Cell Aqua Secures USD6 Million Financing Facility
Cell Aquaculture Limited is pleased to advise that a funding agreement has been executed with U.S. based institutional investor, La Jolla Cove Investors, Inc (La Jolla Cove), to provide USD6 million financing to CAQ to fund the Company's key growth objectives, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Cell Aquaculture.
The secured funding will enable CAQ to accelerate the development of the Company's Thailand based production facilities and progress further development of new seafood related retail products and international markets, via CAQ's wholly owned food processing subsidiary - Cell Aqua Foods Pty Ltd. The additional funding will also be utilised to further advance the Company's projects in Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa.
Based in San Francisco, La Jolla Cove is a U.S. investment institution which has entered into more than US$300 million in financing arrangements, focusing primarily on small to medium sized publically listed companies. La Jolla Cove's strategy seeks to target companies with high growth potential and then effectively partner with them, to provide investment capital, industry knowledge and strategic advisory services, via their highly experienced team, to allow target companies to maximise their growth potential.
In addition to providing financial resources and strategic advice, La Jolla Cove also possesses a strong network of financial intermediaries and will seek to introduce CAQ to a wider investment community.
Key terms of the funding facility are as follows:
1. Aggregate Funding
The facility comprises of three convertible notes of US$2 million each, totalling
US$6 million;
2. Term
Each convertible note will have a repayment term of four (4) years, from the date of initial drawdown;
3. Interest
Interest is payable quarterly in arrears at a low fixed rate of 4.75% per annum, on the then outstanding unconverted principal amount. Payment of interest shall be in cash, or at the election of the Company, in Ordinary Shares of CAQ valued at the then applicable Conversion Price - see point 5 below.
4. Monthly Drawdown Amount
Funding will be provided to CAQ at a rate of US$150,000 per month. A 270 day review period has been established to assess the suitability of the monthly amount.
The monthly amount may be adjusted up or down by mutual agreement. If the parties cannot agree on an increase or decrease to the monthly amount, the figure will remain unchanged at US$150,000 for the duration of the agreement.
5. Conversion Price
The number of new shares into which the note may be converted is equal to the principal amount that is to be converted divided by the Conversion Price.
The Conversion Price for the first note is equal to the lesser of:
(i) AU$0.30; and
(ii) 80% of the average of the 3 lowest Volume Weighted Average
Prices during the 21 trading days prior to investor's election to convert.
The Conversion Price for the second note is equal to the lesser of:
(i) AU$0.60; and
(ii) 80% of the average of the 3 lowest Volume Weighted Average
Prices during the 21 trading days prior to investor's election to convert.
The Conversion Price for the third note is equal to the lesser of:
(i) AU$0.90; and
(ii) 80% of the average of the 3 lowest Volume Weighted Average
Prices during the 21 trading days prior to investor's election to convert.
6. Control Limitation
The funding agreement includes a Control Limitation which restricts La Jolla Cove from holding any more than 19.99% of CAQ's share capital on issue. The agreement also restricts La Jolla Cove from ‘short selling' the Company's ordinary shares, whilst any note is outstanding.
Commenting on the financing arrangement, CAQ Executive Chairman, Perry Leach stated, "we have worked hard with the La Jolla Cove team to tailor this investment package which will allow us to achieve our corporate objectives, whilst having minimal dilution on the Company and providing us control over the capital structure - a real win-win for both parties. La Jolla Cove has not charged any fees for the implementation of the financing facility, or for any ongoing strategic advisory services, also making this deal attractive for CAQ."
Mr Leach added, "we are looking forward to working with the La Jolla Cove team and see this as a tremendous opportunity to advance CAQ and add real value for all shareholders."
La Jolla Cove's Director, Malcolm Thompson commented, "we are extremely excited to team up with CAQ's highly passionate and capable management team. Having spent the last number of months understanding CAQ's technology, business model and expansion strategy, we find the growth prospects for the company highly compelling. The company has worked hard and spent many years developing its ‘hatch to dispatch' offering and is now at a stage where well tailored financing and corporate advice will see CAQ maximise its potential from the company's current opportunities."