign jurisdictions, commonly referred to as "blue sky" laws.
Absent compliance with such individual state laws, our common stock
may not be traded in such jurisdictions. Because the securities
held by many of our stockholders have not been registered for
resale under the blue sky laws of any state, the holders of such
shares and persons who desire to purchase them should be aware that
there may be significant state blue sky law restrictions upon the
ability of investors to sell the securities and of purchasers to
purchase the securities. These restrictions may prohibit the
secondary trading of our common stock. Investors should consider
the secondary market for our securities to be a limited
one.
We are dependent on key personnel and we are default under
Employment and Consulting Agreements
Our
success depends to a significant degree upon the continued
contributions of key management and other personnel, some of whom
could be difficult to replace. We do not maintain key man life
insurance covering our officers. Our success will depend on the
performance of our officers and key management and other personnel,
our ability to retain and motivate our officers, our ability to
integrate new officers and key management and other personnel into
our operations, and the ability of all personnel to work together
effectively as a team. Our failure to retain and recruit
officers and other key personnel could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We have limited insurance.
We have
limited directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
and limited commercial liability insurance policies. Any
significant claims would have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
CANX and Chicago Venture could have significant influence over
matters submitted to stockholders for approval.
CANX and Logic Works
As of
December 31, 2017, CANX holds warrants representing approximately
18.6% of our common stock on a fully-converted basis and could be
considered a control group for purposes of SEC rules. However,
their agreements limit their ownership to 4.99% individually and
each of the parties disclaims its status as a control group or a
beneficial owner due to the fact that their beneficial ownership is
limited to 4.99% per their agreements. Beneficial ownership
includes shares over which an individual or entity has investment
or voting power and includes shares that could be issued upon the
exercise of options and warrants within 60 days after the date
of determination.
TCA and Chicago Venture
As a
result of funding from Chicago Venture as previously detailed, they
exercise significant control over us.
If
these persons were to choose to act together, they would be able to
significantly influence all matters submitted to our stockholders
for approval, as well as our officers, directors, management and
affairs. For example, these persons, if they choose to act
together, could significantly influence the election of directors
and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or
substantially all of our assets. This concentration of voting power
could delay or prevent an acquisition of us on terms that other
stockholders may desire.
Trading in our stock is limited by the lack of market makers and
the SEC’s penny stock regulations.
On
April 10, 2014, as a result of the SEC suspension in the trading of
our securities, we lost all market makers and traded on the grey
market of OTCBB. Until we complied with FINRA Rule 15c2-11, we
traded on the grey market, which has limited quotations and
marketability of securities. Holders of our common stock found it
more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as
to the market value of, our common stock, and the market value of
our common stock declined.
On
October 17, 2017, we were informed by Alpine Securities Corporation
(“Alpine”) that Alpine has demonstrated compliance with
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)
Rule 6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. As a result, Alpine may initiate an unpriced quotation for
our common stock. On February
18, 2016, our common stock resumed unsolicited quotation on the OTC
Bulletin Board after receiving clearance from the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) on our Form
15c2-11. We filed an amended application with the OTC
Markets to list the Company’s common stock on the OTCQB and
began to trade on this market as of March 20, 2018.
Our
stock is categorized as a penny stock The SEC has adopted Rule
15g-9 which generally defines "penny stock" to be any equity
security that has a market price (as defined) less than US$ 5.00
per share or an exercise price of less than US $5.00 per share,
subject to certain exclusions (e.g., net tangible assets in excess
of $2,000,000 or average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the
last three years). The penny stock rules impose additional sales
practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other
than established customers and accredited investors. The penny
stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a
penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a
standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the
SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature
and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer
also must provide the customer with current bid and offer
quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the
broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly
account statements showing the market value of each penny stock
held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and
the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be
given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the
transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or
with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the penny stock
rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not
otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a
special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable
investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written
agreement to the transaction. Finally, broker-dealers may not
handle penny stocks under $0.10 per share.
These
disclosure requirements reduce the level of trading activity in the
secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock
rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules would affect the
ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities if we become
subject to them in the future. The penny stock rules also could
discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our
common stock to future investors, resulting in limited ability for
investors to sell their shares.
FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a
shareholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In
addition to the “penny stock” rules described above,
FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an
investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable
grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that
customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities
to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make
reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s
financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other
information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes
that there is a high probability that speculative low priced
securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The
FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to
recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may
limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse
effect on the market for our shares.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile.
The
market price of our common stock has been and is likely in the
future to be volatile. Our common stock price may fluctuate in
response to factors such as:
●
Halting of
trading by the SEC or FINRA.
●
Announcements by
us regarding liquidity, legal proceedings, significant
acquisitions, equity investments and divestitures, strategic
relationships, addition or loss of significant customers and
contracts, capital expenditure commitments, loan, note payable and
agreement defaults, loss of our subsidiaries and impairment of
assets,
●
Issuance of
convertible or equity securities for general or merger and
acquisition purposes,
●
Issuance or
repayment of debt, accounts payable or convertible debt for general
or merger and acquisition purposes,
●
Sale
of a significant number of shares of our common stock by
shareholders,
●
General market
and economic conditions,
●
Quarterly
variations in our operating results,
●
Investor
relation activities,
●
Announcements of
technological innovations,
●
New
product introductions by us or our competitors,
●
Competitive
activities, and
●
Additions or
departures of key personnel.
These
broad market and industry factors may have a material adverse
effect on the market price of our common stock, regardless of our
actual operating performance. These factors could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and/or results
of operations.
The sale of a significant number of our shares of common stock
could depress the price of our common stock.
Sales
or issuances of a large number of shares of common stock in the
public market or the perception that sales may occur could cause
the market price of our common stock to decline. As of December 31,
2017, there were approximately 2.37 billion shares of our common stock
issued and outstanding. In addition, as of December 31,
2017, there are also (i) stock option grants outstanding for the
purchase of 56 million common
shares at a $0.007 average exercise price; (ii) warrants for the
purchase of 595 million common
shares at a $0.031 average exercise price; and (iii) 198 million shares related to convertible debt that can be
converted at 0.0036 per share. During the year ended
December 31, 2017, Chicago Venture converted principal and accrued
interest of $2,688,000 into 554 million shares of our common stock
at a per share conversion price of $0.049; and (iii) Logic Works
converted principal and interest of $291,000 into 82.6 million
shares of our common stock at a per share conversion price of
$.004.
In addition, we have an unknown number of common shares to be
issued under the Chicago Venture financing agreements because the
number of shares ultimately issued to Chicago Venture depends on
the price at which Chicago Venture converts its debt to shares. The
lower the conversion price, the more shares that will be issued to
Chicago Venture upon the conversion of debt to shares. We
won’t know the exact number of shares of stock issued to
Chicago Venture until the debt is actually converted to
equity. If all stock option grant and warrant and contingent
shares are issued, approximately 2.682 billion of our currently
authorized 6 billion shares of common stock will be issued and
outstanding. For purposes
of estimating the number of shares issuable upon the
exercise/conversion of all stock options, warrants and contingent
shares, we assumed the number of shares and average share prices
detailed above.
These
stock option grant, warrant and contingent shares could result in
further dilution to common stock holders and may affect the market
price of the common stock.
Significant
shares of common stock are held by our principal shareholders,
other Company insiders and other large shareholders. As affiliates
as defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act or Rule 144 of the
Company, our principal shareholders, other Company insiders and
other large shareholders may only sell their shares of common stock
in the public market pursuant to an effective registration
statement or in compliance with Rule 144.
Some of
the present shareholders have acquired shares at prices as low
as $0.007 per share, whereas other shareholders have
purchased their shares at prices ranging from $0.0036 to $0.78
per share.
These
stock option grant, warrant and contingent shares could result in
further dilution to common stock holders and may affect the market
price of the common stock.
Some of our convertible debentures may require adjustment in the
conversion price.
Our
Convertible Notes Payable and our 6% Convertible Secured
Convertible Notes may require an adjustment in the current
conversion price of $0.0036 per share if we issue common stock,
warrants or equity below the price that is reflected in the
convertible notes payable. The conversion price of the convertible
notes will have an impact on the market price of our common stock.
Specifically, if under the terms of the convertible notes the
conversion price goes down, then the market price, and ultimately
the trading price, of our common stock will go down. If under the
terms of the convertible notes the conversion price goes up, then
the market price, and ultimately the trading price, of our common
stock will likely go up. In other words, as the conversion price
goes down, so does the market price of our stock. As the conversion
price goes up, so presumably does the market price of our stock.
The more the conversion price goes down, the more shares are issued
upon conversion of the debt which ultimately means the more stock
that might flood into the market, potentially causing a further
depression of our stock.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock
in the foreseeable future.
We have
never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We
currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to
finance the growth and development of our business, and we do not
anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the
foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of any future debt
agreements may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result,
capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole
source of gain for the foreseeable future.
Anti-takeover provisions may limit the ability of another party to
acquire our company, which could cause our stock price to
decline.
Our
certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws and Delaware
law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a
third party from acquiring our company, even if doing so may be
beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, these provisions could
limit the price investors would be willing to pay in the future for
shares of our common stock.
We may issue preferred stock that could have rights that are
preferential to the rights of common stock that could discourage
potentially beneficially transactions to our common
shareholders.
An
issuance of additional shares of preferred stock could result in a
class of outstanding securities that would have preferences with
respect to voting rights and dividends and in liquidation over our
common stock and could, upon conversion or otherwise, have all of
the rights of our common stock. Our Board of Directors'
authority to issue preferred stock could discourage potential
takeover attempts or could delay or prevent a change in control
through merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making
these attempts more difficult or costly to achieve. The
issuance of preferred stock could impair the voting, dividend and
liquidation rights of common stockholders without their
approval.
If the company were to dissolve or wind-up, holders of our common
stock may not receive a liquidation preference.
If we
were too wind-up or dissolve the Company and liquidate and
distribute our assets, our shareholders would share ratably in our
assets only after we satisfy any amounts we owe to our
creditors. If our liquidation or dissolution were
attributable to our inability to profitably operate our business,
then it is likely that we would have material liabilities at the
time of liquidation or dissolution. Accordingly, we
cannot give you any assurance that sufficient assets will remain
available after the payment of our creditors to enable you to
receive any liquidation distribution with respect to any shares you
may hold.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Operating Leases
On
October 21, 2013, we entered into a lease agreement for retail
space for its hydroponics store in Avon (Vail), Colorado. The lease
expires on September 30, 2018. Monthly rent for year one of the
lease is $2,792 and increased 3.5% per year thereafter through the
end of the lease. We terminated this lease agreement as of August
31, 2017.
On
December 7, 2016, we entered into entered into a Consent to
Judgement and Settlement Agreement related to our retail
hydroponics store located in Portland, Maine. This Agreement
provides for a monthly lease payment of $5,373 through May 1, 2020.
We also agreed to a repayment schedule for past due rent and owe
$45,175 as of December 31, 2017. We are past due on the repayment
schedule by $45,175 as of December 31, 2017. We do not have an
option to extend the lease after May 1, 2020.
On May
31, 2017, we rented space at 5400
Carillon Point, Kirkland, Washington 98033 for $623 per
month for our corporate office and use of space in the Regus
network, including California. Our agreement expires May 31, 2018
and is expected to be renewed for another year.
On October 1, 2017, GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. entered into a lease
in Calgary, Canada. The monthly lease is approximately $1,997. The
lease expires September 30, 2022.
On December 19, 2017, GrowLife Innovations, Inc. entered into a
lease in Grand Prairie, Texas dated October 9, 2017, for the manufacturing and
distribution of its flooring products. The monthly lease is approximately $15,000. The
lease expires December 15, 2018 and can be
renewed.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become subject to various legal
proceedings that are incidental to the ordinary conduct of its
business. Although we cannot accurately predict the amount of any
liability that may ultimately arise with respect to any of these
matters, it makes provision for potential liabilities when it deems
them probable and reasonably estimable. These provisions are based
on current information and may be adjusted from time to time
according to developments.
Other than those certain legal proceedings as reported in our
annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2018, we
know of no material, existing or pending legal proceedings against
our Company, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material
proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which
any director, officer or any affiliates, or any registered or
beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material
interest adverse to our interest.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY
DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S
COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF
EQUITY SECURITIES
General
The
following description of our capital stock and provisions of our
articles of incorporation and bylaws are summaries and are
qualified by reference to our articles of incorporation and the
bylaws. We have filed copies of these documents with the SEC as
exhibits to our Form 10-K.
Authorized Capital Stock
We have
authorized 6,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which
6,000,000,000 are shares of voting common stock, par value $0.0001
per share, and 10,000,000 are shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.0001 per share.
Certificate of Elimination for Series B and C Preferred
Stock
On October 24, 2017, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to eliminate
the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred
Stock of the Company. None of the authorized shares of either the
Series B or Series C Preferred Stock were outstanding.
The Certificate of Elimination, effective upon filing, had the
effect of eliminating from the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, all matters set forth in the Certificate
of Designations of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock with respect to each respective series,
which were both previously filed by the Company with the Secretary
of State on October 22, 2015. Accordingly, the 150,000 shares
of Series B Preferred Stock and 51 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock previously reserved for issuance under their respective
Certificates of Designation resumed their status as authorized but
unissued shares of undesignated preferred stock of the Company upon
filing of the Certificate of Elimination.
Capital Stock Issued and Outstanding
As
of December 31, 2017, we have issued and outstanding
securities on a fully diluted basis, consisting of:
●
2,367,634,022
shares of common stock;
●
Stock
option grants for the purchase of 56,000,000 shares of common stock
at average exercise price of $0.007;
●
Warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 595,000,000 shares of common stock
with expiration dates between November 2018 (subject to
extension) and October 2023 at an exercise price of
$0.031 per share;
●
198,216,194 shares
of common stock to be issued for the
conversion of Convertible Notes Payables at a conversion
price of $0.0026 per share; and
●
An
unknown number of common shares to be
issued under the Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. financing agreements.
Voting Common Stock
Holders
of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have
cumulative voting rights. An election of directors by our
stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast
by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. On all other
matters, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to
vote is required for approval, unless otherwise provided in our
articles of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law. Holders of
common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends
as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any
preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred
stock.
In the
event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of common
stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available
for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and
other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any
outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no
preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The
rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are
subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the
holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may
designate and issue in the future.
Non-Voting Preferred Stock
Under
the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors
is authorized to issue shares of non-voting preferred stock in one
or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors
has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges
and restrictions, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption
privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of
non-voting preferred stock.
The
purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue non-voting
preferred stock and determine our rights and preferences is to
eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific
issuances. The issuance of non-voting preferred stock, while
providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions,
future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the
effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire or
could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority
of our outstanding voting stock. Other than the Series B and C
Preferred Stock discussed below, there are no shares of non-voting
preferred stock presently outstanding and we have no present plans
to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
As of
December 31, 2017, we had warrants to purchase
595,000,000 shares of common stock with expiration dates
between November 2018 (subject to extension) and October
2023 at an exercise price of $0.031 per
share.
Options to Purchase Common Stock
On
October 23, 2017, our shareholders voted to approve the 2017 Stock
Incentive Plan., increasing to 100,000,000 the maximum allowable
shares of the Company’s common stock allocated to the 2017
Stock Incentive Plan. We have 44,000,000 shares available for
issuance. We have outstanding unexercised stock option grants
totaling 55,000,000 shares at an average exercise price of $0.007
per share as of December 31, 2017. We filed a registration
statement on Form S-8 to register 100,000,000 shares of
Company’s common stock related to the 2017 Stock Incentive
Plan.
Dividend Policy
We have
not previously paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do
not anticipate or contemplate paying dividends on our common stock
in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to use all of our
available funds to develop our business. We can give no assurances
that we will ever have excess funds available to pay
dividends.
Change in Control Provisions
Our articles of incorporation and by-laws provide for a maximum of
nine directors, and the size of the Board cannot be increased by
more than three directors in any calendar year. There is
no provision for classification or staggered terms for the members
of the Board of Directors.
Our articles of incorporation also provide that except to the
extent the provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law require a
greater voting requirement, any action, including the amendment of
the Company’s articles or bylaws, the approval of a plan of
merger or share exchange, the sale, lease, exchange or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s
property other than in the usual and regular course of business,
shall be authorized if approved by a simple majority of
stockholders, and if a separate voting group is required or
entitled to vote thereon, by a simple majority of all the votes
entitled to be cast by that voting group.
Our bylaws provide that only the Chief Executive Officer or a
majority of the Board of Directors may call a special
meeting. The bylaws do not permit the stockholders of
the Company to call a special meeting of the stockholders for any
purpose.
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions
Our
articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws contain
provisions that could have the effect of discouraging potential
acquisition proposals or tender offers or delaying or preventing a
change in control, including changes a stockholder might consider
favorable. In particular, our articles of incorporation and bylaws
among other things:
●
permit
our board of directors to alter our bylaws without stockholder
approval; and
●
provide
that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled by a
majority of directors in office, although less than a
quorum.
Such
provisions may have the effect of discouraging a third party from
acquiring us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our
stockholders. These provisions are intended to enhance the
likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our
board of directors and in the policies formulated by them, and to
discourage some types of transactions that may involve an actual or
threatened change in control of our company. These provisions are
designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition
proposal and to discourage some tactics that may be used in proxy
fights. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our
potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly
or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure our company
outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because,
among other things, negotiation of such proposals could result in
an improvement of their terms.
However,
these provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from
making tender offers for our shares that could result from actual
or rumored takeover attempts. These provisions also may have the
effect of preventing changes in our management.
Market Price of and Dividends on Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters
Our common stock traded on the grey market under the symbol
“PHOT” through February 17, 2016. While the company was
without a market maker, its stock does trade directly between
buyers and sellers on the grey sheets. On February 18, 2016, our
common stock resumed unsolicited quotation on the OTC Bulletin
Board after receiving clearance from the FINRA on our Form
15c2-11. On April 10, 2014, as a result of the SEC
suspension in the trading of our securities, we lost all market
makers and traded on the grey market of OTCBB. On October 17, 2017, we were informed
by Alpine that they had demonstrated compliance with FINRA Rule
6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We
filed an amended application with the OTC Markets to list the
Company’s common stock on the OTCQB and begin to trade on
this market as of March 20, 2018.
The
quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup,
markdown or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
Consequently, the information provided below was not be indicative
of our common stock price under different conditions.
Period
Ended
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2017
|
|
|
December
31, 2017
|
$0.037
|
$0.001
|
September
30, 2017
|
$0.012
|
$0.002
|
June
30, 2017
|
$0.007
|
$0.001
|
March
31, 2017
|
$0.020
|
$0.005
|
Year Ending December 31, 2016
|
|
|
December
31, 2016
|
$0.021
|
$0.007
|
September
30, 2016
|
$0.020
|
$0.006
|
June
30, 2016
|
$0.027
|
$0.015
|
March
31, 2016
|
$0.058
|
$0.003
|
As of
March 24, 2018, the closing price of the company's common stock was
$0.016 per share. As of March 24, 2018, there were 2,913,559,657 shares of common stock issued
and outstanding. We have approximately 120 stockholders of
record. This number does not include over 92,000 beneficial owners
whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers,
dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Transfer Agent
The
transfer agent for our common stock is Issuer Direct Corporation
located 500 Perimeter Park, Suite D, Morrisville NC
27560, and their telephone number is
(919) 481-4000.
Dividends
We have
not previously paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do
not anticipate or contemplate paying dividends on our common stock
in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to use all of our
available funds to develop our business. We can give no assurances
that we will ever have excess funds available to pay
dividends.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the following sales or issuances
of Company securities were conducted under the exemption from
registration as provided under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933. All of the shares issued were issued in transactions
not involving a public offering, are considered to be restricted
stock as defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act
of 1933 and stock certificates issued with respect thereto bear
legends to that effect.
We have compensated consultants and service providers with
restricted common stock during the development of our business and
when our capital resources were not adequate to provide payment in
cash.
During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we had the
following sales of unregistered sales of equity
securities.
During
the three months ended December 31, 2017, we issued 5,000,000
shares to three directors. The shares were valued at the fair
market price of $0.005 per share or $25,000.
During
the three months ended December 31, 2017, we issued 29,889,623
shares to suppliers for services provided. We valued the shares at
$0.01 per share or $298,655.
During
the three months ended December 31, 2017, Chicago Venture converted
principal and accrued interest of $535,000 into 171,381,904 shares
of our common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0031.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017
related to the equity compensation plan in effect at that
time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
under equity compensation
|
|
|
|
plan (excluding securities
|
Plan Category
|
options, warrants and rights
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plan
|
|
|
|
approved
by shareholders
|
56,000,000
|
$0.007
|
44,000,000
|
Equity
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
not
approved by shareholders
|
|
|
|
Total
|
56,000,000
|
$0.007
|
44,000,000
|
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL
DATA
In the following table, we provide you with our selected
consolidated historical financial and other data. We have prepared
the consolidated selected financial information using our
consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016. When you read this selected consolidated historical
financial and other data, it is important that you read along with
it the historical financial statements and related notes in our
consolidated financial statements included in this report, as well
as Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
$2,452
|
$1,231
|
$3,500
|
$8,538
|
$4,859
|
Cost of goods
sold
|
2,181
|
1,276
|
2,981
|
7,173
|
4,006
|
Gross
profit
|
271
|
(45)
|
519
|
1,365
|
853
|
General and
administrative expenses
|
2,320
|
2,764
|
2,684
|
7,851
|
11,796
|
Operating
(loss)
|
(2,049)
|
(2,809)
|
(2,165)
|
(6,486)
|
(10,943)
|
Other
expense
|
(3,272)
|
(4,886)
|
(3,524)
|
(80,140)
|
(10,437)
|
Net
(loss)
|
$(5,321)
|
$(7,695)
|
$(5,689)
|
$(86,626)
|
$(21,380)
|
Net (loss) per
share
|
$(0.00)
|
$(0.01)
|
$(0.01)
|
$(0.10)
|
$(0.04)
|
Weighted average
number of shares
|
2,044,521,389
|
1,197,565,907
|
884,348,627
|
834,503,868
|
593,034,693
|
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our
goal of becoming the nation’s largest cultivation facility
service provider for the production of organics, herbs and greens
and plant-based medicines continues to guide our decisions. Our
mission is to best serve more cultivators in the design, build-out,
expansion and maintenance of their facilities with products of high
quality, exceptional value and competitive price. Through
knowledgeable representatives, regional centers and its e-commerce
website, GrowLife provides essential and hard-to-find goods
including growing media, industry-leading hydroponics equipment,
organic plant nutrients, and thousands more products to specialty
grow operations across the United States.
We
primarily sell through our wholly owned subsidiary, GrowLife
Hydroponics, Inc. GrowLife companies distribute and sell over
15,000 products through its e-commerce distribution channel,
GrowLifeEco.com, and through our regional retail storefronts.
GrowLife and its business units are organized and directed to
operate strictly in accordance with all applicable state and
federal laws.
We are
focusing on future success. In that regard, we believe that the
hydroponics supply industry will experience significant growth and,
as a result, operating in this industry has become highly
competitive, cash intensive and customer centric. However, we
have plans to address these challenges.
First,
the opportunity to sell both infrastructure equipment and recurring
supplies to the indoor cultivation industry is constantly
increasing as demand for indoor cultivation grows across the United
States. We believe the demand will continue to grow and more and
more states and municipalities enact rules and regulations allowing
for more indoor cultivation activities. We plan to continue
with our multi-faceted distribution strategy, which we believe
serves customers in the following manner: Direct sales to large
commercial customers, retail in some markets for local convenience,
and e-commerce via GrowLifeEco.com to
fulfill orders across the nation from customers of all sizes.
Second,
serving what we see as an increasing number of cultivators has
become cash intensive because of the need for large inventory
levels at retail, extensive e-commerce online marketing, and
supporting payment terms to large accounts. We need to
arrange for financing support to be competitive. We have
learned that retail success is about having the right products on
hand, knowledgeable and experienced talent, accessible advisory
services and superior turn-over ratios.
Currently, GrowLifeEco.com offers
over 15,000 products, far beyond the 3,000 found in Greners.com, its former online
store.
Third,
our customers come in different stages from caregiver cultivators
to 80,000 square foot commercial operations. With the use of
e-commerce, we endeavor to reach as many customers as possible in
areas where we do not have stores or a direct sales presence.
Earlier this year GrowLife built GrowLifeEco.com, our new
e-commerce website, that is optimized for mobile
devices. Our next step is to put web marketing in place to
increase awareness, traffic and conversions.
Also,
we recognize demand is increasing from small, aspiring cultivation
consumers across the country seeking to learn and use a complete
indoor growing solution. To address this demand, we
packaged GrowLife
Cube, a development-stage annual subscription service, for
consumers to get hands-on experience with indoor growing.
Although many still buy the components separately, we are working
on developing videos and supplier tools to attract them to this
one-stop shop subscription program. Given the election
results in California the GrowLife Cube subscription service will
evolve with greater value and specialty services to be announced in
the fourth quarter.
Resumed Trading of our Common Stock
On February 18, 2016, our common stock resumed unsolicited
quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board after receiving clearance from
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)
on our Form 15c2-11. On October 17, 2017, we were informed
by Alpine Securities Corporation (“Alpine”) that Alpine
has demonstrated compliance with the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We filed an amended
application with the OTC Markets to list the Company’s common
stock on the OTCQB and begin to trade on this market as of March
20, 2018.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents certain consolidated statement of
operations information and presentation of that data as a
percentage of change from year-to-year.
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
$2,452
|
$1,231
|
$1,221
|
99.2%
|
Cost of goods
sold
|
2,181
|
1,276
|
905
|
-70.9%
|
Gross
profit
|
271
|
(45)
|
316
|
702.2%
|
General and
administrative expenses
|
2,320
|
2,764
|
(444)
|
16.1%
|
Operating
loss
|
(2,049)
|
(2,809)
|
760
|
27.1%
|
Other income
(expense):
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in fair value of derivative
|
496
|
(1,324)
|
1,820
|
137.5%
|
Interest
expense, net
|
(1,281)
|
(817)
|
(464)
|
-56.8%
|
Other income
(expense), primarily related to TCA funding
|
16
|
145
|
(129)
|
-89.0%
|
Loss on debt
conversions
|
(2,503)
|
(2,890)
|
387
|
13.4%
|
Total other
(expense) income
|
(3,272)
|
(4,886)
|
1,614
|
33.0%
|
(Loss) before
income taxes
|
(5,321)
|
(7,695)
|
2,374
|
30.9%
|
Income taxes -
current benefit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.0%
|
Net
(loss)
|
$(5,321)
|
$(7,695)
|
$2,374
|
30.9%
|
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2016
Revenue
Net
revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased $1,221,000
to $2,452,000 as compared to $1,231,000 for the year ended December
31, 2016. The increase resulted from increased sales personnel and
channels of distribution and the development of the reflective tiles and flooring product
line.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of
sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased $905,000 to
$2,181,000 as compared to $1,276,000 for the year ended December
31, 2016. The increase was due increased sales, offset by lower
cost of sales related to favorable product mix and increased
supplier discounts.
Gross profit was $271,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017 as
compared to a gross profit loss of ($45,000) for the year ended
December 31, 2016. The gross profit percentage was 11.1% for the
year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to (3.7%) for the year
ended December 31, 2016. The gross profit increase was due
increased sales, offset by lower cost of sales related to favorable
product mix and increased supplier discounts.
General and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017
were $2,320,000 as compared to $2,764,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2016. The variances were as follows: (i) an increase
in insurance of $73,000 (ii) expense of our annual shareholder
meeting of $125,000; (iii) an increase in payroll of $131,000; (iv)
an increase in public relations of $106,000; and (v) and an
increase in other expenses of $111,000; offset by (v) a decrease in
legal expense of $68,000; and (vi) a decrease in rent of $46,000 As
part of the general and administrative expenses for the year ended
December 31, 2017, we recorded public relation, investor relation
or business development expenses of $106,000, $0 and $0
respectively.
Non-cash
general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2017 were $294,000 including (i) depreciation and amortization of
$2,000; (ii) stock based compensation of $216,000 related to stock
option grants and warrants; and (iii) common stock issued for
services of $76,000.
Non-cash
general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2016 were $1,422,000 including (i) depreciation and amortization of
$115,000; (ii) stock based compensation of $146,000 related to
stock option grants; (iii) common stock issued for services of
$285,000; and (iv) the impairment of GrowLife Hydro, Inc.
long-lived assets of $876,000.
Other Expense
Other
expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $3,272,000 as
compared to other expense of $4,886,000 for the year ended December
31, 2016. The other expense for the year ended December 31, 2017
included (i) change in derivative liability of $496,000 and (ii)
other income of $16,000; offset by (iii) interest expense of
$1,281,000 and (iv) loss on debt conversions of $2,503,000. The
change in derivative liability is the non-cash change in the fair
value and relates to our derivative instruments. The non-cash
interest related to the amortization of the debt discount
associated with our convertible notes and accrued interest expense
related to our notes payable. The loss on debt conversions related
to the conversion of our notes payable at prices below the market
price.
The
other expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 included (i)
interest expense of $817,000; (ii) loss on debt conversions of
$2,890,000; (iii) change in derivative liability of $1,324,000;
offset by (iv) and other income of $145,000. The change in
derivative liability is the non-cash change in the fair value and
relates to our derivative instruments. The non-cash interest
related to the amortization of the debt discount associated with
our convertible notes and accrued interest expense related to our
notes payable. The loss on debt conversions related to the
conversion of our notes payable at prices below the market
price.
Net (Loss)
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $5,321,000 as
compared to $7,695,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 for the
reasons discussed above.
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 included non-cash
expenses of $3,462,000, (i) depreciation and amortization of
$2,000; (ii) stock based compensation of $216,000 related to stock
option grants and warrants; (iii) common stock issued for services
of $76,000. (iv) accrued interest and amortization of debt discount
on convertible notes payable of $623,000; (v) write-off of
derivative liability to additional paid in capital to of $538,000;
and (vi) loss on debt conversions of 2,503,000, offset by (vii)
change in derivative liability of $496,000.
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 included non-cash expense
of $6,271,000, including (i) depreciation and amortization of
$115,000; (ii) stock based compensation of $146,000 related to
stock option grants; (iii) common stock issued for services of
$285,000; (iv) the impairment of GrowLife Hydro, Inc. long-lived
assets of $876,000; (v) accrued interest and amortization of debt
discount on convertible notes payable of $635,000; (v) loss on debt
conversions of $2,890,000; and (vi) change in derivative liability
of $1,324,000.
We
expect losses to continue as we implement our business
plan.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We had
cash of $69,000 and a net working capital deficit of approximately
$3,396,000 (less derivative liability of $2,660,000) as of December
31, 2017. We expect losses to continue as we grow our
business. Our cash used in operations for the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016 was $2,082,000 and $1,212,000,
respectively.
Shortly
after the SEC suspended trading of our securities on April 10,
2014, some of our primary suppliers rescinded our credit terms and
required us to pay cash for our product purchases and pay down our
outstanding balance with these suppliers.
We will
need to obtain additional financing in the future. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to secure funding, or that if such
funding is available, the terms or conditions would be acceptable
to us. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we may need
to restructure our operations, divest all or a portion of our
business or file for bankruptcy.
We have
financed our operations through the issuance of convertible
debentures and the sale of common stock.
Funding Agreements with Chicago Venture Partners, L.P.
On February 1, 2017, we closed the transactions described below
with Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. (“Chicago
Venture”).
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes, Membership
Interest Pledge Agreement and Security Agreement
On January 9, 2017, the Company executed the following agreements
with Chicago Venture: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii)
Secured Promissory Notes; (iii) Membership Interest Pledge
Agreement; and (iv) Security Agreement (collectively the
“Chicago Venture Agreements”). The Chicago Venture
Agreements are attached hereto, collectively, filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on February 7, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.
The Company entered into the Chicago
Venture Agreements with the intent of paying its debt, in full, to
TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP (“TCA”), which
included any TCA affiliates.
The total amount of funding under the Chicago Venture Agreements is
$1,105,000 (the “Debt”). Each Convertible Promissory
Note carries an original issue discount of $100,000 and a
transaction expense amount of $5,000, for total debt of $1,105,000.
If not converted sooner, the Debt is due on or before January 9,
2018. The Debt carries an interest rate of ten percent (10%). The
Debt is convertible, at Chicago Venture’s option, into the
Company’s common stock at $0.009 per share subject to
adjustment as provided for in the Secured Promissory Notes attached
hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. As of the date of
this report, Chicago Venture has funded the entire amount of the
Debt.
Chicago Venture’s obligation to fund the Debt was secured by
Chicago Venture’s 60% interest in Typenex Medical, LLC, an
Illinois corporation, as provided for in the Membership Pledge
Agreement attached hereto and incorporated herein by this
reference.
Payment of All TCA Obligations
On January 10, 2017, Chicago Venture, at the Company’s
instruction, remitted funds of $1,495,901 to TCA in order to
satisfy all debts to TCA. On or around January 11, 2017, the
Company was notified by TCA that $13,540 were due to TCA in order
for TCA to release its security interest in the Company’s
assets. On February 1, 2017, TCA notified the Company that all
funds were received and TCA would release its security interest in
Company’s assets. TCA has confirmed that it is paid in full
and the Company is not aware of any other obligations that the
Company has as to TCA. The funds received under the Chicago Venture
Agreements and previous Chicago Venture Agreements were used to
pay-off TCA.
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement dated August 11, 2017
On August 11, 2017, we executed the following agreements with
Chicago Venture: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii) Secured
Promissory Notes; and (iii) Security Agreement (collectively the
“Chicago Venture Agreements”). The Company entered into
the Chicago Venture Agreements with the intent to acquire working
capital to grow the Company’s business.
The total amount of funding under the Chicago Venture Agreements is
$1,105,000.00 (the “Debt”). Each Convertible Promissory
Note carries an original issue discount of $100,000 and a
transaction expense amount of $5,000, for total debt of $1,105,000.
We to reserve 200,000,000 of its shares of common stock for
issuance upon conversion of the Debt, if that occurs in the future.
If not converted sooner, the Debt is due on or before August 11,
2018. The Debt carries an interest rate of ten percent (10%). The
Debt is convertible, at Chicago Venture’s option, into our
common stock at $0.009 per share subject to adjustment as provided
for in the Secured Promissory Notes attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference.
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement dated December 22, 2017
On
December 22, 2017, we executed the following agreements with
Chicago Venture: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii) Secured
Promissory Notes; and (iii) Security Agreement (collectively the
“Chicago Venture Agreements”). The Company entered into
the Chicago Venture Agreements with the intent to acquire working
capital to grow the Company’s businesses.
The
total amount of funding under the Chicago Venture Agreements is
$1,105,000. Each Convertible Promissory Note carries an original
issue discount of $100,000 and a transaction expense amount of
$5,000, for total debt of $1,105,000. We agreed to reserve three
times the number of shares based on the redemption value with a
minimum of 50 million shares of its common stock for issuance upon
conversion of the Debt, if that occurs in the future. If not
converted sooner, the Debt is due on or before December 21, 2018.
The Debt carries an interest rate of ten percent (10%). The Debt is
convertible, at Chicago Venture’s option, into the
Company’s common stock at $0.015 per share subject to
adjustment as provided for in the Secured Promissory
Notes.
Our obligation to pay the Debt, or any portion thereof, is secured
by all of our assets.
Operating Activities
Net
cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31,
2017 was $2,082,000. This amount was primarily related to a net
loss of $5,321,000, (i) a decrease in accounts payable and accrued
expenses of $151,000; and (ii) a reduction in deferred revenue of
$38,000; offset by (iii) a reduction in deposits of $13,000; (iv)
an increase in inventory of $47,000; and (v) non-cash expenses
included non-cash expenses of $3,462,000, including (vi)
depreciation and amortization of $2,000; (vii) stock based
compensation of $216,000 related to stock option grants and
warrants; (viii) common stock issued for services of $76,000. (ix)
accrued interest and amortization of debt discount on convertible
notes payable of $623,000; (x) write-off of derivative liability to
additional paid in capital to of $538,000; and (xi) loss on debt
conversions of 2,503,000, offset by (xii) change in derivative
liability of $496,000.
Investment Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended
December 31, 2017 was $303,000. This amount was primarily related
to the payment of expenses related to
the acquisition of 51% of the Purchased Assets on October 3, 2017
from David Reichwein, a Pennsylvania resident, GIP International
Ltd, a Hong Kong corporation and DPR International LLC, a
Pennsylvania limited liability corporation. The Purchased Assets
include intellectual property, copy rights and trademarks related
to reflective tiles and flooring.
Financing Activities
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December
31, 2017 was $2,351,000. The amount related to funding provided of
$3,860,000 by Chicago Venture to us and $1,509,000 paid to TCA to
in order to satisfy all debts to
TCA.
Our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2017 are
summarized in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Cash
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
leases
|
$556,245
|
$319,962
|
$174,615
|
$61,668
|
$-
|
Convertible notes
payable
|
3,713,568
|
3,713,568
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Capital
expenditures
|
300,000
|
100,000
|
100,000
|
100,000
|
-
|
|
$4,569,813
|
$4,133,530
|
$274,615
|
$161,668
|
$-
|
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do
not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is
defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely
to have a current or future material effect on our financial
condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures or capital resources.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The
application of GAAP involves the exercise of varying degrees of
judgment. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and
judgments based on historical experience and various other factors
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions
or conditions. We believe that of our significant accounting
policies (see summary of significant accounting policies more fully
described in Note 3 to Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2017), the following policies involve a higher degree of
judgment and/or complexity:
Cash and Cash Equivalents - We
classify highly liquid temporary investments with an original
maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash
equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various
financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. We have not
experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not
exposed to any significant risk for cash on
deposit.
Accounts Receivable and Revenue - Revenue is recognized on
the sale of a product when the product is shipped, which is when
the risk of loss transfers to our customers, the fee is fixed and
determinable, and collection of the sale is reasonably assured. A
product is not shipped without an order from the customer and the
completion of credit acceptance procedures. The majority of our
sales are cash or credit card; however, we occasionally extend
terms to our customers. Accounts receivable are reviewed
periodically for collectability.
Inventories - Inventories are recorded on a first in first
out basis. Inventory consists of raw materials, purchased finished
goods and components held for resale. Inventory is valued at the
lower of cost or market. We record a
provision for excess and obsolete inventory whenever an impairment
has been identified. The reserve for inventory was $20,000
at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
– ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,
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. This topic also establishes a fair
value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable
and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The
fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on
market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own
assumptions (unobservable inputs).
Stock Based Compensation – We have share-based compensation plans
under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be
granted restricted stock, as well as options and warrants to
purchase shares of our common stock at the fair market value at the
time of grant. Stock-based compensation cost to employees is
measured by us at the grant date, based on the fair value of the
award, over the requisite service period under ASC 718. For options
issued to employees, we recognize stock compensation costs
utilizing the fair value methodology over the related period of
benefit. Grants of stock to non-employees and other
parties are accounted for in accordance with the ASC
505.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the
information required by this Item. Nevertheless, we have no
investments in any market risk sensitive instruments either held
for trading purposes or entered into for other than trading
purposes.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Reference is made to our consolidated financial statements
beginning on page F-1 of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS
WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure
controls and procedures.
We
conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, of the effectiveness of the design
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The term
“disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), means controls
and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports
it files or submits 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 also include, without limitation, controls
and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits
under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the
company's management, including its principal executive and
principal financial officers, or persons performing similar
functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal
executive and principal financial officers concluded as of
December 31, 2017 that our
disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the
reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses in our
internal controls over financial reporting discussed immediately
below.
Identified Material Weakness
A
material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting
is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies,
that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material
misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or
detected.
Management
identified the following material weakness during its assessment of
internal controls over financial reporting:
Audit Committee: While we have
an audit committee, we need an additional committee member. During
2018, the Board expects to appoint an additional independent
Director to serve on the Audit Committee.
Inventory: The Company needs to strengthen its controls over
inventory.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO,
or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our board
of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (GAAP). Our internal control
over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
disposition of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and
that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only
in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the
Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a
material effect on the financial statements.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2017. In making this assessment, management used the
criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated
Framework. Based on
its evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of
December 31, 2017.
Pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 308(b), this Annual Report on Form
10-K does not include an attestation report of our company’s
registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over
financial reporting.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate. A control system, no matter how well designed and
operated can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance
that the control system’s objectives will be
met. The design of a control system must reflect the
fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of
controls must be considered relative to their cost.
c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
There
have been no changes in our internal control over financial
reporting in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which were
identified in connection with our management’s evaluation
required by paragraph (d) of rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the
Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
There were no disclosures of any information required to be filed
on Form 8-K during the three months ended December 31, 2017 that
were not filed.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
The
following table sets forth certain information about our current
directors and executive officers as of December 31,
2017:
Name
|
Age
|
Positions and Offices Held
|
Since
|
Management
Directors
|
|
|
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
60
|
Director
|
December
9, 2013
|
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
April
1, 2016- October 23, 2017
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
April
1, 2016
|
|
|
President
|
December
4, 2013
|
|
|
Nominations
and Governance Committee Chairman
|
June 3,
2014- October 23, 2017
|
Mark E.
Scott
|
64
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
July
31, 2014
|
|
|
Secretary
|
February
14, 2017
|
|
|
Director
|
February
14, 2017
|
Independent
Directors
|
|
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
59
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
October
23, 2017
|
|
|
Director
|
October
27, 2015
|
|
|
Audit
Committee Chairman and Compensation Committee Chairman
|
November
11, 2015
|
Katherine
McLain
|
52
|
Director
|
February
14, 2017
|
|
|
Nominations
and Governance Committee Chairman
|
October
23, 2017
|
Thom
Kozik
|
57
|
Director
|
October
5, 2017
|
Other
Named Executives
|
|
|
|
Joseph
Barnes
|
45
|
President
of GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc.
|
August 16,
2017
|
|
|
Senior
Vice President of Business Development
|
October
10, 2014
|
All
directors hold office until their successors are duly appointed or
until their earlier resignation or removal.
Business Experience Descriptions
Set forth below is certain biographical information regarding each
of our executive officers and directors.
Marco Hegyi – Mr. Hegyi joined GrowLife as its President and a
Member of its Board of Directors on December 9, 2013 and was
appointed as Chairman of the Nominations and Governance Committee
and a member of the Compensation Committee on June 3, 2014.
Mr. Hegyi was appointed as CEO and Chairman of GrowLife
effective on April 1, 2016. On October 23, 2017, Mr. Hegyi was not
appointed as Chairman of GrowLife, Chairman of the Nominations and
Governance Committee or a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr.
Hegyi has served as an independent director of Visualant, Inc.
since February 14, 2008 and as Chairman of the Board from May 2011,
and served at the Chairman of the Audit and Compensation committees
until his departure on February 2015. Previously, Mr. Hegyi was a
principal with the Chasm Group from 2006 to January 2014, where he
has provided business consulting services. As a management
consultant, Mr. Hegyi applied his extensive technology industry
experience to help early-stage companies and has been issued 10 US
patents.
Prior to working as a consultant in 2006, Mr. Hegyi served as
Senior Director of Global Product Management at Yahoo! Prior to
Yahoo!, Mr. Hegyi was at Microsoft leading program management for
Microsoft Windows and Office beta releases aimed at software
developers from 2001 to 2006. While at Microsoft, he formed
new software-as-a-service concepts and created operating programs
to extend the depth and breadth of the company’s unparalleled
developer eco-system, including managing offshore, outsource teams
in China and India, and being the named inventor of a filed
Microsoft patent for a business process in service
delivery.
During Mr. Hegyi’s career, he has served as President and CEO
of private and public companies, Chairman and director of boards,
finance, compensation and audit committee chair, chief operating
officer, vice-president of sales and marketing, senior director of
product management, and he began his career as a systems software
engineer.
Mr. Hegyi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and
Computer Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and
has completed advanced studies in innovation marketing, advanced
management, and strategy at Harvard Business School, Stanford
University, UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, and MIT
Sloan School of Management.
Mr. Hegyi’s prior experience as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of public companies, combined with his advanced studies in
business management and strategy, were the primary factors in the
decision to add Mr. Hegyi to the Company’s Board of
Directors.
Michael E. Fasci – Mr.
Fasci joined GrowLife as a Member of its Board of Directors on
October 27, 2015 and was appointed Audit Committee Chairman on
November 11, 2015. On April 1, 2016, Mr. Fasci was appointed as the
Secretary of the Company, but resigned on February 14, 2017. On
October 23, 2017, Mr. Fasci was appointed Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Fasci is a 30-year veteran in the finance sector having served
as an officer and director of many public and private
companies. From 2013 to
2017, Mr. Fasci owns and operated Process Engineering Services,
Inc., an engineering consulting company as well as worked as a
financial consultant for TCA Global Fund, a Mutual Fund located in
Aventura, Florida. Mr. Fasci is
a seasoned operator across various industries and has served in
both CEO and CFO capacities for both growth and turnaround
situations. Mr. Fasci began his career as a field engineer and then
manager of various remediation filtration and environmental
monitoring projects globally before focusing his efforts on the
daily operations, accounting and financial reporting and SEC
compliance of the numerous companies he has served. Mr. Fasci
resides in East Taunton, Massachusetts and studied Electrical
Engineering at Northeastern University.
Mr. Fasci was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
financial, SEC and governance skills.
Mark E. Scott – Mr. Mark
Scott was re-appointed to the Board of Directors and Secretary of
GrowLife, Inc. on February 14, 2017. Mr. Scott was previously a
member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of GrowLife, Inc.
from May 2014 until his resignation on October 18, 2015. Mr. Scott
was appointed our Consulting Chief Financial Officer on July 31,
2014 and Chief Financial Officer on November 1,
2017.
Mr. Scott served as (i) Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of Visualant, Inc., from May 2010 to August 31, 2016. Mr.
Scott was Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Rare Earths, Inc., a
consulting position he held December 19, 2011 to April 30, 2014 and
Chief Financial Officer of Sonora Resources Corporation, a
consulting position he held from June 15, 2011 to August 31, 2014.
Also, Mr. Scott was Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of WestMountain Gold from February 28, 2011 to December
31, 2013 and was a consultant from December 2010 to February 27,
2011. Mr. Scott previously served as Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary of IA Global, Inc. from October 2003 to June 2011. Mr.
Scott also provides consulting services to other non-public
entities from time to time. Mr. Scott has significant financial,
capital market and relations experience in public and private
microcap companies. Mr. Scott is a certified public
accountant and received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the
University of Washington.
Mr. Scott was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
financial, SEC and governance skills.
Katherine McLain- Katherine McLain, Esq. joined GrowLife as a Member of its Board of
Directors on February 14, 2017 and was appointed Chairman of the
Nominations and Governance Committee and a member of the
Compensation Committee on October 23, 2017. Ms. McLain has served as Assistant General Counsel
for Intuit, Inc. (known for TurboTax & QuickBooks) since
November 2017. Previously, Ms. McLain was legal counsel for Stripe,
Inc., a financial payments company from 2015-2017. From 2010 to
2015, Ms. McLain was Senior Counsel of Silicon Valley Bank. Ms.
McLain has held legal and compliance roles ranging in both public
and private companies including Silicon Valley Bank, Wells Fargo
Bank, and Obopay. Ms. McLain has over 30 years of experience
as a revenue focused attorney and regulatory professional helping
grow new business lines as well as ground up start-up
ventures. She is a graduate of the University of California,
Berkeley and the Santa Clara University School of Law and lives in
Castro Valley, CA.
Ms. McLain was appointed to the Board of Directors based on her
legal and regulatory skills.
Thom Kozik- Thom Kozik joined
GrowLife as a Member of its Board of Directors on October 5, 2017
and was appointed a member of the Audit Committee on October 23,
2017. From 2013 through 2014, Mr. Kozik served as Chief Operating
Office of Omnia Media in Los Angeles, a leading YouTube
Multichannel Network delivering over 1 billion monthly video views,
and almost 70 million global Millennial subscribers. Thom assisted
the company’s CEO/founder in building the team, refining
product strategy, and securing additional funding. In December
2014, Mr. Kozik took on the role of VP, Global Marketing/Loyalty
for Marriott International, having been recruited to fundamentally
transform the hospitality industry’s longest-running loyalty
program. Thom also led the merging of two of the industry’s
most powerful programs with Marriott’s acquisition of
Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016. In his more than 30 years
experience with corporations such as Marriott International,
Microsoft, Yahoo, and Atari, along with several startups, he has
held executive roles in marketing, business development, and
product development. Over the past decade Kozik’s core focus
has been the behavioral economics of online consumers and
communities, and methods to maximize their lifetime value, and
leveraging technology to reduce acquisition costs while increasing
retention.
Mr. Kozik was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
marketing and product brand skills.
Joseph Barnes- Mr. Barnes was
appointed President of GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. on August 16,
2017 and was appointed Senior Vice President of Business
Development for GrowLife, Inc. on October 10, 2014. Mr. Barnes
works from our Avon (Vail), Colorado. Mr. Barnes joined GrowLife in
2010 and is responsible for all GrowLife Hydroponics operations. He
led the sales team that recorded sales in 2014 of more than $8
million, a 100% increase from the previous
year.
Mr. Barnes made the progressive and entrepreneurial decision to
work with GrowLife after seeing the agricultural benefits of indoor
growing. He is deeply passionate about clean and sustainable grows,
and has deep relationships with many trusted cultivators. He holds
extensive knowledge of indoor growing methods with
concentrating on maximizing the yields for clean and
healthy crops.
Barnes was a highly regarded snowboard instructor in Vail, Colorado
prior to joining GrowLife. He worked with many top snowboard
professionals, and received a Level 1 certification from American
Association Snowboard Instructors (AASI). Before his days on the
slopes, Barnes was also a recruiting manager focusing on placing
senior executives with international pharmaceutical/biotech
companies. He also owned and operated Chrome Night Life Arena, a
20,000 square foot indoor/outdoor venue based in Philadelphia with
more than 65 employees.
Certain Significant Employees
There are no significant employees required to be disclosed under
Item 401(c) of Regulation S-K.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive
officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of
our current directors or executive officers has, to the best of our
knowledge, during the past ten years:
●
Had any
petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency
law filed by or against, or had a receiver, fiscal agent, or
similar officer appointed by a court for the business or property
of such person, or any partnership in which he was a general
partner at or within two years before the time hereof, or any
corporation or business association of which he was an executive
officer at or within two years before the time hereof;
●
Been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
●
Been
the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently
reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any court of competent
jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from, or
otherwise limiting, the following activities:
●
Acting
as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity
trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage
transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the
foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or
dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or
employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan
association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any
conduct or practice in connection with such activity;
●
Engaging in any
type of business practice; or
●
Engaging in any
activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or
commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state
securities laws or federal commodities laws;
●
Been
the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently
reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any federal or state authority
barring, suspending, or otherwise limiting for more than
60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity
described in (i) above, or to be associated with persons
engaged in any such activity;
●
Been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by
the SEC to have violated any federal or state securities law, where
the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not
been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated; or
●
Been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any
federal commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or
finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been
subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has three standing committees to facilitate and assist
the Board in the execution of its responsibilities. The committees
are currently the Audit Committee, the Nominations and Governance
Committee, and the Compensation Committee. The Committees were
formed on June 3, 2014 by the current board of directors. The Audit
Committee, Compensation and Nominations and Governance Committees
each have two management directors. The table below shows
current membership for each of the standing Board
committees.
Audit
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Nominations
and Governance
|
Michael
E. Fasci (Chairman)
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci (Chairman)
|
|
Katherine
McLain (Chairman)
|
Thom
Kozik
|
|
Katherine
McLain
|
|
Thom
Kozik
|
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None of
our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors
or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent
function, of any other entity that has one or more of its executive
officers serving as a member of our board of directors or our
compensation committee.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
We have
adopted conduct and ethics standards titled the code of ethics,
which is available at www.growlifeinc.com. These standards were
adopted by our board of directors to promote transparency and
integrity. The standards apply to our board of directors,
executives and employees. Waivers of the requirements of our code
of ethics or associated polices with respect to members of our
board of directors or executive officers are subject to approval of
the full board.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Our executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are required
under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Copies of these
reports must also be furnished to us.
Except as follows, based solely on a review of copies of reports
furnished to us, as of December 31, 2017 our executive officers,
directors and 10% holders complied with all filing
requirements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction
|
|
File
|
|
File
|
Person
|
|
Filing Type
|
|
Date
|
|
Date
|
|
Date
|
Michael E. Fasci
|
|
4
|
|
4/27/17
|
|
4/29/17
|
|
5/1/17
|
Michael E. Fasci
|
|
4
|
|
10/16/17
|
|
10/18/17
|
|
10/20/17
|
Thom Kozik
|
|
4
|
|
10/23/17
|
|
10/25/17
|
|
12/29/17
|
Katherine McLain
|
|
4
|
|
10/23/17
|
|
10/25/17
|
|
1/17/18
|
CANX and Logic Works Ownership
On July
10, 2014, we entered into a Waiver and Modification Agreement,
Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement, Secured Credit
Facility and Secured Convertible Note with CANX, and Logic Works
LLC, a lender and shareholder of the Company.
CANX
does not consider itself a beneficial owner due to its position
that it has a 4.99% ownership limit. CANX further disclaims it has
acted as a control group with Logic Works Therefore, CANX has not
made any Section 16(a) filings. Likewise, at this time, we do not
consider CANX a control party under SEC Rules.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material
elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of
our executive officers named in the Compensation Table on page
37 under “Remuneration of Executive Officers” (the
“Named Executive Officers”) who served during the year
ended December 31, 2017. This compensation discussion primarily
focuses on the information contained in the following tables and
related footnotes and narrative for the last completed fiscal year.
We also describe compensation actions taken after the last
completed fiscal year to the extent that it enhances the
understanding of our executive compensation disclosure. The
principles and guidelines discussed herein would also apply to any
additional executive officers that the Company may hire in the
future.
The Compensation Committee of the Board has responsibility for
overseeing, reviewing and approving executive compensation and
benefit programs in accordance with the Compensation
Committee’s charter. The members of the Compensation
Committee are Michael E. Fasci and Katherine McLain. We expect to
appoint one independent Directors to serve on the Compensation
Committee during 2018.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The major compensation objectives for the Company’s executive
officers are as follows:
●
to
attract and retain highly qualified individuals capable of making
significant contributions to our long-term success;
●
to
motivate and reward named executive officers whose knowledge,
skills, and performance are critical to our success;
●
to
closely align the interests of our named executive officers and
other key employees with those of its shareholders;
and
●
to
utilize incentive based compensation to reinforce performance
objectives and reward superior performance.
Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation
Decisions
The Board approves all compensation for the chief executive
officer. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations on the
compensation for the chief executive officer and approves all
compensation decisions, including equity awards, for our executive
officers. Our chief executive officer makes recommendations
regarding the base salary and non-equity compensation of other
executive officers that are approved by the Compensation Committee
in its discretion.
Setting Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes that compensation for the
Company’s executive officers must be managed to what we can
afford and in a way that allows for us to meet our goals for
overall performance. During 2017 and 2016, the Compensation
Committee and the Board compensated its Chief Executive Officers,
President and Chief Financial Officer at the salaries indicated in
the compensation table. This compensation reflected our financial
condition. The Compensation Committee does not use a peer group of
publicly-traded and privately-held companies in structuring the
compensation packages.
Executive Compensation Components for the Year Ended December 31,
2017
The Compensation Committee did not use a formula for allocating
compensation among the elements of total compensation during the
year that ended December 31, 2017. The Compensation Committee
believes that in order to attract and retain highly effective
people it must maintain a flexible compensation structure. For the
year that ended December 31, 2017, the principal components of
compensation for named executive officers were base
salary.
Base Salary
Base salary is intended to ensure that our employees are fairly and
equitably compensated. Generally, base salary is used to
appropriately recognize and reward the experience and skills that
employees bring to the Company and provides motivation for career
development and enhancement. Base salary ensures that all employees
continue to receive a basic level of compensation that reflects any
acquired skills which are competently demonstrated and are
consistently used at work.
Base salaries for the Company’s named executive officers are
initially established based on their prior experience, the scope of
their responsibilities and the applicable competitive market
compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. Mr.
Hegyi, Mr. Scott and Mr. Barnes were compensated as described above
based on the financial condition of the Company.
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes incentive compensation
reinforces performance objectives, rewards superior performance and
is consistent with the enhancement of stockholder value. All of the
Company’s Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive
performance-based incentive compensation. The Compensation
Committee did not recommend or approve payment of any
performance-based incentive compensation to the Named Executive
Officers during the year ended December 31, 2017 based on our
financial condition.
Ownership Guidelines
The Compensation Committee does not require our executive officers
to hold a minimum number of our shares. However, to directly align
the interests of executive officers with the interests of the
stockholders, the Compensation Committee encourages each executive
officer to maintain an ownership interest in the
Company.
Stock Option Program
Stock options are an integral part of our executive compensation
program. They are intended to encourage ownership and retention of
the Company’s common stock by named executive officers and
employees, as well as non-employee members of the Board. Through
stock options, the objective of aligning employees’ long-term
interest with those of stockholders may be met by providing
employees with the opportunity to build a meaningful stake in the
Company.
The Stock Option Program assists us by:
–
enhancing
the link between the creation of stockholder value and long-term
executive incentive compensation;
–
providing
an opportunity for increased equity ownership by executive
officers; and
–
maintaining
competitive levels of total compensation.
Stock option award levels are determined by the Compensation
Committee and vary among participants’ positions within the
Company. Newly hired executive officers or promoted executive
officers are generally awarded stock options, at the discretion of
the Compensation Committee, at the next regularly scheduled
Compensation Committee meeting on or following their hire or
promotion date. In addition, such executives are eligible to
receive additional stock options on a discretionary basis after
performance criteria are achieved.
Options are awarded at the closing price of our common stock on the
date of the grant or last trading day prior to the date of the
grant. The Compensation Committee’s policy is not to grant
options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price
of our common stock on the grant date.
Generally, the majority of the options granted by the Compensation
Committee vest quarterly over two to three years of the 5-10-year
option term. Vesting and exercise rights cease upon termination of
employment and/or service, except in the case of death (subject to
a one year limitation), disability or retirement. Stock options
vest immediately upon termination of employment without cause or an
involuntary termination following a change of control. Prior to the
exercise of an option, the holder has no rights as a stockholder
with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting
rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend
equivalents.
The Named Executive Officers received stock option grants and
warrants during the year ended December 31, 2017 as outlined
below.
Retirement and Other Benefits
We have no other retirement, savings, long-term stock award or
other type of plans for the Named Executive Officers.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we provided the Named
Executive Officers with medical insurance. The Company paid $10,273
in life insurance for Mr. Hegyi and $28,047 in insurance for Mr.
Scott. No other perquisites or other personal benefits were
provided to Named Executive Officers. The committee expects to
review the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits
provided to Named Executive Officers annually.
Employment and consulting agreements are discussed
below.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") generally denies a
deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to
its chief executive officer and its three other highest paid
executive officers (other than the principal financial officer) to
the extent that any such individual's compensation exceeds $1
million. “Performance-based compensation” (as defined
for purposes of Section 162(m)) is not taken into account for
purposes of calculating the $1 million compensation limit, provided
certain disclosure, shareholder approval and other requirements are
met. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section
162(m) and may structure the performance-based portion of our
executive compensation to comply with certain exceptions to Section
162(m). However, we may authorize compensation payments that do not
comply with the exceptions to Section 162(m) when we believe that
such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of the
stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business
conditions or the officer's performance
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based payments including its Stock Option
Program in accordance with the requirements of ASC 718,
“Compensation-Stock Compensation.”
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee, sets and administers policies that
govern the Company's executive compensation programs, and incentive
and stock programs. The Compensation Committee of the Company has
reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and,
based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for year
ended December 31, 2017.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Michael E. Fasci (Chairman)
Katherine McLain
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides information concerning remuneration of
the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and
another named executive officer for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016:
Summary Compensation Table
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Principal
Position
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Marco Hegyi, Chief
Excutive
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12/31/17
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$250,000
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$205,273
|
$455,273
|
Officer and Director
(2) |
|
12/31/16
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$250,000
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$34,231
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$284,231
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Mark E. Scott, Chief
Financial
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12/31/17
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$138,250
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$18,000
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$28,047
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$184,297
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Officer and Director
(3) |
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12/31/16
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$156,250
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$-
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$60,000
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$-
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$-
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$9,755
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$226,005
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Joseph Barnes,Prwsident
of
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12/31/17
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$138,670
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$24,000
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$-
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$162,670
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GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc.
(4) |
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12/31/16
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$120,000
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$-
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$120,000
|
(1) For 2013, reflects
the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards granted during
the relevant fiscal year calculated in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718 as reflected in the terms of the August 12, 2012
Compensation Plan. For 2014, these
amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by
Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718.
(2) Mr.
Hegyi was paid a salary of $250,000 during the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016. We paid life
insurance of $10,273 for Mr. Hegyi during the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. On October 21, 2016, Mr.
Hegyi received a Warrant to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. In addition,
Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share which vest
on October 21, 2017 and 2018. The Warrants are exercisable for 5
years. The warrants were valued at $390,000 and we recorded
$190,000 and $23,958 of compensation expense for the warrants that
had vested as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
(3) Mr. Scott was paid $138,250 and $156,250 during the
years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Mr. Scott was reimbursed $28,047 and $9,755 for
insurance expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively. On October 15, 2017, an entity controlled by
Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase 12,000,000 shares of
common stock at an exercise price of $0.006 per share. The
stock option grant vests quarterly over three years and is
exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at
$18,000. On October 21, 2016, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was
granted 6,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share or
$60,000. The price per share was based on the thirty-day trailing
average.
(4) Mr. Barnes was paid $138,670 and $120,000 during the
years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. On
October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
10,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $24,000.
Grants of Stock Based Awards during the year ended December 31,
2017
The Compensation Committee approved the following performance-based
incentive compensation to the Named Executive Officers for the year
ended December 31, 2017:
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Estimated
Future
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Estimated
Future
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All
Other
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Payouts
Under
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Payouts
Under
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All
Other
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Option
Awards;
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Non-Equity
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Equity
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Stock
Awards;
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Number
of
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Incentive
Plan
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Incentive
Plan
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Number
of
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Securities
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Exercise
or
|
Grant
Date
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Name
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Marco Hegyi
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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$-
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$-
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Mark E. Scott
(2)
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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-
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-
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12,000,000
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-
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$0.006
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$18,000
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Joseph Barnes
(3)
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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-
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-
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10,000,000
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-
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$0.007
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$24,000
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(1) These
amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by
Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718.
(2)
On October 15, 2017, an entity
controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $18,000.
(3)
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was
granted an option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $0.007 per share. The stock
option grant vests quarterly over three years and is exercisable
for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at
$24,000.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2017
The Named Executive Officers had the following outstanding equity
awards as of December 31, 2017:
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Securities
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Securities
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Securities
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Number
of
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Market
Value
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Unearned
Shares,
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Payout Value
of
|
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Underlying
|
Underlying
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Underlying
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Shares or
Units
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of Shares
or
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Units or
Other
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Unearned
Shares,
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Unexercised
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Unexercised
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Unexercised
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Option
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of
Stock
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Units
of
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Rights
That
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Units, or
Other
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Options
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Options
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Unearned
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Exercise
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Option
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That Have
Not
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Stock
That
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Have
Not
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Rights That
Have
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Exercisable
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Unexerciseable
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Options
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Price
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Expiration
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Vested
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Have Not
Vested
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Vested
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Not
Vested
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Name
|
(#)
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(#)
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(#)
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($)
(1)
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Date
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(#)
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($)
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(#)
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($)
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Marco Hegyi
(2)
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-
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-
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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Mark E. Scott
(3)
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4,000,000
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-
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-
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$0.010
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7/30/19
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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1,666,667
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10,333,333
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-
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$0.006
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10/15/22
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Joseph Barnes
(4)
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8,000,000
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-
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-
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$0.001
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10/9/19
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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1,391,666
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8,608,334
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-
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$0.007
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10/25/22
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-
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$-
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-
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$-
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(1)
These
amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by
Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718.
(2)
On October 15, 2017, an entity
controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $18,000. An entity controlled by Mr. Scott has an
additional 4,000,000 share stock option grant that is fully
vested.
(3)
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was
granted an option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $0.007 per share. The stock
option grant vests quarterly over three years and is exercisable
for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at $24,000. Mr.
Barnes stock option grant consists of 8,000,000 shares of our
common stock that vested quarterly over three years beginning
October 1, 2014 and 2,000,000 shares of our common stock that
vested October 10, 2014. On October 12, 2016, we amended the
exercise price of the stock option grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010
per share.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for the year ended December 31,
2017
Mr.
Hegyi, Scott and Barnes did not have any option exercised or stock
that vested during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Pension Benefits
We do not provide any pension benefits.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not have a nonqualified deferral program.
Employment and Consulting Agreements
Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi
On
October 21, 2016, we entered into Agreement with Marco Hegyi
pursuant to which the Company engaged Mr. Hegyi as its Chief
Executive Officer through October 20, 2018. Mr. Hegyi’s
previous Employment Agreement was dated December 4, 2013 and was
set to expire on December 4, 2016.
Mr.
Hegyi’s annual compensation is $250,000. Mr. Hegyi is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to four percent (4%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
Mr.
Hegyi received a Warrant to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of
common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.01 per
share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase up to
10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share which vest on October 21, 2017 and 2018.
The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years.
Mr.
Hegyi is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, we will purchase and maintain during the Term an
insurance policy on Mr. Hegyi’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Hegyi’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary.
If we terminate Mr. Hegyi’s employment at any time prior to
the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in the
Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment at
any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount through the end of the Term; and (ii) his
Annual Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
If there has been a “Change in Control” and the Company
(or its successor or the surviving entity) terminates Mr.
Hegyi’s employment without Cause as part of or in connection
with such Change in Control (including any such termination
occurring within one (1) month prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control), then in addition to the benefits set forth
above, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to (i) an increase of $300,000 in
his annual base salary amount (or an additional $25,000 per month)
through the end of the Term; plus (ii) a gross-up in the annual
base salary amount each year to account for and to offset any tax
that may be due by Mr. Hegyi on any payments received or to be
received by Mr. Hegyi under this Agreement that would result in a
“parachute payment” as described in Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If we (or its successor
or the surviving entity) terminate Mr. Hegyi’s employment
without Cause within twelve (12) months after the effective date of
any Change in Control, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment
for Good Reason within twelve (12) months after the effective date
of any Change in Control, then in addition to the benefits set
forth above, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to (i) an increase of
$300,000 in his annual base salary amount (or an additional $25,000
per month), which increased annual base salary amount shall be paid
for the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years following the
Change in Control, whichever is longer; (ii) a gross-up in the
annual base salary amount each year to account for and to offset
any tax that may be due by Mr. Hegyi on any payments received or to
be received by Mr. Hegyi under this Letter Agreement that would
result in a “parachute payment” as described in Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (iii)
payment of Mr. Hegyi’s annual bonus amount as set forth above
for each year during the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years
following the Change in Control, whichever is longer; and (iv)
health insurance coverage provided for and paid by the Company for
the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years following the Change
in Control, whichever is longer.
Chief Financial Officer Agreement with an Entity Controlled by Mark
E. Scott
On July
31, 2014, we engaged Mr. Scott as its Consulting CFO from July 1,
2014 through September 30, 2014, and continuing thereafter until
either party provides sixty-day notice to terminate the Letter or
Mr. Scott enters into a full-time employment
agreement.
Per the
terms of the Scott Agreement, Mr. Scott’s compensation is
$150,000 on an annual basis for the first year of the Scott
Agreement. Mr. Scott is also entitled to receive an annual bonus
equal to two percent of the Company’s EBITDA for that year.
Our Board of Directors granted Mr. Scott an option to purchase
sixteen million shares of our Common Stock under our 2011 Stock
Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $0.07 per share, the fair
market price on July 31, 2014. On
December 18, 2015, we reduced the exercise price to $0.01 per
share. The shares vest as follows:
|
i
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Two
million shares vest immediately upon securing a market maker with
an approved 15c2-11 resulting in our relisting on OTCBB (earned as
of February 18, 2016);
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|
|
ii
|
Two
million shares vest immediately upon the successful approval and
effectiveness of our S-1 (not earned as of December 31,
2017);
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iii
|
Two
million shares vest immediately upon our resolution of the class
action lawsuits (earned as of August 17, 2015); and,
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iv
|
Ten
million shares will vest on a monthly basis over a period of three
years beginning on the July 1, 2014.
|
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants totaling
12,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share. Mr. Scott
has an additional 4,000,000 share stock option grant which are
fully vested. On October 15, 2017, an
entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests on a quarterly basis
over 3 years.
All
options have a five-year life and allow for a cashless exercise.
The stock option grant is subject to the terms and conditions of
our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting requirements. In
the event that Mr. Scott’s continuous status as consultant to
the Company is terminated by us without Cause or Mr. Scott
terminates his employment with us for Good Reason as defined in the
Scott Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve months after
a Change in Control as defined in our Stock Incentive Plan except
for CANX USA, LLC, then 100% of the total number of shares shall
immediately become vested.
Mr.
Scott is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, we are required to purchase and maintain an insurance
policy on Mr. Scott’s life in the amount of $2,000,000
payable to Mr. Scott’s named heirs or estate as the
beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Scott is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
If,
prior to the expiration of the Term, we Mr. Scott’s
employment for Cause, or if Mr. Scott voluntarily terminates his
employment without Good Reason, or if Mr. Scott’s employment
is terminated by reason of his death, then all of our obligations
hereunder shall cease immediately, and Mr. Scott will not be
entitled to any further compensation beyond any pro-rated base
salary due and bonus amounts earned through the effective date of
termination. Mr. Scott will also be reimbursed for any expenses
incurred prior to the date of termination for which he was not
previously reimbursed. Mr. Scott may receive severance benefits and
our obligation under a termination by the Company without Cause or
Mr. Scott terminates his employment for Good Reason are discussed
above.
Promotion Letter with Joseph Barnes
On
October 10, 2014, we entered into a Promotion Letter with Joseph
Barnes which was effective October 1, 2014 pursuant to which we
engaged Mr. Barnes as its Senior Vice-President of Business
Development from October 1, 2014 on an at will basis. This
Promotion Letter supersedes and canceled the Manager Services
Agreement with Mr. Barnes dated August 1, 2013.
Per the
terms of the Barnes Agreement, Mr. Barnes’s compensation is
$90,000 on an annual basis. On January 1, 2016, Mr. Barnes salary
was increased to $120,000 per year. Mr. Barnes received a bonus of
$6,500 and is also entitled to receive a quarterly bonus based on
growth of our growth margin dollars. No quarterly bonuses were
earned under this Promotion Letter. Mr. Barnes was granted an
option to purchase eight million shares of our common stock under
our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.050 per share. The shares vest
as follows:
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i
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Two
million shares vested immediately;
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iv
|
Six
million shares vest on a monthly basis over a period of three years
beginning on the date of grant.
|
On
October 12, 2016, we amended the exercise price of the stock option
grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010 per share. On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an
option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests on
a quarterly over 3 years.
All
options have a five-year life and allow for a cashless exercise.
The stock option grant is subject to the terms and conditions of
our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting requirements. In
the event that Mr. Barnes’s continuous status as employee to
us is terminated by us without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates his
employment with us for Good Reason as defined in the Barnes
Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve months after a
Change in Control as defined in our Stock Incentive, then 100% of
the total number of shares shall immediately become
vested.
Mr.
Barnes is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements.
Finally, Mr. Barnes is entitled to fifteen days of vacation
annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
Mr.
Barnes may receive severance benefits and our obligation under a
termination by us without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates his
employment for Good Reason are discussed above.
Offer Letter with David Reichwein
On
October 1, 2017, we entered into an Offer Letter with David
Reichwein pursuant to which we engaged Mr. Reichwein as our
Vice-President of Research and Development on an at will
basis.
Per the
terms of the Reichwein Agreement, Mr. Reichwein’s
compensation is $150,000 on an annual basis. Starting on the first
quarter 2018, Mr. Reichwein is eligible to earn a quarterly
commission based on 10% of tile gross margin dollars (which was
amended subsequent to year ended December 31, 2017).
Mr.
Reichwein was granted an option to purchase twenty million shares
of our common stock under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.006
per share. The shares vest as follows:
|
i
|
Ten
million shares vested immediately;
|
|
|
|
|
ii
|
Ten
million shares vest on a quarterly basis over two years beginning
on the date of grant.
|
All
options will have a five-year life and allow for a cashless
exercise. The stock option grant is subject to the terms and
conditions of our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting
requirements. In the event that Mr. Reichwein’s
continuous status as employee to us is terminated by us without
Cause or Mr. Reichwein terminates his employment with us for Good
Reason as defined in the Reichwein Agreement, in either case upon
or within twelve months after a Change in Control as defined in our
Stock Incentive, then 100% of the total number of shares shall
immediately become vested.
Mr.
Reichwein is entitled to participate in all group employment
benefits that are offered by us to our senior executives and
management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and
conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility
requirements. Finally, Mr. Reichwein is entitled to fifteen days of
vacation annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
Mr.
Reichwein may receive severance benefits and our obligation under a
termination by us without Cause or Mr. Reichwein terminates his
employment for Good Reason are discussed above.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in
Control
The Company’s Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi has
provisions providing for severance payments as detailed
below.
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Executive
|
|
|
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|
|
Payments
Upon
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base salary
(1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$201,458
|
$241,750
|
$-
|
Performance-based
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Stock
options
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits and
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and welfare
benefits
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Accrued vacation
pay
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$201,458
|
$241,750
|
$-
|
Reflects amounts to be paid
upon termination without cause and upon termination in a change of
control, less any months worked.
Mr.
Scott and Mr. Barnes currently do not have amounts to be paid upon termination without cause
and upon termination in a change of control. There outstanding
stock options vests fully vest under certain
conditions.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We primarily use stock options grants to incentive compensation to
attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. This
compensation reflected the financial condition of the Company. In
setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount
of time that Directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the
Company as well as the skill-level required by our members of the
Board. During year ended December 31, 2017, Marco Hegyi and Mr.
Scott did not receive any compensation for his service as director.
The compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table on
page 37 represents the total compensation.
Director Summary Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael E. Fasci
(2)
|
$-
|
$52,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$52,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Katherine McLean
(3)
|
-
|
14,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thom Kozik
(4)
|
-
|
10,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$-
|
$24,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$24,000
|
(1) These amounts reflect the grant date market value as
required by Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2) On
February 4, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $15,000. The
shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.015 per share. On
April 27, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On April
27, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Michael
E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $18,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On
November 2, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $10,000.
The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per
share.
(3) Ms.
Katherine McLain was appointed as a director on February 14, 2017.
On June 28, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Ms. McLain pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On October 23,
2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to Ms. McLain
pursuant to a service award for $5,000. The shares were valued at
the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
(4) Mr.
Kozik was appointed as a director on October 5, 2017. On October
23, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Mr.
Kozik pursuant to a service award for $10,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
Compensation Paid to Board Members
Our independent non-employee directors are not compensated in
cash. The only compensation has been in the form of
stock awards. There is no stock compensation plan for independent
non-employee directors. There was no Director compensation
during the year ended December 31, 2017.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
ownership of our common stock as of December 31, 2017
by:
●
each director and nominee for director;
●
each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our
common stock;
●
each officer named in the summary compensation table elsewhere in
this report; and
●
all directors and executive officers as a group.
The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are
reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the
determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the
rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial
owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting
power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the
voting of such security, or “investment power,” which
includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of
such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of
any securities of which that person has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules more than
one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities
and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities
as to which such person has no economic interest.
Unless otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner named in
the table has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to
all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws
where applicable. The address of each beneficial owner is 5400
Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033 and the address of more than 5%
of common stock is detailed below.
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
Name of
Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
Directors and Named
Executive Officers-
|
|
|
Marco Hegyi
(2)
|
25,000,000
|
1.0%
|
Mark E. Scott
(3)
|
18,666,667
|
*
|
Michael E. Fasci
(4)
|
13,425,000
|
*
|
Katherine McLain
(5)
|
2,000,000
|
*
|
Thom Kozik
(6)
|
2,000,000
|
*
|
Joseph Barnes
(7)
|
9,691,666
|
*
|
Total Directors and
Officers (6 in total)
|
70,783,333
|
3.0%
|
* Less than 1%.
(1) Based on
2,367,634,022 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31,
2017.
(2) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Marco Hegyi,
including warrants to purchase 22,500,000 shares of our
common stock at $0.01 per share.
(3) Reflects the shares beneficially owned by Mark E. Scott,
including stock option grants totaling 5,666,667 shares that Mr.
Scott has the right to acquire in sixty days.
(4)
Reflects the shares beneficially owned
by Michael E. Fasci.
(5)
Reflects the shares beneficially owned
by Katherine McLain.
(6)
Reflects the shares beneficially owned
by Thom Kozik.
(7)
Reflects the shares beneficially owned
by Joseph Barnes, including stock option grants totaling 9,391,666
shares that Mr. Barnes has the right to acquire in sixty
days.
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
Name and
Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
CANX USA LLC
(1)
|
|
|
410 South Rampart
Blvd., Suite 350
|
540,000,000
|
18.6%
|
Las Vegas, NV
89145
|
|
|
|
|
4.99%)
|
(1) Reflects a warrant to purchase common stock totaling
540,000,000 beneficially owned by CANX USA LLC. CANX does not
consider themselves a control group based on the individual
ownership and legal structure of CANX. Each owner has a 4.99%
ownership limit and the owners cannot act as a control
group.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
We have operated under a Code of Conduct for many years. Our Code
of Conduct requires all employees, officers and directors, without
exception, to avoid the engagement in activities or relationships
that conflict, or would be perceived to conflict, with the
Company’s interests or adversely affect its reputation. It is
understood, however, that certain relationships or transactions may
arise that would be deemed acceptable and appropriate upon full
disclosure of the transaction, following review and approval to
ensure there is a legitimate business reason for the transaction
and that the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to the
Company than could be obtained from an unrelated
person.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all
transactions with related persons. The Company has not adopted a
written policy for reviewing related person transactions. The
Company reviews all relationships and transactions in which the
Company and our directors and executive officers or their immediate
family members are participants to determine whether such persons
have a direct or indirect material interest. As required under SEC
rules, transactions that are determined to be directly or
indirectly material to the Company or a related person are
disclosed.
Certain Relationships
Please
see the transactions with CANX, LLC and Logic Works in Note 4 and
Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. discussed in Notes 7, 8, 10 and
14.
Transactions with an Entity Controlled by Marco Hegyi
On
April 15, 2016, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of its common
stock to an entity affiliated with Marco Hegyi, our Chief Executive
Officer, pursuant to a conversion of debt for $20,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.02 per
share.
On
October 12, 2016, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of its common
stock to an entity affiliated with Marco Hegyi, our Chief Executive
Officer, pursuant to a conversion of debt for $40,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.01 per
share.
On
October 21, 2016, we entered into Agreement with Marco Hegyi
pursuant to which the Company engaged Mr. Hegyi as its Chief
Executive Officer through October 20, 2018. Mr. Hegyi’s
previous Employment Agreement was dated December 4, 2013 and which
is set to expire on December 4, 2016. Mr. Hegyi received a Warrant
to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $0.01 per share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received
Warrants to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at
an exercise price of $0.01 per share which vest on October 21, 2017
and 2018. The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years.
Transactions with an Entity Controlled by Mark E.
Scott
An
entity controlled by Mr. Scott received an option to purchase
sixteen million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$0.07 per share was reduced to $0.01
per share on December 18, 2015. Two million shares vested on
August 17, 2015 with the Company’s resolution of the class
action lawsuits. An additional two million share stock option vest
on April 18, 2016 upon the Company securing a market maker with an
approved 15c2-11 resulting in the Company’s relisting on
OTCBB.
On
January 4, 2016, we issued 3,000,000 shares of its common stock to
an entity affiliated with Mark E. Scott, Chief Financial Officer,
pursuant to a conversion of debt for $30,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.01 per share.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants totaling
12,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share. Mr. Scott
has 4,000,000 share stock option grants which are fully
vested.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott converted $40,000 in deferred
compensation into 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per
share. The price per share was based on the thirty-day trailing
average.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott was granted 6,000,000 shares of our
common stock at $0.01 per share. The price per share was based on
the thirty-day trailing average.
On October 15, 2017, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted
an option to purchase 12,000,000 shares of common stock at
an exercise price of $0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests
quarterly over three years and is exercisable for 5 years. The
stock option grant was valued at $18,000.
Transactions with Michael E. Fasci
On
January 27, 2016, we issued 1,500,000 shares of its common stock to
Michael Fasci, a member of the Board of Directors, for director
services. The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.01
per share. On May 25, 2016, we issued 2,500,000 shares of its
common stock to Michael Fasci, a member of the Board of Directors,
for director services. The shares were valued at the fair market
price of $0.02 per share. On October 21, 2016, we entered into a
Consulting Agreement with an entity controlled by Michael E. Fasci,
a Director. Mr. Fasci is to provide services related to lender
management, financing and acquisitions. Mr. Fasci’s
compensation is 2,000,000 shares of our common stock valued at
$0.01 per share and to be issued on April 21, 2017 and October 21,
2017.
On
February 4, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $15,000. The
shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.015 per share. On
April 27, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On April
27, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Michael
E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $18,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On
November 2, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $10,000.
The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per
share.
Transactions with Katherine McLain
Ms.
Katherine McLain was appointed as a director on February 14, 2017.
On June 28, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Ms. McLain pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On October 23,
2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to Ms. McLain
pursuant to a service award for $5,000. The shares were valued at
the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
Transaction with Thom Kozik
Mr.
Kozik was appointed as a director on October 5, 2017. On October
23, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Mr.
Kozik pursuant to a service award for $10,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
Transaction with Joseph Barnes
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
10,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $24,000.
Director Independence
The Board has affirmatively determined that Michael E.
Fasci, Katherine McLain, an Thom Kozik
are independent as of December 31, 2017. For purposes of
making that determination, the Board used NASDAQ’s Listing
Rules even though the Company is not currently listed on
NASDAQ.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee has established a pre-approval policy and
procedures for audit, audit-related and tax services that can be
performed by the independent auditors without specific
authorization from the Audit Committee subject to certain
restrictions. The policy sets out the specific services
pre-approved by the Audit Committee and the applicable limitations,
while ensuring the independence of the independent auditors to
audit the Company's financial statements is not impaired. The
pre-approval policy does not include a delegation to management of
the Audit Committee’s responsibilities under the Exchange
Act. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Audit Committee
pre-approved all audit and permissible non-audit services provided
by our independent auditors.
Service Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
On July
13, 2016, we dismissed PMB Helin Donovan LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm. On July 13, 2016 we engaged the
services of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP as our new independent
registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated
financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the
years then ended. The decision to change accountants was approved
by our Audit Committee.
The following is the breakdown of aggregate fees paid for the last
two fiscal years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees
|
$73,371
|
$52,500
|
Audit related
fees
|
21,000
|
10,000
|
Tax
fees
|
12,700
|
20,355
|
All other
fees
|
25,570
|
12,500
|
|
$132,641
|
$95,355
|
–
“Audit
Fees” are fees paid for to Mayer and PMB for professional
services for the audit of our financial statements.
–
“Audit-Related
fees” are fees paid to Mayer for professional services not
included in the first two categories, specifically, SAS 100
reviews, SEC filings and consents, and accounting consultations on
matters addressed during the audit or interim reviews, and review
work related to quarterly filings.
–
“Tax
Fees” are fees primarily for tax compliance paid to Mayer and
PMB in connection with filing US income tax returns.
–
“All
other fees were paid to Mayer and PMB related to the review of
registration statements on Form S-1.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
The Company’s financial statements, as indicated by the Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth below, begin on page
F-1 of this Form 10-K, and are hereby incorporated by reference.
Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are
not applicable or the required information is included in the
financial statements or notes thereto.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Title of Document
|
|
Page
|
Report
of SD Mayer and Associates, LLP
|
|
F-1
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and
2016
|
|
F-2
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
F-3
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' (Deficit) for
the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
F-4
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016
|
|
F-5
|
|
|
|
Notes to the Financial Statements
|
|
F-6
|
Certificate of
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of GrowLife, Inc. dated
October 23, 2017 to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock
from 3,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000 shares. Filed as an exhibit to
the Company’s Form 8-K and filed with the SEC on October 25,
2017, and hereby incorporated by reference.
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 Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE* XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Document
101.DEF* XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*Filed
Herewith. Pursuant to Regulation S-T, this interactive data file is
deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus
for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of
1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to
liability under these sections.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
GrowLife, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
GrowLife, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017
and 2016 and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016. 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. An audit also includes 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 consolidated
financial position of GrowLife, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and
2016, and the results of its consolidated operations and its cash
flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles 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 discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company has sustained a net loss from operations
and has an accumulated deficit since inception. These factors
raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to
continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in this
regard are also described in Note 2. The consolidated
`financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
SD
Mayer & Associates, LLP
/s/ SD Mayer & Associates, LLP
March 28, 2018
Seattle, WA
GROWLIFE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$69,191
|
$103,070
|
Inventory,
net
|
465,678
|
418,453
|
Deposits
|
24,308
|
11,163
|
Total current
assets
|
559,177
|
532,686
|
|
|
|
EQUIPMENT,
NET
|
302,689
|
1,890
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$861,866
|
$534,576
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
Accounts payable -
trade
|
$821,398
|
$1,529,919
|
Accounts payable -
related parties
|
-
|
10,952
|
Accrued
expenses
|
133,988
|
132,656
|
Accrued expenses -
related parties
|
37,776
|
19,605
|
Derivative
liability
|
2,660,167
|
2,701,559
|
Current portion of
convertible notes payable
|
3,015,021
|
2,798,800
|
Deferred
revenue
|
10,000
|
47,995
|
Total current
liabilities
|
6,678,350
|
7,241,486
|
|
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND
CONTINGENCIES
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS'
DEFICIT
|
|
|
Preferred stock -
$0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no
shares
|
|
|
issued and
outstanding
|
-
|
-
|
Series B
Convertible Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value, 150,000 shares
authorized, no
|
|
|
shares issued and
outstanding
|
-
|
-
|
Series C
Convertible Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value, 51 shares
authorized, no shares
|
|
|
and 51 shares
issued and outstanding at 12/31/2017 and 12/31/2016,
respectively
|
-
|
-
|
Common stock -
$0.0001 par value, 6,000,000,000 shares authorized,
2,367,634,022
|
|
|
and 1,656,120,083
shares issued and outstanding at 12/31/2017 and 12/31/2016,
respectively
|
236,752
|
165,600
|
Additional paid in
capital
|
123,678,069
|
117,537,822
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
(129,731,305)
|
(124,410,332)
|
Total stockholders'
deficit
|
(5,816,484)
|
(6,706,910)
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
|
$861,866
|
$534,576
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
GROWLIFE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
REVENUE
|
$2,452,104
|
$1,231,281
|
COST OF GOODS
SOLD
|
2,180,603
|
1,275,580
|
GROSS
PROFIT
|
271,501
|
(44,299)
|
GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
|
2,320,455
|
1,888,537
|
IMPAIRMENT OF
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
|
-
|
876,056
|
OPERATING
LOSS
|
(2,048,954)
|
(2,808,892)
|
|
|
|
OTHER INCOME
(EXPENSE):
|
|
|
Change in fair
value of derivative
|
496,306
|
(1,324,384)
|
Interest expense,
net
|
(1,281,083)
|
(816,750)
|
Other (expense)
income
|
15,577
|
144,882
|
Loss on debt
conversions
|
(2,502,819)
|
(2,889,540)
|
Total other (expense)
income
|
(3,272,019)
|
(4,885,792)
|
|
|
|
(LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES
|
(5,320,974)
|
(7,694,684)
|
|
|
|
Income taxes -
current benefit
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
NET
(LOSS)
|
$(5,320,974)
|
$(7,694,684)
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
(loss) per share
|
$(0.00)
|
$(0.01)
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
shares of common stock outstanding- basic and diluted
|
2,044,521,389
|
1,197,565,907
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
GROWLIFE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS'
DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as
of December 31, 2015
|
150,000
|
$15
|
51
|
$-
|
891,116,496
|
$89,098
|
-
|
$110,585,434
|
$(116,715,648)
|
$(6,041,101)
|
Stock based
compensation for stock options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
145,729
|
-
|
145,729
|
Shares
issued for debt conversion
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13,400,000
|
1,340
|
-
|
142,660
|
-
|
144,000
|
Shares
issued for services rendered
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
26,020,000
|
2,602
|
-
|
282,598
|
-
|
285,200
|
Shares
issued for convertible note and interest
conversion
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
595,442,539
|
59,546
|
-
|
5,594,400
|
-
|
5,653,946
|
Shares
issued for mezzanine equity
|
|
|
|
|
15,000,000
|
1,500
|
-
|
298,500
|
-
|
300,000
|
Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock converted into convertible notes
payable
|
(150,000)
|
(15)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,499,985)
|
-
|
(1,500,000)
|
Shares
issued for class action settlements
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
115,141,048
|
11,514
|
-
|
1,988,486
|
-
|
2,000,000
|
Net loss for
the year ended December 31, 2016
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(7,694,684)
|
(7,694,684)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as
of December 31, 2016
|
-
|
-
|
51
|
-
|
1,656,120,083
|
165,600
|
-
|
117,537,822
|
(124,410,332)
|
(6,706,910)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock based
compensation for stock options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
29,251
|
-
|
29,251
|
Stock based
compensation for warrants
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
187,292
|
-
|
187,292
|
Shares
issued for debt conversion
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
64,869,517
|
6,487
|
-
|
542,052
|
-
|
548,539
|
Shares
issued for services rendered
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10,000,000
|
1,000
|
-
|
75,000
|
-
|
76,000
|
Shares
issued for convertible note and interest
conversion
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
636,644,422
|
63,665
|
-
|
4,768,954
|
-
|
4,832,619
|
Cancellation
of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
|
-
|
-
|
(51)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Write-off of
derivative liability to additional paid in
capital
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
537,698
|
-
|
537,698
|
Net loss for
the year ended December 31, 2017
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(5,320,974)
|
(5,320,974)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as
of December 31, 2017
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
2,367,634,022
|
$236,752
|
$-
|
$123,678,069
|
$(129,731,306)
|
$(5,816,484)
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
GROWLIFE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
$(5,320,974)
|
$(7,694,684)
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)
|
|
|
operating
activities
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
1,890
|
8,437
|
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
-
|
106,548
|
Stock
based compensation
|
216,543
|
145,729
|
Common
stock issued for services
|
76,000
|
285,200
|
Amortization
of debt discount
|
419,666
|
514,668
|
Change
in fair value of derivative liability
|
(496,306)
|
1,324,384
|
Accrued
interest on convertible notes payable
|
203,697
|
120,824
|
Loss on debt
conversions
|
2,502,799
|
2,889,540
|
Write-off of
derivative liability to additional paid in capital
|
537,698
|
-
|
Impairment of
long-lived assets
|
-
|
876,056
|
Changes in
operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
Inventory
|
(47,225)
|
20,014
|
Deposits
|
13,145
|
(5,591)
|
Accounts
payable
|
(170,934)
|
196,379
|
Accrued
expenses
|
19,503
|
(22,791)
|
Deferred
revenue
|
(37,995)
|
22,995
|
CASH (USED
IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(2,082,493)
|
(1,212,292)
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Investment in
purchased assets
|
|
|
|
(302,689)
|
-
|
NET CASH (USED IN)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
(302,689)
|
-
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Cash provided from
Convertible Promissory Note with Chicago Venture Partners,
L.P.
|
3,860,344
|
1,255,000
|
Cash payoff to TCA
Global Credit Master Fund, LP
|
(1,509,041)
|
-
|
NET CASH PROVIDED
BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
2,351,303
|
1,255,000
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
(33,879)
|
42,708
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
|
103,070
|
60,362
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS, end of period
|
$69,191
|
$103,070
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
$-
|
$-
|
Taxes
paid
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
Non-cash investing
and financing activities:
|
|
|
Shares issued for
convertible note and interest conversion
|
$2,329,800
|
$2,423,729
|
Shares issued for
debt conversion
|
$-
|
$64,000
|
Shares issued
for class action settlements
|
$-
|
$2,000,000
|
Shares issued for
mezzanine equity
|
$-
|
$300,000
|
Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock converted into convertible notes
payable
|
$-
|
$(1,500,000)
|
Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock converted into convertible notes
payable debt discount
|
$-
|
$315,669
|
Common shares
issued for accounts payable
|
$548,539
|
$-
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
GROWLIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND
ORGANIZATION
GrowLife,
Inc. (“GrowLife” or the “Company”) is
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. The Company was founded in
2012 with the Closing of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with SGT
Merger Corporation.
The
Company’s goal of becoming the nation’s largest
cultivation facility service provider for the production of
organics, herbs and greens and plant-based medicines has not
changed. The Company’s mission is to best serve more
cultivators in the design, build-out, expansion and maintenance of
their facilities with products of high quality, exceptional value
and competitive price. Through a nationwide network of
knowledgeable representatives, regional centers and its e-commerce
website, GrowLife provides essential and hard-to-find goods
including media (i.e., farming soil), industry-leading hydroponics
equipment, organic plant nutrients, and thousands more products to
specialty grow operations across the United States.
The
Company primarily sells through its wholly owned subsidiary,
GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. GrowLife companies distribute and sell
over 15,000 products through its e-commerce distribution channel,
GrowLifeEco.com, and through our regional retail storefronts.
GrowLife and its business units are organized and directed to
operate strictly in accordance with all applicable state and
federal laws.
On June
7, 2013, GrowLife Hydroponics completed the purchase of Rocky
Mountain Hydroponics, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
(“RMC”), and Evergreen Garden Center, LLC, a Maine
limited liability company (“EGC”). The effective date
of the purchase was June 7, 2013.
On October 3, 2017, the Company closed the acquisition of 51% of
the Purchased Assets from David Reichwein, a Pennsylvania resident,
GIP International Ltd, a Hong Kong corporation and DPR
International LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability corporation.
The Purchased Assets include intellectual property, copy rights and
trademarks related to reflective tiles and flooring.
The Company did not acquire business, customer list or
employees.
The Company acquired its 51% interest in the Purchased
Assets for $400,000. The Company funded equipment and rent of an office
lease. On February 16,
2018, the Company purchased the remaining 49% of the Purchased
Assets in exchange for a one-time payment of $250,000. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had recorded
investment in purchased assets of $302,689.
On
October 17, 2017, the Company informed by Alpine Securities
Corporation (“Alpine”) that Alpine has demonstrated
compliance with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(“FINRA”) Rule 6432 and Rule 15c2-11 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result, Alpine may initiate
an unpriced quotation for the Company’s common stock. The
Company expects to file an amended application with the OTC Markets
to list the Company’s common stock on the OTCQB once the
minimum share price of $0.01 per share is achieved. The Company
currently trades on the OTC Pink Sheet market. On February 18,
2016, the Company’s common stock resumed unsolicited
quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board after receiving clearance from
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)
on the Company’s Form 15c2-11.
NOTE 2 – GOING
CONCERN
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the
normal course of business. The Company incurred net losses of
$5,320,974 and $7,694,684 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively. Our net cash used in operating activities was
$2,082,493 and $1,212,192 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively.
The Company anticipates that it will record losses from operations
for the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2017, our
accumulated deficit was $129,731,305. The Company
has experienced recurring operating losses and negative operating
cash flows since inception, and has financed its working capital
requirements during this period primarily through the recurring
issuance of convertible notes payable and advances from a related
party. The audit report prepared by
our independent registered public accounting firm relating to our
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
filed with the SEC on March 28, 2018 includes an explanatory
paragraph expressing the substantial doubt about our ability to
continue as a going concern.
Continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon
obtaining additional working capital. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary
if we are unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 3 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES: ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying unaudited
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated. The preparation of these unaudited consolidated
financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Principles of Consolidation -
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries.
Inter-Company items and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The
Company classifies highly liquid temporary investments with an
original maturity of nine months or less when purchased as cash
equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various
financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company
has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is
not exposed to any significant risk for cash on
deposit.
Accounts Receivable and Revenue - Revenue is recognized on
the sale of a product when the product is shipped, which is when
the risk of loss transfers to our customers, the fee is fixed and
determinable, and collection of the sale is reasonably assured. A
product is not shipped without an order from the customer and the
completion of credit acceptance procedures. The majority of our
sales are cash or credit card; however, we occasionally extend
terms to our customers. Accounts receivable are reviewed
periodically for collectability.
Inventories - Inventories are recorded on a first in first
out basis. Inventory consists of raw materials, purchased finished
goods and components held for resale. Inventory is valued at the
lower of cost or market. The reserve for inventory was $20,000 as
of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively.
Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated
at cost. Assets acquired held under capital leases are initially
recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease
payments discounted at the implicit interest rate or the fair value
of the asset. Major improvements and betterments are capitalized.
Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is
computed using the straight-line method over an estimated useful
life of five years. Assets acquired under capital lease are
depreciated over the lesser of the useful life or the lease term.
At the time of retirement or other disposition of property and
equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from
the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in
the consolidated statements of operations.
Long Lived Assets – The
Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or
when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets under certain
circumstances are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair
value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide
any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the
lower of carrying amount or fair value (less the projected cost
associated with selling the asset). To the extent carrying values
exceed fair values, an impairment loss is recognized in operating
results.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments - ASC
Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value, establishes a nine-level valuation hierarchy for
disclosure of fair value measurement and enhances disclosure
requirements for fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy
is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an
asset or liability as of the measurement date. The nine levels are
defined as follows:
Level 1
- Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices
(unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active
markets.
Level 2
- Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for
similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that
are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or
indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial
instrument.
Level 3
- Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and
significant to the fair value measurement.
The
carrying value of cash, accounts receivable, investment in a
related party, accounts payables, accrued expenses, due to related
party, notes payable, and convertible notes approximates their fair
values due to their short-term maturities.
Derivative financial instruments -The Company evaluates all
of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are
derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded
derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are
accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is
initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each
reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the
consolidated statements of operations. For stock-based derivative
financial instruments, the Company uses a weighted average
Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to value the derivative
instruments at inception and on subsequent valuation dates. The
classification of derivative instruments, including whether such
instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is
evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative
instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as
current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement
of the derivative instrument could be required within twelve months
of the balance sheet date.
Sales Returns - We allow customers to return defective
products when they meet certain established criteria as outlined in
our sales terms and conditions. It is our practice to regularly
review and revise, when deemed necessary, our estimates of sales
returns, which are based primarily on actual historical return
rates. We record estimated sales returns as reductions to sales,
cost of goods sold, and accounts receivable and an increase to
inventory. Returned products which are recorded as inventory are
valued based upon the amount we expect to realize upon its
subsequent disposition. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there was
no reserve for sales returns, which are minimal based upon our
historical experience.
Stock Based Compensation - The
Company has share-based compensation plans under which employees,
consultants, suppliers and directors may be granted restricted
stock, as well as options and warrants to purchase shares of
Company common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant.
Stock-based compensation cost to employees is measured by the
Company at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award,
over the requisite service period under ASC 718. For options issued
to employees, the Company recognizes stock compensation costs
utilizing the fair value methodology over the related period of
benefit. Grants of stock to non-employees and other
parties are accounted for in accordance with the ASC
505.
Net (Loss) Per Share - Under
the provisions of ASC 260, “Earnings per Share,” basic
loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to
common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of
common stock outstanding for the periods presented. Diluted net
loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if
securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised
or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of
common stock that would then share in the income of the Company,
subject to anti-dilution limitations. The common stock equivalents
have not been included as they are anti-dilutive. As of
December 31, 2017, there are
also (i) stock option grants outstanding for the purchase of
56,000,000 common shares at a $0.007 average exercise price; (ii)
warrants for the purchase of 595 million common shares at a $0.031
average exercise price; and (iii) 241,766,075 million shares related to convertible debt that can be
converted at $0.002535 per share. In addition, we have an unknown
number of common shares to be issued under the Chicago
Venture Partners, L.P. financing
agreements. As of December
31, 2016, there are also (i) stock option grants outstanding
for the purchase of 12,010,000 common shares at a $0.010 average
strike price; (ii) warrants for the purchase of 595 million common
shares at a $0.031 average exercise price; and (iii) 207,812,222
shares related to convertible debt
that can be converted at $0.0036 per share. In addition, we have an
unknown number of common shares to be issued under the TCA
Global Credit Master Fund LP and Chicago Venture Partners, L.P.
financing
agreements.
Dividend Policy - The Company
has never paid any cash dividends and intends, for the foreseeable
future, to retain any future earnings for the development of our
business. Our future dividend policy will be determined by the
board of directors on the basis of various factors, including our
results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements
and investment opportunities.
Use of Estimates - In preparing these consolidated financial
statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements
and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in our
consolidated financial statements relate to the valuation of
long-lived assets, estimates of sales returns, inventory reserves
and accruals for potential liabilities, and valuation assumptions
related to derivative liability, equity instruments and share based
compensation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent
accounting pronouncements, other than those below, issued by the
FASB, the AICPA and the SEC did not or are not believed by
management to have a material effect on the Company’s present
or future financial statements.
Effective
January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2015-11, Inventory:
Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which affects reporting
entities that measure inventory using either the first-in,
first-out or average cost method. Specifically, the guidance
requires that inventory be measured at the lower of cost and net
realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling
price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably
predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. This
adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s
condensed consolidated financial statements.
In
January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the
Definition of a Business, to assist with evaluating whether
transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals)
of assets or businesses. This guidance is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within
those years. Early adoption is permitted for transactions not
reported in financial statements that have been issued or made
available for issuance.
In
August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows:
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which
reduces the diversity in practice on how certain transactions are
classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and
interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the
effect of adopting this pronouncement.
In
February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires
a lessee, in most leases, to initially recognize a lease liability
for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset
for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The
guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2018, and interim periods within with those years. Early adoption
is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this
pronouncement.
In July
2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
No. 2017-11, Earnings Per
Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic
480), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in
Part I of this Update change the classification analysis of certain
equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with
down round features. When determining whether certain financial
instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity
instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity
classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to
an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing
disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. As a
result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or
embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a
derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of
a down round feature. For freestanding equity classified financial
instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings
per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the
effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect
is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to
common shareholders in basic EPS. Convertible instruments with
embedded conversion options that have down round features are now
subject to the specialized guidance for contingent beneficial
conversion features (in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with
Conversion and Other Options), including related EPS guidance (in
Topic 260). The amendments in Part II of this Update recharacterize
the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now
are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope
exception. Those amendments do not have an accounting effect. For
public business entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update
are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those
fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other
entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim
periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.
Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in
an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an
interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the
beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The
Company early adopted ASU 2017-11 and has reclassified its
financial instrument with down round features to
equity.
In May
2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718),
Scope of Modification Accounting. The amendments in this
Update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or
conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to
apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The amendments in this
Update are effective for all entities for annual periods, and
interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after
December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including
adoption in any interim period, for (1) public business
entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have
not yet been issued and (2) all other entities for reporting
periods for which financial statements have not yet been made
available for issuance. Management is currently assessing the
impact the adoption of ASU 2017-09 will have on the Company’s
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In
March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update
No. 2016-09 (ASU 2016-09), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic
718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
effective for annual periods beginning after December 15,
2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early
application is permitted for reporting periods where financial
statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The ASU
requires different transition methods and disclosures based on the
type of amendment included in the ASU.). Management is currently
assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-09 will have on the
Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 4 – TRANSACTIONS WITH CANX USA, LLC AND LOGIC WORKS
LLC
Transactions with CANX, LLC and Logic Works LLC
On
November 19, 2013, the Company entered into a Joint Venture
Agreement with CANX, a Nevada limited liability
company. Under the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement,
the Company and CANX formed Organic Growth International, LLC
(“OGI”), a Nevada limited liability company, for the
purpose of expanding the Company’s operations in its current
retail hydroponic businesses and in other synergistic business
verticals and facilitating additional funding for commercially
financeable transactions of up to $40,000,000.
The
Company initially owned a non-dilutive 45% share of OGI and the
Company could acquire a controlling share of OGI as provided in the
Joint Venture Agreement. In accordance with the Joint Venture
Agreement, the Company and CANX entered into a Warrant Agreement
whereby the Company delivered to CANX a warrant to purchase
140,000,000 shares of the Company common stock that is convertible
at $0.033 per share, subject to adjustment as provided in the
warrant. The five-year warrant expires November 18, 2018. Also, in
accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement, on February 7, 2014
the Company issued an additional warrant to purchase 100,000,000
shares of our common stock that is convertible at $0.033 per share,
subject to adjustment as provided in the warrant. The five-year
warrant expires February 6, 2019.
GrowLife
received the $1 million as a convertible note in December 2013,
received the $1.3 million commitment but not executed and by
January 2014 OGI had Letters of Intent with four investment and
acquisition transactions valued at $96 million. Before the deals
could close, the SEC put a trading halt on our stock on April 10,
2014, which resulted in the withdrawal of all transactions. The
business disruption from the trading halt and the resulting class
action and derivative lawsuits ceased further investments with the
OGI joint venture. The Convertible Note was converted into
GrowLife, Inc. common stock as of the year ended December 31,
2016.
On July
10, 2014, the Company closed a Waiver and Modification Agreement,
Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement, Secured Credit
Facility and Secured Convertible Note with CANX and Logic Works
LLC, a lender and shareholder of the Company.
The
Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement with CANX modified the
Joint Venture Agreement dated November 19, 2013 to provide for (i)
up to $12,000,000 in conditional financing subject to review by
GrowLife and approval by OGI for business growth development
opportunities in the legal cannabis industry for up to nine months,
subject to extension; (ii) up to $10,000,000 in working capital
loans, with each loan requiring approval in advance by CANX; (iii)
confirmed that the five year warrants, subject to adjustment, at
$0.033 per share for the purchase of 140,000,000 and 100,000,000
were fully earned and were not considered compensation for tax
purposes by the Company; (iv) granted CANX five year warrants,
subject to adjustment, to purchase 300,000,000 shares of common
stock at the fair market price of $0.033 per share as determined by
an independent appraisal; (v) warrants as defined in the Agreement
related to the achievement of OGI milestones; and (vi) a four year
term, subject to adjustment.
The
Company entered into a Secured Convertible Note and Secured Credit
Facility dated June 25, 2014 with Logic Works whereby Logic Works
agreed to provide up to $500,000 in funding. Each funding required
approval in advance by Logic Works, provided interest at 6% with a
default interest of 24% per annum and requires repayment by June
26, 2016. The Note is convertible into common stock of the Company
at the lesser of $0.0070 or (B) twenty percent (20%) of the average
of the nine (3) lowest daily VWAPs occurring during the twenty (20)
consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable
conversion date on which Logic Works elects to convert all or part
of this 6% Convertible Note, subject to adjustment as provided in
the Note. The 6% Convertible Note is collateralized by the assets
of the Company. As of
December 31, 2017, the outstanding balance on the Convertible Note
was $41,225.
OGI was
incorporated on January 7, 2014 in the State of Nevada and had no
business activities as of December 31, 2017.
NOTE 5 – INVENTORY
Inventory
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raw
materials
|
$110,000
|
$-
|
Finished
goods
|
375,678
|
438,453
|
Inventory
reserve
|
(20,000)
|
(20,000)
|
Total
|
$465,678
|
$418,453
|
Raw
materials consist of supplies for the flooring product
line.
Finished
goods inventory relates to product at the Company’s retail
stores, which is product purchased from distributors, and in some
cases directly from the manufacturer, and resold at our
stores.
The
Company reviews its inventory on a periodic basis to identify
products that are slow moving and/or obsolete, and if such products
are identified, the Company records the appropriate inventory
impairment charge at such time.
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 consists of the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Machines
and equipment
|
$365,861
|
$63,172
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
49,787
|
49,787
|
Computer
equipment
|
52,304
|
52,304
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
56,965
|
56,965
|
Total
property and equipment
|
524,917
|
222,228
|
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(222,228)
|
(220,338)
|
Net
property and equipment
|
$302,689
|
$1,890
|
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation, were $302,689 and
$1,890 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Accumulated
depreciation was $222,228 and $220,338 as of December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively. Total depreciation expense was $1,890 and
$8,437 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. All equipment is used for manufacturing, selling,
general and administrative purposes and accordingly all
depreciation is classified in cost of goods sold, selling, general
and administrative expenses. The Company will begin depreciation on
the purchased machine January 1, 2018 when significant operations
begin.
On October 3, 2017, the Company closed the acquisition of 51% of
the Purchased Assets from David Reichwein, a Pennsylvania resident,
GIP International Ltd, a Hong Kong corporation and DPR
International LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability corporation.
The Purchased Assets include intellectual property, copy rights and
trademarks related to reflective tiles and flooring.
The Company did not acquire business, customer list or
employees.
The Company acquired its 51% interest in the Purchased
Assets for $400,000. The Company funded equipment and rent of an office
lease. On February 16,
2018, the Company purchased the remaining 49% of the Purchased
Assets in exchange for a one-time payment of $250,000. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had recorded
investment in purchased assets of $302,689.
NOTE 7 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE, NET
Convertible
notes payable as of December
31, 2017 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6%
Secured convertible note (2014)
|
$39,251
|
$1,974
|
$-
|
$41,225
|
7%
Convertible note ($850,000)
|
250,000
|
321,652
|
-
|
571,652
|
10% OID Convertible
Promissory Note with Chicago Venture Partners, L.P.
|
2,980,199
|
120,492
|
(698,547)
|
2,402,144
|
|
$3,269,450
|
$444,118
|
$(698,547)
|
$3,015,021
|
Convertible
notes payable as of December
31, 2016 consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6%
Secured convertible note (2014)
|
$330,295
|
$3,692
|
$-
|
$333,987
|
7%
Convertible note ($850,000)
|
250,000
|
164,137
|
-
|
414,137
|
Replacement
debenture with TCA ($2,830,210)
|
1,468,009
|
18,350
|
-
|
1,486,359
|
10% OID Convertible
Promissory Note with Chicago Venture Partners, L.P.
|
683,042
|
2,670
|
(121,395)
|
564,317
|
|
$2,731,346
|
$188,849
|
$(121,395)
|
$2,798,800
|
Several of the Company’s convertible promissory notes remain
outstanding beyond their respective maturity dates. This may
trigger an event of default under the respective agreements. The
Company is working with these noteholders to convert their notes
into common stock and intends to resolve these outstanding issues
as soon as practicable. As a result, the Company accrued
interest on these notes at the default rates. Furthermore, as a
result of being in default on these notes, the Holders could, at
their sole discretion, have called these notes. Although no such
action has been taken by the Holders, the Company classified these
notes as a current liability as of December 31, 2017 and
2016.
6% Secured Convertible Note and Secured Credit Facility
(2014)
The
Company entered into a Secured Convertible Note and Secured Credit
Facility dated June 25, 2014 with Logic Works whereby Logic Works
agreed to provide up to $500,000 in funding. Logic Works funded
$350,000. The funding provided for interest at 6% with a default
interest of 24% per annum and required repayment by June 26, 2016.
The Note is convertible into common stock of the Company at the
lesser of $0.007 or (B) twenty percent (20%) of the average of the
nine (3) lowest daily VWAPs occurring during the twenty (20)
consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable
conversion date on which Logic Works elects to convert all or part
of this 6% Convertible Note, subject to adjustment as provided in
the Note. On February 28, 2017, Logic Works converted principal and
interest of $297,939 into 82,640,392 shares of our common stock at
a per share conversion price of $0.004. As of December 31, 2017,
the outstanding principal on this 6% convertible note was $39,251
and accrued interest was $1,974, which results in a total liability
of $41,225. On February 28, 2017, Logic Works converted principal
and interest of $291,044 into 82,640,392 shares of the
Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.004.
During
the year ended December 31,
2016, the Company recorded interest expense of $20,837 and $83,924
of non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of the
debt discount associated with this 6% convertible note,
respectively. Logic Works converted interest of $47,386 into shares
of the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price
of $0.0036.
As of
December 31, 2016, the Company
has borrowed $330,295 under the Secured Convertible Note and
Secured Credit Facility, accrued interest was $3,692 and the
unamortized debt discount was $0, which results in a net amount of
$333,987.
As of
December 31, 2016, the
outstanding principal on these 7% convertible notes was $250,000,
accrued interest was $164,137, and unamortized debt discount was
$0, which results in a net amount of $414,137. Logic Works
converted principal of $250,000 and interest of $75,149 and
interest of into shares of the Company’s common stock at a
per share conversion price of $0.004 to $0.007.
7% Convertible Notes Payable
On
October 11, 2013, the Company issued 7% Convertible Notes in the
aggregate amount of $850,000 to investors, including $250,000 to
Forglen LLC. The Note was due September 30, 2015. All other Notes
were converted in 2014. On July 14, 2014, the Board of
Directors approved a Settlement Agreement and Waiver of Default
dated June 19, 2014 with Forglen related to the 7% Convertible
Note. The rate of interest was increased to 24% per annum. On
October 1, 2015, the rate of interest increased to 24% compounded.
The conversion price was $0.007 per share, subject to adjustment as
provided in the Note. As of December
31, 2017, the outstanding principal on this 7% convertible
note was $250,000 and accrued interest was $321,652, which results
in a total liability of $571,652. Since the note is in default and
the terms of settlement are no longer acceptable to the holder the
Company has recognized the loss of $571,652 and reclassified the
derivative liability related to the beneficial conversion to
equity.
As of
December 31, 2016, the
outstanding principal on these 7% convertible notes was $250,000,
accrued interest was $164,137, and unamortized debt discount was
$0, which results in a net amount of $414,137.
Funding from TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP
(“TCA”)
As of
December 31, 2016, the Company
was indebted to TCA under the First and Second Replacement
Debentures in the amount of $1,468,009, accrued interest was
$18,350 and the unamortized debt discount was $0, which results in
a net amount of $1,486,359.
During
the year ended December 31, 2016, Old Main LLC converted TCA
principal and accrued interest of $757,208 into 144,650,951 shares
of our common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0052.
During
the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded the
unamortized debt discount reversal of $750,339 related to the TCA
financing as a reduction in additional paid in capital because TCA
did not convert its debt but assigned its debentures to
others.
The Company has recorded a loss on these transactions in the amount
of $2,889,540 during the year ended December 31, 2016. The
loss on debt conversions related to the conversion of our notes
payable at prices below the market price.
On January 10, 2017, Chicago Venture, at the Company’s
instruction, remitted funds of $1,495,901 to TCA in order to
satisfy all debts to TCA. On or around January 11, 2017, the
Company was notified by TCA that $13,540 were due to TCA in order
for TCA to release its security interest in the Company’s
assets. On February 1, 2017, TCA notified the Company that all
funds were received and TCA would release its security interest in
Company’s assets. TCA has confirmed that it is paid in full
and the Company is not aware of any other obligations that the
Company has as to TCA. The funds received under the Chicago Venture
Agreements and previous Chicago Venture Agreements were used to
pay-off TCA.
Funding from Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. (“Chicago
Venture”)
The Company has the following funding transactions with Chicago
Venture:
Securities Purchase Agreement with Chicago Venture Partners,
L.P. As of April 4, 2016, the Company entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement and Convertible Promissory Note (the
“Chicago Venture Note”) with Chicago Venture, whereby
we agreed to sell, and Chicago Venture agreed to purchase an
unsecured convertible promissory note in the original principal
amount of $2,755,000. In connection with the transaction, the
Company received $350,000 in cash as well as a series of twelve
Secured Investor Notes for a total Purchase Price of $2,500,000.
The Note carries an Original Issue Discount (“OID”) of
$250,000 and we agreed to pay $5,000 to cover Purchaser’s
legal fees, accounting costs and other transaction
expenses.
Debt Purchase Agreement and First Amendment to Debt Purchase
Agreement and Note Assignment Agreement. On August 24, 2016, the Company closed a Debt
Purchase Agreement and a First Amendment to Debt Purchase Agreement
and related agreements with Chicago Venture and
TCA.
On August 24, 2016, TCA closed an Assignment of Note Agreement and
related agreements with Chicago Venture. The referenced agreements
relate to the assignment of Company debt, in the form of
debentures, by TCA to Chicago Venture. The Company was a party to
the agreements between TCA and Chicago Venture because the Company
is the “borrower” under the TCA held
debentures.
Exchange Agreement, Convertible Promissory Note and related
Agreements with Chicago Venture. On August 17, 2016, the Company closed an Exchange
Agreement and a Convertible Promissory Note and related agreements
with Chicago Venture whereby the Company agreed to the assignment
of debentures representing debt between the Company, on the one
hand, and with TCA, on the other hand. Specifically, the
Company agreed that TCA could assign a portion of the
Company’s debt held by TCA to Chicago Venture.
On January 10, 2017, Chicago Venture, at the Company’s
instruction, remitted funds of $1,495,901 to TCA in order to
satisfy all debts to TCA. On or around January 11, 2017, the
Company was notified by TCA that $13,540 were due to TCA in order
for TCA to release its security interest in the Company’s
assets. On February 1, 2017, TCA notified the Company that all
funds were received and TCA would release its security interest in
Company’s assets. TCA has confirmed that it is paid in full
and the Company is not aware of any other obligations that the
Company has as to TCA. The funds received under the Chicago Venture
Agreements and previous Chicago Venture Agreements were used to
pay-off TCA.
Debt Purchase Agreement and First Amendment to Debt Purchase
Agreement and Note Assignment Agreement. On August 24, 2016, the Company closed a Debt
Purchase Agreement and a First Amendment to Debt Purchase Agreement
and related agreements with Chicago Venture and
TCA.
On February 1, 2017, the Company closed the transactions described
below with Chicago Venture:
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes, Membership
Interest Pledge Agreement and Security Agreement
On January 9, 2017, the Company executed the following agreements
with Chicago Venture: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii)
Secured Promissory Notes; (iii) Membership Interest Pledge
Agreement; and (iv) Security Agreement (collectively the
“Chicago Venture Agreements”). The Company entered into
the Chicago Venture Agreements with the intent of paying its debt,
in full, to TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP
(“TCA”).
The total amount of funding under the Chicago Venture Agreements is
$1,105,000. Each Convertible Promissory Note carries an original
issue discount of $100,000 and a transaction expense amount of
$5,000, for total debt of $1,105,000. The Company agreed to reserve
500,000,000 of its shares of common stock for issuance upon
conversion of the Debt, if that occurs in the future. If not
converted sooner, the Debt is due on or before January 9, 2018. The
Debt carries an interest rate of 10%. The Debt is convertible, at
Chicago Venture’s option, into the Company’s common
stock at $0.009 per share subject to adjustment as provided for in
the Secured Promissory Notes attached hereto and incorporated
herein by this reference.
Chicago Venture’s obligation to fund the Debt was secured by
Chicago Venture’s 60% interest in Typenex Medical, LLC, an
Illinois corporation, as provided for in the Membership Pledge
Agreement.
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement
On August 11, 2017, the Company executed the following agreements
with Chicago Venture: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii)
Secured Promissory Notes; and (iii) Security Agreement
(collectively the “Chicago Venture Agreements”). The
Company entered into the Chicago Venture Agreements with the intent
to acquire working capital to grow the Company’s
business.
The total amount of funding under the Chicago Venture Agreements is
$1,105,000.00 (the “Debt”). Each Convertible Promissory
Note carries an original issue discount of $100,000 and a
transaction expense amount of $5,000, for total debt of $1,105,000.
We agreed to reserve 200,000,000 of its shares of common stock for
issuance upon conversion of the Debt, if that occurs in the future.
If not converted sooner, the Debt is due on or before August 11,
2018. The Debt carries an interest rate of ten percent (10%). The
Debt is convertible, at Chicago Venture’s option, into our
common stock at $0.009 per share subject to adjustment as provided
for in the Secured Promissory Notes attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference.
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement
On December 22, 2017, the Company executed the following agreements
with Chicago Venture: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii)
Secured Promissory Notes; and (iii) Security Agreement
(collectively the “Chicago Venture Agreements”). The
Company entered into the Chicago Venture Agreements with the intent
to acquire working capital to grow the Company’s
businesses.
The total amount of funding under the Chicago Venture Agreements is
$1,105,000. Each Convertible Promissory Note carries an original
issue discount of $100,000 and a transaction expense amount of
$5,000, for total debt of $1,105,000. The Company agreed to reserve
three times the number of shares based on the redemption value with
a minimum of 50 million shares of its common stock for issuance
upon conversion of the Debt, if that occurs in the future. If not
converted sooner, the Debt is due on or before December 21, 2018.
The Debt carries an interest rate of ten percent (10%). The Debt is
convertible, at Chicago Venture’s option, into the
Company’s common stock at $0.015 per share subject to
adjustment as provided for in the Secured Promissory
Notes.
The Company’s obligation to pay the Debt, or any portion
thereof, is secured by all of the Company’s
assets
As
of December 31, 2017, the
outstanding principal balance due to Chicago Venture is $2,980,199,
accrued interest was $120,492, net of the OID of $698,547, which
results in a total amount of $2,402,144. The OID has been recorded
as a discount to debt and $419,666 was amortized to interest
expense during the nine months ended September 30,
2017.
During
the year ended December 31, 2017, Chicago Venture converted
principal and accrued interest of $2,688,000 into 554,044,030
shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share
conversion price of $0.0049. During the year ended December 31,
2016, Chicago Venture converted principal and accrued interest of
$1,403,599 into 264,672,323 shares of our common stock at a per
share conversion price of $0.0053.
The
Company recognized $2,384,678 and $0 of loss on debt conversions
during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, Chicago Venture converted
principal and accrued interest of $1,403,599 into 264,672,323
shares of our common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0053.
NOTE 8 – DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
In
April 2008, the FASB issued a pronouncement that provides guidance
on determining what types of instruments or embedded features in an
instrument held by a reporting entity can be considered indexed to
its own stock for the purpose of evaluating the first criteria of
the scope exception in the pronouncement on accounting for
derivatives. This pronouncement was effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008.
If the
conversion features of conventional convertible debt provide for a
rate of conversion that is below market value, this feature is
characterized as a beneficial conversion feature (BCF). A BCF is
recorded by the Company as a debt discount pursuant to ASC Topic
470-20. Debt with Conversion and Other Options. In those
circumstances, the convertible debt is recorded net of the discount
related to the BCF and the Company amortizes the discount to
interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective
interest method. The debt is convertible at the lesser of 65% of
the fair value of the Company’s common stock or $0.009
requiring the conversion feature to be bifurcated from the host
debt contract and accounting for separately as a derivative,
resulting in periodic revaluations.
Derivative
liability as of December 31,
2017 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs
|
|
Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative
Instruments
|
$-
|
$2,660,167
|
$-
|
$2,660,167
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$2,660,167
|
$-
|
$2,660,167
|
For the
year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded non-cash income
of $496,036 related to the “change in fair value of
derivative” expense related to its 6%, 7% and 10% convertible
notes.
Derivative
liability as of December 31,
2016 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs
|
|
Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative
Instruments
|
$-
|
$2,701,559
|
$-
|
$2,701,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$2,701,559
|
$-
|
$2,701,559
|
For the
year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded non-cash income
of $1,324,384 related to the “change in fair value of
derivative” expense related to its 6%, 7% and 18% convertible
notes.
7% Convertible Notes
As of
December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding 7% convertible notes
with a remaining balance of $250,000 that the Company determined
had an embedded derivative liability due to the “reset”
clause associated with the note’s conversion price. The
Company valued the derivative liability of these notes at
$1,495,495.
6% Convertible Notes
As of
December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding unsecured 6%
convertible notes for $330,295 that the Company determined had an
embedded derivative liability due to the “reset” clause
associated with the note’s conversion price. The Company
valued the derivative liability of these notes at
$1,206,064.
Funding from TCA Global Credit Master Fund, LP
(“TCA”).
The First TCA SPA. On July 9, 2015, the Company closed a
Securities Purchase Agreement and related agreements with TCA
Global Credit Master Fund LP (“TCA”), an accredited
investor, whereby the Company agreed to sell and TCA agreed to
purchase up to $3,000,000 of
senior secured convertible, redeemable debentures, of which
$700,000 was purchased on July 9, 2015 and up to $2,300,000 may be
purchased in additional closings. The closing of the transaction
(the “First TCA SPA”) occurred on July 9, 2015.
Effective as of May 4, 2016, the Company and TCA entered into a
First Amendment to the First TCA SPA whereby the parties agreed to
amend the terms of the First TCA SPA in exchange for TCA’s
forbearance of existing defaults by the Company.
The Second TCA SPA. On August 6, 2015, the Company closed a
second Securities Purchase Agreement and related agreements with
TCA whereby the Company agreed to sell and TCA agreed to purchase a
$100,000 senior secured convertible redeemable debenture and the
Company agreed to issue and sell to TCA, from time to time, and TCA
agreed to purchase from the Company up to $3,000,000 of the
Company’s common stock pursuant to a committed equity
facility. The closing of the transaction (the “Second TCA
SPA”) occurred on August 6, 2015. On April 11, 2016, the
Company agreed with TCA to mutually terminate the Second TCA
SPA.
Amendment to the First TCA SPA. On October 27, 2015, the
Company entered into an Amended and Restated Securities Purchase
Agreement and related agreements with TCA whereby the Company
agreed to sell, and TCA agreed to purchase $350,000 of senior
secured convertible, redeemable debentures. This was an amendment
to the First TCA SPA (the “Amendment to the First TCA
SPA”.) As of October 27, 2015, the Company sold $1,050,000 in
Debentures to TCA and up to $1,950,000 in Debentures remain for
sale by the Company. The closing of the Amendment to the First TCA
SPA occurred on October 27, 2015. In addition, TCA advanced the
Company an additional $100,000 for a total of
$1,150.000.
Issuance of Preferred Stock to TCA. Also, on October 21,
2015 the Company issued 150,000 Series B Preferred Stock at a
stated value equal to $10.00 per share to TCA. The Series B
Preferred Stock was convertible into common stock by dividing the
stated value of the shares being converted by 100% of the average
of the five (5) lowest closing bid prices for the common stock
during the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding
the conversion date as quoted by Bloomberg, LP. On October 21,
2015, the Company also issued 51 shares of Series C Preferred Stock
at $0.0001 par value per share to TCA. The Series C Preferred Stock
was not convertible into common stock. In the event of a default
under the Amended and Restated TCA Transaction Documents, TCA could
exercise voting control over our common stock with their Series C
Preferred Stock voting rights.
TCA’s Forbearance. Due to the Company’s default
on its repayment obligations under the TCA SPA’s and related
documents, the parties agreed to restructure the SPA’s
whereby TCA agreed to forbear from enforcement of our defaults and
to restructure a payment schedule for repayment of debt under the
SPAs. The Company defaulted because operating results were not as
expected and the Company was unable to generate sufficient revenue
through its business operations to serve the TCA debt.
In
furtherance of TCA’s forbearance, effective as of May 4,
2016, the Company issued Second Replacement Debenture A in the
principal amount of $150,000 and Second Replacement Debenture B in
the principal amount of $2,681,210 (collectively, the “Second
Replacement Debentures”).
Per the
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Securities Purchase
Agreement, the Second Replacement Debentures were combined, and
apportioned into two separate replacement debentures. The Second
Replacement Debentures were intended to act in substitution for and
to supersede the debentures in their entirety. It was the intent of
the Company and TCA that while the Second Replacement Debentures
replace and supersede the debentures, in their entirety, they were
not in payment or satisfaction of the debentures, but rather were
the substitute of one evidence of debt for another without any
intent to extinguish the old debt. As of September 30, 2016, the
maximum number of shares subject to conversion under the Second
Replacement Debentures was 19,401,389. This is an approximation.
The estimation of the maximum number of shares issuable upon the
conversion of the Second Replacement Debentures was calculated
using an estimated average price of $.0036 per share.
The
Second Replacement Debentures contemplate TCA entering into debt
purchase agreement(s) with third parties whereby TCA may, at its
election, sever, split, divide or apportion the Second Replacement
Debentures to accomplish the repayment of the balance owed to TCA
by Company. The Second Replacement Debentures are convertible at
85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price
(“VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock during the
five (5) business days immediately prior to a conversion
date.
In
connection with the above agreements, the parties acknowledged and
agreed that certain advisory fees previously paid to TCA as
provided in the SPAs in the amount of $1,500,000 were added and
included within the principal balance of the Second Replacement
Debentures. The advisory fees related to financial, merger and
acquisition and regulatory services provided to the Company. The
conversion price discount on the Second Replacement Debentures did
not apply to the advisory fees added to the Second Replacement
Debentures. TCA also agreed to surrender its Series B Preferred
Stock in exchange for the $1,500,000 being added to the Second
Replacement Debenture.
As more
particularly described below, the Company remained in debt to TCA
for the principal amount of $1,500,000. The remaining $1,400,000 of
principal debt was assigned to Old Main Capital, LLC The Company
intends to use the funds generated from the Chicago Venture
transaction to fuel its business operations and business plans
which, in turn, will presumably generate revenues sufficient to
avoid another default in the remaining TCA obligations. If the
Company is unable to raise sufficient funds through the Chicago
Venture transaction and/or generate sales sufficient to service the
remaining TCA debt then the Company will be unable to avoid another
default. Failure to operate in accordance with the various
agreements with TCA could result in the cancellation of these
agreements, result in foreclosure on the Company’s assets in
an event of default which would have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations or financial
condition.
On July
9, 2015, the Company valued the conversion feature as a derivative
liability of this senior secured convertible redeemable debenture
at $888,134 and discounted debt by $700,000 and recorded interest
expense of $188,134. The Company valued the derivative liability of
this debenture at $888,134.
At the
inception of the Replacement Debentures, the embedded derivative
liability was remeasured at fair value and the Company recorded a
net gain of $420,822.
At
inception, the Company valued the conversion feature of the
Replacement Debentures as a derivative liability in the amount of
$979,716 The amount was recorded as a discount to debt and will be
amortized over the life of the debentures.
As of
December 31, 2016, the Company remaining debt was below $1,500,000
and does not include a derivative liability.
NOTE 9 – RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
Since
January 1, 2016, the Company engaged in the following reportable
transactions with our directors, executive officers, holders of
more than 5% of our voting securities, and affiliates or
immediately family members of our directors, executive officers and
holders of more than 5% of our voting securities.
Certain Relationships
Please
see the transactions with CANX, LLC and Logic Works in Note 4, and
Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. discussed in Note 7, 8, 10 and
14.
Transactions with an Entity Controlled by Marco Hegyi
On
April 15, 2016, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of its common
stock to an entity affiliated with Marco Hegyi, our Chief Executive
Officer, pursuant to a conversion of debt for $20,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.02 per
share.
On
October 12, 2016, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of its common
stock to an entity affiliated with Marco Hegyi, our Chief Executive
Officer, pursuant to a conversion of debt for $40,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.01 per
share.
On
October 21, 2016, we entered into Agreement with Marco Hegyi
pursuant to which the Company engaged Mr. Hegyi as its Chief
Executive Officer through October 20, 2018. Mr. Hegyi’s
previous Employment Agreement was dated December 4, 2013 and which
is set to expire on December 4, 2016. Mr. Hegyi received a Warrant
to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $0.01 per share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received
Warrants to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock at
an exercise price of $0.01 per share which vest on October 21, 2017
and 2018. The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years.
Transactions with an Entity Controlled by Mark E.
Scott
An
entity controlled by Mr. Scott received an option to purchase
sixteen million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$0.07 per share was reduced to $0.01
per share on December 18, 2015. Two million shares vested on
August 17, 2015 with the Company’s resolution of the class
action lawsuits. An additional two million share stock option vest
on April 18, 2016 upon the Company securing a market maker with an
approved 15c2-11 resulting in the Company’s relisting on
OTCBB.
On
January 4, 2016, we issued 3,000,000 shares of its common stock to
an entity affiliated with Mark E. Scott, Chief Financial Officer,
pursuant to a conversion of debt for $30,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.01 per share.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants totaling
12,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share. Mr. Scott
has 4,000,000 share stock option grants which are fully
vested.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott converted $40,000 in deferred
compensation into 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per
share. The price per share was based on the thirty-day trailing
average.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott was granted 6,000,000 shares of our
common stock at $0.01 per share. The price per share was based on
the thirty-day trailing average.
On October 15, 2017, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted
an option to purchase 12,000,000 shares of common stock at
an exercise price of $0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests
quarterly over three years and is exercisable for 5 years. The
stock option grant was valued at $18,000.
Transactions with Michael E. Fasci
On
January 27, 2016, we issued 1,500,000 shares of its common stock to
Michael Fasci, a member of the Board of Directors, for director
services. The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.01
per share. On May 25, 2016, we issued 2,500,000 shares of its
common stock to Michael Fasci, a member of the Board of Directors,
for director services. The shares were valued at the fair market
price of $0.02 per share. On October 21, 2016, we entered into a
Consulting Agreement with an entity controlled by Michael E. Fasci,
a Director. Mr. Fasci is to provide services related to lender
management, financing and acquisitions. Mr. Fasci’s
compensation is 2,000,000 shares of our common stock valued at
$0.01 per share and to be issued on April 21, 2017 and October 21,
2017.
On
February 4, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $15,000. The
shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.015 per share. On
April 27, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On April
27, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Michael
E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $18,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On
November 2, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a consulting agreement for $10,000.
The shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per
share.
Transactions with Katherine McLain
Ms.
Katherine McLain was appointed as a director on February 14, 2017.
On June 28, 2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to
Ms. McLain pursuant to a service award for $9,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.009 per share. On October 23,
2017, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to Ms. McLain
pursuant to a service award for $5,000. The shares were valued at
the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
Transaction with Thom Kozik
Mr.
Kozik was appointed as a director on October 5, 2017. On October
23, 2017, we issued 2,000,000 shares of our common stock to Mr.
Kozik pursuant to a service award for $10,000. The shares were
valued at the fair market price of $0.005 per share.
Transaction with Joseph Barnes
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
10,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $24,000.
NOTE 10 – EQUITY
Authorized Capital Stock
The
Company has authorized 6,010,000,000 shares of capital stock, of
which 6,000,000,000 are shares of voting common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 are shares of preferred stock,
par value $0.0001 per share. On
October 24, 2017 the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware to increase the authorized shares of common stock
from 3,000,000,000 to 6,000,000,000 shares.
Non-Voting Preferred Stock
Under
the terms of our articles of incorporation, the Company’s
board of directors is authorized to issue shares of non-voting
preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval.
The Company’s board of directors has the discretion to
determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and
liquidation preferences, of each series of non-voting preferred
stock.
The
purpose of authorizing the Company’s board of directors to
issue non-voting preferred stock and determine the Company’s
rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a
stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of non-voting
preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with
possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate
purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a
third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from
seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Other than the Series B and C Preferred Stock discussed below,
there are no shares of non-voting preferred stock presently
outstanding and we have no present plans to issue any shares of
preferred stock.
Certificate of Elimination for Series B and C Preferred
Stock
On October 24, 2017, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to eliminate
the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred
Stock of the Company. None of the authorized shares of either the
Series B or Series C Preferred Stock were outstanding.
The Certificate of Elimination, effective upon filing, had the
effect of eliminating from the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, all matters set forth in the Certificate
of Designations of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock with respect to each respective series,
which were both previously filed by the Company with the Secretary
of State on October 22, 2015. Accordingly, the 150,000 shares
of Series B Preferred Stock and 51 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock previously reserved for issuance under their respective
Certificates of Designation resumed their status as authorized but
unissued shares of undesignated preferred stock of the Company upon
filing of the Certificate of Elimination.
Common Stock
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the following sales or issuances
of Company securities were conducted under the exemption from
registration as provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
of 1933 (and also qualified for exemption under 4(5), formerly 4(6)
of the Securities Act of 1933, except as noted below). All of the
shares issued were issued in transactions not involving a public
offering, are considered to be restricted stock as defined in Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 and stock
certificates issued with respect thereto bear legends to that
effect.
The Company has compensated consultants and service providers with
restricted common stock during the development of our business and
when our capital resources were not adequate to provide payment in
cash.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had had the
following sales of unregistered of equity securities to accredited
investors unless otherwise indicated:
On
February 28, 2017, Logic Works converted principal and interest of
$291,044 into 82,640,392 shares of the Company’s common stock
at a per share conversion price of $0.004.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, five vendors
converted debt of $559,408 into 64,869,517 shares of the
Company’s common stock at the fair market price of $0.0086
per share.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, four directors were
issued 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at the
fair market price of $0.0076 per share for 2017 director
services.
During
the year ended December 31, 2017, Chicago Venture converted
principal and accrued interest of $2,688,000 into 554,044,030
shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share
conversion price of $0.0049.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had had the
following sales of unregistered of equity securities to accredited
investors unless otherwise indicated:
On
January 4, 2016, the Company issued 3,000,000 shares of its common
stock to an entity affiliated with Mark E. Scott, our Chief
Financial Officer, pursuant to a conversion of accrued consulting
fees and expenses for $30,000. The shares were valued at the fair
market price of $0.01 per share. On October 21, 2016, an entity
affiliated with Mr. Scott converted $40,000 in accrued consulting
fees and expenses into 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock at $0.01 per share. The price per share was based on
the thirty-day trailing average. On October 21, 2016, an entity
affiliated with Mr. Scott was granted 6,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $0.01 per share. The price per
share was based on the thirty-day trailing average. On October 21,
2016, an entity affiliated with Mr. Scott cancelled stock option
grants totaling 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock at $0.01 per share.
On
January 27, 2016, the Company issued 1,500,000 shares of its common
stock to Michael E. Fasci, a Board Director, pursuant to a service
award for $15,000. The shares were valued at the fair market price
of $0.01 per share. On May 25, 2016, the Company issued 2,500,000
shares of its common stock to Michael E. Fasci pursuant to a
service award for $50,000. The shares were valued at the fair
market price of $0.02 per share.
In consideration for advisory services provided by TCA to the
Company, the Company issued 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock
during the year ending December 31, 2015. As the common
stock was conditionally redeemable, the Company recorded the common
stock as mezzanine equity in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 2015. As of
September 30, 2016, the shares are no longer conditionally
redeemable and were recorded as issued and outstanding common
stock.
The Company issued $2 million in common stock or 115,141,048 shares
of our common stock on April 6, 2016 pursuant to the settlement of
the Consolidated Class Action and Derivative Action lawsuits
alleging violations of federal securities laws that were filed
against the Company in United States District Court, Central
District of California. The Company accrued $2,000,000 as loss on
class action lawsuits and contingent liabilities during the year
ending December 31, 2015.
On
April 15, 2016, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of its common
stock to an entity affiliated with Marco Hegyi, our Chief Executive
Officer, pursuant to a conversion of debt for $20,000. The shares
were valued at the fair market price of $0.02 per share. On October
12, 2016, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of its common stock
to an entity affiliated with Marco Hegyi, pursuant to a conversion
of debt for $40,000. The shares were valued at the fair market
price of $0.01 per share.
On July
13, 2016, the Company issued 6,000,000 shares of common stock
pursuant to Settlement Agreement and
Release with Mr. Robert Hunt, a former executive, which were
valued at the fair market price of $0.010 per share.
On
October 21, 2016, the Company issued 5,020,000 shares to two former
directors and a supplier (unaccredited) for services provided. The
Company valued the 5,020,000 shares at $0.01 per share or
$50,200.
During
the year ended December 31. 2016, the Company issued 6,400,000
shares of its common stock to two service providers (one
unaccredited) pursuant to conversions of debt totaling $64,000. The
shares were valued at the fair market price of $0.010 per
share.
During
the year ended December 31. 2016, Holders of the Company’s
Convertible Notes Payables, converted principal and accrued
interest of $1,080,247 into 186,119,285 shares of the
Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.006.
During
the year ended December 31. 2016, Old Main converted principal and
accrued interest of $757,208 into 144,650,951 shares of our common
stock at a per share conversion price of $0.0052.
During
the year ended December 31. 2016, Chicago Venture converted
principal and accrued interest of $1,403,599 into 264,672,323
shares of our common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0053.
Warrants
The
Company did not issue any warrants during the year ended December
31, 2017.
The
Company issued the following warrants during the year ended
December 31, 2016.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Hegyi received a Warrant to purchase up to
10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants
to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company
at an exercise price of $0.01 per share which vest on October 21,
2017 and 2018. The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years. The
warrants were valued at $390,000 and the Company recorded $23,958
of compensation expense for the warrants that had vested at
December 31, 2016.
A
summary of the warrants issued as of December 31, 2017 is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
at beginning of period
|
595,000,000
|
$0.031
|
Issued
|
-
|
-
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
Expired
|
-
|
-
|
Outstanding
at end of period
|
595,000,000
|
$0.031
|
Exerciseable
at end of period
|
595,000,000
|
|
A
summary of the status of the warrants outstanding as of
December 31, 2017 is presented
below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
540,000,000
|
1.28
|
$0.033
|
540,000,000
|
$0.033
|
55,000,000
|
2.55
|
0.010
|
45,000,000
|
0.010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.32
|
$0.031
|
585,000,000
|
$0.031
|
Warrants
totaling 45,000,000 shares of common stock had an intrinsic value
of $1,030,500 as of December 31,
2017.
NOTE 11– STOCK OPTIONS
Description of Stock Option Plan
On
October 23, 2017, the Company’s Shareholders authorized a
Stock Incentive Plan whereby a maximum of 100,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock could be granted in the form of
Non-Qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and
Other Stock-Based Awards. The Company has outstanding unexercised
stock option grants totaling 56,000,000 shares as of December 31,
2017. The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 to
register 100,000,000 shares of Company’s common stock related
to the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan.
Determining Fair Value under ASC 505
The Company records compensation expense associated with stock
options and other equity-based compensation using the
Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for estimating fair
value of stock options granted under our plan. The Company
amortizes the fair value of stock options on a ratable basis over
the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting
periods. The expected life of awards granted represents the period
of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The
Company estimates the volatility of our common stock based on the
historical volatility of its own common stock over the most recent
period corresponding with the estimated expected life of the award.
The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black
Scholes-Merton option valuation model on the implied yield
currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an
equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and
does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield
of zero in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model and
adjusts share-based compensation for changes to the estimate of
expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture
experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is
recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is
changed.
Stock Option Activity
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
On June
28, 2017, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted four
advisory committee members each an option to purchase 500,000
shares of the Company’s common stock under the
Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of
$0.009 per share, the fair market price on June 28,
2017.
On
October 1, 2017, Mr. Reichwein was granted an option to purchase
20,000,000 shares of our common stock under our 2011 Stock
Incentive Plan at $0.006 per share. The shares vest as
follows:
|
i
|
Ten
million shares vested immediately;
|
|
|
|
|
ii
|
Ten
million shares vest on a quarterly basis over two years beginning
on the date of grant.
|
The
stock option grants are exercisable for 5 years and were valued at
$20,000.
On October 15, 2017, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted
an option to purchase 12,000,000 shares of common stock at
an exercise price of $0.006 per share. The stock option grant vests
quarterly over three years and is exercisable for 5 years. The
stock option grant was valued at $18,000.
On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
10,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.007 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three
years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was
valued at $24,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
An
entity controlled by Mr. Scott had a two million share stock option
that was previously issued vest on April 18, 2016 upon the Company
securing a market maker with an approved 15c2-11 resulting in the
Company’s relisting on OTCBB.
An
employee resigned January 13, 2016 and an option to purchase five
million shares of the Company’s common stock under the
Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan expired on April 13,
2016.
An
employee forfeited a stock grant for 10,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock during the nine months ended September
30, 2016.
On
October 12, 2016, the Company amended the exercise price of the
stock option grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010 per
share.
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants totaling
12,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.01 per
share. Mr. Scott has an additional 2,000,000 share stock option
grant which continues to vest monthly over 36 months and a
2,000,000 share stock option grant which vests upon the achievement
of certain performance goals related to acquisitions.
As of December 31, 2017, there are 56,000,000 options to purchase
common stock at an average exercise price of $0.007 per share
outstanding under the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company
recorded $29,250 and $121,770 of compensation expense, net of
related tax effects, relative to stock options for the years ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016 in accordance with ASC 505. Net loss per
share (basic and diluted) associated with this expense was
approximately ($0.00). As of December 31, 2017, there is $64,151 of
total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options
that are not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over
a period of approximately 4.06 years.
Stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2015
|
29,020,000
|
$0.03
|
$811,000
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(17,010,000)
|
(0.041)
|
(690,500)
|
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2016
|
12,010,000
|
0.01
|
120,500
|
Granted
|
44,000,000
|
0.006
|
280,000
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(10,000)
|
-
|
(500)
|
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2017
|
56,000,000
|
$0.007
|
$400,000
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding and exercisable at December 31,
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.006
|
32,000,000
|
4.75
|
$0.006
|
12,500,000
|
$0.006
|
0.007
|
10,000,000
|
4.75
|
0.007
|
1,391,666
|
0.007
|
0.009
|
2,000,000
|
2.50
|
0.009
|
333,333
|
0.009
|
0.010
|
12,000,000
|
1.88
|
0.010
|
12,000,000
|
0.010
|
|
56,000,000
|
4.06
|
$0.007
|
26,225,000
|
$0.008
|
Stock
option grants totaling 26,225,000 shares of common stock have an
intrinsic value of $655,061 as of December 31, 2017.
NOTE 12 – COMMITMENTS,
CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become subject to various legal
proceedings that are incidental to the ordinary conduct of its
business. Although the Company cannot accurately predict the amount
of any liability that may ultimately arise with respect to any of
these matters, it makes provision for potential liabilities when it
deems them probable and reasonably estimable. These provisions are
based on current information and may be adjusted from time to time
according to developments.
Sales, Payroll and Other Tax Liabilities
As of December 31, 2017, we owe approximately $119,000 in sales
tax.
Other Legal Proceedings
We may be sued for non-payment of lease payments at closed stores.
We are subject to legal actions with various vendors.
Operating Leases
On
October 21, 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement for
retail space for its hydroponics store in Avon (Vail), Colorado.
The lease expires on September 30, 2018. Monthly rent for year one
of the lease is $2,792 and increased 3.5% per year thereafter
through the end of the lease. We terminated this lease agreement as
of August 31, 2917.
On
December 7, 2016, the Company entered into entered into a Consent
to Judgement and Settlement Agreement related to its retail
hydroponics store located in Portland, Maine. This Agreement
provides for a monthly lease payment of $5,373 through May 1, 2020.
We also agreed to a repayment schedule for past due rent and owes
$45,175 as of December 31, 2017. We are past due on the repayment
schedule by $45,175 as of December 31, 2017. We do not have an
option to extend the lease after May 1, 2020.
On May
31, 2017, the Company rented space at 5400 Carillon Point, Kirkland, Washington 98033
for $623 per month for our corporate office and use of space
in the Regus network, including California. Our agreement expires
May 31, 2018 and is expected to be renewed.
On October 1, 2017, GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. entered into a lease
in Calgary, Canada. The monthly lease is approximately $1,997. The
lease expires September 30, 2022.
On December 19, 2017, GrowLife Innovations, Inc. entered into a
lease in Grand Prairie, Texas dated October 9, 2017, for the manufacturing and
distribution of its flooring products. The monthly lease is approximately $15,000. The
lease expires December 15, 2018 and can be
renewed.
The aggregate future minimum lease payments under operating leases,
to the extent the leases have early cancellation options and
excluding escalation charges, are as follows:
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
2018
|
$319,962
|
2019
|
174,615
|
2020
|
61,668
|
2021
|
-
|
2022
|
-
|
Beyond
|
-
|
Total
|
$556,245
|
Employment and Consulting Agreements
Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi
On
October 21, 2016, the Company entered into Agreement with Marco
Hegyi pursuant to which the Company engaged Mr. Hegyi as its Chief
Executive Officer through October 20, 2018. Mr. Hegyi’s
previous Employment Agreement was dated December 4, 2013 and was
set to expire on December 4, 2016.
Mr.
Hegyi’s annual compensation is $250,000. Mr. Hegyi is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to four percent (4%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
Mr.
Hegyi received a Warrant to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of
common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.01 per
share. In addition, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase up to
10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share which vest on October 21, 2017 and 2018.
The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years.
Mr.
Hegyi is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by the Company to its senior executives and
management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and
conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility
requirements. In addition, the Company agreed to purchase and
maintain during the Term an insurance policy on Mr. Hegyi’s
life in the amount of $2,000,000 payable to Mr. Hegyi’s named
heirs or estate as the beneficiary.
If the Company terminates Mr. Hegyi’s employment at any time
prior to the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in
the Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment
at any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount through the end of the Term; and (ii) his
Annual Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
If there has been a “Change in Control” and the Company
(or its successor or the surviving entity) terminates Mr.
Hegyi’s employment without Cause as part of or in connection
with such Change in Control (including any such termination
occurring within one (1) month prior to the effective date of such
Change in Control), then in addition to the benefits set forth
above, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to (i) an increase of $300,000 in
his annual base salary amount (or an additional $25,000 per month)
through the end of the Term; plus (ii) a gross-up in the annual
base salary amount each year to account for and to offset any tax
that may be due by Mr. Hegyi on any payments received or to be
received by Mr. Hegyi under this Agreement that would result in a
“parachute payment” as described in Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If we (or its successor
or the surviving entity) terminate Mr. Hegyi’s employment
without Cause within twelve (12) months after the effective date of
any Change in Control, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment
for Good Reason within twelve (12) months after the effective date
of any Change in Control, then in addition to the benefits set
forth above, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to (i) an increase of
$300,000 in his annual base salary amount (or an additional $25,000
per month), which increased annual base salary amount shall be paid
for the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years following the
Change in Control, whichever is longer; (ii) a gross-up in the
annual base salary amount each year to account for and to offset
any tax that may be due by Mr. Hegyi on any payments received or to
be received by Mr. Hegyi under this Letter Agreement that would
result in a “parachute payment” as described in Section
280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (iii)
payment of Mr. Hegyi’s annual bonus amount as set forth above
for each year during the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years
following the Change in Control, whichever is longer; and (iv)
health insurance coverage provided for and paid by the Company for
the remainder of the Term or for two (2) years following the Change
in Control, whichever is longer.
Chief Financial Officer Agreement with an Entity Controlled by Mark
E. Scott
On July
31, 2014, the Company engaged Mr. Scott as its Consulting CFO from
July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014, and continuing thereafter
until either party provides sixty-day notice to terminate the
Letter or Mr. Scott enters into a full-time employment agreement.
Mr. Scott became a full time employee on November 1,
2017.
Per the
terms of the Scott Agreement, Mr. Scott’s compensation is
$150,000 on an annual basis for the first year of the Scott
Agreement. Mr. Scott is also entitled to receive an annual bonus
equal to two percent of the Company’s EBITDA for that year.
The Company’s Board of Directors granted Mr. Scott an option
to purchase sixteen million shares of our Common Stock under our
2011 Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $0.07 per share,
the fair market price on July 31, 2014. On December 18, 2015, we reduced the exercise
price to $0.01 per share. The shares vested as
follows:
|
i
|
Two
million shares vest immediately upon securing a market maker with
an approved 15c2-11 resulting in the Company’s relisting on
OTCBB (earned as of February 18, 2016);
|
|
|
|
|
ii
|
Two
million shares vest immediately upon the successful approval and
effectiveness of the Company’s S-1 (not earned as of December
31, 2016);
|
|
|
|
|
iii
|
Two
million shares vest immediately upon the Company’s resolution
of the class action lawsuits (earned as of August 17, 2015);
and,
|
|
|
|
|
iv
|
Ten
million shares will vest on a monthly basis over a period of three
years beginning on the July 1, 2014.
|
On
October 21, 2016, Mr. Scott cancelled stock option grants totaling
12,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.01 per share. Mr. Scott
has an additional 2,000,000 share stock option grant which
continues to vest monthly over 36 months and a 2,000,000 share
stock option grant which vests upon the achievement of certain
performance goals related to acquisitions (earned as of October 3,
2017). On October 15, 2017, an entity
controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an option to purchase
12,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.006 per share. The option grant vests on a quarterly basis
quarterly over three years.
All
options have a five-year life and allow for a cashless exercise.
The stock option grant is subject to the terms and conditions of
our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting requirements. In
the event that Mr. Scott’s continuous status as consultant to
the Company is terminated by us without Cause or Mr. Scott
terminates his employment with us for Good Reason as defined in the
Scott Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve months after
a Change in Control as defined in our Stock Incentive Plan except
for CANX USA, LLC, then 100% of the total number of shares shall
immediately become vested.
Mr.
Scott is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, the Company is required to purchase and maintain an
insurance policy on Mr. Scott’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Scott’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Scott is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
If,
prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company terminates Mr.
Scott’s employment for Cause, or if Mr. Scott voluntarily
terminates his employment without Good Reason, or if Mr.
Scott’s employment is terminated by reason of his death, then
all of our obligations hereunder shall cease immediately, and Mr.
Scott will not be entitled to any further compensation beyond any
pro-rated base salary due and bonus amounts earned through the
effective date of termination. Mr. Scott will also be reimbursed
for any expenses incurred prior to the date of termination for
which he was not previously reimbursed. Mr. Scott may receive
severance benefits and our obligation under a termination by the
Company without Cause or Mr. Scott terminates his employment for
Good Reason are discussed above.
Promotion Letter with Joseph Barnes
On
October 10, 2014, the Company entered into a Promotion Letter with
Joseph Barnes which was effective October 1, 2014 pursuant to which
the Company engaged Mr. Barnes as its Senior Vice-President of
Business Development from October 1, 2014 on an at will basis. On
August 16, 2917, Mr. Joseph Barnes, Senior Vice-President of
Business Development GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc, was promoted to
President of GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc.
Per the
terms of the Barnes Agreement, Mr. Barnes’s compensation is
$90,000 on an annual basis. On January 1, 2016, Mr. Barnes salary
was increased to $120,000 per year. On August 16, 2017, Mr. Barnes
was increased to $150,000 per year. Mr. Barnes received a bonus of
$6,500 and is also entitled to receive a quarterly bonus based on
growth of our growth margin dollars. No quarterly bonuses were
earned under this Promotion Letter. Mr. Barnes was granted an
option to purchase eight million shares of our common stock under
our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.050 per share. The shares vest
as follows:
|
i
|
Two
million shares vested immediately;
|
|
|
|
|
iv
|
Six
million shares vest on a monthly basis over a period of three years
beginning on the date of grant.
|
On
October 12, 2016, we amended the exercise price of the stock option
grants for Mr. Barnes to $0.010 per share. On October 25, 2017, Mr. Barnes was granted an
option to purchase 10,000,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.007 per share. The option grant vests on a
quarterly basis over three years.
All
options have a five-year life and allow for a cashless exercise.
The stock option grant is subject to the terms and conditions of
our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting requirements. In
the event that Mr. Barnes’s continuous status as employee to
us is terminated by us without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates his
employment with us for Good Reason as defined in the Barnes
Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve months after a
Change in Control as defined in our Stock Incentive, then 100% of
the total number of shares shall immediately become
vested.
Mr.
Barnes is to participate in all group employment benefits that are
offered by us to our senior executives and management employees
from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of such
benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. Finally, Mr.
Barnes is entitled to fifteen days of vacation annually and has
certain insurance and travel employment benefits.
Mr.
Barnes may receive severance benefits and our obligation under a
termination by the Company without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates
his employment for Good Reason are discussed above.
Offer Letter with David Reichwein
On
October 1, 2017, the Company entered into an Offer Letter with
David Reichwein pursuant to which the Company engaged Mr. Reichwein
as its Vice-President of Research and Development on an at will
basis.
Per the
terms of the Reichwein Agreement, Mr. Reichwein’s
compensation is $150,000 on an annual basis. Starting on the first
quarter 2018, Mr. Reichwein is eligible to earn a quarterly
commission based on 10% of tile gross margin dollars.
Mr.
Reichwein was granted an option to purchase twenty million shares
of our common stock under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan at $0.006
per share. The shares vest as follows:
|
i
|
Ten
million shares vested immediately;
|
|
|
|
|
ii
|
Ten
million shares vest on a quarterly basis over two years beginning
on the date of grant.
|
All
options will have a five-year life and allow for a cashless
exercise. The stock option grant is subject to the terms and
conditions of our Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting
requirements. In the event that Mr. Reichwein’s
continuous status as employee to the Company is terminated by us
without Cause or Mr. Reichwein terminates his employment with us
for Good Reason as defined in the Reichwein Agreement, in either
case upon or within twelve months after a Change in Control as
defined in our Stock Incentive, then 100% of the total number of
shares shall immediately become vested.
Mr.
Reichwein is to participate in all group employment benefits that
are offered by the Company to its senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements.
Finally, Mr. Reichwein is entitled to fifteen days of vacation
annually and has certain insurance and travel employment
benefits.
Mr.
Reichwein may receive severance benefits and our obligation under a
termination by the Company without Cause or Mr. Reichwein
terminates his employment for Good Reason are discussed
above.
Consulting Agreement with an Entity Controlled by Michael E.
Fasci
On
October 21, 2016, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement
with an entity controlled by Michael E. Fasci. Mr. Fasci agreed to
provide services related to lender management, financing and
acquisitions. Mr. Fasci’s compensation is 2,000,000 shares of
our common stock valued at $0.01 per share and to be issued on
April 21, 2017 and October 21, 2017. The Agreement expired October
20, 2017.
NOTE 13 – INCOME TAXES
The
Company has incurred losses since inception, which have generated
net operating loss carryforwards. The net operating loss
carryforwards arise from United States
sources.
Pretax
losses arising from United States operations were approximately
$5,300,000 and $7,700,000 and for the years ended December 31, 2017
and 2016, respectively.
The
Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$18,000,000, which expire in 2021-2031. Because it is not more
likely than not that sufficient tax earnings will be generated to
utilize the net operating loss carryforwards, a corresponding
valuation allowance of approximately $7,100,000 was established as
of December 31, 2017. Additionally, under the Tax Reform Act of
1986, the amounts of, and benefits from, net operating losses may
be limited in certain circumstances, including a change in
control.
Section 382
of the Internal Revenue Code generally imposes an annual limitation
on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be used
to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone
significant changes in its stock ownership. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to utilize any net
operating loss carryforwards in the future.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s effective
tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate principally due to
net operating losses, warrants issued for services, change in fair
value of derivative and debt discount.
The principal components of the Company’s deferred tax assets
at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
|
|
|
U.S. operations
loss carry forward and state at statutory rate of 40%
|
$7,154,699
|
$6,704,362
|
Less valuation
allowance
|
7,154,699
|
(6,704,362)
|
Net deferred tax
assets
|
-
|
-
|
Change in valuation
allowance
|
$7,154,699
|
$(6,704,362)
|
A reconciliation of the United States Federal Statutory rate to the
Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31,
2017 and 2016 is as follows:
|
|
|
Federal statutory
rate
|
-34.0%
|
-34.0%
|
State income tax
rate
|
-6.0%
|
-6.0%
|
Change
in valuation allowance
|
40.0%
|
40.0%
|
Effective tax
rate
|
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
The
Company’s tax returns for 2012 to 2017 are open to review by
the Internal Revenue Service.
NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluates subsequent events, for the purpose of
adjustment or disclosure, up through the date the financial
statements are available.
Subsequent to December 31, 2017, the following material transactions
occurred:
Equity Issuances
On
February 7, 2018, the Company issued 7,660,274 shares to three
directors. The shares were valued at the fair market price of
$0.020 per share or $153,205. The shares were issued for annual
director service to the Company.
On
February 12, 2018, the Company received a Notice of Conversion from
Forglen LLC converting principal and interest of $321,945.00 owed
under that certain 7% Convertible Note as amended June 19, 2014
into 127,000,000 shares of our common stock with a fair value of
$2,235,200
On
March 13, 2018, the Company, received a Notice of Conversion from
Logic Works LLC converting principal and interest of $41,690 owed
under that a 6% Convertible Note into 16,445,609 shares of our
common stock with a fair value of $248,329. As of March 13, 2018,
the outstanding balance on the Convertible Note was
$0.
During
the three months ended March 31, 2018, Chicago Venture converted
principal and interest of $1,877,668 into 333,821,634 shares of our
common stock at a per share conversion price of $0.0055 with a fair
value of $5,040,707.
Securities Purchase Agreements with St. George Investments,
LLC
On February 9, 2018, the Company executed the following agreements
with St. George Investments LLC, a Utah limited liability company
(“St. George”): (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; and
(ii) Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock. The Company
entered into the St. George Agreements with the intent to acquire
working capital to grow the Company’s
businesses.
Pursuant to the St. George Agreements, the Company agreed to sell
and to issue to St. George for an aggregate purchase price of
$1,000,000: (a) 48,687,862 Shares of newly issued restricted Common
Stock of the Company; and (b) the Warrant. St. George has paid the
entire Purchase Price for the Securities.
The Warrant is exercisable for a period of five (5) years from the
Closing, for the purchase of up to 48,687,862 shares of the
Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.05 per
share of Common Stock. The Warrant is subject to a cashless
exercise option at the election of St. George and other adjustments
as detailed in the Warrant.
On
March 20, 2018, the Company entered into and closed on a Common
Stock Purchase Agreement with St. George Investments, LLC, a Utah
limited liability company.
Pursuant
to the St. George Agreements, the Company sold and agreed to issue
to St. George 6,410, 256 shares of newly issued restricted Common
Stock of the Company at a purchase price of $0.0156 per share. The
Purchase Price was paid at Closing and the Shares shall be issued
upon the satisfaction of the Share Delivery Conditions as set forth
in the Agreement. The Shares purchased represents less than 0.3% of
the Company’s current issued and outstanding common
stock.
First Addendum to Agreements with David Reichwein
On
February 16, 2018, the Company entered into an Addendum to amend
the terms between the Company and David Reichwein. Pursuant to the First Addendum, the Company
purchased the remaining 49% of the Purchased Assets in exchange for
a one-time payment of $250,000 and the cancellation of
Reichwein’s right to receive a 10% commission on certain
sales of Free Fit products as was set forth in Reichwein’s
employment agreement. In exchange for the cancellation of the
commission in the employment agreement, Reichwein was granted the
opportunity to earn up to two $100,000 cash bonuses and an
aggregate common stock bonus of up to 7,500,000 shares if certain
revenue and gross margin goals are met in 2018.
Amendment 2 to Note with Forglen LLC
On
February 23, 2018, the Company, submitted a Notice of Prepayment to
Forglen LLC to prepay the balance owed under that certain 7%
Convertible Note as amended June 19, 2014 (the “Convertible
Note”). In response to the Prepay Notice, Forglen submitted a
Notice of Conversion on March 8, 2018 to convert the entire balance
of the Note and all accrued interest. Upon negotiations between
Forglen and the Company, the parties entered into a Second
Amendment to the Note, dated March 12, 2018.
Pursuant
to the Amendment, the Note’s maturity date has been extended
to December 31, 2019, and interest on the Note shall accrue at 7%
per annum, compounding on the maturity date. As consideration for
the Amendment, the Company rescinded its Prepay Notice and Forglen
rescinded its Conversion Notice. Additionally, after review of the
Note and accrued interest, the Parties agreed that as of March 12,
2018, the outstanding balance on the Note was
$270,787.
Installment Agreement with the City of Boulder,
Colorado
On March 12, 2017, the Company entered into an Installment
Agreement with the City of Boulder, Colorado. This Agreement
requires the Company to pay $5,000 per month over the next twenty
four months or $119,217 for unpaid sales taxes.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, GrowLife, Inc. (the "Registrant")
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
GROWLIFE, INC.
|
|
|
|
Date: March 28, 2018
|
By:
|
/s/ Marco Hegyi
|
|
|
Marco Hegyi
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Mark E. Scott
|
|
|
Mark Scott
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
SIGNATURES
|
|
TITLE
|
|
DATE
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Marco Hegyi
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
March 28, 2018
|
Marco Hegyi
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Scott
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary
|
|
March 28, 2018
|
Mark E. Scott
|
|
(Principal Financial/Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael E. Fasci
|
|
Director
|
|
March 28, 2018
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Katherine McLain
|
|
Director
|
|
March 28, 2018
|
Katherine
McLain
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thom Kozik
|
|
Director
|
|
March 28, 2018
|
Thom
Kozik
|
|
|
|
|