Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Abstract  
NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

COVID-19

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a disease caused by a novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a pandemic. Global pandemics and other natural disasters or geopolitical actions, including related to the COVID-19 pandemic, could affect the Company’s ability to access the public markets and obtain necessary capital in order to properly capitalize and continue our operations. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the expectation was that there would be forward movement with the production of our algal biomass, validation and purification. However, these were temporarily suspended and/or delayed, and many continue in diminished capacity.

 

Employment Agreements

 

At December 31, 2021, the Company had compensation agreements with its former President / Chief Executive Officer, one with our present Chief Financial Officer, and a separation agreement with our former Chief Financial Officer.

 

Mr. Dahl’s Employment Agreement:

 

The Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dahl, served as Chief Executive Officer and under the terms of his employment $7,500 per month of Mr. Dahl’s was deferred until either of the following events occur: (i) within five years after the effective date, the Company enters into a term sheet to receive at least $25,000,000 in equity or other form of investment or debt on terms satisfactory to the Board including funding at closing on such terms of at least $10 million; or (ii) within 12 months after the effective date that the Company receives revenue of at least $10 million. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had accrued $232,500 in deferred salary pursuant to Mr. Dahl’s agreement.

 

Mr. Dahl’s employment was terminated effective January 4, 2022. See “Note 14 – Subsequent Events.”

 

Mr. Marchiando’s Employment Agreement:

 

The Company’s employment agreement with Mr. Marchiando (“Marchiando Agreement”) includes a provision whereby Mr. Marchiando shall receive $25,000 upon the closing, prior to December 31, 2021, of a third party financing that raises at least $10,000,000. If, upon the closing prior to December 31, 2021 of a third party financing that raises over $13,000,000 for the Company, Mr. Marchiando shall receive a maximum bonus of $50,000, as long as Mr. Marchiando is employed at the time of closing. On June 15, 2021, the Company paid Mr. Marchiando $50,000 in accordance with the Marchiando Agreement and the closing of the June 2021 Offering that raised gross funds to the Company of approximately $13,800,000.

Mr. Rice’s Transition Arrangement:

 

On January 7, 2021, the Company and Philip Rice, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, entered into a written agreement concerning Rice’s departure from the Company (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Rice resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective on January 1, 2021, and following a transition period, agreed to resign from all positions as an officer or employee of the Company effective as of January 31, 2021 (the “Separation Date”). The Separation Agreement provides that Mr. Rice will receive certain benefits that he is entitled to receive under his employment agreement dated March 4, 2020. Accordingly, under the Separation Agreement, subject to non-revocation of a general release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Rice his base salary of $280,000 for one year and three weeks, beginning on the Separation Date, and grant him an option to purchase 12,500 shares of common stock. Pursuant to the Rice Agreement and the Separation Agreement, the Company paid to Mr. Rice on June 15, 2021, a $50,000 bonus that was tied to the successful June 2021 Offering. 

 

Corporate Advisory Agreement

 

On September 30, 2019, effective July 9, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with an Investment Opportunity Provider (IOP). The IOP has been engaged as an exclusive financial advisor in connection with the proposed securities offering and sale of up to $35 million of the Company’s common stock. The Company has agreed to pay the IOP, upon the acceptance of a successful funding transaction, a fee of 1% of the aggregate value of the transaction and a warrant to purchase up to 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 for a term of five years. As of December 31, 2021, in connection with this agreement, no successful funding transactions have taken place and no warrants have been issued.

 

Financial Consulting Agreement – May 2020

 

On May 4, 2020, the Company entered into a Financial Consulting and Corporate Advisory Agreement (“FCCA Agreement”). The FCCA Agreement calls for a non-refundable initial fee of $25,000 and two additional monthly fees of $15,000 per month. To the extent a transaction (defined as the sale of equity securities, hybrid debt and equity securities or the entering into any fund capital, joint venture, buy out, or similar transactions) is entered into, then the Company will pay an 8% fee based on the value of the transaction. A 50% credit of the initial fee and monthly fees will be credited against the 8% fee. The FCCA Agreement was cancellable at any time by either party, however, there is a 24-month period where the 8% transaction will be payable based on identified transaction participants. This FCCA Agreement was cancelled in July 2020.

 

Financial Consulting Agreement – July 2020

 

On July 16, 2020, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement (“FC Agreement”). The FC Agreement calls for monthly fees of $10,000 per month. The FC Agreement is on a month-to-month renewal basis. Upon each renewal (starting with the second month), the Company shall issue a warrant to purchase 1,875 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.60 for a term of five years. The Company issued warrants to purchase 5,625 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $9.60 for a term of five years valued at $51,278 using the Black Scholes pricing model relying on the following assumptions: volatility 144.93% to 145.50%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rate 0.29% to 0.32% The Company terminated the FC Agreement in October 2020.

Supply Chain Consulting Agreement

 

On February 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Supply Chain Consulting Agreement with a consultant (“Consultant”) (see “Note 10 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency)”). In May 2019, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 62,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 for a term of five years to the Consultant. The warrants were valued at $529,023 using the Black Scholes pricing model relying on the following assumptions: volatility 181.49%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rate 2.34%. In October 2019, 25,000 of those warrants were returned to the Company resulting in a reduction in the value of $211,609. On September 14, 2019, the parties entered into a First Amendment to the Supply Chain Consulting Agreement (“Supply Consulting Agreement Amendment”). The Supply Consulting Agreement Amendment provides that the Consultant will identify and help negotiate the terms of potential joint ventures involving algae production development projects or related transactions or business combinations (“Development Project”). The Supply Consulting Agreement provides for exclusivity in Southeast Asia; Oceania; Indian subcontinent; and Africa; with regions in the Middle East by mutual agreement. The closing of a Development Project (as acceptable to the Company) is defined as the date that the Company is able, financially and otherwise, to proceed with engineering and construction of algae production facilities, processing or warehousing facilities and supply chain development, or related business combinations rendering an equivalent outcome (in the reasonable determination of the Company), for the production, processing, transport, compliance, marketing and resale of its proprietary algae biomass. Upon the closing of a Development Project, the Company will pay cash fees of $300,000 to Consultant, pay an on-going monthly fee of $50,000 for 24 months and issue to Consultant a cashless warrant with a five-year term to purchase two hundred thirty-seven thousand and five hundred (237,500) shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share. On November 24, 2020, the parties entered into a Second Amendment to the Supply Chain Consulting Agreement whereby the issuance to Consultant a cashless warrant with a five-year term to purchase two hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred (237,500) shares of the Company’s common stock was reduced to one hundred sixty-two thousand five hundred (162,500) shares of the Company’s common stock, and a cashless warrant with a five-year term to purchase thirty-seven thousand five hundred (37,500) shares of the Company’s common stock was issued to a member of the Consultant. The warrants were valued at $386,348 using the Black Scholes pricing model relying on the following assumptions: volatility 148.83%; annual rate of dividends 0%; discount rate 0.39%. As of December 31, 2021, the Development Project has not closed, and the warrants have not yet been issued.

 

The Board of Directors has also authorized the Company to issue to Consultant a cashless warrant with a five-year term to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share at its discretion. As of December 31, 2021, such warrant has not been issued.

 

On March 1, 2021, the Company and the aforementioned “member of the Consultant” signed an amendment to the original consulting agreement. The member of the Consultant agreed to take on additional responsibilities related to the non-North America expansion of the Company biomass production network. Upon the successful formation, licensing and start of operations, the member of the Consultant will be granted warrants to purchase 40,625 shares of the Company’s common stock at the prevailing market price at that time. In addition, a monthly cash payment of $12,500 is included in the consulting agreement. On November 3, 2021, the Company and the “member of the Consultant” signed a second amendment to the original consulting agreement. The monthly cash payment was raised to $15,000. All other terms of the original agreement as amended remained unchanged.

 

On December 8, 2021, the Company sent a letter to the consultant that terminated the Supply Chain Consulting Agreement effective December 13, 2021.

 

Marketing / Public Relations Agreement

 

On December 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Marketing / Public Relations Agreement (“MPR Agreement”) with a consultant (“MPR Consultant”). The MPR Agreement provides that the MPR Consultant will assist the Company in identifying and assist in the negotiation of potential licensing, product sales, joint ventures and venture financing of projects outside of the United States and provide advice for the Company’s long-term business strategy and commercial relationships. The MPR Agreement calls for the issuance of warrants to purchase up to 62,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price based on the closing market price on the day of issuance, with a five-year term. For commercial transactions whose value is determined and agreed to by both parties exceeding $1,000,000 (“Qualifying Transaction”), the Company shall issue to MPR Consultant a warrant to purchase common stock in the amount of 6,250 shares. For each successive Qualifying Transaction of at least $1,000,000, the MPR Consultant shall be issued 3,750 shares up to a maximum cumulative award of 62,500 shares in warrant form in total.

Further, the Company will pay a 4% commission on the revenue received on the sale of Company algal product to one or more entities identified and cultivated by the MPR Consultant, and on the revenue received from licensing the Company’s intellectual property to such entities identified and cultivated by the MPR Consultant, for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of a qualifying transaction. The Agreement also calls for a $5,000 payment upon signing and monthly payments of $5,000 once a Qualifying Transaction, the sale of an algal product or revenue from a licensing transaction occurs. As of December 31, 2021, a commercial transaction has not closed, and the warrants have not yet been issued and no commissions have been paid.

 

On June 11, 2021 the MPR Consultant and the Company signed a termination letter for the MPR Agreement. The Company agreed to pay the MPR Consultant $83,000 and business expenses of roughly $10,000 to terminate the MPR Agreement in full satisfaction of services performed through the termination date.

 

Investor / Public Relations

 

On February 15, 2021, the Company signed a consulting agreement with CorProminence, LLC (dba COREir) to provide us with investor relations and public relations services. The COREir agreement includes a provision to issue to COREir on the four (4) month anniversary of the effective date, or as soon thereafter as is practically possible, 10,000 authorized restricted shares of common stock of the Company, of which 5,000 shares shall vest immediately upon receipt, 2,500 shall vest on the eight (8) month anniversary of the contract effective date and 2,500 shares shall vest on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the effective date of the COREir agreement. In addition, the agreement requires the Company to pay COREir $15,000 per month, plus out of pocket expenses, for their consulting services.

 

On October 15, 2021, the Company, per its consulting agreement with CorProminence, LLC (dba COREir), issued 2,500 shares of common stock to CorProminence, LLC. The shares were valued on October 15, 2021, at $4.15 per share for a total expense in the aggregate of $10,375. On October 31, 2021, the Company informed CorProminence LLC that it was immediately terminating the consulting agreement. Under the termination clause of the agreement, the Company may be liable for an additional 2,500 shares to be issued to CorProminence.

 

Legal Contingencies

 

On April 13, 2022, AEGLE Partners, 2 LLC (“AEGLE”) initiated an arbitration in Michigan against the Company with the American Arbitration Association. AEGLE asserted claims related to a certain Supply Chain Consulting Agreement entered into between AEGLE and the Company in 2019 (as amended from time to time, the “Agreement”), and a disagreement between AEGLE and the Company regarding whether AEGLE is entitled to payment of certain fees and warrants pursuant to the Agreement. AEGLE's complaint seeks, among other things, three times the payment of such alleged fees and warrants and recovery of AEGLE's costs and expenses. We believe that the claims made by AEGLE in its complaint are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against them.

 

We may become a party to litigation in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, there are no legal matters involving us that would have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.