Toronto, Ontario--(September 1, 2023) - Psyched Wellness Ltd. (CSE: PSYC) (OTCQB: PSYCF) (FSE: 5U9) (the "Company" or "Psyched Wellness"), a life sciences company focused on the production and distribution of health and wellness products derived from the Amanita Muscaria mushroom, is pleased to announce, further to its press releases dated May 30, 2023 (the "May 30 Release") and June 12, 2023 (the "June 12 Release"), that it has closed a second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") effective August 31, 2023 (the "Tranche 2A Closing Date") for gross proceeds of US$4,500,000 ("Tranche 2A") upon satisfying the Tranche 2A closing conditions and receiving a closing notice. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings attributed to them in the May 30 Release.
Pursuant to Tranche 2A, the Company has issued 87,402,855 Units at a price of C$0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of US$4,500,000, approximately C$6,118,200, based on an exchange rate of US$1.00 = C$1.3596 as at August 28, 2023, as published on the website of the Bank of Canada.
Each Unit consists of one (1) Common Share and one (1) Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Additional Share at a price of C$0.10 per Additional Share at any time for a period of sixty (60) months from the date of issuance, exercisable on a cashless basis, subject to acceleration and compliance with the policies of the CSE, as further outlined in the May 30 Release.
All securities issued under Tranche 2A are subject to: (i) a four (4) month and one (1) day hold period from the date of issuance and (ii) applicable legends as required pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Shareholder Meeting
At the annual general and special meeting of Shareholders held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 (the "Meeting"), the Shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of each resolution put forth at the Meeting at a passing rate of over 99%, including approval of the Transaction Resolution (as defined in the June 12 Release) by a majority of minority Shareholders.
Jeffrey Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "I appreciate the support and patience of our Shareholders as we have been working behind the scenes with Gotham Green Partners to close this tranche of financing. This is a transformative investment that will allow the Company to maintain its first-mover advantage in bringing legal and safe products derived from the Amanita Muscaria mushroom to consumers in the United States. I am pleased to also share that both sides have been working together on additional product development, while working to close the financing, to ensure we can hit the ground running post-closing."
Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement
In connection with closing Tranche 2A, the Company and Gotham (as defined in the June 12 Release) entered into an amended and restated investor rights agreement dated August 30, 2023 (the "Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement") which amends the original Investor Rights Agreement dated June 12, 2023 to provide for the closing of Tranche 2 in two instalments, Tranche 2A, and tranche 2B for gross proceeds of US$2,500,000 ("Tranche 2B"), and provides, among other things, that:
In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement:
The Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement will terminate on the earliest of: (i) the written agreement of Gotham and the Company; (ii) the date on which Gotham ceases to hold any securities of the Company; (iii) if Gotham provides a notice to the Company that closing of Tranche 2B will not occur; and (iv) by the Company by written notice to Gotham, if Gotham has not delivered a Tranche 2B Closing Notice to the Company by November 8, 2023, or such other date as the parties may agree in writing.
Gotham has no obligation to acquire any Units under Tranche 2B. The Units issuable in connection with Tranche 2B shall be issued to the Investors within five (5) business days following the satisfaction and/or waiver of the Tranche 2B Closing Conditions, subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement. Accordingly, as a result of the Offering, Gotham may be considered to have beneficial ownership over the Units issuable in connection with Tranche 2B in addition to the Units issued in the Initial Tranche and Tranche 2A.
The Company will make the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement available on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Director Change
In connection with closing Tranche 2A and pursuant to the rights afforded under the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, Terry Booth has resigned as a director of the Company, effective August 31, 2023, to accommodate Gotham's nominee, Lauren Spikes being appointed to the Board.
The Company would like to thank Terry for his services as a director of the Company and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
"Psyched Wellness has built a solid foundation in the international psychedelic mushroom space. I wish Jeff, the Board and the Psyched Wellness team the very best in the future and I look forward to following their continued success," stated Mr. Booth.
Lauren Spikes
Lauren has been an Associate at Santa Monica-based investment firm Gotham Green Partners since September 2021. During her time at Gotham she has been active in all aspects of the investment process, including sourcing, business due diligence, industry review, documentation and portfolio management. Prior to joining Gotham, Lauren oversaw strategic finance for a fast-growing ecommerce business operating in the alternative beverage space. While there, she was deeply involved in the operational side of the business and subsequently helped lead the company through a fundraise. Lauren began her career at UBS Investment Bank in New York where she was involved in M&A and capital raising activities for clients in the industrial sector. Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University with a degree in Finance.
Option and RSU Grants
In connection with entering into the Employment Agreement, the Company granted Mr. Stevens 4,500,000 stock options (each, an "Option") pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company's Option plan dated June 30, 2020 (the "Option Plan"). Each Option is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.10 per Common Share, expires five years from the date of grant and vests upon the following terms: (i) 1,000,000 Options vest immediately; (ii) 500,000 Options vest on the six-month anniversary of the closing of Tranche 2A; and (iii) 3,000,000 Options vest in equal quarterly installments of 250,000 Options, beginning on the nine-month anniversary of the closing of Tranche 2A.
In connection with entering into the Consulting Agreement, the Company granted Mr. Shisel (x) 1,000,000 Options, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Option Plan. Each Option is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.10 per Common Share, expires five years from the date of grant, and vests in equal quarterly installments of 250,000 Options, beginning on May 26, 2026; and (y) 3,500,000 restricted share units (each, an "RSU") pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Company's RSU award plan dated May 11, 2021. The RSUs vest upon the following terms: (i) 1,000,000 RSUs vest immediately; (ii) 500,000 RSUs vest on the six-month anniversary of the closing of Tranche 2A; and (iii) 2,000,000 RSUs vest in equal quarterly installments of 250,000 RSUs, beginning on May 1, 2024.
All of the Options and RSUs (and any Common Shares issuable upon their exercise and redemption) are subject to a four (4) month and one (1) day hold period pursuant to the polices of the CSE and applicable securities laws.
Related Party Transaction
Harrison Aaron, a director of the Company (the "Participating Insider") participated in the Offering and acquired an aggregate of 3,884,571 Units pursuant to Tranche 2A. The participation of the Participating Insider in Tranche 2A constitutes a "related party transaction", as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and would require the Company to receive minority shareholder approval for and obtain a formal valuation for the subject matter of, the transaction in accordance with MI 61-101, prior to the completion of such transaction. However, in completing Tranche 2A, the Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, in each case on the basis that the fair market value of the Participating Insider's participation in Tranche 2A does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. Further details will be included in a material change report to be filed by the Company. While the Company filed a material change report in respect of the Offering on June 22, 2023, the Company did not file a material change report in respect of the participation of the Participating Insider more than 21 days before the closing date of Tranche 2A. The shorter period was necessary to permit the Company to close Tranche 2A in a timeframe consistent with usual market practice for a transaction of this nature.
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Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
About Psyched Wellness Ltd.:
Psyched Wellness Ltd. is a Canadian-based health supplements company dedicated to the distribution of mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods. The Company’s objective is to create premium mushroom-derived products that have the potential to become a leading North American brand in the emerging functional food category. The Company is in the process of developing a line of Amanita muscaria-derived water-based extracts, teas and capsules designed to help with three health objectives: promote stress relief, relaxation and assist with restful sleeping.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information and forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the ability of the Company to develop Amanita Muscaria-derived products; the safety of Amanita Muscaria consumption and the safety and purity of any extracts thereof; and (ii) the uses and potential benefits of Amanita Muscaria.
Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; the Company’s ability to continue to develop its mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods; continued approval of the Company’s activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; and the continued growth of the Company.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company’s operations; competition within the psychedelics market; risks with respect to the safety of Amanita Muscaria consumption and the safety and purity of any extracts thereof; and the risk that there is no potential benefit of Amanita Muscaria consumption.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.
Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
For further information, please contact:
Jeffrey Stevens
Chief Executive Officer
Psyched Wellness Ltd.
t: (647) 400-8494
e: jstevens@psyched-wellness.com
Website: http://www.psyched-wellness.com
Investor Contacts:
Tim Regan/Sophia Bashford
KCSA Strategic Communications
t: (978) 505-2478
e: PsychedWellness@kcsa.com