UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
   
Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
   
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
     
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
     
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
     
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
     
  (5) Total fee paid:
     
     
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
   
  (1) Amount Previously Paid:
     
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
     
  (3) Filing Party:
     
  (4) Date Filed:
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd.

 

800-525 West 8th Avenue

Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1C6

 

April __, 2025

 

To the Shareholders of AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd.:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), to be held at 9:00 AM Pacific time on May 5, at the Company’s principal offices at 800-525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1C6.

 

At the Special Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

 

1. Approve the Company’s January 2025 PIPE Financing.
   
2. Approve a 1:2-1:250 reverse stock split
   
3. Increase the shares subject to the Company’s 2024 Equity Incentive Plan to

 

2

 

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE PROPOSAL.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s articles, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has fixed the close of business on April 8, 2025 as the record date for determining the shareholders of the Company entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Accordingly, only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2025 are entitled to notice of, and shall be entitled to vote at, the Special Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

 

Shareholders who intend to attend the meeting via teleconference or video conference must submit votes by Proxy ahead of the proxy deadline of 12:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on May 5, 2025.

 

Please review in detail the attached notice and proxy statement for a more complete statement of matters to be considered at the Special Meeting.

 

Your vote is very important to us regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you are able to attend the Special Meeting in person, please read the proxy statement and promptly vote your proxy via the internet, by telephone or, if you received a printed form of proxy in the mail, by completing, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy in order to assure representation of your shares at the Special Meeting. Granting a proxy will not limit your right to vote in person if you wish to attend the Special Meeting and vote in person.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors:
   
  /s/ David Welch
  David Welch,
  Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

3

 

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

The 2025 Special Meeting of shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd. (the “Company”) will be held 9:00 AM Pacific time on May 5, 2025, at the Company’s principal offices at 800-525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1C6.

 

At the Special Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following proposal:

 

1. Approve the Company’s July 2025 PIPE Financing.
   
2. Approval of Reverse Stock Split
   
3. Approval of Equity Incentive Plan Amendment

 

Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2025 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2025 Special Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof.

 

Shareholders who intend to attend the meeting via teleconference or video conference must submit votes by Proxy ahead of the proxy deadline of 12:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on May 5, 2025.

 

It is hoped you will be able to attend the 2025 Special Meeting but in any event, please vote according to the instructions on the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible. If you are able to be present at the 2025 Special Meeting in person , you may revoke your proxy and vote in person.

 

Dated: April __, 2025 By Order of the Board of Directors:
   
  /s/ David Welch
  David Welch,
  Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

4

 

 

AGRIFORCE GROWING SYSTEMS, LTD.

800-525 West 8th Avenue,

Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1C6

 

SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held May 5, 2025

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

The Board of Directors of AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd. (the “Company”) is soliciting proxies from its shareholders to be used at the 2025 Special Meeting of shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) to be held at the Company’s offices at the Company’s principal offices at 800-525 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1C6, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. This proxy statement contains information related to the Special Meeting. This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being sent to shareholders on or about April __, 2025.

 

ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING

 

Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

 

You are receiving this proxy statement because you have been identified as a shareholder of the Company as of the record date which our Board has determined to be April 8, 2025, and thus you are entitled to vote at the Company’s 2025 Special Meeting. This document serves as a proxy statement used to solicit proxies for the 2025 Special Meeting. This document and the Appendixes hereto contain important information about the 2025 Special Meeting and the Company, and you should read it carefully.

 

Who is entitled to vote at the 2025 Special Meeting?

 

Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date will be entitled to vote at the 2025 Special Meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, there were __________ common shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of common shares is entitled to one vote for each common share held by such shareholder on the record date on each of the proposals presented in this proxy statement.

 

May I vote in person?

 

If you are a shareholder of the Company and your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of record, and the proxy materials and proxy card, attached hereto as Appendix A, are being sent directly to you by the Company. If you are a shareholder of record, you may attend the 2025 Special Meeting to be held on May 5, 2025, and vote your shares in person, rather than signing and returning your proxy. Only persons attending in person may vote their shares in person.

 

5

 

 

If your shares of common stock are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the proxy materials are being forwarded to you together with a voting instruction card by such bank, broker or other nominee. As the beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the 2025 Special Meeting. Since a beneficial owner is not the shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2025 Special Meeting unless you obtain a proxy from your broker issued in your name giving you the right to vote the shares at the 2025 Special Meeting.

 

Photo identification may be required (a valid driver’s license, state identification or passport). If a shareholder’s shares are registered in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, the shareholder must bring a proxy or a letter from that broker, trust, bank or other nominee or their most recent brokerage account statement that confirms that the shareholder was a beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Company as of the Record Date. Since seating is limited, admission to the meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Cameras (including cell phones with photographic capabilities), recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting.

 

If my Company shares are held in “street name” by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?

 

Generally, if shares are held in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker or nominee holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker or nominee can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not with respect to “non-routine” matters, as discussed further below. Your broker will not be able to vote your shares of common stock without specific instructions from you for “non-routine” matters.

 

If your shares are held by your broker or other agent as your nominee, you will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker or other agent to vote your shares.

 

What are “broker non-votes”?

 

If you hold shares beneficially in street name and do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes.” “Broker non-votes” occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. These matters are referred to as “non-routine” matters. Since brokers are permitted to vote on “routine” matters without instructions from the beneficial owner, “broker non-votes” do not occur with respect to “routine” matters.

 

All matters are “non-routine” matters.

 

The determination of “routine” and “non-routine” matters is determined by brokers and those firms responsible to tabulate votes cast by beneficial owners of shares held in street name and other nominees. Firms casting such votes have generally been guided by rules of the New York Stock Exchange when determining if proposals are considered “routine” or “non-routine”. When a matter to be voted on is the subject of a contested solicitation, banks, brokers and other nominees do not have discretion to vote your shares with respect to any proposal to be voted on.

 

How do I cast my vote if I am a shareholder of record?

 

The link for the material will be posted on our website: https://ir.agriforcegs.com/news-events/ir-calendar. If you are a shareholder with shares registered in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer and Trust, on the record date, you may vote in person at the 2025 Special Meeting or by going to https://lsp.continentalstock.com/pxlogin. Record holders can also vote: via email (cstmail@continentalstock.com), via mail (with the self addressed envelope the transfer agent will provide).

 

6

 

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the 2025 Special Meeting, please vote as soon as possible to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the 2025 Special Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy. For more detailed instructions on how to vote using one of these methods, please see the form of proxy card attached to this Schedule 14A and the information below.

 

  To vote in person. You may attend the 2025 Special Meeting and the Company will give you a ballot when you arrive.
     
  To vote by proxy by fax or internet. If you have fax or internet access, you may submit your proxy by following the instructions provided in this proxy statement, or by following the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card.
     
  To vote by proxy by mail. You may submit your proxy by mail by completing and signing the enclosed proxy card and mailing it in the enclosed envelope. Your shares will be voted as you have instructed.

 

How do I cast my vote if I am a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of any broker or bank?

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, dealer or other similar organization, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from the Company. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or over the internet as instructed by your broker or other agent. To vote in person at the 2025 Special Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or other agent included with these proxy materials or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

 

What constitutes a quorum for purposes of the 2025 Special Meeting?

 

The Company’s Articles stipulate that holders entitle to vote in person or represented by proxy may do so at the Special Meeting permitting the conduct of business at the meeting. On the record date, there were _______ shares of Common Stock and 0 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. The Articles state the quorum for transaction of business at the meeting will be at least one shareholder who is present, or who represents by proxy one or more shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 50% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting. The Articles further provide that if a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place and those persons present and being, or representing by proxy, entitled to attend and vote at the meeting shall be deemed to constitute a quorum, and in all circumstances, the Company will adehere to all minimum quorum requirements under Nasdaq List Rules. Proxies received but marked as abstentions or broker non-votes, if any, will be included in the calculation of the number of votes considered to be present at the meeting for purposes of a quorum. Your shares will be counted toward the quorum at the 2025 Special Meeting only if you vote in person at the meeting, you submit a valid proxy or your broker, bank, dealer or similar organization submits a valid proxy.

 

Can I change my vote?

 

Yes. Any shareholder of record voting by proxy has the right to revoke their proxy at any time before the polls close at the 2025 Special Meeting by sending a written notice stating that they would like to revoke his, her or its proxy to the Corporate Secretary of the Company; by providing a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date than the proxy being revoked; or by attending the 2025 Special Meeting and voting in person. Attendance alone at the 2025 Special Meeting will not revoke a proxy. If a shareholder of the Company has instructed a broker to vote its shares of common stock that are held in “street name,” the shareholder must follow directions received from its broker to change those instructions.

 

Who is soliciting this proxy – Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

 

We are soliciting this proxy on behalf of our Board of Directors. The Company will bear the costs of and will pay all expenses associated with this solicitation, including the printing, mailing and filing of this proxy statement, the proxy card and any additional information furnished to shareholders. In addition to mailing these proxy materials, certain of our officers and other employees may, without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies through further mailing or personal conversations, or by telephone, facsimile or other electronic means. We will also, upon request, reimburse banks, brokers, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our stock and to obtain proxies.

 

7

 

 

What vote is required to approve each item?

 

The vote required to approve the proposal is: “FOR” votes from the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the 2025 Special Meeting are required to approve each proposal.

 

Will My Shares Be Voted If I Do Not Return My Proxy Card?

 

If your shares are registered in your name or if you have stock certificates, they will not be voted if you do not return your proxy card by mail or vote at the Special Meeting. If your broker cannot vote your shares on a particular matter because it has not received instructions from you and does not have discretionary voting authority on that matter, or because your broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority, this is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) has rules that govern brokers who have record ownership of listed company stock (including stock such as ours that is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market) held in brokerage accounts for their clients who beneficially own the shares. Under these rules, brokers who do not receive voting instructions from their clients have the discretion to vote uninstructed shares on certain matters (“routine matters”), but do not have the discretion to vote uninstructed shares as to certain other matters (“non-routine matters”). Neither proposal herein is a routine matter.

 

If your shares are held in street name and you do not provide voting instructions to the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares the bank, broker or other nominee does not have authority to vote your unvoted shares on any of the other proposals submitted to shareholders for a vote at the Special Meeting. We encourage you to provide voting instructions. This ensures your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting in the manner you desire.

 

Can I access these proxy materials on the Internet?

 

Yes. The Notice of Special Meeting, and this proxy statement and the Appendix hereto are available for viewing, printing, and downloading at https://ir.agriforcegs.com/news-events/ir-calendar. All materials will remain posted on https://ir.agriforcegs.com/news-events/ir-calendar at least until the conclusion of the meeting.

 

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

 

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a shareholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please vote your shares applicable to each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.

 

8

 

 

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Special Meeting?

 

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Special Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days of the 2025 Special Meeting.

 

What interest do officers and directors have in matters to be acted upon?

 

No person who has been a director or executive officer of the Company at any time since the beginning of our fiscal year, and no associate of any of the foregoing persons, has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter to be acted upon.

 

Who can provide me with additional information and help answer my questions?

 

If you would like additional copies, without charge, of this proxy statement or if you have questions about the proposals being considered at the 2025 Special Meeting, including the procedures for voting your shares, you should contact Andrew Mui, the Company’s VP of Finance, by telephone at 604-757-0952.

 

Why is the Company Seeking Shareholder Approval of Matter 1?

 

Nasdaq Listing Rules 5635(a) and (d) require shareholder approval of acquisitions where 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock of the issuer are to be issued as consideration and where 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock of the Issuer are to be issued below the Nasdaq Minimum Price. As Nasdaq Rules aggregate all transactions which occur in a short period of time elapsed, the Company is seeking shareholder approval of the transactions and issuance of shares with regard to all three acquisitions set forth herein as well as the financing described herein.

 

Householding of Annual Disclosure Documents

 

The SEC previously adopted a rule concerning the delivery of annual disclosure documents. The rule allows us or brokers holding our shares on your behalf to send a single set of our annual report and proxy statement to any household at which two or more of our shareholders reside, if either we or the brokers believe that the shareholders are members of the same family. This practice, referred to as “householding,” benefits both shareholders and us. It reduces the volume of duplicate information received by you and helps to reduce our expenses. The rule applies to our annual reports, proxy statements and information statements. Once shareholders receive notice from their brokers or from us that communications to their addresses will be “householded,” the practice will continue until shareholders are otherwise notified or until they revoke their consent to the practice. Each shareholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instruction card.

 

Those shareholders who either (i) do not wish to participate in “householding” and would like to receive their own sets of our annual disclosure documents in future years or (ii) who share an address with another one of our shareholders and who would like to receive only a single set of our annual disclosure documents should follow the instructions described below:

 

shareholders whose shares are registered in their own name should contact our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust, and inform them of their request by calling them at 1-800-509-5586 them at 1 State Street, 30th Floor New York, NY 10004-1561.
   
shareholders whose shares are held by a broker or other nominee should contact such broker or other nominee directly and inform them of their request, shareholders should be sure to include their name, the name of their brokerage firm and their account number.

 

9

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 8 by:

 

each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
each of our executive officers and directors; and
all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

 

   Common shares  

Options Granted vested

within 60 days of

April 8, 2025

   Warrants   Total   Percentage
beneficially owned
 
Directors and Officers:                         
Jolie Kahn                         
Richard Wong                         
Mauro Pennella                         
John Meekison                         
David Welch                         
Amy Griffith                         
Richard Levychin                         
Elaine Goldwater                         
Ingo Mueller (Former CEO and Chairman)                         
Troy McClellan (Former President Design & Construction)                         
Margaret Honey (Former Director)                         
Total all officers and directors (10 persons)*                         
                          
5% or Greater Beneficial Owners                         
-   -                     

 

10

 

 

On or before April 8, 2025, the Company will enter into a securities purchase agreement for the purchase of up to 4500 shares of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock in a private placement. Each share of Series A preferred stock has a purchase price of $.01. Each share of Series A preferred stock is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.01 per share, at the option of the holder, at any time following the Company’s receipt of stockholder approval for the reverse stock split proposal. The Company will be permitted to compel conversion of the Series A preferred stock after the fulfillment of certain conditions and subject to certain limitations.

 

The Series A preferred stock permits the holders thereof to vote together with the holders of the Company’s common stock on all three proposals herein. The Series A preferred stock permits the holder to cast 2,000 votes per share of Series A preferred stock on such proposal. The Series A preferred stock will not be permitted to vote on any other matter. The holders of the Series A preferred stock agreed not to transfer their shares of preferred stock until after the meeting of Company stockholders. The holders of the Series A preferred stock agreed to vote their shares on such proposal in the same proportions as the shares of common stock. The holders of the Series A preferred stock have the right to require the Company to redeem their shares of preferred stock for cash at the stated value of such shares commencing after the earlier of the Company’s stockholders’ approval of the authorized share increase and 90 days after the closing of the issuance of the Series A preferred stock and until 120 days after such closing.

 

To the extent Series A preferred stock is converted or otherwise not redeemed after 120 days from closing, the Company will use such net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.

 

The Series A preferred stock described above will be offered in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying the Series A preferred stock, have not been registered under the Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the Series A preferred stock and underlying shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act and such applicable state securities laws.

 

The Series A preferred stock described above will be offered in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying the Series A preferred stock, have not been registered under the Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the Series A preferred stock and underlying shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act and such applicable state securities laws.

 

The Series A preferred stock will only be utilized to vote on the three proposals set forth herein. The Company is utilizing this “mirrored” preferred stock (which will vote in favor of the reverse stock split in the same proportion as holders of common stock will vote in favor of this measure), thus the super voting preferred will be voting accordance to the preference of the shareholders who do vote with respect to this measure.

 

11

 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1

 

APPROVAL OF THE DEBT FINANCING AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE COMPANY’S JANUARY 2025 DEBT FINANCING

 

January 2025 Debt Financing

 

On January 16, 2025, AgriForce Growing Systems, Ltd. (the “Company”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with institutional investors (“Investors”) with an initial purchase of $7.7 million principal amount of debentures (“Debentures”) and accompanying warrants (“Warrants”) and up to an additional $42.3 million principal amount of Debentures and accompanying Warrants. Under the SPA, the Company expects to receive an initial amount of $7.0 million (gross of fees which will be deducted from that amount) on January 16, 2025 and has the right to receive up to an additional aggregate of $42.3 million principal amount, in one or multiple tranches, subject to certain conditions, at then-current market prices. The SPA contains industry standard representations and warranties and negative covenants, including, but not limited to, limitations upon the amounts of indebtedness and other securities which may be incurred and issued by the Company under certain circumstances as set forth in the SPA.

 

The initial conversion price of the Debentures is $2.62 per share. The Debentures are due in 12 months from January 16, 2025, which may be extended for an additional six month period by the Company by paying, at the end of the 12th month of the term of the Debentures, six months of interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The Debentures are subject to a 10% original issue discount and bear interest at 5% for the first 12 months, and 8% until maturity. The Debentures amortize over a 25 month period commencing on April 1, 2025, and the monthly amortization of the Debentures are payable in cash or stock thereafter at the option of the Company. The Company can only elect to pay the monthly amortization in stock if certain equity conditions, as set forth in the Debentures, are met, which include, but are not limited to, for each Trading Day in a period of 20 consecutive Trading Days prior to the applicable date in question, the daily trading volume for the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market exceeds $750,000 per Trading Day, the Company is not in default of any of its obligations under the Debentures, there is an effective registration statement for the resale of shares issuable under the Debentures, and the Company is in compliance with all Nasdaq listing requirements. The Debentures contain commercially standard events of default and covenants and the like. As a result, the conversion/exercise price on the Company’s remaining June 2022 Debentures ratcheted down to the new initial price of $2.62 and as a result thereof, the prior $10.00 (post split) floor is no longer applicable.

 

In addition, the Investors have received 3.5-year Warrants with 65% warrant coverage at an initial exercise price of $2.882 per share, subject to customary adjustments, including a price ratchet (to the price of the new issuance) if it issues its common shares at a price less than the then in effect exercise price and are subject to standard pro rata dilution for reverse stock splits and the like. The Debentures have the same dilution protection as the Warrants.

 

Both the Debentures and Warrants contain exercise limitations upon an Investor beneficially owning more than either 4.99% or 9.99% of the Company’s common shares and also contain caps upon the total amount of common shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants of 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the closing of the transactions, until shareholder approval of both the financing transaction, including all subsequent tranches of the financing, consistent with Nasdaq rules.

 

The Company has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Debentures and exercise of the Warrants with a registration statement to be filed on Form S-1 no later than 30 days from January 16, 2025 (or any subsequent closing) and effective no later than 60 days from January 16, 2025 (or the date of any subsequent closing; or 90 days, if there is full SEC review). Penalties for missing those deadlines are equal to 2% of the subscription amount per month up to 10% of the subscription amount.

 

12

 

 

The Company’s obligations under the Debentures are secured by a first lien on the Company’s assets.

 

The Company’s subsidiaries have also entered into subsidiary guarantees pursuant to which each guarantees the performance of the Company of its obligations under the SPA and related instruments. Each of the officers and directors has also entered into a lockup agreement to not sell any common shares of the Company owned by each such person for one year from January 16, 2025 (subject to the ability to sell shares received by each as the result of an employment agreement at any time).

 

All of the Debentures and Warrants sold under the SPA are sold in private placement transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Vote Required

 

“FOR” votes from the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the 2025 Special Meeting are required to approve the proposal.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE DEBT FINANCING AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE COMPANY’S JANUARY 2025 DEBT FINANCING

 

Proposal 2 Reverse Stock Split

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that it is advisable and in our and our stockholders’ best interests that the Board of Directors be granted the authority to implement, in its sole discretion, a reverse stock split of the outstanding and treasury shares of our common stock at a specific exchange ratio set by the Board of Directors, at a range of ratios from 1-for-15 to 1-for-100, in the discretion of the Board of Directors and to be announced by press release or 8-K, and to grant authorization to the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement the reverse stock split, as well as its specific timing (but not later than December 31, 2025) (the “Reverse Split Proposal”). Accordingly, stockholders are asked to approve an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split consistent with such terms and to grant authorization to the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement the reverse stock split, as well as its specific timing and ratio (within the set of ratios listed above).

 

The Board of Directors strongly believes that the reverse stock split is necessary for the following reason:

 

To regain compliance with continued listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market – our Board believes it would be in our stockholders’ best interests for our Common Stock to regain compliance with the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement. On June 24, 2024, AgriFORCE Growing Systems, Ltd. (the “Company”) received a Staff Listing Determination Letter from Nasdaq pursuant to which the Staff has determined that as of June 21, 2024, the Company’s common shares had a per share closing bid price of $0.10 or less for ten consecutive trading days (the Company’s bid price has closed at or below $0.10 per share from June 6, 2024, through June 21, 2024). The Company has asked Nasdaq to grant the Company an extended exception to comply with the bid price rule as follows:

 

1. On or before August 1, 2024, the Company shall obtain Board of Directors approval for a reverse stock split, which was received as of that date;

 

2. On or before November 25, 2024, the Company shall obtain shareholders approval for a reverse stock split at a ratio that satisfies the minimum requirement in the Bid Price Rule;

 

3. On or before December 4, 2024, the Company shall effect a reverse stock split and, thereafter, maintain a $1 closing bid price for a minimum of ten consecutive business days;

 

4. On or before December 17, 2024, the Company shall have demonstrated compliance with the Bid Price Rule, by evidencing a closing bid price of $1 or more per share for a minimum of ten consecutive trading sessions.

 

The Board of Directors has unanimously approved a resolution proposing an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to allow for the reverse stock split and directed that it be submitted for approval by consent in lieu of a special meeting of shareholders.

 

The Board of Directors believes that it is critical to the future viability of the Company that you vote “FOR” the Proposal.

 

Should we receive the required stockholder approval for the Reverse Split Proposal, the Board of Directors will have the sole authority to elect, without the need for any further action on the part of our stockholders: (1) whether or not to effect a reverse stock split, and (2) if so, the number of whole shares, from 15 through 100, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, which will be combined into one share of our common stock. Notwithstanding approval of the reverse stock split by the stockholders, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, abandon the proposed amendment and determine prior to the effectiveness of any filing with the Province of British Columbia not to effect the reverse stock split on or prior to December 31, 2025, as permitted under applicable law. If the Board of Directors does not implement a reverse stock split on or prior to December 31, 2025, stockholder approval again would be required prior to implementing any reverse stock split.

 

13

 

 

In determining which reverse stock split ratio to implement, if any, following receipt of stockholder approval, the Board of Directors may consider, among other things, various factors, such as:

 

  the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock;
     
  the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the expected impact of the reverse stock split on the trading market for our Common Stock in the short- and long-term;
     
  our ability to maintain listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market;
     
  which reverse stock split ratio would result in the least administrative cost to us; and
     
  prevailing general market and economic conditions.

 

Certain of our officers and directors have an interest in the reverse stock split as a result of their ownership of Common Stock, as set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

 

The Board of Directors does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a series of plans or proposals of a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

Risks of the Proposed Reverse Stock Split

 

We cannot assure you that the proposed reverse stock split will increase our stock price or that any increase will be maintained over any significant period of time. The Board of Directors expects that a reverse stock split of our Common Stock will increase the market price of our Common Stock. However, the effect of a reverse stock split upon the market price of our Common Stock cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of similar stock splits for companies in like circumstances does not indicate a likelihood that our stock price will be maintained at any higher level. It is possible that the per share price of our Common Stock after the reverse stock split will not rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding resulting from the reverse stock split, and the market price per post-reverse stock split share may not exceed or remain at any specified level for a sustained period of time, and the reverse stock split may not result in a per share price that would attract brokers and investors who do not trade in lower priced stocks. Even if we effect a reverse stock split, the market price of our Common Stock may decrease due to factors unrelated to the stock split. In any case, the market price of our Common Stock may also be based on other factors which may be unrelated to the number of shares outstanding, including our future performance. If the reverse stock split is consummated and the trading price of the Common Stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the reverse stock split.

 

14

 

 

Current stockholders will likely experience dilution as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. There is a trend for our stock price to decrease after a reverse stock split. This is likely as a result of the availability of more shares issued as a result of our anticipated future financing needs. As the number of shares available in the market increases, the price tends to decrease. We are unable to predict if, when and to what magnitude dilution will occur; however, there is a substantial likelihood that significant dilution will occur based on historical data.

 

The proposed reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of our stock. The liquidity of our capital stock may be harmed by the proposed reverse stock split given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the reverse stock split, particularly if the stock price does not increase as a result of the reverse stock split.

 

In addition, investors might consider the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares to have an anti-takeover effect under certain circumstances, since the proportion allows for dilutive issuances which could prevent certain stockholders from changing the composition of the Board of Directors or render tender offers for a combination with another entity more difficult to successfully complete. The Board of Directors does not intend for the reverse stock split to have any anti-takeover effects.

 

The Board of Directors believes that the consummation of the proposed reverse stock split is essential to our ability to maintain the listing of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, this is likely to result in substantial further dilution to current holders of shares of Common Stock and erosion of our stock price.

 

Principal Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

 

After the effective date of the proposed reverse stock split, each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of Common Stock. The proposed reverse stock split will affect all stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in us and proportionate voting rights and other rights and preferences of the holders of Common Stock will not be affected by the proposed reverse stock split. The number of stockholders of record also will not be affected by the proposed reverse stock split. All fractional shares will be cashed out.

 

The following table contains approximate information relating to the Common Stock under the low end, high end and midpoint of the proposed range of reverse stock split ratios, without giving effect to any adjustments for fractional shares of Common Stock, as of April 8, 2025 (and without giving effect to the Authorized Share Increase):

 

Status   Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Authorized
    Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Issued and
Outstanding
    Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Authorized
but Unissued
 
Pre-Reverse Stock Split     unlimited                     unlimited  
Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:15     unlimited               unlimited  
Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:25     unlimited               unlimited  
Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:250     Unlimited               unlimited  

 

15

 

 

We maintain a Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which we have granted stock options and restricted shares that are presently outstanding, and additional equity incentive compensation awards may be granted in the future under the Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, as applicable, will adjust the number of shares available for future grant under the Plan, the number of shares underlying outstanding awards, the exercise price per share of outstanding stock options and other terms of outstanding awards issued pursuant to the Plan to equitably reflect the effects of the reverse stock split.

 

In addition, proportionate adjustments will be made to the per share exercise price of all outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock, as well as to the numbers of each.

 

If the proposed reverse stock split is implemented, it will increase the number of our stockholders who own “odd lots” of fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock. Brokerage commission and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions of more than 100 shares of Common Stock.

 

After the effective date of the reverse stock split, our Common Stock would have a new committee on uniform securities identification procedures (“CUSIP”) number, a number used to identify our Common Stock.

 

The Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act. The proposed reverse stock split will not affect the registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Exchange Act. Our Common Stock would continue to be reported on the OTCQB under the symbol “IGAP,” although the OTCQB will add the letter “D” to the end of the trading symbol for a period of twenty trading days after the effective date of the reverse stock split to indicate that the reverse stock split had occurred.

 

Effective Date

 

The proposed reverse stock split would become effective on the date of filing in British Columbia. On the effective date, shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and the shares of Common Stock held in treasury, in each case, immediately prior thereto will be combined and converted, automatically and without any action on the part of the stockholders, into new shares of Common Stock in accordance with the reverse stock split ratio determined by the Board of Directors within the limits set forth in this proposal.

 

Treatment of Fractional Shares

 

Fractional shares will be cashed out.

 

Record and Beneficial Stockholders

 

If the reverse stock split is authorized by the stockholders and the Board of Directors elects to implement the reverse stock split, stockholders of record holding some or all of their shares of our Common Stock electronically in book-entry form under the direct registration system for securities will receive a transaction statement at their address of record indicating the number of shares of our Common Stock they hold after the reverse stock split. Non-registered stockholders holding Common Stock through a bank, broker or other nominee should note that such banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures for processing the consolidation than those that would be put in place by us for registered stockholders. If you hold your shares with such a bank, broker or other nominee and if you have questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your nominee.

 

If the reverse stock split is authorized by the stockholders and the Board of Directors elects to implement the reverse stock split, stockholders of record holding some or all of their shares in certificate form will receive a letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable after the effective date of the reverse stock split. Our transfer agent will act as “exchange agent” for the purpose of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-reverse stock split shares will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-reverse stock split shares in exchange for post-reverse stock split shares, including whole shares to be issued in lieu of fractional shares (if any) in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in the letter of transmittal. Until surrender, each certificate representing shares before the reverse stock split would continue to be valid and would represent the adjusted number of shares based on the exchange ratio of the reverse stock split rounded up to the nearest whole share. No new post-reverse stock split share certificates, including those representing whole shares to be issued in lieu of fractional shares, will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent.

 

STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY PRE-SPLIT STOCK CERTIFICATE AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO.

 

16

 

 

Accounting Consequences

 

The par value per share of Common Stock would remain unchanged after the reverse stock split. As a result, on the effective date of the reverse stock split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced proportionally, based on the exchange ratio of the reverse stock split, from its present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share Common Stock net income or loss and net book value will be increased because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding. The shares of Common Stock held in treasury will also be reduced proportionately based on the exchange ratio of the reverse stock split. We will reclassify prior period per share amounts and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the effect of the reverse stock split for any prior periods in our financial statements and reports such that prior periods are comparable to current period presentation. We do not anticipate that any other accounting consequences would arise as a result of the reverse stock split.

 

Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequence of the Reverse Stock Split

 

The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split to our stockholders who are United States holders, as defined below. This summary is general in nature and does not purport to be a complete discussion of all of the possible federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split and is included for general information only. Further, it does not address any U.S. federal non-income, state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences. Also, it does not address the tax consequences to stockholders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, real estate investment trusts, real estate mortgage investment conduits, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers, stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, partnerships (or other entities classified as partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, S corporations or other flow-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and tax-exempt entities. Other stockholders may also be subject to special tax rules, including but not limited to: stockholders that received Common Stock as compensation for services or pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option, or stockholders who have held, or will hold, stock as part of a straddle, hedging constructive sale or conversion transaction for federal income tax purposes. This summary also assumes that you are a United States holder (defined below) who has held, and will hold, shares of Common Stock as a “capital asset,” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), i.e., generally, property held for investment. Finally, the following discussion does not address the tax consequences of transactions occurring prior to or after the reverse stock split (whether or not such transactions are in connection with the reverse stock split), including, without limitation, the exercise of options or rights to purchase Common Stock in anticipation of the reverse stock split.

 

The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such stockholder. You should consult with your own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of the reverse stock split. As used herein, the term United States holder means a stockholder that is, for federal income tax purposes: a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation or other entity taxed as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state, including the District of Columbia; an estate the income of which is subject to federal income tax regardless of its source; or a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and of which one or more “U.S. persons” (as defined in the Code) has the authority to control all substantial decisions, or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

17

 

 

The following discussion is based on the Code, applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, potentially with retroactive effect which could adversely affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein. No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or opinion of counsel has been obtained in connection with the reverse stock split, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service would not take a position contrary to that discussed herein, nor that such contrary position would not be sustained.

 

Other than in respect of a fractional share that is rounded up to a full share, no gain or loss should be recognized by a United States holder upon such stockholder’s exchange of pre-reverse stock split shares of Common Stock for post-reverse stock split shares of Common Stock pursuant to the reverse stock split. The aggregate tax basis of the post-reverse stock split shares received in the reverse stock split (including any whole share received in exchange for a fractional share) will be the same as the stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the pre-reverse stock split shares exchanged therefore. The United States holder’s holding period for the post-reverse stock split shares will include the period during which the stockholder held the pre-reverse stock split shares surrendered in the reverse stock split. Although the matter is not clear, it is possible that United States holders whose fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split are rounded up to the nearest whole share will recognize gain, which may be characterized as either a capital gain or as a dividend, to the extent of the value of such rounded-up amount (i.e., less than one share).

 

No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the reverse stock split.

 

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS RELEVANT THERETO. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN LIGHT OF YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Vote Required

 

The Reverse Stock Split will be approved if the majority of issued and outstanding shares as of the Record Date  vote in favor of the proposal. As a result, abstentions will have no effect on this proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected to result from the vote on this proposal.

 

Voting Recommendation

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL.

 

18

 

 

Proposal No. 3 Amendments to 2024 Equity Incentive Plan

 

At the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting, it approved an amendment to the new Equity Incentive Plan for 3,000,000 shares. As a result of the subsequent reverse split, the shares were reduced to 3,000,000. In order to account for the previous reverse split of the Company’s common stock, the Company is seeking to amend the Plan to 3,000,000 shares. Furthermore, the Company is seeking to further amend the plan such that at the time of any reverse split, that the number of shares available under the plan will be increased such that immediately upon the reverse split, the plan shall be equal to 10% of the then issued and outstanding shares on a post split basis.

 

We are seeking stockholder approval of the amendment to our 2024 Plan which will have 30 million shares (the “Plan”), as discussed in further detail below. Our Board approved the Plan on August 10, 2024, subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting. If the Plan Amendment is approved by stockholders, the Plan Amendment will be effective as of the Annual Meeting. Capitalized terms used in this Proposal No. 43but not defined have the meanings ascribed to such terms in our 2024 Plan.

 

The purpose of our 2024 Plan is to enhance our ability to attract and retain the services of directors, officers, consultants, advisors, and employees whose services are considered valuable, to encourage the sense of proprietorship and to stimulate the active interest of such persons in our development and financial success. Without stockholder approval of this proposal, we believe our ability to attract and retain the services of directors, officers, consultants, advisors, and employees would be negatively impacted, and our recruiting, retention and incentive efforts would become more difficult.

 

Awards (as defined below) under our 2024 Plan will be granted in amounts and to individuals as determined by the Committee (as defined below) in its sole discretion. Therefore, the benefits or amounts that will be received by officers, directors, employees, and consultants under our 2024 Plan are not determinable at this time. However, we believe stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment would allow us to continue to attract and retain talented directors, officers, employees, and consultants.

 

19